indian summer

We're in the middle of an Indian summer, here in Sydney. During the day, the heat and humidity are constant and at night we're still sleeping with fans close by and nothing to cover us but a light sheet. While I'm getting quite sick of the never-ending heat, the one silver lining is that it's still beach weather. I've taken my mom to several beaches during her trip, but this postcard perfect one is my favourite. Hands down.

Last week, on yet another hot day, we drove south to the Royal National Park. It's a bit of a trek from Sydney, but oh so worth it. We had Wattamolla beach almost all to ourselves; no need to fight for a patch of sand and a piece of water like at most Sydney beaches. The water was crystal clear and we wasted no time diving in and taking Clementine for a swim. She cried when it was time to get out.

I've heard before that autumn is the best time for ocean swims, and I'm starting to believe it.

lately

 

 For the last few weeks, I've been collecting photos in a folder called 'Summer.' Today I bring you a random assortment - perfectly illustrating how we've been spending our time. Lately we've been all about soaking up the end of summer. Eating alfresco, letting Clementine hang out naked, going to the beach, exploring different neighbourhoods, and lying in the hammock. Ahhh I just love summer in Vancouver.

We also got the chance to hang out with Veronika (formerly of Girl & Closet, now of By the Shore), her husband and her cute pup last weekend. She shot that last photo of me and my girl, and the photo of Clemmie asleep in her sling.

How have you been celebrating the end of summer? Or if you're in the southern hemisphere, the beginning of spring?

old homes

 

The first weekend that we were here, we visited our family friend who lives in the historic part of New Wesminster. Today it's a suburb of Vancouver, but back in the day, it was actually BC's first capital. Vancouver is a fairly new city, and it can sometimes feel like it's lacking character. So it's such a nice treat to wander through the streets of New West and gaze at the heritage homes. The gardens are also a sight to behold, with their hydrangeas, roses and canopies formed by 100 year old trees.  A short drive from Vancouver, it's definitely worth a visit if you ever find yourself in this part of the world.

first beach trip

 

Yesterday we took Clementine to the beach for the first time. In the late afternoon, when the sun was still high, we drove to Jericho. She was asleep when we got there so we hid under the shade of a tree. When she woke up we set up on the sand, with an umbrella (not the beach kind) for shade. She actually seemed even happier than she is at home; I think she liked the sea breeze. This poor Aussie baby of ours doesn't enjoy the heat. This makes me scared for Australian summer later this year...

Anyway, we think she's too small to swim but my husband and I took turns dipping her toes in the water. She had the cutest puzzled look on her face the whole time. As for us, I'm sad to say that after living in Sydney for a few years I chickened out and deemed the water too cold to swim. I'll try harder next time.

home for the summer

 

Going home is such a nice feeling. My husband hasn't been here in a few years, and I haven't been here during the summertime for 5 years! And the best thing about this trip is that we have 2 whole months. Typically, the hardest part about visiting home as an expat is that you have so little time to squeeze everything in. There are so many thing we want to do while we're here - like swimming at the beach and hiking the Chief - and we can tick them off our list slowly but surely.

For now we're taking it easy while we recover from the flight and the accompanying jet lag. My mom lives in a perfect spot; it's central, close to the beach and easy to walk most places. Just perfect for us right now. So many more photos and stories to come...

nesting: summertime

Some snaps of from our summery home. The last few days have been quiet; I've spent my time teaching yoga, going to class, eating lots and watching Downton Abbey (season 3, finally!). Today all of the teaching seems to have caught up with me and I have a whole body ache that's giving me a premature waddle. I plan on spending the rest of the afternoon horizontal. Happy tuesday!

popsicles for a hot day

Have you heard? We're expecting a high of 43 degrees today in Sydney. I stepped out earlier to buy something from the chemist - my one and only outing for the day - and it felt like being hit by a brick wall of heat. It reminded me of Darwin. Whenever it's this hot and humid I always feel as though we should be trying to eat the air, rather than breathe it.

Other than staying inside as much as possible, days like today call for ice water, salads for dinner (in anticipation of the heat, I made pasta salad yesterday for tonight's evening meal), and popsicles, obviously.

I made these by blending about 1 cup of natural full fat yoghurt with 1.5 bananas and a tablespoon or so of honey. I separated that into 2 bowls, throwing mixed berries into one and roughly chopped frozen peaches into the other. I filled up my popsicles moulds, popped them into the freezer last night and voila! An icy cool treat to carry me through today.

Stay cool (and SAFE) my Aussie friends!

p.s. another, more exact, popsicle recipe is here

summer mornings

Summer mornings are my favourite. Before the heat settles in for the day, and while the busy street we live above is still quiet, it's so very peaceful. This morning my heart feels especially full. I woke up to baby kicks, tea on my nightstand, and the news that the newest member of our extended family was born last night: a baby girl named Elizabeth.

Last night my friends, Sandy and Alanna, made me a birthday dinner complete with pinterest inspired table "because it was you coming to dinner miss blogger." The food was delicious and the gifts even better: a beautiful handmade journal where every page is unique, and a bird pin which they gave me while shouting "PUT A BIRD ON IT!" There is so much to celebrate right now.

p.s. it wasn't my birthday yesterday, my birthday is on christmas day :)

red & green

I just realized while putting together photos for this post, that I unwittingly spent the weekend taking photos of red and green, wherever I found it. Must be my attempt at feeling festive during an Australian December. 

This weekend we stayed close to home, only leaving to go for swims. During one of those outings, husband's mum gave us this awesome advent calender. It really is the only sign of Christmas in our home, though I'm hoping to either put up some branches with decorations like this OR this fabric from Ikea. How are you celebrating the arrival of December?