Budgeting and DIY...being busy does not have to = ugly life...

 

Hello Friends. Yes I have been quiet. Things have been a tad busier than I usually like at Chateau Mimi, what with family commitments and new ovens and sewing for the school and such.

 

I'm still tying up loose ends, but wanted to assure you that even in the midst of all that silliness, my life has remained chock-a-block full of loveliness of many kinds.

 

So often, we use the excuses of 'I'm too busy', 'I'm too tired', 'I'm too broke' or 'I can't be bothered', to justify neglecting the things that make our hearts sing and our souls, content.

Can I tell you though, that on my busiest, sometimes most stressful days, the ones where the Musician Husband has grown weary of the house being coated in a light smattering of glitter, sequins and feathers, and The Diva is asking if we can have something fresh (as in not a pre-cooked at home frozen dinner) tonight, and the Granddaughters want my attention, and the family wants to visit, and the dog needs a bath, and the bed linen needs changing, but I have to have these costumes done and dusted by tomorrow, so it ALL has to wait....

 

On those days, the things that help me rise with a smile and a spring in my step, are the things that I have made an effort to prepare for ME. The things that MY eyes fall upon that make the day special. The little touches that mean that I haven't forgotten to nurture myself, in the midst of catering to everyone elses needs. The things that don't necessarily cost much in the way of money or energy or time, but that make my life more joyful.

So on a Sunday afternoon, I found the French coathangers on the left of my photo top of this post (thankyou Pinterest), and decided that I'd wrap some wire ones in strips of vintage sheeting for a similar effect. I was actually going to stiffen the fabric, and paint the completed coathangers gold, but decided they looked so pretty, that I'd leave them as is. Look at these things for inspiration, not imitation, I say.

 

 

My husband, dear man that he is, brought roses home more than once, and rather than display one bunch in one spot, I chose to spread them all over the house in bud vases. There's nothing more likely to make me smile, than a rose in a bud vase. I'm easily pleased.

 

 

Breakfast doesn't always have to be in a bowl. A favourite yoghurt parfait, topped with Fruits de Jour in a large coffee mug, makes breakfast portable, and a wander in the garden is almost obligatory, cup and spoon in hand. Those moments of solitude, or companionship should the Husband decide to join me, make for a serene start to the day.

 

 

Passing on heirloom recipes to The Diva has been a priority this year as she comes to the end of her schooling. How could I send my Darling Girl out into the world without having shown her how to make real Vanilla custard, or my mouthwatering Pate`...

 

Or the secret to the gluten free Golden Syrup Tart she loves so much.

 

And my perennially famous Lasagna, layered with home made gluten free Crepes instead of pasta, so two lessons in one there, really.

 

 

An afternoon of packaging school dance costumes, gave me an excuse to make my favourite little Citrus Cakes, decorating them with slivers of home grown Cumquats. They were devoured, and are reminisced about often by the Mums involved. Such a simple thing, and a gluten free butter cake mix to boot. But baked in heart shaped tins, with lime zest in the batter and the icing, and topped with little segments of freshly picked Cumquat, suddenly memorable.

 

And when the family complains about having 'leftovers' for dinner, what's a Mum to do but turn them (the leftovers that is, not the family!),  into glorious little rustic pies. It is pie weather here in the Southern Hemisphere after all.

 

Of course one can only sew so many sequins, and construct what seems to be an endless row of Pillbox hats and tulle and sequin headpieces, before the urge to stitch something that requires little more than a straight line, calls to you. Well, it starts as a straight line, and then I'm thinking...

 

"These Busroll teatowels would look so much neater with mitred corners"

 

....and a whole new obsession begins.

 

I mastered them in the end, but honestly, I still don't understand how. It's sorcery I tell you....hahahahaha!

 

Some of these I kept for my 'new' kitchen, and some are being gifted to friends (like Emily...I haven't forgotten you, Em!).

 

So I for one, am grateful to put March, April and May behind me, and embrace June.

 

June means the fireplace is going with a cheery fire most days. June means our Wedding Anniversary (19th this year!), June means a Winter Beach Holiday....yes the weather is a constant contradiction in the Tropics! June heralds a return to a somewhat ordinary routine, and I love it.

 

June will also mean a return to my other passion...sharing my tips for a lovely life with you, all of my beautiful blogging and online friends.

 

And for THAT, I am truly grateful. You all keep me accountable, and hungry for new ideas. You are the ones that have me mastering mitred corners, and stocking my Christmas gift shelves with pretty DIY gifts. You inspire me to dream, create and inspire.

 

Thankyou.

 

How has life been for you? Tell me everything....

 

...Mimi...