I write stories shaped by real life: the hard bits, the beautiful ones, and the moments that remind us that even in the darkest seasons, there is always a way forward. Whether you’ve come here through my memoir, my cosy mystery‑in‑progress, or my newsletter, I’m glad you’re here.My work weaves together themes of heart, hope, and second chances. I write about family, recovery, resilience, and the long thread of love that connects us across generations.
Unexpected doorway to joy
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Dear Reader I've shared quite a lot during the past few newsletters about how I've struggled with having lost my sister a few months ago. Today I want to share how something unexpected can bring a ray of hope and sunshine when the clouds gather, literally in our wintery days, and metaphorically. An unexpected prizeI love many things about my husband, Neil, and one of his qualities that is precious to me is his generosity. My mother had a saying that been included in my footer to the newsletter for a while now: Cast your bread upon the waters and it comes back buttered. It's not a philosophy that guides my giving, and neither is it one that Neil consciously follows either. We give where we can, when inspired and move on. However, the truth of this saying came to visit us last week. Neil has been a volunteer and supporter of the Hamilton City Gymnastics for over 30 years - I proudly invite you to view this FaceBook post from Gymnastics NZ, honouring his contribution to the sport. Recently he's been helping with the results for the school gymnastics competitions. He generously contributed to the fundraising raffles, not at all expecting his name to be pulled out of the hat. In fact, he didn't even look at the prizes. Imagine his surprise (and mine) last Saturday evening when he received a call telling him he had won a Thermomix TM7 in the raffle! Life has suddenly got very interesting!Very interesting indeed. The picture on the Thermomix screen is from the recipe for the loaf of Sourdough bread I made yesterday with my friend. Here's a photo of the dough proving nicely. I can't begin to sing the praises of this kitchen tool, so I won't! I do encourage you to check it out for yourself though. The recipe is right there in the Thermomix - and is so easy to follow. The ingredients all go in the bowl. The kneading happens in the bowl as well. Once the process was finished, the bowl was easy to clean - put in some water, a drop of washing up liquid, set it to clean and within no time I was rinsing the bowl. It's like having an AI assistant to help with the cooking! I'm amazed! Not only is it easy to make the bread - it was also delicious to eat! It's not the only food I've been cooking with the Thermomix, and food prep and inspiration isn't the only plus of this new tool. My thoughts have something new and exciting to focus on. I dream of what I will make, literally waking up with a plan! From spice mixes to soups to new ways to cook eggs - all making my mouth water. AND, most exciting of all is the return of that old familiar joyous feeling that has been missing since my sister passed away. Yes, sadness still washes over me at times, quite regularly, to be honest. But in between, there's a stillness, a quiet happiness that comes from learning a new skill, tasting new recipes, and especially from knowing that my commitment to self care during stressful times has a new focal point that is helping bring me back to a central place of equilibrium. What else?I'm so grateful Neil is so generous with his time and resources. Not only because of the unexpected treat of the Thermomix but also because he's here for me during what is a very trying time for him as well. My gratitude knows no bounds. And I do love the image of bread being cast over the water only to return buttered to the giver. I'm not the only one who prepares meals, Neil does too. Now I can respond more creatively to the question: "What's for dinner tonight?" Till next time, happy cooking and eating and enjoying your season, winter or summer, wherever you are. With love, always, Ages of Pages Book Fair - Hamilton, NZ May 1st 2027 I'm getting in early to invite you to the Ages of Pages Book Fair 2027! If things go haywire for me, at least you'll have this invite to refer to earlier to the time. I'll be there and so will my daughter Phoebe. Along with over 140 other authors and book vendors. Once the website for 2027 is up I'll share the link here. In the meantime, I'm keeping this invite up on the newsletter. Why I Write - for you and for me too. Some stories come from lived experience, like navigating my son’s addiction and the long road of recovery. Others are shaped by imagination, like the cozy mystery I’m writing, set in a small café where trust is both tested and rebuilt. Some of my life stories still bring tears. Others make me smile. And many are filled with memories that warm my heart. I write for anyone who’s ever carried a burden across generations, and for anyone who longs to heal forward. I write to bring a little encouragement, comfort and joy into my life and yours. With love, My thoughts for Living Life in 2026 and beyond: "My religion is kindness" Dalai Lama “Cast your bread upon the waters and it will Doris May Payne - my mother "Life is a Daring Adventure or Nothing" Helen Keller “Write it on my heart that every day is Ralph Waldo Emerson "Remember that sometimes not getting “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave [person] is not [the one] who does not feel afraid, but [the one] who conquers that fear.” Nelson Mandela Read past Newsletters and, if you enjoy them, www.StephanieHammondAuthor.com FOLLOW ME |
Hi! I'm Stephanie Hammond
I write stories shaped by real life: the hard bits, the beautiful ones, and the moments that remind us that even in the darkest seasons, there is always a way forward. Whether you’ve come here through my memoir, my cosy mystery‑in‑progress, or my newsletter, I’m glad you’re here.My work weaves together themes of heart, hope, and second chances. I write about family, recovery, resilience, and the long thread of love that connects us across generations.
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