15 years later ...

 I don't why or how often or what relevance it has ... but the blog is back.

A journal of sorts ... not too deep and meaningful ... just random jibba jabba and pretty pictures (of course).

For the love of the good old blog when times were somewhat simpler ...

J xx

day eleventy billion ...

 

... here in our bubble. 

You see, some people didn't do what they were told. Some people behaved in a manner that helped to spread the rona and we were put into lockdown. And whilst the case numbers are going down they aren't going down as quickly as they'd like and here we are, at day eleventy billion.

Now I know as far as 5km bubbles go this place ain't so bad, I mean we have the beach (dolphins), bush (koalas) and the Somers General but man I'm starting to miss people ... and bookshops and galleries and oh how I miss Noodle Box. 

stage 4

I'm obsessed with slow photography, the kind that involves film and patience. Something that is perfect to practice in this current stage 4 lockdown. 

new work - iso 2020, Somers Beach - emulsion lift on Ilford matt archive paper xx⠀
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This is actually a picture of a picture, well a picture of a picture of a polaroid lift - still with me? Polaroid lift? It's the time consuming, often heartbreaking, far from cost-effective yet totally addictive process where you pull apart an old school polaroid photo to carefully extract the emulsion and then give your image new life and texture. The process is crazy frustrating and polaroid film is notoriously fickle but it's incredibly rewarding when the magic happens. ⠀
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Prints of this addition will be limited to the small collectors print size - all of the details are in the print store.

Somers (winter market) Soup

I suspect that if you have kids between the ages of 12-15 that attended Somers Pre School then the mere sight of this soup may be night terror-inducing. I mean it's delicious and super easy to make but many past preschool parents will remember making saucepan after saucepan of the stuff, ready to sell at the Somers Winter Market.

Many apologies to whoever ended up with the massive overorder of the mugs ... I thought everyone would buy one! 

Developed by a team of dedicated parents who set up and managed the soup stall at the first market held at Coolart it's simple, quick to make and is packed with great taste and goodness. The volume of curry paste can be varied to suit individual tastes and I do tend to make mine a little thicker than most.

Ingredients (serves 4)
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 brown onion, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp korma curry paste
• 1 – 1.5 litre salt-reduced vegetable stock
• 400g can diced tomatoes
• 2/3 cup red lentils, rinsed
• 1/4 cup pearl barley, washed
• fresh coriander leaves to serve

Method
Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion. Cook, stirring, for 3 to 4 minutes or until softened. Add curry paste. Stir to combine.  Stir in stock, tomato, lentils and barley. Cover. Bring to the boil. Reduce heat to low. Simmer for 20 to 25 minutes or until barley is tender. Divide between bowls. Top with coriander. Serve with bread.

Mornings are where it is at here in Somers ... where your biggest dilemma is in which direction to walk. Do you head towards Sandy Point for an amazing sunrise view and or towards The Somers General for that much needed morning caffeine fix? 

Zen AF

I'm trying to channel some Zen AF vibes amongst these crazy school holidays so a Mandala drawing workshop at the Somers Shala was simply perfect. Thank you Maisie Minikin for sharing your skills and to Maz for creating such a special place here in Somers xx

Pearl Bay

I think of Somers as a little like Pearl Bay from Seachange (the original one, no offence of course to the remake I just have a thing for the originals). 

If you've never seen the series do yourself a favour and binge it over winter then come summer when you spot a couple of the stars who have holiday shacks down here you'll be taken back to simpler times xx

#isobaking

Step away from the kitchen Janis ... I'm loving all the memes getting around during this time about needing to be quarantined from the fridge/kitchen/food etc. I mean what else do you do when the world feels a bit topsy-turvy but bake comfort foods.  If only I loved green smoothies as much I love goods carefully created from way too much butter, sugar and everything else living at the top of the food pyramid xx

Anzac Apple Pie - recipe from the Gourmet Traveller Website 

it is simple ...

... stay home xx

covid times

I started this blog 10 years ago at a time when I was home with my then three-year-old. 

Life wasn't overly busy in 2010, one kid - business in its infancy, but I don't remember the says been this slow. 

The domestic situation now seems very similar to back then, and whilst the teen doesn't require my attention and interaction as much at the toddler did, why does this pause feel like a painful crawl. 

 Perhaps I've become so busy being busy that I've forgotten how to actually slow down. Or perhaps its when we are told we have to pause rather than when we have chosen to pause that it feels like this.

Either way, I'm getting used what we are calling this new norm, no doubt I'll be fully comfortable with it just in time for the next phase ... xx

to be local again

isolation, "iso", quarantine, whatever you call it ... I call it reconnecting to home.

what a cray cray time our world has found itself in, home for more minutes than I can remember, thankful for living where we do.

so as I've found myself with spare time I thought a revisit to this blog would be timely. a space for thought, reflection and a little tour of the spaces around me.

J xx

starry nights & sitting still

Now I know that 2 blog posts in 1 week might start to freak you all out a little - I may just get back in to the swing of this after all!

In case you hadn't noticed I'm one of those people who doesn't stop - why would I, there is always something fabulous to be doing or to be done. I think that's why I have never really dabbled in to night sky photography as it involves a lot of sitting still and soooooo much patience. But I tell you after what had been few hectic days, sitting on the beach at Kilcunda admiring the Aurora Australis and the amazing star show was just what I needed. 

sunday stills ...

Do you try to be still on a Sunday - you know, one of those folk that just stays at home to recharge and relax? I can't stand those folk. Not because I think your Sunday should be action packed and to do list smashing - it's a simple jealousy thing. Never will I post about spending all day on a boat relaxing, or in the sun reading a book. Who are these people and what do they do during the week to make their Sundays so magical. I must find out why they don't have mountains of washing to deal with, lost school notices to find and work to catch up on - I'll be sure to share my finding with you xx

2 years ....

Oh yeah ... it's been that long since my last blog post but I'm back.

What's been happening? Well lots, buts not lots of bad stuff, just crazy fun busy work / life / family stuff.

Janis House Photography has grown more than I could have imagined and 2016 sees even more development (stay tuned!).

Life in Somers is still fab, things have changed around here a little as they do but we're all chugging along nicely. 

Thanks for been part of the fun xx

woosh ...

... there it goes, another year. My first as a school mum, the forth for this blog, the seventh for my little one and the sixtieth for my father - the most generous, kind and caring dad anyone could ever ask for.

Janis House Photography has this year continued to grow with the 2014 wedding season nearly booked up and with an extended family of followers and supporters thanks to social media.

Each year I always to resolve to run more and eat less but well that usually goes by the wayside by around January 2nd so I'll simply resolve to post pictures more here, to enjoy more of the little things and to make the most of our planned adventure north later in 2014.

Thanks again for your support and encouragement - Happy New Year

Janis xx

again ...

And once again Christmas has come and gone. This year saw us having lunch at home combined with a couple of visits to the beach - the first early in the morning to walk the four legged furry family member and then another after lunch to test out the new boards. Thank goodness for this fabulous weather - I think the excitement over the new pink surfboard would have had us at the beach regardless of the conditions! 

Wishing you all a fabulous Christmas xx

the spirit ...

I don't think that even Wally has it yet ...

take a peek...

so we have many Christmas traditions in our house, most of them involving the beach, the bbq and relaxing however thrown in with ultimate Somers Christmas is a trip to the city to see the Myer Christmas windows and to enjoy the large scale decorations that the town centre has on offer xx

quickly quickly...

...with December fast approaching I guess it's time that I get started on the pic for my Christmas cards - oh yeah I'm on old fashioned stay up late card writing kind of girl. My original vision of a snowman made of sand didn't quite come to fruition but some other ideas have popped up - I'll be sure to share as the season approaches xx

to travel...

I don't feel that I have done a massive amount of travel however every little bit that I have done I have very much loved. These little jars hold a few bits and pieces from each of my adventures, some of course when I was young and carefree and now from travels to destinations that have kids club! 

Taking pride of place on my new bookshelf I can't help but look at them and wonder where will be next...