tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54756757726503363522024-03-05T20:15:25.291-08:00Nestled Under RainbowsLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646760896578776857noreply@blogger.comBlogger731125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475675772650336352.post-52377717736119309652017-04-22T14:10:00.000-07:002017-04-22T14:10:16.463-07:00I'm not a good house keeper<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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....I just am not.<br />
It has bothered me for years that I'm not good at keeping the house spick and span.<br />
In fact it has been a real source of shame and anxiety for me at times. I remember several years ago having a bad dream about my mother coming to my house, looking at the state of it and just shaking her head sadly sighing 'Oh Teenie!'<br />
At times I feel so bad that I can't invite people over or panic for days before guests come, tidying up and cleaning the best I can, getting crosser and crosser with everyone and the whole thing.<br />
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But yesterday in the bath (where I do most of my quiet thinking) I realised something: although I am not a good house keeper, I am a very good home maker!<br />
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So the house may never be tidy. I may not ever have the time in the mornings to put away the breakfast things before leaving for the school run.... <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">post breakfast mess</td></tr>
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I may never find the time to change the beds on a weekly basis, the windows might only get washed when someone offers to do it for me. But I am getting better at being ok with that. And I am getting better at asking for help; the kids clean their rooms and make their beds (after a fashion, but it is sort of getting done) Rebe is getting better at clearing up after her baking sessions. I have a wonderful lady who comes to help me mop the floors and clean the bathrooms once a week. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">chocolate finger prints mean home made chocolates in the fridge</td></tr>
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But what I realised yesterday is that it is all about choices and priorities...<br />
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I would rather push this girl on the swing than plonk her in front of a screen so I can hoover the living room... </div>
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I'd rather let the kids play with scrap wood in the garden than worry about how untidy it looks<br />
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I would rather hold this little boy while he does his sitting up practice than go and sort out the spare room.<br />
I cook from scratch, make my own bread, plan every meal to make it as nourishing for us all as possible. All that cooking takes time, time I don't spend cleaning and tidying.<br />
I use (often home made) cleaning products that are kind to the environment, <br />
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and because I choose not to use bleach or spend hours sorting and soaking and separating the laundry, paint stains don't get washed out properly. And I certainly don't iron the clothes... we are lucky if the clean washing makes it back into the drawer before it needs to be worn again!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqJC4CsPSonFsWaYsynilK8e1eQnm2LMRcFN1-R0DgBclQOxuwAfh6qgUSF9v4Hvc8fLOeLu6s4GL-Zcg4XZMHpsqQw9XD5BMm7kD3CGGv6JCDN22OijwO_DYrsfJZjpI-G2QT5Rjui3ti/s1600/home10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqJC4CsPSonFsWaYsynilK8e1eQnm2LMRcFN1-R0DgBclQOxuwAfh6qgUSF9v4Hvc8fLOeLu6s4GL-Zcg4XZMHpsqQw9XD5BMm7kD3CGGv6JCDN22OijwO_DYrsfJZjpI-G2QT5Rjui3ti/s400/home10.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
I would rather read stories, I would rather we make play dough, I would rather go for a walk on the beach, I would rather listen to how someone's day was. I would rather the kids craft, bake and create without worrying about making a mess. I would rather do some knitting. I would rather Garry feels he can have all his stuff around him. I would rather....<br />
So cleaning and tidying is not my priority. I always have said that I am a stay at home mum, not a stay at home housewife!!! <br />
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But back to my inspiration in the bath, although I am not a good house keeper, I am a very good<i> home maker.</i><br />
For me a home is somewhere everyone who lives there feels at ease, at peace and happy.<br />
It is a place to be heard, a place for fun, a place to sort out your problems.<br />
A retreat from the world.<br />
It is a place to celebrate and be celebrated.<br />
It is a place to find yourself and find your place in the world.<br />
And I think that if I were a good house keeper I would not be a good home maker. That is not to say that people who have wonderfully clean and tidy houses have not made lovely homes (you know like the ones you see on blogs and pinterest) what I am saying is that I know what it would take for <i>me</i> to create a house like that and I would much rather spend the energy on making a home.<br />
So I am making peace with the mess, with the dirty window sill, with the full-to-the-brim-spare-room-that-I-will-sort-out-one-day, I am making peace with it because this is a beautiful home, and we are all so happy here.<br />
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<br />Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646760896578776857noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475675772650336352.post-30122713665616918652017-04-01T03:26:00.004-07:002017-04-01T03:26:36.519-07:00who needs paper... ...when you have the floor...<br />
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...your hands...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGUe6k1bui9C0EB2IDsSBYOYALPZG3kcLqoLmSR0StWMi-H7vn4Bpyxs2SRMfJ9YRYMhL7kh0hN81LYjLA9y52l7PwxGPH7cDxWYjvXPdp8FIb9koCSYbL_Uin5lKh5A-6LLJDVLLCmsBA/s1600/scribble2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGUe6k1bui9C0EB2IDsSBYOYALPZG3kcLqoLmSR0StWMi-H7vn4Bpyxs2SRMfJ9YRYMhL7kh0hN81LYjLA9y52l7PwxGPH7cDxWYjvXPdp8FIb9koCSYbL_Uin5lKh5A-6LLJDVLLCmsBA/s400/scribble2.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div>
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...and your little brother's head!!! </div>
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<br />Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646760896578776857noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475675772650336352.post-31067426712993015482017-03-29T08:21:00.000-07:002017-03-29T08:21:05.783-07:00happy creating<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf1iLdLYLR0twL8Afw6c_GtLG57M5tIVPSfBaSFRTIftwRT-Lxt2qTCWF_GkwygaFXluZJOMTkHSvc0pn4EMNEWajrKVtgxqIo7pCf6Ply-FG5CRrLdEPWGgfF6KYQd_K9VFQXL3aIMEmm/s1600/kidsdrawing4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf1iLdLYLR0twL8Afw6c_GtLG57M5tIVPSfBaSFRTIftwRT-Lxt2qTCWF_GkwygaFXluZJOMTkHSvc0pn4EMNEWajrKVtgxqIo7pCf6Ply-FG5CRrLdEPWGgfF6KYQd_K9VFQXL3aIMEmm/s400/kidsdrawing4.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Benny's wire sculpture bird</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifyhR_DI5F0PN4KpXCecBxq1Rq8QZwJ1UlU_J0rqfE8M8wlv6tgIh4jYuFxzC3LwSrpjcAnRKwbxBjcK9JSEV4Bh_5fKnyPHhkPlS5e0H1TgMMQz2NlcmercrTXx8t7FqfMXTADcxyi5OC/s1600/kidsdrawing7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifyhR_DI5F0PN4KpXCecBxq1Rq8QZwJ1UlU_J0rqfE8M8wlv6tgIh4jYuFxzC3LwSrpjcAnRKwbxBjcK9JSEV4Bh_5fKnyPHhkPlS5e0H1TgMMQz2NlcmercrTXx8t7FqfMXTADcxyi5OC/s400/kidsdrawing7.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my painting of Ena, Rebe's origami crane mobile, Benny's wood picture</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx0rYMXTcT3WcbX32dMU8-LUfvpbknxUMu9F7kjsryvoHIA_0Y0DRgUTn4Gu3PoKoYYGcsxpOX3I8q1EiDhqgrxB2aE30us-S-pUJPK6agtprt2WiNpG-GlrISFl_HGWeGZGzf1iR4c_0U/s1600/knit3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx0rYMXTcT3WcbX32dMU8-LUfvpbknxUMu9F7kjsryvoHIA_0Y0DRgUTn4Gu3PoKoYYGcsxpOX3I8q1EiDhqgrxB2aE30us-S-pUJPK6agtprt2WiNpG-GlrISFl_HGWeGZGzf1iR4c_0U/s400/knit3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ena's Birthday Cardi</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIFqSaQH1PL5o_cFqLHwTLSqwSt2dShICSNB_CUTSWJZr05Vg2zjgHS0Ak7BVUOypLmE6eh5IL_ykGR96SNqnJxMMEt7pkA5eCXPe6ykbLQsTgcponeEEdcRAZgUPGIkwQ2NY_LFczavLb/s1600/knit1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIFqSaQH1PL5o_cFqLHwTLSqwSt2dShICSNB_CUTSWJZr05Vg2zjgHS0Ak7BVUOypLmE6eh5IL_ykGR96SNqnJxMMEt7pkA5eCXPe6ykbLQsTgcponeEEdcRAZgUPGIkwQ2NY_LFczavLb/s400/knit1.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">possibly a cable tank top?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfPKdQ3hfIO66tXYUUgGw8NxNWQmRfZIrDa7VDVEHdy9xn5V1pX9RWTMkS9eJRtqbhxZfLYm08Y7wsFTdw-UoYAkDFdUztwhwLrrRqOVmXn38WQeT4dVjVqFPLqFPW2tI7Kn3g0tfPy2KV/s1600/knit2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfPKdQ3hfIO66tXYUUgGw8NxNWQmRfZIrDa7VDVEHdy9xn5V1pX9RWTMkS9eJRtqbhxZfLYm08Y7wsFTdw-UoYAkDFdUztwhwLrrRqOVmXn38WQeT4dVjVqFPLqFPW2tI7Kn3g0tfPy2KV/s400/knit2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brock's badger</td></tr>
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I am knitting again, it is making me so happy. I have bought yarn for several projects and I feel a bubble of excitement every time I look at the beautiful colours, imagine knitting them, think of the children wearing or playing with them.<br />
I have started going to a little knit and natter group that has started here in the local community shop. It is so lovely to sit with other people, knitting, chatting, drinking coffee. It is especially nice because it is in the morning on one of Garry's days off, so I only bring little Brock who sits happily in his carseat playing with his toes and smiling at everyone, leaving me with my hands free. And because it is in the morning I am not too tired, going cross eyed looking at the stitches or unable to fathom what the pattern is saying which is the way I mostly feel knitting in the evening after kiddies bedtime.<br />
Doll making still feels very far away but I am so enjoying knitting.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivSr_et7ZMrg9xHG-okzWdhAMFa4tsZHAcSpDlEpUIPZN2VtNH78QBa94l3OtWI_CYHNzr5_h6T_e0NlsQrdbLoR45i9NidoiJwhdQM0LeRwttslHiu4I9WsIX0EzE_XHT0Bc_gnyPIXFw/s1600/kidsdrawings1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivSr_et7ZMrg9xHG-okzWdhAMFa4tsZHAcSpDlEpUIPZN2VtNH78QBa94l3OtWI_CYHNzr5_h6T_e0NlsQrdbLoR45i9NidoiJwhdQM0LeRwttslHiu4I9WsIX0EzE_XHT0Bc_gnyPIXFw/s400/kidsdrawings1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">one of our beach bonfires last year, drawn by Joa, painted by me</td></tr>
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I have also been doing a little painting in the evenings when all the babies are in bed. One thing I love doing is colouring in the kids' drawings. We have many of these collaborative projects hanging on the walls around the house.<br />
I have actually set up a little <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ColourMeDoodles">faebook page</a> to see if anyone else would like me to add a splash of colour to their children's drawings. Do pop by and have a look and a 'like'.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeejNV0g-RDxNIYbMrS02Qo5oWJhEJRerJ70ZFCrX-5odRNcENB2DIZOr9NNMk-l_i2rQwwT98ZpH1lNvpnIs0LQpBpEEnBzYVSd32im7d8rxOFV66NzoVVlf0S9-gGZCohfRhkPUT0BEq/s1600/kidsdrawing6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeejNV0g-RDxNIYbMrS02Qo5oWJhEJRerJ70ZFCrX-5odRNcENB2DIZOr9NNMk-l_i2rQwwT98ZpH1lNvpnIs0LQpBpEEnBzYVSd32im7d8rxOFV66NzoVVlf0S9-gGZCohfRhkPUT0BEq/s400/kidsdrawing6.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">birds by Joa, painted by me</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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The children continue to try out new crafts and ways to create. Benny's prefered medium at the moment is copperwire. Santa brought him some coppersmithing equipment for Christmas that he asked for after trying out coppersmithing at Townlands Carnival last summer. Rebe on the other hand is working in chocolate quite a lot, she has made chocolate lollies, paper and pencils among other things of late...all of which were eaten before I had the chance to photograph them.<br />
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<br />Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646760896578776857noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475675772650336352.post-74938418042000367392017-03-26T08:00:00.001-07:002017-03-26T08:00:20.697-07:00reflections of motherhood<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidO6YTNOOQEEfzk4T9z6a-0Tnngx3dZG4yE1DJKgr9xe7WDTcUSAEQzHEFGO9q4Fl7ydx-og-D1-RYiaWBxNMHyoilrlR4RXS5D7zYFgc3v2dlghZZFHbTB_LXmj5wrKWzulfguLApzvYm/s1600/mothersday1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidO6YTNOOQEEfzk4T9z6a-0Tnngx3dZG4yE1DJKgr9xe7WDTcUSAEQzHEFGO9q4Fl7ydx-og-D1-RYiaWBxNMHyoilrlR4RXS5D7zYFgc3v2dlghZZFHbTB_LXmj5wrKWzulfguLApzvYm/s400/mothersday1.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">flowers for mothers day from the children (thanks Garry!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLroNj0BLEoj7NcFptixjhcZEkVznTvCCDqt0pFrrZrpA2dIXugPoq50MqZjbPqlXijaTnf1M9TJMX6HfPS7_AS7A3Rs8L1hiLWbffzxLCcuEJEj3Y5e0MS5Sdrh3vSQvOuGguSWhyx-zQ/s1600/mothersday2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLroNj0BLEoj7NcFptixjhcZEkVznTvCCDqt0pFrrZrpA2dIXugPoq50MqZjbPqlXijaTnf1M9TJMX6HfPS7_AS7A3Rs8L1hiLWbffzxLCcuEJEj3Y5e0MS5Sdrh3vSQvOuGguSWhyx-zQ/s400/mothersday2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">beautiful Brock</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOpWyGW4uWrqE0AYVof94tyO4i6b3oph-WCQ3x4-Bya9cejuhW1jPW86X1NSSNTZJBxjS6n2dM-k3X2mUSrsmUJySJc6bTsK7y1rfWFYxotjXg1Fv4e-SIqwHJ5B4aPSTz5Xpk1e1240el/s1600/mothersday3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOpWyGW4uWrqE0AYVof94tyO4i6b3oph-WCQ3x4-Bya9cejuhW1jPW86X1NSSNTZJBxjS6n2dM-k3X2mUSrsmUJySJc6bTsK7y1rfWFYxotjXg1Fv4e-SIqwHJ5B4aPSTz5Xpk1e1240el/s400/mothersday3.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mothers day breakfast in bed</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJHOr0ljdppUKa2yFp69IcsNpCVxxZ6Ntzbt1pDAQAUpHICCKFhrGcrODvtu9baYPxOfp_n4yrVWcfDrgkvvDumn4I118xdBu_VnL6QUruVle-CrVoQ70ZxT4rsbqMn7XlD0V8cK2fpXGg/s1600/mothersday4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJHOr0ljdppUKa2yFp69IcsNpCVxxZ6Ntzbt1pDAQAUpHICCKFhrGcrODvtu9baYPxOfp_n4yrVWcfDrgkvvDumn4I118xdBu_VnL6QUruVle-CrVoQ70ZxT4rsbqMn7XlD0V8cK2fpXGg/s400/mothersday4.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Benny, Brock and I by Benny's cherry tree</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUByZ9fHNfZwKPXkYVHykwzYjk50CO-gQVeQZIHRJzqaF9cYc4tNlBG-OkMr44h2D9j5h2-x6dyMTzk0brqrIrWyK6xMzXwpTh22-ccrFbfkVuZewG8Ubja12_VBkUWQpvFVH5ga7UkCeA/s1600/mothersday5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUByZ9fHNfZwKPXkYVHykwzYjk50CO-gQVeQZIHRJzqaF9cYc4tNlBG-OkMr44h2D9j5h2-x6dyMTzk0brqrIrWyK6xMzXwpTh22-ccrFbfkVuZewG8Ubja12_VBkUWQpvFVH5ga7UkCeA/s400/mothersday5.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunday afternoon quiet</td></tr>
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Today is Mothering Sunday here in Ireland. It's been a lovely day so far: woken to breakfast in bed, cards, chocolates and flowers. A windy walk and quiet time at home knitting and relaxing with the littlest ones.<br />
I have been thinking a lot about motherhood today, what a journey it has been so far and how happy I am to be a mother to these five gorgeous little people.<br />
Motherhood for me has definitely become easier. Looking back, especially on the first few years, it felt very fraught, very anxious, very, very hard work. But now, although not always easy and often really busy, it seems easier.<br />
But perhaps that is more a reflection on who I am as a person now and the work I have done on myself and how much easier life is in general now I share the work load instead of doing it all by myself.<br />
As these things go though I wouldn't be the person I am today if it were not for the fact that I am a mother.<br />
Becoming a mother was the beginning of the long journey back to myself.<br />
I remember distinctly the day that happened.<br />
I was in a pretty low place, I wasn't happy, I had no passions, few friendships, life was a plodding through and trying to keep my head above water. I felt pretty poorly about myself, I had lost all of my confidence and felt I wasn't much good at anything.<br />
Then one day, when Rebe was still a tiny baby, someone questioned my mothering, trying to imply that I wasn't a good mother. And I turned to that person, I can still remember the burning fierceness in my stomach and chest and I stood still, stood up and said 'I am a good mother'.<br />
It was the first time in many, many years that I KNEW that I was good at something. And that became my foundation, on that block I started to build myself up slowly.<br />
Being a mother was also of vital importance for me when I was examining the worth and value of my previous relationship. I asked myself once: 'Would this be good enough for my children?' and the fact that it wasn't made me see that it should not be good enough for me. It made me realise how low my self-esteem was; that I was willing to tolerate behaviour towards me that I would never want my children to tolerate from their partners.<br />
So, because of them, because I had to teach them through my actions, I stopped putting up with mediocre, with bad treatment, with settling.<br />
Because of them I tried to find out who I was and live an authentic life a life of integrity.<br />
I found my strength, I found self love, I found confidence and through all of that I found happiness.<br />
All of the things I wish for my own children.<br />
So now mothering for me is a joy, a delight and above all an honor. An honor that these little people have chosen me to be their guide, to be their support and to watch them grow into the people they already are.<br />
Mothering, although so deeply joyful to me, is about being an observer: watching the world through their eyes, watching them as whole, complete individuals discovering themselves and their paths.<br />
I am there to mind them, to care for their physical beings.<br />
But I know my place.<br />
I know that I cannot change or dictate who they are (not that I would want to, they are awesome just as they are) I hold their hands and have their backs as they walk their own paths, jump their own hurdles and discover all of the joys that life has to bring.<br />
What an honor motherhood is, what joy it has brought to my life.<br />
It will always be my greatest work.Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646760896578776857noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475675772650336352.post-31906966565014877082017-03-19T05:50:00.000-07:002017-03-19T05:50:11.681-07:00signs of spring...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhauWsIRRsg59rTpqsqc4_7atsWySIBgwS4FT8r_ZoB-zHXpWmv-3wUWVEylMdGNjtietZabt4ipKAIplSOsgrkBAY2B4zPbOIiNstqCLHd9tAT_fU9yPzkvaJHZOiV5G7D_KiUT6O3oMQO/s1600/spring10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhauWsIRRsg59rTpqsqc4_7atsWySIBgwS4FT8r_ZoB-zHXpWmv-3wUWVEylMdGNjtietZabt4ipKAIplSOsgrkBAY2B4zPbOIiNstqCLHd9tAT_fU9yPzkvaJHZOiV5G7D_KiUT6O3oMQO/s400/spring10.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my friends beautiful drive way</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-vpIIxjpPvXt-wjZ8DO9RbWtcQ7qy-XxMKIzCc2botSch3KvHE7cAhcmdNum76sbihQ0hPe8i9cudccJxOhH6PXnX9TI-0FdnM8oNsz-BJxvtilkHWNpDoE_-F-OtlWhAWKPZI5MONQdK/s1600/spring1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-vpIIxjpPvXt-wjZ8DO9RbWtcQ7qy-XxMKIzCc2botSch3KvHE7cAhcmdNum76sbihQ0hPe8i9cudccJxOhH6PXnX9TI-0FdnM8oNsz-BJxvtilkHWNpDoE_-F-OtlWhAWKPZI5MONQdK/s400/spring1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">first rhubarb</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ptAgbJ9fFAL-aWYktDjW4rPLPNjnu2J9ffbKBewyWoJibyGtUijnPAHbXBAQdEm7UZYgznF3R78JMpTGi73i0ae06AB6FkBjgH0W75i-S7hXVdknPzqMQzQ30qV5FRjFBGBHvjnsb-bp/s1600/spring7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ptAgbJ9fFAL-aWYktDjW4rPLPNjnu2J9ffbKBewyWoJibyGtUijnPAHbXBAQdEm7UZYgznF3R78JMpTGi73i0ae06AB6FkBjgH0W75i-S7hXVdknPzqMQzQ30qV5FRjFBGBHvjnsb-bp/s400/spring7.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St Patrick's Day craft at Buddies Homeschool</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ippxONkOC6kQC8TtVUflBkYWs71iQ2GelIxTR0Z1Y3E9TbGbG9XzR0zz9uQFGjqhwdSR8chVQvLYdNXuNTbM8h-Wh1WVhjqjRaeUo1gXBtJJt36U1xHg7VI6STwm0tkQxvBjxk5WAge2/s1600/spring4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ippxONkOC6kQC8TtVUflBkYWs71iQ2GelIxTR0Z1Y3E9TbGbG9XzR0zz9uQFGjqhwdSR8chVQvLYdNXuNTbM8h-Wh1WVhjqjRaeUo1gXBtJJt36U1xHg7VI6STwm0tkQxvBjxk5WAge2/s400/spring4.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">all dressed to support daddy and the RNLI at the parade</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5DU9pCwE4eGBA6qF8ME7wTzM3GTMFfno5mvRWkr3a5IbGtonHwZyKiLcvLc4e3o22uh4BXhW8LjGvAqv9PXF7_tIODwf7d0ld7peS0I0cWPd21OTc4h5hQfl-SzXQk71CimaBlOkZabvn/s1600/spring8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5DU9pCwE4eGBA6qF8ME7wTzM3GTMFfno5mvRWkr3a5IbGtonHwZyKiLcvLc4e3o22uh4BXhW8LjGvAqv9PXF7_tIODwf7d0ld7peS0I0cWPd21OTc4h5hQfl-SzXQk71CimaBlOkZabvn/s400/spring8.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">amazing sun reflections on the kitchen wall</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgphlPXq2-28Uz5I6o4BkeYZy3HS7tZV0VTo9mkbO8tx0TWAEXPpohrGithOCCrMHzBuyonQvlUAAEAZwN1up7Et3HnvVPkNjhK6b7Pa4P0PKT5hxBtSjHZ7Tuffa6vtV_kfPt9xqnTZ_BE/s1600/spring9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgphlPXq2-28Uz5I6o4BkeYZy3HS7tZV0VTo9mkbO8tx0TWAEXPpohrGithOCCrMHzBuyonQvlUAAEAZwN1up7Et3HnvVPkNjhK6b7Pa4P0PKT5hxBtSjHZ7Tuffa6vtV_kfPt9xqnTZ_BE/s400/spring9.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hello flowers</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8T5fJczoISzgr685hPCQLl8K0WM2CUmk83khDiTcvWhyphenhyphenxHA7C1r5p1DEK4S6Ju5OWmVOio0oD6Ir_r8Ft8ppo9sFuNUzRxVpj8jrqur44TTQjnraDBMmDvMH7N2Fz9HQcsXUoonoW78kh/s1600/spring11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8T5fJczoISzgr685hPCQLl8K0WM2CUmk83khDiTcvWhyphenhyphenxHA7C1r5p1DEK4S6Ju5OWmVOio0oD6Ir_r8Ft8ppo9sFuNUzRxVpj8jrqur44TTQjnraDBMmDvMH7N2Fz9HQcsXUoonoW78kh/s400/spring11.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">basking in the sunshine</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwJ-Bq_CIOM5o451T6Dt4xREVvK3sGwfZXLS7ZHlo-RZRFdcTJjJTVJhLIX2qB9VPEKzQNCa3FMyKlLj7q1XtKANGKU2UVmV4xcBmyldKb_uHwG5yx_-ZJIXgN6yeQ-JnkAyh2VJGg0oiA/s1600/spring6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwJ-Bq_CIOM5o451T6Dt4xREVvK3sGwfZXLS7ZHlo-RZRFdcTJjJTVJhLIX2qB9VPEKzQNCa3FMyKlLj7q1XtKANGKU2UVmV4xcBmyldKb_uHwG5yx_-ZJIXgN6yeQ-JnkAyh2VJGg0oiA/s400/spring6.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">muddy knees</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcvyWTGyuFlA1ZhXqSNHv6nsdCLcjbync2CWzK9zGPofK9R5iqeAKqDxAK353wTp3KCFeMBSAeijvPY-g0hdLO-Y6GMvw9-ZjfCnxMpM2aEGUpVP6yW-LWtnKK6Pjy2NFrqkTZ5Dctqrnf/s1600/spring2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcvyWTGyuFlA1ZhXqSNHv6nsdCLcjbync2CWzK9zGPofK9R5iqeAKqDxAK353wTp3KCFeMBSAeijvPY-g0hdLO-Y6GMvw9-ZjfCnxMpM2aEGUpVP6yW-LWtnKK6Pjy2NFrqkTZ5Dctqrnf/s400/spring2.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'the shorts'</td></tr>
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It feels like spring here, aside from changeable weather, there are so many signs of spring. There has been lots of outdoor play, I have enjoyed watching the buds and flowers emerge on the trees on my daily walk, St Patricks day always marks spring for me too. But the real sign of spring must be that I have washed 'the shorts', the ones he will put on in a few weeks and not take off again until the end of autumn!!<br />
I am so happy the sun is returning, the equinox is tomorrow and energies are rising.<br />
What signs of spring are meaningful for you?Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646760896578776857noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475675772650336352.post-38691461344497648142017-03-09T04:28:00.000-08:002017-03-09T04:28:04.186-08:00being a mother of five...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">washing up</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">by Benny</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">potty training?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clothes Joa 'needed' for Bluey</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joa's chocolate cake</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">always a place to breathe deeply</td></tr>
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...is many days like a juggling act. I feel like I am standing on a tight rope, juggling lots of brightly coloured objects.<br />
Some days I am on top of the world, I feel the firmness of the rope beneath my feet. I look ahead and smile and think 'hell yes I can do this'.<br />
Other days the rope wobbles, the juggling balls are awkward and want to do their own thing, I feel at any moment like I will fall and it will all come crashing down around me.<br />
I try really hard to make sure that everyone has their needs met.<br />
That when someone is sick they get the loving care that they need.<br />
When someone is feeling bad that I have the time to put them on my knee and rock them.<br />
I try to make sure everyone has three good meals a day and at least clean-ish clothes.<br />
I try to do homework with each child, all at different levels and different abilities (mostly all at the same time). I try to make sure each child has access to friends to play with and activities to stimulate and drive them.<br />
I try to make sure we have quiet times, that we have celebrations and loud times, that we spend time with other people, that we participate in the community. That the house is somewhat tidy, that there is food in the cupboards and washing on. That we spend time outside and time creating.<br />
I try very hard and most of the time it all works and I can do it, but wow it can be exhausting and times I just crash.<br />
But I have my safety net, Garry, who is there to catch me, there to send me to a bath or take the little ones out to give me some space. Who makes dinner when I am tired, or makes sure the kids help with their chores. He is always there to hear me out whether it is a moan or a rant or an inspired idea.And he is always there when I just need a hug and a few sweet words of love and encouragement.<br />
And I try and keep it real, I know that what I am doing is good enough, even if sometimes I feel like I am just chasing my tail.<br />
I know the kids are all healthy and happy and are so, so loved.<br />
I know that a time will come again when I can do more for myself, and I try to snatch moments of time in my day for me. A walk with a friend in the morning, a couple of rows knitting while the babies nap and the biggies are in school, a quiet coffee first thing in the morning before anyone else comes down stairs, and a few pages of my book in the bath at night before bed.<br />
It's a juggling act alright, but one I wouldn't change for the world. <br />
<br />Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646760896578776857noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475675772650336352.post-88529540990157164882017-03-07T04:06:00.001-08:002017-03-07T04:06:44.247-08:00from tiny seeds...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">new buds on Rebe's apple tree </td></tr>
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On Friday Rebe's class had their Conformation. The children go to a Catholic school and so most of the children in her class had the day off to attend church and to celebrate with their families. As we do not celebrate this we decided to have our own special day for Rebe.<br />
Several years ago when her class made their first holy communion we had a lovely Apple Seed Ceremony for her, <a href="http://nestledunderrainbows.blogspot.ie/2014/06/rebes-apple-seed-ceremony.html">you can read about it here</a>. We wanted to do a follow on of this and we also wanted to incorporate Rebe's newly asked 'Guide Parents'.<br />
We have been talking about Brock's up coming Christening and the older children asked why they do not have Godparents. This is because they are not Christened, but we said that they were welcome to choose 'guide parents' of their own. So Rebe chose a special friend of the families and one of her uncles. (Benny has also chosen guide parents who will be part of his own Cherry Stone Ceremony in May).<br />
Unfortunately her uncle was busy working but her new Guide Mother hosted a lovely coffee morning just for Rebe on Friday morning.<br />
Rebe got all dressed up in a new, smart outfit and we arrived at Antje's house early on Friday morning to a table set fit for a queen.<br />
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We drank coffee and ate eggs on toast and lots of delicious treats. </div>
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Antje gave Rebe a really beautiful bracelet with a tiny silver oyster shell on it, that had a tiny, real pearl inside. </div>
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We chatted and ate for hours. Talking about life and growing up and just about everything. </div>
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Once we had feasted and the plates were empty we played a super board game together until it was time to leave.<br />
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Rebe spent the rest of the afternoon at her dad's house and I came home to prepare a special meal for her that we could share with Garry and all the other children when everyone was home again.<br />
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As part of Rebe's Apple Seed Ceremony we gave her a little apple tree, which has done very well outisde in the garden. Last autumn it gave her several apples which we decided to prep and freeze to have to make into a special cake or pie on this day.<br />
With a little recipe help from my friend I made her apple pieces into a pie which we ate after a hearty meal of roast chicken.<br />
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Garry and I gave her a little watch as a gift to mark to occassion. It was a lovely day and again I was so pleased to find our own way to celebrate this awesome girl.<br />
While we were thinking of ideas for something to do as an alternative conformation, I looked back over the blog post I had done about her Apple Seed Ceremony and it struck me just how much she has grown in those years.<br />
She is an amazing child; creative, warm and so very kind. She is clever and has so many interests of her own. She is very much her own person, she is comfortable in her skin and knows her own awesome-ness.<br />
I am so proud to be her mother, to watch her walk her chosen paths in life, to bask in the sunshine that she gives out.<br />
She is my right hand woman, I don't know how I would manage without her sometimes and she is a dear and sweet friend.<br />
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<br />Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646760896578776857noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475675772650336352.post-22831639323195744832017-02-26T07:36:00.004-08:002017-02-26T07:36:45.831-08:00pockets of normal<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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That is what this week has felt like. Pockets of normal found in a very sad and strange time.</div>
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So much of the last week we have been preoccupied with saying goodbye, with coming to terms, with talking and spending time with our friends and community. Coming together in mourning of our friends' passing and in celebration of her life. </div>
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But in between the coming and going there has also been some time for...</div>
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work...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sketches to accompany a piece I have written for Juno magazine</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mountains of this</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">making our daily bread</td></tr>
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some of this... </div>
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and plenty of that...<br />
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<br />Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646760896578776857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475675772650336352.post-15333724727967761252017-02-24T08:23:00.001-08:002017-02-24T08:23:57.005-08:00an empty space<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On Monday we lost a friend of ours.<br />
It was so cruel, so sudden, it has left us all gasping for breath.<br />
The reality of her passing has not yet sunk in.<br />
The space she has left is enormous and gaping.<br />
There will always be a space where she should have been.<br />
She left behind four children, whose pain I cannot even begin to imagine. <br />
For me personally she was a witness. She was one of the few people who knew me when I first moved here, another life time ago.<br />
She was a witness to the changes in my life when my marriage broke down, she was a witness to the changes in my life as I came into myself and she was a witness to the changes in my life when I met and fell in love with Garry.<br />
She always rooted for me, had a kind and supportive word and a radiant smile.<br />
She will be missed always.<br />
xLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646760896578776857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475675772650336352.post-6359552565121592932017-02-18T14:54:00.000-08:002017-02-18T14:54:38.790-08:00days like these... oh how I love days like these! We had nothing we had to do today, no where we had to go and time stretched ahead, an uncommon luxury for us these days.<br />
Our day began with pancakes and paper games. <br />
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Rebe and Benny made paper swords while Ena and Joa drew and read. After that Rebe asked if she could use the marzipan that has been in the fridge since Christmas to try and make something...<br />
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The morning had been wet and over cast, perfect weather, I thought, for a snail hunt.<br />
I have always found snails to be the perfect toddler's insect. Funny looking, easy to watch and pick up and slow enough to enjoy without getting a fright. As Ena had yet to see a real life snail we thought that we would take her on a snail hunt. So after Brock woke from his nap we had lunch and headed off on a snail hunt.<br />
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We looked for snails on the walls and stones all down the hill stopping to answer several million 'Wot dat?' questions from Ena </div>
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Our first discovery was a worm, but he was too wiggly for Ena to touch. Rebe picked him off the road to show her and to rescue him into the grass. We hunted on and finally found a snail...<br />
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and she was so pleased!<br />
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As the weather was getting finer and Brock very happily asleep in the buggy the kids asked if they could stay and play on the beach for a while.<br />
It was wonderful, the clouds slowly lifted and a wonderful game of 'camp' began. This has been such a long favourite game; building a camp from whatever they find on the beach.<br />
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It got more and more elaborate, with a small orchard of 'berry trees', a vegetable garden complete with veggie off cuts that someone had thrown into the sea to compost and a fire place.<br />
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Firewood was gathered and a spit constructed using bits of old fisherman's rope.<br />
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On the menu...roasted leek! </div>
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The kids went on to make weapons for hunting: Rebe made a bow and arrow, the arrow had a stone head and feathers tied onto the quiver. The boys both had axes and Joa told me he loved going for beach walks with me because I was so good at tying stones onto sticks (I have had years of practice after all).<br />
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After several hours of play, energy started to wane (despite the roasted leek) so we headed on to the cafe for a coffee and an ice cream.<br />
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On our way home we stopped for another play at the camp, I fed Brock on the beach chatting with friends. All the kids found playmates and it reminded me of summer days on the beach. It reminded someone else of the summer too so much so he decided to get into the water, spiderman costume, shoes and all! So with a soaking wet boy and dinner time approaching we reluctantly came home. But, oh what a wonderful day!<br />
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<br />Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646760896578776857noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475675772650336352.post-87285438439454218672016-11-18T05:12:00.001-08:002016-11-18T05:12:46.006-08:00a new arrival<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Wow, it's been such a long time since I was here. I have missed this space, but life has been so busy, Ena has been so busy that I have just had no time to sit down at the computer.<br />
So much has happened in the 9 months since I last posted, I can't even begin to update you on everything, but the most important, exciting and beautiful news is the arrival of this little man!<br />
Brock McKenzie Barrett was born here at home 2 weeks ago. It was a quick and beautiful birth, he was delivered by Garry and I alone here at home while my mum fielded all the kiddies for breakfast. He is just a delight, peaceful and calm like his birth and pregnancy.<br />
We are adjusting to life as a family of 7, but he is so mousey and quiet that so far it is going well and we are enjoying family life so much.<br />
Everyone is so in love with him and we are all happy and well.<br />
I do hope to be back here more often again, but I won't make any promises (to myself) as we are just taking life moment by moment, day by day, and enjoying every second of it!<br />
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<br />Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646760896578776857noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475675772650336352.post-82763947079529096592016-03-06T03:34:00.002-08:002016-03-06T03:34:27.747-08:00yesterday around the house...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmDEareXbovF6lhb-oV5MnqlzlgQsGBMhEtFEz8omsbM8JMBiYiZnOuWGxpX4W608qnDiXoD-l5rwa2KzES9IEXYuw9IteN_t6KCY8-aEwJVCCDbsOoyT-9uSvepkiKuS9JaoU1d_DjDvD/s1600/P4130001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmDEareXbovF6lhb-oV5MnqlzlgQsGBMhEtFEz8omsbM8JMBiYiZnOuWGxpX4W608qnDiXoD-l5rwa2KzES9IEXYuw9IteN_t6KCY8-aEwJVCCDbsOoyT-9uSvepkiKuS9JaoU1d_DjDvD/s400/P4130001.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">flowers from Benny for Mother's Day</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eggs from the 5th</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">some of my favourite things</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">messy work table (that is a fake poo by the way!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">knitting</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmiPzfzgrUTfBl3So1bxXOkAQvXwM-vkVPYWTgPH-Gx9l_mRK3xj8lYoKajgPnP64471LsWji16fz_cdbiTL-febZsaXMhiKmIpevzLnXM8Iskfys7qYY0ozklAOnJyPYPGy1xZ8YKtDc1/s1600/P4130008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmiPzfzgrUTfBl3So1bxXOkAQvXwM-vkVPYWTgPH-Gx9l_mRK3xj8lYoKajgPnP64471LsWji16fz_cdbiTL-febZsaXMhiKmIpevzLnXM8Iskfys7qYY0ozklAOnJyPYPGy1xZ8YKtDc1/s400/P4130008.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">on Joa's bed</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ej0sCmAlHAxPbN2mieDDk4fXa7K3Cj-voMp7MWhoZNB4GLiGWR57Yge7FxMgaTl5Nu2rPyQndCI3qFul9-oY1y_CZPf9UmBvg2SpMe4W-FZ6IHYKw46V7yAt9a2ky-rMqY27vzqRRFCZ/s1600/P4140016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ej0sCmAlHAxPbN2mieDDk4fXa7K3Cj-voMp7MWhoZNB4GLiGWR57Yge7FxMgaTl5Nu2rPyQndCI3qFul9-oY1y_CZPf9UmBvg2SpMe4W-FZ6IHYKw46V7yAt9a2ky-rMqY27vzqRRFCZ/s400/P4140016.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">minecraft birthday card by Joa for his friend</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3DnrXLstEUhPrsUvlcH3_A2eeguP5s2NeUphM4DjQVb5-usRBnXKfU3Hs_3r0jBUTd1ImZuBKOWu_Uv6GBTvxS2-BZoE1k7yHG_im31Gcy60x9iOVNK67Q5GLPNCcc9O6-PEizNXteXVj/s1600/P4140017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3DnrXLstEUhPrsUvlcH3_A2eeguP5s2NeUphM4DjQVb5-usRBnXKfU3Hs_3r0jBUTd1ImZuBKOWu_Uv6GBTvxS2-BZoE1k7yHG_im31Gcy60x9iOVNK67Q5GLPNCcc9O6-PEizNXteXVj/s400/P4140017.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Mothers Day cake from Rebe</td></tr>
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<br />Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646760896578776857noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475675772650336352.post-43864075204007450082016-03-03T04:26:00.002-08:002016-03-03T04:26:46.805-08:00spring knitting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Looking at these pictures makes me realise how much I have been looking forward to spring. Winter has been a bit of a slog this year, lots of grey skies, lots of wind and lots and lots and lots of rain. But the days are getting longer and we've been getting lots of beautiful days of late.<br />
Crafting is slow here, painfully so at times. Ena does not go to bed in the evenings and is rubbish at napping too unless she is being walked in the buggy (and obviously walking and knitting don't go together) or is in the sling, so my hands are never free to make things for any length of time.<br />
Luckily I knew it would be this way so everyone waiting for a doll understands how very slow I am this year, so slow in fact that the 2016 waiting list is now full!<br />
Saying that I sometimes get a few minutes here and there to work on some projects.<br />
I had wanted to knit this robin for years, and once we got going it was quick. Last week I made the nest and the kids started to really play with it, so we needed eggs next and Rebe knitted the little robin chick, then of course we needed worms for the mama to bring for the baby. It was lovely watching them play with this little home made set and to hear what an amazing understanding they have of bird life..<br />
Ena's need for a new, bigger sweater gave me permission to make her a bumble bee one. The yarn is a gorgeous soft superwash 100% wool and it made it big enough to last several months at least :-)<br />
The rainbow dungarees you've already seen but people wanted to see an action shot :-)<br />
I am not sure what is going to be on the needles next, I have a really interesting doll project at the moment, but I think I will knit a little something on the side too...any ideas?<br />
<br />Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646760896578776857noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475675772650336352.post-45885658634989422932016-02-10T03:25:00.001-08:002016-02-10T03:25:24.251-08:00a portrait of Ena at 9 months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My baby, my dear Bumble BeEna, my sweet darling.<br />
2 days ago you became 9 months old. How can you only be 9 months, when it feels like you have been here forever?<br />
You are a joy and a delight, a light in our lives.<br />
You are 9 months old,<br />
you have 4 little teeth and more on the way.<br />
Your hair is growing, you have a quiff like your daddy's and tiny little curls that hang over your ears.<br />
You have just learnt to crawl and creep slowly around the room, picking up everything I don't want you to.<br />
You pull up to stand, delighted with yourself and take big, clumsy steps with a grin on your face. You will never hold on with 2 hands, always letting go with one, preferring to feel your own balance.<br />
You say hello to everyone, especially that baby in the mirror. Your little arm outstretched palm open and facing the person.<br />
You love kids and babies. Kissing your older brothers and sister and watching them with concern on your face if they are upset. When we are with other babies you try to get to them, to touch them and coo at them, and if she cries then you cry too.<br />
You love sitting at the dinner table with us all, dropping little bits of what you have to the dogs.<br />
We play a game together, all banging the table with our hands like you do, following your lead, stopping when you do. It makes you laugh.<br />
You like eating. At the moment your favourite things are soup and home-made gingerbread. Yesterday you asked me for a drink of my water from the glass and you learnt to drink, just like a big girl.<br />
Bath time makes you happy, although it drives me nuts as you spend your whole time trying to stand up using the handles on the sides of the bath.<br />
You love music and danced before you could stand or crawl. You shake your head and bounce up and down or if you're in the sling or being held in daddy's arms you kick your legs and wave your arms. Your favourite song is still Uptown Funk.<br />
At night you sleep with us, needing to feel our closeness, often with daddy's finger clenched tightly in your little fist.<br />
When you wake you look for me and snuggle in close for a few minutes before drifting off again. You are pretty rubbish at going to bed though and need comforting every hour or so, which can be tiring, but I know it won't be forever and after all you are only little...but I would really like it if you could stop biting me please.<br />
Darling girl, you are so loved, we are so blessed that you chose us, how we have loved every second of these past 9 months<br />
<br />Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646760896578776857noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475675772650336352.post-84694458117747125582016-01-10T08:17:00.002-08:002016-01-10T08:17:42.412-08:00not dolls...Even though I took all of December off from making dolls, I didn't of course stop making things.<br />
I have really enjoyed being free to make what I wanted to without feeling guilty that I should be working on people's orders. I am going to try and balance that a bit more this year: doll making and making other things including some more clothes for the kids.<br />
Anyway here are a few of the projects that I worked on...<br />
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A knitted robin, I've had this pattern for several years and never made the time to knit it. There is a little nest to make too and 3 tiny eggs that tuck under the tail feathers.<br />
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Poor Ena, I have been hankering to knit rainbow dungarees for a long time, too and had the yarn for ages. It is a drops recycled cotton and I love the colours. I made them very bloomer-y and I hope that they will grow with her. </div>
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Around Christmas time we watched <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0457419/">Mr Magorium's Wonder Emporium</a> In it there is a little sad sock monkey who sits on a shelf and every time anyone walks past him he holds out his arms for a hug. Well it broke Joa's heart and he asked me to make him one. I was surprised how quick it was, I found a pattern online and made him out of 3 old socks. Rebe and I had fun for several days afterwards making him clothes, she made the trousers for him and I knitted his jumper and hat.</div>
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Today, because he needs them, I made Joa a matching pair of trousers complete with 'peekers' another long time request.</div>
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The kids are always busy making things too and I am really enjoying listening and watching them play at the moment with what they make.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Benny made an I-pad out of kinetic sand</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rebe made a mask out of an old cereal box</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They have made themselves a wonderful minecraft handbook to help them should they ever get a minecraft game</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<br />Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646760896578776857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475675772650336352.post-54671135105302290202016-01-08T05:02:00.002-08:002016-01-08T05:02:49.362-08:00optimistic<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZb7TRVtkL1DZzhBMpZGypjkija0Ja29TKgcpibqFNBUOIBFHWjk4AsAkkfV6D7AgXYO3Qd9kQJQepTepac4H44VcD5aIbw0VGx5vZ2sYk6RYF2IwASkVknmZE7T0oNcnZaM43SCVjIhCD/s1600/mooch+181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZb7TRVtkL1DZzhBMpZGypjkija0Ja29TKgcpibqFNBUOIBFHWjk4AsAkkfV6D7AgXYO3Qd9kQJQepTepac4H44VcD5aIbw0VGx5vZ2sYk6RYF2IwASkVknmZE7T0oNcnZaM43SCVjIhCD/s400/mooch+181.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">painted 1st January 2016</td></tr>
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I have started this year feeling so good. I feel excited and very optimistic about the coming year.<br />
Last year had some big changes in it: Ena arrived, Garry went back to work, Joa started school and although we have taken all of these changes in our stride, and none of them have been anything but good and positive, change takes time. Adjustment to a new way of being.<br />
But I feel we have now done this, we have learned our new grooves and we are heading into the new year in a safe and happy place.<br />
I feel very strongly that this year will be a year of abundance for us. I feel the universe is going to shower us with everything that we need and more.<br />
Don't get me wrong though, I don't anticipate that life is somehow going to be on hold, I am sure that this year will also bring new challenges and changes. in fact the first card I drew from my '<a href="https://www.etsy.com/ie/transaction/1093653234">Crazy, Sexy Love Notes</a>' (a gift to myself for the new year) is this one...<br />
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and the last sentence on the flipside:<br />
<i>'The universe always has your back'</i><br />
Which has been my mantra for several years now.<br />
So, you are welcome 2016 with everything that you bring, and for all of it we are grateful!Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646760896578776857noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475675772650336352.post-8181546357103841302015-12-07T01:44:00.000-08:002015-12-07T01:44:24.026-08:00stitches There have been needles flying this weekend here Under Rainbows.<br />
When Rebe was still tiny my mum made a beautiful advent calendar. 24 little red gingham bags tied with green ribbon pegged onto a red cord. Every year she makes such an effort and sends or brings a box filled with little gifts and chocolates to fill the bags. The kids take it in turns each morning to open the bag, receive a gift and deal out the chocolates. On Friday it was Rebe's turn to open the advent calendar.She got this beautiful cross stitch. At first she was a little hesitant but after the first row became completely addicted.<br />
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After 6 hours straight stitching on Saturday whilst listening to a Harry Potter audiobook she had finished it!<br />
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Benny wanted to try as well. I managed to get large Aida in town and we made a simple pattern for him to follow and he is now also addicted. Didn't they do well.<br />
And as everyone else was stitching I joined in...<br />
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a tooth pillow for Benny whose 2 front teeth are very wobbly and will soon come out.<br />
I also started working on the large pile of repairs I had....<br />
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I left Benny's jeans a little late though and something moved in before I could put a patch on the hole. Now he says I can't patch them on the 'thing' that has moved in won't be able to get back out. Oh well! </div>
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This little lady is going through some massive changes at the moment. She has been eating solid food for a couple of weeks now. She showed little sign of sitting up or clapping until last Thursday when she all of a sudden just did both, perfectly. We think that is how Ena will be, just like her birth, no sign of it at all then all of a sudden completely mastered! All these changes, and the slow emergence of her teeth are taking their toll on her though, her sleep is very disturbed and she is cranky with it all. Poor thing, but it will all pass and we are just taking it one day at a time.Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646760896578776857noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475675772650336352.post-12692937647289916732015-12-04T13:41:00.002-08:002015-12-04T13:41:32.196-08:00this year's dolls...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Actually these are only the dolls that I made since September and I am now finished for this year.<br />
Oh I am so lucky to have found something that I love doing so much; something that I can work around the kids and our family life and something that brings so much joy to little people all over the world.<br />
I have had some wonderful projects again this year.<br />
What is most marked about this years dolls is that so many of them are dolls for boys, an upshot of having written 4 published articles about boys and dolls and also recently having done a radio talk show too.<br />
I realise that I write very little about my dolls (and indeed everything) here and I will try and change that in the coming weeks.<br />
I am also delighted that several of these dolls are sibling dolls, made for the little brothers and sisters of people who already have one of my dolls. That is amazing feedback in itself!<br />
But it has been a busy few months, I have worked mostly with Ena napping in the sling on my back and I know that in the coming year this will change, not only as I feel the muscles in my shoulders burning under her weight, but she is growing up, needing fewer naps, needing more time doing things and exploring the world and we can't do that from my work room.<br />
Also when there has been time I have been sewing rather than doing anything else, so the housework has been terribly neglected, I haven't baked as much, or walked as much and I feel the need for more balance. So in 2016, although I currently have 17 dolls on my waiting list, I will pace myself slowly, allow time for other things, other crafting and above all time to show Ena the world.<br />
But as always I am grateful for this skill that I have found, for the people who support me and the wonderful feedback that I get. <br />
<br />Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646760896578776857noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475675772650336352.post-89508157019350019692015-10-20T13:43:00.001-07:002015-10-20T13:43:27.282-07:00The No-Nonsense Guide to Green Parenting ~ a reviewSeveral months ago I was approached by a publisher asking if I would review a book on my blog. The book is Kate Blincoe's The No-Nonsense Guide to Green Parenting. The publisher had come across this blog as it is listed on t<a href="http://thegreenparent.co.uk/articles/read/five-blogs-we-love-right-now/">he Green Parent's magazine's</a> website as one of their favorite blogs (thank you very much!)<br />
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Although life is so full and busy here and I barely have time to read, this is a wonderful book to pick up and put down. The whole family really enjoyed it.<br />
Kate Blincoe breaks down green parenting into a number of chapters. I will briefly review each one here: <br />
<i>Learn and play naturally~ </i>This is all about keeping play green in your house. It talks about the consumption of toys and play items. This is a topic I feel very strongly about and over laps with my own work making waldorf dolls. Obviously some kinds of toys are more harmful to the environment than others.The book gives fantastic alternative suggestions to filling your child's toy box with factory produced, plastic battery toys. It suggests choosing play things that are made from sustainable materials, or even simply buying second hand or accepting handed down toys, saving a lot of natural resources and landfill space.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rebe's homemade rocket, hours of fun making it, hours of fun playing with it</td></tr>
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Of course letting children make their own toys is a great way to save the environment as well as giving them a fantastic creative outlet. I still maintain that a sellotape dispenser is one of the best gifts you can give someone age 4+. This chapter also encourages the joys of playing in nature and offers some wonderful suggestions to get your little ones outside to enjoy the playful and wonderful natural world around them.<br />
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<i>Your green nest~</i> I loved this chapter, it offers a host of simple ways that you can green your home without feeling that you have to invest vast sums of money in building a wind turbine or some such. Suggestions such as natural (and inexpensive) cleaning products and making/ upcycling your own clothes (yes yes) as well as a host of energy saving tips are brilliant and practical ways that you can have a greener home (and save a lot of money too).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">we buy organic when we can, if there is an organic option then that is what we choose</td></tr>
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<i>Can I eat it now</i>~ Often when we think about being green we think of the material possessions that we have and want around us, but of course the food we consume: where it comes from and how it is farmed is just as important. This was a really thought provoking chapter, and it has made me think again about our food choices. Of course breastfeeding is the most green way to feed Ena, but growing our own, seasonal shopping and not being wasteful are all things that have been brought back to the forefront of our minds.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">gorgeous rosehip syrup, packed with vitamin C and free!</td></tr>
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<i>Hunter-Gatherer ~</i> How timely this chapter is, the world around us is bountiful with free food and we have been enjoying finding and eating the delicious treats the hedgerows and woods have to offer. There are brilliant recipe suggestions for every season in this chapter and foraging tips and advice. We have already made rosehip syrup, which the kids love on their porridge in the mornings and we will definitely be trying the nettle muffins too!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pre-fold cloth nappies drying on the line</td></tr>
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<i>Body Talk ~</i> this chapter was a wonderful confirmation that the way we approach our bodies is pretty green. It talks of cloth nappies (which we use exclusively) and wipes. I liked that the approach to this and all subjects in the book was gentle, and the author herself admitted that she didn't get on with cloth nappies. There are some more great ideas for natural treatments of minor ailments, and green alternatives to chemical laden bathroom and laundry products.<br />
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<i>Little green fingers ~ </i>gorgeous gardening ideas about growing your own, minding garden wildlife and practical ways to build a bug hotel.<br />
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<i>How Nature can nurture your family ~</i> this is one of the most important chapters in the book I think. It is about getting our families out into nature. It lists ways we can engage ourselves and our children in the natural world around us. The bottom line is that for future generations to want to save our planet, we need them to care about it and love it and this will only happen if they spend time, happy time there as children.<br />
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<i>Green celebrations ~</i> I thought this was a lovely chapter to be included and gave some wonderful suggestions about opting out of the mass produced, wasteful nonsense that is aggressively marketed to us as the way to celebrate. The alternatives suggested by Kate are simple, home made and thoughtful and will definitely add a special magic to any celebration.<br />
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Over all the book is a wonderful read, it has beautiful illustrations and photographs that the children have really enjoyed looking at.<br />
Garry loved this book too, he liked that it was affirming everything that we do, the small little efforts that we make.<br />
We also really liked that it was in no way preacher-y, I never felt that I was failing or felt judged when I was reading this book. It is not about what we are doing wrong, rather it suggests a million little ways that we can do it right, that we can be greener without too much effort, cost and ways that bring the family together and that are fun.<br />
For me the most important message was about love and respect for nature. Having solar panels on our rooves and an amazing eco car that only drives on waste bio oil is good going, but not realistic for most and is also arguably not as important as teaching the next generation about loving the world around us, understanding the impact our choices have and trying in lots of small ways to be greener.<br />
I highly recommend it, you can purchase a copy of the book <a href="https://www.greenbooks.co.uk/the-no-nonsense-guide-to-green-parenting">here</a> or <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-No-Nonsense-Guide-Green-Parenting/dp/0857842544">here</a>.<br />
Happy reading and happy greening :-) <br />
<br />Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646760896578776857noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475675772650336352.post-15674308016429242032015-10-09T03:02:00.000-07:002015-10-09T03:02:13.943-07:00autumn everyday<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">local, organic apples from a friend</td></tr>
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The days are flying by. A blur of school and work and really quite sleepless nights.<br />
Ena is teething, she is growing and changing so much. Ready to start tasting food, coming into herself firmly. There are things she loves; trees, her doll, her brothers and sister. She is so interested in the world, the sights, smells and sounds. All of this is much more interesting than being on the boob, making what she eats in the day very little so she is making up for it at night. Mostly we co-sleep, most evenings I have her in my arms or Garry puts her in the sling and takes her for walks. It can be tough at times, there is little time for anything and life marches on at it's relentless pace. How I wish there was a pause button. When we could all just be still, take a few hours to do nothing, but we don't and so we must notice the small moments or life will just march past without us even being aware of what this life is. And anyway that is where the beauty of life is anyway, in the small moments.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">watching the cobbler mend Joa shoes</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">kids cook saturday Pizza made by Rebe</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_nXrfAvuN3VnZofbkvhFZ286WPcOsdKZJurcg7BHupwrQQsM4u562DdBaygwsrCkz6bwFGOIgpGH8F2Oajy68LQ2h-9gq16ub7QfPra4jHSIC4212RrEkCN06McVaFBPesmcHiy-GXYH/s1600/Garry+Birthday+50+074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_nXrfAvuN3VnZofbkvhFZ286WPcOsdKZJurcg7BHupwrQQsM4u562DdBaygwsrCkz6bwFGOIgpGH8F2Oajy68LQ2h-9gq16ub7QfPra4jHSIC4212RrEkCN06McVaFBPesmcHiy-GXYH/s400/Garry+Birthday+50+074.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a visit to the model railway</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">beautiful Ena</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">evening chores</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_TxNWpWlqjIw-vBMbByvZiLiBGtL3QlWeoXF4d7UZ66dl4i5YL8mc423Ht9aoosPQf-pC2rL8ANSQl8YIWm5LzGS-Kyrp5CrBOYvE9-oS8Z5JNVSohdNhzJurlY9Oj7kM3hM2_6TNeORr/s1600/Garry+Birthday+50+087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_TxNWpWlqjIw-vBMbByvZiLiBGtL3QlWeoXF4d7UZ66dl4i5YL8mc423Ht9aoosPQf-pC2rL8ANSQl8YIWm5LzGS-Kyrp5CrBOYvE9-oS8Z5JNVSohdNhzJurlY9Oj7kM3hM2_6TNeORr/s400/Garry+Birthday+50+087.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bedtime story</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-B7sEcfIEMUnoVbxC6zztaOxQQ_7OO5AjEF1wE6L8QEpViGV_432uG-hYy1eyGTkFS3_dk1P1jYWwHnK48udR2zFHT8qwOR1dC2h5DNDwaCVb8VVys8PY_G5FAUeYjST0QEy6SMfMtLTM/s1600/giveaway+doll+and+flopsy+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-B7sEcfIEMUnoVbxC6zztaOxQQ_7OO5AjEF1wE6L8QEpViGV_432uG-hYy1eyGTkFS3_dk1P1jYWwHnK48udR2zFHT8qwOR1dC2h5DNDwaCVb8VVys8PY_G5FAUeYjST0QEy6SMfMtLTM/s400/giveaway+doll+and+flopsy+005.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">baking with floppsy</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">autumn branches and acorns in bottles</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxViyo129f3GoK0Ti_3q2Jpd9JFtg3YRv33k3lmd07YHEe-ETYtA2YSw19ryvVkWBo4Fdr2gRVYmU7ljtbByBE6pellqDXdWynfCHk96qVrqJuSz89c-HmO5EqCs6zYI1k63I1MYCTLV7Z/s1600/giveaway+doll+and+flopsy+042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxViyo129f3GoK0Ti_3q2Jpd9JFtg3YRv33k3lmd07YHEe-ETYtA2YSw19ryvVkWBo4Fdr2gRVYmU7ljtbByBE6pellqDXdWynfCHk96qVrqJuSz89c-HmO5EqCs6zYI1k63I1MYCTLV7Z/s400/giveaway+doll+and+flopsy+042.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">crafting with friends for a new arrival</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-5zov1wU33bj1FbSmGg5b63WUHmM7W04ZCSj2kXdbnRbJvGDJeSOHKQxgF-72IhR_vmwRG09cXUnqFjbmo581BGmG2rUha6bHkTts3j70BDA12dNiAiHHU0u3vzbyJulj7z_j-Ez2Kw7O/s1600/giveaway+doll+and+flopsy+045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-5zov1wU33bj1FbSmGg5b63WUHmM7W04ZCSj2kXdbnRbJvGDJeSOHKQxgF-72IhR_vmwRG09cXUnqFjbmo581BGmG2rUha6bHkTts3j70BDA12dNiAiHHU0u3vzbyJulj7z_j-Ez2Kw7O/s400/giveaway+doll+and+flopsy+045.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">nettles en croute</td></tr>
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<br />Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646760896578776857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475675772650336352.post-86513158221940573232015-10-09T02:40:00.000-07:002015-10-09T02:40:08.697-07:00Garry's Birthday ~ the big three three<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVBJlWO-Yrb5H0geTdUcwr16NoQLhNLECu02LTDG_7ZNX28GkP6u6Fl8MZEMtKucc05awxEcyqzawr9GRw5uG4iKVcHVQo7FT47be4kNVVujkoqdIImL3xJoPpHApY9gSHIpLv2nf5180s/s1600/Garry+Birthday+50+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVBJlWO-Yrb5H0geTdUcwr16NoQLhNLECu02LTDG_7ZNX28GkP6u6Fl8MZEMtKucc05awxEcyqzawr9GRw5uG4iKVcHVQo7FT47be4kNVVujkoqdIImL3xJoPpHApY9gSHIpLv2nf5180s/s400/Garry+Birthday+50+003.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">birthday mayhem</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh13m7kZEqM3I2I9dJgJR9yc-6r7puj83plgGhbqNO-M7WOsdehCJ1_gG0wS4ozZ2_efbI_E8AzJW3S9P8kPk4HLZvxIacu9771eF8voebmTyRdS-iVouyF1u-khp2iaOi1DL2EpQwv3LY_/s1600/Garry+Birthday+50+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh13m7kZEqM3I2I9dJgJR9yc-6r7puj83plgGhbqNO-M7WOsdehCJ1_gG0wS4ozZ2_efbI_E8AzJW3S9P8kPk4HLZvxIacu9771eF8voebmTyRdS-iVouyF1u-khp2iaOi1DL2EpQwv3LY_/s400/Garry+Birthday+50+005.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">birthday table</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">elvis gifts</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJbZyFXiAoJCnIDZpXKCzGGnhV6sJ3fVOziq_o2OuCS1HLMJ6h8cKr8fsHaiKzo9y8vgTCSeZZuKKw7VAQalmsddaX1-gkXM4tccJkCxWeUTWzdKEiS3Wj6svm5DR_R5lvTqNDGP3WrSXZ/s1600/garry1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJbZyFXiAoJCnIDZpXKCzGGnhV6sJ3fVOziq_o2OuCS1HLMJ6h8cKr8fsHaiKzo9y8vgTCSeZZuKKw7VAQalmsddaX1-gkXM4tccJkCxWeUTWzdKEiS3Wj6svm5DR_R5lvTqNDGP3WrSXZ/s400/garry1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cake from work</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXUmYaoyqnHA-996qTTiLRmFMZ_JBu-R21Q1Ch4wtQ_9X02VOZoCkw0rd-4fxewblip4OvrE-UbGzFucBAy14Z_2j73HWon-erTWB1FhfwNbJs74Saz05-xvpgvUywmkd2brEC9U5phZ0U/s1600/Garry+Birthday+50+082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXUmYaoyqnHA-996qTTiLRmFMZ_JBu-R21Q1Ch4wtQ_9X02VOZoCkw0rd-4fxewblip4OvrE-UbGzFucBAy14Z_2j73HWon-erTWB1FhfwNbJs74Saz05-xvpgvUywmkd2brEC9U5phZ0U/s400/Garry+Birthday+50+082.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">henrietta, sammy and ning </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvzj92L2meTDXRtX9kqNoIKD-4r4ZlPeEP5vtIY0XmwdL6lzncbyhyphenhyphenjCiZyb2Z43neBNqLJjqTkEge0MavZ6OR4jB7SlkGrF7DQ0oxBQw7sihDDZU8NOIfdhMyBbb82rzk43EL5yO2o690/s1600/Garry+Birthday+50+083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvzj92L2meTDXRtX9kqNoIKD-4r4ZlPeEP5vtIY0XmwdL6lzncbyhyphenhyphenjCiZyb2Z43neBNqLJjqTkEge0MavZ6OR4jB7SlkGrF7DQ0oxBQw7sihDDZU8NOIfdhMyBbb82rzk43EL5yO2o690/s320/Garry+Birthday+50+083.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the first egg</td></tr>
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Last week we celebrated Garry's Birthday. Each year he celebrates being 33 and this year was a particularly big 33rd Birthday.<br />
He
started the day with presents in bed brought to him with much
excitement and fanfare by the children. They had used their pocket money
to buy things that they know he likes, a teddy, biscuits and beer.<br />
Benny
in particular was so proud of his present. It was the first time he had
bought something for someone else and he had been dying to give his
present for weeks. It was delightful.<br />
The rest of the morning
passed as normal with school and physio appointments. When the kids cam
home from school again we set the birthday table and birthday mayhem
ensued, with champagne, donuts and more gifts. Garry was delighted and
happy and felt very loved and special.<br />
We made a feast of a dinner
and desert then headed down to the beach with some friends of ours for
some beers and a bonfire. The sky burned red as the sun went down and
then to our utter delight and awe a blood moon rose over the horizon. A
huge, wonderful supermoon. It was incredible and left us reeling until
the next day.<br />
Later that week work had a little surprise
celebration for him. Ena and I called in and the staff had arranged a
cake and several beers were drank with his boss and workmates. We hopped
into the van and I drove us home with a big bunch of balloons tied onto
the roof merrily popping all the way.<br />
When we got home I showed
him the present that his great friends had brought for him while he had
been at work...4 beautiful point of lay pullets for his hen house. With
his work uniform still on he set to work securing the hen house and
getting to know them . Work well done as he was rewarded with our first
egg the next morning.<br />
He had not even finished sorting out the
hens when his buddies called for to take him out and surprised him with a
trip to Kinsale where they had tapas and many drinks and a lot of fun,
and his final (and much needed) gift for the week was a day off from
work the next day!<br />
He had a great time and I think he really felt celebrated and loved.<br />
Happy Birthday Darling xxLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646760896578776857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475675772650336352.post-58507713832080342872015-09-25T06:02:00.000-07:002015-09-25T06:02:15.913-07:00waldorf doll for baby ~ giveaway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHD3S4mZYueZ8u6copGtuZ5GKYshkSTL68r6HgsDyOc72xUveLEEkvRG7gI1u9ZWUPA4KPrtIBEaGkqorVRbIiY2VI4m9Xj9hoodWoPBP_66k1tMadXKYQwswyAUB4u14B4vVE5ZySZNGT/s1600/giveaway+doll+and+flopsy+018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHD3S4mZYueZ8u6copGtuZ5GKYshkSTL68r6HgsDyOc72xUveLEEkvRG7gI1u9ZWUPA4KPrtIBEaGkqorVRbIiY2VI4m9Xj9hoodWoPBP_66k1tMadXKYQwswyAUB4u14B4vVE5ZySZNGT/s400/giveaway+doll+and+flopsy+018.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
Inspired by Ena I made a new kind of doll this week. A Snuggle Baby. . It is my most simple doll with only a little head and 2 hands, the body has no form or stuffing making it really easy to grab and snuggle for little people who are only just discovering their hands.<br />
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It is made of the softest, loveliest rainbow striped jersey. The hat has a wee knot and the hands are made of 2 tight little knots of sheep's' wool covered with cotton interlock. These wee knots are brilliant for chewing on to soothe sore little gums. The head is made in the traditional waldorf style, of rolled sheep's wool covered with cotton interlock and hand embroidered with little eyes and a simple mouth. The cheeks are blushed with a little red wax.<br />
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Ena loves her little snuggle baby and I am so delighted with it I am making more to sell in the shop and to celebrate that I am giving one away over on my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/171652652869706/photos/a.208752709159700.58394.171652652869706/1039837589384537/?type=3&theater">Under Rainbows facebook page</a>.<br />
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Do pop by and give a like :-)Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646760896578776857noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475675772650336352.post-32816129908617365052015-09-24T02:56:00.001-07:002015-09-24T02:56:24.461-07:00September crafting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">rainbow doll cardigan</td></tr>
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I have not been able to blog for a whole month because our computers were both broken. But a friend of ours kindly fixed the laptop so I am back again, here in this space. The big computer is still broken and I fear that we will have to loose everything on it; all the pictures, all of my written work. It has made me more grateful than ever for this space, holding our pictures for us. It has made me feel that I want to blog more though, to preserve more precious moments online so we can look back on them together. </div>
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So much happened this month as well. We had a christening for Ena. It was amazing, over 150 people came to celebrate this little girl being in the world. The service was nice and we had an amazing gathering afterwards with a BBQ, bouncy castle and a band. We had family and friends travel from all over to share the day. We had a ball. Perhaps I will share a few pictures in another post.</div>
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Ena's outfit for the day was very simple. A little broderie anglaise dress, that had been in a hand-me-down bag, a simple white organic cotton vest and leggings that my mum bought and this cardigan.</div>
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It is made from handspun undyed sheeps wool and silk. Spun by my wonderful friend especially for Ena. I knitted it up, similar to the<a href="http://nestledunderrainbows.blogspot.ie/2015/08/the-cutest-thing-i-have-ever-knitted.html"> bumble bees sweater</a>, by heart and Garry made the buttons. He got a small branch from a hazel tree in the woods and cut a slice, sanded it smooth and drilled little tiny holes into it.<br />
I love the buttons and will definitely be getting him to make more of them!<br />
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In other crafting I am back doll making full force. Finding a rhythm with Ena's nap times, often sewing with her asleep in the sling on my back.<br />
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And of course there is always time for baking...<br />
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<br />Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646760896578776857noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475675772650336352.post-64748536685055497202015-08-27T03:00:00.001-07:002015-08-27T03:00:46.733-07:00school days<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Today is the first day back at school. And for one of us it is the first day ever of school.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7r3QVCBCt81Zkprsfr2YChN3QLj7V8AhW8fuFKo6fSr7Y8pj47PYnE6XLODq3dhCvMA6LxsHbTgnO5wA12Wx2Tt7jUc3A-6R7dqs7TqEAaJICjtBoi3cHXW8brCwrcs3vXWcqEd3iPTM_/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7r3QVCBCt81Zkprsfr2YChN3QLj7V8AhW8fuFKo6fSr7Y8pj47PYnE6XLODq3dhCvMA6LxsHbTgnO5wA12Wx2Tt7jUc3A-6R7dqs7TqEAaJICjtBoi3cHXW8brCwrcs3vXWcqEd3iPTM_/s400/003.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
He was so excited and proud this morning, even though he has been feeling a little under the weather for the past few days. He delightedly put on his uniform and his smart new school shoes and looked at himself in the mirror with a very proud, big-boys look on his face.<br />
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The others seem to be ok about going back; happy to see their friends, not so happy about the work. Excited to use their new pencils and workbooks, but no so happy about the sitting down for hours.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">walking to school</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">in we go</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">finding the classroom</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">finding his desk<br /><br /></td></tr>
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I think Joa will do well at school, he'll enjoy the people and the busy-ness and I am sure they will enjoy him too. I have a sneaking suspicion that he will also enjoy the work, he's not crazy about drawing here at home and would rather play his little table games, but I think in school he will manage it all just fine.<br />
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I of course have mixed feelings about them all going. I will miss them dreadfully, I love their company and we had so much fun this summer. But I am looking forward to the routine, I think the rhythm will suit Ena who is also finding her rhythm and need for more marked nap times. I am also looking forward to having a more structured day for myself and I am hoping this will give me a chance to exercise more and work on my dolls more and perhaps even blog more (fingers crossed).Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646760896578776857noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475675772650336352.post-17111613342118597312015-08-20T03:09:00.000-07:002015-08-20T03:09:14.336-07:00the cutest thing I have ever knittedI am so delighted with this little top I knitted for Ena.<br />
It is made specially for her in every way.<br />
The yarn was handspun and dyed for her by my lovely friend Melissa.<br />
I made up the pattern adjusting one of my favourite baby knits.<br />
The buttons were bought from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/ie/shop/liddylogs">here</a> because they have tiny bumblebees on them and are so happy and cute.<br />
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A perfect sweater for our perfect Ena BumblebeenaLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646760896578776857noreply@blogger.com9