Whirlwind week

Thursday, December 22, 2011
Hi everyone!
Wow what a week it has been. I am stuffed. Cannot wait for the week of Christmas to New Year, when Joel is off work and we are down relaxing by the Ocean! I haven't been able to blog as much as I would like because we have Joel's parents staying here with us from the USA, and his Aunty flies in to join us for Christmas this afternoon as well, which is very exciting, and it is her first visit to the land of Aus. On top of that, Ezra has decided that he likes waking up a lot at night, and then getting up with the sun rise at about 4.45am. So, as you may guess I am feeling pretty pooped. Excuses, Excuses I know, I should be more organised! But I can't be perfect you know!

I'm sure I'm the same as everyone else running around for last minute Christmas gifts, for people you forgot about or ideas that didn't 'come to you' for someone until just yesterday. I have two Turkeys to cook for Christmas Eve, we are making Pecan pies and Green Bean casserole, very American I know. On Christmas day it will be BBQ prawns (ie. Chuck another shrimp on the barbie!) plus an array of other meats. Hmmm, can't wait.

Only a few more days to go, and a few more things to do.
Come on we can make it through and then enjoy a fabulous time with family and friends.


This is as old pre-baby Christmas picture, because of course, this year, I just did not get time.
Angus dog is claiming to be a "good dog" with his stocking again this year. In fact, he is the only one in the house with a Christmas stocking, that doesn't really make sense.

I love my New Mums group!

Friday, December 16, 2011
I feel really blessed right now to have such a wonderful 'New Mums' group. When Ezra was 8 weeks old we headed off to our new Mum's group, a five week program run by the local Child Health Nurse. We all turned up a little bit disheveled and tired, still trying to figure out these new babies, but it was OK, because we were all in the same boat.

After the five weeks, we decided to keep meeting, we head down to the beach once a week and just hang out. There are about 16 of us, and it is so encouraging to hang out with other Mums who are in the exact same position. Another benefit as well is that many of them live within walking distance of my house, so we can just stroll down to the local cafe for a quick coffee or tea together between nap times.  Many have fly in fly out partners so the group is such a good way for them to have an outlet and a bit of sanity in their week.
I really love my group, I still am getting to know they other Mums, but I just feel like it is such a positive and important thing for me. I look forward to going and catching up, and seeing the massive changes in each baby on a weekly basis. We discuss parenting ideas, and ask for help dealing with certain problems, and just get to know one another. It is always nice to know your not alone, and that you have a great support group around you.  I think this is one Government initiative that is so positive, it makes many Mums feel that sense of community, I feel like I can walk around my suburb and bump into people I know along my travels.

I have no pictures of my group, but above is the beautiful location where we get together, it is so relaxing! I also added this awesome picture of Ez in his Camo outfit I just got for him. It may be a little too much.. but its soooo cute!

 

Colour help needed!

Tuesday, December 13, 2011
When we renovated our kitchen earlier this year I had to find a place for my lovely retro kitchenette. It found a home in our dining room. Our dining room is a lot darker than the kitchen and I just don't like the way the kitchenette looks. I think it is time to paint it. Spruce it up a bit, but I am undecided about a colour, I need some ideas..
I'm thinking something light and bright, I would love to know what you think?
Then I can fill the top with fun bright retro plates and it will add something wonderful to the dining room!

Excuse the messy dining room. ha..
And me in the reflection.. Hiii

My Baby's Nursery (Finally)

Sunday, December 11, 2011
As promised, I have finally almost finished Ezra's nursery, so here are the pictures.

A few more things I want to do: Get  those puppy dog tail hooks from Ikea. I have some wall art I bought from Etsy coming to add, and I need some dark curtains to cover the windows so he stops waking up so early now that the sun is up a lot earlier! Also, I really want to paint the little side table a glossy bright fire engine red!!
I really do love his little room, and I hope that he loves it too!
I kinda went a little crazy with taking photos so I just thought I would add them all!!






I'm the Mum of a What?

Tuesday, December 6, 2011
A 4 month old...
Can you believe it, because I am having a hard time.
The last four months have gone by so fast, I no longer have a little baby who is content to just be cradled in my arms. Oh no, he loves to wriggle and squirm and stand up and throw himself around. I have a big whopping almost 7kg baby. 
 I love those big blue eyes, and his easy smile! He loves to smile and laugh at everyone, he isn't picky yet. I love that when I go to get him out of bed in the morning he squeals with delight and does a funny little wiggle, it makes getting up on those mornings where the bags are hanging wayyy under my eyes a whole lot easier. He is very desperate to get moving, whenever he is on the floor he is trying so hard to get somewhere, I'm not sure where but wherever it is I know soon enough I'll be run off my feet following him there.

It doesn't seem like that long ago that we were wondering what this lil man would look like, and taking bets on his hair colour. The last 17 weeks have flown by, but it has been such a wonderful journey. I cannot complain, because he is just a lovely boy, with a very sweet nature and loves to have fun. He rarely cries, and is pretty content just going with the flow. He makes my new job title as stay at home Mum a delight!
He had his first taste of real food, and he gobbled it all down. I didn't really think he would do any different, he has always been a very good eater (drinker).

My lil man is growing up, I need to remember to cherish every moment, because he will be running around before I know it.


Red Dog: The movie!

Thursday, December 1, 2011
I finally watched the movie Red Dog last night.

I have an older post about reading the book and being desperate to watch the movie, but when it was out in the cinema I was heavily pregnant and just could not handle sitting in a cinema seat for that long.

The book is really comprised of short stories rather than being a novel. It is a true story about Red Dog, a common dog for the people in the north west of Australia.

What is funny about the movie is that people are wearing company logo shirts of the same company my Dad used to work for at that time, my Dad actually spent a lot of time up north, and says that he remembers seeing Red Dog around. It is a really Aussie movie, and extremely well done. As for all dog movies it is a tad sad. The soundtrack is great! I absolutely loved it, and could watch it again and again.

So if you are on the hunt for a good movie to watch, and you want something a bit different, hopefully you can get a hold of this around the globe. Plus, you get a bit of an idea what the north west mining lifestyle in Australia was like in the 70's.


Definitely one of the best movies I have watched for a long time!

Smash It

Monday, November 28, 2011
I discovered these Smash Journals from K & Company, a couple of weeks ago, and thought they were a really good idea.
I really enjoy Scrapbooking, but sometimes I don't have the time or inspiration to do a full page layout. I like the idea that you can scrap as you go and just "smash " it all in, it doesn't have to be perfect, and messy works! T
I bought myself a couple because I wanted to keep records of my first year as a Mum, and because I have less spare time than I used to, this is a good way to be creative without being overly time consuming. I haven't started "smashing" yet, but I will provide pictures when I do. he pages are filled with different designs, and I also got a couple of smash pads and stickers for some extra inspiration if I have a creative block.

I am so excited about filling the lovely pages with pretty things!


Does anyone else Smash??

A BIG Giveaway

Thursday, November 24, 2011
So there is a giveaway going on right now for one of my embroidery pieces and 11 other fun items from Leigh-Ann at Freckled Nest www.frecklednest.typepad.com
I decided to give away my double loop the loop embroidery set because so many people have told me how much they love it. 

Have a scroll down and see all the beautiful items that can be won in the giveaway. Then head on over to see how to enter the competition! It is pretty easy!
Leigh-Ann is also giving away free ad space for December to the winner.  Bonus!














Why I love where I live: Freo

Sunday, November 20, 2011
Although we live in Perth, technically, and more specifically we live in Fremantle.
Or Freo as we all lovingly call it. It is pretty laid back, there is an interesting mix of people, and it has some character to it! We like to differentiate Freo from Perth, because they really are two different cities.

The weather on Sunday was perfect, not too hot, not cold at all. The lovely breeze, the Fremantle doctor, as it has been dubbed, because it comes in most afternoons to bring a cool relief to it's residents, was gently blowing.

We decided to head into town , and because I am usually at home with a baby and not to up with what is going on around town, I forgot that it was the Fremantle Festival. What a nice surprise.
My boys!!

This is a sticky tape maze!
Fair Trade Coffee for a $1 donation! (although I think I'm one of the only people in the world that doesn't like coffee)
Street performers
This was my favourite, the street filled with kids and adults alike making massive bubbles.
I don't know why but bubbles always make me smile, maybe they just remind me of great times as a kid.

I spent 7 years living away from "home", I have now been back for just over 4 years.
I love where I live!

What did you get up to this weekend? I hope it was fun and relaxing!



Heart Attack Moment

Wednesday, November 16, 2011
After having our Solar panels installed a few months ago, Western Power finally came around to change our meter over. About an hour after they left,  I let Angus out the front for a few minutes before I was going to take off for my weekly Mothers group.  I went out the front to get him,  and I couldn't see him. I looked at the gate on the side of our fence, and my heart sunk.

The electricity people had left the gate wide open. I knew then, that I should have checked before letting Angus out, and now he was gone. The yard was dogless.

We live on a fairly busy street, two lanes going each way.

Every terrible scenario ran through my head. He could have gotten hit, or taken, or maybe he's lying hurt somewhere. He wasn't even wearing his collar (but he is micro-chipped). I called Joel in a panic, he said he would be on his way. Ezra was asleep inside so I couldn't venture far. I ran down the footpath, and tried to catch a glance of him at the oval across the road. After no luck, I went inside grabbed Ezra, plopped him in the pram and took off on a frantic search. Empty collar and lead in hand. I was distraught, I needed to find my Angie dog.

I went to walk back into our suburb, but instead I changed directions and decided to head across the road towards the park. As I was waiting at the road to cross, who should I see but Angus, oblivious, running toward the house (but on the other side of the four lane road), he probably got thirsty and decided to come home. Panic. I needed to stop him, or there was a pretty strong possibility he would get hit by a car. I frantically ran across the road, trying to stop cars, waving my arms like a crazy person, but I knew I didn't have much time,  finally I made it and ran straight down to the park, pram and Ezra in tow. Angus heard me yelling for him, veered away from the road and ran to me. Just in time. I grabbed him, got his collar and lead on and made sure he wasn't going anywhere. He was just happy to see us, he loved his adventure in the park.

He was a very lucky dog, he made it across that road once alone, I'm not sure if he would have been able to do it twice. He has no road sense, and he likes to chase trailers.

You know those moments when you realise that something really terrible could have happened. That you are so lucky that everything ended up ok, and it makes you so grateful. I know that the same scenario doesn't always pan out that way. I love my Angus, he is a massive part of our family, he was our baby before we had a baby. I don't know what I would have done if I had lost him.


So the moral of the story is.. Leave a gate the way you found it!! Simple really... then you won't cause people like me to have a heart attack moment.

It is beautiful: In my mind

Sunday, November 13, 2011

In my mind my vegetable garden looks like this.
Fresh, green, organised, weedless, and just plain beautiful.

In reality, right now, it looks like this

Not so beautiful, also take note of our depleted grass.
Our garden needs a lot of love and attention.
Oh remember the days when we had "spare" time. It wasn't that long ago.

Is there some things that you are dreaming about tidying, fixing up, renovating, beautifying?
This is just one of the many things in my house that need some attention.

D.I.Y Rocket Ship Nursery Mobile

Thursday, November 10, 2011
I really wanted a rocket ship mobile for Ezra's room. I figured it wold be easy enough to make.
I took some pictures along the way, so if anyone wants to make a rocket mobile for themselves or as a gift, it is really easy, and looks soooo cute!

What You Need:
Felt: I used blue and white for the rocket, and red for the fire. You can use whatever you want, but you'll need three colours
Embroidery Thread, three colours
Embroidery Hoop (8-10")
Tools:
Paper
Scissors
Needle
Pen

 Draw  your rocket ship template on the piece of paper. If you are horrible at drawing, you could download a picture and print it out.
Cut out your template pieces
 Take the template of the body of the rocket, and attach it with the needle to a piece of felt and cut around. I did 3 sets of one colour and four of the other, but you can choose how many rockets you want
 Cut out your circle for the window in the other colour and stitch it on using the back stitch
  
Cut the fins (this is what Joel told me they were called, blame him if its wrong) for the front and back of the rocket, attach the front as shown in the picture below.
Front: Stitched on with back stitch 
Then the back is stitched on its side as such
This is the shape for the side fins cut these out next, two for each rocket
Turn the rocket inside out and begin to attach the back and front together as below. Once you get about 2cm from the bottom, you will want to insert your side wing (see photo)
Also leave the bottom of the rocket open.
 
Put the fin inside and fold the pieces back together stitching the wing into the body as you stitch both sides together. Do this with both side fins.
Once you have attached both fins and tied off the thread at the end, you can now turn your rocket the right way around, and stuff it with the stuffing.

Make a template for the flame, and then attach it to some red or orange felt and cut it out.
Put the end in between the two sides of the rocket and use a running stitch to seal it all up.
And there you have it, a lovely finished rocket ship.
 I made 7 of these alternating colours.

Then I made a moon for the middle. Make a moon shaped template, I did a 1/4 moon but you can do whatever you want. 
I used a different stitch for this, as demonstrated below.
Put the needle through both sides of the moon, then pull the thread through, before it is completely pulled tight, loop the needle back through the loose thread, and put it back in the same side you just inserted it. It gives a nice finished off look, so you don't have to turn the moon inside out.
I just stuffed it as I went along, and then finished it up.

Now to hang it all.
So first cut the amount of thread you need in varying lengths. I used red thread and attached it to the rockets just in front of the side fin.

Then use the inside hoop of the embroidery hoop, I used a 8" hoop.
You might need an extra pair of hands for this bit.
Tie all the threads in a knot at the end, and have someone hold them and the hoop.
Tie each thread around the hoop, equal distances apart. Except for the moon let that dangle in the middle shorter than all the rest. It should then look like this.

Phew that was long, if you made it all the way here good on you! I am debating making starts for it as well.. we will see.

That took a while, I hope you like!


xx Karen


FYBF