Finding joy in the everyday

On my recent trip to Western Plains Zoo (Dubbo) we had the pleasure of meeting this lovely family of African lions and it was such a delight to see the three newish cubs. The cubs were born on the 28th of February 2015 and it is the first time this zoo has been successful in breeding lions. There is one male cub (Baako) and two little girls (Makeba and Zuri).  Thanks to a telescopic lens I was able to take some photos of these majestic creatures who were some distance from where we were standing and not overly willing to move any closer.  My cat Ruby loves to do this!! Big cats and little cats do like to do similar things Mr Three loves big cats and took his toy lion (Billy) to see the real lions. Billy had a very good time!!  If you missed the photos of the cuddle koalas: LINK Don't forget this weeks GIVEAWAY :   http://jo-stophaveachat.blogspot.com.au/2015/09/giveaway-animal-blankies.html *****

I love supporting home-based businesses and over the next few months I will be doing just that! Did you know that in the UK, craft contributes A$6.5 billion to the economy and Etsy.com has exceeded US$2 billion in transactions. Handicrafts are big-business.  I am a big supporter of women who have set up home-based businesses, turning their hobbies into a cottage industry. Working from home and making money from your business is hard work and can have many pitfalls and discouraging moments.  Even harder when you are home-schooling, caring for children, husband and home.  I am certainly not talented enough to run my own business — however, I do have one very clever cousin (Bets) who is doing just that and I wanted to promote her cute creations by doing a giveaway. This giveaway is open to all, no matter where you live. Be quick as this giveaway closes on:  Today's giveaway are two animal blankies — perfect for a baby but woul...

Art Friday: Mary Ann Lasher If you look closely at these paintings, each one tells some sort of mystery, that you, the viewer need to work out. As usual — we will each come up with a different story of what is happening. *****

Pat in one of her disguises I have just finished reading a very thought provoking book " Disguised " by Patricia Moore, published in 1985 (so it might be hard to find a copy).  In 1979, aged 26, Moore began an exceptional and pioneering sociological experiment to study the lifestyle of elders in North America. She developed three basic disguises and roles: a wealthy dowager, a middle-income granny and a bag lady. She assumed the disguises visiting 116 cities and towns in 14 states (to see if the treatment of the elderly was any different depending on her location) and mingled with everyday people — the young, the elderly, business people, shop assistances, people on buses —gathering information on the treatment of the elderly.  "We get hit over the head with age because we are living in a culture that worships youth," she says. "This is absolutely insane, because there is no alternative: If you're not aging, you're dead." ...

This song is to remember all the children living in war torn areas of the world such as Syria and Iran — we are so blessed to live in such comfort, in fact so comfortable we forget than millions of innocent children are suffering every day. And as nations we are not very generous to those in need and look the other way so we don't see.  To Believe  Before I lay me down to rest I ask the Lord one small request I know I have all I could need But this prayer is not for me Too many people on this day Don't have a peaceful place to stay Let all fighting cease that your children may see peace Wipe their tears of sorrow away [Chorus] To believe in a day When hunger and war will pass away To have the hope amidst despair That every sparrow's counted That you hear each cry and listen to each prayer Let me try always to believe That we can hear the hearts that grieve Please help us not igno...

Do not commit  adultery. (James 2:11) Back in mid 2012 I wrote the following blog post about adultery and mentioned the very successful Ashely Madison company. Of those who read that blog post, Ashely Madison (who has the bi-line " Life is short. Have an affair ") the name probably meant very little to you. It should now. Hackers released the names and emails of 33 million, yes, 33 million and whilst some are bogus and have never used the services of Ashely Madison — many many have. One, of course, was a member of the TV celebrity family, Josh Duggar, a man who should have known that this was an evil and deadly site. But this blog post isn't about Josh Duggar in particular — it about the millions of men and women just like him having affairs and think it was acceptable, it is ok and that it won't hurt anyone (if they don't get caught).  As for Christians like Josh Duggar, thinking they can get away with adultery, yes, they might from their sp...

Dear Blogger friends and family, I have been away on an exciting adventure with two lovely ladies (cousins of mine) and two smallish children.  We went to the Western Plains Zoo (Dubbo) which is around 400kms north west of Sydney (248 miles). We spent 4 nights in Dubbo and two days at the the zoo. Over the next few weeks I will share some of the photos I took — todays photos are of the cutest and cuddliest creature of all — the Australian Koala and as you can see — these photos are of a mother and her baby.  For those who want to know more about the Koala (and no they are not a bear even if they look like one) check out this LINK . After a wonderful relaxing week, I am back to work on Monday — up with the birds at 5:45am, no more sleeping in (not that I did much of that whilst on holidays!). Like all good things, they come to an end and all that is left is beautiful memories and photos to share!!  I flew back home yesterday afternoon and quickly unpacke...