spring : a seasonal series

these photos were taken on august 9th; the day that I noticed the warmth, the day that we picked blossoms and jasmine, the day that spring arrived ...albeit early.  

This past week we have been waking an hour or so earlier with the sun. We're walking barefoot, too. Spring is here.

I've come full circle with this series; a documentation of the seasons that has acted as a constant reminder to stop and observe nature. In doing so I have been taught an invaluable lesson; when we honour the seasons and follow their rhythms we experience wellbeing - in every aspect of our being. Throughout winter (a fleeting, mild one) I allowed myself the time and space to adopt a hibernation, of sorts. Now, as spring beckons, I'm embracing busyness; opening the windows, packing away the wool throws, decluttering and feeling lighter, a little more energised. 

Happy spring...and Happy Father's Day to all those wonderful, dedicated Dads out there! 

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Welcome to my newest sponsors (looking gorgeous over there on the side). Thank you for supporting my creativity and ensuring I can spend an increasing amount of time in this space. And thank you, dear reader, for continuing to visit, read, and comment. I'm so grateful!

35/52

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

Che: in his room, gumboots still on, enthralled in a book - an everyday occurrence (as seen in 2012). 
Poet: a beetroot juice moustache, wet sleeves and messy curls...but she loves to 'wash' the dishes (in the same spot earlier this year). 

A few weeks ago I wrote about my intention to capture the children in the home. I wanted to be the passer-by documenting them at their most comfortable, in the home that they have grown up in. But we can have intentions as photographers and often they only come to fruition when we're not trying, when we least expect it. It was only when I was editing these photos (I use Lightroom) that I realised what I had captured: Che in his bedroom, Poet in the kitchen, a b+w diptych celebrating the beautiful mess of home and the little people who live there. These are my favourite portraits of the year; for their honesty and simplicity.

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It seems I'm all about windows this week as these three portraits impressed / as did this one, with added reflection and a flamingo swimsuit! / and then there were Limi and Claya dressed as flamingos and sitting in a light-filled vintage suitcase - muted pinks and browns are beautiful / like looking through a window...walking hand-in-hand with a picturesque town beyond / and finally, toddler + paint + vintage sheet = happiness. 

wearing : winter to spring

photos by tim

My winter wardrobe has been quite simple: a short bob, a blousy cotton top or tee, a wool cardigan and a pair of jeans or leggings. This basic ensemble takes me from the yoga studio to the beach, I wear it when I'm in the city and when I'm working at home. I always accessorise with a scarf, mala beads, bracelets and, on most days, my camera (a panasonic gf1 with 20mm 1.7 lens, for those of you who have asked recently). As I move into spring I swap the wool for cotton and opt for a finer scarf. Boots are replaced with sandals and jeans with skirts. 

When I do buy clothes I prefer classics over trends; trans-seasonal pieces that don't require much effort and aren't overly precious. 

I'm wearing : pink scarf c/o sussan to be replaced with this lighter option for spring / work play cardigan from Gorman and, for when it was a little cooler, I wore the irish mohair jumper (bulky, warm, beautiful wooden buttons and must-have pockets) / white peasant top from Country Road / flattering and supportive black tank to be worn into spring and summer c/o sussan / skinny jeans that fit effortlessly into ankle boots / boots c/o the horse.

summer : in brooklyn

autumn : in surry hills

crying in cat stretch

There's no hiding on a yoga mat; no hiding from yourself.

Last night I managed to get to a class and as soon as I sat down I could feel my tiredness and my worry and my fear rushing to the surface. Everything that was pushed down came flooding out and...I just let it. I was crying in cat stretch and it looked like it had rained on my mat. 

Once standing and flowing through warrior sequence I was ok; I got out of my head and into my body and stayed there feeling grounded and strong. It was so good to get to a class as a student (with dirty fingerprints on my shirt and a tear-stained scarf around my neck). 

Afterwards, I welcomed ten pregnant women into the studio for a pre-natal practice. One woman, carrying her third baby, has been coming to my classes since she was 12weeks pregnant with her first. Just before I made my way to the front of the class I noticed a Peppa Pig sticker on her back. We laughed, talked about that piggy show and its beautiful values and then settled into stillness and quiet. 

Little Peppa made her way into the studio last night; the perfect metaphor for what we take onto the mat. When you do make it to a class, albeit after much organisation and perseverance, you carry everything in with you; your sore, tired body, your emotions (concern, fear, doubt, frustration), your thoughts and every. single. thing. that has happened in your day. As you practice, moving from gentle to dynamic asanas, you're given the opportunity to let it all go and to breathe it all out. And, if you do, you leave with a little more clarity, courage and gratitude. 

a list

native Australian pom poms (wattle) / this bunch of yellow tulips made me smile all week (a lovely gift from fresh flowers)

If you want something done, ask a busy person. So true. When I don't have deadlines I lapse into a slow, unproductive rhythm but when my diary is full I can respond to long forgotten emails and plant seedlings, wash the bed linen, bake school treats. 

I'm finding it slightly difficult to go from magazine editorial to blog writing at the moment; there's so many things I could write about here but they're all flowing into each other with little coherency. So I'll take Pip's and Kate's lead and follow a list (I received Kate's book, Vantastic, a few weeks ago and it's an absolute gem. If you're passionate about family, travel, crafting and caravanning, this is the book for you). 

I am...

making : progress on work, taking it all one day at a time.

cooking : chicken stock, vegie soup, greens in garlic, tamari, ginger and coconut oil.

drinking : coffee, ginger tea, lots of fresh juice.

reading : the final chapter of Welcome to Your New Life - Anna Goldsworthy's writing is exquisite.  

wanting : to get to a yoga class (as a student). 

looking : for hats and sandals - spring is here!

playing : in the sandpit with Poet (and a heap of my kitchen utensils).

wasting : time looking out the window.

sowing : seeds for an abundant summer garden - fingers crossed.

wishing : for safe and joyous travels.

enjoying : the glorious sun that brings with it warmth and energy and the promise of longer days.

waiting : for Daniel to come home from work

liking : the quiet when the kids are with their grandparents.

wondering : how my perspective might shift when I experience a different way of living (and being). 

loving : early bedtimes and the calm mornings that naturally follow.

hoping : that my plans for a workshop will come to fruition.

marvelling : at Che's vocabulary and Poet's determination. 

needing : a new swimming costume

smelling : lemon balm, eucalyptus oil, wild freesias.

wearing : more cotton and less wool. 

following : Petite Kitchen and Digestible Kitchen and thinking that both these girls are pretty inspiring. 

noticing : that I am writing a lot of lists - lists of things to write, supplies to buy, clothes to pack. 

knowing : it will all be ok. 

thinking : I should go and put the washing on the line. 

bookmarking : organic cafes in Ubud. 

opening : sweet parcels from across the seas. 

giggling : at my pregnancy intuition - I'm ridiculously good at guessing when someone is pregnant. 

feeling : happy, hopeful, loved and lucky. 

ten | practicing simplicity

children squat with such ease; it's so good for the spine, hips and digestive system

Living a less-distracted life : find perspective

I'm pretty good at feeling sorry for myself. Optimism doesn't come easily to me; I really have to work at a positive mindset (except when I'm in the midst of a particularly challenging situation, then my outlook is brilliantly positive - odd, I know). I'm efficient at whinging, too - a terrible habit. 

But over the past few months I've made a concerted effort to change my auto-pilot thoughts. There's a few practical things I've done that have made a big difference. 

• I own my perspective. This was a big one (and a hard one). It's so easy to place blame and I'll admit - I'm good at it! But lately, I've been reminding myself as often as is necessary, that my thoughts, feelings and perspective is me - it's my stuff. I have to acknowledge it, consider it and work through it (and move on!). Blaming someone, something or a situation is a waste of time. 
• I stop and take a few deep breaths. Sometimes I'm so distracted that I don't even realise I'm whinging. Sometimes the kids are so tired and cranky that I wallow along with them. And so, I've been making an effort to catch myself mid-moan, come into the present moment and respond to the situation instead of reacting dramatically to it. 
• We get out of the house. Everything is worse when you are surrounded by dishes and washing. Everything is better when you sit on a beach and watch your children play in the sand. So what if my house is messy? I have a beautiful, clean beach to take my children to, it's mid-winter and it's 20 degrees. Enough said.
• I write a list and see the good. It's gratitude in bullet-points and includes the facts - we enjoy good health, Daniel and I work in the creative fields that we always dreamed of being involved in, Che attends a beautiful school, we have the support of loving and doting grandparents, we can afford nourishing food, we can pay our bills, our sky is so clear we can see the stars and on, and on, and on. 

Whilst I wholeheartedly understand that there are always going to be down times, that wallowing is sometimes productive and that perpetual happiness isn't attainable, I do believe that you can change your perspective for the good. You just need to slow down to acknowledge that often, your thoughts are dictating your days.

So: acknowledge that you're distracted, stop and listen to what you're thinking. Breathe, get outside, write a list, see the good. 

Tell me, what's on your list?

34/52

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

Che: aka Tin Tin at his first Book Week parade. 

Poet: on what will probably be the last cold day of winter (spring has come early) she slowly peels a mandarin near the school gate.

Once Che had paraded around the playground with his classmates (fairies, ladybugs, ninjas, robots and Pippi) he sat back in his chair to watch the rest of the parade. Poet begged to join him so we weaved through the crowd of parents and I watched her climb over seats to get to him. What happened next made my heart melt. Sibling love is a precious thing:

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This photo made me excited for all the pool time we'll get in Bali / nothing quite as sweet as the littlest in the big bed (love the all-white linen) / sweet Cecily sleeping soundly on pretty floral sheets / little boy loves the beach (and how gorgeous are his check overalls?!) / a b+w diptych and that library shot - one of my favourites from the entire year.

"heavy, petal"

"Heavy, Petal"  in Frankie - photography by Luisa Brimble, concept and styling by Stefanie Ingram

Back in June I walked from Central Station to Wellington St and ended up in a light-box of a warehouse. Luisa and Stef were creating a floral shoot for Frankie magazine and they wanted me to hide behind flowers. The Sisters delivered armfuls of the season's best blooms and fruits and Stef created the bouquets to match the clothes (and the fabric wallpaper). It was beautiful to watch it all come together. 

Aside from the pleasing aesthetics it was a privilege to witness a dedicated and determined creative realise her dream. Back in Tasmania, Luisa told me that she wanted to shoot editorial; a hard task in a country with countless talented photographers and not many publications. But Luisa is one of the most hard-working people I know and within a year of our Tassie trip she has established herself as a renowned photographer with a distinct feminine style. She has worked every weekend, she has worked for free, she has organised styled shoots, collaborated with other creatives, travelled the length of the East Coast and created a soon-to-be-published magazine. She's an inspiration! She is also a brilliant example of the power of blogging -  by publishing our thoughts, opinions and creative work online we are reaching out to like-minded people who, in turn, introduce us to others. Never underestimate where your words or photos will take you.

nine | practicing simplicity

Living a less-distracted life : your small* home begs for simplicity

Our humble table is the centre of our home. It's where we gather to eat and talk, play and work. More often than not it holds the weight of our days; literally and metaphorically. We place books, pencils, homework, diaries, cameras and flowers on it. Over meals we laugh, talk, divulge, confess and argue. 

A few days ago I cleared the table and left a candle, some freesias and a pot of thyme; it was a relief to see the surface with all its imprints; marks of makers and too-hot teapots.  When I rose the next morning I found Che playing there whilst the sun and window created shadow plays on the wall. He stayed there while I cooked pancakes and took photos. Right now it's the foundation for an array of miscellany and I'm typing amidst it all. 

Our home is a little rough around the edges; thick cobwebs vignette each window and the paint is chipping on the edge of the walls. If I stand in the middle of it I can see each room (it's easy to find quiet toddlers). Sometimes Daniel talks about the day when we have another baby and the fact that the house will be too small. I then tell him about the beauty of small homes; so conducive to good conversation, cuddles - actually living together. But more importantly, small homes are comfort caves to return to once evening falls; they encourage you to move out into the world, even if that means walking barefoot to the bottom of the garden. 

I think we're accustomed to large homes in this country. But in reality, a lot of us, out of necessity or choice, prefer small spaces - spaces that require less of our time and are therefore, easier to live in. However, little houses get filled easily; with school notes, collected bits + pieces, children's projects. If you don't stay vigilant piles of "things" start to sprout from the table, windowsills, benches, door handles. Before long you realise that your simple home has become a higgledy piggledy cottage complete with scooters in the hallway. 

And so, as spring nears and the seasonal clean approaches, I am starting to get rid of the wintry clutter - giving the walls some space to breathe, giving us a little more space to move. 

So : live a less-distracted life by, quite literally, clearing the distraction. Get rid of the unnecessary to create physical and mental space. 

I don't think I've ever asked you about the size of your home. Is it big, small or tiny? Do you like it or do you long for the opposite?

*I've never lived in a big home so I can't really comment.

33/52

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

Che: early morning lego session...the eyes say it all; joy!

Poet: holding onto her hat (and her apple). The August winds are in full force.

This week the wind carried the scent of freesias and we wore cotton instead of wool. When I looked through the lens I noticed...the kids have grown! Warm, spring sun will do that, I suppose.

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Katherine takes a photo a day of her children and this one of Lamb is, I believe, her best yet / Ronnie's four boys are beautiful; I love how she photographs them together / Wild thing! - Casper lost in a book / dancing with a tambourine and bathed in warm, yellow light / and a young beauty in Newfoundland...utter perfection. 

simple - good - free

The past few days have been abundant with almost-spring sunshine and homegrown gifts, including:

/ a bountiful bunch of greens from Popa's garden (our fresh juices are monster green!)

/ lemons from a backyard tree, delivered in a paper bag

/ wild freesias. I am pushing the definition of "gift" here as I may have ran into a neighbour's garden and picked as many flowers as I could before they opened their blinds and demanded I get off their property

/ nasturtiums; from Mama's garden

/ eggs, from the chooks that Poet likes to chase. Yolks imbued with herbs, an entire meal within an ivory shell

/ a bag of mandarins left on the front doorstep. I'm still unsure who or where they came from but I'm grateful all the same

What's growing in your (or your neighbour's) garden? 

Happy weekend!

the craft sessions - a giveaway

Creativity is medicine for the soul; a means of nurturing the emotional and mental self. Coming together to create is age-old; for women it is primal, an integral part of life. 

But life is busy and, unfortunately, collective crafting isn't a priority for most of us. Yet deep down we all know that a quilt made amidst a chorus of chit and chatter is imbued with the energy of those who witnessed it come together. That quilt is so much more than a blanket; it's a memory keeper; it holds stories of marriage and family, of neighbourhood gossip. Perhaps it's even stained with tears, or tea.

Craft is synonymous with community and four Melbourne women are making sure it stays that way. Introducing: The Craft Sessions 

 ..."a weekend retreat of creative workshops, delicious food, quiet moments and inspiring people. It is an opportunity to play and learn, to talk and share ideas. It's about coming together and sharing a love of 'making', appreciating the beauty in the smaller things, and delighting in the pleasure and simplicity of all things handmade." 

The weekend will be held from Friday 25th to Sunday 27th October, 2013 in a tranquil bush retreat in the Yarra Valley. Teachers from all corners of the Australian and New Zealand crafting world will come and share their love of making; teaching new skills, inspiring creativity and uncovering the joy of paint, yarn, fabric and dye. 

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The teachers of The Craft Sessions have each contributed to this delightful giveaway. One winner will receive the following:

1. A handknit reversible 100% woollen cowl in a rich shade of clay. The pattern for this cowl is available for free download here. 

2. Dropcloth Artwork from Maze & Vale. Designer Leslie Keating says: "The dropcloth that I use to cover my screen printing table picks up little bits of prints and colour, mixes them in an amazing way that could never be replicated if tried. Each little chunk forms a bit of art in itself and so I decided to mount them on 300lb watercolour paper, stitch a little sewn line to keep them extra secure and hope that they may bring a bit of modern colour and form to someone's wall, book shelf or pin board." 100% cotton canvas, screen printed by hand with solvent-free ink. Each print is numbered by hand, this edition of 18 is from the third drop cloth to come off the Maze & Vale printing table. 

3. Sophie is teaching the "Sewing with Knits" class at The Craft Sessions and has kindly contributed Sew U Home Stretch; just in case you want to get ahead with your sewing. A handy how-to guide, it includes step-by-step instructions ad patterns for a variety of t-shirts and dresses.

4. A copy of the Milo Pattern from Tikki Knits and enough organic Australian yarn to create it with (you choose the colour!). Milo is a universally loved classic and suitable for an adventurous beginner. Knit in the round from the top down, this pattern is a deviation from the classic vest; it's boxy, funky and relaxed. 

5. A two-colour cowl by woollenflower. Created on a hand-operated vintage knitting machine, this double-layered neck warmer keeps warmth in and wind out - made from 100% Scottish lambswool in Marlin/Jasper colourway. 

6. A unique hand-embroidered drawstring bag by Tiny Happy. Made from striped grey and cream linen and embroidered with wildflower bouquets, the bag is lined in fine poppy print cotton. Perfect for keeping small projects or art supplies.

This giveaway is open to international readers. To enter all you need to do is leave a comment answering this question: how does crafting nurture your creative self? Together, the teachers from The Craft Sessions and I will choose a winner, based on the comment that best resonates with us. This giveaway closes on Thursday 22nd August at 9pm. Winner will be announced shortly afterwards.

Comments are now closed. Thank to all who entered! The winner is #58 - Clare. Congratulations, lovely one x

If you would like to stay up-to-date with The Craft Sessions, pop over to 'like' them on facebook or join their mailing list. 

bedtime

this is always on my bedside table

Something to consider:

For most of you (I'm presuming) a bedtime routine for your children is a necessary part of your evening. Whilst the order of events may differ from house to house and from season to season, I'm guessing it goes something like: dinner - bath - pyjamas (singlet tucked in firmly!) - story time - milk/water - lights off - cuddles - sleep. This, of course, is the ideal and whilst it doesn't go smoothly every night it is something we all like to create for our children; the best start to a good nights sleep (fingers crossed) and the makings of some special and tender childhood memories. 

So why don't you do it for yourself? Why is it so hard to nurture yourself like you do your children? 

Since I wrote this post I have been pretty strict with my bed time. There is a lot of evidence to suggest that the hours before midnight are the best for your sleep rhythms and so I aim to have lights out before 10pm. I have also created my own bedtime ritual that ensures I'm nourishing and nurturing my self - it's my time to switch off and tune out, to enjoy a bath and read a book, if only a few pages. If I don't make a point of practicing this ritual I get distracted by tv and my laptop, I find work that needs to be done and emails that need to be sent. None of it is necessarily urgent but I so easily slip into the habit of staying in front of the screen and before long I've lost track of time and it's late into the night. 

Sleep heals all ails; it boosts the immune system, soothes the nervous system and improves your mood. It makes everything better. Decent shut-eye is what all parents miss most about their life pre-kids; we all share high hopes for a full night of undisturbed sleep (just once, please!). The beauty of a bedtime ritual is that even if sleep is disturbed and broken, I still feel like I've had some time alone and space to be. It also relaxes me enough so that when sleep comes, I'm more likely to slip into a deep, relaxed rest rather than a light, agitated one. 

The benefits of a bedtime are plentiful but most pleasing is the way I feel the next day - I'm energised and happy, I work more productively and respond to situations instead of reacting to them. Creating a bedtime for myself is one of the best things I've done for my wellbeing. 

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I'd love to hear about the bedtime rituals in your home - for you and your children. And what books are you reading right now? I want to collate a holiday reading list for Bali!

eight | practicing simplicity

pink blossoms; the onset of spring, a time of renewal

Living a less-distracted life : slow down and listen to your body; recognise that it experiences seasons, too.

One of the best lessons I've learnt as a woman is that my body experiences seasonal cycles. There is something quite empowering about really knowing your body; being aware of its constitution, its likes and dislikes, its subtle changes. 

The earth goes through four seasons in a year and because we are nature, we primally respond to the weather and alter our lifestyle accordingly. But when we're busy, living rushed, distracted lives, we loose the ability to notice change and we fail to respond. We have progressed (or, regressed) so much that we need constant reminders to come back to our roots - to slow, be and listen. 

I was in my early twenties when I started practicing yoga. Within weeks of my first class I was confronted with the fact that I had absolutely no awareness of my body; I was completely off-kilter - distracted. Since then I have, very slowly, begun to understand my body and the way it reacts to all manner of things - food, stress, emotions, seasons. In doing so I have a deeper awareness of what is good for me and, of course, what doesn't serve me well. 

As Sara Avant Stover says in her truly wonderful book The Way of the Happy Woman:

"...let's be realistic: living in sync with nature is both the easiest and most natural thing we could do and one of the most challenging. It's challenging because it means going against the flow by taking time to slow down, letting your body lead the way, making outdoor activities a priority, and spending time and money preparing food and beverages that truly nourish you. The world isn't going to slow down. But you can."

So: give yourself permission to move at a slower, more rhythmic pace and start to become aware of your body and how it really feels. Discover the contentment of living in sync with the seasons and, in turn, recognise your own ebb and flow, wax and wane.

As I write this the August winds are gale force and as a result I'm irritable and slightly anxious - I'm typically vata. And so, after school pick up I'm returning to the still of home where a cup of tea, an early dinner (warm and nourishing with plenty of good oils and fats) and a bedtime ritual (epsom salt bath, half-an-hour of reading and a cup of chamomile) will hopefully restore some calm and subsequently ground me for a good nights sleep. 

32/52

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

Che: a late afternoon swing in Ommi's backyard
Poet: this week she spread her wings and upped her attitude.

I took ten shots (my allocated amount) of Che standing in front of an eight foot wall of purple flowers. It was the candid, somewhat blurry photo of him on the swing that captured the honest story. Lesson learned.

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This week I fell in love with the photos on this French blog / little Emma in black + white, still gorgeous when fed up / Piper and Poppy; so beautiful and so alike / Matteo and his sweet little face / and Lily and Nyla; simple moments perfectly captured. 

nature mail

Yesterday we received mail from Cape York (the very top of Australia). Beautiful Tara sent kindness, thanks and good wishes all wrapped in recycled paper and twine. In a handwritten letter she said:

...sending a little bit of Cape York love to you all: 

- shells with the sea inside them, collected from around the tip of Australia (one for each of you)

- quartz crystals stained with our red soil. Cooktown's Aboriginal language name 

means "home of crystals", an important trade route for the Aboriginals back in the day

- beautiful black coral from our untouched beaches

- a lonesome feather from a tawny frogmouth owl

- gumnuts from our backyard, in true Australian fashion

I hope that sometime this weekend you get the chance to step into nature and gather ephemera. In Pia's simple yet eloquent prose:

"we collect treasures left by mother nature, as we walk, as we walk..."

scenes in ginger and green

/ a little lion running wild in the rain. Her babaa cardi has been worn almost everyday this winter.

/ there's only a few maple leaves left clinging; dots of gold amidst bare branches and blue sky.

/ I drink ginger tea every morning, usually alongside porridge and stewed apples. I decided to bring the outside in; this little pot of thyme is a simple decoration (practical, too).

/ group hug - my brother, Josh and his girlfriend, Imogen, adore Poet. As you can see, the feeling is mutual.

/ when I walk past this garden tomorrow, the blossoms will be in full bloom. Spring is just around the corner. 

What colours have dominated your week so far?

scenes in blue

seven | practicing simplicity

pink magnolias; so beautiful, so fleeting

Take a walk and get distracted.

Slightly contradicting my past suggestions I know, but bear with me. Both my children have taught me the beauty of walking slowly and meandering. There is no need to rush in their world and so they take their time; often distracted by the cracks in the pavement, fallen leaves or a trail of ants. Regardless of how "big" they think they are, their world is still the minutiae - for now but not for long.

When we walk I'm the one that hurries them along, often needing to get home and see to work or chores or general to-dos. But sometimes I give in and the ten minute walks takes an entire hour - I surrender to a slow pace and an open mind and I'm all the better for it. It's an entirely rejuvenating way to start or end the day; when I follow their lead we all return home contented and calm. 

So: open the door, step outside and start walking. Look up and down and all around (and leave your phone at home). 

31/52

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

Che: Every week of his life we have visited our neighbours in their teeny-tiny little cottage. After ringing the doorbell he always goes straight to the spare bedroom, reaches under the bed and pulls out a vintage suitcase full of old cars, trucks and planes. Whilst the adults chat and drink tea, Che plays and eats a biscuit (you can see the crumbs on the rug).

Poet: She is thinking: "If I close my eyes, Mama can't see me."

I've been so inspired since I started thinking about capturing the children in spaces and places that hold memories. I have, quite literally, watched Che grow up on that rug - he's played there since he was old enough to sit by himself - and now I have it captured; so he can look back on it, too. 

Whenever Poet and I take a walk she always climbs this fence (this portrait was shot there too) and hence I have spent a lot of time admiring the garden. Next week the blossoms will bloom and shortly after, the freesias will be popping up through the grass. I'll have to shoot a spring portrait here.

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In honour of World Breastfeeding Week - this shot of Allison and Eloise captures a precious moment, one that I fondly remember with my own babies / I love the variety of perspectives in this post - the first shot is very bug-like and I adore it! / If you look into Mason's beautiful, big, newborn eyes, you can see his parents' silhouettes / play on a wild New Zealand beach...I feel like I'm there / and children on an adventure, beautiful scenic portraits. 

balance / juggle

white and green blooms, kraft paper, black grosgrain ribbon / a succulent installation / bougainvillaea; hints of pink 

Do you think it's possible for mothers to find balance? I used to think it was but now I'm not so sure.

Whenever I'm in doubt I go back to The Divided Heart and flick through the now dog-eared pages, attempting to find an empathetic voice. It's a relief to join the conversation there, or read it, at least. I think most of us, in the early (naive) stages of motherhood, think that we'll find the perfect balance between work and home, art and mothering. But then as our family grows and the demands increase we realise that in actual fact, juggling is the norm.

I'll admit that I'm not the best juggler. If I was to describe my juggling style it would probably be "uncoordinated". In the past year I've juggled more than I ever have  - two parents working freelance wreaks havoc on a schedule and makes for some interesting last-minute plans. You see, when you do work freelance, particularly in a creative field, you take every bit of work that's offered to you because you know that if you decline, it's unlikely you'll get another opportunity. There's always a fear of drought! Thankfully (and gratefully!) Daniel and I have had some wonderful proposals lately, and we're embracing them. This means that for the next six weeks Daniel will be to-and-fro from the city and I'll be attempting to meet two big deadlines. For the first time since I became a mother I'm searching for babysitters other than family because I need as much work time as I can get. 

I'm surrendering to the fact that the next little while will be a new level of crazy but come mid-September the work will be finished, the deadlines will be met and we'll be furiously packing (the night before, no doubt) for our first overseas holiday as a family. Till then, deep breaths.