Happy holiday

And after just a few short days at our house, where we set up the Christmas decorations as priority waaay ahead of unpacking, we set off to the beachside where we congregate with Dada's family and some of mine for festivities, catching up, and lots of laughter. Where we, again, set up Christmas decorations.

Gotta love the Christmas tree, the nativity and...the thongs (flip-flops). One of those things that makes Christmas in Australia wonderful. And eating pancakes and berries for breakfast.

We were blessed with the beauty of being there to witness a little fairy leave her footprints along the shoreline for the first time, on Christmas morning. We had the beach almost to ourselves, I couldn't have wished for anything more from that morning.

There is always more love to be shared in an extended family that continues to grow.

Lots of time just playing, often incorporating fishing rods, tutus, the outside tap and snorkling sets. As you do....

We had visits from cousins who enjoyed playing with this crazy family.

New slippers fromt the local craft co-op which we love but are not very practical on shiny wooden floors. But all the same entertained Mama and were loved by this little girl.

There was afternoon napping after long days at the beach.

Playing secret games with your cousins, even when you're just one and can do the talk thingy very well yet.

We found time for special one to one time on a perfect beach morning where we could collect beach treasures.

One step forward, two steps back

We landed back in Oz and everything seemed so startlingly different, yet similar to where we had been. The beauty surrounding us was so familiar and warming. We arrived at a resting place before we could move back into our house. This place was incredible. We arrived late at night and the frogs sang as we made our way up the long dirt drive under the gums in the pitch black.

Next morning the birdsong was oh-so-different to what we had been hearing but so deeply familiar and comforting. Magpies, cockatoos, galahs, rosellas. The cockatoos flying overhead. Almost too cliche to be true. I stepped outside, that first morn, to find a large huntsman spider onthe outdoor table. Ha, ha. We're back.

A day later the tumble into sickness began. All of us. It kept us low for a few weeks.

We filled these couple of weeks with visits from friends and family, walking in the bush (enojoying the shower of butterflies that arose everytime), riding horses, playing in a new paddling pool, crafting and making it feel a little like Christmas.

Sadly Dada went straight back at work. They were a quiet few weeks but that's just what was called for.

Wonder full: something for the senses

Something to hear, something to see, something to smell, something to taste, something to touch, or something to know....

Something to be thankful for.

Extended family time (after the holidays) = extra love

The farm of a family

Wow! I was wrong in my last post...there were more technical challenges coming my way. So after hours on the phone to the telephone company and computer support I'm here. Fingers crossed, I'll be back again in a day or so.

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There are few places on this earth that I feel I truly belong to. This is one of them. 

Some of my earliest, and happiest, memories are at this place. I think is probably true of my sisters and brother too. And maybe my Mum and her brother and sister. And perhaps after this adventure it will be true of my children, well, maybe one of them.

My Uncle and Aunt are now the caretakers of this piece of earth with such a history and gentle beauty.

We are lucky enough to be able to enjoy it in our time there.

This knight was once the landlord here. We went and visited him at a nearby church (and some of us were very taken with sword he will wear by his side forever).

And on this trip we have been able to watch how the seasons change the beauty.

What the future holds for this place I don't know but for now we are just happy to be there.