Alexa - A Simple Life » Memories http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com Living simply and content Thu, 29 Jun 2017 03:00:09 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=3.9.40 Days gone by http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/days-gone-by/ http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/days-gone-by/#comments Sun, 11 Jun 2017 15:27:19 +0000 http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/?p=2576 Days gone by, living in the moment, winter warmers, winter fire, slow combustion fire, glory vine

Living in the moment.The ever changing scenes of a week gone.
A Diary of sorts

31 May being the last day of Autumn.
Remnants of Roses. A fleeting glimpse of Summer gone.

Days gone by, living the moment, winter roses, last Rose, iPhone diary, iPhone photography

1 June the first day of Winter.
Braving the cold wind in the garden
Days gone by, living the moment, winter roses, last Rose, iPhone diary, winter warmth, winter garden, winter gardening, how to dress for winter gardening
2 June
Mending day with 60 year old faithful
Days gone by, living the moment, winter roses, last Rose, iPhone diary, winter warmth, winter garden, winter gardening, Bernina Record sewing machine, don't throw out your old sewing machine, sleep old sewing machines serviced,

3 June Saturday
Grey skies so I always go looking for colour in the garden
"Days gone by, living the moment, winter roses, last Rose, iPhone diary, winter warmth, winter garden, winter gardening, Bernina Record sewing machine, don't throw out your old sewing machine, Euphorbia Lipstick, Euphorbia, winter garden colour

4 June. Sunday
Sharing Birthday lunch with family and friends.
Boys…Friends and cousins showing off their trampoline skills
Then hurrying off to fish in the dam over the hill
Days gone by, living the moment, winter roses, last Rose, iPhone diary, winter warmth, winter garden, winter gardening, Bernina Record sewing machine, don't throw out your old sewing machine, Euphorbia Lipstick, Euphorbia, winter garden colour, family days, easy family meals, birthday family days
4 June. Sunday Sharing Birthday lunch with family and friends. Boys...Friends and cousins showing off their trampoline skills Then hurrying off to fish in the dam over the hill
Days gone by, living the moment, winter roses, last Rose, iPhone diary, winter warmth, winter garden, winter gardening, Bernina Record sewing machine, don't throw out your old sewing machine, Euphorbia Lipstick, Euphorbia, winter garden colour, family days, easy family meals, birthday family days, boys going fishing, gone fishing , country style fishing , dam fishing

Driving home through the always beautiful countryside.
Worrombi and Cobbity- my favourites
Observing the low sun created shadows as it hastes to bed amongst the hills
Days gone past, living in the moment, Driving home through the always beautiful countryside. Worrombi and Cobbity- my favourite Observing the low sun created shadows as it hastes to bed amongst the hills
Driving home through the always beautiful countryside. Worrombi and Cobbity- my favourite Observing the low sun created shadows as it hastes to bed amongst the hills
5 June Monday
Taking deep into the soul brilliant blue skies and warm hued Autumn leaves
Finding sunny nooks amongst Winter shadows for a slow morning tea
Sitting in a warm sunroom before dusk approaches
Seeing a molten gold sun slip silently behind the western hills
Days gone by, living the moment, winter roses, last Rose, iPhone diary, winter warmth, winter garden, winter gardening, Bernina Record sewing machine, don't throw out your old sewing machine, Euphorbia Lipstick, Euphorbia, winter garden colour, family days, easy family meals, birthday family days, boys going fishing, gone fishing , country style fishing , dam fishing , sunset, Autumn in Narellan, Autumn leaves, what to do in Autumn

, share morning tea at home, Days gone by, living the moment, winter roses, last Rose, iPhone diary, winter warmth, winter garden, winter gardening, Bernina Record sewing machine, don't throw out your old sewing machine, Euphorbia Lipstick, Euphorbia, winter garden colour, family days, easy family meals, birthday family days, boys going fishing, gone fishing , country style fishing , dam fishing , sunset, Autumn in Narellan, Autumn leaves, what to do in Autumn, al fresco dining,

6 June Tuesday
A mending, bed linen washing, soup making kind of day.
Starting off clear and windy for line drying but changing to cold and wet. Needing a cheerful fire and happy flowers kind of day recently enjoyed at our friends home.
"Days gone by, living in the moment, winter warmers, Euphorbias

7 June
My beloveds birthday
Wet and cold. Double bar gas heating start to damp morning
Boys in school uniforms to be picked up
Happy birthday to be sung to grandpa….we love our grandchildren. Big and small.
Days gone by, grandchildren

Days gone by, living in the moment

I love these sorts of weeks
The plain, the mundane, the grey, the ordinary mixed with the extraordinary
Find exquisite beauty where you can
However small or humble

Days gone by, living in the moment

Alexa-asimplelife

Linking up with What Joy is mine

Strangers and Pilgrims on Earth
]]> http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/days-gone-by/feed/ 3 Joyfulness and finding a garden through the gate in February http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/joyfulness-and-finding-a-garden-through-the-gate-in-february/ http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/joyfulness-and-finding-a-garden-through-the-gate-in-february/#comments Tue, 28 Feb 2017 10:27:56 +0000 http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/?p=2409 Joyfulness, Budlea, butterfly bush, sustainable garden, beneficial insects , butterfly, monarch butterfly, old world garden , simplelgardening, thrifty garden, big red geraniumArtist’s palette of swirled oil paints
Riotous and exuberant shapes and textures

Look no further!
Go visit your local nursery for a free lift of spirits

Free you say!

Yes definitely because no money changed hands.

By letting my mind be refreshed and calmed on a hot hot day under the misting sprinkler.

Joyfulness, Budlea, butterfly bush, sustainable garden, beneficial insects , butterfly, monarch butterfly, old world garden, simple gardening, thrifty garden, big red geranium, garden gate, misting sprinkler, through the garden gate in February, marigold

I remembered …
Lavender cutting/slips growing under some greenery
Hibiscus cuttings/slips slowly growing roots in a glass jar
Red trumpet creeping vine cutting/slip started in a pot
Big Red geranium growing lushly from a cutting/slip

It was a stepping back in time of how old gardens were created.
Networking and sharing.

How to best utilise what I have at home in the garden…..just a moving round and swapping positions. Or repotting with large recycled pots from the neighbour’s hard rubbish clean out.

There was no instant gratification costing $$, just some methodical or random planning and a little patience.

Have you ever done this?

Joyfulness, red Hibiscus, hardy colour for the garden

Hedging plants, hardy plants, Bunnings, instant garden colour

Hedging plants, hardy plants, Bunnings, instant garden colour

Blessed

Alexa-asimplelife

Joining Through the Garden Gate

Joining Frontier Dreams

]]> http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/joyfulness-and-finding-a-garden-through-the-gate-in-february/feed/ 5 Farmer gets a wife http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/farmer-gets-a-wife/ http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/farmer-gets-a-wife/#comments Mon, 16 Jan 2017 09:58:37 +0000 http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/?p=2335 of 1978, country life, country wife, rural living, old homestead , stone cottage, visiting a farm with children, cookery the Australian way, scones

Impressions from my sister in law.
Memories of 1978.

#farmergetsawife
Agriculturalists gets a wife
City bride new to the country
City spouse new to the country
City girl marries her farmer
City miss weds her rancher

All of the above are depending on from where you live in this world.
Different expressions….same meaning

“I married my beloved farmer or rancher as the Americans say. A young lady who lived nowhere near the country but by the sea. Near Semaphore in Adelaide, South Australia.

We had a four day honeymoon on Kangaroo Island, a remotish tourist destination where the only access was via a two hour ferry trip down the Port River and over the ocean. Being a roll on roll off ferry we were able to take our car to explore this rugged place.

On our return and in light of the fact that this boat berths unpleasantly early we sat in our car outside of my parents home waiting for them to wake up. Waiting for the household to show signs of stirring.

I was particularly looking forwards to seeing my mother; and which girl doesn’t!

Knowing likewise that I would not be seeing her again for quite a while to come.
A new country wife living a few hours away where distances are measure by time depending on the roads.

Well all this came to nought. No happy catch up time. No time for chit chat.

#farmergetsawife, country living, country isolation, homesteading, memories of 1978

Country life line

Rather, a call had been received from my parents in law asking that we return to the farm property immediately for my husband to help with the grain cleaning. In those days you needed to wait having made a booking for a man to go to your property or ranch on a set day to do this job …well that time slot had come early!

So with my heart heavy we headed to my new life with dear husband who didn’t even have any work clothes with him. Fortunately there were some extra garments sitting at the main farm for him. Work boots, jeans or shorts, flannel shirt or T-shirt and the ever present hat of sorts.

As for me, after dropping my man off I proceeded down the white unsealed road with scrubby bush on either side, trusting that I would wind up at my new home, an old stone cottage with resident snake!

All roads here have a striking resemblance with each other to the uninitiated city folk….directions can go like this- go two Kms , then turn right and go another two Kms. At the telegraph pole turn right over the sheep grid and follow the road to the house. I must say it’s far easier to do in the day.

There was no new bride to be carried over the threshold. I ventured into our stone cottage myself.

#farmergetsawife, country living, country isolation, homesteading, memories of 1978, country life, country wife, rural living

of 1978, country life, country wife, rural living, old homestead , stone cottage

But I love our life here. Over the years we’ve lived in a few different houses. First was that stone cottage.

Now our son runs the farm with hubby working for him. New ways, new methods, new ideas, new generation, new energy, new grandsons.

Cycles of family life.

Alexa back here again.
Our cycles of life
The years roll by
Silently but ever moving

of 1978, country life, country wife, rural living, old homestead , stone cottage, visiting a farm with children

Our family visiting the Farm

Now I must search out that pastie recipe from an old school book when we did Home Economics at High School. My sister in law bakes an awesome one.
Best eaten on a cold day which is the opposite to what we have here presently in Australia. Summer heat waves. Yet I guess you could eat it with a salad.
I think I will wait though so that the oven does not over heat the already warm house.

What a pity I did not keep my copy when I culled all my books during our recent move. The modern copy is rather pricey now.
Live and learn.

Recipe of pasty…….
Page 7 of 8
“Cookery the Australian Way” 50 some years old and still serving and teaching our young.

Memories are the threads of life
A tapestry in the making

Alexa-asimplelife

]]> http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/farmer-gets-a-wife/feed/ 2 Message in a Leaf http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/message-in-a-leaf/ http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/message-in-a-leaf/#comments Mon, 17 Oct 2016 05:30:23 +0000 http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/?p=2295 Leaf, play, sense of adventure, simple living, #considerthelilly, #momentintime

On the first day of August
Which now seems light years away

It being the last month of official Winter in Australia.

I was wishfully speeding the approaching Spring on
to valiantly burst out of Winter’s very tight coat

Leaf, play, sense of adventure, simple living, #considerthelilly, #momentintime

Apple blossom finally bursting from its tight winter coat now in October

adventure, simple living, #considerthelilly, #momentintime, apple blossom

So,

I took a stroll with one of the grandsons
A quick walk before the early winter darkness encroached
Because little boys need to wind down for sleep soon

adventure, simple living, #considerthelilly, #momentintime, apple blossom, sleep time, how to prepare children for sleep

Hand in hand for a run up the winding path to our little park

Quickly a swing, a slide and another swing

See the street lights are flickering on
Time to run back

But wait, what a find

Usually all finds end up in little hands

Look at this leaf

adventure, simple living, #considerthelilly, #momentintime, apple blossom, sleep time, how to prepare children for sleep, winter colour

It is mine

I carefully hold it by the stalk
and selfishly do not give it to my little companion

It is mine

Much too precious to share
Brim full of the essence of life

#momentintime, apple blossom, sleep time, how to prepare children for sleep, winter colour

Then that very night
Photographed under mean kitchen lights
A fluke of a picture

#momentintime, apple blossom, sleep time, how to prepare children for sleep, winter colour, rivers of life

The rivers of life
Days and nights of weather encapsulated in one single leaf
Alone on the path

Leaf

“I study the leaf veins
they are little streams of life
yearning for the sun
static trees stand sentinel
watching our brief lives go by ” A Poem by Andy Brookes

I sit here now enjoying the afternoon sunshine after this mornings grey gloominess.

The Simple Life.
So easy to find.

May your week be Blessed
Alexa-asimplelife

#messageinaleaf #momentintime #whatdoyousee #considerthelilly

]]> http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/message-in-a-leaf/feed/ 1 Spring is in the Air http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/spring-is-in-the-air/ http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/spring-is-in-the-air/#comments Wed, 28 Sep 2016 06:59:09 +0000 http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/?p=2247 Spring is in the air, gardening in spring, propagate plants, Adventure, children, Fun in the fresh air, Gardening with children, grandchildren, Memories, raise a child, sense of adventure, figaro dahlia, Nastertiums , geranium, Big Red Geranium, orange blossom, pruning hedges, hedge , Lavender

Preparing for evening

Today the sun does shine beautifully here in Sydney.
Contrast to yesterday when the same sun was out but the wind nearly blew one over. Even sitting here in the kitchen I could hear the wind gusts roaring through some tall gum trees at a park over the road.

I know in some parts of Australia we are expected to receive some bad weather today with flooding that has already been going on for days with its associated heartache.

Considering the wind yesterday we caught a brief lull and managed a quick game of “Rugby” in the back yard with young grandsons. Let’s tackle grandma was the call to which I replied and acted, let’s TICKLE you!

Spring is in the air, gardening in spring, propagate plants, Adventure, children, Fun in the fresh air, Gardening with children, grandchildren, Memories, raise a child, sense of adventure, figaro dahlia, Nastertiums , geranium, Big Red Geranium, orange blossom, pruning hedges, hedge , Boys play
Lucky that they are still only five and under. There will come a time when it’s time to stand at the sidelines and direct!

The sun with its awakening rays bring weeds and flowers alive together in abundance.

Joy for the soul at the mass of riotous colour from easy to grow Nasturtiums, hardy Calendulas, bright Geraniums and tough Heartsease.

Spring is in the air, gardening in spring, propagate plants, Adventure, children, Fun in the fresh air, Gardening with children, grandchildren, Memories, raise a child, sense of adventure, figaro dahlia, Nastertiums , geranium, Big Red Geranium, orange blossom, cut flowers, potted geraniums, chickens

Raised Garden

Easy to grow but patience required during the long dark days of winter with Roses in hibernation.
Note to self – plant some of the above earlier and and do an extra later planting too. I’ve had to prune some of the nasturtiums back a bit today….no pain no gain

As we have only been in this house for three seasons next year I will know how this garden grows and flowers. I am really hoping the Figaro Dahlias come back again from their corms as they were brilliant last year. I was able to cut them back twice and got Dahlias on Steroids as my daughter called them

Spring is in the air, gardening in spring, propagate plants, Adventure, children, Fun in the fresh air, Gardening with children, grandchildren, Memories, raise a child, sense of adventure, figaro dahlia, Nastertiums , geranium, Big Red Geranium, orange blossom, cut flowers, potted geraniums, chickens, Calendula, Heartsease ,

Calendula and Heartsease

Heartsease thriftily divided , one nice plant into four and then again as they grew
Calendulas price slashed and nursed along from sad straggly seedlings. These are tough. It’s the first time that I have grown these.
Nasturtiums were grown from seeds
Geraniums from cuttings. As they grow I take more cuttings from the “Mother Bush”.
“Big Red” a much appreciated gorgeous potted geranium left behind by the previous owner. Fabulous for colour in the drab of Winter

Spring is in the air, gardening in spring, propagate plants, Adventure, children, Fun in the fresh air, Gardening with children, grandchildren, Memories, raise a child, sense of adventure, figaro dahlia, Nastertiums , geranium, Big Red Geranium, orange blossom, pruning hedges, hedge upkeep,

Hedge Trimmer at work

The warmth brings the hedges out of their slow and dormant growth. Time for a green haircut by my man and his garden toys.

So too does the warmth bring out our little grandsons when visiting. They love to poke, prod, dig, cut and chop in the garden all under the supervision of either myself or grandpa dear.

We did miss them though with their chatter when we attended to some gardening chores last weekend.

Spring is in the air, gardening in spring, propagate plants, Adventure, children, Fun in the fresh air, Gardening with children, grandchildren, Memories, raise a child, sense of adventure, figaro dahlia, Nastertiums , geranium, Big Red Geranium, orange blossom, cut flowers, potted geraniums

Spring is in the air, gardening in spring, propagate plants, Adventure, children, Fun in the fresh air, Gardening with children, grandchildren, Memories, raise a child, sense of adventure, figaro dahlia, Nastertiums , geranium, Big Red Geranium, orange blossom, cut flowers, potted geraniums, chickens

“Chicken Heads”


But a lovely reminder was there for us should we lift our eyes to the front steps next to a flowering pot of red Geraniums.

The easiest of craft activities if little hands become tired of wearing disposable gloves just like Grandma for digging.
Fill them with soil instead and get Grandma to tie a knot. Instant chickens that do not need feeding.

Now the afternoon sun causes the kitchen to glow as it illuminates and makes the yellow Nasturtiums appear translucent in their vase on the window ledge. These are complimented beyond the window by the golden hedge on our boundary and a golden tree in its Spring coat.

Spring is in the air, gardening in spring, propagate plants, Adventure, children, Fun in the fresh air, Gardening with children, grandchildren, Memories, raise a child, sense of adventure, figaro dahlia, Nastertiums , geranium, Big Red Geranium, orange blossom, cut flowers
Did I say that I love Spring!

Hope you all have a good day.
Find something to lift your spirit even if only briefly.
Pause a while.

Spring is in the air, gardening in spring, propagate plants, Adventure, children, Fun in the fresh air, Gardening with children, grandchildren, Memories, raise a child, sense of adventure, figaro dahlia, Nastertiums , geranium, Big Red Geranium, orange blossom, pruning hedges, hedge

Sun soaked Orange Blossom’s sweet perfume

Alexa-asimplelife

]]> http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/spring-is-in-the-air/feed/ 6 More than skin deep http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/more-than-skin-deep/ http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/more-than-skin-deep/#comments Mon, 22 Aug 2016 12:36:41 +0000 http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/?p=1368 More than skin deep, Adventure, Australia, country, first impressions, home made, joy, Memories, More than skin deep, observe a lesson, Observe with a quiet spirit, sense of adventure, simple living, rural living, glass louvres, fly screen, antique wheel rim , antique door hinge, vintage paint, fencing wire, fence posts, old window, rain water tanks, fuel tanks, Hahndorf , new car, old homestead

What do you see
Your first impression
When you compare

First fleeting impressions hit the eye immediately.

How plain
How happy
How tall she walks
How sad they look
How harried they appear
How naughty that child

Wow, beautiful or handsome
Wish I had some of that

But that is only an impression
Not the true picture

Yet rarely do we say anything of people’s character
That they have a generous spirit
Are kind or thoughtful
You child are trying so very hard

These thoughts arose after looking through some photos I took recently of what at first may appear as junk, old, obsolete or old-fashioned….

“A gift to myself”
A visit to the country
Spending time to wander round
In quietness observe with a different eye
Sights and impressions not noticed in an everyday rush

More than skin deep, Adventure, Australia, country, first impressions, home made, joy, Memories, More than skin deep, observe a lesson, Observe with a quiet spirit, sense of adventure, simple living, rural living, glass louvres, fly screen, antique wheel rim , antique door hinge, vintage paint, fencing wire, fence posts, old window, rain water tanks, fuel tanks, Hahndorf , new car, old homestead

The very first morning I hurried outside to make the most of beautiful weather not knowing what the morrow would bring.
I needed to savour these delights.

As the days continued I found more treasures to lift my soul.
Sights unseen on the ordinary day

Colours, combinations, textures, shapes, shades, forms, sharp, soft, lofty or insignificant.

Images of time
Of labour
Of life
Past

Yet in essence they were rusted drums, old tanks, fencing wire, peeling paint, weary old stone cottage with its silent walls and long gone school children and families.

It presented me with beauty, character and charm in a palette of rich colours.

Then as I attempted to choose which photos to use I observed another layer of impressions.

How many lessons taught to bring education to children in this cottage school house

How many throats cooled and thirsts quenched from the now empty and old, rusted rain water tanks.

More than skin deep, Adventure, Australia, country, first impressions, home made, joy, Memories, More than skin deep, observe a lesson, Observe with a quiet spirit, sense of adventure, simple living, rural living, glass louvres, fly screen, antique wheel rim , antique door hinge, vintage paint, fencing wire, fence posts, old window, rain water tanks

How many Kilo-meters or miles of fencing put up over the years and repaired again and again

More than skin deep, Adventure, Australia, country, first impressions, home made, joy, Memories, More than skin deep, observe a lesson, Observe with a quiet spirit, sense of adventure, simple living, rural living, glass louvres, fly screen, antique wheel rim , antique door hinge, vintage paint, fencing wire, fence posts

Those drums asked how many machines were serviced to provide food and sustenance for this and other households over the decades

More than skin deep, Adventure, Australia, country, first impressions, home made, joy, Memories, More than skin deep, observe a lesson, Observe with a quiet spirit, sense of adventure, simple living

How many litres or gallons of diesel used over the decades to to run a farm

More than skin deep, Adventure, Australia, country, first impressions, home made, joy, Memories, More than skin deep, observe a lesson, Observe with a quiet spirit, sense of adventure, simple living, rural living, glass louvres, fly screen, antique wheel rim , antique door hinge, vintage paint, fencing wire, fence posts, old window, rain water tanks, fuel tanks

These shutters spoke of shelter from the rain or cooling relief from breezes.

More than skin deep, Adventure, Australia, country, first impressions, home made, joy, Memories, More than skin deep, observe a lesson, Observe with a quiet spirit, sense of adventure, simple living, rural living, glass louvres, fly screen, antique wheel rim

Old door
Battered door knob,
Big key hole for long shafted key
Sturdy lock standing the test of time

More than skin deep, Adventure, Australia, country, first impressions, home made, joy, Memories, More than skin deep, observe a lesson, Observe with a quiet spirit, sense of adventure, simple living, rural living, glass louvres, fly screen, antique wheel rim , antique door hinge, vintage paint

How many bodies have brushed through this door
Slowly and carefully carrying a heavy load
Or rushing headlong as children do with much banging
How much joy or sadness entered these doors
Now stealthily visited by critters

How many different views through this now empty window

More than skin deep, Adventure, Australia, country, first impressions, home made, joy, Memories, More than skin deep, observe a lesson, Observe with a quiet spirit, sense of adventure, simple living, rural living, glass louvres, fly screen, antique wheel rim , antique door hinge, vintage paint, fencing wire, fence posts, old window

If walls could talk

Look around you, what do you see. More than skin deep. See depth. A multi layered depth.

What story do you see around you, yesterday, today, tomorrow.

Till later

Alexa-asimplelife

a-wise-woman-builds-her-home

Also Linking here

]]> http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/more-than-skin-deep/feed/ 5 Glamping … A new camping http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/glamping-a-new-camping/ http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/glamping-a-new-camping/#comments Mon, 25 Jul 2016 00:58:56 +0000 http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/?p=2079 Glamping...the new camping, pretend play, children, family time, grandmother, Imagination, imagination play, joy, make do, make time to play with children, Memories, play, raise a child, reconnect with children, camping with children, chill time, quiet time for children, play tent for one, visiting Grandparents, how to keep young being a grandparent , easy fun with grandchildren, frangipani tree, frangipani

Glamping. A child’s perspective …

We have fun glamping

We have the glamping tents up lots
It’s real cool

Raining or sunny

They are so much fun

A place to chill

Or pretend,

‘specially us boy cousins

That’s the very “bestest fun”

All you need are sheets and cushions

LOTS

Glamping...the new camping, pretend play, children, family time, grandmother, Imagination, imagination play, joy, make do, make time to play with children, Memories, play, raise a child, reconnect with children, camping with children, chill time, quiet time for children, play tent for one, uses for old sheets

Grandma always has heaps for us to play with
They are her old sheets for fun stuff

Maybe even Grandma’s patchwork quilt if we can get it before she looks

Glamping...the new camping, pretend play, children, family time, grandmother, Imagination, imagination play, joy, make do, make time to play with children, Memories, play, raise a child, reconnect with children, camping with children, chill time, quiet time for children, play tent for one, grandmothers quilt, patch work quilt

We can make a BIG tent with LoTS of sheets for us ALL
We can make LITTLE tents for one person

Glamping...the new camping, pretend play, children, family time, grandmother, Imagination, imagination play, joy, make do, make time to play with children, Memories, play, raise a child, reconnect with children, camping with children, chill time, quiet time for children, play tent for one, patch work tent

Glamping...the new camping, pretend play, children, family time, grandmother, Imagination, imagination play, joy, make do, make time to play with children, Memories, play, raise a child, reconnect with children, camping with children, chill time, quiet time for children, play tent for one, patch work tent , playing hungry hippo
Glamping...the new camping, pretend play, children, family time, grandmother, Imagination, imagination play, joy, make do, make time to play with children, Memories, play, raise a child, reconnect with children, camping with children
Glamping...the new camping, pretend play, children, family time, grandmother, Imagination, imagination play, joy, make do, make time to play with children, Memories, play, raise a child, reconnect with children, camping with children, chill time, quiet time for children

Glamping...the new camping, pretend play, children, family time, grandmother, Imagination, imagination play, joy, make do, make time to play with children, Memories, play, raise a child, reconnect with children, camping with children, chill time, quiet time for children, play tent for one

We use Grandma’s laundry Airer and lots of pegs
You have to fix the sheets to stay there
Grandma pegs the sheets to lots of things
Like the door handles and hooks on the wall and clips it in the windows

It’s funny when Grandma has to crawl in the tent ’cause she is big

We go Glamping on grandma’s back verandah.

Glamping...the new camping, pretend play, children, family time, grandmother, Imagination, imagination play, joy, make do, make time to play with children, Memories, play, raise a child, reconnect with children, camping with children, chill time, quiet time for children, play tent for one, rainy day fun

No pause button here. Beautiful endless youthful energy. Precious.


We have our own door too, which makes it more fun.

Because “us” boys have discovered that with a click we have our own “house” When the adults were talking we giggled and locked our door
“Hmmm…unlock the door please” they said

But that’s no fun!

We can make a HUGE tent outside too in a tree that has pink flowers in the hot sun. It has a funny name. Grandma knows what sort it is.

Glamping...the new camping, pretend play, children, family time, grandmother, Imagination, imagination play, joy, make do, make time to play with children, Memories, play, raise a child, reconnect with children, camping with children, chill time, quiet time for children, play tent for one, play tent in the sun

Really fun this sort of Glamping

We just have to get to Grandpa and Grandma’s house….

Glamping...the new camping, pretend play, children, family time, grandmother, Imagination, imagination play, joy, make do, make time to play with children, Memories, play, raise a child, reconnect with children, camping with children, chill time, quiet time for children, play tent for one, visiting Grandparents, how to keep young being a grandparent

Glamping...the new camping, pretend play, children, family time, grandmother, Imagination, imagination play, joy, make do, make time to play with children, Memories, play, raise a child, reconnect with children, camping with children, chill time, quiet time for children, play tent for one, visiting Grandparents, how to keep young being a grandparent , easy fun with grandchildren

“Please can we go mum”

Alexa-asimplelife

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]]> http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/glamping-a-new-camping/feed/ 7 Savour The Moment http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/savour-the-moment/ http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/savour-the-moment/#comments Tue, 24 May 2016 12:51:52 +0000 http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/?p=1934 Savour the moment, winter comforts, children, circle of friends, food for the soul, grandchildren, joy, Memories, Memory snaps, nature versus man made, peace, reflection, reinvigorate, Reliving memories, savour the moment, Sharing, time to ponder

Winter is on its way

Wishing with all my heart that I could paint…
Longing to paint and capture that emotion

Holding our youngest grandson recently

At one with the calm Australian bush scene before me

Savour the moment, children, circle of friends, food for the soul, grandchildren, joy, Memories, Memory snaps, nature versus man made, peace, reflection, reinvigorate, Reliving memories, savour the moment, Sharing, time to ponder, the Last Rose of summer, a last scent of summer, little Tykes pedal car, time is fleeting, the passage of time, Autumn , rain in the Australian bush

Savour the moment, children, circle of friends, food for the soul, grandchildren, joy, Memories, Memory snaps, nature versus man made, peace, reflection, reinvigorate, Reliving memories, savour the moment, Sharing, time to ponder, the Last Rose of summer, a last scent of summer, little Tykes pedal car, time is fleeting, the passage of time, Autumn , rain in the Australian bush
Quietly standing sheltered from the rain
Under the pattering metal roofed verandah

Falling big plops of rain
Dripping from the corrugated iron roof edge
Splashing on the bottom step
One footstep away

Little fingers outstretched and reaching
Little brain processing that new-found sensation
Cold rain in an endless stream of splashing
Splashing on a tiny hand

Watching
Escapee hens enjoying new-found freedom
Speckled, black, white
Iridescent red with browns
Leading endlessly long charmed lives
For now
No fox getting near enough for a taste

Savour the moment, children, circle of friends, food for the soul, grandchildren, joy, Memories, Memory snaps, nature versus man made, peace, reflection, reinvigorate, Reliving memories, savour the moment, Sharing, time to ponder, the Last Rose of summer, a last scent of summer, little Tykes pedal car, time is fleeting, the passage of time, Autumn , rain in the Australian bush, escapee hens, homesteading chickens

Escapee Long Legs

In the rain
Sparkling orbs of reflected light
Rain drops on lush green grass

Clucking hens pecking merrily away
Beady eyes endlessly searching
Then darting for that perfect morsel
Around and under and over
an abandoned for now toy car
Brightest of primary hues
Yellow, red and blue,
Little Tykes, a pedal powered car

Like a artists paint palette before us
Those vibrant and clashing hues
Eye popping in the ozone charged air

Nature versus man-made
It’s own tapestry creating

My arms were full of a sweet munchy little boy
…so precious

With no room for camera
…so sad

No candid shots today

Memory snap shots will have to suffice
So too that all surrounding Earthy, clean washed and lingering remembered scent

No “wow” for all the world to exclaim over

But

A simple still moment

Try it

Savour it

Food for the soul

Balm

Savour that moment today because these ever rolling years have wings and stop for none…they run without a pause button

Savour the moment, children, circle of friends, food for the soul, grandchildren, joy, Memories, Memory snaps, nature versus man made, peace, reflection, reinvigorate, Reliving memories, savour the moment, Sharing, time to ponder, the Last Rose of summer, a last scent of summer, little Tykes pedal car, time is fleeting, the passage of time

Time is like a child, it runs

Indeed wings as I found.
This draft was prepared near a year ago and only published now

It was a time of rain

of sand, summer, peace, family, ocean, beach,Heppenheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany

As the Flower of the field, it toils not nor spins…

Cherish each day

Savour the moment, children, circle of friends, food for the soul, grandchildren, joy, Memories, Memory snaps, nature versus man made, peace, reflection, reinvigorate, Reliving memories, savour the moment, Sharing, time to ponder, the Last Rose of summer, a last scent of summer,

A last burst of summer sunshine to gladden the heart

Embrace the seasons and stages of life
Finding joy and beauty where you may

Savour the moment, children, circle of friends, food for the soul, grandchildren, joy, Memories, Memory snaps, nature versus man made, peace, reflection, reinvigorate, Reliving memories, savour the moment, Sharing, time to ponder, the Last Rose of summer, a last scent of summer, little Tykes pedal car, time is fleeting, the passage of time, Autumn

#savour-the-moment

]]> http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/savour-the-moment/feed/ 4 Swiftly fly the days http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/swiftly-fly-the-days/ http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/swiftly-fly-the-days/#comments Fri, 13 May 2016 06:37:07 +0000 http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/?p=1973 Swiftly fly the days, Tags Australian bush,Bellini Intelli, children, cousins, family, grandchildren, joy, Memories, Remember when, sense of adventure, simple living, Skinnymixers recipes, 1950's children
Darting Swallows far away to our North.
Where spring is underway.
Busy, oh so busy,
Building or repairing nests
For shelter, nurture and home.

Such has been life….

Moving into another house. Loving it here. A snip of a Rose here, finding a home for this. Food for a group , or just for one. Trying out this magic Thermal cooking machine the Bellini Intelli and Skinnymixers recipes or filing these papers(sigh).

Oh the garden is calling me again.

Australian bush,Bellini Intelli, children, cousins, family, grandchildren, joy, Memories, Remember when, sense of adventure, simple living, Skinnymixers recipes, 1950's children, visiting the farm, we were young once, young parents, feeding chickens, love my roses. Roses

Sad to see the roses slowly finishing their season in the sun

Thinking of dear ones who are not with us any more, or ageing mother far away.

Time marching on.

Are we really that old?
I am young inside.
Yet today I seem to creak.

Fun visiting the farm

Fun visiting the farm

Tags Australian bush,Bellini Intelli, children, cousins, family, grandchildren, joy, Memories, Remember when, sense of adventure, simple living, Skinnymixers recipes, 1950's children, visiting the farm, we were young once, young parents

Were we ever that young?


Where did that time go?

But go it has!

I was reading through some old diary notes and this one struck a chord. March 2015. Fourteen long months ago.

Tags Australian bush,Bellini Intelli, children, cousins, family, grandchildren, joy, Memories, Remember when, sense of adventure, simple living, Skinnymixers recipes, 1950's children, visiting the farm, we were young once, young parents, feeding chickens
Utter joy

Taking a stroll with a “nearly ready to walk on his own” grandson Austin back from looking at some exciting funny chickens

Holding this tiny oh so soft hand

Asking his three-year old cousin Bailey to join in by holding the other little hand.

Grandma one side and proud older cousin the other.

Little steps, baby wobbly steps

Reminding Bailey the older one, just little steps

The look of utter joy on a chubby baby face. I can do it!

Laughter springing out of little eyes as he shares a walk and connection with someone nearer his size

U.N.F.O.R.G.E.T.A.B.L.E

Fast forward to yesterday morning.
Walking in the Botanic Gardens.

Two older preschool cousins and little Austin walking across rustic stepping-stones. Perfectly placed for little boys.

Us Singing songs, counting steps, pretending being on a bridge in a creek. I say “Can you hear the water?”
But children have such imagination with no prompting needed from adults!
I turn around and see…
Boys lying on stones , pretending to be on the deck of a boat.
Toes to head, head to toes.
Three little bodies all in a row

Repeat again and again.

Singing the ABC song as the stones were stepped upon.

Following the leader and singing the song. Little Austin chiming in and singing too….Bailey stopping mid stride and looking at me as if to say “how can little Austin know this song” ….

In all seriousness he wisely said “I learned him the song”

Infinitely P.R.E.C.I.O.U.S.

Just an ordinary day sharing morning tea.
Definitely not ordinary.

Finding a thing of beauty through the eyes of a child.

Australian bush,Bellini Intelli, children, cousins, family, grandchildren, joy, Memories, Remember when, sense of adventure, simple living, Skinnymixers recipes, 1950's children, visiting the farm, we were young once, young parents, feeding chickens, love my roses. Roses, abstract art, abstract flowers

Budding artist and his abstract number flowers

]]> http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/swiftly-fly-the-days/feed/ 4 Finding beauty in the simple life http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/finding-beauty-in-the-simple-life/ http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/finding-beauty-in-the-simple-life/#comments Tue, 13 Oct 2015 13:23:42 +0000 http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/?p=1941 Finding beauty in the simple life, lavender hedge, find a thing of beauty every day, memories, prepare for retirement
It has been so very long since my last post. So long that I cannot remember what I wrote about without checking back.

If I do pause to reminisce and check my last article then the internet may drop out. The pause will be like discovering a drawer full of old photos. Memories. Ghosts. Sadness. Years passing with the speed of light. Joy. Laughter. Loud laughter and silent chuckles. Sadness for a dear sister lost. Sadness for alone ageing parent too far away to see often enough.

Time has passed taking with it sickness and death, an inevitable part of the cycle of life. Yet when it is family it brings with it a vulnerability. It says to me, you too are getting older.

Today, after a morning tea and play with the little grandsons and family I waved them off to their various destinations. Littlest one to sleep, older two to play some more. One mum to shop and the other to share precious time with visiting in-Laws

Having time to spare I decided to stay and explore the beauteous spring showcase at the Mount Annan Botanical Gardens. It beats browsing any Harvey Norman, Domain, Myers or other big name store hands down.

One section was titled “A room with a view”

There are vast green spreading lawns, small bushland gardens or tropical rainforest settings…..a thing of beauty.

By a still pool a timber bench was placed inviting a passer-by to stop, rest and contemplate.

The unobtrusive memorial plaque said it all.

“Find a thing of beauty in every day”

Finding beauty in the simple life, lavender hedge, find a thing of beauty every day, memories, prepare for retirement, Finding beauty in the simple life

Flower shop in Stirling

Finding beauty in the simple life, lavender hedge, find a thing of beauty every day, memories, prepare for retirement, snow drops in Stirling garden

Delicate snow drops in spring garden

Gratitude for this day, Adventure, connecting with grandchildren, exercise, family, family time, fun at the park, Fun in the fresh air, fun times with children, grandchildren, gratitude, happy, joy, keep fit, keep fit in retirement, Memories, raise a child, scooter fun, frogs, frog, find frogs with children, nature fun with children,

Courtesy binks@morgueFile free photos

My thing of beauty this very instant is listening to the frogs merrily creaking and croaking away in the distant creek thinking of how I will grow a few summer salad plants when we move into our house God Willing in a month.

Finding beauty in the simple life, missing fresh rocket in my salad, how to grow rocket, bees

Missing fresh Rocket in my salad

That itself is another page in our journey. From a two storey home where we lived for twenty-nine years to a single storey home a little further out but with a nice size block just under quarter acre. I would have loved living a bit further out still but the voice of reason spoke.

Where we will live is still close enough to country with the likes of Cobbitty and its surrounds. Nice for a drive and a coffee should we desire.

We always said we would move before we were too old to negotiate stairs in the house.

It is the journey to love and cherish. To prepare, savour and enjoy. A move whilst we are able to make our choices and decisions.

Do find your moment of beauty this day.
Blessings…
Alexa-asimplelife

Brilliant blog posts on HonestMum.com

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