Dear Lola,

We love winter for its rainbow beanies, knitted cardies, cozy moccasins, flowering camellias, building blocks in front of the fire, collecting firewood, red noses, knitting blankets, long hot baths, warm milk, & this year we can add to the list - for the making of Glühwein.

We recently celebrated your Opapas birthday, where your beloved Omama served the grown up guests a warm glass of freshly made Glühwein – mulled wine.
It instantly warmed your mama up & the recipe was kindly & quickly exchanged.

Oma's "Glühwein" Recipe:

You will need...

1/4 litre water
1 piece of a cinnamon stick
4 whole cloves
1 or 2 pieces lemon rind
2 level tablespoons of sugar

1/2 litre red wine.... and one small child.

 

Enlist the small child to place all ingredients (minus the wine) into a large pot.

 Simmer all the ingredients in the water for about 5 minutes, remove the cinnamon, cloves and lemon rind, add the wine and heat it, don't boil it.

 

Enjoy in front of a roaring fire (or heater), with one lovely papa and one cuddly little lady.

Your mama

Dear Lola,

We hadn't been to the op shop in a while. It's been a couple of weeks, which is a long while for us, and we were on a mission to find some cheap picture frames for a photo ledge I'm working on. 

We found a few decent frames... 50c each

And then we found this huge cane basket. I instantly thought it would be perfect for next to our fireplace to store fire wood. We had been keeping an eye out for one. However, it's been sitting in the lounge room since we got home & it could also make a good toy storage basket.. hmmmm. $10.

Then I spotted this crochet blanket & couldn't leave it behind. It's a great size too - would fit a double bed for sure. But seeming we don't have a double bed & we have plenty of throw rugs already, I was thinking I might hang it in your room, sprawled across one of your bare walls. Mind you there aren't many bare walls left! $4.

 You found this adorable vintage wooden dress up lion & tiger boxed set, so we popped it in the basket too. $1.

 These canisters are perfect for coffee & tea bags - $2.

 But wait there's more. Handmade drawing/paint smock with a little pocket on the front - 50 cents.

 Mini table runner - pretty sure that was free (as was the purple stuffed rabbit that was held tightly under your arm as we approached the check out) The ladies serving couldn't resist your smile.

 Lastly a vest, because nothing quite beats a knitted vest - $3. 

I love to shop and when I'm spending under 20 bucks for a bunch of awesome stuff & better still the money is going to charity, everyone walks away happy! I might add you were a little champ the whole time, sticking close by as your crazy mama juggled all our treasures. Let's do it again some time soon.

Your mama

 

 

Dear Lola,

Just a few bits & pieces (plus two new babies!)...

1. Introducing new baby no. one - Jasper Seaborn New

2. Art o'clock with dot art paints.

3. Sewing HQ - freshly made owls.

4. Mini master chef cooking ribollita soup.

5. Introducing new baby no. two - Tyler Keith Ryan

6. A pretty little corner.

7. Fruit overload.

8. Was contemplating making some pants for myself until I found these for $4.

9. Tiger reading at dusk.

Your mama

Dear Lola,

The saw dust has settled, the tools have been packed away and the smell of freshly cut cypress is all but gone. We have been busy bench builders. Or should I say Luke & Papa have been busy.

What was once a garden bed full of dirt & dust has been transformed into a wooden wonder! A bench seat & a very welcome addition to our sun room.

Let the fun begin (I'm sure I've said that before?) - building a frame

 Papa's trapped!

Lending a helping hand as always

Yep - it's straight, good work guys.

Lying down on the job!

 Working into the night & reflecting...

 Testing out the finished product

We need a few more cushions - mama can help out on that front!

Glorious sunshine

Holds Lola and her kiwi friend, so it passes the test!

  

Here's to many happy, sunny, lazy, crazy bench days together.

Your mama