WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

HERBS & SAUCE

2012-02-12T18:13:00.000-08:00

I managed to kill off my potted herbs a couple of weeks ago and have now found a garden bed just off of the kitchen to start a new herb garden. There were native trees in the bed but I have been watching them die for the last year and thought it was time to pull them out. After building up the soil, my new herbs were ready to be planted. I managed to save some thyme, sage, aloe vera and rosemary from the pots so I now have a lovely selection once again.

Sauce is finished for the year, it's a big job but totally worth the effort.

FEBRUARY 10, 2012

2012-02-09T23:13:00.000-08:00

15 years ago this baby boy came into our lives and changed them forever.

Happy birthday Dan, we couldn't be prouder of you.

APOTHECARY CUPBOARD

2012-02-07T19:23:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I spent some time cleaning out and moving my late 1800's meatsafe back down into the kitchen. As I looked at it, I couldn't quite decide what to place in it. This cupboard has been in most rooms of our home and as housed lots of different things like quilts, books, china, toys and odds and ends.

By the end of the day, I still didn't know what to put in it until I woke up this morning and saw Amanda's post over at Soulemama about how she had turned a dresser into a kitchen apothecary. What a perfect idea to house oils, herbs and other natural ingredients in one place. When I grow out of this cupboard, I have my eye on the other antique cabinet in our kitchen that is much larger but at the moment it houses some very sentimental china from my grandmother that I don't have anywhere else to store.

I'm off to gather my bits and pieces for my apothecary.

WEEEEEEEE....

2012-02-04T22:16:00.000-08:00

2012-02-03T02:36:00.000-08:00

You may remember I participated in the 30 day vegan course run by Heather of Beauty That Moves last year. Well next week I will be starting her latest course, Whole Food Kitchen. I am doing this course thanks to my lovely online friend, Rose, who kindly gave it to me through a 2 for 1 deal that Heather had running for a short time.

I can't tell you how excited I am to begin another of Heather's courses. I learnt so much from 30 day vegan and this one will have so much more to offer as it's a 3 month course, I am so happy to be doing this with a friend as I'm sure at times I will find it a challenge and I know Rose will be there to listen and offer advice. Ummmm, you will be won't you Rose?

LIFE IS GOOD

2012-01-31T15:56:00.000-08:00

This year I am dedicating more time to me. I'm not a selfish person but I really feel that I need to spend more time on myself doing what makes me happy.

I have started studying my natural therapies diplomas and am beginning with aromatherapy and kinesiology. I have always had an big interest in natural therapies and I feel that now the kids are all at school it's time to pursue those interests.

I gave up going to yoga class about 1 1/2 years ago when my mum was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had so much going on and didn't feel right or have the time to do something for myself. I have been doing yoga at home throughout this time but I felt like I needed some structure and gentle pushing that I couldn't give myself. I went back to class last night and it was wonderful. I slept so soundly last night for the first time in ages and I just feel great today. Sadly my finances won't allow more than one class a week but I think that should be enough to get me on track for my home practice.

My wonderful husband left me an email to read this morning that he wrote. I won't put it up here but lets just say I'm feeling very appreciated and loved at the moment.

Lastly, I have taken up my moderator position once more over at Down To Earth. I really missed moderating with Rhonda and the team and in hind-sight should never have left.

Well I'm off to clean our home and bake some yummy goodies for the kids when they get home from school.

Take care
xxxSue

PASSATA

2012-01-31T02:51:00.000-08:00

Yes it's that time of the year once again to bring out my friend Squeezo and make up lots of passata and tomato sauce.

Squeezo makes this job so easy, definately one of my better investments for the kitchen.

FYI: I bought my squeezo last year on ebay, she was second hand but in great condition and very cheap. Squeezos have been around since the early 1900's but are relatively unknown here in Australia.

26/01/12

2012-01-25T12:34:00.000-08:00

AUSTRALIA DAY

Happy Australia Day to all those celebrating our glorious country.

We now have a rather large flag pole in our yard (see above). Our very energetic neighbours, Ronnie and Donna, put up their pole a couple of weeks ago and asked us if we wanted one, Ronnie made them at his work. Darren has always had a flag hung in the shed, so of course he said yes. The two flags in neighbouring yards look very patriotic and quite fitting while celebrating this day.

In footy season, Darren is already sourcing a Hawthorn flag to go up. LOL.

We are usually away in Robe for Australia Day but this year we will celebrate at home with a hearty breakfast of bacon and eggs and pancakes with sugar and honey. There will be cricket to watch and some crocheting for me while we lounge around in true Aussie style.

Have a lovely day however you are celebrating.

HOW DO I DESCRIBE TODAY?

2012-01-18T20:51:00.000-08:00

I had to go down the street this morning to buy my best friend a 40th birthday gift and I ran into my yoga teacher. We chatted and I said how I couldn't believe how long it had been since I went to one of her classes, I told her that I still wanted to become a yoga teacher it's just that money always seems to get in the way. She gave me the new times of classes and I am really looking forward to going on a regular basis once again. I left with a smile on my face, this is just what I need now that I've made my study plans and yoga plays a big part in this. It just felt like now that a decision has been made, everything else is falling into place.

Another wonderful thing happened today. Darren's parents bought a camper van for us. His dad showed it to us this morning, I was imediately in love and he went and bought it!!!!! I know it doesn't look like much but with a bit of work I think it will be awesome.

It looks small from the outside, but once both end beds are pulled out, it's very roomy inside and it has an annex too. It sleeps 7 and the kids have already picked out their beds, oh the holidays we can have in this beauty!

It's appliances are in really good condition.

and the whole family has given it's stamp of approval.

Look what else was in the yard, a 1950's van!!! Be still my beating heart.

2012-01-18T13:08:00.000-08:00

If you've visited One Crafty Habitat lately, you would have seen my caravan make-over. The once was storage area is now going to be my chill out area and my study room.

Speaking of study, I've had a lot of time for reflection and have been asking myself what I really want to do for future study. I haven't pushed myself for an answer and now I can finally say that I want to go back to what I have long had an interest in, natural therapies.

Way back in 1999, I completed my Reiki 1 and 2 certificates and to this day I have used Reiki for healing, although not as often as I would have liked to. So many things get pushed aside in life for other interests but natural therapies have always held a place and I want to learn so much more about certain therapies.

I will be chosing 5 therapies from the list below:

Holistic Nutrition
Kinesiology
Colour Therapy
Homoeopathy
Aromatherapy
Reflexology
Holistic Massage Therapy
Yoga

Meanwhile, here are some pics from my new study/quiet space.

I was beyond excited yesterday when I spotted this recliner at our local salvage yard. It was clean, in great condition, it worked and all for $20. I loaded it into the 4WD (with a little help, it's heavy) and prayed that it would fit through my little van door. Easy!!!!! After a good clean, it has found it's home.

Hiding under my "coffee table" are my preserving jars, now covered with a crochet blanket. (Oops, I see I've missed a bit of painting in the background)

DAILY HOUSEHOLD RHYTHM

2012-01-11T16:06:00.000-08:00

While organising my weekly housework routine I decided to take a leaf out of Heather's book over at Beauty That Moves and make up a daily household rhythm for myself. This of course is not set in stone as for example, every second Wednesday I grocery shop and pay bills, it's just a guideline for myself to get into rhythm.

My rhythm will change over time and I will update accordingly, for now this is what I need, a gentle reminder through the day of what I could be doing.

Other lists that help me every day are my housework routine and my menu plan.

My Household rhythm lives on the back of our pantry door, the housework routine in a folder in the kitchen and my menu plan, on the fridge.

This is how I stay focused and organised, how do you sort out your routine?

STUDYING

2012-01-09T14:01:00.000-08:00

Why do I find it so hard to complete any correspondence study? I began studying my sports nutrition certificate 2 years ago and though I nearly finished, I just put it aside and didn't think about it again.

I emailed Beck Health & Nutrition and they have very generously allowed me to complete my certificate even though I'm a year late. While I will no longer be eligible for the statement of attainment due to the lapse in time, they will still grade my assessment and will be awarded the Certificate of Sports Nutrition. I will definately be completing this certificate as I refuse to take on any study until I do. I desperately want to complete a permaculture certificate, but will not go ahead until this other course is out of the way.

So I will be busy studying, baking, cleaning, playing and gardening over the next couple of weeks so I finally say that I've completed this study.

2012-01-09T13:46:00.000-08:00

The Mt Gambier Under 15's cricket squad won the carnival!!! They didn't lose a game through the week and then went on to win the Grand Final.

Dan played really well, it was over 40 degrees on the first 2 days, he was vomiting on the Thursday night but still put in a great effort all week.

I went over to Horsham with Lachie on Wednesday, stayed Wednesday night in Casterton with my parents, left Sophie there and arrived in Horsham at the start of play Thursday morning. We stayed at the caravan park and pitched a tent, it only cost us $23 instead of an expensive motel room. I'd forgotten that we owned a small 3 man tent as there is no way I could have put up our huge 10 man tent by myself. See Darren, I'm not useless!!! LOL

We had a great time (apart from the vomiting) I was pretty sick too from this horrible tummy bug I've had for what seems like forever but it was nice to see the guys play and win so convincingly.

EARLY RISING

2012-01-01T15:21:00.000-08:00

This morning was one of those perfect cool breeze mornings that just beckoned me out to the vege garden before the hot day set in.

I spent an hour mulching tomatoes and strawberries, digging horse poo into vacant beds and watering the beds and hot-house. It felt good to do something productive as the rest of the day will surely be indoors out of the hot weather.

Speaking of hot, Dan is in Horsham playing cricket in 42 degree heat today!!!!! Crazy, thank goodness the caravan park they are staying at has a pool.

For some of today I want to sort out a bit of a cleaning and gardening roster for myself to get a little more organised and efficient.

Stay cool for those here in Oz.

GOALS?

2011-12-30T15:57:00.000-08:00

While I said a couple of posts back that I don't do resolutions and I set goals when I need to, not wait for a new year, I can't help but reflect on 2011 and set some goals for 2012.

I've got to say I'm struggling in the vege patch, crops are failing and I simply don't have enough room and energy to be where I want to be. Therefore my goal is to just do what I can, don't stress and don't let plants die! Read more and understand the plant's needs not just expect them to grow themselves. Do it right the first time.

My plan of becoming a full-time homemaker is finally going to happen, well in March it will. I am driving the kids up to the Gold Coast for 3 weeks and will not be returning to work after that. I don't work school holidays, so these 7 weeks with no extra income is a test to see if I can do it. So far? hmmm, I need to put in more effort in the cooking area.

It doesn't help that last night we got a phone call asking for Dan to play cricket next week in Horsham for the Mt Gambier under 15 squad. He leaves tomorrow with the coach as I am unable to to pay for 5 nights accomodation with 2 days notice. They will be tenting it in a caravan park, of course I will still have to provide food money for him, but it's cheaper than me going for the week. I will be driving over on Thursday to watch him play that day and Friday, even in a town like Horsham, I can't find anything under $100/night!

I will be putting a lot of time into my other source of income, my market stall. Over on 'One Crafty Habitat' I have talked about including organic and re-purposed lines to my stall. This is exciting and I can't wait to be able to offer alternatives to my customers.

Another thing I will be doing in the new year, as I listen Lachie's continuous coughing, is to ask for a referral to a specialist for his asthma/allergy ongoing problems. I think he's is on too much medication and it's not under control.

So there you have it, I've made a few goals.

Wishing all a happy New Year and thank you for your support and encouragement over the last year.

CHRISTMAS RECAP

2011-12-25T14:26:00.000-08:00

We all had a lovely Christmas, of course it started rather early in the morning with the kids wanting to see what was under the tree.

The biggest hits?

A new bigger bike for Sophie

Trampoline Basketball. We shifted the backboard higher, bought a new ring and dragged the trampoline down. Best game ever!!!!
(I now have room for 2 more raised vege beds)

My very unexpected and coolest gift ever, a genuine (rust bubbles, dirt and all) kombi badge! Yes I know most people reading this blog would go huh? But I think this is awesome.

CHRISTMAS EVE

2011-12-24T03:40:00.000-08:00

We started our little family tradition few years ago where we cook a lovely meal, the kids get to open one present, sparklers are set off on dark and we take kooky photos.

Don't you just love it when you hold out a camera to take a photo of yourself.

I decided it was time to buy a Christmas dinner set for our special meal. I picked up 2 x 4 place settings for $6 each at Spotlight. I wasn't looking to spend much, so these were perfect and I have extras for when I drop a couple.

Wishing everyone a very happy Christmas tomorrow, I'm off to help Santa with some presents.

GINGERBREAD FUN

2011-12-23T03:00:00.000-08:00

This years gingerbread ended up being sad men, evil men, dancers with tutus, gingerbread men with belly button rings and a DC brand logo that Lachie is holding up.

We did of course make the more normal looking gingerbread men for our neighbours and friends, we keep the weird ones all for ourselves!

ECOLOGIE ORGANICS

2011-12-19T20:38:00.000-08:00

Well I am truely in heaven now that Sharyn and her lovely family have opened up a bricks and mortar shop here in Mt Gambier. If you have followed my blog for a while, you would know that I love Sharyn's home delivery service of organic produce. While at times I have stopped using the service due to personal circumstances, I have always believed that our community is in great need of it. Now you have the opportunity to see the products for themselves, and boy, there's a lot to see!!!

Don't you just love the decor in this shop. The old door wall is gorgeous and the concrete floor suits the business perfectly.

So to anyone that lives or passes through our town, please take a wander to Ecologie Organics on Commercial St West and support a wonderful locally owned and operated business that is truely a blessing to have.

2012 PLANS, GOALS ETC.

2011-12-18T20:46:00.000-08:00

Thank you for your well wishes yesterday, I think it was a 24 hour bug as while I'm not feeling myself, I'm certainly a lot better.

As I spent the day on the couch I had time to reflect how far I'd come this year and what my goals would be in 2012. I'm not into New Year's resolutions as such. I believe when the time is right for change then make the change don't wait for the start of a new year to do it.

The good thing about being sick is that I have been about to break the cycle of my one addiction (aside from all of my craft addictions that is), diet coke!!!! I loathe myself for drinking it and every day I wake up saying that I won't touch the poison, yet for some reason I have been unable to break free from it's chemical claws. I am feeling very strong (just the thought of diet coke makes me want to vomit) and I know that a week from now I won't crave it anymore.

I try really hard to feed my family from scratch, some days this feels impossible, but with the school holidays started, I feel more in control and will certainly be stepping up my efforts to produce great wholesome, non-processed foods that my family will all enjoy. I am on holidays from work for 7 weeks also, this gives me time to do just what I want to do to become more self reliant and see how much money I can save by being at home.

As the day has worn on I am feeling much better, so much so that I went out and picked the plums before the birds get them. I am always amazed this time of year how many birds are around that are never here any other time. They wait until the fruit is just right and before you get a chance to pick it, it's gone. This happens year after year to a huge plum tree at the back of our property. It's too big to net so timing of the picking has to be spot on. I have been monitoring the fruit for the last couple of weeks and now is definately the time to grab some. I hope to hop up a ladder tomorrow to collect some more.

I'm off to wash my fruit and make some yummy jam.

DOWN FOR THE COUNT.....

2011-12-17T14:06:00.000-08:00

Back soon, I have a stomach flu that is nasty!!!!!

DECEMBER 10 2011

2011-12-10T02:01:00.000-08:00

Today is Lachie and Sophie's birthdays.

Lachie turns 11.

Sophie turns 8.

(fyi - they both look very tired in this photo due to their friends sleeping over last night)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, YOU BOTH MAKE ME SO PROUD.

IN THE PATCH

2011-12-04T23:14:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I spent the morning weeding and pulling up some vegetables.

Sadly this year's garlic crop was very poor indeed, the bulbs are small and a lot were rotten, I guess I expected more as last year's crop was fantastic.

The onions and leeks weren't much better, about a month ago I noticed they both had gone to seed overnight! I only have a few onions drying and some of those are ones that went to seed that I will use in stocks etc.

On a more positive note, the tomatoes are looking lovely, I like to have a longer season and plant tomatoes in the hot-house as well as outside in the raised beds.

hot-house crop

raised bed crop

Sophie and I picked our first lot of loganberries for the season, yummy! The raspberries should be ready in a few days.

My luffas are growing well it will be interesting to see how well they produce.

A BIT OF VINTAGE FOR CHRISTMAS

2011-12-03T22:00:00.000-08:00

Over the last few years I've found myself decorating less and less for Christmas. It used to take me hours to take down existing pictures etc and replace everything with something Christmassy, now the kids decorate the tree with vintage and handmade ornaments, I put up their stockings lovingly made by my Mum, I add a few extras to our lounge-room and we are done.

I would like to sew some bunting with some gorgeous vintage inspired fabric I purchased last Christmas but I'm not sure I will have time this year, oh and make an advent display.

WE'RE BACK!!!

2011-12-03T19:45:00.000-08:00

Actually we got back at around 11pm Thursday night after deciding that we really just wanted to come home and be in our own beds that night. Sophie had sports day on Friday and she really wanted me back to watch her, so we packed up the car and headed for home around 6pm.

It's taken me this long to catch up on housework, cooking and gardening so I'm only just getting around to post about our fantastic week.

Last Sunday we arrived in Adelaide, spent some time with Elaine (who we were staying with) then headed down to Glenelg, Gliderol Stadium for a practice session with the coach and mentor of the week, Locky Adams. The kids were put through their paces then presented with their shirts, cap and shorts for the week.

Monday 28th November 2011: Our 2 games were played at Kensington Gardens Reserve, lucky for us it was pretty much around the corner from where we were staying. Offical photos were taken, then the first of our 20/20 matches began.

Lachie is in the front right in the middle.

Round 1
Lachie opened the batting and made 3 runs, he was runout because he didn't tell the other batsman what side of the pitch to run on and they ran into each other. He learnt from that mistake pretty quickly.

Lachie got one wicket and a runout. He actually dropped the catch, picked it up, threw the ball at the stumps and hit them resulting in the runout. We laughed as he must have been mad at himself for dropping the catch and I don't think he could have done that again if he tried!!!!

Round 2
Lachie was rested for the batting, as there were 12 boys, they all had a turn during the week of resting in either batting or bowling.

He opened the bowling, bowled 2 overs, both maiden.

Tuesday 29th November 2011: We were at Park 25 (Lachie's favourite oval)
Round 3
Lachie was captain this round and the won this match.

He made 5 runs and took 1 catch. No one could believe the catch, he juggled it about 8 times, ended up on his knees and turned 180 degrees while still juggling and finally managed to hold it.

Round 4
Lachie took 1 catch, bowled two very good overs and didn't get to bat as he was down the list.

The boys got to watch a touring English team practice on the turf nets, they were awesome!

Wednesday 30th November 2011: They played the round 5 at Gordon Brown oval at St Marys, then round 6 at Unley High School due to the ground being too wet. We all went out to dinner that night at Henley Beach and the boys all played beach cricket, of course!
Round 5
Lachie made 9 runs with one 4 in that and was then ran out. He bowled really well once again for his 2 overs. The boys won this round.

Round 6
Lachie caught 1 catch on the boundry, got a wicket, LBW and didn't get to bat this round.

Thursday 1st December 2011: Played round 7 at Adelaide High and round 8 at Park 25.
Round 7
Lachie got one catch, 1 wicket (bowled him) and opened the batting. Unfortunately he was out for a duck, nice shot but a very clever catch from the fieldsman.

Round 8
The boys won this last match.

Lachie opened the bowling, 1 maiden over and 2 runs off the other over. He made a catch but was declared a no-ball :( He then made 3 runs not out to finish the day.

Over all it was an amazing experience for the boys, they had such a great week and they all should be very proud of the way they played. I now know how to get around Adelaide and next year should be a little easier to get around.

Lachie with Locky Adams. Locky was an amazing coach to the boys, he was fun and they all loved chatting to him and learning lots about what it's like to be in the "big league".

PREPARING

2011-11-24T17:47:00.000-08:00

Myself, Darren's mum and the 2 boys are off to Adelaide early Sunday morning for Lachie's week of cricket. There is quite a bit of preparing to do, the little things like figuring out where I have to be each day as they play on a different ground every day.

I'm busy buying and preparing food for the left behind family members and working out what we will take food wise with us.

I don't make trips like this, I'm not a city girl and get rather tense before I go anywhere. I do know that once we get there and find our bearings we will be fine.

I've been working all week to earn some extra money for the trip and now I'd better get back to washing, cooking and cleaning.

See you in a week.

CHANGE IS GOOD

2011-11-16T02:36:00.000-08:00

After a month of looking at things in my life a little differently and trying to work out how not to be overwhelmed by it all, I have finally made a few decisions.

I have stepped down as a moderator over at the Down To Earth forum (hopefully only for a while). I am no longer moderating and organising 2 international swaps on Flickr (Scrappy Mug Rug & Doll quilt Swap). I will not be taking on any more special orders for people regarding my craft therefore only sewing what I want to sew, when I want to sew it and with the materials I want to use. I do however have one more order to complete before Christmas.

I will be spending the time I have at home as I would having a paid job. It's not like I laze around doing nothing now, but Sherri really got me thinking about how I value my time. I intend to be even more organised and plan my days better. For those of you who know me, know how I love lists and being organised so I look forward to the challenge.

As for my 2 part-time jobs, for the moment I will be keeping them as the extra money is needed until the middle of next year, then who knows.

OUR WEEKEND....

2011-11-12T16:15:00.000-08:00

Finally some lovely warm weather for our weekend. I can't believe I am in a t-shirt! Once again the boys are busy with cricket but I took some time out from my supporting role to get busy at home.

The warm weather gets me thinking about & eating this yummy food.

Almond milk was made, delicious!

and carb loaded snacks were cooked for the sporting family members to take away with them.

Out in the garden I've been cleaning out the chook house and spreading aged poo, planting lots of strawberry plants and erecting supports for my hardened off tomatoes.

(please ignore the nasturtium mess around the beds, they were looking so pretty until I spent the morning stomping all over them)

Not many people I know get excited about little pieces of green fruit on trees, well I do as some of these trees are having their first fruiting season and I'm think how each year there will be more and more fruit to sustain us.
Apples

Apricots

Quince

Cherry

Berries

Lemons

Kiwi Fruits are growing

Thanks for visiting, I'm off with Sophie to clean out her room, wish me luck!!!!

YES, IT'S CRICKET AGAIN

2011-11-09T03:12:00.000-08:00

Cricket takes over our lives this time of year with 3 Brown family members playing what seems an endless stream of matches and trainings, there really doesn't feel like a lot of time for much else. Lucky I really love watching my loved ones play isn't it?

At 6:15am this morning I was nearly bursting with pride as Lachie and I opened the newspaper to find his name selected into the Under 12's Lower South East Country Cup Squad for 2011-12. He will spend a week in Adelaide playing 8, 20/20 matches in four days.

For those readers that have been around this blog for a while, this is the squad that Lachie nearly got into this time last year. He was told to try out this year as they wanted to take the older players (he was only 9) and he was diagnosed with whooping cough the week of the final tryout and wasn't really well enough to play.

I'm pretty sure once again he is the youngest in the team as most are turning 12 or are 12 years old, Lachie is 10. Congratulations Little Browny!!!!!

Speaking of being proud, Dan has been selected to play in the under 16's squad for Burdon Shield. He is also the youngest in that team and he plays his 2nd game this Sunday. Dan's junior & senior season is going really well, this boy just keeps going and going. Well Done Dan.

I haven't forgotten our sweet Sophie, here she is enjoying a bit of sunshine last week at the cricket.

GOOD MORNING

2011-11-06T18:45:00.000-08:00

Well actually it's afternoon here & I have no idea where the day has gone. It's beautiful and sunny, 28 degrees they say, but I only know that by looking out windows. I have just spent 4 hours cleaning out my boy's room. It's a job I keep glossing over, they tidy up a little (more like piling junk behind their beds) and this morning as I walked and tripped into their room to wake them for school, I decided something drastic had to be done before I break my neck.

Boys are gross!!!! Mine are nearly 15 & 11. Their room smells really bad every morning and no wonder with the old dirty socks, jocks and other stuff I found under their beds. So with garbage bags in hand I moved stuff around (it's amazing where they shove rubbish), I cleaned out all of their drawers and I dusted and vacuumed. I have bags for St Vinnies, bags for the bin and bags for a friend and I'm done.

TAKE NOTE BOYS & KEEP IT THIS WAY!!!!!!

Tomorrow is Sophie's room, I'm so glad it's smaller but boy is she a hoarder!!!!

THANK YOU

2011-10-24T19:49:00.000-07:00

Thank you friends for your comments yesterday. Today I took the advise of my lovely online friend Rose and I have pretty much done whatever I've felt like doing. A bit of cooking and a bit of gardening and now I'm going to enjoy doing a tapestry that my mum gave me for my birthday last year.

Impossible Quiche - recipe from Rhonda at Down To Earth.

Bottling the last of the beetroot.

Planting out some new herbs with the more mature ones.

I AM A HOMEMAKER

2011-10-23T23:05:00.000-07:00

I don't know how to describe how I'm feeling other than 'not quite right'. I'm healthy enough so that's a good thing but there is so much going on in my head, so many things I want to achieve and I simply don't know where to start.

I thought that doing a monthly market would make me happy. Turns out I spend way too much stressing over making products and it's beginning to affect my family. I know I'm trying to contribute to our income but when it comes down to it, I'm spending heaps on supplies (I've given up adding the dockets), using any spare time to create products, and I can't even put a decent price on them for fear of not selling enough.

I am considering leaving my 2 part time jobs at the end of the year. My job as a quilt teacher is barely existent. I usually have to cancel the class especially when only 2 students are coming. I would rather spend my time at home with my family than go to work for 3 hours and earn next to nothing for my effort.

My other job as a playgroup leader is good consistant work but I know I could use that time at home cooking, cleaning or gardening and therefore saving money.

I really feel that my job is as a homemaker, it's where I want to be. I am very lucky to have such a supportive husband who insists that I do whatever makes me happy. We don't have a lot of money, we stick to a very tight budget that has now become tighter due to Dan going to England in 2013 to play school cricket. What I do know is that even on one wage we will get him there through how we live our lives, how I budget and becoming a better, more efficient home-maker.

Sorry for the rambling, it seems I have some decisions to make.

THIS WEEK

2011-10-18T20:36:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone that responded to my post about my drier. As you can see, it's now gone and I have somewhere to put my laundry basket. Now that it is gone I am reminded of the wall behind that needs plastering! I had better get onto that.

:: I spent some time potting up my tomato plants from the seed trays. There should be a bumper crop for sauce this season.

:: Toothless Sophie seems to be getting quite rich from the tooth fairy!

:: Our car has cost a lot of money this week, a new exhaust, 2 new tyres, a service and a faulty fuel gauge grrrr. Oh and 2 weeks ago, a new battery. Our car is 6 years old and this is the first time we've had to spend money on it, everything just seems to happen at once thats all.
:: It's all go with the cricket season, junior & senior cricket as well as special squad try-outs. I'm not sure where I'll be finding the time to sew for the next market.

CRICKET SEASON 2011/12

2011-10-15T03:08:00.000-07:00

and so it begins....

We started off the competion season with Lachie being picked by his team-mates as the captain for under 12's West blue team. He was all smiles that his team wanted him as their captain. Congratulations Lachie!!!!!

Lachie opened the bowling and got the first wicket for the season. After the break he took over as wicketkeeper and caught the first catch for the season.

Dan played his first game in under 16's today.

He bowled really well and only gave away 2 runs in 3 overs, he then took a great catch. Great job Dan!!!!! Now that he's in under 16's he's the small kid again, some of these kids seriously look like giants! I don't know what they get fed but they are huge.

Dan starts off his senior C grade competition next week and Darren starts in D grade next week also.

GO WEST GAMBIER!!!!!!!!!

CHEESIMITE SCROLLS

2011-10-10T19:18:00.000-07:00

THEY WERE DELICIOUS!!! Sorry, I don't have a recipe, I just made one up. Basically it's a yummy cob loaf bread recipe rolled out into 'snakes' after rising, smeared with vegemite and sprinkled with cheese then rolled into scrolls.

ON MY MIND

2011-10-09T18:51:00.000-07:00

I want to get rid of my drier, ideally I would like to sell it as I can't give it to the Salvos as they don't accept electrical goods. This has been playing on my mind for ages. I know I can do without it, yet having it sitting there, I sometimes use it for convenience.

Some would say that it is a neccessity where I live, I disagree. When our last drier packed up, I had children in cloth nappies and at the time thought that way too. Now the children are older, I have other alternatives for our cold, wet climate. Of course on days when there is no rain, I use our old hills hoist in the middle of our yard where every clothesline deserves to be in an Aussie yard. When things are a little damp, I have another line under shelter that I use for things I may not need that day.

Our other option is our inside clothes horse. I love this fold away line and use it constantly. Yes, for most of the year our home can sometimes look like a chinese laundry.

So why do I use the drier? Well I guess I don't plan well enough and sometimes it's laziness. Underwear is probably the main thing I pop in there as I sometimes can't be bothered pegging it all up. When I think about it, there are so many clothes I can't put in the drier anyway, so it's time to ditch it. Has anyone else ditched the drier for another way of drying?

SUNSHINE AT LAST

2011-10-02T22:57:00.000-07:00

bare feet

daisy chains

one very excited pug

What a lovely spring day especially after the freezing weather we've been having over the last week. Lachie came up with yet another classic during the cold spell. "Dad, I think the weather has re-wintered" LOL!!!!!

CHALLENGES OF THE SELF RELIANT

2011-10-02T00:17:00.000-07:00

While we are down to one car and that car being a sedan, there are times when I need a little more room. My first challenge of the day was to try and fit 4 bales of lucerne hay and 2 kids into the car without hay getting spread everywhere. It was a tight fit but I did it and after a little bit of car cleaning the hay is happily under a tarp ready to be used as mulch.

Something I've been struggling with is freezer space especially now that I have given up the bottom shelf to Darren to keep his bait and ice for fishing in (he re-uses 2 litre milk containers by filling them with water to freeze.) He was using a small old fridge up in the shed and his Waeco to freeze the ice and bait. Do you know how much power that wastes!!!! So the fridge and Waeco are now turned off and we are down to one appliance. One of the main reasons for buying my canner last month was to reduce the amount of food I have to put in the freezer like my chicken stock I make. I was gifted about 6 dozen fowlers jars by a lovely lady and a lot of them are the smaller size 20 jars. They are perfect for stocks and soups as they hold about 3 cups. I used my pressure canner for the first time today to preserve my stock. So quick and easy and now they will go into the pantry. The colour is really intense, when I freeze stock the colour is nearly clear yet by pressure canning this is the colour of the stock.

Does anyone else have a pressure canner? Have you noticed a change in colour? What about flavour? I would love to hear from those who have.

Out in the patch, my tomatoes, basil and capsicums are happily growing in the hot-house.

We are picking beetroot this week and the onions and leeks are going strong.

I will leave you with a photo of Heidi. Awwww look how she likes to rest her head on her paws on her favourite toy.

BUDGETING

2011-09-29T16:28:00.000-07:00

I've had to re-visit my budget this month. A couple of things have happened like us changing our loan to buy Darren a 4WD as his car was finally beyond repair, and in the same week, Dan came home from school with the opportunity to go to England for 3 weeks to play cricket for the school in 2013. So as you can see, we are taking being frugal to the next level. Last week I was offered 2 more part time jobs but I simply could not fit them in with my other jobs and family life, I was hoping to get an extra morning at one of my jobs but the lady I work with needs her days also at the moment. Oh and lets not forget that in March next year I am driving the kids to visit my sister in Muswellbrook and then heading north for another 7 hours to take them to the Gold Coast. This trip has been in the making for years and we had already paid for accomodation in Queensland before this other stuff came up.

So I looked at our budget and I have to say that I'm pretty happy with it, it's an excel spreadsheet with every conceivable amount that I have to pay throughout the year divided by 26 to give us fortnightly amounts to save. I have now decided that there are some things that I should keep at home as cash so I can't spend over what I have.

I made up these pouches originally to sell at my market but as I looked at them yesterday, I thought how perfect they would be for money pouches. I stamped some linen, cut it out and hand stitched the panel to the front of each pouch. I love the way they look and I will happily keep my money in them.

Our other way of saving is this tin. Any spare change now goes into it as well as all of the can recycling money and my market money.

I am really looking forward to the challenge of saving all of this extra money and I know we as a family will make it happen with just a few little changes to our lives.

IN OUR KITCHEN TODAY

2011-09-27T16:17:00.000-07:00

So sorry for not being around much but I have been flat out busy preparing for markets (as seen over at SUE*SEWN).

Today I really need to concentrate on preserving excess vegetables. Here's my list....

:: ~~freeze avocados - mash avocado, add lemon juice & freeze in portions.~~
:: ~~dry mushrooms - dehydrator.~~
:: zucchinis - make vege bake and freeze in portions.
:: ~~carrots - blanche then freeze.~~
I will also be making soup, ~~slow cooked curried sausages,~~ ~~bread~~ and cakes for school snacks.
EDITED TO ADD
I've also shelled peas and blanched broccoli and made a huge pot of chicken stock in the pressure cooker. I'll be doing it this way from now on, it's so fast!

I don't think I will get the rest done today, too much other stuff to do.

BIRTHDAY STASH.....

2011-09-15T03:09:00.000-07:00

I feel so lucky, here's what I received from family for my birthday. I have to admit I picked out my presents except for the ones in the last photo.

MY VERY OWN PRESSURE CANNER!!!! This will be awesome for all of my preserving.

This hand-painted canvas is huge, I wish I could properly show you the texture. It's gorgeous, is perfect for our lounge and it was 1/2 price :)

Some new flats that I desperately needed, also 1/2 price.

and lastly my very special presents that the kids bought me. Lachie got me one of my favourite movies, The Castle. He knew that I'd been trying to find a copy of it for a long, long time. Sophie bought me the magnet, it's so sweet and so thoughtful. Dan gave me a big hug, I love that he still wants to hug me.

THE WEEK SO FAR.......

2011-09-12T03:23:00.000-07:00

Just when we had a plan financially, Darren's 4 wheel drive died for the last time yesterday when he was fishing. We simply can't spend any more money on it, it doesn't owe us anything, we've had it for a long, long time but I wish we could have gotten a few more years out of it :(

On another note, Lachie left on his school camp this morning, he was so excited as this is his first camp. I miss him already :(

Sophie got her tap dancing results back, she was so happy as she was highly commended for her exam.

I am spending my last night as a 40 year old re-doing our budget to try and save money for another fishing car for Darren.

Good night everyone, when I wake up tomorrow I'll be 39 LOL. Sophie believed me when I told her that :)

10 YEARS

2011-09-11T00:57:00.000-07:00

10 years ago I was feeding my baby in front of the television when the channel had a newsflash. A plane had flown into one of the twin towers. I remember thinking "how is this possible?" As I watched the tower burn, another plane crashed into the second tower. All I could think as I sat there was "what are the odds of that? Did something happen to the flight paths?" It took a second or two to register that this was not an accident.

10 years ago my way of thinking was changed
10 years ago I mourned for so many people
10 years ago I sat numb, not being able to understand how this could happen in my world.
10 years ago I cried, as I still do today.

This event is impossible to forget. Lives changed forever even across the other side of the world. I remember that my good friend took me out to lunch the day after 9/11 for my birthday. We just sat unable to talk, we ate in silence as we both knew that if we spoke we would once again burst out crying.

Daniel was 4 when this act of terror happened, he was at kindy and it didn't matter how I tried to shelter him from 9/11, it was everywhere, on every channel, people talking, they even discussed it at kindy. I never wanted that to happen, he was upset enough just hearing it from others. He could sense how upset people were and he had nightmares thinking that the bad man was going to crash a plane into our home.

While I felt so incredibly sad and venerable, I made my first doll size quilt to be sent as an anonymous gesture to a family affected by 9/11.

These quilts were made by quilting groups hoping that the families receiving them would feel some small comfort in knowing that although we were on the other side of the world, we were thinking and praying for them.

Life goes on, the human spirit truely is amazing.

GOOD FOOD IS WORTH PAYING FOR

2011-09-07T22:06:00.000-07:00

For those who know me, I stick to a pretty tight budget. Not only do I enjoy keeping our finances on track but I believe that a good budget is essential.

When it comes to food I love a bargain as much as the next person, but lets face facts, to get that bargain who is it hurting? I could talk about fresh produce and the pathetic amount farmers are paid for their goods and how supermarkets hold them to ransom but I'm pretty sure most readers know that already. What I really want to say is that we should be paying more for good quality, nutritious, fresh food. It should be put in the budget as a priority and cut out some of the not so neccessary things on there.

Some people complain that eating healthy is far too expensive, really? Look at all of the health issues related to eating a poor diet all of your life, think about how you feel on the inside, not so great I bet. The same people that complain to me still manage to buy new clothes and shoes on a whim, yet just can't see how eating so much processed junk is affecting them and their families.

So where this is leading is, I have decided once again to take on my weekly box of fruit and vegetables from Ecologie Organics. I used to get these boxes delivered but with a lot of health issues with my parents and the travel related to that, I found I was wasting too much food. I am now back on track with cooking everything from scratch and can't wait to get our first box on Friday.

Of course being organic costs more and so it should. I will be suplimenting my delivery with vegetables from our own garden and a weekly trip to our local market to pick up any extras we may need. I find I am spending less time and money in supermarkets, I don't have the need to buy much at all from them as I can get most foods from specialty shops around town. The quality is better and fresher and I am also buying as local as possible.

So think about what you are eating and what you are paying for food, if it's cheap processed junk or even cheap 'fresh produce' from a supermarket someone is paying the price.

KALE CHIPS

2011-09-05T03:11:00.000-07:00

Who would have thought that a type of cabbage would be so yummy as chips? They are delicious.

edited: I've been asked for the recipe so here it is.

1 bunch of kale
1 Tbsp of olive oil
1 tsp sea salt.

Pre-heat oven to 150 degrees, wash and dry kale (I used a salad spinner).
Tear kale into chip size pieces.
Pour olive oil over hands and gently massage it through the kale.
Add sea salt and toss to combine.
Lay out the chips on a tray in a single layer and bake for 10 minutes.
Remove the crunchy chips and place tray back in the oven, keep removing the cooked chips every 2 minutes or so until all done.

Enjoy.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

2011-09-03T18:01:00.000-07:00

To all of those wonderful Dads out there.

This is my wonderful Dad, he has taught and given me so much over the years and I love him with all of my heart.

My Dad is not a well man, to see him suffer is so hard but I will give just about anything to have more father's days with him. So Dad, have a wonderful day, you are my rock, I love you xxx

Now onto another amazing father. I am in love with this man, he laughs, plays and takes care of us and is just a hands down wonderful Dad.

the back of a card that Lachie made Darren. We all had lots of giggles over this one, cheeky boy!!!!!

SOAP SOAP GLORIOUS SOAP

2011-09-01T16:52:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure why it has taken me so long to take the plunge into making my own soap. I've had all of the supplies sitting around for a year or so and yet just didn't take the step of actually making the soap.

It was so quick and easy to make and so very cheap. I fork out quite a bit of money for good quality animal free soap and when you add this up over a year, my goodness, I can't believe I didn't do this sooner!

This soap should definately keep me and my family clean for a while and when I am down to the last 5 or so bars I will make sure it's on my list of to do things for that week so we will always have a constant supply.

Now just to wait out the 4 to 6 weeks until it's ready.

CURRIED BEANS ANYONE?

2011-08-28T00:37:00.000-07:00

Okay, not the most inviting name for a dish I must admit but I made up this recipe and they are delicious, in fact, I'm trying them out as we speak.

I'm learning so much with my 30 day vegan course and after watching how a pressure cooker can very quickly cook up dried beans I knew I had to have one. I found a pressure cooker for 1/2 price at Woolworths, used it for a quick soak method for the beans, then cooked in it.

Want to know how I did this? Well read on.....

I put 2 cups of rinsed white beans (navy) in the cooker and double the amount of water of the beans. Sealed the lid and put it on the stove on high until the pressure was up. Turned back to a simmer for 3 minutes and took it off the heat. I let the beans stand for 1 hour then rinsed them under water.

Recipe for curried beans

1 Tbls olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1/2 capsicum, chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 carrot, sliced
quick soaked white beans
1 can of diced tomatoes
2 tsp tomato sauce
2 tsp soy sauce
2 tsp plum sauce
2 tsp chutney
2 tsp curry powder
salt and pepper
water to cover
parsley to decorate

Heat olive oil in pressure cooker, add onion, capsicum and garlic and cook for 2 minutes. Take off heat and add all other ingredients. Add double the amount of water to ingredients, seal the lid and when cooker is up to pressure, cook for 15 minutes.

Take off heat and let sit until pressure comes down.

Enjoy.

YOGA

2011-08-27T04:51:00.000-07:00

I have turned to yoga at different times in my life, be it taking classes, learning from books and DVD's at home and becoming a Les Mills Body Balance instructor.

I have many things that occupy my time but the one thing that is constant in my life is health and well being. I need to nurture my body and soul and yoga makes me feel calm yet energised, happy and confident.

There is so much to learn, it's not just about the poses as some may think, I have been considering taking on a preparatory teaching certificate for a while now, not neccessarily to teach yoga but for my own personal interest and growth.

Today I decided to start my mornings like I used too, with yoga. The sequence I used is from an edition of Australian Yoga Journal.

1. Urdhva Hastasana (Upward Salute)
2. Uttanasana (Stranding Forward Bend)
3. Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-Facing Dog Pose)
4. Adho Mukha Svanasana, variation (Three-Legged Dog Pose with hip open)
5. Anjaneyasana (Low Lunge)

These 5 poses awaken your body. Upward Salute stretches the front body, forward bending brings blood to the brain and Downward Dog enlivens your limbs and spine. The three-legged Dog stretches the hips and Low Lunge opens the heart.

I repeat this sequence 3 times, following with Sun Salutations.

VEGAN PIZZA

2011-08-22T03:49:00.000-07:00

I have to admit I had a few reservations about making a pizza without cheese. I nearly caved, especially when I made the rest of the family the pizza below.

I was really suprised with the taste of my pizza and I have to say, I didn't miss the cheese at all.

SOAKING AND COOKING

2011-08-20T21:31:00.000-07:00

That's the theme of today in the kitchen.

burghul and chick peas soaking

School snacks are made for the coming week.

Muesli bars

cakes made with CWA's basic cake recipe. Sophie says they are delicious.

3 DAYS IN

2011-08-18T05:12:00.000-07:00

with my 30 days as a vegan and I'm loving it. The recipes are fantastic and I'm feeling very positive that I can do this.

I finally have my grains etc sorted out and my pantry looks fantastic. I was showing the pantry to Darren at lunch today and said how different it looked from 5 years ago. There really isn't much in there that is processed, it's all good, healthy whole foods that I use every day to make nutritious meals and snacks for our family. We have shelves of preserves, pasta sauce and tomato sauce, buckets of bread mix and flours, glass jars full of grains, nuts, pasta and flour. There are some tins in there, like tuna, beans and other vegetables and up the top is a shelf with the sweet snack ingredients eg. choc bits for treats for the kids.

Tonight for dinner I had fried rice, we have swapped to an organic brown rice and it's really yummy, but the one thing that made this fried rice the best rice I've ever made is instead of regular soy sauce I used tamari. I don't think I will ever go back, it's delicious.

I can't wait to try out some more recipes tomorrow.

30 DAY VEGAN

2011-08-15T04:13:00.000-07:00

Being a vegetarian that all too frequently falls off the wagon, I've decided to join in on being a vegan for 30 days. I'm signed up and am now doing some prep work like sorting out recipes for week 1 and organising my pantry ready for my 30 days to begin.

I am hoping that after the 30 days I will continue down this path or at least as a vegetarian that doesn't stray.

Yes I am aware that it is the summer series and we are definately in winter but not to worry, just some seasonal changes in foods and it's all good.

OH YUMMY!!!!!

2011-08-12T05:00:00.000-07:00

I purchased this ice cream maker with the money I made from selling a quilt this week and I have to tell you, it makes THE BEST ice cream I think I've ever tasted. I made vanilla today and next time I want to make fresh strawberry ice cream.

The main reason for buying this machine was to cut out the additives like anti-freeze, price had a lot to do with it also, I can't believe the price they ask for ice cream at the shops.

We don't eat a lot of ice cream, but I can see that may change a little as the kids are already asking for lots of different flavours. It's a treat in our home and what a yummy treat to have.

THIS WEEK ON BROWN'S AANAARDEN

2011-08-09T21:13:00.000-07:00

I'm trying to be clever, is it working? Aanaarden is dutch for hill, my dad is dutch and I like to learn new words.

:: Payed $30 for 17kg of Pink Lady apples, washed them to remove residue and am using the dehydrator non-stop.
:: After waiting a week for donated lemons to juice up, I am busy squeezing and freezing the juice.
:: Making delicious grainy bread to feed the munchkins after school each day.
:: Cooking up yummy snacks to fill their lunchboxes.
:: Grateful for a warm cozy home that is filled with love.
:: Smiles on Sophie's beautiful face before and after her tap exam
:: Dreaming of a wood fired pizza oven.
:: Happy that the girls are all laying again.
:: Waiting for some sunshine so we can eat once again from our garden.
:: Hoping that Daniel's ear infection improves quickly.
:: Feeling so blessed to be able to stay at home for most of the week to take care of my family.
:: Trying really hard to work out a new plan that keeps us in fresh food from the garden all year round.

How was your week?

WHAT AM I WAITING FOR?

2011-08-05T19:09:00.000-07:00

To feel better would be a start.

Work your magic chicken noodle soup.

WINTER NEWS IN THE PATCH

2011-08-01T00:05:00.000-07:00

photo source
I really want to try this method for growing my squash this summer. I plan to put up a wire trellis roof from the chook house to the yard fence, this will provide more shade in summer for the chooks as well as provide hanging space for the squash.

We bought in another trailer load of compost soil for the last of the round raised beds yesterday. It has gone right up in price and we got a lot less for our money this time round. Thank goodness this is the last load we have to buy. After work I will barrow it all in from the driveway.

I finally got around to planting out my garlic, I just hope I haven't left it too late. I bought a few bulbs from the nursery to plant and the rest is my garlic from last year's crop. My asparagus thinks it's spring, I have a small crop to cut for dinner tonight.

CHRISTMAS CAKE BAKE ALONG

2011-07-31T21:00:00.000-07:00

Over at Down to Earth we are hosting a Christmas cake bake along. I am about a month behind as I had to wait for Darren to make me my brandy for soaking. I am making 2 cakes as Darren insists that one cake simply won't be enough!

My fruit is happily soaking and will stay that way for another 4 weeks. All I have to remember to do at the moment is give the containers a good shake every day.

WEST GAMBIER ROOS

2011-07-31T20:45:00.000-07:00

Today was Dan's last game for the under 14's West Gambier Roos. Sadly the team did not make the finals but Dan is all smiles as next season he is back with all of his school mates in under 16's. He got a taste of playing with the 'big boys' a couple of matches ago when he lined up with his friends to play under 16's.

Dan was the only year 9 playing in the team this year, the rest were year 8's. Unfortunately because of where his birthday is, every second year his school friends leave him behind in footy and cricket to go up a grade.

It seems strange but Dan starts cricket training for senior grades tomorrow night. He can't wait to get back to his first sporting love.

Lachie's under 12A's team went out on a high today. Under 12's don't play finals but Lachie's team won for the second time for the season. Last week was their first win, there's been a couple of games where they have lost by 1 point so these kids were all smiles today.

Lachie will play in a display match before an under 14's semi final in a couple of weeks so he doesn't get to hang up his footy boots just yet.

Both boys have played awesome seasons and should be very proud of their achievements.

I KNOW, I KNOW....

2011-07-26T21:14:00.000-07:00

it's been a while but I do have an excuse. I love school holidays and my kids take up an awful lot of my time when they are home. I mean I have to be chef, taxi driver, referee, craft mama extraordinaire, chief accountant (so much more to factor into my budget in the holidays) and mega cleaner. Whew!!! I'm tired just thinking of the last 2 weeks, now my babies are back at school, I'm back at work and can't wait to get some gardening and renovating done around here.

Yesterday I had a win!!!! I was looking through a second hand store when I saw the table and chairs I have wanted for a long time. I couldn't believe my luck and quickly bought them. Our old dining table is just way too big for the area we have, not to mention, completely the wrong style. I smile whenever I walk past my 'new' purchase and am seriously considering painting each chair a different colour. The fifth chair in the photo is one I have had for a long time and I think it looks awesome with the others.

I will sell off the old table as well as a few other antique pieces to an auction house in a few weeks. These pieces of furniture just don't fit into our home anymore, it will be sad to see them go but I really need some room.

Now for some new curtains........

SCHOOL HOLIDAY SNACKS #2

2011-07-11T23:50:00.000-07:00

Lemon Jelly Slice

1/4 cup sugar
1 12 cups SR flour
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 egg white
cooking spray
TOPPING
1/2 cup sugar
2 heaped tablespoons custard powder
3/4 cup water
1/2 cup lemon juice (2-3 lemons)

Prehead oven 200 degrees. Place dry ingredients into a medium size mixing bowl. Melt butter and stir in egg white, pour into bowl mixing well. Lightly press into a slab tin that has been coated with cooking spray. Bake 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.

To make topping: Place sugar, custard powder and water in a medium saucepan, whisk until blended. Add in lemon juice, stirring constantly until mixture has boiled and is thick. Pour over base while both hot. Once cooled, cut into squares.

This recipe is a little high in sugar for my liking but good for a treat.

Recipe taken from Too Good To Be True 1 - Annette Sym

SCHOOL HOLIDAY SNACKS

2011-07-10T22:16:00.000-07:00

School holidays officially started today and I have decided to try out some new recipes for snacks. If the kids really like them, then I'll make them again for when school goes back. I was finding last term that I was making the same snacks over and over, so now is the perfect time to change that.

Today's snack: Jam Crumble Slice

2 cups self-raising flour
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 cup raw rolled oats
90g Flora Light margarine
1/4 cup skim milk
cooking spray
3/4 cup jam

Preheat oven to 180.
In a large mixing bowl combine all dry ingredients. Melt margarine, mix together with milk and add to dry mix.
Mix all ingredients together well. In a slab tin coated with cooking spray place a little more than half of the mixture over the base, pressing down with the palm of your hand. Warm jam slightly in microwave then spread evenly over base. Sprinle remaining dough over jam then press down with your hand until mixture is flattened. Bake 30-35 minutes or until golden brown on top. When cool cut into slices.

Recipe taken from Too Good To Be True 3 - Annette Sym

2011-07-06T03:31:00.000-07:00

Another meal I found a recipe for and now make from scratch.

Curried Sausages. My family assures me that they taste heaps better than the ones I used to make. I have to take their word for it as I don't eat meat.

This is how No.2 son came in the door tonight after footy training.

Today he was diagnosed with exercise induced asthma. Finally we are on the right track to helping him, the doctor we have been seeing this week has been wonderful, tests have been done and he is now trying to get used to using his puffer. The ventolin didn't help a lot tonight, but it's a trial to see what medication he needs in the future. When Lachie developed whooping cough in October last year we never dreamed we would be dealing with complications from it 9 months on. He has been incredibly sick at times and unable to train or play his sports which has been very upsetting for him as all he wants to be is a professional athlete when he gets older.

BITS & PIECES

2011-06-19T18:12:00.000-07:00

A new rug, so it doesn't look like I've just dumped our dining table in our kitchen. At least it looks like a dining area now.

A new book to record in.

A pile of "new" cleaning cloths made from an old worn out towel, cut into pieces, then overlocked.

WHAT IN THE WORLD IS SHE DOING?

2011-06-14T20:56:00.000-07:00

You may ask.

I'm making citrus cleaner.

One of my very talented co-moderators, Narelle, over at Down 2 Earth posted about making your own citrus cleaner.

All you do is fill a jar 3/4 full of white vinegar, add citrus peel and put a lid on it. Leave for a couple of weeks and feel free to keep adding peel as you go. It's that easy. When time is up, dilute with more vinegar and spray away.

My lemon spray smells so fresh on my bench tops.

THEY'RE WORKING TOGETHER!!!!!!

2011-06-13T00:44:00.000-07:00

and what a good job they did too.

Even Heidi tried to get in on the action.

The finished bed. I would have loved to put something productive in here, but with only a couple of hours of sunshine each day, I couldn't get anything to grow.

WHILE I WAS AT THE MARKET

2011-06-05T21:32:00.000-07:00

Sophie had a disco at her dance studio. She took her good friend Faith along with her as while she is friendly with everyone in her dance classes, she doesn't really have much to do with them as most go to different schools to her. So Faith came to keep her happy and to have a dance partner. I got to see the last hour after the market finished, they all were having so much fun.

Sophie now has 2 dance exams coming up as on Saturday she was asked to do her tap exam as well as her ballet, she is very excited about this.

The boys were at the footy for most of the day, both played exeptionally well I hear and Dan got one of the best player awards.

Speaking of Dan, he is home today with an infection in his throat where his tonsils used to be.

He has only 2 more dentist appointments to go (one is tomorrow) and his front tooth from the cricket ball accident will finally be fixed.

So to get you up to speed, 8 appointments with the first three trying to determine if the tooth was still viable by way of pulse tests and dry ice, a root canal, 3 re-packing of tooth, 4 x-rays and tomorrow bleaching, then next week final packing and sealing of the tooth. Dan's dentist has been awesome, it's like going to a comedy hour each visit, I have to admit I will miss the laughs when this is all over.

DAY OF THE NASTURTIUMS

2011-05-31T02:30:00.000-07:00

They're taking over.

The chooks are starting to lay again as their feathers slowly grow back.

Today's cooking was a hit.
Pastie Logs

Fruity Muesli Squares

I also made meatloaf and another impossible quiche for dinner.

MONTE CREAMS

2011-05-24T23:43:00.000-07:00

I've been asked to share this yummy recipe. WARNING!!!! stop eating at one or extra exercise may be needed to work them off.

Makes 25 biscuits

125g unsalted butter
1/2 cup caster sugar
3 tablespoons milk
1 1/2 cups self-raising flour
1/4 cup custard powder
1/3 cup desiccated coconut

FILLING
75g unsalted butter, sotened
3/4 cup icing sugar
2 teaspoons milk
1/3 cup jam

Preheat oven to 180 and line 2 trays with baking paper.

Cream butter and sugar, add milk and beat until combined. Sift flour and custard powder together and add to the bowl with the coconut. Mix to form a soft dough.

Roll mixture into small balls and place on trays, make sure they are spaced to alow for spreading, press with a fork.

Bake or 12 - 15 minutes until golden then transfer biscuits to a wire rack to cool completely before filling.

For filling, beat the butter and icing sugar in a small bowl until light and creamy. Beat in the milk.

Spread 1 bisuit with 1/2 teaspoon of filling and 1 with 1/2 teaspoon of jam then press togather.

Enjoy :)

TUESDAY'S COOKING

2011-05-24T03:20:00.000-07:00

MONTE CREAMS

RHONDA'S IMPOSSIBLE QUICHE click on the link for the recipe, it's so delicious!

CURRIED SAUSAGES

PUMPKIN SOUP WITH FRESHLY BAKED BREAD

OH BOY!!!!

2011-05-23T03:40:00.000-07:00

What have I done?

Yesterday I made a decision to pull out all of my old recipe magazines, rip out all of the recipes I wanted, glue them to A4 paper and put in a binder. Well that was my intention anyway, of course I had begun this exercise a while back, but wasn't happy with the books I had glued the recipes into, so of course I had to take out all of those as well.

This was my dining table this morning, as you can see I still have quite a bit to do but instead of getting stuck into it this morning, I decided to finally put all of the kids school books in order as they were stacked in our room and lots of other places around the house.

This was our bed this morning, as it is now night time, I have shifted all of the piles into our lounge room, sigh!!!!

These are organising jobs that just seem to get out of hand for me, I mean I've been meaning to do something about the school books for years, Dan is in year 9 at school and I'm only now sorting through his kindy stuff to see what to keep and what to throw. I have purchased a heap of plastic sleeve binders that I am putting some of the school work into for each year and then tossing the rest of the books into the recycling.

I find it very hard to toss out memories but I simply can not keep everything.

WELL HELLO THERE

2011-05-18T05:31:00.000-07:00

It certainly has been a while hasn't it? This past month has gone by so quickly and it's only been this week where I've managed to catch myself up to speed.

I've been feeling completely overwhelmed lately and haven't been able to get on top of anything. But this week I decided to cut back on outside work and am now only working 2 mornings and 1 night a week.

To be able to get up Monday morning, take the kids to school and spend some much needed time in the garden was a blessing. Just what I needed to get my head in the right space. The veges are doing great, we aren't picking anything at the moment unfortunately but everything is growing strong.

I've been spending quite a bit of time sewing, there was so much to catch up on and there is now going to be a winter market in June that I'm preparing for.

Sophie has been asked to do another ballet exam, grade 2 this time, she is so excited and over the moon that she was picked once again. This little girl so desperately wants to become a dance teacher when her class mates all want to be prima ballerinas, it makes me smile that this is what she wants to do, I'm so proud of her.

The boys are well and truely in footy mode, this is Dan's last year in under 14's and he has really stepped up to take on a more senior role. Lachie was promoted at the start of the season to under 12 A's. He's in with he big boys and loving every minute of it.

My cooking has taken an interesting turn as I am now sugar free in my diet. I'm not even missing chocolate!!! Cooking from scratch definately helps keep me in line as most packaged foods have an amazing amount of hidden sugars in them. I'll keep you updated on how this is going.

So this is my life for now, I hope to spend a lot more time in the garden, there's a lot of pruning and weeding to do and just being where I want to be, at home looking after my family.

xxxSue

SWEET POTATO ANYONE?

2011-04-24T23:09:00.000-07:00

I dug up my very first sweet potato today. Yes granted it's the only one, but I'm still excited.

I was able to get 2 fruit trees on special yesterday, the two-way pear went in the front yard today and hopefully the quince will go in back yard tomorrow. I want to espalier the quince so I need to dig holes and put in some posts.

SORRY.......

2011-04-23T21:23:00.000-07:00

for being so absent over here but it's school holidays and we've been super busy cooking, making and lazing around.

I thought I'd show you my folder. I keep lots of goodies in here including household recipes eg for soap & laundry powder. It also contains my seed catalogues, other pamphlets, labels and heaps more.

The folder sits happily with my cook books in our kitchen within easy reach.

I made up another batch of chicken stock this morning, each container has 2 cups of stock in it.

Have a wonderful Easter break.

Oh, I've started a seperate blog for health and fitness. Please feel free to check out "Mind Body & Me" the link is up the top to the right of this blog. I love reading your comments, they are always welcome.

IT WAS A DAY OF COOKING AND CLEANING

2011-04-12T04:13:00.000-07:00

The pantry had a bit of a makeover and now all of the preserves are together on a shelf where I can see what I have.

You may think it's a little odd to be cooking up lots of yummy goodies with bananas at the moment considering they are $14/kg. Well I happened to be in the right place at the right time the other day and grabbed a big bag full of ripe bananas for $3!!!! I couldn't believe my luck as I haven't had a banana in weeks, they just got past the point of me being able to afford them.

Banana and Raspberry Bread

Banana Cake with Choc/Vanilla Icing

I also picked up a big bag full of pears, I made rollups for the kids with those and a bag of tomatoes, both for $3 each, and made up a batch of passata. I wish I could come across bargains like these every week.

WOW!!! WHERE DID THE WEEK GO?

2011-04-08T00:15:00.000-07:00

I made up a batch of quince jelly through the week with the freebie quinces I received from Sharyn (Ecologie Organics) and I must say I'm now hooked on quinces. I'm really want my own tree now, I had no idea how yummy they are. I went looking for a tree today but couldn't find one young enough to espalier, so the search continues......

After ripping out all of my old veges this week, I've made a decision to only plant staples that my family eat most days. While I love to try out new beaut veges, I then find out that my family won't touch them and I am left with stacks of food to preserve that only I will eat.

After lots of thought I won't be planting corn any more. It takes ages to ripen and I have never got a good crop. The last lot was so disappointing, really tastless and hardly any fruit. Next year I also need to not plant as many zuchinni, there's only so much one person can cook and preserve.

IT'S FRIDAY

2011-04-01T04:24:00.000-07:00

We had Daniel's follow-up dentist appointment today from the cricket ball incident and the outlook isn't good. A couple of days ago I noticed that his front tooth was looking off colour, sadly after more tests today it was confirmed that the tooth is dead. He has another appointment next Wednesday with another dentist for some other tests and to work out when he will be having a root canal. This is sad news, I know how uncomfortable and painful root canals can be and I really am not happy about my 14yo going through that.

Some good news was waiting for me on our verandah when we returned home in the form of a large box of gifted quinces and pears. Sharyn from Ecologie Organics dropped them off for me as she didn't think she would have time to preserve any of her fruit this year. Thank you so much Sharyn, I will get to preserving the fruit this weekend.

I nearly forgot to show the photos of Darren's new boat.

Here is the old boat (don't you just love the name?)

and the new boat (nameless) with so much more room for all of us to move around on.

DINNER IS ON THE TABLE

2011-03-29T00:23:00.000-07:00

This would have to be my all time favourite vege bake. Full of broccoli, tomatoes, homemade pesto, pasta and pumpkin seeds, it's just so yummy.

This bake is from my very favourite vegetarian cookbook, 'very easy vegetarian cookbook' by Alison and Simon Holst. It's an older book from around 1998 and worth every cent if you can get your hands on a copy.

What are you having for dinner tonight?

THE LAST OF THE GIANTS

2011-03-21T20:35:00.000-07:00

Zucchini/marrow/squash season is officially over for this part of the world, early rains have brought the season to a standstill. I harvested what is left of our crop today and don't forget I still have 6 more black marrows in the fridge. The spaghetti squash will keep well in a cool dark place and I will use the zucchini/marrows in more pickles and vegetarian slices that I will freeze for the winter months.

This is all that is left of the tomatoes and melons in the hot-house after the girls decided that they would have a little peck around in there last week when I was out. Usually there is a piece of corrugated iron across the end so they can't get in but the wind must have blown it down without me knowing.

I have quite a bit of pulling out and re-planting to do in the week ahead.

10 BOTTLES OF SAUCE SITTING ON A BENCH....

2011-03-13T14:49:00.000-07:00

I couldn't believe how quickly Squeezo works. Such a time and wrist saver!!!!! One thing I did learn was not to use previously frozen tomatoes in him. They have too much liquid to push through and this does take a bit longer. Next season I will put the tomatoes through Squeezo first, then freeze while waiting for the whole crop to be ready.

We now have 7 litres of yummy homemade tomato sauce. The tomatoes and garlic were home grown but I had to buy the onions as I didn't have enough of our own.

CHEESO AND SQUEEZO

2011-03-10T19:32:00.000-08:00

Lachie came up with something funny in response to the goings on of the last few weeks.
"Mum, look what I got into" Showing me a letter to say he was through to the final selection for SAPSASA athletics.
"I didn't even try out for 2 of these events and I still got in, this must be just like cricket"

LOL!!!!

During the week I made feta cheese, it was exciting to watch the process.

After cutting the curds.

Ready to eat.

The initial taste was a bit salty from the brine but on the second taste, YUMMY!!!!

I halved the recipe as I don't own a big double boiler, so I went with the microwave directions but my microwave is tiny and I could only fit in a container that held 2 litres of milk.

Now onto Squeezo.....

He is my new best friend in the kitchen, without him I would not be able to make sauce this year because of this crazy virus I have affecting all of my joints (wrists and fingers are the worst affected). You just pop the fruit or veg in the top, squash it down, crank the handle and out comes the pulp, no skins or seeds. I was eyeing one of these beauties off online, but here in Australia they cost over $300. On ebay I found a slightly used one in America for $90, I had to pay $50 to get it here but that's still quite a saving. Squeezo with be a very handy addition to my preserving efforts. He is the other present I bought myself because Darren bought the boat (I must post about the boat soon).

WHAT A MONTH IT'S BEEN FOR CRICKET!!!!

2011-03-09T19:13:00.000-08:00

Gosh where do I start? Maybe with Daniel.

A couple of weeks ago Dan was picked for the West Gambier 10/10 squad made up of under 16 players and under 14's to fill the team. Sadly out of the 8 teams that participated, West came last but they all had a great day. Dan picked up a wicket so he was happy.

The day before the 10/10 match he made his highest not out score of 30 runs and the same day sub-fielded for senior D grade and got a runout. All in all a great weekend.

Then came Monday, Dan was trying out for the year 8/9 squad to go to Adelaide through the school cricket program and sadly once again just missed out. This time something needed to be said after all if we don't stick up for him, who will? Darren met with the selector last night and put quite a few valid points across to this coach that we had run-ins with last year. The same kids get selected, not on performance but who their dad is or what their last name is. Some of the kids selected didn't even try out and one has a broken collar-bone and was still picked. It's not good enough and we were over it.

So all being said, nothing will of course change for the squad but this coach needs to be made accountable for his actions and stop being so unfair. His reasons once again were simply that he wants big kids and Dan being shorter and quite skinny doesn't fit the bill. Talent wise, he admitted that Dan has everything that the others have, he just isn't big enough (meaning he can't hit 6's) What a load of shit!!!!

Now last weekend Dan's mouth and a cricket ball collided. There wasn't any visible damage, so we just shook it off and told him he'd be fine. Yesterday his pain got worse in one of his front teeth and today it was unbearable at times, I rang the dentist and was told to bring him in right away. They took a few xrays and did pulse tests on his teeth and thankfully there is not a fracture. We have to wait a few weeks and they will run the tests again because there is the risk there's tissue damage and the nerve may still die. The outcome is pretty positive due to his teeth still developing as they are couple of years behind where they should be so hopefully this will be the end of it.

Now, are you still with me? Lets go to Lachlan.

Lachie tried out a couple of weeks ago for the under 12 Future Champions, which are the best of the best under 12's around. Normally you have to be 11 or 12 to try out and are about to go into the under 14 side in the next year. Lachie only just turned 10 in December and placed as 12th man for both sides. The selector told us after that he was named 12th man as he still had 2 more seasons to be in the side and the older kids needed to be selected first. We couldn't be prouder of him and he had a great day last Sunday being out on the field for both sides. He only got to bowl one over and got a wicket!!!!!

The day before the Future Champions match, he made his highest not out score also with 26 runs. He made a 4 as well, the second one for the season.

Both boys have been playing senior cricket all season as well as there own teams, they have both really stepped up and the coaches seem to think that Lachie will go up to under 14's a year earlier than normal so that's positive that he's on the right track.

The season sadly ended for both teams last week with Lachie's team coming 5th on the ladder and Dan's team 5th also by half a point. They were stripped of points due to a rule that no-one was aware of by the association. That's another long story however that is hitting a sore point with both Dan, being the captain and Darren being the coach.

Sophie doesn't miss out on all of his cricket as she got to train South Australian junior selectors and 2 of the Australian Women's Cricket Team on the weekend. She had a ball and they kind of really liked her too. Sophie wants to play next season, but I'm not sure cricket and ballet really go hand in hand. We'll see.

CHEESEMAKING

2011-03-03T22:05:00.001-08:00

I finally get to try my hand at cheesemaking. I figured that since Darren bought a bigger boat (more on that later) then I would buy a couple of things that would help me out in the kitchen. This cheese kit and equipment is one of those things, I'm so excited and can't wait to begin but unfortunately we have a huge weekend ahead of us with cricket so I won't be making any cheese until Monday.

I decided to buy the soft cheese kit first up to get used to the process but what I really want to make lots of are hard cheeses. This is going to be quite a journey and I have a lot to learn but I am really looking forward to eating wonderful home-made cheese with heaps of flavour.

THIS WEEK

2011-02-28T18:53:00.000-08:00

Well my rash disappeared after a couple of very itchy days and in it's place all of my joints seized up. It was like what I imagine bad arthritis to be like. I haven't been able to do anything but today I'm starting to feel like my old self.

I wandered through the garden today and decided to do a little job of planting seeds as I still am unable to weed or dig.

Pots were made.

markers were printed and seeds were planted.

How do you keep your seeds? I used to have a pile of them thrown into a bag then a couple of years ago a friend and I spent some time making one of these boxes each. There are dividers for each month and the seeds to be sown are put behind the corresponding month. When the seeds have been planted, they are placed either back in their month or moved along to another month that I want to plant some more in.

DON'T I LOOK PRETTY?

2011-02-23T16:01:00.000-08:00

After 5 days of gastro last night I developed this rash all over my body. It's red and itchy and I'm really not happy. I don't think it's a food allergy as all I have eaten in the last 5 days is bananas and toast.

I tried to get into my chiropractor who is my wholistic provider in natural care but he isn't working today so I went to the doctor. What a waste of time that was, no wonder I try to advoid them as much as possible. He tried to tell me it's a reaction fom a pain relief tablet I took 5 days ago for stomach cramps. I take this tablet for bad headaches and period pain and have never had a reaction. I know strange things can happen, but really, from 5 days ago, sorry I'm not buying it! I had to be checked out though as I work with babies, pregnant mums and toddlers and measles had to be ruled out.

So I am none the wiser and have to have the rest of the week off work and try and make some sense of this tomorrow with my chiropractor.

CHOPPING AND PROTECTING

2011-02-20T15:47:00.000-08:00

This silver birch tree has served me well. I have loved sitting under it playing with the kids and relaxing over the years but it's time for a change so the tree will be going and in it's place I will be planting more fruit trees. This is making Darren very happy as he has wanted to get rid of that tree for years and I have to admit that it is painful to always be up cleaning out the gutter because of the mess it makes. It is a lovely tree just planted in the wrong spot that's all.

I went out to check on my brassicas yesterday and was amazed by the amount of cabbage moth around. They are eating my broccoli to death, so it was time for action. A couple of days ago I cleared out my linen press and there was some old lace curtains in there that I was going to get rid of. How handy that I hadn't sent them off to the Salvos just yet as they make perfect covers for my brassicas held down with a few bricks.

YES, THERE'S MORE PICKLES

2011-02-17T17:20:00.000-08:00

I made up another big batch of zucchini pickles during the week. This time I used a food processor instead of chopping everything by hand like the last batch. I did like the chunkier pickle but my wrist quite honestly couldn't handle doing another batch like that.

I have given quite a few away and will still have enough for a couple of years at least I think.

My first spaghetti squash of the season was picked today.

We will have spaghetti tonight with this instead of the pasta and I will use up some homemade passata sauce for it as well. Yummy!!!!!

NO WAY!!!!!

2011-02-11T01:12:00.000-08:00

I know I think it every year, but how is it possible to now have a 14 year old?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DANIEL!!!!!

Guess what he will be doing this weekend.

ZUCCHINI PICKLES

2011-02-11T00:54:00.000-08:00

They are delicious.

I used a recipe from Out Of The Bottle by Sally Wise. My zucchinis are all around the 2kg mark, so that's a lot of pickle to make!

I hope to make a zucchini bake and another batch of pickle tomorrow.

JUST TO SHOW........

2011-02-08T23:23:00.000-08:00

what we are dealing with.

Thanks for all of your ideas from the last post, I just have to find some extra time to start cooking.

HOW MANY WAYS CAN I COOK ZUCCHINI?

2011-02-08T02:30:00.000-08:00

The giants keep on coming. Every day when I look under the huge leaves there's another zucchini!!!!

Tonight I sat down and worked out a list of recipes to use them up.

*Stuffed Vegetable Marrow
*Zucchini Parmigiana
*Zucchini Fritters
*Zucchini Bread
*Zucchini Pickle
*Zucchini Chutney
*Zucchini Bake
*Zucchini Chocolate Cake

That's quite a list and hopefully with some of them, zucchini will not be detected by my husband.

Tomatoes are growing out of our ears as well, I made up a big batch of passata yesterday and used some on the kids after school snack of meatball subs. It looks quite orange this time around, that happened when I put it through our new blender. Oh well it tastes wonderful.

I stewed some plums that were given to us as well, they will go into the freezer in batches for later use.

Tomorrow after work I will be picking another lot of tomatoes to make sauce for the year. I love this time of year in the garden so much going on.

OH CRAP!!!!

2011-02-02T18:13:00.000-08:00

I jumped in the shower this morning and knew my day wasn't going to start well. Why did I think that? The water was only lukewarm, meaning that our ancient hot water service in our ceiling had blown an element. This happens every 4 or 5 years in this house and most plumbers can't believe we still have the original service from when the house was built in 1960.

We usually fix this problem ourselves, well actually my Dad used to always fix it, but as he is unable to it was up to Darren (he's on holidays). I told him what to do as I have helped Dad with this a few times and I went to work.

This is what I've come home to...

Who knew we had so much crap in our storage cupboard. What you don't see is that the floor is under a few inches of water and we don't have a drainage point in the laundry. You don't get to smell the damp yucky smell that will be with us for a couple of days either.

So, I have a couple of hours to try and clean some of this mess up, then get the kids, cook dinner and go to my other job.

My day is not getting any better....

Oh by the way, February is "No Spend" month for me. Of course I will be spending on essentials and everyday living, just nothing that is a want. Lucky I made that decision as our little plumbing exercise today just cost us around $200.

SUMMER IS FINALLY HERE

2011-01-29T20:41:00.000-08:00

and now it's too hot!!!!!

This is our first day at over 40 degrees and I'm sure there's more days like this to come. We finally get to try out Darren's and my Christmas present to each other, it's a evaporative air cooler as we don't have air conditioning in our home. It works really well when you put ice in it.

I woke at around 6am this morning and went straight out into the garden to feed and water the chooks and pick 4 large zucchini, 2kg of tomatoes and some asparagus. The asparagus came to grief yet again since Heidi the wonder pug wasn't guarding it very well and Dante the million dollar cat got up on the bench and ate it. grrrr, I was so looking forward to asparagus for dinner too. By the time I came back inside it was already heating up, so I declared the last day of school holidays an inside day. That didn't last long, Daniel is at a friend's house and they have a pool and Lachie went to the movies and the public pool with a friend.

I wanted to do lots of cooking today for school snacks but decided against heating up the kitchen and just made some yummy muesli bars instead.

I make our muesli bars nut free as that is our policy at school.

Here is the recipe from The Thrifty Kitchen changed slightly by me:

Fruity Muesli Bars
125g unsalted butter
1/3 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons honey
1 1/2 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup self-raising flour
1 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup dates
1/4 cup sesame seeds
1/4 cup sunflower & pumpkin seeds

Preheat oven to 180, add butter and line a 20cm by 30cm lamington tin with baking paper.

Melt butter with the sugar and honey over a medium heat. Stir without letting it boil until sugar has dissolved. Stir in the remaining ingredients

Press the mixture firmly into the pan and bake for 30 minutes. Leave to cool in pan before lifting out, then cut into bars.

I have enough snacks in the freezer for a few days, so wen t cools down again I'll stock up.

There you have it, a very simple snack without the nasties.

A FUNNY FROM A FRIEND

2011-01-24T03:04:00.000-08:00

*** Adult Truths ***

1. I think part of a best friend's job should be to
immediately clear your computer history if you die.

2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument
when you realize you're wrong.

3. I totally take back all those times I didn't want to
nap when I was younger.

4. There is great need for a sarcasm font.

5. How the hell are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?

6. Was learning cursive really necessary?

7. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on #
I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.

8. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told
you how the person died.

9. I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.

10. Bad decisions make good stories.

11. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a
moment at work when you know that you just aren't going to do anything
productive for the rest of the day.

12. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after
Blue Ray? I don't want to have to restart my collection...again.

13. I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word
and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page technical
report that I swear I did not make any changes to.

14. I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so
I know not to answer when they call.

15. I think the freezer deserves a light as well.

16. I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given
Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lite than Kay.

17. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

18. I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between
boredom and hunger.

19. How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before
you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear or understand a
word they said?

20. I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of
cars team up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front. Stay
strong, brothers and sisters!

21. Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants
never get dirty, and you can wear them forever.

22. Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive
times and still not know what time it is.

23. Even under ideal conditions people have trouble
locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and
Pinning the Tail on the Donkey - but I'd bet everyone can find and
push the snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes
closed, first time, every time.

24. The first testicular guard, the "Cup," was used in
Hockey in 1874 and the first helmet was used in 1974. That means it
only took 100 years for men to realize that their brain is also
important.

Ladies.....Quit Laughing.

Heal the past, live the present, dream the future.

Enjoy life!!!

BOUNTY

2011-01-22T16:15:00.000-08:00

This is what I collected this morning from our patch. The tomotoes have ripened in what seems like overnight. This is the last of the beans and some of the carrots are a little woody but I will use them in a chicken stock this afternoon.

How's your patch going?

WHAT'S GROWING?

2011-01-20T22:49:00.000-08:00

At the moment my zucchini, pumpkins and spaghetti squash are growing visibly every day.

I really need to re-stake my tomatoes as they've all collapsed under the weight of the fruit, I wish they would hurry up and ripen.

My poor little watermelon and rock melons are waiting for some decent hot weather so I can plant them out.

and I have my first capsicum for the season growing.

I have planted out a bed of carrots and will plant another in a couple of weeks. We will be eating the last of our beans tonight and I will then plant beetroot in that bed. The corn is starting to form heads so hopefully we will be reaping the rewards from that bed in the next couple of months.

WHILE WE WAIT....

2011-01-12T01:26:00.000-08:00

for news about family and friends in Queensland, I am reminded of not only the loss and devastation but also the impact this crisis will have Australia wide for months to come.

Fresh produce will in some instances double as will some meat (so they predict).

I am putting my plan into action now to hopefully take some of the financial pressure off should this happen. We have our vege garden but are no way near self sufficient in that area. I do need to do some planting tomorrow to ensure we have some staples in the months to come. Thank goodness for the chooks and all of the eggs they produce. I predict lots of omlets for dinner over the next few months.

I will be stocking my freezer with frozen peas, corn, carrots and broccoli as we eat these most nights and while there is stock, I will either buy fresh and freeze myself or buy already frozen stock (depending on price).

Fresh fruit will probably become a luxury for a while, we will have to wait and see what happens there. We do still have some preserved fruit from last year to use and I imagine that I won't be doing very much preserving this year :(

I will be back to baking bread every day, nothing like a price hike to really get me back into the swing of things.

We will be eating 3 vegetarian meals a week, yes family, you heard right!

There is talk of petrol rising also, so I will be making more of an effort to walk or cycle places.

I will be using my set of '4 ingredients' books and be cooking simple nutritious meals.

This is off the top of my head for the moment, I'm sure there are other things I can do. I would love to hear what plans you will be putting into action.

HITTING THE GROUND RUNNING

2011-01-02T02:43:00.001-08:00

Well I haven't wasted any time in this wonderful New Year getting myself organised for what I want to be doing for the year.

I was up at 6am New Year's Day and at the gym working out by 6:15, what a great way to start the year off for me anyway.

I will continue being one of the moderators over at Down To Earth Forum (link over on the right). I am also a moderator for 2 Flickr groups, Mug Rug Swap and Doll Quilt Swap. There is a lot of time involved in these groups but it's great fun being apart of these big world-wide swaps. The talent and the people I've 'met' through being a moderator is so rewarding.

So, goals for 2011:

I have decided to start up my market stall once again after a 2 year break. I am flat out sewing baby and children's accessories and clothes. I will show photos over on my other blog as that is the craft blog after all.

I want to save $5000 this year and finally take my family to the Gold Coast.

Practice more what I preach and really buckle down and cook as much as I can from scratch. (I get side-tracked from this).

Have a big garage sale and de-clutter.

Spend 1/2 hour each day in the garden.

Get back to being a true vegetarian (I get side-tracked here too).

Drink more water every day.

Work out 5 days a week and continue to really push myself.

Stop sweating the small things and just get over it.

I'm sure I'll have a heap more goals during the year but for now I'll work on these.

I CAN'T BELIEVE I FORGOT

2010-12-30T16:18:00.000-08:00

to show you our crazy Christmas Eve photos as embarassing as they are, they just might give a little insight into our strange little family.

here's some other shots to prove we can act normal.

LOOK WHO'S BACK

2010-12-30T14:59:00.000-08:00

Kyle is here for 3 weeks. I have missed this boy so much, he has grown heaps in the 8 months since he left. He is now over 6ft tall!!!! He only turned 14 in November and poor Dan feels shorter than ever standing beside his cousin.

The kids got a wii for Christmas and one of the first things Sophie did with Kyle was rope him into playing her dancing game.