Winter in Australia

So we don't have much (well none actually) snow in Queensland, nor does mother nature herald the seasons quite so dramatically as in other states or countries in the world, nor do we have to buy huge jackets, toques, mittens, boots etc etc to keep us warm (damn!!) but I tell you what I absolutley love winter on the Gold Coast. I can walk outside without shoes on, I can take the boys to the beach and they can swim and play near the water without getting too cold, we can still feel the warmth of the sun on our faces.
I am reflecting on this as I think about my day. It was a magnificent 24+c today and I took the boys down to the beach where we played by the water, dug holes looking for soldier crabs, ate fish and chips, fed the seagulls and just had a really great day together. I really love winter in Australia.

I Built This

Call me crazy but I recently had this bee in my bonnet about re-landscaping parts of our front yard. Was tired of mowing the lawn and poisoning the clover and dragging the mower up the stairs. So I got a brainstorm in the shower one night - that's where all good ideas are formed for me I find - and decided to build a pond - a frog pond to be exact. I did a bit of research - made a plan - started imagining it in its final form - and wha-la! Here it is. It took three weeks of digging, shovelling, carting dirt, sand, rocks, mixing cement, digging holes - shopping for plants but it is finally finished (well almost - except for the growing and a few ambient lights). The kids love it - especially Caleb who calls it 'his pond'. We are just waiting for the locals (frogs that is) to find the pond and fall in love with it too. We do have to keep a keen eye out for toads however (the warty - very unfriendly variety) and dispose of their tadpoles.


I had a lot of fun doing this project - it gave me a great sense of satisfaction - I loved the artistic side to landscaping as well as the physical aspect - nothing like getting ones hands dirty (as long as I get a manicure in the next few weeks that is!!!) There is also nothing like creating a bit of peace and tranquility in ones yard either - I love how this area makes me feel. Can't wait till summer when the plants really start to grow and the area starts to look more lush and tropical - it will be hard to keep me away.

Are We There Yet?

I didn't think almost two year olds were supposed to use that phrase. I thought that it was reserved only for much much older children. But they were the words (or to be exact, "there yet?") that came from the mouth of our beautiful baby (can I still call him that?) boy the other morning when I was driving to Bunnings to buy some plants for the garden.
He is too too clever and I am enjoying every bit of his development (well almost everything - the tantrums I could live without!!!).

Splashing Good Fun

I love puddles - and so do the boys. It rained ALL day today (gotta love that - our tank is filling up yey!) and plenty of deep puddles formed on the golf course. So the kid in me asked the kids themselves if they wanted to go for a splash in the puddles. I didn't have to ask twice. Bren got some snaps of us playing. Being a little cool out we only splashed around for about 1/2 an hour then came inside for a warm shower. It was great fun and a good reminder to make the most of every situation and that fun can be really cheap too!!!

Autumn Colours

Officially we are in winter - it's only turned cool within the last week or so. Before this we experienced the warmest autumn in many years (some days it was reaching 30c which is mighty hot for this time of year).

The tree pictured is still in autumn mode. It would have to be one of my favourite trees (no its not in our front yard) because it reminds me of Canada and because it is just soooo beautiful. We all went for a short walk this morning to the house that is lucky enough to have it in their front yard. Bren knocked on the door (I was too shy!) to ask if we could take a photo of it. The guy who answered the door (thanks David) was quite amused and said by all means we could do so. I snapped a few quick shots of the boys in front of the tree (before Seth could run off and before Caleb made too many funny faces) and then a close up of the leaves.

I really do love this tree - maybe I should plant one in our front yard.........

Newest photo of us

Hey - it's not the best photo but it is the most recent one of all of us. Caleb's class is looking at families (and where each family is from) and we were asked to make a page describing our family and where we were born etc etc. We didn't have a very recent photo of all of us so out came the camera - we set it up for remote shooting and then we all piled on the couch hoping for the best - especially with a wiggly Seth. We didn't do too badly - considering we were all feeling a bit under the weather. We will have to try and get a better portrait done at some point.

It's Beginning to Feel a Bit Like Winter

At long last!!

The temp during the day is a glorious 21c but at night it's been dipping down to about 9c (above zero that is!) which while not really really cold is still cold enough for us to bother stoking up the fireplace. Remember we don't have internal heating - so whatever it is outside it generally is about the same inside.

Seth is very keen on the fireplace - so keen that we have to really keep an eye on him. Thankfully he understands the concept of hot so keeps away from the fireplace when it is on. He loves helping bundle the kindling to get the fire started and then happily sits on his little step to watch as the flames build and dance their own merry dance.

The fireplace really helps to take the coldness out of the air and lends a very cosy atmosphere to our house. We don't use it very much but it is something that we have really enjoyed using - it means that winter really is here - and you've gotta love that.