Sunday, May 26, 2013

21/52



"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Leila    Look at that gorgeous gummy girl.  Giggling infectiously whilst playing with a balloon.
Ella      In photos and also in her personality, more and more of a young woman coming to the fore.  Where does the time go, my almost double digit girl.

What a thrill to be one of Jodi's favourites last week.  I don't often have the skills to capture the girls exactly as I'd like to, which is why I was particularly pleased with Ella's portrait last week.  Almost to the halfway mark of 26, the year is screaming by.

Friday, May 17, 2013

20/52


 "A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Ella stealing a few moments on the iphone post shower time.
Leila, our bubble girl.

I'm so pleased with this week's photos.  The one of Ella was inspired by this series (you'll have to scroll down to the Fed 7 post).  I don't claim that mine is anywhere near this quality, but I was thrilled that I captured that feeling, at least a little.

Leila blowing bubbles, a lolly bag treat from a friend's party.  Again, love this series of shots.  I'm sure they're flawed in lighting but I like that they work - for me.

1061



My past attempts at sewing for myself haven't always entered the public domain, as in they're still sitting in the wardrobe unworn and unloved.  This one, however, this one is a winner.

I know these patterns are supposed to be easy, but I haven't always found them so, but this time I'm a convert.  Probably only 2.5 hours of time to make, all up, but I traced pattern, cut out, then sewed over two days.  I measured myself and the pieces beforehand instead of just sewing blindly and it fits - actually fits across the shoulders and everywhere.

The idea is that tomorrow I'll find the perfect pair of chocolate brown tights to match and wear it all out to dinner with friends.  IF it all comes together AND there's a decent photo, I'll share it with you to see what you think.

Sunday, May 12, 2013

1060


 Happy Mother's Day to everyone, for your own mothers and to you as a mother, if you are so.

A bit of a Brady Bunch series of snaps here, three generations of my family together.  I'm thankful for my Mum's unwavering love and support.  I'm thankful for our shared interests, most born from watching her and being inspired to follow in her footsteps. I'm thankful for her example in giving of myself to my own daughters, always encouraging them, confirming their worth and value in my eyes and at every turn seeking to boost their self confidence.  I'm thankful for my mum's relationship with my two girls, her devotion to them, her spoiling of them, her encouragement, her immeasurable love for them.  I'm thankful for my mum's company, for always being there to answer the phone, for fixing my knitting mistakes, for converting from imperial to metric, for knowing the right season to do everything in the garden, to having the spare ingredients I can't source myself.   I'm thankful for her always being interested in what is important to me and affirming my place in this world.  I'm thankful for the time to be together, to be friends, to be her daughter,

Saturday, May 11, 2013

19/52



"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Ella    Very pleased with a hat Nan knitted her.  It definitely met the brief.
Leila   Equally pleased with her rainbow pony tail.

Wednesday, May 08, 2013

1059


Grief is still a surprise to me.  Shadowy and unpredictable, catching you off guard, triggered by connections you had momentarily forgotten.

My brother riding his bicycle from Clayton to Hawthorn, carrying on it a very large, very heavy stone mortar and pestle, a birthday or Christmas present for me when Ella was only a few months old.  A similar journey made from Clayton to Blackburn, when Ella was a little older, about two years old, carrying a children's carpet, rolled and slung across his handle bars.

Regret is a terrible thing and ultimately pointless, it serves no purpose to he or I.

Tonight I was preparing a marinade in my mortar and pestle, one that I struggle to even lift from the cupboard, let alone carry on the handle bars of any bike.  Mike came flooding into my mind, my heart and the tears flowed.  I wished, for those moments, that I'd done more, been there more, made more of a difference to his life.  Of course that's silly, because he loved me, we were connected, we shared what we chose to share with each other when we had nothing but time.  I missed him though, at that very moment, when I remembered those and other things he'd done for me in my life, that perhaps I didn't appreciate as much as I could have at the time.

We can't do over, we can't bring those we love back, not even for a moment, and as painful as those moments can be, for those moments he felt more than just a shadow, those memories so vivid and so present, that he seemed somehow here again.  There was nothing either of us did wrong, or shouldn't have said, not ever, but I just wished for more, that I'd appreciated more and been more present, in that moment, in that instant of regret, of missing him.

Sunday, May 05, 2013

1058


I've fancied making it to the Cider Festival for the past few years and we finally got organised today.  With friends in tow we drove to Kellybrook, made sure to get there at the start of the day and enjoyed it all before the crowds got too crazy.



Perfect autumn morning, crisp and cold even, but sunny and dry.  The setting is gorgeous and I'd love to go back for a meal at the restaurant, positioned perfectly at the top of the winery site.  Great set out, with areas to sit in, face painting and balloons for the kids, delicious cider for the parents, good food.



I had a lovely time, we all did, and a photo of me that isn't too far from capturing me as I feel I really look!  Ahh what a view, I've had my afternoon coffee and imagined how lovely it would be to sit and enjoy it from the verandah with those vines below me.  Perhaps one day.


Saturday, May 04, 2013

18/52



"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Leila    Preparing for Nan's birthday dinner at ours.
Ella      Sprinting to meet her best friend at the school's bi-annual fair.  Testing herself and gently encouraging parents to give her a little space, learn independence and wander on their own.

Friday, May 03, 2013

1057


Our school's bi-annual fair is on tomorrow and I've just finished the biscuit round of baking for the cake stall.  Homemade oreo style biscuits, gingersnaps and a few ginger creams.  I love a good biscuit, crisp, melt in the mouth, for me a perfect sweet hit and so decent ones so rarely found in cafes.  They're on the list for my one day business.


1056



Happy Birthday Mum.  You are loved.

Wednesday, May 01, 2013

1055


Last night, as I tucked Leila into bed, we did our normal good night routine.  I love, I love you more, I love you most, see you in 5.  Leila then added to the end, mummy, I love you so much, I love you so very much that if I tried to tell you how much I really love you, I would be up all the days of my life and never sleep because it would take me that long to tell you how much I really love you.

I'm so very lucky.