new pants!

finally, a shop update. Not much, just a few pairs of cotton pants, sizes 2-6. Groovy, comfy and oh-so-easy, just the way we like it around here. Check them out, more coming soon.

back in 5, over at instagram

it would be fair to say that I'm a little slow on the uptake with most things. I tend to resist new things, dismissing them as unnecessary, burying my head in the sand whilst quietly wondering what all the fuss is about. I never wanted a mobile phone, why would I need one when I had a perfectly good phone at home, people could just call me there. Of course, the day fin started school I went out and bought one, because the thought of them not being able to contact me the minute something happened to him was unbearable.
when people started talking about iphones I didn't have the slightest interest in being able to take photos and check my emails on a phone. I had a perfectly good camera and computer for that. But then after a while I discovered instagram, with it's gorgeous vintage effects, and I thought now that's something I could really get into. So, a second-hand iphone was procured from a friend who upgrades regularly, for the exact price of one skateboard, and what can I say, the rest is history.
the thing I like is that it's becoming a kind of journal of our days. I like how it's instant; take the photo, write a comment and bang, it's done, unlike blogging which seems to take a lot of effort. And maybe that's all I need at this point in time, something I don't have to think too much about, because goodness knows, there's so much else to think about. I'll still hang around here too from time to time, but if anyone's looking, I'm over there.

a nicer way to start the day

the days are hot and long, with the kids on holidays and no place we need to be but home. We have everything we need right here and there are enough of us that we don't really crave extra company, but after about week or so of not really doing anything,  there is a need to do something different. I suppose you could say I'm a creature of habit...my morning routine is: get up, put on the kettle, brush my teeth, make the tea, put on a load of washing, drink the tea, make the beds, have some cereal with my little friends, peg out the washing, oh, I could go another cup of tea and maybe some toast...what shall we do today? Oh right, It's nearly lunchtime.
but this morning, after putting on the washing, I thought "how about something different today?". I took jodi's cue and decided to hit the beach at 8am...ambitious, I know, with four kids, but we were out the door by 8.30, swimming ten minutes later and back home at 10. It's the perfect time of day, before the crowds arrive and before it gets too hot. I used to do that all the time when I was a kid, there is something so refreshing about starting the day with a swim in the ocean. We are so lucky to live so close.
with this new year there come some new resolutions. I'm not really a new year's resolution type of person, but this year feels a little different. I have heard so many people say that 2013 wasn't a good year for them, and I have to admit, I was pretty happy to see the end of it. It was year of so much uncertainty and anguish for me, some of which still lingers, but I can feel it slipping away. This year I turn 40, and that to me seems like a bit of a turning point. Time to start looking after myself a little better. We live a fairly simple and healthy lifestyle already, but there is always room for improvement. Drink more water, eat less sugar and stretch! I don't want wake up when I'm 60 and think "hey, I wish I'd been doing more exercise all those years".
it seems like a good time to break some old habits.

good tidings

merry happy christmas sweet friends!

by hand

I was just about to whiz around the edge of this doily on the sewing machine yesterday, when it suddenly occurred to me that what it really needed was to be hand stitched. I needed to sit down and quietly stitch this little piece of lace onto some grey flannel for a cushion for my new chair. My new wingback chair that was waiting for me at the op shop for $20, which wasn't on ebay or gumtree two weeks ago when I searched for it and while I was still painting the floor. 

I'm learning that things usually happen when they are meant to and you can't push them. Sometimes floors need to be painted and let dry before chairs can be found and sometimes little stitches need to be made by hand and not by machines. 

my sewing room became a storage facility over the past couple of years, but it's gradually turning into a cosy crafty place once again and now that daisy is officially a toddler, I'm almost ready to start sewing. It's been a long while.

fresh start

I've been toying with the idea of letting go of this blog for a while now...I was averaging one post a month earlier this year and it's been even longer than that this time round. It's all just a bit of a mess; documentation of a crazy, confusing year. When things get messy and mixed up I can't stand to look at them and they inevitably fall by the wayside.
But things are changing. We're back in our old home again, where we need to be, and it's good. It's good because everyone can do what they need to do easily and thus we are all much happier. I'm learning to let go of idealistic dreams that don't really fit into our lives right now, and just be.
It's a great time of year for a fresh start, the sun is shining and the air is so fresh. The sea is so close I can hear the waves and all of my children are happy. I don't think I could ask for much else.



the tub-tub

the nights and mornings are still chilly here, with the odd frost still hanging around, so bathtime has become an early afternoon activity. She loves great-great grandma's tub, smiles and squeals at the sight of it. All the kids have bathed in here at some stage, it's one thing I'm so grateful to have inherited.
Enjoying sweet spring days now, hope they hang around.

still on the rollercoaster

after tossing it around and around and around for the past few months, we could no longer take the uncertainty, and have gone back to the farm. The allure of the quiet life, the little school and the wide open spaces was just too much for me. I'm not good in the suburbs.
It's been a rocky start, as it was last time, but I know this place will always test us. Cars tend to break down (and literally fall to bits) when you continually drive them over dirt roads. There are still no taps in the kitchen, but at least it's not too far to the tank now that we have the old French doors leading straight there. The gas hot water unit stopped working so it was outside baths for week, but that's fixed now too. It was lovely having a bath outside under the stars though. Every cloud has a silver lining, I must keep reminding myself. I have many moments of distress, of "what the hell am I doing?"and then I look out the window and realise how lucky I am.
I'm feeling inspired, the veggie garden is undergoing a makeover, and things will be growing there soon. The chooks and alpacas and even the odd wallaby are providing daisy with constant entertainment. Our days are slow but full, and beauty is everywhere.

mum to the power of four

I think I might have the best job in the world.

happy mothers day!

the birthdays of march

it seems that march has become a hectic time in this house, we celebrated willow's 10th birthday last week and yesterday little daisy turned one! It's funny how alike these two are in personality and looks, and with birthdays only eight days apart. They share the same relaxed disposition as well as the blonde hair and blue eyes. It's almost as if we have two sets of twins only they were all born years apart. Weird.
happy birthday sweet little people.

oh, hello autumn

we got off to a rocky start with three days of torrential rain, but today is total autumn perfection. Blue skies, sunshine and a sweet little breeze. It always amazes me how the autumn rain comes and washes the summer away. Everything feels clean and fresh and I can breathe again.
It's been a long absence once again, I'm so bad at keeping up with things. But this little thing is something I think I will always come back to, time and again. Our life is full and also a bit confusing at the moment. We're back in the burbs, and whilst that in itself is ok, aspects of it clearly are not. We came back for high school. Yes, high school. The big unknown. I wanted to make sure the biggest boy settled in without the added pressure of extra travel. And it turns out that high school is great, no problems there whatsoever. He's totally cool with it. The others are back at the big (primary) school, and adjusting to that is not going so smoothly, for them or for me. There are so many things that a school of nearly 900 cannot offer...it's not their fault, just the way it is. We miss the little school desperately, not to mention the open space and animals.
So, we will take it one day at a time and see where we end up. In the meantime, my little friend and I are enjoying slow, quiet days together whilst the others go about their business.

this could end badly

so, it's been at least three years since I've updated the appearance of this blog (probably longer, actually), and I'm thinking it's about time I did some work on it. Just becasue I'd like a fresh start, it being a new year and all. The truth of the matter is, my computer skills are pretty rusty, I do a lot of internet browsing and not much else. Thank goodness for google, I say, in helping me navigate through problems such as how to download new fonts and actually be able to use them, how to get around blogger glitches like not being able to upload photos (switch to html, in case you're wondering too), and lots of other little things that I would never be able to work out on my own. So, with only a small amount of trepidation, I will try to make a few changes here, and hopefully come up with something new and good. Or, it could all just disappear, in which case I will probably throw the computer out the window and end up with a different kind of "fresh start".

a christmassy, new yearish kind of birthday

 still getting over christmas, barely noticed the arrival of the new year and hey, now the littlest boy is five. There weren't many birthday requests, much like last year it was turning a new number that was most exciting. Apple juice, brocolli, some lollies and a chocolate cake with a love heart would be nice too.
I'm just so happy that I'm finally five, he told me this morning. So am I, little man, so am I. Just in time for big school, where all of your questions will be answered and all of your energy put to good use. There's no denying that 4.5 to 5 is the most trying time of all, so much going on in that little head.
The happy birthday bunting that's been on my to-do list for a few years now finally happened, so I can cross that one off. Just need to make everyone else's names when their birthdays come round, because you know, they need birthday bunting.  I'm sure they'll thank me for all this one day, when I'm hanging bunting at their 21st birthday parties. I think I'd better make the most of it now, while I can.

surfing with children

it's ridiculous how much is going on in our lives right now...the end of year is always a trying time as kids become tired and christmas approaches, but this year is extra crazy. We are sending one boy off to high school next year, another one starts primary school, and throw in a year fiver and a baby as well and you have one big busy family. And one very emotional mama. Lots of changes going on around me, I feel like we're on a giant wave being pushed along, and there's no getting off. You just have to go with it and try to keep your head above water. And try not to panic.
The pre-teen is handling the whole thing with so much maturity (more than me, I have to admit). He did us proud at presentation night, taking out the academic achievement...a lovely way to finish off primary school. He blitzed it in maths, willow took home the poetry award. Chalk and cheese. And now we begin the whole cycle again, with jasper just starting. We'll be riding this wave for many years yet.

twenty four weeks

 it's been six months since we brought this tiny wee babe home. Yes, really. And she's not quite the tiny wee babe anymore. Not so snoozy now, awake more and more and calling mama more often. Watching all that goes on around her (and that's a lot), biding her time till she can join in the fun. Gooing and gaaing and trying to roll (not quite all the way over yet) and straining to sit up and see what's going on.

(jasper's vintage) bassinette served her well, it was just so cosy in there for the winter. But when little hands started banging on the sides I had to concede that it was time to move into the cot, still next to mama though. I really can't imagine throwing her in with the boys just yet.

Six months, and now we're onto food. It's bittersweet, knowing she needs more than just me now. Exciting too though, as we all crowd round her and watch her little face as she tries the new stuff. You'd think that after four kids the novelty would have worn off, but it hasn't. Every little thing is still just as fun, just as special as it was with the first. Maybe it's knowing that this is the last that makes it all the more so.

golden

the black wattles that are so abundant around here are out in full bloom, showing off for a brief but glorious little stint as they do each august. It's true they are considered weeds, but they are lovely nonetheless, and the bees are going nutty over them. Besides, I'll take whatever I can get when it comes to flowers. Not to mention welcome shade in the coming summer months.

and the view from my bedroom window isn't too bad either.

winter, be gone now

please. You've wowed us with your frosty frosts that numbed our fingers and toes. Our second time round, and we are still impressed.We have stayed so warm in this little shack of ours, but still there have been too many cold baby fingers and little boy coughs.
 now the august wind, it makes my ears hurt and my head ache. The august wind is no friend of mine, never has been. It's all blowy dust and static electricity and dry skin. I need to stay indoors at this time of year, or else I become unbearable. The dreaded lurgy is upon me, runny nose and stinging throat. Feels like razor blades when I have to talk, which is a problem when there are so many that need talking to. Thankfully, the weekend brought precious gifts of honey from a neighbour with bees and lemons from another neighbour with trees. So fresh and so good. Just what I needed.
so, winter, you can be on your way now, I'm sure you are needed elsewhere. I want to see blossoms on bare branches and free baby toes. And a little splash in the ocean wouldn't be so bad either.

the omg cake

ok, so a food photographer I am not, but every now and then I manage to make something that justifies my many years spent toiling in the domestic science industry. Now, the likes of nigella and jamie have been trying to tell me for a long time now that baking cakes is indeed a science, the ingredients needing to be carefully measured and baked for a specified time in order for it all to work. But I'm here to tell you they are wrong. I have proven (to myself and my family at least) that it is indeed possible to take directions from several different recipes, mix them all up, alter the quantities to suit what you have on hand and also add whatever else might take your fancy, bake the concoction in your very old and very slow (but oh so good) caravan gas oven, and come up with a cake that not only defies the odds, but is absolutely delicious. I served it to the boys when they returned home from school.  "Aww mum" they said, "this is awesome". I served it to the mister in the sunshine on the front verandah for morning tea, "oh my god" he said, "this is amazing". I baked another one just to be sure. It rocks.
My totally awesome almond and berry cake.
175g softened unsalted butter
2/3 cup raw caster sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 free range eggs (straight from the chook if you have them)
3/4 cup whole almond meal (I buy the stuff with the skin still on, makes for a nuttier cake)
3/4 cup self raising flour
about 1 tblsp. milk
a good handful of frozen mixed berries, a handy thing I have found to keep in the freezer although most of them go straight in my kids mouths before I have a chance to cook with them.
a handful of chopped almonds
ok, you know the drill, this isn't rocket science (although nigella and jamie might argue the point). Cream the butter and sugar (living with solar power has meant that I have become an old school hand mixer of late, this may have some effect on the cake texture), add vanilla and eggs, mix well. Stir in the almond meal and flour, add milk, mix well. Add the berries, pour into greased and floured tin, sprinkle with the chopped almonds and bake until your particular oven decides it's had enough. Enjoy!

knitting outside the scarf

 for many years now, I have dreamed of knitting something other than a scarf...I have even gone so far as to purchase large quantities of wool with the intention of turning them into articles of clothing (for myself), but that is one dream that has never actually come to fruition. The thing is, knitting patterns elude me. I start reading them and my eyes glaze over and my head becomes all fuzzy, much the same as when my sweet husband is trying to explain our very confusing solar power set-up to me. I like to work things out as I go along, a habit which sometimes gets me into trouble, like when I'm halfway through a recipe and realise I'm missing a key ingredient.

so, I decided to have a little go at knitting something for daisy. There were two main reasons for this: one being the cuteness factor of a baby girl in a hand knitted cardigan and the second being that she desperately needed something that wasn't pink. What is it with the pink? I guess with three older brothers, people weren't really going to buy her something blue now, were they. Anyway, she now has a little red woollen cardigan, which was already too small for her before it came off the needles. Can you see that chubby tummy hanging out? It's an uncomplicated cardi (small steps here) but a cardi nonetheless, all knit in one piece and stitched up the sides. I loosely used this pattern, although somehow it turned out much smaller. It might have something to do with my tight knitting and my inability to count rows. Maybe.
So, even though this miniature cardi looks very cute and she does her best to look comfortable in it, there is another one on the go, this time in brown. Because, you know, pink looks good with brown.

kids as far as the eye can see

you would be forgiven for thinking I have fallen off the blogging wagon here...no words in three months. The reason is plain to see. I have kids, four of them. I'd like to be able to add a nice family portrait in which everyone is smiling and looking peachy, but I thought I'd keep it real. Getting four children in one spot at the same time, getting them all to look at the camera and then asking them to smile is virtually impossible. As is getting out the door in the morning with everything we need, getting through dinner without at least one drink being knocked over or one or three children deciding they don't like what's on their plates, and basically getting through the day without some kind of minor (or major) mishap occurring to each of them. Fair enough, daisy's not really in on the action just yet, but having her here has certainly added to the circus that is our life.

having four kids is awesome, we love it. We never intended to have this many, but we just couldn't resist it. They're so cute. And funny. We have permanent live entertainment. There's just no "off" button, and no volume switch either. And sometimes the performers forget which part they are playing and everything goes a little pear shaped. Mostly though, it's good times in this little shack of ours. Noisy, messy and tiring, but so much fun.