a dry summer

Why hello there! You would be forgiven in thinking that I had forgotten entirely about this little neglected space. As life just became too busy around me, I found that the blog became far less important in daily life, and I kept pushing it far back into the list of priorities. Before I knew it an entire two months had gone past. Of course the longer you leave something the harder it is to come back to it. Where to start? What to blog about? You certainly become rusty in the blogging department and the words do not flow easily.

It is not easy to blog when you don't feel like yourself as much as you used to. When you start to question if this really is the best way to live. When you lose your motivation.

I guess a combination of things contributed to the way I was feeling this summer. It was a terribly hot summer, and we went for a long time without rain. I can only begin to imagine how hard this would be if your livelihood depended up on it. As it was here, my vegie garden, that I had such high hopes for this year, that I had spent many hours on, so much money invested in, potatoes, seeds and seedlings, withered up and died. I gave up the twice day watering when I realised that I was no match for this harsh windy Summer and that I could no longer justify using so much precious tank water. It is the first summer here that I had no tomato crop. Then despite the hard work of pumping water twice weekly and watering all the trees, we still lost several. The grass died and you could feel the crunch under your feet while walking around after dark. Because that was the only time it was pleasant outside. Drought can suck the life right out of you.

When it doesn't rain the cows still need water, and pumping and fetching water becomes a huge headache. Having them 10 minutes away was not helping either, particularly when we had to buy their entire feed for the summer. I love my cows, I love the fresh milk, but I will not pretend that the whole experience has been an easy one. It has been a huge learning curve. Yet I still want to do it. I think an update post is due very soon.

Going back to the dry, I can now say that we were very fortunate this time around. It rained. Hard. Then it rained again. And again and again. We went from a dirt lawn to bright green grass. Everywhere. You can't underestimate just how much better you can feel when it finally rains. My thoughts are with those going through much tougher times, who haven't yet had rain, and can't afford to bring in feed.

Then there was the whole blogging thing. Sorry to say I had been keeping well away from the blogging community, becoming more drawn to the quieter, non-sponsored and less popular blogs. A click on an old favourite didn't always feel the same anymore. Amidst the new professional headers, wonderful  photography and the sometimes bombarding sponsorship, it seemed easier at times to slowly fade away and put that blogging chapter behind me. I lack the time to experiment, funds and expertise necessary to try to perfect my photography or to stylise this space professionally. So I've just decided to do the best I can do. Homemade header it is. Blurry pictures it may be.

So I'm feeling better now. Ready to put this harsh summer behind and look forward to a cooler, greener Autumn. My favourite season. I thank all those who wrote to me out of concern, and I did feel missed. Just don't expect anything too fancy. My life is not fancy, and I always wanted to maintain an honest truth within this blog. The ups and downs are all part of life, and it would be a lie to gloss over that. So as long as you don't expect anything too flash, but just a little journal of this not so perfect life here, I hope to see you again real soon.

eight little things

1. So very happy to receive this beautiful Classy with cashmere yarn and Pompom, a charming little magazine full of fresh patterns, from Susie's giveaway on her Flowerpress blog. Yarn and magazine are available at Zigo Zago. Thank you Susie!
2. My old washing basket that the bottom has almost come out of (hence the coffee bag) is a new house for Violet's blocks. Because she can see them now she actually plays with them. Not sure why I didn't think of this earlier.
3. Reading.
4. Focaccia bread (no knead bread dough - 3 1/2 cups water, 6 1/2 cups flour, 1 tablespoon salt, 1 tablespoon yeast, 4 tablespoons olive oil (mixed in bowl, covered until doubled in size), topped with olive oil, fresh herbs from the garden, garlic and sea salt. Bake in 200 degree celsius oven until golden top and bottom - around about 30 mins).
5. Cleaning out drawers of which little hands had been rearranging.
6. Spinach and feta scrolls - scone dough (4 cups self raising flour, 160g butter, 1 tsp salt and 2 cups milk, though I added a little more) rolled into skinny rectangle and filled with few handfuls of chopped spinach and a packet of feta. Roll, slice and pop into muffin tins. Brush with egg yolk and sprinkle with sea salt. Bake at 200 degrees celsius until golden top and bottom - usually 20 - 30 mins.  Recipe courtesy of our school's kitchen garden.
7. A crochet rug is handy for a chair waiting to be painted and recovered.
8. Dress ups.

What little things have you been enjoying lately?
How has your week been?

ornament swap

 

This year I'm excited to be a part of the Handmade Ornament Swap 2012, hosted by Christina of Christina Lowry Designs. For bloggers and non-bloggers, national or international, sign ups close on Monday 21st October. Let's support our wonderful blogging community with some crafty, handmade fun. Hope to see you over there!

nine little things

1. My biggest little things - school holidays with these three. Yes, it has been a little up and down. But I'm determined to enjoy these last few precious days.
2. Amazed at the generosity of bloggers - a beautiful parcel sent by Zara of the charming Zaranne Handmade. If you do happen upon this book it is an excellent read. Isn't the bunting gorgeous? Thank you again Zara.
3. New Japanese Lawn for a dress.
4. Country Style and a cuppa. The perfect antidote to school holiday chaos.
5. Rabbit pie (based on a Jamie Oliver recipe from Jamie's Great Britain)
6. The latest library reading pile. A Cooks Life enjoyed and completed, moving onto The Food Clock.
7. Village wandering.
8. Spotting an abundance of yellow. For the gardeners out there - is this Forsythia?
9. Bringing a little bit of this sunshine inside.

What little things have you been enjoying lately?

a rainbow trout, a dress and a clean room

On Friday night I cooked my first ever rainbow trout. Caught by Daniel during his lunch break. Not the type to usually enjoy sitting for hours and hours casting a line in, this was the first fish he'd ever brought home for me. I'm secretly hoping that this lucky catch might encourage him to fish more often.

With a little help from google, a dusting of flour and a pan fry with garlic and butter, it was soon ready. Though I did have to snap the poor fish in half to fit it in the frypan, and the stray bones that were still in there after de-boning (my first attempt remember) did give the meal a slight living on the edge type feeling, but overall it was quite good. Come to think of it, a squeeze of lemon would've gone well with it too.

Violet got to wear her new little dress from Ivy Loves Jack (you will find a gorgeous selection of childrens vintage over there). Isn't it lovely? It's a wool blend, so teamed with a thermal can be worn in our colder climate. The colours and design of this dress remind me of one of my favourite childhood dresses. There were lots of brown dresses back then. Sadly you don't see many now. Unfortunately our darker winter light and a fast moving subject made it impossible to avoid a little blur.

I cleaned out our bedroom on the weekend. Was a little horrified at all the dust gathered behind the bedside tables. My excuse is that Violet screams whenever the vaccum is on, so I mostly sweep. But fresh bedding and a dust free room can do wonders for your mental state.


I think one day I am going to miss all the constant "to mum" Julia drawings.



Hoping that you too had a lovely weekend.

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

loving...

Just before christmas, the hubby very kindly agreed to let me choose a few christmas gifts for myself. I think he breathed a sigh of relief at the suggestion. 

I have admired Melissa's beautiful creations for some time, and fell in love with this little brooch from here. Now, I am not usually a brooch person. But I think I am absolutely converted now. During our recent break to visit family, I wore this almost every single day.

I very recently noticed that all my shoes were wearing out. So strange. I don't think this has happened to me in years. But I think I know why. In the past I have had way too many shoes. When I simplified my wardrobe a few years ago I only kept my favourite shoes and have not bought any since. So, inevitably, with time they have worn out.  Which meant a new pair was on the agenda. I chose these, and was surprised at just how quickly they arrived. The mustardy yellow colour makes me feel happy when I wear them.

Lastly, I wanted to show you a beautiful skirt that I was so fortunate to win in an Owlet giveaway. (Don't you just love Lauren's blog?)

It perfectly fits Violet and I know she will get at least one more Summer out of it. Though Violet is not twirling just yet, I suspect that this will be the perfect twirling skirt.  The fabric combinations and layering is just perfect. Thank you Lauren!

Of course, sometimes, these little photo shoots don't quite go to plan...

what the postie brought

In recent weeks I have been fortunate to receive a few gorgeous parcels in the mail. I must say that it is a little exciting walking down my long drive with awaiting parcels left by the side of the road (because they don't bother knocking on doors or filling out those slips around here!)

From the lovely Amanda of Little Eco I ordered some beautifully packaged seeds, nappy cream and I Love Dirt book (plenty of ideas for the long school holidays in those pages). Amanda so kindly sent me a delightful floral bib and a whole lot of vintage sheeting. She obviously knows me well! I've used a little of the blue already in last weeks advent calender. Thank you Amanda.

And because it's that time of year, I treated myself to this pretty little stamp set and notebooks. You may have already seen the stamps on recent wrapping paper here and here.  Christmas cards, wrapping paper, tags, you name it. They are all getting the stamp treatment this year. And next year and the year after that, based on a cost per use basis!

I was so thrilled to receive this adorable little summer suit for Violet's birthday, from the gorgeous Karlyn of Rosa's Room. Red has to be my favourite dress colour in the world and I'm loving that collar. Isn't it the cutest? Now all we need is a little actual summer weather to arrive. Thanks Karlyn.

from the Liberty book

from the Made at Home book

A few new books have appeared in my home also. The Liberty Book of Home Sewing and Made at Home. You have likely seen them on a few blogs lately. Both are a beautiful addition to the crafting shelf. The Liberty book is full of rich detailed florals and a variety of projects that really show off the fabric. Made at Home is full of simple projects for the home, with a very pleasing layout and striking fabrics (mainly floral) in simple settings. Even if you don't make anything from them (which I certainly hope to next year) they are so beautifully styled that they are a joy to read and flick through, just for the sake of it. And the fabrics! The downside being that they are not too good for the fabric addicts amongst us. I strangely keep finding myself browsing Liberty prints online.

Has your postie been a little busier than usual too?

show & tell

I am not terribly happy with my ISP right now. My computer has slowed to dial up speed for the past few days which should  be rectified tomorrow. Hopefully. So I have been unable to read my usual blogs properly or leave comments. Emails have also been neglected and posting has become very time consuming. I am hoping to catch up with it all later in the week.

In much better news I am over at the lovely Flower Press blog today for a Show & Tell interview. See you over there!

blog hopping

Thank you for all your encouraging words lately. I truly appreciate each and every comment left.

Today I thought I would share a few new-ish (to me) blogs with you that I've been enjoying lately.

• Michelle at mk handmade. Pretty and simple everyday living involving food, crochet, quilting and more.
• Motherwho is a gentle space with simple family living and craftiness.
• Beautiful photography can be found on Veronica's blog Mama Jots.
• A lovely simple living family blog over at piper and poppies.  Click on the "about" section for older posts.
• I Love Buttons By Emma. Lot's of pretty projects here.

Please feel free to add a link under your comment to your new, newish (or not!) blog, as we all like to do a bit of blog hopping every now and then.

Edit : sorry I messed up the links earlier. Should be now fixed.

in mail

In the comings and goings of our thrice weekly mail I have a few to show you from the last few weeks.

I was very fortunate to win this bib in a giveaway on the gorgeous Amanda's blog. A great place full of sustainable ideas, recipes, crafting and more. Amanda is soon opening a store,  Little Eco and will be stocking sustainable goodies such as this. If you haven't already discovered her blog yet,  do pop over and have a look, it is a lovely place to visit. Thanks Amanda!

I also received a package of goodies that I purchased for a few little projects that I have in mind.  Little Bits of Pretty is a blog run by Lea that sells little packages of pretty little crafty things. Little Bits of Pretty is a fundraiser for The Children's Hospital at Westmead. You may also know Lea from her other blog We like to make stuff which is full of crafting, op shopping and family life. Thank you Lea!

And now onto books. These were a few recent purchases from a voucher I had.

The Stylish Dress Book - Lot's of floaty, pretty dresses in here. Particularly good for hat I'm looking for as I do love to team smock style dresses and tights. Much comfier than jeans. I've been warned though to beware of the sack like qualities of the tunic style dresses. Looking forward to having a go at some of these though, and will be prepared to take in if necessary.

Winter On The Farm has gorgeous pictures of the author's Tasmanian Farm. Not unlike our frosty and foggy days. I can see myself making a lot of these recipes as they look temptingly delicious, simple and warming. I do like his approach to "real food".


Backyard Self Sufficiency is a little gem of a book for information aplenty on vegie gardens, fruit trees, and small livestock (I'm only halfway through the book, but so far this is what it's covered). Did you know you can plant fruit trees two metres apart for tighter spaces?  This book is of particular interest to me as Jackie French gardens in a very similar area to mine with hot dry summers and frosty winters. She actually doesn't live too far away, so her advice on growing lemon trees in our climate ( my last one died within a week, victim of a November frost, followed by a 30 degree day) is one I can relate and listen to.