Weekend

Freddie had been loving this wet winter we are having. There is a lot of leaf snuffling going on in Duck Land lately, and much puddle grazing & exploring of mud, with beak. Just after his family hatched out this year someone told me that a large lay of duck eggs means a wet winter will follow. Remember, they had 13 ducklings! Seems that particular old wives tale was spot on. Another bit of folk lore I heard recently was that your hair will fall out in chestnut season! Which is weird because mine did just that. Not all of it, but a lot!  Luckily it's growing back now. Do you know any weird wives tales? Funny how they are called that. I wonder if there are any husband tales out there...

Speaking of hair... Rosie found a wig in the dress up box and wore it all of yesterday.

The effect was strangely unsettling & compelling at the same time!

How was your weekend? We had a good one, not too busy, just right. On Saturday after we got home from ballet I had some time in the garden. Raking, tidying up the beds, putting new hay in for the duckies and chooks. Fun! I found a stash of chook eggs so now I know they are laying again I can keep an eye out. I love having fresh eggs, it always seems so weird to have to buy them. The next day the kids and I sorted out Bill's Lego. It was surprisingly fun! We bought new containers and colour coded the massive box of little pieces. Very satisfying.

Besides that we just hung out, having fun. And a few tantrums as well, for good measure. I also went for a walk around Lake Daylesford, just to check my legs still work (they do). It was very muddy and slippery, but still so beautiful.

Back home with my lovelies we had cupcakes for afternoon tea,

a test run for Rosie's party next weekend.

Wow, I can't believe she is turning 6 soon! How did that happen? She has been trying so hard lately to be a big girl. Getting herself dressed, remembering her manners, being more independent. It's so sweet to watch.

Speaking of birthdays, guess who turns 4 today?

Little Daisy. Rosie wrapped up some treats for her

and made a card.  Happy Birthday Daisy!

What's happening in your world this week?

I have a long list of things to do and think about, including

...looking for work,  (!), organising passports,

planning Rosie's party, parent teacher interviews,

possibly having dinner with Charlotte,

and a million or so other things.

I have a feeling it's going to be a great week,

hope yours is too.

See you soon xo

Winter is good

Winter is good for sunsets, for golden skies at the end of a misty, damp day.

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And for views from the Convent Gallery, far off over the roof tops and away to the shadowy mountains.

Winter is good for ducks. Beautiful, sweet natured, worm hunting, leaf snuffling ducks. It seems Freddie & Zsa Zsa's children are still with us, Platypus the boy (on the left) and his sister, as yet unnamed. 

Isn't she adorable? Can you help me think of a good name for her?

I'm not fussed if they don't go and live next door, the four of them are so lovely to watch. But if they do go I suppose they can chat/quack over the fence..

Winter is good for netball, for being braver, for trying hard.

And for club rooms, dirty knees & singing the Hepburn song loud & proud.

Winter is for school holidays, a time of rest for children, and teachers too. Time for Mark to make traditional Swedish cakes using his mum's recipes.

This mjuk pepparkaka was so deliciously light and fragrant, and so pretty. I love that he makes his mothers cakes, it's one way of having her close to us.  I have my Nan's PWA cookbook too, with her little jottings and notes. Aren't these precious things?

Winter is good for rugging up, for long walks with the kids & dogs, for adventures outside. Don't you love that feeling of coming inside after a big, brisk walk, feeling flushed and tired and then getting all snuggly and warm? Love it.

Sunday and I have started a winter challenge. We must walk somewhere every day. We have to leave the car at home if possible. We both think winter is ace in so many ways, and we both love to be outside, exploring and having fun. Yesterday I walked everywhere, with my bright pink umbrella, and it was GOOD! I had a lovely farewell coffee with Kate, who I will miss so much while she is away. But I'll be catching up with her via Twitter (yes I am now tweeting, sporadically) & through her blog. I bet they have some amazing adventures!

Anyway, I"m not complaining about the cold anymore, I'm getting on with things and although it can be damp and dreary, I'm trying not to focus on it so much. Lets face it, winter is good for roast dinners, apple pies, sleeping in, hot baths, knitting, dreaming, planning, baking & making. See, I've almost convinced myself!

Winter light is so pretty. I love the warm tones of this old building in our main street.

 I love the arches, the shadows.

Winter is good for meeting new people and recording their memories,

their thoughts, their lives. Tomorrow I return to talk to Ken,

and I can't wait! He is such an interesting fella.

Are you loving or hating winter? I wonder what kind of things you like

about the colder months. Hope all is well with you

lovely friends, keep warm

see you soon xo

Saturday thoughts...

We've got a bit of a cockatoo situation at the moment. Attracted by the chook scraps a gang of cockatoos has been hanging out in our front yard, chewing the front fence, acting tough and generally being a bit of a nuisance.

They are a beautiful bird though so I can't be too cross. Lovely Betty from the Op Shop suggested I throw some plastic toy snakes on the grass to deter them. It seems to be working!

Do you like this little frock? I couldn't resist this little vintage dress that I found in an oppie the other day. I no longer have anyone who would fit into it...but  it has little white scottie dogs on it...and it's just so sweet!!

I might just hang it on the wall..:)

Yesterday I started cutting up the beautiful grey Italian wool fabric I bought at The Fabric Store.

I was keen to see how a bunny would look using different fabric.  It's more of a stream lined look, I like it! What do you think? 

Today I was so happy & grateful to have the chance to go and watch Billy & Lucy play for the Hepburn Burra's.

I think Bill caught me snapping away here, he looks a bit embarrassed!

Usually we are at ballet on Saturdays so it was ace to have the opportunity to  the kids play footy and netball. And Charlotte came too!

It's been pretty cold and wintery here lately. I think we are all suffering a bit from the winter blues. The kids are a bit ratty, I'm feeling frazzled...it's not all bad but I am feeling a bit house bound. How do you cope in the winter months? Do you get grumpy too?

At least it's good weather for baking! Today we came home and I whipped up some scones...mmmm.

There was a period of total silence (45 seconds maybe...) as everyone happily munched on scones with home made quince jelly and cream. Oh boy, yum yum.

And tonight ! Yes! We are going out to a friends house for dinner, woo hoo! I can't wait.

What are you up to this weekend?

Take care, see you soon xo

chain reaction

Winter is well and truly with us here in Daylesford. Lots of fine, misty rain,

drizzle, mist, cold and fog. The lake always looks amazing in winter.

Stark, icy, dramatic, imposing, soft, gentle, amazing.

 I love the creeping black branches, long spider legs reaching across the glassy water.
Not that I stayed outside too long today,  I couldn't wait to get inside where it was nice & warm.

It's perfect weather though for staying inside, snuggling and making things together.

Yesterday Charlotte was knitting her latest scarf and took some time out to show Lucy how to knit! 

Lucy picked it up quickly and is now knitting her own pink scarf. I can remember my Nan teaching me how to knit when I was seven. It's a beautiful tradition to pass on down the line.

Char is on scarf number three. She popped into Ballarat yesterday to pick up some more wool and some dye for my next re-purposed jumper skirt!

It's been SO much fun having her home, I'm loving it.  She is a fantastic big sister and has been helping me with picking up the kids, child minding and of course, being the best company ever.

Sweet Sunday found her old unfinished pom pom in the wool basket,

and quickly finished it this morning! She has used all kinds of purples, reds and pinks. She took it to school today for show and tell. All this wool activity started a chain reaction..

suddenly Rosie got into it. She has been desperate to learn finger knitting so after one quick lesson she was on her way!

She started off with pink but added purple, 'because Evie will likes purple'.

,

Rosie has named her finger knitting Geoffrey. 

She got up early and worked on Geoffrey in bed and then took him to school today to show her friends. 

Tomorrow for show & tell she is taking fifteen bits of coloured wool to share

so her friends can learn to finger knit too.

Bill continued on with his mega ball of finger knitting. It was a real wool fest!

He is attempting to make a rug for his room. Charlotte made one too when she was a similar age.

So, there you go! Lots of making going on around here.

What have you been up to this week? I'm going to have a snoop around here and find out.

I'll leave you with a photo of my me & my gorgeous friend Jack, 

who I interviewed this week for an oral history project I'm involved with.

See you soon lovelies!