Nearing The End

…of the school year, anyway!

The exams are over, the days are getting hotter, and the long holidays are close. Sweet Bean is checking out some of next year’s studies, but there’s still time for a bit of basic baking.

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Obviously, a cup of tea rounds off the lesson.
Last week we did basic biscuits, this week was basic cake. We’ve used a recipe to some extent, but I’m trying to show him how to bake when you don’t have a recipe – ingredient proportions, how a batter or dough looks and feels when you make it. Fun! Especially when we put a CD on and dance while it’s cooking 🙂

One more week to go before holidays.
– So here’s some impromptu hearts ❤

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Published in: on November 23, 2019 at 4:52 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Remembrance

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“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.”

Laurence Binyon

(Red poppies for remembrance,
White poppies for peace,
Purple poppies for animals that died in conflict.)

 

Published in: on November 11, 2019 at 2:14 pm  Leave a Comment  
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The Universe Is Singing

Thursday we went to a school workshop – art, drama and music – fun! The music component involved each age group of kids learning “How Great Is Our God”, either singing or percussion (Sweet Bean did some nice work on a drum box, or cajón ), then coming together at the end for a big, glorious finale.
Before the lesson, they played this clip.

And then we all rejoiced…

Published in: on November 3, 2019 at 7:00 am  Leave a Comment  
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Santa?…. Slay!

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.

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He bisected easily.

…and talking about Halloween – how about these cute little tropical decorations from down the road?

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😀

Published in: on November 2, 2019 at 6:14 pm  Leave a Comment  
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A Grate Day

Some days are power days – nothing is too hard, you feel invincible and as if you can knock out your entire to do list, and start on next year’s…
Yesterday was one of those days.
Consequently today is decidedly less “power” and more “endure”. Yesterday’s invincibility led me to do a bit more strenuous activity than I’m used to, and today’s me is just ouch… with swinging moods to complete that special feeling.
(Sample conversation  for today –
Random family member – “Do you want coffee or tea?”
Me – “DON’T MAKE ME HAVE TO MAKE A DECISION!!!”
*copious sobbing ensues*)

I can do some things to cheer myself up, but it all seems a bit like this.

Thankfully I have some low energy things on my list, and a sandalwood and rose incense stick.
Also – writing a Christmas list 😀

Published in: on October 29, 2019 at 1:52 pm  Leave a Comment  
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OK?

You know how YouTube gives suggestions, generally based on previous browsing?
I’m not quite sure why it thought I was having a bad time (surely not because I was bingeing 80s memories and BBC comedy?), but these were the first three suggestions for me recently…



I don’t feel like I was in need of them particularly, but I enjoyed them.
Perhaps they were meant to be shared?

…and here’s one that caught my ear last week.

Published in: on October 26, 2019 at 7:40 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Random Rambling Recap (With Coffee)

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!

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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.

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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 😀

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Now we can go on a musical picnic, even in the rain…

I have realised I like my hair like this.

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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.

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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).

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The birds rejoiced, giving thanks for the rain
And all was right with the world…

Published in: on October 19, 2019 at 3:40 pm  Leave a Comment  
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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).

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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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Published in: 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…

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What other small joys are in store for this week?

Published in: on September 28, 2019 at 11:32 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Spring Clean!

The first day of the holidays, and I’ve blitzed the deep cleaning I tend to put off when I’m doing the regular cleaning… feels so good to know it’s done for the time being and I don’t have to scrub anything for a bit 😀
I finally got around to sorting out the outdoor display rack as well, which has been the depository of all the junk and odds and ends, as well as dust…

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There’s even space for some new things now!
I’m feeling accomplished, but tired… decided to have a soak in the bath with some epsom salts in the middle of the day, which was relaxing but I had to fend off feelings of having to be somewhere doing something else…
A good start to the holidays, and a chance to enjoy a more completely dust and dirt free environment than usual 🙂

Published in: on September 23, 2019 at 7:40 pm  Leave a Comment  
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