It's oh so quiet...............

Bambino and I have managed to pick up a cold bug and have felt under the weather. Luckily my little snuffly kiddo has been in terrific spirits even though I've not been as attentive as usual (she might well be enjoying the chance to play with her toys without Mamma getting in on the act). Anyhooooo there has been much staying indoors, reading of books and sofa snuggles. I've also been a big big tea belly but hey, maybe my tea 'thing' can be another post. Rather dramatically I lost my voice for a couple of days and goodness did I miss chattering to my girl. Crafting for crimble has now stepped up a notch and  my man loves to see me stitching and snipping and planning and we've had some lovely cosy evenings with wine and catch ups.

These little chaps cheered up my germy self this week.

Minced by.

Little lady chops has started to be a proper darling and have a real afternoon nap at last, all that toddling about I think. Now usually I'd run around catching up with chores and getting organised for supper but today I'm sitting down with a magazine, a cuppa and a little mince pie treat that came free with my veg box. A hundred million puzzles are wrapping around my head this week, the coming festive season and how to get the most out of our family time together whilst still keeping everyone else happy, my possible return to part time work next year and the ifs and what's and maybes of moving................so a reminder to think less and chill more is very very welcome.

Ta daaaaaaaaaaaa.

Finished. Huzzah. . . . I'm so proud of the little chaps. Babypie will get them in her Christmas stocking (yet to be made) and she will naturally attempt to chew and suck them but Hey ho what fun I had making them.

It's beginning to look a lot like.............

a Christmas cake................

First time making one and probably a bit late, took ages in my rubbish oven and a little burnt on the bottom but it smells divine, actually the whole house smells divine. I used a tinkered with Jamie Oliver recipe so fingers crossed. We all had a stir and made a wish, a new family tradition in the making. . . .Goodness knows what my girlie wished for though, an endless boob milk supply or Iggle Piggle probably. Apparently I wrap him up now and take him out for a drink a couple of times a week until he is well and truely scrummy. Must have a go at decorating too I guess.

Make me.

This time of year is perfect for snuggling up in front of the TV in the evening with a nice pile of crafty bits to play with. Since my little one has come along I've felt really inspired again, a holiday in St Ives helped, as did Instagram but the funny thing is I've much less time and energy to really get stuck in nowadays. Having a baby has really made me wonder what one earth I used to do with my time. A free hour these days is utterly precious and not to be wasted. . . .

It feels really special to be making Christmas gifts for my girl and these little finger puppets from the Mollie Makes Christmas book are great fun. Missy will probably be too little for them really and they'll no doubt end up being chewed but I'm so proud of them and my tiny stitches.

Pop bang whizzzzzz.

Homemade leek and potato pie, sparklers, River Cottage and Masterchef. Excitement she wrote.

Crunch crunch crunch underfoot.

We had a lovely walk in the park today and we're lucky enough to live just a minute away. The air was cold and crisp and the sky was bright so we on went coats and hats and off went. I kind of love it now the kids are back at school and we selfishly get the park to ourselves. Hope they sort the playground out before my girl is old enough for the swings though, it's shocking. Looking at the changing leaves and crunching them underfoot makes me realise just how quickly my year of maternity leave has gone. Happy to watch my little one grow and learn and explore but sad that it's all happening so quickly. . . . but hey, no time for Winter blues, not with the colours exploding on the trees and that magical smokey smell that lingers.

Boo.

My steampumpkin.