a handmade Christmas

we made our Christmas decorations this year
the best part was the time spent together
nurturing creativity, making happy memories

from our balcony

thunderstorms and tropical downpours
are part of daily life this time of year
watching the clouds roll in
and the sun shine afterwards
i quite enjoy

summer + winter

melbourne winter
for k's summer holidays
birthday celebrations
champagne flowing
generous hospitality
home cooked meals with friends
gorgeous pregnant bellies
campfires by the creek
perfectly made decaf latte
warm cups of tea
a busy and wonderful time

freida's first

almost one

peacefully sleeping baby
turns one this week
what a year it has been

chocolate chip

recipe and inspiration from
my lovely friend Tamara

dragon

a boy and his dragon
painstakingly painted by hand
on the beach in pattaya

new tooth

freida has a tooth

tea time

i love tea time with you

baby gecko

a lot of geckos live at thanapathaus
i would like a few to live on our balcony
not sure if they would stay
or disappear in search of food

yim

yim means smile in thai
we hear that word a lot

poolside

interesting patterns on pebbles
the striking green of a new leaf

natural beauty

a wise woman once told me
natural beauty needs little embellishment

wakodo

the cutest baby biscuits
i have ever seen
a big hit with little
which one is your favourite?

metallic on black #2

owl
cow
t rex

metallic on black #1

pterodactyl
rhinoceros
dragon
fish
snake

lines

a wall of lines
striking texture
light and shade

chaba tree + coffee berry

some great coffee in bangkok
coffee berry roasts fresh every day
chaba tree makes stylish, eco friendly
teak and glass canisters + utensils

kaelan creation : part one

Kaelan loves to make things
we save all sorts of bits and pieces
to put together his "creations"
i think this one is fantastic

smile

i know it's a bit cliched but...
sunflowers always make me smile
found growing in the park
near saphan taksin pier

out my window

view from the place we call home for now
the bangkok mass transit system
best way to travel in the inner city
and to kaelan's school with a boat ride
adjusting to the constant traffic noise
the locals say it's a cold winter
wearing jackets and scarves
it's still warm enough for me
in short sleeves and a skirt

big school boy

Kaelan's first day at school
so excited about wearing a tie like daddy
practising sawatdee khrap in the taxi
it was a big day for us all
emotions overflowing

ten years today

it's been ten years since our brother tragically died...

• the track we used to ride down

• flowers on a succulent from his rockery

• porcelain bowl he would have loved for the fine workmanship

thinking of you Dan.

gorgeous finds

some gorgeous finds at robinson
dress for little; pink, naturally
sakura paints from japan
in my favourite hues of the moment
i love the colour intensity
for 25 baht ($1) each
i foresee a growing collection

nit noi

happy new year from bangkok
'nit noi' is freida's new nickname
it's thai for 'little' or 'a little bit'
fre is discovering her fingers and toes
kaelan with a sundae at rama 3 central