Dec 24th

So, I've never made shortbread nor gingerbread from scratch.  

But today I decided to give it a shot.

The TMX really does make life easy, including grinding your own fresh spices from whole.  And I had two extra pairs of hands to assist - so I had no excuses!

The result?

The most feathery, delectable texture in the shortbread...

and the gentle, warming spices in the gingerbread was the best we had ever tasted (and for one wee person - the first and the best!).

A picture paints a thousand words so they say *smile*

Dec 23rd

Organic.

Fair trade.

Raw.

But best of all?

Sugar free!

And after a wee taste test of all four,

we have definitely found our favourite. 

Grateful for the hard to find, exquisite pleasures in life.

Dec 22nd

 

A task for two...

Requiring much concentration and focus.

Wide open spaces... 

Allowing the spirit and the body to fly free.

Yin and Yang.

Balance.

Harmony.

A gift for the soul.

Dec 21st

Tonight was the first lunar eclipse with a full moon in something like 400 years. 

It was also summer solstice.  A rather special time of the year in my calendar.

The perfect opportunity to gather with an intimate collection of my women-folk and celebrate this renewing time of year under the glow of our Mother Moon.

I always find sitting in circle a cathartic and healing experience and tonight was no exception.  A time to reflect.  A time to consider.  A time to release.

It was in the embrace of a few of these women tonight, that I commenced my significant change in life direction 12 months ago - almost to the day (under the last blue moon of 2009).  So tonight felt very much like I had come full circle, so to speak *smile*.

Many jubilations to you and your loved ones during this auspicious time of year.

Blessed Be xx

Dec 20th

 

This man works magic.  The really awesome kind.

I am so, so thankful to have incredibly gifted, intuitive and generous people in my life.  Slowly but surely, my poor pelvis is finding harmony again, with a little of Shady's gentle coaxing.  I've moved from twice weekly to fortnightly adjustments!  I MUST be improving *laugh*

Thanks Shady.  From the tips of my toes, to the end of my nose.

Dec 19th

 

Today we traveled three hours in torrential rain (yes! Apparently it is still summer!!) to spend the afternoon with a most beautiful family, in celebration of their youngest member's first 12 months of life.

The wet weather outside meant the house was filled with children and mamas, papas and beer, chaos and food, and laughter and love.  

It was a pleasure to be amongst it all.

Henrietta, it seems like only last week we were blessing your mama as you grew peacefully within.  Thank you for sharing your special day with us.

Many blessings to you for the upcoming year xx

Dec 18th

 

Grateful for moments of slow.  Moments of mess.  Moments that imprint.

(This is what we were doing, in case you were wondering *smile*)

Dec 17th

 

Sometimes there are little tools at your disposal which makes life just that much more pleasurable.  You wouldn't know it from previous posts, but I the kitchen and I have a very checkered past.  We just never spent that much time together - a personality clash if you will.

  

 

 

Circumstances changed this year and I now find myself getting reacquainted with this previously avoided space.  Much to my delight, I am thoroughly enjoying myself!  A kitchen make-over and a few new toys and voila!  

A harmonious relationship in the making.

And it would seem, I'm not the only one appreciating my new found pleasure *smile*  

  

 

Much gratefulness for clever ideas and inspirational technology.

Dec 16th

 

I'm kinda crap at making bread.  But it's something that I really want to nail.

So, as they say, practice makes perfect.

Here's attempt number 2.

(forgive the shapes!)

Verdict?  Less stodge than last time.  Definitely lighter.  A little on the yeasty side for taste however.

Nothing a little garlic with melted butter couldn't fix *wink*

Dec 15th

 

 

I find the getting together and sharing of skills hugely nurturing for my soul.  I feel very blessed to be part of a wonderful community of generous women who make time of an evening, in their incredibly busy worlds, to do exactly that.  In our case - it's craft.

Sewing, knitting, crocheting, scrapbooking, doll making.  It's all here.  Oftentimes with babes in arms. We bring food and baskets full of essentials, ready to work on current projects, start something new or help a fellow woman out in mastering a new skill.  I treasure these evenings - for the craft almost as much as the conversation!

 

 

Dec 14th

I'm grateful for the reminders of the simple, yet powerful things we are capable of in our day.

This, from a member of my employer team today *smile*.

Dec 13th

 

My wee girl had her final day of 3yo kinda today and it was all wrapped up with a Christmas concert.  My nominated contribution was chocolate balls, but I was under strict instructions not to put coconut on them.  So, in true parenting of a 4yo style, we compromised *smile*.

 

At the completion of the concert, on brushing away my tears, I noticed a wee button standing in front of me and her Dad, with a decorated paper bag in hand.  Inside we found magnificent works of art in true festive style.  My heart melted.  But I was very unprepared for what I discovered next.

As we explored deeper into the bag, we found not one - but two sets of everything you see above.  One for me.  One for her Dad.  

You see, our gorgeous girl wanted her Mama and Dadda to each have precious gifts at Christmas.  So while everyone else in her class was working on their individual pieces of art, our beautiful child was working her hardest to make two.

Words fail me when I think about how this child, who is such a deep thinker, has regained her equilibrium in a life situation, not of her choosing and not of her preference.  How she has outwardly settled somewhat contentedly between two homes with acceptance and with grace.  Inwards, her river runs deep I know, and there will be many, many more conversations as she continues to find her feet while straddling her two lives.

My darling daughter - your love is not given away freely or with ease.  But for those blessed enough to be on the receiving end, your generosity is immense.  

You will hold my heart forever.

 

Dec 12th

 

I am grateful to be living amongst a strong-bonded community of women who honour and bless a woman in her final weeks of nurturing a child within her, as she prepares to birth.

Blessings to you Sazzamatazz and Lemmiwinks.  

Saviour the last few weeks of moving as one.

May your journey to becoming two be one of peace, power and magnificence.

 

Thank you for sharing such a beautiful day in your world with me.

Bless xx

Dec 11th

 

Good vs Evil?

Well, at the very least, the nutrients aplenty in the beetroot, carrot and orange blended juice will help to replenish the nutrients depleted by the caffeinated soy addiction.

Grateful for the access to both!

Dec 10th

 

She's a spring blossom faery truth be told.  But I felt she was so damn gorgeous, I just had to find a place for her amongst our Advent ritual.  So tonight I finished her and in pocket number 8 she awaits for excited little hands to scoop her up in seven days time and suspend her from a branch in our festive seasonal tree.

Advent in our home is a mixture of traditions.  The essence of advent is waiting - either for the sun (aligning with the northern hemisphere Pagan midwinter celebration) or the son (aligning with the Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus).   

For the moment, we count down 12 days to the 25th, cos that's just how we roll *smile*.

Dec 9th

 

Tonight was my daughter's kinda Mamas wrap up dinner.  We met for Thai in Somerville and I found this star nestled within my napkin.  The table was set with so much attention and love by one of our Mamas, Nicole.  It was a fabulous night of raucous laughter, ever-flowing wine, sumptuous food and nourishing company *sigh*.  

Thanks once again women.  Your love and laughter delight my soul.

Dec 8th

 

A woolen wicker man and a woolen wicker angel completed this evening for our festive seasonal tree.  I recall from somewhere, the neo-pagan symbology for the wicker man is protection (none of that Christian burning business *frown*).