spiky and cute

We found (more correctly the dogs found), this lovely but very shy Echidna on our property recently and spent the whole afternoon patiently waiting for it to unfurl so we could get a look at its cuter side. After a long wait and some words between siblings everyone except Zach decided to give up or be called back when something more exciting occured. Watching Zach sitting there by himself in the cold waiting reminded me so much of myself and my love for animals when I was younger.

A while later I spotted him with the proudest and amazed look on his face as his gently tried to carry his new friend to a spot nearer to the house so that 'Daddy could see him when he gets home'. Daddy wasn't going to be home for another few days but boys can hope.

cuteness

These ducks have grown so fast and they are full of squeeky cuteness. While big sister gave their home a clean, the ducks got to come inside and have cuddles, to the delight of the other children.

weekends are for

 getting six chicks and two ducks for the girl who just turned four.

for simon

i love you xxx

a lesson in cow care

With our local friendly farmer along side us, we had a lesson on rounding up the cattle to tag and band. I stayed long enough to get a few shots and when it became a little bloody I decided inside was calling. It was an experience and confirmed my thoughts on the type of farming future for me- one that does not involve blood. Give me dirt and green, horses- oh yes, calves that need milking I can do but herding stubborn cows and banding away their ability to produce offspring ah no.
These Herefords are doing a brilliant job tackling the grass that was growing well above the children's head and keeping us all away for fear of running into snakes. the first few nights the calves ( though they  looked too big to be calves to my untrained eye) cried all night for their mothers but they soon adjusted and now they happily graze and graze. Certainly not as cute looking as Norman and Grace who are no longer with us they were causing a lot of trouble escaping and in Isabella's words 'they've gone to grow up' .
I think after this exciting day Matthew got a taste for farming and we are certainly taking as many opportunities we can to experience all we can of and on the land.

What could be better after this hot, smelly work than to head 2 minutes down to our local waterhole-such a treasure and delight.

Norman and Grace

GOMA

Feeling a little overwhelmed and knowing there is a place for that and its ok to be not ok...

In spite of what is going on internally in me there are four wild and precious children with eyes to see, bodies to explore, minds to marvel and so with that whirlwind of life blowing around me I need to get us all out.

The Gallery of Modern Art-






And in keeping with my nature lovers the thing that came up around the dinner table, the thing they were so thankful for was the chance to hold and help a sweet little bird.

an update on puppy growth and incredible cuteness