Tree-Love...and a Merry Christmas.

I am shamelessly in love with my Christmas tree, and can occasionally be found looking sentimentally at its pretty lights...sigh.

This picture was taken with my beloved iphone4...am I sensing a passion for inanimate objects?

Have a truly beautiful and inspiring Christmas folks. I am hoping to be back in 2011 with a few more shots.

x

The New Walker

Lots of fun today shooting for Kate's New Walker Blog. Very inspiring stuff...if you haven't seen it check it out!

x

Well hello old friend!

Has it been nearly six months? Not at all like me to start something and then fail to finish (ha ha!). I wish I could tell you that I have been busy cruising exotic islands or completing my latest novel, but no, I have just been busy being a mum and working. Not enough time at all for taking pretty pictures! I was lucky enough however, to be asked to take some shots for the lovely 'Minky G and the Effects', so I thought I'd show you some here. They are very talented musicians! Check them out here.

PS...getting a little bit hooked on this polaroid effect.

My Favourite Way to Pass the Time...

Say no more.

Hope your week is turning out even better than you had hoped. We are starting to smile with the anticipation of school holidays. Looking forward to sleep-ins, walks with my girls, movie nights and lazy cups of tea.

x

A Small Absence

It seems like forever since I wrote a blog post! I have been busy with some photography workshops (yay!) and packing my girls off to Sydney for a music tour. It's awfully quiet around here. 

Today I went to the Perth Upmarkets and was inspired by lots of beautiful handmade items. So many clever people out there. I collected a few cards as I went around and have spent a happy afternoon cruising the blogosphere, very excited to find some local blogs.

It has made me think that it's time to dust off the old sewing machine and get cracking on some projects. Looking forward to sharing them with you. In the meantime, I've dug out some pics of one of last year's projects (my, it has been a long time), and added some lovely links on the right. 

Enjoy!

x

Sunday Afternoon

Some shots from last Sunday (my beautiful daughter's birthday). She is so grown-up now that there were no party bags, just a trip with her friends for lunch at a local cafe. So proud, and just a little bit sad.

x

We took off this afternoon to walk and drink coffee. Loving a long weekend!
More pics here.
x

The Last Light of Thursday (on Friday Morning!)

Ok, so I'm 12 hours late! This is proving more difficult than I thought.

Bleak light this morning. After days of sunshine it looks like a grey day ahead.

I didn't wander too far this time, these shots were snapped in my courtyard, in my PJs between a cup of tea and a bowl of cereal. Oh well, there's always next week!

Looking forward to a long weekend.

x

Messing around with boats 2

Our part of the world celebrates the first day of Winter today. It's hard to describe the winter sun in Perth - it has a soft, almost romantic glow. There's nothing better than rugging up in winter woolies and yet still feeling the sun on your back. I'm sure the rain is not far away, but for now, if you are blessed with the sun on your back - celebrate!

Five Faves

Before I head to bed...Five Faves thanks to Pip at Meet Me at Mikes.

1. All things lemony. I made this beautiful cake yesterday courtesy of the domestic goddess herself.

2.This sweet-as-pie Babushka Measuring Cup set.

3.This group.

4. This music.

5. This clever girl.

Sorry to be brief...but bed awaits!

x

Messing around with boats

Well, boatsheds actually. We took a drive out of Fremantle towards the city, along the river. That makes it sound much more romantic than it really was, but hey! Along the way we passed the Crawley Boatshed. Real pics later, but for now, the groovy Photoshop version.

x`

When life gives you lemons...

So good to be back in the kitchen with my girl. My beautiful eldest daughter has been dealt a few lemons in recent weeks, but as is her quietly gracious way, she is making lemonade. Actually, lemonade is her specialty. Once the few lemons run out from our own small tree, she will raid my sister's, and make lemonade all winter long.

x

Winter Woolens

Just a little something to warm you up.

x

The Last Light of Thursday No 2

It has rained solidly here all day. That, and getting home after dark (yuk), meant that The Last Light of Thursday shots happened inside my house. I promise to do better next week. And, by the way, this is a shot of New York ( a miniature, wooden version anyway.) Find more LLOT shots here.

x

PS

Loving this rhubarb!

This looks like a bit of fun!

Is there nothing Ellen can't do?

World's Silliest Dog!

Yes, the World's Silliest Dog has had a haircut and is sporting the latest in doggie jumpers to keep out the winter chills. While I am not a fan of clothes for pets (we stopped short of buying the matching doggie boots) it is a bit cold and her fur is now rather short. Please do not be fooled by her 'butter-wouldn't-melt' look - she is actually a complete tear-away, and not to be trusted!

x

PS Don't you hate it when people post pics of their pets!

Danger!

For those of you a little close to the edge of the cliff - back away from the edge, head straight for the kitchen and put the kettle on!

Today was about school, work, meetings, homework and getting from A to B. Oh dear me! I'd like tomorrow to be about Autumn leaves, woollen jumpers, inspirational people and a little bit of peace.

Wish me luck!

x

One of those days

You know those days..up too early (why did the alarm go off at 4.30am? Certainly not my doing!)Vague all day - just not firing. I know the answer lies in some revitalising, healthy food and an early night. But, there's always the alternate option - chocolate. One of life's great helpers, chocolate could bring about world peace if only given the chance. Yesterday I mixed up some of this. It's Rosemary and Sea Salt White Chocolate Shards, a recipe from an old Vogue Entertaining and Travel.

Melt 300g white chocolate, then stir in 1 tspn Maldon salt flakes, 2tspns chopped dried rosemary and 1 tbspn of dried rose petals. Spread out onto a tray to form a 3mm rectangle, and refrigerate until set. Break into 24 shards and enjoy! It has such an unusual flavour (my husband hates it, but please don't let that deter you!) I love it because of the unexpected flavours and it is oh-so pretty!

x

PS: apologies for the recent overuse of the Photoshop collage, but it really is like a new toy at the moment. Did I hear someone say, "Get a life?" Oh dear!

And...

So loving this.

Want to eat this.

Love to wear this.

Ta ta

Just Browsing...

Isn't this home beautiful? I took this photo in Bath in 2007, and I still love it. I found this when I was browsing through some old files (avoiding washing the dishes by any chance?)

The thing about old homes here in Australia is that they are not really that old. We live in a home built in 1900, but compared to some of the beautiful old homes in the UK, it's relatively new!

Tearing my hair out...thanks to Photoshop

How hard is it to learn something new? This photo collage of recent trip to York involved hours of work and a great deal of swearing. Now that it's done though, I'm a little bit chuffed with myself!

Happy Sunday.

x

Beautiful Art

Now I know that nobody likes a Mum who shouts from the rooftops about their kids...but (you know what's coming don't you)...look at this beautiful artwork by my youngest daughter. I think this is beautiful, and, just like my daughter, it's a little bit ethereal, a little bit bold!

x

A New Project

It's so hard to make it all the way to Friday, don't you think? I have decided to start a new Thursday project, just to add something nice to this no-man's-land of days. Camera in hand, I'm going to head out one hour before sunset to see what I can spot. Well...at least that's the plan! Tonight's was somewhere close to home. Check out more pics here.

x

Sniffles

We have all been sick lately - boo hoo I say! I'm putting all my faith in the pot of soup that has been cooking for hours on my stove. Who knew cannellini (no idea of he spelling and too sick to care) beans took so long to cook. If not, perhaps a chocolate cake like the one my Mother-in-law baked for Mother's Day. She is so lovely.

On the subject of Mother's Day, my beautiful ones gave me a new camera lens (the 50mm that I have been wanting). Already loving it!

x

A Wednesday Wonder

lovin' my camera - pic via Cx

Time for some Wednesday Wondering, my chickadees.

I wonder why kids eat snot but they won't eat broccoli?

I wonder why packages being sent from down the road take five days to get here?

I wonder why we don't know what we got 'til it's gone?

I wonder why paper cuts hurt so much?

I wonder why shoes are so uncomfortable?

x

Really?

pic via me

Really? Ironing on a Tuesday night? After work 'n' all? That can't be right. I thought Tuesday evenings were for strolling hand in hand, snuggling together to keep out the Autumn chill. Sorry, my mistake.

x

My First Post

Freo Markets image via me

Yes, I'm a disillusioned Blogger. There, I've said it. My name is Caroline and I am disillusioned. Here I am, at a certain age (41 to be exact), and sure, life is lovely. But when I was 20 I pictured my 41 year old self to be a lot more, well, fabulous. But, here I am, sitting in front of my computer, contemplating the start of another blog. The last blog I started burnt out due to my own ridiculous expectations - if you're a Capricorn you'll understand. If you're not, consider yourself lucky!

Spicy Jam is about collecting snippets of those things that feel good. So here goes...once more with no expectations. And, please slap me if I start to have any.

x