Creativity

In the past couple of months, we have reached that stage in a small boy's life where we have to 'make things'. For many months painting and play-doh satisfied the making urge but, although Mr M is now painting figures (see his first effort above - and, of course, it's a portrait of The Wiggles), we seem to spend our weekends 'making things'. Last weekend I was called on to make a 'Batman helicopter'. We have also made cars and boats for Mr M to sit in, computers so he can play 'Libraries' ('What book would you like today? Let me check ... you're in luck!'), his first book and special beds so he can have 'a rest'.

This phase is a challenge because I have never been 'crafty'. Except for doing a bit of knitting, I don't experience the urge to do craft. I don't make softies or scrapbook or sew. And I haven't yet organised myself a 'really useful box', although I am often inspired to get one after watching an episode of Playschool. But it's amazing what you can create with a few yellow straws and a toilet roll or two. Aluminium foil comes in handy too. And I know I'm going to get better at it, because I have years of making ahead of me. I've been warned by friends - I won't be able to get away with a school project about volcanoes that doesn't include building a model of one.

Sometimes, though, a boy is left to his own devices. This is most likely to be when his mum is just crafted out. And that's when the creativity really begins. Here is Mr M's first 'installation', a creative stacking of toys in the kitchen that took hours to get just right. All those toys have been placed very deliberately in the 'sculpture' simply to create a thing of beauty (in someone's eyes at least). And if you look very carefully, the final object to be placed was a small boy himself.

I Must Be Dreaming

One of my favourite Canberra houses has been listed for sale over the past couple of weeks. Here it is: 2 Macquarie Street, Barton. It's an old house and this photo suggests it's not particularly beautiful. But it is a house I've long had a soft-spot for and often contemplated living in.

Once upon a time, about 20 years ago, friends of mine rented this house. This was in the days before it had been renovated. I remember it being quite a dark house but, even then, it was a dark house with good bones. If you visit the real estate agent's website (which is where the photos come from) you'll see what I mean. Fantastic floorboards. Original doors and windows. A fireplace. A window seat in one of the bedrooms. It was also a great party house - and my friends threw lots of great parties, and gatherings that became great parties. The house seemed to bend graciously to accommodate people squashed into its hallway and sitting rooms. A friendly house.

I hadn't thought much about this house until I noticed the 'for sale' sign when I was walking back to work from a dental appointment in Manuka. I couldn't resist peering through the gate to discover that the old garage has been turned into a glorious studio. The agent was there showing someone through and I had to struggle against knocking on the front door and begging to be allowed to visit. Thank goodness for websites - back at work I was able to take a virtual peek. But by then I had dreamt the house into being my dream house. It is across the road from an excellent public school. A couple of blocks from a great park. A short easy walk to the cafes of both Manuka and Kingston. I could walk to work. Mr M could walk to school. J could walk to the weekend markets. We would save so much money by not having to drive to all the places we now drive to. Whatever the price, the house was, obviously, a bargain and perfect for us.

Of course, there were disadvantages. The house doesn't have a garage. J and I would only argue over possession of the studio (see below), despite the house also having a study that opens onto a courtyard. Oh, and, oops, yes, the price tag was over $1 million.

So we haven't bought 2 Macquarie Street. Someone else has (although I've noticed it is under offer for less than $1 million). And it will, I'm sure, be many years before it is on the market again. But I've had a lovely time recalling what it was like to visit friends and sit in their living room talking and eating and drinking. And dreaming of what might have been if I'd had a spare million.

Winter Garden

This is one corner of our winter garden - taken early this afternoon. And here is another corner of our winter garden - taken at the same time. What you are looking at is a bed of rocket. It is unstoppable and, because we can't keep up with the eating, it is now going to seed. Which isn't a bad thing if it generates more beds of rocket like this one.