We’re halfway through the first month of the year, and with that halfway through summer as well. Here’s what’s been making me smile this month…
Working in the garden
At the very start of my maternity leave and ahead of Paul’s arrival, one of my greatest desires for the coming year was to spend more time in the garden. Being heavily pregnant and then adapting to life with a newborn isn’t really conducive to digging around in the ground, weeding or mulching, so that plan was put on hold. Now that Paul’s a little older and we’ve got a little more routine happening though, I’m hoping I might be able to get stuck into a few more outdoors activities. This weekend past, I started sowing echinacea (coneflower) seeds that’ll hopefully turn into seedlings, ready to plant come early autumn. I’d love to turn one of our front, western facing garden beds in a drought-tolerant, low-water set-up that’s got some cottage garden vibes. A wizened old rosemary bush has already been transplanted there (fingers crossed it does ok) and I’m also planning on adding lavender, craspedia (billy buttons) and perhaps some brachyscome (native daisies).
Finishing Paul’s nursery
In the last week or so, Adam and I finally finished Paul’s nursery. We weren’t the parents who had everything ready weeks ahead of his arrival. In fact, we consciously made a decision not have it finalised ready for his birth on account of having frequent family visitors in the latter part of last year, who’d need to utilise the space themselves. While Paul’s still sleeping of a night in our bedroom, he’s napping in his cot in the nursery throughout the day now and all his toys, clothes and books have a home. There are still a few pictures to hang on the wall, but overall it feels complete. Although we didn’t have a decorating scheme in mind, it’s ended up looking pretty cohesive with lots of grey, white and baby blue, peppered with bright bursts of yellow. I’m so looking forward to spending more time in there with my little boy soon.
Smoothies
I’m pretty late to the smoothie bandwagon but now I’m on board, I understand what all the fuss is about. Breastfeeding is quite an energy heavy activity and recently I started to notice I was getting really hungry mid afternoon. Too often I was reaching for the biscuit tin to keep me going, and while I don’t mind indulging every now and again I didn’t want to make it a habit. I spotted these special ice cubes at the supermarket a few weeks back and decided to give them a go. They’re super quick, packed full of goodies and taste delicious. They’re not the cheapest, and I know I probably should try and prepare ingredients myself but at the moment the convenience of the cubes is so handy.
What’s been making you happy this month?
Have a wonderful week.
M. x
Wattle and Ash 