Beach picnic

After a day spent obsessing over card shuffling like the pros we realised the sun was setting on our last days of vacation. So we set up at the beach to soak up the last rays of sunlight before the hot day to come. We nestled in a sheltered nook out of the wind amongst rock pools and beached seaweed. The dogs played with the ball until cheese, corn chips and frittata came on the menu thanks to Nanny Annie.

Ember tasted her first lime which looked like it tingled on her tongue, but she kept licking her sticky fingers with some interest after the remainder had long since fizzed in Phil’s corona. She didn’t sample the corn chips but the packet held her interest for the duration of the picnic.

Whilst little dog dashed into the surf for the ball, elderly grace dog hung close to the pack. Dylan set up his tripod for some ND filter magic as waves closed in almost sweeping the tripod of its three feet. Spirits were high as we climbed the steps home, despite the fact that sandy dogs have to sleep in outdoor cupboards not on their customary rag rugs in the laundry. Some things are worth the sacrifice.

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End of year celebration

This year there is an immense sense of achievement in the community garden. The transformation over winter was stunning and now the raised gardens are overflowing with verdant growth. After the long winter the joys of rummaging through the prickly leaves of zucchini to find succulent fingers of fruit evoke a chorus of memories of happy summer’s days both lived and locked away in our genetic memory. It’s pure ecstacy of spirit. A feeling I hope Ember will enjoy one day.

We celebrated with a morning tea and it really showcased the cooking talents of the group. Sarah impressed with homemade lavosh created with a pasta machine, which I can’t wait to try making myself.

Ember sported the turmeric and marigold dyed cardigan that I started before she was born and almost didn’t finish in time to fit her. It paired nicely with the pink cosmos which I think have become the unofficial emblematic flower of summer in the community garden.

After all the hard work we put in we can now look forward to leisurely years of planting and harvesting, grass free and water secure.

Wishing you all the same in the New Year!

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First christmas

The world is a lot more wondrous when you get to experience it through the eyes of your baby. A second chance to relive our firsts. Tissue paper is such a delight that taking it away from her is one of life’s greatest tragedies. Lip drops, tears fall. No need for a gift inside, let alone an expensive one.

Christmas is special again with a bub to spoil and she certainly was the life of the party at our family breakfast in the park. I hope you all had a special day filled with little people and laughter.

Nanny Annie gave Emby a beautiful knitted cardigan that she started making before she was poppy seed sized. 

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Children and grandchildren dogs were part of the morning celebration. Although Charlie, my parents dog had to be sent home in disgrace for barking and general mischief. 

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The Newell Family provided entertainment with their tomfoolery on the playground. Aunty Anna gave the best hugs. 

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Some lovely present giving later in the day and a visit to see Emby’s great grandma Audrey. 

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The beautiful warm weather had left the soil parched so we headed to the Farnham Street community garden for some watering on the way home. You know, as you do on Christmas day. 

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Exhausted from the day’s hyper stimulation little babu went to bed. In her honorary place as first grandchild she was spoilt rotten with attention as she deserved. We had one last item on the agenda while she was sleeping, squeezing in my birthday celebration. A lovely chocolate cake made by my dad and a quiet happy birthday chorus from my parents and Dylan was just perfect. 

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