Everyday Gratitude: February 2012

The Challenge is to Change the Focus

I've done quite a bit of reading over the years, and listening too, to people who seem to have had a bit of a handle on life. They may not have the 'answers', but they do have some wise words and have imparted to many, a profound kind of thinking about how we look at our lives - not just the years lived, or the months, or days, but each minute.
I was moved in recent days by reading about 'gratitude' and the practice of it. The benefits seem to be very real.
So, as part of being reflective and taking an active role in where our journey is taking us, I've started this project.
My aim is to regularly take a photo of something for which I am grateful, and reflect on that. They may be small gratitudes, or bigger picture ones.
I'd love to see your stories too! Feel free to comment and share your contributions.
:)

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

That Some Things Are Still Done the Old Fashioned Way

Oaten Hay Stack - Summerhill Farm Cambridge Tasmania - February 2012

The Joy of Cooking

I reckon I probably inherited my love of cooking from my mother....my 2 brothers and 2 sisters all love cooking too! And eating of course. They are all great cooks.
There is something wonderfully pleasing about preparing a meal from scratch and serving up and having it enjoyed by others.
Friends of ours who come to our place for dinner regularly say it is their favourite restaurant.
I grow almost all my own herbs too and just love going out to the garden, scissors in hand, picking the herbs and sticking them straight into whatever it is that I'm cooking.
Tonights dinner was a fish tagine - Trevalla with capers, cinnamon and cumin. I put some preserved lemon in as well (home grown and home made) and served it with a couscous and chickpea salad - with toasted almond. Paul really enjoyed it! I thought it was OK....fish isn't my favourite really, but I will make some changes to the sauce next time to pick it up a bit....nothing like playing around with a recipe to suit your own tastes.
I'm grateful that I have the skills to cook (thanks Mum!); can eat fresh food everyday and can grow and use my own produce.
I am ever conscious that so many squillion people in the world don't have these luxuries.

Books - Current and Recent Reading