A spring in my step

I think spring has got me all bouncy and motivated to get things done. I’ve been getting so much more done with my time lately (hmm, perhaps it’s got something to do with less time on the computer…). This morning I zipped out for an early errand, cooked dinner ready for tonight (pancetta wrapped-ricotta stuffed chicken breasts with white bean mash). I find it soooo much easier to cook in the mornings, if I get the chance. The 4pm to 7pm crazy kiddy time is just not a great time to start fiddling with pots and pans.

After cooking dinner I planted some seeds, swept the verandah, pulled up some weeds and had a play with Pebble. All before 11am! Lately the sunshine and fresh breeze has meant the washing line is constantly swaying a load of fresh washing, which always makes me feel lighter and brighter. Pebble and I have been out for walks, shopping, swimming, and doing lots of cooking and cleaning. The list never ends, but I’m getting through more and more each day, and what would be the point of it all if I had nothing at all to do?

 

Here are the herbs that I planted today. I’ve been talking about planting a herb garden for what seems like forever, and this is my very modest beginning. I am by no means a gardener, it’s never been my thing, but perhaps this will be the start of something. I love the idea of being able to snip some fresh herbs for the kitchen. I’ll keep you updated on it’s progress!

I hope you’re getting lots done in your day today too. What’s for dinner?

At my house: Pretty all year round

I got a package in my mail yesterday. Don’t you just love packages? It was my new Frankie diary for 2011, and it’s very, very pretty. I’m a new Frankie reader, I picked up a copy recently to see what all the fuss was about. I was an instant convert! I’m also an stationary addict (who isn’t?) so when I saw they were releasing a diary I just had to have it. Online shopping is a very dangerous thing!

I can’t believe I’m looking at 2011 already *sigh*.

Are you ready to welcome a new year? Because it’s sneaking up on us!

At My House - Chocolate Heaven

It’s a new day and another adventure for Pebble and I. Today we’re heading to mum’s and bubs group with a batch of freshly baked brownies. It’s a special celebration today, as one of the Mum’s is getting married soon. We’re having a little kitchen tea in her honour. After that we’re zipping to the child health nurse for a check up and chat about feeding and sleeping (that’s a WHOLE other story!) and then to my Dad’s for a big catch up with family including my sister visiting from four hours away.
Somewhere in there I’m going to bring in the washing (which I forgot about yesterday and has since been rained on – boo hoo!), sterilise some bottles, pack the nappy bag, feed and dress Pebble, do the dishes, put a slow cooker on for tomorrow…. um…. guess I better get off of this machine and get cracking!
What’s happening at your house?

At my house

Pebble doesn’t look very impressed with this scenario does she? I think the funniest part is that she held this exact expression while I stopped drying my hair, walked into the bedroom to get the camera, and returned to take the photo. Who needs baby sign language when looks could kill?

What’s happening at your house this week?

At My House

This week I’m getting busy in the kitchen with Pebble’s food. I gave up the yoghurt after a chat with a lovely Child and Youth Health nurse, who confirmed my suspicions that the 10g per 100g of sugar in that stuff was perhaps not the best thing to be feeding Pebble. Particularly as it was the ONLY ‘solid’ food she was eating.
I can get the yoghurt back out again soon, when Pebble is eating a wider variety of foods, but for now it’s back to the rice cereal. And to my great surprise it only took two days for her to be chomping down on the stuff with excitement (as long as she holds the spoon herself!).
I decided to test the waters with a little apple, which also went down a treat when mixed with the rice cereal. Next up is pumpkin, which I diced, steamed, blended and froze before bagging up into labelled zip lock bags.
Excuse my excitement at this new world of food preparation - I’m sure that soon it will be a very tedious job indeed. But for now I’m enjoying this new stage of Pebble’s life and take delight in preparing food for her.
What’s happening at your house this week? Be sure to pop on over to Lou’s and let her know.

At my house: Paper

For our anniversary Paul and I agreed to stick to tradition, just for fun. The first anniversary traditional gift is Paper. I tried to be a bit clever and a bit romantic. I made a ticket for us to watch the wedding DVD, which we have yet to watch – ever! I also gave him Pictionary, as we’re always talking about watching less TV. These ideas seem kind of lame now…
However, Paul, cheeky man that he is, cheated. He bent the rules and surprised me with a Kobo ereader.
So far I love it, if not the reading material that I’m reading. I started with one of the 100 free ebooks that it came with – Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen. I have never read Jane Austen and after about five pages I had to move along. I like the idea of it, but the language is just too oldy-wordy for me (that’s a technical term). I consider myself to be quite a good reader, and this book made me feel very stupid. I kept having to translate every sentence into modern English.
So. I got myself a copy of two books that I’ve been wanting to read. Twilight and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. I started on Twilight and after two days I’m about halfway through. It’s easy to read, kind of like eating over processed white bread. You swallow without chewing.  Edward (the male lead, in case you didn’t know) is giving me the shits with his ever present chuckle, which I find condescending. The emphasis on Bella’s lack of coordination is also getting irritating, and I’m hoping it’s majorly relevant later on. I did watch the first film a long time ago, but can’t remember much of what happens except vampire-girl teenage love.
Just now I found a copy of George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four, which I’m excited about reading too.
Do you have an eReader? Where do you get your books from and what’s your favourite ebook so far?

Monday Cuteness

Happy Monday!
I’ve got a busy, busy week ahead. I’m cleaning the house (again)and baking today (again) before my mum’s and bub’s group come for a visit tomorrow. I’ve got errands to run here, there and everywhere, and plans to make for our 1 year wedding anniversary this weekend ♥ What’s happening at your house this week?
Here’s a little Monday cuteness: Pebble in the hat that I bought her at Mathilda’s Market (my one and only purchase, not that I didn’t want to buy, buy, buy). It’s from Pink Apple, if you’re interested. I love the hat a lot, but I will have to stitch the flower on – it’s attached with a brooch at the moment. A sharp, pointy, metal brooch. I just don’t feel like it’s a nice thing to have on Pebble’s skin! I didn’t really think that through when I bought it, but no regrets, it’s cute as a button.

Have a happy Monday, and please do tell – how did you celebrate your 1st anniversary (maybe it was of your wedding, or relationship, even your blog, or another significant time in your life)?

At my house – Retro Nursery Rhymes

This week Pebble and I have been reliving my childhood with some Patsy Biscoe CDs. I kinda love the old fashioned, simpleness of this music, instead of the over the top pop-inspired kids musos of today. Pebble seems to like rockin out to a bit of Patsy too.

I just love that hair! Oh, it takes me back… I wonder whatever happened to Patsy Biscoe?
What children’s music do you remember from your childhood?
What’s happening at your house this week?

At my house

At my house we like reading. Well, Pebble and I like reading. Paul is more of a documentary man.
I read to Pebble every day, and this week we’re adding a few new books to the favourites on rotation.

Pebble’s current and long-running favourite is Baby Gets Dressed by Katrina Germein. This book has a stark white background with clear, bright pictures and a few rhyming lines on each page. We got this book for free through the Advertiser Little  Big Book Club.

  My favourite page

New this week is Dr Seuss’ ABC. This was given to me by my mum and dad for my 2nd birthday, and is well loved. The pages are well-worn and falling apart.

While googling this book I found this gorgeous little Dr Seuss ABC video! It’s the book read aloud. OMG how times have changed. Back in my day *old granny voice*……

We’re also reading The Potato People by Pamela Allen (one of my favourite authors) who writes many, many lovely, enchanting books.

Pebble may not understand all the words, but I was amazed that she had the concentration and attention span to sit through the whole thing. Sometimes when we’re looking at books aimed at older children I just make up a shorter story to get through it quicker for her. Today I read the whole book from cover to cover, and Pebble turned her head from page to page, drinking in the illustrations and listening to the words flow. It was magic.
I’m lucky that Pebble lets me indulge in these read aloud sessions – they’re one of my favourite parts of junior primary teaching. I enjoy the books as much as the children I read them to do, and get something different out of them every time.
What’s your favourite childhood story book?

At my house

Sick baby :(

Burning hot skin.
Warm, wet vomit.
Sad little cough.
Clingy, crying child.
 
What’s happening at your house?

At my house

At my house this week we are getting impatient!

Today is B-Day for the next little girl in our extended family – my soon to be born niece. My sister and her husband are at the hospital now, hopefully with a delivery soon on the way.

Our whole family is very excited about the new arrival, the third girl on my side and a little sister for 2 year old Amber.

I have picked out some special hand made goodies for the new babe, and visited madeit.com.au to find some beautiful gifts.

I always buy babes a picture book, I think it’s the teacher in me. And my sister suggested that she might need a new towel for the little one. Target helped me out with these two purchases.

From ollierose I picked up this hand made babushka softie:

From BibsForDummies I bought this cute bib and burp cloth set:

 

This gorgeous pair of shoes is from Nesian Kids:

I can’t wait to meet my niece and give her a big cuddle along with these cute bits and pieces.

What’s happening at your house these week. Visit Lou to see what others are up to.

p.s. I’ve bought some cute things from Lou recently too, but can’t tell you about that just yet.

At my house

This week I painted my toe nails. For the first time in more than three months.  

What are you up to this week?