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.

sneaky jack frost

Dang.....it's freaking cold!  I know, I know, I love cold weather, usually.  Today it just stinks.

I am hating the fact that I don't even care that I wore my ugg boots outside the house (in true bogan style) into the car and drove to training drop off.  That is a first for me.

I am not sure whether it's because I got a taste of freedom by way of a weekend without the responsibility of the smalls or the sneaky winter wind blowing via the snow covered mountain behind me which has gotten my feathers ruffled?

Dang snow!  Dang blissful relaxed coffee and company!  Dang return to reality!

I am feeling a little excited yet also a little overwhelmed about the relentless schedule of events that comes with winter sports season, birthdays, farewells and mini breaks and interstate visitors in coming weeks.

Now that I have vented, as per the mission of this blog, I turn to sweeter things and gracious thoughts and joy at the blessings I have experienced this past week.

The extravagent generosity of friends to make impossible......... possible.

The hearty laughter of family enjoying an unexpected piece of time together.

The cuddles of two beautiful little nephews.  Their smiles heartwarming and soothing.

The remembrance of the greatest man I have ever known.  The challenge to live with heart and passion and compassion as he did.

The serendipity of bumping into friends from the past in a random cafe.

The delight of time well spent with a kindred spirit.

The extra leg room on the plane.

The beautiful city awaiting to greet my weary soul on return with a spectacular display of autumn highlights.

Friends to love my children while I am away so that they do not want for anything.

The realisation that life is full of joyful moments right there for the taking.  If we are open and ready to grab them with both hands.

There is only one to thank....you humble me Lord.