Moments of Wonder Jan 2016

Oh the smell!

My daughter and I went to a spiritualist recently. Don’t ask me why. We just happened to walk past a shop and there she was, sitting, waiting for us. She didn’t know us from Adam but as is so often the case she managed to pinpoint what was going on in our lives with unnerving accuracy.

She told me that my abiding passion was words and their use. Tick. She mentioned that my overarching love was nature and our connection to it. Tick. She told me I should reboot my championing of the charity I support. Tick. During 2016 she told me it was important to continue putting pen to paper as it keeps me balanced and that she felt it was really important that I focus on seasons and cycles. She used the word wonder repeatedly. I’ve never really believed in such supposed mumbo jumbo, but wowsa, she had me completely pegged. She had no way of knowing that wonder is my favourite word and that I have been planning for a very long time to start a regular schedule of posts so I can share my monthly or seasonal moments of wonder.  What I’m reading, doing, cooking, learning, loving, watching, buying, making, planning ~ in short, whatever has inspired me during the month ~ in the hope that they might also do the same for you.  In coming months I’m also going to work hard to be able to offer you some of the products I feature in each post.

So here’s my first post for the months of December 2015 and January, 2016. I hope you enjoy it and it gives you a little moment of happiness…

I’m watching beautiful sunsets at our farm.  Each and every time they take my breath away. I’m also watching Harlequin Beetles race industriously up and down our Linden tree.

Sunset on the Southern Tablelands. NO filter.

Harlequin Beetle

I’m reading a fascinating book by Martin Tedeschi called Eugenia.  It’s the true story of a woman who lived almost her entire life disguised as a man.  She married twice and for four years, her first wife Annie had no clue as to the deception (not sure how that works).  Eight months after making the discovery, Annie was dead.  Riveting stuff.  I encourage you to pick up a copy today.

I’m listening to BBC Radio 4 Extra live via Tune-In Radio on my brand new Sonos system.  A surprise Christmas gift from my beloved.  Technology makes my head spin nowadays.

I bought two beautiful framed prints for just $50 each, found in said spiritualist’s shop.  Isn’t the owl particularly beautiful?

Crystal Owl

Crystal Raven

I’m loving our garden after a much-needed shower of rain.

Cotinus or “Smoke Bush”

Such delicacy…

I’m making beetles and bracelets out of pistachio shells with my daughter.  Such fun!

A little nail polish and et voila!

I’m wondering how it can be 35 degrees one day and 10 degrees with a Scotch Mist the next. I am also filled with wonder when I see that life and death can be equally beautiful.

Scotch mist comes to the Southern Tablelands

Roses and Rosehips

I’m baking Pavlova with my family. Because you can never have enough Pavlova.

Pavlova ~ two ways

I’ve found my cooking mojo, which had gone AWOL after Christmas and am now wondering if there is any way of combining these two items found at the back of my pantry. I very much doubt it, but I’m having fun thinking about it.

Orange Blossom Water and Truffle Oil

I am filled with joy when I witness the bond between Grace and her dog Blossom.  Oh, by the way, the spiritualist told Grace that she is a natural leader, that she must step out of group consciousness as she must learn to love herself more (than others) for periods of time. That’s Grace to a tee. Of more interest to Grace however, is that she will have three children and marry a tall, dark-haired spunk.

Grace and Blossom

I’m smelling the beautiful scent of the frangipanis in my suburb during my #morningwalk and then smelling it replicated almost exactly in the new offering by Sniff Soy Candles.

Frangipani flowers bursting forth

Polynesia ~ a must-have scent

What has filled you with wonder this month? I’d love to know…

Until next time…