Day 104 - 14th April'The best things in life…aren't things.'
School holidays…beautiful (hot) autumn weather. Say…No…More.
Day 105 - 15th April'Flowers are sunshine, food and medicine to the soul.'
My Grandfather "Pit" loved carnations. They are not one of my favourite flowers, but when I saw these retro buds of hot pink cheeriness the other day, I couldn't resist bringing some memories home. My grandfather was a amazingly creative man…an award winning photographer, an artist, who's wrought iron lights and creations are now collectors items, an inventor. I so wish he could see that I've carried on his artistic genes. 'His' carnations are starting to wilt but they have given me a little smile all week.
Day 106 - 16th April'Easter is a time to rejoice, be thankful, be assured that all is forgiven so life extends beyond the soil of the earth.'
I'm wishing each and everyone of you a very Happy Easter…it's a few days early, I know, but I'm going offline for a few days to spend some quality at home time with my kiddos and hubby. Dude has been away for the last ten days, in Tasmania on a work conference, the girls have been ridiculously busy and I've had an amazing term having completed 5 paintings…so we are all a little on the tired side. So the next few days of Easter is all about renewal, relaxation and rejuvenation= Family time. Back to art next week and an extra big uploading of Monet, Manet and Minet Quin, who will still be continuing on their photo adventures over the Easter weekend. See you in a few days! Happy Easter!
Day 107 - 17th April'Dear Stress, Let's break up.
Love Me x'
The start of our Easter Holiday break, on our favourite 'Roam Sweet Home' destination…Rottnest Island. Its so good to be back…the sand is still white, the water so green and the sunsets so gloriously bright. The stress of end of term busyness has dropped off into the ocean…agh.
Day 108 - 18th April'Good Friday. Thank you for sacrificing everything for us. It is priceless, God.'
Quiet day of pondering the enormous gift we have been given. New beginnings.
Day 109 - 19th April'Life's better in Flip Flops.'
The sun has been shining, hot and bright…not a sign of autumn in sight. Swimming, lounging, eating, sleeping…repeat.
Day 110 - 20th April
'Joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5'
Happy Easter Peeps! Leisurely walk into the settlement from Geordie Bay, to attend mass. Packed to the rafters, which always warms my heart when at Rottnest. People still make the effort, when sometimes its easier not to go. Rottnest is a holiday island…no cars; walking or bikes is the only transport around the island. It's a haven for boat owners, who get their much needed dose of salt and sand. Church on the island means sandy feet, flip flops and beach clothes. Mass is beautiful, with retractable walls pulled back to the open air, readers randomly picked from the church goers, and hymns with no accompanying piano or organ. Stripped back to basics, as is Rottnest! The Easter Bunny still found us on the boat though….
Day 111 - 21st April
'Don't look back, you're not going that way.'
Goodbye Rottnest…you've been good to us. Your seas were (fairly) calm, your sun warm, food plentiful and walks long. We have relaxed well. See you next time...
Day 112 - 22nd April
'Reading forces you to be quiet in a world that no longer makes place for that.'
This is where I want to be today, reading with my girls on the beach. We read and read and read…After 5 loads of washing, boring unpacking, a broken spare fridge and an empty working one and after 5 days of no T.V or technology, the noise in the house today is LOUD. Rottnest, you are a distant memory.
Day 113 - 23rd April
'A bird sitting on a tree is never afraid of the branch breaking, because her trust is not on the branch but on it's own wings. Always believe in yourself.'
I had a photo shoot today for a big commission. I was rather nervous this morning. Kids, fur children, water, sand…I need to believe more in my self. The photo shoot went very well. Great kids, great fur babies…Trust. Its hard to find sometimes. Now give me my paintbrush…I've got work to do!
Day 114 - 24th April
'Give me a home among the gumtrees
With lots of plum trees
A sheep or two, a kangaroo
A clothesline out the back
Verandah out the front
And an old rocking chair'
I love a sunburnt country…still waiting patiently for rain. The grass is parched, my favourite lake empty. ANZAC Day tomorrow, when we acknowledge the fallen diggers and those who have fought so valiantly for our country. Home among the gumtrees, my favourite place to be.
Day 115 - 25th April ANZAC Day
'This is a day not of celebration but of national memory. It's a day when we learn, and learn again, of the horror of purposeless war. It is a day of looking after your mates, cherishing your home, your neighbourhood and family…it's a day for realising how rare this wonderful country of ours is and how precious it is.' (Bob Carr)
LEST WE FORGET
ANZAC Day…a poignant day for most Australians. Dude always takes the girls to a dawn or early service, honouring our many fallen diggers and those who still serve our country. I bake humble ANZAC biscuits…tradition. The biscuit of a nation. You can read their story here:
http://mymiasart.com/2012/04/25/the-biscuit-of-a-nation-anzac-biscuits/
Wishing you all a peaceful ANZAC Day holiday.
Day 116 - 26th April
'Between the pages of a book is a lovely place to be.'
Finally its raining…and its been cool enough for a light jumper. A perfect afternoon to curl up on the couch with a good book. Blissful last weekend of the holidays.
Day 117 - 27th April'Every child is gifted. They just unwrap their packages at different times.'
It was my birthday today. We had a huge feast of a lunch at my mama's. Spoilt rotten with gorgeous gifts from my family. Dude is buying me a new easel! Squeal. I have to often stop paintings falling off my old clunker. The quote today, even though I am far beyond being a small child, is for how proud my parents are of me…unwrapping my gift of art only of the last few years and ahem, in my forties!! We all have the gift of a talent hidden within us…it takes courage to find it and even more to unwrap it. Some may take a little longer in finding it, but it is there, ready and waiting for the ribbon to be untied…Go. Find your gift. You will unwrap incredible joy.
Day 118 - 28th April'Little things every day.'
Flowers from my girls. Striking. Pop of colour that makes me smile.
Day 119 - 29th April"May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears.'
Pondering, pondering…choosing for art shows. So hard. Seeing my work all in one place helps to distill the doubts…hope piled high. Fear has no place here.
