thank you Mummy, that was a nice dinner

Truly that is what he said.  It made my day, after many times of inner turmoil about the volcanic process of dinner.  We are now adjusting to from being a family of five to one of four. Pulling in the drawstrings in a little closer.  But we are also moving house this weekend.  My now old boss said to me that "moving is like the chicken crossing the road, poultry in motion".

Happy weekend to you and than you for your kind words about Dan leaving us.  It really helps.

Linking in with Maxabella today.  It has been sometime, sorry Bron, I do cherish your space and your devotion to your readers.

A special thank you for Felicity.  What a gift you are to the blogosphere  Don't you agree.

I am forever grateful to have loved and be loved.  .

xx

our danny boy - we were with you

A friend wrote to me that a song comes to mind. I had never heard of Gyote, but the song is beautiful and yes my Danny boy it is hard that you have left us.  Hard to let go.  Our animals are there to cherish.  Their patience and loyalty.  Their joy out of the simple things.  This is what they teach us.  Love you forever, Dan.

deux

A small party for family and especially for cousins and little one.  There was a cracker of a storm but a pocket  of sunshine where we could eat outside with our baked fish, home made potato salad (thanks Babcia) and poached beetroots with thyme and the home made cakes that I stayed up until 2.30 am baking and decorating.  The lolly train was a hit with the kiddos.  For bigger people there was a scrumptuous pear and chocolate cake, made twice and stacked.  I highly recommend this cake.  From the most amazing blog for recipes my darling lemon thyme.  I used almond meal rather than linseed meal and wholemeal spelt flour rather than potato flour. The pear really came through, the cake is not to sweet and the orange chocolate icing really gives the punch to pull it all together.  Yummo!

Not many photos were taken as I am a novice at this party thing, despite my age and I was running a bit.  As I lay in bed before the birthday boy woke up, on early Sunday morning those memories of birthing two years ago were all so intense.  For this day I really wanted to enjoy the moment.  Not feel overwhelmed by the preparations.  Being together as a family is what really mattered.

                         Che thinks everything of his cousins.  He recites their names as he drifts off to sleep.


                                                    We love you, you crazy kook of a boy.

                                                      Happy happy  birthday Che.

time

                              Do often find time your friend and your foe.  Best if time is slow I think.  Thanks Sally.

Breakfast here often seems to stretch out for 2 hours.   Up at 5.30am, cuddle and breast feed ( our only one left ) and then the snacking begins.  Trying to get some protein to last the morning.  Having almond meal in our porridge.  A tea cup seems to appeal.

Made borscht from Women's weekly slow cooker recipe book.  I  through caution into the wind and invited Babcia over for an early tea.  This recipe was probably more of the Russian style.  The Polish version has more beetroot and less cabbage and the potatoes are served as a side dish rather than within.  I got lots of great tips and next time I will also add some white beans and more vinegar.  It was pretty yummy with natural yoghurt on top.

                                                                                Oh and of course lots of dill.


Thanking you lovely ladies for your kind words of friendship and encouragement on my last post.  The days go by and being your real self is what matters most.   Sending you all warm and caring thoughts and hope you have the time to day to breath and be.

A new place I like to go and practice my french.  The lights and the words are very calming.  Ledansla.

the boy

I know this is my second post today but I have been wanting to document how our baby has turned into a little boy.  There has been an awakening of his consciousness.  Listening to the meaning of what is being said and chatting it back to us.  He is such a clown and loves making us laugh.  Cheeky.  I am relieved.  I think the baby daze of motherhood I was often scared.  Scared of him.  Have you ever felt that way?

I love doing sloppy kisses  all over his squishy cheeks.

I think he is going to be fast runner, like his Mummy and Daddy.

x
J

ps I am not responsible for how he is dressed now days  Trackie - dack buddies they are.

No shame.

Zippetty doo daa

A bit of a spring in my step today.  Energised by lovely family visit.  Feeling that little core of self being cosy,  giggly and light.  There is a lot of mess around the house, and stuff to organise, but I know it will be ok.

I have been liking the old doors in the lanes of this old mining town.  Sometimes we think we are in some back lane of old Melbourne town.

Hope there is some lightness in your world too.

shadows at the beach

Today we descended down to Wollongong (the Gong).  The drive takes us through gorgeous farmland of Glenquarry and down the tortuous road of Macquarie Pass.  When we arrived we noticed that their was such lightness and  much bare flesh on display.  There were those who were barefooted and then those that had the summer aussie look of t shirts and thongs. Then there were the  very adventourous that were in their bikinis and braving the salt water.  We peeled off our winter layers.  The wind was off shore.  The waves were dotted with keen sufers.

The beach in winter.  There is something so beautiful and calming about it.  I guess it is something about the gentle light.  The lack of crowds.  Seeing people with smiles on their faces in the winter sun.

We collected some smooth beach rocks with interesting streaks of colour through them.  Then treated ourselves to  hot chocolate and blueberry crumble  at the diggers cafe at North Beach, which looks directly onto the ocean.  

Seeing the blue horizon today really lifted our spirits and feed our souls.

Take away pizza on the way home.  Little man a bit hyper.  Late to bed tonight.  But it has been a good day.

Hoping your weekend is filled with warmth and happiness.

xxx

a big thank you - part 2

I sit down tonight to express my thanks for my almost 18 months of blogging.  Today Marty stayed home so I could get some rest during the day.  He took Che to see his Djadja (grandfather) who turns 90 tomorrow.  Simon is now in a local nursing home after suffering a stroke. He still has all his wits about him and has had such an interesting life.  Being a young Engineer in Poland at the outbreak of WW2.  Escaping to then Palenstine.  His journey to finally Australia in 1948 was a long one and later his wife Helen followed  also from Poland.  We have been wanting them to write their story down.

I have been enthused by Chairmane's post today as a way to list my thankfuls particulary over the last 12 months in blogland.  Yesterday I wrote about my blogging beginings and my lovely inspirers.  Everyday I fall upon new wonderful blogs but I just wanted to make a special mention of what I have gained by visiting these wonderful spaces.

Meagan from ecomilf.  Meagan always makes me think and her blog is a wonderful reference for living more ethically and sustainably.  Great wholefood recipes too.  I won one of her giveaways too.  A cute little elephant.

Emma Lamb who is the most wonderful crafter with her crotchet and her use of colour lifts my day.

Vicki from Serendipity.  I have to say my most faithful reader.  Since our moving house Vicki has been there all the way.  Her kind words, her reflections on family and life.  Her blog is so serene.  Love to you Vicki.

Emma from Frog, Goose and Bear.   I can only aspire to be a mother like her.  Her easy peasy dinner meals have really hit the spot.


Rachel from Mogantosh.  Always a rocking good read and often a good chuckle.  I admire her a lot. Her family is growing and they have been through some tough times recently.  My thoughts are with them.

Maxabella loves.  What can I say.  The current reigning Queen in blogland, in my view.  Her weekly gratitude linky has lead me to so many wonderful places.

Kootoyoo, for  her creative space. 

My newly found friends, Felicity from Gifts of Serendipity.  The week is planned out for me with exploring words, art and new places.  You should check out her very generous giveaway.

The most amazing Jennie from Posie Patchwork - the blog.  Her prolific crafts and her gorgeous children and her insatiable appetite for life.  We have a lovely linen set I won on one of her giveaways too.


Jane from Planet Baby.  So excited to be following her moves into her new abode.  Jane is such a lovely gentle soul.  And yes I won one of her giveaways too.  Pretty good this blog thing,  for I don't think I had previously won anything in my life.

A very new place I am loving is Sophie Isobel's from Her Library Adventures.  Cannot wait to receive my postcard and I have entered her also very gorgeous and generous giveaway of her vintage collections.  Maybe my luck will continue.

I have made some very new friends in the last month too.  I am eagerly reading Life in the Country and Naturally Carol.  and Cathie's best ever recipes and her beautiful life at m.e. Many more to explore . Watch this space

So there you have it dear people. I feel like I have got quite a bit off my chest.  Maybe we will sleep better tonight.

Wishing everyone a good nights sleep.

xxx

.

en hiver

 For this first week of Winter, we have been like little bears.  With Mr Lurgy taking its toll, we have been hibernating.  There has been a lot happening in the big wild world, and like a  lot of other like-minded people I have been a bit emotionally affected.  I love animals.

Doing a bit of yarn over in those stolen moments when the little one sleeps, has helped me be more in the moment.  I am learning to make my chains a bit looser and to always try and count the stitches. Having ventured into a bit more of challenge, I have become stumped on row 4.  I think I will just keep going with how I understand the pattern  and then look back and see if it works.  The plan is to make a bundle of thank you packages.  My list is long.

The rain keeps on coming.  Cooped up with the kiddo and 2 loveable but wet stinky dogs is a test of patience.  Let us just say the place is a mess.  And there is no chocolate in the house.  We did take a walk in nature's corridor today.  My goodness the car is even worse.  The child restraint car seat is like a compost heap.  Even though there is a torrens pouring out of his nose and fevers have made him the grumpiest of grumpy, he still wanted to jump in every single puddle and "roll down, roll down roll down" the hill.  I am a bit of a slack Mama aren't I?

Drinking lots of rose hip tea, grated ginger and manuka honey.  Managed even a bit of baking.   The days are short.  When I am at home it just seems like forever cooking, cleaning, putting everything back into the cupboards that has been dragged out, constantly wiping little ones nose and washing the clothes that have been smeared with snot.

How my own Mother ever did it?  Three young ones at home all under 4 at age 22  and then a single mother living in a housing commission flat.  I am always thinking of what it really was like for her being alone looking after us girls.  Yes these were my humble beginings.  I have been very lucky.  Now I have a warm house, an amazing supportive partner, a back up career and all the modern conveniences at my disposal.  Ever so grateful.

Thank you for reading my rambles once again.  It is just nice writing things down.  Making a catalogue of my thoughts.  I often feel that this may be quite banal to others.  But I like to do it.  More of a thrill though is reading the life and creations of others.  I think that is what I enjoy most.  And there are some amazing blogs and amazing creative people  out there. 

Hope this first week of winter finds you happy and healthy.  Or if you are lucky enough to be so far North of us, savour every moment of the sun and warmth.

xx

ramblings

Today the light was calming.  The weather was really mild.  I walked around in a thin cotton top.  This morning was dedicated to paperwork.  I have to say that the digital computerised world has only increased my load of paper work.  Bad habits have slowly crept in and the various piles were mounting.  One organisational tactic that I know does works well for me is to pay bills/attend to matters as soon as Mr Postman delivers them.  Take things out of the inbox into the already sent as soon as possible.   Keep that flow of paper going round and round.  I know.  Otherwise you end up in the fiery HELL of a place to be.

"Looking after your own patch".  A most dear friend wrote to me.  Events this week that involved my family has been in my thoughts.  My family over the generations is large.  My maternal grandfather was one of 14 children.  My mother is one of 9.  But there has been disputes and years of one not taking to another.  It becomes so complicated.  Though a tragedy.  One spoke to another after 25 years of looking the other way.

           A blood red sky tonight. What does that mean again?

lest we forget

On a grey Autumn day our Popman who served in the Vietnam War, marched in the local Anzac Day march in Bowral.  There was quite a crowd.  I always find it very moving.  I find myself pondering on the faces of our elderfolk and especially the women.  The memories that must come flooding back.  The grief and the mateship and the everlasting feeling of hope.  Seeing the awe of the little kiddos faces is touching.

We scurried back to a warm cafe for lunch and then headed home.  Popman ran into some other diggers who served on the Sydney Naval Boat too. He and Mum are now next door having some drinky poos.  Baby now asleep and Dada is sitting down to watch the traditional Anzac Day AFL Footy Match.

Have a lovely day.