Reconnecting with Family .... !!

I have recently reconnected with my cousin who I hadn't seen in over 40 years...Her father was my mum's brother......there was no reason just our families didn't stay in close contact. ..... A huge regret because she is amazing and I love spending time with her...  It's so interesting thinking about the family dynamic and what happens when families don't keep in touch ....  My cousin and I have so many things in common and similar taste in so many things it is a little spooky...that genetic connection I suppose .. she is nine years younger than I am which was heaps when I was a teenager, but time and lots of years seem to bridge the age gap...  She is a delight and I treasure the relationship we are forging.    The weekend saw us taking a road trip together to Eldorado (near her old home town of Wangaratta).....loved it.  We stayed in Yellow Cottage at Eldorado.....it was great...loads of laughs and years of catching up over meals, open fires, pubs, wineries and cafes....not to mention the three hours each way in the car !!. 

Our accommodation.....really lovely charm filled cottage.

On our travels we found a local Gin Distillery..... I've never experienced one before and it was fantastic.  We did a Gin tasting of several different kinds.... I'm not really big on gin, definitely need something delicious and lots of ice added to it for me... but I did come away with a lovely bottle of Gin !!

Gin Distillery just outside of Milawa

My lovely cousin outside the rustic tin distillery house.

So much lovely old architecture around the area.....love the tiny bell tower on this church.

 My greatest wish for my own family is that they will always stay in touch

 and never loose that connection with  sisters,

 brothers, aunties, uncles and cousins... 

Couldn't resist an update on this little minx.... 

she already sleeps through the night  ...Her mum and auntie certainly didn't do that  !

10 Weeks old and sleeping through the night ..... what bliss !!

Precious Gifts ...... !!

It's been a very busy couple of months and I haven't found made the time to visit my blog.....I've been reminded by the family today that our latest addition ...who arrived in May.....hasn't made it to the blog, so here she is....my beautiful Ggirl  ..... little Sophie .

My first cuddle at the hospital.

I could have just melted when my gorgeous Gboy held my Ggirl for the first time

....Grandchildren are the most precious of gifts ....

May also saw my man and I head up to Noosa for a couple of nights to visit a friend on her 70th birthday..... we left a freezing, wet and foggy Melbourne at 7am on a Thursday morning and had lunch at the pub and a walk along the beach in a balmy 21 deg and full sunshine and people swimming..... amazing what a 2 hour flight can produce !!

Picture perfect weather after a chilly start from Melbourne.

This guy was so lovely......who doesn't love a Pelican. !!

 Our friends have moved to Noosa and the weather and relaxed lifestyle 

don't take too much to get used too.... they were terrific hosts I have to say.

A trip to the Eumundi market was fabulous....what a fantastic atmosphere ... I loved it.

Eumundi Market......absolutely HUGE ..... a great way to spend the day...full of interesting stuff.

As always  ..... a Green Tea......but this one by the river in the Noosa Sunshine.

 June saw us back home into the winter chill but a sunny Sunday at the beach near Inverloch with the fluffy girls was fabulous if not chilly....not quite Noosa !!

But I have a passion for fossicking for shells and this beach had millions...!!

The beach is littered with so many shells along the tide lines.

The fabulous colours of the sea snail shells laying on the sand.

 These are the few I selected to add to my collection.....I think shells are incredible shapes 

and so beautiful.... Do kids still like to collect shells these day??....I've loved it since I was a child and it's so much a part of my beach experience....I get excited when I find them.

A beautiful range of shells....my favourites ..second row ...2nd and 4th from the right.. !!

 The vegie garden is full of its usual vegie's and fruits but I am always amazed at the persistence of nature.....I think this is a little self seeded anemone ?? .. which has pushed up between the rocks in the garden... .. Mother nature is quite magical I think.

A lovely solitary little bloom among the rocks.

My pursuit of the perfect cup of green tea continues.....I find it fascinating all of the quirky ways of serving something so simple.....this one came with a timer to brew the tea....!!  PS: didn't use the timer by the way.

Green Tea time.

Ggirl is now two months......I know right...where does the time go.?

Gboy is 8 and so excited to give her a bottle.

Unbelievable how much this photo warms my heart.....love them to bits.

No need for words really.......priceless !!