Sweet Little Things

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2009, Rocky Road & Sweet Little Things

2009 has been a rocky road, ups and downs, highs (very high) and lows, just hard work (good and bad),      I lost someone who I loved very much this year pain I haven't felt in a long time surrounded me, all this was surrounded by  a time of huge happy celebrations and joy and love that I was so strong it was overwhelming, I wondered why such lows and high would happen in a few days of each other, confusing or a sign to be grateful for the loves I have with me each day. I think so!

Friends old and new have meant so much to me this year, more than ever. I have seen that a few special friends are like precious jewels. I feel so blessed to know them and share life's journey. rocky or not.

Billy had a rough first half of the year, ignorance surrounding Autism is a daily struggle for me, (surely for him to) but to watch your child suffer is crappy, I find it a hard cross to bear, I hope everything for him works out okay, but some days look so hard for him, I worry so much, this has meant lots of sleepless nights, you know how it is being a mum. hard bloody work.

Oscar has made such lovely new friends in his new school, I love it there. The setting, the whole feeling is just brilliant, couldn't be happier, he continues to be amazing, happy, caring and a real light in my day.

Archie, Mr. Independent, the bond with him and I is palpable, he is my soul, he is the hardest and most stubborn child I have ever met (wonder where he gets that from?) This is the last year he will be home with me before he starts kindy next Nov. That is hard, I cant imagine not having days spent with him, he is so excited about the whole thing, that boy is so bright and eager to please, sweeter than a bar of chocolate.

Matt has had a great year with his career also, he had gone through the ranks at his work and now owns the company which is pretty huge for him and us, Im so proud of him, he loves his work. He had a few health problems that have been hard for him, he is such a health nut that when he isnt 100% he really hates it, But he is doing really well now.

So typing this I see, 2009 has giving me some wonderful gifts, mostly a real gratefulness for the husband I have, I could blog only about him and what a good guy he is (but that would be weird right? it would give him the creeps that's for sure) after 10 years he still makes my heart flutter, he is so good to me and our children. So, so good.

As the year ends, and school holidays are well underway,  I feel content all over with my 3 boys, just watching them grow so fast and trying to steal little moments and lodge them in my brain for keeps. I so hope I remember all the little things..

the sweet little things.

I really have a great feeling about 2010, lots of good things happening for my family, new beginnings, high school (wooah) I think will be our biggest challenge for this year.

just juggling 3 boys and a man is fun/hard/challenging enough. I can't wait, love a new start, sweep out 2009 with all its clutter good and bad.

On the 1st of Jan, I will launch my new blog, what a better way to make a change than new look/new name.

link will be posted here.

Thank you to those who follow my little blog, even it I times I sound crazy or waffle on, it means alot to me, I hope you find my new blog inspiring and a happy, sunny place to visit while having a morning cup of tea (or whatever).

Of course you can always find this blog here but I wont be updating it anymore, onto prettier pastures.

2009 in pictures

the most beautiful day ever.

 

one of the 3 most beautiful kids ever

the most beautiful friend ever. RIP Darling Clivey.

a pretty cool car.

coolest concert and coolest sister.

 

most beautiful man in the world.

the other two of the three most beautiful kids ever.

life is good.

 

under the stairs

At the moment Im looking at choosing wallpaper for a little place under the stairs.or if that doesnt work out in a walk in wardrobe.

Im going to make this little nook a reading/chill-out space. I will post a photo of it over the weekend so you get the idea, this space is TINY.

Anyway, I want to wallpaper the back wall which goes on an angle so that in anchors the little mattress chair, bookcase and cushion put I plan in it (very ambitious of me to think that this will all fit, but hey)

so I can't decided for the life of me what one of these to choose.

okay - so its out of these two, I wanted to order samples but to ship $6 worth of samples from denmark was going to cost $50..eeek so Im going to just order a roll...

but what one..... agh... I really need to get out more.

cars (thinking a real eclectic mix of prints and funky lampshade...)

tree's (Im thinking Owl cushions and etsy prints)

Merry Christmas

Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more
beautiful.
Norman Vincent Peale

Christmas Eve

May this special time of the year envelope you and all you hold dear in much

Peace, Love and Sunshine......

it takes a village

 

made by my three wise men. Love IKEA for doing this, look forward to next year and do it all again.

So they aren't show homes, and they are pretty choca-block with sugar and crappy lollies and sprinkles, but the boys had so much fun making them.

Lentil and Pumpkin Lasagna

I have posted a recipe for a while, this one is a BEAUTY!! everyone will love it. It lasts about 5 mins here no matter how much I make, seriously good. and so good for you.

 

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, finely chopped
1 medium zucchini, diced
1 green pepper, seeded and diced
2 cloves garlic, crushed
450g pumpkin, pureed
400g tin brown lentils, drained
400 g can chopped tomatoes
1 cup (250 mls) vegetable stock
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
1 tablespoon chopped mint
1 teaspoon thyme
1 tablespoon chopped oregano
salt and pepper
150g ricotta cheese
150g sour cream
3/4 cup grated cheddar cheese
6 large sheets instant wheat free lasagna (I use gluten free sheets)

Preheat oven to 200°C. In a large pan add the oil and cook the onion until softened. Stir in the zucchini and peppers and cook for 2 minutes. Add the garlic, pumpkin, lentils, tomatoes, stock, herbs and salt and pepper to taste. Stir until well combined and bring to the boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 - 25 minutes.

Mix the ricotta and sour cream together with half the cheese. Season well. Place 1/3 of the lentil sauce in the base of an ovenproof dish. Layer the sauce with three layers of lasagna sheets and one layer (about ½ of a cup) of the cheese sauce. Top lasagna with remaining cheese sauce and sprinkle with cheese. Bake in the oven for 30 - 40 minutes. Allow to sit for 5 minutes before slicing.

Take a Seat

I'll have all three please.

Saturday again

This weekend my sweet husband gets home from China. I missed him so.

The boys are on school holidays so the days roll into one, its lovely!!

We have a few things planned, mainly finishing off the Christmas shopping, heading to a movie and just relaxing - the calm before the Christmas storm you could say.

Have a lovely weekend

Swedish Christmas

What a wreath.. perfection.

Love this room, next year I'm going to be good about stockings, do you think Father Christmas sat in that chair and had a little drink before setting out again. I do.

Wheat snowflakes, this would work so well in Australia... (note to self: next year)

Good on all levels.. good. good. good.

Horses, Dancing and Vanilla Galliano

Last Friday my darling and I went to the Twilight Races (me pictured in my frock- Matty left the black and white setting on), we were in the Panasonic Pavilion. My Darling did all the AV/Plasmas etc for the whole of Morphettville (there are more plasmas there than any other race course in the world, and they have the world biggest plasma! boring facts.. exciting for my Husband.lol)

I did bet on some GG's but lost, Im not a gambler by any stretch, no sir-ey, I like to keep my $. I bet $30 in total and lost it all (the reason Im not a gambler is I never ever win!)

On Saturday night I went to our (M's) Work Christmas show - had lots of fun. Danced lots, drank a lot..
Which brings me to my title, have you tried Vanilla Galliano and Lemonade.. OH MY GOD!

me and  my girls LOVE this drink... its a new favorite.

I have now had two nights drinking these beauty's, Im not a big drinker but I like spirits, Champa's and wine and I have an unhealthy relationship (the next day.. you know the story) but this drink is soo good and it leaves me feeling great the next morning. So if you are heading our for festive drinks.. try one, you will love it!!!!!!

ps- Im not an alco, I just sound like one.lol.

Wedding Dessert Buffet

Here is mine.

 

Such a great idea, french macaroons, vanilla bean cookies, white chocolate truffles, dark chocolate tuffles dipped in coconut,assorted mini petit fours, sooo yummy.

We had so much left over we ate it happily for the whole week after, also everyone got to take home a nice amount to devour the next day or two.

The cake - a 4 tired master piece, made of white chocolate mud and frangelico and some other kind            (I forget.oops)

all in a sea of white and cream....yummmmy.

this made me so happy.

pretty cyber things

How lovely is this, easy to do as well, an old meat safe, or gentleman's wardrobe with the chicken wire inserted, I think its just so sweet.

When I actually unpack all the books, I am going to remember this picture, LOVE the colour co-ordinated book spines... and I thought I was anal...Hmmmm.

This image has really inspired me for Archie's room, he has twin beds not bunks, but I think it will work well.

Now to find some vintage surf posters and fish, love the tones of the chair and flooring to. I like a beachy theme but some of them can be a bit twee, not this one, its right on the money for me.

The danger of having such a thing in your house, If you sat on that big comfy thing, would you want to get up... I think not.

Imagine just for Baby

To put it out there, I'm blessed and content with the 3 amazing people we have already helped to create.

sometimes I indulge myself in the what ifs and the if its is so could another baby slot into this crazy house.... this is how (perhaps) the 4th little person that could join us will be living.

Would defiantly go with a bird theme, boy of girl! and it would be one very happy space, that oozed the love we would have for such a special arrival.

 

Christmas candy

 
 

My boys would LOVE this

Now, I need to find a spare room or more (so many lovely rooms to be created)

 

Have you seen these TreePee's .. I have no idea who stocks them in

Australia, but are they not a hippy child's heaven.

Graduation

So so proud!

James Delorey

News Story 

This story breaks my heart, thinking of his family.

Hello Yellow

Oh mi, oh my I heart the colour yellow, by FAR my favorite colour!!because WHITE is not a colour

(silly silly I know) but if White WAS a colour then Yellow would be my second favorite.

Lots of yellow going on in my neck of the woods. Will share once I have completed, but for now some other yellow pretties doing the rounds.....

Hello Summer

my favorite time of the year!!

Rainbow cake & Birthday's

 
I saw this on another blog, and had to make one, this is my 1st shot.

Next time Im going to make the layers a bit thinner.

This baby was sky high.

But god it was good.

bad + good.

 

Invited

I really adore everything about this guest room.

I want it in my house.... have to move the kids on first so maybe in ahh. 10 years.

Love the small vintage mirrors on the wall, the chandelier, the padded bed head, the plethora of things on the bed are enough to send me giddy, ad the words above the bed.. sigh!

The thing is how simple it is, and how cheapola it would be to do.
 

full weekend

 
This weekend my baby sister is flying in for her birthday.

My darling friend is bringing her even darling'er baby over for me to squeeze.

We are heading to the cricket then to the Norwood Pagent

Then out for cocktails in the evening, not before some duck pizza and a flithy. here

Then out to the markets on Sunday, followed by breakfast and then a chirstmas catch up with some friends.

Phew, tired just thinking about it.

Have a nice weekend.

DIY Owl

I love all things Owly.

If I do a baby shower or first birthday again. The owl thing is where its at.

download a free template for these cuties now.

http://blog.thecelebrationshoppe.com/2009/08/24/diy-plush-owl/

Quinoa Tabouleh

I love this dish, it is a side really but I make it alot for a meal, it tastes AWESOME inside rolled up mountain bread.

You can make this however you like, for example, I like truck loads of mint in mine, and I vary the parsley amount according to how much I can be bothered cutting up... weirdo alert. but it is so yummy and refreshing, but is equally filling for a comfort food type thing. well I think so anyway.

• 1 1/2 cups boiling water
• 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons)
• I cup Quinoa
• 1/4 cup good olive oil
• 3 1/2 ish teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 cup minced spring onions, white and green parts (1 bunch)
• 1 cup chopped fresh mint leaves (1 bunch)
• 1 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley (1 bunch)
• 1 cucumber, unpeeled, seeded, and medium-diced
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes, cut in half
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Cook the quinoa with the directions on the pack, add the lemon juice, olive oil, and 1/2 a teaspoon of salt. Stir, then allow to stand at room temperature for about 1 hour.

Add the spring onions, mint, parsley, cucumber, tomatoes, 2 teaspoons salt, and the pepper; mix well. Season, to taste, and serve or cover and refrigerate. The flavor will improve if the tabbouleh sits for a few hours.

 

Christmas Inspiration

over at http://allsorts.typepad.com/allsorts/

How talented is this gal! check out her etsy store http://www.etsy.com/shop/loopsies

eye candy fest!!!

not quite a picnic

 

 
 
 My visions of a very small but swanky picnic went down the drain, when it started to rain late last week.

The picnic idea was great as people in my house at the moment is not a great idea.

Anyway - some pictures of my little 3 year old. I cant get over it. THREE!!!

Three years! I cant even put into words how much this little guy has changed my life.

I know all kids do, but he really has changed the person I am.

Im a better mum, better person all around since he came into my life. And I could kiss him and squeeze him to death every second. I actually have to make myself let the poor kid breathe, Im a bit of a smotherer(if thats a word) when it comes to him, especially his cheeks!!

THREE

Happy Birthday

 
He makes me MELT!!!!

A very simple picnic birthday this year, just us and very close family and freinds. Will have some pics to share. Will try to get some when this little guy doesn't have food on his chiny chin chin.

perfect day for walking

Its been so hot, today is bliss. Archie and I are heading out for a walk.

A little thing you may not know about me, is that one of my many obessions is with shoes, not just for me, but all shoes, they are so much fun. I especially have a thing for coloured shoes.

I can't get enough of them. Lucky for me, my family are willing to indulge me.

Seating

some of my favorite seats on the web at the moment ...

1. the most beautiful chair over at Little Willow

2. Rainbow Louis

3. rock your baby

4. bay window love

5. you can never have enough yellow chairs in your life

Enjoy your weekend

Emily xo 
 

bit hot actually

what on earth is it going to be like in March if its this temperature now!

Im scared.

Etsy Tweet

Some lovely little bird finds on ETSY....

 

1swing a birdie on your neck  2 some on your gifts  3 dress your little sparrow  

4 bluebirds for your walls , 5 salt and pepper birdies

Christmas is coming...

 Loving this take on the Tree! so neat. Do kids eat vegemite on toast in that house, In my house that wall would look pretty for about, 5 mins. I do love it though!!! clever.

agh, I have no idea this year what we are doing, most years we have it at our house. when I say IT at our house, Im talking no less than 20 people and some years Im talking 60 people. Its ALOT of work!

I told Matt not to put his hand up this year... (sorry folks)

Next year 2010 Christmas I'll go all out, but not this year.

However - I do have to make the house a little FESTIVE. and I do have alot of shopping to do, I only started that this week... and I only dipped my toes into the list of things to be gifted.

I will still have Christmas Eve here, we do a big ducth fry up. really. really bad for your arteries, really. really yummy!

I have ZILCHO (yes, Im pretty sure thats not a word) idea what to do as far a a theme, and for some reason after years of loving this time of year, I can't be arsed.

I do love looking around the web for things and people who have there butt into serious gear and are making the most beautiful holiday things and getting really organised.

This year, Im taking a rain check. We as much as you can when you have 3 kids.

love this blue

Oscar and Archie are still trying to decide what colours to do their rooms, truth is I will decide for Archie and make him think he came up with the idea. Is that bad? Im thinking this never fail combo that I have used in my house before. Red/Aqua.

Oscar is thinking of yellow and blue, Im thinking maybe a steel blue and mustardy yellow.. Hmmm.

Anyway - I love this pic and the twin beds. so cute. Love the single night stand in the middle. Great idea. and I have a huge crush on any room with shutters.
 

I want to know how to make this

I mean, what goes on in the hole underneath this beauty?

Dirt (der), spiders, lizards(eeekk!!), weeds, lots of crap.

Those things make me not want it so bad.

It looks TO FUN. You need a fairly large shovel. and reliable measurements. Just guessing.

Giddy Up.

 

 
Today I had a very spunky date with a boy to cute for words.

We went to a Melbourne Cup luncheon together, he stole many and old ladies heart.

We didn't win anything.

We did eat pavlova.

Then he was pooped.

little picnic

On the menu, mini margherita pizza's, carrot and snow peas, bread for dipping into the yummiest homemade babaganoush. Vegetarian lasagna and some fruit.

Don't mind little Banjo in the background, he was going on a 'Bear Hunt'
 

Happy Halloween

lunch #1

So, as a SAHM/WAHM I try to make nice little lunches for my little guy.

I TRY to be healthy, we are very into making platter type meals for lunches, this is one we have often, mainly because he eats it ALL, and its soooo yummy I have it to. I put pita bread in the oven for a minute and rub some garlic and olive oil over it, I fogot to take it out of the oven for the photo.lol.

Roasted pumpkin (YUM!!!!), baby bocincini, sprouts, pine nuts, baby spinach.

Rewarding

LOVE this chart over at www.modecokids.com.. you can download and print your own......

http://modecokids.com/downloads/family.pdf

LOVE, the way it says "this is how I contribute to my family"

I didnt really know what to put on Archie's as he doesnt have a lot of JOBS, as such, he is not even 3 yet after all.

But its so cute, so we have been ticking his little boxes, and if he gets all the boxes (or almost all) he get o choose an activity to do with me or DH. So today we went for a walk to the waterfall. to sweet.

Gray/Orange

The two older boys want to get more grown up bedrooms, and who am I to argue.

Billy has chosen to go with a gray/orange colour scheme. He decided this all by himself, he has such style. Anyway - we are still checking out things and coming up with a functional room for his study (high school is only 3 months away) Love these rooms. pretty yet masculine!

I also would love him to have this print from IKEA, I love it, you could look at it your whole life and and not see everything. 
 
 

Dear Santa

 
Please, can I have this for Christmas. I love it so much, I can't imagine actually having this bed, or having a bedroom worthy of such a beast. Beautiful. From the Noir Collection molinko furniture. Also comes in gold (meh) and Black nikel.. Mmmmm!!!

simple. beautiful.

Today Im gushing all over this wedding over at Snippet and Ink, one of my daily blog reads.

This wedding is just simple. effortless. fun. to lovely for words.

HOP on over and have a look - the link is in  my sidebar.

beware of the pretty prettys over there. *sigh*

Rainbow Day

Rainbow Day - Global Autism Awareness Campaign!

The amazing Alison Dix has 3 children on the Autism spectrum, she is such an inspiration to me, she is really taking on Autism awareness, I hope to help her as much as I can.

So many of us family with Austim are isolated because other people are scared and ignorant to the whole dynamics of being around people with Autism, It is very hurtful and so sad, familys and freindships are torn apart, so raising social awareness is very important. So here is the latest news from Alison. Im so excited!!!

"We have an official date for Rainbow Day. It is going to take place on Friday 7th May 2010, however, the awareness campaign will officially commence from 1st November 2009.

The Rainbow Day official launch will be a breakfast held at Sfera's on the Park (Modbury, South Australia).

We look forward to celebrating the autism community on Rainbow Day and sharing our experience globally on YouTube to keep the awareness message going. It will be a morning full of wonderful entertainment, autism awareness, and celebration.

Because the Rainbow Day launch is a celebration of the lives of people who are on the autism spectrum, if you or you know of someone who celebrates their autism through their remarkable talents, we would love to hear from you. We want to showcase just how talented people with autism are and how much of a contribution they make to society. We are wanting to locate people from all over the world.

I will keep you posted on the awareness campaign commencing 1st November and how you can easily get involved.

HAPPY RAINBOWS"

http://rainbowlandautismservices.blogspot.com/

Kangaroo Island

So after a frantic few months we decided to get away.

Little Archie made it all the way to the top, with Daddy.

   

KI is awesome, a great place to take kids, Im not a boat person. At all. I HATE being at the mercy of the sea. The ferry over was apparently calm, righteo, just saying, Im not in any hurry to go back, but it was lovely. The food is soooo yummy, great places to explore, places to be still, places to be crazy, however, lots of road kill.

November ...

Will bring weekly menu plans, crafts, home decor.

more posts.... about nothing in particular.

Biomedical info.

a certain 2 year old turns 3...eeek!!

Autism awareness info.

good living, good fun and lots of love.

Until then, I hope peeps are glad my little blog is back... I promise to be a better blogger.

 

Here again

heres  a very small idea of what I have been up to.......

lots of making stuff

3x parties and celebrations

2x hospital visits

1x company take overs.. go MV

1x saying some very important vows

1x lovely holiday

2x scary ocean journeys

1x getting ready for high school

2x freinds with new delicious babies

1x leaving my boys over night, for the first time in 3 years

cooking lots. I mean LOTS.

thinking lots.

enjoying life. lots.

Good bye for now.

I have decided for the next little while to give my blog a rest, truth is I have been very very crap at blogging lately anyway - can you tell :)

This year we have alot happening in our family extended and here in our little home, weddings, babys, moving homes (again) and getting into the swing of new things lke schools etc.

M is doing really well at his work, he has done so well, Im so proud of him, but it has meant alot of time apart. I find that hard. really. hard. But Im getting better at it. It just means that the time I spent blogging, is now being sucked up with me trying to spend more time with the boys and trying to keep organised.

I really only blog for myself, to get the noise out of my head (yeah, sounds crazy huh?)

I hope that once I get on top of some stuff I can delve back into the blog land that I love so much. and share a bit more with people again.

Its been fun.

Emily xxoo

I will post ...

Im in a posting rut I tell you.

Ill snap out of it soon. goodness I hope so.

For now here is Archie in his Autumn crown. I could eat him up!!