Best of AGT- One of my Favourite Things!

 Okay, we need to revisit this little treasure AGAIN! 

In 2011, I wrote about the humble Bobbi Pin. 

In 2016, I included that post in the Best of AGT, with a bit of an update. 

It's 2022 and now, it's time.  Let's look back to my 2011 thoughts on this mordern marvel. 

A favourite accessory of mine!  Earlier this week, I was doing my hair and I just wanted to get it off my face and my neck and I wanted to look cute and effortless.  A few well placed bobby pins and I was done!  Although there is also something to be said for good quality hairspray.  

The humble bobby pin has been around for a long time and has been credited for many famous hairdos.  It has been portrayed in films as the magic item that can hold an entire bun in place for 5 days then break-in to the back door in seconds.  One can only imagine what MacGyver could do with one.

I wonder if you really can pick a lock with a hair pin?

Whether it's a glam-do for a night out on the town, a messy bun for work or holding back the locks while you are touching up the make up, a good quality bobby pin (and maybe a few of its mates) are a girl's best friend!

But Be Warned:
1. Don't skimp or you might as well put twigs in your hair! This is one item where, even I (cheapskate queen), must purchase quality.
2. They are precious and have a habit of "disappearing" under the bed, between the couch cushions and at the bottom of your hand bag.  You paid good money for these magical little treasures, take care of them.  
3. A single Bobby Pin can't hold all your hair in place for a week of Kung Fu fighting.  Bobby Pins work best in groups. 

11 years later, let's take a look at how the 'kids' are using bobbi pins. 

3 ways to add bobbi pins to your hair - tips from Brit Co  - includes dressing up a braid with pins and some simple twists.  There are even some for short hair! 

All Women's Talk has a bunch of different hair dos using bobby pins.  These two have to be My Favourites!

It's an Arrow! 

It's a triangle!

Brit Co also shows how to "trick out" your bobbi pins too. 

Now, let me leave you with this awesome tip.... 

Sticky Pins- lay all your bobby pins on a tissue or paper towel and spray them with hair spray.  This way, they will stick to your hair when you slide them in to your latest "up-do". 

Source

What is your favourite hair accessory? Let me know in the comments. 

Okay, Stick a Pin in it and See you next time! ;)

A Great You Tube Channel

From time to time, I like to share something "Great" with you.  Something worthy of A Great Title.  

Today, I'm sharing with you, Amy's Wares.  

Photo Credit: these are thumbnails I copied from Amy's Website. 
These cards are just beautiful and I can't take credit for any of them! 

Amy is a lovely lady who makes some great cards.  She loves to use stencils (mostly from A Colorful Life Designs- ACLD) to create backgrounds, focal points and even sentiments on her cards.  She also likes to pre-stamp sentiments and store them in a big binder.  These seem to make her card making process quite quick. We all need to make a card in a hurry from time to time, so seeing how she does it helps me so much.  

I learned about Amy from a Facebook group I belong to (called Prokraftination) when Amy shared one of her 5 cards in 10 minutes videos.  It was around Christmas and I'm always looking for simple Christmas card designs so I clicked her link!  I checked out the video and I was hooked.  It also helps that Amy shares my love of Catherine Pooler Inks!  When I first saw how versatile stencils can be and the lower price point, I have been slowly growing my stencil collection.  I love using stencils to make backgrounds for cards, so a crafter who uses at least one stencil in almost every card, is a crafter I want to follow.  

The 5 cards in 10 minutes videos are nice and short and show some lovely clean and simple designs.  While I can't purchase from ACLD right now... that's a story for another day... I am making myself a long wishlist of products that I want to purchase from them.  I'm also looking at the products in my own stash and thinking about how I can use them to create simple cards.  It's so good to find another crafter who inspires you! :) 

Today you got three "Greats"- 

Amy's Wares - a great You Tube Channel- short videos that show simple techniques for quick and easy cardmaking! :) 

A Colorful Life Designs- a great small business that has a variety of innovative and versatile craft products. 

Prokraftination- a great facebook group where anyone can share their craft projects, link to their blog/ instagram/ You Tube videos and other social media accounts.  The owner of the group, Koren Wiskman, also shares special offers, giveaways and prizes with group members.  I love Koren and I have included her in a blog post before. The members of this facebook group are so encouraging too. 

Now that makes 4 'Greats'.  You are so lucky! I hope you are feeling inspired! I know I am. 

Until next time, Happy Crafting! 

#2019 #awesome

Let's look at what happened here at AGT (and in my world), this year!

Crafting
We began the year with a Scrap/ Pattern Paper Challenge and created some great cards in the process. I tried out some ink dragging with embossing folders and stamping on cork.  Making this magnetic frame was really helpful (thanks Simon Hurley) for holding my most used dies.  In April and May, I took some craft supplies on vacation and had lots of fun making cards with my nieces.  This year, I invested in some card classes, background stamps, an electric die cutting machine, texture pastes and perfect pearls.  As far as craft is concerned, 2019 was one of trying lots of new things.  Check out some of my favourite cards of 2019.

This is only a few of the cards I made this year! Wow, I've been busy. 

Travel
You got some postcards from me this year.  My first road trip in a long time, took me to Biloela (a small mining town west of Rockhampton in Queensland, Australia).  My sister moved her tribe to "Bilo" in January 2019, so in April, my Mum and I headed there for a visit. We celebrated my sister's 40th birthday and my niece's 5th birthday.  It was hot. If you want to read about how I handled the long drive with my chronic illness, click here.

In August, my Mum and I took a whirlwind tour of our nation's capital, Canberra.  Now I can tick Canberra off my list of Australian state capitals that I want to visit.  It was busy and exhausting and oh, so much FUN!  Check out my postcards here.

Other Stuff
This year, I also shared some Apps, websites and Youtube channels, that I have found useful as well as some other favourite things including some flashbacks to posts from previous years. Professionally, 2019 was amazing.  I enjoyed teaching new subjects and spent more time working with different students.  I got a new job at a new school, which meant packing up 10 years worth of teaching resources and bringing them home.  I still have piles of books, posters and stationery littering my craft studio/ home office.  I enjoyed helping out at Sunday School at church too.

I lived out the word "Pause" and I truly feel this has helped me reach goals and make changes to my life style for the better and forever.  I am looking and feeling better.  I can't wait to see what 2020 brings. :D  I will be spending New Year's Eve with my family and having an early night.  

This year was good, this year was fun!  
Tomorrow is another one!  (apologies to Dr Seuss)

How was your 2019? What are your plans for New Year's Eve? 

May you all have a happy and safe New Year! 

Favourite Things ?!

I did this list a few years ago and I have updated it.  Some of the items on the list have changed while some of them have stayed just the same.  Interesting.  No real surprises.  :) 

1. Time of Day: bed time
2. Food: ice cream, 
3. Drink: tea
4. Band/singer: no favourites, lots that I like. 
5. Actor: again, no favourite,
6. Location: My Studio... mostly the craft part. 
7. Team/Sport: hahahahaha that's funny!
8. Animal: kitty....
9. Activity: Crafting and Hanging with the BFF! 
10. Things to collect: Memories! 

My Favourite Place to Sit

It has a high wingback and legs that tilt back just enough.  The upholstery is breathable, not at all itchy.  The deep grey colouring fits with any décor, not that  I care about that, and I recently purchased a foot rest to go with it.  I have a cushion on it and a blanket laid over the back of it (my blanket that was made out of my Dad's shirts).  This chair is my favourite place to sit.   I love my chair!  The seat cushion is soft, the back is strong and supportive.  It's a goldilocks type of chair: not to hard, not too soft, but just right!

This chair is the most comfortable chair I have ever owned.  I can curl up on it with a blanket or sit back and relax.  I have sat in this chair to read, watch Netflix, draw, write lists, make phone calls and just think.  It's so comfortable!

My Mum also loves sitting in this chair.  She often flops onto it when she gets home from work.  She lays back and prattles on at me, while I'm crafting.  She tells me all about her day, even before I ask how it was.  I can continue what I'm doing while she talks to me.  I like it when she sits there, at least she is still for a few minutes.  If only my chair could make her be a little quieter as well?

When I have a lot of cards to make, I sometimes need a break in between steps or while wet things dry.  This is when my chair is so wonderful.  I simply take a couple of steps from my craft table to my chair and break is on.  When I'm ready to get back to it, I only have to take a few steps and convince Shelly to let me have the chair at my craft table back.  My chair is wonderful. My chair is perfect.  My chair is my favourite place to sit.


Where is your favourite place to sit? Let me know in the comments. :)

It might be someone else's furrvourite place to sit, too!  

A Great App: You Version Bible App

The You Version Bible App actually changed my life.  It really did.

Before this app, I had several Bibles (usually gathering dust) on my shelves.  I bought devotional books that I struggled to complete.  My medical condition, of chronic pain, affects my neck, back, arms and wrists.  That means it's hard to hold a traditional Bible.  It's hard for me to carry a Bible to church.  We won't even start to talk about the way my chronic pain makes it difficult for me to develop and maintain good habits.    I wasn't interacting with God's word meaningfully or regularly.  I tried, I really tried, I was just unsuccessful.

I downloaded the You Version Bible App from Google Play Store and started using it.  Eventually, I found myself reading the Bible everyday and engaging in it like never before.  There are several features this App offers that make exploring my Bible and learning more about God so easy.

1. Versions

This app has capacity for you to download one of many Bible versions, including the Old King James all the way to The Message and Good News.  You don't have to download all the versions, you can access any of the listed versions with Internet access.  Viewing a range of versions is really easy too.  After looking up a scripture you can read it in any of the available versions, but tapping on a drop down menu and then tapping on the version you want. You can do this as many times as you like and you don't have to look up the scripture each time. It just finds it for you.  I LOVE this feature!

2. Verse of the Day

Everyday when you open the You Version Bible App, a verse of the day appears with references.  You can also share the verse on various social media sites with a choice of background images.  I know my cousin often shares the verse of the day on her Facebook page.

3. Bible Habit Tracker

This App tracks how many days in a row that you have opened the Bible App.  This was really helpful for me when I was trying to develop my habit to become daily. The App notifies you when you've had a perfect week and month.  You can view this information in the form of a graph or table.

4. Reminder

Using this app, you can set reminders on your phone, so you don't forget to read your Bible.  I don't need this feature anymore, but I think it's a great option for when you are starting the habit.

5. Bible Reading Plans

The You Version Bible App has hundreds of Bible Reading Plans ranging from 3 days to 365 days. Plans are organised by topic with a search option. Most plans include commentary as well as automatic look up of the referenced scripture verses.  It means that, regardless of how sore and tired I am, I only have to hold my phone and tap through the steps of the plan for the day.  I can also read the verses in different versions to help me understand the verses.  I don't need two or three or more books and I don't have to spend time looking for chapter and verse.

I am also really loving the option to 'read with friends'.  I can invite friends to read with me and there is a 'chat' feature at the end of each day within the plan so each group member can comment about the day's reading. We can summarise the scriptures, ask questions, apply principles to personal situations and share our own thoughts on the scriptures covered.

This App is awesome. It has some great tools and functions.  I don't even use the app to it's full capacity and I'm loving it.  I use this app every single day.

What do you use that helps you to maintain a daily Bible reading habit? Please share it with us in the comments.

Bless You!

The Mighty Ones Winning

A year ago, I stumbled on a website/ blog called "The Mighty".  I was directed to the blog from a Pin on Pinterest, or maybe it was a Google Search.  After finding the article I read very helpful, I explored a little more and I pinned something.  Since then, The Mighty started appearing in my Pinterest 'Feed' much more often.  Some of the pins drew my attention while other pins didn't.  When I clicked on a pin, I was inevitably sent to an informative, interesting and helpful blog post of some description. These posts were all part of "The Mighty". 

What is "The Mighty"? you might be wondering and Why do I love it so much?

The Mighty is a community of people with disabilities including chronic illnesses such as fibromyalgia, adrenal fatigue syndrome, anxiety, depression, chronic pain and more!  You don't have to be a member to read the articles. If you want to comment, ask questions or participate in the forums you need to become a member.   You might be wondering why I am so excited about a website about disability and chronic illness.  I have chronic pain and you can read a little about my personal journey here.  

Reasons The Mighty is a great website

1. Members include doctors and allied health professionals and they contribute to the content. 

2. Most members are people who live with chronic illness or are close to someone who does. 

3. Articles are accessible for anyone who can read (you don't have to be a medical professional). 

4. The content is real and honest, written by real people who share their real life experiences. 

5. It reminds me that I'm not alone.  I'm not the only one who lives with pain every minute of every day. 

6. Some members are worse off than me and they keep getting out of bed every morning.  This encourages me to do the same. After visiting The Mighty, I feel grateful.  

7. Content includes strategies that others use successfully to manage their pain, their daily lives, household chores, social interactions and more. 

8. It's helpful for family members of people with disabilities, including chronic pain, to learn from other people living with disability.  Strangely enough, sometimes, hearing it from a stranger gives it credibility.  It can help you see that this isn't something your loved one imagined or 'plays on'.  

If you have a chronic illness, or you know someone who does (a family member, a friend, your partner), you need to visit The Mighty even if you only do it once.  

That's that then.  

Another Great You Tube Channel: Coco Lime Fitness

I have mentioned before, I think, that I have a condition known as Neuropathic Pain or Chronic Pain. While my condition is not the same as fibromyalgia, it has some similar symptoms.  Basically, I feel pain every minute of every day.  I manage that pain in various ways.  If you want to learn more about chronic pain you can check out these links.

What is the difference between acute and chronic pain? 
A video about pain... 
The Spoon Theory

Today, I want to share a You Tube Channel with you.  It's called Coco Lime Fitness and more specifically, I like to use the Fibro-Fit Series.  The channel belongs to an amazing woman, Suzanne, who has Fibromyalgia and wants to help other people who live with chronic illnesses including fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue and more.  She is a qualified personal trainer so she knows her stuff AND she knows (from personal experience) the real struggle of living with a chronic illness. She demonstrates exercises as well as modifications so you can adapt work outs to suit your pain and your body.

Fibro Fit has truly helped me to get up and get moving.  I can work out in my own home and know that no one is watching me.  I can control the length of my work outs by choosing a full workout or putting together a series of shorter work outs.  There are warm up videos, low impact cardio, strengthening, dance or kick boxing, stretches for cool-down or just for helping you relax.  These videos are great for those with chronic pain or just anyone who can't get to the gym, can't fit in time to run or walk or just wants to try something low key at home.  Most videos require no equipment other than a device to watch the video and a supportive pair of shoes. Some videos use house hold items such as a chair or step.  Others give you the option of using light dumbells, but you don't have to use these if you don't have them.  You can do it without weights or use two equally weighted items like cans of soup, packets of rice or even bottles of water.

If you're looking for an easy fitness routine that will help you get moving or just to change it up from your regular routine, this is the You Tube Channel for you!

I will say again... I am not compensated for my comments here and I will not be compensated.  My opinions are my own!

Have a great week! :)

1 Card Panel = 3 Cards!

So excited to share this with you.  Not because I think you will learn a lot from me.  I'm just a little bit proud of myself!

I managed to make 3 cards out of 1 card panel.  That's right, people!  Paper Saving AND Time Saving brilliance at its best.  Check it out!

I started out with a piece of cardstock cut at 5 and 3 quarter inches by 4 inches.  I later cut this down to fit on my card bases with an even border all the way around the edge.  The next step is the most fun.  Some direct to paper (using Catherine Pooler inks, which are perfect for this technique), tone on tone stamping and spraying the panel with water (mixed with perfect pearls pigment powder) makes this shiny, textured background.  I wrote about this technique in more detail last month.  The stamps are from the 'Celebrate Friends' Stamp of Approval collection from Catherine Pooler Designs.

Pulling out the dies, I cut Happy Birthday (From Kasier craft)  from the centre of my pink and purple card panel, then die cut a rounded rectangle (also from Kaiser craft) around the negative space.  I also die cut the Happy Birthday die again using black card stock.

This card uses the negative space from the word die and an inlaid die cutting technique.  

I used silver glitter tape to create a border around the outside, then glued the rounded rectangle on top of it. 

This card uses the Happy Birthday die cut (isn't it gorgeous?!) and some black chevron washi tape. 

I put the tape down first and glued the words on the diagonal to line up with the tape.  

The tape is all the same width, it's the chevrons that make it look wonky like that. 

I accidentally smudged a bit of pink ink on the card, so I decided to do some 'splatters'

by smooshing some ink on an acrylic block then flicking it with a wet brush.  

After making the first two cards I couldn't bear to throw away this beautiful frame. 

So, I stamped the big Happy Birthday stamp (from Sugarpea Designs) directly onto a card base.

Then, I adhered the frame with foam tape and used some iridescent sequins so it 

looks almost like a shaker card.  I love this card the best and it was literally made from a scrap! 

There you have it.  One panel of card stock, a fun technique and Bing, Bang, Boom, I have 3 gorgeous cards for my birthday card stash! I can see myself doing this one again! 

Have a wonderful week, my crafty friends. 

Reasons to Smile

This is a list of things that make me smile.  Sometimes entirely without reason.  :) 

Friends

Toddlers explaining how the world works
Dad's impish smirk
Pretty craft supplies
Other people smiling because of me
When a kid learns something

Babies
Taking a photo of someone
My Bestie

Cameras

Lying in bed

Silly word play

A job well done

Mint Chocolate Chip Ice cream

Shelly the cat

Happy music

Veggietales
Lasagne
Cuddles

Comfy clothes
The Sound of Music
Helping
Kindness
Quiet
Happy Memories
Nanny's Rissoles
Singing
Getting into bed with fresh sheets.  

I hope you have plenty of reasons to smile today! 

A Great You Tube Channel- How to ADHD

I have ADHD.  I didn't find out that I had ADHD until I was in my mid-twenties.  When I finished the checklist and realised that I had lived with this neurological condition, my life suddenly made sense!  All the trouble I had concentrating, focusing, remembering, maintaining relationships, managing my emotions and all the rest of it, finally had a real reason behind it.  I also had the privilege of working with some awesome adults with ADHD and they showed me that my mind is brilliant and I should be proud of what I had already achieved.  They helped me understand that I had already developed some great strategies for success in the classroom and life.  They had developed some great strategies too and we shared them.  It was so liberating for me to realise all this.  

I'm not sure how I found How to ADHD... I probably fell down a You Tube rabbit hole.. but I only watched one or two videos and before long, I was hooked! The host, Jessica, is an amazing woman!  She has ADHD and (for various reasons) she created this amazing You Tube Channel. I think she can explain it far better than me.  Check out her About Page on You Tube here.  

If you have ADHD you will find some well researched and entertaining videos at How to ADHD which, I promise, will help you.  The channel will help you see that you are not alone and while it can be hard to have ADHD, there are also some great advantages.  Check out this video which explains the basics of ADHD and how it can impact a person's life.  The videos can give you some great tips for studying, organising your life, getting stuff done, understanding your ADHD and how it impacts all aspects of your life, fidgets that will help you focus, medication, therapy, looking after yourself and so much more.  

If you are a parent, teacher, employer, husband, wife or friend of someone who has ADHD, you should also check out How to ADHD.  The videos will help you to understand the person you know who has ADHD.  You may start to realise that what your employee, student, child or partner is doing is actually out of their control.  You might learn a bit more about them and how you can help them or even help yourself live with them.  

I love How to ADHD and I have found it very educational, for me as a person with ADHD and as a teacher of students with ADHD.  I am a better person and I am a better teacher just from watching some videos and that's AWESOME! So, Jessica- if you ever read this- THANK YOU! 

So, stop counting how many times ADHD appears in this blog post and go check it out! 

PS. I'm not affiliated with How to ADHD in any way.  I have not been, and will not be, compensated for this blog post.  My comments are my own! 

Book Week

It's that time of year again!
Australia's Book Council celebrates Book Week this week!

The winners have been announced!  Check out the list.

It's the time we all celebrate the children's authors we have in Australia and we promote the joy of reading.  My favourite week of the year.  Almost.

Authors included on the short list include the highly accomplished Mem Fox,
Emily Rodda and Alison Lester.  All of whom have won in previous years.
The book I can't wait to read is the winner of the Eve Pownall Award for 2018: Don't Lick This Book! written by Idan Ben-Barak, Illustrated by Julian Frost and published by Allen and Unwin.

A book about microbes!  I can't wait to check it out. 

This time of year can be rather stressful for some parents!  You see, most primary schools will have extensive Book Week celebrations to promote reading.  There will be book fairs (buy a book, Mum), costume parades (dress up as your favourite book character), reading challenges, competitions and so on.
Earlier this week, we received a text message from my sister.  Ms 6 year old asked her mother "Mum, what will I wear to the book week parade? I need a costume, tomorrow!"
Stress Attack!
After questioning some of the older children and rummaging through the school bags, Sis found a note explaining that Book Week celebrations would culminate in a special assembly on Friday.  All the children were encouraged to dress up as their favourite character from a book they have read.  So, Sis (true to form) texted her Mother.  Also my Mother.

"What am I going to do about that?"

My mother, (also true to form) went into her sewing room and found a red hooded cape.  The same red hooded cape that I wore when I was about 6 or 7 years old and Sis wore when she was about 6 or 7.  You see, schools have been having these dress up days for about 70 years (as long as Book Week has existed)! So, Book Week has tortured parents for more than half a century.

Dear Parents, You're not alone.

So, Ms 6 is going to school as Little Red Riding Hood.  I wonder if she has read that book?

Anyway, Happy Book Week!

Scripture Typer: An Impartial Review

Let me begin by saying: I am not associated with the Scripture Typer Application in any way.  I have not been paid for this review and I won't be paid for it in the future.  This is entirely my own opinion.

In April, I bought a new phone and when I downloaded my Bible app (I love my Bible app) the Google store suggested some other apps, including some scripture memorisation apps.  This is when I found, Scripture Typer.

AGT regulars will know that I am working hard at reaching somgoals this year and blogging about it every month has been helping me stay on track.  One of my goals is: "Learn 12 scripture passages by heart."  I started out this year by writing out the verses of scripture I wanted to learn and reading it everyday as well as using the old spelling strategy: Look, Say, Cover, Write/ Recite, Check.  So, I can honestly say that Scripture Typer has changed my life!

Here are 10 of the great things you can do with Scripture Typer:
1. Access Scripture Typer on your computer (an excellent website) or you can download the app to any electronic device as it's available in the Google Play Store or the App store.
2. Import the text of scripture passages from 10 different translations including NIV, NKJ, ERV and ESV.
3. Search by scripture reference or theme.
4. Memorise collections of verses (already compiled) by theme or Book of the Bible.
5. Create your own collection/s of verses, organised how you want.
6. Divide longer scripture passages into individual verses to make them easier to learn and then combine them when you have mastered them.
7. Sketch prompts which appear on your screen with the Scripture reference before you type in the Scripture from Memory.
8. If you have the PRO version you can record yourself reading the text aloud and listen to it when working on memorising the scripture.
9. Share (brag about) your success on social media as well as create groups of friends who can support each other while working to memorise the same scriptures.
10.  Track your progress as you learn each scripture passage and add new goals to your collections.

I have the FREE version of Scripture Typer and it does everything I need.  PRO users can register for an account which syncs everything to the cloud so you can access your collections and progress on any device at any time.  It's as easy as creating a username and password.

Scripture Typer also features an excellent memorisation program. Once your verses are imported to your collection, you simply follow the review tasks each time you open the app and before you know it you will be reciting scripture better than ever.
1. Type It: The verse appears on the screen and you type into your device as you read.
2. Memorise It: The verse appears on the screen, but with gaps, and you type the whole text into your device.
3. Master It: the Bible reference appears on the screen and you can type the verse from memory.

Through all of these steps in the program, Scripture Typer gives you feedback on errors and gives you an accuracy percentage when you finish.  You get a point every time you review a verse.  One of the things I love about Scripture Typer... in case you doubted how much I loved it already... The program tells you how often you should review the verse in order to increase your retention.  Once you get a 100% accuracy on the "Master It" step, the program will tell you that you have mastered the verse and you should review it every 2 days.  After two repetitions every 2 days, the program tells you to review that verse weekly, then fortnightly, monthly etc.  This keeps track of each of the verses in the collection so you can review one verse daily while reviewing other verses every six months.  You can revisit verses as often as you like and continue to receive points.

This app really has taken my memorisation and made it so much easier for me.  I can review verses at home, in bed, on the train, even at work on my break (when I get one).  Scripture Typer has not only helped me reach my goal of memorising 12 scripture verses this year, but I have surpassed it, "mastering" 15 verses.  I plan to continue working on these 15 verses and reviewing them weekly (even though some of them don't need to be reviewed for 6 months) until the end of the year.  Next year I will create a new collection of verses to memorise over the year.

If you are looking for a memorisation app, I would definitely recommend Scripture Typer!!

Postcards from Adelaide: Day 4

Day 4 was Cat Day... it was busy and relaxing.  It was exactly what I wanted and needed.  I was truly content when I finally fell into bed at the end of Day 4.  Sigh, memories of Day 4 will always make me want to return to Adelaide. 

Big Cat Interactive @ the Adelaide Zoo

All the interactive and special experiences at the Adelaide Zoo begin early in the morning, well before the zoo opens.  It was an easy walk and bus ride to the Zoo from my hotel so I was very early! We were met by a volunteer and entered the Zoo using a staff entrance.  The volunteer walked us to the Big Cat Building as she told us about the history of the Zoo and some of the buildings we were walking past. She introduced us to Matt, the Cat Zoo Keeper.  He was a really nice guy who has two cats at home and was happy to spend an hour with some crazy cat ladies. The group was made of myself and a small family (Mum, Dad and 17 year old daughter), and they allow a maximum of 6.  Four was plenty of people, in my opinion. 

We started by meeting the gorgeous tigers and hearing about the breeding program, the daily routine of the tigers and their diet.  The others in our group were able to feed the tigers a treat of lamb leg bone.  We spent about 25 minutes in the tiger building and looking into the main tiger enclosure.  The tigers at the zoo are quite old and no tiger would live so long in the wild. The eldest of the tigers takes a strong pain medication to treat arthritis.  I laughed when I realised it is the same medication I take for my chronic pain.  It was at this time the Zoo keeper revealed he takes the same allergy medication that the Zoo's panda has been prescribed.  Obviously the dose is different. 

Mudjimba, the lion top left, likes to greet keepers and guests by

standing on his hind legs and scraping the bars on the door of his enclosure. 

Top right: the lioness I got to feed. 

Bottom Right and Left: the oldest female tiger living at the zoo.

We moved into the Lions' building, next, where we met Mudjimba - a gorgeous lion, who likes to act tough.  He actually has a lot of ongoing medical conditions, which was sad to hear about.  We also met his girlfriends, a set of lioness twins who were born at another zoo.  They bully Mudjimba quite a bit.  It seems they're very catty!  LOL.  I fed a treat to one of the lionesses.  She was only interested in the food!

Meet Mudjimba.  Isn't he gorgeous.  Those eyes. 

Our volunteer escort accompanied us the whole way and took some lovely photos for me when I was busy (feeding etc).  When we finished with the Zoo keeper and seeing the cats, the volunteer took us to the Zoo Gift shop and we received a FREE water bottle with a small booklet of discount vouchers for the café, gift shops (yes, there are two) and membership.   Then, our tour was over.  I headed off to see a few of the animals - Cyrril the emu and the Meerkats, the pandas, the lemurs and more - before rushing off to Hashtag Meow. 

Cyrril the Emu

Meerkats are so CUTE!

Hashtag Meow - Cat Café

Another easy bus trip and another short walk got me to Hashtag Meow (click here for more info).  It's the only cat café in Adelaide and has been open since December 2016.  They already have 21 cats in residence and I wouldn't be surprised if they continue to grow.  All the cats have been rescued from homes where they were no longer wanted or the street after being abandoned.  Most of the cats are pure bred and absolutely gorgeous.  The owner/ manager, Amelia, is a lovely young lady and she welcomes all her guests with a smile.  She is happy to chat or leave you alone to relax in the company of the cats. She told me about all the cats and listened to my stories about Shelly and my holiday.  Most of the cats were happy to join in a game or curl up beside you for a pat or a neck scratch.  As it was a fairly quiet day (mid-week afternoon), Amelia let me stay a little longer than my allotted hour (for no extra charge) and it was really hard to leave.  I felt so at home there. 

I took dozens of photos of the cats at Hashtag Meow.  These are just a few of them. 

I loved the kitty scratching train. The kitties loved playing on it and sleeping in it too!

The State Library of South Australia

The Mortlock Wing

The almost puurrfect day (see what I did there?!), was wrapped up with a visit to the Mortlock Wing of the State Library of South Australia. They had an exhibition of the History of Toys and Play, which was just lovely. They had toys, games, books belonging to prominent Australian families (historically).  They also had letters and diary entries of the children and adults who had owned the toys.  It was beautiful. They had some interactive exhibits for kids to enjoy as well and a guest book.  The whole thing probably only took about 40 minutes to explore but it brought back some truly fond memories for me. 

There is little I can say about the Mortlock Wing - because if I start, I won't stop! - except that it is the original building that housed the State Library Collection.  The architecture is beautiful and it now houses the original 'general collection'. The books are very old!  University students sit among the old books with their laptops and ipads.  Anyone can wander in and take a book from the shelves to read or simply smell.  It's beautiful!! I didn't get to the library until after 3pm but at 4:45pm, the security guard had to come find me and tell me it was time to go.  I could have spent another two hours there, at least.  Oh, what am I saying? I could have easily spent another day there! 

Photo from the second balcony of the Mortlock Wing.

Click here for more info.

That's one world class library ticked off my bucket list, just another hundred or so to go. 

It wasn't until this particular day that I realised how close my apartment was to the Cultural Precinct including the Library, the Art Gallery and the Museum.  It was not just Walking Distance!  It was a short walk!! Thank goodness for that, because my feet were very sore by the time I found the exit to the library. 

That was that, I meandered back to my apartment and had fruit and cheese for dinner.