Monday, June 11, 2012

You Only Live Once, Live Beautifully


So the title of this post is my new mantra.  I love it and I already live by it, but I thought I'd blog it to remind myself how short and precious life is.  I stayed at my mum's this long weekend and we entertained.  Mum was not up to making a big splash, as she was dizzy, even so we turned it on for some wonderful old neighbours who we have had alot to do with one way and another, over the last 40 years.


  I arranged this hot pink and orange posy and installed it in a milk glass epergine....... not bad for a Winter garden don't you think?  This little spider came along for the ride too.  We laid out the Royal Albert china and all the children, mums and grandmas sat at the table drinking tea from fine china and eating a fabulous new banana cake that I forgot to shoot, but promise to share later.  We discussed Christmases we'd had together and lots of memories and it was what I would call 'living beautifully'.  Kate, the other mum and I took a walk around our childhood suburb.  One naughty little dog followed unleashed.  The kids were left to their own devices to ride bikes on the street, as we did forty years ago, whilst the grandma's sat by the fire and kept and eye on them.


It was a beautiful catch up and we all left promising to do it again soon.


On Friday we had another food shoot for the cook book.  I am becoming a very bad blogger indeed, forgeting to photogrpah the best of my work.  It will be in the cook book, but I will recreate it with things I plan to cook for you soon.


It was fantastic to have The Beach house full of lovely locals all pulling together to make this thing fantastic.


This was the other stylist Vanessa, whom I had never met before.  It was great having a house full of people, some of whom I didn't know, pulling my kitchen apart and cooking up a storm.  Kiddos playing down the back of the house and being shooed away as they bumped into lighting screens on their travels.  The atmosphere was one of camaraderie and fun. That feeling of  all pulling together to achieve the production of a cook book by October.  We have 35 shots in the can and two more shoots lined up for this week.


So here's to living beautifully ladies.  I think I'll drink to that.  Oh and I almost forgot to mention I weighed myself at mum's and have lost another 2kg since January.  So that's 14 kilos lost since last September. See how I did it here. Soooooo happy!!!!!  I've now got a good chance of making old age. Now that really is beautiful. 



Today I am linked up here

16 comments :

  1. That soup looks delicious and very healthy. Congratulations on the cookbook btw and the extra weight loss. You are living very beautifully! Leahx

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  2. Good for you Carolyn, making the most of life and definitely living beautifully! I completely agree with Leah :) xo Kirsty

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  3. love the winter flowers. it must be fun having some professional stylists and photographers to work with. hope the rain stops soon!
    x

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  4. I'll drink to that too, preferably in that adorable tea cup!

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  5. Love the first photo. Beautfully composed. And the capture of the itty spider. I love
    the behind the scenes goings on. Love your mantra.

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  6. Love your new mantra! This cookbook sounds like it is going to be fabulousl! So looking forward to it coming out. x

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  7. good for you!!! everything looks and sounds wonderful...the soup makes me want some!

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  8. just imagine if you hadnt re done your kitchen. I dont think any of this would be happening..esp them photographing on your old bench, can you imagine..NOT!
    well done...looks fantastic.
    and yay mum and a tea party. that is so cool. I hope she feels better soon, give her a hug from me. nic

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  9. Hi Carolyn,
    I love all of this post......
    I'm loving seeing the cookbook come together. I can't wait to see the end result.
    A book styled by someone I know. How exciting!
    And, as to the rest, I couldn't agree more.
    Make an occasion whenever and wherever you can!!! ;o)
    Tania xx

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  10. I cant wait to see the finished product and I am so excited that one it is from the Northern Beaches and two your are involved :)
    P.S Talk soon as I am coming to watch you cook off! xxx

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  11. Carolyn, Sounds like a wonderful day with family and friends. The chocolate looks delicious and I am looking forward to the recipe. I appreciate you linking to the OHP this week. Thanks!

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  12. I agree... we should live beautifully...and BOLDLY!

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  13. I really like this little saying. I shall try to remember it more often!
    Have a lovely weekend,
    Elyse

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  14. Hi Carolyn
    it looks great :)
    and do not miss.....

    S
    A
    T
    U
    R
    D
    A
    Y

    S
    H
    O
    W

    O
    F
    F

    it is FUN :)
    WELCOME
    Håkan ( The Roseman)

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  15. What you said is very true. We don't know how long we have on this journey but we should make the best of it. Enjoy the good times and even enjoy the bad times because the bad times have lessons that teach us and help us grow.

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