A Change of Seasons

As I'm sure you're already aware, MoederKip is about to flee the henhouse.

For 5 long weeks, we'll be overseas, visiting friends and family, and enjoying some time away.

With thoughts of cool crisp Autumn days on the other side of the world, I've been busy sewing a special cosy wardrobe for Bradley - including (but not limited to!)...

• 1 Jacket (reversible of course)
• 2 pairs of dress jeans
• 2 pairs of fleecy pants
• 4 pairs of long-johns
• 2 pairs of flannel pyjamas
• 1 long sleeved shirt
• 1 knitted wool vest

I also have a few more pieces laid out ready for cutting and sewing.

So, keeping in mind we leave in 2 days, and I still have a lot to do, I thought I'd check the weather forecast to help me prioritise my work, and see if I could maybe cut down on a few things.

We land in Los Angeles on Tuesday. What do you think my chances are of the weather dramatically turning between now and then?

United States of America National Weather Service

Weather Information for Los Angeles, California

Weather Forecast

Issued at 20:50 29 Aug 2009 * Date Temperature oC Weather Minimum Maximum 30 Aug ( Sun ) 21 36 SUNNY 31 Aug ( Mon ) 19 33 SUNNY

(for those of you working in the 'old currency', that equates to 96 degrees on Monday. Let's leave it at that)

So, how many summer shorts, tees, hats, and bathers do you think I can make between now and Tuesday morning?

Hmmm, I think it's time to go shopping ...

Going Home

Just one more week, and this is where we will be heading.

Ok, so to get there it will involve taking a 22 month old bundle-of-boy on a plane for 14 hours; then a day's stopover in LA; then another plane to Canada; then a day's drive to my Dad's house.

But let's not spoil my fantasy just yet.

It's going to be perfect!

(when people say that you need drugs when traveling with toddlers, they do mean that those drugs are for Mummy.... right?)

Another Perfectly Imperfect Moment

Ok, this one is really going to be difficult.

Because I hate photos of myself.

Particularly photos where my hair is unbrushed, and I've magically grown at least 3 chins (surely they weren't there before!).

But sometimes you just need to put ego to one side. Otherwise look what you'd miss.

A truly perfect moment.

(Oh, and while you're online, don't forget to check out Kate's Perfectly Imperfect Day)

Perfectly Imperfect

After reading this post by the very lovely Kate over at Picklebums, I decided to join in the "Perfectly Imperfect" challenge. Head on over and read her original post, as well as her updates through the week - but I will also try to explain here how I've interpreted it.

Basically, the idea is to find joy in the imperfect elements of our lives that we normally try to avoid.

You see, particularly on blogs, it's all to easy to hide behind the edit button. We take a photo then photo-shop out the mess in the background. We don't tend to show those days where we are still in our pyjamas at 4:00. And we carefully arrange our sewing and cooking so that the crooked hems are hidden, and the burnt brownies are on the bottom of the pile.

Which is fine to a degree. You don't particularly want to be reminded of those days where a G&T seems like a valid breakfast option. However, you also don't want to create such a sanitised version of your days that reality can never measure up.

So all week, we are presenting posts that show the less than perfect sides of our lives. Hopefully we'll also find some beauty and joy as we go. Or at the very least demonstrate that we are all only human, and that we all have "those" moments.

For me, a lot of my 'imperfect' anxiety comes from mealtimes. I day-dream about the whole family sitting around a beautiful table with a hearty and delicious home-cooked meal.

The reality tends to be more like this.

Bradley sitting in his highchair, in front of the television, eating tinned spaghetti. And yes, that is a cloth nappy wrapped around his neck in place of a bib.

But you know what. He does look pretty happy. And that makes me happy.

Kids In The Kitchen

Lately we've been doing a bit of a baking, and so we thought it was time to start getting Bradley involved.

Within a week he went from...

• Shopping for the ingredients (as long as he was putting strawberries in the basket, he was happy)

• Licking the bowl (a very important skill to learn)

• Rolling out the pastry (hmmm, might be time to make him - and me - an apron I think!)

• And result! Ok, he had a little help with the pie on the right... but the one on the left is all his :-)

An Australian Beauty

It was four years ago this weekend that my Mum died, and I still think about her every single day.

But this year there was, at least, a little bit of beauty in the day.

You may remember, back on Mother's Day this year, we planted a native Swan River Pea in memory of Mum.

Well, this weekend it flowered. Flowers of the most surprising and vibrant beauty.

How very fitting to honour the memory of another true Australian Beauty.

Isn't she so very lovely?

I miss you Mum.

Spring is Coming!

And here's the proof...

There really is nothing like the first daffodil braving a cold winter morning to make your heart sing.

A Very Modern Dilemma

Whilst trawling through the pattern books at a little Op Shop this morning, I came across this delightful book of knitting patterns for hats, berets, and caps.

Now I need your advice.

Should I crochet the Cornelia?

Or perhaps I would look 'Smart in Mohair' with the 'Iris'?

Or maybe the 'Doris' is for me, with its wonderful versatility ("Tuck it in or leave it out!").

What is a girl to do?