It's still Spring

This really reminds me of spring ~ don't you think?

Halloween

We don't really 'do' Halloween. The whole meaning behind it is abit off-putting and really freaky BUT Lewi loves the whole scary thing ~ the masks, the Jack-O-Lanterns, the freaky characters and all of that 'make believe' stuff. So Lewi thought he'd get into the spirit today and got out all of the spooky masks he owns and donned them throughout the day. He brought a new one yesterday...I' m really reluctant to say "Happy Halloween"  but I hope all of the kids out there who are into this freaky, spooky stuff for fun {like Lewi is} had a fun day today. That's the best I can do;)

Mumbulla School Spring Fair

 

  

We had a lovely morning on Saturday at the Mumbulla School Spring Fair. The surroundings at that school are absolutely gorgeous ~ mudbrick buildings, flowers and fruit trees in abundance, paths and a dragon fountain and lovely timber play equipment fit for kings and queens {literally!}.

It was fun wondering around and tasting the yummy morsels that were on sale at little stalls smattered throughout the school grounds. Home made lemonade,  made icecream and pizzas. Freshly popped, hot  popcorn and lots of lunchy treats as well.

There were also some lovely craft stalls and home made goods. Lynda had her beautiful journals and toys there and she did really, really well too!

We went with Sarah and the kids and met lots of familiar faces and friends as we meandered along. Georgie and Dulcie were lovely school hosts and took Meily around the place. They all had their faces painted too. Absolute artwork, don't you think?

   Lewi warmed up after awhile. Now he's older he gets a little shy around large groups of kids he doesn't know, especially when we're on a school ground. It didn't take him long though as Jake was a lovely encouragement. He took him all around and showed him the school and where his classroom was and where he hangs out in the playground etc. It was really nice for Lewi to get abit of a taste of Jake's school life, something Lewi is very unfamiliar with.

We all had a really lovely morning.

Inspired

Shaun Tan's drawing.Lewi's take on Shaun Tan's drawing above.

I love it when Lewi gets a new book that he's been hanging out for and then he gets all inspired by the artwork and illustrations and just wants to draw, draw, draw.

That's what happened last night when we picked up his new book {The Bird King by Shaun Tan}  from Mer and Myoung on our little picnic out in the country. {That was lots of fun}.

We looked through the pages, studying each one, at bed time as soon as we arrived home {and showered and teeth etc...you know the drill}  until I was bleary eyed {as usual} and unable to continue. First thing the next  morning Lewi grabbed the book {which lay beside him all night} and poured over it all once more. Then he spent some lovely creative time drawing in his journal, copying Shaun Tan's amazing work.

Artist's are such inspiring people for budding younger ones. I think some of the best books we've ever got are the ones made by illustrators of kids books. They seem to really inspire Lewi to draw and create and come up with his own individual stuff.

Next week we are heading up to Bermagui to have an art lesson with the lovely Matt Jones at Mister Jones. Can't wait!

Can't Wait 'Til Tomorrow

 

These are some of the lovely pieces from Artizantique {you can find their Yellow Pages ad here} that Robyn ,the editor of Sustain magazine, and I are going to use for our photo shoot tomorrow at my nest.

We are doing a piece on pre-loved treasures for  Sustain magazine and Allan and Kim from Artizantique have kindly offered their lovely wares for us to use in some of the photos.

This is a first for me ~a photo shoot! Sounds so cool and such fun and I'm really looking forward to working with Robyn both tomorrow and hopefully in the future. She's a really lovely girl and her photography is beautiful. You can have a peak at some of her lovely work here.

Staging vintagey stuff has to be one of  the most fun things in the world.

Mandini

Our Natural Learner's group met at Mandini today which was lots and lots of fun. It's always an energy-zapping day ~ bike riding, giant pillow jumping, playing, chatting and getting absolutely filthy from the blackish dirt that surrounds the pillow {can you tell how much I love filth??}

It was great to see lots of mums jumping away {doing their pelvic floor exercises while leaping in the air} with the kids. We love that pillow!

On the way we stopped to help a little turtle off the road. Lewi, the nature lover, did the honours.

Taj and Lewi had fun on the bike obstacle course and bush track ride. Lewi had a little stack and came home limping and pushing a  mud-covered bmx.  Let's just say there were a few puddles along the way. What boy could resist riding straight through the middle of each and every one of them? Some of the gang under the new pergola at Mandini.

Next week it's art with Matt and Mister Jones...fun, fun, fun!

Lewi's Now Truly Lived!

Yep, it's true, Lewi's now really and truly LIVED!

What, you may ask, would be my gauge of true living?

Well, duh, the 1980's version of Junior Trivial Pursuit of course!!!!

Finally, Lewi was keen to play Junior Trivial Pursuit and you couldn't keep the smile off my face. The board game is actually the original one from my childhood {well, I think it could have really been my brother Josh's but I'm sure he can't remember that teeny, tiny detail}. I was in 80's heaven!  Man, oh man!

Here's a little sample  question: Who was the man who beat his drumsticks on a paint can saying, 'Trust British Paints, Sure Can!"

Answer: ...??? Hehehehehe...you tell me!

{Clue: the same man who sang about roping up kangaroos, sport!}

And this one: "Who sang about girls just wanting to have fun?"

Answer: Come on, you know you know it!!!!

So much fun was had, I can tell you and I can't believe how very well Lewi went. He was amazing and it made me realise that general knowledge is a real strength of his. Can't wait for our next game.

Hey, and I can tell you another little pearl of wisdom... Junior Trivial Pursuit is not that easy!

PS Lewi's favourite questions are the green ones {natural world} and my favourite have always been the pinkies {good times}.

What was your favourite childhood board game?

Drawing Challenge No# 6

 

You may have noticed that we've had a little break from the Drawing Challenge of late due to a limit of entries. I'm thinking we might try it monthly rather than weekly and see whether that is a more inspiring way of running the challenges.

I saw these beautiful artworks  recently and was  blown away by the effort that went into creating them.

They look to be black and white line drawings. The whole page is covered in either black or white and the black is always a line or dot. Is that a really fantastic description, or what? NOT! {You may be able to ever so slightly tell that I'm not up with all the arty techno stuff?}.

So, the Drawing Challenge this month is to create your own line drawing. It can be anything you like and any colours you like. I think the main thing is to cover the whole page with lines and drawing. What do you think? Are you keen to have a try? I think I might too.

Garden Moments

 

I'm loving this colour combo of sweet peas this spring. I've momentarily forgotten which ones I planted but I think they were from Rae's Carp St garden????   I just love the soft pink of the cherry with the dark crimson leaves of the ornamental plum and a hint of lime from the box elders.  The Foxgloves are nearly in full bloom.Wake up, Miss Albertine!!!!!

My favourite cherry in full bloom.The flowering peach has stopped blooming and now it's a pretty show of crimson leaves until the autumn.My favourite crab apple is finally blossoming. It's always the last to put on a show but it's soooo worth waiting for.Woops! How the heck did this get in here??????? What is on her head????  Pretty chive flowers in the vegie garden.

   And last, but most definitely not least...drum roll....

... the first flowering Pierre de Ronsard for the spring! Just as pretty as ever.

What's That Bird?

Lewi and I have been greeted each day, lately, by this cool little bird.

It does the funkiest little dance to no one in particular, it seems {though we secretly hope it's especially for us and not an invisible female mate} and it sings this amazing whistling song.

We've had lots of fun trying to identify it. A few little arguments later and I win! It's a Rufous Whistler! Love it when I'm right {it's so occasional these days, with a very knowing 10 year old about}. A little teensy character flaw of mine. {OK, Lynda, I know, a BIG character flaw!!! LOL}.

Pretty, Pretty Cakes

Sarah {my sister}, has been really busy baking lately. She's got some businessy things 'cookin' and she's really, really excited at the moment. We, the lucky fam, get to try out her scrumptious little experiments on a regular basis. These are her latest...aren't they pretty?

    They are Persian fairy floss topped vanilla cupcakes. Yum, yum!

A Lovely Time With Friends

Another busy week has been had. It feels like a whirlwind of a life right now. Hopefully things will settle to a gentle breeze and I can think and feel again. Without wanting to be a winger {I've never known how to spell this word BTW} I just wanted to say: I'M NOT LOVING THE WHOLE HOUSE SELLING THING!!!!!! Phew! It's out of my system and now I can move right along...

We finally visited our homeschooling friends', Dona and Taj, house this past week. What a treat that was! A gorgeous little nest in the lovely south coast bush. Dona has done a wonderful job at making this place a home for herself and Taj and the millions of beautiful birds and wallabies and other wildlife that regularly visit their doorstep.

Here's a little glimpse at Dona and Taj's nest...

A lovely bathroom that Dona has freshly painted and had retiled. Loving those green walls!

A gorgeous wood heater in the centre of the nest warms the entire space.

Dona's just put down new bamboo flooring in the kitchen and dining area. It looks fantastic! Lovely mirrors on the wall. Chest pieces.

Dona's newest addition to her nest AND her first eBay purchase! Gorgeous!

An old globe in Taj's room.       Two cute retro clocks ~ and...they work!    A yummy, yummy lunch of salad, eggs, avocado and beautiful Panini buns from Wild Rye's Bakery in Pambula {my favourite bakery around}.One of the many friends who visit Dona and Taj ~ King parrots.

So thank you, Dona and Taj, for a lovely  day. It was such a treat to visit you in your lovely bush retreat.