Hunting echidnas & native bees.

This writing a book business is hard.

Harder than I thought it would be.

I had thought that if you can write a blog then surely you can write a book, but now I'm not so sure. They're quite different.

My brain hurts from thinking so hard, my lower back aches from sitting at the computer for so long, and all of a sudden there are a gazillion other things I would rather be doing. Even scrubbing the bathroom seems like a fun adventure...I could put on some music...get the old toothbrush and bicarb out... Don't even mention the neglected basket of crochet constantly calling me from the other room.

Sometimes I feel so inside my words that I forget that the rest of the world is still spinning. That the family needs to be fed, that underwear needs to be washed and teacher's necklaces finished. I'm in a book bubble.

I know I've been given an awesome opportunity and I am grateful. I know that when I sit down and focus, the words come and mostly I like them. And I know that I am lucky enough to be working with some very talented people.

And most importantly, I know how blessed I am to have my funny little family to ground me. For berries to collect, an echidna to follow, native bee hives to look out for, sticks and slugs to name and tell stories about and the most wonderful farmer boy to grab my hand and remind me to be in the moment and to remember to breathe.

One word at a time.

One hole in a bead at a time (every few paragraphs).

I'll get there.

How are you going?
Are you getting there?

xx

Recharge.

In some crazy coincidence, the stars aligned and none of us had any place we absolutely had to be today. A couple of maybes popped up later in the week, but we stayed strong and said 'no thanks'. So after we picked up Miss Jazzy from her sleep-over and did the farm chores, the rest of the day was ours to do with as we pleased.

And we pleased.

It was slooooooooooow. Two of us never even got dressed. And we ate broad bean omelet for lunch and then pop corn and icy poles and ginger beer and peaches over the day. The girls watched a movie and some video hits and the smallest even had a nap. And we made beads and pottered in the garden, and picked some strawberries and did other odds and ends around the house.

It was all pretty cruisey.

It felt a bit like a battery recharging day. Like the calm before the next few weeks of storm. Like checking things off my what makes me happy to-do list. So much so that nobody had a shower tonight and I haven't even washed the school uniforms yet. Oh well. It certainly was a happy BEFORE have to kinda day.

Oh and the beads are one of the projects from Pip's cute magazine Good Stuff Guide. Have you seen it yet? It's full of ace people and projects and recipes and stuff to do and buy and make. And I've got a little list in there too. Go take a peek, you'll love it.

Did you have a fun day today?
Was it a recharge day?
Are you in the market for one?
Have you been making any cool crafty stuff?
Have you made these beads for necklaces?
I think we'll thread ours tomorrow, keep some for us and give the rest away to the teachers as prezzies.
Yay!

Have a fabulous and fun week my friends.

xx

Kitchen table makings.

Miss Pepper is threading me a necklace.

Miss Jazzy is drawing the best drawing she has ever done.

Miss Indi is making bunting for her new bedroom.

Do you recognise it?

And I am pressing some old hankies.

Its funny how time changes. The summer holidays used to seem endless when we were little. Long hot dreamy days that slowly tuned into weeks. But these past six weeks feel like they've flown by. We haven't done nearly as much as I'd thought we would. But we have hung around here a lot. We have really slowed down and followed our days where ever they have led us. Not many plans but lots of adventures.

I feel sad about the girls going back to school in a few days. I will miss these rambling, drifting days. I am no good at routine and don't really like watching the clock for drop offs and pick ups and always being prepared for the next thing.

But I will enjoy some quiet time. I will enjoy packing up from a meal and not having to make any more food again until the next meal and I will enjoy hanging out with the littlest and doing some three year old things with her.

And its less overwhelming this year because half way through we'll be heading off on our caravan adventure.

A huge and happy February to you lovely people reading along. May Mother Nature be calmer and may we all feel creative and inspired.

See ya!

Saturday crafternoon.

I am crocheting a rainbow of Michelle's Grandma Twinkle Stars. They are so easy and quick to make. The perfect Saturday afternoon kitchen table project.

Indi is using my old Bernina to make an owl softie called 'Princess'. She is going to be a very pink and girly owl.

Jazzy is threading a necklace for her teacher.

And Bren is trying to distract Pepper with a Dick Bruna-a-thon.

Yesterday's challah is calling to be made into toast with jam for afternoon tea.

I hope you are having a crafty afternoon.