OKAY - So I Changed My Mind.....

I admit it - I miss my blog - I like writing on it - I like sharing

Today's post is a photo journal.

"COMING HOME"

It's green at the moment

iradescent green.

I had to go into town today

and shop for food.

I didn't want to leave home.

Home is much more my style these days,

it's calmer and more peaceful,

than even a small country towns traffic.

I am happy to stay home now

not like when I was 18 or 26.

Now home is my sanctuary.

It is where I feel safe.

Sometimes it is so green,

other days are brown and dry,

but always - always it feels good to be home.

I took my time today

on my journey home

to look around and take notice

on my trip from town to home.

Below are some photos to share.

I so love coming home....

Leaving Maryborough ( which is our closest big country town to us) and heading towards Tiaro.

Passing the cane fields....

The little country cemetary in Tiaro.

Coming into Tiaro which is our local small country village. This is my local corner store and butcher and library and pub etc. It is about 15k's from my home.

The main highway cuts through the centre of Tiaro. You can see Bauple Mountain in the distance.

Heading out of Tiaro towards the bauple turnoff.

Of the highway and now driving along the road heading to my home.

I just love this entry into a property....I have wanted to take a photo for so long and now I have.

A big dam filled with water amongst the cane fields - we have recently had a lot of rain.

Views across the cane fields towards Bauple Mountain.

Driving past our local school. I wanted to take a better photo but the kids were all outside playing and I thought that might have upset the staff if I pulled up and took more photos.

Canefields to the distant State Forest.

Macadamia (Bauple Nut) tree. Part of a farm I pass on the way home.

Country Road.

Old farm house - another one I have wanted to photograph for quite some time.

Local honey for sale.

Vacant block around the corner from me. I think this is a gorgeous block of land.

Turning into my street.....

and HOME......

"The ultimate source of a happy life is warm-heartedness. This means extending to others the kind of concern we have for ourselves. On a simple level we find that if we have a compassionate heart we naturally have more friends. And scientists today are discovering that while anger and hatred eat into our immune system, warm-heartedness and compassion are good for our health." - Dalai Lama

Thanks to  Kristin for this saying she posted on facebook and that I pinched.

I am very frustrated and thinking of changing who I have my blog published through - I cannot download photos and photos are an integral part of my story. I am not going to download first on another site so that I can put on here - if this doesn't get fixed promptly I am going to change.

I have had a few very productive days. This may be boring to others but I need to record my progress of my promise to myself throughout this year.

DOING THINGS DIFFERENTLY

I shut up when I normally would have my say.
I spoke up when I normally would have been silent.
I slowed down and concentrated on what I was doing. One thing at a time.
I didn't watch a movie with Mick - I didn't want to.
I let Mick pack for camping without big lists from me.
I asked Mick what he thought about a sensitive issue to me.
I said yes immediately when Mick suggested an activity when we were out.

HEALTHY NEW FOOD IDEAS - at least one new recipe a day for the year - raw/vegan

Below is a list of all the new recipes I have made since the beginning of the New Year. Vegan and or Raw - many Grain Free and Gluten Free.  There will not be this many every day - I just need to catch up.

This cook book is amazing and has recipe after recipe that work. They simply are delicious and easy to make and I couldn't recommend this cookbook enough. Borrow it from your library and then you will want to purchase it for yourself. Gluten Free Grain Free Cookbook by Tania Hubbard

These are the recipes I have made from this cookbook so far. My grand daughter cannot eat wheat, cane sugar or any dairy and I have been making things for her.

Savoury Vegetable and Fetta Muffins (no fetta for Charlotte)
Macaroon Biscuit - Almond Based - made with almonds, egg whites, coconut sugar and coconut
Savoury Tart Base - with tomato, thyme and fetta topping
Ginger and Cimmamon Cookies - made with pumpkin seeds, coconut sugar, ginger, cinnamon and egg whites
Chai Seed Chocolate Cake - AMAZING moist grain free cake
Sweet Base Mix - made into a banana tart and then into ginger biscuits - almond meal, coconut sugar, eggs

And then there is the RAWMAZING website - with the most amazing raw food recipes that I have been experimenting with and trying new ideas. I am constantly amazed at how good these recipes are. And easy.

Marinated Zucchini and Veggies - made this for lunch for myself the other day - halved the recipe and ate it all and I wish I had a plate of this in front of me now.

Curried Pineapple and Parsnips with Veggies - I made this and served to Mick alongside a tossed salad and a few slices ham and he loved it. I let him go back for seconds and then I asked him what he thought was in it. He said RICE. The parsnips are supposed to create the rice effect and they obviously did. I was amazed at this recipe and will definately be making it again. it was so yummy.

Raw Chilli - I served with a little brown rica and red lentils cooked together because I soaked split green peas instead of lentils and - well I stuffed up. I will definately be making this again. Mick loved it as well. I served with some pompadams.

And this recipe from Happy Cow -
Colorful Indian Spiced Curry - this is vegan and cooked - very, very yummy and simple to make. I had to add more water after a while because it evaporated quickly but it is an amazing and easy recipe that I will make again. Great cold for breakfast. Well for me it is.....


ORGANISE something each day - sort something out

I just did a huge clean out of the bathroom and I got rid of all the chemical based products - deoderant, body lotions, toothpastes etc. I have put a few extra hanging shelves in there and what a difference this has made. Our small bathroom seems bigger. Feels so much fresher and easier to use.

I have started to tidy up my collection of assorted pots in the garden. They are messy and laying around the place and I have started to sort them into sizes and will move them to the little garden shed out of site.

I emptied out my pantry cupboards and organised everything with room to spare. I love cooking but hate looking in a messy cupbaord for the ingredients. Only threw away a couple of things I do not use and one that was out of date.

I got all my tax stuff together and sent to the accountant. It's a start on sorting that out.


YOGA - fail. Not sure why this is not happening. I enjoy myself when I do and I feel the geniune benefits. I am thinking that maybe I need a nice space that doesn't feel cluttered and messy.

Cheers, Wendy