cousins and BFFs

This, I suspect, is Ruby's favourite person in the whole wide world..

She has waited so long, and somewhat impatiently, for these holidays to arrive..

So, now, they can spend ten whole days together, which blissfully co-incides with Ruby's birthday..

Could she be any happier? I think not...

playing tourist

Several times a year, our beachside haven is overrun with holidaymakers. While I do lament the loss of peace and quiet, I also quite enjoy the festive atmosphere that they bring along. It seems to be a good excuse to drop the standard daytime routines and let loose for a little bit.

Today, although it was overcast and still sprinkling raindrops after a night of fairly torrential rain, we decided to load the bikes onto the car and head down the river in search of ice cream.

We were to start at one end of the bike path, and travel all the way to the other, picking up a kids scoop in a waffle cone from our favourite ice cream shop.

It was an easy plan, and well executed..

There were loads of people hiring boats and heading out into the river. We were content to hang and watch. And to muck about on the jetty.

The trusty carrot bag always comes with us. This was a gift from our Bruny friends, on their return from Switzerland. It's a regular Migros shopping bag over there. But it's my beach bag of choice because I can always spot it from the water.

The cheery colours of the kayaks stood out well against the brooding sky.

making short work of our ice creams, we headed back along the river, stopping for a quick pic of our Big Pelican

My eldest abandoned her bike in favour of her skateboard. Which basically involved me towing her along...

We finished up lunching with my parents at the Yacht Club. Surprisingly quiet for the Easter Saturday, we had the place virtually to ourselves.

Then it was home for a rest, holiday style.

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Stella: uncharacteristically playing up for the camera

Ruby: loves that crazy rainbow flavour

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Joining in with Jodi, here

easter buns

 It's a busy weekend in my household. I have Easter and a birthday to prepare for.

I'm starting with Easter bunnies.

These cute little critters are made from half a toilet roll, pretty paper and some glue and sticky tape. Cardboard bases form the feet.

(It's a slightly modified Pinterest idea)

My youngest and I put these together this afternoon.

They each hold five small eggs, which is all you need to give the little friends, I think. There's more than enough chocolate going around.

Happy Easter, everyone.

caravanning

A weekend away, with dear friends...friends that are leaving the coast soon and heading south.

I cannot express how much I will miss them. We have become so close in what seems like a relatively short space of time. 

And so, in order to celebrate our family friendships, we decided to book a mini holiday, Peppa Pig style, and go caravanning.

We went west, one hour, to a deer park. Four adults, four kids, 3 bikes, carloads of stuff and far too much wine..

We explored the creek beds. The recent floods have carved wide sections from the waterways. A lot of the trees were bent, with roots exposed. But the creek was flowing, cool and inviting. We swam, and found treasures along the way.

When we were tired, we dragged our doonas outside, into the shade.

we hung out with the residents..

had fun in the adventure playground..

And just generally had a lovely weekend away

I didn't dwell on the fact our friends are leaving soon. We had campfires and marshmallows and yes, the aforementioned wine. There was mostly laughter, some tears and fights and the occasional grump. Just like going on holiday with family. 

And that's how I see these lovely, special people.

Family.

So I won't be saying goodbye, when they go. I'll just be looking forward to seeing them next time.

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into the wild...

Stella: sneaking off with two iced biscuits...

Ruby: fresh- faced grub.


This week, I like Natasha's pictures, here. Beautiful.



"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Joining in with Jodi, here

school gardening

Ever since my children have been in school, I've volunteered in the permaculture garden that was set up by some beautiful and dedicated people.

Their passion for sustainability, fresh air, art and nature has always inspired and motivated me.

Last year, due to many and varied factors, the garden started to go into a decline. Let me not go too much into the politics that are involved in a project like this: suffice to say the support we hoped to get from the powers that be was not forthcoming.

It was frustrating, but most of all it was sad. For me, the team and especially for the kids.

This term, the garden has remained neglected and empty. But finally, a light... A grant finally approved, the right people back on board. We can finally get back into it.

This morning I went down to the patch, to weed and to brainstorm.

At first glance, the garden appears empty and overgrown...

 The children's artwork lies, broken and discarded, in crumbling piles around the site. The benches are rotting and our scarecrow appears to be missing in action.

We set to work, piling up those items we must remove. Later, we'll bring in a skip or trailer to clear the space.

As we worked, I started to notice that some of our hardier and happier plants were not doing too badly.

The passionfruit vines appear to be thriving....

Pots of geraniums are in flower, and although not destined for the food table, they certainly lift the mood of the garden

There are citrus trees in fruit...

 And although our worms sadly are no more, they have left us a lovely present..

Rich castings to improve our soil for our next round of plantings.

So it's not all bad. Inspiration lies all around. Sometimes we just need to dig below the surface to find it.

 And as we go, I hope to be posting lots of lovely photos. We've some grand plans ahead...