29 January 2008
Day 1 & 2 - The leaving and the arriving
17 January 2008
pink and red love
As it happens when you start to clean up long forgotten boxes and pack up old piles of memories, it takes longer than you plan because all those old times come rolling back. I found this old photo of my sister and I. I think I must be about 5. Check out the lovely matching nylon trakkie tops and the musk pink pants on me. My love of pink and red started early!! I really enjoyed those days of playing with my sister. We used to play so many kinds of games and usually without too much fighting. We were free to do things that these days I would never let mini mooch do, such as be down the creek playing all day and come home for dinner, wander around and play sand castle wars at the beach and just generally be safe without being paranoid or preyed upon by some horrible person. Our peak succes at playing time was when we put on a circus, walked the streets calling for any kids who wanted to come along to do so (we got about 10), we had the dog dressed up for attraction. The venue was our back yard where we had the clothes line set up with a blanket as a curtain to draw back and close. The recruits (crowd) sat on a blanket and watched and clapped while we calastenic'ed, dog tricked and clowned our way through quite a few scenes. We even had prizes of icy poles from the freezer. We were budding entrepreners. Those things would never happen these days so its good to remember those free summer holiday days.12 January 2008
Lally girl RIP

It was time for our family cat, Ellie to die yesterday. She was 19 years old and has outlived other family pets, two cats and a dog. She has been getting thinner everyday and we think the last few very hot days has been too much for her and she has shut down. My Dad took her to the vet to see if there was anything they could do but as anticipated the vet put her to sleep. We accept this is the right thing to do so she is not in any pain. However, it is hard to lose a much loved pet. It is sad to see her go as we will miss her funny ways but she has had a good and long life and we have loved her very much. She was a good girl, not like the other naughty puss, Billy 2. Goodbye little Lally girl we love you.
10 January 2008
the movers
8 January 2008
cu-rackin' it
The mooch has found his mojo...well, the kind of mojo that cracks it when someone else dares to touch what he is playing with....it is very funny to see this behaviour because you so often see adults acting or reacting in the same way. But, since he is only one, he needs to learn the social norms and eventually learn how to share. In the meantime, firmness, early intervention and distraction seem to do the trick.7 January 2008
the time has come.....
.....for more curiosity and fun. Moochie is bored with me all the time and his incessant curiosity will not wait while I do boring household chores. So its time for him to enter childcare for as little as half a day or up to 2 full days depending on what I can find. I'm sure this will create the right balance for both of us. Since I do not know anyone in Tokyo who has done the research, I'm working from scratch to find a suitable place as well as find out all the 'quirks' which might also be known as 'systems' that I need to be aware of. Here are some of the more interesting things I have found out in my research:
- average one off enrolment fee is about $2000
- some centres charge $100 a month 'toilet training' fee
- daily fees start at about $60 and go up from there....
- some centres change nappies AND clothes every hour on the hour
- some centres make you take home all dirty nappies
- some centres only allow cloth nappies
I will post more as I learn how things work, but always when entering a new culture that is very different from your own, learning and ACCEPTING and not asking why every 5 minutes, is sometimes challenging!! I guess I am looking for something that I feel comfortable with, is affordable and will be the best environment for mooch. I guess I am lucky that he can be in a place that despite what appear to be strange rules to me provides him (and me) the chance to appreciate how others do things. And this is the point of the whole trip!!
5 January 2008
zen coffee
4 January 2008
easy
These are the easiest sausage rolls you could make. I am in full scale mode of hand sized, hand made foods. After buying one of those mini muffin trays recently I wonder why I did not buy one sooner. I do wonder though if pei pei pip squeek will think food is only mini muffin shaped.....these fellas are easy to make and seem to be successful. It is the first time he has eaten sauce so maybe the sauce is actually more interesting than the sausage roll. It would be impossible to have one without the other, no?! Recipe as follows makes about
In the bowl,
500gm roll of sausage meat
1 grated carrot
1 tsp wholegrain mustard
1 egg
2 finely sliced spring onions
salt and pepper
Mix thoroughly and lay onto sheets of readymade puffed pastry, roll and cut into desired lengths. Cook for 10 mins or until brown and sausage meat is cooked.
This made 36 small sausage rolls.
31 December 2007
the year of endurance, leassons and happiness
Wishing you all a very happy new year with a bright 2008 to look forward to and a full 2007 to reflect upon. For me, this year has been absorbed with being a first time Mum and experiencing all the highs and lows and making adjustments in my life to be responsible for another life. The changes in my boy this year are going to be the most rapid I will see in his life and bearing this in mind, I have tried to enjoy this year as much as I can, despite the tough days (or nights). I have managed to let go of the early anxiety about feeding, pooing and sleeping and now with those things under control focus on other, more enjoyable areas. My time is never my own and I am OK with that now, knowing soon he will be at school and these close days will be over. I am appreciative that when I get the chance to snatch a few minutes to myself I am really grateful. I realise that although I can handle a lot, I find it difficult to handle a LOT of things at once, so some things slip and its OK, now. The things that have kept me sustained, loved and sane this year are my most special loved one, life partner and soul mate, Soony, my dearest family, my friends and of course Long Long. Without all of them I cannot survive, this year more than ever, I apprecitae you all. Thank you.
We have an exciting year planned for 2008. There will be many changes still to come and I am looking forward to seeing, doing, eating, smelling, learning and listening to new things. There was a guy on TV the other night who said they had found a new patch to drill for gas and it has enough energy to last for 60 years. There was once a time when I thought 60 years was a VERY long time, not so now. I thought about how old I would be in 60 years (very) and what I would be doing. I realised in 60 years time, I will not be able to easily pack up and live overseas and I will be much more limited in doing things that I 'always wanted to do'. I am looking forward to 2008!! Lots of love to you all, always xxx
27 December 2007
23 December 2007
hap hap happy christmas!!
Christmas also means cherries. I love cherries and as it turns out so does Pei. Between the two of us we ate most of what is in this bowl.
Here's hoping your Christmas was enjoyable and fun and you are looking forward to the new year. I hope to post a bit more often since we will be away and it will act as diary so you can keep track of the places we go and things we see.
17 December 2007
12 December 2007
swim

I have been swimming almost every week for the past 7 months with mini moo. It is one of the nicest things to do, very relaxing for us both and so much fun! Now the weather is better the whole trip is enjoyable. I feel a bit sad to be leaving summer days to a very cold winter but soon after we will have spring and cherry blossoms so that will make up for a month or two of cold.
10 December 2007
dinosaur designs dismay

How beautiful is this bowl and spoon? I bought it from Dinosaur Designs, you know how much I love them... I bought this to replace the salt cellar and take with us a small piece of Australian design. As not anticipated, the service again, sucked......the same lady works there from the time I had my last poor shopping experience. What a shame. I think I will just go to the Sydney store from now on as it seems the old biddy in the store has worked there for a million years and looks like she wont be going anywhere soon...oh well. It is really nothing compared to my very serious incident involving Pei being locked inside my hot car. I gave him the keys, as I usually do to play with while loading up the car. In the seconds it took for me to close the boot and go to the front door, he had pushed the 'lock' button and locked himself inside, me outside and all windows up on a fairly warm day. Luckily we were in an underground car park. It was still very serious and after some help from random stangers, such amazing help and kindness and a visit from the fire brigade to smash open the window, it all ended as fast as it began but my nerves and confidence sure took a blow. A truly awful day.
6 December 2007
birvday
26 November 2007
sunny
It was a nice weekend. Sun and family. We had an open inspection to get a tenant for our house and hopefully we will find the right one. Things are moving along for our big trip to Japan. We are starting to ship things and think about our new days ahead. In this though, small things become more meaningful. The sound of the magpie, the hot sun in November, Aussie accented 'yehs' and 'maate' on overheard phone calls, bbq smells, things that remind you of where you are. Oh, and election excitement. About time I say.
22 November 2007
21 November 2007
20 November 2007
cool stuff I noticed
13 November 2007
well, howdy doody doo
Hello after a long holiday!! We beens to Tokyo, Japan. What fun it was. But its always nice to come home and hear magpies warble in the mornings. Will write about some stories and add some photos and drawings of our trip and various other happenings. Highlights include sushi breakfast at the fish market, exploring crowded streets then relaxing in the park, 100yen shopping (ie everything is $1), amazing tofu eating experiences, nappy (diaper) purchasing missions and finding out that generally life in Australia is more expensive than Japan, whoda thunk it?!
24 October 2007
a little rest
I'm going to take a little rest from my blog as life gets busier with parties to organise, shops to deliver to and other fun things. I will be back soon with news and stories and pictures. Take care and keep well. Check out this link for the BEST tshirts for bubs I have seen in a long time :)17 October 2007
more late night creations

I made this book bag last night for a friends daughter. I had to test the handles to see if they could indeed stand up to some books. They seem to be OK. I have my study books out as you can see.......well, they are out but not open......if you get my drift........The fabric has small sausage dogs wearing not just coats but GLITTER coats. It is so cute. Inside has pink polka dots. Im sure a girl in prep would like this, but these days it might just be way too uncool. Im not too sure what kids are into these days but I better learn, and soon.15 October 2007
DIY update
AFTER
Here is said shower base completed, you cannot see the small damage area and I am surprised to report that it is very sturdy paint. I am quite impressed and might just do one last layer. I did fix the front door, I actually had no choice as it completely fell off its hinges and I could not open or close it. It is actually quite heavy and I thought I might have to enlist some help from the neighbours to lift it, but I did manage to get it attached to the door frame and now its as good as new. I already have another project, this one has been waiting for about 6 months to be attempted. Just a hint, wall, damage, plaster, screws......watch me go.................!!!
14 October 2007
geeeezzzz
13 October 2007
balls
I bought a cheapo blow up paddle pool and put some plastic balls in it. It is the most fun thing you can do inside!! I think it will be even more fun outside on a hot day with a bit of water under the balls :)I have started an inventory of house stuff to start the process of moving. We have a very simple house without much furniture and stuff, well, so I thought. Once it is all down on paper and the deciding what to do with it all, it seems like a LOT of stuff.....lucky we do not live a nomadic lifestyle or else we would need a road train to take all the stuff. I guess thats why we accumulate stuff because we dont move around much.......
11 October 2007
10 October 2007
8 October 2007
serial DIY
5 October 2007
lunch
4 October 2007
modus illustrationus
3 October 2007
1 October 2007
mud and mint
I am most excited to find these lovely earrings by mud and mint through etsy . My theme for xmas this year to have all my gifts handmade by me or by someone else and etsy is so good for finding some lovely goodies. I have knocked a couple off the list with mud and mint and now on the look out to complete the rest of my list. Since I was in post birth phase/newborn phase last xmas, I didnt do a great job with xmas or xmas cards and considering a run a card business thats a bit lame, but this year its all on track!! So, like coles, I am already gearing up, minus the tinsel.
29 September 2007
28 September 2007
plastic tubes

I read somewhere that these plastic pool rings are good for inside play with a baby. Its true, it is a lot of fun. There are many games to play with just these plastic tubes and blow up balls. They are also good as a barrier to places where you do not want sticky, curious fingers to go.
My dearest darling came home today from a long trip to the US. He was almost home when the plane had an emergency landing because a bird got stuck in the engine. Added another 2.5 hours onto the very eager welcome party here at home :( but any trip to the US yields a lot of nice gifts, gotta love those super cheap mega malls, thank you darling, like xmas and birthday all in one.
27 September 2007
eats

This little mini no longer likes to be fed. He only can feed himself and in order to let him learn and exercise some independence I let him. He now eats what we eat. He usually finshes all by himself and despite the big mess, he does a good job. I have discovered a bib that has sleeves and a long front which prevents clothes from getting truly manky and me having to change him every time he eats. He is growing up into a cool little cat and days are becoming more interesting and nights filled with more solid sleeps YAY!!
My dearest one is inspecting our first houses to live in the big sushi next weekend, already...geez its gone fast, this year I mean.
AND as you know random people say random things to you: today an old lady said to the baby but talking to me "gee someone has been dying your hair hasnt she?" I said nicely "he was born with dark hair"....and you know what, she looked at me like I was lying.......good one love......not all babies have blonde hair and blue eyes.............:P!!
25 September 2007
bobble head
I made this little felt bobble head for my little bobble head boy and guess what...he hates it!! He is happy just to throw it across the room (it does have a bell inside so maybe he likes to hear the ding-a-ling) but there is an unspecting fan...yes my ever loyal Long Long. He just like the bobbles, I think because they are fluffy they feel nice on his pointy nose. OK I am going to try something else now, Im hoping for better success this time. I did watch some TV last night and caught this show. It was excellent. The repeat info is on the link, I highly recommend it.
24 September 2007
making stuff for a journey
22 September 2007
small blanket
21 September 2007
its been too long

It would seem I have been a bit quiet but really I have been busy doing all kinds of things. This image is one of the ones from my 2007 xmas range which will be up on website by tomorrow. I have bee keeping busy with some sweet card and invitation orders and just enjoying the growing ever longer days and sunshine. I hope to have some cards in a couple of magazines coming up so I will keep you posted!! I have been meaning to mention some of the blogs that I read regulary:
http://www.mpatrizio.blogspot.com/ a sweet and very dedicated blogger who posts almost everyday
and I cannot go past this one called 'red shoes' .....:
http://redshoesllc.typepad.com/
I was about the get going with news and bits and pieces but a grizzly baby is calling me............................
15 September 2007
hugs
10 September 2007
sunny saturday
It was lovely to go and soak up the atmosphere in Brunswick St, Fitzroy. It really is such a great place. We stopped by the rose st market too. Joined by my lovely friend, we ate, talked and enjoyed a very sunny spring day.











