Friday, April 25, 2014

Getting well, sneak peeks of lovely stitching, and my books...

We have turned a corner.
Yesterday was 'hump day' for our flu, and today we're genuinely feeling a 'whole' lot better and walking down Recovery Avenue!
I want to go running around and do all those household chores that have been neglected for more than a week, but Mr E is sensibly holding me back because regaining health and strength (and some sleep would be nice) is top priority at the moment.

So what is a girl to do? More stitching?
Here are a few peeks at new designs I've been working on...




I'm also playing a bit in the kitchen again.
Raw Bliss Balls for healthy sweetness and energy...


...and Chicken & Quinoa patties for dinner last night (even though I still can't taste or smell, Mr E said they were nice).

I also bought a book to read over the weekend, but couldn't put it down last night so it was read cover to cover before my head hit the pillow!



I love Rhonda's down to earth (and that's the name of her blog) approach to living a simpler life. It's commonsense and the kind of wisdom my Nana grew up with. Her books are incredibly easy to read because it's like sitting across the table sharing a pot of tea and fresh scones with your best friend and mentor.
I read her first book (Down To Earth) back in 2012, and then again in 2013, and I'm about to re-read it once more. Each time I go through the lessons and conversations I gain new insight into life, myself, and what really matters to me.



If you read my latest issue of Elefantz : The Magazine, you would know that one of my goals for getting back to the things that matter in life - the simpler things - is to read books once more.
I was once an avid book reader, and even when my youngest children were 15 and 16 year-old I always read to them from wonderful authors for at least an hour each day. Reading for pleasure and for education was a true delight. But then stitching, designing, blogging...it all kind of invaded my reading time - well, the 'book' reading time that is, as I still read my Bible each day and do Bible studies.

Making the choice this month to pick up a book and read for 30 minutes each day 'just for pleasure' has been invigorating to my soul - I had no idea how much I'd missed this routine!

I can see a theme coming through my choice of books, too. Can you?
When I got this flu last week the first book I grabbed as I collapsed on the bed was Jane Brocket's "Gentle Art of Domesticity". I *love* that book. Mine has the original cover from it's first release, so if you went looking for it and thought you had found the wrong book because it looked different to the one in THIS blog post, don't fret. It has a new cover, but it's the same marvellous book.



(Australian and New Zealand readers, if you click on the links under the book covers you'll find where to purchase them locally)

It's ANZAC DAY in Australia and New Zealand today - this is the start of the 100 year anniversary of our combined troops landing on the Turkish beach of Gallipoli, where too many of them died.
You can find out about the 2014-18 Centenary Commemoration here.

Lest We Forget.


 hugs



16 comments:

Victoria said...

I finished reading "In Falling Snow" which gives an insight into the contributions of Australia to WW1.
It was a long way from home for those men & women.

Anonymous said...

Good to hear you have turned the corner back towards good health Jenny, Mr E was right in holding you back from overdoing things. Love the colours of your latest project, thank you for the sneak peak. I am going to place an order for the book you love so much. I always feel very emotional on Anzac Day for various reasons I guess and when watching the parades and services on tv etc. My late father was a returned WW2 soldier and was wounded twice in battles, he did not talk about it until after our dear mum died and never participated in the RSL or Anzac Day, (even though my late grandfather and brother were in brass band that marched and played each year), fortunately he shared a little of his experiences but think he was guarded in what he shared, which probably was not unusual, though I'm sure it affected him, how he was etc. Also being from Tas and placed with a Qld squadran guess was part of it, there were only a couple from Tas, also he held the belief that certain things were not spoken of or mentioned in presence of females. Another thing is the weather, yesterday we had record heat and sunshine and today it is bleak and drizzly and always seems to be like that on Anzac Day. It is an important day for sure.
Wishing you continued return to good health Jenny, Judithann :-)

quiltingtaylormade said...

Hi Jenny, Mr. E is right. You can let the household chores wait a little longer. Glad that you're both feeling better !! But don't push yourself. Take care of yourselves!! Tay

Jenny of Elefantz said...

I'll see if I can download that as audio through our library, Victoria - thank you for mentioning it. x

Jenny of Elefantz said...

I believe it was 'the way' back then, Judithann...and so sad that most men think nothing of sharing all their gory thoughts these days. xx

Anonymous said...

I am from Southern California gal I accidently stumbled on your blog a few months ago. I love everything you write about. Seeing the medal on the hat commemorating Anzac Day pulled something out of the recesses of my memory. Some of my ancestors settled in Australia but I have lost contact with any of the family there now. As a child I remember my grandmother receiving a shipment from her brothers in Australia and in there was a medal very like the one you displayed on the soldiers hat. I know I have it somewhere I will look for it and now that I know the significance of that link with my Aussie relatives. Thanks for prodding my memories. Bev a kindred sister.

Jenny of Elefantz said...

Treasure that medal...we highly honour all our fallen soldiers, but there is such a tragic story behind Gallipoli and it is a part of every Australian and New Zealand heart.

Dolores said...

I'm so glad that you are all on the mend.

Bev C said...

Hi Jenny,

It is the 99th year, next year is the big celebration.

Happy days.
Bev.

Jenny of Elefantz said...

Hi Bev, I should have said the 'Beginning of the Centenary Celebrations" - http://www.anzaccentenary.gov.au/
Thanks, Jenny x

Thoeria said...

I'm very pleased that your household is turning back to "normal" with everyone slowly on the mend :)
War is such a destructive, senseless thing.....
Your sneak peaks are always such a tease Jenny :)

Tarnyia said...

Glad to hear you are all on the mend. Love the red and grey fabrics, can you tell me what range they are please? xxx

Christina said...

Glad you are both feeling better. The sneak peeks look pretty already. Enjoy your book time, I know I love mine.

Robin in New Jersey said...

So glad to see you have turned the corner and are feeling better. :) I love the pics of your newest stitching projects. I never thought of using a pale polka dot fabric for a background. I love it! I also like the gray fabric. Working at the fabric store, I have seen a lot of people putting gray and yellow together. I guess they are the "in" colors right now. I think I might make something with gray and yellow. :) Have a super weekend!

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad that you are feeling better. Your stitching sneak peeks are intriguing. I love that Australia and New Zealand are having a centennial celebration for Anzac and the next four years. It's good that it really ISN'T forgotten, that THEY are not forgotten.

Lin said...

Pleased to hear that you are both on the mend. xx