Finding joy in the everyday

If the person you are talking to doesn't appear to be listening, be patient. It may simply be that he has a  small piece of fluff in his ear. wise words from Winnie the Pooh I just had to include this quote as I loved it so much!!  It one of those quotes that make you smile. The weekend, the very start of winter, was rather wet and grey here with the sunshine only appearing in the afternoon on Sunday. I didn't mind at all as I was able to catch up on some indoor activities like blogging, photography, reading, sorting out birthday cards and some baking (I made 2 loaves of Bara Brith). The house was snug and warm so I didn't mind how cold or wet it was outside. Do you plan your meals for the week ahead?  I have a general idea based on what is in my fridge and freezer and what vegetables have been delivered in my seasonal box.  This is what I am planning on cooking week: Monday - Pork loin chops with salad and mashed potatoes (my husband love...

Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire:  it is the time for home.  ~ Edith Sitwell T his week is the start of winter. However I think winter has been with us for a few weeks now with our frosty mornings and very cold nights. I don't mind winter, I quite like snuggling under the soft blanket in the evening with my mug of hot chocolate and a good book/film. I quite like the hot soups and crusty bread that one tends to have on a very chilly night or rugging up to go for a walk. Winter is often seen as the least favourable season, but each season has its beauty and winter is just as good as any other season but for different reasons.  Winter tends to make you feel alive, invigorated when that chill hits your face . . . even though the garden can look a little sad, you know that the bulbs will burst into sunshine shortly . . . the sun often shines on a winters afternoon and i...

  Even in winter, even in the midst of the storm,  the sun is still there. Somewhere, up above the clouds, it still shines and warms and pulls at the life buried deep inside the brown branches and frozen earth. The sun is there! Spring will come! The clouds cannot stay forever! * * * Looking forward to spring, but for us to get spring all those on the other side of the world will need to farewell summer and head into their Autumn/Fall!  Our winter thus far has brought higher than normal rain fall and I thank God for His wonderful gift of rain that is filling our dams for the first time in years.  We will enter summer with far more water than normal and my garden will feel very blessed. * * * May you all have a wonderful God filled weekend, with joy and laughter plus time to put your feet up and relax. My Saturday will be a little busy, with a trip to the vet at 9:30am (just a checkup), voting (for our next Federal Government), grocery shopping (my family expect...

The Garden in Winter Frosty-white and cold it lies 
Underneath the fretful skies; 
Snowflakes flutter where the red  
Banners of the poppies spread, 
And the drifts are wide and deep 
Where the lilies fell asleep. But the sunsets o'er it throw 
Flame-like splendour, lucent glow, 
And the moonshine makes it gleam  
Like a wonderland of dream, 
And the sharp winds all the day 
Pipe and whistle shrilly gay. 

Safe beneath the snowdrifts lie 
 Rainbow buds of by-and-by; 
In the long, sweet days of spring 
Music of bluebells shall ring, 
 And its faintly golden cup 
Many a primrose will hold up.  

Though the winds are keen and chill  
Roses' hearts are beating still, 
 And the garden tranquilly 
Dreams of happy hours to be­
 In the summer days of blue 
All its dreamings will come true. (by Lucy Maud Montgomery) http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/200806/r263323_1098296.jpg Tasmania Welcome to winter. I love winter being cosy inside my toasty warm house...

I have decided that I would like to see the end of winter and the beginning of Spring. I am getting a little tired of icy mornings and 10-13C each day. I think I have the winter "blues" - but only one more month of winter:) Just finished another book that I thought I would share with you, its a new release - very sad - perhaps I should read more up-beat books at this time of the year! Frida: Chosen to Die, Destined to Liv e by Frida Gashumba This book is about the genocide in Rwanda in 1994 - I am still amazed at how quicky human beings can be convinced that it is a good idea to kill 1000's of innocent people just because of the tribe they are. Frida survives (just), however 15 members of her family are slaughtered and she is completely traumatized as would be expected. But through her new Christian faith she becomes strong enough to forgive those who killed her family and find happiness through her husband and children and wanting to share her faith with others. (Dav...