Happy Snaps from Fairyland & Beyond

My new phone has a camera in it! I know, most people are way ahead of me on this technology, but I'm excited by it, especially as the only camera we own that I've ever known how to use has broken recently. So hooray, lots of pictures!

Kathryn Lomer at Fuller's Bookshop last Sunday, launching Three Things About Daisy Blue, the final book in the A&U Girlfriend series by Kate Gordon. You all know how much I have loved this series – while it's sad to see it end I was delighted to be able to attend the launch of the last one, which happens to have been written by a friend of mine!

Here's Kate herself, describing what sounds like a great fun teen book set in Bali. She read a scene about a girl eating a durian and throwing up on a boy's shoes which had us all squirming! I look forward to reading this one.

Jem's new trick, feeding the Glammer! She loves sitting at the big girl table, but loves feeding her food to grown ups even more.

This one turned out very dark – still figuring out how to snap in sunshine – but it's Raeli at her sports day, showing off her prized 3rd place ribbon in the skipping race. So proud of her!

Yesterday being Hobart Show Day, we all trooped off down to my mother's cottage in the country to have lunch and romp in the garden. The weather was stunningly good (especially for Show Day which is usually either stinking hot or flash flood raining) and we enjoyed ourselves greatly. Mum's garden is exceptionally photogenic, and I went a bit crazy.

Is it or is it not like something out of an Arthur Ransome novel? Or possibly E. Nesbit.

Yes, her house really is that colour.

Playing cricket with a badminton racket, a ping pong ball & Daddy! My child is so inventive.

Yes, my mother has basically built a fairyland.

Ladybug!

If my daughters end up with anything resembling a green thumb, it will not be from me.

My mother is a sculptor, and makes her own trellises by binding fallen branches together. The overall effect is – yep, pretty much like walking through a Brian Froud painting.

Baby Jem with her Glammer.

I am not a gardener, and while I appreciate beautiful things, I usually don't prioritise making everyday space into something of beauty – our own home is comfortable but it is not art! I am glad beyond words that thanks to Mum, my girls will have childhood memories of such a magical place. I am also glad that I don't have to do as much mowing as she does.