tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56787838076485075182024-03-21T18:17:09.894-07:00Simple, Soup, & SoulRomancing the ordinary
as a mother of threeHannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01880809333077218301noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678783807648507518.post-60911428691237217272016-05-16T14:41:00.003-07:002016-05-16T16:48:12.644-07:00P@## #ff Perfect! <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nature...ever itself, without explanation or apology.. imperfectly perfect.</td></tr>
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After an extended period of creative drought and being buried in busy I am back... and swearing! For anyone who knows me this is a giant and significant departure from the mask of the perpetual good girl, the endless pursuit of perfect. Quite frankly, the pursuit of perfect has let me down and I am p@##d by how much time I have wasted chasing this meaningless goal. See, the thing about perfect is it is a floating target. I knew this. I have known this all along. Something else I know is this pursuit of perfect is actually the expression of a deep fear we glorious women hold that we are not loved or lovable. As we are. Exploring that painful fact, is .. well, painful, but necessary. I have been there, often. I have come to realize when my need for perfect raises its ugly head what I actually need in that moment is to love myself and feel loved. A fastidiously tidy home is cold comfort on a lonely day. And I have learnt lonely days come around more often if we are always beating ourselves up and failing to do things that are more deeply meaningful than anything in the realm of the perfect pursuit.<br />
Plus, perfect, the disease is contagious. It hurts those around us because we start to badger and bind them with our expectations of perfect. By not giving ourselves permission to be imperfect, we deny others this right. We fool ourselves with empty promises... that if only we were thinner, more beautiful, more successful/accomplished we would be happy. This disease spreads to our family and friends, if only my husband.. my children... and before we know it it eats us up, steals the air out of the room, constricts our soul and robs us of our power to love, be loved, be ourselves and let others breathe in being themselves. Our glorious, albiet flawed selves that make us human. Also, it prevents us from being grateful for what we have right now. It makes us envy and want, and compare and diminish. Case in point a recent morning ago, I found myself registering for our local 10K/1/2 marathon/marathon event feeling like a poor excuse for an athlete, virtually apologetic because I am entering the shortest of those distances..too bad it is my first foray into competitive running in over 10 years (threshold enough at this stage) I wonder why I am apologising rather than celebrating... I realise, again I am banging my head against expectations of perfect.. comparing myself and coming up short...<br />
This disease is making me unhappy, Is keeping me stuck in fear and feelings of inadequacy. Is quashing my creative talents and preventing me from owning my life and myself and taking steps to do what I deeply want to do rather than what I feel I should...<br />
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You know what takes real courage in this day and age? Letting go and living with the mess of real life. For me, and I am guessing many of us, that is a hell of a lot harder than subscribing to perfect. Perfect is not working is it girls? Let's be real and remember our worth is in us, not based on the state/size/cost of our home, achievements of ourselves or our children, the size or shape of our bodies or the amount of busy badges we wear. We are imperfectly perfect, everyone of us.<br />
So ladies, let's lead a push back against perfect. Perfect can take a walk out of my life, thank you very much. Yep, Maria Kondo aka KonMari of the annoying art of tidying up and how happy and enlightened that is supposed to make us feel(no pressure) can just take her pint sized vertical stacked bundles and walk out of the room (or less polite terms for get out of my life!). P@#$ off perfect, Lets see where that leads us...<br />
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<br />Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01880809333077218301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678783807648507518.post-26671417888641018932013-12-17T00:31:00.000-08:002013-12-17T00:35:01.974-08:00creative space.... <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my newly claimed creative space, between washing machine and bikes, a place of my own devising</td></tr>
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I had such lofty dreams for this space, this blog! It would be a forum for sharing, for self-expression, a space to elevate the ordinary....how ambitious and confident my proclamations. The reality is I dived somewhat impulsively into full-time study at the end of last year and the time/space/energy for creativity shrunk and all but disappeared. As much as I have loved the challenge of study, the juggle has been immense and I have struggled with overwhelm and yearned for open time of my own. I had to relinquish aspects of my dream life, the domestic idle, I baked less bread, and passed on our beloved chickens, symbol of the good life, to a friend. And now that studies are out of the way for awhile, I find the space I once filled a little more empty, for those things that we don't give energy diminish with time.... my friendships are less and smaller than last year, my garden untamed and wild, and my domestic round needing an injection of soul. I yearn for the return of my happy hens, the picture of contentment, scratching companionship as I gardened... and for rekindling my art and writing... SO as a Christmas present to self I have triumphantly laid claim to a creative space in our garage (previously given over entirely to my husbands love of all things bikes) and installed a rustic old kauri desk (a karmic chance find I swear) which Alexander lovingly sanded for me. I am not going to make any lofty promises to self, but I know I have made a big step already... to have a space to go to, to paint/draw/write and not have to always put away... a place to return to again and again when I find a moment... a space to invite my children and share in creativity together... Now all I need is the smell of baking bread, a good friend for coffee, and the return of our contented hens... <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">if not a room of ones own, at least a space... a space to create, to be pour ones deepest self, to find solace, to dream, to remember and forget, to heal, to be inwardly quiet, to find flow </td></tr>
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Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01880809333077218301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678783807648507518.post-48300914738297176822012-11-22T17:17:00.000-08:002012-11-22T17:17:59.938-08:00moments...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">together</td></tr>
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So many moments have slipped by. Tea cup in hand I have finally stolen some time to record some of them. As the buzz of Christmas descends things get even busier from here I needs/must commit to a more regular visit here. Ethan turned three in the distant past and has started at kindergarten, and Alexander turned eight.<br />
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I have attempted to honour my commitment to time for me but still struggle with the press of things to do, the daily round, and others needs for my time and energy .Having said that, I have taken up my paint brushes and pen... I have painted a tree which I will attach leaves to soon with the dream of setting up a little business in wall art... and I have written some sketches, some of which went to print. On my friends nudging, I have assisted with some of the latest Redcurrent product shots; some styling, some modeling (of tea cups!) becoming the new "face of Redcurrent" (not!) I can hear my husband humorously declare "Oh Pleeease"! Not my highest calling but .. some frivioulity some <i>fun</i> (remember that?!) A sideline pleasure, has been a glimpse into how the other half live, and the timeless elegance, and un-contrived beauty of the homes where the photo shoots have taken place.Oh imagine to live in such a place, not just pretend! I even got to luxuriate in one of the baths surrounded by scented candles and the opalescent sparkle of tiles (covered in copious amounts of bubbles I must add)! Not a bad day at the office!To see (not the bath shot please, visit <a href="http://redcurrent.co.nz/">redcurrent.co.nz</a><br />
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I feel, with the little space that has opened, the passing of our youngest from babyhood, a pressure I am wrestling with, to have all the answers as to what is next for me... what is my task, my purpose beyond support role? I am trying to breathe into it, to trust all the answers will come with time, and it is still too early yet, I only have little windows, and I am still so needed here, grounded in my role as a mother and homemaker.. and to relish that, not to be on a rush to get to the other side of it, because I DO deeply know these are the best years, and this IS the most important job. I remind myself that "the ultimate goal is to be happy at home" and all the glitter of the world can not hold a candle to love. Love is really all that matters in the end isn't it? That and writing a book, and being a celebrated artist...!<br />
Anyway, verbose as always, here are some moments at ours.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtTHbaPY9iRIUEVW43Vzqsx7dnQcMnmYthemtRs95nUPlkZotMVWXDX7hKk3gcye0u-sXngVvxHQqtDenqJNzaJ4-Ko83xr9vTp3NaH6i4TzEFNRie3JZfnvqS-mZw4hOS7V6Dz_Obl12J/s1600/DSCF2416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtTHbaPY9iRIUEVW43Vzqsx7dnQcMnmYthemtRs95nUPlkZotMVWXDX7hKk3gcye0u-sXngVvxHQqtDenqJNzaJ4-Ko83xr9vTp3NaH6i4TzEFNRie3JZfnvqS-mZw4hOS7V6Dz_Obl12J/s320/DSCF2416.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Xand turned eight! He currently has a love of all things Owl...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bell has developed a passion for embroidery and created this for brother's birthday. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birtthday party friends. Poor Xand was sick with an ear infection on the day of his birthday and beyond so his day was small and simple</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiVbkXtyk2nfPqGFOff49ftdA3HWNrGQBnVw857kmEZxVyBRix5WavWd7wUx0MKljyCBsvjW7fbixuYyy53BJuRJ_qiyHa5twnT2VJaCjMBGp0OYvMEfhEf2Wp8s2TJaU90mxiciyOSUgl/s1600/DSCF2444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiVbkXtyk2nfPqGFOff49ftdA3HWNrGQBnVw857kmEZxVyBRix5WavWd7wUx0MKljyCBsvjW7fbixuYyy53BJuRJ_qiyHa5twnT2VJaCjMBGp0OYvMEfhEf2Wp8s2TJaU90mxiciyOSUgl/s320/DSCF2444.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">birthday table</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdPdOmB-QDeeY2vaZTVYwNBLAsRsDjdQweCJgDG93CELLYznu0hVlEsJW6jocmyQs6WadPfCpUBhJl7_vxWvJOvIqC0IQYMRhdmC4KZns_CrcOrgq7AFjF9eLmZV5lfy9kmW-1pdWv4eo8/s1600/DSCF2154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdPdOmB-QDeeY2vaZTVYwNBLAsRsDjdQweCJgDG93CELLYznu0hVlEsJW6jocmyQs6WadPfCpUBhJl7_vxWvJOvIqC0IQYMRhdmC4KZns_CrcOrgq7AFjF9eLmZV5lfy9kmW-1pdWv4eo8/s320/DSCF2154.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">birthday baking for Ethan's day</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB5KhjCcN4vEnO15AM4N17-3FpoaH8iFXWzOfBg6vLk_bMWceVh1R58_EcnLgFmEXET0SC5SLTiYzpYf9XjXJQy-fs5YlrqYqKGni_xy2hmlsMODYkXH8u0T24Jf-Y3QSdOhMQtq47gbbB/s1600/DSCF2177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB5KhjCcN4vEnO15AM4N17-3FpoaH8iFXWzOfBg6vLk_bMWceVh1R58_EcnLgFmEXET0SC5SLTiYzpYf9XjXJQy-fs5YlrqYqKGni_xy2hmlsMODYkXH8u0T24Jf-Y3QSdOhMQtq47gbbB/s320/DSCF2177.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ethan's turns 3 and his love of trains knows no bounds! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bacon and egg pie for birthday lunch, thank you Florence!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">riding the trains at Keiranga </td></tr>
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Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01880809333077218301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678783807648507518.post-6004372345234616062012-06-17T18:55:00.000-07:002012-06-17T21:55:44.109-07:00time...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have been thinking a lot about time lately. As any mother can attest time is the most precious commodity we have. Maybe it is the recent witness of someone I dearly love running out of time too soon that has arrested my attention. That makes me realise the importance of how one spends time, as once spent it is truly gone. Of how easy it is to waste energy on unimportant upsets, missing the little joys, or the opportunities for growth. Of how the little things, the little moments strung together like pearls, makes up the quality of ones life, IS ones life. Of how our experience of time changes over time. The more layers to our life, the less time we seem to have. <br />
Remember how time Before Children (BC) seemed open and elastic? What a luxury time BC was. If only we had known how precious delving into a book fireside for the better part of a winter afternoon was, wouldn't we have done more of it?. Now time practically contracts, shrinks, all but disappears, and the endless list of things "to do" always seem to supersede the things we'd rather do. And it is those very things that are likely the most transformative, important and essential to growth. I personally am struggling with that at the moment, latent dreams and creative impulses are like a blossom closed,no<i> locked</i> in bud ...and what seems to have taken joys place is frustration and grumpiness and a pervasive lack of confidence and malaise.Part of it is greif, naturally, but put is a result of not spending enough time on the things that bring me deep joy, give creative release, and will ultimately answer my burning questions regarding next steps. I fear I am running out of time. No time to waste! <br />
I find myself despairing that I will never blossom, reach my potential, find my place in the world and I feel stuck and struck with fear that it will be said on my deathbed "well at least she always had a clean and tidy house!". What of my Mia Culpa, my life's great work (besides loving and guiding these ever-challenging children to age)..and keeping a tidy and clean house?!<br />
SO, I have been thinking... enough complaining.... what to do? I am always trying to encourage my children to find/ask for the solution rather than complain about the problem, maybe I need to follow my own advice?! And MAKE, not expect to find, that time for me and my creative pursuits to unfurl? Make it a MUST, not a should which is ever guilt-laden and ultimately unmotivating. Make it as important as my early morning exercise which I commit to as a habit because it makes me a better person? As important as good food on the table and a loving embrace not to mention daily coffee? <br />
SO, I publicaly declare (to whoever is listening, all two of you mmm ever humbled!) I hereby commit to chip away at my dreams for 30 minutes daily. 30 minutes for me. Time to write, paint, or craft. Send out my dreams to the universe and trust providence will move. I am going to give myself that. I trust there is something waiting out in the world for me, and I am going to claim it. 30 minutes at a time.<br />
Watch this space.Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01880809333077218301noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678783807648507518.post-79038805927029473702012-04-29T19:17:00.001-07:002012-04-29T19:17:41.454-07:00cheered by chairs...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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For those that know me, blue is my colour... my default mood setting elevated by a merry spirit. I can't tell you the delight I experienced when I stumbled across these four blue chairs, genuine bentson, in our local second hand store... they were mine before they left the shop. Even better, knowing they were clearly for me I confidently haggled them downwards, selling two of our own loathsome chairs into the bargain, purchasing the four for a reduced rate, and coming out only slightly out of pocket! That softened the blow to husband who returned from work dragging a grey cloud and looked more than miffed when he went to sit down, only to discover his old sturdy chair had been usurped by a dainty blue one! Blow! Nothing like some cash in hand to sweeten the deal though, being a money man, he could even see the sense in it! And for me, well every time I walk into the room I simply feel cheered up by my chairs! Cheered by chairs... now there's a tag line. Whoever said <i>things</i> can't make you happy doesn't know the thrill of a good score! Okay that is way too many explanation marks, do get how excited I am... Love how the blue is brighter than what I would normally be brave enough for, but just sings and pops out at you, bringing the rest to life, coaxing out all the other little blue echoes in the room, in my painting for instance and door stops... love love love. <br />
Furthermore, another special layer is that we had some of these in my old house growing up in original wood and were lost to fire many years ago... so sentimental to boot. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my eclectic mix grows... </td></tr>
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<br />Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01880809333077218301noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678783807648507518.post-65683253633474065852012-04-23T02:13:00.001-07:002012-04-23T02:13:13.233-07:00walnuts for sale!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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One of the most delightful days of the holidays was this, our walnut stall. It married together so many of those whimsical dreams of country life, back-yard productivity, team-work and family industy... albeit in an urban setting...Alexander, as he so often is, was the driver in this whole adventure. For many weeks now he has diligently collected the fallen walnuts (with some more-haphazard assistance from his siblings and I) from our old grand tree which graces our bottom garden, then dried and stored and bagged them. Finally a day of good boding arrived and the stall was set up outside our gate on Easter Monday. Such delight when they had their first sale! Much to our astonishment, and thanks to no shortage of neighbourly generosity and good-will, the little team amassed a small fortune of $31 for their efforts! It was certainly wonderful encouragement for their budding enterprise. They already have plans of planting a feijoa hedge in order to offer a more varied selection next year. Have to love it! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">collecting.. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">storing...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">drying..</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the team get "cracking"</td></tr>
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<br />Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01880809333077218301noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678783807648507518.post-51451707100561235482012-03-20T01:19:00.000-07:002012-03-20T01:19:04.968-07:00chickens!<div style="text-align: right;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiio0hOfJabhvF8sPfTPqKkkW5CblUuT-h3Gjc0DdKw0kDjWEoXNwl9djVKLXnQ4EDV7togBQJOokxRofSf-m4324UGCLxLYUaTTboEC2yhc1kd1zR_6AzT0Fiw6BPUBAhEslcFc30GLa2J/s1600/DSCF1419.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiio0hOfJabhvF8sPfTPqKkkW5CblUuT-h3Gjc0DdKw0kDjWEoXNwl9djVKLXnQ4EDV7togBQJOokxRofSf-m4324UGCLxLYUaTTboEC2yhc1kd1zR_6AzT0Fiw6BPUBAhEslcFc30GLa2J/s320/DSCF1419.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the miracle of that first egg!</td></tr>
</tbody></table> I still seem to be on catch up mode, and much of what I write is old news by now. I am really struggling to find a window for the trimmings at the moment. Ethan, bless him has seemed to have traded in his nap and that window of peace, productivity, quiet, and sometimes creativity has dissappeared. And though I still insist on a quiet time there is suddenly nothing left over. And he is SO deliciously full of chat, constant chat, so busy, that by days end I have so little left. This too will pass...bless where I am.....I did escape (alone!!) recently though to my bother and Stacey's divine wedding, just magical, just heaven and though I staggered home exhuasted from lack of sleep (go party girl!) I felt so restored and have been so much more myself again, so much more buoyant and peaceful. I will/ must post a small collection of photos soon, oh such a crafters creation it was, such a community celebration. Loved! See <a href="mailto:littleknightlights@blogspot.com">littleknightlights@blogspot.com</a> for more. And I must post some of the wedding tree I painted too which restored my love of painting, and taught me that if it is a must I will get it done, here and there in stolen moments and late nights I <i>can</i> carve out time for the things I love. Not that I don't love being a full-time mother and home maker, you know what I mean don't you, the need for something to call ones own...a creative space if you will..<br />
And, and, and...<br />
Anyway, chickens! <br />
As some of you may know one of my lifelong ambitions has been to have backyard chickens. There is something about them isn't there, that contented pottering way about them perhaps, or maybe there simple rustic beauty. I just feel happy watching them. And there is <i>nothing</i> like the miracle of that first egg! I know chickens all over the world lay an egg a day, but when it is your own?! Such excitement! We were all so thrilled!<br />
Here is a little photographic journal of their arrival... <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Austin collected Alexander early from school one afternoon and they went and rescued two red 6-month pullets and brought then home in a box, here they are eagerly anicipated </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">releasing them into their new home </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alexander quickly claimed one as his own and named her Saphira, Evabella called hers Penny. Ethan keeps asking when his own "speckled one" is arriving</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghU-nYovV_3ngNc5fa5XxsWpyf9wnBWZjU0deJ0VPxbbEhFgL1hk8VBHve3uPalJod_Wm_-z9NLLqA-wyxdlxU84HbumZAdEAbOnLz8yICmYWAbv7xh_cDSi7F2ottdCAWn1rCGLpPrZCA/s1600/DSCF1771.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghU-nYovV_3ngNc5fa5XxsWpyf9wnBWZjU0deJ0VPxbbEhFgL1hk8VBHve3uPalJod_Wm_-z9NLLqA-wyxdlxU84HbumZAdEAbOnLz8yICmYWAbv7xh_cDSi7F2ottdCAWn1rCGLpPrZCA/s320/DSCF1771.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We did experiment with allowing them to completely free range but they persisted to come up on the deck, even coming inside to peck crumbs from under the table despite various methods of chasing squirting them etc., not to mention there little deposits. One day I stood in some in my SLIPPERS that was the straw that broke.....Anyway Austin built them a tractor ala Janet Luke and we move them around in a contained fashion.. good for all! </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>As an aside, I do a swap morning with my friend Florence of <a href="mailto:sunshineofmyloves@blsogspot.com">sunshineofmyloves@blsogspot.com</a> looking after little Lucie-Belle one morning, she taking Ethan another and I don't know who she loves more, me or the chickens! She always says Hannah "cock-a-doodle doo" or Hannah chickens as if we are one and the same package. Lovely!<br />
I love our little taste of country in the city, that gumboots to glamour mix. That should be a tag line, don't you think? Gumboots to glamour....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01880809333077218301noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678783807648507518.post-7455251625682177792012-02-16T17:00:00.000-08:002012-02-16T17:00:51.316-08:00Evabella's first day of school<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-a5nEzKU83VnBKzQXeo61u_uMsgoXBLMVCLaGCSUgRKaeVYRsNs2z2BL_feZ6FF2sxRnHLH1dvErnkDtxeREXJY6qwM-CG7jy7PmXzjiyZ1ZgbTsLgWsc6GF37oAv3M_OC8irIblhlfDW/s1600/DSCF1705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-a5nEzKU83VnBKzQXeo61u_uMsgoXBLMVCLaGCSUgRKaeVYRsNs2z2BL_feZ6FF2sxRnHLH1dvErnkDtxeREXJY6qwM-CG7jy7PmXzjiyZ1ZgbTsLgWsc6GF37oAv3M_OC8irIblhlfDW/s320/DSCF1705.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Evabella started school on the 1st of Febuary, bolted in the door and barely glanced back. She is so <i>happy, </i>so confident, so bursting with pride to share her reading homework, so settled in her class, it is a astonishing, a delight to witness.Long may it last! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">walk along Plassey st past our neighbour's chickens...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">checking for eels at Plassey bridge</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Papa met us there for the send off</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">tender well wishes from her Papa</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Such a serious school girl! Where has our baby gone? It is like she has crossed a threshold. Bless her.</td></tr>
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</div>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01880809333077218301noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678783807648507518.post-88131724067176545552012-02-11T23:52:00.000-08:002012-02-11T23:52:43.850-08:00Evabella's 5th birthday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBSbqEVN-1irE0M1k-RHkg3tNHQn9TOQZN-GmKjq6rv0UQoO80KfXNLhfbKICAUc26umv9kvuihTJasbyCzYy_svZ-00l5quzdw7Qaf-y1L0Sw8NzW46Kim8bKDTfkWpSL2J4U2bPwIOjH/s1600/DSCF1659.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0isLN0nfq8U_AeR18eJbFz7Nk9WZsmBTyKRnHgbn98fwgza13gAclBx7IEiONoBPsraW7HtKoo_urhrhmyCpYYBuVnVwSCgK7HX6oeC0y_O3XhkSlbQYxN61tSFAp2_k4Z7A8Yg3dlKEx/s1600/DSCF1679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0isLN0nfq8U_AeR18eJbFz7Nk9WZsmBTyKRnHgbn98fwgza13gAclBx7IEiONoBPsraW7HtKoo_urhrhmyCpYYBuVnVwSCgK7HX6oeC0y_O3XhkSlbQYxN61tSFAp2_k4Z7A8Yg3dlKEx/s320/DSCF1679.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Oh my, our lovely girl is 5! It is such a joy to see her excitement and delight at having reached such a significant milestone. I am so grateful and heartened (if not relieved!) to see her lovely qualities coming to the fore and her settling into herself in preparation for school. <br />
We celebrated the day with a fairy tea party replete with scones, cream, and jam.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evabella and Ethan on her birthday quilt, birthday morning</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhywlBK-lgNNUdGLxYNNj55_-FJrJ-2p31KcPPsiRrfTBYQlbEE6vpxoA69dMrn72MfoTQtBllYrN1UgskWKhLZoso-uvp-GWzHzAps4Yz3Bk4tEWaD3frpZ46P4VShNf8iAc2eyOZG_G2J/s1600/DSCF1586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhywlBK-lgNNUdGLxYNNj55_-FJrJ-2p31KcPPsiRrfTBYQlbEE6vpxoA69dMrn72MfoTQtBllYrN1UgskWKhLZoso-uvp-GWzHzAps4Yz3Bk4tEWaD3frpZ46P4VShNf8iAc2eyOZG_G2J/s320/DSCF1586.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">birthday chair</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMh8TLhnywGiz0oFjt6MRqpoXE3Vf0KgtGqY7jiU1G1BliVqF3ao9Uqs80lseGjbYWlWXvk8P35sxQ6PWsd6t3goipm29LaJnO2Tj5TnhwWZNJrP5cAAydvU9mx41VXfTk4f2jnVejSUhH/s1600/DSCF1583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMh8TLhnywGiz0oFjt6MRqpoXE3Vf0KgtGqY7jiU1G1BliVqF3ao9Uqs80lseGjbYWlWXvk8P35sxQ6PWsd6t3goipm29LaJnO2Tj5TnhwWZNJrP5cAAydvU9mx41VXfTk4f2jnVejSUhH/s320/DSCF1583.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prayer time, pancake breakfast</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqAxkup4Y4DVNVEeJw-FF_SzRcYgcwhUnmesMzy8MuUQTudXhbASo0N1mfQQqfF92DCsfyWzhx2VPqVmYgx_nlNYxjq306FwCPjP9EPySRUn6B06zUwAHYRZ6WGOV9FGpkY9wSQ81JPGm/s1600/DSCF1590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqAxkup4Y4DVNVEeJw-FF_SzRcYgcwhUnmesMzy8MuUQTudXhbASo0N1mfQQqfF92DCsfyWzhx2VPqVmYgx_nlNYxjq306FwCPjP9EPySRUn6B06zUwAHYRZ6WGOV9FGpkY9wSQ81JPGm/s320/DSCF1590.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">she has such effervesence! </td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh49cm18bWCOylBxu_pqD2o5CR51kXe2sAolB9DjoKxLXRUYpJod41u9grTFqjygcnFdx-y_F_cOCqOLRBUBJh4B8cGBE9IB_uYMPq4iyBWDtLFIk2Qzr5LnkiVm9EO3XKLImWbHOQhivHG/s1600/DSCF1593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh49cm18bWCOylBxu_pqD2o5CR51kXe2sAolB9DjoKxLXRUYpJod41u9grTFqjygcnFdx-y_F_cOCqOLRBUBJh4B8cGBE9IB_uYMPq4iyBWDtLFIk2Qzr5LnkiVm9EO3XKLImWbHOQhivHG/s320/DSCF1593.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cranberry and Orange, and Wholemeal scones</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcmOUugg6a_5M8G1kJidUaMVYRqYOR-5YwJRW_3rmkiCGHOCd9BkwDGHrwKf_TW8NBjfKguFqRRUmnVRGr3krDQY5X96xO8HyaJCg8uDyPH6LrdabmGZdW2An0HzfhtEJ_3EkQ6ruYHfEu/s1600/DSCF1598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcmOUugg6a_5M8G1kJidUaMVYRqYOR-5YwJRW_3rmkiCGHOCd9BkwDGHrwKf_TW8NBjfKguFqRRUmnVRGr3krDQY5X96xO8HyaJCg8uDyPH6LrdabmGZdW2An0HzfhtEJ_3EkQ6ruYHfEu/s320/DSCF1598.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">treasure hunt picture clues </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVLXzEVxVMlvLE6ANDAPqoTw099bOvy1nGA-F8Lp1IK7U_jX_zRCv9Wb0G5J_5YT7GDhY3f_6_39h3aXpo80cRCWc1M-5ELKEywOaC3tKb-Jf022d9fV7mBETzlzm2ozUsuXGImPhWK7wQ/s1600/DSCF1592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVLXzEVxVMlvLE6ANDAPqoTw099bOvy1nGA-F8Lp1IK7U_jX_zRCv9Wb0G5J_5YT7GDhY3f_6_39h3aXpo80cRCWc1M-5ELKEywOaC3tKb-Jf022d9fV7mBETzlzm2ozUsuXGImPhWK7wQ/s320/DSCF1592.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCggB4NJrR_9zMhAAxB-F_-11htGqXkDLw9flPSwlsAnQdLhyfKnVjBmczaP3B-18YsOYkW_prD_9ck1bAjhyaYsRdODWkVMilxDO-8VLqaQ-ZesUDWhm2c1d5gUHHu3gZ_F9T4E3G8Yq5/s1600/DSCF1599.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCggB4NJrR_9zMhAAxB-F_-11htGqXkDLw9flPSwlsAnQdLhyfKnVjBmczaP3B-18YsOYkW_prD_9ck1bAjhyaYsRdODWkVMilxDO-8VLqaQ-ZesUDWhm2c1d5gUHHu3gZ_F9T4E3G8Yq5/s320/DSCF1599.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">birthday fairies</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiOYggpqx7qd_B6f51qZpzy7AjXD2sY623mIh1yN7lSVrYFzBWqf7FDC_mnTGLYGz1pbJvUKFa2rPirvYi9niKKdVFQS9SnTgf-nwMaYwkMO66Hzgo559_WL-3rCU06_mUW9KjKsvClH-b/s1600/DSCF1608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiOYggpqx7qd_B6f51qZpzy7AjXD2sY623mIh1yN7lSVrYFzBWqf7FDC_mnTGLYGz1pbJvUKFa2rPirvYi9niKKdVFQS9SnTgf-nwMaYwkMO66Hzgo559_WL-3rCU06_mUW9KjKsvClH-b/s320/DSCF1608.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bubble blowing</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZfgR_WdXPYs7LfT0HHf6mrCOlGMJ3Yv1C6iMDHwV97B7zOTlvR97Z5sAKL1L8OYMKXIXC6HrdSmCj-7JBw27Y7MpSO6Vy2go_8tHwrk25S8MZnoLxE3WfXcPG23nbPhUnUlPt-2d7womk/s1600/DSCF1618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZfgR_WdXPYs7LfT0HHf6mrCOlGMJ3Yv1C6iMDHwV97B7zOTlvR97Z5sAKL1L8OYMKXIXC6HrdSmCj-7JBw27Y7MpSO6Vy2go_8tHwrk25S8MZnoLxE3WfXcPG23nbPhUnUlPt-2d7womk/s320/DSCF1618.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fairy castle pinata </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZVqKjiafmA3w3Rz5KlF4tanhBhRUfSysDVIw3OXeDtn8vLmqLDUYarzW5HJQJA21b5w5nMzp4G-CSJoZtI8MkPZSuh7jyVShtVDMmOQt0vpnnuXAiR8pI7diZ4P9J6aG6UfV-0ELKYV4r/s1600/DSCF1627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZVqKjiafmA3w3Rz5KlF4tanhBhRUfSysDVIw3OXeDtn8vLmqLDUYarzW5HJQJA21b5w5nMzp4G-CSJoZtI8MkPZSuh7jyVShtVDMmOQt0vpnnuXAiR8pI7diZ4P9J6aG6UfV-0ELKYV4r/s320/DSCF1627.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj8WsPoAU11kjvM457JcXvckUyNrrNQriHLpbLpoTEpoVRbnF2EUtKr5bZ9o5Y7DgqV0XPEx_FVu7iNjbUjDkPJ5lLmCKZnRyG_iMJ5MDT7Xwkw8myRgPa2OIgh0a65ZAiKS6SsWux_YAA/s1600/DSCF1633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj8WsPoAU11kjvM457JcXvckUyNrrNQriHLpbLpoTEpoVRbnF2EUtKr5bZ9o5Y7DgqV0XPEx_FVu7iNjbUjDkPJ5lLmCKZnRyG_iMJ5MDT7Xwkw8myRgPa2OIgh0a65ZAiKS6SsWux_YAA/s320/DSCF1633.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">boys gang</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy94FRcci0osjqXJYU_uVilc2l5Hz9ZPVS1ZLYbf4pBnfR7lcRw_FufsCup7typ7WmUy4iJcU0-FRKDWA31wEdPFirpp_pFtyMJFyD-_19AUpxWSfP-STejXyI2tDlrPtCHakWr9Vh_4vl/s1600/DSCF1638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy94FRcci0osjqXJYU_uVilc2l5Hz9ZPVS1ZLYbf4pBnfR7lcRw_FufsCup7typ7WmUy4iJcU0-FRKDWA31wEdPFirpp_pFtyMJFyD-_19AUpxWSfP-STejXyI2tDlrPtCHakWr9Vh_4vl/s320/DSCF1638.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhGPfC4JxHlossDP3sPCApsPRWsYnRGdWy2cg5pjtrgMNJBq516LtHtzilUzvBpD5chhW06kxwD-4u84EUGQxZ9mYJXRzwwcBytSgSNjGRv4ptEUjBgNKQwMEU_q_NfmGk1XT40z4drX0d/s1600/DSCF1641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhGPfC4JxHlossDP3sPCApsPRWsYnRGdWy2cg5pjtrgMNJBq516LtHtzilUzvBpD5chhW06kxwD-4u84EUGQxZ9mYJXRzwwcBytSgSNjGRv4ptEUjBgNKQwMEU_q_NfmGk1XT40z4drX0d/s320/DSCF1641.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_Mv48_3zE6wnOhxh3fUwno5wIAj07abxyhjxFoooKY_7n-WomwncNbUysEEUr1gKeejsqRgK91v6XiS8xjKu0MtpYA4RuR46NNERnN2Qnr6QtThXd3U-qBclXE_K3D_BPi8IgD3mKKfj/s1600/DSCF1646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_Mv48_3zE6wnOhxh3fUwno5wIAj07abxyhjxFoooKY_7n-WomwncNbUysEEUr1gKeejsqRgK91v6XiS8xjKu0MtpYA4RuR46NNERnN2Qnr6QtThXd3U-qBclXE_K3D_BPi8IgD3mKKfj/s320/DSCF1646.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5_GNjUtUfeIL_Nd46iacj_YLfGhjuFmDVQ_Bc1IvNH4hBYqDvmncITOkAQ3vvabjQMvql80iL-64gxrY3S4HqUdOtV2QsjPK0yFS-FZVAqwoClN7lS5zBzM9yB94RU39WWc_s9G1xKG1-/s1600/DSCF1647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5_GNjUtUfeIL_Nd46iacj_YLfGhjuFmDVQ_Bc1IvNH4hBYqDvmncITOkAQ3vvabjQMvql80iL-64gxrY3S4HqUdOtV2QsjPK0yFS-FZVAqwoClN7lS5zBzM9yB94RU39WWc_s9G1xKG1-/s320/DSCF1647.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">treasure hunting </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9H2rf8RMhZrd0N4sSiaNfrPLIJOP3TD3SXugIw3aVn2Ow2XYAB9jXXh1RvURcHHvFfD5O8E6UgaZub5E-R2FeUtDN398yoEIWygah82dwiLSTCQ8vtFg9-fg5PnD-9OBkElaQ9siKWxLs/s1600/DSCF1649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9H2rf8RMhZrd0N4sSiaNfrPLIJOP3TD3SXugIw3aVn2Ow2XYAB9jXXh1RvURcHHvFfD5O8E6UgaZub5E-R2FeUtDN398yoEIWygah82dwiLSTCQ8vtFg9-fg5PnD-9OBkElaQ9siKWxLs/s320/DSCF1649.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">tea time</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieKYR7UlSHd9kW1ZLu4aB-vh7e1CVX7NXjNbtF5DifbYEMecnvRocv3O14P-2ej9Dhrur_TRSRubeiiKFDOTdEc2rTZ7UJMQ7JGpsR8DlcBfHAthzAT2gPPEbzYCZFXfY81CmqTCh2_R-P/s1600/DSCF1657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieKYR7UlSHd9kW1ZLu4aB-vh7e1CVX7NXjNbtF5DifbYEMecnvRocv3O14P-2ej9Dhrur_TRSRubeiiKFDOTdEc2rTZ7UJMQ7JGpsR8DlcBfHAthzAT2gPPEbzYCZFXfY81CmqTCh2_R-P/s320/DSCF1657.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and a chapter ends, it was lovely to have so many of her little Nest friends to celebrate with us, they have been an important part of her journey. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBSbqEVN-1irE0M1k-RHkg3tNHQn9TOQZN-GmKjq6rv0UQoO80KfXNLhfbKICAUc26umv9kvuihTJasbyCzYy_svZ-00l5quzdw7Qaf-y1L0Sw8NzW46Kim8bKDTfkWpSL2J4U2bPwIOjH/s1600/DSCF1659.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPh_eHnejDMGBD4eZ0qqmRGJe8R_fQSALhVzy0kIWg1AnL_8QP6KfaMOysb0NqQKdqjdr-B2Bh7xWrAjI90yDI4u3eLEPIC7oOIL6cgAhO3CXshgHZr6tCOEuh9pl9N1DNuZsvN78MQlGh/s1600/DSCF1704.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01880809333077218301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678783807648507518.post-8588499254338463002012-02-04T10:12:00.000-08:002012-02-04T10:12:13.560-08:00Alexander turns 7! Labour Weekend 2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVDplGzyyg1xfdYKUwjy5epi5ZMvrV5ppsi9HdURQe6vJP20PjCsEjQprF3OQFQeSasmygdiO7hQl1GNxOK1CqlRHjY5vqFALBxUOyOZ6wTNUIVl4ajdGnPdIyJKt1EhyphenhyphenAglWDMhA3ocOO/s1600/October+11IMG_3614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVDplGzyyg1xfdYKUwjy5epi5ZMvrV5ppsi9HdURQe6vJP20PjCsEjQprF3OQFQeSasmygdiO7hQl1GNxOK1CqlRHjY5vqFALBxUOyOZ6wTNUIVl4ajdGnPdIyJKt1EhyphenhyphenAglWDMhA3ocOO/s320/October+11IMG_3614.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I see a real shift at seven, as if they are casting their boat off the shore a little, testing the waters of the world. One can just hope all ones love and guidance and effort invested is stored away securely like a squirrels stash of autumn nuts, to be drawn upon when needed. I realise more and more that our children are but borrowed that like Kahil Gibran said, "(we) are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth." And that though they seem to need you less over time it is ever important that you are present and available and <i>there</i> when they do seek you out. That is one of my present humble goals as a parent - to give full attention when it is needed. I am guilty so often of just 'being busy" , to what end? I endeavour to have the wisdom to pause when called for, to take the time to fill the love tanks when they are running low and fit in the "doing" when they are chugging along happily, or include them in it.... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy birthday Alexander!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was so lovely to have family to share it with this time, to have good fairy hands to help create a special party, and celebrate the milestone. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">P.S. a jumble of photos some of mine, some taken by Stacey and some by Mum, forgive me I can't remember which is which. </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUvRFzD0GSFpXXuPGwjO2GXd4wKS5Db4I9ubMjIfyJefQqURdcsENRolS005UQCDKQZ-efl4xbIu6E5LC0O5iB0Kjsy5L7RuSKtSzwNwtw0DuO_ZFn3mu1b_vZPyamPJdBintcAgevA7a9/s1600/October+11IMG_3321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUvRFzD0GSFpXXuPGwjO2GXd4wKS5Db4I9ubMjIfyJefQqURdcsENRolS005UQCDKQZ-efl4xbIu6E5LC0O5iB0Kjsy5L7RuSKtSzwNwtw0DuO_ZFn3mu1b_vZPyamPJdBintcAgevA7a9/s320/October+11IMG_3321.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Play is a child's work"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJcwHvqz8nBJ9CYjGaLRu45lFHTy6_L1aJCuV1CXHMGtvBl6v4BuV51OT1zR3dE8ecWRMrf20RrlTfCqD8wDsjSS5LdcSrPViiVDTF_Woj7ghkQzK1ETloeqaKlqK8oSC57xBlD2IXqBd/s1600/October+11IMG_3338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJcwHvqz8nBJ9CYjGaLRu45lFHTy6_L1aJCuV1CXHMGtvBl6v4BuV51OT1zR3dE8ecWRMrf20RrlTfCqD8wDsjSS5LdcSrPViiVDTF_Woj7ghkQzK1ETloeqaKlqK8oSC57xBlD2IXqBd/s320/October+11IMG_3338.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stace and cousins</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEOskFwIiW7oPyFnCAIlrhwkYq4J8oC4vlu_ozsTWVuTwXGhUjHoYTV2pfI9J0WimToH-i8gK-1UCVv8lBT0FB5o5bQKp5vUoMr1HT0AFUv8gvl9jerlZ8leMDDVsAtiVKqtUNpPD1FrLu/s1600/October+11IMG_3392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEOskFwIiW7oPyFnCAIlrhwkYq4J8oC4vlu_ozsTWVuTwXGhUjHoYTV2pfI9J0WimToH-i8gK-1UCVv8lBT0FB5o5bQKp5vUoMr1HT0AFUv8gvl9jerlZ8leMDDVsAtiVKqtUNpPD1FrLu/s320/October+11IMG_3392.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love love love my new bunting, a combined effort by my good fairy aka Stace and I </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_zV9VCuuLmpY-NM6FezIGmZIAn6XC1bulzIpytyATnYxokgAx49X0CR6lF6fmqSzJgx6jZfq8vLHSUf5N93TX0zRraIhjzmsBoZMjS7js6QgXRvWGq1wMBpP-D4P6-dQi3WHHLFRMoizr/s1600/October+11IMG_3396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_zV9VCuuLmpY-NM6FezIGmZIAn6XC1bulzIpytyATnYxokgAx49X0CR6lF6fmqSzJgx6jZfq8vLHSUf5N93TX0zRraIhjzmsBoZMjS7js6QgXRvWGq1wMBpP-D4P6-dQi3WHHLFRMoizr/s320/October+11IMG_3396.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love my big bro </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilzx2YDO7Gmkw0X1cNDSe2Lq5zCSWEFSAvCTE-gt35olYbff_zxRgNoLTP1kCpyK5qLE_-citTOTiNy5b771jz7YDfNuouko6ub7tINIQCVcInTCEEyW1SQLkWoFz2JXQxr7dR-fyK-KvW/s1600/October+11IMG_3389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilzx2YDO7Gmkw0X1cNDSe2Lq5zCSWEFSAvCTE-gt35olYbff_zxRgNoLTP1kCpyK5qLE_-citTOTiNy5b771jz7YDfNuouko6ub7tINIQCVcInTCEEyW1SQLkWoFz2JXQxr7dR-fyK-KvW/s320/October+11IMG_3389.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ever grateful for Mum's help in the kitchen</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxps_FDz9FjOZtt5_HSI5NP-Xq2xLxKbZfTwxgc2tM56BnwyLBuDXjr8vKOhV_ARdfCYucP4MJmEUOhmCVJJUrotUteqOTPOlrjuOY2hH4qMTTBBwZsZDW5vJwdy6UE0pZ3QUGbcAnPjqw/s1600/October+11IMG_3403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxps_FDz9FjOZtt5_HSI5NP-Xq2xLxKbZfTwxgc2tM56BnwyLBuDXjr8vKOhV_ARdfCYucP4MJmEUOhmCVJJUrotUteqOTPOlrjuOY2hH4qMTTBBwZsZDW5vJwdy6UE0pZ3QUGbcAnPjqw/s320/October+11IMG_3403.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">birthday feast - pronounced too healthy! Blame those hippie roots</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju1-RxD_eLQGPLFN24ctPY_YpXXQXUhpQRNIJBS0NaYYzrpEk0taM5d2nDhWy_miPI65BowEHXywrOewsoJII83Yu4b-pl0ONnc0uIt2m2p32esmnw4MXJJ_3Vff7zFQ4x7t2Tni9imVIj/s1600/October+11IMG_3408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju1-RxD_eLQGPLFN24ctPY_YpXXQXUhpQRNIJBS0NaYYzrpEk0taM5d2nDhWy_miPI65BowEHXywrOewsoJII83Yu4b-pl0ONnc0uIt2m2p32esmnw4MXJJ_3Vff7zFQ4x7t2Tni9imVIj/s320/October+11IMG_3408.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">gift opening, lots of hugging! long may it last amoung boys!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSbntk_icO6_Gi23h9gsk_n90MleMbEj2tABZBwL8aAELjP8_vNKk4oaFKh_dIr3Cv2Fr2PfiGOlcUsRUQMS7e01dqcsV064JbhtHN6-qOUfQB_x-iiFK9bxXf048bnLSVufYIDbKXclVR/s1600/October+11IMG_3418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSbntk_icO6_Gi23h9gsk_n90MleMbEj2tABZBwL8aAELjP8_vNKk4oaFKh_dIr3Cv2Fr2PfiGOlcUsRUQMS7e01dqcsV064JbhtHN6-qOUfQB_x-iiFK9bxXf048bnLSVufYIDbKXclVR/s320/October+11IMG_3418.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thomas and Aston (boys of bestie Florence of <a href="mailto:sunshineofmyloves@blogger.com">sunshineofmyloves@blogger.com</a>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpUKjNClMEIfUe_lj7GfEGja5SWcdfAhzLwcsdLELFZ_UAAtb98XvuCpKck6YS8IHSQMZZgPNa15mIQniOc1LemUMrvQYhDVyYE7LRFyP103UzP158aBDsqjtsO864CTLFi8ntC8yhku7q/s1600/October+11IMG_3464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpUKjNClMEIfUe_lj7GfEGja5SWcdfAhzLwcsdLELFZ_UAAtb98XvuCpKck6YS8IHSQMZZgPNa15mIQniOc1LemUMrvQYhDVyYE7LRFyP103UzP158aBDsqjtsO864CTLFi8ntC8yhku7q/s320/October+11IMG_3464.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">treasure hunt excitement</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqIFgl6YQ7CEVogtHqisRrgaBem_sTcEG8Kyq3anLGq1Qy7_OSijPDUSntScPKCUqlqWsl0OzzJcrhyzbVfoGoDF7qVMm8GPbskzFyEWuSbxTU1oLXsCDP9CXztQTYGE3DKAhxgivFdgdz/s1600/October+11IMG_3475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqIFgl6YQ7CEVogtHqisRrgaBem_sTcEG8Kyq3anLGq1Qy7_OSijPDUSntScPKCUqlqWsl0OzzJcrhyzbVfoGoDF7qVMm8GPbskzFyEWuSbxTU1oLXsCDP9CXztQTYGE3DKAhxgivFdgdz/s320/October+11IMG_3475.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5_G_C_zTPgD4h4q7vzlkKuaj_DetrPSafUtoJaK-ZqI5DnXwrDsYbMQ0dp5ebfgejwA7Ue9lVL9m8CxPyyzRyCuk7aKwh4_bNu7PBXDbzKw6ta2olqYio8s_FNZcj_juPup0jOW69Z1nW/s1600/October+11IMG_3465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5_G_C_zTPgD4h4q7vzlkKuaj_DetrPSafUtoJaK-ZqI5DnXwrDsYbMQ0dp5ebfgejwA7Ue9lVL9m8CxPyyzRyCuk7aKwh4_bNu7PBXDbzKw6ta2olqYio8s_FNZcj_juPup0jOW69Z1nW/s320/October+11IMG_3465.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnyTZkiK57wlWsTrRAgHhviBv1NZ58UzZr4HtSNgm_a1iqpwKnDLvoMyvaqvrgtMFVdb6yo8TEHUa3KCp9IMc6OulKGeYwAe3RYItuzhyhWptMzltFFKJCBf32otgv4-SJMEL4noFEN4ul/s1600/October+11IMG_3482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnyTZkiK57wlWsTrRAgHhviBv1NZ58UzZr4HtSNgm_a1iqpwKnDLvoMyvaqvrgtMFVdb6yo8TEHUa3KCp9IMc6OulKGeYwAe3RYItuzhyhWptMzltFFKJCBf32otgv4-SJMEL4noFEN4ul/s320/October+11IMG_3482.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjldSHLN6kb6zSbvJx42G_jHoTqFrKgraWqRZ1VmIuEYdSB_cDhPWq8m8DLSOTISTlo9uM6Yrjb2pagq_9OtTKBriuQcXNXZTIugoARpYmp4gQG1z7KBKehwwiYtcC2bie6AyEzQ3lf58SI/s1600/October+11IMG_3487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjldSHLN6kb6zSbvJx42G_jHoTqFrKgraWqRZ1VmIuEYdSB_cDhPWq8m8DLSOTISTlo9uM6Yrjb2pagq_9OtTKBriuQcXNXZTIugoARpYmp4gQG1z7KBKehwwiYtcC2bie6AyEzQ3lf58SI/s320/October+11IMG_3487.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">such laughs from the pinata pirate guarding the treasure </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2-IW_A1l6sS8QHx6rbshjBVJ1EKRHfWRZmz870-0ULr_7EPJ-j0A85WxdpbupElWZi5RvtZ44ZbUlU38QnDBv2jQUKSR6zj5P-_Jm0Q5YoToE0s5MVDcvcUAD7SxnyOGFDaVsYQ1y1MFd/s1600/October+11IMG_3660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2-IW_A1l6sS8QHx6rbshjBVJ1EKRHfWRZmz870-0ULr_7EPJ-j0A85WxdpbupElWZi5RvtZ44ZbUlU38QnDBv2jQUKSR6zj5P-_Jm0Q5YoToE0s5MVDcvcUAD7SxnyOGFDaVsYQ1y1MFd/s320/October+11IMG_3660.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">soccer with Dad's too, thanks Dale and Stace for the lovely goals </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOZl9RheVd9Pu6yrgHZshg8-qNMVUeGmBRWjgjsUUYvrDvAeR9Lyyx9NwNwd9XzOA06f5EygEisPxtdjfffKI4jdrUlEUoq2m6yuvCQBRvgoetgSzxcaX9ybS69m2lPngwVNi0KmvpOFof/s1600/October+11IMG_3664.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOZl9RheVd9Pu6yrgHZshg8-qNMVUeGmBRWjgjsUUYvrDvAeR9Lyyx9NwNwd9XzOA06f5EygEisPxtdjfffKI4jdrUlEUoq2m6yuvCQBRvgoetgSzxcaX9ybS69m2lPngwVNi0KmvpOFof/s320/October+11IMG_3664.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">who knew that Irish dancing footwork would come in such handy?!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyfDwS3CDQ42PyMRQU7sMMgmvaGdleph0KWDTL1lFO_-PBnCggGOXQttskr9foqnYiJC7NMfVA57rhOHbcqyJMpmolOzN2OtfM_wEbXCbev7t2I48WkcMJritE2_k0P_m4ylfS8dq2xztV/s1600/October+11IMG_3439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyfDwS3CDQ42PyMRQU7sMMgmvaGdleph0KWDTL1lFO_-PBnCggGOXQttskr9foqnYiJC7NMfVA57rhOHbcqyJMpmolOzN2OtfM_wEbXCbev7t2I48WkcMJritE2_k0P_m4ylfS8dq2xztV/s320/October+11IMG_3439.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">brother Dale and Campbell</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjva5i7GIhSI2tJMlnOA9vx0l3LYYtV8Zta5oO1xZVh0eh9ZlaqCvEMeJ_sMYu9CmcLp8_JRJ-_Pi9XqlRt_Eel9hMSDc_aDKMDO8l3HegX-GxB_wTcjtkE73hcTDYpOERjQoz7aepSZchC/s1600/October+11IMG_3648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjva5i7GIhSI2tJMlnOA9vx0l3LYYtV8Zta5oO1xZVh0eh9ZlaqCvEMeJ_sMYu9CmcLp8_JRJ-_Pi9XqlRt_Eel9hMSDc_aDKMDO8l3HegX-GxB_wTcjtkE73hcTDYpOERjQoz7aepSZchC/s320/October+11IMG_3648.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a divine couple, soon to be married, see crafty prep at <a href="mailto:littleknightlight@blogger.com">littleknightlight@blogger.com</a></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsiAXiGbRkEE8WuhbiEHlfO6TkVlngZ_a9RvaRXzEeloU3a3_dFGNTiloXeY7iqR0MRP-iCWIz8Zn2lBvsfjcvXTW35szs_7LgCIpF_mZ6UzRIzmJYqrZeTpVEuShYedhnSj1JDMuyj-4r/s1600/October+11IMG_3357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsiAXiGbRkEE8WuhbiEHlfO6TkVlngZ_a9RvaRXzEeloU3a3_dFGNTiloXeY7iqR0MRP-iCWIz8Zn2lBvsfjcvXTW35szs_7LgCIpF_mZ6UzRIzmJYqrZeTpVEuShYedhnSj1JDMuyj-4r/s320/October+11IMG_3357.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsxAULtFLTh7latdJpZCjsBGVwZqa3TwM6XvY9xpva32VyO2EYw7upJPPN4LVHLG66tfUAya9PfI-DF7V_XsqqV9Znx7a1xBfqqPRZrjpi0wk66LkAfXjPXXVx2A-Di4eG6yfQBpJ84uWB/s1600/October+11IMG_3361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsxAULtFLTh7latdJpZCjsBGVwZqa3TwM6XvY9xpva32VyO2EYw7upJPPN4LVHLG66tfUAya9PfI-DF7V_XsqqV9Znx7a1xBfqqPRZrjpi0wk66LkAfXjPXXVx2A-Di4eG6yfQBpJ84uWB/s320/October+11IMG_3361.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01880809333077218301noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678783807648507518.post-91241540252471623142012-01-17T00:54:00.000-08:002012-01-29T22:44:58.516-08:00My Dad<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-rLfyWtnUnOnadZDZ_NIZStdNIQhvSnxl-h2edYBbaxSCJC81K1muOeEchyz4muZY-4s3zXuuXq31OycV1Mu8sLc95RsSL1dDuhvv7Eudobathavr-6J4XsmmFQbsanLvfWqxpuFulVi/s320/Topu+B060408IMG_9685.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My search for a perfect shot of my Dad continues, but this is one of my all-time favourites capturing his spirit, ever resting out West.<br />
Photo by Mum </td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-rLfyWtnUnOnadZDZ_NIZStdNIQhvSnxl-h2edYBbaxSCJC81K1muOeEchyz4muZY-4s3zXuuXq31OycV1Mu8sLc95RsSL1dDuhvv7Eudobathavr-6J4XsmmFQbsanLvfWqxpuFulVi/s1600/Topu+B060408IMG_9685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></div>I have been away a long time. By way of explaining my absence, and to excuse all manner of bad behaviour recently (but that is another story) my Dad passed away on the 1st of December. Nothing seems the same, I feel I have lost my anchor just now. And though buried under all my sadness, there is the knowing that life is a gift to be relished and grateful for, it just seems so unfair and I seem to be dragging around a lump of grumpiness. Forgive me children and husband particularly. I am less calm and patient, more snappy, and I spontaneously descend into bouts of weeping and am often struck with a great need to just sit down outside and gaze out. Gardening, and nature in general proves my solace. I found the bustle and general frenzy of Christmas such a shock to return to. As much as I loved it for my children, it was as if my inner life was at war with the outer. I am glad it is over and I can cultivate the stillness and simplicity that my soul craves, and my grief demands.<br />
Having said all that, this year already feels so different, there is so much I want to change, and be and do (and not do) differently, watch this space. It is a year I endeavour to cultivate more STILLNESS, to embrace simple, and free pleasures, to reduce spending and live by the adage less is more. To practice daily moment to moment gratitude, to be present to the joys of my life now, as it is. To pause and play and spend a lot more time "being" and a little less "doing". To live acutely with the knowledge that life is a gift and love is all that is left behind. <br />
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I think much of what I want to say was said in Dad's eulogy, so I am going to set it down here as much for me as for you. His send off was truly amazing.A homecoming in many ways. <br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Dad's Eulogy</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">For those of you who don't know or remember, or recognise me, I am </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Roger's little girl</span>, a <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">sweet spot in many ways. </span><br />
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">As his daughter I would like to welcome you and extend my heartfelt gratitude to all those that have offered him, and us, support, companionship, music, food, accommodation, love and time, on what t has been a challenging journey for all. I know devotion has meant sacrifice, endurance, expense, and that other aspects of your lives have been left on hold. And look at what you have created, Woodstock Smoothies rd. Even nature has responded. the heavens are cleansed in the morning and shine for him in the afternoon. Dad would be impressed!</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And I know that Dad has been deeply touched by this love-filled send off. That is the silver lining isn't it? That we are left without him, but with each other. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We are grieving the loss of a, sometimes imperfect, father, surrogate father, father-in-law, life-partner, husband, x-husband, fellow musician, friend, brother, grandfather, uncle, shelter from the storm, shoulder to cry on, wise council, listening ear. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We grieve the loss of him as a memory keeper of parts of ourselves of times in history.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We grieve the loss not only of someone we love, but of someone who loves and knows us deeply.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I will miss him, I will miss being loved by him. I comfort myself though that love recognises neither distance nor death.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And we feel vulnerable.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Our parents are our gatekeepers aren't they? When they go, we move one step closer, holding the gate now for <i>our </i>children. It is a vulnerable place to stand.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">In many ways his demise has been tragic, but there has been beauty in it too. He was surrounded, til the last, by the love of friends and family, but the music and companionship of his traveling road show. How apt, he always did love a party!</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">He departed this world from his room overlooking the misted hills of the Hokianga habour, where he has spent much of his life, and where his children were born. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Faced by his death, I am struck by the not inconsequential privilege of being alive and well, of stealing out for an early morning run, of the pleasure of stepping out into our garden, of having TIME, time to spend with loved ones, words left to tell. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We can take comfort that we can find him there, in the garden, in the great expanse of sky, in the tall stand of trees, in the horses muzzle, in Bob Dylan music, in his poetic weavings, in this house, on this land. In our memories, some of my fondest; sitting on his knee begging for another round of Mr Tambourine Man, of late night soul searching lent against the old wood stove, clinging to his back riding up Long Luis on his motorbike, or of his figure pulling up firewood by horse, mending fences, playing guitar, singing road trips, stealing into music festivals.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We can find him in his life's example, lived one-step shy of the law, lived close to the land on little, of following ones heart, of living ones dream (or at least his), of trusting in karma, and in the knowledge our thoughts create our world.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">He is one of the last pioneers, a true hippy, a cowboy.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Bless his journey back West, I see the smoke signals rising.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Knock-knock knocking on heavens door. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
Good bye Dad. You are deeply loved. You will be deeply missed. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
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</div>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01880809333077218301noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678783807648507518.post-85018435880245248212011-09-17T02:37:00.000-07:002011-09-17T02:46:18.956-07:00spring!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguMCBYExxbOY0qi-Pih87tqWIUCrD9tPTsl5o4TwBplKZqlQwkQK_XLXUPg-UeEr5iseWjuejTdfYBLm5m1AxtbWc9qTjLdZpJ9A_CSXdcAwa8fibUg7CkoQ6piIG55offZ5VkX7K4dHzq/s1600/DSCF1123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguMCBYExxbOY0qi-Pih87tqWIUCrD9tPTsl5o4TwBplKZqlQwkQK_XLXUPg-UeEr5iseWjuejTdfYBLm5m1AxtbWc9qTjLdZpJ9A_CSXdcAwa8fibUg7CkoQ6piIG55offZ5VkX7K4dHzq/s320/DSCF1123.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spring blossoms on our street</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Isn't this time of year divine? I feel beset with spring fervor and have been enthusiastically chipping away at projects within and without...thank goodness for my late discovery of coffee, where <i>have</i> I been?! Green tea no longer holds a candle in terms of ritual boost.<br />
With much delight we have finally started shaping our wild slopes into vege beds. I have been caught dancing around to words of "I'm so excited, just can't hide it..."! I am I am! I am currently in the process of de-stoning each bed, a mission in itself, I have unearthed wheel barrow loads of broken terracotta, paving stones, bricks and rocks..etc., I have made a commitment to give the garden at least a half an hour daily, I know that probably sounds paltry, but is actually a huge accomplishment in my busy daily round with little ones. I have a lovely new habit of visiting my patch for awhile on my way back up from emptying my compost bucket. It is my current favourite place. I am a little unsure how to proceed once I have completed phase <i>de-stone </i>though, do I then put on my compost, sheep pellets/cow manure etc., dig in, plant and then mulch...in that order? Do I need to add further top soil? Where is my Mum, veteran gardener when I need her?! Anyway, enough blah blah here is some evidence of our industry. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4SRn35UBZ8V8hkWHUYbg0Xt6B6UNwVA7_UjL9RYl8UEPLT8zBMUwI-7_fFMfGvehg4t-yLFZY1d0yC2yzRw_7a-jJ_lq0rXGYHECLeAD4O3yIxD7HXmsv_zQ4OoWyQ-U9C77ZA5ec3fHn/s1600/DSCF1092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4SRn35UBZ8V8hkWHUYbg0Xt6B6UNwVA7_UjL9RYl8UEPLT8zBMUwI-7_fFMfGvehg4t-yLFZY1d0yC2yzRw_7a-jJ_lq0rXGYHECLeAD4O3yIxD7HXmsv_zQ4OoWyQ-U9C77ZA5ec3fHn/s320/DSCF1092.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slope cleared of vegetation</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-QMhCevBpsLDRcfo92kd495aMWCa7uCoQvPP-sJhwflT-itK06gRop9UzlaYIubxi-CZvCrrDwlR18nIqgZOEzB4J7a0_Pqcgs_kKQarr8dJnqYK7nL11juqMciAUPQXIlGOFB00Cpgl/s1600/DSCF1097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-QMhCevBpsLDRcfo92kd495aMWCa7uCoQvPP-sJhwflT-itK06gRop9UzlaYIubxi-CZvCrrDwlR18nIqgZOEzB4J7a0_Pqcgs_kKQarr8dJnqYK7nL11juqMciAUPQXIlGOFB00Cpgl/s320/DSCF1097.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">boys getting busy creating retaining wall in veg bed 1</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYxAzQK_QIezILdiewtjETPfNXrLstL8vl33rlSkR1EPzWl0dQHkBHb7i1o2Y8r7mj4R6hlbV-O0v4SzqfTg3n5Ul0NcrSxPM_ttYzhStt1XnMbRzYYSNA4ekwRQOs8qbQXcFjEV2CD3yK/s1600/DSCF1106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYxAzQK_QIezILdiewtjETPfNXrLstL8vl33rlSkR1EPzWl0dQHkBHb7i1o2Y8r7mj4R6hlbV-O0v4SzqfTg3n5Ul0NcrSxPM_ttYzhStt1XnMbRzYYSNA4ekwRQOs8qbQXcFjEV2CD3yK/s320/DSCF1106.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">oh look taking shape as Austin defines and reinforces them with edges</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNiE8_nRJC1xZ8enxSCLBM8G4V5vitSTbhM70or4bDsmf80tu_OGI672us9FOFTlWcxFe6Apn73OFtb90r1EGjB2UqX0YH94rzfbzjo7LUWYOMu_nYy-m6nJqhGLrpdCkax-VPWaIVgxuL/s1600/DSCF1148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNiE8_nRJC1xZ8enxSCLBM8G4V5vitSTbhM70or4bDsmf80tu_OGI672us9FOFTlWcxFe6Apn73OFtb90r1EGjB2UqX0YH94rzfbzjo7LUWYOMu_nYy-m6nJqhGLrpdCkax-VPWaIVgxuL/s320/DSCF1148.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Master Mortimer proved our most dedicated worker on this project we literally had to drag him in each day</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHsRZOc7LOPiMA7b_xTDirkIV2b-VnDtCgS9PhYD8kjsjqsX5GJFhxyViaBtW2qqKtYlHO1CSUjcYu8ypmcAuxbrF43dGRvGZG6LdcVcPX8DKLowon7Qc7rmDLrCJSehAJRTeTy6726QdV/s1600/DSCF1172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHsRZOc7LOPiMA7b_xTDirkIV2b-VnDtCgS9PhYD8kjsjqsX5GJFhxyViaBtW2qqKtYlHO1CSUjcYu8ypmcAuxbrF43dGRvGZG6LdcVcPX8DKLowon7Qc7rmDLrCJSehAJRTeTy6726QdV/s320/DSCF1172.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">though sometimes he would stray to play, play is a child's work after all! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> a great spectator, bless her!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfNBcds0Ilz4187-aRRpWxqSBHKkMeDfMOKShnrqYa_nwGSf096Pr1NYikDXGSPcvGM8G0v9ztVh1Mxxobyy5wWXlV0KSEN9hh1bl4aRDOj76o-lAX1HLjzAjPn5hLN-wbYfY_fnCOalX5/s1600/DSCF1154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfNBcds0Ilz4187-aRRpWxqSBHKkMeDfMOKShnrqYa_nwGSf096Pr1NYikDXGSPcvGM8G0v9ztVh1Mxxobyy5wWXlV0KSEN9hh1bl4aRDOj76o-lAX1HLjzAjPn5hLN-wbYfY_fnCOalX5/s320/DSCF1154.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">still beavering away </td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3yqXg0fu6OVUw9NFjz83SvbpiZRRyr5vxzmfQpnDDUnx2soFwZOhDgHSHhyW1ZvscIvDeVN-eXR9AniakpsQ1gptVOKTRPnEEztaULwP7vcvut2pdYfIU9HXGDE7U-9ujHqRziO9yoSIY/s1600/DSCF1160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3yqXg0fu6OVUw9NFjz83SvbpiZRRyr5vxzmfQpnDDUnx2soFwZOhDgHSHhyW1ZvscIvDeVN-eXR9AniakpsQ1gptVOKTRPnEEztaULwP7vcvut2pdYfIU9HXGDE7U-9ujHqRziO9yoSIY/s320/DSCF1160.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">looking down on them, behold all of those stones!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPva8W6UBbFFLlHJ6TNprm-cWvHnFeWv0UkAndEQ5iBZr-_8HE-zq4vxlPrMfUMGAJeKH7bpyGF1-M82PuTVXPxgnkZYdNUEEosN_fpPhLyFkfxxpM5UmBGVphOiII7vGKvxu4OueXepLw/s1600/DSCF1170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPva8W6UBbFFLlHJ6TNprm-cWvHnFeWv0UkAndEQ5iBZr-_8HE-zq4vxlPrMfUMGAJeKH7bpyGF1-M82PuTVXPxgnkZYdNUEEosN_fpPhLyFkfxxpM5UmBGVphOiII7vGKvxu4OueXepLw/s320/DSCF1170.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">spring light, magic </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidnPzvXR3hu7NQ6H88sT_SQGFzF2SL1Fb84UuuaJ2hMDDSAdwtL9evYzN3DH-C25_qf6pcKJ47Gft0p4L9wydRrZQiYLLBGlAy_whZ16aLIVIkIadRbs_NlvzClFzmf83Flcpx5Vp9sTvw/s1600/DSCF1203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidnPzvXR3hu7NQ6H88sT_SQGFzF2SL1Fb84UuuaJ2hMDDSAdwtL9evYzN3DH-C25_qf6pcKJ47Gft0p4L9wydRrZQiYLLBGlAy_whZ16aLIVIkIadRbs_NlvzClFzmf83Flcpx5Vp9sTvw/s320/DSCF1203.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">finishing touches, the boys paved under my clothesline, now I can stand there without getting tangled in ivy and losing my pegs, yay! </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyymtk5a-IvFXAQ6qw1Js_-RTQXm3oQO7MWxPfc1k1IJFkcCj96qBHlx3w3leuA-5xV47k15w7Xr3f2tSI2XYN5Dxzl4Ld2Q4WFv3IrUP892yaLmMT3O9HWD3P1LfclvIFhyphenhyphenmI33SCP0Wh/s1600/DSCF1147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyymtk5a-IvFXAQ6qw1Js_-RTQXm3oQO7MWxPfc1k1IJFkcCj96qBHlx3w3leuA-5xV47k15w7Xr3f2tSI2XYN5Dxzl4Ld2Q4WFv3IrUP892yaLmMT3O9HWD3P1LfclvIFhyphenhyphenmI33SCP0Wh/s320/DSCF1147.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> divine rest</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQUJ1Lcp2I7t29CGKiNnXBZQ_qd8_5Sqqz-oMnG4nB2MnvVWOC_iEkztaAgnGKveEVer0UQn3tloTl-ccy0yoGlmR2p94Dvb8BUfnp-VFVeiaGH67u0bQ5H22QflRviaRxBpvjczBlznfc/s1600/DSCF1081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQUJ1Lcp2I7t29CGKiNnXBZQ_qd8_5Sqqz-oMnG4nB2MnvVWOC_iEkztaAgnGKveEVer0UQn3tloTl-ccy0yoGlmR2p94Dvb8BUfnp-VFVeiaGH67u0bQ5H22QflRviaRxBpvjczBlznfc/s320/DSCF1081.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">these two are loving sharing books</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2YxzwHPPCq43y2e5M-IseAvkgM2DII8ZL-nsYQm8C5ZoEcds1QFRRB4V9B0M4lxITMpHHdZk91SDE0sQgYjjJHEvK_v222MY1aPwzSK9e7PFO48pIs1BxL0WPQCQB9xWEktYUKMc_3oua/s1600/DSCF1138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2YxzwHPPCq43y2e5M-IseAvkgM2DII8ZL-nsYQm8C5ZoEcds1QFRRB4V9B0M4lxITMpHHdZk91SDE0sQgYjjJHEvK_v222MY1aPwzSK9e7PFO48pIs1BxL0WPQCQB9xWEktYUKMc_3oua/s320/DSCF1138.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fathers day crafting, I was really excited to "draw" with my machine, such fun! I def plan to try again</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiXeLp9-xQAaJozzCCR1OPjoz1WlA8qAOFqf6p4aCoBLfJ3K6GXuLu4MHg7LwFxWAoeP3eIv44YYclpYLfIHEgyUYJLVhzn0SwFYbehiL4JH6WQ-XNt1KBOQxQMdx0jhecArvlOSfu2rTQ/s1600/DSCF1209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiXeLp9-xQAaJozzCCR1OPjoz1WlA8qAOFqf6p4aCoBLfJ3K6GXuLu4MHg7LwFxWAoeP3eIv44YYclpYLfIHEgyUYJLVhzn0SwFYbehiL4JH6WQ-XNt1KBOQxQMdx0jhecArvlOSfu2rTQ/s320/DSCF1209.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">daffodil picking</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6WgchAqh7CPeHTF6eUaoYj4eDBPs31oj1nkhA2Exugd7rPxSHoqSFwIp931oh-VQD5kMntYBWJHyc226a4Cerduw6p8aHOHDW6IREVXSMPDTBJXD-1SHExk1YYfTQzix3mYRxERNIBr77/s1600/DSCF1222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6WgchAqh7CPeHTF6eUaoYj4eDBPs31oj1nkhA2Exugd7rPxSHoqSFwIp931oh-VQD5kMntYBWJHyc226a4Cerduw6p8aHOHDW6IREVXSMPDTBJXD-1SHExk1YYfTQzix3mYRxERNIBr77/s320/DSCF1222.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and a wonderful old tire swing</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJLJeDFaScUxlBu-PX86a_RLQ-O5PCrSJHKnQsENLpE5JbUV6YQUFqgRF1jQwsJN7roMahl8-aOjpn6POdrL_LdLpHtKGV3zjJFbDo8vVwv_hDDimjFKe7cZ31Q_qFC7-ZKhOZZZlWws8/s1600/DSCF1243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJLJeDFaScUxlBu-PX86a_RLQ-O5PCrSJHKnQsENLpE5JbUV6YQUFqgRF1jQwsJN7roMahl8-aOjpn6POdrL_LdLpHtKGV3zjJFbDo8vVwv_hDDimjFKe7cZ31Q_qFC7-ZKhOZZZlWws8/s320/DSCF1243.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our three </td></tr>
</tbody></table>Much love to you all! Wishing you wonderful spring days too.Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01880809333077218301noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678783807648507518.post-75342428091347206422011-08-15T01:38:00.000-07:002011-08-15T01:59:18.962-07:00Ethan turns two!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEUzSG42gesGmqOqjdQKa4kR4WZd4lQfA3jJVdVR56T8siKH7ZJMPVYhi32NQFMBzSYtnhdpiFUzJ4aV34djT427n18iw7ji7wHX5BN0BsxDvaJ5cGxtCBiHeWpzCfiJyLFAC-0R6e8neG/s1600/DSCF1067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEUzSG42gesGmqOqjdQKa4kR4WZd4lQfA3jJVdVR56T8siKH7ZJMPVYhi32NQFMBzSYtnhdpiFUzJ4aV34djT427n18iw7ji7wHX5BN0BsxDvaJ5cGxtCBiHeWpzCfiJyLFAC-0R6e8neG/s320/DSCF1067.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ethan's bunting Alexander and I made </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNtgTib4TxgbiOF40M5JpPnsb9PTPOspi8XvbOdpsvc1GsQy6eHYqg3LVE8cbomj3hKPMrud7j7JLwIuNIlESFO95I5MFuNMEeBQ5Gu9fejGuVq6BHIVeWUMxgHa86jSozW6R-3anvfgKw/s1600/DSCF1061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNtgTib4TxgbiOF40M5JpPnsb9PTPOspi8XvbOdpsvc1GsQy6eHYqg3LVE8cbomj3hKPMrud7j7JLwIuNIlESFO95I5MFuNMEeBQ5Gu9fejGuVq6BHIVeWUMxgHa86jSozW6R-3anvfgKw/s320/DSCF1061.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMB4ECmpz1nSZjmjaOW1zY0q1JNM4c9Tdsixz5YLpZalL4aKt8OcpfMp1pW0_uTFWwV8XU91lMQ6frgR3XsQtSai9sDz_dTu1xdwlQdSpM_qb3FGinb9FfznNq5wWIM2F1f42gsIK8HBUU/s1600/DSCF1058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMB4ECmpz1nSZjmjaOW1zY0q1JNM4c9Tdsixz5YLpZalL4aKt8OcpfMp1pW0_uTFWwV8XU91lMQ6frgR3XsQtSai9sDz_dTu1xdwlQdSpM_qb3FGinb9FfznNq5wWIM2F1f42gsIK8HBUU/s320/DSCF1058.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">birthday chair </td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbIWQheWSOxe8iab7Ql6S3KaWF50A5H7B3LZpLBWPmiAhd-yzZ5JrfZIZNdq1toR-oR7WtePBnjlutPPRNEFp4nlLECrFNfgiNY10zNO-Rm2_ALw1huTItFtmpwcsOKdTq9pX_GxU0TOsd/s1600/DSCF1046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Can you believe our third little one turned two on the 4th, such a milestone for boy and parents both! I have to admit I really mourn the loss of the baby he was, as much as celebrate the delight he is. By two ones baby has truly gone hasn't it? Much to my astonishment I am terribly clucky at the moment and can't shake the feeling there is another child waiting for us, gasp! I know, I know, and those that know me closely please remind me of what a struggle it was to juggle three little ones without family here, a sinking ship is what I have most used to describe us these last years... remind me of all the tears and the exhaustion and how I have expressed a hunger for a taste of self again.... and the evidence is still all around me in piles of washing, the constant cycle of chaos to order, feeling so pulled in different directions, sometimes feeling I can't do anything well or meet everyone's needs as best as I would like....But then there is this deeper settled part that is just so content in the bustle, that has taken three little ones to "get it", whatever "it" is, something settling into my bones ...to surrender, to let go, to not sweat the small stuff anymore, to live for the present, and that love in general and of family in particular, is ultimately the most important thing (including it's extensions in rich friendship), and to live by "this too shall pass", and that they grow up SO quickly, that what do those difficult times really matter but to stretch us and help us grow into richer more whole human beings, that challenges are there but for our growth and pruning as Kahil Gibran says...... .OH DEAR! I better do more crafting and resurrect our craft circle, or set up my easel, or apply for my masters, or run a local 10k, or finish that knitted cardigan I started (two years ago :), or start a book club, or, or? <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbIWQheWSOxe8iab7Ql6S3KaWF50A5H7B3LZpLBWPmiAhd-yzZ5JrfZIZNdq1toR-oR7WtePBnjlutPPRNEFp4nlLECrFNfgiNY10zNO-Rm2_ALw1huTItFtmpwcsOKdTq9pX_GxU0TOsd/s1600/DSCF1046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbIWQheWSOxe8iab7Ql6S3KaWF50A5H7B3LZpLBWPmiAhd-yzZ5JrfZIZNdq1toR-oR7WtePBnjlutPPRNEFp4nlLECrFNfgiNY10zNO-Rm2_ALw1huTItFtmpwcsOKdTq9pX_GxU0TOsd/s400/DSCF1046.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD0AoJYnXD6DITZZkBIoz7vV23sNiy27sS7IJ0VV0VlNr1wM65YZt9UCh9HOyfhLhmG5q2uKyw1m8hj0L1HuQQ902XbXzbdKaVXQ2uyMR-hWVfKbE20P3q_FK30nSTH1SlKCEMbPU1cHs0/s1600/DSCF1077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxsuSFTJATMtJtN6M-kl9wBp-CxONQz0lSgzjCymxfUgXeNvxUNlPXTblTR8XVzMheMD_fO9fB6oaf9hwwDGns_Go18DsPoZ96Q9okzYFFvUOUcgjn5iSls5kpgyUndWkht2qI-o6eCAuX/s1600/DSCF1049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxsuSFTJATMtJtN6M-kl9wBp-CxONQz0lSgzjCymxfUgXeNvxUNlPXTblTR8XVzMheMD_fO9fB6oaf9hwwDGns_Go18DsPoZ96Q9okzYFFvUOUcgjn5iSls5kpgyUndWkht2qI-o6eCAuX/s400/DSCF1049.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Happy birthday Ethan!<br />
I must share a most magical moment at the days end when the sky had grown dark... Ethan lead me down to our room and asked me to sit with him on the floor to look out at the stars, and I sat beside him in that glorious stillness of night, quiet all around, and so utterly peaceful after a busy day. We just basked in looking at the beautiful crescent moon, bordered by two distinct stars, when all of a sudden a shooting star shot across the sky between them, lasting for a small eternity as if to say "haaaapppppy biiiirthhdaaaaay Ethaaaan", such a rare beacon, caught in such a lovely connected moment of love, it was astonishing. Every night when it grows dark Ethan still mentions the "shootin star", and we go and look. We haven't seen another one since and we have come to call it his special birthday star. Magic is! Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01880809333077218301noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678783807648507518.post-20237729403384408022011-08-11T02:08:00.000-07:002011-08-11T02:15:07.436-07:00projects...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaanirTidZdoKiFKJs2s7gfiEsSZyaM3GNcREOxD4zwV-1Ci9neu8qAyjw0C5nEhulz-I6EEyilZFWtgLeYtjERM1n7nDzFCXRoPqPChcOxgvOatkFfPNxGanP716c0XcRVS5ICSnqapkE/s1600/DSCF0815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaanirTidZdoKiFKJs2s7gfiEsSZyaM3GNcREOxD4zwV-1Ci9neu8qAyjw0C5nEhulz-I6EEyilZFWtgLeYtjERM1n7nDzFCXRoPqPChcOxgvOatkFfPNxGanP716c0XcRVS5ICSnqapkE/s320/DSCF0815.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I don't know about you but I feel so much more energised and contented when I have a project to tackle in the end of the day in those threads or moments stolen. These are a little old now, a common theme, posts run a little late around here (!) but I am still very proud of them. The small achievements make such a difference to a day don't they? We are all very sick at the mo so crafting is very much on hold and soup making, nose-wiping, cleaning, is to the fore. Homemaking and mothering will, for much longer, be the most important project I own me thinks! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidAcRcWJOiYOjCO2ojy_m_9Rh45Enqq1pyfP6b6cTZ0DEOijNO7dqtZJhQ_QFlOOu8l5MrL-5pHx8hb6T4Iptw1VKYEbRp3Q1WVMciLyHeK2skLOIKgknm22T3nSwsc2qEUXHjHJsuiBM9/s1600/DSCF0817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidAcRcWJOiYOjCO2ojy_m_9Rh45Enqq1pyfP6b6cTZ0DEOijNO7dqtZJhQ_QFlOOu8l5MrL-5pHx8hb6T4Iptw1VKYEbRp3Q1WVMciLyHeK2skLOIKgknm22T3nSwsc2qEUXHjHJsuiBM9/s320/DSCF0817.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh my first cushion cover, replete with zip! Don't look too closely I found it very hard to sew that line straight with the fancy zip foot. I LOVE this old muted floral fabric, with a previous history as curtains, perfect to soften and romance our sitting room space found at an op-shop. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigklWO8KY9Kmz1kz3Dx1Vp6g9nyL9Jc1Y8FqBCxJBuPdAf5-gJ66qA63Y3OxeridxGFqJwAGYCsY8LWygq6gCRgH0M1y-hvG-yrvKhyphenhyphenRpSrmbVZ-f5WXaBAlWpOSSj0tz6CPDcCfUMj9jK/s1600/DSCF0829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigklWO8KY9Kmz1kz3Dx1Vp6g9nyL9Jc1Y8FqBCxJBuPdAf5-gJ66qA63Y3OxeridxGFqJwAGYCsY8LWygq6gCRgH0M1y-hvG-yrvKhyphenhyphenRpSrmbVZ-f5WXaBAlWpOSSj0tz6CPDcCfUMj9jK/s320/DSCF0829.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garden projects many! We have this roughly terraced slope very neglected and overgrown which I envision tamed into an abundant pottagier (spelling anyone?) veg garden with cobbled paths etc...one day and chickens, height of my ambitions for so long..! Oh imagine?!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ud_-X8z6bgbDzykZURSmCAnEPV-A_fLNzZyUf_fyF2xGQeRVpP05vFnN0aet-xyorSVTUhmZLLBzS9H8L1mCn1Sw3REsqhDqoTdf7vq4ja-UJeHECkRRn6gWImDrpoofyaZXRl-_I3Fk/s1600/DSCF0850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ud_-X8z6bgbDzykZURSmCAnEPV-A_fLNzZyUf_fyF2xGQeRVpP05vFnN0aet-xyorSVTUhmZLLBzS9H8L1mCn1Sw3REsqhDqoTdf7vq4ja-UJeHECkRRn6gWImDrpoofyaZXRl-_I3Fk/s320/DSCF0850.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And this old cupboard, found for a song so exactly what I had been carrying around in my heart to replace old rikkerty craft cupboard hauled around the world .. my handbag has even been fit with tape measure to find just the perfect size and here it is before its shabby chic transformation! </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA1ou5gMOpeJZi41YE9B1-idR0Onpq5fqJnahzKP0rVz_trE1hs26u5cYJ0JQx135WczViebr9BvO6FOxGh62egCn-_LENSaKizJCcRoi-bF89-65sBkRRL5W5Vy7XBQyL-sXz-4X0Sfui/s1600/DSCF0857.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA1ou5gMOpeJZi41YE9B1-idR0Onpq5fqJnahzKP0rVz_trE1hs26u5cYJ0JQx135WczViebr9BvO6FOxGh62egCn-_LENSaKizJCcRoi-bF89-65sBkRRL5W5Vy7XBQyL-sXz-4X0Sfui/s320/DSCF0857.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">work in progress, my trusty assistant helping with the sanding</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO-pZW_Yu95f2fHCwrR8ZUvBsyaG5SY6huFkgXqIQcBqXuY-T7hIslO-ES5n-4ss3Bc4qv354WEEd_MX-duSLADL1KZTgl08ZWnSnfpDx9kvSHy79eDcw1ifCbVUn4KnXE_4FWC96iU9FO/s1600/DSCF0858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO-pZW_Yu95f2fHCwrR8ZUvBsyaG5SY6huFkgXqIQcBqXuY-T7hIslO-ES5n-4ss3Bc4qv354WEEd_MX-duSLADL1KZTgl08ZWnSnfpDx9kvSHy79eDcw1ifCbVUn4KnXE_4FWC96iU9FO/s320/DSCF0858.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">old chairs too</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Assistant 2 </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0GzkErdabaddEd8a5GIYwTH7LojUsQE9Jcyp4clLjrKlEU96PZXPP3uGJMuIhpo93tXoTtX13mg_1BSnx3l5yy3LcdI7_xssj4cHZb0mtaNy44GuQCVJkfon9rjtmWu2BlVy0XJOoloPB/s1600/DSCF1025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0GzkErdabaddEd8a5GIYwTH7LojUsQE9Jcyp4clLjrKlEU96PZXPP3uGJMuIhpo93tXoTtX13mg_1BSnx3l5yy3LcdI7_xssj4cHZb0mtaNy44GuQCVJkfon9rjtmWu2BlVy0XJOoloPB/s320/DSCF1025.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And voila in its new home! Am so utterly thrilled with the result. Love, love, love my new cupboard! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicXDdIi3gvGGhD0R07FkT_uuLLUPAfVhv2Nry1-u-jVqNDUoR1A1IgOnu73sG1EWiz0NJHkWFQ8B7T0_9Jj60qAnKHOra3ZxqvUN5xZ1I3F6oWXvY2UXE8OfhwQDO_vkCI_s5ozPS73Ekb/s1600/DSCF1026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicXDdIi3gvGGhD0R07FkT_uuLLUPAfVhv2Nry1-u-jVqNDUoR1A1IgOnu73sG1EWiz0NJHkWFQ8B7T0_9Jj60qAnKHOra3ZxqvUN5xZ1I3F6oWXvY2UXE8OfhwQDO_vkCI_s5ozPS73Ekb/s320/DSCF1026.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
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</tbody></table>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01880809333077218301noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678783807648507518.post-65899910531009003742011-07-21T19:14:00.000-07:002011-07-21T19:14:44.059-07:00Winter days continued...our recent trip to the Hokianga, Northland<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinki9K3cUk2rynguy_YhWpqSFSp-l_tfkgOkUZ-iL4Dw4ouzbnWRXeOdLQ2mNC1KxofNoHiYLMymR_uDEzyaCxASncnRfAhFzidT3tP2UByOnAgumGsSBv5zHYvTuMmHAdQdwf7FcR1po3/s1600/DSCF0978.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj242_r99Wut_y7hgd_ig9PM-1iJSLBH-RyXRlyKyygw3OD10xyGYRQA90iYuUEYGv1p9trbMuyjXbL4Fg2osiDgLG7EZiJr99xL4o2AFe7bViSJW7adPJaDYLk3_KbQm2qXIihJnCN7ncY/s1600/DSCF0953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj242_r99Wut_y7hgd_ig9PM-1iJSLBH-RyXRlyKyygw3OD10xyGYRQA90iYuUEYGv1p9trbMuyjXbL4Fg2osiDgLG7EZiJr99xL4o2AFe7bViSJW7adPJaDYLk3_KbQm2qXIihJnCN7ncY/s320/DSCF0953.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the worlds magic places, I think, the Hokianga harbour, my hometown</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">waiting travelers </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Something so old fashioned about Bell sometimes, she could be awaiting a carriage! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beachcombing, and reshaping</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizx-ooVGMMAv4pOY7SPkoclO4pzaf7V2NBGEWINH-VFE92R7M7kHO-_lOLRV3_j04fKH2dNaceiCAT4vcGrD5q9KmegEhdP8Ppbc7s3dv7vKWimDeUPGP0oueB3L9qesFu1_U9nE7LsCXC/s1600/DSCF0956.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizx-ooVGMMAv4pOY7SPkoclO4pzaf7V2NBGEWINH-VFE92R7M7kHO-_lOLRV3_j04fKH2dNaceiCAT4vcGrD5q9KmegEhdP8Ppbc7s3dv7vKWimDeUPGP0oueB3L9qesFu1_U9nE7LsCXC/s320/DSCF0956.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No doubt,the highlight of Ethan's trip, digger driving at Signal Station point, my favourite place. Oh the joy of running out here early morning, the expanse of ocean and sky, worries seem to inconsequential and unnecessary in the face of it! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_g-I7k7N2agrslgQgxSHMlb7fWjc_2Yb7YqHo1Ya6GvLYNxBupSt_5Jat0Q6iZS2guyyfi9-AR6fifYOl3wlVHvi7sQiIyxoLq_xVUro8XFHxYVZVtJTn0ENzScv0XR7dVnhzzhew5yn2/s1600/DSCF0958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_g-I7k7N2agrslgQgxSHMlb7fWjc_2Yb7YqHo1Ya6GvLYNxBupSt_5Jat0Q6iZS2guyyfi9-AR6fifYOl3wlVHvi7sQiIyxoLq_xVUro8XFHxYVZVtJTn0ENzScv0XR7dVnhzzhew5yn2/s320/DSCF0958.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He would have sat here for hours, bar the blustery wind I would have too</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivNE4iIAFUnOesNutqxdLnEJhmh2WgFSLYsq-tCyoo-RXZzvhNMPPIhsTMlqzgJtuJHorTyOt_9VuDDLMoCBvlYILJjlyC-YV5jPFR87cc6g5BIkvTvtn-VDBf2-c6yUSxJ1YQTlAeAeRe/s1600/DSCF0963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivNE4iIAFUnOesNutqxdLnEJhmh2WgFSLYsq-tCyoo-RXZzvhNMPPIhsTMlqzgJtuJHorTyOt_9VuDDLMoCBvlYILJjlyC-YV5jPFR87cc6g5BIkvTvtn-VDBf2-c6yUSxJ1YQTlAeAeRe/s320/DSCF0963.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cousins, sharing their mutual love of diggers, one of there more peaceful moments! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEGaWH82dhTYDJnPDvYUpkvZdoZsD_EhrkQa7O_ZuVG8PdjSzsggZozST7yOcZBA7lxymDA3avdxQkEPmyuchbqvbjIrAyEESIU9_bDxx1qdCuwUQFWXtaiX5NZnn7ESVCvOLYXtaxTdIN/s1600/DSCF0966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEGaWH82dhTYDJnPDvYUpkvZdoZsD_EhrkQa7O_ZuVG8PdjSzsggZozST7yOcZBA7lxymDA3avdxQkEPmyuchbqvbjIrAyEESIU9_bDxx1qdCuwUQFWXtaiX5NZnn7ESVCvOLYXtaxTdIN/s320/DSCF0966.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brother Dale, fishing extraordinaire, and two very enthused kids</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNPORioLRJH2C-1G_Zxwuu8776ysUP47n-M_1kWEMwtkWs_YKwcLL6NJwbY9lO9A2bos73yztELz_wU6lUmS6NnzzwuRx3aY75tWUCRLUKqQyq1TyLrdbLiP79vGoWaQ4aVNLhrMNN5i9w/s1600/DSCF0972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNPORioLRJH2C-1G_Zxwuu8776ysUP47n-M_1kWEMwtkWs_YKwcLL6NJwbY9lO9A2bos73yztELz_wU6lUmS6NnzzwuRx3aY75tWUCRLUKqQyq1TyLrdbLiP79vGoWaQ4aVNLhrMNN5i9w/s320/DSCF0972.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These two, so similar in so many ways</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alexander </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN6PMOBXfL3ZA7zykMmmfMVSHdpeis1wFVBaT0AN7hpLAfIcYztVOJL1o00cGOVtO5ULHaFeATD-Mzt1ElasmbsSLSa-uSIUR6hcgTU2pxn-0fjFiPl27IGgfM3ElVqiDS_fhItYy79F6m/s1600/DSCF0982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN6PMOBXfL3ZA7zykMmmfMVSHdpeis1wFVBaT0AN7hpLAfIcYztVOJL1o00cGOVtO5ULHaFeATD-Mzt1ElasmbsSLSa-uSIUR6hcgTU2pxn-0fjFiPl27IGgfM3ElVqiDS_fhItYy79F6m/s320/DSCF0982.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_lRUHxTIY6ufJhwDB9zb_SJOFQMJOH1CqGheuEeyMknFoo8ruf3CiNdacp4zDzp5z7J0fEPJlKNstVNBXtlss0zkGnBSxqGCSx1_OqIKrqBcwBQ9aFdR_vC1m0fsm6Teg8yv4zn-NuOeC/s1600/DSCF0997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_lRUHxTIY6ufJhwDB9zb_SJOFQMJOH1CqGheuEeyMknFoo8ruf3CiNdacp4zDzp5z7J0fEPJlKNstVNBXtlss0zkGnBSxqGCSx1_OqIKrqBcwBQ9aFdR_vC1m0fsm6Teg8yv4zn-NuOeC/s320/DSCF0997.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loving you Stacey and Cam, view Campbell's birthday party photos on her beautiful blog <a href="mailto:lilknightlights@blogspot.com">lilknightlights@blogspot.com</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTJ5xSHn0t5gv8_FTa_CTLUU0nm_go_Xv9Y0DZ_wwC1H52IdqeNNAhVS8Z2QT6GU_RuZM1cQYeoBx8HxQiSqIysFCBnQcKKBS5hyWMOH78XzLElK_QO8QrxhP9k4gcE1zjciwNg6n0PGbs/s1600/DSCF1005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTJ5xSHn0t5gv8_FTa_CTLUU0nm_go_Xv9Y0DZ_wwC1H52IdqeNNAhVS8Z2QT6GU_RuZM1cQYeoBx8HxQiSqIysFCBnQcKKBS5hyWMOH78XzLElK_QO8QrxhP9k4gcE1zjciwNg6n0PGbs/s320/DSCF1005.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh beautiful mischief, sand fights</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ofvBXlK-zbDtUuJQ-LEUkvaiOi9w_gTp3oWny-h8SstLHvqDZJHJaP1N6N2Y6MGpC5L9Gj7W2-lZDsTw9h2byQdNhVLtL1O1A0LHe6Hw95TzXBAIVzslClbwOyG1ggMXmdmrhyphenhyphen5uKVg2/s1600/DSCF0978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ofvBXlK-zbDtUuJQ-LEUkvaiOi9w_gTp3oWny-h8SstLHvqDZJHJaP1N6N2Y6MGpC5L9Gj7W2-lZDsTw9h2byQdNhVLtL1O1A0LHe6Hw95TzXBAIVzslClbwOyG1ggMXmdmrhyphenhyphen5uKVg2/s320/DSCF0978.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my visits greatest joys, a chance to be Aunty </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFBbUzPdGjW6wk-sj4SrBl3CKGUQBOintEjt3b6gdsjjiwGWbMA0AzqDCEifvPUQVeihMfKjY_ZMZi_WRFtKDZ7m0UBTm9NElCoylfShOp2RKhpYQNSOVLES-wi6DtrUlszSefnkdK4KwS/s1600/DSCF1007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFBbUzPdGjW6wk-sj4SrBl3CKGUQBOintEjt3b6gdsjjiwGWbMA0AzqDCEifvPUQVeihMfKjY_ZMZi_WRFtKDZ7m0UBTm9NElCoylfShOp2RKhpYQNSOVLES-wi6DtrUlszSefnkdK4KwS/s320/DSCF1007.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh the small joys </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01880809333077218301noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678783807648507518.post-71417408361622101112011-07-20T02:02:00.000-07:002011-07-20T02:27:33.160-07:00winter, walks, and wanderings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9pP5s5lE4DKn-UTxyWL4UkL-hvi4SQME8pNmRY_gm41Nw9o-aCTpSxAchIu25vifSJ6OdUVEXBurQ9guHYz9Qo120SGTSDm3EgejDGECElpu2nv3EnAZvINFPhyphenhyphenAjNNmJ7atGXriDWbMi/s1600/DSCF0810.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9pP5s5lE4DKn-UTxyWL4UkL-hvi4SQME8pNmRY_gm41Nw9o-aCTpSxAchIu25vifSJ6OdUVEXBurQ9guHYz9Qo120SGTSDm3EgejDGECElpu2nv3EnAZvINFPhyphenhyphenAjNNmJ7atGXriDWbMi/s320/DSCF0810.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> There is something about this time of year, so ethereal and delicate yet so clear and commited don't you think? Though I struggle at times with what winter brings, I dearly love its stillness too and just the shear stark beauty of it. Here in the Hawkes Bay there is such a crisp, cold clarity about it. Silvery grass in the morning gives way to these spectacular open breathtaking skies, sun that brightens but doesn't burn, it just feels so good to be alive! As harsh and cold as it can be, it is so invigorating at the same time. I find it harder and harder to to honor my morning run, but when I do I feel the thrill of it spill around me all day. And walks, with my three are such a divine way to appreciate the seasons, to restore and recharge. These few were taken after some winter convalescence, how good it was to be out again! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvH-_vct5um16JhEt_GmKbpBPj5PFXmhaFPy7hYLQvJCN96Daw7LvCRpYSZGUi4ZQ7X-Lt7qx8st7GT9EcXiZkUzwcnafZxW0vXErs1P5z28lhOtMdncNol8IaKx-OAY46wRL4fAjRzGKc/s1600/DSCF0807.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvH-_vct5um16JhEt_GmKbpBPj5PFXmhaFPy7hYLQvJCN96Daw7LvCRpYSZGUi4ZQ7X-Lt7qx8st7GT9EcXiZkUzwcnafZxW0vXErs1P5z28lhOtMdncNol8IaKx-OAY46wRL4fAjRzGKc/s320/DSCF0807.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snowdrops! Very misplaced at this time of year, but much appreciated! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDhC6kcQTDb8R4D8jgb46iKvVT8qpAA17W7xxLfyTJ6ccgwgz5e-Q2W2H0MaTGdxjsSyAbtcKb7WN03ny1LOVzApR4BGnd3QjWsuJdl3CdZEILhspnGYIcuGIobNu0F9C0Pl8WP-dLTxyu/s1600/DSCF0808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDhC6kcQTDb8R4D8jgb46iKvVT8qpAA17W7xxLfyTJ6ccgwgz5e-Q2W2H0MaTGdxjsSyAbtcKb7WN03ny1LOVzApR4BGnd3QjWsuJdl3CdZEILhspnGYIcuGIobNu0F9C0Pl8WP-dLTxyu/s320/DSCF0808.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip0Bq-2iZanRZ38dfAuhA5Mu4KS4Iob8nqWTtiMAwbMzOPbRwMXkIiPbNV_CxG5p2tft_5BNZFylGn3d4jaqzSIyUgci8EjmTCZlxgMvFPC-PnG6Gu9w-3a3-C1k49fRixhq4et5fvSlkv/s1600/DSCF0813.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip0Bq-2iZanRZ38dfAuhA5Mu4KS4Iob8nqWTtiMAwbMzOPbRwMXkIiPbNV_CxG5p2tft_5BNZFylGn3d4jaqzSIyUgci8EjmTCZlxgMvFPC-PnG6Gu9w-3a3-C1k49fRixhq4et5fvSlkv/s320/DSCF0813.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hints of autumn remain, I have a love affair with crab apples, they have to be one of the most divine trees to watch the passing of seasons don't you think? </td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlUWNCP4-u054UkzdmdiRvmOdMViqb8dIulnuCnPe66cm7DU6dQwh_HlW9MVpD89mJ-7vskHLLx0kus_2wjA5I51TnZXD-aUy4GLIQyZvQkrQf7308JhYe0DvB9-eO7WHkUAdZitmFEGPX/s1600/DSCF0803.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlUWNCP4-u054UkzdmdiRvmOdMViqb8dIulnuCnPe66cm7DU6dQwh_HlW9MVpD89mJ-7vskHLLx0kus_2wjA5I51TnZXD-aUy4GLIQyZvQkrQf7308JhYe0DvB9-eO7WHkUAdZitmFEGPX/s320/DSCF0803.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> Funny now that I review what I have written, the pictures don't really match the words! Walks I have captured, but I am not sure if winter. <br />
Anyway, we recently tripped to Northland to my family where the winter had such a different quality. I will share some of those winter days soon.Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01880809333077218301noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678783807648507518.post-75415857846737033562011-06-28T19:33:00.000-07:002011-06-28T19:33:20.780-07:00a time of gifting...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDhE8Gn_eiS9GTtuPEH6bcudu-4NOLwhM2s0AiEPvMAUKcWss-n43l46HKQwvqt5EYuenJqdFz3koWZqu8P9HgA2upDOpBa3GkxRjJvwMByXDL7YVHZtLWIF7iMcLRLTwWzL0Kau9ihq8U/s1600/DSCF0701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDhE8Gn_eiS9GTtuPEH6bcudu-4NOLwhM2s0AiEPvMAUKcWss-n43l46HKQwvqt5EYuenJqdFz3koWZqu8P9HgA2upDOpBa3GkxRjJvwMByXDL7YVHZtLWIF7iMcLRLTwWzL0Kau9ihq8U/s320/DSCF0701.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tea cosy sent to Nanny Ev in Ireland for her birthday, love tea cosys! </td></tr>
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<br />
Much of my creative energy of late seems to be given over to gifting. Honouring a commitment I made earlier in the year to make most (if not all) of my gifts as another money saving measure, and with goal of giving more meaningfully, I have been very busy! Friends and family birthdays seem to be dotted with alarming regularity throughout the year, my winter evenings have been very productive, which is very wintry in itself, and what better way spent. <br />
Here are some ideas to share, quick, easy, economical, yet so pleasing! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQQU8DXl6JJaYk3SsBztAf2lm9wHirwQ9Y5zndDfKOgjxI-tBncsekAlP5wxAS-S9oiJHVRfhF7rSkXs9pPPM9ABgSb2W_pRHqyulXdRO02aV-LzO4vNcaPgWE2kd5mcTMzocSdll4CdsD/s1600/DSCF0743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQQU8DXl6JJaYk3SsBztAf2lm9wHirwQ9Y5zndDfKOgjxI-tBncsekAlP5wxAS-S9oiJHVRfhF7rSkXs9pPPM9ABgSb2W_pRHqyulXdRO02aV-LzO4vNcaPgWE2kd5mcTMzocSdll4CdsD/s320/DSCF0743.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">tissue box with contrasting grey stitching for Mum for Mothers Day </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL85gsfwPv6yewXgV8Bh0qAINQSOtAsc_2gJFBi8ARm9d2iQHuqbpCYtuTjasd5W1FITMv3I4WSvdSGfPjXuuwS7iz6t3oVaF2OQHDxChK646eB9kXPMOgq0JQepPPYKvWMPMDjFP9ERF9/s1600/DSCF0771.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL85gsfwPv6yewXgV8Bh0qAINQSOtAsc_2gJFBi8ARm9d2iQHuqbpCYtuTjasd5W1FITMv3I4WSvdSGfPjXuuwS7iz6t3oVaF2OQHDxChK646eB9kXPMOgq0JQepPPYKvWMPMDjFP9ERF9/s320/DSCF0771.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">name pillowcases, a lovely gift for a girls (or boys) birthday </td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfKIXgd_uC5HjhXSNT-WhG0XJbC8X_J2Hymbyd3Z-23h9QZRjQ5my2MnEA5NrIr7J6mAMtxwwAsyQoIpTGVcXiD-2vIgFCX9SGseVtiNPXZ-J91YCFWb3WXt_ZCd3w2mfmpLeLCxqzvXOw/s1600/DSCF0794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfKIXgd_uC5HjhXSNT-WhG0XJbC8X_J2Hymbyd3Z-23h9QZRjQ5my2MnEA5NrIr7J6mAMtxwwAsyQoIpTGVcXiD-2vIgFCX9SGseVtiNPXZ-J91YCFWb3WXt_ZCd3w2mfmpLeLCxqzvXOw/s320/DSCF0794.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8hHPe0I4wlwHltO2TiuqbT3dgJzUlN_xw30H4New55HpcILxQ7-uZUTzBg0SAh6TvcMSV1resGHDZBBFLpHdkxJYNkV831kZPoTVJ1eDkG8DfIsAv6xsf2Pl9B34mmI6TzAc9h2NnvxXF/s1600/DSCF0780.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8hHPe0I4wlwHltO2TiuqbT3dgJzUlN_xw30H4New55HpcILxQ7-uZUTzBg0SAh6TvcMSV1resGHDZBBFLpHdkxJYNkV831kZPoTVJ1eDkG8DfIsAv6xsf2Pl9B34mmI6TzAc9h2NnvxXF/s320/DSCF0780.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">owl for Lucie-Belle daughter of veteren blogger Flo of <a href="http://www.sunshineofmyloves.blogspot.com/">http://www.sunshineofmyloves.blogspot.com</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8BJspgVZzF9Pj8kKw9GCEzH54cjpuWnWGsFLvK9pNiu9-YBZXMhdJsTiUj6CujOT3WdNl627d2xxi6od-8oJBKWUazjegZE8P7MTv7UZzcNmvhTRJc5dJCOklS7Ez260Y-yzlqHLsh2x4/s1600/DSCF0767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8BJspgVZzF9Pj8kKw9GCEzH54cjpuWnWGsFLvK9pNiu9-YBZXMhdJsTiUj6CujOT3WdNl627d2xxi6od-8oJBKWUazjegZE8P7MTv7UZzcNmvhTRJc5dJCOklS7Ez260Y-yzlqHLsh2x4/s320/DSCF0767.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">little ballet bag for a friend of Bella's </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnUS8PVGzWMM-C_rb-_-n_gCuVNMnAwiRpVZOYcwAY-vdiwUBnHeIR9-vJWfSUN069evb6VXhlI30_yLxSrt6Nlt6DfRTmQD5a7bo68oy70Ho1YrQ26orvUGCvd4Ts80ALV9Vf0arf17uV/s1600/DSCF0832.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnUS8PVGzWMM-C_rb-_-n_gCuVNMnAwiRpVZOYcwAY-vdiwUBnHeIR9-vJWfSUN069evb6VXhlI30_yLxSrt6Nlt6DfRTmQD5a7bo68oy70Ho1YrQ26orvUGCvd4Ts80ALV9Vf0arf17uV/s320/DSCF0832.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And a baby bunting for a new Irish second cousin, new daughter Kayla of my lovely much missed friend Georgina</td></tr>
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And this brings me to one of my current challenges, if I still have your attention. And maybe it is all this busy crafting that explains why I never seem to have the time left over for recording my world here.I fear I am getting a bit left behind in this whole blogoshpere business.<br />
I really seem to be struggling to find the time to gather my moments/inspiration/thoughts and capture them here to share, so bent on the<i> doing</i> of creating and running a home and raising three little ones I can't seem to to <i>bestill </i>(love that word, don't you think?) my domestic world. Arrest some me time.<br />
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I know you all struggle with the same, the same challenge to fit it all in, to be a good mother, homemaker, wife, friend, self(with all it's facets mind/body/soul) and to do it with grace besides. Phew! I find myself wishing for a neighborhood Grandma to come in and cover when things get overwhelming as they have been these last three weeks with a string of ill kids. I suspect my husband will be getting out his tiny violin about now, setting the scene of my pity party! Mmm... but you can relate can't you?<br />
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Sometimes I feel I so joyous, so inspired, so held still by the beauty around me, my children, my home, nature, inspiration at hand... wouldn't it be lovely to just dwell there a little longer ignoring the call to arms washing, cooking, nose wiping..do you hear me? Any thoughts?<br />
Anyway, what I would like to find/make/create for myself is a regular slot to visit here (even if I am just talking to myself)! How are you all pulling that off? Please do tell your secret formulas, do you set a blog date?Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01880809333077218301noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678783807648507518.post-35855030957675228612011-05-17T19:46:00.000-07:002011-05-18T01:39:50.541-07:00ordinary moments of magic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi16zssickQwn0FjXHJ7w6moTXMSdmqTp_C8Q4PrSA8RP8scryw4SEo02e0rC6kYWmgJw04XDZedyasOitO2zEtgXCV7L8eawjtrkJh7MvmC6CZ4AruBhESiEgY1Uk56JHUyqIwLG_y0HX/s1600/DSCF0616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOhv7Ekj8qbQajj6aVBlKoHVD_kCzJNh_lxcDFZkNFRcIdquALBcfq3_NYUUJrS_7hoac3Lbz7uo5gy70yObIzHFADS9LXqhRZFl5rJkatFinJMHQxHRDMUUU1BAJFYSbWHNjjFXiiu7Mq/s1600/DSCF0517.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOhv7Ekj8qbQajj6aVBlKoHVD_kCzJNh_lxcDFZkNFRcIdquALBcfq3_NYUUJrS_7hoac3Lbz7uo5gy70yObIzHFADS9LXqhRZFl5rJkatFinJMHQxHRDMUUU1BAJFYSbWHNjjFXiiu7Mq/s320/DSCF0517.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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In mothering, much as in life, meaning has to be found in the ordinary don't you think? When I first thought of starting a blog it was this thought that arrested me and motivated me to capture, share, and ultimately celebrate, the ordinary. Because so MUCH of life, especially one wedded to the home with little ones, is very ordinary and is so task, and <i>doing</i> based isn't it? I realised if I didn't somehow bring meaning and a sense of purpose to the craft, what really could it all (and therefore my life) mean. I think I would just lie down under all the washing and not come out! Sometimes believe me I am very tempted to do just that, peace and time to ones-self anywhere, anyhow!<br />
In conclusion, it is our dailiness that defines us, the small tasks or more the <i>attention </i>brought to the small tasks, the moments, that make the day, that set the mood, that shape the life. In celebration of the ordinary here are some of our favourite moments. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpJD7kUkXDl6C-E1VHqFwhmuJVn4Mi9gKEc9WMLiu5fqvNlLZOcyYCaYcYgUWf8_WJkGYY8Ny4GsM0TZnhmU8fK5_gJqYl48ntYeMtnI2QuBVSiE0MqqCXseDZtx9_xsGm9P_mLjkusApZ/s1600/DSCF0519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpJD7kUkXDl6C-E1VHqFwhmuJVn4Mi9gKEc9WMLiu5fqvNlLZOcyYCaYcYgUWf8_WJkGYY8Ny4GsM0TZnhmU8fK5_gJqYl48ntYeMtnI2QuBVSiE0MqqCXseDZtx9_xsGm9P_mLjkusApZ/s320/DSCF0519.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">oiling toys</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin6JN4qu7kBYRCwv8iawKCBSk_1UAs7VW_hQDTgdQ62XkPLj-6IxAHWkOUeL4mAoRAkGZUBh2RtsYFOLkBwOM8SMGZMZtJvtX9g2R7V_vRJOUEMCpWNUwM-nEv0UAfh9koRPIgcOXgVvSg/s1600/DSCF0536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin6JN4qu7kBYRCwv8iawKCBSk_1UAs7VW_hQDTgdQ62XkPLj-6IxAHWkOUeL4mAoRAkGZUBh2RtsYFOLkBwOM8SMGZMZtJvtX9g2R7V_vRJOUEMCpWNUwM-nEv0UAfh9koRPIgcOXgVvSg/s320/DSCF0536.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">kitchen floor cookng</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvxnn22S2SKycd_tIXis5Fn0jGdzhW1ecvujYqI81TtLHKfrjUN5jw-JHnUKMYXA7dEsI5PNAXi_8vBnFog-7kj6s74D7elNgO8vcEiib9yDV_DZa_4rdZ9_htNT67FCvrRaXfIhHvj4HS/s1600/DSCF0561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvxnn22S2SKycd_tIXis5Fn0jGdzhW1ecvujYqI81TtLHKfrjUN5jw-JHnUKMYXA7dEsI5PNAXi_8vBnFog-7kj6s74D7elNgO8vcEiib9yDV_DZa_4rdZ9_htNT67FCvrRaXfIhHvj4HS/s320/DSCF0561.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">story time (before haircut!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOTqV-y2Nkora8tRGS_PmrJ-cqJJXAf5aOl8GfOEZ405YuDgkQnp18GdVYL8Pppv_TxM5byoILeW-bj3SnSQN_ZGgcFHiMzIzOw8CMhDgi35QvKaxr0FlYv6BPJFNdV-fQ936RuO5Rdysj/s1600/DSCF0677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOTqV-y2Nkora8tRGS_PmrJ-cqJJXAf5aOl8GfOEZ405YuDgkQnp18GdVYL8Pppv_TxM5byoILeW-bj3SnSQN_ZGgcFHiMzIzOw8CMhDgi35QvKaxr0FlYv6BPJFNdV-fQ936RuO5Rdysj/s320/DSCF0677.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">neighbourhood walks </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrFDesmOewB8xGER28qfkCUWj2shheQY96aevGVF5Wttle7O_SDDo1G80gCqMQn7uTWcO4ps6z3yMQ3WpbUptg97jpJO2Y0-kfZnjI5Cz5gom70g-7MjKosdUuy8RkYf5LDAnSmy4joHlL/s1600/DSCF0537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrFDesmOewB8xGER28qfkCUWj2shheQY96aevGVF5Wttle7O_SDDo1G80gCqMQn7uTWcO4ps6z3yMQ3WpbUptg97jpJO2Y0-kfZnjI5Cz5gom70g-7MjKosdUuy8RkYf5LDAnSmy4joHlL/s320/DSCF0537.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">drawing sessions inspired by Brambly Hedge</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOO9POy4Zi_IBK1pzX05HTD_3fIwEPA9voq2LJzHojDXN57M2O-y66caqOJ-YX_2k-UOzjmlZR8kKJpVLQVVtYeaYYEYyq809eaDDBGWbsEcHRjXh7HTJnuXLalyApQ2YNm10YIFP25yQx/s1600/DSCF0564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOO9POy4Zi_IBK1pzX05HTD_3fIwEPA9voq2LJzHojDXN57M2O-y66caqOJ-YX_2k-UOzjmlZR8kKJpVLQVVtYeaYYEYyq809eaDDBGWbsEcHRjXh7HTJnuXLalyApQ2YNm10YIFP25yQx/s320/DSCF0564.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">story sessions and picnics under our cherry tree</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3N460NQAAl7Qy5IeTxnvUSyTQxRkwEKydBigNDnNvWXiFWR1m3ll4ptSeTREzou3iWT0wgHCsJhBnYzyBxst2jg9VMIuMsPUMP-RRWBtObb8b2SU5HUxH8nAT-POonjKj-C4dBd1LGaor/s1600/DSCF0601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3N460NQAAl7Qy5IeTxnvUSyTQxRkwEKydBigNDnNvWXiFWR1m3ll4ptSeTREzou3iWT0wgHCsJhBnYzyBxst2jg9VMIuMsPUMP-RRWBtObb8b2SU5HUxH8nAT-POonjKj-C4dBd1LGaor/s320/DSCF0601.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ethan's first haircut, much overdue! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi16zssickQwn0FjXHJ7w6moTXMSdmqTp_C8Q4PrSA8RP8scryw4SEo02e0rC6kYWmgJw04XDZedyasOitO2zEtgXCV7L8eawjtrkJh7MvmC6CZ4AruBhESiEgY1Uk56JHUyqIwLG_y0HX/s1600/DSCF0616.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi16zssickQwn0FjXHJ7w6moTXMSdmqTp_C8Q4PrSA8RP8scryw4SEo02e0rC6kYWmgJw04XDZedyasOitO2zEtgXCV7L8eawjtrkJh7MvmC6CZ4AruBhESiEgY1Uk56JHUyqIwLG_y0HX/s320/DSCF0616.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">just sitting </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiBb7VAUkLA7jg-XsF_vT87DdeCYLqcEWRJsx6Exuo770JdAnBVwtwMhVzF0wWkeQ-85Xi76dOfeSTqoNfrW9nWbCqBjM3mdeBG6kB82zRpyYxOqJwwnPl3Ift_xz8Jz3ZeH1mTlqP4Z4b/s1600/DSCF0569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiBb7VAUkLA7jg-XsF_vT87DdeCYLqcEWRJsx6Exuo770JdAnBVwtwMhVzF0wWkeQ-85Xi76dOfeSTqoNfrW9nWbCqBjM3mdeBG6kB82zRpyYxOqJwwnPl3Ift_xz8Jz3ZeH1mTlqP4Z4b/s320/DSCF0569.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">painting and crafting<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01880809333077218301noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678783807648507518.post-47894268120515504582011-04-09T20:11:00.000-07:002011-05-16T15:59:32.219-07:00current beside reads<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgHXM85g2vx9Z1TNXsdMrui2z83FWYFee_OgFa5Y01ZyunR4m8t2pJeaA8nYNAOoEr-XURAMs0fOmjxLXO5fNS7zR1uRF340B7MuphugW1JMWgmZ-bvU8Q8NOXRN-f6wxDbiywROQMczVn/s1600/DSCF0557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgHXM85g2vx9Z1TNXsdMrui2z83FWYFee_OgFa5Y01ZyunR4m8t2pJeaA8nYNAOoEr-XURAMs0fOmjxLXO5fNS7zR1uRF340B7MuphugW1JMWgmZ-bvU8Q8NOXRN-f6wxDbiywROQMczVn/s320/DSCF0557.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I thought it might be nice to share my current reads from time to time, lover of books as I am and having been so grateful for those recommended reads over the years.<br />
I am currently dabbling in a few depending on mood and inclination. <br />
<br />
An all time favourite "Mitten Strings for God" by Katrina Kenison was a gift from a dear American friend on the birth of our first born. It was then, and continues to be, a guiding compass for my parenting all woven in such a beautiful way. She, like I, has been very touched by the Rudolf Steiner philosophies of child rearing and education and I found much to remind me of where I want to be. Just lovely!<br />
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"Simplicity Parenting" by Kim John Payne is proving wonderful. I am feeling very inspired by his ideas and insights. He writes very much about finding a "pace of grace" to borrow a term from another much-loved title for oneself and children in this busy bustly world of ours.<br />
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The other titles probably need no introduction. It is still the height of my ambitions to have chickens, an endeavour not to entre into lightly I am warned by this book, blah!Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01880809333077218301noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678783807648507518.post-4319136463287728222011-04-09T17:52:00.000-07:002011-04-09T17:55:46.644-07:00a new member of our family<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Just recently we adopted a little bunny from the Nest kindergarten. We called her Honey bunny (no doubt <i>very </i>original). She comes from quite an illustrious line - her Flemish mother "Flopsy" escaped into the surrounding vines and wild near the kindergarten over the Christmas holidays. Later she was returned by neighbors who read of her famous escape in the local newspaper. Some weeks later she gave birth to three suspiciously feral looking kits, Honey being one of. The jury is still out whether she will prove more wild than tame. Thus far the call of the wild seems to be strong - she is very wriggly by nature and seems ever to want to leap out of our arms when we try to hug. Just yesterday Ethan managed to open her hutch, unbeknown to us, and she escaped to provide some street entertainment. Found sitting in the middle of the road and enticed by some lettuce she was returned by some children from our street who caught her in a butterfly net! Mmm not looking too good! Like mother like daughter I am afraid! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqeQ5zG51j8MMiDrkUw_XxvoAEVaE0dtdLgMGEOogse826ZFzCF2FBTvb480_Ky2L_F5KSeM3qns9x-PgBBHllnqSeKGm7w47Lva2YVbzJvYGpdwBTnBEQsm9LgF9XJ9SRN-rLRA3YtuTH/s1600/DSCF0612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqeQ5zG51j8MMiDrkUw_XxvoAEVaE0dtdLgMGEOogse826ZFzCF2FBTvb480_Ky2L_F5KSeM3qns9x-PgBBHllnqSeKGm7w47Lva2YVbzJvYGpdwBTnBEQsm9LgF9XJ9SRN-rLRA3YtuTH/s320/DSCF0612.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>But then, there are all the wonderful things a pet has allowed. A "project" to paint her hutch and make it ready. Great team work, though Eth looked decidedly white after all this and so did a few nearby posts! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr1PwvvXBBwBiFnfpaV4tuUGrcI0IJDhuPrlcSY921G2Mcgzt0TNQnS_2fadFGlAITwKB-iD5VgKRLLmNv-Lnx-40YFnqdHVW1UZzizZb_v9R4cQsnmgRRGWX1rZfQbiNi0vvjnh3SEIhF/s1600/DSCF0625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr1PwvvXBBwBiFnfpaV4tuUGrcI0IJDhuPrlcSY921G2Mcgzt0TNQnS_2fadFGlAITwKB-iD5VgKRLLmNv-Lnx-40YFnqdHVW1UZzizZb_v9R4cQsnmgRRGWX1rZfQbiNi0vvjnh3SEIhF/s320/DSCF0625.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And <i>another </i>excuse to make a blanket!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA6re0njpppNIgQ0_ARRTKsw0EeUGseuU9xvWAyG25Pf3-bngZ2abN6nJw1b_JC7Oy7HMhz6myhUQ8WNKw_PL38IhyphenhyphenaW3w0KDZ5yM_jEdFCLeYjf2NVoaZlRLAK5zrdd0S3_zrKquGoQSC/s1600/DSCF0637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA6re0njpppNIgQ0_ARRTKsw0EeUGseuU9xvWAyG25Pf3-bngZ2abN6nJw1b_JC7Oy7HMhz6myhUQ8WNKw_PL38IhyphenhyphenaW3w0KDZ5yM_jEdFCLeYjf2NVoaZlRLAK5zrdd0S3_zrKquGoQSC/s320/DSCF0637.JPG" width="240" /></a></div> And this, that best of beautiful love and care spell, that a pet seems to encourage and allow to bring to life in all of us.Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01880809333077218301noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678783807648507518.post-61465333954203393172011-03-30T01:55:00.000-07:002011-03-30T01:55:30.473-07:00ways with wool<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> I am totally in love with wool! Every op-shop mission has as its focus the acquisition of (yet another) wool blanket. I have a number of shelves devoted to them. Recently Evabella and Alexander have joined me in the re-purposing of them. Here are some of our early efforts. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAPR_-VTvtvewM47i3o124YWPBbcx4eEjVvd4tYen9I4tnM11ny76Uy_Ko67rZA7owrYy1bg2Zn0HPmpycuH8TBFMo5Xe9GDsacuhT1V-23gnGw0bUHzw1Xk8WI1mQwydiPLYKGvLmk1e7/s1600/DSCF0515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAPR_-VTvtvewM47i3o124YWPBbcx4eEjVvd4tYen9I4tnM11ny76Uy_Ko67rZA7owrYy1bg2Zn0HPmpycuH8TBFMo5Xe9GDsacuhT1V-23gnGw0bUHzw1Xk8WI1mQwydiPLYKGvLmk1e7/s320/DSCF0515.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally a cosy to replace my cindered first. It was really tricky getting the sizing right this is still a bit over-sized I turned over the top and added a button to make it fit better and it is probably the thing I love most about it now. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW9aj2XbN0P_cTq3AL2Vkm3geNxclCLl01x7wczpjBVuO4tQmDHWLCOLBJS6QqGqovCS7eW57kRfnvHAB21q-R-T0xJnm7Jz6p9UwV8pMBzQcDYKBuVqdLNlAuUckOCwamKyWMS-aq07Zd/s1600/DSCF0516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW9aj2XbN0P_cTq3AL2Vkm3geNxclCLl01x7wczpjBVuO4tQmDHWLCOLBJS6QqGqovCS7eW57kRfnvHAB21q-R-T0xJnm7Jz6p9UwV8pMBzQcDYKBuVqdLNlAuUckOCwamKyWMS-aq07Zd/s320/DSCF0516.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJJNNah619ncmLws-avFuhaqFBDxDhiqVONWrvacpIa7bVFoX_Q849WlUWKNlHG1rJ7fspkrLq3PJWrnzROpq4MKyYwPqN62anR8_LZ8CeYJJsDCzZ51DPICQ64CrRjnG0J_wdbg_utY_q/s1600/DSCF0358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJJNNah619ncmLws-avFuhaqFBDxDhiqVONWrvacpIa7bVFoX_Q849WlUWKNlHG1rJ7fspkrLq3PJWrnzROpq4MKyYwPqN62anR8_LZ8CeYJJsDCzZ51DPICQ64CrRjnG0J_wdbg_utY_q/s320/DSCF0358.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It proved a good hat too! Note the sister sulking in background :( </td></tr>
</tbody></table>Our first rainy day in a while, spurred on by my little mission man, I taught my two to blanket stitch. I had been meaning to do this for some time but assumed they were too young and the whole thing would end in frustration. Much to my surprise and delight they picked it up so quickly and LOVED it. They literally spent all day making their respective blankets:Xandi made a blanket for his teacher's larger-than-life dog "Tuks"; and Bella made a little one for her grey rabbit (soft toy). It was heaven! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY00iDmAbvMnSzGXrkUhZF4SIlCPfpnyyVWdTKG3fVIJQzAMjtbVOt6SZG7aZHkbGIeTTWi4TTYCSMC3WFyT_Xw2qgDz0Pc9ak4BWb5C1US-SSGQgcv0ES-Ja7goTsrYSW5WGaQTb_HBik/s1600/DSCF0424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY00iDmAbvMnSzGXrkUhZF4SIlCPfpnyyVWdTKG3fVIJQzAMjtbVOt6SZG7aZHkbGIeTTWi4TTYCSMC3WFyT_Xw2qgDz0Pc9ak4BWb5C1US-SSGQgcv0ES-Ja7goTsrYSW5WGaQTb_HBik/s320/DSCF0424.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alexander absorbed in the task </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibhUd8Y9E-mE8hLaHdu_LU5AUcXOTzUZBytk5oB-DFHohVeyo0yr20A8VKyZUIx927ruC20Y7vRB1xOZJUJrhrygp0_Clffko4L26n_28ghFUvcqf-MbqpMRbiXk7TFY8xVrlDbXqRjzXS/s1600/DSCF0426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibhUd8Y9E-mE8hLaHdu_LU5AUcXOTzUZBytk5oB-DFHohVeyo0yr20A8VKyZUIx927ruC20Y7vRB1xOZJUJrhrygp0_Clffko4L26n_28ghFUvcqf-MbqpMRbiXk7TFY8xVrlDbXqRjzXS/s320/DSCF0426.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And Evabella, a little less so :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF3rjYjRnP_2-bpR0RcNtB_BsK6y0epslOd45eD6FAjQwq9_AJBZErxIGh2ZnR3PkJjNKXU5miLbSM6XgHh0OKCgJXBe-MqyNvlLCeYqhr_16h98Q_2N-_srlXK07wqy19Owp2Zsu7pxMX/s1600/DSCF0430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF3rjYjRnP_2-bpR0RcNtB_BsK6y0epslOd45eD6FAjQwq9_AJBZErxIGh2ZnR3PkJjNKXU5miLbSM6XgHh0OKCgJXBe-MqyNvlLCeYqhr_16h98Q_2N-_srlXK07wqy19Owp2Zsu7pxMX/s320/DSCF0430.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grey Rabbit's blanket</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrOYETMKlfZBHh1a3tiLLPfnWK78sj2OgSiCljX6Yaq_kn17dAqQA8P9xA258chvlFr9LCIWrCgUEu-z5UF-b8qk80Ms43r0ts4PYu_yxvaiR2xwh_XKVjk5H-CmLNQkbNhcYhHcAf3l83/s1600/DSCF0433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrOYETMKlfZBHh1a3tiLLPfnWK78sj2OgSiCljX6Yaq_kn17dAqQA8P9xA258chvlFr9LCIWrCgUEu-z5UF-b8qk80Ms43r0ts4PYu_yxvaiR2xwh_XKVjk5H-CmLNQkbNhcYhHcAf3l83/s320/DSCF0433.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alexander's finished work, so proud he was! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxt2yojSzUaUlOLCBYs6h3hY8FBlQ0ywNpDEW1C_Q1JKEB-XghVecD-hkL_Spkxh99VUUO-ThOOdeRSeZoYdsOsYgwGfKjRQYUjPNhGMvyFaAJKNGcURs23dppfdMaW-W4vzLjXNvXrfDB/s1600/DSCF0511.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxt2yojSzUaUlOLCBYs6h3hY8FBlQ0ywNpDEW1C_Q1JKEB-XghVecD-hkL_Spkxh99VUUO-ThOOdeRSeZoYdsOsYgwGfKjRQYUjPNhGMvyFaAJKNGcURs23dppfdMaW-W4vzLjXNvXrfDB/s320/DSCF0511.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And these! A really lovely project to make with kids. This is Evabella's owl softie to watch over her while she sleeps. Alexander has fallen utterly in love with his one named "Twinkle" too, and even brought it to his school pet day complete with a homemade tree trunk habitat. They were able to blanket stitch, stuff, and choose fabric and buttons etc., <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt5oQ6eUsuARdeyB267sGNjgfm0ecUQYy8aYjQzlI_YHOVDpKHCmdyXigj5oyRN3r1LTFPAJEHKqfacTe1QRtgdHmR6Jv6OoVAFGge53QqKWOm9FNoA3im_WGZ31oeaYbNPJ0LS83xajTX/s1600/Mortimier+familyIMG_2374.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt5oQ6eUsuARdeyB267sGNjgfm0ecUQYy8aYjQzlI_YHOVDpKHCmdyXigj5oyRN3r1LTFPAJEHKqfacTe1QRtgdHmR6Jv6OoVAFGge53QqKWOm9FNoA3im_WGZ31oeaYbNPJ0LS83xajTX/s320/Mortimier+familyIMG_2374.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ethan stealing some quiet reading beside us as we work, a rare treat. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>I also made some heart pincushions I gave as gifts. Next on my list are some cushions, want, must, must make. Am thinking cream and blue using some of that above vintage floral on tea cosy I seem to be addicted to just now.Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01880809333077218301noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678783807648507518.post-36973001288727974612011-03-06T16:14:00.000-08:002011-03-07T15:06:31.854-08:00arrangements and special pieces<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7MWAgvgyqxaF7_Wnj7r4DvjEzju2iRUHAKqt42dNyOK4-GuNyaAH3NwOr0DZxgFP9CtC9NPVoDqijmSFWZ9HvYxnyulx9poZIicFHpnH9UyQ8n60Xv99V9lYbnRK3pbt1GYDKcXbByZhZ/s1600/HouseIMG_0379.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7MWAgvgyqxaF7_Wnj7r4DvjEzju2iRUHAKqt42dNyOK4-GuNyaAH3NwOr0DZxgFP9CtC9NPVoDqijmSFWZ9HvYxnyulx9poZIicFHpnH9UyQ8n60Xv99V9lYbnRK3pbt1GYDKcXbByZhZ/s320/HouseIMG_0379.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJUqLoDE89lbU2Rw6HAU0Ivs2TubgmIeEgRIU-WDh9iNyHdq08MTMhix2WYGbbiYiltcxsOvA2Je0YOXbYT5_H9wAvpIdcNf5yKcYaTV2N4yPPimHZjq18d9EW0qupLZLfiIe9N1UDLEGO/s1600/DSCF0488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJUqLoDE89lbU2Rw6HAU0Ivs2TubgmIeEgRIU-WDh9iNyHdq08MTMhix2WYGbbiYiltcxsOvA2Je0YOXbYT5_H9wAvpIdcNf5yKcYaTV2N4yPPimHZjq18d9EW0qupLZLfiIe9N1UDLEGO/s320/DSCF0488.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Sometimes it is the placement of things together that makes the individual pieces sing, don't you think? Or conversely, one image/piece can somehow capture a complex mood or atmosphere, or can speak volumes about the person who created it, or to whom it belongs. Here are some collections/pieces of mine. Please share yours!<br />
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Above: 1. A painting by an old friend gifted for our wedding, a handmade book made by a wonderful old soul- friend about friendship and my gratitude journal grace all my bedside. <br />
2. A basket of last Friday's op-shop treasures.. I could wax lyrical forever about the joys of op-shopping/treasure seeking. There is something SO wonderfully exhilarating about finding some time-worn discard for such a little amount. I have to admit I suffer sometimes (okay <i>oftentimes</i>)from a great need to acquire something new; fashion, fabric, pottery and magic pieces for our house being my greatest weakness. Ever trying to reduce our spending and to live simply, I try to focus on needs rather than wants but op-shopping remains my indulgence and often blurs the line between the two (do I really <i>need </i>another wool blanket?!)... somehow it satisfies the insatiable appetite, rewards with the thrill of the "score", that "got-something!" buzz, all for pocket change- does it get any more perfect? <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMxBAt2qpQSb2FjoRMgUN2XpjDMLDdWJPsYSNex7usLR-F1VasS-XJPPHqQfyuW8SM7m1wFhXx7_gUQbQhumm8jtDXBz25uDIjgAal14sEMtwhOeYvoKJgcrIM50PNqKz1Jg2IhFkNRcaU/s1600/HouseIMG_0379.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixSuuKxzgsTgLpL9ENzbxDbra2setncdnWGHvs6-ev7cC9HMLKRUpuBansFqK6XCH_AFKPvKCKdos8S1nL-I-WHoH6PcdlAX3HA_fdC12lenrRCoNa1D1-C_ZuJV_md8h-vysroaUZH8jK/s1600/DSCF0486.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixSuuKxzgsTgLpL9ENzbxDbra2setncdnWGHvs6-ev7cC9HMLKRUpuBansFqK6XCH_AFKPvKCKdos8S1nL-I-WHoH6PcdlAX3HA_fdC12lenrRCoNa1D1-C_ZuJV_md8h-vysroaUZH8jK/s320/DSCF0486.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one is actually the cover of an old Anthropology catalogue that I have literally hauled around the world and back, I used to almost weep with a resonance when I had the pleasure of perusing their stores in the US. I would always leave so utterly inspired by the rustic, worn, lovingly made, creative burst, of it all.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJWTjBVub98_UqsBT-CDz9hbY1ZVS46yl8JXM-B6pdteu6ZaGlF5HQM47lwZ6Esj25kBE_eQelvG1N97oTUNf7ZU03wwn8oXP249OS3RZ9Ih7TByasEFcuDHDNStfJZWGea38GfwFBoCjU/s1600/HouseIMG_0372.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJWTjBVub98_UqsBT-CDz9hbY1ZVS46yl8JXM-B6pdteu6ZaGlF5HQM47lwZ6Esj25kBE_eQelvG1N97oTUNf7ZU03wwn8oXP249OS3RZ9Ih7TByasEFcuDHDNStfJZWGea38GfwFBoCjU/s320/HouseIMG_0372.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMxBAt2qpQSb2FjoRMgUN2XpjDMLDdWJPsYSNex7usLR-F1VasS-XJPPHqQfyuW8SM7m1wFhXx7_gUQbQhumm8jtDXBz25uDIjgAal14sEMtwhOeYvoKJgcrIM50PNqKz1Jg2IhFkNRcaU/s1600/HouseIMG_0379.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3kmgkROttbWps8EmOPx2rQjYP-mv4o5G3R40LA7cIGvjItm_nhjQuciInl5gt5WPnp-yVqlfWt2Spkl66e4Dpn_ovftIVvj4YasoDLaHPTgyq14mVmyutUXfhmgNaGjChtQcYAdYhEZbx/s1600/HouseIMG_0381.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3kmgkROttbWps8EmOPx2rQjYP-mv4o5G3R40LA7cIGvjItm_nhjQuciInl5gt5WPnp-yVqlfWt2Spkl66e4Dpn_ovftIVvj4YasoDLaHPTgyq14mVmyutUXfhmgNaGjChtQcYAdYhEZbx/s320/HouseIMG_0381.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLF8fpMsPoIfDrThQ5KRp9Iha4ptNvuDrT2SiHgpfcvdvFlU_zoQ_t2u3CAmQmY187NTA_8k6qcubBmNd-9olraaKndIrxHHWZY88GITVtUQgbts7N1o9-wSZ_ZxstPTOwxfNrpk1VBztG/s1600/HouseIMG_0382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLF8fpMsPoIfDrThQ5KRp9Iha4ptNvuDrT2SiHgpfcvdvFlU_zoQ_t2u3CAmQmY187NTA_8k6qcubBmNd-9olraaKndIrxHHWZY88GITVtUQgbts7N1o9-wSZ_ZxstPTOwxfNrpk1VBztG/s320/HouseIMG_0382.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ethan bunting by Stace of <a href="mailto:littleknightlights@blogspot.com">littleknightlights@blogspot.com</a> and birds from crafty sister-in-law Frith</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihpgW3en1gYOAdKZA-7Ph91cS3AwmkdFHqNUdqKAweIkV9mahhlQOvVukUN7iFJokf5LL9uYn6KxwNJj7IPkUteMe5NA3QUngGCEK9J6c5YkftwfQ1Jar6PxK4RsvsA2_mBjCOWLeXF8v0/s1600/DSCF0019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihpgW3en1gYOAdKZA-7Ph91cS3AwmkdFHqNUdqKAweIkV9mahhlQOvVukUN7iFJokf5LL9uYn6KxwNJj7IPkUteMe5NA3QUngGCEK9J6c5YkftwfQ1Jar6PxK4RsvsA2_mBjCOWLeXF8v0/s320/DSCF0019.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even the ordinary, or sometimes <i>especially</i> the ordinary, can be so beautiful, can't it? </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgsiMzVtbqql_5b1tUTlLvtXgTjqyJm-Y9GUTZ8CVSQQq_cT0aoBanBcx39BH4wa9da6Um-Pd-qulFDnlDc7DU1FWoIcCBc0R6jcXchB1ACFwTvXVr0gdPPiSRBaiXVUV13eCg-ROPmZxO/s1600/HouseIMG_0377.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgsiMzVtbqql_5b1tUTlLvtXgTjqyJm-Y9GUTZ8CVSQQq_cT0aoBanBcx39BH4wa9da6Um-Pd-qulFDnlDc7DU1FWoIcCBc0R6jcXchB1ACFwTvXVr0gdPPiSRBaiXVUV13eCg-ROPmZxO/s320/HouseIMG_0377.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A painting of mine, of us,our wedding day. Painting I dream, will find centre- left again one day, I promise myself</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0EWXIlk53ImAQeTuV67IlDLsAmJm7gSduWLflwIIRRUkteCCAVETQGodv3bMSDCbG9ma2AENGBjeHFFADGo5XEyzsSRL_lDKT8SfxS1Hs50RwdoGrDVyTpLUF9Si9aM0rrQLeZruTDUfe/s1600/HouseIMG_0368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0EWXIlk53ImAQeTuV67IlDLsAmJm7gSduWLflwIIRRUkteCCAVETQGodv3bMSDCbG9ma2AENGBjeHFFADGo5XEyzsSRL_lDKT8SfxS1Hs50RwdoGrDVyTpLUF9Si9aM0rrQLeZruTDUfe/s320/HouseIMG_0368.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I had this card line hanging in our old house, a wonderful way to display those acts of kindness/images that inspire. It started as a way to display Christmas photos and evolved to show cards gifted/found throughout the year . I used simple dute twine and wooden pegs.</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW55dwi7R6SmADFFraqTk1P1q9iCWhCAXPRYKaHg3vF8OcKO40vS1u8sNukHZgKV6Nsic-4R_Ukdr7rYBfFIAFsF4Vm-HFDgS7LnrXzrTHLX93VVM6Ww0-PtZNLoAfnuF5jRsPwXniO_zK/s1600/HouseIMG_0369.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW55dwi7R6SmADFFraqTk1P1q9iCWhCAXPRYKaHg3vF8OcKO40vS1u8sNukHZgKV6Nsic-4R_Ukdr7rYBfFIAFsF4Vm-HFDgS7LnrXzrTHLX93VVM6Ww0-PtZNLoAfnuF5jRsPwXniO_zK/s320/HouseIMG_0369.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEgjGkEUjBCD7v45LqJGzZFpDwnwxw8bWP0unflPA-BRAI43gresyi0w0rBiduZA5DBfGdbDpPZu21yMOvYGB_XLna58x_9q4eLBF-EbjzRd31e5fJtXunZbLISpB0eoaQtYYdF3GGc4zK/s1600/DSCF0489.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEgjGkEUjBCD7v45LqJGzZFpDwnwxw8bWP0unflPA-BRAI43gresyi0w0rBiduZA5DBfGdbDpPZu21yMOvYGB_XLna58x_9q4eLBF-EbjzRd31e5fJtXunZbLISpB0eoaQtYYdF3GGc4zK/s320/DSCF0489.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hints of autumn everywhere...Pears, crab apples, and "Brambly Hedge" oh LOVE, have you discovered? I dream to have all the seasons. Imagine my delight finding this one for 20c at the school Christchurch charity garage sale this weekend!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiepRKzI6DH-22Pmah-_6qkvWtz5EXVIl_FRI5m_EDyx5N6TIhFSurI_jT3-6qKrZj_wDxvGM1_V9SSZOooazhbcRXMY9OQy-8hNkhdC_iTe0I3FljvajSqQo5l9vHMRNLxjAzNPOKW9iE0/s1600/DSCF0510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiepRKzI6DH-22Pmah-_6qkvWtz5EXVIl_FRI5m_EDyx5N6TIhFSurI_jT3-6qKrZj_wDxvGM1_V9SSZOooazhbcRXMY9OQy-8hNkhdC_iTe0I3FljvajSqQo5l9vHMRNLxjAzNPOKW9iE0/s320/DSCF0510.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Windfall pears and soft bananas (intended for banana bread for the aforementioned charity event!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaYa4zSrg4VgZGm1HuzjAjXQiIDEdFOWidBKwuOD711Hkq-0JcU9u2mI2H8FpVsi-M3_7b6QgSxV4InSVWZRbw-HMnHbkm8QKwcOJvaEtH7CikDHd7z3bLZ3T5kWVFOuh96OUbsGoWg2bZ/s1600/DSCF0497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaYa4zSrg4VgZGm1HuzjAjXQiIDEdFOWidBKwuOD711Hkq-0JcU9u2mI2H8FpVsi-M3_7b6QgSxV4InSVWZRbw-HMnHbkm8QKwcOJvaEtH7CikDHd7z3bLZ3T5kWVFOuh96OUbsGoWg2bZ/s320/DSCF0497.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiikqRaiftTkr3OwwgSZtB-HRH4691XYzhxGTwaOeKGzNzJvepSiP3PSY9QDMI86gNFEhajR6OFOdj5TwR5UheE-vhyUjzqdyijpXqP1aSk_PFkqiFwkZ0obOKjGNor-Mb6Wtp8FLSt7QuA/s1600/DSCF0494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiikqRaiftTkr3OwwgSZtB-HRH4691XYzhxGTwaOeKGzNzJvepSiP3PSY9QDMI86gNFEhajR6OFOdj5TwR5UheE-vhyUjzqdyijpXqP1aSk_PFkqiFwkZ0obOKjGNor-Mb6Wtp8FLSt7QuA/s320/DSCF0494.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A recent creation, a child's place for quiet repose and reading</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs8apdI9WV68OVSu2i-nfRiSgKTPZXPe9q71VKA6sMrbQTu6ufGASE_xXry6iRJf8J83_4_NxHjmXRLT-c3JM-FD4j3pbYIP79pHb3zFD2vwc6uf4-FlwbROjEbTEQTeIFNTBb6xAPrl-P/s1600/DSCF0493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs8apdI9WV68OVSu2i-nfRiSgKTPZXPe9q71VKA6sMrbQTu6ufGASE_xXry6iRJf8J83_4_NxHjmXRLT-c3JM-FD4j3pbYIP79pHb3zFD2vwc6uf4-FlwbROjEbTEQTeIFNTBb6xAPrl-P/s320/DSCF0493.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Children come naturally to arranging and rearranging to bring new life or meaning to a space don't you think? I take to heart what is most important in any home for a child (and ourselves) is the <i>atomosphere. </i>As mother's we have such a powerful affect on the atmosphere and "mood" of our homes as I can attest good days and bad. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWelTMN9tCKnnwP1fEFklVKxMRmK1Kf-b2mnFrcxoVf81CkKTVjpy4-FCljU_rMfnLR_gdeugELsM_-3jhx8ZQwXsxZgf1pnWifchnBOdeOinXuf77D2ZHCEHn6yJZK3ztBNRKzHoKlazW/s1600/HouseIMG_0378.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWelTMN9tCKnnwP1fEFklVKxMRmK1Kf-b2mnFrcxoVf81CkKTVjpy4-FCljU_rMfnLR_gdeugELsM_-3jhx8ZQwXsxZgf1pnWifchnBOdeOinXuf77D2ZHCEHn6yJZK3ztBNRKzHoKlazW/s320/HouseIMG_0378.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My ever- evolving dressing table arrangement</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFPIVc7UgAAa5jTUZ2Eh9ISayfJlYhD9pMRO5Mhy4DF9PARdjKf5Rd9S1zY0dAdfb2S5AEVun3XYIYAdvjXevJzsuVFc13-TYqTkaRmuG00upfAcbNcrx1Y56IpJvPMihWk6GItv628oXJ/s1600/HouseIMG_0374.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFPIVc7UgAAa5jTUZ2Eh9ISayfJlYhD9pMRO5Mhy4DF9PARdjKf5Rd9S1zY0dAdfb2S5AEVun3XYIYAdvjXevJzsuVFc13-TYqTkaRmuG00upfAcbNcrx1Y56IpJvPMihWk6GItv628oXJ/s320/HouseIMG_0374.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another painting of mine, blue being my colour (and a mood tendency at times) for sure</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wow, this was a house warming gift from a friend. I have never been given such a beautiful bouquet,my colours, my flowers, thank you! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My catalogue again, and another house warming gift, my treasured tissue box, one of an increasing collection in my home. I think I would just about have to grab these in the event of fire! This creation is one of Florence's of <a href="mailto:sunshineofmyloves@blogspot.com">sunshineofmyloves@blogspot.com</a> and I have stitched some of my own too. They somehow make such a beautiful feature of something so ordinary and necessary (boo hoo!). Watch this spot (and hers likely) for more "ways with wool" we love, love, love it! So earthy and homespun, rustic cool, don't you think?<br />
Thanks for stopping by. X </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01880809333077218301noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678783807648507518.post-86623815210602286922011-02-12T16:46:00.000-08:002011-02-13T23:19:48.929-08:00I was lost, but now I'm found...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8XWji7OSJ3d9SToFZYq21xzZcRQkX_EXW6tQD6wOEB4FqUMaHU2BDz6FbZhNCz4dFxJkuQ38fSgRPDPRvPzQghEkhISHoP-qf4VjYRHpVG5Cl1ue3sEWubDOsc0ypIMjeSZb7gUEIciKH/s1600/swingIMG_2313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas at ours</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I find myself back here after a very long absence in which Christmas was celebrated, we moved house, Evabella turned three, and Mum, an Aunt and an Irish nephew of Austin's came to visit, Alexander returned to his old school, momentous occasions all. Little Eth and I have come down with a bug and are dragging ourselves through a hot Sunday while the others enjoy a leisurely (I hope) bike ride by the sea. I find myself basking in the blessings of our new home; tranquility and quiet, a lovely marriage of old and new, flow, a garden both wild and manicured, bird song and buzzing of insects, a friendly family community, and a gratitude that the incumbent stress of a move is behind us for the most part, and that this has all the bones I pray to be a forever home. A place to lay down our weary world traveled heads, and a place to breathe out and build joy and harmony together. A place to weave happy memories and support healthy growth. <br />
So for some photos to capture? <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV4d1fFbJDDE4QW2fCfNO6snPnTCwJ78MgcOuSC23cef-rUxvW0BRZ0qVFqPGMbOCIa5bpMuz1sxieVShQFlJhEnh29tdlZTogzn1mTI-9o3-VkvwrlM_cRr-ZVBaAG7v9F44SI2GFJLjl/s1600/Mortimier+familyIMG_2479.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV4d1fFbJDDE4QW2fCfNO6snPnTCwJ78MgcOuSC23cef-rUxvW0BRZ0qVFqPGMbOCIa5bpMuz1sxieVShQFlJhEnh29tdlZTogzn1mTI-9o3-VkvwrlM_cRr-ZVBaAG7v9F44SI2GFJLjl/s320/Mortimier+familyIMG_2479.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evabella bids adieu to life as a three year old </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8XWji7OSJ3d9SToFZYq21xzZcRQkX_EXW6tQD6wOEB4FqUMaHU2BDz6FbZhNCz4dFxJkuQ38fSgRPDPRvPzQghEkhISHoP-qf4VjYRHpVG5Cl1ue3sEWubDOsc0ypIMjeSZb7gUEIciKH/s1600/swingIMG_2313.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8XWji7OSJ3d9SToFZYq21xzZcRQkX_EXW6tQD6wOEB4FqUMaHU2BDz6FbZhNCz4dFxJkuQ38fSgRPDPRvPzQghEkhISHoP-qf4VjYRHpVG5Cl1ue3sEWubDOsc0ypIMjeSZb7gUEIciKH/s320/swingIMG_2313.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at those woolly curls, love love love, can't bring myself to cut! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of us Christmas morn</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZxqarm_PIFGEWLUh-D9PHYseLVxK_W04jsdoLaedRGNr8nouaNXqsUcmv1L0HH8KRdVJGZOcKidOSkPfzxa0oNq2By6rkf6K2_Y9S3ee1l4YuEebwyyy5I43sL6c85APslxP65v7shVJC/s1600/P1010028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZxqarm_PIFGEWLUh-D9PHYseLVxK_W04jsdoLaedRGNr8nouaNXqsUcmv1L0HH8KRdVJGZOcKidOSkPfzxa0oNq2By6rkf6K2_Y9S3ee1l4YuEebwyyy5I43sL6c85APslxP65v7shVJC/s320/P1010028.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Like father, like son</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFxCGTAMC0S15OF7QIiXsPjui2T6PtiFVI1f_aC7cPH-Q_7Kn-UUQ-1P3baPencSmQbzV7UiMcedXjiFiU_llVpdvE2Zv8od05CYYOhSyHYFOWnHPw8MMk94_K1NcoM5sIuT2YZZI0VpwF/s1600/new+houseIMG_2357.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFxCGTAMC0S15OF7QIiXsPjui2T6PtiFVI1f_aC7cPH-Q_7Kn-UUQ-1P3baPencSmQbzV7UiMcedXjiFiU_llVpdvE2Zv8od05CYYOhSyHYFOWnHPw8MMk94_K1NcoM5sIuT2YZZI0VpwF/s320/new+houseIMG_2357.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heaven is.....our new home. Talk of love at first sight. I had despaired we would find a home that would capture most of us. And this one came to us in a truly serendipitous way (thank you universe). We even have a resident possum!Note, agapanthas have since been replaced by a herb garden (thank you Mum!)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01880809333077218301noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678783807648507518.post-78007219266630857772010-12-03T23:32:00.000-08:002010-12-03T23:58:59.064-08:00Ode to crafting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuDgLyAvfutwfh0VIE0ulS3blckio_33cyZ0rLap4Q0_eG8saNXB_YURmMNBfqpmpf7_6DgSoqwioJgL86sJe_nwESXzjeC9m5rQFtpF3VGhldP2-3-lx74GVrv3DGxyT91WyGmOsdPGYX/s1600/P1010061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuDgLyAvfutwfh0VIE0ulS3blckio_33cyZ0rLap4Q0_eG8saNXB_YURmMNBfqpmpf7_6DgSoqwioJgL86sJe_nwESXzjeC9m5rQFtpF3VGhldP2-3-lx74GVrv3DGxyT91WyGmOsdPGYX/s320/P1010061.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of my door stoppers which I have found make handy pin cushions too...and not technically a craft ,but my beloved tea cosy, rescued and salvaged from smoke and flames (not kidding!)</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>First of all, as an aside, thank you to all the lovely support and encouragement for my blog beginnings! It has only taken me a couple of months to get back here! Not that I am under any illusions anyone is holding their breath waiting for my next post! Beginning is one thing, sustaining is the next! Not only the doing now, but the diary of the doing..mmm. <br />
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Speaking of doing, <i>crafting</i>, isn't it wonderful? It is my escape of choice these days, a meditative place to retreat, a release for the too long latent creative soul, a "room to call one's own", a connection to my past- somehow it stirs such wonderful memories of bending over the old Singer in my Dad and Carol's home creating dubious fashions (home made spaghetti jeans anyone?!) or things to give; I remember making Christmas clothes for my younger brothers, embroidering cushions for Carol, recipe book covers... Actually my whole early life was an ode to it, everything I wore down to the leather sandals and canvas school back-pack, pink cord trousers (pattern and fabric a 12th birthday gift from Mum), leather waist coat with embroidered butterfly, some of it, much to my embarrassment! But how wonderful to realise now, a little late perhaps, that I actually had a corner on cool!<br />
And now, oh how it serves as such a solace, a place to go that stills the monkey mind (to borrow a Buddhist term) , a place to commune with friends, and how proud and satisfied I feel of my small humble accomplishments.. when I come up for air...how lovely it is to give of something created from the heart, or to make for our home injections of whimsy.<br />
And hunting and seeking, another interlinked love. Crafting provides an excuse to op-shop (more) for found bits and bobs to incorporate or stand alone.... One friend in particular (check her sumptuous blog beginnings here <a href="http://sunshineofmyloves.blogspot.com/">http://sunshineofmyloves.blogspot.com/</a>) and I are just totally besotted (admittedly, bordering on obsessed) with it!) I think I need to start bringing a pillow to our weekly craft circle, it is not only the crafting that keeps me up, but the talking of the crafting, the inspiration and ideas... I barely sleep the night of, with all the excitement and take a week to recover and build up stamina for our next burst!Boy! <br />
Anyway, enough said! Here are some photos of my recent creations, humble and achievable in the limited windows of quiet time I recover from the bustle of family life. I always burst with more ideas than time to create them. Ahh..I remind myself, though I may not realise it all the time, these truly <i>are</i> my best years! And I <i>will</i> miss being pulled in so many directions at once. But still, isn't it heaven when you find some quiet time to retreat and create something for oneself?<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">these I have made for my little ones for Christmas</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and this is my crafting apprentice, Alexander, helping me fill stoppers</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">one of my name buntings, love buntings!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKFVmla1hF3riA80ApmFqdEmH_kDegaKh83mCDFEzkqtmIE50oJcMfXjYNipMV9Ac79MlEN2L88UXYrd80CmxYDTR5ZgX-NHmIvH7HmjSdMCiwYPH5WwGhJzjvIahQt8Ee6KeGZlLzBIBg/s1600/DSCF0211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKFVmla1hF3riA80ApmFqdEmH_kDegaKh83mCDFEzkqtmIE50oJcMfXjYNipMV9Ac79MlEN2L88UXYrd80CmxYDTR5ZgX-NHmIvH7HmjSdMCiwYPH5WwGhJzjvIahQt8Ee6KeGZlLzBIBg/s320/DSCF0211.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and Alexander's</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01880809333077218301noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678783807648507518.post-15732912205424739232010-10-09T00:53:00.000-07:002010-10-09T01:10:47.945-07:00Being vs Doing<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSryb0XFVH2xYn3duEZPK8JIgpiiCdbRV4Wb_x57ZwQn5Qoe3gl-K6_4YX6KzTnoklFFaJjWwkeEIPxHSghPdCrvgMJutLYJv40DXvEABI5OvEDiKSd20SmGTaEKpjC21C7DSGy8q9Ew_A/s320/IMG_8349.JPG" width="320" /><a href="http://lilknightlights.blogspot.com/">photo courtesy of Stacey </a></div><span id="goog_1195790315"></span><span id="goog_1195790316"></span>Sitting here, a Sunday afternoon, Ethan asleep, older two taken swimming by loving husband.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">To "be" or to "do"? Always SO much to do, isn't there? Sometimes I feel I will sink under all the "doing" to be done. So often I forget the being part is as worthy of attention.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This I know; when I fill my days with only doing, and neglect moments for just being, being alone, being quiet, being still, being together in full attention, I can begin to feel like a scarecrow of the most ragged kind, stuffing spilling out, posture slumped, my household suffers, it does not sing, but scrapes. For as mothers, we are keepers of the spirit of the house too, are we not? As within, so without. It is a matter of making, stealing (!) the time, because let's be honest, it defies finding! </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">One magic discovery is that certain tasks, of the soul enriching kind, incorporate both, that by doing them I am lifted to a better place of being.<br />
Amoung my list: creating of all kinds; crafting, painting, cooking (soup and baking of particlar note), writing, reading, gardening, talking/<i>spending time</i> with a loved one, exercise (preferably of the early morning variety when world is under its secret spell) to name a few. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Another, that when returning to the realm of the all the "doing" I feel expanded, settled to stillness by the "being" that the frenzy and steam falls out of it and a task as simple as washing the dishes is elevated to an higher realm. By "be"stilling, I have so much more to give. All those little incessant questions/requests from my lovely 3, can be lovingly met, rather than heard/felt as a chorus of pecking birds to the head.<br />
To conclude, for there to be a sense of "being" in the "doing" one must take time out to just BE. Maybe, just maybe, with more cultivation the boundaries between "being" and "doing" cease? </div>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01880809333077218301noreply@blogger.com3