Thinking…. | 1000 Fields of Roses

The Walking Dread

I quite like to walk – that pleasant stroll through nature (or the nearby cemetery), where I can let my mind run free, or listen to some good music. At this time of the year it can be fraught with danger – it’s magpie season. At any point there’s the possibility of being swooped or chased by magpies or plovers. They’re protecting their nests but in the process can cause fear, or actual harm, to an unsuspecting passerby. This time of the year I tend to stay at home until the season’s over, but by that time it’s starting to get too hot to walk, and I’m out of the habit.
This year has been a bit strange. On the occasions I’ve been out in areas I’ve previously avoided because of swooping, I’ve had no trouble, even if I can see nesting pairs in the vicinity. I don’t know if they’re all just not being aggressive this year or lulling us in to a false sense of security before launching the bird apocalypse…

Nevertheless, I’ve twice walked home from town this week – 35-40 minutes at a fairly brisk pace. Both times I couldn’t be bothered waiting for the bus, and I haven’t really had any ill effects from it. It’s a lovely time of year – not too hot, and still a cool breeze from time to time.
I’ve wandered around town as well, in this confusing sort-of-spring/summer season. Stopped to smell the roses (and, I believe, gardenias) at a new op shop; they were blowsy and sweetly fragranced (the roses, not the shop).

I made it back home in good time and sat down with a good book, and a rose and elderflower cordial 🙂

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on October 4, 2019 at 4:51 pm Leave a Comment

The Small Things

We’re halfway through the holidays, and it’s been pretty good so far. I’ve got lots of reading done – always a good holiday option. The fact that I had to read a lot this week because I borrowed too many books during term and was running out of time to finish them before their due dates doesn’t really matter…

What are the small things I’ve enjoyed this week?
– Sitting with my books in unfamiliar places (by the pool, a park down the road) – the change of scene sparked new inspirations and thought processes.
Helping Sweet Bean with some difficulties, and seeing through that what a wonderful young man he’s growing into.
Watching a friend reach a milestone on the way to even greater things.
Finally seeing some rain falling – not enough to satisfy this dry earth, but hopefully there’s more coming.
Watching the small ones around us playing and running happily through the rain!
Unexpected blessings at perfect times 🙂
Old clothing once again made serviceable after mending.
Delicate flowers salvaged from the top of a delectable cheesecake…

What other small joys are in store for this week?

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on September 28, 2019 at 11:32 pm Leave a Comment
Tags: Joy

Silver Lining

…without a cloud in the sky!

Sunday just gone was our 25th Wedding Anniversary – I have now spent half my life married ❤ That seems like a dramatic statement! I am very happy that we have come this far – here’s to the next 25 years!
Our boys are old enough to look after themselves, so we decided to have a long weekend in Caloundra. We stayed in a three bedroom unit, but it was still compact enough for us. The balcony looked out onto the beach, and it was only a short walk to the sand.
The main street was close, so we took in the markets on Sunday morning, and went to Kawana Waters Farmers Markets on Saturday morning to pick up good food for the weekend. We also got to say hi to an old friend as well as getting some great hand made (gluten free) sausages… if you’re in the market for quality sausages (and are on the Sunshine Coast) you can’t get better than Saintsational Sausages! 😀
Hearing the sea so close was good for peaceful sleep. The weather was bright and mild.

Our first sunset there…

Caloundra seems quiet and sleepy, especially in term time. We could just meander, and still feel like we got a lot done. There were bits of artwork dotted about the main part of the town as well, like sparkly gems waiting to be discovered…

King’s Beach was lovely, and not too busy even on the weekends, but we also had a walk along Shelley Beach, picking up shells and looking at the wildlife in the rock pools.

The sea was the most beautiful blue, and there were tiny fish and crabs, as well as bigger crabs, sidling along under rocks…

The weekend was meant to be a chance to spend time together, and we did that. It was also a chance to share good, quality food – whether crisp chips or gelato by the sea, or rich picnic food on the balcony.

Sunday’s breakfast – free range eggs, oyster mushrooms fried in butter, avocado on olive, feta and rosemary sourdough bread, and Saintsational sausages (chicken, lime, coriander, mango and coconut). We indulged in proper full cream milk (there was actual cream on top!) and the juice is “Energy” juice from the markets – based on beetroot juice, with additions such as ginger and celery… There were stops at various cafes for good coffee, finishing with Greenhouse Cafe on the Monday morning before coming home.

Lemon Curd gluten free doughnut 🙂

Such a lovely weekend! We were sad to say goodbye, but happy to be headed home…
Sunrise on our last day…

We had a good run home, and blitzed the unpacking/washing when we got back.
What more can I say?

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on September 17, 2019 at 5:51 pm Leave a Comment
Tags: Caloundra, Wedding Anniversary

Sweetest Bean @ 16

Sweet Bean is looking forward to a quiet day tomorrow, after finishing his exams for the term today… he feels he did well, but above all is glad he’s done! 😀

Celebrated that, and his birthday yesterday, with a bit of Grapetiser. We’ve had lots of cakey type celebration as well, and he had a fun afternoon with his friends Saturday – we left them to it and went upstairs. They seem to have spent the time talking and catching up (and eating…) They’re all wonderful boys, and we’re always happy to have them round.
So proud of my beautiful boy ❤

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Thinking....

on September 11, 2019 at 10:56 pm Leave a Comment
Tags: birthday

Exceedingly Good!

A blast from the past for us today – Biggest Boy brought home some bread from work, and also a few cartons of Mr Kipling’s Exceedingly Good cakes.
These were some of the first British type things I tried when I moved over there – relatively cheap at the time, and easy to find. My favourites were the Fondant Fancies (they’re called French Fancies here), but the Viennese whirls are nice with a cup of tea!
We’ve given some to the neighbours, but there’s still quite a lot left… here’s what our fridge looks like at the moment.

I watched an episode of A Touch Of Frost this afternoon, and am watching Bargain Hunt at the moment – just my cup of tea!

❤

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Thinking....

on September 6, 2019 at 8:17 pm Leave a Comment
Tags: Mr Kipling Cakes

All The Little Birdies Sing!

At least they’re starting to…
We’re on the last day of winter, and what a non-winter it’s been! A few cold nights and blustery days, but the trees and birds seem to have been a bit confused for the last month or so.
About four weeks ago I took some photos at a friend’s place, and have taken some more at intervals…

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Waiting to open; complete with teeny-tiny spider!

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Some type of nectarine blossom, I believe – looking happy!

A couple of weeks later – sunflower with bee 🙂

The latest phase – waiting for the seeds.

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…and baby offshoots, with native bees.

A promise of more fruit.

The magpies and plovers seem to have been nesting, and we came across the first half a hatched egg yesterday while walking. Spring seems to have well and truly sprung.
Will tomorrow’s sun rise more brightly with the official advent of spring? Probably not. But the warmer days are coming!

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on August 31, 2019 at 3:23 pm Leave a Comment
Tags: spring, sunflowers

The Simple Life

Another Monday morning, with a week full of promise – if I take what’s offered!
I was reading last night about a prolific author, who committed to write 400 words each day. Not a very large commitment, at first sight… a few paragraphs. Those words added up over time, building to greatness with consistency…

I tend to tie myself up, aiming for the big things, and missing them more often than not. What is my version of 400 words?

This morning I have some deadlines to work towards – some things to work on. Well – let’s be honest here. Things to start working on (properly)!
I have made myself a cup of coffee from scratch – grinding the beans and making it in the small saucepan – and have chosen a pretty plate for some quality dark chocolate. I have lit some incense sticks (frankincense and myrrh) and spent some time praying for friends needing a fragrant breath in their day today.
It’s time to dive in and “write” those words!
What words are you writing in your day today?
❤

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on August 26, 2019 at 12:05 pm Leave a Comment

Resting, With A Book In Hand

At least, I will be… 😀

The Lifeline Bookfest is on again, just up the road from us. We went down before school let out, so there weren’t loads of people there yet. The starting time had been changed from 3pm to 9am, which meant we could browse a bit longer, and the quality of the books were good – there seemed to be a number of folio quality editions of children’s classics, and lots of good quality cookbooks. That was reflected in the price – it costs more at the Lifeline Bookfests than at the Library book sales. I had told myself I’d only get a few books, and only if I really wanted them… it’s hard to refrain from buying all the books, but I managed.
Here’s my bargains!

Two of the nice editions of children’s classics. I had thought I didn’t have “Heidi” (I knew I had “Heidi Grows Up”) so bought it – turns out it’s “Pollyanna” I don’t have. This is a better edition than the one I had before, though. The other book is by the same author of “The Wind In The Willows”. I don’t know this book – it will be fun finding out about it!

This appears to be a sort of bite-sized version of philosophical ideas, explaining the ideas that shaped our thinking over the centuries. It’s salutary to remember that what we take for granted hasn’t always been around…

I enjoy the Spot What books 🙂 The other book is by the author of the “Wreck This Journal” books, but perhaps weighted more towards writing than art.

A book for my Babe, to have a giggle 🙂

A more modern edition of an Australian classic! Pretty sure there was some sort of law that we had to have one of those cakes at our birthday party when I was a kid… I do have the original version (the one with the train cake, or the swimming pool cake), but this is very pretty.

The entire second series of Fame for $5! I already have the first series. My Sweet Bean found the other DVD, and thought I might like it. Reckon I’ll enjoy watching that.
So much serenity…

They also had a pile of soft toys over by the checkouts. I’ve not long finished the Gish Hunt, so I couldn’t resist a sock monkey!

So, I have a choice of reading/watching material tonight…after I’ve finished the library books that are due back soon.The Bookfest will be open tomorrow and Sunday, from 9am to about 4pm. Go grab some bargains!

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Thinking....

on August 23, 2019 at 6:10 pm Leave a Comment
Tags: Lifeline bookfest

Rainbow Down The Barricades

I’ve had a very inspirational weekend and early week – feeling like making/doing/being… in the past I’ve gone so far, then run up against walls. God has been speaking to me, specifically this weekend, but also throughout this year.
Today we went out for coffee, and I decided to dress in my rainbows… not just my shirt but various bits of colourful jewellery. I have quite a lot of it but don’t often wear it. Today seemed like a day for a bit of overkill.

We hid away on the sofa at the cafe, and dreamed… looked through some of the books stacked there (also used as tables)

Came home, did some work.
All things are possible, but they still require a bit of deliberation, dreaming – and doing!

Here’s a sign from the Women’s Conference at church on Saturday.
Now – to live the life…

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on July 23, 2019 at 3:45 pm Leave a Comment
Tags: rainbow

Walking On The Moon

Yes, I did think of this song when I typed that…
The next couple of days commemorate the first moon landing – fifty years since that “one small step”.

It was an achievement years in the making, although apparently not without its controversies (why spend so much on that when there are so many other needs?) Perhaps not much has changed over the years, then…
I gather I got to see the landing at some stage, but as I was about five months old, I can’t really remember. Perhaps it changed the way people see the world. Perhaps we broadened our horizons. If so, there’s still room for improvement.
Whatever the case, here’s some more “moon” songs 🙂