Ah Mother's Day

I'm thinking that clearly (from the images below) I qualify for this fantastic competition over at {KID} independent. With one wee bairn almost three and two others slow cooking nicely in my personal aga oven ... I thought I would put my hat in the ring for the rather choice selection of goodies on offer.

24 Weeks - oh so relaxed at Binalong Bay34 Weeks

And as I think about the impending change in my motherhood stats ... I thought it was about time I documented my, well ... personal growth. I haven't chopped my head off for any other reason other than I know you just want the money shot ... just how does one get two in there - especially when your friendly ob tells you 'these are very fat babies'. (They are currently about 6 pounds each) - answer you s...t...r...e...c...h! Still feeling very good - and when I take Edie to swimming lessons tomorrow I will do my best impersonation of a tortoise from the Galapagas Islands- because it makes my wee girl laugh and that my friends is music to my ears.

But competitions aside ...I was really happy to be directed to the {KID}independent site - as it seems they are people after my own heart ...

"We’re basically a bunch of arty types with a love of all things handmade, vintage, sustainable, limited edition and independent. We crave products that are born from the hands of an artist, the heart of a loving mother, the mind of a talented designer, or the soul of an interesting character…
The creativity behind this blog comes from inspirational conversations among friends. We run this blog in between long nights, crazy mornings, tears + tantrums, smiles + giggles and the occasional glass of wine + kilo of chocolate."

and no joke ... Just as a put that quote in my husband came and shovelled some chocolate into my mouth ... true love!

A call to Bear Tea Arms!

Image via here

Ok people - a little invite to supprt local and fairtrade - and feel all smug when you sit down to enjoy your next cuppa. Just went to have a little peek at the lovely Tara's Blog and found this.

This is from Corinne Noyes, The founder of Madame Flavour Teas:

"This morning I make my way to Fujian province to spend a week with our green and white tea growers discovering firsthand the tradition and wonderful variety of Chinese tea.I am troubled though and writing to ask for your support.You may have heard that the Woolworths/Safeway tea buyer recently left. Their entire range will now be reviewed with a view to deleting teas not selling enough according to their corporate requirements.We have grown over 100%, but as a small business, Madame is vulnerable.On the 19th of April, I have a meeting with the new buyers to present our wonderful teas and the difference they make.Between now and then, I ask that you show your love of Madame Flavour by; no other way to put it: buying and spreading the word as you never have before.To thank you for your continued support, I am excited to invite 10 Kindred Spirits to High Tea at The Hotel Windsor in Melbourne. To join me, I ask that you mail me your Madame Flavour buying and spreading the word story of 25 words or less. I will chose the winners May 30th and publish them and the High Tea date in my next newsletter.This could make all the difference in the wonderful story we have to tell when we look back 20 years from now at these early days.Thank-you for your passion and generosity in our shared adventure. I will let you know how I go.Kindest RegardsCorinne - owner and founder"

Image from Tales from the Travelling Teacosy

I know it is a little past the 19th April but it couldn't hurt to descend upon your local woolies and exercise a little consumer muscle and clock one up for the little but ethical guy, non? I love the Green Jasmine and Pear variety... ever since Eve Craft Princess brought some round for afternoon tea. More about Madame Flavour can be found here.

Nest

A happy Easter break around here is one where you finally tick things off lists. Upstairs is a list like Tetris. Big tick number one - finally finishing Edie's room so we can get her into the big girl's bed, get the bed out of the nursery to get that all set up and Edie's old cot in there and her old cupboard etc. etc. etc. blah blah blah.

I am so pleased with how her wee room has turned out. I'll walk you through the bits and pieces. The bed cost $20 from an oppie - came up a treat with the paint. The cupboard came from a second hand store and looks so much better painted. The pram in the corner was my Mum's when she was a little girl, then ours and now Edie's. My sister, who had never really sewn in her life whipped up that quilt and presented it to me at my baby shower - it is one of my favourite things. The puppets on the walls were collected in Dunc and my travels through India and Nepal - formerly known as the 'footloose and fancy free years'.

Tomorrow Dunc is back at Uni so I am going to attack the nursery and finally feel that if I went into labour tomorrow it wouldn't catch us with our pants well and truly down in the organisation department.

Got to head upstairs to check on my wee girl in her first night in her big girl's bed. Hope your Easter break was grand.