taking stock [a list for march]

Above is one of my first attempts at long exposure night sky photography and below is my fist attempt at a monthy 'taking stock' list. I'm joining in with Pip , but it was actually Elaina from A Little Bit Country who inspired me to give this list a try!

Making: my bed. Every morning I manage to get this done, I give myself a high five! Ben thinks bed-making is a waste of time. I don't agree!
Cooking: Paleo banana bread with near dead bananas - at least once a week
Drinking: mostly water, sometimes smoothies and water kefir (flavoured with berries)
Reading: last night I took the school newsletter to bed!
Wanting: fracking to be outlawed everywhere! Stupid dangerous process. Unrelated to that, I also want a yoga bolster and a salt lamp!
Looking: for two missing hats (my kids think I gave them away to the op shop)
Playing: alphabet bingo (I spend my days with 5 year olds, OK)
Deciding: should I sell the last of my Tupperware collection? I sold most of it recently.
Wishing: I could surprise my husband with trip to somewhere exciting for our up and coming 16th wedding anniversary (Greece? Iceland? Switzerland? A girl can dream)
Enjoying: reading the novels that my kids bring home, the ones they are studying in English at school. I especially loved Wonder by R.J. Palacio. I'm rocking year 7 English!
Waiting: for July to come, but trying not to wish away the year
Liking: my daydreams about campervans, scenic drives and places to explore...ahhhh holiday anticipation
Wondering: what has happened to these lovely bloggers? Ivy Nest and Inner Pickle. I miss them!
Loving: this little video made by my clever Ben
Pondering: what to make with a harvest of chillies. And thinking I'll try this recipe
Considering: joining this program, rather than winging it on my own
Buying: mostly just food...oh and these pencils for my nephew's birthday
Watching: a down-loaded episode of Restoration House with my kids after dinner
Hoping: this warm Autumn weather sticks around for the Easter holidays so I can swim, swim, swim
Marvelling: at this lady's stunning artwork. Seriously, I want it all for my walls!
Cringing: at almost every decision Tony Abbott makes! How does he sleep at night?
Needing: some new (or op shopped) pants for the cooler months
Questioning: whether eating Paleo is working for me!
Smelling: gravy and pork crackling (Ben did a roast for dinner tonight -YUM)
Wearing: my navy Saltwaters...just about EVERY day (I don't own many pairs of shoes)
Following: That Sugar Film FB page....so much awesome information (I can't wait to see the film)
Noticing: my new snorkel mask doesn't leak like my old one
Knowing: how to take a long exposure of the night sky with my DSLR and a tripod
Thinking: being up late, taking photos of The Milky Way, with my husband by my side is about the best date night you can have!
Admiring: my Aloe Vera plant. It's thriving now that I'm consciously neglecting it
Sorting: the washing pile and the drying-up rack....life on the "mouse wheel"
Getting: parcels in the mail from my Mum (Thanks Mum!!! Xx)
Bookmarking: this cute Easter project
Coveting: nothing that comes to mind!
Disliking: how sunburned Harry got at the school swimming carnival this week! He's normally so careful
Opening: a packet of Easter eggs BEFORE Easter!
Giggling: at how naughty it feels to be scoffing Easter chocolate before Easter (a big no no when I was a kid)
Feeling: titchy and moody after eating said chocolate!
Snacking: on cold leftover baked sweet potatoes and LOVING them
Wishing: I could visit my sister or vice versa and that air travel was cheap and environmentally friendly
Helping: my kids with homework
Hearing: the chink of Lego pieces as Harry sifts through piles of Lego!

our underwater life

There's a change in the air here which I've become in tune with this past week. Our days have shortened considerably and I've even dug through the wardrobe for a cardy to wear some evenings! Our fig tree is losing it's leaves too, a sure sign Winter is on its way. This means our swimming days are numbered, so we are taking advantage of the warm Autumn currents and the super low tides down at Emily Bay as much as possible. There are worse places to hang out I guess! Poor us.

Do you want to come snorkelling with us? Here's a short Vimeo Ben made yesterday...

when Mother Nature is angry

Poor Vanuatu was hit hard last weekend by Cyclone Pam. Lucky for us, the cyclone stayed a long way offshore (hundreds of kilometres in fact). We didn't even have much of a breeze, just some heavy showers of rain. The only real sign of 'Pam's' presence was the violent sea, especially on the North side of our island. Cascade Pier copped a hammering, with huge waves thumping in with such force, I did wonder if the towering metal crane could withstand its power. In my five years living here, I don't ever remember seeing such wild angry waves before. It was tumultuous to say the least! 

Snorkelling in Emily this week, I saw evidence of damage from that punishing swell. To begin with the water was so cloudy it was impossible to navigate wearing a snorkel mask. Later in the week, after the sediment settled, I noticed sections of broken coral and tangled tufts of weedy (land) grass on the sea bed. 

Mother Nature is impressively commanding, it's both sobering and humbling to witness her extremes in temperament. I'm sure our coral reef will heal in time, just like Vanuatu! But I wonder, must Mother Nature be so harsh? Perhaps she is trying to tell us something! 

Some of us are listening.

ten on ten [March]

I actually did it for a change! Every month I tell myself, 'Yes, this month I'll remember to take the Ten on Ten photo challenge'...and EVERY month the 11th, or 12th day rolls on past and then I visit my favourite blogs and see their Ten on Tens and think 'Bugger, I forgot AGAIN'!

But not this month. Finally!!! I actually remembered the day before (wooh, on fire I tell you) and I had a plan. Last night I popped on the 50mm lens, slid in a fresh battery and poised my camera at the ready just outside my bedroom door where I'd almost have to step over it when my day got underway!! I love it when a well constructed plan pays off ha ha.

So these aren't earth shatteringly interesting photos, but for me they do tell a story. I don't know if you can tell by looking, but I had a good day. I hope you did too! Xx

[i] Just after the morning snuggle. Someone needs to stop swanning around and get ready for school!
[ii] If only you could hear what you see. I wake to the sounds of classical guitar every morning - lucky me right.
[iii] This is where I spend my days. Full time this year (that's been a shock to the system). Lucky it's an unbelievably cheerful space and I love it (and my job).
[iv] Lunch at my desk.
[v] Walking home and saying good afternoon to our local bovines.
[vi] Me. Objects in the rear view mirror may appear closer than they are. Sorry, having an impromptu Meatloaf moment (don't ask me why).
[vii] Home.
[viii] The potholder loom has been receiving quite a lot of attention lately. Santa brought ours, but you can buy one here.
[ix] Straining the milk kefir. The grains are going gangbusters (out of control?), but I'm saving them for someone.....you better come and collect soon Ms L.
[x] I washed the floors, so our chairs mingled. I hate dodging furniture when I mop so I always move it into the loungeroom. Part of my weightlifting regime.

Foundation Day 2015

On this day in 1788, a party of 23 marines and convicts landed on the shores of Norfolk Island to undertake the British settlement of one of the most isolated places in the world....*

Harry joined the cast again this year! Normally such roles are reserved for year 5 and 6 students, so it was an honour for this year 7 boy to be asked to fulfil the important role of 'Narrator'!

* Words taken from the Foundation Day program! I wasn't in the mood to think of my own.

all-a-flutter

Ben took these photos of butterflies visiting our yard recently. They always visit when he's home alone and never come by when I'm around. I've been waiting and wanting to take photos of them for quite some time but alas, they prefer Ben's company. I'm a little envious. That aside, aren't they lovely photos!

Stop using my camera when I'm not home Ben!!!!!!

.....just kidding!

 

PS Not sure if they are butterflies or moths, but those little mauve winged creatures (the ones enjoying our weeds in the above photo), well they are so sweet and very small and very difficult to photograph. Hmmmm...if only I had a macro! Is it time to get another lens?