Neighbours

It happened a few months ago I went across the road to my neighbours and offered them Miss 11's play kitchen.  We had spoken to them both before but more so to the husband than to the wife.  Since that day we have been slowly chatting more and visiting each other for cups of tea.  It really is lovely having a neighbour that you have something in common with and who is nice to chat with.  Our neighbour loves her chickens and has an incubator of her own.  Recently she brought home two new little chicks which she hatched at her daughter's daycare centre.  Last week Miss 11 and I went over for a visit and got to hold the sweet little chicks.  They were sooo cute and what's even cuter is 

Miss 11 got to name them.  They are called Ivy and Ellory.  Do you have neighbours that you enjoy visiting and having a chat too?

My 1000th Post!!!

On the 14th of January 2009 I pressed publish on my first post and I am so glad I did.  My youngest was just five and her sister ten.  In just a couple of weeks my youngest will turn eleven, those years have passed by so quickly. Never did I think that I would have learnt so much about myself, meet new friends and have some wonderful connections, feel a wonderful sense of support, be taught about many things that I didn't even release were just what I needed in my life that now are a big part of who I am.  I am grateful for this little slice of the web, for all of you who have stopped by and shared kind words thank you, thank you. Thank you for sharing this journey with me.

Happy 1000th post to me and to many more yet to follow.

52/365

It was housework day today, the washing is now done folded and put away leaving a free weekend.

So what to do, a trip to the beach, a bit of gardening, not sure yet we haven't made any real plans.  

Have you got any exciting plans for the weekend?

May your weekend be a great one whatever you do.

44-46/365

 The afternoon sun pouring through her window this afternoon.  It was a warm day here today, I can't complain though we have been having nice summer days.

A dear friend sent me this beautiful card filled with kindness.

Miss 10's new birthday watch, very groovy indeed.

I hope you are enjoying your weekend so far it's been a busy one socially here not for me but for my girls, life does change as children grow up in a good way.

17/365

Salt lamps are said to have many benefits such as improving air quality, they are also shown

to increase negative icons therefore correcting the imbalance of excessive positive ions as well as

just simply creating a soft, calm glow.  Whatever the benefits I do love the peaceful soft light

and grateful my family knows me so well getting this for me for Christmas.

Nothing much

It's Friday yeah!!  How has your week been?  I hope it's been a good one. I took this photo today for my mother in law, a gift for her birthday on Sunday.  This week I've been taking a few photos for my course, I'm up to week 4 and really enjoying the challenges that Erin gives us, the way she gets you to think differently about photography. I've been doing some crochet too, almost finished my shawl, I didn't quite finish it in time to wear to the wedding sadly but that's a story in itself.  I did some sewing too and made a little drawstring bag for my niece's birthday yesterday for a set of farm animals. Little ones love playing with animals  I know my two did and I love buying gifts for little ones a lot.  Also I've been doing a bit of hand sewing, I'm making a Maggie rabbit for my Miss 9 for Christmas.  It's quite fun to see it come to life, will have to take some pictures to share with you next time.  So that's been my week, tomorrow we'll be at home doing bits and pieces then Sunday off to a party.  I hope your weekend is a good one, have you got any plans? 

Rain

I was sitting at home looking at the clock hoping the rain would ease up in time to pick the girls up from school but alas it didn't.  As I was driving to school the rain became heavier but rather than feeling  glum about it and it's timing I decided to look for all of the lovely I saw instead. Like.....

♥ the streams it made in the gutters along the side of the road, perfect for floating leaves.

♥ the tippy, tappy sound on my umbrella and the roof.

♥ the smell of cypress pine in the air.

♥ the freshness of the air on my skin.

♥ the droplets of water making patterns on the leaves, falling to the ground when the breeze blew.

♥ the reflections in the puddles, perfect for jumping in.

♥ the shades of grey along the horizon.

♥ the life the rain brings, rejuvenating, renewing.

♥ the glistening water that sparkles at the sun hits it.

What do you enjoy about the rain?

The Last Couple of Days

On Tuesday night it was the event of events for Miss 8, presentation night. It was a long night for little ones but she was buzzing with excitement, when we got home though she was asleep with very little fuss, exhausted I suspect.  She had so much fun being up on stage, smiling away and doing the odd little wave to us in the audience.  I could see all the time and effort that went into putting on the evening, everything went smoothly and it seemed as though everyone had a nice night, I know Miss 8 did especially having finger food to finish off her night.

My finished ornament has now been wrapped and it's off to it's recipient just in time, I can't wait for her to receive it and to receive mine too.  Thank you so much Christina for such a fun swap and for all the time and effort you put into organising it.

Miss 8 has received many Christmas cards over the last week and rather than buying her cards to give out I made some simple cards for her instead.  She did want bought cards but I find it so hard spending money on cards when I have all the supplies here to make them so I did make them but it wasn't easy convincing her.

There's just a couple of days left to go and there is just one more present to make, another crochet puffer I might even make a necklace too depending on time or maybe instead of the crochet puffer. I'm hoping I have enough time to do the crochet we'll see.  There's food for the break up party to make, these tricky chocolate truffles and a visit to the uniform shop. 

How had your week been going?  Are you starting to feel Christmas creeping up a little too quickly?

I hope your Thursday is a terrific one♥

Reminiscing

(First photo with my Nan on her old Cortina. Second photo taken at my Grandmother's home)

When I was little I would spend hours looking through photos on a Saturday afternoon that my father had taken.  They were stored in an old brown port, in no order, still in their packets picked up after developing.  I would sometimes pull out the negatives, hold them up to the light and just look at them. I think it's so important to be able to capture special moments in a photo to look back upon and jog your memory of an event.  On Thursday I was sitting with Miss 8 waiting for the bell to ring when I decided to check my emails when one came in from my friend.  It was unusual because we don't often email each other so I was eager to have a look when the title said 'Proud Mum and Dad Moment'.  Her oldest daughter, my god daughter, was dressed up in her finest standing with her boyfriend ready to go to her school formal.  The photo almost had me in tears, I couldn't quite believe I was seeing her so grown up and now finishing such a big chapter in her life to begin another.  It only seems like yesterday that she was born, but it's now more than 16 years ago.  I remember when my best friend first told me she was pregnant with her, the first time I got to hold her, all the times I visited her and when she was this cute little baby with chubby legs jumping in her jolly jumper. I am truly excited for her to now be creating a special life for herself and starting on a new journey, that I was a little part of that journey she has already been on.

(My second birthday, dressed up in my party clothes)

At 16 I had been best friends with her mother for a year.  She was the chatty one, I was the quiet one.  It was in grade 9 when we first met I was sitting quietly waiting to go to form class when she was sitting next to me.  She said hi and asked if I went on the same bus route as her and if we could sit together and the rest is history as you would say.  That was a long time ago now I won't tell you how long though, but lets just say I'm not in my 20's anymore.  So when I saw that photo I started reminiscing, about how long it's been since we've been friends, all the times we've shared together, the big events in life and just the everyday ones too.  We've certainly had our ups and downs but we will always be friends and I'm so grateful to have been able to share some of these special times in her life.  Before I know it, it will be my turn next, my Miss 13 is finishing year 8 this year and boy has that flown by already. And when my big girl finishes school I can't to be able to share with my friend an email too with a photo of my gorgeous girl all dressed up.

(Playing at home in my backyard.  Do you like my groovy clothes?)

Are you someone who reminisces too?  Do you love sifting through old photos?

Wishing you a wonderful weekend my friends♥

*All photos above me.

Ten on the Tenth

1. The jacaranda in bloom.
2. She always wants to play ball.
3. Seedlings bought and ready to be planted.
4. Sweet notes for me.
5. Afternoon tea.
6. Having a giggle.
7. All ready for doing her homework.
8. Washing, on the top pretty pink fabric for my niece.
9. Picking cherry tomatoes each day.
10. Enjoying a cup of chai at the end of the day.

Linking here today.

Do you like to doodle?

The other day when my friend made her way to the big smoke not only was it great to have a quick catch up,  she also invited me to go with her see a speaker called Don Tolman.  I've never been to anything like this before, I am someone who is open to listening and learning and the information I gained supports the beliefs I have about feeding my family healthy foods and the benefits to our bodies. His ideas were simple but logical and while he was talking I jotted down the key points I wanted to take away with me, it seems I also was feeling a bit creative because I started to draw.  I remember before the cordless phone I used to sit by the phone chatting to my friends, I couldn't get up and do the dishes or take the washing off the line, no I just sat there and doodled.  I found it fun to be creative in this simple way, it's not often I sit there to draw. Do you like to doodle?

A few cards

It's been a busy week here and with the big birthday only 8 days away (as it's being counted down each day) the camera hasn't been out much at all.  I love celebrating birthday's with a party but I have to confess the whole thing really does make me a little stressed.  There is still a bit to be done with the decorations, the take home gifts and the party activities so I hope to get most of that done this weekend with a little bit of help from the birthday girl. We need to garden and mow the yard and then the most important of all is the birthday present which I'm still to buy but I have a list so I hope it won't take long once I finally head to the shops.  How do you cope with birthday parties?  Do you find the process enjoyable or just a little bit stressful?

I was thinking of what I could post today and then I thought it has been a while since I've shared any craft of the card making variety.  Here are a few cards that I have made over the last couple of months that I haven't had a chance to share with you yet.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone♥

Favourites

A pretty flower from my Father's garden

A couple of weeks ago I was reading an article in the Sunday paper that said an American survey or research (can't quite remember) that a parent has a favourite child and if they don't admit it they are lying.  I have to say I completely disagree.  For me I love my daughters equally. There may be times where I get along with one of them easier than another it may be because one may have had behaviour that has challenged me more than the other, or perhaps at that point in time we have something that we both enjoy talking about so I relate more to them. In saying that I don't then have a favourite child.  I like to keep things equal, to give each child the same opportunities. It's not right to expect something from one child and not the other when the other is capable of delivering.  I don't think it's ok to give one child opportunity after opportunity without doing something for the other child.  This obvious favouritism I think it can effect the other child emotionally and it can also create resentment. Do you think that I'm wanting it to be black and white or are there grey areas in this debate? How do you feel about favouritism?

An easy chocolate cake made for my hubby to show him how proud we all are of him for handing in his final assignment, he is finally finished his studies.  Now if he's bored it's time to find a hobby not more study, please darling. 

I decided to take my camera with me today when I went out to buy those wooden buttons for my slippers, I shall share tomorrow.  I was a bit shy about taking photos, I'm sure people thought I was strange.  Near where I live there are lots of old brick buildings, full of character I wanted to capture so I took just a few of my favourites.

I know that it's not Winter now but each morning I've passed these trees and have wanted to capture them, just one of the few signs of Autumn I see here.

What is making you smile today?

♥