winter dreaming

Today's dump of snow on Mt Wellington and subsequent frosty weather has left me with a hankering for a cosy cabin at Cradle Mountain.

Fireplace and trip to the spa at the lodge and brisk walks to capture the beauty of the stark winter landscape.  Good food and soul rejuvenating scenery.

Sounds divine....now for how to make this happen.

to win the prize :: the fair maiden's heart

It seems that the universal differences between men and women still continue to amuse me.  I for one embrace the differences. I am definitely not a feminist and have no desire to be a 'man' yet do appreciate that God made us 'equal' heirs in Christ.


I think God with his perfect intentions and plan made a great recipe for companionship, satisfaction and unity.  I guess it's us who mess it up and get confused by whatever reality we have experienced or are working through.


Here is a note for men, I don't really care if you have a big boat, or a fancy car or many worldly achievements to date.  What I do want to know is about your heart, your character, your steadfastness in the face of an unreasonable and unpredictable world.


I want to know if you have the courage to choose the right thing when confronted with an easier more comfortable option. 


I would be impressed if rather than taking the usual status quo of remaining silent at critical times (think Adam in the Garden) you speak up for truth and justice and integrity.  


I am fictitiously thinking Steve McGarrett in Hawaii Five O.  I know girls...... you have all gone to those gorgeous strong arms, chiselled face and cheeky, sexy, grin....anyhow....I digress and promise to stay on track from now on.


I want to know if you will defend and protect me when the assaults of life and this journey deflate my delicate feminine soul.


I want to know if you will challenge me in Godliness and personal growth rather than comply to my every whim.


Sure, the boat, car and good pay check have some merit but in the eternal scheme of things means very little.

i do concur

online shopping

Today my impulsively timed (but well considered) swimsuit purchase arrived today.  I mean, winter? in Hobart? Anyhow, it was well overdue and will be handy for our beach holiday in October.

It is so exciting to get a parcel in the mail, even as a grown up.

The courier man asked with an odd smile on his face if I was expecting a parcel.  I politely answered yes, who is it from?  I have had an overdose of online shopping of late so not sure whether it was the package with sewing notions or this.

As I signed for it, I am sure he was flirting with me....yuck....he was old enough to be my father and then some and seriously......when does a fluro yellow shirt 'ever' become a man unless you are the calvin klein model...... even then it's definitely borderline?

I clicked later that the manufacturer also dispatches a lingerie range and clearly he was excited by the prospect of what was in the package.  Now that's enough to make me bring up my lunch.

So, much to my eldest son's disgust, I gave the family a little fashion parade and let me tell you, that these guys know what they are doing when it comes to making good swimwear.

I feel a little bit like Marilyn.....the brunette version at least.  Bring on summer.

small beginnings

In the work of God, the day of small things is not to be despised. God often chooses weak instruments, to bring about mighty things: and though the beginnings be small, he can make the latter end greatly to increase.


From Wesley's Notes

this one is for the mothers

by Jenny Saville.

I find this quite a brave picture and very very liberatingly honest!

endangered character qualities

So wikipedia.....the source of all 'reliable' knowledge in the cyber world defines courage as this :-

Courage (also bravery, boldness, fearlessness, mettle, fortitude, or intrepidity) is the ability to confront fear, pain, danger, uncertainty, or intimidation. "Physical courage" is courage in the face of physical pain, hardship, death, or threat of death, while "moral courage" is the ability to act rightly in the face of popular opposition, shame, scandal, or discouragement.

I heard today that....

The human heart hungers for truth, beauty and goodness.

Couldn't agree more.

my new obsession

Before I discovered the world of you tube tutorials on just about everything, I tucked away this trusty reference book of Grandma's to teach me all I needed to know.

It's certainly a vintage book with yellowed pages and interesting garment ideas some of which I will share below.  I will take a guess that it is somewhere around 40-50 years old.

 The ever practical 'man's convalescent jacket', very handy indeed.

Notice the recuperating fellow reaches over to the beside table to reveal a rear view of the jacket.  No pesky bunched up bits for him while recovering in bed.  Mind you, the packet of cigarettes he is reaching for  probably won't really help in bringing him towards better health.

A hot foxy chic in her cardigan.  

My personal favourite ' the man's helmet'.  Tell me, what man about town can afford to 'not' have one of this classy numbers in his wardrobe?  Notice the mandatory cigarette once again....very politically incorrect these days.

As for me, I am onto scarf number two and showing no signs of slowing.  An innocuous obsession so a friend recently informed me.

inspiration comes in many guises

Invest in the human family.  Invest in people.

Build a little community of those you love and who love you.

-Mitch Albom - Tuesday's with Morrie.

A truly inspirational week of delightful conversations.  At the chance of being too vulnerable, too much or too interested in people....I will anyway.  

After all, nothing is more valuable to invest in than people.  

Grateful today that I have this passion for knowing people and being known deeply.  A risk worth taking with many unexpected rewards.

This journey is a wild ride and all the more better for sharing it with others.

holiday snaps

honesty :: too funny

When chatting with my sister this morning about the natural effects of ageing on one's body, the almost overnight  southward gravitation of bits and pieces, we reflected on how this affects the future romantic notions for a thirty something woman.

Her conclusion :: There is only a certain clientele that is 'down' with saggy and baggy.

You can always count on sisters for the uncensored version.

I am still giggling.

hand knitted bliss :: a premiere

So today my new hand knitted scarf get's it's first outing.  I am feeling pretty pleased with my first effort in so many years I can't remember.

Thanks to you a friend's inspiration, grandma's wool supply and some redneck american chick who posted a you tube tutorial on the puff stitch.

Loving my newly acquired skill and am gonna get my nanna knit on more often.