i feel like this is a fresh new week...& that the decisions hanging over our head can all be sorted...
what i have found this weekend, is that digging deep & making decisions for our family, has lead to
a greater love for what we have found on the other side of the globe...
i think life can throw you a curve ball to wake you up...make you acknowledge, out loud, what you are
blessed with...
well i'm listening...& just to drum the point home we spent the weekend enjoying the local english
countryside together...doing the things we find, that after 4 years here, still make us smile...
kids are the best at loving what's in front of them...i still find this infectious...
i love to do what others may consider *nothing* with my kids...
especially little miss.audrey, for who a bucket & leaves can prove to be total entertainment...
we rugged up...grabbed an apple bucket & headed outdoors...
we gathered leaves...she giggled...& i looked at that little beach born girl & just smiled...
she's an english rose with sandy, salty roots now...a combination of the life we have chosen to lead...
a result of the adventure we have taken our family on...
i tell you sweet friends do it...take every opportunity that life throws on your doorstep...
show your children that change can be embraced...family is wherever you are together...
memories of an autumn tree made together in the english countryside make all the
*hard-decision* moments totally worthwhile...
she reminded me of that this week- just when i seemed to need reminding!
a branch that we painted a looong time ago- when we first arrived from the beautiful beaches of sydney
has become a sign of the changing seasons here in this big ol'english house...
nothing special...a branch slap-happily painted house paint white...
but we have spent time crafting & decorating it for christmas & {easter}...for birthdays &
parties...
making endless memories with it at the centre....
this it seems, is a work in progress, according to little A...i love a work in process...
my life seems to be a constant work in progress ;)
sunday - we spent driving through the country side- lush & so gorgeously green...
it's not a green us australians are used to...it's a rich green, not a grey green...
i so love me some {eucalyptus} green...nature amazes me with it's natural colours...
but...green green- lush english green just makes me feel like we are passing through a story book...
just what i needed yet again it seems...
lush hills of green...rambling kids...a pub lunch by the fire...english country love in my book...
wellies on...wind in the hair...kids running through villages & streams...
in an age of endless electronic devices...a good old fashioned *day in the country*, regardless of one's
age ;) just clears the soul....
so...for this aussie, beach gal...another muddy, horse riding, football {soccer} loving...
stream hopping, pub lunching weekend in the english countryside...
how can that not make one smile...
hope yours was full of outdoor pursuits & memories made...
~~~
we're outa here
an arvo of popcorn & a movie
rugged up & with friends
heaven for me
xxx
beautiful weekend in the country, melissa. there really is nothing like being outside...away from it all, so good for the soul.
ReplyDeletesounds like an absolute perfect weekend, melissa. your photographs are so dreamily verdant, love all the green. and, can we talk about miss audrey's plaid toggle coat... darling.
ReplyDeletehave a wonderful week, my friend.
good luck with those hard decisions.
xo
molly
Looks like you had a great time..Beautiful shots!
ReplyDeleteI so love your page, nicely done!
i love that kind of free play & the colours in your photos have a lovely autumn feel. oh & i love the tree!
ReplyDeletex
I sometimes tire of England but reading your descriptions make me fall in love with my home all again. xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous post Melissa....reading about your weekend certainly made me feel better :) I love all your photos.
ReplyDeleteI know we've emailed but I've just been catching up on your last few posts....hope some things have been sorted out at your end. I know you are a positive girl but sometimes that's a challenge isn't it?
Xx
Melissa, this post was soothing to my soul. You write so beautifully and evocatively. I would have loved to join you and Audrey collecting leaves in a bucket. Would love to have your kids, join my goofballs and together we could all do "nothing" wonderfully.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your lovely message earlier...this week is also a week of new perspective for our family and your post has really helped me solidify that attitude. God bless your cotton socks!
Much love to you and your lovely ones. Meredy xo
glad you are feeling better about things this week!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures, as always! :)
xo
absolutely love that you do nothing with your cherubs. you are my kind of mum xx
ReplyDeleteUncannily wise that little Miss Audrey. A little bit of togetherness nothingness is so good for the soul, especially when things feel complicated.
ReplyDeleteLove those autumn leaves and the tree. xx
Hi Melissa, I've just caught up on your recent blogs...have been MIA lately...not in the mood for blogging...feeling very homesick...all churned up about wanting to go home, but knowing I will also miss living in an English village, and the people here that I have become friends with. I know I'm being stupid and should be relishing every minute...but the reality is my daughter and sister (my son is in Europe and arriving on Sunday) are a long way away and I'm missing them dreadfully. My daughter, who has had run of the house for two years wants us to come home...she's not saying that directly but keeps making plans for when we do return...she has announced that every Sunday will be a family get-to-gether, with no exceptions...oh except if one of us has a wedding or funeral to go to!! This is so unlike her...but it proves to me that she is missing the whole family unit regardless of the fact that she has our master bedroom, ensuite and walk-in robe to herself!! She has changed and grown up a lot...and as we are not visiting home till next Feb...I won't see her for a whole 12 months! Sorry to ramble, but I know thay you will understand how I feel....perhaps we will meet one day, either here or in Sydney, and compare notes on our adventures. Robx
ReplyDeleteOh, Sweets. I just love the way you pick yourself up like that, dust yourself off and get on with living life. Such a talent to have. Embrace every last second of your time on Old Blighty! J x
ReplyDeleteOh how I love your blog! Just had me a pot of tea, feet up (in sandals though...think Perth warm weather) and devoured your last four posts. Well done with your cushions... DEE VINE! The photos... sigh... my response was a mixture of drool and tears (not a pretty sight) You have no idea how inspiring it is to read about your brave move. The JAm family (Juz, Angy & Max - love how Aussies shorten all names!) are SERIOUSLY in love with all things UK... our dreams are getting more vivid! Thank you lovely one!
ReplyDeleteLooks like you're "blooming where your planted" Good for you and your beautiful family. My dear mother always told me that 'things do work out the way they are supposed to", regardless of what we do or don't do !
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