This week my daughters have come up with the theme of ‘FEET‘ for Inspiration Weekly! This is a really fun theme and ties in nicely with ‘National Jandal Day‘ here in New Zealand on Friday 2 December, to raise funds for our wonderful surf life-savers (ways to donate). Surf Lifeguards rescue 1,500 people each year […]
Month: November 2011
My (not so) Silent Sunday
The day started before dawn and by mid morning the garden had turned into a holiday camp, complete with Bollywood music on a mini-ghetto blaster (courtesy of Charlotte, age 8). I was in the middle of baking scones (as the blueberry muffins I made the day before hadn’t lasted long). My hands were just at […]
Water: Inspiration Weekly
Oh little drop of water, what times you have seen! Floating in clouds & running in streams – hanging in ice & sparkling in sun-beams. From when time began & the age of the dinosaur, to this sparkling rock pool of blues and greens. I’ve seen you in the morning dew & in the rain – felt […]
We exercised our democratic right and voted today
It was a beautiful day to walk to our local polling station for New Zealand’s 2011 Election. We met lots of our lovely neighbours on the way there and back. Children played together on the field, whilst adults took it in turns to cast their votes (using the MMP system). This has been the first […]
Things I’m Loving… Perspective
I have a weakness, I know I am not alone. I find it hard to disconnect from my children’s woes. I sometimes see them teary eyed and behaving out of sorts. I try to say the things I ought and guide them the best I can. Sometimes it pains me to say what I have […]
Theme for Inspiration Weekly: Water
Still, I am like a mirror, Fast, I am stronger than stone. Wet, I can burn you, Cold, I can keep you warm. Life, I can be in the desert, Death, I can be on the riverbank. What am I? Sometimes we can’t get enough, other times we get too much. ‘WATER‘ is the theme […]
Walking on fire: Inspiration Weekly
High above the tree line, the dragon lay – cairns of old fire-bombed rock marked our way. The ground, devoid of life, was tough to walk. We clambered over boulders, with little talk. The crater lake lay hidden out of sight – its dormant rim ridged with glacial ice. Smoking fumaroles emitted steam and dust […]
PROUD of my family for fighting the spew!
The theme this week on ‘The Gallery’ is ‘Something I Am Proud Of‘. At first I thought how proud I am of my small boobs for breastfeeding three children past two year’s of age (yes, Alice is going strong and will still be feeding – without a doubt – come her second Birthday in three […]
Taking a break
There’s end of term madness descending upon us, The next three weeks are full of fuss. Carols on the lawn, discos for juniors, prize giving ceremonies and class performances. There’s singing at a hospice and a bus to pack. There’s an outdoor swim party, dance rehearsals and touch-rugby to get Miss 8 to. A whole […]
Fire: Inspiration Weekly
When this weeks inspiration weekly theme was conceived it was done on the after glow of fireworks, the childhood awe of sparklers and the Gandalf like magic of the colorful, exploding showers of stars and light in the darkened sky. First thoughts were romantic. The warmth of a fire on a cold evening or the […]
Things I’m Loving…
♥ LOVING the feel of summer, with reflections of sunshine, blue sky and time on the beach with my youngest daughter. This makes the sleep deprivation worth it! ♥ LOVING a visit to the rose gardens at Wellington’s Botanic Garden after school to smell the scent of summer, feed the ducks and have our fingers […]
Theme for Inspiration Weekly: Fire
Here in New Zealand we’re entering our summer when camp-fires and drift-wood beach fires feature prominently (where permitted of course!). There is a romance of gathering around a fire, under a starlit sky, with good company and food for an ‘ole fashioned sing-along. Do you have any camp-fire stories to tell? On the other side […]
A love letter to a much cherished inanimate object
My dearest coffee machine, You’ve been faithful to me for seven years without a splutter. You’ve rescued me from dire sleep deprivation with your sensitive touch. The sound of you getting all steamed up – in readiness for me – makes my heart pump and my hands shake in anticipation. Some mornings I see your […]
Expressions on a Wednesday in a Tutu!
We’re half way through term four and on a roll to Christmas, with all the dance shows, carol singing and preparations. Sophie is really settling in to her new school and coming home every day with a smile and a pile of reading. She brings home wonderful books and often has the whole family acting […]