Links!

Some interesting finds on the web lately:

Very true.

Calling out to my nesting instincts.

Another good European expat blog.

Made me laugh.

My latest project.

A new source of craft inspiration.

And another.

You can find my regular favourites on the sidebar too.

Currently...

...reading Wolf Hall.
...relaxing at home with my boys after an outbreak of scarlet fever at work.
...watching those basil seeds carefully for changes.
...drinking lots of hot lemon to fight off a cold.
...walking around Huchting to make the most of the glorious weather.
...starting new projects.
...writing good old fashioned penpal letters.
...sitting on the balcony more.
...cuddling with Pete.
...enjoying the look on his face when the bump wants to play.
...congratulating friends on the many babies born in the last weeks.
... feeling blessed and inspired as Spring makes its first appearance.

Basil

As per my March goals, I got started today and planted some basil.  Well I say planted...here are some things I learned during the process:

• Basil seeds have to be on top of the soil so that they get lots of light.
• There's more than one kind of soil (not just clay, sandy etc) and you should use a specific type for planting seeds.
• I can avoid overwatering by using a spray bottle to spray water onto the seeds.
• Our nursery is filling up very quickly.

I'll let you know how the seedlings get on.  I love fresh basil in salads or pasta dishes in Summer so I hope they grow well.

March Goals

Handing in our tax return yesterday officially finished off my January and February goals.  I haven't been sharing my monthly goals this year - January's list was crazy long and fairly mundane.  February's was very short.  This month I have finally found a balance and decided to share again on here as it inspires me to get things done!  So here goes:

• Complete the next quilting project
• Find a midwife
• Plant some basil seeds
• Order my new contact lenses
• Skype with my best friend (arranged for Sunday)
• Meet with my boss about maternity cover for my classes
• Stock up at Idee for next month's birthday cards
• Apply for parental leave and pay
• Finish writing my 30 things list
• Get a haircut
• Take a tour at the hospital
• Prepare the balcony for Spring

Look out for some regular updates this month!

Project Life: February

 It took me a while to put this month's spread together but I am still really enjoying the monthly spreads rather than weekly.  It gives me more time to be creative and really tell the stories that happened that month.

 Some of the techniques I kept the same such as the monthly review typed journalling and some different sized inserts.  Each page really tells a different story from the month and I like that.

 I also tried some new things this month - my stamps from Elise's online shop arrived so I went a little bit crazy with those but I love the effect and am really looking forward to using the rest over the next months.  I also remembered that I ordered her calendar which can be incorporated into Project Life and enjoyed using that too.

I managed to get more pictures of Nico in there this month and am planning on keeping that up.  I am also still enjoying playing with colours and I love the coral kit.  Looking forward to journalling what this month brings!

Buesum

 We spent this weekend in Buesum on the north coast of Germany.  I got Nico a voucher for a wellness weekend for Christmas and we finally managed to book it.

We drove up on Saturday morning and after checking in we headed straight to the spa.  It was very relaxing - we enjoyed the steam room and relaxing with our books on the loungers.  The only disappointment was the lack of a pool even though I am convinced I saw one somewhere on the website.  The main thing is that we came out relaxed.

We had our evening meal in the hotel and got an early night after a long, tiring day.  We were up bright and early on Sunday for a lovely breakfast in the hotel followed by a walk around the town and onto the beach.  The weather wasn't amazing but we enjoyed the break and made the most of it. 

It was great for me to see somewhere new in Germany and we were both happy to have been away and be more relaxed.

The Saturday Update

Another crazy long week.  The whole month of February has dragged, despite it being the shortest of them all.  Finally it is behind us and we are into March.

It's been really busy at work again.  I've been sole in charge of our class while a colleague is off sick and I honestly do not know how anyone manages a class without a co-teacher!  Anyway, she should be back next week and I am looking forward to teaming up again.  Also, year nine will be on work experience for the next three weeks so my timetable should let up a bit.

Apart from that I got a little bit more creative and productive again this week which felt good, but was tiring.  I did a lot of reading, made those birthday cards and finished our tax return.

This weekend we are heading to the coast for some relaxation at a spa - my Christmas present to Nico, we are really looking forward to it and then it is back to work and into a new month of goals and projects.  There's lots to do to get ready for the birth - more than we realised so that is a big priority - but first, that relaxation...