so. much. fun.

Well, yesterday I turned 32. Yep. Getting old. I have to say that without a shadow of a doubt, it was the best birthday I have ever had. I think having a little miss around can make these occasions all the more special, but I also have to put it down to my very thoughtful husband.

He had arranged an evening that really summed me up right now. Like...um...to a tee. We started at the Workers Club in Gertrude Street where we took part in a knitting drive to make explosives to send to the Pulp Mill in Tasmania (opposing it of course). For only a teeny $4 I got this little pack upon entry.



We sat down with a good glass of vino, listening to the free music and watching the live puppet show and made our bomb. A good night out for crafty people and not so crafty people. To see when the next one is taking place visit craftcartel.

After a few bevvies we headed to the Press Club owned by the now famous George from MasterChef Australia. God only knows how Ben got us a table. It was packed. I didn't know we were eating here and was completely delighted when we walked up the stairs and George himself was standing at the door. I have to admit being a little star struck.

Me: *gulp* 'Hi George'.

I sway slightly. The pinot is doing backstroke in my bloodstream.

George: 'um...Hi'

Has no idea who I am or why I am talking to him. He leaves. Quickly.

Ben: *laughs*

I ordered the Lamb special with shoulder lamb and ribs (have a rib fetish at the moment since I bought the new Donna Hay) on a bed of white bean puree with sultanas and pistachios. The meat was crunchy on the outside and delicate and moist on the inside. Perfecto!

A shout out to my lovely husband. Thank you for the best birthday yet. You really have raised the bar. And during an economic downturn as well. Who knows...maybe I will pick you up that new Wilco CD as a little thank you gesture xx

just because i love them.

Here are a few photos of my favourite people...







I particularly love this one. Ben and Annie love to Waltz...

getting things finished.

There is nothing like the feeling you have when you complete a project. These days, that feeling is even more precious when you consider that I have a small baby girl to contend with as well. I have had two projects on the go for the last few months (feels like years) and I am delighted to say they are both done and dusted and I have photos of one of them to share.

This playmat pattern is from the very clever onegirl. As far as patterns go, this one was dead easy to follow and super fun to make. The only thing I felt it needed was a little curved arch way for hanging toys from. So, after I had banished my baby brain, I thought up a way I could make one. I'll show you the finished project and then talk you through the additions....



The original pattern suggests 18 different petals, but I decided to make this one with only 9, making 4 of each instead. It also suggested a face for the centre peice, but since this one was for a boy, called Max, I decided to hand sew his name on instead.



I used a garden piping (18mm thick). I bought it from the local garden centre. I would suggest heading in and checking a few out. See what holds it's shape best. You want a arch that's strudy. The garden piping was fantastic for this. In the pattern it suggests making loops to tie toys to, but I made these into little slots for the poles to sit in.



Essentially this works much like a tent. Two poles that sit in little leg hooks and tie together at the top, like this...



I covered the piping in material to make the centre piece, but you can mix and match however you please. I added some little loops for hanging toys over little chubby faces as well. Miss A loved the mat, but thought tummy time was a big old pain in the butt...





Will be sure to share the other mat, made carefully for my little sis and soon-to-be niece or nephew the minute I get the photos from Siobhan - hint hint!

ironic.

Quickly wanted to share that Miss Annie had a sleepover at her Nana Jane and Poppy's house last night. Ben and I hit the town for a Progressive Dinner on Southbank with friends. It was to be our big night out followed by an even bigger sleep.

When we got home the house felt empty. I stayed in her room for a little bit looking at some hair on her sheet and missing her cute little smile. I wished I had kissed her a little more when I said my goodbyes. I wanted to smell her milky soft skin.

We climbed into bed, excited at the prospect of a night's uninterrupted sleep. In reality what we got was Ben waking up at 3am and not being able to sleep. And me, confused with sleep and the two glasses of wine I had, waking every hour or so just to realise she wasn't there, she wasn't going to wake for a feed, and 'no' it wasn't quite morning when I could race over and pick her up!

what you're up to.

My Annie,
Little one you are so big now. I look at you and marvel. I see how big you're getting and I feel a little sad. My newborn is gone. My baby is growing up. And my you are a trick and a bit!



In one week you will be a whole 6 months old. Count em. That's half a year! That's half Mumma's maternity leave!! You have some sizable feet now. I was kissing them yesterday, tempting you to laugh and I stopped momentarily to relish the moment. I took a good long look at those little feet with the teeny tiny toes. All of it sooooo divine. You have one toe that hangs back from the others. It's a little shy. Dada thinks there's something wrong with it and wants to send you back to the man for an exchange. But I love Mr Odd Toe Out. He is a statement of individuality. He is a champion amongst meager toes. He is just like you.



There are things that you like to do and things that you simply will not put up with. You like to have kisses on your neck and raspberries on your belly. You absolutely love it when I sing to you and daggy dance in the living room. You think Maggie is the best toy you ever have. Not only does she move and make noise by herself, but instead of imitation kisses she actually does kiss you. You also like your baby rice cereal with deep determination. When I bring out the bowl, your right leg starts fitting with anticipation. You want it, and you want it NOW! When I pop you back into bed at night, just after your little mini feed (that we're hoping will phase out soon and mean a sleep right through) you love it when I rest my hand on your stomach just to make you feel secure while I tuck you in and stroke your cheek and whisper good night.



On the 'things you don't like' I will start with Dada dressing you after a bath. You're kind of impatient with him. A little hostile in fact. He tries so hard to be gentle with you. To completely dry every last section of your body. He rolls you over for a little tummy time, right at the point where you would prefer to have your eye poked out with a butter knife. You grunt and groan and whine and moan at Dada until you finally get your way. I've got no idea where you get that from.



You also don't like to be in the car seat for too long. We've come to learn this from our Saturday morning family ritual of looking for houses. You don't like to be left alone in the living room with only Chopin to accompany you. You really don't like to be woken up. Not now. Not ever. You would rather slowly stir and then rise and shine like Cleopatra from a milk bath. You detest Mumma cutting your nails. I think that's also a patience issue, since I stumble my way through it hoping not to catch your skin - again. And most of all you absolutely 100% cannot tolerate it when we take even one second longer than you have planned in your head to escort that bottle of wonderfully warm milk and guide it into your feverish mouth. You lose the plot.

It's funny, you know, all the things you love and all the things you hate happen to also be the best parts of my day. No matter how cranky, how cheery, how smelly, how wet, how vomity, how wriggly, how inconsolable, how snotty or how bossy you decide to be, I still love you ardently. For ever and ever and ever. Always.

Love Mumma
xx

brand junkie.

Ok, here we go. I'll admit to being a brand junkie. When I find something I like, I am happy to tell, or should I say 'sell' it, to other people. So, occasionally, I would like to post about something that has just blown my world. It will probably teeter around nipple shaped feeding bottles and smashingly good wine, so all-in-all well worth the read.

Today's Product:

Velvety Vanilla Muesli

Product Picture:



Thoughts:

I've always wanted to be 'into' muesli. But, after being raised in Dublin (along with four other siblings), I was only ever introduced to cornflakes. In winter it was cornflakes with warm milk. Delicious. But, in Australia, with the sun nearly always shining through your kitchen window in the morning, sometimes Cornflakes just don't cut it. Besides, everyone who is anyone will tell you that muesli has much better things in it and goes well with fresh fruit, milk and yoghurt, all of which constitute a really good start to the day.

However, I have never found a muesli that hit the mark taste wise. Until now, of course. Introducing Velvety Vanilla Muesli from Table of Plenty (little Melbourne business). Here is the greatest combination of toasted and untoasted oats (the good and the bad, the yin and the yan, the devil and the saint) nestled amongst dates, nuts vanilla, honey and a touch of coconut. I tried it. I liked it. I buy it every week. It is especially good when you combine it with Jalna Bio-Dynamic Bush Honey yoghurt.

Damn. That's one hell of a way to start the day.

lastest loves.

As promised, I wanted to share some special purchases I have made in the past few weeks. We headed up to Bens parents farm a few weekends ago for a little break. When we got there the fire was roaring away and Maggie had immediately found a pine cone to drop at our feet. Annie had no idea she wasn't at home and settled in very well indeed. During our stay we drove 20 mins down the road to the Loch Food and Wine Festival. As we headed down main street, Ben and I were instantly drawn to two separate delights.

Me: 'Ooooo, fabric shop!'

Ben: 'Ooooo, pork pies!'

I went one way and Ben and Annie went the other. I rummaged through the $1.50 fabric piece bin for about half an hour and came out with these little beauties.



Don't know what I'm going to make with these yet. I was thinking perhaps clothes for Annie. She needs some and I have a burning passion. Will keep you posted on that one.

My other burning desire at the moment is collecting vintage 70's plates. I figure with children I don't want to be using Mums Best China everyday. So instead of buying (consuming - argh!) more stuff, I would set out of put together the most higilty pigilty set of dinnerware you have ever seen. All of this is of course for our new house (whenever we get one) and the lovely solid Tasmanina pine dining table that George, Ben's brother, made us for our wedding pressie. At present it sits in our garage taunting me to have dinner parties, but alas, our house is too teeny tiny for a knees up just yet.

Oh yeh, ah hem, the plates...



Especially loving the bottom one. I plan on mixing and matching, with a kinda theme in mind. All my little op shop lovelies are slowing coming together. It delights me!