My work list.

Prompted by Leslie I have decided to blog my craft work list as it stands today. Phew! There is so much to do and so little time to do it in. Hopefully an upcoming craft weekend will help to knock a few off. I am especially excited about making Annie and Tom a puppet show! Stay tuned.



Winter Jacket for Miss Annie (ASAP)
Finish black dress prototype.
Start mueslin Pattern pieces.
Make puppet Theatre.
Make puppets. (Heads already done, see above)
Kit scarf for Annie (soooo late with this!)
Start master bedroom quilt.
Do a few more blocks on scrappy quilt. (long term project)

Ommmmm....

On Saturday I took my very stressed-out self to the local Buddhist Centre and started a meditation course. I've been feeling very hormonal when I've been ovulating and just before my period, and it's getting to the point where I can be unbearable to be around. So, rather than moan about it, I thought 'come on Em, let's do something about it.'

I Googled and found that I am not the only woman who found that after having two kids my PMS has become ridiculous and a real hindrance. Many, many, many other women feel the same. Anger one minute, laughing the next, crying about a minute later. Not. Fun.

So, my plan was simple: cut back on caffeine, alcohol, eat better, drink more water, take my vitamins EVERY DAY, and try yoga or meditation. The local Buddhist Centre had a 'first class free, four other classes for only $20' you can't beat those odds. Buddha himself would say it was a sign!

There was a very interesting mix of people there. Mostly women (who have probably ALL read 'Eat, Pray, Love') and of course the few men. One looked like he had just been released from Jail and this was part of his parole conditions. 'Relax, and the demons will go away...' But we all had something in common. We were just gobsmacked by our teacher. She spoIe about the constant feeling we all have that 'If I just had this I would be happy. if I just went there I would be happy. If I just did this I would be happy'. Expecting happiness to develop because of outside forces is guaranteed failure. Happiness must come from within. Or so I'm sold. I mean, told.

After a very awkward 1st lesson in Tai Chi, we had our first meditation session. I can't report feeling very enlightened. But then, I didn't expect to straight away. It was nice just to sit in the one spot for awhile. Still. No one needing me. I concentrated on my mind. It wandered. I thought about what I would make for dinner that night. I resented the fact that Ben would need to do the house renos ALL weekend and I would have to wrangle two kids on my own. I thought about how I would walk home...'past that great coffee shop, I'll grab a latte, surely Buddha is all good with a little treat or too! Man, I'm hungover' OK, back to breathing. In. Out. In. Out. 'should it be a big breath or just a little one. I'm feeling light headed. Back to the breath. In. Out. In. Out. White light in. Grey light out.'

And then I thought I would pretend the Grey light was the hormonal stuff happening in the pit of my womb. White light in. Bad, bitchy, PMS, lunatic Grey light out. It started to feel purposeful. Even peaceful.

Until I started thinking about coffee again.

Life recently...in pictures.

Here's how we spent today:



Home made muesli.




Boulangere and meat balls for dinner. Yum and Yum. Thank you Master Chef!



I used my Menu planner today, which I won from this lovely lass. It's already proving very useful!



And HORRAY! we've had our entrance way put in. (door yet to be painted)



And of course, I spent a good deal of my day being Mumma to these little bottle loving sweet peas.

Global Financial Crisis Carrot & Coriander Soup

If you're anything like our family, you're probably watching your money. The economic climate at the moment is chilly, and as such I choose to warm my family with cost effective soups. This is a Jamie Oliver recipe and it rocks.



1 onion, chopped
450g carrots, washed and sliced
1 clove garlic
1 tsp ground coriander
1.2 litres vegetable stock
handful chopped coriander
nutmeg to taste (optional)
salt and pepper to taste
singe cream (optional)
1 lemon

Heat oil and add garlic, carrots and onion. When onion starts to soften add coriander and salt and pepper. Cover with stock and bring to the boil. Simmer for 20 mins. Add fresh coriander. Whizz the soup, add nutmeg and serve with a swirl of cream (optional) and a squeeze of lemon juice**

** this really makes the soup sit up and slap your taste bubs into submission. Dont make it without adding your little squeeze of lemon people!

exciting prospects.

It's been such a busy period for us lately. I have found that getting a moment to blog about sewing is almost as impossible as finding a moment to sew! But, in the craziness of house renos, small children, new family members and breakfasts, lunches and dinners I have managed to get a few things completed.

A friend I used to go to school with contacted me via facebook and when she learned I did a little sewing, she asked me to make her a feeding cover and some spew rags. I was more than happy to oblige. There was no brief really except that she is having a little girl.





Excuse the light in these photos. That's how little time I had to take them :)

In all things inspired, I found this golden nugget. I am about to attempt my second vintage dress but with my own modern, personal twist. Wish me luck. I have no idea how to alter patterns, or how to finish dresses neatly, but I'm learning.

TO BE CONTINUED: Will post a picture of the first vintage dress I made recently. Even if the invisible zip still isn't in!

Tommy Boms.

Little Man...



Who would believe you're 8 months old. I would say that times flies, but really those first 6 months dragged and were hard and wonderful all at once. I am happy to say that now you are sleeping through which makes my life so much easier. You are a delight to watch, sitting quietly playing or talking to yourself. You love just being in the family I think. Getting a quick smile from Mum or a big hello from Dad. But hands down, your favourite person is Miss Annie. You follow her around the room with your eyes. Waiting for her to look at you, play with you, smile at you. I've often been in the other room and can hear the two of you laughing. When I come to investigate what's so funny, it always just ends up being you two, just enjoying each other, and getting a good hearty belly laugh from hearing the other one giggle. Delightful!

You can sit up now, roll over, feed yourself (messily) hold your own bottle (hooray!) laugh a lot (see below) and talk talk talk talk talk. You don't make any sense but the sounds are so colourful I have no doubt you will be as vocally capable as your big sister. Nana told me this morning that last night when you stayed at her house, you were chatting to yourself at 1am in the morning. When she went in to see you, you had rolled over on your tummy and where head butting the top of the cot. She popped your dummy in, the chatter subsides and you roll back into the land of nod.

If I could I would bottle the sweet, sweaty smell of your neck. My favourite place to kiss. It's a national treasure. So warm and soft and irresistible. Keeping growing my boy, but stay innocent and pure and mine.



Much love...Mumma xx

Determined to be One.

Nickname: Tommy-Boms or Little Man

Favourite Foods: Bananas and Custard (sometimes together)

Favourite Drink: Milk and whatever mums holding.

Sleep: 7pm - 6am

Favourite Toy: Henry the Goat

Favourite Person: Miss Annie

Personality traits worth noting: Determined little buggar.

Likes: Rolling, sitting, chewing, smiling

Dislikes: Not being older, waiting for his food.

Favourite pasttime: Watching Maggie.