Here & Now ~ April

the girls...

morning light on the Yarra

Melbourne sunrise

olive picker

Loving // the chance I had to go to Melbourne for some professional development recently. Not only was the conference inspiring and refreshing, but I love Melbourne and even the small amount of time I had around the two day conference was enough to explore, eat and generally take in the city vibe.

Eating // far, far too many Easter eggs. Somehow I won first prize in the raffle at preschool, where I work. My children were delighted...of course but there were daggers from some of my little preschool friends as their teacher made away with the booty.

Drinking // Lamington tea from T2. It's amazing, no wonder it's a best seller!

Feeling // that Autumn is finally here. I have had to find a jumper and some socks after months of relentless heat and it's wonderful. I love the more laid back summer lifestyle but not the temperatures that go with it. Our Olive tree agrees as it drops its Autumn bounty all over the backyard.

Making // Bed rolls. My daughter and I are off to our first State Camp with Girl Guides next week. There is some very cool stuff organised for us to do, a lot of which we have not had the chance to do before so it will be a grand adventure. FIngers crossed for blue skies and starry tent sleeping nights!

Thinking // about our chickens. I am turning into a crazy chicken lady who goes and talks to her brood, feeding them strawberry tops because they are their favourite! We are stalking the girls as they are at the egg laying age now and we can't wait for our own fresh offerings...we are thinking that the Easter Bunny might beat Stella, Tepinyaki and Peepachu in the Great Egg Race though...

Dreaming // always dreaming of maps, tickets, passports, adventures...

Happy April

Kate xx


Linking with Sarah for Here & Now 

Calendar Capers

Everyone seems busy. We are no exception and I have not been around in 'blog land' for a while now. My calendar has been fluttering with the comings and goings and my camera shutter has too...


we had rain...



and chased some storms




Master B took part in an Asia Day at school




Miss B made her first communion

 

We met the Indian Pacific Christmas train very early one morning to sing with Adam Thompson again




here comes the train




hello Adam!




Santa was there too!




there was a Christmas night for families where I work

 

we took part in the Broken Hill Christmas Pageant with the Girl Guides

and the Scouts

My daughter and I donned our Girl Guide shirts for the last time
this year and helped to sell candles at Carols by Candlelight



and we have ALL enjoyed catching up with friends

Once I threw in report writing, presentation nights, Christmas parties, morning teas, Primary school graduations, family birthdays and just plain old everyday life, it has certainly been a full couple of months.

Merry Christmas to you all and may your calendars be filled with friends, family, fun and photo opportunities into 2016

Kate xx

Linking with Wordless Wednesday over at My Little Drummer Boys

and One Mother Hen at Open Slather

 

Australia Day

It was in our golden soil that the wheat was grown to make the flour used to create these beautiful lamingtons...I hasten to add that I did not make these but I will certainly enjoy them all the same!

Lamingtons are an absolute must on Australia Day, no matter what I am doing!

This morning Master and Miss B donned their respective Guide and Cub uniforms and took part in the city's flag raising ceremony. Both of them actually got to help raise the flags while the National Anthem played and felt quite special! They were then involved in a guard of honour for the award recipients for 2013.

 

I hope you have a great day too, whether it involves work, a BBQ, pavlova and honey crackles, the beach or just a day at home with the family.

Happy Australia Day.

Kate x

Jingle All the Way

Phew...in the last three weeks we have had a school Christmas concert, the 2012 Broken Hill Christmas pageant, carol singing on the railway station platform when the Indian Pacific Outback Christmas Train arrived with Brian McFadden and a ballet concert.

a little sheep performing at the school Christmas concert (43 degrees Celsius that day! No weather to be a sheep really!)

 

The Sea Scouts had a bush Christmas display while the Girl Guides escorted Santa as elves in the Broken Hill 2012 Christmas Pageant

Master B's year level was invited to sing Christmas carols with Brian McFadden when he rolled into town on the Indian Pacific Outback Christmas Train (pics taken by E. Roberts for the Barrier Daily Truth 7-12-12)



Miss B's ballet concert

I know! Crazy, and there are still two more weeks of school including party days, carol singing at the shopping centre and a school presentation night.

This is not a regime for the weak as anyone in Australia who is involved in clubs, schools or their community would know. I know we can't do much about the weather being so unfriendly when there is so much to do, but I do believe that the Northern Hemisphere may be onto something in that they can celebrate Christmas without trying to contend with all the end of school year celebrations as well.

Meanwhile, I will continue to enjoy all that comes with December in Australia...

How do you bring in the end of the year?
Is your calender in danger of falling off the wall from excessive use like mine? 
Roll on holidays!

Kate x