the sunset series..chasing winter skies

Last night, just before dinner time, four out of the six of us went to the beach to soak in some pastel wintery skies.

The colours were so soft and whimsical, the air fresh, and barely a breeze was blowing.  We wandered the rocks, admired brave surfers dashing past us, zipping their wetsuits as they ran, busting out of themselves to hit those waves.

The middle guy sat on a rock to write, the little girl splashed in rock puddles singing happy songs and squealing with delight at the pink sky all aglow. We walked for ages, chatting about this and that, mostly a certain someone's up and coming 12th birthday.

The waves rolled in so loudly, looking like big soft fluffy clouds.  Apart from the surfers in the sea, there was barely another person in sight.  Like a secret paradise all of our very own. Its been too long between beach visits.  The chance to stop and breathe it all in was just what I needed without even knowing.

Hooray for winter skies and glorious mid week beach wanders.

this knee rug..made with love

Our lovely elderly neighbour is forever spoiling the kids with gifts or sweets at significant times throughout the year. Christmas, Easter and birthday's when she remembers.  

I've been wanting to make her something for so long now, but it would just be left by the wayside every time I'd make a start.  So finally, I made her a knee rug.  Just in time for this very cold coastal winter that has arrived with vigour.

I have to say, this was such an enjoyable project.  Maybe because I was excited to be making something for our sweet Zayda, maybe because the yarn was so lovely and soft to work with, and maybe because I loved the way this stitch looked as it came together to make one large snugly square.

It's deliciously soft to touch and just the right shade of silvery grey.  A simple treble and double crochet alternating, repeated over and over until it was just the right size.  Small enough to fold neatly onto a chair and light enough to pull softly over the knees.

I hope there are many cosy afternoon naps and comfy nights of watching her favourite shows to be enjoyed under this knee rug.  This knee rug, made with love.

Happy winter everyone!

may portraits..

22/52..

"it's a hard nut life.." from the movie Annie,her favourite movie right now. I hear her burst into song throughout the house and my heart overflows

21/52..

waiting for her turn in the bath, making me promise I won't wash her hair "say it mumma, say I not washin' hair"

20/52..

she gets dressed and tests her skirts for twirling every single morning

19/52..

new shoes..belated birthday shoes, worth the wait

18/52..

her 'dancer' skirts are to be worn Harry Highpants style, this is not negotiable

May has been a month of (more) strong will, singing out loud, dancing skirts worn her own way, 'sleebs' (sleeves) always turned up, and sooo much development! She is amazing us with the things she knows, the way she articulates a sentence, her sense of humour and her nurturing ways. In this month of May, she drew her first real picture! A body with eyes, a nose, a mouth, arms and legs. Now when she draws, the shoes and hair are added.  I've always been so amazed and so ridiculously excited by each of their first 'real' drawings.  It's such a milestone, don't you think. 

Her brothers know her well and know just what to say to make her feel happy when she is sad. They piggyback her to the bathroom to brush her teeth for bed, they make her snacks, and sit to watch her shows. They know her quirks, her routine and how to distract her when she won't take no for an answer.  She hugs them tight, plays their games and loves them fiercely. 

They are a lucky little bunch, these four. 

More portraits over at Practicing Simplicity..