Life under a Pepper Tree

Today's topic for the February Photo a Day challenge is "Reflection". This topic is kinda timely for me today.  My hubby and I celebrated our 5 year wedding anniversary today.  Not only did I reflect on all the fun and crazy times we've had in the past 5 years, but the full 14 years we've been together.  Gosh that sounds like a long time when I'm just such a spring chicken!! So here I am. Here is my reflection, and happily married for 5 years today! I'm sad to say that this is the end of my Photo a Day challenge. I've seen the March prompts and they look like fun, but I'm tired of taking such crappy shots. So maybe once I've got my flashy new camera then I'll consider trying this again another month. Goodbye summer! Bel 

Today's topic for the February Photo a Day challenge is "My view today". I'm a lucky girl today! Hubby had a half day at work and came home to take Dylan and I out to lunch.   Dylan was super well behaved and we enjoyed the water views over a nice glass of wine. And I forgot my camera!! So no pics of that view. So we came home and I was sitting on the grass in the backyard playing with Dylan. He runs around like usual and I just have a little lie down... Yes, it's upside down cos I took the photo over my head whilst lying down looking to make sure Dylan hadn't run away! One more day of February, one more day of summer, one more photo to go! Bel

Today's topic for the February Photo a Day challenge is "Light". I tried taking a few pics in the morning when it was bright and sunny, but they all turned out a bit rubbish.  Late this afternoon before it started raining I got only 2 shots in before my camera battery died. By the time it was recharged I was off to my boxing/aerobics class, and it was nightfall by the time I got home. So I kept my fingers crossed that one of my shots was ok. Kinda dramatic sky don't you think? Bel

Today's topic for the February Photo a Day challenge is 'cut'. I know I need a haircut, but I know I'm not THAT desperate!  I did a clean out of my wardrobe on the weekend, specifically my shoes. I chucked maybe 4 or 5 pairs of shoes. Some worn out, some just plain uncomfortable, others, just ugly!  So ever since then I've been thinking of filling the wardrobe void with some lovely new shoes.  I had a brief look in a few stores yesterday on my lunch break, but nothing jumped out at me sadly.  I know if I found the perfect pair/s I wouldn't be able to hold back. So maybe this is what I should do... Bel

Today's topic for the February Photo a Day challenge is "Half". So here is "half" of my car - the half with the motor! Bel

Today's topic for the February Photo a Day challenge is "This is where I relax". No time to relax today. We had a big day out yesterday so today is filled with all the weekend chores of washing, cleaning and keeping up with the weeks ironing. I decided I don't have a "where" I relax, as such.  Whilst Dylan was napping I decided to do the ironing. No chance of turning the stereo on as that would be a napping disaster. So in go the earphones... Ahhh.. this is where I relax... Bel

Week 8 A few weeks ago I noticed a few little dents and bite marks appearing on the cot railing. In the few days it took for one of us to get to the baby store and buy one of the teething protectors for the cot, Dylan had taken the paint off in a few places. This morning as I put him down for his nap he tried to get straight back in and have another go at it! A photo of my son, once a week, every week in 2014 Sweet tired eyes, and teddy blanket in hand. Love you little man! Joining in with Jodi and Project 52 . Bel

Today's topic for the February Photo a Day challenge is "An act of kindness". Early this week I got some mail. Not your average bills or junk mail, but 2 lovely thank you cards.  One of them was kinda a-given; we attended some friends engagement party at the beginning of the month. But it's still lovely to receive a little thank you card in the post from them. Certainly nicer than just a "thanks" on facebook! The second thank you card was from one of my oldest school friends who I keep in touch with.  Elinor was one of my bridesmaids at my wedding nearly 5 years ago. She married her lovely man Steve back in mid December.  They had a small wedding down in the Southern Highlands for just a few family members only. She kept me up to date with her planning and even sent me a sneaky shot of her trying on her wedding dress weeks before the big day!  On the morning of her wedding I sent her a message wishing her well.... and wishing I was there to see her so ha

Today's topic for the February Photo a Day challenge is "funny". Honestly, nothing particularly funny happened during the day. I had a good day at work, albeit a sad one with one of my team members having her last day before leaving us to go work elsewhere. We had an awesome farewell lunch out for her at the Athenian Greek Restaurant in Barrack St. At the end of the day I went home and still nothing funny... Until dinner time.... Trying to get Dylan's attention while making him eat some of his dinner. I resorted to the unthinkable! Blowing raspberries or fart noises! Why do boys always find farts funny??? Bel

Today's topic for the February Photo a Day challenge is "Peace". After sickness and other mishaps I finally got to meet my beautiful new niece today.  Elise was born just over 2 weeks ago.  I just can't remember my Dylan being that small, that lightweight, and smelling of newborn sweetness! Elise was an absolute delight and just snuggled in my arms when I got a hold. I was definitely smitten by her!  After having a feed, she nuzzled into her mum's chest and drifted off to a peaceful looking sleep. Sweet dreams beautiful girl! Bel

Today's topic for the February Photo a Day challenge is 'feet'. Let's just start out by saying I hate my feet. I had no intention of taking a photo of my feet. Long and skinny, knobbly toes, sticking out bunions. I won't even start on my desperate need for a pedicure or some kind of attention. I tried to get a shot of Dylan's feet once or twice today. I mostly only had my iPhone on hand, so the photos were pretty bad. I tried again tonight, but he kept running away or wriggling and my pathetic point -and-shoot could not keep up.... And then the battery died!! So I gave up for a while. Time to stretch out on the lounge. Relax... Watch some trashy TV.... And that's what I did. Bel

Today's topic for the February Photo a Day challenge is 'magic'. When you think about it, there really are so many forms of magic. The sun rising each day is magic thanks to Mother Nature. Pulling a rabbit out of a hat is another kind of magic.  There are some things I'd like to put down to magic cos I can't comprehend how they actually work or exist. Like... The internet... How does the millions of words and pictures appear on the screen.. ?? I remember when I was young wondering how a fax machine work. I could write some words or draw a picture, feed my paper into a machine and somehow my paper would travel down a skinny wire outside and it would end up printing out at a machine far far away!! Magic!! I really wasn't sure how to photograph something like that... So I didn't.  Instead here is the magic I have captured in today's photo. This place creates magic... It fulfills the wishes of many a girl. A place that makes dreams come true. A place t

Today's topic for the February Photo a day challenge is "vegetable". I would have thought I'd end up just taking a quick shot of one of the vegetables I'd be preparing for dinner tonight. But something strange has happened... I got home from work and my hubby had already prepared ALL the vegetables.... and ALL of dinner! It was a sight rarely seen in these parts.  I then figured I could take a photo of one of those vegetables once cooked and ready to eat.... But I forgot... and they were delicious... So I hunted through my fridge for some kind of vegetable that wasn't too boring looking. I think I found it! Plain, in salads, eaten with dip, cooked into stews or casseroles.. yummy crispy crunchy celery is my vegetable! Bel

Today's topic for the February Photo a Day challenge is "Create". I really feel like I lost my mojo today. We were busy all day. I had no inspiration for something creative. Every time I tried to take a photo of Dylan my stupid point-and-shoot camera would go completely out of focus and it just frustrated the hell out of me. I'm looking at upgrading to a nice digital SLR camera soon, but we've had a number of other expenses lately that took priority. Hopefully a flashy new camera will help me "create" some great and memorable shots. The closest I got to anything creative was some cooking I did this afternoon for Dylan.  My stocks of frozen baby foods and finger foods were running low. I hadn't really done any research on what new menu items I might make but as my hubby was popping out to the supermarket to pick up a few essentials I added a couple of ingredients to the list and then set out to use them to create something edible.  I did only get

Week 7 Dylan's latest trick is to pull random books off the shelf in our spare room. Sometimes he runs off with the books and dumps them in odd places all over the house, other times its just a pile of books on the floor directly below the bookshelf. Occasionally he'll stop to look at the books.  This morning right after he got up I caught him doing it again. This time he was having a good read.... of Little Women! A portrait of my son once a week, every week, in 2014 Linking up with Jodi and the 52 project . Bel

Today's topics for the February Photo a Day challenge is 'My drink of choice'. I'm sitting here by myself this evening. My hubby has gone out to dinner with a bunch of friends. There was no way Dylan was going to tolerate an evening out at a restaurant, stuck in a high chair for hours with a bunch of people who would continue to drink long after they probably should have stopped.  So now that Dylan is off to bed, the washing up is done, there's nothing much to do on this rather steamy night. I deserve a drink! My favourite one to make at home. Tonight my drink of choice is a cosmopolitan. Cool, refreshing and totally fabulous!! Here's what's to come... Bel

Today's topic for the February Photo a Day challenge is Heart. I really wasn't too sure what I would do for today's photo. I figured surely someone in the office would receive some cheesy Valentines Day gift I could take a quick snap of. One of the girls sitting near me received a gorgeous big box full of a dozen long stemmed red roses, lucky girl!  I knew there was a greater chance of hell freezing over before I receive a delivery of flowers from my hubby. He's just not into flowers. He thinks they are a waste. I've given up explaining to him that I don't care that they die, I just love flowers as they make me happy.  I knew dinner would be nothing special, and I'd be pushing it to even get takeaway, so I planned to cook a nice meal. At least it would make me feel special having something a bit nicer than the usual fare. As I was cooking I got a hit of inspiration that wouldn't take much trouble.  A choc fudge brownie topped with my heart for my d

Today's topic for the February Photo a Day challenge is "perfect". I missed sunrise - that's kinda perfect. I missed sunset too.  I didn't have any beautiful blooms in my garden either to consider taking a photo of. I'm certainly not taking a photo of myself cos I'm not perfect - not by a long shot! This morning we had an appointment at the baby health clinic for a check up.  I'm pleased to report that in every way, my sweet boy is perfectly healthy! Bel

Today's topic for the February Photo a Day challenge is 'out and about'. Well it's just lucky the weather decided to co-operate this afternoon so we could get out of the house. I had to duck out and run an errand this afternoon, but as I got it done quicker than expected we took a little detour on our way home. We've had fun being out and about at the park for the first time since he learnt to walk! Dylan ran around in the playground area with his ball. He he had a go on the swings which he loved! And it only took one mouthful of the chip bark flooring for him to realise it wasn't  so tasty! Bel

Today's topic for the February Photo a Day challenge is 'mistake'. I was thinking about this topic all day at work. I was waiting for inspiration... Or reality and I would actually make some kind of silly mistake. But I didn't, and inspiration just didn't strike. Here's the closest I could get to a mistake today.... It was a mistake to try to clean up the toys before bedtime! Bel

Today's topic for the February Photo a Day challenge is 'I am'. I am... A lot of things. Wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend. Also, procrastinator, unenthusiastic exerciser, closet shower singer, average baker, and bird trainer. But today here's my choice. I am never too busy for cuddles with my sweet little man. Bel

Today's topic for the Photo a Day challenge is Details.  I was doing just some of the usual morning jobs, and thought this might work.  Poppy's bird seed is pretty detailed. How she picks through it, spits some out (usually all over the floor) and tests some before deciding it needs to be dunked in her water bowl is often fascinating to watch. Bel

Week 6 Dylan is getting better from his cold. You can tell from the slightly better sleep and his slightly reduced grumpiness, but he's still super clingy. This morning he followed me around the backyard as I went to water my plants. He grabbed at the hose and decided he HAD to have a drink and then run under the hose and get as wet as possible while giggling like a madman! A photo of my son once a week, every week in 2014 Linking up with Jodi and the 52 project . Bel

Today's topic for the February Photo a Day challenge is Water. By the time I got around to thinking of what to take a photo of, I realised I probably should have done something during the day. Could have gone to the beach, or maybe even the local pool or something. Oh well, bath time is still fun! So here is my 'water', full of squirty frogs, floating turtles, and a purple boat! Bel

Today's topic for the February Photo A Day challenge is Utensil.  When we built our kitchen in 2011, I knew we wouldn't have a lot of space. As it turns out, my kitchen is so small that I don't even have one of those 2nd drawers full of all the junky utensils! My few utensils are in a narrow space between the proper cutlery dividers. My bottle opener is nice and bright and stands out amongst the boring stuff. It's great to bring out on a Friday night barbie with a few beers, and never gets lost in the dark! Bel

Today's topic for the February Photo a Day is 'C is for '.  I was thinking about this one all day. Yes, it could be the 'chores' I was doing but that would be incredibly boring. No one wants to see a pic of me hanging out the washing or vacuuming.  I would have loved C to be for the coffee I was craving, but I ran out of milk so no flat whites for me today. As for the square of chocolate I ate... It was in my gob and gone well before I could even think about taking a photo! I had to come into town tonight for a work meeting/Dinner. So here is my cityscape ! Post dinner now, and I really could have taken a shot of my dinner at the Chinese restaurant, but I didn't. The food was awesome and I had way too good a time to stop and take a photo! Bel

Today's topic for the February Photo a day is Square. I've been feeling under the weather since last Thursday evening (care of Dylan), and today after a few consecutive nights of really bad sleep (also care of Dylan) I've had a shocking sore throat. One of the few things that made me feel relatively alive has been the numerous cups of tea I've consumed today. Whilst making my choice I notice in have today's topic staring at me... Bel

Today's topic for the February Photo a Day is Childhood. Rather fitting really. Another child has been brought into the world today. A very special child. My niece! My brother and his wife had their second child this morning and from the photos I've seen so far, a gorgeous girl who will have us wrapped around her little finger in no time! From my childhood I have very fond memories of one particular story book that my mum would read me. I loved that story so much that I would ask to be read it frequently... Very very frequently. The words of the entire story are now ingrained in my brain forever.  I "read" it to my son now, occasionally remembering to turn the pages... As a reminder, here's what's to come... Bel

Today's topic for the February Photo a day is something orange. I went for a quick walk at lunchtime to get out of the air con and get some fresh air. I headed up George St and around the corner into Martin Place. I came across some lovely planter boxes filled with flowers and this is where my something orange comes from! Bel

Today's topic is favourite. I probably have lots of favourites. But here are a few of them I had at hand.... My first Mother's Day card with Dylan's little footprints on it.  River God by Wilbur Smith... Dog eared and tatty cos I've read and enjoyed it so many times over. My dragonfly necklace that my hubby bought for me as a surprise from Tiffanys. Very fitting as my most favourite of our wedding photos had by chance some dragonflies in the background by the vines. Miss Dior Cherie. Just love it's sweetness. The patchwork quilt my beautiful and talented mum made for my hubby and I for our engagement and then wedding.  Looking forward to more photo a day challenges!! Bel

Week 5 Late afternoon playing silly games in the backyard. Sunshine, smiles and giggles. Bliss! A portrait of my son once a week, every week in 2014 Joining in with the 52 project . Bel

Now because I am a sucker for a challenge I have decided to join in with the February Photo a Day from one of the blogs I read. So here goes.... Today's topic is You. So here I am... This week Dylan has had a cold, is teething and has become super clingy. He's constantly wanting to be picked up, carried, and cuddled. Kinda like my little shadow. So it's fitting that he appears in this photo with me. Me and my little man. We've been to Mick and Gemma's engagement party where he was a little superstar and was so well behaved. Looking forward to some of the photo challenges in the coming weeks. Should be fun!! Bel