Being Ruby

They Shoot Horses Don't They?

2012-01-29T14:40:00.001+11:00

Back In The Saddle Again

Well almost.. This post title was a toss up between the two.. The melodramatic 'They Shoot Horses'.. or the uppity 'Back In The Saddle'... I went with the melodrama although starting to feel 'back in the saddle'.... Round two of antibiotics.. This time the right ones and I'm almost feeling like my old self again!!.. What a nuisance this tooth problem was... I was a little dizzy and disoriented last week and kept running into people.. Run over some guy with my trolley in the supermarket and then put on a woeful display of parking yesterday at the doctor's surgery.. BUT... one day on the good stuff and it's safe for me to be back on the roads again.

Now these poor horses wont' have such luck.. I came across these guys in Rome last August.. 39c and there they were having to transport lazy tourists with their designer shopping... [see still melodramatic haha].. But really folks.. It was tough to see these guys suffering in the heat.. I wanted to drag them into the shade and give them all a nice drink of water.. Not being a horse person I don't really know if this was tough on them.. But they looked sad and tied.. Actually I think we all looked sad and tired in that heat but we had a choice!!

Speaking of heat.. It's starting to heat up here in Sydney.. Although everyday seems to have four seasons and swings wildly between too hot and humid and damp wet and slightly chilly.. I'm grateful for the mostly cool nights whilst I get back into the swing of it all.. So pardon my absence and hopefully will be 'Back In The Saddle Soon'.

Have A Great Weekend All

IMAGE SOURCE & CREDITS:

ALL Text, Original Photography & Artwork [copyright beingRuby©]

Location: Rome, Italy [August 2011]

The Future of Australia

2012-01-26T14:41:00.003+11:00

Happy Australia Day

to my fellow Aussies

HI Everyone.. It's been one of those weeks. Dosed up on antibiotics for a dental issue and an internet that just won't play play nicely with others.. So I have been tardy in visits and lacking in posts. But .. today is Australia Day.. Living on Botany Bay the birthplace of our nation, demands that I honour the occasion. But what? Another cockatoo or two? A banksia tree? How about a wombat?

Better still a shot of the Future of Australia.. A second generation Australian who just happens to be my 'great nephew' [with respect to the author we will refrain from using the term 'great' from this point in]. A cheeky little terror who is happy to sit around in his singlet and eat whatever is put in front of him. Hmm.. seems like a typical Aussie to me .. hahaha.. But seriously folks.. I think he makes a good ambassador. We are a relatively young country of mixed heritage that doesn't stand on ceremony or worry too much if we get a bit of egg on our face. [or whipped cream in this case]. We tend to be casual in our dress and manner and naive enough to embrace our mistakes and laugh them off as a learning curve.. A good way to be and I should remember that next time I'm in a pickle.

So Have A Fabulous Australia Day

And a Fabulous Week to The Rest of The World

Internet permitting.. I'll pop round for a visit soon

IMAGE SOURCE & CREDITS:

ALL Text, Original Photography & Artwork [copyright beingRuby©]

Shakespeare & Co

2012-01-20T11:37:00.002+11:00

Be Not Inhospitable To Strangers

Lest They Be Angels In Disguise

[Yeats]

These are the words that welcome visitors to the Shakespeare & Co bookstore located on Rue de la Bûcherie, Paris. Of course the trillions of books lining the walls will welcome you as well, but I think the loveliest welcome is the sweet zinc table and assorted chairs out the front. Somewhere quiet to sit and read, reflect on life, or just rest one's weary feet after a day's sightseeing in Paris.

Sadly the owner of the store George Whitman, died just last month but his legacy will live on and the bookstore known to many via the film Julie & Julia, will continue to enthrall the hoards of tourists who make their pilgrimage to Paris.

Now I do not know these people who happened to pop into my camera's lens.. Usually I avoid posting people shots due to privacy.. But I think they aptly reflect the clientele .. Well according to my imagination they do.. The elderly gent who enjoys the buzzing atmosphere of the young and young at heart, and the tourists.. weary but happy from their day's adventure, keenly plan their next foray.

All Are Welcome Here

Strangers & Angels Alike

Speaking of Angels.. Thanks everyone for the well wishes and support in my request to the universe.. She is a bit slow to respond this week.. but I'm sure she's busy creating options as we speak ..

Happy Weekend Everyone

It is just around the corner

IMAGE SOURCE & CREDITS:

ALL Text, Original Photography & Artwork [copyright beingRuby©]

Location: Shakespeare & Co Store Front: Paris, France [August 2011]

A Room With A View [Numero Deux]

2012-01-15T19:10:00.002+11:00

I Demand A Do-Over

About this time last year I Feng Shui-ed my blog with images of Rome and a virtual travel angel.. Well It worked.. I did get back to Europe last year and of course Italy and France were the destinations.

About a year and a half ago I requested the universe's help to find somewhere new to live.. And the universe delivered there also.. In fact it provided two choices although I suspect I made the wrong one.. So after all these months I feel it's time to try again. I'm asking for a do-over. Please Dear Universe, Send me somewhere clean, quiet and happy to live.. You know the requirements... In fact I've helped you out with a little visual aid!! OH.. And this time.. Could the internet work everyday?

If Only Finding Somewhere New To Live Could Be Created With Photoshop!!

[perhaps I should have put a satellite dish on top]

Have A Lovely Weekend All

IMAGE SOURCE & CREDITS:

ALL Text, Original Photography & Artwork [copyright beingRuby©]

Houses: Paris, France [2011]

To The Moon Alice: The Lighthouse

2012-01-09T23:17:00.002+11:00

To The Moon Alice

January 2012

This month's full moon feels cheeky and full of adventurous spirit...

Bright and bold she is lighting up the night sky with her luminous lemony glow.

Casting a light of luck and goodwill in your direction..

... A Personal Lighthouse

To Guide You To Your Destiny...

Happy Full Moon Everyone

[Will update the Moon Notes soon!!]

IMAGE SOURCE & CREDITS:

ALL Text, Original Photography & Artwork [copyright beingRuby©]

Little Miss: BeingRuby's mamma [circa 1930's]

Backgrounds: Various locations NSW Australia

Life Should Be Pastels

2012-01-07T18:37:00.001+11:00

Have A Great Weekend Everyone

Just a bit of pretty to brighten my [& hopefully your] day!!

IMAGE SOURCE & CREDITS:

ALL Text, Original Photography & Artwork [copyright beingRuby©]

Little Miss: Takes A Journey

2012-01-04T17:36:00.004+11:00

Ciao Mamma & Bonjour Maman

Little Miss has been doing a some travelling. Her little girl dreams are filled with fields of wild flowers & daisies, and travels to far away places [and pretty little dresses to suit the climate].

It's no surprise Little Miss has big dreams right now.. It's a new year. Still fresh and sparkly with hopes & promise. Time to dream big and envisage new adventures. Time to change 'maybe' into 'possible'.

Without little girl dreams

Where would we be?

I Hope You Are All Dreaming Big Right Now

It's our little dreams that grow into big possibilities.. Take out some childhood hopes and wishes, dust them off and plant them in a field of daisies.. Imagine them growing strong and healthy and spreading their tendrils upward and onward till they leap off that storybook page into your own world of reality.

And for all the little boys out there

The same applies

[sans le pretty dresses.. unless that's your thing!]

Dream Big This Year

IMAGE SOURCE & CREDITS:

ALL Text, Original Photography & Artwork [copyright beingRuby©]

Little Miss: BeingRuby's mamma [circa 1930's]

Backgrounds: Paris & Rome: , August 2011

Little Miss

Is dressed by Ruby

Hair by her mamma

This Has Been Another RubyTime Production©

Little Miss is a RubyTime Associate and available to make guest appearances for your high profile functions. Little Miss chooses to stay at 5 star hotels whilst on location and has a standing order for 'milk and cookies in the evenings' and 'porridge with brown sugar for breakfast'. The inability to meet these requirements will negate any written contracts and subsequently render any future engagements defunct.

Any resemblance to real persons is purely INTENTIONAL

Hello 2012: Hop On Board

2012-01-01T16:15:00.005+11:00

Welcome To 2012

Hola

Buongiorno

Bonjour

G'day

& Howdy Folks

The Weather Is Perfect

Fine & Clear With A Soft Cool Breeze

Australia Says

Happy New Year

& I Say

Hop On Board

& thanks for joining me in this Brand New Sparkly Year

A Special Hello To My Spanish Friends

That's the city of Palma in the background

I have much to say and share but not today..

Today is bookmarked for soaking in good vibes

& dreaming of new adventures

Have Fun This Year
& Thanks A Million

IMAGE SOURCE & CREDITS:

ALL Text, Original Photography & Artwork [copyright beingRuby©]

Location: Palma Majorca, August 2011

Dear 2011: A Parting Message

2011-12-31T14:10:00.008+11:00

'My Message To 2011'
& my new answer for everything

Dear 2011

You have pushed me to my limit Sir .. Once again I find myself putting pen to paper to question your motives and point out that your behaviour can no longer be tolerated. I am saying goodbye to you dear sir!! There is no more room in my life for your fickle antics and unconscionable tactics.

I know I spoke similar harsh words to your cousin 2009... You are cut from the same cloth... 'Brothers from another Mother'... You give with one hand and take with the other.. Ok.. I will give credit where it is due.. You did bestow some wonderful gifts... There's no overlooking a trip to Europe nor gifts of a more personal nature which will remain unspoken in such a public forum.. But really you also created much havoc to all and sundry and I think it's time to move on..

Don't try and stop me with flattering words or false promises that quite frankly I doubt you can deliver in less than 12 hours.. Any such attempts to sway my decision will demand the forthcoming response..

... As a wise woman once said ...

'I Four Fourths Don't Care!!'

Have A Wonderful New Year's Eve Everyone

I'm old school and will wait till we ring in the New Year to pass on those wishes

It's been a blast once again

Blogging has brought about some of my most treasured moments of 2011

And AS ALWAYS .. Each of you have brightened my year and lifted my spirits on a daily basis

You're The Best!!!

IMAGE SOURCE & CREDITS:

ALL Text, Original Photography & Artwork [copyright beingRuby©]

Location: Normandy France 2011 [I couldn't stay away]

Quote: Gilmorisms [more of those to come in 2012]

Post Christmas Lull

2011-12-30T09:10:00.001+11:00

Post Christmas Lull

The post Christmas lull has finally arrived and traditionally, here in Sydney, it's time to hit the beach. Although the weather gods aren't always complying this summer, it's still a lovely time to take a stroll and watch the world go by before the pre New Year crazy starts. Or has that started already?

Sorry I was unable to continue with my christmas posts nor get around to visit everyone but I'll try and do the rounds over the next few days.

Meanwhile A Little Beach Blooms & Blues

['cause I don't know about you but I'm sick of travel shots]

[really!.. just temporarily!]

Have A Wonderful New Year Weekend

IMAGE SOURCE & CREDITS:

ALL Text, Original Photography & Artwork [copyright beingRuby©]

Location: Sydney Australia 2011

No I haven't gone all Dame Edna on you.. The blooms aren't gladiolas but agapanthus mid bloom

Christmas Spirit: Angels of Rome

2011-12-20T19:45:00.002+11:00

Angels at Christmas Time

Another Angel for Christmas! This is my fourth Angel of the ten that live upon the Ponte sant'Angelo in Roma [others here]. This little fellow is aptly named 'Angel with Lance'... So inventive those Romans...

I hope you are all having a lovely lead up to Christmas.. It is the silly season.. So remember to be safe as you scurry around helping Santa in his tasks... I'll send one of my Angels to watch over you!

Christmas Giveaways

I've been so busy I nearly missed some wonderful giveaways from my talented blog friends

Art By Karena [A Vintage Mercury Cross Bottle created by the lovely Isa of Greyfreth]

& some Italian goodies from the clever Bella Rustica

Have A Lovely Xmas Week

i loveRome

IMAGE SOURCE & CREDITS:

ALL Text, Original Photography & Artwork [copyright beingRuby©]

Shots taken in Rome, Italy [2011]

Christmas Spirit: Little Madonnas of Rome

2011-12-19T14:13:00.003+11:00

Getting Into The Christmas Spirit

About time I got into the Christmas Spirit. Starting with one of my little 'Madonnelas' that are peppered throughout Rome gracing the already stunning architecture. Little poppets of love & devotion found when you least expect it. Today I only have time for this one situated near the Pantheon. You can see why ..

i loveRome

Have A Lovely Week

Stay Tuned For

More Angels of Rome and More Madonnelas in the coming days

IMAGE SOURCE & CREDITS:

Shots taken in Rome, Italy [2011]

Moon Over Venice [& Atrani]

2011-12-17T20:03:00.004+11:00

'Moon Over Venice'

Appeasing The Blog Gods

You might forgive me for being so busy with xmas preparations that I forgot my moon post.. But in fact I haven't even started xmas planning yet.. [ooops]... This last week has been hectic with unexpected bits and pieces that have kept me away from blogging.. so apologies for the late moon post and lack of visits and I hope that Venice will make up for the tardiness

This time last year I wouldn't have thought I would get back to Venice in 2011.. But that I did.. It is still the most beautiful place in the world.. and still the place where one's dreams can merge with reality.

This month's moon over Sydney was lost to rain clouds.. So I pulled out an old favourite here.. dressed her in moonlight.. and popped her up on the mantle for you! And to appease the blog gods.. I sent that moon over to Atrani and gave her a Aussie beach xmas theme.. Covering all my bases in one post to make up for lost time!

'Moon Over Atrani'

So Make A Wish..

.. Dream Big ..

And bring some of that wishing into your reality..

Have A Lovely Weekend Folks

Moon Notes:

December's Moon Was Full: Sun 11th [Sydney Time]

December Moon Names: Frost Moon, Long Night's Moon, Moon Before Yule

Ruby Moon Name: ' Oops I'm Late But Never To Late To Dream Moon'

IMAGE SOURCE & CREDITS:

Shot taken in Venice, Italy [1993] & Atrani. Italy [2011]

Even 'Parisian' Dummies Have Feelings

2011-12-10T16:48:00.011+11:00

A Little Window Shopping

From The Other Side

Clothilde sits in a shopfront window on rue Saint Andre des Arts, Paris. Yes she does get to live in Paris and see the beauty of the tiny shops that line her street and watch the fashionable jetset as they pass by her window... But don't be too jealous.. She never gets to wander those streets. Nor sit at a sidewalk cafe or just take a walk to stretch her legs.. [oh! that's right.. she doesn't have any legs]. Her name might not even be Clothilde.. No one really knows... It's tough being a shopfront mannequin.. Even in Paris

I promised you some more distractions.. Although this was a distraction from my distraction.. With luck there'll be no more distractions for the original distraction that was distracting me! And on that note ...

Have A Great Weekend

And think yourself lucky your not Clothilde

And Thanks everyone for the lovely comments on my last post..
I will try and make some of these creations available to you in the future..

IMAGE SOURCE & CREDITS:

Shots taken in Paris, France ... August 2011

Paris Posters: Child's Play

2011-12-07T21:27:00.000+11:00

Just Horsing Around

Blowing off steam for me means fooling around with my travel shots [which I'm sure you've all figured out by now .. there's been a lot of blowing off steam going on lately].. These poster creations hold special appeal as they allow me to be express my inner child!!... I just can't decide which colours and tones I prefer so here's a few choices..

I've been working on these images for a friend... and now have a bunch of ideas brewing in my head just waiting to get out if I don't get sidetracked onto some other distraction .. like Christmas which is moving up on us quickly!!

So stop horsing around and get a giddyup missy!!

Have A Great Week Y'All

And don't forget to write your list for Santa!

IMAGE SOURCE & CREDITS:

Created from shots taken in Paris, France ... August 2011

Montmartre: Carousels & Accordions

2011-12-03T16:56:00.001+11:00

Montmartre

Carousels . Accordions &

La Vie En Rose

IF la Vie En Rose is playing in your head right now .. then that's a good thing!! As that's what I'm listening to on one of those little wind up music boxes I brought home from Paris. And that's what I'm hearing when I think of Montmartre... If you can find the quiet amongst the crowds, then you'll also find the magic. The story book Montmartre where the imagined is more tangible than the reality..

Lucky for me I found some quiet moments as I strolled along the alleyways.. recovering from my climb to the top of Sacre Coeur [see here]. Relax with a cafe creme.. or perhaps a gelati.. as you watch the carousel delight the children and the child within.. whilst listening to the bittersweet tones of a piano accordion somewhere in the distance.

I'm in a green mood as we are finally having the perfect spring day!! Now that it is actually summer!! .. Spring saw the weather in Sydney fluctuate between 38c heat waves and cold damp days of 18c... Mix in a bit of torrential rain and that's what we've been experiencing.. They predict we are in for a hot and steamy summer... For now I'll just enjoy this perfect spring like weather and hope it continues this way for a bit.

Have A Great Weekend

And a big thanks to all who visit and comment!!

Each and everyone appreciated!!

IMAGE SOURCE & CREDITS:

ALL shots taken in Montmartre, Paris, France ... August 2011

Amalfi: SEA Green

2011-11-30T22:26:00.003+11:00

SEA Green

Take a dip in the pretty Sea Green of the Amalfi Coast

Have A Great Week!!!

IMAGE SOURCE & CREDITS:

All shots taken in Amalfi, Italy, August 2011

Positano: Santa Maria Assunta

2011-11-25T21:49:00.003+11:00

Have A Great Weekend

IMAGE SOURCE & CREDITS:

All shots taken in Positano, Italy, August 2011