HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS
I must apologise and confess that the only cupcake I am able to write about this week is the one my daughter happily ate when we went for a cuppa to our local Gloria Jeans. Admittedly, it looked quite cute and she thoroughly enjoyed it…..
I don’t like making, or should I say, “baking” up excuses, but being the busy holiday season, I just haven’t had much time in the kitchen. Most of my time has been spent with family and friends, eating, shopping and wrapping. However, my plan is to do some baking on Christmas Eve with my daughter, so will keep you posted on how that goes.
In all this “Christmas rush” though, I have still managed to squeeze in some visits into beautiful Sydney…after all, I did promise a few posts ago that one of my ambitions is now to discover more of the intricacies of my beautiful city.
Hyde Park just after the rain….
Singing in the rain?!!
My favourite fountain in the distance, the distinctive “Archibald”…..
The magnificent St Mary’s Cathedral, all decked out for Christmas…..
The love of my life and I managed to squeeze in some “us” time over the weekend, when we stayed at the amazing “Blue Hotel” at Woolloomooloo Wharf…..
Amazing not only in its history, design and architecture, but also in the quality and service of its staff….
We made the most of our stay with a spa treatment for me and a massage for my hubby at lovely Azul Spa….
Apparently, Russell Crowe owns an apartment at the Wharf, but unfortunately we didn’t spot him the whole weekend. On the way to breakfast however, we did spot another Australian icon, Steve Waugh, who was being interviewed at the Hotel. That was okay for cricket fans I suppose, but I’m more of a movie buff (nothing against Steve personally, of course)…..
Breakfast was indulgent. I believe I ate the best poached egg and bircher muesli that has ever existed…..
A leisurely stroll after breakfast revealed the colourful history of the wharf and showcased our beautiful Sydney from a different perspective. Apparently, the wharf was built in 1915 and was built to handle the export of wool. However, it also acted as a departure point for troop deployment in the World Wars, in addition to a disembarking point for immigrants coming to Australia on ships. It’s now home to the rich and famous and a great destination to visit for the not so rich and famous (like me)!!
Cupcakes remind me of home.
It’s strange how a particular type of food can remind you of home. For me, cupcakes remind me of my kitchen, because I have so many fun memories of cupcake baking for my family. Lebanese cuisine reminds me of my parent’s home, as that’s where my Mum lovingly feeds us all with her culinary expertise.
Christmas is a time of year when lots of people are travelling “home” to spend time with family. I am so blessed to have a wonderful family home, as well as my parent’s place that I grew up in, which I will always call home. Then I also have the homes of my 6 brothers and 3 sisters. I can call all these places home too…not because I own the buildings, but because “home is where my heart is”. Home is where I find those I love and where I know I am loved in return. It’s not just a building, but a feeling. A feeling of safety, comfort, familiarity, warmth, light, forgiveness, acceptance and rest.
Growing up, whenever I was broken-hearted or scared or tired, I could go “home” to mum and dad and they would make things feel so much better again. Nobody could bully or intimidate me at home. I was never ignored or lonely. I was comfortable, safe and unconditionally loved. Even now, at 41 years old, I still go home to Mum for comfort and hugs, or visit one of my brothers or sisters. I am truly blessed to have so many “homes”.
During my adventures around the city this week, I came face to face with the tragedy of “homelessness”. My first encounter, as my husband & I drove back to our hotel after a Christmas Party at Darling Harbour, was spotting a few homeless people camping out on one of the city streets near the Domain. Then a couple of days later, I came across a man sitting outside the Queen Victoria Building with a sign asking for money as he was “homeless and broke”. As I dropped some coins into his basket, all I could think of saying was “Merry Christmas” and he looked into my eyes and said “Thank you, Thank you!” I don’t know what his situation is, but at that moment I said a quick prayer that God would take care of that homeless man. That was all I could do for him.
I immediately crossed the road and stumbled upon an interesting-looking guy in a cute Christmas hat, who was selling magazines. When I asked if I could take a photo of him, he agreed only because I had asked so politely apparently.
We got talking and I ended up buying one of his magazines called “The Big Issue”; he makes $2.50 from the $5 cost of every magazine he sells. Inside the front cover of the magazine it was explained, “The Big Issue is an independent current affairs and entertainment magazine sold in towns and cities throughout Australia by people experiencing homelessness and/or long-term unemployment. It provides an opportunity for vendors to positively change their lives by earning an income and interacting with the mainstream community. Vendors keep half the cover price of every magazine they sell”.
Maybe you could look out for “The Big Issue” vendors around town, and buy a magazine for a great cause. I read some interesting stuff and would like to share a poignant quote from one article, particularly relevant for this time of year:
“Replace wrapping paper with wrapping arms. Put time, presence and love with friends and family at the centre of your universe.”
This Christmas, I hope those of us who are blessed with a safe and loving home remember what a privilege and a wonderful gift it is; and spare a thought for those who don’t enjoy such a blessing.
I’ll finish by recommending you listen to a song (“Fix You” by Coldplay), which always reminds me that a loving home can fix almost anything…and if it doesn’t fix it, it certainly makes it feel better! I wish you a very merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year!
