What glorious weather we had over the weekend and I wonder whether Spring has sprung? Today it’s another Vive la Différence Monday. Time certainly flies when you’re having fun!
Today, I’d like to introduce you to Mel, who authors Armoire, Pegs and Casserole. Mel describes herself as “a Sydney girl living in Auckland, New Zealand with my French husband and our three little children.”
For new readers:
The concept: each month I will invite one blogger. They will create and showcase one image/vignette. There are 20 themes and 20 objects for my guest to choose from. They choose 1 theme and up to 3 objects. I will then create an image/vignette based on their choice. Everyone has free reign on how to create the image. It can be simple photography, a drawing, a collage, a hand-painted image, a styled table top… the choice is yours! The fun part is that you, my readers, will see 2 versions inspired by the same subject matter. There is no right or wrong. There’s just ‘different’.
Mel chose the theme: Curiosity with the objects: Food, Magazines and Crockery. Here is Mel’s Vignette.
For as long as I’ve been able to cook a meal, I’ve collected tear sheets from cuisine magazines with all of my favourite recipes over the years. Before children, my husband and I used to have regular date nights at home where we’d make a beautiful three course meal with matching wines from our newly discovered recipes. You’d find things on our menu like Duck Vindaloo or Triple chocolate Praline Tart – everything was made from scratch. It was so much fun to do and it would always include a perfectly dressed table and of course us looking our best!
Now with three very young children we barely have time to prepare something so elaborate unless we have people coming over – although it still doesn’t compare to what we once whipped up. I still find so much joy in cooking and discovering new recipes, albeit in a more practical way, so it took me an entire second to choose curiosity as my theme with food, magazines and crockery as my objects for Vive la Différence.
Thank you Tina for inviting me to be part of this fun series!
___________________________________________________________________________________
I have this strong belief that cultivating an inquiring mind can help us lead a happier and healthier life.
It all started with first meeting my art teacher at Boarding School when I was a tender 15 years old. Mike O’Connor ended up being the most important figure in my world. He didn’t just teach me art. He believed in me and taught me to be curious, to not take NO for an answer, question everything and stand up for myself. He was one of those rare teachers, a true mentor who dished out tough love but was caring and authentic in every way. He once said to me: ‘Tina, you’ll be young at heart even at 90’.
As an adult I often attributed these traits of being curious and standing up for myself to Mike’s wonderful teaching of such essential life skills. I was fortunate enough to stay in contact with Mike and his family. It was hugely important for me to do so. Whenever I would tell him how his positive influence enriches my life today, he would embarrassingly shrug it off and mumble that it had little to do with him.
My Vignette is about my curiosity, how it constantly grows. The tree, like Mike, symbolises strength and wisdom.
Mike’s wife wrote to let me know that Mike passed away before Christmas. I was very saddened. I hadn’t spoken to him in a couple of years. He was very private and wouldn’t let many people know he was ill. He was a wonderful person and I will always cherish his memory….I dedicate ‘The Curiosity Tree’ to him.
R.I.P dearest Mike.
Thank you Mel for being part of Vive la Différence and sharing this lovely pre-children anecdote. “Duck Vindaloo or Triple chocolate Praline Tart”, sounds fascinating!
Vive la Différence will be back on 7th April.