right now...

The weekend so far has been lovely & relaxing. We've been pottering about inside, while the rain falls steadily. Yesterday we had a tasty lunch at a local farm & took a drive through the hills. There's been lot's of hook action & tea drinking too & so much more...

Hearing :: the rain beat down on our roof :: a gentle & comforting rhythm

Watching :: an old Kirk Douglas movie, Lust for Life :: about Vincent van Gogh

Reading :: the creative family, by soulemama :: it's so nice to read my beliefs in another persons words
Making :: a crocheted baby blanket :: among other things to one day soon stock my little store

Eating :: apple & sultana loaf for breakfast :: tasty & healthy

Feeling :: pretty good :: the usual fogginess has taken a holiday for the weekend

Thinking :: about the hairy cows that escaped into next doors paddock :: to hang out with the hot hereford mama's one can only assume

Hoping :: that my bestie will visit next weekend :: please ragsie, do come

Wondering :: if our vegie patch will ever be finished :: maybe when it stops raining

Liking :: endless cups of tea :: especially on days like today

Wanting :: to snuggle up in bed for the day :: I think I'll give this a try
Playing :: with photographs, colour & wool :: so many ideas

Wishing :: for the summer :: to be bathed in the warm glow of the sun, slathered in sunscreen of course

Enjoying :: the company of my gorgeous boys :: they make the days bright

Coveting :: salt water sandals :: the last time I liked sandals this much I was 5, I just won't wear them with socks now that I'm all grown up

I hope you're all having a lovely weekend & for the victorians, a lovely long weekend.

this moment...

{this moment} - A Friday ritual.

A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

inspired by soulemama

my creative space...

Our funny little man turned 6 months old on sunday, the time has just flown by. We feel so blessed to have him in our lives, he's always making us laugh & he just makes us feel like we're on top of the world. Having a baby is such hard work & parents are always so exhausted, but the rewards are so amazing aren't they.
Here he is, the cheekiest fellow getting around.

He thinks my funny accents are hilarious. He loves mama's apple-pear puree with cinnamon. He talks to us when he eats his meals, last week he said "ning nong" (must have been referring to his dad).
He likes to suck on his big toe. He can never keep still. He rolls all ways & commando crawls backwards. He likes to wriggle out of my arms to get to dad/toy/dog/my lunch. His eyes light up when he sees his monkey & hippo. He sleeps so well & is getting better at sleeping during the day. He just loves paper, he thinks the sound it makes is funny & likes to eat it too. He likes to sit in the grass & rip blades off with his chubby little hands.
Our funny little man, we love you to the moon & back over & over & over again!
Oh & yes, before I forget. My creative space this week was all about making a shirt. A shirt for Huckle, he's modelling it oh so nicely for you here. I finished it today. I'm really so very pleased with myself. I found the tutorial ages ago & I've been building myself up to this day. I was nervous to draft the pattern & to sew with knit fabric. I did make a few oopsies, but I learnt alot along the way & it is still very wearable. Can you see my biggest oopsie? The neckline on the left is meant to match the right! I got a little confused & rushed the last sleeve. It was an exciting moment, don't you know. Anyway, mum says maybe I started a new trend... thanks for the support mum.
I'll definitely be making more of these, I think I have the hang of it now. Maybe some short sleeved versions for summer.
Make a cuppa & pop over to Kirsty's for endless inspiration.

wednesday colour...

A little colour to brighten your week.

is it tuesday?...

I'm not really with it at the moment. Each day is simply rolling into another & creating quite a blur. Hopefully soon, my head will be back in the game & I might get on top of some stuff. You know... stuff like washing some dishes, or perhaps a spot of vacuuming, maybe even some baking, or crafting even & there's quite a few phone calls & emails to return as well (sorry Mum).
But for now, I'm just doing the absolute bare minimum & reading this book to Huckle over & over & over again. Because I love it & he loves it & you too will just love it. It's a reprint of a 1963 golden sturdy book "I am a Bunny", written by Ole Risom & illustrated by the awesome Richard Scarry. It's so rich in colour, the illustrations seem to jump off the page. I think I'll need to purchase a few more, for other little babes I know.

a little crafting...

We're off to melbourne town for the weekend. There shall be lots of yummy food, good friends & a little ladies 2nd birthday party to attend. In a last minute frenzy I made her a sleepy bye bear. I haven't made one of these in a very long time & there were a few hiccups along the way. I think it turned out pretty well & hopefully she likes it.
Sleepy bye bears are always asleep & it's their job to look after your dreams, so whisper them into their ears & they will keep them safe for you.
If things all go to plan, I'll be making more of these along with some other bits & bobs & popping them online. Maybe next year do a market or two? One slow but sure step at a time, I'll get there. I'll keep you posted.
It was so nice to hang out with my sewing machine & make something.
Have a superb weekend, I hope it's full of love & laughter.

this moment...

{this moment} - A Friday ritual.

A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

inspired by soulemama

(please pardon the low res iphone photo)

my creative space...

Today was a gloriously sunny day, so we spent an hour or so in the orchard.
Whilst Huckle toke his midday nap, I set about making us some shade. I used a vintage sheet from the stash & propped it up with the bamboo stakes we used on our wedding day.
With Bec's gorgeous quilt, the scene was complete. The Huckster awoke, threw off his clothes & squealed & kicked about with much delight.
What a wonderful thing to have such warmth & a naked bum.
He chatted to the dogs, practised getting up on all fours & then proceeded to feed his wooden teething giraffe to his dad. Yum yum.
You know where to go for more creative goodness.

so lovely...

Yesterday this gorgeous creation was discovered in our post trunk. Made by the ever so lovely Bec from Beccasauras. Complete with Richard Scarry fabric, can you spy Huckle the cat?
Thank you so much Bec! We love it & it will be treasured forever, we promise!

I have met some truly amazing people through this blog & I feel so very blessed to have this community. I am constantly inspired by the creativity & overwhelmed with the generosity of my crafty friends. Thank you all so much.
P.S. see the first photo? The sun is shining, yes? But why is it not warm? Baby steps I guess.

wednesday colour...

A little colour to brighten your week.

sunday...

Today we had a visitor, so in true country fashion I made scones. They were yummo. I may have had a few too many. I used a Woman's Weekly recipe, good thinking. The end results were light & fluffy & tasty. I wonder how many times over the years, this recipe has been made. Amazing.
It hasn't all just been about the scones. Bread has been baked, floors have been swept, dishes washed, clothes washed... all in all a wonderful pottering sunday.
I even saw the sun today; our moment was brief, but blissful. Thanks for your comments yesterday. It's nice to know I'm not the only one going crazy.
I hope your sunday has been just lovely.

seriously...

Is this weather for real? I mean, it's not far off november & it's acting like it's mid july! Todays maximum is forecasted for 13 degrees. Up on the hill, we'll be lucky if it gets to 11. Last night there was rain & hail & even snow above 500 metres.

All winter I told myself, "When it gets to october, it will be warm & sunny & all will be well." How very, very wrong I was. I'm so over it, my serotonin levels need sun & warmth. I can understand winter being winter, but when we're a month & a half out from summer... I'm desperate here! Next year I'm migrating north for the whole of spring.
Today is all about staying close to the raging inferno that is our fire, hanging out with the darling Huckle, soothing the soul with cup after cup of chamomile tea & perhaps doing some hausfrau duties. There'll be a bit of baking too, I think. Any excuse to put the oven on... I need all the heat I can get.
Oh, & if you're wondering what the photo is all about... I'm allergic to the cold!!! Yep I'm being very serious. I break out in itchy, itchy hives all over. Unfortunately (or fortunately for you), this picture doesn't do them justice. Antihistamines are my best friend. That may have been a bit too much information, but now you know a little bit more about me I guess.
So stay warm & dry my fellow Victorians. For the rest of you out there, I hope the sun is shining it's warm glow upon you. Jealous? You bet I am!

this moment...

{this moment} - A Friday ritual.

A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

inspired by soulemama

wednesday colour...

A little bit of colour to brighten your week.

make your own muesli...

I've been making my own muesli for a while now. It's so nice to have it just how you like it. The right amount of nuts, toasted just so & your own choice of fruit. This is the latest recipe that's being gobbled up for breakfast at our place. I like to make a huge batch & pop it in a big tub. It usually lasts us about a fortnight.
Kitty's Nutty Muesli
2kg rolled oats
500gm processed bran or bran flakes
100gm sunflower seeds
100gm pepitas
200gm pecans - roughly chopped
200gm almonds - I use whole almonds with the skin on & roughly chop them
500gm sultanas
250gm chopped dates
Gently roast the oats & nuts.
Mix all ingredients together.
Enjoy with milk, banana & a drizzle of honey.
Yummo!

of piers & thoughts...

On the drive to pick up the highchair, we made a little stop by the water. We ate a picnic of yummy cheese, walked the pier, showed Huckle the seagulls & looked out from the lookout. Such a lovely moment in time.
I fell in love with the pier, surely I could have one just like it. I'd keep it in the bottom paddock to sit upon it at my leisure & admire the magnificent view. Many a thought would happen upon my pier.

In the words of Scarecrow, "I would think the things I'd never thought before & then I'd stop & think some more".

it's time to be thrifty...

We took a drive yesterday, to pick up the highchair I had bought on ebay. A whole dollar it cost me! Can you believe it? It's seriously the biggest bargain. It's a bit old & needs a new tray fashioned up (a job for the husband), but it's wooden & solid which is exactly what I was after.

Did you know October is the month to buy nothing new? The Salvo's are promoting buying second hand & have put out the challenge to the good folk of Australia to buy second hand goods for the month of October.
We've taken the challenge, it wasn't hard for us to do. Our beliefs & limited budget mean that we already purchase what we can second hand. I find it hard to justify spending lots of money on new things, I guess I find older items more to my aesthetic too. We managed to furnish Huckle's nursery with cute vintage furniture for less than $200. Throughout the rest of the house, you'll be sure to find lot's more thrifted goodness. I know it's not to everyone's taste, but we like it.
I'm always on the lookout for a good find, whether it be furniture, vintage sheets, crockery or reel to reel players (for the husband). Everytime we go into town (not Melbourne town, just good old Wonthaggi) I pop into the oppies. We've also scored well at the tip shop & the local trash & treasure markets. If you're ever down this way, the Grantville market is full of treasure. It's on the fourth sunday of the month. There's the Kongwak market too, now that I think of it. It's on every sunday. Try the dahl at the Kongwak market, it really is delicious.
Above are some of my recent finds. 1950's interior decorating book $5, pyrex lidded dish 50c, wooden geometric puzzle $8 & old crate $1. Most of these have no purpose but to be decorative & make me smile. The crate has a definite purpose though, it holds the umbrellas.
Well, here's to a great week & a thrifty month. I'll be back with more finds later on in the week. Til then.

the little man...

Our little man will soon be 6 months old. Some days it feels so hard to believe that I'm a mama (that lasts all of 3 seconds, before I'm snapped back into reality). I truly wouldn't give it up for the world, it really is the most amazing experience.
Lately my head has been in the clouds, all grey & seemingly never ending. So thick are the clouds, it's hard to believe that the sun still shines in the blue sky. I'm tired, so very tired. Huckle sleeps twelve hours straight at night & I'm getting at least seven, but it doesn't ever seem to be enough. I'm trying my hardest to get my head around this. Trying to accept the tiredness mentally, in hope that my body will accept it physically. Hopefully this little mind trick works.
But all this aside, I'm here. I'm a capable mama who is raising this gorgeous little fellow.
These are his five month photos, a little belated of course.
The sun is finally starting to show it's face around these parts & we've been spending more time outside. He's been patting the dogs, watching newborn cows run in the paddock, experiencing grass between his toes & just generally lolling about in the fresh country air. The trick of rolling over has been mastered & sitting up isn't far away.
We've started on solids... carrot-delicious, rice cereal-not bad, banana-good stuff, potato-tasty, apple-oh my god, I can't believe you're making me eat this! You should see the performance. Arms waving, tongue sticking out... goodness me. I used pink ladies, nice & sweet. At least it isn't wasted, I'm happy to eat the rest. We haven't given up though, apple is still on the menu.
His laugh is hilarious, a real deep chuckle. He loves to be tickled & it really cracks him up when you pretend to bite him. I like to nibble on his cheeks, this gets the laugh going very easily. If I'm really, really tired & maybe a bit upset or cranky, I make him laugh & this makes me happy. It lifts my spirits & the day doesn't feel so overwhelming. Laughter is the best medicine afterall.
I hope you're having a gorgeous weekend.

this moment...

{this moment} - A Friday ritual.

A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.
inspired by soulemama

my creative space...

I haven't set foot in my studio in over two weeks! Two weeks! I'm having some serious withdrawals.
We've had lots of wonderful guests staying up here on the hill lately, which has inspired me to create this poster.
Most of our visitors are happy to chill out & take it easy, but I know of a few who just can't turn down the pace. They get all agitated & are always looking for something to do. I'm not referring to any of our recent visitors, their relaxed ways just got me thinking.
I'm going to get this printed & framed for our loungeroom. So when in need of something to do, future guests can just consult the poster. Subtle, aren't I?
If you would like a copy for your place, leave me a comment & I'll email you it to you in pdf format.
Since I can't get out to the studio, all my creations have been happening on the computer. I'm having lots of fun designing posters & stationery, but I do long to sew something.
Maybe next week, I'll have something more tactile to share.
Til then, pop over to Kirsty's for a long list of creative spaces.

wednesday colour...

A little colour to brighten your week.

this moment...

{this moment} - A Friday ritual.

A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.
inspired by soulemama