this is a birdhouse that david and the boys built in 2005. 

we recently had a bit of a storm and the birdhouse was blown off it's perch and it broke.....beyond repair :(

so, david and louis built another another one using wood that they scavenged (david is a great scavenger). 

it took a little while to build but they finally put it up in the garden and louis was quick to make it cosy and comfy for the birds. 

the next morning we noticed the sign: 

too cute for words really :)

l

x

on my needles

first of all, i need to thank all you bloggers that i regularly read for inspiration, because, boy do i need it to keep me motivated. i'm one of those crafters who loves the thrill of the hunt - new project, new materials etc... then i make a start and then i lose my enthusiasm :(
well, i started this cardigan a while ago. got quite far with it (far for me) then noticed it had not one, but three mistakes, so i pulled it out and started again. i was finding it very hard to regain my enthusiasm for this project but then i would trawl blogs and see what you guys were knitting and making and i would be reminded that it's good to persist....that the end result is what will make it all worthwhile. and that i could do it too - this is probably the hardest one for me to come to grips with - but i could make beautiful things if i try - i have the necessary skills, i just need the patience and determination.....
anyway, here's where i'm at so far. the wool is from bendigo woollen mills - luxuary 10ply (aran) in the colour 'lake'. it's lovely to knit with.

secondly i have to thank ravelry - for the pattern, for the inspiration and for just being there to remind me that it's all worth it in the end. if you haven't joined ravelry and you're a knitter or a crocheter or a wannabe you should join - they say the best things in life are free and this is definitely one of those things :)

l
x

holidays

We are in the middle of the holidays here and life has taken on a slightly more relaxed mood around here. One of the things I appreciate most at the moment is mornings like these:

I love our mornings of lying in bed (excuse the bad photo) where we all read our books, or if they are very lucky (which they always are) I read to them.
Recently there was a public holidays and at 9.30am there was a knock on the door. Someone that I had studied with needed some help. She was shocked to find that I hadn't got up yet and for a moment I felt guilty - especially because not only were we still in bed, but the house was trashed!!! Anyway, later I thought about it and I thought "do I want to be remembered as the mother with the very clean house who was very organised, or the mother who was happy to let it all go to play". I choose the latter :) Don't get me wrong, my house was cleaned up the very next day when they had all gone back to school, but when they are around I've decided to relax a bit.

So, what do you do after a morning in bed......

You teach the kids self sufficiency with basic cooking lessons - today it's french toast and freshly squeezed orange juice. For the record, the eggs are from our chooks and the oranges from our tree :) and yes, I love that I can say that!!

Enjoy your day
l
x