Henry IV
May 2, 2013
Henry 4. Image from Bell Shakespeare.
Over the weekend I had the pleasure of seeing my first Bell Shakespeare production.
It was an early birthday present for me and a late birthday present for 13 year old.
Thank you Grani Jan and Fa Fa.
I think we are hooked now……
Who’s up for ‘A Comedy of Errors’ in November?
I’m inspired by: William Morris
April 10, 2013
source: The original Morris & Co.
Lately I have been working on an assignment for uni that gave me a chance to revisit and enjoy one of my favourite artists of all time, William Morris.
William Morris was an arts and crafts master….along with Architect Philip Webb. He worked extensively with fabric, wallpaper, furniture and ceramics.
Here is how his official website describes him….
‘William Morris was the single most influential designer of the nineteenth century, and remains today one of the best known of all British designers. This is due to his extraordinary talent as a pattern designer, his colourful and inspiring life story and to his forceful intellect and personality. Morris was much more than a designer; he was a fervent socialist, scholar, translator and publisher, an environmental campaigner, writer and poet.’
Most of you will know his work even of you don’t know his name…. he was that good. His work is still available world wide, and is so beautifully designed it holds it own 150 years later.
Here’s some more for your enjoyment.
“Love is enough” Source: Morris &Co.
from the Morris & Co site.
Golden Lily Print by William Morris. Photo taken from Morris & Co.
….a tradition continues…..
April 1, 2013
…can you see it?
Keeping with tradition, we got up early on Easter Sunday and headed out to see the sun rise.
It’s a quiet little family ritual we do each year now.
I love the intimateness of it.
Reminds me of the few going to the tomb and discovering it empty.
He has Risen!
FEVA launch dinner
March 10, 2013
Max Dupain’s photograph inside the Seidler Penthouse. Source: University of Sydney.
One of the exciting things about returning to uni is the chance to be involved with FEVA. Fellowship of Evangelism to the Visual Arts.
My excitement was increased, as I was one of the first students of FEVA when it began 20 years ago.
A couple of nights ago I got to go to the Seidler Penthouse at Milson’s point and share dinner with other Visual Arts Students from about 6 different visually creative campus’ across Sydney. We were encouraged to think about think about how we ‘do’ our art degrees in the light of loving God with everything.
It’s always encouraging to see lots of people keen to follow Jesus….. but especially so for me on this night, because our chance to influence in our super-visual climate is great. Can’t wait to see how God is honoured visually over the coming years through these people.
P 90
February 4, 2013
Well, I did it today.
After having my Learners permit on and off for 25 years, I now am a P plater!
….and I am more than a little excited about it.
Advent 2012 ….. part d (the great fiasco)
December 23, 2012
…..week 3 Advent 2012
16: Sunday
Activity: Serve lunch to NTE mission team and church. 14year old, 9 year old, Tim and I did this one. 6 year old did her best to not need much supervision. A few other families from church helped as well. All in all pretty successful. (12 year old had a birthday party so was unable to participate.)
Had a bible verse planned but didn’t read it.
Extra Joy: Tim and the girls went to the local coffee shops Christmas party. I was all talked out and couldn’t face another conversation so stayed at home.
17: Monday
Activity: Dinner with Cousins. Really, really fun. With almost 3 teens (taking up much space) we are moving into a new phase of fun. Great fun joking about which mediocre superpower we would want…… which super power we think would be not very useful to us.
…..and how much enjoying movies can cost us.
I am loving this new phase of life with no bottoms to wipe or children to hand feed. Wasn’t sure I’d make it…. but we have. Hang in there if you’re not there yet. Older kids can be very funny and helpful and entertaining.
18: Tuesday too pooped for anything. Didn’t do the things planned.
…. a great post by Jodi of ’Sewfearless’ came into my inbox today, and it really rang true this year. Have a read if you feel like you are failing Christmas. We don’t even have a family photo all together that would have made a great Christmas card.
19: Wednesday Last day of school YAAAAAY
Activity:
Dinner with family friends (planned). Great to get to know friends better and better.
Had a reading but didn’t read it.
20: Thursday
Had things planned but ended up at the pool with school friends and families… Great time. Had other activities planned and readings to read, but didn’t do them.
21: Friday
Didn’t do our reading for advent, although we had planned to, just enjoyed each others company….. over the activity.
Activity: Watch a christmas DVD We all enjoyed Arthur Christmas.
Pleasantly surprised by the number of nativities! The Salvo’s playing carols in a front yard, kids busking for charity…..even an ice-cream van!
22: Saturday
Last minute christmas shopping and packing for holidays.
Extra Joy: We did surprise the girls today, giving them a set amount of money to spend at our favourite book shop in the city. What a great treat it is to have kids who love reading. Tim and I even indulged in some holiday reading.
Did our activity though…..
Activity: Go and see the Local Christmas Lights.
Red tail-lights in the local Christmas Light traffic jam.
Not really being very faithful with our advent this year. I am thinking a ‘non-christmas’ month of readings and activities may be a good idea. We have loved being together though and spending time with friends. I guess it’s good to embrace the moment and not be a control freak!
Some people take their Christmas lights very seriously.
Give Away: Dungeon Raiders.
December 18, 2012
Dungeon Raiders Card Game Cover.
Yes, to finish the year off I am having a giveaway!
The designer, who some of you will know, Phil Walker-Hardling, has been helping our 12 year old develop and game test some of her ideas for games this year. She’s had a great time. This has meant we are closer to the coal face of any new games he designs.
Some of you may remember me mentioning Sushi Go by Adventureland Games a couple of weeks ago and encouraging you to support it’s first print run….. well good news. They smashed their target goal and the game is set for printing early next year. I will keep you posted and give one of those away when it arrives.
But in the meantime…….
This is a great little holiday game for the family….or for yourself.
Dungeon Raiders.
We have been playing it quite a bit and it’s great fun.
It has a potential co-operative element…..although with older children with a bit more playing experience ….well, lets just say there is less co-operation.
Watch how the game is played here.
If you would like to be in with a chance to be randomly selected to win this game….. please leave a comment telling me your favourite card or board game….or your least favourite.
The comments will close at midnight the 23rd of December (AEST) and I will announce the winner on Christmas Eve…. to be posted anywhere in the world soon after that.
So, go ahead give me your ideas.
Week 2 Advent 2012.
9: Sunday: Catch-up time
Reading: Luke 1: 26-56
Activity: Talk through the different names given to Jesus. Make a Christmas ball for our tree with the names of Jesus in it. Planned but not done.
Think about someone in our lives that serves us and make them a Christmas ball. (planned but not done)
Charades with lolly pops in our mouths Funny …as always. Made up 2 new categories. “Youtube” and “Theatre” Great fun.
Baked dinner…… potatoes!
10: Monday
Reading: Luke 1: 57-66
Activity: Talk through the passage. Eat a baked dinner together. Took advantage of a coolish day to add this one in. I like to have one in December if we can.
After much concentration the village is made.
Build a lego village together. Super fun. I lashed out and bought a fabulous Christmas set of lego for the family to enjoy each year. It lights up and makes the cutest village scene. The relevance was tenuous….. but was a nod to the community that Elizabeth and Zechariah were part of when John was born.
Half of our family enjoy written instructions.
Extra Joy: Making got intense….left to me and 14 year old. Tim tool the others for a late night scooter in their PJ’s
11: Tuesday didn’t happen…. too many comings and goings.
12: Wednesday (did Tuesdays)
Reading: Luke 1: 67-80
Activity: Christmas Ball snakes. We ate a jelly snake (representing sin) each. Talked about how sin often comes in very attractive packaging, and how once forgiven (eaten) we have a fresh start (empty glass ball)
Extra Joy: The girls all started inventing advent calendar ideas, including 24 walks, ‘jenga’ advent, 24 travel days…. and the list went on.
Extra Extra Joy: Lead by 6 year old each of the girls gave us a ‘Tell and Show’ (You must tell before you show) Lots of fun.
13: Thursday didn’t happen
Goodbye Mrs Sinclair.
14: Friday activities planned but spent the evenings farewelling special friends. Firstly Mrs Sinclair a kinder/Y1 teacher who three of my four girls had….9 year old for 2 years….. She is off to be the Principal at Tempe. Lucky you. Very sad.
Like one big family.
Then goodbye to our lovely friends Klint and Kirsty. Off back to Brisbane after being an enormous encouragement to us (and others I am sure) being some of the first Joshua Tree members. Sadly our involvement in The Joshua Tree has ended but many fabulous friendships remain. I’m sure we will see you again soon.
I love this photo. Looks like 6 year old is pushing us all over!
15: Saturday again we had activities planned but December got the better of us.
Room make-overing (more on this later), birthday party craft (this too) and Summer Hill Church’s Twilight Markets to raise money for tear.
I sat with the youth kids and wrapped presents (badly) for donations. They made about $40 and had a ball.
Hopefully this coming week we can show a bit more commitment to the cause of advent ….. although giving it up to love and serve our community and each other has great value I think.
How is your advent tracking?
Advent 2012……. part b
December 9, 2012
Activity for Day 1
Decorate the house for Christmas…. Put up the tree.
1: Saturday Reading: Luke 1: 1-4
Activity: Put up the Christmas tree. Fun, fun, fun….we excused Dad and the girls and I had a great time.
Extra Joy: Bought ‘Christmas Lights’ by Coldplay on itunes.
…. set up the “Little People” nativity.
….angel ornaments from past years.
2: Sunday Reading: Luke 1: 5-16
Activity: Gave the girls their angels. Not the planned activity…but the activity really was a personal one, so I reshuffled so we could continue even with a lunch guest.
Extra Joy: Had lunch with one of the Sunday School teachers (Stef) and played some games and chatted.
Activity: Give girls their angels for this year. Loved these Oxfam recycled paper angels.
3: Sunday (same day) Reading: Luke 1:17-25
Activity: Tell the girls what a joy and delight to us they are.
Extra Joy: We then encouraged the girls to tell each other the same thing. Risky…..yes…. but went amazingly well. Lots of laughs and smiles.
4. Monday: School Presentation day and family dinner out ….no advent tonight
5: Tuesday: Had a friend Brian from Church for dinner. 12 year old was rushing out soon after 14 year old arrived home ……so no advent today….. but had a lovely time.
6: Wednesday: Reading: Luke 1:26-28
Activity : Make ‘rememberalls’ of the girls great grandparents. That means an ornament for our tree to remind us of family members who have gone before us. We talked this through and will make them later once I get all the supplies.
(This was the missed activity from day 2. In past years we have all written a letter to the oldest member of the family. This year the oldest family member is my grandma at 94, but as she suffers from dementia we are going to make her a decoration for her tree instead.)
…. will show the photos as they come.
8: Thursday: …. no advent planned
9: Friday No activity planned. ….. but did buy ‘The first Noel’ by TobyMac (featuring Owl City). The girls have been singing it almost continually since.
10: Saturday: A funny all over the place day (again). No advent….. but saw some lovely friends.
More next week…..
How is your advent going?
Advent 2012……. part a
December 1, 2012
Advent 2012.
Well…. it’s here. The first of December and the kids are super excited about the calendar this year.
Since last advent we have moved house…. so no fireplace to form the backdrop to our countdown. We even had to rearrange the lounge room last weekend to make space for the Christmas tree!
As I was preparing this past week, Tim said he had just this year realised, that I was going to do ‘this advent thing’ every year. He then said he was glad. We don’t have that many traditions that are just for our little family.
So….. bring on the manic month of December….. and we will keep reminding ourselves that Christmas is all about Jesus! We will be using the Luke readings we used a couple of years ago…. and some of the activities that really worked. I have included some new activities as well this year. The contents of the glass balls give a hint to what we might be doing. Can you guess any?
Are you adventing this year? I would love to hear your plans.
A string of advent balls.
