Happy Birthday Teya!

Teya handing out birthday cupcakes

Last Tuesday was my niece Teya's birthday. She turned 4. Yesterday her birthday was celebrated at a local park. It was a great day with great food and great people. 

My sister, Kate, organised some great games for the kids. They really enjoyed them. Particularly cute was the little girl who joined in musical statues then deliberately got out as Kate was giving out prizes when they got out. 

My other sister, Mel, made the fabulously cute birthday cake(s). 

Another special touch was the laminated 'thankyou for coming' notes made by Kate. 

My creative cooking adventure

I got a little creative in the kitchen yesterday. It is not that unusual for me to be creative. I don't like to follow craft 'recipes'. I will often look at them in magazines, books, web blogs etc. Mainly though I am gathering ideas and inspiration. I don't usually strictly follow instructions but prefer to do my own thing. Cooking is a different matter for me. I follow recipes in the kitchen. I am not overly particular about measuring ingredients but I don't take many risks with varying ingredients or method. I stick fairly closely to the recipe I am using. 


Yesterday though I wanted to make a cake and use some of the apricots I have picked recently. I have stewed up quite a few batches and wanted a different way to use them. I haven't been brave enough yet to try making jam. I could have searched the internet for a recipe but instead I decided to adapt one I found in one of my recipe books. It was for a berry cherry cake made with cream cheese. I substituted apricots for the berries and cherries. I wasn't sure if it would work. It did. I put it in the fridge overnight and tried a piece this morning. Quite yummy. The apricots have sunk to the bottom but that doesn't matter. The  fresh apricots add quite a bit of flavour. 

Yummy garden produce

One perfect peach 
remained unseen 
until new eyes came to visit 


This was the small stone I posted on my other blog a few days ago. I am participating in a project called International small stones writing month. Each day in January I am writing and  posting a short piece of writing about a moment from that day. 

I have an apricot tree in the backyard and next to it is another tree. I didn't know what sort of fruit tree it was. The other day my aunt and uncle came over to pick some apricots. On the way they noticed a single fruit on the tree. On closer inspection we discovered this peach. It was the only one on the whole tree. I was amazed that it had grown so big without me noticing. I thought there was no fruit on the tree so I hadn't looked. Despite the fact that I walked past it nearly every day on my way to tend the garden and to pick apricots I had never noticed it. I missed out on seeing it grow. What else do I miss out on noticing because I don't expect to see it? 

Unlike the peach, the tomatoes growing in my garden have been keenly watched by me. Each day I have been checking for changes in colour. The first ones seemed to take a long time to ripen but now more are ripening. I should have enough for a small salad soon. The first few have been eaten quickly. I have picked a few cherry tomatoes as well as some Roma ones. The Roma ones were rather small but the ones growing now are larger. 

It's apricot time of the year here too. I have picked quite a few and stewed some of them. Very yummy with cream. I will be making some apricot crumble too and maybe some jam? Brianna and I have enjoyed climbing the tree to get almost ripe apricots. There's still some more which should be ready in the next few days. 

Reflections from the river

It's almost a week into the river of stones project. It feels like a bit longer since I started a little early. So far it has been lots of fun. Each day I am writing a short piece about a small moment that day and posting it here. I have set a few rules for myself. The small stone I write is to be about something I noticed that day. I write it and post it the same day. I post one and only one small stone each day. Just one each day. Today I was tempted to break this last rule and post two. I had two that I wanted to post and was having trouble deciding which one to post. I came up with them both at around the same time. Actually I was just about to post one when I thought of another. I ended up posting the second one. 


the sound of happy
drifts out
from under my daughter's door


Just as I was about to post the first one that I had written I could hear Brianna playing in her bedroom. The door was shut but I could hear her talking away to herself. She sounded very happy as she does when she is fully involved in play. After a little contemplation I decided on my small stone for the day. I really liked the first one too but also felt like I wanted to say more about it. I decided that I would post it here so I could say some more about it. The original one was 


jigsaw puzzle


one piece
such a feeling of accomplishment
and then
I step back and see
there is so much more to do
but remember
every tiny piece matters


I'm not usually much of a puzzle person. I usually prefer to create than to put things back together. I am enjoying doing a puzzle at the moment though. 

I have been thinking about the parallels between doing a puzzle and writing small stones. I love searching for the details and learning the different shades and shapes. Sometimes the right pieces are easy to find and almost seem to jump into my hands. Other times the right piece is elusive. I love that feeling of finding the right piece, particularly after a long search. Writing small stones isn't really so different. Sometimes they come easy. Other times I write for a while before I get the words just the way I want them. 


So far it hasn't been difficult to post every day. I have posted all of my small stones for January in the morning. This is mainly because I've been keen to write and post them. So they have all been about morning things. I look forward to posting later in the day moments as the month goes on. I'm also sure that the day will arrive where I forget to post. When that happens I just plan to keep going when I remember. I have been immensely enjoying reading other people's small stones. The variety is amazing. What a great, flowing river it is at the moment. It's so motivating to know other people are writing a small stone each day. I am definitely not alone. Getting positive feedback has been a real buzz too. I am grateful to those who have taken the time to leave comments. They are very much appreciated. The posts from Fiona and Kaspalita are very motivating too as well as interesting. I especially like this one. I can definitely relate to the thoughts 'Is it any good? Is it any good? Is it any good?'


It can be a bit scary to post my writing and know that other people are probably going to read it at some stage. I worry about whether my writing will be understood in the way I meant it. I constantly remind myself that sometimes it will and sometimes it won't. Sometimes after I post I find I start liking a small stone more. Other times I think I have a fantastic one but it fades after posting. Sometimes writing a small stone can be like searching for the elusive puzzle piece. Just when you think you have the perfect piece you try it out only to find it just doesn't fit and you feel a bit silly for thinking it did. 


Just as every tiny piece of the puzzle matters and the puzzle wouldn't be the same without them, every small stone is important for the river. The river wouldn't be the same without them. 

Friend tags - which one are you?

I love these little tag monsters that Alysha drew the other day. 

"Because you're my best friend" 
"Because you're a nerd" 
"Because you're an amazing singer" 
"Because you're blonde" 
"Because you love your cap!" 
"Because you helped me in maths!" 
"Because we have been friends since Primary School!" 
"Because you're always wearing makeup!" 
"Because you're always in a good mood!"
"Because you can always cheer me up!" 
"Because you dress cool!" 
"Because I want your hair!" 


Which one would your friends tag you as? 


I particularly like "Because we have been friends since Primary School"  - wearing the school colours! 

My mind is a map

My mind is a map


My mind is a map 
Filled with crossroads of curiosity 
Dirt tracks with dead ends 
Highways linking one idea to the next 
Missing the beautiful details hiding in between 
Where a walk would satisfy, inspire 
I am the driver, the passenger, the pedestrian 
The child laying in the grass 
Looking upward at the dancing clouds 
Feeling at peace with the world 
Consumed by possibilities 


I wrote this poem about two years ago. Two years and two days ago, to be exact. It is part of the reason why I want to do more free writing (to randomly chosen topics). I wrote it on January 2nd, 2009 after I had been writing for about 20 minutes non stop. The topic I started writing about was chosen from Stephanie Dowrick's book - Creative Journal Writing. The prompt I chose to write about that day was from page 85 'When you see yourself as a little child, do you see a curious child - and if so, curious about what?' After writing for 20 minutes and just as I was about to put the pen down and book away, this poem resulted. Wow! What a great bonus. Of course that won't happen every time I write. 

(Reminder to myself - product is great but process is even better) 

Originally I called the poem 'Crossroads of Curiosity' but just renamed it 'My mind is a map' - as I wrote this post actually. The wooden tile pictured currently hangs on my wall so I see it as I walk inside. Artwork was done around April 2009.  

technology free

technology free 


I love my internet adventures 
the giddy chase 
one click leading to another 
and another 
links back and forth 


but I never just stop 
to breathe awe in 
and out 
as I do when I'm outside 
technology free

"Wild Mind" and some plans for my writing in 2011

So, I have been saying that I don't make New Year's resolutions. I have been quite proudly proclaiming that I don't do resolutions but rather choose a theme for the year. 


Now, I find myself actually making some resolutions today. I have been thinking about my writing and what I would like to change this year. One of my resolutions is to do more free writing or timed response writing and to actually try and do it on a semi-regular basis. Notice, I am not being too specific here! I am thinking that I will find somewhere to go and write for half an hour or so. Maybe the local library. I have done that before. Or maybe in my bedroom just before I go to sleep. I have done that before. As you can tell, I am still refining the details. 


I have just borrowed 'Wild Mind' by Natalie Goldberg from the library. This is one book that I plan to have very soon on my sidebar list of 'books I own and love'. There, another resolution - buy 'Wild Mind' this year! I discovered 'Wild Mind' in January, 2008 when I picked it up randomly from the library shelf. I think I was destined to find it sooner or later though! When I first read it I had been dabbling a little with timed writing exercises. Reading it inspired me to continue doing 20 minutes of writing regularly. I did for quite a while write quite regularly. I am going to reread 'Wild Mind' and hopefully be inspired again. I have been looking back over my writing and realising how useful it was for me to just write without thinking about the audience. Really just writing for myself and getting to know myself better. I want to do some more of that again. My writing recently has been more geared towards audience. There is my poetry and this blog as well as the small stones I am writing at pausing to pick up small stones. It's good to be doing that kind of writing too. It helps me to know myself better too. So, actually, I have come up with a number of resolutions


- to participate in a river of stones
- to continue blogging
- to continue writing poetry
- to recommence 20 minutes of free writing/timed response writing

the library copy of Wild Mind and my old writing book

I loved this book that I used to do the writing exercises in. It is filled with words now. I have returned to OfficeWorks many times to look for another one but they don't have them there anymore. Maybe I will find another one to love just as much soon.

2010 - the year of stepping into my life

2010

the year of stepping into my life

not a tiptoe

I jumped 

I stamped

Each day in January I will be writing a small stone like this one as I am participating in the river of stones project. I posted this small stone on my other blog, pausing to pick up small stones, this morning. As the year finishes I have been reflecting on how it has been and thinking about what 2011 may bring. 

What a year 2010 has been! Each year for the past few years I have chosen a theme for the year. I usually do this early on in the year but not necessarily before January 1st. I have been tossing a few ideas around but haven't yet decided on the theme for 2011. The theme for 2010 was 'stepping into my life'. The idea behind this being that my life was actually already there waiting for me to fully inhabit it. I didn't really need to develop new skills but instead wanted to more fully connect with what I already have. It proved to be a fantastic theme, just right for 2010. 

Often on December 31st, for the past few years anyway, I have found myself hoping that the new year will be better than the one finishing. This year, though, I am actually thinking that  if 2011 is as good as 2010 I'll be happy. There have been low points during the year for me (quite low actually) and I won't be about to complain if 2011 is better than 2010. Overall though I am very satisfied with how the year turned out for me. 

Some of the highlights:

published artwork

I had three pieces of artwork published in two of Patti Digh's books - 'Four Word Self Help' and 'Creative is a Verb'. I remember at this time last year waiting (impatiently) for the call for art. It was so exciting to participate and super exciting when I found out that my art had been chosen. I am so grateful for having had the opportunity to do this. I loved creating the art in response to the words written by Patti. 

discovering gardening


I grew some vegies in the backyard this year and discovered that it was actually lots of fun. I have always said that I am not a gardener so I was surprised when I started and found out that I actually liked it. The snow peas were a great success and I also enjoyed Silverbeet, onions, carrots, radishes, Italian parsley, broccoli and more. Now I am waiting on a great crop of tomatoes to ripen. 


Zumba


I have been to a few classes of the latest fitness craze, Zumba. It's been lots of fun even though I feel like my arms and legs are constantly going the wrong way. This is a big achievement for me as I have always been nervous about doing active things in groups. It feels good to be active and it is quite motivating in a group. I look forward to more of this in 2011 especially as my sister gave me a 10 class pass for my Christmas present. 


poetry


Earlier this year I attended a Speed Poetry Assessment at the library. What a great thing to do. I am glad I went and got some feedback on a couple of poems. From doing this I also found out about a new poetry group. I have been a couple of times and plan to go more in 2011. It is a difficult thing to get feedback on my writing but also very useful and motivating. It has lead to more writing and lots of revisions. 


return to teaching


Maybe when I was choosing the theme for 2010 I was thinking about what I wanted to do career-wise. I qualified as a teacher in 1994 and taught for a year and a bit before I had Alysha and then 4 years later, Brianna. It had been a very long time since I had been in a classroom as a teacher. I was very nervous to say the least. I put my forms in and announced my availability on August the 3rd. It was a bit later than what I had originally planned but at least it happened. On August the 4th I got my first day of work in a year one class. I didn't know at the time but this would turn out to be a very special class for me. I ended up getting a nine week contract for 4th term. It was challenging but a great experience. I really felt that it was the right place for me. I had certainly stepped into my life! 

one of many presents I received at the end of the year

I have been receiving Reverb10 prompts by email. Reverb 10 is an online project encouraging reflection on the past year and thinking about what's next. I haven't gotten around to writing much this time. Next time I hope to participate more. The prompt for December 27 was – 

"Ordinary Joy - Our most profound joy is often experienced during ordinary moments. What was one of your most joyful ordinary moments this year? (Author: Brené Brown)"

I am planning to write about this one. It will be hard to think of one joyful ordinary moment so I think I will write about many. So many occurred while I was teaching. How fantastic to have so much ordinary joy while working!

2010 has been a fantastic year. I wonder what treasures 2011 will bring? I am happy to accept those that simply come my way but I know I'll also be digging for more!

Happy New Year!

Love this! - cow picture by Alysha

Doing some tidying up around the house today. 


There's a lot to be done! 


I came across this picture Alysha drew sometime this year. 


Love it!