highlights

It's somewhat of a lazy day here at Hightor. Started the day out with a netball match for Pasca, and a football match for Benson. It was pretty enjoyable, until the rain started pouring down. And then Sophia and I had a ball sprinting to the car for some shelter and snacks. After a quick muesli bar and plugging ABBA in for the drive home, we arrived back at Hightor and everyone set about achieving their goals for the day. Pasca and Leilani went off to the ranch for their trail ride, Sophia went back home, the boys of the house settled in to play some video games, and I found my place in the kitchen. Sarah and I enjoyed a delicious scone with jam and cream at a cafe in town yesterday, and sought to replicate it at home. So I whipped together some basic scones, and when everyone was back home and a bit calm, we all sat down for afternoon tea. It was absolutely marvelous, crowding around the small kitchen table with all those kids, chatting and laughing and covering every bit of scone surface with jam, cream, honey, berries, and even Trader Joe's cookie butter. A very civilized little exercise for a rainy afternoon. And now Sarah and I are situated on the couch, pulled as close to the fire as we dare, and both working away on our computers. And luckily for me and you, she just sent me some wonderful, almost forgotten photos from past adventures. So here's a few leftover treasures, randomly thrown together for your viewing pleasure.

In one of several runs to Bunnings (a big hardware store here in Oz), Pasca and Blossom disappeared for a bit while Sarah and I were browsing. And then two giggly boxes walked by. The girls found these huge boxes and claimed them for their own, even carving holes so they could see where they were going. It was rather hilarious. And a joyful end to a routine shopping trip. 

A wonderfully named car we spotted in Point Lonsdale, on our beach holiday there.

And a nice evening story time in Point Lonsdale. I read everyone the legend of Sacagawea aiding Lewis and Clark in their great expedition. An American classic in an American accent!

And a few more great captures of our silly times on the ferry from Queenscliff. Enjoying the sunshine, salt water smells, and high winds. 

whoa

It's been a crowded and busy (and fun!) Easter time since we arrived back home, and with the addition of the internet being out of commission at the house blogging has been near impossible. But today is the last day of school holidays (of which Pasca and I are taking full advantage, more to come!), and with the return of routine should come the return of regular posting. I've got a lot to share, so standby! Hope you're all having a wonderful Easter and enjoying some nice spring weather. It's a gorgeous fall day down under!

this and that

Well look at this. Sarah and I discovered a lot of eery, incredibly personal coincidences when we were getting to know each other, and I've just found a few little things that reminded me of that here in her friend Penny's house in Canberra. This first little creamer is from a rather obscure china pattern that my family collects and I just happened to grow up with. And the butter dish? Polish pottery. I've fallen in love with it in the last few years and started collecting a few things. It's so strange and so nice to see them pop up here. And only these two pieces! What are the chances? Though really, with the way things have been going for me here in Australia, what are the chances something like this wouldn't have happened? Probably greater than had they not. Fantastic.

ciao!

Yesterday afternoon I was excited over so many things: a break in the non-stop rain we've been having, packing for our little vacation, a present in the form of a comfy, funky skirt, and a hope at maybe losing this insane sandal tan ( and then realizing there was no chance of that, heading back into summer in San Diego. Oh well.)

Walked through the gardens to the cafe for some coffee and wifi (my favorite menu items!), and loved all these pernicious, bountiful weeds. What is that cliched saying? "A weed is a flower, too if you remember to look". Agreed. 

And look who it is! Wonderful Timothy now works at our hilltop cafe. So happy to see him, well and working hard, looking like he fit in perfectly. Congrats on the new job!

tj's

Whoa. Hit the Trader Joe's jackpot with the latest box to arrive from my dad. Can't tell you how comforting it is to have these little tastes of home. Had cookie butter on toast for breakfast this morning and it was absolute perfection. Thanks a million!

treat yo'self

Been feeling particularly homesick lately, think its the fact that my time here is running out so quickly now. I'm sick at the thought of leaving Daylesford, but insanely excited to be back in San Diego. Pretty tricky. Took a little time the last few days to treat myself to a few indulgences, namely- a whole slew of publications and a nice breakfast at a beautiful cafe by the fireside. I take the time to catch up on world and American news most every day, but it's nice every now and then to pick up an Australian paper. They seem so...casual? Maybe it's the small population, or the fact that major news stories discussing politics and such would get to be repetitive really quickly, but it seems like the major focus is put on local issues and people and dealings. And they're mostly short-form. I flip through them so quickly, looking for a real meaty story to spend a few minutes on, and it just doesn't happen. I find myself being caught up on what's happening in such and such suburb of Melbourne, one man's medical mishaps, little things. And I just realized what I think is missing: international news. They just don't seem to cover any. Oh well. That's what the internet is for, right? And so CNN is my bedtime ritual now.
Didn't mean for this to turn into a critique of Australia's journalism, but there it is. And I hope you can recognize the title of the post from an aspirational TV character. Everyone deserves a "treat yo'self" day every now and again!

favorites

Tom and I found this sweet heart-shaped rock in our play outside

And sat very still like this for a solid thirty minutes, watching the dog dig a big hole

Sarah and I snuck away for a quick, refreshing drink one afternoon. Much needed and much appreciated!

little things

These gorgeous pink lilies have been popping up all over town, including in our yard. Cut some yesterday and now we have this huge arrangement gracing our dining table

And they smell just as great as they look. Just the way this shade of pink would smell if you could translate that cross-senses

In all my cutting through the Catholic church yard, I never noticed this pensive looking statue. But now that he's appeared to me, I love him

All the recent violent winds have felled some large trees and branches on one of the bushwalks around town. Love the "big" weather, but not hopping over these limbs on the edge of the steep ravine this path follows! 

The spooky name of the walk, a local legend

 Enough already, just let me walk in peace!

 Tom loves to play like he's calling people on the phone, so I gave him my old iPhone to play with our last few days together. He loved it! And then started taking some pictures, which included a few adorable selfies

I took full advantage of the situation and stuck my arm out to get a few of us together. Love this boy!

He also looked very suave trying on my sunglasses (while thoughtfully and deliberately emptying everything from my bag)

queste cose

Loving these teeny flowers that are popping up in the botanical gardens

And equal love goes to all the giant trees. Paradise. 

Our friend's sweet little baby girl dozed off in Pasca's lap the other day

Pasca came home from a market with a rose and mustache painted on her face. So distinguished! 

Felt magical walking into the sunset last night 

Did a little more evening window shopping in town. This shop, with it's ever evolving Marimekko stock, is my favorite. 

Shadow has been extra lazy lately, and particularly fond of the veranda. Can't say I blame her!

Been sick yet again, and Oscar and I had a little bit of quiet time in front of the fire one evening. Purr-fect 

Was admiring the sunset and this spider tonight and was suddenly, vividly reminded of a night last August when Brittanie and I went to La Jolla and watched another gorgeous sunset, played in some fun sculptures, met an amazing man and his adorable dog, and admired a huge spider making it's web. Such fun. 

questo e quello

A beautiful pastry from our departed German WWOOFers, Ina and Tabea. Giving me the baking itch!

Love stopping to watch all the bees on this tree on my way to town

The main street in town is freshly paved. Molto bene! 

A hopeful message on a building in a back alley in town

Went for a twilight walk last night, and by the time I was heading back up the hill, it was full dark and a wedding was raging at the Convent Gallery. Great music, an open gate, and nothing to lose led to me joining the fun on the dance floor for a few songs then sneaking back out. Just what I needed!