Last night we ate...

Have I actually started posting less?  Probably not.  But all the pressure to 'be interesting' or something like that is gone, and thus, blogging is fun again!  Ha!
Anyway, last nights dinner...my current favourite chicken salad, just a recipe I made up.  Lettuce, herbs from the garden, grated carrot, chopped red onion, chopped sun dried tomatoes, homemade croutons, warm chicken pieces straight from the pan, parmesan and a dressing I made up from a little bought mayo, mixed with pesto and greek yoghurt.   Yup, that whole giant plateful is for me!

Wardrobe Wednesday - Including something made by me

Cardi - Glassons

Skirt - Me

Necklace - Me

Shoes - The Warehouse

I look pretty grumpy, probably because this was the best I could come up with, and I wasn't really satisfied with it.  But that's okay, it was one of those days!  I love this necklace.  I made it at our local bead shop a few years ago.  They had one similar on display, but by making it myself and using their design as 'inspiration' I managed to save myself about $40.  Yussss.

No theme next week, just go for it!  xo

Last night we ate...

Well it wasn't really last night, it was Saturday night, when we went to my SIL's (aka BFF) house for a BBQ dinner.  Heh, enough acronyms in that sentence for you?!
Anyhow, there is always way too much delicious food whenever family get together round these parts and as usual I ate far toooo much, but it was so good.
I took that rhubarb slice from the previous post and also this pasta salad.

For those interested it contains...pasta, chopped peeled tomatoes, roasted zucchini, pesto, smoked salt, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, pepper, garlic chives and parsley.  I put it on a bed of lettuce and topped with some grated parmesan.  It was yum, and I'll definitely make it again this summer.

rhubarb: from garden to my belly

Last night we ate...

My version on quesadilla, which is probably nothing like a real one.  Tortillas filled with homemade refried beans (kidney beans, onions, garlic, tomatoes, chilli sauce, cumin, lemon juice, salt, pepper all mashed and fried together), cheese and coriander.  Fried in a pan and served with more coriander and greek yoghurt (I often use this in place of sour cream).  Yummo.  Would have been nice with a salad, but it was Friday night and I had some serious NZNTM watching and chocolate eating to do.

Also:  I am really relating to this post right now.

And:  This is my 200th post!  Wow!

Things are going to be changing.

Things around this blog that is.  I'm afraid to tell you that this blog had become a little too much about you for my liking.  It's supposed to be mine, all mine, just for FUN.  And really it was becoming a bit like a job or something.  Yucky.
My holiday was fantastic, and I've come away from it with some resolutions.

• Don't blog if you don't want to.  This means it will no longer be daily (sorry).
• Go to bed earlier!  Every night!
• Relax relax relax.  I constantly have to try to make myself do this.
• Craft for fun!  And give things away to friends!  I love doing this.
• This blog is for me! ME! If you enjoy it too, then that is fantastic, but no longer will I feel like I need to write everyday or try to be interesting when I really don't feel like it.
• So what if I post without a photo.

Yay!  I'm happy to get that off my chest xo

Edit:  I also wanted to add that I really enjoy your comments on my blog, like HEAPS AND HEAPS!  I also make sure to check out EVERYONES Wardrobe Wednesday posts and I really enjoy this too!  Unfortunately I just don't have the time to comment/reply to everyone, but please know that all your feedback and participation is very much appreciated! xo

Wardrobe Wednesday - Something Floral

Singlet - Farmers

Cardi - Glassons

Skirt - Made by me (again!)

Shoes - The Warehouse

Necklace - Coastal Merchant

Well no surprises here - I found this theme easy!  I didn't realise how many of my skirts were (homemade and) floral!  Practically all of them.  And these shoes!!!!  Oh my, I'm in loooove.

Next weeks theme is Including something made by Me! as suggested by Emalia May of e.m.press.  If you'd like to suggest a theme email me or leave it in the comments xo

(So did you know I've actually been away!  To a wee corner of the land with no cell phone reception and a house with no computer!  It was glorious!  In fact I've been a little tempted to call an end to this little blog and move to the country myself!  Don't worry...I'm sure I'll be back in the swing of things once I've caught up with the washing, and cleaning and got some groceries, and everything else that comes with the end of a holiday...)

Wardrobe Wednesday

Kimono top - Farmers

Skirt - Made by me

Shoes -  yip, birkies again!

This is just a bit of a casual/tidy outfit for me...the skirt does need some alterations now though, as I made it last summer not long after I had my baby...its too big!  I hate altering clothes and am putting it off! 
The theme idea for next week is from Rhiannon, and its Something Floral.  This can be as easy as a print on a skirt, or an item of jewellery.  If all else fails put a flower in your hair and smile!  Can't wait to see what you come up with!  You won't actually see me here again until next Wednesday now, as I'm going to take a week off and relax after my market and all.  See you next Wednesday xo

Thank YOU!

Um, WOW.
Seriously you guys are all soooo sweet!  I can't believe the number of nice comments and emails I got from y'all yesterday.  Who needs those old grannies at the market - you guys have made me feel so much better!!  Thanks for all the sun hat love which I got from a few of you...I think that I need to make a far wider range of sizes, rather than just teeny tiny!  (I'll try to list some in my felt shop once my sewing machine and I have had some time apart...)

I've been thinking (too much, as I do) about the market and my crafting and how I feel about the whole fiasco.  How did this all begin?   I make stuff, always have.  People tell me my stuff is cute, that they like it.  They tell me I should sell it!  Hmmmn.  So I start this blog, this felt shop, prepare for a market...  And it turns out that just because your stuff is awesome cute (modest I know) doesn't mean it will sell.  (I know, I know it was my first time!!  I won't give up.)

It was interesting to compare the market to some other things I've achieved this year.  I did that triathlon when my daughter was only 5 months old (and still exclusively breastfed) - when I'd never done a triathlon (or any event) before.  I still don't really know what I was thinking!  But it felt really awesome to achieve that goal.
Then there has been the weight loss.  I'm still working on that, and some weeks it's two steps forward and one step back, but I'm really happy with how that is going too.

I guess with these two goals, my success has been totally in my own hands.  But with the market I left my success (and happiness) in the hands of others - and things didn't work out the way I'd hoped.  So I guess my goal was to make enough stuff, of a great standard that I was happy with, and have a market.  If I look at it that way - then I was totally successful!  Woohoo!

But the other thing about preparing all this stuff for sale has been that I haven't had time to make stuff for myself, my daughter or my friends and family.  So seeing as I have plenty of stock ready for next time I do want to have a stall, I'm going to spend a bit of time in the next wee while making some cute stuff just for FUN!  Because that's what it was all supposed to be in the first place. 

Because I'd hate to post without a photo I'll show you what else (apart from all you lovelies) was making me feel loads better yesterday - my new ice block creation!  Pretty much the same as last time but this one is butterscotch instant pudding instead (with yoghurt and trim milk) Mmmm!

PS:  whew! did you make it to the bottom?!  what a long post, sorry for the rant! xo

Reality check

Well, my long awaited market did not go quite as I had envisioned.  My dreams of new cd's, haircuts and even a bit extra were well and truly dashed.  After I paid the stall-holder fee and bought my lunch (delicious spinach pasta from the Italian man next to me) I went home with the princely sum of $4.  Yup, $4.  Oh well.  (insert BIG thanks here to Trish my best customer!!)

It was a really interesting experience.  Beforehand I wasn't too nervous, just a bit.  I really believed (and still do) that my stuff was cute, well made and reasonably priced.  Yet I heard the word 'expensive' three times.  Really?!?  This isn't the $2 shop people.  I really wasn't prepared for how heart-wrenching it would be to sit there for hours and watch people critique, poke and prod my precious wares, that I had made with such care.  Each time they put down my things and walked away, it felt like a little rejection.
That may sound a little dramatic, but it's how I felt!!

I really was ready to pack it all in at the end of the day.  I had given up.  I had no plans to book another market.  But after a few encouraging words from my fellow stall-holders about how it can be good one day and not-so-good the next, and some lovely words from friends and family, I'm already considering my options for market number two.   And if worst comes to worst and my stuff never sells then all my friends should get ready for some great pressies coming their way when they have babies!!

Gulp.

So next time I'm back in this space will be after my market!  Eeeek! 
I've made a small and hopefully achieveable goal of being able to buy her new album and maybe even get a haircut with the proceeds of my stall.  Wish me luck!!  And if you're local, pop down and say hi!

Happiness

I love my library.  Aside from the fact that I used to work there, and know a lot about it, how it works and how to make it work for me, I just love books.  Since having this baby though, I have had very, very little time for reading.  In the early days I made my way through these two books chapter by chapter during the night time breastfeeds.  They were both great, very inspiring, and they made me feel encouraged and a bit less alone during those wee small hours...  I'd recommend them to any new mama.

I was browsing my library catalogue online the other day and came across this book - which caught my eye purely because of the title.  So far it is an interesting read and I find myself having a few things in common with the author - particularly her desire to relax and have more fun with day to day life.  One of the things that she shares is her 'Secrets of Adulthood'.  These have really made me think.  I've come up with my own 'Secrets'  (some of which may seem rather obvious!), some things I have learnt about life and about myself.  I'm going to share them with you here, because I want to put them into writing to make them real to me.


It's okay to say no.   It took me a long time to learn this one, but it is sooo liberating.  Saying no when you really don't want to go or to do something.  Being honest and sticking up for yourself.
Make an effort to go.  This may seem like it contradicts the above, but that's okay.  Sometimes you just need to make an effort to go  (for a walk/run, to see a friend, to a party, to try something new)  you'll nearly always enjoy it once you get there.
I will never get a tattoo.  Other people get tattoos and I love them and I want one.  Well, really I want to want one.  But I'm 29, if I was going to do it I'd have done it by now.  Let go of this!!  Just realise its not me.
I will never floss daily.  And my dentist will just have to get over it.  I have more important things to worry about than this.  But stupidly I do worry about it.  No more!
Never finish a book that you are not enjoying just because you feel you should.  What a waste of precious time.
Turn off the TV.  Do it now.  (Except for NZ's next top model)
Hold your tongue.  If you can't say anything nice don't say anything at all - your mama taught you that.
Do the boring grown up stuff sometimes.  For me this was organising a will and insurance.  But now its done, its done!  And I feel much better about it being organised.
Do your best to make your house a home.  So it is a nice place for your family to come home to, and for others to visit.  Keeping the house tidy and inviting are important to me.

 I also really like some of the ideas over at the Happiness Project, these are a few of my favourites:
What you do EVERY DAY matters more than what you do ONCE IN A WHILE.
You don't have to be good at everything.
It's important to be nice to EVERYONE.

You can choose what you do; you can't choose what you LIKE to do.
What's fun for other people may not be fun for you -- and vice versa.

These are the things that resonate with ME.  They may be totally wrong for YOU.  But I'd love to hear any insights you have, little light bulb moments you've had, and the things you make an effort to do, in the comments!!! 

PS.  Thanks for all your looovely comments on my dress yesterday, it was this pattern again.  And yay for everyone who managed to find a 'no black, no denim' outfit!! xo

Wardrobe Wednesday - Theme: No black, No denim

Dress - Made by me

Cardi - Thrifted

Shoes - Number 1 Shoe Warehouse

Earrings - Glassons

I'd have preferred to wear my white cardi, but the washing machine ate that and I'm still working on fixing it up.  I love those blue shoes soooo much.  So did you manage to find an outfit with no black and no denim?!?  I can't wait to see!!!  Next week, no theme - I'll give you a break, but I do have one lined up for the week after.  If you'd like to suggest a theme do so in the comments or email me!  What is Wardrobe Wednesday?  Read it all here.

Greenery.

That green stuff is from my garden.  Yussss.  Spring, I 'heart' you big time.  I just planted out some popcorn (thanks Ella!) some beetroot, broccoli, and more lettuces.  I hope they all survive life in the big garden, I was a bit rough with my transplanting...time is of the essence when baby is napping.

And as an aside, that greenery is totally going to help loose the rest of  it. 
To date I've lost 5.7kg.   VERY proud of myself I must say.  Go me.

just another 'spring' post...

During the weekend I discovered that these neglected steps on our bottom lawn had become covered with beautiful violas.  Gorgeous.

Also, hubby's hop plants making an appearance here.  Don't tell him, but his home brew really is getting quite good.  Mmm.  Beer.

this sunday I love...

.: Pretty toenails and starting the day with a 1.5km swim :.

a sneaky peek...

...at some of the 59 bibs, 3 patchwork play mats, 6 nappy wraps, 5 sets of fabric balls, 4 canvas collages, 18 muslin face wipes, 60 decorative pegs, 13 knitted hats, 12 sunhats, 16 pairs of booties, 24 gift tags, 30 paper globes, 26 greeting cards and 15 knitted vests the partner-in-crime and I have prepared for the market next weekend.  We have our fingers and toes crossed for a lovely spring day.  Lots of labelling and pricing and sorting to do before then!