Fifty, twelve, seventy five

Mark & I passed this building on the way through Malmsbury the other night, it always fascinates me. I love that the words are still there, the pale blue paint and the crazy brick work & bluestones. Isn't it cool? Imagine what it looks like inside..

We were on our way to celebrate with Bruce & Kathy at Small Holdings, have you been there? It's a great little wine bar set in an old church, similar to my mum's one actually. Inside there are lots of antiques and interesting things..it was an excellent venue for a party. We had a really fun night. Highlights were: listening to Bruce's niece singing, what a superstar! And only 13!

Kathy's speech, amazing, thoughtful, touching, funny, clever and loving. And it was just the best being with a lovely bunch of people, all brought together to celebrate Bruce's birthday. Fun!

The next day was Lucy's 12th birthday party! Woo hoo!

Her actual birthday is next Monday but she decided to have it early as one of her good friends is going away. The girls had heaps of fun, they went to see The Hunger Games and then came home for cake.

I made a vanilla cake with chocolate icing, baking it in my step father's cake tin.

It's funny how those little things mean a lot isn't it?

Unfortunately I didn't get to see her blow out the candles as I was heading back from Melbourne.

Thank goodness for my beautiful family who all pulled together to make this crazy birthday heavy weekend work out. My dad had his 75th birthday party yesterday too and I couldn't miss that. (We'll have a special birthday tea for Lucy on her real birthday..more cake!) Bill was a good fella and kept me company while Mum & Charlotte took the girls to Ballarat & Mark had a picnic with the younger two.

My dad had his party in Northcote in his studio. It's a pretty cool place. Bill and I had fun exploring it and looking at all his treasures, collections and his paintings.

This little tableau is so Muzz. His teabag, empty cup, glasses and old tuna can with a squashed out fag in it.

I was going to give a speech but in the end we left before the speeches had begun. I had worried and thought all week about what I would say and wrote and rewrote it a million times. It was hard to get it right. Relationships are tricky aren't they? Perhaps when you sit down and try to write a speech like this for someone so pivotal in your life..it can be hard. It was for me. I love my dad, but he isn''t your average dad I guess. It's complicated! Anyway, when I got home and found the scrunched up speech in my bag I pulled it out and felt a great sense of relief. Almost like a burden had lifted. Maybe writing down my thoughts & not speaking them was the best part of it, maybe that was enough.

I really enjoyed being in my dad's studio. It brought back a lot of memories of childhood. Good memories. I like the smell of oil paint, it's comforting somehow. Like the smell of a my Nan's kitchen or  my Mum's perfume. It took me to another place.

It was good to see my dad and his wife and all their friends, eating and drinking in the sunny courtyard. It was good to be with Bill. It was good to make the effort, to be a small part of his day. And it was really, really good to get home to my own family. My beautiful Mark who had tidied up our chaotic house, washed the floor and cleaned the bathroom before Lucy's party. To my gorgeous Mum who happily helps us in so many ways. To my lovely Charlotte,  who spent Saturday night with us & took the girls to the movies. And driving home with my super ace son,  to my almost 12 year old Lucy, and dear Sunday & Rosie. Back to beautiful Daylesford which is just so magical at this time of year.

Birthdays and celebrations always make me emotional. I'm also a bit sick with a dumb cold so I'm a little fragile today, a bit teary and blocked up and snuffly. But happy. Happy & lucky.

Anyway..I better go and check on the quinces that are boiling away on the stove top. Ready for jelly making tomorrow!! Woo hoo! 

Hey, have you entered my giveaway yet? It's not too late, pop over here and you might win this little blue bunny.

Hope you have a happy week lovely ones, see you soon xo

Mother love

Today was the Mother's Day liturgy at school. It is a big event for our little school and is always packed with mums, grandmothers and special people. The children & teachers put a lot of heart & soul into it and I love the way the school embraces this occasion as a way to acknowledge all mums, even those who can't be there. There is always mention of mother's who work, who are separated from their children, of mother's who have passed away, of mother's who may be struggling & trying to survive poverty or difficult circumstances. I always think of these other mums on Mother's Day as I realise how lucky and privileged I am in my life.

My personal experience of being a mother is a profound one for me. I am definitely not a perfect mum..at times I struggle with the responsibility, with the repetitive nature of being a stay at home mum, with being patient,with the constant juggling of demands & trying to find time for myself. But I really love being a mother to my kids & it is more rewarding than anything else I have done. To be with my kids, to watch them growing up and to have time for them individually & together, is just the best thing in the world.

I hope you have a lovely weekend with the ones you love, x

ps. Have a look at our friends Kate & Brendon's new blog! Check out their amazing organic produce grown locally here in Daylesford.