A *LOVE* of Mermaids - Meet Mirabella xox

I'm sure that many, if not most, of you would have seen the fabulous children's movie - "The Little Mermaid." Ariel is a beautiful young maiden of the sea, half human, half fish, living in a wonderful kingdom in the deep deep blue and of course dreaming of the perfect "Prince" that would sweep her off her feet!

The mermaid has always been a creature of mystery, fantasy and unlimited beauty. Its elegance and splendour has been known to enchant people since a very long time.

With inspiration, here is "Mirabella the Mermaid" a new piece to my collective sewing. She will be ever changing and sure to be a sweet addition to any little Mermaid Lover's Wardrobe.

Sunday Words of Gratitude

Holidays are essentially drawing to a close now with "reality" returning to our home tomorrow as another schooling term starts {early morning departures, late evening returns, a busy structured lifestyle upon us again}.

This week, I have been grateful just for the little things ~ to see the smiles and cheeky glints returning to the eyes of the 3 B's ... They work so hard during each term and were so so so SO TIRED at the end of Term 2.

But this week, their little (really big) personalities have returned, their smiles have widened and that sparkle has returned to their eyes!

I am grateful for the leisurely days we've been able to have, no expectations, no timelines, just a slow, relaxed pace of life.

I am grateful for the time we've been able to spend together without that lingering thought (that there is something I really should be doing in terms of school work).

I am grateful just to have been able to spend some quality time at home with my children, just them and me.

Sounds so simple, but sometimes the simplest of things are those that bring the most gratitude.

Sing You Home ...

In all honesty I've only read a handful of Jodi Picoult's novels - Change of Heart, Vanishing Acts, My Sister's Keeper and Plain Truth, all of which I enjoyed immensely and couldn't put down from cover to cover. I hold a great admiration for the way Picoult tackles quite sensitive and confronting issues head on but with a great deal of respect and sensitivity. Her research is thorough and her poise captivating.

Sometimes a book just catches your eye when you are least expecting it. I've been on school holidays and I went into my local bookstore with the ultimate purpose of finding something enjoyable to read and something that would just me a little downtime and change of pace from the hectic world I've been living in of late.

That's when "Sing you Home" caught my eye and was then in my hands and I was standing there lost in the first few pages! If a book can spark my interest within those first few pages, then I know its a keeper and worth the read {for me anyway}.

Sing you Home has all those familiar Picoult story lines ... There is the medical dilemma between a man and woman trying passionately to have a baby via IVF, then there is the trauma of a relationship breakdown when sometimes what you envisage just doesn't eventuate. The ethical dilemma of same sex relationships, the discovery of evangelical religion and ultimately a bitter and passionate legal advocacy over frozen embyro's (a woman, her partner, an ex-husband, his christian community fighting for custody).

When I am enjoying something I read, I am there within the pages, standing alongside the characters, sharing their journey, feeling the emotions and that's what I felt while reading this novel!

Not that I had a chance this time, but there are accompanying soundtracks you can download for the end of each chapter to feel where the character was at each time in the story of their life.

If you haven't already, add it to your reading library! You'll be glad you did!

Happy Reading!

Bellinzona Grange Country Retreat - Hepburn Springs

Don't you love a romantic country escape?

We've just returned from a few beautiful days staying at the Grange Bellizona in Hepburn springs. It is a grand Edwardian style accommodation filled with rich and authentic history! It was destroyed in the fires in 2003 and was rebuilt with authentic style to reopen some years later.

I had booked a 2 night package through wotif which included a deluxe spa room and fully cooked breakfast each morning and I certainly wasn't disappointed with our beautiful room, full corner spa and the service each morning {both chef's are to be commended for their energy and enthusiasm and the small details that your service / meal comes with).

Yes, we didn't bring the children on this occasion! Some adult pampering and relaxing time!

View of the Bellinzona from the back gardens.


One of the many lounge areas to sit, read, relax and chat.



An indoor pool, sauna and hot tub! Divine!

For a dining experience to match your stay, just down the road was a lively little place full of atmosphere, wooden fire and delicious food! After enjoying our first meal, we certainly had no reservations returning the next night again for more! Some of the delight we savoured (and would recommend) were the rustic bruschetta, garlic sourdough, sicilian pasta, creamy fettucine carbonara, greek lamb pizza, creamy chicken & bacon risotto, italian doughnuts with ice-cream, rum & raisin, licorice ice-cream and the meringue with berries and ice-cream! What a feast over two nights!

And now I have a new wine love to top that off as well - Plunkett Shiraz Dulce, a sweet vibrant wine with slight fizz, for easy drinking, enjoy chilled! NICE!

Rubens ~ Hepburn Springs!

Of course no holiday is complete without taking the time to meander amongst the endless opportunities of boutiques and specialty shops in Daylesford! I particularly enjoyed the Paradise Book Store home in an old style Georgian Bank and full of rich literary delights, the girls from the Cutting Studio were wonderful and pampered my hair while I visited and of course you can't go past the Chocolate Mill (for the serious chocoholic)

We also were fortunate enough to enjoy one of the short walks from Parks Victoria down to "The Blowhole." It was also evident still the power of the raging torrents from torrential rainfall and floods to the damaging effects on many areas of the walking tracks too.

Quote - Parks Victoria - "This artificial diversion tunnel on Sailors Creek was built by gold miners, probably in the early 1870's. A hole through the spur was cut to redirect the water flow from the original creek line. The soil in the dry creek bed was then sluiced for gold. It is an impressive sight when the creek is in full flow."

I did stop off and have a look at the Hepburn Bathhouse and Spa complex and would love to visit another time around!

Quite a lot packed into 2 nights away, but completely worth it :)

My *LOVE* of Minnie Mouse

My *LOVE* of Minnie Mouse evolved from being baked that incredible Minnie Mouse cake from the Woman's Weekly Children's Birthday Cake Book.

I'm wondering how many of you also had this fabulous cake for one of your childhood birthdays?

A while back I received some gorgeous Michael Miller red and white polka dot fabric. I was quite surprised to see how large the spots were and of course at the time they weren't quite what I thought I'd be received, but I do remember thinking, WOW this would make a great Minnie Mouse Number! So as you do, you make that mental note to yourself and hope that one day you do indeed find some time to create what you envisage in your mind!

Of course,I didn't end up using those particular polka dots for Minnie Mouse, one day a Lady Bug caught my eye instead! {as they do}

But I did recently get the chance to finally try some Minnie Designs!

And Miss Minnie Designs too!

I think I'm *SMITTEN* once more with Minnie, one of my childhood loves that continues to bring joy to my life xox