See Yas!

For all my loyal readers, I am off on my welldeserved holiday with my beautiful family. Please if you miss me - just think that I will be happily bathing in the sunshine on the beach and soaking up the family time that I miss oh so much with my parents and sister.

Upon my return, I promise to be completely revitalised and ready for serious blogging. I will resume my daily blogs like I promised MYSELF all those months ago....

PS - On the packing for holiday front.....never EVER did I EVER think that ONE child would take up so much room in my suitcase........so I don't accidently pack the kitchen sink, I am pretending that our car is actually a Virgin Airline and has airline luggage rules and regulations.....the question is....will I comply with the rules....or just pay for the overloaded luggage?? hehe

Slacko....

Sorry I have been so slack lately. I have been soaking up having my Mr H home for lunches together and snuggles on the couch until late in the night. He has been working so very very hard so it is so nice to have some 'us' time.

Heaps to report on....

Dalli Cottage Collection has been flat chat with lots of lovely orders coming in! I absolutely love creating for everyone. Here are some new creations.....what do YOU think?



My article for Sunny Mummy will be launched in a few days so I am super-dooper excited about that. I have joined up to the Sunny Mummy Sisterhood and can't wait to see what Stacey has in store for us. I am really trying to live my life the Sunny Way and it makes such a difference. As my Mr H says.....Happy Wife - Happy Life. He can be soooo cheeky!

Baby Moo is growing up before my eyes and I feel like I turn my back for two seconds and she has learnt a new trick. As much as I hate her growing up too quickly - I also love watching her grow and develop into such a beautiful happy girl. She really is the sunshine in my life. Never ever have I ever experienced so much love and adoration - when I look at my little family - I just feel like bursting with love and pride.

We have bought Moo a very special little present in the the form of a beautiful smooth haired Jack Russell Puppy called Pippi! I can really see that Moo will just love having HER little friend to follow her around the yard and have fun with. We also wanted have a dog who will protect us - bark when there is a snake in the yard and hopefully protect Moo if the snake goes near her without us realising. Snakes seem to like it here at Wondalli......and I reall really don't like SNAKES! Here is a picture of our new little family member.....I fell in love with her straight away....isn't she just gorgeous!



We are now off for a very well deserved holiday where all our other commitments are put on the back burner and we take the time to recharge and relax.......sounds like BLISS to me.

Once a jolly swagman....

A couple of weeks back the conversation hot on our tongues was about the swaggie who was roaming the highways. We had been monitoring his progress as we saw him walking along the highway day in and day out - marvelling how far he manages to walk each day and wondering where he had come from and where he was heading....

We never stopped to ask him if he was OK. Never stopped to offer him a bottle of fresh water, fresh food or just a simple smile. It never crossed our minds....

It was then brought to our attention again when the local newspaper wrote an article about our resident highway swaggie and made me realise that he has a lesson for all those who will listen. He has been on the road for many many years - walking the highways and guess what..........he LOVES it. He CHOOSES to do it. He loves the wind on his face as he walks, the sunsets and the simplicity. What he owns fits on his back and follows him on journey. He has no money, he has no assets - it is just him and the highway.

When asked what he does for food and water - he said that he drinks out of puddles and eats peoples leftovers which they have thrown out their car windows. Plus the food that generous people provide him.

So, it goes to show that not everyone needs the biggest tv, the prettiest house, the flashiest car (the list could go on) to be happy. This man CHOSE to be minimalistic and live the simple life - and if given the chance, he wouldn't change it.

Next time I whinge that my house needs painting or hit my knees on our loo door because it is so small - I am going to think of the Highway Swaggie....and be grateful for the life that I CHOSE to live.

Another week gone....

This time next week we will be on our way to the beach, for a week of bliss.

I can't wait to sit and talk with my gorgeous Mum, Dad and sister for hours.

I can't wait to watch my parents eyes light up when they play with Baby Moo.

I can't wait to escape to the beach and soak up the rays.

I can't wait to help my lovely sister and Bride-to-Be celebrate her Bridal Shower.

I definitely cant wait to hit the shops and celebrate my Mama's birthday with her.

I just can't wait.

Most of all, I can't wait to have our first lesson with the Hear & Say Centre on the way home from the coast in Brisbane! I also can't wait to blog about this and tell you allllllll about it!

I hope my Mr H will be able to join us for a couple of days....but sometimes things just don't work out and I have been promising myself that I wont get disappointed if he can't come.

What are you looking forward to??

Get a grip....

I have got my cranky pants on tonight....no idea why. Perhaps just exhausted from a hard day of being a mum and a wife....no excuse really.

I spent the night on the couch feeling sorry for myself and sporadically snapping at my poor Mr H while he tried to make the cranky pants disappear! He is just toooo gorgeous.

And then I found this blog - NieNie Dialogues.

It is the most inspirational blog I have ever read. Stephanie is the bravest person I have ever heard of - and her journey is not over yet.

Her story made me sit up and tell myself to get a grip. Have a read....you will see what I mean.

Oh and a warning to you........get the tissues ready - her story is.....no word fits the description....but she has a lesson to teach us all.....

and that is....

Appreciate YOUR life.........no matter what.

Sharing the love....

Anyone who knows me would know that I LOVE Sunny Mummy. I love her outlook on life as being a Mummy and Wifey - it is contagious - so infectious that I have joined the bandwagon. Consequently, I am trying to live my life the Sunny way....and I love it.

Sunny Mummy is such a terrific community where some many Mums continiously support each other in order to support themselves.

So today is no different as Stacey has declared the day 'Website Wednesday' - providing an oppurtunity for Mums to advertise their blogs, websites and even recommend their favourite reads!

So lets share the love - go over to Sunny Mummy's facebook page and check out all the terrific websites - while you are there, make sure you stay a while and join as a follower!

Also - I know that I particularly LOVE comments (although I hardly get any!) - so if you visit - make sure you say HI! It will brighten their day.

To judge or not to judge....

Do you ever find yourself wondering how other families function? Or perhaps find yourself judging that one Mama for doing something that you swear against? Or find that you are judging yourself for parenting a certain way when obviously the 'norm' are doing it the 'RIGHT' way?

Every month I treat myself to the latest magazine of 'The Womens Weekly'. I love the articles, the recipes and the garden tips. I always seem to find something that relates to ME in each edition....and this month's magazine has not failed to touch my heart.

There is a beautiful article called 'Inside Brand Bindi' which focuses on the current life of Bindi Irwin - the heir to her very famous daddy Steve Irwin....and the question being asked is - is she being deprived of a childhood?

When I first flicked through the magazine and saw this article - I immediately found myself saying 'Yes - the poor darling' and kept on flicking through the magazine. However, this morning while Baby Moo slept, I treated myself to some quiet time to sit and read the article with a steaming cup of coffee.....and I found myself eating my words.

Just because Bindi may not live the life that we are consider 'normal' - does NOT mean that she is being deprived of a childhood. As the article states -'

'Who's to say playing dress-ups or being chased by boys or riding bikes are more important childhood experiences than rearing tiger cubs and handling pythons?'

Terri Irwin then goes on to say that she is just ONE parent that believes that one of the most important things you can do is gift your kids with those things that are hardest for people to achieve. For example, being able to speak in front of a crowd without being nervous, being able to speak to a camera without being self-conscious and the empowerment Bindi and her brother Robert will gain from not being afraid of wildlife.

This article made me realise and appreciate that each and every family is different and no parent or family should be judged for THEIR way of life. Even though Bindi's face may be sprawled over T-shirts, billboards, TV, etc - she is still being given such a beautiful, caring and enriched childhood from her beautiful Mama, Terri.

Never would I have thought that Terri Irwin would teach me this simple lesson in life. I know that I hate the feeling of being judged as a mother. I also know that sometimes I find myself judging others.

So next time you find yourself scoffing at a family's way of LIFE - just remind yourself that in the world of families - there is NO normal.

I know for sure that I will be.

100km speed zone....

It is planting time on the farm....wheat plant 2010 and boy oh boy - is everyone B.U.S.Y!

Originally, it was thought due to the lack of rain and moisture - that the wheat plant would be miserable with only half a paddock of wheat planted and perhaps some chickpeas.

Then it rained....and rained....and rained.....!

So now everything and everyone is going 100 mile an hour to get the wheat in before the window of oppurtunity closes....and the predicted BIG rain arrives over the weekend.

Lets hope the weather holds off and the wheat goes in.....surely it's our turn for things to go right....right??

Cabin Fever....

With the cooler weather and the temptation to stay indoors in our PJs, Moo & I havent been outside for a few days.

As a result - I woke yesterday with no motivation and no energy....and Moo was starting to literally climb the walls and was letting me know about it!

So after lunch we went to catch some sunny rays in the garden - rolling around in the grass, checking out our vegies, and just generally enjoying the sun being on our faces. Moo loved it....and has been so much happier.



We then went to visit Daddy on the tractor.....there is nothing better than a sunset tractor ride to soothe the soul.




What are you doing to beat the Winter Blues?

Very excited....

I cant disclose too much information but I have been selected to write articles for an online Mummy mag! My focus will be on living in the Country and also having a child who has been diagnosed with a condition.

To say I am excited would be an understatement.

Lets just hope and pray that I dont get Writers Block.

PS - We are now at 46 followers.....another 4 and I will consider doing my giveaway. ;)

PPS - The winner of the Dalli Cottage 150 Fan Giveaway was Sarah Patterson! Congrats! X

How many pies was that?

Do you ever feel like everything is happening at once and all you want to do is jump in and enjoy it ALL? That is exactly how I am feeling at the moment....so many oppurtunities just staring me point blank in the face....and I am so excited!

A friend this week told me that I had my finger in enough pies.....and I love her for saying this to me! I always felt I didnt have enough pies in my life - now I have the potential to have not enough fingers for all the pies available to me.

Ok - now I think I am blabbing!

All my life, I have always wondered where I would go and what I would be. I never envisioned myself to do conveyancing in a law firm - in fact, I never knew what direction in life I wanted. So instead of getting upset about it....I just decided to ride the wave of LIFE and enjoy it.

As a result, I am richer than I ever thought I would be....and not with millions of dollars - but with my beautiful life.

I have the most beautiful, caring and supportive family;



A husbo that I wouldnt trade for the world;


A daughter who is the happiest, cheekiest, most gorgeous little treasure in my life;


A booming little business where the orders are going nuts...and I feel like I havent even started yet as I want to create a madeit.com store, Dalli Cottage Blog, etc etc;


Fantastic and supportive friends, a roof over our heads, a heater to keep us warm, food on our table....and I could go on for days.

So....I am happy with my 'pies' - even if I may not have enough fingers for them! Surely I can have 2 pies on the one finger can't I?

Latest Creations....

Thought you might want to have a look at Dalli Cottage's latest creations....

E-mail me at hannah@dallicottage.com.au if you would like to place an order! I would love to hear from you!


Got a Daddy who loves his tractor? Show the world what colour family YOU are with this cute bib for your little ones. Tractor is available in Red and Blue!


For those who want a special and unique gift for a new arrival! Are they C.U.T.E!

The power of friendship....

I spent the morning soaking up some Sunny Rays and enjoying the power of friendship.

The kind where you have laugh, joke and confide in each other - and walk away feeling refreshed to face another week.

You all know who you are. Thank you for being so beautiful. Don't change....EVER.

PS I had to share this special photo of Baby Moo & I. I dont seem to have many photos of us together as I am always the one BEHIND the camera. X

Drooley Kisses and Hair-Pulling Cuddles....

Hi Everyone. It's Moo here today. Mummy is super busy so she has told me to write today's blog post.....so here goes....

To be honest with you, I can't concentrate enough to work out what to write to you all about. I am knackered and dead-set tired. For some reason, Mum & Dad kept on running into my room last night, screaming my name and turning on the light. Mum was nearly in tears and Dad looked like he had just seen a ghost. To top it all off - the angel baby heartbeat sensor was letting off an almighty high-pitch beep. Apparently the monitor is being faulty. Beats me what all the commotion was....all I was doing was getting some ZZZ's....isn't that what I am meant to be doing?

On the subject of what I am 'MEANT' to be doing....I appear to be having some difficulties understanding what the word 'NO' means. Mummy & Daddy seem to say it a lot to me when I am TRYING to participate in my favourite activities. Apparently the kitchen cupboard is not mine to play with and neither are Mummys precious angels on the table. I have asked my Mimi and Aunty Em to have a word with Mummy to see if she will let me play with them....but Mum won't budge....apparently NO means NO.....whatever that means.

Can you believe that I still don't have any teeth? I think I may have done something to offend the tooth fairy....or even worse - maybe she doesn't exist? Every night Mummy asks the toothy fairy to visit and bring me my two front teeth....but every morning - there are NO TEETH!

Anyway - I really must scoot....due to my lack of ZZZ's last night, I am off for a nice big long afternoon sleep with the obvious protest performance. Even though I am super-dooper tired, I dont like Mummy knowing that I am HAPPY to go to bed so I like to put on a small yet effective performance. I think Mummy is starting to clue on though so I better start working out my next trick.

Lots of drooley kisses and hair-pulling cuddles

Love Baby Moo

150 FAN GIVEAWAY!

Having just reached 150 fans on The Dalli Cottage Collection Facebook page....I have decided to do a GIVEAWAY to thank each and every fan for their support.

So go and visit my page, and tell me what Bib you would choose....or even what Bib you would like to see!!

Look forward to seeing your comment there!

Remember - just because you don't have a little one of your own....doesn't mean you can't enter the competition to win a Bib for a little one you know!

Have a great Monday! I am off to get busy washing, cleaning, sewing and being a Mama! X

Bad Taste!

I have always been told that I have terribly bad taste in music....maybe I do...maybe I don't.

I must admit that I have never been a fan of the Hip Hop Latest & Greatest. Give me John Farnham & Meatloaf over Beyonce or Lady Gaga ANY DAY! Unless Mr H is in the car I never listen to the radio unless it's an off chance that we are in Brisbane when Hamish and Andy' are on!!

So lately, on my visits to home I have been raiding my parent's CD collection and skipping back a few generations while driving back home to the farm! Baby Moo loves my taste in music and always falls asleep or just sits quitely and listens.....so it mustn't be too bad! Mr H doesn't agree though!

My latest listen is SOGNO by Andrea Bochelli.



Absolutely love him - he has the voice of an angel.

What are you listening to at the moment???

Challenging YET Rewarding....

Yesterday, I found being a Mama challenging, hard and tiring. I was experiencing 'one of those days' where I felt a mixture of emotions and had no idea why! Obviously one of the reasons is that Baby Moo now has 4 upper teeth sitting and causing her havoc.....and no matter how many threats we give the Tooth Fairy....they just don't want to cut. This results in Monster Moo....which consequently created Monster Mama yesterday!

Thankfully, I had already organised to have the night off to head into town to go to the movies with some of my favourite gals....to see SATC2....BLISS! I had such a terrific night spending time with such fantastic friends, relaxing and getting 'CARRIED' away into such a fantasy world with Samantha, Miranda, Carrie and Charlotte.

I LOVED IT! I loved the laughs, the fashion, the story-line, etc. I can understand why some people may have canned it - but I LOVED IT!

Through all the glitz and glamour - I found that there were so many strong messages in the movie. One scene was extremely profound to me....as I am sure it will be for so many Mama's out there. The scene involved Miranda and Charlotte having a 'Mama One on One'....two friends - two mums, letting out their frustrations, anxieties and worries about being Mums to their children. The one thing they agreed on was 'Being a Mama is HARD!' and you could hear all the Mama's in the cinema agreeing with them aswell!

Being a Mama is hard YET more rewarding than I ever imagined;
It is messy YET beautiful;
It is tiring YET refreshing;
It is draining YET fufilling;
We would never trade them;
We would never sell them;
Our lives are blessed and enriched for having them....

But on days like I had yesterday....I am going to be honest and say being Mama IS hard....but when I wake up to the sounds of 'Mama' with kisses, hugs and smiles....I reassure myself that it is all worth it....no matter how bad the day!

MY TOP 5 BLOGS!

I don't know about you....but there is nothing I love more than to sit down with a nice cuppa and have a good read of a blog. So - I have decided to share the love and a few of my favourite blogs for you guys! Happy Reading!

1. Life with Soul - be sure to visit Amy and read about her beautiful life! Amy's blog constantly reminds me to live my life with SOUL and I have her to thank for my new lease on life. Also the gorgeous photos of her kiddies will sure to give you a smile!

2. Sunny Mummy - Feel a bit down in the dumps and no direction as a Mama? Well Stacey will change your outlook on that quick smart! Another lady who I have to thank for changing my view on life as a Mama and a wife. She inspires me daily - and gives me the reassurance that I need when the clouds seem to be obtruding my sunshine! Go and support Stace - she gives so much of her time and finances to share her sunniness!

3. Big Teeth & Clouds - Joey is an advocate for the hearing impaired children in America and I love reading about her journey being a Mum to her hearing impaired daughter Julia. I find myself taking a step back in time to when I was a child when I read Joey's blogs as she shares her journey.

4. LuluFrouFrou - the home of the most GORGEOUS hair pretties in the world! Every night while I wash Moo's hair - I sing a song 'PLEASE HAIR GROW!' as I can't wait to put my first order in with Linda! Honestly - visit her blog and have a look at her work....you will SQUEAL!!

5. Pottymouth Mama - feel like a good FUNNY read then visit here! It will definitely give you that smile and laugh that you are looking for!

So there they are....my FAVs! Be sure to visit them, leave a comment, follow them and show them a bit of love. I know we shouldn't rely on comments, followers, etc - but surprisingly, it's that random comment or an extra follower that gives you the drive to continue blogging!

ENJOY!

The Dalli Cottage Collection

Introducing my new beautiful logo created by Chesne at Creative Curiosity.

I love it. I think it is timeless and gorgeous.

What do you think?

The Butterfly Effect

"We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty"
- Maya Angelou

I just found this beautiful quote on a beautiful website http://www.enlighteneducation.com/. The team at Enlighten Education are trying to make a difference with the young women of our generation! The world is such a better place for having such beautiful people like the them around.