A “potted” collection of French Cookbooks
With such a proliferation of glamorous cookbooks in the marketplace, the “Bible’’ of them all – the new English edition of the French encyclopedia of cooking, Larousse Gastronomique is on sale for a...
View ArticleMyriad Memories of St Remy de Provence
Time for reflection on sweet memories of my favourite village in France. Here is a photograph of me on market day in St Remy de Provence in 2004, and it is so exciting that I will be there again in...
View ArticleMy Sister, My Self.
Have I told you about my younger sister – my only sister – who was born on my 16th birthday? What brings her to mind is that I wrote a message in her birthday card tonight telling her that she is...
View ArticleScarlett is a happy scamp at 12 months
Today is my darling grand-daughter Scarlett’s first birthday and I can hardly wait until tomorrow for her first birthday party. This chubby little lady makes my heart burst with love each time she sees...
View ArticleMarie seals gift for Sir Richard with kiss
When naïve artist Marie Jonsson-Harrison lived on the farm at Balaklava, she not only honed her skills as a top professional, she also day-dreamed about the scope of her work. She thought one day she...
View ArticleDon’t Blame It On The Kids
Don’t blame it on our kids! New research has found that the financial disadvantage women face in retirement has nothing to do with whether or not they have a family. The research paper, What’s choice...
View ArticleMemorabilia? Mess or Matter?
Author Nate Berkus in his new book The Things That Matter asks a poignant question which has me pondering about how to rid my life of clutter. “Does Your Home Tell the Story of Who You are?’’ he asks....
View ArticleShriver writes a shattering book about Kevin
Review By Fiona White. We Need to Talk about Kevin by Lionel Shriver is a shattering book and tackles many taboo questions head on: Is mother love a totally natural instinct? Is it Nature or Nurture...
View ArticleJudy’s Art Life in Shades of Grey
One of Australia’s eminent neuro scientists, Associate Professor Judy Morris, has taken off her white lab coat to draw intricate art of the natural world and the human body. She, who once used...
View ArticleGarden awakens to greet early Spring
With the arrival of an early August spring, I seem to be living in a bird aviary, so prolific is the birdsong. The plumber who is installing a tap in readiness for summer, comments; “Those birds are...
View ArticleFrail Frank soldiers on at 95 years.
My frail father, Frank, turns 95 today and my sister Anne and I are with him as he shuffles on his walking frame to Kafe Schulz, the restaurant in his nursing home where we will buy him a chocolate...
View ArticleLove endures for Frank and li’l sis Lilian
It was a touching moment when the two siblings – my 95-year-old father Frank and his 92-year-old sister Lilian – fell into each other’s arms and wept. They had not seen each other for two years...
View ArticleWe Remember Their Sacrifice in France
I write my tribute to our fallen Australian soldiers at 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month on Armistice Day when peace was finally signed after the four year Hell which was the Great War 1914-1918....
View ArticleArticle 2
In the difficult world of fund-raising, Tutti Kids has embarked on an excellent idea. Tutti has acquired the magnificent portrait of former Senior Australian of the Year and celebrity chef, Maggie...
View ArticleA Year of Family Fun and friendship in France
This is the second Christmas without Olivier and life in 2013 has been kinder. Life at Belair has been peppered with fun family events including my first holiday in Brisbane with daughter Serena,...
View ArticleFrench sexual politics sizzle for Hollande
Sexual politics in France will never be the same now that the not-so-secret love affair between French president Francois Hollande and French actress Julie Gayet has been exposed by the magazine...
View ArticleJoy of Life “quotidien”
I am trying hard to nudge out grief from my mind by paying attention to the joy of life around me. There is delight simply by walking down my street with Oscar on his lead sniffing at every blade of...
View Article“Flamby’s Angels” or “Hell’s Angels”
Here is a gem of a photograph from France which reflects the sexual politics of the moment. However, has anyone ever seen French president Francois Hollande smile? Must be heavily photoshopped because...
View ArticlePoverty, violence worsens for world’s women
On International Women’s Day we could be complacent and think upon the amazing advances made by women into powerful leadership roles in the world today. Particularly here in Australia, we have had the...
View ArticleA beautiful big baby boy is born – Zachary
Our family has welcomed a big, beautiful baby boy following the safe delivery of Zachary Graham Williams, first son – and second child – of my son Tyson and his wife, Vanessa in Melbourne over the...
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