Friends - The Chitty Chat eBook

Our experiences with one another formed a patchwork of memories to keep our souls warm and feeling loved

While living in Port Macquarie I was so blessed to have the most wonderful group of friends. Every so often we would get together in one house or another and drink tea and make yummy things to eat and chitty chat. We had such a diverse range of conversations from Argentine Tango to Alcoholics Anonymous to how to Pray or how to create an artwork with your life.

We decided to write an ebook on our tea parties and share with you some of the things we talk about. Writing the ebook together was the most wonderful exercise... it brought us even deeper into our understanding of each other. My beautiful friends are coming up to visit me soon... can't wait for more tea parties and chitty chat.

Blooming Marrrrvelous Frangis

Frangipanis Blooming on a Van in Ballina

How was your Christmas, was it calm and collected, did you keep to your budget? Congratulations... have you thought about writing a book about how to do it? You'll make a fortune, maybe even end up on Oprah.

If however you are anything like the majority of us, getting caught up in the hectic pre Christmas rush and then getting caught up in the emotional ups and downs that can be Christmas... this post Christmas time can be one where we can take time out to reflect on what has just happened.

I wonder what would have happened to the Frangipani on this van, if it had thought, 'well this is no place for me, and no one listens to me, and no one has ever loved me enough to plant me in dirt so I am not going to bloom I am just going to sit here on this van and keep my flowers locked inside me so there'.

Yet as humans we occasionally partake in this kind of thinking... I wonder what flowers each of us has locked inside us just waiting to bloom, no matter what the circumstances.

Mele Kalikimaka - Memories of Christmas Past

I hear that in many places something has happened to Christmas; that it is changing from a time of merriment and carefree gaiety to a holiday which is filled with tedium; that many people dread the day and the obligation to give Christmas presents is a nightmare to weary, bored souls; that the children of enlightened parents no longer believe in Santa Claus; that all in all, the effort to be happy and have pleasure makes many honest hearts grow dark with despair instead of beaming with good will and cheerfulness.
- Julia Peterkin, A Plantation Christmas, 1934

I was such a lucky child, I was brought up by a Mum, who planned Christmas throughout the year, just for the sake of bringing Joy to her family on Christmas Day. My Mum lived on a very limited budget and yet, she managed to put away a little money each week, that went to making her family Christmas a very special one. It must have been tempting to spend that money on herself at times, yet she never did. How lucky my sister and I were, to wake up on Christmas morning with presents under the tree, gleaming in the twinkling lights. They weren't hugely expensive presents, but they were given from her heart, with an intention that was created throughout the previous year. What wonderful memories I have.

Instead of wondering what present will be impressive enough for people, rethink your motives this Christmas, and wonder, what present will bring the most Joy? Maybe you won't even have to spend any money, maybe you could write a letter that says how much that person is appreciated. My girlfriend's Dad was an alcoholic, who left the family and was homeless, yet every birthday and every Christmas, she received a eucalyptus leaf that was painted especially for her. The leaves had little messages of caring for her written on them. Those leaves took pride of place on her mantle piece.

This year get a bit creative and give from your heart simply for another person's Joy.