getting ready

the sun shone for just long enough the other day for me to do the first load of washing for baby. We've been lucky enough to have been given a whole heap of little tiny things, as well as a pram and car capsule (love the car capsule for moving sleeping babies) and 2 cots! Most of our friends are well and truly finished having babies now, so they were happy to offload this stuff.
of course, it's been raining ever since this one day of sunshine, so everything else in our life is wet, dirty and possibly even mouldy, but at least these little things are tucked away safely in a dry place waiting for a little someone to arrive and make them dirty again.
only 5 weeks to go...I'm excited.

one chook down

a couple of days ago we sadly lost one of our chooks, mymble. I don't really know what happened, over the past couple of weeks she just got really weak, and her comb went flat, and I think the heat we've had this week just proved too much for her. It's never nice finding one of your little friends dead like that. "She's sleeping", jasper said. "no, darling, she died". "oh".
I don't know what was sadder, the dog barking at the chook, trying to wake her up, or the other chook, snowy, looking back over her shoulder as she left the coop, to see if her friend was coming. After I had buried her in what is now known as the pet graveyard down the back, snowy let out the loudest, most heartfelt cry I've ever heard from a chook. She crowed for about ten minutes, a fine farewell to her sweet friend. Sensitive creatures, these chooks. there is a happy ending to this story, though. Today snowy laid the first egg we've seen in months, and was very proud of herself too, I might add. It seems that mymble's sickness must have been affecting both of them, and now snowy can get on with her own life. Either that, or it's a one-off.
The question now is, do we get another chook, to keep snowy company?

finding loveliness

in these gorgeous lillies from my mum-in-law. Filling our home with their heady scent.

in sweet, wet rain after a hot, hot day and night. Making my garden grow.in this new-to-me picnic basket, FREE! at my local op shop yesterday. Hmm, could that hole in the lid be for a wine bottle? I feel a picnic coming on.
in new fabric, the fifties-inspired range (and some others) on sale at spotlight. Loving that.

Also loving school holidays, relaxing mornings, stealing five minutes to re-read an old favourite, and catching up with sweet friends. Have a lovely weekend!

tea

so many new words happening every day now.

today, tea. To the cupboard we went and got out this little cup, and requested that tea be put in it. Just like mamma. So we drank our tea and we ate our grapes and we read our book and we were happy. So happy.

here I am!

umm, what does one say when one has neglected their blog for oh so long? You know, the first thing that comes to mind is "sorry", but who is there to be sorry to? Do people actually care when nothing is written for a long while, is there some secret department in charge of keeping an eye on who's doing their bit in the blog world and who's not? I think not. But I am sorry, that I couldn't be arsed writing something here for the past three weeks. I've been busy, doing stuff. There's been some major yard works going on (photos to come, I promise), we've had school projects and speeches to prepare and also, as you can see above, there are some sewing adventures a-happening once again. And of course, mr. snot has paid us a visit to remind us that it is in fact winter time and we musn't let the sunshine fool us into thinking otherwise. Never mind, the rain's back now too, so there really is no denying it. Today was one of those really cold wet days, just perfect for sitting by the fire and stitching some cuteness. Apparently some new sofites are needed in the world, so that's what I'll be doing for the next few days...

a bag for books

I ordered a myself a copy of this lovely book a couple of weeks ago (early mother's day gift to myself), and when it arrived in the post the other day, I became instantly smitten with the gorgeous photos inside, and have been poring over it's pages ever since. I find myself wanting to climb inside there and snuggle up, it looks so peaceful and cosy and...quiet. No little people vying for attention and making messes. So, feeling inspired, I set about making this little bag today, from a piece of linen that's been in my stash for ages, and which I have no idea the origin of, since I don't remember purchasing linen ever, except once for a special order. But that wasn't this piece. I didn't follow any of the patterns, because that would have required concentration, and I'm low on that right now. It's just "inspired by".
I made this little bag to hold books. Well, actually, magazines. Because, you see, I am someone who reads on the loo. Now, I'm not sure whether that's just too much information, I know that some people find this to be a rather nasty habit, but since anyone who has actually been to my house has almost definitely seen magazines in my bathroom, I don't think there's any harm in writing about it here. Anyway, to get back to the point, I'm sure it goes without saying that leaving magazines lying around on the bathroom floor is not a great idea when that bathroom is frequented by three (and in the not too distant future, four) boys. So, I needed to find a safe place for them, and I think this little bag will be just the thing.

that said, I'm now thinking that it might be just the thing for taking to the library as well.

the home stretch

oops, dropped off the radar there for a bit, and just when I was going so well too. Nevermind, it's been school holidays, so I guess that's a pretty good excuse. There have been other things to do...parks to visit, friends to play with, food to bake and eat, and adventures to be had.
but school goes back tomorrow, and that's that. Back to the morning routine, the getting dressed and finding one's shoes, the lunch box dilemma and the remembering to do the homework. I don't think willow's read a book or written a sentence during the holidays, but he's read plenty of street signs and cereal boxes, and he's written some birthday wishes and some special messages for the mamma, so I guess he'll be ok.

it's been a good holiday, and although we're all a little glad that school goes back tomorrow (well, except for willow, who thinks that school is just a bit too tiring), I think I'm going to miss these guys just a little. Although, it is going to be awfully quiet here at around midday, when a certain little person is asleep...quiet enough for a little mamma nap maybe?

strapped

I think it's probably been pretty obvious that there has been a little bit of an improvement in my picture quality lately, no? Well, the truth is, I've had all this rad photo gear at my disposal for years now, thanks to mr arran the photo guy, and I've finally pulled my finger out and started using some of it. You see, I used to dabble a little in photography in high school, but when I met the mr and realised just how much he was into it, I kind of just let it go, and let him take care of it. I went off and did my own thing, having babies and stuff. But lately, I've been feeling the urge to take some pictures again, and have taken quite a liking to this nikon. The thing is, though, I have this terrible aversion to borrowing gear, especially high tech, expensive gear, that I can't really afford to replace, if I happen to break it. So, whilst I work on talking the mr into buying a new camera, an updated model, which he really needs for his work, and letting me have this one for my own, I thought I might just make this one a little more "me" in the mean time.
It was sporting a stock standard nikon strap, and as much as I like the product, I really don't feel the need to have their name emblazened across my chest every time I use the camera, even if it is only within the confines of my own yard (still too scared to venture out into the big wide world with the thing). So, after a futile search for just the right camera strap, I decided to just make one myself. I managed to find this oh-so perfect piece of vintage embroidered ribbon from this very friendly etsy seller, and simply sewed it onto a piece of wide black webbing, along with some clippy things off a bag I got from vinnies. This thing is so perfect, I really don't know why I didn't think of it earlier.

Of course, the mr comes home from work, says "thanks for the new camera strap", and takes off with it on his new skateboard. I'm thinking I might have to start hiding it.

maker of mischief

well, I know you wouldn't think it to look at these pictures, but this child, he is trouble. It seems that my time is mostly spent retrieving him from various places, such as the table, where he likes to stand, the ladder to his brother's bunk bed, the arm of the lounge, and basically any other dangerous precipice that presents itself.of course, the walking has started. There were a few shaky weeks, and then suddenly he got it and now there's no looking back, although the super-fast crawl is still in use when there is a ladder beckoning.but, there are also these lovely moments of concentration and curiosity. It's these moments that I treasure, they remind me so much of his brothers, especially fin, who used to build the most magnificent block cities, far greater than any I could ever hope to dream up. And it's these little things that keep reminding me of how little children really need...a few wooden blocks, maybe some pencils and paper and a good dose of imagination is all it takes. Oh, and a good ladder to climb on will never go astray.

i'm here

yes, I'm here, just can't seem to get around to doing this blog thing at the moment. Can't quite get my head around uploading photos, I'd rather be doing other stuff. My hands and mind are busy, busy. Making, thinking, dreaming up, looking forward, looking after and most of all, just living. Still here, just...busy.

morning snuggles

in mamma's bed. Feeling tired, after some very early mornings. Why don't these people want to sleep? Sleep is good. I like sleep. Just can't seem to get enough of it.

feeling better now

much better. I've wanted to come back here earlier, really I have. I was just lacking the energy. And enthusiasm. Man, being sick can really get you down. Being sick and having a husband that has to work every weekend for three weeks while you're sick is even worse. Came very close to hiring a nanny, I can tell you.but, we're all better now. The conjunctivitis didn't make it past jasper, miraculously, so we all have our eyesight in tact, and the sore throats are gradually dispersing. Just left with that annoying little cough that gets you when you're on the phone or trying to sleep in between night feeds (still having plenty of those. Jeez, that boy must be hungry.) Jasper also managed to sprout two new teeths in amongst it all, so that's been fun as well. Ah, the joys of parenthood. I wonder what lovely little surprise those boys will bring home from school next.

um, I just remembered that I have completely failed to mention how the balmain show went. Roaring success!! Sold nearly all my stuff, so it seems that I'll be back there again next year. Yay!!

drool catchers

what to do when you've done everything else and there's still half an hour before you have to pick up the kids? Why, applique some bibs, of course. Yes, I'm loving that orange one, all the better to hide smeared pumpkin with. It seems that some days I manage to do very little, and some days, I do a lot. It does help, of course, when someone decides to sleep for the better part of the day, leaving the mamma free to do as she pleases...I was really over the whiteness of all of jasper's clothes. I mean, really, who came up with the idea to make baby clothes in all manner of pale shades? So, now they're all blue. Oh yeah, and so is some of my stuff. I have had several attempts at dyeing over the years, but have never really had any success. I've always opted for black in the past and it's never actually turned out black, probably because I have realised after getting started that you need "fixer", and have been too lazy to go back to the shops, so have gone ahead with just the dye anyway, and ended up with a nice collection of grey clothes which I invariably never wear again. Why can't they just make it easy and sell the fixer with the dye? So, this time I had all the gear, even the rubber gloves, which are handy when dyeing. After seeing what a great colour it was ("riviera blue"), I of course started to look around to see what else I could throw in. I even considered going and buying some more white stuff, just so I could dye it. I especially love the way the stitching stays white, and also that sweet little border on the collar of the bonds suits. I always think he looks like a little prince with that collar. Well, he looks like a little prince all the time really.
not much sunshine in the last week, but this little piece arrived in the mail for me last friday, and instantly brightened my day. Oh how I love surprises in the letter box. Thanks, jodi.

hmmpff

sorry for my absence last week, I had every intention of blogging regularly when we came back from holidays, but as usual, that only lasted momentarily. It seems that my pre-pregnancy hormones have returned now that the little man is four months old, if you catch my drift, and I've been feeling pretty low the last few days. Nothing major, just a bit flat. Little things are niggling at me, things that really shouldn't, like gyroscope suddenly appearing on my husband's random playlist at 9.30 pm, when all I really would like is a little bit of nick drake. Gyroscope for christ's sake, what is he, 15 years old? I'm all for staying young at heart, but not when it involves screaming young-boy bands. Oh, I'm so gonna be in trouble for this one.

the thing about my hormones is that they usually cause me to become totally dissatisfied with my surroundings, and I generally can't rest until I've changed something. Over the past three days, I have completely rearranged our lounge room, I've moved the boys' beds back into the same room, at their request, and created a "play room" for them in what was fin's room. The whole place looked like a bomb had hit it (actually, parts of it still do). But, I feel much better, the house feels much better (and cleaner, I vacuumed as I went), and everyone's happy. Well, almost, I still have our bedroom to go...

p.s.the funny photo of jasper was taken the other day, he's wearing a very cute jacket made for him by a dear friend. As you can see, I'm having trouble finding things that will actually fit his well-rounded head!

mmm...cake

finally, after a busy weekend, farewelling some dear friends who are leaving us for sunny queensland, and having some other dear friends stay over, I had time today to take it a bit easy and spend some much needed time at home with my little companion. We even managed to do some baking, which I'm trying to get around to at least once a week now, the only problem being agreeing with said companion on what to bake. I had explicit instructions to make chocolate cake (we discussed it all the way to school and back when dropping off fin), but managed to divert his attention for long enough when we got home to go ahead and start on a carrot cake (I like to pretend that's a healthy alternative). By the time he realised what was going on, I had the carrots grated and the fun underway, and he was happy to join in with the mixing...and tasting. Not wanting to actually go out and buy the ingredients I didn't have (this was actually meant to be a carrot cake with pineapple and pecans), I decided to do a little improvising, so I thought I might share my recipe, since it turned out really good, although it appears that willow prefers raw cake mix to the cooked version. Oh well, you can't please everyone.

Carrot and Apple Cake

2 medium carrots, peeled and grated

2 apples, peeled and grated

1/3 cup vege. oil (because that's all I had)

1/2 cup melted butter (that's the part that had me most concerned about whether improvising was such a great idea)

1 tsp. vanilla

3 eggs

1 1/2 cups caster sugar (not so healthy after all)

2 cups plain flour

1 tsp. cinnamon

2 tsp. baking powder

Combine oil, cooled butter, eggs, vanilla, carrot, apple and sugar in a large bowl. Sift in flour, cinnamon and baking powder. Stir until combined.

Pour mixture into prepared pan, ( I used a 15 x 27 cm loaf pan, which was perfect, but of course, being the naturally gifted cook that I am, I knew it would be), bake at 175 degrees c for about an hour. When cool, spread with cream cheese frosting. For this I used about 100g cream cheese, 1 cup icing sugar, the zest of half a lemon and a squeeze of lemon juice. Enjoy!

rest time

I've decided, now that I am 30 weeks pregnant, not to open the shop on wednesdays anymore. I feel that this is a good enough reason, as I am becoming oh so tired now, even just walking seems like an effort! The other main reason for this break is to spend some more time with this little guy, before he goes off and leaves me for big school next year.He is so torn between being a big boy and my baby at the moment. We've had lots of tears at pre-school drop-off time, some of which resulted in mamma tears at pre school last week. There's nothing like having a good cry in front of a whole bunch of strangers. Luckily, we go to a very warm and friendly pre-school, where the kids are all treated like one big family, and the teacher made me a cup of tea and looked after me. Still, I think I freaked the kids out a bit! It's funny how some people look at me like, "why are you working so hard, you're pregnant, remember?", and then others are completely oblivious to it, like the ones that come into my shop and say "I'll bring in my pants for you to fix". None of this "do you do alterations?" I guess that's what you get for having a sewing machine set up in your shop, people just assume that you're there to fix things. I used to be really weak, and couldn't say no to people, and as a result ended up doing some really annoying mending jobs, which nearly killed my machine. These days, I don't find it so hard to say no. It also helps having the phone number of local lady who does do alterations!