Kate Writes: school holidays

Monday, 10 April 2017

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 ~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

a long way from here to there

Milparinka

paintings decorating the bar of the Tibooburra Hotel

our camp

how's the serenity?!

the border fence

my first visit to Queensland...

We went exploring during the school holidays. We packed our tent, our swags and headed north. Tibooburra was our destination as this is essentially in our backyard and we have never been! Three and a half hours, some dirt road, a stop at Milparinka and many property names I recognised from my School of the Air days and we were there.

Wow! Tibooburra and its surroundings embody the essence of 'The Outback'. It's vast, it feels like a long way to anywhere, the colours and the spaces are BIG and it's a little bit quirky!

Once again I am reminded that, while we travel a long way to enjoy some city pursuits, our spot has something special too.

Have you had any adventures lately? What do you like about where you live?

Kate xx

Here & Now ~ April

Loving // The autumn weather that comes with April and school holidays. Crisp mornings and sunny days make it weather for getting out and about. I love that we only have to drive for five or ten minutes in any direction and we are out in the bush where we can sit in the shade of a gumtree and enjoy all nature has to offer in this part of the world

Eating // Sausages in bread in the sandy creek bed

Drinking // I am using my vintage tea cups and pretty coffee mugs. Leaving them in the cupboard is a crime!

Feeling // Relaxed. It's school holidays...time for leisurely adventures, lazy mornings, reading, baking and catching up

Making // I am in the mood for making after a long break from any crafty pursuits...but where to start?!

Thinking // There are some empty spots in my garden. With the break in the unrelenting heat of summer I am thinking about planting herbs and maybe some winter vegetables. This pursuit could be a challenge with tough water restrictions in place

Dreaming // Of our next family adventure. I am not sure where it will be but I have very itchy feet and the need for something to look forward to

What has been happening in your here & now?

I am linking with Sarah's Here & Now at Say! Little Hen. Go and see what she has been up to if you have a moment

Kate xx

time...

As the summer holidays slip away, I feel anticipation for the challenges every new school year brings, at home and at work. This is tinged with a little sadness for the time I have had to enjoy reading, photography, spending time with my family and not worrying about what's for lunch at breakfast time!

keeping cool

water babe

double figures, do you remember turning 10?

capturing some vintage love in the every day...these are going in the cupboard to use!

a unique potting solution

Bring on the newness, the excitement and change that comes with a new year and may there still be a little time for a sneaky read, lazy coffee and the chance to stalk the next shot with my camera.

Kate xx