Our little Bush Christmas Tree

It has been wet, wet, wet here the past few days and in between doing craft with Macie - I decided that I wanted to do something pretty for the front entrance.  I had something in mind & some spare felt....so off I went while Heath and Macie had some quality Daddy/Daughter time.

Here is my little "Bush Christmas" tree....

I decided that I love it too much to place it on the dining table as a centrepiece as Macie is a pro at climbing the chairs and residing on the table first thing in the morning.  I can only imagine what she would do to this beauty!  In her defence - she is in love with the Bush Tree too and keeps on telling me that I need to "Be Gentle & Careful"!!! 

It was so easy to make!  The decorations are just felt cut out into the shapes that you want and decorated as you please.  I used a sewing machine to sew them but you could easily hand-sew them if you didn't feel like pulling the machine out.  I stuffed them with toy stuffing which was fantastic and easy. 

As for the garland - I can see myself making this for my mum as I am in love.  Easiest thing ever!  Simply cut out the circles in colours desired and send them through the sewing machine - leaving a gap between each one.  It is so simple, so cheap....yet so effective!

I have declared tomorrow "Christmas Tree" day as we are planning on being away at my Mums for the 1st December and I don't want to miss the oppurtunity of having Heath home while it's wet.  Will report back with the handmade ornament tree....and all it's beauty I'm sure. 

In the meantime....here is a little snippet of the Christmas Stockings that were designed by my sister Emma and sewn by me!  Love Love Love them....and seriously considering making Heath & I one!!

Thankful

Thanksgiving seems like such a magical holiday over in the States.  A holiday that makes people stop and simply be thankful....maybe we all need a bit more of that in our lives. 

Here are a few things I am thankful for:

1.  My marriage to Heath - which is strong enough to have a good old barney and still love each other at the end of the day.  Where we speak from the heart, love each other for who we are and share the same goals and dreams for our family.  When we get off our road of direction - it never takes long for us to recognise this, rejuvinate and get back on track.  I really am so thankful for this man.

2.  Macie's determination to piece sentences together.  She is so funny and has had Heath & I in hysterics over the past few days.  She is eptimone of our happiness. 

3.  Macie's new way of hugging which is now a "squeezy" hug where she wraps her hands around your neck and squeezes the love out of you.  She will then proceed to tell you how "Yummy" that cuddle was. 

4.  A simple mango smoothie

5.  Our families who love us unconditionally - through thick and thin, good times and bad.  We owe our parents and families so so so much. 

6.  Online shopping - I think I may have an addiction.  My visa is proving this theory but I am definitely still in denial.

7.  My new camera thanks to the genoristy of my father-in-law who sold me his little beauty.  One day I hope to have a camera collection like his....in the meantime, I am loving the images this camera is gifting me with.

8.  Text messages from my lovely friend late at night talking about things as random as "How Hot the Braxton Brothers are on Home & Away" to breastfeeding and steralising bottles!

9.  My midwife who is helping me renew my faith in my body and preparing it for a beautiful birth in February. 

10.  Our humble abode - as much as I talk about paint, new bathrooms, more space and renovations - I am still so thankful to have a warm, cosy home to house my beautiful family.

11.  Facebook - for it's this that keeps me in touch with my friends and family when days on the farm feel a little too lonely and long.

12.  My long-lost sewjo to complete a few Christmas projects.  It feels good to be in front of the sewing machine again.

13.  My life.  I am so thankful for my beautiful, simple and fufilling life.

What are you thankful for?

The Countdown....

I am surprising myself this year with my Festive Season organisation.  In between photoshoots, trips to town, swimming lessons, and general craziness of life - I am actually organised for Christmas.  It is usually it's me running around a few days before Christmas Eve trying to find wrapping paper and Christmas cards - and usually posting the cards after Christmas because I was too slack to sit down and right them.  I don't know what has come over me this year....but I am liking it!

We have these beautiful Christmas decorations designed by Macie to hang on the Christmas tree this weekend.  Beautiful treasure....I know!

I have purchased all my Christmas presents but one, nearly paid off Macie's lay-by (to which I just had a look at the receipt and don't remember purchasing half of those things) and have even sat down at the sewing machine to start/finish on special Christmas stockings for both Archer and Moo.  Yep - I have been bitten by the Christmas bug. 

Since I have been taking so many photos of everyone else lately, I decided it was time to capture some Christmas shots of our own little angel.  There are some beauties that I want to save for some special presents.....but here is a little snippet of our darling girl in between the rain showers yesterday.  Be still my beating heart.

Christmas Craft #1

With Christmas just around the corner - I find myself engrossed with Christmas ideas, wrapping & all the other goodies.  I love Christmas.  Blame it on my mum who is seriously Mrs Claus in disguise as each December of each year she would dress our family home into a beautiful Christmas Wonderland.  It must have rubbed off because I really love Christmas too.

Last year I braved putting the Christmas tree up with my little demolisher child.  We had a few decorations that were casualties - and thankfully managed to keep the family heirloom ornaments safe.  This year, I don't think I will be as lucky.  I liken Macie to an "Elephant in a China Store" - she is busy, inquisitive and rough....and I love her for it.  Christmas is all about the kids - so what kind of a Mum am I not to put up the tree because I am scared what she will do?   So I have come up with a genuis idea to make some decorations to place on the tree and it won't matter if Macie decides to 'look' and consequently break them.   

So, we sat down this morning armed with buttons, felt pens, ribbons and paddle-pop sticks.  Christmas Craft Activity #1 to make Paddle-Pop Star Decorations - designed by Macie.   Very easy thing to make - cheap and tacky which is what Kids Christmas decorations are all about! 

Now - I don't want you to get the wrong idea that everything is always rosey around this cottage.  During the 30 minutes it took to make these darling little ornaments - Macie had 2 time-outs and I ended up finishing them while she went and played with something else.  Apparently in her books, 2 year olds are allowed to use hot glue guns.....but in my books, parents loose their children for doing stupid shit like that.  Try explaining that to a two year old!! 

I seriously find myself wondering if this "Time Out" business works.  Advice anyone?

I appear to have an extremely cheeky girl on my hands today.  With her Daddy working before the rain is due - she is clearly sick of looking at my face.  I really thought a Craft Morning would make it all better.....but with my dog-like barking it appears that I am a bit sick of her face too.  It's as real as it gets at the Dalli Cottage - and not all roses.  But I like real.  Real makes you appreciate the great days and forget about the bad ones. 

And it doesn't take long to forget.....because now I am off to make mini paper mache ornaments for her to paint during the week.   A mothers love knows NO boundaries.  I seriously love this kid so much it makes my heart want to explode even with the tears, tantrums and time-outs! 

{Photoshoot} Lovely Ladies

Over the last few days, we have had my sister and her beautiful family staying with us at the Cottage.  I love spending quality time with her - where we talk about everything that you can't talk about over the phone.  We share our opinions, parenting and then exchange laughs when we realise what a transformation our lives have taken now we are both mums.  It's magical though how an even tighter bond has formed between us now that we are both mothers.  We understand without having to explain and we know what a simple "I'm Fine" means.....

So when I was contacted by two beautiful sisters who wanted to photograph their children together - it only seemed fitting.  I really love to capture the moment and the magic.  I especially loved watching these two sisters together as they dotted on each others children like they were their own. 

Here is a little snippet of the beautiful little girls in their beautiful garden.  Thank you for allowing me to capture your lovely ladies on an even lovelier afternoon.  X

Boys & their cars!

It was blistering hot yesterday - and the little boys for my afternoon shoot were such troopers.  Thankfully a little breeze picked up to make it cool down from the 40's - and it wasn't all too bad!  Little Man wasn't too keen on the heat but we managed to get a few shots showcasing his gorgeous happy smile. 

With two little boys - their Mummy wanted nothing more than old vintage cars and tractors!  A big thank you to Heath for driving the tractor out to the paddock specially for this shoot and then helping us with the boys.  That husbo of mine really is a keeper!

Here is a sneak peek....can you tell I am in the B&W mood??

Family Time

After 10 days of a long yet fantastic harvest, Macie and I have thoroughly enjoyed having Daddy home for the weekend.  Lazy mornings, swims in the pool, BBQ lunches and just soaking up the three of us before life on the farm gets busy again.

I am a big 'Family Time' person - and I suppose you could call me selfish with it.  I love them all to myself after we have been busy with general life commitments.  I love the way we all stay in our PJs until someone knocks at the door and then it's a mad scramble to get dressed so we can look decent!!  I love that Macie is just content when it's both of us at home - it's her happy place.  I love watching the Daddy-Daughter relationship blossom again - and runs to him when I say 'No'...which is quite regularly in this house.

Family Time is sacred - especially in this darn age where life is constantly in the fast lane. It's important and it's where the memories are made.  It doesn't have to include a big fancy holiday or an expensive pool.  It is what you make of it - whether it be Macie playing "Scare You" with her Pa, or looking for birdies with her Poppy - as long as we are laughing and smiling....and together, then that is all that matters. 

I will always cherish it and savour it.  For it will be within a blink of my eye that my children will be adults....and I will be begging for the innocent swims in the backyard blowup pool on a lazy Sunday afternoon! 

A big thanks for Pa & Ma McNulty for taking these magical photos of Macie over the weekend.  Photography runs in the family on this farm!! :)

Photoshoot: Beautiful Family

I had the pleasure this afternoon to capture the love, adoration and respect that this little family oozes.  The lingering cuddles with Daddy and the understanding between Mums and daughters that is like their own special language.  I loved to watch them - to capture them - and to spend time with them. 

I only hope my photos do them justice. 

Here is a little sneak peek of the beautiful family.... thank you for allowing me into your special little circle.  X

A way to say "Thank You"

I saw a fantastic idea on my favourite website Pinterest (are you surprised) and decided it was the way we were going to say "Thank You" this year for Macie's birthday.

They have printed out beautifully and hopefully everyone will enjoy them.  It would be beautiful on a canvas too.....which has me thinking!!

I still can't believe that my baby is two.....but her attitude that came with the new age is telling me otherwise!! Lucky she gives us moments like these where her giggles fill the room and our hearts!!

Wheat Harvest 2011

I am so sorry that I have been so quiet this week.  I have been busy being a cuddle machine to my darling little girl who is having a nasty battle with her 2 year old molars.  That combined with the good old 2 year tantrums and life at the Dalli Cottage has just been rosey.

Good news is that Wheat Harvest 2011 has begun....



The skies are hazy from wheat dust, the roads are well-worn from trucks and the smiles on the boys is priceless.....and so far - Mother Nature appears to be on our side.

And long may it continue.....