40th Retreat Day Four - Part One

SATURDAY 11TH AUGUST, 2012

God before we know it, it will be a year since we were the BIG 'four oh' and I'll still be writing about it!!! Here's my attempt before the kids return from swimming and it's all over!!

Em, Nanna Rose will be stylin' and the envy of all with that gorgeous necklet made especially for her. I must tell that I had a sneak peek in real life! Yes I snuck into your studio and spied it on your bench. All mossy green and beautifully layed out with a pretty birdy brooch. Was I tempted to pick it up, to even slip it over my head and feel it's snuggness? well of course I was but I didn't, I really didn't, I promise. I did touch it though and admire the feel of the yarn and beautifully made stitches. Oh what lovely hooky happiness it will bring to it's wearer.

So now to the beginning of day 4.

DAY 4 - PART ONE
SATURDAY 26TH NOVEMBER, 2011

oOOH A SLEEP IN, a REAL sleep in. No dogs a -barking, no babies a-cryin' (oh how I do miss my babies but there's NO guilt anymore, absolutely none THIS IS GREAT!!!) and an uninterrupted cuppa in bed, some pre-breaky idle hooky happiness and wondering thoughts about what in store for today.

We took a very wet and soggy walk through the Rye market and spied those colourful orangey proteas, so cheery. Umbrella's perched high above our heads? NO we didn't bring umberellas, just a flimsy wrap which got drenched as we dashed from market to op shop.

See this cute little shack- it's the op shop in Rye. It's were I score some red, 4ply,100% cotton with original wrapping and labels for a bargain and a woven beaded belt. I can't seem to resist honey no matter where the market so a jar of the golden stuff came home with me too.

             Market. Rain.

Coffee.

Rain.

Food.

Rain

40th Retreat Day Three- Part Three

THURSDAY 5TH APRIL, 2012
Today I have found myself a few child-free hours on the Easter School Holidays and I have a huge list of things I would love to accomplish and one of them is this blog!

FRIDAY 25TH NOVEMBER, 2011
2PM

To catch up you may need to go back to Day Three-Part Two as we found ourselves at the Art Studio Market in Merricks in need of sustainance and the promise of 'Great Food' had us in the mood for yummies.

The journey to this out-of-the-way paddock was such a great part of the adventure. Along roads less travelled we arrived to find a paddock full of cars parked and people everywhere, it was fabulous. There was a beautiful mud brick studio shared by 3 artists. A glass artist, a painter and a jeweller. Check it out here . Gorgeous class objects dangling from long shiny threads, silver rings and bracelets galore and paintings touched by paperworks and text all looking lovely together and it was packed. Here we are grinning our heads off in the mirror.

No time for detailed photos, FOOD!!!!! We went in search for the 'Great Food' and, (this is the part I'd been eluding too the previous post) all we came across was a small table offering a 'spit burger', a 'kids sausage in bread' and one sweaty plastic container of  'pasta salad' (bllaahh)!!! Totally NOT NOT NOT Em's idea of good food and clearly not mine either. The best option was the 'burger' and at $15!! Yikes $15, well we paid and ate and tried not be grumbly about it. That's difficult for me 'cause I am into food. I love food. I love everything about it. I love growing it, I love looking at it, I love cooking it, I love sharing it and I love, love, love eating it Let it go, Le. Let it go!!

So we continue around the market and it is GORGEOUS! Lots of lovingly handmade items. The likes of colourful resin bangles, cute dollies with corduroy hair, citrusy smelling soy candles, plump little woollen apliqued pillows, stunning skirts and 50's style dresses, beautiful framed 3d paper pictures which Santa, if you're listening could you please make one for Little 1. $200 later I was outta cash (probably a blessing, if only I hadn't paid $15 for that 'burger'!!) 

We didn't just get 1 we got 2, that's 1 each. We paid $30  for 2 crappy supermarket white bread rolls, the chewy bits of spit roast and, admittedly, a really nice homey red tomato relish but REALLY!!

I wish I could recite Em's expletives in the car which had me in stitches, totally breathless and almost unable to drive! She's a funny girl, I love her dearly. Before we leave the market, let me show you a gallery of photos.

so cute ice cream truck



50's, 50's, 50's



here we are with our purchases



Just have to say, ................ were the nicest women who thought our retreat was just legendary. They were so genuinely excited for us that they gave us a little momento each. 'A wish for you'. A dandelion faerie in a tinsy, tiny message bottle.................

They made very pretty little ceramic tags with lovely sayings or words embossed into the surface, embossed ceramic earrings, gorgeous prints on card and linen and colourful paper bunting......oohhh how I want to make bunting.

......and just for the shear joy of colour, these great old school style red chairs 

4.00 PM - Hi Ho, Hi Ho, an op shop we go! Time to leave, time to oppy, Hi Ho, Hi Ho. We have boundless energy for marketing and op shopping don't you think?  Keep in mind we only left 'home' at 12.45!! Vinnies in Rosebud, we are here!! Oh, yes ATM first! Yes Vinnies here we are and what a treasure trove for us. Woollen blankets, I'm a bit addicted to, retro towels (bit addicted to those too at the moment), water glasses (severly low at home), a bright yellow wicker double basket fruit hanger, a cute story book for making bunting(yeah!!). That was about it oh, and those all to familiar words we've heard everyday, ' sorry ladies but we're closed, NOW!!  We giggle and exit quickly, to the very well stocked Italian deli, stuff for dinner in our basket, browsing cheeses and what not- 'sorry but we are closed!!' This is becoming a pattern don't you think? Hee, hee, hee. We giggle and exit quickly again and finally troddle off home for gorgonzola, goat cheese,smoked salmon, dip, olives, bread, rose pink moscato, a sunset to match and some idle crafty happiness!!

this is our dinner

........ and this is the back of the car when we got home!!!!!

11.30PM - Nothing idle about our crafty happiness tonight. We actually completed projects.

Groovy Crochet Toe Thongs (is the word 'Groovy' still groovy or is it just daggy???), from the pattern book Rach gave

these are actually for Em's Miss 11 for christmas

crochet christmassy hanging tea light jar 

2 crochet necklace and gnome

doiley bunting

And at midnight I put together my first draft of my crochet Starburst cushion. So so so excited............

xx Le xx

40th Retreat Day Three November 25 - Part One

Friday 25th November-Part One


If you've been reading you may remember our struggle to commit to the Early Bird Bathing Special at the Peninsula Hot springs where if you are in and out by 10am you get a $15 refund on the $30 entry fee- that's half price!!!! And you know what, we finally did it on this day. We were in by 8am and it was GLORIOUS!! Totally lush and it felt great to have all that lushness and it wasn't even 10.30am- it was gunna be a good day. SMILE.......

 

Here's Em in the shallow spa where I proceeded to fall into the next evening while everyone was watching. Yes we laughed. And here's me at the entrance of the Turkish Steam House. Defiantely no airbrushing here, just real women!! We're pretty good for 40 and almost 40!! Though 40 is the new 30 I've heard.

Our professionally painted tootsie were having the time of their life! And the plunge pool was INNVIGORATING!!

And we got a cool $15 each back- love it

We return home for breaky

....and some idle hooky happiness

oh and chocolate, yes that's a little dark chocolate truffle sitting beside my cup of tea. yes chocolate before lunch, straight after breakfast.......so?

Em's crochet bunting that she began as she went to bed last night at whatever time it was and had to undo 3 times before realising (after calling to me numerous times only to receive no response as I was sleeping!) the pattern was written in US terms not UK/Aussie terms (maybe doesn't seam that funny now but it was then!) and she has produced beautiful, teeny tiny, neat as a pin granny bunting strung together with red stars using festive red and white twine. You can find the bunting pattern here at Crochet with Raymond. It's really cute x

After taking our time getting ready we head off to Flinders and the Red HIll Studio Market at 12.45pm.

TO BE CONTINUED....................

40th Retreat Day Two November 24 - Part Two

Thursday 24th November-Part Two


To re-cap I think you may need to re-read part one as I am just going to continue on from that. I've discovered I can't get on to post as often as I'd like so I need to waffle less and get to the point more!!! (Em are you laughing knowingly right now!!!).

By the way, I love the colours of your new necklace dollies and how they are snug in their own little felt blankies. Just in time for the weather to change! They are gorgeous. Ok I am NOT waffling, I'm COMPLIMENTING!!

So off we went, more trying on clothes and window shopping.

Here's a little crochet detail of a tunic Em tryed on and bought. Lovely isn't it? This style looks really good and you Em and it shows off your Elk necklace beautifully.

While I just wanted to sit down and rest in the sunshine when it suddenly struck us that it was 4pm. I have 2 words for this moment OP  and SHOP! As an 'op shop a day' slips away we come across the Vinnies, a very big Vinnies and our arms we're laden.

Clothes again. Anyone must think this is all we did. Well it was close but when you have been deprived of trying anything on as clothes shopping with the kids usually ends in disasterous purchases or despair or both, this is all we wanted to do - for now.

So we both squeezed into the same cubcle to avoid the whole show and tell thing. This way we could quickly go through our selections as by the time we had purused the racks it was almost closing time. I tried on a few things, no, yes, no, no and then I tried a pretty, ruffly shirty thing and I LOVED it but Em said it didn't look right for some reason even though I really WANTED it to look right and if Em hadn't have been there I probably would've bought it and risked fashion disaster. See, that is the reason you take your best friend with you when trying on clothes, they keep you honest and tell you how you REALLY look. Plus you can giggle and laugh at each other and give honest opinions and do an awful lot of justifying why one should buy something and I can't imagine what we sounded like from outside the dressing room AND we were told not once but twice that they were closed which meant it was 5pm or past and we had out-stayed our welcome..... but we had FuN. Looking rather apologetic we purchased $27 worth of joy and left promptly with big smiles. I think my best find was a zip lock bag with 6 balls of Rowan Cotton Glace in orange, purple, deep red and forest green for $2. I've since looked up the retail price- at best $7.95 a ball !!! Gotta love it!!

FOOD

A recommendation from Jules led us to DOC. An Italian deli that ended up feeding us veery well a few times on our sojourn. We took great solace in thinking if we couldn't get to Italy, then a little bit of Italy could come to us!!

And OMG it was SOOOOO GOOD!

Bresaola alla Caprese with woodfired focaccia

Just look at those gorgeous sweet tasting roma tomatoes and REAL buffalo mozzarella all milky and fresh with peppery rocket and Umbrian extra virgin olive oil all over. Gosh we were impressed and hungry.

A vegetable and farro salad with a plump dollop of ricotta was so delicious and plentiful. Actually it was all so plentiful that we shared everything and all but licked our plates clean.

With the sun on our backs and sangiovese rose in our glass we were happy, VERY happy. And the young, good-looking, charming Italian waiters had us a little giggly behind our napkins. Well, we're allowed to!!!

All this and it was only 7.30pm. A quick shop stop to purchase supplies and we fell in the door of our apartment at 8. But No it's not over yet. I suggested to Em that we should have a cuppa and some chocolate when we settle in just as she had finished writing in the diary that we should have a cuppa and some chocolate when we settle in- oh we laughed at our syncronised thoughts. As we bustled about the place doing our settling I shouted out that we should put our pj's on just as Em walked out of her room whilst putting her pj's on !!! Doesn't this happen when women are in close quarters they begin to syncronise thoughts and actions? It has happened so often to us that we just roll our eyes. Em and I have lived together with our families at various times in our life and often, to the amazement of our families, we would come out wearing the same clothes after getting dressed quite independantly of each other. And you should see us at charades- look out, it's hilarious!!!

 So now we sit and chat, drink cups of tea, dunk dark lindt chocolate (thanks Rach!!!) and crochet.

Finally at 10.30pm we said 'goodnight' and go off to bed. I take my Better Homes and Gardens mag and Em takes her crochet. It didn't take long for me to drift off and day 2 is over.......

xx Le xx

40th Retreat Day Two November 24 - Part One

Thursday 24th November


The dogs next door managed to wake me at 7.30am- not impressed considering this was my first sleep in without children since hmmm, 2006!!! I actually woke quite a few times in the night. Right about when gorgeous little miss 14months would wake a for a cuddle. Our goal for today was to get to the hot springs, early and this was our best attempt, 9.00 ! 

9.05am- And here we are. Not quite the early birds we thought we'd be (in by 7am out by 10am = $15 refund on $30entry....tomorrow maybe?). What a gorgeous place and can you see us there in the very top pool- 41c, 360degree view of the peninsula and only a few clouds in sight. And oh the relief.... ....ahhhhhhhh, just leave me here all day.

Amazing what you'll do when no one is watching!! We indulged in some much needed yoga poses. 14 months of sitting all scrunched up breastfeeding and picking up baby and my big 5 year son who still loves cuddles (thank goodness- never stop cuddling your boys) had been taking it's toll and especially now I was 40, I could feel it all- everywhere!! Em's quite diligent at doing her stretches and inspires me to get onto it.

My favourite was/is the Reflexology Walk. An underwater path

of varying pebbles and rocks that aim to tickle or torment all parts of your foot. I know some people can't stand it but my favourite thing in the world is having my feet pampered and tickled. I absolutely love it. I could have it done to me for hours and never tire. Such is this path that leads to the thermal pools- it's a tease, a little taste of what delights lay ahead. And look at the beautiful native plantings- just gorgeous. Yes Em, I've made these pictures small for good reason :-)

The detail is not lost. We noticed the robe hangers are lovely smooth rocks and thought this such a good idea especially as Em has an outdoor shower at her place and her lovely husband is a talented sculpture ( Juet Sculpture ) who has created many wonderful outdoor garden rooms on their block.

We had a marvellous time. A total of 2 hours of bathing in pools of varying temperatures. Oh and the Turkish Steam House- ooohhhh yyyeeeaaaahhhh. A large domed room filled with steam and lined with marble benches, marble sinks and a huge, flat, hexagonal marble 'stone' right in the middle at about knee height. We took turns laying on it and ceremoniously poured cool water over each others body's from head to toe. Oh the sensation of cool and hot all at once was both relaxing and invigorating simultaneoulsy- wierd!! We could do this again and again.........

11.30am -  Breakfast- yes this is holiday breakfast time. We drive to Sorrento for breaky and a spot of shopping. Unfortunately we didn't take any photos of our first breakfast away as we were too busy enjoying a lovely ocean view on a glorious sunny day. A really good coffee for me and that delicous Calmar Sutra Chai for Em. I had mushrooms on sourdough toast w/ free range bacon and soft poached egg and ditto for Em minus the bacon I think.

the Sorrento foreshore with the Queenscliff ferry

While we ate we thought we may as well ummm hmmm, shop I suppose!!!

There was colour everywhere. It's what I love about beachside towns. They embrace colour, bright cheery colours that put a skip in your step and make you feel happy. And that's just what we felt - springy, skippy and happy.

We tried on clothes, tops, pants, scarves, tunics and bought things. We both had birthday money to spend so I spent some of the money my mum gave me on a Vigorella tunic and a long, soft, floaty scarf edged with crochet cotton. Em bought 2 tunic tops, hmm can't remember if she got this one she's trying ( did you get this one Em and was it 1 or 2 you got from here?????) I love Vigorella. I have about 10 pieces now that I have gathered over the last 2 years. They are floaty, feminine, easy care and flattering. I've bought some retail and some on ebay.

Em sipped on a lovely latte as we strolled the sun-drenched streets

We looked in book shops, sat on outdoor furniture we couldn't afford and soaked up the rays.

Ok I'm outof time now so stay tuned for Day Two Part Two ........

xx Le xx

Day One November 23- Part 2

 And so it continues straight on from the other post a few days (maybe a week or 2 ago). By the way, nice post Em. Your bowls are very gorgeous. Actually can I show off the ones you made for me?

I love my delightful little bowls. Aren't they sooo sweet. They sit on the shelf at our desk in the lounge room and fill with buttons and bells, bits and bobs that will evenutally get sorted. Do you spy the one to very left of the 2nd photo. I've been a bit inspired and have been going around and round myself.

So Day One, Part 2............

12.30pm - Post pedicure we floated across the road to the little parisian cafe and sat ourselves cross- legged at the bench right in the window so we could enjoy the sunshine. Actually it was to oogle the clothes shops opposite that we were going to bombard and have a go at ACTUALLY TRYING ON CLOTHES sans children! Oh the excitement was almost too much. A rather lovely coffee and delicious shared platter later we spent 2 hours, woohooo, browsing, trying on clothes, jewellery, fondling beautifully soft handbags and having abit of a laugh at ourselves as it had literally been years since we've tried on clothes together and post children, it's whole new experience!!! Did we make a purchase hmm, actually no that's right. We knew we had a whole week of this ahead so we kept our purses shut and troddled on to pick up the key from a friends place.

3.30pm- Now 5 hours after we left home we had only cleared about 20 km!! Not bad, no stress, no time limits, no children to feed, no sleep routines to follow. We picked up the key at 3.30 and were prepared to head off straight away but Rach had a birthday pressie waiting on the doorstep for me. Awww! It was a gorgeous framed hand-dyed silk butterfly created by our friend and very talented artist, Jude Craig of  Naturally Dyed . After lots of awwwing and checking out they're new front door and outdoor area we head off.

4.30pm- Yeah we're on our way, heading on the highway when Em yells (literally) OP SHOP !!!!!     UUrrrrrrr, can you hear the brakes screach!!  An op shop a day. Really, that's our goal, at least and we had just happened to be passing one we knew was good. A big Salvos to the right, across the traffic, car park right out front, painted toes, big smiles and off we go. OOOhhhhh, it's big, it's organised, there's lots of stuff. We try on bangles, rummage through racks of jumpers looking for woollen ones to felt for craft and look what we find..........

Honestly who gets rid of things like this! A crochet afghan shawl, not quite my colours but fabulous for wintry mountain days. the sad thing is we put it down to look at other treasures and forgot to pick it up again so alas there it remains unless some other lucky soul has found it and given it some love.

And what about this number- oh the nostalgia! I remember having a dressing gown just like this, only much smaller when I was a wee girl. All nylon and flammable that doesn't breathe (no natural threads here baby), but oh the memories of getting rugged up and mum and dad piling us in the car on a saturday night. The 3 of us, myself and my 2 brothers, in our jarmies and dressing gowns heading off in the pale green Ford to my aunty and uncle's for our parents' regular card night. WOW.......all that from a dressing gown!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Woollen blankets, a dress, a very fine pure wool jumper in a gorgeous shiny leaf green,  a cushion cover, a jar of little metal rings to make crochet thingys, a retro towel, something for a friends birthday pressent which we cannot reveal and $22 later we are ushered out the door at closing time to take a pic of our finds.

Here they are on the ground in the car park. A nice little stash (minus crochet shawl).

5.15pm- Five and bit hours after we left we are literally 30 mins from home- hee hee hee and this time we really are going. 

Sometime later- aahhh we are here, YES, WE ARE HERE!!   Elation, relief, excitement, unload, unlock, unpack,  put New Zealand wine in the freezer, set up craft table and enjoy strawberries and chilled sauvignon semillion blanc on the deck watching the sunset. YES WE ARE HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CALM    RELAX     BREATHE.............................................................

8.15pm-  Hmm without the routine of dinner, bath, bed we are unaware of time and suddenly think of dinner at 8.15!!!! woohoo we're usually chowing down at 5.30 to reach the goal of 7pm kids in bed, but 8.15 !!!!!!

We decide to head out to find food and with not much contemplation head to the resort restaurant and just make it for the 8.30 cut off time. Life in the fast lane hey!?!?!?  Tonight is Steak Night, $30 steak and glass of wine and we are happy not to have too many choices.

We enjoy a generous steak that has been cooked to our liking, a full glass of wine, a pinot noir I believe and we revel in our independance and how grown up we appear. Aren't we clever?! Until Em says, "well what now?" and for some reason I find this completely amusing as to me it's quite obvious that we pay and go home but I manage to ruin the whole charade as I spurt my whole mouthful of water all over the table and my poor dinner companions face as a stray laugh bursts from my throat. YES WE ARE STILL IN THE FANCY RESTAURANT, now both in fits of wild snorting laughter and expressions of complete shock! I can't believe what I've just done and neither can Emma. I am so embarassed and horrified what my dear friend is enduring right now. SO totally uncouth. How on earth can I recover from this abomination of courtesy and etiquette. Sadly, I don't think I can and never will.

We pay and leave trying to pretend nothing happened and drive home (all 2 minutes) and I can't stop apologising.

Pleased to be home and in our jarmies we go about setting up our craft table (a distraction of which I am grateful) and doesn't it look wonderful................................

A whole table of crafty, inspirational goody goodness and many trasures we can't be without. I am now totally addicted to  Mollie Makes  magazine. A treasure trove of crafty,thrifty,vintage, creative inspiration. Pages and pages of crochet, sewing, tutorials and trends. Love, love, love it. Our folders containing our collection of patterns, craft books, threads, wool, my crochet starbursts which will in time become a fabulously colourful cushion cover and all by candlelight. The only thing missing in the photo is the sewing machine which I set up the next day. My friends laughed at me because I took the sewing machine. However I didn't want to get to a moment in our retreat and for either of us to say "oh I wish we'd bought the sewing machine". And because we were only restricted by what would fit in the car, well............why not!!

12.15am - A calming cup of tea, a little hooky crochet and we are off to bed. This is my first night without the kids. My first night of sleeping in a big bed all by myself. My first night not breastfeeding my little one. I wish them Good Night in my thoughts and I'm out like a light.