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The first photo, for sure, the profusely covered fence and the one two spots below it. I also like the little blue flower with yellow center peeking out between slats. I wish I knew the flower names! I believe you've done photos of coffee, desserts, house numbers and mail slots already? What about street signs, pets, interesting doors, store fronts, lamp posts, license plates, traffic signs and/or signals, public buildings, public restrooms (jk), roofs, spiders, churches? Whatever you do, don't get yourself arrested!
Commented Oct 10, 2012 on Springing Through the Fence at The Plunge Down Under
Springing Through the Fence
I am not sure exactly when this fascination began, but sometime in August I started snapping photos of flowers poking their heads through fence posts during my daily walks. It may have had something to do with losing my walking partner to the classroom. It is certainly true that when I am walk...
What a lovely staycation! You need not worry about the memories you are creating for your kids. They could each write a book about the wonderful adventures with their loving, never-a-dull-moment family.
Commented Oct 2, 2012 on Spring Staycation at The Plunge Down Under
Spring Staycation
When I think about the spring breaks of my childhood, two or three things come immediately to mind: The motorhome that took us faithfully to Florida and back every year, and the mobile home park where my grandparents lived in Dunedin, not too far from Clearwater Beach. How wonderful it was afte...
Happy Birthday Dear James!
Commented Sep 17, 2012 on Birthday Boy at The Plunge Down Under
Birthday Boy
Although it hardly seems possible, on Saturday James celebrated his birthday for the third time in Australia. This was a big day for him, one he has been planning for many, many months, and he made the most of it. "I'm the birthday boy, and I am in charge" was his mantra from the moment he ...
Wow Sophie! You did a great job sharing about your camp experience. You have inspired me as I will be leading at-home camp for the next three days. Of course, we wish you could come!
Mrs. Smith (Laney's and Hannah's mum)
Commented Aug 20, 2012 on Sophie Goes to Camp, by Sophie at The Plunge Down Under
Sophie Goes to Camp, by Sophie
I have been waiting for many, many years for my turn to go to camp. My older siblings have been going for four years now, and I thought my turn would never come. But finally, about two months ago, I received an invitation to attend JOYCE camp from a teacher at my school. JOYCE stands for Joy ...
People are crazy about the Sweet Frog shops here in Richmond. Evan and I stopped by one just yesterday after his haircut. So glad you had such a wonderful trip stateside!
Commented Jul 23, 2012 on Post Cards from North America: Sweet Ohio Ending at The Plunge Down Under
Post Cards from North America: Sweet Ohio Ending
Considering I was in Ohio for just over twenty-four hours, I managed to consume a record amount of sugar. Tim Tam Slams, Coconut Cream Pie from Amish Country, my mom's famous Blueberry Buckle, Sweet Frog Frozen Yogurt . . . It was a very busy day and a half indeed. Perhaps subconciously we wer...
I am so pleased that you thoroughly enjoyed your girls weekend in NYC! It seems almost a rite of passage. I can't wait to find out what happens next for you!
Commented Jul 20, 2012 on Post Cards From North America: First Day in the Big Apple at The Plunge Down Under
Post Cards From North America: First Day in the Big Apple
Slanting rays of the winter sun, woolen layers, cups of hot tea, hectic school mornings, and the wind whistling through the empty branches are all conspiring to make our summer interlude in North America seem like a distant memory. There is great comfort in being back home again, however, in sp...
I had been praying for your safe return home. I suspect you will need at least two weeks to recover from all your travels, but I for one, am so glad you came HOME! :)
Commented Jul 14, 2012 on Grateful at The Plunge Down Under
Grateful
We are back in Melbourne again, relaxing in front of the fire on a winter evening. Three of our children have been asleep since 4pm, so the house is quiet. It is always a bit of a shock to the system to abruptly change seasons, but no doubt winter will soon feel normal. I am about to crash mys...
I can't remember the last time I woke up to see a sunrise, but I do cherish waking up to find one of your blog posts waiting to be read. :) Where were these photos taken? They are stunning.
Commented Apr 13, 2012 on Sunrise on Four Mile Beach at The Plunge Down Under
Sunrise on Four Mile Beach
Sunrises are not something that I know much about, especially when I'm on vacation. This past weekend, however, I managed to witness no fewer than three of them, thanks in part to the end of daylight savings the previous weekend and this year's school schedule. It took me all of February and M...
What a breathtaking experience for the entire family! ;) I can just picture Cameron's enthusiasm for all that he discovered. He is such a naturalist. Tell your mom Happy Birthday from the Virginia Smiths!
Commented Apr 11, 2012 on Snorkeling on the Agincourt Reef at The Plunge Down Under
Snorkeling on the Agincourt Reef
We almost didn't make it out to the Great Barrier Reef this year. When I rang up a couple of days prior to our trip to make reservations for a snorkeling tour, our resort host in Port Douglas informed us that the town was chock-a-block with visitors, and that most tours were already fully booke...
Very nice post Christie. Fort Nepean is yet another beautiful location. Your photos of both scenery and people are wonderful!
Commented Apr 9, 2012 on Point Nepean at The Plunge Down Under
Point Nepean
Last week, before our trip to Far North Queensland, we managed to find a part of Victoria we had not yet explored. The city of Melbourne sits on Port Phillip Bay, a large body of water with a narrow opening, known somewhat ominously as "The Rip." The heads of this opening are called Point Nepe...
The food looks yummy. As soon as I'm done commenting, I am running to my cappuccino maker to make my daily effort at bringing back my Australia memories. Please say hello to your parents from us. They are lovely people.
Commented Apr 3, 2012 on Food and Language Round Up at The Plunge Down Under
Food and Language Round Up
For this post I have a smattering of pictures of recent favorite foods for lunchtime, and a handful of new phrases that brought a smile to my face when I heard them. Pizza with walnuts, blue cheese, figs, fresh mozzarella, and a drizzle of olive oil. I am indebted to my sister-in-law Karin for ...
How exciting for everyone! And it sounds like they have good teachers all around. I'm continuing to pray for the Wilkins' school experiences!
Commented Feb 5, 2012 on It's Always Good to Have a Read at The Plunge Down Under
It's Always Good to Have a Read
Last year I adored Sophie's teacher. She was so gentle and soft spoken, and obviously loved the girls under her charge. She was a perfect first teacher for our somewhat shy third born, and when we bid her good-bye in December, I felt sure that Sophie was unlikely to have a better one. This yea...
What a bittersweet day for you! You painted such a joyful and heart-wrenching picture for us. I'm sure James loved his day and I can't wait to hear about it!
Commented Feb 5, 2012 on A Milestone Reached at The Plunge Down Under
A Milestone Reached
To say that he was excited would be only a small part of the truth. It is true that he bounced his way down the staircase fully dressed in his uniform well before 7:00am, but interspersed with leaping jumps onto the sofa, delighted grins, and the occasional peal of unrestrained laughter were sev...
Laney received a koala pillow pet in the mail today. Since she is enamored with the stuffed variety, I have no doubt that she, and I, will flip over the living kind. What wonderful experiences you have had!
Commented Jan 2, 2012 on Up Close with the Koalas at The Plunge Down Under
Up Close with the Koalas
I have yet to meet a North American who is not enamored by the koala. With their cute ears and cuddly looking faces, koalas are a favorite for us, somewhat to the amusement of more than a few of our Australian friends, many of whom have never bothered to seek them out in the wild. In our most ...
Well done Beth! You are indeed an excellent writer and you have whet my appetite for the great Australian adventure!
Commented Dec 27, 2011 on Upside Down For Christmas, by Beth at The Plunge Down Under
Upside Down For Christmas, by Beth
Special thanks to Beth Hayhoe for the text and pictures in today's post. Readers are in for a treat, and more than a laugh or two I suspect. Apparently, one of the guest privileges at the Wilkin’s Australian home is the honour of adding to Christie’s famous blog documenting life for them since ...
Looks like fun! Will you be up for an eighth trip? ;) Seriously, if not, maybe this would be a trip Laney and I could take on our own, with any number of Wilkin kids who wish to go, to give you a chance to breathe!
Commented Dec 21, 2011 on Puffing Billy, Round Seven at The Plunge Down Under
Puffing Billy, Round Seven
A ride on Melbourne's favorite steam train, the Puffing Billy, has become an essential part of the itinerary of visitors to our house in Australia. It has thus far not failed to disappoint, and even after seven trips, I still manage to enjoy it. Here are a few pictures from our most recent journe...
How wonderful for the two of you! Love the couple photo!
Commented Dec 14, 2011 on Phillip Island Getaway at The Plunge Down Under
Phillip Island Getaway
This will come as no surprise, but within ten minutes of our arrival on Phillip Island last Saturday, the skies opened up with not only a torrential downpour, but hail, thunder, and lightning for good measure. The sunshine and heat that had accompanied us to our destination were not destined to...
I was just thinking this morning that Katie had her big birthday on the 6th! Happy Birthday Katie! (And the tree looks beautiful!)
Commented Dec 9, 2011 on Decorating the Christmas Tree at The Plunge Down Under
Decorating the Christmas Tree
The past three weeks have quite possibly been the fullest of all such busy stretches in the annals of the Wilkin family. End of year music performances, speech nights, carols services, Christmas breakups, Katie's birthday, and Cameron's relentless sports schedule have combined to create the pe...
Unbelievable about James starting "school." He looks so handsome! Will he start in February or later?
Commented Dec 3, 2011 on November from the iPhone at The Plunge Down Under
November from the iPhone
Scanning through the photos taken within the past month on my phone makes me realize that I have been leaving my camera at home too often lately. The days have become far more complicated than they used to be, which is all in all a good thing, I think, but the fuller schedule means less time fo...
Well said Christie! Now, my mouth is beginning to water in anticipation of Thursday! And I am already counting our blessings, the Wilkins included.
Commented Nov 23, 2011 on Thanksgiving Reflections 2011 at The Plunge Down Under
Thanksgiving Reflections 2011
(This is the speech I prepared for our American Thanksgiving in Melbourne celebrated on 6 November 2011) It gives me great pleasure this evening to share with you my very favourite holiday, that of the uniquely American Thanksgiving. I think we can all agree that when it comes to American cultu...
Love this post Christie! However, I looked and looked, and I just can't see the kangaroos! :)
Commented Nov 11, 2011 on Valley of the Winds at The Plunge Down Under
Valley of the Winds
In a recent post, written from the skies over the Northern Territory, I described a hike we took in the Kata Tjuta, also known by the name given to it by European explorers, "The Olgas." This hike ended up almost compensating for our lack of sunshine in the Red Centre, and it is something we wo...
Bravo Cameron!
Commented Nov 9, 2011 on The Hot Dry Outback Flooded By Cameron at The Plunge Down Under
The Hot Dry Outback Flooded By Cameron
When my family and I flew to Uluru, we were surprised to see the Outback flooded. This is a a pool that is always there but now it is flooding around the Rock It was almost inposible not to get wet. We saw some amazing carvings. When there is rain, water falls go down Uluru. This w...
I am speechless! You and Gillian are truly amazing women! It looked beautiful, authentic, prodigious and delicious!
Commented Nov 9, 2011 on An American Thanksgiving in Melbourne at The Plunge Down Under
An American Thanksgiving in Melbourne
Twelve months ago, I never would have dreamed that I would be serving Thanksgiving dinner to 73 people in November 2011. Had you asked, I would have responded that it was impossible. That is exactly what happened this past Sunday night, however, and somehow the whole event came off without one...
Ahh, here is a ray of sunshine. What a wonderful family memory. It looks a bit like Sedona, but bigger and better!
Commented Nov 6, 2011 on Notes from the Return Flight to Melbourne at The Plunge Down Under
Notes from the Return Flight to Melbourne
High above the Outback on our return journey, marveling at the intensity of the rich, warm hues revealed by the sunshine, I must admit that our trip to visit Australia's giant red rock was nothing like I expected. We anticipated searing heat, blinding sunlight, spectacular sunsets, dry earth, af...
I once spend a gray, rainy and lonely Christmas day in Lisbon, Portugal and I've never been able to quite shake the idea that Lisbon is gray, rainy and lonely. I hope you have had many rays of sunshine to add to your memories of the Outback.
Commented Nov 6, 2011 on Water From the Rock at The Plunge Down Under
Water From the Rock
As a family we have had a bit of fun thinking up titles for this post. "Drowning in the Desert," "Unexpected Outback Oasis," "Wading through the Red Centre," and "Shivering in the Outback" were all suggested. You get the picture. There was water, and lots of it, accompanied by cold winds, pre...
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