Oh Deer.

I am so sorry it has been so long since I last posted... and not for the lack of trying. For some reason every time I decided to pop on to the computer our usually very reliable Internet connection would drop out. Hmmmm, maybe the cyber world was telling me to do a bit more in my other life.
So yes, it has been lots of crocheting and getting ready for Christmas and battling hay fever and looking after little boys with temperatures and showing Archie's class how to make butter. The butter and the crochet were definitely the highlights - nothing like seeing a whole group of kids light up with the magic of watching cream crumble down and become reborn into a ball of glossy, yellow butter. Hugo and I made scones for them to eat afterwards (he is starting next year so he may as well start making a good impression now...).

I am working on a few patterns at the moment, the reindeer pictured at the top being one of them - I am still trying however to make him look a little less as though he has oven mitts attached to his head. Apparently it is very embarrassing for a reindeer's head to be used to take turkey out of the oven.

I had better say good bye there as I do so like to pick my boys up at their educationally sanctioned time of hand over.

Lots of love, Kate xxooxxooxx.

Sunny Saturday.

Hugo went for his first solo walk through the farm. Just when I began to think he should be back I heared his gravelly little voice calling from outside, "Mum, I have a present for you". He had picked lots of flowers on his walk and had even found a ladybird to eat my aphids. He felt very grownup.

Today has been spent out in the garden just as we had hoped. Jonno and I piled a trailer with weeds and pruning and felt most triumphant as it lurched precariously toward the sky. Archie went on a long walk with his cousin and Hugo spent the day with a hose and slide (until his lips turned so blue he had to be brought back to life in a nice warm bath.

Strawberries, icecream, abandoned wet towels. The summer season has really begun.

Love Kate xxooxxooxx.

Friday Afternoon.

It's a warm Friday afternoon and I am sitting on the veranda thinking about simple decorations for my friend's wedding that is taking place in our garden this Summer. I think this easy bunting may be a contender.

This weekend we are diving into the garden. To me tackling the garden after a huge period of neglect always makes me feel as though I am cleansing my soul. For every weed pulled, a past problem or negative situation is released. And then for every plant freed from its choke hold to receive the sun is like a dream or goal remembered.

So yes, a good weekend ahead of us... and Jonno not working - wahoo!!!

Lots of love, Kate xxooxxooxx.

Craftingsyishness.

At the moment I am doing a run of Christmas decorations for presents. I have been taking photos of the process and will post a tutorial soon (except they are so easy I am sure you can figure them out from the photo).
Finally on to a new crocheting project.

And my jumper is now complete - toggles helping to finish it off. I have to admit it is a joy to wear, but just so warm I end up getting a little sweaty.

It is quite cropped but I really like that as I wear a lot of dresses over jeans and the lines of it stops everything from getting to bulky. I will get Jonno to do a photo shoot of me (wearing the new jumper, not just for the fun of it).

Just a little post tonight - the old hay fever has left me feeling very tired and snuffly, it makes me so indignant as I studied horticulture at uni and somehow I feel, that is enough to make me immune. Oh well, boys to put to bed and couches to lounge about on.

Lots of love, Kate xxooxxooxx.

Progress.

I am just so, so, so close to finishing my jumper.
Lots and lots of tails to tuck in and a few amendments to be made but soon, it will be ready...
Except.... that it is now only 7 days until summer.
Lucky I live in New Zealand, a land notorious for its unstable weather. She may well be worn in the middle of January - and if not, for the first time in my life I will be hanging out for the winter.
Thank you so much for all of your lovely words to Archie - he is being very strong and brave and has a wonderful perspective on it all... but he does so miss the snuggles with his little bundle of rabbit.

Lots of love, Kate xxooxx.

Family Times...

On Thursday morning, we found that our little Bundle rabbit died in her sleep during the night. Archie was heartbroken and so we wrapped Bundle in a cloth nappy and brought her inside for lots of cuddles until the boys were ready to say goodbye. After lots of love and talking, we buried Bundle up on our bank by the side of the house, a place where Archie loves to spend quiet time and planted a tree on top. Very sad but oh my goodness how much animals have to teach us, not only in life. (It is now Sunday and Archie is doing very well - Mum did a painting for him and he adores it)

Aside from small and sad funerals it almost feels a bit heartless to say that we have been having a lovely time with Mum. Lots and lots of knitting (my jumper is starting to come together), painting, reading, chatting. We do just love her so much.

Tonight is Mum's last night so I had better hop off the computer now...

Lots of love to you all,

Kate xxooxxooxx.

Having a Mum to Stay!!

There has been quite a lot of crocheting and knitting going on in our house.
Cuddles in bed.
Painting (isn't Mum clever).
(you can probably guess I did this one)

And even Archie joined in using water colour paints on his Johnny Joe colouring in book.

Do we really need to send her back... I know Pa misses her but still, we really do love having her here.

Hope you are having a good week, love Kate xxooxxooxx.