30 goals for 2015

Fellow bloggers are sharing their 30 goals for the year, and I decided it would be a great idea for me to get motivated for the year.  I thought I was going to struggle writing down 30 goals for 2015, but this list came together kind of easily.  I added, changed and removed goals over the last week or so.  I happy with my list now and a few of the goals are things I think about often, so it's good to get it down in writing.

It's a goal list, a wish list, a to do list of sorts.  What ever you wish to call it, it's my list and something to look back on through out the year and hopefully cross off as I go.  If you wish to join in, choose the number which best works for you, it doesn't have to be 30.

1. Make self-care a priority.... you know, colour hair more regularly, shave legs, wear make-up.
2. More date nights with Mr H.  Once every whenever isn't good enough.
3. Spend more one on one time with Bell.......before she stops wanting me.
4. Keep giving our boys a simple, easy and carefree childhood.
5. Learn to crochet.  Please crochet gods be kind, nothing fancy.  Just a simple square will do.
6. Read, read, read books and more books.
7. Early nights during the week, even night owls need to get to bed early sometimes.
8. Exercise more often.....ahem.
9. Use my diary and family calendar.  So I don't forget things.....ever.
10. Complete my Handmade Adventure. Sew, sew, sew.
11. Keeping growing and expanding our kitchen garden.
12. Post off parcels for Birthdays and blog swaps well in advance (on time).
13. Think more about op shop purchases.  Do I REALLY need it.
14. Drink more water!
15. Plan a family holiday.
16. Watch and photograph a sunrise.
17. Keep taking photos of the kids even though I'm not participating in this years 52 project.
18. Write down grocery lists and meal plans.
19. Spend less time online in the evenings - and limit online time while the kids are around.
20. Be organised for Christmas.  I start out early, then stall.  No more Christmas Eve wrapping!
21. THINK before I open my mouth.  I'm starting to sound like my mother.
22. Let go of things I know I will never wear or use again.  Cull my wardrobe (baby clothes???)
23. Save more. Spend less.
24. Set things out and start school lunches the night before. Plan and be organised.
25. Nurture friendships.
26. Try a yoga class....I'm still not convinced.
27. Learn Te Reo Maori.
28. Update family photos around the house.
29. Plan a wedding or at the very least look at setting a date.
30. Keep blogging.  It is such a great creative outlet for me.

Have you made "a list" for the coming year?

Keeping calm and carrying on.............

Hello lovelies!  I wanted to sit down and have a catch up with you - I've posted plenty over the last few months, but there will always be things I don't share - one thing in particular I wasn't going to but a message from a friend today has made me have a change of heart.

I started a part time job in June - before I began I thought it would be a good idea to go and have a few things sorted that I had been putting off like visits to the dentist and doctors.  I did both, all went well and I thought nothing of it until a letter arrived.

My smear results came back abnormal..........follow up visits to the hospital with a specialist resulted in me finding out I had early stage cancer cells in my cervical "canal".  Gobsmacked.  And extremely relieved due to the fact that it had been caught early and was only on the outer tissue layer and had not spread.

After a couple of treatments that included tissue removal I was given the all clear in September.  Phew!  I choose to keep the results and my hospital treatments to myself apart from Mr H of course, two family members and my boss due to the fact I needed to take time off work.  I'm not good with sharing info like this and have always preferred the "Keep calm and carry on" approach.  I'm the same way with most things.  I have ups and downs like everyone - I just tend to "suck it up" and keep going.  A not entirely healthy option I'm sure.

After I was given the all clear - I did casually mention it to a couple of friends.  One of them sent me a message today saying she went for her smear after I told her and has found out she has abnormal cells and is about to start going through the motions of removal and further tests.  She was grateful I had told her, as it made her pick up the phone and make a very overdue appointment.

So beautiful ladies.  Early detection is key!  I am so grateful it was found early and that I will be around for my children.  I hate going to the Doctors for "Lady Checkups" but the alternative is much worse.

 

We need to look after ourselves first so we can be around to look after those we love.

 

xo

 

 

 

 

Cocktail hour

This was Mr H and I on Saturday night.  Just the two of us and Cocktails followed by entrees and mains that were of pant splitting proportions.....no room for pudding.

We had a Saturday where EVERYTHING seemed to be on.  An early rugby game, supermarket shopping, Bell's dance rehearsal then her performance - a bit of driving about and the jobs to do at home.  My sister n law Em had phoned the night before to tell us instead of coming to their house for dinner to drop the kids off and for Mr H and I to head out for dinner in town.

I couldn't wait, it seems like ages since just the two of us have been out.  We ended up heading into town in what we had been wearing all day to tired to head home to get changed - we rocked up to the restaurant and realised neither of us had our wallets so it was a quick drive back home then back into town.  We earned those cocktails!!!

We were on a pensioners clock - home by 8.30pm.  But it was great and just what we needed.

Sunday I spent the entire day at home in my pj's - I even gardened in them.  I showered after dinner and put clean ones on before hoping into bed to watch Location UK on the laptop.  Great end to a really good weekend.

Did you have a good weekend? 

Do you have proper date nights?  Where do you like to go?

A list

 

Making:  hot chocolates with a side of marshmallows and biscuits.
Cooking: poached eggs with mushrooms, tomatoes and spinach for breakfast......when time allows.
Drinking: right now a cold glass of local chardonnay.
Reading: the news online, more than I should and getting upset, so hard not too.
Wanting: new shoes - but not finding any I like.
Looking: at my poor neglected garden.......this weekend I will give it some attention.
Playing: racetracks, planes and cars.  As you do when you have little boys in the house.
Deciding: on a holiday destination for the next school holidays???
Wishing: I was a morning person.  I'm ALWAYS the last one up in our house.
Enjoying: cosy evening fires and DVD deliveries.
Waiting: for the next batch of DVD's - love online deliveries.
Liking: that we are going out for dinner in the weekend.  Can't wait.
Wondering: about ideas for our wedding and thinking we should look at setting a date.  Exciting.
Loving:  my weekly pay packet.
Pondering: if it is too early to start putting things away for Christmas and where to hide them.
Watching: Breaking Bad, Modern Family.....oh and Planes and FROZEN.
Hoping:  my little man's tummy bug hurry's up and leaves.
Marvelling: at how much energy a certain little boy has on not a lot of sleep....you know who you are.
Needing: some nights of un-interrupted sleep.
Smelling: clean washing drying in front of the fire.
Wearing: "nice things" a few days a week for my new job.....and our neighbour not recognising me!
Following: the Garden Share Collective - and finding motivation to get back into my garden.
Noticing: more grey hairs.
Knowing: I'm right 95% of the time and Mr H the other 5%
Thinking: I hope he is not reading this.
Feeling: busy, full and content.
Admiring: my neighbours caravan.  I want to put it in our garden under the apricot trees.
Buying: Birthday pressies for someone who turns 40 next week.
Getting: into the groove of working part-time, and trying my hardest to be organised.
Bookmarking: online recipes, homeware sites, and holiday destination ideas.
Opening: emails to find lovely messages from other bloggers.  Bloggers are awesome!
Giggling: at the "toilet humour" of small boys and joining in.
Feeling: goosed.

A list via Pip.

Some news.....

 

 

On Monday I started my new part time job.  I know, I can't believe it either!  I love being a stay at home mum, but with all three off at school and kindy 5 days a week now I was looking for something to do outside of the home a few mornings a week.

I've been keeping an eye out online and in the local papers for something "family friendly".  And had come to the conclusion that jobs like that are few and far between, but I got lucky last week.

There was a job advertised in Tom's school newsletter letter by a local couple who own two businesses in town and needed someone to help run the office and tackle the growing piles of admin a few mornings a week - flexible days/hours to fit around family.  Perfect!

I applied and got the job.  A lot of it is training based which is what I was doing in London.  At the moment it is only 12 hours a week so I can work while George is at morning kindy.  If the boys aren't well I don't have to come in.  They have 3 boys themselves so are really happy for me to work around family commitments.

My first few days have been great - and I still get to pick the boys up and do the things I like doing, I've even managed to get some baking done this week, dig about in the garden and keep on top of my housework (for now?!).  I just need to make sure I'm organised, so I don't spend my days off, catching up.

It's very early days but I'm enjoying it.  Not to mention the extra income will be great.  I decided a couple of months ago that I wasn't going to compromise my time with the kids and doing the things that I love.  So that meant it had to be something where the hours suited, and it was not a juggle.

So that's me and my news for the week.  I must admit it does feel strange, I have been at home for the last 6 years, so it's a big change for me.

So wish me luck that I don't balls anything up!

Are you working?  Full/part-time?

 

Do you enjoy it or is it a struggle/juggle?

 

 

 

10 random things

 

I hate bruised fruit - turns my stomach something awful.  I'm always inspecting fruit before eating it and if I see it in the bin I have to cover it up, yuck!

I can only drive automatic cars, can not for the life of me learn how to drive a stick shift.  I've had lessons, the works.  The best I can manage is a few dismal bunny hops.  I can't parallel park either.

I can turn my eyelids inside out, gross but really effective in frightening small children.

I played the piano from the age of seven till my high school years.   I played the violin for a short while to but wish I knew how to play the cello.

I am not a food snob.........due to the fact that I love cheese singles (the ones in plastic wrappers) on toast, comfort food to me.  See told you I was classy.

I've been wearing glasses since I was nine.  I'm so used to wearing them that on the odd occasion I have contacts in I find myself still pushing them up on my nose.

I laugh LOUDLY.  And when I'm nervous.

I would love more children...........Mr H is not keen.  He said he would like to sleep more.  Some days I am in agreement.  I think I will always be broody.

Two years ago I never thought that our "trial" move to the country would be permanent.  I never dreamt I would fall in love with where we are living and want to stay for a very long time.  I can't believe I make jam and keep chickens!

I love an Eighties Love Ballad - one of the many good things about living in the country is that you can play music loud and sing your heart out and no one will hear you.............unless there is a courier.........standing at the window........laughing.

So there you have it.  10 random things about me.  Tell me something about you.  Go on you know you want too!

Don't forget to enter this gorgeous giveaway!

You can take the girl out of London..............

But you can never take London out of the girl!  Or so the saying goes.

It has been nearly 6 years since leaving London,  I was smitten from the very first time I stepped foot in that amazing city.  I have from an early age always wanted to go, so I could visit the Queen (as one does) and then in my teens it was to nanny and travel Europe.

Like many things in life it didn't quite go to plan.  I arrived in my late twenties with four year old Bell and my then (now ex) husband.  We had sold our business and spent the previous couple of months travelling the US and came to Europe via a Trans Atlantic Cruise, stopping off in Portugal and Spain along the way.  A quick Easy Jet flight landed us in London, where we played tourist before buying a campervan and travelling around England, Ireland and Wales for 6 months.

Once Visa's were secured we settled in Cambridge, but the call to London was too strong and after 6 months we made our way to South West London where we found a Victorian Terrace to rent and me a great job.

The marriage didn't work out, but my love affair with London did.  I met Mr H in London, along with wonderful life long friends.  We started planning a family but I wanted to raise them back home in NZ.

We can't wait to go back for a visit.  Go back to places we loved to visit when it was just Mr H, Bell and I, visit where I worked, see Mr H's family and our friends.  To visit where we first met.

I LOVE London!

Below are some treats that were sent to me by Tracy from Mad about Bags.  We took part in Kimberley's Share your Country Swap.

Tracy cottoned on to the fact that I love London and Tea and based my parcel around these themes.

I think she has put together the most wonderful things and I'm in the love with the Buckingham Palace trinket.  And the handmade tea bags, look at those!!!  I had so much fun unwrapping everything.  Tracy you couldn't have picked a better theme if you tried.

Thank you Kimberley for organising such a great swap and to Tracy for being such a wonderful swap partner.

 

 

Lots of great swaps going on in blog land at the moment.

 

So tell me, is there somewhere in the world that you have always wanted to visit?

 

Have you been to an amazing city or country that you are absolutely smitten with?

 

Hope you are having a great week!

Today

 

 

A birthday today, my birthday.  36 years old.  Slowly creeping towards another significant number.  I'm in no hurry though.  I'm enjoying my thirties.

 

I've been spoilt, lots of lovely surprises (and chocolate galore).  I'm going to try and string it (cheeky) out for a bit longer, a birthday weekend of sorts.

 

Presents opened - mainly by Tom - he loves a birthday, even if it's not his.  Coffee, sweets and savouries at a favourite café with a good friend and my little sidekick George.  Homemade card from Bell and a big bunch of flowers delivered to me by Mr H.  Swimming and hot dogs for tea, followed by a movie, popcorn and sweets.  And I'm having a bubbles or two.

 

It's been an easy day, a really good day.

 

Happy weekending everyone!

 

 

 

 

Grow your blog....it's here!

 

 

Hello! I decided to join in with Vicki's Grow Your Blog Party for 2014. There was a lot of great feedback on last years one and this year it's huge - over 500 blogs participating. So if you are on the look out for some new blogs to read pop over to Vicki's blog where you will be able to view the list of participating blogs.

If you are new here, my name is Elaina. I'm a stay at home mum to three children and along with my partner we live on the Sunny East Coast of New Zealand in a house by a vineyard.

We had the opportunity 2 years ago to try life in the country............well we love it, and plan on staying a good while yet!

I love taking photos and posting snippets about my life here in the country along with............

Our three.....Bell, Tom and George - who is always trying to escape.



You will find us in here most days.

And at the beach.......a lot.

My thumbs (and fingers) are turning green.  I love being in the garden.

 

 

I love all things Retro.  Especially Crown Lynn crockery, swans, linen and cups and saucers.  I enjoy op shopping when I get time and sharing my finds here on the blog.

 

 

 

I love to bake and am gaining more confidence on the cooking front in the kitchen.  I am always sharing recipes here.

 

 

 

 

I have re-kindled a passion for making things.  I'm sharing my sewing journey as a novice and loving every minute, despite the huge amounts of unpicking I seem to do.

 

 

 

 

So that's me in a nutshell, a small glimpse of what my blog and I are about.  Want to know a little  more?  Have a sticky beak at the "About me" section above.

 

If you are visiting from the Blog party over at 2 Bags Full, please leave a comment below and I will pop over to you for a nosey and say hi!  You are welcome to subscribe by email, Google Friends Connect, Bloglovin or Facebook if you fancy it too.

 

Have a great weekend!

 

 

 

 

BTB...........before the boys

5 years ago Mr H, Bell and I left the UK for a new life on the East Coast of NZ.  I had Tom growing in my belly and dreams of being a stay at home mum.  After Tom came George.  Our family is now complete.

BTB - before the boys.  I see my life as two different chapters so far.

I look back and think about how far I have come.  I had Bell in my early twenties.  I worked full time from early on in her wee life.  I married Bell's dad and owned a gift and homeware store in Auckland and travelled a lot overseas (with and without Bell) our life was full and busy.

Then when I sold the business we ventured overseas for more travel before settling in London to live and work.  The marriage did not last but my love for that city has never faltered.  I met life long friends and had an amazing job where I travelled around Europe organising training events for a large corporate.  Dream job, dream life.

Then I met Mr H (an Englishman) and with that a longing to return to NZ and have more children.  So we did just that.  I just didn't have the career drive anymore.  I wanted out and a different way of life.

When (if???) I eventually return to work it will be for social interaction and of course the pay cheque.  I won't be wanting to "climb that corporate ladder".  I just have different priorities now.  The possibility of returning to work is a while off now but it has got me thinking as friends/mums make that step back into the workforce.

So tell me:

How has your life changed since having children?

Have you returned to work or plan to?

Will you be choosing a different career path altogether?

 

I would love for you to share your story.............. xo

 

 

 

I've been tagged!

Bunting in our playroom.

Lovely Ada Bea from Vintage Sheet Addict tagged me a few weeks ago in a post.

It's a fun way of getting to know more about our fellow bloggers!


The Rules:

Each tagged person must post 11 random facts about themselves.

Answer the 11 questions set by previous blogger.

Create 11 more questions.

Tag 11 more blogs, with less than 200 followers.

Inform the blogs they've been tagged!

I'm going to cheat a bit and post the 11 random facts, answer the 11 questions below and set 11 questions.  Any lovely bloggers who read this and wish to take part please do!

It's a long post but really fun to do once you get going - promise!

11 Random Facts

1. I'm mad about bunting - would have it all over the house if I could.  I even plan on hanging some from the chook house!
2. I love crockery especially teapots.
3. I will eat anything EXCEPT oysters - yuck!
4. I always cry during wedding ceremonies.
5. My first job on leaving school was as a dental assistant.
6. I'm one of six children.
7. I like things tidy and have an obsessive habit of needing to "straighten" things all the time (I'm really annoying to play Scrabble with).
8. I love the beach but am never overly keen on swimming in the water thanks to watching the Jaws films as a teen.
9. I like going on Ghost walks - I was in heaven when living in London.  They are everywhere.
10. I dream of owning a retro caravan.
11. I am a recovering Handbagaholic.

Vintage Sheet Addicts 11 Questions

What's on your bedside table?

Photo of Mr H and I that was taken at a Black tie work function. A few magazines (parenting ones) and a couple of books: Finding Frankie by Maeve Binchy and The Mystery of Mercy Close by Marian Keyes (I love my Irish authors).

What's on the top of your wardrobe?

 

Most of Mr H's shoes - he has more than I do.  And being the organisational freak that I am - I have them all in clear plastic shoe boxes so they stack neatly and he can see whats in them!

Happiest memory?

Growing up - summer days spent at Milford beach.  Ice cream on the way home and then a race from the car to the bathroom to get the first hot shower. Bliss.

Favourite toy as a child, or adult?

My blue denim bike I got for christmas when I was five.  Most girls wanted a pink bike.  I just hoped Santa would read my letter correctly - it MUST be blue please...........

Now as an adult, blue is still my favourite colour and I would really love one like this but with a wicker basket..........please.

Your perfect holiday destination?

We had a holiday in Brisbane in May this year for my sister's wedding - and would love to go back again.  It was a perfect mix of sun and city life for us as a family.  We loved Southbank and the buzz of the city and shopping that we don't get here in our small town.

Spring or Autumn?

Spring!

What's your moto, number one rule, you live your life by!

No regrets!

If you had a time machine, what year would you like to land in?

Paris in the 1920s to see Josephine Baker perform.

Roast dinner or fish and chips?

A pub roast dinner in our favourite London pub - The Red Lion.  It was just around the corner from our flat in Teddington.  We loved going there for Sunday lunch.

What makes you 'belly laugh'?

Mr H dancing.  My daughter Bellarose and her cousin entertaining us with a "show" and the boys trying to join in by copying their hip hop moves.  And I reluctantly type this but I love a "rude joke"...........

Favourite outfit, past or present?

My 1950's inspired red dress - worn with gorgeous red silk shoes.  I wore it to a work Christmas party when we lived in London.  It was a black tie event - such a fun night.

 

 

 

And finally my 11 questions:

1. What did you want to be when you grew up?
2. If you could live in any other country - where would it be and why?
3. What's in your handbag (just being nosey really)?
4. Which famous person would you invite for dinner and what would you serve?
5. Favourite holiday destination?
6. Tea or coffee?
7. Favourite childhood memory?
8. What are you reading at the moment?
9. Dream job?
10. Do you prefer town or country?
11. If you had a time machine, what year would you land in (I like this question)?

 

 

Phew!  All done.  Hope you are having a great week!



Pacific Island bound

Today I am Island bound!

I'm flying out this morning to Rarotonga in the Cook Islands for a childhood friends wedding.

What's more, I'm going on my OWN - yes, without Mr H or the kiddies.

It will be the first time I have ever left the boys so I'm a mixture of excited and nervous.  I know that they will be fine with Dad - it's just a mummy thing to worry about - isn't it?!

I will be away for four nights and have some pampering booked in, and the beach wedding to attend which will just be wonderful.

I have a couple of books and a pile of magazines and new outfits packed.  I'm looking forward to reading, watching (entire) movies, sleeping, shopping, swimming........... the list goes on.

I will miss my wee ones but I won't be gone for long.  I'm just so grateful that Mr H is stepping in to play mum.

This is so new for me with the boys.  With Bell I was a full-time working mum.  I had a business that would see me flying overseas every few weeks or so on buying trips.  Then we moved to the UK.  I was working, full time again. This time for Pepsi Europe.  Flying all over the place for work.  I have been used to leaving Bell since she was a very wee baby.  I wanted it to be different this time round with the boys.  So fast forward 4 years and I'm off, on my own.

So...........wish me luck!  I look forward to sharing photos of my trip with you next week on my return.

Elaina xo

P.S. Don't forget to see yesterdays post  (Thursday 18 October) for the Giveaway details...................

Our Three

Here they are, our three.

We think three may be enough for our family - BUT you never know do you?

Photo by Leigh Rutherford at Lovely Snapshot.

10 Things about me

This is me with our youngest George in the Vineyard.

Photo by Leigh Rutherford at Lovely Snapshot.

Here are 10 things about me - which should also give you a teeny insight into what will fill my blog.

Things I like and love.  Things I do, collect and day dream about. Favourite things.....................

What are yours?

• I am a stay at home mum to three.  12 year old Bell, 3.5 year old Tom and wee George who is 18 months.
• My love of travel has seen me travel to Australia, Fiji, Rarotonga, Bali (one of my favourite places in the world), Hong Kong, Thailand, South Korea, America, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, Belgium, Germany, Turkey, England, Ireland and Wales.
• I have lived and worked in London.  I just love this city.  It's where I met Mr H - it holds so many fond memories for me.  Bell did her first few years of schooling there too.  I still miss it, especially the lovely friends I made there.
• I'm a reluctant cook!  Mr H is amazing in the kitchen.  I have learnt alot from him.  I cook because I have to - ha!  Not because I want to.  I need to find some good cookbooks. I'm impatient by nature so it needs to be something quick and easy.
• I do enjoy baking though - I tend to double (sometimes even triple) any butter in receipes. I make mean vegemite scrolls due to the excessive amounts of butter I throw in.
• Since having George I have developed an extremely sweet tooth!  Whittakers Caramel Chocolate is one of my favourite treats.
• I love quiet - not always easy when you have a houseful, thats why I love being in the country.  On the rare occassion I am at home on my own I don't even play music.  It's just me and the birds!
• I love being at home. Pottering around the house or outside in the garden (I've taken to this slowly).  I like things to be tidy - not easy with messy toddlers in the house.  I'm always organising things.  I like household systems and having a place for everything.  I have been known to vacuum inside the oven! I am however VERY good at letting it all go too.
• I love Retro things - Crown Lynn crockery, chairs, linen, blankets and old suitcases.  I love trawling Trademe for goodies and popping into my favourite Retro shop in town to see what treasures are new in store.  Mr H is very patient with my hauls which appear in the house quite often.
• I love Mr H and my family.  I have 3 sisters and two brothers - 3 of whom live nearby.  I have 4 neices and 1 nephew.  And a very close sister in law who I love spending time with.  She is an amazing cook, baker and crafter - I'm hoping that lots of her talents will rub off on me.

Thats a start I think - you will learn more as I blog I'm sure............................ Elaina