slipstream...

Ok, it's Monday night already but my head is still in the weekend.  Although a million Monday things have already whirled past me, pulling me along in a week day slip stream,  I still have one foot in Saturday....where I became a footy mum. Yep, and he's wearing No. 18. Ok so I wasn't actually there because I am officially ballet mum on Saturdays, but I heard he had fun, marked the ball, had a kick.

And after a busy, driving, snack making, dance watching Saturday a sleepy Sunday afternoon saw horses,

beautiful, brown eyed, long lashed, horses.

Lucky we live near a ranch where they have trail rides through the bush,

and lucky we have a sweetie pie neighbour friend to go horse riding with! Go Ruby!

We also had a visit to Mum's in Hepburn. I marvelled at her red shoes and blue socks, her jigsaw puzzle, her cute ways,

& her tomatoes all in a row.

Here she is, watering her oasis, a happy face in a cloud of green.

How was your weekend? Was it a fun one?

I think I pulled a muscle chasing ducks around trying to do that damn peep/quack test...but guess what?

Rosie the Duck Lady was spot on! She worked out the boys from the girls just from a photo, amazing.

So we do have seven boys & two girls. Wow.

Off to beddie bies for me, I'm a tired old chook tonight.

Sleep tight lovely friends, and if you're in the mood, pop back

soon for a Dandelion giveaway!! xo

city

I'm in Melbourne for a few days with my two youngest girls,

staying at my mum's house in Fitzroy. It's been a nice break,

and good to have a change of scene.

The kids have been enjoying themselves too.

For Rosie it's been big. She hasn't been to Melbourne much, she's a real country girl. She has been amazed at the graffiti, the trams, the many different people....lots to take in.

Things I've been loving...cool shops,

 variety, colour, bright lights, being anonymous,

a last visit to our family home, sold on Saturday.

Seeing our beautiful friends, spending every day kind of time with them,

visiting Charlotte,
who we love & miss.

Dusky city streets, big moon,  the weather,

and playgrounds! They are everywhere, and so they should be!

Tonight before dinner we walked around the corner to the little park and

had a quick play, just like that! Fun :)

 Things I haven't enjoyed so much...cars, cars, cars, the smell from cars, traffic,

and noise! It's loud here, neighbours, helicopters, sirens,

and it's dirty. Yep, cities sure are dirty. But I knew that didn't I? Growing up in the inner city

I knew all these things, I lived them every day.

Anyway, it's been fun to visit, and I can see how quickly I could get used to living a different kind of life. It's funny to walk out of your comfort zone & see things from another perspective.

I'm looking forward to going home though,

back to Mark and the other kids, the ducks (growing every day), dogs, chooks,

I'm looking forward to going back home. 

What have you been up to lately?

Hope all is well in your world,

nighty night xo

night wheels!

yesterday, today

One of the good things about de-cluttering are the treasures that are uncovered, rediscovered. Today as I started the mammoth job of cleaning up my sewing space I found this family heirloom, a patchwork dress my mum once wore in the 1970's.

I think I kept it because I loved the fabric, but also because it reminds me of Mum & of happy times as a family at our old, two story house in the rolling green hills of Eganstown. That same house that is now being renovated, by another family who are making memories of their own.

Here we are in a photo taken by the Women's Weekly (back in the days when it was weekly!) It's funny how sentimental I am, are you? I sometimes wish I wasn't but I guess that's just the way I am. This month will also see the sale of our family home in Moor St, Fitzroy. Another amazing house that I spent so much time in as a child. The town hall clock out my window, sirens in the night, kittens born in the wood stack, climbing the almond tree, the shoe factory behind our house, lollies from the milk bar, dinner parties that seemed to go all night, Mrs Mac, jasmine growing on the fence, tripping on the stairs, turtles & fish, sleeping on the verandah, reading by the street light, Kung Fu on tv, Christmas presents on Mum & Dad's bed, our cat Miffy...so many things, so long ago.

It's funny sometimes watching my own kids growing up, I wonder what their childhood memories will be? I find myself often tripping back into the past, do you?

 There's plenty to keep me in the here and now though. Lots happening around here, autumn sunshine,

our sweet doggies,

my big, little school girl,

a big, fat, fluffy mumma chook,

a boy bunny,

piles to sort,

more quinces to cook,

and a pink ballerina bunny who is waiting for her cardi. Did I mention crazy hair & clothes day at school? Oh yes, it's happening! Lots of excitement and wackiness for the last day of term.

 Bring on the holidays! Yay! I can't wait to slow down and have some time with the gang, what are you up to?

See you soon xo

Grateful

That my mum is safe and well and home with us again.
Where would we all be if she had never come home?

For cups of tea, chats & debriefs, cuddles & colour in her sunny kitchen.

For time together, for not having to go through what so many others have, & are.

I can't even begin to describe how grateful I am,

or how sad I feel for those lost, hurt or grieving.

For a visit with Charlotte, a splash, a chink, an hour or so with my beautiful daughter is moving quickly into a world of her own.

For shining girls who light up my life,

for a proud & sparkling preppie,

for simple things like pikelets after school on the Dorothy plate.

For love, in all it's forms. For the opportunities to be with each other,

share our lives together, to fight & make up & make mistakes, and forgive.

For flowers & blue skies, for green hills & butterflies, for soft sheets & good books,

for dinner out with sweet friends, for kind words from a warm town,

for the flashes of beauty & joy that slip into every day.

So much to be grateful for.

I'm playing along with Maxabella, are you?

Hope you have the happiest of weekends,

see you soon xo

Earthquake

You may have heard of the earthquake that has just rocked New Zealand. I am sitting here in front of the news, shocked and saddened for the people affected. I am also scared for my mum who is in Christchurch today at the start of a week long holiday.

I have just heard from her that she is ok, she said it was very scary and that the ground is still rumbling & shaking. I don't know if her friend is ok yet,  I am waiting by the phone to hear from her xo


Update: Just heard that Mum & her friend are sitting with many others in a city park, cold but wrapped in blankets. I can only imagine what it must be like, poor Christchurch looks like a bomb has hit it. Thinking of all those who are trying to cope with this disaster, my heart goes out to them. Thanks for your kind thoughts & comments re my mum,  xo

88

Come with me down a winding road from Daylesford, to my mum's house in Hepburn. 

You may remember she bought an old church last year & she has been spending many happy hours fixing it up & giving it a new life.

Mum is a great home maker,  she is one of those people who can create a beautiful, original space where you feel immediately comfortable.

 She has filled her new little home with so much colour & life,

and everywhere you look there is something sweet or interesting. I love going to Mum's as amongst the colour & busyness there is order & calm. Not like our house!

Have a peek into this little guest room. When we first looked at the church the pastor was using this as his bedroom. It was musty & dusty and not very nice. Now it is such a lovely room, to and great for sleepovers!

This painting my Dad did in the 60's hangs in Mum's bedroom. It depicts our home in the Dandenongs, our goats, trees & bits & pieces of our life then. I like the colours & mood of this painting, and the way it takes me
back to another time

This old toilet block has been transformed into a great shed, can you see the yellow rose growing over the top?

I gave it to mum last year on her birthday, it has grown so much! I wish my roses were this lush & healthy!

The garden was originally just lawn with a few good trees & some sad looking bushes.

 But now it has so much colour & so many different plants.

I love all the cuving path ways that lead you around the building in circle.

Did I mention that this little church began life as a school house and was

moved by horse & cart to where it is today?

Amazing! I like to think of all the students that studied here,

once upon a time.

So there you go. Did you enjoy the tour?

I'm off into my own garden now to finish off planting my seedlings.

How much fun is the garden lately? I'm loving it. 

I'm hoping to buy a couple of silkie's or bantams tomorrow at the Farmers Market and set them up in

the garden outside my kitchen window. That's if I can persuade Mark to get

the (heavy) old dog kennel, to use as a chook house, from way down in the back of the garden to up the front. Hmmm..

Oh! Before I forget, if you are in Daylesford tomorrow do pop into the Makers Market and say hi to this gorgeous girl. Phillippa is a super talented, super wonderful friend who will be there selling her amazing fabric & other bits. Look out for Fippa & say hello! Another ace mate who will be there is Tania from Myrtle & Eunice..yay!

Bye for now lovelies,

xo