road trip :: coastal retreat

First stop was the Sorell sunday market.....a quirky collection of interesting & amusing items 

and somewhat scary stallholders with tired faces and mandatory cigarettes in the top pocket.  Not too sure about the signs.  Dad and son were trying to make a buck and the younger artists signs were going half price.

Even at that we could not be tempted.

I am serious....this sign was in the front yard of a house in another little village on the way to our desination.  

Maddy thought they were cute.  I thought they smelled and reminded her they would grow up and smell even worse.

Fresh yummy produce so we picked up some tomatoes to cook up for lunch today.

Maddy's orchard and veggie patch collecting supplies for lunch.

The most amazing pink lady apples inspired our lunch plans.

Apparently one of the sunniest most pleasant and warm days ever experienced here this time of year....so lucky.

Perfect writer's retreat overlooking the garden.

Maddy's fresh tomato, balsamic and homemade olive oil bruschetta. 

My fresh apples, baked with muesli, brown sugar and coconut enjoyed with thick luscious cream. 

Beautiful rugged beaches on the way home

Beautiful rocks to climb over and explore.

 Looking out towards Coles Bay.

a place to rest

Madeline getting the fire stoked for settling in for the evening.

 The old bake house at the back of the house

 The barn and behind the orchard and veggie patch.

 Looking over the property.

 The original part of the house added on to with lots of style.

 Beautiful cottage and english inspired gardens.

 Fabulous courtyard and private gardens.

 The most elegant of colour schemes for the exterior.

Classic poetry vintage finds in a funny little market.  My most treasured a retro A.B. Patterson compilation.  Great start to the weekend.

pet gripes

I am working on getting less stressed about my personal preferences and character qualities that I rate highly.  One is doing what you say you are going to do.  If I make a commitment, I feel ill at the thought of not sticking to it.  Integrity is another one closely linked, transparency, honesty and dependability.  You would think these are no brainers but alas.....sadly lacking in today's selfish culture.

The one thing I have found annoys me to distraction is being late.  When I was newly married, I remember being shocked that my new husband thought nothing of being continually late for everything.  I couldn't believe it.  Should have been a warning sign I guess.


Being punctual not only refers to being on time for work or for meetings or appointments whilst at work, but also being ready and prepared on arrival. It involves a degree of commitment to the job role, organisation and time management, travel planning, and an awareness or understanding of the importance of being on time and behaving responsibly or professionally whilst at work or respectfully when an agreement is in place with another. 



For me, to make a habit of being late shows enormous disrespect and disregard for other people and is the ultimate selfishness.  For me it screams the message, I am way more important than you and your schedule and will do just as I like.  I know, anal as I am, this is something of high value in my book.


The occasional tardy arrival is fine, I mean, three kids later, I understand that sometimes the unavoidable happens.  It took me a while, but I am learning to forgive myself when the schedule gets messed up.
So my question......... is my passion for punctuality a character quality or a flaw?   A test in patience and flexibility or a prophetic message for the masses of Gen Y & Z.

a mystery

The delicate tension between beauty and strength

god reality :: why worry.

Now I am not usually the first to grab a copy of this particular translation and am cringing thinking of how my friends Steve and Zarv will scoff at my choice.....however.....this just really nailed it for me today.

It really is this simple......but we live in a complicated world.  Just read below.

God insists that we not worry about anything except eternity.  He promises that in this passage.

Not our job, our house, our clothes, our social status, our career, our car, our opportunities, our future, our relationships.......What a place of freedom and joy.

No longer puppets pulled in many directions riding the waves of our emotions and failings.




Luke 12:22-34


Steep Yourself in God-Reality


 22-24He continued this subject with his disciples. "Don't fuss about what's on the table at mealtimes or if the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your inner life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. 


Look at the ravens, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, carefree in the care of God. And you count far more.


 25-28"Has anyone by fussing before the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? If fussing can't even do that, why fuss at all? Walk into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They don't fuss with their appearance—but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? 


The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. If God gives such attention to the wildflowers, most of them never even seen, don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?


 29-32"What I'm trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. 


Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Don't be afraid of missing out. 


You're my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself.


 33-34"Be generous. Give to the poor. Get yourselves a bank that can't go bankrupt, a bank in heaven far from bankrobbers, safe from embezzlers, a bank you can bank on. It's obvious, isn't it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.