I'VE DONE IT... OCTOBER 2016

The garden is my favourite place to be at the moment. The star jasmine bloomed this week and the clivia is standing tall and the first bl...

katiecrackernuts.blogspot.com.au || spring strawberry patch

The garden is my favourite place to be at the moment. The star jasmine bloomed this week and the clivia is standing tall and the first bloom started to unfurl today. Bees are buzzing around the echium and the tomatoes, cucumber, zucchini, chilli plants, artichoke, broad beans and other edibles are in various stages of growth. I'll be getting out there every chance I get.

IN OCTOBER:

I WENT TO... Brisbane for the Commonwealth of Australian Governments (COAG) Summit for Reducing Violence Against Women and their Children. I was a delegate representing Girl Guides NSW & ACT and there at the request of the NSW Government. I have much to say about policies that protect women and their children from violence, support women to leave domestic violence and, of course, to stop the root cause of family violence - and these are many and complex.

However, I also have great pride in representing the only global organisation listening to girls and young women and responding to their experiences of violence with a view to supporting them to create safe environments, at home, at school and in their communities.

That organisation is the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, or as you may know it, Girl Guides. Check it out. Join even.

I ATE... Lost Boys in Brisbane's Fortitude Valley was a welcome hidey-hole in the middle of a busy couple of days working across multiple offices in the city. I am inspired to try my hand at recreating the cafe and bar's thyme-infused lemonade. Ask for it. It's not on the menu.

I OP SHOPPED... I always have to refer back to Instagram to remind myself what I found at the op shops. This month a number of vintage cook books were added to my collection, and my button box grew with beads from my favourite Salvos Store and glass buttons from Vinnies. My favourite find was a gorgeous silk, 1960s era dress from my local Red Cross Store.

I MADE... I've been busy stitching Christmas ornaments to give to friends and have started on Christmas gifts using thrifted finds.

I READ... Brooklyn, by Colm Toibin. Now I really want to see the movie. Have you seen it? What should I read next?

You Might Also Like

4 comments