some moments to remember from FIJI

a bit of now

~ a few weeks ago we got the news that not just one little bun in this oven but two. It has taken me some  t i m e to adjust to this news and to be honest am still adjusting but I have four more months to get used to the idea and then the reality will hit us all.
~ taking one day at a time and some days one moment at a time.
~ ice-cream in the middle of the day, ice-cream for dinner, after dinner and pretty much any time...

 ~ bed usually by eight sometimes earlier
~ the bath is getting a lot of use, usually with lavender added
~ looking forward to a week away with the family to rest and have some good family fun

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.

monday

There's distance in the air and I cannot make it leave
i wave my arms' round about me and blow with all my might
I cannot sense you close, though I know you're always here

 But the comfort of you near is what i long for

When I can't feel you, I have learned to reach out just the same
When I can't hear you, I know you still hear everyword I pray
And i want you more than i want to live another day
And as I wait for you maybe I'm made more faithful

All the folly of the past, though I know it is undone
i still feel the guilty one, still trying to make it right
So i whisper soft your name, let it roll around my tongue,
knowing you're the only one who knows me
You know me

Show me how I should live this
Show me where I should walk
I count this world as loss to me
You are all I want
You are all I want

(faithful by Brooke Fraser)

beauty is present

Despite some very hard weeks
there is beauty everywhere,
if I look, seek it out, gather it up in my heart, take note.

first frost

his cooking in all its first-born perfection

Camellia's from the garden

mental combat

Surrounding myself even bombarding myself with words that are positive and good, I am trying to rewire these negative brain patterns, this habit of negative thoughts.
It is said we can shape our brains.
So wherever I look my eyes find a reminder, a word to replace the tape that plays.

school holidays

the list

tuesday :: cleaning and craft with Bella

A little picking of flowers from the garden and then arranging on a piece of contact, fold over add holes and ribbon and hang in window. Very satisfying for Bella and nice and easy for a sick of being sick Mama.

my happy ten.

Today the sky is the clearest blue, the sun is warm and there is the slightest most gentle breeze...such a perfect winter's day.
My happy ten for these days of winter....

* his voice as he sounds out the more difficult words and that smile when he gets it.
* knowing daddy's home for the weekend and there will be good times, good coffee and a more balanced household (also mama gets some rest)
* making space on the kitchen bench for the bread machine, using it for the first time in ages and loving the smell of warmth as it fills this space.
* hearing this new baby's heart beating, making all this yukkiness count.
* friends visiting- good company and yummy food by the fire!
* Oh the fire!
* making use of the fact that I need to constantly be eating to ease the nausea, by spending more time than usual in the kitchen trying new recipes...loving Donna Hay's Seasons for inspiration.
* school holidays start next week. We might get that chapter book finished.
* her latest- 'Mama, I know how to count to a thousand: one, two, skip a few, a thousand!!'
* Daddy and sons playing table soccor together, making loud, joyful noise.

tuesday :: cleaning and craft with Bella

 Again only a wee bit of cleaning, more of a tidy really  but yes definitely craft with my girl. After making some dough we made some letters together and baked them, when they were dry Bella had fun painting. She then spent time putting all her letters together to make her name and also some funny ones. A fun and easy craft to do for Mama and Bella.

last week

 Despite a nasty flu knocking us down I got to spend hours reading, playing UNO over & over, drinking lemon tea and just being with my boys. It was a disguised gift.

weekends are for

making soup

installing water tanks

trying new recipes and finding an absolute winner. Thankyou Jett!!

washing, brushing and just being with BJ

lazing in the sun together

working on his garden

racing down grassy hills, catching the light in those golden tresses

reaching up high to pick the best fruit

finding beauty outside in the small and below in the large

weekends are for being together, soaking in the warmth of the sun and eachother.

when life gives you lemons...

make lemonade.

Or lemon cordial.

Or Lemon tart.

Or Chicken stuffed with Lemons.

After discovering a Lemonade tree laden with fruit on the farm I spent a day squeezing and cooking yummy lemony things. I think the tart was the favourite and I couldn't believe how easy it was!
Zach took some of the Lemonade fruit and the cordial for his 'news' this week at school. And the kids have been enjoying  Lemonade with dinner all week. Jett is planning on making Lemon Curd this weekend which he is a bit of a master at, so I'll have to make scones or pikelets.
I'm on the hunt for more lemony goodness since we have a whole tree in the back that shouldn't go to waste...I'm thinking a Lemon slice next.

Pondering

This quote used in The  Ragamuffin Gospel........

Eugene O'neills The Great God Brown
"Why am I afraid to dance, I who love music and rhythm and grace and song and laughter?
Why am I afraid to live, I who love life and the sky and sea?
Why am I afraid to love, I who love love?"

today

 Gratitude :

Autumn Beauty :: 5

pumpkin soup

Autumn Beauty :: 4

outside brought in
time spent with little one making flowers

Autumn Beauty :: 3

gift from friend
still hard to believe feet that tiny will be held in my arms