out and about

Wow, these last few days (and last 8 months) have flown by. Friday evening we hosted a farewell (not goodbye, because I'll be back someday!) dinner party at Hightor, and it was just as fun and lovely as could be. A cheerful gathering of our nearest and dearest from around town, crowded around a table piled with delicious food and dancing to a soundtrack DJ'd by everyone's favorite young ladies. It was joyful, heartfelt, and I sincerely felt loved and accepted.

I didn't take any pictures that night, too busy enjoying myself, but everyone else did! So appreciative of all these amazing people

Had a blast dancing with the girls

Singing along to our favorite song

The next morning I was off to Melbourne to meet my mom and her partner, and all went perfectly according to plan, with the three of us arriving at Federation Square within minutes of each other and taking off to explore the city. Unfortunately a rainstorm rolled in just as we were out in the middle of the botanic gardens, but my fellow travellers were troopers, getting showered and having just stepped off the plane, and we all enjoyed the day. I ended up spending the night in the city, and we all caught the train to Ballan in the morning and were given the royal treatment by Sarah upon our arrival. A little bit of déjà vu for me, pulling into that station and waiting to be picked up, and then we went straight to Daylesford, and our favorite cafe for a bit of brunch, and a walk around town. The three of us strolled up the hill to the Convent Gallery, and then wandered through the gardens back to Hightor. We enjoyed afternoon tea nestled in that grand old house, surrounded by the usual gathering of excited children, then went out to Hepburn for a quick walk in some gorgeous fall scenery and a stop at a standard Australian pub, then a drive out to Porcupine Ridge to try and spot some kangaroos, of which we saw many. It was a whirlwind tour of the area I've come to love, and I couldn't have asked for more. A wonderful introduction for our guests, and a lovely goodbye for me.

Back in Daylesford, with Bob at the Convent Gallery

Know celebrities and dignitaries enjoy a red carpet, but I much prefer gold

Flowers laid out in tribute of ANZAC Day at the Soldiers Memorial in Hepburn

last weekend

That title is figurative and literal now. Friday was ANZAC Day, Australia's only real nationalistic holiday, and a very solemn occasion. I attended the parade and a service in town at the war memorial, and was struck by how serious and grave it all was. Yes, it's a day of remembrance for servicemen and women who have served and sacrificed in wars past and present, but it still struck an odd note with me. In the states, our Veteran's Day is about the hero, and how wonderful and proud we should all be to belong to such a strong and fierce country where people are glad to give the ultimate sacrifice. In Australia, it seems like the focus is on the loss of life, and what a terrible waste that is. A line from one of the speakers really stuck with me, that we should "speak less and remember more" on that day. In the good ol' U.S. of A, remembering veteran's isn't a quiet, reflective occasion, it's an invitation to crow on and on about how bravely they fought, how they weren't afraid to face foes in order to guard ideals and freedoms, and golly gee, don't it seem like 'merica is just about the greatest gosh darn place on planet Earth? You betcha! Can't help but laugh at stereotypical American culture when you see it from afar, strange and possibly creepy as it is.
Anyway...once I snuck away from the speeches and depressive mood at the memorial, the weekend was great fun. Papa came up from Melbourne, and we took Pasca, Blossom and Giselle to see the new Muppet movie one afternoon, where I discovered that my dad is apparently a supporter of the local theater. Good on ya!

Papa's happy influence continued to reign, including teaching the kids a few card games one night, and treating me to a ride on the tourist train down at the Sunday market. Finally! It's a wonderfully restored model from about the 1930s that goes to Bullarto and back. I thoroughly enjoyed the ride, for the gorgeous scenery we passed through, the beautiful car itself, and the knowledgable company. Sad it took me this long to go for a ride, but ultimately very glad to have gone.

A lesson in dealing and playing

The train Papa and I took to Bullarto

A closer look at my happy guide. Thanks Papa!

Now it's one last week of routine, spending my last days with Tom, working around the house, playing at being a tourist and visiting all my favorite shops and cafes in town, and finally getting down to the real work of mentally and physically preparing for my departure. Been downsizing the load of things I'll be carrying back with me to the states, and trying to reach my goal of fitting everything I "need" in my pack. This means lots of things have already been piled up to be handed down to friends and family in town (know the girls will love some of the clothes I'm leaving behind), or given to the opp shop. It's such a freeing feeling, shedding things. Because they're exactly that, just things. Sure there are a few belongings that I count as treasure, but most of it is undeniably disposable, and I'm already looking forward to purging more when I'm back in San Diego. Attempting to live a mobile life is exactly the inspiration I needed to realize what holds real value in my life, and I'm happier than ever to be going home with that knowledge. It's only two more days until my mom and her husband arrive in Melbourne for a few days' visit, and then we're all off for Cairns, Sydney, and finally, Los Angeles. So excited to see more of this wonderful land, carrying as little as possible, and arriving back in sunny California.

easter

Babka is beautiful inside...

Well, Easter has quickly come and gone. And it was great. We started the day by popping in over at Petra's to say hello and deliver some chocolate babka (my extravagant treat for the day. Won't post any process pictures or recipe because it might put you off trying to make it yourself! And I say- why not?), then Sarah, Pasca and I went to church. I'd been craving some kind of ritual leftover from so many Easters with my family in the states, and once I saw in the paper that one of our local churches had an organ, I was determined to go check it out for myself. The organ itself was heartily disappointing, after being spoiled with the magnificent ones at Spreckels and Foothills, but still enjoyable in a funny kind of way. And I was happily surprised to turn around during the greetings in the service and see our guests for the weekend, Sarah's friend Morgan and his wife Dina up from Melbourne. We're all interested in the social rituals and psychology of practicing religion, so it was a nice diversion. Then back home, and greeted by more guests, Sarah's brother Robert, his wife Querida, and their two adorable daughters, Phoebe and Vivienne. They had all had a hunt for chocolate eggs while we curious few were in church, and then we all headed down to the Sunday market. A quick look around just as the stalls were packing up for the day, then a quick rest and chat on a little lawn before everyone but me caught the last ride of the day on the old tourist train. I headed back up the hill to the gardens, said hello to Timothy at the cafe, and had a quick Skype session with a friend back home. Then back home to meet up with everyone and have some dinner. It was definitely a day of good eating, we had babka for breakfast, enchiladas for lunch, and a giant vegetable potpie for dinner. Delicious. And finally, after the sun had gone down and everyone was stuffed on pie and chocolate, we broke out the Paas kits. American style Easter egg dyeing! A bit out of order, and sadly no hunting, but still lots of fun. The kids loved dipping the eggs in dye and then decorating them further with stickers, shrink-wrap and glitter. And I think they turned out beautiful! And made a wonderful addition to some wholesome gribiche the next day. Seems like life here at Hightor is revolving around the kitchen lately, and I love it!

...and out!

Tasty and cheap market finds. We were all of one mind when it came to strawberries.

My Sunday best included my handmade skirt. Really love it. 

Eggs and dye ready to go

I did a few tie-dye style eggs

Lovely jewel tones with the brown eggs we used

Pasca did multiple shrink-wrap on several eggs. Clever girl! 

happy birthday pasca!

Yesterday was Pasca's eleventh birthday, and boy was it a great day. Papa Brian came up from Melbourne, and friends gathered for a delicious Indian meal.

Pasca was seated outside and treated to a little pampering straight away after school. 

This included a hairdo with some colorful fall leaves by the marvelous Blossom

But once Pasca felt the crunch, it was time for them to go

Sarah was happy learning about the new barbecue Papa had brought up from Melbourne. A very appropriately named "BeefMaster" for this house full of vegetarians

Blossom started over on Pasca's hair

And this devilish look...

...resulted in this one, of a different kind, but equally odd

Loud squawking birds circled overhead

And then it was netball time! Pasca received a few netballs and a hoop to practice with for her birthday

She and Blos helped Papa put the net together

Then it was time to decide where it should go, and to get in a quick practice

Maeve arrived, and the girls snuck out front to have some fun

Before we all sat down to a delicious meal

Then it was time for the ice cream cake

And a final chat around the table. 

Happy Birthday Pasca!!