Life is Sweet

My beautiful friend Christine is coming on board as my Caterpillar Cupcakes business partner. This is her farm, where we spend a LOT of our spare time. Spring is well and truly here and it really is so idyllic to sit in the sun with a dear friend, stitching and planning and watching our children-5 of them between us (although baby Nathaniel is still a babe-in-arms) play and explore so happily in Nature. Life is sweet.

I Love...

Making strange looking softies even though I should be making Christmas Stockings (what is it about me and deadlines? It's like an allergy?)

Her thinking face...

My sweet puppy...

That it's looking more and more Summery all the time...

Cakes with almonds on the top.

Gorgeous days like today xx

Morning Walks

As often as I possibly can, I wake up in the morning, load up the trusty Mountain Buggy, and head to the beach for a morning walk. Zac is a bit fearful of his lead, so he rides too, until we get to the beach, just in case of cars.

However, at the rate he's growing, he's going to have to get used to that lead soon, because I'm not sure how much longer he'll fit up there! We are a bit of a spectacle but I don't mind.

Down the path, over the road, and there it is. My sanctuary. This morning we had the whole beach to ourselves.

There's Whale Island in the distance...

Aotearoa ataahua; Beautiful New Zealand. Also, I'd like to thank all the beautiful people who have commented on my blog recently. Lots of new personalities and new blogs to explore. Thanks for all your kind words, I really appreciate it. I'm nearly up to my 100th post so I think I have a bit of a giveaway approaching to celebrate!

Goodbye Winter

If I'm not mistaken, tomorrow is the last official day of winter 2009 (for this hemisphere). It will be nice to say goodbye to the constant battle to get things dry...

Goodbye to wearing coats and hats, and being able to see our breath in front of our faces when we're out walking...

Goodbye fireside talks and toasted marshmallows...

Goodbye white skies...

Goodbye slippery roads, frosty mornings, ug boots and woolly scarves. Hello Spring xx

Today

Well, I said I would, and therefore I had to-finish this train! It's a commission project for a lady here in town. It's to send back to her family in Canada. It's made from a New Zealand Map tea towel. I built it up making one section at a time, and piecing them together, and finally adding the wheels and nameplate.


There's little old Whakatane...


With that ticked off the list-it was off to the beach for us. Fabulous.

Zac's first time at the beach. He was so funny when he stepped on the sand for the first time.

A beautiful sunset to finish off a beautiful day.

New beginnings...

Fabulous. The first Spring flower I've seen so far this year. Oh Spring, it will be so wonderful to see you again. You and Autumn are my very favourite seasons.

Another new beginning for our little family is also approaching. Next weekend we are moving house. I'm so excited because all of this will be almost literally on our back doorstep-2minutes walk from our back doorstep at most.

Isla's pleased because we will be getting a new puppy (as soon as Liam builds that kennel!) and because "we will have a new park".

New beginnings all round-and what a marvellous time of year for them!

Hello Winter

Well, it's officially the last day of Autumn, and while there are still a few signs of coloured leaves around, the weather has taken a turn for the frosty...

Perfect for wrapping the children up in all their woolies, braving the elements and then spending time in front of the fire with family and great conversation. Happy long weekend everyone

Autumn Light

An extremely long break between posts. People have been married, babies have been born, trips have been taken, meals cooked, crafts crafted, stories read, music danced to... Our home, as always, has been a hive of busy family life, a whirlwind that just never stops!

Lately, the leaves have been changing and falling, and everything seems to be bathed in the glorious golden light of Autumn, making the ordinary extraordinary. And this light... Well it was well worth a post.

Walking on Sunshine

It's shaping up to be a fantastic Summer here in this hemisphere. These images were all taken from where I reclined in the morning sun at Ohiwa Beach, appreciating the small moments with my beautiful family. These are the types of hot, idyllic days that I can refer back to during the Winter when everything seems grey and unfriendly.

For nothing is fixed, forever and forever and forever, it is not fixed; the earth is always shifting, the light is always changing, the sea does not cease to grind down rock. Generations do not cease to be born, and we are responsible to them because we are the only witnesses they have. The sea rises, the light fails, lovers cling to each other, and children cling to us. The moment we cease to hold each other, the sea engulfs us and the light goes out.
James Baldwin

Hello 2009

Hello 2009

You're still very new, just 5 days actually.

But you're off to a great start.


This year I intend to;

Learn to follow a sewing pattern.

Tell my husband and children that I love them, every day.

Purchase a piano and re-learn how to play it.

Do more bush walks.

Do more yoga.

Drink more water.

Laugh as much as possible.

Remember to take my camera with me.

Road Trip

Sadly, my Grandfather-in-law passed away this week, which meant a road trip home to Auckland to be with family and attend the funeral.

We discovered that travelling long distance in a car with two small children is challenging/foolish/a logistical nightmare. However, the scenery, as always in New Zealand, was beautiful.

These things have also inspired me this week;

This website

This tutorial which I look forward to making.

And the following poem...

Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.

Mary Frye