Taylor Made

WeetBix Slice

2012-02-11T18:32:00.002+08:00

I was reminded of a childhood slice the other day .

My mum being the stay at home type, always had a homemade afternoon tea waiting for after school.

Well that's what I remember...maybe it wasn't every day and not always homemade but pretty close.

(I was reminiscing with one of my sisters the other day about eating weetbix slathered with butter for afternoon tea when the homemade slices were not available!!!!)

Here is a slice recipe that is not only very easy but very tasty.....

CHOCOLATE WEETBIX SLICE

185gm butter
4 crushed weetbix
1 cup self raising flour
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 cup coconut
1 1/2 tbs cocoa

I just made a simple chocolate icing to go on top....

icing sugar

teaspoon butter

milk

You can find the variations here where found it and went for a trip down memory lane.

33/366

The Good Thing: Baking a yummy easy slice for snacks.
The Good Thing for: All of us.

Photo a Day

2012-02-10T14:19:00.000+08:00

Front Door - Photo A Day

Self Portrait - Photo a Day

Things I am Loving....

2012-02-10T13:54:00.002+08:00

I wholeheartedly believe that no matter what is happening in your life, there is always something that you can be thankful for... no matter how simple it is.

Things I am loving this week......

Simple gifts made and bought for thirteen year old friends.....

Afternoon childhood snacks that are proving to satisfy.....

Local public libraries to source books for my playgroup programme.....

The fact that it is Friday and we have survived the first full week back at school and all the other commitments that have begun......

Lovely surprise mail from all the way around the world from here.....

Joining in with "Things I am Loving" here..

Distractions

2012-02-08T20:22:00.002+08:00

Sun - Photo a Day

I have been very distracted from here the last couple of days......

good distracted....

Work has kicked into gear this week. As part of my Children's Pastor role I have a hands on job running and overseeing midweek playgroups.

We are in a real growth area and so the demands for activities such as playgroups is high.

This year we have taken on the decision to run an extra session making three a week.

Currently we have 34 families enrolled in each of our two sessions and the third one is well under way to being full too.

I love this part of my job, I love the interaction with families, the relationship with the parents and the fun of seeing little ones grow through out the year.

So with all that beginning this week, my brain has been working over time....so many great ideas to implement and no more time than usual.

I did whip up a very basic set of bean bags using some of my fabric scraps......

I also had fun preparing this sensory tub......a mini beach

I made some surprise ice cubes that contained some sea creatures.....

This was enjoyed by little people discovering hidden treasures....

32/366

The Good Thing: Preparations for playgroup under way.

The Good Thing For: All my lovely families heading to playgroup.

Buttons

2012-02-07T21:40:00.000+08:00

Buttons - Photo a Day

A Riddle....

2012-02-06T20:27:00.001+08:00

Q. When is a table not a table?

A....When it is so darn heavy that you need 5 men to turn it over....

5 men we didn't have on hand today!!!

We have had an idea for a while of a nice long table for our outside eating.....

after hunting around and not wanting to pay the prices for a table that wasn't what we wanted....

the decision to make one was made.

Now not just any table ....beautiful recycled Jarrah that need to be worked over.....

Many hours have been spent by my very determined hubbie with the sander and other very noisy power tools to bring this wood into it's full beauty....

Today with the help of a talented friend the table was assembled.

One small problem...It is so heavy that we will need an army of ~~men~~ friends to help turn it over.....

This is one table that will hopefully see lots of food, family and friends around and will not be going anywhere soon.

No" Photo a day" today - dinner it was eaten before I photographed.

10am

2012-02-05T21:13:00.001+08:00

10 am Photo a day

This is where you will find me each and every Sunday at 10 am.....

This is the place my family and I worship....

Where I spend a lot of my week on staff as The Children's Pastor.....

Where we are seeing exciting things in our community happen....

This week the mid week programmes I oversee come alive.

A Bloggy Award...

2012-02-05T13:59:00.000+08:00

During the week the lovely Mardi at The love Supreme included me in a Bloggy Award.........

Go and say hello to her....

Its an award for bloggers with less than 200 followers (give or take a few)....and who have a lovely blog.So...now its my turn to share some of the love....

So now I am sharing this award with these girls......

Mandy at Fell 4 U

Kylie at Lucy Violet Vintage

Sophie at Little Gumnut

Claire at Sweet Birdy Love

Mel at Making Memories

and I know only 5 but here's one more.....

Miss Prudence At A life of charming moments.

Go and say hi and leave some encouragement.

Please follow these simple rules.
1. Share your appreciation with the blogger who awarded you the Liebster by linking back to their blog.
2. Post the award.
3. Share the 5 blogs you are awarding the Liebster with and let them know that they have received it.
4. Enjoy the new attention this award brings to your blog.
5. And last, but not least - have fun.

A Good Thing

2012-02-05T13:36:00.001+08:00

Another version of banana bread......

Just had to make using the over ripe bananas sitting on my kitchen bench.

I used the recipe I found here......

but I can't call mine low fat !

I used whole milk and honey instead, cause that's what I had in the fridge.

My Not so low fat version....

2 Bananas mashed

125g margarine(melted)

2 eggs ,lightly beaten

2 tbsp milk

1 tbsp vanilla extract

2 tbsp honey

1 cup of brown sugar

1 1/2 cups self raising flour

Mix together the bananas, margarine, eggs, milk, vanilla, honey and sugar. Sift in flour and gently combine. You don't want to over beat your mixture just make sure the flour is well mixed in. Now pour into a lined loaf tin and bake in 160 degrees oven for about 45 mins or until top is brown and cake cooked through. Lift cake out of tin by the paper and cool on a cooling rack.

31/366

The Good Thing:Making banana loaf with over ripe bananas......

The Good Thing For : All who partake!

A Stranger

2012-02-04T19:50:00.000+08:00

A Stranger - Photo a Day

{Well some liberties here with interpretation}

Fraser was invited to a little friends birthday party today.....

And

There were plenty of strangers invited to the party...

of the reptilian variety!!!

Do you know how hard it is to photograph both a moving 6 year old and a snake!!!!

Me I was more than happy to keep my distance.

30/366

The Good Thing: A reptilian experience and hanging with some friends

The Good Thing for: The little guy.

Hands

2012-02-03T19:27:00.000+08:00

Hands - Photo a Day

I suddenly see and feel more like my mum when I study my hands........

I am also reminded that I must have my engagement ring repaired and get it back where it belongs, between my wedding ring and mum's eternity ring!

Things I am Loving

2012-02-03T19:19:00.000+08:00

Things I am Loving this week.......

I wholeheartedly believe that no matter what is happening in your life, there is always something that you can be thankful for... no matter how simple it is.

Joining in with Paisley Jade

These two breezing through the start of a new school year.....

....Ultra short hair cuts......

a gift of a plate full of locally caught crabs to indulge in.....

A movie and pizza night out with my man.....

This challenging and motivating book.....

.....rain falling steadily on the garden throughout night.....

Words

2012-02-02T19:46:00.001+08:00

Words - Photo a Day

I have some priceless letters in my possession.....

68 to be exact....

They are letters written between

16-5-1966 and 17- 8 1967

They were written by my mum to her mum

These letters detail beautifully the first year of my parents marriage.

They went on a travelling/ working holiday around Australia.

"Hello, Mmmmmmmm- can you smell it? I have a casserole cooking in the oven for our tea"

Just one of the gazillion insights into precious memories of newly weds exploring this big country.

Do want to know the best bit?

Mum spills the beans on my impending arrival and all the emotions that go with the news of their first child!!!!!

Time to reread this epic tale!!!!

and My do good thing for the day

29/366

The Good Thing: Sending my high schooler off on her own today.......wasn't I good? I did walk my little guy to school though. LOL

The Good Thing for: My big girl.

My View Today

2012-02-01T20:00:00.000+08:00

My View Today - Photo a Day

Today was all about getting these two off to a good start of the new school year......

Meg off to High School and Fraser into Year two.....

Neither were really up for breakfast....but after a little coaxing we managed to calm some nerves....

The more encouraging messages they received about their day ahead the more they became a little nervous...

I must admit I was a little nervous watching the high school gathering which consisted of 600 Year eight and nine students....

{Yes I did walk my "high schooler" to school and class - I promised her it would be the first and last for the year!}

But pleased to report at this end of the day...

all is well and reports were favourable and heading out the door should be quite smooth tomorrow.

Oh how did they both become so capable ready to tackle this new year?

28/366

The Good Thing: Keeping things calm and slightly organised for the first morning back at school for the year.

The Good thing for : All of us.

Me

2012-01-31T19:26:00.001+08:00

ME - Photo a Day

Wow that was fun ...A Photo a Day

That is January done already......now onto February

you can join the next challenge here

1st Day of School tomorrow....

A Little less of this........

We sure will miss these school holidays once they have gone!

27/366
The Good Thing: One last day to hang with the cousins and find fun ways to cool off.
The Good Thing For: The kids.

Nature

2012-01-30T20:11:00.000+08:00

Nature - Photo a Day

Just a snapshot of our garden......

I'll tell you the story of our "Fairy Garden" one day.....

25/366

The Good thing:Making the most of this sunshine we've had and combining it with the little "super ingredient"..that is Bicarb Soda and giving my shower curtain a much needed clean.....

The Good Thing for: Our Bathroom and my domestic goddess status.!!!

26/366

The Good Thing: Today was about gathering the school supplies, applying names to every book , pencil and marker ready for school return on Wednesday.

The Good Thing for: My kids

In My Fridge

2012-01-29T13:02:00.002+08:00

Inside my fridge - Photo a Day

Eek what a reminder to get my fridge clean and organised......

Who am I kidding....it will be empty within a few more days!

My growing list of Good Things.....

23/366

The Good Thing: We resorted to some good old fashioned some good old fashioned cooling methods yesterday......we made lemonade spiders.....lemonade with a scoop of ice cream...yum

The Good Thing For: My kids and their cousins.

24/366

The Good Thing: We found a babysitter...well grandparents eager to have the kids....and we headed out to the movies with free tickets! afterwards enjoying fresh made pizza in the cool of the evening.

The Good thing for: Us !

Light

2012-01-28T16:09:00.000+08:00

Light - Photo a Day

The most available form of light available to us right now is the SUN..

Best enjoyed early morning or late, late evening!

(for the record 38 C yesterday, 41.6 C today)

Lunch

2012-01-27T21:24:00.003+08:00

Lunch - Photo a Day

I wish I could say we had crab for lunch today......

This was a lunch snack for the little guy and his daddy a few days ago.....

Locally caught and home cooked....

Sadly my lunch today consisted of something a lot less fresh and so much more processed .

Australia Day 2012

2012-01-27T12:59:00.000+08:00

Australia Day...Our National day to celebrate our Lucky Country......

It began early for us......4.45 am

Off to "The Australia Day Triathlon"

It was a 6.30 am race start which was welcomimg as we knew we had a hot day coming to us......

It was a beautiful venue on our capitals river banks.....plenty of shade from trees that have been there 100's of years, also a nice coolish breeze off the water.....

We positioned ourselves to maximise the spectator watching and maximise the shade......

and boy were we rewarded well....

1st in his age group......

We had a little treat for the kids planned for the rest of the day...

a city hotel stay for the night ....

That included swimming on the roof top pool in temps of 40 c....

Wondering whether we should stay up here to enjoy the evening fireworks show....

We did retreat to the room to wait out the blazing heat.... a game,some reading,TV watching and lazing around....

As the sun went down, the clouds came out and a thunderstorm was brewing....

But we headed the 200 mtrs to the rivers edge and joined many others to stand in some refreshing rain and marvel at the fireworks display....

What a strange day of weather we "enjoyed" today.......

We had a fun day together......and making another memory to tuck away in the family album that one day will be remembered for the weather and .....

celebrating the victories of the man of the house.....

Happy Australia Day!!

(Just for the record the temp reached 41.6 C)

Joining in with "Things I am loving" here.

and

adding to my Do-Gooder list.....

22/366

The Good Thing: A night in the city to see the sights and celebrations of Australia Day.Swimming and hanging out.

The Good thing for: Us...the family.

Colour

2012-01-26T12:17:00.002+08:00

Colour - Photo a Day

Lucky these colourful guys are thriving under the heat of the sun.......

........cause we sure aren't!!!!

Happy Australia Day all you Aussies!

Something I have made

2012-01-25T20:01:00.001+08:00

Something I have made - Photo a Day

I haven't made this today but was looking at it sitting in my sewing room....

This was my very first quilt with real patchwork that I made before I even had children.

There was an older lady in my church at the time that over a number of weeks talked me through to the finish.

I then was into cross stitch big time and so made a matching wall hanging .

It became Taylor's cot set and then Meg used it.....

I am hoping one day they will belong to my Grand daughter.....hmm long way of for that I hope.

21/366
The Good Thing: Today I headed off to work and the kids went to my dad and step mum's place.Usually I like to send them with something to share for morning tea or lunch. I failed today the cupboards were fairly bare and the heat is no incentive to bake.....so I gathered the ingredients and the recipe for
White Rocky Road and sent it with them to make while there.....cheeky ? maybe!

The Good thing for: My kids and my DAD!

*******Just a little note for us to remember how hot ,hot really was. Today was 41.6 C

Guilty Pleasure

2012-01-24T20:34:00.001+08:00

Guilty Pleasure - Photo a Day

My first thought was the chocolate biscuits in the cupboard.....too obvious......

So the next biggest guilty pleasure is having our Air Conditioner going flat out....

We are at the beginning of a heat wave.....

(A heat wave is a prolonged period of excessively hot weather, which may be accompanied by high humidity. )

Here is WA I think the definition is three days above 36 C ...we are headed for 5 days, at least above 40C

So considering some of my nearest and dearest don't have the Air con I feel like we are using more than our fair share of energy and resources.

Something old and doing good

2012-01-23T21:03:00.000+08:00

Something Old - Photo a Day

I have this shirt that was handmade by my mum in her late teens I am guessing.....

My mum went to school in a country town that had a large agricultural school being a farming area.

This shirt makes me smile having only rediscovered it recently....

It is hand embroidered with a lot of boys names!!!
Hugh
Clarence
Syd
Terry
Brian
Les
Andrew
Wonder where all those boys are now?

Her stitching is immaculate and done as if hand written with ink....

What fascinates me so much more is that I have only just realised since unearthing it recently that they all appear to be Christian names apart from one

Basset !!!!

Bassett is the family I married into nearly fifty years later.....

Oh I wish she was around to ask her the tale of this shirt.

(It is currently soaking to hopefully remove the age spots it has acquired.)

and my good things for the day........

19/366

The Good Thing: I headed back to the gym this morning after feeling like my back had recovered...and my 100 workout shirt was waiting for me !

The Good Thing For: Me and my body heading back to the gym.

20/366
The Good Thing: I returned our sleepover pal this afternoon and agreed to stay for a cuppa so the kids could grab a quick swim.....it is soooooo hot here!
The Good Thing For: My kids being able to cool off....and me having a cuppa with a friend.

Sleep overs

2012-01-22T21:53:00.001+08:00

Do you do sleep overs in your house?

We don't do them very often here.....

Friends over to hang out but not many sleep overs......

Tonight though a sleep over is in progress.......

I am thinking this is a good thing for the girl....hopefully I will think so in the morning.

18/366

The Good Thing: The occasion of a sleep over.

The Good thing for: The nearly teenager in the house.

My Shoes

2012-01-22T16:03:00.003+08:00

My shoes - Photo a Day

Nothing glamorous....

I am not a "heel girl" and totally flat just is a killer on the feet.

It's summer here and cool and comfortable is the go for most of the time.

Reflection

2012-01-21T17:36:00.003+08:00

Reflection - Photo a Day

{I can't believe I am showing this to you}

This is my Year 7 school photograph....

the same age that my daughter is now......

I was just finishing year 7 and anticipating what high school was going to be like....

If I could give my 12 year old self some tips what would they be.....hmmmm

Choose friends wisely
work hard
take every opportunity to get involved as possible
don't stress about the "school fashion"
be true to who you are
be a leader not a follower

listen to mum and dad they really do know what they are talking about!

It seems like it was so much different back in 1979...maybe not...

hopefully it will all help me to guide my own 12 year old through the next stage of her life.

{still can't believe I showed you that photo!}

Someone I Love

2012-01-20T13:33:00.000+08:00

Someone I love - Photo a Day

and

Things I am loving...

This guy of course....

He is so great in the kitchen which I have been totally loving.

This girl....

I am loving that she is not doing too bad at learning to be a teenager.

This Little guy......

I am loving his creative thinking and the lovely hugs he gives throughout the day.

Joining in with lots of other lovely people over at PaisleyJade's

Sweet

2012-01-19T21:50:00.000+08:00

Sweet - Photo a Day

After the man of our house headed back to work on Monday after three weeks ...it was my turn on Tuesday...

three weeks "staycation" was divine....

On the return to my office I was pleasantly surprised to see this sweet treat still on my desk .

It was a pressie to share between myself and a colleague.

So this week as she is on holidays I have been eating my way through what remains!

17/366

The Good Thing: We organised a dinner at the beachside with friends who we see once a year....the weather was perfectly balmy and warm and the kids played for hours.

The Good Thing For: Me....catching up with a special friend and her lovely family hanging out with mine for a short while.

Something I Bought

2012-01-18T19:05:00.002+08:00

Something I bought - Photo a Day

While out and about last week I managed to sneak into a Salvos store while the hubbie was in another shop....

What I bought was 5 large Vintage Fabric and lace Napkins.....

I have since had a play around with one and created this purse/pouch.

I so enjoyed the process....this is my kind of sewing...slow ,individual and bringing something into a new life.......not much of a mass production girl or very fast and economical with my time but it does give me pleasure to do it my way.

never going to make my millions but if you are interested I have finally updated my little shop space.....

not a lot there,but just a place to put the few things I love to create.....

Sorry for the advert :-)

Water

2012-01-17T19:38:00.000+08:00

Water - Photo a Day

Despite lessons being at 8am in the morning.....they are having a great time

7 lessons done....3 to go!

Morning

2012-01-16T21:14:00.001+08:00

Morning - Photo a Day

My morning started early today....

This was the time I was awake enough to snap the picture.....so earlier than this.....

The occasion?

Well the hubbie returned to work after three weeks holidays and I ran him into work.......

so sad for us all...we have had a fantastic "staycation" and now it is over....

I return to work tomorrow..... sigh.....

16/366

The Good Thing: Running the hubbie into work this morning after three weeks holidays....being a one car family ......it was going to be a struggle for him to cycle with all his neatly washed and ironed work clothes that he keeps at work...

The Good Thing for: The hubbie not having to cycle on his first day back at work ..with all his fresh laundry.

Happiness

2012-01-15T20:32:00.003+08:00

Happiness - Photo a Day

Happiness is finding yourself standing with the hubbie after church and realising that both kids have gone home with friends......

then remembering we have a voucher for the Indian restaurant....

going to that restaurant for a lunch for two....

and the food being delicious ......

and then finding the bill came to $1 less the gift certificate value......

Today was a happy day.

(note: I love my kids but I will take an unexpected lunch date with my man in an instant!)

Something I'm Reading

2012-01-14T19:07:00.000+08:00

Something I'm Reading - Photo a Day

I am loving my awesome Kindle ,I received for Christmas

{currently loaded with Courageous}

and the other awesome read

One Thousand gifts.

I have decided to keep track of my reading for 2012 with a list down the side.....

count so far, these two are books No. 5&6.

Choc Chip Banana Loaf- A good thing!

2012-01-14T18:52:00.000+08:00

It wasn't that long ago that Bananas were a rarity in this home.....

now we have bananas going soft...

Great for

Choc Chip Banana Loaf

2 Cups self raising flour

1 teaspoon bicarb soda

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2/3 cup caster sugar

1 cup choc bits

1 cup buttermilk

2 eggs, at room temperature

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 cup mashed banana

pure icing sugar to serve

1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees. Grease base and sides of a loaf pan. Line with baking paper.

2. Sift flour, bicarb soda and cinnamon into a bowl. Stir in the sugar and choc bits. Mix well. Whisk in the buttermilk, eggs,oil and banana in a jug. Stir into the flour mixture. Spoon into the loaf pan. Bake for 45 mins or until skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.

3. Stand loaf in pan for 10 mins. Lift onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Dust with icing sugar and serve.

(I made buttermilk by using 1 tablespoon of white vinegar and topping it up with milk to measure the one cup)

I also split mine between two pans and had enough for afternoon tea as well!!

15/366

The good thing : Making banana loaf the night before to be devoured by the smalls early the next morning .

The Good Thing For: The smalls who were starving hungry for lunch at only 9.30 am .

Hot Racing

2012-01-14T17:12:00.000+08:00

The day began early....earlier than most of us were really wanting for our only sleep in for two weeks.......

But the cause was a good one and the beauty of the morning that early didn't let us down......

Supporting our man of the house was the driver for our early up and out of the house...

triathlon season is here again....

The event is always made brighter when joined by family cheering on their man of the house too.....

At least as the sun came out and it became hotter by the minute we could shade under the cool of some nice big trees....

or use the race lake to cool off by.....

Unlike those out on the course, pounding the beat........

It is always great to be there at the end to celebrate the victories....

and be so glad that I don't have the "crazy gene" that requires me to punish my self that way!

So I think this day calls for another count on the "Be a Do-Gooder for a year" challenge

14/366

The Good Thing: Up early to stand ,cheer,photograph and congratulate the man of the house on his achievements.

The Good Thing For: The man of the house and the benefits we all got for being up so early to enjoy the morning.

In My Bag

2012-01-13T20:18:00.004+08:00

In My Bag - Photo a Day

Only the essentials.......

Purse
Phone
Kindle
Camera
Hand cream
Lipstick purse
Sunnies
and the book list for school...never know when you will find the bargain stationary.

Of course I didn't show you the "gazillion tissues"

just as many pens

and the myriad of other bits of junk residing in the bottom.

Things I am Loving

2012-01-13T15:10:00.000+08:00

Things I am loving this week.....

Time

for some Lego building.....

Time...

for driveway cricket....

Time...

for a bit of rough and tumble....

Time....

for reading a great book.....

And Time.....

To notice the most awesome clouds in our sky today.....

It was like you could almost reach up and touch them......

Joining in here with Things I am loving.

I wholeheartedly believe that no matter what is happening in your life, there is always something that you can be thankful for... no matter how simple it is. Paisley Jade.

Some sewing and being a Do Gooder

2012-01-12T20:40:00.000+08:00

Managed to get another project ticked off my "bookmarked "list

Using the inspiration from here and here....

Hopefully the dirty clothes will make it into the bag and not stay on the floor!

13/366

The Good Thing: Whipping up a simple idea for a laundry bag to place in the kids bathroom.

The Good thing for: The tidiness of the bathroom and ease of laundry collection for ME!

No too late to jump on board and be a "Do-Gooder" for a year ...check out here

Close Up

2012-01-12T17:48:00.000+08:00

Close Up - Photo a Day

The wood has been rescued and the nails have all been pulled.......

It is now a step closer to being a stunning outdoor piece that we can spend many hours entertaining around.

Thanks "My Love" for your work!

Not too late to join in the photo a Day Challenge here.

Where I sleep

2012-01-11T19:33:00.001+08:00

Where I Sleep - Photo a Day

Sorry to disappoint......I know many of you have really lovely bedroom photos....

we are in total holiday mode and that combined with the "back issue" my bed was not made!

So just a peek into our room is all that you get.

12/366
The Good Thing : Driving onto the office for an hour today I spotted a lady from church headed to the train station on foot in the heat of the day......a quick U Turn and I was able to offer her a lift and saved her the trek in the sun.
The Good Thing for: A young lady in need of a lift.

Childhood

2012-01-10T19:52:00.001+08:00

Childhood - Photo a Day

Just near where I sit at the computer is a basket full of my childhood.....who am I kidding strewn throughout our home is remnants of my childhood....

But this basket is precious....

It contains the toys that were knitted by my grandparents for me as a baby and toddler.

I am so lucky that I even have photos of me with these toys so that I am able to accurately date them.....

They are about 43 years old!

Irreplaceable!

Daily Routine

2012-01-09T18:15:00.000+08:00

Daily Routine - Photo-a-day

Starting this morning for the next two weeks , we will be at the swimming pools for Vacation swimming lessons

8am lessons!!!!!

That combined with a "seized back" that I seem to have acquired not much of anything else is routine around here.

My Sky

2012-01-08T20:54:00.000+08:00

My Sky - Photo a Day

Doesn't get much better than this.

11/366

The Good Thing - A meal cooked and delivered to a young family who have just had a new baby.

The good thing for- The new mummy not having to prepare a meal for her family.

( I do have a confession....the meal was supposed to be for Friday night! oops I completely forgot. All was forgiven and I can now claim the good thing today.)

Favourite

2012-01-07T20:01:00.000+08:00

Favourite - Photo - a- Day

My Favourite Perfume....

Love Chloe

My last bottle was bought last April on the way home from Singapore......

A Must Read

2012-01-06T20:13:00.000+08:00

I have just finished reading this most beautiful book.

Having grown up in Australia I loved that it was sooooo Australian. Written heart felt by two Australians who endured all that life has to dish up.......

10/366

The Good Thing: Owning and reading the most wonderful book I have read in a long time.

The Good Thing for: Definitely for me...do yourself a good thing and read it for yourself.

Book No.2 for 2012

Makes me Smile

2012-01-06T19:12:00.000+08:00

Makes me smile - Photo a Day

Our little guy is quite the drawer,,,,,and to keep him entertained in places of needing patience

ie coffee shops, restaurants, night church

I always have a notebook on hand for him to draw in......time to change to a fresh notebook a for a New Year ...I am going to date this and archive it for posterity sake!

9/366
The Good Thing: We gave away our old TV that was in perfect working order today . We advertised it free on Gumtree and a very nice young man setting up a flat was very grateful for it.
The Good thing for: A nice young man setting up his first place with free stuff gathered from Gumtree. The environment!

Good things

2012-01-05T22:48:00.000+08:00

7/366
The Good thing: My sister called and asked whether I could run her and the new baby to a osteopath appointment - 45 min drive away because their car had to go into the mechanics.....
Ahhhh most certainly can do that.
The Good thing is for: My sister and my beautiful nephew...oh who am I kidding anything for a cuddle!

8/366
The Good thing: A dinner for my kids Church team to say thanks for their commitment and to spend some time vision casting for 2012. Dinner complete with dessert in a tea cup!
The Good thing for: My hard working and dedicated Kids church team members.

Moving right along with
"The year of doing good",

Something I Wore

2012-01-05T18:40:00.000+08:00

Something I wore....Photo a Day

Well it was not today but just the other...

such a clever idea thought I would share....

My "8 Second Skirt" as learnt about here

So not that comfortable in self portrait mode!

Letterbox

2012-01-04T19:39:00.000+08:00

Letterbox - Photo of the Day

This weekend (7th) will mark our 13th year in this home......I was 8 1/2 months pregnant with our second child.....her only home and also the same for our little guy.

I love that we call this home...

does it need things always doing to it...Yes

Is it magazine perfect...No

Is it just 200mtres from both primary and high school...yes

Do we love it and call it home....yes

I think you will find us here for many years to come......I hope anyway.

The door is always open for a cuppa.

5/366

The Good Thing : I was sent this book from a lovely "bloggy" friend Mandy....I loved it ...now I am sending it on to another lovely "bloggy" friend.

The Good thing is for: Myself and now another friend to hopefully enjoy. ( My first read for 2012)

6/366
The Good Thing: My night spent with my sisters....I was able to share my knowledge and help one of them create a passport pouch...
The good thing for: My sister learning anew skill of putting a zip in.

Sister number two's project...a gorgeous fabric basket....

and my project....a peek-a-boo sack for the little guys "Zoobs"

using this tutorial.

A year of good things....

2012-01-03T17:47:00.000+08:00

Some things just jump out at me as being a great idea or plan , other things I just look at as being too hard or not have enough time to do.....

I just loved the concept of "doing good" suggested by Pip Lincoln.

But hey shouldn't we be always trying to do good?

Hmmm like all good intentions unless done with intentionality very little happens.

I think it is goodness and doing good for others and sometimes ourselves that make the world a much nicer, peaceful and happier place.

So......

1/366

Good thing: Relieving my sister of one of her boys when she has four already and took three more home after church on Sunday!

This Good Thing is for: My Sister and my little guy who got a playmate!

2/366

Good Thing :Cleaning out my little guys bedroom and saving him from the "darkside" under his bed....oh all the Lego he has been reunited with.

This Good thing is for: My little guy....and my sanity!

3/366
Good thing: Bags of preloved things needing to go to the Salvo's after the above mentioned clean out.
This Good thing is for: The Salvos

4/366
Good Thing:A rescued table that just needed to come home with me after the visit to the Salvo Store.....it was only $5 and it had my name on it!
This Good thing is for: The good of the table and making more floor space at the Salvos for more of their stock.

Can't promise I will make the full 366 (this year being a leap year)

But

What a great thing to strive for.....

Being a Do-Gooder!

Something I adore....

2012-01-03T17:18:00.000+08:00

~~Something I Adore.......~~

Someone I adore...... Photo-a-day

My Sisters.

These gals are precious, and I would be lost without them....

I am so privileged that we now live so close to each other and are there for each other....

I love that they have made me an Aunty. {9 times!!!}

I love that they have grown to love some of the same things as me....

Tonight we are getting together to sew, sew and sew some more.

I am also totally blessed to have a super wonderful sister in law that also loves to be creative too...
she just lives a little further away.

This is Day 3 of the Photo- a Day challenge found here.

Breakfast

2012-01-02T16:20:00.000+08:00

Breakfast - Photo of the Day

I am definitely a breakfast girl......I don't leave the house without having it.

I am a cereal , juice and toast kinda girl.....

I don't know how people skip breakky ...I am not one of those kind.

I have decided for this month of January to read through the Book of Proverbs over my breakfast.

It's full of some great wisdom for life and what a great way to begin each day.

I have also began the year with some custom sewing....

some play capes with personalised initials......

and some small gifts for pressies.....

I am liking the start of 2012!

Me

2012-01-01T13:02:00.002+08:00

Today's Photo of the day - Me

Some things you may not know about me.....

I am the eldest of three girls
One of my sisters and I are married to brothers
I have been married 23 1/2 years
I have an insatiable sweet tooth
I don't visit the dentist nearly enough
I very very rarely wear any heels
My makeup collection is very scarce...nothing of any note
I am the least travelled in my family...preferring to stay close to home
I love to read
I had never stepped foot in a gym before last May and now have 100 workouts under my belt
I miss being able to show my mum all that she taught me as a young girl, but am putting into good use now.
Have an early childhood background which I use in other pursuits these days
Love very long hot showers...my, one not very good for the environment thing
I find it hard to say no to someone gifting me their ~~trash~~ treasures
I am not a neat freak- unfortunately
I am not very technical
I don't Facebook or twitter
I love my church and role as Children's Pastor....what a great way to have kicked off this new year.

Thought it would be fun to join in with a photo a day challenge this month over here.

2012

2012-01-01T01:14:00.003+08:00

Perfectly Lovely Day

2011-12-31T16:31:00.000+08:00

It has been the loveliest of days.......

Perfect weather and location

perfect company......

perfectly yummy cake.......

perfect fun for a family full of kids.......

I have had the most perfectly wonderful day.....

and now as the sunset on another birthday and yet another year.......

no new years resolutions here.....

just to do more creating , more living, more loving , and somehow do it all a little more simpler!

Happy New Year.

See Ya 2011 xx

It's My Birthday!!

2011-12-31T06:47:00.001+08:00

Yesterday my youngest sister celebrated her birthday....

and

Today it's mine!

I had to ask yesterday

"how old am I tomorrow?"

Does that mean I have had way too many?

Anyway I get to celebrate today with my family and for the first time in quite a few years with my "birthdaying" younger sister.

Boys day

2011-12-30T21:42:00.000+08:00

Today was definitely about the boys in the family.....

We ventured into a hobby shop that has been in existence since my hubbie was a boy.....he shared the adventure with the little guy today.

They perused the shelves and tried to decide on just one to take home and share.....

The little guy got to spend his Christmas money on yet some more Lego.....

Then it was off this evening for a spot of fishing.......

I don't usually tag along but I was so impressed at the skills of the little guy.....

dad has taught him well......

he handled the bait and hook so carefully....

and they were rewarded with a catch of little fish that made their way back into the ocean.....

I was glad to tag along today and be the photographer catching these dad and son moments.

Venturing out

2011-12-29T20:00:00.001+08:00

Well today despite the searing heat we ventured out from the sanctuary of home.....

A haircut for the little guy,

Took in a movie altogether ....

A little babysitting gig of nieces and nephew so my sis could go out for an anniversary lunch,

Some "secret shopping" done by my family,

but once home I felt drawn back into my tidy space and put together a couple of baby boy gifts for a work colleague..

I am loving the slow rhythm of these days.....I don't think I would ever tire of the slower pace and simple creating that I keep being drawn back into.

Clearing away

2011-12-28T20:55:00.002+08:00

After my "nothing day" yesterday , I was prompted to do something today....

I was prompted by the arrival of my first birthday cards in the mail, which meant that Christmas was over!

Down came the tree and all the decorations were neatly squeezed back into their storage containers and tucked away in the cupboards until next.......

It was then on to my work room that had sure taken a hammering throughout December......

I now have some working space.....

and with it sooooo hot outside today it was nice to sit in the air conditioning and take in the view....

This clean up has prompted me to move a big pile of upholstery samples that were given to me....

I have been contemplating a use for them .....

They are the perfect size for .....

a very simple pencil case......

My plan is to work slowly with the pieces over the coming months and have at least 100 ready for our shoebox drive later in the year.....

Is that organised or what?

Phew ...enough cleaning, sorting and idea forming for one day!

Nothing Day

2011-12-27T20:44:00.000+08:00

The day after the day after......

"What would you like to do today?"

Me: "Nothing"

"What about going to see a movie?"

Me: "No nothing"

"Are you happy just pottering?"

Me : "Yep"

There was a lot of DVD watching,

some book reading,

lots of Lego building,

"Are you sure you want to do nothing?"

Me : "Oh yes I am sure"

Well maybe just a little retro fabric bunting making to brighten the outdoors!

Hope you had a nothing kinda day too!

Boxing Day

2011-12-26T21:27:00.000+08:00

The next round of present giving, this time with my lovely side of the family.
Which meant of course more yummy food.
Simple settings to ease the fuss.
Cousins with way too much excitement at their gifts.
The other new nephew who stole the limelight today.
We marvelled at how perfect the weather had been for the two days of celebration.
Little boys needing to try out all the gifts.
Santa has been reclaimed to return next year somewhere unexpected.

Can you believe that all our Christmas unwrapping is still all over the floor....well we haven't been home for two days!

Children now tucked up in bed and we are left wondering how did Christmas 2011 just come and go.....

December 25 {Thankful #25}

2011-12-25T21:37:00.000+08:00

{ Blog 25 days of being Thankful..... this as a way of staying focused on the good , happy and pleasing moments....

it's a way of acknowledging all that we take for granted, all that we sometimes overlook as we let busyness take over.}

Today I am thankful for ....

Family......

Our day began like this.....

all that hard shopping and wrapping ended in this......

Followed by a church celebration and a day at the in-laws.....

and the littlest one of them all had his first Christmas and big family function...

and you better believe I had my fair share of Aunty cuddles!

December 24 {Thankful # 24}

2011-12-24T15:06:00.000+08:00

{ Blog 25 days of being Thankful..... this as a way of staying focused on the good , happy and pleasing moments....

it's a way of acknowledging all that we take for granted, all that we sometimes overlook as we let busyness take over.}

Today I am thankful for.....

All the friends that stop by this year and left words of encouragement...

all the friends that stopped by and just looked.....

Have a wonderful Christmas filled with peace, laughter, family and plenty of good food....

The tree is realising it's full potential now surrounded by gifts...the star is a little droopy, the train has run off it's tracks again!!!

All is good

However you are spending the next few days hope it is all that you had planned for.

We are heading off to celebrate the tonight with our family and then continuing for the next couple of days......

Image source

December 23 {Thankful # 23}

2011-12-23T20:56:00.000+08:00

{ Blog 25 days of being Thankful..... this as a way of staying focused on the good , happy and pleasing moments....

it's a way of acknowledging all that we take for granted, all that we sometimes overlook as we let busyness take over.}

Today I am thankful for ....

Frivolity ....

This Santa now graces our neighbourhood....too much fun!

A little more out and about town...I wanted to photograph them in front of every Christmas tree we came across ...they didn't think that was a fun idea!

A walk around our neighbourhood to view the lights show.....

Well only two more sleeps to go.....hmmm better finish wrapping those presents that are being eagerly awaited on.

Oh I also reached my milestone of 100 gym sessions today!!! WooHoo from a girl who had never stepped inside a gym before May.

December 22 { Thankful #22}

2011-12-22T20:16:00.000+08:00

{ Blog 25 days of being Thankful..... this as a way of staying focused on the good , happy and pleasing moments....

it's a way of acknowledging all that we take for granted, all that we sometimes overlook as we let busyness take over.}

Today I am thankful for....

Really lovely friends who I have met in "blogland"

One such person is Michelle from Midge and Judy

I just loved following along a few months ago as she and her family took themselves and their caravan for a 3 month driving holiday around half of Australia...(unfortunately not the best half..LOL)

She took some amazing snaps of their adventures and made some amazing memories as a family....

Well today when I arrived home to a full letterbox...lots of Christmas cards from far away friends,

a magazine subscription and a PARCEL!

Who doesn't love a parcel?

Michelle had sent me a my very own Yarn Bombing kit!

Yarn bombing, yarnbombing, yarnstorming, guerrilla knitting, or graffiti knitting is a type of graffiti or street art that employs colorful displays of knitted or crocheted cloth rather than paint or chalk.

In my kit was .....

now to find an unsuspecting public place to brighten up!!!!

Also this beautifully made yarn bomb bag complete with yarn......

Even though Perth wasn't on the itinerary this souvenir table linen was repurposed into my very own Yarn Bomb bag....

Perfect for having at the ready should the need arrive to "pretty" somewhere up...

There is even a little fancy doily pocket inside for my needles or hooks.....

Go and check out Michelle's Yarn Bombing fun that she had here.....

While you are their check out her other beautiful creations she cleverly whips up.

More Yarn fun here .

Thanks Michelle.....I squealed with delight.

December 21 {Thankful #21}

2011-12-21T20:43:00.002+08:00

{ Blog 25 days of being Thankful..... this as a way of staying focused on the good , happy and pleasing moments....

it's a way of acknowledging all that we take for granted, all that we sometimes overlook as we let busyness take over.}

Today I am thankful for ...

Special memories and reminders ...

As I travel around "blogland" and also meet people in my every day life this Christmas, I have been reminded that so many people are trying to find ways of remembering someone special who isn't around any longer...

It is a tricky time of the year with the demands to prepare , be ready , shop , socialise ,cook and then gather with those we cherish the most. When there is a nagging sadness that lingers and hangs around in the background it requires some extra effort to do all the expected things of the season.

This is our 7th Christmas without Taylor and it is still extremely tricky moving through this time of the year.....feelings of desperately wishing that she was here to share all the fun and excitement in the house......

We were only two months out from Christmas when we lost her...that Christmas we struggled through...finding the need to be around family but at the same time withdraw....

I remember we sat and each wrote a letter to her that we then tucked away.....

Each year we have got a little better at maneuvering the emotions....

we hang her ornaments on the tree.....

remember when they were made....

We hang her stocking up with the rest of ours.....

and when we gather for family lunch, her Grandad always offers a toast and a "cheers to Taylor"

We still shed tears together and on our own..... I watch the kids open gifts and advent calenders and still try to picture her in the midst of them.

There are so many different ways to" do " this time of the year without those special people....

I think the key for us is to acknowledge that we are still sad and then put out the reminders, even if they are confronting......

I think she would be rolling around laughing at her little brothers antics and the fact that this was what is sitting in the tree next to her ornaments......

December 20 {Thankful #20}

2011-12-20T21:55:00.000+08:00

{ Blog 25 days of being Thankful..... this as a way of staying focused on the good , happy and pleasing moments....

it's a way of acknowledging all that we take for granted, all that we sometimes overlook as we let busyness take over.}

Today I am thankful for .....

All my crafting of pressies is done.....most if not all of the present buying is done......

Most of the pre Christmas dining is done......

So I found myself hunting for my sticks...

knitting needles

nothing to taxing or tricky - I'm not that accomplished

but just some rhythmic clicking away is what I was feeling like...

Yeah for a little space to do something a little slower.

December 19 {Thankful #19}

2011-12-19T20:27:00.000+08:00

{ Blog 25 days of being Thankful..... this as a way of staying focused on the good , happy and pleasing moments....

it's a way of acknowledging all that we take for granted, all that we sometimes overlook as we let busyness take over.}

Today I am thankful for......

Well I have a confession to make first.....

We have a lovely collection of Christmas books that we have gathered over the years. We put them away with the Christmas decorations then bring them out ready to read on through December.

Well that was the plan....this year we have not actually read too many of them. Bed time reading in December has really gone out the window this year.

I love reading and so do our kids but somehow the routine of reading just hasn't happened this year.....

So here is our collection of mostly unread Christmas books.....

This one being my favourite.....

Maybe because it was our first one and it belonged to Taylor as a little one....it is well read and one of my favourites to read at playgroup each year ( as with some of the others this year)

So my thankful today is for special books that bring back warm and happy memories of little ones at Christmas.

December 18 {Thankful # 18}

2011-12-18T21:26:00.001+08:00

{ Blog 25 days of being Thankful..... this as a way of staying focused on the good , happy and pleasing moments....

it's a way of acknowledging all that we take for granted, all that we sometimes overlook as we let busyness take over.}

Today I am thankful for.....

The end of a week of graduations.....

It began on Monday and ended today at church.

In my role as the Children's Pastor, today I had the privilege of graduating Meg from our kids Church into our Youth Ministry......

I had the opportunity of praising what a lovely young lady she has become....encouraging her to continue to seek out what God has planned for her and to stand strong and be a leader among her peers.

Another milestone reached for us as a family......phew what a week!

December 17 {Thankful #17}

2011-12-17T23:24:00.000+08:00

{ Blog 25 days of being Thankful..... this as a way of staying focused on the good , happy and pleasing moments....

it's a way of acknowledging all that we take for granted, all that we sometimes overlook as we let busyness take over.}

Thankful today
that it is starting to feel more like Christmas.....

Especially now most of the pressie shopping has been done...

and my house is a little cleaner!!!

December 16 {Thankful #16}

2011-12-16T20:34:00.000+08:00

{ Blog 25 days of being Thankful..... this as a way of staying focused on the good , happy and pleasing moments....

it's a way of acknowledging all that we take for granted, all that we sometimes overlook as we let busyness take over.}

I am thankful for "plans to guide you through a day"....

The Plan for today......

CLEAN HOUSE.......

OK KIDS WE ARE ALL CLEANING HOUSE!!!!

Hmmm lets see how we went.....

Visit the gym - check
Drop hubby off at work - check
Do the weekly grocery shopping - check
Finish writing and addressing Christmas cards - check
Post the said cards - check
Choose beautiful gifts for new nephew - check
A must visit and cuddle with new nephew - check
Pick hubby up from work - check
Make a meal for an unwell friend - check

Now lets see what have I forgotten.........

OH YEAH....CLEAN HOUSE !

ooops there is always tomorrow!:-)

I am a bit old fashioned when it comes to Christmas communication....

I don't give out cards to those I see on a daily or weekly basis.

I save my cards for those who I hardly see in a year or those who live in far flung countries....

So I begin by writing a letter of the year that was.....

snap a photo of the kids,

and no fancy homemade cards just a cute pre -printed one

and then off they go......

I love getting "newsy" cards and letters at Christmas time....I am a bit sad when it is just a "to from...."

So at least that is a job ticked off my to do list before the "big day"

Now about that Cleaning !!!!!!

December 15 {Thankful #15}

2011-12-15T20:49:00.001+08:00

{ Blog 25 days of being Thankful..... this as a way of staying focused on the good , happy and pleasing moments....

it's a way of acknowledging all that we take for granted, all that we sometimes overlook as we let busyness take over.}

Today I am thankful for.....

Great work colleagues and a super nice work place....( well most of the time)

Some gifts I stitched up for the girls.....

and Rocky Road for the guys.....

recipe found here.

Also...the little guy is thankful that daddy got to work and put up the Christmas lights in the front garden......

Maybe tomorrow night we will get on bikes and check out the neighbour's lights.

December 14 {Thankful #14}

2011-12-14T21:47:00.001+08:00

{ Blog 25 days of being Thankful..... this as a way of staying focused on the good , happy and pleasing moments....

it's a way of acknowledging all that we take for granted, all that we sometimes overlook as we let busyness take over.}

Today I am thankful for...

Teacher gifts finished in the "nick of time" .......

Thankful also for

my children letting me get all sentimental about their last day of school....

Because of the age difference - 6 years....

This was the last day they will ever walk together...
Meg off to high school next year going in the other direction....

So thanks guys for indulging me and allowing me to walk the walk with you.

December 13 {Thankful #13}

2011-12-13T21:21:00.002+08:00

{ Blog 25 days of being Thankful..... this as a way of staying focused on the good , happy and pleasing moments....

it's a way of acknowledging all that we take for granted, all that we sometimes overlook as we let busyness take over.}

Today I am thankful for......

The eagerness of the little guy to get his Christmas cards done......I have been asking him for the last couple of weeks and he wasn't so keen.....until today!

I don't know why I am amazed by it but he was able to independently sit and write them all out....I just wrote out the names as he told me and then away he went.....

Amazing what can be done and ever so quickly once it became his idea.....

I just need to finish my Christmas letter tomorrow and print off this year's photo and mine can almost be in the post too!

We sneaked in another visit too ...so cousins could meet cousin......

I found this photo on the camera....

I can only guess she was getting sentimental about the shoes she has worn to death and will be parting with after tomorrow!!!!

Teacher gifts are all done and ready for the last day of school tomorrow...phew just in time!

December 12 {Thankful #12}

2011-12-12T22:13:00.001+08:00

{ Blog 25 days of being Thankful..... this as a way of staying focused on the good , happy and pleasing moments....

it's a way of acknowledging all that we take for granted, all that we sometimes overlook as we let busyness take over.}

Today I am thankful for.......

So many things .....

A Young lady that graduated from Year 7 today......

I was slightly emotional as we saw the students enter and take their place.......

Wow ...where has all the time gone.....

Meg has done us proud with her work ethic and friends she has chosen along the way......

After the formalities it was home to prepare for the dinner /dance in the evening.....

nails, hair, dresses a little makeup......

They all looked stunning and oh were they excited!

They danced the evening away ....

and created some lasting memories to tuck away of friends ,teachers and fun times.....

and we did it all without too many dramas and melt downs......

Funny hearing them say how much their "high heels" were making their feet hurt after all that dancing....

I am also very thankful for......

A new nephew born in amongst the midst of all the glamour and ceremonies.......

We are so pleased to welcome...

Flynn Thomas Owens into our family

My baby sister did an awesome job!

Baby number five for her...the other 4 babies were with us for the short wait.

And now this is one tired mumma and auntie who needs to say goodnight. xxx

December 11 {Thankful #11}

2011-12-11T21:11:00.002+08:00

{ Blog 25 days of being Thankful..... this as a way of staying focused on the good , happy and pleasing moments....

it's a way of acknowledging all that we take for granted, all that we sometimes overlook as we let busyness take over.}

Today I am thankful for......

Some more Christmas crafting for yet more special people.......

it is all this simple stitching that calms the running mind and racing thoughts of to do lists.....

Every year our church hosts a Carols in the Park night...so together with a local real estate developer we put on a show for the community....

Tonight was that one night in the year........after the crazy weather we have been having and the forecast to come in the next couple of days ....tonight was perfect.....

My gaggle of kids church kids get to open the show with our band ......

it is not a polished performance or directed by any choir master...just kids having fun singing the songs they wait for all year....and on a little stage!

A great night had by all...fantastic crowd of families out for the festive spirit and enjoy each other company.....

and we were treated to the most fantastic sunset to top it all off........

Being cheeky and joining in with Sunday Snippets here.