Plus ten

I looked in the mirror yesterday morning (a rare and dangerous time waster) and I think I saw myself in ten years time. Not that I haven't looked in mirror and seen this before but there she was this morning.


Every so often, and I'm yet to figure out why, (and may never; as mothering teaches one) my little Winter wakes just before I float off to sleepie land. And then she's off and racing. Of course at this time of the night it is Mama's goal to 'resettle' her so we can all holiday in the happy land of slumber. Hmmm. A little feeding, cuddling, burping, jigging, Etsying, rocking and red eyes later, more yelling. So, lights on, sit up , What's going on? I say, hoping she's going to enlighten me...


and then she smiles, eyes puffy and not quite clear and under control, but grinning, 'hhherrrrrrr'.
Not funny sweetheart, Mama went to bed 3 hours ago.


Now it's 2 am.
Babies. Who knows.


This one has been upgraded to the bigger non-rocking version.

And here's why: when your babe does this when your eye is turned it's time to accept and move on (for safety's sake at least).

And now she makin' music and is pretty happy 'bout that. (Not at 2am mind you.)

But when she's having a tough day and just needs a little nap to get her through, she snuggles on Mama's chest and it does us both a world of good 'cause this is what she gives me when she wakes, no kidding, every time. This one, she smiles ALOT. What a wonderful blessing.

Hope your day ends on a happy too.

Bounty

We've been gathering small gifts around our house of late.

The raspberries are ripening a few each day and are welcome treats to waiting mouths. We have two plants in the front yard and, at the moment, we are able to pick just a handful or three every few days. How long this will last I don't know but we're sure to enjoy it while it does. (Spring just thought she needed to give the lavender picking a show too.)

Figs, yeah. Now these are delicious and in previous years we've had so much fruit I've had to wrack my brains to figure out how to not waste them, however last year the fruit grew then didn't ripen and this year seems there are lots of fruit but I'm not convinced it's all going to ripen, again. We have been fortunate to get enough to be eaten fresh though. I really enjoyed this picking session 'cause Mama climbed the tree. Yup, way up there, bare feet throwing fruit into the waiting arms of small peoples. How happy I could be. (Little people thought it was kinda cool too. Dada on the other hand had his reservations. I'm alright. The person needed for this job must be agile, strong, capable, discerning, brave, I think that describes me....) Ahem. 

There has been making of sorts here and there. This is soap we played with. It's very simple organic melt and pour so not much chemistry here. Just colour, aroma and decorative flowers. We used the pestle and mortar to squash scent from some lavender, some natural food colouring and then added the flowers for decoration.

 And voila! Look at those colours. Just right if your a four-year-old girl I guess. 

 Seriously, what kinda Mama makes her babes chocolate coated popcorn for afternoon tea....

Absenteeism: Hmmm, sorry I was away last week. This space just never quite reached the top of that long Mama's list. 

Wonder full: something for the senses

Something to hear, something to see, something to smell, something to taste, something to touch, or something to know....

Something to be thankful for.

Wonder full: something for the senses

Something to hear, something to see, something to smell, something to taste, something to touch, or something to know....

Something to be thankful for.

Homemade choc-hazelnut spread.
(Possibly best by the spoonful. If only I could send spoons through!)

smiles

More things that make us smile:

yummy breakfasts

with homemade yoghurt 

a tidy children's writing desk (small wonders!)

toes that cling so tight

feeling like your flying

four-year-old pigtails

and squiggly baby toes

quiet

With a lack of sleep and a few runny noses here this week I'm finding myself chasing that elusive tail.

But there are lots of things to make us smile. Here's just a few:

A flower most representative of the season ( I don't know what it's called). Found on a walk by my gatherer child.

Fruit nearly ripe.

Tomatoes from our friends and eggs from other friends

Food for my baby

a long weekend

...for us was full of family, friends, garden time and just being.

Wonder full: something for the senses

Something to hear, something to see, something to smell, something to taste, something to touch, or something to know....

Something to be thankful for.

Sisters Hair Salon

Seems I enjoy it

I don't know, maybe this is unusual, but I really enjoy the putting together of a garment. Doing the seams. Me, needle and yarn, and mattress stitch enjoy each other's company. There's a sense of achievement when I pull that yarn end and the two pieces zip together like they're meant to be. And that's the point where all those small stitches, one by one, become something else.

And here's a little lady wearing her cardigan.

And her big brother who couldn't resist trying it on. He insists it fits...I think I'll have to get going on that other jumper...

Monkey.

Change

In the past few weeks, on occasion, there has been a chill in the air which hasn't been felt for a while. Subtle, but definite. The daylight hours are shorter and the quality of light seems softer. There is change in the wind.

We are saying farewell to Summertime. Enjoying summer treats and the warm evenings that remain, knowing shortly they will be replaced with other treats and other activities.

These seasonal changes that happen around us act as small, gentle reminders of the change in ourselves. Next year these little fingers will look quite different, move quite differently and find interest in different places. 

Breathe it in, it is so fleeting. All of it.

A visit from the Heart

We had a visit from Granny and Pompa this past weekend. These visit usually include a little adventure:

Grannytime {often a time to create}:
Rocking rabbits

swinging sweethearts

a stitch of knitting standing in the kitchen (as you do) whilst watching...

little people nibble the fresh baked brioche.

and Pompatime {a time to sit, play silly games and read}:

wonderous words

whispered secrets

and a bit of napping whilst being pushed wearing your favourite vintage frock (even when you're four).

It's lovely to watch relationships be negotiated and renegotiated, change and grow. 
It's what makes us who we are. All learning from each other, regardless of age. 
What a blessing to have these visits, to be given this time.