these days

this week...

when the weather is fine we take the opportunity to get out and about...

we made a stop at stunning Murphy's Haystacks during the week. the grass is green as far as the eye can see from this beautiful hilltop location. the rock formations rising up in the middle of a paddock, weathered and covered in lichen.

and today we took a drive to the nearby beach of Locks Well. spectacular high cliffs, a wild blue ocean, golden sands and a million steps down... and back up.

sitting on the beach (not so close to the water edge) happily snapping many shots with my new camera, all of a sudden a wave washed up and before i could get up i was more than a little wet! oops! top half was okay and thank goodness so was the camera. oh my how we laughed! this often deserted beach was littered with fishermen today... how i hoped nobody noticed...

wet all the way back up those steps, i was so proud of my littlest who managed them all without complaint.

joining in with the beetle shack and everyone else with their weekly stills.

these days

this week... i thought i would do a little catch up. it has been weeks and weeks since i have done a these  days post or any other post besides project 52. these are some photos taken during the past few weeks. 

the time has flown past although we have spent many days taking it slow. my focus has been on cooking plenty of nourishing food, fighting of winter ills and getting plenty of sleep. there have been trips away and sunny days gardening, beaching combing and inside rainy day play.

1. bright poppy bloom captured in the sunlight.

2. cold morning.

3. stunning winter sunset.

4. new playgrounds explored.

5. pebble throwing with good friend rosie the dog.

6. cute pig tails against a bright sky.

7. making new friends at Harndorf Children's Farm.

8. sweet little window love.

9. sour dough smothered in butter and topped with homemade ricotta (my first attempt), smashed bananas and drizzled honey, yum!

10. exotic blooms.

11. freshly picked yarrow hung to dry. the flowers to be steeped as a tea should anyone in our house come down with a fever.

12. i came home from an evening walk (alone) to find the washing folded, fresh flowers adorning the kitchen table and a message from my sweet girls. one happy mumma.

13. basket of winter citrus goodness.

14. glowing candle light to warm up a wintery night.

joining in with the lovely Emily 

x

winter beach

we went for a walk down the beach this morning.

the wind was cold as cold could be.

it was the first time in what seems like ages that the sun has shone. the colours of the sea, sand and sky were so vivid after all the grey dull days we have had.

the dog is forever waiting for someone to throw the stick for her! always so hopeful.

sunday

up early for breakfast and the morning's jobs 

 so cold that we went back to bed for a cup of tea and to read our way through a basket of children's books

 a walk to the playground, all rugged up but hot by the time we got there

 lunch out in the garden, enjoying the winter sunshine 

 the rest of the day spent gardening

planting fruit trees, perennials, herbs, lavender, wormwood, artichokes, strawberries

i didn't want to stop, i could've stayed out there, gardening, until i could see no more

luckily, dinner was happily cooking itself in the oven, warm and comforting lamb shanks

the gardens

the rain finally stopped today.

we took the opportunity to walk in the botanical gardens.

i love the bare winter trees, their bark, branches and trunks. their structure and forms. the gingko tree was my favourite of the day, it was just stunning in all its naked glory.

it seems so early but a ornamental plum was just starting to open up a few buds, the promise of the great show to come.

the highlight of the gardens for me is always the trees... for daisy it's the giant water lilies and for jess it is the ducks.

winter sky

it has been raining for the last forty eight hours, nearly non stop.

wet, wet, wet.

what a lovely way to see in the winter solstice yesterday.

cold, dark and rainy at four in the afternoon.

i love it.

when can we go to the playground is what the little one wants to know.

soon... soon...

afternoon walk

we went for a little walk in the conservation area this afternoon.

looking for ducks, swans and frogs.

listening to the birds.

exploring.

splashing in the puddles.

... and falling into puddles ... soaked through!

fun!