finding beauty in the city.

I'm a beach girl at heart. Or a country girl. Living where I do allows me to dip my toes into both. Oh, I've travelled and lived in cities. Big, big cities. There was a time when I liked cities best. The excitement, the crowds, the diversity; the busy-ness; frantic twenty four hour activity...it was fun and wild and crazy. I was in my twenties and the world was all there before me.

Nowadays I prefer quiet solitude, mostly. Birds, waves, the wind. Children running barefoot through the water and bush, the smell of horses and cow dung, open fires. Boots and creeks, sand and salt.

But I do like a trip to the city every now and then. For a long weekend, some culture, a footy game, a late slow dinner. Or in this case, the chance to see a dear friend and her lovely family. 

Before I left, we browsed through The Grounds, of Alexandria. We had a soon-to-be five year old in tow; this was the ideal stop for all of us. There was a small urban farm, a pig called Kevin Bacon, the most beautiful flower shop I have seen in, maybe ever; there was a BBQ deluxe-o bacon and egg roll for my (very mild) hangover, fantastic coffee and salted caramel tarts. And, oh, so much more.

Sydney, you haven't always been my first choice in city breaks. But I think we may become good friends after all.

stills: blue skies and cold clear waters

rockpools

off lead paradise

northern end, home beach

looking south

on the lake

sandbags

contemplating

winter. 

cold nights and crisp clear days. if we're lucky, little to no wind. we leave the house rugged up; we're in a shady hollow at home, but once outdoors it's a different story. layers are peeled back, then shed completely. it's not too cold to get in. and afterwards, back home for hot showers and chocolate.

joining in with em

stills: life

1. watching real live cowgirls in action.

2. enjoying an impromptu night out.

3. sublime winter weather at the rock pools.

4. afternoon snacks.

5 and 6. my favourite coffee and book shop

7 and 8. winter colours...

Joining in with Em

playing catch up, continued...

After the blues of last week; I feel the need to focus on the positives. After all, my life on the whole is pretty darn good. We're healthy, we're happy and there are some good times ahead. School holidays are just around the corner; the promise of sleeping in, winding down and a change in routine await us. 

Yay!

Last week I took the girls to my old stomping ground at the University of Queensland. My sister was playing in the orchestra in a theatre production of The Wizard of Oz. There was a real dog on stage! 

Much of the University has changed. The Vet School in its entirety is no longer. It's been moved an hour west to Gatton. The  old dirt car park near the theatre was a super new tech building. And as I drove the girls around reminiscing, I realised the ferry I used to catch across the river has gone. There's a walk-bridge instead. It's obviously much more efficient. But somehow, so much less romantic. I loved that ferry...

But the beautiful lakes are still here. So we took a picnic lunch and caught up with a bunch of family and friends. Some I hadn't seen for, ooh, maybe ten years or more. 

There were ducks to feed, trees to climb and hide behind and expansive green lawns to roll about on.

The beautiful old sandstone buildings of the University are a defining feature. My dad had his office in one of these buildings; I've certainly spent a lot of my time around these grounds. It was lovely to walk with the girls and show them some special places and memories.

Last week I also managed to get my stationary swap packaged up and away. It was late. I included a handmade rolled up pencil case, some cute pineapple magnets, some folders, a journal and some other bits and bobs. 

The cooler weather has been very conducive to cooking. Cakes, pies, soups and biscuits have been making daily appearances. I love to be able to provide home cooked fare for afternoon tea and lunch-boxes. This is a sticky berry cake which got devoured almost the instant it hit the table.

And just because it makes me happy. Ruby's drawing of a horse and some fridge art I look at at least a hundred times a day.

I am loved. We make a great family. And my kids are happy.

What more could I ask for?

(Have a lovely week, everyone)

playing catch up

I feel like I just took a deep breath and lost three weeks.

Time feels like it's slipping away. I always seem to be doing something, and yet, and yet...

I'm doing the same things over and over again. Cleaning, shopping, working, pets, lunch boxes, school run, homework, bills, gardening. It's ok. It needs to be done. It's just a little; dare it say it; dull. And I can see that Paul feels the same way. My darling man who rallies against timetables, planning and routine has been drawn into this too.

Last week a large tree decided to lie down in our back garden (see photo above). It eased its way gently down onto the lawn; a dead tree enveloped with vines. And it was the most exciting thing I felt had happened in a while. The girls and I watched it come down; we'd just rescued the guinea pigs. The next day multiple family members who had dropped in for a cuppa found themselves attacking it with axes and chainsaws; turning it into firewood. It was FUN.

What I really want is a big long break. Or a change. Just something a bit different, a bit inspiring. I want to pick my little family up and jump head-first into something new. Just for a little bit. And it's frustrating me that I can't seem to work that into my mid-term future. What seemed so fluid three years back, when we disappeared to Bruny Island for six months, seems so achingly and annoyingly elusive now. The pressures of work, schooling, finances and responsibility just seem some days to be caving in on me.

I've got itchy feet. And no way to scratch them. 

Got any good ideas? Any way to take off and escape the rat race?

a beanie winner

In amongst all the busy-ness of today, the girls and I chose a winner for my beanie give-away..

We used PK's new birthday beanie for the entries.

And the winner is.....

Jennifer!

Which makes me happy, as Jennifer has been a long time supporter of my blog. Even though she's obviously a very busy and crafty lady, she always finds the time to leave comments on my posts.

Thanks Jennifer! 

Hope everyone had a lovely weekend...

We had a birthday, a market meander and a boating outing...

Which was all pretty nice.