sweet evening light

in the sweet evening light
we spent a few short moments together.....

it was just her and I,

my camera, and Granny's chair....

the farm animals looked on with curiosity,

the grasses swayed in the gentle breeze...

 and then she asked if we were finished,

 and ran off to find her Poppa.....

thinking about hearts

I've started to think about Valentine's Day. 

But really, shouldn't we go the extra mile for those we love

every day?

fields of wild flowers

one of my favourite things about living in the country....

so many fields of wild flowers to play in.....

The Queensland Floods

Queensland....what to say. 
My heart goes out to all of you, not just in Queensland, but all around Australia.  Half of me calls Australia home after spending such a long time there, (and with Shannon being an Aussie), so we find ourselves glued to the news, and reading every web page we can.  Reading the stories of rescues, well, it just makes you cry.

It is just astounding to see the photos.  How can a country suffering from such great drought receive so much rain?

Devastating.

It is going to take a long long time for Australia to recover from this (but recover they will, the aussie spirit is strong!).  Donations can be made to the Queensland Government (for those not in Australia details on how to donate internationally are halfway down the page) , and for those in NZ, donations can be made via Red Cross NZ.

All procceds from my Etsy and Felt shops this weekend will be donated to the Queensland Government flood appeal.

This article did make me smile, and feel proud - for all the trans tasman rivalry between Australia and NZ, when it comes down to it, we are neighbours with a strong bond. 

For all of you affected - there are many of us out there thinking of you, and trying to help in whatever way we can.

Goodbye grey...hello wood!

Say hello to the new love of my life....wooden floorboards. 
When we moved in to our new home 3 months ago, we could not wait to rip up the grey carpet and see what was underneath.  We suspected there would be beautiful wooden floorboards, as most 1920's houses have them, but we made ourselves wait until we had insulation sorted (because as much as I'd like wooden floors, I like to be warm more!).  Just before Christmas we ripped up a corner piece of carpet in one of the bedroom carpets, and had our hopes confirmed - divine wood lived underneath the grey!  Still we made ourselves wait.....and then.....just after Christmas, on a cold and windy holiday day that had us all pottering around inside, I had a mini tantrum.  I didn't enjoy being in my own studio/office space, there was just too much grey, and it was becoming a dumping room for unpacked boxes and general stuff.  And for everyone who works on a kitchen table will agree I am sure, that to have ones very own room after years of being on the kitchen table, is a dream come true.  So not to enjoy being in there?  Well, maybe the tantrum wasn't so mini.  :)

Not usually one to give in to tantrums (he he he) half an hour later Shannon had pulled it all up, having decided we'd just do this one room for now. 

Oh my, can you imagine how much I love being in there now?  I have dreamt of white painted wooden floors since I can't remember when, but for now, I am loving the fact that there is no more grey. 

I am still playing with the set up, rearranging things, so there will be more photos to come when I stop moving everything around!

The year of 2010

2010 will be remembered as the year we swapped a townhouse rental in our beloved beloved city Melbourne.....

....for our very own divine 1920's weatherboard in gorgeous small town New Zealand.

and now here we are, living a much more relaxed life...surrounded by beauty, and I am ready for whatever opportunities the wind blows our way.  I have goals and dreams for sure, but this year, I have no desire to write them down.  2010 taught me that whatever will be will be, when the time is ready, all will fall into place.  So this year, no stress about the what's and when's, more of the enjoying today...celebrating the moment, and being ready for the opportunities that present themselves.  

Happy New Year to you all!