camping in our family room

Last  weekend, we celebrated Pentecost  and the Queens birthday.. This means a long weekend....

I declared on Friday. Oh great, a long weekend for Pentecost. It was raining and miserable, so I thought lets camp in our family room.
Actually, I mentioned this to Brid on the Thursday evening and it was met with great delight. So Friday evening I pulled out the lounge and made it into a sofa bed. Put lots of blankets and pillows on it and we were set.
Dermot looked at me surprised, this was unlike me.
We stoked up the fire and it heated us all weekend. Our cat, Bailey, was quite happy on his mat by the fire.
We had made our Pentecost craft, earlier that week. Our tables and our family alter were draped in the Liturgical colour of red. Actually we keep these colours draped for June.
I woke unwell with a headache, on Saturday morning, meaning Dermot’s plans to spoilt us with bacon n eggs for breakfast was somewhat dampened.  I felt terrible as I had spoilt his plan. We made the most of it and as soon as my headache cleared  I was able to rejoin the  camping trip.
That evening our parish was having a Pentecost party and welcoming our new parish Priest.  The parish hall had been decorated. Red balloons, doves and flames of fire were decorating the walls. Red was the theme; serviettes, table sprinkles, candles. It was gorgeous.  It was a real fun night. Had I mentioned we were asked to bring a meal  to share. Brid made our contribution, as I was still not up to it. Brid had chopped, cut and diced veges and chicken for the slow cooker. Dermot poured in red wine. It was delicious.
It was also 8 years to the day from when we had attended a retreat called Cursillo. So there was a mini celebration in that as well, because quite a few people who had attended that weekend were present at this parish event.
The following day, we woke to a mini flood. It had rained so much that the storm water drains could not handle the amount of water.  My mum and Dad were coming for a baked late lunch. Apple pie for dessert. I had second thoughts as this water was building up. With a little bit of thought we had it cleared and we started to get organised for our visitors. It  was in the end a very relaxing afternoon, After lunch, the men watched the football us women and children chatted.
Sunday saw us go fishing between rain showers. Brid really enjoyed that, and so did we.
Our weekend, although it was wet was lots of fun, just being together camped in our family room.

Rejoicing in our womenhood

Last weekend I attended the 2^nd SISTERHOOD weekend in Sydney. It is underpinned by the Disciples of Jesus –Canberra branch, and it was an amazing weekend. The focus being Rejoicing, Hope, Celebrate. Rejoicing in our womanhood, hoping in her humanity and celebrating her individuality. It was filled with talks, praise and worship, fellowship, confession, adoration and committment, and of course ending with Mass.
The first presenter for the Saturday was Sr Mary Madeline from the Dominician order of St Cecilia, here in Sydney. She spoke very eloquently on how we can live a life like Mary. She spoke on the virtues Mary needed to live the 'Yes' that God asked her. The hardship she would have endured and the trials she went through, in order to live her 'Yes'. Her first words where - 'Rejoice in the Lord always, surrender to his plan'. God needs our permission to work in us. She spoke about God being with us through all our difficulties.
I loved the way Sr Mary Madeline intertwined how Mary needed to Love those who did not love her Son, Mary was gentle and at peace in the way God provided for her. She was patient, in it being Gods 'timing not hers. In all this she was kind and good, looking beyond herself. Our Lady also had much Joy, just like we have much joy, we can be joyful in our hard times
How are we modelling Our Lady in our lives? Loving others, trusting in his provision, awaiting for his timing not ours, being other-centred and being true to our word. This all gives us tremendous freedom. This is a reflection, as I mediate on the role Our Lady has played in my life, particularly in this month of Mary.

My Photo of the Day

This a great shot, and one I'd like to share with you all.

Brid and her two friends, sharing a special moment together.

our weekend

Every year we join a few families from Sydney and we meet at Huntington House- on the central coast. Last weekend was that gathering. These are a few photos and scenery shots of the weekend. The property is beachfront and has the best fireplace.

Carols in the Domain

Tonight we are exhausted but full of Joy.
Yesterday we decided at the 'last minute' to go to Carols in the Domain. Now anyone who knows me, knows I love Carols, and watch it every year. I also say every year, I would love to go, but this year we actually did go. It was sensational. We couldn't find a spot to sit down at first because it was packed, but we made the best of it. One of the organisers said it was the biggest crowd they had ever had.
Brid danced and sang and just got caught up in the atmosphere. So did we.
We decided to stay overnight, so this morning we went to Mass at St Marys' Cathedral @ 10.30am. And if anyone knows Dermot & I, yes that is about the right time for us to go to Mass- we are not early risers-(we have trained all our kids to get up late. Much to the surprise of many. )
Mass was a High Solemn Mass, and it was really beautiful. Of course next was the Cathedral Shop- we found the perfect Christmas Nativity decoration.
I left the rest of the day up to Dermot. What would we do??
So Centrepoint Tower it was. I browsed a shop or two, but he had a plan. He got us Skywalking tickets Wow!, on Centrepoint Tower, I was pretty excited, and so was Brid. Brid remembers the 1st Aussie series of 'The Biggest Looser' - and how they Skywalked around the tower. So we got suited up, and out onto the tallest Tower in Sydney- Awesome- I am not scared of heights at all, and this was so incredible, just to be doing this.
Brid had many questions for the guide, and when I load on the photos onto my computer, I will post photos. We were all attached to a rail, so we could jump up and down on the glass and it was strong enough to support us all.
Afterwards we walked to The Rocks, Firstly to the Irish shop and then, to our favourite watering hole- The Mercantile Hotel- or Molly Malones as we call it. It has the best Guinness, Dermot tells me.
There was Irish music playing, and as Brid learns Irish dancing, we said it would be OK for her to do a Reel and Slip Jig in front of the Musicians. She enjoyed herself, the musicians had a smile on there faces as well. Brid is a born entertainer.
Anyway, we had a wonderful weekend. Something we have wanted to do for many years.
It was too hard to organise when we had little ones.