Merry Christmas and Thank You!

We have a tradition in our family called "Thank-yous" and it started when our son Max(in-a-million)was old enough to understand the concept of "a prayer" - whilst we are a non-denominational family (in other words we embrace and respect all faiths) the idea of sharing and teaching Max to pray probably stems from my Anglican upbringing. The idea was not though to raise Max with a specific faith but rather to allow Max to discover The Divine through gratitude. After all we are given life, breath and soul by the same force we all worship. 

So we gather EVERY evening as a family (there are only 3 of us.Oops I mean four! Our pooch)and we take turns to thank God for all the things that we are grateful for in our day.Sometimes they are short and sweet (and a tad repetitive) and sometimes they are long and emotional and overwhelming. 

Max is twelve and he insists on this ritual without fail.I believe it has been a saving grace in our family, a way of bonding with each other and our path to strength and faith in our little nucleus. On this our Christmas Day it is the gift I am most grateful for. I have seen how transformative gratitude can be and I know that it has helped my son, my husband and myself to stop, breathe and look at the luxuries in our lives - little and large.

So this post wishes the world a Merry Christmas but it also says "Thank you"

Our ability to connect through this technology and share beauty, connect with loved ones (and strangers!) respond, comment, create, inspire, love and laugh is truly a special gift. 

BTW - These pictures were taken at my Nonnys' house where we have created a "Winter Wonderland" for the children - which, in my family, includes just about EVERYONE!I will post more of this magical event in the New Year.

Until then I wish the World a very Merry Christmas and; for those who do not celebrate the day specifically; I wish you safety, good company, good food, peace, joy and above all LOVE

AMEN

Ground Control to Major Tom...

This was our view on Saturday night at the U2 concert.

The following evening we saw MUSE

At the moment of surrender
I folded to my knees
I did not notice the passers-by
And they did not notice me
I’ve been in every black hole
At the altar of the dark star
My body’s now a begging bowl
That’s begging to get back, begging to get back
To my heart
To the rhythm of my soul
To the rhythm of my unconsciousness
To the rhythm that yearns
To be released from control 

(U2)

PS - MUSE attended the U2 show... I'm looking DOWN to see cloud nine!

I made them!

Well I'm proud as punch! I have made all my Christmas tags this year, and here they are! It was a lot easier than I first anticipated and well worth the effort. I bought kraft clay (Sorry! Forgot the brand but promise to post it soon) then I basically rolled it out like cookie dough and used some cookie cutters to shape. Then after about 48hrs (to be safe) I stamped them. I have alphabet stamps so I can turn them around and put personalised messages on them too! I ADORE stamps so I will have to include a post about my stamp collection and where I bought most of it from! (I've just noticed that this post is full of exclamation marks... I am excited so please forgive!!  - and one more for fun... !)

Thank you to all the fellow bloggers and artists who have truly inspired me! You guys have given me the "Cosmic Slap" I needed! Yes... a gentle but very necessary prod to get off my tush and "DO" not just DREAM! Of course dreaming is very important BUT, I think the doing that comes from dreaming is the most fulfilling of all!

Garden treasures

 Come take a walk with me in my garden!

Great, wide, beautiful, wonderful World, 

With the wonderful water round you curled, 

And the wonderful grass upon your breast

World, you are beautifully drest. 

The wonderful air is over me, 

And the wonderful wind is shaking the tree, 

It walks on the water, and whirls the mills, 

And talks to itself on the tops of the hills. 

You friendly Earth! how far do you go, 

With the wheat-fields that nod and the rivers that flow, 

With cities and gardens, and cliffs, and isles, 

And people upon you for thousands of miles? 

Ah, you are so great, and I am so small, 

I tremble to think of you, World, at all; 

And yet, when I said my prayers to-day, 

A whisper inside me seemed to say, 

"You are more than the Earth, though you are such a dot: 

You can love and think, and the Earth cannot!" 

by William Brighty Rands 

You must...

I have fallen in love with a new man... well his mind actually. I know that the world already recognises his genius and of course he doesn't create for the sake of fame (you can always tell where creativity comes from and where it's leading to...yes?) I'm talking about the AMAZING, ETHEREAL and INSPIRING work of Mr Paul Cocksedge. If you have not seen his work please take the time to be transported and mesmerised. You will not regret it. What I love the most is the simplicity of his ideas. Yes they may be large, expensive and even technologically challenging; but the idea, the essence...completely lucid and unpretentious. Sir... I doff my hat to you!
(Images courtesy of a Paul Cocksedge Images search - Google)

Outside!

Our outdoor shower!

Not much to look at but turn around and...

this is the view we have!

(these views are only surpassed by the magic of the view on a moonlit evening!)

 A couple of years ago our little family "jigged" around the UK in a motor home (made for 2 - not 3!) It was our first visit to the green green tapestry that is England. We are a pretty tight knit family(Our nickname is JAm - an acronym made up of the first letters of our names) and since this was our first ever overseas vacation we were, needless to say, pretty darn excited! We ADORED England and fell head over heels in love with it's natural beauty. One of the highlights of our trip was visiting family friends on their Organic Chicken farm. The farmhouse was nearly as old as Australia! The atmosphere was magical. A feature that this lovely family had added to their home (out of necessity) was an outdoor shower. We just loved this idea; and upon moving into our own "English cottage" (albeit in Australia) we vowed we too would have one! Well I must say I am converted for life! Whilst it looks rather basic and crude it delivers a view that makes me so happy I just had to share it with you!

Emily Dickinson

I hide myself within my flower,
That wearing on your breast,
You, unsuspecting, wear me too --
And angels know the rest.

I hide myself within my flower,
That, fading from your vase,
You, unsuspecting, feel for me
Almost a loneliness.

 (Emily Dickinson)

(Photos - me & my Hipstamatic)

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas...

 My annual pilgrimage to Nonny's acreage (to find a suitable Christmas branch) was most successful. 

Of course I'd love it to be snowing outside, fire lit indoors, rug up for outdoor play...... sigh.

Well here in sunny (blue skies above) Perth - we enjoy the flip side of the weather coin and we "throw shrimps on the barbie, grab a mate a beer and catch the mornin surf!" 

Of course Christmas is about more than just the weather so until my dream of a "freezing festive season" comes true I'll settle for my little Winter-Wonderland.

Complete with reindeer, disco balls, feathers and well.... 

Pretty much anything that sparkles!!

Happy Holidays People!

Everything old is new again!

I am so so happy to share this photo! As you know I have received a beautiful new camera (a prez from my wonderfully supportive hubby) and I have been looking around for a suitable new camera bag - something stylish with NO Velcro, NO plastic and certainly NO nasty polyester!  I checked out E-bay, Etsy, Gumtree AND a number of thrift stores.....then it happened... I mentioned my search to Nonny (my mum) and she said "What about your Dad's old camera bag?" Well needless to say I was pink with joy! Leather, worn and genuine YKK zips - chunky, clunky and so authentic! It's travelled the globe too! I've lined it with a bit of foam for some extra cushioning and I have managed to fit all of my lenses in as well! Jolly good!

 Rings n things

 Silver lining

 A workspace that motivates

Agapanthus soon to bloom

 I'm now also the eager, enthusiastic and energetic owner of Hipstamatic - I'm in love!

Now a gal can time travel with nothing but an I-Phone and a dream...

I think I see a Yellow Brick Road....

New Music!

I've just recently discovered the work of an artist called The Caretaker  - Have a listen! It reminds me of the nights I'd sneak out of home and go and visit the local cemetery, sit on the gravestones and stare at the full moon - brazen with adrenalin and yet utterly captivated by the beauty and silence of the place! This music sounds like those nights did in my mind... haunting, sad, ethereal and divine. 

I'm ready to howl at the moon....

More than meets the eye...

I can scratch another item from my "life's to-do-list" after attending my first Antique Auction on the weekend! I managed to score a few bargains (will post pics soon) and I was reminded that EVERYTHING IS ONLY WORTH WHAT SOMEONE IS WILLING TO PAY FOR IT. 

Thank goodness this does not apply to humans - well not always. I witnessed the strangest items selling for a fortune and the most beautiful (these eyes being their beholder) going for a song! I also found this 1970's edition of a Greys Anatomy - the diagrams/illustrations are just fabulous. The fact that we have all these amazing pathways, parts and pieces that make up our bodies.... well there are no words really.

I am feeling so incredibly inspired (especially when I visit all the homes of fellow Bloggers and see the creative adventures of such beautiful souls. It's like a "Cosmic Kick in the Pants" to get cracking and Make - Write - Read - Create - Make -Write - Read - Create - Eat Chocolate and Drink Tea.

Priming the Tea-Pot now...

Many more creative and informative blogs to follow!  This promise I make to ME.

Light, Love and Leonard

You can add up the parts
but you won't have the sum
You can strike up the march,
there is no drum
Every heart, every heart
to love will come
but like a refugee.

Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in. 

(Anthem by Leonard Cohen)

I went to see this amazing man in concert this week and needless to say I was deeply affected. He is a poet and a musician and an inspiration to all artists! At a mere 76 years young(yep you read correctly!) he packed out a stadium venue and, I can honestly say, I have never seen such an eclectic crowd at a concert... ever.

Leonard - Thank you for the music, the words and the poetry.

Looking through a new lens...

Now I'm the first to agree that "the camera does not maketh the photographer" 

However! I have to give credit to the clever boffins who design amazing lenses that help 

us see the world around us just a little differently. 

My new camera has me snapping away at anything willing to be captured. 

My first victims - flowers! In my garden, in my home, anywhere! Here are a few that I placed in my bathroom on the vanity. We have a Velux window in this room and the light changes during the day. This was taken early in the morning. So pretty!  

Why do I love flowers so? I love their impermanency, it's a poignant reminder to me to remain as often as I can in the now. I love that they grace our world with such little effort and yet their impact can be so strong. I love that they are an appropriate measure of joy and sorrow. I love their colours, their fragrance (or lack of), their fragility, their humility, their variety, their versatility.... their simple perfection. 

Little is Lovely!

Just discovered these little Apothecary Bottles at one of my favourite shops in Perth, Mr Sparrow - with a name like that who wouldn't wander in? And when you do... Sigh 

Etcetera, etc

This image was inspired by the the "absolutely fabulous" stylist/artist/bower-bird/paint-designer/collector (the list WILL go on!) Sibella Court; who has won critical acclaim/awards/fans/admirers/hearts (the list WILL go on!) with her book Etcetara etc. If you love all things beautiful, unique and authentic then you simply must read this book! Thank you Sibella for the inspiration - you are so right... "Why should a home be anything but an authentic expression of what you love?" 

Challenges

"Until you try you don't know what you can't do"  Henry James

Very excited to be enrolled in a digital camera workshop this weekend!

My gorgeous hubby blessed me with a pretty spiffy camera so it's time to see what this baby can do!

Music & Magic

Wikipedia says:

Music is an art form whose medium is sound. Magic is an art form that entertains an audience by creating illusions. Sound is a mechanical wave that is an oscillation of pressure. Art is the product or process of deliberately arranging symbolic elements.

I say:

MUSIC = MAGIC = SMILE = PEACE = JOY = LOVE = MAGIC = MUSIC

Snowdrifts in Spring....

 This Almond tree produces the most amazingly large blossom flowers which drop their petals when the breeze picks up - a small snow drift in Spring!

Follow your Bliss

Joseph Campbell once said "Follow your Bliss" Here are a few shots of BLISS and its followers...

Gratitude

So very grateful for my beautiful, enchanted, safe, inspired and authentic life... I am blessed, truly blessed.

A few of my favourite things

Words

For in a swift radiance of illumination he saw a glimpse of human struggle and of valour. Of the endless fluid passage of humanity through endless time. And of those who labour and of those who - one word - love. His soul expanded. But for a moment only. For in him he felt a warning, a shaft of terror. Between the two worlds he was suspended. He saw that he was looking at his own face in the counter glass before him.    (Carson McCullers - The Heart is a Lonely Hunter)

                                                                  

Don't you just love words! They truly are the stuff of magic and mystery. I see a book as a time travelling machine. Actually more like the beautiful brass bed in the classic Disney film Bedknobs and Broomsticks - haven't seen it? You must! Since I mostly read in bed it seems an appropriate metaphor. I make the tea, I prop the pillows, I pop on the reading specs and... I'm off. So this my first post (technically my second, I know, but really my first does not count since it was more of an introduction than a post) is dedicated to authors, writers and magical magicians who weave time machines for us using the thread of language and the fabric of life. Thank you! If you love books as much as I do then I know another of my dreams is sure to come true... The Worlds Biggest Book Club... (watch this space)

Beginning now...

Hello! I am so excited to be here, to have a new address that will be my home away from home. A vacation spot for creativity, musings and general rambling.

 I feel like a kid in a candy shop -  I know I like what I see but I'm not sure what to do! I've always been told I talk too much (a bad thing?) and now I feel as though I have a buddy that will sit with me all day long and listen to my thoughts, drink tea with me and enjoy some chocolate. Of course I could just have bought a journal -  but there's something pretty exciting about entering this magical land of electronic castles in the sky...
So there you go.

It is done.