Back to basics...

So I've been enjoying the photo essays... part of a small attempt to get out there a bit...
But in between all the domestic chores + (new) weekend soccer games.. i did manage to stick some things together.. using paper + stuff i collected in Japan...



Also sketches from last week, ones that i did in the airport + on the plane as our original flight was cancelled and we were left with a day to fill, without wanting to spend more - out came the sketchbook.
SO YES! put the date in the diary. The Sydney zine fair is coming up again. Yay!
Hope you can make it...

A little bit country...

I can't believe it's only just past Easter. This weekend in Sydney was a long weekend in remembrance of the fallen soldiers at Gallipoli, the ANZACS. So while various things happened over the 3 days. We took a little trip out to the Hawkesbury to check out their agricultural show. I'd heard it was less commercial than the Sydney version. It didn't disappoint. ...we could walk through muddy paddocks. The drizzle + grey skies soon cleared...

We could get up close to the animals...

And it was fun to check out the art + craft pavilion.. the apple painting was the winner in the under 8 years category. wow. The Wall-E pineapple sculpture was also a junior entry.. hard to go past a knitted owl.
Love those sashes..

It had all the favourites, without the less desirable bits and ridiculous prices... we loved our $4 handmade devonshire scones sold by ladies wearing aprons..


Then it was back to tidy up + bake a roast dinner...
hope you enjoyed your weekend.

Ok so where did i go?

Warning: this blog post may contain images that offend, as in: you're annoyed I'm showing you paradise!
For that i apologise upfront - but in the interest of sharing, let me show you a bit of:
Vanuatu
Firstly, yes, it was a tropical paradise, in the South Pacific. Near New Caledonia. About 2.5 hours flight from Sydney. They speak English, French and Bislam. They accept Australian + New Zealand dollars and their Vatu. Last week it was 30-33 degrees (C) everyday. The nights were balmy.

Crystal clear waters. Luscious leaves. Colour aplenty.

There was plenty to see or do, or not. I found that i was in a blissful state after just 4hours of arriving. Some days we did stuff. Some days we didn't. We kayaked on the lagoon, walked around Port Vila, went on a tour to a local village, horse rode on the beach and snorkeled in THE most amazing underwater garden I have EVER seen!

There was also a real side - seeing how the locals live and eat, their way of life.



Of course i had an eye out for anything crafty.. I guess it was more a way of life for the women selling their wares at the markets. Who sat sewing up tropical sundresses for tourists at their market stalls on wind up sewing machines. Often with children lying at their feet.
We did do the package deal resort thing , Le Lagon (giving the local economy some help) it was great for the kids and lovely not to have to clean or cook! It was the first time the kids haven't had self catering in their 12 yrs! But it also meant there were activities and entertainment... The newsletter arrived every night at our door.
Oh! did i shriek when i saw weaving listed..

So as i sat and concentrated weaving my palm fronds: unna won, ova won, unna too, ova won. two times. then again.. the water sports guy sat and whipped up this kingfisher bird from HIS palm frond...
Naturally it was a photographer's delight so off i went..

It was indeed the ultimate break - fun for all the family. I would advise researching deals + packages as it can add up otherwise.. the people we met were open, straight-forward and friendly. I can honestly say it felt like i had not a care in the world ... which for a quick break is priceless, don't you think?

What about the i-shell anyone?

The happy holidays continued..

Sorry i missed you... I did happen to have a little bit of a gorgeous holiday. Technology wasn't really available, and well, I was on holiday.. so pop back in a day or so and we can catch up..

Happy holidays..

So school broke up for a 2 week autumn break.. I had a long weekend.. Miss R kicked off the eat fest with a surprise Good Friday pancake lunch.. light and fluffy they were! I then followed the fish theme with swordfish panfried with harissa, topped with a garlic/mint/coriander yoghurt with some yummy roasted kipfler potatoes. Miss R did 'kick on' with her first ever weekend soccer game.. (don't know where that gene has come from - but let's go with it..)

I enjoyed the slight chill in the air and cuddled up with a few mags, the first being my subscribers copy of Inside Out with cool Rob Ryan teatowel.. yipee.. the issue didn't disappoint and had it's usual gorgeous shots including a peek into Australian designer Lee Mathews home..

I did get a little time in the shed and "my dinki des-ka" is off to the printer..
My mother indulged us all with a lovely Sunday roast... while i sat cheekily with my embroidery on lap.. i hope it wasn't too rude.. but it keeps me calm and still..

I had to go into the office today, but Mr R took Miss R to the Royal Easter Show for their yearly fix of checking out the animals...

So that's what I've been up to... how 'bout you?
Was it fun? relaxing? or productive? Sadly there was no change to my bathroom cupboards..