1st January 2010

What the heck!...isn't that amazing, to be writing such a space-age sounding number....I remember as a 13 year old, my best friend and I lying on the ground watching the clouds, coming up with all sorts of outlandish theories, one of them being that we would have flying cars as our mode of transportion in the 2000's. And here we are! No flying car for me, but an age of miraculous mysteries nonetheless.

I am excited for this year, and am looking forward to living it, embracing it and having moments of 'flying' with it. Sometimes it feels like you kinda have to wrestle it to the ground, or chase it to catch up...but mostly life is made for loving it, while living it.

Today we are going to be making some family goals, thinking of 2009 highlights, and starting our 'family grateful jar'....soon, once we sloth some more and get outta `jamas (some stage before lunch)....and am looking forward to lots of beach adventures over the weekend too.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL...may 2010 be a time for spending with those you love, doing what you love, and blessing others too.

Christmas time....

HAPPY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!! - to everyone who joins me in blogland! Thank you to all who leave little comments that encourage and inspire me. I so hope that this holiday season finds you blessed and also a blessing to others....I'm so looking forward to celebrating Christ's birth tomorrow and the reasons why He came.

Bless you dear friends...be safe.

Briar xx

our world

we spent some time recently up in Opoutere...its a beautiful beach, wild and not well known. Here are some pics from out time there, NZ nature is stunning.

Channukah

this year we celebrated Channukah. It is known as the festival of lights...and each night a wee story is told and a candle lit...it was sweet and a remembering time. I loved lighting the candles every evening and having a simple family activity together...a lovely way to end the day.

The show's are done!

Micahs Music party Josaye dressed up for friends farewell party

Well, with 4 kids you have a few shows/events/parties to attend at the end of the year!...Josaye had her prizgivng and was place 3rd in her class for music and got a certficate in music for outstanding effort....so was pretty pleased with herself! Nyah got her class award for outstanding student, with improvement in all academic areas and leadership....so she was pretty pleased with herself! And we were pretty pleased FOR them...

Nyah and Micah in the Christmas play : Nyah as a zombie: Nyah in Jazz ballet show
as mentioned in another post we have also had show's...here are a couple pics of the kids dressed up...and although it looks like a Nyah show, the others were there...Micah was a wonderful sweet shepherd and Jose (to my HUGE surprise) was a bit of a plonker...spending his time on stage moaning how he didn't like being a shepherd and crying into his fathers chest (he is the SHOWBOAT of the family so was very surprised!)...and wouldn't pose for a photo, so hence no pics of that lad!...in between maons/crying he did look very cute indeed - teehee....no more shows please for the year!...although both big girls are reading at the Christmas Eve service at the beach...that'll be cool.

Aventing

this year I was finally organised enough to actually make the advent calender I had been planning ot make for the last 2 years! it really is a bit over-the-top, but I do like it! I have always done the 12 days of Christmas with the kids....everyday has a pocket with an activity and sometimes a treat to. This year our activities have had to incorporate our age ranges, which can be a little challenging...so have included things like, colouring in competetion, making cookies for the neighbours, Christmas light drive-by, fudge making, Christmas eve service going etc etc...I would have liked it to be a bit more concentrated and over the top fun, but so many other things have had to happen along side it. - sigh, thats life huh!....I think the kids are enjoying the 'daily pocket', so thats cool. I really like the idea of a Christmas village, and Mary-Beth over at Salt and Chocolate has some very inspiring ideas about creating one....always next year!

sneak peak

I sent my pay - it -forward parcels off last week, but thought would share what I made....

using all re-purposed fabrics, I made some wee aprons, 2 with contrasting trims, and one featuring my very loved vintage doily and crochet lace........when perusing the local opshop, my girlfriend found for me a wonderful bok on Strauss and some of his life story....lots was in the wonderful Victoria scripts, old photos, handdrawn scenes of balls and engagements...I was inspired to chaop it up (is that a sin?? book was a bit tatty - tis my excuse)...and made envelopes and stationary with the pictures and paper doilies.....and also made some sweet hanging lavender satchets, with lavender gathered last summer and dried for such thing.

All in all it was a lovley project to be part of. I hope the lovley ladies recieving the parcels like them, and more importantly can use them. xx

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

Today, 13 years ago, I said 'I do' to my husband....can't believe where the time has gone, and when being reflective, how jam-packed its been with living it....we have had some real lows - but to offset it, have had lots more highlights!...and its been grand!

So thankyou my lovely man, for your paitence (you need lots for me!), your understanding, compassion, company and humour, and handholding. I would chose to say 'I do' to you again, and again, and again!

costume crazy

its that time of year ay know- the time when its super fun, super crazy, super much-work (new word for you!), super food, super people....and this is all super - but leaves me super tired! -in a none- grumbly kinda way!

With all the goings on I have put my hand up and yelled pick me, to make some of the costumes for the kids various thingys they are involved in, Some have just need tacking up something found, some have need ripping and cutting (of somehting found)....and some need making from scratch....sigh,, I can feel the super enthusiam I had for these tasks dwindling somewhat!....

Nyah, our drama princess, is a chinese narrator, a zombie, a dancer in her jazzz show, and an inn keeper in the Christmas story show....so, we have cut, tacked, scrubbed, make-uped, repainted jazz shoes, plaited, wound and brushed hair till it shone....and we are almot halfway there now!

Our big girl is packing up to go to my parents for 5 sleeps (can't get my head around that yet, as its the LONGEST time ever apart!)...so has shrugged off the Christmas story part she was to play - and is I think secretly relieved whilst saying shes sad to miss it- uhuh~

Our sweet boys will be sweet shepherds in the Christamas story play, so they ae next on the list of cutting, sewing, measuring scolding to keep still, and having the odd -oh how cute are you- moments....ahhhh, am looking forward to sewing something other than costumes soon I hope!

I am blessed, not grumbly I promise!

and the winners are..............

Well, we didn't really need to randomly pick people for the pay-it-forward!..... Lovely ladies who left comments, I thankyou most humbly for leaving your sweet comments, and am so thrilled to send you a wee parcel just for you!

If you could please email you address, and I will endeavour to pop it in the post by the end of next week...who knows it may just turn up in time for Christmas!!!

Francesca, from Fuoriburgo , Laura, from Arohanui , and by special arrangement Dee (who is very due with here 4th bubba -yeehaaa, another sweet babe to cherish!), from Dee-construction.

These are very sweet Mama's who love their babes, this world and creating things...so pop on over to their sites to check out their world's!

So, if anyone else would like to be part of pay-it-forward, check out these lovely ladies blogs for any coming announcements they may have about it....YAY!

Thanks for playing with me gals.... xxx

US - a photoshoot

we had the privelidge of working with Mike Hill, a local photgrapher....he spent some time having a bit of fun with my tribe....here are some of my fav shots.

Was lots of fun, just been a bit silly on the beach, hunting for wee fish caught in the rocks, playing rugby and scrabbling round the rocks and trees....

sweet girl

I did something tonight that I mean to do everynight - but fail dismally at!....and that is read wth my 2nd gal.... its easy to read to wee people, and for me anyways, trickier to make the time to read with bigger people.

So, today I found a wonderful story that will (I hope) facinate us both. It titled "The lacemaker and the princess', and is set in Marie Antionette's court....I'm hoping it'll be wonderful, and the blurb promises to look at both sides of the revelotion at the time (in a slightly whismical way I would think) and the choices we must make -whether rich or poor..... while giving wonderful detail about noble ladies fabrics and laces, fashions and fripperies.... (don't you just love that word - fripperies)

My Nyah, is dramatic by nature and is passionate about words and conveying meanings (I have found her standing on her bed spouting poetry - so you get my drift am sure )....she is delicious and I find her refreshing and quite enchanting at times.

We lay on my bed with the wind whispering in the viole, showing us peeps of the lavender sky outside and read to each other..... sometimes you just have to write down these moments, so you can draw on the memories a wee bit fresher........I love way Nyah wraps her arm or leg around you, the way she fiddles with her hair while she reads, and the expression and volume (at times) she conveys her interpretation of the lacemakers story..... the way for that moment she lives the story as her own. Nyah my gal, you are indeed your mama's daughter, and we are kindred spirits.

we're off....and a GIVEAWAY reminder too

Guess what?? We are off with a bunch of other families to the first camping trip of the season...pretty excited about that! and pretty frazzled too, as we leave in about 5 hours and I haven't done enough...and have packed too much!(and am on here instead of icing the cake I put too much flour in and now feels like a brick- a friend suggested that it would do for sinkers if the kids didn't like it!-HA).

I figure that the man really DOES like feeling frustrated with me, and ENJOYS finding places to stash my over abundant packing...so in a special way I really AM doing him a favour - ahem.

Righto so also am here to remind any lurkers out there to pop a comment on the last post - or this one, to be randomly selected for the giveaway/pay-it-forward chance...YAY for cool handmade stuff. I have indeed been making the odd pretty or 2 to spice up the packages I'm making- super fun!

cherrio cherubs off to ice a chocolate brick....x

THANKS SO MUCH...and a GIVEAWAY!

A few weeks ago, I was so very fortunate to be randomly picked by Janelle at Heartfelt, to recieve a pay-it-forward parcel; created by her (the talented lass!) from her home. Well guess what- it arrived and I love, love, love it! Check out the fabulusness!

A cool handmade teatowel in awesome retro farm print...a handcreated christmas kiwiana tiki, and some lovely postcards too!! I feel VERY spoilt!! Thank you so much Janelle! You are a talented, clever and inspiring gal, and I'm really thrilled to be on the recieving end of pay-it-forward!

But guess what (again!)?! Its my turn now- woohoo!....so ....if YOU would like to join in pay-it forward, leave a comment on this post and I will randomly select 5 wonderful people in 2 weeks time to join in!...tis jolly fun, and as wonderful as it is to recieve gorgeousness in the mail, it'll be just as wonderful to create something for YOU!

ps....if you are randomly picked (assuming there are more than 5 people who might sometimes read my crazy ramblings!), it will be your turn to recieve a wee parcel, and then bless 5 others with something you create (and beleive me simple is the key! - don't be put off by the 'create' bit)...cool huh!

So thanks again Janelle - and all the best for the new heartfelt arrival anyday now xxxxxx

12!

yup, my first baby (the one I experiment my parenting on!) turned 12 over the weekend! What the heck is THAT all about!...I swear it was only yesterday I had this sweet baby girl handed to me after a VERY LONG, and very tiring birth (and I could write an ode to the stitches!), you had masses of long hair, the chubbiest little cheeks, and gazed at us with blinking screwed up eyes - ....she asks from time to time in our 'grown up' chats - "ma, was it worth it?!' and I reply 'yes my sweet girl, every second, every stitch, every stretchmark - and I would do it every week all my life just have you'....

'Saye Haana, you light up my life, and bring untold delicious joy to it. I love being your Mama, and look forward to one day walking beside you, while you walk beside your girl. Maybe she'll ask 'Ma was it worth it?' and then you will know, in a different way, how very precious it is to have YOU as ours.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Josaye. xx

(the apron above is one I made for her on her 12 birthday, made from ticking and black n white polks dots, with the black and white handbag trim....)

Ayla Grace...

Ayla Grace arrived into our world...all pink and pretty. Welcome sweet girl, know you will be loved and cherished by us - always. We look forward, with HUGE excitement to watching you explore, grow and unfurl as beautiful as a butterfly wing.....love you sweet babe.

And not to forget her sweet as pie Mama - Kylie, what an amazingly strong and gorgeous thing you are - thankyou for the gift of sharing your sweet one with us all - to love. Congratulations wonderful brother and newphew- we love you to the stars!

bathmat

Well the last few weeks must've provided the nationwide brainwave in the form of making bathmats, because simultaneously, all these bathmats appeared in blogland on some of the blogs I read...I too had had this brainwave and thought would show my humble results....it has been washed 3 or 4 times now so isn't as pristine as when made it...and is rather haphazard in the style, and colours blending -ahem- or not!

I used the back of a smallish old towel, and then sat one sunny afternoon freeform patching together my scraps that were too precious to throw away and too small to use for anything in particular....its not perfect! but what I do love abou it is that every scrap peice has been used in a project for someone I think is wonderful ....the toile in a bag, the duck egg blue floral in an apron for my mum, and a cushion for a friends nursery...the green in a table cloth for my family and so on. So a wee bit of pretty to brightne my bathrooms day.

xB

its birthday time!

October is a wee bit crazy in our family...it is the man's birthday, my sweet niece's (x2), a dear friends, my own, my sister in laws, my brother in laws, my biggest girls and a few more friends and their children too, to round it off!!

So lots of handmaking of gifts happens, lots of baking, card marking, cake making and dinner planning, well wishing and hugging too....its an expensive, wonderful, fun filled month; which I will officially make the 'month of hugs'!

Here are a few snaps 'the man's' birthday and my own...as well as some of the gifts the children have made inspired by Handmade Home (amanda soule's fab book)...which I will link to once I figure out the button thingy....xx

Spill Cloths

I am bursting with excitment over the fact that my brother's wifey is emminently due with their 2nd bubby....tis devasting they live in Aussie; but sooooooo very exciting a wee miracle will be among us shortly. I have been making bits and pieces for this sweet treasure...which I will post pics of once I have posted them to her...but in the meantime I thought I'd post up a pic of some spill cloths I have been making and just popped into the shop. Very simple and sweet (and useful!!)...anyone could make them, but on the incase they can't or don't have time, I thought I'd do it for them ;-)....in case you'd like to peek in the shop window...pop on over to bellabree.felt.co.nz (have yet to master the button thingy!).

Hope you have a wonderful weekend.

x

JUMP!!

we had an impromptu fun filled photo shoot down at our beach a few weekends ago...I am such a novice when it comes to photography, although I sure do take plenty of photos!...and with such willing and fun subjects who wouldn't!

I tried to capture all the kids in motion....and the all jumped and hoped about like crazy...except the wee-est guy...who would much rather run! but thats ok with me...check out the refletion in the sand! Gotto love it.....oh and the boys are playing at being dogs, love how they 'live' it.

HAPPY BITHDAY!

Happy Birthday husband of mine!!
We love you to bits, and are so glad you are ours.

photos to come.

sweet boy

sometimes, if you just sit and watch and pretend you aren't there; you see the sweetest things...like the wee-est boy of mine, dressed in a scarf and his mamas shoes...I just love this stage to bits.