​​Do you enjoy contemplating the connections between others and life events and how everything is interdependently woven together? As you know, I do.

On Saturday I was walking by the MCG when I heard my name called, I turned to see a man about my age, who introduced himself as a fellow student from Vermont High. I remembered his name and slowly put together memories that had connected us. I had not seen him for over 40 years! I was so surprised and delighted that he recognised me and kindly made contact. I was reminded about memories and how some of them can be very helpful in fostering a sense of connection, like the MCG one, and others like hurt and blame, are not so helpful and create a sense of separation and perpetuate hurt. A really helpful question to ask when memories pop up is .........

Is this memory useful for me now?

• If the answer is yes, I enjoy it :) 
• If it is no, I try to remember to rewrite it into a more useful one. Forgiveness, as explored in the January blogs can be very helpful in rewriting those unhelpful memories of hurt and blame,into more helpful ones.  

This blog is about the connection between beeswax candles, POM and Sri Lanka. I love the warm glow and scent of candles? Although, I am not so fond of the strongly scented ones. A friend recently introduced me to beeswax candles and I have enjoyed researching and making them from pure beeswax from Bee Sustainable in East Brunswick. Beeswax candles have many benefits over other wax candles these including that they:.

• Burn cleaner than others with no sticky, black petroleum based soot.
• Produce negative ions that are natural air cleaners.
• Be slow burning with long burn times.
• Be virtually dripless in a draft free environment.
• Create ambiance with a warm amber glow.

While we were visiting Sri Lanka we went to the 'Good Market' in Colombo. This market is like the farmers markets we have here and is the first of its kind in Sri Lanka. Stalls include honey, bread, fruit and vegetables, handmade baskets,yummy Sri Lankan food, paintings, craft items and soap. I am hopeful that the WDC may be able to get a stall there, or at a similar market to sell their goods. The market is well run and well attended by tourists, ex-pats  and locals. 

A group of women at the market had a stall selling ceramics, including small mugs and dishes. I bought a number of these to make my beeswax candles in. The women at Kularanama Ceramics hand make one of a kind pieces, inspired by Sri Lanka's abundance of nature and wildlife. Kularanama Ceramics is a  cooperative society of women located in Sevanapala, a rural village just north of Uttawalawe National Park. the women and their ceramics stall is pictured above.

I remember doing pottery when I was studying Occupational Therapy. I recall becoming so enthusiastic that I made a pottery picnic set for a friends engagement. It was so heavy that it required two people to carry! We still joke about that picnic set today. 

I continue to be fascinated by and grateful for all the amazing connections, events and people that are all interdependently woven together in my life. These connections now including, the women at, Kularanama Ceramics, the Bee Sustainable store, Tenzin Lekdron, the women at the WDC and all of you. 

If you would like a 'POM Bees Wax Candle' I would be happy to make it for you. Feel free to send me an email, at maree@pom-melbourne.com and I will get back to you.

Work on revamping the POM website and shop are still progressing well, thanks to Tara, Alice and Sam. Will continue to keep you posted on our progress.

Thank you for your continued support and friendship
Kind Regards and Best Wishes 
Maree xx ​

Do you ever need an excuse for a rest? I do! Busyness is just the other side of the laziness coin, as we explored in the 'My Worst Habit' blog. In case you are wondering, running around, being busy is my worst habit. So what to do?

Last year I got some wonderful advice from my yoga teacher Andrew. He told his yoga class about a simple very effective practice. This practice is a '5 Minute Rest'. It is to simply stop all activity and lie down, eyes closed and rest for five minutes each day.  "Five minutes rest each and every day for the rest of your life" were his wise words. My friend, June had also introduced me to a similar practice I think it is called the '6 minute repose'. Sorry June I cant exactly remember the number of minutes, but just like Andrew's '5 Minute Rest' it restores, calms and feels like a recharge. It is just like a mini savasana at the end of a yoga class, it calms, restores and refreshes both the physical body and mind.  This '5 Minute Rest' does not need to be restricted to once a day either. Often, I need an additional little recharge at the end of the afternoon, before preparing dinner.  

I have been using a 'POM lavender scented eye pillow' when I take my 5 minute rest or savasana. I simply lie down and pop the eye pillow over my eyes and rest.  I have enjoyed contemplating story behind the how I came to make the eye pillows, I hope you do too.  

My love of lavender began when a neighbour of ours, Fiona, gifted me a pretty little hand embroidered, bag filled with lavender, that she had made. (It is pictured above, as a pin cushion, next to my trusty sewing machine.) At the time Fiona was around 12 years old and she, and her sister Lauren, were my 5 o'clock rescue team. They would arrive like emergency service workers and help me bath and feed our 3 small boys, aged one, one and two at the time.

I was thrilled to receive this beautiful handmade gift, that smelled so good. That little bag sat on my bedside table for over 20 years and its lavender scent has I am sure aided my sleep. More recently I have replaced it with my 'POM Lavender Eye Pillow', however as you can see pictured above it now serves as my handy pin cushion and inspiration to put lavender into the POM Eye Pillows.  

I began making the POM Lavender scented Eye Pillows over a year ago. Again the profits made from them go into POM and its supportive connection with the WDC. I use the pillows in my yoga class savasana, and yoga teacher friends have bought them for their classes too. I have also given them away as presents, along with sharing the gift of the '5 Minute Rest'. 

Maybe you have received one from me and wondered what it was for! Now you know, and how to put it to good use too, "Everyday for the rest of your life!" 

More recently I have been in collaboration with the Kandy Woman's Development Centre (WDC) and plan to make 'Eye Pillow, Pillow Cases from their beautiful hand woven sari fabric. The POM Lavender Eye Pillow fits in there and can be removed when the eye pillow case needs to washed. This allows for hygienic use in classes. In my yoga classes I have personalized the pillow cases so the same student can use theirs each time.  This allows me to leave the pillows clean and wash the cases.  

As I said last week, I find it fascinating to think about all the amazing connections, events and people that are all interdependently woven together to make everything possible. The truth of our interdependence at ever level makes me extremely grateful for all those behind the scenes events and people that make my life possible. Even, POM 'Lavender Eye Pillows' and their new Sri-Sisters Pillow Cases.

f you would like a 'POM Lavender Eye Pillow and Sri-Sisters Pillow Case' I would be happy to make them for you. Feel free to send me an email  at maree@pom-melbourne.com and I will get back to you.

Work on revamping the POM website and shop are progressing well, thanks to Tara, Alice and Sam. Will continue to keep you posted on our progress.

Thank you for your continued support and friendship
Kind Regards and Best Wishes 
Maree xx ​

Ever wondered about the story behind a particular thing? I find it fascinating to think about all the amazing connections, events and people that are all interdependently woven together to make everything possible. The truth of our interdependence at ever level makes me extremely grateful for all those behind the scenes events and people that make my life possible.

In the past, I would tend dismiss things as random or coincidental, especially the unwanted ones. These days I am a little more able to let go the 'illusion of control'' and go with the flow', trusting that things are unfolding just as they should. Remembering to let go and do my best to respond wisely, although tricky and certainly a work in progress for me, is so liberating.  

The story behind the tea-towel, is for me a fun example of interdependence and connection. Would you believe, on Monday 100 of us were fortunate enough to be in the Moomba parade, taping to Mambo Italiano', complete with spotty dress, apron and tea-towel. But, the inspiration and skill behind embroidering tea-towels begins with a dear friend, who lives in the country and shares my passion for homecrafts, cooking and chooks. She is a constant source of inspiration and fun and I am very grateful for her friendship and generosity. She is the one who gave me the idea to start to embroider tea-towels. 

Many years ago we shared a teaching by Lama Marut and Cindy Lee on 'Turning Problems into Opportunities'. This can be a challenging teaching, especially when things are not going so well. One of the gems that came out of the teaching was 'Never Let a Good Disaster Go to Waste'. My friend embroidered this slogan on a tea-towel and kindly sent it to me. What a great reminder - I still have the tea-towel, although it is a little worn. I have included a picture of it above. (And a beautiful photo of Cindy Lee wearing her POM apron).

I have written a few blogs on this theme, related to times when things do not go as we would have hoped or planned and we are left feeling disappointed, down or disillusioned. These tricky times can be opportunities to learn, grow and develop wise helpful ways to think and be.  When we avoid at the temptation to blame, criticise and push away we can learn to find the blessing that is always there in every situation; the sliver lining in every cloud.  Dealing with Disappointment is one such blog, you may want to check it out here. By way of summarising, here are some things I find helpful to remember when things don't go as planned.

​Six things we can learn from our friend disappointment
1.  Empathy and Compassion 
Unwanted events can help us understand how it is for others in similar situations. Compassion for all is always best 
2.  This will change - I won't always feel sad and disappointed.  .  
3.  Kindness to ourselves and others - we are doing out best 
4.  Overcoming pride
When everything is going well we can become prideful. Unwanted events help remind us we all have things go wrong. Empathy and compassion for all is best 
5.  Not to blame ourselves or others  
We all make mistakes and have unwanted things happen.  Being a victim, blaming and criticising ourselves and others in these situations, is never useful.
6.  Forgiveness  
Apologising & forgiving yourself & others is the kindest thing you can do for all. 

So, back to the tea-towel story. I have embroidered many things, that I find helpful to remember, onto tea-towels over the years. Maybe you have one or two, at home at your house. I am very thankful to my inspirational friend, teachers and those that help me with the embroidering Some of the things we have embroidered, include 

• Never let a good disaster go to waste 
• All you need is love
• Love is all you need
• No Worries
• Be Radical, Be Content
• And whatever you want to say 

I really enjoy embroidering these towels and am so thankful to friends, my mum and teachers who have given me ideas, inspiration, teachings and skills. 
 
Over the past year my tea-towel production has reoriented to be part of POM. I love practical things and hence POM products tend to have a very practical nature. I have continued to embroider the tea-towels with lots of help from others including my friend, Hilary. Like the other things I make, I  buy and sell them from my little POM shop, here at home, and put the profits into POM.  This means I can do what I love to do and help support the work of my friend Tenzin Lektron and the Kandy Women’s Development Centre (WDC) in Sri Lanka.

As you know, my recent trip to Sri Lanka and the visit to the Women’s Refuge Centre (WDC) has provided a wonderful opportunity to work together with the women at the WDC and like the aprons has allowed, yet another interesting tea-towel twist. I have ordered hand woven tea-towels. These are woven and sewn by the women at the WDC. These tea towels like the aprons will have the 'Sri-Sisters' brand. They will be arriving in May.
 
In the meantime I will continue to make the tea-towels (and aprons too) here and sell them to others and myself too, in support of the WDC. I love the fact the tea-towels and aprons have a story to tell that will involve others at the WDC even more in the near future. It is very exciting and I am  very thankful for your support, in so many areas of my life. I am thankful to you all for, friendship,inspiration and encouragement. By kindly supporting POM by buying bread, 'Share it Around biscuits, doing my yoga classes, reading these blogs and buying and receiving POM products we work together to strengthen and enrich the connection between us all.  We all have many wonderful opportunities to work together for mutual benefit and to help us feel more connected in the world.. As beautifully expressed by Lilla Watson - "If you have come to help me you are wasting your time. But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then lets work together."
 
If you would like to order any tea-towels I would be happy to make them for you. Feel free to send me an email  at maree@pom-melbourne.com and I will get back to you re slogan and colour and then get to work. In the following weeks I am planning to get the POM Melbourne Online shop happening and will be putting the tea-towels for sale on there too.

Still planning to revamp the POM website, set up the online shop and plan some hands on crafternoons and workshops, so we can connect and craft together. I am very grateful for the help of some wonderful, young, talented and tech savvy folk - Tara, Alice and Sam. Will keep you posted on our progress.

Thank you for your continued support and friendship
Kind Regards and Best Wishes 
Maree xx 

​My love of cooking and hosting began long ago when I was a child. As a four year old I would set up a cafe, don my apron and serve rust tea from my tin tea-set, to my two brothers. I remember distinctly the day I lost the ‘illusion of control’. This particular tea party saw my brothers both decide they had had enough of being patient customers and walk out!!
 
Unperturbed, I continued to hone my hosting and cooking skills and went on to love both home economics and sewing at school. (I think they are called food technology and textiles now).  My first sewing project in Form One Vermont High (now year Seven) was to make an apron with my name embroidered on it. I loved making that apron and still wear it today. I am in that apron, in the photo above. Though I had to take the hem down, as it was very short. (I hate to think how short my school uniform was!)
 
I cut a pattern from that apron many years ago and began sewing aprons as presents for my friends; maybe you have one or two. If you would like to, I would love you to email a photo of you in your apron so I share them.

I embroider names on them and at times theme them with Australian animals for overseas friends. I really enjoy making these aprons and friends tell me they like wearing them. Embroidering descriptive names on them helps remind me and maybe others too, of our connection and how appreciative I am of their friendship. I am so thankful to friends, my mum and teachers who have given me ideas, inspired me and taught me these skills. 
 
Over the past year my apron production has reoriented to be part of POM. I still make the aprons, only now I buy them from my little POM shop, here at home, and put the profits into POM.  This means I can still do what I love to do and help support the work of my friend Tenzin Lektron and the Kandy Women’s Development Centre (WDC) in Sri Lanka.

The Women's Development Centre in Kandy provides a home and support for women who have suffered sexual abuse, incest and physical abuse. Many of them are pregnant and lactating mothers. When we were there there were 47 women and 9 babies safely housed and supported there. As well as a home the women have access to health services, education and some training at the Centre. 

The training at the centre includes weaving, broom making, cooking and sewing. I brought some of their beautiful handmade products while there and plan to sell these and give them as gifts in my little POM shop and on-line in the future. I have ordered some of their products, which will be arriving with the directors brother when he comes to Australia in May.

The wonderful work of the staff and deep respect, support, optimism, love, friendliness and compassion amongst all there was so heart warming. It was so good, inspiring and humbling to see the women and staff there supporting and caring for each other during pregnancy, child-care and their developing education and skills. It is exciting and such a privilege  to have formed this connection with the WDC and to have the opportunity to work together with them and Tenzin Lekdron.
​
I was recently reminded of a quote, I love and try to remember.  "If you have come to help me you are wasting your time. But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together." These inspiring, wise words are by by Lilla Watson, Aboriginal elder, activist and educator from Queensland, Australia. This quote reminds me we are all in this together and it is through working and connecting together, we can liberate each other.

My daughter and I's trip to Sri Lanka was a wonderful adventure that provided us with many beautiful opportunities to visit friends we made three years ago, and to join with our friend Tenzin Lekdron, to run some workshops in a Women's Refuge - The Kandy Women's Development Centre. The Centre provides a home, access to education and training, support and rehabilitation for women suffering from the effects of abuse. We shared some rather chaotic, fun workshops with the 47 women, staff and 9 babies there. We baked sourdough bread, chocolate cake, nut and coconut balls, made cards and did various crafty things (of the textile nature).

The Women's Development Centre in Kandy provides a home and support for women who have suffered sexual abuse, incest and physical abuse. Many of them are pregnant and lactating mothers. They are given a safe haven, access to health services, education and some training at the Centre. We were certainly humbled, inspired and deeply touched by our experience there. The wonderful work of the staff and deep respect, support, optimism, love, friendliness and compassion amongst all there was so heart warming.

It was wonderful to form a connection with the centre and the wonderful people there to work together and to make future plans.
 
The connections we formed in Sri Lanka fit perfectly with the new direction POM seems to be taking this year. As I mentioned in my last blog I will continue to make POM about

• Writing my weekly blogs, sharing heartfelt wisdom.
• Teaching yoga, meditation,
• Supplying POM home-craft related items such as embroidered towels, aprons, eye-pillows (for yoga shavasana and our 5 minute a day rest), crocheted wash cloths bags and  food items such as tomato sauce, lemon cordial, biscuits and sourdough bread. I have set up a little shop here at home.(of which I am the best customer). Plans for the  shop include stocking 'Sri-Sisters' products and the development of an online shop on the POM website.  
• A large proportion of the sale of POM (and Sri-Sisters) products, my yoga teaching and future craft/cooking workshops is used to support my friend TenzinLekdron and her wonderful work in Sri Lanka and at the Women's Development Centre in Kandy.
• Running craft and cooking workshops and a weekly crafternoon. (Will keep you posted)

Some new innovations following our trip to Sri Lanka include

• Getting the women at the Women's Development Centre to weave the fabric for the aprons and tea towels and make them up for me.  The women there hand weave beautiful fabric. I have placed an order for the hand woven aprons and tea-towels and fabric for eye- pillows from them.
• Getting some hand made pottery mugs and dishes from a local village group of women potters, to make beeswax candles. 
• Setting up an online shop to sell the aprons, tea-towels, eye pillows and beeswax candles. (for starters). And selling them at my little home shop at home too.
• Assisting with setting up some activities and projects at the women at the WDC. The goods produced can be sold at local community markets in Sri Lanka serving the tourists and expats. 

I look forward to sharing with you all - thank you so much for your support and interest.
​Maree xx