Tuesday is Art Day!

It was the last day of the Creative Journalling course today. We only had four people turn up but it was still great.

Over the term, we have done quite a few different projects. Board books, painting, stamping, fabric and a project that was about celebrating the everyday things in our life. I had quite a few different ideas but the common theme was Nature, so I went with that.



This photo doesn't capture the 3-dimensional aspect of this piece very well but you get the idea. It is textured and has pieces attached that I collected over a month of 'daily life'. Shells, beads, pebbles, etc.
I still have things to do on it, including adding the poem which relates Nature to the viewer as I perceive it.
Trying to capture Nature in any medium is a challenge.

Koa, swimming lessons and making faces!

Our very excitable and aptly named dog, Koa (it means happiness in Maori), died on Saturday after only being with us 5mths.

We found out that he had jumped over the front fence on Saturday morning to follow another dog, been hit by a car, a stranger had taken him to the vet and the vet had had to put him down. This is the second dog we've lost this way in two years - we lived on the farm the first time.

It is very sad and DragonGirl is finding it the hardest. The first dog, Jake, was her best friend and it took her quite a bit to be open and loving in the same way with Koa.

On a brighter note, this week is swimming lessons for the homeschooled kids in our area. It means not only time in the pool for the kids but also time for the parents to catch up with eachother from the sidelines. (I got to chat with some mum's today that I haven't seen since last year's lessons.)

We had Cal with us today and he wasn't allowed to swim. He and Boo entertained themselves with cars, food and colouring. They were so good, especially considering how much they both love the water! Boo will be able to swim tomorrow which he will be very pleased about.

Some of Boo's antics at the table tonight:

He can be very cheeky! Corby, DragonGirl and Boo were trying out their Best Funny Face. I got a few good pics for the album.

The wild weather is on it's way

We are expecting a 5m swell this weekend at our favourite beach, with some wind, rain and the occassional thunderstorm thrown in.

That means the kids and I will be on the sand all rugged up while Corby goes out for a surf. He hasn't been able to go for the last 3 weekends, so nothing short of the ocean freezing over is likely to keep him out of the water.

DragonGirl ready to go!

The Sun peaked through for a moment

We put on our scarves, gloves, beanies, jackets and gumboots to go outside and enjoy it!

I've made a Winter scarf for myself this year.

I've got another started in a fibre that looks a bit like dreadlocks. I'll match Corby! :)

I've got to finish the chicken coup so I'm grateful that it is fairly clear today after the rain last night. I am definitely going to have to put some tin on the roof to keep the chickens and rabbits dry.

Besides Corby wanting fresh eggs, the chickens will be useful in other ways. Manure for the gardens, pest control, turning the vegetable beds at the end of each season, just to name a few. The coup means that the rabbits will have more room to move too.

Tea break is over, back to work!

My first ever batch of playdough!

I'm a little bit pleased with myself actually. Normally I get my mum to make it when she comes to visit but she's not coming for awhile yet, it's been raining for a few weeks and we needed some new indoor activities.





DragonGirl made this teapot. She would have liked to keep it, so I thought I might make up some saltdough for her.

Boo has found all sorts of ways to entertain himself...




Yes, I have now unplugged it from the wall! He can't get the door shut by himself but still...

We've got chickens coming!

Our lovely neighbour has gifted us some chickens and when I have the coup finished I need to go and pick them up.

I was going to build a coup out the back but it meant starting from scratch and buyng in all the materials. In my commitment to making use of what we've got I decided to convert the old greenhouse.

I've pulled the shadecloth off the front and put chicken wire down on the floor - after clearing out all the junk that was in there. I am now starting on the sides with the wire. I will also put a few sheets of tin on half the roof (which we have behind the shed) and I think wire on the other half wouldn't hurt either.

Hail and Raw Chocolate Fudge

The weather is pretty aweful today. We've had high winds, lots of rain and even some hail. A typical Winter on the South Coast of Australia I guess.

Weather that drives us indoors is challenging because we homeschool and because we all like to spend most of our time outside. Suddenly all the things you want to do outdoors have to be done urgently and you have a complete blank on the things you could be doing inside.

Today we have done a few puzzles, played Snake and Ladders, Uno and Patience. I've spent too much time on the internet, learning, checking out art sites, shopping and catching up on my favourite Blogs. The kids watched Swiss Family Robinson, painted and right now DragonGirl is doing some workbooks and Boo is driving his truck through rice he spilt on the floor, to make patterns.

We also made some raw Chocolate Fudge with nuts, dried fruit, agave and coconut. I got the basic recipe from http://www.raw-pleasure.com.au/ and then did a few variations.

We are all counting the minutes until Corby gets home...

Blogging and the Winter Solstice

Ok, so I've decided to finally blog here more often. And to actually give out the address to family and friends, so they can read it!

This was prompted by two things. The first being a recent visit by Corby's family from NZ - wouldn't this be a great way to keep them in the loop of what we're up to once they head home? The other reason being that I use my journal at RP as more of a blog anyway and this would leave it for what it's meant for.

This of course means getting it together and trying to be more 'organised'! The dreaded O-word. Something I am not very good at, I admit it freely. But I am going to try harder.

Coming up this month is the Winter Solstice. I don't really have anything concrete planned but thought it might be great to get the neighbours together.

We will light a fire out the back (weather permitting) which is always fun. I will make a cake and each child can light a candle and make a wish for the year to come. Perhaps some paper lanterns would be good too. Will have to do some googling for patterns. Spiced warm cider?