pillowcase

I have been experimenting with pillowcase dresses for Lucy.
I found inspiration here and here but decided to just wing it and make up a pattern myself.
The first dress I made was much too big. Lucy looked a little like Dobby the house elf. We'll save that dress for a later dress.

The second one I made probably won't fit her for long but was more of a success.

It's made out of some fat quarters I had lying around. It's somewhere in the middle between a dress and a top which is just perfect for a little one who is experimenting with crawling.

and I thought I would throw in a picture of some gigantic eyes.

Can I just say this kid loves to take photos. This same day she did a pose that would make Melinda Tankard-Reist cringe. Everytime I get the camera out she is so keen on having her picture taken.
What have I created?

the things i like best about him

It was Myls birthday on the weekend.
We celebrated with a dumpling party in our back yard. It's my brothers birthday on the same day so we had plenty of guests and plenty of fun.

As we were eating we were talking about favourite memories of the two fellows and the things we like best about them.
There are so many things I like about Myl.

I like most of all that he loves God.
I like that he is unbelievably generous to me.
I like his smile.
I like that his eyes are the exact same colour as Lucy's.
I like his facial hair.
I like that he thinks his beard makes him more of a man.

I like that he enjoys when I cook for him.
I like holding his hand.
I like how hard he works at college.
I like it when we go for milkshakes.
I like watching him with Lucy. I swoon.
I like how he protects us from scary and dangerous things like cockroaches.

I like that he is strong.
I like that he isn't very artistic so I have free range on the house.
I like it when he sings.
I like hearing the door open when he comes home.
I like that we have so much fun together.
I like hiding in his shoulder when I am sad.

I like remembering the day I married him.
I like remembering the day our little one was born.
I like that he is my best friend.
I like thinking about our future.

Happy Birthday wonderful man.

things i love - crafts

here are some things I would love to make. Lucy has been sleeping a little more reliably in the evening so crafterevenings her I come!

Source: prudentbaby.com via Erin on Pinterest

Source: prudentbaby.com via Erin on Pinterest

Source: prudentbaby.com via Erin on Pinterest

All these lovely projects are from Prudent Baby which is a fabulous craft blog. I read it and swoon.

i -heart- curry

I've been taking part in a Heart Foundation program called "Mums United." It's all about educating families about healthy eating.
They have some really fabulous recipes on their site and all have the tick of approval.

Here is one that I made. It was really tasty Vegetable and Chickpea Curry
This mild curry has the added benefit of fibre and protein and lots of vegetables to help on your way to five a day.
Serves: 4 Preparation time: 30 minutes Cooking time: 25 minutes
Ingredients
2 tablespoons soybean oil 1 brown onion, thinly sliced 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger 3 cloves garlic, crushed 3 long green chillies, finely chopped 1/2 teaspoon dried turmeric 2 teaspoons ground coriander 2 teaspoons garam masala 2 potatoes, cut into large cubes 2 carrots, cut into thick slices 2 zucchini, cut into thick slices 425g can chopped tomatoes 250ml reduced salt vegetable stock 400g can chickpeas, rinsed and drained 200g baby spinach leaves, washed 1 cup fresh or frozen peas Poppy seed rice: 1 1/2 cups basmati rice 2 tablespoons poppy seeds microwave poppadoms to serve   Remember all fresh fruit and vegetables automatically qualify for the Tick.
Instructions
1 Heat the oil in a large pot, add the onion and ginger and cook over a medium heat for 5 minutes or until soft. Add the garlic, chillies and spices and cook for 2 minutes or until fragrant. 2 Add the potatoes and carrots and cook until the vegetables are coated in the spices. Stir in the zucchini, tomatoes and stock and simmer. Reduce the heat and cook uncovered for 15 minutes or until the vegetables are tender and the curry has thickened slightly. Add the chickpeas and stir. 3 Add the peas and spinach; cook just until the spinach wilts and the chickpeas are soft. 4 To make the poppy seed rice, put the rice and poppy seeds in a pot, add 450ml of water and bring to the boil. Cook over a high heat until tunnels appear in the rice. Reduce the heat to very low, cover and allow to steam for 10 minutes or until the rice is tender and all the liquid is absorbed. 5 Serve the curry on top of the rice and accompany with microwaved poppadoms.