My Personal Library

Ooh, my heart!

It is raining!

I am lounging on my bed, still in my nighty and robe because holidays.

KittyPuss is purring and giving me a gentle massage to get herself into an optimal position of comfort and warmth.

The rain is a steady drizzle.

On my left I can hear it through the open laundry window dropping down on the the tin roofed back verandah.

On my right it is giving my front garden a much needed drink.

It has been warm and dry around here lately, this weather is very welcome.

I did plan to mow the lawn today but I guess the universe is giving me a day of rest.

And what better to do on a cool, rainy day than wrap up in a home made crocheted blanket and fall into a book.

(Im even inspired to bake some treats but I've become quite opposed to cooking lately so we shall see how that goes.)

Do you remember a while back I mentioned I was making a list of the books I read this year?

Well last night I finished the last book I will read this year so thought I could share my list and some pics of my growing book collection. 

So starting at my list, I definitely have an eclectic style.

The book that has stood out to me the most would be Victoria Spry's 'Tortured'.

That word is an understatement of her life.

My heart immediately attached to her.

I started reading her book in early October and often when I read a book based on true events I will google information and look up videos to put a face and voice to the story, which is what I did when I read Victoria's.

I was watching an interview of her, and thought her to be so down to earth, and lovely despite everything she had been through.

She seemed like someone I would like to be friends with.

I began reading the comment section of the interview and discovered some terrible news.

I googled it to confirm if it was true, and many news websites had announced it was.

Victoria had taken her life earlier in the month.

The timing really got to me.

At the end of her book i believed she was on her path to claiming her life and would be ok, but she was never able to escape her fear.

My heart goes out to her forever.

When I read a dark story I try to select a lighter book next, to balance out emotions.

There were a couple of books I got about halfway through and just could not bear to finish, and it took me a while to convince myself that I am allowed to not enjoy a book and I dont have to finish it.

I've had this bookcase for a few years now but it was so crammed with books I didn't even know what was hiding amongst it all!

I had to do something!

So this cube unit was bought, assembled, and filled instantly. 

I had planned to use my original case for our board game collection but I have more books than I realised.

This is my dining room, the first thing you see when you step inside my little house.

I love the homely, family touches.

Everything has its story and meaning.

The tree stump is from my neighbours front yard, reminds me of them and is a conversation starter..

"Why do you have a tree stump in your house?"...

Why not?!

My boys heights are recorded on the giant ruler I made.

My dads picture hangs on top.

There are 2 very full shelves of books I have bought, from op shops mostly, that I am yet to read.

I love having the option of so many books to choose next to go on my bedside table.

Its like my own personal library.

With my adored books are bits and pieces that are extra special to me.

Things my boys have made at school, like this seal Son1 created.

And these by Son3. 

He made the little echidna when he was in pre-primary - it did have toothpicks for spines but even at this age, the boys still male a mess of them so I removed them.

Son1 crafted this beautiful wooden spoon at school this year.

He is a very hands on person and despite his mind going 100mph, he applies himself to his creations.

I also love to collect things.

Little pieces of nature.

Butterfly wings, moths, dragonflies.. all lifeless when i find them.

I would not harm anything for the sake of collecting.

Feathers, flowers, amber, leaves...

The teeniest egg laid by one of my chickies.

I also adore bird's nests.

I have 4 or 5 that I've found on the ground in my walks.

Son2 made my day when he brought this one home from school for me!

He'd found it on the ground and thought of me.

He is such a sweet soul, and he knows his mama well.

When I was in high school I took woodwork classes (and loved it but had zero patience for sanding my work!), I made this little car that I have held onto for all these years.

Even letting my boys play with it when they were teeny toddlers, hence it looking a little scratched up.

Boof attended a different high school and also made a car!

He tried to make a truck but the design didn't work so he had to stick pieces back together.

I thought it was the coolest thing ever when Son1 (who attends the same high school as Boof) brought his home! 

He sure put Boof and my skills to shame!

And Son2 made a truck!

He said he wanted it to look like the truck Boof drives so put on the exhausts and the turntable.

Clever kids I tells ya!

Boof broke his hand a few months ago and inspired by painting my friends belly cast, I demanded he give me his cast to paint.

Now Boof is a big boy, he is 6'4" and SOLID..

And is absolutely petrified of aliens!!

So of course, being the spiteful but hilarious girlfriend I am, painted him fishing in a boat with UFO's overhead, hehe.

He knows I love him.

Well I should get moving.

Im getting chilly, its a day for warm leggings and a baggy hoody, me thinks.

The boys are in the city spending time with their dad and Boof is at work so its just PoochGirl, KittyPuss and me.

Poochgirl hasn't been well lately and woke this morning in pain.

She rarely cries or whimpers but scared me awake this morning with a yelp.

She was very stiff and sore, i think because she spent the night on the floor beside me in bed.

Poor girl I getting on a bit and on several medications, I'm dreading the inevitable day we must part.

But she walked out her pains this morning, had lots of cuddles and is happily curled up in her own warm bed.

I wonder if the KittyPuss will be cranky if I move to get dressed. 

She has snuggled herself in close to me where its warm, and I know she's comfy because she  got her head upside down, hehe.

I love that she feel safe with me.

This pic is a few weeks old.

No photo today, she has lost her collar and is getting about rudie-nudie!

One last garden pic to leave you with.

This rain will be making my grapes very happy, and soon my belly will be very happy!

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday and keep safe in the new year.

*What are you reading at the moment?

**Do you have a favourite genre??

Toodles 🤍🤍🤍

A Goddess's Keepsake

Oh, hello holidays, my old friend!

I've missed you more than you could imagine!

It has been craAazy these last few weeks but now is time for resting the body, mind and soul.

I want to share an important project I worked on recently.

My good friend approached me with a very special request.

While pregnant with her youngest baby, she made a cast of her goddess belly.

Her husband carefully laid layer upon layer of plaster strips over her torso.

Her 3 young children all placed a piece too, how beautiful!

13 years later she decided it was time to have her dream fulfilled of having it painted.

I was terrified to be honest, when she asked me the honour of doing so!

She knew exactly what she wanted in the design and before long, excitement balanced out my fear and I began sanding the plaster and sketching templates.

I used my templates to create the layout and make adjustments as needed.

My friend was very honest through the whole process, not holding back and telling me if something should be moved over a smidge.

So with the design sketched on and masked over, it was time to begin the colour!

Eek! I cannot tell you how petrified I was to do this step!

But I slathered on the chosen colours and to my hearts relief, it wasn't half bad.

The hours ticked by as I leant over with my brushes, the curtain tickling my feet as the breeze blew in the window.

Despite the pressure of wanting it to be perfect, it was quite relaxing.

Colours blended together.

Texture was applied.

So this was the design she explained and guided me with along the way. 

The cherry blossoms were an afterthought to represent her heritage.

The bottom was going to be lily pads but again, we collaborated and agreed to further the symbolic meaning and incorporate a gecko and koi fish.

Kicking myself for suggesting the koi, I sketched it on and sweated furiously while painting it in.

Id never done any kind of fish before, or used the technique of anything being semi underwater.

But I persevered, made constant touch ups, and completed the detailing.

And then it was done.

It was finished so abruptly I searched it over thinking there was supposed to be more.

This project was such a journey of growth for me. I went outside of my comfort zones and attempted things I hadn't before.

Each brush stroke was filled with heart, soul and concentration.

Every segment in the design symbolises something very special and personal for my friend.

I am so relieved that my friend loves it as much as she does.

As much as I do.

I will be forever grateful that she chose me

🤍🤍🤍

Ooh, You're My Best Friend!

Halloo, hello!

I wanted to stop by quickly to share some special photos.

I've been a bit hesitant to do this post but it signifies something very special and important to me, so I want to document it in my little way.

Warning! Mushy Post Alert!

The roses in my little slice of Earth have been blooming oodles.

Petals soft as silk. 

Colours that looks good enough to eat.

And what's that.. something special has popped into this one!

Oh my goodness..

Its here!

*deep excited inhale*

The bootiful ring that Boof bought for our engagement was completed and ready for collection!

Boof had to work so my good friend and I drove the 5 hours to collect it, did a bit of shopping, then turned around and drove the 5 hours home.

While I do love the whimsy of a bit of romance I can only take it in small doses, which is lucky because romance is not Boof's thing. 

(Thats not to say he doesn't melt my heart at times!)

But as we didnt do a traditional proposal I told Boof I wouldn't wear the ring until he put it on me.

That night, with Boof's order of a bucket of KFC wafting through the air, Shrek playing in the background, both of us utterly exhausted after a long day each, he unexceptionably slipped the ring onto my finger.

Perfect!

Boof and I spent a few years of our childhood as neighbours in a small town. Our dads worked together and were friends outside of work too. Boof and I were regulars at each other's houses or more often than not we were out in the bush making cubby houses in the trees. His family moved away and we lost touch. After many years we bumped into each other on social media and our friendship was right where it left off. He was a rock and a safe place for me as I went through the separation with the boy's dad. When everyone else was gone it was Boof who would ring me to make sure I was ok. If I got upset on the phone he would come over and just sit in the house so I wasnt alone. We didnt talk. It was just company. After some time we realised we felt strongly for each other and here we are today, 4 years together! He is still my rock and safe place, especially during the time when I lost my Dad. We are building our lives together, our house is our home where we are both most comfortable. He treats the boys as his own, they crack each other up but he has also taught them naughty words. We drive each other nuts but we also make each other laugh so hard it hurts. Every day we learn new things from each other. I cant imagine my life without him. 

Best friends forever 🤍🤍🤍

(P.S. in case you noticed the new watermark on my pics, its the name I used to use for my market stalls and I will be making some changes here on my blog with it, keep your peepers peeled)

Weekend Delights... on a Wednesday!

Its the end of Wednesday.

The evening ritual is underway.

A cup of warm, sweet tea has filled my belly.

I've enjoyed a soothing hot shower using beautiful handmade soap.

The room has been spritzed with 'sleep' mist, and the matching oil has been splashed into my bedside dish (handmade by Son2) of lavender.

My fluffy pillows and doona swallow me in, safe in my nest.

The only light is from my dim bedside lamp (and phone as I type).

The wind is whooshing through the peppermint tree in the front yard.

PoochGirl has kerplunked herself (n)ever-gracefully on the carpet on my side of the bed.

I would usually read a chapter or two before switching off the lamp and letting the oils and wind drift me away to Slumberland, but tonight I want to share some Weekend Delights with you.

A few weekends ago ~ my favourite time of week ~ I decided it was time to pull up my 'stonker' (that's Aussie for big, hehe) beetroot and make something deelish.

Definitely a record for beetroot grown in my patch!

It would have been the perfect size to pickle and slice for sandwiches and burgers, but I had a more exotic plan for this baby, and its friends that remained protecting it.

I had found a simple but tasty looking recipe for beetroot and feta salad, so it was decided quite instantly that that would be my Saturday lunch.

Beetroots were cleaned, boiled til tender, then mixed with oodles of feta.

A zesty lemon and parsley vinaigrette drizzled on top.

Nom nom!

But wait!

Such a simple yet fancy treat can't be had on its own.

I took some juicy sweet lemons that I'd been allowed to help myself to at Boof's parents and squeezed and squeezed....

To make the bestest home made lemonade to go with my salad.

I took my tasty lunch into the garden and enjoyed the sunshine as I ate and drank, admiring my spring-awakened garden.

I am a simple girl.

(The rest of the beetroot haul went into a tart)

The poppies are coming to an end.

Son3 and I have begun collecting the seeds to spread for next year and to share with friends.

It has been a rewarding feeling to host so many bees with my poppies.

Til next year, my buzzy buddies..

Also a few weekends ago, I completed a special crochet gift for a friend.

She and I work together.

She has a little scooty stool (for lack of adult terminology) that she uses but its vinyl seat had been cut a few years ago and taped back together.

It wasn't holding together very well anymore so I suggested making a cover for it.

I followed a pattern for half of it but then had to wing it to make it large enough.

She is such a bright and bubbly character, it had to suit her sparkly personality. 

She was thrilled to bits when she saw it.

Nyaw, I get warm fuzzies in my tummy just thinking back about it :)

My sleepy oils are setting in.

Eyes are getting drowsy.

Breathing is getting deeper. Longer.

I just realised something a bit silly of me..

I have already titled this post so will leave it as a bit of a funny..

But I only just remembered it is not actually Wednesday today..

It's Thursday!!

Haha, ah well!

It was a good Thursday and it makes us even closer to the weekend!

I hope yours is full of all things that make your chops shmile and your heart sing.

But for now, I'm of to Slumberland 🤍🤍🤍