•-:¦:-•

a new space.

2011-08-28T07:57:00.001+08:00

i have grown and changed and am moving house.
find me here.
http://piperandpoppies.blogspot.com/
please update your site, link, and come visit often,

♥ ashley

being present

2011-08-27T16:02:00.005+08:00

I have recently read a blog post that caused me a wee aha moment, the kind that makes you sit back and take a think about how you want to live.
These moments are important because they allow us to welcome change with open arms.

Honest to blog, I think too much, like wheels turning all the time, waking at 3am because I need a solution to a problem that really isn't. I sit, planning, goal setting, thinking about what to do next.
Rarely do I take the time to sit and savour. Which is the reason I am making my new goal something different, instead of the plan of where I will be next year, next month, in an hour, I am present here and now. It feels good.

In the moment you can savour the smells, tastes, sounds and feel of what is right there in front of you waiting to be enjoyed. For me, it has been the basics. My beautiful family, the fresh air when we play outside, the garden, the food we plan and cook and enjoy, and the friends who come by who I now stop every other thought to focus on. I am here, in this moment.

The week that was...

hump day nuggets (on our family hump day (saturday)).

puddle play on the driveway

truly free range eggs

avos plucked fresh from the tree

old italian recipes

hanging with friends

lunch in a giant grassy field

and a home filled with so, so much love.

♥ ashley

p.s. join in on the nuggets here, and if you do let me know, would love to see them, xx

sunshine, icy pops

2011-08-06T15:34:00.003+08:00

our neck of the woods has been chilly and rainy lately. the kind that tingles the tips of your fingers and makes you rub the tip of your nose to make sure it is still there.
so a day of sunshine is a welcome change.
piper and i didn't miss a beat getting out in the garden with pup for a break from hanging in the home and instead dug our fingers in the sunkissed dirt and munched down some mango yogurt icy pops.

following this with a quick spin at the op shop, scoring piper two lovely additions to her wardrobe, meant a very tuckered out little lady heading off to nap time.
I have started back at work three days a week. it is so hard to leave the house in the morning, but somehow i do, and it is making the sweetness of every other moment i have with my precious family taste just that extra bit special.
i was blessed to spend a year at home. but a mortgage and monsieur still at uni externally means i need to help pull in some dollars. i thought it would be harder than it is, but we made it work. p is with a friend once a week and her daddy the other days, then me. she is happy as can be, all that matters in the end.
off to catch up on news in the blogosphere. happy weekend lovelies.
x
♥ ashley

time

2011-07-18T07:05:00.004+08:00

i am amazed by the women who have the most valuable thing of all. time. you know the ones who manage life with all the extra time to literally stop and smell the roses.

i miss time, it is taken up by shopping, cleaning, washing, paperwork, cooking, walking the dog, as many know the list goes on. this makes the opportunity for me to sit and sort through my photographs and thoughts few(er) and farther inbetween than before.

but man life is good.

little p is one year. we celebrated in style with a pretty party, she wore a tutu, and went for fancy cake at a local winery. she downed her first babycino.

organic sugar and egg free carrot cake. yummo mama!

a week away so monsieur could study meant a whole lot of exploring with my little friend. navigating markets and op shops like it was nobodies business was bliss.

back to the grind.

hope to pop in again this week. in the meantime the sun is creeping out (rare this time of year) and i am going to soak up the rays. icing on the cake...

today have a 2 hour pamper session at the spa. happy birthday to me! x

♥ ashley

p's place

2011-06-21T07:34:00.002+08:00

when we bought our house, an artist had been the previous owner. there are two types of artist homes. the ones that make for very pretty coffee table books of artists in Tuscany with afghan rugs, and mahogany furniture to inspire them. then there was this artist. he had a camping table folded out in the living room and a small television in the bedroom. and a mattress. and a german shepherd. not an inspired place.

so when we moved in we were starting from (-) scratch. i have slowly made this house our home. between having a little p attached to my boobies and supporting my man in finishing his uni degree. it has been a slow process. now, nearly a year after her arrival, p's room is taking form. we painted it 'sea wash' when we moved in, classic gender neutral. everything has been slowly found at amazing shops throughout the world. and of course, monsieurs teddy takes prize place. the blanket on the rocking chair was knit by p's great grandmother, the last thing her tired hands will make. it is peaceful and calm, and maybe at some point my little tornado will be too!

remember when i said that saturday was the busiest work day for us? well today is the start of our weekend. bliss.
big love, off to chase bub...
♥ ashley

for the love of lovey

2011-06-19T08:12:00.002+08:00

this little cloth gripped so tightly is a big part of p's world. gripped in her little hands 99% of the day. not sure how it happened, one morning she reached over to a pile of vintage linen and grabbed an old pillowcase, and that was it. security blanket whether we wanted one or not. she sleeps with it, carries it at playgroup, holds it while she nurses, it is her world.

do/did your bubs have a similar bond to something?

happy sunday (its a rainday here!) x

♥ ashley

p.s. not sure if anyone is even visiting me here anymore...

luck

2011-06-18T10:40:00.004+08:00

we have been having no luck in the op shops lately. an op shop slump of sorts. but as with all things in life, it was our turn today!
so many brilliant finds, have spent a good portion of the morning scrubbing, washing, and rubbing with eucalyptus. good as new.

that is a full tub of mega blocks along with such a groovy trio of duplex dudes. i prefer them with their happy faces on.

perhaps more of a score for piper. love all of these.

one can never have too many baskets, or good pyrex dishes.

scrumptious, no?!

and a lucky mama too!

saturdays around here are not the best days of the week. my mister works in hospitality which makes saturday the busiest day of the week. thus, piper and i have a big day and night together and my man comes home well into the night. this is a temporary thing as he has a year left of uni and then should be full time teaching. it is easier than it was when p was a tiny little reflux machine, in fact some of the nights are just smiles and cuddles, but...
i don't envy mamas that do it all on their own. it is exhausting and lonely. i mean p is great company but i love being with my best friend too. can't imagine not having him around after 24 hours feels like an eternity.

tonight i have big plans to watch eat, pray, love. and read more of the amazing blogs i have just been discovering, what an amazing world of people there is out here. so that would be my second round of luck today, discovering various like minded souls to inspire me.
hope your weekends are lucky too,
♥ ashley

p.s. anyone have a good way of making a new header. nothing fancy, just a photograph and my title, but done prettyish? ta.

morning sunshine

2011-06-17T07:17:00.002+08:00

teeth, glorious teeth. little miss cannot get her fingers, toes, or anything else she finds in the house out of the back of her mouth. something big is coming.

monsieur has finally finished his exams which means that we can be a little family on his days off, heaven. this week we have been scrambling about cleaning and sorting our home after a few good months of drowning in baby, work and well, life! in fact, drowning is not the right word, cause it isn't a bad thing to be too busy to care about that stuff but then...

do you ever feel like a neat house makes everything feel a bit better? i mean, i'm no martha stewart, but i do so love sorting and having things in their 'place'. the paperclip basket, the cupboard where the kitchen gloves live, the coat rack where you keep coats, and only coats...things in their place. i think they are probably happier to have a home too, smile, imagining kitchen gloves cracking a smile in their little spot. like a toy story of homewares.

there have been tons of charity donations made, our clutter becomes someone else's treasures. there is nothing more eco than that.

hope the sun shines on your weekend.

big love.

♥ ashley

regrouped

2011-06-08T18:29:00.002+08:00

my dear heart turns all of 11 months old today. what a trip this past year has been. i have had a few full nights of rest in the 11 months/ 341 days since falling in love with something so tiny, and more than a few moments of arggghhh. but for all of that i have had a cup overflowing with joy and the air of the endless possibility that lies ahead for my little team.
i have a new lease on life lately, the one where you throw your head back and really, truly, madly and deeply suck in the oyster that is life. look and feel alive, cause you are, and live it. cause in these 11 months i have learned that all of it will fly by with a blink of the eye. and baby, i am going to soak it up, cause that's what it's all about.
june brings cold snaps and curling up with coffee and chocolate in my land. but also getting out for runs in the brisk air, cooking pumpkin soups and banana bread, and crawling around with my puppy and baby seeing things from down there. gives a pretty cool perspective.
hope your june is making you gush with joy, if not, take a moment (stuff some chocolate into your mouth, or pound your tootsies against the pavement) and figure out what you need to make you gush and then come tell me what it is that is making life the way it was meant to be, imPERFECT.
big love.
♥ ashley

crappage

2011-05-14T09:44:00.002+08:00

happy belated easter. hope it was filled with chocolate goodness.

crappage. i know that's not a word. but i think it should be.
lately instead of blogging, emailing, networking, i have been googling terms like; "baby early waking help", and "baby no daytime sleep frustrated". which led to an endless world of down and out mamas struggling through every day. not a pretty place folks. but a real one.
then little miss gets a cold and another tooth and reasons for things getting so yucky are understood , but they are far from better.
luckily, before this current not so purty place arrived we did get to have fun. two weeks over east with family. bliss.

this is the first real trip that our little family has taken, and piper got to feel the love.

there is nothing like family. they get it, they get you and they love you anyways.
so yup, now we are in a funk, and needed a little reminder that there is goodness and light up ahead, there always is.

i found this quote today, from the tao of pooh, a book to live by, think it reminds us to enjoy the simplicity that life can offer.

"When you wake up in the morning, Pooh," said Piglet at last, "what's the first thing you say to yourself?"
"What's for breakfast? said Pooh. "What do you say, Piglet?"
"I say, I wonder what's going to happen exciting today?" said Piglet.
Pooh nodded thoughtfully.
"It's the same thing," he said.

am off to enjoy the day, snot and all, in the sunshine. no more googleiglob.

♥ ashley

all apologies

2011-05-10T10:38:00.000+08:00

pausing to breathe a little bit more.
missing you all.
x
♥ ashley

forks in the road

2011-03-05T10:42:00.003+08:00

it has been a hectic last few weeks in our house. we are working out what our next path will be as the one we were on just got up and exploded right in our goofy faces. leading to a manic house. add on a teething baby and boom mama has zero free time.
you see somehow monsieur got his course load/subjects confused for uni. this means that instead of graduating at the end of 2011 he has another 1/2 year left.
all of our plans have been based on things getting 'easier' at the end of the year. a 'real' job, i could keep being a cozy mama at home, things would be perfect. we wouldn't choke after each mortgage payment, and i wouldn't sit adding up reciepts and bills and feeling that 'ugh' thing in my tummy pit.

piper looks like shes got the ? feeling too.
thing is though, nothing is ever really perfect. but thats life isnt it? a series of forks in the road. its not those forks but how you navigate them that makes the memories.
so this week has seen me applying for some jobs in pretty crazy places again. not sure if that is the itchy feet thing with me. i dont do settled down well and as soon as a crisis hits i get all, hmmm lets go as far away as we can and start over. cept now i have an extra little body to consider.

lucky for us that little person brings so much goodness and light to our worlds. colour, music and crazy dancing (bounce bounce bouncing) are all in a piper's days work.

dont you wish we could rock the frocks that 7 month old gals can. she inspires me.
for this minute though i will just breathe and enjoy saturday. cause thats why its here.
hope you do the same, x
♥ ashley

week as it ends

2011-01-29T20:04:00.004+08:00

money has been pretty tight around here since adding to our nest and subtracting a salary. but i dont think we could be much happier if we tried. we were thinking about some people we know who own their own home (mid thirties!) owe nothing, two cars- paid off, two beautiful and healthy kidlets, a holiday home- also paid off, and they are miserable. it got us thinking about how money cant buy happiness. truly.
so the tight finances meant we went on a little holiday for one night, in a tent, with a bubble wand and a little purple tub. bliss. even if for some of us the best part was our first bite of dirt...

being tight in the purse also means i can't go shopping. something i used to be(and surely still am) very talented at. instead i make things. using what we have around the house. this week it was a sparkly head band and some tissue paper pom poms for p's room.

australia day went down with a bang. a few drinks at the local pub in our red, white and blue. piper and i ended up looking a little more parisian than true blue but that must be the canadian in me.

remembering those watching over us and some across the big blue sea. i like telling p. about all those i miss. blowing raspberries, i adore how she tries (and succeeds at making me laugh)

and finally real nectarines from our neighbours trees. i say real as they are imperfect, unsprayed and as organic as can be. and best of all free.
as are the best things in life...imperfect and free.

off to watch the storm moving in along with cyclone bianca. yikes. xx.
♥ ashley

spots and stripes

2011-01-23T09:40:00.002+08:00

with monsieur working over the weekend, the wee one and me get to spend a lot of time hanging in our hood. play and baths being the highlight of the weekend with a spot of housework squeezed in.

i have been busily planning a change of scenery in pipers room. old doilies are hanging in the sunshine waiting to be stitched into a curtain to play tricks with the shadows on her walls. this is something i would love to have in my bedroom. its so groovy having a little girl as it lets me be braver in my colour choices and funkiness, living vicariously through her as she sports spots and stripes with pride and giggles.

hope your weekends are full of colour and sunshine too (even if its raining!)

♥ ashley

busyness

2011-01-20T11:07:00.003+08:00

been the best kind of busy lately. beaching. cuddles and lazy cuppas.
hope the summer is treating you as kindly as we've been blessed with.
typing this i know that some people over east have had the worst summer of their lives. that truly hurts my heart. i am well aware of how lucky we are and in fact am living more to the second because of the reminder that life is pretty precious. so here the family love is overwhelming.
because life is short.
you only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.
to happiness. soak it up.
♥ ashley

christmas flashback

2011-01-12T16:09:00.002+08:00

scanning through my christmas and holiday pics. this one was just too good to be true. my most precious elf and her funny black reindeer.
feeling a bit lost right now. am craving a little extra to make me feel complete. a task, a goal, a plan. so am spending the next little while soul searching and attempting to find what is and then follow my bliss.
will keep you posted.

♥ ashley

twas the night before 2011

2010-12-31T08:21:00.002+08:00

i always find new years a bit conflicting. on the one hand many believe that after tonight we will have a fresh start, we can change and make our lives different from what they were. to me, it is sad to leave behind the year that was. especially this year. 2010 has been a blessing. so 2011 c'mon i dare you to beat the year that just was. can't wait to see what you'll bring and toast 2010- what a year.
happy thoughts for all of you, i will be curled up in my bed at midnight, but wherever you are and however you ring in the new year, be safe and feel the love. x.

♥ ashley

cinnayum

2010-12-28T17:24:00.002+08:00

we had an amazing christmas and are enjoying the aftermath of leftovers, chocolate and lazy playing with our precious girl. we have also busily hosted a wee dinner party for a very special lady's birthday.
have been enjoying cinnamon buns thanks to this recipe. i mixed it up and melted the butter, forgot it and proceeded to make the dough without it...adding it in before baking. ended up more dough than bun but let me know that the real results would be AMAZING. you. must. make. some. especially divine with vanilla bean icecream.
off to eat some more calories so i have a reason to make some new years resolutions. hope you too are enjoying the lazy season. xx.

♥ ashley

counting down

2010-12-24T10:11:00.002+08:00

santa is very happy nestled in the flowers, seems to fit the sunshine outside. i have been a busy elf over the last 24 hours. the kitchen has been very busy. sugar cookies, cinnamon buns, asparagus stuffed free range chicken, frizzno lettuce from the garden, and trifle on the way. tomorrow will be a magical feast.
wishing you all the merriest of merries...
off to the beach!
x
♥ ashley

dear santa

2010-12-22T08:24:00.000+08:00

hurry up. we are so excited for you this year.
♥ ashley

the flip side

2010-12-21T08:11:00.002+08:00

although there may be no snow, a thing i do love about christmas in the summer is that we get such lovely gifts from the garden. i used these to make amazing vietnamese spring rolls. so yummy.
the rains have made there way here to margaret river so maybe like the east coast we will be shivering through christmas. hello hot cocoa and gingerbread.
off to get my christmas bake back on.
till next time...

♥ ashley

its beginning to feel a lot...

2010-12-20T07:50:00.002+08:00

like christmas in our little nest.
christmas in austrlia is still a funny thing for me. being canadian i am used to snow everywhere, icicles hanging outside our windows, and fresh smelling trees in everyones home. instead the home is sunny and hot. strange, and probably always will be.
busy little bee getting everything together for my first little family christmas. have decided to bake for EVERYONE we know as well, which is proving a challenge with a tiny and cheeky bub to watch and cuddle.
have discovered something for my idle hands that i can do next to a playmat. thus, piper has a new fancy stocking, i forgot how much i used to love cross stitch.
hoping you all have visions of sugarplums...
♥ ashley

2010-11-24T06:44:00.001+08:00

if you read my last note this little diddy i discovered outside my window will make you smile too, life is beautiful, no?!

♥ ashley

waiting for the cool, cool rain

2010-11-20T12:18:00.004+08:00

things have been a bit hot around here.
poor bubby doesn't seem to like the heat and we have been spending a lot of time sitting under our shady trees and having quiet rests next to the fan.
sorry about the post a day thing...one step at a time.
this mobile is my inspiration for the next thing I am working on for Piper's room. I think it is brilliant!
hope you are soaking up the week-end,

♥ ashley

image via krissy for this work

sharing is caring

2010-11-13T16:31:00.003+08:00

i am really lucky to have some fine neighbours.
on one side, the lady has beautiful bushes of rosemary and a garden of oregano. mix these with my lavender and it makes the prettiest table piece- and smells divine.
on the other, kaffir lime leaves, to be frozen for curries and soups.

wanted to share my new addiction. kale chips recipe. oh my goodness. off to chow down!
happy weekend,
♥ ashley

stitch

2010-11-11T07:12:00.004+08:00

ignoring the pouring rain, me and my sewing machine have been spending some quality time making piper a homemade summer dress with little itty bitty bloomers. i made the dress and bloomers using lotta jansdotter's sewing for baby.

the photos are not doing justice, nothing works as well as sunlight to make things pretty, we have had a lack of that here this week...

also, piper has just won a new toy from here, am off to explore her little shop of sweet things.

♥ ashley

2010-11-09T06:50:00.000+08:00

having a bit of a rest day
see you all tomorrow.
♥ ashley

sleep

2010-11-08T09:51:00.002+08:00

i saw a baby suit the other day that had 'sleep is for the weak' on the front. i nearly bought it for my cherub. you see sleep is not something that Piper has in her current skill set. which means mum and dad are also lacking in that area.
we are coping and learning to deal, i washed my hair with face scrub this morning, and poured orange juice on my granola, but coping nonetheless.
so i beg of those amazing wonder mamas with the baby whispering skills, how do i get my pumpkin to doze for periods of time?
ta,
♥ ashley

granny

2010-11-07T18:15:00.003+08:00

desperate to be good at crochet.

today am all thumbs. anyone a master with advice?

tomorrow, I will be crafty i can feel it!

♥ ashley

image

this moment

2010-11-06T12:09:00.005+08:00

i am enjoying:
-scrambled eggs with dukkah, seriously yummy
-touring kid rooms here, and collecting inspiration for my dearests' space. i remember reading about how children and babies NEED bright colours for their brain development. shame so many parents ambush their bubs with beige and brown. maybe they don't know about this...
- working in my veggie patch, planted the last of my heirloom tomatoes today, such great names: mortgage lifter, black russians, can't wait to collect on the fruits of my labour

off to spend time with my lovely monsieur as he has the day off from work- a rarity and one that i adore.

happy saturday lovelies,
♥ ashley

*all images from ohdeedoh*

we're back

2010-11-05T08:54:00.006+08:00

i am ready to blog again.
boy oh boy have we missed this little space. although i have been able to pop in here and there, it has not been nearly as much as i mean to. i missed the whole 'blogtober' or whatever it is but am starting a post a day today. there, i said it. A POST A DAY until the end of the year at least.
in the meantime i have been kept very busy by my new extra 'ten little fingers and ten little toes'.
mum sent the little top, hat, leggings set from canada. i miss halloween!
hope you got to eat loads of lollies and dress up silly on the 31st.
off to catch up on your little spaces! x

♥ ashley

p.s. found some new little places to visit, check out my sidebar. x.

october

2010-10-24T11:38:00.002+08:00

When I was growing up this month meant that snow was on the way and that we were pulling out the winter woolies. Now things are upside down and we are packing away the heaters and pulling out the summer dresses and garden tools.
I love the spring. the smell of fresh flowers. the farmers markets. sunny days at the beach, yummy outings filled with fine foods and cool drinks. planning our yard and planting. reading inspiring garden books.
This year is even better as I have a special soul taking it all in for the first time. makes me see everything is a little bit brighter.
Have a splendid week lovelies. xx.

♥ ashley

pottering

2010-09-27T14:50:00.002+08:00

i have spent the past few days pottering about.
half completing tasks in a haze of baby business and spring time sneezes.
for the most part this has been enjoyable as nothing has HAD to be completed.
some gardening, some washing, some baking, some sewing, some dvd watching, some reading...
maybe this is what is left of my 'baby brain', a hazy world where each task is started and forgotten and moved on from without much completed. or maybe i can see the bigger picture now. the one where not much else matters as long as piper is happy.
i am baby wearing most of the time, in 11 weeks i have collected 3 sling things and love having her against me, it started out of necessity and now feels normal.
in non baby news- an inspiring place to visit...
here
enjoy. x

♥ ashley

2010-08-29T09:51:00.005+08:00

my little girl is already sprouting and changing. she has moved out of her moses basket- which is now a blanket storage area. she looks at lots of things in her room and giggles...especially her funky ikea mobile.
her growing lets me be a bit more productive too, and makes me fall in love with every squeak and smile. i never realized how lonely i was without her.

to do today:

-making a chai mix from here
-nature walk with the pup
-washing
-reading this
-ordering seeds from here

Happy productive weekend to you,
♥ ashley

baby baby

2010-08-14T14:22:00.006+08:00

am pretty tired. but still getting out for a coffee here and there,
baby care is a more than full time job and one that keeps me on my toes, knees, hands, and back! piper has acid reflux and is pretty grumpy unless we are carrying her or sitting upright- i feel so bad for her but we are learning to do EVERYTHING with a bub attached! any advice for a carrier you've adored?
that said she is a pretty groovy baby and is starting to smile at me a little, and that is all i need to reward me for my efforts!
my next post will be non baby, promise:)
♥ ashley

lunch

2010-07-31T13:27:00.002+08:00

babies make doing fancy things a little bit more challenging.
like having lunch at a local winery.
but she was a doll. and i love watching monsieur bisou with his little angel- makes me joyous.
this lucky mumma had a feast- calamari, snapper, teas, cake and olives (not altogether), and enjoyed a break from my little nest.
how's things for you out there?
happy week-end all!
♥ ashley

piper grace

2010-07-20T09:05:00.003+08:00

piper grace
08.07.2010

bliss

♥ ashley

time

2010-06-12T09:08:00.002+08:00

come on little one.
we are ready for you.
looking for inspiration? here.

♥ ashley

recap

2010-05-09T09:46:00.003+08:00

time is flying. i blink and another few weeks have passed. i am now 33 weeks pregnant and feeling very...round. busying myself with reading about birthing, and making quilts and mobiles. attended a charity art auction last night and treated myself to a new piece by a local artist.
also new wellies for the inevitable wet of south west australia.
have you been up to much exciting? i do hope so.
♥ ashley

Little People

2010-04-25T13:41:00.002+08:00

Perhaps you are already familiar with this amazing tiny street art project.

If not, it is worth taking a little trip through- here.

happy week-end, as always,

♥ ashley

lately

2010-04-15T10:30:00.005+08:00

it is fun living in a town focused on wine and tourism. like friday night wine barrel racing down the main street.

i go back to work tomorrow after school term break. i have done little during this holiday. some sorting of 'things' at home (aka nesting). some baking/cooking. laundry. op shopping. sleeping. watching dvds and reading. gardening (rose from my lovely sylvia bush). it has been blissful.

i am dreading the energy it takes to teach as i want to give my all to the kiddies that need me but i feel very drained from carrying around my little pouch. six weeks until i take leave. the critter inside the pouch we are calling baby kanga as it is a little aussie and for its mama it feels like it is a boxing kangaroo living in there!

♥ ashley

p.s. making this granola recipe- yum

eye key ah

2010-04-08T16:55:00.004+08:00

ikea is a real conundrum for me. on one hand it is scary to buy things that make us all the same- same artworks, same design in every home around the world. but on the other hand it is cheap, and inspiring and can be fun. so here is my little want list- more for my reference the next time we make the big drive to the city!

happy thursday loverlies,
♥ ashley

nesting

2010-04-04T13:06:00.002+08:00

Happy Easter.
A student gave me homemade plum jam for Easter- as good as any chocolate egg.
Nesting lately, beautiful issue of Country Style magazine providing inspiration.
Autumn is creeping, pumpkins and apples. Pumpkin soup for dinner last night, and apple crumble for dessert tonight. Yum.
♥ ashley

beachy keen

2010-03-05T17:26:00.002+08:00

precious moments spent on the beach with my wonder mutt and monsieur.
love these rocks- a little cave where i can hide and read while others surf and splash.
it is cooling down and i feel a bit more at home in the breeze that has been blowing through my house.
weekend plans
~ reading this
~ listening to this
~ baking these
hope your week-end is precious too,
♥ ashley

beans

2010-02-27T14:39:00.002+08:00

it has been very hot in margaret river and i have been feeling a little lazy by the end of work each day.
it is a long weekend so i am finding a bit of stored energy to potter in the garden that is starting to bloom.
beans, cherry tomatoes, roma tomatoes, butter lettuce and chili peppers are all on their way to our kitchen gourmet plans.
also working on a mobile. early stages and a little like a kindergarten cut and paste project but keeping my fingers busy while my overheated body relaxes.
hoping all have a jubbly week-end, x,
♥ ashley

fish like stars

2010-02-21T12:16:00.003+08:00

how quickly the weekend can come and go- life has been so busy lately that it seems like time is flying past me. so i am taking time with a few of the little things, like making little displays of 'things' around my home. these are some of my beach 'things' how sweet are the starfish?
don't they look a little like dancing men?
happy sunday,
♥ ashley

rainbows have nothing to hide

2010-02-14T15:45:00.002+08:00

simple goodness.
a little bit of sunday joy.

♥ ashley

...

2010-02-13T15:41:00.004+08:00

school has been wonderful and my new class is full of sweet little ones. they bring me picked flowers, fresh tomatoes and zucchinis, and herbs from their gardens every morning. i am very happy with our move.
so because of our recent abundance of lovely green veggies i need to share my most recent treats.

zucchini fritters
1 large grated zucchini
1 small chopped onion
1 clove garlic
3 eggs, beaten..
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
1 tbsp. chopped parsley
1 cup milk
2 cups plain flour
salt
pepper
olive oil

1. mix up all ingredients, salt and pepper to flavour (except olive oil)
2. heat a frying pan and add a drizzle of olive oil
3. spoon in some of the mixture and let golden then flip

simple perfection, savoury pancakes.
serve with a dollop of sour cream and drizzle of sweet chili sauce and they are divine.

The rest of the week-end includes:
~gardening
~swimming in the river with my wonder mutt
~school work
and me time galore,
hope to fit in a few blog visits too,
miss you all,
♥ ashley

op shop bop

2010-01-24T10:52:00.003+08:00

I start my new teaching job next week- which is funny because the first day of school for a lot of teachers is a little like the first day of school for the kids in our classrooms...nerves and excitment for what lies ahead!
The other afternoon I was lucky enough to stumble upon the most brilliant little red cross shop and find some treasures.
-linen bias tape
-pottery garlic holder
-english stoneware casserole dish
-once adored floppy bunny
-handmade, embroidered cot sheets
-sweet bubba coverall

Most of my op shopping now includes baby treats but I think that is pretty normal when your belly is beginning to head towards the buddha ways.
Also painted and decalled the little nursery with monsieur. The colour was 'Surf Wash', I adore.
Happy week-end- Are you having fun?
x
♥ ashley

brilliant

2010-01-16T17:47:00.004+08:00

here
♥ ashley

windowsills & roses

2010-01-15T18:06:00.004+08:00

i met a woman at the farmers market last week-end who grows and is ever so passionate about roses. it was an easy smell and i just can't bear to throw any away until the final wilt happens- they smell so good. my new home has plenty of lavender growing which also smells amazing and looks so pretty. my windowsills are usually occupied by succulents but they have needed to make a space for the lovely rose.
do have the most magic of weekends won't you?
xs and os
♥ ashley

chalk

2010-01-13T07:40:00.003+08:00

i just found these chalk drawings my students did towards the end of last year- it is me, monsieur and our puppy rasta. in one of the drawings monsieur is feeling sad (maybe it is because he is wearing a dress?!)
i have said it before but i truly think that kids tap into something amazing when they create and i always learn so much more from them...
♥ ashley

news

2010-01-02T16:48:00.006+08:00

i have been absent and spending sometime unpacking, nesting and bonding with a little person growing inside my belly...pretty exciting and BIG news!
there is still plenty to do but i have finished work for today, planted some veggies and tidied up the garden corner in my yard.
also found a lovely vintage side table/thing that is our new bedside table.
happy new year lovelies,
can't wait to catch up on your news too,
♥ ashley
p.s. am fiddling around on monsieurs laptop and thus can't make my photos lovely and large- adding to list of things to get sorted!

random thoughts

2009-11-29T10:28:00.003+08:00

i had been feeling homesick for the great white north.

i especially miss dill pickle chips and cups of tea with mum.

i sat yesterday sorting through old photos.

they don't have these in canada!

it made me happy to be here.

am also thinking about chopping my hair again, it is now at mid back but i sorta miss the messy look in that pic. thoughts?

hope you had a beautiful week-end.

♥ ashley

like a bird on a wire.

2009-11-20T18:16:00.002+08:00

i don't think that 49 degree celsius heat is a happy thing.

it makes me tired.

but sometimes if i take a moment i get to see some very amazing things.

like gallahs smiling on the power lines running beside my little house.

i think they are pretty sweet and blissful looking...

or the one on the right is sleepy like me in all the hot air blowing through the desert.

either way they made me smile.

any exciting plans for the week-end?

♥ ashley

veg head.

2009-11-17T18:20:00.003+08:00

veggie date for tea.

monsieur made rice paper rolls with what fresh veggies we have left.

i was very impressed with him~ and they were very yummy.

something this vegetarian will not miss is having to ration fresh food.

bring on the farmers markets i say.

been enjoying this pretty blog lately, enjoy!

♥ ashley

it's the little things.

2009-11-15T11:37:00.005+08:00

my monsieur has always wanted his own snooker table.

recently, i could afford one for him.

him and his friend had a blast playing together, but poor monsieur lost.

having a movie sunday, sometimes lazy is a good thing.

♥ ashley

pretty

2009-11-14T11:34:00.003+08:00

i am pretty in love with this image snapped while we were on holiday in southwest wa.
we ended up buying our first house down there.
we move to margaret river in 4 weeks.
ready to go now.
back on blogging so come and visit me again.
happy week-end to all,
♥ ashley

soon

2009-11-02T15:57:00.002+08:00

time is flying and plenty of exciting things have happened in a very short span of time. i have a date with my camera and this blog on the week-end. hope to see you there! xxx

♥ ashley

i spy with my little eye

2009-09-18T22:03:00.002+08:00

beautiful rugs and homewares from anthropologie.

the bottom set are measuring cups.

all on the dream home wish list.

happy weekend lovelies,

♥ ashley

lately

2009-09-16T08:32:00.002+08:00

went to sydney and canberra with 20 kids from the school for camp. It was so entertaining to bring these remote kiddies to the 'big' city to explore. I have always adored sydney but it was all new again through their eyes.

am feeling much more balanced after some soul searching. we were really struggling with making our way from the desert to another place (and any place really). i was uber stressed about getting a job, money, how to's etc.

then i took a bit of a break and thought it all through,

we are okay, at the end of this year i am taking some time off to visit my beautiful family back in canada and then moving to perth with monsieur and the pup. from there i will work it out, my goals are varied and being stuck into a job because am desperate for one doesn't seem like the right way.

so am back and inspired to be happy with where i am each and every moment.

♥ ashley

2009-09-10T10:20:00.001+08:00

havent felt like internet play lately. busy trying to get hired and packing boxes- moving from a very remote place takes a lot of planning. due to these things i have not had a creative moment so until i do shall bid adieu and hopefully be back one day soon.

smoochies lovelies,

♥ ashley

yokoo is love

2009-08-18T08:45:00.006+08:00

etsy is an amazing place to play in. so many talented people in one spot. thus, discovering yokoo made me giddy as i am needing a warm and cozy scarf for my approaching (year end) trip back home to the great white north.

i wish i had a knack with needles like this knitter.

♥ ashley

so far

2009-08-15T19:05:00.003+08:00

this week-end has been another success as far as packing and applying for things. also did some work on a side venture i am starting...more on that soon,

found these little maracas in the piles of stuff i am sorting, loved their sweet smiles!

on the to do list for tomorrow:

-washing

-garden maintenance

-more cleaning and sorting

-making this

-mixing up some peanut butter balls (recipe below)

happy week-end sweeties,

-still playing

♥

peanut butter balls

1 1/2 cups peanut butter

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup honey

1/4 cup coconut

mix and roll into balls

enjoy.x.

♥ ashley

2009-08-13T19:41:00.006+08:00

i had my lovely friends and their little girl staying with us for the last 2 nights and made some masks, this one was meant to be a sweet little panda bear, but ended up looking not so sweet (if a little [very] creepy!)

still feeling scattered about where i am going next, every time i think i have my finger on it i change direction, one minute i feel we are ready to invest in a home near the ocean, the next i want to be in the country, sometimes i want to continue teaching, others to follow a few dreams that have been brewing, perhaps this is a mid, mid-life crisis? is there such a thing!?

ordered a shapemaker and milk deco no.2 today from here: it's nice to spoil yourself sometimes!

♥ ashley

puppy ♥

2009-08-12T19:45:00.003+08:00

sorry if my blog is becoming somewhat focused on the beautiful animals who i am blessed to have near me.
this is 'kuju' (meaning one) who i am trying my best not to adopt.
but it is love i fear, and the last thing i need to try and pack up at the end of this year,
more photos a day in august at lovely megan's space.

♥ ashley

p.s. have been having very slow internet connection issues of late, apologies if i have not been commenting, x.

tonight

2009-08-10T18:55:00.001+08:00

need to clean my desk.
sort some files.
sort myself.
♥ ashley

sunny day

2009-08-09T21:07:00.002+08:00

my other furry friend.

wanting this found via fine little day.

wish tomorrow was sunday again, it has been a lovely day.

♥ ashley

still playing.

another picture (book) a day in august

2009-08-07T19:07:00.003+08:00

sometimes i find the sweetest picture books. this one is a top on the list. leaf by stephen micheal king. a little boy has a bird drop a tiny seed on his head and learns to grow it and in turn with it. beautiful story but its the illustrations...the negative use of white space...adorable.

what's your favourite children's picture book?
♥ ashley

stampede

2009-08-05T17:16:00.003+08:00

finally finished unpacking from our trip to bali (funny how life can get too busy) and found my sweet little bobble horses. the orange one is my favourite so naturally he won the race!

for more photo a day in august head to the link list here.

hope you are having a splendid hump day!

♥ ashley

day four

2009-08-04T20:24:00.003+08:00

ummm
i have no photo because my computer is being a big grump with me
which makes me into a big grump with it too
but also gives me a good reason to get off of it and curl up with monsieur
sweet dreams sweeties
a pic tomorrow and perhaps will add on september 1st to make up for my attempt at a photo (almost) everyday in august!
♥ ashley

these are a few of my favourite things

2009-08-03T19:45:00.003+08:00

-my sweet monsieur
-oven roasted tomatoes (to eat for tea with turkish bread and leek and potato soup)
-little animal rubber bands
-the newest book i am nose deep in
♥ ashley

p.s. day three of a photo a day, please excuse quality, am learning slowly (very slowly) how to use my new camera, x.

sunday is a fun day

2009-08-02T16:06:00.002+08:00

today:
-went wild flower searching with monsieur

-found some camel tracks
-ate a yummy lunch with some of the last of our fresh veggies
-cooked leek and potato soup which turned into a bit of playtime
-read in bed for many hours
i wish everyday was sunday,
♥ ashley

p.s. day 2 of a photo a day in august...wanna play? head here...

a photo a day

2009-08-01T18:30:00.002+08:00

i have just joined lovely megan's august game of a photo a day in august.

this is a good game for me as monsieur gave me my very first digital slr for my birthday in july and i need to start playing with it more,

so day one is a pretty unpretty pic! this is my puppies newest toy, mr.lamby who he has been carrying around wherever he goes and even grooms at night before he curls up with him under his arm.

the dog hair is my battle, loving all things white with a black dog makes for an interesting household!

happy week-end.

♥ ashley

A homemade life

2009-07-27T16:40:00.003+08:00

I stayed up much too late last night reading this beautiful book: A Homemade Life by Molly Wizenberg. She is the creator of the wonderful blog orangette.

She is a very talented writer and mixes her beautiful words with tummy rumble inducing recipes. To top it off the amazing Camilla Engman created illustrations for each chapter. My only warning would be to bring milk and cookies to bed with you to deal with the cravings it creates!
Also, my beautiful picture from Jon Carling arrived here while I was on holiday, it is staying in the plastic wrapping until I can get a suitable frame. I think it is perfect. Plus, he sent a collection of other goodies to lucky little me. I will shoot them one day to share with you.
Check out his other work here.
♥ ashley

spoiled ♥

2009-07-26T12:07:00.003+08:00

back from bali again. beautiful sunsets, flowers and loads of time with a good book and a very good man.

we had the most wonderful holiday and i arrived home wearing a pretty little ring on a very special finger...

now back to the daily grind,

we are leaving the desert at the end of the year. had chosen a new job and thought it was what i wanted until the other day, driving through the city i saw all these lonely people in uncomfortable looking stockings and dark coats wandering to work.

i do not want to be that.

so the new job search and massive decision making must start again.

when did we grow up?

sometimes i wish i could be a wee kid again and have no decisions to make

but then i wouldn't have a pretty new ring or the anticipation of making my own dreams come true.

hope you have all been well and living your dreams always,

♥ ashley

country

2009-06-27T18:36:00.002+08:00

mr bisou's mum and dad are here for the week

we spent the day playing in the bush, checking out some flowers and tucker

and i scored some sweet presents

hope you too are having a happy week-end

♥ ashley

i ♥ etsy

2009-06-25T18:16:00.007+08:00

a few treats in the post to my humble abode.

kaimito

kusu

joncarling

a few treats i hope to get posted to my humble abode.

marjji

VIZArt

do you have etsy favorites, or an etsy you want to share?

happy thursday to all and to all a good night,

♥ ashley

2009-06-20T14:27:00.003+08:00

looking back on some old pictures.

these are a few from victoria,

it makes me think perhaps it is the state of rainbows...

and geese (which i have loved since i was a tiny girl)...

and dream seaside homes *le sigh*

today:

-writing a letter to my nana

-baking rye bread

-making another horse for my stampede

-staying warm with my nyupa

happy week-end

♥ ashley

one more sleep

2009-06-13T18:13:00.004+08:00

staring out the window, waiting.

hurry home baby

♥ ashley

cozy

2009-06-09T20:16:00.002+08:00

tonight

♥sorted through some books

♥made a horse- the first for my stampede (make one too here)

♥wrapped a stick with some wool

♥put some sewing pins away

♥nibbled on oreos dipped in peanut butter and sipped at peppermint tea

♥put on my monster furry socks

♥off to curl up in my warm bed...

have a cozy night, x

♥ ashley

2009-06-06T20:14:00.003+08:00

it just occured to me, i have been in this spot for exactly one year,

happy birthday bloggy! my turn to share some love and a wee giveaway is just over the horizon, x

♥ ashley

new fridge art

2009-06-06T17:37:00.003+08:00

if i was three, i would be best friends with this artist,

in fact i find her drawing amazing now.

i think basquiat would be impressed.

♥ ashley

the week ends

2009-06-06T10:32:00.002+08:00

today i:

-stayed in bed reading

-drank a latte i made myself

-admired a kit of new paint brushes

-made some cats cradles~ do you remember making these?

♥ ashley

the sleeping bear

2009-06-03T11:09:00.003+08:00

eiko ishikawa is a genius.

like this wouldn't make you the coolest kid at your next campout,

bonus that everyone would hand over their marshmallows no questions asked.

me wanty

♥ ashley

found via mermag

lovesick

2009-06-02T19:40:00.003+08:00

image care of bubi and found here

it is strep throat and am now swallowing penicillin.

i hate taking antibiotics, but because of the remote place i live, i can't risk not killing an infection like this. i saw a few of my students today who told me my "neck was fat" am thinking perhaps they meant my glands looked swollen!

to the advice given on the last post, thank-you ladies (bisous to you) am going to search out those herbs and teas asap.

on a lighter and much lovelier note, the community have declared that i am sick from a lonely heart and no love without my fella here, i think it is so sweet to imagine being sick because someone is gone....perhaps there is some sense to it, i know it is always nice to have someone sit next to you and care for you when you're ill, my puppy just doesn't have the same understanding (and can't warm the kettle for me)

2 more lonely weeks, 8 more days of penicillin, 3 more days until the week-end,

let the countdown begin...

♥ ashley

optical illusions

2009-06-02T11:59:00.004+08:00

these 2D vases and pots are by nienke sybrandy.

her work can be found here.

i found her through the ever amazing bloesem.

be inspired. x

♥ ashley

fever

2009-06-01T07:41:00.003+08:00

i have been up through the night with a horrible fever, freezing cold and then sweating like crazy. woke up this morning with really swollen glands, blahhh.

sick again.

i need something to help boost my immune system after the dengue i just got over. does anyone have a secret to staying cold and yuck free?

off to my blankie

♥ ashley

image via www.weheartit.com

amour

2009-05-30T09:57:00.004+08:00

i have collected a few beautiful awards in recent days and think its time to share some love.

the first i recieved from both the incroyable mila at loveology, and lovely mady from abundance. thank-you to both these ladies,

funky lou from queenloube passed along the lemonade award- thank-you precious (it is adorable!)

And another super sweet lou from Luhlahh gave me the awe-some award, ta!

i really love all the blogs that gave me these treats and am about to fall short by not completing the task of passing the awards along. if i did it would surely be back to these amazing ladies and a handful of the amazingly inspirational girls in my blogroll...

unfortunately,

i need to use all of my energy on another pursuit today, and am off to tear the top off a new jar of indian ink and create,

but first a pot of piping hot coffee, i seem to be more addicted to it daily!

oh and check out this amazing ring by cclbaran from the love letters series, sigh*

many bisous,

ashley x

top photo credits to crowned thoughts

miss

2009-05-27T18:01:00.004+08:00

I adore my students.

This little one came to me the other day carrying this wee snake.

"Miss, I been ride my bike over the snake but I been say sorry,"

I love her pout in the first picture,

and her relief when I said she did the right thing in the second:)

For the record the snake is going to be okay,

It has been pouring rain and freezing cold so am off to make some potato and leek soup and curl up under my blanket with this:

happy hump day. x.

♥ ashley

mmmmmmm

2009-05-24T10:52:00.008+08:00

anne naumann is an incredible talent

these photographs take my breath away

hopefully they will do the same for you

oh how i dream of white (i miss the snow terribly when it is so cold outside that your toes tingle it seems strange to have no little snowflakes dancing from above)

my monsieur has left for almost a month and i am a wee bit melancholy without him, the desert seems very isolated when alone

but this feeling is spinning into a few sketches which i am very excited about...watch this space

happy sunday darlings

♥ ashley

all the stunning above images can be found here

long time no blog

2009-05-19T18:17:00.003+08:00

i have been back from bali for a wee bit (with a week stint in broome)

spent 3 whole weeks of lazy days and silly nights and it

was a blast but i came back with dengue fever and still dont feel 100%

but have been slogged with work and duties so i resemble this balinese dancers expression most days!

i will be back over the weekend to start up again,

hope all is well in the blogosphere and cant wait to catch up! x

♥ ashley

we out

2009-04-02T07:38:00.006+08:00

off on 3 weeks holiday...look out bali here a very tired teacher comes...

♥ ashley

desert life

2009-03-27T20:45:00.006+09:00

snaps from around our house today.
it is raining tonight so we are stuck indoors (but about to cozy up and watch the truman show~ i adore that movie and haven't seen it in years).

we are going to bali in just over a week and i am so very excited to get away and stretch my legs again.
this place is beautiful but living in a community of 50 people can also be suffocating.

that said, i have accomplished a lot in the last little while.
my very first picture book is written and i am starting to doodle again,
sadly i think it won't be me to illustrate it, but completing the story has inspired me again.

i feel oodles of creative juices flowing through me.

it has been a while since i felt this way, and it is a feeling i have missed dearly.

happy week-end lovelies,

and apologies if i haven't visited your beautiful blogs lately...

life has taken over for the time being at least...

♥ ashley

p.s. does anyone have a digital slr camera they cant live without?

i am looking to invest in one in the not so distant future and don't know where to start...

knowing there are so many talented snappers out there thought you may be able to assist. x.

hello

2009-03-22T11:41:00.002+09:00

have a lovely weekend won't you!

♥ ashley

2009-03-14T09:17:00.010+09:00

The always amazing hila has tagged me to answer some little questions.

These are the rules:
1. respond and rework: answer the questions on your blog, replace one question that you dislike with a question of your own invention, add one more question of your own.

2. tag eight other un-tagged people.

what is your current obsession?
reading, printing, taking photos

what are you wearing now?
singlet and my lovelies {much too big} sweatpants

do you nap a lot?
usually yes~

lately no

why is today special?

we are getting fresh food for the first time in 5 weeks

if you were a tree, what tree would you be?

maple

what's for dinner?

homemade veggie soup and pumpernickel bread
what was the last thing you bought?
fabric

what are you listening to right now?
emiliana torrini

what is your favorite weather?

warm and breezy

what is on your bedside table?
books, glasses, lipbalm, lamp, tissues, journal and sketchbook, pencils and ink

what's your style?

simple

what is your most challenging goal right now?
figuring out my next path

say something to the person who tagged you.
thank-you hila, for the beauty you share in every single post you make, i heart you

if you could have a house totally paid for, fully furnished anywhere in the world, where do you want it to be?
africa~ tanzania

favourite vacation spot?
home with my loving family

name the things you cannot live without.
coffee, friends, family, my blankie, water, music, love, ink and a sketchbook

what would you like to have in your hands right now?
a fresh mango or a pile of blueberries or a cuddly kitten

what would you like to get rid of?

my icy cold toes, stress, mean people

what was the last book you read?

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

if you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go?

home to my mum

what do you want to be when you grow up?

happy

and I tag:

jeana, amber, megan, girlferment, fanny, kiddet, krissy, anna

♥ ashley

all images found at lina rennell via the always inspiring please sir

Beauty is the promise of happiness. ~Stendhal

2009-03-12T17:25:00.009+09:00

♡

do you not sometimes stop and think that there is so much beauty everywhere it can make your heart hurt...and your lips curl...

i need this on my window for every morning to be complete. to stand with my hot cup of coffee and gaze out on a sunrise with the fact that it is a new day being the only one in my mind...

sometimes artists create things that are perfection for so many different reasons,

this bear makes me smile,

♡

these teacups are so fragile yet are powerful in their numbers...

♡

imagine falling asleep in a bed like this...

it would be like a childhood hideaway, where little fairies come and whisper in your ear as you dream...

♡

i wrote recently about making a big (many) life moves in the not so distant future...i am still not sure where i am going just that i am leaving here. both of these images~although conflicting~ feel so relevant to me right now...

♡

happy thursday dearest you,

♥ ashley

all images with no links found via www.weheartit.com

vessels

2009-03-09T18:01:00.002+09:00

i just bought 4 more beautiful baskets from one of the old ladies here.

she sits for a good part of everyday in a little straw bough and weaves quietly.

i find the results irresistible.

.happy monday lovelies.

♥ ashley

p.s. anyone know what to do when an ipod just freezes~ my ears are lonely:(

leaf prints

2009-03-08T14:01:00.009+09:00

.happy printing sunday.

♥ ashley

dreams and realities

2009-03-03T19:06:00.011+09:00

i have a lovely puppy curled up at my feet...he is making little sad faces at me but wags his tail when i pat his head. i am so happy it turned out okay in the end. i adore him.

i had some time to potter about on computer and found some beautiful images.

they make me think of my dreams and goals.

which i have had to think about a lot lately.

at the end of the year we are going to leave the remote place we dwell in the desert and try a new life.

a new job.

and in time a new addition (hopefully).

i dream of a home where my week-ends are spent a little longer than they should curled up in bed with the man i love...

where my walls are not made of magnets and little design ideas make sense...

where i come home to love letters with words that make my tummy ache...

where i can wake up and work in my home with a cup of tea and billie holiday serenading me on ...

where i can take pictures of beautiful things...

and collect frocks that were once loved and destined to be loved again...or made to be loved ...

to take vacations to places we will never forget...

and always have each other.

happy tuesday from me (and rasta!)

♥ ashley

all images found via www.weheartit.com