Seasonal Treasures

The days are noticeably cooler now. Frost, still lingers on the ground as I dress in my layers & gumboots, only beginning to melt as the sun rises over the rooftops. My breath is visible before me as I walk through the park & the crunch of leave underfoot is all I hear in this sleepy neighbourhood. I watch fruit-bats fly back to their roost - their silhouettes are mesmerising against the pastel sky. 

I arrive at the gardens - a garden for remembrance - I can't help but smile as I walk through the rose garden, locking eyes with an elderly woman with her dog, standing before a bush with a single yellow rose. Along the winding path, past lawns scattered with headstones & the prayer chapel, around a bend, to the rock shaped like Queensland. 

There, under the shade of a Jacaranda tree, I rest. 

After a few silent moments, I gather foliage & a few lingering blossoms dropped from nearby bushes to place beside her plaque. I produce a cup of water to wash away the dirt & droppings, until her name shines in gold. Then I sit, I pause - just long enough to feel a wave of emotion wash over me, not long enough for it to overcome me. 

As I walk home, I collect pieces of nature from this peaceful place. Pine cones freshly fallen, still holding tight to its few last seeds; ruby, crimson & ochre coloured leaves beginning to curl & fall; & the last lime green leaves of a geranium. 

As I arrive, I place them, thoughtfully throughout our abode - pine cones by the entryway, the leaves in a test tube hanging in the kitchen window & the geranium joins with hyacinth leaves on my night stand. Each in sight throughout my day.

Each day, I gaze upon these seasonal treasures.  Each day, I smile to myself in remembrance.

* Linking with the delightful Lou  at her Little Green Shed . Won't you join us?

Only Time Will Tell

Oh, time. I am both lacking & swimming in it.

I find myself running behind, mostly due to poor time-management, yet at the same time I feel as if I'm living a life beyond my years.

Life is changing at the moment - a new job has welcomed a change in the way I use my time. Where I used to have multiple opportunities in a day to read & write, I now find myself grasping for a single opportunity to lose myself in your worlds & reminisce upon my own.

We live simply & quietly here, though our lives are chaotic.
I rise with the sun, slowly waking my body, in the calm of those early hours. I enjoy my morning coffee, slowly, take my time dressing & mentally preparing myself for the day ahead. I leave my home, & am instantly bombarded by an overwhelming feeling of haste in the world. The pressure to be on time, deliver on time, make time to do, & somehow magically create extra time is intense.
I often feel as though I am struggling to keep my head above water as I fight my way through this insanely demanding world.
I do not choose this chaos, in fact I try wholeheartedly to cultivate peace in our home & lives.

It is at home where I find myself thinking the most about time. The time I spend at home is treasured, as I spend much of my day either at work or sleeping. I am utterly exhausted by the time I knock off work, & am often found lazing on the couch or curled up in bed winding down from the days events. I know this is only a temporary situation & I am in the midst of researching my way out of this insane schedule - a way for Sam & I to work collaboratively & creatively.
For now, I will work long & hard to give my family everything they need - a roof over our heads, wholesome food in our bellies & an abundance of love in our hearts - it's the love that really motivates me to make the best use of my time.

When I'm not working or sleeping or enjoying life's simple pleasures, I am thinking toward the future. An abundance of time which awaits our presence. I often daydream of what our futures will bring us - a growing family, an comfortable lifestyle with plenty of laughter & joy - a beautiful existence, I hope.
I adore my youth, as it brings with it an expansive future. I cannot comprehend what time has in store, yet I am excited & curious for what awaits me - for what awaits all of us, really.
Life is an incredible adventure - one which I am both terrified of & eagerly anticipate!

This has taken many hours to write, over many days. Time which could have been spent cleaning or painting or baking, perhaps just enjoying a moment with my love. Yet I enjoy the time I have taken to weave these words & express my feelings. It is worth my while...

Just now, I have spilt a full glass of water on the floor beside me - shattered glass & pool of liquid need attending to. Just another task which requires my time, I guess. I could have spent the next 5 minutes exploring your world or tending to Appa's persistent itch.
This is just another one of those moments that reminds me to be thankful & live purposefully in the time I have. In the words of J.Mason; "As every thread of gold is valuable, so is every moment of time."

See those beautiful proteas up there - my exceptionally beautiful love took the time to buy them for me. She knows exactly which stall to get them from at the markets (believe me, there's a difference!) & the perfect spot to display them (right outside our bedroom door, so I can enjoy their beauty as I wake & fall asleep.)
She is the best.
* Linking with the delightful Lou  at her Little Green Shed . Won't you join us?
 

 

Darling Dahlias

Flowers which I once thought to be 'grandma-y' & out-of-fashion - the loud colours & shapes of these dahlia's had my heart the instant I laid eyes on them.

The old woman behind the counter at the flower market was rather delighted when I presented my purchase to her. She told me she was unsure the bunches would sell - especially as for the same price of $12 you could get a handful of elegant roses or gerberas.
I admitted to my initial surprise at the combination of vivid colours yet it was just that which won me over in the end, & I knew just the place for the blooms to rest in our home.
Such lovely flowers deserved centre stage - a spotlight spot on the coffee table in the middle in the living room.

Each morning I am greeted by their stunning rainbow hues; dappled magenta & rose, glowing orange & a gentle dusky lilac. The sun rises & falls upon their glossy leaves & giant heads, then in the evening they bask in the gentle glow of candlelight.

I am delighted by their beauty from dawn to dusk.


* Linking with the delightful Lou  at her Little Green Shed . Won't you join us?

Bless Her ~

What is better when you're feeling a bit under the weather than sunny-yellow flowers? Nothing, in my opinion!

My beautiful lady bought these for me today to brighten my mood. What a blessing she is to have!

It's no secret in our household that flowers (& food!) are the way to my heart, so while we were at the grocer, she snuck off to purchase these beauties for me.  They have definitely made my day - I can't help but smile every time I look at them.

Thank you, lady! xx


* Linking with the delightful Lou  at her Little Green Shed . Won't you join us?