The Truce between Science and Religion

http://www.eurekastreet.com.au/article.aspx?aeid=25159

This is the link to another article I recently had published in Eureka Street. Enjoy!

Ash x

The Search for Meaning begins at Home

http://www.eurekastreet.com.au/article.aspx?aeid=24424

Here is the link to an article I had published in Eureka Street yesterday: The Search for Meaning begins at Home.


Ash x

It's Crafternoon Time!

I am currently on uni holidays, which means I have a lot of free time on my hands. To fill such time, I have been attempting a number of activities that one may describe as 'crafty'. I think that magazines such as Frankie and Yen as well as the popularity of such activities amongst celebrities [insert picture of model getting hair done backstage knitting a scarf she will never wear] has led modern women to adopt hobbies that were once held dear by their grandmothers. I will describe two of my recent ventures in this area as well as provide some handy tips for beginners.

Cross Stitch

A few weeks ago, one of my friends taught me how to cross stitch. Cross stitch makes makes me feel like I am Elizabeth Bennet and should be wearing a bonnet and sitting in my sitting room [which doesn't exist]. If you would like an introduction to cross stitch, here's a short clip.

If you are interested in attempting such activity and would like to cross stitch something other than a rose or a pony, the six week boutique stock a range of kitschy cross stitch patterns that you wouldn't be ashamed of showcasing on the train.

Kit. Cross Stitch. Teapot. Original Colour edition $25

Otherwise, you can purchase cross stitch patterns very cheap from Vinnies or moderately cheap from places like Lincraft and Spotlight.

Sewing

When I was a teenager I wanted to be a fashion designer. Unfortunately or maybe fortunately I did not choose this path in life but there is a little part of me that would love to be able to create beautiful clothes. Additionally, I am sick and tired of shopping for hours and never being able to find what I want. A few weeks ago (as Ash mentioned) our dear friend Bec held a 'sewing day' at her house, where a group of young women sat in a circle and sewed, whilst drinking tea and eating German cookies. It was epic. Since then I have acquired a sewing machine, taught myself how to use a sewing machine and petitioned my friends (with sewing talent) to teach me how to sew.

Sewing day!

If you are interested in sewing lessons, your local sewing centre will probably run a few as well as chain stores like Spotlight. Additionally, your local community college will most likely run introduction to sewing classes. If cash flow is an issue I can bet you that there will be someone in your life, whether they be a nanna, an aunty or a friend who can teach you a basic stitch or how to read a pattern!  

Love Mel

Elegance, Style and Modesty of Dress

I came across an ad for Barbie Dolls in the Kmart Christmas catalogue this morning. To see the image of a four-year-old girl behind three sexualised dolls makes me wonder... have we reached the stage that for a girl to remain untainted by a sexualised culture, must they essentially refrain from Barbie Dolls, pop music and teen magazines? But these are normal things! It is not as if we are dealing with porn magazines or illicit websites. Music, dolls and magazines - these are everyday realities... school playground talk!

We cannot simply "ban" girls from Barbie dolls, Dolly Magazine etc. That would be ridicuolous. The challenge is to build an alternate culture that is equally as attractive.

Girls WILL respond to the message that they are Princesses destined for goodness and purity. Girls will respond to the message that they are creatures of beauty, a mysterious beauty, whose bodies deserve respect. God has set within us a femininity that is powerful and tender, fierce and alluring. If girls come to understand the gift of their femininity, an 'alternate' reality is possible.

I wonder if there is a market for courses similar to those of June Dally-Watkins, with a focus on elegance, class, ettiquette and modesty. There is definitely a market for quality teen magazines.

I look at the first Barbie Dolls. Maybe we could bring back the "vintage" Barbie dolls... dolls that know what true elegance and style is!

 There is SO much potential. If girls come to know the gift of their femininity, elegance and style will flow...

Ash xx

Give me your hand...

"God speaks to each of us as he makes us,
then walks with us silently out of the night.

These are the words we dimly hear:

You, sent out beyond your recall,
go to the limits of your longing.
Embody me.

Flare up like flame
and make big shadows I can move in.

Let everything happen to you: beauty and terror.
Just keep going. No feeling is final.
Don’t let yourself lose me.

Nearby is the country they call life.
You will know it by its seriousness.

Give me your hand."

~Rilke, Book of Hours, I, 59

Images of Home

This year I moved out of home for uni. I'd spend weekdays living in Sydney and on weekends I'd come home to the Central Coast.

So I didn't completely "move out," hardly the real deal, but it made me appreciate home. Just for what it is.

Dinner time. Dad rings the bell when dinner is ready. He's a school teacher so he naturally has a thing for bells.

We have four hens. One is white and her name is Crystal. The other three are brown. We can't tell them apart so they've never been named.

About 10 minutes from home is Wyrrabalong National Park and Soldiers Beach. It was where Dad taught me to boogy board as a kid.

Every year when puttting up the Christmas tree, we'd play 'The Tin Lids' Christmas album. My brother Declan would get dressed up as an elf and introduce himself as 'Feclan.' We'd always anticipate the return of Feclan each Christmas.

I love my bedroom!

Recently I had breakfast at Polly's place, a good friend, mentor and active member of our parish. She lives in a beautiful cottage adorned with quaint ornaments and pictures from her travels. When people visit and enter her doors she thanks God for the blessing this is to her home.

I love this way of looking at hospitality. When we invite people into our home, when we cook for them and share with them, they bless our home. When they leave, they leave a trace of themselves behind, only to leave our homes a richer place.

Ash xx

First signs of life...

Hello. Between Ash and me, I am the 'slack' blogger. It's taken me nearly a week to write my first post, while my lovely friend Ash has already written two. Regardless, I am excited about using this blog to share my thoughts, adventures, photos and life with you (whoever and wherever you are).

Lots of love,

Mel