Two new additions.

A week ago we welcomed two new members to the family.  Meet Myrtle and Ernest.

They have spent the week rearranging the wood chips, hay and dirt around the house.

They must feel at home as they have both started laying.  It called for boiled eggs for dinner to celebrate. 

How does your garden grow?

It has been a long time since I have had a vegetable garden.  Some times we know that we are only going to be in a location for 12 months and honestly, it is just too much hard work. 


I started a herb garden as soon as we got here.  Since then, and seeing the success that I have had with that, I have been harping at my husband to build me some planter boxes.

With a little harping and a slight nudge (They have been upgrading some of the homes around here and with that have been pulling down old fencing,  I used my initiative and went and asked what they were going to be doing with the old wood and was told it was heading to the dump and if I wanted it that it was mine)

I am now known in this parts (well by my husband and anyone that asks) as the 'Good Idea's Fairy'

I now have three vegetable patches down the back fence.  I bought mostly seedlings (I have waited all year to start growing, I didn't want to have to wait to see the little green shoots pop out of the dirt)  I also purchased a tomato and capsicum that were a little bigger. 

I also have some seeds planted as well.

The kids helped me to plant a few seeds into peat pots and we have been watching them grow on the window sill.  It won't be long before we are able to plant them out in the garden as well.

And we are all enjoying eating the strawberries that border the herb spiral.

This is what the yard looked like when we moved in.  Already it has changed alot and I am hoping that soon we will have vegetables to feed and supplement our meals.

One of the Locals

I live in a very unique part of Australia where we do actually have Emu's and Kangaroo's roaming the streets (and getting into our back yards if we forget to close a gate - They make for excellent lawn mowers)

They have not ventured into the housing area much this year as there has been alot of green pickings on the ovals and the paddocks.  This fellow came for a wonder yesterday.

I am hoping that he is the head scout and we will soon see Daddy Emu's with babies following behind.

Sugar and Spice

 What are little girls made of?
"Sugar and spice and all things nice 
That's what little girls are made of!"

Two new little babies have been welcomed into our extended family over the past two weeks.  Little bundles of the pink variety for two of my cousins. (who happen to be sisters)

I have finished one little knit and the other is on the needles

I am making them in the same yarn (trying to be good and use up some of my stash) Both sisters live in different states so it won't matter if both girls are seen once while it fits in the same coloured cardigan.

The finished one is an In threes - baby cardigan and is an adorable little knit.  The designer is looking at extending the size range to cover size 6 - 8 years although Amelia is still measuring as a 3 year old in knits, it is always nice to have that option of a nice cardigan for little girls.

Pattern:  In Three's by Kelly Kelly Herdrich
Yarn:     Lion Brand Cotton Ease
Needle: 5mm

I am joining in with these crafty people.  Pop back next week, I'm hoping to have the second one finished.

Portaits of My Children 2/52

 "A Portrait of my children once a week"

 Amelia: Sound asleep in our bed one night this week after not being able to fall asleep with her brother and his snoring
Baden: A lunchtime nap. We are off to the ENT next week to find out about his snoring. Four year olds shouldn't snore (nor should babies - who knew)

Joining in with Che and Fidel

A witch and her superhero

We had a fantastic night on Wednesday night.  

The kids were so excited (and so was I just quietly)  They knocked, rang door bells, said trick or treat ever so politely and thanked.  It made this Mum very proud.  Amelia has already started making plans for 2013 Halloween. 

The trick or treating ended with a little after celebration at our local community centre.  The Americans had spent a week decorating and organising games.  We all took a plate to share, it is times like this that I really love the little community that we live in.  

I received this note from a lovely friend (one of the Americans on base)

Thank you very much for embracing this Halloween in such a beautiful and amazing way. We are blessed to be posted to this wonderful community. A big thank you to all the parents who received all the kids with candies and specially big smiles. Yesterday our kids felt like they were back home and we had an absolute blast. 

It really did give me a goosebumpy, lovely feeling. (and maybe a tear) 

So that has consumed my creative space this week.  There was pumpkin carving. Turning a little girl into Elphaba (the only 7 year old I know that knows the name and story line behind this delightful green witch)  a black cape for said witch and bat wings for Batman Baden.

So what have you been up to this week?
Did you go trick or treating?


* Amelia's skirt is from the lovely Gilly at Silly Gilly and think that it made for a perfect witches skirt.

Happy Halloween

We have never got into the celebrations of Halloween.  We have had the occasional knock on the door and me running to the pantry or freezer to find a treat for the odd child that has dressed up and come knocking in the hope of filling a bag with treats.

This year however I have been introduced to it in a BIG way.

The celebrations here have been in full swing for the month.  Houses have been decorated.  Parties have been held and tonight is the grand finale.  I am looking forward to my two going off and trick or treating for the first time.  I do not know if this will become a regular thing.  But here, where we call home this year and next it will be.  This post currently has 10 American families and that is a big percentage for our little community and tonight they are putting on a celebration for the little ones.

I am off to put green face paint on a little girl who is excited beyond words.  I will be back with photos of them tomorrow. Today, you will have to see my transformation into a School Girl Zombie.  I had so much fun and even took out best dressed.