Noisy moon

We moved to this cosy little home a few months ago now, just as as spring was beginning. There were a few cool nights, but it wasn't long until spring seemed to give way to summer. Two year old Ignatius' explanation of the cicada song that started up as the evenings grew warmer (as he points out the door): "it's a noisy moon". Sunset streams onto a messy table/ Ignatius' two favourite things at the moment - trucks and flowers/ Roses from our garden - such a gift to inherit a lovely garden to tend and nurture/ Beautiful wisteria hangs over the neighbour's fence to us/ Neighbours on the west and our shade house/ Ignatius on his bike/ A lone, handsome palm tree/ November Lilies flowering in October/ Roses through the fence/ Jacarandas and Silky Oaks in bloom together/ Sweaty curls after a nap.

The promise of dark clouds

It's still officially spring here, but it has been a hot and dry one. The grass was all brown. However, this week the summer storms started. The first rain in weeks, maybe months. The grass is greening at the edges. The land and creek and plants are happier and somehow that seems to rub off on us people.

I have fond memories of sitting in my parents bedroom, fifteen or twenty years ago, in front of their enormous six foot high windows, watching a lighting show above the valley, from our mountain top home, safe and dry inside. After a hot, sticky day, a storm cools things down and the new day begins freshly, with soil drenched and plants singing. It rains A LOT in Vancouver in the winter, but it is such a different rain. Here it Brisbane, in the summer, it rains hard. Ignatius wanted to feel it for himself. 

An Australian Christmas

Our last two Christmas' (2010, 2011) have been in the northern hemisphere and I've thoroughly enjoyed the delights of a cold Christmas. While we never saw a white Christmas in Vancouver, we did enjoy a number of snowy days during our time there and generally got the feel of the wintry Christmases we hear about in carols, read in books and see in movies. They are the stuff dreams are made of (for romantics like me); such a far cry from the muggy heat of Brisbane in the peak of sub-tropical summer.

When we were in Vancouver we tried to eat locally and seasonal and to celebrate the way the locals did. Now we are back in Australia, I am more convinced than ever that I want to enjoy being here, and everything that makes this a unique part of the world - stinking hot Christmas and all!

This Christmas season, the Christ-child took on new significance for me as I reflected on the birth of my own son earlier this year. I have a new appreciation for Mary and her role in God's Plan and Story. I felt like a holy vessel, given the sacred gift of carrying a new creation, a new little life inside of me (Nikaela describes this beautifully too). How much more did Mary glow with the wonder and weight of the child she carried in her womb?! I wonder so many things; did Mary labour long? Was Jesus a colicky baby? When did he first smile a gummy grin at Joseph? When did he start to roll over? What a beautiful mystery this all is.

Mountains

I love mountains, especially covered in evergreens and lots of whispy clouds. I'm partial to a touch of snow as well. These are pictures from the Rocky Mountain drive I did with my mum and dad.

The photos to match the sketches

It's September the 8th! Wowsers! I think I am going to use lots of exclamation marks. I feel like I need them! Vancouvers delightful summer has come and gone. Well not quite gone, if it is anything like last year then Septmeber will be a beautiful 'Indian Summer'. The days however, are certainly getting shorter, I've caught some sneaky leaves falling, children have gone back to school this week, AND we have a baby arriving this month. Big change is in the air and I'm excited about this new season in so many ways. In reflection on the loveliness of summer's abundance, and in preparation for change, I've been meaning for a long time to post photos, before they get forgotten on my over crowded hard drive. I hope to have lots more up over the next few days.