Cherries in Season

I just knew this divine fabric by Cosmo Cricket had a destiny all of its own... and these gorgeous summer skirts came up beautifully (if I do say so myself).

If only I had thought to make one in my size :)

To Market, to Market

Gosh darn these kids are cute! But now to the real story, who doesn't love a good market? Well, those in Forbes will be spoilt for choice this weekend when the ABA Baby Market is on Sunday 17th at the Youth Centre from 9am-1pm. And I will be making my first appearance with a delightful collection of wares from Big Bug and Little Bug.

If it's a hat you're after, there'll be plenty of those! From itty bitty baby sizes up to 3/4 years of age. And my favourite thing to do is fill a custom order. If you see something you like, but it's not in your size, let me know and I'll do what I can for you.

I'll also have skirts and dresses, tops and bibs. Oh, the bibs! They are divine, and a mountain of gorgeous boy prints, too.

So swing by and check it out on Sunday, there are great raffle prizes and homemade cakes and slices for morning tea. See you there!

Yeehaw!

Ah heck! Ain't he just the sweetest cowkid you ever did see? Last night we fulfilled his greatest wishes and trekked over to the PBR Bullrides in Condo. There were thrills and spills, chutes and utes, fireworks and fancy pants cowboys as far as the eye could see.

Charlie cheered and hoorah-ed with the best of them, at one point handing his beloved 'bull' and icecream to Dad, "Hold these, Dad, so I can clap" (what a wag, seriously...) Thankyou Big Bug for sharing icecream with your sister, and thankyou Little Bug for treating your brother like he is God's greatest gift to this earth. Bless. xxx

Hoot - a custom order

A friend asked me yesterday to drop by a little hat for a 9 week old baby boy. Sure, no problem, I have something right he... Oh, maybe not that little. So last night I whipped up this gorgeous Hoot Hat, which kinda makes me wish for a little teeny tiny boy of my own again... but only for a second :)

Four, Five, Six

We were lucky enough to spend this weekend camping with great friends (Charlie and Charlotte pictured here searching for possums). The kids had a smashing time exploring, checking out the river and eating loads of marshmallows.

I decided not to take a watch, declaring myself free of its constraints, choosing instead to do as I pleased when I pleased. As a consequence, I think I drove everyone crazy asking what time it was, and we very nearly fed the kids their dinner at 4pm! So now I have been awake since 4.30am, thanks to Charlie, the white cockatoos and kookaburras, and I am are very much looking forward to my own bed tonight.

The second night camping Ben treated us all to a camp-oven verison of Butter Chicken, rice and naan bread. There are no words to describe how it tasted, but I can guarantee even Matt Preston would be impressed! Now to try to recreate the recipe...

And finally, my littlest Ladybug has discovered the camera. She likes to smile, but at the same time lean forward and peer into the lens. So most photos of her these days look a bit like this, unless I can catch her unaware!

Project Hoot

This delightful fabric holds endless possibilities.. but I'm thinking 3 tiered ruffle skirt to the knee, perfect for a little ladybug in the spring time. What do you think?

Day 2, so it continues....

Neither of my children has ever graced the inside of daycare, pre-school or otherwise, so I was excited to see some of their first independent artwork from outside the house when we went to a fab new playgroup in a neighbouring town this week. This is Ruby's very first 'craft' activity (besides defacing most of my walls and furniture with ballpoint pens, that is). A truly proud mummy moment. x

365 days starts now

I was recently inspired by someone who took photos of themselves every day for a year.

No, I will not burden you will photos of 'myself', rather photos of 'my life' and that which I most cherish.

So, today I began. This can't be hard, right? One photo, every day, that's it, that's all, just that. But seriously, only one photo?

Okay, so I begin with what consumes my life (gladly) every day, my precious bugs, one big, one little.

And maybe tomorrow I can limit myself to just one... maybe....

Stomping in puddles...

What beautiful rain we have had! Cooped up kids usually results in a mental mama, so after the rain we donned our boots and hats and headed out to float some leaf boats in the gutters.

Sam from Melbourne (her official title) was here with us this week and both bugs adore her (must be a genetic thing). She was chief umbrella holder and managed to float the fastest boats on the day. Come back to us soon, Sam. xxx

Who doesn't love jumping in puddles?

New Hats!

Here are the next 3 hats available. All 3 are large size, 100% cotton and fully lined with contrast fabric. Only $18.00 each, and free postage within Oz. Custom orders available.

A New (ad)Venture

Okay, time for something different, enough dabbling, let's get down to it. How about hats? As a mum of a delightful little boy, I know it is terribly hard buying funky hats that cover the face. Something super-cool (as Charlie claims he is) with a decent brim.

So how about it? Here is the first one (yes, a little girly, I know, but it was all the fabric I had at the time!)

You can choose your size and your design. With or without a pocket, I hear you ask. Why, that is completely up to you. And would you like a chin strap for a little one? No problem!

How about cars? Or rodeo horses? Or spots? Or something else completely?

Just let me know what you are after and I will do my best to accomodate!

Look, Poppy, we dug a hole!

We went to visit Poppy and Nanny's farm a few weeks ago and Charlie and Cutta found Poppy digging a hole. "I want to do that," says Charlie.

And so began the very slow task of two little boys digging a hole. First we had to convince them that you had to take the dirt 'out'of the hole, rather than put it back 'in'.

Yes, someone did get hit in the head with a shovel. Yes, the shovels were far too heavy, but did that stop them?

To top it off, Poppy almost convinced Charlie to eat a worm! He got the thing right to his lips before I talked him out of it! Thanks, Poppy. x

Grace

I have been madly stitching a dress for my dear friend, Grace, who made her First Holy Communion on the weekend. Thankyou, Grace, for sharing this special day with us. I am so glad you loved your dress, you were the most gorgeous one there, if I do say so myself!

Catching Up

How lucky we were to catch up with friends this week. The two little bugs and I travelled south and caught up with loads of our friends and their gorgeous children.

The kids were so wonderful in the car, turning into real little travellers (thank you to the makers of sultanas and Hundreds and Thousands biscuits, by the way!)

We stayed with Sara, Pid and Polly (precious little doll) on their farm, where Charlie braved it enough to feed the chooks. Anyone who knows Charlie knows he is not fond of animals up close, but he sure did make an effort this day.

A big shout out to Sonia, Simon and dear Max, to Maria and Tub, and also to Lisa, Matilda, Archie and new baby James. Thank you for looking after us, we loved seeing you all and look forward to another visit soon.

And the winner is...

Congratulations Sus&Tan, on winning Big Bug and Little Bug's first giveaway. I have a gorgeous set of personalised Bean Bags coming your way made from some beautiful new fabric just ordered. Thanks to everyone who has been reading, commenting and sharing links to the blog.

Mama Masterchef

Almost every evening in my house is an invention test and my pantry/fridge can often be described as quite a mystery box. So tonight when I spied these gorgeously lean pork loin chops, I knew there was magic to be made.

Bored with the regular mash and veg, I vowed tonight would be different. So I give you Pork Loin Chops on a bed of Ginger and Apple Risotto. Please take these measurements with a grain of salt (pardon the pun), Mum always taught me to cook it until it looks right and tastes right.

Pork Loin Chops with Ginger and Apple Risotto (serves 2 adults and 2 little bugs)

1 carrot, sliced

1 zucchini, grated

handful round beans, halved

1 granny smith apple, grated

2/3 cup arborio rice

2 tbsp butter

1 stick celery, chopped

1 tbsp ginger

3 generous lean pork loin chops

4-ish cups chicken stock

• Steam carrot, beans and celery in the microwave
• Fry off the ginger and butter in a hot pan
• Add rice and stir until well coated
• Add grated zucchini and apple to the pan
• Add chicken stock, one cup at a time until absorbed and rice is tender
• Toss in pre-steamed vegetables
• Cover and let sit while you grill pork chops to perfection
• Season and plate as you like, enjoy!

It is a rare occasion when I ever cook to an exact recipe, so go ahead and add whatever is in your mystery box! If you like this recipe, pass it on.

Remember the days of the old school yard?

Remember balancing bean bags on your head as you ran a relay race? Tossing bean bags in a bucket for skill building? Practising throwing and catching with a bean bag, or even juggling a few at a time? Well, Big Bug and Little Bug are going old school and bringing back the good old days!

Here is a gorgeous set of personalised bean bags made for Miss Maya, who turned 3 today (Happy Birthday to you!).

You like them? Well, strap yourself in and get ready, I have a whole lot of these ready to go. Not only fun and educational, these bean bags are filled with rice and make a smashing little heat pack to send your dear little one off to bed on these chilly nights.

Leave a comment below about your favourite schoolyard games and you could win a set of these delightful bean bags for yourself. Put your order in now, personalise your own set with your child's name, initials or numbers 1-4.

Big Bug has already requested a set after playing with Miss Maya's for a day!

It's getting a little chilly...

For a few weeks now Charlie and I have been watching the leaves in our street turned a magnificent shade of red. He insists on crushing them under his boots, riding over them in the pram, covering his sister with them on the trampoline and collecting them in his man-bag!

It's also getting just cool enough to start dressing them in gorgeous handknitted woollens, like this outfit knitted by Nan. I found this picture, taken last Winter, thankfully it still fits. Thanks Nan x

And here is little Miss Sunshine, not to be outdone, covering all shades of cute in this jacket knitted by her Great Grandmother. Awwwwww... and who can resists a little baby's noggin covered in a warm, little beanie?

Doting Dad thinks she looks all Mother Theresa with her Rosary beads!

Now off to cook up something warm and brilliant in the kitchen... what do you suggest?

TheBoardwalk Britches Grosgrain Giveaway

I can't wait til my lil Ladybug grows up and I can make her fabulous pants just like these!

A little too eager to start now? Just a little, me thinks, just a little.

TheBoardwalk Britches Grosgrain Giveaway

ABA Helpline

1800 MUM 2 MUM

Oh my gosh! I have just logged on and taken my first calls on the National Helpline for ABA. I was sooooo nervous, but lucky enough to talk to two beautiful first time mums. What an amazingly rewarding experience!

Dear darling Crew has been kind enough to evacuate the house with our two tiny tornadoes of children so I could a) hear the callers and b) finish a phone call for once!

2 calls will do me for today, about to log off and finish the housework on a high!

Happy Birthday Charlie!

Yeehah! Happy Birthday Charlie! What a magic day we had today. Cake and cowboys, fun and friends, play and presents.

Charlie requested a "builder's cake", so this is how I interpreted it...

Little sister wasn't far behind testing out all the toys and trying to keep up. They are best of buddies and Ruby chased Charlie all around Rascals. What a wicked pair!

Thanks to all his friends, we had a brilliant day!

The Almost Birthday Boy

From this......to this.........

Some of the favourite things my boy has said;

* " I want to be an icypole when I grow up, a green one."

* Dad: You've got to be nice to mum, mate. Charlie: Yeah, she's got a worm in her head.

* "I didn't want to go home and I was howling like a banshee."

* "Slow down the car, Mum, or Ruby will scream her fool head off!"

* "I love you to the zoo and back."

* "Pack my smoko, Mum, I've got work to do!"

Only 3 more sleeps til my special little fella turns 3. Charlie has requested ravioli for dinner and a 'builders cake', whatever the heck that is! Had better get creative this weekend!

Happy Birthday, Charlie William. You make us laugh every day and we love you so much.

Giddy Up!

Howdy pardners! What a gosh golly day we had at the team penning today. Charlie loved riding Scotchy, wearing his new hat, of course.

Ruby was not so happy, here is a picture I like to call, "I want to ride the pony, too!"

Crew had 3 runs at the team penning. Basically 3 riders had to round up and pen 3 head of cattle in 90 seconds. Of the 50 or so runs I saw today, I think maybe 6 teams would have been lucky to complete the task. Crew had a blast, we are all looking forward to the next day.

National Mothering Week

Next week we celebrate National Mothering Week and this years theme is "Mothering; together we do it better." This is one of the two pictures that make up the national poster, thanks to Bec at Cupcakes Photography

Today I approached some random mothers in the street and the shops, telling them they were doing a great job. Reactions ranged from surprise to suspicion at my intentions, but each mother I spoke to smiled and said thanks. This week take a moment to recognise your mother, yourself as a mother or someone else's mum.