Retreat From What?

Everything is higgledy-piggledy. Our floor in the family room is being laid again as the wood buckled. All furniture is now in the living room. Access for the carpenter is through the deck. I hope it won't be for long......"Well done!" to families in days gone by, with large families and smaller dwellings. They probably did not have the burden of too many toys or furnishings of today's society.

An Award.

A kind award from GingerLouise Clothing. I'm afraid I sometimes participate in the community of awards and sometimes not. It is all reliant on the amount of spare time I have and if my internet connection is strong!! This morning I have cancelled an appointment so I thought I would join in!! Also there is less housework at present as who can vacuum when the living room looks like a junk shop?

The idea of this award..... to list six things that make me happy and then tag six other bloggers.

1. Starting the day quietly in prayer.

2. My family.

3. A good,strong coffee in the morning.

4. No rushing, time taken to savour....

5. A good belly laugh.

6. Crisp linen in the warmer months, soft flannel in the colder months.

Six creative bloggers, who I might add give me joy and encouragement when I read them....

-Ask Kari and Kijsa

-365 Days in My House (A Year in my House, Maybe)

-Redwood House

-High Desert Home

-The Inspired Room

-3191

A Retreat.

This bedroom will become a bit of an escape for me in the next few weeks as our family room floor is being ripped up and repaired.

Christmas Pudding.

Look what we made on Saturday at my sister in law's church. It was so easy and then I came home and boiled it for five hours. It smelt so good.

For information about the history of the Christmas pudding, look here.

A Bicycle Made for (More Than ) Two.

Husband E joins his bike to the front of this wagon and we have been able to transport our toddlers in it over the years. The younger two had a ball in it, whilst 9 year old son rode behind them. 6 year old daughter was having a wonderful time at a friend's place and I enjoyed a cup of tea.

Sabbath.

"The generous prosper and are satisfied, those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed." Proverbs 11:25

Again, posting on Australian Monday, hoping it is Sunday somewhere still.... I really try to leave the computer off on the Sabbath, a day set apart. These words can sustain us on all days of the week.

Trick or Treat.

Last year the children reallly hoped that this year we would join a group of children, all dressed up and walk around the neighbourhood, they weren't even concerned about trick or treating! They talked about it all year and when a dear friend's daughter gave us some lovely dress up costumes that she had grown out of, the planning intensified.

9 year old son chatted to a Mum in the street and without any organisation on my part, we were in a neighbourhood 'group'. 6 year old daughter had laid out her outfit last Monday already. The least I could do was to make these paper bags.....

This lovely neighbourhood mother had visited a few neighbours on Thursday night to check whether or not they minded a multitude of children descending on their doorstep.... This meant that Friday night we went to these houses that were well prepared and well stocked!! Halloween is not a big celebration here in Australia. We now have lollies for the year! Good fun and nice to get to know our neighbours better.