snippets

It's been a month since I last posted. I've been keeping busy and dealing with some aggravating health issues as well. I've been a bit awry and have been heading early to bed. Blogging just hasn't been on the radar. Yesterday when I read Kate's post, it seemed a good way to dive back in. 

So here are my snippets from the last month:

Wandering at the river at sunset; a walk with my sister, her daughter and my girls. Such a magical time of day.

Enjoying family time at the Peregian markets on the coast...

and in Brisbane with these adorable people.

Outside I've been gardening with the girls. they've each re-done their bed, taking full responsibility for maintenance (with some gentle "encouragement" from me). We've been planting and watering and waiting and watching...

On the knitting front I've finally finished this beautiful cardigan, for Stella, from Ravelry. My mum is knitting the same, in grey, for Ruby. She's almost done too. I love the shape and fit of this cardigan. Next one I'm doing is for me. On 3 and 3/4 needles with a 5 ply wool from Bendigo Woollen Mill. I'm awaiting delivery. Eeeek!

With the leftover yarn I'm knitting up some school beanies. It's a small cheeky deviation from our school's uniform policy. The colour is a perfect match and they've each chosen their own personal stripy design.

Crocheting some squares for Kate's granny hottie crochet-a-long. I'm running behind. Because crochet is relatively new for me I find I have to concentrate more. At night when I'm tired I find it's easier just to pick up my knitting and carry on. I will finish this though.  I love the idea and I like developing new skills.

Loving Ruby's owl school. Each night these nocturnal creatures are put through their flying paces; on completion they'll receive a flying certificate ( I shamelessly listen from outside her door).

Reading lots of books, lately. I've just finished a lovely book of short stories called "Emperor of the Air". Before that, the disturbing but totally absorbing "We need to talk about Kevin". Next in line is "Nest" by Inga Simpson.  I loved "Mr Wigg", so I'm hoping this will be good.

Crafting pom-poms, just for fun. A rainy day plus kids equals craft.

Dealing with BPPV. I'm not going to dwell too much on this but suffice to say this has been making my life a bit of a misery since April. I was hoping it would go away on it's own but this week I plan to seek out some help. I can function and work and I look pretty much normal (!) but it has been been making me chronically tired and a little bit anxious. Time to deal with it.

Experimenting with bicarb and vinegar. It's amazing how much fun you can have making things go pop and fizz...

Baking whatever comes out of Ruby's head. And biscuits. I just love baking.

So that's the last month, in summary. I'm hoping to be around a bit more in the coming weeks. Thanks for sticking with me, if in fact you are still there! 

Enjoy your week, wherever you may be.

Much love.

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)