Taking Stock – September 2020

Making – time to find some stillness and quiet in each day (trying) in various ways that work for me.

Getting my hands dirty potting up a Fiddle Leaf Fig. I bought this one to replace the one I had looked after for my daughter for around 16 months that she has now reclaimed. You’ll see her gorgeous FLF later in this post.

Reading ‘Phosphorescence’ by the pool

Local creek walk with Ava

Walks by myself at the waterfront – sometimes with Ava and sometimes alone. I love capturing silhouette shots.

Two lovely friends enjoying the beautiful view and the great outdoors.

Taking time out to savour an expresso pod coffee.

Cooking – lots of new recipes to try. Here’s a link to a recipe for some Savoury Zucchini & Bacon Muffins (pictured at top of this post) that I shared recently on Instagram.  Pictured below are only a couple of the heaps of new recipes I’ve tried lately.

Sipping – more water these days as I know I don’t drink enough of it, and occasionally partaking in a wee glass of port as I prepare dinner.  Believe it or not, I have developed a taste for Port! 
Reading – “Phosphorescence” by Julia Baird … yes, still.  Perimenopausal symptoms for me include having difficulty concentrating for very long. This is quite sad because I’ve always loved reading. Before the peri set in, I would go through books like there was no tomorrow! 
Waiting – to feel the benefit of an iron infusion I had last Friday (my iron levels have been low for ages but a more recent blood test showed a severe iron deficiency). Apparently it can take 1-3 weeks till you feel the difference.

Waiting outside with a coffee for the obligatory 15 mins after having an Iron Infusion. Had to go outside because one can’t drink coffee with a face mask on!

Looking – forward to my next getaway whenever or wherever that might be.
Listening – to the news only as required these days. I get the important facts and then switch off.
Wishing – for an end to Coronavirus and for a happier, safer, more carefree 2021.
Enjoying – catch ups for coffee, lunch and walks with girlfriends – so therapeutic and uplifting!

Lunch out with a friend. My meal in the foreground was a Moroccan Lamb Salad with Tzasiki and was delicious!

This is the view from my favourite local cafe. We’re seated at a table on a decked area underneath a beautiful big Moreton Bay Fig Tree at Cafe La Mer, Manly. If I look down over the balustrade, I see fish swimming in the clear water and sometimes they jump up out of the water. There have even been occasions where I’ve seen a sea turtle or dolphin. It’s a magical place.

The pictures below were taken when spending time with friends. The tree photos were taken while sipping on coffee and chatting with a friend under this gorgeous tree.  The others were taken on various walks with a friend by the bay (Moreton Bay). I’m so lucky to live near the water. It’s very soothing to be around!

The beautiful tree

Sitting under a tree with a friend having coffee

Appreciating – having a home. I could not imagine the stress and lack of safety and security of being homeless at any time, but even more so during a global pandemic.
Eating – healthier again. Too many covid snacks and covid kilos were creeping in and on. I’ve reigned it in and am seeing the benefits (more under ‘watching’).
Liking – not having to get up out of bed before I actually wake up!  I  may wake up early but it’s still bliss to not wake to an alarm.
Loving – that my daughter is living a lot closer now, having moved from Cairns to the Gold Coast. We recently enjoyed a lovely day visiting with her, checking out her new apartment (just a hop, step and a jump from the beach), going for coffee and to lunch and walking along the beach.

Buying – some washable/reusable face masks for the ‘boys’ in black from the Chemist Warehouse and they came pretty quickly. Ordered myself a couple of pretty ones from Bundarra on 31 August. Still waiting for them to arrive. Hopefully they’ll be worth the wait!  
Managing – my mental health by recognising what has caused it to nosedive somewhat and doing something about it. Lightened the load. Made some changes. Talking to a Psychologist. It’s been a very crazy year!
Watching – my daily calorie intake right now.  Too many Banana Breads baked for the ‘working from home’rs’ and too many Covid comfort eating snacks saw some weight creep on. I’m doing the Super Fast Diet – 5:2 – Intermittent Fasting. I only started on Monday 14 September but the results so far have been super impressive and I’m feeling SO MUCH BETTER for it!
Hoping – that I get the urge back to partake in some of my interests.  It’s been MIA.  No urge to crochet.  No urge to paint.  No urge to take photographs.  
Wearing – cooler clothes again – t-shirts and 3/4 pants.  It must be spring!  Please don’t be in a rush to come summer.  Let us enjoy a bit more spring first. 
Following – my own advice and applying necessary self-care or as I’ve previously referred to it – taking time out for spiritual maintenance.
Noticing – that there’s been a shift in the blogosphere.  The huge and vibrant blogging community that was there when I first started blogging in 2012 has dissipated.  Some still have blogs but engage less with other blogs.  Some still have blogs but don’t blog much or at all.  Some no longer have blogs.  There are far less link-ups and far less people linking up with link-ups.  There’s a shift towards podcasts.  Perhaps in this busy media & sensory overloaded world ‘listening’ is preferable to ‘reading’.  As things always go though, Podcasts will die off eventually and then what?  Holograms?  It will be interesting to watch and see!
Sorting – myself out bit by bit. 2020 sure has been different & challenging!
Getting:  the tennis player to move his home office from the dining table (since March) to the spare room (my daughter’s old room) was a very good move indeed and long overdue.
Bookmarking – recipes!  Yummy, nutritious, bang for your calorie buck type recipes.
Coveting – the only thing I could think of to put here was another trip away.  Nothing makes me happier then exploring new places and being amongst nature – be it rainforests, countryside, the beach, or the outback.  
Feeling –  hopeful that the world will soon be in better shape.
Hearing – the tinkering of the bells on my two cats (8 month old kittens actually) collars as I sit here typing this. It’s ‘frisky’ time of day and they’re playing.

(L to R) Axel, Amaya