Rohan had a meeting in the city this afternoon so Eloise and I headed into town for a quick peruse of the shops before picking him up. I love visiting the city, especially late night shopping. With areas like QV, the revamped Melbourne Central and Fed Square, it’s really come alive.

After a quick bite to eat we all headed for Max Brenner in QV and indulged in hot chocolate. It was a gorgeous evening sitting outside. Not too hot, not too cold. Perfect.

Every time I go to Max Brenner’s I ooo and ahhhh over the Alice cup and the Hug Mug. This time I was soooo close to making a purchase but I controlled myself. How many cups/mugs/teacups does a girl need? (Okay, okay you can never have to many…can you?!). The praline chocolates are really pretty too and the packaging is lovely. I also refrained from buying a sweet little cardboard package (with handle) containing just two pralines. I was very good wasn’t I? But it really was a very clever little box…

It’s been a very strange and unsettling week, and as a result I am feeling so behind in everything. Yesterday I felt the need to cheer us all up, so I decided to bake a cake! I was fully in ‘domestic goddess’ mode yesterday—not sure what was with that!

Miss Eloise has a dairy allergy so I have to do a bit of creative cooking (yes no cheese and no chocolate *gasp*!!). I have been finding many good cake and cookie recipes for those with special dietary needs on VegWeb. My first non-dairy cake attempt was her first birthday cake in December which I must admit was a deeeeelicious chocolate and raspberry cake topped with mauve coloured icing. Last night’s Pineapple and Carrot Cake has both fruit and veg in it, so it’s lulled us into believing it’s healthier.

Pineapple and Carrot Cake

1 1/2 cups wholemeal self raising flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup finely grated carrot
3/4 cup pineapple pieces with juice
1 tspn cinnamon
1 tspn vanilla
3/4 cup apple sauce
2 eggs

In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients. Mix well. Bake at 180 C for 30 minutes or until cooked through. NB: Would be perfect with cream cheese frosting, but I didn’t have the ingredients to do a dairy free version. Next time I might try and get rid of the sugar by upping the fruit…

I have been an avid collector, stasher, hoarder of vintage fabrics for many years. I hunt, I gather and then I get too scared to use these one offs. My head fills with questions and I panic…

“What if I never find any lovely vintage fabrics again?”
“What if I think of something better to use the fabric for later?”
“What if I make a mistake and the fabric is lost forever?”

I suffer the same dilemma with most of the items I collect for my art and craft and it is becoming a bit of a problem. Not to mention I am suffering some serious organisation/space issues about the house, especially now that we have a little third person to consider who seems to be gathering a stash of her own.

I just found these samples in a box that my folks bought down from Sydney. Every time they visit they bring more of my ‘junk’ that I had stored under their house. That means I collected these pieces over eight years ago. Oh dear, that’s a little embarrassing! I found most of these at the Reverse Garbage in Marrickville. Oh how I LOVED that place. There’s a little one in Vic but it just doesn’t compare to the scale of the two Sydney ones…and for my sake that’s probably just as well! Most are fabric swatches from sample books so are less than one metre square. On the plus side many come in bundles of the same pattern in various colour schemes so there’s quite a bit of potential there for some crafty cleverness.

I know it’s a little late for new years resolutions, but I am going to attempt to make some changes. My ‘resolution’ is two-fold. Part One: Get organised and resolve storage issues (Oh boy this one is a bit overwhelming!) Part Two: I am going to try and take the leap and finally start using some of my stash.

I am scared, I am excited, I am optimistic. Wish me luck! If I succeed you’ll see the result here in the coming months. I wasn’t ready before, but I think I am ready now!

She’s so very tiny. Sometimes I forget because her personality is growing so large!

Seeing her look out at the huge blue ocean and dip her tiny toes into the salty water for the first time took my breath away. She seemed fearless and confident but so vulnerable and small as she toddled across the sand. Squeals and giggles as the waves rippled into shore and chased her back along the beach.

Each day is so full of newness. Things she’s never seen. New sounds, smells and textures. Her pointer finger was in overdrive at the beach! I wonder what she thinks of it all? Sometimes she seems overwhelmed with excitement in her attempt to process all the world has to offer. In her world, even simple things like ‘helping’ me unpack the groceries one by one, become big adventures which elicit trills of delight!

It feels like such a giant responsibility to be sharing these moments with her. Protecting her, helping her grow, learn and discover life. It’s an honour and a joy that has far surpassed anything I could have dreamed.

More images from Eloise’s first seaside adventure can be viewed —-> here.

Featured Gem 4
Real Photo Postcard

‘Mother and Daughter’

Date: Unspecified
People: Unidentified
Postcard Back: Blank

Notes: Oh how I love this image despite it being a little creased and battered. Something about it makes me smile.

How on earth did it come about? I can imagine a mother and her daughter going along to the photo studio wanting a lovely family portrait and the photographer somehow convincing them that it would be a good idea to include the fake donkey and the car.

Look at their expressions. The daughter looks so uncomfortable perched in the little car, her hands awkwardly in her lap. The body language is fantastic!

And what is going on with the donkey’s ankles?

I wonder what the rest of the family had to say when they saw this photo? I wonder if they ever sent the postcard to anyone?

I love it!