before the snow came last week, we had the crazy (ie crazy exciting for the kiddies, and crazy-scary for mumma) experience of ice-skating on the very lake we swam in during the summer! so weird to walk down the beach and put on ice-skates! everyone loved it - there is something very magical about a huge frozen body of water in the dusk light! rest assured we were not the only ones skating and the firemen promised me it was very safe and thick (and then probably rolled their eyes as the crazy aussie lady walked away from them). mick fancies himself a bit of a figure skater so i'll be sure to have my camera ready next time for the twirls and mid-air high-kicks.
and then to offset all the freezing temps i got to try something completely new and thrilling...hooping with fire! oh my gosh it was amazing. its one of those things i have always been in awe of - twirling and dancing and spinning fire...never ever thought i'd ever have an opportunity do this...my new amazing fire twirly friend promises i can become a gorgeous fire hooper myself...and you know what? i'm gunna do it! here i am at the beginning of a new journey...learning new things, saying yes, being brave and finding comfort and acceptance in this 32 year old body.
ice and fire. yes, we are living life here!
Oh my goodness! I'm in awe... fire-hooping! Could you feel the fire? You look FABULOUS, btw. Both physically and emotionally - I can see the contentment in your face.
Re: ice... I used to live in the upper peninsula of Michigan. We would walk on Green Bay in the winter and even as a little girl it kinda scared me. People would drive their trucks way out to ice fish. SCARY! I did however go cross-country skiing on the river. Frozen so thick with a ton of snow on top. I didn't even remember it was a river most of the time.
Posted by: Alanna | January 24, 2012 at 09:29 PM
You do look great, love the jacket peace babe, and living life on the other side of the world a bit through you, just can't get the natural ice skating experience here in oz can ya.
Posted by: Star | January 24, 2012 at 09:46 PM
What??? Fire hooping? That's awesome!!! I've never seen such a thing! Skating on a pond...I've done that. Fire hooping? Incredible! :)
http://amysreallife.wordpress.com
Posted by: Amy | January 25, 2012 at 05:06 AM
so F*R*E*A*K*I*N' cool...
you go girl!
Posted by: patty | January 25, 2012 at 05:37 AM
love it. every last word. LIVING!
xoxo
Posted by: teresa | January 25, 2012 at 06:52 AM
Totally awe struck by you wild fire hooping mama you! Gorgeous!! I love hooping too and was just getting good this autumn (meaning I could actually keep the hoop up :)
I remember the awe of ice skating on a frozen pond years ago, just amazing!! You are really getting down with the joys of the winter season!
Posted by: Faith | January 25, 2012 at 07:45 AM
Holy moley! I hope I get to see that in person sometime. I'm still just looking forward to the day when I can get a hoop to stay up!
Posted by: Kirsten | January 25, 2012 at 07:54 AM
I am sooooo jealous about the natural ice!!! I love ice skating!
Posted by: Els | January 25, 2012 at 11:55 AM
Wow em, thats some fantastic hooping you are doing there !!!!
Don't think it would be a summer recreation in Oz !!!!! :)
Posted by: Mabel | January 25, 2012 at 04:15 PM
Love your blog! I've been reading it for a long time and am inspired by the way that you raise your children. Feel free to stop by my blog and meet my family:)
http://birkenstockmama.blogspot.com/
Posted by: sascha steenbergen | January 26, 2012 at 03:19 PM
I honestly don't know if I've ever seen fire hooping Em! And I'm surprised you do it with clothes on! (yeah, I know how that sounds!) You look like an expert. I love it!! XO
Posted by: Sherri P eh | January 27, 2012 at 07:10 AM
sigh... jealous!
Posted by: mustardseed | January 27, 2012 at 07:35 AM
You are amazing.
Posted by: tara | February 01, 2012 at 11:39 AM
that looks like unbelieveable fun!! I've got to find somebody who knows how to fire hoop!
Posted by: Beth | February 01, 2012 at 04:01 PM
now it's time to post about sun & sand :) was great seeing you on the last day of january, on the sand, under the glowing sun, watching two little ivys messing in the surf. let's do that again! xo
Posted by: Lisa | February 03, 2012 at 11:23 AM