Birthday Archives - INSPIRING MAX

Coffee Catch-Up #52

August 16, 2026August 16, 2026 inspiringmax

If we were having coffee I would tell you today is my 64th birthday. And yes my husband has already sung to me with the help of the Beatles When I’m Sixty Four. I remember when I was young this seemed so old, but now I am here I feel like a baby in the next few decades of my life. In Australia today is also National Rum Day which is fitting as it is one of my favorite drinks. To celebrate hubby has also made me his specialty, Ginger Chocolate Rum Cakes. It is yummy so I can’t wait for this years version. To celebrate my birthday today Mickey Mouse is adorning our coffee direct from the Disney Wonder last January.

If we were having coffee I would tell you how surprised and excited I was recently when I received notification from WordPress that my little blog had achieved World Dominance Award. This apparently means that it has been read by people in 150 countries. I think that I have found my voice which was one of my goals when I started Inspiring Max in 2014. The other real shock is that it happened over time with people picking up and finding things I wrote up to 12 years ago. Thanks to you all for supporting my journey

If we were having coffee I would tell you I can’t believe it has been nearly six months since our last coffee. Where does the time go. Mind you this coffee catch-up is like my real life ones. Suddenly I turn around and realise it has been many months since we have seen each other. Like me, my blog has developed a life of its own. With 100+ views a day without me adding new content it deserves focus. So focus it will get. It’s exciting. I never dreamed this was possible so lets see where the next 12 months brings us.

If we were having coffee I would tell you that my hamstring injury is healing well. I have returned to Aqua aerobics which I love as well as exercises for older people which are good for my hamstring. It has now been 9 months since my wave caused injury and I have not yet returned to the ocean. In Australia it is winter so that part is easy at present. Hopefully it will continue to improve as time goes by.

If we were having coffee I would tell you how my Etsy shop is going. Like blogging it is hard to get your designs seen at first. but everyday I am seeing this improve. Also like blogging some of my original designs need upgrading which I am doing slowly. I currently have 660 designs and a clear vision for what is maxxinspired and what isn’t. As my blog and Etsy shop were made to go together I have decided to add a weekly segment called Maxxinspired Catch Up. A sister segment to my Coffee Catch -Ups where I talk about and upload the designs I have created that week as well as anything else of interest. I am sure that getting back to blogging will help inspire some fun t shirt, blanket and mug designs too. I have added a link to my shop and will let you know for the 16th my birthday I am running a sale if you stop by and anything peaks your interest. https://maxxinspired.etsy.com

If we were having coffee I would ask you what is happening in your world.

Thanks to Natalie for hosting weekend coffee share

Party Time

May 18, 2015May 18, 2015 inspiringmax

You’re throwing a party — for you! Tell us all about the food, drink, events, and party favours you’ll have for your event of a lifetime. Use any theme you like — it’s *your* party!

I love to celebrate my birthday. I take the day off work and do something fun—its my way of reminding myself that I am special. For my significant birthdays however I throw a party to share with my friends and family. My parties are simple affairs held at home.

Food is either a good old Aussie BBQ or pre-made finger food requiring heating only on the day. Everyone always loves my choices:

Cheese Dip
Chipolata Sausages
Chicken Sticks
Chicken Nuggets
Frankfurts
Meatballs
Party Pies
Prawns
Quiche Lorraine
Salmon Quiches
Sausage Rolls

Save some room for the sweet options:

Caramel Tarts
Chocolate Slice
Fairy Bread
Home-made Ice-cream With Lollies and Sherbet
Jelly Slice
Vanilla Slice

All of this is washed down with a few glasses of champagne or cocktails. Clever conversation is what follows—with maybe the odd party game or two. Basically whatever we feel like doing. My last party was my 50th birthday a few years ago. Remembering the food for this prompt has helped me as I am plan my daughters 21st celebrations over the coming weeks. Here’s a glass of bubbles to celebrate.

Photo Credit: Google Images

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/its-my-party/

Share Your World – 2015 Week 14

April 12, 2015 inspiringmax

What type of music relaxes you the most or do you prefer silence?

I love silence. Working in mental health I spend most of each day talking so the days I come home to no one and can control the noise even for 15 minutes are a blessing.

Show us a two of your favorites photographs? Explain why they are your favorite. If you are not a photographer, think of a two favorite scenes in your life and tell us about them.

I love this photo I took on a moving dog sled ride in Canada last year. It shows the beauty of the area and the action of the dogs as they excitedly pull our sled.

My second choice today is in contrast—it is taken on Hyam’s Beach on my birthday last year. It too was a peaceful way to spend time with nature.

What is your favorite tradition? (family tradition, church tradition, whatever)

My extended family has a colour theme for Christmas every year. It is voted in by all members of the family—there are over 30 and once the colour is chosen everyone dresses in the colour theme. No excuses. My sister who is queen of Christmas baubles, decorates her house in the colour theme matched with contrasting silver or gold. It is a great day and some of the clothing is outstanding. This years theme is berry—any colour you can find in a berry is allowed. The photos below are from our – 50 shades of red theme – a few years ago.

If you could go back and talk to yourself at age 18 what advice would you give yourself? Or if you are younger than 25 what words of wisdom would you like to tell yourself at age 50?

Follow your gut instincts and believe in yourself. You know what to do and your life will be a success. Accept who you are and don’t worry about if you are going to be popular or not. Your unique personality makes you popular where it counts and the rest is often fake and doesn’t matter.

Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?

Last week I was grateful for the inspiration on ways to move my chapters around and make them flow better.

Next week I am looking for ward to remembering 100 years of the ANZACS on Saturday.

http://ceenphotography.com/2015/04/06/share-your-world-2015-week-14/

Weekly Photo Challenge: Fresh

March 22, 2015 inspiringmax

For this week’s photo challenge, share with us a photo that expresses something fresh.

To celebrate our daughters birthday one year, my husband and I created this giant ice cream cupcake. We used a giant two-piece cupcake mould—to create our masterpiece. One half was lined with chocolate biscuit crumbs and the other melted white chocolate. This gave us the bottom and top of our cake. The middle was made of 5 layers of ice cream. Each layer was a different flavour. My husband choose 2, I choose 2 and the last was a mutual decision to bring it all together. They worked brilliantly. We then put it all together and sprinkled chocolate flakes over the top for an original fresh, yummy birthday cake. You couldn’t wipe the smile of her face.

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_photo_challenge/fresh-2/

Weekly Photo Challenge: Express Yourself

January 24, 2015January 24, 2015 inspiringmax

We can’t wait to see what you do with the theme: “express yourself!”

A few years ago we had this beautiful fruit “cake” delivered to work. I was so inspired by the idea I thought I could express myself by creating my own for my daughters up coming birthday.

I was pleased with my results and it tasted yummy. I used white, milk and dark chocolate to coat the apple, marshmallow, pineapple and strawberries.

To my surprise, the fruit kept for several days without deteriorating. While I don’t think I’ll give up my day job yet, the love and caring was there.