A Beautiful Mothers Day Gift

I adore being a mum, those little faces and the cute things that come out of their mouths. That wondrously soft hair and skin.  The way they throw themselves at you, demanding to be loved. The cuddles and kisses and snuggles.  The little Bowerbird greeted me with "I'm so proud of you mummy" on Sunday morning. Awwwww.  I got the best card complete with pop out mushrooms from the Middle one.  The big one carried up croissants and coffee for me to eat in bed. Those children know me all too well. Dad was very sweet and secretly bought me a fancy new fry pan and some pansies. The children rejected the school mothers day stall which has predominantly awful disposable things, and took some money to spend at the local shops.  I got a Toblerone and a very cute little notebook.


Of course motherhood is not all sunshine, and sometimes its nice great incredible to have a moment (or two) without a little one at your side (one currently on my lap as I write).  I walked outside yesterday and strolled across the road to the pine trees, a moment to hear myself think, and feel the cold mist on my cheeks. A little silence. The smell of wet pine needles. A chance to remember who I am. 


Nestled in the grass little orange mushrooms were pushing upwards, the millipedes and slugs were quickly moving in, but I managed to outwit the bugs for a small haul of Saffron Milk Caps for our dinner. We had them fried with garlic, and the last of the summer eggplant and zuchinni, served beside a golden mound of polenta. Delicious. Now I just need to figure out what to do with all that left over polenta, I cooked up two cups without realising how much it would grow.

Skirt Hem to Pocket Sized Heat Bags

I found this skirt in an op shop and fell in love with the fabric, it was clearly someone's hand made creation and I don't think it was ever worn. Big Bowerbird tried it on and it was too tight, little Bowerbird tried it on and screwed up her nose as it was too long.

With a little adjusting it became just right and has quickly become Goldilocks' favourite skirt, and it goes back on straight from the clothes line.

There was just enough hem left to upcycle the remnants into pocket sized heat bags.  Just sew little rectangles and fill with rice (we used Arborio rice, just because that's what we had in the cupboard). I made 6 - enough for the nest of Bowerbirds.  The kids adore them and even though its summer there are still days chilly enough to use them. I imagine they will be favourites over winter tucked in school jackets. A tip to stop them becoming too dry is to place a mug of water in the microwave when you are heating them up.

 

The little one likes to play with hers, feeling their warmth, using them as dolls pillows and juggling balls, she keeps them safe with piglet in her little bag. I imagine they would make lovely Christmas gifts if I find the time to make a few more. They would be sweet in denim, being vertically challenged I always have big hems left from my denim jeans.