On the Last Day of (Pre)School Holidays

(Or why I will never be a homeschooler)

In two weeks of school holidays, we have had:

:: Four play dates

:: One sleepover

:: One birthday party

:: One overnight trip to the country

:: One visit to the aquarium

:: Several visits with the grandparents

:: 26 baking sessions

:: 11,000 rainy day activities

:: 85 million trips to the park

:: 153 meltdowns (mostly mine, mostly today, on the last day of (pre)school holidays...)

this moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. 

Via Soulemama

Daddy's Girl

Not that there's ever been any doubt about the paternity, but if anyone ever asks for a DNA test, I'll just refer them to this photo. 

Knitting and Reading

Hang onto your handknitted hats - I finished the book! It took weeks, it was more of a struggle than it should have been, and ironically, in the end, I was quite charmed by it and found myself wanting to start over and give it a second chance. I think it might just be one of those books best served by a consistent, steady read, rather than the stop-start, page-here-page-there treatment I seem to be able to give.

And wouldn't you know, the book that was waiting in the wings, that I was so looking forward to, lasted but a couple of days and is already complete. Luckily A Knitter's Home Companion by Michelle Edwards is jam-packed with fabulous patterns and recipes, as well as the lovely essays, so I'll no doubt be dipping back in again and again.

With that finished, I'm turning my attention to the Father's Day pile, starting with Patti Smith's memoir Just Kids.

And knitting? Still going on my nephew Oscar's first birthday Milo. I adjusted the XO cable band to be just an O. O for Oscar. I'm so close to finished...but look what arrived in the post today.

..a sweet bundle of peachy-pink Baby Cashmerino, one of my favourite yarns ever. It's destined for a little short-sleeve summer cardigan for my Pearl, and I've had to restrain  myself from instantaneously casting on. Only a few more rows, only a few more rows... I ordered it from a new online shop that I recently discovered - Suzy Hausfrau. The prices are fantastic, there is free postage in Australia AND...I ordered this yesterday afternoon and it was waiting on my doorstep when I arrived home from this morning's outing. This could be very dangerous for my knitting budget!

Joining in with the Yarn Along today.

Long Weekending

This gloomy, wet long weekend, we:

:: Reached our internet download limit, which meant switching off the computers for a few days - unusually pleasant;

:: Bid a weepy airport farewell to my big sis and her family as they left for two years in Singapore;

:: Welcomed our latest houseguests - a few dozen chubby silkworms, over which we have temporary guardianship until the preschool term begins again;

:: Picked mulberry leaves in the rain to feed the houseguests (they don't stop eating!);

:: Watched with fascination as the first of them spun a bright yellow cocoon;

:: Urged the others to follow suit;

:: Made a lumpy-bumpy clafoutis with the beautiful ripe mulberries that came home with the leaves;

:: Had fun at a 4th birthday party catching up with good friends;

:: Kneaded and rolled the dough to make Shanghai dumplings from scratch - and the girls loved them;

:: Endured Enjoyed no less than two football grand finals.

:: Listened as one little girl mastered how to say (or shout) "I do!" and her sister perfected, "Me too!"

How was your weekend?

this moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. 

Via Soulemama

When Good Cooks Turn Bad...

I'm guessing no-one will be wanting the recipe for that little disaster.

Blossom

As teenagers, we'd roll our eyes as Mum ooh-ed and ahh-ed at the beautiful flowers and gorgeous scenery. "Greer, look at that tree! Oh, the colour of the blossoms! See how green the countryside is?" 

"Aww, Muuuuuuummmm, shuuuuut-uuuup."

As her three adult daughters strolled through the botanic gardens yesterday, we laughed at ourselves as we ooh-ed and ahh-ed at the beautiful flowers and gorgeous scenery.

She would have been smiling. 

Meet the Family

I have two sisters, one older, one younger. At last count there are nine kids between us, aged from 1 to 11. We just spent 24 hours together back in our home town in the country and miraculously got the nine to sit still long enough for multiple photo ops. Even the pet chook was smiling. Love you, girls x

this moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. 

Via Soulemama