Musings on a Stormy Day in Australia

I love stormy days in Australia. Rain pattering loudly on my tin roof. Winds rushing through the gum trees. Standing still under the canopy of branches, listening to the patter of water droplets as they fall from sky to leaf to forest floor.

It’s so good to be home. Cozy in the big, green armchair, creamy coffee sweetened with real maple syrup, time to rest and think and just be.

It’s a thoughtful sort of day. A day for naps and reading and gentle strolls in the rain. For penning handwritten letters and slow-roasting tomatoes. For making soup.

I juiced oranges this morning and put the peels in my crockpot and covered them with water. They’re simmering now, filling my little house with citrusy goodness.

I’m lingering on Pinterest today. Losing myself in glorious images. Letting go of niggling anxieties and fears as I’m reminded of how much beauty and goodness there is in this oft-frightening world.

I feel my little griefs ebbing, replaced by gratefulness.

Gratefulness for:

A big feather comforter that keeps me so cozy at night.

An “anything you can fit in this bag for $3″ special in the produce department at the grocery store. I filled one with cherries, peaches, nectarines, grapes, fresh dill and watercress. I can’t help smiling when I think of it.

Friends who love me just the way I am. No strings attached. No efforts to mold me into what they think is best.

A real hand-written letter in the mail. And a package wrapped in brown paper all the way from Germany.

Finding more dark chocolate when I thought it was all gone.

A whole stack of new British murder mysteries from the library.

Funny how a little gratefulness cheers a body right up.Now I think I’ll don my wellies and go for a trek in the storm. It’s a lovely storm.

What is cheering your heart today? xo

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http://thefisherlady.blogspot.com/ thefisherlady

reading your post cheered me!!!
love your wellies! and I smiled at… Winds rushing through the gum trees…..
love your list of gratefuls!
It is what always cheers me too… counting the many gifts that our Abba Father brings through so many different avenues… so many surprises!
the three dollar bag full was lovely and I think I can see you smiling!
I love your tree like the hawthorne… the thorns always remind me of the Father’s gift to us all in His Son and I pray our grateful hearts give great joy to Him who has done so much for us.
I am praying for your wellness and our dear Danielle’s too…
hugs

http://www.ramblingtart.com/ Krista

I’m glad it cheered you, Susan. There are so many sad things in the world right now. We’ve got to hang onto the good ones to keep us going. xo

http://www.ofmusesandmeringues.blogspot.com/ Beth

Those boots cheered me up quite a bit. And it’s wonderful what good a stack of murder mysteries can do one’s heart.

http://www.ramblingtart.com/ Krista

It is wonderful, Beth. They bring me much delight.

http://marthameetslucy.typepad.com/ Deanna

Summer storms are the very best. We don’t get them often, but when we do I spend all day outside. I’m jealous of your shopping spree. All that for $3? Can’t wait to see what you make with it!

http://www.ramblingtart.com/ Krista

They ARE the best, Deanna. It’s raging again now and my heart is happy. I’ve been chopping and freezing and roasting my way through the goodies I got.

Barbara @ winosandfoodies

Love those wellies. You do know you haveto watch some cricket in summer. It is part of being Australian. We are watching now as I write this. Rraining here but not in Adelaide where the game is.

http://www.ramblingtart.com/ Krista

I love them too, Barbara. They’re so cheery. I have been watching cricket but I confess it baffles me. I’ll keep trying though!

http://www.orgasmicchef.com/ Maureen

Hi! I saw your comment on Kitchen Butterfly about maple extract in Australia. Would you share your source with a yank in Queensland, please? I’d say pretty please but I wouldn’t want you to think I was begging. Begging IS possible, however.

I love your photos but I don’t like your rain. I love your boots. I envy your chooks.

http://www.ramblingtart.com/ Krista

Of course, Maureen! Here’s the link: http://ocanada.com.au/shop/canadian-foods/maple-products/club-house-maple-extract-43ml.html

So glad you stopped by. I’m in Queensland too!

http://joanne-eatswellwithothers.com/ Joanne

What a peacefully content post! I love how you reflect on gratefulness. Sometimes it’s so easy to get caught up in all the negative and it’s so nice to just think about what’s going on that’s GOOD. <3

http://www.ramblingtart.com/ Krista

It IS so easy, dear Joanne. There have been a lot of sad, painful things in my life this week, and it helped so much to remember all the good things along with it. XO

http://sevengreysweaters.com Amy @ Seven Grey Sweaters

Your photos are so beautiful! I saw this quote recently, which I LOVE, and thought you would too:
“The art of being happy lies in the power of extracting happiness from common things.” ~ Henry Ward Beecher

Also, I’d love to know who your favorite British mystery authors are. I’m always looking for new authors to read.

http://www.ramblingtart.com/ Krista

What a perfect quote, Amy, thank you. I love it. Ooh, let’s see, favorite Brit authors: Agatha Christie, of course. I LOVE John Buchan, though his stories are more adventure than mystery. I’ve mostly been watching mysteries lately: Wire in the Blood, Kavanaugh QC, Foyle’s War, Wallender, etc.

http://sevengreysweaters.com Amy @ Seven Grey Sweaters

Oooh, I will check those out! Already love Wallender and Foyle’s War. I once made a list of every Agatha Christie book and made sure that I read every. single. one. It’s kind of sad though now, because now I know I’m never going to stumble across a new one at a book shop. Have you read Louise Penny? In a similar vein (cozy village mysteries) but Canadian. And very, very good. Especially her later books.

Mary Bergfeld

I so love your photos. Your world is always sharply focused and I love the view from your perch.. I hope you have a great day. Blessings…Mary

http://www.ramblingtart.com/ Krista

Thank you, dear Mary. I’m SO glad you like them too. I just love these ones in the woods – those glistening globes of water on the branches make me smile.

Anonymous

I agree, reading this post cheered me up as well – thanks Krista! We’re having loads of rain here too… and can think of nothing better than cozying up under my big down comforter with a good book… oh, and making some soup, that’s a wonderful idea thinking you in France bella Krista, happy Sunday!

http://www.ramblingtart.com/ Krista

I’m so glad, Tuula. Thank you for stopping by on YOUR rainy day in France.

http://profiles.google.com/the.untamed.duo Jared and Breanne Mosher

That was beautiful, Krista. Thanks for the reminders of all the lovely things that there are around us. Hugs to you, friend.

http://www.ramblingtart.com/ Krista

Thank you, dear Breanne! And big hugs back to you. XO

Jeanne @ CookSister

Gorgeous post – and something we should all do more often: make a list of what we are grateful for at that moment. I LOVE the $3 bag of produce idea! Wish the supermarkets here would do that…