The Worship Experience

I've been away at a conference for a few days. Saw some great stuff. But the most exciting thing was watching 130 kids spending 1.5-2 hrs twice a day worshipping, learning and praising God. Was really excited by what I saw. Adults leading kids in whole hearted worship that would transform their lives when they went back to actual reality.


As a kid's pastor, I love seeing the spiritual lives of children expand.  Not talking down required - just meeting their need and giving them every opportunity to respond.


Anyone with a heart that is young and alive and loves God would love this experience so much!

Vase Box

Today's vase box, is not my own. A dear friend sent me a photo of the ranunculus sitting on her dining room table at the moment.

I love the blush of lilac that is creeping into the ruffled white petals and the furry stems reaching upward.


Another simply beautiful reminder of God, to be preserved in The Creation Box.

P.S. Thank you so much Vicky

Real Women - Plus-size modelling

For any woman that is not under a size 12, there is a little twinge of 'what's the point' when it comes to fashion shows and clothes shopping. The larger your dress size the bigger the twinge.


It has been years since I've felt good about shopping for clothes. But worst of all is knowing that even when I go looking for something to wear, it will generally make me look even bigger and frumpy! Double negative experience!!!


As I opened up the internet this morning and took a look at the headlines on the smh website, the main article displayed was about Plus-size models and the Milan fashion show.


Now, these plus-size models are a modest 'size 14' - however - they look like real women. And they look healthy and great in the clothes that they are modelling.


Interestingly, the plus size fashion designer 'Elena Miro', who was the designer featured in the article had her show excluded from the official program of Milan Fashion Week! As I browsed the pics of these designer gowns - I enjoyed looking at these clothes and felt that they were clothes that 'real women' could wear. How could Milan want to exclude a designer for 'real women' from their show?!?!

Thank you Elena Miroglio for designing and creating beautiful clothes for real women!

If you want to have a look at the full article and collection of photos, look at this link:

http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/fashion/standing-room-only-at-barred-plussize-show-20100923-15oh5.html?autostart=1

Cupcake Baking Party

The day finally came when I had time to bake! The result was several enjoyable hours of creaming, beating (thanks so much for lending me your awesome cake mixer Rach!), baking and decorating divine vanilla cupcakes. It was my first official venture into the craze for cupcake baking, and I must say it was a little addictive!

Look at how smooth the creamed butter and sugar looks!

How fluffy and light was the cake mixture?!?!

The glossy sheen on the cupcakes as they were ready to go in the oven was so divine (they were meringue-like)!

As lovely as this part was... it was only portion of the process. Each one was personally styled to create a 100's&1000's skirted buttercream icing that left you gazing longingly at the cupcake wondering should I just admire it or take a bite.

P.S. Once you ventured to take a bite, the light & sweet texture of these cakes filling your mouth was heavenly.

Special Guests

Today, I had the great pleasure of my Grandad and Uncle John coming to visit me at my flat. I love sharing my little home with people and it is an extra privilege when I can share it with people that have had an important part to play in my life. 


I showed them the flat, they admired my veggie patch, I made Grandad coffee and we went to lunch at my favourite little cafe in Wahroonga, Pastadelli. It was lovely to share some of my favourite things with them during my visit. 


Over lunch, Uncle John shared a very interesting opinion on human rights.... suggesting that rather than teaching ethics and 'human rights', people need to be taught responsibility. Once people learn how to live and accept responsibility, human rights are never violated and ethical standards are maintained. TOTALLY SPOT ON!!!!!


It is 'right' to spend time with those that have loved and cared for you. 


Enjoying the pleasure of each others company.


Sharing life.


Giving life.

Vegie Box

It's amazing how things grow. Carrot seeds are such tiny, insignificant things - yet with sunlight and water they grow into yummy and nutritious things to eat.
Tonight I had my first meal of baby carrots from my veggie patch. 

They were

tiny

weird shapes

iridescent orange

scrumdillyumptious!

p.s. the winter spinach is really good too!!!

"If"

If a picture paints a thousand words

Then why can't I paint you?

The words would never show

The you I've come to know

Then one

- by one -

The stars would all go out

And you 

- and I -

Would simply fly away

Lyrics from "If"