School lunch egg muffins.

After scrolling through Pinterest, I decided to make up my own version of lunch muffins. This recipe makes 12. Enjoy!

Survival skills, parent-side.

Parenting is hard. Really HARD. Like how-can-anyone-do-this-and-survive-the-day hard. Oh the roller coaster of emotions!!!

I was going to write that today was a challenge. But then I tried to think back to a day when I didn't feel challenged by parenthood and I couldn't. I couldn't. Because the little tribe that I am half responsible for making, must have some kind of schedule to keep me on my toes. I'd really like a copy of that schedule.

As parents we talk about balance. We read a zillion articles, blogs and watch clips, all claiming to make parenthood better. Easier. And have a balanced life, meaning time with kids, partner, hobbies, me-time, whilst do a super-amazing job at work, AND getting enough sleep.

I've come to see balance a little differently.

All the things I wish we'd said. A quilt story.

The following post is written by an amazing friend. She is a fellow creative, teacher, mother, and all round wise person, whose advice I always value. She is also the first person to write for this blog other than me. I am very excited to be sharing this with you! It is part 'how-to', part explaining why she made the quilt, and part advice on where to find information on Dementia. Warning: you may need tissues. And how beautiful is the quilt?!! Love it.

I was adamant that I would NEVER start quilting, after some average attempts to make my kids a baby quilt each. Those quilts took years to make and a whole lot of work! Combine that with my difficulties with straight lines (cutting, sewing …) it all seemed like it was just not the thing for me.

But a friend, Kate, convinced me to go along with her to the Wollongong Modern Quilt Guild just to check it out.

To all the other mums. Because sometimes cheering is needed.

Hi, I am a mum.

I have three girls and two boys.

I live in a lovely suburb. People wanting to buy houses here have momentarily lost their minds and are spending ridiculous sums of money to buy them. I hate to say it, but it makes me a little happy about our choice. And no, we are not moving.

I currently have 15 unread books on my Kindle for iPad. I am desperate to read them, but so many other things come first.

I love sitting down with a cup of tea, chatting with a friend, reading a book, writing, sewing, or creating anything really!

I am organised and creative which causes issues for me at times. The creative wants to leave all the mess for later, while the organised part of me is screaming to leave whatever I am doing and tidy up. The longer I have 5 kids, the more likely I am to let my creative side win, even though I perhaps should become more organised.

Holiday outdoor & art activity: mini garden & still-life painting

I can't take credit for this happening today at all. I have had a major room-organising thing going on and have also been focused on what I need to do for Lucy's up-coming birthday. I hoped the kids would just play today, with Craig and I stopping to play every once in a while.

They had other plans.

Isabel decided she wanted to make a mini garden like those we had seen together on Pinterest. I had planned to give them supplies to make gorgeous little gardens in pots for this Christmas, hence the pinning on Pinterest. Anyway, Izzy came and asked for a plastic plate and it snow balled from there. It turned out to be a wonderful activity for all the kids aged 2 to 12, which can be a tricky thing to do. As an added bonus I got an extended period of time with no dobbing. Love it.

2015 Snowy Mountains holiday: Part 1

For our recent adventure away, we stayed in Talbingo, a small town reasonably close to the Selwyn Snowfields. The town is set on the edge of a dam and has gorgeous views, as well as being quiet, with short walks for families to go on. We walked to the dam and the little park for the kids to play, while we were there. 

Living at 'A' point 5 happily. And losing focus of point 'B'.

I arrived home from our trip away a few days ago. It seems like it is so far away even now, but I maintain clarity received via small revelations that have made a difference to my every day life.

I will share the wonder and fun of our trip in a future post, along with all the amazing photos. For now however I want, no need, to share something small. Something small that is part of a greater journey that has taken place over the past year.

I started writing for this blog almost a year ago, and it is no surprise that it's title is really the start of a journey that I am still very much on. Nothing is learnt all at once. Lessons tie into one another to reveal a greater, and deeper, understanding that is needed. What we learn is individual. My lessons may be familiar to others, or even revelations for others, but our journeys are our own. It has been a privilege to share mine.