Sunday, May 30, 2010

In my basket

It's been a very busy week here, mainly with work. I had a product training day and then 3 days at work so it's nice to be having a family day and to get some crochet done. It's been ages since I've had the chance to sit down and do a lot of crochet as I've only been getting the chance to do bits and pieces.



Those bits and pieces though are turning into Little Miss R's blanket. I'm really not sure if I've done the right thing by making every square the same but as I'm joining it together as I go, it's starting to look good. Not great though as I'm not the most brilliant person at putting colours together and it's turning out different to I had expected. Little Miss R likes it and that's what counts isn't it?

I also had my birthday recently and my lovely sister over at Hearts Landscapes made me something special. Don't you love the material?! Evidently Little Miss R picked it out for me. Do you know what it is?



It's all unrolled now but not fully revealed. Are you quivering with excitement just wanting to know what it is? Don't worry, all will be revealed.....



The unveiling!!!



Isn't it gorgeous. No more looking for hooks and scissors which I keep stashing all over the place. I now have a cute little case to put all my crochet hooks, scissors and needles in. Oh the excitement of having this pretty little case made specially or me! Thank you, thank you. Now I just have to find those couple of missing crochet hooks so I can put them in the case too.

Monday, May 24, 2010

Lovely weekend

My weekends start on a Sunday these days, especially now that I'm back working and one of my busiest days happens to be a Saturday. That's just the way it goes in the beauty industry but for me Sunday is family day.



This weekend was a particularly gorgeous weekend so we decided to go for a picnic. Instead of going to the coast and the beaches, we headed inland to one of my favourite spots, Little Yabba Creek out near Kenilworth. I remember having many picnics here when I was growing up and now I'm heading out there with my family when the weather is favourable and we find ourselves getting cabin fever.




We didn't head into Kenilworth itself which is the home of a fantastic cheese factory and a great picnic area and playground for the kids. We instead ended up a few kilometres away at Little Yabba Creek which has a lovely picnic ground and bushwalk for us to enjoy with the kids. In summer it's a great spot for having a swim too but it's heading into late autumn and a little too cool for us!! We found out later in the afternoon that our neighbours and their children ventured that way too and braved the waters only to find themselves freezing later!




The walk is only just over a kilometre long and is either bitumen or boardwalk so it's quite user friendly and kid friendly too. Perhaps I should say parent friendly because we don't have to clean off muddy shoes before getting into the car.




And then of course, there was the most exciting bit before we finished our walk and that was seeing a carpet snake beside the track. Little Miss R happened to see this before us, in fact I walked straight past it, but it provided some excitement. Carpet snakes are pretty harmless and I think this one was a bit cold but if it was any other type of snake I can tell you that there's no way I would be stopping to photograph it!



I know that many people think that Australia is a place that is teeming with dangerous animals everywhere you walk but I have to admit that this is only the second time in all my 36 years that I've seen a snake in the wild. I've been on plenty of bushwalks and camping expeditions over that time too I can tell you so it was a pretty exciting moment for not only the kids but for me too. I'm just glad it was the good old carpet snake this time (last time was in Cooktown with my sister and I'm not exactly sure what it was but I do know it was pretty nasty).

I hope you all had a lovely weekend too. Mine was great, especially as we got to spend time as a family which seems to be rare these days.

I have a busy week ahead so will try and pop in as often as I can.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Birthday Wishes



Happy Birthday to me! Today is my birthday and I've had a lovely day with the kids. We stayed at home which wasn't what I originally intended but that's what we ended up doing.

The kids helped me unwrap my presents this morning which was all very exciting and then there was cake in the afternoon which is even more exciting. Maybe making the cake nearly caused as much excitement too with fingers dipping in the mixture and the licking of bowls and spoons.

And then there was cake for afternoon toea and another after dinner that night! Little Miss R hates chocolate (shocking I know) and I love it so we had a non chocolate cake for arvo tea with pink icing and a choccy one for dessert that night. How spoilt to have two cakes!!




And this is me on the day of my 36th Birthday.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

My First Blanket



Yay! I've completed my first big project which is Master M's blanket. I've been working on this on and off for a few months now and have finally finished stitching it all together which was an absolute pain in the butt I can tell you. (I'm trying the join as you go method for Little Miss R's blanket)



I'm so proud of it though even though when you look closely you realise just how bad a job I've done. It's mine and I'm just so happy that I've achieved something crafty which I never thought I had it in me. Hope your all as excited as I am!!

Monday, May 17, 2010

Busy days

The last few days have been very busy and that's mainly because I'm back at work. The end of the week (Thursday, Friday and Saturday) are my work days so I probably won't be posting too much on those days.

Work was busy but good and then Saturday night we went to our neigbours birthday party and had a lovely time. We didn't stay long, just for drinks, play for the kids and long enough for a nice chat before coming home. The rest of the weekend was pretty quiet too although that really only means Sunday and we're pretty boring and don't do too much on those days.



Monday dawned cool and cloudy so I decided that it was play and craft day with the kids. We made little butterfly puppets on sticks or that was the original intention. We ended up with all different shapes as well as glue, sticky tape and glitter everywhere! It was worth it as the kids had a ball and enjoyed every minute of it (so did mummy!)


(Miss R using plenty of glitter glue because it's 'pretty and sparkly').


(Mummy's is the purple and yellow one but I just had to have some help decorating)



The rest of the day was spent crocheting for me (I finished my first blanket! Yay!) I'll show you more of that next post as I'm very excited. The kids were pretty happy playing with balloons all day. Kim from next door gave them some balloons from her party on Saturday night and it's been one of the best toys out. Luckily only one of the four has busted so far and that caused much devastation so I'm glad the others are holding together pretty well. The kidlettes have been happy playing with the balloons for AGES which of course has kept mum quite happy too!!



All in all it's been a pretty good day doing fun things with the kidlettes and getting lots of kisses and cuddles. It doesn't seem to matter what else is going on in your life but when a child gives you a big sloppy kiss on the cheek and says 'I love you mummy', you realise that things are pretty good.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Happy Birthday Uncle I

Today is my Uncle's birthday. He's been a wonderful Uncle to my sister, brother and myself and as he's never married and has no children of his own, you could say that we are considered his 'kids' too.

Now that the next generation are along he's finding that he's loving being a great uncle so much and the kidlettes all adore him as well. He helped me out so much during a very stressful time in the year after Master M was born and I shall forever be greatful for his help, support and just being there for an arvo cup of tea and chat to give me some adult conversation.




I know your birthday dinner of creamy chicken, mushroom and sundried tomato casserole with cheesy star scones on top doesn't look like much but wasn't it ABSOLUTELY DIVINE in taste. I can't believe there's any left actually.



Happy Birthday to you! I know you say you're too old for candles and cake but I say that you're NEVER too old! The little ones expect candles and cake for birthday's though, even if only to get to blow them out themselves. Yes, must have little helpers to do all of that huffing and puffing!

Happy Birthday Uncle I. Thank you for your support, company and fun times with the kids. Love you. :)

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Storm



I so LOVE storms! Here I was thinking that the weather's getting cooler and winter's starting to come but no, summer decided to have a little flutter before it's gone for another year.



It's been a bit of a muggy day so I really can't be too surprised that we have storms around. The first, third and fourth photos are of the storm that passed a bit north of our house first and the second photo is from our front yard looking at the next storm coming which we probably will get a bit of.



I just love the whole build up to a storm. The building clouds changing from white to grey then to black, and then the thunder starting is enough to make me quiver with excitement! I also love that earthy smell that you get just before the storm hits. That's one of the few things I love about the summer's where I live, the pretty amazing storms that we have often. Unfortunately they can be quite destructive too but we have been lucky enough to have not received any damage so far.



These are probably the last storm images you'll see from me until next summer. Once summer comes you'll probably get pretty sick of seeing them because I'll be too excited not to take loads of photos and tell you about them. I'm getting all excited just thinking about it now!

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Mothers Day

I've been very busy the last few days as I've started at a new salon a bit further drive from where I live. It's a much busier salon so I have guaranteed days and it's really, really busy so I'm always on the go. I'm love, Love, LOVING it!!!

There was much excitement yesterday morning in the house just before I had to go to work as I heard the tell tale sound of a hot air balloon flame. I ran outside to see where it was and was shocked to see it just above the neighbours house. We could easily see and talk to the people in the balloon so I quickly got the kids outside so we could all have a look and a wave which was nearly too much excitement for the kidlettes. I only thought of my camera after it had gone but it was moving quite quickly that we would've missed all the excitement had I run in to get it. Another time maybe (if they ever come past this way again!!)




Today is Mother's Day and unbelievably I didn't have the kidlettes running in early to wake me up. Lovely hubby bundled them in to watch morning cartoons and let me have a sleep in which was divine. The excitement came a bit later when I got out of bed and was ceremoniously given presents and then it was all excitement seeing what I had. Chocolates are a must of course (especially Lindt dark and mint ones: YUMMY!! but I don't think my hips, thighs and bum will be too happy). I also got a pasta machine which I've been wanting for ages and may have hinted at a couple of times (I'm not one of those mums who hate kitchen appliances as gifts, I love anything kitcheny actually!).

The kidlettes also picked out some things to give to mummy and they know me so well as they bought notebooks, notepads and pens. Aaahhh, how I love stationery. I have hoards of it which comes in handy when doing craft with the kids and I'm sure there are others out there who have a little thing for stationery. I'm really not alone, am I???????? I also got some lovely rainbow bath salts and a handprint picture courtesy of daycare that were wrapped up beautifully in the kids artwork and presented with much excitement. I love those presents they make themselves, especially watching their faces as you open it because you know that they're so proud to give you something they made.



While mummy cuddled up on the lounge with her two little ones watching cartoons, daddy cooked a lovely, artery hardening breaky of bacon, beans and eggs. I haven't had a good fry up in ages and it was bloody yummy.



I have to admit that after my mornng coffee, Mother's Day turned into a bit of a fizzer. I'd love to be able to tell you about all the wonderful thing that happened but if truth be known, once the obligatory breakfast is done, hubby usually ends up playing computer games for the rest of the day and pretty well ignores all else. A little frustrating but at least I got to spend time with my kidlettes which are the reason why I'm allowed to celebrate mother's day in the first place. I also made a rally yummy beef and burgandy pie for dinner which all enjoyed and I did get some crochet time while enjoying a beautiful autumn day. It was quite lovely really!!



Kidlettes are now in bed so I'm off to enjoy my usual nightly cup of tea and an indulgent piece of baked cheesecake!

Happy Mother's Day to you all.

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Kidlette days

It's certainly been a day for the kids around here (big and little). It's been such a gorgeous day that I just wanted to spend some time with the kids doing kiddy things so we've been playing outside on the swings, riding bikes and running around the yard. Then it was Master M's nap time so Little Miss R and I got the puzzles and pencils out and had a wonderful time puzzling and colouring.




Then off course Master M woke up and decided that he wanted to be in on the action too and threw puzzle pieces and pencils all around the room. The photo of my lounge is just after that moment and thank goodness just before all the toy trucks and cars got added into the jumble. Not happy moments when the cleaning up had to be done, nowhere near as much fun a making the mess!!




The afternoon was some quiet time for me, sitting on our outside lounge doing some more crocheting while the neighbours 3 kids joined ours and lots of noise, running, playing, bubble blowing,chalk drawing and plenty of tackling went on. It was so lovely to see them all having so much fun. Happy moments indeed!

Monday, May 3, 2010

Roasted cherry tomatoes and bacon jalousie

Well I told you if dinner was good then I'd share it with you. It was pretty awesome, if I do say so myself, so here it is::
(Remember that I made it up so the amounts are approximate)

Ingredients::

about 20 cherry tomatoes
about 6 rashers of bacon
8 button mushrooms
2 crushed cloves of garlic
200g feta cheese
2tbsp grated parmesan cheese
2 sheets of puff pastry



Prick the cherry tomatoes then roast them in a slow oven (160 degrees) for about an hour or so.



Dice bacon and chop up the mushrooms and cook in a pan with the garlic.



Place roasted tomatoes in a bowl with the cooked bacon mixture. Add crumbled feta, a pinch of mixed herbs, parmesan and a few grinds of pepper. (No salt as the feta and bacon are salty enough). Mix all the ingredients thoroughly to make a big gloopy mess which I'll refrain from telling you what it looks like. You can make a guess from the picture!!



Lay a sheet of puff pastry on a baking tray and place mixture in the middle, leaving a border around the edge. Wet the edge using a pastry brush with some water then place another sheet of puff pastry on top, folding over the edges of the bottom sheet of pastry and pressing down to seal. Cut some holes in the top with a knife, I sometimes do lattice type slices or other patterns to pretty it up but this time I just dotted the knife around. Brush the top of the jalousie with a little milk or egg.
(You could even make individual ones by cutting the pastry into 4)



Put in the oven on 180 degrees and cook for about 25 to 30 minutes. Cut it up and serve for a taste sensation!!

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Gardening




Now from the above title you might think that I'm going to tell you what a wonderful gardener I am and show you pictures of my beautiful, lush garden. I'm so sorry to disappoint you and I hope you'll forgive me for getting you excited but I am a pretty awful gardener. My back yard is full of overgrown weeds in the few garden beds we have and the rest is just grass for the kids to play on.

My mother and sister, however, are both pretty good gardeners and it's their lovely gardens (or parts thereof) that I'll be showing you today. Luckily for me, my family all live nice and close to me, just in various other parts of the same town so it's nice to have people I love so close.




Little Miss R and I popped around to my parents place in the morning for a stint of cherry tomato and flower picking. I love fresh cherry tomatoes and have to admit that I do have a plant amongst the weeds in my own excuse for a garden that has ripening fruit on it. How exciting it is to grow your own produce and eat it fresh!! You'll have to check back in sometime over the next few days to find out what I'm doing for dinner with the tomatoes, not that I'm entirely sure myself but I've got the glimmerings of a recipe in my mind and I'm hoping it will be nice. If it's terrible then we'll just forget I ever mentioned anything about cooking them up shall we? You agree? That's wonderful.





As for the other glorious garden that I visited, it was my sister S's and her lovely husband J's. I absolutely love going out to visit their place because the view from every window is a picturesque delight of tropical greenery. I feel so relaxed and peaceful at their place which is probably a reason why I've spent so much time there (the company is quite acceptable too!) I love her gardens so much in fact that nearly 6 years ago my husband and I got married there! It was a lovely, casual wedding surrounded by friends and family and just such a lovely day. (More on that next month as it's our wedding anniversay).




We didn't just go visit to look at the gardens though as we had a wonderful change from routine and had a sleepover! It's so exciting to do something different and as my life seems to have been full of the mundane lately, I was bursting with excitement to go.

They have an enormous movie screen (the size of one wall) where we get to have exciting movie nights sometimes. It's seems an absolute AGE since we last had one and I tell you that anything other than Bob the Builder, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Chugginton makes me excited at the moment. We did however put Tinkerbell and the Lost Treasure on for the kidlettes so they got to have a 'movie' experience complete with mattresses to lie on and dogs to cuddle up with.

Once they were in bed it was the grown ups turn to watch Avatar which was fantastic. The only problem was that Master M decided that he didn't really like having a sleepover and kept crying and screaming for what seemed live FOREVER until his father finally put him in the car and took him home.

So our little family sleepover consisted of the boys going home to sleep in their own beds and the girls having a fun time out!




Until next time when hopefully will have a delicious recipe to give to you (or not!).