Family Life and Roses

 Oh thank the stars above my roses are in full bloom. The joy they bring me each year is almost indescribable. 

 Nowhere near as much joy though as this little chappie brings me. Hugo made a salad for dinner tonight - see below. 

 Or the Shepherd's Hut that Jonno is making for the boys. He is going to tow it to one of their most special spots on the farm near the 'Fire Crystal Tree'.

 Happiness or from the look of Archie above, contentment.

Lots of love,

Kate. xxx

Birthday Presents!

 I am feeling utterly spoilt today after a wonderful birthday yesterday. Hugo (9) and I were at the local market last week when I spotted a salad sprouting kit which I thought was wonderful. Hugo stowed it away, later explaining it to Jonno. And together, they made one just for me! Archie (12) snuck away an enormous and very much forgotten glass jar I had filled with odds and ends and turned it into the most beautiful terrarium. So I am feeling very fortunate. I'm so glad they already have that ethos we all cherish in blogland, of making something special for someone you love. 

So today Hugo and I are going to start sprouting some seeds he bought. Very exciting..... watch this space!
Lots of love,
Kate. xxx

Life at the Kitchen Table

 The kitchen table is such a hub of life isn't it. I looked at this morning's still life and saw apples, mittens, clean washing, homework, books, paints, paper mache and crochet all finding a space.

This is my new and very precious mixing bowl that has come to me from Jonno's grandmother. I have promised her that I will make a Christmas pudding in it this year.

 Hugo's homework spot - spelling and times tables. 

My paper mache creatures waiting patiently for me to finish them and engaging in a good chat.

 And my scarf that I have been working on at night after all of my 'book' tasks have been finished for the day. I am going to put a bobble edge along the bottom.

Lots and lots of love,

Kate. xxooxx

Hobbits.

 We went to Hobbiton on the weekend. What a treat, something we have been meaning to do for the last few years and have only just managed to get around to.

 The colours - let me tell you, Hobbits have immaculate taste.

 The attention to detail was phenomenal. Look at this bird feeder!

 And honey outside a Hobbitsy beekeeper's house....

 Bilbo Baggin's house.

 Luckily I was on party business.

 Hobbit bunting.

 And my own little Hobbit (who is almost bigger than me).

 Laundry day.

 A Hobbit with a sore knee - he had his own personal guided tour on a golf cart.

 The Green Dragon.

Sigh.....

What a magical day!

Lots of love,

Kate. xx

A Box of Birds and Home Again!

Oh my goodness it's heaven to be home again. We had a wonderful Christmas and a lovely three weeks spent in Australia with family, but the old saying holds true.... Yes Dorothy, there really is no place like home. I am however, currently coming up with plans to squish Australia and New Zealand together. I just can't quite get the tectonic plates to shift enough without major volcanic activity.

By the way, look what I bought - a box of birds! And they were only $5.50 - bargain!!!!!!!

They've escaped from their box and I keep finding them in the funniest of places. Last night we had friends over for dinner and they (the birds) scattered themselves across our picnic table, only darting for crumbs when we weren't looking.

We're well into summer with hot nights and imploring rain dances. It is such a beautiful summer but we are really needing to hide in the sweltering afternoons. Luckily I have some good books up my sleeve which I will write about soon.

 Nothing like sitting outside in the evening with a cooling breeze and homemade candles.

 And of course, playing our favourite game Quiddler. The whole family is obsessed with it - boys included and we are very fortunate that our neighbours don't mind playing the odd game or five with us too.

Lots and lots and lots of love,

Kate. xxooxx.

Sunday Morning Baking.

As I mentioned yesterday morning, Archie woke in a baking mood. After trawling through my favourite cookbook, 'How to be a Domestic Goddess' by Nigella Lawson, he settled upon her Jam Donut Muffins. One thing I love about Nigella's recipes (we are on first name basis) is that with an extra egg and gluten free flour, they translate so easily into a gluten free version. I can say from experience that this is not always the case!

 He did the whole thing by himself from start to finish and with such happiness.

Hugo of course thought it was the best thing that has ever happened in our kitchen.

 Yum!

 YUM!

We were allowed to have one each. The rest had to be saved for dessert because Poppa was coming over for dinner.

Awwwww. Archie loves his Poppa.

Lots and lots of love,

Kate. xxooxxooxx.

Crafting with Willow.

The boys starred in the making stakes this weekend. Jonno cut a big wreath of willow for the boys for to craft with and they came up with the most wonderful projects. Archie and Hugo observed an artisan making willow whistles on our trip to England earlier this year. With a memory fresher than min, Archie managed to successfully recreated his own. The only problem being that he couldn't resist whistling it whenever he was standing next to me.... so impressed with his craftsmanship but a constant high pitched whistling can tend to become a little frustrating over the course of an afternoon. Eventually I gently suggested that our dog Bertie was perhaps being driven to distraction and the whistling thoughtfully softened out.

It's so pretty though!

Hugo decided to make a hot pie server which is always useful to have on hand.

I have to say that I was blown away by his work. Just beautiful.

Hugo's hands are kind of amazing. They are so little but have the surety of an old man.

Look at that face.

At one point it began to slip so he reworked until it held perfectly. So, so, so impressed.

And here are some roses from my garden. I can't begin to express the joy they bring to me each year.

Love.

I hope you had a lovely weekend too!

Lots of love,

Kate. xxooxx.

Crocheting with the Boys.

 Today a dream came true, Hugo learnt how to crochet. He still has a long way to go but the 'click' happened for him. Wahoo! Sitting at the table with my two boys while we had hot drinks and crocheted was beyond my wildest dreams. I'm still smiling all these hours later.

Yesterday my neighbour popped by with her new book by Mr. Finch and the teeniest, tiniest plate of macarons ever.  By the way, the book is utterly sublime and if you ever have the chance to read it, seize it. No patterns but amazing photography of his work so far. I tried to hide the book so it could live with us but to no avail..... I can't wait to see it again. 

Archie made a little crochet kite this morning. He thinks it would be a wonderful project for beginners so we will write the pattern up at some stage together and post it.

Crochet can be pretty intense you know....

Lots and lots of love,

Kate. xxooxx.