Pearl Schell

The Weekend

2012-02-06T13:37:00.002+08:00

[cafe window heart]

[river realestate]

Oh my we had fun!!

It was great to stay with a friend who is in her own place again, have breakfast at a cafe with a heart shaped smudge on the window mullion, walk to the river gawking at insanely expensive real estate, celebrate one of us architecture graduates being in their own architecturally designed pad and be surprised on the way home with an iPad :) which I am writing this post on sitting on the front porch. It was also nice having the time for an extended chat with the Mr on the drive home. I love him.

The Mr is ready for another baby and now I am ready (iPad in hand) to carry that baby. I remember the first trimester and just not wanting to do anything but sit on the couch. Now I'll be able to sit outside and watch Charlie play while I keep up with my favorite blogs and Internet fun. I still love my MacBook but its no so portable anymore (it needs a new battery so has to be plugged in and it's also plugged in to an external harddrive for photo storage).

Just so many good things this weekend. I hope yours was good too.

Mx

Evolution of hair

2012-01-29T23:53:00.000+08:00

Charlie has been sporting some pretty funny hair ever since he was born. He used to have a mullet that would 'rats tail' when we dipped it in the pool the right way.

And it has been going dark in the back for quite some time now...

It looks like he has rubbed the hair out between the two dark patches, but the hair there is just really blonde like it is in the front. Anybody have this happen with their kids?

Maybe he was a hare krishna in a past life :)

Mx

Ribbon Bombed

2012-01-25T23:21:00.000+08:00

Noticed our front fence has a sweet new detail. A post with a neckerchief...

Stormy Skies

2012-01-23T06:20:00.004+08:00

Now that the record breaking harvest is in, I can pray to the weather gods and ask for more of this! I love a good summer storm (and winter ones to be honest). So exciting, and such beautiful, dramatic skies.

More please!!

Mx

Rag Rug

2012-01-22T22:09:00.007+08:00

Jodie over at Ric Rac is making a rag rug and I am too. Well so far I'm making rag strips. I might just be the last person to finish their rug in this rug-a-long, but I've made a start.

I'm going with a 1.5 inch width for my strips and we'll see how that goes.

I like the neatness of the rugs Emily makes, so I'll be aiming in that direction (something my husband can live with). Here is a lovely example of her work.

[source: recyclingartistemily]

I hope I can be that neat!

Mx

2011 looking back

2012-01-20T07:26:00.000+08:00

I know everyone else has already reflected and are forging on into 2012. I'm much more punctual than this in real life.

in 2011 I...

:: moved house twice
:: realized my dream of living in the country
:: made new friends
:: wore my jeans rolled up in one big cuff
:: had a fringe
:: met the ex missus
:: joined the CWA
:: ran for local council
:: gave up on having a clear blog reader
:: became more domesticated and slightly more organised.

I look forward to being able to repeat the last dot point again at the end of this year. It's my perpetual resolution.

Mx

Oatstraw Tea

2012-01-19T05:30:00.000+08:00

A refreshing (and healthy) summer drink I'm enjoying at the moment is something my Mum came up with. It sounds strange, but stay with me... iced oatstraw tea with honey and apple cider vinegar, .

The first time Mum gave it to me I thought it was a soft drink, it had that kind of tang. I really loved it. I brew the oat straw overnight like the Wise Woman says to do, making a nourishing herbal infusion and then add a couple of tablespoons of Wescobee apple cider vinegar with honey to my cup.

I've tried making a jugful too instead of adding the vinegar cup by cup. I didn't have any of the vinegar with honey so I used straight acv and raw local honey.

Here is the recipe for a jugful:

1 Litre Oatstraw nourishing infusion
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup honey

by the cup:

1 glass of oat straw tea
2 - 4 Tbs of Wescobee apple cider vinegar with honey (depending on the size of your glass)

You will probably want to adjust the amount of vinegar to your taste, I like it pretty strong, and with plenty of ice.

Mx

Babewatch

2012-01-18T05:30:00.000+08:00

I thought Charlie looked very "Hoff" in his red speedos at the beach last week. We made a special trip to the coast to make sure Charlie spends some time at the beach every summer.

Mx

Sourdough

2012-01-16T17:32:00.000+08:00

Well blow me down, I've finally baked a decent sourdough. I was desperate for it to work this time, I've already been back to Yoke twice for more starter, and did not fancy going back a third time as a failure.

I've only been meaning to get around to this since I was pregnant in 2010! I'm counting on the fact that I should only get better now with practice. I would definitely recommend a class if you'd like to make sourdough too.

Mx

Sashiko

2012-01-14T06:45:00.002+08:00

I bought a sashiko panel at the Perth Craft Fair and made it into a cushion for my bestie for Christmas.

She loves orange, so the buttons are a little pop of colour that I knew she'd like. This was my first button back cushion and I used this video to help.

I really enjoyed doing it and have plans more. It's a really handy project to have on the go.

Mx

Leaf Heart

2012-01-12T08:52:00.000+08:00

I still like to photograph hearts whenever I find them. Charlie has a birthmark heart on his calf that I'm yet to photograph well.

Mx

December

2012-01-01T11:02:00.000+08:00

my Project 365 in reality turned out to be a Project 144, nowhere near a photo a day or even a photo every second day, but I'm still calling it a success. I have more photos than I would otherwise and I really like the photo journal thing where I've got one photo to describe the day.

Anyway, December was...

:: blink and you'll miss it quick
:: end of year lunches and dinners
:: less trips than we planned
:: a family bout with gastro
:: Zooper Doopers
:: the quietest Christmas ever

Mx

Lets finish the year with something crafty!

2011-12-31T11:13:00.004+08:00

I do get a little bit of crafting done around here.

A little quilt for a friend's new(ish) baby.

And of course you put a quilt down to photograph and you end up with little helpers, of the skin... and fur variety.

We're looking forward to staying in tonight for New Years, with a little bit of reflection and maybe a bit of resolution making. Whatever you are doing tonight, have a good time, and all the best for the new year!

Gastro: The Grinch Who Stole Christmas

2011-12-23T21:01:00.000+08:00

(photos of Charlie at our CWA Christmas lunch last month, he looks kinda Grinch-ie don't you think?)

The fun times have continued at our house with the Mr succumbing violently enough to put him in hospital and on to an IV drip. Suffice it to say, not well enough to travel, and really, we think this is the kind of Christmas present we should keep to ourselves.

So we're having a quarantined kind of Christmas, hoping Charlie wont notice there'll only be one gift under the tree (and that isn't even from us!). My last minute gift shopping on Christmas Eve is not going to happen.

The fridge and cupboards were already eaten down, so I've put a late order in with the butcher and I'll get some supplies tomorrow, we might want to eat by Sunday!

We'll miss seeing everyone, but it will be nice to have a little Christmas at home too, remembering what's really important is that the three of us are together.

Merry Christmas,
Mx

Tis The Season

2011-12-21T18:28:00.001+08:00

Fig season that is!!

We came home from Perth on the Weekend to the first figs and I couldn't be happier. Except of course if I wasn't still laid up in bed since Tuesday morning feeling woeful.

eat it from the bottom Charlie

I experienced my first child spew at half past one on Monday night (as opposed to a baby milk spew). Charlie spewed all over me and all over the bed, then rolled in it. So we both needed baths and the Mr had to change the sheets. Fun times. He seems to be fine now, but not I.

At least I can console myself with figs... once I feel like eating.

Mx

Mango Smoothie

2011-12-14T14:41:00.000+08:00

I made this for breakfast this morning and it was good. I wrote it down and I'm posting it here so I don't lose it (and one of you might like to try it!). Oh, and it's a good breakfast if you have a broken tooth. Dentist tomorrow.

1 banana
2 frozen mango cheeks
2 cups almond milk
1 Tbs dark agave syrup
1 Tbs bee pollen
1 tsp vitamin C powder
Wizz in the blender and enjoy.

And here is how I make the nut milk...

1 cup soaked nuts (or seeds)
4 cups filtered rain water
1/4 tsp vanilla
pinch of salt
Adding only half the water, wizz everything together in the blender. Strain through a nut milk bag and add the other two cups of water. Keeps for a few days in the fridge.

The Weekend

2011-12-12T09:00:00.000+08:00

Was lovely and low key. We stayed in except for a little birthday celebration and a quick dip in the town pool.

Mx

Lights

2011-12-09T22:06:00.000+08:00

They might be my favourite part of Christmas.

I put some lights on our tree the other night, and it made me happy.

You can see the tree is up on a side table to keep it out of Charlie's reach a little. The lower limbs have been de-baubled but I think it's fairing pretty well.

Mx

The Weekend

2011-12-04T23:24:00.000+08:00

We drove over to the Nungarin markets on Sunday morning, and the Mr patiently stopped for me along the way so I could take a few photos.

And we played tennis in the afternoon. Charlie had his first real experience of sunscreen.

I have avoided sunscreen so far, worrying about the chemicals, but today the sun had a real sting to it, and I don't know where I've put the 'organic' sunscreen.

I hope you had a lovely weekend, mine was particularly good.

Mx

November

2011-12-03T15:07:00.000+08:00

little bits and pieces of November

:: the unexpected return of Aunt Flow
:: Back to The Bush Veterans
:: back to back trips to Perth
:: Kings of Leon
:: first few hot days of summer
:: mostly mild days
:: our first family Christmas tree
:: a leather anniversary

The prettiest hen house in Perth

2011-11-24T22:27:00.000+08:00

I've been wanting to post photos of our friend's chook yard, look at it! Even without chooks I had massive hen house envy the first time I saw it.

While I snapped away at the chook house Charlie enjoyed their swing, hung from a huge old olive tree also in the back yard.

Weekdays

2011-11-16T20:36:00.003+08:00

I was in Perth last week during the week for the first time since we left. It was great to have the extra days to relax whilst there. Did a spot of cloud watching with Dad.

I even had time for a bit of this!

We had lunch in Freo and Charlie fit in perfectly, look at him with no shoes on! It's ok, big Charlie bought him his first pair of sandals across the road at Target.

We'll be back again this weekend for Kings Of Leon!

Mx

The Weather

2011-11-11T07:31:00.000+08:00

has been changeable around here. Unfortunately we went from this

to this...

in the space of a day last week.

The crops were looking so great around here and rain is not something the farmers want now that the crops have hardened off.

Fingers crossed that it will still be a good year.

Mx

October

2011-11-06T10:07:00.001+08:00

little bits and pieces of October

:: very happy, very exciting, unexpected news of a friend's (and family) baby due next year
:: a 35th birthday (mine)

:: lots of door knocking

:: election day

:: mulberries
:: unfinished knitted and crocheted baby booties

:: learning all about first aid

:: the local show

Polyvore

2011-11-03T07:00:00.001+08:00

We're having our first hot days and the shorts have been cracked out.

The Mr said he liked my look* the other night so I thought I'd hop on Polyvore and have a go at recreating it. I've been aware of Polyvore for a long time but seriously do not need another distraction on the internet. However, I am in love with Pinterest and often see a Polyvore 'set' that I like, so I've given in to temptation.

This is my first attempt and after only one go I can say it is pretty fun, I can see myself spending a bit of time on there. I'll have to see if they've got an app for the Iphone so I can create outfits while I breastfeed the wee man to sleep. You know, cause I like to multitask, and you need two hands for Bejeweled Blitz.

Mx

* I wasn't actually wearing shoes or earings or sunglasses but it would have been a pretty bare set without them, and if I didn't buy ten dollar sunglasses from the Red Cross I would totally get those Ray Bans.

Agricultural Show

2011-11-01T15:10:00.000+08:00

CHOGM and the long weekend are both over.

I went to my first country show. Had the lightest fluffiest donuts. yum. Won a first and a second in the photography section, and watched Theo Kalogeracos make pizza dough.

Friends from Perth with a little boy 5 days older than Charlie came too, so we had another fantastic weekend. And on the boys suggestion we watched Bridesmaids, I haven't laughed so hard at a movie for a long time.

Mx

Senior First Aid

2011-10-23T21:07:00.000+08:00

I finally did it! And I'm so glad I did. I did not know that the aim of CPR was to keep oxygen in the blood and then through compressions keep that blood moving through the body supplying oxygen to the brain and other vital organs. I thought (probably from seeing it too many times on TV) that you were trying to restart the heart. Not so young grasshopper. You are just life support until medical aid arrives.

If you haven't got your Senior First Aid yet I encourage you to do it, you'll feel so much better... more prepared.

Mx

Big Weekend

2011-10-20T21:20:00.000+08:00

My Lordy! So I turned 35 on Saturday, and spent the day down the shire hall at the polling place for the local government elections. We've been in town less than 4 months but I love it here so much I nominated for council. The length of time we've been here probably had something to do with not getting elected, but I'm feeling the love from the amount of votes I did get, so I shan't be deterred!

Fantastic friends arrived Saturday afternoon and came with us upstairs to the bar while the votes were counted. I knew there would be nothing open afterwards for dinner so we walked home and had toasted cheese sandwhiches, perfect meal at the end of a long day!

We had a birthday BBQ on Sunday, and I'd really like to know how to host and relax at the same time! It was great to have my parents come and my sister and SIL. But when it's your party and everybody there is someone you want to talk to, how do you manage that?? Plus make sure everyone is fed and has a drink? I need training! Luckily my Aunt knows that is not my strong suit and took charge :)

I didn't even take any photos over the weekend, so photos of Charlie at the playground this afternoon will have to do...

Mx

Mulberry Crumble Cake

2011-10-14T07:45:00.001+08:00

The Mr liked this one, so I'm posting it here so I can find the recipe again. Maybe today I'll make a pie to use the rest of the mulberries. I need a good pastry recipe. And then I need to make it and make it so I get better at it.

Mx

oh, and here are the links to the other recipes I found but haven't tried yet...
mulberry pie
david and dawn's mulberry pie
Allrecipes.com mulberry pie

The Weekend

2011-10-10T15:54:00.000+08:00

Fantastic is my word of the moment, and that is how I would describe our weekend, starting with a fantastic Friday.

Charlie likes to pull mandarins off the tree and eat them skin and all, a messy affair, so I took his shirt off. Then he walked across the road to see what our neighbour was doing in her front garden. Here he is looking like a mini tradey pushing her wheelbarrow around.

My Mum and neices arrived at lunch and the Mr had a friend come and stay for the weekend too. I love having visitors! We spotted a Mulberry tree in a vacant lot when we walked to the shops. The little ones wanted to raid it then and there, we convinced them it would be better if we had our old clothes on.

Saturday night was a bit of an experiment. We went out to a BBQ poker night and left Charlie at home with Grandma. Last time we had him babysat (not by Grandma) we got an hour before we got the phone call, this time four, but we didn't run home. Grandma was still up with him when we got home after midnight. The wee man was happy enough, but certainly not going to sleep.

And on Sunday we put on our old clothes and went Mulberry picking!

Mx

September

2011-10-05T06:00:00.002+08:00

bits and pieces

:: a first birthday celebrated

:: weekends at home!!

:: weeding and planting

:: our first snake in the house; a baby one

:: door knocking

The Weekend

2011-10-03T20:53:00.000+08:00

This weekend I enjoyed more scones, this time at the Anglican Ladie's Devonshire Morning Tea in a garden in the next street over.

Sunday I planted out the rest of my vege seedlings and we spent the afternoon at a Memorial Open Day at the Tennis Club in a neighboring town. It used to be a town, now it's just a hotel, a couple of houses and a fabulous tennis club. Oh, plus a wheat bin.

The weather started out quite warm but we ended up getting washed out with a summer storm. I am so looking forward to summer storms here and the accompanying lightening shows. That is one of the benefits of not living in a built up area, you can really watch the weather come in. Especially when the terrain is as flat as it is here!

The Mr has been keen for us to 'do' something together for some time. None of our interests really match up, but the tennis looked like it could be my cup of tea, quite laid back and not serious, so... we've found an activity we can do together! It will be our social Sunday.

Mx

CWA flowers

2011-09-29T07:41:00.000+08:00

The ladies bring a single stem to our CWA meetings every month and we all vote on our favourite. This month I voted for the poppy, I just couldn't go past that beautiful colour.

I also considered voting for this lovely which I've never seen before. Anybody know what it is?

And here is our winner, a magnificent Clivea who rounded out my trio of favourites.

The Weekend

2011-09-26T23:14:00.000+08:00

We went to a Sunday morning market in a town halfway between our town and where my sister lives. I agonised over buying another old sewing machine, the bobbin case had been stolen earlier in the morning (thieves!) so that helped my decision, but she was so pretty and only $10, I don't know if I'm going to regret not buying her.

I did get an awesome coat stand though (that I haven't photographed) for $4! So now I have somewhere to hang my handbag. The devonshire tea scones were delicious and Charlie enjoyed the third scale truck.

The wee man has been walking since his birthday and is getting steadier every day. Combine that with his high wave and it looks like he's doing a fabulous monster impersonation.

I also got half of those vege seedlings planted. Might have got them all in if I didn't wait for Charlie to wake up...

Last Weekend

2011-09-25T14:49:00.000+08:00

I had to think to remember what we did last weekend. I remember Saturday from this gorgeous photo.

We walked to the sports oval for the children's fun day, but were too late. It's like Charlie knows when we are waiting for him to wake up, it's the only time he has a marathon sleep. So we went for a walk around town and stopped at the diner for a milk shake.

Sunday we wanted to go out for an exploratory drive, but a heavy soaking rain set in. Good for the farmers. So we stayed in and had an all day Renovators session instead. The Mr is in love with that show. I enjoy it too, especially as I know one of the girls from my childhood. It makes things much more interesting.

Mx

Spring

2011-09-24T11:03:00.001+08:00

Charlie and I were invited out to a local farm to see a beautiful wisteria in bloom. Such a charming garden and farm house. It is lovely to see someone living my dream! Well, my old dream now. Since living in town I've updated my dream. I love living in the middle of town, it's fantastic being able to walk everywhere, my car hardly gets a look in these days.

Now I dream of buying a double block in town, building a passive solar house that is deliciously warm in winter and refreshingly cool in summer, and having a substantial garden with plenty of fruit trees and a productive vege patch.

In the meantime I'm very excited to be planting a vege garden where we are. My wonderful Mum visited during the week and hand pulled all the stinging nettle out of the old chook yard (what a lady!) and I've got a tray full of seedlings to plant when the wee man wakes up.

Mx

Mangowine Homestead

2011-09-16T23:23:00.002+08:00

Charlie and I went to a friendship lunch with the CWA ladies the other week.

What can I say, those ladies know how to put on a spread. Apart from the food, it was good to see some of the local heritage, and of course meet lovely ladies.

Charlie also got a lot of love from the caretakers dog.

Pirate Party

2011-09-10T07:57:00.000+08:00

Charlie's first birthday party has come and gone. I think people enjoyed themselves, but I was too busy to enjoy it with them. I'm not keen on this throwing of big parties, but not having had a christening or naming ceremony or welcome to the world, I wanted to have one big event where we celebrated Charlie, and said "we love you mate, and we're so glad you're here!"

Mx

Birth Story

2011-09-04T06:00:00.004+08:00

As Charlie is on the cusp of turning one I finished his birth story. I wish I had written this sooner, when it was fresh in my mind. Brace yourself, it's long...

I know childbirth isn't easy for everyone, but it was for me. My maternal Grandmother had 5 babies in 5 years and said it was just easy as shelling peas.

The day I entered labour, I had gone grocery shopping in the afternoon and it seemed that either the baby had got much heavier or I had been standing and walking around for too long.

At about 6pm I had my bloody show but as it was so minor I couldn’t be sure, so I showed my husband, Ian. Look, what do you think?? do you think there's any blood in that? That was the only thing he gagged at all night. Being the type to get queasy at the sight of blood, we both thought he might end up on the floor or laying on the couch at some point during our delivery, but no, he didn't miss a beat.

I continued doing what I was doing - cooking dinner, not thinking too much about it, not wanting to get excited, we weren't due for another 9 days, and as it was our first baby we expected to go past our due date. I wasn't at all nervous. I knew there was nothing I could do except let things play out. Ian had such an awful day at work that day (a Monday) that he said he hoped the baby would come that night so he wouldn't have to go to work the next day. Charlie did come that night, Daddy's boy.

After dinner I sat on the birthing ball instead of a chair at the dining table reading on my Laptop. Around 9 o'clock I felt the slightest of contractions. I never felt my Braxton Hicks, I only knew I had them by feeling the hardness of my stomach with my hands, so this was different and I checked the time. I thought I should see how long it lasts and how long between, if I get another. The sensation was so mild that I had forgotten about it before my last thought was finished. I only realised I had forgotten about it when I noticed I was having another, 8 minutes later. About five minutes after that my waters broke.

We rang our wonderful midwife and she told us to go to bed and get some rest, she'd be round early in the morning. We watched our favourite TV show instead, Ian sitting on the couch, me on the ball.

I started timing my contractions with my Iphone’s stopwatch (I haven't reset it and I still have my 'laps'). Looking at it now, my contractions started out around 30 to 40 seconds long and were about 2 to 2 and a half minutes apart. We had been told not to ring until the contractions were long and strong and four minutes apart. At two minutes apart my contractions were closer together than that, but because they weren't long or strong we didn't think it was time to call. By the end of the show, the contractions were stronger and I couldn't concentrate on what the actors were saying when I would have one, I just rolled my hips around on the ball and wondered how I would go trying to sleep through them.

Just in case, we thought we'd set up the birth pool and half fill it (I'm glad we did), and I wanted to clean up and do the dishes. While doing to dishes and Ian was vacuuming I realised we wouldn't be going to bed. I sent Ian to the 24 hour BP to get maternity pads. Believing we still had a couple of weeks to go I hadn't got everything on the list we were supposed to have. I laid on my side on the bed while Ian was away, circling my legs through the contractions.

Of course BP didn't have maternity pads, so I rang my Mum. We finally decided to ring the midwife about quarter to 12, and she arrived just before midnight. My mum arrived shortly after with the pads. We wanted as few people possible at the birth and it was not planned for my Mum to be there (she had also said she preferred not to be there).

We finished filling up the pool and the midwife suggested I hop in. I did. I was glad to be in the water; when I was in the water the contractions didn't feel so bad. Then I felt like I wanted to do number two's so I was helped out of the pool and through our bedroom to the toilet. I sat on the toilet and my next contraction felt different, a lot more intense, that one kinda hurt.

Maybe that's when I transitioned, I don't know, but I knew a number 2 was not coming and all I wanted to do was get back in the pool.

Back in the pool it all felt manageable again. Ian was on the couch behind me and my midwife and my Mum at the pool edge in front of me, I was squatting, one knee up one knee down. I wasn't vocalising much, just a sort of a low moan at the top of my contractions. We had the pool set up in the lounge room, but we lived in a one bedroom flat, all the lights were off except the light in the bathroom from when I hopped out. It was shining in my eyes and I wanted it turned off. It was distracting. I didn't have any music playing either. I had made a playlist but couldn’t imagine playing it.

In between contractions Mum was trying to be helpful and told me not to think about the pain of the next contraction, I got a little annoyed, I wasn't thinking about the next one and I didn't want to be reminded. Mum took a smoke break.

I went in to that cone of silence where you lose your outward awareness. I was just working my way through my contractions with my forhead resting on the edge of the pool. Then I could smell smoke and asked if my Mum was there. She was, she had come back in and been sitting in the corner. The second midwife had arrived as well. They asked me if I wanted my Mum to leave. I did, but I didn't want to say. I danced around the question trying to say yes but not wanting to hurt my Mum's feelings. I should have just said yes, because Mum was relieved. She wasn't enjoying listening to me in labour, feeling like there was nothing she could do to help make it any easier. She didn't know how to say she didn't want to be there and I didn't know how to say I'd prefer she wasn't there.

I continued in the pool, using a flannel dipped in ice water to make circles over my face through contractions (I gave myself quiet the facial) and drinking water. At some point I got slightly bored and thought I'd have a little feel down there. I felt something soft, the midwifes said it would be the membranes, and told me to stick my finger in and I should be able to feel the baby's head. They expected me to stick most of my finger in. When they asked me how far in I went I pointed to the depth of my fingernail, they were surprised and said the baby would be here much sooner than they expected. Then we ran out of drinking water.

We had already run out of ice. If my flannel wasn't ice cold I could take it, but if I had to drink tap water I would not have been happy. Ian was sent off to BP again, this time for water, he was told to hurry, really hurry, or he might miss the birth. We wished we'd thought to ask Mum to get us some water when she left.

Ian got back from BP and six minutes later Charlie was born just after 2am. On one contraction the head was out and on the next Charlie was born in to the waiting hands of his father. I love that Ian was the first to hold him.

It was all over so quickly and easily I think I went in to shock. After five minutes I asked what sex he was, fully expecting a girl. I didn't believe Ian when he told me we had a boy, and made him show me his bits. Yep, they were boy bits. I really was in shock. I had been so wrong with my 'knowing' that Charlie was a girl.

I birthed the placenta in the pool and was helped to the couch for a lie down and to put Charlie to the breast.

I could end my story here, it all went perfectly, but I had more blood loss than they like, and two hours after delivery while lying on the couch trying to get Charlie to latch on I started to feel yuk. Ian took the baby to the bedroom and had a good chance to bond with him in the glow of the salt lamp, and I flaked out. I was given oxygen which brought me to a few times and an injection of oxytocin in the leg. I was on the verge of being transferred to the hospital, I'm so grateful I avoided that!

I feel so blessed by the whole experience and I am really proud of my body for the magic it performed. I was really just along for the ride, my body pushed our baby out all by itself. Our midwives were fantastic, allowing me to really do everything on my own just the way I wanted, no interference. I had no internal checks, no monitors strapped on, no hindrance. Of course they were there, ready to act if needs be, but they gave me the gift of freedom, the space to zone out and just let nature take its course.

I am also very grateful for the excellent after-care I received on the CMWA program. We couldn't have asked for better and I believe my breastfeeding journey would have been over early if not for their care and support. I love my midwives and I love the CMWA!

Mx

August

2011-09-02T08:05:00.001+08:00

bit and pieces of August

:: pruning many rose bushes
:: first steps
:: finding a rhythm to our day
:: starting to take care of myself again
:: happy, happy news of a friend's healing birth and new baby
:: the start of birthday season
:: the start of blowfly season

Housewarming

2011-08-30T07:35:00.000+08:00

We celebrated the Mr's birthday and our new home has now been warmed by wonderful friends. It is still rather chilly here in the evening and so a beautiful orange 44 gallon drum was sourced and cut in half for the comfort of our guests. We had a fantastic time.

Mx

CWA

2011-08-24T22:27:00.001+08:00

Yesterday was our monthly meeting for the CWA. Next time I need to sit where I can read the motto to recite it (though I'm sure I'll know if off by heart soon enough).

Not that I don't love the rest of the day, but my favourite part is morning tea, those ladies know how to bake!

I helped sew a couple of doctor dollies for the young patients at Princess Margaret Hospital. The Dr's draw on the dolls to show kids where they are going to perform a surgery or such on them, and then the kids get to keep and hold on to the dolls as a comfort.

Mx

Another Weekend

2011-08-21T23:50:00.000+08:00

A trip to Perth to meet a little man who's birth was a healing experience, and have lunch with a friend who's birthday in four days will also be the first anniversary of her beloved younger sister's passing.

I hope you got to spend time with good friends over the weekend.

Mx

The Weekend

2011-08-17T00:21:00.001+08:00

Saturday was that glorious kind of warm perfect day that I wish we could have more of between the cold of winter and the blistering heat of summer. So delicious! I spent quite a bit of it outdoors in the rose patch pruning my little heart out. I'm still going, and I started the weekend before!

Sunday was a sunday drive out to visit my sister and her wife to see their new abode, a fun fifth wheeler caravan on their hundred acres. I had such a good time. We were also lucky enough to have a visit in the morning from my Aunt who bought Granny with her and my Uncle Geoff, the family historian. Little video clips were taken of the outside of our house and all of us having coffee in the kitchen. I like the thought that Charlie will have these pieces of family history from when he was a baby.

Monday my Aunt turned 60 and I bought my first Pandora charm, I like that she has a little reminder of us and her special birthday. I also shot this canola field on the way over for dinner which is the perfect change for my header, seagull footprints at the beach aren't relevant now we're in the wheatbelt.

Mx

July

2011-08-13T10:18:00.000+08:00

was a month of

:: unpacking and settling in
:: making new friends
:: visits and visiting
:: party planning
:: lots of trips by pram
:: learning to light the fire
:: three sewing machines, not one working
:: me giving up trying to keep breads and foods apart from fruits and veges (and breast milk) out of Charlie's diet. It's tiring being seen as the food nazi.

Mx

Breakfast lately

2011-08-08T23:48:00.000+08:00

Inspired by baby food. Generally consisting of... 2 bananas, 2 apples, 2 pears, and 2 good handfuls of spinach. Yum! this one has a small handful of walnuts too.

Really just a green smoothie without the water. I made one on the weekend with maca powder, cacoa powder and half an avocado that was left out overnight on the bench. That tasted delicious!

I'm still breastfeeding, and still losing weight (I don't weigh myself, but my wedding rings are rather spinny on my finger and I just about need to wear a belt in my skinny jeans). That statement probably isn't arousing any sympathy, poor me right? I'm not too thin or anything, but I need to be more prepared for feeding myself. With bread, milk and cereal on my 'prefer to avoid' list I often go hungry and then eat the bread anyway because I'm ravenous. I'm totally not eating in line with my ideals. Green Pudding however is a breakfast I can feel good about... except maybe the cost of the bananas.

Mx

Captain Charlie

2011-08-02T22:29:00.000+08:00

Only having sent out the last of my baby thankyous last week, I am licking and sticking the envelopes to send out the invites for wee man's first birthday next month.

I do not know when our baby suddenly changed in to a little boy, but it happened right in front of my eyes somehow. That imperceptible day by day growth!

When the last Pirates of the Caribbean movie came out there were lots of pirate party ideas floating about the interwebs, so I thought it was a good theme to go with and I made a pinterest board here.

For the invite I used the pirate scarf and eye patch image in the free photobooth props from Oh Happy Day. I was thinking of a treasure map for the invite but this was easier and I like the way the photo personalises it.

Now I need to finish sewing the pirate bunting and get on to the streamers!

Mx

$700 +

2011-07-20T22:40:00.000+08:00

Here is a collection of things I would much rather spend $700 on rather than my 'WTF' how did that happen?!! phone bill.

Hang it all

Ptolomeo standing bookcase

Image source [Apartment Therapy]

Silhouette SD Digital Cutter

Canon Lens 15mm EF f2.8 Fish Eye Lense

Diana Eng Fortune Cookie Coin Purse

I wasn't sure if this exercise would make me feel better or worse. I trawled my pinterest boards for things that I want and it appears I'm really not that wanty, so that is nice, but I still want to cry at the thought of all the other bills we need that $700 for.

Telstra please take pity on my stupid ass. The stupid ass that should have looked at the call rates when it changed carriers. I have never, ever, even come close to getting near my cap in the past, let alone blown past it by over seven hundred dollars.

Pretty please
Mx

June

2011-07-19T07:04:00.000+08:00

We're more than halfway through July and I'm posting my June mosaic.

June was
:: a month of panic
:: knowing we had a short number of days at our current rental
:: a flying trip to our new town and a lease agreement signed
:: one week to move
:: unpacking

phew!

Only having photos for 9 days out of 31 gives you an idea about how I'm keeping up. But I shan't be discouraged, I can always be better next month.

Mx

The Weekend

2011-07-17T21:57:00.000+08:00

Camping plans were scrapped due to a rainy weekend forecast, so we had our first overnight guests instead. Our guests were forced to endure an icy cold house until an unspeakably manly fire guard (weld mesh) was forthcoming from the ~~man cave~~ shed and the new chainsaw had its mettle tested on old mallee roots. Oh a roaring fire does the soul good!

Charlie enjoyed having other kids about the house livening things up and putting joke glasses on him.

Hope you all managed to stay warm
Mx

2011-07-07T01:00:00.002+08:00

Well we've sucked it and seen.... and we love it! The move went as well as we could have hoped and we are pretty settled in the new place. The Mr is particularly happy as he has been able to set up his tools and bits in a shed. I'm not too sad about getting a craft room either :)

Have you heard of the Shirley club? Well our region has a Margaret club! I will be Margaret 57 once I get my badge, I came to town just in time to make their bi-annual lunch on Monday. I was by far the youngest, but I love the older ladies and I can't wait till the CWA meeting at the end of the month.

This one was for you Mum, Happy Birthday! Love you xx

Mx

The War You Don't See

2011-06-22T08:17:00.001+08:00

There isn't much that keeps me up till midnight these days, but John Pilger's film The War You Don't See on SBS last night had the Mr and I up to 12 o'clock when we should have been packing or sleeping.

I wish everyone would watch this doco so they could get the information they should be getting from news media but aren't. Which is exactly why I don't watch the news, because it's not really news at all. Real journalists are doing dangerous and necessary work to open our eyes to the truth behind these wars, where sadly, civilians have the highest casualties.

I have admired John Pilger since I was (thankfully) required to read A Secret Country in High School. He is my hero of journalism. If you didn't catch it last night, I can't urge you enough to watch The War You Don't See.
Here is the trailier
and you can watch the movie here online (except in Australia)

Mx

The Weekend

2011-06-20T08:33:00.000+08:00

{new house}

{fig tree!! :)}

On Sunday we signed a lease!! After months of waiting we have found (and secured) a place to live in our new town. We will be saying goodbye to the city next weekend. I am happy things are moving along now, but in the end it all happened so quickly my head is in a bit of a spin.

I am also nervous. I know we can always move back if we don't like it, so it doesn't have to be permanent, and I've wanted to move to the country for a long time. But, I've always been a city girl, and what will it be like living 3 hours away from our friends and family? and how will we go making new friends? and not having the services etc available in the city?

Like the Mr said, "we'll just have to suck it, and see".

Mx

Yarn Along

2011-06-15T12:41:00.001+08:00

I finished this book last weekend in Geraldton. I loved it, not depressing at all, does make you a bit mad though that all of the international aid money isn't used more effectively the way Paul Polak describes. I think I may just have found where my future donation money will be going.

Crocheting a gift, it's not turning out as long as I want. I may have to rip it out and start again (for the fourth time) with different proportions. I'm using the wool I bought for this project, but didn't buy enough.

BTW the project from my last Yarn Along participation has been finished and worn and I've written out the pattern here.

edit:: oops, forgot to link so you can check out the other Yarn Alongers over at Small Things.

Mx

Last Weekend

2011-06-10T22:18:00.001+08:00

{sunset}

{circle work}

{Cha rlie}

It's the weekend again already and I'm only just posting last weekend... It was the Foundation Day long weekend, and we went to the beach between Geraldton and Northampton. We stayed in a shack about a 100m from the beach on farm land of family of family.

It wasn't really beach weather but it was a fun weekend. Charlie had a playmate in the form of a little girl born exactly one week later than himself who was the perfect match for him. I enjoyed couch time embroidering a sashiko panel, Jenga is now on our to-get list, and the Canon got a workout with 3 cute babies willing to smile at me, especially Charlie sitting on his Dad's shoulders. Man I love that face.

Mx

May

2011-06-01T19:41:00.001+08:00

1. 2011 0502, 2. 2011 0508, 3. 2011 0509, 4. 2011 0518, 5. 2011 0521, 6. 2011 0522, 7. 2011 0525, 8. 2011 0528, 9. 2011 0531

:: friends flying away
:: luxury weekend away
:: getting to jobs that have been on the to-do list for a long time
:: new shoes, new hair
:: waiting, waiting, for news of any available housing

Mx

The Weekend

2011-05-30T09:33:00.001+08:00

I like to save my haircuts for days when I have an event on. No point in letting a good blowdry go to waste. Saturday night I met the Mr's first Mrs and thought it would be a good idea to visit the hair dresser to cover up a few greys and get my ends trimmed.

I saw Rose Byrne in Madison Magazine whilst sitting in the chair and decided to get a fringe cut in too (which I haven't had for a long time). This is about as creative as I get these days as the Mr is a long hair lover. If I had my way it would be off boy short.

Anyway, I'm liking the new do and Mrs's old and new were lovely and pleasant.
Hope your weekend was top notch.

Mx

its apostrophe S

2011-05-29T09:27:00.000+08:00

I know a lot of people don't, but I care about punctuation and spelling in my text messages and the question of when to use the apostrophe in its has been bothering me for a while.

My brother is my to go-to guy for all questions grammar related, and this is what he told me yesterday...

It's a wise dog that scratches its own fleas.

Now I'll be able to remember it and so can you. Thanks Mikey.

Mx

Little Green Man

2011-05-26T15:27:00.002+08:00

I've written the pattern and I finally have pictures of Charlie at the Disney Extravaganza going away party we went to last month.

The beanie was a huge hit and Wee man won best costume.

Here is our L.G.M. with Snow White...

here he is with Tinkerbell...

and here is the pattern I put together with the help of this pattern and this pattern.

Size: 6 mo
Yarn: 100% Acrylic Little Grins Yarn in Apple, less than 2 x 50 g balls (it doesn't say what ply but according to the info sleeve a 10cm knitted gauge square on 4.5mm needles is 19 stitches by 25 rows)
Hooks: I used a 3.5 mm for the antenna and the top part of the hat, switching to a 4 mm hook once I started on the sides for quicker progress.

Beanie
Start with a magic loop. Use a stitch marker to mark the first stitch of your round and move it up to mark first stitch of the next round as you go.
Round 1       -   6 single crochet in to magic loop
Round 2       -   2 sc in each sc (for 12)
Round 3        - *2sc in next sc, 1sc* around (for 18)
Rounds 4-6    -   sc around (for 18)
Round 7 -   *sc2tog, 1sc* around (for 12)
Round 8    -   *sc2tog, 1sc* around (for 8)
Rounds 9-27 -   sc around (for 8)
Round 28 -   *2sc in next sc, 1sc* around (for 12)
Round 29    -   *2sc in next sc, 1sc* around (for 18)
Round 30          -   *2sc in next sc, sc in next 2 sc* around (for 24)
Round 31          -   *2sc in next sc, sc in next 3 sc* around (for 30)
Round 32          -   *2sc in next sc, sc in next 4 sc* around (for 36)
Rounds 33-43 -   continue with above pattern increasing the number of sc between 2sc by 1 for each round (you can always add more rounds if your child is older/has a bigger head, mine was about 13cm across)
Rounds 44-61   -   sc around

Ear Flaps (just continue on from where the hat finished for the first one and then start the second one on the opposite side of the hat)
Row 1   -   sc 17, chain 1 turn
Row 2 - sc2tog, sc in next 13 stitches, sc2tog, chain 1 turn
Row 3   -   sc across, chain 1 turn
Row 4   -   sc2tog, sc in next 11 stitches, sc2tog, chain 1 turn
Row 5   -   sc across, chain 1 turn
Row 6   -   sc2tog, sc in next 9 stitches, sc2tog, chain 1 turn
Row 7   -   sc across, chain 1 turn
Row 8   -   sc2tog, sc in next 7 stitches, sc2tog, chain 1 turn
Row 9   -   sc across, chain 1 turn
Row 10 -   sc2tog, sc in next 5 stitches, sc2tog, chain 1 turn
Row 11 -   sc across, chain 1 turn
Row 12 -   sc2tog, sc in next 3 stitches, sc2tog, chain 1 turn
Row 13 -   sc across, chain 1 turn
Row 14 - sc2tog, sc in next stitch, sc2tog, chain 1 turn
Row 15 - sc across, ch 1 turn
Row 16 - sc2tog,
chain stitch for ties and fasten off.

Ears
Row 1 - chain 9, chain 1 turn (for 9)
Row 2   -   sc 9, chain 1 turn (for 9)
Row 3 - sc 9, chain 1 turn (for 9)
Row 4   -   sc 2 in next sc,sc 8 to end of row, chain 1 turn (for 10)
Row 5   -   sc 2 in next sc, sc 8 along, sc 2 in last sc, chain 1 turn (for 12)
Row 6   -   sc 2 in next sc, sc 10 along, sc 2 in last sc, chain 1 turn (for 14)
Row 7   -   sc 2 in next sc, sc 13 to end of row, chain 1 turn (for 15)
Row 8   -   sc 14 along, sc 2 in last sc, chain 1 turn (for 16)
Row 9   -   sc 2 in next sc, sc 13, sc2tog, chain 1 turn (for 16)
Row 10 -   sc 15 along, sc 2 in last sc, chain 1 turn (for 17)
Row 11 -   sc 2 in next sc, sc 12 along, sc2tog, sc2tog, chain 1 turn (for 16)
Row 12 -   sc2tog, sc 13 along, 2sc in last sc, fasten off.
sew ears on to beanie.

Stuff antenna tightly with hobbyfill so it will stand erect, and glue goggely eyes on front in an arc.

I hope that all makes sense. This is my first go at writing a pattern so if you've got any useful feedback please let me know. I'd love to see any photos if anybody makes one, they are serious cute overload when they are being worn.

Mx

The Weekend

2011-05-23T10:37:00.003+08:00

...was Margret River with friends.

the house

the view

the river

the walk

Charlie on the walk

all packed up and ready to head home

I do not complete enough projects for this to be craft blog, and looking back through my posts I enjoy the reminder of what's been going on, so I will endeavor to at least post weekly after the weekend. For myself, and memories.

Mx

Happy Mother's Day

2011-05-08T16:35:00.000+08:00

I've enjoyed my first Mother's day and want to share a favourite photo of my beautiful mother.

My Mum is an extraordinary lady and I know how lucky I am to have her. She has always let me follow my own path and loved me unconditionally. Not something everyone gets I've learned.

Love you Mum.

And thanks to my Mr* for making me a mother, it's the best thing I've ever been given, such an honour and a joy.

Mx

*he doesn't read my blog, but anyway...

Co-Sleeping

2011-05-04T08:35:00.002+08:00

The Mr has been sleeping in the spare room for a month or so now to see if it would help him feel more refreshed in the mornings. It is helping a little. I knew the wee man and I were disturbing him but now I know he was also disturbing us. The first week I really missed him, but I got used to it and it has given me the opportunity* to co-sleep with the wee man... and I LOVE IT!

It's just lovely to have the wee man so close during the night. It feels very natural to have him sleeping cuddled up next to me and I'm not at all worried about smothering him, I'm very aware of his presence, but it doesn't hamper my sleep. I think it enhances my sleep because I'm reassured by his proximity and feeling his little chest rising and falling with his breath and knowing that he is warm enough and safe in my arms (especially since the nights have turned cold).

Wee man wakes up just as much but I don't have to get up and get him out of the cot when he does, he either resettles himself or its just a quick side lying breastfeed and we're done (I couldn't do this before because it used to give the wee man the gomits, and I'd be wiping up chuck off the floor and myself all day) so I am not feeling as tired, which is great!

There are a couple of other girls in my mother's group who co-sleep, so I'm glad it is becoming more mainstream, and I highly recommend it.

Mx

*You can co-sleep with both parents in the bed but my Mr was not comfortable with this, worrying that he might roll on the baby and hurt him. We compromised with a sidecar set up on my side of the bed (a 3 sided cot pushed up to the bed with mattresses level).

April

2011-05-01T22:27:00.000+08:00

1. 2011 0401, 2. 2011 0403, 3. 2011 0406, 4. 2011 0413, 5. 2011 1504, 6. 2011 1604, 7. 2011 0417, 8. 2011 0424, 9. 2011 0430

:: A last Hoorah fancy dress up
:: Easter camping
:: Rain!
:: Days and nights holding an unhappy teething baby with a cold

Mx

Our new town

2011-04-18T20:15:00.000+08:00

We're moving to the country! Husby's new job is for a company based in a small wheatbelt town and we've decided to move. Now we need to find somewhere to live.
These are a few photos I took on the weekend on my first visit to check it out.

Mx

A cute onesie

2011-04-08T08:29:00.000+08:00

[front]

[back]

I hope there are girl babies being born somewhere, in my world it is ALL boys!
This is a little gift put together for the latest one. I embellished the onesie with printer transfer paper, totally taking my inspiration from this utterly adorable creation.

Mx

I did not make the little rabbit.

March

2011-04-03T09:52:00.001+08:00

1. 2011 0306, 2. 2011 0311, 3. 2011 0313, 4. 2011 0316, 5. 2011 0318, 6. 2011 0319, 7. 2011 0320, 8. 2011 0325, 9. 2011 0326

:: a new job started
:: thoughts of a new town and hopes of moving to the country soon rekindled
:: days still hot but nights starting to cool down
:: more holes in my project 365

Mx

Opportunities Taken

2011-03-31T10:27:00.001+08:00

I've learned not to share my op-shop scores with my mister, he just doesn't get it and his lack of enthusiasm rains all over my cheap shopping high parade. I will start sharing here instead.

Taken home from the op-shop this week...

$2 Twister
$2 Tangram (by Haba, the German maker of a lot to the beautiful wooden toys I see in the boutique kid shops)
$5 Spicy orange shoes for winter (just need to rub off the black marks on the toe)

Cheap $9 thrill!

Yarn Along

2011-03-30T16:29:00.001+08:00

Working in alien green, and reading Perfume as our new book club selection.

We have a Disney Party next weekend, the crochet will be part of a "little green men" from Toy Story costume for the wee man. If it works out I will post the pattern.

Playing along with Ginny over at Small Things.

Mx

Creative Space

2011-03-17T09:28:00.000+08:00

In my Creative space today, 5 old work shirts ready to be ironed and cut in to 5 inch squares for a quilt for the wee man.

Lets see if I can have it ready for his 1st birthday!

hop on over to Kirst's to check out other Creative Spaces.

Mx

Yarn Along

2011-03-16T14:41:00.000+08:00

Playing along with Ginny again.

Knitting :: a Wurm beanie that was supposed to be for me but has turned out so small I'm hoping it will still be large enough to fit Charlie. This comes (again) from jumping straight in without doing a gauge square and using Granny's hand spun mystery ply wool. When will I learn?

Reading :: two books to help me with parenting once I have a walking talking little person, and loving them both. While How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk is specifically dealing with Children Punished by Rewards has chapters focused on both Children and adults. Such interesting books saying similar things.

The gist of Punished by Rewards is that rewards are the other side of the punishment coin and just as manipulative and ineffective a way of controlling people as punishment. Rewards may appear to work in the short term,but actually have the opposite effect of what you are trying to achieve in the long run because extrinsic motivators reduce intrinsic motivation and the desired result ends up being viewed as an obstacle to a goodie (reward). I think this book should be on the reading list of every teacher and manager of people. I'm just about to start the second half of the book where it discusses alternatives to using punishments and rewards.

I'm happy to have found How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk because its based on respect for children and their feelings as people not just little beings to be controlled but gives you effective and respectful ways to communicate with kids so they aren't little brats embarassing you at the supermarket (I'm totally frightened of being the too soft mum who can't control her kids). The opposite of "because I told you to" parenting without the use of punishments or rewards! So easy to read and has great examples of the principles being used by real families.

What are you reading? Any favourite parenting book recommendations?
Hop on over to Small Things to check out other Yarn Along'ers

Mx

0.5

2011-03-11T09:01:00.002+08:00

the wee man passed the 6 month mark this week, where does the time go??

A quick look at where we're at...

- I've never slept less in my life, but I'm coping better than I ever thought I would.

- The cot has been pushed away from the bed and the fourth side has been attached to it. I wanted to co-sleep but wee man sleeps better in his own space (though you wouldn't guess it by the following).

- Naps have shortened to 45 minutes and last night he woke up every 45 mins. I hope this is just temporary and related to teeth?

- One tooth, bottom LHS. Probably the sleep thing is teeth related, he popped another between writing this and posting.

- Wee man enjoys a quarter of an avocado for dinner and likes to try and drink my drinks out of my glass.

- We have not done EC as I would have liked but wee man is pretty regular with his BM's and we generally catch them first thing in the morning in the laundry trough.

- Still sporting his baby mullet and not much else in the hair department.

- Weighs about 8kg but I prefer to carry him in the hug-a-bub over pushing him in a pram.

- Baths are outside on the back deck in the tummy tub, this may change soon as he grows and the weather cools down.

- Fingernails seem to grow at the speed of light and are kitten sharp.

- He still gomits (niece for vomit)

- I wish I had taken more photos when he was tiny.

so, does this gig get easier or harder? I've been told both.

Mx

February

2011-03-01T13:29:00.000+08:00

1. 2011 0202, 2. 2011 0203, 3. 2011 0209, 4. 2011 0213, 5. 2011 0218, 6. 2011 0219, 7. 2011 0220, 8. 2011 0221, 9. 2011 0224

February

...was a month of heat...

...catching up with friends from overseas...

...a time of firsts (food and tooth)...

in regards to my 365 project, my inner perfectionist would say "it's got such big holes, so many days are missing and it's only been two months, give up already." I must be letting that part of me go a little because I don't care.

How was February for you? Do you believe summer is over? It certainly doesn't feel that way here.

Mx

knitted slouchy

2011-02-24T13:44:00.001+08:00

Finished* on our camping trip to Cervantes, Australia Day week, and more than a year on the sticks.

based loosely on the Alice Beret in Knitting Little Luxuries by Louisa Harding. Knitted in hand-spun from Granny.

Mx

* actually the knitting was finished some time ago, but I only got half way through the seam before I ran out of wool.

January

2011-02-01T14:17:00.000+08:00

In the style of "1/4 of an inch" I've made a mosaic of January photos from my 365 project.

1. 2011 0102, 2. 2011 0103, 3. 2011 0110, 4. 2011 0114, 5. 2011 0116, 6. 2011 0118, 7. 2011 0119, 8. 2011 0127, 9. 2011 0129

January

...was a month of quiet chaos...

...from moving from flat to house...

...and included a windy, beach camping holiday.

I may have to rename it "project 300 and something"... I've missed a few days already, but not to worry, I am picking up my camera more than I would otherwise and I've already learned more about my camera too.

How was your January?

Mx

my favourite time of year!

2011-01-22T08:07:00.000+08:00

fresh figs off the tree at Mum's. It's only little now, but every year we get more and more figs :)

I don't know if it helps but often I check on the little tree and tell it I love it and that it's my favourite. Is it wrong to play favourites in the garden? Do you think the others get jealous?

Mx

I hope you are enjoying this time of year too and have missed the devastation of flooding around the country.

Project 365

2011-01-03T08:03:00.000+08:00

I was inspired by Chez Larssons's 365 project last year, and just yesterday by this gorgeous montage of images throughout the year from Garden Mama. Being the lucky girl I was last year getting a DSLR for my birthday, I think a Project 365 will help improve my photography and capture some moments that perhaps might go unnoticed.

Anyway, I needed a new New Years Resolution, as I just don't think I'm going to get very far this year with my usual stand in of 'get organised'. At four months old Charlie is no longer a new born, but I'm still trying to find out how I'm meant to get everything done... I suppose you just don't.

On top of that, we are shifting from the flat to house in a week and I don't know if that will help or if the unpacking (or boxes sitting around waiting to be unpacked) will nudge me further away from my perpetual goal. I am terribly excited though to be getting a bit more room!

You can find me and my Project 365 over on Flickr, and I might post some of them here.
What projects are you starting this year?

Mx

2010

2010-12-31T10:54:00.002+08:00

seagull foot prints taken this morning at South Beach

2010... I love you! I've had such a great year, the best yet!

I spent most of the year being pregnant and loved it*
Gave birth to our gorgeous baby boy and loved it**
Getting to know our sweet little man, looove him!
Spent too much time reading other peoples blogs, and loved it.
Met some other about to be new parents, and loved them.
Got my first DSLR for my birthday, and love it.
Started to have much more of a relationship with my Granny, and am loving it.

Happy New Year!!
I'm excited for 2011, I hope you are too.
How was your 2010?

Mx

*(minus a queasy month or too in the first trimester)
**(except for the blood loss and fainting afterwards)

Freo Friday

2010-12-17T21:02:00.000+08:00

This one is along Henry Street. I love it.

Mx

Poppy Doll

2010-12-08T14:21:00.001+08:00

made just in time to send off for Softies for Mirabel 2010, organised by Pip from Meet Me at Mikes. You can buy the Poppy Doll pattern here from Hop Skip Jump, really cute patterns, I think I'll have to get the Gerald Giraffe one next.

Freo Friday

2010-11-19T07:42:00.000+08:00

I haven't made it in to Freo for a few weeks because post natal yoga is getting in the way of my usual friday lunch with the girls, so I only saw these lovelies yesterday. The guess was they've been up about three weeks already.

Along High Street in front of New Edition (the best bookstore in town) right next to the backpackers.

Have a lovely weekend. We're going to have a housefull (flatfull?) of girls* over making softies for Mirabel.

Mx

*not real girls as in teenagers or younger, but my mates, the girls. I probably should start using the word ladies, but it doesn't feel right... maybe when we're in our forties...

Yarn Along

2010-11-18T07:57:00.001+08:00

Playing along with Ginny again this week.

I've had this project on the needles for longer than I care to remember, but I'm so pleased that three solid days being driven all over the country side has given me many hours with my hands free to knit. This slouchy beret is so close to being finished, and look at how close I was to not having enough wool left! (dang, I cut that off in the photo, but trust me, there are mere millimeters on the other side of the photo edge). The pattern is the alice beret from knitting little luxuries.

And I'm reading Life of Pi by Yann Martel for book club. I have read it before and loved it, so I've chosen it for our current book club selection.

Head on over to Small Things to check out other Yarners.

Mx

Breakfast of Kings

2010-11-12T10:46:00.000+08:00

Of The King... PB and banana hotdogs, a simplified version of Elvis's fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches, soo delicious! I love a lot of butter (real butter, organic and most definitely salted) and smooth PB, put on while the bread butts are hot enough to make it melty.

I've Nigella to thank for putting me on to this wonderful flavour combination way back in 01 with her Nigella Bites Series and cookbook. That cookbook is hands down the most cooked from cook book that I own. I have a goal to cook at least one dish from every cook book I have (to justify keeping them all), but alas most of them just sit in the book case and I get most of my recipes from blogs or the internet.

I just did a search and Nigella's recipe for Presley's Fried Peanut-Butter and Banana Sandwich is available here. Unfortunately you miss out on the preamble you get to the recipe in the book, which is one of the reasons I love her cook books so, as much for the food as to read her stories. After all these years, I still have a girl crush on her.

Try them, you'll only be sorry calorifically...

Mx

Yarn Along

2010-11-10T20:51:00.002+08:00

Ginny over at Small Things has started a new meme - Yarn Along, a photo of what you're reading and knitting/crocheting.

I have the granny shrug by Kootoyoo on the hook at the moment (it's been on there for a while), and I'm reading The No Cry Sleep Solution by Elizabeth Pantley, trying to get a little insight into the sleeping habits and needs of babies.

Aparrently the wee man could be giving me another 5 to 6 hours a day to catch up on sleep and housework (16-17 hours a day instead of 12). Things have gotten better though and I think 5 years of night-shift at the Mail Exchange are finally paying dividends.

Pop over to Small Things to check out other crafty readers.

Mx

Freo Friday

2010-11-05T01:00:00.001+08:00

So much more interesting than a plain wall. I took this photo last summer and I think it's been painted again (not as nicely).

Mx

Sunday Quote

2010-10-31T21:12:00.000+08:00

“Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.”
- Elizabeth Stone

We had our first scare with our precious wee man today which really bought home this quote. Now I will be sure that anybody holding the babe is no where near the car when I shut the boot.

The strength of feeling I have for someone I've known for eight weeks is frightening, obviously you can't walk around every day thinking about how bad it would be if anything ever did happen, but today...

The enormous love I have for this little man has opened me up to the preciousness of all children, I have a new understanding that all these little people walking around are carrying their parents hearts with them. Somebody would feel the same despair I would if anything ever happened to them. It makes me drive more carefully. At the same time, seeing kids makes me smile now, because I also know the joy they are bringing to someone.

Hope you had a lovely weekend with no scares
Mx

Freo Friday

2010-10-22T01:00:00.021+08:00

A photo of the backpackers on High Street in Fremantle.

And a very green pano (panel van) parked out front.

Have a great weekend!

Mx

Granny Rug

2010-09-25T09:57:00.000+08:00

If only there was a one handed craft I could do while sitting on the couch feeding the little man I'd have plenty of self made craft to show you. In the mean time I have a few gorgeous handmades to show you from friends and family, like this crocheted woolen baby rug made by my Granny.

Mx

I'm so crafty!

2010-09-12T22:00:00.000+08:00

I'm so crafty I made a baby!* I may not make as much craft as I'd like, or finish projects in a timely fashion, but here is a little project I've been working on, that was actually delivered ahead of schedule.

Little Charlie arrived nine days early on Tuesday morning. We had a quick 4 hour labour and birthed in the pool in our lounge room.

I'm still in awe of how perfect he is, and how lucky we are. Thank you Universe!

* I don't know who first said this but I think it is hilarious and I love it

Mx

Baking in the Nude

2010-09-07T13:00:00.002+08:00

and why it isn't a good idea...

I took a sour dough baking class the other weekend with the Queen of Sourdough Yoke Mardewi. Great class, Yoke's sample breads were delicious (as were the jams), and the pizzas we had for lunch made from sour dough bases were seriously good.

We made our own dough in class to bake at home. So I'm having a shower and the oven is preheating and I remembered that the grill tray from the previous evening is still in the oven with the sausage fat from Husby's dinner.

Of course a vegetarian baker does not want her sour dough tainted with sausage fat smoke. I acted with haste and didn't get dressed before removing the offending tray... pulling it straight out of the oven, onto my belly that sticks out far more than I'm used to allowing for.

Let that be a lesson, only bake in the nude if you aren't also baking delicious baby rolls in your own oven. Ooh baby schell, we are really getting excited to meet you soon.

Mx

I also advice getting your tongue pierced instead of your belly button, it heals much better once you grow out of it.

Posh Cake

2010-09-05T21:46:00.000+08:00

Father's Day usually means baking my Dad's favourite cake if I'm organized, and this year I was. It normally looks a little fancier with thin curls of orange zest on top but I don't know where my zester is - might be time to buy a new one methinks.

The recipe calls it Posh Cake, I don't know its origins except that the recipe came to me through my old sister in law (it was fun being married into a family of foodies).

You could be boring and just call this an Orange Poppy Seed Syrup Cake, but that takes a lot longer and doesn't sound as mysterious. This cake is delicious, moist and perfect with cream. And, it is so easy to make you can trick people into believing you have baking skills.

Posh Cake

* 1 cup of butter (240g)
* 1 cup of sugar
* 3 egg yolks
* 1 cup of sour cream
* grated rind of one orange and 1 lemon
* 1 + 3/4 cups self raising flour
* 3 egg whites (beat until peaks form)
* 2 tablespoons poppy seeds

cream butter and sugar
add egg yolks, sour cream and rind - beat until light and fluffy
add sifted flour and fold in the egg whites, then add poppy seeds
put into foil lined cake tin and bake at 160 C for 1 hour or until cooked through
remove from tin and place cake carefully onto a large plate with a rim

Orange Syrup

* grated rind of 2 oranges
* 1/2 cup white sugar
* juice of one lemon and 2 oranges

boil syrup for 3 minutes
pour hot syrup over cake
serve with cream

Love you Dad
Mx

Dog Poo Heart

2010-08-28T08:22:00.000+08:00

To add to my collection of heart photos.

I thought it might have been made from a smudge of dog poo on the footpath, but on closer inspection perhaps the heart is formed from a skid mark of another sort... a bicycle tire perhaps.

Snapped during the week on an epic walk (epic for a belly with 3 weeks to go) along the foreshore in East Fremantle. About the only exercise I've done recently unless you count cleaning.

Starting to get excited as we count down to bubba schell's arrival.

Hope your weekend is filled with random hearts

Mx

Freo Friday

2010-08-06T20:55:00.000+08:00

Glorious day in Freo today. This is the side of the building that has the sitting bench I posted previously.

Do you see that little icon up there? made of tiles?

Do you have any idea what it means, who puts them up? There's one in Perth I've wondered about for years.

I always see it when I'm going through the city on the freeway from North to South, just after Parliament House (I took this photo in peak hour last week). It is on the foot bridge that connects the city with King's Park, joining Mount Street with Mount Street over the freeway.

Back in the day, I used to go there a couple of times a week to do Jacob's Ladder, a concrete stair going up the side of Mount Eliza on the boundary of King's Park. Nearly 300 steps of pain, just kidding, the first time it kills you and your not sure you'll make it back down your legs are spasm-ing so much, but if you go back the second time is not as hard and so on. I do miss it a little, summer evenings, the beautiful view, the zen of pushing yourself up and down and up down the stairs, the odd gaggle of football players with their shirts off...

Anyway, back to the space invader looking things, any clues? I've always wondered if they were some sort of secret sign, or secret society or something, like the freemasons. Or just random street art. The one over the freeway is in quite a prominent spot, and from my memory I would say it has been there at least 20 years.

Mx

Granny Gold!

2010-07-25T16:54:00.000+08:00

My mother's mother (Granny) has just moved from her residence of the last 25(?) years from a small coastal country town to live in a granny flat built for her at my Aunts country block. Granny flat sounds small doesn't it? It's not, bigger than our flat it is!

I wanted to visit the house and the town I hadn't seen since I was about 12 before the move, so Mum, Dad and I went down earlier in the year to help Granny start getting organised.

Granny prefers to chrochet these days, so I happily saved her the task of having to pack these pattern books and other goodies.

[one of the transfers from the red Semco booklet in the first picture]

The patterns are all draft yourself instructions like this. I'll probably learn a thing or two about pattern making and hopefully have fun in the process.

Really Cute Jacket

2010-07-22T21:34:00.001+08:00

Wardrobe Refashion continues to be a source of inspiration even though I decided not to re-pledge while being pregnant.

Just the other day I saw this gorgeous jacket posted by Carolyn and am totally tempted to go and find that pattern for myself. Heck knows when I would get around to sewing it, but look at those cute sleeves!

Click on over to Carolyn's blog to see more gorgeous detail.

Mx

My Creative Space

2010-07-15T12:26:00.000+08:00

I've been knitting this slouchy beanie since Bali in January. Knitting in humidity felt more like an arm wrestle at times, so I didn't get very far.

It has sat virtually untouched since then, and I don't have high hopes for it to turn out like the pattern since I am not using the correct size needles and I have no idea what weight this home-spun wool by Granny is. I should have knit a gauge square I suppose, but I'm always too keen to get to the 'real' knitting. I've never knit a gauge square before but I can see their usefulness before starting a large project.

So this little project has been turned into practice for Continental Knitting. Knitters generally have a looser tension with the Continental style and you can see where I switched. It still feels more comfortable to knit the old way even though I tend to knit very tightly in the normal style and hold a lot of tension in my shoulders. I'm hoping with a bit more practice the Continental style will feel more natural and I'll be much quicker and less bunched up in the shoulders.

I do love the smaller movements and the more relaxed feel in my hands and shoulders. This is the best video on the Continental style I've found so far.

Head on over to check out other Creative Spacers.

Mx

Husby

2010-07-14T19:41:00.000+08:00

[image taken from Acronym Finder]

No D**k Heads here... or dunderheads, damn husbands or dumb husbands.

Darling Husband does not read my blog, but after I posted about our 4WD weekend below I suggested he have a look to see the photos. Not only did he look at the photos but he actually read the post.

Him: DH? what's that?
Moi: Darling Husband
Him: Oh, ok, not D**k Head then?
Moi: haha, ah no, maybe I better call you something different...

I'm pretty sure we've had that above conversation once before, so from now on I'll be referring to my DH on this blog as Husby, or some other nickname.

Mx

Cervantes to Lancelin

2010-07-12T16:31:00.000+08:00

Disregarding the BOM and forcasts of awful weather, we went ahead with our plans for this weekend to 4WD from Cervantes to Lancelin on what Australian 4WD Action magazine has listed as one of the "20 Tracks You Must Drive!"

At 7 months pregnant I'm not sure if it was the new brand of chinotto I tried on Saturday night, the veg quiche from the bain marie (I keep forgetting about not eating pre-heated food) or the constant jostling from the drive upsetting my pregnancy reflux that had me throwing up for the first time this pregnancy. I never feel quite so sorry for myself as when I'm vomiting, so I hope that makes me remember the bain marie rule and I don't think I'll be able to bring myself to drink that brand of chinotto again.

It was however, all worth it to seeing how much fun DH had over the weekend. Such pleasure that men can derive from conquering some dunes and driving along the beach. I love to see him smile like that.

I hope you had a great weekend.

Mx

It's been a cold week

2010-07-02T10:10:00.000+08:00

Not that it's perturbed me at all with my elevated core temperature, but with the cloudless nights we've been having this week and the subsequent chilly-ness, we've tossed the unfinished denim quilt on the bed, pins and all.

Must. finish. before. baby. arrives!
Enjoy your weekends.

Mx

Perth Upmarket

2010-06-25T10:50:00.000+08:00

This Sunday

[Perth Upmarket]

The weather has been just glorious, what could be better than strolling through awesome handmade goodness on a beautiful winters day? One of my favourite blogger/makers Two Little Banshees will be there too, I hope I'm not too shy to say hello.

Mx

Lemon Squeezy Baby Quilt

2010-06-21T08:50:00.003+08:00

Still haven't finished the quilt for our bump yet, but I did finish this quilt yesterday with an hour and a half to spare for a friends baby shower.

And with all that time to spare I even managed a matching card (though there were no suitable wrapping supplies on hand, and it was gifted sans wrapping).

The quilt is actually 5 layers of fabric, no batting, sewn together with parallel channels. The top layers were then sliced through with a special cutter, leaving the bottom layer intact.

This is the magic tool and it was a first time date for us (I love gadgets!). The blade needed to be rotated about 5 or 6 times as it blunted quickly. I suppose it had a lot of cutting to do.

Hand basting was also done for the first time, and though it was a slow process it worked really well. There was no puckering, and with all those parallel lines of stitching it was great not to have to stop and remove pins as I went.

Looking out for somewhere more suitable to try and get full sized photos of my finished quilts now, our little balcony is not quite cutting it.