the holidays are over...

School holidays are coming to an end, finishing up with some glorious autumn weather,

sunny days and beautiful light. Today I started picking the apples, finally,

and Lucy helped to sweep up the piles of leaves that are falling quickly from our trees. Soon the branches will be bare and winter will be here.

It's been a busy few days, a happy few days. We had our garage sale which went really well, we got rid of lots of junk & some treasures too, met some new people, chatted to visitors to our town as well as neighbours & friends. It was a great day! 

Then yesterday our Charlotte came home. Finally! It's been two and a half months since she was last here. In that time we have all grown a bit older and the seasons have changed. Lots of changes but some things remain the same, 

 it always feels so right and good to be together! I have loved having the whole family here, I love to cook for them all, to make special food for Charlotte, to see them all interacting (sometimes this can be challenging!). 

As you know, I'm just crazy about my family.

We had an egg hunt and we met Char's friend Chris, who took some fantastic photo's of the gang,

including this beautiful shot of Rosie.

Being home over the holidays has been excellent, I've really loved it. A couple of short trips to the city provided a bit of variety but really autumn is the best time to be in Daylesford. The weather has been gorgeous and we've had a lot of fun & happy times. Hanging out & relaxing, playing guitar,

and eating way too much chocolate. Reading, de cluttering, being silly, seeing friends & family, watching the ducklings grow,

 birthdays, dinners out, time with Mum/Nan, dressing up, soft autumn light, 

watching the last episode of The Wire, cake & pudding, celebrating a Tiger win, blogging, playing Words with Friends, laying a wreath for school at the Anzac parade/ceremony today, cups of tea in bed, sleeping in...just some of the things I've enjoyed over the holidays. The best thing of course has been being together.

So as these holidays come to an end I'm already thinking about the next ones! It will be good to see our school friends again though, and a bit of routine and space for me will be nice too. Have you been on holidays? Did you enjoy them? I'm finding as the kids get older it's so much easier, I will miss them & Mark when they go back. Take care lovely friends, see you soon xo