It's Mothering Sunday - plus more!

Hi everyone, and happy weekend!

Today is what I like to think of as Mothering Sunday…and it’s so important to say that if you’ve ever mothered anyone (kids or replacement kids or friends or people who need you, or beautiful furry besties like little Evie in this photo), then this message is for you.

I woke up today and I was so lucky…one of the girlfriends stayed over and she was up at the crack of dawn working on her tertiary Dental Assistant studies. My own kid wasn’t up yet. And she threw her arms around me and said, “Happy Mother’s Day. You’re an amazing mum.”

She’s not mine, but I’ve mothered her.

You’re probably the same — you’ve mothered friends and random kids and the elderly, and pets and even partners.

Here’s the truest thing I know about Love.

Love is what you give away.

It’s not what you wait to get.

I like to try this in action. When I’m low or blue, I give away as much love as I can. I throw it like confetti. I bury love like seeds. I fling it out my car windows and aim it at people’s tired faces when I see them in the mall.

So here’s my little tip for today. If you’re like me, and right now you need a little more love and care, GIVE YOUR LOVE AWAY.

It will float right back to you. But even if it doesn’t, it’ll make the world a softer place to be.

Happy Mothering Sunday.

Love, Catherine x

P. S. The fun stuff!

• I’d love your support before the new The 10 Minute Fix II hits the shelves. If you love the first one, will you share a copy with someone else? The best-loved The 10 Minute Fix is here in Canada, in America, in the UK, in Germany and in Australia.

• Love journalling? The 10 Minute Fix Journal is gorgeous, and every page is different, with over 200 writing prompts. You can get your journal here in America, in Canada, in the UK and in Australia.

• And if you think this grey jumper is for you, it’s here and it’s so warm and cute. Also comes in cream.

• Missing all my Canadians today. 🇨🇦 Just had the longest chat with one of my sisters….I’m the youngest of SIX kids! Remember how good it feels to reach out to the people you love.
  

Wow, this question is soooo good!

Hi friends…and all the new people this week! A quick intro…I’m Catherine Greer, owner of this sweet new pup, Evie, wife and mum living in Sydney, author of several books and the upcoming Bittersweet Bakery Cafe — yay, my first novel for adults!

Every Sunday, I share a happiness tip or some encouragement for us. This week, the news continues to be 💔, so I’m showing up with a little joy.

Lately I’ve been dealing with a lot…which leaves me sleepless and worried, which leads me to putting off tasks that normally aren’t that hard. But sometimes the hard tasks feel like the last straw when you’re under stress, and that’s me just now.

Life rolls in waves and troughs—we all know this—but when the troughs come, it can be hard to activate and do anything extra.

I’ve been procrastinating on a couple of things.

But here’s the truth — doing the extra thing is never that hard once I start it. It’s the dreading and leaving it that makes the whole task feel like a junk room in a hoarder’s house. Gah!

Last week I read the best question.

Ready?

Thinking about what’s unlocked on the other side <of the not-fun activity!> has truly, truly helped.

I’m trying to remember that on the other side of the hard thing is something I’m doing for me.

Hope this helps you, too, as you enjoy this beautiful weekend…and love all the people you’ve been given to love.

Catherine x

P.S. The fun stuff!

• We’ve got pears in Australia…I’m trying this salad and WOW, it looks great.

• Aussies, the cutest flare jeans. Great fit, fabulous sale in white. (Ignore the dumb 1-star review…these are fantastic. So comfy and flares balance out every body type.)

• Such a great price in Canada right now! If you love to journal…200 fabulous questions for you!!The 10 Minute Fix Journal is on sale today in Canada! Here in Australia, here in the UK and here in America.

🌹 Is everything coming up roses?

Hi friends and hello new friends — so happy you found me. So many new faces this week! I’m Catherine Greer, author, Canadian-Aussie, lover of beaches and baking. Now that you’re here, you’ll get a little shot of inspiration in your inbox every Sunday.

Let’s go!

Last month, we visited Canberra to pick up the world’s sweetest puppy and we stopped for tea and cake at a gorgeous cafe and bakery called Via Dolce Pasticceria.

The rose crockery!

The Italian vibe!

The walls of cakes!

The entire cafe was filled with joy. Of course it was—because how could you not enjoy the absolute miracle of being alive in a place that looks like this?

The tiny cafe had decor that sings, “Get in here, girls, and celebrate something!”

And so we did.

I’m a big believer in scanning for the joy…and the reason is not because my life has been easy.

Honestly, I haven’t swanned around with everything working out for me. And I’m guessing neither have you.

Is EVERYTHING coming up roses?

Does everything always work, and all at the same time?

Nope.

We’re wise enough to know that there’s rarely a time when all the worries float away, and every little thing is great. Life is such a mix of joy and pain, with loads of privileges (hot water, living in safety, people to love) and so much hurt and disappointment.

That’s why, when things are rough, I believe in asking this question—I wrote about it in my best-loved book, The 10 Minute Fix.

(Whoops — Evie just ate that sticky note! And yep, I still read and re-read my own book because I need all these reminders, too.)

How is this working in my favour?

We can ask this of the good and the bad, and we always, always, always have the option to look for what’s working and take tiny steps forward.

I hope something unexpected and fun comes your way today. (And yes, I hope that for you, almost everything’s coming up roses).

Love, Catherine x

PS. The fun stuff!

• Happy Canada Day! 🇨🇦 Have you watched the beautiful Carlotta Edwards on this frozen lake?

• Need to regrow thinning eyebrows or a gap where you over-plucked? This serum is pricey but it works for me. I’ve used it for two months, every night, and my eyebrow gap is filling in. (I noticed the change after 7 weeks of continuous daily use).

• The history behind the saying, ‘Everything’s coming up roses’ is here.

• You can take a look at Via Dolce Pasticceria here. Yum!

• New friends — you can meet me, my family, my life here.

• And because so many of you are new — my best loved book, The 10 Minute Fix, is here in Canada, in America, in the UK, in Germany and in Australia. If you love to write, there’s a beautiful 6x9 inch The 10 Minute Fix Journal too, and every page is different, with over 200 writing prompts. You can get your journal here in America, in Canada, in the UK and in Australia.

How's the Real You doing?

Hi friends, and hello to all the new people this week! It’s so good to have you here. I’m Catherine Greer, author and mother of two young adult sons, baker and optimist living in Sydney, Australia. You’ve signed up for my Sunday newsletter and I’m so happy to pass along a few good ideas if I can.

Today — let’s talk about the real me and the real you.

Not the Work You, or the Parent You, or the friend or partner…but the joyful part of you that’s authentic and not an identity you’ve created over time to fulfil a role you play in your life.

What does she love to do?

How does she like to have fun?

Can you do a little of that today?

Not what’s good for you or what you’re supposed to be doing, but what you love…

Kitchen dancing, taking a walk, the perfect cup of tea in a favourite tea cup, a square of chocolate. Crunching through leaves in your autumn backyard. A solo shopping trip. Sleeping in. Getting up early. A lemon drop, slowly savoured. Replaying your favourite memory. Cleaning something and feeling virtuous. Putting your feet up.

Whatever it is, promise you’ll do one thing for her today — the person that is the authentic core of you.

The joyful you.

Getting closer to our authentic selves can be surprisingly quick to do.

1. Consider what you (truly) love. Choose one small, simple thing.

2. Do that now.

3. Savour the feeling of being true to yourself.

Let me give you an example: for me, joy is always as close as my ear buds and iPhone. I put on a favourite song and have a kitchen dance all on my own. It always brings me back to myself—the little eight year old girl at my first family wedding, where I spent the whole night on the dance floor and didn’t want to sit down because I didn’t want to miss out.

I’m guessing you already know quite a few things that bring you joy, and I hope you can do some of them today. Remember that who you are—the authentic you—also needs a little TLC. It’s easy to forget about that woman in all our rushing around and doing.

Because this is true:

Happy Sunday! I hope something amazing happens to you today.

Love Catherine x

PS. The fun stuff!

• This season’s pink boots are a little brighter and taller, but gorgeous.

• Do you know Wendell Berry’s gorgeous poem, “The Peace of Wild Things” from 2018? My favourite lines: I come into the peace of wild things / who do not tax their lives with forethought / of grief…

• I’ve made this flourless, decadent chocolate cake for my friend Jenny’s birthday.

• A song to make you dance, especially if you’re a 66 baby like I am.

• New friends — my best loved book, The 10 Minute Fix, is here in Canada, in America, in the UK, in Germany and in Australia. I’m busy writing a sequel. If you love to write, there’s a beautiful 6x9 inch The 10 Minute Fix Journal too, and every page is different, with over 200 writing prompts. You can get your journal here in America, in Canada, in the UK and in Australia.

Three Things Worth Enjoying

Hello, everyone, and hi to all the new people this week. Look what’s happening in Sydney…tulips! Spring is here on 1 September and I can’t wait!

This week I wanted to share three things worth enjoying. Let’s go!

1. Consider making bread. Gluten and carbs, I know, I know, but this is so fun. I’ve written about this easy focaccia before, and if you want to feel domestic and successful, you can make it.

2. Dust off your beautiful dishes and use them. When our beloved ‘adopted’ Australian grandmother died, we inherited her set of Royal Crown Derby. Her real family was kind enough to ask if we’d like them (before they went in the Op Shop box - gah!)…and I use them on the weekends. I’m guessing there are pretty things in your cupboards, too.

3. Share some gratitude. Not just be grateful. Share “grateful.” Spread some heartfelt compliments. Tell the people you love that you see what they’re doing. Say something fun and appreciative today to a person who might not expect it. It’s an old, tired cliche because it’s true:

Everyone, everyone, everyone needs a kind word. You can give it.

Enjoy your weekend, and have fun loving all the people you’ve been given to love.

Catherine xx

PS. The fun stuff!

I share links here to things I’m enjoying. Sometimes it’s a product I’ve bought, sometimes a poem or a recipe, a quote or a thought or an activity. Or a book I’ve written. No pressure, just for fun.

• I use World Time Buddy (free!) when I have to sort out time zones across countries. So easy!

• Do you know 13 Ways of Looking at a Blackbird? If you do, you know beauty. Four stanzas of this poem are framed on our kitchen wall…

• Did you enjoy The 10 Minute Fix? If yes, you need to know about The 10 Minute Fix Journal. People are loving it.

You Need This Recipe

Hi friends, and hello if you’re new to Love Our Age.

Every Sunday, I try to provide you with some simple life hacks and share the (real life) things I’ve been loving, whether that’s a favourite poem, a new sweater, an interesting article, a book I’ve written or a way of looking at the world. Thank you for being here! I appreciate you!

This week, I’m sharing my humble, easy zucchini recipe that everyone needs.

Why?

• Because you can cut it in tiny squares and serve it as an appetiser at a party.

• Because you can whip it up for a girlfriend lunch very quickly.

• Because it’s inexpensive and yum!

• Because it makes an excellent lunchbox option for kids who are tired of sandwiches.

But mainly I’m sharing because of this: EVERYONE (and I mean everyone) I’ve ever known has asked me for this recipe once they’ve tried it.

Now I can tell people to search LoveOurAge/zucchini for the recipe. And when you’re asked (which you will be), you can, too. Easier all around! 😊❤️

Let’s go!

Zucchini Slice

• 3 large zucchini, grated

• 1 cup self-raising flour

• 1 cup grated cheddar

• bacon or ham (around 3/4 cup chopped or more)

• 1 large onion, chopped finely

• 5 eggs

• 1/2 cup oil (I use olive)

• salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 180C / 350F. Line a 9x13 tin with baking paper.

1. Saute the bacon and the onion. Important! Don’t skip this step!

2. Grate the zucchini and cheddar.

3. Mix the flour and salt and pepper through the zucchini cheddar.

4. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, oil and salt and pepper.

5. Finally, mix everything together. Pop in the pan and bake for 30-35 minutes. Done!

I know this is a recipe for people who eat all the things (meat, eggs, dairy, gluten). Maybe you could have a play with adapting it for the people you love?? I promise, it would be worth it.

It even looks lovely and healthy unbaked, right?

Oh, I’d planned to take a pretty photo of a slice on a plate, but then my son’s girlfriend (who loves to work out and eat, bless her!) walked into the kitchen and had some for dinner, and then my husband and I were starving after our workout, so we ate the rest. The same will happen in your house if you leave this Zucchini Slice on the bench top.

I didn’t even bother making a salad because half of this is baked zucchini.

Try it for a party, cut into tiny squares and served warm. Very easy and low-cost, too.

Happy Sunday, everyone. I hope you enjoy yourself today!

Love Catherine x

PS. The Fun Stuff!

• Write your way through the The 10 Minute Fix Journal! Over 200 pages of goodness: a quick overview of 100 “fixes” from The 10 Minute Fix book, with 200 unique writing prompts and 100 practical affirmations. 6x9 inches, lined cream paper.

• You can find it here in Australia and Canada (paperback), and hardcover and paperback in America and the UK . Thank you for your beautiful support — and please spread the word!

3 quick ways to celebrate anything...

Hi everyone!

May is always a beautiful month. For me, it’s my birthday followed quickly the next weekend by cards from our two sons, some kind of special breakfast, a bit of a celebration at home—which I love.

So today, in honour finding fun, I’m sharing my favourite ways to celebrate at home.

It may be an unpopular view, but I love celebrating in my own home. Why? To me, restaurants are impersonal and even a little fussy. I love to be able to start in heels and switch to comfy shoes, climb into bed when the party’s done, or get on my pjs and continue into the night chatting and curled on the sofa with a cup of tea.

Have you ever tried these ideas?

1. Afternoon tea with girlfriends: iron a tablecloth, set out your prettiest china, clip some greenery from your garden or use grocery store blooms and light some candles. Make scones, add jam and cream and cups of tea. Bake a cake or make finger sandwiches and cut off the crusts. Your girlfriends will love being in your home.

2. Easy family celebration dinner: you already know what you and yours love best. Just make the same thing every time you celebrate. For our special family dinners, it’s a starter of crab cakes followed by steak on the barbecue (I have a house of BOYS!) plus salmon for me, a delicious green salad with everything in it (think feta, toasted pepitas, tomato etc), and a classic chocolate cake for dessert. My boys also love the blackberry and plum cake pictured above. Recipe here!

3. The simplest girlfriend lunch: grab a platter and arrange some salad leaves on one end. Add burrata, sliced tomato, maybe some roasted and cooled carrots on a smear of hummus, or roasted asparagus, a few slices of protein—smoked salmon, ham from the deli, salami. Place the platter in the centre of the table with large serving spoons and done. It’s pretty, easy, you can use what you have and (let’s face it-haha!) the two of you are only really there to talk, anyway! You can buy dessert or open a box of chocolates with your coffee, but I always opt for quick and hot apple turnovers—recipe below! You can pop them in the oven while you eat lunch.

I’m a fan of celebrating everything, especially with the people closest to me—family and girlfriends. And why not?

If not now, when?

What exactly are we waiting for?

To be more perfect? To be more ready? To be less busy? (Meanwhile, the days and weeks and years slide by…)

The truth is that none of us expect perfection in anyone else’s home; we just want to be invited, to be welcomed in, and to feel loved.

Happy Sunday, everyone. I hope you’re inspired to try a little celebrating of your own.

Love, Catherine x

PS. The fun stuff!

• To all the women who mother (that’s everyone!), I hope you enjoy today.

• Easy apple turnovers: buy puff pastry sheets (Aldi brand is best!). I use this recipe!

• Did you love The 10 Minute Fix? The 10 Minute Fix Journal is out now. Over 200 pages of goodness: a quick overview of 100 “fixes” from The 10 Minute Fix book, with 200 unique writing prompts and 100 practical affirmations. 6x9 inches, lined cream paper.

• You can find it here in Australia and Canada (paperback), and hardcover in America and the UK (paperback coming soon).

• Thank you for spreading the word! xo I appreciate YOU.

It's Time To Finally Tell You...

Hi friends, and hello to all the new people this week! I have an exciting announcement!

But first…time for a quick intro (and photo!) in case you’ve forgotten what you’ve signed up for. I’m Catherine Greer, author, and this weekly newsletter is Love Our Age, my little corner of the internet where I spread joy. I’m Canadian-Australian, and we live in Australia with two young adult sons and the cutest little pup. You’ll hear from me every Sunday (Saturday overseas) with useful tips and fun suggestions.

Today I’ve sharing some quick wisdom and a fun surprise. Let’s go!

There’s one little word that’s magic. It can activate us to:

• try something new.

• make a change.

• believe again.

• stop anxiety.

• have a fresh start.

We can use it anytime. It’s this.

You’ve probably done a lot in your life: some things were easy, and some were hard. I have, too.

We’re all facing things now—some you share with others, but a lot you don’t. Some things we hold inside, the worries and the fears, and struggle to move forward.

From time to time, we can struggle to believe in ourselves.

That’s where a little word like “maybe” can move mountains. It opens up space and shifts our attention to what is possible, not the blocker that’s right in front of us.

Give it a try today and see what happens.

Love, Catherine x

PS. Yay! You’re the first to know…

• The 10 Minute Fix Journal is out now!

  • Over 200 pages of goodness: a quick overview of 100 “fixes” from The 10 Minute Fix book, with 200 unique writing prompts, and 100 practical affirmations.

  • 6x9 inches, lined cream paper, with unique questions and guided writing prompts.

  • Find it here in Australia and Canada (paperback), and hardcover in America and the UK (paperback coming soon).