some pics for you...

This is a picture I took of a father and his son fishing off of the Jurien Bay Jetty. I played around with the picture, so it's a bit artsy...

The little farmer's market at Jurien Bay

Mack! Steven's brother's dog who stays with Mum and Dad. He's such a baby!

The Leeman Jetty at night. The water is soooo clear!

Kylie, her daughter Paige, Paige's friend Morgan and Me. Jurien Bay Jetty.

Even Dorothy has to work in OZ!

The bins where the loads of frozen food are kept

Only a portion of the food I have to drop in the fryer!

"The Bench" that's where it all happens folks! That's where I make a mean steak burger or the most amazing fish and chips!!!

After the goodies have been swimming in their hot bath, this is where they go. Ready to be eatin up by you... come on in! I'm waiting for you behind the bench!
Hiya Everyone!

I trust you are all doing well during this Holiday Season. It's coming down to the wire now! I know you are all scrambling to get things done and presents bought. It's a weird feeling being here for Christmas. It's very different. "How, Sara?" well, we are focusing on the fact that most of Steven's family will be together. It's been 4 years since Steve has been with his family on the holiday's and they are just ecstatic! We aren't worried about what presents to get or what to do... The mere presence of all of us will be enough. I am cooking a turkey and Mum is figuring out what else we are going to have. It's going to be hot outside, so I'm sure the beer fridge will be full to the brim! No egg nog here folks... It's all about the light brown liquid we drink, dreading to "break the seal" later!

Work is going smoothly. Everyone is very helpful over at Crazzel's! Rosemary and Trevor (the owner's) are becoming staples in my everyday lifestyle here. Even if I'm not working I like to go down and chat, have a ciggie and then I'm off again... to the great unknown!

Went down to Jurien Bay the other day. It's about a half hour drive. They were having a small farmer's market. Not quite as elaborate as the one's back in LA but, I got some grapefruit marmalade, pickled califlower and my favourites...lemingtons! They are a sponge cake which has been dipped in a light chocolate sauce which soaks up into the cake. Then they are rolled in coconut... HOLY CRAP! You HAVE to have one!

Yesterday I took of back to Jurien on my own... yes! I was driving a stick, on the other side of the road, by myself! I think it's actually easier on this side of the car. You have to experience it to understand what I mean. The stick and the clutch are being used by the same side... it just seems to work better with me! ANYWAY, went back to do some grocery shopping. Had to buy a few things.. yeah right it's never a few things with me. I came back with about 20bags filled with baking supplies. I will be invading Mum's kitchen tomorrow to bake up some tea rings. They are a Christmas tradition my mom has been doing for years now. They are cinnamon rolls in the shape of a wreath. My mom bakes and bakes for days and then wraps them up and gives them away. So, now I've been doing the same thing for a couple of years... Now Leeman, Australia will know our little tradition. I don't think they'll be too upset about it!

TODAY!!! well, today Pop and I went out on his boat and dropped some cray pots in the ocean! YEAH!! My first time on a fishing boat on the ocean! I don't know how Jesus and crew did it but, they must have had some magic up their sleeves! It was beautiful and calm when we went out at 7:30am but, when we headed back about a half out later, the wind had picked up and it was really choppy. Of course I loved every minute of it. Pop and I on the ocean. Ahh! Then we headed up to Dongora which is about an hour north up the coast. Mum and Pop just bought a house up there and are planning on moving in the next 12 months. I don't know how they can wait that long. When we pulled into the drive, I fell in love! It's an amazing house with two paddacks on either side where they will have some sheep. Big tall trees and a verranda which goes all the way around the house. It's just beautiful and close to the city.

Anyway, had a big day today... actually my intentions are to have big days everyday. It was brilliant to hang out with Ian (Pop/my father-in-law) It's like I've been a part of this family for years! I so adore them to the stars and beyond!

Tomorrow we will go get the cray pots and see if we caught any! If we did, there will for sure be crayfish on the menu for evening tea! YUMMY!!! I'll be baking all day, and get to some postcards that have been sitting on the table for days now. ugh!

All the best to you during this rush around, crunch time of year! Remember it's about the presence of people you love, not the presents from people you love.

With open arms!
Sara

"We're not in Kansas anymore Toto! Welcome to the Land Of OZ!"

this is Emu Downs Wind Farm outside Leeman, WA

Ebony and Me. She works with me at Crazzle's Cove

Ben and Me. I'm his biggest fan! =)
Journal entry from November 27, 2007 THE JOURNEY BEGINS...

"I have "Free Fallin'" playing in my ear and I am FREE! Free from Los Angeles, free from the pangs of everyday reality, free from my old life! Free to experience my new life. The life of the unknown. "How does it feel to be a complete unknown? Like a rolling stone." - Bob Dylan

"A blank page to fill, lots of blank pages to fill! Soak it in like a sponge Sara. Let your heart lead the way. Be the best person you can. Be a light that leads other's and don't forget to wipe your ass after you take a shit." (metaphor for life)

Well, this will be the second time I've typed this since I erased EVERYTHING I JUST FRIGGIN' TYPED UUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! The first version was a rippa' but, this one will be a little more tame. Sorry about that. I've been on this computer now for about 6hours trying to figure out how to get my pictures off of my camera and on to it's desktop... then transfer them over to Kodak Gallery and so and so forth... Finally I get it all ready to upload onto here... and I fudge it up. Oh well! Just another day in paradise!

Speaking of paradise, you want to see it? Come here to Leeman, Australia! Sit back, relax and enjoy the life of a sea side town. Steven and I are staying with his parents here at the Leeman Caravan Park. If you are travelling the country with a caravan, this is the place to stop and rest! It's amazing. Just about a 2 min. walk from the ocean and big ol' trees everywhere. Just down the road you'll find the bowling club. Not 10pin bowling... this is lawn bowls I'm talking about here. It's a huge thing here in OZ. Competitions all year round. Mum and Pop Cliff are both on leagues. Pop is the president of Leeman's club. So, if you want a roll, just let me know I could probably get ya in!

Go just a bit further down the road and you'll find Crazzle's Cove. That's my place of work! There you'll find me in the kitchen cooking up some fine steak burgers with the lot and the most amazing cray roll you can find on the West Coast! Straight off the boat these crayfish come! It's great being behind it all this time around. I'm still helping the people out but, dining is a bit of a different experience here. You go up to the front and order your food, pay for it, and then sit down and wait for it. Usually there aren't any servers but, if you go into the cities you'll find some restaurants that are sit down service. DON'T TIP! There is no tipping here either! That's just the way it is... so friends of mine who are servers back in the US don't get pissed when an Aussie doesn't tip you. They just don't know. Oh and the deep fryer!!! Holy shit does that thing get a work out. Just about everything is fried here. I have no idea how everyone stays soooooo fit! You grease lovers should really get on a plane right now and head over here for a treat! Your taste buds will go crazy!

Steven has been working sooo hard on a boat. No rest for the weary. He gets no weekends off... Up at 4.30am and home by 5pm. When you folks at home in the US go buy your Australian Lobster Tail, well you just might be buying one caught by Steven~!

I apologize for not getting anything up sooner. It's been crazy getting used to the time change and work and all but, I promise, promise, promise I will update you more regularly!

I'm off to the Jurien Market tomorrow, so I should have some pics for you from that as well! Please respond as often as you'd like and pass the blog page onto your friends. Anyone you think who might be interested in following us around the world!

I have been filming a lot for future webisodes as well. I will keep you posted on that too~! It will be a little while but, when it's ready, it'll be good fun to watch!

I miss you all and trust you are all getting ready for the Holiday Season! All the best to you and many hugs and love to you all!

With open arms, Sara