Around the House Today

We spent the whole day out yesterday with friends having a bit of fun at the park and lots of yummy eating at my friend Linda's house. After leaving Linda's we had a bit of retail therapy at the local shopping complex. We straggled in the door about 5.30pm completely exhausted.
So we dedicated today to a make and do day. Which means we have to stay at home and amuse ourselves and "make do" with whatever we have around.

Our course that meant a bit of crafty fun first up in the morning.......

I found an old jumper of Rhianna's so we started to sew up some hearts to hang. Why? Well you're definitely reading the wrong blog if you're asking why we do anything around here.

Here are the hearts all cut out and ready to be sewn up.

Here is our first one done and hanging on some tortured willow we got last week. We plan to hang some more crafty treasures on the branches throughout Spring.

This was our work area today. It was so beautiful outside that we decided to do some alfresco sewing. Miss R decided to paint a sign as well. All in all, a good mornings work.

Here is one of my newest vintage finds. Now I know this won't be to everybody's taste but we love it. It's a 1960's retro lamp set. It's a bit Day of the Triffids isn't it? But it's such good light to read, sew and knit by. These two seats are mine and Bills and where we sit after dinner to chat about the day.

And finally this afternoon I spent some time gardening in the front garden while Miss R rode up and down the street on her bike. Such a nice way to enjoy the afternoon sunshine.

Tomorrow is going to be all about the housework as we leave for holidays on Sunday. As well as packing I need to make sure my 18 year old son and silly as a cut snake dog are going to have everything they need to survive while we are away. In other words, I'll be flat chat.

Introducing my "new baby"

Well here she is - the new toy. Bill and I have bought an MG. Isn't she too cute for words. Once I get my head around driving it - it's a 4 speed manual and you have to use a choke to start it, I will be zipping around the streets in this little beauty.

Yes, we have completely lost our minds, it is a very frivolous purchase and the front yard now looks like a car yard with all 4 cars out there but oh the love...........

School Holidays - Day 2
A Crafty Play Date

I have the privilege of knowing a very clever young lady by the name of Emma Clark. She is into all things stampy and papery. Not only is she into it, but she's just so good at it. And today she turned up at my place with all her little card making goodies for a morning of crafty fun. Well........, it started off as a morning and turned into an almost all afternoon day of crafty fun.

Emma has a daughter the same age as Rhianna so while the girls were busy running from one end of the house to the other and creating havoc, Emma and I got stuck into some card making. (And lots and lots of nattering :: as you do!) Here's our work table about half way through.

We had a wonderful time and the girls thoroughly enjoyed their playdate as well.

In the letter box today was the latest Cath Kidston catalogue - oh drool, drool over all her beautiful bits and pieces. I think I'll try and find an Aussie stockist first before I start buying from the UK. Although our dollar is doing very well against the greenback, it's still a long way from being equal to the pound.

Speaking of currency conversions, it is a great time to be buying from the USA and I bought myself these two little lovelies from Etsy last week. They are two little crochet purses. One is an apple and the other is a cupcake. I didn't buy them for any particular purpose other than I thought they were cute.

Some exciting news for you all tomorrow - there is going to be a new addition to the family - more details later. Have a happy hump day tomorrow everybody.

School Holidays - Day 1

I count today as the official first day of the holidays as it's the first day Bill is back to work and I am nominated Chief Fun Maker.

I can't do anything fun though, until the kitchen is clean. The rest of the house can look like a spanish bull has gone through it, but I can't leave the house until the kitchen is clean and tidy.

Does anybody else have a funny little habit like this?

Oops :: spotted these bananas that need to be made into some banana bread pretty quick smart I'd say!!!

First stop today was some bowling. Found a great deal at a local bowling alley of 2 games, hot chips, drink and some game tokens for the pinball machines all included.

We love to bowl. We like the bumper bowling where no balls can go into the gully and we use the super light ball to make things easy.

After a quick stop in town for some musk essence and some craft supplies at Spotlight we got home in time for some candy making -( this is where the musk essence comes in.)

We love our Frankie magazine at this house and Rhianna spotted this recipe for musk sticks in a back issue last night. Who am I to say no to some candy cuteness?

Let's just say that they look easier to make than they were. But as we have a lot of leftover musk essence, we'll have a go at them another time. We managed to make about 10 good ones.

But we did have some laughs trying to get the nozzle on the piping bag to work properly.

A close up of the action.

We also dug out a hammock that some friends gave to us a few Christmases ago and used the monkey bars to string it up. Rhianna's been out there all afternoon swinging away in it with Finn (our dog). Has kept her amused for ages. I love it when you find something good for the kids to do - and it hasn't cost you anything.

Hope everybody has a good week.

Book Review

Revolutionary Road

Although this is a classic, I have only just got around to reading it.

I have to admit that I watched the movie first with Kate Winslet and Leonardo Di Caprio. I found the movie just amazing in every way. I went out and bought the novel the same day. And having studied Thoreau at university I was constantly replaying his famous lines through my head as I read the book.
"..most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to their graves with the song left in them".

Of course his quote really applies to the woman in the story - April. Married with two children, she feels trapped in her suburban life with an unambitious husband and the same daily routine slowly eroding her happiness in life.

April and her husband decide to throw it all in and move to Paris. But Frank resists at the last moment and April finds herself again with child - a child neither of them really wants. This is where the "quiet desperation" of April becomes a deafening roar to all those around her.

If you can get a copy of this book, I highly recommend it for a thought provoking read.

Cubbies, Cookies and Comforts
( I do love my alliteration!)

Today we got Rhianna's bloodwork back and it's all completely normal. Now, on the one hand I am pleased that it's not what we feared - Glandular Fever (or worse) but then again we have no idea why she is sleeping around the clock, running temperatures and lying on the lounge all day.

Urine tests to come back tomorrow - so will hold out to see what those tests show.

In the meantime we are bunkered down here at home. Today we've done a spot of cubby building. Rhianna and Finn are in there somewhere.

Then I baked some cookies while Rhianna had a sleep.

This morning we found this little card attached to a present on our doorstep (thanks Georgia and Michelle). The present was a frame making kit which of course Rhianna had to start on straight away.

After the frames were completed Rhianna selected some of her favourite pics from the photo album for me to stick up on the fridge. Doesn't it look colourful and cheery?

Of course there were other presents arriving at the house also.( Thanks Daddy) I think she's almost starting to enjoy this sickness business.

And a present for Mumma (thanks again Daddy!!!)

I'd also just like to thank Linda for all the phone chats :: Debbie for the hugs and DVD supplies :: Michelle and Georgia for doorway gifts that made a little person smile :: Libby for being Libby and Mrs Clarke ( Rhianna's teacher) for her calls to check up on her and the constant support.

And thanks to everybody else who has rung or emailed - it's really meant so much to me.

Quick Update

Just wanting to let everybody know that Rhianna is actually quite ill and I'll update and post again when I can. Thanks for all your support.

Vanessa