I just had to share this glorious Winter sunshine with you! We finally had a sunny weekend and the whole family made the most of the weather!
His patient self got out on the blue beast to grade our steep driveway….unfortunately when we have a lot of heavy rain (as we have for the last MONTH!) it becomes 2 little rivers cascading down and a big soggy, muddy mess at the bottom! Our dream is to put in a bitumen driveway eventually but this would cost an awful lot of money that we just don't have! We will continue to dream though…and make do!!!
Doesn't actually look steep in this photo but trust me it is….especially when hauling wheelie bins to the top!
Unfortunately the water comes down the slopes and collects here…so it is an ongoing process to redirect water…thank goodness it finally got a chance to dry out as i am a little tired of red mud on every pair of shoes i own!
I managed some time in the vegie garden for a tidy up, some mulching and to plant some more seedlings. Thank goodness the toddler twosome decided to have wonderful naps both days of the weekend so i could get out there as it had become very neglected! Got to love outdoor mornings for wearing kids out! Isn't it just lovely to be in the garden on a sunny Winter's day? Not to hot to work and a brilliant blue sky to marvel at. It really lifted my spirits as you can probably tell!
Now that i have weeded and cleared out the old crops there are a lot of bare patches so hoping to get quite a bit of planting done in the next few weeks to see us through Winter and into Spring!
I used up a bit of sawdust that the mice had chewed into to soak up the mud on the pathways!
The toddler twosome also had fun in the sun getting messy with paint again….
Painting the fence is always more fun in a tutu i think… don't you?……
Ruby really enjoyed trying to master the paint pots with a paintbrush…this was a new concept and skill for her and she did so well……..
We did have a little situation with the red water paint………but don't worry, just my trusty edicol dye that all washes out!
But she so enjoyed making patterns on Daddy's wooden board…conveniently left out for us…not sure he liked the new colour though….
The chooks enjoyed a warming treat of leftover porridge that Tara brought all the way up to them!
A little more fun with our favourite Squirt Bottle Painting………
And Ruby spent a lot of time drawing lines and circles at her favourite Homemade Outdoor Chalkboard ….she is really loving that thing at the moment, once again these girls are lucky to have such a handy Daddy!
And they had fun building this spectacular tower from the pallet blocks with Daddy…i wasn't quick enough to get a photo with everyone….but managed one before it got knocked down!
We also took our new little twin friends outside for a picnic! This is my first attempt at soft dolls and i was originally making them for the twins Birthday in a few weeks….but i made the mistake of leaving them out when finished and once Tara saw them that was it…she had to have it NOW!
There is a blue eyed wee one for Tara and a brown eyed wee one for Ruby…..they were very easy to make but it was a learning process for me, i'm not happy with the faces and learnt not to pull the thread too tight or the stuffing in the head flattens out a bit much which happened with the brown eyed one. They also ended up different sizes but that's fine as i wanted them to be unique to each of the toddler twosome….i wasn't aiming for perfection!
I will have to practise making faces a little before trying the next dolls but you know what? The girls absolutely love them and have to be in their cots for every sleep (as you can tell by the pilling). Ruby likes to place hers in objects to cart around and Tara calls hers ‘Lil Bubba' and now carries her around everywhere…with her usual sidekick Elmo of course! So really that is all that matters i guess, they aren't perfect but i was pretty proud of them for my first try and it warms my heart everytime i see them carting them around now. Back to the drawing board for Birthday present ideas though!!!
I got the patterns for these Wee Ones Waldorf inspired dolls from Adirondack Patterns …. please look at their lovely pics as their dolls are so much better than mine!! I am going to try the actual doll next time! I brought the pattern at the same time and it really looks straightforward…i can highly recommend their patterns…especially for novices like me!You just need some basic hand sewing skills…i didn't buy the expensive genuine materials as i just wanted to use up what i had at home so they have interlock faces and toy stuffing!
I hope you had a lovely, sunny weekend too….i'm off to heat up the last of the Pea and Ham Soup….ahhh it's good to be back xxx
Warm Wishes….
How wonderful to see how much they adore their mama made dolls!! Sunshine makes a difference doesn’t it! We’ve had blue skies but very cold days. Hope you have a great week!
It’s wonderful to see you back and full of happy times Jode, getting out in the garden feels good for the soul and so does that sun. Those dolls are just adorable full of handmade loveliness your girls are so lucky to have a clever Mum like you. I actually love handmade toys but find them a little tricky especially the stuffing part, it takes me ages. Have a wonderful week Jode. xx
Great to have you back! The dolls are adorable and if the girls love ’em, well that’s all you could wish for. I really admire how brave you are getting the paint out and letting them at it. I notice your out on the grass, this might be the tip! Looking forward to catching up on your adventures x
Sunshine and garden therapy makes everything feel so much better. Love those little hand made dollies that look like they have been part of the family forever.
Your garden looks great! Very cute dolls, I like the one you said has a funny face from pulling the wool too tight, I think it gives the face a bit more definition and fullness. Like she has chubby squeezable cheeks!
Being out in the sunshine and fresh air does wonders.
Your garden is looking great Jode, I wish we had as much space to play in.
Those dolls are adorable and I am sure well loved.
x
Hi Jode, your dolls are really cute, how sweet your girls adore them so much 🙂 A sunny winter’s day in the garden sounds perfect. Sorry I haven’t stopped by much lately, my blogging time has been limited but am off to have a little catch up now… x
I post like this would be perfect of the new series. I would love to have you write. Can you do July 10th?
I love your tiered veggie gardens Jode. Makes it easier to access those goodies!
Thanks for dropping by Amanda…the tiers solved the hilly problem too!! Shame the wallaby can master it too though!
And big thanks for sharing at Happy Family Times x
Wow that garden and muddy path of yours look like a labor of love! Lovely to be enjoying the outdoors, we are in mid summer but like you we go out mid winter too whenever we can, so much better for the children. I would love you to join in my Country Kids linky too, that outdoor paining looked like hours of fun!
awww…how sweet that they love them so much! they’re just darling!
Lovely photographs and plenty of outdoor fun 🙂 xxx
Thanks so much for a lovely comment…we do enjoy our outdoors!
You look like you live in an amazing place and I hope you get your dream soon. That painting looks fun – yeh especially in a tutu – but I’ve never had one so have never been fortunate enough to try it lol :OD
We are indeed lucky to be here in this space! Oh you have to try the tutu and paint one day lol!!!
Those are the most adorable soft babies! Thanks for sharing at tip toe thru tuesday!
Kim
Looks like it was a gorgeous day a lots of fun for all.