Emily Sells Both Paintings

Yes well I didn't invite Josh into the photos and you can see why!

We got down to the art show around lunchtime today to find that the Africa painting had been sold.  We don't know who bought it yet, but I quickly went and paid for the Shark painting.  We got totally misled as far as the category she should have been in, it should have been "novice" not "open" and I'm sure she would have won a prize, but that wasn't the point of the whole exercise so we're totally okay with that.  The atmosphere today at the show was not what we expected, it was warm, friendly and not wankerish at all.  Em's friend from school and her mum were there and made a fuss, and even the volunteers were excited when they heard Em's story.  Phill and I were the proudest parents.  Her name is in the catalogue and to see her work hanging on the wall among so many other wonderful (and not so great) works was a wonderful moment for both of us.  She may be just 14, and a very new and inexperienced artist but there were some entries there that were way below her level.  One painting, which had a $2500 pricetag looked like it had been painted by a five year old.  And I know a little bit about art.  (It didn't have a sold sticker on it like Em's two do!!)

And my birthday trip to Melbourne is a goer.  We decided not to stay in the CBD this time as the hotels there are really family unfriendly.  We found a great caravan park about 10kms from the city that is four and a half stars, and we've booked a "deluxe family spa villa" for three nights.  It has a heated pool, rec room and is right on public transport to get into the city.  We can self cater and have a bit more privacy than when we stayed at the Rydges and all slept in one room, the kids on rollaway beds, and for less $$$.

We have our days planned, have already paid for some of the accommodation, our Titanic tickets and will also go to the Aquarium, Captain Cook's Cottage, the Victorian National Art Gallery and the Queen Victoria Markets.

I can't wait!!

Working on our Bourke trip also.  Kids can't say they didn't go anywhere for the October school holidays.

Tonight we bbqed.  We did garlic prawns in the oven for a starter, then Phill and I had rib eye steaks on the bone which we managed to cook perfectly!  It was charred properly on the outside and cooked to perfection inside using both the bbq and the oven.  I did an Indian spice rub on some lamb cutlets for the kids and some ready made ribs as you can't get the plain ones in Winter here.  I made a warm potato salad, with a dressing of good mayo, light sour cream and dijon mustard, and we had a bought Caesar salad with some additions.  I found a great blue cheese salad dressing in Woolies today.