Welcome to my newest challenge...Thermo Thursdays!

A month or so ago I went to a Thermomix Party. I was sceptical, a little curious, and a lot fascinated. I was greeted by a silver machine that looked something like a fancy mini washing machine. I eyed it off with uncertainty wondering how in the world this "thing" was going to manage to cook a 6 course meal in under 2 hours. As I sat myself down (baby free for the first time - and is it just me or are other Mummy's totally lost without their little blossoms?) I felt strangely nervous about what I was about to witness. Well.......

The Thermomix, you can find out more here

That machine whipped up a scrumptious fresh lemon, lime and mint sorbet. It chopped its way into a beetroot salad. It whisked up the most amazing garlic and herb dip. It kneaded and turned a delicious dough that was then popped into the oven to create fresh, warm bread rolls. It churned and turned mushrooms and rice into an incredible Mushroom Risotto. And last but most certainly not least it delivered a vanilla custard that would warm the hearts of the most wicked! And that was me done...SOLD!

A berry sorbet...picture courtesy of google images!

So I trotted home with the brochures and the intent to host my own Thermomix demonstration. Ideas flew around my head about becoming a Thermomix consultant, inspiration filled every space in my mind, "I would cook all day, everyday!". Then I ran it past my husband, he asked the typical man questions, "Does it wash itself too?", "Can it vacuum and fold the washing?"...blah blah blah! I think only a stay at home Mum (or Dad) can truly appreciate the value of saving a minute here and a minute there, because as a Mother, you are mighty capable of achieving great things in just a few minutes! So I lay low, talked about it every so often and virtually sold the idea to half of the people I know...and you know what? My amazing husband SOLD HIS MOUNTAIN BIKE, just so I could buy myself my very own, very shiny, very sparkly, THERMOMIX!

And therefore, announcing my new blogging challenge is...*Thermo Thursdays! I will aim to cook and document the steps and photos of my Thermomix creations and dedicate Thursdays to sharing a new recipe and finished product with you! 

This is how I envision myself!

*Please note, I have not actually received my Thermy yet so the minute I do will be the week I start blogging, I am envisioning within the next fortnight!

M.I.A and a 30 Day Snap photo challenge

So, I have been a little MIA over the past fortnight. What happened to my enthusiastic blogging you ask? Well, nothing but a little life got in the way. Early morning rising, answering every beck and call of a now very proficiently standing 9 month old (how is it that they go from lying still to getting into everything within a millisecond, see below photos!) and then falling into bed virtually comatose of a night really left not a smidgen of free time in my day. Poor excuse Emma. Get used to it. This is your life! A life you very much happen to love! 

So they're not the clearest photos but they are quick snaps in the moment

And going on from the love I have for my life I have decided to participate in a blogging photo challenge set up by the lovely lady behind A Sprinkle of Glitter. So for the 30 days of June I will be taking a photo of something from my everyday life and uploading it on here. The photos might be a little hazy if taken with the help of my ever inquisitive assistant a.k.a My Little Blossom. They might be of rushed tea and toast in the morning, getting ready to head out or to head into bed.

I hope they will be a window into my home and family, and something to help anyone who reads to get to know us better.

And coming soon.....I have a little surprise blog feature that I will announce later today (don't get too excited)

Autumn Weddings

Yesterday my husband, Blossom and I attended the wedding of a beautiful couple. It was a picture perfect day. The air was crisp and cool on the mountain where they wed. The warm Autumn sun shone through breaks in the trees and lit the ceremony up, sending glistening rays onto all the waiting guests faces. And best of all, this glistening perfection was definitely reflected in the look on the grooms face when he saw his bride.

This beautiful wedding was held in a private garden, owned by Garden Designer Michael Cooke and was followed by the most wonderful reception at The Springs Golf Course. Oh to get married again!

My baby and me

My gorgeous husband and beautiful daughter

The newly weds

The most beautiful vintage styled veil

My little Blossom making her way to the dance floor

This photo, despite being blurry, makes me smile :)

First chance to wear one of my vintage buys from Wednesdays shop

This afternoon my little family headed to my in laws for lunch. It was my mother in laws birthday. I was very excited at a chance to wear one of my new lovelies. My sister in law tells me I look like Minnie Mouse. 

Sunglasses - Forever New

Leather Jacket - Dotti

Dress - Oh Deer Vintage

Tights - Tempt

Leather boots - Sandler

(Thanks to my lovely husband for persisting with me trying to get a blog-able photo!)

2 big & 1 small

It was just a few weeks ago that I had a very cranky and irritable baby as 2 little teeth pushed their way into the world known as my babies mouth. These 2 sharp little toothy pegs caused days of discomfort for my girl, and days of throbbing nipples for this Mummy as she discovered the joys of using those biting teeth. These teeth represent a change that is coming, and as a first time Mum I look to these with both excitement and trepidation.

Two little toothy pegs

After the initial Oos and Ahhs of how adorable she looks with those new pearly whites, and realising how fast our little blossom is growing into a little girl we know that she is steadily steadily moving towards childhood and leaving those moments of sweet babyhood behind. I suddenly realised that now a new bathroom accessory will be added to the basin. Where once only two sat, one blue and one red, now there are three...a very lovely, very girly, tiny pink toothbrush, all for my little one.

Teeny pink bristles sitting between Dad and Mum

It is a stark reminder to enjoy all these precious baby moments because all too soon she will be tying shoe laces, having her hair pulled into pigtails and cleaning more than just 2 teeth. In just the last month alone she has begun to crawl everywhere, stand on her own and last night she took a lone step which marks the beginning of a whole new stage of motherhood for me, and childhood for her. 

A real life crawler on our hands, off to see Daddy in his office

Standing and waving to Mummy

Proud as punch with her new skill

I feel like her babyhood is a mere flash in time. Although I long for the day where I will no longer worry about how much milk she is getting, or know, instead of wondering, how she is feeling and most of all, get a full nights sleep, perhaps just for a moment it could slow down for me?

How have you realised unexpectedly that your baby is growing up?

Op shopping after high tea

My husband has been away this week for work. So instead of staying home, I decided I would go home and spend a few days with my Dad, Mum and Little Sister. It was lovely being at home, getting looked after and not having to worry about the house chores of normal life. 

This morning we all set off to The Two Birds Gallery and Cafe for a late Mother's Day High Tea. We were treated with a beautiful selection of sweet and savoury, we had samosa's to die for and the most delicious scones. It was wonderful spending some time with my family. After we had indulged in such a treat we went for a walk around the block near the sea. It was like going back in time, spending quality moments with a family that I love so much. How lucky I am, how many grown up women and mothers get the opportunity to spend this time with the people they have spent their whole lives with? Do you have days like this one?

The 2 mothers (me and my mum)

Then, this afternoon I picked up my best friend Jill and we headed out for an afternoon of much anticipated Op Shopping. I was after a few things for Blossom's nursery; some crocheted blankets to warm her toes during the coming winter, a chair for all those overnight breast feeds, something to store a multitude of story books in, and anything else I could find to give her nursery a lift! We picked and browsed through 3 Op shops, 1 homemade and refurbished goods store (The Bower Bird Project) and finished off by having tea in a coffee house/gallery/vintage clothes store (The Glass Onion Society). It was not as successful as I had anticipated, I am not sure why I thought I would simply waltz in and acquire every little piece I was after, but it was certainly fun and I can't wait to do it again! 

Old magazine rack that I am going to house kids books in

Crocheted blanket for the nursery

This dress made me feel like Little Red Riding Hood :)

Loved this dress on. Reminded me of a breezy spring day

Unusual but classy navy and brown

Finally found a dress with front access for easy breast feeding #happy mummy

I have to say my favourite purchases of the day were definitely my "new" vintage dresses! They are one of a kind, Oh Deer Vintage, dresses and I think I am in love! 

My first Mothers Day

Yesterday was my very first Mother's Day. 

I was treated by my very precious Blossom to only one night waking which resulted in me bouncing out of bed at 6:30am when my girl woke for the day.

I had eggs on toast and 2 cups of tea brought to me by my loving husband.

And my present. I absolutely loved. I now fully understand how a Mother can love a handmade gift more than any gold or jewels. 

A handmade card that Daddy and Blossom made together and printed wrapping paper for my gift!

My wonderful gift! A voucher for a Day Spa whilst Daddy looks after Blossom and seeds for my newly created vegetable patch! (I cannot wait to go picking fresh food with my girl)

The smiles my cheeky monkey gave me all day as she crawled around the lounge room floor!

And at the end of the day, my two greatest loves sitting together watching Peppa Pig!

I had a great first Mother's Day, can't wait for next year! 

Mothers Day

Mothers. 

They are the people in this life that you can count on to be there no matter what. They have an unceasing, unwavering and unconditional love that knows no bounds. I have always adored my mother. She is a beautiful, fun, caring, nurturing and loving woman who I can tell anything to. Who I know may differ in opinion when it comes to some things but will always be there, to support me, encourage me and love me for exactly who I am. I cannot describe the gratitude I have for my mother for loving me in this way. But I can assure her, that when I say, "I love you mum", it is not just words, it is a phrase that is the only one that can be given to try to convey how much she means to me, every time I say it.

A baby Emma and my stunning 80's Mother xx

It wasn't until I became a mother last year that I realised how deep and eternal a mothers love for their child is. I have never ever doubted the love my mother has for me, but until now I have never understood fully what a mothers love really is.

My beautiful Mumma and my darling little blossom

A mother has a job that she is on duty for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week...for the rest of her life. And she does it so Willingly. Joyously. Passionately. Completely. The role comes with on the job training which many a day will lead to self doubt, excessive criticism, much wanted (and much unwanted) advice and a big heart full of every emotion you could possibly imagine.

The love of a mother for her child engulfs her every day. It can be there when she wakes of a morning, when she closes her eyes of a night and throughout every special moment her children present her with, and share with her. Every wish for herself suddenly is overtaken by the intense desire for her child to have all the wonderful things in life. That she might grow old with someone she loves. Have her own children. Have a life filled with genuine and reliable friends. She will have good health her entire life. She will be a child of God and know Him throughout her earthly life, leaning on him in all times, good and bad. But mostly, for my baby, I long for her to know that I will always be here. That I will love her so unconditionally and completely with every fibre of my being, until the day I die and for eternity. I will always want the best of everything for her and every prayer I utter is filled with my love and dreams for my precious blossom. With every breath I take, I am filled with a renewed and more complete love for her. I hope she grows up knowing this, believing this, and that one day she might find herself in my position. A mother whose love for her child, despite these words, is simply indescribable.

Me and my beautiful little ray of sunshine xxx

Dining for one

Dinner time for my beautiful blossom never comes easy. Unless its Salmon Mornay, then she'll lick the bowl! I'm not sure if its just me but the blatant refusal of my cooking (that has seen me spent hours with a cook book in view and a wooden spoon in hand) makes me incredibly frustrated! I've tried the food, it tastes good!

So what do you do when a tired and grumpy, miniature food connoisseur hmphhhhs at their dinner?...nothing!

You smile at their frowns and you pull faces and tickle their tummies until a sweet smile and a rumbling belly laugh make cooking for nothing well worth the effort.

My 8 months of perfection...my blossom, Alexis Jane

Inspired

I have been inspired by Emily over at The Beetle Shack to get back into looking in Op Shops (since being shown her blog I have been constantly glued to my laptop every spare moment trying to read her wonderful posts). I have always loved a home made, hand made feel, something that gives a house warmth and love, a history. I have been lovingly dressing my Blossom in hand knitted cardigans each day as the weather cools. Nothing compares to the feeling of snuggling into that soft, warm, cuddly baby all rugged up on a rainy Autumn morning. It's a place a mother feels she could linger in forever, until said Blossom starts her wriggling and squealing, longing to stand on those newly found legs of hers! 

So with that, I have decided that I must head out this week (with my beautiful friend Jill who you can find over at Jillian Jiggsy) to look for some preloved lovelies. And what am I going to aim for....I am going to redecorate my Blossom's room!

Here's to hoping we can find some of these beauties on our hunt for the preloved

Welcome.

It started as a Him and a Her. Him being Steve and her being me, Emma. And then came a precious gift, a little blossom to call our own, our sprouting, blooming, growing amazing flower, Alexis Jane.

This is my life. I figure a page I can smile, frown, laugh and cry on, share the stories captured each day in my very own home as a mum, wife and woman. Let's be honest, there are sunny days and rainy days, days where a mother feels like sun is shining right from her inner most being. Then there are the ones that feel like she is being pounded by wild and wooly weather, hail raining down on her without a shelter. I know I am not the only one who has these and I hope I can share mine with you (whoever you might be).

Where I imagine I live...only I don't

Our home is filled with joy and happiness, laughing and smiling (most of the time)! A crazy dog who will smother
you with affection and a cranky cat who ever so carefully picks out her next nervous victim letting them suffer in fear of her stirring. A husband and father who loves to surf, who cares so deeply about his family and his role as a husband, father and provider. A wife and mother who longs to lie in front of a smouldering fire, curled up with an ever present cup of tea and a book, who lives for her family, her friends and her God. A little girl who is filled with bubbles, butterflies, fairy floss and unconditional love and laughter.

This is our family. Our life.  I can't wait to share it with you.