As the Landcruiser rumbles down the track, silence descends over the yurt. School is back. I am always torn at this time of the year. Thankful for the headspace to be able to focus on my own projects but aware that three of my very favourite people will be spending their days away from me once again.
Catching up with Sally and Brian from Jembella Farm. We forgot to get all of us in the photo though! Doh.
I'd like to say I'm one of those mothers who has everything well organised, labelled and in order two weeks prior to school returning but alas, I am not. I'm more of a fly by the seat of your pants mother. But despite that, we muddle through with black dress shoes scuffed in mud and me shoving old school hats re-labelled with permanent texta and hastily scrawled initials inside the brim in their bags as they file out. Late on day one. But there are new school bags, clean uniforms, fresh-packed lunches and drink bottles filled with cool water so I'm sure they will survive.
It's quiet here without them though.
Will and Tucker on the road.
For the past week and a half, we have been interstate and we were finally able to introduce Elsie to friends and family. It was wonderful, emotional, challenging and joyful all at once.
The drive is hard. It's roughly 2000kms each way which we tackle over two days on either side of the trip. Being the middle of summer, crossing the Hay Plains gets hot and the airconditioning in the Landcruiser struggles to keep up. It's the first time Elsie has done the drive and considering the long days in the car, she did brilliantly. She got to meet met her Aunties, Uncles and cousins and we had a wonderful time catching up with them all. We also managed to catch up with a couple of dear friends though sadly we couldn't fit everyone in. Hopefully next time our trip will be longer. Despite that, my heart is full and I feel re-rejuvenated to keep going here. A change of scenery is good for us I think. To have a break from the endless to-do list, reflect and re-prioritise the next couple of tasks at hand.
But still, it is good to be home again and back to our familiar daily rhythm.
Elsie didn't sleep well while we were away, she's happy to be home and back in her own bed.
Elsie turns one in a couple of weeks. Can you believe it? I'm contemplating sewing her an indoor swing or making her a 14" Waldorf doll. Either way, I'll be pulling out out the sewing machine and taking over the kitchen table for a bit. I have been keeping my eye out for some wooden building blocks on Facebook marketplace, but I am yet to find some that are not overpriced. I mean, they are not expensive but I don't understand why people are asking $25 for blocks I could buy new for the same price. Marketplace can be weird like that. Sometimes there are good bargains to be had, and other times people price items far too high and they sit there for weeks. But, in our desire to buy second hand where possible and utilize items that already exist rather than continue the demand for "new" we shall wait.
Aside from that, there will be a simple homemade meal consisting of a roast chicken, veggies and mashed potato for dinner which is her favourite meal, and a pale pink iced butter cake. If it's hot we might take her to the river for a dip. She loves the water!
While we were away Angus turned 10! He requested tacos, homemade mud cake for dinner. As well as a play with his cousins and a swim for the day. He also discovered sparklers at his grandparents' place which made for a happy surprise.
Anyway, I had best get on with the days jobs. There is sourdough to feed, dishes to do, biscuits to bake, washing to hang, a dirty load to put on and two big loads to fold, floors to mop and a suitcase still to unpack. We are having butter chicken for dinner so I should get the chicken thigh out of the freezer before the day completely escapes me!
Much love,
Emma
xx
Emma
xx
