in stitches

The reason for my visit, besides retail therapy and going to musicals, was to go to the craft fair on at Rosehill Racecourse. I wanted to stock up on fabrics for the fair in November in Coota (http://www.cootamundra.local-e.nsw.gov.au/events/pages/15810.html) .

Mum selflessly volunteered to go with me on my mission and Dad stayed behind to gather his energy for that night (dinner and the movies!). We found our way to Rosehill Racecourse on a beautiful Sydney day and prepared to go crazy. As we approached the pavilions we had a choice to go left or right and luckily we chose right. Would you believe the first stall we saw was the Picklemouse one (http://www.picklemousecorner.com/) where we got lots of advice and loads of gorgeous fabric from Pam and Alicia. I could see the other people were looking at us as if to say why are they so special? I took a photo but then got in trouble from security in case I was stealing someone's quilting ideas (yes, I've always wanted to make a Donald Bradman quilt). We then had a look at the rest of the exhibitors in that area but there were only a few really good ones. Let's just say there was quite alot of stuff that wasn't really my thing (freaky dolls and bears and bags that has been appliqued, froufou and tizzed to the max - eeek!) Luckily though what floats my boat doesn't necessarily do so for others and lots of ladies seemed to be having a great time.
We had a look at the other pavilion which had a strange aroma (I thought someone had been burning incense but apparently there was a pyromaniac on the loose). There were some things of interest (I got some great Amy Butler patterns and a couple of jelly rolls) and mum and I got to give our hands a bit of exfoliation and moisturising though the pregnant bogan woman didn't and she was cranky.
Having assumed that we would need the whole day to see the craft fair we were pleased that it was still quite early. I suggested ducking upstairs where the classes were being held just in case and I'm glad we did. This is where they put all the creative, clever, bloggy people with quirky, gorgeous things to sell. The area, complete with clotheslines, was very cute and much more my thing. There were lots of lovely retro aprons (which were what I tried to make for a friend for her birthday but ended up with something rather large and not quite so chichi. I'm guessing now that she is almost nine months pregnant it probably just fits) and felt cupcakes and fruit and cuteness as far as the eye could see. Even a bunny.I found out from the lovely Jade (her blog is http://myartismyoutlet.blogspot.com/) that all the gals in the area had blogs and will be putting the links up asap. She was sewing the binding on a lovely quilt (great colours and simple, not OTT) and there are photos of it and other projects on her blog. Clever.
So I bought some more lovely bits and pieces and tried to absorb all the cleverness and creativity to inspire me on my return to OJ.
And the dinner and the movie? We saw Mamma Mia which was okay. Funny. Everytime the actors burst into song people started giggling (so that was frequently) and it wasn't just because Pierce Brosnan looked like he was trying to pass a kidney stone everytime he sang. Ouch.
And dinner was at a restaurant called Papaya, which had very funky chandeliers and rattan poufs (not good for bare legs) and we ate some lovely food. Moneybags, Duck Salad, Whole Snapper and soft shell crabs. Mmmm.

the new pete cundall

In spite of the cold weather, Jack is champing at the bit to go outside and play in our yard. There's lots of stuff to do: chase Lucky dog, kick the ball, swing and watch the trucks go by but he really loves gardening with S.

So the other day when S turned up with some potatoes to plant (thanks Diane!) Jack was keen to help.

breakthrough!

It seems I've done it. I've cracked the indifference that usually greets me at Jack's Playgroup. Did I take along morning tea (no, I did that once before and my blackbottomed cupcakes were too..well too something and S was delighted when I came home with leftovers).

No, I wore a tracksuit. And we're not talking a Juicy Couture one. We're talking grey trackies with a bloop of pumpkin soup on the leg and a droopy bum. If only I'd known I would've worn them a lot sooner.

Jack had a lovely time playing with the toy stoves and cars and babies and causing havoc. He tried to share a chair with a ginger child but she was not happy. I don't think she's very good at sharing because there was a brouhaha about crayons. Absolutely nothing to do with Jack but she was involved. And we did a craft. All of us, even the seven month old baby. Jack particularly liked the glue part and squidging it around with his fingers. I'll post a photo of his creation when I get home.

At the moment I'm at Villa Tuscana in Sydney sans the boys! My first time away from Jack. And in spite of missing Lucky and Jack and S I've been having a lovely time, shopping at Country Road, having a facial. Just don't tell the mums at playgroup. That would be a big backwards step.

Last night I caught up with my friend Soph and went to see Keating! the musical. I mentioned this at the beauticians yesterday and the English girl who did my facial didn't know who Paul Keating was. Another woman who worked there said with a pussy bum mouth, "He's a former Prime minister of Australia and a pig farmer." I guess that's one way to describe him.

The musical was fantastic. I particularly loved the duet between Gareth Evans and Cheryl Kernot (My heart's in peril, Cheryl!) with Gareth in his safari suit and Cheryl in her ravishing red outfit she wore for the women's weekly photo shoot. Hilarious. And the actor playing John Howard (and Bob Hawke) - Terry Serio - did a fantastic job. I loved Howard's costume changes, from suit to Wallabies track suit to army flak jacket to moleskins and akubra. And Alexander Downer's solo. Well that was just freaky.

Tap dog

Besides driving and bouncing, Jack has also been doing some tap dancing (he must've inherited that talent from his Sydney Grandfather). He dances all over the place whenever the mood takes him but has discovered that a trailer is a very fine place to dance. It must make a good noise.

Baby you can drive my car...

In the last couple of weeks Jack has taken a fancy to driving any cars he can get his hands on (or persuade someone to open the door and pop him on the seat). He especially likes it at Mudgeegong because apart from the tractor there is also a celica, a mini, the land rover and the troopie. And once he gets started he wants to try them all. Pressing the horn, turning on the hazard lights and all sorts of fun. He may need to grow a little though so he can see over the steering wheel.

Jack and Lily

I was interested to see how Jack would behave with Lily. He would try and give her books and things but seemed disappointed when she didn't grab onto them. She is only 4 months old. He also helped her bouncinette a little, giving it some extra bounce, and gave it a try when Lily had vacated it. For the most part though he didn't spend that much time with Lily(there are plenty of distractions at Mudgeegong as you will see). Then on Tuesday night while she was bouncing in her jumper he helped her bounce then gave her a hug, just as my camera ran out of batteries. I did get these photos though.

Pain au Chocolat is back on the menu

While we were away Jack became a bit of a fan of Pain au chocolat and I was worried about what would happen when we got back, with Wagga and Junee not exactly know for their bountiful supplies of pastries.

Then we went to the Growers Markets last weekend in Wagga and the wonderful french baker is now making them as well as other treats. It seems he and the family have just returned from France and he's expanded his range. Maybe he was inspired. I was certainly inspired (to eat alot of bread!).As you can see Jack was very happy.