Music Monday #10

Well we made it. And the flight wasn't too bad. Still it was a long and exhasting trip and it is lovely now to be here with hubby's family, letting them soak up the goodness of time with their grandson. I have only ever been here in the summer time so it's a somewhat strange experience being here now with the leaves falling, the mist rolling in in the mornings and the short, dark days. Papi's harvest is no longer peaches and berries and cos salads, but endive and carrots and kiwis. It's lovely to observe the stark contrast of seasons and let Leo embrace it too.

So from chilly France back to Melbourne for a moment with today's Music Monday (it's still monday here!). I love this local duo, Sweet Jean, and this song and this cute little clip. Enjoy and next fortnight I may pull out a Frenchie one...
happy week!

bon voyage...

ok, I think we're just about ready to go. This is Leo this morning after receiving a going away gift from Grandma... his very own little carry on bag with a tractor on it (vehicle obsession going on at the moment) and headphones for the plane.

If it's a horrendous flight, it won't be because I'm not prepared! Our apartment is looking as clean and tidy as it ever has, as we've put it on airbnb so that people can rent it while we're away. And it's already proving popular... so that's a bit exciting. I almost don't want to leave, it's looking so spick!
But leave we are and so bring on that white Christmas.... I'll check in here every now and then, and will be on instagram (miettehandmade) so see you there! xx

ooh, almost forgot... this photo was taken with my new 50mm lens - an early birthday present from my family! I don't think I mentioned here that I did Tim Coulson's workshop in Melbourne a while ago and  was inspired to update my kit. Happy I have!

Oui oui...

Yes indeed, this time next week we will be in Paris. It's quit hard to get my head around (as is the idea of going back to Winter). We will spend a day there with cousins and then head down on the fast train to hubby's parents' house in a little village in the South where we will spend six weeks. Six weeks of family and cheese and snow in the mountains and Leo having a good dose of his French grandparents.

I'm looking forward to it (particularly the few days I'm treating myself to in Paris... ALONE!). Though not so much to a 24 hour plane trip with an energetic almost 2 year old. Last time we did it he was six months old and was either sleeping or breastfeeding most of the way. This time, I'm expecting a completely different experience and I'm preparing my little bag of tricks. Any ideas or tips gladly welcomed!

Music Monday #9

A couple of weekends ago, we got away to the beach house and caught up with friends and family, and on rest and relaxation. My sister brought with her a box of old CDs that had been hidden away for a while and we spent an evening going through them, playing our favourite songs, being transported back to earlier times and places and sharing our memories.
I found this old song that takes me back to one particular summer in a share house during my early twenties. I love love love it. I had it on this awesome album (part of the fabulous Back to Mine series) if you're interested.

my little helper...

Always obliging when there's banana cake involved.

Handmade...

Obviously, being Miette Handmade, I've got a bit of a thing for handmade products. In our family, we only give handmade gifts at Christmas (made by ourselves). And it's great - it avoids us adding to the consumer madness of the season, it reduces spending and waste, and it creates thoughtful, personal gifts that everyone genuinely appreciates.
So I was pretty thrilled when I was asked if the gorgeous online store, Rockrose Handmade, could stock a couple of my quilts. Their focus is on handmade, ethical and beautiful products and there are a whole lot of amazing things there.... go have a squiz and support handmade!

And in other news, I've added some fun little (handmade!) pincushions to the shop!

Well things have shifted down a notch, even though I feel like life has continued to be incredibly busy lately. But my attention has focused a little to other things. We have relaxed by the beach over that ridiculous horse race holiday, spring cleaned and sorted, celebrated birthdays, completed tax returns, booked fast train trips (Paris to Montpellier!!). And I have realised that in the business of recent times, that my little  baby has grown up oh so quickly and I can hardly keep up. Suddenly, he has long locks and he speaks in two languages and makes me laugh and he's just the best thing ever and I can't quite believe I created him!

we've also enjoyed the sun, the storms, the sunsets and the general craziness of Melbourne spring weather... our balcony greens are bringing me much delight (even parsley that's gone to seed and ranunculi that have finished for the year are making my smile).