Hello! I'm back with a relaxed frame of mind and feeling refreshed and ready for the next few months. You all know that I love writing my blog so it took a lot of self control to not be here. The computer is capable of stealing my time, and my time is my life, so I need to step back from it occasionally and connect only with the outernet. The outernet for me is my family, home, backyard and a community full of people. Those four elements are reflected heavily in my blog and without them there would be nothing for me to write about.
Grain bread from last week.
Making a brussel sprout coleslaw.
For the next six weeks or so I'll be posting when I can. I'm withdrawing from the Neighbourhood Centre and that requires a fair bit of my time because I'll be training the new manager and stepping down from the committee. I'm also doing the last of my book publicity engagements and then I'll be back, heart and soul, to my simple life. I have to tell you I've enjoyed this past year. We did things I never expected to do, we met some fine people, we travelled around. It gave me a brief look at a faster and busier pace of life and I'm grateful to have had it. But I'm also happy to be returning to quietness, solitude and a slower pace. Getting up in the morning, knowing that all I have to do is tend my home, is how I want my days to be. I'll be pleased to give up living according to my diary and calendar. I gave away all my watches when I left work, now I can retire the diary as well. I want my days to be directed by sunlight and the seasons, not by a timepiece, computer alarms and reminders. Ahh, the serenity. ;- ) Sorry, only the Australians will know what that means.
The winter vegetable garden. All the oranges have been picked now.
Old fashioned steamed pudding. The bright yellow colour is from the eggs.
Meeting Chico, the blue ring necked parrot.
We're having a great weekend so far. Sarndra and Alex stayed here on Friday night and Kerry, Sunny and Jamie will be here shortly. We love having the family visit. We get to spend time with those we love the most without the hassle of driving through traffic, which is annoying and tiring for us. Watching Alex and Jamie discover so many things in our back yard is such a joy. They both love watching the chickens and the blue parrot we're looking after for friends. I have no doubt there are many things to discover out in the world for them right now but here they see "old Australia". We can all sit in the sunshine, enjoy afternoon tea and look forward to a roast pork dinner. Nothing much changes here now and while some would not see that as a plus, here bread is eaten hot from the oven, I still serve food like steamed puddings with homemade jam on top and instead of looking for the new, we take pleasure in the old and familiar. This, by far, is my favourite life season and I love sharing it with my grandsons.
And here are some links to check out.
And here are some links to check out.
