simplify

i have been reading a book called simplicity parenting by kim john payne.

i like it.

i don't think we lead an overly hectic or complicated life right now but this book has given me a few ideas on how i can simplify things.

one of the things i have picked up on is simplifying our food.

i have always struggled with making a shopping list and buying enough food to last through the week or weeks until the next shopping day.

so i have made a list

monday - pasta night

tuesday - chicken

wednesday - vegetarian

thursday - red meat

friday - home made fast food 

saturday - fish

sunday - eggs

that is how i have started although it may change slightly as i would like to eat fish more than once a week and as i am trying to lose some weight, pasta may go.

by simplifying it doesn't mean that the variety will be limited. how many different types of pasta dishes are there or chicken dishes or how many different ways to cook fish? home made fast food may include eggs on toast or baked beans or nachos or pizza. 

so as we average a trip to the supermarket every two weeks, when i sit down to write a shopping list i can go through how many meals of fish i will need to buy for, how many for pasta and so on. so much easier than trying to think on the spot at the supermarket with a toddler in tow.

i am not sure why i have never done this before.

the book claims that by having a set rhythm to meals, that children's fussiness during mealtimes will decrease as they will know well in advance from week to week that saturday is fish night and sunday is egg night so if they aren't so keen on those at least monday night will be something to look forward to because it will be pasta night.  

might work...

rain

oh how i love summer rain, (or any rain actually).

it freshens everything and the garden grows so much faster, the dust gets washed away off the plants and they just look beautiful.

jess had a little fun in the puddles on the drive. they don't last long.

get moving

yesterday i had an appointment with a personal trainer.

i have signed up for a 45 minute training session once a week for four weeks.

i will see how it is going after that and decided whether to continue with the trainer or go it alone.

i feel motivated already so i think having a trainer for a session a week will be a big boost.

of course i will have to exercise more than once a week but i think having a trainer for a little while will start me off on the right track and get me moving more again.

i have also thought that i will try to get a walk in for 30 minutes each day, try to get a ride in every couple of days, try to do some yoga once a day and once i get going with the trainer use some of her exercises each day whenever i can fit them in.

monday is our first training session, looking forward to it.

its funny how life works sometimes and the coincidences that occur.

in the mail today was information on a series of workshops, to be held locally, aimed at mum's called wisemove. the workshops discuss ways that mums with young children can be active. it is for two hours once a week with one hour devoted to discussion and the other to some physical activity.

starts early february. i am going to do it.

the beach

jess and i spent some time down at our local beach this morning.

the conditions were perfect.

summer sky

i have been enjoying picking up the camera everyday for project 366 . 

its day 5 and i have read that i will get tired of taking photos each day but i intend to stick with it. i think it will be fantastic to see a photo from each day of the year when its over.

i took these shots today by crouching under the windsock, shooting up at the sky.

the first photo is the one i chose to post on the flickr site for the project.

i have been using eloise's camera, a sony cyber-shot, for the last few days and its so easy to use and takes great shots.

love the blue sky with the blues of the windsock blowing in the wind.

a little sewing

recently an old friend of mine, the very talented, Rita of red pepper quilts offered me this gorgeous girl on a swing fabric by aneela hoey part of her sherbet pips collection, from her stash when i asked if it was still available to buy.

very generous of her and i was very thankful as this fabric is not available to buy anymore.

i really wanted it to make the oliver + s 2+2 blouse pattern for jess and this fabric is perfect for it.

i love the packaging with these patterns and i have read that they are easy to use. you get many sizes too which is great as it will be a pattern that will last for years. always a bonus with children that grow so fast. this pattern is so versatile as you can choose to have a long sleeved or short sleeved sleeveless blouse or put some extra length on to make a dress choosing your desired sleeve length.

looking forward to getting started.

sweet dreams

jess and i have been reading mem fox's time for bed quite a bit lately.

the stars on high are shining bright, sweet dreams my darling, sleep well, good night.

jess has taken so saying night, night.

and now sweet dreams.

very sweet, very cute.