The Poppy Files

Walk ♥

Above all, do not lose your desire to walk: every day I walk myself into a state of well-being and walk away from every illness; I have walked myself into my best thoughts, and I know of no thought so burdensome that one cannot walk away from it … but by sitting still, and the more one sits still, the closer one comes to feeling ill … Thus if one just keeps on walking, everything will be all right.

Søren Kiekegaard, letter to Jette (1847)

I read Bruce Chatwin’s classic book The Songlines when I was travelling through Asia for the first time in my early twenties. I distinctly remember it striking a chord with me as I was discovering new cultures and the world of free and independent travel for the first time.

The above quote found in the book signifies so many things for me as I LOVE to walk and relate to Søren’s words. I hate to think how many miles I have walked in my 43 years but I hope there will be many more to come.

Thursday, 20 March 2014 3 Comments Short URLBruce Chatwin, The Songlines, WalkToday I Am Loving

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Sneaky Peek : The Great Commute

Great Commute

I’m not referring to the two-hour commute in your car, on the train or bike to work each day. No, I am referring to the 20 metre walk from our house to the garage that I do numerous times a day – baby in arms, keys in mouth and bags, bags, bags on my arms. What is in all these bags?

Pfffff no gym membership required here, as my combined total lift weight would be nudging 15 kilos with each trip. Just when you think your arms are going to drop off Poppy chimes in with “Mummy, can you carry my bag, it’s too heavy”! “SURE HONEY”!

Excuse the poor quality of my sketch – scanned via iPhone and I have also just realised my proportions are sightly out (small head, small waist, big feet and perty boobs … yeah right)!

Wednesday, 19 March 2014 0 Comments Short URLBag Carrying MotherSneaky Peek

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Big Bob

James – alternately known as ‘Big Bob’ in our house, is changing so much day by day.

He is now ‘rocking’ up on all fours in preparation to crawl, is grabbing everything he can get his hands on, is chowing down on toast, veggies and fruit and is so much more alert.

I find I have to stop and catch my breath because our little baby boy of 2 kilos is growing up so fast and will be running around before I know it. Bless. Xx

James & Dolly

Tuesday, 18 March 2014 0 Comments Short URLPoppy : James

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Northern Exposure

Arrrgggghhhh

Arrrarrgh me hearties – here is Poppy in her pirate outfit playing with her big friends in Launceston. We have been north again for the weekend … catching up with my family and our old friends Keith and Lil for a fabulous dinner on Saturday night. Poppy played until way after her bed time and crashed on the couch at 11 pm!

Poppy and her big friends

On Sunday morning Nick and I took Poppy and James to breakfast at Stillwater and then to the Queen Victoria Museum & Art Gallery at Inveresk. It was so fun just hanging out all together, eating nice food and having our cultural fix! Xx

Stillwater

QVMAG

Monday, 17 March 2014 1 Comment Short URLQueen Victoria Museum & Art Gallery, Stillwater RestaurantPoppy : James

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Ornate Luxury

Paris

After looking through my photos this morning I found these images from my trip to Paris in 2012, taken from the famous department store – Galeries Lafayette.

Ah, a little bit of Parisian ornate luxury on this dreary Hobart morning. Xx

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Friday, 14 March 2014 0 Comments Short URLGaleries LafayetteTravel

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Le Creuset ♥

For the past fifteen years I have been loving Le Creuset cookware:

Le Creuset began producing its first porcelain enamelled cast iron pots in 1925 from its foundry in Fresnoy le Grand, France. It is from this base that Le Creuset continues to produce its world-famous cast iron pots.

While Le Creuset has expanded the types of products it offers and has taken advantage of many technological advances since its beginnings in 1925, some things have not changed in the manufacture of Le Creuset’s cast iron.

Le Creuset has continued to use the hand-crafted techniques and the original process of forging and casting in the manufacturing of its cookware. This attention to its heritage is also characteristic of the design. The Cocotte, or French Oven, was one of the first cast iron items produced by Le Creuset and is still the most popular item sold in a range of bright retro colours, with Volcanic (orange) the company’s trademark.

I have the cobalt blue range which I have just recently heard is being phased out. Shock horror! These pieces are such a staple in my kitchen that I appreciate them every day, long after I have forgotten the price tag.

Le Creuset

Thursday, 13 March 2014 0 Comments Short URLLe CreusetToday I Am Loving

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Sneaky Peek : Grumpy Mummy

Hmmmmpph – now I know why you should be having children in your 20’s, not your 40’s! These little monkeys are making me grumpy!

I guess that’s what happens when you have numerous nights without much sleep. James’ bottom teeth still haven’t made an appearance yet but ‘appear’ to be giving him lots of pain which equals lots of crying which equals grumpy Mummy.

Airport

On another note – I am thankful that Nick returned home safely from his skiing holiday last Friday. Poppy was beside herself with excitement at the airport, and couldn’t wait to give her Daddy a big ‘snowy cuddle’. She was very excited about the Moose he gave her, plus her Jackson Hole lip balm and survival kit! I was pretty happy with my Chanel No 5 too.

Lip Balm

Moosey

Chanel

Nick couldn’t believe the difference he saw in James with two weeks absence. James is more like a little boy as he is now on the move and is rolling all over the floor. He is also self-feeding on toast, carrots, asparagus and potatoes and makes a hell of a mess but loves it! Poppy has even taken on the big sister role and requests to feed him (whilst making the obligatory airplane noise).

James & Poppy

James

On Monday of the long weekend we had a day trip to Bruny Island on the boat. Poppy had another super day playing with crabs, making sand castles and idolising her big friends. James on the other hand refused to have his day time sleep and drove his Mum crazy! Nothing a little Chanel No 5 won’t fix. X

Poppy

Bruny Island

Wednesday, 12 March 2014 0 Comments Short URLChanel No5, Grumpy MummySneaky Peek

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A Country Wedding

Sally Brown

Nick and I enjoyed a beautiful country wedding on Saturday afternoon when our friend, Richard Hues married Sally Brown on her beautiful property “Elkington” at Evandale.

“Elkington” provided the perfect backdrop for such a happy celebration – a long and windy gravel road leading to a beautiful historic homestead, surrounded by bales of hay, a cheeky dog, and a gathering of family and friends.

It was a very happy day indeed – congratulations Richard and Sally. Xx

Richard & Sally

Rose petals

Nick & Larni

Nick, Kate, Butsy & Gus

"Elkington"

'The Wallflowers'! - Flea, Leesa, me, Kate, Sarah & Kim

Tuesday, 11 March 2014 0 Comments Short URL"Elkington", Richard & Sally's WeddingUncategorized

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Ten Years On …

Megs & Larn

Here is a blast from the past – my dear friend Megs and I are at the Launceston Cup in 2004! The Examiner has a feature called ‘Throwback Thursday’ and low and behold this photo re-appeared a couple of weeks ago. The photo was actually taken by our friend Tim Hughes (I think we had drunk too many bubbles and harassed him into it!).

NB: Nick’s flight out of Jackson Hole was delayed due to ice build up and so he didn’t get back yesterday, but he will be arriving in Hobart at 2:30 pm today. Yippee!

Friday, 7 March 2014 1 Comment Short URLfriend Tim Hughes, Launceston CupUncategorized

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Raw Hide ♥

Reindeer Hide

Today I am loving my new reindeer hide that I recently purchased from Rhubarb for Gifts in Launceston. My old school friend Ruth owns this store and she posted photos of the hides (which are ethically sourced) on Facebook.

Luckily the Christmas money I had tucked away, came in very handy as I have been coveting a hide for quite some time. This beauty has now made its home on our bedroom floor next to the Moosey doona. Ah Nordic love!