from seed
Top image} A little shoot growing up from a seed.
One night while we were making salad dressing {lemon juice + olive oil + honey} we found a seed that had already just started cracking open.
Ready to send forth roots and a shoot.
I gently placed it in the soil in our little window box on our kitchen window.
A space that gets regular watering and not too much hot afternoon sun.
Little by little each day we have watched our seed grow. Even since taking this photo, a few days ago, it has grown taller with proper leaves opening up.
Bottom image} A piece of mandarin left on our bench, half eaten by Mishi's little mouth.
One day we will eat lemons and mandarins from our own grown trees. This little shoot is the first. A hopeful first. A dream growing to fruition. Even if it takes many years of tending before we have our own fruits.
Other things} It also seems as if Ari has suddenly shot up taller and taller. I don't even recall when it happened - but he is now tall enough that he fits under my armpit quite easily. Just tall enough for me to lean upon him.
{flowers} yesterday::today
Yesterday at 6.15 am*, I took these photos of our hoya. The buds still all closed up.
Then this morning, at 7.43am* I stepped onto the front steps and noticed that they had opened their star petals up. These have a subtle, sweet perfume.
*times may not be entirely accurate, but are as close as memory allows.
Then this morning, at 7.43am* I stepped onto the front steps and noticed that they had opened their star petals up. These have a subtle, sweet perfume.
*times may not be entirely accurate, but are as close as memory allows.
i'm going to have to start sharing
My big boy decided that he can sew by himself. On my machine. 
He had this long stretch of white felt that we got from (possibly) Reverse Garbage. He drew great lines on it, just strips of colour. And a few cross lines as well. Simple. And perfect. In a very graphic art way. I really like his simplicity, his restraint with the shapes and lines. Just keeping it still and uncomplicated.(Someone outside, in another house, is playing a beautiful lyrical piece on a flute, or something. Another one of those moments you have of living in the city. In a street where you can hear your neighbours breath and talk and yell, and play music, and laugh).
So, after much talking, and me having to finish sewing my skirt (photos tomorrow, or some other time, I promise), I let him at the machine. First he sat on my lap, moving the fabric about with his hands, and pressing the button to reverse the stitches, lifting the foot up and clunking it down. All to my instruction. With me pressing the foot presser, to make it all go.Then, while I was doing something else in the same room (my machine is now in our kitchen), he hopped onto the chair, and stretching his legs to reach the foot presser, he started doing it all on his own.
So, my big (little) boy can sew. Have a look at that concentration.
We got a box to make the foot presser higher, so that he can reach properly. And with standing over shoulder instructions from both mum and dad about being careful to not get fingers sewn on.He did it.
He decided exactly where to start and when to stop the stitches. And then, half way through a line, half way across the 'page' he stopped, lifted up the foot presser, cut the thread. And declared it finished.
So, I suppose I'm going to have to share my sewing machine with him now, hey. Or buy him his own.
portrait of an artist
These photos are all taken by the little artist himself. I love the composition and viewpoints in these images.
He painted this one by squeezing the paint straight from the tube, and working it into shapes. He did this all on his own, while I was doing something else. He asked me to get the paints down, while the littest one was asleep, and set about doing some beautiful and textural paintings. Pieces that needed a few days drying time.
This one, the smaller one in the middle, was a collaboration between Sam and Ari. Done with those paint pen things, straight onto canvas. Many beautiful parts in this. I hadn't even got out of bed for the day, and these two artists had completed this mini masterpiece.
The red and black piece on the left is one of Sam's canvas lipstick palms, which he has hand drawn on top of. The beetle vase in the front is by Deb Cocks, I've mentioned her before (somewhere, I think).
And this is, of course, a fun and childish self portrait!
He painted this one by squeezing the paint straight from the tube, and working it into shapes. He did this all on his own, while I was doing something else. He asked me to get the paints down, while the littest one was asleep, and set about doing some beautiful and textural paintings. Pieces that needed a few days drying time.This one, the smaller one in the middle, was a collaboration between Sam and Ari. Done with those paint pen things, straight onto canvas. Many beautiful parts in this. I hadn't even got out of bed for the day, and these two artists had completed this mini masterpiece.The red and black piece on the left is one of Sam's canvas lipstick palms, which he has hand drawn on top of. The beetle vase in the front is by Deb Cocks, I've mentioned her before (somewhere, I think).
And this is, of course, a fun and childish self portrait!
Routines and rhythms seem hard to come by these days, for me. I cannot get myself into any sort of consistency of getting things done, or having any sense of achievement at the end of the day.This trying to work from home thing is proving to be much harder than Sam or I imagined. Not having a studio space, away from the main living section of our tiny house is making things difficult. The kids want to be with us always, on top of us, beside us, under us, over us, pushing, pulling..... (Does anyone have good tips on how to manage working with children beside you? What are your good games to entertain them for longer than a millisecond? While we do our computer work, or my sewing).
All this means that any project we do is taking longer than necessary. And photos are sometimes hard to get right - you know, when a kid is dragging at your arm, bit hard to keep a camera still long enough to focus it!
But things are happening. And my mind is tumbling over itself with ideas waiting to get out. Jumping about, talking to each other sort of ideas. Things that go from one thought to the next without you realising it.
So, living in my mind isn't too bad. In my mind my house is clean, the kids play quietly on their own, or happily together for longer than five minutes, I am sewing sewing sewing, and Sam is designing and printing and drawing.... And things are happening.
All this means that any project we do is taking longer than necessary. And photos are sometimes hard to get right - you know, when a kid is dragging at your arm, bit hard to keep a camera still long enough to focus it!
But things are happening. And my mind is tumbling over itself with ideas waiting to get out. Jumping about, talking to each other sort of ideas. Things that go from one thought to the next without you realising it.
So, living in my mind isn't too bad. In my mind my house is clean, the kids play quietly on their own, or happily together for longer than five minutes, I am sewing sewing sewing, and Sam is designing and printing and drawing.... And things are happening.
*****************
I made some yummy little cakes last night. And iced them with the remaining chocolate mousse icing from the party cakes. The best and simplest icing in the whole world! (I *forgot* to take photos of the birthday party, so these will have to do. Hopefully some good ones from my father-in-law).
To make this tasty icing all you need is 600ml single cream and 250g block chocolate (best quality). Put half the cream in a pan and heat, then pour over chocolate, which has been broken into pieces. Stir until combined and nice and smooth. Then leave to cool. Whip remaining cream until almost stiff peaks, then fold gently into the chocolate mixture. It should be a good consistency to top your little cakes with, then put a half strawberry on top of that.
Put it in your mouth in one whole bite! And be surprised that chocolate, chocolate and strawberries can taste so good.
I froze the remaining icing (from the party day), and dug at it slowly over each night; easy peasy icecream. With some fresh strawberries to 'tone it down a bit'. My dad didn't think it was too bad either!
Or you can let it thaw and top your cakes with it. It won't last long what ever you do.
To make this tasty icing all you need is 600ml single cream and 250g block chocolate (best quality). Put half the cream in a pan and heat, then pour over chocolate, which has been broken into pieces. Stir until combined and nice and smooth. Then leave to cool. Whip remaining cream until almost stiff peaks, then fold gently into the chocolate mixture. It should be a good consistency to top your little cakes with, then put a half strawberry on top of that.Put it in your mouth in one whole bite! And be surprised that chocolate, chocolate and strawberries can taste so good.
I froze the remaining icing (from the party day), and dug at it slowly over each night; easy peasy icecream. With some fresh strawberries to 'tone it down a bit'. My dad didn't think it was too bad either!Or you can let it thaw and top your cakes with it. It won't last long what ever you do.
looking for dreams
Today we went for a drive down the coast, to the Gold Coast Hinterland. Looking at houses, land, possibilities of a new home for our family. I'm not sure we found our new home, but we had a lovely day. And some dreaming, and new questions. And, well a very lovely day with beautiful views.
Ari declared that it was a good day for going to the park - we agreed with him. The sweet little park we stopped at, in the middle of 'now where', where we had our picnic and played and played. And Mishi learnt after only a few tries how to climb the big steps so she could go down the slippery slide - backwards, on her tummy!
The park was next to a little creek. We were sure that fairies lived there; creek fairies, and sunlight fairies, and maybe grass fairies.
Peeking down driveways (the real estate didn't want to set up any viewings as we hadn't sold our house yet), and looking at "For Sale" signs, and rewriting real estate advertising - they are good at that aren't they!
We came home, all tired from the long drive. The kids watched a bit of afternoon tv, and Sam checked his car forum (on the internet). I went into the back yard with a coffee, 
to sit in the late afternoon (and getting quite cold) sun, and soaked up a few pleasures in my current garden. Joined by our cat.
to sit in the late afternoon (and getting quite cold) sun, and soaked up a few pleasures in my current garden. Joined by our cat.
I dreamt of *real* blueberry trees, rather than the straggly stick with a few blossoms that we have. 
And envisioned the vegie patch, and fruit groves, and the flower and herb gardens.
And envisioned the vegie patch, and fruit groves, and the flower and herb gardens. Sometimes I live on dreams. They are what get me through a day of living in a messy house, or whingy kids (or yelling mum!), or over-due bills. For a while now I have been living in this house and dreaming daily about our new home. I have moved out of this house, in my fantasy world, and now have a large sprawling acreage with space for many trees, and a hiding places for us and the fairies. In an old Queenslander house, with space for my own sewing room, and pot belly fireplace, and studio for Sam and me to *build our dream business*.
Actually, simply space to stop and be still, to hear the birds, to watch the flowers and the vegies grow, to feel the breeze and the water tumbling over our toes. To sit or run or dance or sing as our hearts desire.
A place for dreams to happen, to come true.
:: I've realised that we took no photos of the glorious views, so I'm sorry, you'll have to take my word for how magical the place is. And hopefully there'll be a next time ::
Does anyone know what this plant is? I bought it years ago, as a tiny leafy thing. It dies down each year, and has now sent up this amazing brilliant red bud. The base is like a big fat bulb, with red speckled leaves. I will take more photos as the flower opens further.
my little corner
Finally found a bit of time to get some more tidying and organising, and prettying in my little corner, sewing space. It's half a room - the other half is kids toys, clothes, that sort of thing. (Really, it's our second bedroom, and Ari should be sleeping in here. But he doesn't want to - who'd want to move out of Mum + Dad's bed! - and I'm not ready to give up the sewing space).
The beautiful little acorn picture, and the b/w bust image are from Stefani's Blue Yonder etsy shop. I bought them ages ago, and have been waiting to have them on show.
I still have to put up another inspiration line, underneath the other one. Well, Sam put the first one up for me, so he'll probably do the next one. I'd also like to have a corkboard in there, but they seem hard to find lately!
The screen-printed yarrow fabric hanging down is from the very talented Erin of Blossom Creations. I have the yellow tea towel also, which I still have to find a spot for.
When I lived on my own - well, with flatmates or in my own room at my parent's house - I always had heaps and heaps of inspiration images up all over my walls. Just blu-tacked up. I really like doing that. Lots of fashion, and interiors, and colour ideas. Now that I own my home, and have spent hours and dollars painting it - well, I'm not quite so keen to use lots of blu-tack. (Ummm, actually I think it's Sam who spent most hours, and who isn't so keen).*
I'm really liking the way this little corner is shaping up. I have heaps of ideas and plans and projects that need starting and finishing (let's not get into my WIP list!). So, hopefully the kids and I will manage to keep it tidy enough for me to do a little sewing.
*Now I'm sounding like I can't do anything for myself. I can, it's just that - well, I'm a bit lazy and Sam's much better at it than me! Please, I do think of myself as a modern feminist - I just know my limitations.
That Denyse Schmidt Quilt-It Kit is proving to be wonderful inspiration. It was purchased on a lovely afternoon out on my own a few months ago.
breakfast at warhol's
This is (l - r) :: me, my Dad + my sister, Sylvia. In the photobooth at the Andy Warhol exhibition at GOMA. We went today. I like going to exhibitions with my Dad - he is a very intelligent person, he knows so much about so many things. Wish I knew a little bit about a few things! He tells me things about the artist or muscian or event or process or artwork.A lot of who I am comes so strongly from my parents - who they are, who they helped me to be, the way they helped me be me, yet educated me to look outside myself as well. Dad is my hero!
These breakfast images I took a few days ago - one morning when Mishi was having a very early nap, and I had quiet breakfast, thinking and photographing time. By quiet I mean, just Ari was there talking to me, wanting to share my toast, or me to make him something else.
I would really like to have more time for styling + photographing my mundane moments :: eating, cooking, folding clothes, reading. But these moments seem to just happen, without being able to stop and think too much about it. I hope by the time my children are big enough for me to do things like that, that I am still inspired in the mundane. I think I will be :: probably I'll enjoy the time and space for these activities so much, that I'll want to record them.
These particular images are very inspired by simply breakfast who sure has a varied and interesting, delicious looking diet. A lot of inspiration in Amanda's 30 days in photos. And the noticing project is beautiful everyday moments - I love the name. And, of course, six one way continues to make me smile at the snippets of life with kids.
our little tree
This is our first Christmas tree we've had - in this house or as a family. We decided to have a real, living tree for a few reasons. It was something we did in my family, when we were children. I remember seeing it get bigger each year :: a wonderful way to notice the changing of the cycles and the growing of our lives/selves. Also, we wanted something that could be special to care for, look after, tend to. Every day it is Ari's special job to remember to water the tree. We have to clear up the dropped needles and seedpods. And then, to have this wonderful real tree in our house feels immensely special for me. Growing up in the bush we didn't have trees inside our house so much (except bonsai trees), seeing as how we lived in a very outside-in house. Nature always came in, if we wanted it to or not. And now, while we have flowers and seedpods and sticks and things, we don't often have real trees growing in our house. Sometimes we may have an orchid plant - which in a way is like a growing flower arrangement.
We choose a Daintree pine (Gymnostoma australianum). It's so pretty, with such lovely shaped seedpods (almost like many-armed star-shaped atoms) and furry little 'flowers'. The tree is almost classic Christmas tree shape. It will grow healthily and happily in a pot.
Our decorations are simple, and all handmade. Steiner-style angels, and stitched felt stars. It is my wish / aim to make something new each year to add to the tree, or collect things that are special to us. Rather than just buying a heap of plastic decorations and throwing them at the tree. It's quite an understated look. Actually, I really like it. I think this year Ari was maybe a bit too young to assist so much, or he didn't want to, so mainly Sam and I did it. We tried some lights, but they didn't really match. We do have one 'not-handmade' decoration :: this lovely little one that came from my holiday traditions swap from Tonya. (She also made us a beautiful looking wreath, which we are waiting to receive from Australian Quarantine).
afternoon
1. Bookshelf :: with roses from our garden + found bottles + baby doll + my fold-out artwork from year nine art class. 2. Bookshelf :: glass plate - our wedding present from artist + a little box sculpture thing I made about a year or so ago + a special candlestick holder my mum made. 3. Little face masks Ari made today while at The Corner. 4. Afternoon view from our front steps.
21 + giraffes
Giraffes on the horizon. These metal structures /cranes look like a parade of giraffes.I went to yoga today, after about five weeks of not going. A whole heap of reasons why I haven't been for so long :: me being a little teeny tiny bit lazy is not number one, but definitely up there! On the back of the toilet door I saw a little sign, once I'd sat down, that said ::
"21 ...... are you making or breaking. It only takes 21 days to make or break a habit. What are you doing?" (Or something like that anyway).
So, I got me thinking that I really want to commit to yoga. I used to be very good at my practice, and actually quite good at yoga :: it is one of those things that does need dedication and you can't fake it. Over the past possibly four years (since being pregnant and having kids basically), I've not had as much time, motivation, dedication as I would like. So now that I can drive myself there (did I not mention that I finally got my licence a fortnight ago. Yes, I'm 29 and on my provisional licence. But the real point is that now I can drive!), I'm hoping I can stick to being more dedicated to it. Let's see how I go over the next month.....
Onto more fun matters :: Yesterday we met Momo and her beautiful family at the markets. We had said hello to each other the week before, but not had time to stay and chat. So yesterday it was really lovely to sit down with Momo and her husband, and their sweet adorable little boy. So great to meet people and have things to talk about, and things in common. Our boys are so close in age, it would be wonderful for them to get to know each other, possibly become friends. I can only say that my kid didn't start off too well, with his rough ways! He did used to be so sweet and soft, and quiet - and often he still is, just lately he's sort of turned into a bit of a crazy, loud kid... hmmmm hope both sides of him find an equilibrium soon.
Momo was definitely the most stylish woman at the market, in her subtle way, with that lovely floppy hat and her great sense of fashion. Oliver, too, was so beautifully dressed - as he often seems to be by looking at his photos.
I do so want to try and see if we can become more friends than just acquaintances.
Kitchen rainbows. I'm really loving watching the sunlight move across our new stainless steel appliances, making rainbows and sparkles across the room.
Life has been so hectic as of late. The kitchen renovation continues. Sam has spent the last four days prepping and painting the walls. Unfortunately the red that we choose for our walls, when we were at the paint shop, isn't quite the same one that is now on our walls. It seems they mixed the colour a little bit wrong. And the ochre-ish reddish we had anticipated is now more vermilion. And then, of course, the trim colour doesn't match. We are waiting until the morning to see the trim dried, but I think they won't work together. And, also, totally detract from the amazing bench top...... So, that's bit disappointing. I'll call the paint shop in the morning, hoping they can at least give us some more trim colour - as I think maybe we can live with the red walls. Bright as they are!
Here's just a few pics of the kids from the past few weeks. Kids are changing all over again. Mish not crawling yet, but doing a lot of the practice movements of rocking on her hands and knees. Soon, soon, or maybe she'll just hop up and walk! She grows more beautiful each day, her smiles and laughs more clear, directed to you so lovely. She loves Ari so much, they have wonderful giggle sessions together. I can see that they will be such a cheeky team.
And Ari is getting to be more of an adult, grown up in his speech and language, his mannerisms, his way of interacting with the world. Quite a worldly boy, so sure of himself. He knows that he is so truly loved and adored.
Sparkling hair + shinning freshly made 'moon-melon juice'.
On the other hand - he is turning more cheeky all the time. A lot of "If I want to I can" - well, no you can't if I say you can't. (As in "I can have a biscuit now if I want to"). He gets quite over-excited sometimes, and goes into overdrive. Also, he has sometimes to say all the time - yes, all the time. This is really so wonderful, interesting, he observes so much and understands so much. A lot of things he sees and hears I never even notice. Sometimes the talking talking talking.... well, there's not a lot of silence around here mostly. Yet really, I wouldn't have it any other way, would I?
We discovered, last week, that Brisbane does in fact have a beach. Luckily is was high tide, and not the mud flats when we arrived. Watching the tide turn out, Ari was asking why was the the water draining out. We can't wait to get back here and have another lovely day.
new blooms
Well, Spring is here already. The jasmine flowers are spilling over fences and filling the air with their intoxicating and heady aroma. These flowers always make me think of our wedding - we wore the blossoms in our hair, and wove them around the basket handles that our flower girl carried. That was more than three years ago now - so I really love the little triggers to my memory of seeing the pink buds burst open into those pungent fragile white blooms.
This little red soapstone canister was a gift from my loved one - Sam - for our anniversary. It has a lovely dragonfly on the other side. I like the space/home it's already found to live. Maybe only temporary at the moment, as our decorating flows and changes and evolves.
The lovely blond bench is our new kitchen bench. It's ply wood - first quality (I think. I wasn't there to do the shopping. My Dad + Sam did that, and got stuck for hours in a fire drill while at it!). Behind is the not yet painted old old wall - some very interesting views of that over here! The kitchen is very simple - exactly the way we want it. Yet, while simple, the attention to detail adds so many other facets of depth and warmth.
My Dad is a wonderful builder, a craftsman. He built our family home, where I grew up - and my Dad now lives on his own. I have so many memories of hearing the hammer bang, the saw cutting its teeth through second-hand, pre-loved timber. The house was always - still is - evolving. A constant in our growing up, of my Mum + Dad adding new rooms, buildings, extensions. Yet, always, always, in a simple way. Minimal walls, lots of windows and open doors to be outside as much as we were inside. This still is my home, my heart-home.
Our new kitchen, in my adult home, is still in process. Currently we are again at my in-laws' for a few days, while my Dad does the finishing bits. We have been living in the kitchen for the past week and a half - and I LOVE it so much. Not only because the previous one was so old, and dirty and.... hated. But because this one is so open, simple, big benches, lovely finishes. And because my Dad built it for us.
Both Sam + I knew that we didn't need to be really specific about exactly what we wanted. We talked with my Dad, yet knew that he would do what was the best thing. He has such an eye, a talent, a mind for creating beautiful pieces of art. His attention to detail is just perfect. We are lucky to have such a talented artistic craftsman.
At present I have no photos of the kitchen in building mode. When I am back at my own computer, and camera cables and such, then I will show the process of the kitchen building. And also, hopefully, hopefully - a finished product. Though of course we still haven't chosen a paint colour. We are waiting to see what hues the timber will turn out to be. The blond ply bench top is edged in a lovely red timber, the bench uprights (the whole frame) is a rich red, with the shelves the same ply. There are to be no cabinet doors, just open shelves - I hate opening and closing doors! And no overhead cupboards, only a few shelves up on the wall. Simple simple. Yet rich with love, thought, depth, memories. (Dad just told me to today that one of the pieces of wood he is using, was once used by my Mum, for her pottery work. We will need to paint it, but I so love love love the thought/memory of that piece under my oven having been something that my Mum layed her own pieces of work/art/ceramics on).
Our family will grow around and within this kitchen :: made by my Dad's hands + heart :: with pieces from my Mum :: I will remember this everyday when I cook, eat, live in this little room - on my own and with my family. Laughing, cooking, eating, drinking, talking, growing, learning, exploring.........
home again, home again, jiggity jig
We've been staying at Sam's parents' house for the past week. Well, actually - we've been back home now for three nights. But, anyway, lets not be too exact and pedantic.
My Dad is building us a new kitchen. So, so, so exciting and wonderful and lovely and... so overdue. I will post photos when it's finished. We're allowed back home now, as we have running water and gas back again. (After the plumber was two hours late on Friday, worked for half an hour, and had to come back Monday to actually do any work. And then, charge us more than $600 for the privilege).
Being away made me realise that I love my little home so much. As a house it's not really that much. No pretty Queenslander for us, no verandas or patios or great outdoor spaces to be in, no well maintained garden (just a muddy hilly patch of "stuff" with a bit of plant life, that goes through stages of being loved and then neglected). No separate lounge, dining, guest room, nursery, play room, art/craft/discovery room for us. Just a small two bedroom, (possibly -I'm making this up, with absolute assurity that I know this to be the truth) post-50's style boxy house. But, it's my home - and I've remembered that I really do love it.
I love whats in it. My things, and our things, and the feeling of being in. The peace, the tranquility (now I'm actually stretching the truth. As I live across the road from a train-line, next door to some very noisy people, and in a house with two small people - who can make more noise than the sum of their sizes). Our home is almost always messy, or at least a neat shambles, dusty, cluttered. But, our things mean something to me. Our things are us.
Sam and I have a particular "decorating style" that just evolves and happens. Often, from adding, adding, adding and occasionally removing, but more like putting somewhere else. All the dead/dying plant life and seedpods that Ari and I have been collecting over the past weeks are spilling from vases and scattered in plates and dishes on bookshelves and windowsills. Photos are tacked to walls or leaning on shelves. "Things" - of which we have MANY - are arranged and displayed.
And while I am so very grateful to my parents-in-law for being wonderful, generous grandparents and parents - I am so glad to be back home.
Being back home means sleeping in one's own bed. Even if that bed is shared with the three dear loves of my life. But, I so love listening to my babes sleeping. I love feeling their warm bodies and hearing their soft snores. Almost touching their dreams - though, I know, I know - never can I touch the dreams of a child. For childrens' dreams are magical in a way we forget and rarely regain in adulthood.
Reasons I love listening to them sleep:
not most importantly, but firstly, the fact that they are actually asleep and I have a small moments' peace and quiet;
they are so soft, quiet, innocent in ways different than during the day;
I can sometimes see the person who they may grow up to be. I (imagine that I) see the face of what in the world they might be (lyrics from something that I can't quite remember at the moment... hmmm? Joni Mitchell?);
the sweet, warm breath of a sleeping child;
..... many more reasons, that right now seem to be slipping away from forming into words.
One thing about sleeping children - babies need nappy changes and topping up with breastmilk, toddlers need wees and hugs to fend of bad dreams.
So, no photos or links tonight. Simply a few words. As my two little ones are good at playing tag - with me chasing them constantly. They play in their sleep as effortlessly as in the day :: Mishi milking, Ari waking bolt upright and wanting to be "out of the bed", then laying down fast asleep again.
Good night. Good to be home again.
PS - in case anyone was at all curious or slightly worried :: Bunny came home. The lovely bus driver lady sent him to lost property where he got an excellent little luggage tag and overnight stay in the city. Unfortunately he didn't have a bath while on holiday!
fractured light
Not too many words tonight. I'm enjoying the quiet (inside my brain - kids asleep) + the stillness of the night + the possibilities of the furniture rearranging I've been doing during baby lulls today* + what that rearranging means*. Just lots of photos.
:: My favourite Derwent Colour Pencils ::
:: Ari's chalk + potato soup ::
:: Lavender flowers from our garden +
old man's beard moss Ari brought home for me ::
:: Stonefruit blossom Sylve picked for me yesterday.
I'm loving it in this simple vase ::
*Hopefully more on this, with inspired photos tomorrow... corners of my home :: collections
We've been collecting lots of little bits and pieces while on our (almost) daily walks around the neighbourhood. And they're making lovely collections and piles around the house - of course collecting dust!Ari is at that age where he picks flowers and bit of grass for me. So lovely. I've never forced it on him, so I'm really glad that it's just something he wants to do, of his own thinking. When he went out for the day with Sam + Ben (Sam's brother) on Monday, he came home with some lovely grass flowers for me, as well as some bits of stick covered in moss. The little boy knows what I like.
Last week, as he was saying goodbye to his Grandma, walking her down the steps - he ran over to our lavender bush and picked some flowers to give her. Sometimes he's in the backyard with his dad, just doing stuff and comes running inside with a teeny tiny piece of grass, wanting to put it into a vase. 
So, now - we have quite a collection of drying grasses, flowers, leaves. It always takes me ages to throw dead :: dried flowers out. I love the shapes they turn into, the little shriveled up leaves + petals. The different colours they turn into. Of course, some dry better than others - so I keep them for longer. I'm trying to get better at getting rid of them when they're covered too much by dust + spider webs.
I do think I get this from my Mother. Possibly from Dad also. But I remember all the little bits of displays my Mum would have around her house - dried leaves, seedpods, twigs, feathers, entwined with ceramics, bonsai trees, fabric. Thinking about it, my Dad used to have a collection (in his shed) of dried out lizards he'd found around the place + mouse skeletons.
I also have little bowls and containers filled with skeletons, butterfly wings, dragonflies, feathers, bits of bugs, shriveled flower petals. They are just part of our everyday, sitting on windowsills, on bookshelves.
listing...
My friend asked me the other night if I write lists of things I want to achieve (finish!). I used to when I worked as a manager in a retail store, before I had my babes. But, I don't actually do it when at home - what am I going to write ::wash up :: wash nappies :: put clothes away :: hug, play, tickle babes :: try to appease babes......
Well, no. Then, I'd generally not get anything crossed off!
But lists about thing I want to make, do, achieve. Is that too much tempting the depression of unfinished :: never started :: wish I was more dedicated? Or, could it perhaps be the start of finishing, learning how to do more (worthwhile) things with my time, starting all these little ideas that keep plaguing me :: rattle around in my tired, fuzzy mind.
So - here goes. I'm going to put a few out there and hopefully not be judged too harshly when I don't achieve them (all). And perhaps even nudged encouragingly along to finish. These are in no particular order (only the order that aforementioned brain thing spurts out).
:: Finish Ashey's doona cover. Yes - I actually only have to hand stitch about five press studs along the bottom. I'm going to finish it tomorrow. (Are you reading this Sylve?)
::Sew curtains for our lounge room. We only have some little tied up bits of flowy fabric in our bedroom, and no curtains anywhere else in the house. (To my defence, I grew up in the bush with no neighbours and beautiful outside that we didn't need to cover up).
::Fix up the back room. A play::craft::hang-out room for us during the day would be lovely.
::Get wedding album together. It's coming up three year anniversary this August. (But a total of nine+ years being together).
::Get framed photos + Ari's artworks onto walls. (Sam... are you taking note?)
::Put all other photos into albums - general family, my overseas trip from years ago.
::Do more drawing, painting, journaling.
::Make an apron for myself. I've had an image in my head for a while now and would love to wear it while cooking.
::Also, make aprons for the kids for - cooking + painting smocks.
::Finish the door snake. It only needs to be stitched closed - currently being pegged in place (which Sam says he quite likes!).
So - I'm going to let you know how I go. Normally, I actually do better when "showing off" for someone. Don't take notice of my self sufficiency and being my own best friend!
Anyone else out there have some extra ideas of things::stuff I could add to my list. Or, lists of your own. I would love that little nudge when you see me dropping::drooping.
colour week
I've just found that Kayte is doing a ::color week:: and thought that it would be lovely to join in. Ok, it is already Wednesday, and I'm going to be busy for the rest of the week - so :: I've done all the colours in one day.
It's looking a lot like Summer around here :: But, here in Australia, its actually Winter ::
Monday :: RED :: maple leaves
Tuesday :: GREEN :: agave plant
Wednesday :: YELLOW :: wattle
Thursday :: ORANGE :: grevillea
Friday :: BLUE :: winter solstice-day sky
handmade love
Just wanted to share with you the beautiful soap my sister, Sylve made for me. She gave it to me a little while ago - all wrapped up, she said it needed setting time. I've only just opened it to discover this wonderful package of rose petals + pink-clay earthy hand formed soap. Smells heavenly + feels so lovely. Thanks Sylve!
Also this new dress that I simply had to buy for Mischa. Okay, it won't fit her for about 5 or more months, but it was on sale, and I'm going to enjoy looking at it until that time. It's handmade by Tibetan artisans - "lovingly crafted and ethically produced in the foothills of the Indian Himalayas". Check out their beautiful website. So many special pieces.
My own homemade loves ::my babes:: have been tiring + joyful at different times today! But always my loves.
just a little bit
I've been thinking more and more consciously, and the silent thoughts are pushing closer to the fore. I was raised by *hippie* parents, and I feel that I really am not carrying on with the ideals, thoughtfulness, consciousness with which I was entrusted. Perhaps its that my children are becoming older and therefore easily slipping into something I may not wish them to be. Perhaps its the fact that being a new-age greenie is so talked about, so many people are starting to change their lives and learn to live a different way. I'm not sure, perhaps as I get older I am feeling slower and more connected to something else. Or - not feeling so connected, and wanting again to have the closeness and care of nature, earth, Gaia. I have always thought of myself as a *greenie* or environmentalist, but looking at my current lifestyle - I know that I cannot fall back on how my parents are (were) for who I am now.
I'm wanting to try and live more simply, softly. Following a local, 100klm, organic, in season diet (which I know will be hard in some ways, and alreay in other ways I am following). Limiting the rubbish and excess that comes into our lives. We already don't get plastic bags at the supermarket, we use those *great advertising + very trendy* green bags all the supermarkets sell as well as these great bags purchased recently. But - if I look at my shopping in these "environmental" bags, I see bread bags, cheese packets, biscuit packets, pasta packets, yoghurt tubs, tins, bottles....... Many of these items I can make myself :: pasta :: bread :: yoghurt :: biscuits :: cakes :: And many we should (can we really...?) learn to live without. And, some, well - I know there will be some we simply won't want to sacrifice :: coffee :: milk :: chocolate :: cheese ::
All our fruit + veges come from the local organic farmers markets - which we have been going to for about five or so years. I really love talking to the farmers / growers, knowing that everything has been picked only a short while ago and not been in cold storage for months or travelled on big ships from other countries. And its wonderful having things come into season and specialness of short growing seasons. Also, there seems to be so many more options of varieties :: pontiacs :: king edward :: kipfler :: dutch creams :: sebago :: desiree :: nicola :: purple congo ::
Photographs taken 21Nov, 2007. Produce from our garden.
golden glow
There's a tree on the property adjacent to my Dad's land that has a magical glow at certain times of the year. I remember walking home from school (oh, a long time ago...) on Winter afternoons and the afternoon sun showering the tree with golden light. Looking out my window yesterday, this (different) tree caught my eye in a similar way. The Winter light is so beautiful and warming (when out of the wind!). The setting sun seems to spot-light trees in a glorious shimmer, almost like fire. And then, with the wind whipping the trees about - well, it glitters and sparks. Of course, Winter sun sets quickly to a darkening cold sky. Tonight is a blue moon - very clear and crisp night.
We celebrated Sylve's birthday yesterday by going out for a really special breakfast with some friends. The cafe we went to was a favourite :: the food was delicious, service lovely, conversation interesting, company delightful. And Sylve liked the tools that Dad + I gave her as a present. I had planned on making a little roll-up pouch for the screwdrivers to sit into, but didn't get it done in time. I'm sure I could do it quite easily, and she'd love it regardless of being late or not.... We'll see.
When we were out at dinner tonight the waitress brought a baby bottle of milk to me for Mischa. It was meant for a different table with a baby, but she just got confused. I felt almost offended, or.. something. I felt like jumping up and saying - quite loudly + proudly - this baby is breast feed, no bottles here. Of course, I didn't! But I was quite shocked at the thought of me being handed a warmed up bottle to feed my baby, when I had my own perfect milk *on tap*. I guess the breastfeeding topic is quite bright in my consciousness.
Well, that's it - by the time you're reading this June will be over for another year! Craziness really. And, we all do it and feel it every month, year. The speed at which the days whittle away towards the next cycle. I suppose the thing of always doing, doing, doing hurries us along. But, really, even the days when I do not so much, it still ends up at the afternoon sun colours before I feel it should.
These are a few close-ups of the Grevillea in our front yard. Wonderfully it continues to grow and flower, despite us actually doing anything to help it along. That's the reason natives are so worthwhile in any garden.
Oh - I just realised that you probably now think I go out for meals all the time. I don't. Dinner tonight was because Ari is having a sleep-over with Sylve + Ash, we were going to go to the movies ::something we do so infrequently:: but there wasn't really anything on we could compromise on, or worth seeing!