so... I'm not Rachel

Goodmorning!  

My name is Shannyn and I have been a Story Tree Slave for about 6 months now - since the shop moved and possibly became even more amazing!

If you're from little Boonah, you've probably seen me loitering around for years.  I moved here when I was 10, went to High School here and worked in the local SPAR for 2 years before packing up and moving to Springfield to study.  However, I didn't enjoy my subjects at Uni so I moved back into the area to take some time off.  

Working at The Story Tree is amazing.  We're unpacking all sorts of new goodies every week so the shop is always changing.

Perhaps my favourite shirt, the little tree hugger from the My Heart Beats Green range.  We have tees for adults, children, and little bubs.  There are lots of beautiful prints to choose from, and the babies tees are especially cute!

This little man couldn't wait to get his new Tshirt on!

Have an amazing day everyone!  It's cool enough for coffee today so make sure you pop down to The Story Tree for our lovely smelling - and tasting - organic Blackstar coffee!

Pictures,Peoples, Presents

Introducing Ann-Marie, first day @ The Story Tree

She worked really hard on colouring-in Angelina Ballerina, trying to beat Maddie's beautiful work. Bring in your littlies and they can help us pretty up the play area with pictures. We will send out a little something in the mail to enjoy on your next visit!

Here is Little Chipipi's 'Moveables' wall stickers. We have some rocket stickers up in the play area that my boys love to rearrange every visit. The great thing about these decals is that they really can be used re-used rearranged and un-arranged over and over without losing the stickability.

Thanks Ann-Marie for joining our team, today was a relaxing day just to lure you in before all the hard slog begins...

Ahh Susie. Susie Susie, where would we be without your chocolate brownies, melting moments, honey gems and soft heart?

I tell you folks, this lovely lady laughs easily, is moved easily, and just makes my day everytime she delivers baked goodness. She is inspired by the CWA Ladies, who work hard for little or no appreciation, cooking, baking, crocheting. A discarded doilie in the 10c op-shop bin breaks her heart. She wants every person to be appreciated, and their work to be honoured. Baking for The Story Tree and Flavours Cafe is something that allows Susie to be at home with her babies and make some pocket money, maybe one day a millionare...

Miriam Bereson 'Collective Nouns' Prints:
A Symphony of Colour

A Parliment of Owls

A Memory of Elephants

A Flock of Birds

Penguin Notebooks,
perfect size to carry in your hand bag and jot down thoughts or lists, or quotes, I've got the purple 'A Room of One's Own', I love it.

Looking for something to do on the weekend? Come have a cuppa, read a mag, or pre-loved book, the air-con is on, the music playing and lots of goodies to see....

B.Sirius handbags, Poppies for Grace cards, Stevie Girl cards, Memoirs, Thrillers, Drama, Romance, Classics, Social Issues, Fantasy, Modern Literature, Award winners, Parenting, Spirituality, Humour,

Wrapping paper, notebooks, letter sets, magnetic fridge pads, pocket mirrors, bookplates,

Anne Taintor Magnets, Curly Girl Magnets, Postcards, Sticky Notes, Pre-Loved books to trade or keep,

Tote Bags,

My Heart Beats Green:

Fair Trade Organic Cotton T-Shirts, Men's Women's, Kid's and Babies
Thankyou Sue for putting me onto this range, it's selling really well!

Lark Made Gift Tags, Belle and Boo Prints and Pocket mirrors, Shonah Handmade Jewellry, Coffee Table Books, Little Box of Affirmations, CUPCAKES!

Poppies For Grace Invitation Packs

And Susie, roaring with laughter...

Motto: Eat More Cake!

"A Colourful Take On Life's Grey Areas"

Here are some pages from my current favourite book that I recommend to lots of customers, 'It's Not Always Black and White - A Colourful Take on Life's Grey Areas' by Kate Knapp.

I chose this page because the kids and I have been unwell this week and have needed lots of rest. The trouble is when I to wait until I am really unwell to really let myself rest, instead of making it a normal part of life. I have been having gloriously long naps all week and feel all the better for it. I am listening to my body and it's needs for care instead of pushing myself to do do do, go go go. I have Shannyn, Maddie and Laura running the show at The Story Tree, so I needn't worry about how the shop will cope without my presence. I must say, I have missed being there and look forward to getting back to the coffee machine and the chats with customers. I am really grateful that it is a team effort, not just me that runs the show. Thankyou girls!

I like this page because it reminds me that we don't need to feel 'chirpy' all the time, it is okay to have quiet days and to honour our true inner state. Being authentic about feeling 'unchirpy', paradoxically allows the 'chirpy' to return from deep within instead of forcing it and acting it and grinning through.

Okay, I must confess that I have been pretty bad at enjoying life. I am pretty good at seeing what needs fixing, tidying, organising and sorting, and I expect myself to be on top of it. I want to be good at enjoying. I watch Tobey and Oskar play, completely engrossed in their game of mixing sand, dirt and water; meanwhile my mind is racing through all the things I need to get done and trying to work out when and how I can achieve it. I am also aware that I am not being present to the boys, so I feel crap about this too and end up not really playing and not really getting through the To Do's. So. STOP. Be here. Now we are having fun in the sand pit, tomorrow I am at work doing doing doing. Now is about enjoying, the kids, myself, the sun, the mess. This is a daily discipline, an hourly mindfulness.

Okay, now I want you to tell me if this resonates with you. What about this picture and the words stand out? What are some old ideas and beliefs that you need to throw out?

Here is the cover. Mim, I'm glad you've enjoyed your birthday present.
There are many many pages that I could share, but, I am due for a nanna nap as I'm honouring my body's need for more rest so I can get better.

Spring Time!

I am at home doing book keeping, and needed to brighten things up. One of my favourite things to do is pick flowers from the garden and put them in whatever room it is that I will be working in. Here is a gift I am going to send Mim in London very belatedly for her birthday. It's my latest favourite book to give friends. I will show you next blog what's inside. Also, I thought I'd take the opportunity to sample our free gift wrapping - simple, timeless brown paper package, tied up with string.

Snapdragon's For Vienna

Anybody out there struggling?

I have had a few conversations lately, and I know I'm not the only one. The only one who feels overwhelmed by all the To Do Lists, the never ending pile of laundry, the day to day grind of have to do's.....

But it's not even about that stuff, really. It is an inner thing. I have a tendency to struggle with anxiety at times, a sense of urgency in my being that I know is not rational. It is as though my body feels there's an emergency happening, even though I can think it through and know that the world will not end if I don't do the dishes immediately. Then it gets worse if I look around and assume I'm the only one feeling this way, everybody else is cool calm and collected. I decide I am not coping, what is wrong with me? I ruminate, why can other people breeze through this thing called daily life and I feel on the verge of screaming and/or crying? Then I try pretending I feel cool calm and collected, you know, like everbody else but this gets draining and exhausting. The 'not coping' feeling is magnified significantly by keeping it my little secret. Well, Matt and the kids cop the snapping and low tolerance, so it's not really a secret. This is where a meltdown needs to happen. The tears flow and I confess my struggle, and boy is this therapeutic. My body can finally be free of the tension, it's out. Perspective comes as I share, a renewed sense of hope.

Stress, anxiety, fear, and any other debilitating feeling loses alot of its power just by letting others know about it. Reaching out helps us realise that it is a myth that no body else feels like this. Robin Worthington says that "the battle to keep up appearances unnecessarily,the mask-whatever name you give creeping perfectionism-robs us of our energies."

The paradox is, that by me telling you that I am stressed and anxious, I reduce my anxiety. By you telling me that you struggle at times too, I feel connected and know that I am not alone. We are all in this together.

Let the Children Come

I apologise for the blurry photo of The Story Tree's Play and Read area, but you get the gist I hope. In here you will find board books for 0-3year olds, such as Eric Carle's classic The Very Hungry Caterpillar , which is 40 years old this year. We also stock a range of Mem Fox, everybody knows Possum Magic! Where is the Green Sheep? is great for bed time reading with 1 year olds, as is her latest award-winning Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes. Graeme Base has a beautiful boardbook The Waterhole, a very simple adaptation of the original book for primary age students.

Our local Boonah Library has friday morning storytelling, for anyone wanting to take the littlies along to. We have plans for storytelling here at The Story Tree over the school holidays, so stay tuned for more info....

Cookies: Bite-Size Life Lessons

Amy Krouse Rosenthal is an inspiration. I am going to be stocking her books, starting with Spoon, Cookies: Bite-Size lessons and Encyclopaedia of an Ordinary Life.

Meet Matt, the Barista Man

We are now serving Freshly Ground, Fair Trade, Organic coffee, check it out at http://www.blackstarcoffee.com.au/

Everyone is Beautiful

If you're feeling yuck about yourself, as I am, watch this, for Truth is truer than how you or I feel about our bodies. A little reminder that who I am and who you are is what True beauty Is.

1st day - balloons and the nutbush, recipe for success

Here's our cosy little fireplace, believe it or not it's cold here! A lovely surprise, Jake and Sally from Brisbane popped in


Shannyn, who will be working with us from now on

Shannyn serving a customer towards the end of the day. Boonah is busy til about 1ish, then it's pretty quiet on the main street

Maddie and Laura spent most of the day dancing up and down High St, doin PR and advertising

The days before opening were spent frantically stock taking, arranging, re-arranging, tidying, pricing -and with these two characters-laughing.

OPEN FOR BUSINESS

The window coverings will be coming off Saturday 11th July, the door flung open, Maddie and Laura will be handing out flyers on High Street -the word will be out!! OPEN!!!!! Shannyn and I will stay warm inside, dreaming of the coffee that is to come, hopefully the following week or two...

But in the meantime, there's books, gifts, t-shirts, handbags, toys, puzzles, stationary to see, so come say hi, look around and enjoy....

Open 9am to 2pm

Another Story Tree, a magical place....

Love me when I least deserve it...

...because that is when I really need it - Swedish Proverb

The talented Kylie Johnson from http://www.paperboatpress.com/ creates these beautiful ceramic tags. I am so thrilled to stock this range in the store (thankyou Susie for the hot tip).

This quote here is especially pertinent to me, as I am fairly highly strung, and not so easy to live with. It is dedicated to Matt, my longsuffering husband. I love you baby!

This book won the 2009 Miles Franklin Literary Award:

This book won the ABIA People's Choice Award 2009:

Here is a gorgeous limited edition Belle and Bo print:

One of my favourite suppliers (check out article in current Frankie mag), Lark, are fairtrade, recycled, handmade and so so cute!

http://www.larkmade.com.au/

It's still like Christmas every

time I get to open a box that has just arrived

So folks, that's just a tiny teeny sample of the kinda stuff The Story Tree is stocked with

Nearly Ready

Notice the tree branch in the top right hand corner? My lovely friend Lara made it. It hung outside of the last shopfront, now we have it above the entry inside. Thankyou to the guys from Fassifern Electrical and Lighting, Steve, Matt and Paul for installing the lights.

Matt and the boys playing with boxes, for that is the funnest part of moving!

Here are some beautiful Poppies For Grace Gift Tags

Maddie helping with unpacking and arranging. She will be working Saturday's, serving customers with a smile!

Matt putting up more shelves, what a husband!

It takes many people to make big things happen. No story is without co-authors, all collaborating to create something special. What you see here is just a snippet of how many people have been involved in this process. It goes all the way from book recommendations, to the plumbing of the coffee machine. We even have a half of a three metre tree, found laying in the long grass of a local's yard -It's our shop counter! Cost us two cases of beer, I love a trademans currency.

This is what is coming...

There is Porter's Paints orange and green circles wallpaper,

Compendium Inc. range of 'Positively Green' cards,

Award-winning novels,

Eric Carle's 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar', celebrating 40 years,

And a determined two year old who is playing in boxes

Thankyou Matt for making my dream floor happen,


I love love love this floor!

Renovation Action

A new ceiling for the back of the shop

Oskar is 'helping' Daddy

Say bye bye to this...

There is Matt's right hand man, Cameron walking out the front door of the shop before the gutting began. I will write up an elaborate and gushing thanks to the guys soon, for they were the hands that made The Story Tree (take two) happen...

Next, I will show you a sneak peek of what's to come!