these days....

The wet season has most definitely arrived. We have had almost 2 weeks now of continuous rain. And it's great! Our rainwater tanks are overflowing, we have been having long showers and big baths, and doing tons of laundry. But there is only so much you can do with a 3 year old cramped up in a 4m x 8m cabin! 

Naturally there is a lot of getting out amongst it, as we still have the guinea fowl and chickens to attend to and there always seem to be so many more jobs to do when preparing for a lot of rain.  Plenty of drain digging in the rain and rigging up last minute tarp coverage over the fowls, trying to keep everyone dry.

So trying to keep the little ones hands busy has been a real creative motivator. Here is a little of what has been filling our days.

::  We finally made our first batch of homemade and home grown organic grape jam (full post and recipe to come).

::  Shared said jam with friends over some hot buckwheat pancakes. Yum!

::  Played lots of music and put on many impromptu performances (the little one that is).

::  Read many, many books.

::  Built cities in the living room.

::  Made a cardboard robot (complete with genitals).

::  Built forts in the bedroom.... for hiding in.

::  Wrestled with the dog and played chase around the house. A lot!

::  Ventured into the rain to swim in the creek... while it is full of water.

::  Lots of drawing.

::  And lots of tea drinking.

an introduction...

Introducing the latest additions to our humble little abode.... a little flock of guinea fowl. They are so adorable! Papa Crabapple has been working on their little home for the last few days and today his recycled creation was ready for them to move into. As soon as they are old enough (maybe three months old) they will join the chooks in the hen house, but until they are big enough to defend themselves they will stay in their own little house.

Guinea fowl are great at keeping the bugs down in the garden, especially ticks, which is why we were so keen to get them. Apparently they are also good at keeping snakes away, and they are great guard dogs!

Little Z just loves them and is always asking to take them out so she can hold them. She has been very helpful, singing to them and comforting them like a mother hen. But as helpful as a three year old is, we have already had a few near escapes with us trying to catch the little fowl before the dog did!

Welcome home little birds.

the beginning

It is the beginning of a very new year, 2012. It is a fresh start filled will hopefulness for the coming new cycle and gratitude for the last cycle. It has been a great year of growing and loving and learning and some challenges as well. This new year I want to make more space for gratitude in my life, I want to love more and laugh a lot more often. I am opening...... and letting all the goodness in.

I am surrendering myself to the ebb and flow of things and just letting go. Inhaling and exhaling.

This is my new space to remind me of the good things, all the good things I am thankful for.

This is my moment of thanks. This is my beginning.