A Bit of Down Time...

My parents had our boys this weekend.  They hadn't been up to Nan & Pop's since Christmas so needless to say they were very excited & busting to get there with bags packed by Friday night & all in the car ready to go first thing Saturday morning.  Hubby was off to Melbourne for yet another Triathlon, so I was to have the house all to myself for the whole weekend!  I had grand plans of going through the place, cleaning, tidying & sorting while there was no one around to mess it up, until I got home to this on the front door...

and...

then...

I was really having a good laugh at this point, there's more...

and finally...

Very cute, thank you Mr! 

So, admittedly, I did tidy up just a little but then I sat down and did a bit of this...

I also had a potter about the shops, went out for coffee & a trip to the market.  I have to say that as nice as it is to have some quiet time to myself, I think it's just a little bit over-rated & lonely.  I missed everyone & our family time...although the screaming & chaos upon their arrival home soon got me to thinking how I might best spend my next opportunity for 'me' time...  

This Week's Oppy Finds...

We've had a fairly quiet week on the op shop front, though I did manage to pick up a few useful little gems...

Some golden books, doilies, a sweet table cloth & some sheets that have already been put to good use making cubbies...

and then these huge spools of cotton....

Hope you've had some op shop or garage sale fun this week.  To see loads of other treasures pop over here.

Happy Anniversary!

It's 10 years ago today that my beautiful husband and I were married at the gorgeous Studly Park Boathouse...a twilight ceremony by the water with all of our nearest and dearest, smoothly followed by a cocktail style reception, the coolest jazz band ever, plenty of fabulous food, amazing champagne, the lights, the flowers the people....it really was the most perfect night.  There were no mishaps, no dramas, no crazy stories, just a stunning setting, great atmosphere & heaps of fun!!  

We usually do something a bit special on our anniversary, a night out or a weekend away, but life's been a little busy lately & we haven't managed to organise anything much to celebrate this year - at least not just now. 

So I've decided that this will have to do, a quiet night in with some sushi & sparkling....hhmmm, perfect I think, at least for now....

One of those days...

It's been one of those days, you know the ones where you wake up grumpy, feeling like you could keep sleeping for a year! I drag my very weary & old feeling self out of bed, make beds, get breakfast for 3 hungry little people, 2 of whom have spent the last hour fighting over who's whats-it belongs to who, spend the next half hour cleaning up, packing lunches, begging little people to stop yelling & get dressed, finally have myself a shower & put on something a bit pretty in the hope that it might improve my mood....

Drop one at school, it's preppies day off, pick up a large coffee & head home to enjoy it with toast.  I wait till this time because I usually have less interruptions & can actually enjoy at least 5 minutes peace... 

Then somehow it gets to be the end of the day and in some kind of delirious state I have managed to do some washing, organise dinner, drop baby to kinder, pick up baby from kinder, pick up the school boy, listen to readers and now everyone's fed again, cleaned & ready for bed.  I do know there were flashes of a ninja turtle & a buzz lightyear running about, cubbies being built under the dining table & a competion to build the tallest tower using every cushion & pillow in the house...

Tomorrow I'm going to try to take the time to enjoy those seemingly insignificant moments in between all the chaos that have somehow passed me by today...

So here's to a happy Thursday, and enjoying the simple things. 

Thrifting Again....

We spent a chunk of the day yesterday at the beach & then just pottering about at home catching up on things, getting everything in order & making the most of ideal washing conditions - loads of washing done!  I'd resigned myself to the fact that I wouldn't have time to get to any markets or garage sales, particularly when the little guy who is incredibly volatile these days, was having massive tantrums & going out of his way to rile up his big brothers and driving everyone to distraction! 

So, when I saw a 'Sale' sign on the side of the road while making a trip to the supermarket I just had to turn in, you know, just in case there might be something...

I have to say this sight made my heart flutter, tragic but true!

I had to have this little picnic basket, I could just picture hubby & I taking off to the beach at dusk with our wine, fish n' chips & a comfy rug! Hmmm, it's nice to dream....

This handy box which will be used for shoes by the back door...

and these dishes & vintage blocks, love them!

So, now with kids in bed & dinner on the stove, it's time for a well earned one of these. 

Hope you've had a great weekend. For more thrifty finds pop over here. 

Sweet Things...

It was my birthday recently and I was ever so lucky to be given some spending money, among other very thoughtful things.  So today we went for a wander to see what we might find, and just look at what we found at the stunning Moss Industry Florist.  I just love to visit this gorgeous little store, there is so much to see in here & everything is amazing.  It takes a whole lot of self control & rational thinking to stop myself from spending recklessly!  Today, however, with birthday money burning a hole in my pocket...

The very generous Alex was so taken by my little guys obsession with birds (they were everywhere in there, his head was in a spin!) that she gave him this sweet bird in a nest!  This is going to be one very loved bird!

He called her 'Mama Bird'...

And it keeps getting better - we've just arrived home to find my two favourite mags in the letter box, ooohhh it's a good day!

Have a lovely weekend everyone!

My Creative Space...

It's been a week of  finishing off fiddly bits for me.  I've just finished off an order for a local lady to give her newest little grandson.  It'll be lovely hanging in the nursery for all his 1st things to be displayed....

and now I'm going to finish the trim on this for my big boys wall...

...and then to attach all those sweet little door handles to the cabinet I picked up at the weekend.  Here, let me show you again, I just love them! 

To share your creative space pop on over to Kootoyoo, go on it's great to see what everyone else is up to...

Door Handle Bouquet

I picked up these door handles to put on the little cabinet I found last week.  I love that they are all different, I can't wait to put them on.  I just need to drill some holes & I haven't used a drill before so that could be a little dangerous, although I am pretty handy with a hedger!

BEFORE...

AFTER!

Something delicious...

Hubby had a well earned day off today.  It was planned in advance as a 'recovery' day after an action packed weekend...the ACDC concert on Saturday with a couple of great friends, followed by a triathlon on Sunday - ridiculous, I know, not such great planning here,  but he managed to pull it off with great ease & composure.  So here's how he spent his day....after a fairly easy morning and a lovely lunch out...

this, turned into...

several jars of this delicious pesto!

And then he whipped up the most fabulous Rogan Josh ever...

Yes, I have been blessed.  Thankyou precious husband!

More Fabulous Finds...

I've been searching for a cabinet to put in our living area to keep all my crafty bits and bobs in one easily accessible place.  Something not too big, not too small with a bit of pre-loved character & charm.  I've missed out on some beauties, but today I found something that I think will work quite nicely...

Of course it needs handles...

It's actually a dresser & this belongs on top.  I really love it but have no use for it just now, it won't fit in the space we have...hhmmm...

I also picked up this little foot stool...

and this cute sifter!  A very productive little outing, I'd say!

The Tomato Bandit!

So, we were wondering what's been going on with our cherry tomatoes this year.  We seem to have so few in comparison to last year when we had bucket loads...It seems a certain someone has acquired a bit of a hankering for these delicious little sweeties...and here he is caught in action!

Mystery solved!

Treasures, treasures everywhere!

It has to be my greatest weakness - op shopping, junk yards, garage sales - you name it ! I just can't stop & I very rarely come out empty handed.  Look at the treasures I picked up today...how could I not!

adoring roses at the moment...framed vintage prints & tins...

and a billy cart!!

A Rainy Day...

Well after a hot morning and a flutter through the op shops, my little guy and I came home to 'get things done'!  However, highly uninspired by all the things that need doing & overcome with the aroma of ripening bananas filling the kitchen, it rained so we baked!

This is my absolute favourite cook book!  Admittedly, I bought it because I adore the cover, but I love, love, love every recipe inside!  It's like a joyous memoir of childhood, family, friends and good wholsome food...

Of course it's compulsory to call on the big guns for cleaning up! 

First Day Excitement!

My little dark haired boys' first day of school today, and he was busting to get there and get started!  No tears, just 'filled to the brim' excited.  All went smoothly, a little too smoothly for me.  I felt a bit guilty that I hadn't shed a tear, but I think I am just so happy for him & he is so ready to move on to this stage of his little life.  He has grown up very quickly, I don't know where all those gorgeous, happy bouncing baby years have gone but I'm pretty sure I've made the most of our precious time and I do believe he is well prepared and ready to take on the world of primary school.  

Of course, he seriously underestimated the enormity of the day, so when he came home he was exhausted, emotional, short tempered & very disappointed that there wasn't quite as much play time as he had expected.  "We only got to do a few things and then we had to sit on the mat and learn!".  Oh-oh, let's hope we're more impressed tomorrow...