BIRTHDAY, BREAKFAST AND POLLING BOOTHS.

Welcome to Saturday afternoon in my little corner of the world where the day has been sunny but cool and dry.    The sky has been blue and clear.

It's been a busy day and a special day for me - My Birthday and each Birthday is extra special - this is my fourth birthday since transplant and I am thankful each day.  

To celebrate we as a family went out to breakfast at the Stamford Grand and it was delightful - not busy, lovely food and nice music in the background.

I received lovely gifts from the Family - a very nice compact Digital Radio, some books and some very lovely stationery and of course lovely cards.

These are two books I received.

It has been like one long meal starting with morning coffee on Thursday, out to lunch also on Thursday and now breakfast today - cards and chocolates - it has been lovely.

Today is also our Federal Election here in Australia and polls in South Australia and the Eastern States have now closed and we wait for the Western Australian Polls to close in another hour.

These events always bring great joy and elation to many and a deep bitter disappointment to others - and it is my sincere hope that whatever the result and whether or not it is your choice, that we are all able to maintain dignity and treat each other with great respect.

It is a privilege to be able to vote and exercise the democratic right to elect the Government of the Day and it should be seen as that and not a chore or difficult task.   If your party wins - Congratulations and if you are a supporter of the losing party - my commiserations to you this time - be ready for the next Election in three years time and work towards that.

It has been a lovely day with Birthday, Breakfast and Polling Booths but mostly for me it has been special to be with my family and the embrace and celebrate my life and another birthday I have been granted by the wonderful man who was my Liver Donor and gave me the gift of life.

 My daughters are out this evening at Post Election Parties and it pleases me to see their interest and dedication to voting.   They accept it as an honour and one that was hard fought for on their behalf.

Thank you for visiting the Musings of My Heart and sharing a busy but special day for me.  A day on which I celebrate and recognize just how blessed I really am.

Love and hugs,

SUNDAY MORNING AND ONE WEEK OUT FROM CHRISTMAS

Welcome to Sunday morning in my little corner of the world and there is calm and peace here after the storms of yesterday - the gardens and trees are breathing a little easier having enjoyed heavy rain.   It rained and blew for most of yesterday and last night Mother Nature put on a spectacular display of lightening which was very beautiful.

Another day closer to Christmas and two of my girls have cycled down this morning to have breakfast with me which I really enjoyed - I love their company, their laughter and being with them.  They caught up the Advent tree while they were here and we chatted for a while.   They are off to have lunch with a friend in town from interstate.  I like what I see when I see them and listen to the opinions they have - I am proud of them.

Alexis and Naomi decorating the Advent Tree

Nothing glamorous about breakfast here this morning - Apricot jam in jar and Vegemite* all there on the table.,

*Vegemite is made from used brewers' yeast extract, a by-product of beer manufacturing, and various vegetable and spice additives. It is salty, slightly bitter, and malty – similar to beef bouillon. The texture is smooth, and the product is a paste and is the breakfast choice of many many Australians.

No white bread in this house and spread right to the edges here.


I love the time after storms and although there was much damage across the State - the only damage here was one silver ball blown off my outside tree.  Sleep was hard to come by last night as the thunder was rolling in for many hours and the rain bucketed down.


Winter time is settling for my northern hemisphere friends and several of them have mentioned snow and as it is Saturday evening  for them now - I like to imagine them all warm inside, listening to music or watching a movie.
Hot chocolate with marshmallows features in my picturing of them all.


It has gone dark again here with cloud cover and I have put the Christmas tree lights on and it is rather lovely and at this time next Sunday my family will have started to gather and we will be getting close to Christmas lunch which means we are really on the count down now. Which isn't true for me - I start counting down from January 1 and anticipating.


Enjoy your day/your evening and to those snuggling down for sleep in the Northern hemisphere I wish you a warm and comfortable bed as the cold settles outside around you.   Our Carols by Candlelight event it tonight in Elder Park near the City so I am hoping the weather will not keep crowds away and that everyone can enjoy meeting together to sing Christmas carols and light their candles.

Carols from last year - pictured facing north to our beautiful Cathedral and in Elder Park on the banks of the Torrens River.


Today's Moment of Stillness:


"Learning to be present to the present
in mindfulness and in recollection, 
letting go of fear,
trusting the dark ~ 
the beginning of serenity."


If you are out and about shopping - I wish you good luck as you face the crowds - and for those who are at home and getting ready - enjoy it all - every little bit of the magic and beauty of "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year"


Love and hugs and thank you for visiting The Musings of My Heart - where the excitement is growing and growing.


Linda.