Favourite things Friday and Floral Friday.

I can't believe Friday has rolled around again. Today I am sharing two favourites....the 1st and most important to me is my Mum had a health scare and has come up trumps. Thank you! Thank you!

The 2nd is my Journals. I used to believe to journal you had to be very organised with copperplate handwriting and an incredible memory to record all your doings in precise chronological order. Well!!!!! That was not me. However I took part in a workshop conducted by my lovely yoga sister Janeen (very talented lady) on creative journalling. What a revelation! I discovered I could have any kind of journal I chose. I could scribble, do my worst or best handwriting depending on hormones or the state of the household, cut out pictures I liked, record favourite or funny sayings, things that inspired me. I could rant and rave if the mood took me.....because as Janeen told us all...IT"S YOUR JOURNAL! And so my love of being a keeper of  Journals began. I have 4 Journals. One for my poetry (scribblings). One for recording my truest deepest feelings, special moments and inspiring bits and pieces. One which is purely pictorial it's called a Discovery Journal and it contains images that appeal to me, chosen without question and complied in this book. It's amazing how you start to see a certain taste for certain colours, styles etc emerge. It's truly insightful in getting to know yourself. The last one is for when I travel anywhere....it's fun to look back on and my Husband can never remember the finer details of the trip (now there's a surprise) except for Bathurst Panoramic racing track. The fact we went around it 6 times could be the key!!!! I have done a great deal of pondering on why I find it so necessary to record things and collect things and my conclusion is that it comes from losing my Father when I was 3 years old. In those days you didn't talk about sad or difficult things and so I never knew my Father or who he was as a person. I would have given anything to have had a letter or a diary to have read his words and thoughts so I think I am making sure my Family will be under no illusions as to who I was. The good, the bad and the ugly. You see we always keep parts of ourselves back from everyone and nobody is completely known....so this is my way I guess of being remembered truthfully...as I am.
I encourage everybody to give yourself this gift to record your authentic self. I often go to my journals and read them when life knocks me off kilter. It helps me remember exactly who I am.
One thing that hinders people from journalling is that someone else will read it. I don't worry anymore because if you invade my privacy and read something you don't like....your fault. I don't journal everyday only when I feel I really want to. So A fresh new page and a lovely new pen set my little heart a fluttering.

To see other Favorites visit Shay our wonderful and witty hostess.
My floral offering this week is a beautiful free graphic from Home and Beautiful whose link you will find on my side bar.

I think they are from vintage postcards (which I love). These roses are exquiste and to think they would have been hand drawn and painted fills me with awe. Bronwyn hosts Floral Friday and is always an inspiring visit so drop by and say hello.
Have a great weekend and Happy Sttiching,
Blessings Michelle xxx