VERY FRESH (3 down)

Welcome indeed! Our second outing to Altona Fresh in a matter of days and we left feeling just as satisfied, enriched and full (!) as the first time. Why haven't we been shopping here for years?! Stocked with a wide range of mediterranean treats of all kinds (the cheese selection is great) and produce galore (thankfully all local!), I'm not sure why we've previously (and crazily) ignored the suggestion of some friends of ours who advocated a visit. I guess we always headed here and sure, it's spectacular but, mostly this would've met all the meditteranean cooking needs of this part mediterranean household! Well, now we know you, Altona Fresh, we'll be back plenty of time before leaving this side of town (and possibily afterwards too!), despite being quite stocked-up for now!

IN THE VILLAGE (2 down)

A date with Elsa including some shopping at the second-hand shop in the Village/around the corner - doilies because, well, every girl needs doilies. Unfortunately there was a fire in the shop a few weeks ago and they've had to sell all remaining unaffected goods for reduced prices. I had no idea about the fire (even though it's so close by - guess I've been preoccupied!). I hope they are able to reopen and continue selling great second-hand goods.

A new desk. We once had a desk similar to this but gave it to Dana and created more space in the play area. Now that we're about to have a study (wow, I can't imagine!), we knew in the back of our minds that we'd need a desk. The thought was very much at the front of my mind when I saw this desk for sale (and on sale!). It's perfect for our needs.

A box of butter knives...the perfect scone-tool I say! And a sweet enamel bowl to offer them in. And I love this Globite suitcase - so big and perfect for dress-up clothes or fabrics or.... who knows and I wonder who R.Purdon was/is and how he got to the H.M.A.S Canberra?

Dad always had a pile of Globites in his shed, used by my four eldest siblings as school cases in the 50s and 60s. Mum recently gave them 'away' - back to whoever of her kids was interested and, I was! Mine is packed now but I'll have to post a photo some time.

And everyone needs a tablecloth featuring wildflowers of Western Australia! Hmmmm...I like it all the same.

And, oh my goodness, this 100% cotton, blue-striped, 'retro' fabric was marked at $42 (there's around 6 metres) but I snapped it up for $5...love a bargain!

After all that shopping, we needed a break at Barkly and Johnson where we met with the lads (read, Dino and Rafa) for coffee/tea. This is a good description of this new cafe oh so close to us - but, not for long!

FORTY DAYS AND FORTY NIGHTS (1 down)

It seems that the period of 40 days holds significance across the world for various reasons. I can think of points of 40 day significance in the bible, the most well-known being Noah and the great flood that lasted 40 days (here's my Catholic upbringing coming back to me!).  And in some places and to some people, the 40 days postpartum period is of particularly relevance as a time of cleansing, healing and connecting. It was something we applied in our household as  best we could upon the birth of both children. No doubt there are many other 40 day observances and rituals of which I'm ignorant. We're about to enter a particularly significant 40 day period  (or thereabouts) and to help sustain me throughout I've decided to apply a little ritual of my own. I'm not sure what I'll title it but the central themes will certainly be 'change', 'rememberance', 'gratitude' and 'celebration'. 

I tend to become quite melancholy when it comes to change (some varieties in any case). I find it difficult to believe when I consider how much change, adventure, and general renewal we've chosen to embark upon over the years but, it's clear that I do experience a period of readjustment, not unlike many I suspect. This little 40 day ritual of mine is partly a way to bring some relief to this period of change (by having fun with this crazy time of packing and administrative tasks that will come our way) and partly about celebrating where we are right now and all the experiences and friendships that have enriched our time here.  Here where we've lived for four and a half years, here to where we brought our daughter home (a baby we longed and waited for, a baby we couldn't quite believe had decided to come!), here to where we brought our son home (the baby who was intent on coming to the world and to parents who remained disbelieving or at least surprised - and contentedly so), here where we've greeted family and friends new and old, here where we've been together taking it all in.

In some ways this is a small move for us, no jet plans, no immigration paperwork to complete, just a small move across town. But we know, particularly at this stage of our lives where small children are involved and all our world is within a small, local radius, that our visits back here will be infrequent. Our new home and wider surroundings are likely to absorb much of our days, making it all the more important to celebrate the here and now.

For the next 40 or so days, amid the chaos, we'll be particularly focused on the task of "taking it all in" in the way that you do when an end is near. A chapter is closing and another wonderful adventure is on its way.

IT'S A DATE!

Last Sunday a nephew of mine (a big, mature, responsible 29 year old nephew!) babysat the kids and we headed out on a date, which is a rare thing for us. How the kids loved their afternoon with Cameron, such fun to have a big cousin about. We opted for some time in the city amongst the laneways and arcades.  Gosh I love Melbourne! And how I love Haigs! (probably a little too much).

It was a lovely afternoon for connecting and sharing another joy of our current address, just a short drive to town. It will take a little more effort to get there post the move!

Japanese for afternoon tea, unlimited time in Camper where I sat druelling over these, a tea here, a visit here and uninterrupted conversation, what more could we ask?

RED CARDIGAN

  

I started to knit this cardigan for Rafael this past Autumn but got distracted by other things and eventually, in fear that Rafa would grow out of it before it was complete, I engaged the help of a lady I know who finished the knitting for me though not before the very end of Winter. There's a first time for everything but, such a cheat I know! I just wasn't getting to it and he was in need of a cardigan. I did put the finishing touches in place (buttons and trim) so that's something! In the end it was still a little big for him so I needn't have worried. Next winter.

You can check out the finer details on my Ravelry page (though I think I still need to finalise this entry).

And just for the fun of it, check out this lovely book of poetry (those Golden Book people were busy weren't they) that I pilfered from the toy room at Mum's during my recent visit. It was given to one of my sisters in the early sixties and passed down through our family. The various names of my older siblings are listed in it's front pages (written in a range of colours by a range of little hands). When Mum saw Raf's response to the owl on the front cover, she didn't have a choice (it was coming home with us!)

BAG OF BINDING

Last week, a bag of bindings, ribbons and trims arrived here from Greece where my mother-in-law has been visiting family (for the past 6 months!). She's back in Canada now but mailed these to me from Athens and, I'm so happy she did.

While in Greece she spent some time sorting through the craft stash of her sister, now deceased (my husband's dear Aunt/Theia Angelika). This women was remarkable and I feel very honoured to have these items which I imagine she used in making all sorts of garments for her two daughters, wonderful women in themselves now.

I've been enjoying sorting, resorting and simply 'inhaling' the look and feel of these lovely pieces. Elsa has likewise done so, including in the literal fashion; she told me "Mama, they smell of Theia". Unfortunately, she never met Angelika and I'm not sure that they do smell of her but I like the idea that she believes they do and that she's created a whole image of this Great Aunt through their smell, appearance and feel pieces. To help build that image and feed the discussion, we sorted through some old photos of Angelika and placed them on the fridge and coffee table, which has added depth and richness to the chatter about her.

Such a special, special package.

MOLLIE AND SNIPPETS

A little summary of things around here of late, excluding the house-related 'stuff' that is truly wearing me down and the trip to Sydney, which requires a whole separate post with lots of photos that I don't have the internet capacity to upload for now (which is also wearing me out!). To start things off, our lemon tree has blossoms (above) and one wee lemon growing ever so slowly but growing just the same.

Mollie Makes

One of my sisters recently discovered this magazine and passed on the four issues published to date. I'm impressed and grateful for having access to her subscription (I might just need one of my own!).

The Beach

Soon we will live further away from the beach (ouch) so we've been maximising our time there often sharing the outing with friends. I can't even begin to explain the effect being near water has on me. It is my ultimate exercise in 'grounding' and is so entrenched in my past and present that I fear I'll long for it terribly when a beach is further afield. To compensate, I have all kinds of long beachside adventures in mind and thankfully I can console myself with the other wonderful benefits of the upcoming move.

All this from a girl from Sydney who once scoffed at the idea (and reality!) of a Melbourne beach. Such attitude! Somewhere in the past ten years I broadened by definition and appreciation of 'beachside' and learnt to enjoy the bayside beaches of Melbourne while continuing, at every opportunity, to visit exposed, coastal beaches too. For now, we inhale, love and revel in the nearby bay beaches and feel grateful for the nine good years we've enjoyed living within a stone's throw on them.

The Market

A few recent excursions to Footscray Market have left me wondering why I haven't taken the kids there more often. They were a little overwhelmed during our most recent visit because it was busy and they were tired but they've generally always enjoyed the sites and sounds of the market, particularly the fish stalls! And then there's the little 'cafe' (and I mean little - one table!) tucked away amongst coffee machines, dried legumes and an array of nuts, among other wonderful things. They make a great babychino, or so it seems!

And we never fail to duck across the road to another favourite haunt. They've been going since the mid-50s - amazing! And we know why. The kids love the little cannoli piped with half vanilla, half chocolate custard.

The Kitchen

I really should do a whole separate post on recent activities in our kitchen - and I will very soon but to an extent this photo says it all. We've been sharing so much time cooking and baking together, mostly in a cooperative fashion. Rafael has found his inner chef calling and his big sister is only too happy to instruct him on all she's learnt to date! There have been some very funny moments.

And to top it all off, there's been plenty of swaggering from this little boy as he gets more and more control over an increasingly active body!