Being Ruby

You Can Help - Haiti

It's difficult to comprehend the magnitude of devastation in Haiti this week and the loss of so many lives. If you can make a donation it will help provide assistance to the Haitian people who have been affected by this disaster. Even a small amount can make a difference if we all do something!

Aussie Bloggers can donate via;

Red Cross Australia

World Vision

Links to other Australian charities can be found at A-M's post - 'Aussie Bloggers Help Haiti'

Thanks

Julie

A Tree Grows In Sicily

I have a yearning to see those wonderful trees you'll find scattered throughout Italy. Strange and hauntingly beautiful trees whose impression silhouette the cliffside and cities they so elegantly embrace. Old souls that seem to outlast the whims and renovations of civilization.

You'll know your in Italy by the architecture, people and history. These trees will also remind you. I'm sure you'll find them elsewhere in the world, yet I only recall seeing them in Italy. I'm talking about the tree in the first photo. Gnarly, twisted with a canopy resembling a ladies' parasole. Little umbrellas for the creatures nesting below!

These images are photos I took in Taormina, Sicily. A quaint town hugging the cliffs of southern Sicily. Perhaps a little touristy, but even that has it's charm as the main thoroughfare is traffic free and lined with glamorous shops and restaurants. At night you can walk through the lanes and piazza and not feel out of place alone. The rest of the town is also taking their passeggiata! The only thing to be wary of is marriage proposals. I think the locals are keen on migrating!

Now I know you don't normally see pink on my blog, but these images just seemed to call for it. Which is a little strange in itself as my memory of Taormina recalls golden amber hues, dotted with touches of red. I'll share more photos of Taormina in a later non-pink post!! But for now... enjoy the trees and a little touch of pink!

Julie b

IMAGE SOURCE: Taormina, Sicily. Photos and editing by me [Being Ruby]

Some Days Are Diamonds

Well... in addition to the Happy 101 award I have also received the following awards over the past few weeks. I think this could easily count as one of the things that makes me happy!!! It is always such a delight to find a fellow blogger has generously passed me an award. An acknowledgement that in some small way I may have amused, entertained or struck a chord of familiarity, and that's what it is all about right? Sharing our thoughts and interests with others and discovering theirs too. So without further ado, here is my lucky stash received over the past few weeks.

If only they were Oscars I could line them up along my imaginary mantle and reminisce about the good ol' days [oops that was further ado] ...

You Are One of A Kind

The first award is a personal award 'You Are One of A Kind' from the lovely Luiza of 'Feelings'. Luiza is one in a million, a kind gentle soul who always has time for her friends and other bloggers. She is also quite clever with lovely handicrafts and beautiful photography which reminds you to enjoy the quiet gentle things in life. Thank You Dear Luiza - YOU are one of a kind. As this award is 'One of a Kind' I get to keep it to my greedy little self!!

Five Diamonds Award

The next award is the 'Five Diamonds Award' and comes all the way from London and the delightful Marina from 'Iced Vovos'. Boy did I ever like Iced Vovos as a kid [the biscuit kind!] . As an adult I'd rather enjoy the visual delights of Marina's blog, be it fashion or travel to some of my favourite places on earth. Thank You Dear Marina for being such a kind blogging friend who has been with me since the beginning of this adventure!!

Fabulous Sugar Doll Award

Also we have the 'Fabulous Sugar Doll Award' from Sue 'Someone's Mom'. Well dear Sue is Mom, or for me MUM. Always over here keeping me sane and reminding me to pick up my pencils, ooops I mean sleep and eat well when my working life gets a bit pazzo. Actually I first knew Sue from her 'Hidden Treasures of the Midwest' which is a great photo travel blog. These days you'll find her more at her 'I Need Mom' blog keeping us in line with culinary tips and tablescapes.

Kreativ Blogger

And finally, weighing in with beauty and style is Susie from the 'Mill House'. Thank you Susie for passing me the Kreative Blogger award. What a lovely surprise this was, as Susie's blog is quite new to me, but so far has me enchanted. It's currently a winter wonderland over there so put on your wellies and go and give Susie a visit.

Now I plan to pass all these awards on and do the list of things about myself in some later posts. But for now I will pass on the Five Diamonds award to these lovely bloggers who can also pass it on to ten bloggers of their choice. All these bloggers have wonderfully entertaining blogs for diversely different reasons. Pop over and say hello....

Five Diamonds Award