Tenneille’s Bedroom

Posted on October 13, 2011 by Jacinta

It has taken months to get the final finishes done on Tenneille’s bedroom.  I am so happy with how it has turned out.  It is totally different to how the room started off.  All the rooms in the house were originally beige (I mean everything, walls, cupboards, inside of cupboards, I think you get the picture).  The flooring was originally carpet which had well and truly reached its use by date and the curtains were really tacky.  But now, it is pure bliss.  The splash of yellow on the wall brings the sunshine indoors and a smile to my face every time I enter Tenneille’s room.   So, without further ado, here ’tis….

Before

Flooring being laid

Tenneille's Room After

Tenneille's Room After

Yes, I promise you are looking at the same room!

My favourite prints In. The. World

I love this wall sticker, but it took me an hour to get the trunk lined up just so.  Oh my, it almost didn’t make the final cut!

Close up of the curtain material.

The curtain material is by Sweetwater and is from their Sunkissed range.  I can’t believe how perfectly it matches the paint.

I made both these dresses. The one on the right was worn by Tenneille on her naming day when she was 6 weeks old. Memories...

 

I think Violet (on the left) and Rose like their new surrounds

I am proud to say this is our first fully renovated room in the house.  Hurrah!  As for the kitchen, it is coming along nicely, the plasterer was here today, so things are moving along beautifully.  More kitchen photos to come soon.  Jacinta x

Now for details:

Feature wall colour is Swedish Yellow by Dulux in matt finish
Other wall colour is Antique USA White by Dulux in matt finish
Door and trims are White On White by Dulux in gloss finish
Ceiling is White on White by Dulux in matt finish

The flooring is made of bamboo floating floorboards in Coffee colour, purchased from Bunnings.

Curtains are made from Sweetwater’s Sunkissed fabric in Lemonade.  Purchased from here

Floor rug (aka, Yetti) was purchased from Ikea, it is not of animal origin!

The gorgeous bear and girl prints were purchased from here

The tree wall sticker and the ‘look what I did today’ art hanger were purchased from Myer.

Violet was made by me and Rose is of unknown origin

Posted in Family Life, Renovations (Renos 101!) | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Yarn Along

Posted on October 12, 2011 by Jacinta

Joining in with Ginny at Small Things for yarn along this week.

Not much knitting has been happening for me over the last few months.  Too many things have been getting in the way (like our current kitchen renovation).  Technically this weeks knitting is Scarlett’s.  Scarlett attends a Steiner/Waldorf school and as a class, Scarlett and the other children are each knitting a square to contribute to a baby blanket for their teacher who is due to have a baby later this year.  It’s kind of sad, as she is a lovely teacher and this is the second teacher in as many years, that is having a baby.  Her teacher from last year had a baby earlier in the year (normally with Steiner education a teacher will stay with the class right through the primary years).

Of course with the kitchen renovations and three weeks of school holidays thrown in, Scarlett hasn’t gotten around to knitting her square (ok, rather I haven’t gotten around to casting on for her).  She asked me again tonight to cast on the stitches for her and well, I got a bit carried away and knitted a few more rows!  It needs to be finished this week, so I am sure Scarlett will appreciate the head start.  I can’t wait to see the baby blanket made up and I will try to get a photo to share once it is finished.

As for reading, on the recommendation of another lovely blogger, I just started reading The Other Hand, by Chris Cleave.  I had trouble finding it at first as it is also sold under the name Little Bee (US version), which is what I was searching for.  I am only a few pages in, but I am loving how beautifully it is written so far.  I will keep you posted.

I want to add that I finally finished The Lacuna a while back.  I am glad I stuck with it till the end.  I know some people have told me they just couldn’t finish it.   All I can say is it isn’t a book that will babysit you through it’s pages and there is so much packed into the book, it is easy to get lost within it.  At the same time there is some really beautiful language that is a given with a Kingslover novel.  My favourite character from the book was Mrs Violet Brown.  I loved her strength of character.  I really enjoyed the later half of the book in which she was part of the storyline.

I can’t wait to see what you have all been crafting and reading.  You are all so talented! Jacinta x

Posted in Books, Craft, Family Life, Yarn Along | Tagged , , , , , | 10 Comments

How Could I forget….

Posted on October 10, 2011 by Jacinta

to share baby photos of Jairah!  I thought I had posted some last year, but I hadn’t.  Jairah Finley was born at home in water, in the wee hours of the morning.  He was 9lb 9oz and of course gorgeous.  Enjoy my little trip down memory lane (I know I did!).

Just born

 

Just a couple of hours old

One day old

 

Oh how loved you are

Jacinta xx

Posted in Celebrations, Family Life | Tagged , , , | 12 Comments

Happy Birthday, Sweet Boy

Posted on October 9, 2011 by Jacinta

Jairah turned 3 today.  That sweet, boy of ours so full of life.  He was extra blessed, with one set of New Zealand grandparents and my mum and dad here today. It is very rare for us to have more than just our own little family around for birthdays, as both Greg’s and my family are spread far and wide.

The day started out with me singing him happy birthday when I went to get him up, followed by vegemite toast in our bed (the crumbs were conveniently dropped on papa’s side of the bed!).  Greg and his dad went about the day continuing the kitchen renovations.  We set aside mid-afternoon for a little birthday celebration with a Humpty Dumpty cake made by my mum (thanks mum, ’cause I wouldn’t have managed a cake with no kitchen!).  Candles were blown out about a dozen times, each time funnier than the last.

The crown didn't last long (as per usual)

The chocolate cake went down a treat, as did the cake decorations.  Jairah had a lovely array of gifts to unwrap and was quite diligent with delegating others to unwrap them for him. Greg’s dad had made him three wooden planes which were a hit.  I can see them clocking up many hours of flying around this house.

Overall he had a beautiful day, surrounded by those who love him dearly.  He was one tired, but happy boy tonight.

Oh my, they melt my heart!

If I were to describe Jairah is just a few words it would be, ‘A whirlwind wrapped up in butterfly kisses’.  He certainly has a way about him, even when up to mischief, with a quick grin and tilt of his head to the side, and all is forgotten.  I think there may be a little Einstein channelling too, with that white crazy hair of his.  We love you sweet boy. Happy birthday!  Love Mama xx

I’ve come to realise that it has been a year since I started blogging, as Jairah’s 2nd birthday was my first ever blog post.  See it here.  I will do something to celebrate this blog space once the kitchen is dealt with.  Jacinta xx

Posted in Celebrations, Family Life | Tagged , , | 9 Comments

Kitchen Renovation – Day 1

Posted on October 8, 2011 by Jacinta

Ok, we have survived day one!  There had been much mess, noise and I must say, some fun, in the process.  It was great to get the kitchen packed up and pulled out in one day. We had thought up until recently, that we could have repurposed the kitchen on eBay, but due to the fact it was originally built on site, it was impossible to pull it out and keep it in a usable state.

The laundry has been transformed into a mini kitchen and we have likened our experience to camping, complete with us sleeping on the air mattress in the lounge. Which is where I am headed, just as soon as I can.

We have sent the in-laws off to bed, totally stuffed.  Their flight was delayed yesterday by four hours, so it has been a big couple of days for them.  They’re pushing out the zzz’s as I type.

Tomorrow there will be small wall removed and the slate will come up in the kitchen area.  There is still a lot of work to be done, as you will judge by the photos.  I’ll try to up date when I can.

Our kitchen's last stand (it put up a fight!). Â View from the right

View from the left

Mid removal

Kitchen as of tonight.

Jacinta x

Posted in Renovations (Renos 101!) | Tagged , | 3 Comments

This Moment

Posted on October 7, 2011 by Jacinta

From Soulemama {this moment} – A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment.  A moment I want to pause, savour and remember.

I love your moments too.  So feel free to leave a link in the comment section for us all to see.  Have a beautiful weekend.  Jacinta x

Posted in Family Life, This Moment | Tagged , , , , | 14 Comments

New Kitchen Has Arrived!

Posted on October 6, 2011 by Jacinta

The new kitchen arrived today, flat packed.  Of course we were lead to believe that there would be two people unloading it, but no, just one.  I ended up having to help unload lots of pieces, some pretty heavy, so I am feeling it tonight.  I won’t complain too much, as I have been looking forward to this dream kitchen for some time.  Now for the fun part, putting the pieces together.  It’s one big jigsaw really.  We are just hoping there are some instructions in one of the boxes!  I’ll leave that one for Greg and his dad to puzzle over.

Some assembly required!!

It will be very interesting getting by without a kitchen for at least the next 2 1/2 weeks and with at least 7 people to cater for, I will hopefully continue to be creative with meals. Hmm, let’s see.

Jacinta x

Posted in Family Life, Renovations (Renos 101!) | Tagged , , , , | 10 Comments

Wontons (or Gyoza)

Posted on October 4, 2011 by Jacinta

These wontons are pretty popular around here.  It is really hard around these parts to get good Asian food, so I have come up with my own recipe that has stood the test of time and children!  All our three love them and there generally aren’t any leftovers. They can be frozen and be cooked at a later date.  If you don’t like fried food, you can steam them instead to make gyoza.

Ingredients:
(Makes approx. 40)

Make sure all your ingredients are as dry as can be, as too much moisture inside the wonton will result in soggy wontons.

1 pkt wonton wrappers (approximately 40 wrappers)
300gm (10.5oz.) pork and veal mince
100gm (3.5oz.) water chestnuts
2 spring onions/green onions
2 cloves garlic
4 sprigs coriander/cilantro
1cm (3/4inch) piece ginger, grated
1 tbsp (1/2 fl. oz.) soy sauce/tamari
1/2 tsp sesame oil
1 egg, beaten

Method:

Using a food processor, blend the garlic & spring onions until finely chopped. Add the rest of the ingredients and blend until just combined.  Spread out the wonton wrappers on a clean, dry surface.  Add a small teaspoon full of mixture to the centre of each wrapper. Lightly brush egg wash around the inside edges of each wonton.  Fold up the wrappers around the meat, joining opposite corners.

Brush egg wash around inside edges of wontons

Fold opposite corners together

Press remaining opposite corners together and firmly pinch closed

Place wontons into shallow hot oil.  Turn as needed and cook until golden brown.  Drain on paper towel before serving.

Variations:

If you don’t want to fry the wontons, you can cook them like a gyoza.  To do so, steam them in a bamboo steamer for approximately 10 minutes.  Once steamed you can serve them as is or you can also lightly pan fry them in a tablespoon of oil until they are slightly browned on each side.

If you don’t have a food processor, just make sure you finely chop the garlic, spring onions, coriander and water chestnuts before adding the other ingredients.

You can make the wontons up and freeze them uncooked.  They will keep for about 3 months.

Dipping sauce:

our favourite dipping sauce is made up of equal parts soy sauce and fresh lemon juice or lime juice, add a couple of drops of sesame oil and a few leaves of coriander.  If you don’t have lemon juice or lime juice you can substitute with vinegar.

Wontons

Enjoy!  Jacinta x

Posted in Gastronomic Explosions - aka Yummy Food/Recipes | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

An Afternoon at St Erth

Posted on October 3, 2011 by Jacinta

We ventured to St Erth in Blackwood the other day to pick up the girls from my mum who had the girls in Ballarat for a sleepover.  It was a perfect spring day with gorgeous blue skies and the sun offered a little warmth, when not in the shade.  We had a lovely picnic amongst the gumtrees and the daffodils.
After the picnic, the girls and I had a fun time in the shop picking out seeds for our veggie patch.  They stock mostly heirloom varieties and organic where possible, which makes for a fun selection.

The daffodils were blooming en masse

I stood back at one stage and commented to Greg that Scarlett and Tenneille were so excited about choosing which seeds they wanted, it was comparable to the excitement of choosing lollies in a lolly shop!  I only wish I had taken video of it.  They got to pick a couple of seed packs each which they will get to plant themselves and, well I chose, LOTS!  When Tenneille took her seeds up to the counter to be paid for, she commented to the lady serving us, “I’m going to raise the seeds as my own child”.  It was so funny.  The things she comes out with!

After our seed buying frenzy, the girls and I wondered around the beautiful gardens. Scarlett spent most of the time giving Tenneille pony rides and they had fun checking out where all the garden paths lead.

St Erth

Looking out the front door of St Erth

Just one of the views from the many garden paths

I’m hoping we have a wonderful bounty to show you once summer and autumn arrive.  I just need to have words with those rascally snails that seem to think anything I plant is food just for them!

The bounty!

So if you ever find yourself in Blackwood, make sure you check out St Erth.  St Erth is part of The Digger’s Club and I can promise you if you love gardening, you won’t be able to leave empty handed.

Blossoms on one of the espalier fruit trees

Jacinta x

Posted in Favourite Places, Recommendations, Seasons | Tagged , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

This Moment

Posted on September 30, 2011 by Jacinta

From Soulemama {this moment} – A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment.  A moment I want to pause, savour and remember.

I love your moments too.  So feel free to leave a link in the comment section for us all to see.  Have a beautiful weekend.  Jacinta x

Posted in Family Life, Seasons, This Moment | Tagged , , , , | 14 Comments