Beach holiday

We are going away to the beach for the second week of the school holidays. Yes, that's right, we do live at the beach, but this is a different beach, not too far away. Unfortunately poor Mr Moo will still have to go to work most days. But as for us, we will be enjoying, holiday accommodation, holiday food and after a week of rain, hopefully some holiday sunshine.

I'll leave you with some things I have found over this last week of indoors.

I love these family photos.

I'm finding lots of summer clothing inspiration here.

I am in love with these shoes

And I think I might order these shoes.

I want to go here and here and here too.

I'll be doing this very soon. Maybe you want to come to?

Inspired here, I want to make these sexy swedish buns too.

Did you know that there are op shops this big?

And circus's this cool?

I can't stop thinking about this house.

I can't stop thinking of these beautiful napkins. I might have to make some too.

I am loving following the renovations of Soulemama's new house.

I love this tablecloth dress.

I think I'll have a Halloween party just so I can use these and these.

And many more discoveries I don't have time to post about. I'm suppose to be packing!

Thank-you, to all of the very inspiring people out there, for sharing your lives and your stories.

I hope you have a lovely week.

Besotted with the ballet

The Nutcracker.

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.

I find myself wanting to live in a world where it snows at Christmas, somewhere, where, every single year, I can dress up and take the whole family to see the Nutcracker during the last week before Christmas.

This ballet has cast it's spell on me. I had told Miss Moo Moo the story before the ballet had started and she spotted things on stage before I had. "Look Mum, here come the cheeky mice" It was lovely watching it with her, even if she did get a bit tired during the second act.

It also brought back beautiful memories of going to the theater with my mother when I was a child.

Heartwarming in every way.

The image above is from here. And while the costumes are completely different in this production. The 'waltz of the snowflakes' was one of my favourite parts of the ballet.

Tomorrow

I am so excited to be taking Miss Moo Moo to see the ballet tomorrow. You can see some of the photos here, that were taken during the BCYB 'Nutcracker' production in 2006. It is going to be soooo great!

I was 24 years old before I went to my first ballet.



It was worth the wait. The first ballet that I saw was the amazing Matthew Bourne's production of Cinderella in the Picadilly Theatre in London. A revised version of this ballet will be playing again later this year. Lucky Londoners. I would really love to take Mr Moo to see that one.

But for now, I am bursting with happiness.

I'm taking my daughter to her very first ballet.

Today

Fabric, thread, patterns, tablecloths, doilies and 2 beautiful Russian looking table runners.

A happy op shopping day.

Yesterday

Look what I found sitting on the library shelves yesterday. Just waiting for little old me. I am super excited, with heaps of new ideas for my handmade christmas presents.

I don't think I am going to want to give these back!

'Made in France: Cross stitch and embroidery in red, white and blue'
'Made in France: Linen and Thread'
'Made in France: Blackwork'

Brotherly love

I completely forgot to take a photo of this pillow to show you. It was Spunky Monkey's present to Miss Moo Moo for her birthday.

I asked him to draw a picture for her, things that she would like. I then embroidered it with a soft pink thread and made it into a small pillow for her bed.

She loves it, Spunky Monkey approved of it and I think I might be addicted to embroidering, in the most simplest form, of course.

Yipee!

(this fabulous photo is from here)

I am jumping for joy around here today.

Thanks to the computer fairies, we have a new computer!!!

A very BIG thank-you to Mr Moo who has spent many, many hours sorting it all out.

It has been a crazy couple of weeks. Obviously, I have still been blogging, but I couldn't see any pictures. And while it is lovely to read what other bloggers have been doing, all the fun is taken away when you can't see any pretty pictures! I went over to my Mum's place a few times and posted some of my blog posts from there. But last week I just had to hope for the best.

So, now we are back to normal and life goes on.....in technicolor. Yay!

Dottie Angel Challenge

I discovered this challenge through Ellie's blog and through her post about her very own Slow Project. A project that I just can't stop thinking about, but more about that later. For me, right now, any slow project needs to take baby steps. I am starting with this challenge, that Tif at Dottie Angel started one year ago.

So, as Tif concludes her challenge, or maybe, hopefully, she continues her challenge, I will be starting my own. September 2010 - September 2011.

It is not a challenge for me to go op shopping or buy secondhand, but I believe that patience and skill will be required for sewing my own clothes. Here lies the challenge. I think I will be calling on my mum for some much needed guidance over the next few months. I can't even read a pattern! Thank-goodness there is a handmade option.

I'm very excited. I can't wait to see what discoveries I will make in the handcrafted world or what creations I will discover within myself.

Eva Mei and Me - Giveaway

(this gorgeous little skirt is available for sale in the shop, gorgeous model too!)

Karyn at Eva Mei and Me is having another great giveaway over at her blog. She makes some really lovely children's clothes sold in her 'Made It shop'.

I love some of the beautiful fabrics that she has just bought back from her recent overseas trip. Check it out.

Woodland fairies and cosy tracksuits

I don't know how we managed to pull it off, but we did.







Miss Moo Moo's Woodland Fairy Party was held yesterday morning. There was a lot of, will it rain or won't it? Finally deciding at the last minute that it wouldn't rain (it didn't) we set up in our local park. And although we have had this flu for 'miles and miles' (Miss Moo Moo's words) we all had a lovely day. Party food: pink punch, pink (white) chocolate dipped strawberries, flower-shaped ham sandwiches, mushroom-shaped fairy bread, popcorn, fruit fairy wands and cupcakes. Flower fairy rings, magical fairy dust, the pixie post and chocolate birthday cake.



Happily tired, we spent the afternoon quietly at home. New toys were been played with, so I had a nana nap on the lounge. Just lovely.

Today, it has turned very cold, still no rain, but bleak, bleak, bleak. Spunky Monkey asked for a day at home and that's just what we are doing. Rugged up in our daggy home tracksuits and slippers, taking it easy. Savoury mince jaffles for lunch and maybe a dvd this afternoon. Maybe another nana nap?

Party preparations

Who would have thought, that collecting a pile of sticks on the way home from school a few days ago, would have given me two of the loveliest afternoons, ever spent with my children.

Preparing for Miss Moo Moo's party, all of us in our very own, creative zone.

In the moment..... Bliss.

Slow day, slow cooking

No school, no swimming lesson, no grocery shopping, no hairdresser.

Now, with horrible coughs and sore throats, we decided to cancel Tuesday.

A restful day has served us all well and feeling heaps better this afternoon, I cooked this yummy dinner.

I don't know what it is about this dish, but when the aroma of garlic, cinnamon, white wine and bay fills the room, you know all is right with the world. I have been making this recipe for about 15 years, I have no I idea where I copied it from and it has been adapted slightly. It's simplicity was perfect for tonight. So delicious, I thought it was about time I shared it.

Braised greek chicken

(Kotopoulo Kampama)

(serves 6)

• 2 kilo chicken pieces (wiped dry)
• 1.5 tables. butter
• 1.5 tables olive oil
• 1 onion (finely diced)
• 1 clove garlic (finely diced)
• 1/2 cup white wine
• 1 bay leaf
• 5 cm piece cinnamon stick
• 1/2 teas. sugar
• 1 x 400 gram tinned tomatoes
• 1 tables. tomato paste
• salt and pepper to taste

Melt the butter and oil in a heavy based casserole dish. brown the chicken on all sides, remove and set aside. Reduce the heat and gently saute the onions and garlic until transparent. Add the remaining ingredients to the pan, including the chicken. Cover and simmer for 45 minutes or until the chicken is tender. Remove the bay leaf and cinnamon stick and serve.

I serve this with macaroni and grated parmesan cheese, with a big green salad on the side. Serve crusty bread too, if you have it, unfortunately I didn't tonight.

Temperature's, sprains, snuffles and nausea

(this image is from one of my own childhood favourite's, 'Debbie's Dream', now one of Miss Moo Moo's favourite books as well)

Miss Moo Moo's fourth birthday came and went without much fun fare, I'm afraid. I'm sure we will make up for it this Saturday with her official birthday party.

Spunky Monkey was home sick from school. We had to cancel our afternoon tea plans. So the day was spent with a bit of dvd watching and a lot of playing with new toys when Spunky Monkey was asleep. The doll was a big hit. And so were a couple of ebay barbies and their clothes.

The weekend too, took a very slow pace. The reason for this: I spent until 2am on Friday night (Saturday morning) at the hospital emergency ward with Mr Moo who had sprained his ankle late Friday afternoon. Nothing is broken and we have piece of mind, but oh, the wait! And wouldn't you know it, my beautiful children, then woke during the night. Miss Moo Moo, twice and Spunky Monkey, once.

Then...... At 4:30am I woke to my son in the playroom, wrapped in blanket with a UFO book in his hands. Bright eyed and bushy tailed, he wanted to talk about outer space! It didn't matter that it was still pitch dark, "Have you seen these aliens, Mum?" He couldn't understand that he had had 10 hours sleep and I had had one hour sleep. "Mum do you want to see the page with the shooting star?" It was time to get up!

Miss Moo Moo woke up with the snuffles and the sneezes.

So, the weekend went about slowly, lazing in local parks, eating fish and chips and stealing small moments of rest when possible. Quiet play and a bit of pottering. Really nice actually, I would have really enjoyed if I hadn't felt so very exhausted.

Today, I woke feeling nauseous, so I stayed very close to home, being very unproductive. I hope to be back to normal tomorrow, and ready to tackle the week. It is the last week before the school holidays begin and just four days to organise Miss Moo Moo's party, that I haven't even thought about!

Productive

Last week, I whipped up these drawstring bags from some vintage sheets and op shop fabric. Hopefully this will keep the piles of dolls clothes more organised than they have been in the past, so far it seems to be working.





I had also started a new 'Happy Birthday' banner, and today finished it. I had made one for Spunky Monkey's first birthday, but was never totally happy with it. It might be hard to believe, but I did not know about blogs back then. Yes true, I only discovered blogging about three and a half years ago. And thank goodness for that, as earlier in the month I was able to find a few different examples of how I wanted my banner to look and even ways to make it.

Inspiration and instruction is everywhere. Hooray!

I have now made a keepsake birthday banner that I am proud of and one that will come out for every birthday for years to come. The fabrics are a mixture of my favourites. Vintage sheets, tablecloths, pillowcases and curtains, some are designer, one is from Spotlight, a few were bought overseas and one was a pillowcase from my childhood bed. I didn't have much fun cutting out and sewing the letters, but it is all worth it when you realise that you have made a family heirloom.

Ready for the party this weekend.

A sneaky peek

She is finished. Miss Moo Moo's fourth birthday present. Clara and her Nutcracker Doll.

We have got tickets to see the BCYB production of the Nutcracker for Miss Moo Moo's birthday (just us girls, as Miss Moo Moo will say). This post by Soulemama made me really want to take my daughter to the ballet. Then, this book by Alicia Paulson inspired me to make a Clara doll. One month ago I saw the youth ballet production advertised and it all seemed like fate.


Greta, Sophie, Betty and this mikodesign doll. (sorry to say that she still has no name and no clothes. But that does not mean that she is not loved, and apparently it is absolutely fine that she plays in her 'pajama's all day long)

So with inspiration from everywhere and the help of these girls (photo above), I was able to come up with a pattern and size of doll I was happy with. I have made a few soft toys over the years, for my kids and for friends, but with some great tips from my aunt and lessons learnt from my own mistakes, this is the best doll that I have made so far. And it has hair! I can't tell you what a worry that has been for me, it is the reason I have only made animals or monsters or aliens or babushka dolls in the past. I just didn't know how to tackle the hair.



No need to worry anymore.



I'm not so happy with the Nutcracker (the legs and boots) Another learning curve, the black felt I used was an op shop find, a bit cheap and nasty. But I am proud to say that the entire doll was made with things from in my cupboard, I have a great cupboard.

And as my heart does a somersault, I'll tell you - the dress is made from my Nana's nightie.

I just hope Miss Moo Moo loves it as much as I do. I'm pretty sure she will.

Farm eggs and baked custard

Last week, when we were on the farm we swapped some of our homegrown passionfruit's and banana's for these fresh farm eggs, collected by Spunky Monkey on the morning that we left.

I had this pudding dish desperate to be used and this recipe book ready and waiting full of yummy goodness. I had wanted to make the baked custard recipe in the 'how to cook' section. I had never cooked one before, in truth I was a little scared of it.

But yesterday afternoon with big pot of chicken soup on the stove and just enough farm eggs left to make it, it seemed like to perfect time to try. The kids got involved and saw that there was a chocolate option. So that was the one we made. Baked chocolate custard. It was delicious and easy peasy. I think I might be making another one this week for Miss Moo Moo's birthday dinner.

I was happy with my new Gordon Ramsay pudding dish that I had bought a while back from 'Buyster'. It looked great coming out to the table, a definite improvement to my old pudding dish. And maybe even more important, it was easy to clean. Not at all like the quiche and baking dish incident that I had recently, I won't go into it, but lets just say, the dish was soaking in the sink for days!

I've been looking on 'Buyster' again today and after watching Jamie Oliver's cooking show in Spain last week, I am eyeing off this paella pan. What do you think?
Si, por favor.

Also............

Welcome to my newest follower, Melissa.

Apologies - Technology breakdown

I just want to apologize to my followers. I am having big trouble with my computer this morning. So you may getting multiple copies of my entries sent to you???? Who knows.

Not only do I have serious modem problems, that's a whole other story, but now my screen has flipped out. The screen is black with white text and x-ray style images that are hurting my eyes. There has been font problems and link problems. Arrrghhh! I have persisted thus far, but I am over it and going to get a cup of tea.

Hopefully, readers you are seeing my blog as it should be seen and not how I am seeing it.

Fingers crossed, Mr Moo (my tech assistant) can fix it when he comes home tonight.

I hope you are having a happy computer day.

New things

(this photo is from this book that Miss Moo Moo picked out at the library, if you you are lucky enough to know how to knit you can make some. They are so cute.)

You may have noticed I have added a 'challenge' to my side bar. Knicky Knacks Handmade Christmas Challenge.

I know........ Christmas? But last week Spunky Monkey asked "How long until Christmas?" And even though I have been asked this question almost daily since last Christmas, I counted up the months and realised, that it is not that far away. So hopefully, with a bit of encouragement from this challenge, I will find myself during the final countdown to Christmas; calm, relaxed and with handmade gifts under the tree.

Welcome to my newest follower, Megan. You can see some of the things that Megan makes on her blog, 'mousehouse.' Not only does she make some really beautiful things, but shares tips and tutorials, making anything seem possible. Thanks Megan, for introducing me to this great Christmas challenge

I have also discovered 'small acorns' lovely blog (also via mousehouse) and Amanda is having a great giveaway, see my sidebar for details to win, there are still couple of days left to enter.

And...... petalplum has also got a great book to giveaway too. "Craft Hope", If I don't win I might just have to buy one of these books anyway. Inspiration of the very best kind.

And......cakies also has some great giveaways - Yipee! But you have to be in it to win it. You have until Friday for this one.

Father's Day weekend

Relaxing but busy.

On Saturday we drove to Brisbane and on arriving stopped off at the West End Markets for a snack. Hungarian pancakes stuffed with bacon, spinach, mushrooms and cheese and galaktoboureko, It was so difficult to pick just one of the yummy greek sweets from the many stalls on offer. Tropical berry juice and cappuccino's all enjoyed sitting in the semi shade of the giant moreton bay figs trees. We watched the locals playing frisbee with the tall city buildings in the background and the early spring breeze in our hair.



After the markets we spent most of the day in the cultural centre. The girls went to see the amazing Valentino Exhibition and the boys spent almost all day at the Sciencentre. We were also in and out of the museum and the state library. I got a quick peek in the gallery shop and Miss Moo Moo and I enjoyed really yummy egg finger sandwiches and sour cherry crumble cake at the Watermall Cafe. Happy, but hungry after a long day, we then headed straight for our favourite Vietnamese restaurant for dinner. Crispy fried chicken and egg noodle soup and prawn and rice paper rolls. It doesn't sound like much but, we couldn't even eat it all. Extremely full and contented we headed to our little apartment and settled in for the night.



On Sunday we went to the Breakfast on the Bridge. It was threatening rain and the French themed event didn't quiet live up to what I had expected. (no mime artists, no can can dancers, no crepe stations, no fresh food markets - as promised) But after a long wait in the queue for this stall, all faith had been restored.

Pains au chocolat, croissants aux amandes and beignets de confiture.

Tres magnicient!



After a very long walk along the river (to walk off breakfast) It was time for lunch! Mr Moo's all time favourite, Yum Cha, did not disappoint. The food was soooo good, with, dare I say it, the best sweet and sour pork I have ever tasted. The atmosphere was really buzzing. A really good end to a great weekend.

Father's Day

(the week Mr Moo Moo's life changed forever. Here's Mr Moo, George the monkey and Spunky Monkey, just one week old.)

We are headed off to the big smoke this weekend, a surprise Father's Day weekend away for Mr Moo.

As Mr Moo and I won't be seeing our Dad's on the day, I'll take this opportunity to wish them and all the other great Dad's out there, a very Happy Fathers Day for Sunday.

Spring

The sun is shining and the birds are singing as we skip into Spring today.

We have already been doing many Spring-like things this week. Spending mornings at the beach, eating breakfast outdoors, wearing summer sandals and short sleeve tops and taking late afternoon walks. The scent of the neighbour's jasmine is filling our street and the aroma of the mock orange blossoms are greeting us at the school gate. In our own garden, our small jasmine plant has a few first flowers.

Happy new beginnings to you.

(The photograph above is one of Joanna Henderson's from here, another amazing photographer that I have discovered via Hanna's beautiful, beautiful blog, 'girl from the corner table'.)