this and that

1. Sweet cornbread (recipe from here). This simple recipe was so good, I made a double batch twice last week. I just couldn't stop eating it. Not so good.
2. Even Violet (not a huge sweet fan) loved it.
3. Garlic from the garden. My first ever garlic harvest. Little successes like these are most encouraging.
4. Violet favourite combination - skirts over pants with crocs. Only a toddler could get away with that!
5. Variegated thread for the christmas ornament swap. Too see what other swappers are up to this week, you can have a peek here.
6. Peeled roasted capsicum with olive oil, sea salt and garlic, just like my mother in law makes.
7. Pillows as seats.
8. Felt for christmas ornaments and things (purchased here).

So what have you been up to lately? Baking? Making? Other projects?

ten

Ten. I can't quite believe it myself. One minute they are little bundles of baby gorgeousness and the next they are in double digits and almost fit your same shoe size. How time does fly.

After last year's party, we kept it very low key this year. A few weeks earlier, he'd had his day out, which was his present from us this year. So we agreed upon just a simple cake to mark the day.

Luca requested the same semifreddo we enjoyed a few weeks back, instead of a birthday cake. Perhaps a sign of a more grown up taste emerging.

So after his day of a motorbike ride with his dad and grandfather, a pushbike ride with his friend down the road, while my day involved pottering around the garden, we gathered together, just us, at the table. Candles lit and quickly blown out (after discovering wax and ice cream don't mix too well).

Though there were no grand celebrations or elaborate presents, it was really nice to just sit and simply eat cake together in the dimming light of the day.

Happy 10th birthday Luca.

Julia's Penelope

I finished this little vest quite a few weeks back. It took me about three weeks to sit down and stitch a few little stitches to attach the velvet ribbon. I'm not really sure why, but I have a feeling many other crafters suffer from that habit of procrastinating those last few rows or stitches.

 

I borrowed the delightful, Lovely Knits for Little Girls from the local library. I would definitely describe most of the patterns as being in the advanced category, and while very pretty to look at, they do make me feel a little too nervous to attempt at this stage. Maybe one day.

So of course I attempted the easiest project in the book, The Penelope Garter Stitch Vest. It was very easy, and in fact surprisingly quick. The wool was lovely and soft to knit with. Overall one of those great, easy projects where you don't run into any problems. I'm quite happy with how the back detail adds a little interest to an otherwise plain back.

The one part I did find a little challenging was the crochet border. Most of you will know that I have absolutely no experience with crochet, so I was a little apprehensive about this part. Luckily I found some clear instructions in an old crochet book Introduction to Crochet, a Golden Hands volume I'd picked up at a garage sale a few years ago. I knew it would come in handy one day.

I'm pleased that although made of wool, it's small and cropped, so provides a little extra warmth during this unpredictable Spring, while not being too warm.

I think she likes it.




Ravelled here.


Joining in today with My Creative Space.

the whys and wherefores of blogging

It was while living in Canberra, after we had bought our block in the country that I discovered the world of blogs. Our life had already taken a turn in a different direction. Not long before I had started to become a regular shopper at the weekend farmers markets. I had a small but successful vegie garden in the backyard. I started making my own bread. I began cooking up batches of liquid washing mix. We had plans for a small house on an acre of land (you can read more about that here) . I was delving into the world of a simpler way of life, but with no clear idea of what I was really doing. My research led me into the world of blogs, and it was here that I discovered a world I never knew existed.

In this world there were people living the simpler life that I was envisioning.  And far more. I particularly started enjoying many crafty blogs. I had no idea when it came to sewing or knitting, but I was always drawn to it. I read about family life, cooking from scratch, gardening and alternative cleaning methods. Blogs such as Down to Earth, Soulemama, Foxs Lane, Tiny Happy and Farmama (no longer blogging)  though quite different to each other, were hugely inspiring, and continue to be daily reads.

From the time we rented in town, to building and moving into our new house, to welcoming another baby into the family, I continued reading blogs. I learned to sew and knit in these few years. I'd had a desire to learn these things for so long, but it was the inspiration found on blogs that finally made me decide to learn.

It was Daniel who started suggesting that I start a blog of my own. At first I laughed at the idea. I had many doubts. Who would want to read my relatively unexciting life? How would I find ideas for blog posts and wouldn't these ideas run out?  Would I constantly suffer from writers block? I hadn't done any form of writing since I was a teenager. Shouldn't I wait until I had a better camera? There is also that vulnerability of putting yourself out there and so being open to criticism. And importantly, how would I find the time?

But despite the doubts and after some time had passed, I decided to give it a try. I had a feeling that blogging might be something that I would very much enjoy. The blog became a little life of it's own. A little escape for me in the day to day, where I could record what was going on at that point of time. I was never really stuck for ideas. I would, and still do, usually park myself in front of the computer early in the morning, and write about whatever is on my mind, or find that my just downloaded photos tell a story of their own. I'd write about what I was making, what the kids were doing, what I was baking, what I was reading or where we went.

I recently realised that blogging is not unlike the constant diary and journal keeping that I kept form the age of eleven to nineteen. During my teen years I felt a need to keep a record of my day to day, and in my later teen years I carried my camera almost everywhere. Blogging has felt like going back to both of those in a sense.

But the thing I love about blogging the most is the connection I've felt to other people. People who are kind of like me. People who "get me". I can count on one or two fingers the people I know in real life who sew or knit or make bread or are interested in simpler living. I had always felt different somehow, but the blogging community has helped to fill that gap with their support and sharing of ideas.

 


Of course having a blog led me to discover many, many more wonderful blogs out there. Some I feel, that I can truly call friends, despite never having met them in real life.


So thank you for your generously shared ideas. Thank you for your comments that help keep me going. Thank you for visiting.




***

Also I am very grateful for your all comments and suggestions in yesterday's post. Shadecloth sounds like a very good suggestion, as does companion planting. I think I need to have some discussions with my handyman husband. Thank you Elaina for the natural pest spray recipes.

I can also happily report that it's raining right now and has been since late last night!

the not so abundant garden

I'd like to apologise in advance for this slightly depressing post.  Let me tell you about the sad state of my vegetable garden. Which hadn't been doing too badly.  Up until now that it is. It had managed through frost, occasional snow and icy winds to keep us supplied with spinach, silverbeet, rocket and kale over Winter. Of course every year I look forward to the time when we can put the frosts behind us and plant those tomatoes, zucchini, peas and other sorts of wonderful summer growing things.

But it's a bit of a jungle out there. In an aphid, cabbage moth infested kind of way. Not a lot has been spared. All my Winter greens have shot to seed. Despite daily watering and some mulching my garden is so very dry. Top ups with home grown compost, though improving the soil, don't make up for the scorching sun. Only a few seeds seem to make it to the seedling stage. Silverbeet is my one redeeming vegetable.

Locals here often wait until after Melbourne cup to plant frost prone vegies. So despite these setbacks I'll be visiting the nursery this week to pick up some seedlings, while praying for no more frosts. And for some much needed rain.

It's the most difficult area I've ever gardened in, and I have to admit that sometimes I question the wisdom in living in an area that is so very difficult for growing. Locals say that you need to undo all the gardening you have learnt elsewhere, as it's a different set of rules here. The cold is very cold and the hot is very hot, with not a lot of weather in between. I'm aware that I need to put more time into my garden, but the heat is so very draining. Some natural pesticides probably wouldn't go astray either.

However rain brings hope, and I know from experience that conditions can improve quite quickly here. It's all about timing and getting those seeds and seedlings in just before a rainy week forecast. If you are so fortunate as to get one.

I will keep reminding myself of the bumper zucchini crop of two years ago, the daily supply of little sweet cucumbers last year and the amazing potatoes dug up in Autumn.


On a more positive note our fruit trees are absolutely thriving. Our hedge is above head height and there are flowers in the front garden. It's been many years since I've had my own flowers, and I'm so grateful to have some once again.




Meanwhile I'll be watching the skies today hoping for that thunderstorm forecast to eventuate.

weekending

On Sunday morning we forewent the usual pancakes in favour of a rather unhealthy breakfast of  panettone, and a chocolate chip one at that. Reminding me of a typical breakfast at my mother in laws, minus the nutella (and of which deprivation I was reminded by my kids, and husband). But it did go down pretty well with a good strong coffee.

Although there was much to do at home, as there always is, we went for a drive into town. Our small town was buzzing with the sound of live music and passing through motorbikes. So we grabbed some coffees and drinks at one of our favourite coffee shops, and parked ourselves on the provided mild crates and folded coffee sacks to listen to some folksy local talent.

Before we headed home for a busy afternoon of jobs, we stopped at the park. I'm not a huge fan of parks, but they're something you can't really avoid when you have kids. Whether they're two or ten.

Did you notice Violet's little dress? Craving a quick little sewing project on the weekend I made my first pillowcase dress. I followed this easy tutorial, using a vintage pillowcase, sheeting and  a little quilting cotton for the pockets.


How was your weekend? I do hope it was a good one.

an (almost) empty nest

Yesterday my eldest two left bright and early for their first "proper" overnight excursion. They were both pretty excited to be spending the night away with their friends. After the stresses of packing and making sure they had this and that, I (nervously) waved them off on the bus.

I can't get over how quiet the house is. But I miss their noise. With no school pick up and a clean house I had a full day stretched before me. But all this free time felt a little overwhelming. I couldn't decide what to do. I drove into town, had a coffee and visited the library. I did a few rows of knitting at home. I ironed. Yes, one child was a little easier.  Easier yes, but not easy. I also realised just how much her brother and sister entertained her. I was her one and only source of entertainment now.

I suppose I must be a creature of habit. Without all those extra daily things to do, I felt a little lost. It seems the more time that I have, the less I do. The less time I have, the more efficient I seem to be with it. Could it be that I am more capable as a mother of three than one? I wonder if anyone else experiences this strange phenomenon?

So I look forward to an evening full of noise, unpacking and new stories to hear. The very gradual process of letting go as a parent can be difficult. I'll be happy (and relieved) to have them back.

Wishing you all a happy weekend.