the backyard

 It's been raining almost literally every day for the past fortnight. If this is summer, then summer is a bit of a disappointment this year. Everything in our garden is growing like crazy. Mostly the lawn - which is too wet to mow - but the plants as well. It makes me wish that I had invested some time and money to do up our little garden last year. We've been in our rental for just over a year, and I've never really wanted to commit to spending any money on this house, seeing as its not ours, and we probably won't be here for more than a year. The back lawn and deck is such a plain, uncomfortable place to be and could do with some flowers and fence screening. Our neighbours take great pride in their garden and it is absolutely immaculate, and so beautiful. I can't imagine wanting to spend so much time grooming, mowing and watering a lawn. Phew!

 Exploring pinterest yesterday I found a recipe for DIY weedkiller which involves mixing vinegar, salt and dishwashing liquid together and spraying it on weeds. Sounds simple! I'm excited to give it a go when the weather starts to improve, especially for the driveway. And I can't wait to get a new washing line threaded up. There are so many things that need to be done.. if only it just stops raining!

The start of a blog

 Originally these were just supposed to be some pleasant pictures to look at, but they really got me thinking about the concept of doors opening and closing in life. Metophorically, I mean. I have been wanting to blog for so long, and open this particular (metaphorical) door. But the thought of putting personal photos out there - on the big wide internet - makes me a little nervous. It's no secret that there are some crazy rude people out there who have no problem typing insults or '"constructive" criticism' into comment boxes.

The thought of having a blog, and the idea you have in your head when developing one is so different to how it really is. Creating a blog is hard work, and it's hard to know exactly how to arrange your content so it draws the eye. I wish I was a photoshop expert! I remember having a blog a few years ago and it was so easy to create content quickly, but SO hard to get the layout and the sidebars and the heading right. It's such an amazing concept that we can basically publish what is like a magazine free of charge for others to read. I'm so excited to take this opportunity. Practice makes perfect, right? It's my goal to keep working at it to create a lifestyle/photography blog worth reading.

 

The lake

 On a brisk winter morning we drove out to a lake only ten minutes from our home, for some fresh air, a walk and some time away from 'life'. It's a man made lake created for water sports, but no one was out there that day. The water was very very still and it was very relaxing. So many ducks have made it their home - as we walked along the shore line they kept popping up and swimming away. Instead of walking around the lake we decided to sit and enjoy the feeling of being there.

Blossoms

 There are two blossom trees at the front of our house which have been cut right back. Their trunks and branches are so old and knotty that they don't look graceful like you'd imagine a blossom tree to be. It suprised us when it started flowering, in the middle of winter no less. It's been such a mild winter even the daffodils seem confused.

I love the very beginning of autumn. That short time when the leaves are glowing so brightly with colour it looks like the trees are on fire, and the leaves crunch under your feet wherever you go. It's that short time where you can wear skirts and dresses before it's too cold to go without tights or scarves.There is a street in our town which is lined with huge trees which are absolutely beautiful in autumn. But they're almost bare now, and it's starting to feel like the beginning of a descent into the cold dark winter.
I love warmth, sun, water and the outdoors, so for me, the cold of winter seems to last forever sometimes.

cardi-thrifted : singlet-cottonon : skirt-cottonon : moccs-number1shoes

I've wanted a pair of moccasins for so long. Kmart stocked them briefly last year in a sued-ey fabric lined with fleece, and I loved mine so much I wore them to their absolute death. Sadly, they haven't made any more since, and just as I was thinking of ordering some from the US I was able to find a pair on sale at number one shoes. They are super comfortable and they go with most things! Hopefully they can last me a few seasons.

New Beginnings

I've been thinking about starting a blog for a long time, and I've been stockpiling little ideas and thoughts that have drifted through my mind over the past couple of months. The thought of sharing parts of your own personal world with everyone over the internet is a scary thought, but also has so much possibility. I wanted to create a little creative space to write, share photographs and ideas, and meet new people. So here we are, at pepperdeee. Welcome to my little corner of the internet!