on balance, roses & crafting...

I'm learning alot about balance at the moment. Balance between being a mama, a wifey, a maker, a cleaner, a cook... the list goes on. It's only new to me & I'm learning what has been learnt by women since forever (a very technical & well researched term). I don't have huge expectations on what I should be getting done, but I do have some things that I'd like to happen. Even if they happen oh so very slowly. There's always tomorrow.
Amongst all of this, I try to find time for me. Time to just have a peaceful cuppa, a long hot shower or a read of a magazine. Today I took 20 minutes to stroll about the garden in the fine misty rain. The roses are starting to bloom, so I picked the first posy of the season. The colours are so vibrant, they make my heart sing. I never used to like roses, somewhere along the line something changed & now I have quite the soft spot for them.
There's been some crafty action happening too. Huckle has two cute bib kerchiefs to add to his wardrobe along with two pairs of shorts. Yep, I made shorts! They were so easy, I didn't know what I was so scared about. They are yet to have elastic (befuddled mama brain can't for the life of me remember where I put it, must go buy some more), so I'll show them when they're all finished. Two sleepy bye bears are waiting to be pieced together, along with a few more ready to be cut. I'd be printing a heap of cards too, if my printer decided to work. I've been encouraged by a dear friend to design some cards & now I'm giving it a go. Hopefully soon they'll be printed & ready for the shop.
It's slowly coming together, perhaps a bit slower than desired. Every step forward is still a step forward I guess. I've told the universe this is what I'm doing & I know it will happen.
Well that was alot more words than I thought I had this evening. Now I am for sleeping. I hope you all have a great week.

turning over a new loaf...

Pardon the pun, I couldn't help myself.
I've been on the bread improving bandwagon of late & I must say this latest recipe is a real winner. It's a bit crusty, a bit chewy, but soft at the same time. You should give it a go, you might like it just as much as I do. It's a cheats sourdough, but since I don't have time for the real thing... this is mighty fine.
Here's the deets...
:: Mix together 2 teaspoons of salt, 3 teaspoons of instant yeast & 1 and a half cups of warm water. I use my kitchenaid with the dough hook, but a bowl & wooden spoon works just as well. You'll just get bigger muscles than me.
:: Now add the flour. I use 1/4 cup of rye, 1/2 cup wholemeal & 2 1/4 cups of white. You want the dough to be quite wet, but make sure it's not too wet or handling it later will be a nightmare! I tend to mix this amount of flour in & then slowly add a touch more white at a time until the dough starts to form into a ball & pulls away easily from the sides.
:: Cover with a clean tea towel & let rise for 2 hours.
:: Heat oven to 250 degrees celsius.
:: Lay out towel & pour a little polenta onto centre. Spread polenta out to roughly 20cm circle.
:: Flour your hands & shape dough into a round by pulling & tucking under, rotating as you go.
:: Place neat side down onto polenta & wrap lightly with towel. Pop into a bowl to help with rise.
:: Allow to rise for half an hour, meanwhile heat a lidded cast iron pot in the oven.
:: Turn dough out into pot (polenta side up) & make an x with a knife, it only needs to be about 5 cm.
:: If it falls in lopsided, give the pot a shimmy back & forth to centre it.
:: Cook covered in oven for 30 minutes, then uncovered for another 10 to 15 minutes.
We made curried egg sandwiches with eggs from our girls. Yummo! I like extra curry powder, it reminds me of my nana. This teatowel reminds me of my nana, it's Irish, just like she was. I'm sentimental like that & plus it was only 20c! That too reminds me of nana, she was just as thrifty.
I hope your weekend is fun & filled with love & laughter. Maybe some crusty warm bread too.

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 colour to brighten your week

a very trying monday...

Yesterday, the Huckster & I weren't feeling too flash. The bread dough sat on the counter all day, emails went unanswered, the phone was ignored & all work was put on hold.
There was much clashing of the heads too.
Mama wanted to dress Huckle... Huckle did not want to be dressed, kicking & screaming, getting very upset.
Mama tried to breastfeed Huckle... Nope, don't want it, can't make me. More kicking & screaming.
Mama tried to give lunch/dinner... two mouthfuls, yuck yucko, don't want it.
Mama put Huckle down to sleep, 9am, 1pm, 4:30pm... No way, no sleeping, not me, not now, not today!
Dad-dad gave Huckle a bath... Huckle was happy.
Mama gave Huckle his dinner breastfeed... Huckle was happy, fell asleep absolutely exhausted from such a tiring day.
Between the clashing of Mama & Huckle, we spent our time chilling out, keeping Huckle happy & giving lots of cuddles & kisses. I dare say the teeth are to blame for all this. Poor little guy. He's just trying to be the bestest & happiest Huckle that ever was & along come some knobbly little white things that want to spoil his fun. I hope they finally appear & give him a break.
Well, today is a new day & hopefully it's a little easier on us both. I might even get some work done.
And yes, in case you were wondering... the bread did get baked late last night & it was delicious.