lilly pilly blue: Happy New Year

Happy New Year! I have been told that 2012 is going to be good year as twelve is an auspicious number!! We have just returned from a restful holiday with family in Tasmania to celebrate Christmas and the New Year. It was the first time the family has been all together for many years, so it was pretty special. We had a lovely Christmas and Ava was so excited about it, especially as she was able to spend some time with her little cousins who she is very close to. Father Christmas came and brought Ava a few things - of particular note - a princess nightie and pajama set. She now refuses to wear anything else to bed!

We also spent a week down at mum's beach house by the sea (literally). Most of these photos are taken from the front deck. It was just so good to be by sea in the salty air. It makes you slow down and take things at a more relaxed pace. Our days at the beach were spent swimming, kayaking, walking and paddling in the rock pools. There were many spectacular sunsets and the weather was just perfect. It was a really peaceful holiday.

It's good to be home now. The garden has flourished whilst we have been away (and so has the lawn!) and the animals have grown, especially the lambs and chooks. The garden bounty now requires preserving - plums for jam, zucchini's for pickles and the tomatoes have been steadily ripening. It feels good to be back into it, preparing for the leaner months, filling the cupboards with jars of our summer harvest that can been enjoyed when winter sets in.

Christmas was a time to reflect and pause upon the year past. We feel renewed and happy to be back on the farm, ready for another year of healthy living in tune with the seasons.