:You've Got A Friend

This post is dedicated to all my wonderful friends, bloggers and otherwise, who have shared the gift of friendship with me this year. Sometimes an act of kindness or gift, a sharing of a burden, or just the willingness to listen without judgement. In many different ways I've been blessed by friendship and often from unexpected sources. So if you're ever feeling a little low, always remember ...

You've Got A Friend

Thank you EVERYONE... 
For your friendship and kindness this year. You've been the unexpected gift of 2010









IMAGE SOURCE &CREDITS
ALL Photography and artwork by [Being Ruby©]
Lyrics: You've Got A Friend: Carly Simon/James Taylor
Dolly was a giveaway win from my dear friend Ange [Signed by Ange]
The Vintage Tins are from Sharon's My French Country Brocante

A Beach Xmas Tree: Just For You

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Merry Christmas Everyone

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I promised you a beach xmas.. well I was lucky enough to capture the newish moon a few weeks back hovering over one of the many pine trees that border my local beach... Couldn't get a more Aussie Christmas tree I think!!! Which is just as well.. It is Christmas Eve here in Australia.. and 'someone' didn't get a tree in time!!

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I hope you all enjoy a wonderful christmas with those dear to you.. and may your days be filled with good cheer and laughter. Thanks for brightening my days this year with your inspirational blogs and welcome visits my way..

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May Santa be good to you!!

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Lots of Love For Christmas

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IMAGE SOURCE & CREDITS:

Text, Photography and artwork by [Being Ruby©]

Location: Sans Souci Beach, Sydney Australia

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:To The Moon Alice: Dec 2010

December 21, 2010 has brought us a full moon eclipse. Coinciding with the Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere and the Summer Solstice here in Australia. A time to allow magic to enter our lives. The magic that occurs at Christmas, a Full Moon and an eclipse!

Since I was a child, the Full Moon has always brought me comfort.. a constant reminder that I am not alone.. a guiding light.. and the keeper of my dreams and wishes. This full moon all my wishes are for our dear blogging friend Jane. I wish her strength, love and courage and a swift recovery.

PS: I'm hoping I can catch up with each of you whilst my internet is actually behaving... But just in case, I'll take the chance to thank you now.. I've been blessed with your support and friendship this year.. The ever constant encouragement and kindness that has come my way via comments and emails and the friendly banter of blogging. I hope you each know how much I value your friendship and what joy you bring into my life.

Thanks also to Cecilia of Desde My Ventana for hosting her Christmas Advent Series

IMAGE SOURCE & CREDITS:

Text, Photography and artwork by [Being Ruby©]

Paradise Found: & A Beachy Christmas

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THE SEA

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BEAUTIFUL NOOSA

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Those of you who have read my previous posts will know I was anything but thrilled by Mooloolaba.. my intended destination for my mini vacation.. So with this disappointment [and the hoon cars] still ringing in my ears.. I only booked one night accommodation upon arrival in Noosa. That was until I saw the beach. I've always wanted to visit Noosa but did not expect it to capture my heart as much as it did.. These pictures above are my first sighting of Noosa Main Beach. After a short walk from my accommodation.. I wandered through the main shopping drag .. round a corner and was greeted by the sights above!!! It was like a sip of cold water for the parched!! A salve for my soul!! Any and all of the cliches you can think of.. I was thunderstruck!! Perhaps it was the disparity between the two destination that made it all the more wondrous to me.. Who can say.. but I had to sit for a while and take it all in.. The day had turned misty and wet which I think made this vista all the more ethereal.. A dreamlike view that washed over me metaphorically and physically.. The rain had finally arrived and all normal people ran for cover.. but not me.. No still sitting and staring at this new delight, my beach watch was only interrupted by a quick phone call back to my accommodation to book a longer stay!! I was hooked!

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It rained the entire stay!! Although it didn't bother me at all!! Too much relaxation going on and rain just added to my calm!.. I imagine the beach would normally be a lot more crowded.. I was told there were more beautiful, more peaceful beaches.. but for my first visit, I was happy to enjoy this one. I spent many hours sitting on a stone wall.. watching the thunderclouds roll in... and sipping on cappuccino!! Who can complain!!! At the front of the beach is low rise accommodation.. a little out of my price range.. imagine waking up to this view each morning... but also restaurants and cafes dotted along the boardwalk... No matter your fortune... the beach and views are there for all.

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THE TREES

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'NOOTHERA'

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When the sun does come out.. there are plenty of trees to provide shade and shelter. In fact.. it is believed Noosa is derived from the aboriginal words 'noothera' or 'gnuthuru' meaning shade or shadow. The coastline here is bordered by miles and miles of protected national parklands. The township of Noosa is dedicated to protecting the sanctuary and simplicity of this natural beauty, hence no high rise buildings and a cap on population. For this ... 'I thank them!' Although I secretly hope there will be room for me one day! When my ship comes in!!

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Christmas Inspiration

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So there you have my first glimpse of Noosa.. One that is firmly entrenched in my memory and heart. As there's no chance of a White Christmas in this great sunburnt country .. I'm thinking it might be more appropriate to decorate with a beachy theme.. [that's assuming I will get my act together and actually decorate]. These tidbits below I brought home from my Noosa vacation and are giving me inspiration for my Christmas decor.. And yes!! I even brought that leaf home... gathered on my first day ... sitting in the rain under the shelter of the trees, it represents the peace, the calm and the inherent natural beauty of Noosa.. Maybe I should return to Noosa for Christmas!! Just dreaming!!

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IMAGE SOURCE & CREDITS:

Text & Photography by [Being Ruby©]

Location: Noosa Main Beach, Sunshine Coast, Australia

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[pardon the repetitive shots at top]

[I just couldn't choose between them!!]

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Just A Tease: Noosa

I love Noosa

Still trying to put together some images for you of Noosa.. It's proving difficult as I have too many so trying hard to edit edit edit!! Meanwhile this is one of my favourites ... I'll post it solo.... sans le commentary..   and see you soon with more Noosa & Christmas inspiration

I'm dreaming of a White Christmas which is very doubtful here in Australia.. Any of you northern hemisphere bloggers want a guest for Christmas ?.. I don't eat much!!! OK be very careful how you answer that!!

IMAGE SOURCE & CREDITS

Text by and Photography [Being Ruby©]

Location: Noosa Main Beach, Sunshine Coast, Australia 2010

Dear Santa: My French Country Brocante

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[photos by BeingRuby©]

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Turquoise Antiques

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As I mentioned in my last post.. arriving home from vacation, I was greeted at the doorstep with a package from France... A package filled with Turquoise loveliness all the way from Sharon's Online Brocante: My French Country Brocante. It was good timing and softened the blow of leaving Noosa behind. Noosa which is all turquoise and loveliness itself.. but that will come later.

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Right now I want to show you my latest brocante acquisitions which you can see in my shots above.. Five little rusty tins, each over 100 years old and in the delightful colours I am so fond of these days.. Their original use was for storing ammunition.. [that could come in handy for dealing with Mr Piano Accordion Man.. No only joking .. I think]... but I have yet to decide how I will use them . A myriad of uses really.. I'm constantly looking for bits and pieces and I think these would be perfect for organizing my home office, storing jewellery, or even just pure decoration purposes.. They quite like being photographed .. so they will add to my photo props and tie in nicely with my French Enamel Lunch Pail & Glass Sea Floats [see last post]. I also acquired this gorgeous enamel jug... Another item from the turn of last century and again in my favourite Turquoise... Another beautiful enamel piece to add to my collection. I can see I may end up with a Turquoise & White kitchen some day...

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So there you have it.. my latest acquisitions from My French Country Brocante .. No not MY French Country Brocante [I wish!!!].. but Sharon's 'My French Country Brocante'. I know many of you will be familiar with Sharon's blog 'My French Country Home' ... a lovely place to linger and dream of living in France.. Well now you can bring some of those delicious brocante pieces into your own home by way of Sharon's online Brocante.. Another wonderful place to while away the hours and find some perfect gifts for loved ones.. Or .. if you are like me.. for yourself!! haha.. Here are some more goodies from Sharon's Broncante that are definitely on my Dear Santa Wish List. Beautiful pieces rich in history and patina.. Personal pieces that have been pre-loved with long held secrets of life in a rural France.

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[shop photos by Sharon Santoni - My French Country Brocante]

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Some of these pieces can be found in Sharon's category 'Suitable For Framing'. Isn't that a terrific idea?? Especially the lovely script & ledgers above ... or even the delicate lace and linen pieces. I think they would make such a wonderful statement piece.. Preserving a piece of history and beautiful addition to decor at the same time.

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Another brilliant idea of Sharon's is a suggestion she might hold 'Brocante & Garden Tours of Normandy' next European summer. Long weekends in Normandy, filled with good food and great accommodation.. in Sharon's own guest house or grander B&B's belonging to her friends, and of course Brocante hunting. A chance to search out that special something yourself. Well I think it sounds perfect.. Especially as lately I have a keen desire to search out some other lifestyle.. You'll remember in my last post I mentioned grilling the Antique Store owner for details of her travels and life.. Well this sort of thing can't be created overnight, but we can all dream a little.. and I think dipping ones toes into this world would be a wonderful starting place.. or simply an exciting adventure .. What do you think? Would you find this a perfect way to spend a vacation? Being close to Paris it would be an easy side-trip. Well I am going to keep dreaming of a life other than my present one.. but I'd be keen to hear what you think also? Meeting up with Ange recently was such a wonderful experience .. Imagine meeting up with other bloggers on a Brocante & Gardening Tour of Normandy? .. Darn how am I going to settle back down with these ideas running round my head.

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I'll leave your with another image of my new 'old' jug

Dolly is hiding in the background.. I told her NO!! I told her to wear pants!!

But did she listen?

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Have A Lovely Weekend Everyone

I'll be making my list[s] for Santa

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IMAGE SOURCE & CREDITS:

Text by [Being Ruby©] - Images: 1-3 and 8 by [Being Ruby©]

Images: 4-7 by [My French Country Brocante©]

My French Country Brocante Button & Logo by [Being Ruby©]

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Dolly dressed by: Herself

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