Some Wonderful News and the promise of Spring...

 Firstly, I would like to thank each one of you for coming here and leaving such beautiful notes, and for keeping Steve in your thoughts and prayers...I have some wonderful news! After one of the most horrendous weeks I have ever experienced, I am beyond elated to report that Steve is awake, and appears to have no brain damage! I simply cannot believe his miraculous recovery (for that is what the doctors' are calling it).

When he was airlifted to the hospital on Monday evening, his brain had swelled so much, they had to perform two operations, and we honestly did not think he would make it through the night...On Wednesday night, the school held a service in the chapel which was incredibly heart-breaking to see his mother and the kids in such pain. All of his friends spent every day in the hospital visiting with Steve, talking to him, and comforting his mother...then they would spend the nights with each other - they couldn't bear being alone.

On Friday night, the doctors began to reduce his sedation, and we were prepared for the worst - on Saturday, he slowly began to wake up and was responding by squeezing hands and making eye contact! You cannot imagine how excited we all were!

On Sunday, they removed his breathing tubes and Steve was able to talk! He remembered the accident, and who everyone was...isn't that the best news ever?!

I haven't yet spoken to Kim (his mother) about his long-term prognosis, but at this stage, everything is looking up...again, I thank you all for your beautiful support - it meant more to me than you can imagine, and to the follower that left my blog during this time, I send you light and love, but honestly, couldn't you have waited a week? Not cool....I really don't care that you left here - I am, after all, a boring housewife, but your timing sucked! ok, got that off my chest, hee hee.

How I wish I could invite you all over and spoil you with cupcakes and champagne! You are truly the best!

And in the very wise words of the great Carl Jung....

The word "happiness" would lose its meaning if it were not balanced by sadness"

I have used photos here from the ones I took last spring...I love the metaphor of the seasons in the garden, and thought these were perfect for this post...spring follows winter, winter follows autumn, autumn follows summer, and so on it goes....sun comes up, sun goes down...blessings to you all xxx

For Steve

I contemplated coming here with this, but feel it is something I need to share with you all...I truly believe in the power of connection and positive energy, and you have all been so wonderfully supportive in this space, so it is with this in mind that I ask each one of you who visits here to please be with me in this extremely difficult time.

My eldest daughter Georgia invited a group of friends to our beach house on the weekend after we came home. They were having such a wonderful time, and then the unthinkable happened. One of her best friends, Steve, was in a horrific accident, where he fell off a skateboard onto the road...he suffered a severe head injury and had to be airlifted to hospital...he is in a very bad way, and we really don't know what will happen. He is in an induced coma, and has had two operations so far to alleviate the swelling on his brain.

I can't tell you how these past few days have been for us all, and I wish with all my heart I could undo all the pain these kids are experiencing. It is beyond awful to see them struggling with this. They have been in to see him and held his hand, but the time ahead is going to be extremely difficult for us all.

I ask that you all keep Steve in your thoughts and your prayers if that is your inclination...I believe that we can all join in his healing...I have to believe that.  Thankyou so much...deep in my soul I know that you are all beside me in this, and for that, I thank you.

If I am not here for a while, you will know why...

Collecting Feathers and other lovely things...

 One of my favourite things to do in winter is head down the coast and walk along the beach...there is something so wild and invigorating about this time of the year, listening to the waves crashing and the wind blowing the reeds and grasses. It is music to my soul...clears away the cobwebs and inspires and rejuvenates me.

 While the girls slept warm and cosy in their beds, the husband and I decided to take Pip for a walk, where, to my delight, I found not one, but 6 beautiful feathers. When I glanced into the sky, this majestic bird flew overhead, gliding upon the wind, making it seem so effortless...floating on air.

As soon as her feet touch the sand, Pip is pulling at her lead, wanting to be set free to run as fast as her legs will carry her. There is such joy in watching an animal so present in the moment, and filled with complete bliss. We laughed as she ran like the wind, circling back to make sure we were still there...how she loves the beach, and we are lucky that at this time of the year, dogs are allowed...in summer, the times we can walk her here are restricted. Funny how a little furball can bring us so much enjoyment...

We managed to find the secret track that would lead us back home to enjoy a hot chocolate...

Is it just me, or does this photo remind you of Little Red Riding Hood? hee hee
All he needs is a picnic basket...

This doesn't happen very often, so I thought I would share a photo of Ian and I preparing dinner...we bought some huge rib-eye steaks (I'm talking Fred Flintstone size people!) and Ian whipped up some home-made chips and a Greek Salad, and we enjoyed the most beautiful meal with a bottle of red wine in front of our little wood fire. Heaven....

These times spent with family are truly my favourite...

I have been enjoying taking these hipstamatic photos on my new phone...humour me, won't you until I get it out of my system...but I do like the effect they give.

Wherever you go, go with all your heart

She...

I read this today and fell in love with the words...they seemed to resonate very deeply with me (except for the part about being quiet in public, hee hee)  - I didn't write it, so if anyone knows who did, please let me know so I can share here.

It is school holidays here, and I am enjoying being with the girls, sitting by the open fire, watching movies (last night we watched 'Chocolat' for the umpteenth time), op-shopping today, with a beautiful lunch of Chinese dumplings...these are the times I cherish...no plans, just kicking back, taking it slow and enjoying the company of my family and friends.

Snapshots of a Lazy Sunday Afternoon...

What a week it's been! I had such fun hosting the 'Mad Tea Party'...I want to thank each and every one of you for popping in and leaving such lovely notes. It was such fun peeking in at all of your tea parties - everyone is so creative and fun...you all inspire me so!

I have had such a busy week...Ian had a birthday, so there have been lots of dinners and parties with family and friends...it's finally Sunday afternoon, and I am enjoying a very quiet day of lazing by the fire and reading my book, listening to the rain falling outside.  Lovely....

I hope to be back in a few days with some more goodness to share...in the meantime, I hope everyone has a magical week!