Books I'm keen on.

A few books which caught my eye on http://www.bookdepository.co.uk

Short Description for Compact LivingCompact Living opens our eyes to the possibilities of living a compact and low impact urban life. It is about learning how to live happily with less clutter and to embrace the joys in life. Most of our society is struggling to pay the bills, whilst chasing the ideal of a 'bigger' lifestyle. Compact Living is the perfect antidote to this; teaching us how to make the most of what we already have...

Short Description for Wild FoodWild Food reveals the secrets of how to identify, pick, preserve and cook the wild foods that grow in our hedgerows, woodlands, hillsides or seashore...

Short Description for Dancing in the Glory of MonstersPresents a portrait of Africa's Great War. This title shows how Congo became a failed state that, rocked by violence arising from the aftermath of the genocide in neighboring Rwanda, collapsed into a war of retaliatory massacres of extraordinary brutality.

Short Description for Wee WonderfulsA modern sewers' guide to creating cute, lovable fabric toys for children and children at heart from Wee Wonderfuls, a company known for its irresistible blending of vintage and modern, homey and hip.

Short Description for The Edible BalconyJust because you don't have any soil doesn't mean you can't eat delicious fruit and vegetables every day of the year. This book mixes inspirational ideas with practical advice on how to achieve beautiful, flourishing outdoor areas however many floors up you maybe and however small your space.

Short Description for The Sustainable Fashion HandbookPacked with facts, images and ideas, this title is divided into five thematic chapters covering every aspect of contemporary fashion from fashion cultures (from high street to blogosphere to couture), to the eco-footprint of the resource-hungry and wasteful system, to the fashion business, employer of up to 40 million people worldwide.

Recharging.

Becoming a Mum has meant that I think a lot more about tiredness then I ever have before! And as I think about tiredness, I also think about ensuring I take care of myself and recharging.

I think a lot about the things that make me tired, and together with broken sleep it is the energy it takes to connect with people. I love meaningful relationship and quality time, I love connection and dialogue. I value and invest in so many relationships but each time I do I know that it really takes it out of me.

So, to enable me to stay connected - with my little one, and everyone else - I find I need to take time each day to recharge my supply of people-energy. The best way I feel recharged it to immerse myself in something of great value to me. Sometimes this is done by a big walk, where I am able to be quiet and think, and take in the world around with with my baby by my side, fresh crisp air to breath in and the sun shining down on my head.

Another way I feel recharged it to be creative. At the moment I am most passionate about sewing. It is quite handy that I have a hobby that is so refreshing and productive. Lots of people have been commenting to me about how busy I am all the time, and how much sewing I do. But I would say that I am extremely intentional with my time to ensure that I find a healthy life balance: time for God and my faith, time for me, time with my husband and baby, time for my responsibilities and time to refresh, renew, create, grow, learn, love, live the adventure, take risks and to just be.

I have no interest in just being busy, but I love to be intentional and make the most of my opportunities, my passions and talents, and it is exciting to see my dreams become real before my eyes. More than anything I am thankful that I have the opportunity to stay home and care for our baby, thankful that my husband has a job and for the support of the Australian Government as our family grows. I think of the mothers who don't have the freedom to take time off work, who suffer for their children's wellbeing. I pray that I can be a support to other Mum's. It is wonderful to have practical skills that I can share.

Life is definitely richer when in lived in community.

Lactation Cookies.

Date and Dark Chocolate Lactation Cookies.

1 cup butter/margarine or coconut oil
1 and a half cups brown sugar
4 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons linseed meal (from health food store)
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
2 cups plain flour
1 teaspoon bicarb soda
1 teaspoon salt
3 cups oats
1 cup or more of chocolate pieces/dried fruit/nuts
3 or 4 tablespoons brewers yeast (very important ingredient, from health food store)

Preheat oven to 180C.

Mix linseed meal and water together in a small bowl and set aside.
Cream butter/margarine/coconut oil and brown sugar. Add eggs one at a time and mix well.
Stir in linseed, add vanilla and mix well.
Sift flour, bicarb soda, salt and brewers yeast and stir into wet mixture.
Stir in oats, and add in chocolate/nuts/dried fruit.
Line a baking tray with baking paper, and make 5cm flat cookie shapes with the dough (be mindful the mixture will spread when baked)
Cook for 10min, rotating from top to bottom of oven at 5min. 
Move cookies carefully from hot tray with a flip to a cooling rack. 

Lactation cookies help to build and maintain your breast milk supply. It is recommended to eat them regularly while breast feeding, and remember to keep your fluids up too. More info here about this recipe and the benefits of lactation cookies.

Enjoy!

Bali. Day Five.

After a busy day of travelling the day before, today we made the most of 'local' day. 

And the best way to enjoy the gorgeous tropical weather is to swim in the pool! Our friends came over to our hotel and we happily splashed about in the pool, and shared lunch together as we overlooked the ocean.

When we're not swimming we have been making the most of spending some time in our wonderful air conditioned room and Eden has been happily sleeping the day away on our king sized bed!

And while Eden enjoys sleeping in the cool, and Ben works on updating his phone, I have begun working on Eden's cross stitch birth sampler. This cross stitch was such a wonderful gift from Ben's parents, received in hospital on the day they came to meet Eden. I am keen to work on it each evening and get it finished soon I hope.

I love cross stitch!

I first got the chance to learn to cross stitch when I was in grade 4 and I went to classes with the lady who ran the local craft store. This was such an incredible opportunity since I grew up on the East Coast of Tasmania, and there wasn't much for children to do and especially regarding tutoring and training. But growing up with a creative mother meant that I have enjoyed being creative alongside my mum for as long as I can remember, and I love that she has helped me to learn and develop my skills. The chance to learn new crafts while young has really been a wonderful gift. I think I might dig out some photo's of the cross stitches I have made over time and share them here soon. 

Gosh, I love holidays and am thankful for time with my little family, friends, and for the chance to be creative!

Bali. Day Four.

Big day out, with a long road trip to Pura Besakih. 

The actual distance wasn't that far, but travelling at an average of 40km an hour made for a big car trip. Incredibly Eden snoozed her way through most of the car travel, which helped make a peaceful journey for all of us!

A bit of info about Pura Besakih from Trip Advisor:

Over a thousand years old, Besakih Temple is known as the "Mother Temple of Bali". Perched on the slopes of Mount Agung, at a lofty 1000 metres (3000 feet)Pura Besakih is the paramount Hindu temple on Bali. Located high on the slopes of the volcano Mt. Agung, it has developed over more than a thousand years into a great complex of 22 separate temples, the largest and central being Pura Penataran Agung. The annual cycle of more than 70 rituals, which symbolically link the temples into a whole, culminates in the centenary ceremony called Ekadasa Rudra, last held in 1979. The temple complex, state-supported since the 15th century, has undergone a series of architectural and ritual changes

Highlights of the day included the chance to see more of the Balinese countryside through the bus window as we wound our way up to the temple, and the cooler mountain air.  

What amazes me about the temple, is to think that though it was built over 1000 years ago, it has stood the test of time. It is huge, and breathtakingly detailed. The location is incredible, and the temple has been well preserved. I love the thought that what we do today, can have an impact on the future generations.

A good reminder that we must never underestimate our moment in time.

Bali. Day Three.

Ah, one of those days where I didn't take many photos... because I was too happy relaxing by the pool! We spent the day at our friend's place, enjoying having a pool to ourselves for the day. So much swimming and sunning.

Too sunny and no pool umbrella? No problem! I brought my own.

As yet we have done no shopping! It's not particularly relaxing, and for now I'd rather relax then spend my energy bargaining in the heat. I've seen a few things I like on our walks, and perhaps I might tackle the enthusiastic business people later in the week.

It was lovely to invite our friends over for dinner at our hotel. We enjoyed a delicious buffet, with fresh snapper, banana fritters, chicken skewers and so much more. Delicious. And the highlight of the day was watching Balinese dancing after dinner. I didn't even realise it was going to be on in the restaurant that night, and we had the best seats in the room to watch and enjoy it.

And the best end to a wonderful day is a long and refreshing sleep - Eden is sleeping so well at night, thanks to the air-conditioning!

Bali. Day Two.

Ah, there is something so wonderful about a holiday on a tropical island! Bali has been delightful, not just for the warm tropical weather, the lush greenery, delicious food but the highlight has been the hospitality of the Balinese. Wow, we have been so well cared for and so welcomed - so polite, warm and friendly.

This little tropical baby has been SO loved! She is the perfect age for this holiday - full of smiles and loving 'meeting' people. I love seeing her interacting, learning and exploring. What a delight!

Today was a day of fun and adventure with friends! We went to the Waterbom Bali - Water Park. It was amazing to enjoy the water park in such wonderful warm weather. It was so much fun: sometimes relaxing, sometimes adventurous, sometimes thrilling, sometimes scary, and very wet!

The best way to travel!

This pool was the perfect depth for Eden to stand in - she loved it! Definitely a little water baby.

Swimming in the big pool together

Love the lush tropical setting! 

After an adventurous morning, we enjoyed a rainy afternoon at 'home'. Time for craft, tech work, snoozing and a lovely recharging quiet time. Bliss.

Bali. Day One.

Hello 2013!

Wow, what a big year 2012 was for my little family.
And for me personally, my whole year was a journey of pregnancy and life with a newborn.

So, we are kicking off the new year with a family holiday to celebrate the journey we have been travelling, and to enjoy time with our little Eden.

On Sunday we flew out of Australia, on our way to Indonesia for a holiday in Bali. Eden loves flying and was happy, peaceful and sleepy for the whole flight. When we stood up to leave we received lots of positive comments about our peaceful baby! From our travelling experience it felt like such a quick International flight - it was so nice to step off the plane and to be met by a blast of warm, tropical air.

The place we are staying at is wonderful, the Bali Mandira Hotel on the beach at Legian. We got a bargain on our accommodation because the pool is under renovations... but there are still two other pools, plus the beach so we certainly don't feel like we're missing out on anything at all! It is a beautiful place to stay, set on two acres of stunning tropical gardens. 

View from our room

I never want to get tired of the wonderful opportunities we get. Never. 

I want to jump on the king sized bed like a little kid. I want to be tempted to take photo's of every good looking meal I eat. To be friendly with everyone who come across my path. To enjoy the beauty of the world around me. To never get tired of hearing Ben learn the local language. To enjoy time with my husband and daughter. To find joy in the journey I am on.

I am loving the time away from home with my little family. My mind is swimming with ideas for the new year. This is the first year in a long time that I won't be heading off to 'work' or study. I feel blessed to have a husband who is able to work to support our little family and for the opportunity to take the year with Eden. I have ideas for home life, my Been & Done sewing, for my wholesale sewing, and for all the adventures I hope to take both near and far. I look forward to unpacking them further as the week unfolds. 2013 will be a year of strengthening and developing ideas, projects and in responding to the call we have for our life.

I celebrate the journey Ben and I have travelled in 2012. I have felt incredibly supported and loved by my man, and I am so thankful Eden has such a wonderful father to love and care for her. I think Eden is in seventh heaven with both of us here, just for her! Eden is so responsive to us - she laughs, coos, squeals, and talks to us so much. We are enjoying her company so much, each day is refreshing, fun and so full of new life, and she is such a rich and wonderful addition to our family.

And, to finish off our first day in Bali we watched fireworks from our balcony!
Thanks for celebrating our arrival, Indonesia! We are loving every minute of being here on holiday.

See you tomorrow!

Give.

It feels like it has been a big year for me.

We moved house in preparation for change... and that change was for life! We haven't yet embarked on working longer term in East Africa, but we have added a member to our family - who now will and join us in our work, wherever we are in the world.

And this year was the journey of pregnancy for me. Pregnancy has been a very real way to watch the weeks fly by, and to see very real growth! It's also a precious time of preparation for life change. I enjoyed pregnancy, but it was also hard work for my body and a big journey of mental preparation.

Now I've finished up work and studies, which is the first time in 13 years I'm not working for someone else. Wow. And I have the time to myself, to be with Eden and to work away at my own projects.

It hasn't been simple leaving work or learning some days to be a single parent. I have had thirty years of relative freedom, and now I am learning to live with Eden. She needs me, and I am learning the art of life balance so I can be there for her and also invest in myself.

I am learning to give. I am learning patience and working hard to understand Eden. I am learning the art of one-sided small talk, of soothing and patting. I am learning to re-think productivity. But I am also looking hard at my other relationships, and seeing that they are also a journey of giving and investing in each other.

I've noticed how many people want to 'follow' in Eden's growth and life - yet are completely invisible to me in return. I love to share my world: Eden, my hobbies, travels, creations, interests, work, life, opinions, thoughts but I think in any balanced relationship there needs to be input from both sides. I don't want you to just gather up information about me, but rather walk beside me so we can know each other.

It's been a big year so far and I long for worthwhile fellowship, companionship and friendship. I welcome relationships of give and take.  As I learn to have a worthwhile and special relationship with Eden, I can see this is a holistic journey of giving, learning and growing.

Thankful for the path I'm travelling.

Loud.

One thing I love about being awake in the middle of the night to feed a newborn, is the quiet time to read.

I love to be informed, and I find information to be nourishing and fulfilling. So many people have walked this path before me, that I want to be willing to listen and to learn from them.

And, what I realise in contrast to the quiet feeding & reading time at nights is just how LOUD life is. I have also come to realise with all this noise, just how overstimulating it is for a baby. Having a baby has been helpful in causing me to reflect on my own life. I realise that I need to embrace quiet.

Unfortunately I can't make everyone else around me embrace quiet too, but I am thankful for the self awareness and for the beautiful peacefulness in my household.

Quiet time is precious.