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.

miss molly

"Good Morning Miss Molly.  Did you have nice dreams girl?"

Our days would always start like this.

"Molly, what a lovely surprise." As she ran up the hall on hearing Peter come home from work, he'd open the door with these words.

And Dad's sofa...the best, especially good to snuggle in with Dad after a left over dinner snippet or a lick of the ice-cream stick.

Missing your wagging tail; the click, click, click of your paws on the floorboards; those beautiful big brown eyes and always inquisitive nose.

we love you to the moon and back...sweet dreams beautiful girl

xo

{25 February 2004 - 27 June 2107}

The days have gone so fast, they've become months.  Our gorgeous girl put up such a brave fight with  the cancer that ravaged her body.  Not a day goes by without thinking of her, talking to her.  So grateful to the vets who nursed her and ultimately gave her another eight months of good health - so blessed to wander and explore with her, play ball and indulge her in marathon belly rubs!

These photos were taken in 2014 by the super lovely and talented Ashley Oostdyck. 

Moments we will treasure for ever...'we three' embarking on a new chapter.

seasons end

autumn evening in paradise...

this day...

one year ago already xox

introducing...

Today, 01 March, is my gorgeous Grandmother's birthday - she would have been 111.

Grandma had an extraordinary love for flora (and fauna too!), her garden was always filled with the prettiest blooms and the most delicious herbs and vegetables.  I think my love for gardening and flowers comes from her, through my darling Dad.

Not so long ago I took up photography to capture these beauties and admire them for more than just a few days.

And doodle, I've always doodled and grew up learning to write with a fountain pen and ink.  I am fascinated by typography and lettering in all it's many beautiful forms.

A couple of years ago, on a whim and with the notion of picking up long ago pens, I made my way to Byron Bay and spent a morning of wonder with the very delightful and super lovely Sabine Pick.  My desire to write again was awakened - Sabine is so kind and really such a treasure - her style and lettering just mesmerising.

And then last year, I was privileged to attend two workshops at Megan Morton's "The School".  The first, a day with Maybelle Imasa - oh my, what a beautiful, gentle soul with such talent - her penmanship is just breathtaking.  As a wedding present from my husband, this day will always hold such magic which I endeavour to take into my everyday.

The second day was a morning with Ashley Woodson Bailey as she shared her love of floral photography (or florography).  Again an amazing and inspiriting soul.  I came home with a full heart and a head brimming with creativity.

Almost 20 years ago I registered my business name - Inkala Images.  Finally, my ideas are clear and it is becoming a reality.  And so my friends, here is the beginnings of a wonderful journey - I'm excited, inspired, daunted and so very determined.  I'm ever mindful of Maybelle's "perfectly imperfect" as I navigate my way and I'm hoping you join me on this adventure...

And Grandma, Happy Birthday!  It only seemed right I shared this on your special day xox

Welcome to www.inkalaimages.com

{coming soon a little about my creative weekend with Maybelle and Ashley all those months ago}

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

love & cherish

As this year draws to a close, I'm recalling all that was 

this beautiful hideaway and time in particular.

I'm still left without words to describe the magic and wonder of this day..

our day, 

21 March 2015

My heart overflows with all that was, 

the memories we recall almost daily
(like dancing in the rain)

 The love that we shared with those who mean so much

 and who travelled so far to be with us.

This day, cherished for ever more.

xox

all images by the very beautiful ash oostdyck 

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

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.

these days...

have been filled with wonder and magic...

my heart is full

x

christmas snippets...

twinkles and sparkles,

little treasures,

a first christmas,
special treats...

x

something special

I knew this would be something so special it would be incredibly difficult

I knew that I'd want them to be just so

They are for my love and I after all

Save the Dates...horribly overdue but just right...I think!

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!