Friday

Merimbula is just what we needed right now. A lovely cool change has come through with a gentle rain.  We arrived this afternoon and checked in before going straight to the beach. I didn't take my camera as I was just looking forward to sitting in the cool of the water. Although Audrey looked especially cute in her new swimmers!
David brought a book to read about the aversion of a plane crash in 2010. I've brought Pia Jane Bijkerk's book I received for my birthday last year.  I must say, her beautifully kept journals are inspiring. It makes me think of the handwritten journals I used to keep. I loved the search for the perfect journal, the perfect pen. I think I am coming to the end of this little blog. The year is not going to be the one I had anticipated. A little one growing inside me, I found myself picturing our little family the time next year, sitting on the beach with an extra little one. :) I've loved bent able to post pictures in this space and being able to record my thoughts on any number of topics. The idea of putting pen to paper in a more creative fashion appeals right now. Maybe I'll make use of my other blog to post pictures I take of family etc, with less words. We'll see but right now, the beach will suffice.

Wednesday 3

third post in one day?  can you tell i am avoiding things?  i have been away from the computer today, really.  this morning we went to get Audrey a much needed haircut, to control her fine hair that is so often tangled and full of grass and burrs due to her love of rolling around on the grass with the dogs.  we came home and had lunch and i fell asleep on Audrey's bed before waking suddenly to realise Nicholas was supposed to be at a friends house this afternoon.  Audrey and I got home and guzzled cold water and watermelon.  i haven't been in the mood for looking at blogs for a little it, but find myself now reaching out for the simple, the familiar.  how gorgeous is this?  David bout me Pia's book for my birthday last year, so i think i'll just lie in the cool of the house with a bowl of cherries, flicking pages and dreaming..


"European Design by Train", Amsterdam 2009 from pia bijkerk on Vimeo.

speaking of gorgeous, again, here is Audrey ballerina.
 

Wedensday 2

 I love food photography, though I never profess to be much of a food photographer myself!  Of all the things I cook, David loves my Ratatouille the most. 

* 100 ml olive oil
* 2 onions chopped
* 1 aubergine cut into 1.5cm cubes
* 2 large courgettes, cut into 1.5cm cubes
* 1 red pepper, deseeded and cut into 1.5cm cubes
* 1 yellow pepper, deseeded and cut into 1.5cm cubes
* 2 garlic cloves, crushed
* 1 x 400g chopped tomatos
* 2-3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
* 1 tsp soft brown sugar
* 10-12 pitted black olives
* handful basil leaves

1.  Heat the olive oil in a large pan until it is very hot then stir-fry the onions, aubergine, courgettes, peppers and garlic together for a few minutes.  Add the tomatoes, balsamic vinegar to taste and brown sugar.  Season with salt and frshly ground black pepper and stir well.  Cover the pan tightly and simmer for 15 minutes until all the vegetables are cooked.

2.  Remove the pan from the heat, scatter over the black olives and basil leaves.  Serve at once with the accompaiment of your choice (we have pasta). 


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And I still can't believe she is five!

Wednesday

There is always a certain style of music I enjoy... loving Mumford & Sons at the moment.

Saturday

Our little girl is five (on Tuesday).  Today she celebrated with five litle friends and a gorgeous Tinkerbelle cake made by her wonderful aunt.  :)

 

She kept looking at it all morning!

 

Wednesday

A few weeks ago I found myself thinking of a couple of things I would like to buy.  One is a MacBook.  With my head turning towards full time work and completing my Masters (now back on hold) I had a good excuse.  The other item to covet was a new sewing machine.  I've been looking at a basic Bernina.  I borrowed mum's sewing machine to bind my quilt a little while ago, and borrowed it again to whip up Christmas sacks for the kids.  I need to return it, but I was thinking that I might hold on to it, just a little while as now might be the time to get some serious sewing done - mum?

I'd like to make a dent in the pile of Oliver + S and Melanie emailed me the link to a lovely blog which has got me all inspired.  but it will mean a trip to Spotlight  in order to stock up as my stash of French General fabric doesn't seem right for many of the kids patterns I have.

I also have a couple of patterns for myself which I am yet to make.  And there are some cute baby things that might be fun to make, once I have my head around this new space we are finding ourselves in...

2013....