through my eyes

a beach holiday

2012-01-18T15:45:00.000+10:30

Last week was spent relaxing at the beach house at Pt Elliott. We all went down on the Saturday and Sunday, then because Craig had to work all week, he and Caleb came back home Monday. I had a couple of very relaxing days with Nathn, Isaac & Jacinta and then met a friend a Strath and picked Caleb back up Wednesday afternoon. Thursday Ali and the kids arrived, Friday night Craig returned and Saturday morning Peter finally made it. I had lots of photos to share, but blogger wont play nice, so if you would like to see waht we got upto then here is a link to an album Ive upoaded to facebook - enjoy!!!
CLICK HERE to see the photos.

12 WIPs in 2012

2012-01-02T20:27:00.001+10:30

WIP challenge 2012...getting some things finished.

AJ is hosting a challenge through her blog to get a some of our unfinished items done - one a month for this year - I'm up for the challenge. Click on the button above to get all the details on how to join up from her blog.

* Nathans train and animal quilt, top completed (was supposed to be for his 5th birthday...mmmmm he is now 13 oops!)
* Scrap bag quilt, top completed.
* Purple quilt, add borders to top (was destined for Quilts for QLD, so hurry up and finish and send it, or finish and donate it somewhere else)
* Hunky Dory D9P blocks to make into a quilt top
* Dark country fabric blocks (which I no longer like) - do something with!
* Jacinta's single bed quilt - already cut (try and finish for her birthday)
* Isaac's single bed quilt - designed and waiting for the final cutting to be done
* Crochet blanket...keep on slogging away!

edited to add
* Lily & Will charm square quilt - top needs borders added

I will add to this list as I come across more WIP !

One little word

2012-01-02T20:18:00.000+10:30

Ive been thinking for days about which word to choose as my 'one little word' for 2012. I'd almost decided to bring Balance through to this year, I still don't feel like Ive achieved what I set out to last year in regards to this word. This morning I commented on another blog about her choice of word and joked that I was sure my word would probably find me. Only a few hours later it did. My word for 2012 is
EXPLORE
ex·plore

verb

1. to traverse or range over (a region, area, etc.) for the purpose of discovery: to explore the island.

2. to look into closely; scrutinize; examine: Let us explore the possibilities for improvement.

2012 will see Jacinta start at Kindergarten 2 full days a week, Isaac will be in year one, and both Caleb & Nathan will be at high school. It will be the year I need to begin thinking about my transition from being a SAHM to eventually returning to some form of employment outside of my home. It will be a year with big changes to my routines, and to those of the kids.

My intentions for 2012...

To explore ME... To look at ways of being a better person - a wife, mother, friend and putting these into action. Further building my relationships with family and friends - including taking part in '40 days of love' later this year with the group we did the very rewarding 'One month to live' with in 2011.
I want to put more of my thoughts into actions, things like actually making that meal and dropping it off to a friend having a busy week instead of just thinking about it!
To explore my future work opportunities by beginning some volunteer work at the kindy, and maybe even the school (I do have a bachelor of Teaching which I should eventually make use of again!)

To explore ways of organising myself better so that all that paperwork gets attended too, and that crafty time with friends gets made, and the kids all get the time they each need, and i get the time i need for me to keep going.

i quilt

2011-12-04T20:06:00.002+10:30

Ive been busy at the sewing machine this week, and finally have something crafty to share. The past few years I have joined in with a group of quilty friends and taken part in a dolls quilt swap, so on Friday (and only 2 days late!) I posted this little quilt off to its new home. I will share the quilt once it arrives.

I'm return we received this quilt from Rachel.

I wanted a quilt for Isaac for his Teddy, as all the previous quilts have been for Jacinta and he dolls. Isaac was thrilled, and it s just perfect. the piecing and quilting are really well done - great job Rachel, Thank You so much. As you can see, its the perfect size, and there has been lots of play with it already!

Obviously my quilting mojo must have returned with the dolls quilt - it was the first thing i had finished all year! Today I spend the whole afternoon at the machine, and finished this quilt top. Its for Nathans teacher for Christmas. She had Caleb for two years, and then Nathan for the last two, so I wanted to make her something a little special. I'm hoping to get it quilted in the next week. I'm still not sure about the little red square in the top corner, but i had to add it as i was running desperately short of the white homespun, and then cut the border strip about 1/2" short - grrrrrrrrr. Any thoughts on what to bind it with - red or black ?

im still here

2011-10-17T20:34:00.000+10:30

...for any one that still bothers popping by! Ive been really slack with my blogging for the past few months. Ive had a few posts that have stayed in draft form, and blogger no longer lists them with their original date once they are posted...hence my birthday post which is dated way after the actual day. This frustrates me to no end!!! Blogger has also been giving me grief with uploading photos for some reason - makes popping up a quick blog post about something a time consuming and frustrating experience! But Im still around and still taking photos and planning on finishing off my monthly photo collages - interestingly enough, late September is as far as I got last year with the editing of my photo a day shots...must be something about this time of year that saps my creativity mojo.

My little princess will start her pre entry sessions at kindy this term, so there is much excitement in the house about that! Here are a few photos I snapped of her yesterday (straight from the camera...cant edit them on this computer!) ....love my girl... (YAY the upload worked first time!!!)

41

2011-10-05T19:22:00.000+10:30

Im am so much more comfortable behind he camera than in front of it, but I know that one day I will wish there were more photos of me to look back on, and Im sure my children and hopefully grandchildren will love to look back (and probably laugh) at them.

Since yesterday was my birthday, it seemed the perfect time for a few self portraits of me and the little ones, and then I handed over the camera to Nath to take a few shots of me to record the day.

I spent a lovely day with a couple of special friends, my sort of day...nothing fussy, just time spent with people who always make me smile....ok usually laugh till it hurts may be a better description! I was inundated with facebook messages, texts, phone calls and a few visitors and then had a lovely dinner with Craig and the kids. Its days like that which remind me how truly blessed I am to have such wonderful family and friends. Now Im officially in my 40s, rather than just being 40. Life is good. I hope and pray that the next year is just as happy as my year of being 40 has been.

thoughts on being 40...

2011-08-21T21:10:00.000+09:30

I cant believe that in just a few weeks I will be turning 41...where did that last year go? I cant complain though, I know many people wish they were a different age, but, Ive been really happy with being 40, its been a pretty good year for me. If I look back on my life, I'm happy with being just where I am. If I had to choose another stage of my life to revisit...maybe about 20 years or so ago, to when I was young and life was simple and carefree might be nice...wow, this time 20 years ago i was about to turn 21, single, and studying my teaching degree at uni....seems like a lifetime ago! But I love my beautiful family, and have surrounded myself with wonderful friends, and I am more than content with right here and now, even with the increasing amount of grey hair ( it has been around for about the last 10 years, I'm sort of used to that - but yes i still colour it and cover it up), the skin that is definitely starting to show signs of aging lol and all those other little signs that seem to happen as we age. In general I'm OK with all that.

The past year has been one that has seen me grow as a person. Ive learned to be content with who I am, Ive tried to look after myself a little better, both emotionally and physically; Ive made a point of trying to connect with my family and friends, and to really appreciate what an important part each of them is in my life and my heart. A lot of this was due to taking part in a programme called 'one month to live' It refocused me on what the really important things are, it made me look into myself and ask some hard questions, it made me truly value the friends that i have had forever, and cemented the place of a few new friends firmly in my life, It reminded me to dream, it reminded me to tell all those that are important to me how much they mean to me, and how much i love them, often; it focused me on believing in myself and made me realise that I'm very blessed to have pretty much always known my path in life, to have been able to follow that path and to have had the unconditional love of family and friends all the way. It made me examine and attempt to put the way i feel into words, sometimes a real struggle for me. Ive never liked talking on front of a group, and this involved a lot of that - cant say it got any easier, but with some gentle encouragement I did it.

As I enjoy these last few weeks of being 40, Im also looking forward to embracing the next year of my life and everything it may entail. Life goes on, and Im ready to enjoy the ride!

Crafty Day

2011-08-12T16:04:00.000+09:30

Wednesday I spent the day with my friend Nell. We planned on getting together once a fortnight this year to do something crafty - worked for a while, but then life started getting in the way! We try to do it as often as we can though. Today, after a trip to my local op shop, and a yummy lunch of homemade soup and pasties, Nell finished a crochet beanie, and knitted a scarf. I flicked through some craft books and then got stuck into making an A4 notebook cover to gift to a little friend who is turning 8 in a few weeks. I had seen one with a denim pocket on the front and knew I wanted to give it a go.

A pair of denim shorts from the op shop - with a cute printed pocket, and a piece lining fabric in her favourite colour (purple) and I was set. As usual, no pattern, so it took a bit of fiddling to remember how it all needed to go together.I added a little hand stitching to the pocket before I attached it. Im really happy with how it turned out, and it looks super cute with a set of mini gel pens tucked in the pocket.

With a pile of scraps and a little time before school pick ups I decided to whip up a zippered bag to match. I put in my first ever zip, and although its not done perfectly, it is functional and with the addition of a purple fabric ruffle, the little bag looks very cute. Not sure if this will go with the journal, or get popped in my bag to hold my lip glosses...i suspect it will be gifted and i will make another minus the purple (which is so not my favourite colour!) for me.

One of the joys of winter

2011-08-10T20:51:00.000+09:30

One of my favourite things when its cold outside, and the fire is going for weeks on end, is big pots of homemade soup. Ive been making chicken soup for years, and the occasional batch of pumpkin (with varying degrees of success). This winter I decided to try making Pea & Ham Soup. It was a big hit. Like most things I cook, I'm not good at following a set recipe, and tend to trawl around a few variations of what I'm making and come up with a version of my own. I have been asked by a couple of people for this one, so though I may as well share it here. This recipe fills (to the brim while the ham hocks are whole) my large oval slow cooker.

Pea & Ham Soup

3 Smoked Ham Hocks (If they are really big you may only fit two in your slow cooker)
1 1/2 packs green split peas
3 carrots - finely diced
3 sticks celery - finely diced
2 onions - finely diced
2 bay leaves
1/4 t mixed spice
pepper to taste
2 1/2 litres water

Rinse split peas and place in slow cooker. Place ham hocks on top of split peas, and add the carrot, celery and onion. Pour over water and add spice, bay leaves and pepper. Cover and cook on high with out stirring for at least 6 hours or until meat is falling from the ham hocks. Remove ham hocks, cool and remove meat. Discard fat, skin and bones, and add chopped meat back to soup. Continue to cook until soup peas have broken down and the soup has thickened.

Wish

2011-08-05T13:39:00.000+09:30

Star light, Star bright, first star I see tonight,
I wish I may, I wish I might,
Have the wish I wish tonight.

I still wish on the first star I see at night, and make a wish as I blow my birthday candles out each year. Today as I carefully pulled the meat from some chicken bones that I was using to make soup, I came across the wish bone.

As children, my Dad would always carefully remove the wish bone for us every time we had a chicken. It would sit it on the bench to dry, and then using little fingers, two people would snap it in half. The person who got the bigger half, got to make a wish. Ive set aside the two wish bones, and tonight I will share this little story with my little ones, and two lucky people will get to make a wish of their own. Anyone that misses out can always go wish on a star ;)

Lemon & Orange Cordial

2011-08-03T11:42:00.001+09:30

Sunday night I came home from a dinner with friends with a huge basket of lemons. Yesterday I made our first batch of homemade cordial for 2011. I also had a few home grown oranges Craig had been given by a customer, so I decided on an orange/lemon cordial. It is a wonderfully refreshing drink when made up with water and ice, or my favourite way to drink it is mixed with soda water for a 'real' lemonade taste. Today I will juice the rest of the lemons and freeze the juice to make up some more once this batch is gone.

I combined a couple of different recipes for this batch. If you want to make your own here is the recipe I used.

Lemon & Orange Cordial

7 medium lemons
3 oranges
1.5kg sugar
1 1/2 litres water
2 Tablespoons Citric acid
2 Tablespoons Tartaric acid

Combine water and sugar, in a non aluminium saucepan, and heat until all the sugar is dissolved.
Add the finely grated zest of three lemons to the sugar syrup and allow to cool.
Juice the lemons and oranges and dissolve the Citric acid and Tartaric acid in the juice.
Add strained juice to cooled sugar syrup mixture and mix well.
Transfer to clean, dry (and sterilised, if you want) bottles.

Refrigerate. Keeps for 4 - 6 weeks...if it lasts that long!

Drink diluted to taste with water and ice, soda water or lemonade.

everyday life | May, June, July 2011

2011-08-02T10:38:00.000+09:30

For anyone who is still bothering to check in here.....
Finally after quite a bit of time away from my blog, I am back! I have been a bit slack with taking lots of photos lately, so I have caught up the last three months with monthly rather than weekly photo boards. From this point onward, I will be back to my weekly updates, and might even have some crafty goodness to share! YAY, and thanks for popping by!

creating memories

2011-06-07T22:52:00.000+09:30

I look back fondly of the many precious memories I have of my childhood. We travelled a lot as a family. Not overseas trips or anything so grand, but simple road trips. The caravan towed around behind the gold Kingswood and later the green Monaro, parents who both smoked the whole trip, the sounds of their music from the cassette player, and the only cooling on stinking hot days was the rush of air from the windows that had been wound down. Life was simple, and looking back, just perfect. We stayed in caravan parks all over the state, fishing, exploring, swimming, visiting tourist attractions, spending time as a family. My fondest memories are those from the many, many trips up the river doing what I would call real camping. No electricity, no running water, no shops, toilets or showers. The toilet consisted of a deep hole dug on arrival with an old folding chair complete with an attached toilet seat, privacy was created with four long wooden steaks wrapped in hessian - I still remember that dusty smell of the hessian. We would fish from the back of the boat, climb trees, explore caves in the cliff faces, ride our bikes for hours, kick the footy, make ponds for carp from a hole lined with a garbage bag, go rabbiting, and yabbying, wash in the back of the caravan from a small bowl of warm water, pitch our own tents to sleep in, cook on the campfire, we learnt to bait our own hooks, gut a fish, row a boat, and enjoy the peace and tranquility of the river.

This weekend we are going real camping. The kids, Craig and I, along with some awesome friends. We are heading to the Bendleby Ranges, and I cant wait. I cant wait to spend the weekend with my wonderful family and friends. And most of all, I cant wait to start creating some wonderful memories for my own children.

a matter of perspective

2011-05-25T11:36:00.000+09:30

The rain fell steadily and there was a definite chill in the air, the calendar indicated in was still autumn, but mother nature was telling a different story. The gentle warmth of the autumn sunshine had long gone, and the bitter cold of winter was slowly creeping in. A pile of freshly cut wood lay by the door and inside the fire burnt silently and brightly, its warmth enveloping all who entered the house. The scent of freshly washed clothes being dried near its heat wafted as you passed by. The smell of dinner slowly simmering away was beginning to fill the house, the bread was rising, and there were apples cooking gently on the stove. The table was full of the tell tale signs that the the morning had been a productive one for everyone, small smudged paintings sat drying, the edges curling from the amount of water that had been used in their creation. The broom lent on the wall next to the pieces of dried up rainbow coloured play dough that had been swept into a pile. In front of the fire the kitten slept, and nearby there were a few small toys scattered and a pile of picture books that had been shared earlier in the morning. Outside the window the rain continued to fall, inside their home the hearts were full of gratitude for such a simple yet perfect morning.

So that's been my morning. Yep, its cold and wet and miserable today, and guess Ive been stuck inside washing, cleaning, cooking and trying to tidy up after, and keep a three year old amused at the same time...but do you know what, I wouldn't want it any other way, it really was a perfect morning, and my heart is really happy and content today. Now I'm off to make a coffee, curl up in front of the fire with a magazine and then do a little more of Jacinta's crochet blanket (in some hope that it will be finished before she leaves home!)

everyday life | week 17

2011-05-19T20:47:00.002+09:30

everyday life | week 16

2011-04-30T20:25:00.000+09:30

everyday life | week 15

2011-04-18T11:24:00.000+09:30

everyday life | week 14

2011-04-14T23:11:00.000+09:30

everyday life | week 13

2011-04-14T23:09:00.000+09:30

Gratitiude journal - friendships

2011-04-13T11:06:00.028+09:30

I am blessed to have some of the best friends that any one could ever wish for - you know the sort, friends that know you better than you know yourself, they can make you laugh even when your crying on the inside, they are happy to be just be a little crazy, and make feel like you never really grew up, they know when to remind you that you are great, just the way you are, they forget the stupid things you do (until its convenient for them to drag it back up and have you laugh about it) and treasure the little everyday things. Its an unconditional mutual bond that runs deep. Friends like this don't come along every day, they are truly a gift to your soul, to be cherished. You know they will be part of your life for a long, long time - no matter what. They just will. They don't question your decisions, they support your choice to make them - and then celebrate your successes or stand back waiting to catch you when you fall. They make you smile. They make your heart happy, and most importantly, they feel exactly the same way about you!

everyday life | week 12

2011-04-06T12:43:00.000+09:30

three

2011-04-02T12:08:00.002+10:30

To my beautiful little princess,

I'm not sure how in the blink of an eye we went from this...

to this...

I have so many precious memories of you over the past three years.

Holding you close to me for the very first time; of all those late night feeds when there was just you and I, totally content with each others company; of seeing you crawl and walk, and now watching as you ride your bike and laugh and play.

You have really made our lives and family complete darling. I love the way you so totally embrace the fact that you are beautiful, doesn't matter if you are covered in mud or dressed to go out, you accept it, and you know you are beautiful. How I wish I could keep that in your heart forever. No matter where you are, no matter what you do in life my darling, hold tight to that confidence in yourself.

Just before you turned three, the bond between you and your dummy was finally broken. You spent a night at Auntie Vics while Daddy and I were away at a concert. You didn't ask for the dummy, and so Auntie Vic didn't offer it to you. When I arrived to pick you up the next day, we threw it in the bin at her place. Just as well, because once you were home to the familiar bedtime routine, all you wanted was your dummy. I stayed strong and persevered and it only took a few (long) nights for you to self settle with out it. You had relied on the dummy to comfort you for so long, that there have been lots of tears since it has been gone. You don't ask for the dummy, but without it, you still struggle to calm yourself easily when you get upset.

Isaac began school this year, and you have been a little lost at home with out him. You start asking about 10.00am if its time to pick the boys up from school yet. You are learning to play on your own. It makes me smile, watching you talk to your dolls and Teddy's as you make up pretend games with them. I hear my own words coming form your mouth as you gently settle them or tuck them in for a nap. Although sometimes I also hear as they are told off for doing something they shouldn't. It is all so cute to listen too. I must admit, I'm even starting to enjoy playing dolls with you sometimes, even dressing them can be kind of fun in small doses! You are ticklish and have a giggle that is contagious. You are loud. You are wary around most people, but if you decide that you like someone, then they are your friend from that point on! You have your first 'boy friend', one of Isaac's mates called Charlie. You talk about him all the time, and call out hello to him when ever you see him. It is so cute. Sometimes you will walk up to me and rub my arm, or cuddle me and melt my heart with a sweet little "I love you too Mummy". Ahhhh that's what life is all about my sweet little girl, and always know that I love you too!

Now that Isaac is bringing home readers, and immersing himself in the joys of learning to read and write, you too are wanting to be part of that. Our bedtime story always involves me reading the story to you, and then you reading it to me. You have started drawing and writing. We often find your little circles drawn on any piece of paper you can find around the house. It is a sweet little reminder of your growing presence around the place. You are generally fairly layed back, but you often yell at your brothers to make yourself heard, and are quite often found trying to boss them around! You love being involved in what ever I am doing, and as you get older are able to be more and more helpful. You wake up far to early, and rarely have an afternoon sleep any more. By the time Daddy gets home, you are usually tired and cranky and spend half the time crying over not much...he calls you a tear factory!

I'm sure that being three will be such fun for you. Will will work our way through learning to share, learning strategies to avoid the inevitable three year old melt downs and starting pre entry at kindy in last term. Until then, I will just treasure these days we have at home together, and remember how lucky I am to be able to spend them with you.

I love you soooooooo much Jazz

Mummy xxx

PS - sorry about this appearing in the wrong place - the new blog editor doesnt publish when you saved the draft like the old one (ie back dated)...bit of a pain really!

My Happy Place

2011-03-28T22:16:00.061+10:30

It's peaceful.
It's beautiful in the sunshine or the rain.
Sitting looking over the water, watching the kids play.

It makes me smile.
Its definately my happy place.

everyday life | week 11

2011-03-23T12:53:00.001+10:30

hello, remember me?

2011-03-19T19:14:00.007+10:30

Ive been a very slack blogger this month. I have been spending too much time on facebook, so if you want to know what Ive been up to in the last couple of weeks, here it is in status updates...

Nic Wood...
...count your blessings every single day, you just never know what tomorrow will bring.

...bought a crusty grain loaf to have with our slow cooker for tea - I just went to cut a slice for the little ones and its 95% gone...ggrrrrrrr to after school and after work vultures!

...is enjoying just how peaceful the house is with everyone sleeping

...missing ipod, missing keys, missing remote - all found in the nest of the little pink bower bird of the house! At least I know her stash spot now and know where to start looking when things go missing!

...A sign of things to come !?! As I put Jazz into the car after school drop offs Monday morning she says to me ... "Muuuuum" "I like boys" ...'tis terribly cute that she has her first boy crush on one of Isaac's mates! Not quite so sure how cute I will think the same scenario is in about 10 years time!!!

...thinks its going to be a good weekend!

...U 14 cricket grand final today and tomorrow - good luck boys

....just finished kitten proofing the laundry ready for a gorgeous fluffy addition to the family tomorrow! There is much excitement in the air - well from most members of the family anyway;)

...really needs a hug....trouble is, the mood I'm in, if anyone comes that close to me they may not survive!!!! ................deep breaths and calm thoughts.................

...thanks for all the love yesterday girls - today is a new day and yes I'm definitely in my happy place this morning!!! I feel like an excited little school girl - final day of the boys cricket grand final this morning and our new little pussy arrives this afternoon !!!!

...its a girl ♥ - and she has stolen my heart already. so, so cute ♥

...had a wonderful weekend! Nothing better than spending time with friends xxx

...I'm pretty sure shopping for footy boots with Caleb this morning isn't going to be that much fun!!! what was I thinking!?!

...is comforting a kitten who is freaking about the washing machine (want to get used to that darlin' !) and a sooky three year old who perhaps thinks the kitten is getting a little too much of her Mummy's attention

...anyone that uses MCN, check these out! Almost makes me want another just to get some more cute nappies - even a boy...those little monsters rock! (yes sadly I do miss our nappies!)

...boys and their toys ***rolls eyes***

...knackered! I DO NOT understand how people enjoy running!

...might have to become friendly with the local butcher (oh that's right, I already am ;) ) on to a high iron diet for me to try and get these iron levels up. At least Ive managed to nearly triple my vit D levels since last time (they were REALLY low!)....now to keep them there.

...just gave the husband a little facebook lesson - I will convert him eventually!

...how did we survive before laptops and youtube to keep us amused- curled up on the lounge and been transported back 20 years listening to reo speedwagon and foriegner

...what a beautiful morning :)

...a glass of white, dukkah, and sunshine - nice afternoon, if only I could get the racing cars turned off the tv!

...tired, grumpy children + no babysitters = no cricket presentations for me :(

As you can see, Ive been keeping busy. Lots of eating, drinking and laughing with friends, which Ive really enjoyed. Its really nice to be getting some sort of social life back after all these years, and I'm blessed to have a great group of friends. Im going to yoga once a week and I'm walking 5km three or four times a week and loving it, Ive found someone to walk and talk with occasionally and really enjoyed the grown up company, its nice to just be me instead of someones Mum or wife sometimes! I even tried running the other night (because it was getting dark) and didn't love it at all! Ive been spending a day every couple of weeks with Nell, sewing, or working on Jacintas crochet rug, drinking coffee and chatting. The kids have finished cricket and started football, and this school term is over half way through. We have redecorated the lounge room - new chairs, new tv cabinet etc, and its a space I really enjoy spending time in.

I have busy times and quiet times, and I feel as though I'm beginning to attain a little of that life balance that was my goal for this year.

I feel happy.

I feel content.

Life is good.

everyday life | week 10

2011-03-19T18:46:00.004+10:30

stolen my heart

2011-03-13T19:02:00.007+10:30

A few weeks ago we were invited to friends for a BBQ. They had the two most gorgeous kittens. Well one thing led to another and after a few drinks, it was Craig who was all enthusiastic about us getting one as well. He is so not a cat person, and despite the fact I am, I have never pushed the point and got a kitten. It looks as though the stars were aligned right for me though, as there just happenend to be an extremely gorgeous little kitten available from the next litter, and our friends could pick it up for us, so I said yes. It did take a little sweet talking to convince the man of the house that it was a good idea..I think the excitement of two little ones got me across the line there!!!

On Sunday 13th March we welcomed 'fluffy' to our home. She is a gorgeous kitten, and is even softening the hardest hearts in the family! She is getting used to the hustle and bustle of the kids, and loves to cuddle up with me on the lounge at night once they are all in bed. She has the little ones in fits of laughter with her kitten sillyness.

She has definately stolen my heart!

everyday life | week 8

2011-02-27T11:42:00.001+10:30

charmed

2011-02-20T20:06:00.004+10:30

Last week the lure of the LQS closing down sale was too much for me to resist any longer. Included in my purchases there was a pack of Lily & Will charm squares. Ive looked at this range quite a few times. Its soft & feminine & pretty, but its always been bumped in favour of the brighter more vibrant ranges.

Yesterday my sewing mojo returned. I got out my charm squares and decided on a small, and super simple quilt. Two seams later the bobbin thread ran out - grrrrrrr. I went to refill it when I realised that my reel of thread was almost gone. Double grrrrrr. I went to get another when I realised that there were none in the house...seriously, I want to sew and I want to sew now!!!!!!! Thankfully the LQS last day was yesterday, so I made a quick(ish) trip for thread (and a few other things that caught my eye) and another charm pack - I thought I may as well get another and make it big enough for a nice lap quilt for me! I played around with the layout for a bit and then got sewing.

With in a few hours I had this pretty little quilt top finished. Im looking forward to snuggling under it on a cold winters night...when i eventually get it finished!!!

everyday life | week 7

2011-02-18T20:12:00.002+10:30

a happy heart

2011-02-17T21:19:00.003+10:30

Unfortunately the first few weeks of school have not been all smooth sailing for Isaac. He loves school, he loves his teacher, but he is not at all happy about the part where I leave him each morning. We have talked about the routines, we go early for a long play outside before reading time. We have tried no outside playtime and straight into reading, I have tried staying a little longer, and tried leaving quickly to be somewhere, Ive even tried bribery - usually the mere suggestion of a gelati will achieve miracles - in fact I'm running out of strategies to try! He is totally fine until I have to leave, then the tears and clinging start. He is fine soon after Im gone, and by all accounts has a wonderful day at school.

We have only had one morning with out tears so far. Most mornings I have to leave him crying with his poor teacher. She is awesome, and understanding and supportive, but (as much as the behaviour is beginning to annoy me) it is so hard to leave your little one in tears every single morning. Last week he told me he cried because his heart felt sad when I left (and yep, I had to swallow a lump in my throat after that!)

I though I would try sending something along with him to hopefully give him a hand getting through this. Teddy would be the perfect companion, but 1. I don't think that sending a Teddy to school is very practical, and 2. I'm pretty sure it wouldn't be very cool to be crying and cuddling your teddy every morning. I began thinking more along the lines of something small to pop in his pocket. that's when this little fella came to mind. Isaac and I made this little 'Happy Heart' together tonight after school.

After a big long talk (that shed no light on the issue at all!)about what was making him so sad etc and the fact that crying and yelling all the way to the car (and all the way home!) after school because we were not getting gelati (that was going to be the reward for not crying in the morning) was just not OK.

Little happy heart is going to spend most of the time tucked safely away in in Isaac's pocket, close by, so he can hold it when ever he needs. Hopefully it will provide a little physical distraction for him when he starts to feel his heart getting sad. It has a little smile to remind him to be happy, and even though his eyes look like plain old crosses, they are really special kisses just for him.

Fingers crossed that we both have a 'happy heart' morning tomorrow.

everyday life | week 6

2011-02-11T11:41:00.002+10:30

everyday life | week 5

2011-02-11T11:39:00.002+10:30

everyday life | week 4

2011-02-11T11:36:00.002+10:30

Quilts for Queensland

2011-02-07T19:47:00.003+10:30

I mentioned a few weeks ago that I had decided to make some blocks to contribute towards Quilts for Queensland. Since both Nell and myself were planning on sending in some blocks, we decided to dedicate a few of our crafting days to the project.

Last week we managed to cut and piece a pink/blue/yellow top. The fabrics I choose were from my friend Kayscha when she destashed a while back, it was nice to be able to pay the kindness forward and use a few of them to make a quilt for such a great cause.

We also decided that it will be far easier for us to send in completed quilts where possible, or at least tops - a little less work for Corrie to co-ordinate getting our blocks pieced and quilted as well as all the others I'm sure she has arriving daily.

Today the first top was quilted by Nell, and we almost finished piecing another . We only had Jazz and Maddy here helping us today. Maddy sat and 'helped' quilt the top for a bit,

and Jazz helped out by documenting some of the goings on with the camera.
I didn't manage to get photos of the girls collecting up and running away with all the blocks after we had finally settled on how we wanted to arrange them, or my little miss hiding out in Maddy's pram having a sneaky suck on her dummy. Jazz is on day three of going dummy free, and seeing Maddy with hers and then seeing it just lying there was too much of a temptation for her. Im pleased to report, that after a rough time getting her off to sleep last night with out it, there were no tears at all tonight, straight into bed and off to sleep!

They both loved snuggling under the almost completed first quilt! It had been backed with polar fleece and quilted in a wavy grid pattern. It will be a wonderful snuggle quilt for a little person.

I will share some pics of todays purple and pink (yes I know I don't do purple, but so many little girls seem to love the pink/purple combo!) quilt top as soon as I add the finishing touches, and Nell has a few stunning fresh, modern 'hoot' blocks that she is going to add to and make into a top soon as well.

Time for School

2011-02-02T22:19:00.011+10:30

Monday 11pm - the uniforms are ironed, shoes polished, bags packed full of carefully named and covered books, pencil cases are filled to the brim with bundles of brand new pencils, textas, pens and rulers, everything is organised and ready to go.

Tuesday morning there are not one, not two, but three boys all ready to start a new school year. Caleb is in year 9 at high school, Nathan in year 7, his final year of primary school, and my little man started in Reception.

He looked so small next to his big brothers, and his backpack looks huge slung on his back, but he was excited to be finally able to call himself a school boy.

He hurried from the car, and we happily unpacked his books into his tray and went out for a quick play. Once the bell went he became a little hesitant, and was fighting back the tears a couple of times. But,when it actually came time for me to leave, he gave me a kiss and a big smile, and headed off into his classroom. I was so proud of him.

When we arrived to pick him up, we saw a slightly worried looking little face peering out the window next to the lockers. As soon as he spotted us, his face lit up with the biggest smile. He proudly presented me with the picture he had just drawn, and told me about his art lesson and everything else that had happened in his day. I know from experience to treasure all this sharing of information - too soon I know the answer to my question - what did you do at school today? will be a simple "not much".

He took great pride in showing Daddy his classroom, and where his desk and locker were.

He is lucky to be in a practically new classroom block. Its so spacious, and his teacher has done a wonderful job of creating a warm and inviting atmosphere in her classroom. It is a perfect transitional space from the relative freedom of his kindergarten, to the more formal expectations of the school setting.

I'm sure it wont be long before standing on tiptoes to drink from the water fountain will be a distant memory for the both of us.

Wednesday - Today was day two. There was still a little hesitation, but nothing that a few reassuring cuddles didn't fix! You should have seen his face beaming with pride when we arrived this morning and the beautiful pictures they had created yesterday were already proudly adorning the wall.

Tonight there was the excitement of readers and communication books, and much retelling of the rules and how everything is organised in his classroom. His enthusiasm is contagious! He will sleep soundly tonight, and awake refreshed and ready for day three tomorrow.

you can blame my parents

2011-01-24T21:58:00.000+10:30

I grew up listening to Dr Hook - and I still love listening to it..sad, but oh so true!

everyday life | week 3

2011-01-22T22:37:00.001+10:30

little red chair

2011-01-21T21:27:00.004+10:30

Over the past few days Ive been rearranging the little ones bedrooms. Isaac wanted a little study space in his bedroom to do his homework. I went searching the local secondhand shops and op shops today for a small table to use as a desk. Unfortunately I came up empty handed as far as a desk/table went, but I did find this gorgeous red chair.

Its actually a full size chair that the legs have been cut down on - and its the PERFECT height for my little man - much to the disgust of his sister who was with me when we bought it, and assumed it was for her. Dont worry, she didn't miss out completely, she got this very cute little bag.

crochet projects

2011-01-20T12:52:00.006+10:30

We are nearly three weeks into the new year and I haven't had the sewing machine out once yet! Ive been itching to get into some sewing, but the days seem a little full to squeeze it in at the moment.

Its still school holidays, and I seem to be swamped with tidying and washing and feeding kids - all day every day. Only a week and a half left until life returns to some sort or nice quiet and predictable school term routine. I'm looking forward to that part of it, but not the whole uniforms, lunches and out the door by 8.30am routine! Oh and then there is the covering and naming of three (yes, we will have three of the four kidlets at school this year!) sets of school books and stationary before then, and the larger than expected list of school uniforms and shoes that need to be purchased as well!

Thankfully to keep me sane I have still been getting some crafting time. Ive just had to move to something a little more portable and suitable for picking up for a few minutes here and there. In one of the craft books I got for Christmas, there is a lovely crocheted blanket pictured in the background of one of the project photos. It caught my eye as soon as I saw it. I wanted to make one! I had a little play around with some crochet last year and lets just say I realised I needed more practice! I got my yarn, and made this little test piece. It started off a bit wobbly on the ends, but straightened up about halfway through. I worked out what I was doing wrong and kept on practicing.

Now Ethel has a little rug in matching colours to what Jacinta's will be. I haven't blocked it or anything as its just for a doll (sorry Ethel!) so it looks even wonkier than it is. There are quite a few mistakes in it - it was a good learning curve for me. I also made the little vest for Isaac's Teddy - although I keep on finding Ethel wearing it as a dress! Considering I didn't have a pattern of anything and just winged it, it came out pretty well for a beginner!

Once I was confident I could actually pull this full single sized blanket off, I made a start.

I took this photo a few days ago, after another couple of hours, the pink strip is about double that size now. It was going to be totally random width stripes, but that will do my head in, so I'm thinking that it will follow a nice predictable pattern, which I will make up as I get to each colour. I will add in another white stripe next, before the blue to lighten it up a bit. I though the green and blue were a little too heavy in the test piece. I was looking for more of an teal or aqua, but this is all I could get form the local spotlight. Its an easy project to pick up here and there during the day, or sit and work on in front of the TV on my computer free nights. It is a slow process, but I'm finally starting to get the rhythm and find it quite relaxing. I'm already mentally planning boys colourways to go in Isaac's room!

out from behind the camera

2011-01-18T09:26:00.005+10:30

My kids are pretty used to having a camera pointed at them, so its no suprise that they are keen little photo takers too. They love running around with the point and shoot, capturing the world as they see it. It often makes for some very interesting veiwing as well - its not often you get to see the world through the eyes of a child. I was taking a few shots of the kids outside the other dya when Isaac asked if he could use my DSLR. I hesitantly handed it over, he was very careful and captured lots of shots of Jacinta and I - most of them in focus too! These are all SOC, and are a little dark - but I wasnt getting into letting him mess with the settings, so it was on the manual setting I had been using while facing the other way.

I really want to get some more photos of me this year - as much as I would prefer to stay behind the camera, I think its important to record some of the kids and I as well. The easiest way to achieve this is to hand the camera over more often - maybe I might get some more precious shots like this one! (This one has been lightened up a bit, and sharpened slightly in photoshop)

If you are reading this, I challenge you to hand the camera over to one of your kids (or set the timer if you dont have kids) and see what they see for a bit. Leave a comment and post some pics to your blogs - Id love to see what they capture...make sure you let them take some pictures of you as well...come on, out from behind that camera!!!!

Every little bit counts

2011-01-17T22:19:00.004+10:30

The devastation that hit QLD with in the last week was unfathomable. As fellow Australians I think we would all like to do something to help out those families who have lost everything. There are so many ways we can all do our little bit.

The other day the kids and I sorted through our toys and books and got together boot load of toys to donate to the QLD toy appeal.

We plan to put together a shoe box of love and drop that off at the local collection point.

The crafting community from Australia wide have banded together and there are auctions and raffles being run on blogs across the country with all the proceeds going to the Premiers flood relief appeal.

Toni from MIP, has co-ordinated a massive group of crafters and is hosting a fantastic fundraiser.

If you would like to check out some of the items on offer there is a master list on Tonis blog - Make it perfect. Some items are up for auction to the highest bidder, and there are many that are being run on a raffle system - you make a $5 (some are more) donation direct to the relief fund and then leave your receipt number in the comments section to enter. It is run on an honesty system, some require an emailed copy of your donation receipt if you win. There are new auctions being added each day!

Ive also put my name down to make some quilt blocks for the quilts for Queensland project, being organised by Corrie from retro mummy

They are only little things in the grand scheme of things, but every little bit helps!

Gratitude journal

2011-01-17T16:04:00.003+10:30

everyday life | week 2

2011-01-17T16:00:00.003+10:30

playground adventures #1

2011-01-17T15:05:00.007+10:30

Bythorne Park Nairne

As part of my getting outside more challenge (ie the lets try and get my vitamin D levels back up to normal challenge) I decide that I would try and visit a few of the playgrounds around the area with Isaac & Jacinta.
When my sister sent me a message the other night to see if we wanted to go to a playground not far from her I jumped at the chance.

We woke to a foggy, cool morning. Its the middle of summer, so we were confident that by the time we met there at 9.30am the fog would have lifted.
NOT! I had to put the windscreen wipers on as we neared the playground - in fact when I eventually got home at about midday, it was still foggy!

Since I had driven the 15 minutes to get there, we put on our brave faces (Vic & I that is, the kids neither noticed nor cared what the weather was like!) and went for a play.

The playground is situated next to a man made lake and has a beautiful outlook (well what we could see through the fog), on a nice warm day it would be beautiful exploring the garden areas, following the paths, and playing under the sleeper tepees.

Bailey loved the steps, apart from a few seconds checking out the equipment, these kept him busy the whole time we were there LOL

The kids all LOVED banging on the drums

playing peek a boo around the posts

feeding the ducks

balancing

riding the rocket

and playing spiderman games on the giant web.
Vic wasn't up there voluntarily, she was rescuing Isaac who got himself stuck!

So what did we think? 7/10
Its a lovely area. The playground equipment is probably most suited to pre-schoolers and older rather than toddlers, but there was enough space and natural play areas to keep the littlest ones busy. There was an under cover BBQ area up away from the lake, and as an added bonus we even got to see a train go through on the nearby tracks! Plenty of parking, and public toilets (although miraculously no one needed to use them!) Defiantly worth a visit.

A glimpse into the future?

2011-01-10T22:37:00.005+10:30

3.07pm - She spent about 20 min talking on the phone to her cousin Georgia this afternoon. My sister and I both put the phones on hands free so we can listen in on the conversation. It was hilarious. I don't think either of them actually listened to much the other said, they were both to busy trying to say their bit. Jazz had to wander around as she chatted - she even 'took' Georgia into her bedroom to talk about her new kitchen! Very cute, and they both thought they were pretty special.

6.27pm - she was laying quietly doing some drawing when she suddenly rushed to her room. She returned to her spot, phone to her ear and chatted away for a few minutes before carefully placing the phone next to her book and resuming her artistic pursuits!

She loves the telephone. It rings and she wants to talk. If an object is around about the right size and shape, she puts it to her ear and starts chatting away. The wii remotes are a favourite 'phone', and can often be found in use. TV remotes, small boxes, even the occasional shoe have become victim to her obsession. In her Christmas stocking there was a plastic mobile phone - she loves it! I'm thinking that by the time she gets to the teenage years, she will probably have a phone permanently attached to her ear - I'm sure it wont be the freebie or $2 plastic version that is in favour now either, I'm betting it will be something that needs a constant stream of money to keep it functioning...perhaps I should start her on a savings plan now to fund her telephone habits during the up coming years!!!

Gratitude journal

2011-01-08T23:26:00.003+10:30

As well as my everyday life photos, I'm also going to keep a gratitude journal using these templates. I like to be able to journal a little more than what I can on the my weekly template, so this may be the a great way to record a little more detail, and practice my writing skills, rather than my well honed rambling skills, when I feel like I want to!

PS - speaking of gratitude, you will all be grateful to know that Ive now caught up on all the posts I had in draft form etc from the last week or so. Sorry for the overload today!

everyday life | week 1

2011-01-08T22:05:00.005+10:30

As much as I enjoyed my Photo a day challenge last year, I have decided to approach it a little differently this year. I'm going to choose 10 photos a week and put them together as an overview of the week. This will allow me to add more than one photo from a day, and not necessarily require me to take photos every single day. I put together the template, from some freebies designed for a monthly photo project, available from simple as that , and customised it a little to suit what I was after.

getting organised...again

2011-01-08T11:17:00.007+10:30

For the past few years I have designed and printed my own diary. This year Ive decided to give a pre made one a go. Mooo have one that can be personalised with up to six names, so that's what I got.

Its cute, and it has space for each of us. I'm already missing the block of space at the top for notes and family activities that my old diary included though. I will keep working with it and see how it goes. Of course I couldn't resist the temptation to personalise it just a little. I loved the monthly tabs on last years diary, so I gently removed them and added them onto this years, and added the little heart to the front as well.

I also ordered some book plates for my increasing stash of craft books.

I looked around at lots of different ones, but ended up using the return address labels from Vista print. You can usually pick then up free, just pay a few dollars postage and there are 140 of them. There are heaps of pre designed ones, but I choose to use the blank template and vista prints clip art and design my own. I have also customised these in the past to use as name labels for the kids, and some 'book plates' as a gift for a friend who regularly lends me some of her envious stash of crafty titles.

Creative goals for 2011

2011-01-07T22:17:00.010+10:30

Its the beginning of a new year, and time to start thinking about what I would like to achieve creatively over the next twelve months.

This year I plan to commit to a regular crafty day (at least once a month) with my friend Nell (and anyone else we can round up!) so hopefully I might actually get some projects finished.

* Single bed quilt for Jacinta - have the fabrics
* Single bed quilt for Isaac - have the fabrics
* Complete my 'scrap' quilt
* A red, pink & aqua quilt - have the fabrics
* buy a darning foot and learn to free motion quilt
* Crochet a stripy rug for Jacinta's bed - have the wool
* Knit a vest for Jacinta - have the wool (don't have the skill or knowledge!!!)
* Knit a beanie for Isaac - started
* Make a pot holder, tea towel & apron set for the play kitchen
* Flanny PJ pants - 3 each for the kids for winter
* make five gifts for my facebook pay it forward ( I still have some spots if anyone wants to join in! same as my blog PIF from last year, it was just doing the rounds on facebook and I decided to join in there. Join up and I will send you a handmade something with in the next 12 months, in return you agree to post the same offer on your facebook/blog and send out 5 gifts as well. Leave a comment here if you are not a facebooker and I will reserve a spot for you)

OK, that should do me for a start! And that's only the bigger projects I have planned!!!!

Here are the fabrics for my pink/aqua/red quilt. Its my favourite colour combo at the moment. It makes me feel happy just seeing these colours together.

I got this selection yesterday from The patchwork apple (my LQS) which sadly is going to be closing its doors soon... but of course that means a big closing down sale - how could a girl resist!

I will miss being able to pop in there for a little fabric fix, or some creative or practical advice from Jane. I bought my very first quilting fabrics from Jane many years ago (when she was at Lenswood) so its a bit sentimental seeing the shop close. I'm sure life has many wonderful things in store for Jane, and she will now have more time to devote to her family, quilting and life.

Mummy, can we have a picnic ?

2011-01-05T16:03:00.007+10:30

Why not!!! Food (cheese & biscuits, cherries, apple & carrots, fairy bread) and drink (a jug of milk) the picnic rug and the shade of the tree in our front yard. Check, Check, Check - everything for a perfect picnic!

There was lots of chatting, laughing, cherry pipping, eating, cherry pipping, tickling, funny faces, and taking turns to take photos. It all ended with a big tickle fight. I haven't laughed so much in ages.

Old Tailem Town

2011-01-02T23:38:00.011+10:30

A few images from our visit to Old Tailem Town today.

I loved wandering through the old houses. Seeing the way they would make do - furniture made from what ever they could get their hands on, quilts created out of necessity from fabric remnants salvaged from anywhere possible. Life was simple,
and must have been hard work! The houses felt lived in and authentic, you could walk right through them, immersed in the life and times of the families that had lived there. The shops interested me much less, they could really do with quite a bit of maintenance. Unfortunately, as I stood looking into them, they just seemed grotty and unkept. It was definately worth the drive, and if I should return, it would be with a big can of aeroguard - the mozzies and flys were shocking!

A New Year begins...01.01.11

2011-01-01T16:27:00.006+10:30

One little word.

For 2011 I have chosen the word Balance.
I'm feeling like I really need to get that work/life/self balance right.

“Women need real moments of solitude and self-reflection to balance out how much of ourselves we give away" Barbara De Angeles

I need to feel as though I can give enough time to my children, my husband, my home duties/other commitments and still manage to find time for me. At the moment that time tends to be here on the computer late at night - not at all conducive to getting enough hours of sleep each night.

I'm hoping the following intentions will help support me in getting the balance just right
* get back into a routine with my work around the house, including making sure the dishes are done and the kitchen is tidy each night before bed.
* Make sure I have at least two computer free evenings a week. Spent the time doing some crafting, or reading a book, and then heading to bed as soon as I feel tired.
* Spend more time outside. Walking Isaac to school, playing outside with the kids, having a daily cuppa outside in the sunshine.
* Making the time for a regular crafty day with friends.
* Work out an afternoon routine that will give everyone the time and attention and they need for homework, sport, music practice etc
* Meal plan so that I'm not always on the back foot deciding what to make for tea.
* Take a few minutes each day to appreciate how wonderfully blessed our family and life really is. Place a few 'reminders' around to make sure I remember to do this.

I'm sure there will be more things that I will add to this list. Hopefully they will guide me, and prompt me in the direction I want to be heading. As I juggle the joys and complexities of teenagers and toddlers, friends and family, self and others, I'm hoping to get closer to that perfect harmony that makes my life feel balanced and simplified and be able to feel happy and content on a daily basis. I want to build on my homemaking skills, find time to do the things I enjoy, spend time with loved ones, appreciate the little things. I want to give more weight to those things that will help balance my life, and less to those that seek to disrupt the delicate balance I'm seeking to achieve.

To help remind me of the direction that I want to be heading in this year, I'm going to print off the following words and place then somewhere that I will read them on a daily basis.

May today there be peace within.
May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others.
May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content with yourself just the way you are.

Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul
the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and every one of us.

When I came across this prayer it seemed to really resonate with me. The first fact that caught my eye was the name, St. Theresa of Lisieux's Prayer - my confirmation name is Theresa - it seemed very appropriate! The words are so powerful and the message is one of strength, hope, faith and happiness. It reminds me that the only way to find that life balance and the sense of peace is within myself.

I have also used the following quote, as part of this years diary, as a daily reminder/prompt

"Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance, order, rhythm and harmony.” Thomas Merton

2010 overview

2010-12-31T11:25:00.010+10:30

With only hours until the clock ticks over past midnight and the new year begins, I thought it a good time to reflect on 10 things that happened in 2010.

1. During 2010 I challenged myself to record the year through a photo a day. I'm pleased to say apart from a handful of missed (life got in the way) days I managed to do it. I did get behind on the editing and have a few months worth to complete, and then I will turn them into a book. Its a wonderful snap shot of our everyday lives. I did consider doing it again this year, but I was a bit over all the editing. I'm going to do a weekly wrap up instead. Photos and journalling from each week.

2. Once I settled into the routines of having one at high school, one at primary school, one at kindy and one at home we cruised through the year pretty smoothly. I managed to keep on to of all the accounts and paper work associated with each of the kids schools/kindys/sports/music etc

3.Caleb - turned 13 - did really well at his first year of high school. His grades were good, he is never going to be an A student, but if he keeps his grades at this level though high school I will be happy - is captain of his cricket team - played under 14 football - played association cricket and they won the grand final - was confirmed - went on camp to - needed stitches in his lip - got a new surf board -

4. Nathan - turned 12 - had another good solid year at school - played cricket - played football - received his green belt in Karate - completed another year of guitar lessons, with a new teacher - went on camp - needed stitches in his hand -

5. Isaac - turned 5 - learned to ride his bike with out training wheels - went to the Dora concert - spent two days each week at kindy - started swimming lessons - worked out how to swing himself - spent his first night ever without Teddy (who accidentally spent the night in the cubby house!)

6. Jacinta - turned 2 - toilet trained herself - learned to pedal a bike - went to the Dora concert - moved into a single bed - loved visiting Isaac's kindy - enjoyed our girly days together - showed no signs of wanting to give up her dummy - proved you can still talk while doing just about anything! -

7. Me - turned 40 - saw Newton Faulkner - got a speeding ticket - went to the Powderfinger concert - learned how to make soap, pocket dolls, crochet & knit - baked - sewed - crafted - planted a kitchen garden - discovered I had extremely low vit D & iron levels - handmade lots of gifts - made my own diary - made fresh pasta - won tickets to the Dora concert - broke both my cameras with in a week - saw Australia get its first female prime minister - took lots of photos - helped out at kindy - was vice chairperson of the kindy governing council - went to a few 40th & 50ths - helped design and publish a cookbook for kindy -

8. Craig - turned 45 - coached junior colts football - on the junior and senior football committee - has taken on junior director of football next season - went surfing - worked - dreamed of owning his own beach house - sold our rental property - went to the Powderfinger concert - had lots of football meetings -

9. As a family we holidayed at Pt Elliot x 3 & Horsham - visited the beach, whispering wall, the barossa - went for local drives - found the older boys wanting to stay home a lot more often, so taking the little ones out for the occasional Sunday lunch - spent LOTS of time watching the boys various sports -

10.I tried to improve my homemaking skills and do our bit for the environment by reducing, reusing and recycling...despite the lack of understanding/support from others in the household!

So there it is. A quick overview of our year. Here is to 2011 being just as uneventful!

on the twelfth crafty day of Christmas...

2010-12-30T08:16:00.010+10:30

...Christmas 2010 - Merry Christmas

So I'm a few days late with my final 12 crafty days post and with wishing you all very Merry Christmas! Although its not really crafty, I thought I would share a few more memories of our 2010 Christmas.

1. Pretty much our whole town puts up Christmas lights, and during the festival there are street stalls, craft markets and the living Nativity.

Each of my children have played the part of baby Jesus in the Nativity, and we have all taken various roles in it in the years since.

This year Nathan was the only one who participated. He was a Shepard with his good mate Edward.

2. Christmas Eve we attend our church, the service is put on by the children. Nathan & Isaac took part this year.

It was Isaac's first year, and thankfully I sat down near the front as near to the end of the service I had a little Shepard, eyes welling with tears on my lap telling me he didn't want to be a Shepard any more!

3. After Church we go back to Craig's parents house for a few drinks and presents.

4. Christmas day is spent with family and friends. This year Sabine, Shane & Monice visited Christmas morning. After they left, we popped next door for a drink before heading to my sisters for a lovely casual outdoor lunch.

Dinner was then a 10 min drive away at Craig's sisters. The evening was filled with seafood, swimming & backyard cricket.

5. The days since Christmas have been spent enjoying many of the Christmas gifts that were received.

6. This year my side of the family decided to include the kids in our 'secret Santa' draw. It worked really well and the kids were more than happy to only receive one gift...in fact I dint think they really even noticed, as that was what everyone had.

7. We were lucky enough that both my Nanna's could join us for Christmas lunch.
Nanna P (Dads mum) is nearing 95

and Nanna G (Mum's Mum) will be 90 next year.

8. Here is my little Christmas gift stash. An external hard drive and some make up from Craig & the kids, a gorgeous ruffly scarf and soy candle from Sabine, crafty books from my family, some scented sticks and potpourri from MIL, hand cream and a day spa voucher from SIL, and a yummy plate of home baked Christmas biscuits from a friend.

on the eleventh crafty day of Christmas...

2010-12-22T09:56:00.007+10:30

...gingerbread house decorating

1 pre-baked ikea gingerbread house kit + sugar + icing + lots of lollies = a bucketload of fun!

On the tenth crafty day of Christmas...

2010-12-19T20:57:00.006+10:30

...all wrapped up

This year Ive gone with kraft paper, string (yep, brown paper packages, tied up with string! {heart}) and a ball of thrifted silver thread.

I REALLY wanted some over sized gift tags to tie on the presents. I found some freebie downloadable ones that I loved, but when I printed a sheet they really weren't very big at all :( As they were a PDF I was unable to resize them.

I decided to make my own. Ive tried a couple of different ideas, but nothing was really coming together like I had imagined. In the end I used a free digital holiday magic kit from shabby princess that I have had for ages. I used the text on this years Christmas cards, so it all goes together - and we know how I like to have things matching LOL

I printed them on some white A4 cardstock and love the slightly faded effect it gives, I think it compliments the muted tones of the wrapped gifts beautifully.

on the ninth day of crafty Christmas...

2010-12-18T21:45:00.003+10:30

...the 2010 Santa photo

I was starting to doubt that I would manage to get the kids to see Father Christmas this year, so I was secretly thrilled to spot him in Harvey Norman when we popped in today. They were both happy to sit up and chat and have a photo with him.

We had the freebie HN photo taken, and then they were happy for me to take one with my camera. Well, talk about the worst and most out of focus snap ever!!!! I'm now very glad I decided to order the free photo!

I decided to jump in on the action as well, and of course we couldn't let Daddy miss out ;)

He definitely gets brownie points for agreeing to that request, and for the quick but stress free trip to ikea.

Maybe his Christmas Grinch tendencies were on hold for the day!

on the eigth crafty day of Christmas...

2010-12-18T21:00:00.004+10:30

...rainbow rocks

We made these beautiful rainbow rocks yesterday.

Remember the 'soap jumpers' we made a while back, well this was the same process except we used rocks instead of soap. I know its not really Christmasy as such, but I am in the process of finishing off a felted 'pet rock' for the little ones to go in their Christmas stockings, so it sort of counts! I will share a pic once I get them finished.

Originally this was going to be an outside activity. Warm summer morning, big bowls of water under a shady tree - well someone has forgotten to remind mother nature it is in fact summer. We awoke to heavy rain and wind - again!!!! We set ourselves up a cosy spot inside and got felting!

Its quite relaxing sitting there playing in warm soapy water. I'm big on focusing on the process rather than the result, but it was also wonderful to have a craft activity that yielded the same results for a two year old as it does for an adult, in fact, I think that a few of Jacinta's rocks were the most beautiful of all.
There has been counting, stacking, pictures, story telling, sorting, and even fights over who's room they will go in over night.

I can see we will have to add to this little collection over the holidays. I need to get hold of some more coloured wool - the local market where I got the last bag recently closed down unexpectedly :(

on the seventh Crafty day of Christmas...

2010-12-15T15:12:00.005+10:30

...something quick and easy and a great crafty Christmas idea to share

Rather than just a card for Isaac's swimming instructor we tied a bunch of candy canes with a pretty ribbon and added a gift tag.

Quick, easy and a lovely little something for him to take along and give to her to say Thank You and Merry Christmas.

Here is a Crafty Christmas link I have saved for making one day...

Nativity Blocks

On the sixth Crafty day of Christmas...

2010-12-14T12:55:00.009+10:30

...a crafty secret Santa

I joined in our quilting/crafting group Secret Santa again this year.

I received my parcel from Little White Dove.

She send along some gorgeous handmade goodies -

A large pin cushion (which Jazz thinks is a pillow for her dolls!) a wrist pin cushion, a camera strap ( I {heart} this), a coaster (which fits just nicely over someones pocket doll **rolls eyes** ) and some thread and bobbins. Thank You so much R, I love it all, and feel very spoilt! A camera strap and wrist pin cushion have been on my one day list for a long time, so it was all just perfect!

I had the pleasure of sending out a gift to Jots Mum.

This is what I made & purchased for her. It all looked a bit messy, so I whipped up the co-ordinating draw string bag to pop all the little bits and pieces in.
I also made a little pocket doll for her daughter and even knitted a tiny bag for her to be carried around in.

I was lucky enough to find some brand new bias makers at the op shop the other week and snapped them up to include.

My favourite thing is this fabric case for holding needles and hand sewing supplies.

I have one that I use all the time so I drafted a pattern from it. I have to say this one is much prettier than the original. Ive changed the way it does up, and added the slip in needle case as I am always leaving needles poking everywhere in mine.

Have you checked out some of the other crafty goodness that is being posted for the 12 days of crafty Christmas challenge?
12 Crafty days of Christmas...
My Space
Little White Dove - Feathering my nest
Carrose Creations
Nellie Bligh
Banana Runkin
Kylies crafts

Thanks for joining in ladies!

On the fifth crafty day of Christmas...

2010-12-10T12:58:00.007+10:30

...the Christmas Cards

For the past 13 years I have sent out handmade Christmas cards to our family and friends. At first they involved cutting and pasting, but these days they are totally digital. I print copies for those that I know like to keep them, and send lots out as e-cards. You can see a post i did last year showing all the cards here

I finally got photos of the kids over the past few days, and this morning made up this quick card for 2010.

There is no group shot....even trying to get the single shots of the boys was like pulling teeth. It took lots of bribery....computer time, lolly pops and making popcorn. At least they were still happy to wear the Santa hat!

Ive printed them, and they are ready to deliver. Tick, another thing off the list!

Oh and here are some that didn't make it to the card...
Jacinta was quite happy to have her photo take, so here are a few faves

The boys however think that even though they pull faces, whinge and whine, close their eyes and wriggle around and don't look at the camera, I should be able to get the Christmas card shot in one photo...NOT

on the fourth crafty day of Christmas...

2010-12-07T21:03:00.007+10:30

...handmade gifts for Nathan's teachers and friends

With the end of the school year looming for Nathan, we finished off his handmade gifts tonight.

For his teacher a fabric covered journal and some rocky road.
He made two more batches tonight, white chocolate and milk chocolate...oh and steered clear of the big sharp knife!

Just as well I decided to piece the inside of this one to pretty it up a bit, the journal we chose has a clear front cover and you can see the lining as soon as you open it.

For his group of close friends, a little bag of Christmas M&Ms. He deisgned to bag toppers in publisher and we printed them onto a piece of light card, folded them and used a stapler to secure them to the bags.

His class also does a secret Santa. There is a $5 limit, and technically we probably went over - I choose not to count the cost of the journal cover (I already had the fabric, and it was given to me - so that doesn't need to be counted right!) Its all wrapped and ready to go under the class tree tomorrow. Hope she likes it.

Tomorrow is also the class party. His class has to take a sweet plate. We made these after school. Cadbury snowballs drizzled with melted white chocolate and topped with chopped snake holly.

10 random things about today

2010-12-06T07:22:00.017+10:30

1. I had a quite a few visits generated from this blog in the last few days. I went to check it out and discovered that my boys apron tutorial has found its way to the other side of the world. In the process I discovered another gorgeous blog to peruse (in my spare time!) AND a link to the perfect printable gift tags. Ive been searching online for some for weeks. How bazaar that I find the perfect ones on this same blog!

2. Here is the (blurry) photo of my kids Christmas space.

3. today was busy, busy, busy. In a good way. We walked Isaac to school transition then visited my mum and Dad on the way home. they had returned from 10 days at a friends - they came home with lots of stuff that was being thrown out of the peoples mothers house. I returned home with a big tin full of lots of crafty bits

- vintage ricrac, buttons and snaps, pinking shears, etc etc etc. AND a vintage Kenwood chef mixer - I always borrow Mums when I need one, so she thought of me straight away. It was going to the op shop, and they were more than happy for it to come live with me instead. Dad has cleaned it all up for me ( don't I have the best Mum & Dad! actually I'm sure I used to tell them that all the time as a teenager - not ! LOL ) I cant wait to get it home. It was a bit heavy to walk back with!

4. Got a measure and quote for some drawers in one of the cupboards in the kids bathroom. Hoping they don't take to long to be made. Four drawers, one each to keep there own stuff - neat and tidy - well realistically probably not, but at least it will be out of my sight!

5. Spent most of the rest of the day crafting with a friend. We made a batch of goats milk and honey soap, I completed two more Christmas gifts - journal covers (and they both fit!!!!), Nell did some hems on her DHs work pants, added the sashing to a quilt top and got it sandwiched and ready to quilt. It was a productive day. The girls were great. We really must do it more often. Sorry, no pics to share, they are all on Nells camera.

6. Walked to pick up Isaac from school and got absolutely saturated on the way home.

So much so, that we all had to change every piece of clothing we were wearing when we got home.

It was still warm, and the kids thought it was so much fun - it made me smile.

7. I hung a load of washing out before I went to pick up Isaac - of course, it rained. a lot.

8. Nathan decided to make some more rocky road for his teacher. He even designed some bag toppers to wrap it with. As he went to open the packet of red and green snakes, with the biggest knife we own, he managed to cut himself instead. A quick call to our after hours GP service, 30 minutes in the car each way, he has 2 stitches across the base of his finger, and a great story to tell at school tomorrow. You could tell it was really hurting him, he kept the pressure on it all the way to the hospital (probably aided by the vision of blood dripping all over the kitchen tiles) and he was super brave. He even let me take a quick pic on the phone (reluctantly) once it was all done.

9. Rang my friend before. It was good to just chat about stuff. I miss her living around the corner.

10. I love this time of night. Everyone else in the house is sleeping. Its just me, and the only quiet uninterrupted time in my whole day. I will probably sit here until midnight or so. Yes its will be hard to open my eyes at 7am tomorrow, but that's a small price to pay for this bit of sanity saving me time!

On the third crafty day of Christmas...

2010-12-05T20:44:00.008+10:30

...Christmas Bookmarks

Today we finally finished decorating the tree

Set up the nativity

and put the other decorations around the house.

The year I was pregnant with Jacinta I bought a Fisher Price nativity. Each year it is set up in a place that the children can touch and play with it. This year I also placed our Father Christmas with his countdown blocks, a nativity advent calender, and all of our Christmas books nearby. ( I will share a photo of our 'Christmas corner' tomorrow - I forgot to take one today) As many of the books with the Christmas story in them are little bible story books etc, I decided to bookmark each of them so we could find the Christmas story quickly and easily at bedtime. I needed some Christmas bookmarks.

After we finished decorating today I set Isaac up with Caleb's 'special' water colour pencils, and he choose a few Christmas images to draw. He then carefully painted over his lines with some water and created these gorgeous little masterpieces.

Once they were dry I laminated them and cut them out.
They now take pride of place in the books, marking the special story.

I'm hoping that each night after we find the right number and discover which picture is under the advent calender door, we can choose a book to read together before bedtime. Tonight Jacinta choose the night before Christmas (she is very amused by Santa shaking like a bowlful of jelly) They both snuggled on my knee, Isaac with one of his bookmarks held tight in his hand, and we read together.

I really need to expand our collection of Christmas books. Ideally Id like to build enough of a collection to do an advent countdown with books like this one on 'Simple as that'.

Do you and your children have a favourite Christmas book you would recommend?

On the second crafty day of Christmas...

2010-12-04T20:57:00.006+10:30

....a yummy (and SO simple) Christmas treat.

Today Nathan made this delicious White Chocolate Rocky Road.

So very, very quick and easy, and very, very yummy.
It would make a lovely gift packaged up with a pretty bag topper or ribbon.
He will probably make another batch for his teacher in the next couple of days.
I'm pretty sure this one wont last long!
You can find the recipe on the Retro Mummy blog
We chopped the raspberries into quarters rather than halves, and added a few extra pieces pushed into the top. I think we might even add a few lolly mint leaves or green frog pieces to the next batch. How pretty would that be!

On the first crafty day of christmas...

2010-12-01T23:57:00.004+10:30

...Handmade Gifts for some very special Kindy teachers.

The little man of the house has been very busy helping create some beautiful gifts for his Kindy teachers.

He has been sanding

He has been painting

He has been measuring and cutting

and there is still some gluing and varnishing to go, but this is the result so far - the first of four gorgeous block Christmas trees.

To go with them, they will get 10 ducks (to share) For those of you who know the kindy, a very fitting 'gift' dont you think!

I can't take credit for these fantastic trees - you can find the tutorial here.

PS - yes I was crazy letting him do that in his school sports top after transition the other day! So lucky its not covered in paint! It was the only spare few moments we have had in a very hectic week, and I didn't even think to get him to change.

there is still time.....

2010-12-01T13:16:00.002+10:30

Happy December 1st!
There is still time to join me on my 12 Crafty days of Christmas blog-along.

Check out the original post for the details and the people who are participating so far.
I will be back later with the first of my posts - handmade gifts for the Kindy teachers.

5,4,3,2,1,Blast off

2010-11-27T18:32:00.013+10:30

10.30am this morning saw the arrival of 8 of Isaac's kindy friends for his very first friends birthday party. Up until now parties have been mostly family - not that you would really notice, or that he has missed out, once my sisters and I get together there are 9 kids between us - so its pretty much a party on its own anyway! But now he has had a year at kindy we decided to celebrate with family on the day, and then let him invite his choice of kindy friends for a party the week after.

Finally, after much planning, waiting and waking each day to "is it my party day now?", today was the big day.

Isaac decided quite some time ago that it would be a Rocket party.

Firstly there were the invitations - which we could only send out a week ago due to quite a few commitments and dates waiting to be confirmed.

We must have chosen the date well - all of his invited friends, 7 boys and one girl, were able to make it.

I love planning kids parties. I'm never organised enough to have it done in plenty of time though. Thankfully this morning my sister Jodi came early and helped finish off a few last minute things, like wrapping the pass the parcel and finishing off the food. Her little boy Riley is at kindy with Isaac and came to the party. ( Yes I know Vic! (my other sister) she will be reading this and shaking her head, she is far to organised these days and puts me to shame - her favourite line "what have you been doing all week?" I was really busy, I promise!!!)

There are always so many ideas spinning around in my head when planning a party that only a very small proportion of them ever come into being.

I have seen the full on candy bar idea on party type blogs etc and really love it - it always looks awesome. I wanted to set one up BUT a group of 10 five year olds unleashed on unlimited lollies - not really my idea of a great party.

I decided on a very much scaled down version - just two cups of lollies, lolly pops & mini cheesels. I prettied up the table by draping it with a black sheet, adding a framed rocket post card, some themed cookie pops in bright cups and the party bags displayed in a wooden tray with a small balloon arrangement. A little table also held a bottle of rocket fuel (water) and some cups ready for the guests to help themselves.

The party bags contained a small pull back quad bike, ball, 2 x lolly pops, bubbles, 2 x sticker sheets and a rocket cookie pop.

Lucky that I did scale it right back - this little monkey thought it was set up just for her I think. She ate more lollies than I care to acknowledge today!

Then there were the party games.

Isaac announced on the way to an appointment yesterday that he needed to have a pinata at his party! Like I didn't have enough on my plate already! I explained that we didn't have one - his solution "well you can just make one Mummy" With such a limited time frame, I came up with this solution. Balloons with a handful of wrapped lollies inside. The kids had to hit them with a plastic hand fly swat (unused ones!) until the balloons burst and the lollies flew everywhere. Some burst easily, and others took quite a bit of hitting.

The next game was a moon rock race - aka an egg and spoon race using ping pong balls.

Then there was the old party favourite, pass the parcel.

Next it was time for lunch. The party boy was getting the grumps up by this time, hence the empty chair in both these pics. He eventually pulled himself together again and joined us for lunch. Sandwiches, little pies and sausage rolls, pineapple & strawberry, and kabana, cheese & cherry tomato kebabs that were supposed to look like rockets, cocktail franks, fairy bread stars and apple juice.

Of course, no party is complete with out a birthday cake. A rocket of course.

Including fiery sparkler boosters.

I mentioned earlier that there was just one girl invited.

Jana is apparently Isaac's girl friend.

Isaac is apparently Jana's boy friend.

It was cute to see them hanging out together today. She helped him open his presents, and sat by him. She was also smart enough to go play with Jazz once his mood started to deteriorate! It was heart warming listening as we planned party stuff. This cookie is for Jana and I will put pink smarties on it, Jana can have this lolly pop in her party bag because its pink, - so it continued, my little man, so thoughtful and sweet (occasionally!)...just hope Jana likes pink LOL

After the guests had left and the cleaning up was done, he had a lovely time playing totem tennis, building lego, k'nex, and making moon sand creations.

The snorkel and mask even got a practice run in the bath tonight.

Tomorrow I've promised to play the lego game, and watch him try out his magic markers.
He had a wonderful day, got thoroughly spoilt, had a little melt down, and went to bed totally exhausted. I hope I managed to tick all the boxes for a fun and successful birthday party. I think I will sleep soundly tonight as well.

PS the biggest giggle I had all day - as one of his little mates was leaving I gave him a couple of extra lolly pops to tuck in his party bag for his sister - he looked longingly at the rest, sighed and in his most gorgeous and sincere voice said "you are SUCH a lucky duck having all those lolly pops" Such a precious age :)

Shhhhhhhhh.....

2010-11-25T21:25:00.006+10:30

.....a little sneak peek of the Secret Santa gift I'm making for one of the girls in my quilting group.

......and don't tell Isaac, but when he is at Kindy, Jacinta loves to play with his Teddy, and always chooses one of HIS favourite plates and cups to have her lunch from

- too cute!

12 Crafty days of Christmas

2010-11-25T08:01:00.026+10:30

Would you like to join me in sharing a little Crafty Christmas inspiration?

(
The following bloggers are joining me in the
12 Crafty days of Christmas...
My Space
Little White Dove - Feathering my nest
Carrose Creations
Nellie Bligh
Banana Runkin
Kylies crafts

Thanks for joining in ladies!

I was planning on joining in with the advent blog-along again this year, but it seems that my diary for December is already looking VERY busy. Instead I decided that committing to share 12 Crafty Christmas ideas/projects etc between now and Christmas would be enough to keep me on track and motivated, but not overwhelmed!

I LOVE Christmas, and I would love to see what you are all up to as well. If I get anyone interested in joining me I will pop a list of participants here so my (little group of!) blog followers can hopefully come visit you as well. If there are no takers, I'm still going to be sharing!

There will be some decorations, sewing, the Christmas tree, some gift making, our Christmas card photo, teachers gifts, ( hopefully) a new wreath for the front door, gift wrapping and sharing of some cool crafty ideas I have bookmarked from some other blogs.

So if you sew, scrapbook, just make 'stuff', decorate your house, enjoy making your Christmas wrapping look pretty, make your own Christmas cards or even just want to share some links to favourite Christmas inspiration out there in blog land to inspire us all, pop a comment on this post to let me know you are going to join in, and we can all inspire and motivate each other through the Christmas season!

five

2010-11-19T21:56:00.007+10:30

The celebration of Isaac's 5th birthday began today....

He awoke to a lovely pile of presents

all opened on our bed as usual...

There were presents in the mail (thanks Ange! your timing was spot on xxx)

Lunch at the bakery with Grandma, Grandpa, Auntie Jode, Auntie Vic, Georgia & Bailey, followed by cake back at our place.

In between visitors, and pone calls, there was lots of Lego building and playing (his favourite thing to do at the moment)

Some yummy name biscuits made by Auntie Vic - VERY impressed!

Because there is a c in her name, she got to share this one.

The dinner request was sausages and salad.

and yet another cake..appropriately decorated with Lego men (most of them have such grumpy and mean faces...these guys really need to lighten up!)

and a quick photo with Mummy

and to think, just five years ago this was us...

It seems like so long ago, but also like only yesterday.

Happy Birthday Isaac xxx

let the preparations for next weekends 'Rocket' birthday party begin!

pretty dresses

2010-11-17T20:07:00.004+10:30

This dress turned out every bit as pretty as I had hoped.

I used the raglan shift dress pattern from whole grain baby. I made it using the size 2 pattern (only because that was what I had printed and cut up from last year!) I added a little to the length, and also added about 2cm to the sleeve length to male it sit down a little more rather than sit out.

The gorgeous Riley Blake fabrics are from the same range that I have to make the quilt for Jacinta's bed.

I ordered them online, and they were even more beautiful in real life than they were on my screen!

I was inspired to use this fabric combo by a beautiful dress Nat from Patooties had in her recent shop stocking. I loved it as soon as I saw it, and when I went looking to find out what it was, I found the entire range and knew it was perfect for the dress and the quilt I had in my mind!

got to be in it!

2010-11-12T13:52:00.003+10:30

Want a chance to win a fat quarter pack of these delightful fabrics?

image source

Corrie at Retro Mummy is generously giving two readers a chance to win a set of all fourteen fat quarters - imagine what you could make with that! Head on over to the Retro Mummy blog to find out the details!

Homemade Muesli Bars

2010-11-12T12:27:00.005+10:30

Yesterday Isaac wanted to make some Muesli bars.

I checked out several recipes on line, got the general idea and off we went. Well I'm glad to report they taste delicious, BUT as far as being a Muesli bar they were just kind of not! Most of it crumbled into many, many pieces when I tried to cut it.

The kids grabbed handfuls, squeezed it together into a bar of sorts, and ate it any way. I keep nibbling as I pass by.

Back to the drawing board with this one!
Any one point me in the direction of a good muesli bar recipe?

The Kitchen Garden

2010-11-11T11:24:00.014+10:30

I have fond childhood memories of helping my Dad & Grandpa tending the HUGE vegetable garden at my Nanna & Pa's. My Mums Dad always had veggies & fruit trees growing as well, and both my parents and Craig's have grown veggies over the years.

As a child I experienced the crunchiness of apples picked straight from the tree. Knew the deliciousness of a tomato, eaten straight from the vine, and savoured the way its scent lingered on my hands even after the delicious warm flesh had been eaten. Ive picked a lemon and bitten into it, its sourness stinging my tongue as much as the squirts of juice stung my eyes. Ive collected walnuts, and layed them on the racks to dry, and spent many a day cracking them open with stones, or by throwing them hard on the concrete. Ive pulled carrots from the ground, and been treated being allowed to eat the tiny ones as the beds were thinned. Ive collected the eggs, still warm from being layed, and thrown kitchen scraps to the chooks. I devoured the sweet delicate flavour of a fresh ear of corn, dripping in butter, and the inevitable burnt mouth from not being able to wait for it to cool before trying to eat it.

I have so many happy memories of ordinary everyday meals, shared with family, the table laden with food that was harvested only hours ago. Of the aroma of sauce permeating everything in the house after the tomatoes sat bubbling away for hours to make sauce. Of the sweet taste of peaches and apricots over winter from the preserving jars that lined the pantry shelves. Of running down the back to pick a bunch of mint for Mum to make mint sauce to go with the roast lamb, or chives to mix through sour cream to top some webbered potatoes. I also hold some not so fond memories of the broad beans we would be served by Pa G during our weekly meals together, grown with love I'm sure, but a taste for which I have never acquired, they were tolerated only by being smothered in the most delicious gravy, made in the roasting pan from the meat juices thickened with flour.

These are all the sorts of things that I want my kids to experience. The memories I want to be able to create for them. Our garden will never be on the scale of those of my grandparents. I doubt my kids will ever have the joy of raising backyard chickens. Our garden will be created our way, in our time, and in the space we have available to us. We will create our own memories

I have yearned for a real veggie garden. Something filled with all the things we love to eat. Over the years I have had various herbs and vegetables growing in pots, and in a small bed (which was removed a couple of years ago to make way for a storage shed!). I loved the idea of a raised garden bed. Something the kids could help tend, but not walk (or ride) straight over! I was going to get one of the timber framed beds, but Craig wasn't that keen on them. One day he arrived home with this corrugated garden bed.

I was stoked! We choose a spot for it,

filled it with soil,

and finally got the seedlings we bought the week before planted in the ground.

The kids have helped water everyday.

Isaac has been planning this garden for a while - here is his wish list of things to plant that we made about a month ago.

We pretty much have everything on his list planted. We currently have tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, bunny ball carrots, dwarf snow peas, green, red & yellow capsicums.

After a quick pot raid at Grandma & Grandpa's we added some pots of strawberries and some chives this morning.

We still need to find somewhere to plant Isaac's radish seeds, some repeat harvest lettuces, baby spinach, and a few more herbs. We also have a mushroom farm around somewhere, I must get it out and see if it will still grow!

I cant wait until it is all ready for harvesting - just in time for lots of delicious summer salads. There is nothing in the world like the flavour of home grown produce...especially tomatoes fresh from the vine!

Dolls quilt swap - what I received

2010-11-06T13:03:00.006+10:30

Just as I opened the garage door to go out yesterday, the white postal delivery van pulled in with a registered parcel...my dolls quilt! To say I was chuffed when I realised that the talented Anna from tillytom had made a quilt for me is an understatement.

When I opened it up and saw this gorgeous little quilt, complete with two little birdies in a tree I was thrilled. How cute is it, and doesn't the quilting look fantastic.

You can see some more photos that Anna blogged here THANK YOU Anna, it is just beautiful and we will treasure it!

Dolls quilt swap - what I made

2010-11-05T09:22:00.004+10:30

Today is opening day - unfortunately my quilt hasn't arrived yet (hopefully it comes today!) for me to open, so I thought I would share the quilt I made. It has arrived and been opened. I made a quilt for the lovely Kirsty . As part of the sign up process for the swap, you have to answer set of questions about your likes and dislikes etc. Kirsty had requested a wall hanging, and said she liked Modern quilts, applique, piecing, and most colours except gold. The only things she didn't want on there were ric rak, ribbon, buttons and lace She also wanted to hang it next to a gorgeous green & blue quilt she had received in a previous swap, so it needed to compliment that.

This is what I came up with....

I really enjoyed making this quilt. I read a heap of binding tutorials before I finished off this quilt, and I'm thrilled with the lovely even binding I achieved. I tried raw edge applique for the first time - surprisingly quick and although fiddly, quite simple - don't know why I hadn't attempted it earlier! The only things I'm a little disappointed with is 1. the quilting. I still haven't attempted free motion quilting, and think it would have looked gorgeous with all the white area around the tree and the border strips in a nice dense swirly pattern and 2. the number of corners I managed to chop off the pinwheel blocks! But in all, Im really happy with the results, and when Kirsty opened it this morning, she said she loved it - and that's the main thing!

We love the Postie

2010-11-04T13:08:00.004+10:30

This morning we had a registered package arrive at the door, amid much excitement from the little ones.

If only you could see the full on melt down occurring a few feet away from this smiling face. Jazz got to get the parcel from the delivery lady, and then it was Isaac's turn to have a hold...she did not want to give it up!!!

I finally succumb to the lure of buying some fabric from the US. I have a wonderful quilt shop in the next town, and usually I get most of my fabrics from there. With the strong Aussie dollar and the cheap US prices, I finally got over my guilt of not supporting local and placed an order. I have been able to justify it to myself, in that I simply wouldn't have made the purchase at all if I had to buy it at AUS prices - I got fabric for summer quilts for Isaac & Jacinta (just need to get backing for them) and fabric for a dress for Jacinta...all for about 1/3 of what it would have cost me here.

I ordered through a store called Hawthorne Threads. I found their prices, customer service and super speedy delivery to be exceptional, and wow, can those girls cram a priority mail satchel to the brim!

Surrounded by wide eyes and exclamations of how gorgeous the prints were (and the kids were pretty excited as well!) we carefully unpacked the beautiful fabrics. The fabrics for Isaac's quilt are mainly the All Star 2 range from Riley Blake in the blue colourway, and all the divine girly prints are The Quilted Fish, Sweet Divinity range in pink, blue and a few cream prints.

With the tantrum of only a few minutes ago forgotten, Jazz was enthralled by the patterns and pretty colours.

and has declared the spotty ones as her favourite prints. I cant wait to get a start on washing, cutting and piecing!

brown paper packages tied up with string....

2010-11-01T21:12:00.004+10:30

with awaiting the arrival of a dolls quilt, and hoping for the speedy arrival of a few packages from a little online shopping, I wasn't surprised when I arrived home to a postbag sitting on my door step today.

I was a little puzzled when I saw the sender was Car. It didn't feel like a dolls quilt, so I ripped into it and found a sweet little package - a brown paper package, tied up with string!

How could it be anything but delightful when packaged like that! It was the goodies from the PIF I signed up to on Cars blog early in the year.

The package contained a gorgeous little handmade zippered pouch filled with other goodies.

A coffee cosie (which will be perfect for the take away coffees on the way to watch the kids Saturday morning sports) , a very cute little needle kit, some quilting pins, and a couple of yummy treats. Thanks so much, I love it all!

And just to top it all off, a copy of one of the Elm Creek quilters novels that come highly recommended by a few quilting buddies... a little thank you for the package of scrapping goodies I sent Car a while back - so not necessary (it was my pleasure!), but much appreciated! I love seeing many of the pieces popping up on the pages of your art journals!

Its finished!

2010-10-29T16:45:00.004+10:30

My dolls quilt is all wrapped up, complete with a few extra little goodies tucked in as well - just because!

Here is the final sneak peek...of the back of the quilt LOL

Now to wait (not so!) patiently for the delivery of my quilt sometime next week.

I will be back to show you what I made and recieved on our grand opening day, next Friday.

nearly finished

2010-10-27T10:58:00.005+10:30

The quilting is completed, and its ready for the binding - if I ever make up my mind which fabric to use!

and just becasue she is so darn cute....all dressed up for Church and going out for lunch on Sunday

My baby girl is growing up way to quickly :(

busy, busy, busy

2010-10-21T09:46:00.004+10:30

The last couple of weeks seem to have been rather hectic. Im SOOOOOOO far behind editing and posting my PAD shots...but I have taken them all, so I will get back to it eventually.

Ive been busy with my mini quilt for this years DQS - the top is pieced, appliques are completed, now I just need to get time to sandwich, baste, quilt and bind it! Here is a progress shot...

Ive also been busy with the planning of our Kindy cookbook. Ive been really lucky that the other super organised, and motivated lady I'm co-ordinating this with has been prepared to spend hours (and hours, and hours!) typing out and formatting the recipes, but now its my turn to get the covers and divider pages completed ready for it to go to print next week. There will be many, many late night hours of scanning kids artwork, editing, and designing in the next few days. Luckily I have enough time up my sleeve (just) to pop the quilt on the back burner for a couple of days. As life would have it, instead of my usual days of not having to fit anything in besides general housework, parenting etc, this week I have had to be out of the house pretty much everyday, and the next couple of days are the same. Lucky for me I work much more efficiently under the pressure of achievable deadlines, so I'm sure I will get it all done !

As always, when life gets busier, there are things that have to fall by the way side. I was planning on entering photos for all the briefs in the Cannon photo competition. Not because I thought I would have any chance of winning (there are some amazing entries) but to challenge myself to get some good shots. Well of course entries had to be uploaded this week. I did get three of the five briefs completed and entered, but I had to make the decision early in the week, that there was no way I could get this done on top of my other current commitments.
Here is one of the shots. I entered it for the inspired by sound brief. The sound was like something falling, so I choose to interpret it as being the sound of the stones falling as Isaac tryed to sink his paper boat in the creek.

Dolls quilt swap

2010-10-11T21:40:00.005+10:30

I am once again participating in the annual EB Dolls Quilt Swap. The quilts need to be in the post by the end of the month, and today I finally got around to starting mine. There has been lots of searching for inspiration, and sketching of designs, but until today, no actual sewing.

Here is a little snippet of the rainbow I was creating today.

For another little crafty share - a photo of the gorgeous fabrics I received from my lovely quilting group girls in our fat quarter birthday swap. I love them all, thanks! There were also a few yummy little extras arrive with these, but they didn't last long enough to get in the photo!

and lastly, a little more crafty goodness - this delightful basket of goodies was left on my doorstep while I was out being pampered on my birthday. It was such a lovely surprise to come home to - thanks Nell!

All better

2010-10-05T12:34:00.004+10:30

The other day she stubbed her toe...

Apparently, according to the logic of a two year old, putting the Dummy directly on your hurting toe works..."its all better now Mummy"

My new toy

2010-10-05T11:58:00.004+10:30

As much as I love my DSLR, there are many times when all I want is a little camera to tuck into my bag - ready to capture all those spontaneous precious moments in time. Since dropping my point and shoot a few months ago I have been thinking about getting myself an updated model. The old one still works, as long as the sticky tape over the battery cover holds! I received a few vouchers for my birthday, and headed off shopping for a new camera. Ive always had Canon point and shoots - easy to use and great pics. I did a little investigating online before I hit the shops, and the panasonic lumix cameras also got pretty good reviews. I found this one at Myer, for a great price and couldn't be happier.

It has lots of shooting modes (too many probably!) and the macro mode is amazing...

its simple to use, and so slim that it tucks easily not only into my bag, but even into my pocket! The fact that there is no viewfinder threw me a bit, but I guess when you are trying to get a camera more and more compact, something has to give.

Everyone is happy - now Isaac & Jacinta are the proud owners of their very own camera as well. Isaac has it all worked out, Jacinta on the other hand hasn't quiet got it...

she just likes feeling like a big person and pretending to take everyones photos..even when its not turned on - smiiiiile!

Paper Dolls

2010-10-05T10:46:00.008+10:30

A couple of months ago I left a comment on the Lily & Thistle blog. Hannah was looking for some inspiration for hairstyles for a new range of boy paper dolls that she was designing for her shop - Mini Me Paper Dolls . The idea she choose would win a print it yourself doll set. I had been eyeing these off for a while, waiting for Jazz to get a little older, but I knew Isaac would enjoy playing them at his age.
Obviously we were lucky enough to recieve one! (she generously gave away a set to each of the people who had left a comment ) Issac was very excited to sit a the computer and choose all the features for his doll, and was even more excited when I got around to printing them off a few days later.

Of course I was also tempted and ordered a doll and a few (OK - and heaps of! ) outfits for Jacinta as well.

They sat on my desk for weeks. Last week I finally got them all cut out (it was much quicker than I thought it would be!)

I wanted to use the sticky tabs, but couldn't find any locally - so a paper clip has done the job for now.

I should have thought ahead and left the tabs on until I actually had the sticky tabs!

Isaac and Jacinta both enjoyed playing little games with their Mini Me dolls.

Jacinta was very interested in changing the clothes a million times, and Isaac was a bit miffed that he didn't have an outfit with a balloon like Jacinta. He did decide to just wear the girls clothes, for a little while, so he could have the balloon for a bit too LOL.

Isaac is wishing for a few more boys clothes soon - perhaps one with a balloon, or bucket and spade, or maybe even teddy hanging from his hand...I'm sure the list of options would be endless - if only I could draw, I could try to make up a few custom outfits for him...mmmmmmmmmmm might have to send off an email to see if Hannah could do them for me!?! (excuse my thinking out loud!)

Hopefully in the next few days they will both have their own little fabric folders to live in when they are not out playing having fun!

something about spots

2010-09-24T20:03:00.004+09:30

As I drove down the street today, a glimpse of red & white spots caught my eye hanging on the rack outside the op shop. On the way back I popped in to investigate. What I thought was a ladies skirt (which was destined to be refashioned for Jacinta) was in fact a gorgeous little size 3 dress - perfect! There are red ties at the back, and its cut to be very twirly - so girly and fun! It has a few marks on it, but I'm happy to look past them (especially since it was only $2) - probably a good thing really, I wont feel the need to keep it for 'best'. Its had a quick soak and a wash and was hanging on the clothes line flapping in the breeze by late this afternoon.

There is something so likable about spots - especially in red & white!

Never smile at a crocodile

2010-09-20T14:24:00.005+09:30

although when it is as cute as this, how could you resist?

I spent last Tuesday at the sewing machine re fashioning a micro suede ladies pants and shirt, a piece of crinkly green fabric and an old baseball cap (all from the local op-shop for the grand total of $5) into one groovy crocodile costume for my little man. It took WAY more time and energy than I imagined - especially he head, but I got there in the end. In typical - leave it to the last minute to finish it off like I always do - fashion, I was still attaching the tail properly, adding the teeth and making shoe covers an hour before it was needed!

Thursday evening Isaac had a Zany Zoo Party kindy disco. It was so cute. The kids had to purchase a ticket before the event and present it on the night. The teachers were all dressed as zoo keepers, and the kids all dressed as animals. They spend a few hours at a local function centre, doing activities, dancing and having tea. The kids are so lucky to have a team of exceptionally dedicated and enthusiastic staff at our local kindy. They always provide a wide variety of activities and experiences apart from just the everyday kindy sessions.

For those of you in other states (or countries) Kindergarten in SA is a non compulsory sessional year before the beginning of primary school. At our Kindy children attend one term of pre-entry sessions, 2 hours, once a week, the term they turn four. They are then offered four sessions a week for four terms. The majority of children here attend two full days a week from 8.45am - 3.00pm. It is a play based curriculum, and very much tailored to the children attending at any given time. It is a wonderful experience, and really helps prepare the children for their first year of Primary school (reception). They are used to basic routines, and being part of a group situation, and are used to interacting with a large group of children.

The staff are just wonderful - I know I already mentioned that, but they are. They really go above and beyond, they are a cohesive group, who really love what they do, and are prepared to try new things, undertake training, and be constantly evaluating the way they do things, and the reason they do them. This means that our children are constantly being engaged and challenged, they help to plan the activities they will be part of and are able to choose their level of participation in most activities. There are of course short times when they need to come together as a group, but as most of these children will be going into a school situation, these are important skills that will help their transition into the more formal school setting. once they turn five (or somewhere around age 5)

Anyway, so much for a quick post about Isaac's crocodile costume! Its nice to be back with something crafty to share, and to be caught up on my PAD shots. Ive still got Jacinta's 2 1/2 year letter and my party post in draft form, so I'm not really caught up, but I am getting there!

Photo a Day Challenge - September

2010-09-18T20:39:00.010+09:30

Photo a Day - September 2010
days 1 - 18
once again minus a couple yet to be added. Apologies for the extremely image heavy post, I really wanted to get caught up while I had the chance.

Photo a Day Challenge - August

2010-09-17T15:02:00.004+09:30

Photo a day - August 2010
days 21 - 31 (minus the couple that still need to be added!)

A trip down memory lane

2010-09-07T20:58:00.013+09:30

Today is my last day as a thirty something, and I spent a good part of it looking through and scanning old slides at Mum & Dads.

I'm so grateful that many of the people in my life enjoyed documenting their lives through the lens of a camera. I remember my Pa always having his camera around. He would set us in place then use his light meter to get everything just right.

Here are some of my favourite shots of me and my sisters, mum, dad and grandparents. Oh how I loved looking at all the clothes, the hair, the cars, the backgrounds, the gorgeous dresses that mum made for us, , the special rug of Nana's that my baby photo was taken on and that is now a treasured possession of mine, and most of all soaking up the feelings of warmth and love that are so obvious in so many of these precious photos.

I can only hope that in years to come, the many snapshots of our life, and the accompanying journalling in my scrapbooks and PAD shots are just as treasured by my children and grandchildren!

Happy Fathers Day

2010-09-05T20:59:00.005+09:30

Happy Fathers Day to this gorgeous man...

the wonderful Daddy of these four precious children...

(cant you just see how much they all love having to sit and get a photo taken!!!!!!!!!!!!)

and of course to my darling Dad...

We spent a relaxing Fathers Day, enjoying each others company today.
We drove to the Mannum waterfalls and walked about, enjoying the sunshine as it streamed through the clouds.

We left home with raincoats and beanies, and were pleasantly surprised by how nice the weather was only 30 min from home!

We were bought back to reality as we headed back into the hills and the rain started once again! We enjoyed a yummy lunch at The Pomegranate cafe at Birdwood. Then visited my Mum and Dad, before finishing the day with a visit to Craig's parents. (oops, forgot to get a photo of Craig and his Dad!)
Hope everyone else had a wonderful Fathers day!

PS - Ive been really slack with the blog updates lately - with only a few days until the big 4 -0, Ive been in party planning mode. Hopefully after next weekend I will at least get up to date with uploading my photo a day shots here!

Photo a Day Challenge - August

2010-08-24T22:45:00.006+09:30

Photo a day - August 2010
days 14 - 20

To do lists

2010-08-18T13:16:00.007+09:30

Im not sure why some days full of housework & homemaking seem like a real chore, but others, like today, seem to just flow. They make you appreciate the fact that you are blessed enough to be able to spend time at home with your children, to bake, to craft, to play, and to have a safe and secure home filled with family that you love dearly.

Anyway, we are having a busy and productive day today. My to do list was as long as my arm, but we are slowly working our way through most of the items on the list.

Washing x 3 loads - done

Folding - Mt foldmore is still growing..havn't got to this yet!!!!!!

Tidy kitchen and do dishes - Ive been really slack and not getting this done at night lately - must get back into the routine of doing it straight after tea. - was done until we baked...round 2 still to go!

Baking biscuits - done - double batch of choc chip & coconut

Bake an apple cake - done...although it turned into orange and apricot cake once I realised there were no lemons, and the kids ate the last two apples while I was getting everything organised!

Package up blog giveaways (they are coming eventually Shaz & Kelly, all ready to go in the post, sorry for being so slack!) - done

Organise tea for Craig & the kids, Im going to a kindy dinner meeting

Send a message to get prams that I'm giving away picked up - done

finalise purchase of tie dyed fabric for party decorations - done

Sweep - done

Vacuum - done

Make beds - done

Blog next PAD shots (before I get too far behind) - done

Knit some more of Isaacs beanie

Do something special with Isaac while Jazz has her nap - done

We made soap jumpers - doesnt that sound cute, its what Isaac called it when I explained what we were going to do. Its actually just wet felting some wool over a bar of soap. He loved it.
We took some carded wool (I got a big bag of this, in lots of colours at the markets the other week) and I cut a bar of my goats milk soap in half so we could make one each.

Isaac picked some colours and wrapped his bar of soap.

He loved the whole felting process of course. Who wouldnt enjoy getting to play with soap and water.

After a while we had two soap jumpers made and ready to be dried off and tested out in tonights bath!

Sitting here blogging isnt going to get any more things marked off my list!
Hope you are all having a happy and productive day as well!

Photo a Day Challenge - August

2010-08-18T13:10:00.003+09:30

Photo a Day August 2010
days 9 -13

****insert*** op shop bargains 12th August

Photo a Day Challenge - August

2010-08-09T15:46:00.005+09:30

Photo a day August 2010

days 1 -8

A new lunch box favourite

2010-08-09T15:31:00.003+09:30

I hurriedly copied this recipe from a thread on essential baby the other night, and decided to try them out today. They are yummy, and super quick and easy to make - Isaac & Jacinta have been eating them all day (even after they were packed away in a container with a lid I thought she couldn't get off) and once the older boys have a few after school, I will have to whip up another batch for lunchboxes tomorrow. I think they will be fun to play around with flavourings in too. Spinach, bacon & feta, sun dried tomato & chives...the list is endless!

Cheese and Bacon snacks

200g diced bacon
2 cups grated cheese
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 cup SR flour
1/2 cup milk
1 egg beaten
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

Place Flour, Bacon, Onion & Cheese in a bowl.
In a small jug combine beaten egg, milk & mustard.
Add the egg/milk mixture to the dry ingredients and stir until thoroughly combined.
Form generous tablespoons of mixture into balls and place on a lined oven tray - allow a little room for spreading.
Bake at 200 C for 18 - 20 minutes or until golden brown.
Makes approx 25.

Photo a Day Challenge - July

2010-08-02T10:35:00.004+09:30

Photo a Day, July 2010
days 16 - 31

and the winner is.....

2010-08-02T09:19:00.005+09:30

Thank You to everyone that left comments on my 400th post. It was great to read all of them (especially from those of you who left their first comment) and hear of all the crafts you enjoy doing - there are some very multi talented crafters amongst you!

This morning I wrote each of your names on a piece of paper, put all the names into a bowl and then enlisted the help of my beautiful assistants.

firstly there was lots of mixing to make sure it was a fair draw ( I think this was her favourite part)

Then came the all important choosing and unfolding of a winner...

and the announcement - in typical two year old fashion...

..and just to clarify - with a little help from Mummy!

Congratulations Shazz! Thanks for being a regular reader and commenter on my blog right from the start, and for being such a lovely friend. -you always have some words of wisdom or encouragement, and are an inspiration as a Mum, scrapper and all round lovely person.

If you could email me your address I will pop your prize in the post for you.

But wait, thats not all!!!

Since there were two assistants, there had to be a second draw for another lucky person.

This time right way up from the start...

Congratulations to the very talented Kelly (the handmaden). Thank you for the lovely comments you leave here, for reaching your 400th post recently, and for writing your lovely blogs that are always full of inspiration. ( Kellys blogs - The Handmaden & Nourish from Scratch ) If you let me know your address I will send out a little something for you as well.