leaving this place...

We're a week off handing back the keys and heading into limbo (more on that later).
Most of our belongings have been sold or found their way to various places for storage. The chaos of moving house is overwhelming... boxes upon boxes, muddy footprints from the constant trips to the trailer... I long for it all to be over.
Wanda bus has been patiently waiting for our attention, I'm excited to get back to work on her when the move is all done. 

We were never going to stay long in this house, it was always meant to be a stepping stone. Looking back at our year here, I'm remembering the good things. The simple things that have got me through the hard moments and the tired days of being a mama of two.

:: the lighting of beeswax candles in the evenings ::

:: the many batches of bikkies baked ::

:: the many flowers picked from the garden ::

:: the bounty we picked from our humble vegie patch ::

:: the cows over the back fence ::

:: the glorious sunrises and sunsets ::

:: the make do summer shade of sheets over the hills hoist ::

They are the everyday humble things that with repetition over time, become significant.

Don't you think?

What do you remember most from the past year in your home?

I'm off to the land of nod to rest my lifting muscles. zzz

this and that...

 :: I made ginger beer... but it smells like farts {not my words}. 
Sam thinks I caught some bacteria in my starter. 
Apart from the sulphur smell, I think I did quite well. 
It has a lovely light fizz and a gentle ginger flavour... but yes, it still smells like farts. 
Better luck next time.

:: I love cook books. 
Not just any cook book though. I need one with a story, with substance. 
This stack has some old favourites, some new purchases and a borrowed one that needs to be purchased. 
Who needs to smoke or drink when you can buy cook books instead?

:: Spring. When it is good, it is very, very good {and when it is bad, it is horrid}. 
The lawn is proving to be the perfect spot for colouring, tea parties and cubbies.
When not on the lawn, you'll most likely find us on the front verandah. 
Huckle takes great pride in the watering of the herbs {when he's not pulling them out}.
We have oregano, thyme, mint, coriander and parsley. He knows which is which and fetches them for me when I cook. 
Knowing real food is important to me and I hope that I can instill that in my children.

:: There's been a lot of sewing happening over here.
We happened to be near a spotlight last week and I made the mad dash in, sans children. 
I was pleasantly surprised with the designs they currently have {and not at all surprised at their understaffed, unhelpful ways}.
I haven't purchased new fabric in oh, so long. I felt completely indulgent. 
The first three will be used to make pants and shorts for the Huckle and Arlo.
The other two are for me. I'm thinking floaty, summery tops.

Have you made ginger beer before? Any tips?
What's happening at yours this week? Sewing? Cooking? Outdoor tea parties?
Hope it's lovely.

spring sun and other things...

We've been enjoying the spring sun this week. 

Which really translates to... lolling about in the garden, while dishes stack high and laundry overflows, crumbs collect and the floor disappears beneath a sea of toys.

But it's raining again now, winter is revisiting until the week is out. 

Spring, you terrible flirt.

So, if you're looking for me and my merry men, we shall be straightening out this wonky house. 

A spring clean, if you like.

The only part of our house that is neat! 
Our two bikkie jar coin collectors. 
Mr Tooffin Chat (pussy cat in Hucklish) collects silver and Mr Ulnant (elephant) collects gold.

I hope your week is just lovely.

Have you been soaking up the spring sun?

Is your house wonky too?

Where do you keep your spare change?

Ta ta!

moving...

Yes. I am completely mad.

Today I am 38 weeks pregnant.

We're moving house. And I&E studio. And a mechanics workshop. And our small fleet of vintage cars (six. not counting the one we're getting rid of, or the one in melbourne, or the daily driver, or the ones that aren't ours. ok, so maybe that's nine... or ten).

Told you I was mad.

Things will be a bit quiet on the blog for a while. Understandably.

Here's the only photo I've managed in the past few days. 

A tiny portion of jars from my pantry lining up two by two.

I'm off to pack more boxes, while the darling husband ferries another load to the new house.
I hope this baby stays in for at least one more week.
Wish me luck.
See you soon.

right now...

I am...

feeling :: the warmth of the fire

waiting :: for a phone call to say if we'll be moving house or not

listening :: to a little Huckle man chatter away about chestnuts and tidy up

eating :: leftover nanna style vegie soup with homemade bread for lunch

hoping :: to sit by the fire and crochet the afternoon away

harvesting :: chestnuts, passionfruit and the last few sneaky potatoes and tomatoes hiding in vegie patch

enjoying :: the warm glow of the sun, when it occasionally pops out from behind the clouds

watching :: the leaves turn beautiful shades of yellow, orange, red and even purple

decluttering :: the whole house... and the shed... aaaand the studios, bye bye stuff

cooking :: dinners ahead... red beans and rice, pumpkin and barley gratin and pumpkin and chickpea curry

baking :: anzacs, a little late but delicious none the less

discovering :: the world through a little persons eyes... caterpillars, rocks, leaves...

What are you up to right now?
I hope it's wonderful, whatever it may be.


inspired by soulemama

the avalanche hits...

Life can get really hectic can't it? You're plodding along, doing your thing and then *WOOMPH* the avalanche is upon you. Everything is happening at once and it all gets a bit stressful. I feel I have a lot on my plate, but all I can do is push through and dream of quieter times (even if they're twenty years away, ha ha).

I'm really feeling this pregnancy at the moment, there's  a few niggly things that are giving me quite a bit of grief. It's exhausting to do anything other than lay in bed. It certainly isn't helping that the little Huckle is especially crazy at the moment, throwing his weight around like he runs the joint. Hello terrible twos! 

Needless to say, we didn't make it up town today. I kept a very low profile watching Totoro (again), designing products and stationery for Ironwood and Eaglesmith, chomping down on plump pumpkin pastries (recipe thanks to cityhippyfarmgirl) and super delicious banana cake (my growing waistline would like to thank Stephanie Alexander for this one).

I'm trying to remember to breathe, really breathe and find the little snippets of peace in my day. Calm moments where it all seems to stop, even just for a second. I find a warm cup of tea helps. Tea revives you... well that's what they say.

We're off uptown tomorrow, there's no getting out of it this time.

How is your weekend turning out? 

Tell me it's sunny and bright and full of wonder. 

That would make me smile.

I must take a bump photo soon. It's getting rather large.

moving to a big bed and banana bread...

We've just begun the transition into big bed territory over here and so far it's going ok. It's a bit of a battle to keep him in the bed while I leave the room, so for now I sit by his bedside and practice my pranayama (yoga breathing) while he gets the hint and cozies up to sleep. I'm seeing it as an opportunity to be still and prepare for birthing baby number two, as pranayama allowed me the strength and awareness I needed through Huckle's birth. 

The day nap is proving to be another battle entirely. We'll see how we go with that one. 

Now, onto a different topic all together! Banana Bread.
I seem to be forever chasing the perfect banana bread. I thought I'd worked it out way back here, but then I grew complacent and it lost my devotion. I can't even remember what lost me, maybe I need to revisit the recipe?
The other day I tried a new recipe from The Women's Weekly Bake Cookbook. Of course I changed a few things a) because I struggle to follow instructions EVER and b) simply because I didn't have the exact ingredients. 
I think I like this one. It has a lot going for it. The crumb is good, lovely flavour, fluffy enough to be indulgent, yet wholesome enough to be almost healthy (minus the sugar).
I'm not saying it's a winner. For surely my taste will change and I'll flutter off to the next version. I know what I'm like.
How do you like your banana bread? Are you a recipe flirt like me? Or do you have an old flame that still burns bright?
Please share if you have a winning recipe. That is if it isn't a top secret Nanna recipe.

a day off...

With another hectic weekend behind us, we've come to the conclusion that Mondays should most definitely be a day off. 

I spent the morning in the kitchen baking bread & organising the weeks dinners. Cash is a bit tight this week, so I'm getting inventive with what's already in the fridge and pantry and concocting a grand plan. I've written my plan on a scrap of paper, but knowing how things magically disappear with a toddler around I'm writing it here so it can't get lost. Here's what I've come up with...

Monday :: Leftover Ratatouille with grilled olive polenta 

Tuesday :: Crustless Silverbeet, walnut and fetta pie

Wednesday :: Pumpkin and chickpea curry with homemade kashmiri naan

Thursday :: Minestrone with parmesan toasts

Friday :: Dahl with brown rice and yoghurt

Saturday :: Pumpkin and barley risotto

Sunday :: Homemade pizzas with this, that and what have you

As you can tell from this list, we're pretty much vegetarian in this house. We do eat seafood, but good seafood is hard to come by around our parts. We tend to eat seafood when we're uptown and can get the good stuff.

It was such a lovely sunny day today too, we couldn't help but spend some time lazing about outside. Sunny days have been few and far between of late, it feels as though winter is coming early. Of course I am most unimpressed about this and continue to hold hope that the warmth will continue a bit longer and might even ripen my tomato crop. Wishful thinking? Perhaps.

So we soaked up the warmth lounging upon an old woolen blankie while Huckle entertained us with his antics. Collecting grass and flowers for the ducks, digging in the sandbox and patting the Arthur Dog. 

There are moments you just want to bottle sometimes and this was one of those moments.

I hope your monday has been relaxing (especially if you're in Victoria and had a public holiday).

I'm off now to wind down and get my head around the busy week ahead.

Have a great week!.

this little man...

... is constantly amazing us with all that he knows and all that he can do

... loves to give hugs and pats on the back (even to unsuspecting peers at the doctors)

... is learning so many new words everyday

... loves, loves, loves playing in the sandbox

... will spend a good hour at a time building magnificent wooden block cities for his animals

... plays wonderful tunes on the piano

... loves cooking in his kitchen and offering tastes to his Mama and Dada

... loves baking with his Mama and mixing the the ingredients til they cover the bench, floor and himself

... helps his Dada in the I&E studio by sweeping the sawdust into the bin (and wherever else he sees fit)

... sings the theme tune to Totoro and the firetruck song

... sits at the sewing machine and asks to sew (and when fabric is sewn is upset that it is "stuck" together)

... loves bananas, nuts, cheese, berries, ratatouille, stonefruit, olives, banana smoothies and pasta

... is not keen on tomatoes, silverbeet or boiled egg

... loves The Byrds, The Staple Singers, The Black Keys, Crosby Stills and Nash and crazy gypsy music 

... collects flowers, rocks and sticks

... has animal sounds and body parts down pat

... favourite book is The Little Tractor

I could go on forever!

This is just a little update to document this wonderful age of learning and to keep his Nana and Aunty Melly happy. There's only so long they can go without a Huckle photo.

I love this first image so much. He moves so fast, most of my shots are out of focus. 

But this face... this smile... this is Huckle. Our Happy little Huckle man.

The last week has been full of trials. A combination of teething, night waking, early morning rising and then all of the wonderful *ahem* side effects that follow such things. We're now back to normal and my brain is functioning again too, which is nice. 

Looking at these photos after such a hard week reminds me to keep my head up and push through those long toddler grump days. There's always a light at the end of the tunnel.

We're off uptown tomorrow to work on the showroom. It's lovely having a little bit of city in our week, it's like a reverse of the country weekender.

What are you up to this weekend?

Whatever it is, make it fun!

Happy Weekend.

my creative space...

I'm a little bit chuffed to say... I finished a quilt. Sure it's teeny tiny, but still it is a quilt and it is finished! Ok, perhaps I am a little too excited.

I've named it "The Happy Farmer" and it's waiting patiently to be be joined by two more teeny quilts. And then... when I get around to it, they'll be heading to the shop.

At just a wee 55cm x 60cm, it's the perfect size to pop over a wee baby in the pram or capsule. 

It's been lovingly (ie: wonkily) handquilted and features a variety of vintage and new fabrics. The cute farm fabric was brought back from Paris by my sweet sister.

The days have been slow around these parts. We're storing our energy for another hectic weekend ahead. There's a house to inspect, scrap metal to be collected, furniture to be delivered... a big long rattling list really, that I'm trying not to think about too much.
Today is all about the home. We've rearranged Huckle's room to include a big bed (that he will hopefully soon sleep in), bread is in the oven and washing is swishing away in the machine. Aaah, domestic bliss (humour me here). 
Now for a cup of tea.


What's afoot in your neck of the woods today?
Craftiness? Domesticity? Shenanigans?
Whatever it is... enjoy it.

Joining this group of crafty foxes.

sunday...

Up and about early again, Huckle and I trotted off to Camberwell Market in search in treasures. We came across a pair of ginormouscous bolt cutters, five greyhounds (unfortunately not for sale) and the cheeky band Rapskallion. We paused to enjoy their crazy gypsy music and laugh at their silly antics.

I scored a set of oil can drawers to be incorporated into an Ironwood and Eaglesmith piece.

Huckle scored a couple of cars. Just two, one for each hand. He is quite rapt with the mustang, as it's the same as Uncle Simon's. 

The afternoon was spent making our way home. We picked up thirty-odd lengths of hardwood flooring, only to discover that five metre lengths made our trailer jump about like a fish out of water, which then caused the car to steer like a boat. 
Hmmm, yes. No good at all. Especially not for the hours drive we had ahead of us. A quick stop at bunnings bought us a saw, some can-do attitude and a trailer load of thirty-odd four metre lengths. Hurrah! Let's not mention the four chairs and numerous other timber and steel we already had in the trailer.
So now Sunday is almost gone and I'm quite ready for bed and a nice slow day tomorrow. 


How was your weekend? 
Was it crazy busy too, or did you relax?
I do hope it was the latter.

saturday...

I was up early and off to Gleadall St Market to shop for the week ahead. I do love this little market. The nut man is lovely, you can buy bread from bakeries all over town and there's nothing like constantly being run into by a Nonna and her trolley (although, I think that happens at every market).

The rest of the morning was spent collecting bits and bobs from here and there for the studio and home.

The afternoon had a slower pace. While it rained outside, the boys entertained themselves building a block city. There's an awesome collection of old blocks at the warehouse (thanks AJ for not being able to part with them). While the boys played, I photographed the new Ironwood and Eaglesmith pieces to list on the website this week.

Saturday night Samuel went to see Ryan Adams. We couldn't organise a sitter in time, so I had to pass in the free ticket. A bit disapointed, but next time we will be more organised. Never mind, time was not wasted and I completed another seven rows on the ripple blanket (fueled by chocolate). These blankets are serious long-haul projects! Lucky I only make one per baby, huh.

And that was Saturday...

friday...

Our weekend has been crazy. Full of markets, sourcing materials for Ironwood and Eaglesmith and organising the our new space.

I'm going to document each day with a three photos and use them to remember exactly what we did this past weekend. It's all such a blur.

Please excuse this onslaught of posts.

We typically arrive at the warehouse on friday afternoon, unload the pieces made that week and get ourselves settled in. Huckle's routine is kept the same as at home, so it's dinner, bath, milk, stories, teeth and in bed by seven.

After the little man has gone to bed we veg out and try to restore some energy.

This week we had Samuel's cousin and his wife around for pizzas. I made the dough before we left, it kind of exploded into a monster in the car on the way up. There's always chaos in our adventures and exploding monster dough shall not deter us! When it came to making dinner, it behaved perfectly and was the best batch we've made so far. So delicious.

This super yellow monster from our garden was enjoyed atop a few pizzas too. I can't remember what variety it is. It was very fleshy and rich, with only a few seeds. 

So that was friday...

hello autumn...

Autumn is here and has definitely made itself known. The wind has been blowing a gale since yesterday and it has been rainy and cloudy too. Samuel says, "It's like pea soup out there". I wonder where this saying comes from? For the pea soup I make, is quite lovely actually and not like drizzle at all.

I do like Autumn, it's my most favourite season of all. I married Samuel in March, Huckle was born in April and our newest addition will arrive in May (if all goes to plan). So many things to love about this season.

It's a wonderful time of year for food too. Apples and pears are a plenty, the summer fruit and veggies are still cropping and soon there'll be pumpkins and all manner of wonderful things.

We purchased some apples from a local farmer at the market this past weekend. Her farm is just down the road from us, about 7k's away. They're as tart as can be, but perfect for crumble and the like. Huckle and I stewed some with blackberries this morning. He helped transfer the skins and cores to the compost bucket and helped himself to a bite here and there too. Half became crumble, which we gobbled up for dessert and the other has been squirreled away in the freezer for another day.

I can't wait for the height of pear season, I've been dreaming about eating this cake again.

 Do you favour Autumn too? Or are you sad to see Summer fade?

lately...

There's a lot going on up here on the hill. Life feels very busy and we may be chasing our tails for a little while yet. I've rescued my crafting mojo from the brink of extinction (two odd months in Qld) and I'm feeling quite well and balanced now that it's back.

It also helps that Huckle can keep himself entertained while I sew in the studio. He has a little fenced yard that is attached to the studio, where he can dig in the sandbox and explore. I leave the door open and he pops in to see me and bring me some sand. He's quite content to do this for an hour or so, which is fantastic.

With all this time to sew, I've finally finished the giant strawberry I started so long ago. It's a Purl Bee free pattern, found over here. I lost my pattern piece for the top, so I winged it with a bit of felt. It's cushy and cuddly, but no you can't eat it. Sorry.

I've also finished the top of the Parisian Garden teeny quilt. Now I must finish this and the Autumn Squirrel top and get them in the shop.

We've been slowly making our way through the birthday cheese, with sneaky cheese plates for lunch or after tea. So good. I am a crazy cheese lady. I love it.

We've been spending the weekends uptown in our new Ironwood and Eaglesmith Headquarters. More on this in another post, I promise.

And while the bump grows bigger, so too does the ripple blankie. I'll be sure to post a proper bump photo this week (for the likes of my mama and Melly).

Is it busy where you are? 
Have you been making and eating and living the good life? 
I sure hope so.
Have a lovely week!