I went Christmas Shopping at Abitza and took a camera!

Christmas trading hours at Abitza. 

23rd December (today!) open until 2pm

Christmas Eve 8am-4pm
Christmas Day CLOSED
Boxing Day CLOSED
27th December to 31st December 10am - 3pm
New Years Day CLOSED
01 January 2013 - normal trading hours resume. 8am-5pm weekdays. 8am-3pm Saturdays and 9-2pm Sundays.

Merry Christmas xx  (from Sue of Abitza)

Last week, I wandered up to Abitza for a lovely cuppa and a natter with Sue, Holly the Fairy and other lovelies who congregate in the warm and inviting atmosphere of Abitza.

There were som new shinies on the shelf that totally won me over and have since made their way under the Christmas tree for my daughter... and myself!

Dancing Fairies!  How could I resist!  The adorable house and fairy sculptures are still available, but the metallic print of Dancing fairies is awaiting me under the Christmas tree.

 

This Tiny tiger is keeping an eye on all the amethyst items thatsparkle so delightfully on Abitza's shelves.

Do you have a man in your life who likes to turn rusty old cars into shining and amazing retro-mobiles?  How cool would this plaque look in this shed!

I included these paintings because they ARE for sale and the are simply full of happy energy and I think everone should have a chance to view them before someone takes them home.

Orange is a deliciously happy colour!  All sorts of essential oils, skin products and air scenting sprays are available.  They make great gifts or wonderful pick me ups to help you recover after some intense socilising this December.

 So loving these crystal trees.  There is a Clear Quartz tree, as well as this lovely and soft green tree.

 Rainbow makers!  Shinies in your window! 
Sparkles add such a lift to everday life.

May your Celebrations this December be joyous and create wonderful memories to warm you through the year ahead.

 

The Tree of much glowing delight at Abitza

~Esse~

A Bit Za Poetry 2-5 pm Sun the 2nd

ABITZA held their first "A Bit Za Poetry Day" last month and it turned out to be a fascinating day!

There were several readers, who came organised with their planned pieces and their best reading voices. 

From left to right, Ian, Holly, James and Gavin all took their chance in the spotlight!

One lovely lady who came in for her delicious coffee became so interested in the readings that she spontaneously joined in and gave a reading herself!

The next Poetry day at Abitza is this Sunday, on the 2nd, and our lovely ladies at Abitza have chosen a Christmas theme for the readings.  So hunt out your favourite Christmas poems, or pen a new one to express your thoughts on this festive time of year and pop down to Abitza to share them.

 

Here is a Christmas poem of mine from last year, to get you in the poetic mood. 

Oh sticky tape, Oh sticky tape.

Oh sticky tape so good,

now where could you be?

I sifted my way though

the box of stationary.

I found a small remnant,

from previous years,

I wrapped up five presents

with ever grateful tears.

With many gifts remaining

vulnerably unwrapped,

I need you before the

child finishes her nap.

I have a compass from Santa,

to give her this year,

please help me to cover it

with paper of cheer.

You're not under the couch,

or behind the T.V.,

I can't find you in the

3rd draw down either, see?

Your stickiness so glorious,

the way it connects

two edges of paper,

to conceal our gifts.

Please reveal your hiding place,

with a magical boom,

I bet you are somewhere in

the sleeping child's room.

Copyright ©Esse 2011

Coffee and Circus - Abitza and RUCCIS - So Much Fun!

RUCCIS Circus came to Abitza on Saturday and we had a lot of fun!

The new and very exciting Tightrope (yes, it deserves a capital letter because it is so awesome) was set up on the sidewalk and many visitors to the cafe and occasionally passersby enjoyed their chance to play "Circus Tightwire Walker"!

Love how our balancing help looks as if Kate is giving Graham and I a "High Five!"

That's me (Esmerelda) in the cherry red RUCCIS t-shirt with the rainbow on my forehead.  RUCCIS stilters are taking advantage of Abitza's beautiful display window for resting purposes, after wandering along Main St, Upwey for the entertainment of the shoppers.   The stilters also peeked in through Abitza's window to admire the dream catchers that brighten up the cafe window and wave at the many RUCCISites that were enjoying their cake and coffee inside.

 The sidewalk chalking is becoming something I really enjoy doing, especially since one of our RUCCISites provided a gorgeous rainbow box of chalk colours.  There was even a coffee coloured chalk!  I'd started thinking about trying a peppermint tea (my fave!) coloured chalk when people showed great interest in the Tightrope. 

Jen of the gold glittery hair teaching Blake how to make his own juggling balls.

With RUCCIS taking all the sidewalk space with our hula hoops, spinning plates and Tightrope, Abitza's new outside seating was moved inside for our facepainting and juggling ball making.  This young man was the first to try his hand at making his own juggling balls and came outside to learn to juggle.  He had a wonderful morning exploring all the other circus equipment with many other children and quite a few adults.

Jarrod wearing RUCCIS's lovely new logo next to the banner with the original RUCCIS logo.
Olivia bought her first hoop on Wednesday and by Saturday she was able to show off many new tricks for us!

The pathway outside of Abitza is quite spacious and even though the rain came to visit, we had a lovely group of hoopers, some new to hoops, including an "innocent passerby" who remembered hooping as a young girl and did quite well for her first spin in decades.

With Juggling ball in hand for extra balance, this Abitza regular shows off his new balance skills with a shy but pleased smile.

I was spoilt when I ordered my lunch, yummy Marinated Chicken Strips on delicious, crunchy salad.  The lovely waitress brought it right out to me while I was on tightrope spotting duty and it was so delicious and warm on that now chilly and rainy afternoon.

When I brought my plate back into the warmth of Abitza's cafe to congratulate the talented chef (and owner of Abitza) Sue, on her cooking, she mentioned that there had been four orders for it right after mine was served.  I'm guessing the smell and appealing look of my lunch must have inspired others. So yum!
 

Jane and Olivia surprised us with their previously hidden talents of Balloonology, creating swans, hats and all sorts of adorable balloon animals! 


Two Balloon Pumps and a pile of modelling balloons led to a basket inside Abitza being full of balloon animals to take home, and very creative balloonologists (love that word!) making wearable art outside.

Happy Faces to mark the end of a delightfully bouncy day. A giggly Sue, owner of Abitza. in the middle, with Sam and I acting as supports for Daniel's surprise splits.
Photo by Jayrow Photography

Thank you to everyone who came with their enthusiasm and delight to make the Circus Day such an enjoyable event! 


Were you one of the people who came and played with RUCCIS or had a lovely meal at Abitza on Saturday?  We'd love you to leave a comment if you did (or if you wish you had been there!) or just to say hi!

Giggles & Glitter & Glue! Kids Card Making classes in Upwey

These lovely smiles belong to Holly (on the left) and Sue.  Holly is starting an exciting new adventure with Abitza, adding a mix of Card making and Children on Thursday afternoons, to the Holistic Healing centre, Gift shop and Cafe.

Holly and Sue with Abitza's beautiful range of cards, including Holly's beautiful handmade cards. :-)

After all, what is more thrilling than taking some glitter, some paper and some sticky, sticky glue and putting excited children in front of it!  It will be mess you don't have to clean up  creative and colourful!

Holly described the class as a mix of cutting and stamping, mixed in with Giggles & Glitter & Glue!

The children who attend the class will get a chance to play with the Big Shot die cutting machine, which I have seen fascinate grown ups too, the fun of rolling paper and the template die through the "wringer" Big Shot and seeing amazing shapes come out the other end!

The class can cater for 8 to 10 children, so call Sue or Holly on 9754 6850 to book your child in for this Thursday and then enjoy a well earned hour of relaxation, grocery shopping without multiple additions to the trolley or even check out the healings available at Abitza for that hour!

Bookings are for each week, so if you want your child to go for the whole of term 4, let Sue or Holly know that when you call. :-)

Holly uses Stampin' Up products, which (I love) are easy to use and colour co-ordinate and have a wide colour range, designed to appeal to both Princes and Princesses as well as Mud Monsters and Funky Fresh Friends.  Also, their water based inks are non toxic and as long as you don't iron them, will wash out easily.

Healing choices

Abitza has three lovely rooms, each with windows to let the sunlight in, that are used by a wide range of healers.  If you drop by Sue or the other girls can explain all about the healing choices available to you.

Juggling and Coffee! 6th October from 9am to 3 pm!

Juggling and coffee!  

Tightrope and Tea!

ABITZA And RUCCIS bring the circus to town, for a Family Fun Day.
SATURDAY 6TH OCTOBER
9AM – 3PM
*Join in the festivities & family fun activities
*Bring yourself and your little ones (or not so little ones!) to make their own juggling balls, try out their balance skills on our Tightrope while you indulge in coffee and cake, or a delicious lunch.
*See the circus performers.
*Free Face painting
AND MUCH MORE !!! — at 56-58 Main Street Upwey 3158
http://www.abitza.com.au/
http://ruccis.com.au/

The Circus is coming to ABITZA in Upwey, to (have fun!) create a funtastic day of teaching juggling from step one - making your own juggling balls, with a tightrope to try and walk across, maybe some
stilting and balloon animals (warning - hugging your new pet balloon animal too tightly can result in surprisingly loud noises) and definitely delicious food.
Come and join us, to be amazed and to be amazing!
— at 56-58 Main St Upwey, Victoria

Lovely, warm inviting ABITZA's cozy nook with comfy couches

Lovely, inviting ABITZA Cafe and Holistic Healing centre and RUCCIS - who provide CIrcus Experiences for Everyone! (including me!) are going to have a Fabulously Fun day on October 6th!  Bring the children and come see.  Or bring the Grandparents and come see. 

There will be exceedingly high in the sky stilters wandering around the street, a tightrope for you to try (with a very safe spotter to enure a graceful dismount and help diminish the wobbling) and juggling balls to make and learn how to use! 

After all these excitement, sit down for a coffee and some delicious cake, enjoy the fun kids treats available and look through the healings and classes available at the wonderful place to play that is Abitza!

Wearing stilts at the park!

Hope to meet you @Abitza on the 6th!

Guided meditation class and Paper making goopyness

Abitza is booking classes now!  There is a board up in the cafe, covered with fascinating pieces of paper that are tempting me to explore things I haven't before.  There is a soap making class coming up and paper making, which appeals to the messy, goop-loving 5 year old inside me. 

Also, this Guided Meditation class.  I am feeling this would be such a lovely way to close off the week of work and school and prepare for a weekend of fun and socialisation.

As a school Mum, I am also thinking this would be a reason/excuse to lie down for an hour of peace.   Or maybe sit in that pose?  I will have to find out.

 

Also, check out the new calendar!  Thanks to Anna from RUCCIS for teaching me about and how to use the google calendar.  I'm popping into Abitza today to get all the upcoming class info to add to the calendar.

Abitza is open!

Sipping a delicious Peppermint tea, I am sitting here, sunshine streaming in through Abitza's lovely large windows and warming my back.

The Grand Opening was a glorious night, full of delicious treats, wonderful energy and beautiful surroundings.

Abitza's window, showing the serene decorations and delighted guests.

A rainbow of dream catchers

Holistic Healing - now enhanced by Fairies!

Come into Abitza and visit,  enjoy one of Sue's cappuccinos with some of the delicious cakes available or taste test you way through the menu (I recommend the Chicken Teriaki on fresh salad).  Look through the healing options available to you and find the one (or two) that suit you best and book in for some you time.  Then wander the Abitza Cafe, looking at the beautiful giftware and the range of Perfect Potion oils and bath salts.