remembering

Not a single day has passed in the last six years that I haven't thought of him, spoken of him, remembered him, missed him
...

my Daddy.

x

sweets for my sweets

Super simple Lemon Cake - sweety, tarty, syrupy, citrusy yumminess!

No beating, no creaming, one bowl, works every time, all store cupboard items - except for the thrifty lemons from the oppe shoppe on Friday morning.

Greg says it tastes just like his 'Babcia's' lemon cake - I'm quite sure it doesn't taste as nice as hers, but it was kind of him to say so.

P.s. There is only one piece left.

lemon

who knew there was such fun to be had with a thrifty lemon

ooh baby baby

A little pile of goodies for a new baby boy who will shortly meet the world.

Bibs - check
Taggie - check
Teether rattle - check
All ready for 'delivery'.

E

guest post

Project Runway here we come...

"I made this for Flossy - because I think she'll adore it!"

Tigs has asked me to do the typing because he was too 'mbarrassed to do it himself.
"Mummy teached me how to use her sewing macheem on the weekend.  I made a pic-cha for Flossy.  I didn't do fabric for the grass because the waves on the fabric were too wavy and not really like grass.  It was fun to do the sewing.  I think Flossy will like it. Thank you, from T"

Following Tiggy's request to learn to sew I had to rapidly come up with an activity that would be interesting, manageable and incorporate a number of skills he already has as well as introducing this new and very complex one!

He's super good at drawing, pasting & cutting. He's imaginative and he's great at following instructions (massive disclaimer here - when he wants to!). That in mind I asked him to grab some card stock and a pencil and create a drawing of anything he liked. In the meantime I got out my scrap bag, a pair of small, sharp scissors and a glue stick. When Tigs was happy with his drawing he spent a long time sifting through the scraps, carefully selecting the pieces, trimming them to size and sticking them in place.

When he's finished this he was ready to embark on his first machine made piece.

I had to elevate the foot on a little chair under the table and showed him how to rest his heel on the seat and the sole of his foot lightly placed on the pedal ready to sew.

I sat behind him on the chair and assisted, as much as he'd allow.

We ended up with some confusion over the pedal and the presser foot as I kept telling him to lift or lower the foot (meaning the presser foot) and he'd blast off on the other foot ( the pedal!). I stayed very calm and pushed aside the visions of little fingers slipping under the needle ...

I told Tigs, that Flossy would probably love it so much she'd want to frame it. Within a few seconds of her gasping with pleasure she told Tiggy she would indeed like to frame it to keep it safe forever. If you could have seen his dear little face light up with pleasure and humble pride your heart would have swelled almost to bursting, just like mine did, I think Flossy's did too.

If you'd like to leave a message for Tigs, which would thrill him to bits,  I'll be sure to pass it on.  He's waiting for your feedback ...  :)

serenity

Inhale deeply - Mmmmmmm ...

Exhale - Hmmmmmmmm...

Repeat.

Allow yourself to think of a place where you are comfortable and relaxed.

Good.

Now, let your mind find a place that is warm in the sun, with crisp, fresh morning to fill your lungs.

"Hows the serenity? So much serenity!"

This was my 'serenity' today.  Yours?

Back soon with a guest post...

E x

old + new

We had a day off school yesterday - and today! Both Tigs and I are revelling in it. He only swapped jim-jams for clothes because Jess came over. I suspect he'll not bother at all today. We love jammie days.

The perfect chance to sloth around and sew, the sewing being a completely luxurious activity on a lazy day! I made the covers on the left quite some time ago. Maybe a couple of years now. They were always a little baggy, which was fine and gave the very structured sofa a more worn in and relaxed feel, or so I told myself anyway.

At the beginning of summer I bought this beautiful creamy white wool/rayon (I think) at an end of winter sale. I knew it would have to sit out the summer until it became something other than fabric! It feels so soft and snugly and I just loved the selvedge too much to hide it away as a hem so it forms the hem and has now become the front of the cushion! I don't think you can see the super gentle herringbone pattern that is woven into the fabric. The fabric could prove to be a complete disaster with the children and it may even pill - perish the thought - so they could change again quite soon, but in the meantime I'm loving their calm, crisp, cosy wintry feel. There are 4 other cushions around here that are about to receive the same treatment...

The perfect accompaniment to a happy, no-school jammie day. Tigs is their biggest fan!

friends

 

Tiggy with one of his oldest friends.

They rarely have the chance to see each other now they're both at school so we arranged a play date with some of his old playgroup buddies. It was special to see them pick up where they left off (a good many months ago) and enjoy each others company. When the rest of the group had to leave we headed to the beach and the Tigs and his friend played for a looong time. It was chilly, but that didn't faze them.

As I chatted happily with Lisa my mind turned to another wonderful visit I'd had here a few  three years ago - almost to the very day - with my friend Kylie and Josh and 'Ony.

A golden day, impromptu, free, fun. The weather was glorious, a chill wind combined with the warm sun on our backs and an amber sunset. Happy, happy, carefree children playing in their undies! A day that won't be forgotten. I still miss Kylie, too often.

 

We started to walk back, me knowing that this too was a day to remember. And then my phone rang ... "Number withheld". Odd.

Notice the clothes on the wall?

Clear as a bell, straight from Abu Dhabi - Kylie!!! Coincidence? Serendipity? Providence? Putting out into the universe - -as Kylie would say?  I'd say so.  It only took a couple of words for her to remember the perfect day we'd had in this very spot.

Not quite 3 years old

Greg arrived with an armful of dry fluffy towels to wrap the frozen happy babies up!

As Tigs and I drove home we reminisced about Kylie, Josh and 'Ony.

 "Oh dear, oh dear, I miss Kylie, Tiggy".  I cried. 

"And I miss Joshy & 'Ony", sighed Tigs.

Thank heavens they'll be back to visit soon.

For you Kylie - X

my day ...

... blue skies, lavender and busy buzzy bees!

Hope your day is lovely too.

E x

monday, monday ...

...so good to me.

For the past few Monday's our Mothers' Group has been meeting at the St Kilda Sea Baths (make no mistake it's all about the mothers! OK, who am I kidding it's all about the scrumptious babies) .  It's just lovely down there and the first time we went I really felt as if we'd been teleported to France.  The first day we met there it was balmy and tropical - heavenly.  The children had a ball and played in the sand, scootered around and sipped on Babycinos.  Cute kids, fun outing, followed by a great nap in the afternoon - that just about says it all don't you think?

Last week the weather had turned chilly.  I know, I know,  those in the UK are probably rubbing their poor chins that just hit the floor with this image our 'crummy' winter weather but we still met at the cafe and this time decided to do a little more than sit on our derrieres sipping cafe au lait!  So we strolled along the pier to the  replica of the original kiosk.  You can read all about its history at the link up above.

Our pretty city and bay from the end of the pier.  I never ever tire of how beautiful the Melbourne skyline is. 

  I turned from snapping photos of the city to see the Pram Parade behind me! Woo's friends - and mine!

See it really was chilly enough to have to pop on some bears ears!

This is just four weeks ago at the same place.  Not really put here for any other reason than I think this is possibly my favourite photo of Woosey-Woo. What a pretty baby.  You don't have to tell me you agree though - because I already know it's true!

Back soon,

E x

oppe-shoppe find

These from a lovely old, pristine children's book.  They're still in the book, and likely to stay there unless I come up with some brilliant idea for the beautiful images.  Any ideas?

E x

brrr...

It's cold this morning. 7C as I type. I think we can officially say there has been a shift in seasons. I love it, and am happy.

Even the dear little dove has fluffed up his duvet to winter-weight.

I had sent my beautiful boy off to school on Friday, dosed up on Panadol, and feeling probably as lousy as me. It was chilly when I picked Tigs up (having dragged my own achy-miserable-cold-filled-body off the sofa). To assuage my mother-guilt and to warm my baby's bones there was only one good thing to do.

Take one left-over (I know it's from Easter!) Lindt Bunny and a pan of fully creamy, no-fat-removed, delicious milk.
Warm gently in a pan.
Stir, stir, stir until the bunny passes to another world.
A hedonistic, delectable, luscious, memory-creating beverage. One to warm the cockles of my children's hearts.

Chocolate-soup.

Heaven.  Even for a not particularly chocolate crazy girl. (Ok, I occasionally have to have some Cadbury's Fruit & Nut Butt  or Chocolate-coated pomegranate seeds from Trader Joe's courtesy of Sally Shim.)

YUM! YUM! Warmed to the core again.

big boy, little boy

Jun and Tiggy beneath a rainbow . I love seeing them together.
Jun tends to laugh at the things Tigs says and Tigs thinks Jun is the bees knees!

Happy Children's Day my Korean born boys!

My traditional gift to them - mmm, does dinner count?

impressive insect act!

The other day we saw a beautiful dragonfly outside, there are lots and lots around at the moment. Jun told me that in Korea he could catch one between his fingers.

Today he proved it!!!

We were all mightily impressed, although he assures me that most kids in Korea can do this.

Naturally, I deemed this to be blog worthy and patiently, both Jun and the dragonfly, waited for me to snap away. Of course we set the beautiful creature free immediately afterwards.


Back soon - I've been on the machine today!!!

Auskick

This morning we were awoken by one very excited little boy!
He had a big day ahead of him as he joined piles and piles of other little boys and girls around the state for Auskick.



I have to say we were a little sceptical that Tiggy would actually participate and were completely delighted to see him join in and play like a little Demon - except that he's Saint!



After the drills there was a match between all the Saints supporters and Tiggy actually got his foot on the ball - once!
He did spend an inordinate amount of time looking at insects on the pitch and running the wrong way or swinging off the goal post, but it really didn't matter as we are so proud of him for having a go and enjoying it.



This morning's activity sparked a whole heap more footy play at home this afternoon and we have a Goal board up on the wall so that he can practise his aim. He also went with his Daddy to see Greg's old school footy team win too!

What a big day for our little fellow!
No wonder he's onto his second  third bowl of apple and plum crumble. Mmmm!