Sunday Morning

Taking time on this beautiful morning to notice things I pass daily...

My kitty laying on the Union Jack mat that sits below our front door (after I banished her from zig-zagging between my pen and paper)

Australian breakfast tea enjoyed hot, strong enough to stand up for itself and in my favourite mug.

Rouge leaves from the rose above my head drop to land in my hair, the ones under my feet crunch.

Watching the fascinating lives of insects; fascinating so long as they stay out of my mane.

Our newly hung Country's flag so crisp in its whipping. Flying the colours I love for this Country I have been  blessed to call my own.

Painting my nails in my favourite shade of red. (They call it FEVER)

Making mental lists of things I must fill my day with... My eyes taking note of jobs around me.
#Rake leaves
#Pin back roses that have a mind of their own
#Pull weeds from garden beds and those that grow in pavement cracks.

My cat now returns from banishment of the Union.
The bottom of my mug is seen.

To Every End... A New Beginning

I had so many things I was going to share with you during January. Yet the honest truth is I have been over layed with new, exciting, scary possibilities; yet also going through a sense of lose and heartache. As for new things to start, old things must end.

By end, I am referring to our Pie shop, which after much consideration (and doubt) we have decided to close. To suddenly come to the end of running a cafe, which has ruled my days and decisions for the past 2 years, is like finding oneself without a routine. Be it busy as it was, to suddenly have nothing there, nothing to think to order, or chase. Nothing to prepare... It has been a very emotional couple of weeks. 

In order of starting new things, I have decided to study Veterinary Nursing. (Huge change I know!) I have always known that I would study something 'one day', life moved everything on a whole lot faster than I was expecting is all.

Having The Daily Pie was the best thing that ever could have happened in my young life. How many get the opportunity as I did at my age. If I have learnt nothing else but to cherish what we have been given. I have been truly blessed to have the opportunity to work with my Mother and Sister; To be taught by a master Chef, who showed more patients with us 'shit cooks' than we deserved; To have people come back time and again for our pies. I would not have missed this chance for any amount of money or free time I could have gained.

New things will be happening here, as I fill up my suddenly empty schedule. Bring on 2012, it always did promise to be a year of change!

~Mwa~
Sarah-Mechelle
There is a post on The Daily Pie blog if you'd like to read more...

 I shall always dream in golden crust and tender fillings!

52 Pictures: ONE

This year I am determined to take more photos and gain a better understanding of my camera. 

52 Pictures will be my favourite photo of the week, shared with you.

Hoping that the new year is off to a good start in your lives,

Love

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

Where my family gathered this year. How wonderful it was!
My love to you and your families!
Sarah-Mechelle

Wardrobe LOVE: I'm Still Alive!

 

A quick show of face to confirm the life still running through my veins.

 This summer has proved to be one of the coldest we have had in years, jackets and jumpers are still making a daily appearance.

I loved putting this outfit together.
Camo and Lace should be found in every wardrobe, or at least that is my belief.

Those shoes are my favourites, I don't get chance to wear them half as much as I'd like.

Hoping your enjoying this festive season. Of which I look forward to talking more about very soon.

Love 

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

Wardrobe LOVE: Nano Nerd

I promised myself that I wouldn't abandon this space for the sake of Nano, and I plan on keeping to that.

Week one of Nano proved to be more successful than it has been in past years. Although not on my ideal word count, I am happily writing my way to 50,000 words.

(For those of you who may not know, Nanowrimo is a month long challenge to write a 50,000 word novel) This will be my third year taking part in the crazy; I've got a good feeling that third time will be the charm!

 

 

The days have definitely started getting hot here now, and I've been enjoying bringing out all the summery things. Especially these bow shoes!

Happy Wednesday to you all,

Love

Sarah-Mechelle

Nano word count: 9,341!

Mixing things up

As you may have seen upon arrival (for those of you who have been here before) I have given my space a little change. I enjoy rearranging  things.

I've included pages at the top for my familys two business, a quick history if you will. For I'm sure I've confused people in the past when trying to share both these sides of my life.
I would like for you to take a look.... (Please?)

Also I would love to know what you think of the new look?

Love
Sarah-Mechelle

Wardrobe LOVE: 'Rock, Step, Kick!'

Have I mentioned, I've started swing dance lessons?!

This is what I wore to a 'frocktober' special swing social. I've always loved the clothing from the swing era, the music was 'happening' and the dancing itself is definitely one of the funnest ways to swish your skirt on the dance floor.

Despite my total lack of body coordination, I've been enjoying learning steps for the Lindy hop and Charleston.

'rock, step, trip-le-step, step, step, trip-le-step' is the new rhythm of my life.

5, 6, 7, 8...

Love
Sarah-Mechelle

My FREAK!

A little birdy is here to tell you of a very special lady!

Mam taught me pretty much everything I know.Never to give up, to be truthful, to be the better person.

Despite the fact that we may be from two different generations, I'm quite sure I could never find a more kindred soul to mine. We are two the same my Mam and me. We come from the same kind of pod.
I call her my FREAK, as so often we will be thinking along the same lines, or finding beauty in thoughts, words or objects at the exact moment.

I love working with her, sharing cups of tea while having discussions. Ever talking of future plans and goals. My Mam works harder then most people I know, she is the in-house Dr, the bookkeeper, peacemaker, organiser, event coordinator, business owner, pie maker. She is a true woman of substance...

Happy birthday FREAK!

My love and devotion,
Your daughter
Sarah-Mechelle

P.S Go give my Mam some love over here!

Drinkable LOVE

The sun has started to warm our days a little more, and this has resulted in lunch and 'smoko' breaks being enjoyed in our front courtyard/garden. 

In celebration of this new found warmth - a jug of blueberry iced tea.

I had never tried it with blueberries before, however the end result is a refreshing delightfully blushed treat.

How I did it...

Two lemons, juiced

300g (ish) of frozen blueberries
2.5 litres of water, boiled

8 Australian Breakfast tea bags (my favourite daily blend...!)

Caster sugar to taste.

Simmer lemon juice and blueberries for 5 minutes, till the berries turn soft.

Boil water, after boiling remove from heat.

Steep tea bags to desired strength.

Sift berry mix into 'tea'.

Add sugar to taste.

I added a few whole berries to my glass for extra decadents.

OH YEAH!

Love 

Sarah-Mechelle

Wardrobe LOVE

 

In my absence, thoughts of you have been chasing tail in my head. How I want to share my stories. If I could be so bold to say, how I long to encourage and inspire.

Wardrobe LOVE a new weekly topic to share what I'm loving (and wearing). 
I do not believe for a minute that I have 'perfect' styling, however a love of things (dare I use the word....) vintage, red and girly are some of what you'll see here.

My heart never grew out of the joy found in dress ups!

Lets have a tea, and try this on for size....
Love
Sarah

Delightful Sights

 A walk around our over grown garden resulted in me finding these gorgeous wild poppies that have made themselves at home in our orchard. How lovely are these colours?!

This was also a pleasure to find; a group of bulbs I planted a few months ago, reaching for the sunlight. Now if only I could remember what they are...

Love
Sarah-Mechelle

'DIY what?!'

 Jump into bed, make your self cozy, reach for the book on the side table... Oh yeah, new side tables!

My Mam picked these up for a scream, off memory under $20 for the pair. And as she had no immediate use for them, I claimed them as my own. (Love you Mam)

I decided to paint them a super shiny black, firstly because black furniture goes well with my piano and
secondly because I LOVE shiny things.
As often is the case, I forgot to take 'before' shots, but that shall not stop me sharing my excitement at their completion with you.

The 'Telephone' cabinet is a recent gift from my sweetheart. It didn't take me long to pimp it out with my collection of nail polish, perfumes, and bangles.
(It makes me think of the Tardis... I CANT HELP IT!)

Happy Wednesday,
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

Wilson!!!

The sun was out for the first time in a few days, and as promised, I got a few photos of our dear little lamb, Wilson!

(Named after the 'Wilson' from Cast Away, with Tom Hanks... Anyone else felt heart sore at the loss of Wilson in that movie?!)

*Kisses!*

*Sniffing my tattered boot*

*He NEVER keeps still*

*Wilson eating my camera strap*

As you can see, for a two week old he certainly has a personality. Chewing things, head-butting things, clicking his heels in the air as he runs around.

We created a pen for him on the front lawn. The fencing for said pen is created entirely by bread crates cable tied together. (No one would guess we are in the baking industry.) In side of which is a tiny shed where we lock him at night so as not to get cold. (It is his third night outside tonight)

As I mentioned briefly before Wilson's mother was found in a bad way before he was born. This has lead to Wilson forever bleating. Mam said just this morning that he doesn't seem happy, crying all the time. However he will never his mama, this makes me a little sad. I know it is a fact of life, don't get me wrong... But watching him cry for a mother is heart wrenching.

Despite all of this, he eats like a grown horse, gets fatter by the day, and stronger with every bounce. He's going to be a handful in his adolescence... Watch this space.

Love

Sarah-Mechelle

It Comes Down to the Pie

Good morning friends!

I have struggled for a long time in finding a way to write on here, so it does  not turn into a journal entry of me ranting to myself. I've wanted to tell you of things close to my heart, yet some times in doing so the meaning gets caught up in words undecipherable.

I run a business with my Mam and Sister. We hand make pies from flour to to puff, marinate to filling.

Although our shop doors are only open from Fri-Sun, our job there is never done. If you will bear with me, I want to share with you the joys and sorrows of running a pie shop in a small country town.

Owning a business is not always butterflies and roses. In fact there are more things pulling you down on a daily basis than helping you along.

We have found this out once again these past two weekends, with a police man walking into the shop and informing us that all of our signs along the highway needed to be removed effective immediately or there will be fines incurred. This began a week of door knocking, every block of land along the highway for a 7-10k radios for somewhere to build a sign. (One lady admitted to being relieved we weren't Mormons come to convert her)

The end of our day saw us with a few yes's, some maybe's and some silent nothings. 

Our work now is in designing, making and erecting asap.

It was not all work in going from farm to farm. Upon a revisit to a 'yes' farm, my parents came home with a lamb. Born only minutes before they had arrived.

His mother had been found in a bad way, and 'Wilson' was an orphan before even seeing the world. For a five day old baby he is growing up so fast! Head butting, running like a pro, and gosh does he know how to eat! We love him! (Photo shoot with him today! I promise pics of cuteness tomorrow!)

This is our lives, maybe not the 'perfect' mix of work and pleasure, but certainly an adventure.

Love

Sarah-Mechelle

Silently Reflecting

Hello friends,

I have not known what to write to you. Every day has brought with it a new challenge, to the point of my heart being overwhelmed with good exciting things as well as the not so good and exciting things.

Sometimes in continually walking through daily steps, one forgets that maybe that is what others need to hear about to know that when life is the same thing day after day it is not in loneliness they continue on.
How many times have I read all the wonderful exciting things people are doing, and wonder 'when will it be my turn to start 'living'? But I am here! Life is happening, wonderful and a new adventure every minute I have a breath in it. And sorrowful thoughts on my 'boring' days shall not get the better of my heart!

So if like me, your days turn into weeks, of things unchanging. Of overwhelming decisions... Know this, we are all here, learning and falling, moving and staying, making good and bad decisions in this experiment of life. It'll all come out in the wash...

Gosh, I'm starting to sound like one of those 'self-help' books.

I want to share what is my truth with the world. That is why I write. Up until now I have only been sharing one side; so in not telling the whole truth, is the half-truth a lie?

Light hearted (exciting things) to share with you tomorrow. However for today, I reflect on the grey skies.

Love
Sarah-Mechelle