Jan 16th

What a huge day!

It began with the conundrum - do we visit the Frankston Waterfront Festival - or trip into the city to the Lego Lovers Convention?  Eternally idealistic, I thought - why not both!  

So into the city we tripped.  Our first hurdle was parking (we forgot the Australian Open Tennis was on - d'oh!).  Little did we know the *best* was yet to come!

As we wandered down Little Collins, to make our way over to the town hall on Swanston Street, we noticed a queue of people at the intersection of Little Collins and Russell.  Ben and I looked at each other - surely not!

Oh my yes!  And this wasn't even the end of the queue!  

So we trotted down Little Collins to find the end, cursing myself that I didn't think to bring Lucy's hat.  I honestly did not think I would need it!  But incredibly grateful for a packed avocado and water!

(Where we joined the end of the queue at 12.45pm)

In the following hour and 45 mins, we snaked up Little Collins, along Russell, 

down Collins and around to Swanston, where we finally climbed the stairs to the venue at 2.30pm.

Once inside - oh my!   

A few of my favourites....

 Lucy was an absolute trooper.  A really long wait in the sun, huge crowds inside where adults were seven again (which is fine, except that they had forgotten they were not the height of seven year olds). 

 So when she looked up at us and said "shall we go on a horse and carriage ride?", we thought it was a marvelous idea *smile*

By the time we made it home, the Frankston Festival was well and truly over.  We still held true on our promise of the beach however.  After a brief stop in at home to pack a picnic and grab the bathers.... we hit the beach, our final call in for the day.

A most perfect, perfect day.

Jan 15th

 Happy Birthday Sazz!

We spent the afternoon today, in joyous company, celebrating Sazz's birthday.  It was also a gathering to hear Sazz recount her birthing journey to bring Nell earthside.
 Many giggles, sighs and teary moments aplenty.

Sazz has a penchant for rainbows and this exquisite cake was made by a dear friend.  How magnificent is it??!!  And what I find even more wonderful, is that this dear friend birthed twin boys a little over two months ago!  How on earth did she find the time?!  Wow.  Just, wow.

 This little button above was our gift to baby Nell, to celebrate her birthday.  A knot doll made from organic merino yarn.  Sazz immediately bought it to her cheek and stroked it, marveling at how like Nell's head it felt *laugh*.

 This evening is one of relaxation.  Organic cottle chai latte, raw dark chocolate,

 my favourite comedy of all time, 

and the most delicious company I could possibly imagine. *sigh*

Jan 14th

 I got a glimpse into a previously off-limits arena tonight - the inner sanctum of men.

I got to overhear exquisitely risque conversation and gain a few precious insights into how their minds work when in a pack situation.  And yes, it is quite different to one-on-one!

I thoroughly enjoy the company of these four men and feel extremely pleased to luxuriate in their presence.

Jan 13th

Three speeding fines in two months.

A reminder to slow down.

And while that may seem like a frivolous comment, holding little regard for personal wellbeing, safety of others or being accountable for my actions, I feel distinctly otherwise.

I am not a person that views speed cameras as revenue raisers.

I do not think the cops are out to get me and should spend their time chasing the *real* criminals.
No.  I broke the law and potentially endangered myself, my passengers and somebody's loved ones on the roads.  Not once, but three times.  And those were just the times I was caught on camera.

And while I refuse to entertain shame due to my actions, as I believe it serves no one - not me, not the recipients of my fines and certainly not my fellow commuters - I will still own my actions and accept responsibility for my multiple errors of judgement and hold myself accountable.

I'm a HUGE believer in signs.

Three examples of rushing my way through life turn up in one month.
That's a huge sign.

I have always been told that I rush.  

"What's the hurry?"  "Where's the fire?" - the musical to my life.

So.  Time to breathe deep.  Slow down.  

Enjoy the moment.

Isn't that what this blog is all about?

Jan 12th

Today was one of those days that just makes me sigh.

An absolutely awesome day.

I picked up a package today that I have been (not quite so) patiently awaiting the arrival of.

Brand new needles *squeeeee*

 

 A very dear friend and her two gorgeous children arrived at around 10am, after accepting my invitation to lunch and birthday cake, in celebration of her special day tomorrow.

Moo seemed to enjoy Katie's curious attention *smile*.

Next to pop in was a beautiful mama friend of mine, who was picking up a remedy for her wee button.  Suddenly the house was filled with four children, four adults, lots of chatter and the delicious aroma of freshly ground coffee....

At around 2pm, the house fell silent once again and our attention turned to our Wednesday focus. 

Residual income stream creation.

This has been a passion we have both held for years, but for a variety of reasons, have never dedicated the energy into manifesting.  This year, that changes.

We became so engrossed, that it was seven-thirty before I knew it and I was late for my monthly craftin' date.  We were still rolling and the ideas were flowing... I didn't want to change gear. 

So I called in my apologies and resumed my knitting and brainstorming.

 The main foundation of our residual wealth creation strategy is three-fold:

Business income

Residual income through positive cashflow property

Capital growth and residual income through paper assets.

Today we worked on two of the three.

(Choosing the font for the webpage for the business idea was stacks of fun!)

While the business we are creating is still under wraps, progress won't be!  So I'll share as we go.  I for one, cannot wait until it's implemented!

Jan 11th

Flights

+

Accommodation 

=

*squeeeeeeeeeeeee*!

Jan 10th

We hosted an intimate dinner party for four tonight.

Raw!

A dear friend of Ben's home from the US on a fleeting trip, with his gorgeous wife, gifted one of their evenings just to us!  We felt very blessed.

The plan for the evening was alcohol free, however the punnet of strawberries were serenading the Cointreau and Bacardi so sweetly, we couldn't resist.  

Pre-dinner daiquiris it was *grin*.

 Our dinner guests safeguarding their hearing as the ice was pulverized.

Dinner menu consisted of salmon sashimi, avocado, salad (beet, silverbeet, carrot, pineapple and capsicum) and chopped tomatoes.  Oh and grapes.  Our *wine* was sparkling mineral water flavoured with elderflower.

Dessert menu was fresh fruit salad (mango, peach, apricot, passionfruit and banana) with a slice of two pies.  The berry cheesecake we love so much and the TMX raw nutty pie (have I posted about that one yet?  Perhaps not... will add the recipe in a later update).

 It was an absolute pleasure to meet these two beautiful souls.

Thank you Dan and Kellea, for sharing your evening with us.

Enjoy the rest of your time in Melbourne and we'll catch you west-side in the near future!

Jan 9th

After reading of a friend's saddening history here, I have spent the last 2 hours reading through heartbreaking stories of lost children due to abuse and neglect, and sending each one blessings through my tears.  

My own child was five years in waiting.  

Miscarriage after miscarriage after miscarriage.  

All causes unknown.   

I longed for a child, as anyone that has spent more than a month calling a child into their bodies and hearts will attest.  I physically ached to hold her, smell her, gaze upon her.  To say my heart breaks reading every story on these pages is an incredible understatement.  I want to rescue each and every one of them.  And not just them, every child not blessed to be surrounded by loving arms, loving smiles, loving hearts.

I had plenty in my day to be grateful for today.  But many didn't.  And right now, my heart aches for each and every one of them.

_______________________________________

After looking through my photos from today, I wanted to add these.

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The first I learned of this video was about 5 minutes ago.  

(Sometimes I forget my camera is capable of film, however Ben remembers frequently *smile*.)

It was wonderful to reflect on.  Thank you my love, for capturing such a precious, magical moment.

Jan 8th

I finally got round to opening our calendar today 

and look what I found on the first page *smile*

So in keeping with the theme for January...

 

An afternoon of family, life and lovin'.

Jan 7th

When the mercury rises and tempers flare...

I am thankful for cooling foods,

 and cooling waters.

Jan 6th

Dinner for two...

followed by a snooze in the warm sun....

then opening my eyes to a glorious sunset.  Oh my.  Divine. 

Jan 5th

 We're back on raw again!  

Taking on another challenge.  This time for 2 weeks.  I'm starting to feel like someone in those give up smoking ads... each time you attempt, you last longer! *laugh*

So this was our dinner tonight.  With our favourite raw cheesecake dessert making another appearance in the menu *smile*. 

Not only is everything here raw, it's all fresh!  No freezing occurred.  

Feeling very thankful for having wonderful food resources so close and so affordable.

Jan 4th

 Today my Dad celebrated his 59th birthday.

Pictured here with his beautiful wife Andrea.

Where on earth would we be without our Dads? *smile*

Happy Birthday Dad!

May the coming year shower you with blessings and wishes of every delight!

Jan 3rd

For most of the day today, I was alone.  And this is my hide away.  My little sanctuary of space behind white curtains, that is all mine.  A space to savour my thoughts and plan the manifestation of my heart's true desire.  And a space to work on just exactly what that is *grin*.

 Today was the ideal opportunity for me to open the book that made its intention to be mine perfectly clear, by throwing itself off the shelf at my feet as I approached.

And I am very glad it did!

A very timely and wonderful reminder of all things magical and possible in our world, with the right constructs in place teamed up with clear focus and pure intention.

This wee collection of insights is my kinda bible.

Jan 2nd

 Twelve months ago this day, a very dear friend of mine birthed her moon child at home, in water. 

And today, we celebrated his first year of life in the company of friends and family.

 I feel very thankful to be a part of this beautiful family's world.

Happy first birthday Jasper Moon!

May your journey from one to two be filled with many giggles, much adventure and oodles and oodles of lovin'.  Thanks for sharing your day with us xx

_____________________

In other news... I finally felt ready to snip the cosmic tie to wee Lemmiwinks.  She is after all Nell now, earthside and lotus-born to boot!  Sometimes I just have a hard time letting go *smile*.

Jan 1st

3 days worth of earthside divinity.

All wrapped up in a hand weaved rainbow.

Crashing a babymoon is a pretty awesome honour!

We felt very special *smile*.

How magical is she?

*melt*