Image from: http://th00.deviantart.net

My good friend, mentor and Brilliant Blogging Yogini Braja has asked that we list 20 things that nurture us. Initially I thought this would be a simple task as I could easily rattle of half a dozen aids that nurture me. As I started to make the list, the more I thought about these things the more I realised that it is the simple things that I really need in my life that truly nurture me. Here they are, in no particular order:

1. Writing: The mose effective way I can express myself (and make corrections to those inevitable mistakes, unlike the spoken word).

2. Tucking my children in to bed: especially the teenagers, for who knows how much longer my husband and I will be sharing the same roof with them.

3. Reading: Letting my mind and imagination weave and wonder.

4. My husband: Especially when we walk hand in hand; it feels like we can take anything or anyone on.

5. Memories of my paternal grandmother: A widow in the prime of her years, she sacrificed but persevered to bring up a family of six children in the years of the Great Depression and beyond.

6. Stretching and Yoga: To keep my body (and mind) mobile and flexible.

7. Dinner: Sharing that last meal of the day with those I love most.

8. Conversations: In particular one-on-one 'deep and meaningfuls' or the 'shallow and mindless' kind with each of my children.

9. My mother: and chatting with her about everything from the intricacies of a traditional Lebanese dish, to her experiences leaving her family and emigrating to a strange country, which she now calls home.

10. My relationship with my Dad: We laugh 'til we cry and we cry 'til we laugh and I wouldn't have it any other way.

11. Photography: Snapping those moments which I would otherwise forget in an instant.

12. Cooking: I love to cook and thoroughly enjoy my efforts, but mostly I love to feed others.

13. My home: My sanctuary, my joy.

14. Art Galleries: Creativity, quietness and beauty all in one package.

15. Travelling: Seeing and learning about other places, other cultures.

16. Solitude: I love/need time to myself to contemplate the big matters in life or just the breeze on my cheek.

17. Security of Seasons: The predictable regularity that Autumn follows Summer and Spring follows Winter.

18. Libraries: All those books, so much choice and not a cent spent.

19. Self-care: Looking after myself be it the way I dress or taking time out for a quiet bath.

20. My mum's cooking: Nurturing my belly and my soul.

Why don't you do a 20 things that nurture me post and report back here to let me know? I would love to read your responses.

Crystal Clear

Tranquility

Harmony

Purity

This image is of the water in our recently finished pool. The adjectives used are in complete contrast to the emotions experienced whilst installing the pool. But this process is now finished, and at dusk this is what the water looks like.

Click on the image to fill your screen and your eyes...

What feelings does this image evoke in you?

Coffee on your face...

A close-up, if you don't believe me:

Both images: http://www.thegrafikmuseum.com/the-blog/2009/08/06/mona-lisa-out-of-coffee-sydney-aroma-festival/

This perfectly aromatic image was created at the Sydney Aroma Festival from full and empty coffee cups.

Credits go to my lovely sister Mon who brought it to my attention.

Looking closely you can make out the flat white from the espresso.

Brilliant!

So, share and share alike. Have a cup, on me!

So, what kept you?

Image courtesy of: www.ungerman.smugmug.com

Rusty nails, dried paint, dust

Cooking and preparing

Readying clothes for the next day

Telephones, faxes, meetings

More nails, wet paint

Heat, humidity, Summer rain

Day after day

Week after week,

And another month has passed.

My sole salvation is that the Southern Hemisphere is nearing the (hopefully abrupt) end of these thirst-inducing, life-sapping, skin-scorching summer days, irritatingly interspersed with the ooze of sticky rain forcing us to inhale its heavy, clammy, steamy air...

Cool, southerly Autumn breeze, I patiently await you.

Graduation

Mr. 16 graduated from Year 10 last week. The photo above was taken at The Nepean River just before his celebratory formal dinner. All of his classmates were out of their usual head-to-toe school uniform. I hardly recognised any of them. The girls looked a little older than usual, the boys a little younger; all looked beautiful, innocent.

Mr. 16. driving to the venue (with Learner's plates firmly attached to the car!):


Beneath the cool exterior he was cooking: it was 38 degrees celcius!:


Mr. 16 strikes a 1940's-style pose:


Proud sister and brother:


A group shot:


Loving Aunty:


Proud Dad:


Doting Mum:


One of Mr 16's best mates ended the night singing That's Amore and all joined in with a sing-along:


I wish every one of these lovely people all the very best in their chosen path, be it a further two years of senior school study (as in Mr. 16's case) or a new start in their future career.

Bless you all, Class of 2009.