You look at me....

I tend to lean away 

as you hold on to me.

I sit in revered silence 

as your echos fill the room.

I witness feelings

whilst you live them every day. 

But I do know love
because of how you look at me.

Anne-marie

Gourmet Goddesses indeed :)

The Gourmet Goddesses had our monthly get-together at The Pot Luck Club...yummmm!

http://gourmetgoddesss.blogspot.com/

Exotic noises of contentment rose from our table, with Caren's groaning of  "Oh my G*d" after an especially satisfying bite, attracted a few "When Harry met Sally" stares! At one of the Indian cooking classes I attended, the chef told us that eating with utensils is like asking a messenger to make love to your partner. I get it :)

However you do it, I realised that this is probably one of the most divine experiences we have on this earth - bliss!

 

And then there is the sharing of food with friends, the unconditional love and support that we extend to each other. Giving and receiving, whenever and whatever is needed, always knowing that no matter what, we do not travel alone. 

My dearest friend Venita shared this with me a long time ago, which will always remind me of love connections...I miss you my friendy!

"I'll be looking for you every moment, every single moment. And when we do find each other again, we'll cling together so tight that nothing and no one'll ever tear us apart. Every atom of me and every atom of you... We'll live in birds and flowers and dragonflies and pine trees and in clouds and in those little specks of light you see floating in sunbeams... And when they use our atoms to make new lives, they wont' just be able to take one, they'll have to take two, one of you and one of me, we'll be joined so tight...” 

Philip Pullman:    His Dark Materials Trilogy

So many places to go, so many animals to meet :)

One of the things I adore about JC is his love for animals. In his ranking of most favorite companions in this life, I am out-ranked by approximately 4 dogs...and counting! I do not mind, in fact, there is none that I respect and admire more than acts of kindness towards animals, children and old people...and waiters.

 

Here are some 4-legged favorites who recently marked his journey through some of the small towns in our beautiful country.

 

Note: I am not counting the tortoises saved, the spiders rescued or the animals phoned in to the local SPCA's.

Love :))

Homeward bound....

We went up North (Nylstroom) to surprise my parents with a quick visit. My Dad had an amazing year of teaching young and old to play the guitar and finished the year with a concert. Two nights in a row we were treated to witnessing his students: A group from the Abraham Kriel Orphanage, professionals, moms and some very talented upcoming Idols! I wouldn't have missed it for the world - although he nearly had a heart attack when he saw us walking in all the way form Cape Town...LOVE!

I adore them - how did I get so lucky?!

Suspended

Blindly focusing

nothing

Heartbeat stopping

nothing

Perfumed promises

nothing

A touch

everything

 

Anne-marie

Be still....

Be still -

so I can feel your breath

 

Be still -

so I can find your hand

 

Be still -

so I can follow your heart

 

 

Anne-marie

 

 

 

 

My family

Once in a while, my sister-in-law takes it upon herself to organise a family-picture-taking event. We all huff and puff and complain, but eventually, she gets most of us herded to the venue of choice. Her most compelling reason: She needs the latest pictures from all off us, in case of a sudden death, we will need pictures for the funeral letters?!

Well it works...who wants their last picture and memory to be a moment captured in 1998, at a formal dinner, where you had a bad hair day?

I look at the pictures and it tells the story of my family: Of connections and bonds. It shows the passage of time and how roles have adjusted over the years. I see the marks on our bodies and in our eyes.

But most of all, I see love.

Ho ho ho!

Christmas is only 34 days away! This season evokes very different emotions amongst my friends and family: Some feel the pressure to spend money they do not have; some are overwhelmed by sadness for people they have lost, others feel lonely as they will not share the day with loved ones. Some actually manage to make it a very special day, avoiding the family dramas and commercial traps by just marking the day by giving thanks for blessings.

I love the message of giving, but I have a problem to make it fit in with the marketing storm which ignites around October in the shops every year - the selling of a "feeling" of happiness through buying stuff, all accompanied by Boney M in the background!

I made (another) commitment to myself: I am going to keep it real.
This includes giving more of myself this year through small tokens of love.

My list includes making:

- a garland for my door from last years collected pine kernels
- food gift baskets for friends which may include my home made Onion marmalade, Caroline's Chocolate Oats Cookies and bottles of home-made Brandy Exotica (see recipes below)
- "gift voucher" from me for a free energy healing session to selected clients
- personalised crystal bracelets for my special girl friends
- cards, gift wrapping and table decorations, rather than buying it

Stars for the walls

Tree decorations from ginger biscuits

Rain deer cup cakes :)

 

Home made gift cards

I know all of this takes time, but that will be my act of giving. I will spend a few Sunday afternoons and a couple of hours at night during the week to make these things. It will be a great time to put love into it and really get into the reason for the season :)

Ho, ho, ho - may you feel the love this Christmas!

Onion Marmalade

 

750g Sliced onions

50g Butter

½ cup Sugar

Salt & Pepper

1 cup Red wine

50ml Brandy
½ cup Balsamic vinegar
 

Melt butter and sweat onions till caramelised, adding salt and sugar after 10min. Add liquids and reduce for 20min. Seal in small bottles which have in sterilised in the microwave. Last months in the fridge.

 

 

Brandy Exotica (almost like Amarula)

 

 

1 tin of Condensed milk 

1 tin of Ideal milk

5ml strong Coffee, dissolved in 5ml of boiling water

250 ml Brandy

 

Mix all ingredients, pour into a clean bottles and place in fridge for 3 days before use.

 

 

 

 

Chocolate Oats Cookies 

 

 

 

http://carolineavnit.com/2012/11/chocolate-oat-cookies/

 

Inspired :)

I learned quite an important concept at a workshop over the weekend: Knowing when you are truly inspired and when you are dealing with an impulsive emotion, stirred on by ego.

I have often felt truly inspired, almost like this is the only thing you want to do at this moment and nothing else matters. Time and money becomes irrelevant, as this thought sanctions all your senses. An amazing amount of energy whips through your body and you can clearly see where you are going....absolutely focused and really in a zone!

According to our course leader, this is when there is divine intervention, when you are in divine flow with spirit and you absolutely have to act on it, in order to use the window of opportunity created by the universe. I know this is true from deep within my heart.

So...in true spirit of embracing my inspirations, I made a list of what always manages to inspire me:

Obviously....accompanied by....

It does not matter what I feel like first thing in the morning. Meditating or doing a yoga practise makes me want to embrace life....

Travelling....I soooo love going to new new places, tasting new flavors, seeing new faces....I have wanderlust in the worst possible way.

If the destination is by the sea, so much more inspirational!

Then, lately a seem to be inspired by body art, although I am too much of a ninny to put some ink on my own canvas :)

And how can I ignore the bouts of electricity when I encounter these amazing creatures!!!

Then, anything that sparkles and gives light...candles, fairy lights, yes, even a crystal...or better still, a diamond definately makes me light up....

Like all fellow goddesses, a nice piece of clothing...or shoes, or even just a handbag is right up there on my inspiration list.

And last, my favorite!

I love love.....

Not unique or very original. My course leader would probably cringe as I do not think he had a ready made list in mind?! I know, I am a simpleton....an inspired one though!?