Unexpected

As I lay in bed late at night, trying to settle to sleep, our temperamental doorbell sounded - or did it? The chimes came a second time so I cautiously investigated. Yes, someone was at our front door! They didn't look too tall or aggressive through the frosted glass so I carefully opened to door, knowing there was a locked screen door between us.....

IT WAS MISS N!!!!! None of us had any idea she was coming home, we had not seen her since July when she moved to Sydney for work and cricket. Just a couple of hours earlier Miss G had been asked "What do you want for your birthday?" Miss G and Miss N were about to celebrate their 19th birthday, and celebrate apart for the first time ever. Her response was "I just want N". And now Miss N was waking her up in her own bedroom! After much planning and many weeks of silent anticipation, Miss N had executed her plan beautifully - involving a train, plane, taxi, train and lift from a local friend to make it home after a long day's work. It was a while before we all made it back to bed that night and even longer before we managed to nod off to sleep.

An extended birthday long weekend began. Miss N was able to watch her younger sisters play their weekly cricket game and also visited the seniors games, catching up with friends from her old local club. Another particular request while home was to set up the Christmas tree, a family activity she didn't want to miss out on. Then all too soon she had to return to Sydney.

Some major changes are occurring in our local area as preliminary work progresses towards an additional bridge to serve our town which straddles a large river. Some massive fig trees were felled in a day, and quite a number of houses are in the process of being demolished to make room for the necessary road changes.

As our calendar moves on we are having a definite taste of summer with a heat wave - tomorrow is forecast to be 40C (104F).  The plumeria/frangipanis are bursting into flower while the jacarandas have nearly completed their short yet magnificent display.

I have had fun combining Christmas fabrics, sewing a lined bread bag, a couple of specialty drawstring bags and a cute little fabric basket. These have been listed in my Etsy shop, but to be honest, I won't mind using them myself if they don't sell ;)

Finishing with a quote which is always relevant, especially so at this time of year  - 

Never be in a hurry; 

do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. 

Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, 

even if your whole world seems upset. 

                                             Saint Francis de Sales

SaveSaveSaveSave

To Live Content

"To live content with small means; 

to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; 

to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not rich; 

to listen to stars and birds, babes and sages, with open heart; 

to study hard; 

to think quietly, act frankly, talk gently, await occasions, hurry never;

in a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common — this is my symphony."              

                                William Henry Channing

I just found this quote on my friend's Instagram feed this morning and wanted to remember and share it. A lovely quote to think on at the beginning of my week.

Poppy and Lavender (Lavender Javelin, Lavendular x hybrida) in our garden currently.

Present in the Present

If you must look back, do so forgivingly. 

If you must look forward, do so prayerfully. 

However, the wisest thing you can do 

is be present in the present....Gratefully.

                                          Maya Angelou 

Images captured while being quietly present in the present in the garden. Kookaburra (Kingfisher family), tall-stemmed fungi amongst morning dew, lemons drenched by steamy summer storms, Crocosmia (native to Africa) and a neighbourly hibiscus flower).

Looking Ahead with Hope

Some of my favourites 2015 Instagram posts

Every blade of grass, 

each leaf, 

each seperate petal, 

  is an inscription speaking of hope.           

                   

                                                     Richard Jefferies

Some of 2015's Quilting Highlights

"Hope" is the thing with feathers -

That perches in the soul -

And sings the tunes without the words -

And never stops - at all.

                                                       Emily Dickinson

As 2015 draws to a close, with all its highlights and challenges, I want to face each new day with Hope as my companion and to be brave enough to dream new dreams. Are you still brave enough to dream too?

The Voice You Believe

Some wonderful quotes and words of encouragement were shared by our Pastor this morning.....

The photo is recent sunset one when the light was doing amazing things.

Midway 2015, Keep Dreaming

Let your dreams be bigger than your fears,

your actions louder than your words,

and your faith stronger than your feelings.

                                                                              author unknown 

Just Live It

Yesterday's walk..... just living it.



Sharing at SkyWatch Friday.

Self-Sown

"I was just sittin' here enjoying' the company.

Plants got a lot to say,

 if you take the time to listen."

                                   Eeyore

Being You

'Being you is the only thing at which 

you will always be the best in the world'

'You will always know more about what you're thinking about than anyone else.

You will always look better than you think you do in the mirror. 

The face you see will be far less warm and attractive than the face seen by a friend.

Expressions make a face....

Never let anyone write you off.

And never, never write yourself off.'

 

Extract from the (library) book "One - living as one and loving it" by Victoria Alexander p.87

Photo - Ned Kelly grevillea, an Australian native, yesterday morning in our garden.

Refusing to Stress

Reminding myself of these words by Ann Voskamp. 

Photo from this afternoon's riverside walk, our last day of winter for 2014.


Sharing at SkyWatch Friday.

A Windswept Calm

From church this morning, a few kangaroos dotting the grassy flat

Calm people don't let negative thoughts control their lives. 

They look at failure as a learning opportunity, and personal growth as a daily event. 

As a result, they improve in some way every single day.  

Daniel Wallen

Just as today's brisk autumn winds are making music in the sky, so this season as a family is somewhat windswept. Peace will come in due course. In the midst of this there is definitely opportunity for personal growth every single day - and to appreciate the beauty which only the wind can make.

Love Kindness, Walk Humbly

Sometimes we set unrealistic expectations for ourselves. With so many images and endless information at our finger tips, the greatest, biggest and best seems to be constantly visible and there to inspire or challenge. 

But life often dictates that our time and talents are used for serving those immediately in front of us and providing the necessities of life. With creative desires and ideas far beyond our reality, it's easy to become disenchanted, discouraged. 

What really matters in life, what is required and expected? Life on this earth is short, we want our days and actions to count for something, to use our time wisely. 

I was thinking on these things as I took a brief walk amongst the fig trees this morning. Then this verse came to mind, of loving kindness, doing justice and walking humbly with our God. That's what's required - no mention of doing big things, fulfilling your creative potential or being "successful" in the eyes of the world. Ultimately it's the invisible which lasts.

Beautiful Reasons

This Red Intuition rose, gifted to me last year by my mother-in-law, is hardy enough to thrive with minimal care - suiting my style of gardening perfectly. 

In this morning's early light three beautiful long stemmed blooms glistened with dew. A hot autumn day of 38C/100+ F is forecast for tomorrow so I decided to cut all three and bring them inside for safe keeping and to fill our home with more Beautiful Reasons to be Happy. I trust you also will find some beautiful reasons to be happy this weekend.




Sharing at Today's Flowers.

"I Can Do"

To live successful lives, we must have the firm belief, "it can be done", both in our physical and spiritual lives.

"I can do everything through him who gives me strength" Philippians 4:13

"I can do." This is the declaration of faith.

When you think something is possible, you will be able to see the course of action to take.

                              From Unleashing the Power of Faith, by Dr Yonggi Cho

Somehow I always come home from holidays with a greater sense of "I Can Do" and how wonderful it is. 

Are you like that too?

Sharing at SkyWatch Friday.