Saving my world - one hairdresser at a time!

Douglas Adams was one of my favourite authors a million years ago when I was very young. In the third book of his five book trilogy he writes about an imaginary civilisation that expelled all the superfluous people such as public telephone cleaners, middle management and hairdressers. The karmic outcome was the demise of the entire civilisation due to a deadly disease transmitted via public telephones. Hilarious right?!!

Well I can't imagine a world without hairdressers....

I have a gorgeous little bear that is possibly autistic.

Last time Little Bear had a much needed haircut (it was long and riddled with head lice UGH!) it was a fairly traumatic event. I held him while the ever patient hairdresser snipped off his golden locks. He did scream. Big tears did roll down his face. He did pick up locks of hair from his lap and tried to stick them back on his head. Was kind of funny and cute except for the obvious distress he was experiencing. I swore I'd never again force him to have a haircut. He could have it cut when he gave his permission.

Many months later I was wondering if I'd have to start plaiting his hair. Grandad had tried. Dad, big brother and sister, Aunty, amazing Kindy teacher and many friends had conversations with little bear about having his hair cut - with no success.

This afternoon I parked outside the hairdresser's salon, planning to walk down a few shops to the news agency. Little Bear walked up to the salon door and announced: hair cut!

Well it did take about 10 minutes of gentle persuasion from both the hairdresser and I but he climbed on to the tall stool all by himself and submitted to the Wiggles cape. Oh hooray! He held my hand throughout and he covered his face with the cape and he would not allow the squirting from the spray bottle BUT he now has a smart new cut AND is very proud of himself.

What made this possible? All the preparation from those he trusted, definitely! But above all; the compassion, ingenuity, kindness and patience from a young hairdresser. She elicited his favourite characters, told him he was going to look just like Peter Parker and made special spider webs between her hands with hair gel.

I bet she's glad I didn't kiss her - felt like it though!

Y CateSunshine

Remembering Nanna

A beautiful photo of my Mother-in-law.

I have been working on a simple animation as a tribute to my MIL whom we lost to cancer 9 years ago now. It has been a wonderful process for me as I've been able to sift through gorgeous photos of Norma as a young woman and photos of my precious babies and husband.

I'm all aglow with nostalgia. xxx

YCateSunshine

Ruby Emerald Salad - adults only!

My lovely Spring Creek friend brought over some of her garden bounty yesterday. 3 colours of silverbeet (green, ruby & gold), bunches of parsley and red onions just pulled from the ground. I experimented with the ruby silverbeet last night and came up with a really simple but delish salad.

5 young leaves ruby silverbeet, finely chopped
small bunch of parsley, finely chopped
large handful of walnuts, oven roasted for 3 minutes

dressing:
2 tablespoons avocado oil
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
juice of half a lemon
large pinch of salt
large pinch each of; paprika, dried parsley, white pepper, tumeric, thyme, fenugreek, onion powder
shake it all up in a small glass jar

toss everything together (there will be dressing left over for tomorrow's salad)

It really looked amazing and was delicious with my homemade chicken nuggets but no amount of enticing could get possum, blossom or little bear to try it!

Y CateSunshine
p.s. I 'borrowed' the silverbeet picture from http://figjamandlimecordial.com she posts some amazing recipes there.

Granny Square Love

Earlier this year our family moved to a little town on the Downs and I suffered extreme homesickness for the friends and community I had left behind, I also didn't find my new town very friendly. Oh well, give it some time I thought. Fast forward 9 months and I went to visit the local drapery where the local craft group meet. I have shopped there on numerous occasions.

Me: Hello, I'd really like to join your quilting group.
Lady: No we're closed.
Me: Urm, the shop is closed?
Lady: No our group is closed, we have enough members.

I make it to my car before I start crying.

Oh well, maybe they just don't like the way I smell.
Yesterday I took little bear to his special class in Warwick, a much larger town half an hour away. To occupy myself I decided to visit a beautiful quilt shop on the main street. My browsing was interrupted by a pleasant, obligatory "Can I help you with anything?"

Me: No thanks, I'm just looking. [pause] Actually I'd really like to find someone who could give me a crochet lesson.
Lady: [pauses, looks at me for 2 seconds & then] Come with me.

I follow her into the room behind the shop where other women are busily crafting away. I am warmly introduced, given a lovely crochet lesson and included in conversation. I don't just leave with a gorgeous red & aqua granny square. I walk away feeling like I have been wrapped in a warm blanket, I feel loved.

I make it to my car before I start crying.
Y CateSunshine

p.s. If you're in Warwick perhaps you'd like to pop in and visit the lovely Warwick Patchwork & Quilting shop.
http://www.warwickpatch.com/

Charred penguin anyone?

Multitasking is not one of my strengths. This was supposed to be little bear's delicious, golden coloured, penguin shaped morning tea - well it is penguin shaped :) Sorry little bear but what's a mummy to do when inspiration for this month's writing assignment hits just after I've poured the batter!

September writing assignment:

The Tooth Fairy

He tucks a precious tissue wrapped parcel under his pillow so that the tooth fairy can execute her magical gold coin swap. It was a silver coin when I was a child but my son has higher expectations. I kiss him and watch his eyes close, surprised that he drifts off so quickly, I was anticipating a bit of a struggle.

I watch my husband do the swap carefully and I smile at his tenderness. I think of my list; first baby tooth lost, and make a mental tick.

I think of how many beautiful firsts and achingly sad firsts are to come; first day of school, first love.... I want to be there for all of them.

Suddenly he whimpers awakening from a bad dream. I rush to his side. He opens his eyes, sees me and smiles, instantly reassured he falls back asleep.

I imagine his excitement in the morning as he finds his gilded treasure. I picture him cuddled in his father's arms, telling him that he saw the tooth fairy and that "she looked just like Mummy!" blending his dreams
with my presence.

I turn to the light that glows brightly calling me back to the place I belong, the beautiful place where I have lived since my illness. I'm only allowed five visits so I need to choose carefully. I only have four left.

Y CateSunshine

p.s. I did make little bear some more penguin waffles that were yummy xx

Scattered Sunshine