Our LOVE: My Boo

I want to tell you of my Boo and I.

Cameron and I met through our jobs. I temped at a function where he worked, and during our time spent blending into the walls, we talked and early on sparks flew.

On our second function together Cam asked if he could call me and for my number,  in my shocked embarrassment I stuttered something along the lines of "are you a creepy stalker?" which quickly saw him putting his phone back in his pocket and avoiding eye contact with me for the rest of the night.

But as luck would strike, our third and surprisingly last job together, we did exchange numbers and started a friendship that has taken on many different twists and turns.

Moving forward to now, Cameron and I have been best friends for the better part of three years.

Despite all the changes that have come and gone over that time, he has always been the first person I want to tell my excitement or sorrow to. Though often he has been there to share those moments with me. Hopefully we will have many adventures in our tomorrow to explore together.

Cam has been working with my Dad and Brother for a year now. This very day he officially starts as an apprentice under my Dad.

My apprentice Valentine.

Our LOVE: More Than Twelve Short Stories

 If ever I was to point out an adventitious soul there would be no need to look further than Shell. Whether its taking you on a morning walk, to the beach with her family, or in her home with coffee (tea) and delightful eats spread across the kitchen table; every story Shell tells pulls you in till your sure you are there. 

More Than Twelve Short Stories is where Shell shares her many aspects of a poetic life.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Love Story - Jamie and Shell

The first time I saw Jamie, I was both terribly impressed, and totally convinced that somebody that well bred, well read, with a face that perfect, and a heart that kind, could never become a beau of mine!  So therefore I didn't giggle or pose, or play any games, I just spoke to him - and we became friends.  There was a light which awoke inside me when we spoke, and before long I knew that he was to be my rescuer.  And soon after that he did become that beau of mine, but it ended up being a case of two very best friends, falling in love.

We were to do the rest of our growing up together as a couple, having being married at ages eighteen and nineteen.  For us this was the natural next step for our friendship, love and commitment - it was wonderful!  We were blessed to be able to live together in a gorgeous little historic cottage on Jamie's parent's family farm.  Our days and nights were filled with love and laughter, and learning every part of who each other were.  Our cares were not for money, possessions or anything except time spent together - this was our treasure, and in that we were rich indeed!

The creative thread which runs through our partnership is music, and we have had the most amazing adventure so far being able to work together as musicians in our band and tour overseas.  But perhaps the most special gift has been becoming parents to five special and amazing small people!  Making a home with them and living the good life where family comes first, and love never fails. 

 

I have had tremendous trouble putting into words what my love story means to me, it's so hard to explain without a poem or a piano near! other than to say that I know I was rescued by that well bred, well read, beautiful man (both inside and out), and as we enter into our fifteenth year of marriage I can honestly say he is still my best friend.  And I am still his.  

And we're just getting started!

Shell xx

Our LOVE: My Latest Obsession

Today's story comes from Sam who blogs at My Latest Obsessions. Sam's blog has been a relatively new find for me. However I love her style, and the great projects she posts. You cannot help but feel drawn to Sam's happy outlook.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hello, I’m Sam from My Latest Obsession! I’m a mother of a two year old daughter and am engaged to my love, Brandon. I have store on Etsy called Sam Wish where I sell vintage & handmade goods, I like to call it my little treasure trove! I’m here today to share a love store, my love story in fact! It’s the story of how I met my fiance, and how our daughter came to be. Enjoy!

Once upon a time, I was just a meager high school student. I was involved in the theatre at my school and it was like my own little world, a magical place. Whether you were on stage or backstage, there was a certain ambiance about the theatre that just made you feel light and filled with adrenaline. Everyone was so nice and extremely accepting, we were all creative and… different. During the last half of my junior year, we put on the play of My Fair Lady. Before My Fair Lady, Brandon and I had never really spoken; maybe a few sentences here and there but I can’t recall anything more. He played football up until his sophomore year when he decided to quit and pursue theatre. He was popular and I was just kind of a wanderer between “cliques” at my school. Brandon was an extra in the show, he sang and danced (very well I might add).  I worked backstage during My Fair Lady and boy was it a job! We had these giant room-sized sets that had to be rolled on and off stage between scenes. I have this one memory (my first memory of us ever… connecting), backstage during one of the shows. He was wearing this really handsome Victorian beggar costume with a little flat cap. In all the hustle and bustle backstage, I walked up to him and said, “You look so cute!”  I didn’t even mean it in a flirty kind of way (not my intentions at all) but when I said it, I remember feeling so familiar with him even though we didn’t really know each other. After that moment, any spare time we had during the show we would “coincidentally” be doing nothing in the same place. Brandon and I would meet on one of the giant set pieces backstage and just talk in the dark. I was really not looking for a boyfriend but somehow we just cliqued and before I knew it, we were head over heels about each other! We would text 24/7 and then when I got my driver’s license, we went everywhere together. One time, I got in really big trouble and my mom read through my text messages. She found one from Brandon that said he was going to climb through my (second story) window… Being a mom, she kind of freaked out but I finally convinced her that it would never happen…. And it didn’t…. kind of. ;)

 Brandon and I became really close, our Mom’s even became friends too! Then during our senior year, I got pregnant. We tried to keep it a secret for as long as possible but after about a month we told our parents and then the news slowly spread to everyone else. Our friends were super supportive though and backed us up through all the high school drama that ensued. I couldn’t of asked for more. I ended up directing my own show that year and of course, Brandon was the star! I graduated 8 months preggo and had my daughter a month later! It’s weird to think of us as “high school sweethearts” but I guess that’s what we are. I’ve always believed things happen for a reason and although I would never wish for anyone to get knocked up in high school, I really think it was just meant to be. I love my life and my little family! And I can’t wait to see where this will take us.

Our LOVE: Yellow Bird, Yellow Beard

When I first came across Janee's blog I knew straight away that I would come back as often as she posted. As if the name 'Yellow Bird, Yellow Beard' was not enough to get me curious, upon reading through the countless posts of inspiration and flicking through photos of said Yellow Bird; I knew I had found a delightful soul. Yet before now, I did not know that the tale behind the Yellow Beard was as heart warming as ever a love story heard... 

(I give you...)  
Greg and Janee, A love story::: 

To begin this story we have to start way back before Greg and I were born. You see our grandparents worked at a Christian camp in the mountains together. Then his mom and my dad attended the same one-room log schoolhouse together. Greg and I grew up going to the same church, being in all the same Sunday school classes. We were part of the "consistent group" and knew each other well our whole lives. I never paid much attention to him though, he was kinda nerdy... and I was well, lets face it, super cool. Hahaha. I think we can go ahead and replace "cool" with "prideful" now and move on. 

Greg started forming a crush on me many years before I had the slightest inclination. In high school we spent a little more time together and formed a close friendship. Junior year he asked me to date him but I just wasn't ready and I told him so. Completely broke his heart. I was a bit evil, I'll admit. Then between Junior and Senior years we both went on a 3 week trip to Russia with our church. I guess at that point I'd started to regret being so determined to date every "bad boy" I could find and begun wish I'd taken up the offer to "see what a real relationship could look like" {that's what Greg said to me when he asked me to date him previously}. 

 My best friend took notice of my subconscious happenings and began to subtly hint them back to me. By the end of the trip she was relentless, "you want to date Greg and you're just too stubborn to admit it!". She was right. Shortly after we got back from Russia my dad took up my best friend's cause. Within two weeks Greg and I were dating. We dated from September 2, 2004 to March 2, 2010. 

After high school he left for college and I followed him. After we graduated we went through some really hard times trying to get jobs {majoring in Art isn't always a glamorous as it sounds}. Finally Greg had saved up enough to buy me a ring and when he proposed to me on a very extravagant day date in San Diego I of course wailed "Yes". Then after the most fancy dinner we've ever had he took me to a surprise party where all our friends were waiting for us. It was the most magical proposal ever. Four months later, July 18 2010, we were married. 

Every day since then has been the happiest of my life. That's not to say we never fight or have rough days, but I love my husband with all my heart. He is my best friend and I'm his. I can't imagine my life without him and I'm SO grateful he was patient enough to wait for me. 

Our Love: Diamond In The Dark

Today I have the lovely Jacqueline from Diamond In The Dark sharing with us a glimpse of her love story with her William. Not only does Jacqueline host a delightful blog, but she makes the most adorable robot-animals. You must stop by to say hello!

 

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My name is Jacqueline and I'm a blogger, a crafter, and, as of recently, an artist too! I make robot stuffed animals called Lovebots and sell them in my etsy shop, The Lovebot Factory. I live in Nevada with my best friend and boyfriend, William. I am so honored and happy for Sarah to have asked me to share our story with you all!

William and I met in 2008 through my boyfriend at the time. They had been friends for a year or so and we became quick friends as well. We talked on msn and texted all the time because I was living in California and he was living in Nevada. Although quiet and a little reserved, we became close friends because he is such a goof ball. He is constantly joking around and joking about things you just don't expect! 

Fast forward two years to 2010, I'm single and William has suddenly become my best friend. We started talking on the phone all the time and talking about more serious things than just joking around. We'd never been so close and we had started talking on the phone almost all night every night. Now I have to admit that I have been attracted to William since the day we first met in person in early 2009. He is really my dream man and I'd had a crush on him for a long time. To be honest, when I talked about him to my friends, I called him my "hot friend". I know it's a little embarrassing but it's so true! Now imagine my surprise when, on a late night phone call, he asked if I had feelings for him. Little did I know that he would say he had a crush on me for years as well. It was my dream come true. A few weeks later, December 11, 2010, he would ask me to be his girl and made my life so much better. 

Now a year later we're living together and working on growing our lives together. We both work at Fry's Electronics and spend all our spare time together. We spend most days playing videos, window shopping, and always go to sleep watching the food channel. After a whole year of long distance, being together is a dream. A year of visits that always ended too quickly and lots of lonely nights apart. I love waking up to my best friend everyday and having someone to support me who will always love me. He's my best friend because he is the funniest man I know and makes me feel like I'm the only girl who matters.  I truly have the best man in the world.

Our LOVE: The Machinist's Wife

Simply put I HAD to start of this little love series with a love story that although not my own is very close to my heart. I am of coarse talking of my parents love story. My Mam, also known around blogland as The Machinist's Wife, has ever been a sorce of love. And together my parents have shown me all that love is... Please check out Helen's (Yes, MAM'S) blog here. And enjoy....

 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Twenty days after my birth, in a freezing, sleet and sloshy England, my husband was born into the humidifying heat of South Africa. Miles apart, yet  already hand-picked by the Creator of all. 

Years later, due to my father’s love of travel, and the complete optimism of my mother, I met my husband after a Saturday matinee in the small country town of Dundee, Kwa Zulu Natal, South Africa. The minute I met him, I knew he was different.  I knew I would love him.

We were on school holidays and it was the typical summer romance:  we swam and went to the picture theatre, drank milkshakes at the local tea room and took long walks.  We also sparred and debated everything. He carved our names on an old English oak tree, just outside my old junior school grounds. For years, I kept an acorn from that same tree...

We married in Dundee, too.  We couldn’t afford a fancy wedding, so we donned our brand new grey suits and met at the local magistrate’s office.  It was a tiny room and we could hear ‘business as usual’, as one does in a court house. The magistrate began the ceremony and all I could think of in those moments was how strong his Afrikaans accent was.  I had to concentrate really hard.  He asked us a few questions, which were a blur to me and then announced “I now pronounce you husband and wife”.  Those words made me sob with pride!  I was now a Mrs.  I shared my sweetheart’s name...

Our early days of marriage were filled with excitement. Our ‘furnishings’ were very few; a piece of carpet on the floor (which we used as our bed), a couple of blankets and one pillow. We slept fully dressed in winter.  Our main diet went according to an apprentice’s wages and consisted of a staple diet of rice with onion gravy, (usually boiled and burned in brown and orange enamelled pots), followed by coffee and Ouma's rusks (which she would make in bulk. She knew..).  Occasionally, we would treat ourselves to a chocolate (either a Turkish Delight or a Cadbury’s Creme Egg) and a trip to the two Rand drive- in, where we would park the Honda 175 and lie under the stars, enjoying every minute of being together.

There's much to be said in building up a home together. Building it together. Not moving straight into a fully furnished, pantry well-stacked, efficiently heated home. Building the home together and doing it Hard Time. This definitely bonds in a way like no other.  We knew then, as we know now, that it is never about the wedding, but the marriage...

Before long, we discovered that I was carrying our baby.  Emma was born with large, dark eyes and little hair - blonde fluff, as we called it. We weren't in hospital long; we wanted to be home. The three of us were together just three weeks before my husband had to leave for a three month 'border duty' camp, in the then compulsory South African Defence Force. Each day, I would write to Emma's daddy. Each day, Emma would sleep in her pram next to me, while I wrote and told him of every little insignificant thing that we lived through. And then, as the letters were completed, we would post them, hoping that there would be a return letter for us in the mail. Letters from my husband were few and far between. Those that we did receive were censored by army officials.

After completing his National Service in the middle of his three year apprenticeship my husband qualified as a Fitter and Turner or Machinist, as I still fondly call him. This meant more in his pay-packet and a chance to get ahead in life. We were able to buy good food and lots of it. We were able to buy a new bed. We were able to buy many items that we had waited so long for. Despite our house developing into the cosy home we had long desired, it wasn't enough. My feet were itching, just as my father's had years before. My husband's feet caught the same fever. We wanted more.....

"It's the land of milk and honey, Helen...." my father would tell me, referring to the country in which we now live - Australia. "Things are going to get worse here. You'll have no regrets. We'll follow you soon. I promise."

Three years later, we had packed up our home and were waiting at my parent's home for the day that great silver bird would take us to a foreign land. My parents and brothers promised me that they would only say a 'quick' goodbye on our day of departure. They lied! I felt as if my heart was about to be ripped out of my throat. My mam slipped a book of verses by Helen Steiner Rice under my arm, as she squeezed me and implored me to "...go now, Helen".

Time is a great healer.

Today, we have a house full of young adults, as we were blessed with another two children – Sarah Mechelle and Samuel Thomas. All three live at home with us and we are joined by Hayley, who is our Sam’s young lady.  Very soon, there will be a grand-daughter.  I know she will be gorgeous.  My parents are in their eighties and live ‘just down the road’.  They kept their promise!

The Machinist, my Machinist is still as loving, romantic and exciting to me as the day we first met. Every day, he asks how I slept and how I am feeling.  He makes me laugh without trying.  He says what’s on my mind before I can utter words. We look forward to tea and lunch times, as we will be seeing each other.  We work together and anticipate who needs what / what needs to be done.  We no longer spar, as although we are – well padded – we know we could do ourselves an injury.  We still debate, and oftentimes, the debating turns into heated arguments.  But they never last long.  We ‘miss’ each other too much without the One Heart.

Every day he wants to please me and make me happy. He will forever be my Valentine, and I will always be his; the Machinist’s Wife.

Once upon a time...

I have lined up something very special to share with you all this week. For the next few days until Valentines day some of my favourite bloggers have been kind enough to share their love stories with me here.

 

So stay tuned... SMILES

Mwa!

Sarah-Mechelle

A New Book

Ever since I was quite young I have had a need to scribble words over empty pages, as I got older this need hasn't lessened. 

(Though time to do so is not quite as vast)

I can hardly wait to fill this new book with adventures and thoughts of 2012.

It is no secret that I am a notebook junky. I only have one rule, they must only be filled with things that meant something to me. If that means occasionally drawing, or gluing or quoting than so be it.
Do you have rules to writing a journal?

I lift my pen for a happy 2012 to you!
Sarah~Mechelle

There Are Days

There are days when jobs can wait to be finished,

When hair can go uncombed.

There are days when God's blessings overwhelm me,

When my heart swells.

There are days when the sun shines brighter,

When clouds cannot be found.

There are days for adventure,

When these days come it is best to share them with someone you love.

I Love these days.

Sarah-Mechelle

Nano Snippet

I couldn't bring myself to start reading over my current Nano novel, 

(knowing that there would be too many things I'd want to change about it.) 

However I so wanted to share some Nano with you. So here is a snippet from last years novel. 

I'd love to know what you think!

“Marry me!” He pleaded as he had come to the end of the page, upon which had been laid a thought of her mind. 

“Marry you?” she repeated in the silence that followed such a question. 

“Yes!' He urged, "Because I don’t understand it, and it might take me my lifetime to understand. I want that knowledge, I want to understand you, almost as much as I just want you to be in my life daily. To understand one such as yourself, to look at the deeper side of existence, to have you would be the completeness of my soul. Take me on this journey with you, let us discover it together...’

There followed an awkward silence. All he could hear was his heart beating now from within his brain; And she, dizzy with the thousand thoughts jumping all at once upon her, mouth dry, hands becoming sweaty. 

Suddenly nothing... All thoughts had fled, not one left to distract her from the look behind his eyes. 

“What if you never find your answers? What when you don’t feel you want to know anymore? What if you come to the end of your search to find you went looking for nothing, that there is no more to me then what you see of me right now??”  The words came rolling over each other in their rush to escape her lips. Tears had found their own way down her cheeks, her skin bumpy and trembling.

He smiled, “Then I would have been blessed to have spent my time with what you have already laid upon my sad self. I would have walked with the angels.”

Sunshine and roses,

Love

Sarah-Mechelle

Forgotten Words

Sorting through old files, I found these words from a Nanowrimo procrastination bout. I love coming across words I forgot I wrote. Like some how words will keep my memories safe for me in times when I don't remember.

"So this is 'A', a friend of two years. She writes and beyond all else is a good human being. Even if that means she is a little crazy at times.  'A' manages to have really heated arguments with my dad and brother, which end mostly in both parties having red faces and sore throats.
I wish it was different, as sometimes I’m sure one will at any moment dive over the table that separates the screaming pair and tackle the other to the ground. I’ve watched this fight many times in my head. It never ends well for all involved. However in my version there is always an amount of hair pulling and slapping and even more screaming than what they started with in the beginning."

*Polka dot nails for me today, its so simple and fun*

Love
Sarah-Mechelle

In So Many Ways

Every minute I spend with You is special.

 (especially the stolen moments)

In so many ways I am my mothers daughter,

my 'freak' twin.

In so many ways you have shown me,

how to be.

In so many ways I am blessed to have YOU,

for MY Mam.

In so many ways you have helped me to make sense,

of my problems.

In so many ways I hope I can be like you,

when I grow up.

I love you!

Every day.

Kiss kiss

Have I Not Reason To Lament

Pondering the mind of William Wordsworth, reading my favourite 'lines written in early spring'.

(Although autumn is upon me)

I have been learning so many new things, ways to view the world, to show what it is I see. Capturing little pieces to share with you, or any who would care to take a peek. I never imagined there to be so many tricks to take the picture I see with my eyes. Yet each week I walk away from my class full of new information, slightly concerned I many not remember it all.

If in the day I must do, work, be;

then the evening I save for dreaming.

Have a delightful weekend,
~Sarah~

I heard a thousand blended notes,

while in a grove I sate reclined,

In that sweet mood when pleasant thoughts

Bring sad thoughts to the mind.

To her fair works did Nature link

The human soul that through me ran,

And much it grieved my heart to think

What man has made of man.

Through primrose tufts, in that green bower,

The periwinkle trailed its wreaths;

And 'tis my faith that every flower

Enjoys the air it breathes.

The birds around me hopped and played,

Their thoughts I cannot measure:-

But the lease motion which they made,

It seemed a thrill of pleasure.

The budding twigs spread out their fan,

To catch the breezy air;

And I must thing, do all I can,

That there was pleasure there.

If this belief from heaven be sent,

If such be Nature's holy plan,

Have I not reason to lament

What man has made of man

~ William Wordsworth~

Mr Cloud

"Looking down at the clouds for the first time.

Their roughed up surface, soft.

If I dove into you, would you catch me? Could I run along you, for at your edge I'm sure I saw time's sly smirk daring me to chase him.

I thought I'd seen the end of the earth before,

the point where I'd fall off if I were to pass further.

Where your sister the ocean may have dropped me into the center core. 

However your blurry white end promises of a place where only peace is known.

(Do the stars shine brighter, look bigger, sing louder?)

"Mr Cloud, do you mind sharing the blue skies with me?"

I have never seen the folds in the earth like this, the wrinkling of the ground like the leather-look of a face well worn.

The tips of the mountains stretch out their height to see this beautiful day that is hidden from the land. Can I ever again look up at a grey sky and take it seriously, when I now know it's secret.

I know of the beauty it hides."

This week we took a trip to Melbourne. Along with the many new things/places I got to see, it was my first time in an aeroplane. Above (^) are thoughts scribbled while I was up in the sky, a little closer to heaven.
I have lots of pictures to share with you from the trip!

Have a glorious weekend birdies,

Love

~Sarah~

The Daily Pie News

We've just launched the new Daily Pie website!

Whether you'd like to find out our opening hours, see whats on the menu, become a Daily Pie Upper Crust member and get invitations to all our events, or read the daily happenings on the blog... All the information you could want is up there!

We are closed for the month of February for renovations, and a little 'get away' time. (Most of the month being for renovations!)

However we are greatly looking forward to seeing everyone again in March when we will be celebrating our First year of  pie making! ...and eating!

Oh Sleepless Hour

Oh sleepless hour,

You allow a circus of thoughts

to take center stage in my conscious.

You are the unsettling of the compass;

North's magnetic rival.

Fear of darkness feeds your infliction upon the body.

Awake, aching as though to have landed.

Stunned, a rabbit in the high-beam.

You take charge over the imagination;

Foot steps along the floor.

Who is he, residing under the bed?

Oh sleepless hour,

What tricks you play upon my soul.

~Sarah~

This Poem

This Pen
                   heavy between my fingers

This Page          

                     mocks me with it's lines.

My Head     

                     dizzy in the silence.

The Thoughts            

                swimming round and round.

My Eyes   
                 burning around the edges.

My Cheeks                 
                    pulled tight along the stain.

These Tears         
                            the breaking of my spirit.

My Heart  
                                 Calling... No one hears.

This Poem  
                           physical emotion.

This Ink        

                       testament of the pain.

These Words 

                      written in a hurry.

The feeling   

                        long will remain.

~Sarah~

Rear View

I leave the last street light behind me,
You, a silhouette in it's light.
Into the dark i continue,
Into the cold lonely night.

White-line, white line a trail beside
Me, reflectors, fox and roo.
The red lights of the car in front,
A bug now plat across my windscreen.

I do not know how far I go,
I can only hope you care...
However my heart can rest in peace,
My phone rings: "ARE YOU THERE?"

Headlights come fast toward me,
Remind me in my lonely longing for you....
                                   I am not alone.

I have an exciting project to share with you soon! Reason behind my absence here.
Have a lovely week,
~Sarah~

"She was"

(And) This is how you shall hear of me,
"She was;
She who can no longer be."

It was not Death's cruel grip that took her,
But Life's burning flame lost.

Seeking mercy from the tempest of a storm,
Both prisoner and pray to is mighty anger,
The roar ended at her whisper.

Great are they of noble heart,
honoured greater than noble birth.
Wherein blood and bone do pass,
The spirit of a noble heart always remains.

She who in Death's absence
Is AWAKE!

~Sarah~

Shall We Share Our Findings?

Happy New Year of our Lord, 2011.

A year to find:

Adventures in all things we do,

Words of inspiration

Loved ones to share our hearts with

Beauty all around

Lessons of the unknown

Hopes we thought were lost

Strengths we never knew we had

Joy abounding

and Understanding through compassion.

Shall we share our findings?

~Sarah~