Favourite Things Friday

It's still Friday somewhere in the world... and since I'm late to my own party this week  I'm making this short and sweet!

Work has been one big busy-fest since I went back in February. I've felt like I've been chasing my tail and haven't caught it once. But its school holidays here at the moment, which means that things are a mildly less crazy and my favourite thing this week is the luxury of catch up time. Time to do all those things that have been lurking and weighing heavily on my conscience.

I started the day yesterday with a pile that looked like this

and by the end of the day I was  feeling very chuffed that I'd managed to get it down to this.

Is there anything more satisfying than working your way through a load of stuff and getting it off your list? Never mind that I have about 6 piles like that to get through before school holidays end. I can do it ! 

Sometimes it's the simple things that make our hearts sing. Feel free to link up and let me know what made your week too. 

P.S. I've been really slack about responding to emails lately. Thank you to each and every one of you for your lovely comments. My email inbox has reached the point where I have so many I'm just going to cut my losses and start again. Back to normal this week I promise!

Favourite Things Friday

I'm going to preface this post by saying it isn't a joke. It's not April 1st and I'm not pulling your leg. Seriously. And I think this is going to sound like I'm standing on a soap box today and trying to convert people and I'm truly not. 

At the beginning of the year I vowed not to make any resolutions. But I did make a decision to try to cook more meals using fresh, seasonal produce and to increase my fruit and vegie intake. You may find this surprising if you've been hanging out round here for a while because I think my apathy towards vegetables has been fairly well documented. 

Then I started to explore why I don't really love vegetables and the conclusion I came to was that most fruit and vegetables are pretty tasteless and bland. I havent had a peach in years that tastes like the peaches we had as kids (which incidentally was the last time I was really happy about eating vegetables) And then I started worrying about pesticides and insecticides from mass produced stuff and about all the stuff I've been putting in my mouth that's been kept in storage for months before it gets to my fridge. And then I started worrying about all the battery hens that live their miserable lives in cages so I can have eggs that aren't all that good anyway so I can save a couple of bucks and I seriously started to hate myself. 

So after I had freaked myself right out about contributing to the downfall of the poor chooks and had gotten really mad about the supermarkets selling us cruddy quality fruit and vegetables and making us pay top dollar I went in search of a small local greengrocer who sources as locally as possible (thinking about my carbon foot print here), who didn't use excess packaging if possible and who had a range of organic offerings too. 

And I found one about 10 minutes from my house and his prices are really good too. And this places  has signs up on all the produce telling you exactly where things come from. 

Not only are we eating a ton more fruit (I hadn't had an empty fruit bowl at the end of the week ever and often threw out questionable stuff at the end of the week ) but I'm buying things that I wouldn't have bought before like organic free range smoked dry cured bacon and the most awesome eggs I've ever tasted. That must be because they come from happy hens.

Doesn't that fruit bowl look fabulous? Those peaches are the last of the season so there wont be any more till next Summer which is exactly how it should be.  And those pears are new season pears and they are so delicious and juicy. I even bought some funky new fangled variety of potatoes last week because they are meant to be great for making your own gnocchi. 

So my favourite thing this week is discovering a new found like for eating healthy fresh stuff and looking up new recipes for vegetables. Seriously. Little Miss Sunshine - you can come and stay knowing you'll be fed green stuff while you're here. 

Favourite Things Friday

This week has flown by, aided no doubt by the extra day off on Monday. Time really does seem to pass much more quickly the older we get. When I was a kid Summer seemed to last FOREVER, and now it seems to be here and then gone in a matter of few weeks. The year between Christmas and the next one seemed to stretch endlessly. I feel like I've just managed Easter when I start thinking about Christmas again. Maybe it's our perception of time that changes or maybe we have more things that fill our lives . Whatever the reason I really do wish I could recapture the time when time moved more slowly.

Enough reminiscing from me and onto my favourite thing for this week. I mentioned a while back that I was going to focus on updating some of my home decor this year. My house doesn't need a lot of change but it does need some tweaking. "Finishing touches" if you like. The lounge room was first and you can see that here. 

I've been looking for the perfect piece of furniture to make my entry hall vision a reality. Sadly I'm one of those people that get an idea in my head and then cant shift it and will spend months looking for the right thing . And then if I cant find it I pass it on over to Mr. P to make it (no pressure hon!) 

I've had this hall table for about 15 years and while I love it, it was definitely time for a change. The duchess mirror sitting on top is a family piece, first owned by my Mum and for the last 8 or so years it's resided here because it goes so perfectly with the table.

I've wanted a love seat in the entry hall.  Because the entry hall is quite small (there's nothing very grand about our house) this was proving quite a challenge. Until recently when I spied one on ebay. It was perfect!

And there's nothing like a massively oversized clock as a feature piece to remind you you're running late either. Our framed wedding pictures have been relegated to another part of the house which was cause for consternation for my MIL who thought we were getting a divorce. 

Chuck some pretty french inspired cushions on it and you have a completely different look. 

My original idea for this seat was for ambience but both his Royal Orange-ness and Little P have commandeered what Little P has christened the "sitting chair" so it's getting actual use. Little P and I use it to have talks, soothe wounded feelings and kiss ouchies better and Moredecai thinks he's the king of the house and this is his throne.  

That's my favourite for this week. Feel free to link up one of your favourites too.

Favourite Things Friday

I have a very different kind of favourite for you today. I've debated about writing this particular post because I rarely talk about my Monday to Friday persona on my blog. There has been a ton of revision and editing because I'm always conscious that at some point a parent I work with may stumble across my blog and see the "real" me. But what happened to me yesterday was such an epiphany and has been my favourite thing by far this week so I'm taking the leap and sharing it this week. 

I've had a whinge or two (or possibly three ) lately about how busy I've been at work. Like "crazy busy". "Don't get to eat lunch most days" busy. Like "if my phone rings one more time with something else I need to do right bloody now I'm going to explode" busy.

I work at a pretty high level of busy most of the time and I think I'm pretty good at juggling and responding to individual situations.  But since I went back to work post holidays it's been insane. Usually I have a balance between the tricky stuff and the other stuff. But lately work has been all about intense situations that can't be resolved in a day or week or month. To be dramatic about it (and we all know I do love me some drama) I feel like I'm running but I'm not sure what I'm running towards or whether I'll ever catch it. And I've tried all the things I know that would usually decrease my stress levels and help me put things in perspective and I'm coming up with a big fat zero. 

Back track to yesterday morning. I had an appointment for the whole morning at a kindergarten to see one of the little munchkins I work with. I'm thinking of the two other appointments I have crammed into my afternoon as well, and wondering when I'm going to have time to return phone calls, and emails and do all the other things I need to get done before I go home. And since I have about 30 hours of work racked up behind me and I know I'm going to generate another 10 hours worth today I'm feeling beyond overwhelmed. 

It's a well known joke among some kindergarten directors that when I walk into a kindergarten where I know multiple children instant chaos ensues for at least 5 minutes post arrival because of the level of excitement that my appearance tends to generate. It's very cool to be the "Flavour of the Moment " for that 5 minutes.   I get pulled around by the hand while Child A , B or C drags me round to see their art work , tries to pull me into playing with trains/in the sandpit , or brings me a book so we can read together.  

So yesterday I walked into the kindergarten and dropped my bag and was immediately surrounded.  I had one child recount with excitement the last time we saw one another which happened to be outside of work when I was buying Christmas decorations with Little P in mid December , three months ago. 

Another little person that I normally see at home, looked at me quizzically trying  to place me because he knew he knew me but my appearance at kindy was completely out of context. It took him about 15 seconds to work it out and then I got the biggest smile ever before he flung himself at my legs for a huge squeezy hug and then dragged me off to a corner to do puzzles. 

Another child legged it the length of the playground to come and say hello yelling my name the whole way. You know what's awesome? Having someone that excited to see you. 

I had a rainbow painted in my honour, I was spontaneously offered a half eaten cracker and a bite of banana to share at eating time because I'd totally forgotten to bring my snack, and I played in the sandpit without my shoes on. I became a one woman cheer squad for two kids going up and down the slide, helped make a cubby house out of old sheets and helped someone choose a library book  to take home (Russell the Sheep in case you're interested in what the 4 year olds are reading at the moment)  

Kids have a way of putting things in perspective without even doing it on a conscious level.   Kids tend to live in the moment and take great delight and joy in most of the things they do. Disclaimer: Vegetable eating may not be on that list. Kids tend to be excited about things that we as adults would barely notice. Three hours at kindy yesterday was all it took for me to gain the gift of perspective again. I walked out of there feeling lighter and calmer than I have in a very long time because a bunch of 3 and 4 year olds showed me how it should be done. 

In my profile I make mention of working with the pre-school crowd. What I don't make mention of is that all of the children I work with have disabilities or significant delays. Every day things for some of those children can be really difficult. Sharing can be hard, waiting can be tricky, and sometimes social exchanges and interaction can be a bit of a minefield. Yesterday I was reminded that even though I may feel that I'm running round in a circle like a headless chook that the things I do really can make a difference in the long run. And that I can still be an honorary kid when I want to. I just have to seize the moment. 

Favourite Things Friday

It's been a long work week despite the fact that Monday was a public holiday here. Yep- we South Australians had the day off for a horse race that most of us couldn't give a rats about. Consequently, I tried to cram 4 days worth of work into the remaining three days I was supposed to work this week but didn't quite pull it off so I'm off to work today. Before you all feel so sorry for me that you start planning a party to cheer me up -I'm planning to take Monday off instead,  which will seem silly to some of you , but for the obsessive types out there (like me !) you'll completely understand why I need to get some (hopefully most) of my outstanding work done today and not in three days time. Wow! Talk about run on sentences. I didn't breathe either as I typed that and now I'm feeling a little dizzy. Anyway, I'm really looking forward to knock off time later today.  

I've been  hearing some of my friends in the US still commenting (rather vocally) about how cold it still is there. Ummmm guys... didn't you send the weather a memo about it being 5 days off Spring? That being said, the start of the week here was a scorcher and I guess the sun can't be in two places at once. And the fact that it's still cold over there makes what I'm about to do potentially evil. 

As some of you know Mr. P and I are a planning a road trip through the US in the second half of next year.  But as I was reflecting on how awesome that is going to be, I realised that 18 months until that holiday is a looooong time to maintain my excitement so I decided to plan something "little" for this year as well. So in my not so spare time this week I've been researching flights and hotels, and things to do to escape the Aussie winter. When Sister of Pyjamas lived in the tropics I used to go there for 2- 3 weeks in the winter but since she moved here I've lost my bolt hole for winter escapes. So I've had to create my own warm weather getaway. 

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Thinking of staying here ... doesn't it look gorgeous?  

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It's been 24 years since I was last in Fiji and Mr. P has never been so since its only a hop, skip and a jump from Australia it seemed like the perfect place to land for a week or so of R & R. 

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Hoping for more than a few of these views (and cocktails.) I get ridiculously excited by pretty cocktails. 

Planning a tropical mini break is my fave this week. It's kept me going through excessively long work days and the thought that the sun is about go and hide for the next 6 months on the other side of the world. 

What about you? Any favourites to share? 

Favourite Things Friday

I can't believe it's been a week since I last wrote a post! I started one on Tuesday that I haven't finished yet (does that happen to anyone else ?) and before I knew it ...BOOM...Friday had rolled around again. 

I've been looking at my house lately and thinking about updating some of the decor. So last weekend I hit Ikea and Spotlight and a few other places to see if I could find anything that tickled my decor  gene. Judging by the sizeable dent in my bank balance I was massively inspired by pretty much everything I saw. 

This is my lounge room. You'll have to excuse the picture quality . I was using my Ipad. Ipads are great for game playing and surfing the net but not so great for taking pictures and I confess I was too lazy to go find my camera. 

I love the neutral tones in my house.  But for over a year now I've been thinking some pops of colour in this room might not be a bad thing. The dilemma has been which colour should I use? I think I have that sorted out now. 

Pops of turquoise , aqua and blue. 

A new end table for the other side of the sofa.

A new print for the large wall.

Pretty cushions and new pillow forms for the old cushions. (What a difference it makes having cushions that don't resemble pancakes)

A second end table meant I had to buy another lamp. I love lamps. 

And I moved this floor lamp to behind the chair that still needs to be recovered. I'm waiting for that fabric to make an appearance at my post office...

I'm amazed at what a difference just a few sploshes of colour can make to a room. This room is my favourite thing this week. Stay tuned as I work my way through the house. Mr. P is doing a lot of eye rolling as I incessantly talk about art work , mirrors , and more cushions.  

You can link up one of your favourites from this week too. You know the drill!  Write your own post and don't forget to visit anyone else who links up to show off a favourite. 

Favourite Things Friday

Another week draws to a close. I'm passionately in love with weekends.  I'm looking forward to a bit of a sleep in tomorrow (wishful thinking on my part I'm sure since Little P is coming for a sleepover tonight) and I'm planning to sew a lot this weekend too. 

This week my favourite thing is something I'm sure everyone who quilts , creates, sews or makes things can totally identify with. Out of nowhere in the last 48 hours I've had a rush of inspiring "I have to make this" ideas popping into my head. I ignored them for as long as I could (that was about 12 hours , six of which I was sleeping )since I have 7 other things sitting staring accusingly at me from the WIP pile but I found resistance was futile. The idea just wouldn't go away. 

That happens to me a lot. I have a list of things I want to make and usually I try to finish something I'm already doing before I start something else. But when I get an idea I feel really excited about I just have to act on it. I keep thinking about the finished item in my head and how pretty it's going to look and I cant help myself. And the only way to get that idea to stop taking up precious space in my brain is to start making it a reality.

So yesterday morning when I got up before I went to work I started cutting fabric. And last night when I got home from work I cut some more. In fact I was so excited about cutting this fabric I did it in the half dark because our power was out. That's commitment to a cause.  And this morning I'm about half way through cutting fabric for my new project and it looks like this. 

That lot seriously needs more green and some yellows. 

I also pulled these charm squares from my stash because I have been eyeing off a quilt design for about two years that I want to do and I finally decided which fabrics to use. But I solemnly swear I'm not starting this one until I finish something else. I just want to look at these for a while. And fondle them. That might be enough to stave off any more "I have to start this NOW " feelings. Gosh I hope so.(imagine me rolling my eyes here at my own lack of will power) 

The thrill of starting something new. That's my favourite thing this week. Because having 8 other quilting projects on the go isn't enough.  Please tell me the rest of you creative types struggle with this affliction too!

Maybe you'd like to share one of your favourite things this week. It doesn't have to be a confession. It can be anything you like. Write your own post and link it up below. And don't forget to visit anyone else who links up so you can see what rocked their socks this week. 

Favourite Things Friday

I don't know about you , but I've been waiting for Friday since Monday.

In the mornings things get measured in "coffee time" here not by the actual clock.  Despite the fact that I'm an early riser, I'm not quick to get going in the mornings. Nobody is allowed to talk to me before I've had my first sip of coffee.  I have to follow my morning routine before I can get my act together for the day. I get up and make a coffee, and then spend two (sometimes three !) coffees reading blogs, sorting through email, writing my list of goals for the day and tidying my house. Only then am I ready to start facing the actual reality of the day. 

Here's a sad confession. I'm so much of a coffee addict that for me even bad coffee is better than no coffee at all. And instant coffee is big in my house because it's quick and easy and not complicated to make. I do love those fancy schmancy coffees available from Hudsons, or Cibo, or Gloria Jeans, I'm just too mingey to pay over 5 bucks for a cup of coffee.   

Mr. P had been nagging me to go and get a coffee machine. He bought me one about 7 years ago and it was so complicated to use that it just sat on the bench taking up space. I never used it once because it entailed going back to uni to get another degree. I've been resisting the idea of another coffee maker because complex kitchen appliances throw me. I refuse for anything in my kitchen to have an higher IQ than I do. 

Fast forward to my holiday to Little Miss Sunshine's. She has a coffee maker.  I felt so cosmopolitan and worldly sipping coffee maker coffee every morning while on holidays.  

So when I got back I announced to a very surprised Mr. P that we were getting a coffee machine, and we went out the very next day and bought the identical model to the one at Little Miss Sunshine's house (mainly because I already knew how to use it). 

I have to say - this little gadget makes my mornings just a little brighter. It's idiot proof. So the instant coffee is just going to have to keep sulking in the pantry because it may never get used again.   

So that's my favourite for this week. Being able to have classy coffee whenever I like. What about you? Do you have a favourite to share this week? Link it up below so I can come and have a nosey.  

Favourite Things Friday

I went back to work on Wednesday. It's always a culture shock going back to work after holidays. Its not the going to work part I mind, its the getting out of my pyjamas to go there part. But people were happy to see me after an almost three week absence and I guess work is a good thing because it helps you appreciate your weekend more. For better or worse my real life has apparently re-commenced. At least until the next lot of holidays. 

I've had a lovely week peppered with potential front runners for my Favourite Things Friday post. After much deliberation, I've chosen this weeks mail as my absolute favourite because I had some lovely unexpected mail surprises that completely made my week. I've been smiling ever since this mail arrived. 

From Beck over at Sarcastic Quilter a box of goodness which included chenille and babushkas. I've been rolling around in the chenille since it arrived. I already have plans for that gorgeous blue stuff. 

And for Little P -cookies. 

I don't mind admitting that Little P had some help eating these. C'mon. Did you seriously think I was going to have Oreo's in the house and let the three year old scoff them all? 

Fudge covered Oreos - how I love thee.  

From Thea at California Dreamin I received the mother load of generosity and Oreo-ness. 

Just check out that Babushka fabric (and all those Oreos) I literally squealed when I opened the box. Triple Double Oreos? Are you freaking kidding me? I'm either moving to the US or starting a petition to have those available in Australia. And I've hidden all those Oreo's because they're MINE , MINE all MINE!

These utterly gorgeous handmade snowflakes have taken up residence in my dining room where I can have my own little bit of snow all year round. 

Ladies thank you for making my week with your fabulous surprises. Gotta love any mail that includes my favourite cookies and babushkas. 

The hits just kept coming this week mail wise. From Tasmania I received this postcard from V as part of the postcard swap that was hosted by Clare at Clare's Craftroom. Thank you for your newsy postcard V. Loved it. 

And I got a new winter coat via mail this week too. Hey if the Northern Hemisphere is having winter sales who am I to pass up the opportunity of a new winter wool coat at a third of the price I'd pay here come April?  And I've already spent the money I saved on a waffle iron because I've been coveting one of those for months. 

Now if you'll excuse me I have to have some Oreos for breakfast. 

Got something that rocked your world this week? Something you'd like to share? Then link up to this post to show us your favourite thing this week.