Sowing the seeds

*****Click here for the Blogoversary GIVEAWAY*****

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Wasn't yesterday a glorious day? Where's that gone? I had a great day, both atmospherically and productively.

The Nosh and I sowed our carrots into the new vegetable patch. I'm a tad worried about those tiny weeny seeds as I didn't cover and protect them over with any netting. I'm worried the birds will peck at the seeds.

*note to self* Fix netting. As soon as!!

We also planted a couple of the tomatoe seedlings outside in pots. Again, I'm worried about those too. The wind was blowing those babies from left to right. One of the little seedlings is over hanging the pots edge - like he's run a marathon (or two). Now the wind has died, I'm hoping that that baby will be able to regain composure.

Oy, the worry veggies give you!

Lastly, we planted strawberry seedlings. We planted those straight into the ground alongside the fence. They were a spur of the moment purchase so I hope they turn out to be a good investment. Strawberries are a winner in this house. Just wondering whether to do blueberries too.

HAPPY BLOGAVERSARY - GIVEAWAY

Five years! Oh vey, such a journey.

If you dont want to read the shmultzy stuff and just get straight to the GIVEAWAY - scroll to the bottom of post!!!!!!!!!

Its started back in 2001. The doorbell rang and a big heavy box was delivered. No, noone jumped out of it, just my first laptop. It was the start of my connection to blogland. I found a huge community of talented people, of people that shared their passions and creations with the world. I found fantastic inspiration and a craving to learn to create and make.

A few years on, after a ball of acrylic and a Teach yourself to knit book, Sweetpeaknits was created.

My blog journey has seen me through many handmades, some good - some bad. Gifted - and frogged. Learning curves - and mis-perfections. My proudest moments - one being my contribution to Knitty with Bobblicious .

This love of knitting spurred a craving to learn more a craft. There was a period of home dyeing yarn, which proved too messy for my kitchen. There was my teach myself to crochet and the many crocheted blankets and granny squares that came out of it.

Then, receiving of my vintage Singer and learning to operate it - to creating my first garments. Not to mention the opening of my Etsy shop.

Sweetpeaknits, I've loved every moment of you.

This blog has grown up alongside me and my family. We've shared some wonderful holidays. We've laughed at treasurable moments. We've cried at the saddest of times. Best of all, I've made some wonderful friends in blogland and we share common passions. Bless you all.

To mark this occassion I'm hosting a GIVEAWAY.

A Sweetpea4kids T-shirt of your choice.

All you have to do is state your favourite t-shirt in the comments section and follow my blog. View the whole collection here at my Etsy store.

Seedling Cam

Here's a glimpse at just a few pots of seedlings. There are a few pots of peppers on the left and tomatoes on the right. We're growing! And, they are coming along lovely.

I'm particularly proud of my cucumber and corn. I love 'em! I'm hoping to plant a few more in pots this weekend. I'm hoping this weekend will be dry for at least a few hours for me to plant seeds into my raised beds. I'm slightly nervous about letting those seedlings out just yet as I fear it may be just too wet at present.

Hello Dolly

A girl can never have enough dolls. I have beautiful memories of me and my dolls. I loved all of them. So much so, I used to make sure they were ALL comfortable and tucked up well in bed (MY BED) for the night. And me, I would sort of find a place to squeeze in and get a nights sleep.

I love this little rag doll that I've made. She wasn't difficult to construct and I had the stuffing here from previous projects that I've made. In fact, the most difficult part is making a dress for her that suits. This dress is unfortunately too small and I'm not sure its the right fabric either. It looks more of a kimono than a pretty dress for a rag doll.

I hope to complete her shortly and show her off in all her glory.

Dreaming

Everybody has a dream. Be it a dream job, dream house, dream man. We all have dreams.

Ive had many dream jobs. Apart from the obvious get rich quick job, I've dabbled in the dream of a librarian where I could sit and read books all day. And the dream colomnist job, where I could write endlessly and have fans follow. The fashion designer. The dressmaker. And, there was even a matchmaker of recent times.





As you can see, my dreams dont stop at one.

The dream house. There is only one. Its sits on a hill and has a stream running out in the back garden. You can see sheeps from the back window and even a passing cow. There are chickens being raised in the coup outside and the vegetable patch next to the greenhouse. There isn't anther house for miles, but I'm not lonely, as hubby and I are just fine laughing and watching our old home movies of the kids growing up.


Dream man. I got him. See. Dreams do come true.

But seriously, I wish I would stop daydreaming and get on with all these WIPS. I've had a knitted cardigan here to knit up for months.

Home grown produce

Im told there is nothing like eating your home grown produce. I'll let you know when our crop is ready for consumption. At present there is a tiny, incy wincy sprout poking through the soil in a few of the cups on the window sill.

Oy, the excitement of a sprout!

I know. Me. Growing veg. Even with my years' kibbutz experience in the Mango fields. I appreciate slightly different both in climate and surroundings, but never the less those green fingers are back. So, let me tell you all about my seedlings.

We now have this little patch at the back of the garden encased in sleepers and a perfect site for growing veg. Sort of a raised bed, 'cept its not raised. Guess its not a raised bed after all. Anyway, you get the gist.

All lined up on the window sill are little pots of tomatoes, corn, cucumber and peppers. And the tomatoes have sprouted. YAY!!!

Do you home grow? Shall we share photos. OK. I'm going to take photos tomorrow and share.

Shhhhh

*Creeping back into blogland*

Hey All.

Just popped in to say hi and slowly resurrect my neglected blog.

Hope you are all well.

Drop me a line and let me know what y'all been up to. Id love to hear from you.

Much love, as always.
Estee

The lovely Lee from a Glimpse of Style hosted a giveaway a few weeks back for a copy of Inside Out magazine. A delightful magazine from down under. And, I won. Thank you so much Lee, I love it! You must go check out her blog, she's a wonderful read and always full of beautiful and inspirational photos.

I wish you all Happy Holidays and festive greetings and a Happy and healthy new year.

Goodnight, sweet friends.

Happy Thanksgiving...

to my dear American friends.

Friday 13th - It started like this.

Today. I sat in 1.30hrs of traffic on the school run. Huff. I generally leave the night before and camp outside school just so that we get there on time. Joke. Leave early enough though. Bearing in mind we were half an hour late for school, my guess is the rest of the kids will probably turn up sometime time over the weekend.

Its one of the things I hate. Traffic. Its right up there with telephone/door sales people (sorry to offend).

The Nosh was just awful in the car as a baby. The only baby that would cry in the car. Thats when my school run became a camping escapade. I would leave early, miss the traffic, less screams from a wee nipper in the backseat, park at the school gates, give the Nosh his bottle, sit read the paper. If the car was capable of a moccachino-cappinco we'd all have time for one of those too. From those days, its just grown to habit.

*wondering if you could get a gadget that makes you a cuppa in the car, like a little car Teasmade, hmmm*

There's been no crafting, crocheting or baking this week. I've been ploughing through my new Jackie Collins book. I've never read a Jackie Collins book and doubt I'll finish this one. I dont know whether I'm at the party, going to the party or just not been invited with so many characters to juggle. Oy Vey. Anyway, I'm keeping with it... waiting with bated breath for one of Collins infamous sex scenes. Nothing too explicit yet, I hasten to add. (And, yes, I have read further than page 10!)

*I just thought I'd share some old boyish photos. I hate a bland post without pictures.*

**UPDATED TO SAY: Today has turned out to be quite magnificent. Someone must be watching over us. Can't share the news yet, but Bubela, I'm dead proud of you!!!!!**

Bonfire Night

Remember, remember,
The fifth of November,
Gunpowder, treason and plot,
I see no reason,
Why gunpowder and treason,
Should ever be forgot!

We waited for dark to fall. The Nosh was so excited. It was the first year that he has really appreciated fireworks, albeit the poor sparkler in his hand. As for the Bubela, whom at 5 years his senior had been there, seen it, worn the t-shirt for years now with a big banging sparkler, was more excited that the back door had opened and he was free to kick a football around.

Seriously, I opened the back door and he was like a tiger being let out to its natural habitat. If he had smoke behind him, I would have choked on it.

The Nosh loved waving the sparkling wands around. He wasn't perturbed in the slightest at the foreign object in his hand. I love the fact that he cant say sparkler, it turned out to be a sort of Schmarkerer sort of word. Awwwwwww.

Evidence in the sidebar shows that the Bubela did eventually join our fun of sparklers, not to mention that the Nosh and I were given safety tips whilst he did so! He asked me where my bucket of sand was to extinguish his sparkler, ha ha.

If you look closely at this picture, its of a tree and its surroundings.

I asked the Nosh today why he's the only kid that doesn't paint at nursery. And, of course I appreciate that he didn't fully understand every word I spoke, he told me that he "does painting at home" so there is no need to paint at school. Fair enough. If he prefers to play with the big toys at nursery than get messy with paint because he can get messy at home, then that's good enough for me.

We put our wellies on today and collected leaves.

Christmas is coming...

I love these ads.





Have you made your list of what your making, baking and gifting this Christmas yet. I'm through the browsing stage. Late I know. I've signed up to Sew, Mama, Sew's Homemade Holidays this year for inspiration.

Just wanted to share

Amazing craftsmen over at Kidtropolis create the most amazing childrens bedrooms. More bedrooms by Kidtropolis here.

BOO!

I have to say, unfortunately, these were disgusting! And, only good enough for the bin.

HAppY HalloWEEn

Today is Breast Cancer Awareness Day

In honour of those fighting the fight and those that have led the way, show support and let us get closer to understanding how breast cancer develops, a prevention and a cure. DoNaTe heRE

What are you wearing today?

In need of a little surgery

A while back MIL gave me her sewing box which was gifted to her by her mother when she was only 13. I received it with much thanks even in the poor vintage state it was in. It was beautiful as it was, just in need of a little repair. A hinge was broken and the interior needed attention!

Major surgery was indeed needed to make this sewing box perfect again. So, with a mini re-upholstery job, I re-padded the lid with bating and staple-gunned in new fabric. The original beads were used to decorate the petals of the sunflower and I used the original tape binding to glue around the edges to hide nails and staples.

I love my new sewing box. Thank you MIL. xx

Excuse the book which managed to creep into the first photo. I was browsing through for a cookie recipe for Halloween. We're making pumpkin shaped cookies, but more of those in my next post. The cookies are made, we just need to ice them.

Oh, and the crochet granny square blanket is still very much in progress. Photos to follow.

In other news:

MIL had surgery today. We all wish you a speedy recovery. x

Following the success of wallpapering my downstairs toilet, I am in the process of adding accessories. I'm deep in search for the perfect table. Once the room is dressed I'll share photos. Next room - Lounge... watch this space ;0)

Milestones reached. The Nosh, at 3, can now tackle puzzles of 35 pieces. He's so clever peh peh peh! And, the Bubela, at 8, is still a high acheiver in school and in all the sports he plays. Oi! I'm kvelling at how proud I am of my two boys!

When god watches from above and rewards you with a miracle.

As many of my longtime readers will already know, 6 years ago, Hubby and I embarked on a long, difficult, emotional and draining roller coaster. IVF. Two clinics, 3 cycles, and a belly full of pin holes later we were blessed with our little miracle. I will not pass this off as the easiest hurdle jumped because it wasn't. There were the medical hurdles of my initial infertility, the hurdles of science in the lab and the hurdles of mother nature.

The first unsuccessful attempt was shattering. The only way to pick ourselves up was to step right back onto the roller coaster. Unfortunately, the unsuccessful second attempt was an even lower drop. A fall so low that was fortunately saved by already being a mum to the Bubela and I wanted to be the best mum with no more distractions. I was now fully focused on the Bubela.

Two years later I was ready to attempt IVF again. I was stronger, alternative medicine and therapy aware and fully able to deal with any obstacles. Far more difficult hurdles and obstacles were to arise however these were overcome and we were successful.

That moment when a pee on a stick is your little wink from god. A euphoric moment I'll never forget.

Three years ago, on the delivery table holding my baby, I thanked god above *and winked right back atcha*.

Everyday I thank him.

Happy birthday our little Nosh. xx

A personal note

Bubela -

May all your wishes come true - over and over again... We love you, M&Dxx

*the Mont Blanc unedited version sits scripted in your card upon the fireplace*

I decided to bring a little French boudoir-esque into our home. More specifically, our downstairs loo. I thought of giving our guest rest room the luxury touch it deserves.

That in mind, today was wallpapering day. And here I give you the before and after photos.

I love it!!

Though, it was after much vocal waltzing and convincing eyebrow quivers, I managed to convince the Hubby that me doing the wallpapering would save us a stash of cash. That part he liked. The part which took the convincing was the "me" "wallpapering" "by myself" part. I do a wicked eyebrow quiver and I think it was that that won me a full Strictly [Come Dancing] 10 10 10 10 score.

*bouncing with joy* because he didn't think it would turn out so good - and I think I've done an alright job..... **UPDATED TO SAY HUBBY'S JUST COME HOME FROM WORK AND WAS PLEASANTLY SURPRISED, WHEN AM I STARTING ON THE LOUNGE**

With my heels parked at the front door and my lip gloss topping a tissue on the kitchen counter -Sinatra playing in the background- I was set to do the job in hand. Arms laden with Bucket, paste and brushes, and two delightful accessories (my ladies stepladder and my dear 82 year old grandfather -whom I hasten to add right here- was a better gig than Sinatra any day). And I was wallpapering!!

It was a great day. Paste EVERYWHERE mind. I'd definately attempt it again.

I'm wallpaper-ing!!!!!!!!!!!!

Come smell the cake

I love the smell of a Jewish kitchen in action. The Friday night chicken soup, the New Years baking of honey cake and freshly picked flowers.

The honey cake was delicious and moist, my usual recipe. But, it was my honey cluster cookies that were the talking point. Everyone loved them. They're a cross between a scone and a cookie.

Here's the recipe, I hope you enjoy them as much as we did.

Ingredients:

125g butter
80g caster sugar
80ml sunflower oil
300g plain flour
150g self raising flour
25g chopped walnuts
160ml orange juice
250ml honey

1. Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy, then gradually beat n the oil.

2. Stir in the flours, nuts and juice and mix to a stiff dough.

3. Place dollops of mixture onto baking sheets and bake in oven 180C for 15-20 mins.

4. Heat honey and dip the warm cooked cookies into he honey to coat. Allow to dry over a wire rack. Sprinkle chopped nuts on top.