238-247/365 Food, Friends, Celebrations and Spring

The days seem to get away from me lately.  At this time in my life getting through daily life moments is taking more mental energy from me right now.  Being a mother to my teen daughters and helping them navigate life as well as me working through this new season has brought with it times of change.  Nothing that many other parents haven't faced I am sure but new to me to work through.  For now that seems to be consuming my mind which I am learning to let go off a little each day.  When you are so used to being your child's primary source of many things and then things change, as they should, it takes a period of adjusting.  They seem little for so long but really they aren't and before you know it they are grown with their own opinions and purpose and personality and boy can these new times be fun to watch them explore.  Anyway that's where I have been for a while now, I suppose that may explain my more haphazard blogging.  I know that seasons come and go, and I admit I miss my sweet little ones but life must change and so must they and so must I.  I hope all is well with you.

203-209/365 Just like that another week

has flown by and my hopes for blogging everyday have gone by the wayside.  I really did want to pop in here each day but the photo taking and the uploading and the writing and the can't be bothered when the time rolls around each evening got the better of me.  A new routine for blog writing really needs to be set I think, change it up and blog in the morning rather than the evening when I don't feel it might help this lack of daily posts.  This past week has been a little busy with my birthday and another family member celebrating their birthday, as well as a friend meant for lots of card making and birthday present buying.  Next month is a quiet month for birthdays which will be nice.  I did do the usual baking; we have had a little visitor belonging to our neighbours roaming our backyard which has escaped and is proving difficult to catch; pretty flowers; my little visitor painting and a lovely time spent with my friend.

What I was thinking of was maybe doing a series of posts that relate to some topics that I am passionate about like maybe cooking, organics, health, making, organisation etc.  What do you think? Is there anything that you would like to ask me or curious to know about any of those topics?  

Thanks so much for popping in to visit.

190-199/365 Long time no see

Sorry about the silence here on my space and on instagram.  The school holidays always seems to make me step away and be more present. So what has been happening around here?  I've been doing a little office yoga; treating myself to some flowers and admiring the flowers in the park when we stopped for lunch; making birthday cards and birthday cakes; frosting mornings and time with family celebrating; garden walks and beautiful new reading material and afternoons spent sitting in the sun to keep warm.  How have your holidays been?

180-182 Weekend Jobs, Weekday Jobs

I was really in the mood to do a bit of yard work.  I actually really enjoy raking and with Autumn behind us I thought I would do a bit of tidying in the yard.  There were sooo many leaves to rake I ended up filling up the trailer and hardly touched much of the yard at all.  The area I did rake looks a lot better and now when my little visitor comes it will be much nicer for her to play in that space.  The garden is a little slow growing but we have some new flowers.  And today was my baking day.  I made some chocolate macaroons, a recipe by Lola Berry and some simple chocolate cupcakes. How has your weekend been?

174-176/365 Weekending, Weekdaying

Boy did the weekend whizz by and today is Monday, the first day of school holidays for my youngest.  I do love school holidays for the slow days, taking your time to get things done which makes things nice and calm.  On the weekend we decided to go to the markets, it was the perfect weather.  I did a bit of shopping for me and a bit for a couple of other people.  I am now looking out for Christmas present ideas, trying to be organised!!  There was our weekly grocery shopping, lots of fresh fruit and vegetables although I may have to go back and get a little more fruit towards the end of the week.  And today's baking was another gluten free experiment for me.  I am far more used to baking with flour and butter but as one member of the family wants to go gluten free for a couple of weeks I am giving it a try. The biscuits were a little dry to work with but they did taste yummy.  How was your weekend?

158-162 Days Gone By

Wow it's hard to believe that five days has passed since I have posted here.  I have been taking photos each day but then just sometimes if I'm honest can't be bothered to post here.  It is so easy to get all caught up in being on the computer or instagram which is my case and it really is important to take yourself away from it more often.  I so often here how much people achieve whilst giving themselves a bit of a tech break, and I would love to get back into more creating and less screen time.  Anyway my photos for the past five days are all about birthday card making, new plant and pot purchases, visits to the city and my usual Monday baking.  I made these yummy Cherry Ripe Bliss Balls which I didn't end up making last week but I did today.  How has your week been?

151-155/365 Life

Life lately over the past five days.  My biggest daughter had her wisdom teeth out so there has been lots of tablets, soft foods and ice packs.  A little bit of card making for my nephew that is turning double digits this week. Our little mandarin tree has produced quite a bit fruit this year.  We had to pick them as the crows were feasting on them.  Sundays are for relaxing with the newspaper and a lovely cup of tea. And as always Monday's are for baking.  Today on the menu was Honey Biscuits, Choc chip Banana Muffins  and also these yummy treats which I haven't yet made but will do soon. How have you been?

147,148/365 Self care Sunday, Making Monday.

This Sunday I decided to do a bit of self care in the form of this face mask.  I think it's so important to take care of both our mental and physical health.  And it also feels good to do something a little special for yourself.

This Monday I did my usual baking.  I decided to give a new recipe a try it's called Chocolate Prune Brownies.  I have to say it wasn't quite as sweet as I usually like but that's not such a bad thing.  It was very moist and was quick and easy. I have included a link just in case you might like to try it for yourself.  

How has was your weekend?

144-146 Growth, Learning and Decorating

Despite the dry weather we have been having both the lemon and mandarin tree are doing well.  The mandarin tree is laden with fruit, it's first time.  I am hoping they taste as good as they look.

A bit of podcast inspiration for you.  My favourite time to listen is on my housework day, it really makes cleaning a much more pleasant experience.

Today my youngest made this gorgeous cake to celebrate a special little girl turning 2.