Winter so far

{Instagram photos, @thedaydreaminggirl}

 

Winter so far

has been mild and lovely,

with blue skies,

day trips out to the beach or the fields.

It's been so sunny the blossoms have started,

very early yes, but I am not complaining.

I am keeping my fingers crossed

that the next 2 months of Winter

are just as mild and lovely.

2013 - in Instagram

I had hoped to post this yesterday,

but the day got away on me. 

These photos are from Instagram,

and I made myself choose 

one from each month of 2013.

It was hard to pick just one,

but each of these sums up how I felt about that month.

It's funny looking back on a year in pictures,

things that felt so long ago weren't actually,

and vice versa.

I am so grateful to Instagram, 

and the ability we have with modern technology 

to capture our moments.

2013, you were fun.

The highlight (in adventure terms)

would have to be our trip to Melbourne,

to visit family, and see Of Monsters and Men play.

I wonder what adventures 2014 will bring?

Christmas Eve

It's Christmas Eve, and the excitement levels are

oh so high!

Annabel and Otis are trying their hardest to go to sleep,

treats have been left out for Santa, and his reindeer.

There are presents underneath the fire place 

for Santa, Miss Clause, the elves and the reindeers ~

made, wrapped and then decorated by 2 children

who have been busy for weeks.

I love this time of year.

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas

and festive season,

from my family to yours,

however you celebrate,

where ever in the world you are.

xxx

I love where I live

On our way home from the city, 

in the late dusk of the day, 

we stopped at the top of the hill. 

And took a moment to look at this view. 

The colours breathtaking. 

The sky endless. 

The moon and first star out. 

And down in that valley, is where we live. 

The drive can be a real mission to get to all the city has to offer, 

and to visit all of my best friends and their families, 

but when we see views like this,

the drive is magical. 

 I really do love where I live.

{I posted this on instagram on Saturday,

but wanted to have it here as part of my 'blog journey'}

Autumn

 {all photos instagram}

I am a little late with this post,

a 5 week flu and then stomach bugs 

have slowed us all down over the past few months.

I wanted to capture autumn in this space though,

as we really did have the most amazing season.

So hot, with a dash of snow.

Bright blue skies,

such lovely lingering summer sun,

vibrant orange, red, yellow trees.

There were days we enjoyed ice blocks on the back deck after school

with the kids asking if we could go swimming at the outdoor pool.

Scooter rides, bike rides, our trip to the coast.

All of summer lingering, lingering.

Then we had a cold snap, 

with snow of the hills all around us.  

The first fire of the season lit in the woodburner,

to remind us that summer cannot last forever.

The strongest leaves are still clinging to the trees,

So there is a hint of autumn lining the streets,

as Winter slowly eases in.

 

Thank you Autumn, for such amazing beauty.

My studio space

We've had a shift around in the house,

and this is my new workroom.

It is the smallest, yet lightest,

room in the house.

I love being in here.

My own little haven.

Photos taken with instagram

The hot air balloons!

After much anticipation, Today arrived.

The first day of the hot air balloon festival.

My favourite day of the year - 

the mass ascension one block from our house.

The stars aligned, and it was nothing short of magical.

Perfect still blue skies, not a cloud to be seen.

The sun rose as the balloons did....

they seemed to linger above us for the longest time,

before gently floating over the town.

It was out of this world.  

Amazing.

I am still grinning.

I cannot wait to spend time editing the photos I took, 

but of course I had to play with some taken on my phone!

 

The weather looks set to shine beautifully over the next 3 days,

so we will be soaking up as much of the balloons as we can.

It really was, a brilliant day for a balloon ride.

Swoon

Yesterday we went on an adventure,

to a surf beach south of the city.

Expecting to see surfers.

It was a little disappointing to see the water wave-less and surfer-less.

Until Annabel danced in her tutu for me at the waters edge.

And they both stood and watched for waves.

 Swoon.

The End.

Oh summer,

why, why, why?

The Blues

There is something so magical about the beach.

It really does soothe my soul.

I first created a 'you soothe my soul' photo years ago,

So it felt good to add the words to a new photo,

(thanks iPhone and instagram!)

as at the moment I am loving the blues.

Pale blues of hot summer hazy evenings,

and the bright blues of the morning and early afternoon sky.

Blues. 

 I'm all about blues right now.

1/52 {north/south divide} - a new project

{Laura Evans + Susannah Tucker}

This year, the talented Laura Evans and I are collaborating on a new project.

An iPhone nature diptych project.

Laura lives in the northern hemisphere, while I am in the southern.

Our self imposed rules - 

must be iPhone, taken outside, and shared on instagram.

I can't wait to see just how much contrast and similarity there is,

as the seasons change in each hemisphere.

You can find more of Laura's gorgeous work here - 

blog - www.oohprettyshinyphotography.blogspot.com

etsy - http://www.etsy.com/shop/oohprettyshiny
facebook - http://www.facebook.com/love.laugh.believe.photography

instagram - @oohprettyshiny

Instagram, it's love

Oh my goodness,

how much do I love instagram!

I knew I would love it,

I didn't realise just how much!

Since my name was already taken 

(I find that so amusing, there are more Susannah Tucker's out there!)

I have the profile name @thedaydreaminggirl

See you there!

The anticipation

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!