West Nest

Sweet Memories...

I think there is a special place in our memory bank for food memories.  The flavours, the colours and delicious mouthwatering aromas.  But its more than that of course.

More than the food.  Its the moments, the people, the love.

Its the look on his little face when he tastes his first solids.  

The pudding stirred with love in a bowl that cooked many, many puddings. 

Its the hot buttery toast served up on the same chopping board my Grandma served my toast when I was just a little girl. 

The bowl after bowl of muesli I craved, that fueled me while a little bubba grew in my tum.

Midnight chapange picnics & giggling with your gal over a glass of wine and a flour filled kitchen.

Nothing pleases me more than coming together at meal times. Good music, good company and and a delicious spread.

I would love to hear of your food memories...

happiness...

Today...

Today has been good. 

Nothing remarkable has happened.  It has not been an eventful day.  All the usual chores have found themselves part of this day.  And for the most part it has been like many days before it.  But it feels good. 

 My lungs are full of air, my heart is full of love and boys are by my side. That is enough.

I have not nagged or grumped. {ok maybe one tincy nag!}  I have not wanted for more of something or less of something else. 

I have walked happily through this day, content for what it has been.

Today I want for nothing else.

happiness...

Sunshine for the Soul...

Simple pleasures to recharge our souls.  Picking tiny pebbles from the beach, sinking toes into warm sand, eating pie and ice cream... {and milkshakes!}

There is a reason Sunday sits where it does in the week.  That day to exhale and take check.  It has been so very long since we had a Sunday.  Our weeks have been filled with Wednesdays.  {Oh Wednesday, you are a challenge!}

Refeshed, recharged.  Bring on the Wednesdays.

happiness...

Pink...

There is not much pink in my world.  Really,  I have never been all about pink anyway. 

When I was five I asked Santa for He Man and the Grey-skull Castle... He gave me Peaches and Cream Barbie.  She was beautiful but she was NOT He Man.

I guess this set the tone for years to come.  Was I a Tom Boy, was I a Girly Girl?  Maybe awkwardly balanced somewhere between the two.

These days, there is a lot of blue in my life.  And while I may not {love} pink, when it shows itself round here, I appreciate that little hint of femininity.

I love my blue world.  If the only pink I have is bubbles and marshmallows, well that's quite fine by me...

happiness...

 

Sunsets...

The days are shortening.  Mornings are dark and snugly.  Nestled between my boys, it is hard to coax my feet to hit the floor. 

That last hour of the day, as the sun sinks behind the mountain, must be the prettiest of the day. 

All the nooks and corners of the garden, glow with the last little burst of sunshine the day has to offer.

Soon winter will be here.  Its not my favourite season.  But i do look forward to long walks on empty beaches.  All rugged up, babe in sling, boys at my side. 

The sunset brings new memories, boys have grown a little more, mama has loved and cuddled and wondered how they grow so fast...

happiness...

Dandelions and Pasionfruit...

Warm sunbeams after endless rain, have dandelions springing up all over the garden.  Little bursts of yellow in a sea of green. 

Little boys soaking up the sunshine, big brother dusting butterfly kisses on his baby brothers cheek, has this mama beaming like the sunshine. {oh those eyelashes...}

Lapping up sweet passionfruit and soaking up the sun before another storm rolls in.

Autumn is tinging the trees with a glow of colour.  Flecks of orange & yellow hint to the seasons change.

Busy days have us loving every moment spent together... at work or play.

happiness...

Play dough for grown ups...

Busy days turn into busy weeks & before too long months roll on by.  Its easy to get swept away in the tide of days & weeks. 

I love the bliss that is a sunny Saturday afternoon.  Work is done yet the day is still young.  Plenty of time to play.  To watch the sunshine dance across the garden.  To blow raspberries on sun kissed cheeks.

Weekdays call for quick dinners.  Food in our bellies in time for bath & bed.  All hurry scurry.  Saturday is the friend that has time for home made pasta, a glass of wine & a flour filled kitchen.

The tension of the week can be kneaded out, and after a therapeutic grown up play dough session you have the tastiest threads of goodness.

Pasta Dough

4 eggs

400g Tippo Flour {fine pasta/pizza flour}

Dash of Olive Oil

Pinch of Salt

Place all the goodies in a food processor or bread maker & work through until the dough forms a ball.  Turn out onto a floured board and finish the kneading by hand.  { be cautious not to 'over' knead the dough.  It should still feel suple & stretchy.}

Use a pasta maker or rolling pin to roll the dough out into a thin sheet.  Using a sharp knife cut the pasta into the desired thickness.  We love chunky pappardelle... oh and don't worry if they are a little uneven.  Rustic tastes better!

{roll on saturday...}

happiness...

Rubber Ducky Love...

Funny how the small men in my life can be so passionate.

Bear has chatted, gooed and chomped on this little ducky for the best part of the afternoon.

We all became so enthralled with his love for this little ducky.  We found ourselves chatting to the ducky and singing the rubber ducky song in crazy, silly voices.

oh rubber ducky...you are the one!

{oh, & look who's sitting up.  My baby bear is getting to be such a big boy!}

happiness...

Sunshine & Milkshakes...

Oh so much rain of late. 

Saturday was sunshine... and milkshakes and apple pie.  {and maybe a little slice of orange cake!}

A coffee date with a dear friend, news of a baby belly from an old friend and sweet treats with my favourite boys. 

A little sugar coating for a week that has shown all of its colours.

What is your sunshine today?

happiness...

 

Fishy, fishy, fishy...

Bear loves fish.  His little eyes pop & his chubby little fists open & close. 

The moment you utter "where are the the fishies...?" he is squirming with glee.  Shreeks of wild delight as they dart around the tank.

It has been a busy week for small bears.  Mama thinks maybe little fishies will soothe a cranky bear into peaceful slumber.  {I shall let you know how my theory works out.}

At the very least lets hope its good feng shui.

happiness...