Finding joy in the everyday

Photo: Sydney Morning Herald So the people asked him, saying, " What shall we do then? "  He answered and said to them, " He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise. " (Luke 3:10-11) Sometimes there are stories that are truly newsworthy and in yesterdays news there was one of those stories.  Sadly it is a sad story but the man involved deserves to be remember for all the people he helped. We don't live in a society where people are willing to help others, however Don Ritchie didn't help just one person, he helped many many people over the years. He didn't do it for the glory or fame, he did it because he believed it was right. SYDNEY has lost a guardian angel. Don Ritchie, the man credited with preventing hundreds of suicides through his vigil at The Gap over more than four decades, died on Sunday. He was about to turn 87. From his home high up on Old South Head Road, Mr Ritchie would ...

I thought I would write a series called " Keeper of the home for busy ladies ", in particular for those, like me, who work outside the house either full-time or part-time.  However, we are all busy ladies and we all need as much encouragement as possible to get through the week in one piece. These are tips for creating a cosy home for our families that don't take many hours to do, but add so much to our homes.   Part 1 ,  Part 2: Dealing with clutter and creating order! Ponder the path of your feet, And let all your ways be established. (Prov 4:26) Our homes are for living and living is for people.  We must not ever forget this. Geri Laing from Finding Balance edited by Sheila Jones I don't know about you, but if I am surrounded by disorder (in other words clutter and mess - CHAOS) my brain doesn't function that well, not at all, on some occasions. In fact it can quickly lead to raised stress levels (becoming grumpy) and getting into...

I have always wanted to make Quince Jelly. My dad use to make it when I was a child and it would have to rate as one of the nicest jam or jelly on toast for breakfast! It is currently quince season and when I saw some in the green grocer on Thursday I decided it was time to make my first batch of quince jelly. I bought 2.5 kgs (5.5lb) of quinces and took them home ready to start on Friday evening.  The first thing my son said when he saw the quinces "what is that ugly fruit"!!  I had to agree, they are ugly but a little like an ugly duckling that can be turned into a beautiful swan! After work on Friday I made Part 1 of the quince jelly. It is best to use slightly under ripe quinces as it sets better than the ripe softer fruit. Wipe to remove "fluffy" surface on skin and chop -- did not remove the core or skin.   Place in a saucepan and cover with water - I used 2 litres.  Simmer (with lid on)  for 1.5 hours until very soft Once cooked, pl...

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Mother and children, I was three years old at the time I am often asked how I can juggle full-time work and be the keeper of my home and a wife and mother. I can do it because I have been well taught and I am so thankful. My teacher was my MOTHER.  I am my mother's fifth and last child.  She set out to train all of us, my brothers and I in the art of domestic management and for a lady who also worked full time as a teacher, she did a remarkable job. I may not have thought much about it at the time (in fact I can remember grumbling when taught how to dust), but looking back, she was remarkable.   And thanks to her, I can manage now.  We may not have been home schooled, but what we were taught outside of school hours has been priceless. As I approached Mothers Day, I started to write a list of all the wonderful " gifts " that my mother has given me, gifts that allow me to get through each day stress free and gifts that I have been passing onto own my c...

View of the Villa - wall tapestry Artist: Barbara R. Felisky Website: link Born in Chicago, Illinois, Felisky now resides in Southern California, painting daily at her studio. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art and Education from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. In order to further develop her skills, Felisky studied oil painting with a number of California artists as well as drawing under Fredrick Odell. Using the knowledge she acquired during her university education and while working as a professional artist, Felisky taught classes in drawing and oil painting to school-age and adult students.   Her time is now spent on traveling and creating new images to satisfy her devoted collectors, new and old. Travel is an important facet of Felisky's life. Her frequent trips provide inspiration and source material for her images of Provence, Tuscany, the Amalfi Coast, Italy's Lake District, California vineyards, and, of course, English gardens. E...

Autumn - I took this at work and edited the photo using Snapseed Finally, brethren    Whatever things are true;    Whatever things are noble;     Whatever things are just;    Whatever things are pure;    Whatever things are lovely;    Whatever things are of good report; If there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy -- meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do and the God peace will be with you. ~ Philippians 4:8-9 Stand fast in His strength and by His grace.