How blessed are we?

As I sit here on Boxing Day thinking about the life we have created together, my husband, my children, my extended family and my friends, I have to say how blessed are we?

We were never promised a long life, just the opportunity to create something beautiful every day.

We were never promised riches, yet residing within in each soul is the capacity to build wealth. This capacity may lay dorment for a lifetime, but it still remains. It is the gift of creativity, innovation and of hard work.

We were never promised popularity, yet if we are confident in who we are and remain humble in that confidence, it seems like bees to the honey, others are attracted to us.

How blessed are we when we can reach out our arms and draw someone we love close enough to breathe in the scent of them and to feel the warmth of their embrace touching our souls.

How blessed are we when our hearts are turned towards a God who has not forgotten us, who daily wants to wrap us in His love and shower us with presents, just like a loving father does at Christmas.

How blessed are we that we have life, love, and laughter adorning our tables at Christmas.

I feel so abundantly blessed this Christmas and I just had to shower all with the joy that this Christmas together has brought to my heart.

There isn't a woman alive who doesn't love weddings...

I have been working on another website for a different friend. Carol Sutton lives in Albany, Western Australia and after a friend asked me to take a look at a business card she was struggling to design, I felt strongly to give her the gift of a package of advertising materials. Occasionally I do this in my business. I help people who would otherwise not be able to afford to pay for the skills that I possess.

Visit the site to see the whole effect, which in my biased opinion, is one of my very best websites ever in terms of beauty, Bellerubies.com.au.

Here is a taste of the BelleRubies experience...



If you are a woman living the SouthWest of Australia, I'd highly recommend that you contact Carol and find out about her hire garments for both weddings and formal occasions. She caters for both men and women and has a good range of accessories as well.

If you don't live in the SouthWest, just enjoy the beauty of the site and allow yourself to dream...

Premium Holiday Rental - The White House Quinns, Perth, Western Australia

A good friend of mine asked me to take on a project for her, promoting her holiday rental property called "The White House Quinns". It's fabulous holiday rental accommodation in Perth and is to let the whole year round.

Knowing I am a project junkie, she was delighted when I literally dropped everything to pop over and take some pictures inside the apartment.

I just thought I'd share my handiwork with the world, along with a description of the accommodation, just in case your planning a vacation in the near future and want to put Perth on your agenda. And if you do, make sure you let me know so we can hook up for some fun!

The White House Quinns awaits you...



A very modern 2 bedroom apartment that is light, bright and airy, with fantastic ocean views from the living room, dining and main bedroom, the White House Quinns is more than just a holiday home. It’s a home away from home.

Private, quiet and relaxing, this venue is perfect for a holiday or weekend getaway, with plenty of room for a couple or family.

It’s the perfect location for a writer’s retreat or somewhere to process your life plans, The White House Quinns is simply idyllic.

Tucked away in a quiet street well off the beaten track, and just a hands throw away from Perth’s beautiful white beaches, the White House Quinns has all the ‘mod cons’ including a dishwasher and stainless steal appliances, toaster, microwave and CD Player. The whole place is immaculate and tastefully decorated.

For inspiration or relaxation, swim in the 10 metre pool, walk to the beach and have a coffee or glass of wine at the friendly ocean front cafe. It literally is a 5 minute walk to the beach.

The master suite has walk in robes and a private bathroom, with easy access to the pool via sliding doors. Sit by the pool or at the table with a view and enjoy an early morning coffee.
The second bedroom has its own private bathroom with a lovely big bath, and looks out over the below ground pool.

This home has stunning real wood floors and has been stylishly decorated.

Just 15 minutes from Perth’s Mitchell Freeway, the rest of Perth awaits your exploration. There are so many things to see and do...

If it works for a child...

My daughter who is 8 years of age came to me this morning to ask if she could go to see a friend. I told her that she could if she had cleaned her bedroom to my standards. I asked if she'd made her bed, as I knew she needed to put a clean sheet on the bed. She stood there and moaned and groaned that she needed help because she couldn't put the sheet on.

Because I am the I Can woman and I am pushing the I Can philosophy, I turned to her and was completely firm with her. I told her there is no such word as can't, only won't, and that she could do it if she put her mind to it. Well, we argued for a few moments and I repeated my message saying, "You can do this. Have a go and if you really get stuck, I'll come and help, but you have to try first."

Well, she disappeared back into her room and I waited for her to resurface to tell me that she was unable to do it. The funny thing was she didn't resurface so after 15 minutes I thought I'd go see how she was doing. When I went in she'd finished putting the sheet on and I was able to praise her for having achieved the task.

The life lesson for all here is that you can, if you want to. If you focus on the possible instead of the impossible, everything changes. You can realise your dreams, achieve your goals, conquer new skills, if you give yourself permission to try and be prepared to fail.

To find out more about the I CAN Philosophy, watch my introductory video presentation.

The Movie - Australia

I was very fortunate last night to go and see the movie "Australia". I say fortunate, because I rarely get out to the movies due to my child caring responsibilities and I so appreciated the opportunity to enjoy a good 3 hour epic movie that kept me the whole way through.

What did I love about this movie?

1. It's sincere message about the way the Aboriginal people were treated and the re-telling of their story with compassion and respect.
2. The historical content which taught me some Australian history that I was blissfully ignorant of in relation to the Darwin invasion by the Japanese and which made me all the more grateful for the contribution that the Diggers made to keeping our nation safe.
3. The beauty I saw in the blossoming Lady Ashley as true love captured her heart, first through Nulla, then through the Drover. Although some may say the whole thing was overacted, I loved the styling of the movie and I believe they delivered exactly what the Director was trying to achieve. If you think it's overacted, go see Gone with the Wind again!!!
4. The juxtapositioning of "English" culture alongside the "Australian Outback" culture. The richness of the black humour in the movie captured my imagination, ie dead Kangaroos bleeding down the windscreen seconds after Lady Ashley says how delightful the Kangaroos are hopping along beside them.
5. The magnificent scenery in the movie. I will never forget the scene where the little Aboriginal boy stops a mob of stampeding cattle from going over the cliff face. That was pure magic.
6. The tragedy that was the white Australia policy and the scene where "Daisy" died in the water tank. I wept, because being a mother of four children I could relate to how you would do anything to save your child from being taken away from you.
7. The love story - after all, it was an epic love story and I think "Lady Ashley" and the "Drover" sizzled. No wonder they are calling Hugh Jackman the sexiest man alive. Although not my type at all, he definitely had something going for him in this movie. I think it was the contrast of pale skin and tanned, of the fine boned and porcelain thin and the bronzed, muscled hunkiness that really got to me. Certainly, Nicole Kidman played a gutzy role with aplumb.

Overall, I give it the big thumbs up for storytelling, for integrity of plot, for mastery of cinematography and for artistry. Well done!

A Definite Tear Jerker - Paul Potts, Humble Man with a Voice Like an Angel!

I was sent the link for this video. It truly is amazing and worthy of your time and attention. Paul Potts is phenomenal and an inspiration to many!

Click here to see part two of Paul's wonderful journey.

Click here to read another article about why people have "Gone potty over Paul Potty".

Validation - A Great Short Film!

I just loved this short story. Well worth a watch, as it has such a great message and leaves you with a huge smile on your face!

I'd love to hear your comments about it.

And when you've finished watching it, you may want to watch the sequel, Rent-A-Person.

The Other Boleyn Girl - An Indictment on the English King!

I just finished watching the movie, "The other Boleyn Girl", which painted a very dark picture of King Henry VIII and also on Anne Boleyn

There is an old saying, "Be careful what you wish for." Obviously, Anne lost her head over Henry, literally.

Now which was it? Providence, her self-centredness, God's judgment or a momentary lapse of sanity by the whole English court that cost her life?

I guess the only good part about the movie was that in the end all those that had caused offense were punished. You can't just dispose of a queen for the fun of it without losing out.

For those that don't know the story, King Henry VIII of England's wife, Queen Catherine of Spain, couldn't bear him a male heir. So he grew tired of her and took mistresses. One of these was Mary, sister of Anne Boleyn, who eventually bore him several children.

Meanwhile, Anne beguiled the King and convinced him to get rid of the Queen and marry her. This caused a riff between England and the Catholic church and eventually, he disposed of Anne, accusing her of incest with her brother, making way for Jane Seymour to marry the King.

Anne Boleyn, along with her brother George, were beheaded. Prior to her death, Anne begot Henry a girl child, Elizabeth, who eventually took the throne for 45 years and was a very strong leader in English history.

More information about the film may be found here.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/mpd/permalink/m3DHN9KBLD1O6H

Mama Mia - Fantasmagorical!!!

When you borrow a movie from the DVD shop, you just hope that it is going to be a goodie. Well, I was totally unprepared for the level of joy I felt watching Mamma Mia! It was simply fantasmagorical!

Meryl Streep, who played the main character, Donna, did the most amazing job and her version of "Winner Takes It All" was stunning. As a professional performing artist I have to say that the way Meryl completely sold this song and made it emotionally believable was deeply satisfying and deepened my respect for her as an actress and singer!

The whole cast were exceptional and I have no hesitation in recommending this quirky film as completely entertaining, enjoyable, joyous and exuberant.

Five star rating from me for a feel good flick that is ALL action from start to finish.

The cast completely owned the Abba songs and did an exceptional job of pulling off some of the most famous songs in history. Well done!

The 5 Minute Chocolate Mug Cake

I've yet to try this but it looks delicious and I have it on good authority that it does work!

5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE

4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
A small splash of vanilla extract
1 large coffee mug

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well.
Add the egg and mix thoroughly.
Pour in the milk and oil and mix well.
Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again.
Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts.

The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed!
Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.
EAT! (this can serve 2 if you want to feel slightly more virtuous).



ENJOY! Please comment and let me know what you think...

All Things Women: The 5 Minute Chocolate Mug Cake

All Things Women: The 5 Minute Chocolate Mug Cake
http://womencaninternational.com
http://theicanwoman.com

And you reckon an 11km walk is fun???

Yesterday I went for a walk with five girls from Adventurous Women. We walked from Hillarys Boat Harbour to Burns Beach, then had breakfast at the cafe.
Having not done anything like this since I was a young woman, it was a bit of a marathon taking us 2.5 hours! We didn't dawdle either, we went flat out, with me running the last couple of hundred metres just because I could! And it felt fantastic.

My feet got sore and I had to take my socks off, then put them back on at different points in the walk. My fingers swelled up and went white. But when I got to Burns Beach, I was so proud of myself for having made it with style. It just proved to me that I really am the 'I can Woman' that I say I am.

Inside me there is a part of me that is saying that it wants to run a marathon...

That's quite a way down the track, as I have 40 kilos of weight to lose before I go there, but it just shows me that if you tune into your body, it has a voice all of it's own. I hope I have the guts to get there one day.

The beauty of our walk is that it is along some of the prettiest coastline in the world. Perth is absolutely beautiful and it is free! How rare to be able to freely enjoy what God has created. I guess that one day they will monetise it, but for now I'm going to make the most of it.

I encourage you to get outside and to taste the fresh air, the sea breeze and the joy of exercise. It's fabulous medicine for the soul.

Just so you know what coastline I'm talking about, here's a sample...