in this week

This week I have :-


 Wondered how long the basil will hang in there for. Hoping to squeeze just one more pesto out of it.

Rearranged the shelves. Because who knows when the inclination or inspiration to do so will strike again?

Remembered just how difficult co-sleeping with a 16 month old can be.

Made pizza topped with vegies from the garden. Thinly sliced zucchini with garlic and oregano. Thinly sliced potato with bacon and thyme.

Tired of seeing that mending basket and starting to do something about it.

Embraced the idea from Rhonda's book that housework is never finished, and so concentrating on one bit at a time.

Needing to squeeze in some time for sewing and knitting, as it hasn't really been happening this week.

Making an effort to become more of a morning person. Though I will always be a reluctant one.

Thinking about cleaning out the fabric stash.




Hoping your week has treated you well so far.

liking the like sleeves

It's always a good feeling to get another knitting project off those needles. Not that the Like Sleeves was the type of project that dragged along. No, it knitted up very quickly thanks to the larger needle size. The only stalling was my inability to sit down and try to understand the instructions for the last few rows.

But I did get my head around it. I even managed my first (rather awkward) crochet chain stitch which is woven through the neckline.

I used a Moda Vera wool in what I think is the perfect shade for Autumn. I'm thinking this will be quite a versatile top for the changing weather. Alone on a warmer day, or worn like a vest over long sleeves when it's cool. Very transeasonal.  

I discovered that I don't like seaming very much. And I'm not terribly good at it either. I'm afraid that I totally messed up the shoulder seam. But I'm turning a blind eye to that and we will learn for next time.

She does seem to like it.


Ravelled here.

thankful for

We received a beautiful package of fabric pieces a few weeks back. But it wasn't for me. The lovely (dressmaker extraordinaire)  Rebecca over at Naughty Shorts so very kindly sent Julia a bundle of sweet and pretty sewing fabric. So of course, we spent quite a bit of time going over the different patterns and naming our favourites. It was all very exciting for this sewing girl. Thank you Rebecca!

 Also quite a few weeks back I was so very fortunate to win a Mira Narnie key fob in a giveaway. Which not only looks pretty, but is just so handy for when you need to help kids out of the car, or pull a stroller or bags out. I don't know about you, but I am usually constantly losing my keys. Leaving them on the back seat, the front seat, in my purse. But now I just pop this on my wrist and all is good. And my home set now has a pretty little crochet holder. Thank you Brenda!

And here is a book that I've been waiting ever so long for. I think I purchased it back in the beginning of the year when the price was under ten. Of course, a low price also comes with a long, long wait.

But the wait was worth it. This book is jam packed full of yummy, simple and wholesome recipes. All are based around grains and vegetables. I'm looking forward to menu planning around this one.

Lastly, I had to share that I finally, finally found some vintage clothes in the local op shop. It's been a long time between wearable vintage finds (and at ten each too). The prettiest little full A-Line skirt, a 60's? paisley dress which I will make into a shift to wear with leggings and a handmade shirt dress which I am guessing to be a 50's or 60's day dress. For those that know vintage, I don't need to tell you about the amazing fit and quality of these items.




Wishing you all the very best for the day x

weekending

This weekend I've been :


Experimenting with the bread making. Twisted whey wheat rolls from The Home Creamery. Making a sizeable dent in all that whey from the ricotta making. (the recipe can be found online here, though I replaced the sugar with a few tablespoons of honey)

Attempting to do a little more dressmaking from The Stylish Dress Book. I've had this book for quite some time and well, it's really overdue that I make something from it. While I was at it I traced and cut out for both B and N.  And that's as far as I got. Me and my little "helper".

Replacing the white flour for wholemeal spelt in our favourite pancake recipe ( and minus the sugar). Funnily enough, I don't think anyone really noticed. Of course smothering with fried banana, maple syrup and whipped cream might have helped.

Finding places for all those tomatoes to ripen. This was the bulk of our crop and as is usually the case around here, the tomatoes are just becoming prolific when the frosts start. And right on cue they have started. Just light ones. But frosts nonetheless.



How was your weekend?

chilly

Taken the year we were building

There's a definite chill in the air. Our first frost of the season is forecast tomorrow. So today you will find me gathering up the last of those cucumbers, beans, zucchini, basil and tomatoes. I can foresee a little pesto making.

But I do love that chill in the air and the promise of crisp mornings, cozy fires, scarves and woolens. And there is always the hope of snow here, though it doesn't happen every year.

Autumn has to be my very favourite season of all.  Is it yours?


Wishing you all a wonderful weekend.

food world

I know I've been going on a lot about food lately. To be honest, for a little while I was going through a bit of a slump in the kitchen. I'd slowed down the bread making. There was next to nothing coming in from the garden. I was buying muesli again instead of making it.

Thanks to all this rain, the garden did grow and did (finally) start producing. And with it grew my enthusiasm to get back into the kitchen. Concentrating on the most very basic things that we go through as a family of five.

I bought a small handful of fruit and veg to make up for what we didn't have. For the first time I feel like we are doing what we set out to do with this garden. Which was to be able to pick a variety of things it and bring it inside to cook. Resulting in a smaller grocery bill, as well as eating better. There is nothing like digging up your own potatoes and eating them for dinner. Who knew all the flavour we were missing out on?

I've been making yohurt weekly, which is one more thing to knock off that grocery bill. Besides, it does taste better.

I tried my hand at ricotta making this week. Admittedly, it  does use an awful lot of milk. But you can't underestimate the satisfaction in making things yourself. Unfortunately half of this was later accidentally smashed onto the floor. But no use crying over spilt milk...or in this case ricotta cheese.

We've been making Soulemama's WHO bread again (from her book). Which is a big hit here. This batch was half wholemeal spelt and half white. It turns out a lovely soft loaf perfect for lunch boxes. I leave out the sugar, as the honey makes it quite sweet already.

Speaking of sugar, I 've been off it for over a week now. For the first few days I was so tired, even needing a nanna nap in the afternoon. Then there were the late afternoon and late night sugar cravings. I could liken it to withdrawal symptoms. But so far, so good. Have you ever tried this? And if so, did you manage it long term?

I've been back on the muesli making bandwagon. I use this recipe. We've been eating it for breakfast and after school snacks. The kids like it with milk, but I like to throw a spoonful of yohurt in with mine as well.



How are things going in your food world?

enjoying...

1. A new little pot on the window sill, just waiting to be filled with some herbs.
2. Meanwhile a fresh bunch of herbs suffices for flowers.
3. Reading Rhonda's book. I'm halfway through and loving it. Her familiar voice shines through in this beautiful book on simple living. Great advice for every age and stage.
4. Almost finished Julia's Tea Leaves. The scary double pointed needles are out. And you know they are not so scary afterall.
5. One of my favourite lunch things to do.. toast rubbed with garlic, add tomato, bocconcini and basil. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt.
6. A new little "out box" tin for seeds.  All ready to go with the cooler weather vegies for when I'm able to snatch a half hour in the garden.

busy

She is a busy one, this girl of mine. Always exploring, always discovering and always moving. She loves to dance. Anything with a beat will do. Her newest skill is to climb on the lounge, and she has been caught a few times climbing to the very top to peek out the window.

I often find her with a collection of necklaces around her neck or a line of bangles on her arm.
Or with an assortment of jars or lids from the cupboard.

She loves nothing more than an adventure outside and will venture out on her own if we've forgotten to shut the door.

She is very sure of herself and knows exactly what she wants. Good luck to you if you try to change her mind.

 All of this reminds me of how very different each parenting journey has been. How very different their little personalities are, and how we need to adapt each time.

I had forgotten just how difficult this stage can be. Most days I find myself doing not much more than cleaning up a constant path of destruction left behind by this little person. Some days can be incredibly frustrating. But there is always some smiles and laughing in between the frustrating bits.

Third time around I know just how quickly it all passes. So, while I wish that this constant getting into things stage would pass, I don't want it to either. Because each stage has its own little character, and actions and words. The way they move, the way they mispronounce words. I am aware that many of these will be forgotten with the passage of time.

I've been trying to keep a journal up, but I'm afraid that I'm months behind. I have lots of digital photos, but no printed albums. I've taken a few little videos. All of this takes organization and time. But I know I need to do it before time gets away on me. Do you struggle with this too?

***

Hoping that your day is a good one. And thanking all for your excellent snail ridding suggestions yesterday. Much appreciated.