A Chef Named Sous

This afternoon the Doctor and I got to work in the kitchen. I am an avid fan of Angry Chicken (edit:: oops - Jo Price has corrected me - thank you! It was Soulemama, not Angry Chicken - my bad!), and when she mentioned ricotta gnocchi I listened. In fact, she mentioned it was so good they'd cooked it twice in one week. Sounds like a meal I must get my chompers around, pronto.

I have always been a little scared of making pasta. We were gifted a pasta maker machine thing for our engagement, which I was thrilled about, but totally intimidated by.

No more!

The Doctor and I mastered these beautiful parcels of floaty goodness in just minutes. MINUTES! (These coincidentally only require a bowl, some flour, some hands and a flat surface to roll baby.)

We were so pleased and proud of ourselves. PROUD OF OURSELVES! Matt dug them. Ricotta gnocchi with tomato pesto. Gobbled down in no time.Tiny snubbed them. And commenced a crying bout of approximately 15 minutes until peanut butter toast was delivered to her.

Regardless of Tiny's snub, the Doctor and I have declared Sunday to be 'Pasta Sunday'. Next week.. Something new to add to our past twirling repetoire.

If you'd like the recipe it's from Tessa Kiros' 'Apples for Jam'. Email me if you'd like a copy.

Off With Her Red!

I'm late! I'm late!

My sister gave me the heads up and told me that OPI have released a special edition range titled 'Alice in Wonderland'. How magical!

There are four colours in the range:

Off with Her Red! (a rich red)

Absolutely Alice (royal blue glitter that pops!)

Mad as a Hatter (rainbow micro glitter that really sparkles)

Thanks so Muchness! (a berry red metallic shimmer with micro glitter)

If you've never been over to OPI's site, it's a fun one. You can choose your skin shade and nail length and try all the colours for yourself.

RRP Aud$19.95

Deco-licious

To save you any more of my terrible photos from this week I'm posting from Fantasy Island.

I'm renaming Friday, it's Fantasy Island Friday. Every Friday I'll post something that I LOVE!

mmm, this one?

or this one?

maybe this one?

Today it is these awesome Holly Fulton perspex necklaces from offtherunway. They are - phwoar - highly coveted by moi!

A Bad Photo, But Some Incredibly Fantastic Awesome Sewing

As you know, a long, long time ago, way before Snow White fell asleep, even before Cinderella found her glass slippers, there was a time when Tiny used to escape her nappies. It was an ugly time readers. Her mother was pulling out her hair (not Tiny's hair, her own hair). Going mad, rocking backwards and forwards, turning her cardigans into straitjackets and well, just going more than slightly bonkers.

There were Tiny little brown eggs laid on couch cushions. In a doll's pram. All about the house really. Like tiny little Tiny gifts. It was like every day was worthy of an egg hunt, because she had strewn the house with her own version of chocolatey treats.

I found some onesies to fit my small fry. I bought them. Then I personalised 'em with one of my favourite Kaffe fabrics. Be amazed ladies, because I stitched this myself. WHOA! I am a genius. Watch out for my book: '101 Ways with Onesies'. Sure to be a bestseller.

URGENT:: Attention Melbourne Manu Lovers

For your immediate attention.

So I Look Tired. So Sue Me.

Yesterday I was in the city racing to a meeting. I walked through some shopping centre as a short cut, and this promotions guy called out to me.

I called back and said 'Sorry, I'm on my way to a meeting.' I continued walking away.

The promotions guy then called out again and said in a very thick, very Italian accent, 'Can I ask you something?'

I stopped, but was still inching myself backwards. I'd told him I was on my way somewhere, surely he wasn't still trying to get me to buy the beauty products that he was obviously selling. 'Yep, but I'm on my way to a meeting.'

'Oh look, don't take this the wrong way. Please don't take this the wrong way.'

I just looked at him a bit peeved. Dude I am on my way to a meeting and you're worried about offending me? And you're making me stop, when it's clear I am fanging it elsewhere??

And again, 'Please don't take this the wrong way, but are you, don't take this the wrong way. Are you using anything on your eyes?'

I turned and walked off 'No, and I'm on my way to a meeting.'

Men and cosmetic sales. Does it mix? And men with no sense of how to pose a question elegantly.

I walked away to that meeting feeling like poop. AND trying to steal glances at myself in shop windows to see if I looked ok.

So what if I look tired? I have two small children. I have a husband. I try and keep the house tidy, and if not tidy, at least clean. And I work. Of course I look freaking tired. I'm allowed to look tired. I'm not afraid to look tired.

And did he think that I was so insecure that I was going to ditch my meeting to buy up on his C-grade skin care so I looked less tired? More likely I'd ring up and complain that this guy needs some serious customer training.

Matt always thinks mamas look so nice because they have that gentle, tired look to them. I like to think I have that look too. Tired. Gentle. Busy. And happy.

So this is me. In all my tired glory. Take that promo-man. SHAZAM!

More Answers

I am back to finish answering all the questions, let's see how I go? Can I do it? Gosh I hope so.

Michelle from The Hills are Alive asked:

Who would play you in the movie of your life and why?

Someone once told me I looked like Suzie Wilks. I spent the rest of the evening ignoring that person because a) Suzie wears ridiculously short denim cut offs; b) Suzie wears a purple shirt with a giant yellow logo on it and c) I don't have a c, but I just wanted to add c. It seemed to bulk things up. So certainly not Suzie Wilks.

Maybe... Julia Roberts? We have similar hair and she was my doppelganger on Facebook and really I like her head, so I will take Julia Roberts. Either her or Miss Piggy. Either would make me happy.

Michele asked a bonus question of:

How do you manage the transition from Mama to lover after an exhausting day/week/year with the littles, you know switching gears and having the energy for some "quality time" with hubs?

Date night. Date night. Date night. It really is SO important to have some time where it's just YOU and husband/partner/ or if you're single - by yourself or with some friends. There is NO way you can recharge your batteries and reconnect without some time away from the smalls. It makes you a better mum/lover/wife. Stealing some 'me minutes' is imperative for sanity.

I also go for a long-ish walk when Matt gets home from work. He puts the kids into the bath and gets them ready for bed, so by the time I get home I kiss them good night.

The old saying, happy mama, happy baby is SO true, and I think good things can only come from being a little selfish (in a good way) to nab some time for you.

And if you just can't seem to go for a walk or get out of the house - my other non-luxury luxury is to have a shower - where (wait this is where it gets crazy) - no one comes into the bathroom while I am in there. Crazy that I even have to say that, but to have an uninterrupted shower is bliss.

So taking care of yourself will allow you to feel like you have a 'self' to share with other people.

With a new babe in her arms, Amber from Nutrients of Life asked:

What is your favourite song?

Currently listening in high rotation: Florence + the Machine. My favourites are changing all the time. But she has an incredibly strong and yet feminine voice. I love that. At this moment. And she's got red hair. I love redheads.

The currently blogless CurlyGirlJo asked me:

What is your ideal job? What have you worked as in the past? What would you like to do in the future?

My ideal job? Er - nothing? Is that a valid answer? No, ok then. A job that goes from 10-2pm so I can pick up my smalls from pre-school... Not good enough. Ok my ideal job is writing! I would love to be writing either for magazines or my own book. That's what I would dig.

In the past I have worked (in order) as:

- dish pig

- McDonald's Crew trainer

- behind the counter at Video Ezy

- waitress

- and then I landed my first role working in public relations which is what I still do now, only freelance

In the future:

I'd like to think I have a firmer handle on my direction, and more confidence in my abilities. And be writing more.

After snowboarding over here Lizzie from Nugg UK asked me:

Can she send me some bread tags. That aren't bread tags. They're flower tags. But they're like bread tags. But they're not. Oh I could go on.

But the answer is: YES PLEASE!

And finally Bianca from By Way of the Moon asked:

Who put the bomp in the bomp bah bomp bah bomp?

I would say it was the Marcels' version of Blue Moon - they sing 'bomp bomp ba bomp, ba bomp ba bomp bomp' and that, my friend, influenced the co-writers of the song (Barry Mann and Gerry Griffin) to include these nonsense lyrics. The song co-incidentally is written about how Barry's girlfriend fell in love with him after listening to several songs of the Doo-Wop genre.

And so it is, this here is the conclusion of 'Ask PottyMouthMama'. For this week. Stay tuned for another opportunity to ask me anything.

Seen That Before?

Eponymous Paul Smith showed this frock at Autumn/Winter 2010 London Fashion Week..

Remind you of something 'our' Cate wore last year by awesome Australian designers Romance was Born...?

PS image via

HR image via my sister

In Answer To Your Questions

So many questions, so little time. I had better get cracking on my answers, I'll try and answer them in chronological order so let's get straight to it.

Wendy at The Textured Leaf asked:

What made you come up with the name PottyMouthMama?

In Latin, PottyMouthMama means 'incredibly wise and incredibly foxy lady'. I speak Latin in day to day conversations, so I wanted to bring a bit of the real me to my blog.

Alternatively...

The name PottyMouthMama was conceived after spending long days potty training my son. It seemed like that stretch was going to last FOREVER (it doesn't). I felt like I spent my whole life talking about potty training, peeing, pooping, nappies, no nappies, undies, knickers, pants, pull-ups, bottoms, wipes, high-fives, way to go, good job, you did it, toilet seats, toilet paper. You get my drift? All that came out of my mouth and all that I felt I could conceivably discuss was potty training. And star charts. And hi-fives. And loads and loads of enthusiastic, supportive potty-loving-love!

People might click over expecting me to be cussing on the microphone, but I've tried to delete swearing. I hate when I hear my smalls echoing my swear words. So instead I say random, stupid things instead of cussing. It's far more silly and amusing. And my children won't be the potty-mouthed ones in the playground.

PottyMouthMama was all about potty training. It really was.

Katie from May The Cloth Be With You asked:

What item is centre on the third shelf from the top of your linen cupboard?

Another good question given we don't actually have a linen cupboard per se. We use a bookshelf, and everything tumbles out and looks generally messy unless I fold, refold, fold again constantly. And I am not doing that!

A tea tree bassinet mattress. Because where else would I put that? There of course!

Mel from From Little Things... asked:

For travel tips for travelling with smalls - particularly long haul

I am no expert on travelling with smalls. However, I have driven a few long-ish trips by myself with the two smalls. I always take a designated box/bag of activities to keep them occupied. Here are some of my ideas:

• Wikki Stix: You can get these at good toy stores - they bend and bond with one another and you can make all sorts of creatures and people. I tried these with the Doctor when he was 2. He was too young. But if you have an older child these are ace, and for the younger kids, you wind up making the things (which is fine and still fun). They pack flat and are lightweight too.


• Pasting: Before your trip you could go through some magazines, cut out lots and lots of random pictures (heads, bodies, animals, faces, lips etc) put them in a zip lock bag with a glue stick, some sticky tape and a scrap book. Obviously you can use smaller pieces for older children and larger pictures for littlies. You can extend this idea with some new textas. My current favourites are Giotto. They are SO lovely to draw and write with.


• Food: Who doesn't love chowing down on a trip? Pack lots of different snack-a-roos so that you're not dependent on the air stewards. I like going to the health food shop. We buy these things called 'Peaz' - or we call them Pea Wheels. They are so yummy (and no doubt naughty) but the little ones love them. Try to avoid too much dried fruit because it is so high in sugar and you know the drill, those littlies will not be pleased having to be constrained, and you will get cranky and stressed trying to control them!


• Presents: I got this idea from.. somewhere. Wrap a small present up for each hour of the trip (so to LA that's around 14 hours = 14 small gifts). Every hour that goes by, your child gets to open a present. Ideas: tattoos, those small colouring books (that you can use a coin to rub the picture), a lolly, a small wind up toy etc.


• Books: We have some great magnetic books which are great to travel with. Reading is also a good way to get a child settled. You know this already of course.


• Playdough: Pack a small container with playdough and some tools. (Check with airline prior to make sure you're not unnecessarily frisked, unless of course, that's your thing.)


• Card games: Snap is good for littlies, easy to pack and cute pics are a drawcard (get it get it?!). Dominoes is fun too.


• Music: If you're taking an iPod or MP3 player, load some of your kids favourite music. They love listening to music with the headphones and it can help them calm down and be still!


• Stickers: I go to the $2 shop and load up on cheap stickers. Sparkly stickers. Puffy stickers. These can also be wrapped up as part of the presents idea. And go well with the scrapbook idea too.


• Comfort toys: Don't forget to pack their favourite blankie or bear or dolly or whatever it is that your littlies love. A few favourite toy cars, or a dolly that can take clothes off or you can plait the hair..?


• A chill pill: Everyone's been a child before. If anyone's shooting you filthies, shrug your shoulders and don't sweat it. I am SURE they had a tanty at one point in their lives. You're never going to see them again anyway, so don't worry about what they think! Travel safe. xxx

Cindy from Bug and Pop asked:

What's your proudest mama moment with each of your cuties?

Oh it's a hard one, but right this minute here are my highlights:

The Doctor telling me I am his favourite because I am 'the softest'. I am pleased to know that my moisturising has paid off.

I really love seeing the Doctor learning new things and running with it - for instance he is very interested in Aboriginal culture at the moment, so we've been borrowing books from the library and talking lots. Though I am a little concerned that for some unknown reason he thinks the didgeridoo is called a 'hoogey'. Not sure where he got that from.

Tiny - well she really makes me all melty when she says proudly: 'I did it Mum!' So cute. I also love kissing her good night, she flips over and says 'Nigh nigh, wuv you Maaaaaaaaaaaaam.'

Every day there is something new though, they are my proudest creations.

Kate from Foxs Lane wanted to know:

We are desperate to find a contractor to drill plow the paddock across the road with oats. Do you know anyone?

Kate has thrown me a curly one. Kate is going to have to wait 'til I get back to her with someone to sow her wild oats.

Vic from Punky & Me asked me:

Who is the woman in the picture & what is she thinking about?

I am shocked Vic doesn't recognise the woman in the picture. It's me! Starring as my alter ego, Mitzi Kaboo (with a big Getty Images logo tattooed on my head). I am thinking about solving world crises, such as who stole the cookie from the cookie jar, what happens when my best friend's bus driver's mother's nail artist's son's sister's doesn't recognise me in the supermarket, and other tough questions such as - what shall I cook for dinner today?

--------------------

I will endeavour to answer the rest of my questions later Kelly Slater. x

Ask PottyMouthMama

Hello Poppets and welcome back to another exciting episode of Ask PottyMouthMama. What's that? You've never seen this segment? Well you're damn straight you haven't. Because it's a new one. And we're going to start it with a big puff of smoke and perhaps some fireworks.

So punters, this is where you step in. You ask me a question, and I do my darndest to answer it. You can ask me anything (within reason) and it doesn't have to be about me (because that would be just boring). It can be about anything, anything at all, think of something you want to know or wonder about and then ask me. Fire away. Your question is my desire. I will exhaust my connections to find the answer for you. I really will. So don't be shy, ask me something. I dare you.

When I Decide Not To Have a Heart:: Revelation (I am the Tin Man)

This week is one of those weeks that I'd rather sit out it's looking so messy. Even thinking about it makes me stressed and tense. I know what lies ahead. EEK!

We've been looking for places to rent and there seems to be very little.

Working stuff is stressing me.

Running about the city is stressing me.

Even tidying the house is just stressing me.

Stuff is just stressing me.

Dust is stressing me.

I've now decided that if I didn't have a heart life would be easier.

And then in a few years I can take a road trip to Oz and find me some Wizard to hook me up with one when I'm tired of being a heartless beast.

Good things are happening though! Good things peeps. Things to make you happy. To make you headless. To make you giddy right down to the cockles of your heart. Maybe even the sub-cockles.

I'll just give the stressful things a punch in the nose and be done. I have a heart and I'm not afraid to use it.

Table For Two?

Good evening sir and mademoiselle. Table for two tonight? Yes we have the best seat in the house, great views, it will be perfect for a sibling catch-up.

Tonight I set up the smalls table outside to make the most of a beautiful evening. They pretended they were dining out together catching up (Tiny was a vet, the Doctor was a train driving scientist), I was the head waiter combining a double-shift with chef-ing. Matt? Well... Er... I think he was someone sitting at the bar waiting for a table..

It's a Lot of Bread

I have another collection. It's bread tags. Everyone's collecting them for me. Look at them. Ordinary objects, but together, reunited, they are having a very plastic family reunion. There are big ones, small ones, blue ones, pink ones, white ones, brown ones. They are breeding too. Look at how many are in the jar..

Buttons You Can Not Push

Well you can push them, but they're not going to do much except sit there and look pretty, are they?

I've got an addiction and I'm not afraid to share it.

I love pretty buttons. Each time I go near a fabric/haby shop, I seek out the prettiest buttons. I have a real penchant for vintage looking buttons. And I also love the real deal, vintage buttons.

What do you love right this very minute?

I Am So Excited

Only 15 sleeps until Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland is released. The Doctor and I are going on a date. Uh huh. Can. Not. Wait!

The Over Talker. The Opposite Talker. The Disinterested Talker

There are people in my life who fit in to each of the following categories (and thankfully most don't fit in to any):

• The Over Talker: Talks over the top of me. Interrupts to talk more about themselves. And no matter what I say, will just continue to butt in so that they can talk. Usually about their favourite topic. Themself.


• The Opposite Talker: Someone who - regardless of your point-of-view will take the opposite stance, for no other reason than they want to butt heads with you. Take for example:

Me - 'I can't stand this heat, I don't cope with 43 degree days.'

TOP - 'Oh these days are so lovely, the sun is brilliant.'

Between you and me, I know very, very few people who thrive in such heat.

• And finally, but by no means conclusive of 'types of talkers' - I give you, this, possibly the most difficult to converse with - the Disinterested Talker: Doesn't care what you're up to, doesn't give a toss that you're not feeling well/you grew an extra head/or an Ewok just crawled out of the toilet, they will not engage with any of your conversation, and will always find something else to talk about - even if it's as banal as the weather. Even if it's as scintillating as talking laundry.

And what happens if these three merge in to one person? It's a difficult conversation. Trust me, I speak from experience.

How do you cope with these kind of conversations?

image via

Lotsa Lotsa Lotsa

I'm about to set a new trail for myself. I'm a little frightened by it. But it has to be done. I've been freelancing for a while, but I need some sort of regular gig to bring home some bacon, or at least some snouts or something. And I'm nervous.

You may be wondering why? My children are both at an age where they separate well.

But it's me who doesn't separate well. In fact tension just riddles my body when I am away from my wee ones. I hate it, wish it wasn't this way, but it is. I prefer to be with my little tikes.

And then of course there's the problem of finding a role with flexibility for a mama. It's not easy folks.

So meanwhile I'm thinking and stitching. Lotsa lotsa lotsa, something the Doctor used to say with such regularity when he wanted some more of something. Probably ice cream or chocolate.

I Do Declare!

So apparently those big blue eyes of Pete Evan's don't woo you ladies. I'm declaring our man of the match Manu. He snaffled a huge 70 per cent of votes. Let's take a look at the score board at full time shall we?

• Pete Evans came in at 18 per cent (I don't understand you ladies!)
• A side order of fries came last, with only 11 per cent. Chicken salt, sauce or gravy?
  
  And because I am such a good sport, and there's nothing than a bit of eye candy, here's a gratuitous shot. With leather necklace. Just for you. No. Not you, YOU!

images via smh.com.au

I Just HAD To Post This

This is Hayley Bracken circa 2007. Somewhere in those three years Nathan Bracken has had an eye enlargement. They're DEFINITELY bigger.

Birthing

I've written previously about my two birth experiences. Both were completely different, and both were incredible. The Doctor loves to hear about how he arrived. We were lucky to be surrounded by passionate, supportive midwives who empowered us to make our own decisions (that coupled with being incredibly lucky made for two beautiful births).

If you're passionate about women having choices and being able to make their own decisions - then rally 'round sisters.

Shout it from the rooftops.

The Sydney event will be outside the office of Tanya Plibersek

11-117 Devonshire Street Surry Hills NSW 2010

Thursday, February 18 from 10:30 am to 11:30 am
Find your local event here.

For more information visit here.

Found via the ridiculously cool Rummey Bears

In The Know:: Nappy Goo

Tiny gets the worst nappy rash I have ever seen. No matter the frequency of the nappy changes, if she's not well, then she'll get nappy rash. And it's so bad she arcs her back, clamps her legs together and cries 'no, no stop it' when you're trying to wipe her little bot bot, even if it's just water and cotton pads.

Luckily my sister's friend, Lindy, is in the know. She's come to the rescue with Nappy-Goo. Developed and formulated by the Pharmacy Department at the Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, it's a thick, soothing cream to help prevent, manage and treat nappy rash.

Nappy-Goo contains Zinc oxide, Hamamelis water (witch hazel water), and Melaleuca oil (tea tree oil) to provide a soothing cream with mildly astringent and antiseptic properties that can help to prevent, manage and treat nappy rash. It smells pretty damn good too.

Here's a list of Nappy-Goo stockists around Australia.

I think it would make a swell inclusion in a new baby gift too. Well.. Not just the cream, but as part of a wee hamper.

It's Not Just Different. It's Wrong.

the only caption I can come up with is what her husband is thinking: hubba hubba.

Apparently last night was crickets night of nights at the Alan Border Medal.

The thing is, I don't give a toss what night it is because I just can't get pat this frothy monstrosity of a dress (worn by Hayley Bracken). Clearly she was going by Chanel's mantra of 'before you leave home take one thing off.' Unfortunately I think Hayley has taken off the wrong thing.

Discuss.

On the flip side, Lara Bingle looks like a Goddess. For bonus points discuss this too.

images via

Hot? or ...Hot? You Decide

I've been watching My Kitchen Rules. It's not Masterchef but the judges make good eye candy.

But my sisters and I have been arguing. Who is better looking? Who is hot hot hot?

Manu Feildel
or Pete Evans?

My sister is swayed by Manu's French accent. But I can't get past the leather necklace. And now I'm looking at these photos... Hmm, I can't decide. They're both pretty cute. They can both make me dinner.

So YOU decide. This is an incredibly cerebral post (aren't they all?!). Vote now.

Face Off:: David Attenborough VS Maisy

'Tiny, you can watch a few more inches of Maisy, and then I'm putting David Attenborough on.' The Doctor is seriously obsessed with David Attenborough. He invites me onto the couch to watch David Attenborough with him.

But David Attenborough vs Maisy (who is Tiny's favourite super mouse). Who will win?

David might wrangle wild animals. But Maisy is best friends with a crocodile.. If they duked it out, who would win?

I'm putting my shrapnel on David. I think he's super.

Kingdom

It was just this morning I was lamenting the last drops of my favourite fragrance. Kingdom by Alexander McQueen. It was discontinued a couple of years ago. I clearly remember walking out the front door on the way to preschool wondering if they ever re-release a fragrance. I know they do. But not often.

And then after a quick spell at the shops, Tiny and I came home, lunched, faffed around the house and then she went to bed.

I got online only to discover that the creative zeitgeist Alexander McQueen has died. Tragic. A real creative, witty, clever genius.

What do you say when someone so great dies?

All I can think to say is, if you need help, or someone to talk to, please do, maybe, hopefully, it will help.

Beyond Blue

Emergency appointment with your local doctor (General Practitioner) check the White Pages for the phone number. You can find a GP in your area who has had extra training in mental health by looking at the beyondblue Find a Doctor List.
Contact your local public hospital.
beyondblue info line 1300 22 4636
Lifeline - 13 11 14.
Suicide Helpline Victoria - 1300 651 251.
Kids Help Line (free call) - 1800 55 1800.
Mensline - 1300 789 978.

A Wee Little Chuckle

via KerriSackville

CrackerJACKS!

Who turned up the heat? Who? Sheesh! It is hawt. Ridiculously so.

Sweltering Sydney. Rainy one day, stinking hot the next.

There you go Clover, there's our new marketing campaign. I am so hawt I am sweating up a storm, and it's not even a glow, it's more a wilted flower sweaty betty-ness.

This afternoon the smalls are in the bath. Fighting over soap. Who woulda thunk it? We don't have soap in the bath often. Might sound weird, but with eczema in the family we tend to use QV Oil or Alpha Keri. So they're fighting over a beautiful block of handmade soap. It smells so good I will not disturb them!

Tonight we're heading out to Joe Frost's Drawing & Painting show at Watters Gallery. Joe is a swell guy, so if you get a chance to check out his show, do. If you come along, say hello. I'll be the one doing circus tricks with two sweaty but sweet smelling smalls.

Buying Time

This afternoon we three went to the little shops. We enjoyed an icy pop together with Tiny wiping most of hers on my dress. Er thanks.

Then we went looking for a stranger's cat to pat. We always look in the streets for cats. Alas today was cat-less and we went home wanting. We meandered our way home through the back streets. The Doctor pointing out houses that we could buy (they weren't even actually for sale, and besides this, we're not in the buying market - boo hiss!).

My smalls tend to go a little berko when I'm prepping for dinner. Well particularly the smallest one. Tiny wants to be carried around which is not conducive to chopping and locking (sorry! I had to work in that lame pop and lock reference).

So I set up 'washing up'. When better to start your smalls on the domestic chores than rightthisveryminute?! They washed up their tea sets. I cooked dinner. They didn't want to come in for dinner they were having so much fun. If only real life washing up was so good.

Kiddie Craft:: Heart To Heart

The Doctor and I are starting to hit our stride for 2010. We're setting aside some time to do some craft together. This week we've gone with a theme, and since it's Valentine's Day.. Well you guessed it, we're having a heart to heart. We're making hearts for those we love. And even those we like. We are kind of cute like that. Well he is at least.

All you need is some paper, some paint, some sparkles (and in our book: the more sparkles, the better), and we've upcycled some old wrapping paper to make hearts to the max. Is your heart exploding yet?

I'm not really into Valentine's Day, but the Doctor makes it fun, and he LOVES to give people he loves something he's made or drawn or painted. So we're getting into Valentine's Day the recycled, home style, crafty way. It can't hurt to tell someone

If you want to amp up the lovin' stakes, head on over to Toni's space. At Little Suitcase she's been counting down the 12 days of love. So much lovin' to be had at her place. Can you feel the love tonight?

We Will Never Forget

7th February 2009

A year since Black Saturday. A year since Australia's darkest day.

Image via.

The Rain Boats

With the rain has come water. Lots of it. Surprising, isn't it?

We snuck out of the house this afternoon after being struck down with an acute case of cabin fever-itis. The Doctor scootered. Matt and I walked. Tiny ate popcorn in her pram. It continued to sprinkle on our heads. In fact, it sprinkled all over us. It was steamy, but the sprinkling rain relieved that for a short time. We walked down to the park where the Doctor did a few circuits on his scooter.

Then we began our walk home, via a small creek not far from home, which, due to the water, which was due to the rain, was flowing. Perfect conditions for leaf boat racing.

The Doctor and I indulged ourselves. Matt got a bit sniffy that I chose a dodgy leaf for him (which wound up winning), and the Doctor and I continued with our leaf racing. There's a certain season for leaf racing. We've collected some more vessels for more leaf races later in the week. It's pretty darn fun reconnecting with your childhood via your own child.

Nick Dewar:: 1973-2010

Renowned illustrator Nick Dewar died just this week at the age of 37. His artwork graced a plethora of magazines and publications, including the cover of The Devil Wears Prada.

Born in Scotland and spent his childhood growing up in a small fishing town on the East Coast, he then went on to attend art school in Glasgow. He lived in Prague, London, New York and a sheep farm in Cumbria. He recently moved from New York to Southern California, where he no longer had to bathe in his kitchen. Nick Dewar is known, and will be remembered, as one of the best illustrators of our time.

Design* Sponge were privy to his home mid-2009.
Visit Nick Dewar's site to experience more of his brilliance.

Reading?

Pip has been writing a bit about what she's been reading. And then I popped over to see Rach at Grandy and Baa, and she and Minnie have been reading Charlotte's Web. Everybody's doing it.

The Doctor and I have been reading Roald Dahl's 'The Minpins'. We're loving it (it's half read in one sitting), and I think it's one of the few stories by RD that I didn't read as a child. I was always a huge Roald Dahl fan and think I even cried when he died in 1991. I even remember we were on the school bus when the news broke.

Alexis at Knot Sew Crafty posted recently about Roald Dahl too. Made me think about how nice it would be to have my very own writing space, instead of sitting propped up on the couch, or stealing a slice of the kitchen table to shove my computer on, haphazard so I can punch out some words. Now wouldn't that be ace of base?

And see those dinos down the bottom? A gift from my friend Sal at Georgie Love. She sure knows how to make a small boy smile.

The Baby Straitjacket

Thanks for everyone's great advice and feedback regarding Baby Poocasso.

Today I've put Tiny down for a sleep with a nappy on. With knickers over the top. Wearing overalls.

If this fails, I will definitely try Anonymous' tip of putting the nappy on backwards. I like that idea. I probably should have tried that first. Tomorrow. And I will report back.

But thank you everyone, you've restored my sanity, above all.

And just while everyone is behaving badly, Le Bunbun deserves a special mention.

A couple of weeks ago he went for le snipsnip. We thought he'd come back a changed man-rabbit. Unfortunately his latest favourite thing is to lie on our bed. Last night I went to pick up my favourite bag - which coincidentally is called 'Keith' after Keith Richards. He'd nibbled through a strap.

Four lucky readers of PMM will have the chance to buy their very own rabbit paw necklace later in the week.

Because of the damage Le Bunbun inflicted on my bag, I'm oohing and aahing on this bag. Unfortunately (or maybe the bank is saying, luckily) it's sold out. Bah humbug. After The Apple (former designer at Mimco) have such a beautiful range of bags though, I'm sure I can seek out an alternative.

Making bills choc chips and these biscuits. They are a favourite. I dare you to not eat the whole lot. Tomorrow, recipes for rabbit.