You Suck - but I Love You anyway ... Happy 1st Birthday Dyson!!

Oh Dyson, how ironic that I should choose the Eve of 2008 to bring you into my life!

2008 - a year that brought so much dirt, muck, crud and mess into my life. If only you could suck it all away with your super duper-ness, and I could just empty it into the bin and have it all taken far away ...

And now on the Eve of 2009, my Dad & Sister surprise me with the gift of 2 cleaners for 2 hours!

An unkind person (thanks Big B!) might say they think my home needs a good clean ... I think it's a powerful metaphor for moving into the New Year all clean and fresh and sparkly.

Works for me!

The OTHER side of Christmas ...

A bit like this blow up Christmas tree, I'm feeling a little deflated today.



This ditty may give you an indication of why:

" ... on the 24th day of Christmas, little E gave to me ... an unexpected bout of vomiting (SING ALONG!) ...

... on the 26th day of Christmas, little E gave to me ... the stuff from inside a glo stick in her eye, and a trip to E.D. (ALTOGETHER NOW) ...

... on the 30th day of Christmas, my Dad gave to me ... one collapsed lung and he also had a trip to E.D. (WE'RE REALLY GETTING INTO IT NOW) ... "

Everything's gonna be alright!

Handmade Christmas ...

I got some lovely gifts for Christmas, but the one's that really warmed the cockles of my heart were handmade with love ...

Middle C handcut 2 designs in lino and printed and framed these lovelies for me.


My friend Nicky embroidered this fab wall hanging.



Big B designed and screen printed this yummy bag.

Em was my Secret Santa for the Thailand trip girls. I got this gorgeous apron that she made, and her friend made the silver ring which says "peace."

Middle C made this delish lemon cheesecake for her Stepdad (his favourite.)

and Big B screen printed this funky t-shirt for him (using a variation of the design for my bag.)

Of course, Little E made a lovely card and had a photo taken with Santa for me, and one of my Doctor's at work made something similar to New Norcia nutcake with his kids.

I am very keen to spread (and receive!) even more handmade wonderfulness next year!

One off event - Pink in Perth 21.12.08!!

NO - not her ...

THIS one! ...

Ingredients for a 3 year old's special pink birthday party - 1 very excited birthday girl ...

add an Uncle or two ...

and baby cousin Z ...

cupcakes and candle ...

special friends & more pink cupcakes ...

a cousin or four ...

a Grandad all dressed up for the occasion ...

lovely birthday cards ...

lovely birthday pressies (including this one handmade by Big B) - pattern from here ...

and you will have a wonderfully happy 3rd Birthday party!

Love you little E - you give me joy every single day,

love Mumma xx

Fun Foto Friday (Fave Festiveness)

Yes, I've had the Festive Funk this year ... but here is the antidote.

1. Melt Cinnamon roll scented waffle bar in the oil burner (bought from a very cute Christmas shop near Clares' place.)
2. Play Christmas carols all day and night, especially obscure Soul or Punk versions to annoy the teenagers.
3. Take photographs of Christmas-sy things that make you smile, and share them with the world (i.e. you - yes, you!)
4. Eat yummy gingerbread Christmas decorations.
5. Open lovely handmade Secret Santa gift from Em before Christmas, and wear your lovely apron all day ... whilst doing all of the above.
6. Rejoice in suddenly being transformed into Mrs Christmas herself! :-) Kind of ...

Fabric Christmas Ornament (all you need is love)

These would be mine! (Thank You Dr & Mrs P)

Isn't he cute?

A bowl of baubles (try saying that fast 6 times after a glass of eggnog!)

Lovely knitted Christmas stocking found at IKEA yesterday (on sale too!)

A cuddly friend (who actually came free with a pair of boxer shorts many years ago, but I couldn't part with him. Shhhh, don't tell!)

The Tree by Me - not my finest hour, but much loved by my own Christmas angel, Little E.

In the entry: I have had a thing for painted metal decorations the last few years.

Father Christmas doll from my Mum, don't you just love his beard??

And of course, Little E, who is very happy that Christmas is finally here, cos it means Birthday number 3 is too! (Cat face painting is optional for Father Christmas visits in Australia.)

Thoughtful Thursday - The Serenity Prayer

I've been thinking about The Serenity Prayer a lot this week. This is one version:

"God, give us grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed, courage to change the things that should be changed, and the wisdom to distinguish the one from the other."

Sometimes I repeat the whole prayer in my head, sometimes it's more of a shortened "God give me serenity!" urgent request. It's not here yet ... but it's coming.

I believe it's coming.


(Photograph taken in the very serene Krabi, Thailand. October 2008.)

Fun Foto Friday (Random Randomness & Ramblings)

It's been a funny old day today, and my photo selection probably reflects the state of my mind!

Little E - Isn't this what everyone does when they get a new pack of knickers?? (We did encourage her - just a bit!)


Shiny drum kit in Big B's bedroom



I don't have a knicker fetish or anything, but don't they look so cute in a pile?

Little E and her Great-Gran - she's like the Energizer bunny - keeps going and going ...

Bright washing baskets make the mountains seem not QUITE so bad!

Make Do Dinner #2 - salmon cutlets were on special for $20.00kg, I lightly pan fried the salmon, and had an unusual angel hair pasta, herb, brown lentil & cherry tomato mixture in a light cream sauce on the side (yes, not much left in the fridge again!) and it was YUM!!

I hadn't taken a close look in the veggie patch this week, so I was delighted today to find 2 baby zucchini growing really well, and these two "unusual" looking cucumbers! They are just going through that awkward teenage stage ...

Little E's swag I made for her.

I used to REALLY like Jamie Oliver. I still like him. Just not REALLY ...

And I had mushroom, pumpkin & cherry tomato risotto for tea, with good old Cadbury's dairy milk for dessert.

Life is beautiful.