from the blue shed

mud glorious mud!

When was the last time you not only splashed in puddles but really got in there and rolled around in the mud as well? Honestly, I can't remember the last time, if ever, this nature lovin' girl has let her kids play with complete abandon in the stuff. That was of course until today!  Our wonderful and slightly mad with hind sight friend invited us up the hill to her block for some wild mud fun. Nature Play Solutions came with a trailer of special clay dirt and a pile of buckets. The children with water and no rules piled, slathered, molded and squelched in mud glorious mud. 

As much as some of us (ok I'm talking about me again) think that we really get out there and appreciate all nature has to offer, if mud isn't on the list, we need to rewrite the list. It's messy, filthy fantastic fun. We all need a little mud oozing between the toes now and again. 

Thank you Jus and Sara. Completely loved it. 

Mother's Day

Four months with my mum has quickly come to an end. A nice chunk of time like four months let's you settle in to the groove of daily happenings. We thoroughly enjoyed a laze around together and I was able to steal some time for myself. She was here for many firsts. First books read. First tooth lost. First ride without training wheels. I was so glad she was here for those milestones when she lives so darn far away. 

Today on this slightly overcast Mother's Day we all are enjoying the cosy little places she has left for us. Quilts afghans and pillows for us to cosy up under and think of her.

Thanks Ma for a lovely visit. Happy Mother's Day. I love you. 

a long overdue tromp through the bush.

I love trees

 

The river, a kayak and mussels for dinner

A forgotten post from last week but an evening I wanted to remember.

Savouring the last of the summer holidays, we headed to the river with a few families and a couple of kayaks in search of dinner. We gathered, scraped and scrubbed approximately 2 billion and 3 mussels. Gorging ourselves on creamy wine, thai and chili mussels until the sun went down. 

Ahhh holidays. 

exploring

Easter snaps

An extra long weekend, our first egg dyeing session, new Easter dresses, a hunt and a feast...

Eggcellent weekend. Sorry, couldn't help myself. 

 

holiday album

It seems like yesterday when I, fresh to the blogging world last January, shared our adventures from our end of year holiday. When I looked back on that post, I noticed similarities in my activities and my present state of mind. We ventured on another 10 day camping trip, this year with four different families. We beached, adventured and crafted in the bush, this time on a different ocean. And I have fresh new goals set for this year, though some things will never change (return home and clean the fridge) The new year starts as busy as it ended. Two birthdays to organize, a list of projects to start and a brand new power tool to break in. YeeHaw!

Here's a little snapshot of our holiday south. Highlights include, lovely beaches, the regatta, streamers, fantastic company and an endless supply of craft projects, provided by Cath a former non craft believer. I couldn't be prouder!

I do love the fresh start and energy January seems to bring. The possibilities of a new year are oh so exciting. Happy New Year.  

Christmas has come early!!!

Ok, this has got to be the best gift giving idea EVER! My girlfriends and I headed down to the river last night to celebrate our lovely friends birthday. We were armed with blankets champagne and baskets of goodies we were all dying to share. Last night marked the first of hopefully decades of this lovely tradition. Each person brought 12 little packages to give to all her friends. Jars of melanzane, beetroot relish and baked goodies were made. Bags of nuts and bolts with hand written recipe, bottles of lemon and rosemary olive oil and christmas ornaments were all beautifully packaged. Thoughtful quotes and a little Buddha for good luck, orange cake with the lovely recipe and rolls of gingerbread and custard cream cookie dough were all shared with a generous and grateful group of ladies. Joy!!!!!!

A tradition that one of the ladies mother's had been doing with her girlfriends for years. Such a thoughtful and creative way to show the people you love that you care. It was a lovely evening with a great group of gals. And after the sun had set over our pretty city, and the bubbly had expired, we gathered up our baskets full of loot and headed home, thrilled with all of our spoils.

I awoke to this lovely sight this morning. Some cake to share over coffee this afternoon. Beetroot relish to take camping. Gingerbread to bake, but not make! The list goes on. 

What a great idea. I love you ladies!