Finding joy in the everyday

Sourc e K is for KITCHENS For me the kitchen is the heart of the home, a place that should be inviting, warm and cosy. It also should be the classroom for our children, a place where they learn to love food and develop their cooking skills which they will one day take away with them and pass on to their children. I am not one for expensive contemporary kitchens with shiny surfaces that look like a laboratory and appear never to used for fun. I want a kitchen that looks like a family uses it every day, a place that is a safe and pleasant sanctuary for all. If you aren't happy with your kitchen you aren't likely to feel completely comfortable working in every day.  Because we are in the kitchen every day of every year!!  And according to Nigella Lawson " make it suit you, and not the universal customer. Make it an extension of your personality. " You don't need to bring in builders to create a warm cosy kitchen with personality.  Having a kitchen re...

Roses in my brothers front garden - aren't they gorgeous? Dear all . . . I am back from my week away. My flight home was without incident (unlike my trip over to Adelaide which was hours late), in fact I arrived 10  minutes early.  There was two parts to my trip, spending time with dad and helping him organise things in his house (no that he lives alone) and the second part was spending time with mum at the nursing home. (and spending time with my brothers, they spoilt me  with wonderful meals and accommodation as always!) Dad and I achieved all that we set out to do.  We cleaned out mum's clothes (things that she can no longer wear) and now dad has a pile to take to the charity store (I snuck a few things into my suitcase that I will be able to wear and think of my dear mother!!) and everything else can be used at the nursing home. We also went through all of mum's craft things plus others bits and bobs. Now dad knows where everything is and if he forgets, hope...

One of the reasons why I came on this trip was to visit my mother. She is almost 80 and has been in poor health for a number of years. However her physical and mental health has been deteriorating and on this trip I have found her the worst I have seen her. Seeing ones mother go into decline is such a sad thing. Your once healthy and vibrant mother, the person who taught you all that you know, cuddled you when you were sick, scolded you when you were naughty, baked your favourite cakes and took you on special outings is no longer able to do the most basic of things. I sat with my mum and just wanted to wrap my arms around her and tell her it was all ok, but she doesn't think it is all ok, she is frightened and anxious and no longer has any control of what is happening around her. Instead of being mother and daughter, it is now the other way around. She sits in her chair so forlorn it breaks my heart as if it was my own child. Dad and I have been trying to encourage her to be po...

Peculiar Perspective by Suellen Ross - its's this a great painting!! Artist: Sueellen Ross Born: USA Best known for her paintings of cats and dogs.  This artist has really captured the expressions and emotions of these gorgeous creatures - just look at the painting about, how good is that!  It is also quite clear that this artist loves what she is painting. Ross uses watercolours, indian ink and pencil in her pieces and has developed her own particular style of combining these different mediums. She has illustrated books, appears in calendars and her prints are very popular.  Another favourite of mine . . . and an extra star for loving cats to!! What do you think? Snooze Between acts Stargazer Gracious Living Subtle hint Water baby Midas Touch Hard Day First beach encounter Bird and Birder Iconic cat

I am currently visiting my parents, arriving on Saturday after a plane trip that could have gone much smoother. My DH dropped me off at the airport at 6:00am (after getting up at 5:00am) and I boarded the plane at 7:00pm. We started to pull away from the gate when the pilot came over the intercom informing us that there was a flashing light in the cockpit and engineers needed to investigate the problem. I pulled out my book and settled down for what could be a long wait! After an hour, the pilot informs us that the light was no longer flashing but he would need to fly at a "lower altitude" and therefore required further fuel! How low was low? I prefer my planes to be at a good height, well clear of the mountains! And, whilst the plane was being filled with more fuel we were told to remove our safety belts . . . Why, so we could run really fast if the plane exploded? Anyway, 2 hours after getting on the plane and more problems (and still no breakfast so I was feeling quit...

Source When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God.  Isaiah 43:2-3 We are never alone with out troubles, the Lord is forever with us. God doesn't promise that we will escape the turbulent seas, but he does promise " I will never leave you nor forsake you " (Hebrew 13:5).  No matter how you feel, look up and God is waiting to hear from you - arms outstretched. So don't feel sad or depressed or lonely or without friend . . . as there is no reason to be like this.  God is there with you and me through life's journey. 

by Daniel Gerhartz   Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."  Hebrews 13:5 Are you content in the role God has given you? For those of you that are stay at home wives and mothers, your answer is highly likely to be yes. But would you be surprised that I will also said yes, I am content (and happy) in my role as a full-time worker outside of the home. God has placed me in a different role and I am content in the role I have been given. I could grumble everyday at work and " wish " that I was at home doing all those things I want to do. But that isn't God's plan for me and it would be very wrong to covet what I don't have.  This would only lead to bad feelings, negative emotions, anger . . . and these things spread like a virus and infect the whole family. We all must find peace and happiness in our roles and I have.  This is my calli...