Diaries, Donations and a Day Out.

The diary

One of my friends that does a lot of travelling gave me the idea to keep a travel diary in our car.

In it you can write a mini review of the places that you have been.

I was keen to make one to keep in our new camper van.

Of course, I had to craft it up a bit first. I gathered my supplies. Notebook, contact and some colourful pages from one of my vintage caravan magazines.

Here is the finished product. I knew all those years of covering books for school would come in handy for my own projects one day.

One of the pages I have completed already.

On one side of the page, I wrote the date we went away and the camp site we had.

I include details about the amenities and what was good to keep Miss R entertained (crucial info as far as I am concerned as a bored child equals no relaxation for Mumma).

I put in the best and worst things about the place we stayed as well as any site we would prefer to have next time so if we ever go again we might get a better spot.

On the opposing page I put any paper work that relates to the park we stayed in.

In this case, I've included the park site map and the rules that apply in the park.

I hope it will be a handy reference in the camping years ahead.

The Donation

Miss Rhianna earned herself $300 through a challenge she did this year.

At the beginning of the year I promised her $100 if she did not eat nor ask to eat McDonalds fast food. When her Dad heard of this challenge he said he would throw in a further $200.

Well, I am happy to say she made it easily through the year with not one cheeseburger crossing her lips.

She was super excited about having $300 in her hot little hand and we talked about a trillion things that she could buy with the money. I tried to talk about savings accounts and the like but got shouted down with cries of "No, I want to spend it Mum".

Then, the other night I was tucked up in bed reading the latest Woman's Weekly when a brochure fell out regarding World Vision donations. Rhianna picked it up and asked what it was all about. I explained that you could buy a gift for a family in another country such as a goat or a piglet.

Rhianna read the whole brochure through before announcing she was buying a cow.

A cow for $265.

I thought for sure it would be a two minute wonder and the next morning she would change her mind. But no, she was committed and today a cheque for $265 was posted to World Vision for a cow to be bought and given to a struggling family in a third world country.

I hope we can afford to do this every year and make it a new family tradition.

I can't tell you how proud I am of my daughter as she is not usually one for selfless acts.

Maybe the tide is turning.....

A Day Out

I've had a day out planned with one of my besties, Linda for a while now so when I was up half the night with Rhianna and gastro I thought the day would have to be cancelled.

But lovely girlie days out are few and far between so I bit the bullet, bundled up the girl and headed to Castle Hill, Sydney.

It's about a 40 minute drive from our place and my girlfriend Linda and I used to be neighbours there many years ago. Now I live in the mountains and she has moved to Mona Vale which is by the sea but we catch up at the midway point of our two houses as often as possible.

Of course it had to be pouring with rain and we ran into a traffic jam caused by a road accident but we soldiered on.

Rhianna keep my company by singing me lots and lots of Christmas carols. Did I mention that I made sure I took my anti-anxiety medication BEFORE I left the house.

First stop a coffee and a muffin to fuel ourselves for the fun bit - gift buying for the people we love.

Three hours of shopping later we met said bestie for lunch.

I didn't get time to take a breath let alone a photo of us shopping.

If you haven't started your shopping yet, it might be time to get started - it's getting really crazy out there now.

After a delightful lunch at our favourite cafe Rhianna and I headed back home.

Love, love, love the girlie day out.

Retro Dining

As well as loving all things retro, I am also very much about the making, the making do and the thrifting.

Today, I thought I'd show you our little dining room.

Here she is in all her glory.

Such a mishmash of colour, style and kitsch. Just the way I love it.

I think you've seen the dining room table and chairs circa 1970 before. They were a second hand furniture store find and in perfect condition.

I had quite a little collection of tins that I've been picking up mostly in op shops and when I saw this old pot holder stand in a local antique store I knew it would be the perfect thing to store my tins on. And the tins are useful too. Rhianna and I can cram quite a lot of craft bits and pieces into those tins.

Some tin love.

This plaque was found in an op shop up near my Mum's house. I've never seen or heard of this saying before but it works for me and it has that genius retro orange trim that I do so love.

This is an Etsy buy but it was in plain old wood grain colour when it arrived. I do love to spray paint and yellow just suited this piece so well. I love it, love it, love it.

This pillow was handmade by myself and honestly, I got the idea and design out of a kid's craft book. I was pretty pleased with the way it turned out.

Very vintage crochet cushion purchased for around $10 from Frou Frou in Springwood.

This stool is actually a WIP. It was just a plain wooden stool from our last (boring) house that I spray painted and I have a lovely lady crocheting a nice little cover for the top of it.

Finally, Finn wanted me to tell you all that he is loving this return to winter weather. The fire is on, the comfy pouffe has been dragged right next to it and we are having lots of cosy hugs on the lounge today. Furthermore, he's just been told that some baking will be happening shortly.

He does so love my sultana pound cake.

Works In Progress or WIPS

I've finally got my creative mojo back which is kind of a good thing and kind of a bad thing.

The great stuff, is being creative - just so much fun, fun, fun. And fellow creatives out there will know exactly what I am talking about.

The bad bit is the lack of time to do all the fun stuff and still have time for all the dreary stuff like cleaning, cooking and interacting with other members of the human race.

No, there must be a balance.

At the moment I am painting the kitchen and trying to crumb fish for tonight's dinner. Not only is that not the kind of balance you need, It might also be slightly dangerous - like in a food poisoning kind of way.

Meanwhile my lovely retro fabric quilt cover keeps calling my name and begging me to work on her. But not today Josephine....

My glory box, that my Pop made for me when I was 15 wants a make over.

It's currently living in Miss Rhianna's room and is desperate for some colour.

I have such a lovely idea to spruce up this box but I just don't have time to make a start today.....

...because the kitchen reno has been started and must be completed.

Oh what a long drawn out mission this is turning out to be.

I am loving the results but all the painting that must take place. Truly, it's doing my head in.

But I can't stop now with half done and half undone. No, no, no, I. Must. Keep. Going.

I take the cupboard doors off and carry them out to our entertaining area where they get the painting once over, or in their case the twice over.

Have a look at the state of the entertaining area.

I think we have a Xmas party coming up soon and I still have to go into hospital for surgery before that.

How will I ever get this kitchen finished, recover from some medical slicing and dicing and organise a party in the next month?????

Sigh....now onto a completed project.

The little Xmas craft project I mentioned last week.

I stole the idea from this kids craft book.

Truly, that's the level I am at skill wise.

They had some snazzy fabric book covers as a project for 8 year olds. Looked easy enough.

I covered some 2012 diaries for Miss R and I. Using all old scraps I already had lying around in the sewing box. Dead easy.

Just tucked and sewed the ends in.

And then the cover can be taken off and used on a 2013 diary.

So easy and only cost me $10 for the two diaries.

On the retail front I am trying to source a new rug for my loungeroom.

I'm thinking a nice creamy shagpile number. What do you think?

Weekend Away in Kiama

Our second weekend away in the new camper. I have to say that practice is making perfect as it took a lot less time to set up and put down the camper this time.

We stayed at the Big 4 at Kiama on Easts Beach. We have stayed here before so we are pretty familiar with the set up and amenities.

As well as being right on the beach, about 20 metres from our van, they also have a pool, tennis courts, playground etc. All very nice.

Rhianna took a little friend with her on this trip which was lovely for her. They had great fun trying out the new boogie board in the surf, making friends at the pool and setting up the hammock.

Umm girls, the idea is be OFF the ground.

Right next to our camper was the best fun the girls had all weekend - 'rockclimbing' on the retaining wall.

Sure, it looks dangerous but when you're stuck in a campervan with two eight year old girls all weekend, your definition of dangerous becomes very liberal.

Here is our little camper all set up and sitting very happily in the 28 degree sunshine.

The caravan park was almost full this weekend. We had a very lovely couple next to us who also had a little girl. She quickly made friends with my two and there was much rockclimbing happiness.

On Sunday, most people packed up and left which was fantastic as we felt we had the place to ourselves and played a few ball games and such on the lawn next to the camper.

In between times, I read magazines (of course)...

....and painted toenails. Just look at those little fat sausage toes will ya!!!!!

Bill took the girls off for a scenic walk around the coastline and onto the rock platforms. They were gone for hours and came back with lots of "treasure" - which I can tell you will be in the bin by Tuesday at the latest!

Sunday afternoon we had a catch up with one of my online friends, Libby from one of my favourite blogs: Life is a Journey not a Destination. She brought her lovely husband Kevin and her 2 girls Amy and Kristy with her.

Unfortunately the weather turned nasty in the afternoon and we didn't get to do too much besides watch the girls in the surf and huddle beneath the awning trying not to get wet.

Monday morning, the girls were very disappointed to be leaving . They dawdled over their breakfast and begged to stay another day. We might have been tempted if the weather was nicer.

But no, we packed up and headed home. All in all a very successful second camping trip.

New Beginning Part 2

A lot has happened in the past 6 months while I have been absent from blogger land. Most of it good, some not so good and some of it tragic. Rather than try and cover all the projects, cooking and events that I was involved with during that time I have decided to maybe just refer to past things as they relate to the here and now. Clear as mud.....alrighty then!

On the home front much has been happening. I am really into the Spring renovation mood at the moment and have decided to fiftify (Look, I just made up a new word) my kitchen a bit more by painting the cabinets.

Luckily my husband allows me these crazy flights of fancy and so off I went with my retro green and antique white paintbrushes.

This, unfortunately is my pantry. Tiny isn't it?

But now looking oh so retro.....

I've started, but not finished the kitchen cabinets.

I have a few health issues with my parents lately and just get done what I can when I can.

I am also onto a new craft project and it's a big one.

I hope I haven't bitten off more than I can chew here.

I decided to do something with some of my retro fabric stash. I'm going to make a queen sized quilt cover for my bed. Now I've never made one before so it will be a steep learning curve I'm sure.

Today after dropping Rhianna at school I got all my equipment out......

After much cutting, ironing and fluffing about I laid the squares out on my existing quilt cover to see what it was all going to look like. Well, firstly it looks nice which is a relief but I can foresee a lot of sewing coming up.

While I was still feeling a lot of love towards the project I packed it away to do a bit more another day.

We are off on the weekend to sunny Kiama. It's on the south coast of NSW and it's one of our favourite spots.

We recently purchased a camper trailer and this will be it's second outing. The photo below is of our first outing to Narrabeen on the North shore of Sydney where we went to catch up with one of my best friends who has just moved to Mona Vale.

So I shall not be back to blog until Monday at least. I've got a great, cheap and easy Christmas present that I made to share.

New Beginnings

Well after many months of rest I've decided to restart my blog.

It's such a wonderful way to record our lives and I have to admit to missing it a little bit.

I have renamed my blog to Little Retro House as I feel that this better reflects the tone of not only the blog but my life and those of my family.

It's good to be back.

Friday Catch-Up

I know, I know, such a long time between drinks but I have such a good excuse.

Umm, I've been busy????

With this delicious Autumn weather I've been crafting and cooking up a storm and just too darn tired to blog about it all.

We've had a fair few days out and some parties to attend which have been lovely but also quite tiring.

So here are a few snapshots of what we have been doing.

A visit to the Maritime Museum at Darling Harbour. I love, love, love living as close as I do to Sydney and often take the train in to be a tourist in my own city.

Here I am on the destroyer at the museum playing Captain.

The weather has been so lovely, often you will find Bill and I on a Saturday afternoon sitting on the lounge outside in the sun drinking wine, eating cheese and crackers and reading the weekend newspapers. Ahh, true bliss!!!!

We had the Easter Hat Parade at school - enough said.

I've completed a little project in Rhianna's room.

I bought this chair at a garage sale from a good friend of mine. It was just a basic wooden chair.

I've this week added a bit of life to the old girl using blue spray paint and some stick on white dots.

Just have to finish off with a layer of varnish.

And finally my cooking masterpiece of the week so far - a Brandy Honey Swiss Roll.

I've never made a cake where you had to roll it up before so I was quite nervous but what fun this was to make.

It turned out perfectly, was so easy and tasted divine.

More to come later.

Have a great weekend everybody.