Where May was like March and April with more travel, and June was like May with even more travel July has been like March and April with no travel. Does that even make sense? There’s plenty that’s happening at the moment but most of that is in the day job so I won’t go into specifics. Let’s just say things are what they are and it is what it is.
Anyways, without further ado, here we go…
About the weather…
I love this time of the year. Winter in Queensland is a lovely mix of cool nights and mornings with some warm-enough-for-a-t-shirt blue days. Certainly can’t argue with that.
The sun isn’t up until 6.30am so we’re still too early most mornings for sunrise. Also, for the last week or so I’ve had more problems than usual sleeping (work stuff…don’t go there) so we’ve been walking earlier and even missing first light so no great early morning pics to show you. The photos below were taken at the end of our walk earlier this week. It was raining and we got very wet, but, well, I was awake so we walked.
Out and about on the Sunny Coast…
There’s not much to tell you about here either. While Grant now has Friday off I’ve been working so our lunches out have been close to home and usually at the local Vietnamese, Somewhere on Buderim, which we both love.
We did make it out for brekky to Tziki Bar in Forest Glen the other morning when Sarah was down – the pic below is a spanokopita omelette which was very yum indeed. Other than that there’s very little to tell you about.
In the kitchen…
While I haven’t done much baking (and am itching to) I have been more active in the kitchen. Check out the July edition of the Kitchen Diaries here.
Watching
Wham! – This one blew me back to my teenage years. While I didn’t enjoy being a teenager, I loved Wham! and the music of George Michael. I write a little bit about it here.
Masterchef Australia – it was so bittersweet watching the finals this year knowing it was the last time we’d be seeing Jock Zonfrillo.
The Great Australian Bake-off – I’m loving the new hosting team.
The Lincoln Lawyer – I binged the first series and loved it.
The latest series of Brokenwood – I love this show. If you haven’t seen it, it’s like Midsomer Murders but in New Zealand.
My words of the year…
Change…
Things are changing in my workplace, but it’s not something I can talk about here.
Creativity…
As I mentioned in last month’s wrap, because of the work situation I’ve had to put a stop to my art classes… for now.
I did, however, make it to my writer’s group last Friday (and wrote about it on last week’s Writer’s Digest on the author page…yes, folks, I’m finally resurrecting my author page). I’m working on a sequel to Escape to Curlew Cottage and pretty much just writing random scenes until I see what fits where – and what doesn’t work at all.
Over to you…
What’s been on your calendar this month? Perhaps you’d like to update us on your word of the year or intentions? We’d love to hear about what you’ve been up to…
The linky is below and it’s open for a week…
My co-hosts are:
Deb at Deb’s World
Sue at Women Living Well Over 50
Donna at Retirement Reflections
And Anyways... 
Hi Jo, despite your heavy work commitments you’ve still managed to fit your walks in and your cooking looks amazing (nothing new there). It is a shame you had to discontinue your art class for the moment but sometimes we just can’t fit it all in, can we? Take care xx
At the moment I feel as though I’m trying to do too much just so I can get to the things I actually enjoy.
Hi, Jo Despite all the change on your horizon, I’m delighted to read that you have still been writing, have resurrected your writing blog, attended your writing group, have been active in the kitchen and walking each morning. I never know how you do it all. You remain an inspriation!
awww thanks…
Whatever the changes are, they sound exciting and I am hopeful you will have fewer non-sleeping nights. That was one of the ‘worst’ things for me about being a school principal…the late at night “convos” I could have done better..etc. I am making a few superficial changes to my blog by mid August, keeping my WWandPics link up of course, but wanting to re-fresh parts of it. Whilst I tried substack for a bit, I decided I didn’t have the writerly urge to stay. I hope you enjoy the medium as 3 or 4 of my friends are.. and I hope you get some cooking in soon. Thanks for the link up. Denyse
I’m not sure yet about substack… the jury is still out.
I thought I had already commented…lol.It was so good to see you link up your blog post this week. Thanks for being part of the community that IS Wednesday’s Words and Pics! Warm wishes, Denyse.
Your winters are much nicer than ours! Good to hear you are still manage to find time to write in your busy life.
Writing keeps me sane đŸ™‚
Oh I envy you your winters Jo! Hoping the changes go smoothly and look forward to hearing updates next month. You sound like you’ve been very busy and I hope that settles for you soon. Great to catch up via this linkup and having you as a co-host is always fun.
I was actually saying only the other day how much I love this time of the year with the cold nights and mornings and gorgeous days. It’s so short though.
Hi Jo, I don’t know how you can get up and go walking when it’s still dark but good on you! I used to but not these days. I am curious as to what the ‘big change’ that is coming might be. Sorry to hear you’ve had to put your art classes on hold for a while due to work being so busy. I hope that will change for you soon. I have to agree with you that our Queensland winter are glorious! I love them!
It’s tough in the dark – and even tougher when it’s raining!
Your first paragraph cracked me up! But anyway you write it your July was crazy busy. I suspect you don’t have many ideal moments. Hoping the kitchen diary blog shows up this month on my reader as I did hit follow. Love your food pictures. Good for you to keep walking. Take care and thanks for hosting. Bernie
Thanks Bernie… the last 5 months haven’t been great but I’m hoping there is a speck of light on that particular horizon.
I agree with you about winter in Qld Jo. I love it, and we were hoping to get up there during July, but it didn’t work out. Your food photos look amazing, as usual.
Thanks… and take care.
Jo, I’m impressed by all that you fit in a month while working full-time. Beautiful beach and food photos as usual. I added my link to the #WBOYC linkup. Thank you for co-hosting with Donna, Sue and Deb. Have an amazing August!
Thanks Natalie, and you too…
I haven’t been sleeping all that well lately either and I have no clue why but I am getting so very tired. Those beach photos look lovely!
Take care Joanne..
Like so many others, I am impressed by your determination to get out and walk, no matter the weather or your busy schedule. The beach pictures are lovely.
It’s one tick in a box & when the day goes downhill, that tick can be very important.
I love your positivity and engagement with life, even when ‘it is what it is’ stuff is going on. Take care. I’ll join in with my Sunday post.
Thanks Suzanne… unfortunately it’s all day job stuff so can’t really talk about it more than that. It will all sort itself out. *shrugs*
Your winter certainly sounds like something I wouldn’t mind! It actually sounds like our summer, lol!
I’m sorry to hear you had to stop the art class… what a shame about your work situation. Is this temporary or permanent?
The beach walk is stunning!
Thanks Susanne. I’ve been filling in for an extra job as well as my own since the beginning of March. It’s been exhausting but I think there’s a light at the end of that particular tunnel.
Hi Jo – sorry to hear that the job is still taking up far too much of your time. I really hope that the changes that are in the wind mean that you get some space back for yourself again – life’s short and you don’t want work sucking all the goodness out of it! Enjoyed all your food pics and have great admiration for anyone who not only walks before sunrise, but also does it in the rain – that’s dedication!
So happy you managed to get back into the writing groove again. I want your winter weather, by the way. It’s warm enough for a T-shirt most days in the afternoon here too, but then again it’s summer.