Day 348 - Christmas baking

First day of holidays and after a somewhat uninspiring trek through one of those soulless shopping towns (as they're strangely called), in search of adolescent gear, I made a start on the Christmas biscuits. The first batch was white chocolate and macadamia, and I also made dark chocolate and ginger which were slightly disappointing on account of the ginger flavour disappearing, and also they were slightly burnt. Oh well, more tomorrow.

Day 339 - City sights

The city was overstimulating today. Coming up to Christmas is always like this. More people, more cars, more buskers, cranes obstructing major roads (Collins St), sounds mingling - singing, guitar, flute, drums, trumpet. Still, it's a good feeling. Walking up Bourke St I stopped with others to watch a talented artist make a decent job reproducing well-known paintings.

I like the way he's lined up his money tray with the money in the painting. Witty.

The artist had already completed a few pictures - the Madonna-like woman with the plump children, Vermeer's woman pouring milk from a jug, and a young woman with a basket of berries.

I walked past ACMI (Australian Centre for the Moving Image) and saw a group of bright green, Telly Tubby-like video pods, and into the Atrium through to the gallery shop to do some Christmas shopping. The umbrellas were new.

I also took one or two photos of traditional Christmas decorations in a traditional setting for Susan.

Day 335 - Chadstone and the end of Movember (unrelated)

Well, I walked my feet off at Chadstone - yes, I'm sitting here with stumps where my feet used to be. Chadstone Shopping Centre should come with a warning or at least GPS. I thought I'd just mention that I didn't purchase a single thing for myself (impressed?) apart from a sandwich and coffee. A small dent has been made in the Great Christmas Retail Hunt, so I'm pleased in a small way.

Later this evening, Mr 19 shaved his moustache, having joined the ranks of men raising money for prostate cancer and depression research and awareness, and having come to the end of the month and raised $448. Facebook has been a good way to promote this fundraiser.

Day 332 - Christmas shopping

I walked my legs off in the city (after the market) today, finally making a start on my Christmas shopping. I feel a little better having started. Mr 16 had his audition for Melbourne Youth Orchestra (MYO), and then we were supposed to go to a street party. Having been on my feet for about 6 hours, I decided to stay home, do the washing and some housework, and bake a cake for church kitchen duty tomorrow morning. Now that I'm finally sitting down, I don't know how I'm going to get up again.

Day 290 - Saturdays in October

I never tire of Saturdays. The violin shop was the last of our series of Saturday destinations. I'll come back to that.

The doughnut van is the first thing I see most Saturday mornings when I arrive at Victoria Market. As long as I remember it's been in the same spot. Note the old-fashioned spelling.

My first stop is at the egg stall. I remember when white eggs were commonly sold, but now you have to look for them. I always get these at Easter time when we colour them.

The outdoor flower stall adds colour to the visual delights of the market.

Bread's good here, and I hope they never get rid of the old signage.

Back to the violin shop, we got a shock when we went to have Mr 16's violin bow rehaired and were told it wasn't worth repairing. The cost of a new bow for his level starts at $1,000. Starts!! A good bow can be $10,000 and up to $20,000. I will now attempt to lift my jaw from the ground.

Day 62 - Fruit and vegetable shopping!

Just another dynamic day! Going out to purchase fruit and vegetables! Don't laugh (or yawn), this was not just any old fruit and vegie shop, it was a quest for THE best, the freshest, the reddest, the GREENEST produce!
I like to make my own entertainment....

Day 25 - Abandoned shopping trolley

I was walking to my car after having lunch out for my Name Day, and I passed this abandoned shopping trolley full of leaves, branches and paper. Not sure what was going on here.

Day 17 - Victoria Market

Saturday mornings we usually go to Vic Market. Today it was sunny, fresh and colourful.