Faux Pas

I made a massive faux pas on Saturday afternoon, and one that I have learnt from!

Poppy and I were heading down to the yacht club to meet Nick and some friends for an afternoon cruise on the boat!  I had strapped Poppy in her car seat and realised I had left my camera in the house.  I ran back inside to grab it (as I couldn’t possibly miss out on a photo opportunity) and I got back to the garage only to find the car had automatically LOCKED!

Panic welled through my body and as much as I tried to ‘keep it together’ I just started crying.  Seeing her little face look up at me through the locked door – so innocent and pure – just got me.  Like a tease I saw the key sitting on the front passenger seat (that I had popped there when I was doing up her straps). The spare key was in my handbag in the boot.  Yes, I know … I know, you don’t have to say it!  Stupid Mum.

I have had years of training on Wilderness First Aid courses with full on scenarios – training to keep a cool and level head when you are faced with adverse situations in the outdoors with commercial clients.  However, faced with this situation I just couldn’t stop crying.

Through my tears I rang Nick to tell him I had locked our daughter in our car with both the keys and he was home in a flash.  I held it together just enough to ring RACT – but then Poppy started crying and saying:  ”Get out?“, “Get out?“.  It was awful.  After Nick and I played peek-a-boo with her for what seemed like an eternity, the novelty wore off and she was quite upset.  I felt so guilty.

Our RACT ‘knight in shining armour’ turned up with his tools and managed to unlock the car with an implement that pressed the actual button on the key sitting on the seat!  I was so relieved – as was Poppy.  Mmmm … I hope she won’t need any therapy in the future.

After all the drama we had a lovely afternoon on the boat with Tracy, Sarah and Cath and I managed to calm my nerves with their good company and the calmness of the water.  Lesson learnt = don’t leave your keys in a European car, as it will automatically lock!

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On another note:

My good friend Eve (who I met at Pregnancy Yoga and Antenatal class when we were pregnant the first time) had a little baby boy – Max Dominic on Friday.  Poppy and I went to the Hobart Private yesterday morning to meet Flynn’s new little brother.  Poppy was quite taken with him – patting his cheek and blanket.  He is so gorgeous.  Bless.  xx

Shopping Spree … not!

Yesterday, Poppy (and her pigtails) and I went into Hobart to meet my dear friend Melissa and her son, Luka.  I was very brave as I didn’t take a pram for her, but she did very well – insisting she hold onto Luka’s pram.

However, we did come slightly unstuck when we went to the Country Road Sale and Poppy became quite enamoured with the change room doors and refused to come out.  Her tactic was appreciated, as it distracted me from buying anything!

Have a nice weekend.  x

Baby ♥

All this talk of pregnancy and expecting another bubba in August, has me reflecting on Poppy as a baby.  Here she is with ‘Gordy’ at six months old. ♥

Sneaky Peek : Kick Kick

It is such a joyous journey to be pregnant, and one that I am thankful for every day.

It is difficult to comprehend that one day, this little person inside of me will give us as much joy as Poppy does now. As I go about my normal ‘day-to-day’ tasks such as cooking dinner; teaching my students; picking up Poppy from care; having a hot-chocolate with a girlfriend; getting the mail from the mailbox or stepping out of the shower – all the while our baby is growing and developing fundamentally.

As I am about to enter my third-trimester I can’t believe how quickly the past three months have flown by. Apart from a few niggles here and there, I have had a very smooth pregnancy so far and hope that continues for the next 12 weeks.

Here is a poem from an unknown author I read yesterday:

I do not have a face to see,
Or put inside a frame.
I do not have soft cheeks to kiss.
I don’t yet have a name.

Not yet can you hold my tiny hands,
Nor whisper in my ear.
It’s still too soon to sing a song,
Or cuddle me so near.

But all that will change come this August;
When they say I am due.
I am your newest child;
And I can’t wait until I meet you!

All I ask between now and then
Is your love for me to grow.
I promise I’ll be worth the wait;
Just think of all the joy we’ll know!

So as you’re waiting patiently,
Please pray lots of prayers for me.
I cannot wait to be a part
Of this wonderful family!

Yum : Stewed Rhubarb with Apple & Strawberries

This is a delicious way to eat ‘in-season’ rhubarb – especially on your porridge with Jalna yoghurt!

Stewed Rhubarb with Apple & Strawberries

• Rind and juice of 1 orange
• 500g rhubarb, cut into 2.5cm pieces
• 1 large apple – thinly sliced
• 60g sugar
• 250g strawberries – hulled and sliced

Method

• Place all ingredients in a saucepan and cook until soft
• Whizz in a blender or with a stick mixer.

PS:  I neglected to download these photos from my iPhone from Mother’s Day.  Poppy bought me a beautiful ceramic platter!

Happy Mother’s Day

Happy Mother’s Day for yesterday!

Unfortunately I didn’t get to spend the day with my Mum, but I did speak to her.  I did however get to enjoy my role as a Mum and spent the day with our beautiful little girl.  Nick enabled me to have a ‘sleep in’ and I got up at 9.30 am!  Bliss.

For the rest of the day we hung out at home – in the garden and in her room.  Poppy loves her swing under the falling autumn leaves and playing peek-a-boo with Maisy.  Such sacred times.  xx

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Indecision

I am right in the midst of a ‘nesty’ mode at home, and have been busy in the past couple of months planning our new bedroom renovation, before our baby arrives in early August.

Poppy is going to move into our existing room, whilst the new bubba will move into her room.  We are doing up another bedroom for our ‘parents retreat’  This room has always been used as a spare/junk room and hasn’t been touched ‘cosmetically’ since we have lived here for the past 5 years.

I am feeling frustrated though – our painter has only been able to start next week, and everything else hinges on that.

I have finally ordered the blinds but only after many trips to the store to look at samples.  And then there is the carpet – there have been so many samples that have been paraded around the house for the past month, I am so confused!  Cut pile plush, twist pile, wool, synthetic combination and the many colours!  Oilskin or Thoroughbred??

My latest deliberation (at 4:00 am this morning) is the wardrobe configuration and finishes from IKEA – Nexus, Malm, birch veneer, white????

Arrrggghhh – I am so frustrating because I look forward to new projects at home, but when the crunch comes, I just can’t seem to make a decision.  I think I need to ‘get a life’ and stop sweating the small stuff!

Layby ♥

Today I am loving these winter outfits.  Each morning I really struggle with what to wear, as my pregnant tummy of 27 weeks keeps on growing (in fact I read yesterday that our little bubba has doubled in size in the last month – no wonder I am so tired)!

As you read here in January, I cancelled my personal credit card and since then have rediscovered the old-fashioned lay-by!  It is brilliant – I have a few things on lay-by at the moment and it feels so liberating paying things off slowly before you enjoy them, like this Cable Melbourne Cashmere Cardigan above and these Acne boots:

I was also recommended these Topshop Maternity Jeans recently and I have been living in them constantly:

On my wish-list to complete this outfit is this Country Road Shirt - and then I will be set! x

Sneaky Peek : DIY Felt Crown

Well I did get crafty and popped into Spotlight yesterday and stocked up on colourful felt, jewels and embellishments.  I then downloaded a crown template from here and produced this beauty:

What do you think??

Yum : Larni’s Minestrone Soup

My delivery from Hill Street Grocers arrived with all these amazing vegetables and so I have just made a big pot of my favourite soup!

This recipe is an old family favourite – I have just added a few of my touches to it.  Mmmm … beautiful served on a cool autumn day, with crusty bread and lots of butter whilst wearing your Ugg boots!

Minestrone Soup

• 1 pkt McKenzie’s Italian Style Soup Mix (soaked overnight)
• 2 onions
• 2 – 3 cloves garlic
• 4 – 5 rashers of bacon – diced
• 3 – 4 sticks of celery – sliced
• 2 – 3 carrots – diced
• 1 swede – diced
• 4 potatoes – diced
• Half butternut pumpkin – diced
• Brussel sprouts
• 2 x 400g tins of tomatoes
• 80 g dried pasta
• Chicken stock – 4 cups +
• Pepper & Salt
• Italian parsley

Method

• Soak Italian Style Soup mix in a large pot of water overnight.  Drain and rinse
• Heat oil and butter in a large, heavy-based saucepan over high heat. Add onion, garlic, and bacon and cook, stirring occasionally
• Add other vegetables and sweat slowly on a low heat, with lid ajar for 15 – 20 minutes
• Add tomatoes and simmer for another 15 minutes
• Now add the Soup Mix, pasta and stock until all vegetables are covered and cook on low for about 20 – 30 minutes.
• Check seasoning and serve with Italian parsley and some toasty bread with butter.