Last weekend we went for a drive, searching for treasure. Here are some of the things we found…

Here are my favourite treasures, dipping their toes into some cool water after our day of discovery.

Grateful.

Some days, you just need to make a daisy chain.

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This video sums it up just about perfectly

1. We need to acknowledge one another. It’s good for us.

2. It’s good to just get into the zone. A creative zone. Lost in the moment. It’s creative.

3. Pay attention. Often that means paying attention to the person and moment right in front of you. It’s life-changing.

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A few times this week, during school holidays, we ventured to a local park for unplanned play. Yes, I took out my phone to capture a few of the special moments. Yes, I may have checked my emails in the hectic lead-up to ProBlogger Event next week, my mind racing with all the details. But for the most part, I just enjoyed watching my boys construct a cubbyhouse out of grass and sticks. I noticed how they instinctively lay on the deck and discovered creatures in cloud-shapes. How, once they were out of the house and away from technology, they sprinted from one side of the park to the other with a stick in a self-organised relay run.

I put down my phone and began to make a daisy chain. My children asked me to remind them how to make one. My nine year old sat in the sunshine and strung daisies together, eventually creating a crown for me. He placed it on my head and they called me the queen of their cubby. Elated, we came home to plant some basil and parsley together. Later on that night he told me, about school holidays… “This is natural. Life is an adventure.”

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Creativity happens in these moments. We reconnect with one another. With life.

Creativity should be an adventure.

Just like life.

We found a tree or three backlit in the most spectacular afternoon sunlight. Perfect for the #sundayart theme of trees.

We happened upon some fairytale-like mushrooms only a few houses away from us.

The boys were chased by their own shadows.

Don’t you love the discoveries that can be found just around the corner on a Sunday afternoon?

unexpected surprises in three acts

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ACT I

marshmallows in a fire pit

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ACT II

cheese platter from my boys

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ACT III

it doesn’t have to be sunny to enjoy the beach #sundayart

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I didn’t even include the photos of the rainbows we saw on Saturday. The cute gifts that my boys bought me from a stand at school. Their big hugs. Or the lunch that my kitchen-shy husband made me.  But I chose these three photos because they were unexpected creative moments over a busy weekend.  The laughter of children around a fire. The gift of a cheese platter prepared by my husband. Walking up close to the roar of a wild ocean, right before we hid under an old rail bridge to escape the rain.

I’m so grateful for moments like these. We could have stayed indoors, because it was cold. But we explored, we discovered, we made fire (yes, I think making fire is creative too!)

What do you think it takes, to make sure you discover such wonderful things?

A couple of years ago I noticed that World Vision Australia had hired the enthusiastic and passionate Richenda from overseas to head up their social media presence. Cool, I thought. I want to meet this person. Not long after she attended our first NetSquared meet-up in Melbourne. Admittedly, I put her on the spot a little during the presentation, asking her to share some of the work WVA was doing with Vloggers. Her response was so heart-warming and inspiring that I’m sure everyone left that morning determined to dream bigger dreams.

It’s no surprise then, that Richenda  – who has now taken on the commitment or running Netsquared in Melbourne and is now starting up her own social media agency, Ntegrity – has issued a blog linkup challenge to share your dreams.

Here’s some of mine…

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I dream of being the best wife and mother I can be. I dream of growing old together, seeing our children become their own individual selves, and having big Greek Christmas and Easter lunches together….when they’re old enough to complain about whether or not we put the tarp up.

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I dream of going to New York to be inspired by the creative melting pot that is NYC. I’ve wanted to go since I was 19. It’s going to happen this year!

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I dream of developing my business ,technical and creative skills further, so I can give back to the arts, non-profits and my community in volunteer and advisory roles.

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I dream of making sure my kids know they are loved.

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I dream of living simply and appreciating the things that matter.

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I dream of using my voice for others.

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I dream of being a good listener. I know that’s a practiced skill and I hope I’m getting better.

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I dream of living a full life, but knowing when to stop and smell the roses.

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I dream of helping others to bring creativity to life, no matter what holds them back.

Do we have any dreams in common? Please leave a comment to share your one of your dreams with me :)

Sand.

Soul.

Space.

That’s my 7 year old sitting next to some driftwood, around 8 in the morning last Saturday. Me, I’m the one taking the photo before putting my phone back into my pocket until we walked back, so that I appreciate the rest of the moment with him. I still like looking at this (Instagram enhanced) photo. I love capturing these moments.  I hope I will always remember them.

Walk or Wander

Whatever we do

Step beyond

Into something new.

Turn the corner

Minds aglow,

Adventure’s for seekers

Up let’s go!

**a little ditty inspired by a weekend wander with the kids**

I want to plant a quince tree.
Or three.
Tomorrow.
(Or maybe Monday, when I have the house to myself again.)

And when they’ve grown,
I want to make quince paste.
And jam.
(Or maybe some days, I’d just enjoy the blossoms.)

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Last week on our holiday to South Australia, we visited Maggie Beer’s farm in the Barossa Valley. We almost didn’t make it, as Mr 7 was keen to stay at home and practice his footy skills before watching the big game in the afternoon. Come, we said. We’re going on an adventure.

After pouts and folded arms slipped into the back seat, we drove for an hour to arrive at this little patch of paradise. We sampled, we tasted. Try this – no try this!

We bought some cute picnic basket lunches for the kids, which they carried to a bright blue bench overlooking a tortoise-dwelling lake. With all pouts well and truly put aside, Mr 7 turned to us. This is just a dream, he beamed.

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My brother’s Japanese fiance has a knack of making all kinds of things. She brought over some quince paste she made with brown sugar. Turned out to be very tasty, especially with cheese and wine.

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It turns out that the orchard my mother grew up on had a few quince trees. So we will plant a quince tree. Or three. And an olive tree for my charming Greek husband.

Dear “Mum Blogger”,

{{ and I say Mum Blogger, because at DPCON12 (The Digital Parents Conference) I got the general idea that most Aussie mums prefer that to “Mummy Blogger” -  which sits a little uncomfortably }}

“You’re worth more than a free bottle of moisturiser” she said. Everyone laughed and clapped in agreement. Many of the bloggers in the room could tell you stories of the time they were offered to review a book (and get a free copy) or tell their large readership about a new product (for nothing) or to write something about someone else (for the opportunity.)

There are probably times when we don’t realise how much value we provide to our readers, how our words can inspire, encourage and even influence behaviour. Times when we undervalue ourselves and the power of our voice.

Do you ever look back and think about the wonderful women in your life who have given you that gentle nudge to dream bigger, achieve more and take risks? When I do, I’m particularly grateful. Most of the time, all it took was a suggestion. “Why don’t you…” “You could…..” “I know you can do it…..” Those words were all needed at the time -  to cut through the doubts, the second guesses and nagging rationale. Someone to believe in me and remind me of a bigger vision.

So when I heard the panelists expressing such encouraging sentiment at DPCON12, I smiled. Yes mum bloggers, you are worth more than that. Not only are you worth more than a freebie, but you have so very much to offer. There are many opportunities ahead of you. Choose the ones that make your heart leap and keep you dreaming. In other words, value thyself. Because even if you don’t know it, so many others do.

Woah what a week (…in which wonderwebby finds herself surrounded by the company of incredibloggers.)

Rewind <<< Thursday: World Vision Australia

Several bloggers were invited to join a new World Vision Australia Blogging Ambassador program. More details will be posted in weeks to come, but I’m really, really excited to part of this brillliant journey.  There’s something to be said for taking some time out and recharging the batteries for a couple of months, because now I feel like a project has come along which I can not only be proud to support, but also have more energy and focus to invest. Some of the delightful bloggers who will also be volunteering their time include:
Annabel from http://www.getinthehotspot.com
Eden from http://www.edenriley.com
Emma from http://www.scoopnutrition.com
Kate from  http:// www.picklebums.com
Kelly from http://www.beafunmum.com
Lisa  from http://www.newlifeontheroad.com
Louisa from http://www.louiseclaire.com
Maddie from http://www.lilmagoolie.com and
Serena  from www.retireyoung.com.au and her husband John.

We spent the day learning about their programs. We brainstormed ways to blog for good and ways for World Vision to help this team of bloggers . There are some pretty passionate bloggers out there, making a difference. They also have some very compassionate, dedicated staff at World Vision. It was a very inspiring, and emotional day. To top it off, I came home and found a perfectly timed, heartwarming letter from our sponsor child in the mail.

Pause || Today- Digital Parents Conference DPCON12

Today I headed along to my first Digital Parents conference and met many more ‘incredibloggers’! Mums (and a couple of dads) who blog from the heart. Some blog for express, some for purpose, some blog for profit, others…just because. The conference team did a wonderful job of putting everything together and looking after everyone – congratulations!

And while my mind is buzzing…there are just a a few things which have stuck with me from today.

1. I spoke with a few bloggers who have only been blogging for several months, but who are already working  successfully with brands, or finding ways to use their blogs with intent. Things happen quickly, in “blogging years”!

2. There was some interesting discussion on publishing and print in relation to blogging. Bloggers and book deals. Press. PR. Promotion. Profiles. Things are changing, quickly!

3. Other interesting discussions on reach, relevance and engagement with readers beyond the blog. Which makes sense, as I think of you all as people I have seen on Twitter, on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest etc…not just here! It’s not just about numbers of comments, but about your community and engagement.

4. Blogging is being taken more seriously by brands in Australia. Oh, yes it is. And I think will continue to grow.

5. I was completely blown away by the incredible energy of the bloggers in the room. Today I met a bunch of women who are serious about blogging. Not just serious, but intent on publishing real experiences, sharing the voices, engaging with readers…and then guarding those blogs and readers fiercely. I met resolute women with an amazing amount of determination -and smarts. Blown. Away.

So, while I let the day gently settle in mind, and while I reflect on conversations, my scattered notes, and as I sift my way through the swag bag of goodies… I can only say I’m left with even more enthusiasm to read more blogs, and to work with our team to create an equally positive experience at ProBlogger Event later this year.

Oh, and to blog here more often. Promise!