photography

I love taking photo's and I've been getting into photography this year, I got a entry level dsrl camera in January and have been busy taking portraits for friends (mostly using the auto portrait setting.) I'm now using manual, which was a little daunting at first but I'm getting my head around it. I'll go into more detail in my next post, here's some snaps from this afternoon...
 

happenings of a rainy day

We've been stuck inside for what feels like forever! But we are keeping busy, lots of dancing, crafts, drawing (or what olive like to called paintins) and making tasty snacks, guacamole being our favourite at the moment!  


We danced for over half an hour today,! I'm missing my walks, tomorrow I'm going to just brave it... put the rain cover on the stroller and go for it, we need some fresh air and exercise (ever if I do get a bit wet!)

merino/lace baby blanket

One of my best friends just had her third baby! This is a gift for her gorgeous little girl. I used two layers of merino and in one corner added a piece of beautiful soft lace. I love merino, it's such a lovely soft, light weight fabric and at the same time so warm, perfect for little ones! Hope you like it baby Ivy xxx

Also photo's of one of my favorite flowers, Hellebores (also known as roses of winter) which I picked yesterday. It hard to find any flowers this time of the year so they are such a treat and so beautiful!

chairs, chairs, chairs

I have to admit I am a little, well more than a little crazy over chairs. I have at least ten chairs (just in the house) a couple in the garage and a few out on loan to friends. So what do I do today, buy two more! I just can't resist when I see a bargain (even though I'm meant to be saving for my holiday) but come on... $15 a chair, who could say no to that!

They do need some work, I'm planning to sand them down then either stain a light wood colour or paint white. I wanted to put one in the lounge today, so to make it more presentable I've used two euro size cushion covers (just until I find some gorgeous fabric to cover them with.) So keep an eye out for the final result!

latest find

I was out walking on Saturday morning and came across this cute  little wooden cot at a garage sale, a bargain at $5.oo! I've been keeping an eye out for a wooden one because Olive is obsessed with dolls so you can imagine her delight, I think it's her new favourite toy.

no knead bread

The smell of freshly baked bread has to be one of the best aromas ever! I'd never made bread before, my friend Elaina tried this fantastic no knead recipe, it's from one of favourite blogs ivy nest. All you need is: 3 cups water, 1 tablespoon instant yeast, 1 tablespoon sea salt, 6 1/2 cups plain white flour (or 5 cups white and 1 1/2 cups wholemeal.) Go to ivy nest blog for the full instructions, 

It's delicious warm from the oven with butter and just as yummy toasted with marmalade and banana for breakfast! happy baking!

baking with mummy

I have great memory's of helping my mum in the kitchen, she was definitely my biggest influence with baking and cooking. We go over for dinner most Sunday's which is really nice, cooking together and spending time with the girls.

So the girls and I made orange muffins with a sugar glaze, I love to use friand tins, they are a great shape and the tins are heavy duty. I haven't made proper friands in so long, I never have ground almonds, I think it's about time I buy some, I might try whole almonds and grinding them myself.

I love having my little helpers in the kitchen, even though things take a lot longer to make and often leads to ingredients everywhere, I know they have fun and it's nice to make some special memory's for them (even if there favourite part is licking the bowl!)

letting go

This was my cot from when I was a baby, then my brothers, then Isla's and Olives (my mum was very sentimental and kept a lot of our baby things, lucky for me!) 

It's going to a new home this weekend (on loan), even though Olive has been in a bed for a few months I'm finding it hard part with the cot. I guess because my baby isn't really a baby anymore, she will be two soon but she's still so little to me.

winter walks & girly afternoons

I really can't wait until spring, the cloudy days and cold nights making room for some lovely sunshine, new growth and new life. I'm looking forward to seeing my tulip and daffodil bulbs transform my somewhat bleak garden into a lovely array of colour! 

I haven't let this winter weather stop me, I've finally got motivated and moving again! The double buggy has been dusted off and my walking shoes pulled out of the darkness. Braving the cold I've been for four long walks this week (about 20ks all together!) Which is a lot for me, I had forgotten how good it makes you feel!

So, after our walk this morning, we relaxed and had a girly afternoon, painted nails (pink of course), plaited hair (my attempt at a fish-tail) and made flower head bands...