May Activities

So its been a nice autumn in Perth. Slowly days have been getting darker, and now by the time I get home from work its to dark to go out for a run. I have had to do all my running on weekends or early days off work. Its also been slowly getting colder. I convinced Graham to take out the heater just this week. Kit cat remembers his old friend the heater and has taken up his winter residency laying in front of it no matter if its on or off... see you in spring Kit cat!! He will no longer care to sit on my lap at night.

Work and life has been busy as per our usual. Work has run me off my feet. Only catching a bit of a breather this week. Thank goodness. I am so lucky to have such a supportive and kind boss who has been really great the past few months supporting me! We are both really busy!

Graham is busy with school and we have been enjoying a little freedom with the car. I went and had lunch with my friend April from Kentucky the other weekend. I traveled about 45 min from home and met her in the Swan Valley where we ate at a beautiful winery and enjoyed a beautiful fish main and shared a sweet treat in the sunshine.
Graham and I also go out to the Swan Valley earlier in May to meet with some great friends Nicki and Brendan, that same day we visited out favourite organic winery Harris Organic and went to the local honey suppliers and I even got to go to the best local produce road side stand in WA Maggies Place. I love buying locally grown fruit and veggies.. The best part is its always a great price Maggies too! (no cost of travel I guess)

Heres a photo tour of whats been happening at ours lately.

We planted some snow pea seeds in the back garden and took out our tomato and cucumber plants that did so well this summer! I also planted some mixed lettuce seeds so we will see what happens. As long as the snails don't get to them before I do!

I planted some new flowers in the front garden. Just to give us some flower variety over the winter. I am still growing the largest begonia ever known to man. Its not photographed here. But I planted it 1.5 years ago and its still going!!! WOW!

We hung this USA made bird feeder Mom sent us. Its been up almost a week and still no bird visitors. But I hear it can take a couple of weeks. I hope we get some small parrots and wrens soon!! 

Graham has to do some work down in Albany soon and he wanted a travel bag for his bike. He sent it to my work PO Box in the city. I picked it up for him. I didn't realise it was going to be such a big item. This is my office at Buzz, with my lovely boss Pippa in the back. 

Another run on the river shot. Over winter the Black Swans come to stay on our section of the river and they are such beautiful birds. Nothing like the big geese that chase you in the US. These Black Swans don't seem to share the beaches and paths with people. This is the Swan River view from Como our little suburb outside the city. 

We had a show open at work in May. A theatre piece called Goodbye Jamie Boyd. This was from opening night at the State Theatre Centre-Studio Underground. Its a beautiful show and I am so glad Buzz got to work in collaboration with Monkey Baa Theatre in Sydney on this amazing work. This is Ali our Marketing Consultant with me and the Stage Manager Sam. This show is now on tour across Western Australia. 

Hurray!!!! A new American Bar opened in Perth, right next to Graham's University. Its called Varsity Bar and they serve good American food you can't find any place else!!!! Hot Wings, Pulled Pork Sandwhich, Philly Cheese Steak (this I have never seen on a menu in Australia) They also show American sports so Graham and I went and sampled the foods and watched the Pacers get beat by the Heat. Oh well. Still a good time! I suggested they put deep fried pickles on the menu on the Americans in Perth Facebook page and guess what... They are adding it to the menu soon!! YAY!!!!!! 

We are still hanging at the Bowls club. Graham and some of his buddies playing some night time Bowls. This was after the awards ceremony for the club, I helped my friend Sarah put on a big feast for the members. It was a great success. And Graham even won an award!!

Kit cat in the front garden. As I write this Kit is out in the garden now laying in the ferns. We got him a collar just in case he runs away from us. But he can not get out of the front area as its all fenced in and he is a old cat now and is bad a jumping over fences. He just likes to hide and watch dogs walk by.  Oh and eat a few cobwebs.. his favourite past time. 

So thats whats been happening over here in Perth. Hope all is well in your part of the world and all my friends and family in the US are enjoying a wonderful Spring and early Summer!! 

All the best - Mary

Happenings March April

Hey there,

Well life has slowed down just a touch. Thank goodness the start of 2013 was a busy one. I am trying harder not to take on extra projects and have quieter weekends at home. We normally spend our weekend evenings down at the local bowls club and I love chatting with our friends and bowls family. People of all walks of life young and old gather there and its great to know such a variety of loving and caring people in our area.

I am busy at work with our last show for the year opening in mid May. After that we have our annual Big Stretch Tour. So there is always something on the horizon. I helping to Stage Manager a show in Perth next month called Migrant Got Talent so I am looking forward to that. Its a contest for new migrants in Perth to show off their talents. Lots of teens and young people competing. I am looking into a get away holiday down south to Pemberton in June (as we always do) for Graham and myself. Go fishing, do some bush walks, cook some great foods, enjoy the wine country and the local wildlife. The birds in Pemberton are just amazing. Last year when we down there was a big storm adding to the excitement of the trip!! But we love hanging out in the forrest in a little mud brick cottage and lighting the fireplace every night. Something we don't get to do much in sunny Australia.
To read about our Pemberton adventure last year check out this blog post: Pemberton Trip 2012


Graham is super busy at school but doing well. Not much longer to go till he graduates. I can't wait.
My old Boss now friend gave us a car for a good price in March so we now have wheels! Cadi was so generous to give us "Sardine" car at an extreme discount. Sardine is a Mazda Metro. She has some miles on her but she gets us around no worries. To get her registered in WA I spent a morning learning about headlight restoration and doing it myself. Easy! Then Sardine passed inspection and now has a WA licence plate. So exciting. We can go fishing, to the beach, out to the swan valley for local produce on the weekends! Its so amazing having a car when you have not have one for a long long time.
We don't drive her every day, we still either ride out bikes or take public transport, but I love not having to walk in the rain with bags of groceries any more. I once told Graham that when we finally make it I wanted to be able to take a cab whenever it was raining and windy.. lol guess I an drive myself now.

Next step.. dish washer.. can't wait till we get to have one of those again. All my American friends have all the gizmos and gadgets. While I am still washing up by hand, hanging my laundry out to dry (will always do that) and walking to and from the shops for the things we need. I will say this lifestyle is a good way to stay fit and healthy!! I still dream about having some of the American common luxuries though, like central air in the winter, drive through banking, (we have drive through liquor stores) good clothes dryers with more then two settings (Hot or Air Temperature) that can make your towels fluffy and soft.. thats what I want a clothes dryer for mainly.. towels and sheets. But I guess you got to trade something for Australia's many wonderful things like nearly all year summertime, amazing beaches, fresh foods a plenty, and healthy work/life balance (4 weeks holiday heck yes, plus tons of public holidays!) So when I think about that dish washer.. next time I am on my 3rd water change and still washing up.. I will think about all the good things I get in return. That should help.. at least long enough to get through the next load of pots and pans, dishes and bowls.

A few pics as of late.

Its 5:00pm on a work day. I get home to see this happening in my living-room... Poor Kit cat!!!

The view from my run last night along the Swan River. Perth city is out in the distance about 4 miles away.

Me and Graham is Sardine car on our way to the beach!

Thats it for now!!!!! 

Mom and Dad Visit Perth!!

My parents came to visit me and Graham in February! We had a great two weeks with them here in Perth. It was their second trip to Perth and a great time was had by all.

A few photos from their visit:

Mom and Dad arrive in Perth!

 Mom always brings an extra suitcase full of goodies for me!

Dad at Graham's University Campus UWA (University of Western Australia)

Mom at UWA campus.

Mom and Graham at Valentines Day lunch at a restaurant on the beach called Indiana! 

The views didn't look like Indiana to us. Its named for the Indian Ocean.

Mom at our neighbourhood hangout The Como Bowls Club. Its our usual weekend hang out.

Dad and Graham at The Como Bowls Club, Dad's new favourite hang out too.. 

Mom and Mary closing night of my show!

Mom and Dad at Kings Park. We had a nice morning walk before lunch at Perth's largest park.

Kings Park, one of the look outs!

Relaxing at Mary and Graham's house.

Dad getting some sun at the pool and checking the airways for local hams.

(ham radio)

We went to the SwanValley and saw some of our favorite winerys!! 

Testing the grapes..

Yep.. their ready! 

Mom at our favorite Swan Valley Winery Harris Organic! 

SAILING!! We took Mom and Dad sailing with our good friends!!

Mom with our favorite sailing friends Peter and Helen!! 

Sailing on the Swan River was a great night, we even saw dolphins!

I think the dolphins made a special appearance for Mom and Dad.. Actually I am sure they did!

I took Mom and Dad to a great little cafe called The Secret Garden. Its near my home in South Perth, good breakfasts and yummy treats!

Mom and Graham and the Bowls Club. We spend a lot of time there.. haha

Graham is in his bowls uniform for completive bowls called pennants. A uniform is also called Club Colours. If it was the USA we would say Club Colors. 

Dinner at Mary and Graham's! Graham made prepared some beautiful fish.

Dog Beach! Windy day at the dog beach, right after I snapped this picture a black lab ran past at the bottom of the photo. He was cute! This is the place you can take your dog for a swim.

People Beach!! haha

It was windy!! This is the Indian Ocean at Trig Beach

Take Mom to a beach and she find treasures.. She doesn't care for swimming but she can spend hours searching the sand for the perfect shell.

We took a day trip south to Harvey and Bunbury. This was at the May Gibbs Cottage, with a beautiful English cottage in Harvey. A perfect spot to have a cup of tea.

 As we enjoyed out beverages and snacks we became surrounded by BIG Skink lizards. About 14 inches long.. It was a funny surprise. 

Dad back again at the Bowls Club chatting with Bevin. 

 Dad buying drinks at the Bowls Club bar.

Graham practicing Bowls

Mom getting a lesson in Lawn Bowls from the novice champion Graham. 

She did pretty well!! 

Dad comfortable at the Bowls Club on his last evening in town.

It was so wonderful to have you in town Mom and Dad. I am so glad you got to spend time on our beautiful river, at our favorite hang out and got to meet some of our Perth buddies!

I miss you every day. Thanks for loving me and raising me with big strong wings and courage to pursue my dreams.  I love you!!

Can't wait to see you again this year!!!

Secret Bridesmaids Business

Back in October 2012 I started working (directing) on a play called Secret Bridesmaids Business written by Aussie playwright Elizabeth Coleman.
The show was part of The Old Mill Theatre (South Perth) season for 2013. This pay was the first one off the block for the year. I am so happy how the show turned out!!

From the start of the process I was extremely lucky, being able to find the perfect cast! All 6 cast members brought buckets of talent, experience and patience to the production. It was a joy to work with the cast and crew at the Old Mill Theatre. An easy and hassle free experience rare in theatre these days.

For those of you far away who didn't get to see the show it was about the night before a wedding. The 2 bridesmaids know a secret about the groom and argue wether to tell the bride this secret or not. In the end the bride finds out that the groom as been having an affair with a friend of hers hours before the wedding. Its a comedy so all of this get revealed in a humours way. In the end the friend who had been cheating with the groom gets made a last minute bridesmaid and the groom see's his worst nightmare coming true when the friend blurts out she was having an affair with the groom and she gets tossed out of the hotel room in her underwear after having the bridesmaids dress ripped off her by the other bridesmaid and mother of the bride. The groom then tries to explain why he did it.. to the chagrin of the females in the audience... Every night the audience laughed and yelled out comments to the groom. On opening night he even got boo'ed, he was not a likeable character but the actor handled it well!!! People seemed to love the show, and it was great to see all that hard work pay off..

For the set we had a luxury hotel room complete with a minibar. Many thanks to friends who helped me build and dress this set. It really gave the actresses and actors the perfect place to perform this hilarious show!!

The icing on top was that my parents traveled out from Indiana to see the show here in Perth and they came along on closing night and had a great time! I feel so blessed!!
Thanks Mom and Dad I am so glad I got to share this with you!

A few links about the show:
A review:
http://www.theatre.asn.au/theatre_reviews/secret_bridesmaids_business

Press:
http://www.stagewhispers.com.au/community-theatre/secret-bridesmaids’-business-south-perth
http://www.watoday.com.au/entertainment/about-town/secrets-lies-and-wedding-cake-comedy-delivers-20130131-2dn0y.html

A few photos:

We even dressed up the isles with pretty white bows on the theatre seat rails.

Directing this play was a joy!! I am so grateful to the cast, and all the kind people at the Old Mill Theatre for working so hard on this show and making it an amazing production!!  

Holiday update!

Hello! 

Graham and I had a busy Christmas holiday this year! We got to spend Christmas with my in-laws in Sydney, they kindly flew us home to be with them this Christmas and we got to spend 9 great days hanging out, laughing, eating good food and taking silly pet pictures.  A photo journey of our 2012/2013 Christmas holiday.

My brother in-law Simon and Father in-law Stuart on Christmas morning. Stuart surprised us all with Christmas t-shirts to be worn on the day. Super cute!

Graham, taking after his grand-dad Kevin, carving the ham. I even had a go at it, I wasn't to bad. But Graham holds the title. 

My Aussie Mum Karen on Christmas morning with Presley the cutest member of the Buchanan family.

Me and Preslers..... aka Presley 

Photo I took for my Mom and Dad on Christmas morning under the christmas tree!

With no grand kids to hurry us I think we opened presents at 11am. hahaha

During our visit we played many intense games of scrabble with the family.

We got into Sydney one day of our trip. Me at the Opera House steps. We had a marathon day of visiting with friends. Leaving home at 7am and getting back around 11pm

Afternoon drinks overlooking the Sydney Harbour at the Opera Bar with Jason and Andy.

My best buddy Mel and her wife Kel had us over for dinner one night. Even Jelly the cat got a little ice-cream with desert!!! Thanks for having us over I miss you guys!!

We got a few visits in with Marj, Graham's Nan. This is a cute photo of the two of them killing bugs on the plants.. The zero pest control way, all you need is your thumb and index finger to get the job done.

When we got back to Perth is was time to build the set for my upcoming show Secret Bridesmaids' Business. Thanks to some great friends the building went quickly!

I hosted a cast BBQ down on the Perth foreshore as a well come back from the holidays. Sausages and salads where enjoyed by all.

Two very special theatre friends. I couldn't do it with out these two girls!!

Sue and Siobhan 

So that was Christmas holidays for another year. Graham has been busy with his latest project for school working with the infectious disease department at the hospital. He spent all of last night trapping and snap freezing mosquitoes. I asked him if he got any bites.. he said he didn't even get one. But the girl who was working with him got many. I guess he was lucky!! They are testing the mosquitoes for diseases. Interesting stuff!

My show opens February 1st and all the final preparations are being done now. I am excited to see the show up and running. I have to say I have a amazing and dedicated cast. I feel so fortunate! 

Hope your year is off to a great start!!

-Mary