i deliberated

There have been so many things I've found in op-shops that have had a rather cyclical life in my hands. They come into my home, stay a while, return to the op-shop. So now I'm more disciplined with what I buy.

A few days ago I bundled Che into the car and thought I'd return to a few favourite haunts that I used to visit several times a week. It must be noted here that babies and op-shops don't mix all that well - getting C in and out of the car is not fun for me and not fair on him. Hence I haven't op-shopped for a while. But now, considering the economic crisis and my desire to find vintage pre-loved goodness, I'm at it again.

Che loves it too - lots of trucks, cars, big-ugly-bright-hideous-plastic-toys that can be admired from a distance and never brought home. And then this wooden horse rocker that made me smile as soon as I saw its red feet. Che hopped right in and started a rockin'. And what did I do? I stood there watching him and deliberating. Thought process:

• oh it's beautiful
• it needs some sandpaper and touch-up paint though
• that's ok, I can do it when I'm doing this
• but do I really have time?
• will it fit in our house?
• is it corny or is it one of those great finds
• reminds me of little community playgroup centres
• old-fashioned toys (sigh)
• but will it get used or sit in a corner?
• he seems to like it (Che is smiling)
• imagine it in a nursery when we get that cottage
• next to a bassinet, or baby hammock, or moses basket
• i like the red
• i like that it's not made in China (Brazil, actually)
• oh, it's only $10
• There'll be more babies one day
• oh gosh, imagine a few little kids in that nursery in the cottage

"C'mon Che, out you get. We have to pay for it."
"You're going to take this one love?"
"Yes, we'll take it." (Smile).

thank you...so much. for all your sweet and passionate comments that were left on the last post. Mostly I'm just thinking aloud in this space, so it's comforting to know that you read with enthusiasm and not boredom. Those comments, they inspire me...to think aloud a little more and perhaps, one day, to thread all those thoughts together and print them on paper.

not a creature was stirring...

not even this mouse. In our house. I had to get him. Fell in love really. As soon as I looked up to those high out-of-reach shelves and saw him perched there all lonesome I just knew he needed to come home with us. A Christmas mouse, red scarf 'n all who will probably stay out to play all year round.

I have bought and I have baked, wrapped and tied ribbon, written greetings and well wishes on cards. All without too much fuss and not much stress. There's a few more batches of iced jumbles to make, a few more sweet spiced nuts to create. And then...?

We'll drop gifts and cards onto doorsteps, post parcels on their way, celebrate the Solstice and begin to slow down and chill a bit while we wait for the magic of Christmas Eve. I love the Eve, I do I do.




The "sweet spiced nuts" recipe came from the latest edition of Kindred magazine. It is so wonderfully easy to make (perfect to do with children) and so very yummy (with a little bit of this and a sip of tea you may just find yourself in bliss).

All you need is 200grams of raw nuts & seeds (I used cashews, almonds, pepitas and sunflower seeds), 2 heaped teaspoons of cinnamon, finely grated rind of one orange and 4 tablespoons of honey. Mix together, place on a tray (lined with baking paper) and bake at 180degrees for about 10-15mins.

I hope that you, wherever you are, enjoy the preparing and planning. Because if I've learnt anything this year it's that it's about the journey and not so much the 'big day'. x

we do it different here

Sometimes it is hard to create magic at Christmas time - especially considering our Christmas trees are lined up outside the local fruit and veg shop instead of a snowy field. I've walked passed this blue wall so many times and never noticed it's vibrance. It was only when the contrast of the green arrived that I discovered my new favourite wall. I'll have fun with this over summer.

Our Christmas here is casual. Sometimes we swim in the ocean on Christmas Day. We eat prawns, fish and fresh salads for Chrissy lunch. Sometimes we swelter in the mid-summer heat. There is sand instead of snow. Sunscreen instead of mittens.

Now that I'm a Muma Christmas has taken on a whole new meaning. An no doubt next year when my little one has a little more understanding and hence a whole lot more excitement, we will decorate, make, wrap and celebrate much more. And like this year we will revel in our beach Christmas, where the ocean beckons and the sun is hot. It's a more subtle seasonal magic but it's just a wondrous.

30 days of gratitude : 27

Gratitude today for 'green, jasmine & pear tea', a decadent concoction from the very lovely Madame Flavour. My mum found the 'sultry chai' blend in the supermarket and passed the hint onto me. These most gorgeous teas are presented in little fabric infuser pods, like 'silken purses' and they are completely biodegradable. The packaging is beautiful and each pack comes complete with a little note from Ms Flavour herself - the woman who, lucky her, has tasted tea in places far away - Paris, China, India...even with Geisha in Kyoto.

Sometimes a cup of tea can make everything better...

30 days of gratitude : 3

Is it possible to be grateful for the nature strip? That bit of grass between someone's house and the street? Yes, I think it is. And today I am bursting with gratitude. Because my lovely Dad found a little red wagon a few weeks ago. The most adorable vintage red wagon that Che fits in so well. And soon when Che is old enough and strong enough he will be able to pull it along himself. His very own little red wagon. Shouldn't every little boy have one? Yes, I think so.

My parents still live in the little cottage I grew up in. I love that I can take Che there and see him explore the garden that I watched my Mum and Dad grow. And yesterday he chased the chickens for the first time. With no fear or worry he had a chat with one hen;


shared some herbs with the others;


and followed them all to the vegie patch;


Gratitude for the opportunity to let Che explore the garden I grew up in. An abundant garden tended with love. A set of little hands to touch its grass and a little mouth to taste its treasures.

clothkits giveaway

Allison recently mentioned the 70s British invention of clothkits. The greatest sewing creation a beginner sewer could hope for. A step-by-step guide complete with fabric - and the pattern is already printed onto the fabric. All you have to do is cut and sew to your appropriate size. And voila, a new folksy dress...just in time for the Friday night disco.

It was only a few days after reading about clothkits for the first time that I came across some in an op-shop - in their original packaging with everything included. I found myself a great kimono in the most gorgeous cotton so I will attempt to make it...a nice summery dressing-gown I thought. And I do love this dress pattern, the fabric is great too. But as we move towards spring and as I try to declutter and detox I only have to take one look at my wardrobe (joyfully full of summer dresses - both vintage and new) and I realise that I don't need another dress. I want this dress but I don't need it. So, I'm going to give it away.

All you have to do is leave a comment and you'll be in the running. If you really want it, link to me on your blog and I'll place your name in the hat twice. I'll draw the lucky ducky winner in the evening on September 2.

pillow love

I found these gorgeous little pillows and I decided that I must have them...soft little reminders that simplicity is definitely beautiful. Shanna Murray transfers her lovely sketches onto fabric and sends them across the oceans to people's homes. And the gorgeous little card she accompanies with the package comes as a nice surprise. I especially love the dandelion design...it's nice to wake up, roll over and read my on my pillow: anything is possible

Che loved the box too

tea

Tea cannisters found at a garage sale down the street. The perfect accompaniment to my teacups and teapots. Yes, I love tea. Picked up an Indian kaftan too. It smells like chai.

pattern

The little things...like the way Che puts his feet together when lying on his belly - Little Frog is his name today. Love these gingerbreadmen-print leggings to keep his feet warm and to make me hungry. Must make Bills iced jumbles (like gingerbread) again soon, maybe his peanut butter & choc chunk cookies too.

The end of the long-weekend is near but I have enjoyed it. A new baby (photos tomorrow), warm soup on rainy days, breakfast at bellyfish with family, yoga classes with lots of students, a new Karen Walker skirt. Love Karen's designs - don't love the price. Such a talented NZ designer who is loved the world over and subsequently charges extortionate amounts for beautiful garments. But thank you Lucie for managing a boutique with a great sale...where the gorgeous high-waisted denim skirt teased me for months with its $356 price tag and then it got reduced to $70. And I was even happier today when I unzipped the side pocket to find this stunning fabric inside:


Print and pattern coloured my day.

musing

One of the most amazing things that Che has taught me is that it is perfectly OK to daydream. To spend at least ten minutes dreaming while twidling your thumbs. I am a daydreamer, a muser...often caught out because I'm not listening when someone is speaking to me. When I was pregnant I would spend hours in our swinging chair, just thinking, while staring at the trees in the backyard. Che has started to watch his fingers make patterns and shapes, linking one finger with the next, sneaking peeks at the sky. He is fascinated...I am fascinated. It was only last week that I decided to crochet him a blanket - I was thinking of reds and blues. Only a few days later there was a garage sale down the road and I found this lovely bundle of goodies, including this well-loved blanket, perfect for keeping our feet warm. The blue cons are a present from Riley to Che. Daniel and I are thrilled that a mini pair of Converse high-tops have made their way into our home.