my priorities this summer

my family and friends

our health and happiness

drinking lots of filtered water

exercise

our home

spending lots of time in, on and beside the water

Last summer I spent a lot of time hand watering our vegetable garden. I would be out there watering while the boys were swimming at the beach. I felt annoyed that I was doing this, while they were having fun. It was my decision to do it, but I was still annoyed. 

NOT this summer. This summer I'm going to be in the water with them.

A few weeks ago I made a decision to leave the vege garden for now. My hubby has some things planted and he is watering those, plus the things I had already planted. The thing is, we can't do everything. We can try, but it will leave us exhausted. This was a huge decision for me, but I'm finding with the studying I'm doing, that it was all too much. It was hard to let go, but for the sake of my health and happiness, I needed to. Instead, I have a few veges and herbs planted in pots and I will extend this a little bit. I 'm also buying fresh, local, organic veges from some friends that have recently started their own business growing organic veges. It's the perfect solution, for me, now, at this point in time. 

What are your priorities at this time of the year?

Is there any thing you could let go of at the moment? Are you trying to do too much?

We only have one life, and we deserve to make it the best life, for us, that we can imagine. 

The photo above is of our little 20 foot trailer sailor. She has been in our garage over winter. The boys launched her into our local river this morning ready for some summer fun. I met them out there and had a paddle in the water and did some yoga  onboard our little girl. The perfect way to spend a Sunday morning. 

This afternoon it will be study, study, study as I have an exam this week for my course. 

Take care,

love Julie xxoo

today

Today I just needed to leave my never-ending mental list of jobs at home and to hit the beach. The beach has been calling me for a while and I've been ignoring it, but today I decided to just take a break and go. It was very windy, but good anyway. Just feeling the sand under my feet and paddling in the water......sweet, sweet, bliss. I'm pleased I took some time out to go.

You can see how windy it was by my hair. I'm feeling very brave including such a closeup of my wrinkly 45 year old face. They're laughter lines actually. However, there are no secrets here, it's all real! And, as Louise Hay says, we need to love ourselves just the way we are. 

And a heart, just for YOU!

After the beach I hit the shops for a little retail shopping, including some Christmas presents. Actually it was just one shop and this was followed by an ice cream. Yum!

Now, I'm back at home feeling relaxed and refreshed. 

What have you been up to today?

xxoo Julie

a fun day at the creek

Josh and I had a fun day yesterday, with some new friends, on their property, not far from our place. We spent some time at their creek. It was lovely, sitting with our feet dangling in the water, on a warm spring day. The creek was flowing and we could hear the relaxing sounds of water, trickling down the rocks. The boys had a swim, and had fun, skipping stones in the water. They climbed trees. They also enjoyed a sausage sizzle. It was a beautiful day, spending time with new friends and enjoying Mother Nature. 

xxoo Julie

Sunday

Calendula flower

Comfrey flowers

In amongst the vacuuming, floor washing, and studying today, I took some time to take a few photos around our home. 

The new little man in my life. He is here to remind me to take some time in my day to be still and quiet, to meditate, to give thanks, to be mindful.  The little book is to remind me to think positively. This makes such a difference in my day. I also like to look up a quote every now and again. 

I have little notes and signs up around our home of things I want to remember and concentrate on.

A beautiful candle that a lovely friend gave me. It sits on our kitchen window sill.

Another little note on the window sill. I think it is really important to be yourself, to listen to your heart, your soul, and to be the person you are meant to be. No one else can be that person, only you. I believe that every single person is here for a reason. No one else can fulfill that person's role except the person themself.

The candle and my rose quartz. This gem stone means love.

I love this pattern on the candle.

The beautiful rose quartz.

My mood board/inspiration board sits on the wall  beside the kitchen window. It reminds me of things I'm working towards and things I want to do more of.

Our coffee table that our boys made.

A great movie, even if you're not into surfing.

Gardening books

A magnet on our fridge

A photo on our fridge. A few years ago we climbed Mount Kosiosko. (I think my spelling is wrong)

Some positive reinforcement from Louise Hay.

Which is in this lovely book.

Another great book.

Sorry these are sideways. The cover of one of my journals.

Linda Woodrow's Book. Linda wrote a comment on my gardening post a couple of days ago. I was so excited. 

Some study time with a pot of dandelion tea.

Remembering to focus.

My new Mala beads. This photo doesn't show the colour properly. They are my early Christmas present from  this gorgeous shop.

I've nearly finished module 26, only 14 to go!!

I'm rereading the pray section of this book.

The only problem is the first time I read it I highlighted sections. They are a little distracting the second time around.

This was my Sunday. What did you do?

A HUGE thank you to the people that wrote lovely, positive comments on my previous blog post. Your comments mean so much to me. THANK YOU!!!

Wishing you a wonderful, happy and healthy week. 

xxoo much love,  

Julie 

it's the end of another day

Some days seem relatively easy. 

Some days I feel like I need to put more effort in, so that things go smoothly. 

No matter how my day goes, however, at the end of every day I try to remember to give thanks.

Thanks that I have someone to love.

Thanks that I have a roof over my head.

Thanks that my family and I have enough food to eat.

Thanks that we live in a relatively peaceful country.

Thanks that we have clean, running water. 

Thanks.

Every day I try to remember to give thanks. 

kangaroo and joey

Josh and I went for a drive today to visit my mum and dad who are away camping for a few days. 

In the caravan park there were kangaroos everywhere and quite a few with joeys. The kangaroos were very quiet.

This kangaroo has a joey in her pouch.

This little joey is nibbling on a bit of grass.

Dad and Josh getting the fishing gear ready.