around here...

We've been busy.

Rebe started back at school yesterday so we've been preparing for that. It was less of a shock to the system than I thought it might be and she's happy to be back amongst her friends and beloved teachers.
There's been so much creativity and making going on in the house, I thought I'd share a little of it with you... I finished this custom order doll. I love her and was really pleased how she turned out. It's funny these things seems to go in fits and starts. I currently have 3 custom order dolls on the books and a jumper (but I have been kind to myself and made sure that I have plenty of time to make and ship them so that there is no pressure). I'm really enjoying making the dolls again after a wee break over the summer.

Rebe has been creating. She has a new passion: Hama beads. They are tiny plastic beads that you place on a special tray thingy then when you have finished your design (mummy) irons them and the beads melt together and stay fixed.

a hen

a donkey

Peter Pan (of course)... I have never ironed so much in my life!

I have strayed a little from Ayurveda over the month of August with all the partying and celebrations and boy did I feel it come the end of the month. So I have re-read bits of my books and am back on track and already feel much better. I will do a longer post about Ayurveda soon, it is so wonderful and I have much to say about it.

I made myself a batch of these Kapha friendly ginger cookies to wean myself off all the cake I have been eating and boy are they yummy:

Kapha Ginger Cookies

4 cups barley flour

2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp cloves

1/2 cup ghee (I use vegetable ghee)

1 1/3 cups light molasses (I used argave nectar)

2 tbsps grated fresh ginger or 1 tbsp ground

Mix all ingredients together, plop teaspoonfuls on a greased baking sheet. Bake in a preheated oven 325 F for 12 to 15 mins. Cool on a rack. This makes about 2 dz cookies, so I have frozen them and take out a few as and when required (about every half hour lol)

cute cut out cat by Rebe

Dear little Joa is growing up so quickly. He imitates everything he sees and wants to be there doing it himself all the time.

I often see him cleaning and tidying and baking in his games. For me this is a sign how 'worn' he has been, how much he has seen me do and what he has internalised. It makes me smile :-)

washing up

Andy and I decided that Benny wasn't ready for going off to Kindy by himself this year so as an alternative I asked a group of friends if they would like to start a home kindergarten group. We had our first meeting on Tuesday and we're so excited. I need to ask them all first but I hope to share our group's progress and activities here in the future.

We've lots of wonderful ideas and our first session is on Wednesday. I think Benny will love it and I will get so much out of it too :-)

Finally, with autumn arriving there are a few changes I want to make around our home to welcome the cooler weather, the changes in flora and fauna and the shift in routine.

We've already changed our down stairs reading books. I've put out ones that are cosier, warmer and about autumn. We'll also be changing the window display in the kitchen as and when we get around to it.

Now, I'm off to do a bit of knitting. Joa really needs a hat that he can't pull off :-)