Apple puree and a splash of Vintage

Can you believe my little Laura is 6 months old already! It's not quite time to celebrate her birthday yet but it is the time to start celebrating FOOD! 

Yep!  It's time for solids!!

I find something very therapeutic about pureeing up babies food...and I just love to watch their little face when they explore a new taste or texture... I have always made my baby food with the exception of my first child when I was young, naive and thought baby food came in jars and packets!!!  Different world now, I can tell you.  One thing I have never done before though is to make bubs bibs, I can't help but be inspired by the lovely designs I have seen on so many blogs, and as I  just love to sew now it was quite fitting that the next step for me would be to craft up some lovely vintage love to splash across my daughters chest.  Simple and easy to create, I found that sewing machine, sorted out some favourites from my stash and I took the weekend off to create....

Pattern here

I varied the designs a little bit and used a thick toweling (old towel) for the backing.

Do you think I could be the Happiest baby in the world....

You bet I am ....   :)

A little bit of This and a little bit of That

Ridiculous, I know,  but I get anxious If I don't blog! and I know I'm not alone!!

Blogging has become such a big part of my life, but I'm struggling to find time to keep it up.  I'm busier than ever these days but thought I'd share a few little snippets with you and let you know I'll also pop in on you when I can.

 

It seems I have been welcomed very kindly into the community...

What is Amish Friendship Bread : "Amish Friendship bread is a type of bread or cake made from a sourdough starter that is often shared in a manner similar to a chain letter. After ten days of nurturing the starter you divide it into small portions, some to bake with  and the rest to giveaway to your nearest and dearest.  Read more here

My New favourite coffee cup  - 5c

 

Boot Toppers : best fashion accessory you'll ever buy! (or make)

 

A visit from my Mum and a Fathers day drive to Mt Canobolas 

 

The beginning of my new Veggie garden  

 

Lemon drenched Syrup Cake, recipe here

You MUST try these Easy Biscuits, recipe here

don't forget to double it!

and finally, I've unpacked the Craft boxes.... 

 
 
 

Just have to find where I put that Sewing machine now...

Hope your enjoying your Spring weather just as much as me!

When collecting becomes a Collection

Just part of  one of my Collections

Kitchen Utensils and Enamelware are my weaknesses...

Unfortunately they are all  packed up now, safe and secure in a box ready to be opened and used again one day again when I have my next little farm house.  

Any other Enamel Junkies out there?   Jane?

Part II - Living in Town

Hi, We're back and all settled into our new home.  Well almost ... 

It's a strange feeling living in town again after 7 years (and four more children later) of living a very uncomplicated lifestyle on acreage, secluded and sheltered from the busy world, keeping chickens, sheep, producing our own vegetables and fruit, an endless inspiration for creating and nurturing and what seemed like all the time in the world...  I get teary eyed when I look up at my page header,  I wonder if my gooseberries ever ripened?  I have to admit straight up, I am struggling, it's different, very different and I am yet to find my rhythm ...
Up until now, my life has been quite content, don't get me wrong, with six children and husband it's still extremely challenging but having made such a sudden and unplanned change to my surroundings has really shaken me.    

 It's been a HUGE lifestyle change for us all. While it's been fun to explore our new surroundings and enjoy the close proximity to resources in town we are already yearning to move back out, as quickly as possible, to a  new plot of land that we can reestablish ourselves on and call home again..Lucky for us there are some very beautiful rural areas around here. Although unlucky for us we have a house to sell first and a bad real estate market to contend with...

In the meantime, I'm setting up a comfortable home, exploring some of the new opportunities town life can bring to us and just getting back into the day to day grind of the family chores. (Something that never bothered me before but seems to be ruling my life at the moment!)  A trip to the local farmers market on the weekend was a good source of inspiration for me, I came home with great intent to get my next batch of soap made, find the unpacked box that holds my cheese making necessities and  fill up a few pots to plant a few bulbs and grow some fresh herbs. 

 Little Laura has settled in extremely well, you just can't wipe that smile off her face at the moment.

The teenagers are loving the town lifestyle and would be happy to settle in suburbia for the rest of their lives.They attend a close local school have already made some wonderful friends. I am a huge advocate for Playgroup and the last couple of weeks has seen us attend a couple of local groups for some much needed social exposure and play time for myself and the little ones.... Over the next few weeks we'll be checking out some clubs to join, time to get back into some tennis,  soccer maybe, dance classes, swimming lessons, walking/running groups, craft group?

The move interstate has also brought with it a HUGE change of weather conditions....something as a born and bred Queenslander I have never experienced before. I believe we have moved to one of the coldest places in NSW and I actually like it, actually I LOVE it! It makes for a nice change anyway.  I will now have 'Seasons' in my life, woolens to wash, gloves, mittens, beanies and scarves to crochet, and some good hot soul warming food to cook for the family.

We have some wonderful and exciting dreams to plan ahead of us again....Homesickness aside, I am enjoying my new journey so far, I'm still finding my feet in my new home town, there are places to go, people to meet, op shops to shop and many new directions to explore....My path remains the same I have just detoured for a little change of scenery, and I shall find my way again soon.
In the meantime...I'm off to enjoy this wonderful Winter weather while it's still here...
Last Wednesday night brought to us all an experience we'll never forget, Our first ever snowfall....