whole family rhythms - an autumn/winter giveaway

shaved beeswax / beeswax candles / cinnamon playdough / little hands and a wax turtle (walnut shell)

I started reading Meagan's This Whole Family in 2008, shortly after she birthed her son, North. Since then I've followed her parenting journey with interest; I've been inspired and informed by her regular and heartfelt posts. 

As she navigated the first few years of parenthood she found comfort in the concept of rhythm and embraced the teachings of Steiner education and gentle/attachment parenting. What makes Meagan unique is her ability to express her experience and opinion in a warm, inclusive manner - I've returned to her blog time and time again when I needed a little guidance in regards to family rhythm in my own home. It goes without saying that I was delighted when she shared her latest project with me:

Whole Family Rhythms are a series of monthly and seasonal guides created and designed to help you maintain a steady rhythm in your home. The rhythms include unstructured, child-led play both outdoors and indoors; early childhood stories and finger puppet plays; weekly bushwalking themes; daily art, handwork or creative projects; holistic baking and cooking recipes for the whole family as well as weekly caregiver meditations and projects for families of all ages and sizes.

When I asked Meagan why she wholeheartedly believes in the importance of rhythm in the home, she responded with words that have stayed with me ever since: "I am ever-inspired by my little ones and the way they live in each moment with very little regard for the past or future. It's so very difficult for us as parents to protect the magic and wonder of childhood. Modern and Western ways-of-life create schedules, endless to-do lists and a constant sense of multitasking that often feels unavoidable. My hope is that being very clear about our family values and then translating these into strong rhythms for my children, I am also creating a strong rhythm for myself - empowering me to slow down and to be present, calm and authentic for my children."

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The winner of this giveaway will receive:

The Whole Family Rhythms Autumn and Winter Guides as well as one of each for a friend (valued at $116).

To enter all you need to do is leave a comment telling us about your very favourite winter pastime. Meagan and I will choose the winner together based on the best little story you can tell (no essay required!). Winner will be announced in the post at 9pm on Wednesday 29th May.

You can read more about the seasonal guides over here, pop into Meagan's blog here, or follow her on facebook (she always shares fascinating articles/films/recipes). 

Best of luck!

the wishing well

a wishing well in our neighbour's garden / tree dahlias with their delicate, slightly shaggy mauve petals that fall almost as soon as they bloom

For the next few months I'll precariously juggle the work/parenting role as deadlines overlap and children run circles around my desk. It happens at this time every year and for at least four days a week I'll sit at my computer, a hot water bottle on my lap and a cup of tea nearby; an attempt to keep warm and comfortable as I wade my way through a long list of editorial. 

Right now I'm working on a feature about international flower trends and I've happily discovered a beautiful world of blooms and botanicals. Urban florists are buying farms to grow their own flowers, and greenery, once an afterthought, is now the hero of the bouquet. The bright young things of the floristry world are creating a cacophony of colour and texture with homegrown and seasonal flowers; a balance of style and sustainability in the prettiest of vases (or old jam jars).

It's romanticised, I know, but I've always loved the idea of working with flowers; arranging tissue paper peonies next to baby hydrangeas and muted grey/green leaves. Imagine an odd collection of buckets, jars and jugs, coiled twine and linen ribbon, brown paper wrapping and hand drawn cards. I'm forgetting the early morning market runs, bookkeeping and tight delivery schedule but still, the picture is appealing, no?

Whilst a bunch of hand-picked lavender or supermarket daisies make a pretty vignette, I'm still enamoured with the the idea of learning a little floristry from a professional. I'm wishing and hoping that somewhere soon a little one-day course pops up and I'll happily indulge in a day of flower arranging. 

Do you have any tips for flowers in the home? Or are you happy with a bunch of herbs on the kitchen windowsill? If you had the opportunity, what profession would you indulge in, if only for a day?

20/52

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Che: He can whistle now and so he does, every day.

Poet: Before we leave the house she always needs a hat, some beads and a basket. She fills the basket to the brim; crayons, a doll, finger puppets, blocks, a wooden rabbit...

I've spent the past few weeks searching for a printing company to create my 52 book from 2012. From first glance at their mission statement Artifact Uprising impressed: "...inspired by the disappearing beauty of the tangible / bettered by a community of inspired storytellers / driven by the belief everyone has a story to tell. Tell on."

I've decided to print a book of Che's portraits and one of Poet's, so they each have a photo-journal of their year. I'm also going to print a 104 page book that features both their portraits; a family coffee table book to treasure. When it comes to collating the photos, choosing the cover and waiting for the hard copy to arrive in the mail...well, that's when I feel really grateful for taking a photo-a-week, every week, in 2012 (I'll keep you updated with my progress).

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This week I loved the dishevelled but endearing little cat (and her little brother) over at Blackbird has Spoken / a boy and his balloons - a simple scene so reminiscent of joyous childhood / Roland chasing cats - he is adorable / innocent faces and cosy hand knits, Amelia and Baden, beautiful youth / and a strawberry-stained beauty - Eve and her halo. 

star leaves

The sky really is that blue and it beckons us from the house, even when we're in the midst of a late, buttery breakfast.

The trees are shedding to bare winter branches; they drop star leaves that are collected and gifted at school.

A little elf girl carries a red apple in her hand but she only ever eats half (evidence of said habit can be seen in the second last photo).

the birth of a mother

"The most difficult part of birth is the first year afterwards. It is the year of travail - when the soul of a woman must birth the mother inside her. The emotional labour pains of becoming a mother are far greater than the physical pangs of birth; these are the growing surges of your heart as it pushes out selfishness and fear and makes room for sacrifice and love. It is a private and silent birth of the soul, but it is no less holy than the event of childbirth, perhaps it is even more sacred." - Joy Kusek

I was in my late teens when I witnessed a beautiful conversation between an old man and a young mother. I was behind the counter in the bookshop where I worked when the mother of three young children attempted to balance the trolley, the shopping, a conversation with the cashier and calm her crying baby. The gentleman was trying to walk between the trolley and the bookshelf and the mother turned to him and apologised profusely which is when he held her hand, looked her in the eye and said: "Don't you ever apologise, you have the most important job in the world." She cried. Such powerful validation.

Happy Mother's Day to my own mother and to all mothers. We walk this privileged path together x

19/52

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Che: Pixelated glasses and his shirt on backwards (his choice).

Poet: She will only sit in her pram if she's eating.

I was thinking about my portraits this week and considering what I really wanted to capture throughout the year. Of course I want to photograph their changing, growing faces but I also want to be able to look back and be reminded of stages and quirks. I want to remember the week that I struggled to get Poet to sit in the pram, the week that she walked from the shops to home, a journey that took us well over an hour (it usually takes 20minutes). This portrait of her is representative of a transition - from pram to foot, one more step towards independence.  And Che, on Friday afternoon I asked him if I could take his photograph while he was wearing his new glasses. "Tomorrow morning, ok mum?" And so, on Saturday morning he sat on the chair and we talked as the shutter clicked. It was only when I was editing the photos that I noticed; his pyjama shirt is on backwards. "I like it this way," he says.

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Last week we welcomed a new little person into our neighbourhood...sweet Elke is divine! Over the next few weeks I'll deliver gifts of homemade meals and sweet treats and in return I'll get newborn cuddles (nothing quite like them) / Amber captured Harper and Finn in pure autumn, I adore these vibrant portraits / Honor in the dunes - picturesque / Sleeping Beauty and her gold, sparkly crown, I wonder what she's thinking? / and The Night Bakery captures a still, quiet moment - so very precious. 

scenes in blue

/ watching the water journey from the mountain to the sea. I'm etching a new relationship with him, standing my ground while we hear about what so-and-so is allowed to do/watch/play/eat. It's so easy to give in but with persistence and gentle explanation he understands. I think it will always be challenging to have him question family rhythms and values but I recognise that it's an integral and healthy part of development. Ebb and flow.

/ new pixie boots c/o the horse and a billowy dress c/o Lilya (worn here, too).

/ late afternoon light on the Hawkesbury River Bridge (overlooking beautiful Brooklyn).

/ early morning view over Manly Beach. Daniel and I stayed at The Sebel where I marvelled at the pure white (no grubby fingerprints!) towels, big bath and plush pillows. Staying at a hotel is such a rare treat.

/ there she is, on the edge of light and shadow, sand and water. I can see the spark of the two-year-old; she's rough and tumble with affection, defiant and gorgeous.