life as we know it . . .

busy. constant. a juggling act. messy. full. intense. chaotic. noisy. demanding. relentless. dishevelled. exhausting.

... and i wouldn't have it any other way!

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{this unrelated photo was taken at our friend tim's wild and wonderful home, many moons ago}

snapshots from our week . . .

 the birthday boy. now he's three. 

flowers from our morning walk. 

down by the river. a pirate party in the park. 

sleeping in the sun. he's one month old now.

fallen leaves. we've enjoyed gorgeous weather all week. 

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23/52 : a portrait project. . .

aila : yesterday i handed her some needle and thread. she's been stitching ever since. 

elliot : tomorrow this guy turns three! my big boy. 

oscar : today he smiled for the first time. mardie (sam's mum) captured it.

: :

a portrait of my people once a week, every week, in 2013 ~

i'm joining with jodi and taking part in the 52 project

right now | i am . . .

enjoying

the sunshine streaming in the north facing windows 

making 

pirate paraphernalia for an eagerly anticipated third birthday party next week

tasting

sweet honey from our latest meagre harvest. we've been having a few bee keeping fails this year. 

reading

'wholefood baking' and enjoying jude blereau's celebration of wholesome sweetness in everyday life

{the book, a gift from my dear friend tamsin}

thinking

i really should get oscar's birth story written down, while the details are still fresh in my mind

seeing

chaos all around this house and trying hard to not let it bother me

listening

to and loving glen hansard on the live set podcast. if only it included this song.

watching

the big kids having themselves a little picnic out in the yard

feeling

relieved to finally have the garlic in the ground and crossing my fingers i wasn't too late

remembering

just how much feeding and holding a newborn needs and knowing it won't last forever

planning

a little tin-can-lantern making session with my girl in readiness for the winter solstice 

wishing

you a wonderful weekend, where ever you are in the world

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how to | make your own watercolour paints . . .

rainy days at home call for a spot of making and creating. we already had everything we needed in the pantry to whip up these easy watercolour paints. it was as much fun making the paints as it was creating masterpieces with the end product. here's how we did it. . . 

-1/2 cup baking soda

-1/4 cup cornflour

-1/4 cup white vinegar

-1 teaspoon honey

-food colouring

1) combine all of the ingredients together (we used a pyrex jug).

2) watch it froth and bubble. whisk quickly with a fork until everything is fully combined. 

3) spoon the mixture evenly into an ice cube tray. 

4) add drops of food coloring to the portions of mixture.
(have fun mixing colours and creating your own individual palette.) 

5) stir each portion thoroughly with a skewer ensuring the colours are completely mixed in. 

5) place in a warm sunny window to fully dry and set (ours took 3 days). 

6) when ready, dip a wet paintbrush into your watercolors and get painting.

who knew it would be so easy and fun to make and paint with your own watercolours!

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this activity and recipe was inspired by design sponge

around here . . .

it's a chilly morning. it's been raining all night and all day. the fire is crackling. i'm sitting in the rocking chair. a tiny baby asleep in my lap. he's been here with us for two weeks now, but it feels like forever. a coffee sits on the windowsill beside me. i'm knitting a vest for elliot. it matches the one i've just finished for oscar. i'm a clumsy and slow knitter at best, but i feel like i'm beginning to understand the appeal of working with needles and wool. there's some reheated lentil pie for lunch. there has been a steady stream of delicious and nutritious meals delivered to our door. the generosity and support of this little community of ours has been breathtaking. slowly i've been taking up the reins again. a load of laundry here. some washing up there. remembering how to do things one handed. i see real life gradually starting to creep back in. a new normal with a new person in our world.

21/52 : a portrait project . . .

aila : a big sister and a big help

elliot : all grown up all of a sudden

oscar : it's like he's always been here

{plus a few other pictres i couldn't resist including}

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a portrait of my people once a week, every week, in 2013 ~

i'm joining with jodi and taking part in the 52 project