from nature {a giveaway}

It has been known for centuries the healing powers of aromatherapy and the use of natural essential oils on the senses.  For a while now, I have been making a more conscience effort to return to using aromatherapy in my everyday routine.  Something that has been made easier by a wonderful product that I happened to stumble across whilst holding a stall at a local market.  The stall holder next to me was Cara, and her Aroma sticks and rubs have been in use daily since.

The benefits of the Aroma Sticks mean that a little piece of aromatherapy goodness can be with you wherever you go.  The essential oil inhalers come in five different blended scents and are all designed to boost your mood with their healing properties.  Simply remove the lid and inhale the scent!  I have incorporated the lavender inhaler into our nighttime routine, allowing the children to inhale the wonderful properties of lavender and petitgrain which calms the senses, soothes and aids sleep.  I have the Refresh inhaler in my handbag for a quick hit of Lime and Tangerine to aid in reducing anxiety and providing a happy serene stimulus.

When Cara decided to promote her products online we forged our creative talent together and I was given the opportunity to photograph her products, which you can now find in at FarmHouse Direct and at AndAble.

Cara has also given me a selection of her products to one lucky reader as a giveaway!!!

The pack includes:

One each of the five inhalers - Invigorate, Comfort, Refresh, Strength and Ease.
One Aroma Rub - Balance which includes a cream infused with Geranium, Juniper Berry, Grapefruit and Evening primrose oil.

To enter just leave me a  comment!  Giveaway closes Tuesday 13th August at 8pm.  A winner will be selected at random.


Giveaway Closed!  Thankyou to all who entered!  Random winner was comment no 9!  Kymmie you are the winner!  yay!!! 

growing up

  

Before my eyes they have blossomed, fleeting moments of nostalgia already infiltrating my mind, casting memories back when they were smaller, acknowledging that I am no longer a mother of wee babes.  Independence increases, their demands alter, what they need from me is constantly changing and so to is what they can provide for the family.

Some reflections on the past few weeks fuelled by tension, repetition, un-attempted tasks and job just not completed had me in a spin.  I needed to re-collabrate this family, to assess my children's abilities and just what they were capable of.  My children have always been requested to help around the house and be responsible for various aspects of themselves and their belongings.  Yet, with the addition of school, kinder and mornings that are no longer fluid and lasting, it was time to formalise my expectation and create something tangible and visual.

A formal "jobs chart" has been created.  Each child has their set of tasks expected of them for each day, which takes into account where they are going and any extra activities they may have on.  Tasks differ between my children, taking into account their age and jobs which include learning and development prompt me to remember it will take time to learn a new skill.

Making beds, setting the table, collecting the mail, unstacking the dishwasher and putting away toys are common jobs feature prominently on their jobs chart.  More intricate tasks like meal preparation, sweeping and sorting a marvel at assisting with fine motor development.  We potter along, doing our jobs, in tandem, conversation flowing.   A small packet of stickers near by for immediate reward, and a tally at the end of each week to determine if any other congratulatory signifiant offering is required.  Pride on their faces evident of a good days work.

The effects have been profound, noticeable and rewarding for the entire family.  Seeing my chidden growing up, but also being an active part of the family and helping in small but signifiant moments of the day is just a joy to watch.

How do you incorporate jobs and tasks into your children's day?

wintery-ness

Dang.  It's cold.  The heater is broken and it hasn't really stopped raining all week.  All. Week.  It's not fun trying to dry washing in this sort of weather without relying on the old tumble dryer.  But as it happens Winter has it's ok moments...like an excuse for endless hot drinks, and slow sunday roasts.  Staying in winter pj's is just a little more luxurious when it's cold than in warmer months and snuggling on the couch is oh so cozy.....here's what we got up to this week. 

1. Props...gorgeous citrus, eucalyptus, geraniums, lavender and rosemary...all used for a photo shoot for some wonderful products, which I'll reveal soon. 

2. Ladder time - At the end of each footy round the ladder gets updated.  Very happy people at the moment with their team in top position. 

3. My old antique wardrobe...photos taken of her because it's time to sell her (sob!) 

4. Shenanigans on the couch

5. Hiding under the quilt

6. Letting me take photos of her down the lane way. 

Linking up with Em @ The Shack 

slow and steady

It was a week of anticipation as our first born celebrated his seventh birthday*.  The week started slow, mulling about the house the usual routine, warding off the dreaded winter lurgies.     The Queens Birthday long weekend combined with a  birthday is most often a long weekend affair.  No doubt we packed our few possessions required and headed for our sanctuary.  We lit a fire, I slapped together a cake and with some nibbles and a splattering of family, it was a celebration in style.

1. Two little friends cuddled up on a rainy day
2. Fairy dress her outfit of choice most days
3. Yes, I found a face on my orange
4. keeping warm around the fire.
5. I'll steal your beanie then ask for a piggy back uncle konny
6. Enjoying the view from his office window
7. Gumboots and shadows
8. Roof and blue sky

Linking up terribly late with the lovely Em @ The shack 

Does the long weekend through you out?  or is it just me?

xx

*birthday post to come

create

The weeks are flying by now...It's almost like I can feel them whizz by.  Winter is upon us, the heater is a constant companion again as are warm drinks, jackets and beanies....Summer and long days just seem so long ago.  We busy ourselves creating this and that.  I'm still trying to work hard at sewing my way through the fabric stash in the lead up to packing this house up in the coming months. The lists keep growing, always finding another thing to add as one gets crossed off.    This is what kept us busy this week.

1. Limes, oh limes, I love you almost as much as lemons...almost
2. Especially when put with this extraordinary carrot cake with lemon cream cheese icing....booyeah!
3. All lined up waiting for their Master to return from Kinder
4. All lined up waiting for their Master to return from School
5. An exciting little package filled with gorgeous products...products that I get to photograph

Linking up with Em @ The Shack

nature

This weekend was spent mainly outdoors, amoungst nature, enjoying the last of the Autumn weather, family, friends and loads of fun....

1. Pine forest...searching for mushrooms
2. Somehow I misplaced my bucket, so my hat was holding the start of my yield...three buckets later we called it a day and enjoyed mushrooms for dinner.
3. Foraging apprentices (looking for faires and mushrooms)
4. Searching, finding, dappled light, picture perfect really
5. Outdoors again, this time at a local country soccer match...two rival teams...
6. When not watching the soccer, just marvelling at the surrounds of Mt Buffalo
7 & 8...and early morning wander, capturing nature along the way.

Linking up with Em @ The Shack 

Cherish

A week of mildly sick children, cold wintery days and slow slow movements.  I can't complain really.  There's been no rushing, no schooling and few pick-ups and drop-offs, just time to re-charge and enjoy quite moments.  Cherishing these moments

1. Admiring Autumns beauty...she really does show off
2. Bundled up vintage crockery with handmade kitchen goodies off to a friend
3. Flour on your face
4. A tray of flour, tactile, you practice writing your letters...
5. Climbing rocks.

Hope your week is lovely

xx

Linking up with Em @ The Shack 

slow days

After such a whirlwind weekend, this week has been kind of slow.  That and the fact that I've had a child home sick each day this week has meant that bunkering down and taking it easy has been mandatorily put on the agenda. That's ok.  I've re-realised my kids are kind of good sick kids, if that makes sense.  They just potter around slow, take naps or rest on the couch and soak up mummy cuddles when their hearts desired.  It's given me a few days reflection time, planning and implementing some said plans.  I've shakily realised our move is now four months away.  If I break it down into weekends and then of those weekends which ones we will be here at home, there doesn't appear to be too much time.  Time I thought I had plenty of.

In my vain attempt to get organised, I'm writing lists, hoping to start de-cluttering the home and even start packing up non-essentials.

Still finding time to read, sew and slow down is all important.

What do you like to do on slow days?

xx

life changing

On the weekend the Husband and I packed our bags, our boots and our knives in the name of education and discovery on our food journey.  We joined fourteen other enthusiastic folk who were passionate about understanding another way to approach the food we buy, cook and eat.  Not many times in life would I imagine I would experience a life changing situation like I found myself in.  I have walked away inspired...determined to live with a better respect towards food and how I nurture my family.  In a way returning to basic principles that perhaps your grandparents and mine would have adopted.  

Our weekend was filled with talk of food, foraging, hunting and taking from nature what you need and only what you need.  There was laughter around the campfire as we shared our hopes and dreams in regard to living a semi sustainable life.   A common thread amongst us. 

Ro, our leader, teacher and inspiration was humble as he is candid.  His passion for food, hunting, foraging and respect for sacrificing animals is evident.  He taught us to dispatch chooks and skin rabbits with upmost care and the joy upon his face when searching and spotting mushroom under the pines was palpable.  He loves what he does. 

We have come away with visions for our food future.  This future is ours and it will be what we make of it. 

*Of course these are the "nice" pictures of the weekend.  I will post the not so nice ones on my other blog later in the week, if you so wish to see them.  If not, I understand.