Ms Austen

 

It is not always easy to get through a book with a baby at home, but I have finally finished a Biography of Jane Austen titled 'Becoming Jane Austen'.  I started reading the novel after seeing the movie 'Jane Austen Regrets' and wanted to see how much of the movie is based on fact.  Well, with the novel read all I can say is "Thank goodness for the 20th Century".  I am so glad to be a woman born in 1981 instead of 1775.  Although it seems relaxing and romantic to live in country England and write novels all day, I don't think it was really all that fantastic.

 Not only was Jane never married, she spent a lot of her life worrying about money, having a permanent home to live in and the welfare of her brothers.  She finally died of Addison's disease having never reaped the rewards of her gifted writing. 

In addition, the only picture we have of this great writer is a rather ugly looking sketch that her sister Cassandra drew of her.  Now that would not promote 'sisterly affection'.

Smarter than your average...chicken

We have now had our three chickens for nearly six months, (Let the record show that I have not yet killed them.)  and I was suprised the  other day when I went out into the backyard and they came running towards me!  Apparently I am some kind of Mother Hen to them and they can't get enough of me.  Now this does get really annoying when I am trying to clean out the coop, but is kinda cute when I think about it.  I am also constantly suprised at how smart they are...there is planning and scheming going on in those little chicken heads.  My blog does not have room for me to document the many escape's these girls have had!

Henny Penny, Hermione and Roast now give us three eggs a day and only cost us about $5 a month to feed and house, so it is definately working out to be 'Sustainable'.  Plus I really like having extra eggs to give away to friends and family.

If you are interested in Chickens check out these girls.  We got a lot of info off their site before we chose our chooks.  And who knows, they could be my longest living pets yet (if you ignore my resurecting goldfish).

Handmade this month

I thought that I would try and post something that I have made in the first week of each month, as I am really enjoying having the time to make my own.   This month I was busy  getting ready for baby's 1st birthday parties (one for family and one for playgroup).  I found some cute robot scrapbooking paper that I used for the invitations and also some really cute robot material which I used to make singlets for all the playgroup kids as their party favours.

 

This is the singlet I made for one of the little girls in our playgroup.

 

I used the scrapbook paper to make invitations and bunting for the party decorations.

The parties were fun, but I realised you really don't get to enjoy a party unless someone else throws it.  One day I would love to have a party as good as these !  And as baby is only one, I am sure I have many years of practice ahead.

I am also getting excited as February is here and that means that The Handmade Expo is on again.  I had great fun at the last expo in November so I can't wait to go again!

Have a great week!

so...I am kind of nearly maybe convinced...

I don't usually like to jump on the bandwagon with too many environmental/health claims as I do think that we believe a lot of "greenwash" without looking for evidence.  But one claim that is getting harder to ignore is the problem of plastic baby bottles containing BPA.  Partcularly information that heating liquids (eg. pouring boiling water into or heating to very hot in the mircrowave)  releases a chemical that "could have dangerous effects on the development of the brain and the prostate gland in foetuses and newborn babies. BPA is said to interfere with oestrogen, the hormone which plays a key role in foetal and childhood development."

Many baby bottle brands now have BPA free alternatives (I have bought the new AVENT BPA free bottles), and I think that it is definately something to think about if you are buying any baby bottles in the future.  Plus there is also that whole thing about not heating anything for baby in the microwave...but I am not hitting that mark just yet ;0)

Oh, and if you want to know more about Greenwash...here you go.

My tribute to Ms Montessori

Ok, so I am not one of those parents that thinks our kids should run around naked in the bush to explore the world, but I do think that we (I) could let our kids explore a bit more than we do.  I have been thinking about this over the past 12 months and really enjoyed the book "How to raise an Amazing Child the Montessori Way" by Tim Seldon.  What I really like about the Montessori method is trying to make play a learning experience without all the commercialisation that is around now.  For example, just having a child size cup and jug, or a small table they can sit at allows them to play like a 'grown up' and learn skills at the same time.  I also like the use of more simple 'earthy' toys like wooden blocks etc, and trying to keep all the 'characters' out of their vocabulary at least for a little while.

Well, this week I was going to buy baby a play tent and as I was about to pick up the plastic tent and purchase it I thought that maybe I should put in some effort and put my 'slightly montessori' parenting to the test.    So I trawled the internet, which usually takes up way to much time, but came out in the end with a great pattern for a teepee on Sew, Mama, Sew!  I made it with a single bed cover and broom stick handles and had it all completed in a day (with help from the man of the house).

It felt good to have made somthing that I know we will enjoy together for years to come.  We already have had heaps of fun playing and reading inside our little teepee.  Happy Birthday Baby!

To the book depository!

I really love being a member of the library.  I love the fact that I can borrow out any book I want, and if two pages into the book I think I would rather be doing something else and never want to pick up that book again I don't have to feel guilty...cause I can just take it back and get something else. 

A few weeks a go I picked up a book that I did want to read

 and I really enjoyed it.  It gave me heaps of great tips and ideas on being a green parent without being all preachy and fanatical.   ( So I am recommending it here.  Go and borrow it from the library).

I also love My library because they have CDs, DVDs, magazines, heaps of kids books and no late fees...ever! 

an easy thing

This year I am going to try to buy less bottled water.  I read a magazine article about it a few months ago and realised what a waste of money and resources it really is.  Especially when I live in a country with perfectly safe tap water.  So for Christmas this year I bought myself and baby Sigg water bottles and my husband a camelbak bottle as it is large and easy to drink out of when he is driving. 

If you are interested here is some more info.