this is my new crush.....

our little girl, Zazie.

she is a 9week old labradoodle

i have never been a dog person.

i have instantly become one!

we have put our overseas travel plans on hold for a while

so it seemed the right time to add to our family

she is so cute

i love how she already loves us.

i love how he is with her.

i love how much our girls love each other.

so lots of puppy love going on around here...

*

A little bit of a crush.....

on this amazing race,

the cyclists,

the country side,

the courage,

the endurance,

the history,

the late night viewing from down under....

it is hard to imagine how & why anyone would want to ride this race.

(the mountains)

it is long & difficult.

these men speed along faster than i would drive in my car

teetering on the edge of vast valleys

with nothing to protect them but some lycra, a helmet and nerves of steel.

and the winner of 2011 is Cadel Evans, an Aussie

i ♥ an emotional guy.

the tenacity & resilience

a willingness to push through the pain, endure the intorlerable

and win within seconds of rivals

and the competition is fierce...

(rivals)

but one the last day, they race but as gallant warrior gentlemen heroes,

(team mates)

and although it is a solitary sport, a team is vital,

a strong group of people to count on means that they all win.

Cadel could not have won alone,

talent to lead is his vital racing quality this year.

so i am glad it is over (for now), i can return to normal sleeping.

but my family look forward to January 2012,

when the peloton returns to Adelaide to run the Tour Down Under.

to see these heroes up close and feel the crush again

for the sport of steely lions and gentlemen.

so sparkling *