Addicted to Blog....

Oh my goodness, how does anybody immersed in the world of blog ever get anything done????? Each day I tell myself that I will not go on the computer today, I will.. do the dishes, finish my knitting, create something new, hoover, sort out the ever increasing pile of mail on the kitchen bench, hang the washing out before noon...yeah okay you get the point!

So as there is nothing new to show, I thought that I would post some pictures of my needle felted fairies/angel. These are the ones that we have kept (lovingly adopted by Boo), others have made their way around the world as gifts for the other special little girls in my life.....

This one is my favourite, I made it to go on the Christmas tree, but it was too lovely and delicate for all those sharp pine needles...

Right I am seriously going to try and get more done today, in fact am going to sort out that pile of mail right now, just quickly check Ingrid's blog first............................

(by the way the idea for these little gems comes from the lovely lady who makes and sells them at the Christchurch Art Centre weekend market.)

Baking With Boo...

So this week Baking with Boo, we made chocolate chip cookies, a favourite at our house.

The finished product, wonder how long these will last????

Yay, the sun is shining again, what a difference a few glorious rays can make to your day. I think that I may suffer from SADS (is that the right abbreviation???) and I know for definite that J does. Every time winter approaches he always starts discussing moving to Australia and I catch him drooling longingly at the Oz temperatures on the weather forecast (do they just put them on TV here to make us jealous??). Maybe one day.........

Of course before we move anywhere (at the moment I am longing to move to Nelson..) I have to apply and complete a midwifery degree here in Christchurch. This will take 4 years as I have to do a 5 month pre-health course first and then 3 years for the actual degree. There are only limited places on the course, so I may not even get in straight away, probably be studying when I am a granny!

There are many people out there (you know who you are) who do not think that I will ever get around to doing this course. In all fairness to these people I am quite flighty(for want of a better word), for example a few years ago I wanted to become an aromatherapist, so off to aromatherapy school I went and completed a course in clinical aromatherapy! Then armed with my lovely certificates proclaiming me a fully qualified aromatherapist, I went off and got pregnant........ Now the problem with me is that when I am actually doing something I am 110% into it, but if I veer off track then I find it hard to re-motivate myself ( I have many half finished projects to prove this..).

So... I have the qualification, the brand new wooden massage couch (with beautiful purple cushioning...swoon), the lovely practitioners box (a gift from my proud parents), but I just did not get around to using them. I always thought that I would use it one day, but not so far, the problem is that we moved countries, I would have to do a lot of re training after so long and this would cost too much money, then I would have the expense of setting up, then I would have to find the clients and I have a new baby and well I have a million different excuses......

Now midwifery.......I feel a real passion for and they do say it is a calling not a job, so who knows maybe I have been called by a higher power. Maybe this is my destiny, what I am supposed to do, I think so. During my last pregnancy I was incredibly lucky to have an amazing midwife who encouraged and inspired me, she put up with my constant questions and gave me great advice about the course.

Mind you, I keep having serious doubts that I can do it, especially as I struggle to have a coherent conversation these days, can't remember what day it is and I get confused over a simple knitting pattern. Luckily for me I have J who is also passionate about me doing this course. He is really supportive and knows that it will be incredibly hard on our relationship and family life, but he is prepared to make the sacrifices. The plan is for him to work part time while I do the course so that he will be here for the children, I'm pretty sure that he is looking forward to this part. I definately will not be able to do it without his suport. Of course he is looking to the future, the day when an extra income will lead us to our dream home and his Alpaca's and Bee's!

Maybe one day I could use my aromatherapy skills alongside being a midwife........ Hmmm I think that's enough waffling from me for now!

The Real Me????

I have just received an email from my mother who informs me that my blog photo is HORRIBLE. I must admit that this photo does not really look like me, which I think is rather why I like it. I actually chose it because it is all blurry and fuzzy so you can't actually see how old and tired I look at the moment. Perhaps when I am getting some more sleep (please little Lola) and do not look so haggard I will take a REAL photo of myself. My hubby thinks that I look a bit mad in this photo, which he believes is just right.... apparently those of us who write blogs must be kinda crazy...say what!!!!

Today is another cold, grey and miserable day here in Christchurch, damp clothes hanging on the line, wet towels drying on the clothes maiden, kids going stir crazy, barren tree's looking gloomy and sad, I think that it is going to be a long winter..........

My blog is one week old today!!

GREEN LIVING

As a family we try to be as 'GREEN' as possible (or so I thought..), but since having baby no. 3 I have become even more aware of the massive footprint we are leaving on this planet. I am actually embarrassed to say that with my first 2 children I used disposable nappies, my excuse always being that I was too busy to use cloth! After seeing the scary amount of nappies that we were throwing away each week, we decided enough was enough. Anyway Finally (after ordering them 8 weeks ago!!!!!) my beautiful cloth nappies arrived yesterday. They are so soft and just perfect for that precious baby skin. So here is my little love in one of her new naps.......

From nappies to plastic another bane of my life. I have suddenly realised that our house of full of it, mainly in the form of useless bright coloured toys that rarely get played with. I am going to try to donate as many as I can get away with to charity... This year I am also determined to put more thought into present buying, I am thinking art, books, music, wooden toys, homemade goodies, etc... On this note I am really wanting to make a special fabric doll for Lola, so any hints, tips or ideas would be gratefully accepted. X

HI MUM

Today I informed my mum that I was writing this blog, of course I warned her that some of my ramblings may give her the impression that her daughter has gone mad. Apparently she already knows this, so all is well! Here are some photo's of what you are missing mum......

Lola-Bel on her 3 month birthday, looking ADORABLE, it took at least 10 tries to get this photo as she kept sliding down the couch!

Sisterly LOVE......

Brotherly LOVE...

And this photo because I love it, all girls together at beautiful Hanmer Springs. Miss you mum..

OP SHOPPING

Today while Boo was at pre-school I re-discovered the joy of op shopping, wow I could have spent a fortune (don't worry hubby....I didn't) what a treasure trove of wondrous delights! Except for the really expensive shops that I am not allowed in...I really find run of the mill clothes shopping dull and uninspiring, everything seems the same. Also there is a very scary come back of neon 80's clothing which I appreciate some people like, but I personally think that some things should definitely remain in the past!!! I also saw lot's of stunning fabric that could be turned into beautiful bags,...once I learn to sew that is. So I guess that I will now add op shopping to my new found obsessions........

I thought that I would show this photo of the plump, juicy feijoa's that we are lucky enough to have growing down our driveway. For some reason this fruit makes me feel very happy to be living in NZ, maybe it is because we do not get them in England....do we??? I love to fill our fruit bowl with them and they taste truly divine! Spud loves them, but so far we have not managed to get old fuss pants Boo to try them, she does not know what she is missing!

Yesterday afternoon's baking with Boo...

Birdseed Slice the finished product.... full of yummy seeds and nuts. Of course Boo thinks that it is actually for the birds (no way) so even though she helped make it will not eat it. I am going to keep at her until she tries it as I know she will love it!

CRAFTY PROJECTS

Hmmm, I thought that I would have loads to waffle on about, but it seems that I have some sort of writers block (probably due to serious lack of sleep)! So I have decided to show my crafty projects that I have yet to complete. This is in the vain hope that I will be motivated enough to get on with it and finish them, here's hoping...

Pictured here is an old wash tub that J got for me from a friend. The idea is to mosaic it and then grow lot's of lovely herbs. I have never grown anything before as J takes care of the garden and veggie patch. I think this one may take a while....



After reading some FAB blogs and getting really inspired I decided to get my knitting needles out and re-teach myself to knit. I did have a knitting stage about 7 years ago when I knitted Spud a jumper and a hat. The hat was purple and I sewed a green star on the top, it made him look like an aubergine actually. Anyway I have just finished the cutest pair of booties for Lola, but they are too small, a present for a new baby perhaps. Am now currently working on a little vest in a beautiful pink organic merino wool, should keep her nice and warm, if it fits!!!! The little felt fish is the last one of 3 that I am making to hang as a mobile, also for Lola.

This is yet another project started when I was pregnant, it was (is) going to be a summer garden scene to hang outside. My work bench for my mosaics is outside in the garage and seeing as it is now coming up to winter, I can't imagine that I will be spending too much time out there......

Brrr the wind is howling outside so now it is time to turn up the heat pump and make some yummy birdseed slice with Boo.....X

Welcome to my life....

Wow... I can hardly believe that after weeks of pondering I am finally starting my first ever blog!! I have been so inspired by reading other peoples blogs, what a fabulous insight into how people live their lives perfect for a nosey parker like me. Now it does feel slightly indulgent to be writing about myself, but I figure that my Mum will love it seeing as she lives on the other side of the world and hey if anyone does happen to come across my blog then happy reading!! So here are my reasons for starting this blog:

* I love the idea of having a journal, but never seem to get around to putting pen to paper, it is so much easier turning on the computer.

* I want somewhere that I can keep a record of all of those lovely things that my children say and do, like how that other day my daughter thought that twins were called twinkles...how adorable is that!
* I am hoping that by writing down my plans, ideas etc., that this will push me into doing them. For example this year I am determined to learn how to sew.....see now that it is actually down for all the world (or at least my mum) to see I have no choice but to get on with it!
* I want to keep a track of my journey into midwifery from the very start and considering that I have not even applied for the course yet, this is a good place to begin.
* I would love to meet some other lovey crafty bloggers with similar interests.
* Finally, but probably most importantly I want a place that I can waffle on to my hearts content..........

A quick note about me... I am a 36 year old mama of three. My beautiful little blessing are Kalem aged 7 who throughout this blog will be referred to as Spud, Talia aged 3 aka Boo and our latest and FINAL addition lovely Lola aged 3 months as of yesterday! I am a stay at home mum at the moment but I am hoping next year to head off to Polytech to do a 5 month bridging course which will hopefully lead to doing a full time 3 year degree in Midwifery the following year 2010, fingers crossed. I am from England and am now living here in beautiful New Zealand with my lovely kiwi hubby Julian....probably more about him later!!!