wednesday colour...

A little colour to brighten your week.

I'm here. I'm just struggling to catch the gazillion thoughts rushing through my head. It seems that they are only coherent the minute I try to fall asleep. Do I sleep, or write? Hmmmm... I'll sleep thanks. But I think I'll have to choose "write" soon or my head might explode! 

I've also fallen behind on the email & phone call front. So if you're beginning to think I'm super rude... I promise I'm not trying to be. I'm just a tad overwhelmed & very slack. Feel free to give me a friendly (or not so friendly) kick up the bum. 

I hope your week is happy & productive. That's what I'm aiming for!

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. - Amanda Soule

Photo taken by my beloved.

rainy days...

The past few days have been rather wet & miserable around these parts. So to preserve everyone's sanity. we've been busying ourselves with a spot of arty play. 

Homemade fingerpaint & playdough  are very easy to make, with the added bonus of being cheap. I love the fact that I know exactly what is in them, so they're safe for little hands (& mouths, although they're not at all tasty).

Huckle loved the finger painting, getting messy is right up his alley. He was a bit unsure of the playdough & prefered to just wack it with whatever tool was on hand. But lot's of fun was had & it was a good way to distract a crazed, house-bound toddler. 

I'm putting together a little art station, so we can create together on a daily basis. So far I have these two, plus drawing supplies. 

Do you have an art box? I love to hear your ideas for arty play.

Here's the recipes I used, if you'd like to make your own. I'm unsure of their origins, but I think they're from a teachers resource. 

Playdough 

1 cup flour

1 cup water

1/2 cup salt

1 tbsp cream of tartar

1 tbsp cooking oil

food colouring

Mix the water & flour to a paste, add salt & cream of tartar. Stir over medium heat until thick. Allow to cool before adding dividing into quarters (or however many colours you'd like). Add colouring & 1/4 of the oil to each portion & knead until smooth. Store in an airtight container.

Finger paint

1/2 cup corn flour

2 tbsp sugar

1/2 tsp salt

3 cups water

food colouring

Mix over gentle heat until smooth. Divide into containers & add colour.

There are so many recipes to be found, I've pinned a few on pinterest for future makings. Next batch I'm going to try some natural dyes for playdough & some milk based finger paints. 

The sun is out, so we're off to make the most of it. Have a happy friday!

wednesday colour...

A little colour to brighten your week.

It's so cold & blustery here today, I dare not go outside. Are you feeling the cold too? Fancy a boat ride in Vanuatu to warm you up?

weekend...

Hello! I hope you've all had a peaceful, easy monday. We've been laying low, pottering about after another busy weekend uptown. There was a family lunch at St Katherine's, papers read, crosswords tackled with great gusto, a new baby cuddled, adventures in the park & another lunch with best mates. Quite a hectic weekend, but it was wonderful to see so many loved ones.

A few months ago we made the decision to move back up town. Such a big decision to make, but after the craziness of the past few months we feel it's the best. I'm going to miss being on the top of a hill surrounded by cows & rolling green pastures, but in return we will be closer to those that we love. Not to mention good food, craft shops, playgroups, record stores...

We don't know when it will happen, hopefully before the year is out.

We're looking forward to Huckle having some more playfriends as well. He is at such an incredible age, we're constantly amazed by his antics. The past few weeks he's started throwing & kicking the ball, carrying the ball under his chin, climbing into things & then calling out that he's stuck (a good first word to learn when you're always getting into mischief), talking Huckle talk a mile a minute, singing, dancing (always dancing), drinking from a tumbler, pretending to cook... I could go on forever! So much learning.

Of course it is hard work & the day sleep is still not past the 30 minute mark, but goodness me this boy is divine. I'm gushing I know, but what parent wouldn't? Children are amazing creatures.

These photos were taken by my beloved. I love how they capture his personality.

I hope your weekend was lots of fun & that your week ahead is full of much happiness.

I'm off to watch the wire & warm my cockles with a hot milo.

getting outdoors...

Today has been lovely & sunny, still only about 10 degrees, but lovely & sunny none the less. We spent a good part of the morning in Huckle's yard, a fenced off area where no dogs or alpacas are allowed. We're so lucky to have this space for him to explore freely. He fossicks through the fallen bark & leaves, walks through the tea trees & watches the ducks in the dam. He is peaceful out here, quietly taking it all in. Tractors hum along in the next paddock, old planes fly overhead & a variety of birds call their morning songs.

The latest addition to his special space is a sandpit. I found it on ebay & it only cost us $16, including sand! Thrifty little mama, I am. We tested it out this morning & it's a hit, he absolutely loves it. Fish were buried & found, buckets were filled & castles were smooshed & there was one happy little boy.

I'm looking at adding some more features to this space, some obstacle elements & perhaps a mini garden too. I'm gathering ideas on pinterest & being ever inspired by these blogs...

little eco footprints

ecomilf

let the children play

soulemama

Do you have a special spot in your garden, or in a nearby park? I'd love to hear your ideas for exploring outdoors with little ones.

my creative space...

I've been spending these cold nights hooking away at a wee little baby top. This is the back piece & I've almost finished the front. I'm up to the part where you begin to shape the neckline & I've freaked out a little. There is a pause in the construction while I get the nerves together & just finish it already! I'm also a little unsure of my colour choice... is it perhaps a little too candy girl?

Crochet aside, I'm also dreaming up ideas for the stash of 1930's cotton I scored at Camberwell market on Sunday. They're cut in the shape of two tulips, should I use it like this or cut into it for some tiny patchwork. Hmm... I also scored a couple of fat quarters & a metre of the alphabet fabric for a few measly dollars, with the charm squares thrown in for free.

There were more great finds too, but I'll have to save those for another day. 

I'm off to eat some warm bread, bake bikkies & maybe even have another cuppa

Have a great Thursday!

Joining in over here...

wednesday colour...

A little colour to brighten your week.

my creative space...

Huckle thought my cowl was so dashing, he requested one for himself.

It must be suitable for crazy toddler shenanigans, not too bulky or restricting please.

I think I fulfilled my clients brief & threw in a bonus use of a headband too.

Now only if I could get said client to keep still a while.

It seems I've finally cottoned on to the whole ravelry thing, so you can find the deets over here.

More crafty stuff over here too.

Now, I'm off to organise all that needs doing so we can enjoy our weekend uptown guilt free. 

Hello laundry, dishes, sweeping, packing, bills, more laundry...

days of wonder...

Not in the sense of magical wonderment... but in the wondering why things are so.

Lately I've been wondering...

:: why the dog/s keep killing our chickens :: after 2 years, they've just discovered they're edible :: 4 chickens left from 8!

:: how much pain will I be in when they take bone from my hip & put in my STILL broken collarbone

:: how strange it felt when the house shook during yesterdays earthquakes

:: how bad is it to have discovered a microwave cake in a cup recipe & made it twice this week

:: why the postman has to deliver my packages to a post office 40 minutes away when there's 2 just 20 minutes away

:: where we should go for a lovers dinner since we have free babysitters this weekend

:: when did I make these preserved lemons & are they ready yet

There's much more wondering to be had, this is just the tip of the iceberg.

I hope your wednesday sees you warm, happy & full of wonderment.

wednesday colour...

A little colour to brighten your week.

Cold lass desperately seeking summer.

Likes afternoon walks on the beach, fish & chips on the pier & a sunny glow upon her cheeks.

Call now to connect with cold lass...

good morning sunshine...

Right now it is raining, but two hours ago the sun was creeping up over the hill. Sunrises & sunsets are amazing in winter. The lower angle of the sun creates such depth of colour... purples, pinks, golds & reds. 

We're thinking of going to the market today, if we can brave the rain. 

Do you have any plans on this wintry sunday? 

saturday adventures...

We celebrated a gorgeous winter day today. A picnic at the Collingwood children's farm followed by afternoon tea & a rummage for books at the Abbortsford Convent. Such a fun day with my sweet boys. I know it must seem odd to go uptown to visit a farm, but this farm is very special. We loved interacting with all the animals, watching the children squeal with joy, learning from how the farm is built & how the garden grows.

I also ran into a most beautiful friend who I haven't seen for a few years. Brooke always brings a smile to my heart, she's one of those special people that make life sunny. It was so lovely to see her pretty face.

I hope your weekend is full of sun & smiles.