Housework

Anybody who knows me or how has spent any time in my house, knows that I am not a very good housekeeper. No matter how hard I try, my house never looks as tidy as what I would like it, there is always a cup left somewhere or a toy that is not packed way or books (piles of them) beside my bed or that one sock left laying in the corner of the room. And that is on a good day. You see while I do not put up with dirt and grime (dirty sheets and towels, dirty bathroom and kitchen especially), a little mess and disorganisation seems to match my personality and really doesn't bother me much. I would rather our house to be welcoming and comfortable, a place where people can relax and feel at home, than a hotel where everything is prestine and unlived in.

While I can justify a little mess, some jobs needs doing wether I like it or not. Washing is one job that I really don't like. In my opinion it is one of the least rewarding jobs around the house, because even if you have washed every possible thing, you are still wearing clothes and they too will need to be washed and so it means that the job is never finished - you can never have an empty laundry basket!

I write about this tonight because I am drowning in washing. You see coupled with bad weather, a broken washing machine and lots of sewing, the washing has been mounting. And so today, with sunshine and a working machine I did 8, yes 8, loads of washing! Madness. You would think that I would feel content, the job is finally done. But no, not really, because now there are 8 loads of clean washing that needs folding and putting away and I am sure that come morning there will be enough washing to justify another load. See never ending!

So, if anyone out there has got any wonderful ideas to help me get on top and stay on top of the washing it would be much appreciated. Or better still, if you wanted to drop in a help me out that would be ideal!

Let it snow!

Duck! I think he had the most fun. I love seeing him like this

About a month ago, Jouke rang from work to tell me that it was snowing Lithgow way. My sister was staying with us and it was her last day and being from the tropics, she (like us) was very excited. We set of in search of snow but after more than two hours driving (Lithgow is not that far - we took the "scenic" route - read "got a little lost") we didn't find any snow and return home very disappointed.

We took the kids to the fossil and mineral museum today and on our way home noticed that all the cars coming from the mountains were covered in snow. So, grabbing coats and beanies we set of in search of snow. This time we found it! We ended up on the lawn of a little church, nestled inside the pine forest, surrounded by beautiful white powdery snow. It was so much fun. The expressions on the kids faces, watching hubby play in the snow, hearing the crunch under your shoes - all just lovely.

So Heidi, here's proof, it does snow around here. And mum the photo of the little church is for you. I wish you could all be here today to join in our fun.

Sewing for summer

Yesterday I ducked into Spotlight to buy a zipper for the stripy jacket, and while I was there I couldn't help but have a look at some fabric on the clearance table. I bought a few bits and pieces to start sewing some things for baby girl for this coming summer. I got started straight away.

This little dress should fit her at about 9 months (which is only 3 1/2 months away). I can't seem to take photos that show the fabric and detail well so the last photo is a close up to show this very pretty pinky-red material.

I am getting excited about summer!

Stripy Jacket

The season is nearly over, but I couldn't help but sew just one more thing for my boy. I got this material out of the remnant bin for a dollar and so for that plus the price of the zipper he has got a jacket. I love making things like this and I am really hoping that I will be able to pass this jacket on to the girls in a year or two.

Veggie Patch

My dream of a veggie patch is starting to take shape. The weekend just gone hubby spent a good day digging the soil over with the rotary hoe before building the box. We then spent about another day raking grass and twigs out of the bed. Now all that is missing is some organic matter and as soon as the weather turns I will be sewing some seed. Can't wait!

Reversible coat

(This photo doesn't show very well but the patterned side of the coat also has little pockets )

It feels like I have been thinking about making this coat for months and now I have finally finished it. I am very happy with it and I got to use that lovely apple material again. Because it is fully reversible it means that I had to make the coat basically twice before sewing the bits together. For a while sewing the sleeves together had me puzzled but eventually I made sense out of the pattern instructions. It is obviously still a little big but with the long winter it will mean that she will get a lot more use out of it. The pattern is an Ottobre Design 1/2005

Staying out of trouble

Bathurst is known for its winters. Cold and wet and sometimes even when it looks lovely outside, its not, the wind still chills you to the bone. This winter has been no different except that I now have 2 toddlers to keep busy. I once heard an interview of Kenny Rogers talking about his twin boys. He says: "Here's what I've learned about raising boys…if you keep 'em busy, they're fine, you let 'em get bored, they'll dismantle your house board by board." This is so true and not just of boys.

So, in order to keep the house intact we have been doing our best to stay busy. Here are a few pictures of what we have been up to:

Going 'camping' in the toy room

Giving Miss A's crazy hair a crazy makeover

Doing school with boy. Here he is learning about the letter 'T'.

Playing in the rain

Making spacemen out of styrofoam balls and aluminium foil

It has been a lot of fun coming up with things to capture and keep their attention. It however has also meant that I have not been able to get around to doing any sewing or craft. This was getting a little frustrating, and so today, while the sun was shining, I pushed then out the door and made a bee-line for my sewing machine. That reversable coat is finally getting some attention and I should have some pictures up soon.

Turning 2

Miss A is turning 2 this week and so we had a little party for her over the weekend. A butterfly party. Her friends arrived just as she was waking up from her nap and she was a little bewildered with all the attention, people, food and gifts. It took her a little while but soon she was having a ball. Her aunties had made her some butterfly wings which she wore all afternoon and later insisted on taking to bed with her.

This was also the first time in nearly two years since all the siblings have been together. It was lovely to have a house full of people and life. There was somebody sleeping on every available piece of floor scape and food was disappearing faster than I could describe, but it was a wonderful weekend. I only wish that it had last a little longer.

My babies

Tiaan 5 months old

Anja 5 months old

Alani 4 months old

When each of my babies were born it took me a good couple of days to get to know them. It was partly because when I first saw them they looked nothing like what I thought they would.

Boy was blond with blue eyes and I did not think this was even possible, given my dark features. So when little Anja was born, tiny and dark, I was again surprised and a little confused - weren't they all suppose to look the same? And then when baby girl was born she was dark like her sister but had features more similar to her brother.

I was looking through some photos today I realised how similar they really are. It turns out that I was wrong. They fit. They're ours. We'll keep them.

Present in the mail

Look what Miss A received in the mail today hand knitted by her Ouma! Isn't it lovely? She loves it and it will be more than useful in this cold climate of ours.

Thanks mum!