“No one who cooks, cooks alone. Even at her most solitary, a cook in the kitchen is surrounded by generations of cooks past, the advice and menus of cooks present, the wisdom of cookbook writers.”
~ Laurie Colwin“If you are careful,’ Garp wrote, ‘if you use good ingredients, and you don’t take any shortcuts, then you can usually cook something very good. Sometimes it is the only worthwhile product you can salvage from a day; what you make to eat. With writing, I find, you can have all the right ingredients, give plenty of time and care, and still get nothing. Also true of love. Cooking, therefore, can keep a person who tries hard sane.”
~ John Irving, The World According to Garp
Someone sent me an email yesterday. I present an excerpt here for your interest;
Nicole, I’m really puzzled over your blog. You are a psychic. What the *#@^ are you writing about cooking for? Also, enough with the photos of your garden and your dogs. Anyone can write about that so leave it to them. More how-to’s about being a psychic and your psychic stories. That’s what I want.
Hmmm…
I made myself a pot of tea, went and hosed my vegetable garden, and thought about how to respond.
It’s true. I am psychic. And that is a very big part of my life. But it’s not ALL of my life.
Further to that, this person also wrote:
“It must be wonderful to be psychic. How glamorous and exciting.”
That made me laugh. Glamorous? Not much, my friend. Exciting? Not really the word I would have chosen.
It has been a big week for me – as well as dealing with my horror Lyme meds I’ve been reaching out to support a friend as she suffers a major health crisis, holding the space for others coming through grief and trauma, and guiding a student experiencing a major spiritual breakthrough. I also advised authorities over a difficult matter, comforted a client who had received a positive cancer diagnosis after finally going to the doctor at my insistence, and guided others through life’s major crossroads.
That’s a normal week for me.
I cannot speak for others who are psychic, but I can speak of what this life is like for me.
I adore what I do, but it is also a great responsibility. Being psychic, being aware of the thoughts and feelings of others, having knowledge of situations and possibilities, being compelled to come to the aid of people – it’s exhausting. I can’t turn off seeing auras and energy all around me. I am constantly aware of things others cannot see, some of which, at times, I would rather not know.
And I am always, always on duty.
I’m not talking about the times when I am working with clients, or running workshops or retreats. I’m expecting to do psychic work then, and I’m prepared and ready for that.
The truth is I cannot plan my days with any certitude. It doesn’t matter whether I am healthy or unwell, busy or on a day off. It does not matter what time of the day or night. If I am called to serve, I must heed that call.
I might wake from a dream, or emerge from a meditation with the need to contact someone, provide information and then support them. Perhaps I will need to try and prevent a suicide. I might spend time helping a lost soul cross over, comforting a child and guiding them with their own spiritual and psychic connections, or helping an unborn twin save their sibling. My holidays get interrupted, even when I’m in the middle of the ocean, or I might be suddenly called to intervene with healing a past life trauma for a complete stranger.
The images, information and emotions are like constant background noise. And then sometimes that volume gets cranked way up.
My main method of coping – besides tapping into nature, community and the grounded joys of everyday life – is meditation. Meditation clears the energetic debris at the end of the day, and I can reach out and send love and healing so that others feel supported. Meditation also starts my day. I can set my intent, tune in and open myself to what most needs focus or support, and direct my energies to that end. Meditation makes room in my mind, and it uplifts my soul. It’s one of the reasons why I include so many meditations in my blog.
But that’s not cooking, is it? Meditation is still kind of psychic…
Here’s the thing. Every day I see humanity in all its glorious wonder, frailty, beauty, brutality and ugliness. I taste and feel life as viscerally as if it is all happening to me, and through me.
At times I feel the weight of the world on my shoulders, and at other times I feel uproariously free, grateful and alive. I am privileged to see and feel with this weird kind of subtlety and sensitivity. It is an honour to peer into the fabric of the Universe and glimpse some of its magic.
It’s a path I take very seriously.
But it’s not glamorous, or particularly exciting. Instead I find it humbling, hard work and at times extraordinarily rewarding.
So why blog recipes?
Cooking is actually very important to me. Sorry, that may sound a bit trite. Let me explain. It’s where I feel my grandmothers’ hands guiding mine – although they are now passed over. And I really miss my grandmothers! Cooking helps me feel them in the kitchen with me. Preparing food is one of the ways I can show care for my family, friends and community, and it’s the thing I do to stay sane in my often crazy world.
Cooking is often my lifeline, and the thing that normalises me when life feels so very strange. It connects me to my ordinary self. It’s a way to unwind, a form of moving meditation. It’s a way to nurture me and others. Plus… yum!
Also my Nana’s Curried Sausages Recipe beats Jamie Oliver’s and the Women’s Weekly’s in Google rankings. 🙂
Anyway, I digress…
Getting my hands into the dirt in my garden or rambling around my farm talking to the cows keeps me grounded too.
My dogs? They are sometimes the rodeo clowns who prevent me being trampled, sometimes my nurses, sometimes the ones who understand best what I need, and who give me love, comfort and reason to laugh after a hard day.
I’m glad you are keen to develop your psychic skills. But how’s your cooking? How’s your compassion? What are your coping skills? How’s your humanity?
How will you handle being psychic, and all that entails, especially looking after and guiding other people with wisdom and kindness, if you cannot also be rounded and grounded as a person?
Sorry, but I’m going to keep blogging my life – ALL of it – I hope you understand.
All the best,
Nicole
PS – I couldn’t help myself. I guess you mightn’t be reading my blog again after this, so I thought I’d better include one last photo of my awesomely magical dogs…
its important to have a foot in both worlds, get better
Thank you Doreen! Thank you so much for such wonderful advice! I am entirely grateful to have you here!
I identify with a lot of what you write … I’m a bit psychic, love to cook and garden and write, and I have dogs and love them. We part ways at the pooping cupcakes though–my dogs don’t do that! And I really must insist that you let us in on the secret!
I love your blog..the only one I read on a regular basis. Sometimes it can be easy to make a picture of a person in your head, and they fit in this box here.!Then it is so disconcerting when they refuse to stay where you put them.I am a nurse, but also a mother,wife, a gardener,artist, an aspiring beekeeper , have a dog,cat and chickens. Yes, you are psychic, but it is a part of the whole you. I love that you nurture our whole selves with your stories, recipes, meditation and those dear dogs.
Thankyou XX
#WINNING
Your awesomely magical unicorn dogs who poop cupcakes made my day.
Extremely well done response to the individual’s comments.
Thoughtful, honest, and even had magical cupcake pooping unicorn dogs.
xoxoo
Nicole, I want to add my support to your wonderful blog. It is as it should be. many many of us are drawn to it because this is a supportive mirror to our lives. Animals have a soul of love that reaches out to us unconditionally always. This bouys us. Food and taste is a wonder for our physical bodies. We are all a whole, we all have complexities that is we are not one single thing, and we need to get our nourishment from things that support our inner joy. It may be that the new reader only wants exposure to one element. One element is a lopsided path. Take care of yourself dear Nicole, and know that just as you send love to all each day, there are many of us in our own way also sending love and healing to you. Stay true. Loads of love and light
Jocelyn xxoo
Jocelyn, thank you so much! I have been deeply humbled by the outpouring of love and support here, and I’m so glad to be able to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Sending much love and light back to you, Nicole xx
Keep as grounded as you wish you are the best ignore the knockers .
Cherryx
Thanks, Cherry! xoxoxoxoxoxoxo 🙂
:-0 I’m a bit gobsmacked! Really? I love reading your blog Nicole. All of it. I care about how you’re feeling and admire the strength you have in making sure you live your best life. No matter how s**t you’re feeling you still continue to bring love, reassurance and magic into other people’s lives. I love your stories and experiences, your meditations, your recipes. The Persian Love cake and lemon yoghurt syrup cake are divine 🙂
My garden, my kitchen and my cat are where I go to regroup and relax too so it’s nice to share those experiences.
And besides Nicole, it’s YOUR blog. You can bloody well write about whatever you want! 🙂
(and yep, unicorn dog pic IS f%#*%^g hilarious)
I am quietly quite chuffed with that unicorn dog pic, Lynley…
😀 Big love and hugs to you, gorgeous girl xx
I feel truly privileged to have stumbled across your blogs. They have assisted me enormously as I battled with what I now to have been depression after my marriage ended and I honestly thought my heart would never heal or I would feel happiness again. But I was guided here and your kind and uplifting blogs. And the recipes are great I love reading them. Please don’t change x
Sending so much love your way, Susan. Glad to hear you are coming out the other side of that difficult time. Bless xx
You rock Nicole!!!
So do you, Jem! 😀
Perfect response, I love it & admire everything about you & your blogs, your food recipes & farm life included. Your blogs are true to yourself, there is no need to change anything to please a few. You are an inspiration, thank you xx
Thanks, Natalie! Bless xx
Nicole, I think we are all so lucky that you are willing to share of yourself. I love the catchups at the farm, the recipes are a wonderful gift. Food is love! The insight into your struggles with Lyme are a timely reminder not to sweat the small stuff and be grateful for the good things. You fill a spot that is unique because of the way you share, and I thank you for that.
Thanks for your kind words, Lisa. Big love to you 🙂 xoxo
Gosh Nicole, your little dogs have the most adorable personalities I can almost see through the pictures! They are so, so darling-I just adore them.
This blog is such a constant every night before bed. I know I’ve said it already, but I continue to learn from you. So thankful to have found this back almost two years ago!
This blog stands out because of what you mentioned above. Keep doing you 😉 Much love-xoxo.
I’m glad you’re here too, Megan! (((HUGS))) xoxo
Nicole I read your blog just about everyday. You are an important part of my life. As for your recipes i have made many of them. The cakes especially for the Arts & Crafts group I run. They love them. As you said “You are a “Physic” but that is not ALL of you life. I love how you tell it as it is. So refreshing and honest. You are a gift to many. I for one treasure that gift. 🙂
You made my cakes!!!! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks, honey! Love you xx
I too read your blog every day! And will continue to do so Providing yours & mine internet co-operates with us! lol Please don’t change a thing! Every post is divinely perfect in contents and timing! Much love to you & your hubby and your magical cupcake pooping unicorn dogs! Your farm and all the plants & creatures that dwell there! Fairies included! Love you Nicole!
P.S. Thank you so much for all that you do Nicole, & for answering your call to service humanity. You are one of the many Blessings that God has bestowed upon this Universe! Thank you again! <3 <3
I think we are all Blessings for each other, Paula. Thank you so much for all your love and well wishes to me and my crew. And the fairy, especially, (you know the one I mean!) sends extra big love and hugs right back xx
Nicole a well rounded and very delightful person. Well written. Mx.
Marilyn! (((HUGS))) Love you xx
Love you and all you do <3
Big love right back, Nikky xoxo
Hi Nicole
Thank you and gratitude for your blog. Since coming to see you in 2008 I have keenly followed you. Your blog for me is real and shows me how we are not separated from our “work” and life. It is all intertwined and happens. You have inspired me to consistently look at me and my world and question many things – always willing to change.
There is always hidden gems within your writing if you are only willing to look. I often hear your voice in my ear and your words of wisdom reminding me to stay true to what I know.
Thank you and much love for all that you are.
Love and gratitude xx
Jacq xx
Hey Jacq, I’m glad you hear my voice in your ear. Keep being YOU, beautiful girl. Much love to you xoxo
Wow! I love your blogs and read them because you talk about your garden and nature and day to day stuff. To be honest I really don’t think beyond that maybe just how you share a powerful kind of magic that some people just can’t see because they don’t stop to appreciate the smallest pleasures in life and just breath 🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝
Breathing is so under-rated, isn’t it, Rebecca? Thanks for reminding everyone what a powerful centering tool it can be. Much love to you xoxo
When I think of you I think of your selfless service as a light worker as such an important pebble in a pond for humanity. I marvel at your discipline, your compassion, light and assistance you provide others with your amazing gifts and talents. And you’ve done this all in the face of fighting for your life healing yourself from Lyme disease! That was a wonderful piece you wrote summing up perfectly your life of service whilst fitting in! a life of your own. Cooking as wonderfully as you do and getting out in the garden, listening to nature and the Owls must be a lovely break for relaxation for you! I would be saying, any more hobbies you want to do for just you girl? Juliaxx
My idea of a perfect hobby right now would be… nup, I think with the koala watching, writing, talking to the cows, gumboot dancing, playing with my rocks and stones, hanging out with the doggies, coffee with Ben, stringing beads and baking that it is pretty much sorted for now. Mind you… 😉
Magical Unicorn Dogs (or….M.U.D.hehehehhehe) FTW!
Post showing life in all its hues is about balance of all facets that make us human, even those whose life have added dimensions of conscious awareness.
Also…….MUD Nurses (why would I possibly be loving this new acronymn I would never, ever encourage the nurses of your life…. 😉 )
MUD Nurses? So it WAS you who encouraged them.. We must have words, Miss Nicky! 😛
Your blog has a perfect, rich balance and I love it. The person who sent you the email sounds a bit of a sillybilly – just saying! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
We’ve all had them on our blogs, though, haven’t we? Sending much love your way. Thanks for stopping by. Think of you and your gang often xoxo
Perfect
🙂
Thanks again for your blog. I was very happy to find your blog, thereby finding you again after many years. I know it’s not pure chance that when I read your blog it often gives me a message that I so needed. Funny that 🙂 I hope this person hangs in there and reads a few more postings. We often want to get somewhere in a hurry, particularly if we are in a not so happy place… a bit like little children in a car trip “are we there yet?”. So relaxing and spending time in the garden, slowing down and being in sync with nature is a spiritual, grounding exercise that rejuvenates me. Same goes for cooking – doing it with love rather than thinking it’s just another chore. Sending this person love xxx
Thanks for sending them love, you big-hearted Angel. I’m sending them love too. And I do think they would benefit from a magical unicorn dog. Just sayin’…
Love your response. Your sharing on every level is always so connected to the weft and weave of life. None of us are only one thing, how boring would that be. It seems your letter writer has a lot to learn, but then don’t we all! Don’t change a thing!
I understand their impatience. I was like that once too. I must have driven my teachers and mentors mad!!! Big love to you xx
Absolutely brilliant! x
Thanks, Karen, from me and my cupcake-pooping magical unicorn dogs xx
Love, love, love. Especially the annoying pictures ; ) xx
I think the annoying pictures are my faves! 😉
I love your recipe’s! Keep going, gorgeous girl. xxx
AW, thank you!!! (((HUGS))) xxx
Touché Sister ♡
Thanks! ♡
PS I love that Garp quite at the beginning! You could have just sent that back and it would have said everything!
🙂
Hi Nicole,
I know exactly why you blog about your garden, cooking, your dogs and all of the other things you love about your life – it’s because the magic is everywhere. The Universe is sending us messages every day all day, while we garden, cook and hang out with our pets. sometimes when I cook, I can feel one of my guides helping me, telling me to add a bit more of this of that, or turn the gas off now. I think you garden posts are some of the most beautiful, wise and inspirational posts you write. I don’t even want to comment on what I think about the person who wrote you that letter, but can I just say that I thought your response well considered, wise and loving xo
Magic IS everywhere, Sara! 🙂 Hooray for that. Love to you xoxoxoxoxo
Hi Nicole,
Long time no speak so to say, but I follow along religiously and keep you in my thoughts. Firstly I wanted to say how I love your garden and your receipies. When I need to get to nature sometimes I go to your pictures and imagine myself on your farm, sharing your space. As for the dogs I say more!!! I’m waiting for the time I can get my own so I love yours vicariously.
More importantly though, as a nurse of 30 years (and I think all healers will share the same experience) I have found to be defined as a person by my work. In others eyes often i am a nurse first and a person second. As you expressed so beautifully it comes with huge responsibility, but also amazing reward. Your sharing of your life so openly not only gifts each of us the Privelage of your trust, which is precious of itself, but reminds me that we are not defined by what we do. We all come with so many talents that to not share even a small part of those talents with the world, robs us of something special and we are the poorer for it. Perhaps our friend will look at others in a new light…not what we can get from a person, but what a person gives.
Love
Anita
What a beautiful and considered post, Anita. Thanks for sharing your insights and wisdoms with us. I agree that it’s a good thing to not be defined simply by what we do. Who would we then be if we lost that work or that function? Being multi-faceted has to be a good thing. Big hugs and lots of love to you. Bless xx
I have been following you for a while now, I love your blog. Your blogs are like reading letters from an old friend. Simple heart felt stories of cooking, friends around for dinner, how the zuchinni crop is going, all mixed in with the psychic stuff. The simple stuff is what life is made of. Much love to you. xxx
I agree, Samantha. Simple is gold. Thanks for your support. And oh, that zucchini crop… My plants have turned into monsters!
Your blog is pretty good just the way it is…………….just saying…………..
Thanks, Joanne. 🙂 I like yours too!
Your blog is one of the few blogs I read consistently, look forward to receiving and would never unsubscribe from because it is so authentic and real (and fun to read!). When you use yourself as a ‘tool’ for healing others, knowing yourself and how you are in the world is paramount and you demonstrate this beautifully. Please don’t change a thing! (Plus the dogs and the farm are my favourite bits!!!)
Oh, I’m so glad you love the dog and farm bits. They are some of my favourites too! Not that you’d ever know 😉
what a wonderful gift is your reader’s message. not only a compliment about your wonderful psychic stories, but a catalyst for such a great blog! this is the best one yet in explaining the complexity of living as a psychic! your blog, your life, your agenda, your story, can’t be anything else… love the unicorn dogs with cupcake poop! have a blessed, grounded day, doing your special thing! much love sx
Thank you, beautiful friend. Love you! xx
That last photo is f#%king hilarious. What a classic.
I enjoyed this post Nicole. It is a really good to read your perspective. I’ve never questioned why you blog about a variety of topics, it always just made sense to me, but to know the reasons why, well, it gave me pause to reflect on my life too. Thank you.
Like you, I love to cook. Baking is my passion. Your opening quotes really struck a chord with me. My grandmothers and their mothers were amazing cooks. From a young age I was drawn to creating warm yummy delights for others and I always felt a sense of camaraderie with the women past and present in my lineage.
My great desire is to strengthen and delvelop my own psychic abilities. Why? Certainly not for the glamour of it. One only needs to read your blog and listen to your stories to know there is no glamour here. I wonder, if at times, I don’t go all out to satisfy this goal because I doubt my ability to handle things as you do. To do your work and have your ability is taxing, a great responsibility but, yes, also rewarding. I’m not sure how many of us are equipped to respond and act with as much grace as you do. I doubt that I could.
A thoroughly enlightening and cheeky post. Keep them coming.
I have no doubt that you need to share your own psychic gift with the world. Why otherwise would you have been given it? Go on – I have so much faith in you. Hugs and love, Nicole xoxo
With tears welling, I thank you Nicole. I love that I can hear your voice as I read your words.
You go, girl!!!!! xx
I love the balance in your blog – it makes it more accessible and grounded. Now I am going to have to try that curried sausages recipe!!!
Do! It’s the best. And it would make my Nana very happy 🙂
Nicole, I am a long time reader but don’t often comment but I feel compelled to after reading this and your related facebook post. I just want to add my voice to the many already who have written their support. I love your blog just the way it is. I love the fact that you share yummy recipes and photos of your garden, your pets and your life. It grounds you to me, lets me see a little of your “mundane humanness” and therefore makes the psychic posts so much more authentic and compelling to me. Plus I love rural living, farm life and animals but being a city girl for so many years, miss those things and love seeing them in your blog. Thank you for authentically sharing your life with all of us. Every blog you post spreads love and wellness into the world. Please keep it up and know that we all love you and what you write and share so generously with us all!
I’m glad my blog gives you that rural connection, Cecilia. I think you can be a farm girl at heart and still live in the middle of a big city. Bless xoxo
Please don’t ever change your blog – it is perfect. The only change I’d be happy with is if you didn’t need to talk about Lymes any more – because you were healed.
I’d like that too, Ele. Fingers crossed! (((HUGS))) xoxo
Love it…… good for you!
xxx
Thanks, Jennie! 🙂 xoxo
Nicole I myself have wondered why there was more cooking (yum) and not the physic stuff I first thought I would find on your site. But as I read your blog I realized this was how you even it all out. You are the first fb site I read every day ( crazy hey!) weirdly I always feel calmer myself when I do that. I myself love to cook when stressed or worried it is a great grounder. Unfortunately not enough people to eat my food so I tend to cook and drool visually through you.
I would love to live up in your area (hubby comes from near there) but it’s a bit far from our family so focusing on moving from this cold place to somewhere a little warmer and near water mid next year. That’s my dream anyway. Keep up your blogging your way. Much love and peace to you and your wonderful 2 and 4 legged family.
It IS a magical place to live, Lyn. I hope you and hubby get to find a community that feels like home for you too. Bless xx
I’m fairly new to your blog and your world but I had to say you handled that with the perfect combination of grace and sass. I loved it. And I can’t wait to read more. 🙂
Grace and sass? I’ll take that. Thanks for your awesome encouragement. Much love xx
Please don’t change anything, especially with the doggies. They make me happy.
The doggies make me happy too, Elizabeth. 😀
Most of us love you just the way you are. Please don’t change.
Most of us love you just the way you are.
LOL – well, that’s good enough for me. Thanks, Ann! xoxo
Dear Nicole. I love looking at the most amazing photos that you put up!! Your cooking I keep your recipes as one day I might actually try and make them, I admire you because you are helping others who may be going through difficult times with their own health problems and yourself who describes the pain and torment you go through everyday with your own crippling disease and you are always helping others. I love your beautiful photos that you send and the one I keep remembering is the photo of your verandah looking out to the flooded road on your property and the day you were in such pain but you went outside to water your garden even though you were tormented in pain and then a miracle happened to you while you were hosing and that stopped you immediately and forgot about the pain and that is why you love your garden and vegetables. Look at the most amazing post’s you put out for everyone. Nicole I know these post’s are helping all that need your guidance. So for the lady who wants to know why you talk about cooking! You answered her by letting her know that you are surrounded by your Grand mother who also loved to cook. I will be looking forward to your article tomorrow to read:) Lorna
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Thanks, lovely Lorna! And I do hope you try one of my recipes one day. 🙂 Much love, Nicole xx