Summer Lovin'... had me a blast!

Hey there Lovelies!  We managed to get a fair bit done on the weekend.  We finished painting the foya and hallway, and painted the lounge room, the bedroom doors and door frames.  We have finally finished all the pruning and tidying the gardens as best we can without some professional help.  I think we will mulch the gardens and finish it all off before winter sets in next year.  It was a hot weekend and we spent a little bit of Sunday afternoon in the blow up pool. The girls to washed their pushbikes and they played in the sprinkler... sooo cute!  Luckily Santa is bringing them some new cossies for Christmas,  Evie's togs are a little too cheeky now!

Scarecrows and Strawberry Lemonade

We have the most incredibly busy weekend planned...  painting, sewing, Santa photos and rubbish dump runs to name a few, not to mention the high possibility of having a needy, sore and sorry puppy after his operation to prevent him from, "falling in love" (as we have told Layla).  :)  

Papa Bear is heading up to the Pilbara to give all the boys their Christmas presents and make sure everyone is doing a good job, and he will be away for almost a week!  I am hoping to get as many chores scratched from the list this weekend, so we can all start relaxing and ENJOYING the holidays.   Layla has her Christmas break-up party on Tuesday, and I'm considering giving her the rest of the week off... it really is just dragging on now.  All the little kiddies are grumpy and tired after two weeks of swimming lessons every day and Christmas concert preparation.  So... while Mark is away with work, I'm really going to try and inject a little bit more fun and summer lovin' into next week...

• We are going to make some strawberry lemonade and have our afternoon tea as a picnic in the backyard.  http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/easy-strawberry-lemonade/Detail.aspx
• Make a scarecrow to keep the birds away from our sweet corn, another afternoon
• Take the little Cherry Blossoms down the hill to help pick some paint out for their pretty bedrooms.
• Wash all our dolly clothes and hang out to dry in the lovely warm sunshine, with the pretty, wooden pegs we decorated recently.
• Listen to some old Christmas records and make a big batch of scented cooked playdough to keep in the fridge over the holidays.

... sounds like a perfect start to the holidays!  We have got all our Christmas decorations up, and all our presents sorted out, (apart from the wrapping part) which I fully intend to take my time with and enjoy! 

I will post some photos of our adventures next weekend.  'til then, take time to make time Dolls!  T x  

Layla's Christmas concert.

Layla had her Christmas concert last night!  Oh it was so adorable!  They had a beach/Christmas theme and sang, "Christmas in Australia" and "Six White Boomers"... much to Mark's delight - he loves the Aussie take on Christmas!  Layla did a supurb job of singing and dancing, and even had a little stint at the microphone... She spoke so well! We are all so proud of her. Evie had fun too, eating smarties and watching the performances on her Daddy's shoulders, one more year and little Evie will be up there doing her thing too... GULP... Where did the last three years go?  Layla and her little friend Samuel are great friends and even got to sit next to each other last night! CUTE!  

         

Dear Santa...



Just in case you were wondering what I have on my wish list for Santa this year... 



Some lovely urns for the entrance to my front patio... x2 please Santa xx



A pretty bike with a basket on the front, for Sunday rides up to the stone fruit orchard.

A key or anchor Tattoo x

Some new Lorna Jane training clothes would be swell Santa... you can ask Tan to help you with them!

...and I would love you forever if I was to unwrap these two lovelies from India Hicks!

Thanks Santy... I will still love you, and be just as happy, if you just gave me, my family and friends, Health and Happiness!  Amore,  Tam.

 

Oh Christmas tree... Oh Christmas tree...

Hey there, I hope you had a lovely weekend!  Our's was a little rainy, but outstanding! Jam-packed with fun, AND super productive!  Somehow though, we all felt so relaxed despite how busy we were, and we just loved having a weekend at home hanging out together! 

Here's what we got up to...  in pictures!

We chopped down our beautiful Christmas tree, and set up our pretty, "bird and butterfly" themed decorations for this year.  Papa Bear added the fairy lights and candy canes, and started to get carried away with dressing the tree... before I had to tell him to leave some things for the girls to add to the tree... ha ha!

  

My little sweethearts helped me make their new little cousin's, "Corduroy Brown, Bunny Rabbit" from scratch and I have almost finished Evie and Layla's Christmas dress x

I made sure I took some quiet time out to make myself a lovely cup of tea and read some of "Narnia" to my little cherubs.

And to finish off our weekend we took a Sunday drive in the Monaro with the windows down and "Angus and Julia Stone" up as loud as can be!  We picked out our Christmas lights from Bunnings, and got lots of "thumbs up" as a show of appreciation for the Monaro as we were driving home.  After we had set up the Christmas lights, Mark went to the shops and surprised me with an enormous bottle of Italian Merlot to go with our roast chicken!  We ate our yummy dinner on the front patio with our Christmas lights, and then Layla and Evie decided to help me with the washing up... what little Sweethearts!  Well it's another busy week for us, so I'd best get to my ironing.   Big love, Tam. x

Sew pretty *

I have picked my fabric to make little Hunny and Baby Bear's dresses on the weekend, hoooray! and after unpacking the Christmas decorations last night... I came across a box with all my old poetry books, and also a couple of vintage children's books, I found at a second-hand shop years ago in Darwin... it really is Christmas!  I'm looking forward to cuddles with Papa Bear, lots of sewing and cups of chai tea, cutting down and decorating our REAL x-mas tree, and reading to my Cherry Blossoms this raining weekend... I hope you have a lovely weekend too! Love  T.

Christmas hoarding x

Hey... well you know when I said that I thought our plums would be ready by Christmas? well, they're ready to eat now!  Evie and I harvested a whole heap today... enough to fill our little basket. The ivy is our very own as well, and I can't believe I didn't think about it before... but it will be perfect to help dress our Christmas table for lunch x 

I had to brave the shopping centre today to grab a few essentials... and I hated every second of it!  I picked up a plum pudding and a beautiful tin of Walkers biscuits... with our favourite boy who never wanted to grow up on it!  I have started stocking the pantry for Christmas now, but I am absolutely dreading having to do it all again in a week!  I hope your all organised with your Christmas shopping... or at least enjoying the process - I'm glad ours is just about done!  Love x

Bubble and Lolly-Legs present..." Tic Tac Toe"! Tooo cute x

I thought I'd upload this video of the girls singing one of they're favourite rhymes.  It just makes my heart melt!  I've been teaching them the "Shirley Temple is a star" - they're almost ready for action, so I'll post it when they have it down-pat.  

"The love of gardening is a seed once sown that never dies." -- Gertrude Jekyll

We have PLUMS... only little yet, but I'm certain they'll be ripe for the picking by Christmas eve to add to our basket of stone-fruit  for Christmas Lunch! Mmmmmmmm!

Look at our Veggie Patch... it's growing so, big so quickly thanks to our chicken poo, compost heap and a little help from our friend... SeaSol x  :-)  We have flowers on our Zucchini and Tomato and the Strawberries just keep on keeping on!  I have my gooseberry bush now, and we added a passion fruit and a white grape vine to the rest of the patch the other day.  It's such a lovely thing to water and nurture the garden, I really feel so lucky to have one of my very own now. 

We have some cute little visitors in the Veggie garden as well... some days it's covered in little white butterflies, bees, and the tiniest little birds.  I have finally got the grass  growing between the step stones... we will have to mow soon!  The only other thing I want to add to my veggie patch is my beautiful rustic gate, and some house numbers to attach to the stepping stones for the girls... such little things, but there are soooooo many little things to do!  

This lantern was a present to myself on my birthday.  We have it hanging up in our gorgeous shady tree in the back yard.  Evie and I found it hanging up in a little tea house/nursery just 3 mins down the road from us... and I just needed to take it home.  I love the whimsical, almost Gothic look of it. I'm going to get just one more to hang in our orange tree, it's the perfect addition to our evening bbq's.

I have some little apples starting to grow on our tree in the back yard, and our semi-formal agapanthus boarder is about to flower, it makes me a little sad and happy at the same time- it's almost 12 months since dear Grandma went to heaven, and agapantus have always reminded me of her.  It's nice too, because agapanthus remind me of Queensland!  I LOVE that we have some huge palm trees in our gardens, it's almost like we bought a little bit of the Tropics with us ;)  The orange tree has just finished blossoming, and the hibiscus flowers are all out, and we're still getting lemons, (how lucky) which is lovely to add to our Friday arvo Corona's!

Cheers Dolls! x T.

I ain't missing you at all... well maybe A LOT!

It has occurred to me today how much I miss the energy and stamina from my youth!  Sheesh... I really hope these herbs kick in soon. 

 I have definitely noticed a difference most days... but it's not supposed to take effect for a month or so, so I guess I should stop being impatient and look forward to having some of it back again soon... Yipppeeeeee!

Apart from my youthful energy... I'm seriously missing "cuppy teas", and sympathy with my bestest girl friend, my beautiful Daddy and the company of my effervescent sisters and most precious Mummy!

Anyway, enough of the Melancholy blogging... I've got some 'blooming beautiful ' photos of my lovely garden to show you, so while your waiting, tell me what your missing the most... x

I LOVE SLEEP

OK,  1st of December 2010... the fun begins!  I have a list as long as my arm to get through before Christmas day, and today I have ZERO energy!  We have been such busy bears the last two weeks, and despite the concoctions my naturapath has given me to boost my energy and even out my hormones, all I really would like to do is jump into this beautiful bed... it looks soooo cozy!  Just an hour would be lovely xx

                                      (Blogspot:   Reese & Marie Shabby, Bohemian Inspiration)

Anyhoo, the reality is... I need to get going and maybe have an early night!  I have got two little girls to make Christmas dresses for and I really should at least take a little drive over to spotlight to get some fabric... I think these little dresses will be perfect for some inspiration!  Wish me luck :-)

Oh, and did you know, I WON something?  I entered a competition for the silvershop the other day and came away with the most delightful apple necklace... it's totally adorable, and I can't wait to have it in my hot little hands!   http://www.silvershop.com.au/large/735.jpg

Happy Wednesday Lovelies xxxx

"They're creepy and they're Kooky... They're altogether Spooky"!

We went to a Halloween party for a friends 40th on the weekend... I know... so last month,  but It was Sooooo Good!  The birthday girl and her family did such a great job of setting the scene! We travelled down to Bunbury and stayed the night at a gorgeous villa, and got all dressed up!  The girls loved getting their costumes on and having their make-done!  Layla was so excited!  She went on and on about it all weekend!  Very exhausting weekend, but so worth it!  What do you rekon?  I picked everything up from Vinnies except for the wigs and mustache... some things we already had at home. ;) 

I don't think I pulled off Morticia very well... My face is too round, and my nose and lips are TOO BIG... (for Morticia anyway), but I tried my best!  It was so good that we had that old dusty chair in the corner of the room of our villa... it was perfect for our creepy photos.

Scorpians tend to come out in November... SCORPIOS 4 EVA!

Check out the nasty little critter that was hiding under Mark's briefcase... Yikes!  He was so nasty and huge, we couldn't believe it!  We thought Mark must have brought him back from his last trip to the Pilbara, but apparently the locals say that they live here in the Perth hills, and... wait for it... they get even BIGGER!  Ahhhhhh!  I think it's time to get the pest man out!  We have heard of locals lately seeing big snakes out and about too!  It's only natural being spring and all, but I hope they don't take it upon themselves to visit us when we're having our afternoon cup of tea... x

Going Green. Our recent Green, Clean, Environmentally friendly efforts!

Lately, I have been really trying to stock the fridge, pantry, and laundry with as many organic and earth friendly products as I can... as you know it's so bloody EXPENSIVE to live green!  If nothing else it has certainly taught me to be frugal with my detergents and cleaning products.  I don't know about you, but all the laundry detergents I have tried lately have been really ineffective, and I have had to go back to the old faithfuls.  If you know of one that works please let me know!  I have found a product line that looks beautiful, I think they stock it at domayne of all places http://www.murchison-hume.com/  it looks beautiful, maybe I'll start stocking up as I run out of the nasty stuff. 

We have found that our general rubbish bin has been reduced to half- full at the end of the week thanks to our compost heap... and WOW, does it get the plants going! It's so liberating to be semi-self sufficient.  It's an incredible feeling to know that your doing your bit for the environment and your health.  We are loving the local organic honey, and chocolate, and we have been buying as many local products, (organic or not) as we can.  Organic Weet-Bix is a big one for us, as we eat so much of it.  I'm  trying to buy as many organic staples as I can now... I guess if you can afford to go completely organic, then buying organic for the things that you eat the most is the best option.

Big Love, Tam x

Vintage Girls Toys x

REMEMBER THESE GORGEOUS LITTLE THINGS FROM YOUR CHILDHOOD? 

I HAVE BOUGHT MYGIRLS A CABBAGE PATCH DOLL EACH FOR CHRISTMAS, ALONG WITH SOME STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE STUFF (which Evie loves), AND MY LITTLE PONY, (which Layla collects). IT BOUGHT BACK SO MANY MEMORIES... I LOVE THAT ALL THE OLD VINTAGE TOYS ARE BACK. 

 I HAD A CABBAGE PATCH CALLED JASMINE... UNFORTUNATELY JASMINE WAS GIFTED TO A LESS FORTUNATE LITTLE GIRL WHEN I REALISED IT WAS TOO HARD TO KEEP LUGGING MY OLD THINGS AROUND WITH ME FROM THE COPIOUS AMOUNT OF MOVES I HAVE HAD IN THE LAST 10 YEARS... I'M GLAD SHE IS LOVED BY A LITTLE GIRL WHO MIGHT NOT OF HAD A CABBAGE PATCH DOLL ANY OTHER WAY, BUT I WISH I HAD OF HAD A CRYSTAL BALL AND KNOWN THAT I WAS GOING TO HAVE TWO LITTLE GIRLS OF MY OWN THAT WOULD HAVE LOVED HER!  IT'S SO CUTE THAT THEY HAVE THEIR OWN LITTLE BIRTH CERTIFICATES, PERSONALITIES, AND STYLE. I JUST CANNOT WAIT UNTIL CHRISTMAS... THESE LITTLE GIRLS OF MINE ARE VERY LUCKY! XX

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE TOY WHEN YOU WERE LITTLE?

Pretty Thrifty

Evie and I found some hand painted, Japanese, ceramic Saki

glasses... I rekon it was a really fantastic find... perfect for our beloved sushi nights.  Now to buy some Saki x

Some gorgeous timber chairs... can you believe they only cost $8 each!  They are going into the Cubby house that Santa is bringing this year... Shhhhhh!  Pappa Bear is going to make the girls a table to match! 

We found an adorable suede and braided leather satchel... I'm going to use it as a jewellery bag for when we travel xx  Soooooo Medieval.

A very whimsical biscuit tin, perfect for Layla and Evie to store their crayons in. I love the old deciduous trees on this, it's very frosty and wintery.

Have you been thrifty lately?  Tell me... x

Jakob Dylan...

Image found from Vogue May edition 2008

Loving Jakob Dylan and his band, "The Wallflowers" lately... any son of Bob Dylan I'm a fan of!  You might remember the song, "One headlight", if you don't have it on your ipod,  (I have one now... yay, thank you Papa Bear), get it NOW... It's one of my favourites, and a perfect summer BBQ song.  He started off as a bit country I think!  I love his style too.  xx

Found my gumboots x x x

I have found my Gumboots for next winter!  They are a brand called "Hunter".  I think I'll wait until after christmas to order them... Oh they are devine!  I'm sure i'll get away with wearing these babies to school to drop Layla off too! 

We heart ROALD DAHL!

At the moment Mark and I are reading Roald Dahl stories to the girls at bedtime... and every other chance we get too!  It brings back so many memories.  My favourite Roald Dahl stories are, "The Witches", and "The Twits", (which we finished reading today after a mad dash to do our morning chores).  We just couldn't wait to finish it!  It's so good for the girls, it has a little bit of whimsy and gives them enough of a scare, without them having nightmares.  Layla in particular loved reading The Twits.  It brought back so many memories for me.  I remember sitting in my grade 5 class room listening to my teacher, Mrs Penningh read out to the entire class... I was mesmerised!  Can't wait to start reading, "The Magic Finger"! xxoo

Who was your favourite author as a child?  What were your favourite or most memorable books?

Two words.... seaweed YUM!

www.buzzle.com/articles/seaweed-salad-recipe.html

We recently stopped in at a little boutique fish monger and fresh seafood store on the way back from Freo, and I decided to try a pre-prepared seaweed salad.  Oh wow!  It was absolutely delicious... it kind of makes your tongue do back flips and has a strange texture when your chewing it (made my teeth feel funny), but it was so full of flavour and goodness.  Maybe one day I'll try and make it.  I found the recipe online and thought it looked simple enough, the only tricky part is finding the ingredients!  xx

Dining room before and after

Kitchen before and after

Goodbye rainbow coloured house!

I just thought I'd add a few before and afters of the dining room and kitchen.  We still have another coat to go on a couple of areas, and although the changes are only superficial, it has made a BIG difference.  The dining room needs a new chandalier light fitting, New window treatments, and we need to fit the timber flooring and skirting boards.  We also have a strange exposed brick cavity in the dining room that we aren't sure what to do with yet.  We're thinking lots of glass, mirroring, and down lights to make a pretty alcohol and crystal display cabinet.  The dining room will eventually become a sitting/family/bar/extended foya.  Can't wait to get to the pretty details... totally love the fussing part at the end.

The kitchen, although it looks much better, is going to evolve into something completely different,  we have big plans, but it's nice to give it a coat of paint for a freshen up for the time being anyway.  I hope you like! 

LOVE TAM x

Mr Wilfred Montefiore gets social!

We decided that Wilfred should experience the beach for the first time last weekend.  The day started off dreary, but once we got down to Fremantle, the sun shone down and there was so much fun to be had!  We ended up staying for almost 2 hours, just watching Wilfred make some new friends and playing with him... it was the most fantastic morning! The girls loved seeing all of the different sized dogs, and all of the different breeds... I even tackled Wilfred at one stage, playing with him... Mark was rolling around with laughter, it wasn't the most glamorous tackle, I'm sure my knickers were visable to all!  Ha hahaha!  Good fun!  Wilfred had the best time, you can't half tell with the smile on his face.  Everyone commented on how big his feet are... I'm wondering how big he will get.  We had such a big morning that Wilfred and the girls slept all afternoon, while Mumma and Pappa Bear watched a movie... oh bliss xx