taking stock.

and just like that, it's nearly been a month between drinks! despite having blogging on the mind, i've been neglecting to actually sit down, with my laptop and get to typing. and then of course, the longer it went, the harder it seemed to get back to it.
but i just couldn't let it go any longer!

a little taking stock action, as a means to catch y'all up on where we're at, and to get me back in the game he he!

Making : lots of things, since i last posted, there's been a couple of milos off the needles, and a cardigan for myself. not a lot of sock knitting though so i'm running a bit behind on my pair of socks a month plan...

Cooking : some pretty terribly boring meals to be honest. even a truly terrible one. off my game in more than one area apparently he he!

Drinking : too much soft drinks. back on that bandwagon unfortunately. time for some cold-turkey time.

Reading : blog posts! for the first time in a while, my blog reader is empty! tempted to add a few new blogs to the reel... any recommendations?

Trawling : the real estate app. my heart loves a fixer-upper.

Wanting : to get motivated, set up some routines... my brain is instantly rebelling against any boundaries i give myself at the moment though. good on ya brain.

Looking : around at my trashed lounge room. how does a 9 month old make so much mess? he's not even crawling yet!! Deciding : what to do with the afternoon. need to go op-shopping for some curtains for ag's room and have some friends i want to catch up with too. can we do it all? we shall see he he!

Wishing : time would just slow down a bit! we're midway through june already!

Enjoying : baby giggles. how can you not?

Waiting : for said giggly baby to wake up. hopefully after a bit more of this post gets written he he.

Liking : this chilly weather. the fire is going, we can rug up in woollies, so cosy!

Wondering : what we should have for dinner. probably need to add grocery shopping to that list of things i want to do this afternoon!

Loving : re-watching game of thrones before the new season starts next month. i do it every year as my memory is terrible!

Pondering : lunch options. vegemite and avocado on toast is on high rotation at the moment.

Listening : to a kookaburra outside.

Considering : a wee road trip tomorrow.

Buying : things to keep us cozy. hopefully some curtains to keep the warmth in for ag's bedroom. and a door snake to keep the drafts out from the front door!

Watching : the fifth season of orange is the new black. taking it a lot slower than in previous years... hard to binge watch shows with a baby around!

Hoping : the kookaburra doesn't wake the baby. little ag is not a happy chappy when he gets woken up from naps!

Marvelling : at just how quickly the days disappear. what have i even got done today?

Cringing : at my inability to get my shit together some days.

Needing : to clean the oven. it's terrible!

Questioning : what it means to be feminine...

Smelling : not much at all. blissful when you're thinking about poo many many hours of the day.

Wearing : my new cardigan constantly. oh and handknit socks. all day every day.

Noticing : birds. specifically rosellas on my drive home this morning. they were hiding all over the place!

Knowing : that things will work out eventually.

Thinking : about bulk shopping. what we could use and such.

Opening : the fire door to put more wood on.

Closing : some of the 8 trillion tabs open on my phone.

Feeling : the cold a lot more already this winter. last winter i was pregnant, and although it seemed cold at the time, maybe it kept me cosier than i realised!

Celebrating : my little bro getting a new job. well we did over the weekend anyway he he.

Pretending : i haven't deleted a couple of these prompts... it might have happened, oops!

thanks pip for the little list to get me back into this blogging lark! now to keep it up!

taking stock.

taking a minute or two to take stock with pip to fill you in on what's been going on around here.

making - a shawl, and socks, and too many plans.
cooking - quite a bit actually... after a quick stocktake of our freezer, we realised we had a fortnight's wort of food in there. lots of home cooked meals for us!
drinking - way too much soft drink. must cut back really... it's just so delicious and is also a nice caffeine hit (i'm not a coffee drinker...)
reading - too few books. need to put the barefoot investor on hold at the library after a recommendation from some friends yesterday, and to work my way through the pile on my bedside table too!
trawling - gumtree. always. currently looking for a wardrobe for ag. we're moving him into our bedroom in the next few weeks and need somewhere to keep all his duds. which reminds me, i had plans for a house tour, perhaps that can be next weeks post!
wanting - to spend a little bit less time reading rubbish on my phone. might be time for a little social media detox again perhaps...
looking - into a few different ways to bring in some cash... and stay home with the baby. bb is too! so nice all being home together and hopefully we can keep making it work.
deciding - on what to do for the weekend. a few family members are coming down this way so should be nice to catch up!
wishing - teleporters existed already. or self driving cars were mainstream... i like to visit friends in town, but it is a BIG drive!
enjoying - ag being almost 5 months. he's so delightful and for the moment, almost exactly where i left him.
waiting - on the washing machine to finish. washing is pretty neverending hey?
liking - that even though the summer veggie patch is pretty pathetic, we're still getting a few bits and pieces on the daily.
wondering - what the future holds... not sure why though, things will happen the way they will happen.
loving - having so much freedom. my days are pretty much whatever i'd like them to be... with a cute tag-a-long to boot.
pondering - which cast on to use for the socks i'm intending to cast on tonight, i want them to be nice and stretchy to fit over my heel and ankle nicely... these ones fit me really well, and are easy to get on and off, but do you think i noted down what cast on i used? nope! fool!
listening - to ag chat while he plays with his toys next to me. delightful!
considering - making some baby clothes... have you ever? any recommendations?
buying - way too much food while i'm out and about. need to be more prepared to save our dollars for more important things!
watching - call the midwife. feeling recovered enough from birth to be able to watch it now he he.
hoping - the dishes get done while i'm out later this afternoon... one must always have hope.
marvelling - at how much has changed in our lives in the past year. this time last year, we were 9-10 weeks pregnant, and only vaguely contemplating
cringing - at what's going on in the states at the moment. and feeling grateful we're so very far away!
needing - to streeeetch. our dining chairs are not the most comfortable to sit and type on he he.
questioning - our needs, constantly. particularly when the wanties hit.
smelling - veggie curry. or what's left of it after i finished eating my lunch. delicious!
wearing - jeans and a jumper. in february. go figure.
noticing - how much dirt is on the floor. i think i could happily vacuum everyday, except that i hate vacuuming.
knowing - ag won't be almost exactly where i leave him for much longer. in the time it's taken me to write this much, he's done a 180 on his play mat...
thinking - about dinner. the thoughts of food are constant. i've only just finished lunch!
admiring - zero wasters... slow steps nicole, slow steps.
getting - a bit annoyed at myself for continually forgetting to drink water. it's really important.
bookmarking - yoga videos, chocolate pudding recipes, baby onesie patterns. all of the things really.
disliking - poosplosions. just when you think you're safe, bam!
opening - and shutting the pantry door. nope, still no chocolate in there.
closing - the lid on the washing basket. if i can't see you, you're not there dirty washing.
feeling - a bit itchy about all of the things that are lying around here in the kitchen... 10 minute tidy up is imminent!
hearing - the wind picking up. this weather man...
celebrating - a birthday on the weekend hopefully, with the family that are coming to visit, looking forward to it!
pretending - the baby isn't still in his pyjamas at almost 2 in the afternoon... he is. no shame.
embracing - slooooooow tuesdays after big mondays he he. pyjamas and all.

what have you been up to recently? care to take stock too? there's a blank list over on pip's post!

1000.

whoa! this is post number 1000 for me in this wee space!



thanks to everyone who has ever read a post, or more than one... for leaving comments and being the ace people that you all are.
phew, 1000! here's to 1000 more rambly, photo heavy posts i guess, ha ha!

a bump in the road.

ok so it's been a while...
well and truly fell off the blogging every day bandwagon i started up back in february... and then kind of never got back on the blogging horse at all!

it's been a busy six months or so in these parts. a wedding, honeymoon, a couple of weeks of full time work, an overseas trip, a house move aaaaaaaand...



a wee announcement.

the extreme fatigue of the first trimester really got the better of me in january and february! but now i'm on the other side with a little more energy, and with hopefully a little more downtime thanks to our recent move (hoping to share some more about that later!)

truly hoping i can get some of the posts that have been going around and around in my poor addled brain onto the screen as i have absolutely missed putting together and sharing!
see you soon!

day eight - bloggy birthday.

today my blog is seven years old. SEVEN!
who could believe it!

i don't have any cake to celebrate...



though i did start my day with a slice of this banana cake i baked up a few weeks ago. fished out of the freezer of course...

after getting back from new zealand last night, i've had an awesome nights sleep in my own bed, managed to get a gazillion loads of washing done, cleaned the heck out of my fridge and toilet and cooked a whole bunch of food.

it's good to be home!

what's your favourite part of being at home? have you been reading my wee blog for long? have you made this banana bread before? it's my go-to and absolute fave!

taking stock.

taking some time to take stock today. answering a couple of prompts about what's going on around here at the moment.









Making: a pair of socks.

Cooking: nothing. dinner should be happening. but i'm holed up in bed instead.

Drinking: copious amount of water.

Reading: blog post after blog post. cleared out my reader this morning, there were posts from over a week ago, oops!

Wanting: the gusset decreases on the aforementioned socks to be done! sooooo slow!

Looking: out for the kitty. he's playing outside.

Playing: episode after episode of anything and everything. netflix has my heart.

Deciding: on whether to get the dishes done or not.

Wishing: there was a dishwasher fairy.

Enjoying: the new edition of pompom. i had a little read of it in the sun. too lovely.

Waiting: to hear from bb. he'll most likely be working late again tonight. poor thing.

Liking: lots of pictures on instagram. all of the hearts.

Wondering: when my oven will be fixed... it's been weeks!

Loving: and hating the fact that it's a month until christmas. scary and exciting all at once!

Pondering: new knitting projects. always and forever.

Considering: plans for the future. working out what kind of house to buy and whereabouts is super tricky!

Watching: new girl. and outlander. and gilmore girls. i can't commit to just one show!

Hoping: my brain plays nice this month, less severe headaches would be lovely.

Marvelling: at how dirty my floors are. gross.

Needing: to vacuum. and mop. and i need some energy to do those things ha ha.

Smelling: the jacket i was wearing last night to rescue the cat off the roof. in the rain. everyone talks about how smelly wet dogs are... wet cats... terrible.

Wearing: pyjamas. it's never too early for pyjamas.

Following: paul west on instagram. swooooooooooon.

Noticing: just how green everything is. the sunny days punctuated by rainy ones are making everything lush.

Knowing: that it is definitely bed time. Thinking: about the weekend after next, heading away for our anniversary.

Feeling: anxious as i haven't booked anything for the weekend away. eep!

Admiring: this blog series. lots of handmade gift ideas.

Sorting: out my ballet schedule. lots of classes to catch up on, only 3 weeks to get them sorted!

Buying: nothing. at this second.

Getting: sick of the facebook app on my phone. it doesn't get on with my phone at all.

Bookmarking: recipes. always.

Disliking: my silly scalp. psoriasis. not fun.

Opening: my new pompom magazine! i bought a subscription a few months ago and every issue is wrapped in tissue paper with a little handwritten thank you sticker on it. so cute!

Giggling: at gilmore girls. i'm really loving that show.

Feeling: a bit full. i popped into the city to have a most excellent lunch with a friend.

Snacking: on leftover cake from the tupperware party i went to on sunday. it was packed up in vintage tupperware *swoon*

Hearing: sampsons little bell jingling as he runs and plays outside. hopefully it keep the birdies nice and safe.

do you want to take stock too? pip has a blank list on her latest taking stock list if you want to play along!

tour through blogland.

a couple of weeks ago now, the lovely megan of silver threads of happiness tagged me in her tour through blogland post, and i am so excited to take part!

i've been reading megan's blog for a little while now, after officially finding her on instagram when she started commenting on a few of my pictures.

i'm loving reading about the renovations that megan and her partner are working on at the moment, and all of the crafty little things she gets up to!



and how could you not like someone surrounded by tulips?

anywho, i have some questions to answer about myself...



1) what am i working on?
so many things!!!
i'm knitting up a little red sock! i've finished the top section, and the heel, now to knit the body of the foot and the toe. home stretch basically...
i also started a little crocheted blankie project out of 3 similar looking balls of yarn i grabbed from my stash last night. i was craving something mindless to work on, but with a bit more instant gratification than i'm getting from knitting the aforementioned socks, with their super thin needles and wool! i think i'll keep working this granny square, round and round, until i run out of yarn!
i've got some other sock plans on my mind, but i'm waiting on the right size needles, and a bit of time to whip up some swatches. can't have socks that don't fit!
and i've also got a loaf or two of bread on the go, i'm working on experimenting with my sourdough at the moment, it's equal parts fun and terrifying!



2) how does my work differ from others of its genre?
um, i'm not really sure about this one... i don't really find myself being too competitive or comparative with what i do, and i just do what i do because i love doing it! comparison being the thief of joy and all that, i take inspiration from what others do, but try to rock it in my own way!



3) why do I write/create what i do?
i create what i do because i like to fill my time with making things of value and use. whether it be a loaf of bread to fill a tummy, a scarf or socks to keep someone warm, or a dishcloth to help to keep my house clean. all of which bring a smile to my own face, and hopefully anyone i'm sharing with too!
and i write about what i create mainly ha ha!



4) how does your writing/creating process work?
my mind seems to be always buzzing with ideas, forever inspired by the physical world around me or here in the virtual world. the trickiest thing is finding time to get to creating what i'm thinking of before it flits back out of my head. lists are good for that ha ha!
and lists are also great for keeping my writing on track! i've recently started keeping an editorial calendar for my blog, and it's ensuring that i've got a post planned for most days. i love posting as routinely as i can and keeping to a bit of a schedule. little bit of a control freak ha ha!



and now to introduce my two nominees... well one nominee actually...
i sent out quite a few emails to writers of blogs i love to read, but didn't hear back from lots of people. i get how busy life is though, so i'm rolling with the punches ha ha!

anywho, nominee...
cam is a blogger who i have been reading for just about as long as i have been reading blogs! and i was lucky enough to meet her in real life through a group of melbourne crafty bloggers and now consider her a good friend!
i love cam's creativity and she has a wicked sense of humour! and i love that she is always up for coffee and cake!



Well hi there, my name is Cam.

I'm a Designer, Crafter, Maker, Sometimes blogger, and Obsessed Collector of all manner of weird and wonderful things.
I adore colour and pattern and anything with a bit of vintage style.

keep an eye out for cam's post in the next couple of weeks over at curlypops! and thanks again to megan for the nomination!

today.

today i've been on holidays for a week.



today i'm back home after driving a friend to a hospital in town. i'm waiting for the call to let me know he's all done and ready to go home.



today i'm catching up. on episodes of masterchef and unread blog posts. the internet on the farm is not the greatest so i'm taking full advantage of the bandwidth while i'm home.



today i'm trying to take one thing at a time. and to get out of my head about all of the things i WANT to get done while i'm off from work. my own expectations of what i should be getting done are kind of driving me batty.



today i'm regretting taking all of my tea to the farm with me. it's a horrible day outside and it's the perfect weather for a big mug of tea!



today i cast on the second sock for my cousin. i finished the other last night and didn't want to linger with the second. no second sockitis happening over here thanks!

what are you up to today?

masterclassin'

today, i toddled along to the voices of 2013 masterclass at smart artz gallery in south melbourne.
i was a little scared, i'd read over the list of people attending, and the number of people i actually knew was very small! turned out to be a good thing though... i put lots of faces to blog names :D

i managed to take a bit from the masterclass too! there was lots of talk about knowing your brand, and your voice, both of which i think i need to work a little on...
not that i want this space to be all brand-y or anything, i just think it would be cool to be clear with a vision and direction :D

i also learnt a bit about seo (search engine optimisation fyi) and it's something i'll have to have a bit more of a think about (obviously, judging by this posts title...)



despite it being an early morning, it was a good one and it was an event i was happy i went along to!

what have you been up to today? did you have a busy morning?

a new-old thing.

a couple of days ago, i was reading some posts, in google reader, as you do, when i came across this post, by this cool lady.
she was posting about the cool technology she uses to do her thing and number 11 piqued my interest...



what is this magical next button you speak of knowledgeable pip?

after some further investigationing... i discovered the stupendous button! (fyi: it's located under the 'gear' button in the top right hand corner of google reader, under 'reader settings' and then 'goodies')
now when i'm reading blog posts, i can read them on the actual blog! and post as soon as i'm finished reading them!

i was so overjoyed, there may have been dancing.

happy days people, happy days!


what cool thing have you learnt/discovered recently?