Catching up with Emma from She Sows Seeds

She Sows Seeds is a blog written by the very talented and clever Emma Steendam. Emma writes about snippets of her life, living in rural Gippsland, Victoria, with her farmer husband and soon to arrive Baby.

I have been following Emma's blog now for about a year. Back then, Emma and her husband were living and working over in South Australia on a farm. Earlier this year they moved back closer to family and friends, to their home region of Gippsland.

Emma shares stories about their life in a rural community, setting up a home and growing a garden. She is very handy with a crochet hook and a sewing machine, and a real whizz in the kitchen. She is also a professional photographer, so her photos are always a delight to look at. And to add to all of that, Emma even has her own online store selling all her own homemade children's wear and accessories, called Little Miss Emma- definitely worth having a look!

Emma is currently 38 weeks pregnant (as this post goes to air!) and so She Sows Seeds has also been a lovely way to document her pregnancy and for Emma to share this special and personal journey along with her thoughts and plans for motherhood.

What I love about this blog, is that for me it represents pure and simple country living. Emma's stories and photos are what I yearn to see in Country living magazines…..for me, this is what real country living is all about!  I love that her content varies- recipes, crafty DIY tutorials, garden updates,  decorating her home,  thoughts on living in a rural community and now the excitement of a baby soon to arrive, which will no doubt add another lovely dimension to Emma's blog. She Sows Seeds is beautifully written; romantic yet real. Emma is incredibly passionate about rural living and supporting the farming community. My visits to She Sows Seeds are like catching up with a dear friend. And did I mention….Gorgeous photos- Emma can make even a mint plant look simply amazing…see below!

So today on our "Catching up with" series,  Im thrilled to introduce the very lovely and very heavily pregnant Emma Steendam……x

1. What do you love most about living in the country?

Gosh - where to begin...the space, the freedom, the slow pace, not having (close by) neighbours, the sense of community. I do love Melbourne, and lived in the city during uni and boarding school, but my heart belongs to the country, after a weekend in the big smoke it's always nice to come home.

2. Name three things you currently can't live without?

A crochet hook nearby (I have way too many projects on the go at once!), orange juice I've craved throughout my pregnancy and my comfy pillow I sleep with these days as I'm 37 weeks pregnant and getting a bit uncomfortable with not much sleep!

3. How would you define your personal style and where do you find your inspiration and creative ideas from?

I think my style is a combination of modern country farmhouse, a bit of French provincial, a bit of classic Cape Cod, a bit of vintage eclectic. It depends on my mood! I love to scour markets like Camberwell or Glen Waverley bazaar and antique and vintage shops, and although our home is bursting at the seams I still like to look and get inspiration, sometimes for an idea to evolve into a crafty blog post or decorating idea. 

4. Tea or coffee…?

Tough call...but probably coffee. Good coffee.

5. Favourite time of the day?

First thing in the morning at the moment as I'm getting up super early with my pregnancy insomnia! The day is fresh and anything could happen, full of possibility. My husband makes me breakfast, I make the coffee, simple stuff.

6. Why did you start your blog, She Sows Seeds?

I've blogged since early 2008, first as 'Little Miss Emma' (my handmade children's wear business) and then as 'Cinderella at Brindabella' when we moved home to Gippsland to my family's farm. After our wedding we packed up our life, sold our car and dogs, quit our jobs and headed north indefinitely, working on a cattle station in outback Queensland and then traveling around Australia. I blogged about our adventures on 'The Happy Campers'. When we finally returned and back to reality, I craved having a home and garden again, I'm a total nester at the best of times, and I really missed having a consistent blog full of content that I was passionate about. 'She Sows Seeds' was born just as we embarked on a new adventure living and working on the Limestone Coast in South Australia. As I'd changed blogging identities so much over the years I wanted She Sows Seeds to be my 'forever home' for blogging. I try to keep content simple to homely things, gardening, baking, sewing, decorating and crafty bits and pieces. She Sows Seeds tries to celebrate a simple country lifestyle that we try to lead, with a focus on rural living and farming.  

7. Some favourite blogs you love following?

I'm addicted to Beth over at BabyMac, I also love Kate from Foxs Lane, Jodi from Practising Simplicity, Em from The Beetle Shack. There's some chicks in the Aussie blogosphere kicking some serious butt at the moment.

8. Dream job?

I think I have it right now! I'm a freelance photographer (currently on maternity leave) - I studied photography for three years at university, majoring in commercial photography so probably should be taking photos for car advertising campaigns or something...instead I point my lens at things I bake for the blog, newborn babes, happy families and lovely couples on their wedding day. I have a love/hate relationship with the type of work I do - sometimes I absolutely love doing weddings and children's shoots, but I also like to keep my hand in the commercial field for magazines and businesses to keep my commercial photography brain ticking. 

9. Favourite recipe (at the moment)? If recipe on blog- can link to!

I made this pear and walnut custard tart recently which was a bit of a hit, the shortcrust pastry is super easy to make in a food processor and my husband is a huge custard lover so this went down a treat...http://www.shesowsseeds.com/2014/05/29/pear-and-walnut-custard-tart/ (photo below).

10. Current DIY project?

So many! I'm desperately trying to put the finishing touches on our baby's nursery, if you could see our lounge room at the moment there are about seven crochet projects strewn across the couches and coffee table and floor! I'm working on a giant doily floor rug which is causing me a bit of grief, as well as several baby blankets because I just couldn't decide which one to make so I'm making about five! I've also got some little overalls for our cousin's little baby's 1st birthday on my sewing machine I need to finish off. Always unfinished items floating about!

Some delicious home cooking….image from here.

Image from here.

Some pre baby crafting….image from here.

and here.

A few travel stories…..image from here.

A bit of gardening….image from here.

 Some gorgeous photos around Emma's home……

and, life in the country….both images from here.

If you haven't already discovered She Sows Seeds, please pop over and say hello to Emma.
I know her gorgeous blog won't disappoint you.
It's definitely worthy of a pot of tea and some alone time so you can emerse yourself in Emma's lovely life in country Victoria.

Stay up to date with She Sows Seeds on Bloglovin, Facebook and Instagram.

Special thanks to Emma for taking the time to partake in 'Our Catching Up With' Series, especially being so close to having her baby. Best wishes Emma and I look forward to reading the next instalment of She Sows Seeds- The Next Generation!
Such exciting times ahead for you both! xx

All images courtesy of Emma Steendam, She Sows Seeds.

Enjoy xx

Save the Date……Taste Coleambally-Food & Farm Festival

Next weekend, the rural community of Coleambally in the Riverina (NSW) will be hosting its own Taste Coleambally Food & Farm Festival.

A weekend of celebrating the town and surrounding area's contribution to the food industry and a wonderful chance for the public to meet local farmers and learn more about agricultural practices and local produce. 

"It is not just a matter of learning about Coleambally produce, it is the bigger picture of positive promotion of Irrigated Agriculture and sustainable use of water. This promotion assists all irrigators in the Riverina and Australia. We are getting an important message across to as many people as possible, not only urban people….local residents too", says Festival Coordinator, Julie Bellato.

Starting on Saturday morning with farm tours and then in the evening the very popular 50 Mile Taste Coleambally Meal, with guest speaker and internationally reknowned foodie, Rebecca Sullivan. Rebecca is the highly acclaimed author of  "Like Grandma used to make" and a big supporter of the very popular "Granny movement" and the "Slow food movement". More about Rebecca can be found on her website,  Dirty Girl Kitchen.

Sunday is the main festival day and jammed pack of activities to suit everyone, including The Paddock to Plate Precinct, Rabobank Farm Yard, Tractor and machinery display with a photo booth for the kids, A kids craft corner, wheelburrow races, Food N Fibre Regatta and the very popular  "SunRice Coly Cook Off".

For more information, visit their website www.farm2food.net or the Taste Coleambally Facebook page. Like the facebook page and you will go in the draw to win a "Good Golly Taste Coly" Gourmet food hamper by Riverina Grove Pty Ltd. 

And, if you are in the area, please stop by…..it will be a great day out!

Catching up with Janelle from A White Farm Blog!

Today on our 'Catching up with' series, I'm excited to introduce a fellow country mum blogger, Janelle, who writes the lovely and very homely blog, A White Farm.

Image found here

I first discovered A White farm on Instagram last year, and since then I love seeing Janelle's daily snippet's taken around her home and of her latest crafty project.

Janelle's home is, as the name of her blog states…. white, and then filled with pops of colour throughout which changes regularly depending on her daily mood and inspiration. As you will learn, she has an eye for finding an old piece of furniture and, with a simple coat of paint, giving it a gorgeous makeover. I love that she has fun with colour and her home is classic with a fun, colourful, modern twist! She is also pretty clever with a set of knitting needles or a crocheting hook!!!

Janelle is a busy wife and Mum to three children, living on a farm in western Victoria. A White Farm began a few years ago as a place where Janelle could share all things in life that she was loving at that moment, especially her home DIY crafty projects, favourite recipes and decorating style ideas. She has just under 4500 followers on Instagram (I think that says a lot!!!) and has a wonderful sense of humour- I love reading her posts and instagram feeds- they always make me laugh. I feel like Im catching up with an old friend- silly huh? But that is because of Janelle's warm and friendly personality that shines through. Her instagram often acts as a bit of a forum amongst her dedicated followers, as to what colour should a new find be painted, or thoughts on rug placement, new cushion colour, etc.

So….without wasting anymore time, here is Janelle answering a few questions!

1. My personal style? Hhhmmm....tricky one. This can change from one week to the next!! I think the constant theme would be neutrals, white (of course!!) child-friendly, a good mish mash of homemade and store bought, usually a good bargain...I so believe that you don't have to have a huge budget to create a beautiful cosy home, in fact I think the less you have to spend you usually have to put more thought and creativity into it so hence it becomes that much more personal  to you and your family. Of course I appreciate high quality and luxury but I also love the thrill of a good thrift find too!! I tend to grab inspiration from anywhere and everywhere...mags, pinterest, blogs, and my favourite - instagram...so many gorgeous creative inspiring REAL homes out there!!

2. I love most about my home - I think the light and space...when we built this house this was one of the main features we wanted so we have loads of windows which catch the light and sun pretty much all day long and it's very open plan. I also love how it's growing with us all the time...little bits and pieces being added as we grow as a family. I like to use the kid's own artworks and lots of photos to help make it a real family space.

3. Why did you start blogging? I started A White Farm blog after becoming so obsessed and inspired by other blogs out there. I kind of felt the need to start my own. I have always loved writing but apart from the grocery list and the odd school note there really isn't much call for writing as a SAHM! I also love the connection it creates between other like minded creative people out there. It also gives me some focus and reflection on my own life which might otherwise just kind of drift along.

4. Three things I could not live without? This one has kind of stumped me! Let's go with ipad (sad I know but it's pretty much attached to me), knitting needles/crochet hook, and a good home magazine - I have reeeeally tried to live without them but nope...cannot resist the temptation!!!

5. Current DIY project?…Mmmmm…there may be more than one on the go...there's usually a few happening in various stages around here. I'm excited to be in the first stages of revamping an old set of drawers that will live in our bedroom, a few stools are waiting for a coat of paint, as are a few plant pots. Alot of craft is also on the go in preparation for an online  AWhiteFarm shop of some type to commence in the (hopefully!!) not so distant future!

6. Fave colour combo...I can never go past black and white. It just always seems to work. Although pop a bright mint, turqoise or melon etc amongst it and you really have a winner!! 

7. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? I would jet off to any small coastal town where I can hit the beach with the fam. Or Sweden/Amsterdam/Denmark where I could randomly knock on people's doors and poke through their beautiful homes!?!

8. Fave time of the day? - probably the evening wind down…closing blinds, flicking on lamps, getting cosy and ready for some quiet craft time!!

9. What do you love most about living in the country? I love living in the country because my family is SO loud I don't think we could live amongst other human beings without being told to shut up!! And the fresh air...the fresh country air cannot be beaten...especially when raising kids.

10. Favourite recipe - it's got to be a toss up between my mum's Chocolate Hedgehog Slice and my nanna's French Tea Cake…both are on my blog and both are baked around here way too often!!

And I couldn't not share some of Janelle's lovely images from her gorgeous home…. so here are a few to sample!

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Special Thanks to Janelle for taking time to join us on TMCM!!! and sharing her gorgeous images with us.

When you get a moment, go grab yourself a cuppa and a comfy spot on the couch, and visit Janelle and her beautiful family home on her blog. You won't regret it!

A White farm can also be followed on Facebook and Instagram.

Happy friday to all!!!!

19/52 Weekly Stills

1. First pre winter fire in the back yard. Just missing some marshmallows!
2. With very good friends visiting on the weekend, we took the opportunity to visit this local winery- which was fantastic for small kids and great for the adults. Gorgeous spot on the Murray!
3. Lazy sunday morning……. Pip squeak and the dinosaurs!
4/5/6. Some freshly potted colour.
7. Oranges almost ready to pick!
8. And just like that, the pomegrante tree lost all her leaves and exposing what fruit is left to pick!
9. A momento from our wedding day.

Hope you had a good week x

18/52 weekly Stills

1. I took a quick overnight trip to visit a very dear friend who lives in north west NSW during the week. This was the landscape for most of the trip. It was so lovely to catch up and see where she is now living- an oasis amongst the harsh yet beautiful australian landscape.
2. Royal Mail Hotel at Booroorban.
3. Rain on its way…..
4. This bright and cheery sign on a property mailbox- Happy Mother's Day!
5. Back home and catching up on some washing. It did rain but the sun came out- love the light this time of year! It even makes the washing look pretty…..
6. Outside our kitchen/living room is this beautiful pomegrante tree. It is so lovely watching it as it changes throughout the year. The tree is full of ripe fruit (which Im trying to use….any suggestions are very welcome!!) and the leaves have now turned the most gorgeous bright yellow, which looks so pretty against a sunny bright blue sky as the backdrop.
7. Our little man has an absolute fascination with boats as the moment and a trip down to the Port is his favourite thing to do. Toot Toot!!!!

Hope you all had a lovely weekend 

celebrating Mother's Day….xx

The Itty Bitty Book Van

Keeping in with the book theme this week, I discovered this wonderful Victorian business called Itty Bitty Book Van. 

A travelling children's bookshop in a beautiful vintage caravan!

I can't think of a more fun way to encourage small people to get excited about reading than to have a gorgeous old decorated caravan and a lovely display of children's books just begging to be looked at and read. A super clever idea!

Images from the Itty Bitty Book Van Website

Im hoping very much they visit Echuca soon! Please, Please!

For more information on van and touring dates, visit the Itty Bitty Book Van website.

Or follow their Facebook page.

Shopping Local at Twig Child

A few months ago, on a little road trip along the Murray in Northern Victoria, I drove through a town called Cohuna and stumbled across this divine children's store- Twig Child. It was closed, so sadly I wasn't able to have a look inside. Instead, I peered through the window and drooled at all the lovely displays, and told myself I was definitely coming back to have another look.

A few months later and I finally got some time to pop in and have a look at this gorgeous shop and all it's wares. TWIG child is filled with beautiful children's clothing, giftware and hand picked home decor pieces, all carefully selected by owner, Cecelia Palmer.

TWIG child opened almost twelve months ago. Cecelia, busy mum to four young children, has a knack for choosing beautiful things that are both stylish and practical. 

I had a lovely time browsing through the racks of clothes, great gift ideas,  and enjoying the simple, yet very thoughtful styling of the store. 

Although Twig Child is primarily filled with children's ware, there are some special treats for women, including some clothing, these gorgeous clutches and jewellery.

So, if you live locally, I would highly recommend making a trip over to visit Twig Child and if not, jump on the internet and have a look at Twig Child Online….. you can be guaranteed to find something you like!

My purchase of the day- this divine Daisy & Moose Floral Blouse. 

So incredibly sweet…. I wish they came in my size!!!

Some photos below taken by Echuca photographer, Cindy Power, 

showcasing last summer's fashions, gift and home wares.

Images courtesy of Twig Child and taken by Cindy Power Photography, Echuca.

Twig Child- 27 King George Street, Cohuna, Victoria, 3568

Phone- 03 54563377

Online Store- www.twigchild.tictail.com
See Facebook page for opening times.

Keep up to date by following Twig Child on Facebook and Instagram.

15/52 Weekly Stills

1. Proteas bought from local Farmers markets.
2. In our garden.
3. Sharing apples.
4. A visit to Bunbartha Beef Farm Shop- more on blog later this week!
5. Mums and bubs on a sunny autumn afternoon.
6. Easter morning stocktake.
7. Easter egg hunt.
8. Freshly made hot cross buns.

Hope you all had a lovely Easter weekend xx