tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42941929322870339922024-03-16T18:07:48.175+11:00majikfaerieAdventures in being a majik faerie...<br>
Unschooling, midwifing, natural living, rainbow life :)majikfaeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604747660164437868noreply@blogger.comBlogger697125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4294192932287033992.post-33201137731089917572015-12-27T00:43:00.000+11:002015-12-27T00:43:13.795+11:00Family Christmas<span style="color: #38761d;">The past few years, since Littletree and I went through a major shift in our lives, we've been celebrating Christmas. Just quietly, in our own way. The last two years we went down to spend the holiday with my family in South Australia, but that wasn't possible this year, so we created our own special family here at home.</span><div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;">Littletree got involved with the google+ Secret Santa, which was awesome</span></div>
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<img class="SzDcob" height="320" jsname="uLHQEd" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/6l4qAq9urGBjAxLKPgi9MaILHcHGXI8mAYzVN1onhnzCPqcbCErrnFRYecwBENWJhXhoBTyU22_VXLsXFpR7xwwuHP8zaCJKdWRHHe2ldzv3B890T2Ilt56tXgNp0udYHTPCBiyMqJTw855OSCkJKg0EG2Ac0YFBl_tCon5OfMTYEi8vHJPdxabOiCpqJZK-xBGaXAdVTYmBZ2L6zonQGhqcxJ96vqAX0hNWw9a4yVIVKBIZIOaqgopEEf5cSl0RxTX_r30efRWonskJVyvzOCKhjEzvGzIUMvUCN65IsQ3hk8VSHvRxKeaTnaHT998kUzgkrKR2ww_0CPTTJ1Bt-jGxUAD-E030LKstjqZMsrwFqau8MX9LrkdTJX9g1UAifsKBczOKnCGUvRUq3ap1vP6atIdKBpuBplOyTgBsQiVK1gq8JRx9G0fbI6g0NoWUq4jNZTsR5-HEPswu06WtB82zC5B895pHYaUK4LsmZjxJqGny-69soFPHsDhMFnVFWheND4d16ITC2O5AanFdsD24Qwpv8AdxKer30MLUu-6o4EV0k6jTFYxqqUgChHY5iXaASw=w389-h643-no" style="transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px) rotate(0deg);" width="193" /><img aria-label="Photo - Portrait - 16 Dec 2015" class="SzDcob" height="320" jsname="uLHQEd" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/b4LAQtqGq3_k9zohYS6mMjNcS1Hnhl5U58F0nd3oIWLGYOp4gWla2bWpXP5qAb4_OxG7KjGMTcaCdIJ4zSgwzDXZj4X1KquX-Xa2laXj3GSUc3vT0n9ap14CMmMlQMYRZgjQXWR7-nUUMcgvJyUuVllUcbZXh6Zrgtc0aXbsN9k588U_IM6dcjbd1Y4njIxITCyBhrFHv8smGx7rznOuHKhoVPeqtf9Tr3bncVs04_klztuGU9TaVJSB57ne2cr3zhr03MxTD3aysdQy4nC8lfgmbDWddCwh7WlmktkGyXkGUwFEAb5aFZWRWooby4X3hhklTKcoLpqfUA1fvdL6i8uEKUpvr6rq7A5wHoYV9c8zl6-UkA9Hy8dgFa9IABdTFqOrNafmjbOEm-BUwGT6p6z9W6M1LIy2UQmK1xQqI3Gpj0bJ-BJWZHh4KkYzHzfmT-estUucRkNXU3ncD70a9Lz5DfRXBoBA8Lhf7wH6xMyVAedhxNo6YqoX8b8oygCHsRi2R0dqyzxh8c90RKdeNSMi-z8j88AHo5xc10AyxxTIS2cai7rwCL3PkNnbaCZLhhhL2A=w419-h643-no" style="transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px) rotate(0deg);" width="208" /></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;">We created a geeky Christmas "tree" -a binary tree made of coat hangers in a tree formation hung with manila file folders and decorated with broken tech - old USB cables, wonky gadgets, broken ADSL splitters - our 'Angel' was Andy the Android and of course we added a TARDIS.</span></div>
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<img aria-label="Photo - Landscape - 16 Dec 2015" class="SzDcob" height="212" jsname="uLHQEd" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/0l8yETeOtkZZ_WOrYBdrMbrQ4IA_NL_7wgRTx1uszMFeC0IVPvwoX3sO3wnsH8NedqCXqXE1glbi54DGmR-N-L12I6PMwwSNWAKMiM09QxOuzLlgiQJebsDTEdCKkfcZiX1YU3kRCZpcMofghtcKPrVoevcbrGvHTu4d-DcCSYW5RTrFEbZzy-Jk5eXswVYQhYD75E7yU6fm98VzW-KS5tLxjQZ6S1-hmlVWV1PzK07uEaj_LIjhbsJkgogLBarA9yb5m3EE41mKjkH6_n8DxNHp8UyqmidjV9nHPDY0xjOhcZ1E18lZUvmZUbD10z9lAuJEmoRJ5FrAImr8EuDLE-deUMsE3cuZJ92SHxLnjoJhrxmlmB8Nl1NkQv71qpWasUa9-KEpdpGnwYRMwEXP5jTJaQeTRqFTLhi4UcnujyQ8f2JFb77OqcCdzDLqcBGOzczblqGKCENaRUzgqaJ7rTlrPfsdXzEbXUqM5GnJJPgNJr4nBRHVJ6ricR1D7rbZnh2Vz0MGfiDsWVpqv4K0NKOes1gD_YfDk9JsOOoDc_3hGVQ4F_cjHucGAjpEsYTE6e5izQ=w970-h643-no" style="transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px) rotate(0deg);" width="320" /></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;">Gifts we kept simple - of course a few sneaky treats for Littletree from Doctor Who (because we don't believe in Santa)</span></div>
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<a href="https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipNwV4YOghv7Xt59oO57LhFhoqDqrSksQAXRiLI-"></a><img aria-label="Photo - Landscape - 25 Dec 2015" class="SzDcob" height="209" jsname="uLHQEd" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/x6GsTzfDd7MJ4cJYrxeV_2baLFmkoMBZ93ytIBWk73heILiHuCH07b53zRegsFP8IbdmRJ8MKf_HVjkUqu1NVk6yYx4m7WwDtsiYc6Tysbd8dcOZUMbGWht9vQj_1z2HKQtYxqsLhhjmZcZcDsggmnywqm7IQ3FQ9Y66elPohHgjNZQq1pDClIxV-s7NzXoERvOIQzvYZrggvHCtSIbYFd9MdvJ2A3_-0JGY0u2CKpr8IBPKl21MQz2nNS-UZBvbsM_lqWTRxzS3ocWWKbDreWK_dPTDzb65bH2TGBrVbuCnDkMrKPmg2frna3mL8EoFwN06EctSFCMm6axctR8i47t_T7iECGq-o9oJBKbkgSwDu-yM7TdJGoDaPI8SWV002nG7ruIKwyQO7RWMeTn7J9fWddDUzSz96rci28XGDt3cXAnamR5dS1dPhPpY1nIWjDzzuOJ5edeBR0TyOyJ0gbsEhLHx1NSn7n3ZhtyKLqo-3-MnHaPTCG5hlqQptUFmYE04Tvtzpmf8nN0G4yyKpTWBL1Gv9DHUxGeoPFXs03Hx06LNFElbIw_-H-1eisgF-QQqww=w981-h643-no" style="transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px) rotate(0deg);" width="320" /> <img aria-label="Photo - Landscape - 25 Dec 2015" class="SzDcob" height="179" jsname="uLHQEd" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0rArQp3QtGzyKQs6a2DH_dGlTV9WSVPhWd2hWbV9Oa6Ue94ku_2OKdasx0b70aft7lj0T2luJEko2TCKnDuEETIFke_2DXsa3nG9jIQEHwZ_6su3dfnGAVo18YtOzF6cI4cSGRgpGxKk/w1144-h643-no/" style="transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px) rotate(0deg);" width="320" /></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;">Naturally, every time Littletree wasn't looking, "The Doctor" popped by with his TARDIS and left another little present</span></div>
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<img aria-label="Photo - Portrait - 25 Dec 2015" class="SzDcob" height="320" jsname="uLHQEd" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/KxyTnVux_gIXHgG4rpksXjEY2B0769AqWYfnb9xhNPkRFvJPsj4AhQEQU44zxGhEknip8mnCoBLzoSaqV1xuwz3bFt-ve2xucF0USWcCW-gC2OwylWCc5CIaA8mvd8iAzJeTKRzJrQdK4Y4jbtRw2CMdmXk5PjIZBqqTJcEiRUOGZh7YxS6RO7QBV7muF0M6glh0ewKT5T1wNyc9qTKnkrY2QHjrKd2pTY9OU16-Ma1YQar9ZQXFaSHbNU8DjarsBAqoTMlc535LLm2X7MCFmBIPXKpwa8zwTCzsGhWyNFFsdMs3kr8Hv2HZGdzx1QfOdrGfAv_XuV4WAKwKjWaSi3GYRv5ovuGUirK_gxVPjU8CKxccAVjXv7i23Y_e8mCkRO6doVcZOxe-J0bQncDYHTFYip7p8HQmvAwhw30h7bQeu1biBQNmLpxrZbPWRm4fLzJXAVgU_hD01TYH15CWG3fW8fz-t10Oogl5UsQAa3dJ8TV5cVdV6vw2I-EdJcW98MMP9Fwd2gKGKdFu3rJpmX-p1M771TTF3Osyns6Ld2CTPRnosOMKXEb2m5Xk3lnEiK38gw=w362-h643-no" style="transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px) rotate(0deg);" width="180" /> <img aria-label="Photo - Portrait - 25 Dec 2015" class="SzDcob" height="320" jsname="uLHQEd" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/SkVp1BtTi3u2uWykk2_WrCOplpwQzHfSY842b3EZDETS8DS8uvSsufFsG_EoY3hQjrPaZFTGa3Bxgrr6j36nvjbKIzfDGwhEKF4d88vGo09W515YfU1KtMjf7RIWu-iauLIRNf-0wjtmoQ6b0FVoJPTvLBgNyPBU8aCFVj42s2xc4-K0Wk0liRdOTEIG0xTpzvvxPQSREKN7feYo0SfdZLaUFTRBr55eSlL55NRVAf2DhYEiYFh2unZk8z579VANIUfdn3yNBpNC0A_RK7JuzXEF6h255GIroafF7MlXn0dHvbI1StGo9NFQkfV5vKhCtZtuFToag38HlcbLmPpgcIdC_4DUn5Tar4q7MBEVYAJJshixEvWY4Yu1rVit6FbI1JYOIxUZOUEt5hQ1d0fk-Sa1aPlUjDV5pNP7ZdNlH2urXFqSIR7DP6moXLvnNnd2bbGevFvR-6ZM6MWO0xQa-uQ3HAdLAoQ1o4jTlR4skoI8WwFaNM6aB4Qvrj2oGAXb4HRQtcNejijhlXpp9p842KU9iGL1Xvt2sicMpziwXF_bk86KMtYkyhB_6Lfh2W-PUgn6TQ=w439-h643-no" style="transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px) rotate(0deg);" width="218" /></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;">We kept it simple with gifts; aside from her much appreciated Secret Santa hoard of Doctor Who merchandise and Art supplies, Littletree got a portable bluetooth speaker from me and Shark Girl</span></div>
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<img aria-label="Photo - Portrait - 25 Dec 2015" class="SzDcob" height="320" jsname="uLHQEd" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/7sSO2Z1hx5JPSaLnE9re-4P8lNe4-fTudRXN8fjpl_DsclKk9WsupPSZUuULqLmctgf19pgJfn7esrDbw6_fzCsmmwDSw7ffz2HfF-Uh0hS__Ea19-t9dRJGE7yk_puDlO9vZgCs-A4oFm7Wj8puytyvpKdehgV2D3PoX7bDFdWPMUiYo6Kn0egNrMJbbm67GlBYRSqafCRL8d5rU-oF41nJANClLuQOLuQil69YlWEpWvIg6xhdI7fCij-fsKQGv0sgrVpRc2KDjzGd2nkcHbJyIpnE0z3KDOj3IwSk1w2C3Fr2jmvYWS1MtPx7IKPP9D_lKoTvGLvTtUd9y9cY0jv_fBPoR76TuduOxFdhdBZIM4vZzuqOC0E4B3u6EHAG0AeGRLHMJmlRg7ThCFsb9yAFMu6p-6FfB1K-K3LIt_YDPTPJKyhjQaVXDU1GXBhpAfIuykb56rk0x9QRyPUtzVL5CTEodH4Ettpi82xuqzFqF9vw_fRUuvXkHBFduutOPAcKI-7HtEtqp8FEFQPjeY62znlsP58TOIwy-hHjtaC-J5y6Dli5nAL1CGM5QqaMDCkdGQ=w464-h643-no" style="transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px) rotate(0deg);" width="230" /></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;">I gave Shark Girl a gift that was more shark wrapping than actual gift, and Littletree gave her a book about sharks with an altered book cover that she'd made herself</span></div>
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<img aria-label="Photo - Landscape - 22 Dec 2015" class="SzDcob" height="179" jsname="uLHQEd" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/bVPh_OmbApA7_L--JrRw_6WuVz4dReyZwuIQEjsS8SJEe_a1m98t1pDMt1cvDOft4cPAv_cwOk2HNZaL7J1zU-oCJuqtf8NvjjnWhQx6ljtVH-sxOgL00Bh3745UoqVMuKJE1Rapd_qcvtAd3rtgmLfbN7OiOjxfxzt7sRoSSLbr8vlIhoKq3qvOtLhRJichyH0lzyDrI6dGLAOYMfqFH6enTpbRMGB15mzTSe5P_hwM1cbysNFIyBxsldT2HNVTT5NKFL7keGpZ3oXbAn9c0P4BLHXBjBWF-lrhYxJ3hSDrGB5C36gZdi1Eb6pYCVCC55ULFsJj1brpf04r1DVSKQBbdmP7ro2yW3-xOa4sQMtkYHvgheGa88jqSOcGqrrGz6_HzDOpO1Zjz13aa7NMfFyKDBajUa3CTcmzMf70807GvQuEd1rT1EtmJe8AY3EAeEFUjXAgVtljyJBUgv-3Y_UmR8uqq6LAWrqKkQRJqMVavd8VEr55YG_b9dNUb5eoyxidKpKVnQ3VPXeX0L3jSXLl3dS6Pgztx-0PxsRY5b57xIyWfLmraqDekCx9oWqywPoz1g=w1144-h643-no" style="transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px) rotate(0deg);" width="320" /> <img aria-label="Photo - Landscape - 25 Dec 2015" class="SzDcob" height="228" jsname="uLHQEd" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/QTLQ15UujPYW-ZKEviAjrKnp0Q8pe9zQllSTzjgVWzzFPXfn8yQZBdMARSx2SFRlEjTBuE1LPApJ1PwZFLByEz69w71Ek0JOBBH-25mhVQQLSJBMqzhKznbOWdc8V_pnQ-YRBYF-zo819gqAb5FuB3oCAAc6id-MWltXW7EwoX1ipJBLZbvSyhsCTRuJI2x52b_1_Pz4FLiHNUrlYP8fqgV4N80AulvK9Q-4kB-jC3yJYxw3rww0wyRkj9bDj5o9Mb6kje7dz4LDdqsPTbMtYWVJ3kwvrl-QJUpdKmmGILi7oql1koMCSea9Tt3Ogr_rC_WB7cLSjnWYSCplnZXs1VNtXwWhfvJdTqWJdbrDvc2wlfRqgYU2HKmLjoycuuhzoFrC60olZMCYVpK2gHE_vimJd_m0o2K3q7tb8JdReaOQHM-IBnkrc9w581Q-BoZXBwICSE_x_Dc3q9VzSCuzNASv1oiBK9vqPjqv3yKNUKJiyHiTappgojDv-6SRMi78XJAYMXxv9AMeSe4-SLgnzeOOnWHBQiNgxKlEUt-3AlbWCKZUme_JksJDWX0jXOeqc-q6jg=w899-h643-no" style="transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px) rotate(0deg);" width="320" /></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;">And Littletree and Shark Girl together got me the most incredible gift - a really nice Android Tablet :) Which is super cool and replaces the old <a href="http://majikfaerie.blogspot.com.au/2010/12/i-got-my-ipad.html" target="_blank">iPad that I won</a> back in 2010 (amazingly the 5 year old iPad still 'works' but thanks to Apple's stupid closed system, the device is completely obsolete and unusable - ironic to turn it on and find that it can't update anything and most apps aren't supported on this "out of date" technology).</span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;">I also got a very treasured gift - a friend back in Israel sent me copies of my two favourite picture books that we always travelled with and that I read to Littletree every day when she was small. I lost our original copies under sad circumstances, and I missed them very much. So it feels extra special to get these; even if only for nostalgic reasons. And I'm teaching Littletree to read more in Hebrew.</span></div>
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<img aria-label="Photo - Landscape - 26 Dec 2015" class="SzDcob" height="205" jsname="uLHQEd" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/l5-8rrI_Fv0SfYwKGrV9J0J8oxLWVNGnvrt0Rbo1y2krPsAVdmBXOdMOrPkzeS1Qv--wAw1WxG0ddnZCHc5ryhOIJ06DRe8sh88g9CVqChsTG5Nh9xa-isc6VIX6iAas8G3wjX2dFLQRcqkNaZGg864aBIcAoF_gAXVTHWNFDHqlUApeqdnZKwU5ybChwZHd-vZSgR1_Rjd1IEr1lmGXqMW9G4qZtAEBE_u_5092biQBV3c6-Xj3jpBBp2j1pUftvUqENHtOZuYdWqUa8lJKI_0mILWauTglAp8BPt6ny0KdNbNjtm3-OKZ6yFO-FRL2Q1PPhRUKikkdvTIIQSxRhjeQxDHOfO3eOcpLy8oAA2pJOAPexVTqNYhP05EjDwGWx2RnyUaUm3wAgc0mTROy80-EqNGvSV4Z0oZmlp7rmv3ru7nZluJNZM71ORpfOi5Ld205wwvePXOWTqJT-Gjvs7qQKCFvSSrbPoCqjHluzXXwgTxWCUxt_5mJe1AaYXeVzzaaLq83YGF8eAudRzuBVJGcGvDilLRI3HaYR7KllThuxVygCQOEx_Nk2UCKVikoZGCxdw=w1002-h643-no" style="transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px) rotate(0deg);" width="320" /></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;">The three of us all hand-painted little singlets for the fresh baby our new housemates had (he's 6 weeks old now!)</span></div>
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/PrIASArih2RAIh2yB-8uIaef3q4q_vY_kS9KRUp-Olx-pSUw75joo85Bh9u9MGHdzLa1uPsx52J03xx8NgXZW6JsehqykwAyO6K5VL95BLuviMsDxQ9SMebNNWw8S_e6ms2bhXNC5RdG8jElSafUinw5hMittgxVppzMJxXkeOg-x8hwQJEi2t6e4AEPmh7sKPTz6ZNZXao4Q1NuyGWF5OcDQg-QKQ2EENIuGDh4A_Og-ehkFlEuWt4jSk6w7D5J4uyzuFsTKVw4Z3qOzQXQYvWODt7us8R_eKT_WdrUIgFeu1WZ8kBHiSG8E6RBhBDmlzOLz4FaATM4bQNaEHoZUOlz4l-m30sjPmNwpEViqzOENmqdygbgPv6x7QRGayQN0GJVe32ggBImRFKIAY2qYY4ayE2L3VdbRyCq4DJ-TplXg4GHyXZ53CIQgIiORtEFquAdtJ9dise8bSpilui6pctLbbhEjEv2CH6HG_h5f8-X7m2JnJqqJJ14PjRfcdvguPC00BBHc6822KZ4KOUTvC_esxy71A2s3j9Z7GiJI4eeNacUCe48gM7z39osczAtGZ_g_g=w1144-h643-no" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aria-label="Photo - Landscape - 23 Dec 2015" border="0" class="SzDcob" height="179" jsname="uLHQEd" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/PrIASArih2RAIh2yB-8uIaef3q4q_vY_kS9KRUp-Olx-pSUw75joo85Bh9u9MGHdzLa1uPsx52J03xx8NgXZW6JsehqykwAyO6K5VL95BLuviMsDxQ9SMebNNWw8S_e6ms2bhXNC5RdG8jElSafUinw5hMittgxVppzMJxXkeOg-x8hwQJEi2t6e4AEPmh7sKPTz6ZNZXao4Q1NuyGWF5OcDQg-QKQ2EENIuGDh4A_Og-ehkFlEuWt4jSk6w7D5J4uyzuFsTKVw4Z3qOzQXQYvWODt7us8R_eKT_WdrUIgFeu1WZ8kBHiSG8E6RBhBDmlzOLz4FaATM4bQNaEHoZUOlz4l-m30sjPmNwpEViqzOENmqdygbgPv6x7QRGayQN0GJVe32ggBImRFKIAY2qYY4ayE2L3VdbRyCq4DJ-TplXg4GHyXZ53CIQgIiORtEFquAdtJ9dise8bSpilui6pctLbbhEjEv2CH6HG_h5f8-X7m2JnJqqJJ14PjRfcdvguPC00BBHc6822KZ4KOUTvC_esxy71A2s3j9Z7GiJI4eeNacUCe48gM7z39osczAtGZ_g_g=w1144-h643-no" style="transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px) rotate(0deg);" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;">And we had a few good friends around for an awesome barbecue. Simple, delicious. Fun times!</span></div>
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<img aria-label="Photo - Landscape - 25 Dec 2015" class="SzDcob" height="179" jsname="uLHQEd" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/LY1JGk9jlQHW76zsFK-4wLOMGOCQj2Y4VrCvRo02l3BkxJEzl-dAN0OHPw16nyYts9lKNB_mtQjYHe7Mh8438f1AoW7KsBK8QwADT8wferJeWsZdHKoXuFILNmU8DS9SwgXlcsDYaLQAqQayBT4iQ3qXHbfW1QjE3eDnSjZ5qU6WcfoHk0fG9XpEoqI1Eda87cApMTysbCWWXOJVsvP2mOFaAM48YSgHP1Z55Bu7ZiKIrBaI8Ovmd1zYE0yfhEaaCnMFoeEaMmI6526i_f3Br-tm1bVqT1PCLLkDRs9QLwPKBewfjbg-_zJppGjXf89Hv1DG2kcQ2NjxrObfo_d57ZGoNAvfQFhB3N6jeMDaDyhHidQSzM7Y4lBequ4svro5E7vO0caa08yuOYOcnKER9dHkTe-IHbo3K4OsaqmRWGQDF64gQj05qrrrVGeodyIhlOmHVpnupr9rCdz2mznhUKxmfDt4FWkv-g28zYaCzCBL8-7y44gdrAedq5uWcO5KSjPdYQ2dO7nAu4cPh-tGUxpN0CHUBt5UPch1iLl81OjYO-4lB6_NeBvIgyk5iOMDubNbVQ=w1144-h643-no" style="transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px) rotate(0deg);" width="320" /> <img aria-label="Photo - Portrait - 25 Dec 2015" class="SzDcob" height="320" jsname="uLHQEd" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/uaUaNuoLMMJIfzwO_uruuR3PFRcrSv9X86aZLMgNiEmcHwX8T0k4sWtrF0LKnbNaZrjIrzeaJx7hBQlyzcg0NSNnpk_y_2ks7JanrIMFFzS6GFH4P9QdP_kiHuNMfwNS7zBxdxIXulJmbO38a3RE0XrXpAEGgt0AZpyuI7QdNYbMRwasrVwk2wrVupfkYxelXalQ6OXD6J0rDslP6qd9qPfx-BXXvqob9XKRFYy2I1Y64VYy1HS8Uolyk_YkZwS7f38iWlqQT6GXpKhZloWew1rryVxXsbfxVoARhk8rhu4i7sKTJu6vcVDc_MR2pesRmbSF-BbdxzpsggzSBKOBCACGkRs1WzAaZ7yHDKxnNLGTOojCzHfHs3P_6xsg74JbWISNNOgNFH9siv8lN5ZAHQPIXJGI4h43Oe-ugqeye2wUbBEhcVAnYbOMpOemBk84oVDNsz9YOV8MxJlA--cdLq3XVk5EmpsmD_H-2WqNZHtpFRjSqGTz76ewFmUUDyv3O4qEiTnXymxp2iS4jB_JbhMDE8OrO8CJaImqiu-dDMqocEuxkU9mSwhuAKTWyiv4GC4mGw=w483-h643-no" style="transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px) rotate(0deg);" width="240" /> <img aria-label="Photo - Portrait - 26 Dec 2015" class="SzDcob" height="320" jsname="uLHQEd" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNvJyDfFRxjae4pyQcjvCXBUV16G3UY8E81nvyP73eZGJdhWjA-xYrTEn81u8xqDl3B6t2it9z2GC4cAu6V9sVH_Lu8jkdyJOiSQjg_XnK8O3MCBmx0F45parLBKQZ87abHG5E85s6ep4/w428-h643-no/" style="transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px) rotate(0deg);" width="212" /> <img aria-label="Photo - Landscape - 25 Dec 2015" class="SzDcob" height="236" jsname="uLHQEd" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/09yJkI22cW5fk2_xjq4miOPGJ9NdxiWw19JbR_wq4ISoK-OmAMb6tKTsfMPOpqy5tbtoxqPA3qYt1JEGewdv2YquJ-JykE5jvPJw45MAXr9NOMmzY_vjz0AmZEBS0dR4vrz4sdvg5DcIY6zreXvVFgLFsWCZprco5icEy4b2T3ZUsIcAq8V4UtJUWxhhNo8vUMu70d1lHnG6WtHWiIYhOX3IJXUF_mXvetx_viCzSV3ypqEbhDM1Ux3G0e7ZdXybpyGz1PU4hBFjW-tEnPABrRK4zMphx7R4pTbsLxe4DPxvWXqt2AN9yiOSj8-LVMyKb5n9BJlEw6wzJmiBw8W7Q8hjW9XM6LW5EEfB1A9DVZ-kO8z5LwoQISKMzWDGRVFqrnZLPSeNUxgju2CyxdTOPbfccPCMEAQs3kUqLuQM-xQrpOCRU_EEGmHQKlRhUFBS0BaZKZ5A-UQUX4SPlAej8wxx4KeAvCWPrBkWuXlb85t-XiuvwsUBTKstHORYvDG1AbcJCeHjRS944MVGMg26sdwATiQhRpmDqvxlqnsdr2fWuAZpdp9XJ5u83wx5eC4n1tmfhg=w869-h643-no" style="transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px) rotate(0deg);" width="320" /></div>
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majikfaeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604747660164437868noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4294192932287033992.post-76208849160593015662015-12-22T00:45:00.001+11:002015-12-22T00:56:05.160+11:00Summer solstice<p dir="ltr">The longest day of the year.<br>
We light a fire to mark the ceremony, cleansing. Wine for the blood, incense fire for the air, the spring flowing.<br>
We let go of all the things that don't serve us, we let go the bonds that hold us.<br>
I cast off the hooks that lying, manipulating abusers have tried to control me with.<br>
They have no power over me.<br>
I take back my strength and I stand in my truth and power.</p>
<p dir="ltr">And so the seasons change, and I grow and heal. Reclaiming myself.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Merry solstice</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrtejirn5cO-8CaalSPNf7j7qSYY6F24tnm2mz6GLRi5tqCpC-3DV5HptdGTXB2Kspxeuiysd9gfDRdzCo1iPCFMlJEVwbe65VHD7MqwUUzIMBwER8u-kdJeVZZNyIRmkcNr7MbDi53KQ/s1600/20151221_205936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrtejirn5cO-8CaalSPNf7j7qSYY6F24tnm2mz6GLRi5tqCpC-3DV5HptdGTXB2Kspxeuiysd9gfDRdzCo1iPCFMlJEVwbe65VHD7MqwUUzIMBwER8u-kdJeVZZNyIRmkcNr7MbDi53KQ/s640/20151221_205936.jpg"> </a> </div>majikfaeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604747660164437868noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4294192932287033992.post-38581052054579083332015-12-19T20:48:00.000+11:002015-12-19T20:48:52.145+11:00Fallow Ground<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In farming, there is a practise known as letting a field stand fallow - where the land is given a year to 'rest' in between cultivating crops.</span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In the Jewish tradition, farmers leave the fields fallow every seventh year, known as <i>shmita</i> - this allows the soil to rejuvenate.</span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And so with the soul, sometimes there is a need for a fallow year; a time of rest and rejuvenation, allowing the spirit to regain strength.</span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We let the forest grow wild</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/majikfaerie/SL_LkuRE4KI/AAAAAAAAB-g/iUTdEAn3BjY/30%20rainforest_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/majikfaerie/SL_LkuRE4KI/AAAAAAAAB-g/iUTdEAn3BjY/30%20rainforest_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="-webkit-user-select: none;" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And then the rains come to wash away all the collected detritus of the soul; the hurt, the pain, the challenges one must traverse in the journey of life is washed away.</span><br />
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<a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2208/2176037373_cf2ed54c6c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2208/2176037373_cf2ed54c6c.jpg" style="-webkit-user-select: none;" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Seasons come and seasons go. Time changes everything.</span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And then it's time to wake, blossom from the cocoon</span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> <img height="320" src="https://sfnowak.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/monarch_butterfly_cocoon_6708.jpg" style="-webkit-user-select: none;" width="235" /></span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I become a butterfly, the me who survived. The one left standing in the butterfly graveyard of all the parts crushed and shed, destroyed and broken down.</span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img height="240" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2832/11445841643_c47ecd0f25.jpg" style="-webkit-user-select: none;" width="320" /></span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In that process, one day it's time to wake up and clear some space. Take back what's mine and clear the garden.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img height="320" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_jBAhf4o-0L4/TGTdu3VKofI/AAAAAAAAEOo/_CleyOQNI_s/P1040264_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="-webkit-user-select: none;" width="240" /></span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In the strongest of storms, sometimes there is nothing you can do but let the wind tear you apart, let the rains scour you clear, and finally, when the sun shines, begin to pick up the pieces, repair the damage, and learn to live in the new landscape</span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/d1/fa/41/d1fa41adb6a898680e4726968f511f81.jpg" style="-webkit-user-select: none;" /></span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It is a new path I walk; a new landscape, new beginnings, new horizons, new dawn. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVrZyZ1GB28XwFFw3j2yPQnu5lMXeShseSvoIFm3w5-Q-hmGlqvD4rrDsAN_RFLZKK6tFRUGxH88Fa-LVzgVmdExtR_fmqSYJXWHcbg1DxfNhO_r8Knxcg2wlnG7m5V9msxym-Z8ZpiZI/s1600/20141108_064003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVrZyZ1GB28XwFFw3j2yPQnu5lMXeShseSvoIFm3w5-Q-hmGlqvD4rrDsAN_RFLZKK6tFRUGxH88Fa-LVzgVmdExtR_fmqSYJXWHcbg1DxfNhO_r8Knxcg2wlnG7m5V9msxym-Z8ZpiZI/s320/20141108_064003.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's okay to be broken - it's good for the soul to take some time for fallow fields, only to begin anew; a butterfly.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUfR_QJm2agHFeOMwiMoIql6Vy5Rw1hzEamOL_oIOP98qSJH2K3JwNeftruyQgx1KVEQnbv282f_DrIfSwlA78K8sb5jIZvNEZ1l9PAwFzg3ILTpBQ6umkXNNPNYPShV9wNRENt1VOP6E/s1600/20140515_161554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUfR_QJm2agHFeOMwiMoIql6Vy5Rw1hzEamOL_oIOP98qSJH2K3JwNeftruyQgx1KVEQnbv282f_DrIfSwlA78K8sb5jIZvNEZ1l9PAwFzg3ILTpBQ6umkXNNPNYPShV9wNRENt1VOP6E/s320/20140515_161554.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I will never hide again. I will not live in fear.</span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am a butterfly.</span><br />
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<br />majikfaeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604747660164437868noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4294192932287033992.post-64497689303909389272014-06-25T20:57:00.001+10:002014-06-25T20:57:03.917+10:00Can't Stop Reading<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Littletree is so engrossed in reading lately, she's chewing through books faster than we can get more from the library!</span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I can't even get her to stop reading when we're walking around...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWeCbQlqbA3KygV48lBurD21bHpggWe1-O3iIUrUvmNk7dopQhWD2x8OgZ4v914iiyPZ_qA-dypbw58-caKanDQ0w3SqhJTpkGEVckb5IgfOjd5KztzdX4L2tGgQlLeTEpPPdHDpC2tX8/s1600/20140618_160000+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWeCbQlqbA3KygV48lBurD21bHpggWe1-O3iIUrUvmNk7dopQhWD2x8OgZ4v914iiyPZ_qA-dypbw58-caKanDQ0w3SqhJTpkGEVckb5IgfOjd5KztzdX4L2tGgQlLeTEpPPdHDpC2tX8/s1600/20140618_160000+(2).jpg" height="400" width="255" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I tried telling her to go and spend some time outside in the sunshine...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlLAS2JS3HgjZDa2KHV-lX9Q5COeipb1fhLemmvJli9xhGPJSmPUXk8I75vgSPi-Uqf2bS6w-MuL6V7Rw01pNGcLK1gBB3l5lsM-aSgHBlT4nMMkhF3KwiS3MbawVIMMzjhq4b3zpDaAE/s1600/20140618_160830.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlLAS2JS3HgjZDa2KHV-lX9Q5COeipb1fhLemmvJli9xhGPJSmPUXk8I75vgSPi-Uqf2bS6w-MuL6V7Rw01pNGcLK1gBB3l5lsM-aSgHBlT4nMMkhF3KwiS3MbawVIMMzjhq4b3zpDaAE/s1600/20140618_160830.jpg" height="400" width="273" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I told her to go play and climb trees...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisywECsMt9Dtg4RUU0RsAu2y0dvHkwne8aKKSH9uM1ErFOI0zOESvNbiEHE1BSmr_mjsjP7vo2HvnjoGTMMriNvoQUIlkgPbBwjPde_hrNJjNAPc7HQeOdj3sUzTKkVHhavJZQWhInQgw/s1600/20140618_162944.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisywECsMt9Dtg4RUU0RsAu2y0dvHkwne8aKKSH9uM1ErFOI0zOESvNbiEHE1BSmr_mjsjP7vo2HvnjoGTMMriNvoQUIlkgPbBwjPde_hrNJjNAPc7HQeOdj3sUzTKkVHhavJZQWhInQgw/s1600/20140618_162944.jpg" height="400" width="242" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Even when she's supposed to be practising her cartwheels for circus class, she manages to do them one-handed and keeps reading!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_5V13Cqky4L0n68ZQv3gLYa6iqZEydhgClbCnnSxmOmOZKJyHt_UQT-0R77wvmQSx4SIt3HTvl-n1IgjTVllkPSGBR4pTNvCTFmFDImkcdiRAssu8id8o4OSidXbTLBwDqogLE9tr2Y/s1600/20140618_162037_15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_5V13Cqky4L0n68ZQv3gLYa6iqZEydhgClbCnnSxmOmOZKJyHt_UQT-0R77wvmQSx4SIt3HTvl-n1IgjTVllkPSGBR4pTNvCTFmFDImkcdiRAssu8id8o4OSidXbTLBwDqogLE9tr2Y/s1600/20140618_162037_15.jpg" height="400" width="370" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">People keep telling me that kids who are allowed to structure their own time and have unrestricted access to a computer will spend all their time in front of a video game and never do anything academic or go outdoors... I'm sure that will kick in any day now.</span><br />
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<br />majikfaeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604747660164437868noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4294192932287033992.post-47835457660232253412013-06-21T22:23:00.000+10:002013-06-22T12:24:17.267+10:00Winter Solstice<p><font size="3" face="Calibri">So it's the shortest day of the year; the start of winter. </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">Aptly, our clear, warm days have abruptly turned into BloodyHellit'sFreezing cold and pouring rain.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">Yes, oh scoffing northerners, we <i>do</i> have winter here. Today only got up to 18 degrees Celsius! That's only 64F!!</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">Thankfully we have a roaring fire to snuggle up in front of.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xfyaAZcMOjM/UcUKyNuTkpI/AAAAAAAAySM/65N8nbW8Y6M/s1600-h/2013%252520-%2525201%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="2013 - 1" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2013 - 1" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wkEr6MK0CgA/UcUKzzVKAGI/AAAAAAAAySU/ubFwGVN85kE/2013%252520-%2525201_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="414" height="312" /></a></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri"> </font></p> majikfaeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604747660164437868noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4294192932287033992.post-45561662673369876532013-06-04T19:19:00.001+10:002013-06-04T19:19:41.341+10:00Home Sweet Home<p><font size="3" face="Calibri">The journey was long and arduous – not so bad, as far as international travel goes, but still about 14 hours all up, with two flights and a 3 1/2 hour stopover in Darwin, all overnight.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">So it was a rough night. Littletree slept through the meal, and then wouldn’t eat it later when she was hungry because it was cold, and then wanted to save it for later, but it was seized by customs in Darwin (because a vegetarian pasta airline meal poses a threat to national security). So she was hungry and she whinged a lot. But she still managed to sleep for most of both the flights and the stopover.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">In Bali, they wouldn’t let me take my mandolin as a carry-on and I was terrified that it would be damaged if I checked it in, but it did arrive safely, as did all our luggage, and us. </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">Lady Demelza and Uncle CJ were waiting to pick us up at the airport (so lovely to be met at the airport!) and whisk us home to our beds.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">We got home totally exhausted, but happy to see that in our absence, Lady Demelza had spent a lot of time decorating our house and preparing it for winter.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">Winter-weight curtains up in the living room</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gXCojhcyWz4/UayKrRt2qhI/AAAAAAAAw-s/UCAdfM9A9FY/s1600-h/56%252520welcome%252520home%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="56 welcome home" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="56 welcome home" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_HRCZeFryjc/UayKuBoIr-I/AAAAAAAAw-0/JeGkNQ9g15U/56%252520welcome%252520home_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="351" height="264" /></a><font size="3" face="Calibri"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">pictures up on all the walls</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WsEdzQNmxpk/UayKxdM3SGI/AAAAAAAAw-8/mrtDnK08RW8/s1600-h/57%252520welcome%252520home%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="57 welcome home" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="57 welcome home" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-t6sHC2t3QHY/UayK03IuZpI/AAAAAAAAw_E/Q_ulXeRXnd4/57%252520welcome%252520home_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="327" height="246" /></a><font size="3" face="Calibri"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">Littletree’s crafting and studying nook all organised and prettified</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2hr-GZWhUxY/UayK3wtOt4I/AAAAAAAAw_M/1FsaQFBzd7s/s1600-h/58%252520welcome%252520home%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="58 welcome home" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="58 welcome home" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1Rwtgs7NJ4M/UayK6WQJqGI/AAAAAAAAw_U/0iboAvn7qFI/58%252520welcome%252520home_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="347" height="261" /></a><font size="3" face="Calibri"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">Books sorted into the bookshelf</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WwY9exn8lnI/UayK9QnWUfI/AAAAAAAAw_c/Ynd9sCmDiF8/s1600-h/59%252520welcome%252520home%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="59 welcome home" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="59 welcome home" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvgvICwsuqRp-jjycTgVsulw2dEgFgojM75rJgVBR69r8bpe3bP4ySPeP3TVYi9vV9of0T5lZESlp6Vvxo5JieoF0QZpig9JD9F4hl2ceDp4PzDrIgz0A2KJnEUEzX4jPjX95Ml6Nqgqg/?imgmax=800" width="251" height="333" /></a><font size="3" face="Calibri"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">And the whole place spic and span and scrubbed spotless.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">So glad to be home again, and sleeping in our own beds. Though we do miss our “second home” on Gili Air.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">I finally got all the photos uploaded, you can see the whole album <a href="https://plus.google.com/photos/107660875906928406568/albums/5885200732324951681">HERE</a></font></p> majikfaeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604747660164437868noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4294192932287033992.post-46449741512323176952013-06-01T21:57:00.000+10:002013-06-03T22:00:34.829+10:00Last fling in Bali<p><font size="3" face="Calibri">So after our last night in Gili Air, which we enjoyed under a full moon</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1JhPPPV3-Jg/UayEtaoRQ5I/AAAAAAAAw74/YdrOGEAklhM/s1600-h/44%252520full%252520moon%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="44 full moon" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="44 full moon" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JjECheJwIPo/UayEwqDv8JI/AAAAAAAAw8A/rd_DPW7UW1s/44%252520full%252520moon_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="254" height="337" /></a><font size="3" face="Calibri"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">And a fascinating breakfast alongside the cutest tiny little ants ever which were kind enough to clean up the drips of honey Littletree spilled from her pancake</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RvGG1jDgWfc/UayE0H_e-bI/AAAAAAAAw8I/FmehxVG4bvQ/s1600-h/49%252520ants%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="49 ants" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="49 ants" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-i51sVATndQY/UayE2Dtsv-I/AAAAAAAAw8Q/Gy0qulGNWSg/49%252520ants_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="245" height="325" /></a><font size="3" face="Calibri"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">And Littletree had said her billionth goodbye to the Indonesian kids in the family who ran our villas</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5OTF69TI8NE/UayE6RO64hI/AAAAAAAAw8c/hTWOiPl7clo/s1600-h/47%252520sequoia%252520naiela%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="47 sequoia naiela" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="47 sequoia naiela" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hVFHzxvysQ4/UayE9cx_kuI/AAAAAAAAw8k/MfuEPo_bCbY/47%252520sequoia%252520naiela_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="242" height="321" /></a><font size="3" face="Calibri"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">We got on the boat to Bali…</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">It was not the best boat ride ever; of course, they were overbooked and we couldn’t get seats – I managed to make enough hullabaloo for the guy to let us sit up on the roof so we could at least sit down, and lo! There were seats up on the roof anyway; no idea why they just wanted to keep the rooftop vacant.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">We landed on Bali to find it pouring with rain and many of the streets flooding</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ONDBkwkKk6o/UayFAWhxd6I/AAAAAAAAw8s/XJ8aM92ZAs4/s1600-h/49%252520flood%252520bali%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="49 flood bali" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="49 flood bali" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-m-kh3If-Xl8/UayFDKhkYbI/AAAAAAAAw80/1xv_P76mPv0/49%252520flood%252520bali_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="270" height="359" /></a><font size="3" face="Calibri"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">(So glad we were in a minibus and not on a moped!)</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">And happy to arrive to our hotel to relax after the journey. The next morning, it cleared up a bit and we spent the day wandering around, ingressing and sightseeing a little, marvelling at what counts as a petrol station on Bali</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KDPLb1hWAh0/UayFGPeYIXI/AAAAAAAAw88/VcRdWueKraM/s1600-h/55%252520bali%252520petrol%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="55 bali petrol" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="55 bali petrol" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-X3tRClEVMgY/UayFKFs5MzI/AAAAAAAAw9E/o30Qa_Q01-Q/55%252520bali%252520petrol_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="368" height="277" /></a><font size="3" face="Calibri"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">– I even found a bar that was made just for me</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gTpj3PfEX44/UayFNn9GzsI/AAAAAAAAw9M/jmGijSQ-Y0g/s1600-h/52%252520spider%252520bar%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="52 spider bar" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="52 spider bar" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BnuLPFHI3wg/UayFQpJ0g7I/AAAAAAAAw9U/k3EA73DPj88/52%252520spider%252520bar_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="238" height="316" /></a><font size="3" face="Calibri"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">And having hacked all the portals we could, and gotten more massages than should be humanly possible, we set out for the evening to find the <a href="http://majikfaerie.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/bali-dayze.html">awesome night market we ate at last year</a>, only last year, we’d gone there with some people who knew the way, and I only vaguely knew the rough area we needed to go to. I tried googling, but ended up somewhere very, very not where we thought we were going. </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri"><strong>A surprise adventure!</strong></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">By sheer chance we found ourselves wandering after dark around a random neighbourhood; thanks to googlemaps on my phone I vaguely knew where we were, but no idea how to get to where we wanted to go. At the point that Littletree was fed up with walking and just wanted to eat, we walked into the first place we came to, but Littletree got a bad vibe from it and wouldn’t even walk though the door. </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">Next door to that place we tried again, and it turned out to be a duck restaurant and we got the most delectable dinner ever! Duck fried rice, duck fried noodles and a spicy green curry duck. Oh, it was divine!</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8JVwiHhTPOQ/UayFUy7kOOI/AAAAAAAAw9c/kPUTjidR3Ms/s1600-h/54%252520duck%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="54 duck" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="54 duck" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lLEmL4gNSoQ/UayFYGjcHbI/AAAAAAAAw9o/YbchyNgGe2Y/54%252520duck_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="271" /></a></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">And finally, after even more massages; time to get on the plane back to Australia…</font></p> majikfaeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604747660164437868noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4294192932287033992.post-84069837993624085952013-05-27T14:44:00.001+10:002013-05-27T14:44:06.286+10:00Leaving Gili Air<p><font size="3" face="Calibri">The last days, sad to leave, but happy to be heading home, and saying goodbyes amid promises to be back next year.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">Littletree did her daily Bahasa Indonesia work over breakfast…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-K6Uguj-lYrw/UaLjlcPEY2I/AAAAAAAAvrY/1NEpxybTHhE/s1600-h/66-bahasa-indonesia-lessons-478x6408.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="66 bahasa indonesia lessons (478x640)" border="0" alt="66 bahasa indonesia lessons (478x640)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xrUVQQdCwmk/UaLju-zPQ8I/AAAAAAAAvrg/B0GhSZmD2Hk/66-bahasa-indonesia-lessons-478x640_.jpg?imgmax=800" width="248" height="331" /></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">And we got to meet the freshly born twins, Nadiya and Nadira – the newest additions to the family we stay with on Gili Air (pictured being held by their grandmother and great grandmother.)</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-eVdUp7c3oPQ/UaLj4DDsYRI/AAAAAAAAvro/_PTEkzYIHnc/s1600-h/33-nadiya-nadira-twins-640x4806.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="33 nadiya nadira twins (640x480)" border="0" alt="33 nadiya nadira twins (640x480)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0gj9gCfPtzs/UaLj-WYAo1I/AAAAAAAAvrw/u_qYU7N1iu0/33-nadiya-nadira-twins-640x480_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="357" height="269" /></a><font size="3" face="Calibri"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">Littletree spent our last morning playing with Naiela, the little three-year-old girl who lives next door to us; Naiela absolutely adores Littletree, and taught her a bunch of nursery songs in Indonesian.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6OAqNfAfRmI/UaLkIgJEbxI/AAAAAAAAvr4/HKOCmkavOk8/s1600-h/46-sequoia-naiela-480x6406.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="46 sequoia naiela (480x640)" border="0" alt="46 sequoia naiela (480x640)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YJDFOz5evwQ/UaLkRc1BcYI/AAAAAAAAvsE/VvdaKzzTmCc/46-sequoia-naiela-480x640_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="291" height="387" /></a><font size="3" face="Calibri"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">As a parting gift, Littletree decided to give her soccer ball to Naiela, seeing as proper soccer balls are at such a premium on Gili Air. A very valuable gift indeed!</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jg3GA2EcEKU/UaLkbAeO9_I/AAAAAAAAvsM/Oa7Or8JksvE/s1600-h/39-playing-with-naiela-480x6406.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="39 playing with naiela (480x640)" border="0" alt="39 playing with naiela (480x640)" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfWYgHL04HQWGmmiIi7Y02dtIZ1nt5aEqqPIHG_geTuGV5JQ1DUmun4QX6CBnQ5FiP8ADtQ0c6IB6Ju-7297Tw6i1riThkkvsm-z_4BEtO6ZXkeCIB3aa1beetyTRnYZwJMhtNbh-DCQM/?imgmax=800" width="283" height="376" /></a></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">Naiela was so happy, and Littletree too. Until finally, it was time for us to get on the boat back to Bali. The whole family came out to hug us goodbye, we shall miss them so much!</font></p> majikfaeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604747660164437868noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4294192932287033992.post-13114755746418131672013-05-26T00:31:00.000+10:002013-05-27T14:36:27.836+10:00Last supper<p><font size="3" face="Calibri">To celebrate our time on Gili Air and say goodbye to all the families leaving, we had a big dinner at the Organic restaurant on the beach – even though about half the families had already left, we still had to book a table for 19!</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">It was an awesome night</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-q_4mZBg0cQo/UaLh9NGLfFI/AAAAAAAAvqg/N9BcpNFz_As/s1600-h/25-dinner9.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="25 dinner" border="0" alt="25 dinner" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-U6slim6Z9yI/UaLiMFMXIjI/AAAAAAAAvqo/Sb-yZ6lHU2U/25-dinner_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="408" height="307" /></a><font size="3" face="Calibri"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">And I got a surprise… everyone chipped in to buy me a dress; the most gorgeous dress ever! </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Azky2GE972A/UaLiY5Rce4I/AAAAAAAAvqw/i1ITuN-zffg/s1600-h/27-dress7.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="27 dress" border="0" alt="27 dress" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WTSQOeH_aVU/UaLijC8uV6I/AAAAAAAAvq4/J2Ko8z-ioY0/27-dress_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="270" height="523" /></a><font size="3" face="Calibri"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">It was totally unexpected to get a properly wrapped present, and to feel the gratitude of all the families who came for the Unschooling Adventure. Of course, the dress is one I’d seen in a shop already, and I’d said that I thought it to be stunning, but they didn’t have it in green; only maroon, dark blue or grey. </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">But it turned out that the shopkeeper, a lovely woman named Annti, heard that I am a midwife, and she needed some advice about her newborn daughter, so I went to her place to help her out. Then somehow a bunch of the other unschooling mums conspired with Annti to have me a dress made specially in green. It’s the most stunning shade of turquoise, and I love it.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">And it was great to spend some time with my friends</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-V_DncrVC0BE/UaLiqFR_SFI/AAAAAAAAvrA/9czunPSKick/s1600-h/28-dinner-alice-caz-ela-lauren-640x4.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="28 dinner alice caz ela lauren (640x480)" border="0" alt="28 dinner alice caz ela lauren (640x480)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PsScf0qRS4o/UaLiyeaOV0I/AAAAAAAAvrI/We-1SYCg8pA/28-dinner-alice-caz-ela-lauren-640x4%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="301" /></a></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">We’re so sad to be leaving Gili Air, but the buzz is already building for the 2014 Indonesian Unschool Advennture.</font></p> majikfaeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604747660164437868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4294192932287033992.post-15033558334499637442013-05-25T01:15:00.000+10:002013-05-25T01:15:00.804+10:00The Life of Littletree<p><font size="3" face="Calibri">Littletree started her own blog, called <em>The Life of Littletree</em></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">It seems that she plans to write about all manner of things; her adventures, science, kittens, and ALL the things!</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">You can check it out here: <a href="http://thelifeoflittletree.blogspot.com/">http://thelifeoflittletree.blogspot.com/</a></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kmCkIh-khjs/UZ74rnrAr0I/AAAAAAAAvh8/ybYnwzfBmEE/s1600-h/10%252520new%252520sunglasses%252520Small%252520%252528480x640%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="10 new sunglasses Small (480x640)" border="0" alt="10 new sunglasses Small (480x640)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--bMYpUPs8V0/UZ75-iwYDdI/AAAAAAAAviM/IUEQOEZ0t_c/10%252520new%252520sunglasses%252520Small%252520%252528480x640%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a></p> majikfaeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604747660164437868noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4294192932287033992.post-19960225010625011672013-05-23T23:24:00.000+10:002013-05-24T15:06:31.494+10:00Learning all the time<p><font size="3" face="Calibri">The kids are learning so much here; Littletree has her own budget to work out, which means doing her own haggling and calculating foreign exchange rates, as well as budgeting for her meals, bicycle rental and expenses.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">Each day, Littletree gets a budget of 100,000 Rupiah, which is about $10. Her room at the homestay and breakfast are provided, but other than that, she has to budget all of her other expenses, including meals, drinks, snacks, bicycle rental, scuba lessons, tours, snorkelling trips, excursions, souvenirs, trinkets, coconuts… </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kaxkXlD4Xwc/UZ7sv1iwYkI/AAAAAAAAvgA/U_qPFRokvlI/s1600-h/68-millionaire-480x6406.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="68 millionaire (480x640)" border="0" alt="68 millionaire (480x640)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iJShAqyPN74/UZ7vGERNYiI/AAAAAAAAvgQ/09AqTzK5GLs/68-millionaire-480x640_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="237" height="315" /></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">The life lesson in budgeting and calculating money has been invaluable; she’s not only learning very well her 10,000 times tables, she learned very early on that if she splurges all her money on buying pearls from the hawkers on the beach, then she wont have enough left over to rent her bike the next day – or buy dinner! She’s also learned that she can eat a good meal of local food at local <em>Warungs</em> for only a dollar, and save up for when she wants something special, like a glass-bottom boat tour on the reef.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">The kids are learning so much; not just arithmetic and accounting!</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">They’re climbing trees, and snorkelling and scuba diving; learning about the reef and marine life. Littletree even attended a lecture about conservation on the reef and joined in with a local clean-up project to collect rubbish from the beach and reef.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">Learning to speak <em>Bahasa Indonesia</em>, and practising with the locals, making friends with local children and learning about their culture and customs, as well as all the social interactions… I couldn’t possibly imagine a richer learning experience.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">And despite all the exciting world out there, I can still hardly keep Littletree’s nose out of her book!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QZYs01NShQY/UZ7vtwEGw4I/AAAAAAAAvgY/cfxfYsEcd7Q/s1600-h/60-reading-480x6402.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="60 reading (480x640)" border="0" alt="60 reading (480x640)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-N_sfFv-8uuE/UZ7wPFq48hI/AAAAAAAAvg8/gmFZ7Gdo29U/60-reading-480x640_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="264" height="350" /></a><font size="3" face="Calibri"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">And the girls are all keeping journals and spending a lot of time writing and illustrating their adventures on the island – somehow rather a lot of the daily budget seems to get spent on stationery. </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-h9gZnoqSM8c/UZ7zKqMQEVI/AAAAAAAAvhY/wawMHTuzYtw/s1600-h/56-writing-461x6403.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="56 writing (461x640)" border="0" alt="56 writing (461x640)" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zMi6lZxUy14/UZ71TrHrkII/AAAAAAAAvho/1w6EJz2_J6I/56-writing-461x640_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="236" height="326" /></a></font></p> majikfaeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604747660164437868noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4294192932287033992.post-47191830835159073642013-05-20T00:47:00.000+10:002013-05-20T17:29:24.529+10:00Scuba for the planet<p><font size="3" face="Calibri">While Littletree has been having an awesome time snorkelling on the reef almost every day, the kids have also been drawn to go scuba diving. At first, I thought Littletree was too… well… <em>little.</em> But it turns out the PADI dive centre offers “fun dive” courses for children starting at ten years old, so I said she could do the training session in the pool, and see how she goes.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">Several of the kids here for the home school adventure did the course together</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pxpO46wps1Y/UZnMVTXtLeI/AAAAAAAAvQM/9HYBDTpofdk/s1600-h/83-scuba-course-640x4807.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="83 scuba course (640x480)" border="0" alt="83 scuba course (640x480)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wL6EsXejXfU/UZnMpOq-wiI/AAAAAAAAvQc/4R8au3x2-bY/83-scuba-course-640x480_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="342" height="258" /></a><font size="3" face="Calibri"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">Watched the training video and listened to all the instructions from the dive master</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-S5qH81zGHLE/UZnM9imuL4I/AAAAAAAAvQk/jOjXrN0sCNQ/s1600-h/85-scuba-course-640x4806.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="85 scuba course (640x480)" border="0" alt="85 scuba course (640x480)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4pooGDG9YYo/UZnNTyT7u0I/AAAAAAAAvQs/8AC-m2J-e7A/85-scuba-course-640x480_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="339" height="255" /></a></p> <font size="3" face="Calibri"></font> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">Got kitted up with wetsuits and masks – they even had a small sized tank and scuba equipment to fit Littletree</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-m3S-IWdjZik/UZnNq8swHkI/AAAAAAAAvQ0/L0BI5VPZn3I/s1600-h/89-scuba-course-640x4806.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="89 scuba course (640x480)" border="0" alt="89 scuba course (640x480)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OpTjpcxz_jE/UZnOQkDEzEI/AAAAAAAAvQ8/cjfuQFwQapg/89-scuba-course-640x480_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="340" height="256" /></a><font size="3" face="Calibri"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">Then they went through the training, learning how to use the apparatus, respirators, equalise ear pressure, underwater sign language, and so on.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Aa4X9pTEmIs/UZnO8iqi-qI/AAAAAAAAvRE/JjhhriUq6A8/s1600-h/96-scuba-course-480x6406.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="96 scuba course (480x640)" border="0" alt="96 scuba course (480x640)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tWBQJidsZ-4/UZnPR5w7ruI/AAAAAAAAvRM/hFIL0ieiF28/96-scuba-course-480x640_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="226" height="300" /></a><font size="3" face="Calibri"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">And finally, practiced diving!</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wqF9FxvBz8s/UZnP3pEQCFI/AAAAAAAAvRU/fbccP08Lh9U/s1600-h/97-scuba-course-640x4806.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="97 scuba course (640x480)" border="0" alt="97 scuba course (640x480)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Tf7CPMAbZbs/UZnQzkS8lSI/AAAAAAAAvRg/EEYCr6YfXvc/97-scuba-course-640x480_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="347" height="261" /></a></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">By the end, Littletree was quite proficient, and given the go-ahead from the dive master to join the group out on the reef… but finally, she decided instead to go to a lecture about the delicate ecology of the reef. She then joined in with a clean-up effort organised by the dive school to collect rubbish from the beach and reef, and protect the dune areas where turtles are laying their eggs.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">Littletree came home very excited, happy to have done her bit for the day as a “wildlife warrior”.</font></p> majikfaeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604747660164437868noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4294192932287033992.post-65798733137706862812013-05-19T00:47:00.000+10:002013-05-20T17:03:55.817+10:00Another Solar Return<p><font size="3" face="Calibri">It was my 34th birthday on Friday! I had a lovely day; spent some quiet time with Littletree, enjoyed my delicious Indonesian breakfast, and then went to lie on the beach and watch the storms rolling over Lombok in the distance while sipping iced drinks.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3gzzoy2IMag/UZnCYsTGvkI/AAAAAAAAvMc/2cFNBpxnbr8/s1600-h/10-beach-ela-640x4806.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="10 beach ela (640x480)" border="0" alt="10 beach ela (640x480)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zxQIGQPJ5iI/UZnCqF2Z4UI/AAAAAAAAvMw/AuJQrlh-MzA/10-beach-ela-640x480_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="305" height="230" /></a><font size="3" face="Calibri"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">One of the best things about Gili Air is that while the volcano on Lombok draws in lots of clouds and storms – we can often hear the thunder and see the lightning from here, but right where we are, it’s sunny and gorgeous, and we get the cool breezes pushed out by the storms. Makes for very pretty sunsets too!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TZkin_zUnr8/UZnC73o5rhI/AAAAAAAAvNE/xcJ54uIRQ_4/s1600-h/08-beach-477x6406.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="08 beach (477x640)" border="0" alt="08 beach (477x640)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DQYXEkLp5As/UZnDSNYNttI/AAAAAAAAvNU/R_ate7_DlXQ/08-beach-477x640_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="314" height="420" /></a><font size="3" face="Calibri"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">In the afternoon I sat with my friends and had birthday cake – it was a delicious rich chocolate brownie with ice cream and whipped cream. Yum! and not at all like the “cake” I had last year.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9AmVbrlMEwc/UZnDkr0uS3I/AAAAAAAAvNg/rNWG5-sjscA/s1600-h/15-birthday-cake-480x6406.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="15 birthday cake (480x640)" border="0" alt="15 birthday cake (480x640)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-n3oQQW8fL9k/UZnECU8XQiI/AAAAAAAAvNw/rf2iaUieLC0/15-birthday-cake-480x640_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="251" height="333" /></a><font size="3" face="Calibri"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">Then we all ambled over to a beachside bar for dinner and cocktails, a</font><font size="3" face="Calibri">nd lots of laughs…</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0K1KB_IFkio/UZnEul9W0tI/AAAAAAAAvOA/bUmQNOKBwx0/s1600-h/19-birthday-drinks-482x6406.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="19 birthday drinks (482x640)" border="0" alt="19 birthday drinks (482x640)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Gzc2al71VE4/UZnKOplRw9I/AAAAAAAAvPM/-WiqXlAfao8/19-birthday-drinks-482x640_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="243" height="321" /></a></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">And, of course, I was treated to a gorgeous birthday sunset</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aDNb05_E6Vc/UZnKkdGrtRI/AAAAAAAAvPU/bkdXPdMiiho/s1600-h/20-birthday-sunset-640x4796.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="20 birthday sunset (640x479)" border="0" alt="20 birthday sunset (640x479)" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhskGIm38_sJvI6t8Q46DOPrXgIYRgZN0XGoTv7_4iFD8mWdWzm7g3S_Pq4T2bwIysM_cCZrr_kvlbjW7Fc3j7zGqum_tXjCT_7nvM2dqwkhE8qYB2E5K7ynIgE2eAchzg2bADqBEuyOTo/?imgmax=800" width="428" height="322" /></a></p> majikfaeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604747660164437868noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4294192932287033992.post-38986697605602119852013-05-16T15:59:00.000+10:002013-05-16T15:59:01.031+10:00Feasting part two<p><font size="3" face="Calibri">Selamat Makan!</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">So, since I didn’t manage to make all the food-related drool-worthiness fit into one post, here’s a snapshot of our standard dinner: the fish barbecue!</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">We start by choosing a fish (or prawns, crab, lobster…) and tell them how we want it grilled (rare, medium or well-done). </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OWJCq8CVQEc/UZCBS0kcSBI/AAAAAAAAt_I/Z15XKpbuoiM/s1600-h/58-fish-barbecue-640x4806.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="58 fish barbecue (640x480)" border="0" alt="58 fish barbecue (640x480)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3J84XQqrojs/UZCBWzQ_vUI/AAAAAAAAt_U/Ov_wTB15t1A/58-fish-barbecue-640x480_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="380" height="286" /></a><font size="3" face="Calibri"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">We can choose if we want the fish served with rice, chips or baked potato, with salad and veggies.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">It comes, perfectly done, with dipping bowls of garlic and sambal (chilli paste). So delicious!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XyWuBhvDnZM/UZCBaVdDNRI/AAAAAAAAt_c/9PLFKIIgIQw/s1600-h/59-fish-barbecue-640x2996.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="59 fish barbecue (640x299)" border="0" alt="59 fish barbecue (640x299)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dtEwV9wFHxs/UZCBd3Yun0I/AAAAAAAAt_k/Pj38OynBCD8/59-fish-barbecue-640x299_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="412" height="194" /></a><font size="3" face="Calibri"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">Apparently, this is terribly dangerous, because I inevitably overeat.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">Then, there’s the treats – the organic restaurant on the beach serves a criminally-delectable warm chocolate brownie with ice cream.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6Kxm8SK_70s/UZCBh-6IYBI/AAAAAAAAt_s/1CCuoVojpbE/s1600-h/61-brownie-480x6406.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="61 brownie (480x640)" border="0" alt="61 brownie (480x640)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tEz0_zY6org/UZCBldpDO_I/AAAAAAAAt_0/ZDgTTqb99YI/61-brownie-480x640_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="289" height="384" /></a></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">Oh, it’s a hard life! And of course, there’s all the local <em>warungs</em> serving fried rice and curries. Yum!</font></p> majikfaeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604747660164437868noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4294192932287033992.post-65056535099902459382013-05-15T15:52:00.000+10:002013-05-15T15:52:00.146+10:00Feasting – Selamat Makan<p><font size="3" face="Calibri">One of the best parts of being in Indonesia is the food. </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">Every morning we sit with the family at our homestay and have a traditional breakfast (well, Littletree usually gets a banana pancake, but I have the Indonesian food)!</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">It starts out with a really good, locally grown coffee from Lombok, and a carefully-folded paper cone (traditionally, the food is wrapped up in a banana leaf, sadly, those are a thing of the past in most places, as waxed paper has taken over).</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Cv--B6Nduig/UZB_2-6iGhI/AAAAAAAAt9o/u7qrxXS-0vk/s1600-h/43-breakfast-640x4807.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="43 breakfast (640x480)" border="0" alt="43 breakfast (640x480)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Nnw4R7XO7AA/UZB_7tPu6nI/AAAAAAAAt9w/iSnZFuWKQcE/43-breakfast-640x480_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="370" height="278" /></a><font size="3" face="Calibri"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">We unfurl the paper to reveal a surprise…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-eqH6FAFsuOE/UZCAE-S6TtI/AAAAAAAAt98/Cu8fo0JjDgU/s1600-h/44-breakfast-640x48010.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="44 breakfast (640x480)" border="0" alt="44 breakfast (640x480)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FSXeARpivdU/UZCAKNuR5OI/AAAAAAAAt-I/62pvowSkTxc/44-breakfast-640x480_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="369" height="255" /></a><font size="3" face="Calibri"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">Rice with a few different things; spicy fish or chicken curry, sauteed vegetables, peanut sauce, fried tempeh or tofu, shredded coconut, sambal… all manner of local dishes, every day something else.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bl_4CsQ06So/UZCAQAZEi2I/AAAAAAAAt-U/J1OS6yltF4s/s1600-h/45-breakfast-640x4806.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="45 breakfast (640x480)" border="0" alt="45 breakfast (640x480)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GNkDIALfpIg/UZCAVyEtrEI/AAAAAAAAt-k/dYa5JYMM26c/45-breakfast-640x480_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="374" height="282" /></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">And every day, delicious!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KkZdaUa5Cf0/UZCAbSORE8I/AAAAAAAAt-w/LYyTjaj9Uz0/s1600-h/46-breakfast-640x4806.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="46 breakfast (640x480)" border="0" alt="46 breakfast (640x480)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LCNcQ2fo9FA/UZCAfqjvuSI/AAAAAAAAt-8/wLR_Sko3lrM/46-breakfast-640x480_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="373" height="281" /></a><font size="3" face="Calibri"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">Eaten with three fingers on the right hand, of course, though using a spoon and fork is also acceptable.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">For dinners we often get a fish barbecue, but since the internet here is shaky at best, I’ll have to save that for another post.</font></p> majikfaeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604747660164437868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4294192932287033992.post-35980964627339691262013-05-13T15:44:00.001+10:002013-05-13T15:44:07.931+10:00Happy Mothers’ Day<p><font size="3" face="Calibri">Apparently, it was Mothers’ Day (these things always catch me by surprise), and Littletree took it upon herself to get me a present – a gorgeous new sarong; perfect, because I needed a new one. And it’s even green! How did she know that’s my favourite colour?</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LJ4zTX-AFZ4/UZB87fGvqDI/AAAAAAAAt6g/HspbZBFfPfg/s1600-h/20130513_125426-481x6406.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="20130513_125426 (481x640)" border="0" alt="20130513_125426 (481x640)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1IUUr-91QaY/UZB8_tW-Q_I/AAAAAAAAt6o/GLoQ5jOzfSY/20130513_125426-481x640_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="284" height="378" /></a><font size="3" face="Calibri"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">Then about half the families here for the unschooling camp went to the organic restaurant for a fancy feast, and a bunch of the bigger kids got together to put on an after-dinner show for all the mums!</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">It was pretty awesome, and hilarious!</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yB_UZUjd_Ks/UZB9GnTYegI/AAAAAAAAt6w/acAu-YmAdao/s1600-h/69-mothers-day-show-640x4809.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="69 mothers day show (640x480)" border="0" alt="69 mothers day show (640x480)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tVIySUSyDOg/UZB9KMEOUAI/AAAAAAAAt64/17U6aEiX48M/69-mothers-day-show-640x480_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dRAUjWR5JNk/UZB9OZAPv-I/AAAAAAAAt7E/3SRAsGNc1TU/s1600-h/72-mothers-day-show-640x4805.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="72 mothers day show (640x480)" border="0" alt="72 mothers day show (640x480)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FiFlO1JiHEc/UZB9SaR1r0I/AAAAAAAAt7M/pOdR0vkktR0/72-mothers-day-show-640x480_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-w_jFL5zrr1s/UZB9W1zSVHI/AAAAAAAAt7U/au9Z7kowfyk/s1600-h/74-mothers-day-show-640x4815.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="74 mothers day show (640x481)" border="0" alt="74 mothers day show (640x481)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kWW7qJN5Bkk/UZB9bAQdLrI/AAAAAAAAt7c/SSyi8I-IHuo/74-mothers-day-show-640x481_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3RsnzOVIAgs/UZB9jMfW18I/AAAAAAAAt7k/IV5N8ubBRH4/s1600-h/75-mothers-day-show-640x4805.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="75 mothers day show (640x480)" border="0" alt="75 mothers day show (640x480)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WbgH7NAKJrQ/UZB9pRMRJFI/AAAAAAAAt7s/oB-dYzTztbY/75-mothers-day-show-640x480_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></font></p> majikfaeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604747660164437868noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4294192932287033992.post-28160815660617404092013-05-11T18:59:00.000+10:002013-05-11T18:59:00.553+10:00Arriving to Gili Air<p><font size="3" face="Calibri">Once we’d spent our one day in Bali and got every thing organised, it was up at 6am to meet up with the other home schooling families to get on the boat for Gili Air!</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">Ironically, the kids who felt carsick in the mini bus to the harbour were fine on the boat, and vice versa; the kids who were fine in the bus felt seasick on the boat. But it was a fairly quick and smooth journey. Naturally, we let FlatTyler have the window seat on the boat.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-meDXeN136xo/UYy4DwEkuGI/AAAAAAAAtjg/0-2zUfqz5Dg/s1600-h/20130504_091541-480x6406.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="20130504_091541 (480x640)" border="0" alt="20130504_091541 (480x640)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mefMKKEG0us/UYy5mqZnfBI/AAAAAAAAtjw/YDfMNlXw-ZU/20130504_091541-480x640_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="269" height="357" /></a><font size="3" face="Calibri"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">After a quick stop on Lombok, we were away to Gili Air – here’s our first view of the island (yep, it’s very small!)</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wlm7aTC9YVM/UYy58LxlWUI/AAAAAAAAtj8/2aUjxXiB95k/s1600-h/27-gili-air-from-the-water-640x4766.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="27 gili air from the water (640x476)" border="0" alt="27 gili air from the water (640x476)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9hd8YajsoW0/UYy6U7hE4bI/AAAAAAAAtkE/k_agYZRhQgQ/27-gili-air-from-the-water-640x476_t.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="265" /></a><font size="3" face="Calibri"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">One of the other home schooling families was already there to greet us at the dock, as well as Abas, from the homestay we stayed at last year. It felt like arriving home!</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">We dropped our bags off in our room and went straight for the beach, to hang out at Zipp Bar; our favourite spot, so we could show Flat Tyler the beach</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uVd2GxqjqJ0/UYy69L-uefI/AAAAAAAAtkM/w2W1La55t0Q/s1600-h/20130504_122200-640x4806.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="20130504_122200 (640x480)" border="0" alt="20130504_122200 (640x480)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Mkd4DxOZbYA/UYy7ogc5IsI/AAAAAAAAtkU/j8lfugxOX3Y/20130504_122200-640x480_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="371" height="279" /></a><font size="3" face="Calibri"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">And spend the heat of the afternoon sipping icy fruit juices while the kids got settled and swam. </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UU1ho4Bq75k/UYy8FOMSwuI/AAAAAAAAtkc/y47wSQh8gwM/s1600-h/20130504_130052-640x4586.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="20130504_130052 (640x458)" border="0" alt="20130504_130052 (640x458)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mgLJMNHMaU8/UYy8eMBaryI/AAAAAAAAtkk/SonDplMdG6w/20130504_130052-640x458_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="389" height="280" /></a><font size="3" face="Calibri"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">We ended the day with a walk up to the north end of the island to watch the sunset, happy to be here at last.</font></p> majikfaeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604747660164437868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4294192932287033992.post-15694740380001158782013-05-09T18:49:00.000+10:002013-05-10T18:58:02.158+10:00Mandolin!<p><font size="3" face="Calibri">Before we left Bali, I made a visit to the music man. </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">This guy is amazing. He's just a sweet, quiet guy, sitting in the back of a tiny little hole-in-the-wall shop - about half the size of a one-car garage, making guitars, ukuleles and mandolins.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7mw_kmTVHlQ/UYy1JS-wb2I/AAAAAAAAti4/wtxJbpMPK4c/s1600-h/20130503_1724506.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="20130503_172450" border="0" alt="20130503_172450" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6AlWXXMjFsw/UYy1xBiAbEI/AAAAAAAAtjA/R4Vewl1ulbE/20130503_172450_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="301" height="400" /></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">Unlike most stall holders on Bali, he's not standing out the front, hawking his wares or hassling people to come in his shop. He doesn't quote inflated prices that you then have to haggle over. He just loves his instruments, and they are truly incredible works of art - guitars with Balinese filigree carving, ukuleles clearly made with love and care...</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">He sits, works, and plays music. If you go into his shop, he'll have a friendly chat, jam with you, show you the latest masterpiece he's built (with a gentle, humble manner), and not try to sell you anything.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">I love this guy so much, I stop by his shop every time I'm on Bali... I play a little music, I drool over his craftsmanship...</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">And this time, I bought myself a mandolin! just a simple, cheap mandolin, but I love it! It was $60, with a hand made, very high quality case. I used to play mandolin years ago, but I haven't had one in years... I've been vaguely planning to get a new mandolin for a while, but unable to afford it.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">I'm so stoked to not only get a mandolin, but to support a local craftsman. Honestly, I also support this particular guy because he's so quiet and humble. I suspect he makes just as good a living as anyone else selling stuff in the area, but without the intense hassling and overcharging and bargaining. I think everyone should support this guy, and artisans like him.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">Most of all, I love my new mandolin, and I’m so happy to have it!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9ar9kJJX1ds/UYy2DBqEsCI/AAAAAAAAtjI/EubIIeWK1ps/s1600-h/20130503_1813056.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="20130503_181305" border="0" alt="20130503_181305" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0zW62FyzgC0/UYy2kpt6gZI/AAAAAAAAtjU/-euTuK5viJg/20130503_181305_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="320" height="426" /></a></p> majikfaeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604747660164437868noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4294192932287033992.post-45378384756461529102013-05-07T13:47:00.001+10:002013-05-07T13:47:43.372+10:00A day in Bali<p><font size="3" face="Calibri">We had a busy day in Bali – managed to run all our errands, change money, get phones sorted, boat tickets to Gili Air, power adaptors, massages, gorged on Indonesian food…</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">It’s such a hard life, when one hour Balinese massages are $5.50, and all three of us have a huge banquet including drinks for</font><font size="3" face="Calibri"> $8. And we even found time to experience a bit of the craziness of Kuta beach</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZD17UO092QM/UYh4ShYG-LI/AAAAAAAAswc/Xhd1Bv4dt6c/s1600-h/20130503_180850-640x47110.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="20130503_180850 (640x471)" border="0" alt="20130503_180850 (640x471)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1xy3KNiyOp4/UYh4fupc5OI/AAAAAAAAswo/fdzVTO7hAaQ/20130503_180850-640x471_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" width="390" height="289" /></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">And enjoy some beers and watch the</font><font size="3" face="Calibri"> gorgeous sunset!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TuMdJW8IusI/UYh4sowuyKI/AAAAAAAAsww/EMWN0lIQypc/s1600-h/20130503_180046-640x4806.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="20130503_180046 (640x480)" border="0" alt="20130503_180046 (640x480)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-F0eikx-SEb8/UYh5DdnjQ5I/AAAAAAAAsw8/ZabXDXN1d_g/20130503_180046-640x480_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="391" height="294" /></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">While the kids played on the beach… and showed off their new sunglasses.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-U2BmU2s7EHY/UYh5OiMWaUI/AAAAAAAAsxE/EeOxQlNPiPk/s1600-h/20130503_181750-640x4806.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="20130503_181750 (640x480)" border="0" alt="20130503_181750 (640x480)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3ekPGRwG8Qc/UYh5XT3MDEI/AAAAAAAAsxM/RbmMFnYsvhU/20130503_181750-640x480_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="389" height="293" /></a></p> majikfaeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604747660164437868noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4294192932287033992.post-75514132667819307662013-05-03T18:18:00.001+10:002013-05-03T18:18:45.728+10:00Selamat Datang!<p><font size="3" face="Calibri">So we arrived safely to Bali! The <a href="http://balihomeschooladventure.blogspot.com.au/">Unschooling Adventure Camp</a> has begun! The journey was long, but not too long, and boring, but not so bad. </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">We brought a special friend with us, a Flat Tyler. Tyler is a teen with cancer who is currently in hospital and in need of cheer. So we’ve brought a cut-out of him (well, we improvised, since I couldn’t get my printer working before we left), you can click <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/106245364764603554843/posts/dhHBkFzZzAH">HERE</a> for more info about <a href="https://plus.google.com/s/%23flattyler">#FlatTyler</a>)</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">Starting out at Brisbane Airport</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2o7nIxUFzPM/UYNxYVM6FfI/AAAAAAAAr6k/w0OzagoDpVw/s1600-h/2013-05-02%25252010.20.02%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2013-05-02 10.20.02" border="0" alt="2013-05-02 10.20.02" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iT2QXehirjA/UYNxeUsUXyI/AAAAAAAAr6s/HK80_8QLMrQ/2013-05-02%25252010.20.02_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="343" height="258" /></a></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">We breezed through check-in and having made great time, had a bit to waste around the airport. Littletree just wanted to browse geography books in a bookstore. Apparently it was vital that she teach Tyler all about National Highway One in Australia.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jnSNPBuX9bY/UYNxlyNShwI/AAAAAAAAr60/3SZInWbQj4M/s1600-h/2013-05-02%25252011.29.44%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2013-05-02 11.29.44" border="0" alt="2013-05-02 11.29.44" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QczcAG7gg8U/UYNxq2g8NNI/AAAAAAAAr68/NL_6kQRlnmo/2013-05-02%25252011.29.44_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="391" height="294" /></a><font size="3" face="Calibri"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">We were lucky enough to get good seats at the front of the plane, and Littletree managed to snag a window seat for Tyler</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vHgYCb3Y7SM/UYNxye22r4I/AAAAAAAAr7E/LTVhXLiHFZM/s1600-h/2013-05-02%25252011.43.05%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2013-05-02 11.43.05" border="0" alt="2013-05-02 11.43.05" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WL5BeRnT13w/UYNx3nddvNI/AAAAAAAAr7M/CQSXXdyOeoA/2013-05-02%25252011.43.05_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="276" height="367" /></a></p> <p><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">We had a stopover in Darwin for a couple of hours between flights; boring, but we got to recharge our electronic devices and give each other neck massages</font></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HG1WGw-Clzo/UYNx9wBp0PI/AAAAAAAAr7U/pF-nj1nSajY/s1600-h/2013-05-02%25252018.21.16%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2013-05-02 18.21.16" border="0" alt="2013-05-02 18.21.16" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-eZ4ow4xNgU4/UYNyCa6WNXI/AAAAAAAAr7c/17xid2lQJqI/2013-05-02%25252018.21.16_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="256" height="340" /></a><font face="Calibri"><font size="3"></font><font size="3" face="Calibri"></font> <p>Finally, we landed in Bali, safe and sound. Staying at the same hotel we stayed at last year felt like coming home to somewhere familiar and comfy, and our friends were already here :)</p> <p>After a good sleep, we woke up to take Tyler for a sunrise swim</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LN20I067Hw4/UYNyIK63_4I/AAAAAAAAr7k/4T6mVRLsnUU/s1600-h/2013-05-03%25252006.48.41%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2013-05-03 06.48.41" border="0" alt="2013-05-03 06.48.41" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WV_NYpettLM/UYNyN_ADq1I/AAAAAAAAr7s/ozThvxWTTaA/2013-05-03%25252006.48.41_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="265" height="352" /></a><font size="3" face="Calibri"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">And Littletree practised her snorkelling</font></p> </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KdkJW_d8jbI/UYNyYxsIwyI/AAAAAAAAr70/0Eg53tgZw64/s1600-h/2013-05-03%25252006.54.59%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2013-05-03 06.54.59" border="0" alt="2013-05-03 06.54.59" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-g1gAxZRIEcU/UYNyfLkbeCI/AAAAAAAAr78/vLc0XDFqtI8/2013-05-03%25252006.54.59_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="378" height="284" /></a></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">Then we went off with all the gang for adventures and errands, shopping, eating and exploring. Littletree bought herself fancy new sunglasses!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AxA4jocFrDw/UYNylIND8dI/AAAAAAAAr8M/pbe8hrG5VvE/s1600-h/2013-05-03%25252015.41.28%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2013-05-03 15.41.28" border="0" alt="2013-05-03 15.41.28" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcKtzhYbNpAp0Qi1EBf2ho-U8cqI0Ie8fGm0XB5rfjOOHW_tco3qm18EtobJ2yI4wV4oHRHtTDLGCrdjuA8BmbDTNOPgY5z3nL-iddj77qlobSIxturnGEoaaRyifOa5MRyDz7wBq0c6g/?imgmax=800" width="270" height="358" /></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">The kids came back tired out and ready for a swim</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xLkh75vCkQc/UYNyzwZ6mEI/AAAAAAAAr8k/On8MX0KDTCw/s1600-h/2013-05-03%25252015.41.14%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2013-05-03 15.41.14" border="0" alt="2013-05-03 15.41.14" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zFYcgdXaLZ0/UYNy5MhfScI/AAAAAAAAr8s/4LI5jMi5EJ0/2013-05-03%25252015.41.14_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="291" /></a><font size="3" face="Calibri"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">In the morning, we leave for Gili Air!</font></p> majikfaeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604747660164437868noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4294192932287033992.post-76271089183283770982013-05-01T22:51:00.001+10:002013-05-01T22:51:05.637+10:00Rock Climbing<p><font size="3" face="Calibri">Littletree went to an indoor rock climbing centre with home school group yesterday, it was most awesome! She had a great time. </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">For some reason, I’m not managing to upload all the fantastic photos and video I took on my camera, but here’s a few snaps from my phone.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wRJ9xi7s3Kk/UYEPT0V_6UI/AAAAAAAArqQ/81Hv5wChrKQ/s1600-h/2013-04-30%25252012.15.22%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2013-04-30 12.15.22" border="0" alt="2013-04-30 12.15.22" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HiaR3vQiOSk/UYEPXge6X2I/AAAAAAAArqY/Rci3a_jVww0/2013-04-30%25252012.15.22_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="269" height="357" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5T4KPXdDiGw/UYEPbg3DjOI/AAAAAAAArqg/XhLO-Woaw0A/s1600-h/2013-04-30%25252013.15.43%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2013-04-30 13.15.43" border="0" alt="2013-04-30 13.15.43" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_jMYuaw9mLE/UYEPfRPGDJI/AAAAAAAArqo/JXDNNQTt8Vk/2013-04-30%25252013.15.43_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="273" height="363" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-t_n1EXdLcIA/UYEPjtkUuDI/AAAAAAAArqw/7_xgpkKtw5w/s1600-h/2013-04-30%25252013.28.00%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2013-04-30 13.28.00" border="0" alt="2013-04-30 13.28.00" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NmbKpXk_luY/UYEPmmn_jbI/AAAAAAAArq4/VNVLff0MYsQ/2013-04-30%25252013.28.00_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="278" height="369" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tfQ1BFdJXpY/UYEPqjzCPKI/AAAAAAAArrA/O6Eyp3MrjSY/s1600-h/2013-04-30%25252013.50.19%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2013-04-30 13.50.19" border="0" alt="2013-04-30 13.50.19" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-252PpuYOer8/UYEPtjFOAlI/AAAAAAAArrI/vchSCnA6gBg/2013-04-30%25252013.50.19_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="285" height="379" /></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">And that’s it for us; first thing in the morning, we’re getting on a plane to Indonesia for the Unschooling Adventure in Gili Air, <a href="http://balihomeschooladventure.blogspot.com.au/">http://balihomeschooladventure.blogspot.com.au/</a></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">Yay!</font></p> majikfaeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604747660164437868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4294192932287033992.post-68995382740307833052013-04-25T20:32:00.001+10:002013-04-25T20:35:45.373+10:00Red Velvet Cake<p><font size="3" face="Calibri">As promised, here is the post with recipe for the Red Velvet cake I made for Littletree’s birthday.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">Of course, being me, I refuse to use red food dye, so I figured I could do it with beetroot. Really longtime readers might remember that I used to make candy for Littletree from beetroots (and later blueberries) and unrefined sugar (recipe <a href="http://majikfaerie.blogspot.com.au/2008/01/beetroot-candy.html">HERE</a>), but I didn’t want to go for my usual ‘<em>ah, I’ll just make it up as I go along and she’ll be right’</em> random recipe, so I asked the internet to find me someone with experience who’d done an all-natural red velvet cake with beetroot before.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">My awesome friend Rose T came up with <a href="http://www.sophistimom.com/red-velvet-cake-all-natural-no-red-dye/">this brilliant recipe</a> on <em>Sophistimom</em> blog, so that seemed like a good start.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">It looked pretty simple, and was almost all ingredients I already had to hand, so off we went…</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">I roasted beetroots the night before and let them cool.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KJpB5AQg5ho/UXkEz13YLqI/AAAAAAAArM4/46o12iDWm8U/s1600-h/2013-04-20%25252008.36.29%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2013-04-20 08.36.29" border="0" alt="2013-04-20 08.36.29" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibJY3vCXzSTPKev2fvDp4WEx5Zt6Ovtpatu-aeQ71ot0_idDyNA6TIwBiIQllISi2tGOjKZwQfCiVsxEOTyPn3uSiVwIwGFLouIHewkCZLujo1SliE74M-RH5GW-7LZbUHFeFFJGTX3F4/?imgmax=800" width="408" height="307" /></a><font size="3" face="Calibri"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">I blended said roasted beetroots in my trusty food processor with the 1/4 cup of lemon juice and a spoonful of vinegar. But my measurements aren’t too accurate, since we moved and I can’t find my measuring cups, so I’m just eyeballing it.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sTdSTcashK0/UXkFCkRQBvI/AAAAAAAArNI/8gIZJtmKNMk/s1600-h/2013-04-20%25252009.04.11%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2013-04-20 09.04.11" border="0" alt="2013-04-20 09.04.11" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hLltiPuHw-Q/UXkFLbtNv_I/AAAAAAAArNQ/56UU9yAXsVg/2013-04-20%25252009.04.11_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="419" height="315" /></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">Then away with the food processer and out to a mixing bowl and my trusty, vintage SwiftWhip beater to cream a 250 gram block of butter (because I can’t get my head around American recipes that call for a “stick” of butter), and a whole tub of cream cheese. Again, I don’t know ounces, so I just put in the whole tub. I think it was 200g. The little bit less cream cheese cancels out the little bit extra butter. At least, it does in my book.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VKInNNfF9KI/UXkFT15LKwI/AAAAAAAArNY/zSJeSz-oBkY/s1600-h/2013-04-20%25252011.07.18%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2013-04-20 11.07.18" border="0" alt="2013-04-20 11.07.18" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TSFjz_PeEfk/UXkFaxF1byI/AAAAAAAArNg/Rviyh0GUuzM/2013-04-20%25252011.07.18_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="342" height="455" /></a><font size="3" face="Calibri"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">Also, creaming cream cheese and butter is <strong>hard work</strong> with an old-fashioned hand beater. But worth it. Once it was sort of soft enough, got into creaming in 2 1/3 cups sugar. Again with the using a juice cup and kind of guessing, but it turned out that I used the precise amount of sugar that was left in the jar. Then I cried because there was no sugar left for my coffee.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">Once the sugar is creamed in, slowly add in four eggs. This is to make the batter easier to beat, and we nurse our blisters and wonder why we struggled through the creaming of butter and sugar. Also add in a sploosh of vanilla extract (I make my own, soaking organic vanilla beans in alcohol).</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">Then comes the silly part: where you need to use a second mixing bowl. I usually cheat on this bit and just bodge it all into the one bowl, because I loathe and detest washing up. But I have an indentured person now to do the dishes, and it was to be a <em>special cake for Littletree’s birthday</em>. </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">So I sifted </font><font size="3" face="Calibri">2 cups unbleached flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder, 3 tablespoons of cocoa powder (there was some debate on the internet as to how much cocoa to use, so I made something up), and 1 1/2 teaspoons himalayan salt into a mixing bowl, and slowly added it in to the wet batter. Then I stirred in the beetroot puree, and we were good to go!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8sMxaSUH9l4/UXkFg9Jkd2I/AAAAAAAArNo/enwdDQxxhMY/s1600-h/2013-04-20%25252011.23.00%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2013-04-20 11.23.00" border="0" alt="2013-04-20 11.23.00" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zBEPaFJ8KEM/UXkFl9b4dDI/AAAAAAAArNw/jJQdCjx2Cf8/2013-04-20%25252011.23.00_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="420" height="316" /></a><font size="3" face="Calibri"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">Nice and red!</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">Grease and line three 8” cake pans… um, I don’t know how big 8” is, and I only have two round springform pans of indeterminate size, so I greased and lined those and called it good. Now, given that the recipe was for a <em>three layer</em> cake, and I only had two pans, I just kind of guessed at dividing the batter into thirds, put the first two in the oven, and then did the third one in a re-used pan.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">Turned out on a rack to cool while I whipped up cream cheese frosting (two tubs of cream cheese, all the icing sugar I had (which turned out to be somewhat less than the recommended four cups), another whole packet of raw, organic, local butter (yay! I found a dairy just up the road selling unprocessed butter and cream!), 3 dollops of cream and a splash each of vanilla and almond extracts. Blend well.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">The fun part was schmearing frosting between all the layers and covering the cake… you know, because I had to keep testing to make sure the frosting tasted good.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PPKgsr7y9qk/UXkFt8xmHkI/AAAAAAAArN4/4jEBiP1zLUQ/s1600-h/2013-04-20%25252013.54.03%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2013-04-20 13.54.03" border="0" alt="2013-04-20 13.54.03" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hbc4V_qxTbY/UXkFzapN6YI/AAAAAAAArOA/OFJdwFL6bT0/2013-04-20%25252013.54.03_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276" /></a><font size="3" face="Calibri"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">Once I’d done the cake, I suddenly remembered that Littletree had requested chocolate-dipped strawberries to go on top, but I’d totally forgotten. Standard fall-back plan: grate some chocolate on top of the frosting, and call it art.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5OPB0_snXok/UXkG2TvJNyI/AAAAAAAArO4/PNquyPz96wc/s1600-h/2013-04-20%25252014.43.14%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2013-04-20 14.43.14" border="0" alt="2013-04-20 14.43.14" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-g7vVPu4ydFM/UXkG_Dz6myI/AAAAAAAArPA/nCK0aU1PFQE/2013-04-20%25252014.43.14_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="431" height="324" /></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">The cake was a huge success of epic proportions; it looked awesome – sufficiently red; tasted great – rich and tangy; and the kids gobbled it up!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ISeSL7iqF0s/UXkGE5IqY7I/AAAAAAAArOY/pZEiwjdwQVs/s1600-h/2013-04-20%25252014.49.18%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2013-04-20 14.49.18" border="0" alt="2013-04-20 14.49.18" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XmlpRYxbLpk/UXkGJf-bIBI/AAAAAAAArOg/TLgT519G4Vk/2013-04-20%25252014.49.18_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="409" height="308" /></a><font size="3" face="Calibri"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">So much nom!</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-opIHt3zAfRs/UXkGRC7AmqI/AAAAAAAArOo/2u1XLhWl7M0/s1600-h/2013-04-20%25252014.54.54%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2013-04-20 14.54.54" border="0" alt="2013-04-20 14.54.54" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xewk_MzrV3s/UXkGUklxAPI/AAAAAAAArOw/68ystLUkxZA/2013-04-20%25252014.54.54_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="371" height="279" /></a></font></p> majikfaeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604747660164437868noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4294192932287033992.post-78779096034958024192013-04-21T23:45:00.001+10:002013-04-21T23:45:39.201+10:00Party!<p><font size="3" face="Calibri">We held the party for Littletree’s birthday yesterday, so we had about a dozen tween kids running amok around the place (about half of whom ended up sleeping over)! I survived, and all I got was this <strike>t-shirt</strike> pile of dishes.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">The kids all had an awesome time</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4ivX21J2aIw/UXPse7-VsbI/AAAAAAAAq5U/XHyRdbF6_7g/s1600-h/2013-04-20%25252014.44.32%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2013-04-20 14.44.32" border="0" alt="2013-04-20 14.44.32" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZjxET49W4G4/UXPsjDP63XI/AAAAAAAAq5c/Q6zx4KkxrW8/2013-04-20%25252014.44.32_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="367" height="276" /></a></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">Making a mess, playing on the trampoline</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KWUIOT6LFlg/UXPsrh-u2nI/AAAAAAAAq5k/gKI0xhl2Cw8/s1600-h/2013-04-20%25252014.13.25%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2013-04-20 14.13.25" border="0" alt="2013-04-20 14.13.25" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wyYdC_UTD7s/UXPsxD7tjoI/AAAAAAAAq5s/iGkqcg7laFg/2013-04-20%25252014.13.25_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="357" height="269" /></a><font size="3" face="Calibri"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">Swimming and kayaking in the creek</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NOg6LREw970/UXPs1_eEz2I/AAAAAAAAq50/f90ZqeXaAW0/s1600-h/2013-04-20%25252014.12.55%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2013-04-20 14.12.55" border="0" alt="2013-04-20 14.12.55" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2q55X5UBRr8/UXPs8vbeaYI/AAAAAAAAq58/Kjvxn6lRI2k/2013-04-20%25252014.12.55_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="362" height="272" /></a><font size="3" face="Calibri"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">I made (at Littletree’s request) a very elaborate Red Velvet Cake (all natural, organic, coloured with beetroots, and iced with raw-butter cream-cheese frosting – I’ll make a post about the cake separately, with a recipe)</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ElWBVCTrVfI/UXPtBhJyRvI/AAAAAAAAq6E/FlK5rgN2Jak/s1600-h/2013-04-20%25252014.43.28%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2013-04-20 14.43.28" border="0" alt="2013-04-20 14.43.28" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-e4c4XfOEURE/UXPtE5d5QWI/AAAAAAAAq6M/MdMMjK_aS6M/2013-04-20%25252014.43.28_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="278" height="371" /></a><font size="3" face="Calibri"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">The cake was a huge success</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nTM6o9e9Gts/UXPtItE-ijI/AAAAAAAAq6U/sveuMQ531qk/s1600-h/2013-04-20%25252014.46.49%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2013-04-20 14.46.49" border="0" alt="2013-04-20 14.46.49" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-t_nJyQCqF2k/UXPtNIZApsI/AAAAAAAAq6c/0V3geW0N46U/2013-04-20%25252014.46.49_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="377" height="284" /></a><font size="3" face="Calibri"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">Littletree got lots of lovely presents</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-k29aw_2MLsw/UXPtReS6XRI/AAAAAAAAq6k/hgEnuNYw7v4/s1600-h/2013-04-20%25252014.59.38%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2013-04-20 14.59.38" border="0" alt="2013-04-20 14.59.38" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mmEsn6x8zS0/UXPtVNfhrRI/AAAAAAAAq6s/TkKu-cXzix4/2013-04-20%25252014.59.38_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="272" height="362" /></a><font size="3" face="Calibri"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">And got to spend time with lots of her best friends (actually, half of the home school group came!)</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XbexzzmL6zk/UXPtbEPtG-I/AAAAAAAAq60/gRjbelKDILM/s1600-h/2013-04-20%25252015.35.00%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2013-04-20 15.35.00" border="0" alt="2013-04-20 15.35.00" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLcDRGH8FJWGYgq6vNiOXrwN4tpiHUyl2_lKR4dq9MNdNuCsvokBIVbjnXvQG7Vvo1BU388Sj40u5i5KJODu46Vh7pKukYiWs0g8WVzruphMaXi-Iv89BMk5ZF5e4pZpuAipT1ivHl1kc/?imgmax=800" width="384" height="289" /></a><font size="3" face="Calibri"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">Of course, the five girls who slept over stayed up till midnight giggling, but thankfully, the kids’ room is at the other end of the house from mine, so I wasn’t disturbed in the slightest :-P</font></p> majikfaeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604747660164437868noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4294192932287033992.post-35925018026504240322013-04-19T22:32:00.001+10:002013-04-19T22:32:14.613+10:00Animated Children<p><font size="3" face="Calibri">Littletree did an awesome animation and art workshop with home school group this week.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZMyovCucKrE/UXE4ttdZScI/AAAAAAAAqn0/yU2Jpre50wg/s1600-h/2013-04-17%25252011.23.19%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2013-04-17 11.23.19" border="0" alt="2013-04-17 11.23.19" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HIEg4rgntOI/UXE4xEuqxxI/AAAAAAAAqn8/U4FQus8bchA/2013-04-17%25252011.23.19_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="408" height="307" /></a><font size="3" face="Calibri"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">The kids worked together to create a town out of plasticine and mixed media, each child making their own dream house in the town.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4uD9JKzN20g/UXE40v8GGWI/AAAAAAAAqoE/3-2y5BwFKvY/s1600-h/2013-04-17%25252011.24.50%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2013-04-17 11.24.50" border="0" alt="2013-04-17 11.24.50" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-01XdHa0fzXM/UXE43jpBd0I/AAAAAAAAqoM/qV-ri8eDtbQ/2013-04-17%25252011.24.50_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="288" height="383" /></a><font size="3" face="Calibri"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">They all worked together to envision how their town would be… apparently there needed to be a lot of snakes and <em>endermen </em>and<em> creepers</em> from Minecraft.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-oDRdl29EnYI/UXE47TB180I/AAAAAAAAqoU/8tQ2UI7TJK0/s1600-h/2013-04-17%25252012.35.36%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2013-04-17 12.35.36" border="0" alt="2013-04-17 12.35.36" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-StfGxU7bD48/UXE4_VKsdcI/AAAAAAAAqoc/mWI3FbD_nHQ/2013-04-17%25252012.35.36_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="391" height="294" /></a><font size="3" face="Calibri"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">Then they photographed their towns behind a “green screen”</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QopxFgevRN4/UXE5Cq8VKOI/AAAAAAAAqok/vnPknx_n4fs/s1600-h/2013-04-17%25252013.26.43%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2013-04-17 13.26.43" border="0" alt="2013-04-17 13.26.43" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XAhY5jCqhsU/UXE5F9bN_-I/AAAAAAAAqos/nPZ9PfhvdbM/2013-04-17%25252013.26.43_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="285" height="379" /></a><font size="3" face="Calibri"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">followed by the kids acting out being in their town in front of a green screen.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-b7ZdeK4-9-s/UXE5IzAHJXI/AAAAAAAAqo0/7ydvLRQ9CXo/s1600-h/2013-04-17%25252014.23.02%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2013-04-17 14.23.02" border="0" alt="2013-04-17 14.23.02" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5aLBWot1Xak/UXE5MHgjeSI/AAAAAAAAqo8/KUyh1tQHoLQ/2013-04-17%25252014.23.02_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="298" height="396" /></a><font size="3" face="Calibri"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">For the finishing touch, they uploaded all the footage into the computer and rendered it so the kids are walking around their houses. Littletree is climbing up a fruit tree in her little plasticine garden, it’s amazing!</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-a_UFnXfmcg4/UXE5PMwyCZI/AAAAAAAAqpE/4CXJHj2n2uA/s1600-h/2013-04-17%25252014.49.43%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2013-04-17 14.49.43" border="0" alt="2013-04-17 14.49.43" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Rt4QJkBasDE/UXE5TJN3GtI/AAAAAAAAqpM/losKkTKUtsE/2013-04-17%25252014.49.43_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="300" height="349" /></a></font></p> majikfaeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604747660164437868noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4294192932287033992.post-50931871993542559202013-04-16T21:32:00.001+10:002013-04-16T21:32:15.331+10:00Happy Birthday Littletree<p><font size="3" face="Calibri">Sunday was Littletree’s 10th birthday, and since she was still tired and jetlagged from her trip, we planned to have a quiet day doing whatever she wants, and save the big birthday party for next weekend.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">She didn’t know it, but I went in together with my parents to get her a trampoline; quite a fancy one. I woke her up with snuggles in the morning </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Ggj0P-pKnK4/UW01IRiYD5I/AAAAAAAAqf8/YN5V8segA98/s1600-h/P1100236%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P1100236" border="0" alt="P1100236" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1AFigl_KToA/UW01PmudH1I/AAAAAAAAqgE/FLUau_9eKUs/P1100236_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="372" height="280" /></a></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">and brought her out to the balcony to greet the sunrise… and see…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RWYVS_kd_QU/UW01TW--leI/AAAAAAAAqgM/lEDzv71KKhQ/s1600-h/20130414_085300%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="20130414_085300" border="0" alt="20130414_085300" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-E42GEftmS7s/UW01Ze1uXYI/AAAAAAAAqgU/Em9bet3RXds/20130414_085300_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="276" height="367" /></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">Trampoline!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xEDOokrlYqU/UW01grzockI/AAAAAAAAqgc/OzTJMkD82ZA/s1600-h/P1100237%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P1100237" border="0" alt="P1100237" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Zr_Fhym6-Rk/UW01oBonx_I/AAAAAAAAqgk/BZrDEmHF7HM/P1100237_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="278" height="369" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0lF7Uhz2Lb8/UW01vVGvtBI/AAAAAAAAqgs/yKlJxJ7APi0/s1600-h/P1100238%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P1100238" border="0" alt="P1100238" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-phD8S66DwHw/UW01zC5yHdI/AAAAAAAAqg0/gqkdU7G8ON8/P1100238_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="275" height="365" /></a></p> <font size="3" face="Calibri"></font> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">Then we went for a swim in the creek</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-oelUegookLY/UW017S7FxkI/AAAAAAAAqg8/W5LioZnZg0g/s1600-h/P1100244%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P1100244" border="0" alt="P1100244" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GP1cE5LI-2g/UW01-3Qmw_I/AAAAAAAAqhE/LdDs3NjiMSw/P1100244_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="260" height="346" /></a></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">And a trip into town to play Ingress while learning about local landmarks.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-aM-0THcpPtI/UW02Dc62d2I/AAAAAAAAqhM/OQ_xJqh5z78/s1600-h/2013%252520-%2525201%252520%2525284%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2013 - 1 (4)" border="0" alt="2013 - 1 (4)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_nSvSJQZpqc/UW02GgbfHII/AAAAAAAAqhU/3MlMSoghNwE/2013%252520-%2525201%252520%2525284%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="264" height="350" /></a><font size="3" face="Calibri"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fLcts5MU2O0/UW02N3gnPwI/AAAAAAAAqhc/wWGtjDyKcUw/s1600-h/2013%252520-%2525201%252520%2525281%252529%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2013 - 1 (1)" border="0" alt="2013 - 1 (1)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2Vr1e8pcMHA/UW02TXYVFGI/AAAAAAAAqhk/IwL7aVf45m8/2013%252520-%2525201%252520%2525281%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="377" height="284" /></a><font size="3" face="Calibri"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">Littletree hacked many portals</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DpJ8lqSPIDs/UW02XnJaeCI/AAAAAAAAqhs/rLN1cvxXnC4/s1600-h/2013%252520-%2525201%252520%2525283%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2013 - 1 (3)" border="0" alt="2013 - 1 (3)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AavpAeNqgsU/UW02eyJMi9I/AAAAAAAAqh0/39Oe5wyv6nI/2013%252520-%2525201%252520%2525283%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="274" height="358" /></a><font size="3" face="Calibri"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">Then we went wandering around the shopping mall, because Littletree needed new shorts (she just keeps getting bigger!) and we stopped for morning tea, and then had sushi for lunch</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5P3i2OMHYdE/UW02hzMBx7I/AAAAAAAAqh8/_drQcRK8IVk/s1600-h/2013%252520-%2525201%252520%2525285%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2013 - 1 (5)" border="0" alt="2013 - 1 (5)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-k2iFtsX3aKM/UW02nanN7iI/AAAAAAAAqiE/JFHL78GGEJc/2013%252520-%2525201%252520%2525285%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="277" height="368" /></a><font size="3" face="Calibri"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">Followed by Littletree’s favourite; Indian take-away for dinner with a video.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-egurwjxcjew/UW02qkCN14I/AAAAAAAAqiM/KbP0sX_YwHw/s1600-h/2013%252520-%2525201%252520%2525282%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2013 - 1 (2)" border="0" alt="2013 - 1 (2)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-smkcJElDBFA/UW02vWu9uNI/AAAAAAAAqiU/u0s3n1XVTC0/2013%252520-%2525201%252520%2525282%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="282" height="374" /></a><font size="3" face="Calibri"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Calibri">Then we snuggled up together and read stories. Littletree said it was her best birthday ever. :)</font></p> majikfaeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604747660164437868noreply@blogger.com4