29/52

Playing outside on this freezy Sunday morning, she stopped to climb onto the bench and flashed me a gorgeous smile.

Joining in with the 52 Project at Che & Fidel.

You can see the whole series of portraits here.
 

THESE DAYS

1. Coffee and walnut cake from Jude Blereau's amazing book Wholefood Baking. I was lucky enough to meet Jude last Saturday when she did a baking demonstration at the Organic & Sustainable Market. She made a delicious apple tart, and these scrumptious oat and barley scones, and then we feasted on them fresh from the oven with cream. The coffee and walnut cake did not last long in our house, but I remembered to take a quick snap before I devoured the last piece!
2. Freshly hung Donna Wilson plate (that I was gifted almost two years ago! Better late than never...)
3. Tulips from the husband
4. Gum leaves collected on our weekly Saturday morning outing
5. Everly loves to make us cups of tea. I am forever tidying up random cups all about the house, it's very cute!
6. 'Driving the car' while we waited for the rain to stop
7.  Delicious wood-fired oven pizzas at a friend's 30th
8. Freshly baked bread on a Sunday morning
9. A beautiful card from a dear friend congratulating me on two years since my birthing day
10. My little succulent friend
11. Picking up stones to make stone soup

THESE DAYS

A replacement (Sorry Fern!) /
She walked up while I was snapping photos, mandarin in hand which she'd pinched from the fruit basket. She tried to dig her thumb in to peel back the skin, then handed it to me. Once peeled and given back to her, she held it out in her hand and said emphatically, "I need a bowl, Mummy!" /
Beautiful soft-petaled carnations, a surprise from Mark after he went shopping at the markets /
I am in love with Lhami products - a gorgeous natural skincare range with certified organic ingredients. (Thank you to Vanessa who recommended these beautiful products!) I had been looking for a replacement balm for Vicks and this Eucalyptus Balm does just the job. When Everly has had a day out in the cold wind or rain, I rub the balm into her feet and cover with socks just before bed-time, to help prevent cold and flu. I also bought the Baby Balm for nappy changes and to treat dry skin, eczema and insect bites, and am loving the natural roll-on deoderant too! /
This girl amazes me with her beauty that seems to pour out of her entire being /
Reaching up to touch the wall decal, after jumping on the bed!

Joining Emily from The Beetle Shack in a weekly collection of snaps. 

28/52

Jumping on the Big Bed with squeals of delight!

This girl is all about jumping lately - on the couch, on our bed, in her cot, on the floor, anywhere! It all started with a friend who has a trampoline at her house. It's been so wonderful watching Everly learn how to jump - from the little hop and skip action, to now having her two feet planted firmly together. She was so proud of herself when she finally mastered how to jump 'properly'! During the day she will randomly run up to me and start jumping, while shouting, "Look, look, Mummy! Jump! Jump!".

Joining in with the 52 Project at Che & Fidel.

You can see the whole series of portraits here.

27/52

This little bookworm has taken to slinging her 'library bag' (this week it's a blue freezer bag) and her handbag over her shoulder, then running off to the 'library' to stock her bag with books. She disappears for a few minutes then returns to unzip the bag in front of me and show me her loot. She would sit on my lap and read books all day if she could.

Joining in with the 52 Project at Che & Fidel.

You can see the whole series of portraits here.

HALFWAY THERE

I can't believe we're already halfway through the year, and halfway through the 52 Project.

Every now and then I click on the 52 tag and look back on the weekly portraits from the past six months. I can't believe how quickly Everly has grown from a tiny toddler into the beginnings of a little girl. I'm so very grateful for this project because without the gentle reminder every week to pick up the camera and capture a moment I know I wouldn't have as many photos of my beautiful girl as I do now.

Here are my favourite three portraits from this year so far:

that cheeky laugh from Week 3,

standing at the gate of our little holiday house in Daylesford from 12/52,

and my little inquisitive observer from 18/52.

Joining in with the 52 Project at Che & Fidel.

You can see the whole series of portraits here.

THESE DAYS (POPPIES + PEEKABOO)

Poppies from the farmers market - bright oranges and yellows, then later in the week new blooms appeared in peach and pink /
Dining table scene /
A fallen Autumn leaf collected on our day out at the Botanic Gardens /
Full fruit bowl - we have been devouring new season apples and pears /
Delicious, crusty no-knead spelt bread using this recipe /
Peekaboo! /
Everly's latest 'game': pulling the shoelaces out of her shoes (fun for Everly but not fun for Mum, especially when we're running late for playgroup!) /
Autumn leaves collected and taped to the playroom wall /
A single bloom on the bathroom windowsill in lovely late afternoon light. Whenever I buy a bunch of flowers I like to scatter single blooms about the house - the bathroom, the lounge, on the bedside table. Flowers make me happy! /

Joining Emily from The Beetle Shack in a weekly collection of snaps.