The holidays are in full swing and our mornings are spent pottering about at home. The boys play - or fight. There seems to be little difference at the moment.....Though they have moments of sweetness which makes it all worth while. Henry is the one winding everyone up I have decided, feisty little fellow! Though he looks like butter wouldn't melt in his mouth, don't let those clear blue eyes and blond hair deceive you. This child has given me more greys then the other two put together! But he is a sweet little guy really, who just wants to be big. What a frustrating time for him. (and his brothers....lets be real.....)
Play-doh has been made, costumes worn, cooking has been done, movies watched, the camping tent and their beautiful swags they got from their Grandparents are rolled out in it in the room we will be renovating soon. This has proven to be a hit! After the fires I think they are more comfortable camping inside near us at the moment.
Yesterday we all went to town and bought some irrigation supplies, I have never been so excited about planting a decent patch of lawn in my life. A friend is lending us his post hole digger and Grants been busy ripping down and patching up the old sheds along the side. Some are patch worthy, and some will need pulling down. We will use the scrap iron for patching or take it to the metal yards for money which will in turn be spent on the garden. Soon the garden structures and basic design will begin to take shape.
As the end of the year draws to a close I have been doing a lot of reflecting, about how we have lived a life that is authentic to our values and also where we have fallen short.
Rushing is still something we struggle with, we are busy, as all families are, but quite often in the last 6 months with all that has been going on with contracts, moving, renovating, bush-fires, two children's surgery. I have (quite understandably) got caught in the trap of rushing instead of slowing down. For very little reason and no change in outcome except we all become flustered. I have been focusing on breathing through this, reminding my self to go gently. Slowly but surely the pressure valve that has been busting at the seams has eased off a little, I feel more like my old self. Looking for the beauty in the small moments, the humor.
One of the most delightful things about getting our new thermomix is my passion for cooking has returned. We have been eating soups, pastas, desserts, smoothies. I have been making sauces, stock concentrate, grinding herbs. Its been amazing - oh and I found my baking tins! Chocolate cake, that's whats been missing. Its bound to help, no?
Cloth napkins, hand embroidered linen runner and basket sourced from my grandparents linen stash.
Much love,
Emma
xx
They can get along quite nicely.....
Play-doh has been made, costumes worn, cooking has been done, movies watched, the camping tent and their beautiful swags they got from their Grandparents are rolled out in it in the room we will be renovating soon. This has proven to be a hit! After the fires I think they are more comfortable camping inside near us at the moment.
Yesterday we all went to town and bought some irrigation supplies, I have never been so excited about planting a decent patch of lawn in my life. A friend is lending us his post hole digger and Grants been busy ripping down and patching up the old sheds along the side. Some are patch worthy, and some will need pulling down. We will use the scrap iron for patching or take it to the metal yards for money which will in turn be spent on the garden. Soon the garden structures and basic design will begin to take shape.
As the end of the year draws to a close I have been doing a lot of reflecting, about how we have lived a life that is authentic to our values and also where we have fallen short.
Rushing is still something we struggle with, we are busy, as all families are, but quite often in the last 6 months with all that has been going on with contracts, moving, renovating, bush-fires, two children's surgery. I have (quite understandably) got caught in the trap of rushing instead of slowing down. For very little reason and no change in outcome except we all become flustered. I have been focusing on breathing through this, reminding my self to go gently. Slowly but surely the pressure valve that has been busting at the seams has eased off a little, I feel more like my old self. Looking for the beauty in the small moments, the humor.
One of the most delightful things about getting our new thermomix is my passion for cooking has returned. We have been eating soups, pastas, desserts, smoothies. I have been making sauces, stock concentrate, grinding herbs. Its been amazing - oh and I found my baking tins! Chocolate cake, that's whats been missing. Its bound to help, no?
Cooking and meal planning is something I need to bump up the priority list again. I have a beautiful budgeting wallet which will help me to sort out the budget and stick to it. I always work better when dealing in cash. Now we are living more rural meal planning will need to come into play to avoid unnecessary trips to town.
We are currently working on gratefulness and generosity with our boys. Our boys are good kids, and really quite generous but with the "me first" culture in society, it means we need to remain extra focused on this at home. In the last 6 months with all that has been going on, clearly the culture in our house has changed a little and I have noticed a tune of entitlement slip in which we are nipping in the bud. Chores are being given, conversations had, "no's" been handed out. It sounds tough, but we need to say "no" to the things that don't matter so we can say "yes" to the things that do. Board games have been pulled out, a deeper focus on family dinners and giving thanks, setting the table, TV turned off, and boredom allowed so they can use their good little brains to think of a game. We are finding our rhythem in the little old cottage. Slowly but surely.
Anyway apparently it is time to do some painting according to Henry, so best be off.
This budgeting wallet has various sections for different categories. Food, petrol, entertainment, other (ie clothing)
Anyway apparently it is time to do some painting according to Henry, so best be off.
Much love,
Emma
xx
