Lowdown

I've come to rely so heavily on these lists as a record of my daily affirmations and to chart what really matters. It's fair to say that even when I've prioritised other activities or writing, I know that this will be an accurate insight into the bits and pieces that make up the bigger picture. It's the closest thing that I have to a journal and it's also my own 'lowdown' of pure joy.

One, these gulls, and how they merely shuffled out of the way as I ran through their prim group.

Two, we're onto BIRD collective nouns! At the moment, I really like a wake of vultures and a storytelling of crows. More here.

Three, my travel containers of almonds and green tea.

Four, chronologically organising my Frankie magazine stash.

Five, whipping out my new pizza stone for incredible pizza, ready in ten minutes. Try the Arriva-inspired: gorgonzola, Italian sausage, sundried tomato and mozzarella.

Six, drafting our Brisbane Bucket List over morning coffee.

Seven, temperatures that encourage an afternoon siesta.

Eight, holiday countdowns.

Nine, reading through blog archives. A Beautiful Mess is giving me great ideas for Christmas DIYs like this.

Ten, writing letters and cards to say, I love you.

 What's on your happy list? Tell me all about your weekend! 

Hometown Flora

When I think of my hometown, it's nothing about the town and more about the landscape and people. My parents chose to bring my brothers and I up in a valley on the New South Wales' mid-north coast. In between fields and fields of evergreen trees, saltwater pools, donkeys and goats, we grew up outside with an intimate knowledge of our childhood territory. Not only am I so lucky to have always known such visual diversity but it always makes me want to explore every place I visit. Despite how infrequently I manage a run when I travel, it's always a treat to fit one in and discover my surroundings. Even though the neighbourhoods were familiar and the sights don't scream adventure, I can tell you that at 5pm on a Wednesday evening in Grafton, you will see lush gardens and a wise old river* that will impress you with their universal beauty. Oh, and spring! It's definitely sprung.

*The Clarence River features heavily in local Indigenous Dreamtime oral tradition.

...

Post title inspired by Adele's Hometown Glory.

I love that her hometown inspired her so.

Photos by me with Instagram filters.

I'm evawithanf, if you care to see

all the food I make and/or eat..  

   

Bloom

This new Beach House album has caught up and grown exponentially on me since the first few listens. Their third offering retains the ethereal styling of their previous releases while conjuring up an even more atmospheric rhythm romance. Rather fittingly, I always look this up in my iTunes as 'Swoon', somehow mistaken by the effect or rhyme I've associated with it. Even better, with the announcement of their Falls Festival sideshows, it's become a glorious reality that I'll be experiencing just this live in 2013. The prospect of hearing this album in the lush surrounds of The Tivoli further heightens my anticipation and gets me excited for their live interpretation. In the past, I found that their artistry came together onstage in a breathtaking execution. In between uniting the dips and swirls in sound, their instrumentation and vocalisation was exquisitely dreamy. I may misremember the name of this offering from time to time, but it's fair to say that this swoon-worthy act will be unmissable, yet again. And if in doubt, they're just right for any time of day or venture afield, too.

Try New Year for its haunting, somewhat celestial opening and reminder that the best is yet to come: wherever you are or however many times you've listened to the track.

...

Image via

Weekend Enumeration

Nearly every day since August, I've repeated to myself a phrase that has helped make sense out of things that don't yet have quite enough positive upsides. This phrase, "never doubt in the darkness what you know to be true in the light.", seems to have been both a guide and direction. As you can see, I've been putting glass dishes of plain and vanilla-scented tea light candles on any available surface in our home, somehow trying to up the warmth factor when things are so decidedly frozen in time. Despite the fact that we seem to be emerging from the worst of it, these are two habits I want to keep up. In both creating extra light and remembering the truth in those words, I'm remembering to be patient and hopeful. Finding that one beacon of certainty is a comfort that I'm so glad to share.    

Some other things that 'warm the cockles'..
1, showers by candlelight. Again with the candles.
2, plotting movie dates. I can't hype this and this forthcoming release enough*.
3, refining our plans for when we have a car. Aldi and Bunnings lead alphabetically/are an unashamed primary priority.
4, an update on our current word of guaranteed hilarity.
5, frangipani buds. They started out Alien-esque, but have since brought through yellow-cream-white ombre goodness that stretches sunwards.
6, the combination of dumplings and Tokay.
7, album launch parties. After all the hard work, the shared smiles said it all.
8, this recipe. Thyme! Sun-dried tomato! Brie!
9, animal collective nouns. Particularly, a llovely of llamas.
10, dreaming of making this necklace and otherwise admiring rose prints everywhere I see them.

*obsessive trailer love strikes again!

...

Links:

8, via Sterling Style

10, via Cheetah Is The New Black

Green Up

Our recent adventures in more holistic medicine have led us down the garden green path of giving up coffee. Or more honestly, giving up coffee on most days. Irrespective of the immediate daily benefits I feel, such as the unexpected increase in energy and mental acuity,  I'm equally driven to stick with this with all of the health evidence I've delved into. This article in particular has given me additional willpower to focus on this previously unthinkable challenge during these first few weeks. Not only am I inspired by Dr. Joseph Maroon's passion and lifestyle, but the logic as well as simplicity of his theory are uncomplicated adjustments to make. While I'll never be able to give up coffee altogether, I'm staying strong and have adopted Dr. Maroon's 3 cup-a-day habit, as well as buying green tea in bulk.

Funnily enough in this case, I've found that change is not only a constant but it's such a remarkable refreshment. Swapping my bean habit with tea bags has been cheaper, and it also means that any time I've had a cappuccino since I've been much more appreciative of the flavour. And, in fairness, I really enjoy that (forbidden) chocolate topping, too. Since reacquainting ourselves with the teapot, I've been reaching for these two Dilmah Jasmine varieties, one and two, and my preferred afternoon indulgence is their Moroccan Mint blend of green. That said, as I continue with this I'm looking to explore new flavours, so please if you know of any other types or brands that make lovely tea of any kind, I'm open to any sort you suggest!

And a final side note, it's probably not allowed but I would definitely recommend trying green tea gelato. The semi-sweet flavour is so good and you'll still be turning over that new leaf. I'm sure that pun is definitely what the Doctor ordered, too. And while I think of it, I love Sonya's post on healthy changes; it's a treasure trove of uplifting ideas.

...

Images via

1 and 2