my creative space

a very special little something that has been on my mind to get done

for one VERY EXTREMELY adorable little cherub

that lives far away in Queensland.

In the mail to her momma today in hopes it might be useful for her Christening.
Oh how I wish I could be there to try and hog that little morsel of ringlet curls and chubby cheeks away from everyone else on the day.

This was my very first "creative space" from Kootoyoo!

Pop over to her for some more creative space goodness.

Have a happy day.

xx

what gives?

Does this happen to you?
I get the flu for 2 days and this is what the place ends up looking like. 

As soon as I put my nagging stick down and just lie low, the tornado of children spills it's wrath upon my home.

To be honest, these are the tame photos. I didn't dare show you the bathroom after Gretta decided to make binoculars from toilet rolls. Unfortunately, she chose to use full rolls, so there was a lot of loo paper that needed to be displaced. Or the MOUNTAIN of washing to be done.  My dear dear husband always makes sure that the kitchen gets attacked, even after his 15 hour days. I love that man.

And really - in light of the floods in Pakistan, I haven't got a worry in the world.

......

It is just frustrating, is it not?

Now, let's get something clear. I am in NO way a clean freak. There are so many better things to do with my time than scrubbing and cleaning all of the time. In fact, I'm quite bad at it because I really don't like it.

And one more thing clear - I have three children under 4. Monty is a professional furniture removalist. Baxter and Gretta only clean up when I tell them that they will not be eating again until they tidy up. Is that child abuse?

But.. having said that - I am a stickler for my kids to make their beds and tidy their rooms in the morning.  They are also not allowed to trash the small livingroom/office - trashing is for the toyroom.

.............

I've got to admit, I really like going thru blogland and seeing what and how other lovely, inspiring women make their home, spend time with their kids, take spectacular photos, etc etc.

I love the meme "my place and yours" -- although I never joined the crew.

Clever ladies have clever ideas for making life a bit better. Making it easier and more organized to get thru the day.

So, if I asked you what the ONE think is that makes your day easier - be it a clever way of storing something, getting the smalls out the door, laundrying, keeping your house tidy, etc... would you share it?  If you've had a superb idea that you just haven't quite implemented....  How bout you let me know - and I'll share here.

Leave me a comment with your "clever thing," or leave me a link and I'll compile them to blog em' up.

Come on - we can all use a little chunk of advice!

What's mine, you ask??
Hmm. Let me ponder that one.  I'll share mine with yours.

Now go on - share with me - I need all the help I can get!

lemon + eggs + butter

By George we've got a lot of muddy eggs at the moment.

So... What does one do that has unlimited access to a substantial amount of divine organic eggs and a lemon tree the size of a small country?

We got stuck in and tripled a recipe for lemon curd.

(Note to self: when recipe calls for unsalted butter... don't use salted butter.)

Turned out yummy over a bought sponge cake from the markets today. Would have been supreme if it was also covered in lavish coatings of whipped cream too.

Don't worry. There's still sponge left (not to mention JARS of lemon curd).

Cream is in the fridge waiting for smoko tomorrow.

xx

Saturday egg collection

Just a few snaps of the farm today.

Have a great weekend.

xx

Best. Invention. Ever.

You see... In our business, it is a family business.  Our family does it all together. 

Credit to Massey Ferguson. See below....

 

did you see him?

Best. Invention. Ever.

Okay Okay - let's not go into safety ratings etc.
This lets the little ratbag go on the "bruuum bruuum" with dad.  Sadly, this beautiful thing is not ours, but occasionaly gets used to load a bale on the truck.

Daddy's right hand man is right there pointing everything out that Nic should see all the while not being able to pull any levers or squirm in his lap.

Superb.

off the hooter

My baby child is officially weaned.

I have mixed feelings about it because it might have been the last little one that I will ever feed.
However, breastfeeding is hard work for my body and energy, and I need every ounce of that back again.
So, my little darling is weaned. That is it. My longest breastfed baby is now on his own. And without too much harumphing from himself either.
(phew! - because I think I would have easily been talked out of weaning with a little clever nudging and objecting.)

He also had his very first big boy haircut in Melbourne on Thursday.  He wiggled like a worm, but she managed to get the whispy bits that tangle up off and fix up his sideburns to not look like a little scragglemuffin.  Fortunately, he still looks like my baby - just a bit more tidy.

And so.. this begs a question...

Before I  had Monty - I had two little cherubs.  I felt calm, happy, in control, and could manage anything.

Upon having 3 ankle biters, I felt totally overcome, still very happy about adding his precious little soul to our lives, but everything still seems 3times harder, and terribly overwhelming. 

So.... does this mean, now that he is weaned, walking, etcetera etcetera... That those feelings of calm will return one day?

Can I really manage being a calm, happy mamma of three?
Will I be able to sew again?
Do my artwork again?
Get into Gardening again?
Do the simple things that enrich me?
Will I be able to tackle our new (very challenging) farmhouse and get it to be a happy place for my family?

Because, to be honest - those things have had a big handbrake put on them for quite some time. 

Don't get me wrong... I would much rather NOT do those things and have the sublime love and enormous heart that I have for and with my family.

But tell me - is there a light at the end of the tunnel? Is there sleep for me in the future? Is there a chance of having some energy to run on instead of running on empty 24/7?

The big ship

image from

My baby boys and I are are off to the big smoke doing an egg drop off at the Vic Markets this morning.

Then we are headed to the Melbourne Museum to see the exhibition on the TITANIC.

I heard about this coming to the city months ago and promised myself not to miss it.

I can't wait.

I also can't think of anything better to do on a rainy, windy, cold, Gippsland day!

Spare a thought for Nic and Gretta who will be fitting out a "chicky house" for rearing chicks.

In the wind.

In the rain.

In the mud.

Hmm. I might pay a visit to a Chocolatier and bring home a special treat for them.

Have a happy day.

xx

more Gippy wildlife

We've been whale watching at Warratah bay! A couple of lovely little family excursions to see them blowing their "steam" and waving to say hello.

Pretty special to have such magnificent creatures only 10 minutes away.

xx Amy

wildlife rescue

There are many reasons this husband of mine reminds me of my dad, but this one took the cake.
He arrived home and waltzed in the door with a kookaburra under his arm.
As you do.

As my dad did - with many kinds of lovely little rescued animals.
The most memorable were "Chirpy" the baby robin that he brought home in his lunchbox. And then there was "Chippy" the baby chipmunk......

Well, Kookaburra only stayed with us for a few hours, but Nic rescued him, gave him a snack and let the kids have a good look at him.

Had any wildlife in your neck of the woods lately?

xx Amy

She's Three.

My darling little girl is Three today. It is magic to be Three.

She requested corn flakes for brekky and a pink cheesecake.
Our beetroot cheesecake was a very subtle pale pink, but she noticed that it was in fact pink.

She has been well spoiled with A LOT of loot.
A very special addition to her collection is her mama made doll house. Well, it's actually a mini bunny house. My girl has a "thing" for bunnies.  She love's all things bunnies.

Not bad for a $10 opp shop doll house, eh?

Must say thanks to Mandy for helping with the interior and exterior colour schemes.  She came from NZ to make this special for our little girl.

I love you my darling. You are my precious little girl, and you make my heart bloom a million times a day.

xx

                                                                                                                                                 

Hello there - a lovely gal named Mama Butterfly gave me this pretty little flower the other day.

How thoughtful. 
It comes with a few housekeeping things.
Firstly, I must write 7 random facts about myself.
Secondly I must pass it on.

So.. I choose to pass it to.... Little Miss Emma.
You see, she is living in a little cottage I used to live in and she's very crafty and cool. Plus she has a super pretty blog and is a little ray of sunshine in blogland. 

Here's my random facts:

1. I make THE BEST cheesecake. Ever. There is no contest. It is my grandmother's recipe and it does not dissapoint.  For this fact, I am officially a cheesecake snob.

2. I am 6'3" tall.
    Beat that.

3. I wear slippers most of the day at home because my feet are freezing. Thanks, Mom for passing that one on!

4.  My favourite flowers are: Dahlias, Peonys, Tulips and Lillies. But not in that order. And I like a lot of other ones too, but let's be honest, we don't have all day to read this, eh?

5. I have lived in 3 Countries.  USA, NZ, Oz

6. I am too bossy sometimes. Well, let's get honest here - most of the time.

7.  I find smelling the hair of my husband and children intoxicating and I love it. Especially my little blondie boo boy at the moment after he has his hair washed with Burts Bees for babies. Yummo.

Have a happy day. xx

The paddy wagon!

I think everyone gets a little nervy when the police show up at your door at 10:30 at night.



But.. Fortunately it was this little lady in the back of the paddy wagon..

HOLLY!

This Great Pyrenees Gaurdian Dog has given us a fair bit of strife! She's an excellent guardian for her girls, however, it doesn't seem to phase her that she has a half-tyre chained to her, or the fact that she'll get zinged as she goes thru the electric fence (more than once as her chain touches the fence too). 

Most of the locals know her because last week when she took off she went to the pub, the servo, the RSL, the cafe, and a local neighbourhood nosey.  Mind you town is a few kilometres from the farm.

Please stay home, Holly - we need our sleep.
But thank you for introducing us to the local police officer!

Monty's day

We have had a beaut little day with our special little ray of sunshine. 
Birthday cake and kite flying on the beach.
Even with all of our snots and coughs we have had a great family day.  I have had a case of the mama guilts for the last week or so thinking that I haven't made such a fuss over our 3rd child's first birthday. But we have had a very special day even with a minimum of pressies and no party.
Don't worry, my little Zooma - I'll throw you a ripper of a party next year or your 3rd year.

He opened some very special pressies from family and friends. His rain stick became a bit of a weapon after he whacked me in the eye with it! He really enjoyed ripping up the paper and playing with each thing.  Smart little cookie.

One year... woooosh!

How in the world did this little tiny person already get to be a year old??
A year ago today we had the most magical birth (birth story here) of this precious little soul that has enriched our lives more than we'll ever know.

Shown here with his 1st birthday milo milkie (made with hot broth and raw milk!) and a nannie.

We will be tucking into blueberry pancakes this morning - zooma's most favourite!

Birthday cake on the beach this afternoon. Guinness cake with lemon filling and cream.

My heart blossoms when I sniff his fuzzy blondie hair and hear his cheeky little voice.  His first steps 3 weeks ago have given him a whole new outlook on life. He loves nothing more than to pass a cheeky smile to one of us and take off in the opposite direction to have a game of chase.  He prefers it if it ends in a massive cuddle, tickle and smooches.

Oh, my littlest love. I love you more than the sun and the moon and the stars above.

Thanks for being my little ray of sunshine. 
Thanks for choosing me to be your mommy.

xx

surprise visitors!

Nic's best man - Hayden and his most lovely and gorgeous partner, Mandy rocked up on our doorstep on Wednesday afternoon.  What a lovely surprise!
Their visit has enriched my soul and made me happy.
The kiddos adored being played with and doted on.  We're looking forward to repaying the favour one day with thier own offspring!

Here's to lovely surprises - have you had any lately??
xx Amy