More Music

I have shared some of Natalie Merchants music before.  I love the cd 'Leave Your Sleep' where she has written music to poems by people such as e e cummings as well as nursery rhymes.
A short doco on the making of the cd and the inspiration behind it is here. 
I'd love the opportunity to see her live.  She just has so much fun!
One of the poems/songs is called 'Janitors Boy'.

an Audrey update

I tried to get a photograph of Audrey before church on Sunday.  This was as good as I could do...

Most however, looked like this...

It took some photographs this morning with the new camera... I'll try and post them a bit later.

meanwhile, this is the bunting in Audrey's room, made from 4" squares.  I was pretty happy with them in the end.

Intentional Rhythms of Life

I have mentioned a book called 'Flourish- discover the daily joy of abundant, vibrant living'.  I am not reading it as quickly as I'd like, but I love it.  The author talks about practical ways to cultivate positive emotions which lead to spiritual growth and stronger relationships.One activity in the book mentioned the benefits of listing Intentional Rhythms of Life under various headings.  These were mine:

* Pray - connect with and love God
~ Bible reading
~ My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers (devotional reading)
~ Mere Christianity  by C.S Lewis (spiritual and inspirational reading)

* Self-Care
~ Get enough sleep!!
~ relax; time with family, read, sew, listen to uplifting music

* Love and Relationships
~ Time alone with David
~ Fully focused time with Nicholas and Audrey
~ Cultivate friendships and family connections
~ Practie altruism (goodness, kindness and compassion)

* Work
~ Contribute in meaningful ways

* Rest - renewal.  Restoration. Enjoyment
~ Practice simplicuty in life
~ Slow down
~ Honor the Sabbath

It reads like a lot.  It reads like something impossible.  But just listing those things which I want to be evident in my own life makes me feel like I have a plan for implementing intentional rhythms in my life.  I love just saying it!

No doubt I will have more to say along the way - this book is filled with gems.  More resources can be found here.

So I have had a birthday and find myself on the edge of another decade. 

A day later and I can sit down with English Breakfast in my favourite cup, chocolate birthday cake decorated by Nicholas, watching Miss Dahl's Delights.  I can take a bit of time to look through my Oliver + S book (already planning to make the Red Riding Hood cape and bear hat for Audrey this winter) and, study the manual for my new Canon EOS550D!!!

The sweeest thing though (even at 4am) was Nicholas climbing into my bed and cuddling up to me whispering "happy birthday mama".

A Weeks Play

Last week David and I were listening to some talkback on Radio National.  It was about enduring toys.  Naturally those toys that are enduring were lego, blocks and toys as well as outside play.  An interesting  point was made about toys that do not engage children with using their imagination.

I love seeing the way Nicholas' imagination works.  He will get an idea of something he wants to play/be and then get to work sourcing materials that he can usefrom whatever is around him.  He will come to me and ask for sticky tape, scissors and fabric or card of a particular colour and then I just let him go.

The following were all from last weeks play.

The Moon Landing

A Robot

and a guitarist.



this weeks library book

If you can fall in love with a book, I am absolutely in love with Maudie and Bear by Jan Omerod and illustrated by Freya Blackwood.  It is delightful.  The stories are gorgeous and the illustrations are breathtaking.  I love Freya Blackwood's illustrations and we own at least 7 of the books she has illustrated.  This one however, takes the cake.  I want to look at it all the time!

The first night we brought it home I read it when the kids went to bed!  I think I have read it once a day since.  It is destined to become a classic.  I knew it was one we had to own!  A colleague at work had a gift voucher from Borders and needed to use it, so asked if there was anything I wanted... I knew immediately!

The book is a collection of five stories about a little girl named Maudie and her bear, who loves her unconditionally.  When I read the first page I immediately thought of Audrey - Maudie reminds me of her.   I wish she had every dress Maudie wears.

The illustrations are so beautiful they are beyond description - the colours, the sketches, the scenery...

 

Another one to add to my list of recommendations.

Belshazaar

For no particular reason this particular scripture has been on my mind the past week:
Daniel 5:27 "you have been weighed in the balances and found wanting".
It causes me to search my heart.

Then I found myself humming the song.  I cannot say if I first heard this song from my grandmother who was a Johnny Cash fan, or from my dad who shares a little bit of my appreciation for country, but in any case it is a catchy song with good words.