' Harriet, You'll Drive Me Wild"

No, neither of my daughters are called Harriet. But they do occasionally, drive me a little wild. "Harriet, You'll Drive Me Wild" is the title of my favourite children's book at the moment. And it's by the lovely Mem Fox.

As a reader of children's books, it is entirely appropriate as a parent to have your own favourite book (in my opinion). The one you hope they might pick. Or that you might suggest to read at bedtime. And this is it for me. Not because I'm driven wild every day, but because I just love the sentiment of this story.

Everbody has one of those days. Where your cajoling voice starts with a patient tone in the morning, and ends with an almighty bang. Say around 4.30-5 in the afternoon. Those days, where you've repeated yourself one too many times. Where somebody broke something special in the house. You've stepped on toys and had to pack away toys more often than you care to remember. Or you've served up food to a toddler who declares without even having tried a mouthful, that she would "never ever, EVER eat this," (yes she's a Charlie and Lola devotee). And promptly refuses to take a bite. Of anything.

And on days like that, where I really wish I hadn't gone and yelled, I turn to this book. It makes me feel good about myself again. Because nobody ever means to, or wants to yell. And of course, nobody, Harriet included, can be perfect, and on their best behaviour all of the time. It happens to all of us. Even the most patient, and the most well behaved. This book, is like a big warm hug to myself, as well as my daughter. A reminder, that I'm doing my best. That I'm a good Mum. And my best is more than good enough. Even with the occasional stormy moment.

Have you found a children's book that really resonates with you?

Stuart's Pool { The Bumpiest Ride Yet? }

I love a weekend where we get the chance to do a little road trip and sightseeing. It's a long day. And it always makes for a quiet catch up nap day on Mondays, but they are worth it. Everytime.

Our trip to Stuart's Pool, was one of the rockiest and bumpiest rides that we've done so far. Ungraded roads (read lots of bumps, holes in ground), steep hills up, steep hills down. We really tested out our little bumpy car, and maybe our daughters in the back seat too. Really, a car needs a lift kit to be able to drive over such surfaces, with more ease, and less risk. And ours doesn't have that.

Does it sound like I know what I'm talking about? Well I really don't at all. But I will say, in the short time that we've been up here, that my husband is 4WD'ing like he knows what he's doing. And I'm mildly impressed with his newfound driving skills. Though it does help, when travelling on such bumpy roads, to do so with someone in the know. Insert Mark. Who knows what he's doing. Or at least more than we do. Which isn't hard at all.

We were given some friendly advice from a driver by on his return back from the pool. The road ahead was very uneven. And with our cars, it might be best for us to first walk the bumpiest parts of  the track, decide where to place ours tires before we start driving. And he was right.

So there was lots of this.

And that.

Checking of depths.

Checking of tracks before we ventured up.

Or down.

Before finally finding ourselves at Stuart's Pool.

These drives are always scenic. In fact, the drive is one of my favourite parts of the trip. I don't 4WD, so I can really take in the vast, undulating landscape that is this country. There are times being up here where I just can't stand living up here another day. Particularly with all the hot weather. But trips like this, always remind me, how lucky we are to live here and be able to enjoy this part of the country.

Have the chance to get out and explore somewhere new on the weekend?

Hope this post hasn't been too 4WD'ey. It wasn't meant to be!!!

" Daddy, Why Is Your Vagina So Big? "

Miss Amelie, recently three, and already the questions have started.

My daughters are completely relaxed about my bits and bobs. Not really noticing, and barely mentioning them in our little conversations.

But my husband. The only male in a household of four. Has been recently singled out for some very inquisitive stares, watching and questioning of late.

The kinds of questions that go right back to what makes a man, a man. A thing to be understood. If you can stretch your mind that far.

The trips to the toilet, which now involve two girls. One standing either side, looking up with great concentration, at this big vagina doing a wee.

"Daddy why do you still have your trousers on to do a wee?

Why are you standing up?

Daddy why is your vagina so big?

Why were you born with a penis?

Why don't you have a vagina?

Daddy why were you born a man?"

All this with my husband barely managing a trickle due to stage fright.

And then there's those larger philosophical questions.

"Daddy why do you like watching cricket?

Why are you sitting on your bum bum again on the couch?

Why did you just pop off on my bed? You should do your pop offs on the toilet.

Why is your bottom so big?

Why does your top lip have to be so scratchy sometimes?"

Watching him be the centre of so much questioning, has been incredibly amusing to listen to. But by no means do I consider myself out of the spotlight. It's only a matter of time. I'm sure my body will face plenty of criticism, and stares, as my daughters grow in to adolescents. And I know, by simply remembering the looks I gave, and questions asked of my Mum's naked form in the shower, that the level of observation and comparison, from a daughter to her Mother, might just be a little harsher than anything my husband has had to deal with.

Until then, I will continue to laugh quietly to myself, as I listen to my husband try to pee, whilst also explain some of the birds and the bees to Amelie. Oh and a Jessie who just likes to follow her older sister around and pretend she's a "big girl" in the know too.

Been on the end of your child's questioning about your bits and pieces yet?
Found it a little confronting?

Love for Us { At This Moment in Time }

Our bed, at 6.30am most mornings. A metaphor for "our love" right now. The two smallest members of the family, taking up more room, space and doona than the two of us. My husband and I, pushed to the edge, with arms and legs desperately trying to stay in there, till as close to 7am as we can manage.

This move to the Pilbara seven months ago, has brought with it, major changes to our life, our routines, our relationship. And while some things have improved, other things have not. We see each other every day now. But we actually have less of a chance to spend time together. As a couple and as a family. I definitely wouldn't put "us" in the improved bracket right now. Young children, this five day work week (my husband previously worked fly in fly out of Perth), and just life in general. Shit just gets busy.

The feelings are still there, but time just isn't. We give our best to our daughters. Our patience, time, energy and conversation. Not to mention our warmest cuddles and kisses. And when they're asleep and tucked in bed for the night, we slump on the couch with a cup of herbal tea. Mostly in silence. Glad to have our feet up. To be reading and doing things that interest us. And doing them uninterrupted for the first time in the day. And sadly, with the TV usually being the only shared focal point between the two of us.

Young children and life. Makes for busy days. For lots of unromantic evenings. And no chance of lazy mornings spent lounging in bed. It's not a recipe for long conversations, candle lit dinners, sexy lingerie, or much effort at all really. Not in this house anyway.

I wish things were different. I wish I was different. But the truth is, I'm just not. I make an effort during the day, but I am in my pyjamas by 7pm most nights. And gladly so. Right now, in this moment, all our efforts go into parenting, and not enough effort goes into us as a couple. I know that that isn't a good thing, and maybe I'm admitting our faults more than I actually should be on here!

But, the reality of course. That this period of our lives, where so much of our energy is spent on the girls, is a small one. So in no way am I moaning. We are lucky to have the family that we do.

I don't agree with the commercialism of Valentine's Day. But I do with the sentiment. To me, Valentine's Day is a reminder. A day to remind your friends and family, that you love and care for them. That you value them. Despite not showing it, quite as much as you should.

So what will you find us doing tonight. Opting out of our usual early family tea time. A late dinner to ourselves at home once the girls are in bed. Where all the positive reasons for eating your broccoli won't be discussed (it gives you big muscles, did you know that?). A meal that will be eaten while the food is still hot. And one which won't require the remnants to be swept off the floor afterwards. Oh and a good bottle of red. That's the plan anyway.

Happy Valentines day to you. I hope you get the chance to enjoy it with the one or ones you love xxx

Please excuse my page for the moment. I am attempting to put social media icons on. Who knew it could be so tricky!!


Linking up with Zanni from My Little Sunshine House for her Sunday Series and Sonia from Life love and Hiccups for her Weekend Rewind x

The Winner of My Six Month Thankyou Giveaway

Well the winner of the French knitted and hand knotted woollen necklace from Stuffed Nonsense is Sonia from Life, Love and Hiccups.

Picked randomly from a small basket by my husband. It's all very professional in this household!

Thank you to everyone for entering, and for all your support over the last 6 months.

Sonia please contact me on cfdacosta9@gmail.com so I can organise delivery to you.

Thanks again for entering xxx

A Trip To The Beach { Opthalmia Dam }

Well this is obviously no Whitsunday Island. No white sand. No clear blue waters.

Just red dirt. 45 degree temperatures and a whole lot of water after all the rain we've had recently. To locals here, this is our beach. 

Let's just say, even with the hot temperatures, that I wasn't keen to pull out the bikinis, sunbake and go for a swim. In anyway. But it was a refreshing paddle, wet your toes, nonetheless. 

And the girls loved it. Which really is all it's about anyway.

Before moving here, you would have never seen me in such a place. Let alone catch me dipping my toes into water quite so dirty looking (let me just say it's not actually dirty, it's just stained red). Funny what 7 months of living in the Pilbara can find you doing. And being totally comfortable with!

A box of tissues and endless fun.

Toby, overseeing our drive home.

Happy summer beach days x

Make Your Own : Spreadable Butter

Sounds tricky doesn't it. But it's really not at all.

Ever taken a glance, at the ingredients list on a tub of margarine, or spreadable butter from your local supermarket. Surprising isn't it? It's not just butter in there is it? More than likely, you'll find some kind of vegetable or canola oil (not good for you), a whole bunch of numbers that you know nothing about, maybe some colourings, and a little bit of preservatives to go with it all if you're lucky enough.

Seems ridiculous doesn't it. When all you really want, is just some butter on your toast that won't make a whole in it when you spread it on. And one without all the junk.

If this is important to you { as things like these are slowly becoming in our household }, then you have two options. You can buy the more expensive Lurpak spreadable butter. Or you can make your own. And making your own is easy peasey, and cheaper.

So what do you need:
250gram of soft organic butter (just leave it out the night before)
1/4 cup of filtered water
1/4 cup of oil { I used grapeseed oil }

If you have a thermomix, place ingredients into the bowl and blend on speed 5 for 30-40 seconds. Stopping to scrape the sides down mid way through. Place in a container and keep in the fridge.

You could also use a conventional blender. Just avoid really high speeds so the butter doesn't splatter all over the bowl/jug.

And now the question of which oil you "should" use. Ideally olive oil, but it does of course have quite a strong flavour, so you need to make sure you use a very light flavoured oil. You could also use flax seed oil. Sunflower, canola oils are big no no's for your health, so try and avoid using these if you can. Grapeseed oil, well it depends on which book or report you read. Some will place grape seed oil in the big no no column alongside sunflower and canola oils. Others consider it to be an oil very beneficial to your health.

In all that confusion, I went with grapeseed oil. And the taste was delicious. No oily taste at all. Just soft spreadable butter. Next time I'll attempt it with a very light olive oil.

Better for your health over margarine. Without all the crap. And so easy to make.

Have you ever made your own butter before?
Love your thermomix for making random stuff like this?