the Wise Robin

small things

 

Our authenticity is found hidden in the small details of our daily round. We think that it is the big moments that define our lives. But really these big moments of happiness are just the punctuation marks. The narrative is written every day in the small and simple 

Sarah Ban Breathnach

 

 

Long overdue, I had forgotten about my small things posts. Such a comfort & a good reminder that small is beautiful, simple is good & gratitude breathes joy. Here they are...

 

golden, morning light

waking before the girls

starfishing in bed after William gets up for the day

finding the cool recesses of the bed with my feet

her little voice calling out "I'm awake Mama!"

hand washing woollens

Halloween week wind, blowing all night, like ocean waves

a steaming cup of tea

folded handknits

the smell of rosemary garlic potatoes wafting through the house late afternoon

her little two year old sayings " Mama, please be little again, now"....." I have a raindrop in my eye"

a friend dropping by unexpectedly to take the girls under her wing to whip up a batch of savoury scones.... & the beginning of a new Monday afternoon tradition

reading Oscar Wilde to them while they eat

hearing my girls giggling instead of arguing while I take a shower

finding exciting new reads

petals & leaves & blooms & colour & spring 

my short but solitary walk to greet our feathered girls & finding a warm egg waiting 

waking in the night to find the house alight with the moon's silver

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

small things :: morning walk

 

 

autumn is leaving us in a wake of blazing red. the days of glorious sunshine and soft skies have been overthrown by rain, fog and a general greyness. the stark, winter sky with it's crisp light has set in. i've always welcomed the grey, the slowing down of this dark season winter. but for some reason this year my enthusiasm has mellowed. it occurred to me that it's been a while since i've posted a small things collection. so instead of lamenting the loss of my favourite season i'm looking for the small things about this new season that bring a smile to my face and soften my yearning for spring already.  in this spirit we head out the door & into the morning, wandering around the neighbourhood, slowly, slowly...the only way it can be done with little people. pausing to look at what seasonal offerings each garden holds. fairy rings, moss, ripe berries, the last autumn leaves, fallen petals and dandelions dripping with dew. listening to the throaty wattlebirds call and the currawongs dipping across the treetops. watching my sweets taking it all in. finding inspriation for and dreaming of a garden, one that is our very own, where we can plant trees and a wildflower meadow. breathing in the crisp air and just wandering. a perfect start to our daily rhythm.

 

ten small things i love about winter

 

layers of cotton and woollens, mitts and hats, thick socks and coats

fresh flanelette sheets

that feeling of being alive in the elements, the waking up it brings & also the slowing down

a vegie garden that tends itself, an outdoor larder & fridge of sorts. no watering, minimal weeding. gotta love that

long, hot baths with a good book

light that fades early. i've never been one for daylight savings

the arrival of the winter birds & their chorus

the promise of a good snowboarding season

soups, pies, tea, baking... anything warm & yummy really

my love, who never complains of my chilly feet on his bare skin when i cuddle up in bed

 

play along too. i'd love to know what small things you love about the season you're in? 

 

 

light::dark

88/365

 

 always going somewhere this one

 

89/365

 

i love all of her, even those beauty spots she already says she doesn't like. she's eight. 

 

i've been a bit slow getting back in the 365 saddle. a week off turned into two. maybe it's the post holiday come down where i find myself back in the familiar landscape of my everyday, which has of late bordered on the prosaic side. or perhaps it's the energy of autumn that brings a certain slowness to the days. i've been thinking a lot about happiness lately and then i came upon milla's words. they struck a cord. from this i realised i haven't been noticing the small things. those moments of pure contentment where everything is ok, no matter what is going on in my life, where it all just falls away and everything is good and well and ok. i don't know if i just haven't been noticing those small, seemingly inconsquential things in the rush of everyday or if they just haven't been happening at all. so the past few days i've been taking it slow, taking it in, simplifying and noticing. noticing myself mainly, a little self reflection. how i go about my day, the first thing i think when i wake, the last thing i think before going to sleep, how i move, what i say, how i say it, body language, thoughts, dreams. taking stock of where i'm at.  the first thing that struck me was how long it's been since i've reeeally stopped and just, you know, sat with myself. it almost feels like a luxury these days. second to that i started compiling a mental list of things that i used to do, that i loved doing, that i haven't been doing recently, for lack of sleep and time and energy. simple things like reading in bed before lights out or first thing in the morning, letting my body wake by itself, listening and dancing to favourite music, journaling and walking in the bush. i long for these things, simple as they are, and i'm making a concerted effort to bring them slowly into my day again. i remember reading once that being a mama to newborns and very little littles it's akin to being cast adrift in a boat. you're far from the shore, just you and your babe. you can see people standing on the shore, your partner, friends family, waving to you. but they're beyond reach, you're beyond reach. essentially it's just you and this little person drifting together until such time as the boat slowly comes to ground, as it will. while you're out there alone with this tiny being you lose part of yourself for a time, because it's all consuming. there's little time or space for the small things that make you who you are, bring joy to your day, fill you up, so you can keep on waving back at your partner and friends with a genuine smile playing on your lips and resentment for losing yourself for a time, playing out far, far away in another land. i then realised how important these small things are, their cumulative effect, their contribution to keeping everything ok. and then i'm wondering why it's taken me ages to realise this. probably because i'm so busy waving and trying to smile. mental note to self: don't dismiss the small things. oh and letting go, letting your sea legs take over, as imperfect as they may be { because there's beauty in imperfection} also helps. i'm so conscious of how hard i find putting my feelings into words. taking them from the feeling realm and translating them into something slightly comprehensible to others. it's something i aim to be better at. and gosh, if it means i have to wear my heart on my sleeve here from time to time i'm going to do it darn it, for the sake of self preservation and that never ending journey of a lovely thing called self development.  really all this means is that my sea legs are wobbly, i'm going to pick up a book every other night before my eyes close involuntarily and i'm gonna get my groove on. as for the waking gently with the sun, that will have to wait a little, while my little is sorting out her sleep.

 

 

 

summer days

48/365

 

 

it feels like the summer days are slowly winding down. some nights there is the faint hint of a chill in the air. doors and windows have been thrown open once more as the scorching heat of this season, for me the hardest season of the year, fades. once again the neighbourhood has come alive with joggers, cyclists, dog walkers & children. the kids on our street hang outside in the evenings playing handball, street tennis & riding their bikes up and down. it's a memory i carry from my childhood.  the neighbourhood kids, all playing together out on the streeet. we'd stick pieces of cardboard in our bike spokes with pegs to get a 'cool' {ha} flap, flap, flap sound as we rode around the block, then bemoan being dragged in for tea by our mums, only to do it all again the next day. it's funny the little things we remember from childhood. the sap from the wattle tree in our drive that i'd pretend was bubble gum {tasted disgusting}. the orange & black bull ants in the front yard that made walking around in bare feet difficult. our funny little metal letter box that i could bend over & watch recoil time & time again {much to my mum's aggravation}. swinging around & around on the end of the hills hoist { something that also didn't impress my mum}. the patch of feverfew that grew by our back porch.  the mottled green of the pittosporum hedge that we always took our family photos in front of. the pattern on my bedroom curtains. the sound of the washing machine late at night as i lay in bed. the way i'd pretend i'd washed myself when mum came in to check on me in the bath { she sooo would have known, i know that, now that i'm a mama}. the way she could hear my sister & me whispering from the loungeroom through closed doors. digging in the back garden for grey puss's bones. the old house across the road with an overgrown garden that we swore a witch lived in. the mornings it snowed & we'd skate in our school shoes on the driveway. the night police lights flashed outside when the guy across the road could take no more of life. a pale yellow pair of terry towelling shorts {i loved those shorts}. the creek at the end of our street and the mad dash to get our tennis balls before they'd roll all the way down there. the atutmn colours of the liquid amber in our back garden....little things that make up the patchwork memory of childhood. i wonder what memories zahra will have when she grows up.

 

 

small things

 

Our authenticity is found hidden in the small details of our daily round. We think that it is the big moments that define our lives. But really these big moments of happiness are just the punctuation marks. The narrative is written every day in the small and simple

Sarah Ban Breathnach

 

Earlier this week I had a bit of a meltdown. The past months and months of nausea, vomiting, fatigue and general pregnancy discomfort had finally got to me. There were tears, some cranky, defeated kind of  words uttered and lots of hugs. So I thought a little reflection was in order, of all the small things in my world right now that are keeping me going and making me smile.

 

The gorgeous, drizzly, much needed rain and cool spell that had me reaching for a cardi and the doona

 

 

A new project on the needles....

 

...and off the needles

 

 

An early morning delivery of Mr. Lincoln's from a friends garden. Oh, how I have missed fresh cut flowers throughout the house this Summer

 

 

 

Harvesting, no matter how small. It feels good to have grown something this season

 

 

 

Homemade milkshakes drunk through paper straws

 

 

Toblerone, seed and oat biscuits. So good, even if they do give this pregnant Mama a dose of heartburn

 

 

Signs of the season as it draws to a close

 

 

A new window star for my girls room

 

 

The beautiful circle of women and their many, many blessings, that I am surrounded, nurtured and nourished by in these final weeks.

And of course the babe in this ever growing belly of mine, that has brought me, us, on this journey.

 

I hope you are all finding joy in the small things that make you smile.

xoC

 

 

small things

 

Our authenticity is found hidden in the small details of our daily round. We think that it is the big moments that define our lives. But really these big moments of happiness are just the punctuation marks. The narrative is written every day in the small and simple

Sarah Ban Breathnach

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

watercolours

stashed fabric

skeleton leaves and flowering grasses

sparkling dewdrops

silken threads catching the sun

being in the bush

her rock collecting and style

liquid ambers dressed with spiky ornaments

and long afternoon shadows

 

Cxo

small things

Our authenticity is found hidden in the small details of our daily round. We think that it is the big moments that define our lives. But really these big moments of happiness are just the punctuation marks. The narrative is written every day in the small and simple

Sarah Ban Breathnach

Window light and vibrant greens

Morning strolls, riverside picnics and the company of dear friends

Tea, books and knitting in the most glorious of Autumn sunshine

Rediscovered collections from my childhood for her curious hands

Newly found art materials

Fresh flowers from an artists garden, yummy homemade bruschetta, stories, paintings, a gallery tour

Pumpkin harvest, soup and slipper season

The long awaited arrival of this magazine and the slow, hot bath where it will be enjoyed

~a lovely weekend to you friends~

Cxo

 

small things

 

Our authenticity is found hidden in the small details of our daily round. We think that it is the big moments that define our lives. But really these big moments of happiness are just the punctuation marks. The narrative is written every day in the small and simple

Sarah Ban Breathnach

 

sunlight, leaves, nature's colours

gentle fabrics and stitches

collected treasures

rediscovering my dad's ink nibs

the post which finally delivered this book

inspiration in the pages

beginnings with drawing

river stones

 

warmly

Cxo

 

Thursday

Today is Thursday and I had a little story about knitting for you, but seeing as Thursdays seems to be the day when my patience pockets begin to empty, I find myself here, about to tell you all about the little niggly things that make my brow crease. Here goes...

It bothers me that technology can swallow up something that I've created, twice, in less than twenty four hours, in the blink of an eye without emotion

I get frustrated when I want to go straight through a busy two lane intersection and the car in front indicates after the lights change

I get grumpy when our 'man -hen' crows at sparrows fart and I have to go outside sleepy eyed to shush her. Your a hen, you're not supposed to crow. Sort it out.

I really don't like it when I stay up waaaay past my bedtime looking at all the amazing things out in internet land. Makes for a grumpy Mummy. Not a pretty sight.

I get annoyed when I have to drop my voice and hassle the dog to get off the deck and go out back to do things like, oh I don't know, pee and lie in the sun like other dogs do. Oh, I'm a cruel dog owner.

I sigh when I realise these two hands of mine are sometimes just not enough to multi-task as much as I'd like.

I frown at dresses whose straps break on the way to weddings in thick city traffic and forget to take themselves to the dry cleaner when I squirt hot, greasy, stuffed zucchini juice on them.

I find clothes that need dry cleaning, and lets add ironing to that, a nuisance....

I could go on, but it's no fun being grumpy at computers or dresses, zucchini flowers or traffic. When I started this blog nearly a year ago  I was having a tough time and needed to look to the small and beautiful things in my day to day, find some gratitude to help me through. I never intended to include annoyances or negativity, but I'm human and getting frustrated, angry or frowning just a little is bound to happen along the way.

On the flipside, without these small inconveniences I think I'd find it harder to be grateful for the beauty in my day to day. Kind of like Pollyanna and the game she plays finding the good in the seemingly bad. Without technology I wouldn't be here in this space and I wouldn't be able to see all the amazing things out there that are a constant source of inspiration, without our man-hen we wouldn't have eggs right now and without the two hands that I do have I wouldn't be able to do half as much as I do. Dresses are replaceable, traffic teaches patience and disappearing blog posts can be re- written. Take a deep breath and let it go. In this moment I am alive and healthy, and that makes me smile. Think I'll go and do some knitting. Thanks for listening.

    ~Chontelle~

P.S I will be back tomorrow with that knitting story for you.

thoughts

My tummy has been filling and multiplying with butterflies of stress over the last few days and today they came tumbling out as tears. Tears put everything into perspective and make it easy to let the small things fly away with those butterflies.

Feeling that life is so incredibly short and just wanting to slow down the days.

I have a new pair of walking sandals. They are pink but perfect.

Zahra has renamed all of our chooks...Lilac, Superb Fairy Wren, Pigeon, Dove, Chitter Chatter and Lovey-kins.

I went out last night with some beautiful women, for dinner and drinks, without my little, for the first time since I can't remember.

We snuggled up in bed for lunch and ate leftover Thai green curry.

Watching Zahra discover the movie function on her camera.

Seeing the leaves on our apple tree beginning to turn

Feeling excited about the new season on its way...my favourite time of year...and the woollens, rain, colours, light and cosying up this brings

Watching storm clouds pass over with the hint of a violet sunset

Thinking about unravelling that bamboo, silk hat I cast on for last week to make something small for a friend's early babe

About to embark on a very busy week of driving, study and exams. Wondering if I actually want to finish this thing.

Attempted to offer over the phone IT advice to my Mum. Hmmm.

Feeling blessed to receive a beautiful artwork by the generous and talented Leslie Labram

Saddened with the goodbyes of my studio neighbour, but over the moon that she is on her way to something new and exciting. It won't be the same without you Rosie Pip.

Marvelling at the lingering intensity of last week's market flowers. Market day again tomorrow.

Filled with gratitude for the helping hands of beautiful friends this week

Feeling incredibly loved and nurtured by my peeps.

 ~

warmly C xo

 

 

 

 

Summer heat

 

It's this time of year, every year, holed up inside, living in a cave, curtains drawn and windows shut to drive away the heat, that I seriously daydream about living somewhere else. Perusing Northern Hemisphere blog land with images of freshly fallen, crisp, cool snow just adds fuel to my daydream fire. To snap me back to the here and now I look for the good things, however small, to remind myself of what it is that I do like about the rising temperatures of Summer...

the cool of the river on our toes 

 watching Kaya snorkel for rocks

gardening in the early morning

eating al fresco

any breeze, any air movement that brushes against sweaty skin and lifts see through curtains

summer ripening

the ruffled whites, pinks and purples of crepe myrtle blossoms

rising with the sun...some mornings, and the calming solitude this brings

iridescent Christmas beetles

crispy, dry washing in less than an hour

thunderstorms that break the stretch of hot, dry days

the first hint of chill in the air and the promise of a new season

~

What do you love about your seasonal here and now?

 

 

 

small things

 frocks from bygone eras

afternoon watercolours

games I played when I was her age

delicate lupins

wishing seeds and flowering corn

dancing rainbows

handmade hearts

Summer harvest

~

Our authenticity is found hidden in the small details of our daily round. We think that it is the big moments that define our lives. But really these big moments of happiness are just the punctuation marks. The narrative is written every day in the small and simple

Sarah Ban Breathnach

 

lately

 

Lately we have been...

making simple halloween lanterns

sewing last minute spring cushion covers and loving that shade of blue

watching over an under the weather lady friend

savouring  new season tomatoes

smelling the glut of roses from the garden indoors and out

attending a chook wedding

digging up, wrapping  and gifting those fifty or so extra cherry tomatoes plants that I enthusiastically sowed a few months back

Love to know what simple, small and beautiful things your season has brought to you?

small things

 

seaside colours

happy calendulas in the garden and on the table

afternoon sunshine

spices

apple blossoms

nesting

her pinch pots

fresh pesto

handwritten messages

little treasures

a girl and her dog

bush sunsets

Our authenticity is found hidden in the small details of our daily round. We think that it is the big moments that define our lives. But really these big moments of happiness are just the punctuation marks. The narrative is written every day in the small and simple

Sarah Ban Breathnach

 

simple pleasures

 

 

 sunshine

 

 

                                                                           holding

                                                                         light

 

                                                                           blue  

  

 

 

colour



                                                                       progress   

 

gifts

 

                                                                            touch



                                                                        climbing



 

                                                                        concocting



                                                                            bathing



                                                                         cuddling



                                 

                                                                              moving



                                                                                   cooling

 

There's something weird going on with Typepad tonight, or maybe it's my computer. Three hours later and a simple post has become not so simple. Odd layout I know but I'm not gonna fight it any more, I need sleep.

small things

'Little things' are the hinges of the universe

Fanny Fern

  
A single moment, captured from the week- a moment  to pause, savour and remember - as inspired by soulemama

Our authenticity is found hidden in the small details of our daily round. We think that it is the big moments that define our lives. But really these big moments of happiness are just the punctuation marks. The narrative is written every day in the small and simple

Sarah Ban Breathnach

small things

'Little things' are the hinges of the universe

Fanny Fern

 
photo by the very talented film maker Miss JJ

Our authenticity is found hidden in the small details of our daily round. We think that it is the big moments that define our lives. But really these big moments of happiness are just the punctuation marks. The narrative is written every day in the small and simple

Sarah Ban Breathnach

small things

Our authenticity is found hidden in the small details of our daily round. We think that it is the big moments that define our lives. But really these big moments of happiness are just the punctuation marks. The narrative is written every day in the small and simple

Sarah Ban Breathnach

 

'Little things' are the hinges of the universe

Fanny Fern

a single moment

 

 A single moment, captured from the week- a moment  to pause, savour and remember - as inspired by soulemama

 

a single moment

A single photo capturing a simple, special, extraordinary moment from the week. inspired by soulemama.