easter weekend

I spent lots of time resting with Jon this easter weekend and it was really nice. On Friday, we made some toasted meusli (granola), which turned out to be so good, we ate it in two days. Jon brought it to me in bed on Saturday morning when i was feeling too lethargic from my cold to do anything. I pomptly went back to sleep after breakfast and woke up at noon. We spent some time walking by the sea and Jon drove me around to look at people's houses (because that makes me happy). On Easter Sunday, we did church and then a roast lunch at a friend's place. Yum.

Yesterday, we cleaned the house in preparation for some guests we're hosting this week. And then, we went to Gertrude & Alice for tea. It's a beautiful bookstore cafe and i'm always so inspired to write when i'm there. Jon found us some good seats and we browsed through a Jewish bible, the Moosewood cookbook (must buy it soon!) and the Wind in the Willows cookbook (so very charming). Jon had an iced chocolate with ice-cream and i had a soy chai which was made just right. What a beautiful afternoon.

Later that night, we sat in bed and talked and tickled each other. It was the perfect way to end a four-day weekend.

tea for two

It's been a cold and rainy Good Friday and i'm coming down with a cold. But tea and some raspberry and coconut muffins with my husband in the afternoon make this day much better.

(This photo was layered with a texture courtesy of NinianLif)

looking up

Jon and i were going to the beach one day when we saw a man walking hurriedly down the stairs. We watched as he walked briskly down and into his driveway, where his children ran out to meet him screaming "Daddy!" with the sweetest joy that only a child's unadulterated feelings can produce.

Two days ago, as i was walking, i stopped to take in the ocean view. It had been a cloudy and drizzly morning but the sun was just beginning to come out and it was beautiful. As i looked down, through some bushes and trees, i made out a man and a uniformed girl sitting on their patio having breakfast together (she seemed to be spooning some cereal into her mouth) and enjoying the view and each other. I watched them for about 10 minutes before i tore myself from that scene and walked away. I think it was the same man Jon and i had observed before and it made me feel so happy that here was a man rushing home to meet his children; here was a man having breakfast with one of his girls. This is what life is.

Oftentimes now, as i walk, i peer into their patio hoping to see them. I haven't again but i notice other fathers- holding their daughters' hands and walking them to school; loving on them; playing with them; being with them.

cloud watching

Early evening. I put on the symphony. From my dining table, i can see the clouds outside. I am having coffee and trying to read a magazine but the clouds are too distracting- those shapes, changing as i breathe.

Breakfast options

This morning, i was inspired to contemplate extending my breakfast menu options to more than just toast and coffee. So far, i have come up with: meusli with pear/peach, yogurt and skim milk, oatcakes with honeyed ricotta and blueberries, sourdough with scrambled eggs and porridge with banana and brown sugar. Since it's easter week and hot cross buns are everywhere, i think they would make a nice breakfast treat as well, especially when toasted and buttered lightly.

In other news, i finally got my hands on Tessa Kiros' Apples for Jam. After deliberating for months on whether i should get it ($70 is quite a bit of money to spend on a cookbook), Jon took my $40 Borders gift voucher that Lisa had given me for my brithday last year, topped it up and bought it for me. We both love reading it and looking at the gorgeous photographs. I especially love reading it at the dining table after a swim, with a cup of chai and a cookie.

morning swim

It was a beautiful morning for a swim. The water was quite cool but it was so lovely to have the sun shine down on us. Then, a warm shower. For morning tea, some homemade chocolate chip peanut butter cookies and a cup of chai while the wind dried our hair and made the windchimes dance in tune.

The white linen curtain blows gently in the wind

The smell of freshly cut grass outside is just what i need right now. Even the sound of my neighbour, Jim, cutting the grass is welcome. I am still in wonder of creation. Every flower, every blade of grass is like healing balm to my soul. Yesterday, i swam at the beach. The cool water was refreshing. Watching the waves come in in the evening reminded me that all was good.
Today, i read and re-read Psalm 27.

"My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.”
And my heart responds, “LORD, I am coming.” (Ps 27:8)

So much longing in that verse. It amazes me that the God who created the universe wants to converse with me. He wants to spend time with me.

I can hardly find the right words these days to decribe how i'm feeling. What i write is a tiny, tiny reflection of what i want to write. But i can say this: I am so happy that my dear Yuling received my gift. She is such a sweet soul, deserving of every happiness that i am certain this life will bring her. And also this: Tomorrow is my husband's birthday and i am so excited!

[And, yay for bigger photos!]

Flying

Oh, how beautiful it is this morning! I went to the beach for a walk at 7am, the autumn sunshine warm on my back even at that hour. I had a cup of coffee outside on the verandah with my bible in hand but found that i could hardly read a word. I was simply in awe of every single thing around me- the spider web, the clothes on the washing line being dried by the breeze, my pink slippers, the blue sky, the clouds, my herb garden, my cup of coffee, the music playing on the radio inside.
All i could think of was "Thank you, God. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you."

Tuesday night

I feel so good.
It's night time. Jon is watching the cricket in the living room. I am in the study writing and reading. My feet ache from all the walking i did today but a nice, warm shower has made me feel relaxed. Dinner tonight was some french lentil soup with saffron yogurt and baked polenta which was so nutritous and yummy. I got the recipe from Heidi Swanson.
Right now, i'm eating chocolate pudding with Tahitian vanilla ice-cream and feeling like i'm finally beginning to understand myself.