~ taking stock August 2015 ~

It's a dreary grey day here.  My big girl is tucked up on the couch dozing after having 4 teeth extracted under GA in preparation for braces in October.  I've made some jelly for her dinner, lit the fire, put the washing on, tidied up and now I feel like napping too.  I'm quite the fan of the nanna nap.

I've been busily snapping blossoms like the ones above (they hang over our side fence outside the small boy's room) for a couple of weeks now.  They're almost finished - the burgundy leaves (probably my least favourite colour ever) are taking over and the petals litter the streets (pretty petalfetti last week when it was sunny - a soggy mess now after all the rain).

Spring starts tomorrow - my favourite time of the year - I'm looking forward to it.
Time for taking stock of where I'm at.


Making : another basket - but I'm sharing the needle with Lily (I'm teaching her to make a basket too so its slow going)
Cooking : jelly and soup - soft and comforting for that poor sore-mouthed girl
Drinking : cranberry and pomegranate tea (such a pretty colour) and icy cold water (straight from the tap - its freezing)
Reading: an old Margaret Atwood book for book club next week
Looking: at pictures of gardens and trying to decide what might be possible here
Wanting: a gardener to help me
Playing: words with friends (I'm a little obsessed)
Deciding: whether to invest in the property market - its a bit scary
Wishing:  it was mango season - I've got a craving
Enjoying: the fleeting blossom season
Waiting: for my birthday (it's soon)
Liking: the anticipation
Wondering: what to make for dinner tonight
Loving: my new wrist warmers (sent by a lovely IG friend all the way from Scilly)
Pondering: why anyone would go on the Bachelor
Considering: what to replace our MOG subscription with (today's the day)
Buying: so many books at the Book Week fair last week (I love that they all love books)
Watching: old episodes of Downton Abbey on Netflix
Hoping: I find my favourite red cardie I seem to have misplaced
Marvelling: at the number of unread emails on this computer - I read them on my phone and they end up on here unread but niggling at my conscience
Cringing: at the state of my desk
Needing: some exercise today
Questioning: our nation's priorities
Smelling: rain in the air
Wearing: jeans and ugg boots and a cosy jumper (this office is freezing)
Following: the unravel your photos gang and looking forward to my online classes which start next week
Noticing: just how big my little boy is getting (too quickly)
Knowing: I need to go outside and get more wood
Thinking: about too many things I can do nothing about in the wee small hours of the morning
Admiring: my daughters' gymnastics efforts yesterday - so proud of them both
Sorting: a huge pile of doilies and linens my uncle gave me over the weekend (they were my grandmothers)
Getting: excited about our holiday at the end of September
Bookmarking: more recipes I'll never make
Coveting: a Status Anxiety wallet I don't need (but its so pretty)
Disliking: how quickly the blossoms fade
Giggling: every day (lucky me)
Feeling: a funny niggle in my L knee  - I hope it goes away soon
Snacking: oranges - can't get enough at the moment (and dark chocolate - always)
Helping: out at school when I can)
Hearing: the fire crackling

~ taking stock - June 2015 ~

Making : raspberry and white chocolate muffins for school lunch boxes
Cooking : hoisin and sesame chicken for dinner tonight - its a family fave
Drinking : heaps of water
Reading: Jo Nesbo for the thrills and re-reading "a constellation of vital phenomena" because I loved it so much last year
Wanting: a status anxiety purse
Looking: for pairs for the odd gloves I dug out of the winter basket on the weekend
Playing: old maid in front of the fire with the kids and scrabble on line
Deciding: that I don't need a muffin before bed tonight (or do I?)
Wishing: I had more willpower
Enjoying: Game of Thrones (we've just finished watching it and need a new series now)
Waiting: For George R R Martin to finish writing the next book in the series
Liking: taking the kids on some bushwalks in the last month
Wondering: where my basket making needle has got to (I cannot find it anywhere)
Loving: soups for lunch
Pondering: how to improve my parenting skills to cope with my tween girls and their moods
Considering: printing up some cards and selling them in a local boutique
Buying: this cool pillowcase for Jack's bed
Watching: Masterchef with the kids
Hoping: for snow at Cradle Mountain in the holidays
Marvelling: at the beautiful lilies my brother sent me today
Cringing: at the overreaction to the Q&A show
Needing: lots of cuddles
Questioning: where Australia is heading
Smelling: the lemony hand cream I rubbed in before
Wearing: my evening uniform - trackie and ugg boots
Following: the lunch lady for school holiday recipe ideas
Noticing: subtle signs of spring in the garden
Knowing: that not being too busy is really good for me
Thinking: about a cup of tea before bed
Admiring: people with lovely manners
Sorting: out stuff for my tax
Getting: frustrated with myself for not being more organised
Bookmarking: activity ideas for the holidays
Coveting: a new coffee table
Disliking: the empty house across the road (my neighbour is in hospital and won't be coming home)
Opening: a parcel that arrived from Lark today - I'd forgotten what I ordered
Giggling: at the funny things Jack says
Feeling: achy in the chest from weights class this morning
Snacking: less than I used to (yay)
Helping: my mum because she can't drive at the moment
Hearing: the thump of tennis balls - the Doc is watching Wimbledon

 

~ taking stock - May 2015 ~

 

Making : envelopes and little papery things to put in them
Cooking : soup and more soup (and fabulous pork/beef meatballs)
Drinking : one coffee a day and lots of peppermint tea (and I had my first ever espresso martini on the weekend and it was fabulous!)
Reading: Craft for the Soul
Wanting: to find the remote for the apple tv so I can catch up on some shows
Looking: everywhere for it - where can those munchkins have hidden it?
Playing: yahtzee and chinese checkers with the children
Deciding: what to cook for tomorrow night - there's 10 to feed - I find that tricky on school nights
Wishing: I'd got the washing off the line tonight before the frost
Enjoying: evenings in front of the fire
Waiting: for the 3 little apples on our tree to be ready to eat
Liking: porridge with rhubarb for breakfast
Wondering: if my daughter will be well enough for school tomorrow
Loving: surprises in the letter box
Pondering: the value (or not) this government places on primary health care
Considering: buying lightroom and publisher so I can do an online course with life captured inc
Buying: warm jumpers for the kiddies
Watching: NCIS ( I really like Gibbs) and Masterchef
Hoping: it doesn't rain for the cross country this week
Marvelling: at the autumn colours in the streets
Cringing: at our governments treatment of refugees (always)
Needing: a drink of water
Questioning: my willpower (the chocolate stash is strangely deplete)
Smelling: that beautiful hyacinth (above)
Wearing: striped skirt, black cardy and tights
Following: gert geyer (she sent me a pretty letter this week)
Noticing: how dark the mornings are
Knowing: I need to exercise more
Thinking: about catching up with an old friend this week
Admiring: my neighbour's calm in the face of her terminal illness
Sorting: out my desk (its a weekly project)
Getting: ready for tomorrow tonight (its a busy one)
Bookmarking: slow cooker recipes (need to buy a slow cooker first)
Coveting: new bed linen
Disliking: how long the washing takes to dry
Opening: recipe books looking for dinner ideas
Giggling: at the text messages my daughter sends
Feeling: pretty content mostly
Snacking: raw almonds and carrots
Helping: navigate school cliques - its a tricky business
Hearing: my bed calling me

~ taking stock - April 2015 ~

Making : a sour cream and lemon cake for dinner tonight - so good (and so easy)
Cooking : lots of soup - perfect weather for it
Drinking : peppermint tea
Reading: A Fine Balance  - my bookclub book this month  - such fascinating reading
Wanting: some new jeans that fit well and look good
Looking: at the pretty leaves lying in our backyard
Playing: Mozart's piano concerto no 21 on the Sonos (when I'm alone at home)
Deciding: to get up earlier every day so I can have some quiet morning time before the rush
Wishing: there was no such thing as the death penalty
Enjoying: the Gilmore girls on Gem in the afternoons
Waiting: for soccer season to start
Liking: those new sea-salt Lindt balls
Wondering: how many is too many
Loving: the autumn colours everywhere
Pondering: the weird things people share on facebook
Considering: not being on facebook for a while
Buying: stationery - I'm addicted
Watching: Pitch Perfect with the girls and deciding its not really suitable for them
Hoping: for good weather at Freycinet this weekend
Marvelling: at the platypus we "met" at the Salmon Ponds at the weekend
Cringing: when I hear "youse" and "gunna" on the radio
Needing: nothing really at all
Questioning: whether my niggly back will settle or whether I should book some physio
Smelling: our smoky fire
Wearing: layers
Following: my daugher on IG - she opened her account this week and she's let me follow her
Noticing: how grubby Jack can get from doing not much at all
Knowing: that we're super lucky to live in Australia
Thinking: about caring for the dying (part of this weekend's conference)
Admiring: how well Lily is coping with high school
Sorting: paper work for my BAS
Getting: frustrated with my computer that keeps freezing
Bookmarking: wintery type recipes
Coveting: a quilt by this lady
Disliking: yelling in the mornings
Opening: packets of new tights for chilly days
Giggling: at the questions Jack asks in the mornings
Feeling: like he's growing up too fast
Snacking: granny smith apples with peanut butter
Helping: with tricky homework questions
Hearing: the kettle boiling - tea is on its way

~ taking stock March ~

Making : baskets and little Easter parcels for some snail mail friends
Cooking : carrot and chickpea soup (we both bought carrots this weekend and not much else)
Drinking : water mostly
Reading: Fete magazine - my ig friend Sarah is featured this month
Wanting: some time in the garden - there are so many jobs to do
Looking:  at bulb catalogues (before its too late)
Playing: Taylor Swift (guilty pleasure)
Deciding: whether to keep my gym membership or not - they've moved my favourite classes to unfriendly (to me) times
Wishing: my baby nephew lived closer
Enjoying: the cooler mornings and the lovely afternoons
Waiting: for the leaves to change colour
Liking:  the beautiful pears we found at the market this week
Wondering: what I should make for lunch this Friday
Loving: being part of a book club again - its so good
Pondering: whether I can fit hockey (for me) into our crammed schedule
Considering: booking a weekend conference in May
Buying: stripey tops - I've got a problem!
Watching: Offspring box series and laughing out loud Hoping: for some nice weather during the school holidays
Marvelling: at how quickly Jack learned to tie his shoe laces this week
Cringing: at our treatment of refugees
Needing: a new heat pack for winter - mine's a bit stinky
Questioning: the obsession with extreme diets
Smelling: handcream  - I've always got a tube nearby
Wearing: trackies and a stripy top
Following: this lovely blog (long term fan)
Noticing: that Nicky Gemmell seems to be sharing my brain most weekends when she writes her column
Knowing: I need to write a condolence letter to a friend but am finding it hard to find the right words
Thinking: about Tim Winton's piece in the SMH about refugees
Admiring: strong, engaged and passionate women
Sorting: out a new cupboard or drawer every week - I'm on a mission to declutter (a little bit anyway)
Getting: anxious in the middle of the night for no good reason
Bookmarking: these Easter printables for my snail mail
Coveting: a new winter coat
Disliking: rude manners in the school car-park
Opening: little boxes of mini-eggs when no one is looking
Giggling: at the dancing to Taylor Swift that goes on here in the mornings
Feeling: like I need a massage
Snacking: granny smith apples dipped in peanut butter
Wishing: my husband would stop snoring
Helping: set up a recycling collection box for coffee pods at school
Hearing: the quiet of the house at night

I'm joining in with Pip in taking stock once a month - I'm liking the idea of her new weekly photo wrap up as well.

~ taking stock - February ~

Making :  muffins - I made some a couple of weeks ago and they were terrible so I'm trying all sorts of recipes until I get it right! Cooking : trying to cook one new recipe every week - this week it was a soba noodle +tuna dish that everyone liked - a big win Drinking : lots of mineral water - our Feb fast is almost over Reading: the narrow road to the deep north - it's taking a long time Wanting: some new gym clothes Looking: for the perfect place to plant my new rose (she's called Grace - I had to buy her) Playing: words with friends Deciding: that we need some new strategies to cope with Jack's appalling meal time behaviours - he is making meal times no fun Wishing: for some more warm, sunny beach days Enjoying: quiet moments in my house when everyone's at school Waiting: for people to play their turns in words with friends Liking: mint and lavender tea Wondering: how people who have to go to meetings every day cope - I find them so tedious and the "meeting language" makes me so cross Loving: cosy morning snuggles when he asks me all about what has tumbled round in his head all night Pondering: how we got so over-committed after school and what to do about it Considering: a weekend away Buying: a cosy grey jumper for the winter that's coming soon Watching: Game of Thrones - I read all the books last year and am probably the last person to see this but I'm enjoying it (even the gory bits)
Hoping: I can squeeze in a trip to Melbourne soon to see my baby nephew Marvelling: at how sore my quads were this week after one pump class - I hadn't been for 2 months - what happened to "muscle memory"? Cringing: at people who say "pacific" when they mean "specific" Needing:  a massage Questioning: how to engage my students more in class - I think our course is getting a little stale Smelling: a yummy lemongrass and something candle burning in the lounge room Wearing: trackies - and they're so comfortable Following: hardly anyone - I'm cutting down my online time a lot Noticing: the days are getting shorter already Knowing: there are phone calls I didn't make today that I need to do tomorrow Thinking: about basket making - I'm learning how to make one tomorrow Admiring: how well my big girl is settling into high school Sorting: things out slowly - and giving a lot away - I did the
Bookmarking: interesting new recipes (not just for muffins) Coveting: a Mandy Renard painting that I spied in a gallery this week Disliking: pretty mail - the snail mail revolution is such a lovely thing Giggling: at the cute kids in assembly who wave at their mums Feeling: like I haven't missed alcohol at all this month - but I'm looking forward to a wine on Sunday night Snacking: on peanuts - it's the salt I love really Comforting: my anxious little boy when he worries about the weather Helping: out in the uniform shop at school - its fun Hearing: snippets from the tv as the Doc surfs through the Friday night options (all bad)

~ taking stock : January ~

Making : a big mess as we move furniture around and rearrange the office (and 2 of the kids rooms)
Cooking : I've hardly cooked all holidays - have big plans to trial a new recipe each week from now though
Drinking : san pellegrino mineral water and mint and lavender tea (and too much wine all month)
Reading: lots of YA fiction (trying to keep up with my daughters).  I've just finished The Protected (Claire Zorn) which was great. I loved We Are All Completely Besides Ourselves (Karen Fowler)
Wanting: more storage space in the office
Looking: for a square table for our dining table - we've outgrown ours
Playing: words with friends and lots of cricket
Deciding: whether to fish out my patchwork (and hopefully finish it this year!)
Enjoying: the school holidays (mostly)
Waiting: for a letter from os (impatiently)
Liking: summer fruits
Wondering: how my big girl is going to go on her first day at high school this week
Loving: the apricots I bought by the roadside today
Pondering: a dry February
Considering: starting a little online shop to sell some cards/photos
Watching: the tennis on tv (when the cricket or soccer aren't on)
Hoping: for a few more beach days this summer
Marvelling: at how much sand we brought back with us - its everywhere
Needing: to get back to some pilates/yoga classes
Smelling: the yummy hair mousse stuff in my hair
Wearing: warm clothes - it's chilly tonight
Following: lots of pretty streams on IG
Noticing: how well behaved my children were today
Knowing: that life is good
Thinking: I need to get out weeding in the garden
Admiring: all the growth on our tomato plants
Sorting: out washing from our holiday (still)
Buying: school books
Getting: organised for the new school year - naming uniforms and covering books
Bookmarking: soup recipes for winter (I love soup)
Disliking: so many of the things our government are doing
Opening: mail from friends - its one of the things I miss most when I'm on holidays
Giggling: at the answer Jack gave to the question in our 365 questions book today - "why are you a good friend?"  "because I'm good.  I'm good at being good.  I'm good at being sensible"
Feeling: happy to be home after 3 weeks at the shack
Snacking: on almonds and cherries and apricots
Coveting: a sewing machine
Wishing: I was more organised
Helping: Grace clean out her room (its a big task)
Hearing: my husband patiently answering the million and one questions Jack has when he watches anything new on tv (soccer tonight - "why is he running there?"  "what happened?"  "what was that whistle for?" " why don't they kick to him?" "what if his shoulder touches it?" "what are green cards?" "why did he do that?")

Thanks Pip for the list and your endlessly interesting blog

~ taking stock - March 2014 ~

Making : lists and more lists of all that has to be done before we leave on our grand adventure
Cooking : chocolate snowballs - I had a tin (and the recipe) sent to me this week by a very generous IG friend (Ondioco - check her feed - her photos are beautiful)
Drinking : lime and soda (those cute cans from Cascade won me over in the supermarket)
Reading: Swedish thrillers by Lars Kepler
Wanting: the perfect handbag to take on our trip
Looking: at the leaves changing colours on the trees
Playing: mail tag with some of my pen pals - how I love having pen pals again
Deciding: we're trying to decide on our name for our family travel blog - any suggestions gratefully received
Wishing: meal times weren't such a battlefield
Enjoying: playing with my new camera
Waiting: for a library book I ordered to come in
Liking: Pilates classes on Tuesday mornings with a bunch of friends - laughing while you work your core is fabulous fun
Wondering: how I lived without my iphone
Loving: how much Jack is loving learning
Pondering: how much internet time my girls should have
Considering: taking myself off facebook altogether
Watching: the Good Wife - so good
Hoping: the irritation in my right eye will clear up soon
Marvelling: at my children's energy levels - wish mine were that high
Needing: a cup of tea
Smelling: basil from the pot on the window sill - still going strong
Wearing: my gym gear out in public way too often
Noticing: that I'm happier when I'm not so busy
Knowing: I should remember this (above)
Thinking: too many thoughts - especially at 3am
Feeling: stronger - I think the pump/power classes are working
Admiring: kind people
Sorting: out more stuff to give to the salvos
Buying: stuff for the trip - new bras, a spare camera battery, locks for the bags...
Getting: anxious about flying after recent events
Bookmarking: recipes I probably won't cook
Disliking: how dark the evenings are getting
Opening: lovely snail mail
Giggling: at them splashing in the bath together
Feeling: the chill in the mornings
Snacking: nectarines - I think they're coming to their end this year and I want to enjoy every last one
Coveting: a new dinner set - I'm over plain white
Wishing: my brother and his partner and baby lived closer
Helping: out at school whenever I can - I love being involved
Hearing: George's Marvellous Medicine on the ipod as Jack is  trying to fall asleep
Remembering: Samuel - a friend's baby who died before being born 5 years ago this week - the love stone was for his grave.


Taking stock is inspired by Pip

♥

~ taking stock - me right now ~

It's Monday.
We've bought birthday presents (Lego and a terrarium - 11 year olds are tricky) and had coffee.
We've spent hours waiting for the washing machine man.
We're on our way to school pick up and gym soon.
It's grey outside  - for like the 100th day in a row.
I'm taking stock with Pip.

Making : felt reindeer ornaments to send to new friends as part of a snail mail swap

Cooking : baby meringues for the eldest to take to school for her birthday tomorrow

Drinking : green tea with rose petals  (but I need something stronger after dealing with fisher and paykel about my washing machine all morning)

Reading: Refuge by Jackie French  - Lily just finished it and it sounded like an interesting take on the refugee situation - it is

Wanting: a washing machine that works

Looking: forward to the holidays

Playing: hockey on Sundays

Deciding: trying to decide which camera to take travelling next year - I think the D80 is too big and I'm trying to choose a small mirrorless camera - ?the Fuji XM1

Wishing: I was somewhere warm and sunny

Enjoying: sorting through photos to make photo books and calendars for Christmas

Waiting: for summer

Liking: listening to him practice his 2 lines for the nativity play

Wondering: what to cook for dinner tonight

Loving: the fresh cherries I splurged on this morning

Pondering: the differences between 11 now and 11 when it was me (and the similarities)

Considering: how to make internet rules for an 11 year old that we're both happy with

Watching: hardly any tv - I'm thinking this is a good thing

Hoping: our raspberry crop lives up to our expectations

Marvelling: at the resilience of children

Needing: time alone

Smelling: the roses - literally - they're flourishing at the front door

Wearing:winter boots still!! grrrr

Following: so many interesting blogs that I never get around to catching up with them all

Noticing: I'm spending less time on line and loving it

Knowing: I need to be a good example to my children (see above)

Thinking: there are not enough hours in the day

Feeling: quietly excited about Christmas

Admiring: Quintin Bryce

Buying: chocolate and baking supplies to make Christmas treats

Getting: fitter, slowly but surely

Bookmarking: great Christmas recipes

Opening: lovely snail mail from my IG friends

Giggling: when he says "chinese running" instead of "high knees running" in our 7 minute work out sessions

♥

~ taking stock : me, today ~

I really enjoyed Pip's taking stock list last month 

(I asked Lil if she would like to do one too and it was a great insight into my very quiet and introspective child)

So here's today's - its very clear I'm suffering a bad case of purple fever.   

Here's me last month as well.

Making : the kids blow up balloons in Freo colours
Cooking : purple meringues
Drinking : green tea with rose petals from T2 – my new addiction
Reading: Jo Nesbo
Wanting: new sandshoes (mine are falling apart and a bit stinky)
Looking: at the mountain out my window every day for a moment of calm
Playing: sleeping queens with the youngest
Wasting: good sleep time by staying up too late watching crap tv
Fixing: Flop the dog whose ear is falling off
Deciding: whether to sign the contract for a new job
Wishing: on shooting stars
Enjoying: spring popping up in my garden
Waiting: for snail mail surprises
Liking: greek yoghurt and fruit on my muesli
Wondering: how in can possibly be nearly October
Loving: my new rainbow cushions
Pondering: activities for the school holidays
Considering: planting some new seeds today
Watching: Cloudstreet on dvd and loving it
Hoping: that Freo will play well today – and maybe even win
Marvelling: at my children’s resilience
Needing: more uninterrupted sleep
Smelling: all the lovely jasmine in the garden
Wearing: purple today (have you spotted the theme of the day?)
Following: lots of lovely blogs
Noticing: the little things (always)
Knowing: my intention are good
Thinking: I really should get around to learning to crochet
Feeling: calm
Admiring: pretty spring gardens in the neighbourhood
Buying: some new gym gear with my birthday voucher
Getting: stronger
Bookmarking: recipes for spring salads
Opening: lovely surprise mail from our IG mail exchange
Giggling: at my children’s dancing 

 

Did you try this last month?

Do let me know if you join in today - I may not make a lot of lists myself but I love reading them!

 ♥

Go Freo