The latest books and happenings, and the general comings and goings of Rosie and the Boom Family.

I was excited to find out this week that my book My Heart Overflows has been named one the three finalists in the Australasian CALEB Prize for published non-fiction. The winner will be announced in Adelaide in October at the Omega Writers Conference.

  read more | 1 Comment

Last weekend we had the thrill of hearing Eliza compete as one of the five finalists in the prestigious Lexus Song Quest at the Auckland Town Hall. She sang one song with Terence Dennis on the piano and then two arias with the NZ Symphony Orchestra. Beautiful!

We were thrilled to hear her announced as the runner-up, and the winner of the Dame Malvina Major scholarship prize of $20,000… read more | 5 Comments

Yesterday Samuel helped me finally hang the Barn Chronicles quilt the kids and I started making nine years ago!! For those of you who have read the books check out the barn, the homestead, Black Rabbit Island, Peony, Pharaoh, Blossom. …

Today my darling Katie posted on her Facebook page (link below) about the hard decision she has made concerning Shoeless, the charity she began some six years ago.

As a wee child she was was always compassionate, and had the gift of seeing people’s hearts. When she was four my sister in law took her to visit her mother who had recently lost her husband and had read more

Eliza and I have just had six wonderful days in Christchurch together. She was competing in the singing competitions, which culminated in the Dame Malvina Major Aria Competition on Monday night. It was a fantastic night of music and song. And then we had the thrill of hearing Eliza being named as the winner! Great celebrations!

Whangarei soprano wins Christchurch Aria

It has been way too long since I wrote a post here. If I’m not careful it’ll shrivel up and die from neglect. I have however been posting regular updates on my Facebook page…

This new year has kicked off in wonderful fashion with plenty of action. We’ve had hundreds of visitors (literally), bought a derelict old bungalow read more | 1 Comment

I’ve just watched the video of Eliza singing at the IFAC finals on You Tube. And of course, I cried. Well done, darling. You are beautiful. xxx
So for those of you who have asked if and when you can watch Ellie singing with the orchestra at the finals concert, here’s the link to one of her songs. :) Just click on the link below the photo… read more | 3 Comments

A few weeks ago my twin sister Penny and I celebrated our sixtieth birthday! We had a fabulous evening of celebration and thanksgiving, full of memories and dancing…we hired a six-piece swing band and everyone came dressed in wonderful 1920′s costumes.

And then yesterday Penny gave me the most amazing (late ) birthday present!!  - an amazing painting she did for me, looking from the… read more | 2 Comments

Early in July Chris and I flew over to Sydney with Eliza for the IFAC Australian Singing Competition. Eliza was one ten semi-finalists selected from auditions in Australia, New Zealand and Great Britain.  ”The Australian Singing Competition is open to singers under the age of 26, and offers a number… read more | 4 Comments