Saturday, January 8, 2011

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We are home from a lovely few days in the country. Days well spent at the Wittacork Dairy Farm, where we stayed in a cottage overlooking Lake Baroon and the Obi Obi Gorge National Park. The constantly changing view from our balcony was the sort I never tire of. Rolling hills, grazing cows, the placid lake and the many moods of sky and clouds. 

Rain came like a veil over the mountains and stayed with us intermittently during our farm stay. We donned gumboots and raincoats to collect the hens eggs. We watched as the cows were milked in the dairy and fed the calves their bottles. We trekked through the rain forest, casually at first, until we encountered many leeches by the waterfall. With quickened pace we completed the walk, stopping periodically to remove the leeches from our boots as we went. I did not feel entirely comfortable again until sometime after I'd had a shower and thrown all our rain forest clothes in the wash! Next time I will be packing some of this! 

We ambled along the ridge at dusk, observing the cows as they observed us. Followed in our wanderings by the friendly farm cat. Each night large spiders made their webs above the balcony and each morning web and spider were gone. The rain prohibited us from taking of as many photographs as I would have liked, but I do have a collection of black and white photos for next weeks challenge.

Cohen so enjoyed his time at the farm, especially feeding the calves and playing with Ted, the border collie. I throughly enjoyed the change of focus, the slowing down, the chance to write, read, or sit on the balcony with a hot cup of coffee. It was a wonderful chance to connect as a family, and to see my two boys in a different environment and thus a different light.

Friday, January 7, 2011

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Tips for better black and white photography...

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I do not profess in anyway to be a photography expert, and I wouldn't feel confident enough to offer advice on the subject. However, there are many very talented people out there who have put together some wonderful tips and examples on improving your photography. To name but a few-

Thursday, January 6, 2011

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Black and white photography inspiration...

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Image credits, left to right-
Gdnght1, dranidi, Catroina67,
fixedwheelnut, Catroina67, dagurb,  
Good.for.Future, Jaya Sen, Bruiach.

'There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs.' - Ansel Adams

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

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Photography Challenge: 'A Week of Black and White' 


To encourage, inspire and create.


Commencing: Monday 10th January 2011 


A black and white photo a day, posted to your blog or to the Flickr group. Anyone is free to join in, either by posting just once, or each day during the week. Just add your link to the list on Monday's post so we can all find you. Photos can be of any theme of your choosing. They can be taken using film or digital cameras. (If your digital camera does not have a black and white option, photos could also be edited in photoshop, or using free online editing software, such as Picnik.)

You don't have to be a great photographer to enter! It's about the enjoyment of taking the photos, finding inspiration and inspiring others, improving your photography skills or allowing yourself to do something different.

All participants who link to their posts will be automatically entered into a giveaway, to be drawn Monday 24th Janurary, 2011. So make sure to take your camera with you this week!

To be followed by 'A week of Colour' challenge, one colour each day.

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

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A simple zippered pouch. Quite useful in containing the wayward items, forever right at the bottom of my bag. 

Linen fabric. Thrifted zip. Pattern from 'Sew La Tea Do'.

Sunday, January 2, 2011

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(Photo by Dave)

'In summer, the song sings itself.' 
- William Carlos Williams

Saturday, January 1, 2011

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Drizzling rain greets the first day of the year. 

The gentle pattering has accompanied my Spring cleaning. I've been washing, organising, decorating and de-cluttering the house. A clean slate for a new year.

There are many things I would love to change about our home. A new kitchen, a different coffee table, a nicer cabinet, no more cream tiles. Yet while it's not the dream house of our imaginations, it is our home. Our refuge. And we are reflected in the items herein. 

The desire to continue nesting has been awakened and I'm looking forward to making some more changes. Perhaps nothing as dramatic as a new kitchen, as yet. But change nonetheless.
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