looking forwards...

Still up to the usual tricks over here, pottering about watching life meander by. There's an awful lot I'm looking forward to at the moment. So much, I've decided to write a list. Because that's what you do when you have a group with a common thread... well that's my justification anyway.
Looking forward to
:: beautiful friends visiting in a few weekends time, one who's belly is growing like mine ::
:: the ripening of fruits on our trees, apricots & cherries & pears & nectarines... oh my ::
:: our twenty week scan tomorrow afternoon, it's so wonderful to see it wriggling about ::
:: a trip up to melbourne next week to see an old friend visiting from NZ ::
:: my folks making the trip down to visit us over new year ::
:: sewing some quilts for the little one, choosing fabrics is the hardest part ::
:: my latest fishpond order to arrive, uncommon crochet & vintage knits for babies ::
What are you looking forward to at the moment?

cherries

apricots

pears

too cute...

I've finally captured the second little cow in our paddock. I was quite delighted to find him so close to the fence. Such a sweet face. & yes, in case you were wondering... I often walk around the property with my camera just incase.
Have a lovely Monday.

weather forecast...

More rain is predicted this week at the farm, colourful rainbow rain that is.
I've been working on this mobile for a while now, coming back to it when inspiration struck. I'm still umming & ahhing over how I shall hang it, so it's not quite finished yet. Should I use fishing line or ribbon do you think? The edges of the cloud & droplets have been finished with a blanket stitch & the droplets are attached with a crocheted chain stitch using a itty bitty hook. It was a bit labour intensive, I must say.
I'm quite pleased with how it has turned out, perhaps it will be a good gift to make for friends babies too.

On the topic of real rain, we have had an awful lot this weekend. We've spent all weekend indoors; watching Clint Eastwood movies, crocheting (me) & making music (Sam). When the rain eases up, I'll be back under the willow tree sipping lemon cordial & crafting away. I can't wait.

lunch for one...

The boy has gone uptown & I have the whole farm to myself. I'm up to the same ol' tricks, just pottering about doin stuff around the house.

I did whip myself up a thai salad for lunch though. Super simple & a tasty dressing. I don't have alot of asian ingredients in my pantry, so I substituted a few things.
Here's the ingredients I used:
2 tsp fish sauce
1 tbsp lime juice
1 tsp soy sauce
1/4 tsp sambal oelek
1 tsp brown sugar
1 tiny clove of garlic, crushed

Followed up with a crunchy pink lady. Now I'm off to do something crafty.

more...

I've finished a few more stars, I now have enough for my little garland. Tomorrow I shall search for some ribbon or such to hang them from, as my stash is not offering up any inspiration. I quite like these little stars, perhaps I need to make some more... to adorn presents & perhaps a gum tree branch over christmas.

We've also had another delivery in the paddock. The second cow gave birth late last night & it is also super cute. I just can't get close enough to capture it on camera, she's evasive this one.
I've spent lots of hours under our big willow tree lately. It keeps quite cool under there & the breeze is lovely through the branches.
Here's a little belly shot, 19 weeks today! I felt the first strong kicks this morning too. I was lying in bed with a little weight on my tummy, when I felt 4 kicks in a row. I took the hint pretty quickly & rolled over. I could imagine it saying "Mum... you're squashing me!".
For some reason, the dogs always get in the photo too. We didn't make them sit there, they do it on their own accord. Funny boys.

a little steer...

Born this morning in our top paddock, starting to find his feet. Doesn't he just make you smile.

time for making...

Oh wow, it feels so wonderful to sit & make. I call it soul therapy... cheapest therapy I've ever had.
After a terribly emotional nights sleep, which didn't consist of much sleep at all (pregnancy is really starting to kick in, hormones & all), I woke feeling like my eyeballs had exploded in my head. So many tears over stuff that is happening, or might happen, or probably won't ever happen even in a hundred years. I got so worked up, I felt sick. It's amazing the rubbish your mind can drum up in the dark of the night with no rational. This morning the boy comforted me, rationalising my irrational thoughts & calming my mind. He's been wonderful all day too, making me cups of tea, sharing bikkies & sitting with me in the sun whilst we ate our lunch. I feel very lucky to have him & I know he's going to make the best dad.
This afternoon I decided that I'm going to make up for my crafting dry spell. I've promised myself to do something crafty every day. Perhaps it may be just small & I haven't set myself a timeline either, but I figured it was a start.
Today's crafting is some crochet stars made with scraps of wool from the leftover stash. I had decided I wanted to make a star & after a few attempts I decided it would be easier to just google it. I found this great tutorial & picked it up straight away. I think after a few more, I'll string them up into a garland to hang above the mantle. You should have a go too, they're super easy.

lots to do...

There's so much to do on our little farmlet. Now that we've slowed down from our recent galavanting, we're making time for some simple chores. The glorious weather we've been having makes the tasks more enjoyable too. Today we were in the garden.

For the husband there was alot of mowing to be done, as there was at least an acre of grass that was almost two feet high. He also chainsawed a heap of dead branches for firewood & made a neat pile by the back door.

For me it was all about washing clothes & cleaning & a spot of gardening. I weeded a patch of our garden that was getting a little out of control. I still have half the patch to go, but I feel after putting down wet newspaper & mulch I am gaining the upper hand.

Two of the chickens kindly assisted me. After clearing out the base of the camelia, Lacey & Ruby felt it was the perfect opportunity to score some grubs. It was all going swimmingly until they decided to scratch up my freshly laid straw. I wasn't having a bar of that, so they were swiftly shooed away.
Was your sunday peaceful & rewarding too? I hope so.

pottering...

Just enjoying the afternoon with some roses picked from the garden, a chat to mum & a bit of drawing. I should probably stop daydreaming now & think about cooking some tea. Perhaps we'll have risotto, that's always a winner.
Saturday afternoon wishes to you all.

it's all a blur...

Well the past month has been extremely hectic, So here's the parts I can remember...

For three weeks in a row, we we're in melbourne everyday packing up the husband's workshop. Two weeks in, we thought we were finished... then they decided we had to demolish the rooms. Aaaargh! What a stress. Driving an hour & a half each way doesn't make it much fun either. We did manage to catch up with friends & family along the way, that made the journeys more bearable.
The boys taking down the sign
Straight after that, we drove to winton for the boy to compete in the last round of the race season. He races an old datsun in the under 2 litre sports sedans. He came first in his class for the weekend & championship & second overall for the weekend. I really am so proud of him. He raced his little heart out & he really is very good. When he made his little speech at the trophy presentation, he thanked me for all my support & hard work in the pit. I couldn't help but cry. That turned the last three weeks into nothing & made the weekend trek well worthwhile.
After arriving home, the real estate told us we had to paint the walls aswell. So on monday, we traipsed back into town to get that done & boy do I hope that is the end of it.
Tuesday saw us jetting up to port macquarie... what for? I hear you ask... Well, we were to pick up a 1954 Austin truck & drive it home. Yes, you did hear correctly. We drove an ancient truck 1400 kms, all the way home! With only one minor hiccup within the first 20 minutes on the road, the rest of the trip was a breeze. I do love the south coast of n.s.w, it was lovely to see it again.
The truck has been named Lady Jane Austin (I know she spelt her name with an 'e', but for the sake of the truck... let's use an 'i') & she shall be fitted out like a 50's caravan/winnebago. It's a little project for the husband & wife to work on together. I'll do the interior stuff & he can do the engine & exterior stuff. I can't wait to go on a road trip when she's all done up.

our cute little (big) truck

But now I am home & home I shall stay for a while. I'm worn out & tired & in need of recuperation. As you can tell, the recurring theme of the past month has been all about helping the husband. I don't mind this, as he is quite wonderful & very appreciative. However, I have realised that to keep me sane... I must invest in me too.
So the next month is about me. Not in a selfish way, just in a way that means I can have time to do the things I love. Time to sew & knit & crochet & bake & garden & read & learn & just potter about. For it is all of these things that contribute to my general well-being.
Oh, it's lovely to be back.

I hope everyone is well & happy. Have a terrific weekend!

spiderweb on my back porch, captured on a quick dash out the door