Rain falls from concrete-coloured skies

It's exhausting, this weather.

One minute it's pouring horizontally. The next it's sunny. The wind varies from moment to moment- gale force to gentle breeze.

Last night there was an AMAZING storm with thunder and lightning that was spectacular.

Lots of indoor time going down. But I love it when the rain stops and I can send them all outside. 

 

We took a break in the weather to go to the field behind us and have an unbirthday for Leo for afternoon tea.  I have owed him a birthday cake since last November as he had a sleepover - and I FORGOT to do a CAKE! LOL.
What this photo doesn't show was that as we walked out our gate we saw a couple of people walking past carrying a flat screen tv and a stuffed black bin bag. Of course we rang the cops who promptly turned up and set chase. 
To the left of this photo was a clump of bushes that the crims were hiding behind. I was quietly keeping an eye while  waiting for the coppers. They saw I had a camera. Suckers.

Sunday night storm food. Essential.

rain rain piss off!

This was me today.
The skirt is wishful thinking. It has rained most of the week and I'm over it!
Look at the state of the place. And that's actually quite good compared to how it has been this week. Washing is piled up and getting worse. And we're having a few challenges at the mo with some of the kids.... 

Lucky the op shops are there for some escape and respite! 

I only went to 4 this week.
Amongst other things this is what I got...
* Velvet bag (looks like it may have been bought at Zinnia, a very cool shop) 
* Barkcloth apron
* kitsch pelican vase thing (badly placed photo - doh!) to add to my collection and some cute old playskool toys..

* Fantastic orange party ware..
* old puzzles
* more table party ware - the 3 flower trays come off the main tray
* more retro table linen.. how much is enough?!
* orange storage things.. I've got quite a few of these and I LOVE them
* picnic s and p set
* groovy kids' clothes (it's the change of season sales at most of the oppies!)

Been having fun with this (more escapism!)

Welcome to my washing rack.

Yes I still look quite pregnant! And my hair is very Mick Jagger right now.
Sheesh.
When you've got 5 kids it's easy to be number 6 in the priority list!!
Keeping it real y'all!!!!

Looking forward to the weekend and MAYBE I'll be able to get something done!
Hope the weather plays ball!

OP SHOP STYLE

For those of you who haven't worked it out... 

Most of my clothing is from op shops, and that of my kids!

This has been the case since I was about 15, when I caught the op-shopping/garage sale-ing bug!

Clothing kids DOES NOT have to be expensive.

(I also inherit a lot of stuff for the kids from wonderful sisters, sisters-in-law and friends, which is SO cool and lucky..)

I don't claim to be a style guru by ANY stretch, but I would like to say (in case you didn't already know!) that  cool things can be found...

Lots of my blogging buddies are op/chaz/thrift shoppers, but this is for those who aren't!

And we can help charities and save the planet, one garment at a time!

I have been asked a few times for my top op-shopping tips .. I will put a post together about this asap!

Now that recipe that peeps have been asking after..

sheesh I'm boob-feeding again. I'll update this soon when he's asleep!

This recipe is from the fabulous Julie Le Clerc (of Garnet Rd Foodstore cafe in aucks..

So good. And easy peasy lemon squeezy!

Lemon Slice

Crust: 1 1/2 cups flour, 3/4 caster sugar and 150g butter, cubed.

Pulse the flour and sugar in your food processor to sift, then add the butter till you get breadcrumb texture. Press over a lined tin (20 x 30cm)

Bake 15mins (till golden) @ 180 celsius.

* Remove, reduce oven to 140 deg.

Filling:

4 large eggs

1 3/4 cups caster sugar

finely grated zest of 3 lemons

2/3 c lemon juice

1/3 cup flour, seived.

Whisk eggs and sugar together till very thick and pale. Fold in juice, zest, then flour. Pour over crust and bake 40mins or until set. 

Cool completely and chop it up! dust with icing sugar if ya want!

purple paisley

We went to my friend's 40th last night. 

ALL of US!!!

Getting us all ready was RIDICULOUS!

It was like a slapstick comedy. 

CrazyTown.

Amidst the mayhem I asked my kids to take some photos of me for the blog.

I had to crop my head out of this because I think I was hollering at someone and I looked BAD!

This is another dress I've had for about 15 years. It is so comfy. I had to wear a skirt under it coz frocks are NOT breastfeeding friendly!

It's all op-shopped of course.

There were plenty more of these!

The party was great of course, once we got there. The kids were all good and showed people their best dancing moves. I love a good old fashioned kiwi party in a hired church hall!


And in other news: Today is Fathers' Day over here.
My kids have got a good one!
They gave him cute cards and breakfast in bed and a few extra squishy hugs.

(For those of you who asked for it..next post will have the lemon slice recipe.
I'm  boob-feeding right now and can't get up to get it)

Yellow

Today is Daffodil Day here in NZ.

It's all to do with cancer.. and remembering and HOPING  (and fundraising!)

My mama died of cancer.

Some things turn a bit yellow for the day over here in NZ. The kids trundled off to school with yellow t'shirts on, clutching their gold coins.

We wear yellow at our place.

I thought I was a woman of many colours but today, unlike other years,
 I FOUND NOTHING YELLOW to wear!
( maybe there's something in a box in the garage that I haven't unearthed since the move...?)

Apart from bags and other accessories!

So that will be my new op shop mission!!! I'm on a Yellow Hunt!

Our regular friday playgroup jaunt. 

I made this lemon slice to share with the other mamas and dads.. (so good - it's like lemon meringue pie in a slice)

The kids iced biscuits with yellow icing and 100s and 1000s...
That's a vintage baby dress ( Iris is wearing it as a top) from my childhood. 

Cuteness...

(It's also the last official last day of Winter)
Spring is beginning to emerge..

I LOVE Spring!

Op Shop Booty and BOOTS..

YO!!!
It's finally me!
Finding  a space in the day to do  a post!

Well Hello there new friend!

It's got one of these hair blow wavers (?) inside.. which I am not going to keep... $6 which is actually quite steep in my cheap skate view.. but I had to have it...

They make terrific handbags
and  

EARRINGS.

And I had to get it because it is my other one's long lost sister.
We all know one is never enough.
One day I might get a real job and these might be my BRIEF CASES because they are perfect A4 size.

GOLD.

The Same but Different.
A bit like my all time favourite boots.
(complete with baby chunder)

Speaking of BOOTS.. I got these off trademe. They're CAMPERS as well. I find it very hard to wear uncomfy shoes these days.  One of the only things that we don't always buy at an oppie! (No I'm not being paid to advertise for them!)
Happy Days..

By the way, in my last post... the pram photos .. those are my first 4 kids.. about 2 1/2 years ago. the baby in the pink is Iris, not Arlo!
This is Arlo as he appeared yesterday. 3 months..
Bloody cute, if I may say so myself.

Perambulators

Ahhh what happened?! It's suddenly nearly September and the official end of Winter.. and I've just worked that out! 

First of all I'd like to say a big HELLO to my new followers.. (100! I'd better do a giveaway to celebrate!)

Thank you for all the wonderful comments and I will try to find some fabulous peaceful moments some time this weekend to read everyone's blogs and do a bit of commenting etc... Never seems to be enough hours in the week! 

This post is in response to quite a few questions and comments on my pram that featured in a recent post.

The grey one I bought for $10 when I was 16!!! There was an awesome monthly jumble sale here in Hamilton that was AMAZING at the Salvation Army 'Nest'. It was seriously the highlight of my month. It's a bummer they don't still do it but it finished years ago.. ANyway... I bought this home much to my Mum's despair hilarity! I loved it. Still do of course! 

History lesson: This pram was bought, along with 15 others when the Mothercraft unit at the hospital here in Hamilton was built. They still use these prams to get the babies to sleep. 

They sold this one a couple of years ago so I just had to get it (via Trademe)!

These prams are fantastic. They have amazing suspension and the babies really can't help themselves but fall asleep.. When we take them out we get stopped by old ladies saying  they love to see the old timers out and about, and young car enthusiasts who are well interested in the mechanics.

They are not great for fitting in the car though so we have a fold out one for that. I once had a 70s folding one that had a tassled fringe. So cool. Wish I hadn't let that one go.

This is Iris and her bestie as we blazed a flowery  trail to our Friday playgroup about 5mins walk from our place. My friend Kathy got her Silver Cross pram FREE from a charity shop in London!!!! The old lady in there had been waiting for the right recipient to come along to give it to !!!!*Pram envy!*
We would love to set up a vintage pram club but so far it's only us!!! 

Happy Days everyone!