And the winner is..!

Our school fete! Don't you just love a fete? I do. We've just had ours and it was fantastic!

It's such a fun community event and we were so lucky to have such a sunshiny day too. I had fun with Tracey at the second hand clothes stall. It's a good feeling to be recycling lovely clothes and other bits while also raising money for our little school.

The other stalls were fantastic, I loved the plants and books, the fairy floss and of course the cake stall. Yum! It's such a busy time of year isn't' it? Fetes, festivals, concerts..wow. What are you busy with lately?

Talking of winners, thanks so much to everyone who entered my Instacanvas giveaway..I'm thrilled to announce that Carol of Perennial is the winner! If you are an Instagrammer you should pop by and say hi,  I know you'll love getting a glimpse into Carol's world. Congratulations Carol! Send me your email and I'll give you the details on how to receive  your very own Instagram photo, beautifully printed and framed by Instacanvas.

I'm off now to water in my new little seedlings..it's been a huge day in the garden. Are you planting too? Have fun lovelies, see you soon xo

Belonging

What does belonging mean to you? Do you like to be part of something, does it make you feel good? For me it's a really important part of my life..it helps to give my life meaning and it makes me happy.

Did I tel you I started a new job recently? I'm working in the prep room at the school our kids attend, and I'm loving it! It's so nice to have something new in my life, to be back at work, even though it is only a couple of mornings a week.

When I left my previous position, when I was pregnant with Lucy, I remember the first few days at home so well. Instead of feeling happy to be finished with work I was really struck by the sudden lack of contact with others.

 No one emailed me anymore! My inbox was empty. No one to have lunch with, chat with, I felt really lonely at the time. In hindsight that sudden isolation probably contributed to what turned into post natal depression, it was a difficult time. I often wonder if having a blog during that time would have helped, I like the way new mums can now use the internet to stay in touch with the world, and other people.

Anyway, lately I've been having the reverse experience! I feel super duper connected. It's nice to be involved in the community of the classroom, of the school, as a worker, as well as a parent. I'm enjoying the satisfaction of helping the preppies with their learning, and just being with this gorgeous group of kids is so inspiring and fun. I've been at home a LONG time with my kids and have never regretted it.

 It's always been a priority for me to be there for them in their young years and I've been lucky that I haven't had to work. But any mum knows that it's not always easy, and the space for myself has been pretty limited. So I'm happy, happy, happy to be working!

Not that I've been stuck at home on my own for the last 12 years. I've alway liked to do community based things and I really like to volunteer and be involved. So you can imagine how much I am also LOVING helping out at our new community op shop!  So many great people have come together to make this op shop happen and although I've only done a few hours I"m looking forward to my regular Friday spot. I like that I'm helping those in need, socialising with different people, contributing, belonging.

Yesterday our family went to our local Anzac Day parade and ceremony. The kids held our school banner and marched with their friends down the main street, in support of the brave men and women who fought & died for our country.

It's so good for them to learn about our history, about people who lived before them and have an understanding of how war effects us all. It was a very moving ceremony and I was so glad we were there, to be involved, to be sharing this important event.

Our kids belong to a local football and netball club. It's a very family oriented club and a great way for the kids to learn skills, make friends, see some other parts of Victoria and to have the opportunity to be part of a team. Sometimes they win, sometimes they lose. I don't get to go often enough because I'm usually caught up with the ballet world on Saturdays, but that's ok. Mark is great at taking the older two and I hope we can do swapsies sometimes so we both get to have a turn. I like that my kids are learning the beauty of community, of being part of something bigger than themselves, that they belong.

Lately I've been aware that my interest in blogging is fading a little, I'm just not so motivated to read other blogs or to crap on about my own life too much. I've been thinking about it a lot. Should I just finish up? Should I make more of an effort? What the hell is going on with me..am I just plain lazy?? Why don't I seem to have the time to read about other people's lives anymore? Am I a really crap blogger???

Anyway, the only conclusion I have come to is that I'm too busy belonging in the real world. I love my bloggy friends, I really like my own little blog space so it's not that. I just really love all the things I"m involved with that aren't online and this doesn't leave much time for blogging.

So I'm not going to throw in the towel, I'll still be around here and there. I'm sorry I haven't visited you, it's not that I don't care. I think I've just found lately that my belonging spaces are elsewhere. (Hey that all rhymed...!)

 I hope I'll still have some belonging space in blog land too. We'll see. In the mean time I'd love to hear about what belonging means to you. Are you involved in your community? Does it give you something that makes you feel good too? Do you ever feel a bit isolated or disconnected? Sometimes it's harder in the city but I know that everywhere there is a place for someone, for some kind of belonging. Because we are all important, we all matter and sometimes we need to look outside of ourselves, to find out just how much.

Hope to see you soon  lovely ones...xo

Autumn is..

..apples.

Lots and lots of apples. It's a good thing we like apple pie! 

Our trees have been full of fruit this year and although we've shared quite a few with the local cockatoos,

we still have lots left. Our lovely neighbours are making cider, their hallway full of boxes of apples. Maybe we will make some too!

Autumn is quinces. Big, fat, golden quinces.

I love everything about this beautiful ancient fruit. The tree it grows on with it's wide green leaves, that shade our ducks from the warm autumn sun. I love collecting the fruit after a windy day, storing it inside where it gives off it's distinctive quincy smell. I love cutting into each piece, it's such a satisfying feeling. Cubing, boiling, straining. Adding, watching, waiting.

Then suddenly!

Magical jars of ruby goodness. I love quince jelly on sour dough toast with a cup of hot, hot tea. 

I love autumn.

Autumn is Sports Day! A day of red, yellow and blue.

A day of friends, and fun.

And trying hard, of ribbons and family.

And smiles! lots of lovely smiles.

Autumn is potato season. It's brown fields, blue skies, tractors and crates.

Autumn is a time of birthdays - one tomorrow! 

Although it's sad to say goodbye to summer, and although the thought of a long cold winter ahead makes me a little anxious..I really do love autumn. So I'm celebrating being in the now,

I'm loving the cool nights and warm days. Although there is some sadness in my life too right now, I'm embracing all the beauty, the colour and life of this season, of this time. Maybe even more so.

I hope you are too, lovely ones,

see you soon xo

ps: If you haven't entered my giveway yet it's not too late! I'll be drawing out a winner in the next couple of days. It might be you! xo

The week before Christmas..

Hi! These three happy faces are smiling so much because school has finished and we are on summer holidays!!! Woo hoo! I'm loving it already. I love to sit in bed in the morning with a cup of tea and read the paper, and just relax without rushing around like a headless chook!

We've had a busy end of term with another ballet presentation, this time it was Lucy's turn. Lucy began ballet only this year and has come a long way already. She danced beautifully on Saturday and we were so proud of her. She also helped out with the prep class this year and it was so sweet to see her getting cuddles and love from all the little ones backstage.

At school we had an emotional week for a couple of reasons, 

one of which was a much loved teacher was leaving after 13 years, there were many tears at the final assembly. Luckily the preps put on a beautiful nativity play which cheered us all up a bit...

and then there was Elvis... 

Yes, he has lost a bit of weight. I think he's ditched the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches...

 So the clock is ticking and it's getting closer to Christmas! Are you excited? Exhausted? Organised or in a mess? I'm a bit of everything, although I think mainly I'm happy as life has slowed down and I really need that break from the whirl of busyness.

My kids are settling down too, they have been so tired and yes, quite cranky lately.  Not all of them, and not all at once, thank god, but I guess they need time to relax too.

We're all looking forward to Charlotte coming home on Friday! I love it when we are all together.

 

In the mean time there is plenty to do this week. Finish of Christmas cards, find homes for our baby ducks, clean up at school, get those last minute presents sorted, and today I'll have to clean up our sunroom that was seriously flooded last night after a massive and scary storm. I'm also hanging out to see a lovely friend who is just back from her big trip around Australia. Yay!

What are you up to?

I hope the week before Christmas is a happy one. I hope you find much to enjoy, to celebrate,

and to love. I hope you have some time to unwind, to relax, to see the small things of beauty, some time to laugh & have fun with your family and friends.  Life is so fragile isn't it? 

Much love to you all, 

                                                              see you soon dear friends xo

Beginning's

So the holidays are over. Here are some random things that have gone through my mind over the last little while.

Kids: Our son is growing up! He is almost 10 and moving into that next stage of his life. Being the only boy in the family (not counting Mark) is sometimes hard for him but he is pretty good natured about it and gets along with the girls. (Most of the time.) He is a great boy and I couldn't ask for a better son.

I've really enjoyed hanging out with him over the holidays. All our kids are growing up, it's scary! The four younger ones are so close together that they seem to age in one big group. When they were little (and we had four kids five & under) it was so crazy and hectic, it's really a blur. Now they are older it's a lot easier, and I've just noticed lately that they aren't little kids anymore.

Birds. I am really into birds. I've bored my Facebook friends with this photo already but I just couldn't help sharing it with you too. I was actually snapping the bird in silhouette when the other one swooped down to get a piece of the action. Chook scraps that is, not camera.

Family. I've been really conscious of the many dynamics within our family over the holidays. Ups and downs, phew! One thing I've tried not to do is to get involved in every little argument, it gives it all so much more importance and then the situation seems to escalate. It's boring at times, listening to their little niggles, and frustrating. But that's family life isn't it? I guess this is how they learn to work things out. I"m loving the cuddles though, see above, and the way my kids have each other to play with. That is a real bonus of having children close together. So I guess the good outweighs the not so good.

Pet love. Is there anything sweeter? We're all about pets around here. Daisy is always on hand for some loving. She seems to be very sensitive to anyone who is upset or crying, she comes on over to lick those tears away.  Dearest doggie. Our fluffy silkie bantams are going really well and I"m hoping for some baby chickies when the weather warms up. Guess what? One of the back yard chooks laid an egg today! Woo hoo! Keep them coming girls..

Weather: Yesterday there was actual SUNSHINE! Can you see it?

Such a good day that I made the girls go outside where they 

had heaps of fun of course. Tea parties, shops, petals & sand cakes, alright!

This week I fully intend to continue with my attempts to keep exercising despite the 

cold, wet weather. Here's hoping.

Imagination. Children have such amazing imaginations. Rosie worked so hard on her Snap game, and it's so fun to play! I love watching her learn to read, to write, losing herself in a world of colour & shape & words. Holidays are good for that too. Gee, I'm going to miss that Rosie Posie when she goes back to school. She's still my little baby you know...

Love. Need I say more? 

Char came home on Friday night for the WHOLE weekend. Yay!  She carved this apple, cute huh? It's been so good to be all together. I love that Melbourne isn't that far away and she can visit us anytime. Not so good is that Mark's sister & her family are a long plane flight away. We keep up on Facebook but sometimes it's hard watching the kids grow up on the computer. We hope to visit next year...can you imagine how amazing that would be?

Ducks. Thank you for your suggestions re duck names, there were some real beauties!

After much consideration we are naming our ducky girl, Jess, in honour of the

Queen of Wonkiness herself. Jess, there is something so sweet and honest, kind and clever and thoughtful about our little duck that she reminded me of you.  Oh and she is very pretty. Her brother, Platypus, agrees.

Jess

So, me hearties, it's the start of a whole new week, a whole new term!!

I wonder what we will all get up to over the next ten weeks.

I love beginnings, they are like a lovely present that you slowly unwrap.

Anything could be inside..

hope your week is a great one,

see you soon xo