sneaky catch-up in photos

Sorry folks, time is a ticking and we are heading to the Coast this afternoon, so here is what I have missed in pictures. 

Lovin the family

Fortuitously Manu and his partner James had a wedding in, of all places, Bellingen the very weekend we were back from Sydney (well minus Scott who was still away, but plus Mum, who gallantly assisted me whilst I drove from the Coast to Bellingen in the pouring rain, not fun). 

It was really wonderful spending so much uninterrupted time with the both of them and then as a bonus effortlessly succeeding with them falling in love with Bellingen. 

At one point, albeit after a few hours drinking at one of the "best weddings" either of them had ever been to (think gypsy, think Black Cat White Cat , on an amazing property, with people that you have known from years before, but never thought you would see again, set against a back drop of sun breaking through the clouds after days of rain), James was raving about how he has to tell everyone he knows about how amazing Bellingen is, only to be silenced by Manu, who advised him that maybe it is better left as a not so quiet secret. James concurred. 

Poe and Ilo loved the fact that they had a book reading service on hand at any point, they loved the fun, the ease and the comfort of having such special 'family' people around.

 James loved the fact that everything we did kept exceeding expectations; swimming in icy water at the Never Never Creek, pizza for dinner on an abandoned beach, delicious meals, lovely company all partnered with staying at a totally fancy and breathtaking location, it had been James's birthday and Manu had arranged that they stay at Casa Belle. 

On the way to Never Never creek I spied this amazing family by the side of the road, check out this great photo that James took (he is a little obsessed with owls, so you can imagine his delight when he saw this family). Enlarge it, I love how the parents are both facing in opposite directions and the baby is staring right at James. He has entered it in the National Geographic Photo Contest.

As is Manu's way, he and James ended up making a few friends for us in town, they are very social. So through them we are now more acquainted with Alex the owner of the 'Everything that's beautiful' Gallery in town along with some mysterious person named Kate, that we are yet to meet but Manu assures us that Kate and her partner have very similar parenting and life ideas and that we will be good friends. Thanks darling brother, please feel free to come back whenever you both want, (you know, just to ahh cement the friendships!) it was a pleasure seeing the both of you.

Yes, getting more tired and fearing that I am making less sense with every word that I type, also fearing I have lost the ability to spell as every word looks so weird as I look at it more and more, perhaps three posts in one night is enough.  And no I have not proof read this warble (or waffle?) nor do I intend to, sorry lovely readers, it is the price you must pay if I am ever to catch up.xxxx

Suriya

We were lucky enough to grab a few hours of my sister, Suriya's time before heading back to Bellingen, it was really lovely seeing the fun Poe had with her, fake arm gags and playing shop. Hopefully when we head to the Coast over Christmas time spent will be longer and even more fun. 

Yep, here they come, stand back, posts coming at a record pace. 

and more dears

Our visit to Jen, Rod, Lily and Saul's started off with a bang, well banging to be precise. Yes, there was drumming, singing, costume changes and hilarity within five minutes of walking in the door. Things pretty much stayed that way for a while, but as you can see they also quietened down into very adoring and gentle moments (yes I do say moments as interesting hilarity is something that happens quite a bit when these four little ones get together). 

This is Lily upon receiving her birthday gifts of a handmade skirt and this stunning book, I say stunning as I have only drooled over it's pages, I have yet to embark on the adventure that is Wildwood, but let me tell you, I can't wait. Wildwood was written by Carson Ellis and Colin Meloy, husband and wife team, yes, awesome and doing amazing things but then you check them out individually and they are just so so so talented, it makes me head spin and eyes pop out (attractive I know). 

And this is Lily about 1 minute after receiving said gifts, skirt on and book open ready to be devoured.

Yes, I know I am ridiculously living in the past, but I have been sewing and sewing and sewing and selling and selling and selling. But before you know it, you will be bombarded with posts, unrelenting and totally fascinating posts, so many posts that you will just all have to comment and beg me to give you all some breathing room, yes, it is late. I think I am going slightly crazy......

this morning

Today was Poe's last day of little Kindy (there will be a post about that later, sob), Scott woke at about 7.30, when he got out of bed he found Poe sitting in the loungeroom fully dressed (in tie dyed pants and top, with his tablecloth/doily skirt over the pants). Poe exclaimed "I have been waiting for you to get up, look I am all dressed, look how colourful I am and I made my bed". I don't know where that came from but I love how absolutely delighted he was with himself, delighted and excited.

Harrietville 2011

Guest post by the lovely Scott:

As many of you know, a big recreational interest of mine is playing and writing Bluegrass music. The Harrietville National Bluegrass Festival 2011 was on in late November. I was playing there with Burnt Creek from NSW on the Friday night – very exciting. At 1.30pm on the friday i received a phone call saying that the American headline act ‘XTrain’ had heard an original track of mine and wanted me to get up and sing it with them. I said yes of course. I met the band and we rehearsed the song twice before their Friday show. I got up and sang Rosewood from my forthcoming album. It was a hoot. The guitarist of X-Train Peter Mcloughlin, won ‘Best Bluegrass Guitarist in America’ in 1988. Ross Nickerson is a banjo maestro, Bob Denoncourt is amazing on double bass and Mark Miracle on mandolin – his name says it all. So being on stage playing my song with these musicians was a tremendous honour and such fun. The crowd was enormously appreciative and i was super stoked. As if this was not enough, X-Train asked me to play with them on the Sunday as well, only this time they wanted to play two of my tracks…..Amazing. The band then asked if they could cover Rosewood on their next album. I said ummmmmm, yes. It was such a great festival. Click below to hear the live track.
Rosewood with X train, live at Harrietville 2011

dear little ones

The door was opened, kisses were exchanged and oohs of delight at the sight of each other were heard. And then with feet barely touching the ground Edie and Poe were off giggling, whispering, already in their little world, and there they stayed for hours on end, we saw glimpses of them as they came out for snacks or to show off some crazy outfit. I love the simplicity, beauty and gentleness of this special little friendship. 

So much catching up to do, new toys explored, games introduced and stories exhanged.

A new friendship was also blossoming as Ilo and Oscar delighted in each others company. There has always been a connection between these two little ones, the first baby conversation Ilo had was with Oscar, the looks they exchanged and the connection they had was way beyond their years. And now at two, they share jokes, go on adventures, laugh themselves silly and delight in each other's company. 

Ruth and I also enjoyed some very special time together at Vini so delicious but more importantly so nutritious, the company not the food. I also feel like my cup has been filled after I spend time with Ruth, she inspires, delights and always has amazing advice. She is a listener and an entertainer, a very rare combination. Beautiful Ruth. 

Oh and thanks to the beautiful Cam for feeding everyone, spinning the tunes, your gentleness and being so effortlessly awesome. Cam, I am so inspired and delighted with your contribution and love for the Cornersmith, what an amazing space it will be, cannot wait til our next Sydney visit so we can experience it in the flesh.

to market to market

As well as all this Christmas crafting I have been doing, I decided to, maybe foolishly, have a stall at Belingen's annual Artisan's market this Saturday, 10th December. Here is a little peek at some of the goods I have been making, with more to make this week, will keep you posted; will let you know if I pass out under a pile of doilies, overwhelmed by all this Christmas and Market crafting, you know on top of the usual, parenting, partnering and just generally being, or whether it all turns out fine. Stay tuned. eek 

I love that even if the market isn't that great, Weave and Wabi Sabi both want whatever I don't sell in  their stores, which is totally lovely and exciting. 

headpieces in the making

Yes, I am sewing and blogging at the same time and yes it is 12am, but you know, I am feeling pretty happy doing so.

Dom

                    

Dom has been a very dear friend of mine for about 11 years and over that time, regardless of where either of us are in life, up, down and in-between we absolutely know that the other is always there. Dom is someone who you meet and you can't but help fall in love with, he exudes warmth, humour, kindness and beauty. Yeah, he is one of those; a very rare and inspiring human.

As much as I adore spending time with Dom, I absolutely love watching Dom with Poe and Ilo. His openness with them allows them to just shine in his company. Poe and Dom, in particular, have such a beautiful relationship, one of trust, love and the same kind of humour. I watch Dom with Poe and I just see him radiate love, he has so much time and space to just be, what a rare trait that is.

We were lucky enough to see Dom in Sydney, we met at our favourite catch-up place, Cafe Ella , for some wonderful service, awesome chai and a totally delicious lentil stew. After a very stories were exchanged, Dom took Poe and Ilo to the park whilst Scott and I caught up on his time at Harrietville.






Poe, Ilo and Dom made stick houses and laughed hysterically as Dom feigned devastation as a little Ilo knocked them down, oh my goodness, both Poe and Ilo were nearly wetting themselves with laughter as this pantomime occurred over and over again. Amongst all this crazy laughter, we climbed, we slid, swung and laughed just a little bit more.

Poe and Dom, then rode their bikes home to Dom's, what an adventure that was, riding in the city, oh my goodness, Poe was delighted.

                           


Upon arrival at Dom's we were gently but enthusiastically greeted by Jeremy, Dom's dog, they then played and played with Jeremy, totally delighting in the whole dog fetching stick thing. Jeremy is the only dog that Poe and Ilo have really been around and the only dog they love (they are actually quite scared of dogs normally, so it was lovely seeing them have such a great time with Jeremy). Jeremy is seriously an amazing dog, especially with children, Ilo was hugging him relentlessly and he didn't mind at all, they had a great time.

Ah Dom, thank you for being such a beautiful friend to me and thank you also for being an amazing and inspiring friend for Poe and Ilo, they absolutely adore you, as do we. mwah.

The old hood

Strangely it doesn't really feel weird staying next door to where we used to live. I guess we were ready to move and are happy that we did, so we don't feel any ties to the place but still it does cause most people to comment and give us pause for thought. We do however have very strong ties with our beautiful ex-neighbours and wonderful friends, Tracey, Vince, Remy and Jenna. It is always a delight to be enfolded into their home, their arms, their life. We truly feel so relaxed and so loved when we are with them and as we hang about cooking, talking, helping with homework, it is all so easy. 

The amazing Jenna modelling the skirt I made for her birthday, it looked fantastic on her and as you can see, she seems to like it. 

Oh the love. 

Creating.

 We were lucky enough to catch up with Cass, James, Harriet and Teddy for dinner at Tracey's place. Again, awesome. Seeing Poe and Harriet running around like crazy in the backyard, enjoying dinner together (my favourite moment was watching Harriet lean over into Poe and just sigh,  "Oh Poe", so sweet, so beautiful, so much love) and catch up on everything that is important in their lives. Harriet was particularly excited as she presented everyone with a card explaining and displaying that she had lost a tooth today, this partnered with the gaping hole in the front of her mouth, oh my I just wanted to squeeze her (oh and i did, in a very gentle and loving way). So much to catch up on and so little time, lucky these are the types of friends were you can just get into the nitty gritty, so it was nice to hear the real details in each others lives (although again, too little time and I am sure there was more grit that I failed to extract).

As Cass walked in, she unburdened herself by dumping a huge box into my arms, this box was laden with so much awesome goodness I did lots of gasping, oohing and aahing. Belated birthday gifts of fabric, linen, books, patterns, badges and the sweetest ceramic deer you may ever seen (complete with an ear that had been broken but was lovingly repaired). I will photograph some of these gifts because quite frankly there was a lot of love there. So sweet and so beautiful, thank you lovely ones. 

Check out this awesome diorama that Jenna made for school, a kids clothing shop, love those mini clothes and awesome change room, complete with a mirror and lights. 

So happy to have Dadda back after a five days away.

jamming

Taken at Peeba's and Phil's, Poe and Ilo jamming. Please excuse the dodgy camera work, just getting to know the new camera.