“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.”
(Red poppies for remembrance,
White poppies for peace,
Purple poppies for animals that died in conflict.)
We’re just rolling in to November, and the shops have put away the Halloween decorations. What’s with all the Christmas stuff?
I love Christmas! We put up the tree each year, the boys do their part, and I always put the angel on the top. I love finding things for presents, things that I think each person will appreciate. I love the carols, and the Christmas service, and the whole Christmas/New Year frenzy leading to languor.
But November 2nd is too early! Bah humbug!
Today we did the shopping. We’ve been trying to reduce the chocolate consumption of our household, but today needed a bit of sugar and chocolate Santas were just waiting to be eaten. We decided killing a chocolate Santa could be a pre-emptive strike against premature Christmas schmaltz.
He bisected easily.
…and talking about Halloween – how about these cute little tropical decorations from down the road?
😀
The warmer weather has made me feel like tidying and reorganising the chaos that has built up in places here – there’s something deeply satisfying about making something beautiful where there was mess.
I started with the baker’s rack outside – it’s been the repository for whatever outside stuff I couldn’t find room for anywhere else…
Voila!
The bottom two shelves still have pots and garden paraphernalia, but at least it’s all tidy now.
I also decided to repurpose some bits and bobs from the jewellery box.
I invested in some new incense sticks (sandalwood & rose, sandalwood & musk, and frankincense & myrrh) – great for dreaming to, or anticipating Christmas!
In other news – we went to a Lifeline sale (Yay!) and picked up an old style picnic basket, with plates, glasses and cutlery ($5), a set of bongos ($5), and two good quality umbrellas ($2 each), one of which is like having a huge orange flower sheltering me from the raindrops 😀
Now we can go on a musical picnic, even in the rain…
I have realised I like my hair like this.
A bit messy and just the right length.
Unfortunately it only does this sometimes, and I don’t know how to make it happen. Oh well…
There’s been a bit of rain this week – not enough, but the grass is greening. Decided to plant some flowers in the back planting box, but had to dig out the neighbourhood cats’ contributions first – smelly with flies, and I had to scrub my hands a few times before I could even think of sitting down to eat. I like cats, but not when they disrespect my garden 😦
Fortunately I have sandalwood and rose incense to sweeten the air, and these sweet cats to cheer me up.
We went to the opening of a farmers’ market type shop in town, and picked up a bit of cake made by another shop here, which will be occasionally supplying the market shop. I finally got to sit down and eat my cake (almond croissant, raspberry and macadamia cake, and a nice bit of crusty bread) and drink my coffee (fresh ground and brewed with cinnamon and a couple of mint leaves).
The birds rejoiced, giving thanks for the rain
And all was right with the world…
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 🙂
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?
…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?
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 ❤
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!
❤
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…
Waiting to open; complete with teeny-tiny spider!
Some type of nectarine blossom, I believe – looking happy!
A couple of weeks later – sunflower with bee 🙂
The latest phase – waiting for the seeds.
…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!
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?
❤
a bit of creativity, a bit of eco consciousness, a bit of inspiration.... hopefully not a lot of pompousness and blathering :D
i'm not entirely sure what's going on here... let's travel along and see...
