stills {an iphone mixed edition}.

1:: Slushy organic apple juice. num.
2:: Mid Christmas morning my p disappeared. This is where she was reenergising for more fun.
3:: These two are soulmates. Giggle, play, cuddle, giggle. It's pure magic.
4:: Summer cooking- colourful and cool foods.
5:: Toddler works of art.
6:: Out for coffee- another chance for my p to reflect on life.
7:: Little swallows hung together. We scored these at a garage sale early this year, $2. The man said they were a gift his grandfather once brought from the UK for his grandmother. Why $2? and why sell? I don't know! But they have found a happy home here.
8:: Prepping for a special friend's baby shower. A box of vases, doilies, a few presents, and fresh cut flowers.
9:: A generous gift from my man and some precious friends. Love!

......................................

Things are slowing down around here.

With the passing of Christmas, we have entered a fresh and welcome phase of empty days which we can fill as we choose. Couple this with 39 degree heat {and a heat wave of more consecutive days than ever in WA history}, and we have been occupied with early morning beach trips. midday naps with fans blowing on our faces. consumption of many icypoles {icecreams, iced drinks}, takeaway pizza on the beach with precious friends, afternoon movies in air con. and calm & peacefulness.

Hoping your worlds are filled with the same.

See you next year folks!

♡ ashley

Christmas cheer.

:: a yearly tradition: new flip flops for the Christmas morning beach trip {and rest of the year}

 

:: leaving food out for the reindeer :: sparkles and oats

We had an amazing Christmas, apart from being so far away from family and dear friends.
After a VERY early wake up, croissant and blueberry jam, maple bacon and scrambled egg breakfast. beach trip and swim in the ocean and huge lunch at a friends, we were home in time to miss our other homes...Fingers are crossed we can travel across the ocean at the end of 2013 to be with those we miss and love.

Lucky for P, Father Christmas was overly generous this year.

A stocking filled with treats: princess dress-ups, wooden kitchen toys, colouring books and crayons, some sweets, a handmade pencil case, and homemade crochet babydoll shoes.

Under the tree: a Grimms rainbow {the most amazing toy, it is a bridge, a baby bed, a house, a tunnel, a tree and so much more}, wooden animals and a felted playmat, a wooden iron, books and dress ups. She also stole a wire chicken basket Santa brought to the family for collecting eggs with the inevitable "MINE!"

The grandparents chipped in to buy a climbing gym for the yard, hoping it will be a massive help when she is stir crazy and I am busy feeding a new bub.

By dinner she {and we} were exhausted. First time she has eaten with her head resting = a successful day!

And now...waiting!

♡ ashley

Christmas stills and wishes.

1:: room for #2. not much of a wonder of why piper calls the baby "basket"

2:: can't wait to start filling in this beautiful baby book. nikki is amazing.

3:: bombol bouncer won over at babyspace. beautiful.

4, 5:: market- the stone fruit cravings are intense for the whole family. 

6:: santa

7, 8:: clip clop shoes. she adores them.

9-12:: running wherever we go. 2 is such a busy year!

2012 has been amazing. busy and full of ups and downs. as we say hello to 2013 i am ready for so much joy and growth. i have a good feeling about this one.

wishing you all the merriest of christmas' and the most wonderful start to 2013. i will be back with some resolutions at the start of the year.

thank-you for the comments on my last {and indeed every} post. i love this community and am blessed to be a part of it.

tidings of comfort and joy.

♡ ashley

beautiful mini market basket c/o notonthehighstreet

more stills at em's.

building my nest.

as the clock ticks and time marches forward i am finally done working and ready to face the next stage in this game called life. i am pretty nervous about juggling p and another new soul. i know it is something time will teach me but i do wonder how it is possible i will ever love someone the way i love my girl, that it is possible for so much love to exist.

distracting me from these 'deep thoughts' are the next few weeks of preparing and shifting. i am like a woman possessed running around sorting and stacking, making and packing.

the list:

::prepare some easy snacks and meals to keep mama and co happy and thriving- i am getting a few made each week to freeze and cook when i need to. i am also mixing some dry mix for corn bread to which i need to add only oil, milk and eggs. served warm with honey and butter is soul soothing.

::book acupuncture- anything to help this baby come on time

::first aid kit- i am slowly building a natural first aid kit {more on another post soon}

::breathe

::closet- de cluttering the closet so i have simple items i adore not tons of items to overwhelm {on this note: just how many scarves does one need?}

::kitchen cupboards- stocked and ready but also cleaned out of items that have dwelled there too long

:: cleaning supplies- no more chemicals, my other half has begged me to create labels for my sprays and potions so he knows how/when to use them {also a planned future post}

::car capsule into car- we never had one with p but splurged this time and i am looking forward to easy car/house/life transitions

::stretch

:: instal the little squirt and wash nappies- cloth this time {not the first few weeks} summer baby seems the perfect time to try this instead of waste

:: create a 2013 family budget- back to one income but more bills so need to find balance

lucky i also have the festive fun to distract me.
oh, and an amazing man by my side to remind me to stop, and breathe. deeply.

♡ ashley

christmas stories.

in our ever growing collection of christmas items, one thing was missing.
the nativity scene is an important addition. piper has played with the characters since they arrived.
we tell her the story and why christmas happens. making meaning of the words and celebrations.
even if she calls the baby "sauceus".
5 more sleeps.
♡ ashley

nativity c/o here-- eco and fair trade
found via http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/ a site filled with amazing items of all kinds. seriously fun browsing. you've been warned! xx

"we owe our children- the most vulnerable citizens in any society- a life free from violence and fear."

-Nelson Mandela

i know i am not alone with the shock and fear that the news brought this weekend. 

squeezing her tightly. teaching her peace. life is short and needs to be savoured.

♡ ashley

stills.

1:: her 'lovey'- the wee blue cloth- is always by her side

2:: bush walk

3:: a view from below- new kitchen shelves

4:: summer snacks with friends

5:: new vase

6:: grilling

7:: lunch out

8:: green smoothie and beetroot juice

9:: sandwich with eggplant bacon

10:: candycane bark

11:: christmas cutting

12:: pizza night

13:: crafty day {came home from work and this is what daddy made with p- impressed!}

Happy weekend to all.

♡ ashley

joining in with em over at the beetle shack