Pep Song

Source: KatyPerry.com

I have a confession to make... I really love this song, California Girls by Katy Perry. There's something about it that makes me want to get up and jump around the house or turn up the radio full blast in the car.

It's my current pep-up song. What's yours?  

Fill the blank: Food

I love how these give a snapshot of life right now...

1. Today for breakfast i ate stove top cooked porridge with milk and golden syrup. So good on a cold morning. I ate nothing yet.


2. My go to/never fail recipe is probably my spaghetti bog, or my corn & bacon chowder.

3. Something I eat that other people think is weird is having tomato sauce on eggs occassionally, or dipping maccas fries into chocolate sundee. :)

4. My worst cooking disaster ever were terrible gluten free muffins.

5. If I could only eat one flavor of ice cream the rest of my life it would be Sara Lee Ultra Chocolate icecream... Followed closely by lemon sorbet.

6. One food I hate and avoid at all costs is anchovies- disgusting!

7. What is your favorite meal? Breakfast, lunch, or dinner? I love going out for breakfast with my girlfriends, but probably dinner.

Floss!

Aren't these pretty flowers. I've always had a thing for hydrangeas- gorgeous and simple.

Today was ok, aside from the cold that's settled in, and the visit to the dentist that saw me crying in the chair when Sash told me that I need some fillings. Between my teeth. Where the flossing I do is meant to reach!

I'm pretty together about most things, but they can't numb my teeth fully and consequently I have developed a near phobia or at least high anxiety about my biannual visits to the dentist.

Anyone else struggle with this? Any suggestions for my next 2 visits?

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Just Be

Source: Unknown- please help if you can

I've been struggling with this for quite some time now, the delicate balance between being and doing. Sitting and serving. Resting and working.


For me lately, the issue hasn't been so much in the doing, but rather whose strength I'm 'doing' anything in.

When we don't spend enough time 'being' with God, then we lack the vital strength and efficiency we need to serve Him well and we run the risk of doing in our own strength, which never ends well (in the long term).

I've been going through quite a long dry patch spiritually. It's true that some of this is due to external situations outside of my control which have left me feeling deflated and discouraged. But I can choose how I face these experieces and how I respond to them. Don't get me wrong, I'd not intentionally turned my back on God, but I wasn't doing much to cultivate my heart relationship with Him.

This week in particular, I've challenged myself to get my heart back on the same page as my mind and what I claim is my cheif priority, to honour God in my life.

What does that look like? It looks like me art journalling and reflecting on passages in my journal. It looks like Tobes and I listening to sermons together and discussing where God would have us next. It looks like me praying in the car on the way to work and for the kids that I teach.

I was reminded last night of Hebrews 3 which challenges us, TODAY if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts. I can't change what happened yesterday, and I can make empty promises for tomorrow. All I know and have is today, and I can shape that now. I was also reminded that when we don't stir our heart, it hardens. If I do nothing to aggitate my spiritual walk, then I will drift and become complacent. I've been there too long and I'm ready for a change.

I don't know what it will look like as time goes on, but I do know that I can trust God and that He wants nothing more than to be back in hearts reach to me.

Fill the blank: Bedrooms and Bedtime

I found this here and thought I'd play along! You?

1. The last thing I do before going to sleep is: kiss Tobes and give him a snuggle.

2. When I can't sleep I: check google reader on my iphone.

3: The first thing I do when I wake up is: check the time.

4. When I'm tired I: can be a little but grumpy!

5. My dream bedroom would: have our bed, a bay window overlooking a pretty view, a walk in robe with enough room for both our things, an ensuite with a bath by a window, overlooking another lovely view and great natural light. Not too much to ask, right?! ;)

These photos are from my home inspiration book that I created when I was preparing to move into my house ~3 years ago.

Source: unknown, but likely Real Living magazine- circa. 2006/7
 

6. If I could wake up anywhere tomorrow morning it would be: Telefomin in PNG. I'd love to watch the mountains again and see old friends.

7. The longest sleep I've ever had was: had to remember... but in the Cooks for our honeymoon we slept for 12-13 hours a night for the first 4 or so nights!

8. I sleep on my: side, usually on my left shoulder.

9. When I sleep, I like to wear: cotton.

10. My bedtime is usually: between 10-11.

The weekend that was.

Please excuse my absence for the last month or so. It's been a pretty full on few weeks and I've needed to take some time out and lie low.
This weekend we took some time out and went to the beach house with my parents. Tobes and I took the opportunity to go on a little date. Dating isn't really something that Tobes and I did throughout our 'courtship'- we tended to just hang out at home, play backgammon and occassionally cook something, so actually 'going out' isn't normal for us. It's something that we're working to improve on now!

So on Saturday afternoon we took off to find somewhere nice for afternoon tea. We decided to stop at Darling Park (photo credit) in Red Hill. It was a small, boutique vineyard whose roadside sign mentioned they had a cafe- perfect! We went in for a coffee and snack but were promptly advised that they do terrible coffee (and don't make people pay 90% of the time!) and that we should stick to a wine tasting because they do good wine! We couldn't argue with that and so enjoyed a range of their whites. They were quite good, particularly the pinot gris, but we chose not to make a purchase that time. 
We did however enjoy one of their sweet treats each- a warm chocolate brownie with nuts. Yum! They did ask if we wanted a tea or coffee. When we declined the other woman seemed relieved and said, "that's good because I make a terrible coffee!". It must be true!

Mum and dad visited Flinders when we were out and (while dad slept in the car) mum went to our favourite shop there, Former Glory, and bought me a cute wire heart photo holder. I just need to find the right place for it!

Dinner last night was home made pizza. There's something therapeutic about making breads and doughs- adding the yeast and watching the dough rise. We sat it by the fire so it was extra warm which worked quite well. It was my first time making the dough from scratch and it worked ok. There's certainly room for improvement but I think it was a good starting point.  I'll let you know how the next batch works!