Learning Curve

Just a couple of pictures that I took of Poppy today, they're not particularly special, (well they are to me obviously).  But I'm a 'little' bit proud of them, even though they aren't the worlds best pictures. You see, they are my very first attempt at shooting RAW on a manual setting.  I loved doing it, and I know that I'll look back and think them very rough, but I wanted them in here to compare for reference, just in case I get good one day!

And a few more of my crazy curly girl...bouncing away like a Tigger.  These next ones are not RAW but they are all manual.

Still a long way to go, and so much to learn, but I'm having the best fun discovering new things every day.

What's the Story, Sister?

And there is a story.  Its been unraveling itself for a while now, and becoming more and more clear.  Here is it.

This girl is effervescent. The one with the long strawberry-blonde curls, the one with the gorgeous big eyes and the perfect lips - well she's bubbly and silly, she's happy and fun.  She thinks she's in charge but I can tell you, that's not the way it is.

Oh, she can be strong and determined, even a little stubborn sometimes.  And she has no idea yet, but she's not in charge.  Not anymore.  

This little girl is adorable.  The one with the loose blonde curls, the one with her Mamas expressions and a little button nose - well she's quiet and shy, she's kooky and loud.  She knows she's in charge and that is the way it is.

She can wind her big sister around her little finger, and does so on a daily basis.  She has already learnt how to be the boss without anyone noticing.   Slowly but surely, she's crept her way up, to the position of authority - and is heard by all.  Clever little thing, she is!

It had to happen.  One of these girls had to rule.  For the sake of Ying and Yang, for the sake of world wide peace on earth in the Wood household, one of them had to set the pace.

 It's just been a bit of a surprise, which one of them it was.

Two halves of one perfect whole.  My little forthright one, taking the lead, just one tiny step ahead.  And my little protector, nurturing and watching, hand held out to steady.

Will it always work this smoothly?  Will it always be sweetness and light?  Ha, I'd be kidding myself if I thought that.  These two will, no doubt, have some hum-dingers along the way...but oh it is soooo blooming lovely at the moment. And in a hectic household of many different personalities all trying to find their place, I am so embracing this!

October Skies

ctober
Where fountains sing and many waters meet,
October comes with blossom-trammelled feet.
She sheds green glory by the wayside rills
And clothes with grace the haughty-featured hills.
This is the queen of all the year. She brings
The pure chief beauty of our southern springs.
Fair lady of the yellow hair! Her breath
Starts flowers to life, and shames the storm to death;
Through tender nights and days of generous sun
By prospering woods her clear strong torrents run;
In far deep forests, where all life is mute,
Of leaf and bough she makes a touching lute.
Her life is lovely. Stream, and wind, and bird
Have seen her face – her marvellous voice have heard;
And, in strange tracts of wildwood, all day long,
They tell the story in surpassing song.

by Henry Kendall (1839-1882)

Australian writer

It's dazzling and true, the colour of the Australian sky.  It holds multi-coloured vibrant winged birds, and on cloudy days, little puffs of cotton drifting lazily from left to right.  It's one of the great wonders that rock my world, and no matter how long I live here, it's not something that I could ever take for granted.  

Aside from the glorious sun, the days spent by the sparkling pool and the weird and wonderful nature that surrounds us, I think the sky is the thing that excites me the most.  I wish I could grab a little piece of it for everyone and post it to them.  

I can share it with this little girl though, I can watch her run under it, play and sing.  She's not aware of it, its just part of her everyday, this sky that I love.  But I did ask her today, 'what's the best thing about the Australian sky?' 

Her answer, "Umm, it's blue".    Yep, can't argue with that! ;)

And my second favourite most lovely Australian thing about October...our Jacaranda Tree!

Sitting underneath it and playing with it's lilac petals is also quite appealing for this little November flower.

Hurray for Australia and all of her October skies!

A Different Era

Black and White.  I love it.  Back when I was a kid, and when little girls used to continuously ask each other 'what's your favourite colour', I never really knew how to answer.  Blue was my favourite bright beautiful vibrant colour, but the answer I always wanted to give, was black and white - together!  No wonder I'm so captured by black and white pictures.  There's a purity to them that colour can't capture.  Almost like being hearing impaired.  Take away the pretty distractions and what you are looking at becomes so much clearer.

Plus the fact that really I should've been living my whole life in the 40's and 50's.  I can just see myself in a frilly apron tied at the waist, high heels, red lipstick, pin curled waves in my hair and holding freshly baked cookies straight out of the oven.  Obviously this whole scene is in black and white!

Lately we've all been getting our 'retro' on and I've been subjecting my kids to the same 'treatment'.  I'm quite liking the results..

Ok, maybe the sparkly drama princess t-shirt hauls you right back into the year 2010, but I'm willing to overlook these small details..

Now I'm sure this girl is straight out of a advert for Lux Soap Powder.  Although she probably should be sitting in a  small tin tub, surrounded by bubbles..

Now that I think about it, how on earth am I ever going to go back to colour pictures again!!

Even the slightly fuzzy ones, (due to very wriggly babies), are cute.

Definitely glad we went with the dark chocolate brown nail polish..

Giving me her best 'old fashioned' look here.

Yup, black and white - still my favourite.  And now if anyone asks me, I'll tell them so.


And something else really cool.  Some of which is thanks to a lovely lady who has her own really sweet blog, Life is Like a Box of Chocolates, I have learnt how to post picture sets, Taadaaa!  Something I've wanted to do for a while now, so I'm a happy girl!

Holidays continued......

The craziness continues at the Woods.  Poppys, 'best friend in the whole wide world' Tara, came over, and the kids couldn't care less if there was heavy downpour or just a few drops.  They still found their way outside, where they indulged in all sorts of funny games, including washing their hair in the rain...

Looking beautiful...

Loosing teeth...

Eating many lollies....

And where believe it or not, still wearing the t-shirt nightie that you woke up in, at tea-time!

Of course, there are the usual arts and crafts.  Finding them lying scattered all over the patio floor is always the sign of an excellent day!

Yep, definitely love this 'outside Art Centre', where no craft is too messy, and where pretty much anything goes..

Bye bye Tara, don't be sad, it's been a great day - and we'll see you again soon...