Bunga Haven

We made the long haul to Bunga Haven, just outside Lakes Entrance over the weekend. It is wonderfully serene and the beauty is breathtaking. It is hard to capture in photographs just how amazing the view is, or how it affects you while you are there.
Bunga Haven is where Pete's mum's ashes were spread and trees planted in her memory, so to mark the 10th anniversary of her passing we met Pete's sister and a couple of his mum's old friends down there for the weekend. It was fantastic to just sit around and eat good food with great company against the stunning scenery.
Lake Bunga Beach was blisteringly hot but sublime to take a dip in - I bravely swam a few metres out to tread water with Yol and her boyfriend Tim but panicked and swam back in.
I have a love affair with the ocean and all it has to offer, but I have no confidence in swimming in the ocean. paddling in a tropical beach I can do. The un-manned, washing machine of Victoria's southern coast I cannot.
I made it out there but so was so out of breath and my heart was racing that I thought I was probably just a Shark magnet and should swim back in. My secondary fear of being dunked by the waves set in as I tried to swim back to shore against the current.
Of course there was no immediate danger. Yol and Tim were having a joyous paddle, but I was freaking out. Not enjoyable. Refreshing, maybe. But I guess that should go on my list: Swim, joyously in ocean water.
Lenny absolutely loved roaming the lawn, playing in the sand and riding on Pete's back during our walks!
We had a go at flying the kite I bought Pete for Christmas which was so frustrating to begin with, then totally fun!
I held a fishing rod, merely as a photo opportunity, but never really gave fishing a shot. We purchased prawns from the dock (even if they were from South Australia and frozen, because apparently that's all they had :(...) doused them in garlic and ginger and chucked 'em on the barbie.
We saw a couple of White-bellied Sea Eagles which was cool, and a giant Goat Moth during dinner which was absolutely NOT cool.
There was a divine Devonshire Tea on Sunday with Yol's scones, Sue's homemade raspberry jam and the best whipped cream ever (hot tip: use full fat double cream for a firm whip!).
And Pete, Lenny and I enjoyed ice-cream cones in town.
Listening to the sound of the waves crashing against the shore and sharing the sunrise with Pete and Lennon was simply wonderful and heartwarming to say the least.
We love you Bunga Haven and cannot wait to return.

 I had a dark chocolate and raspberry icecream... delicious!

 Lenny doesn't seem terribly enthused by the kite flying.

 Dockside.
 Lakeside.
Beachside. It's all beautiful!

 A sunsmart Lennon covered head to toe in lycra!

Attempting to fish...not.

 Sunrise.

Picnic In Winwood Park

Last week Lenny and I had a lovely picnic in the park.... well, we made use of our own park-like paradise out the back and well.... it was just divine.
Initially we had a great little picnic packed: 4 babybel cheeses, carrot sticks, a peach, green rose T2 tea and some biscuits. I just adore our dogs but sometimes they push my buttons. Any other time I have taken snacks outside I have to say 'no' a few times but they dogs don't push it. I think that they were so excited by the site of the basket, thermos and picnic blanket that they whipped into a frenzy and when I turned my back to go inside for my pillow and book they tucked into our entire picnic! The wax was still on the babybel cheeses but they ate them anyway!
Anywho, so I got angry, put them out of sight and Lenny and I enjoyed our pared back feast of cheese and strawberries with tea instead. As I read my book Lenny explored the lawn and when that got too tiring he lay his head down in my lap to rest... one of those precious, quiet, cherished moments for his mum.
It was glorious until about midday when the shade crept away and the sun got a bit too hot.
It will definitely be a weekly occurence at Winwood Park!

Sisters Market Brunswick April 14!

Well I wasn't able to get a site at the Upwey Grassroots Market, but I have been accepted to hold a stall at the Sisters Market in the Brunswick Town Hall (233 Sydney Road, Brunswick) on Saturday, April 14th between 10am and 4pm!!
I'm over the moon because I was going to start with a small market and work my way up, thinking that the inner city markets might be full up. I am very glad that I applied!
So I will be selling my Upcycled Greetings! Greeting cards and ephemera that has been reimagined from vintage stock!
If you or your grandparents or parents have any old greeting cards they are throwing out, let me know and I will take them off your hands!
So happy to be bringing another one of my list items to fruition!
Come along if you like markets!!
See sistersmarket.com.au for more info and a catalogue of the company I will be in... quite beautiful stuff on offer I hope my wares impress!

Our First Family Holiday

We headed to New Zealand for our friend's wedding. It was fabulous, such a beautiful country and a beautiful bride. The gathering of friends was great and it is a darn shame that it's over so soon!
I am glad that some parts are over though.
The part where Lenny spewed all over Pete as we were having coffee was pretty bad, but we just went to the car changed his and Lenny's clothes had a good wipe down and disinfect and got on with it. Laughed it off. Lenny didn't spew again. Until we were about 40 minutes into our flight. I was holding him this time. Lucky me.
The word avalanche comes to mind. I had ignored my sister-in-laws advice to take extra sets of clothes... with everything else in the carryon luggage for babies i thought it was overkill to have spare clothes as well. I eat my words today. Lenny had a coat and I, luckily had a singlet underneath my shirt but had to remain in the soaked and stinking skirt.
Once again we laughed. There aren't too many people who can vomit all over me and still have my unconditional love.

So that was about the most eventful thing that happened and it wasn't so bad anyway.

We flew into Auckland grabbed a hire car  - a Toyota Highlander which we think is a Kluger in Australia - and spent a night in a hotel in Otahuhu.... everyone we mentioned Otahuhu to at the wedding was quite surprised that we'd survived the night in that neighbourhood, but the hotel was very good.
New Zealand is completely made up of hills. I decided after our drive through the country side that there is in fact no flat land anywhere. It is simply postcard views in every direction. Once out of Otahuhu that is.

Lake Tarawera is amazing. We had a brilliant house to stay in and the view was spectacular. I got into the 37 degrees jacuzzi as soon as I could and soaked up the view, the wine, the serenity.

The wedding was just gorgeous. I was a complete blubbergoose as I always am at weddings, crying as the bride arrived, as they made there vows, and as speeches were made. The MC and all speeches were hilarious because of the accent and turn of phrase and also because of the ribbing they all gave each other.

It was a true pleasure to be part of the day and night and day after, with all of the people we met being very cool and friendly.
Was so good to see some old friends too.

Well it was over too soon, but back to the real world today and Pete back at work tomorrow.
Lots of washing to do on the part of the spew sesh!

James McWhinney - the man with a plan, or no plan, as it turns out.

I met up with James McWhinney, author of The Wellbeing Revolution, on Monday this week.
At just 23 he has an extraordinary outlook on life based on various philosophical teachings he has absorbed over the last few years. His book groups all of the best of what he has learnt into one handy, digestible, package for those of you looking to get a different outlook on life. I met with Mr McWhinney because his outlook on life really struck a chord with me, especially at this stage in my life. With this big year I have planned I thought it would be ideal to align myself with similarly enthusiastic people. At the crux of it, that is what this big year is about.
I was asked recently whether it was a 'bucket list' and I recoiled and said, 'no!'.
'It is the anti-bucket list!', I said.
'I don't want to be 75 years old, or even 35 years old, and still be wishing I'd held a market stall, or made lamingtons, or began to be healthier or any number of things.'
People have lately been poo-pooing New Years Resolutions and how we all end up not living up to them. I say, 'enough!'. It's no biggie if you don't achieve things on your NYR list, but at least have the enthusiasm, the moxie, to try!
If you do that every year, then imagine all of the little bits of life you'd live.
So anyway, here are a few key points from my meeting with James:
* Ignore the doubters. If you have an idea, and you know in your heart that is what you should be doing, then stay focussed on that and ignore the doubters.
* Money is important, but living your dreams doesn't have to be expensive. It depends what your needs are, what you put value in.
* Everything is purposeful, whether you like it or not.
* Live selflessly.


I felt really inspired by the end of our meet. And although it is difficult to change from being full of excuses and doubt to being driven and optimistic overnight, I certainly feel even more enthusiastic about doing things I want to do.

When I got home I emailed a couple of people to be a part of my book and filled out the application form for my market stall. That's what I call progress people!

Whilst I await my copy of James' book from amazon.com, I suggest you dudes get yo'selves a copy too!
thewellbeingrevolution.com.

Pottery Class!!

I had so much fun at my very first Slow Clay class with Jane Sawyer. It was just like the scene in Ghost without hunk-o-spunk Swayze... and Demi currently in rehab for 'exhaustion' *cough*noones buyin it*cough*.
We learnt about correct posture, how to roll the clay (wedging) and how to get going and make some bowls! It rocked and I can't wait until next week.
I would highly recommend getting yourself on the waiting list for this outstanding class as it is very small class sizes (5-6 ppl) allowing for loads of one-on-one time AND it overlooks the Yarra!! Can't get better than that!

Here is a pic of me making a bowl... or something that was supposed to be a bowl!

Lenny's New Shoes??

Hmmm I had a go at making some shoes for Lenny, and while the sewing is fairly easy they did not work out.
You see, it's quite difficult to sew tight circular lines unless you've had loads of practice which I have not. So they were a little bit skewif! Coupled with using a very thick material, they just came out a bit wonky. I must say that the first shoe was quite ok, but I had sewed too far over the actual line so it ended up too small. The second shoe was just a disaster.
But I believe there is hope and that I can do it again, when I have some free time and thinner material.
Here is a pic for laughs.