i remember mother's day as a single parent. it was like the weekends...really noticeable that i was in this gig all by myself. my mum would always send something special and a card reminding me that i was doing a fantastic job. she still does. love you mum. as my little family has grown and changed over the years so too has mother's day. the past few years have brought breakfasts in bed, homemade gifts, and restful days with my peeps. i've loved it all. but this year i needed and asked for a little something extra...a family portrait and something that isn't so frequent in my days right now...time alone. so after the sleep in, till nine!, the breakfast in bed courtesy of zahra, the handmade gifts and cards, knitting in bed and late lunch in the sunshiny garden complete with decorations, i grabbed my gardening gloves, kissed my peeps goodbye and headed out the door. i had been granted my wish in the form of garden time. but not in my garden, in libby's garden. her garden is just like what i imagine the secret garden to be like, the one in Frances Hodgson Burnett's novel. it's hidden behind a high wall and is filled with such rambling goodness. rustling trees, flowers and curious chooks. happy bees, garden sculpure, vegies and birdsong. it's a labour of love, a studio en plein air. stepping through that gate is like wandering through the wardrobe into narnia, time seems to stand still. it was here in this magical place soaked with autumn sunshine that i spent my mothering sunday afternoon. we nattered while libby planted and i dug, but mostly there was quiet. quiet i had been aching for. the physical work clearing my mind. afterwards there was tea and time for a few photos before i closed that gate and headed for home and my peeps, feeling spacious and refreshed. it was a perfect day, thankyou my loves.
happy mother's day to all the mama's out there.
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