05 January 2010

things close to my heart . . . a trip to our national museum

Greetings all, welcome to 2010!!
We have kicked off the year with a list of family things to do & see around our nation's capital - Canberra. Yes Canberra is stiff & serious, everyone is very important with parliament & all the public servants, alas, it has incredible 'places of interest' & amazing weather (remember our last posting was Darwin, next posting is Brisbane, so we're enjoying Winter, ice & snow as a novelty!!). 2010 will be our 3rd & final year living here with the Army, so we're taking advantage of Daddy-on-leave & school holidays to tick things off our 'must do' list. Silly but true, when it's your own back yard, you don't appreciate your local landmarks.
So we started off with the National Museum which had a Water Exhibition for H2O (pay admission). I was recently quoted over at Australian Women on Line with my silly season tip for managing children as saying "Just Add Water" as my children love baths, swimming, sprinklers, water pistols, you get the drift - now for the science . . . this back ground is a projection onto mist you couldn't even feel. Needless to say, completley fascinating!! We also spent the afternoon swimming, of course!!
Who wouldn't love a house with genuine vintage posters on the walls?? The camera (bottom right) is the famous Damian Parer's, who took so many of those amazing images on the Kokado Track/ Trail, in PNG in WW2.
This was the sewing box & machine of a gorgeous Australian lady engaged to a boy who went off to WW1 & never returned. She had a collection of things she made 'for her marriage'. Heart breaking!! Her lace work was incredible & dainty. Apparently her family found calico bags filled with handmade goodness after she passed away.
Isn't this grand, a welcome to the Princess of Cornwall. My mother is British, but can't say she's a fan of the current Duchess of Cornwall. Just found the flags over oppulent & fancifull. I wouldn't vote for us to become a republic, i know my husband likes being part of a Royal Australian Army, not just the Australian Army, it's a tad ordinary to not fight under a crown.
Fantastic discovery - a softie, 1940's style. I'm going to covet & draw inspiration from this design!! I have so many vintage fabrics, since collecting them for over a decade, what better way to use them up. I'll leave the fancy pieced designs to One Red Robin & Allana C. I like styles young children could also design, this piggy is too sweet.
& who hasn't been caught watching a little cricket this Summer?? It's the Jane McGrath pink test in Sydney this test match & i wish them well in their fundraising. I know my late mother-in-law would have appreciated the attention breast cancer research & nurses are getting. If you pop over to the Posie website, the Art Viva Betty Jane knitting needles raise money for the Jane McGrath Foundation - if you're feeling like getting ahead of your knitting projects now - these Tasmanian Oak needles have pink boobs at the ends.
How much fun would this be, holidaying in this caravan. I actually set off alarms trying to lean over to get better snap shots on the interior. My son thought that was so cool & criminal. How fabulous is the colour & style!! Wonder how that would look behind my Landcruiser?? Somehow i don't think it would sleep 6.
So there you have it, my passions & interests, all wrapped up into one post. I have always loved cricket, i'm married to a soldier & am a tad obsessed with vintage ways, especially sewing & large families - i think i would have been just as happy living 50 years ago, except i guess i wouldn't have spent 6 years at Sydney Uni getting educated. As my children finish up at school & my P&C duties cease (in another decade) i'll switch to more charity fundraising. Love Posie

9 comments:

Kylie said...

Looks like you had a great day - must say that the only time I went to the Museum was for Tim's Graduation from Duntroon - sad realy that I was that close and did do a whole lot:( Oh well - one day I am sure that we will score a postng back there (and it will be alot more fun to do it with children instead of alone:)

Corrie said...

look at those gorgeous children! you are right, they all have skinny legs, their legs all look their same and they look soooooo tall!!!!!!!

I can't wait till my guys are older and we can get out and about more!

Corrie;)

Jodie said...

I'm with you Posie, those very simple shapes are often so perfect for kids imaginations.... I have to admit I struggle with simple - I always always want to add more and add clothes...so nice to see you in blogland !

Jo said...

Hi Jennie,
Lovely to hear from you. For double the fun, add soap suds to the water! XX

Stacey said...

Well that is a surprise to know you love your cricket as well. I too am a cricket lover and have it on in the background as I type this.
Sounds like you had a great day at the national museum.

Stacey said...

Oh and look at your big girl! So tall!

posie blogs Jennie McClelland said...

Why thanks ladies, i married into a tall leggy family, i can't claim that my chidlren take after me i'm afraid!! Love Posie

Michelle said...

What a great day you all had! Have you seen the book "Thrift to Fantasy"? It's eye candy for all of us who love vintage handmade items!

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