moving on

On April 4 this year, we moved house! At the time, it felt like our world had been turned upside down. The rental property we'd been living in since our arrival on island over six years prior, was a place we considered home. The house sold beneath us and we were given thirty five days to vacate. We knew the house was on the market, but were in denial that anyone would actually buy it!!! A lack of suitable homes and increased rental prices left us a bit depressed for a while, but then someone came to our rescue, and we are very happy in our new residence. As they say, every cloud has a silver lining, and it turns out the forced move set in the motion the start of a crazy new plan for our future. It appears the upheaval gave us a chance to ask ourselves a few hard questions. I guess we'd been stuck in a rut without acknowledging it. Our new location has brought with it many benefits!

The piano didn't come with us by the way.

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?

ordinary everyday beauty

There are parts of my home that make me smile, especially our messy fridge door! There's beauty to be found in the ordinary everyday stuff; a tidy bookshelf, rain splashing on the window, washing drying on the line, paper snowflakes blu-tacked to windows! They are the bits I'm happy to photograph, because one day I know I'll be glad I did.  Ben teased me about these photos. Humph. Doesn't he know I read blogs with photos just like these all the time!!!!!! Men. What do they know about blogs or things worthy of a photograph!???

Remember that lens I've been lusting over? As luck would have it, a very VERY VERY lovely person loaned me hers to try *insert squealing with delight*. I was warned it is heavy and awkward, for which I thought phooey. I'm now eating humble pie. Man this thing takes some strength to hold. It's a bit like nursing someones baby when you no longer have one yourself and you haven't built up the muscle strength to do it. My arms just aren't used to holding up a lens this massive. I do love it though and can't wait to spy on the neighbours with it...JUST KIDDING. I'm really planning to take it bird watching!!! 

Oh before I go, that island tour series I mentioned a few days ago...it's coming I promise.

in my garden: part 2

I hope you weren't expecting more photos of pretty flowers!

in my garden: part 1

I'm not a gardener, although I wish I was. Yes, the plants fend for themselves around here. They seem happy enough!

ten random things

On this lovely Sunday morning I'm joining Kate from Foxs Lane and sharing ten random tidbits of information about my life right now. If you have a moment, drop by Kate's blog. It's hands-down one of my favourites! Kate is a wise, practical, thoughtful lady with a bucket load of skills. Her photos alone will draw you in, I promise!

one

I just read the most wonderful, imaginative, magical, bizarre (seriously) book to Harry and Matilda. Published in the 1970's, The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles is a novel written by none other than Dame Julie Andrews, although the book is published under her married name, Julie Edwards.  It's a tale of courage, risk-taking and persistence. My children loved every minute of the story, as did I. Next on our list of "read alouds" is either The Animals of Farthing Wood or The Borrowers.

 

two

Big changes for me this year. I'm no longer working full time. You can't imagine what this means to me, I have so many plans and a list of 'Must-Do's' as long as my arm. Ordinarily I don't mention my work here, I prefer to keep my personal and professional life separate. But this is such a positive change for me and my family, so how can I not let you in.  And here's the best bit, Ben and I are job sharing! Yep, two teachers, same school, one class. Ours together. Cool huh. 

three

Being a part-timer, I'm totally making sure I get my craft groove on this year. That is, as soon as I put all the cupboards to rights. When I can find my way through the linen press, I'm dusting off the sewing machine and raiding the craft books. I started this week with two of the worst cupboards: under the kitchen sink and the laundry cupboard. At least I'll be crafting in good conscience soon!!!

four

I started this blog a few years ago mainly to keep family in the loop, but as it turns out, it's strangers (who now feel like friends) who drop in, follow along or leave me comments. You inspire me to keep blogging and I really appreciate you all! Let's face it, anyone writing a blog hopes that someone out there is reading!

five

A friend loaned us her ThermoChef, it's just like a ThermoMix. Boy have we fallen in love. This bit of kitchen gear does everything and quite frankly we don't want to give it back! With ease and sophistication the ThermoChef weighs, chops, cooks, blends, steams, boils, purees, kneads....and cleans itself. Nah, just kidding. BUT, it is very simple to clean. So far we've used it to make meringue, custard, rice, boiled eggs (yeah, yeah...how hard is it to boil an egg?), soup, beetroot dip, more soup, corn fritters, hot chocolate, fish and veg, mushroom risotto, meat loaf...oh and more soup.  Today I'm going to make fig jam à la carte ThermoChef style. Wish me luck, I've never ever made jam before!

six

Speaking of figs, our enormous tree is providing a bountiful harvest this year. We do battle with the birds most days despite Ben netting a small part of the tree (they still find a way in). I wouldn't mind if they just feasted on the figs up high, but the naughty scavengers even nibble on those within my reach!

seven

My parents are celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary this year. That's quite an achievement wouldn't you agree? I've been thinking a lot about marriage lately, mostly how great it is and how lucky I am to have such a wonderful husband. At Christmas time when I was home at Mum and Dad's, I tried my wedding dress on and Ben took some photos - talk about a trip down memory lane. My Mum thinks she might put hers on this year and take some photos too!

eight

Our family is planning a return trip to New Zealand this Winter. I know what you're thinking, WINTER! Well we survived NZ's cold last year and even got to ski. We will be meeting up with some mates from Oz and together we plan to motor-home our way around the South Island.  I can't wait!!!! Cold weather and all.

nine

We always write messages to each other on the blackboard attached to the wall on our verandah. I was cleaning off Happy Valentines Day yesterday when Matilda suggested we write Happy Easter. Give me break kid, I'm still getting over Christmas. You gotta love her enthusiasm. And I hate to admit it, Easter will be here before we know it.

ten

Oh Matilda. You are a little testing at the moment. I'm not sure why exactly, perhaps you're having a growth spurt? Or maybe it's because you're finding your feet in year 3. You did crack me up the other night though, when you arrived at the dinner table with a fake nose ring stuck on your face. Good grief. What will the teenage years be like??

NB. A blog post about random things wouldn't really be complete without a few random photos too! All of these were taken back in January during our visit to our nations capital city, Canberra. Have I told you how much I love Canberra?

See you soon for Weekly Stills x

Natural light and beauty

Sydney is beautiful, it's true. But when I stood on our verandah after coming home I was struck once again how magical Norfolk is. Such a contrast from the congested maze of buildings, roads, railway lines, street lights, factories and concrete (SO much concrete) that makes up suburban sprawl....the view here is raw, untouched and invigorating. A friendly luminous green sea of rolling hills melts into the distant skyline in every direction. Norfolk pines stand straight and proud creating an impressive silhouette against the setting sun. The sky is clean, bright and vast. Scanning the panorama, you can't help but feel lighter and free. There's less distraction here. It's peaceful.

It's good to get away...at times a change of perspective is healthy and necessary. Coming back reminds me there's no place like home. And certainly there's no place on Earth like Norfolk Island!

I love it here.

Another corner of my home...

Continuing on from this post.

Harry's desk

Corners of my yard

Corners of my home

I don't want to sound ungrateful, but sometimes our rental property gets me down. It has loads of flaws; a dark kitchen, dated bathrooms, skirting boards, architraves, doors etc all painted in mission brown (MISSION BROWN for goodness sake) and don't get me started on the furniture (yep, furniture included/part of the deal). I dream about fixing it all and I know it would look amazing. But hey, it's not ours. We make the best of it and treat every inch of the place like we do actually own it (and our landlord loves us for it) - after all, we spend a lot of time here. And really, when I recently looked around with a more forgiving eye, I discovered there are in fact some nice friendly inviting corners in our abode. 

So I've come up with an idea. I'm going to share a weekly photo of a spot in our house that I like. What a great original idea, right? Um no, it has been done before. Just after I went around the house photographing the bits I like, I coincidentally stumbled across this old blog post on Inner Pickle. You really should follow that link you know, Fiona keeps a great blog. She is witty, wise and completely down to earth. I love reading her blog. I don't think Fiona will mind one little bit if I borrow her idea - especially when I'd borrowed it before I even knew I'd borrowed it, if you get what I'm saying. So my plan still sticks. Here's the first photo -

the hat basket