The Blackboard Wall and Other Things.

The blackboard wall has come in very handy over the past couple of months. As you can see, the boys have expressed themselves nicely all over it. By the way, do you like our super high spare bed? Until our old bed is trundled off to its next destination, for storage purposes, the spare has become a triple decker. Very luxurious.

The blackboard wall has also been terrific as a backdrop to take photos against. I adore it so much that there is a part of me that would love to do our bedroom the same way (but I do know it would never work in there). I have shown these portraits before, Archie and Hugo painted by my friend Mandy Williams. 

And a bundle of bunting by nightlight just for something pretty.

Lots of love,

Kate xxooxx.

Bird Brain.

Sooo, the new head piece is coming along well. I might have to wear it every day for a few weeks just to make sure it fits. I really wish that I had this on my wedding day.

I put this second photo up because I noticed that I am looking a bit older in it. I am okay with that I think... Just strange when you suddenly notice it. Wasn't I six only the other day.

This is my latest project - you can find the pattern here.

Lots and lots of love,
Kate xxooxx.

More from the Meadow.

 My meadow is starting to sprout wild flowers in preparation for Saturday night. I still have to stitch on some little plastic animals but I am so close to the finishing line.

 This is my head piece. I hope they are toilet trained.

 And my necklace / choker.

 And while it would fit in nicely, this is actually my newly covered lampshade... not a hat.

Lots of love,

Kate xxooxx.

p.s. Thank you so much for all of your book comments from Saturday - I enjoyed reading what you up to so much AND was happy to see that we have so many books in common. We have such good taste!

This Week's Books...

This week's library pile was quite tall so I split it in two. Sometimes I wonder why I have a sore back on Saturday morning... it wouldn't have anything to do with lugging big library hauls to the car. Surely not. 

I am very excited this week as I have Karin Slaughter's latest thriller AND Tiffany Baker's newish book, 'The Gilly Salt Sisters'. I adored her first novel, 'Little Giant of Aberdeen County' so much and I am sure from reading the blurb, that this will end up to be a goodun too.

Hugo has just discovered Percy Jackson (thank goodness for Rick Riordon) and as Jonno just finished reading him the 3rd Harry Potter (or Ha-Po as they call him???), they can now start on 'Sea of Monsters'. Jonno and I came to an unspoken agreement a while ago that I would read to Archie and he would read to Hugo at night. That way we don't have to repeat too many chapter books and they can head off in which ever literary direction they want. 

Archie is 10 and an avid reader but still loves me reading to him. The great thing is that we now read a lot of different books, autobiographies (Roald Dahl, Bear Grylls and Gerald Durrald (sp?)) and great fiction. I can read books to him that are intended for older audiences because we can discuss what's going on or even (because there are some things a mother should never read to her son), skim past certain sections (I'm very good at ad-libbing).

The boys are in crackerjack moods this weekend because Jonno is having a bit of time off. Calving is very busy on the farm and Jonno puts in his all. So to have a snippet of time is gold. The boys are celebrating by taking an engine apart with him in the shed. They also spent a good part of the morning roasting a lemon outside - I think they were supposed to be helping Jonno clean out the car so I don't quite know when they decided that they had pressing culinary needs to pursue. Once they dusted off the ash they cut it open and decided it was quite the best way to eat a lemon. Okay...

I'm doing a bit of cooking today but when it's all done, I'm planning to cover a lampshade that has been sitting like an ugly toad next to my bed. It's gonna be so purty.

Hope you are having a good day.
What book/s have you got for the weekend. Leave a link in the comment section below and I will drop by to see.
Lots of love,
Kate xxooxx.

Today's Makings.

 Here are a few projects on the go around the house. At the moment I am cutting out millions of tattooish pictures to make slightly scary bunting for our quiz night.

 I am also making curtains for our bedroom. 

 And more butterflies for my meadow.

 They are starting to become quite friendly.

And I have just realised that I may have to add some of my faux flowers to the bunting. Awwww, who's a pretty skull...

Lots of love,

Kate xxooxx.

Being a Meadow.

 We are having a school quiz night coming up soon, the theme being "Walk on the Wild Side". I have decided that my wild side is a meadow and am going to cover myself in in fake wild flowers. 

 I bought a selection of flowers yesterday and the boys were highly entertained by them.

 So satisfying to make a posy from...

 Or eat?

I am also going to make lots of these butterflies. I found the pattern here and am becoming slightly obsessed with them. They are so much fun to make.

The only thing is, I have lost a few already as they are not tame and do tend to fly away.

Lots of love,

Kate xxooxx.

Felt Wreath Making... With Kids!

 I think I have written before about two very cool girls who come to me about three mornings a week before school. I've known them ever since they were tiny and their mum was even at Hugo's birth. Needless to say I love them to bits and we all treasure any time we get to hang out with them. Not only are they the loveliest things known to mankind, but they also wear shoes like this! What I wouldn't give for a pair of silver sequined balled flats.

At the moment we are working on a special project. All four kids have pitched in and I think they have done the most amazing job. Still a wee way to go though, thank goodness, because it is so much fun.

Lots and lots of love,
Kate xxooxx.

p.s. I am so sorry, I have accidentally deleted someone's comment from the previous post and I can't remember who and I don't want them to think I thought their comment was inappropriate. I am sooooo sorry if it was you!!!!!

A Peek Behind the Door.

We have a new bed. After 12 years of lots of sleep our old friend was starting to feel like a hammock. Not good.

I feel like a princess (hopefully Jonno doesn't feel quite the same way).

Perhaps our room is a bit feminine at the moment, but don't you worry... I will add some kind of skullishness or swords or something for Jonno at some stage. Maybe a manly (but crocheted) stag trophy or something?

And ummm, maybe I am starting to take the washi tape obsession too far. There are just so many things that you can stick to the wall with it. These birds just flew through the window and I happened to have some tape in my hand. No more flying for you chappies.

 Even bunting can be attached with a bit of fanciness. 

I've said it before and I'll say it again, life as an adult is great because you get to put sticky tape on your walls and no one gets cross!

Lots of love,

Kate xxooxx.

A Little Library Check In.

Just a few of the books that I have floating about from the library at the moment.... apart from Daughter of Smoke and Bone which is a bit of a favourite and was returned to me from a friend the other day. I am currently reading 'The Enchanted Life of Adam Hope' by Rhonda Riley and am loving it. 

What are you reading this weekend. Do you have any library piles to show me -if you do, leave a link and I will drop by!

Lots of love,
Kate xxooxx.

Lamington Love... A Gluten Free Recipe.

Keeping gluten free is pretty easy these days but I think there is a gluten free lamington vacuum that needs immedaite remediation. I realised the other day that Hugo has never had a lamington - quelle fromage (as my friend Stef says)!!!!!

 So I set to work yesterday afternoon.

 And thinking that it was going to be a fiddly exercise, I was thrilled to find that lamington making is in fact, a pleasure.

Lamingtons (gluten free). 

For the cake:

4 eggs

2/3 cup sugar

1 1/4 cups gluten free S.R. flour

1/4 cup warm water

A good pinch of salt

1/2 tsp vanilla essence

For the Icing (adapted from The Australian Women's Weekly book, 'The Cake Stall':

3 cups of icing sugar

A generous 1/3 cup of cocoa powder (or more to taste)

1 dessert spoon of butter

2/3 cup of milk

Dessicated coconut

Raspberry jam

Grease and flour  33cm x 23 swiss roll tray (or biscuit tray with edges). Preheat oven to 180C. Beat eggs until thick and pale yellow, then slowly add sugar. Beat till glossy. Sift flour  and salt together then fold through egg mixture. Fold in water and vanilla essence. 

Pour into prepared tray and bake for about 15 - 20 minutes until the cake is cooked and golden.

In the meantime, heat butter, milk and sifted icing sugar and cocoa powder in a small saucepan over a low heat until it is of a shiny, dippable mixture.

Sprinkle a tea towel with icing sugar and turn out the cake onto it. Allow to cool then cut in half, spreading one side with raspberry jam and then sandwich the two pieces together. 

Gently dip the lamington cakes into the icing, using a knife or spatula to ensure all areas are covered. Place the cakes into a bowl of dessicated coconut and cover, then place on a tea towel or biscuit rack to set.

Oh yes, then eat.

Lots of love,

Kate xxooxx.

p.s. My non gluten free family members raved about them which was wonderful as they get to have the real gluteny deal!