things i'm loving . . . 'treats & goodness'

Greetings all,

I've possibly cried more this week than ever, i really miss my husband.  All this festive  'family' orientated vibe only reminds me of who will be absent at the Christmas table this year - my Mummy's Alzheimer's has stolen her away & my husband will be overseas.  I'm just focussing on the children & riding their new shiney bikes!!  If you get the chance to see the New Year's Eve movie, it's great, but think of me when you follow Halle Berry's story (to the end)!! 

I'm taking time to treat myself, facials, massages, walking away from passive aggressive mums . . . stop messing with me, i know better!!  My hands are sore but i'm stocking up on fabrics for future projects - Lotta Jansdotter - you are about to be quilted, hexagons i think, later this Summer.

 I needed new tongs (read: i loathe our tongs, they jam closed) & was thrilled to pick up these beauties for $3 at the supermarket!!  Little things make me happy. 

 While my car is having a major service, it was cheaper to hire a car than get a cab home, so i've been enjoying this new Mitsubishi Outlander, i like it!!

 Loving the extra pretty stationery at Kikki-K & their 25% off days . . .

 & 15% off at Peter Alexander, come on, Babushka pyjamas, as if i could resist!!

 It's official, i'm collecting pears.

 Reading in bed, using her glasses just like she's meant to.

 Ending my evenings with candles & calm.

So PaisleyJade, that is what I'm Loving this week.  You can find those candle paper bags here & if you're into IKEA toys or love baking with Donna Hay, check out my current giveaways below.  Love Posie

things i'm loving . . . 'lazy days at home'

Greetings all,

Sick of my carpal tunnel issues yet??  I am, why did i wait 8 years for it to be THIS bad.  A new low today, my hands have swollen & i can't wear my wedding bands, sigh, they are on my pinkie, it's just not the same.  I've never suffered swelling, even 9 months pregnant with twins in tropical Summer!!  Um, it even hurts my hands to turn the pages of magazines, yes, Princess Precious!!  I'll see the surgeon soon & then book surgery, thank goodness for private health insurance & speedy waiting lists.

 So this week Things I'm Loving with PaisleyJade is to really step back & rest my hands, with some quality magazines, turning pages with my left hand (i'm right handed, my right is worse).  This lambie is pictured on a lush Christmas Tree farm in Tasmania, of course!!

 I even bought Little One magazine, despite an article on horse face Catriona Rowntree.

 Sometimes dinner comes in a frozen box via the oven, not often, my children don't like plastic food, but this calamari, spring roll & beer battered fish combo saved me mid week. 

 I'm forcing my love of dill & coriander on the children & they can't say there wasn't anything green on the platter??!!

Chocolate money is not a tradition from my childhood but they remind my husband of his late mummy.  How cool they now make Australian currency & notes!!

I'm trying to train my tomatoes to grow on the hedge this Summer of maximum sunshine. 

 The agaves are flourishing in their new leaky champagne barrel, perfect!!

So as i'm sorting through Christmas lists & parcels to Afghanistan, i'm taking care of myself too.  Love Posie

things i'm loving . . . 'finding fun'

Greetings all,
Can you believe my husband has been in Afghanistan for a month already??!!  I'm finding plenty of fun ways to keep busy, happy, distracted & positive . . . i do have tears as well, i'm not made of stone, i'm just very well practised in this routine of solo parenting 4 children while my husband is away at war.  Thanks for your support bloggers!!  One amazing blogger Cherry Red Quilter has gathered her troup of seamstresses to sew laundry bags for our troops, thanks Jan-Maree, you're a doll!!

I have always found sewing projects = avoid boredom.  A young lady ordered a lllloooonnnngggg pencil roll in Babushka fabrics from the last Handmade Market.  I delivered!!  

 Like the pencil & texta combination to fill the 16 pockets??

 First week of term 4, my primary school children have a new 'focus of inquiry' . . . 'outer space'.  This is not my forte & i wish my i-can-navigate-by-the-stars husband was around.  He might also ace camping, but i totally nailed glamping!!  Anyway, i can make some fun bunting & hand flags for Team Gravity.  I'm the teacher's pet-parent!!  

 How much fun are giveaways & swaps in blogland??!!  I am in an international swap with NZ Green Buttons blog, who sent this parcel of kiwi goodness.  Thanks Louana!!  Check out the play NZ money, maps, badges, stationery, chocolates . . .

 meanwhile i'm busy at the post office, this is my 4th parcel to handsome soldier.  This random box includes a diary, wind up kangaroo, moisturiser, soft-thick-luxurious-daddy-toilet-paper, a little softie & some meusli bars. 

 Finally, still losing myself in the Dottie Angel book, she's a fellow Babushka fan.  I've added more Russian Nesting Doll goodness to my collection this week too.

I hope you enjoyed the little tour around my head this week, Things I'm Loving is finding fun in my world.  Those who know me will be shocked i'm reading so much, it's the sunshine & my new slow down attitude. 
Don't forget my latest giveaway, it includes a Babushka fabric pencil roll.  Follow my blog now as i have new giveaways coming up with Sesame Street Wii games & hello . . . Donna Hay products!!  Stay tuned. 
Special shout out to Julie-Ann who featured me on her Decorating Forum all week, thank you, 'twas fun & welcome new readers - i believe i've taught you a some tricks from day beds to glamping.  Love Posie
PS PaisleyJade hosts things i'm loving each Friday, go check out her last few posts, she is one amazingly dedicated, cool mummy of 4, you should see what she made for her son's birthday (crocheted gift, layer cake & party games!!)

things i'm loving . . . 'printed crochet'

Greetings all,

What a week of howling stormy weather, super slow internet, high school athletics (next stop: state finals) & market sewing panic.  Not a lot of time for blog reading.  Bring on school holidays i say - 3.25p.m. can not come around fast enough for me today!! 

Then i catch my breath to find Queen of Handmade Market has left flowers on my doorstep.  I haven't had a chance to say how much i appreciated your comments about my mummy & her Alzheimer's, it's still raw, i'm unsure how i feel, beyond sad.  It's lovely, heart warming & so kind of you to care.    

 Busy with new fabrics & products, these Kristen Doran crochet screen printed beauties will be on my Market stall this weekend, loving her style.  Buy a cushion, purse, brooch or the fabric panel to make your own handmade goodness.

While i'm still learning the yarn version of crochet, Paisley Jade is quite the amazing crochet queen . . . Things i'm Loving this week with my hot little hands, will have to be the screen printed version.  Wish me luck here in Canberra this weekend, Saturday & Sunday, it's going to be huge!!  Plus Floriade, then school holidays, it's all super exciting!!  Love Posie

things i'm loving . . . 'Spring flowers at Floriade'

Greetings all,

Floriade is one of my favourite festivals in Canberra each year - it's close to school, easy to park the car, free to attend & just a beautiful place to wander alone with a camera or with a bunch of children.  We normally go twice a week during the 4 weeks it runs.

 Beautiful.

 Stunning.

 Happy.

 Clever.

 Delicious.

Kind of a no brainer what Things I'm Loving this week, for everyone else's, visit PaisleyJade.  Happy weekends, everyone.  Love Posie

things i'm loving . . . 'athletics carnival, high school style'

Greetings all,
I have always looked forward to my children starting high school.  I LOVED high school, the friends, the sports, the work, the parties, it was so much fun.  I did 5 sports a year - softball, netball, tennis, cricket + athletics.  My husband was super sporty too - athletics, tennis, swimming, hockey & water polo.  I love that our children are naturally sporty, it's so healthy & great for self confidence. 

I can't believe i'm already attending high school athletics carnivals.  I was SO excited this week.  Handsome soldier took our daughter early to run the 1500m (she came a energy-less 2nd place, after her virus, i'm amazed she could run at all).  

I love the track & field centre at the Australian Institute of Sports, you can move around & watch all the events your children are (like discus way over the other side or triple jump along the edge of the track).

 I am loving my daughter's high school so much, their attitude is amazing.  They are all about participation & encourage girls to dress up (so they turn up), it's a party atmosphere.  While my children are competitive & try their hardest, in high school . . . some girls have no desire to compete in sports . . . so the school offers participation points just for entering.  They run serious races, then non-competitive, where you'll see girls link arms & run together. 

 It's a large school, split into 6 houses.  My daugther's house is the smallest & they don't win anything, not even debating or choir, but they are enthusiastic.  Their dress up theme was 'ninjas' & most were dressed in full black or karate outfits.  The green house were 'terror' so there were lots of zombies & vampires, which looked hilarious as they ran down the track, some with axes attacking fellow racers!!  The blue house were 'toys' so there were Bananas In Pyjamas doing javelin & Cookie Monsters doing long jump.  Not sure why but there were lots of red power rangers too.  EDIT: red house were 'aliens & astronauts'.  Also, the announcer/ teacher wore a scream mask all day & it was so hilarious!!    

 Our sweet daughter is officially the youngest girl in the entire school (she skipped a year) & she amazes me with her petit size that she finishes in the top 5 of most events.  She competed in a dozen jumps, throws & running races, even started off the relay for her house.  The year 12 relays were fantastic, each team included a teacher & the male PE staff stole the show.  Another really cool event was The Flash - where the fastest 100m runner from each age group, ran against each other, to find the fastest girl at school. 

My husband set up a picnic rug on the hill & we had a great view, far away from the screaming cheerleaders.  I tell you, 1100 high school girls can scream, loudly, all day.  Even i left with a headache.  For more Things I'm Loving visit Paisley Jade, love Posie

things i'm loving . . . 'yoga'

Greetings all,

Oh Yoga, why did i ever stop worshipping you??  Ok, i was extremely dedicated to Yoga in my early 20s & only stopped when lowering-my-head-during-pregnancy did not bode well with my 24/7 morning sickness x 9 months.  Between pregnancies though, Yoga was my best friend (remember i don't drink alcohol, tea or coffee - i had have a treat while the babies slept).  Of course having lots of little babies, zero babysitters & unaffordable gym creche, i did Yoga at home with DVDs, it was great, often in my knickers & bra, on my way from the laundry to the shower - such is the life of the stay at home breastfeeding mother.  I could do anything, i'm flexible & headstands kept me level headed, chasing 4 children under 4.5 years, in fairness the baby was easy to pin down, the girls, they were runners!!

Yoga totally rebuilt my body after twins, still in my mid 20s & i lost all the weight & blubber, rocking size 9 Lee Riders . . . but my hips were held together with a brace!!  Then i had another baby, dropped the Yoga & um, well, didn't pick it up again.  I hit 30 & pretending i couldn't remember what was top of my personal To Do List each day . . . i let it slide, along with my core body strength, tone & my clothes were shrinking.  Slacko!!
More recently, i've been suffering from stress & exhaustion, i've left Shop Handmade & shut down my on line shop, pretty much my entire business - for a break to focus on my mind, body & soul.  It's amazing how pushing the responsibility of raising 4 children with a long distance husband, managing the addition of high school to the mix, worrying about elderly parents & that handsome soldier who keeps heading to war zones . . . along with my ailments of carpal tunnel, irritable bowel syndrome (sorry to talk bottoms), bad insomnia & a surprise middle ear infection . . . guess what, i'm wrecked & my balance = terrible!! 
So to slowly rebuild myself back up to the high energy, capable & positive bundle of creativity i normally am/ have to be . . . i've been going to the gym to focus on Yoga/ Body Balance/ Pilates daily & . . . 2 weeks in, i am feeling better.  Tension in my neck is the cause of my migraines these days (mid 30s) & tonight at my Body Balance class . . . i could feel all the tension leaving me + i haven't had a headache in 2 weeks!!  So rather than beat myself up for letting myself go, i'm just proud i've resumed my dedication & will continue, it's a true gift to yourself, especially as a mother & on a Friday night. 
For more Things I'm Loving this Friday, check out Paisley Jade.  If there was something you used to do/ love/ keep meaning to make time for, DO IT, NOW!!  Have gorgeous weekends everyone, no more excuses!!  Love Posie

PS image is from 'typesofyoga.net' & i'm hotter than her!!
PPS like Lego - i have the new Lego Hero Factory to giveaway, it's scary good!!

things i'm loving . . . 'heart case'

Greetings all,

Ever walked into a store & spied a non essential but lovely inexpensive something you just have to have without justifying or thinking too much about it, so you purchase it quickly, then like it more & more after you get it home & start playing with it??  I had this experience mid week at Seed, yes a children's store & i might even share it with my children!!  Ok so a few children have straight up said "no mum, it's MINE" already.

 It is technically a handbag but i think it will be especially sweet as a prop.

 It's like a gorgeous picnic basket on your hip.

 Pin dot lining, hello!!

I love the shape, the combination of wicker weave, leather, clasps & hinges screams holiday or escape . . . it's just so lovely & photographs well, can't wait to use it in some styling shoots!! 
For more meaningful Things I'm Loving this week, visit Paisley Jade, love Posie

the super combo post so i can take some time out

Greetings all,

Phew, what a week of feeling lousy.  So this is a combination post to cover my regular blog link ups to wrap up the week . . . plenty of eye candy, enjoy . . .

Our Creative Space this Thursday . . . delicious handmade vintage bias binding by Cinti's mummy over at My Poppet - i can not wait to create with these . . .

Things I'm Loving with Paisley Jade on Friday . . . more from Cinit at My Poppet - her latest offerings from Japan, i'm a sucker for Bento boxes & anything in the cute & quirky category . . .

 Cinti has a cute blog too, with 'postcards' of her latest trip to Japan.

 After all the Tupperware my 4 have lost at school over the years, these will not be going in school bags but for kept special for cute picnics, heavily supervised by me!!

I love this squirrel series, just adorable & a matching spoon cover, glee!!  Check out Poppet in the Post now, lots of goodies on special & more Japanese joy-things-which-make-you-smile being added shortly.  I love that my children can speak Japanese, although, i can not, they plot against me, but they love all these knick knacks.

 For when Saturday rolls around, it's Maxabella Loves' I'm Grateful For . . . my children taking care of me.  So i had the world's most awful migraine ever, which left me home & unable to take the children to school yesterday, i could not stop throwing up, horrible, just the most awful feeling.  I came out of the shower to find my 3rd daughter had made me up a bed on the lounge. 

 The only thing i've been able to keep down for 48 hours, some avocado dip & whatever the hell those green crackers are - they are slime green & i can't even tell you what they taste like!!

 My middle girl here dressed as a waitress (how beautiful is the Em & Ei vintage apron??) & served me (topped up my glass of water) all day.  Such an doll, with a cute French accent.  Then i got her bill, including a $2 tip for every top up.

 It was rainy, gloomy & they should have been in school, but they entertained themselves around me . . . playing dress ups from their wardrobes - my son is pretending to be a ganster, 1940's style.  I think the Peter Alexander jammies make it, non??

 Here he is shooting me with his magic stick thingy my sister bought him.  Nice one.  I'd consider it a bit dark that my son was trying to shoot me, but he said his gun only shoots kisses, crisis of violence averted.

Thanks everyone, wishing you health & happiness this weekend, right back at me too!!  Love Posie