Hooray! It’s new Beastie time again! And who’s this battling his way through the undergrowth?
He definitely seems to be looking for someone! Oh, wait…
…There they are! That must mean it’s time to unpack the picnic…
YUM!!
And there was just enough time after lunch for me to take some studio photos of these Beasties and their accessories! For starters, Cool Dad Beastie is a big Munster Rugby fan, and can usually be seen wearing his favourite team jersey…
… And his luxuriant beard is the envy of all his monster friends!
He also has everything his family needs for a day out exploring – they love to go camping together!
And what about our beautiful Beastie Mum?
Well, she’s super-proud of her little one, and has wrapped him up in a cosy hand-knitted blanket to keep him toasty!
She’s a rugby fan too… but she’s a Leinster girl! Let’s hope there aren’t any fallings-out on match day!
Oh, and check out the back of their shirts…
Yes, I know there’s no 17th player on a rugby team, but what a sweet way to commemorate their baby’s birthday! Definitely one for the family album!
And since we’re talking about families, it seems like a good time to say a big thank you to my own nearest and dearest! Your photographing, word-spreading and general support is very much appreciated… the Beasties and I consider ourselves lucky to have you all on our team!
It’s time for another between-the-numbers post, courtesy of Blogging 101!
This trip was one of many I made in 2012. I had applied for a sabbatical from my long-term job, and at the end of January that year, I walked out of my workplace with no intention of ever going back. Of course, I knew I would need to look for a new job eventually, but first I was going to have some fun with the savings I had accumulated after five years of working full time and living thriftily. A few days later, I was enjoying the sub-zero delights of winter in Berlin, with some friends who were based there at the time!
I’d love to say here that leaving my job and taking some lovely holidays to clear my mind was a miracle cure-all, and that when I got home I instantly dropped everything to start pursuing my long-held dream of making monsters full-time. But we all know real life isn’t so easy, so linear or so trite, and those of us who make things for a living are all too aware that it’s a long-term labour of love, not a get-rich-quick scheme. That said, making the break with my old, unsatisfying workaday life was a really important first step on a journey that’s still ongoing, and I relish every opportunity to remember the places I visited while I was trying to figure out a better, more interesting way to spend my days. So thank you, travelmagnolia, for letting me see Oslo through your eyes, and giving me the chance to share my own travel stories!