Backyard Reno

Hi, yes I am still alive... 

I just haven't been bothered to blog. 

Winter made me feel pretty down and so I didn't feel like blogging because I just would have been whinging... 

And I could have whinged because after all, it's my blog. 

Around here we have had renovations happening, basically the whole exterior of our house has been re-done. Asbestos removed, the house was insulated, re-clad in varying textures and finishes.. It looks fantastic, and I'm glad we have done it, but it was quite disruptive to being outside. Also we had major landscaping done in the back yard which is fantastic too.. Already the kids are out there way more than before... I've planted lots of little seedlings and am very excited about tending to them and watching them grow and encouraging my girls to get out and water them, and to pick freshness right from the plant! That's the bit I want them to get into. Last Summer we did enjoy picking our own produce... 

A little overview of the work done in the yard. And yes it wasn't cheap, but we really want to stay in this house, so want to make it just how we want. Well, with what we have to work anyway!! 

We have a fantastic view and it's close to the town centre, schools, everything really! Next thing  are to fix/replace some fences.. But we know a guy who can help us out, and working out what to do with all the dirt areas in the yard.. Cubby house first, then we will work around that. I'm thinking paths... 

I've been into scrapping a bit more. I went with my SIL and my friend Liz to E2C's mini retreat at Trinity a few weeks ago and was able to finish 13 LO's so was happy with that. 

I'll be back soon, not sure when but not in two months!! 

I might try and upload all my LO's from the retreat! 

This girl....

This girl is seven, almost eight.

She's been having problems at school with a group of girls. 

She is in a class of 24, many of whom are boys, not many girls at all, maybe seven. 

Of this seven, she and two others are thick as thieves. 

The problem being that one of these three has an ultra strong personality. 

She tries to control the other two and to a lesser extent, the other girls in the class too.

Mia has been told, 'I won't be your friend unless your ears are pierced' and other silly things that are totally out of Mia's control or decision. Mia has tried to break away and play with other kids, this other girl comes along and yells at Mia for playing with other kids, or whispers in her ear about not playing with them because of this and that... Whatever reason she thinks of at that moment. 

First day back at school this term and they were separated from playing with each other at recess and lunch, because arguments happened at recess. I think the arguments happen because Mia stands up for herself and others. Segregated into different areas. I think it's a good idea. Mia has lots of other gorgeous friends at the school, but the three girls always gravitate toward each other.

I've been talking to Mia about how she has lots of friends, and now is the time to re-discover them. 

She has had lots of upset times about this, which seem to flare up at bedtime, where she can't sleep, and is so very upset. 

I'm not really sure how to guide her, I'm trying my best. But it truly saddens me that this crap is happening already in her sweet little life. They are only little for so long and she is being made to face crap that she shouldn't have to already!! 

I must say that the school has been very supportive through it all.

Any advice appreciated. 

Back soon with more, but this is what I felt like getting out today.

Meatless Monday Porotos granados

Feeling enthused all over again about eating less meat, I saw that Tatum been busy in her meatless kitchen and I felt all inspired yet again. 

Today I feel so tired and exhausted from a quick weekend away with HeartKids, to Pichi Richi Park just south of Quorn, SA. (A fantastic spot for large groups) 

I plucked something out of Hugh's Veg book and grabbed the ingredients from Woolies after school drop off...

The recipe.... 

It looks quite thick in the book but mine is very soupy... 

I would say NOT to add the whole litre of stock unless you want it loose and soupy, which I happen to love. I added a can of kidney beans after this photo, purely because I can. They beans are like a velvety surprise in the soup. Great! 

Also in the bread maker at the moment, to be pigged out on later is Veggie Mama's rye bread. I can officially say that I'm in love. I can eat lots of it today while it's fresh and yummy, and toast it for days to come!! Win/win!! 

 I highly recommend you make this bread. Highly.

Yeasty goodness foaming away in the bread maker. I popped the warm water in last and sprinkled the yeast on top, it foamed up a treat!! 

Happy Meatless Monday..

Leave me a comment or leave your bloglink so I can come and visit.....

p.s. I didn't re-write the recipe, I'm pretty sure if you click on the photo, you should be able to read it, but I truly think that if you love eating Meat free sometimes or are a vegetarian, you should buy Hugh's book, it is a fantastic investment!! 

Feeling Good.

Sometimes we don't always feel good. 

Well, I don't. We judge ourselves against others, and get hurt over the small stuff. (note to self: don't sweat the small stuff) I've been feeling a bit un-worthy since not working, even though I really feel that it's right for our family. Because I've been comparing myself to others and what they choose to do. When in all reality it's not what I would choose for myself. Even though I'm very happy for my friends and their achievements, personal and in the workplace.

 So, after having a pep talk to myself, I've felt so much better and worthy of myself in my own eyes, because truth be known, no-one is actually judging me, it's me who is judging me... 

I have been having the best week (since Tuesday anyway) being in my home and surrounding myself with family and my gorgeous girls.

My week....

Lexi looking at River Cottage Veg Everyday....

 Watching my sleeping girls... something so special about that.

Art Journalling... Simple start but great fun. 

I used to love keeping a diary when I was younger and now I'm going to keep an arty one.... 

I went to the school for a healthy eating seminar. My plate is bottom right, we got judged by two year 1 kids... I didn't win even though I was sending out the positive vibes. I loved this seminar and feel like my eyes have been opened! Go to the go for 2 and 5 website and click on the kids bit for fun activities for the kids.

Absolutely feeling like a hot housewife drinking out of this mug. It really helped!! haha!!

(My Mothers Day pressie to myself)

 Between this retro fabuloso book and Crafty Minx I AM learning how to crochet. And I really am loving that little achievement! I'll have my granny square rug finished by 2014 I just know it!! haha!!

Mia has a girl in her class who is being a little bit of a bully to her and the other girls in the class. I don't think this other girl copes when she doesn't get her own way. No blame on my part to this girl, but I pulled out this book to read ( I never have) to give me some insight into my precious daughters. To help them learn the tools to deal with this type of stuff, it's only the start...  And I need to talk with Mia more, or more importantly, let her talk to me!! 

Babycino time on Friday with the In-laws. 

Making a chain. Pretty proud of myself. Last night I managed to get off the chain and start crocheting on the chain. Not sure of the terminology there but happy Jan!! 2014 here I come! 

I made Veggie Mamas Rye Loaf, I loved it so much and Mum and Dad came 1 minute after it got out of the oven and they loved it too... I might make the dough in the bread machine next time,but I wanted to do it all by hand this time though... Happy with the result.

Cauliflower fritters. Yum with a minty garlicky yoghurt sauce. Not from the Veg Everyday book, but a veg meal nonetheless , I really loved these... 

My gorgeous jewel box from Mia for Mothers Day. So special. And a lovely card and a beautiful handmade tissue flower... Made my day!! 

Indulging in homemade quince paste. One of Mum's friends made it, so much better than Maggie Beer's (sorry Maggie) It wasn't as sweet and it's homemade, that makes anything better, right?? 

 

Mum and I yesterday. Love this woman. So much.

A photo this morning from the post office for the Fat Mum Slim photo a day. The prompt is grass. 

I really am so happy to be back home. I would love to be nearer to Adelaide, but this place would have to be one of the better regional areas to live in. Although I'm sure others would beg to differ..... 

Have a happy week, looking back I've had a busy and productive week.... xx

Meatless Monday

It's Meatless Monday, except it was last Thursday!! 

I've fallen in love with Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall all over again lately... 

I fell in love with I'm years ago when he used to do a food show called TV Dinners where he would go into peoples homes while they hosted dinner parties. The dinner parties were usually a bit out there and unusual and he would get right into the thick of it. Lots of fun and quite entertaining.

I've been watching River Cottage over the years as he has established a sustainable lifestyle...

I noticed about a month ago a show of his on Lifestyle called Rover Cottage Veg Everyday. All vegetarian cooking, he challenged himself to a Summer of only eating veg. Fantastic recipes, and looked like they had lots of flavour too!! So, egged on by Tatum when I updated my status on Facebook one Saturday night, we both have bought the book, along with Lauren who wants it, and Kate and Mardi who both have it coming too. I've cooked two things from it, and am on the lookout for more yummy things to try....

Yesterday was the Beetroot Tarte Tatin but last Thursday was this.....

Chachouka, 

which is an African stew of Capsicums and Tomatoes with eggs then cracked in and baked in the oven.... I added a few chickpeas too, and it was really really good. The next day I got my toasty machine out and made a yummy little parcel in my machine with the mixture which was left over....

It's Meatless Monday over at Veggie Mama, so even while I'm not linking up, go and check out her page!!  xx

Today...

Today I had one of the most fantastical Sundays I've had for a while... Although last Sunday was pretty fantastic too. 

Getting home from the retreat to a lovely clean and tidy house, being able to sit with a book and drink cider... yeah!!)

We woke up early, Lexi has taken to running down the hallway between 1-3am and hopping into bed with Mia and I, so it's getting a bit squishy.. Anyway, we woke up about 6:30, the kids watched tele while I buzzed around picking up, putting away, making beds, washing on, bathroom cleaned, bleach down the dunny, stoking up the fire from last night, you know, all that fun stuff. We went to Woolies about 9:30 for a few school supplies, then out to the nursery for some advice on pesky insects picking on my cauliflowers... 

Then home to eat some yummy brunch....

My new favourite combo, and I love lots of almonds in the combo....

Muesli, Banana, Greek Yoghurt and almonds....

Then some work in the garden for a while, and just as I finished it started to rain, inside to my scrap stash. I was able to unpack and play around organising things in my area a bit more to my liking, I even scrapped a page..... It's for the E2C Teeny Tiny Challenge... I slapped down leftovers from Kates class as well as some things from the goody bag. The letters are bought ones as are the cute Kraft Butterflies from Studio Calico. Felt good to scrap, and now that my desk and area is a bit more sorted than before, it'll be easy to slip down there.... 

While we were at the retreat Kate had a fantastic wire coat hanger with her Washi tapes on it, so I asked my parents last night while I was there for dinner if they had one, as mine are all plastic. Dad came out with this one... Cute colour and I asked him to open up the 'latch' part so it can open up easily, and voila, loving my washi tape holder... Stoked!! Can't wait for my Washi to arrived that I ordered on my phone at the retreat.

Then later on I made this yummy Baby Beetroot Tarte Tatin, from this book.. I have been highly inspired by Hugh's tele show, and seeing as I'm here on my own a lot with the kids, I figure that it's not as expensive as meat to throw away if it all doesn't get eaten... (I need some chooks) And I haven't been very inspired by food for that long, it feels great to be in love again with food, especially as it's so yummy!!! 

Just about our whole table was talking about this book at the retreat so am hoping that everyone will join in to cook the same recipes sometimes... I think I encouraged Tatum to make this tart after she saw mine... My pastry was a bit skewif but it's the first time I have EVER made my own pastry so I'm pretty happy aswell. The pastry with the beetroot soaked into it was my favourite part so it couldn't have been all bad! 

Mum and Dad came for a visit with this gem of a book that Mum bought for me somewhere, and I am enlightened that I may even be able to crotchet after I saw an old friend yesterday and she crochets and I'm sure if she can, I can... She even said I should be able to... A bit more heartened. Just need a bit of time. As long as I write my Craft Minx lessons on one of my lists somewhere I will remember to use a bit of my kid-free time.... 

So all in all I had a great day. It drizzled on and off, the house was warm and toasty and smelling yum, the girls hardly fought, I set Lexi up with one of her dolls houses, and lots of little things for the dollhouse, Mia was on and off the computer, reading, watching tele, having little 5 minute spurts of tidying up specific areas of the house when I challenged her, it was a busy but also relaxing day... 

Oh and I also heard that there WILL be a mini retreat and also heard the dates so I'm locking that baby in, I hope and pray and cross fingers and the stars better align so that I can be there!! 

How was your Sunday??

xx

Escape 2 Create 2012 Layouts and Canvases

Hi there, here are my Layouts and Canvases from Escape 2 Create... 

All are straight out of camera, cropped only.

 Canvases from Kate's class. 

The bottom one is done over some of Lexi's painting, so it looks darker.

 Tatum and I at her birthday High Tea, I have had this pic since last E2C and really wanted to scrap it this time round! Thanks Lou Nelson for the photo that you gave me last year!! 

 Brenton during Movember 2011..... Bit scary how much he looks like Chop Chop...

 Rock'n' and a Roll'n and a Whatnot!! 

 A special photo of Brenton and Mia.

 This little girl of mine is growing way too quickly!

 My two layouts from Mardi's class... I am in love with glue dots!! And I never really thought I would love a punch, but the frond is very cute, and to think you can use the negatives... Well, well, well!! 

 Mia.

 I used Kate's patchwork technique that I learnt, I decided to pair the photo and the LO in black so my bright colours wouldn't get lost...

 I think I love this one almost the most. Hairy bubba indeed. 

I love the contrast of colours, and I think this LO shows how i like to scrap. Slap dash all the way! 

I always like the end result when I don't think about it while I'm doing it.

 Special moments to treasure. 

Love my big girl so much. She is frustrating but so wonderful at the same time....

Daddy and his little chicks in the pool in Roxby... 

I'm stoked with all of my LO's. I was stuck on a few, but kept going, I really wanted to make it worth it that I was at the retreat. It was way worth it. Brenton was a bit dirty that I went away while he was home but this morning on the way to the Airport to drop him off, we went past the Hostel, and I was yelling, 'There's my room, I can see my bedroom, I love that place!!' And I also informed Brenton that the only time I'll stop going to retreats is when I am dead. I think he gets the idea now!! Only taken 3 years to get it through!! 

Thanks again to Meredith, Amanda and Sue... I still can't believe it has come and gone!! 

xxx