I did not realise how much time has flown by since I last posted...sorry about that! So much has been happening around here that it would make for a very long (and probably borish post) to tell you all about it. But suffice to say that things "have" been happening, blinds are all installed (photos to come later), carpet in new master bedroom is being layed tomorrow so will updated with photos on that as well.

But the most important thing about this past month was that my baby turned 4 on Sunday...I know everyone says that they can't believe how fast their little ones grow up but seriously...it is mind blowing how fast these past 4 years have gone and I am more in love with him everyday.

And of course the older they get the cheekier they get!!

This was his 4th birthday cake as he requested...Optimus Prime (Transformers) cake from his Aunty Lisa.

I promise I will be back with house photo updates....promise.

For my birthday in April my boss gave me a "weekend away" on him so I have been searching for somewhere to stay. Whilst searching on the Internet looking for B&B's or Cottages to stay at I came across these...how gorgeous are they? They are located in Asheville in the United States (sorry not sure where this is?).

Biltmore Village Inn

1899 Black Walnut B&B

1899 Wright Inn

Hmmm...now to decide which one to stay at....think I'll go with Wright Inn.

Off to pack my bags.

So this is what I've been up to the last week or so...painting, painting and more painting...and still not finished. Although don't think that will be possible for a long time yet!!

I decided to tackle the dining & lounge room as I was definitely over the yellow. Here is the mess we have been living with! I do love this new colour, although it doesn't come up very well with my camera. It is called Hogs Bristle by Dulux and everything seems to go well with it.
Also thought I would show some before and afters of our extension/renovation of the outside as I don't think I have put them on here before. There is still a way to go mind you. I just love seeing before & afters on peoples blogs...

I didn't get to take a photo of the back "before" they started demolishing it but basically it just had a big covered deck coming straight out of the back (coming out of the french doors stepping straight onto the deck) and it also had an outside laundry which is now inside.

We removed the old garage as it was on a major lean and made of asbestos (which my darling father & husband removed - carefully!!). We are all amazed that it was actually still standing as there were only 3 posts still touching the ground. It was replaced by a slightly bigger than single garage (and not for use by the car...oh no, it presently holds all the stuff we can't fit into the house!!).

And to finish up with my gorgeous little man...and yay he finally fits his Thomas jumper that my Nan made him. This is an extra special jumper and a long time in the making. Thanks Nan xx.

I have always been into "drive bys" and on some recent blogs I have noticed that I'm not alone! We usually go out for drives up the mountains or just around the local area and "sticky beak" at all the lovely houses. I have never thought to actually take my camera with me though so I decided to give it a try this past weekend and take a few shots.

Only a few turned out and I also felt nervous like I was doing something very naughty! Anyway these are a few of the better shots I got. The first one is just around the corner from my house and the other two are about 10 minutes away (they are set quiet far back from the road so hard to get a good shot).

I will try and get some more next drive by...there are so many gorgeous old homes around our area and would love to share.

Walking into my parents on Sunday and looking on their kitchen table I thought I must have walked into an antique store! They had just been to a huge Auction held in Mudgee and seemed to have bid on an awful lot of stuff. And the best part...most of it was for me. It felt like Christmas had come early. I got this lovely cup & saucer.

These beautiful glasses which I can just see some lovely desserts being served up.

And my favourite (as I am very partial to anything blue & white) are these. Don't they look lovely in my kitchen. Along with all the other changes going on around here, I'm also thinking of changing all the door knobs on the kitchen cabinets to chrome and also the power point covers...what do you think?

My very talented mother made me some place mats in shabby chic fabrics which turned out lovely.

Just came across another home to add to my "when I win the lottery" file!! This is located in the most beautiful suburb of Beecroft and was built in 1895. It is for sale by "expressions of interest"...!!!

www.realestate.com.au

Winter seems to have come early (ok only by 2 weeks) but it has been getting very fresh...makes me miss my fireplace! Snuggling up in front of it watching TV and with Ryan being a winter baby, having the fire was so lovely, my husband would make sure it was stacked up so that when I got up in the wee hours of the night/morning it would be roaring and I would sit in front of it and feed Ryan.

So I am on the look out for a "fake" fireplace (an electric one) to go in our new living room...one that looks like this...so if anyone knows where to get one please let me know.


Yesterday I finally got to Me & Mo's so I could use my gift vouchers...I could seriously have brought everything in the shop...there was nothing in there that I didn't like! I was so overwhelmed that I couldn't pick so decided to come back another time (but not before I got this little gem...I love these at the moment).

So yesterday I decided to start another project (yes I should learn to finish one before starting another!) but I was so sick of looking at the sideboard and decided to get started on it. These are the before photos and will update once finished (started sanding before I remembered to take photos). There are little drawers that fit into the little square holes. And you guessed it...it is being painted White Watsonia (did you guess right Mum?)

That then left a big empty space so I moved the kitchen hutch into the dining room for now and put back all my blue and white china which had been packed away since the extensions were started. The walls in here are yellow but will soon be painted the same as the living area. This is the original part of the house and was painted when we first moved in 7 years ago so long overdue for some freshness. I really do need to get started on these rooms as we are having the floors redone and it would be wiser to paint now.

Yep plenty of stuff happening around here...oh and we finished off the first full coat of our bedroom. One more coat to go and then all the trim work to be done, carpet...oh and yes - the ensuite (you can't rush these things you know!!)

Here's Ryan and his teacher at swimming on Saturday...

He has been coming out with the funniest things lately...yesterday when I was rearranging furniture and cleaning I discovered some marks on the wall so went and got the Gumption - he says to me "is that Gumption" and I say "yes it is" and he says "good 'ol Gumption hey"...like a little old man!

Also yesterday morning whilst taking off his nighttime nappy I rolled it up and he says "wrap it up I'll take two"...where did that come from? Maybe a little too much TV for this kid!

I know I'm a little late but Happy Mothers Day...I had the best day starting out with McDonald's Pancakes in bed followed by a wonderful picnic at Wisemans Ferry (even if the weather kept threatening us!). And shared it with the best Mum in the world of course....

Thought I would share this poem with you.

Before I was a Mum…
I made and ate hot meals.
I had unstained clothing.
I had quiet conversations on the phone.

Before I was a Mum,
I slept as late as I wanted
And never worried about how late I got into bed.
I brushed my hair & my teeth everyday.

Before I was a Mum,
I cleaned my house each day.
I never tripped over toys or forgot words of lullabies.

Before I was a Mum,
I did not worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mum
I had never been puked on
Pooped on
Spat on
Chewed on
Peed on
Or pinched by tiny fingers

Before I was a Mum I had complete control of:
My thoughts
My body
And my mind
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mum
I never held down a screaming child so that doctors could do tests
Or give shots.
I never looked in teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mum,
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn’t want to put it down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I could not stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mum.

Before I was a Mum,
I did not know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.
I did not know how special if could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I did not know that bond between a Mother and her child.
I did not know that something so small could make me feel so important.

Before I was a Mum
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night
every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay
I had never known the warmth
The joy
The love
The heartache
The wonder
Or the satisfaction of being a Mum.I did not know I was capable of feeling so much before I was a Mum

(author unknown to me)