Hustle & Scout = AMAZING

Oh Canberra...

Yet again, you have proven that you are ANYTHING but the dull, dreary, boring-as-batshit national capital which the rest of Australia view you as.

Yet again, you have proven that you are vibrant, energising, inspiring and engaging and I love you for it! I'm so proud to call you home!

Hustle & Scout Twilight Fashion Market at New Acton Nishi was a complete hit on so many levels. Jostling with fashionistas, vintage fiends and style happy snappers...racks packed with original designs and op shop finds...and completely delightful revolving retro installations.

It was a feast for the eyes!

Enjoy...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

xx Em

 

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A rosie way to end the week.

A few snaps of my favourite things in Harry's room.

 

 

 

 

 

We've had such fantastic spring rain this week. A whole month's worth in two days = a boom in the vege patch. I've been upping my (our) greens intake and feeling better for it.

 

 

 

Chester, on the other hand, has been overdosing on the catmint. One high and happy kitty right there folks. He crushes the leaves with his paw then faceplants. Its just a little bit hilarious to watch.

 

 

We thought Harry had come down with measles this week.

I know...what the? He's fully immunised but the symptoms seemed to point to it. A raging fever and headache kicked in last Sunday and lasted for a couple of days. By Tuesday he had perked right up and we put it down to a mild virus. Thursday morning he woke up with a major case of whine-itis which, combined with Jack's smash & bash campaign, put me in a less than sunny mood. I wasn't very understanding. My bad because that night we discovered his torso was covered in a rash. What a bloody nasty Mummy I am for not being more patient. Oh, and eeek, he'd been at Preschool all day AND we'd caught up with friends at a playcafe on Wednesday.

I kept him home yesterday and thankfully the GP diagnosed Roseola Infantum. A milder virus that is commonly mistaken for measles. It's not long lasting and the contagious stage was during the fever. Since Harry had been tucked up safely in bed at that time we don't have to worry about passing it on to everyone we'd socialised with this week. The rash has disappeared now and he's back to his happy chappy self. If Jack gets hit with it in the next week or two we'll know what to do. Hurrah for it not being measles or chickenpox and having to be quarantined for the next few weeks.

I'm very grateful.

 

It's been a completely gorgeous day today. Sunny and calm after a stormy and grey week. Perfect for kicking around at home & pottering in the garden. The boys have been helping Hubby put up a trelis on the back deck for the rose and grapevine.

 

Come summer, it's going to be a gorgeously cool, shady spot to hideaway in and read a good book.

Tonight I'm leaving the boys at home and heading into the city for a fabulous evening with the girls. First stop, Hustle & Scout Twilight Fashion Market, then onto dinner and karaoke to celebrate Anna's birthday. Now I must confess, I'm a karaoke virgin and I have the potential to inflict permanent damage to people's hearing. The girls have been warned!

Hope you're having a beautiful weekend, wherever you are and whatever you're doing!

xx Em

 

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Then

 

This picture feels like a lifetime ago...

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Monday making

A rainy Monday, a Preschooler snuggled under a handknitted blanket...

 

 

And a batch of Spiced Blood Oranges in the making...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recipe here.

xx Em

 

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The new normal

It's been three weeks since radiation finished. Three weeks.

Its mid September and Floriade has started. I can't quite comprehend how quickly this year is whizzing past. I am glad for it though. Grateful, in fact.

 

 

This year has been a whirlwind with little time to stop and think. It's been my saving grace. Too much time to dwell and I'd have been a fearful mess. Completely overwhelmed with the gravity of the situation.

I've found myself in a strange limbo land now that the majority of my treatment is complete. Is this the new normal? Or does the new normal commence when my second mastectomy is finished next year?

I'm left wondering how I explain my current status. Do I still have cancer? Am I battling cancer or am I now recovering from cancer?

Hence the state of limbo.

What exactly is the new normal anyway?

 

 

My eyelashes and brows are growing back. I have a hair line again. My skin has healed and I'm no longer exhausted. Our routine is falling back into place in the absence of daily hospital visits and I'm finally getting on top of the housework again.

I've gotten through the worst of it.

Maybe the new normal is just getting on with life...with a body that feels different...and the knowledge that cancer may return someday, tucked into the furthermost corner of my mind.

xx Em

 

 

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Maggie makes things better.

A dear friend has been under the weather in more ways than one lately. Morning sickness & the flu...a thoroughly horrid combination that requires a big dose of TLC.

After this morning's Preschool drop off, the Jackman & I stopped at the Fyshwick Markets to get some essential get-well supplies...and a coffee. Armed with the good stuff, we went home and I got busy in the kitchen while Jack played with his train set. Nothing like comfort food and fresh flowers to boost morale!

 

 

I whipped up a batch of slow roasted pumpkin soup to go with beautiful crusty baguettes from Crust Bakery (that's a yummy post for another day). For dessert, Maggie Beer's Chocolate & Salted Caramel icecream...cause it makes everything better!

 

It was so nice to finally be able to give back to a friend who's always been the first to drop by with a homecooked meal & an offer to babysit whenever we've been laid low. She is a gem with an abundantly generous heart.

Feel better soon Lovely!

xxx

 

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Master Five meets Melbourne

 

Five years ago he made me a Mummy.

 

 

My beautiful Harry Bear.

All he wanted to do this year was go to Melbourne to ride the trams. But we told him that we couldn't afford to take him. Melbourne was a long way away. Ok, he said, ever so graciously, without a pout in sight.

Saturday night Hubby and I sneakily packed up the car and early Sunday morning we woke Harry with the news that we were taking a roadtrip...to Melbourne. Excited...much!

Armed with Urban Pantry coffee, we farewelled Canberra

 

 

and became acquainted with 670kms of country New South Wales & Victoria.

 

 

It was a very pretty...albeit long drive south to Melbourne.

 

With a couple of quick stops along the way.

 

 

Totally awesome playground in Albury, according to Hubby. Had to temporarily disown him while he was rocketing down the massive slide like a two year old. Seriously, who owns that man? We reached Melbourne nine hours after leaving home.

 

 

 

 

Our home away from home was The Swanston Hotel Grand Mecure. It was the perfect location, smack bang in the middle of the city overlooking Bourke Street Mall with the Swanston St tram stop right out front. Sweet! Not wanting to waste a minute of our whistlestop trip, we hit the streets for a little night exploration and some dinner at South Bank.

 

 

 

 

 

Both boys were asleep before their heads hit their pillows that night.

 

 

Monday dawned bright, breezy and beautiful.

And our little guy was FIVE!

 

 

Breakfast at a favourite cafe on Collins followed by a stroll back to the hotel through arcades and laneways.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then just enough time to dump the pram in the hotel room and jump on a city circle tram.

 

Oh how heavenly a morning for this gorgeous little guy.

 

 

 

Not so much for the twitchy two year old who would have preferred running riot in a park somewhere.

 

 

 

The Jackman became so restless that we jumped off at Docklands Drive and wandered back along the harbour to let him burn off some energy. Only, our genius plan wasn't quite so genius and he kept running off in the opposite direction...ending in a mammoth tantrum. Hubby and I decided to divide and conquer so as to not ruin Harry's day. I took Jack back to the hotel for a nap and Hubby took the birthday boy on a surprise train trip. They jumped on the first train leaving from Platform number 5 and got off at the fifth stop which turned out to be the Zoo. How perfectly lovely!

Jack was still a little grizzly after an hour's nap so I took him out in the pram for some lunch and a stroll.

 

 

 

I do love Collins street...reminds me of New York.

Now...I'm going to put it out there and correct me if you will...but to me, Melbourne is the city of Macarons!

 

 

 

 

 

 

I thought it only proper to sample the salted caramel.

 

 

Bourke Street mall was vastly diverting with it's street performances.

 

 

Did I mention that there was a Haigh's chocolate store in the lobby of our hotel? No? My guilty little secret then!

 

 

 

 

The boys arrived back from their adventure by mid afternoon. We had a small rest in the hotel then headed up the hill to play in Carlton Gardens.

 

 

Here Jack was able to run wild and both boys had such fun exploring.

 

Then the sun disappeared and it was time for dinner.

A five year old's idea of a ritzy supper...

The Pancake Parlour of course!

 

 

 

 

 

Followed by a night tram ride to Lygon Street to sample some gelato.

Brunetti's...holy mother of all that is Italian!!!

I've never seen anything quite like it. AH-MAZING!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Incredible Pastries & Cakes, Rustic Breads, Woodfired Pizzas, Pastas and the most delectable array of Gelato...heaven!

 

 

On the stroll back to the tram we stopped and enjoyed the most beautiful music by this lovely older gentleman.

Yesterday we headed to Hardware Lane for a relaxed, loungey breakfast at Larder Section. This is what we parents love about Melbourne...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A second lazy coffee and the last slice of avocado on sourdough for the walk back to the hotel. Bliss!

 

 

Time to check out and hit the road.

Thank you Melbourne for a fabulous stay! Harry thinks you are the most wonderful city IN THE WORLD! We love you!!!

 

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