Beach Holiday

(Introducing via photo my most treasured "possessions". Big fella and our little S. This photo seriously tears my heart to shreds in the most delicious way...)

The Great Ocean Road is a very familiar place for me. I spent many summers as a child camping by the shores of various places. So after a stifling summer, and many smokey days we decided to escape to the coast for some fresh air and sunshine. For two whole, glorious weeks.


Fun was had. Coffee was consumed. Playgrounds were discovered. Ponies were ridden. Sights were seen. Family visited. Friends stayed. Food was constant. Two toddler molars emerged. Tears were had. Walks were enjoyed. Sand got everywhere...It was perfect.

The week that was

Photo: Andrew Brownbill

Photo: Peter Currie

One week ago today we were wondering how to entertain a house-bound 2 year old in the 46.5C heat. We took her to a local swimming pool, and as we struggled against the hot wind that blew our hats off over and over again, I remember thinking that the sky looked ominous...a strange orange/brown. Could it be dust from the winds?

On our way home I commented to Big Fella that the wind seemed all over the place. We looked at the trees lining the streets and couldn't make out which direction the wind was blowing - the branches and leaves were swirling around like mini tornadoes.

When we got home and turned on the news we started seeing images of the horror that was taking place. 100km/hr winds that were changing direction almost by the minute. Too dry land. Hot temperatures. It was a perfect storm of horrific proportions.

By Tuesday I was gathering up tinned food, toiletries, sheets, doona's, nappies and children's paints, pencils, books - anything that I could get my hands on to give to those that had lost everything.

As I sit here writing this post, my house is covered in a blanket of smoke. It's dark outside and every room in our house smells of smoke. It's not the most comfortable feeling, and yet I have the Internet and radio telling us that we in the suburbs are out of harms way. As the fires continue to burn - the closest one 20 minutes away - I can't help but give thanks for how blessed we are.

Tonight I'm holding my family a little closer. Loving them a bit more mindfully. Thankful that we are safe and healthy and happy. Thankful that there are volunteers out there fighting these fires and trying their best to put them out. Thankful that the worst fires in our country's history - Black Saturday - just left me feeling helpless, not hopeless.

More images here.

If you'd like to help out, you can go to the following places for good information:

The Australian Red Cross

Handmade Help

Summer Harvest

Finally something to harvest from the seeds we planted back in early spring. It's slow going, but worth it. They taste delicious!

Happy New Year

Happy new year! It's taken me a while to get back here. I can't believe it's February already...
It's been one hot summer in Melbourne and I am ready for Autumn. I love spring and autumn where the gardens transform into a spectacular display of colour. This summer we've had the longest stretch of days above 40C ever recorded. Hence the brown crunchy grass and the dying plants. It is not fun to watch your much loved garden biting the dust. Excuse the pun.

Anyway, with a new year comes new hope for the next 12 months. I was certainly glad to put 2008 behind me and am looking forward to the blessings that this year will bring. Last year I had a list of hopes that I would achieve. This year I'll pick a few I didn't get to complete, and add a few others:

> Live simply.
> Grow my own fruit and vegetables
> Say yes to the things that scare me
> Actually say no to the things I don't want to do
> Make time for things that make me happy
> Figure out my creative passion
> Care for myself before others (!) so I am better equipped to care for them.
> Be comfortable in my own skin
> Say thank you when I receive a compliment - and nothing more.
> Get pregnant with my second child

There. That should do it for this year. Wish me luck!