weekly stills [longer days]

Spring is on its way -  I can feel the change already!

[i] the late afternoon sky, above our place
[ii] my man, cooking dinner
[iii] I see you cooking dinner through the window....ah, it smells great
[iv] new crops at the local farm, baby broccolini I think
[v] nothing says spring like new lambs right? Oops, they aren't in the photo!
[vi] looking down at Anson Bay - hmmm - not quite swimming weather just yet
[vii] why hello there little one - yes, I'll take your portrait, but please keep still
[viii] our rugged coast (clearly I was on the windy side of the island that day)

nz adventures [the christchurch brick show]

Hi! Harry here.

On our second last day in New Zealand we attended the Christchurch Brickshow. The show was held in a newly built hangar at the New Zealand Air Force museum. The whole spaced was filled with all things LEGO! Surrounding the models were lots of stalls including several "shops", but also peoples own original creations, including a LEGO generating Spirograph and an enormous free-standing LEGO Technics tower. Some of the models were amazing. It was difficult for Mum to take photos because there were so many people!!!! Mine and Dad's favourite model was the Tudor style curved roof house as some of the angles were incredible, especially considering it was constructed solely out of LEGO! Some of the models on display were just themed sets of a particular type of LEGO put together to make a large scene. My favourite models though were the MOC (My Own Creation) models which people had designed and built all by themselves. Matilda's favourite was the Castle scene with a Princess kissing a frog and Mum really liked a super colourful underwater reef scene. Hopefully next year I might have my own MOC to take to a LEGO show! Overall it was really cool to see the original ways people used their LEGO and I came away with great ideas for my own designs!

the tern dress

A new dress arrived in the mail today, posted over by Till's grandmother. When Ma saw this dress covered in white birds, she immediately thought of our lovely Norfolk terns. Till and I adore it (if only it could fit me). I asked her to pop it on so I could take a few photos for Ma and she actually obliged! When I looked at her modelling this dress, it was like I was seeing her for the first time! My lens channelled deep into those blue eyes and peered into her soul. I was struck with awe. My wonderful, precious, mysterious daughter. I made her, she's part of me. And she'll be nine in a few months: NINE!

Look at those cheeky freckles and that peachy skin. It's no wonder your Ma calls you Rose Red!

Till didn't stay poised for my camera very long and bounced off quick smart after a few snaps. Feeling warmhearted and sentimental, I wandered off outside with my camera. Sometime later I was pottering around the paddock when this gorgeous thing came around the corner with a monkey pillow draped around her neck (and wearing my boots none the less). It did make me smile!

Along with that divine dress, some lovely needlework came in today's parcel too. A full Show and Tell is coming, but here's just one photo because it stars Miss Till, and well, this is a post about her!

My beautiful, sweet pony-tail swinging, monkey-hugging moppet. You wear your heart on your sleeve and love your family with gusto! 

Always be caring and confident. Your future looks bright dear girl.

Love you Miss Till!!

PS lol, apologies for the fringe cut. Ma says I have to stay away from your fringe with scissors from now on! OK.

weekly stills [winter walks and comfort food]

[i] chicken soup for breakfast, lunch and tea (only kidding...but I did make enough for a small army)
[ii] a wintery beach walk - gumboots essential
[iii] noodly pine needles
[iv] loom bands with extra pizazz - beads!
[v] gifted lemon preserves keeping the kefir company
[vi] french toast
[vii] lunch boxes ready for school
[viii] rain puddles on the steps, careful...slippery when wet
[ix] starting off a few new batches of apple cider vinegar

 August already! Have a great week everyone.

A quiet walk

I never get tired of wandering around Kingston with my camera. I especially like exploring this historic setting when the weather is bleak and sombre. Kingston looks dramatic at the best of times, but add a little mist, a wild sea and a grey sky, and the place just oozes mystery and drama! Yesterday it felt as though it was all mine, with only the occasional tourist passing by. I spent a good half day clomping around in my gumboots, shuffling through puddles, clambering on rocks and sitting for a few moments here and there to contemplate my surroundings. As well as revelling in my own company, I was also on the lookout for a view I haven't noticed before. It's surprising what you see when you really open your eyes!

friday favourite

my favourite photo taken this week