Dinner served

Lately we have changed our routine. We changed it so Brid could help with the family meal. I am responsible for teaching Brid how to cook, sew etc., so as a family we decided Brid would be available to help prepare our meals.

She is very diligent, and as I have had issues getting around because of my knee, Brid wanted to really get hands on.

Brid washed her hands, and under my instruction: chose the ingredients from the fridge and pantry, got out all the equipment necessary, started to chop the vegetables, cook the chicken, just like she had done it a million times- which I can assure you she hadn't.

Daddy helped make rice- another first, and I sat looking on from the lounge giving instructions as needed. I was learning more patience. I so wanted to be up there and help---umm take over.

Brid was very proud of herself, and as she says, I now know there is much more to making a meal. She really 'worked' the kitchen very well.

As she was very proud of her efforts- she made Teriyaki Chicken', I said yes she could serve out.

As we said our prayer before our meal, I trult could say 'Bless the hands that have made this meal'- as it wasn't me, it was my sweet dear little 11 year old.

Brid recently became a Girl Guide- she took months to organise her 'Promise ceremony'- because we wanted her to want to become a Guide. Now her cooking efforts can go toward her cooking badge. And sewing efforts.......This has excited Brid.

Brid is wearing the apron she made last year, and she has a new fashion accessory- glasses. She is very proud of them. They really suit her face. Brid proudly displayed them to the Mums at Gymnastics yesterday- a kind friend took her -thank you.

Humble

Two weeks ago I injured my knee by kneeling on it. I cannot explain it any better than that, but it has really slowed me down. So what am I to learn from this. I wonder. I remember when I was pregnant with Brid spending many months on bedrest due to placenta praevia. I learnt to stop controlling situations.
I believe this time is to teach me to slow down and be humble. I have needed to be dependant on many people to run our household. My parents, children, Dermot, and friends.
Last weekend a couple of sisters in Christ and myself were booked in to go to 'Sisterhood'- the inaugural conference for women by women.
I wasn't even sure if I would be able to go, even up until the last hour an a half I was still unsure due to the severity of my knee injury. I decided why not.
My friend picked me up in her car, I made myself comfortable in the back seat, picked up another friend- hi Tricia, and we were off. To Sydney.
We got there in one piece, we found our allocated rooms. I was told we would be together, but apparently there computer system lost the updated list, and they were working on an old room list. So we three shared with 2 other ladies. All our worst fears rolled in to one. I looked at one friend and I could see, we all had reservations. So I hadn't thought my df would have to bring my stuff to the room from the car, as I was on crutches, with limited movement, and guess what It was raining. Great.
We unpacked and made our way up to the conference area to see what we were in for.
I saw so mant people I know. Many from WYD05, other organisations. It was so cool to see them all again. And we could chat-wow.
It was a powerful weekend of a wonderful message of Sisterhood, celebration of Women, Talks ranged from The feminine genius, the wounds of our Souls, marriage, Bernie Black gave her testimony of her life as a very young Mum- and her determination to Not have an Abortion under any circumstances- beautiful heart wrenching testimony.
We had Adoration and the chance for Confession, an awesome night of praise and worship- if only I could have stood up-( I was made very comfortable all the weekend by a longe chair and pillows for my knee. ) So I couldn't praise how I wanted to, I couldn't kneel when Blessed Sacrament was exposed, but I learnt to do this in a different way.
I recommitted my life, like many other women to Our Lord, publicly. This was very moving. I make this commitment every year at Summer School, But to do this amongst Women was very emotional.
The next day, a Beautiful Mass was said By Fr Ken Barker the founder of the MGL's -Missionary of God's Love order- coming under the umbrella of the Disciples Of Jesus.
It was lovely weekend, very stirring, although I wished I could have been more mobile. But with out Louise & Tricia helping me I would never have been able to go. To be at the mercy of friends and other people who don't know you, and for them to come up to help you is very humbling.
So humility is my lesson, and possibly patience.

Brid and Dermot had the best weekend, while I was away. They saw Asterix- in French- needed to read the subtitles. Dermot is a big Asterix fan, so It is only fitting that he took Brid along.
when we were on our way home I rang to see what was happening. Brid said Dermot was ironing. I thought thank you.
Dermot said he would like to take Brid away for a father/ daughter camp. Brid spends many hours with me, so this was a wonderful opportunity to be together.
So in all, I would like to invite all Australian Catholic Women to this conference next year. Come along and be totally embraced by the love of other women and Our Lord.

Today I am feeling better, I was able to cook dinner. That is a story I will post in a couple of days. Because it is quite a story.

And there is more

At our little cottage, actually it wasn't all that small. It was 3 bedrooms, a little sunroom, opening living area, dining room and big laundry and 2 bathrooms, plus a huge verandah, with 3 sets offrench opening doors. Upstairs was a a great attic that Brid enjoyed playing, reading and sitting in. The photo of the kitchen area was taken from there in my last post. It was the best place to dry clothes, and as heat rises, the warmest as well.

We met some very full cows ready to be milked on our way into town one day. They surrounded the car. Brid could not resist taking some photos.

This holiday was full of no schedules at all. If we wanted to go out, go to town or go on a bushwalking we did.

Nothing was planned, except meals.

Dermot read, I embroidered and Brid just played and we played several board games together.

Brid & Dermot wanted to go to the falls closer to Dorrigo, called Dangar falls, so of they went. I was happy doing my own thing.

The only thing that was important was to chill out,oh and have long morning and afternoon coffees.-that was important.

It was Beautiful

Early this week, I put a post up of the cottage we stayed in for our relaxing, non technology holiday.

This is the first holiday we have had together for 12 months, and boy did we need some down time.

After our 5 hour drive to get to our holiday cottage, in the outskirs of the Dorrigo National Park, we just looked at the view. WOW!!

We unpacked and Dermot put Brid in charge of the fire and we cooked pizzas.

Next day we chose to do a 2-3 hour walk- called Coachwood walk and a detour to Cedar Falls. I did the Cedar Falls walk 20 + years ago as a teenager, and as we wprked our way down the steep descent it came to mind why I was never doing it again- and here I was doing it again with Dermot and Brid. It was gorgeous when we got down there, but honestly if we had a helicopter to get us out I would have said 'yes please'. For people who know me, that is unlike me.

We had our mandatory Leach stops. Dermot won- he had 4.

We got home very tired, but as we were so far away from a take away and I had planned our whole weeks food, I needed to cook dinner, we all helped so it was fun.

Next day My legs were very very very sore so we decided to have a home day. This is what we did.

says it all

The TENDERNESS of our Ways

As we are aware this is the month of Our Lady. So how fitting was it this celebration of mothering. A MUMS Day Out.

We are blessed in our dioceses to have Sisters of St Joseph involved in many areas of church. I have posted about them before in my old Blog page.

Today was held a very special day, just for Mums', at the

convent at Lochinvar-45 minute drive from my home.

What do I do with Brid??? Dermot has been really busy at work lately, so I was reluctant to remind him of this day, and place him under pressure, as he said originally, "I will do Brids' work with her". So when Dermot said, just go, I will take her with me to work, if need be. I was relieved and excited.

So our favourite Sr. Sr Lynette journeyed us through a most beautiful day of reflection about who we are as mothers and the God given Grace we receive. We reflected upon special moments- like the moment when we found out we were pregnant for the first time, the first kicks, special things our grown children say to us. The Tenderness of our ways. The word Tender- what does it bring to the for front of your mind. It was a word mulled over.

This day was not just for young Mums, but for mothers of all ages. There were Grandmas, and new Mums.

When we first walked into the room, there draped over each chair was a blanket to snuggle in to keep warm.

We were spoiled all day, with lovely company, great brewed coffee, beautiful setting, candles and reflection powerpoints. We were fed a wonderful baked lunch, served as well.

We were each given a gift of a beautifully ribbon wrapped candle and chocolates. What a day to reflect relax and enjoy being spoilt by such special people.

It was hard to pack up and go our seperate ways, but carrying the memories and reflections in our hearts we left to tend our families.

My photo of the Week

No need to say anything further.