Nostalgic

a sweet walk down memory lane...

I have some very distinct memories from my toddler years and working through some of those memories with images and hearing stories was so wonderfully nostalgic.   There weren't many images of me as a baby because they couldn't get film stock at the time.

Living in Middle Africa wasn't an easy time. That makes me terribly sad.

I would have loved my girls to see that.

It is a moment in time gone and lost to the world forever.

That kind of breaks my heart a little.  I'm so grateful for the ones I did find.

 

I always knew my Momma was beautiful but finding these images of her has given me a new appreciation and love for her. She made all her own clothes and ours, worked and had 4 babies.  She was stunning and stylish and trendy. The image of her with the baby with the Purdy cut was with my baby brother...  after 4 babies to look so incredible and stylish... I'm blown away.

She has always been remarkable woman to me but now I know, she's always been that way.

What a legacy so share with my girls.

Here Kitty Kitty...

So on the farm one of the pregnant sheep died during the night.

It was horrible to see her pregnant belly but no life left there.  No one said farm life is easy.

My dad loaded her up and we headed down to the sanctuary across the road.

Nothing goes to waste.  This sheep will feed these guys for the week.

I have never stood so close to a Lion before.  The big guy was literally yawning in my face.

The roar is something special... the earth literally vibrates.

The babies were particularly amazing.  So soft and desperate for cuddles.

So playful too.  It's incredible how that will change for them in the coming year.

Organic Matter...

I loved doing this...

Finding sweet organic elements to spell out my name for Camera Craft.

Class starts today and it's so exciting.  It's still not too late to sign up.

I'm so excited to start... I'll be late to class this week because I'm away.

But I will be playing catch up for sure.

To the lovely people who signed up through my button, I just want to say a huge thank you!

I appreciate your love and support.

See you in class - can't wait.  Yay!

Say Cheese....

We popped over to my folks farm and cheesery for a few days.  It's been almost 5 years since Kitty has been here. Plus we felt while Corks was away it would be nice for Kitty to do something different during the holidays.  Plus with all the flu in the house and the cold weather, we felt it would be good to have some milder days. The days are much warmer here and they have beautiful winter sun.

I'm still not 100% better but definitely getting there.

The chats and connection, stunning, every meal together, sacred.  I know that's a particular highlight for my Dad, for me too.  We live about 14 hours away from each other (traveling by road).  So whenever we meet up, it's special.  My brother and his family have been visiting too.  We nostalgically went through old childhood pics. I discovered new things.

We took a tour of the property (it's large).  The dairy, the factory and the cheesery.  I marvel at all my parents have done.  They are truly remarkable human beings.  Every single thing they have done, they have done with their own hands, own hearts and true grit.  Seeing that in action is precious.  I hope I will be able to be such an example to my girls.

My heart is bursting with admiration today.

Tender excited farewells

And we have lift-off...

Lots of hoping, lots of planning, lots of dreaming and lots of saving.  And today the day arrived.

I have never been prouder and more stoked for my girl.

I couldn't think of a more deserving one.  She's worked her butt off to be here.

She's growing up!  Seeing her heart on fire has blown me away.

#InMyStudio.... At last

So I've noticed when I'm nervous about painting.  I keep myself busy with life, extra blogging and anything really, to avoid being where I need to be. I'm the queen of procrastination. I don't know exactly why my brain works like this because once I start... 

It's always such a joy!

And today was a pure joy time #inmystudio.  I started off filming a little for TinyBagsofLove, made two miniature teacups with paperclay and then I started painting... It's been a while... So it was good to be back!

I'm pleased to say I'm feeling much better today, definitely more capacity!  I had a full afternoon and I was pretty exhausted this evening... But tomorrow is another day.  As far as today is concerned, it was a good day!

I loved painting that hand today...

They are getting easier each time I try

10Day PhotoChallenge - that's a wrap

That's a wrap!  The 10Day PhotoChallenge.

I loved every moment of it!

I learnt so much and tried new things.

But most of all I loved the words... So deeply personal.

Touching and resonating - I feel a little altered after working through them.

I can't wait to head into class and dig a little deeper!