Sunset & spontaneity

 

It amazes me how I can miss sunset so often. Somehow cooking dinner, bath time and cleaning up mean I forget about the whole sun going down thing until it's dark almost every night.

Last week after a picnic dinner in the park we drove home to sunset. And while helping miss four get ready for bed, I kept thinking about how I really wanted to be outside and witnessing those brilliant orange, yellow and peach shades playing out alongside the darkening sky.

Then spontaneity took over, and the two of us abandoned teeth brushing for a walk towards the departing sun...

xx

When was the last time you witnessed sunset? x

Today {by the sea}

As I drove home this morning miss four called out for me to stop, "Over there, Mummy! Let's see it."

The beach.

We were driving past the lookout, a place I stop often to watch the sky, to reconnect and just be with my two little girls in tow.

Today the sun was shining bright on the turquoise green sea with soft waves crashing in, the sky a bright blue with just a few scattered clouds.

And as I parked the car I saw miss four already had her camera {her recent fourth birthday gift} ready to go.

"Just a few photos for my collection please."

And so we sat by the car admiring the colours and capturing photos. And giving thanks that we can take in this beauty and wonder just about any time we want.

xx

{Gratitude for where we live, for a week where I have learnt and healed, and for my gorgeous photo-taking miss four and her little sister - who make me laugh every day. Elisa x}

What are you most grateful for today? x

Raindrops

 

The rain began overnight and continued on and off throughout the day, and I couldn’t help but miss the sunshine that had graced our recent days.

I lamented on plans that had to be changed, and things that couldn’t now be done.

When the weather finally calmed I stepped outside to collect the mail, but raindrops began to fall once more.

This time I paused in my thoughts, I felt the raindrops, noticed where they landed and chose to bask in them as I do the sunshine.

Later I stopped to look to the sky - grey in places and cloudy all over - and I chose to see wonder and a reflection of our ability to change.

As I drove to my parents’ house, I noticed tiny raindrops landing on my windscreen. One by one, until they met each other and slid down the glass.

And it reminded me of the little steps I can take to make changes. Little steps that can seem insignificant on their own, but really they are filled with hope and change, and when they come together they have the ability to create an amazing sense of new - renewed possibilities, awareness, wonder.

xx

{Images by me – my first time photographing raindrops. So much beauty found in the last place I would have thought to search. Elisa x}

{Gratitude this week for beauty in the ordinary; the ability to change, heal and start again; and for friends who listen with their eyes, ears and hearts and then tell me with love what they’ve heard. Thank you xx}

Looking up

Hand me a camera and I'll want to point it up straight away. Endeavouring to capture the wonder I see in the sky when I stop to just be each day. It's more than wonder I see though. Maybe because I'm an optimist.... 

The vastness, that expanse - it reminds me that I'm part of something bigger. It reminds me that there are endless possibilities and opportunities out there. That tomorrow is a chance to start again. And that beauty presents in every single day.

It reminds me to stop and not just look up but look around and step outside and really see. And it's then that I always find myself giving thanks.

xx

{Life has been beautifully busy these past couple weeks. And in taking time to look up and look around, I've got a little overwhelmed in a good way by what can be and by what is. I think this week will see a little more sky gazing with my two little girls in tow and a little more giving thanks as I wait on clarity. Elisa x} 

Is there something in your day that reminds you to give thanks? What are you most grateful for today?

{Joining the 52 Weeks of Grateful at Kylie's x} 

Stop. And Surrender.

Right when I didn't think my days could get any busier this past week they did.

And with that busyness I displayed some of my least favourite traits of overwhelmed and frustration.

I keep reminding myself to feel it and let it go.

But sometimes it doesn't happen that effortlessly though.

And so I whisper to myself: a little less thinking, a little more surrendering. And: this too shall pass.

Then I step outside. And look up at the sky.

It's shown me all its emotions too this week: stormy, overcast, illuminated by sunset, blue and sunshine filled, cloud scattered and grey.

And it's in that one minute that I step outside, surrender becomes me.

I stop, see, hear, feel. I witness the sky and I witness myself.

Then I give thanks.

It's just a minute. And that minute is my antidote to busy and rushed.

xx

{Yesterday I stopped twice to look to the sky and surrender my thoughts, once at home, the other at the beach. The sky and the waves were mesmerising. This minute of sky watching was my inspiration for this print. It's become a ritual in my days. Elisa x}

How do you slow down and surrender on the busiest of weeks? And do you look to the sky?

Perfect timing

The thing about rainbows that gets me is the timing. The rain and the sunshine and whatever else it takes for it to occur, and fill the sky with beauty for wondrous moments before that rainbow begins to fade.

 

And when I witness a rainbow the timing strikes me even more.. that in the brief moments of it lasting I got to be present.

 

We saw a rainbow last week and it was magical, bright and looked oh-so-close. Spanning out over paddocks with a backdrop of the sky and sea. That's it in the picture.

 

It'd been over a year since we'd spotted one, despite miss three and I always on the lookout the minute the sun and rain begin to meet.

 

Then the following day we saw another rainbow. And it's reminded me that we can't force timing, rush it or slow timing down. I can't even make myself be in the perfect place at the perfect time... but I can choose to savour moments, celebrate our time, give thanks for it and trust in perfect timing too.

 

xx

 

{Grateful for perfect timing, finding and capturing beauty in the everyday and the memories made these past couple weeks with my family too. Elisa x}

 

~ Linking with the 52 Weeks of Grateful here.

 

What are you most grateful for today? And when did you last witness a rainbow? x

Settling on surrender

Nine months living here in our new house and only last weekend did I explore the bushland reserve at the end of our street. Despite walking together often, for some reason I just hadn't ventured that far. Miss three had been exploring there a few times before though with her Dad, and so she happily led the way to "the forest".

And although homes are still close by, there was a coolness and a calm that came with being surrounded by trees, bush and scrub and walking with mud, twigs and stones underfoot.

I kept looking through the tree branches at the sky peeking through. Sometimes a clouded white, other times the brightest blue tainted with spots of stormy grey. It was as though the sky wasn't sure how it was feeling. And neither was I actually. A part of me just wanted to rest and be left alone, a part of felt a little run-down, and another part of me wanted to be busy and move ahead and on to the next thing on my to-do list. I was feeling exhausted, disorganised and a tad overwhelmed.

But I settled on surrendering to the moment, heading outdoors and letting miss three lead our way. I decided not to check the time as we went or to think about what needed to be done or where we soon needed to be.

We walked in circles, backtracked and then ran paces ahead. Looking to the sky together, we wondered about where the drifting clouds were headed. We paused to listen to the birds singing, to collect twigs and look for the brightest shades of green and new life in the bush.

In letting my little one set the pace, I found myself slowing down, letting go and surrendering to the moment, and embracing her curiosity. In those moments of just us, nature and that winter sky, my head stopped spinning. And I saw her and me and us together much clearer than before.

xx

Do you like to walk in nature? Does it bring you clarity? And do you {like me} find you sometimes need a reminder to surrender, let go and just be?

The day-time moon {meant to be}

 

This week I left home on a surprise visit to hubby's work at the time little miss three and little miss 18 months would normally be going down for a nap. As we drove away from home I questioned what I was thinking, but kept driving anyway. The girls were happy, and didn’t look one bit sleepy when they normally would.

As I drove I looked out at the road before me, to the hills and the dark trees standing strong against a blue and stretched-cloud sky. And that’s when I saw it. The moon. Three quarter’s full, high in the sky and standing bright and proud, as though it was exactly where it was meant to be at this very moment.

I pointed out the moon to miss three: “But mummy, the moon is meant to be asleep! Silly moon. It forgot to go to sleep?”
“The moon must be staying up when it normally sleeps. Just like us, we’re normally asleep now. Today’s the moon’s doing something different. Mixing things up a bit...”
Miss three still thought the moon was "being a little silly".

She kept her eyes fixed on the moon. And it followed us for the whole thirty-minute drive away. As if to say, you’re right where you're meant to be at this very moment too. And offering a reminder that what I see, experience and take in is exactly what I’m meant to know and learn and notice... at any given time.

And it was kind of refreshing to throw routine out the window for the day. To see the look of love and surprise on hubby's face as his girls chased each other into his arms. 

And to spot the moon in the day-time sky felt a bit like seeing a rainbow. Full of wonder, amazement and perfect timing. And that feeling that you’re witnessing something special {life} for the first time.

xx

{Joining in with the community at 52 Weeks of Grateful. I'm grateful for the lessons ~ big and small ~ life has been throwing at me lately. Oh, and in case you're wondering, there's definitely no moon in that image! But it is one of my favourite sky images I've taken. Elisa xx}


What do you see when you look to the sky? What draws you in most – the moon, a rainbow, sunshine or clouds dotting a bright blue sky? And are you feeling grateful? xx

This view

When we bought this house, I had a wish list.

I wanted and wished and hoped we'd find a place with a bedroom for each of our girls, a study to work in {and meditate in too}, an open-plan living area, a backyard large enough for a swing set and a kitchen with a five-burner stove top so I could could keep on cooking three variations of the one meal at dinner time {to accommodate for everyone's dietary requirements here}...

I was so grateful when we found a place that ticked all those boxes. In what felt like a very close call, but was actually perfect timing.

But the best part of this house is it feels like home.

We're so happy here. We were happy almost instantly. And so were our girls.

And I love most that we're really living in this house. There's mess and two little girls thumping on the floorboards as they chase each other, play hide and seek, dance like fairy ballerinas and run around roaring like lions and tigers too.

Yesterday we sat outside eating watermelon and grapes and I realised {and learnt} my favorite part of this house isn't those things I wanted in our house at all. It's being here together, and looking at the view.

Each morning I step outside, look out and the first thing I see is the sky. And it amazes me and takes my breath away at times too.

We bought this house on the rainiest, stormy day when the sky was filled with clouds {a day that looks much like today here actually}, and when I stood on the decking all I saw was a haze of grey.

But for the past few months, we've been looking directly out at a glimpse of hills and houses and a big bright blue and wondrous sky.

xx

What do you love most about where you live?

In flight

 

Today was parenting chaos.

 

After dinner when I went to put the rubbish in the bin outside I finally breathed a full deep breath. 

Not conscious of the fact that I hadn't exhaled fully all day til that point.
As I turned to walk back in the house I heard my husband's voice and two happy toddlers. 

And without really thinking I sat down {flopped} on the front step. And let myself stop. 

The day was still hot. {But the sun long gone}. 

Rain was falling intermittently. I heard it hit the tin roof. And dot the pavement.
I watched as raindrops landed on my outstretched legs. And later on my palms. {Like tears splattering all over me}. 

I welcomed the rain's touch, cool and refreshing {when the day had felt heated, stretched and burdened too}. 

I closed my eyes. And listened to the rain, the wind rushing through the trees, the birds singing like it was a new day. 

I breathed. {Long full breaths}. I imagined my breath filling my whole body. Bathing me in calm. Relaxing a little more with each exhalation. Feeling lighter with each new breath I let in. 

When I opened my eyes I saw a solo bird in flight. 

It ducked and weaved through the air, up and down, up and then spiralling down before gliding up high into the sky with strength, grace and renewed energy. 

And in it's dance, I saw my year: at first moving back and forth but not ahead, then dipping down, gathering my strength, learning and reflecting; before resurfacing with grace, joy, wonder and eagerness. Resurfacing with energy to reach higher places, to achieve new things, to make memories, to chase dreams {and make them happen too}.

 

xx

 

It's been a big year here. Have you stopped to look back {reflect} on your year too?

Waiting for brighter days

Winter is normally my favourite season {going slow, early nights, scarves and the ocean}. But this week all I can think of is brighter days {and sunshine too}.

Little miss two isn't well and for days it's been little-sleep nights {peppered with anxiety as I hold her close and listen to her strained breathing and sleeping tears}.

I've been looking into her big eyes and watching closely as sleep arrives {sending her body love to help it as it heals}.

But mostly I keep telling her that she's getting better {little by little each day}. And especially when she tells me it hurts.

I'm exhausted {and trying my best to keep cranky and tears at bay} and I'm giving thanks for health {and reminding myself to do so every day}.

Today we looked at the winter sky {mostly white and grey} and watched as rain filtered through.

In the early afternoon we spotted a patch of blue {and I wished for summer}. But little miss two just stared at that light blue {the dark clouds and the rain} and asked where her rainbow was.

I told her the sky was missing a rainbow today. She said we can wait.

And that's what today has felt like, strained and dark lit up by patches of smiles and a giggle too. Resting {and healing} and waiting for brighter days and that wonder-light feeling of health {and rainbows too}.

Elisa xx


Do you have a favourite season?

Love and a pink sky

I like the sky best when it shines pink.

A blazing pink skimming across white clouds stretched out on the canvas of a blue sky.

I thought pink skies were reserved for summer nights but lately it's on the chilliest winter days {at morning and night} that the sky has been amazing me.

I showed my little girl the pink sky this week. She called it pretty.

I told her I love her and that pretty pink in the sky symbolised all the love in this world.

That's what I believed when I was little.

I'm a dreamer, I know.

Elisa xx


Pink, blue, white or grey skies - what's your favourite?

Oh, there you are...

It's been a week of fast {and slow}. Fun {and miserable}. Healthy {and sick}. Loud {and quiet}. Exhausted {and exuberant}.

There's been very little writing {my soul has missed it most}, and reading has been less too. Many thoughts {and daydreams} of sleep. And sighs over goals and projects planned {but never begun}.

Normally life's somewhere in the middle {minus the sick part - I'm grateful that health is most often constant}.

And I'm embarrassed to admit that in the low parts, gratitude was very far from what I felt. I saw what I didn't have {and I dwelled there for longer than I care to share}.

But now, as I sit in relative quiet waiting for my peppermint tea to brew, I can see grateful was there {is there} all week {even when I was too consumed to let it in}.

I'm grateful for a laughing baby {happily snuggled in her great-grandmother's arms}.

I'm grateful for roasted almonds {and dark chocolate too}.

I'm grateful for my little miss two who with limited words, chooses them so well {"I kiss your head better Mummy" "No worries, be alright" "I love you"}.

I'm grateful for a warm bed to sleep in every night {and the man I share it with}.

I'm grateful for my body's message to slow down {even if I didn't appreciate it's delivery in the form of a cold}.

I'm grateful for the colours of sunset {that surprised me with beautiful reflections through the frosted panel on our front door}.

I'm grateful for long walks with water views {and a little girl who loves to search for planes in the sky}.

Elisa xx

{Linking with loads more gratitude at Kidspot's 52 weeks of Grateful}

What are you feeling grateful for this week?