Homemade Pepper

A few years ago, I built the humble beginnings of this tree for my son’s pre-primary class. It later moved to the school library, where it slowly transformed into what can only be described as a very sad shrub. So in December, I quietly adopted it back.

Six months, hundreds of hours, 18 rolls of masking tape, countless op shop treasures, and a suspicious amount of hot glue later… it’s grown into a full-blown story tree, made almost entirely from recycled bits, broken books, and wild hope that it doesn’t collapse under its own whimsy.

Inside, the doors open into magical worlds: tea with Mr Tumnus in Narnia, a wild rumpus with Max, hide-and-seek with Wally, a bear hunt to find Paddington, and a pavlova voyage with Grandma Poss across Bass Strait (naturally). There are so many references now, even I keep finding new ones.

The tree is now back home in the school library, where it belongs — ready for every curious kid who wants to open a door and step into a story. 🌳📚✨

I’ve been so excited to finally put up this tree, a verge find that instantly transports me back to childhood. Decorated with fairy lights that date from the same time and also came from the side of the road (tested for safety before use), this tree sparkles. The ornaments come from my grandmother, the op shop and the verge and all evoke childhood memories. The only thing it’s missing is silver tinsel strands strung liberally all over, but impossible to do with 4 cats and a will to live.
If you ever had this tree then you can smell this tree just looking at these photos, let me tell you, it’s just so much worse in person 😂 The room is being aired and thankfully it’s just in my craft room and not the main living area. Hopefully it will chill out by Christmas.
But even with the smell, this tree is just absolutely one of my most favourite things about Christmas this year.

Optimistically making the bed in the hope that my Mum can actually come and visit us from NSW for Christmas. Multiple trips have been canceled this year and she hasn’t yet met our beautiful baby girl. I really hope that the border can remain open and she can come, it would be a nice way to end a topsy turvey year here.

Where did my cute baby boy go? 😭 Now I have a three-nager, a loud, messy, paw patrol obsessed toddler. A toddler who nearly super glued his arms to his legs today, because, of course he did 🙄.

Optimism and naivety in a basket. For no 2 I really want to try reusable nappies. My goal is reusable 50% of the time, just to make it not so daunting. I’ve got some different brands to figure out what I like or don’t like, not all reusables are the same 🤷‍♀️ It can be overwhelming and confusing when you start but I’ve been doing lots of research and reading to get my washing routine right (not just for nappies but for everything, I was totally doing it wrong!). Ask me in 3 months if I’ve sold everything and become a Huggies Loyalty Member 😂

My obsession with fringe is very real, so when I saw stocking 1 metre rolls of fringe in the most amazing colours I knew that I had to make a mobile. Hand sewn and hot glued on to metal rings and carefully hung together, this is going to make a beautiful addition to our nursery.