Beauty

Ulf took this picture a few days ago.  When he showed it to me, he said only one word, "Beauty."

Summer Days...

The beauty of having so much space is sharing it with others...

   

Ulf picked up this great little bbq for free.... we had a feast... those are James' feet... and yes the grass underneath did burn - from a stray ember - but the hose was close by.  :-)

Tammy, Josh, James, Brayden and Emma getting into the tucker!

Note the tv on the right - for watching the tennis. :-)

Ulf on the tractor, slashing..... there's so much slashing to do these days...

Juicy ripe blackberries are all over the property at the moment... causing quite regular outings to pick them!

One such outing's produce...  our freezer is filling up fast with these!  

A stash of yummy blackberry jam has also appeared in our pantry...  :-)

Christmas 2011

We had an incredible Christmas this year!  My family - Aaron, Mum, Otto and Tamara - were able to come to our place to celebrate Christmas and have some family time together.  It was extra special to see them altogether in our home. :-)  

We celebrated Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve, after the German tradition, followed by a few carols and exchanging gifts.  I thoroughly enjoyed hosting my family and preparing special food and decorations for the occasion!

After four nights at our place, we all headed south to Torquay for a bit of a holiday...!

 Otto, Mum, Aaron, and myself looking out over the horizon at the surf beach at Breamlea.

 

Ulf and I at Breamlea.  The sun was warm, but the water was freezing cold and the wind was quite chilly as well!

 

Mum and I at Erskine Falls, near Lohne.  Mum the birdwatcher very much enjoyed the birdlife at the place we stayed in Torquay.

 

The Jetty at Point Lonsdale - a great place to swim if you don't like the waves and the wind.

 

Ulf and Mum checking out the water temperature before going in for a swim.

Ulf on the Jetty at Point Lonsdale.

 

 

On the Jetty...

 

Tamara, myself, and Mum sharing the sunset at Torquay beach.

 

All of us together!  We had some really good times together, and of course we had some challenges as well!  At Torquay we took turns making dinner and helping in the kitchen and by the end of our time together, I think we really enjoyed doing this together and for each other.  It's those little things about caring for each other that I'll remember fondly.