Monday Musings....

'Wherever you are, be all there.'

~Jim Elliot~

TK xx

Sunday Psalms & Songs

...in true Christmas spirit...

Good King Wenceslas looked out

On the feast of Stephen

Gath'ring winter fuel

When the snow lay round about

Deep and crisp and even

Brightly shone the moon that night

Though the frost was cruel

When a poor man came in sight

"Hither, page, and stand by me

If thou know'st it, telling

Yonder peasant, who is he?

Where and what his dwelling?"

"Sire, he lives a good league hence

Underneath the mountain

Right against the forest fence

By Saint Agnes' fountain."

 

"Bring me flesh and bring me wine

Bring me pine logs hither

Thou and I will see him dine

When we bear him thither."

Page and monarch forth they went

Forth they went together

Through the rude wind's wild lament

And the bitter weather

"Sire, the night is darker now

And the wind blows stronger

Fails my heart, I know not how,

I can go no longer."

"Mark my footsteps, my good page

Tread thou in them boldly

Thou shalt find the winter's rage

Freeze thy blood less coldly."

In his master's steps he trod

Where the snow lay dinted

Heat was in the very sod

Which the Saint had printed

Therefore, Christian men, be sure

Wealth or rank possessing

Ye who now will bless the poor

Shall yourselves find blessing

TK xx

Its starting to feel....



(thisnext.com)

....A lot like Christmas.....

I am getting ready to head beachwards to spend Christmas with my entire family...its been a while.

Whilst I do love bright baubles and decorating with traditional colours, part of me also sighs with much appreciation at a washed out 'bleached' summer sunlight theme that so fits our Australian culture.

(coastaliving.com)

it soothes the mind and the soul....

it calms the overly sensitised spirit

(thebeachcottage.com)

and allows for a moment or two relaxing

and dreaming about what lies around the next bend in the road.

(artfire.com)

TK xx

Monday Musings....

"A friend is a gift you give yourself"

~Robert Louis Stevenson~



In the madness of the ensuing 'Holiday Season' I thought this musing rather appropriate!!
TK xx

Sunday Psalms & Songs

Whilst quietly reflecting in church this morning, I pondered again at the many beautiful songs in the hymn book. What a fitting way to mark the commencement of each new week.....a line or two from a chosen hymn.

Now thank we all our God

with heart and hands and voices,

who wondrous things has done,

in whom this world rejoices;

who from our mothers' arms

has blessed us on our way

with countless gifts of love,

and still is ours today.

TK xx

.....and now for my take on Pablo Neruda's words....

LOST LOVE.....in a tribute to Pablo Neruda's "Love".

Because of you, in fields of canola grain bobbing in the breeze I yearn early scents of summer.

I have nigh forgotten your countenance, I can no longer remember your warm embrace; how did you feel entwined with me?

It is because of you, that I favour the flushing gold in open paddocks, they have no voice or sight.

I have all but forgotten your deep resonating voice; I have forgotten your soul eyes.

Like a flowered head to it’s seed, I am bound by distant memories of you. I live daily with the hurt of a long rooted pain; if you touch me now, you will do ir-reversible harm.

Your caresses hold me, like full blown crops reaching for the sky.

I have forgotten your lust, yet it seems I see reflections of you in every mirror.

Because of you, the strong odours of summer crops hurt me; because of you, I again seek out the pieces that breathe desire: brilliant night skies, cloudless moons.

Joining in here as I like to do...

TK xx



Love the Pablo Neruda way

Our task in Writer's Group this week is to choose a piece of writing that we love and then try to emulate the same style/feel in a piece of our own. My choice is this beautiful poem by Pablo Neruda:

Love


Because of you, in gardens of blossoming flowers I ache from the


perfumes of spring.


I have forgotten your face, I no longer remember your hands;


how did your lips feel on mine?


Because of you, I love the white statues drowsing in the parks,


the white statues that have neither voice nor sight.


I have forgotten your voice, your happy voice; I have forgotten


your eyes.


Like a flower to its perfume, I am bound to my vague memory of


you. I live with pain that is like a wound; if you touch me, you will


do me irreparable harm.


Your caresses enfold me, like climbing vines on melancholy walls.


I have forgotten your love, yet I seem to glimpse you in every


window.


Because of you, the heady perfumes of summer pain me; because


of you, I again seek out the signs that precipitate desires: shooting


stars, falling objects.

~Pablo Neruda~

I love his divine imagery and hope to emulate this to some degree with my own piece.......I will be back in a day or two with my take on this.

TK xx

Monday Musings....

"...your children are like you–they long for love, listening–not always advising, and a heart that delights in them..."

~Sally, I Take Joy~

for the whole article which give some well prompted loving advice re parenting check out what Sally has to say over here.

TK xx

Monday Musings....

What dreadful hot weather we have! It keeps me in a continual state of inelegance.
~Jane Austen~

TK xx

Imperfect Prose - Things My Son Has Taught Me

loving that I am back joining in here doing some writing again.

THINGS MY SON HAS TAUGHT ME

the magic

of a thousand firsts

the whispers

of baby breaths

on my cheek

when I held you

as you slept

the delights

of a child's

world view

the serenade

of simple

nursery rhymes

the happiness

of your

cheeky deep chuckles

the freedom

of skipping

through leaves

the warmth

of a

million cuddles

the simplicity

of loving

without demand

the possibility

of infinite patience

the best in me

the very worst in me

this love

will never

end.

TK xx

What I found with the Bowerbird

Bowerbird Bazaar - It was awesome - totally awesome - we have some truly fantastic creative and artistic people in this country - true artisans. I got to meet someone I admire so much and got to speak with her AND when I returned to purchase form her stand she remembered me!!!

her words move me, her spirit pervades her and she just plain makes you feel like the world is a good place. Kylie your work is stunning!

These delectable Christmas decorations are made every year and you have to get in quick before they disappear. Looking for something special this yuletide then she is your girl @ paper boat press.

I also picked up some crocheted morsels here - Crayon Chick - again the delight of actually purchasing from the maker and creator beats the rush, push and shove of impersonal shopping centres. It makes you feel at one with the items you buy.

Go visit her here and see what amazing things she can do with your child's drawings!!!

Now here is something that truly blew me away.........I think these are just the most magical idea E.V.E.R.!!!

This is definitely in my Christmas shopping pile - I have nephews who will love this!!!! The kit comes with everything needed for creating your own lampshade cover AND it is completely washable - so the shades can be changed!!! Whats not to love??! Go ahead and visit two layers of cells and see what they have on offer.

Can you tell I had a ball??

TK xx

Monday Musings....

'Learn laughter from little children by thinking their thoughts, dreaming their dreams and playing their games.'

~Peterson~

(School children playing a game near Milton N.D 1913)

Wishing you happy playful thoughts, TK xx

This weekend

I am a little bit excited......as I am heading off to Bowerbird Bazaar tomorrow!! Look at all the fab fab stuff that is going to be there AND one of my favourite artist/writer/artisans is going to have a stall there - YEAH!!!! I am so so excited!!

I will be back with my thoughts and ramblings from this event!!!

I hope you all have a lovely weekend whatever you do.

TK xx

Monday Musings....

" Be in love with your life."

~'Rules of Modern Prose', Jack Kerouac~

(stockphoto 123RF)

TK xx

Monday Musings....

"Any form of entertaining involves opening up a private world to others;

it calls for an extroverts heart and an introverts soul."

~Martha Stewart~



(image courtesy of Carolyne Roehm Entertainer)

TK xx

Where have I been?

I have been away from here for far too long my friends. I think perhaps I just needed to step away and re-group. I have had to sift and sort through some 'stuff' and work out how I patch up a tattered and weary heart and jaded soul and step out again.

A dear friend of mine perhaps sensed the need for me to get away and so we sojourned for a writing retreat up at Mt Tamborine in QLD. It was superb, it was sublime, it was mentally, emotionally and spiritually refreshing.

We met some truly amazing people who just blew me away with their lifestyle choices - they showed me that they truly live by faith each and every day - and I have come back home feeling better. I am more grounded, I am quiet, I am subdued but I am better - and I am writing lots!!

I am now planning a sustainable veggie garden and making adjustments to my pace of life. My studies are now more manageable and I am smiling on the inside.

This is all good stuff and this is what I am thankful for today!!! Hope you all have a lovely weekend.

TK xx

my observations

Okay well here it goes I am about to have another little rant on the subject of parenting. Yes, I have written about this before and yet again I find myself observing something that defies belief. Now before I tell you the story I will pre-empt this by saying that I do NOT think I am the best parent in the world nor do I believe I have all the answers!!

I called past my local IGA this morning after doing the school drop off with my little M and noted a dad & mum with their little toddler sitting out in the rather chilly wind eating a morning snack - yes you guessed it - donuts with coca-cola AT 9AM!!!!!!!!!!!!

Firstly I WAS STUNNED that they were sitting outside in the freezing cold with the little boy all snuffled up with a green nose (again you can guess why - they were busy smoking away in between bites of the donuts) but to feed their darling little boy such manufactured sugar, preservative and additive filled food just had me speechless. He would have been under 2!!!! He had his own can of coke and donut. It was probably his breakfast.

I can only imagine how hyped up and ratty this boy is going to be by lunch time and his parents will probably wonder why their little son is being so naughty??!!

Okay, I do not smoke and am not out to have a go at those of you who do, BUT common sense prevails - it is icy cold out this morning and so surely sitting outside was not wise given that the boy was so obviously not well.

Then to choose such nutrient poor foods for their son just got to me. I came home really upset about it and it has me again questioning how people parent. Yes I know that everyone has different models to parent by and we all have had varied and rich experiences but this stuff is just the basics - it should be the ABC of parenting - feeding our children well and nourishing their bodies and their minds are the best gifts we can give them along with our love.

Does anyone hear me?

TK xx

Monday Musings....

In every little girl, there is a grown-up lady.

In every grown-up lady, there is a little girl.

~Anonymous~

(ava's tea party - Belle & Boo)

I hope you take time this week to discover the child within - they are so much more fun!!

TK xx

Bright and Beautiful Trinkets

when feeling a little low

its always a good thing

to surround yourself

with bright happy pretty

things...

I am currently madly

in love with the fabulous

designs of Ayala Bar

She is considered to be
Israel's leading

costume jeweller

and I think that

her pieces are so

stunning

she entwines beauty

magic and delightful

happiness into each

piece...

it really has me smiling...

I am such a costume jewellery girl

I will pick it every time over

expensive diamonds and pearls.

What about you?

TK xx



Dreaming of Elsewhere

I have been absent from here

for a bit....

life has been hard

its been difficult

and I am needing

to go slow just now

I am being gentle

to my soul

and treating my heart

with kindness

nourishing my body

and feeding my mind

this season too will pass

and in the meantime

I am simply dreaming

of elsewhere.

(photo courtesy of sodahug)

with love & hugs to my dear readers,

TK xx

Daisy Chains

DAISY CHAINS

You sought to woo me

and bedazzle me

with over the top

grand gestures

a myriad of flowers

filling your car boot

to over flowing

they were beautiful

so perfect, so beguiling

but complete madness

a bouquet of utter folly

my heart cried

my soul was pierced

tears filled my eyes

you tried so hard

yet you were never

going to capture me

its life’s irony

you see

for I was to be content

with a simple daisy chain

picked on Anlabee’s hill.

TK xx

Monday Musings....

'One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.'

~Virginia Woolf~

(photo courtesy of maggie beer - a true SA icon!!!)

My quote today comes form one of my favourite writers.....I am desperately trying to think well as I aim to hand in another essay today, so I think perhaps I need to go and eat well!!

TK xx

Monday Musings....

(photo courtesy of projectwedding.com)

"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~

(photo courtesy of  thatoldhouse.blogspot.com)

May you be found today snuggling cosily and taking time with dearly loved ones.

TK xx

Virus voices

virus / vaieres/ n. : any of numerous kinds of  very simple organisms smaller than bacteria, often able to cause diseases; fig. poison, source of disease (L, = poison)



My M is home from school.....again. He came back from his weekend at dad's very underpar and has got worse since. This seems to be an all too familiar story in our house. Last night I spent most of the night up with M as he was sick everywhere and naturally enough today I have had barely a spark out of him.

So off we go again to the doctor for a 'check up' and again I am told.....'its a virus!!!' Script for getting my M better: rest, rest, rest, liquids, keep temp down blah blah blah.

As a mum I feel so helpless watching my little M continually be unwell and yet we try and keep him warm, rug him up, feed him nutritious foods, don't allow too much junk to be consumed......I am really at my wits end.

We have just started work with a tutor for him and here I am in week 2 having to cancel it - this frustrates me beyond belief.  M canot really afford to miss time from school, he has issues with learning and this just exacerbates the problem.

He is due to commence 3 weeks school holidays at the end of this week, I question myself as to why we can't just get through to the end of term but here we are plugging through this final week.

Am I missing something here???? Am I failing him as a mum, should I be trying to do more, should I be demanding we see someone else ( I have tried several doctors).......

Here's hoping that tomorrow my M and I can do some phonics work at least...

TK xx

Monday Musings....

on the theme of LOVE...

" Forget love - I'd rather fall in chocolate"

~Sandra J Dykes~

Wishing you hearts this Monday

TK xx

Grateful....for movies that make me think

I love my local....library that is....

things are FREE and thats a huge bonus....

I stumbled upon this movie....

and it was EXCELLENT

it really made me think

about my values

its definitely worth a look

I always take a visit with other posies of grateful

TK xx

Things to love

You know when you find those homes you just love...

and you want something just like it for yourself

I think that is envy in a good way, isn't it???

Well here is a home that belongs to 2 rather sophisticated men with stylish tastes....I love so many elements here...

whats not to love!!

(all pics courtesy of apartmentherapy)

Now that I have procrastinated from my studies for a good half hour its time I went and did some work!!

Have a fab day!

TK xx

Monday Musings....with Melissa

I have been a long time fan of Melissa Etheridge

and am listening to her strong sexy voice as I tackle this messy house!!

Happy Monday peoples,

TK xx

Grateful.....for warmth

Its certainly cold and wintery here in Adelaide this weekend and as I snuggle up and read (well thats reading study notes, you can't have it all!!!!) I am so grateful for beautiful warmth in my home.

( courtesy of picfoto)

I hope whatever you are doing you are keeping warm and having fun!

Remember there is always a host of gratefuls here.

TK xx

Things My Son Has Taught Me

Our theme this week for Writing Group has been 'teacher' and this is my piece from that session. It still is raw and needs fiddling around with but it is a work in progress and may sit like this for a while.

THINGS MY SON HAS TAUGHT ME

the magic

of a thousand firsts

the whispers

of baby breaths

on my cheek

when I held you

as you slept

the delights

of a child's

world view

the serenade

of simple

nursery rhymes

the happiness

of your

cheeky deep chuckles

the freedom

of skipping

through leaves

the warmth

of a

million cuddles

the simplicity

of loving

without demand

the possibility

of infinite patience

the best in me

the very worst in me

this love

will never

end.

TK xx



Life's Little Mysteries

It truly is one of the oracles of life that I can twist myself into knots trying to do and to prove myself in so many ways yet just 20 minutes spent producing a batch of these....

....has the whole tribe declaring I am the bestest ever!!!!

Go figure!!!

TK xx

Monday Musings.....Jealousy

Jealousy comes from the root word for zeal and means "to burn with an intense fire." It is one of the strongest drives known to man.

O JEALOUS HEART

O jealous heart

be still, be still

and let not your

anger rise

to overwhelm

devouring all

that seeks

what is good,

what is kind

your liquid

venom

spills across

my breast

and causes

me to be

restless

of spirit

of mind

your lust

for another's

doth only tarnish

my decorative

countenance

and makes my

lips sour

tasting only

bitter rind.

Happy Musings my friends, TK xx



I am dancing.....a happy little jig.....

and here's the reason why......look what is winging its way towards me!!!



it comes from the rather talented Wendy at http://thetexturedleaf.blogspot.com/

She is one very clever lady.......and I feel rather special knowing this dress is just for me!!

Thankyou so much Wendy for all your work on this,

this is what makes supporting home grown individual businesses so worth it,

TK xx

What Am I Doing??

Its Wednesday, middle of the week day, and I wonder where the time has gone.......today I am:

Studying

Making a luscious pork dinner

Having a conversation with Shaun (we are currently like ships passing in the night)

Trying to get on top of the washing

Making biscuits for school lunches

Phoning my nan

Writing to a friend

Attempting to watch a movie that is way past due at the library

Walking in the crisp winter air

Reading

Taking my M to football training

Cleaning my floors

........I wonder what are you planning to do today??

TK xx

Monday Musings....

I am taking my musings today from another blog I follow. Her post has me thinking...Heather over at Raining Silence linked the following video on her recent post...please take a couple of minutes out to watch it...



My dad keeps a journal and has been on at me for a while to record what happens in my life. My response has always been 'Well nothing exciting happens in my life' why on earth would anyone be interested in that!

BUT.....I am so interested in my grandpa's journalling (I only have faint memories of my grandpa as he died when I was 8) and the diaries my dad keeps....is that any more interesting??

Why do we so value what others do/experience/write but tend to diminish our own existence?

Will my M be interested in reading my notes and scribbles when he is older and want to have something to pass on to his children?

Will my life be interesting in 100 years???

I would love to hear your thoughts. Do you keep a journal? Do you like the idea??

Happy Musings, TK xx

Grateful.....

for quiet moments of worship and praise this morning...

I needed it today....

I am lagging in joining in with Maxabella, but I made it!!!

TK xx



New Years Day In A Cafe

this piece was written with so much hurt......a little piece of my heart never recuperated from this affair......but time has made it kinder on my heart, my mind and my soul.....

NEW YEARS DAY IN A CAFE

you sat there

long legs

sprawled

under the table

across the floor

touching my chair

wanted you to

touch my hair

whisper in my ear

that New Years Day

you sat there

face smiling

eyes smiling

slow easy grin

wanted you to

touch my lips

caress my lips

kiss with

finger tips

that New Years Day

we sat there

drank coffee

spoke riddles free

told you things

private things

previously only known

to me

weakened resolve

I knew I wanted you

that New Years Day.

Joining in with Imperfect Prose

TK xx

Winter

A cracked lip; raw skin.

I pined for orange flickers

Dancing off a cheery fire.

A gelid blast of arctic air

Had caught me unawares –

Reinforcing my desire.

Turning down an avenue,

I froze; suspicious trees –

Likely destined for a pyre –

Were laughing off the icy chill

Of callous winter nights.

And I? Simply to retire

Snug, inside a balmy chair

Of warming solitude:

Ah! my carol, my festive choir.

~Mark R Slaughter~

TK xx

I had a moment...

the other night a dear friend popped around for a cuppa and a chat...and it was just so lovely...switching off from the world, life and the universe and catching up with what was happening in her space....at the end of the night when I turned to walk back in the house after saying goodbye I had one of those special moments...it had been softly raining all evening and raindrops had clustered on the diosmas out the front.....they sparkled in the evening light just like a string of dancing fairy lights...picture perfect....it made me smile.

TK xx

Are you....

letting the sunshine in today??

(courtesy photobucket)

I hope so...

TK xx

Cafe Moments

your hurt

is plain to see

as you sit

delving into

 thoughts

cafe froth

flicked

on end of spoon

you wage

 war

with the

never changing

acceptance

struggles

with old

familiar patterns

slow down

breathe

my friend

in time this

too will heal

let it be

let it be

TK xx

joining in here

Wednesday and its full on!!!

This week seems to be crammed full of STUFF!!! Life is meant to be in a routine now, after all we are in to the 3rd week of Term Two - yet I find myself scrabbling around, behind the eight ball so to speak, racing the clock and just plain old disorganised!~!~!

I finally managed to get in some baking yesterday afternoon, only to be met by 'oh yum chocolate cake, oh no this one's no good mum'!!! - quick question - is there such a thing as bad chocolate cake?

My notes have started to arrive for study......and my desk is still looking, well not ready!!

My meal plans that worked so well last term, seem to have evaporated and now its madness at 6pm as I work out what we are going to eat for dinner. Shaun is having waaaayyyyyyy tooooooo many frozen dinners just now!

I have a study class tomorrow morning and I have to confess that I have not prepped for it yet........at least I have got the evening ahead....

I have finally managed to get to the bottom of our internet problem and with any luck we will be back on line at home really soon......

We have had our first weekend with our little respite foster girl and it was wonderful - she is a little cutie and certainly adds a new dimension to our home. She changed outfits on average 6x per day ( and she is only 5!!!)

I have my Writing Group tomorrow night and I am organised for that.

I have a quiet weekend with my books planned...that makes me smile.

I wonder, is your Wednesday leaving you frantic and struggling to keep up, or as I am trying to do (thanks to 'One Thousand Gifts') are you able to S.L.O.W. down and take in the good, the little, the moments...they are all precious. I am trying really hard to learn this new lesson, this taking time to make time idea.

TK xx

Thoughts

Its been a while....our internet has been down and though I found it immensely frustrating it has also been strangely liberating. It has opened up time...time for me to read and as luck would have it my copy of 'One Thousand Gifts' by Ann Voskamp turned up. If you want to find out 'what it means to be...deeply human,...deeply spiritual,...deeply and authentically fulfilled' then this book is a must for you. TK xx

Imperfect Prose - Daughter of Ours

You came to us
on a rainy day
clouds all grey
and heavy with
tears

hope streamed
across our porch
as your little hand
tucked into
your fathers paw

we loved you
right from the start
even though
we barely knew
your name

we came to you
with hearts
of hopeful joy
the waiting
finally over

suspended in
this first
venture
wanting it to be
so right

for you to
love us
as we already
had fallen
for you


you gave us
so much
that day in
your sunshine
colours

dabbing panacea
to open wounds
patching up
our broken hurts

you came
took our hands
and we walked
off into our
cocoon

and your father
smiled.




TK xx

Struggling

I am a tad annoyed with me just now....went to the doctors yesterday to get a renewed script for on-going medication, so no biggie, and then within about 10 - 15 minutes of getting back home I started to feel really really off colour. I have this horrid nausea that will NOT subside and a pounding headache that feels like I have been whacked across the head with a beach bat!

So bad did little old me feel that my Shaun had to get up and take young M to school this morning (this is a huge ask as Shaun works late afternoon and night shifts and had only got to bed at 4am). I have too much I need to be doing and really do not need another day or two of feeling awful.

Ginger tablets seem to be helping a little, along with sips of weak tea. Does anyone have some tried and true remedies that may help which do not require another visit to the doctors? Please let me know.....my life is waiting!!!

TK xx

Monday Musings....

'Now these three remain:

Faith, Hope and Love.

But the greatest of these is love.'

~1 Corinthians 13v13~

(keturahweathers.theworldrace.org)

TK xx

Grateful......for NOT having to attend THE ROYAL WEDDING!!!

Did you watch THE WEDDING??? I did, I had no plans to but then ended up sitting with my sister and waited with bated breath to see Kate in THE DRESS! You see I was a real Diana fan....I can remember sitting in the common room at boarding school with a hoard of other boarders watching the beautiful girl bride that Diana was. This whole Royal Wedding has been handled differently...perhaps time has taught some lessons, lets hope so.

However I must say I am awfully glad I did not have to go through the whole sorry saga of sorting out an outfit fitting for just such an occasion. My heart goes out to poor Beatrice & Eugenie who have been slammed for their outfits and head pieces. Unusual choices yes, but after all we are all cut from a different cloth and the world would be a sad dreary place if we were all the same.

What would you have chosen if you were invited to the Royal Wedding?

Here are some of my picks.....but as you can see its left of centre and possibly not entirely suited.....

(all images courtesy Alannah Hill)

...so there you have it.

Have a lovely weekend and remember its bouquets of gratefuls over here.

TK xx