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. 

point lonsdale part II

Finally some bright sun and a nice day at the beach. Petra and her two children came to visit for a day, and we all had fun on the sand. Digging, building castles, playing in the rock pools, walking out in the shallows trying to get a closer look at a seal. And then there was a day when we visited the next town over, Queenscliff. A really beautiful place full of Victorian architecture, cute shops, a wonderful playground, and some of the best ice cream around. Good old fashioned summer fun.

Sophia making a sand angel

The ferry to Tasmania was just pulling out of port

Pasc buried herself. Looks cozy, no?

Love any town where it's an option to start your day with a kale smoothie

point lonsdale

We're here! And blissfully happy. The sound of the waves, the smell of salt in the air, seagulls crying, all of it has had a potent effect on me. So deeply relaxed that I'm craving afternoon naps. Who is this?! Driving out here reminded me of going far out on Long Island last summer. Tall trees, open farm fields, the ever-present hope of spotting water, really lovely. Even the town feels like all those little towns. Montauk, Amagansett, Point Lonsdale, they all have the same manicured, posh, verdant feeling. I'm so used to California shores, lined with tall palm trees and little else. It's a real novelty to come to places like this where the beach might require a little hike over dunes and where the driftwood is as common as seaweed. Love it. We're staying with wonderful Jessie and her children in her family's beach house, and it's just been ideal. The weather not so much, yesterday was overcast and rainy at times, but nothing that can't be fixed with a good book and a cup of tea. There's going to be a deluge of photos from our time here, prepare yourself! And honestly, I'm feeling too lazy right now to arrange them properly, so here they are, out of order. Just want to go lay in the sun and tune out!

Pasca and Papa building the fire for our barbecue last night

A gorgeous salad Sarah made for us

Pasca, Tessa and Tom roasting marshmallows

Scene from a late night walk

Long exposures! Going to be experimenting with this some more

Bread, vegetables, wine. What else could you need?

The beautiful backyard

My cozy daybed. Love looking out that window at the stars each night

Lawn bowling is a definite thing here in Australia. There's even a green at the beach!

Love this path winding along the cliff tops