An old friend flew in and we’re having dinner at our place.

We’ll be using the dinner plates that Niina drew for our wedding present. I’m starting to think that she’s like superwoman. She can sew + draw + make just about anything. It scares me a little.

My husband’s birthday gift to me arrived this morning by truck.

And…this heavy duty paper scorer is HUGE! I can’t lift it off my kitchen floor and I’m almost too afraid to open it!

I will post some pictures soon, when I get the machine to work:)

To see what other creative artists are up to today, head over to Kootoyoo

I turned 29 on Sunday. Nobody would listen to me when I said I didn’t want to do anything at all!

We had a trio birthday lunch with my brother in-law Kris and his partner, Jodie. Niina baked us a birthday sponge cake, topped with chocolate whipped cream and fresh strawberries. It tasted divine.

My parents in-law gave me the most awesome present. They bought me two vegetable planters with some potted vegetables to plant my own veggie garden! I was so excited when I opened my present, I laughed and screamed at the same time.

I have already planted all my greens (I couldn’t wait).

I hope your weekend was as good as mine?

I think Autumn took awhile to get here. Some pictures from our walk today.

And then back home for chocolate chip muffins.

Chocolate chip wholemeal muffins (Makes 8 muffins)

250g plain wholemeal flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon bicarb soda
2 tablespoons cocoa
175g brown sugar
150g chocolate chips
250ml milk
90ml vegetable oil
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

- Preheat the oven.
- Pour dry ingredients into a mixing bowl. Pour liquid ingredients into another bowl.
- Gently mix both together. Do not overmix. Spoon mixture into muffin tins (will be a bit runny).
- Bake for 20 minutes or until muffins are risen.
(I’d totally recommend using Cadbury dark chocolate chips, so good!)

My husband spoiled me with my favourite snack, Yan Yan. When I was little, my parents used to buy me this Japanese snack all the time!

I love dipping the biscuit sticks in the icing. Each stick has cute messages on it.

My friend Allana also sent me some yummy things with bears! I was very touched by her package because I love bear related things and I like themed packages. I got some bear cookies and a cute panda girl badge..amongst all the other lovely bear gifts she sent me.

I owe a lot of people letters and packages, so this week I am going to start writing and sending them off. If you’ve been waiting for a letter from me, I hope you’ll find yours soon in your mail box:)

I am ready for you.

Pixie boots and little hat. Oh I love you so!

It’s me. Just with shorter hair now.

I’m convinced that flowers makes the day sweeter.

Also, some new works in progress from me. I’m quite excited about this piece…it has an octopus in it!

For more creative spaces, visit Kootoyoo

Oh, this was lovely to open (and eat). Thanks Penny!

I ate 3 cookies after writing this!

We invited my brother in-laws up for dinner this weekend, and we cooked spaghetti and meatballs!

When I make meatballs, I like to make them big! I think it’s more fun to eat them this way. You can’t really tell from the pictures, but that’s two huge meatballs per plate:)

Niina brought animal cookies and mango flavoured sparkling wine, which tasted so good!