Finding joy in the everyday

My mother as a little girl. I had never seen this photo until this week when my mum sent me a bundle of photos she had found whilst sorting through their belongs (as they are moving). * She has the most beautiful smile * * * * * My grandfather as a young man (my mothers father) Didn't he have very fine features? He wore those starched shirts almost all his life - they must have dug into his neck line. He was a chemist and owned a chemicals factory which was sold when he died, I was about 7 years old.

My first Pink Lady apple I have ever grown. It is a mini (or patio) apple tree and grows in a pot

Reading — it is one of my favourite hobbies, something I do often even when I should be doing something else.  But is wasn’t always like this.  As a child I didn’t like to read as I couldn’t read.  I would look at a word and I just couldn’t say it – it was all a muddle.  To make it worst we had to read aloud in groups at school and these groups were not always selected based on skill level resulting in me “reading” aloud with others who could read much better.  It was embarrassing and humiliating (which is why I hate reading aloud as an adult).  My lack of reading ability had nothing to do with the lack of books in our home – we had many many books.  We also didn’t have a TV so that wasn’t the distraction.   I just couldn’t grasp the concept no matter how I was taught. As you could image – being unable to read also  affects writing and as a result I was poor at writing and spelling (which simply added to my embarrassment and lack of co...

Forty years ago Doug Engelbart and his team at the Stanford Research Institute in California designed something we use everyday and probably something we now take for granted.  The MOUSE . When patented the mouse was named the X-Y Position Indicator for a Display System (glad that didn't become its name!!), and was deigned to control their computers. The result was a carved wooden block mounted on wheels, with a long cable trailing out the back. One researcher nicknamed it a mouse. The first commercial product was released in 1981. But it wasn't until Apple acquired the license for the mouse for $40,000 from the Standford Institute that the technology really took off. The Apple Macintosh, launched in 1984. Now with the touch screen on the iPhone and iPad, what is the future for the humble mouse? * * *

Today is a public holiday so I am at home - and I must say I have had a WONDERFUL day so far.  I have: enjoyed a sleep-in (and skipped the frosty morning) breakfast in bed (crumpets with jam + jasmine tea) read for awhile snuggled under the doona enjoyed a morning walk (the air was very clean and crisp) vacuum the living areas (I am a regular vacuum user due to pets!) did 2 loads of washing (being a sunny day it has dried quite well - an it was quite nice standing in the sun hanging out the washing whilst chatting to the dogs) And then spent the rest of the morning cooking  - this time by myself and there was no chocolate in sight!! I  made: *  Cinnamon and walnut biscuits with mini M&Ms on top - the boys will love these so they won't last very long   *  Lekach - Jewish Honey cake -  full of honey and spices which smells beautiful when cooking - Tristan and I just love this cake.  It is best eaten a few days after baking, once the fla...

Jesus Calls Us Author unknown Jesus calls us o'er the turmult Of our life's wild, restless sea; Day by day His sweet voice soudeth,  Saying, Christian, follow Me! Jesus calls us -- from the worship Of the vain world's golden store; From each idol that would keep us -- Christian, dost thous love Me more? In our joys and in our sorrows,  Day of toil and hours of ease,  Still He calls, in cares and pleasures -- Dost thous love Me more than these? Jesus calls us! By Thy mercies,  Saviour, may we hear Thy call; Give our hearts to Thy obedience; Love and serve Thee best of all! How many people are so wrapped up on consumerism these days that it has become their god. They must have the latest plasma TV or the newest car and as a result do not (or ignore) the sounds of Jesus calling.   They don't want to know Him as he would interrupt their desire for more.  Its all about having and wanting more, a simple life i...

My favourite season is Autumn . . . After the hot dry summers we have, Autumn offers balmy days and cool nights, the air has lost that heat and it is the time of the year to sit in the garden and day dream. I love watching the trees change from green to gold when God take His paint brush to nature.  There is something magical about walking in the garden amongst the leaves, kicking them in the air with your shoes, even when you are an adult.  Watching everything prepare for winter, closing down for the next 3-5 months.  And the little shock they get at the first frost!  Almost surprised, even though it comes every year!! Below is the pear tree next door that belongs to my lovely neighbor but I get to share in it glory as it is right next to my garden. This is my Canadian Maple Tree - which will take 20 years to grow but I am willing to wait.  It has done very well this year growing at least 2-3 feet and with my tender loving care I am sure it will do just as...

There are times I don't have a clue what to write My days aren't always interesting I get up - go to work - come home - eat dinner - go to bed Today was not different The only highlight was the delicious cheesecake we  had at morning tea and the Tim Tams for afternoon tea ( who doesn't like Tim Tams ) What did I do at work - played with immigration detention statistics O o o k k k  BORING. . . Now I have a headache from looking at a computer screen I am going to bed early to read " Bad Girls of the Bible " (Liz Curtis Higgs) which I am really enjoying So I am off to bed with my cup of Jasmine Tea See you all tomorrow Bear hugs Jo x x x

Some of you might think the books of Jane Austen are my favourite - however my all time favourite, the one I have read many many times is in fact written by Charlotte Bronte and her wonderful book Jane Eyre . Now I can hear you say, why is she telling me this - Charlotte was born on this day in 1816 the third of six children.  Sadly she died at the young age of 38 along with her unborn child.  I first read Jane Eyre at school as part of English studies, I was 16 and just fell in love with it (it was the same year we read Wuthering Heights which  I found too depressing).  Jane is a strong, feisty young woman who is stubborn and determined to make the most out of her life no matter what is thrown her way.  For the times it was written these were quite modern thoughts.  In fact her Jane's character continued to work, allowing her to keep her independence, when she could have married St John Rivers - but she was only going to marry for love. I have lost c...

    "There's a reason why today is called the present.  It is a gift you have been given to live another day and enjoy everything around you  because no one is guaranteed a tomorrow."  ~Jeff Laforteza~  Use it wisely, don't waste it, it is too precious a gift to throw away. May your day be a wonderful gift full of joy. Unless you are a cat, then you can lie on your back, warm your tummy with the sun and DREAM . .

Had a wonderful cooking weekend with my 17 year old son.  He decided that we should cook, so we make Dark CHOCOLATE Brownies, CHOCOLATE Mousse and Dark CHOCOLATE Cheesecake.  This is Caius making a silly face with the finished cheesecake (covered in whipped cream).   He is very good at cooking (makes a great chicken and mushroom pasta) and loves to try new recipes and we often cook together which I just love doing.   The cheesecake tasted delicious - half went to his girlfriends and I have the other half + mousse and brownies (I need to go on a diet . . . soon). This is my son with our 2 dobermans - they wouldn't sit nicely for the photo, as a result you can't see their faces.  Caius loves animals and so good with them. Charlie is his cat (even though I look after her 99% of the time) and when she strayed into our yard 3 years ago on hot summers day it was Caius who said we had to keep her.  He even rung the RSPCA to see if anyone had reported he...

~ Psalm 23 ~ The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; h eleadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul; he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk though the valley of the sadow of death,  I will fear no evil; for thou are with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.   http://godislove.deviantart.com/art/Green-pastures-54468289 ~ Luke 15: 4 - 7 ~  What man of you, having an hundred sheep,  if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulder, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth toge...

Tonight's blog chat is one I have been meaning to write for some time, it is something that gets my eldest son very worked up about and I am trying to decided what I think. I would be very interested in your views. What do people think of censorship on the internet? Should governments (as in China, Iran and Thailand) decide what we can view on the internet or should we as parents decided what our children can view? The Australian Government is currently formulating a Bill that will censor the internet. This does sound scary, most people do not like the word censorship. What are they planning? The Government wants to create a mandatory content filtering system on the net forcing ISPs from hosting a range of sites that have been placed on the “black list”. The Government tells us the purpose is to protect children and adults from what the they have deemed as unsuitable. Sites the Governed are wanting to Black list include: child pornography sexual violence sites that pro...

As a cat lover, I found this very amusing.  In case you were wondering why "Rocky" the French cat was doing this - he wanted to see the birds through the window and couldn't unless he stood on his back legs.

   

READING I am currently reading the latest book from Francine Rivers "Her Mothers Hope" - this is the first of two books (2nd due out later this year).  It examines families, relationships between mothers and daughters (or lack of relationship that almost tears them apart), struggles of making a new life in a new country (testing their faith constantly), and the impact of 2 wars on this German/Swiss family.  It is a lite read, but the sort that keeps me picking it up and reading more.  I particularly enjoyed reading " Redeeming Love " also written by Rivers.  This is a sad story.  I read a little each night of Ruth Graham's "Fear Not Tomorrow, God is Already There: Trusting Him in Uncertain Times" .  It has been a very rewarding book and I have got a lot out of it.  The book looks at issues that we face each day, some more daunting than others, the fears of what tomorrow may bring and the times we think we have to battle on our own as we think that ...

Sick that is what I am Thank you to Tristan (and his girlfriend) for *sharing* their cold with me. Sore throat Deaf Sniffly Yep, I have a head cold and my head doesn't feel that great. I have crawled out of bed to send this post (more correct rolled off the couch). The only living thing that is pleased I am sick is my cat Ruby who has been lying on my blanket all day. But, on the up side I have had plenty of time to read (when not sleeping) and very much enjoying Francine Rivers new book ( Her Mother' Hope ) Bye for now crawling back to favourite chair * * * * . . Words of Wisdom . . It's what you learn after you know it all that counts. * * * *

These photos are of a village called Tilba Tilba, settled around 160 years ago by European settlers when gold was discovered in the region.  When gold started to peter out, the townspeople turned to dairy cows and became cheese makes amongst other things.   It has now become a tourist village, selling lots of touristy things (and lots of hippy clothes)! The photo below is looking across the valley away from the village. I would love to have a front entrance to my house looking like this.  Unfortunately this house sits at the end of a dusty car park - not in the best position. Who decided on this paint colour - I am sure it didn't look like this 100 years ago!! All the houses were painted different colours - I assume the residents of the village got together and decided on what colour each house would be! I love the Australian cottage with its veranda across the front of the house. The old church now used for Yoga classes on Thursday nights!!  It sits on top of...

Nothing from me tonight * glad the end of the week is here * putting my feet relaxing doing very little well after I have  take cat to vet for a checkup clear up kitchen (after lazy sons - grrrrrr - don't get me started) vacuumed cooked dinner then I will relax . . . . .

http://bokor.deviantart.com/art/Storm-23183696 "Through waves, and clouds, and storms He gently clears the way"

This recipe is my sons FAVOURITE and they love it when I make it.  It should be called "Chicken and Corn Chowder", however my husband won't eat chowder so we call it soup in our house and he will eats it!!! This is a quick chowder to make and will feed 4 people (3 in my house as my sons have huge bowl fulls) but is easy to double the recipe. As you can see, I use a can of soup in this recipe, usually a can of "cream of chicken" but you can use "cream of mushroom" for a slightly different taste of "cream of chicken and corn".  As to the cream in the recipe, add as much or as little as you want - I have added milk instead when I didn't have any cream.  In fact you can reduce the amount of water and make up the difference with milk. splash of oil (1-2 tablespoons) 500g chicken thigh fillets 1 leek (sliced) (you can use a diced onion) 3 large potatoes chopped coarsely  (the more you add the thicker the soup) 1 can of cream of chicken so...

Yes, we all love to recycle things - of course we do - well I have some ideas for you to ponder.  Firstly books - what do you do with old hard covered books you no longer want - see below for an idea. Link to instructions are below!!  Try it with the kids. http://www.mnn.com/your-home/around-the-house/blogs/an-indoor-planter-thats-a-real-page-turner# Use for old stamps - ever thought of using them on your nails - not sure what happens when you wash the dishes. Maybe its the excuse you need to not do the dishes!! A handy bathroom storage item ....... if you no longer need it in the kitchen Not so sure of this idea ........ A old tennis ball - not sure if this would protect the hearing ...... Have fun .....