Cloth from the Clouds

Posted on April 17, 2012 by sarahcondie

“Enough is enough and not one stitch more.”  How do you teach children about contentment?  Being satisfied with what they have? Isn’t this something we all struggle with?  We see something beautiful and we want it.  I have a house filled with lovely things, cupboards filled with clothes, shelves filled with books and yet I still want more.

When I saw Cloth From the Clouds  a few weeks ago in a local bookstore I wanted it.  Seduced by the glorious cover, I wanted to buy it – so I did – pure and simple greed.  Well not quite – I have a nephew turning six, so I will give it to him as a gift, but the desire to want it was strong.

I struggled teaching this to our children – I am sure because I was not too good at modelling it.  Cloth From the Clouds by Michael Catchpool is a contemporary cautionary tale – or a story with a moral.  It is beautifully told and the illustrations by Alison Jay are scrumptious.  I just want to look at them.  They work well together.

It is a story about a boy who could weave cloth from the clouds who lived at the top of the hill.  He had been taught wisely by his mother – the thread was gold in the morning with the rising  sun, white in the afternoon and crimson in the evening.  He made enough thread to weave himself two scarves – one for his head when the sun was hot, the other a scarf to keep him warm as roasted chestnuts.

The King sees the boy’s scarf and wants one.  He demands that the boy make him a long scarf.  The boy is bold enough to respond “It would not be wise to have a long scarf made from this cloth. Your majesty does not need it.”

The ensuing story is about how the King gets his scarf and more with dire consequences for everyone else as the clouds are all used up with his demands.  “Enough is enough and not one stitch more.”  A little boy knew this truth but the King didn’t.  The King had everything he needed and more and was driven by greed.  The trouble with greed is that it is insatiable.  I would like to think that I am satisfied with what I have but… this book certainly challenged me.  The boy in this story is wise and the little princess makes a brave decision.  A beautiful book.

 

Posted in Children's Books | 2 Comments

A wise Mum trusts in God

Posted on April 14, 2012 by sarahcondie

I love this photo from the State Library of NSW – I have no idea whether Florence Austral was a mother as well as being a famous singer, but this photo depicts a thoroughly domestic scene – she is making marmalade and behind her is her teapot and cups and saucers.  I have not made marmalade that often, but when I do, I look flustered and dishevelled and my entire kitchen would look like a bomb had hit it.

I wrote this post a couple of years ago on my old blog, which I am planning on closing.  I thought I would reproduce this series again, as I know that some of you who read this blog are newish Mums.

I like thinking about things slowly and mull them around in my head – so I will share a new bit every week, to give you a chance to reflect on it.   Before I became a Mum, I imagined that I would be a calm and serene mother.  I thought that I would be a perfect mother in every way – have wonderful relationships with my children, that I would have perfect children, that I would have a perfect marriage.  I didn’t think I would be working in paid employment.  I imagined that each day I would cook choc chip cookies or blueberry muffins and my children would come home from school to the aroma of these freshly baked goodies and we would sit around the table and chat peacefully about our day.
This picture couldn’t be further from the reality of my life if I tried.  I discovered that I am a far from perfect mother, I have far from perfect children and my marriage is certainly not perfect.  Most days, I could tell myself that I am a complete failure.

On reaching this dismal realisation, I started to ask the question – what does God expect of me as a Mum, as a Christian Mum?  Each of you could ask the same question.  What does God expect or demand of you as mothers – as Christian mothers?
After much thought, I came up with a few ideas of what could characterise or lives as Christian mothers.

A wise Mum trusts in God

It is so easy to be anxious about our children.  We can fill our minds with much fret – will they succeed academically?  with they be liked by others and make friends?  Will they hold onto the Christian faith?  Will they develop qualities of gentleness, kindness and goodness?  Will they go to sleep tonight and stay asleep and not awaken with a bad dream?  Will they ever stop driving me crazy?  Can we trust God with all these anxious thoughts?

A wise Mum is able to silence these silence these anxious thoughts. and have a deep firm trust in her God.  She reminds herself constantly that God is sovereign and totally trustworthy.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.”  Proverbs 3:5-6

The wise woman trusts God.  We have a wonderful picture of a wise woman in the book of Proverbs in chapter 31.  This woman is a wife and a mother.  She is the epitome of a wise woman.  The quality she is most praised for is that she is a woman who “fears the Lord”.  Why does she fear Him?  Because she knows that He is the sovereign God and completely in control of all that happens in life.  She lives her life as if this is a reality.

 A prayer:

“Loving heavenly Father, thank you for the privilege of being a mother.  Thank you for my children.  I want to thank you that you are my sovereign God and that you are totally trustworthy – I can entrust my children to your tender and loving care.  There are so many things that I want to fix and control, but I can’t.  I commit my heart to you and ask that you will help me be a Mum who simply trusts you. Thank you that you are always with me, and that you are always with my children.  Even when I feel like I have nothing to give my children, I know that you are the strength of my heart and my portion forever – I cast myself into your hands, knowing that you are holding me by my right hand and that you guide me with your counsel and that afterwards you will take me into glory.  Amen.”  (from Psalm 73:23-26.)

Photo: Florence Austral at home, Newcastle, NSW, 10 March 1953 / Sam Hood, originally uploaded by State Library of New South Wales collection.

Posted in Parenting, Priorities of a wise Mum | 1 Comment

A little bit of quilting

Posted on April 13, 2012 by sarahcondie

The last couple of months have been a little crazy, leaving me little time to be creative.  My machine has sadly sat and I have looked longingly at the projects I started over summer and wondered when I would find time to return to them.  A couple of years ago I bought a jelly roll of fabrics that I loved and have been wondering what to make with it.  I have had a number of ideas.  It then dawned on me that I could make cushion covers with the multiple strips of fabric that are in the jelly roll.  I had about forty four 2 1/2 inch strips of reds, blacks, blues and creams to play with.  I laid them out on the floor and started with one red square.

Based on the traditional log cabin design, I used the reds and blacks  for one side and  soft blues and creams for the other side.  It was easy to create something beautiful.  I was able to listen to a radio interview with Margaret Throsby, while the sun streamed through the window.  It was a fun way to make a gift for a friend turning 21.
Inspired by this cushion – in fact my family were rather impressed with seeing this and we all thought it looked like it belonged in our family room, I launched on making a second cushion as a wedding gift for a friend who got married at Easter.
Susannah was a bridesmaid and told me that Jess’ favourite colour was purple.  This was a challenge, as I had very little fabric of this colour in my cupboard.  While rummaging, I found an unfinished quilt cover that Susannah started about ten years ago in mauves and white.  It was pretty, but sitting there abandoned and waiting….
I simply cut two squares the right size out of the pieced fabric and turned what should have been a quilt into a cushion cover.  
It is easy to get inspired to keep going when faced the with results of a completed project.  Johnny and I agreed that another of our friends would enjoy a cushion as a gift for her 18th birthday.  I was given the colour of pink.  This is the result:
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Dragonskin Slippers

Posted on March 28, 2012 by sarahcondie

My young neighbour recently turned nine.  She is a bookworm, so I visited our local bookstore to find a book for her.  As I stood in front of the shelves filled with books, and a little uncertain about what to choose, a very helpful woman asked if I needed help.  I told her I was looking for a book for a sophisticated reader, a girl, about to turn nine.  Without batting an eye, she handed me this book Dragonskin Slippers by Jessica Day George and told me she would love it.

About a week after  I had given Bella this book, there was a knock at the door.  Bella had just finished reading Dragonskin Slippers and wanted to share it with me.  She told me she had not been able to put it down, and had enjoyed the story of a young girl named Creel and her encounter with a dragon who has a passion for shoes.  As Creel has no shoes, in fact she is an abandoned orphan, cast out of home by her aunt to find her own way in life, she asks if the dragon could spare a pair.  Reluctantly, he allows her to and choose some beautiful blue slippers made from soft leather that fit perfectly.  These shoes are very special, not that Creel knows this at the time.  As Creel makes her way to the city where she hopes to find work as an embroiderer and dressmaker, she is attacked by a group of youths and rescued by another gallant dragon named Shardas.  This dragon has a passion for collecting beautiful glass.

Bella’s Mum told me later that it had been hard to get Bella to stop reading at night and then in the morning she would be reading over breakfast and not moving or getting ready for school or responding to any of her requests.  Bella finally told her mother that there was no way she could possibly hear her mother when she was sitting in a cave with a dragon!

I have just finished reading this book myself and I have to confess that I nearly missed my bus stop coming home from work I was so engrossed.  Bella and I are both excited that this is part of a series!  Indeed, I have just downloaded the second Dragonflight onto my ipad and started reading it last night.  The third is called Dragonspear.  This is the first time I have taken my ipad to bed to read a book – it feels a little weird, but I was hooked and was keen to keep reading about Creel and her friendship with Shardas, the prince Luka and Marta.

Posted in Books, Children's Books | 3 Comments

A little light reading

Posted on March 26, 2012 by sarahcondie

I doubt whether many of you would choose to read this book.  You would think “this is a guide book about birds”.  Sometimes the most enjoyable reads are buried under titles  and remain undiscovered and unread.

A friend from my church who happens to be an avid bird watcher lent this to me.  I had just loaned a pile of books to her as she recovered from a nasty bout of pneumonia.  On returning some of my books, she included this one and assured me I would love it.  “Don’t be put off by its title” she said.

Thank goodness I heeded her advice.  Nicholas Drayton is a naturalist and a storyteller and this is a delightful story that had me giggling each night.  A few times I had to hold my laughter inside while Keith lay sleeping beside me.  A Guide to the Birds of East Africa is about birds and a group of ornithologists living in Nairobi in Kenya.  And yes it is about a race between two men Mr Malik and Harry Kahn to spot the most birds over a week so they can invite the woman of their dreams  Rose Mbikwa to the annual hunt ball.  However, it is more than this – we get to know Mr Malik – he is reserved, elderly, round and  balding but what a man – he is honourable, kind and there is a hidden side that the reader discovers.  Harry Khan in comparison is a complete sleaze bag.  If you are looking for a humorous and gentle read, this is a delightful companion.

A couple of my blogging friends have written  posts detailing books they have read recently and enjoyed and I have added them to my list to read.  Bloom has written beautifully about the legacy of her father – one of which is a passion for books and reading.  She has recently read “The language of flowers” by Vanessa Diffenbaugh.  The Picket Fence has written about a children’s book she is reading to her oldest son.  The Saturdays by Elizabeth Enright sounds delightful.  We belong to the same public library, so I will have to borrow it when she has finished reading it.  There are times in life when a light enjoyable book is a wonderful companion.

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Psalm 27

Posted on March 23, 2012 by sarahcondie

Six months seems like a long time to spend reading one Psalm.  Perhaps I am a slow and sluggish learner – I know I am good at forgetting.  I have read Psalm 27 again and again, pondered it, written a bible study on it, lead a bible study on it, prayed for friends, family and myself using the words of this Psalm and read through the meditations contained in this remarkable book written by Paul David Tripp “A Shelter in the time of storm: meditations on God and trouble“.

Tripp has written 52 short meditations on Psalm 27 – they are thoughtful, honest and encouraging.   I would read the Psalm and then the next meditation.  Interestingly, it was often the verse that jumped out at me, or some new thought or question I had that Tripp raised in his devotion – I felt like he walked with me and helped answer questions.

My life is blessed with  much to be thankful for, however, there are times when I weep for the sadnesses and despairs in the lives of those around me.  This Psalm has helped me walk with them, and remind myself of things I know to be true – I simply need reminding.  The words written by David in Psalm 27 are profound.  He wrote it in the midst of a time when he felt completely alone and abandoned and yet, his faith and trust in the Lord shine out.  He longs for a time when he can simply be in the presence of the Lord but has learnt that hard lesson of waiting.  Waiting is one of the hardest things we are asked to do.

Aren’t we raised in a “quick fix” and “instant gratification” world?  We are not good at sitting in the mess, in the chaos, in the sadness and wait and remember what we know to be true about God.  We just want things to be better but sometimes they don’t get better, or not right away.  There is a message for all of us in this Psalm.  Even if you are not going through hard times, it is good to have the framework that David has.  He is confident that the Lord is his light and salvation.  He longs for things to be different, but he is able to wait by reminding himself of what he knows to be true – that the Lord is his stronghold and rock, protector, and the source of all goodness – he has nothing to fear.

Paul David Tripp is a wonderful writer.  This book is a helpful companion if you want to try reading the bible very slowly.  You might think you will get bored, but that is one of the beauties of God’s word – it is alive and speaks afresh every day!  Each meditation concludes with two questions to ponder.

Posted in Reflection | 1 Comment

She’s leaving home…

Posted on March 21, 2012 by sarahcondie

It happened suddenly last week – just like that.  Susannah told us on Tuesday night that she might be moving out and on Wednesday it was no longer a possibility, it was a reality and it was happening in three days time.

Gulp!  Was I ready for this?  Not really.  I thought she would stay at home until the end of the year, so I had mentally primed myself to face this then – not now.  No not now.

When Susannah came home from work last Wednesday, she had a smile from ear to ear – she was excited and happy at her decision to move in with two very good friends into an apartment nearby.  In fact she can see the roof of my sister’s house from her balcony, so she has not gone far.  How could I not share her joy?  How could I crush her dreams of a new beginning with the typical “Mum” questions?  So, I shut my mouth and gave her a big hug.  Johnny told me later that he could see the shock and sadness that I was feeling inside – and yes, he is right, those feelings are there, but I am proud that my daughter is longing to fly the coop and be independent.

Ever since that day almost 22 years ago when I first held her in my arms, I knew that one of my goals as a mother was to raise  a young woman who could live independently from me – wisely and well.  Well I have tried and done my best and now she is ready to leave.

We helped her move last Saturday and it was crazy and chaotic.  Somehow, she and her friends have acquired most of the essential items for living in an apartment together.  They will get a fridge and washing machine today.  What I will not miss is the clutter associated with Susannah – shoes, bags, DVDs, CDs, books and her clothes – they are leaving too.

The boys are most curious as to what will happen to her room.  They have both told me that they are sure it will become my sewing room.  Johnny has told me that this would be great as he would no longer have to listen to the whir of the sewing machine while trying to watch TV.  When I responded to them that I quite liked looking out the window of the family room, Michael reminded me of the silver birch outside their bedroom windows.  “After all Mum, this is what sold me on being happy to have my room when we moved here – you told me I could look out at that tree” –  that was thirteen years ago and he still remembers?  It is a beautiful silver birch.

For now, I live in a male dominated household.  How do I feel about that?  Ok really, they are chatty, listen to me talk about girly stuff such as my quilts, they make me cups of tea – they are good company – all of them.  Susannah is not chatty, I have to do things with her and we go to the gym together – three times each week – so I will see her then and when she comes home for dinner on Monday nights.  She has not gone far – yet!

 

 

Posted in My Life, Parenting | 8 Comments

Olive Kitteridge

Posted on February 29, 2012 by sarahcondie

Keith gave me Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout for Christmas and it was a beautiful read.  I read it from cover to cover right away and couldn’t put it down.  I am in the middle of reading it again, this time more slowly and enjoying it more.  I don’t remember ever re-reading a book quite so quickly.

The main character is Olive who is married to Henry and they have one son Christopher.  They live in a small town on the east coast of Maine in the US.  Each chapter stands alone and has its own voice.  It is a collection of short stories, in which Olive makes an appearance – sometimes she dominates, while in others her appearance is more fleeting.  The first chapter is about Henry and this is where we meet Olive and wonder what she is really like, how their marriage has lasted and what shapes the relationship between her and Christopher.  Each chapter reveals a little more about Olive.  She is large and formidable, perhaps a little scary.  In the second chapter, we learn that her father committed suicide when she was young, newly married and just pregnant.

There are times when Olive behaves with dignity and compassion and others when she is a complete relational disaster.  She is very human – a real mixing pot of moments of goodness, kindness, anger and meanness.  What was she like as a mother?  She keeps saying that she loves her son and when you see how she behaves, you wonder…did he feel loved by her?  Did Henry feel loved by her?

This is a story about relationships.  What is it that makes a marriage last?  We learn about Olive and Henry’s marriage, but we also meet Harmon and Bonnie – we find out that she has decided that she has had enough of sex – she says “I think I’m done with that stuff”.  Then there is the moment when he asks “Bonnie, do you know my favourite song?”  In that conversation, you see the bleakness and emptiness in their marriage – and yet, they have raised four sons together, they have lived many years alongside each other.  The friendship that once existed is over.

It is also about the relationships between parents and their children. We find out about an awful thing that happened to the Kitteridges.  It is awful, because we learn what they both really think of each other and their impact on the life of their only son, now married.  Inside Olive is a huge lump of loneliness, hurt and disappointment.  Olive plants her tulips and her life as she knows it changes irrevocably forever.  Olive is a creator of beautiful things – her home, her clothes, her garden but does she have what it takes to create beautiful relationships?  This is what she longs for.  Indeed, don’t we all long for relationships that are safe and last through thick and thin?  We also want to raise children who grow up, become independent, who want to remain connected to us in some way.  We don’t want them to leave and the only conversation that takes place is on the phone with a monosyllabic response of “fine” when asked “how are you?”

This book is sad, evocative and readable.  Elizabeth Strout allows the reader to ask questions without answering them for us.  I felt like an invisible observer, caught up in the minutae of the characters lives – I can see those tulips, I can see the sea and I can see the home that Olive created so lovingly for her son – so why does he leave?

One of my work colleagues read this book at the same time and her reaction was identical to mine.  I have given it as a gift to another friend who had already read it, but was delighted as she wanted to own it and re-read it.  This is a seriously good book.

 

Posted in Books, Marriage, Parenting | 4 Comments

Bring your friends – Nicky Chiswell & Band

Posted on February 16, 2012 by sarahcondie

Nicky Chiswell is one of my very good friends.  We did the parenting stuff together.   When her family moved inter-state I was sad.  I made a promise that if she ever did a new album, I would come to the launch.  Back in June 2011, Nicky held a concert called “Bring your Friends“, it was recorded and this album is the result.  I love it.

Three of my friends travelled to Melbourne in a quick 24-hour trip.  Don’t follow our example of travelling together.  Two of us got the dates wrong and were due to return home before the concert even began, none of us were on the same flight and then one of my friends got lost on the freeways and it took her two and a half hours to find me.  I kept getting frantic calls from her – she had no idea where she was, she had lost her glasses and couldn’t read the street directory and I was utterly powerless to anything other than pray.  We made it to the concert with seconds to spare and it was worth every cent and all that worry.

Nicky is a born story-teller and she tells the story of Jesus in her songs and between her songs. She has used the gospel of Luke and we meet Jesus and a number of different people, including Martha – what woman does not identify with Martha?   If you took a friend to a concert of Nicky, your friend would encounter Jesus and be challenged to think about wanting to meet Him face to face.  This album is easy to listen to and filled with thoughtful and compelling lyrics.  I find it comforting and challenging.

The songs I return to are “the worry song” and “circle”.  I can relate to worry –  I deserve a degree as I effortlessly find things to worry about.  Circle is the story of Nicky going to her 30-year school reunion.  It is a song about friendship that spans over time.  It captures the essence of friendship that has lasted where there are bonds that tie friends together.  Next weekend, Keith and I are going to Melbourne and will spend time with Graeme and Nicky.  What a treat!  It will be a bit like that circle song for us.

Posted in Music, My Life | Leave a comment

Something for my Mother

Posted on February 15, 2012 by sarahcondie

Today it is my Mother’s birthday and again I faced that perplexing dilemma: what to give her. Every year, I want to give her something that she will really like – but what is that something?

It was with much delight that I rediscovered a picture book  from my own childhood.  Mr Rabbit and the Lovely Present is written by Charlotte Zolotow and illustrated by Maurice Sendak.  This is about this very dilemma!  Fancy that!

It is the story of a little girl who is looking for a birthday present for her mother.  She enlists the help of Mr Rabbit as she has “nothing to give her”.  She is keen to give her something that she likes – just like me.  Together, they think about what her mother likes.  The first thing the little girl thinks of is red “she likes red”. So Mr Rabbit suggests things that are red, because you can’t just give red – red underwear, red roofs, red birds, red fire engines and finally red apples.  She likes red apples – sensible woman.

The conversation between the little girl and Mr Rabbit is refreshingly understated.  The little girl feels all sorts of emotions as they think about each coloured object – sometimes it is horror, or uncertainty and excitement when she finds the perfect object – but it is the illustrations and what is not said that captures these emotions.  It is a beautiful story of a little girl finding that perfect gift for her mother – a basket of fruit – red apples, yellow bananas, green pears and blue grapes.  It has not cost any money to buy – she has found and collected beautiful things and reused a basket that she already owns.  The little girl is thoughtful and Mr Rabbit ever so patient.

I remember borrowing this book from our local library and reading it as a little girl – probably about five or six.  I also remember the first time I used my own pocket money to buy  something for my mother.  I would have been about seven or eight, and I walked to our local shopping centre on my own and found a glass vase that would fit a single rose bud.  My Mum’s name is Rose, so I thought this was a very good gift and even better, I had enough coins to pay for it.  I do remember though that Mum always told us that she would  love to be given something we had made, like a card or a cake – I used to love baking and was given free reign of the kitchen from a  young age.

Back to Mum’s birthday today.  Keith found the perfect gift for her a few weeks ago while browsing  Glee Books in Blackheath –  The Naming of Names by Anna Pavord. Mum loves all things botanical, has a green thumb and the knack of creating beautiful gardens, she paints water colour drawings of plants and flowers and can identify plants without trying.  It is a beautiful book, filled with exquisite illustrations.  But then… we discovered she had bought it for herself!

Back to the drawing board.  A couple of weeks ago, I visited this gorgeous cafe in a gift shop for brunch with some friends.  After eating and chatting we browsed the gifts on display – many of them arranged by colour.  Naturally I gravitated towards the blue objects as this is my favourite colour.  However,  Mum loves green, so I took myself over to the green corner and discovered some lime green beads that I could imagine her wearing.  I put them on, then found a green scarf which I also put on – I could imagine her wearing both, but I was not completely sold on either.

I then spied a ceramic cream jug – its shape appealed and I could imagine it sitting in my Mum’s house, filled with flowers – either dried or fresh or simply sitting.  Mum trained to be a potter, so ceramics are something she loves and appreciates.  I put the beads and scarf back.  I had found the perfect gift.  Well, I will find that out tomorrow when I give it to her!   Continue reading →

Posted in Children's Books, My Life | 2 Comments