off off and away

So, my 3 lovelies have gone on a little adventure to Australia's Capital...Canberra. This is where Grandma & Grandpa live. Which is a very useful place for getting your dose of big city Galleries and Museums.


I'm very sure they will spend most of their time at the Sculpture Garden in the Australian National Gallery.
These are some shot's from a few years ago when we went for the Folk Festival. Nana B gave fly swats as super bubble makers but they became useful for all sorts of imaginings.

I probably don't need to explain to any parents how strange and kind of amazing it is to have a few days all to yourself.

There have been times in the last 6 years of my life where there were vast .....VAST! lengths of time when I didn't believe I would ever have a second on my own again. 

When everyone said that they grow up so quickly I just didn't  believe them. 

They are right.

And all those folks that whispered (when you have weeks of everyone being sick,you have to move house,and you are pregnant suffering with Hyperemesis Gravidarum again)

"this too shall pass",

they are also telling the truth.

I love that saying, for it calms you in the chaos and draws gratitude in the beauty.

So now I'm off to crack open suitcases of treasured vintage textiles and patterns to make sweet clothes to sell at markets.

Hope you all have a lovely break.

on the weekend

Its possibly a little late for sharing our last weekend but it's been a busy week...


On Saturday.....

Some friends had a bon fire, large puppets and scrumptious pizza. Amazingly there are a few acres backing onto 6 or so houses that the owner is letting them play with. It's a lovely shared space with Bee Hives, tree houses and a tent or two on the weekend.




On Sunday.....

 Then on Sunday we went to the Castlemaine Artists Markets. Dave's Mama has a stall there (artists markets) which makes it even more fun.

While at the Theatre Royal it's a must to have ice-cream.

Then,off we went to the Farmers Markets to help friends make juice,buy yummy herbs, watch some circus and look longingly at all the beautiful chooks for sale.
These are my favourite kind of weekends full of markets, friends and creativity.

together

Pearl at the Dharma School

So we got through Oliver's first term of School.

Amongst the many reasons to move to this part of the world was because of the Daylesford Dharma School, Australia's first Buddhist school.

For the last couple of years we thought we would be homeschooling our lovelies. 

But then there was this. 

We spent time there with Oli & Pearl, sometimes i would get a few chubby little tears in my eyes watching them meditate, play, ponder compassion and be around such amazing teachers.

But then apparently it's quite difficult to rent a house in a small country town when you have chickens, children a dog and this town is filled with cottages that are empty most of the week then fill up with(sans chooks) Melbourne escapees on the weekend.

So for this year the Dharma School was not to be.

It left us agonising(it was painful!)about Oli's School choices.

In the end we went to the public school down the road (we can avoid the road by following the creek and train track).

On our way to school

After this lovely term I've realised that all this agonising was really my own projection of what MY schooling was like.

I am a passionate advocate for life learning/home/un-schooling etc........I've read all the books (Which may have contributed to my angst somewhat...)

but this little public school has such a lovely soul which reflects the spirit of the little town we live in.

Pearl & Oli's Ballet teacher commented the other day about how she see's the children in her classes being so supportive and beautiful with each other...that she's noticed the children(and families)have a much stronger sense of community and the importance of well being, health, simplicity and connection then previous generations.

At my public school in Sydney we weren't even allowed to play on the grass, it was bitumen and bullying all the way.

I'm just so happy to be experiencing (to really see it)this shift in "what matters" through Oliver's public school.

Dave and Pearl make muffins for playgroup

They have a wonderful Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden program.

One of my amazing Permaculture Design teachers (the Permaculture Design Certificate is taught at the school and heavily subsidised through Castlemaine Community House) works at the School teaching children in the Food Garden

Children who are feeling overwhelmed and fidgety in their classrooms can negotiate an alternative such as working in the Garden. 

Then there is a huge industrial kitchen for children to cook scrumptious food in with ingredients they have JUST harvested from the garden.An experienced,passionate and patient cook helps them.

On Fridays parents are allowed to use the kitchen for making & baking delicious goods for their stalls at the local markets.

It's just gardening, harvesting and connecting

but it's power is immense.

   

missing

It will be 11 years on Sunday the 1st of April since my Dad died.

He was such a beautiful, strong and creative Soul.

I miss him

Both of my Parents died relatively young.

I was 5 months pregnant with Pearl when my Mum died

I cherish (and so does Oliver) that he had One and a bit years with my Mama. 

I have beautiful memories of them dancing together everyday, playing in our garden and sharing such a big love.

Sometimes, I think part of my inspiration behind doing a blog is not having either of my Parents around to relish in the beauty of our wonderful little family. 

Grandparents(the good ones)have a way of cherishing those tiny fleeting beautiful moments of their grandchildren's lives that the untrained eye may not even pick up.

I was sitting in my lounge room yesterday and noticed gifts from my Dad.

banjo 

art

books

music

dance

guitar

teacups 

ink wells with calendar

love

all ceramics and artworks by my dad except for "Water Woman" etching plate by Moi