tough times...

Things have deteriorated around here... more chicken pops, less actual chickens, where do I start? After my cheery last post I picked up Lucy from school to find she had spots all over. And I mean ALL over. Big, nasty red spots. Poor thing. So we are just waiting for Bill to be next. So much for the vaccine. Hmmm. Not recomended.

Meanwhile the previous evening there was a big, wild storm here with loud,cracking thunder and lots of lightning & rain. In the dark, stormy night a fox got into our chook pen and wreaked havoc. In the morning poor old Rocky was the only one left standing, feathers missing and glassy eyed. All the others gone. Feathers everywhere. Awful. What a bleak feeling... so many of my darling chookies dead. Lovely Jack the Farmer came and reinforced the chook house and neighbours & friends, like Kate, Brendan, Alison & Julie were kind and sympathetic which helped alot. Anyway... life goes on doesn't it and kids help with that too. Today we came across two new chookens, one black, one white and have put them in with Rocky. So we'll see what happens. Fingers crossed!

So, life has been a bit tough this week. Not much time for sewing either but that can wait. Anyway, nothing keeps me down for too long! Goodnight now from the house of Dandelion. x

Yes...they're back!!

Yes the chicken pops are back in town! Rosie, aka the Princess of Grunge, has been waking up at night this week and now I know why! So far she only has a few spots but I guess they could multiply over the next day or so. Let's hope not. So I admit I was feeling a little flat this morning, a bit over tired and teary. I'm ok now and have hopefully adjusted to this new challenge. Because, lets face it, life is challenging and ever changing. Without being too Pollyanna about it I realise it could be worse, chicken pox is not the end of the world. Anyway now I need to try to reschedule hair appointments, negotiate how to get the older two to their school sleepover tonight without infecting the school community, and generally get my head around being house bound for a few days. Phew! Hunch is away on a year 8 camp and is due back tomorrow so that will help. He did mention that gastro has been sweeping through the camp...hmmm. I may need to quarantine him!

To cheer myself up I have been taking photo's outside and enjoying spring.

Handsome Max, he is such a lover boy!

Sunday took this one of me looking wistful (demented?) in our garden.

Despite illness there have been many lovely things happening lately. I am really enjoying sewing and creating and have found it has given me lots of new energy. The more I make the more ideas I seem to have and this is so exciting!! If only I had more time to do everything - but family life is so demanding isn't it? Anyway, I feel like I've carved out a little place for me within the domestic whirl and that feels good. I'm looking forward to the Maker's Market and sharing a stall with lovely Steph. Both Steph and my good friend Allison, from Lark, have written some great things about Dandelion on their blogs recently, how sweet are they?!

Other great things... Billy (6) is loving riding his bike after finally mastering riding without training wheels. He has also started circus class which is excellent and so much fun. Lucy (8) is loving Girl Guides and is getting ready for her dance concert. Sunday (5) is making lots of amazing things at home and at Goanna Kinder, and just loving being with her friends. Rosie (3) is into everything as usual and is so much fun to be around. Charlotte (16) is in the middle of her Drama production which sounds fantastic, I wish I could be there to see it. Char has her L plates now too, wow!!!! My lovely Mum has been here for a couple of days and that's always fun. We always have good chats and she is making some beautiful little knitted clothes for the bunnies. Thanks Mum!

Better skedaddle... bye for now x

ps. comments have been disabled somehow...!!! I can't work out how to change this back....any advice? email me x

Things on the go!

I came across some colourful magnetic letters recently and thought I'd make something with them for the Maker's Market. These keyrings can also become necklaces with an extra chain attached. They were fun to make!

I have lots of bunnies on the go at the moment, all in different states (mainly Victoria!). I love the process of making my bunnies, from an offcut or old jumper to a dear little creature who is ready for cuddles.

Do you like my Jeff Kennett pin cushion?

I've always had a thing for doll's beds and bedding and spent alot of time as a girl putting teddies and dollies to bed. For the Maker's Market I'm also making up some little beds, should be cute!

Before I go I have some sad chook news. Our littlest chooken, Madam, died over the weekend. Yes, Daisy was the culprit. I really cried for Madam and the whole situation because I love the chooks and I love Daisy. The chickens need to be safe so that is the priority at the moment. This week I'm working on a solution and so far it's been ok. The chickens are not free ranging as much and have a few hours in the morning instead. Lets hope this strategy works and then I can also add some much wanted ducks to the menagerie!!

Bye for now! x

Crazy Daisy & the Teen Dolls

I know I go on about my chooks alot but have I ever mentioned our dogs, Max & Daisy? Max (full name Maxwell Holiday-Man) is a handsome black cockerspaniel & Daisy (Daisy Maisy Bates) is a spoodle (poodle/cocker cross). Max is pretty laid back, except if someone puts their hand over the fence to say hello, and then he becomes a real tough guy. Not to mention the way he treats the postie.. that's another story. (If you are reading this Mr Postie, I am really sorry about Max's behaviour.) Anyway, Daisy is a lovable little rascal who just wants to be with the family THE WHOLE TIME. Yes, she loves Max but she wants to be with people too. The problem with this is that I like to have the chooks out in the garden and Daisy wants to GET THEM! And she has. We lost one chook to her clutches a while ago and now she has a real taste for it. Hmmm. So obviously they need to be kept seperate but this is difficult with many doors and small children randomly opening them. I try to let the chookies out in the afternoon and let Daisy and Max play out the back in the morning and this mainly works. Yesterday, however, the Grunge Princess (3), left the door open and the next thing I heard poor Rocky (our lovely black Plymouth Rock chook) squawking and yelling (is that possible?). I ran out to find Daisy had Rocky bailed up in the hedge with feathers flying. Alison, my neighbour, came to help and we managed to rescue poor Rocky and she seemed unharmed. Phew! That naughty Daisy got a stern talking to. I really needed a cuppa and a good lie down after that. Ahh.. pets.

As I may have mentioned we recently had our school fete and whilst helping sort the books out I came across these fantastic doll's clothes pattern books. I love the dreamy look from the girl holding the doll. Ahh...teen dolls!!

I want this beach outfit. Check out the hat! It's a bit Ned Kelly. And mesh works so well in the sun, doesn't it?

This book features the winning designs from a competition run by New Idea. Inside it features photo's and details of all the winners. Gorgeous.

Anyway, I better tootle off. It's time to pack up the blog for now and get on with the day. I have no kids at home today so I need to sew, sew, sew in preparation for the upcoming Maker's Market. The bunnies are coming along well and I hope to post some photos of them soon. Am having a camera crisis as GP broke mine, I could use Char's camera but can't find the charger and I did borrow my Mum's camera but seem to have misplaced it. Oops.

I do have my eye on a replacement camera for myself but am saving up and the piggy bank isn't full yet. x

ps. the chicken pops (as they are now known in these parts) were confirmed on Monday and the patient has now recovered. Yay!

Frazzled Friday

Well it's Friday and I'm feeling a little frazzled. Why you may ask? It just seems there's alot on lately and I'm getting woken up a little too early by the Grunge Princess. Today is Hunchie's birthday, hooray! So the plan is to go out tonight for din dins and Charlotte (16) will mind the other four. She has to be picked up from the train at 5.00. The kids and Hunch are planning to go Trick or Treating so there is costumes to be worked out and much excitement to be had. ( Its nice having an american born dad who also gets excited!) Meanwhile we have the school fete on this Sunday and so this morning I have been at school sorting books and looking through the Trash & Treasure in preparation. Yes, there's more. Dinner for the kids has to be worked out, the dogs need a run, the chooks have to be fed and let out for their daily roam. The house looks a bit trashed, dishes aren't done...should I go on??????????????
Yes, I've left the best till last. While dropping of Sunday & GP at creche this morning I noticed a lot of bites on Sundays face and arms. Thinking they might be mozzie bites I didn't worry and went on my way but as the morning wore on I started to think.... CHICKEN POX!! I remember Charlotte had them, 12 years ago, but I can't really remember what they look like. Hmmmm. Oh well, what can I do?




So there you have it. I think I might just leave the housework and sit and sew. Bunnies need stuffing (sounds a bit scary), tiny dresses need ric rac and I'm still working on a pile of library bags. I'm getting things together for the upcoming Maker's Market here in our lovely town. Should be fantastic!

My boy Bill in the quince tree. Bill is trying really hard to remember to use good manners lately and it's been a bit of a struggle. He is generally pretty good but forgets easily and speaks before he thinks. Is this a boy thing maybe? Hate to be gender specific but the girls haven't had the same issue. Anyway, he's trying and that's the main thing. I guess we need to be patient and remember that some things take longer than others.

Wonder what he is going to wear for Trick or Treating tonight?

Beautiful Rosabella (GP) relaxing after a tiring flower picking session. ( Is that a chickens bum lurking in the background?)

Kids really have trouble with the whole 'birthday' doesn't always always mean 'party' concept, don't they and who can blame them? Poor Rosie really cried this morning when although it's Daddy's birthday she still had to go to creche (Kidna's). "But I want to go to Daddy's party!!!"

A photo of the garage that we have recently cleared out & fixed up. The kids have been enjoying playing in here and hopefully it will become a good place to hang out in winter.

Bye for now x

)

rainbow bunny...

Meet Flopsy the Rainbow bunny. Flopsy is made from a stripey jumper found at the op shop. All of my toys seem to have wonky bits and Flopsy has a wonky shaped head. I could fix it up and make him symmetrical but I like him just the way he is!! Do you like his shorts?

Bye for now...

Little notes...

Last weekend I popped down to Melbourne to have special birthday dinner with my eldest daughter (turning 16!) & my lovely mum. We also went to see the movie, The Duchess, which was beautiful to watch, if a little unbelievable. One scene that really struck a cord with me was when Georgiana (The Duchess) receives a set of little wrapped up letters from her children. Just about to leave her husband for her lover the notes make her realise her love for her children whom she cannot desert. It is a sad but beautiful moment & made me think how powerful our love for our children is. Imagine then how amazing it was to come home to find my own set of pretty little loving notes on my bed! Oh it's nice to be missed and to also be reminded of how important my children are to me, and me to them.

On Monday my dear mate, Carm, visited with two of her girls. All the kids played happily in the sandpit and outside in the garden while we chatted and had a cuppa, or two. How good it is to be with an old friend! They couldn't stay too long but it was so nice to have them here. Next time I hope they bring Daisy Kate.

Spring as sprung here in the country and there are flowers and blossom everywhere. The quince and apple trees are looking gorgeous and the chooks are loving the green, green grass.




A funny thing happened with our chooks recently. Because they free range alot they lay their eggs in random spots in the garden. This works well for the local crows who greedily grab the eggs and fly off. Sometimes these eggs fall and they have been landing in the childcare centre nearby. The children at the centre have been finding eggs in the garden and wondering where they came from!! This explains where all our missing eggs have gone! Naughty crows.