two little buttons

tinkering and cleaning

2012-02-12T12:30:00.000+11:00

we awoke to a beautiful morning. after breakfast and watching the boys build their own tree swing we set to work ripping out all the old curtains, old speakers, and doing a general clean.
i think its going to be lots of fun.

our new van

2012-02-11T23:33:00.000+11:00

this afternoon we drove to Echuca and bought our ~~new~~ old van.
its great.
i am looking forward to many adventures as a family.
we arrived at our friends parents place, and were greeted like long lost friends. an initial problem with one of the brakes not releasing, called for the neighbour to come over (who happens to me a mechanic) and in no time it was fixed and we were on our way. 2 tired excited little boys and a pretty happy mum !!
we drove to our first caravan park in a place called Cohuna.
let the adventures begin.

a home on wheels

2012-02-08T13:43:00.000+11:00

on the weekend John and I drove into a little town called Jamieson for real coffee while we were away camping. John had spent time there in his younger years, fishing with his dad and family friends. we stopped at a beautiful little cafe, and drove through some really quaint little streets, the river and caravan park.
as we drove back to our friends place i made comment that in time i would love a caravan to explore towns like that, place we never normally go, but have lots to offer for the weekend.
my thought was early on in the week we would sit down as a family and circle a town to visit the coming weekend. then come Friday night, hitch up the van, drive to the town and spend the weekend exploring. a great way top all spend time together and also a great way to see victoria.
well John being John has bought us a caravan and we are off to collect it over the weekend.
friends of ours, their parents are selling their old 1988 van. its old, buts it goes, its clean and its hardly been used.
so look out victoria we are coming to explore !!!!!

i think i am back

2012-02-07T14:11:00.000+11:00

i have been lurking....
:: reading a few blogs and then turning off my computer.
:: taking photos for a purpose but then doing nothing with them...
i guess I'm not sure how to start, there's lots i want to tell you and lots i want to show but time ran away from me and i just didn't find the time.
:: i cant let these last few months disappear as we have had like all family's good and bad times, interesting experiences and emotions and decisions that are important in our lives. i need to document this time.
::so please stay with me as i say hello now and then i need to go back in time.
:: its nice to be back and i hope you continue to share my journey.

Howqua

2012-02-06T15:07:00.000+11:00

a weekend with good friends to celebrate their daughters 7th birthday.
our friends have a block of land that they have a caravan on and we took our tent and camped for the weekend.
the weekend was lots of fun and great weather.
:: the kids spent most of Saturday knee boarding
: i had a couple of ski's and a wake board
:: friends from Mansfield dropped in and stayed for the afternoon and evening
:: birthday cake and pinata
:: camping in a tent again

knee boarding continues

2012-02-05T17:38:00.000+11:00

First Day

2012-02-03T14:43:00.000+11:00

my baby went to Prep today.
i hadn't spent a lot of time thinking about it before the actual day as i just couldn't.
Arch was excited yet nervous this morning. once we arrived at school the nerves kicked in, but he quickly and happily settled into an activity. His teacher, Anthea warmly welcomed him and made him feel right at home.
as i left the school grounds i started to cry, and couldn't stop !! that's it. all my kids are at school and its time for the next chapter in our lives; although i am not sure i am ready for it. i want to hang on to those baby days and enjoy the time where little ones are dependent on me, and my mothering. i guess that's what i need to decide very soon, whether or not that part of my life has closed for good or that there might be hope for another???
arch thoroughly enjoyed himself and he is looking forward to Monday.

Grade 3

2012-02-02T14:03:00.000+11:00

oh my goodness where does the time go. it only seems like yesterday i was getting Hugo ready for 3 year old kinder, and now today... Grade 3.
i wish you a great year Hugo, full of many happy experiences, a wealth of knowledge and and happy and fun year.
as a mum i am a little hesitant this year, i have many mixed emotions running through my mind... many what ifs, many mother guilt moments.
i believe Grade 3 is a big growth year, lots more expectations, homework, academically i believe that is a big jump and i can only hope that my Hugo will keep up, and enjoy the year.
he goes into a 3/4 composite, which in itself is a big jump but then he is one of the youngest in his year and last year he made a great friend, like minded friend with a little boy the same age as him yet a year below him at school.
i only hope that his teacher is caring enough to help guide and nurture him through this part of his learning journey.

if the excitement and comment that i got when i picked him up tonight after his first day is anything to go by.... i think he will be ok.
"mum that was the best day ever. Grade 3 is awesome "!!!!!

back to school dinner

2012-02-01T16:25:00.000+11:00

after talking to Nic, and reading this blog i decided to create a back to school dinner for the boys.
Archie requested Taco's, Nacho's and chocolate cake and Hugo wanted Sushi and Ice cream cake and slushie's
so that's exactly what they had.
i also made the boys a book, in it i wrote them each a letter hoping they have a good year, try their best and have fun. i am hoping the book will be a place they can add special thoughts, memories, notices, photos and drawings of their year; i guess a journal/portfolio of their journey of the year.
we all had a lovely night and i hope that this will become an ongoing tradition.

2 friends

2012-01-31T16:29:00.000+11:00

a poppy doll for Arch and one for a very dear friend, Harvey.
both boys start Prep this year, at different schools.
i hope you both have a wonderful year in prep.

wooden cars

2012-01-30T17:11:00.000+11:00

a quiet day making model wooden cars.

day 5

2012-01-29T17:09:00.000+11:00

jumping ....
early to bed, with sore tired bodies after a busy busy weekend

Day 3-4

2012-01-28T17:00:00.000+11:00

we speant these days towing the kids on knee boards.
first time Hugo came in... "that was the best thing ever !!!"

Day 2

2012-01-27T16:55:00.000+11:00

i had a ski, and both boys did too.
last year Arch struggled to stand, but this year ... straight up !
even waving to us as he was skiing along.

Australia Day weekend

2012-01-26T16:51:00.000+11:00

we spent the Australia Day Long weekend on our friends houseboat.
as the weekend went on the water sports became more adventurous.
Thursday was our first day, the boys had a tube, Hugo a ski and then they spent time canoeing and playing on the edge of the lake

friends

2012-01-24T17:23:00.000+11:00

today i think was one of the best days these holidays.
3 friends and their kids came over for a swim and lunch. we managed to spend some time catching up on a months worth of news while the children around us swam and played happily with each other.
its simple days like this that make it all worth while.

fortune cookies

2012-01-23T17:18:00.000+11:00

today is Chinese new year. the boys and I wrote our own fortune cookie messages and made the cookies.

a day at the Aquarium

2012-01-18T17:14:00.000+11:00

mum took the boys today. they went to the aquarium together by train. the boys were so very excited and had a wonderful day with her. thanks mum...
and what did i do, well that's another post !!!

science

2012-01-16T14:20:00.000+11:00

a gift purchased for a friend, inspired us to do some science experiments this morning.
creating crystals with bicarb and water and string.

Industrial Brat Pack

2012-01-15T14:34:00.000+11:00

this weekend John and his colleagues (best mate) had a warehouse sale.
I'm not sure if i have explained but towards the end of the year John decided to let his new company go due to no real gains and growth after nearly 2 years of hard work. a close friend who has imported indoor furniture for years has decided to branch out into outdoor furniture. John and a really close friend Ian are going to run it. john is inspired, driven and focused and the last few months have been great, with 2 trips to China to order stock and him moving into a warehouse/office space out of home has been great. the business is going well and he is enjoying it.
this weekend they had their first warehouse sale. Mish (Ian's wife) and I and all the kids spent the weekend at the warehouse and it was fun. spending time with old friends, kids hanging out and selling furniture !!

strawberry picking

2012-01-13T14:24:00.000+11:00

we left the beach at lunch time and on the way decided to stop at the local strawberry farm and pick our own.
the boys had a great time and quickly filled their containers and mine.

a gift

2012-01-13T14:12:00.000+11:00

for my very special neighbour for her birthday.
i thought it was a great idea and one that i could make myself for others with many different seeds.

a great present

2012-01-12T14:14:00.000+11:00

my cousin, Stephen (the one that now lives in Singapore) was back home for Christmas.
he is always the shopper. growing up we were often a force to be reckoned with as we would spend the day together shopping. he just gets it, every present is spot on.
this year for Hugo's birthday it was no exception. a Zoku icy pole maker. its been a hit the boys have loved it and nearly every day we have made them.
today's flavor :: Strawberry and pineapple.

growing

2012-01-05T17:25:00.000+11:00

discovering lots growing in our vegetable garden today.

hot summer days

2012-01-02T17:42:00.000+11:00

high 30's - 40 in temp today, and good friends came round to cool off in the pool

final goodbye

2011-11-17T19:00:00.000+11:00

today i did a final clean inside and out before John's mum house settles.
a last bunch of flowers from her beautiful garden.
i have struck many plants, hoping that i will be able to continue her love of the garden in my home.

face paint

2011-11-02T13:43:00.000+11:00

cup weeekend

2011-11-01T08:01:00.000+11:00

a long weekend, much needed for all.
good weather, lots of water sports and fun for all

halloween

2011-10-31T08:04:00.000+11:00

this is the first year we have acknowledged Halloween, and the kids enjoyed carving out a pumpkin.
the kids went trick or treating by boat round some neighbouring houseboats which they thought was great fun.

same same but different

2011-10-16T11:31:00.000+11:00

it was a fun night, a little weird to step back in time..
but interesting to see so many faces from 20 years ago. some had changed, others were still exactly the same.
in the middle photos these girls and i started prep together !!! so we have know each other since 1979 !!!

20 years

2011-10-13T20:54:00.000+11:00

i cant believe that its been 20 years since i finished year 12...
they school are the best years of your life and i certainly loved school and had fun while i was there. i was a middle of the road kid, with a wide circle of friends and achieved all i wanted to so why i am i feeling nervous about attending my 20 year reunion on Saturday night.???

where did that time go?
i know lots of things have happened..
: travel
: uni
:work
:boyfriends
:marriage
:children"
buying houses etc
it certainly doesn't feel like 20 years, if i shut my eyes i only think of myself in my late 20's, but when i open them and look in the mirror i do see the age starting to creep up on me.
I'm glad some things have changed when i look back at some of the photos from 20 years ago... the invention of hair straighteners for one !!!
it will be interesting to see the girls that are going and catch up with people i haven't seen for a long time.
face book has certainly reacquainted me with many people ...but even still i am looking forward to seeing people and catching up, especially with a few close friends along side me i am looking forward to a night of reminiscing, laughs and happy memories.

island life

2011-09-30T14:33:00.000+10:00

relaxing and enjoying the beautiful surrounds of our resort.
the time went too quickly.
longs days spent playing in the pool and beach, eating far too much good food, exploring the local village.
enjoying our family together.
sun, heat and good times.
i feel recharged, renewed and at peace.
its amazing what a holiday like this has done for us. we all relaxed, we all reconnected and enjoyed our time together.
i found my place in the world again and i feel good; happy and connected

2011-09-29T14:37:00.000+10:00

2011-09-28T14:43:00.000+10:00

2011-09-27T17:11:00.000+10:00

family time :: good for the soul

after a rough 18 months with business ventures not fulfilling their expectations there are new seeds being sown on the horizon.
its hard to believe that we have come out of a hard few years.
we have both given our all, but also both lost our way, shut down and closed off from each other.
this trip re ignited what we have had for so long, our love our passion and i found my best friend and soul mate again, right next to me.
with nothing to do but relax and unwind and enjoy each others company its what we did and it was great....

(now if only i could recreate that relaxed way back here with all the routine that has started again)

2011-09-26T17:13:00.000+10:00

great food.....

bangkok

2011-09-20T14:26:00.000+10:00

enjoying the roof top pool in Bangkok

Bangkok

2011-09-20T13:52:00.000+10:00

2 nights in bangkok::
::we spent the day getting used to the heat and smells and buisness of a large asian city.
:: reaquainting ourselves with daddy/husband that had been in china for 2 weeks and met us at the airport
:: taking in all the sights and sounds of a great city
:: visiting ocean world at Siam Paragon shopping centre
::shopping at Zara (me)
:: swimming in the roof top pool of our hotwl.

see you soon

2011-09-18T10:47:00.000+10:00

we are off on a well deserved break.....
see you soon xo

hollywood nights

2011-09-17T09:37:00.001+10:00

a night out by myself.
Hugo's school had their fundraiser night last night. it was a themed dress up night "hollywood nights" lucky my ever resourceful friend Nic, lent me her fur (that she wore on her wedding) and i had an ever faithful black dress...
with john in China i went off by myself, and surprisingly had a really good night.

together

2011-09-10T20:02:00.000+10:00

for over a year Archie has slept on a fold out bed in Hugo's room, or else they were in the tent for awhile together. in august i made up Archie's bed in his room again, but all that happened was that Archie would have "a sleep over" in Hugo's bed. i realise that arch needs company at night, so i decided to put the boys in together.after i assembled the beds i called them inside to have a look, they were so excited and couldn't wait for bed time. i kissed them goodnight and left them giggling and whispering excitedly to be together but separate in their own beds.
sweet dreams boys.

Happy Fathers Day

2011-09-04T11:46:00.000+10:00

cooking breakfast for the Dads.

fishing

2011-09-04T11:43:00.000+10:00

at the base of Buller, fishing

a weeekend at Buller

2011-09-03T11:36:00.000+10:00

friends of ours have a house at the bottom of Mt Buller.
we spent the weeeknd with them...
not alot of snow but lots of fun.

Mt Buller Gnomes

2011-09-03T10:49:00.000+10:00

last weekend

2011-08-28T10:54:00.000+10:00

our last weekend at the snow...
with a big crew of friends...
not a lot of snow but enough to have a good ski in the morning and then spend the weeeknd hanging out with friends enjoying the sunshine and great food and company.
a leisurely drive home on sunday stopping at wineries and enjoying the King Valley.

a different side

2011-08-23T11:03:00.000+10:00

helping at Kinder today....
its always interesting watching Arch interact with his peers in a different setting than at home. his confidence is developing and he surprises me with his interactions, sense of spontaneity and confidence in his environment.

concert night

2011-08-19T23:28:00.000+10:00

finally the long awaited concert night is here.
well done Hugo, you danced and sung up a storm

sunshine

2011-08-16T10:58:00.000+10:00

enjoying the unseasonally warm waether today. a trip to the local playground and river to feed the ducks.

Chin Chin

2011-08-13T11:15:00.000+10:00

our dear friend Benjamin Cooper is head chef at the new, very popular restaurant Chin Chin.
we went tonight loving every bit of food that we ate.
Hugo was lucky enough to go in the kitchen with Ben for a look.
if you can, go. its the best food i have ever had.

Grug

2011-08-11T11:09:00.000+10:00

this morning Arch and I went to the Arts Centre to see a production of the children's story books, Grug.
it was aimed at pre schoolers and it was great.
it was in the ANZ pavilion theatre and it was lined with cushions for the kids to sit on. the show was interactive and onlt lasted 3/4 of an hour, perfect amount of time to hold the kids attention span. arch loved it.. he sat quietly taking it all in.
the performers acted out a series of the Grug stories.
when we got home arch quietly set to work recreating what he had seen... making his own diorama of the show.

sports day

2011-08-09T11:18:00.000+10:00

happy Birthday dad

2011-08-04T11:23:00.000+10:00

happy Birthday dad
i love you.
may you celebrate many many more birthdays

a day at home

2011-07-28T12:47:00.000+10:00

an at home day yesterday was a welcome treat for both Arch and myself.
a new batch of warm play dough meant busy little hands.
play dough is natural colour with lavender oil and fresh rosemary

yet again... snow

2011-07-23T11:32:00.000+10:00

RIP

2011-07-19T17:26:00.002+10:00

my mother in law died last week and today was the funeral (11th July). she suffered from alzheimers and had a massive heart attack on monday morning.
although incredibly sad, i feel that she is in a better place; no longer suffering with her cruel condition. she would have hated to be like she was, so helpless and not in control of her life.
last night i sat talking to the boys before bed and over the week hugo had obviously had time to process the information we had given him.
so what happens to granny pats body?
well at the funeral tomorrow there will be a coffin, like a box where her body is. her soul (thats the part that makes her who she is has gone to heaven)
hugo - so its just her bones and skin
me - well yes.
archie - can we look in the box?
me - No !!! with a laugh !!!
hugo - so when she is in heaven that means she needs to start off as a baby gain because that makes her life a cycle, a life cyle.
me - yes i guess you're right hugo.

hes got it as far as i can see.
they did me proud today, they took it all in their stride and were great.
RIP Granny Pat. i love you

last turns

2011-07-16T11:51:00.000+10:00

super confident, tired, reday to go home.
end of the holidays.. time to go back to the city.

cat skiing

2011-07-15T17:46:00.000+10:00

double black diamonds

2011-07-14T17:43:00.000+10:00

skidoo rides

2011-07-12T17:38:00.000+10:00

school holidays at Mt Hotham

2011-07-12T11:55:00.000+10:00

first week

2011-07-09T17:51:00.000+10:00

fresh powder and blizzards, a lodge full of kids, great ski buddies, sun the last few days
all in all a perfect first week of holidays

lanterns

2011-06-27T17:57:00.000+10:00

using our lanterns that we made at Jos round the campfire at winter solstice at the table for dinner

winter solstice

2011-06-25T17:55:00.000+10:00

kids, parents, friends
joined together to celebrate winter solstice

inspired

2011-05-31T19:20:00.000+10:00

a class project inspired by Archies walk along the river collecting gum leaves
all the children made paper bags and then went out in the Kinder grounds to collect gum leaves

a gum leaf hunt

2011-05-19T10:55:00.000+10:00

a walk in the winter sunshine.
this week the children had to collect gum leaves for kinder. there was a competition to find the longest gum leaf. as we walked arch decided to collect gum leaves and make a collection of big and small leaves.

gardening club

2011-05-17T10:52:00.000+10:00

the kids are making a wicking bed (self watering garden bed) the boys are enjoying digging out all the soil.

sorry

2011-04-13T17:20:00.000+10:00

i dont know whats going on with blogger/ my computer, i am sorry there are no photos for all my recent posts. i am trying to fix it BUT it is not working.....
i'll be back soon !!!

pasta

2011-04-11T13:20:00.002+10:00

you cant have fresh tomato pasatta/sauce without fresh pasta
so the boys and i made pasta this morning.
Hugo went up to the TV to watch the Stephanie Alexander DVD again, so he could write the recipe down.
100 grams strong flour to 1 egg
as we were in the middle of making it friends dropped in, so Seth joined in and helped.
it was fun and dinner last night was one of our best meals, so simple but delicious.
fresh pasta and fresh sauce.

2011-04-10T14:45:00.000+10:00

we had heaps of basil left over from yesterday so arch and I made pesto this morning
yum

Tomato Day

2011-04-09T22:23:00.010+10:00

On Thursday night I was watching Italian Food safari on SBS. the episode was on Tomatoes.
for a few years i have always thought about making my own Pasatta(fresh tomato sauce) but never got round to it, i have even saved all the Jars.
anyway this morning with no plans Hugo and Arch were watching a DVD, Real Food with Stephanie Alexander that mum had given them. On it Stephanie Alexander was making homemade Pasta. as i sat and watched i thought we should make some over the weekend and then i thought about the tomatoes and I decided that maybe we could do it and give the sauce making a go. so with no plans for the day i went and checked with John, and he loved the idea and seemed to think that Preston market would be good for the tomatoes, and near there he recalled an Italian shop that sold all things Italian and food.
the moment i stepped into Costante Imports i was in heaven... anything you could imagine and wish for, pasta makers, biscuit makers, pizza ovens, sauce making equipment, wine making equipment it just went on and on and real 5th generation Italians in the family business that has been operating for all those 5 generations. john finally pulled me out of there with a tomato press and we were off to Preston Market. busy was an understatement but the culture, food, people and produce was great. a box of tomatoes and fresh vegetables, fruit, deli goods, meat and fish we left ready to start our Tomato day.

the Italian way:: tomato day

2011-04-09T22:16:00.000+10:00

Following the Instructions from the TV show italian food safari, the boys and I set to making our Tomato sauce.
Hugo really did it all, from start to finish. Arch participated in most steps but wandered off in between.
1 :: wash and dry tomatoes
2:: cut top of tomato and then cut into quarters length ways (all 10kg !!)
3:: squeeze and squash tomatoes by hand to break it all up.
4:: place on stove and heat through till just under a boil, adding rock salt and freshly picked basil
5:: pass through tomato press. to remove juice from skins. we did this 4-5 times.
6:: bottle into jars
7:: place in pot, cover with water boil for 1 hour
i really just supervised and added extra muscle power to the hand squashing.
Hugo was really proud and then spent some time on Sunday morning designing his own label !!!

Easter Bonnet

2011-04-06T08:22:00.000+10:00

all ready for the parade at school today

goodbye

2011-04-03T20:06:00.001+10:00

this was our gift to Stephen, Archie drew on a teatowel and then i embroidered over his work. an aeroplane, in which Hugo wrote:: from melbourne to singapore and then the 2 of them and their suitcases.

lunch with all the family to say good bye to Stephen who is off to live in Singapore. it was like Christmas, catching up with everyone. Bitter sweet that Stephen is jet setting away, but great that we could all catch up, the kids had a great time and so did we. mum cooked up a storm as per usual, a sit down 3 course lunch plus nibbles to start and slices and coffee to finish for 17 of us !!

exploring

2011-04-02T21:19:00.000+11:00

i love the beach no matter what time of year and today was one of those cold blustery days, perfect fro rugging up and walking along the beach. we don't spend a lot of time at the back beach but today it was the perfect exploring weather.

cards

2011-04-01T18:44:00.001+11:00

some people may call me old fashioned but i do love a hand made, hand written note.
and unfortunately/or fortunately depending on how you look at it i try to instill this in my boys.
this weekend we are off to the beach to say goodbye to one of my ~~brothers~~ cousins who is off to Singapore to live.
the first card is by Hugo and the other two by Arch. up until a few months ago i couldnt get arch to draw or create very much at all, but now.... i can't stop him, and its lovely.
the bottom card is my cousin and his partner and their suitcase !!!

pancakes for lunch

2011-03-31T20:02:00.001+11:00

an easter bonnet in the making

2011-03-30T19:59:00.000+11:00

the start of our Easter bonnet...... a paper maiche nest

an award

2011-03-28T19:57:00.000+11:00

a Maths computer program in Victorian schools called mathletics is very popular in our house. maths comes easy to Hugo at this stage of his schooling and he has been very keen to log into mathletics most afternoons at home. the incentive of a paper printed certificate has been his driving force, but today he aced it and was awarded this trophy for the week. the second ever student in his school for mathlete of the week, gaining the most 'points' for the week. well done Hugo

memories

2011-03-27T19:48:00.000+11:00

after years of procrastinating, today i decided just to DO IT. a photo wall that is. a blank canvas wall in our kitchen has now become a focal point. i have selected photos from the last 7 odd years of our family and friends and displayed them in a collage. everyone helped and we had a great time reminiscing about events, special moments in our lives as a family and how we have all grown. its stared something though... i have got hundreds of printed photos now and want to display more.... off to find the next wall!!

festival

2011-03-20T21:07:00.000+11:00

a weekend of :: great weather :: parades :: wildlife exhibitions :: friends :: craft :: food :: markets :: good times :: memories ::community :: music the festival really sums up our little town. it was big, busy and fun and when we finally got home Sunday night about 8pm we were exhausted. it was a weekend of fun, music, entertainment family and friends. our little town rocks !!!!

5th Place

2011-03-20T14:18:00.001+11:00

every year there is an annual duck race. all the schools and kindergartens and childcare centres have yellow plastic ducks for sale. $2 a duck and you take it home and decorate it. once decorated it is returned to the kinder, school etc. on the festival Sunday at 2pm, the ducks are all dropped into the river and float down stream..... Archie's duck got a place this year... 5th place very exciting considering there are 100's of ducks !!! well done Arch

the water slide

2011-03-20T14:12:00.000+11:00

the highlight of sunday. i think the boys spent 3-4 hours on this....

the first time

2011-03-19T23:52:00.000+11:00

This year Arch is able to participate in our towns, annual festival street parade. The whole town stops as the main street is blocked off for all the community groups, organisations, schools and kindergartens to process along the street which is lined with 100's of residents and family members. there was a buzz in the air this morning as Archie is now in 4 year old kinder and able to ride on the kinder truck. A little unsure at first but once he was on the truck with his Friends and teachers he ad a great time.

another year

2011-03-19T23:50:00.000+11:00

Grade 2 and all the confidence in the world.......... laughing and chatting with his friends, waving to people he knew, happily part of the parade. the theme of the festival this year is carnivale.... hugo's school created masks to wear in the parade and they did a great job.

just because

2011-03-18T23:25:00.000+11:00

a very thoughtful parent bought in flowers for my assistant and I today. just to say thank you for a job well done in the teaching of her son. just an ordinary day, and just because. very much appreciated. thank you

just because

2011-03-18T08:29:00.000+11:00

harvest

2011-03-17T16:42:00.000+11:00

visiting our little Veg patch today, i found these delights growing.

a long weekend

2011-03-15T16:45:00.000+11:00

... spent with friends on their house boat at Lake Eildon.
this was our view......
skiing
wake boarding
swimming
canoeing
relaxing
reading books
and this is just my list over the three days.

home grown dinner

2011-03-10T13:33:00.000+11:00

A dinner created with some of my favourite things......
:: home grown tomatoes
:: home grown basil
:: fresh crunchy lightly toasted baguette
:: good quality Olive Oil from a great Winery and Olive Grove
Bruschetta = yum.

a mix of things

2011-03-08T16:40:00.000+11:00

gardening club tonight. this children harvested cherry tomatoes and green beans.

Archie had a Teddy Bears picnic at Kinder today. he came home with a special teddy bear hat that he had made.

Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Tuesday. yummy pancakes for dinner. Ham and mushroom crepes for John and I. Pigs in blanket for the boys ( a crepe with ham and a hot dog!) These pancakes (crepes) are what my mum used to make for us every year.

count down

2011-03-07T16:35:00.000+11:00

the banners up up in town, there is an excitement growing. our annual festival is coming ....

pool side

2011-03-06T16:50:00.000+11:00

there hasn't been as many days as i thought there might have been, relaxing pool side this summer.. but today was one of those cracker summer days, just us, our pool and fun.
the occasional chat to the next door neighbours over the fence sharing produce from the gardens and books to read and watching the boys play all day. bliss !!

Air Show

2011-03-05T16:33:00.000+11:00

watching some amazing planes fly over head at the airshow.

pottery

2011-02-27T14:54:00.000+11:00

we headed down along the banks of the Yarra river today, to the annual pottery and ceramics expo in Warrandyte.
the boys loved the clay last year and this time it was just as rewarding. as well as creating their own masterpieces from clay, both boys painted a ready made clay tile, which will be used in a permanent sculpture along the walking track of the river.

chores

2011-02-23T21:02:00.000+11:00

when did my boys grow up.....
Hugo decided he wanted to mow the lawn !!!
John is now trying to delegate the rest of the outside jobs......
(archie :: well he just has to be like big brother !!!)

Gardening Club :: week 2

2011-02-22T19:45:00.000+11:00

this week was spent harvesting corn, creating corn dolls, with the husks , picking grape tomatoes and tending to the chooks.

Potatoes

2011-02-21T14:31:00.000+11:00

finding ways to use up our stash of Potatoes from Gardening Club.
Tonight I made Home made Chips, served with a sprinkling of maldon Sea salt and they were GOOD if i do say so my self.....
I'm not sure if it was the variety of Potatoes or the Recipe , from here, but they were gobbled up very quickly.

spoilt

2011-02-20T14:47:00.002+11:00

Friends of us invited us around for a casul lunch this afternoon....
we should have know... Ben is a chef,
he put on an amazing spread of food. One of his long time friends lent a hand and the food was delicious. beef, lamb and chicken char grilled on a spit, yellow curry, and some asian inspired salads, king fish heads.... i could have eaten all day !!!
it was one of those days that work, good food, good company and a whole bunch of kids that get along, have fun and play all afternoon.

outdoor cooking

2011-02-19T21:00:00.000+11:00

Tonight we did some out door cooking.
john is looking at importing a table top BBQ concept, so tonight he thought he would trial the idea. after looking in camping and outdoor shops and BBQ stores for something similar he walked away empty handed... so John being John when he has an idea, nothing stops him......so out comes our camping cast iron pot, and and old BBQ grill and voila a table top BBQ!!! the concept is that you have 1-2 on a table and your guests cook their own food from platters of prepared marinated meat and vegetables. it was great fun and the boys enjoyed taking ownership and cooking and eating their own food.