Early Birthdays.

I don't think I have written it here but the whole family has been saving for an ipod touch to share. We finally reached our goal (after months) and this morning I presented it to the boys. I told the boys they had to wait on the couch and give each other a cuddle. Archie's face is a picture of excitement but Hugo's, well you can see that he is just happy to be sprawled all over his brother - monkey.

This is why I have gone a bit fancy with my photos - I have been using the photo app - I promise to go back to normal photos soon. Anyhoo, we are about to go to a birthday party and I have been asked to bring along some melting moment biscuits. I have made so many batches lately that I thought I would go a little tamely-wild - chocolate with blue vanilla icing and then rolled in sprinkles.

Hugo says that they are good.

Aaaaggggghhhhh sprinkles.

Lots of love,

Kate xxooxx.

This Week.

This has been a good week alright. I finally caught with two of my crafty friends - 2ndhandmaid and AuntyMum at the same time, in the same room. The gorgeous cushion and blanket pictured above and below are made by Belinda (aunty mum). We spent at least half an hour admiring just the blanket before we could even begin to go crazy over her other makings. She also has a pattern on her blog for the rose cushion.

Hugo got stuck into his drawing this week.

I love happy dragon dinosaurs. Sharp teeth though, don't be fooled by that smile.

And today I did something very special. I hung out with Stef (remember the bride? Check out the wedding section in the side bar) and her new little baby girl Evelyn. It was the first time since she was born that I had time to cuddle, squeeze, gaze and photograph her little toe-peas as well as drink copious cups of tea with Stef. I call it bliss.

Evelyn is starting to talk back (in a baby version) and she has littlebig smiles and she looks at things and thinks about things. I am so proud that I didn't bite her once... even if I was tempted. Don't you think she looks really smart...

Awwwwww.

Hope you had a good week too.

Lots of love,

Kate xxooxx.

A Hipstamatic Tour of Our House.

I was wondering if you would like to have a little wander around our house? I am always intensely curious about where other people live so I assume everybody else probably feels much the same way. I had better explain the photos first though, I am using my new hipstamatic app which I have decided, softens the general scruffiness of our place.... it makes mess look retro and old style. Soooo, this is the front of our house, Bertie is keeping guard.

This is the pergola that Jonno built for my birthday back in October. I am thrilled because the wisteria has now grown half way along the top. The edging beds have been planted with blueberries which will form a very loose, informal hedge along the sides.

This is looking down to our recently abandoned vege garden - the trees are now so lovely and tall they have shaded out the beds - time to get digging some new ones.

This is a little peek into our bedroom - our dresser is very messy but see... with the app it just looks interesting.

My favourite yellow doors.

Awwww, folded clothes on a couch - I am happy because that means we will all have clean underpants to wear tomorrow.

This is where we clean our teeth and (if you are Jonno) shave.

The bath.

Maybe you can tell from my words or something... but I am feeling very, very happy. This is because this morning I transplanted around 16 roses, a job I have been meaning to do for quite some time now. I love how the reward is not only feeling capable and satisfied, but also getting to keep all of the little roses that have to be snipped off.

This is where I make my tea. Actually, this jug is a new addition as our faithful whistling kettle died a few days ago. I miss the whistling of the old one but this one seems to give me fewer burns.

This is where I sit and do my posts. Also where we eat, chat, do homework, crochet, puzzle, draw, etc, etc, etc.

And this is where I curl up at then end of the day with my hobbit feet.

Lots and lots of love,

Kate xxooxx.

Valentine's Day.... in our house.

I don't usually worry too much about Valentine's day, but this year has been different - all because of a little five year old boy. Hugo woke up this morning and straight away began crafting in his bedroom, calling out to me, "Whatever you do, don't come into my room". I was then presented with the most heartfelt envelope of cut out hearts, drawings and loving words (I will try to put up a couple of photos tomorrow). He then gave me a couple of blank cards for Jonno and I to use for each other. AAAAAWWWWWWWWWW.

Jonno and I had a chat midmorning and decided that we had better get our romantic skates on and do something for the day, if only to satisfy Hugo's expectations.

I took out my crochet hook and gave Jonno my heart... albeit with veins and arteries and still dripping with blood. Jonno's such a good sport that he's still wearing it. The boys thought it was hilarious.

Thank goodness for five year olds.

Lots of love,

Kate xxooxx.

Knitted Dogs.

I think I began knitting this little dog back in July and it has taken me until now to get around the finishing. Do you ever get scared part way along and think it is too difficult to work through??? And then when you finally work up the courage to come back, it is actually surprisingly easy.... The pattern comes from a wonderful book called 'Best in Show' by Sally Muir and Joanna Osborne. If you like dogs and/or retro style toys, this book is a must read/do.

This is Bertle the Fox Terrier. He is a very handsome boy although he does have a huge little dog complex - I'm sure he thinks he is a Rhodesian Ridgeback or something. His little yips are hilarious.

Bertle is a very curious fellow - can you see how he has just sniffed out something interesting around the corner...

And now he has to investigate.

Tickle tummy anyone... I will admit here that as this is a present for my brother-in-law, I have added some extra parts that didn't appear in the pattern.... with apologies.

Bertle would love to join the circus.

Here he is showing off his best move - the old silver apple on the head trick. It impresses every time.

Anyhoo, school pick up soon so I had better fly... make that drive. Hope you are all well and have a lovely weekend.

Lots of love, Kate xxooxx.

At the Table.

It is wonderful to be home but goodness, with school starting back, what a whirlwind life has become again... and what a contrast to life down at the beach. Nonetheless, knitting is beckoning to me once more - I've started a new jumper for Archie - We're hurtling towards Autumn at a rapid rate so it really is time to think about getting ready for a change of weather.

Our plums are have ripened so I've been cooking and jamming them as quickly as I can - the cake above is plum with vanilla icing.

We're also making the most of strawberries - they are particularly sweet at the moment.

And of course also making the most of friends and cups of tea... My neighbour came over today and wound up this ball of wool while I was skimming the plum jam. She was a very good jam tester too.

After a morning's work I was very happy to line up twenty jars of jam on the bench and even more proud when Hugo came home from school and couldn't believe I made them all. I like five year olds.

Well, I'm about to collapse on the couch for a while...

Have a lovely night,

Love Kate xxooxx.

Beach Biking.

Let me begin by saying that this is absolutely a one off post (as I am paranoid about salt damage to the bike - I rinsed her off for ages afterwards with a hose at) - but, this morning as I went for a big ride, I ended up cycling back along the beach. The tide was out, the beach quiet and the seagulls gossiping. It was a beautiful silver morning.

I finished the ride by parking near some steps and running back to the house for Jonno and the camera.

I am so glad that I did.

I also made Jonno take a photo so that I could prove the bike really is mine, not just that I am stalking a cycling crocheter.

Jonno carried her back up the stairs for me.

This is my very unexciting helmet - I am thinking I will have to crochet a cover for it soon too.

And back home again for a good bike wash.

Lots of love,

Kate xxooxx.