Errant lettuce

Take a packet of seeds and empty them in the garden. That's right, just there on the path, under the clothesline.

Three or four trips to the line before I realise that we have lettuce in our lawn. And it's not long till we'll be enjoying the tender leaves.

Unplanned, impromptu, unexpected. My teeth grit when I'm not in control. I shout and criticise as my grip slips on the situation. The blossoming lettuce laughs at my rigidity.

Anger about spilt seeds - it would not be a surprise. I know it, grateful that I missed that opportunity. I don't want to uproot lettuce because it isn't in a garden bed. I want to stop and see fresh things. To control my anxious reaction and enjoy.

How many fresh joys do I destroy, do I miss, because I frame the world in certain patterns? My small mindedness is a box that needs splintering.

And then I realise that I didn't shout at the seed spillers. That I did give thanks for the buttery round leaves. Perhaps I am learning. Maybe there's a crack in this container, and I can stop catastrophising today.

Boasts and Thankfulness

This is where I start keeping up with the best mommy blogs and show you my mothering triumphs. This is my latest birthday cake extravaganza.

Are you impressed?

Yes, those ninja turtles have been lurking at the bottom of a toy box for at least six months. Yes, those star candles have been lit many times before and no longer have five points.

My newly five-year-old loved it. "You're awesome mum!" (Actually he said that when I let him have 2 slices)

I love a happy birthday.

And I love a sunlit Autumn morning. Thankful.

What are you thankful for?

Baking Memories - love the smell of biscuits in the oven...

My mum taught me how to make cakes and biscuits when I was growing up. She also taught me most of her standard meal recipes and I still use them. I regularly realise what a great gift that was.

For a few years I have searched through garage sale/op shop book boxes for this biscuit cookbook, without finding it. Then the other day, one of my playgroup friends turned up with it and presented it to me. WOW! The Beautiful Biscuits book. It is one of the best presents I've been given in a while. Unexpected, spontaneous and really thoughful. Thanks Tara!

Just looking through it is nostalgic. I can't wait to bake something out of it.

Better yet bake something out of it with my kids.

Devilled Sausages

The new favourite meal at our house is devilled sausages. Why is adding a bit of spice, being 'devilled'? Apparently the term is a Georgian one. I hope that we can be godly and spicy in our family.