This and That

I planted these nasturtiums in a sunny hot spot where they can rub shoulders with parsley and sage. They all seem to like it there.

Outside my window steady rain is falling, washing off all the red dust that settled over everything during last weeks dust storms. Snails are out and about and everything smells fresh. Nature knows just how to restore the balance.

Today is my son's 16th birthday and I have baked a wicked chocolate torte for his birthday cake MMmm. I'm looking forward to icing and decorating it with little chocolate buds and strawberries. The tiny baby with skinny legs who failed to put on weight when he was first born has now grown into a tall, strong, active teenager. I am so proud of him, I could burst!

I am still travelling through a funny phase where I am not feeling very creative. A weird feeling. So for now, I go with the flow, thinking maybe I need to 'fill the well'. Next week I am going with my sisters to see the Blake Prize, 'the oldest art prize in Australia dedicated to spirituality, religion and cultural diversity'. Just in time to stimulate some creative juices!

Downhill Run

Things have been quiet on Bliss Fruit lately. I haven't spent much time in my journal or in the studio at all. I blame Spring, and tasks like window cleaning have taken over my time. Fortunately I only got to a couple of windows before the dust storm of the century descended on Sydney, blanketing us all in thick, red dust. Freaky. Another lesser dust storm blew in over the ranges overnight, but this one has only left us with a white haze.

The end of the year begins in September, if you were to ask me. Both the men in our family have been in Soccer finals, my son playing in his Grand Final today (Go the Mighty Roos!) End of year exams for my son also, end of year School Formal, Christmas parties being organised and gifts being bought and tucked away - it's all downhill from here!

Sandalwood Memories

When I sit in meditation I keep myself warm with a light-weight pashmina shawl. I wrap this shawl around a cake of sandalwood soap whenever I put it away. Each time it lands on my shoulders, the sandalwood scent wafts around me, bringing back a happy memory.

A few years ago, my sister Helen took me to the Chenrezig Institute, nestled in sub-tropical rainforest in Eudlo, Queensland for my birthday.

We climbed the steep steps, passing a stupa dripping with offerings - anything from flowers to wristwatches and biro's! We sat in half-lotus on the wooden floor of the meditation hall and listened to a buddhist monk's teaching, with the help of an interpreter. We ate the best vegetarian meal ever, in the dining area beside the sangha. Later we browsed in the shop, where I found the sandalwood soap. It was such a peaceful, honest place.