Big Steps

Leading him off, into the big world.... Today was sweet and sour for me. Our baby had his first day of school. The very same school I went to all those years ago. I knew to bring sunglasses. I was under strict instructions not to cry in front of the little man.


We walked into the classroom, and his new teacher handed me an envelope that we were to open when we got home.



I was doing OK, but then saw a mother I knew, who had an older child at the school already, whose youngest was starting today too. When she got her "mystery envelope", she said softly "I know what this is" and started crying, and rushed out of the room.



It was enough to set me off. In the hallway I wasn't the only emotional one.



When we got into the car, hubby read the envelope's contents to me. Inside was a story, "Thoughts from the Bottom of the Beanstalk". It was about how it is often harder for parents to watch our children climb up the beanstalk from the bottom, than it is to be the one climbing it.



There was also a note from the teachers, a tissue, and a cotton ball.



"Dear Parent,
Thank you for entrusting your child to us. We promise to do our best every day to be your child's companion in learning.
After you have wiped away your tears, make yourself a cup of tea, put your feet up and relax.
Then hold the cotton ball in your hand. The softness will help you to recall the gentle spirit of your child.
We will work alongside with you this year to help your child grow.
The Prep Teachers .... "

I needn't have worried. He had a great fun day today, and wasn't the slightest bit worried when we left him there. Actually, he barely noticed us leave, he was too busy building a lego rocket ship that ended up the length of the room by the time two other kids joined in.



I'm going to miss him terribly. But as long as he is happy, learning and being cared for, then I can't ask for more.


We're so proud of our little - oops, I mean, BIG boy!

Wallpaper Heaven

Can you believe it? I have updated my blog more regularly with internet that I can only access by paying by the minute? LOL!

Ok so this is the very LAST post with photos from my trip to the US. I know you are all probably sick of them by now, but if you have a love for amazing vintage wallpaper, I know you're gonna love these pics.

When Silver Bella finished, we had a few hours up our sleeves, so Karla, Heather, Andrea and I headed over to Iowa, as you do, lol, and met Marilyn of Hannah's Treasures and her most jaw-dropping collection of vintage wallpapers.

Marilyn's studio is mind blowing. She makes incredible band boxes too, as shown above.

The girls went through to this room chock full of thousands of wallpaper rolls. I hung back in the first "smaller" room, because I just couldn't take it all in. I think I said to them, I just can't cope, I think I'll have a heart attack if I go in that big room first!" I had to ease myself into it. It was like being dropped in a shop full of antique jewels. Where do you start? If you love vintage, antique and unique wallpapers, I think you'll understand that feeling of being surrounded by precious goodies!

That's Marilyn above, she was so accommodating, and her family were sweet too. Her younger daughter even made us little signs for Thanksgiving/Christmas, how cute!





The story behind Heather laughing in the photo above.... Marilyn was just pulling out the most beautiful wallpaper I'd ever seen. So I said, "Ok, kill me now".

Can you see why I said that now? That roll made it back home with me...

Here we all are with our hauls of wallpaper. I managed to get 7 rolls home in my luggage, without making the bag overweight. My hand luggage on the other hand, was SO heavy as though I had lead in it!

Thanks for visiting again, I need to keep running. I'm home in less than a week, and in one week from today, my little guy will be at school. I'm not dealing with it in my mind very well..... I know he'll be fine, but I'm gonna miss him so badly. Better go home and play with him!!!

See you next time,

Natasha xo

PS. Despereaux went well! He loved it and wants to go see more movies now.

PPS. Happy Australia day to my Aussie friends on Monday!

Next stop, Kansas

Hi again blogging friends! Another visit to the internet cafe to publish this post I had the photos ready for before I left. Please excuse the typos, I'm rushing away!

More warm weather has been had, we've had a bit of a heatwave the past few days, people think I am insane, but I love it!

Tonight we're going to see The Tales of Despereaux, wish us luck because the little guy has never been to the movies before. He's never wanted to, he's always been scared of the theatre for some reason. So we're all going, my parents included, and it's going to be great. I keep telling myself... LOL!

So the last leg of my trip, before Silver Bella, was staying with Karla Nathan in Kansas. What a cool place Kansas is, I enjoyed it thoroughly! Of course, Heather and I, who flew with only 2 hours sleep the night before, had the bestest hostess in Karla. Heather wrote about our stay on her blog back in December (sorry I'm in a rush and can't look up the exact post) but if you scroll back, you'll find fabulous detailed photos on her blog too.

First night Karla had a fab dinner with some local Kansas girls at her house, in her studio. It was a blast meeting everyone!!!



Karla out at a lovely place for lunch, goofing around!

Getting ready to drive to Omaha for Silver Bella...

Details from inside Sugarwings' room, her hand painted wardrobe. I swear, that lady is so talented, there is not a space in her home that is boring!

The lovely room I got to stay in!

Those famous wallpapered stairs

Studio glimpses, i am GREEN with envy! it is HUGE!!!





I had the most fun time with Karla and her family. They were incredibly hospitable, and her husband has such a dry sense of humour, he cracked me up!

Lovely architecture, beautiful old homes in Kansas. I didn't see Dorothy anywhere though... wonder where she was hiding!?



Oh gosh, on the last day of my trip, and just before dropping Heather off at the airport, we stopped in at Curious Sofa. Wowzers, that store is incredible!!!!

Faux snow, logs set up, the whole store staying true to colour themes and beautiful objects...





We were in heaven here!!!

That is the men's room, the door was open BTW. I couldn't resist taking a photo of the most beautiful men's room ever!!! Not that I have seen many. Oh gosh, I should just shut up now.

Ah, I found some fabulous comfortable, proper cowboy boots, in Kansas of course!!!

Hey, do you see Dorothy somewhere there? Maybe.....

Anyway, I'm heading home from this internet cafe now. Sorry I was so rushed! I'm going to be home in less than a week.

Catch you later,

Natasha xo

Visiting Pretty Petals

Hello blogging friends! I'm away at the beach enjoying family time! We've been busy with school holiday children's activities and going to the beach when the weather is hot enough. I'm checking in at an internet cafe today, and thought I'd better get a move-on and post the rest of my trip photos I had saved to blogger before I left!!!

The next part of my trip, after visiting Karla and her hubby in Connecticut, was to head over t0 Pittsburgh. Won't go into detail about the horrible time I had at the airport where they messed up my tickets, because I got there in the end! One of my oldest blogging friends, (actually I knew her a few years before blogging!), Heather, was there to greet me when I arrived! She is as adorable in real life as she is in emails and on the phone. Her family are so welcoming too and she made me feel right at home.

First port of call was Lidia's restaurant. When I knew I was going to Pittsburgh, I asked Heather if we could go to this place. She's the most amazing cook on tv, and her restaurant did not disappoint. THE best food I have ever had at a restaurant, in my ENTIRE life. No kidding. If you're in Pittsburgh, or Kansas City, and you like Italian food, GO GO GO, don't hesitate! :)





Those Pittsburgh Steelers fans crack me up! Magnets all over the car??!! Wow, they're crazier about football than we are! (but for now, I need to cheer on the Philadelphia Eagles, one of our Aussie boys is a punter and I want him to win!!)

Some shots of Heather's beautiful home. SO lovely.... people who see my photo album think this is an antique shop!!! I had to stop myself stealing her beauties!





That's Heather and her friend Steph, who was such a laugh, such a fun girl! (Steph, get a blog girl! You'd crack us up!) She even gave me gifts, which I stupidly forgot to photograph and can't now that I am away from home :(

And gorgeous Lori drove a few hours from the next state to come and meet up with us!!! It was so great to meet Lori, she's so sweet and cute! Can you believe she gave me this adorable feltie she made?!!

We headed out to some great antique shops in PA that day, us four girls. Great stuff in Pittsburgh! It was at this point, I bought a second suitcase, hahaha!



I bought all of the sequinned fruit above, and scored four fab and unusual hats!



Heather took me out into Amish country, where we saw their unusual shaped haystacks. Fascinating people.

That's Heather's lovely Mom Kitty above, she is so darn cute and happy and it was nice to see someone at my eye level, hehehe!!!

LOL, what visit to the US would be complete without going to Walmart? I managed to see one in LA and one in Pittsburgh. Gosh they are big.... (no we don't have stores this big with absolutely everything in them here in Australia!)

Today's going to be a hot one, so I better get back home and get ready for the beach!

See you all next time :)

Natasha