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. 

boomerang ranch

This friendly face was waiting to greet us as we walked in

Holidays here have totally different timing than what I'm used to. We had the two weeks before Easter off from school, as opposed to the one before and one after. And apparently "Easter Monday" is a thing, and an additional day off. Pasca, Maeve and I took advantage by going for a trail ride at a ranch here in town. It was just the right way to end our holidays, and hopefully the start of a fun hobby for Pasca. She's scheduled to ride again today, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it's still thrilling for her. Happy trails! 

Pasca rode a horse named Angel

Maeve was on Shadow

And I was paired with the feisty Jordan

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! 

wide brown land

The National Arboretum. My favorite spot in Canberra. I was lucky enough to visit around twilight, and seeing the newly laid plans, young forests, and grand visions for the future in the golden light was spectacular. Overwhelmingly peaceful, still, and beautiful.

cockington green

Maeve, me and Pasca with some large creatures greeting us at the entrance

On our second morning waking up in Canberra, Papa, Pasca, Maeve and I headed to Cockington Green, a formal gardenscape populated with miniature recreations of British village life and remarkable buildings from all around the world. It was strange and beautiful and hilarious. There was even a dizzying labyrinth, which the girls and I tried to navigate with our gaze, but ultimately proved to be too much. We rode the steam train around, played a quick game of hop-o bump-o (thanks John!), and admired the flowers (and hardworking bees). A great way to while away the morning.

Wouldn't be English without cricket! 

Love pastoral scenes, even in fake miniature

Freddy and Jason, an odd find

Gorgeous banks of begonias

Dahlias and bees, what's not to love?

The mesmerizing labyrinth

There were also a few dinosaurs tucked away in the hedges...

The paths were lined with all sorts of plants, including tons of peppers. I picked a few for our dinner of tortilla soup that night

Hop-o bump-o! Good times