The two loves

Smoothing soft the nestling head
of a maiden fancy-led
Thus a grave-eyed woman said:

'Richest gifts are those we make,
dearer than the love we take
That we give for love's own sake

'Well I know the heart's unrest;
mine has been the common quest
To be loved and therefore blest

'Favors undeserved were mine
at my feet as on a shrine
Love has laid its gifts divine

'Sweet the offering seemed, and yet
with their sweetness came regret
And a sense of unpaid debt

'Heart of mine unsatisfied
was it vanity or pride
That a deeper joy denied?

'Hands that ope but to receive
empty close, they only live
Richly who can richly give

'Still' she sighed, with moistening eyes
'Love is sweet in any guise;
But its best is sacrifice

'He who, giving, does not crave
Likest is to Him who gave
Life itself the loved to save

'Love, that self-forgetful gives,
Sows surprise of ripened sheaves,
Late or soon its own receives


1884 - John Greenleaf Whittier
A gracious and able Poet.

Colour of autumn

Autumn is such a beautiful season. The shadows fall lovingly through the blinds and the trees bestow their glorious leaves to the compost heap. The whole earth seems to exhale and take a respite from toiling in the sun.

I love the browns...

Lemons

My lemons seemed to arrive overnight. I didn't notice how many were hanging on the tree until they suddenly went yellow.

Vegetable Soup

One of the soups that my daughter loves... this makes a quick and tasty supper.
Throw it all in, then go and read for an hour.

These chopping boards look festive, almost christmassy...



1 potato, peeled and cubed
half a sweet potato, peeled and cubed
1 onion, finely chopped
1 celery stick, finely chopped
2 carrots, peeled and cubed
2 cups of finely chopped cauliflower
2 cups of finely chopped broccoli
2 very large courgettes, cubed (+- 3 cups)
1 litre vegetable stock (or chicken stock)

Cube all vegetables quite small, +- 1 cm. Place all in the pot and simmer on the stove for about one hour.

Easy Riders

Returning from a cycle around our suburb and in the bush behind our property.
They encountered a large(ish) snake on the dirt track - appropriately ignored.

Don't be in such a hurry...

I'm in a hurry, its already past 8am

I race to her school

We run through the foyer, past the Head Boy, the Receptionist, the other students... a few mom's chatting

She is safely in her class

I amble back through the passages and front doors... "bye" I say...

I reach down to button up my coat against the cold morning wind

No button

I look down

I'm wearing my coat inside out, with tags all along the sides and on top showing
How is this even possible??

Oh my! I rip it off at record speed and get in the car

Hilarious... I laugh and laugh

Keeper of the domain

"Home is a haven from the world that is swimming with challenges and difficulty. It is a school where one learns how precious life is intended to be. It provides the context of learning to know and love my Creator, the beauty of the world he made, and His Word, which guides me. And it is the environment where direction and purpose and values are passed from generation to generation, protecting and preserving all that is precious in life.

The task of building our homes into places of beauty and life that will feed the hearts, souls and minds of our children is the most comprehensive task to which God has called us as mothers... it is both a safe resting place and a launching pad for everything they do in the world."

Sally Clarkson