All the Pretty Horses

We delivered bees to our friends near the Murray River yesterday and before the ladies were installed in there new spot, Kay took us out to the State Forest. We drove further and further inward, past the campers, through soft bushland, and to our amazement came upon three separate strings of Brumbies, roaming wild and free. They were so healthy and beautiful and there were one or two foals in their midst! 

We drove home via small country towns, circling the residential streets in curiosity as we are now looking for a land, a wee house, a shack...some spot to stake our claim and dig in. Who knows where we will end up but it's lovely to be seriously looking.

 

November closing

I've quite lost my blogging stride, unsteady as it generally has been anyway. I still feel like I need a focus in order to keep this up regularly.I am keeping you alive dear blog that I have had for 8 years, in the hope that inspiration may come.

For now, here is a glimpse of November as it fades slowly into December. Our garden continues to delight us, and feed us - the animals and plants we have gathered here. I am about to go out and plant basil among the tomato plants. The sun is shining on this beautiful mild spring day. 

Bread baking is such a lovely routine now - haven't bought bread for months now, except the odd pack of Lebanese bread which we love as pizza base. What gift Mara gave me upon leaving Melbourne - the bread making bug and a fool-proof recipe.

My studio is a lovely, cosy place to teach from. I love being in there, especially on a sunny day. It could do with insulating - very hot on a summer's day and very chilly in winter - easier to warm than cool, but a perfect space otherwise.

The socks finally came off the needles - my word they took some learning! I can't wait to knit the other patterns in the book - and discover the secret to knitting two at the same time! I'm on a Milo vest now for a friend's daughter. 

The photos of my wee laddie's room are just because it was sun filled and colourful and as I often do when he is at his Dad's house, I found myself tidying and picking up his trinkets and thinking of his beautiful self and the things he loves; just hanging out in his space to absorb a little of him in absentia. And yes I have now and then stuffed my face into his pillow for a whiff of him but don't tell him - he'll probably say "Mum....that's embarrassing geez".



 

All about water

It's calling us on the spring air. River, creek, briny ocean....the promise of a swim any day now...

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Tasmania

Oh Tasmania, you temptress. I know we haven't seen each other for almost 20 years but you are still as wild and beautiful as I remember.

My wee laddie and I spent 5 days with our lovely friends on the coast. It was action packed and relaxing all at the same time. Our accommodation (see top photo and weep)had views of trees, bay and mountains and is still being decorated as I write.

We looked at land that Abuelo and I have contemplated buying; spent hours there imagining inhabiting it - a great thing to be able to do.

We explored an abandoned mine tunnel - there's Alan giving the kids a Heads Up and answering important questions (If you see a spider bigger than your head, don't poke it etc...)

 We celebrated Jo's birthday - a most delightful and generous hostess and friend.

We skimmed rocks and marvelled at the creatures on the pebbled beach near their house; oysters, mussels, star fish...

We drove through bucolic pasture land and ate fantastic cheese.

We had a beach picnic in a little cove with rocks for three rambunctious boys to scamper over, and sheltered sunny sand on which the ladies could knit and drink tea. We did do some rock climbing ourselves though I would hardly call it scampering....

And we let the kids throw themselves down acres of sand dunes which was one of my boy's highlights - that and flying over the ocean, which yes, at 47 I still find a wondrous adventure myself.

And now back to the city and the remainder of the school holidays, which are warm and slow and free of routine.

May you too be thawing out after this long winter, and sleeping in a bit longer than usual and drinking plenty of tea.

busy

A jumble of images from a very productive weekend that even included sunshine! There was much sowing, tidying, baking, knitting,  and of course eating around a good fire. 

Our salami is ready for bagging and tastes delicious - just the right amount of chiili.

 The photo above reminds me of one my recent dreams. Not because of the fire. But the light. I crossed a ledge over a river. The ledge was covered in bits and pieces - of furniture, clothing, books, ornaments...I had to step carefully to cross without falling. I wasn't nervous because the light was so beautiful. Night with warm glow like this. And my husband below, appearing out of the baths, waving up to me. When I joined him below I told him of my crossing and he said "I had the same dream."

Because of this lovely fire we stayed outside all day on Sunday, over lunch and dinner. It's enough - a warmer day, warm flames, simple food and some visitors - to keep us going to the end of this winter.  

August so far

Big beautiful, things happening in the garden at work (I'm a volunteer one day a week but Abuelo runs this project).

Magnolias give a burst of colour in the winter morning sun, which gave itself moemntarily to theatrics on the North facing wall.

When it is too cold to venture out, we gather to knit and drink chai and watch JT perform the admirable and all together too rare task of hand writing tour invitations. 

 Our loungeroom may be the darkest room in the house but it is the cosiest since I moved my desk and bits and pieces to the newly painted studio. When there is sufficient sunlight I will take a photo. It's a lovely space.

My wee laddie and I have a weekly hot chocolate at our favourite cafe, and inspect op shop finds.