List update: January

Thought a bit of a monthly list update might be in order.
Obviously the first month of the year wasn't a big one in terms of ticking things off. Alot of the things on the lists are 'chipping-away-at' things, and I estimate that the middle-end of the year will incur the most crosses. But all the same, and mostly for my own benefit (and encouragement), I thought I would see where I was up to with each thing.

1. Fit into my favourite summer top. - uh, my belly fits but there's no forcing the button over Otto's kitchen. 

2. Sew myself at least one DRESS. - have multiple designs in my head, need to make them happen.
3. Knit myself a cardigan I love. - too hot for knitting! goodness me, much too hot.
4. Make Abraham a hoodie. - off to Rotorua next month, will purchase fabric there.
5. Start sewing to sell again. - have done one update but am not counting that as a true start!
6. List GIANT pile of thing on Trademe. - have everything ready to start taking photos.
7. Print the majority of our photos. - waiting for a sale.
8. Plant a vege garden. - dirt organised, wood organised. Even found someone to make the raised bed! Feb is the month for this!
9. Go to the movies. - waiting for a good movie to take Aesop to.
10. Back up our photos on hardrive/ preserve fruit, make jam. - no. And no.
11. Start blogging again. 01/01
12. Get business cards. - have had them designed. Waiting to start sewing again and for some extra $$.
13. Buy 2 pairs of decent shoes. - have ordered one pair, waiting for them to arrive.
14. Take Aesop to the zoo. - july is the month for this! Waiting on an Auckland-dwelling baby niece or nephew to arrive!
15. Send (at least) 2 parcels to Amy. - have sent one 01/01
16. Finish at least 2 duathlon type events. - March and April are all booked and ready to go.
17. Sort out entire garage. - have made a start, but nowhere near finishing!
18. Finish yoyo quilt. - chipping away at it.
19. Earn $1000 through sewing. - haven't  made a start on this one.
20. Have a bbq/dinner with over 10 people. - nope.
21. See some live music. - not yet.
22. Save over $1000/ have an outdoor movie night - have found a projector to use but haven't set a date.
23. pay off our laptop and buy a new camera. - yet to pay off the laptop but did buy the camera 01/01
24. Sew 10 garments for the kids. - 2 down (ottos crawling pants), 8 to go.
25. Knit Aesop a jumper. - again, too hot.
26. Make the mix cd to end all mix cds. - nope.
27. Cover the cushions on the window seat. - nope.
28. Get away for a night without the kids! - will be the end of the year (read: end of breastfeeding) for this one.
29. Get mentioned in a magazine. - nope.
30. Make most of the gifts we give (this year). - a bit of a continuous goal this one.
Am also happy to report that, other than exercising, I have not worn pants or shorts out into the public eye. Viva la skirt!

Happy days.

Happy days = new baby cuddles, cupcakes with new crafty friends (who bring me fabric and watermelon! Thank you!), takeaways by the water, sitting babies, chasing birds and spending time with my good-looking husband. What more could a girl want?

This week, in ten.

An idea borrowed from Soulemama, our life this week captured in ten words and ten pictures.

1. Planning.

2. Busy.

3. Growing.

4. Speed.

5. Food!

6. Hot.

7. LEGO. (Always)

8. Tears (Just a few)

9. Washing

10. Love

Sunday dinner.

We were gifted a smoked fish today ( thanks Rach!), so a smoked fish pie was an absolute must for dinner tonight.
I like to keep my smoked fish pie pretty simple and old fashioned. Just a simple white sauce with a few peas, topped with dollops of mashed potato and kumara and just a sprinkle of cheese. And then served with fresh green salad and home made coleslaw.. perfect!
Oh, and while I was at it I thought I may as well use the rhubarb and lemons we were gifted yesterday too. I had some leftover pastry from making lemon curd tarts last night so naturally they became a rhubarb tart and some more gorgeous lemon curd. Such decadence!
There really is nothing better than good food shared with family, except maybe leftover tart for breakfast! ( I can't wait!)

Weekly, erm, studio tour?

All but one corner of my studio was sorted and organized this week. Does that make up for a distinct lack of sewing or other productivity? I hope so! I keep telling myself that tidying my studio is the first step towards great inspiration and huge amounts of sewing.... the beginning of sewing to sell again. Perhaps that's why I am procrastinating on the last corner! Heh.

A cloudy day.

Today the sky, and the mood, were decidedly dark.
We went to a beautiful, but very, very heartbreakingly sad funeral this morning. The rain, and the tears flowed. Funerals are never easy but celebrating the life, and mourning the sudden death, of someone younger than yourself is always so much harder. I wish much strength and comfort to everyone who is mourning the loss of Leah, Especially her family. And Leah, to you I wish much rest and peace.
You were (are) beautiful and are very loved and missed by many.

Thrift karma.

I have been sorting through things the last few months and finally taking some long-overdue things (back) to the op shop. I have boxes still in the garage from when we moved, over a year ago, into this place. But, I am pleased to say, they are disappearing slowly.
As a result of my donations, my 'thrift karma' seems to be doing really well at the moment. I've had a bit of a dry spell for a few months, but this last week, or two, has well and truly made up for it!
Yesterday I came home with the softest crochet blanket in history, a very old, handmade golly, and two huge bags full of 100's of dollars worth of Lego Bionicles, gameboy advanced games and other boys things... all for $17!  And earlier in the week I scored the faux chucks, the trivets and some fabric for $4!
The thrift gods are smiling on me.
I'm figuring that if I take the rest of the boxes out of the garage they might keep smiling (and I'm sure Abraham will smile too!). Here's hoping!