Taking Stock: January 2015

Well January went in a blur of relaxation and fun, and now we are back (hopefully a little refreshed) to face the year. Here is some of the small things that have been on my mind in January:

Making: a couple of backgrounds for food photography.
Cooking: all kinds of fresh produce from the garden.
Drinking: some cool summer drinks.
Reading: The woman who stole my life, It started with Paris, and Leaving Time.
Wanting: longer holidays
Looking: good…. in the photos my sister took for my profile and about pages. (If I do say so myself)
Playing: board games with the kids.
Deciding: what competitions I should enter into at the local agricultural show next month.
Wishing: for more rain – I’m becoming more of a farmers wife all the time!

Enjoying: these summer holidays. This year has been the first since we moved here, that I haven’t had major homesickness for the mountains.
Waiting: for builders.
Liking: the way our play room is organised now. I went in the other day, and the kids were picking up one toy so there was room for another…. without being told to! I did an internal fist pump of happiness!
Wondering: if the mulberry tree is going to get more fruit. It’s not looking hopeful.

Loving: lots of time spent with my family.
Pondering: the next step with this blog. I know what needs to be done, it’s just doing it…
Considering: having a go at hatching our own chickens this year.
Watching: The Newsroom – series 2. 
Hoping: to have a go at making cheese this year.
Marvelling: at how well Hannah is swimming these days. This year she has really just got it together.

Needing: a better system for handling bills etc. 
Smelling: rain on the land. We’ve had quite a few showers this summer.
Wearing: thongs, shorts and tshirts,
Noticing: that I ironed a label on the outside of one of Hannah’s school uniforms. Ooops!
Knowing: there is no way to remove that silly label. Time for a new uniform.
Thinking: about lesson plans and lesson ideas. Summer is always my time to come up with new ideas.

Admiring: Meg’s creativity with Lego. She is creating all sorts of dinosaurs.
Sorting: DVDs, bookshelves,filing cabinets – it’s holidays, and so I always love a good sorting project.
Buying: new single bed sheets for the kids. New farm boots for me.
Getting: organised for school. 
Bookmarking: all kinds of photography tutorials. This summer has been all about improving my photography. Every afternoon while the kids do read and relax (my name for rest time), I read tutorials, and watched you tube clips. It’s my new holiday ritual.
Disliking: Spiders.
Opening: A lovely surprise parcel from a reader. People blow me away with their generosity.
Giggling: At the movie trailers Hannah is making using imovie on her ipod. So funny.
Feeling: happy when I think back over our wonderful summer break. It really was almost perfect.
Snacking:On the choc mint weetbix slice that the kids keep making. Oh, and peaches.
Coveting: A full frame camera, and a macro lens.
Helping: The girls label all their back to school gear.

I’m taking stock with Pip