just another day...

Everyday we can, my hubby and I walk to the break wall.  My favourite time of day. Stresses from the day drift away, breathing in deep the smell of the sea... and you just never know what you're going to see.

This was about 6pm... loving daylight savings and seeing people out enjoying the water till after 7pm!

This day we saw dolphins in the river (still struggling to capture a good piccy of dolphins! Looking forward to getting my mum-in-laws old cannon camera to play with!), police escorting a boat into the marina, full on large police patrol boat waiting for the little police boat out past the bar, old school plane doing laps over head (I think he was checking out the patrol boat too!) and someone's discarded bike that had been selvaged from either the river or the ocean.  What an outing! Surprising what can happen in our quiet piece of the world. :)

my second wedding...

If I had the chance to have another wedding, I would just as easily choose this one as I would my original own.

Our friends Brendo and Jess married on December 3, 2011. A wedding in the park, riverside in our beachside town and a reception at a nearby organic tea-tree and vegie farm set next to a serene water scene with amazing birdlife and horses wandering by in the background.. A wonderful atmosphere with family and friends for a couple truely in love.  The vintage and personal touches that they placed around their ceremony and reception venue were so lovely and all of my favourite things.  Jess is a girl after my own heart!

Hydrangeas and garden flowers,  old chairs from our church for the signing (which I envy every time I see them and think they'd look so inviting in a corner of my home!) doilies her girlfriends and grandmas collected (and made!), herb and vegie pots for the guests, dress-up and photo booth, my favourite - the guest libs and instead of a signature book or board they had a fingerprint tree to remember the guests at their wedding. There were even more touches that I missed capturing but oh it was such a lovely evening you wanted to sit back and enjoy it rather then miss it by being caught up behind the camera.

As I'd say to anyone getting married soon or in the future, a lot of effort is involved but it is so special to make the day your own, a day that speaks of your relationship, interests and things you want to share and remember - and it is all worth it.  Weddings have become more special to me as I reminisce at every one I attend, since my own, of the specialness of our day and what my marriage means to me everyday since. It is the start of a beautiful, yes challenging, but always rewarding journey.

Blessings to you both, Brendo and Jess.

my my my... i'm back.

I can't believe it has been this long.
How sad to look back and see a path you chose distracted you from the one you know that brings your heart alive.
Poor health and the distraction of taking a job that once again didn't bring alive the creative joy inside me distracted me for over a month of connecting with you creative bodies out there.  I've missed the inspiration and the sharing.  Now I'm back.

So what's install for 2012?
- Learning more about back-to-basic home cleaners
- Learning more about whole food cooking and making more of my own foods from scratch
- Investing time into my organic garden (which has also been neglected these past 6mths!)
- Op shopping of course! Have a few new finds I'll have to take some pics of and share with you in coming weeks.  Loving the transformation of my beachside batch as more vintage finds make their way into my heart and my home.
- Sew! Sew! Sew! Practicing cushion and quilt making to start selling my own creations at markets...There is the goal of my own business.... however may be delayed by....
- Welcoming Baby #1 into our family in May! So will also be learning more about eco friendly, sustainably sourced baby products and toys.

Can't wait. Looking forward to dropping into your blogs again soon and reconnecting with your adventures.
Nais.

this weeks love

hey all

so where have i been this week?

training for my new adventure being a thermomix consultant! if you've haven't yet seen this kitchen miracle in action i recommend it. the best thing you'll do this year.  find out how here.  cooking from raw ingredients, avoiding preservatives and additives AND saving time and money. how can it not be a winner?  i'm off to spread the thermomix love with family and friends starting tomorrow! woohoo!
my fav recipe trial this week was my own addition of lavender to vanilla custard. ohmygoodness! fresh picked lavender from folks garden. so lovely. recommend lavender in strawberry jam too. 

other things i'm loving this week...

nicola finetti.  ok so i live in a small town where a decent shopping centre is about 2hrs drive away... so my wander through myer yesterday was VERY exciting. fell in love with about 5 nicola finetti dresses. lucky i don't have anywhere to wear them just now as starting a new work adventure doesn't put me in the best place to be eyeing off such lovelies. my favs were a black 3/4 sleeve, knee length pleated number and a peakcock green ruffle pretty piece. maybe in another life i'd be able to wear such joyous pieces everyday!
sorry didn't have time to find pics to share.

my other clothing love this week is vintage laura ashley.  perhaps my absolute love of florals draws me to these finds.  have found two skirts at op shops over the years and just thought to look on ebay. oh joy!  i think i'll ask for people to shop for these for my birthday. dresses and skirts please!

its off to the brisbane suitcase rummage on sunday for me and some special ladies.  have some pics of my favourite stock i'm selling - but they're on my home computer!! - so will share them and any finds i get for myself on my return home next week.

hope you've been enjoying the fresh winter air and a cozy doona with loved ones. blessings, nais.

hello again my old friend

it has been a few weeks since i've sewed... a problem machine and changing my sewing table left it to be a dump zone for the past few weeks.

so lovely to spend some tidying it up ready to attack some project this week.

on the cards? cushions, dolls clothes and  cute pencil/whateva cases.  lets hope my self diagnosis and fixing of my machine holds up!

healthy muffin munchies

reading a women's health mag at the doctor's office today and came across some great healthy flavour filled muffin recipes i wanted to share with you all...

source: australian women's health march 2009

mood managers: papaya & pineapple muffins
'..packed with nutrient-dense complex carbs...to help your brain ramp up production of that "woo-hoo!" chemical (serotonin). the omega-3 fatty acids in walnuts and flaxseeds may offer additional protection... they combat moodiness and irritability and nourish the whole nervous system.'

ingredients
1.5 cups wholemeal flour
1.5 tsp baking powder
1.5 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup tinned pineapple, drained
1 cup cubed papaya
1/3 cup yoghurt
1 egg, beaten
2 tbs canola oil
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup golden syrup
1/4 cup walnuts
1/2 cup dried cranberries

method
1. preheat oven to 190degC
2. in a large bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon
3. in a food processor or blender puree pineapple, papaya and yoghurt. mix in egg, oil, sugar and syrup.
4. combine pineapple and flour mixtures; fold in walnuts and cranberries.
5. spoon batter into paper-lined muffing cups. bake for 20-22mins or until tops spring back when lightly pressed. cool on a wire rack.

heart guards: apple and cinnamon oat bran muffins
'pectin fibre in apples, oat bran and vitamin E rich canola oil are loved by cardiologists because together they lower both total and LDL cholesterol and keep blood sugar levels under control.'

ingredients
1/2 cup oat bran
1 cup wholemeal flour
1/4 cup ground flaxseeds
1 tsp baking soda
1.5 tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1 egg, beaten
4 tbs canola oil
1 apple, shredded
1/3 cup apple sauce
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup chopped pecans

method
1. preheat oven to 175degC.
2. in a large bowl, whisk together bran, flour, flaxseed, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon and nutmeg.
3. in a separate bowl, whisk together egg and oil until smooth. stir in shredded apple, apple sauce and sugar. combine mixtures and fold in pecans.
4. spoon batter into paper-lined muffin cups. if desired sprink oats over muffin tops. bake for 22-25mins or until tops spring back when lightly pressed. cool ona wire rack

engine starters: date and oat muffins
'...the natural sugars in the dates and prunes give you quick energy but blood-sugar regulating B vitamins in the oats keep it flowing slow and steady so you don't spike and crash.'

ingredients
1.5 cups rolled oats
1/3 cup milk
3/4 cup wholemeal flour
2 heaped tbs canilla whey protein flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cinnamon
14 dates, finely chopped  (about 3/4 cup)
1 egg, beaten
4 tbs grapeseed oil
2 tbs golden syrup
1/3 cup prune juice

method
1. preheat to 200degC
2. combine oats and milk in a bowl and let soak. in a separate large bowl, mix flour, whey protein, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and dates.
3. in another bowl, combine egg, oil, golden syrup and prune juice. add to oats mixture, then stir in flour mix.
4. spoon batter into paper-lined muffing cups. bake for 20mins or until tops spring back when lightly pressed. cool on a wire rack.

flu fighters: carrot and ginger bran muffins
'carrots are rich in immune-boosting vitamin A, zinc-packed pumpkin seeds ward off infection and apple juice contains sniffle-stifling vitamin C. another weapon: yoghurt... its good-for-you bacteria provides defence against microbes.'

ingredients
1/4 cup frozen unsweetened apple juice concentrate
1/2 cup wheat bran
1.25 cups wholemeal flour
1 tsp baking soda
1.5 tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup plain yoghurt
1/2 cup shredded carrot
1 tsp grated fresh ginger
2 tbs molasses
1/4 cup pumpkin seeds

method
1. preheat oven to 190degC
2. boil juice over high heat until it becomes syrupy. set aside and let cool.
3. in a large bowl, whisk together wheat bran, flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon and ground ginger
4. in a separate bowl combine reduced juice, egg, yoghurt, carrot, fresh ginger and molasses. combine mixtures and then fold in pumpkin seeds.
5. spoon batter into paper-lined muffing cups. bake for 18 to 20mins or until tops spring back when lightly pressed. cool on a wire rack.

PMS busters: banana, yoghurt and walnut muffins
'bananas provide cramp-busting potassium and vitamin B6, a hormone regulator that may help reduce water retention, depression and other PMS symptoms... yoghurt delivers calcium and vitamin D: the dynamic duo has been shown to slash PMS symptoms by up to 40%. add magnesium-rich walnuts... the mineral which may reduce irritability and stabilise blood sugar.'

ingredients
1.25 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup rice flour
1/4 cup flaxseeds
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup plain yoghurt
3 medium ripe bananas, mashed
1/2 cup golden syrup
1/3 cup grapeseed oil
1/4 cup walnuts

method
1. preheat owven to 190degC
2. in a large bowl whisk together oats, flour, flaxseeds, baking powder and baking soda.
3. in a separate bowl, combine eggs, yoghurt, bananas, syrup and oil. add flour mixture and fold into walnuts.
4. divide batter into paper-lined muffin cups. bake for 20-22 mins or until tops spring back when lightly pressed. cool on a wire rack.

best buys

have come to the realisation i should perhaps share with you only my favourite bargin buys so as to not overload blog inboxes...

so here's this weeks best buys...

wooden pin toys - the lot $2 at local wellspring op shop
plans for these to line a shelf somewhere in my future bub's room.
we're talking years away... don't get excited just yet!



wallpaper sourced by my wonderful mum at her regular op shops
 in toowoomba. she's fabulous.
she knows how much i love green-ness. 
and my lack of luck in sourcing wallpaper for crafting.



$5 set of wooden kitchen canisters -
from yesterdays brisbane suitcase rumamge
i plan to use them for storage on top of my fridge.
got to be effective with storage in a small kitchen.
i like the use of wooden items to warmify and calm the use of colour
in my kitchen/dining room.

$3 indian decorative bowl from local wellspring op shop.
bit different to my latest 70s johnson of australia plate collection
added to my kitchen but i think it helps to be the decorative step
between my wooden pieces and colourful bowls etc.

and there is my spending ration done for the week! oh dear. :)

memories for my mum

had my mum come with me to the suitcase rummage yesterday. so lovely to share the experience with her, especially on mother's day, as we love searching through each other's bargins and vintage buys when we visit each other's homes.

it's also her 50th birthday coming up next week so have been going over her lifetime of photos for my sis to put something special together for the day.

it made me want to share with you who this beautiful lady is to me.
a photo blog dedicated to her.
so here are some of my favourite photos of her collection that captures the mum i know and love.

cute, loveable, happy kid

i'm sure my sis and i got some of our love of school
from our mum. obdient and eager to learn.

a lover of animals - pets have always been family.

  

a lover of family and making great family memories.

a little bit cheeky.

it takes a special lady to love a quirky guy like him. :)

a gorgeous bride and loving wife.

 

proud mum to her twins.



playful mum



always planning family adventures for great times
and memories together.

love this... my mum and my nanna.
the laughs that happen when you get
the women in my family together.
have great memories growing up of my mum, aunty and nanna
getting in hysterics laughing at the silly things they do at
family occaisions. great memories.

a reluctant pillion passenger to my dad's love of riding.
she now has her own leather jacket.
dad and i are so proud.

   

connected us to our new zealand heritage

proud mum to her now married daughters



very excited to be a grandma to my nephew.



mum, carer, supporter and friend.
me, mum and my sis.

happy mother's day, happy birthday and thanx for being my mum jules.
love you to bits.

hello sadie

it seems i have a sadie house wife theme for this months brisbane suitcase rummage!!

yep... hear that johnny farhnem classic singing in your head now!!

have been collecting aprons, pot holders and oven mits to take up to brissy on the weekend.
here's some of my favourites....

and while we're on our sadie pieces around the house wanted to show you a favourite apron of my own...

this comes from a great aunty of my hubby. its still starched and looking fabulous. i can't bring myself to wear it while cooking as i never want to ruin it! love it so much.

i've come to wearing aprons while cooking and sewing lately. am loving feeling like a 1950s housewife. i'm coming round to thinking i would have loved to live in that era! but being home by choice, not because i have no other option available to me.  i've studied, worked. and now i'm ready to play house, build a big vegie garden and sew from home. i'm taking one day at a time stepping towards that dream! bring on hubby finishing uni!

wishing you some happy moments around your home this week. blessings, nais.

grace in casino

no, not a day gambling but a unique op shop experience at a nearby town, casino nsw.

a lifeline store next to where i've been working is one of my regular haunts.  was in there and found a new table runner (see below) which is one of my most fav finds ever as i just love butterflies and don't often find tasteful butterfly pieces to match my home.... however that is not the story... back to it... was admiring the doilys looking for something cute and quality to add to mum's collection.  a lovely lady came up and spoke to me... her name was grace... she offered for me to come out the back and look through their boxes!! of other doilys and handiwork.  its always feels like sweet forbidden territory entering into the back room of an op shop... such a buzz... feels like you'll get an even earlier peek at amazing finds before they make it to the shelves and other hunting eyes.

she slowly unrolled... yes she stores the 'something special' ones on plasitc and paper rolls... she is the one that takes them home, soaks them for stain removal, starches and irons them... and still sells them at great prices. such care is taken.  as we went through 3 boxes (i had to get going by that stage!!) she, and gradually another 3 ladies helping in the shop that day gathered round, described the techniques and errors of the doily creators' ways.  'oh this one has been knitted and then crocheted'... 'oh dear, they've ruined that one by using too many stiches on the edging'... 'oh i remember that pattern'... i was surrounded by a lovely group of old ducks who were capable of all my needlework and sewing dreams!

despite my subtle hints that i would love to learn from such skilled ladies, it took till i was almost finished my transaction and out the door for grace to offer to teach me.  she then shared that she has 12 grand-daughters and none of them have an interest or appreciation of the skills of their generation. i think she was stoked to see a young person take the time to share this joy with her. 

while i was in there, i was thinking how much of a buzz my mum would get having this experience.  grace offered to have my mum come to the back room and delve through the boxes herself when she visits. she introduced me to the manager, told me her volunteer schedule and such was my day. 

i picked out a couple that i thought mum might like. but the real buzz was being able to show an interest and share the appreciation for the hours of work that went into these delicate creations.

thank you casino lifeline and st vinnies for my few finds from that day...

and most of all, thank you grace.