Snippets

Around here last week there was: 

 ∙ a spot of baking, orange poppy seed muffins, an orange icing was added later.

∙ a white peony I was waiting for it to open so I could take a photo for my mother in law, sadly it didn't but it was still lovely to admire.  They are one of my favourite flowers but my all time favourite is a rose.

∙ the view at breakfast when my oldest got her new tie for when she goes to senior school next year.

∙ some clay to make Miss 9's teacher a necklace for Christmas.  I'm thinking I might try a necklace with flat beads like this one.

∙ I also made a jar cosy to give as a gift for Miss 9's teacher along with a couple of tea lights candles.  I used this tutorial which was easy to follow and worked up quickly.  I'm not sure whether to make another because this one is a little loose? 

Have a wonderful week everyone.  It's our last week of school this week, on one hand I'm very much looking forward to having my girls home but would feel a whole lot better if a bit more Christmas shopping had been done!! I think I'll be braving the shops this week while they are still at school.

Joining Em from The Beetle Shack.

Weekly Stills

*This week there was the cooking of new recipes to me. I've been making an effort to try something new each week.  I made this delicious pesto, give it a try the tomatoes are a nice fresh addition, simple and quick too.
* Miss 13's first bit of home ec. baking for all of us to enjoy, Apple Cinnamon Muffins.
* After being inspired by Amber I baked some bread rolls to go with this healthy soup for the little one who has a cold.  She much preferred the rolls to the soup but I'll keep on trying new things, there will be one she likes I'm sure.
* Cubby houses built by my little one, pegs, blankets, pillows, chairs and lots of toys. She is always creating something.
* A fresh new haircut for me.  It always feels good to have some time to yourself doing something just for you.  Even better when your hairdresser is your adopted Aunty because you've known her your whole life and you get to catch up too. It's hard to take a selfie at least for me, maybe I should get one of the girls to take a picture of me next time.
* A swimming carnival for the little one.  She tried so hard and powered on to finish two big races of 50m each.
* Marigolds in the garden.
* Some of my favourite garden visitors.

Playing along with the ever so lovely Em today.

It seems I have the blahs at the moment. Partly it's been to do with Christmas, if I look at the big picture I get a little overwhelmed but then I take a moment to step back, just break it down and things will all get done in time I know.  The other has been negotiating behaviours, behaviours I hope will improve with age but for now it is something I'm trying very hard to do my best to deal with. To keep my spirits up I made myself  a batch of my favourite granola a recipe from Heather. To mine I added some raw almonds, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, cranberries and apricots, delish.

We've been continuing with our advent calendar activities, yesterday it was making some doggy treats for Molly.  The recipe made so many that I'm sure she won't mind sharing a few with her doggy friends so we'll package up some and give them away this Christmas. 

For ages I've been meaning to try and make some of my own citrus cleaner.  The other day before I cut up our fruit for morning tea I remembered to take the peel off first and started my first batch of cleaner.  I couldn't help but open the lid to smell and wow it smells good already but I'll leave it for the 2 weeks the recipe suggests and look forward to trying it then. Have you made your own cleaner before?

I've been thinking I might  just need a little break from my blog for the rest of the week, get my head around things at home and hopefully be more refreshed when I return.  I'll see you again soon.  Take care. 

♥

It's Friday!

Today marks the last day of Spring and the end of another school year for my two girls, Miss 8 has finished year 3 and Miss 13 year 8. It's been a good year on many levels for the both of them. The year has brought with it many wonderful highlights, the concerts and performances,  meeting new people and developing relationships, experiencing new things and many new opportunities. On the flip side it has also been a big learning curve for the little one as it's been her first year at this new school. It has been a little bit of a roller coaster ride, lots of ups and downs as she figures out new rules, greater expectations and works out the complex issues of friendship but we've managed to make it to the end which is a huge a relief.  Whether is was a successful year depends on how you look at things, it's not exactly what I had hoped for when we decided to change schools but  I hope with experience behind us and another year of maturing next year will bring with it less of those ups and downs.

I felt like today a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders, I managed to get through the week and got all of those presents finished for the teachers, food organised for the break up and little treats completed to hand out to her friends thanks Emma for the great idea.  When you are in the moment you don't think you'll get everything done but I just focused on one thing at a time and with a little bit of help too got it all done.  I feel like today my mind is a little clearer so I can need switch my focus to Christmas, there's much to do but I'm feeling positive and looking forward to the buzz and excitement.

Tomorrow marks the first day of Summer and the day we put up the Christmas tree, the advent calendar and decorate the house.  We'll put our favourite Christmas CD on in the background, take photos (it's important to remember who puts the star on the Christmas tree each year in our house) and hang up our ornaments that we have collected over the years, it's such a fun time.

Have you got any Christmassy plans for the weekend?  Will you be putting up your tree?

I hope you have a wonderful weekend what ever you may do♥

Today

I enjoyed seeing my first peony bloom, bought from my friend's flower shop.

I received a baby shower invitation.  I've been busy making a few gifts for her I can't wait to give. 

One clean and pretty smelling dog, much nicer than earlier in the day.

Some Japanese homework.  I love seeing her artwork and the learning what's going on at school.

And to finish the day a visit to the dentist, we all got the tick of approval, no fillings!!

Did you have a good day? I hope you did♥

 I'm so sorry for not visiting lately, I hope to be around very soon.  Thank you for always stopping by and making my day with your kind words. x