A Photographer in Our Midst Part II

After last week's photo shoot we gave Coen our point & shoot camera to have a try at some real photography. He seems to have the basics down already. Perhaps the time he's spent in front of the camera has something to do with it. He's always been an observant child!

There were quite a few misfires, as he waved the camera around holding the shutter button down.

But it wasn't long before he was taking some decent portraits!

Then he started on his toys.

This is what the above picture looked like from Coen's perspective.

A fun afternoon for all involved!

Jen

Covering Cushions

We were in desperate need of some nice cushions for our new(ish) couch. The ish shows how slack I've been in getting said cushions made. I had all the fabric and a cupboard full of nude cushions, so all I bought was some thread and 3 zips.

I'm pretty pleased with them, especially the bolster as I made it up as I went along!

I has a tonne of this fabric, my shopping bags are made out of it, now the cushions, and I even have enough left to make myself a skirt. Which I won't be able to wear if I plan on sitting on the couch as I will probably look like a giant cushion!

They have Coen's seal of approval!

We also needed some cushions for Coen's couch. We have one of the divans from Grandma & Grandpa's house. Until we get a new top for it, the cushions are prettying it up.

More creations from stash too! The cushions are from the afore mentioned cupboard full of cushions.

One is made from my old pyjama top.

The other is from Darron's old PJ top. It even has a pocket just the right size for Mawson!

They were super easy, turn the top inside out, mark the size of the cushion, overlock the edges, turn right side out, stuff in cushion, do up buttons! There are still a couple more cushions to do, but progress has been made!

Jen

A Photographer in Our Midst

Yesterday I stumbled upon Coen setting up and taking some shots with his "camera."
I'm not sure what exactly his subject is, but he took great care in the arrangement and put a lot of effort into the photo shoot.

It may be about time to get the boy a real camera, and then the grown ups can have the tripod back!

Jen

A Horrifying Week

It's difficult to know what to write about the devastating fires that claimed so many lives, homes and communities right on our doorstep. This wasn't something we could watch, detached on the news. We've felt the fear as we waited for news of my brother and his family, who fought the fire storm on their property at St Andrews and saved their lives, home and animals. The awful wait we had must be nothing compared to the terror they have survived. The fires took the lives of friends and relatives of our friends and relatives. Our friends have lost their homes and all their worldly possessions.

As the weekend unfolded, we took photographs. Looking at them again reminds me of just how close to home this disaster has occurred. The choppers flew low over our backyard as they went between water and fire. They used a local school oval as their air base. Fire crews constantly passed through town, and smoke was everywhere.

On Sunday we took Coen to see the helicopters. We had intended to go in, have a look, take a couple of photos and keep out of the way. While we were looking with a couple of other families and a handful of boarders, one of the pilots offered to show us the choppers, in particular the big orange tanker Delilah.

These are some of the photos that Tim and Beck took from Doreen at dusk.

The kindness, courage and selflessness I have seen has amazed me, the grief and loss have broken my heart, every new story of survival and loss brings me to tears, as I struggle to comprehend that this happened on our doorstep, to people we know and love.

Jen

Hidden Valley Pool and Kite Flying

To get through the Victorian Heat Wave we took some respite at the Hidden Valley Pool. (Not on the 40 degree + day's as that's just too hot to be outside)

Coen had great fun doing "little jumps" into the pool.

Coen impressed with his throwing arm

And Today, as it was a little cooler and there was a nice wind outside, Coen was able to take his Kite outside.

He got it quite some distance up there

Coen had a ball controlling the kite. Do you think he would let anyone else touch the line? I don't think so!

Perfect technique.