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

this week

Oh the school holidays....what fun!  No school lunches or remembering what happens on what day.  No surprise we spent most of our time near our soon to be abode, but all too soon it was over and the school term has resumed. ...

:: this week in photos ::

1.  House progress...the roof is on, and I may have just had one (or more) colour-bond moments like on the ad where I just stood and stared, marvelling in all that roof glory!
2. We enjoyed Salami Making Day over the school holidays....
3. Give a kid a go-cart and let them play...
4. Wet concrete...a small hand = lasting memory
5. Playing chasey with Nonno
6. Feeling right at home on the ride-on.

Hope you all enjoyed the school holidays....

Joining in with the lovely Em @ The Shack. 
xx

in the kitchen

This week it's no surprise my images reflect food, cooking and time spent in the Kitchen.  The kids and I really bunkered down this week and enjoyed preparing meals together, trying new foods and making loads of things from scratch...

::  Making bread rolls
::  Chopping up veggies for lunch
::  Fresh bread rolls straight from the oven
::  Wholemeal apple and sultana muffins
::  The fruit market - admiring all the colours, textures and having fun picking what we want
::  We came home with a great purchase of roma tomatoes for a spot of preserving*
::  Busy making our own laundry powder
::  A trip to Queen Vic Market
::  Pastry section always our first stop to fill empty tummies whilst we fill our trolley with fresh seafood.

what have you been up to this week?  And what's been cooking in your kitchen of late?

Joining in with Em at the Shack. 

xx

*which was a success so will no doubt require it's own blog post.

berries for jam..

Summer holidays have been spent in glorious sunshiney ways.  Berry picking was so much fun that we indulged in the delight on more than one occasion.  The first time the raspberries and blueberries were bursting off their vines and bushes.  The cherries were so plump, that we first filled our bellies and then our buckets.

We went again this week however, after the crowds had come and the warm weather Mother Nature had delivered the berries were not so easily harvested.  So we wandered down paths labelled with names not so familiar.  Waldo, Bramble and Boysenberries were discovered with eager delight.

Their deep intense colours of purple-y blues, and red and the sharp tangy sweetness were enjoyed by all.

We picked and tried, with only a little selection but still enough for some jam.  This recipe has become my favourite.  Use it for berries, it will not disappoint.  Of course you can use less or more lemon and you don't have to add the hull during cooking if you don't want to, but it does add a delightful acidic tang.  Cook in small batches to retain all that goodness, flavour and superior colour!

:: 1 kilo of mixed berries
:: 750gm of caster sugar
::  Juice of one lemon, keep the juiced hull

Over a medium heat with a heavy saucepan, place the cleaned berries and sugar and stir till dissolved.  Add the juice and the cut lemon pieces and bring to a rolling boil.  Remove any foam if you like and continue to simmer until it becomes sticky (about 15 minutes).  Test by dropping a tea spoon of jam on a plate that has been in the freezer.  If it sets, then your done...otherwise cook for another five minutes.  Remove the lemon pieces and pour hot jam into freshly sterilised jars.

Enjoy on toast, scones or dollop liberally on greek yoghurt and fresh apple!

xx

creative wonderland here 

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! 

summer sewing

There is something whimsy and dreamy in sewing up delights in the midst of Summer.  Today the temperature is set to reach the forty degree mark.  The curtains have been drawn, the fans on high rotation and "inside" games and crafts are scheduled.  A salad announced as the answer to "what are we having for lunch/dinner" questions.  So whilst I had a few moments of energy before the heat leads us to the local watering hole, I took some time to organise my stock for an upcoming summer night market this weekend in the peaceful location of the local golf course.  A few newbies to add tags too....  A collection of summer scarves adorned with pom pom trim and a few girls summer skirts completed as well.  Once tagged and pressed they will be diligently packed away in vintage suitcases.

How are your summer crafts going?

Joining in with these creative lovelies 

a years worth of weetbix giveaway here 

Merry days to you

It's time to take a bloggy break
Christmas is fast approaching
The hubby is off from work
And the kids will officially be in holiday mode by the end of the day
We have lots planned, but also some much needed relaxing
An exciting project is underway
{that I'll share very soon}
We'll go places, but enjoy the comforts of home
Family and friends will be in abundance

To all those that visit this blog...
A Merry Christmas to you, your family and those you love and cherish...wishing a peaceful, joyful and wonderful holiday season.


See you all in 2013

xx

I'm grateful for {days together}

Source: fromthetortoiseandthehare.blogspot.com via Chaymae on Pinterest

Gee I haven't blogged since last grateful day.

The holidays have captivated most of my time, and quite honestly....It's been lovely.  I've put my gear in neutral...I'm idling along and we all got away from the city for a few days as a family to breathe in some country winter air and it was....delightful.

So this week I'm grateful for....

Days together... Family days spent together, not doing much or doing heaps. Going out for dinner, trying new cuisines,  staying up past "bed time" and the general chit chat that somehow comes with owning a six and nearly four year old.  The endless games, requests for entertainment (our first visit to the movies was a success!) and of course being with the three people I love the most.  We've spent time doing the same things and time just doing our own thing in the company of each other.

Tell me what you love doing with your family?

And remember to join in here at Kidspot with Bron from Maxabella Loves 



xx

I'm grateful for {simple pleasures}

Source: ohhellofriendblog.com via Brenda on Pinterest

First week of the holidays almost over and I have to say...It's been pleasurable.  No getting to school on time, no lunches and bags to pack and library books or notes to remember.  Lazy mornings rule, and days are spent with friends, or playing at home or out and about.

This week I'm grateful for....

Simple pleasures...the joy of catching up with friends...sharing a meal...a bunch of flowers, a board game with the kids, no routine, baking, impromptu singing session, a good belly laugh, winter sunshine on your face or a good book.

All of the above plus more....something simple that brings pleasure.

Join Maxabella over at Kidspot and join in the Grateful Linky!

xx

holiday baking {hedgehog}

Nothing screams "day to bake" more than a rainy morning plus school holidays.

So whilst the kids were finishing their breaky...I decided that it was a great moment to whip up a hedgehog slice.  It's just the bomb....totally decadent, and there is no "reduced fat/healthy" option, and it's just great fun when there are biscuits to smash up.  You could easily pulse these in a food processor, but were's the fun in that!  Nah...give the kids a meat mallet and those bickies will be pulverised in no time (and a few extra bits on the floor too!).

Here's what you need.

250g of biscuits (I use half Marie biscuits and half Malt O Milk) - it just gives the slice another wow factor!
90g walnuts chopped up
250g butter (hmmm...yes lets ignore just how much butter goes into this!)
2/3 cup caster sugar
1/2 cup cocoa
2 eggs


1.  Start by smashing up your biscuits in a large bowl.  You don't want fine crumbs, as some chunky bits are great for texture.  Add the walnuts.

2. Melt butter in the stove and then add the sugar and cocoa until all mixed and gooey.  Put aside to cool before adding the eggs.  Whisk.

3.  Add the butter mixture to the biscuit mixture in a large bowl.  Line a lamington tin with baking paper.  Pour out the gooey biscuit mixture and smooth out to all edges and press the the back of a wooden spoon so its nice and firm.

Refrigerate until set.  Slice this baby up into whatever size you like and devour all its delicious-ness.  This is a great recipe for the kids to get involved in!

Do you plan to do some baking or cooking with your kids over the holidays?

I'm grateful for {....feeling spirited}

Source: flickr.com via Brenda on Pinterest

I love being part of the Grateful Reunion Party.  I joined Bron in being grateful two years ago when she first started and I loved how the followers grew and grew and I got to share and be inspired by so many other gratefuls.  Lately I've been a slack grateful-er (sorry Bron, I'll pick up my game I promise!)....so I'm grateful that this reunion prompted my much needed kick up the backside to start taking a moment in my day to stop and be grateful...even for small things.  Because sometimes it's the small things that make up the bigger picture and make it all worthwhile. 

This week I'm Grateful for....

...feeling spirited....

After a week of pain, and finally getting myself and the family back to normal, I'm feeling the only way is up.  My spirit is increasing, the school holidays officially start tonight and our little family is making plans to make sure we pack a lot of fun into the next few weeks.  There will be catch ups with friends and family, road trips,  and just hanging out having fun. 

Is the best part of recovery the energy it brings, the feeling that it made you stronger, more determined and resolved to use that spirit for the better?  I do. 

Join in and be grateful and that BIG reunion party over at Village Voices!  Happy 2nd Grateful Birthday Bron! 

xx