playdough etc

Elroy was sick on Friday night for the first time in ages, and not just sick but, have-to-change-the-bedding-three-times kinda sick. It really wasn't fun for anyone and we didn't get much sleep. So we had a very lazy Saturday, the weather was sparkling so I took Jerry for a big walk, treated myself to these Georgia Perry earrings from Grey and Felt and tried to soak in the vitamin D. Fortunately we all had a very lovely big sleep in this morning and seem to be on the other side of it all.

I have been thinking that I should make proper playdough for ages, the $2 tub stuff is great but ours was all pretty dried out and dead. The last time I tried to make it at home it was a fail, but this time I used this recipe and it came together pretty well. I was so impressed watching Elroy knead the dough, it's clearly something he does a bit at daycare, but his little hands knew exactly what to do. It's cool seeing your kid do something you didn't really they knew how to.

*I've just realised Elroy is wearing the same jumper in all the photographs I've taken recently, I promise he has more (so so many more) but this seems to be flavour of the month, it's by The Animals Observatory - I really love their stuff and the quality is amazing .

winter blues

Some photographs from the last week. I've really been trying to take more photo's lately, it's true you only get better if you practice, and I want to get better. I have reached a point where I need some things for myself to focus on, outside Elroy and most definitely outside work (it's been a rough ride with work lately).

That middle photograph, can you believe that was taken mid-July. It looks almost summery, but it was still pretty cool and that water was freezing! Not that Jerry cares, because a) he's not the smartest dog and b) he has a woolly coat not dissimilar to a sheep.

So, the plan is more photography, reading books, watching films (I've got this - LOVED Beginners - on my list, and also this), listening to records (I'm pre-ordering this and this, and loving Woodes who we saw supporting City Calm Down), maybe some more cooking and screen printing (I've a few ideas developing). We've also booked a holiday to Auckland and I'm really looking forward to that. All this I'm hoping will keep my mind absorbed and inspired

july

Somehow it is already July and half the year is gone. I don't know where my head has been at lately, normally I am a very forward-thinking, planning ahead type of person, but not at all lately. Actually it has been rather nice to just let it go. June was pretty busy, we had Matt's birthday, my Dad's birthday, lots going on at work, I made blurb books for each of Elroy's firth three years, and we ended the month seeing City Calm Down (they are so so good live) which was a nice treat.

My current project is to fix up and finish off our bedroom, which I think back in the day must have been the living room, and it has always felt a bit that way. I took the last two days off work to start painting the hideous dark brick fireplace, two coats of sealant and two coats of primer later and I think we are finally getting there. I've picked out some simple filtering curtains and have plans to make a linen bedhead, and then once the joiner makes the doors for our new wardrobe, I think it will be a completely different room. A proper grown up bedroom! It's been good to have a project, we have plenty more to do around the house (and soooooo much painting to do outside) and I need to keep it all going.So that's the plan for July.

long weekend

The June long weekend is finally here! There’s something bittersweet about this long weekend, it’s always most welcome after the (what feels like) eternity since easter, but it also signifies the true start to winter and the long slog until the next one in October! We have a few plans for the weekend, I’m hoping we will get a day trip in somewhere one day, we will celebrate Jerry’s 6th birthday (he truly is my first, and possibly most demanding baby - the volumes those eyes and looks speak is impressive), and catch up with friends.

I’m also hoping to finish my book (I’m reading One Hundred Years of Solitude), watch a few more episodes of Sweetbitter (really enjoying that), listen to Echoes in Blue before we see City Calm Down in a few weeks, and maybe cook some pasta from scratch. Oh, and I have an idea for a little screen print in mind....if I get through half these plans I’ll feel successful!

...

I've just realised how old these photographs are, the top one is from mother's day....nevermind that doesn't matter. I think they sum up life lately fairly well, crazy kid, time at home and a few different functions etc. To be honest, I've felt a bit flat and that thought of treading water has been on my mind, I'm not particularly a big fan of changes, but I think I need a project! There are still plenty of smaller jobs that need doing around the house: I have piles of frames to fill for a photo wall in the hall, a bed head for our room, deal with the ‘stuff’ in the spare room, paint the brick fireplace in our bed room... I could go on. Unfortunately none of these seem to be easy to do with a child constantly wanting my attention, or more specifically wanting my attention as soon as I start to do something I want to do. It’s tricky, and there just aren’t enough hours in the weekend!! I should start crafting again, or knitting, things that can be picked up and put down quickly. I know all this is pretty normal for mother’s, it is still frustrating though.

seven things for the colder weather

It's not quite winter yet, but we have had some wild weather here lately (storms, flooding, wind - it's rubbish) and our power has been disconnected  four times in just a few weeks, which is pretty frustrating when it happens at dinner time. So, I'm already staring to get into the mindset that winter is just around the corner, and it is not a happy thought. In fact it makes me feel quite flat, so I'm thinking of things to help lift my mood and make the next few months a little bit more bearable.

1.  Paul Smith socks 2. Gascoigne and King candle 3. Scandinavia Dreaming 4. Forestry Wool blanket 5. Colette Bream lambswool hat  6. Playa supernatural conditioner 7. Stelton em press coffee maker

mt field etc

We've been planning to go to Mt Field for weeks now, it's such a beautiful time of year to visit, with all the leaves turning (both the fagus and the european species) but it hadn't quite happened. So, yesterday we got our butts into gear and made sure that we did it! There is definitely something refreshing and freeing about taking a whole day out to just be and enjoy. To not worry about how trashed the house is, how big the pile of washing or whatever other things we probably should be doing. It was one of those typical Tasmanian days were it rained, was bleak and grey, with moments of sunshine which shows in my photographs, and the kid was a bit of a challenge at times but we had a lovely walk around Lake Dobson and then visited Westerway Raspberry Farm on the way home (those berries were so good by the way). I think we need one of these days at least once a month, especially over winter, I am dreading winter so much, so anything to make it bearable!