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Friends
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Happy Holidays 2024
It’s that time again. Time to wish you Happy Holidays 2024. This year the whole season has caught me unaware.
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Being Grateful
Someone, somewhere, more or less, said when life get tough, think of stuff you’re grateful for. I know I’ve written about the little things, for those who worked through Covid, and for being alive. I wanted to write something else
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Happy Holidays 2023!
Time again to wish you Happy Holidays 2023 wishes – my tenth year wishing you all well for whatever season you’re celebrating at the end of this year.
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Making Quality Connections
Moving on from energy, I’m considering one of the biggest energy penny expenditures, the relentless pressure to form connections with others. Connections through social media, in person, and with friends you haven’t met you.
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Life Altering Experiences
I’d planned a different post, but life, and life altering experiences, have caught up with me. In particular, I haven’t shaped or trimmed my fingernails for a while, and recently cut one of my fingers with the nail of another.
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Warm Outfit
In the midst of energy price increases, we’ve had a cold snap, and my thoughts are turning to the kind of warm outfit you can wear when working from home on your own. While not turning the heating on.
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Where did all your friends go?
One of my friends asked me what happened to DB, Katy and Toseland. And as it turns out, it’s a good lead in to a post I’ve been trying to write for a while. Because the answer is a little more complex than it would otherwise seem.
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When the Sun Comes Out
Last week was a bit cloudy and miserable, and I was struck by how beautiful the garden was when the sun comes out. Raindrops glistening and all that.
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Time Passes Slowly
I’d like to say my vacation time passes slowly, and I really enjoyed my break, but that would be a lie. I’d also like to say I’ve got grand plans for 2021, but I didn’t really make time to work them out yet.
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Happy Holidays 2020!
Happy holidays 2020! But, let’s be honest. The only happy thing about holidays in 2020, is that the year is nearly over.
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“My” Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine is out!
Just a quick note to let you know my story is in the September/October Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, available from August 21, 2020.
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We’re Busy Doing Nothing
Many of my friends are marooned at home, busy doing nothing. For them the world has ended, but for me nothing much has changed.
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Virtual Dinner Party
It’s hard to stay connected in lock-down. You can’t meet in person, but you can get online and host a Virtual Dinner Party.
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How to Respect All People
Respect; politeness, honour, and care shown towards someone or something that is considered important (Cambridge dictionary) When
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Welcome 2020, good to see you
It seems like no time at all since I was wishing you Happy Holidays, and now it’s all Welcome 2020.
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Happy Holidays 2019!!!
The fifth anniversary of this blog passed quietly during the year, so this is the sixth time I’ve wished you all Happy Holidays. So, happy holidays 2019.
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How to Solve the Time Management Mystery
I was chatting about the Time Management Mystery with some creative friends the other day. Actually, we were whining about how we have so much to do, and not enough time to do it in. And speculating how some of the creatives we’re inspired by manage their time.
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Thank You Mrs Sparkle
Mrs Sparkle is the most selflessly loving person I know. She’s always making and doing things for other people, and no one ever says thank you.
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Remembering and Forgetting
Not long ago, Katy got in touch. And I was remembering that she taught me one of the most important lessons that I have ever learned.
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Medieval Dinner Party
I watched The King, so now I’m doing a Medieval Dinner Party. Though I suppose more technically it should be called a Banquet.
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Joy in Matching Beanies
The other day, I saw a young couple wearing matching beanies on the train. He had his arm around her, and she was nestled into his armpit, leaning her head on his shoulder.
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Joyful Memories from Gifts of Love
I’ve already talked about realia; the stuff used by historic figures or at historic events and therefore worthy of collection. But as it turns out, we leave us day-to-day reminders of themselves as well – Gifts of Love.
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Stealing Kisses
Sometimes, I think the best viewing comes from watching ordinary people doing ordinary things, like stealing kisses.
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London Blitz Dinner Party
Just recently I’ve read (and written) a few stories about World War II London. I’m inspired to write a London Blitz Dinner Party. Food shortages not withstanding, it’s easier than you think.
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Funeral Outfit
People die all the time and we barely think about it, but now and again there’s someone we want to pay our respects to, and that means a Funeral Outfit.
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What labels do you wear?
Since the Christchurch attacks, I’ve been thinking about how we label ourselves. The need we seem to have to package ourselves in a way that makes us appealing to others.
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Year of the Pig Perspicacity
If you hadn’t noticed, we’re just starting the Chinese Year of the Pig. I have a few words about pig perspicacity. Mainly because it’s a nice alliteration.
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Bushfire Dinner Party
This Bushfire Dinner Party is a bit of a cheat because if you’re having a Dinner Party and a bushfire breaks out, it’s time to abandon the party and activate your bushfire plan! Having said that, I was inspired by local tv coverage of a cafe madly making lunches for the volunteer firefighters working to…
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Stress Free K-Drama Dinner Party
Still binging on K-drama, but wanting a K-Drama Dinner Party to share some of the food I’m seeing.
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Stress Free Steampunk Dinner Party
I’m laughing a little, because this Steampunk Dinner Party, is an almost but not quite a Victorian Dinner Party, because Steampunk is a futuristic science fiction genre powered by Victorian steam technology.
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Big F and small f Friends
After debate about Big L and small l liberals, I got thinking about Big F and small f friends.
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How To Apologise Like You Mean It
There’s been another round of dud apologies, and I just don’t get why some people find it so hard to apologise. Perhaps they too have a mother who spent years demanding that they apologise like they mean it. And when (if) they do, it’s often too late – the horse has bolted – the damage…
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Yes, Love is Forever – No Matter What
Love is forever. At least that’s what traditional marriage vows say:
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Stress Free Dinner Party When You’re Not Hungry
While a Dinner Party when you’re not hungry seems like a contradiction, it does sometimes happen that for one reason or another you lose your appetite.
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Coffee’s Place in the New Culture of Selfishness
Recently I’ve been pondering the culture of selfishness we live in. The one where people pull out in front of you rather than waiting a few seconds for you to drive past.
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Dinner Party to Comfort a Friend with Depression
Let me start by saying that a Dinner Party to Comfort a Friend with Depression is not the end of what you can do.
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In-laws Dinner Party
I have to start by saying you can’t have a stress free event when your guests stress you out. That makes today’s In-laws Dinner Party a somewhat questionable proposition.
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Red Dinner Party
Today I’m tackling a Red Dinner Party. Just because I’m curious about whether I can. And because red is my favourite colour.
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Rabbit Lovers Dinner Party
Having written dinner parties for dog and cat lovers, I cannot refuse a request for a Rabbit Lovers Dinner Party. By which I mean a pet rabbit dinner party, not one featuring a lapin main course. This has been one of the hardest Dinner Parties I have ever put together!
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Dinner Party with Leftovers
Jenine has challenged me to write a Dinner Party with Leftovers There are two kinds of leftovers; planned and incidental.
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Dinner Party During Renovations
It’s been hard to adapt to one bathroom, and as we’re talking about the kitchen… I’m wondering a Dinner Party During Renovations.
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Happy Holidays 2017!
Happy Holidays 2017. Time to shut the door on the wolrd, eat minde pies, drink champagne, loll listlessly in the summer heat.
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Great Depression Dinner Party
I’ve been researching the Great Depression for a while now, and having recently watched The Roosevelts I reckon it’s time for a Great Depression Dinner Party!
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Summer Fruits Dinner Party
I’ve been indulging in a lot of lovely fresh summer fruit lately, so that makes it time for a Summer Fruits Dinner Party.
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Gangsters Dinner Party
Today we’re doing a Gangsters Dinner Party to remember the passing of the US National Prohibition Act on October 28, 1919.
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Tennis Dinner Party
Tennis. There’s a bit of it about at the moment, so today’s the day for a Wimbledon inspired Tennis Dinner Party.
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Wallace and Gromit Dinner Party
Continuing with our theme of exhibition visits, today we’re hosting a Wallace and Gromit Dinner Party.
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Astronauts Dinner Party
Today we’re getting ready for the American National Moon Day with an Astronauts Dinner Party.
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Breakfast Dinner Party
Toseland was describing his recent Oxfam Trailwalker experiences to me and it seemed like the perfect opportunity for a Breakfast Dinner Party.
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Soup Dinner Party
While inspired by the idea of a 7-day Soup Diet, this Soup Dinner Party is not an attempt to translate a weight loss fad into an event. It’s just a fun look at whether it is possible to host a dinner party that consists solely of soup.
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The Melancholy of Ghosts Passing in the Night
I’m back at home, tired, jet lagged, and don’t fit into the Alexandria shaped hole I left behind. Feels like we’re all just ghosts passing in the night.
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Picnic Dinner Party
We’re in the midst of seasonal change, so let’s do something different and have a Picnic Dinner Party while we can.
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Cat Lovers Dinner Party
Cat-loving Katy felt that if we could commemorate dogs, we should also celebrate cats with a Cat Lovers Dinner Party.
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Dog Lovers Dinner Party
Katy mentioned that she was having a small commemoration for Fido’s passing, so today we’re having a Dog Lovers Dinner Party.
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Happy Holidays 2016!
Happy Holidays 2016. Twas Christmas week and there was chaos throughout the house…
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Impromptu Dinner Party
Now and again things happen, and you may need to host a dinner when you didn’t expect to. But that’s not to say that you can’t plan for an Impromptu Dinner Party.
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NaNoWriMo Dinner Party
So, the key to a Stress Free NaNoWriMo Dinner Party is having everything under control before you start writing then you won’t have to think about it later.
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Sleepy Hollow Dinner Party for Halloween
I’m writing this Sleepy Hollow Dinner Party a little ahead of time. Appropriately enough, a bloated full moon is resting low on the horizon providing almost (but not quite) enough creepy light to write by.
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Pirates Dinner Party
Tomorrow (September 19) is International Talk Like a Pirate Day. While it’s Talk Like a Pirate Day, it’s as good a day as any to host a Pirates Dinner Party.
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Apocalypse Survivors Dinner Party
Our Apocalypse Survivors Dinner Party has to be the kind of food we could get knocking over abandoned supermarkets, and that’s not going to last long.
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Zombie Dinner Party
Now, it seems very clear why soulless, unstoppable monsters are everywhere. And that makes it a good time to write a Zombie Dinner Party.
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Alexandria’s Adventures in Morning Routine
Following my brush with the collapse of control, I’ve been noticing a lot of chat about “morning routine” in my podcasts and webinars lately, and there has been one thing that stood out for me.
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Gluten Free Dinner Party
Before we dive into the Gluten Free Dinner Party, let’s look at what gluten is and why you might need a gluten free (GF) dinner party.
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Towel Day Dinner Party
For those who don’t know, May 25 is Towel Day, when devotees of the late Douglas Adams carry towels in his honour. That makes it a good day for a Towel Day Dinner Party.
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International Happiness Day Dinner Party
Today (March 20) is International Happiness Day; obviously, we need an International Happiness Day Dinner Party.
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Summer Vacation Dinner Party
It’s quite common for friends and family to vacation together. You wouldn’t typically call this a Summer Vacation Dinner Party but you could feed the kids then put together something grown up for later.
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New Year Detox Dinner Party
After New Years people often “detox”. I believe in moderation and a balanced approach, but if I didn’t, it mght be time for a New Year Detox Dinner Party.
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Happy Holidays 2015!
Happy holidays 2015. It’s that time of year again – seems like only yesterday I was doing this for 2014.
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The Ghosts of Christmas Past are Alive in the Supermarket
I’m not sure if you have noticed, but the ghosts of Christmas past are sneaking up on us again. Perhaps if I left the house more often I would have noticed the relentless build up sooner, but writing and its spin-off businesses are generally solitary home body occupations.
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Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Dinner Party
I’m not sure if you know (or care) that since acceding to the throne on June 2 1953 Queen Elizabeth the Second (QEII), by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith became…
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Titanic First Class (Advanced) Dinner Party
Following on from the Beginners and Intermediate Titanic Dinners, it’s time to tackle a Stress Free Titanic First Class (Advanced) Dinner Party.
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Dinner Party to Comfort a Friend with a Cold
If you’re the kind of person who likes to look after your sick friends, here’s our cold/flu care recipes for your Dinner Party to Comfort a Friend with a Cold.
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Ramadan Dinner Party
I’m running a little late for a Ramadan Dinner Party, but there is still have time to give you a hand entertaining any practising Muslim friends you may have. If you are a practising Muslim, please feel free to send me your suggestions and corrections.
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Titanic Second Class (Intermediate) Dinner Party
After the beginners dinner, today I’m looking at people more comfortable cooking and hosting dinners. It’s a Titanic Second Class (intermediate) Dinner Party.
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5 Ways to Show Your Sick Friend You Care
I have some experience as a sick friend, so here are five things to help you show your sick friend you care.
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Titanic Third Class (Beginners) Dinner Party
My book makes mention of a Titanic-themed dinner party, and with the anniversary of its sinking being today (15 April 1912), I’ll start with a Titanic Third Class Dinner Party for beginners.
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Perfidy of Modern Life
I am exercised today by the perfidy of modern life. That whole “We can get a man on the moon, but we can’t do x.” kind of thing.
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Ten Ways to Make Guests Turn Up for Your Dinner Parties
Most people want to know how to make guests turn up. They are a great deal more interested in this than making them leave at the end of the party.
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Me and Melbourne are Friends Again
As you know, I was quite sad to lose my feeling of kinship with the city. So I am really very happy to tell you that me and Melbourne are back on! Perhaps it was just been that kind of melancholic can’t find a thing to buy feeling – do you get that too? Sometimes having a firm…
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When Shopping in Melbourne
So today I went into Melbourne to do a bit of shopping and meet Katy for lunch. That sounds very grand doesn’t it?
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Amazingly Unlikely Birth and Death
As you know, I’m working in the garden. Observing birth and death, but mainly just weeding the last few days… Which led to the appalling discovery that I can’t see well enough to weed properly without my “reading” glasses. Might need to get some prescription sunglasses made up for just that purpose… Anyway, I found a pansy…
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Virtue of Friendship; Friends
You can have a lot of friends, (some might be animals or relatives, and some not), but only about 10% off them will be special enough to be besties.
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Virtue of Friendship
I realised I had to talk about the Virtue of Friendship before I could get into planning for friendship with creatures in the next post. Mainly because we need to know about friendship before we can talk about how that relates to things that aren’t people (as shown in the revised virtues table shown below.)
