Lovely autumns days ......

It is 4 pm Sunday afternoon in my little studio...It has been another picture perfect day here....Beautiful crisp morning and happy sunny days....I can't believe it is already April.  Breakfast with the ones I love, Kirstie was making easter baskets with the little ones at church this morning and then work...Andrew went to lunch with a dear friend and I did a little easter shopping then came home and had lunch with my very exhausted hubby...He is heading to the US on the 10th for 3 weeks for work but hopefully a little down time as well to explore..... I have finally put a big comfy chair in the corner of my studio room so I can sit and read or write my blog posts in a little comfort....  I am still getting used to my new camera but it is so much fun, the roses in the photo above Kirstie gave me for my birthday.....

Love is like the wind, you can't see it but you can feel it....

- from the movie a walk to remember

Wishing and hoping ......... and thinking and playing....

Each day is a precious gift...

take time to unwrap each and every day......

I have really tried to live like this lately....Enjoying every moment with my family, adoring the simple joys of being a stay at home mum... Re-thinking my business...organising myself...creating, playing with my new camera and doing a couple of courses in art and soon a small business course... Spending time with my dearest friends, who inspire me and make my heart sing....and as this song resonates in my head.... I always try to live my life like this...

in the end only kindness matters - Jewel

Meet Serena and her new venture - my favourite find

Sometimes you read about people that just bring a smile to your face with their wonderful attitude to life and the world around them...Serena is definitely one of those people and on Monday the 19th of March she will be launching her new business - my favourite find...I was lucky enough to do a small interview with her about her life, loves and new venture....

Hi Serena

What a fun idea this is !!!!!!!!!!

Anyway here are your questions.....

What a quirky idea to be interviewed from people all around the world about your new venture “my favourite find” what made you think of it????? Since My Favorite Find is available to all - anywhere in the world, nothing could be better than talking to readers everywhere.

So what is your new venture all about???? My Favorite Find is sort of like a virtual show-and-tell. You can seek, find, and share great local shoppes, or events like car boot sales, antiques shows, auctions, and more, and then show-and-tell your favorite finds. It's the first resource of it's kind that exists anywhere and I'm really excited about it.

 You have a lot of wonderful, exciting things that you already do in your life.... why something new???? I've always been an entrepreneur. When I was a little girl, I'd make mud pies and sell them to my parent's friends. I saved my money for an old-fashioned adding machine and would build imaginary businesses. It's just what I love to do.

Because I live on the other side of the world, could you tell me a little about Serena....favourite food, favourite piece of furniture, favourite artist ????? Right now I'm really loving fresh herbs and making food more flavorful that way, rather than with things like cheese or butter. I'm finding that I'm focusing more on being healthy now than ever before. As far as furniture, I'm really into natural finishes and have gotten rid of most of the painted furniture that I had. My favorite artist is Paul Ferney. His work is dreamlike. http://paulferney.com/

Thank you so much Serena ...take care Cathy xo

You can find out more about Serena at her blog http://thefarmchicks.typepad.com/ web site http://www.thefarmchicks.com/farmchicks.html and on Monday the 19th http://myfavoritefind.com/

Grey Love a little inspiration .....

Well my friends I have had a beautiful weekend...Full of fun family and then a little paper work today.... I thought it was about time to show you a little of what I love these days... I love this look, metals, greys, whites and even a dash of yellow or colour here and there...These are out of one of  my pinterest folders.....  I hope this gives you a little inspiration to start your week....

"All you have to do is be yourself and live the story that no one else can live -

the story of your own unique life.... be proud, be confidant but most of all be HAPPY!!!!"

feels like home...five years blogging

March is always a big month....I get older and so does my hubby :) My business has been running for 12 years this month and I just noticed that my blog is celebrating me raving on (hehe) for 5 years today.... I feel extremely blessed to have met so many amazing and truly inspirational people through the world of blogging...It has definitely changed my life on so many levels...so to all my beautiful friends, thank you!!!  Thank you for opening up you hearts and homes to inspire and for dropping by and saying hi...... so to celebrate my 5 years in blog land I am going to have a few giveaways....Something from the lovely

 designer Jeanne Oliver..... a book by Rikke Larsen (it is in danish but the images are exquisite)..... or maybe even 2....and maybe even something new from me :)..... Ok this year I have been keeping a happiness journal.... each day I write something that brings a smile to my face.... and if I am not having a great day I write an inspiration quote instead so.....you need to tell me what bought you happiness today....what little simple joy made you smile..... for me today it was my 6ft 2 boy coming in the back door from school with the biggest smile on his face bending down and kissing my forehead..... so now I am off to bake him chocolate cake :)

and the winners are :) Anci a little piece of jewellery is coming your way... Rebecca and Stripes by the seaside one of the beautiful books from Rikke Larsen and lastly Vicki you have won something from my friend and amazing designer in the US Jeanne Oliver...

Friendship.........

Cherished friends.... it always feels like home spending time with you guys and I must say I always feel a little sad when we say goodbye.   Two thousand kilometres is too far we should live closer !!!!! Sharyn my dear friend, my confidant we have been through so much together and I wouldn't change you for the world...You are such a dear mamma and wife, your little cottage in the enchanted forest (smile) is so full of love and family and Andy sweet but adventurous, fun loving and a man that loves and adores the 3 beautiful woman in his life... I feel so very blessed to know you and you will always be the best kind of family a girl could ever have ......