Finding joy in the everyday

Painting by Frederick McCubbin I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  (Philippians 4:13) **** Women have amazing strength and really can do almost anything if they need to. Just think back to your ancestors, the women of the past, our early pioneer women and think what they endured and managed — they were amazing. Often on their own (whilst their husbands went off to hunt or to undertake business) the women not only had to care for their children, they also had to cut wood, tend to the animals and make sure everything ran smoothly.  In those early days women didn't live in comfortable homes as we do today, they lived in whatever their husbands could build, which might mean a tent or a timber or stone cottage with none of the mod-cons we have today. They were hot in summer and cold in winter, often had dirt floors and were not very pleasant. Women had to to make do with what they had. Those in urban locations often were living in overcrowded homes

Art Friday Dear friends, I have had a very busy week at work and my brain is feeling a little over-used!! So instead of finding artworks for you (which can take me ages), I thought I would share some photos I took on Wednesday when I went for my midday walk. This rose garden was in full-bloom at present and it looked glorious with all the green grass and blue sky against this fire-engine red rose.  I don't know about you, but at this time of the year I start to get a little weary and in need of a holiday (which I will be taking from the 25th of December for a month. I have so much to do over the next few weeks — gift buying, cards (which I haven't even thought about), food and then I have all the lunches (3 so far) and morning and afternoon teas I am going to (which don't help my waistline at all). I will be one very busy girl for the next 4 weeks. So my midday and evening walks are a much needed break where I can enjoy the scenery, get some fresh air  and clear

Dear Blogging friends,  I think its about time I did an update from the sewing room (which is a little messy at present so no photos of the space!!). What have I been doing — not a lot really! I started to make a top but ran into difficulties trying to understand the pattern so taking it off to discuss with friends who sew! But I have been buying patterns, thats really the easy part of sewing!!  I buy most from eBay —usually the older patterns that are often out of print or no longer in demand. These are my favourites and I have managed to find some treasures.  I was so excited about the pinafore (jumper) pattern (below) — I have been searching for the perfect pinafore pattern and struggle to find anything I liked, this is what I have been wanting.  The pattern is a little too large so I will need to make it small, but I look forward to giving it a go!! As to the other pattern (long green dress from Buttericks 5461) I plan to make this for summer but before I do, I a

Do you use table clothes these days? Are they in or are they out of fashion? My mother always had a table-cloth on the table, it was common practice when I was growing up in the 1970s. We used it for breakfast, lunch and dinner. These days many people do not use them at mealtime instead using place mats or nothing at all. My mother had quite a collection of table-clothes, I think I own one. According to Your tablecloth.com (who have written the history far better than I could): The earliest proof of the existence of tablecloths, is drawn from the work of a poet named Martial who died c.103 AD who mentioned them in his writing, so tablecloths are believed to have come into use in Europe in the first century AD. Prior to this high-ranking Roman households are thought to have possessed tables that were exquisitely carved and therefore too ornate and beautiful to be covered by cloth!  By looking at early artwork that still survives, it appears that the very first c

Happy thoughts I think are much needed at present with all the nasties going on around the world. Whilst it is important to know what is happening — it is not wise to watch and read every possible news story with the aim of catching all the gory detail as that only leads to increased worry and fear, the very thing we must avoid.  Instead we need to find as much joy in our lives as possible and not focus on the ugly.  The one place we need to be joyful, is our homes. We need to create places of refuge that is filled to the brim with joy, love and peace as our children need this more than ever at present. They are feeling very insecure and afraid at the moment with all the pressure they have in their lives plus the current world events from refugees to war and terrorism. They need to know that their home is a safe place where they are loved and wanted. They need to know that when life is tough they have a place to bunker down that is beautiful and calm to be in. It is our j

Artist: Edward Thompson Davis 1833–1867 We have see such ugliness in the last week with the tragic deaths of many innocent people in Paris and in other parts of the world as a result of terrorist attacks. It can be easy to forget that whilst these events are just horrible and most of us struggle to understand why they happen — we need to always remember the beauty that is around us. The terrorists don't want us to see the lovely, the kind, the caring, the gentle . . . but they are all there if we look. Just because the terrorists can't see the beauty, they can't take it away from us.  Enjoy these beautiful works of art of Edward Thompson Davis, in particular the scenes of family life — a grandmother with her grandchildren, the young listening to the elderly, two children helping each other. This is what we need to focus on.  *****

Whilst I haven't always been a fan of wallpaper, some of the modern papers are just AMAZING.  The colours look so vibrant and the designs are gorgeous. At least these modern wall-papers won't kill you!  The famous William Morris wall-papers of the late 1800s were beautiful and every fashionable home had them, but sadly some of the colours were made from arsenic (green in particular) and when the wall-paper were located in the bedrooms (which were  often damp as they didn't have the wonderful central heating we have today) and the windows were closed (particularly in winter) the arsenic vapours would either make the person sick or could even lead to death, particularly children. Fortunately the modern wall-papers (including the William Morris reproductions) are all arsenic free so you can sleep soundly. Look at the ones above, I would love to have some of these in my home, especially the ones with the delicate butterflies. These are almost works of art. The pr

This week is Postnatal depression awareness week (in Australia) and its such an important issue to be aware of.  A new mother can develop postnatal depression (PND) within a few days or weeks of giving birth.  Around one in seven to ten mothers develop postnatal depression — that is a lot of women that we need to take special care of.  According  to experts, they do not know the exact causes of PND, but the enormous physical, emotional and social changes involved in becoming a parent seem to play a significant role. And  something  many are not aware of, n ew dads can also develop PND, particularly if their partner or wife is depressed. Whilst many women have a wonderful post birth  experience , as I did, as we can see from the statistics, not all women do and we need to make sure we do all we can to help. Both by understand post-natal depression but also reaching out with a helping hand.  Symptoms of postnatal depression (PND): The range of symptoms experienced depends on t

I have been reading "As Silver Refined - Answers to Life's Disappointments" by Kay Arthur. In chapter 8 "Peace amid the pain" she retells the story of Bruce Olson, the missionary who was captured by South American Marxist guerrillas and help captive for 9 months. Bruce Olson was held in very poor conditions, in make-shift shelters that offered virtually no protection from the elements: rain, heat or humidity. He was sick with malaria and in a great deal of pain and discomfort. He was tortured and had to witness the deaths and abuse of the other prisoners. Life was miserable. But regardless, this is what he had to say: It may seem bizarre to some people, but the truth is that it never once occurred to me that it was God's responsibility to rescue me miraculously from this situation. Instead I believed it was my responsibility to serve Him right where I was.  What I asked of God from day to day was very simple, very practical, and I supp

Artist: Jeremy Lipking Today is Friday the 13th and for some people this day is very problematic as they are superstitious of the number 13. I thought I would find out why as to me it all seems rather silly!! This of course, has nothing to do with today's artist who does great portraits that I do hope you enjoy! * Very little is known about the origins of the day's notoriety. Some historians believe that the superstitions surrounding it arose in the late 19th century. The first documented mention of the day can be found in a biography of Italian composer Gioachino Rossini, who died on a Friday 13th. A 1907 book, Friday the Thirteenth, by American businessman Thomas Lawson may have further perpetuated the superstition. * The fear of Friday the 13th is also called "friggatriskaidekaphobia" or "paraskevidekatriaphobia". I am not even going to try and pronounce these words, too tricky for me!! It affects many people who really don’t like this day!