Monday 29 June 2009
a walk to the top...
I'm still here...
We took a visit to the heritage farm on churchill island on saturday morning. They have a farmers market on the 4th saturday of the month & there's some beautiful produce available.
Lots of exploring is happening in the garden. It is quite established & there plenty to look at. On the back lawn beyond the vegie patch, there are twelve fruit trees. I've managed to identify some of them, but most have no leaves at the moment. I'll have to wait til the spring to figure them out.
Monday 22 June 2009
layin about with the lurgy...
I was almost over the tummy bug, when on came the flu. It sure does knock you about.
I've had so many days off work, I feel like I've been on holiday. A holiday in purgatory, where you have a million & one things that need doing... but all you can do is lay about with no energy.
As you can tell by the tone in my words, I am well & truly over this sick business.
I'm throwing back the vitamins with a super juice in tow, sipping hot lemon & honey in the cool of the night & eating vegies like a little banchee. I really hope it's working.
In brighter, less whingy news... we had our first weekend in the country. I am so in love with our new property. I wasn't very helpful, so while Samuel was painting the shed floor, I moped about cleaning, measuring & planning. I also managed to get in quite a few granny squares whilst sitting in front of the fire.
Thursday 18 June 2009
the present...
I found the tin numbers at Industria in Fitzroy. They are old lawn bowls score numbers. Aren't they great. I wanted to use the big old petrol station numbers, but I could never find the exact ones I was after. So when I found these, I was ecstatic.
To make it, I just covered the back board of the frame with linen from the stash & mounted the numbers on with carpet tape.
The numbers are the date that we met. We met at a rock concert at the corner hotel.
my creative space...
Today is a little better though, so back to crafting for me.
Such a quick & easy fix, isn't that lazy. I really want it finished soon, so we can use it at the farm.
Sunday 14 June 2009
birthday & cottage inspirations...
As far as the country schemes are going... here's some visual inspiration, I've been toying with lately. Since I've been thinking about this country thing for a while, these images unfortunately have been archived to my computer without links to their respective owners.
Friday 12 June 2009
busy...
Next weekend we'll be starting the big move, which we will space out over the next two months.
The cottage that we will be running as a B&B needs a bit of work to get it to our taste. That list includes building a wall, knocking out new doorways & sorting out the bathroom & kitchen areas. So our first weekend down there will be lots of measuring & pulling stuff down.
We want the cottage to have a vintage/40's/industrial/farmhouse look to it. So alot of my time has been spent thinking about the design & styling of the interior too. I feel a little nervous to tackle such a project, but after studying interior design & decoration at uni, I'm sure my skills will jump in along the way. And lucky for me, Samuel is ace at building walls & other random handyman things. So between the two of us & the odd friend roped in along the way, we should have a blast.
I'll keep you posted along the way. Back to the lists & ideas, I go.
Wednesday 10 June 2009
a house in the country...
Tuesday 9 June 2009
making a house a home, one project at a time...
You know those moments in life when you have a connection with something... I had it with these words.
This cover for my hot water bottle is part of my house to home journey. Now I just need to make another one for the boy, just maybe not in 50's style floral.
To make it, I just traced a vague shape around the bottle. I then quilted it in a wonderfully rough fashion & sewed it together with a pillowcase style finish so the bottle doesn't wriggle out.
Monday 8 June 2009
toadstools...
Aren't they just awesome, I wish I had a whole garden bed full of them.
numbers...
Sunday 7 June 2009
sunday sketching...
I haven't sat down & drawn like this since last winter. Maybe it's got something to do with lazing on the couch with a blanky & hot water bottle. At least it is productive lazing.
right now...
I am thinking… about all the things I'd like to make
I am thankful for… all things obvious, my husband, family & friends. They make me smile
From the kitchen… the past few days, I've made baked beans, veggie soup, apple jalousie & banana bread
I am wearing… the usual get-up, jeans, converse sneakers, trusty old hand me down jumper with holes that need patching
I am creating… a cover for my hot water bottle, cushion covers, photo album & I'm still working on the big granny blanket
I am going… to take a ride on my motorbike today, I think I'll go to fitzroy
I am reading… books about living simply & my favourite mags pictured below
I am hoping… to find a birthday present for my man by next sunday, I'm holding out for something awesome... don't know what it is yet
I am hearing… old school gospel & soul on PBS
Around the house… are things that make me smile: a chat noir poster, artwork by my bestie & my vintage lamps
One of my favourite things… is riding my motorbike, it starts first go & it's dazzling looks catch everyones eye
A few plans for the rest of the week… dinner with friends, a spot of op shopping & only two days of work
Saturday 6 June 2009
latest score...
my favourite salad...
The tantalising desert was pan fried homemade banana bread drizzled with sweet sherry & served with argentinean caramel icecream. It was just superb.
What have you been cooking lately?.
- 1 cup couscous prepared with 1 cup boiling water
- handful of chopped coriander
- 2 good size zuchinni, cooked off in pan
- 1 red onion, sliced & cooked off with some sumac
- 1 huge sweet potato chopped into 1cm-ish cubes, tossed in olive oil, smoked paprika, cumin & ground coriander & roasted til soft
- crumbled fetta, I use a block but use however much takes your fancy
- handful of currants or some other dried raisiny thing
- handful of sunflower seeds or pinenuts
- heaps of baby spinach, I usually use the whole packet
- then season with salt & pepper, red wine vinegar & canola oil & Bob's your uncle
Friday 5 June 2009
a walk in the sun...
I cooked an awesome dinner, followed by a tantalising desert. My man & I sat & drank wine & sweet sherry, watching Gran Torino, then listening to Neil Young & Nick Cave records. I think about their music; it's poetry, complex yet so simple. I think about many things. Life is good, I am happy. Of course there is always more that I want from myself & other aspects in life. But they will come & for now I am very content.
I think now that I may be rambling, but it is very honest, open rambling...
so I'm sure it is ok.
my creative space...
It's been a high stress week this week, we've been waiting for answers. Answers that will tell us if our life will soon change dramatically. I'm very impatient & want to know yesterday. I don't want to say too much in case the answer is no.
Wow, alot of talking around the subject there.
Wednesday 3 June 2009
a nice set...
Tuesday 2 June 2009
I like it here...
This shot was taken by the boy, he thought I looked so content with a glass of wine & all my goods on the bench. I think I looked like I was trying to avoid a photo.
Monday 1 June 2009
sleepy bye bears...
There's a great softie to check out over here. This woman is crazy (in the best way possible), great work Jodie!