Changing rooms

I had a little shift around yesterday. Imogen & i have shared the front room as baby/ sewing room for around 1 year, but the other night I had a wee apifphinie, that Anya could have the front room (still my sewing 'corner') Which would allow me to sew more while Ginny is asleep, and sew in the evenings...bonus. Fleur and Ginny are now sharing which is great as Anya is getting to the age where she needs her own space (seriously limited in our little house!)  Ginny & Fleur love each other to bits & the fighting between Anya & Fleur will 'hopefully' minimize now that they actually have time 'out' from each other!

I had lots of fun setting up Anya's wee space, a great opportunity to have another clean out (it never ceases to amaze me how many paper 'creations' come from their room!) 

I was going to get her a lamp for her dresser & this morning spotted this cutie at the Salvo's, it had no shade, but I re-covered one from another lamp with this seer sucker fabric.....now to clean up the mess on my side!

Feeling Blue

The School Hols seem to be zapping by at light speed. Good as I'm looking forward to returning to 'some kind of normal', not so good as I feel I haven't 'done' a lot of 'things' with the kids...get my drift?

We were very fortunate, however, to spend some time with my one of my faves and hang out for the day in Pohangina valley. There is a blueberry farm not too far from our place, and the kids and I had a total blast picking blueberries, Alex managed to fit 32 in his mouth at once...later complaining of a sore tummy!!! ( he rather fancied the sour ones!) My beautiful friend Tink, who came a picking with us (Twas her idea, bless her!) has just started her own blog 'milkface' So please pop over and say hello, she has a beautifully honest way of writing and I always enjoy reading what she has to say.

I was extremely lucky to go to her Mama's & snap some pics of her totally amazing house, it truly was like something Bilbo Baggins could live in. I had a very healing day breathing in the fresh country air, sharing delicious whole foods and sharing the company of like minded souls.

Here are some pics of their amazing whare......

And now to (finally) acknowledge the 'new year'

Like many of you amazing bloggers, I have attempted to set some 'new year' goals as opposed to resolutions.

Things that have been in the back of my mind for some time, and perhaps need the 'new year' excuse to be kicked into action?!

1: Sit my full license (I've had my restricted for 11 years would you believe?)

2: Start piano lessons (two of our children have been blessed with the opportunity to take music lessons, only to grow prematurely tired of them. I have ALWAYS wanted to be able to learn the piano, so I have decided to take it upon myself that I shall ignore the feelings of being selfish, & grasp this opportunity as an adult, with the passion I had 20 years ago, and dive on in....watch this space)

3: Go back to work....! Yes working, and NO not that full time work that some Mother's do, along with juggling everything else (I am not one of those!) But prior to having Ginny, I did part time work massaging some of the local IHC. I loved this...have missed it so much, and now that Gunny is not quite so demanding on the breast, I feel like the time is right to return.

4: Make my vege garden the mecca of green goodness! Yep my garden has suffered some neglect over the past 18 or so months, 2012 is going to be an opportunity to learn more self sufficient techniques, eat A LOT more from our garden/ local produce etc, all in the face of the current 'food bill bullocks'!

So....any good blueberry recipe's?

Chrissy Crafting part:2

I'm loving Fleur's style at the moment...head band over hat! hehe

The kids almost always spend some time time during December making Christmas goodies. Something I think they possibly thought every one did up until a few days ago when we had a visitor who joined in making bickies & informed us she had never done anything like this before. We have loads of fun doing all sorts of madness, and as much as I'd hate to admit it, there are times when my stress levels are at a 10 & I question my sanity?!

Most of us craft Mums are all trying install in our children the love of giving, making, creating, thought fullness & kindness. Not always easy when they're bombarded with commercial nonsense & as they get older the horrid peer pressure. It's interesting listening to what others hold as values regarding the festive season, my lovely had an interesting discussion with some friends & family today, one brother had mentioned that they had a limit of $1000 for their Children's pressies (3 kids) & they had gone over that! Is this just me or does that sound mental?? Another said 'that's what Christmas should be about...your kids getting heaps of presents!' Ged piped up ( not a regular occurrence for him to do so) & said 'hang on, that's not what Christmas is about & it's not what Christmas should be about'. Don't get me wrong here, I don't want to sound like a moaning old hag, & I love to see my kids faces light up with delight on Christmas morning, but I also love to see their faces light up when they share gifts of love to each other, home made or what ever. I'm not a particularly 'Christian' person, but I do believe in goodness, weather you're celebrating the birth of Jesus or the Solstice this week, I wish good health, good food, good memories & plenty of jolly good times (hopefully involving some grooving to the beats!)

Blessed be

xox 

Honey Soy Nuts.

1 Cup each unsalted cashews, natural almonds & pecans

1/3 Cup pumpkin seeds & sun flower seeds

1 Tbsp sesame seeds & nigella seeds (black cumin)

1 tsp chopped rosemary

1 tsp cayenne pepper

1 tsp ground black pepper

1/4 honey

2 Tbsp sun flower oil

1 Tbsp soy sauce 

Pre-heat oven to 180 C. Line a roasting pan with baking paper. Mix seeds, herbs & spices in a large bowl. Place honey, soy & oil in a pan and melt over a low heat. Once melted pour over seeds, mix to cover & place in a flat layer in you roasting pan. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until seeds are golden brown, stirring occasionally. Allow to cool completely, stirring occasionally again to prevent clumping. Bag up or be a piggy & eat them all yourself...nom nom

Wedding bells

My baby sister was married in the weekend, I had the lovely honor of being her bridesmaid (that's moi on the right) Twas a beautiful day with fantastic weather, a miracle considering the week we had had! The sun Gods sure shone for her garden ceremony amongst the roses.

Two very proud little flower girls were Anya & Fleur..xx

Hope your weekend was just as lovely.

xxxx 

Up -cycling

A few months ago I bought a GAP merino turtle neck jumper from the oppy for $3.50. I'm not a turtle neck girl but the colour & quality were too good to pass up so I thought I'd whip up something for Anya. Initially I just intended to shorten the sleeves & cut the neck off, as well as turning it into a cardy, however the more I played around the more I realised I could be a bit more creative. We both loved the buttons on the cuffs so I cut the sleeves & re-attached the cuffs making it a 3/4 length. I used strips cut from the neck to bind the new neck & attached satin ribbon instead of heaps of button down the front, which I reckon gives it a more feminine/ vintage feel.

Yes I'm a little bit chuffed with myself! Ha.........

Now for that over flowing bottom shelf in my sewing room of 'other' potential up-cycle buys!!!

How's your weekend going?

Cooking & Baking.....

Lemon Tart

My new favourite food

Roast vege salad

A staple for sure

Owwww...

Thrifty finds here

A wool granny square blanket

perfect size for Imogen's pram

Yep....the smurfs!

This little beauty is a cot quilt with the foldy flap things
$2.50...cha ching

CAKE...cake...& more cake
August is a Birthday time for us

There are 7 Family Birthdays!

My Mum & I share the same day

This year I turn 30 & she turns 50

My Anya has just turned 8

hence the rainbow cake...

lots of fun to make

stuck together with white choc ganache

I ate way too much

so much I got a tummy ache

so much I had bright green diarrhea

I'm not kidding

& on that note

I will say

have a great week

xox