Here & Now ~ February 2018

January and February are a time for taking stock, relaxing, spending time with family, birthday celebrations, change and adjustment, new challenges and just hanging by the pool.


Loving//  having time with my brother, sister-in-law and nieces and nephew over summer. We have been able to just hang out and enjoy being in each others space.

Eating // sun dried tomatoes. It has been so hot we have been making use of those rays and a sheet of  corrugated iron in the back yard. Delicious!

Drinking//  a cheeky Bird In Hand Pinot Rose or two. It's my favourite drop :)

Feeling//  the winds of change again. My youngest has started high school this week so, as with the nature of life, we are dealing with some adjustments, enjoying new things and wishing for the comfort of the old at the same time.

Making//  birthday cakes and celebration dinners. There are a few family birthdays at this time of the year and every milestone should be celebrated!

Thinking//  about how much we need rain where I live. It is so dry and the land around is starting to    look desolate and dusty.

Dreaming// of autumn sunshine. It has been very hot and, while I love the slower rhythm of summer, I do not love the days where the temperatures soar to over forty degrees celsius. 

start the year as you mean to go on!

So here's to a great year. It is certainly off to a good start and I am so pleased to be joining in with 'Here and Now' again with Sarah at Say! Little Hen

I hope you have taken any New Year changes in your stride and that there is cake in your life at the moment too.

Kate xx

Here & Now ~ July

Loving // School holidays! I was ready for a break and have enjoyed taking each day at a slower pace. I have taken my time over tea and toast at breakfast, enjoyed catch-ups with friends and family, read books, been crafty, watched the whole 327 minutes of the BBC Pride and Prejudice and eaten cake!

Eating // July heralded an invitation to the annual Fire and Flour Day with Jane @ The Shady Baker and Terry. This year we were treated to the chance to get our hands floury again and a long lunch including pastissi, sourdough pita and hand cut pasta made by us, along with goat chops, a cheese platter, homemade dips, olives and sweet treats. Such a wonderful day of eating along with catch ups, new friends and a sharing of ideas and enjoyment of great food.
I am also eating my own backyard eggs! The girls have finally worked it out ;)

Drinking // out of my KeepCup. Did you watch War on Waste on ABC TV if you are in Australia? I have not been able to have a take away coffee since as the guilt about the amount of waste we create from coffee cups alone has been too much to bear. Don't even get me started on cheap clothing and food waste...

Feeling // like I have neglected this space but, I find that it is still here, and it does not judge me for my absence! Nor is it jealous of Instagram, where I spend most of any time I have to devote to such things.

Making // my family wait for me more than I normally do! I have a new camera and have been enjoying playing with it and finding out what it can do. The theory is the same but the feel and the photos are quite different.

Thinking // about my upcoming birthday. It is a 'significant' one but I find that the overwhelming feeling is of gratitude and anticipation of what could still be to come rather than despair at the amount of candles. I remember my parents turning 40 and they seemed much older than I feel now. I am guessing that they had those very same feelings, as did their parents before them! I told my children that age is not important, unless you are a cheese or maybe wine. My son pointed out that if I was milk I would be more concerned!!!

Dreaming // of the adventures to come with my husband. He has completed his pilot license and has become the owner of a most beautiful plane with buckets of vintage style.

How are you passing your time this winter? Are you sitting by the fire with a good book? Spending time with friends or family? Planning a holiday...

Happy July

Kate xx


Linking up with Say! Little Hen for Here & Now

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 

Here & Now ~ January 2017

Well hello 2017. I wonder what you will bring? Is it a year to embrace balance and take time? Is it a year for big adventures? Is it a year that will scamper along? Maybe all of the above...

Loving // The lazy days, filled with good books, a movie or two and time to pursue hobbies at leisure.
Eating // Italian cuisine. I have been inspired by Silvia's Italian Table. I have been watching on ABC                     iView and doing a spot of cooking myself!
Drinking // Gin and tonic!
Feeling // A bit hot under the collar...it's summer in the outback and the rhythm of our day follows                       accordingly
Making // A photo book of the family photos from 2016. I hate them languishing on my laptop! I                            use Snapfish
Thinking // About belonging, what it means to me and how you can create it
Dreaming // Of kayaking in New Zealand, eating gelato in Italy, taking a train through Switzerland...

What are you dreaming of for 2017? Do you feel a belonging somewhere?

Kate xx



Joining Say! Little Hen with Here & Now

Here & Now ~ September

It has been a while but I am still here...
This is a very small snippet of what has been going on.

Loving // The change of season and the abundant wildflowers this year. It has been much wetter than it has been for a long time and the paddocks are alive with colour. It takes me back to my childhood and memories of collecting paper daisies or going out on our property to look for Sturt Desert Peas with my Grandpa

Eating // Testing out the Broken Hill School of the Air cookbook, Boots Off Apron On and making jam drops. They make me think of shearing. I think they were one of the Smoko Box staples!

Drinking // Beautiful English Rose tea given to me by a friend for my birthday. 

Feeling // mixed emotions about changes and saying goodbyes. I keep hearing that quote in my head from The Sound of Music ' When the Lord closes a door, somewhere he opens a window.'  Other days I just hear Elton John singing 'The Circle of Life'. Ah well, if nothing else I am entertained.

Making // Time to just be. Tricky, but essential

Thinking // About seas of white paper daisies, clumps of yellow billy buttons and splashes of red desert peas...

Dreaming // Of days spent adventuring, exploring, getting lost, being an intrepid travellers
 with my beloved...these days are coming! Soon...

Enjoy the spring flowers (or the autumn colours), wherever you may be.

Kate xx


Linking with Sarah from 'Say! Little Hen' for Here and Now

Here & Now ~July

here comes the sun

koinobori, a study of wind and Japanese culture

evening winter light

Loving //time to relax, time to enjoy the company of my children and time to catch up

Eating //gingernut biscuits from this recipe book

Drinking //beautiful freshly squeezed orange juice 

Wearing //a blanket on my knee

Making //crochet shopping bags from Knit-O-Matic. They can be whipped up quickly and are a truly satisfying project

Thinking //about all things Japanese...while dusting off my passport!

Dreaming //of beautiful outdoor spaces and winter light

Thank you Sarah for your invitation to join in the 'Here & Now' link! 

What is happening in your Here & Now?

Kate xx

Here & Now ~ June

cousins

lunch in the tree

Loving //The last of the autumn colours and the winter sunshine

Eating //out in the paddock. It's the best way to have a sausage!

Drinking // vanilla lattes...why did no-one tell me?!

Feeling //a little overwhelmed but there are school holidays on the horizon. This may be a chance to breathe and reset. 

Making //lots of making. I have the crochet bug again and have completed a granny stripe blanket and a cushion cover. Every time I finish something I still surprise myself at my ability to read and complete a pattern

Thinking //about my garden. There are some unloved corners but I know from experience that gardening gets pushed down my priority list if I'm pressed. I am trying to come up with solutions to make my garden a place I want to be while not making it something I can't manage!

Dreaming //of a pair of winter boots from Frankie4 Footwear I have been coverting for a while now. There is a sale on today....

Kate xx

Linking with Say! Little Hen for Here & Now

Here & Now ~ May

Loving //  The crisp morning and evening air. It won't be long and we'll be lighting the fire!

Eating //  Roast lamb, lovingly grown by my brothers, cooked in our backyard wood oven by my husband, shared with my Mum.

Drinking //  Lots of coffee.

Feeling // Extremely grateful to have my very new laptop back from the manufacturer. It kept shutting down for no reason, to the point where I could not get the screen to turn on at all. After a few frustrating phone calls it has been restored to me with no programs or files missing and a new LCD. Phew! You can't imagine how frustrating it is to ask about things on there to be told to back them up before sending it off....ummm...I. CAN'T. TURN. IT. ON!!!

Making // A fresh start with the little gardening plot at preschool...I have some avid snow pea watchers

Thinking // About pretty autumn light and soft colours and how to capture them.

Dreaming //  Of curling up by the fire with a clean house, no commitments and a good book.

Another month goes by. Enjoy the little things :) 

Kate xx

Linking with Sarah @ Say! Little Hen