Just went to a family wedding and one of the quotes from the service was from Pooh and Piglet books : "If you live to be 100 years old I hope I live to be 99 and 364 days, then I won't have to spend even one day without you." Awwww...

Aren't animals the best! We have a new little blue tongue lizard in the garage, two ducks waddling past our shop, bush turkeys scratching everywhere, amazing flights of hundreds of bats across the skies every night. And our two 'girls' : Roxy the Ridgeback and B (Black Betty Bamalam)the Lab. They give us so much joy, every day. Love them. And then there are the other 4-legged visitors to Hearts and Minds Art's red carpet - like Cody. Blind in one eye, he's a treasure.

Interesting. I've been thinking lately how the weather affects our moods. Noosa is known for its beautiful weather but it's been rain, rain, rain lately. Not cold, just rain. Customers at our shop have been (sorry guys) grumpy, glum and down. A bit of sunshine came out today and Wham! change of attitude completely. I'm the same. Having lived in Melbourne all my life until moving to Queensland a few years back I, too, felt the Winter blues. Wonder why. So much more energy with the clear skies. I just feel like stretching and, well, taking flight with new ideas and dreams.

Release your love into the skies -
the universe will take care of it.
Rolled in stars and rested on clouds,
it will come back to you.
   Shiny, new and warm.
(Julie Holland)

I have always whistled and sung along to songs. Unfortunately not always with the right words. (Yes, I'm the one that unwittingly sang "There's a bathroom on the right" instead of "There's a bad moon on the rise".) I'm sure I'm not the only one...the important thing is to participate, sing along. It fills you with emotion whether it's happiness, sadness or just memories. Tra la, tra la...Feel free to contribute your singalong mishaps at www.facebook.com/heartsandmindsart (no awful YouTube karaoke clips tho!).

OK. So. It's done. My book of verse has been wrapped in hope and sent off to a publisher for consideration. Fingers and toes crossed. If they don't like it, I will darn well publish it myself because I know deep inside that people will enjoy, value and gain something from it.

Another day in Paradise here in Noosa on the Sunshine Coast. Sun is out, tourists are happy...and it's a countdown to Valentines Day. Check out our 'countdown IOUs' from today until V day at www.facebook.com/heartsandmindsart. Or why not wander into Hastings Street, check out our Valentines window at No.1, then stroll off for a glass of vino.

It's so important to look beyond the surface...I have written many verses about it. Every day in our shop this belief is backed up. No-one is how they appear to be, there is always so much more. That includes me, and that includes you. Be proud that you are individual, that you take the time to listen to others and not judge.

My goodness, we are lucky here in Noosa. Once again we have escaped the brunt of nature. Our rain and high winds are nothing compared to the devastation other areas of Australia are experiencing. Our love, hugs, offers and positive vibes are what I am sending out and hope those in need can get help. We just want the sun to come out and all to be right with the world again.

We are having so much fun at Hearts and Minds Art's store at Noosa Heads : sourcing fabulous, original products, meeting loads of wonderful people and hearing their stories, planning new things for the new year, knowing the beach is out the back and our doggies are at home waiting for us to walk in the door. Life's good and we hope it is for you too.

We had a past acquaintance call into the shop recently. She stopped, surprised to see us, and said something along the lines of "I heard you'd left to live in Noosa but never thought you'd actually do it." Interesting. Are people really surprised when you do something you've been talking about for ages, and if so, why? Because they don't plan things/do things/want or expect change? Each to his own but listen to what your friends say and back their dreams....whatever they are.