Hey hey, testing testing.

We have been living in a beautiful  sanctuary,  just taking life slowly and simply.   The house is under a canopy of angophora and gum trees.    A blessing now that Summer  is almost here.   Otherwise the house has been too dark over winter.   We have been lighting the open fire and wearing our uggies.    Now more natural light is seeping through and the beauty of this place lifts my spirit.  I can hear the sound of the ocean in the distance.   Near is the squwark of the wattle bird and  chirp of the Aussie mynahs.   The hilarious  bush turkey pecks under the mulch.   Outside our gate a bower bird's haunt is amongst small shrubs,  with a brilliant  blue display. 
I am experimenting today.   Can I blog from my tablet?
Here goes.
Peace to you
Jill.

***

How lucky I am to live near the sea?  

I have been lost for words lately and feeling a bit flat.  I thought I would make an effort to do some very simple posts and disregard the notion that a post needed to be of some grand premise.  Otherwise I just will never get going again.

Chester and I have been hanging out, re-kindling our connection.  I love seeing dogs on the beach.  Pure happiness.

This gorgeous boy was waiting patiently  for his owner.  Eyes focused on the waves and his best mate carving them up.

peace to you.

xo

time

                              Do often find time your friend and your foe.  Best if time is slow I think.  Thanks Sally.

Breakfast here often seems to stretch out for 2 hours.   Up at 5.30am, cuddle and breast feed ( our only one left ) and then the snacking begins.  Trying to get some protein to last the morning.  Having almond meal in our porridge.  A tea cup seems to appeal.

Made borscht from Women's weekly slow cooker recipe book.  I  through caution into the wind and invited Babcia over for an early tea.  This recipe was probably more of the Russian style.  The Polish version has more beetroot and less cabbage and the potatoes are served as a side dish rather than within.  I got lots of great tips and next time I will also add some white beans and more vinegar.  It was pretty yummy with natural yoghurt on top.

                                                                                Oh and of course lots of dill.


Thanking you lovely ladies for your kind words of friendship and encouragement on my last post.  The days go by and being your real self is what matters most.   Sending you all warm and caring thoughts and hope you have the time to day to breath and be.

A new place I like to go and practice my french.  The lights and the words are very calming.  Ledansla.

My Broken Hill Bloggy Buddy Bunting

A lovely crafty memory I have of my time here in BH is taking part in the bunting swap, organised by the most talented Rach from Squiggly Rainbow.  I was thinking that all the different creations may not necessarily go together, but once all sewn up with red bias binding, I think it really is a testimony to all the collective goodness that is the blogging community.  I don't think my time here would not have passed so happily without you out there.

Our last few days here are what you can imagine.  So apologies for now for not coming by your place at the moment.  Likely to see you back when I am far East of here.

x Jill

a whirlwind

It might be hard to see from this picture but it snowed at our house today.  The ground was all sodden and it all melted as it fell, but it was very pretty.  The sky is very grey and it is very very cold.  I have been trying to get paperwork organised, my tax done and sorting out certification whilst guarding against the whole house being pulled apart.

Then some sad news regarding a lovely woman from the practice who passed away last night.  I am about to speak with her loving family.  One beautiful life ends and another begins. Such sorrow and such joy.

I have been trying to complete some crafty projects to send as gifts.  The crotchet keeps being pulled apart by little fingers and I keep changing my pattern.  I think I will take a few balls of yarn and a few hooks with me, as they won't take up too much room.

My first ever sewing project has been these little feline softies.  Last Christmas the sewing machine was purchased in a garage sale and I have only now threaded it , made up bobbins and decided on a beginners project.  Now the machine is all ready for me to return in three and half months.

As you can see I am a bit all over the place with my packing.  We have to fit all of us into the X-Trail, Doggies included.  We decided on just taking stuff that we could fit onto the roof rack, rather than invest in a trailer and send  a few boxes down on the Greyhound coach to meet us there.  Our house is fully set up.  Pretty good really.  Even a cot.

I need to gather my tools of trade and important  documentation.  My current boss came into work on Saturday to say goodbye and taught me a few tricks.  I don't think I have mentioned I work with the alias of Dr Fruit Loop.  I do need to find my funny bone.  I am not naturally funny and often too serious.  I need to practice some of these tricks and work a little bit of magic.

A care package arrived this week from a very dear friend.  It has made our next move feel very special.

                     A little sample of our treats.

a simple tuesday

Today was like any other Tuesday.  You are already in my bed  when Dada leaves the house to catch the early morning train.  You are kicking and thrashing around, head butting me and keen to get going with the day.  You swivel your butt around so you go down legs first and then patter off into the house to greet the doggies good morning. You bring numerous objects to the bedside to encourage me to rise.  I moan a bit and roll over,  sit up and then  let the light in.  Our day begins.

I turn on Radio National, open up all the blinds, change your nappy, put on the kettle and peel you a banana.  I start the daily ritual of porridge, pot of tea, some peanut butter toast  and trying to distract you with your ongoing cheeky requests for "more booby?"  Books , books, books.  Then into the cupboards again.  Back to books and then on to brmm, brmms.

Already the house is half trashed as we sit down to our oats.  You are still really full on at the table.  Constant requests for food from my bowl, wanting my spoon instead, more milk.  It is hard keeping you on the job.  And yes food still goes everywhere.  You are gradually learning to wait and have a little patience. 

Then comes the big clean up.

I can now leave you playing so I can have a shower by myself.  Something to really savour.  I get myself ready quickly and then we decide what you will be wearing. But getting you pinned down and changed I understand the term 'baby wrangling'.  You have started protesting on certain clothes, a big scream tells me not this one today.

When you are dressed the dogs start getting excited.  They run back and forth with some mirth and you are hankering to get out the door.  I double check we have everything.  Today we needed lots of tissues as well as your nose is running like a tap.  Off we go, along the creek, trying to find the sunny spots as the icy wind is piercing.  You never want to stay in the pram.  So once across the road and into the safety of the park, you are released from your shackles and off you march.  Collecting sticks of all sizes for me to store on top of the stroller.  You wave hello to all passers by.  The excitement on your face when you see older boys wizz past on their scotters has me thinking of years to come, when that will be you my spunky boy.

After an hour we are home.  Playing outside.  I usually boil some eggs for a snack and also prepare an early lunch for you.  I check emails, blogs, do some swift comments, think about dinner and make some small preparations for. Unload the washing maching and dishwasher.  You help me hang the clothes on the line.  You are so  strong wanting to carry the basket on your own.  Before I know it you are eating again, food is  going everywhere,  you are getting whingy and asking for Booby now. A much treasured small breastfeed.  You really snuggle in, playing with my hair and  my shirt. Off to bed now, a book and then to  your midday sleep.

Finally I can have my daily cup of coffee.  I tune into the radio again.  Today I needed then to do some packing of boxes for our trip in one week.  Then I started on dinner.  Beef and vegetable casserole.  I  tell myself I really deserve this last piece of the chocolate cake I made on the weekend.  I explore new camera options on the net and check out a few more blog updates.  Phone calls and bills made.

You stir at 3pm.  We read  a book on dinosuars.  We play with building blocks.  You turned 19 months yesterday.  Your language ability is exploding.  Perhaps 5 new words every day.  You ask me "what's that?" constantly. You have started saying little sentences.  We gather up your dear softies and we cuddle on the lounge.  We listen to some of your music.  You are a crazy dancer.  Then you happily play alone for sometime as I finish more chores.

At 5pm the door bell rings.  Dogs and you run to the front door.  Invariably you are bowled over by Dan.

It is amazing how this day has just gone.  It was completely occupied by simple domestic chores, the essential dog walk and your sleep and your joyous play.


Today is the last Tuesday that we will have time like this together, just you me and the dogs for a wee little while.  I love you very much sweet Che.  I can't wait to have these simple Tuesdays again.  Only  3 and a bit more months my little man.

Maybe I will find this harder than you.  Dada will be there with you.  It will be me hurrying home to greet your shiny face at the door.

a question...

Today my trusty little compact camera's  LCD screen was found to be smashed.  I think it was actually my doing and not little babishki.  As we are heading inland to this big wide land I have been pondering should I just get another handy compact or invest in a digital SLR?

Wondering if anyone has thoughts on this most pressing question and if so what camera would they recommend?

i wonder how many will watch ?

Tonight I will defintely be turning on the tv.  To me the rhetoric over asylum seekers arriving by boat is shameful.  This screening on sbs I think is a landmark in reality tv but I do doubt how many Australians will sit and watch.



The q and a on the sbs website begins with an estimate of how many new immigrants to Australia arrive by boat.  The answer is 1.5%.


I'm sorry to blog about something that people would rather not hear.  It can be a 'sugar coated' village at times.  People just want to see happy colours and beautiful things.  And I do too.


Thanking those sweet people for their words.  I am not sure what I will do.  Maybe I do just need a big bloggy break. I do have a bit on my plate at the moment.  I do feel a bit sad about stopping.  Can I ask, have any of you had friends shy away from you because you have revealed you blog?

The cold change has just come through here.  It is grey and bleak outside.  Not sure if the doggies will get their walk today.


Take care my friends.


xxx
Jill

our week

Howdy.  How is everyone?  We have had a week of  a  few milestones.  I actually forgot that Che was 18 months last Saturday.  We are climbing everything, mimicking eveything Dada does, dancing, putting some words together ("get down")  and loves saying "hello" to all that he meets.  We are eating more but still wanting to breast feed, like all the time.  I only just feel like I am keeping up.

Dada had his own birthday and we had a date out for dinner for the first time in 18 months. Babcia kindly looked after the little man and we dined on Japanese food.  It felt so strange to part of the world again.  Looking around at all the other diners.  Feeling like I have been on some other planet.  By 9pm I was stuffed and ready for bed. 

Some inspiring books to read  for planning our new home.

                             Che's beach rocks.

We had a country drive today to Exeter.  There was a family gathering for Marty's father's 90th birthday.  Brunch at the warm and inviting General Store.  Having cousins play and laugh together is so heart warming.

We have a month until we head off to Broken Hill.  My goodness I need to get my act together.  I have a list of cupboards to sorted out and cleaned, op shop runs, craft projects to be completed, thank you packages
to be dispatched, many forms to be filled out, authorites to be notified, resigning of rental lease.

I just wanted to let people know who read here that I am seriously thinking of ending my blogging journey.  I so want to keep visiting all the amazing clever, creative people who I have enjoyed so much and want to thank those special people who have left their sweet words or hand of friendship in becoming a follower.  It is a connection that has changed me forever.

It is a complicated thing, but it is just a gut feeling and I often have to run with this.

a big thank you - part 2

I sit down tonight to express my thanks for my almost 18 months of blogging.  Today Marty stayed home so I could get some rest during the day.  He took Che to see his Djadja (grandfather) who turns 90 tomorrow.  Simon is now in a local nursing home after suffering a stroke. He still has all his wits about him and has had such an interesting life.  Being a young Engineer in Poland at the outbreak of WW2.  Escaping to then Palenstine.  His journey to finally Australia in 1948 was a long one and later his wife Helen followed  also from Poland.  We have been wanting them to write their story down.

I have been enthused by Chairmane's post today as a way to list my thankfuls particulary over the last 12 months in blogland.  Yesterday I wrote about my blogging beginings and my lovely inspirers.  Everyday I fall upon new wonderful blogs but I just wanted to make a special mention of what I have gained by visiting these wonderful spaces.

Meagan from ecomilf.  Meagan always makes me think and her blog is a wonderful reference for living more ethically and sustainably.  Great wholefood recipes too.  I won one of her giveaways too.  A cute little elephant.

Emma Lamb who is the most wonderful crafter with her crotchet and her use of colour lifts my day.

Vicki from Serendipity.  I have to say my most faithful reader.  Since our moving house Vicki has been there all the way.  Her kind words, her reflections on family and life.  Her blog is so serene.  Love to you Vicki.

Emma from Frog, Goose and Bear.   I can only aspire to be a mother like her.  Her easy peasy dinner meals have really hit the spot.


Rachel from Mogantosh.  Always a rocking good read and often a good chuckle.  I admire her a lot. Her family is growing and they have been through some tough times recently.  My thoughts are with them.

Maxabella loves.  What can I say.  The current reigning Queen in blogland, in my view.  Her weekly gratitude linky has lead me to so many wonderful places.

Kootoyoo, for  her creative space. 

My newly found friends, Felicity from Gifts of Serendipity.  The week is planned out for me with exploring words, art and new places.  You should check out her very generous giveaway.

The most amazing Jennie from Posie Patchwork - the blog.  Her prolific crafts and her gorgeous children and her insatiable appetite for life.  We have a lovely linen set I won on one of her giveaways too.


Jane from Planet Baby.  So excited to be following her moves into her new abode.  Jane is such a lovely gentle soul.  And yes I won one of her giveaways too.  Pretty good this blog thing,  for I don't think I had previously won anything in my life.

A very new place I am loving is Sophie Isobel's from Her Library Adventures.  Cannot wait to receive my postcard and I have entered her also very gorgeous and generous giveaway of her vintage collections.  Maybe my luck will continue.

I have made some very new friends in the last month too.  I am eagerly reading Life in the Country and Naturally Carol.  and Cathie's best ever recipes and her beautiful life at m.e. Many more to explore . Watch this space

So there you have it dear people. I feel like I have got quite a bit off my chest.  Maybe we will sleep better tonight.

Wishing everyone a good nights sleep.

xxx

.

a big thank you

It is 5 am in the morning and I cannot sleep.  Our blessed sleeping through is going all wonky.  I have been awake since 2.30 am.  Everyone else now is blissfully asleep.  There is some huge creature moving around in the roof cavity.  Rat or possum?

Going around in my head is the need to write a big thank you note to some special people.  To everyone who comes by this space and cares to read my ramblings, thank you.  To all those who have connected with their sweet words, big hugs to you.  I often have times of intense angst over whether to even have a blog.  The rumination and emergence of posts floating around in my head does take up a deal of headspace and I wonder if this energy and these thoughts could sometimes be put to better use.  I do love so much visiting others and am constantly uplifted and inspired by people's stories and their craft.

How I came to have a blog can be attributed to a mixture of inspiring sources.  A few years ago I heard Rhonda Jean on Radio National.  I had no idea what a blog was.  Down to Earth is a constant supply of good downright common sense and there is so much wisdom and instruction on living a more simpler life on offer.  I put my hand on my heart and say thank you so much.

Next I think another trigger was Tessa Kiros the cook and author of "Apples for Jam" and "falling cranberries",among others.  There was something the way these books are presented I thought about having aesthetic in one's life and how being creative and documenting the special moments in your life can put the jigsaw puzzle toghether and give more meaning.

When I purchased my first home I think I was so overwhelmed by now owning a termite damaged , crumbly old home that needed so much doing to it, I went searching for others personal experience of renovating.. But somehow I did not really stumble across actual blogs at the time.  I was looking in all the wrong places.  Then my sweet neighbour Leah, who has  a funky renovated house and is a very talented seamstress mentioned her own blog, Sean the Prawn.  If you have not dropped by there, I would highly recommend a visit, especially if you have a little girl. Then I discovered blogger.  Ah ha this is where everyone is.

Then lo and behold I fell pregnant.  I was so ill.  At 20 weeks I made a phone call to start doing some prenatal yoga classes.  There  I met the most young and beautiful and also wise for years Jodi.  Astoningshly I heard her mention her son's name Che.  I felt this overwhelming deja vu and connection.  If my child were to be a boy, that was the name I had chosen.  Tears came to my eyes in my first class as I lay there been guided by Jodi's dulcit tones through her yoga nidra.  Just before my due date I heard Jodi mention her blog, Che and Fidel.  well I was hooked.  I fell in love with her life and from there blog hopped around the world.

Once given birth and then realising that we would have to sell our home and where were we to go from there?  I impulsively one day clicked on create a blog, uploaded some photos and then hit the publish button.  My first posts were in fits and starts and I have learnt so much since then, but still quite a novice.

I will do a part 2 of this post as now I need to go to bed.  The little man should be waking up soon.

See ya.

xxxx

blog love

I really should be in bed but with the lure of blog hopping on a Saturday night stumbled across this gem. We could have kept going for a few hours. 

xx

to continue or not?

Often in the middle of the night I'm struck with the anxiety "why am I doing this?". Feeling a bit silly and exposed.  I listen to people talk about the dangers of Facebook and how pedophiles will be able to source my child, marketers can watch my every move and plant dangerous temptations to purchase.  The line between public and private life is held onto so tightly.  And here I am on this blog.  What does it all mean?

Also I question my motives. Do I want to be liked more and have more approvals/comment?s.  A lovely blog I follow, the writer has a bad day with her baby and she gets 67 comments of support.  But that is not why I started this blog.  Its ok if no one reads it or comments really. 

How will my son feel when he is older? That is a biggy?

Writing here has helped me feel less down and negative, of which I am prone to at times.  The blogging community is all so upbeat and positive.  Nevertheless it can be a bit nauseating.  Do people really have such perfect lives?

Writing here has helped keep me on track on our goals and opens up some headspace for where and how we want to live.

Reading other peoples inspiring blogs, less of the perfect ones and more of the simple, crafty and sustaninable eggs me on and I feel yeh keep going.


Going to take some time over this break to ponder.

 Keep your cool over the festive season and have fun.

xx J