::The Beetle Shack::

Cook It- Chorizo, Tomato and Feta Frittata

2012-03-12T20:35:00.001+11:00

This meal has become a staple in our house at the moment. It's easy, quick, cheap and we always have the ingredients on hand.

3	extra-large free-range eggs
40ml	milk
15ml	olive oil
½	red onion, finely chopped
1	clove, crushed garlic
1	chorizo, peeled and sliced
	pinch of dried chilli flakes
400g	rosa tomatoes
	sea salt
	block peper
200g	feta
	small handful coriander leaves, rinsed

Whisk together the milk and eggs, and set aside. Heat the oil in a small frying pan over a high heat, adding the onions, garlic, chorizo and chilli, and cooking for 3 to 4 minutes or till the onion is softened. Add the tomatoes, salt and pepper, and cook for 5 minutes or till the tomatoes are softened and the mixture is slightly thickened. Add the egg mixture, top with feta and cook for 5 minutes. Place under the grill for 2 to 3 minutes or till the frittata is set and golden in colour. Garnish with fresh coriander and serve.

source

also, 20% off sale over at bug and beetle ends today. Just follow the 'shop' link in the nav bar.

Vintage Sunday - bug and beetle sale

2012-03-11T20:06:00.002+11:00

Autumn has well and truly arrived here. The leaves are falling from the magnolia, the nights are cooler and the days go from crisp to deliciously warm before becoming crisp again.

It's time to dig out the jumpers from the back of the wardrobe and bring the trackies back into high rotation, not to mention finding the stinky old ugg boots. Claire and I have spent the past little while collecting gorgeous knitwear for the shop and as a way of celebrating the change in season, Bug and Beetle are listing a fabulous range of trans-seasonal knitwear AND having a 20% off everything sale. Just enter BUGANDBEETLE at checkout.

Make sure to head over and check out our range of handmade rompers (only a few left), vintage pinafores, baby bloomers and overalls.

Pretty good excuse to grab a few pieces for your little ones.
Linking up with Sophie, as always.

P.S thanks so much for your kindness on this post- truly- i can't express how wonderful this community is.

Case In Point

2012-03-08T20:12:00.000+11:00

When I was a bit younger, a bit skinnier and a bit hotter I thought I was pretty good. I mean, I had a nice family, lived in a nice suburb by the beach, finished a uni degree or two, got married to a babe, bought an apartment, had a good job, bought another house and did some travelling. I could drink beer and not get a hangover, wear high heels everyday and not hurt my feet, buy designer threads without running out of cash and I didn't have hairs on my chin. I probably thought I was a little superior, truth be told.

Life is a great leveller.

In the past three years I have watched my body expand and never quite return to the shape it once was. I have laboured for days, breathed through contractions, declined offers of drugs and taken long hot baths believing that my body 'knew what it needed to do' only to find that it didn't, and I couldn't. I have fed those babies from my breast, my now tiny, empty, saggy breasts. I have been out of the workforce so long I wonder if it would ever take me back. My wardrobe consists of size 12's from Glassons and the last holiday I had was to my in-laws weekender.

I now have two children to raise. Two individual people who I can't control, only shape.

Motherhood is a tough gig, one that know I'll always struggle with. But it is the most joyful and humbling experience. I am both loved and completely and utterly disrespected each and every day. My life is nothing like it was and I am nothing like I was.

I'm broken, stripped bare and unworthy, yet I have been given the richest blessing imaginable in those two little people. Those sweet creatures that call me mum and clearly state my inadequacies, faults and prickles. Just this morning while giving Zeph a big bear hug, he pulled away, rubbed my chin and said 'what's that? oh, a prickle... i don't like that mum'. hump. case in point.

We are a collective, us mothers.

Happy International Women's Day.

Rainy Day?

2012-03-07T20:58:00.000+11:00

Got children?

Got pillows?

Got masses of fun!

We've got some rainy days heading our way, in fact it just started raining as I typed that. Here at The Beetle Shack there are a few staple activities we do to keep us entertained. Making pillow towers and jumping of the lounge is just one of them. We also make these, play in here and dance about to good music (Lady Baby has quite the style I must say, she can really get those hips a-swingin').

The Warmth of Early Autumn

2012-03-05T20:56:00.000+11:00

We had such a magical weekend here at The Beetle Shack. The humidity of Summer has given way to the warmth of early Autumn and on Sunday afternoon we made the most of it. Under the shade of the magnolia (which is hastily losing its leaves) we set up the slip 'n' slide for a little family 'slide off'. We soaped that sucker up, prepared our launch pad and wasted the afternoon away.

Laughter came easily and once again the blessings of family were real to me.

*Winners announced back here.

Unleash Your Inner Stylist... again

2012-03-04T10:21:00.000+11:00

Okay my stylish friends, help me out.

As soon as we saw this retro sideboard we fell in love (in a superficial kind of way, not real love love... but close), it was my favourite colour, in perfect condition and actually within our minuscule budget. Once we got it home we realised that it kinda didn't actually fit in our living room and that some changes would need to be made. We removed one lounge and put the old TV unit into Zephie's room, the vintage glass cabinet is now holding my fabrics in the study. The dining chairs will be replaced with replica eames chairs.

We have temporarily borrowed some arm chairs from my parents until we decide what to do. These issues are very pressing and one would want to make a rushed decision, right?

There are a few options to consider;

1. Keep the wing backed chair that you see on the right but have it recovered in this or this or this or something else from Fabric Studio's collection

2. Remove the other chair under the windows and replace with a small table and chairs (for morning paper and coffee sessions)

2. Keep both chairs and have them both recovered

3. Get rid of both chairs, go with idea 2 and get this chair or maybe this one.

4. All of the artworks need changing, replacing or something.... not sure what to do here... one or two large works, lots of smaller ones?

5. Paint the duck egg blue wall another colour

Should we be going for an eclectic look or just go retro?

We need your help with these very important issues peeps, lets just pretend there are no budgetary restraints.

The Best Retro House EVER

2012-03-02T21:07:00.000+11:00

I'm seriously dreaming of living here

Read all about his live/ work space over here

HAPPY WEEKEND FRIENDS!

Get In Line- Mcbride Charles Ryan

2012-03-01T20:18:00.001+11:00

Last night, after brewing a pot of tea, Dave and I snuggled in to watch 'Artscape' on iview. We were introduced to Rob Mcbride and Debbie Ryan, an architect duo from Melbourne who work tirelessly to bring colour and life into buildings. The vivid hues they use and expressive application of form (not to mention Debbie's religious wearing of fuchsia lipstick) won me over within minutes. These two are partners in both work and life, they have made a family together and a thriving business. Their designs are unexpected and exciting, they even designed a residential extension that looks like a cloud- but you'll have to watch the doco to see that!

Penleigh and Essendon-Grammar-School

Charles McBride Ryan's Dome House in suburban Hawthorn.

You can visit their website here to learn more about the firm. Or go here to read about other inspiring artists, they are not all as poorly written as this one, promise!

also, thanks so much to those of you who voted for The Beetle Shack over at Apartment Therapy, it means a lot to me.

16 Bucks and 4 Days

2012-02-28T18:38:00.000+11:00

Over the weekend it became apparent that we were completely broke. Some months we budget really well- other months we don't. This was one of the other months, we had $16 and 4 days till pay day. We needed a plan of action. Eating from the pantry and the garden were our only solutions. We got busy harvesting the best of the green stuff and turning our excess tomato stock into passata and sauce. Bread was baked and pizza dough was made. We boiled fresh eggs for snacks and indulged in pikelets for supper

Sometimes its lovely to only have a little, to have to make do. We spent our time together, making the most of what was at our fingertips.

Retro Dreaming

2012-02-28T06:34:00.002+11:00

Ever since scoring this new cabinet I have been dreaming of retro furniture... and all of it is some shade of turquoise.

I simply can not get enough of this fruity shade. I painted a feature wall in our bedroom this colour, the prints in our study echo the same thing. I don't think I can stop.

also, i'f you haven't voted for The Beetle Shack over here, i'd love you to!

Oh and this weeks giveaway ends tomorrow. you don't want to miss it.

The Cheer

2012-02-27T19:09:00.003+11:00

The Beetle Shack has been added to the (very long*) list of nominees for Apartment Therapy's best family blog award- it's a vote based thing and I need to ask you to... ehum.. you know... vote. So, the only way that this is really going to work is if you imagine me in full 'cheer leading' regalia (yep, i'll be the one with the nasty complexion and heavy set thighs). I've got my pom poms at the ready and am yelling 'V.O.T.E, V.O.T.E, V.O.T.E FOR ME!!' over and over and over. it's loud, it's obnoxious and it's not going to stop until you do - so it'd be best if you just head over here a and put a tick next to The Beetle Shack (or don't - no pressure).**

phew. that was awkward.

*Our friends One Claire Day and Che and Fidel are also on the list so make sure you pop a tick next to their name too. Geez, you'll be feeling like a kindergarten class teacher in no time.

** i'll post something worth viewing later on. please excuse my tireless self promotion.

also, The Beetle Shack is being featured on the decorating forum this week.

Is it strangely appropriate that The Beetle Shack can be shortened to The B.S?

Vintage Sunday

2012-02-26T13:25:00.000+11:00

When I haven't been snuggling with the youngest one i've been spending some quality time with my sewing machine. Vintage linens have been calling and who am I to refuse them?

The results are below.

The lady baby has been trotting around in one of these rompers for a few days now. Its a whole outfit in one and looks super cute on so I've made a few extras in a range of sizes for the shop.

Koala Cuddles Explained

2012-02-25T19:10:00.000+11:00

On Thursday the lady baby was listless. When i put her down on the couch she curled up and went to sleep. When I sat with her on the bed she snuggled into my chest and slept a little while longer. This followed a week of especially clingy behaviour - a couple of trips to the doctors and an x-ray later i was informed she has pneumonia. As a result, things have been pretty lazy around here. We've been hanging close to home, listening to these melodic tunes, working in the garden and relaxing in the shade of the magnolia, only heading out for fresh coffee and supplies.

if you're on instagram you would have been bored by the bombardment of koala cuddles, but if not- this has been the general state of affairs.

How's your weekend shaping up friends?

Did you catch some sunshine today?

did you enter this giveaway?

Sarah Humphreys - Australian Music Giveaway

2012-02-23T20:43:00.001+11:00

As we were going through our cd collection the other night we found a selection of albums recorded by some of our very talented friends; Sarah Humphreys is one of them. She is a mother, blogger, babe and music maker. Her sounds are warm, endearing and love filled. You can perve on her doing her thing here, download her music here or read about her magical life here.

Sarah is generously offering two readers of The Beetle Shack the chance to win a collection of her latest records. Simply like her facebook page if you're on facebook and while you're at it- why not visit her blog and say hi. Then leave me a comment below telling me your all time favourite band/song/musician.

You really do want to win this giveaway - trust me.

* Winners are Kesh and Anon commenter Michelle. Hit me on the email peeps!

Music- The Memory Keeper

2012-02-22T20:58:00.000+11:00

photo's by tim coulson from our last family session

Dave and I have spent the past few evenings transferring all of our music back onto the big mac after this disaster. We thought is was going to be an arduous task with hours upon hours sitting in front of the screen - insert disk, eject disk- repeat.

How very wrong we were; instead we found ourselves reminiscing about days past*. Memories of being awkward teens listening to punk rock came flooding back. We remembered the endless evenings we spent in our tiny apartment drinking red wine and listening to Vince Jones, the long drives up north with nothing but Silverchair, Beth Orton and The Shins to keep us company. Our first dance as a married couple - just us and Ben Harper's 'By My Side'. And possibly the most memorable of all, my pregnancy with Zephie during which Ben Kweller's 'Changing Horses' was on high rotation; when he was a new born we would dance him to sleep with that record and to this very day he still asks us to put it on.
In fact, last night while we were drinking tea and listening to music, the young man emerged from his room and asked 'can I dance with you mummy and daddy?' Naturally we indulged him and swayed around the lounge room for a little while. He went to bed happy and so did we.

Music for us is a memory keeper. Records remind us of a specific time and a place and in my memories, these places are always happy.

Tomorrow the next giveaway will be launched and you'll have the opportunity to win a bundle of cd's from one of my favourite musicians.

In the mean time - i'd love to know what music means to you.

*whilst going through said cd's we discovered disk upon disk of early '00 (yes, before 00 simply indicated a child's clothing size) photo's and videos- you will be punished for visiting here and be forced to see them. mark my words.

also, i found my best of roxette album. i'm thrilled, dave is less so.

Potty Pants

2012-02-21T21:01:00.000+11:00

We've been toilet training for about a year now. It's a tumultuous journey with ups and downs, temper tantrums, wet floors and more washing than I care to recall. It's taken the natural progression, you know- with the battle of the wills, the Young Mans love/hate relationship with nappies, the potty and me. Oh and the odd ehum, poo on the floor.

At 18 months Zeph stopped wearing nappies when he was awake, about 10 months later he stopped wearing them for his day sleeps. And for the past few weeks he has been wearing no nappy to bed. That's no nappies at all, peeps. Excellent stuff. So what if I have to change his sheets every second morning.

What a little legend.

I can't get enough of his early morning face and his 'mum, i haven't seen you in 12 whole hours' smile.

Seriously, there is nothing better in the entire universe than ~~my kids~~ your own kids.

New Digs

2012-02-20T20:05:00.000+11:00

Have you noticed the changes around here? Things have been freshened up thanks to Talia Christine. I have loved her blog ever since finding it shortly after Tim went to visit. Their house is total perfection, her husband has a ginger beard to envy, Audrey is the sweetest little button and they bake their own bread.

Talia whipped the new design up like a pro (oh wait, she is a pro). Firstly she sent me a range of colour schemes, then the header design and before I knew it, everything was pretty and new. You know what my favourite part is? THE BUTTONS. I've always dreamed of having a blog with its very own buttons and now I do. So please, add one to your side bar (or don't) - there are 3 fruity flavours to choose from. I'm pretty sure you simply copy and paste the code into your design thingie in the dashboard section... and you know... like add a gadget or something. Actually, I have no idea how you do it.

Make sure you have a click around and check it out. Also, I have heard whispers that Talia is willing to do a little more of this blog revamping, so shoot her an email if your interested!

Tell me friends, how do you like it?

Make sure you let me know if you have success with the button thing!

New Retro

2012-02-19T15:28:00.003+11:00

try not to hate me but I picked this up at a garage sale for a steal....

... oh okay, hate away.

Don't forget to head over here today to enter and check back this even to see if you've won.

Inspired By Nature

2012-02-18T21:03:00.000+11:00

"Look at nature, nothing matches. I think gardens are God's way of teaching us that you should be more relaxed about life and design."

source

What a fabulous house. First published in Vogue Living and then featured on apartment therapy.

Those of you who did one of these, i think you are awesome. I'll put a post of links up later in the week so we can all indulge in a little more voyeurism. If you've been planning to do one- do it now and add your link. go on, do it for me.

In other news, I found THE most amazing retro sideboard today- it's magic and i cant wait to show it to you tomorrow.

What did you do today?

p.s what the hell are we doing at home on a saturday night?

At The Art Gallery

2012-02-16T20:13:00.001+11:00

Today Jo and I headed to the Art Gallery Of NSW to see Masterpieces from the Musée National Picasso, Paris. With four cheeky children in tow we viewed the extensive collection - it did not disappoint, we saw colour, line, texture, form and nudity at it's very best.

The kids were exceptionally well behaved, Zeph even took his new Jonah's out for a run.

If you have not yet seen the Picasso exhibition, you have until the 25th of March. I suggest you pack up the kids and get there. Jo and I take our littlies to the gallery every now and again and it's always a fun morning out.

p.s do yourself a favour and see Kesh and Tim's accent vlog here

Forever Fruit

2012-02-15T21:02:00.000+11:00

It's so last year, baby, but Sass and Bide's 'The Winning Day' collection will never cease to delight and inspire my senses. Such fruit. Honestly- it's fruity perfection.

Do yourself a favour and check out boogie & the historymaker and the current collection. You will be hitting 'pin it' like a mad woman.

Want some fruity shoe goodness for free? Head over here to enter.

also, you'll be seeing a 'new look' around here soon.

watch this space, or don't.

Cook it- Roasted Tomato Sauce

2012-02-14T20:14:00.001+11:00

We have had over 12 kilo's of tomatoes from our humble garden patch this season. It's been so exciting to take our little cane baskets (one each) out into the garden and collect the juicy red treasures from the vine. But there are only so many fresh tom's you can eat right?

This is what we do with the excess;

2-3 garlic cloves
I kilo of fresh tomatoes
2 tablespoons olive oil
salt and freshly ground pepper

Arrange the tomato halves, tightly packed but not covering each other, in an ovenproof dish. Slice the garlic and place a piece on each tomato half. Drizzle olive oil over the dish evenly and season with salt and pepper. Roast in medium hot oven around 180 degrees until soft, pulpy and slightly charred.

recipe from here

before we grew our own toms i used to buy bags when they were cheap and do the same thing, you know, just cus i thought Hugh would be proud of me.

p.s- it seems YOU my darling blogger friends have left me in the lurch regarding this little episode- I see but ONE link. Dudes, c'mon. Also, I got some of these in the mail today- they are TOTAL perfection.

Accent Vlog (assume the 'cringe' position)

2012-02-13T20:16:00.000+11:00

All right, so I know that I said I would never do a vlog because I have a nasal voice and my eye is slightly woking (okay- so i did't tell you the eye part but it'll be pretty obvious, so i thought it best to out myself now- i'll tell you that story another time). But then I was chatting with this saucey texan and we both decided it would be a ~~bad~~ good idea to do an 'accent' vlog. You know, so we can hear how funny other peoples* our own accents are. A list of words is to be read (warning 'route' is one of them and you can't tell how it's spelt when you say it out loud) and a selection of ridiculous questions answered.

I just launched right in - no flowery introductions. I do however break from the script at the end there to remind you that 'i don't have a t.v' - when watching it back it reminded me that i really am a wanker. sorry 'bout that.

Untitled from The Beetle Shack on Vimeo.

Okay, now that's done. Don't even think for one second that you can get away with not doing one. C'mon Australian and international friends- hit. it. up. Put your link in the comments section below so we can all ... you know... giggle at each other. See below for your guide to public humiliation.

The instructions are to say these words:
Aunt, Route, Wash, Oil, Theater, Iron, Salmon, Caramel, Fire, Water,
Sure, Data, Ruin, Crayon, Toilet, New Orleans, Pecan, Both, Again,
Probably, Spitting image, Alabama, Lawyer, Coupon, Mayonnaise, Syrup,
Pajamas, Caught

And answer these questions:
What is it called when you throw toilet paper on a house?
What is the bug that when you touch it, it curls into a ball?
What is the bubbly carbonated drink called?
What do you call gym shoes?
What do you say to address a group of people?
What do you call the kind of spider that has an oval-shaped body and
extremely long legs?
What do you call your grandparents?
What do you call the wheeled contraption in which you carry groceries
at the supermarket?
What do you call it when rain falls while the sun is shining?
What is the thing you use to change the TV channel?

* im loving all over that ~~strike out~~ tool today.

make sure you enter this shoe giveaway before you start filming your face

Jonah and the Girl - Giveaway

2012-02-13T09:28:00.003+11:00

I'm so completely excited to be sharing this new Australian label with you, partly because it's all kinds of fabulous and partly because it's the love child of some seriously cool people. Scott and Amy Hawkes of The Horse fame have launched children's label Jonah and the Girl. Their first collection is called 'Bertie' - a simple unisex shoe that comes in a fruity selection of gelato colours. Made form %100 cotton canvas and a rubber sole, Bertie is machine washable and can be worn with or with out laces. 

It really is 'beautiful simplicity' at it's best.

You're in love aren't you?! Same. 

Best news ever?  Jonah and the Girl are offering one stylish reader of The Beetle Shack the chance win 'bertie' in any colour of your choosing and will send them to anywhere in the world! All you need to do is 'like' Jonah and the Girl on Facebook if you have a facebook account and follow along with The Beetle Shack. EASY.

Visit them here and leave a comment below telling me your favourite colour and the size you require. Oh and be a doll and share the love around for an extra entry.

*winner will be announced one week from today and an edit will be added to this post so check back.

the winner is Ramblings. please email me with your contact details so Jonah and the Girl can get some shoes out to you.

For some strange reason two 'jonah' posts were published- i simply added the additional 17 entries to the end of the first 33... get it? anywho. thats that!

Jonah and the Girl - Giveaway

2012-02-13T07:41:00.002+11:00

I'm so completely excited to be sharing this new Australian label with you, partly because it's all kinds of fabulous and partly because it's the love child of some seriously cool people. Scott and Amy Hawkes of The Horse fame have launched children's label Jonah and the Girl. Their first collection is called 'Bertie' - a simple unisex shoe that comes in a fruity selection of gelato colours. Made form %100 cotton canvas and a rubber sole, Bertie is machine washable and can be worn with or with out laces.

It really is 'beautiful simplicity' at it's best.

You're in love aren't you?! Same.

Best news ever? Jonah and the Girl are offering one stylish reader of The Beetle Shack the chance win 'bertie' in any colour of your choosing and will send them to anywhere in the world! All you need to do is 'like' Jonah and the Girl on Facebook if you have a facebook account and follow along with The Beetle Shack. EASY.

Visit them here and leave a comment below telling me your favourite colour and the size you require. Oh and be a doll and share the love around for an extra entry.

*winner will be announced one week from today and an edit will be added to this post so check back.

Vintage Sunday

2012-02-12T09:23:00.001+11:00

Happy vintage Sunday. I had such a lovely day yesterday doing a little bit of sewing and working on a new romper pattern for the shop.

A new range of bloomers has been added to bug and beetle and we have listed some fresh vintage stock. Later on in the week you'll see a small collection of adults clothing (including some very rare and very awesome pieces).

Later on today I will share with you and exciting giveaway from a brand new Australian label.

Have a great Sunday, I'm off to the beach.

Don't forget to check out the shop.

Fashion Fruit I've Been Pinning

2012-02-10T19:55:00.001+11:00

1. Colour blocked skirt from here

2. pattern blocking inspiration from here

3. Cute girl with best outfit ever from here

4. best legs i've ever seen on a blogger here

Happy Weekend Friends

I'll be spending my saturday finishing off a new range of bloomers for the shop and dreaming of putting this up on my living room wall.

What are your plans?

Baby Face

2012-02-09T20:09:00.001+11:00

Most days I look at my first born and think how quickly he is growing up. He is almost 3 you know. It is with amazement that I look at his frame and see a young boy (a big boiiee- never call this kid anything other than a big boy- he won't tolerate it) emerging, no longer a baby. But then there are those moments when I catch a glimpse of that squishy little baby face.

This was one of them

I thought I should share with you how wonderful this child is after all my complaining.

Dudes, your comments truly inspire me. the time you take to share snippets of your life and chunks of your wisdom means so much to me. thank you. big time.

I'm just now going through and using the new 'reply' feature so check back if you like.

xxxxxxxxx

smoochy smooch smooch

Your Advice

2012-02-08T21:01:00.001+11:00

You know, I wrote this post for a reason. It's because i'm struggling. We've had a good few months of really lovely behaviour around here, gentle hands and everything. But for some reason, out of no where, the young man has had a burst of... umm... spirit?

Photos by you know who during this family session.

Help me mummy friends (and dads), I don't want to mope but I do want your advice*. Give me your BEST parenting know how for the turbo charged child. What works in your home? what are the best books you have read on the issue? How do you remain calm when the shit hits the fan?

hheelppppppppppp.

* if you suggest wine, it's cool, i'm already onto it.

In The Garden

2012-02-07T21:06:00.000+11:00

it's thriving- we eat from it daily. In fact we had this salad with our cannelloni tonight.

Getting major inspiration form here too.

Shedding The Mother Guilt

2012-02-06T20:15:00.001+11:00

Before I had kids I used to think I'd be an excellent mother with exceptionally well behaved children. Whenever I observed 'naughty' kids in public places I assessed the situation with ease and cast judgement like only an ignorant woman could.

Then I had my my own and isn't it just so true that pride comes before a fall - I fell fast and hard.

In the first months of being home with Zeph I really struggled with the demands of being his mother. Constant feeding, rocking, patting, singing and ssshhh-ing. It was full on. Then there was the crying. all. the. time. Crying when being held, crying when in the cot, crying when in the bouncer and so on. Of course there were LOTS of smiles and giggles and love but I do remember feeling overwhelmingly drained in every part of my being. I used to think that he cried because I was not adequately fulfilling his needs. If only I could rock him more rhythmically, sing more sweetly, have more patience or slow my own breath to match his. Then, maybe then, he would become a relaxed easy baby.

During this period I believed he 'acted out' because I didn't have the skills to parent him 'correctly'. When I heard people calling his behaviour aggressive I assumed it was because I had not been nurturing enough towards him. I questioned my own behaviour and concluded that his actions were a direct response to me as his mother.

As he has grown he has continued to be a loud, energetic, interactive individual. He likes to run fast, jump high, laugh loudly and talk constantly. He is turbo charged. And the longer that I have the privilege of being a mother to this amazing child I realise that he has an intense personality. He has since birth - the crying was not the result of some inadequacy on my part, nor was his behaviour necessarily 'aggressive' (although at times it was/is); he is spirited and will be for each and every day that he walks on God's earth.

Only now, I have found the courage (with the help of my beautiful friends, abundantly wise park mums and my own mother) to believe that he is who HE is, not who I have made him to be through a variety of errors. He is strong, independent, determined, sensitive, focused, engaged ... and a wee bit precocious.

As his third birthday is approaching and I still struggle to tame this wild child of ours, I remind myself that ... it's an impossible task... I shall guide him as best I can but above all I shall accept him for the creation that he is.

Bug and Beetle has arrived

2012-02-05T20:24:00.000+11:00

Claire and I finally got our act together and set up our Etsy store. We called it Bug and Beetle- you know, for obvious reasons.

If you think the design is fancy, thank Claire, she whipped up that header in between being a celebrity, a mother, a wife and a total babe.. That chicks got mad skillz.

Make sure you check it out tell us what your favourite item is in the comments section below.

We'll be sharing the love over at Her Library Adventures today.

* head back here and see if you won this fabulous giveaway.

Frilly Bums

2012-02-03T20:07:00.000+11:00

It's your last chance to get some Rowantree for nothing.

Head over here to hit it up.

I'm super excited to be launching something VERY special over the weekend. Watch this space.

But in the mean time- head over here to tell me how you feel about the 'giveaway' issue.

Happy Weekend friends. It's Pizza and Beer for us, how about you?

Undercuts

2012-02-02T20:42:00.001+11:00

The narcissistic urge within me is too strong- I cant help but be delusional enough to think that you'd care about my new do.

It's got some subtle undercut action going on (all the cool kids in primary school had undercuts).

Next time i might just shave it right back.

it's kinda like this old one- i was getting bored of the bowl cut so reverted back to the side fringe. So interesting, hey. mock me at your leisure.
Sorry there are no photo's of the kids in this post mum. tomorrow- i prom.

p.s- seriously, my eyebrows could not be any more wonky.

p.p.s- does this post make any grammatical sense at all?

p.p.p.s- i had to use the spell check for 'grammatical'

Dream House

2012-02-01T20:11:00.000+11:00

... it's got me planning renovations (don't tell Dave)...

source

Field Architecture incorporated sustainable design practices into their renovation with the use of recycled glass countertops, bamboo flooring, and natural materials that require little or no maintenance for the exterior.

Once I move in, i'll be making the interior look just like this.

Impossible? Probably.

Do you like it?

Worth It

2012-01-31T20:11:00.000+11:00

We were stranded this morning after Dave took my only set of car keys with him to a building site far far away. It was stinking hot but the kids were restless so we decided to make the most of being carless and take a walk. We trotted up the street stopping to collect sticks and jump of sandstone walls. I sweated while the lady baby fell asleep in the sling.

It was bliss.

* Dave drove home as soon as he realised my keys were with him- a full 1.5 hour mission. Then he bought me flowers this afternoon. I'm into him. fact.

** It's River Cottage night tonight and hairyyoss is cooking.

Giveaway from Rowantree Designs

2012-01-29T20:58:00.001+11:00

Roberta from Rowantree Designs makes the most stunning children's clothing imaginable. Each piece is hand made in Sydney, Australia from fabrics sourced from around the world. I speak from personal experience when I say they wash like a dream, look as good as new after an iron and have that perfect vintage feel. The Lady Baby is lucky enough to have almost the entire summer collection and Zeph often sports his Clayton shorts.

Roberta has very generously offered to giveaway an item of your choosing to one lucky reader of The Beetle Shack. All you have to do is follow her blog if you have a blogger account or 'like' Rowantree's facebook page if you're on facebook. Check out her Boys, Girls and Organic range and leave a comment below letting me know what item you choose. Winner will be announced sunday week.

* how are those conditions for you rumballs? Still got your metaphorical nuts intact?

edit

* The Franglaise has one her choice from the Rownatree designs range. Hit me on the email with your address, choice and the size you need!

Happy Birthday Lady Baby

2012-01-27T08:56:00.000+11:00

Little Lady Baby, it was one year ago that we first met. You were teeny tiny, pink and oh so deliciously soft. When they lifted you from my tummy and put us nose to nose I could feel your breath on my face, it was rhythmic, sweet and warm. We stayed there for an eternity, you and I, just looking into one anothers eyes. Your gaze did not break and neither did mine. How proud I was to have grown you in my body, amazed that such perfection had come from me.

That first night you slept soundly on my chest. When the nurses woke me to check my vitals it was with pure joy that my bleary eyes looked upon your face. You were calm and a little bit peely on your fingers and toes, a sure sign that you missed your due date by a couple of days. January 26th was the perfect day for you and you are the perfect girl for us.

Happy Birthday little Pippi

xxx

all the boring stuff a mother likes to remember

Your first word was dadda.
You took your first steps weeks and weeks ago but insist on crawling
You love the ocean as much as the rest of us
To entertain yourself you spin in circles on the floor until you are dizzy and topple over. A constant source of amusement for the rest of us.
You adore your big brother and play wrestles with him like any good tomboy would.
you have just learnt to make the 'mmmwaa' noise when planting kisses. For this i think you are totally adorable.
Sleep escapes you most days.
If ever I can't find you, you will be on my bed spinning amongst the pillows.
You eat more than your big brother each and every day.
Smiles have always come easily for you.
You have a better wardrobe than I do.
Out of all of the beautiful toys you have, it is with a synthetic pink poodle that you have become attached. This makes me question your taste.
You are little for your age.
When Zeph is a pre school you miss him. I know this because you spend more time clinging to my ankles than usual (and because i'm your mother- you will hear this phrase often).
Your face truly lights up when your Dad gets home from work. You lunge into his arms in fits of gleeful giggles.
I'm pretty sure you and your brother are the best thing i've ever made.
I love you.

Celebrity Sightings @ The Beetle Shack

2012-01-25T21:14:00.001+11:00

That's right- we had Brad and Ange visit The Beetle Shack this week. Well, the Brad and Ange of the blogging world anyway. Claire, Paddy and Lalie came to stay and it was truly delightful to have their company.

I have loved Claire's blog from the very first time I visited it. Filled with honest and genuine accounts of her everyday life, journey into motherhood and stories of raising her first daughter, Lalie. She writes with ease, has the style of a stylist (funny that) and is witty beyond words. Oh, and a total babe.

I've gotta say- these guys are even better in real life than they are in cyber land (i'm pretty sure Brad Pitt would be too but whatevs). We had such a fabulous time eating and drinking and chasing noisy children together. Dave and Paddy exchanged beard notes while Claire and I talked about politics in the middle east (okay, so it didn't go quite like that), the children played and slept and life was beautiful.

Thanks for coming dudes, and seriously- how great do you all look here ?!

Resolutions

2012-01-24T14:19:00.000+11:00

A wonderful friend of mine (one of my park ladies and the wife of this super cool dude) just sent me this text.

Mostly I love Eliza because she is a total babe but she also just happens to be flipping awesome and normal

* I've had some pretty awesome company for the last couple of days (explaining my absence... as if you care). I can't wait to tell you all about it and post that fabulous giveaway I promised. Until then- i'll be drinking champagne from the bottle and having another slice of key lime pie.

Vintage Baby

2012-01-22T12:45:00.000+11:00

Nothing like sweet little baby girl clothes, especially when they are vintage. This sucker was a steal and i'm kinda wishing my almost 1 year old would shrink back to 000 so she could wear it. Not to matter.

It's all action stations here today with a spring clean in full swing. Who knew sugar soap could clean EVERYTHING so well?

*check back here to see if you won the giveaway. A new very exciting giveaway will be launched tonight.

Slump

2012-01-20T21:05:00.001+11:00

I've got super itchy feet at the moment. It's been one whole year since I've worked outside of the home for money and I've gotta say that's pretty much my limit. As all my teaching friends head back into work I find myself kind of wishing that I was joining them (on a part time basis). The thought of getting up, showered, dressed and leaving the house child free thrills me. The idea of writing programs, researching art history and teaching teenagers about naughty, rebellious artists is overwhelmingly appealing.

I love stay at home mumming most days, my kids are excellent and keep me on my toes. But the endless piles of washing, sorting, dirty dishes, cleaning and toy pick-up-ing leaves me rather uninspired. In fact, my brain fogs over at the thought of it.

Something new is needed here. A fresh start, an inspiring challenge.

I'm working on it- but for now i'd better just untangle this slinky from the entrance table.

oh, and sweep the floors.

come on bloggie friends- tell me, what do you do when you are going flipping mental from mummy boredom?

Get In Line- Jenny Holzer

2012-01-19T20:48:00.001+11:00

Neo- Conceptualist artist, Jenny Holzer is famous for her short statements, formally called ‘truisms’. Some are common myths while others are phrases on random subjects in the form of slogans. Her medium, whether formulated as a t-shirt, as a plaque,or as an LED sign, always is writing, and the public dimension is integral to the delivery of her work. Starting in the late 1970s with the posters that Jenny Holzer pasted on buildings in New York City, and up to her xenon projections on landscape and architecture, her practice has rivaled ignorance and violence with humor, kindness, and moral courage.

Often Holzer's work presents both explicit content and minimalist aesthetics that make profound statements about the world of advertising and consumer society today. By presenting an assemblage of phrases that mimic advertising slogans through vehicles commonly used in advertising, such as electric billboards, coffee mugs, and commercials on cable and network television, Holzer questions what our eyes can see and what we can't see in media, whether consumers today have any real control over the information that is provided to them.

Going back to her years as a painter at the Rhode Island school of design, Holzer says she was influenced by the ‘clean, simple variations’ of minimalist aesthetics in artists like Donald Judd, Mark Rothko and Morris Louis. (source)

Read a fabulous biography here, you won't regret it. The woman is fascinating.

Jenny Holzer. Xenon for Florence, 1996.

Jenny Holzer. Installation for the Guggenheim, 1990.

Jenny Holzer. Inflammatory Essays, 1979.

Holzer also tweets, but that also comes as no surprise.

nor should it surprise you that i suggest you enter this.

Their Rituals

2012-01-18T20:29:00.000+11:00

It was so long ago that we used to sit at our kitchen table together and drink our morning coffee, our rituals have changed as our family has grown. There are some traditions, however, that stand firm. This is one of them ...

Once a week, every week for over a year now, mum and dad have looked after the Young Man while I have some R&R. Once a week, every week, they take their sleepy faces out to the front porch and wait for the bin truck. The conversation is always the same 'what will happen if the bin truck comes up the stairs and into the house nanny?'

Less Of This

2012-01-17T20:59:00.000+11:00

A sight that's seen far too often around here. Between Instagram, emails and facebook my eyes are scarcely off the screen. It's a hazard. Think of all the things I'm missing in the real world. As much as I love social media I really must limit iphone time. It will no longer stay in my pocket when we are at home, instead it shall live elsewhere... and get lost under piles of washing or eaten by small children.

Less of this

and more of this

* this post was prompted by losing said iphone and realising that i missed it every 37 seconds. We have since been reunited, so don't worry, i've seen your instagram feed.

Cook It - Every Green In The Garden Salad

2012-01-16T20:59:00.002+11:00

In keeping with our little dream for 2012 we have been doing our best to eat seasonally and frugally. Most of all, we have been trying to eat from the garden as much as possible.

Once a week-ish we have roast chicken for dinner. It's fabulous for many reasons, but the best thing about it is the pie made with the uneaten chicken. We all know how rewarding it is to make an excellent meal out of left overs and a whole chook happens to feed us three times. This week we added an experimental garden salad to the menu.

Here's the recipe- It's pretty much anything green from the garden and a few pantry staples.

A bunch of rocket
A bunch of baby spinach
A bit of lettuce Lettuce
A Handful of Basil, chives and parsley or any other herbs you have growing.
1/2 cup of pitted kalamata olives
1/4 cup of sun dried tomatoes
Some feta

Slice it all up and throw it in a bowl

*I added some chopped up potatoes as i had some lest over from the roast

Dressing

A splosh of olive oil and balsamic vinegar
A tablespoon of Dijon mustard

shake it up in a jar, mix it in.

Let me know if you make it. See other stuff we cook in the kitchen here.

oh and get some endota skin lovin' for free here.

over.

endota- Giveaway

2012-01-15T20:17:00.002+11:00

It is with great delight that I announce this weeks giveaway from endota.

For mother's day last year I was lucky enough to receive a never never land day spa package at an endota day spa - I've gotta say it was the most blissful three hours of my life. During the massage at the end of the session I kept jolting myself awake with the sound of my own snoring, only to realise that I needed to wipe away the string of drool running down my cheek.

I walked out of the spa that day with a selection of the most delicious certified organic products imaginable. For this reason, I'm excited to offer you the chance to win some too.

The beautiful team at endota are offering one lucky reader of The Beetle Shack the chance to win this Glycolic package (available exclusively at endota day spas) including a polishing mask, nourishing oil, spotty toiletry bag and calendar full of fabulous discounts.

Valued at over $145

To enter all you need to do is be a follower of The Beetle Shack and leave me a comment below

For extra chances to win:

 Write your own post about this giveaway, tweet about it, facebook it or knock on your neighbours door and tell them about it before 

leaving me a comment telling me that you have.

Trust me peeps, you do not want to miss out on this one. 

winner will be announced on sunday the 22nd, so make sure you check back.

*Winner is commenter 13 Sarah 

Today...

2012-01-14T19:44:00.000+11:00

... i threw a mummy tantrum...

...and avoided responsibility in every way imaginable. I closed the doors to my bedroom, drew the blinds and sulked under my favourite fruity nanny rug.

It was bloody brilliant, I should do it more often.

Mother Love

2012-01-13T20:59:00.000+11:00

Tonight, I sat on the bed with the windows open and the sea breeze on my skin to feed the Lady Baby. Zeph splashed about in the bath for a while until he noticed the lack of activity and scampered out of the tub to snuggle in. I whispered, 'ssshhh, I'm just feeding Pippi so she can go to sleep'. His face softened and his pace slowed. After planting a sloppy kiss on my lips he looked at his little sister and then back to me - 'I love her mum' he softly said before announcing that when she woke up in the morning he could 'play with her again' and that would make him 'so happy'.

Photo's by Tim Coulson

My heart exploded right there in my chest. This boy is growing up, times like these are but a distant memory.

I see a new tenderness in him and can't help but feel proud.

Rock That Horse- Giveaway Winner

2012-01-13T19:33:00.000+11:00

Thanks ever so much to Julia of Rock that Horse for offering up one of her beautiful prints for the greater good. It's always fun spreading some love around- especially when the product is fabulous. We have a bunch more giveaways coming up in the coming months that i'm pretty sure you should be excited about- I know I am. With future giveaways the winner will be announced and a note will be added to the original post on the specified date so make sure you check back.

The winner of a Rock That Horse Print is commenter 14. Congratulations Bec S! Hit me on the email with your address and I'll forward it on to Julia! A new Giveaway will be announced on Monday.

Have a fabulous weekend lovers.

See You In A Couple Of Weeks

2012-01-12T21:22:00.000+11:00

The other night we had a little farewell dinner for our sister and brother in law who are moving to a new town for the foreseeable future. This town is a little far away for my liking and we are all going to miss them crazy.

This is the guilty couple right here.

Each and every event in this family is marked by the sharing of food and wine. This was no different- we ate and drank and loudly laughed. We watched as sun turned the sky pink before casting our gaze to the glorious neon glow of the iphone - a brief viewing of a place we will visit often.

See you in a couple of weeks, dudes. Love you too much.

At The Ranch by Tim

2012-01-11T20:59:00.000+11:00

Prepare for a total photo overload (again). I'd be apologetic but you're about to catch a glimpse of my favourite people in the universe. My mumma and pappa bear doing what they do - loving all over their grand babies.

I actually had a visit from them today- when they arrived they threw a kid on each hip and hobbled their old bodies inside before revealing a massive bag of berry and white chocolate scones. We sat, ate, played music with the children and chatted. Upon their departure my house was tidy (thanks dad) and the kids in bed (thanks mum).

Couldn't love them more.

fact.

My favourites are the ones at the and here. So true to life.

Tim, you are a generous man and the latest wedding you shot is breathtaking.

Oh and hit up this weeks giveaway here.

Great Expectations

2012-01-10T21:29:00.000+11:00

I genuinely expect myself to to keep 'stuff' together all the time. Tidy house, clean and healthy children, hearty meals, clean sheets, folded washing and happy husband. When I don't, I tend to give myself a swift kick to the metaphorical balls and it hurts- every time.

One day, I will learn to be easier on myself. I hope that day comes soon.

Better Than Blogging

2012-01-10T11:23:00.000+11:00

... dinner and wine with this babe.

Nothing like a little bit of bestie time.

Around The House

2012-01-08T20:01:00.000+11:00

Here is a selection of pics UberTim took while visiting on Christmas eve. He always makes our house look better than it really is.

I've taken to using Pinterest as a tool for categorising images - I've just started getting into it and don't really know exactly how it works but Tims photos are always so pin worthy- so I'll lean quickly!

You can find me on Pinterest here. And while you're following links- have a perve on one of my favourite friends and her family here, annnddddd.... enter this giveaway here.

Ted Lapidus- For $1

2012-01-08T09:11:00.001+11:00

I picked up some designer sunnies for $1 at my local oppie this week. I couldn't quite believe my luck- Vintage Ted Lapidus in almost perfect condition. Totally Crazy.

I'm in two minds as to whether I should keep them or sell them ( it could be worth it for this price).

Don't forget to enter this weeks giveaway and hang around for a great one next week

Rock That Horse - Giveaway

2012-01-05T20:58:00.000+11:00

Welcome to our first giveaway for two thousand and twelve

Julia from Rock That Horse has generously offered to give one lucky reader of The Beetle Shack the opportunity to select a print from her fabulous shop. Her colourful geometric works will make your eyes pop and your heart sing. Just about every room in the house would benefit from some Rock that Horse goodness. Can't get enough, head over and visit Julia's beautiful blog!

To enter this super fun giveaway

simply do the following;

1.Become a follower of The Beetle Shack and Rock That Horse via Google Friend Connect

2. Check out the Rock that Horse shop and tell me what print you would like to win.

(do the above for ONE entry)

For extra chances to win:

 Write your own post about this giveaway, tweet about it, facebook it or knock on your neighbours door and tell them about it before 

leaving me a comment (for each) telling me that you have.

At The Lake

2012-01-04T21:02:00.000+11:00

Just a stones throw from the home I was raised in is this beautiful lagoon. We strolled around it stopping to splosh in the mud, chase ducks with sticks and jump on strangers inflatable play equipment. Oh, that was Zeph - the rest of us just tried to look pretty for the camera.

Dave wears shoes by Twins for Peace

Lady Baby wears 'Laura' dress by Rowantree Designs and shoes by All About Heidi

Emily wears dress from a long forgotten Parisian holiday. Shoes by The Horse

The Young Man wears shorts by Rowantree Designs

final instalment coming tomorrow but for now it's home made ice-cream with my river cottage besties.

The Holiday Grump

2012-01-03T20:59:00.000+11:00

It's true. I've been a holiday grump.

Photo my boring old me

Photo's by uber talented, super exciting Tim

The past 6 months have been so busy for us here at The Beetle Shack; even a short break in the middle of it was interrupted by chaos. It's only natural then, that I would go ahead and sabotage our first real chance at relaxation, right?

Yes, I'm excellent.

The problem seems to be the ocean, I like to call her my husbands mistress. She comes between us that fierce, tempestuous mass of water. She swells and undulates and my dear husband has no choice but to go to her, no matter the hour.

It requires constant negotiation.

You know when you have things that you have really been looking forward to, so much so that your mind is consumed by their glory and your mouth forgets to utter their existence? I do that all the time - think things.... and then assume that those around me have followed along (self involved much?). I had been looking forward to having Dave's undivided attention for the entirety of the holiday season, so it came as a shock to me that he actually wanted to go, gasp, surfing.

How could he? We have scarcely enjoyed a moment together all year. The inner workings of my highly emotional mind went into over drive. Such betrayal.

Needless to say, a good conversation served to clarify our holiday expectations and everybody has been happy ever since.

At This Stage

2012-01-02T20:33:00.000+11:00

The Lady Baby is ready to walk but hasn't got the hang of it just yet. So for now she spends her time hanging around my ankles, pulling at my pants and asking to be picked up.

It won't be long now and she will be chasing her big brother around.

In the morning i'll hit you with some fresh shots from this day.

A New Year - A New Dream

2012-01-01T20:00:00.000+11:00

Photos taken by Tim on his last visit

We have big dreams, Dave and I. Dreams of spending all our time with our family, in the garden- raising seeds, picking caterpillars, nibbling on fresh produce and drinking crisp home brew in the early afternoon. We talk about it all the time. In the beginning it was just Dave who yearned for a simpler life but over the years, we have come to think as one - like we always do. So together we sit and ponder, imagining how fabulous life would be without debt and responsibility.

With the dawning of a new year we will work towards a goal of eating what we harvest from our own yard while we attempt to live with increasing intentionality. We will spend less, save more, eat better and hopefully carry less tension in our shoulders. We will invest in fences and animals and soil and fruit trees. Our children will learn how to identify different herbs by their leaves, their aroma and their taste. We will slowly learn how to preserve what we can't immediately consume and we will eat seasonally as much as possible.

It's a dream, I know. But I'm putting it out there.

What are your dreams for 2012?

At The Beetle Shack

2011-12-30T20:00:00.002+11:00

We had such a lovely time with Tim on Christmas eve. We showed him our baby ducks, took a stroll around the lake and visited my parents for a slice of mum's famous Christmas cake. There are too many images to cram into one post so I'm going to spread them out over a few. You know, I'm a narcissist- it's only natural that I assume you have nothing better to do than oggle my kids.

Dave wears shoes by Twins for Peace

Lady Baby wears 'Laura' dress by Rowantree Designs and shoes by All About Heidi

Emily wears dress from a long forgotten Parisian holiday. Shoes by The Horse

The Young Man wears shorts by Rowantree Designs

Tomorrow will be New Years eve, how do you plan to spend it?

The Horse

2011-12-28T21:34:00.002+11:00

Australian shoe company The Horse kindly sent me the most delicious pair of pink flats to swan around in for our shoot with Tim. When they arrived I could hardly contain my excitement, dancing around in front of the mirror (and my children) immediately. They are the perfect blend of modern vintage and boast the most fabulously soft leather imaginable. My feat have scarcely spent a moment without them.

Olive wears dress from Rowantree Design

all photo's taken by UberTim

Head over to The Horse and check out their entire range (currently on sale, yes sale). They have a smoking hot men's collection and it's all seriously affordable.

Don't resist the temptation my friends.

I'm off to add these suckers to my cart but not before liking them on Facebook.

Thanks The Horse for letting my feet live, wear and groove in your leather.

I'll post some more of our family shoot tomorrow

Places I Love To Visit

2011-12-27T11:14:00.001+11:00

We had SO much fun this Christmas with our families and I'm looking forward to telling you all about it. But for now I thought I'd share with you a few of my favourite blogs.

One Claire Day - Claire writes with such ease and shares snippets of her life at home with Lalie. I pester her often for style advice and hit her archives all. the. time. Seriously beautiful stuff.

Dear Olive - Visit Kellie and have a sneaky at the letters she writes to her little Olive (wonderful name). Full of truths and trivialities- the stuff Olive will treasure forever.

This Cup In My Hand - My sister- need I say any more. I hang off every word she says. In the midst of starting her own glass art business, moving towns, setting up a new home and starting a new job. Amy, you better blog daily- I can't even begin to imagine how much I'm going to miss you (not to mention Dave and the Kids) in just 2 short weeks.

Rummey Bears- Pretty much the coolest Mumma Bear in blog land. She uses every outdated 80's word you can think of (think 'ace', 'rad'- I bet she uses 'bogus' too) and has a spirited child much like mine.

Che and Fidel- My neighbour and Friend. We share fresh green over the fence, drinks at birthday time, parenting advice and hot tea- pretty much every day. Daniel, her partner made a shor film of the Young Man- you can see it here.

Seventy Tree- A talented artist, fabulous blogger, amazing photographer and seriously nice person. You'll be addicted the minute you hit the link.

Berry and Fin- HAPPY BIRTHDAY NIC- you big fuzzy wuzzy legend. Another one I consider family. She makes custom swimwear- your body needs them.

Tim Coulson- C'mon, you already knew this. Pretty much the most talented photographer out there and the nicest guy. We had another shoot with him on Christmas eve. You can see past shoots here and here.

Baby Mac- Beth is naughty. She swears, talks about sex, drinks Moet all the time and lives in paradise. If you have not yet encountered the scandalous woman, you must.

Rewind- Merry Christmas Eve (by tim)

2011-12-24T18:51:00.000+11:00

We had such a lovely morning with our friend Tim and feel so very blessed by his generosity towards our little family. If you haven't yet booked him for a family session then you better get in quick- the dude is switching to focus on weddings.

Here is a sneaky peaky with more to come in the new year.

I'll be reflecting on the goodness of God (and eating my weight in prawns) tomorrow.

I hope you enjoy all that is important to you.

xxxxxxxx

Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T07:36:00.000+11:00

Party on Wayne, Party on Garth.

We will be partying with Tim today, why not head over and read about the year that changed his life.

New Life At Christmas Time

2011-12-22T19:44:00.000+11:00

There is no better time for new life than Christmas. Our little eggs are finally starting to hatch.

You may notice a slight discrepancy in the mother/ child situation here. That's because this little beauty disappeared mid sit, possibly taken by this? My besties broody hen took over and did a wonderful job.

Welcome little duckies!

Have a fun night friends! Tonight marks the beginning of the holidays for my darling Husband, we are celebrating with cold beer, paella and fabulous company.

See you on the flip side!

To Leave

2011-12-20T20:57:00.000+11:00

It's often difficult to get the Young Man to willingly leave his Nanny and Pa's house, in fact it's always difficult to get him to leave. He loves them crazy, when we are not with them we are talking about them. Take today for example, after returning home from Nanny and Pa's house I noticed that Zephies super cool fringe had been ~~butchered~~ trimmed just before our Tim shoot. I asked him if Nanny (but let's just go ahead and call her 'naughtynanny') had given him a hair cut - he answered 'yes, yes she did'. After asking him why he explained ' because I wanted her to cut my hair, I wanted to look like a nun... a hairy nun'. Why the hair cut was actually necessary is still unknown (care to defend your actions naughtynanny?) but a hairy nun he is. We have conversations like this one every day, the joy on his face when he recounts exciting events is contagious- so much so that a bad hair cut is easily forgiven... kinda.

Anyway, another one of naughtynanny's redeeming qualities is that she always has tricks up her sleeve along with those half used tissues. Todays trick was a tin of shave cream. 'Just squirt some onto the back table, darling' she said. Being the ever obedient daughter, I did as I was told. You should try it too- my mum would be so proud of you.

I'll be honest- I got my hands in there too. It feels good.

Oh and talk to me about your turf and enter the giveaway.

Delicious Soft Grass + Giveaway

2011-12-20T08:34:00.000+11:00

My brother and I had a flat, semi fenceless back yard when we were growing up. Living on the headland meant that we could see the ocean from everywhere. The ocean and rolling green hills. It's the thought of these two things that fill my heart with a light feeling- the feeling of freedom that only comes with carefree, frivolous youth. We used to run around under sprinklers, ride cardboard boxes down slippery slopes and crash down from the trampoline onto delicious soft grass. In my mind, the sun was aways shining, a warm breeze was forever in my hair, water was never too cold to splash in, skies were cloudless and the grass was always green.

Childhood was hyper colour for me and I can only hope that my children will remember it in the same way. So when I was asked to write a little post about Turf for Turf Australia I was pleased to have an opportunity to reflect on the joys of youth.

Local turf grower and super nice guy, Tony from Mardi Park Turf spent some time with us one afternoon, braving the mosquitoes to give us some advice on our lawns. We talked about the best type of grass for our shaded area, lawn maintenance, garden design and how to locate other turf growers around the country. It was greatly beneficial for Dave and I and has motivated us to actually do something with the lower level of our back yard.

For us suburban dwellers, grass gives our children a place to play, keeps our yards cooler and puts 'good stuff' back into the atmosphere (read more here).

Our current green.

As a means of encouraging conversation, Turf Australia would like to offer one Australian reader (sorry to my international friends) of The Beetle Shack the chance to win a $50 gift voucher to Bunnings.

All you need to do is tell me what a little bit of lawn offers your family.

Golden Pooch Belt

2011-12-18T15:53:00.000+11:00

Some of my friends have been finding some excellent things at the Op Shops of late- I'm not competitive but I do seem to have an impressive drive to hunt down something better. So what should I discover at my local oppie this week? The golden nugget, that's right- I just said NUGGET. A golden belt with the most fabulously fabulous faux gold puppy buckle. If you tried to tell me right now that golden puppy buckles aren't cool- i wouldn't believe you.

It's awesome, right?

I also found some vintage linen and a couple of excellent knits.

Not quite as great at this loot- but it'll do.

In The Mail From Rowantree

2011-12-17T19:32:00.000+11:00

A few weeks ago I found this website filled with the most amazingly delicious children's clothing range ever- think vintage patterns, liberty florals, pin tucks, sweet buttons and an organic range to boot. I promptly emailed designer and owner Roberta to confess my undying love for everything she has ever done (no, it wasn't over the top at all). She offered to send me a little something for the Lady Baby to wear during our next meeting with this attractive man.

I was delighted at the thought of dressing the Pipsqueak in something so special, but imagine my complete and utter amazement when Roberta send me an ENTIRE WARDROBE of outfits for the little one. Seriously, I'm totally overwhelmed by her generosity.

That's not all of it either- i'm saving some as a surprise

Honestly- this clothing is exceptional. Each piece is hand made with love, you can feel it. It's in the quality of the fabric, the stitching, the detailing, the designs. Do yourself a favour and make a purchase for some small people in your life. You'll be seeing my kids in this stuff all the time.

See the Boys range here

Girls range here

and Organic range here

oh, and see ever more at Roberta's blog.

The Christmas Exchange

2011-12-16T06:55:00.000+11:00

We had our christmas dinner with these guys last night. Each of us worked on a hand made gift for one other person- secret santa style with a twist. I got my beautiful sister in law ( Happy Birthday Ames, party on Wayne) and excitedly set about making her a quilt filled with cheery fabrics and cuddly vintage linen.

Later on in the day i'll show you what the others made. They are one talented/ creative family.

Creatively Searching For Chaos

2011-12-14T20:58:00.000+11:00

I'm not sure if I've told you this but I seem to swing between being a valuable, functioning member of society to being completely and utterly crazy (but lets go out on a limb and use the term 'spirited'). It would appear that this has been a trait I have carried with me throughout my life.

As I worked my way through Raising Your Spirited Child I was confronted with the reality that my darling boy is indeed me. My mum's comment back here ( it's about half way down in the comments section- Anonymous commenter at 11:42 am. She calls me Emily, thats how I know she's serious) rings true. You know, i drove her bonkers- I'm pretty sure in was intentional at times too. I recall thinking- 'wow, mum's about to loose it, I wonder what will happen if I push just a little more?' She was such a good mumma (and still is) to my brother and I. Despite all of our many and varied challenges I totally remember feeling nurtured, encouraged, and valued by her- she would set me up in the kitchen and let me cook whatever I wanted... literally ANYTHING. Smiling with delight ( i can see it now) when I would present flat, burnt muffins filled with flour, edicole dye, Vegemite, sprinkles and any other goodies I could find in the pantry. She would even taste them. That's love I tell you. I never felt like I was annoying her, or making too much of a mess, or talking too much, I just felt loved.

These days i'm on the other side of that mother child relationship and one thing still baffles me - mum, how the bloody hell did you do it?

The Young Man spends his days creatively searching for chaos. He likes to cook, just like I did. Paint, just like I did and talk. non. bloody. stop. Just like I did.

I can only hope that as a man he will remember being loved too.

From Our Own Soil

2011-12-13T21:05:00.000+11:00

Remember back here I told you about the little 'issue' we were having in the front garden? It turns out that the ol' chili and soap recipe worked a treat. For the past few weeks we have been eating fresh greens and herbs from our own soil. It feels fabulous to take the kitchen scissors out on excursions, letting them experience the fresh air and summer sun before bringing them back in with handfuls of rocket, lettuce and spinach. In the coming weeks we hope to harvest broccoli, capsicum, tomatoes, pumpkin and beans.

Our dreams of lush green grass and edible delights are rapidly extending to the back yard where we hope to plant fruit trees amongst playing areas for the kids. Watch this space (or fall asleep at my incessant rambling).

I'm pretty sure i have just issued a sincere 'smack down' to this lass. Hope it didn't hurt too much.

Also, i received the most beautiful package from my postie today- I can't wait to share the details with you.

The Gift Of Music

2011-12-12T20:17:00.000+11:00

When I was growing up a CD was pretty much the best gift one could give and receive. Each year before Christmas my Dad would spend hours on end in the music store selecting the perfect album for my brother and I. 1997 baby, that's where it was at - the year i got greenday's Nimrod. I vividly recall playing that bad boy on repeat for a good 18 months. I'm pretty certain I could still recite every word of every song... maybe I could even sing them whilst throwing my head around like a crazed animal.

Anywho- I thought I would let you know about some sweet tunes that you could share with your loved ones this Chirstmas. Why not send them one of those totally impersonal e-cards with some killer music attached?

Teapot Trees and Lovebirds by Sarah Humphreys... oh, and her Him album - take a listen here

The Harrowing Account of John William Tate by Mike McCarthy

And just about anything you can get your hands on by PJ Wolf

Trust me, these guys will make your Christmas BEAUTIFUL!

New Old

2011-12-11T19:31:00.003+11:00

Something needed changing after the introduction of these chairs. We talked over a few ideas and decided that something MUST be done, a pendant light, caster wheels, orchids... or a new glass cabinet?!

My darling mum generously passed this sucker my way and I have to say, I feel like a grown up having it in my house. It's currently a pretty heavy, dark piece of furniture but a coat of white to the inside should liven it up a bit. I shuffled the frames around and stole the chalkboard from here.

An improvement?

jackie, what do you think?

While you're here- have a look at what the postie sent me!

Frivolous Friday

2011-12-10T09:15:00.001+11:00

I'm obsessed with instagram in a big way. Don't be surprised if you never see a 'real' photo here again.

This is Fridays effort.

Lunch bag drawings for the Young Man's pre school lunch

Party Feet. Just need to add some fancy nail polish like this lady.

Added some more fruity colour to Zephies Room after being inspired by this (and because I stole his chalk board for another project that i'll show you tomorrow). Doesn't the Urban Road print look fabulous? I also included the robot print from Rock That Horse (we've got a give away coming up in the new year)!

Gave the Lady Baby an early christmas present. She spent the morning with her BooBoo (Babunia) and came home walking (kinda-sorta-not-really. She just walks behind a cart)

Went Op Shopping to try and find something better than Claire did. She remains victorious.

Went out for Ice Cream before splashing around at the beach.

Dusted off an old dress

And ate from the garden

What did you do yesterday?

Today we are getting our Christmas tree, collecting some new chickens and ducks (have I told you what happened?) and working in the garden. Irrelevant information overload, sorry. Some times I just think this blog is my mum and I need to tell it everything.

Hi mum.