Proud as Punch

Just look at this gorgeous bunch of flowers Kendall arrived home with the other afternoon.  Aren't they just beautiful?   So totally unexpected and "out of the blue" - a lovely surprise.

It was her note in the little card however that really tipped me over the edge.  I only managed to read the first line before dissolving into a blubbering mess.   (I seriously need to get a better grip on my emotions!)  

Dear Mum & Dad

I would just like to thank you both for supporting me throughout my teaching degree.

I know I have not always been easy to be around and that both of you have

felt the stress.

The truth is, I simply could not have made it without you!

Thank you for the words of encouragement;  the "pocket" money;

fixing my car;  buying me food/clothes etc.

Thank you for really being outstanding parents and setting me up for my future -

I will be forever grateful.

I know I could never pay you back for you have done for me - so hopefully this is a start.

love always

Kendall  

No wonder I was a blubbering mess.    I'm a blubbering mess now just typing these words! 

(where are those tissues?)

A long time ago,  a very wise person once told me :

 "Parenthood is never easy

but

sometimes.......some things....... make it all worthwhile"

(Thank you Mum - how right you were!)

Letters to Mum

A few months ago I linked up to a little party where I was asked to Define My Blog.   It was the first time since I started my blogging journey that I actually took time out to actually think about "why I blog" and "what inspires me to blog".

I'm know many non-bloggers find this whole blogging phenomenon a little difficult to understand.   Decorating and food blogs - sure.    As a  former magazineholic - the many inspiring decorating and food blogs out there have certainly curbed my desire to purchase every decorating and food magazine I could lay my hands on.    In fact,  I have saved an absolute fortune since discovering the wonderful world of decorating and food blogs! 

However, given that my blog is neither a food or decorating or craft blog - why do I feel the need to share sometimes very personal feelings and reflections on my life with absolute strangers?   What makes me believe that anyone else (other than my immediate family) would be interested in the daily musings of my life anyway?

When asked -  "why DO you blog?" - I find myself quickly replying - "that my blog is a living, breathing journal of the people and things that are important to me and the special moments that give me joy and make me smile". 

But who am I actually writing it for?  

I have seen many beautiful blogs come and go since I began this little blog.

Many have simply run out of inspiring ideas.   Many have found that the effort to sustain an interesting blog and keep their followers happy just too difficult (and time consuming!).   Many have just become too overwhelmed with the whole "stats" thing and have become totally swept up in the numbers game - increasing their blog traffic.  (I cannot believe there are actually books out there on "how to increase your blog traffic!")   They have lost their Blogging Mojo and in doing so - WE (the blogging community) have lost some truly amazing and inspirational blogging friends. 

This has got me thinking.  (Yes, there is a purpose to this long, rambling piece of soul searching (for those who are still with me!)

Who am I actually writing for?

I have finally worked it out!  (a true lightbulb moment!)

On the 29th April 2008 I lost my best friend, my confidante, my sharer of dreams - my Mum.   She passed away at just 78 years of age.  She was (quite simply) too young to die - there was still so much for her to live for.    

She lived long enough to see her grandchildren grow into adults -  but not long enough to see them succeed in their careers or find love.

She lived long enough to see  the garden she and I created together to come into bloom - but not long enough to see her beloved orchids flower.

There was SO much more for her to share with us all.

I try really hard not to dwell too much on her passing.  However, there is not a day goes by that I don't think about her or wish she was still here.  There is also not a day that goes by that I don't see her face in a cloud or feel her hand resting on mine.    Her presence is still so strong.   I know in my heart she is close by - watching over us - listening to our chatter - sharing in our joy.

So this little blog is about to change.  It is undergoing a transformation!  

 "The Views from my Valley" will be no more. 

"all my love......Sharyne"   is just like the letter I would write to my Mum if she was living in another town, another State, another country - this blog is my letter to her.   


These are the letters I will write to tell her about what is going on here in the Valley - the various projects I am undertaking - what is happening in the garden - what is happening in everyone's lives.   I know she would love it and I hope you will too!

My blog now has a purpose....... a real meaning.   Something to share with everyone and anyone -  but most of all, with her.

Being Present

‘Drink your tea slowly and reverently, as if it is the axis
on which the world earth revolves – slowly, evenly, without
rushing toward the future. Live the actual moment.
Only this moment is life.’ ~Thich Nhat Hanh

Interesting words and even more interesting thoughts here from Leo Babauta (Zen Habits) on the "Power of  Being Present."

This article really struck a chord with me.   The more I read - the more philosophical I became.  I started thinking about all the things in my daily life which bring me calm and peace and how by focusing on a specific task,  I was in fact practising the art of  "being present".  

Gardening obviously was the first thing which sprung to mind.   There is something just so special about working with nature.   To dig a hole and plant a seed and then see it grow into a beautiful shrub or tree is such a wonderful sense of creation.   Gardens are just such magical places to be.   In the solace of my garden I am surrounded by memories.  Memories of my mother and my grandmother who provided me with the inspiration and love of gardening.  Their presence is so strong - warm and comforting.

I have also  been known to solve all manner of conflicts and problems in the garden.    As I dig and mulch, prune and rake - imaginary conversations take place in my head and before you know it - problem solved!  

"Being present becomes, then, a way to handle any problem, any distraction, any stressor. It allows everything else to fade away, leaving only you and whatever you’re dealing with right now."

"No matter how out-of-control your day is, no matter how stressful your job or life becomes, the act of being present can become an oasis.  It can change your life. "


Painting (like gardening) is my oasis.  It is place I go when I just need to focus on one task.  It allows me time to clear my head and become totally absorbed in the moment.   It allows me  to "be present".




A blank canvas;  the gentle tones of Alisan Krauss in the background;  a beautiful day in the Valley - Bliss!

Simple pleasures.

"Be joyful in whatever you're doing, grateful that you're able to do that task and fully appreciate every little movement and tactile sensation of the task.  You'll learn that anything can be an amazing experience, anything can be a miracle. "

How lucky am I to have been able to find that calm in the middle of the traffic of my life.  

I hope you have too! 

Finally - at last!

Yesterday Kendall (my baby girl) became a teacher!

After 5 years (almost!) of blood, sweat and many, many tears she completed her final teaching Prac

and is now ready to embark upon the job of her dreams.

A celebratory cake + chocolates + strawberries was an obvious choice to mark this milestone in her life.  

The champagne came later!

Thank you Miss Louise for being such a wonderful mentor (and supervisory teacher).  .  You entrusted your class to her and gave her such a wonderful opportunity to find her wings and learn to fly. 

 I know Kendall will be eternally grateful.

This cake was my version of the famous "rainbow" cake - however due to the fact that it had to travel on the floor of my car for the journey to school and was in severe danger of completely toppling over  -  I decided to opt for 4 layers instead of 6.

(Wise choice I think.)

Nevertheless - it still had that real WOW! factor when Kendall cut into it.  There were plenty of  "Oh's and Ah's"  around the staffroom when the 4 layers were revealed.  Quite a Master Chef moment!

Congratulations Kendall!  We are all so proud of you.

I know you are going to be a brilliant teacher and I am so looking forward to following you on your journey. 

Lots of love and hugs!!

Scatter a Little Kindness

Last weekend I decided to scatter a little kindness around the place...... 

and paint this little sign

which now hangs over my kitchen window

A constant reminder

of how little we really need to do

to make our world a better place.

A super easy project  to make

A length of timber -  a coat of paint – and some type font which I downloaded from the internet

Traced onto the timber and then painted with white acrylic.  Simple.

Why not scatter some kindness around your place?

The Power of the Sun

In this part of the world there is one thing that we are never short of.

And that is SUN!

So it makes sense that given the expected increase in electricity charges we keep hearing about – that we should utilise this free energy to offset the cost of power.

I also feel a moral obligation to the planet to reduce our carbon imprint.  We live in such a beautiful, pristine part of the world.   I would love to think it will still be the same in 100 years time!

So – here is our own little power generating plant – right on my very own roof!

I had been contemplating solar panels for quite a while and when I realised the Government’s subsidy on solar panels was going to be reduced on the 30^th June – I sprang into action.


These sparkling little diamonds were installed today – a beautiful, sunny day in tropical Far North Queensland.   Just look at the sun reflecting off those panels .

I am hoping they are going to significantly reduce our power bills and with a bit of luck – we might even be able to  sell power back to the grid.  Who would have thought it – a CREDIT balance with the electricity company!

There have been times when I have questioned decisions I have made – what is that old saying about “decisions made in haste.”   However, this is not one of them.   

I am positively glowing!