There is beauty in imperfection

I spotted this dahlia during my morning walk around the garden.  Upon closer inspection, you'll see a few petals didn't open like the other ones and it has thrown a red stripe on another petal.  Imperfect, but still beautiful and standing tall and proud amongst the other flowers. 

That could be a metaphor for life. 
Have a happy day.
Jane x

Heart

Hello
I hope you've found some time for yourself over this wonderful long, long weekend.  I managed to start reading a new novel (The Summerhouse by Jude Deveraux) and fall asleep on the old daybed out on the patio one afternoon.  Bliss.  I've also flexed my muscle in the garden.  Photos to come soon.  This afternoon I flicked over to Oprah and enjoyed the Clutter guy Peter Walsh help a family declutter their lives.  While I watched I enjoyed a little bowl of chips and this is what i found. Don't adjust your sets, the photo is a bit blurry!

I've seen so many beautiful blogs where the blogger has found a stone, a cloud, all sorts of things in the shape of a heart.  Do you think i'm the only blogger to every capture a photo of a heart shaped chip?!?  It was sour cream and onion flavour.  One point i need to make... Notice I obviously ate my chips slowly enough to see the shapes i was eating.

Enjoy the rest of your week.
Jane x

Happy Easter

Look who's coming...

It's the easter bunny.  Isn't he precious.

Happy Easter. 
love Jane x

Autumn

Don't you love this?  This is one of my favourite places.  Tenterfield, NSW in Autumn.  It took my breath away when we drove down this road and saw the surrounding landscape.

I hope your day is a happy one.
Jane x

Breathing space

On Friday last, having endured a week of intense pain (I had a cortisone injection in my heal for heal spur associated agony), I really needed to 'get out of town'.  Whenever I reach that stage, I stop and think, if I could go anywhere right now, where would I go.  More often than not, my inner voice directs me to northern NSW.  I feel an amazing sense of freedom and renewal when I get over the border into NSW.  I am a Qld girl born and bred, but there is an embracing energy, a feeling of going home that washes over me.  I love it.

Greetings from Currumbin.

So, with younger housemates in tow we headed down the coast.  First stop was Currumbin for breakfast at the surf club.  A stunning morning to watch the boardriders catching waves just beyond where we ate. The food and service was great.

Currumbin...  I have such fond memories of spending lots of time here when I was growing up, as my grandparents rented one of the old beachhouses (it's still there) opposite the beach, for I don't know how long.  I recall yabby-pumping around in Currumbin Creek, eating freshly caught whiting for breakfast and sitting with my beautiful Nan by the front windows at night, looking out to sea and spotting the fishing trawlers.  We climbed Elephant Rock endless times each visit.  This is now the site of the dawn service on Anzac Day each year. 

I love the pull of the water over this little stone.  It reminds me of a pendant.

Back in the car, next stop would be Brunswick Heads.  I love the drive down the highway, seeing Mt Warning in the distance, the rolling green countryside and the fabulous tunnel you drive through.  It all just does it for me.  As I type this, I'm recalling the feeling of openness and peace, and I realise I am smiling.

Welcome to Brunswick Heads.

Brunswick Heads in undergoing some updating with some 'darling' little shops that have appeared.  It was nice.  After some beach time, we got out of the sun and found a shady table beside the creek and had some lunch.  Time to head home, back to the noise and traffic, uurrgh.  I always grimace at that first set of traffic lights you come to after escaping for a while.  Am I the only one?

Why do we promise the young people ice-cream?  How is it that they forget you asked them to tidy their room, but they never forget when you have promised them ice-cream?!?  Anyway, after such an enriching day with two of the people I love most in the world, a trip through the drive-thru at Maccas for chocolate sundaes was in order.  I even indulged myself, which evoked happy memories of younger years.

If you could go anywhere today, within driving distance from your house, where would you go?

Have a special day,
Jane x