Sydney bound....

Yep...we're off on a family road trip next week.  Melbourne to Sydney....and we cannot wait! 

I'm busy planning how we can fill our days, what sights to see and also the usual organisation that goes with travelling with kids.  My kids are familiar with time on the road, however this will be our longest stint, although I do plan to break it up, stopping off and allowing the holiday begin before we reach our final destination.   I'll take the kids to Gundagai for the Dog on a Tuckerbox experience, and also the Big Marino somewhere on the way to Goulburn.   On the way home I hope to detour off the freeway and do the Grand Pacific Drive...Oh there is just so much I'm finding it's all to hard to choose! 

It's been over twenty years since I've been to sydney, so technically the last time I went I was the child being taken care of.  What to see and do?  I've got the classic opera house visit, harbour cruise (weather permitting) and a trip to a market planned but tell me...what should we do??  Where should we go??  Or better still, what should we avoid???  

Sydney here we come! 

xx

wintery-ness

Dang.  It's cold.  The heater is broken and it hasn't really stopped raining all week.  All. Week.  It's not fun trying to dry washing in this sort of weather without relying on the old tumble dryer.  But as it happens Winter has it's ok moments...like an excuse for endless hot drinks, and slow sunday roasts.  Staying in winter pj's is just a little more luxurious when it's cold than in warmer months and snuggling on the couch is oh so cozy.....here's what we got up to this week. 

1. Props...gorgeous citrus, eucalyptus, geraniums, lavender and rosemary...all used for a photo shoot for some wonderful products, which I'll reveal soon. 

2. Ladder time - At the end of each footy round the ladder gets updated.  Very happy people at the moment with their team in top position. 

3. My old antique wardrobe...photos taken of her because it's time to sell her (sob!) 

4. Shenanigans on the couch

5. Hiding under the quilt

6. Letting me take photos of her down the lane way. 

Linking up with Em @ The Shack 

the weekend {& cake}

Oh the weekend is here...Hooray!  I love the approach of Friday afternoon, the cheerfulness that only Friday afternoon school pick up in imminent rain cannot diminish because it's that time that the weekend truely begins.  Two little days that bring so much joy, and the night before that is even considered part of the weekend for the hair gets let down, the kids are allowed to stay up a little later having learnt the term "not a school night"....

...Not much is planned for the weekend, we'll do a lazy Saturday breakfast, head out and about! Oh we have tickets for Jesus Christ Superstar Spectacular and I'm kinda excited about a night out sans kids with my man.  Sunday is free as a bird and that's how I like it.

What are you up to this weekend?

Oh here's a fabulous cake recipe...I never thought of mixing carrots with lime.  Turns out to be quite the surprise combination!  It's a winner in my book.

What you need....


200 g butter, softened
240 g caster sugar
4 eggs
180 g self raising flour
1 tsp baking powder
200 g carrot, grated (that’s 2 medium carrots)
60 g coconut, shredded
60 g walnuts, crushed
zest and juice of one orange (or lemon)

Icing:
200g cream cheese
100g icing sugar
juice one lime (more if your icing needs more liquid)

Preheat the oven to 170 degrees. Grease and line a 23cm springform cake tin. Place butter and sugar in a large bowl and beat with an electric beater until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Sift in flour and baking powder then mix to combine. Add carrots, coconut, zest, walnuts and orange juice. Mix to combine and pour into cake pan. Bake for 40 - 50 minutes, or until a skewer comes out clean. Let cool in the tin for 10 minutes then move to a rack. Let the cake cool completely

To make the icing combine the softened cream cheese, icing sugar and lime juice and spread over cake.

Enjoy
xx

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The Exhibition

On the weekend we held an Art Exhibition.  The week before we drew up an invitation and delivered it to the special recipients.  The night before the Exhibition we delved into the depth of "the bottom" draw where many a prized artworks are lovingly stored.  We sorted and with a critical eye selected only the best.  Each piece was named by said artists, an accompanying description sometimes added and the decision to "sell" selected works was borne.  The curators job was to delicately display the artwork, turning what was affectionally known as the spare room into The Gallery.

Once the artwork was in place, the door was closed until the official opening of 3pm.  The invitees arrived having to pay a small admission fee to cover expenses such as blue-tak and washi tape and were given a special brochure detailing some background history about each artist.  They then perused The Gallery, admiring the exhibited works, discussing and listening to the Artists describe each peice.    

Delighted Artists were busy writing out receipts as a flurry of purchases were made and artwork bundled up and taken to a new destination.

Such a fun was had by all, and such a magical way to display children's artwork and to allow extended family to marvel at their accomplishments.

xx

The Cats Pyjama's

This is the Cat, 

And these are the Cat's pyjamas. 

On Tuesday the Cat wears ocean pyjamas and dreams a dream of humpback wales, swishy tails, sea turtles, eels and flippery seals.  What a dream of ocean delight for the Cat in the night....

....On Thursday the Cat wears road pyjamas...and dreams a dream of a big red rig, diggers that dig, a tractor, a trike and a fast motorbike.  What a dream of road delight for the cat in the night. 

On Sunday the cat wears Monster pyjamas and...stay awake all through the night! 

__

After many a trip to the local library to borrow this book and read it umpteen times a day and each night before bed, I finally purchased a copy for my daughter.  Before giving it to her, I crafted the idea of bringing the book to life...the story of Cat and his pyjamas.  So I set to work with a little Cat toy that was in our collection and with a snippet of fabric here and there, seven matching pyjama's in the same theme of the book were made.  Cat can now wear Space, Ocean, Garden, Jungle, Road, Sky and Monster pyjamas whilst enjoying the book.  A little carry bag made from the scraps to transport his night time wardrobe around.

Have you ever brought a book to life?  Created something to help tell the story?  Now that I have, I'm looking at my children's books in a way I never have before...

And if you have children and haven't read this book, please do.  It's one of our favourites.  The Cat's Pyjmamas by Catherine Foreman 

Joining in with this creative community. 

xx

this week

I've realised this week that I'm awfully forgetful at taking snapshots of my crafty projects.  Looking back at my weekly import of snaps, and lo and behold they are chock full of the kids and food.  Hmmmmm, perhaps due to the fact that the camera does a lot of sitting on the kitchen bench at my house.   Rest assured there are crafty projects happening in Casa MiraNarnie...they just aren't recorded here...perhaps next week.

1. making a pickle...and straining all those wonderful herbs and spices that make it so good
2. Oh my very dearest friend, her beautiful daughter and the son she is growing in her belly
3. Pancakes + weekends = match made in heaven and the best way to celebrate a Saturday morning
4. My newest purchase - a veggie cleaner.  It works so well you get all the dirt off and you needed even peel your carrots or potatoes!
5.  Those carrots...yum!  They were sliced straight after cleaning and devoured with hommus.
6.  Lazy weekends call for staying in your pj's all day and not brushing your hair.
7.  Wanting to take pictures and so much better than me at navigating her way through technology.

What did you get up to this week?  Joining in with Em @ The Shack 

xx

7/52

7/52 - Portrait Challenge - A photo of my children, once a week, ever week for a year

J  - So keen, you set up a game of Monopoly before school and made certain that we played together as soon as we got home (of course, you beat me...a strategist already) 

M - You found a rainbow in the bathroom and loved making it go all over your hands and face

Joining in with Jodi @ Che & Fidel 

xx

weekly stills

Our final week with all of us on holidays is coming to a close.  I know it will still feel a little bit holiday mode right up till School and Kinder start, but it's been oh so lovely having....absolutely no routine, work or appointments.  Just one glorious day after the other. And when the weather hasn't bee too hot, I must say most of our adventures happen outdoors.....

1. My trusty apprentice (scantily clad) doing much baking...
2. The two of them spent quiet time at the local library making craft then enjoying them all afternoon
3. A thrifted embroidery cloth, some necklaces and earrings
4. Her bike....those streamers
5.  In such excitement to get to the swing, there is no time to remove ones helmet
6.  Me (one out of focus, one in focus) - teaching my husband the art of shooting on Manual too
7, 8 and 9 - My trusty collection of necessities for a twlight market, setting up is always so much fun,

Joining in this lovely lady 

Don't forget to enter my giveaway for a chance to win a years supply of weetbix! 

the important things.....

The floors not mopped, the shelves are still dusty.
I'll use the long life milk in the cupboard tomorrow
And hope the washing basket is not too full
With so much to do and so little time
Today was not the day of chores and boring
A mask was made to accompany his handmade creation for tomorrows exhibition
A birthday pressie was made* and delivered
We caught up with dear friends and exchanged homemade gifts
Some last minute baking for a special guest tomorrow
And what's Christmas preparations without a bit of brown paper and twine.

Oh Christmas is here!


How are you managing the lead up?  Do you let the boring jobs slide?  Oh...and last chance to enter my Christmas Giveaway....Ends tonight!

*more on this one later