tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49942405633642685632024-03-19T06:00:38.385-07:00Me, myself and the boysI am who I amhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06860394405345142514noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994240563364268563.post-61046490247100366612012-08-18T18:15:00.000-07:002012-08-18T18:15:02.397-07:00I'm a terrible blogger! REALLY BAD. Life has gotten away from us this year it's just crazy. Soon, in a matter of weeks we will be welcoming our third precious baby into this world and moving into our new home. 1 1/4 acres in the hills of Perth. We cannot wait! I'll try to blog more about these wonderful changes.<br />
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<br />I am who I amhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06860394405345142514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994240563364268563.post-24200441076561068362012-05-21T04:49:00.002-07:002012-05-21T04:49:30.846-07:00Sleep tightWe made a big baby purchase today...a beautiful new cot for our wee girl <3<br />
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It's a bit different, and I like that!<br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Cdiv%20style='padding-bottom:%202px;%20line-height:%200px'%3E%3Ca%20href='http://pinterest.com/pin/20829216996975997/'%20target='_blank'%3E%3Cimg%20src='http://media-cache4.pinterest.com/upload/20829216996975997_a3mNjNdT_c.jpg'%20border='0'%20width='300'%20height%20='300'/%3E%3C/a%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20style='float:%20left;%20padding-top:%200px;%20padding-bottom:%200px;'%3E%3Cp%20style='font-size:%2010px;%20color:%20#76838b;'>Source: <a style='text-decoration: underline; font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;' href='http://www.babyland.com.au/881-boori-urbane-metro-cot.html'>babyland.com.au</a> via <a style='text-decoration: underline; font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;' href='http://pinterest.com/healin/' target='_blank'>Heather</a> on <a style='text-decoration: underline; color: #76838b;' href='http://pinterest.com' target='_blank'>Pinterest</a></p></div>">Our cot</a>I am who I amhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06860394405345142514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994240563364268563.post-59671305000421677172012-05-07T03:52:00.000-07:002012-05-07T04:12:07.495-07:00Thinking VintageNow that we are 20 weeks along I am somewhat less apprehensive and more excitedly planning everything baby. I'm looking forward to getting back to the newborn phase, and I'm so enjoying planning what to wrap baby in and what to do in the nursery.<br />
You see, not long before we found out we were pregnant I had sold a lot of items. I lusted after another baby but I didn't think we would have one (hubby was pretty set against not). Fate landed on our doorstep. It's like one door closes as another passes. Days after my husband and his family farewelled the patriarch of their family, my husband's much loved grandfather we conceived this precious soul. I'm a firm believer in what the universe takes it also delivers. It works in crazy ways. So here we were in January with a baby on the way and suddenly...very limited baby items.<br />
I've sat back and waited until now to look at our newborn items. Nervous to acknowledge this wonderful thing that is happening to us.<br />
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So now, I am embracing, accepting and planning. The 1 piece I have to work with is a beautiful vintage bassinet that my best friend is giving us. She is a newborn and maternity photographer and had purchased this as a prop. It will find a wonderful home with our precious babe I tell you! I will be using this vintage bassinet as the basis of our nursery, I plan to carefully blend modern and vintage but will mostly use a vintage them. Pinterest is getting a massive workout with finding ideas. What a shame shows like The Block don't do a family version. There are shows in the US like 'Make room for baby' where you see rooms renovated for new baby's however these are so American and very cliche and over done.<br />
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Since we are moving sometime between now and baby's due date I have to pin and pin until my hearts content, buy wraps and clothes for our precious bambino and wait until we are settled to set up stations.<br />
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And the bump...it's growing <3 My best friend. The aforementioned newborn/maternity photographer decided to whip the camera out on the weekend to mark our halfway point, here is one of the shots. I adore it (you can see more on the blog at www.evokeartphotography.com.au)<br />
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<br />I am who I amhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06860394405345142514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994240563364268563.post-63372984198508996192012-05-07T00:43:00.003-07:002012-05-07T04:11:47.249-07:00It's been a whileI've not been around these parts for a few months, I check into blogger frequently to read up on the many friends who blog regularly and the people I don't know but am interested in. Somehow though, getting the energy to put together a post myself has eluded me.<br />
You see I've been in a bubble of busy the last few weeks...oh yes and morning sickness!<br />
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The new year has blessed us with a new baby due in the Spring, we are thrilled, blessed, excited and so so happy! As of Friday our precious 3rd bambino is well and baking as a baby of 20 weeks gestation should. Along with baking a baby we've been busy in open home fun and busy with our boys as usual.<br />
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Life is good to us. We have our health, we have good friends, supportive family and a wonderful full life.<br />
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It feels like I'm in a bubble and I'm terrified the bubble will pop.I am who I amhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06860394405345142514noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994240563364268563.post-64826944441980714042012-02-23T19:04:00.000-08:002012-02-23T19:04:25.679-08:00Don't Worry be HappyLast night I went out to dinner with a friend, we had a bit of a philosophical conversation about being happy with our cards in life, being happy with what we DO have and not being greedy about what we don't have.<br />
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I got home and had a shower and played my usual play list and ironically Guy Sebastian's 'Don't worry be happy' came on. How fitting! For those that have not listened to it the song is essentially about life being short and just being happy. We only get to live it once and we should live it up!<br />
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Life really is short, and this year I'm going to promise myself to try to appreciate what I have. I'm going to try to not be greedy, I'm going to count my blessings and truly be happy with my lot in life.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8PuOMW-DsURkvKPsLIlc3_LW0OwThVlbGTqjCAqjJdK-IkntCC8V-jDp-2LbV7oav1yBd1bOizfjCAXMz9waIui-DpNUuXvXdLsiGi-LML7HzhDh9BGSUX1HPYW8lXzY1zLf_i4KjyU/s1600/IMG_2644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8PuOMW-DsURkvKPsLIlc3_LW0OwThVlbGTqjCAqjJdK-IkntCC8V-jDp-2LbV7oav1yBd1bOizfjCAXMz9waIui-DpNUuXvXdLsiGi-LML7HzhDh9BGSUX1HPYW8lXzY1zLf_i4KjyU/s320/IMG_2644.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I am who I amhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06860394405345142514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994240563364268563.post-53734524393803213442012-02-06T04:35:00.000-08:002012-02-06T04:35:30.802-08:00Where there is life...There is cake. :=)<br />
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You didn't expect that did you!?<br />
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Made some 'Blue velvet cupcakes' on the weekend for a celebration of life on Sunday. Just substituted the red dye for blue. Everyone got blue tongues but they were delicious.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguxbn49bLhsxTuqutJWzYi_3-whyphenhyphenPUig8zqXQerZomI_UPDFKBLbwgzmWjt11UGGSwumAALwehdtQrRR43oLbXWIMf0MgK7r7MjL5UYXQKPZmL2nEu_mc01NesDp-24pUPZm-dRKDtgak/s1600/IMG_7457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguxbn49bLhsxTuqutJWzYi_3-whyphenhyphenPUig8zqXQerZomI_UPDFKBLbwgzmWjt11UGGSwumAALwehdtQrRR43oLbXWIMf0MgK7r7MjL5UYXQKPZmL2nEu_mc01NesDp-24pUPZm-dRKDtgak/s320/IMG_7457.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>I am who I amhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06860394405345142514noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994240563364268563.post-84523576189708273732012-02-01T01:05:00.000-08:002012-02-01T01:05:59.457-08:00End of an EraWith the start of full time formal schooling we've ended the era of our firstborn home days and entered into living our lives through lunch boxes, school holidays and stains on white t-shirts.<br />
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I was not sure what to expect today but I think the outcome is the best I could have hoped for. On dropping Master 4 at school this morning I was told 'you can go when you want to mummy'. I was taking the lead from other parents and trying to hover around watching my son orientate himself with his new surroundings, noting whether he engaged in conversation with fellow students and what activities he delved into first. But this was cut short after a brief period of time with Master 4 clearly more confident and ready for school than we had given him credit for. I'm pleased that I was the one with tears brimming with both sadness and pride and not him. I am pleased that I am the one that was thinking about him all day and that quite likely he didn't give me a thought.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbk6H7WFo8K7R-T4BAy02LIPw6uO2IWB5Mjpc0ab5RL0VKjIIxNDhcRDDseaA3rMzH-iCtW8eC2VqxOB5rZJ5c4L34eD7tTr1SCwM-2IEZkb0b7B-SnyoN6FkM8Mqf5WHIW00YUP40fbg/s1600/IMG_7442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbk6H7WFo8K7R-T4BAy02LIPw6uO2IWB5Mjpc0ab5RL0VKjIIxNDhcRDDseaA3rMzH-iCtW8eC2VqxOB5rZJ5c4L34eD7tTr1SCwM-2IEZkb0b7B-SnyoN6FkM8Mqf5WHIW00YUP40fbg/s320/IMG_7442.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It seems that somehow, out of the last nearly 5 years of sleep deprivation, tears, screaming, tantruming (both him and us), toilet training, moving house, travelling overseas and interstate, laughter, fun and more we've raised a little boy who was happy to farewell us on his first day of big boy school with a brave confident and excited face. Im happy with where we are at.</div>I am who I amhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06860394405345142514noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994240563364268563.post-27970908925374758012012-01-06T21:31:00.000-08:002012-01-06T21:31:19.075-08:00Going to the WildThat is what Hamish gleaned from being told we were visiting the Wildlife park...and then on departure he wondered where the park was? Poor kid, only got taken to see many different animals including a private koala experience but he wondered where the good old slippery dip was?<div><br />
</div><div>We last visited this particular wildlife park when Hamish was just on 3 and Angus was 3 weeks old <3 What a lot of growing happens in 22 months.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Here is Mister Mighty watching the sheep shearing show.</div><div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hamish getting to feed a lamb that was only 6 weeks old, it took forever to feed <3</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">No words, just heart melting.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And all of us visiting the koalas</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1C68Cc-5NF5Yhg2qCQzsn165hHdkhrMfi_X7smhgHjCBgYh7VipItFxmBKVMM0uzD-KdXBSbApuU7TBuA7U8rzWaDNCb5EDXqycDK94Q-Hw22NMFHJvs6FvtL82RR6UiMPu1vgvuHPf4/s1600/IMG_7332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1C68Cc-5NF5Yhg2qCQzsn165hHdkhrMfi_X7smhgHjCBgYh7VipItFxmBKVMM0uzD-KdXBSbApuU7TBuA7U8rzWaDNCb5EDXqycDK94Q-Hw22NMFHJvs6FvtL82RR6UiMPu1vgvuHPf4/s320/IMG_7332.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>I am who I amhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06860394405345142514noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994240563364268563.post-76836523872754061152011-12-29T05:37:00.000-08:002011-12-29T05:37:36.567-08:00ClickThat's what that movie is called isn't it?! Where Adam Sandler has the remote and can see his life as if they were just sections on a DVD.<br />
I wish I could put all my memories onto a device like the one in the movie and relive them when I wanted to. I find myself agreeing to read 1 more book to the boys, falling at each hurdle they throw me just so I can live in that moment just a second longer. Don't get me wrong, the kids have the ability to send me from 0 to 100 on the angry/frustrated scale within a matter of seconds BUT the feeling of completion they give me - that completion that I never knew I had been missing, the happiness I feel in our family unit soars far higher than the angry scale could ever go. Moving away from everything we have ever known has been the hardest and most rewarding thing our little unit could ever have done. And its not just the boys I count in that feeling, its the 4 of us. I'm not one of those people to publicly ooze an abundant amount of soppy affection about my life so I'll stop these there. I'm tired, hubby is away and I'm missing him. So I'm sitting here trying to get myself to a sleepy state, so really I could go on for ever. But I won't. My family is ultimately what I feel anyway, I couldn't possibly relate it all to somebody else.<br />
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So what I originally came in to blog about was language. Its the theme of the day here with master 4 at speech therapy to try fix his pronunciation habits that can affect his ability to communicate some messages. Like anything, when you start working on it you notice it more so every element of Master 4s language has been the focus of much of my attention.<br />
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We are really <strike>enjoying </strike>in the thick of the fournager years here and getting served a true variety of language in all its flavour. Comments like 'I want you to go and die' really do leave you with a feeling of warmth and love deep inside don't they!?<br />
On the weekend I headed to the shops and on departure I asked Master 4 if he needed anything, his response was Yes, intrigued I asked him what he needed and his response was 'Um, something we don't have'. Clearly he got his shopping tendencies from his mother AND has outsourced the buying part, smart lad.<br />
I wish I had a mental memo board to take note of all the funny things he has said, its all a vague distant memory.<br />
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We are thoroughly enjoying the other end of the spectrum as well, Master 1 just finding his voice and saying single words, 'UCK' is often yelled in the car when he sees a truck <strike>bus/train/large utility vehicle,</strike> we also have Car, duck, mum, dad, Santa which is adorably pronounced SAAAANTAAA. He also tries other words, IF he feels like it when asked. But generally he is a quiet kid preferring to use gestures to communicate. Which works fine, for now.<br />
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xI am who I amhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06860394405345142514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994240563364268563.post-89236465779347987322011-12-28T00:04:00.000-08:002011-12-28T00:04:40.223-08:00Christmas timeIt seems the lead up to Christmas drags on for months but the day itself, gone in an instant. A blurry memory of torn wrapping paper, many laughs, some tears and much love.<br />
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This year marked our first Christmas in our new home. I've been so busy with sorting out the house and doing all my 'holiday activities' that I didn't feel too anxious about the upcoming day. Christmas means a lot to me, being a foodie I love the food preparation and the eating, I love the planning, I love preparing the gifts for people, thinking about what they would like and seeing them open their gifts. I love being with other people and relaxing for the day. Obviously I wasn't sure what to make of this year being so far away and missing out on those usual activities in the comfort of our family homes.<br />
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The lead up to Christmas was wonderful, we found ourself unleashing the 'kids must be in bed at their 7pm bedtime' rules to, 'lets leave to see the christmas lights at 7.20pm'. The freedom that came with our more relaxed holiday attitude was wonderful. We got to enjoy the innocent wonder of the Christmas lights through the eyes of our sweet boys. What miracles children are! Mere days before Christmas a friend lost her baby girl to a rare genetic disorder, so many times during these holidays I looked at my boys and couldn't stop thinking of baby S. I am just so lucky to have my boys, every single day that I get to cuddle them, that I get to tell them I love them and even when I get to experience the joy of having them fight is a wonderful day because it means I have them.<br />
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We are so fortunate to have a wonderful village of support over here, I guess you lean on these people more when you are away from your family and older friends. As a result Christmas day did not go by with my sitting and tearing up at the thought of the events we were missing back at home, I did at various points in time think with fondness back to what we would be doing had we been back home. But we had such a lovely time with new friends and adopted family that I cannot say I felt sadness at what we were missing, just nostalgic.<br />
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I've managed, you see, to get myself into a good headspace! It is a nice place where I don't yearn for things I cannot have, I live here, not there. I CANNOT simply have the life we live here AND the life we left behind. THIS is our journey for now, and I'm going to enjoy it and not wrap myself up in what we miss and what we cannot do. We take the opportunities here as we can and continue to grow into a stronger family unit as a result of living in isolation to those family ties.<br />
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Christmas has come and gone and we prepare ourself for another New Year, what a great year 2012 will be. I am sure.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XXdScXcXhKQ/TvrMtNOp5-I/AAAAAAAAAIE/KSl9otnIJew/s1600/IMG_7070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XXdScXcXhKQ/TvrMtNOp5-I/AAAAAAAAAIE/KSl9otnIJew/s320/IMG_7070.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I am who I amhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06860394405345142514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994240563364268563.post-10227449867605596802011-12-06T00:52:00.000-08:002011-12-06T00:52:07.418-08:00Fresh summer coolnessWith hot days upon (most of) us I've turned to looking for cool treats that are egg and dairy free so our littlest man can enjoy them with us. You don't need an ice cream making you just need to get clever. <br />
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I made banana sorbet last week and it turned out really well, and is so so easy. Using just 1 cup caster sugar and 1 cup of water along with 1 cup of mashed banana follow this method<br />
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Preparation method<br />
Prep: 10 minutes | Cook: 4 hours<br />
1. In a small saucepan, stir together sugar and water. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat and allow to cool.<br />
2. When the sugar syrup is cool, stir in bananas. Pour into a freezer - safe baking dish. Freeze for 3 to 4 hours, until set at the edges.<br />
3. Remove from the freezer and transfer to a mixing bowl. Use an electric mixer to beat until smooth. Return to the freezer until gently set, at least 2 hours.<br />
(source: http://allrecipes.com.au/recipe/10658/banana-sorbet.aspx).<br />
<br />
The result is a smooth and tasty sorbet that is not too sweet and the perfect accompaniment to a summer fruit salad. I'll come and add a photo later...but mine looked pretty much the same as the one from the link!I am who I amhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06860394405345142514noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994240563364268563.post-72290037518497260542011-11-27T21:23:00.000-08:002011-11-27T21:23:52.788-08:00Gingerbread Men in a JarThanks to a gorgeous book 'Kids in the Holiday Kitchen' that I purchased from Pottery Barn last year I found the perfect teacher gift for this year. They are biscuits in a jar. Basically you layer the dry ingredients in a jar and then attach a gift tag with the recipe. The recipient just adds the required additional ingredients like butter and eggs to then make their biscuits. I purchased jars from Ikea, gingerbread cookie cutters from Big W, cardboard and ribbon from Spotlight and with just a little patience whilst putting them together we have beautiful personalised gifts for teachers and daycare workers.<br />
<br />
This is the <a href="http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/9761/gingerbread+men">recipe that I used</a> and this is the text I put on a card attached to the jars. <br />
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Candara;">Gingerbread Men in a Jar</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Candara;">For scrumptious holiday cookies preheat oven to 180</span><sup><span style="font-family: s;">o</span></sup><span style="font-family: Candara;">C. Beat together <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1 egg yolk</b> with <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">125ml golden syrup</b> and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">125gm</b> room temp <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">butter</b>. Add dry ingredients of jar, mix till well combined. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth. Press dough into a disc. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge for 30 minutes. Place dough between 2 sheets of baking paper and roll out until 4mm thick. Use gingerbread man cutter to cut out shapes. Place on prepared trays 3 cm apart. Bake in oven for 10 mins or until brown. Push smarties into warm cookies to decorate.</span></div><br />
<br />
And this is the completed products at less than $10 a gift.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-i7CggXPpTkajYPkpD-C9O2kRHAflvAUZKA1-OTRB_HZsx0yFO-mRZ0kkvUEjK76K7lifq4RUcDeUTLKbc26ZXuKivsksD7YsGCkE8Q-u6En9s-H7ECGQVO_JXCJYqXzKf0W8qWn-KZM/s1600/gingerbread+men.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-i7CggXPpTkajYPkpD-C9O2kRHAflvAUZKA1-OTRB_HZsx0yFO-mRZ0kkvUEjK76K7lifq4RUcDeUTLKbc26ZXuKivsksD7YsGCkE8Q-u6En9s-H7ECGQVO_JXCJYqXzKf0W8qWn-KZM/s320/gingerbread+men.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>I am who I amhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06860394405345142514noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994240563364268563.post-8483001832984755502011-11-21T03:41:00.000-08:002011-11-21T03:41:11.041-08:00Dry Erase CalendarI'm going to completely ignore the fact that I've been MIA in a big way. I have all the best excuses though with the Uni semester finishing, an interstate trip and the general busyness of our family. But I'm going to try post lots in the coming weeks as I am on holidays and keen to enjoy them by letting my inner creative crafty self come out.<br />
<br />
This week I completed the first of a long list of things I want to create. It is a dry erase calendar. My plan was to use colours to intergrate with the feature wall and splashback in the same living space. The completed product has definitely done this. <br />
<br />
I started with an Ikea frame<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiCWBeLoP2SHEghVlCo3pDfu2gKiTD57kNfxdQBqaCDHuGlQgyub5Lc__5UbYL72RVUmd8YERvkgyz2kbWjIoKbO-xJAoqJEWmLJ07ai5V-IZxK31g1Jk2lfRVLcTeYnPSI4lzKI9tCg0/s1600/Frame.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiCWBeLoP2SHEghVlCo3pDfu2gKiTD57kNfxdQBqaCDHuGlQgyub5Lc__5UbYL72RVUmd8YERvkgyz2kbWjIoKbO-xJAoqJEWmLJ07ai5V-IZxK31g1Jk2lfRVLcTeYnPSI4lzKI9tCg0/s320/Frame.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left">Next up was the collection of paint swatches </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3xX-sa3RxQpd6cADOJLzgVRZ3iDrF5nHX5t9OE9AxfbomFxDM5Zc0_jfsaCLNlaSGRoHUNrf3wS3TDKL5VdC1ryNQcAyWgPqaGNJfFNeJQcM7fJ02vAFdcGzxu0LLW79DMFbJj0Yxb6A/s1600/Swatches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3xX-sa3RxQpd6cADOJLzgVRZ3iDrF5nHX5t9OE9AxfbomFxDM5Zc0_jfsaCLNlaSGRoHUNrf3wS3TDKL5VdC1ryNQcAyWgPqaGNJfFNeJQcM7fJ02vAFdcGzxu0LLW79DMFbJj0Yxb6A/s320/Swatches.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div align="left">I then painted the back board that came in the photo frame, I had some white/cream paint in the shed so I used this to create a nice background for the calendar. Using an old calendar lying around I cut the shapes out of the swatches for each day of the month, a year and month slot. I used a measuring tape to accurately place each square on the board...and this is what I created.</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCCApzrV1msYyEhzoAOuO_CXq6MNxmA3WL5HRo4QCth-06bBWU-erRpQOVd2BCcA-ZnE9BaO1iQORZ1Z30MmE4sHyoilAKbRm7XNIe1RTnT8B1VyAV-2tdG421bii1_du8qLDUUpBwevQ/s1600/Calendar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCCApzrV1msYyEhzoAOuO_CXq6MNxmA3WL5HRo4QCth-06bBWU-erRpQOVd2BCcA-ZnE9BaO1iQORZ1Z30MmE4sHyoilAKbRm7XNIe1RTnT8B1VyAV-2tdG421bii1_du8qLDUUpBwevQ/s320/Calendar.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div align="left">I have to say I'm biting at the bit to write things on to the calendar. It's so easy to write on and will be easy to wipe off at the end of the month too. Our house desperately needed a central point to put our whereabouts so I'm thrilled we can now do this so easily. </div>I am who I amhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06860394405345142514noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994240563364268563.post-51117810207827305822011-10-05T01:13:00.000-07:002011-10-05T01:13:50.168-07:00I've been MIAIt's been a crazy few months and I've been MIA - a terrible blogger! <br />
<br />
I've started uni, we've travelled back to the East coast for a visit and we've had the usual at home with the kids, dog, house etc etc. I know its all very unique to us and not what anybody else goes through. (ha).<br />
<br />
In amongst all the usual I have done lots of baking, so I'll get recipes up soon - as usual dairy and egg free for the little lad but very tasty too! <br />
<br />
Be back soon...really soon!!!I am who I amhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06860394405345142514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994240563364268563.post-15632773865530186722011-07-20T23:33:00.000-07:002011-07-20T23:33:56.760-07:00Vanilla CupcakesWho said egg and dairy free cooking has to taste less than great, or look less than great for that matter!<br />
<br />
This recipe can be made with eggs/dairy or without using a dairy free marg and rice milk and the Orgran 'no egg replacer'. <br />
<br />
Ingredients:<br />
125gms butter, softened<br />
3/4 cup caster sugar<br />
1 teaspoon vanilla extract<br />
2 eggs<br />
2 cups SR flour<br />
1/2 cup milk<br />
<br />
1. Beat butter, sugar and vanilla with an electric beater until pale and creamy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition until just combined. <br />
2. Fold in the flour and milk gently until mixture is smooth, spoon the mixture into paper lined muffin pans.<br />
3. Bake in a moderate oven for 15-20mins until cooked and golden.<br />
<br />
Icing<br />
<br />
For a dairy free icing I mix icing sugar mixture with dairy free marg and a bit of vanilla or rice milk - mix butter/marg with electric mixer until pale and slowly add the sugar for a 'fluffy' icing, beat for a couple of mins after you mix it all together. You can then add some melted dairy free choc, cocoa powder or peanut butter for a bit of flavour. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvIo60sLa26tEWcWTl-1kCd5WxgzR82o2sz3id_7nNo4gyvefsjo-xRk1YNvJ731Kxc3aHCr_hiTTZUd3WxD1kwPtfGkj8YpZsqL_Tt58-oT_PN6xyMvFnbAW1zlVvmYkipLYzxQY2kI8/s1600/IMG_1335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvIo60sLa26tEWcWTl-1kCd5WxgzR82o2sz3id_7nNo4gyvefsjo-xRk1YNvJ731Kxc3aHCr_hiTTZUd3WxD1kwPtfGkj8YpZsqL_Tt58-oT_PN6xyMvFnbAW1zlVvmYkipLYzxQY2kI8/s320/IMG_1335.JPG" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div>I am who I amhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06860394405345142514noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994240563364268563.post-971799356603098132011-07-20T22:13:00.000-07:002011-07-20T22:13:17.144-07:00Good Food and Wine FestivalThe weekend just passed Chris and I were both recovering from a weird virus which had left us with headaches and nausea and we were coming off the back of 3 weeks of doing virtually nothing with the boys due to them being sick. With the Good Food and Wine Festival on in Perth I thought it was a nice opportunity to head on the train into the city...it turned out a massive fail but we made something of it. <br />
We took the train after Master 4's swimming lesson - it was a lovely train trip and quite quick. We got there and as soon as we got into the stuffy and food and wine smelling convention centre Master 4 got instantly restless and pale. Master 1 was crabby and not going to sleep. We made the decision to split up, the 2 big boys heading home and the little one hopefully napping in the pram whilst I explored. I quickly changed my decision and leapt after Chris - meeting him outside with a vomitting Master 4! The shows! Courageously Chris took the kids by himself back on the train and home and I headed back into my mother ship, aka the food and wine festival. <br />
<br />
Whilst I felt guilty at first I quickly warmed to the surroundings - tasting bits of freshly made fudge, malaysian (meeting Alvin from Masterchef), watching a masterclass hosted by Matt Moran and tasting yummy chocolate, wine and so much more. If its on in your city and you love to know more about the origina of foods and tasting different things then its definitely worth an outting. I even got my Matt Moran cookbook signed by the author himself...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Zse_PzNB0GunzutKjfEnQEXuoKaeVEh6XVs-5QYmf6v-Gkg-dmiWRDZeazsHowRtlN5rSWPW-ZKi3YJsn46dZs6VmswSl8N6OFtMnPUjXxckY3hFNUW0qO7z2W90GmW4Xo1uJ9Z0Dcc/s1600/IMG_1382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Zse_PzNB0GunzutKjfEnQEXuoKaeVEh6XVs-5QYmf6v-Gkg-dmiWRDZeazsHowRtlN5rSWPW-ZKi3YJsn46dZs6VmswSl8N6OFtMnPUjXxckY3hFNUW0qO7z2W90GmW4Xo1uJ9Z0Dcc/s320/IMG_1382.JPG" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div>I am who I amhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06860394405345142514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994240563364268563.post-76300215778344960852011-07-09T23:27:00.000-07:002011-07-09T23:27:26.455-07:00PlaydoughI love getting in the kitchen and this morning I was marvelling over just how many things you can create with 1 packet of flour. I think the 3kg of flour was around $3.70 and with that 1 packet I have made 6 bread rolls to have with soup, pastry to use with apple and rhubarb to make a pie and this morning some playdough and the packet is still going.<br />
<br />
I've had this playdough recipe since before we got married, a family friend gave it to me at my kitchen tea. This morning was the first time I've used it...pretty bad considering we've been married 5 years.<br />
<br />
Anyway, I made 2 batches, 1 yellow and 1 blue and I got a good 25 mins out of Master 1 which isn't bad considering he much prefers to terrorise and pull apart the house. Did you know if you don't have creme of tartar you can substitute it for white vinegar or lemon juice. I substituted it for lemon juice this morning and the result was perfect.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWPECV7S-weQiKQnvwOQl_J5VjyNYsqHxuW_Ui_Qmdsf7rPX3OLfAAxYIKpF1QOhH6s78YjJ-q5CLddpjn3ydu82jeKwkLH4GzvVvC_4X1HEdQJhMQrn7B9KgG2gbGjp_CqSBV8LAuKaw/s1600/IMG_1352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWPECV7S-weQiKQnvwOQl_J5VjyNYsqHxuW_Ui_Qmdsf7rPX3OLfAAxYIKpF1QOhH6s78YjJ-q5CLddpjn3ydu82jeKwkLH4GzvVvC_4X1HEdQJhMQrn7B9KgG2gbGjp_CqSBV8LAuKaw/s320/IMG_1352.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The recipe is 1 cup of plain flour, 1/2 cup salt, 2 tablespoons creme of tartar, 1 cup water, 1 tablespoon cooking oil and food colouring. I mixed the food colouring in with the water and oil and lemon juice (instead of creme of tartar) and then mixed the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients on medium heat on the stove. You just mix the ingredients together until the salt has disolved into the flour and the mixture becomes pileable a bit like playdough should, and then you are done. I then let cool and kneaded it a little before giving to the kids.I am who I amhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06860394405345142514noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994240563364268563.post-34487487811440126942011-06-22T22:55:00.000-07:002011-06-22T22:55:11.974-07:00HutchMeet our new family member, he is a 15ish week old Boxer pup. Isn't he cute!?!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj36DcOBZStdflL8NFcg9dbV4W5zJUiN48GrwTCJp9cOQLxVkkAIKd9Cz9haXu0EJCU8664dCe3EwDJFe9G8o7xTr7oXKyuc3AVd5neHyGPDff5UAj3F9XSDkbR5s3cCbO4HkM2FrwojVo/s1600/IMG_1131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj36DcOBZStdflL8NFcg9dbV4W5zJUiN48GrwTCJp9cOQLxVkkAIKd9Cz9haXu0EJCU8664dCe3EwDJFe9G8o7xTr7oXKyuc3AVd5neHyGPDff5UAj3F9XSDkbR5s3cCbO4HkM2FrwojVo/s320/IMG_1131.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I am who I amhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06860394405345142514noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994240563364268563.post-31127168622185094522011-06-14T21:56:00.000-07:002011-06-14T21:56:35.336-07:00Mars Bar cheesecakeA Woman's weekly favourite and now a favourite in our house too!<br />
<br />
Prep time: 30 mins (plus refridgeration time)<br />
Cooking time: 5 mins<br />
<br />
<strong>Ingredients:</strong><br />
250gm plain chocolate biscuits<br />
150gm butter, melted<br />
2 tablespoons brown sugar<br />
20 gm butter, extra<br />
300ml thickened cream<br />
50gm milk chocolate, chopped finely<br />
3 teaspoons gelatine<br />
1/4 cup (60ml) water<br />
2 x 250gm packes cream cheese<br />
1/2 cup (110gm) caster sugar<br />
3 x 60gm mars bars, chopped finely<br />
<br />
<strong>1. </strong>Blend or process biscuits until mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Add butter; process until just combined. Using one hand, press biscuit mixture evenly over base and side of a 20cm sprinform tin, cover; refridgerate about 30 mins or until firm.<br />
<strong>2. </strong>Meanwhile, combine brown sugar, extra butter and 2 tablespoons of the cream in small saucepan; stir over low heat, until sugar dissolves, to make butterscotch sauce.<br />
<strong>3. </strong>Combine chocolate and another 2 tablespoons of the cream in another small saucepan; stir over low heat until chocolate melts.<br />
<strong>4. </strong>Sprinkle gelatine over the water in small heatproof jug; stand jug in a small saucepan of simmering water. Stir until gelatine dissolves; cool 5 minutes.<br />
<strong>5. </strong>Beat cheese and caster sugar in medium bowl with electric mixer until smooth. Beat remaining cream in small bowl with electric mixer until soft peaks form. Stir lightly warm gelatine mixture into cheese mixture with mars bars; fold in cream.<br />
<strong>6. </strong>Pour half of the cheese mixture into prepared tin; drizzle half of the butterscotch and chocolate sauces over cheese mixture. Pull skewer backwards and forwards through mixture several times to create marbled effect. Repeat process with remaining cheese mixture and sauces. Cover cheesecake; refridgerate about 3 hours or until set.<br />
<br />
SERVES 8<br />
<br />
<strong>tips. </strong>Because of the long refridgeration time this recipe is a good one to prepare a day ahead. <br />
You can melt the chocolate and cream in a microwave oven - cook on high for 1 min and stir twice while cooking.<br />
Don't use the 'dessert' labelled cream cheese, it is too soft for this recipe and the cake won't set firmly.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihAjLwh1fbxYXmr4doTXryyLp9Q8FxkV_6yLimgmqMjJuEWKweZRSGYF7XzLOPm0M7DGX3a269MAJ_Rx8Y0LNPXkDT1Rfp87t9yvZyPXG9kr8vRCcJeYLkSiilE3LrpH1Mzv4_uiahOiM/s1600/IMG_0573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihAjLwh1fbxYXmr4doTXryyLp9Q8FxkV_6yLimgmqMjJuEWKweZRSGYF7XzLOPm0M7DGX3a269MAJ_Rx8Y0LNPXkDT1Rfp87t9yvZyPXG9kr8vRCcJeYLkSiilE3LrpH1Mzv4_uiahOiM/s320/IMG_0573.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div>I am who I amhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06860394405345142514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994240563364268563.post-35115925428187824052011-06-07T04:29:00.000-07:002011-06-07T04:29:47.813-07:00Sticky wallsFinally the painting is finished. Thank goodness the inlaws booked their trip to visit otherwise I'm doubtful we would have gotten our butts into gear and completed the painting! <br />
<br />
Now the walls are finished everything is going back to its much happier state, clean, tidy and organised. <br />
<br />
So the wall stickers are going on. Our bedroom finally looks more lived in with the wall sticker and whilst it had some problems sticking (to what appears to be bad wall paint - not a wall we painted) it still looks great.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHdEvesb-Ul35os4AcxhIkz958Oo1Zj2fszfG3YCSHV81eQHOiuxi1KJiCGR53X5_ssJD05YiEt_h4_31TsY1kdJQln7HQ7e74lQoCJhSovrLWdykfNSDfA5an2SFG7-2RVcz_UfzBUlM/s1600/IMG_0734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHdEvesb-Ul35os4AcxhIkz958Oo1Zj2fszfG3YCSHV81eQHOiuxi1KJiCGR53X5_ssJD05YiEt_h4_31TsY1kdJQln7HQ7e74lQoCJhSovrLWdykfNSDfA5an2SFG7-2RVcz_UfzBUlM/s320/IMG_0734.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div>I am who I amhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06860394405345142514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994240563364268563.post-33044544508442890682011-06-06T05:04:00.000-07:002011-06-06T05:04:49.523-07:00Mmmm...Pizza!Tonight we had delicious home made (that is from scratch) pizza! My wonderful husband spent parts of the day making the dough and then putting together a delicious feast. We had a Magherita and a Vegetable pizza. <br />
<br />
It is a very simple recipe that we found in the Gourmet Traveller "Italian Cookbook". <br />
<br />
<strong>Pizza dough</strong><br />
2 tbsp olive oil<br />
7 grams dried yeast<br />
1 tsp caster sugar<br />
450gm (3 cups) plain flour<br />
350ml lukewarm water<br />
<br />
<strong>1 </strong>Combine olive oil, yeast, sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 350ml lukewarm water in a bowl and set aside until foamy (2-3 minutes). <br />
<strong>2 </strong>Gradually add flour to the wet ingredients (in a large bowl) until a rough dough forms, then turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic (6-8 minutes). <br />
<strong>3 </strong>Place in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap and set aside until doubled in size (1 - 1 1/2 hours).<br />
<strong>4 </strong>Knock back dough, knead lightly, then cover and set aside until doubled in size (45 min - 1 hour).<br />
<strong>5 </strong>Meanwhile, preheat over to 250 degrees celcius. Place two heavy-based oven trays in oven to heat.<br />
<strong>6 </strong>Divide dough into quarters then form four 30cm diameter circles with the palm of your hand or a rolling pin and place each on a piece of baking paper. Spread pizza topping over bases, then bake in batches on heated trays, using baking paper. <br />
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To make a pizza that was friendly for our sensitive tummied master 1 we cooked and mashed pumpkin and scattered vegetables and ham over the top. The proof is in...well the pizza. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuRftZoYy-0pmcCa5oJyTeD93mZ4z4ihKCjrTGOUPJMttwGaaGh9ej367YvZos7sXgYiY0AcejEL6k1zHJ48QO2Rs8YXNW7_mmJHHgoVuolBW4Qk6Gvez2TxdRQpRR6ImVav3RIgQGy6k/s1600/IMG_0724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuRftZoYy-0pmcCa5oJyTeD93mZ4z4ihKCjrTGOUPJMttwGaaGh9ej367YvZos7sXgYiY0AcejEL6k1zHJ48QO2Rs8YXNW7_mmJHHgoVuolBW4Qk6Gvez2TxdRQpRR6ImVav3RIgQGy6k/s320/IMG_0724.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div>I am who I amhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06860394405345142514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994240563364268563.post-68844171692274858112011-05-29T06:10:00.000-07:002011-05-29T06:10:58.100-07:00Bob the BuilderRare is it that daddy can do anything in our home without a "mini-me" following him around. I absolutely adore it - it is simply the cutest thing when I see C working on something in the home and Master 4 is usually right by his side (okay so it wasn't as adorable when I realised he had taken this act a little too far by actually drawing on the wall to measure where he was to drill a hole...in pen no less).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4asSgpUWG50tK1824z5IX5aqGUlFDaDIORxF7RWP-gZb10utlhEr9Bqnr8QakbkwtkPNwF5HUDBCk4VavuO06LJbx-nPZCMy-XyMZqoSZfnvJYYd50aPT6gJ52e4MbEyacj_7BmAARiQ/s1600/IMG_0636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4asSgpUWG50tK1824z5IX5aqGUlFDaDIORxF7RWP-gZb10utlhEr9Bqnr8QakbkwtkPNwF5HUDBCk4VavuO06LJbx-nPZCMy-XyMZqoSZfnvJYYd50aPT6gJ52e4MbEyacj_7BmAARiQ/s320/IMG_0636.JPG" t8="true" width="239" /></a></div>I am who I amhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06860394405345142514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994240563364268563.post-9139136403211554612011-05-29T05:43:00.000-07:002011-05-29T05:43:04.276-07:00Perth in AutumnI'm in unchartered territory - for me anyway. Spending Autumn in Perth, on our 4 previous visits to Perth prior to moving here I had never been here in Autumn, it was always Spring or Summer. I have to say I am loving it. Traditionally Anzac day in Canberra is the start of the freezing weather, the start of long sleeves until at least September. But Perth is so different and I am not taking the differences for granted in any way. I should note, you won't see me blogging about what I miss or the cons of living in Perth. It goes without saying that we miss our friends and family so much, but life is about embracing change and all the positives in life and as such I don't stop very often, if ever to feel sad or sorry about our situation - we are so very fortunate. I just wanted to note that so that you know.<br />
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Anyway, as I was saying...Autumn in Perth, at least for us is:<br />
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Visits to the park (and not having to rug us all up!)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDkF89lFbkP7wPpU8WevNBZCU7XVBIAI5qnEDKTvZB5xTxiYXfrw6U56Lum_Ob8kVLBtag_G12ObfFqE_3NCkUTQXmMUSgO8JS4uECx6dZ2vFpfDQaLN9dwwxDrhF7aQSoV7m9zJ-aNq8/s1600/IMG_0477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDkF89lFbkP7wPpU8WevNBZCU7XVBIAI5qnEDKTvZB5xTxiYXfrw6U56Lum_Ob8kVLBtag_G12ObfFqE_3NCkUTQXmMUSgO8JS4uECx6dZ2vFpfDQaLN9dwwxDrhF7aQSoV7m9zJ-aNq8/s320/IMG_0477.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ud_-HQzFECKrnDO8wWRiEcF5fNsGR5awto7AaydB4tpsf90b_zvUc_l5KJD97GaEGnKT4hB-5xrGslkBboupKRBwf9KDBVrrOW_MFXU1Orkq2RDEbuzuTSO_uKghR5BD8AapVBl7eR4/s1600/IMG_0556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ud_-HQzFECKrnDO8wWRiEcF5fNsGR5awto7AaydB4tpsf90b_zvUc_l5KJD97GaEGnKT4hB-5xrGslkBboupKRBwf9KDBVrrOW_MFXU1Orkq2RDEbuzuTSO_uKghR5BD8AapVBl7eR4/s320/IMG_0556.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Visits to the beach:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSf0tLM2CU3LHp4KpcRUBaPeWD6Xsxp5LZbl_7GeVW014dpxDrPd4CBkFIp0fYJGAIv3oeE_dpb_NAaCAsyjfWaS63-ec8MU3h5mi8Jqv85EW6cWhLCjJkTYjiNy-FhB6lmpmWrLGSgq8/s1600/IMG_0521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSf0tLM2CU3LHp4KpcRUBaPeWD6Xsxp5LZbl_7GeVW014dpxDrPd4CBkFIp0fYJGAIv3oeE_dpb_NAaCAsyjfWaS63-ec8MU3h5mi8Jqv85EW6cWhLCjJkTYjiNy-FhB6lmpmWrLGSgq8/s320/IMG_0521.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Taking a swing in the backyard at 5.30PM (again without having to rug up!)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivYg70mpZI7g6MdmZ45NWkTfL487Q2a8anXpMlQkj4xBMQjA6Od-UuAXlNcKog7-FOWn80OhexS0G_38nkKhZ5fqCMELtQhWmwXh8uoxpZeTQ6bQNr4CNeYNfoHJOXzO3FaONlhH-sCFM/s1600/IMG_0564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivYg70mpZI7g6MdmZ45NWkTfL487Q2a8anXpMlQkj4xBMQjA6Od-UuAXlNcKog7-FOWn80OhexS0G_38nkKhZ5fqCMELtQhWmwXh8uoxpZeTQ6bQNr4CNeYNfoHJOXzO3FaONlhH-sCFM/s320/IMG_0564.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div align="left">Enjoying a family dinner outside (okay so maybe that ocean breeze is sometimes a little too cool to enjoy dinner outside without a jumper...but you can't have everything right?)</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_QysB8i1NqdewiyYARCEGWhfUYNhu5KsWn-gYo4gbRnpuTGXxk4xRfABFsAhD2tgfzCEW7zATVmbzOj6n7AjAYCIFMOzd6jYBAmVHGb_mDYS0XxnHJMYvkYxwU4Xk4KkHryKyQLiEiE8/s1600/IMG_0566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_QysB8i1NqdewiyYARCEGWhfUYNhu5KsWn-gYo4gbRnpuTGXxk4xRfABFsAhD2tgfzCEW7zATVmbzOj6n7AjAYCIFMOzd6jYBAmVHGb_mDYS0XxnHJMYvkYxwU4Xk4KkHryKyQLiEiE8/s320/IMG_0566.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div align="left"></div>I am who I amhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06860394405345142514noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994240563364268563.post-44755534007841846962011-05-22T04:50:00.000-07:002011-05-29T05:39:19.504-07:00Late night visitorsA couple of nights ago Master 4 woke up at about 11pm, usually he goes to bed and we don't hear a peep for 12 hours. So to hear him pitter patter into our room at 11pm and tell us he felt sick I jumped at the opportunity to have him hop into our bed and cuddle us for the night. He loved it too, cuddling up inbetween his mummy and daddy I have no doubt he felt safe and loved. We held hands for some of the night, I know it sounds corny but his little hand on my pillow was irresistable. And the sleepless night aside with him waking for water and his little brother waking (a reminder he was at the other side of the house alone no doubt), it was really nice.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv4O7zM-qE0K3xvaZMCq2wP8g0IokLoS12kOk4tdjAeymHVMYcS_7LTrRFit6Y891yR3-1fzVj3yLlCBQi5w2udLUib4mpWEf0w1G0VQb1TY9n23ee355N_fCAESiThyINh-u-MOPxCTs/s1600/IMG_0588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv4O7zM-qE0K3xvaZMCq2wP8g0IokLoS12kOk4tdjAeymHVMYcS_7LTrRFit6Y891yR3-1fzVj3yLlCBQi5w2udLUib4mpWEf0w1G0VQb1TY9n23ee355N_fCAESiThyINh-u-MOPxCTs/s320/IMG_0588.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I am who I amhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06860394405345142514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994240563364268563.post-31731902437338845072011-05-19T06:19:00.000-07:002011-05-29T05:41:51.486-07:00"Cookie"<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">It seems only fitting that my little A has finally attached to a comforter, and that comforters name is Cookie. A loves his food, he loves his cookies too. After months of trying to get him to attach to a comforter that suited me he finally found what suited him. A beautiful bear that was gifted to him before he was even born, it is a good 3/4 of his size and he adores him. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI7kVdS_9lLgkPyyIrRhj5YtMf9W804Ad9x-zMk2hY3Cq5ohzUlSuxutIrEu2-8oC6YV0CxSdi_OsC3-Ir2je7w3QODxsCf0vEH3iPqzMPSVJ3Q1AbRysni7xiCfIdAB2RGLTp6_qc46U/s1600/IMG_0583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI7kVdS_9lLgkPyyIrRhj5YtMf9W804Ad9x-zMk2hY3Cq5ohzUlSuxutIrEu2-8oC6YV0CxSdi_OsC3-Ir2je7w3QODxsCf0vEH3iPqzMPSVJ3Q1AbRysni7xiCfIdAB2RGLTp6_qc46U/s320/IMG_0583.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>I am who I amhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06860394405345142514noreply@blogger.com0