Here I sit listening to cries of delight (ooh, sutaki pies, quinoa, spelt pasta – what are these ballini things?) as the children unpack the goodness direct order in the kitchen… all part of ’practical skills’ education. This means I have to ‘not interfere’ and ‘let them make their own mistakes and learn by it’. Ho hum… I only hope I can find the things once they’re done :)
They are getting so good at doing (I can now hear sawing sounds – only slightly worried) stuff like hoovering their own rooms, making beds, dealing with pool heaters, saving small frogs from perilous places, growing veg, cleaning bathrooms, making meals, general looking after themselves stuff… am even thinking of getting them to start learning to drive up and down the track as it’s our own private road (not by themselves I hasten to add!).
Harry Potter anticipation growing… read all through the wikipedia page on the 7th book but think weve heard most of it already or spotted the clues ourselves. Charlotte sat up until 1am one night finishing the third book and is now on the first. I’ve finished 5 but am having a break from them now as have started having weird dreams. Last night I was dying my hair purple with a wand and using magical water from the swimming pool to rinse… all felt quite normal too…
Spent an hour or so this morning picking blackcurrants for the freezer – there are just so many, it’s wonderful. Such abundance. Think we’ll use these to extend the season for having them in smoothies… maybe save some for a pie in winter.
bagged up for freezer in front of the tile with redcurrants on… these tiles have grown on me now but they will soon be no more – but that’s actually quite exciting so no sadness 
Apparantly the kitchen is now covered in small packaging materials – have given out the information that the job is obviously not finished and a frenzied gathering seems to be occurring. Daniel has offered to make me a hot drink (this may have been inspired by a lecture about considering the impact of our words and actions on others I dispensed earlier). Then it’s on to some Shakespeare this afternoon in preparation for an upcoming play 
The Artists Way: A Course in Discovering and Recovering Your Creative Self - an intensely powerful and synchronistic way of clearing blocks, old psychological patterns and dysfunctions of the past. Get doing your morning pages, they're amazing!
fabulous guide to foraging in Britain.
amazing Russian books these: spirituality; growing; living naturally; raising children with love and respect; quite magical. Release any preconceived ideas of how life should be (or books) and create your space of love!
A very well researched novel which, alongside Picoult's usual 'heading to a trial' plot, explores many facets of and perspectives on Asperger's Syndrome. The potential and common effects of AS on siblings is especially well documented here. As gripping and informative a book as 
a great storehouse of food growing knowledge from Dirty Nails :)
"Girls just wanna have... wanna have fun...", and we still are :)
