Finding joy in the everyday

Herbs And God said, “See, I have given you every  herb  that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food.   (Genesis 1:29) Herbs are one of the easiest plants to grow in the garden and perfect for children to learn about the love of gardening and food.  Herbs are also wonderful for the senses - touch, smell, seeing and tasting. This is my herb garden and we all get great pleasure from it (even the Charlie cat loves to smell the herbs as she walks past) Herb gardens would have been found in most homes of the past (including in biblical times) as they didn't have a herb section in their local supermarket!! Herbs are great in cooking, for medicinal purposes, keeping pests from the garden or for simply just enjoying, they are a wonderful addition to any garden. Even if you have little space, herbs don't mind being grown in pots on the porch or even inside in ...

I don't know about you — but I love my garden and one of my most favourite times in the garden is in summer at dusk. The birds are all singing and flying about, the sun is heading to bed and on its way it splashes its beautiful colour across my garden beds and the day is cooling with the arrival of a light breeze giving relief from the days heat.  Walking around the garden (or as Jane Austen use to say "taking a turn") is a very relaxing way to end one's day. I like to look at all the flowers, to see what is changing, coming or going and what little critters have taken up residences. My garden isn't large, but its a perfect little haven of peace and tranquility and we all need a spot like this at the end of our busy day. I come to the garden alone, While the dew is still on the roses; And the voice I hear, falling on my ear, The Son of God discloses. Refrain: And He walks with me, and He talks with me, And He tells me I am His own, A...

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, There are some days I don't have a clue what to write about and today is one of them!! So instead I though I would take you around my garden as it is looking lovely with all its spring flowers.  But now that I have put "pen to paper" so to speak, there was one thing I did wanted to write about — the idea that women who go off to work are not as fond of their homes as those who stay at home. I  have read this many times, if you are not at home all the time, you couldn't possibly be as passionate about it or your heart isn't in the right place. Rubbish . . . I love my home, it gives me lots of joy and happiness and would love to spend much more time at home — just like most women I know. Whilst I can't, I make the most of it when I am at home. I love nothing better than pottering about my garden (which I did last night when I got home from work—I got my hands dirty and planted tomatoes) and enjoying the fruits of my labour. ...

My perfect scene in life!! If only I could do it all day long!! Painting by  Vladimir Volegov It is lovely to be at home during the day -- sitting in the garden contemplating life and watching my little world go by.  I would love to be able to do this all the time, especially when the weather is warm, sunny and not too hot (as it can be in summer) as it is presently. But, this is not to be at present so when I can, I enjoy every minute of it. It can be tempting to get annoyed and feel sad and frustrated about not being at home 24/7 -- but then I remind myself, this is God's will and not mine and He knows what He is doing even if at times I don't understand. I have been on extended leave (6 weeks - I took leave that is called Long Service Leave in Australia) and these are some of the photos I took during my time at home. I do hope you enjoy them as much as I did!! Here is one of our favourite spots to sit, its cool, peaceful and quite serene among all the trees. ...

My dear husband has been very busy for the last 3 weeks removing the garden down the side of our home (which involved 2 skips and a lot of work) in preparation for a studio to be built. The space is now ready (and gravelled) and on Wednesday  Monday construction will commenced. Praise the Lord, as the company was able (without us asking) to bring the work forward by two days. This now means the flooring (floating timber) and painting won't have to be as rushed as we thought it might. Flooring and paint arrived on Wednesday and the electrician on Thursday (today) to wire everything up and install safe lighting on the outside. Then a busy few days with painting (white inside and green outside). Is it is a timber kit cabin and only took 2 days to complete. It is all very exciting as we are building the studio for our son so he can return home and have his own space. After 18 months of struggles, stress and anxiety leading to depression and a break-down, I am praying that this ne...

The Arum lily would have to be one of my most favourite flowers. They are elegant, graceful and feminine. They seem to love my garden and flower almost all year round. This is the first flower for winter and hopefully we get many more. When I was a child we had these growing wild in the creeks, they just love wet feet and can grow very large. Both photos were taken in my garden by me. I spent sometime in the garden this morning. It is cold outside but the sky is blue and sun is bright so it was lovely to be in the fresh air. I went to the nursery first thing and bought kale and snow peas (for eating) plus a heaps of pansies (for beauty)!  I also bought something to brighten up the garden - Mr Pig!! Mr Pig has joined The Wise Owl next to my apple tree. I was concerned that Wise Owl was all alone and needed a friend, I do hope that Mr Pig is friendly and they can keep each other company.  I really ought to have pulled out the weeds before I took the photo!! At leas...

Tulips The tulips name comes from the Turkish tulbend , "turban", which the flower is said to resemble. In the 16th century tulips reached the Austrian court and were much admired and propagated, becoming so popular in Holland by the early 17th century that an extravagant bulb trade developed. At the peak of tulip-mania in March 1637, a single tulip bulb sold for more than 10 times the annual income of a skilled craftsman. The buying and selling of tulips in the 17th century occurred on the stock-exchange just as we do today, they even had a futures market!  By 1636 the tulip bulb became the 4th leading export product of the Netherlands. It was big business. But like all good things, the economic bubble went pop and the market collapsed.   Today the Dutch export 1.2 billion bulbs annually.  In Persia, the tulip was an emblem of perfect love or a declaration of love.  These photos were all taken at a local flower exhibition where 1000's of tul...