~ blessed are they who see beautiful things in humble places ~

 

 

Pretty snail mail - handwritten notes, beautifully addressed envelopes, postcards with lovely stamps - when/if it arrives - is always one of the highlights of my week.

This week was a good one - I exchanged some snail mail with an IG contact - Laura  - and was very taken with the heart themed mail she sent me - and that quote which is so the underlying theme of this blog.  Isn't her handwriting amazing?! 
(My little package to her is here in last week's snippets.)

There were autumn cards from Helen (check out her beautiful photos here on flickr) and in that gorgeous packaging with the amazing tiger feather is Mel's book of 2013 - a constellation of vital phenomena - I can't wait to get stuck into it.

What's your favourite quote?  Or your best read of the last year?

♥

~ our joyful moments - week 8 ~

I've been hanging onto summer with gorgeous bright dahlias and outdoor meals while Karin is looking forward to spring with new plantings and brighter light.

Looking for joy each week is a lot like being grateful - the more I do it, the more I find.


#ourjoyfulmoments is a collaborative project stretching across the world (Tasmania and Sweden) in which we are sharing the little moments that delight us each week.

 ♥

~ snippets of our week ~

 

1.  Faffing with flowers and lovely afternoon light.  I was asked the definition of faffing on IG - I think its just doing all the fun little things that grab my attention and that I enjoy instead of my real jobs!

2.  We had a visitor inside today - I've never been so close to one before.

3.  A message from my eldest on our fridge that desperately needs a clean

4.  Outgoing snail mail 

5.  Little prints of some of my favourite instagram shots - printed by social print studio - I'd love to send some out 

6.  Golden lemons and golden words for the newest little reader in the house

7.  Foraged pink gum in my bedroom - its going to make the most hideous mess but its so pretty.

I'm slowly settling into a new 2014 routine.  I tried a pump/power class at the gym last Monday  - big mistake - I could hardly move all week.  I'm not sure if I'm brave enough to go back tomorrow or not.

I do hope your week is lovely.
There are more lovely stills and snippets here.

♥

~ our joyful moments - week 7 ~

I loved watching Jack's face as he blew dandelion clocks and told the time over the weekend (his daddy's face was pretty good too - he went and dug them up soon after!).

Karin had a hard time choosing one photo this week as she did a fun food related photo shoot and also went to some local gardens and found some gorgeous camellias.  I haven't been to our local botanical gardens for ages.. but now I'm planning a trip.

#ourjoyfulmoments is a collaborative project stretching across the world (Tasmania and Sweden) in which we are sharing the little moments that delight us each week. 

♥

~ stills and snippets from our week ~

 

1.  Dahlia detail from my bargain bunch this week (The Flower Room is one of my favourite places to treat myself - flowers and home made bikkies)

2.  Valentine's snail mail* from a sweet IG friend, the perfect valentine's spud and a 4 leaf clover - what a great week.

3.  Tyre fun at the Bushy Park Pool on the long weekend Monday this week.

4.  One of these things is not like the other ones (the washi feathers I mentioned in this post)

5.  More details of my $6 bargain bunch.  Dahlias are so old-fashioned - I've fallen for them big time.

6.  A present from my hubby - my IG name is Sapa - not because of our Vietnamese holiday some years ago  - but a lovely coincidence - can't wait to make some Pho

7.  Cherries from the Farmgate market this morning (one of my favourite places to go on a Sunday morning) and gorgeously girly powder puff hydrangeas from my garden on my table (along with everything else that just seems to land there) this afternoon.

*The origrami card from my snail mail had a lovely quote on the back:

 Perhaps all the dragons in our lives are princesses who are only waiting to see us act, just once, with beauty and courage. Perhaps everything that frightens us is, in its deepest essence, something helpless that wants our love.    Rilke

Hope your week has been as lovely (and lucky) as mine.

♥


I'm linking up with Emily at the Beetleshack where there are lots of lovely snippets to see x

~ taking stock - February ~

Making : washi tape feathers for fun
Cooking : I'm planning salted choc-chip bikkies for tomorrow
Drinking : more water
Reading: the book thief (again) after seeing the movie this week - its a lovely film but so very sad.
Wanting: a few more ocean swims before the summer ends
Looking: for interesting new blogs to read  - the first 10 entries on my feed today were of no interest to me anymore - any good suggestions??
Playing: She and Him, vol 3 over and over
Deciding: on menus for the rest of the week - cooking dinner is my least favourite task
Wishing: I could get on top of my photo editing
Enjoying: the answers the kids give to our question of the day each evening
Waiting: for our tomatoes to ripen
Liking: the last of the apricots from the tree
Wondering: if Lily is doing too much before/after school stuff (already!)
Loving: sending little "just because" notes to friends
Pondering: how to make the mornings run a little smoother
Considering: a new hair colour
Watching: mums walking with toddlers and wondering where that time went
Hoping: my baby nephew makes a visit to Tassie in March (with his parents!)
Marvelling: at how Jack is learning to read so quickly
Needing: more cuddles (I'm missing my little side kick)
Smelling: jasmine in the evening air
Wearing: skirts nearly every day and loving it
Following: my heart
Noticing: my heart is fickle
Knowing: it really will be ok in the end
Thinking: we really need a date night soon
Feeling: lucky (and not just because Jack gave me a 4 leaf clover today)
Admiring: shiny red nail polish on one of the school mum's toes
Sorting: out out stuff to give away
Buying: lots of nectarines and grapes
Getting: impatient for our big trip (we leave for Europe on April 17)
Bookmarking: good things to do in Paris and London
Disliking: the busy mantra so many people run with
Opening: windows to let the breezes in
Giggling: at overheard conversations between sisters
Feeling: good
Snacking: on fresh fruit (and a little bit of sea salt Lindt)
Coveting: a gorgeous rug I walked past in a shop window this afternoon
Helping: with reading every night - and enjoying it
Hearing: the Frozen sound track over and over in 3 part harmony

Taking stock is Pip's good idea - here's hers. (and mine from last month).

♥

~ our joyful moments - week 6 ~

I can't believe its taken until week 6 for us both to choose flowers!

Jack, following in his mother's footsteps, foraged these gorgeous coral gum blossoms from near the beach yesterday and I just had to get out the macro lens.

Karin has been sick and bought this beautiful bunch to cheer herself up.  Her styling is always so lovely.

#ourjoyfulmoments is a photography collaboration shared here and on instagram

I hope your week is full of little joys (and big ones).

♥

~ stills as school starts again ~

1.  Pink themed accessories on my very pink bedside table this week.

2.  First day of school for 2014...they're not dentist's children but they're still incognito while I wrestle with how private their lives should be.  Jack is tossing iceberg petal confetti up and wishing someone a happy wedding.  He's been doing it all week.  Luckily there are loads of flowers.  This year marks the first year they're all at full-time school - and the only year they'll be altogether.  This mama is feeling a little lost without her follower at home.

3.  New shoes all round.  I haven't bought the girls school shoes this year as they do sport every day and we're only here for 10 weeks before we head off on the grand adventure.  I may or may not buy some when we get back.  Last year's are virtually unworn.

4.  On the way to school.  Hobart has been very sparkly and shiny all week (and then a mini hurricane tore through here this afternoon)

5.  Snail mail from a lovely IG friend.  She crocheted the stone cover and the photos are hers.  I'm still amazed at how generous the IG community is.

6.  Jack collected these from Kingston Beach yesterday - he's a forager just like his mum

7.  I labelled the pencils with washi tape but cheated and bought slip-on covers for the books this year.  Didn't feel like wrestling with contact!

Linking up with Em at the Beetleshack to share the little moments of my week.

♥ 

~ vignetting in February ~

{love}

{purple}

{water}

 

 

 

 

{handwritten}

{America}

{local}

{heart}

The first 7 days of each month marks vignette time on IG.  This is a competition run by Jen of Interiors Addict wherein she supplies a word for each day and then people submit vignettes showing their take on the word of the day.  The community that participates is huge - but supportive, encouraging and hugely inspiring.  Its a little chance each month to challenge my creativity.

Usually I ponder on the word the night before and then assemble my things and take a photo each morning - it has led to some sleepless nights - ridiculous!  This month I took an hour a day before it started, gathered some pretty bits and bobs from the house and then made and shot each photo within that hour.  No stress, less mess, no fuss. 

I'm really happy with how they turned out this month  - even though they all look like different background they're all on the window seat in our lounge at about the same time - wish I could be consistent in my processing/filtering!

My favourite is the water one. Which is yours?

♥

~ our joyful moments - week 5 ~

Lots of joy this week as my first nephew safely entered the world on Jan 31st.  I made a spur of the moment decision to fly to Melbourne and visit for a couple of hours on day 3.  Little Charlie snuggled into my arms and I just drank in the deliciousness that is brand new baby.

Karin was busy doing delicious of a different kind -  home made muesli bars and simply gorgeous styling.

#ourjoyfulmoments is a collaborative project stretching across the world (Sweden and Tasmania) in which we are sharing the little moments that delight us each week.

♥

~ stills - approaching the end of holidays ~

 

 

1 and 2.  Boat sheds on the way to Coningham.  Around this corner is a beautiful, family friendly beach - I hadn't visited for years.  Its a gorgeous little beach - and very family friendly - we'll take the kayak down next time.

3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8.  Great day trip to the Apple Shed down near Grove.  We feasted on local cheeses, bread, cured meats and fabulous cherries but forgot to sample the cider - next time!!  Love what they've done there  - lots of fascinating historical items and details - but sadly missed meeting Michelle.  That's 2 good reasons to go back again soon.

9.  Fresh greengages from my mum, postcrossing postcards, poppies and vintage sheet tablecloth making my kitchen happy.

10.  We went to see Australia play England at T20 cricket on Wednesday night.  Fantastic atmosphere and a hilarious conversation on IG about our early cricket crushes (mine was Viv Richards).  We sat here at Bellerive Quay to eat our dinner before the game.  It was a gorgeous evening.

We've got 2 more days of holidays and then the school year with all its structure and routine starts again.  I'm still not ready.

♥