I’ve got that Summer Feelin’

I am currently suffering from an overdose of happy endorphins. I woke up with the sunshine and because of mother natures consistent bad behaviour  recently (that which a sullen teenager would be very proud of), I was very excited to see the sun was out and shining hard! So B and I bounced out of bed, summoned our bikes and hit the road. It was a perfect, clear sunny morning and the water here at Caloundra was perfect, glassy and not a breath of wind. We found hills we weren’t looking for, which made for a pretty tough 30km cycle, but we worked hard on the way out and then found a cruise along the beachfront home – if you have never been to Shelly Beach here on the Sunshine Coast, you should get yourself there immediately. It’s one of those lovely sheltered beaches where the grass rolls into the sandy beach, the waves are as relaxing as the morning sunshine just lulling in and gently crashing into the shore. Everybody who has bothered to get up at that time of the morning are just as we were, taking in the very special atmosphere and counting their blessings… life really is very special in this part of the world.  This is what it looked like:

 

We trotted off home and met our loved ones and decided we would soak up a little more of the sunshine and paddle across the passage at Golden Beach to Bribie Island. B and I were in a boat (sorry if there is a more technical term for the TYPE of boat) together and what I lack in technique when it comes to paddling and oars, I make up with enthusiasm  (picture it…). We all made it over alive and without injury and to my complete surprise, none of us fell in – I know – I was impressed too. What we found over there was more crystal clear water with waves to lull about in. The 4 heavenly swims we had more than made up for the biggest fright I’ve ever had when we walked back through some less than clear water and I stood on ‘something’ in the water … this ‘something’ got just as much of a fright as I did and I think it ran (or swam) sideways just as fast as I did – though I think I won in competition for the best blood curdling scream.

We rounded off the morning with a good game, some drinks and some of the best lamb I’ve ever had (and I have had some amazing lamb), slow cooked for 6 hours and covered in the most delicious sauce anybody has ever had.

Everybody is ‘guts up’ as we call it now and we are waiting for the summer storm to hit. This has been the summers day I’ve been hanging out for months to have which is a relief as I consider Easter to be our farewell to summer – it’s last hurrah before winter comes.. otherwise known in sunny Queensland as non-swimming weather.

What are you up to this easter?

“I almost wish we were butterflies and liv’d but three summer days – three such days with you I could fill with more delight than fifty common years could ever contain.” John Keats

Everything is just wonderful.

Another weekend has passed and although there are no big trips, big adventures or fancy photos to report and I was missing my B (he is off saving lives in another location this week) but I still had a truly lovely weekend.

It was one of those very well balanced weekends, time for housework, time for a sleep-in, time for nice food, time for a glass of wine and a gossip, but most of all, good times with my loved ones.

Feeling especially grateful for my ‘old friends’ , their lovely kids (especially the free affection they hand out) and the little things. Sunshine, stunning sunsets, good wine, big smiles and goddaughters who just about squeal with delight when they realise you are still there the next morning. These things are some of life’s most wonderful thing that I’m very lucky to have.

We were treated with some moreton bay Sand Crabs caught by one of my non-crab loving friends (I cannot recommend more highly that you all get some of these kinds of friends). The best recipe I’ve had for sand crab is serve with fresh bread, lemon, good white wine and loved ones (it’s spoilt without the final ingredient).

I hope that you are all having a lovely time and stopping to enjoy the wonderful things in your world too.

rolling changes..

They say change is as good as a holiday. I must be constantly holidaying then (my friends often seem to think so :). This might stress some people – me? I love it! I love a fresh start – a chance to make life even better than it is to begin with! Small steps in the right direction. Who wants to wake up and do the same thing each and every day? I don’t even eat the same thing for breakfast too many days in a row.. Work changes, friends change, family changes – it’s exhausting, but wonderful!

Change is about being brave – jumping in and giving something a go. Its about surprising people! The excitement of the unknown – all of the possibility! There is something in the water of late, so many of my loved ones are making big changes and I am so proud of all of them. It’s making me ponder the future – I’m excited about the things that are about to happen!

Even Albert Einstein celebrates change:

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.”

On the flip side – I had the opposite sensation last night – that some things NEVER change. I went roller skating with the M family. Funny how as soon as you pop the skates on, you just seem to remember how to roller skate. I haven’t gone skating for nearly 20 years and it was like a time warp. There was the teenagers in their skating gear – their pimped out skates. The wobbly kids hanging onto the wall and the SPEED Skaters – I thought they were so cool as a little kid – thought it was amazing how they looked like they were just gliding around – cool as a cucumber. Even the music hasn’t changed… I think the only thing that has changed was my sister wasn’t too busy being cool to talk to me 😉

What’s changing or staying the same in your world at the moment? Big or little. Sometimes it’s just nice to change your doona cover, or move all the furniture around the lounge room!

Happy Sunday x