Friends

Since moving to the country five or so years ago I have been lucky enough to meet several lovely locals who, over time, have become great friends. These women are all different and I love them all. To celebrate their diversity, to enjoy the many aspects of their personalities that shows me a different way, a different light, is a beautiful thing. I love that I can call any of them up and have a chat, or a whinge, a laugh or a debrief. I can ask their opinion, offer help or ask for theirs. These friendships give me so much and I hope I give back enough to these gorgeous people, who really light up my life.

I've been thinking about mates and life and what's important lately. I suppose we all have different expectations of friendship, we all bring our own baggage, just as in any relationship. I like to think that I don't seek, or need friends that reflect me, that validate who I am. I hope to not be too needy in my friendships but also able to share my own ups and downs. Of course it helps to have something in common, similar values perhaps & interests, but how good is it to share in anothers different culture, to be touched by someone elses opinion, ideas, thoughts? To be comfortable enough with yourself & your friendship that you can be challenged by a friend, or have a different opinion & that's ok. How good is it to expect the best of someone, not the worst?

All my friends bring something different and so valuable into my life. But not only that, it's also a true joy to share in peoples families, to get to know the children, the partners, the extended family of those friends I love.

It's not the number of friends you have that matters is it? You might only have one or two really good mates, but if they are true friends then that counts for a lot. Even one friend can be worth their weight in gold.

I know someone who seems to have trouble making & keeping friends. This is so sad as they miss out on so much. Friendships can be tricky & hard work. Sometimes friends fall out, have misunderstandings, say something in anger that is hurtful. When this happens it's difficult and some friendships change forever. Although it is hard to talk about how you feel sometimes, it's always better to get it out, to be honest, to not hide behind your hurt, your computer, your excuses. This is not easy and takes courage.

When I was growing up I had a friend who lived near my Nan. We played alot together and spent many hours in her pool, playing dressups, going to the beach. Then when we were teenagers I, and a new friend, were quite cruel to this old mate. Understandably she was very hurt and never spoke to me again. I've never got over my actions, or forgiven myself for making someone feel so bad. If I could find her and tell her how sorry I am it would mean so much. I would also understand though, if she didn't want my apology. It still makes me sad that I ended that long friendship by making a poor choice and being unkind. I guess it did teach me a lesson though, a painful one.

I'm not an expert of friendship but I do know how much we all need love & companionship in our lives. I also know that you need to work at friendships and nuture that connection. As I get older my good friends, who I care about and love, respect and treasure are such an important part of the fabric of my life, and who I am. I value them all so much. The good, honest, fun, supportive, sweet, imperfect, adventurous, loyal, hopeful, strong & lovely women that I am lucky enough to call my mates. Have you got some great friends in your life? I bet you do! I wonder if they know how much they mean to you?

See you soon dear bloggy friends xo

Blue skies...

What a beautiful sunny weekend we have just had. On Saturday the two younger girls and I set off for the first day of ballet for 2010. Sunday has decided to give ballet a go too, here she is above, on the far left, looking so lovely in pale blue.

Rosie's class was next and she was so excited to have her friend Freya joining her.

Back at home we settled in to a bit of gardening... check out this zucchini! It's so massive and bizarre. Mark took it to school today to show his class. I don't know how this fella snuck under the radar, he has been growing in there, on the quiet for weeks!

It's been fun being out in the garden as the weather has been so pleasant. Our summer hasn't been as hot as last years, nor has there been the same threat of bushfire. Although there is always the potential for fire we haven't had the same relentless days of heat & wind. It was a sad weekend too in the remembering of the devastation of Black Saturday & the loss of life, of families, children, loved ones, animals, homes. I feel a real emptiness inside when I think of what people have gone through in the year since the fires. I hope that they are healing and finding hope in their lives. One of the good things that came out of the fire though was the sense of community. All over Australia, and the world, people's hearts went out to the victims of the fires. Generous and caring people helped to rebuild, sent money and clothing, toys and bedding and love. I'm sure this made a difference.

On Sunday the girls & I walked up to the Daylesford Sunday Market.

Passing this sheep...

...and this cute puppy. Her name is Schnoogie!

The market was bustling and fun and full of treasures. Pet Rock's were the popular item of the day!

Soon it was time to head back home where my decluttering is continuing.

As a dedicated hoarder & opshopper I am concious that my house is rather ....cluttered. This also comes from acquiring bits from my grandparents when they died, Mark's parents & my stepfather. Lots of books! Which I love but I'm thinking some may have to go.

So my project for 2010 (it could take that long) is to keep decluttering, sorting & being careful not to go too crazy in the opshops (this is hard). I really should have my own shop so that I can justify my treasure hunting tendencies! Anyway, I'm enjoying going through things and trying to make the house a bit neater but still warm and friendly. These shelves below are a major magnet for 'stuff'. This is the before photo, stay tuned for the after shot!

We finished a lovely weekend with a swim at the pool and icecreams at the icecream shop, which is sadly closing down.

Blue skies, a swimming pool, icecream, & friends.

Life is good! Hope you had a great weekend too, see you soon xo

My Place & Yours

It's not uncommon at our house to hear me calling out, "Has anyone seen my bag???"

I'm kind of lost without it as it holds my brain, oops, I mean my life, I guess what I'm trying to say is it carries some pretty heavy duty important stuff.

Like my phone. And camera, can't show you that as it hasn't worked out how to take a picture of itself yet.


Sunnies, sunscreen, a bit of cash, ventolin, a pen, hairbrush...

...and if it's Saturday a big, spidery pile of hairpins for ballet.

One V.I.P. member of Beck's bag is lippie. I'm a lipstick fanatic, I admit, and don't feel right without it on, or at least in close proximity.

Last but not least, my new blue purse & cute keyring that I bought at Paddington Market when we were on our super duper Sydney holiday.

Remember ages ago when one of the women's mags had a section on "What's in My Bag"? I always enjoyed having a sticky beak into other peoples lives, oops, I mean bags.

Speaking of which pop over HERE to check out some more bag action. Hope you are having a fun weekend xo

My Creative Space - The Tale of Two Bunnies

The twin bunnies are finished and went off to their new home yesterday. A day later than planned. I have learnt a valuable lesson with this order...don't leave things to the last minute as something is sure to go wrong!!

The girls ended up looking lovely and their beds & bedding were sweet but it didn't look like a happy ending for a while there....

The cutting out bit was fine. Or was it?

How did that happen?

A small operation and things were back on an even keel.

Pink Bunny was born first,

and five minutes later along came Blue Bunny. Now, time to get their beds painted.

Note to self: when painting the little beds that your beloved spent The Whole of Sunday making please check a) that you use the right paint, you know, the fast drying wash out in water type, and b) that you have a paint brush. Ok? Please don't use the really full on enamel paint that takes four weeks to dry because you didn't read the label and PLEASE don't find yourself buying a basting brush at Coles. And for godsake don't then use said basting brush to paint with. Am I clear????

So the beds worked out ok, in the end. Thanks to my super hero who saved the day with his methodical approach to paint scraping and sanding. Things were back on track. What I didn't factor in was....

..a sewing machine that refused to sew. I threaded and re threaded, poked and tightened, untightened, re threaded, Pam just refused to sew. Perhaps it was her RDO. This is when things started to really get ugly. Yes, there were tears. Sobs actually.

Luckily I managed to borrow a sewing machine, after a bit of nose blowing, face washing and pulling myself together type action, to finish off the last little bit of bedding. Phew.

Two little bunnies were finished, just in the nick of time. I've never had a problem with orders before so I'm thinking this one was just one of those crazy situations where the odds are stacked against you. Funny to look back on but not at the time!

I hope the girls are being cuddled and put to bed early tonight as they have been through a lot in the last couple of days. I'm sure their new mummies will be kind and gentle. I wonder what their names will be?

If you would like to order a bunny for someone you love just drop me a line on my email and we can chat about colours and fabrics.

Hope you are having a lovely, creative, trouble free day today. Pop over here to see what these lovely people are up to, see you soon xo

Shorty & the Rain Dance

This morning it was blue skies all the way as we drove to Ballarat. I love the drive through the green & tan fields under the big country sky.

We were on a turtle mission. Bill has been saving up and waiting & wishing for his turtle for a couple of years now. And today was the day!! I was pretty excited too, having had a turtle when I was little and loving him so much. At the pet shop we looked into the tank at the little turtles swimming & sunbaking on rocks and then...suddenly...there he was!!!

Shorty!!

He seemed to blink in a kind of 'hi there' way, and soon he was in a container and heading home with us. Bill is one happy fella and we're all a bit in love with our newest family member. He is so tiny. About the size of a fifty cent piece.

After getting him settled at home the lights and power suddenly went out. The sky became dark and the biggest thunderstorm in ages arrived. I don't think it's rained since New Years Eve.

Sunday started the rain dance...

...Lucy joined in &

they twirled, and whirled in the rain.

Rain, glorious rain!

Do you remember dancing in the rain when you were little?

Well we're all snug & dry now and the power is back on. Our garden is breathing a sigh of relief as it's been so dry lately. The ducks and chooks were pretty happy too.

I'm off to read some more of this fantastic book. I'm loving it. Set in Melbourne by award winning author, Joan London, it's a really enjoyable read. Hope you are snuggled up too, getting ready for the week. Have a happy one xo

My Place & Yours, Shoes.....

I

need

new

shoes.

(That's all, I need.)

Quick, run!! There are actual, nice, colourful, real life shoes over here!! Thanks Vic for hosting & Gypsy for being the Theme Queen this weeks My Place & Yours, you're both superstars xo

Flea Market Finds

This is my first time playing along with Sophie from Her Library Adventures with her excellent meme Fleamarket Finds. As you may already know I am a compulsive op shopper & also love junk shops, bazaars, markets of all kinds & garage sales. I've also been known to peek into skips, poke around at the tip & eye of hard garbage. I think it's a genetic thing. Like my bunions but a whole lot better.

Anyways, this week I found this sweet little Japanese music box, and guess what? Although I have four daughters who would all love it....I kept it for myself!

It plays Raindrops in a funny, jaunty kind of way. I love it's little red door way,

and of course the ballerina who lives inside.

It seems that half one of her arms has broken off but that doesn't stop her from dancing.

This lovely treasure cost all of $1.50. Ahhhh...country op shops, you're the best.

From the same oppy came these two books. Check out the kooky/evil eyes on the March sisters above! Is that Bette Davis top right?

Jennifer sure new how to give a good present back in the 60's. Wonder where she & Barbara are now?

Also on the book front I'm loving the illustrations in this book, Mary Goes Travelling (by Gilbert Delahaye & Marcel Marlier).

You may recognise them from Pip's banner. On each page a wonderful scene unfolds, usually with a little sausage dog called Poppet.

Lastly I must show you this doona cover I found for Bill. It's covered in vintage Australian stamps & he loves it!

What a great score. This one is definitely too good to cut up!

For more Flea market finds go and have a look here, and enjoy the rest of your weekend, where ever you are xo