Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Something Good

Something I really dreamed of when I was growing up was that ideal neighbourhood. You know the one you see in movies; where the parents all wave at each other as they walk past, and stop for a chat. The kids can just run next door, or down the street to play with a friend. The older neighbours get looked in on by those next door, just to see if they are all right.

I know that the modern world and digital age has changed things, and the reality of this may be completely different to the shiny fantasy I see in my head, but it's a dream I have hung on to for a while now. I'm thinking of it (and blogging about it) at this moment because tonight, I contributed to making this dream a reality.

Two weeks ago, the house across the street from us was vacated by it's previous tenants, and yesterday, I saw someone pull up and start unloading. When I saw the lights on tonight, I thought there was no time like the present, and promptly loaded up some of the excess pasta I had made for dinner into a takeaway container, popped some ANZAC biscuits into a snap lock bag, and wandered on over. The person who greeted me was surprised and excited at the fact that someone had bought her dinner, and I left feeing really fabulous.

It occurs to me that this is what growing up should be about. I know that I want to see a great neighbourhood where people know and care for each other. I know that I want to live in such a neighbourhood, and have my kids grow up in such a place. And I've realised tonight, more than ever, that I am responsible for making that dream a reality. I have the power to help create such a place, right here and right now.

I am so thankful for the neighbourhood that I live in. Thankful that God has been so gracious to us, in giving us really wonderful and caring neighbours. I'm praying that I can continue to be a blessing to those in our street, not just when they move in.


Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Mass Production

This thing called mass production is really the best. I love it. I did it a bit last year when I made these birthday shorts (see?) and I got some cool new material recently so thought I'd make a few more. It's kind of handy knowing everyone has boys, because you really can just make a whole stack of boy shorts and then you are covered for the next six months or so of birthdays. Handy.


I did make five of them this time too (same pattern as last time, the Sycamore Shorts) but forgot to photo them until I'd given three away. Slightly silly, and when I went to photo them, it was a grey rainy day and the only place dry with good light was the front steps. Oh well.

Two pairs went to my sister's friend Jane in Melbourne who is having a little boy soon. One went to my nephew Harrison for his birthday this Thursday (spoilers). One more (the groovy ones with the blue pockets pictured here) went to Digby, my new friend Megan's little boy who will be one the same time as Rachel (spoilers again), and the last pair will go next door when they have their new bub in the next few weeks.


It's rather amazing how fast things go. Anyway, I am so loving the Izzy Top that I made for Sophie last year (see it on a hanger here, and on the child here). So I made another one for her (size 3, getting ready for next year). While I was at it, I made another two. One for one of the girls next door (Isla's birthday in May (spoilers!)) and one for my new friend Megan's little girl who will be three in July (more spoilers!).


What I love about these is the reversibility and the cool scalloped stitching I did on Isla's. So fun!

Monday, April 20, 2015

In Advance

Not only did I get to start looking after my nephew full time today, but Steve also nicked off to Sydney for three days for a developers summit. In advance, on the weekend, I thought I'd make some big meals to help with the single-parent juggling I'd be doing. I also took the opportunity to hide loads of veggies in too.


One big risotto and a stack of mini lasagne's later, and it was done. Totally worth it.


On the topic of food, last week I did something I never thought I'd do, and made the girls faces for lunch. They are very nutritious, if somewhat grotesque. It was my impression that Sophie would simply play with the food, rather than eat it, but to my surprise, both girls ate most of it, and Rachel was mad about the corn. Win!


Friday, April 10, 2015

Yikes!

Well, after a week and a half away at the coast, a great Easter at home with all sorts of peeps and Steve finally returning to work on Tuesday, I'm actually feeling well and refreshed. Despite the fact that Sophie is in the process of giving up her naps (something I thought I would be much sadder about (My free time!! Nooooo!!!)) I'm still feeling like I'm getting things done. The house is clean and organised (ish), the things I have to sew are few and I even feel like playing piano and guitar with the girls.

So I thought I'd update you on my life, because that's why I've got a blog after all. Steve and I finished the window operation on Easter Sunday. The house is now finally completely fly screened, and all of the windows open and close as they should (except the far one in the kitchen which takes some encouragement, but that's ok). I made a cake on Easter Monday and it was really good to see flies buzzing at the window trying in vain to gain entry to the house and my delicious cake.


Take that flies. This cake is the second one I made in three days. So lovely to have Steve around to go have morning tea with friends. Any excuse to make cake really.

Easter was really great this year. I feel like it's so easy to be in a rut of apathy and disappointment with a relationship with God, and it's unbelievably hard to break out of. But Easter is a great reminder of God. Everything about him. He's all about the new, the good, the real. He doesn't want us to dwell on the crap, the bad stuff, the sin. He wants us to move on to the new life. So great.

I read Anne of Green Gables last week. I love reading things. It was a really sweet, if somewhat old fashioned, read. It's strange to think that it was written over a hundred years ago and yet is still readable and fun.

There is only a week left before I increase from two children in my care to three (it's kind of like having a baby without the nine months and excruciating labour to have to go through). I'm excited, though I know there will be an adjustment period. And I'll really be saying goodbye to my Me-Time then.

I feel I'm in a good place for it though. Trying to be realistic about the fact that I'll simply be sewing much much less. And probably doing everything else much much less too, and doing much more of child raising. Time to get organised with meal planning too so that I don't end up feeding my girls noodles for dinner five nights of the week.

I'm feeling like writing again too which is exciting. And getting some other stories ready to be published mid-year too. Writing is fun.

Anyway, not sure when I'll be updating this blog now, with the busy times ahead. but hopefully I'll drop in every now and then. Thanks everyone for reading along.