As we grow older, it can get harder and harder to carve out time in the day to think. Reflect on life, how things are going, what went well, what went pear-shaped.  All the healthy reflective thinking we are meant to do in order to grow as individuals, as humans. Sometimes, life can get in the way.  Life can be complex, boring, monotonous, crazy and altogether unpredictable. None of which is conducive to thinking. One of my favourite ways to think and reflect is to ask myself a series of questions.  The lovely talented Pip Lincolne does this by way of 'Taking Stock'. This month I am breaking the mould and taking stock at the beginning of the month... Making : cushions and gorgeous sundresses ready for This Grand Life Cooking : veges, new types of the kids to try (current faves are asparagus and corn) Drinking : loads of cold water (it's sunny Brisbane folks!!) Reading: Country Style, How to Decorate, Lonely Planet's Guide to Australia Wanting: annuals for the garden Looking: at beachy holiday destinations Playing: Scrabble, family is becoming addicted!  Bunch of nerds that we are... Deciding: What role I would like to tackle back in my science/ corporate career Wishing: my gorgeous puppies would stop chewing...everything! Enjoying: my garden, the hard work is paying off! Waiting: for the right house to come along Liking: the jacaranda blooms in the backyard, a carpet of purple! Wondering: if I should paint a watercolour series inspired by our family farm Loving: the warm weather...most of the time! Pondering: career moves, there are some interesting roles around! Considering: buying a house...again...yikes! Buying: house plants, succulents, ferns, it's a jungle in here! Watching: Restoration Australia...oh my goodness, it's brilliant!  Fab show hosted by Sibella Court Hoping: the school year comes to a quiet uneventful end for the tribe Marvelling: at how tall my little tribe are getting...I am fast becoming the shortest in the family! Cringing: at the hating on social media.  What on earth are people thinking posting nastiness? Needing: to keep going to the gym, am getting to love it again! Questioning: old house, new house, renovated or not? Smelling: the garden, loving the change in scent as all of the flowers bloom Wearing: white shorts and Birkenstocks, a lot! Following: Noticing: the kids taking an interest in big issues, refugees, world conflicts, some hefty issues to think about for young minds. Knowing: I need to stop procrastinating and decide on that beachy holiday...stat! Thinking: about how to best balance work, my gorgeous family, and my creative pursuits Admiring: positive creative types (Clare Bowditch, Pip Lincolne, Dawn French) and ambitious corporate types in my life (will keep those names to myself) Sorting: through toys, it appears they have bred and now we have a bucket-load which are making their way to new homes before Christmas Getting: ready for another creative market...soon! Bookmarking: the Halcyon House website, seriously cool folks Coveting: vintage finds, I need to find a spare weekend to do some quality rummaging Disliking: negativity, I seriously do not understand why people feel the need to write bad/nasty/awful comments! Opening: a new section on my Etsy shop...watercolours and prints!  Yay! Giggling: at the awesome pearls of wisdom which come from my gorgeous six year old. 'Mum, you look the same as when you were young, except for your crinkly eyes, they look more smiley now!'  I will take that as a compliment and move on. Feeling: excited about the end of the year, and a wee bit nervous about heading back to work Snacking: carrots and hummus, blueberries and cashews, on high rotation. Helping: out at school whenever I can.  It's a busy time of the year! Hearing: Mark Ronson, kids fave CD on the way to school   Here's a list via the talented Pip Lincolne (Meet me at Mikes) for you...  Takes some time out to think, and if you are feeling like sharing post a comment with your answers, or a link to your blog post... Making : Cooking : Drinking : Reading: Wanting: Looking: Playing: Deciding: Wishing: Enjoying: Waiting: Liking: Wondering: Loving: Pondering: Considering: Buying: Watching: Hoping: Marvelling: Cringing: Needing: Questioning: Smelling: Wearing: Following: Noticing: Knowing: Thinking: Admiring: Sorting: Getting: Bookmarking: Coveting: Disliking: Opening: Giggling: Feeling: Snacking: Helping: Hearing:   Enjoy xx