Cauldrons and Cupcakes

Celebrating Life, Spirituality, Creativity and Kindness!

Category: Family

Thoughts on Childhood

Parenting is hard. And it’s such an important job! Hugs to all of you who have helped raise a child – the parents, the grandparents, the aunts and uncles and friends and guardians and older siblings and cousins and next-door-neighbours and coaches and teachers and librarians. Thank you!

Tenderness

Tenderness in action – and lessons in love. That’s what today’s post is all about.

A Family Day

Managing my health, and helping family manage theirs. That’s what my day looks like. How about you?

My Morning In Pictures

Outside the open window The morning air is all awash with angels. ―Richard Wilbur Hey, Lovelies. Here’s a little snapshot of my morning – the awesome and the not quite so awesome… First, the place where I meditate each morning and evening. This is the current massive bedroom spider. Eek just a little bit! My […]

Massive Excitement!

It never pays to count your chickens before they are hatched or your barbeques before they are fully operational. A positive tale, with a side of caution…

Worrying. Not Worrying.

  If a problem is fixable, if a situation is such that you can do something about it, then there is no need to worry. If it’s not fixable, then there is no help in worrying. There is no benefit in worrying whatsoever. ― Dalai Lama XIV Hey, Lovelies. The good old Dalai Lama is usually […]

All I want for Christmas is…

  I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library. ― Jorge Luis Borges   You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me. ― C.S. Lewis Hey, Lovelies, Christmas is almost here. Our office will be closed from Friday December 23 and we will […]

Are You Still Waiting For Someone Else To Meet Your Needs?

  With every act of self-care your authentic self gets stronger, and the critical, fearful mind gets weaker. Every act of self-care is a powerful declaration: I am on my side, I am on my side, each day I am more and more on my own side. Susan Weiss Berry Hey, Lovelies. It’s so easy […]

Do You Need To Be Self-Centred This Christmas?

  Self-care is never a selfish act – it is simply good stewardship of the only gift I have, the gift I was put on earth to offer others. Anytime we can listen to true self and give the care it requires, we do it not only for ourselves, but for the many others whose […]

A bit shattered this morning

  There are many things in life worth getting temporarily tired for, but there is nothing in life worth getting permanently tired for. ― George Hammond Hey, Lovelies. I’m feeling a little shattered this morning – the kind of exhaustion that comes from too much adrenalin, too much stress and not enough sleep. We’re always stretched […]

Cinnamon Apple Slice

  This is pretty good! Can I have a bit more? ~ Ben Phillips Hey, Lovelies. Yesterday I made the apple slice from the little Australian Apple Recipe Book Mary-Lou Stephens gifted me. It was a very straightforward recipe – the only issue was lack of direction about a suitable tin size. I tried a […]

My Secret Garden Update

  If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need. ~ Marcus Tullius Cicero Hey, Lovelies! Another happy update today – my secret garden on the laundry deck is thriving, and tonight I will be using fistfuls of fresh basil for our dinner. We already have tiny tomatoes forming, our first […]

Stepping Away For A Few Days!

  Optimism is a strategy for making a better future. Because unless you believe that the future can be better, you are unlikely to step up and take responsibility for making it so. ~ Noam Chomsky Hey, Lovelies. We’ve got some big stuff going on right now, so I am stepping away from the blog […]

Friday Night Vibes

  Music always sounds better on Friday. ~ Lou Brutus Hey, Lovelies. I am really coming to love Fridays. We’ve got a bit of a thing happening now at the Treehouse on a Friday afternoon. I finish work early. Ben and I might do some writing together. That feels amazing… It’s been too long since […]

The Boy With The Sore Finger

Sometimes, those incidental questions and remarks turn out to be the most important ones. A story of how a small insight during a chat helped to save a young boy’s life…

Creamy Sausage and Mushroom Pasta Recipe

    He chopped a garlic, set a pot of water to boil on the stove, and poured a healthy amount of kosher salt into it. He threw the garlic in a pan of olive oil and let it sizzle for just a minute before taking it off the heat. The smell began to relax […]

Friday Night Drinks

  “One should never, but never, pass by an opportunity to celebrate.” ~ j d malouf Hey, Lovelies. Ben and I had a quiet celebration last night. I made gin and tonics, we ordered in food from our favourite Indian restaurant, and sat on cushions on the floor around a coffee table in the lounge […]

Harry Dog To The Rescue

Sometimes being a brother is even better than being a superhero. Marc Brown Hey, Lovelies. Yesterday I was home alone with the dogs. It was also a heavily scheduled day of client readings for me. I stayed locked in my writing room, and after their breakfast and ablutions Ben left the dogs to roam the […]

Happy Birthday, Ben!

I could not tell you if I loved you the first moment I saw you, or if it was the second or third or fourth. But I remember the first moment I looked at you walking toward me and realized that somehow the rest of the world seemed to vanish when I was with you. […]

Beachcombing With My Grandmother

The people you love become ghosts inside of you, and like this you keep them alive. Rob Montgomery Hey, Lovelies. With COVID raging the way it is here in Australia right now, and my dodgy immune system the way it is, the only way I am walking on the beach is if it is empty. […]

Our Office Hours and Schedule For the Christmas Break 2021

There is more to life than making a living. Do not work more than you live. Mokokoma Mokhonoana Hey, Lovelies!It’s Christmas Eve here in Australia. My team are taking a well-deserved break from today until January 5, 2022. If you have a reading booked with me in that time, rest assured that we have a […]

Christmas as a Meditation on Kindness

People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway.If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway.The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.Give the world […]

Under The Christmas Tree

The Christmas tree is a symbol of love, not money. There’s a kind of glory to them when they’re all lit up that exceeds anything all the money in the world could buy.  Andy Rooney Hey, Lovelies. Ben, the dogs and I spent time under the Christmas Tree last night – or at least we […]

My Best Christmas Fruit Cake Recipes

“Are you a witch?” I ask, reaching in and taking a bite of one. It’s like Monster Cake, the Sequel—freaking Christmas in my mouth. I already want more before I’ve even managed to chew.” Emma Lord Hello, Lovelies! Have you made your Christmas Fruit Cake yet? Here are my favourite recipes to help you create […]

I Need To Hire A Detective!

The world is full of obvious things which nobody by any chance ever observes.  Arthur Conan Doyle Hey, Lovelies. The strangest thing has happened. Just over a fortnight ago I bought quite a selection of (mostly) high quality chocolate bars. The reason? I intended to make chocolate truffles this week. I thought I’d make some […]

The Perfect Christmas Gift for You Or A Loved One

When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed. Maya Angelou Hey, Lovelies. I was sitting in my packing room last night. The packing room is a spare bedroom that has been turned into a workspace, with shelving against every wall, a big table for wrapping, and everything at my fingertips to pack and […]

Date Night At Home

I guess sometimes the greatest memories are made in the most unlikely of places, further proof that spontaneity is more rewarding than a meticulously planned life. J.A. Redmerski Hey, Lovelies. I planned a beautiful meal for Sunday night. A pasta dish, with carefully selected wine (just a glass cos Monday is a work day), a […]

The Best Thing About Unpacking Boxes

People tend to find books when they are ready for them. Neil Gaiman Hey, Lovelies. So, it’s started. The big unpacking and putting away process that will be my new writing room (I refuse to call it an office!), and the rest of our belongings that need to find a place in our new home. […]

My Sneaky Loyal Little Friend

Opening up your life to a dog who needs a home is one of the most fulfilling things you can do. Emma Kenney Hey, Lovelies. I was sitting quietly at my desk late last night, finishing up a few little things. I still get so fatigued, and I’d needed to nap during the day, and […]

Managing My Unrealistic Expectations

A wonderful gift may not be wrapped as you expect.  Jonathan Lockwood Huie Hey, Lovelies. So, here I am, back at my desk. (For those of you not sure what this is about read this.) Not back at work. Not yet. Just back at my desk for a short visit, to write an update for […]

Your Feedback On Yesterday’s Grief Ritual For Children

Ever has it been that love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation. Kahlil Gibran Hey, Lovelies! Did you read my post yesterday about a simple crystal ritual to help children with grief and loss? If you missed it you can catch up here. I received many emails about that post, and […]

Nana’s Baked Rice Pudding Recipe

Some foods are so comforting, so nourishing of body and soul, that to eat them is to be home again after a long journey. To eat such a meal is to remember that, though the world is full of knives and storms, the body is built for kindness. Eli Brown Hey, Lovelies. My Nana, Joyce […]

Harry Dog Got A Great Report!

Change, like healing, takes time. Veronica Roth Hey, Lovelies. We took Harry Dog back to the vet again yesterday after his recent surgery. Our vet was delighted with Harry’s healing progress, and I am happy to report that our dog finally has a gleam in his eye and a wag in his tail again. Five […]

Why You Should Buy Your Own Slippers For Mothers Day

You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection. Buddha Hey, Lovelies! I have a girlfriend, Carol, who is an entrepreneur, a mum to four young boys and the wife of an equally busy husband, Steve. It’s fair to say that my friend does most of the emotional labour […]

The Life Giving Properties Of Cheese

I’d had no idea that cheese was a miracle. Jennifer L. Holm Poor Harry Dog. We took him back to the vet yesterday, because he was still not eating or drinking after his surgery. Ben had tried to tempt him with food for two days. Barbequed chicken. Fresh beef mince. Dog snacks. Puppy treats. Nup. […]

A Harry Dog Update

Scars are not injuries, Tanner Sack. A scar is a healing. After injury, a scar is what makes you whole.  China Miéville Hey, Lovelies! Thank you so much for all of the kind messages about Harry Dog. His surgery went well, and he is home, resting. All he wants is cuddles, and to be right […]

My Grandfather’s Voice, Guiding Me

The people you love become ghosts inside of you, and like this you keep them alive. Rob Montgomery Hey, Lovelies! I’m probably around the age now that my grandparents were when I came into their lives as a baby. All of my grandparents have since passed away, and I still miss them, and think of […]

Good Luck, Harry Dog!

I have found that when you are deeply troubled, there are things you get from the silent devoted companionship of a dog that you can get from no other source. Doris Day Hey, Lovelies! Our beautiful boy Harry goes in for his big cruciate ligament repair and knee stabilisation surgery today. Please keep him in […]

A Normal Friday Night

Normal is an ideal. But it’s not reality. Reality is brutal, it’s beautiful, it’s every shade between black and white, and it’s magical. Yes, magical. Because every now and then, it turns nothing into something.  Tara Kelly Hey, Lovelies. This might not be a big deal to you, but it is to me. I had […]

Is Your Child Psychic?

What does it mean to be psychic? Essentially it means to feel, rather than think all the time.    Rama Hello, Lovelies! ‘Is my child psychic?’ It’s a question I am asked often. I am also often asked if people’s pets might be psychic, and my answer in almost every case, whether it’s a child […]

Our First Day Off

Most of the things we need to be most fully alive never come in busyness. They grow in rest.  Mark Buchanan Hey, Lovelies. Today, Ben and I are taking a day off. I’ll be working all weekend on the 2022 Journeymaker’s Planner, and that’s a total labour of love and devotion! And from next week […]

I wanted to tell you all about my Planner Sale but…

Mother is a verb. It’s something you do. Not just who you are. Cheryl Lacey Donovan So, Lovelies, I was going to write this big complex post about how I have discounted my final planners by 50%, with some wonderful testimonials and new words and oh, so much other good stuff… But… Harry Dog glued […]

Sleeping On The Floor With Harry

Being a mother is an attitude, not a biological relation.  Robert A. Heinlein Hey, Lovelies. I’m tired today. I spent most of last night curled up on the lounge room floor beside the dog bed. Harry, our older dog, has a partially ruptured cruciate ligament that requires surgery. We had him booked in earlier in […]

Easter Oracle Reading for 2021 – My Gift To You ❤

Easter is joy, hope, love, and renewal. Easter is proof that we can begin again.  Richelle E. Goodrich Hello, Lovelies! Happy Easter! Whether you celebrate this holiday or not, whether you are able to be with family and friends, or whether you find yourself alone, I want you to know that I am thinking of […]

Lockdown Workarounds

Sometimes you just have to pee in the sink. Charles Bukowski Ah, Bukowski – I just love the way you tell it how it is… Hey, Lovelies! We’re in lockdown again here in our part of the world. Greater Brisbane went into a 3 day COVID lockdown at 5pm on Monday. Ben and I had […]

Room With A View

She could see all of Ferenwood from here: the rolling hills, the endless explosion of color cascading down and across the lush landscape. Reds and blues: maroon and ceruleans. Yellow and tangerine and violet and aquamarine. Every hue held a flavor, a heartbeat, a life. She took a deep breath and drew it all in. […]

I’ll be offline for a few days!

Of course it’s bloody raining… Ben Hey, Lovelies!We’re on the final week of packing, lugging, and transporting what the removalists won’t take, and selling the last of our farm equipment and building supplies, as we get ready to leave our farm and head north towards the treehouse by the beach. We still can’t get access […]

Busy Baking and Making Lists

In Ireland, you go to someone’s house, and she asks you if you want a cup of tea. You say no, thank you, you’re really just fine. She asks if you’re sure. You say of course you’re sure, really, you don’t need a thing. Except they pronounce it ting. You don’t need a ting. Well, she says then, […]

The Mother, The Daughter and The Fire Alarm

A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace […]

Ah, Romance!

A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person. Mignon McLaughlin Hey, Lovelies. It’s our 21st Wedding Anniversary today. I wouldn’t have remembered, except that Google reminded me. We almost never remember. Ben forgets, I forget, and usually when we remember, months have gone by. Sometimes, years have gone by. […]

Back In Lockdown

Another way to be prepared is to think negatively. Yes, I’m a great optimist. but, when trying to make a decision, I often think of the worst case scenario. I call it ‘the eaten by wolves factor.’ If I do something, what’s the most terrible thing that could happen? Would I be eaten by wolves? […]

Our Office Hours and Schedule For the Christmas Break 2020

There is more to life than making a living. Do not work more than you live. Mokokoma Mokhonoana Hey, Lovelies!My team are taking a well-deserved break from today until January 4, 2021. If you have a reading booked with me in that time, rest assured that we have a system in place for all of […]

Christmas Ideas That Support Sustainability!

“Western civilization is a loaded gun pointed at the head of this planet.” Terence McKenna Hello, Lovelies! COVID has certainly changed the Christmas landscape this year, and I urge you to celebrate with gatherings based upon the medical advice for your home state or town. Staying home, and keeping things small, is better for everyone. […]

My Favourite Christmas Fruit Cake Recipes

“Are you a witch?” I ask, reaching in and taking a bite of one. It’s like Monster Cake, the Sequel—freaking Christmas in my mouth. I already want more before I’ve even managed to chew.” Emma Lord Hello, Lovelies! Have you made your Christmas Fruit Cake yet? Here are my favourite recipes to help you create […]

Watching It All Burn

Adults keep saying we owe it to the young people, to give them hope, but I don’t want your hope.  I don’t want you to be hopeful. I want you to panic. I want you to feel the fear I feel every day. I want you to act. I want you to act as you […]

Manifesting Magic And Baked Goods

Dare to dream! If you did not have the capability to make your wildest wishes come true, your mind would not have the capacity to conjure such ideas in the first place. There is no limitation on what you can potentially achieve, except for the limitation you choose to impose on your own imagination. What […]

Busy on Elf Duties

Why does Santa Claus get all the attention when the elves do most of the work? Anonymous, but probably by an elf Hey, Lovelies! I’ll love to write more, but today I am busy on elf duties, packing Christmas orders for my Inner Circle members. So many lovely things are going in my packs – […]

There’s Something Wrong With Your Husband

Since we all have varying degrees of tolerance for pain, and have equally varied experiences with different types of pain, it makes the scale feel kind of meaningless — especially when you consider that the person trying to ascertain how much pain the patient is in has his or her own experiences with pain that […]

Don’t Wait For Someone Else To Meet Your Needs

With every act of self-care your authentic self gets stronger, and the critical, fearful mind gets weaker. Every act of self-care is a powerful declaration: I am on my side, I am on my side, each day I am more and more on my own side. Susan Weiss Berry Hey, Lovelies. I was speaking with […]

Thoughts about Christmas

When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things – not the great occasions – give off the greatest glow of happiness.  Bob Hope Hey, Lovelies! I bookended my day morning and night yesterday with sitting on our front steps. Ben and I sat together in the dark after my work day […]

I’m Going On A Pilgrimage

The purpose of a pilgrimage is about setting aside a long period of time in which the only focus is to be the matters of the soul. Many believe a pilgrimage is about going away but it isn’t; it is about coming home. Those who choose to go on pilgrimage have already ventured away from […]

The Tawny Frogmouth Family

“I may not always be with you But when we’re far apart Remember you will be with me Right inside my heart”  Marc Wambolt Hey, Lovelies! Ben sent me this grainy photo yesterday, taken with his phone on maximum zoom. It’s our Tawny Frogmouth Mumma and her two chicks. Dad is just out of shot, […]

Some Thoughts On Failure

Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts. Winston S. Churchill Hello, Lovelies. I received an email yesterday morning from a client whose children have disappointed her because she and her husband are highly intelligent and very accomplished, but her young son is in the bottom learning […]

I Put Myself To Bed Early Last Night

When we think, we hurt. When we feel, we heal. Adrienne Posey Hey, Lovelies. We had a big day in our little household yesterday. Deep conversations, major decisions, and the kind of love and problem-solving where families can truly shine. I got so much done, personally and professionally. By day’s end I thought I would […]

The Anxious Girl And The Birds

“Nothing can wear you out like caring.” S.E. Hinton Hey, Lovelies! A dear friend of mine has two daughters, in year 1 and year 3 at school. My friend is a First Responder. It’s a stressful job, and he is constantly worried about the many threats we are facing from COVID, climate change, and then […]

The Kid Who Would Rather Have Trees And Bees Than Toys!

People need to stop buying kids so much stuff. It’s wrecking our planet. Ebony – age 9 Hey, Lovelies. One of our community reached out to me yesterday. She comes to my ‘Colour and Cuppa’ sessions sometimes, and enjoys making the recipes on my blog. She sent me an email, which I’ll include below just […]

We All Need A Little Comfort

As the years pass, I am coming more and more to understand that it is the common, everyday blessings of our common everyday lives for which we should be particularly grateful. They are the things that fill our lives with comfort and our hearts with gladness — just the pure air to breathe and the […]

Counting Down The Sleeps!

“After all,” Anne had said to Marilla once, “I believe the nicest and sweetest days are not those on which anything very splendid or wonderful or exciting happens but just those that bring simple little pleasures, following one another softly, like pearls slipping off a string.” L.M. Montgomery Hey, Lovelies. Overall I’ve been doing okay, […]

My Upcoming Long Weekend cos ROAD TRIP

Who doesn’t love a road trip? Says just about everyone! Hey, Lovelies! Just a short post to let you know that I’ll be away from my desk, and AWAY FROM MY COMPUTER from today, Friday 4 September to Tuesday 8 September. It’s my birthday on Sunday, and I haven’t had a break, not even a […]

A message for strong people who aren’t coping

You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength. Marcus Aurelius Hey, Lovelies. Right now my inbox is jammed with messages from strong people who are suddenly not in a great headspace, or who are having problems coping with the curve balls 2020 has thrown their way. […]

The Geranium Story

If you don’t know history, then you don’t know anything. You are a leaf that doesn’t know it is part of a tree. Michael Crichton Hey, Lovelies. A friend came to visit yesterday, to drop some supplies off for me. In return I gave her some geranium cuttings from my garden. I also gave her […]

Can You Offer A Small Act Of Kindness?

Sometimes it takes only one act of kindness and caring to change a person’s life. Jackie Chan Hey, Lovelies! We’re in the middle of a difficult year, and there’s no end in sight to these strange times. Everyone is impacted in their own way. And often, there will be no visible sign that someone is […]

No Blog Today

There is virtue in work and there is virtue in rest. Use both and overlook neither. Alan Cohen Lovelies, Hi! I’m taking a family day today. We have some big things going on behind the scenes that need my attention. I’ll see you all on Monday. Much love, Nicole xx

Baby Nicholas And I Are Sleeping In!

Your future depends on your dreams, so go to sleep.  Mesut Barazany Hey Lovelies,Hopefully as you are reading this I am still asleep this morning. I got no sleep the night before, worrying about the little unborn baby who needed emergency surgery to come into this world safely, and yesterday was such a big work […]

There’s Something Wrong With Your Baby

Everything is connected and touches everything else. Like a stone tossed into a pond, the ripples expand far beyond what the eyes can perceive. Evelyn Klebert *Please note names have been changed to protect privacy, but story is told with permission Hey, Lovelies! I had just settled down into my meditation last night when the […]

Daisy Mae, Ninja Stealth Cow!

The trick to not being discovered until it is too late is to become part of the expected surroundings. Stealth is more the art of blending in with the background than sneaking through dark shadows. Raymond E. Feist Hey, Lovelies! I know that you’re not supposed to have favourites But I do. This girl. Daisy […]

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