frosty sparkles

Tippy toe-ing to the window and peering out to this...a pink sky and sparkling frost.  So, so beautiful and the loveliest way to start the day.  Padding downstairs to the warmth of the farm kitchen and slowly making a warm cup of tea...

Escaping the everyday...my heart is full.

Bliss.

double happy

'Double Happy' by Susan Simonini at the ever wonderful Paper Boat Press gallery was a world of pure joy...of magic and whimsy...a beauty that filled my heart in a most unexpected way.  There is something truly special about Susan's work - it is both rustic and organic; colourful and decorative.

With her move to Tasmania, I've no doubt that Susan's work will acquire another layer of extraordinary as she immerses herself in the magic of her new surroundings.  I can only imagine what's to come!

beauty and hope

some days are crystal clear,

some are a little cloudy...

there are ebbs and flows in life

if you look hard enough,

 there are glimpses of beauty and hope...

each and every one of us has a story x

finding gratitude

And so here we are...February already and the end of it to boot.

The year that was...the trials and challenges and the heartache.  Finding good things to focus on and surrounding myself with gorgeous souls has helped immensely in finding a balanced wellbeing.

Planning wonderfully exciting escapes to long ago cultures with a beautiful spirit and long held traditions has been such fun and the most lovely of distractions.  Remembering past holidays and thinking of sharing their stories in this space...even if it was so long ago.

Reminding myself that there is much to be grateful for and even more good things to unfold...that finding peace and balance and calm amongst the crazy is the best tonic to move forward on this journey with grace and determination.

so very grateful for an afternoon spent with this amazingly beautiful and inspiring friend.

and equally grateful that this little lady is on the mend.

bloom love

Oh Spring...you really are so very lovely! 

Aren't these teeny tiny blossoms just exquisite?  Beautiful crab apple blossom and the divinely delicate may bush...I love them so!  Mother Nature, you do September so sublimely well.

anything is possible

trust the wait

embrace the uncertainty 

enjoy the beauty of becoming

when nothing is certain

anything is possible

x

lucky clover

My grandmother had the most amazing ability to find four leaf clovers...I've found them pressed between pages of letters between her and my grandfather during the war; in pages of novels; on postcards and amongst her jewellery.  For the last three days I've found a four leaf clover and then another again today.

I know my grandmother is with me on this little journey of mine...it warms my heart and gives me great comfort x

paddock bakery

Oh my!  The sweetest cafe you ever did see. 

So much wonderful about this little weatherboard cottage in Burleigh - it oozes warmth and charm.  The food scrumptious...healthy deliciousness and decadent morsels of pure bliss for the tastebuds!

I am so completely smitten and cannot wait to sit amongst the trees once again...or perhaps being winter, in the cosy window seat table inside, watching the flames flicker in the antique wood fired oven.

winter hues

With remnants of autumn clinging on to the branches in the richest of hues and tones, we wandered amongst the lovely that is Tamborine Mountain Botanical Gardens.  Mostly, the flowers were passed their best, the roses weary.  Even the camellias seemed to be tired of flaunting their beauty.  Maybe it was just the overcast day...maybe we just struggled to find our photographic inspiration.  Perhaps we just weren't opening our eyes and minds fully to the beauty that is the beginning of winter in these parts.

Looking up the colours were amazing...so rich and warm.  Quite happy to pose amongst the leaves was the sweetest, most photogenic kookaburra I have come across.  He tilted his head from side to side, almost saying 'this side, or this one...I'm rather fond of both myself'.  I dare say he has had a few photos taken in his lifetime!

Looking down there were the prettiest pinks and bright pops of blue.  Even with our lack lustre photographic spark, we still managed to dust off the cameras and find moments of beauty.

I love the idea of cool, crisp days and cosy nights in (preferably with rain creating a beautiful rhythm on the tin roof).  I do love winter and her veiled charm.

still, life

'An exhibition of vessels for flowers and foliage

created by a wonderful and diverse group

 of Australian ceramic artists'

I think this may be my favourite exhibition yet Kylie - your little space brings me peace and fills my heart...always.  My visit yesterday into your little world, along with your warm hug, gave me more than you'll every know - thank you my friend.

This beautiful exhibition is on until 14 May at Paper Boat Press - it's pure magic.

this day...

one year ago already xox

blessed beginnings

waking to quiet bird song amongst the mist

stopping time to recall the fairytale that was

just hours before

the laughter and love

...and so happy ever after begins

joyeux noel

the first as husband and wife...

carefully chosen surprises

new traditions begun

and old ones shared

fun and laughter

family and love.

the merriest of merry

xox

signs of summer...

can it be, already?

I'm all over the place...my head is filled with so many wonderful ideas for my blossoming project, so dear to my heart.  I'm so excited, I don't really know where to start and that's not a good thing!

I need a list.  To tick things off one by one...to feel like I'm making progress!  My desk is a mess...one project must be finished before I really get down to business.

So in this little space, I'm a little hap-hazard as well.  I think I'm just going to embrace this and share little things that have happened along the way, in this wonderful year that is rapidly coming to a close.  I've yet to share our wedding (oh my, there are no words for this day...just moments captured so beautifully), our road-tripping in Tasmania (it was cold and funny and oh so spectacular) and the days with amazingly creative souls who have opened my mind and heart and encouraged me no end...I'm truly grateful for all of these opportunities.

My head is a little full but my heart really is overflowing.

seasons

I find myself torn between my favourite seasons...I adore autumn for the warm hues of the changing leaves, of the cosy evenings indoors and the walks in the brisk air and yet still feeling the sun kiss my cheeks.  And then there is spring...so much colour and freshness, crisp bright leaves and blossoms of every colour, the optimism of new growth and even sunnier days.

When there is opportunity for the two to collide, my heart sings!  Last year, my surprise was at the beginning of autumn in the northern hemisphere - the tiniest hint really, but gosh it was pretty!  Returning home meant that spring had bloomed in all her glory.  I couldn't have been happier!

Of course, in my part of the world, our seasons are less distinctive and finding hints of each one is a treat to savour.

These little moments were captured across a couple of days wandering the countryside near Harpenden with my dear friend Jane.  There were long evenings and sweet little places to retreat to for scrumptious food.  Treasures times with the dearest of friends...loads of laughter and reminiscing. Was it really a year ago?

these months...

have been filled with magic and wonder...

this day...there really are no words.

sending long overdue thank you notes

and creating one final keepsake

for those most special to us.

kindness

This morning I went down to Byron to go to the beach side markets...it was raining and windy and cold.  I wandered through the lovely stalls briefly, jumping the puddles and battling the other umbrellas, and then found myself the last remaining spot in amongst the many cafes for coffee and breakfast.

I ended up next to a lovely young family who were holidaying from Sydney...despite the weather, they were laughing and happy and embracing the slower pace.  Their smiles and holiday happiness was contagious.  When he went to pay for their treats, the gentleman told his wife that he'd asked the lady behind the counter to 'pay it forward', leaving money to pay for someone elses coffee.  It caused complication with the billing process (sometimes I believe we are just a little too reliant on technology and the limitations it has) but they assured him they would make it happen.  I remarked that hearing this had made my day and got me thinking about this random act of kindness.  I too, will pay it forward with a random act of kindness in the days ahead and again in the months ahead...what  a wonderful way to bring a smile to strangers and to warm one's own heart.

When I went up to pay, there by the register was a hand written note with enough coins for a tea or coffee.  The note read...

'pay it forward'

{byron fresh...such a lovely spot}

little beginnings...

 are starting to blossom.

There have been new beginnings all round these last few months.  Least of all, this little glimpse into something so wonderful, so perfectly right that I'm just bursting to share.  I'm secretly hoping you'll be smitten it too!

There has been travels and exploring; learning new things and finding my creative rhythm.  It's been quite the journey of discovery with moments of pure happiness.  Treasured moments...a clarity I've not felt in such a long time.

I have so very much to share...

prettiest of pretty

Treasures from my beautiful and generous friend x

(look at that bow...more on that soon!)

farm days...

One of my favourite places to be is my dear friend's farm.  Being that we live at opposite ends of the earth, spending time in this place is extra special.  This time it was a little different...I had semi planned this trip, although didn't commit to it until ten days before leaving home (the benefits of my every day world) for various reasons.  She on the other hand, had no idea I was coming!  This meant we just did 'farm things' (although we did squeeze in a few delicious meals out and about!)...we did the 'everyday' on the farm and I loved every minute of it.

We picked wild blackberries and took to the orchid for apples to make apple and blackberry crumble for sunday dinner.  We watched as a new calf, born during the night, was tendered to by its mother.  We played in the farm sheds with the dogs and wandered taking in the last of summer.

It was bliss and I hope my next visit isn't too far away because four and half days there just wasn't long enough!