One hundred joys {quatre}

31) my parents arrived home here in Queensland after a 4,600km road trip from the west coast -- which, I might add, they completed in four days. The feeling of going to sleep in a house full of people is so good; 32) our swimming pool. LOVE; 33) the happy whiteness of cleaned-out kitchen drawers; 34) doing Christmassy preparation things with my little bro and marvelling at his excellent writing skilz.

36) wrapped gifts under the tree!; 37) an afternoon of grocery shopping with my Mum (an ordinary chore becomes more fun when shared with a friend); 38) the most perfect, perfect, perfect Summer day, twice in a row (and I have a theory that whenever people come to stay, it's rainy and grey. Thank you for disproving my theory this time, Mr. Sun!).

39) little ferns poking out of the retaining wall, there entirely of their own accord; 40) Christmas cards from Friends & Relations (Pooh, anyone?); 41) unexpected bargains (a gorgeous jacket, a t-shirt, and two tanks for < $25).

42) a cappella choirs in the mall; 43) my Dad turning into a geek all because of his new android phone; 44) sunglasses -- the world is so much less squinty!

45) the fact that my niece feels compelled to determine whether individual pieces of breakfast cereal are male or female; 46) my parents' collection of fascinating old treasures; 47) coconut and sesame-crusted thai chicken with kaffir lime sauce.

48) amazing friends who send amazing Christmas mail of amazingness; 49) watermelon juice all over my brother's face; 50) home, even more homey now my family is together in the one place.

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Conversations:

Katie -- was it cool down your way these last few days? This weather is so remarkable, but I'm happy. Today was the most PERFECT Summer day!

Samantha R -- yes, it amazed me how opposite ends of the street could have such different skies. That's Queensland for you, I guess.

Mothercare -- you and I are together under the same sky (and roof!).

Bek -- you are delightful.

Rebecca Simon -- and you relish your holiday. Hope it's awesome!

Mitanika -- absolutely! Fries on blue and white china is the perfect blend of tacky and treasured ;).

Amanda -- we do indeed live in a land of extremes. It constantly amazes me.

Asea -- Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow? Sending some warmth your way :).

One hundred joys {trois}

21) fries and a cheeseburger -- still the best junk food and dinner for under $5 (and yes I know that mature people are supposed to have outgrown McDonald's but... I never said I was mature); 22) a farewell afternoon with a lovely friend spent watching Sense & Sensibility and discussing life and Jane Austen; 23) lace curtains making the light all soft and pretty.

24) ^ this timber pathway, down among the mangroves and the marsh grass, dotted with afternoon sunlight; 25) the thought that my littlest brother is flying into Queensland this very night; 26) everything that has ever come from Rosemary Sutcliff's pen; 27) getting a good grade in a scary subject.

28) LiveJournal, and all the excellent people I know there; 29) candlelight; 30) ceiling fans -- oh, how thankful I am!

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Conversations:

Caitlin -- I enjoyed it so much. The scene at the end, with the lake covered in lilies... was exactly how I've always imagined it.

Meaghan -- re. Dawntreader: Caspian seems to be in his early twenties, which is definitely substantially older than in the book. He and Peter are meant to be close in age; re. chocolate mousse: revenge is so, so sweet; re. being on my list: you will always be 'on my list' :D; re. holidays: YES HOLIDAYSSSS! Welcome to yours! And PS: spam my blog whenever you want. I like it.

Mitanika -- inspiring you to go home and read your Bible straight away might not have been the filmmaker's intentions, but I bet it made Clive Staples happy :). PLEASE do a big flaily blog post about it. I want to read your thoughts and squee with you!

Samantha R -- I need to remember that quote and ponder it regularly.

Asea -- Saturday; that's today! Enjoy the lovely Dawntreader and remember that the sea around the ship is my sea, in my town! ;)

Rachael -- beautiful indeed :).

One hundred joys {deux}

11) carol nights under a laser-starred roof, with Colin Buchanan and crazy confetti bombs; 12) not having anything to fear when being stopped for an RBT; 13) those little fish-shaped bottles of soy sauce that you get with sushi; 14) people who use punctuation and use it nicely; 15) my neighbour's blinking Christmas light display.

16) Jimmy Needham's Nightlights; 17) alphacross races with my sister (alphacross is SO the new crossword puzzle; we called it first); 18) art that actually takes your breath away; 19) dessert nights with lovely girlfriends and chocolate mousse in martini glasses; 20) someone named a street after me!

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Conversations:

Caitlin -- yay! I'm glad you're playing along.

Samantha R -- you inspired me to take part :).

Asea -- it sounds like an excellent way to spend an afternoon, whether those gingerbread houses turned out mansions or shanties :).

Bek -- actually, you are awesome.

Katie -- woohoo for impending freedom! And yes, I agree: Christmas baubles are just the thing for trees.

One hundred joys {un}

Though belatedly, I'm following in the footsteps of some creative souls and taking part in a celebration of good things known as 100 Joys (it all began here, at Sarah Markley's blog). I truly believe that every good and perfect gift is from above (see James 1:17). This blogventure gives me opportunity to step back and look at some of those gifts coming my way each day. The joys I share will be random and unordered and recent. All thanks to the King.

1) the kangaroos which dot the land around my sister's home (I especially like seeing tiny-awesome joeys poking out of pouches). 2) vaccuumed floors. 3) phone calls with my personal psychiatrist and mother, CMC.

4) alphabet noodles -- instant fun for $1.49. 5) watching movies with my sister. 6) the excellent chain of libraries in my region.

7) happy crazy times with faraway old friends and nearer new ones. 8) Mercy Me's Christmas album. 9) Okay, Hanson's Christmas album, too. 10) gmail chats with Meaghan. ♥

By the way, I'm sorry for the week of silence here in Blogville, DC. It turns out that the holidays can be just as busy as real life -- and sometimes even busier.

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Conversations:

Katie -- Hooray for holidays indeed! I believe yours are right around the corner?

Elizabeth Fay -- as you are loved in all aspects by me.

Samantha R -- "it's the most wonderful time of the year"? :)

Rachael -- yes, a friend of mine showed me that clip -- hilarious!

Sarah Lee -- thank you so much for your sweet and encouraging words! Love and courage to you in all your endeavours, especially KBR.

Eweight -- oh YES it's a good feeling! (And when you read Dug Down Deep, let's chat about it!).

Asea -- it's like I can sense the snow in her stories :). How did your gingerbread shacks turn out?