tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39346524072343227352024-02-19T06:57:29.418-08:00Little Retro HouseSimple Eco living with a retro twist.Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15706494291838152826noreply@blogger.comBlogger229125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934652407234322735.post-53052853332725722272012-01-05T16:12:00.000-08:002012-01-05T16:41:52.268-08:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Lazy Days at Home</span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Time here has slowed almost to a stand still.<br /><br />This week has been pretty much a week spent at home. There has been the occasional local outing and play date for Rhianna but otherwise it's just been doing stuff around the house.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Today Rhianna had a friend over to play and I realised I had almost nothing in the house for morning or afternoon tea.<br /><br />I quickly whipped up this chocolate brownie from a recipe I found on Melissa Godsells Day to Day blog.<br /><br />So easy and most of all yummy.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCWb6JIbbMk55QsUlOjiQop3gZZ93n7btKTiK7LGOV1Cm7FkOhrynpddtRjuyL2VzDCAIB2yOAJM4qezdb434VawW79bFc_Xm9mJQDrIuN1Q-FXOA9TAG4WPAAiiggoaR6Bp2BQs2AeMWr/s1600/bites+014.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCWb6JIbbMk55QsUlOjiQop3gZZ93n7btKTiK7LGOV1Cm7FkOhrynpddtRjuyL2VzDCAIB2yOAJM4qezdb434VawW79bFc_Xm9mJQDrIuN1Q-FXOA9TAG4WPAAiiggoaR6Bp2BQs2AeMWr/s400/bites+014.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694306191201159170" border="0" /></a>Yesterday we got stuck into some store bought craft projects. What I love about these projects is that I can leave Rhianna to complete them on her own while I get on with other things - mostly housework.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJVm-qvvgnWbRRJecIWCZT_zuUtE6I9p_wSJWyh7TxNajJyuWjNOpXaXJvin_MFM9TLSLgWWpMQRe8NqqdDiW0T1oG9tNwfNIazj6AHIW_nP-_GaiBDEHYsP46PXcm2mXivXAXSfwoFGFU/s1600/bites+013.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJVm-qvvgnWbRRJecIWCZT_zuUtE6I9p_wSJWyh7TxNajJyuWjNOpXaXJvin_MFM9TLSLgWWpMQRe8NqqdDiW0T1oG9tNwfNIazj6AHIW_nP-_GaiBDEHYsP46PXcm2mXivXAXSfwoFGFU/s400/bites+013.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694306114874672018" border="0" /></a>Rhianna has been begging me for pocket money this week so I have assigned her a list of jobs to do around the house.<br /><br />Yesterday she cleaned the bath and vanity and swept the front drive of leaves.<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi82RG9IPrDRqpEHAwjnNltt2T1loOIF47mkuCaD-mjlTWk2KI108kraJw7Tk7bk9rDklKvcyWrtsMXDpZIubdxxovZ8k_d2fnJ2jU6LyXD5qmod7djb6Ovp7K0mg_rowO8Vkq98cL-efeJ/s1600/bites+010.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi82RG9IPrDRqpEHAwjnNltt2T1loOIF47mkuCaD-mjlTWk2KI108kraJw7Tk7bk9rDklKvcyWrtsMXDpZIubdxxovZ8k_d2fnJ2jU6LyXD5qmod7djb6Ovp7K0mg_rowO8Vkq98cL-efeJ/s400/bites+010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694306025047733698" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">As it was such lovely cool weather we also took Finn out for a walk.<br /><br />Rhianna loves to hold him on his lead especially as we pass the house of her latest love interest.<br /><br />This week Rhianna tells me she is going to marry Jedd.<br /><br />Boy, I hope not. I can't imagine having a son in law called Jedd.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtxyhO_jyVABpnTp81uRfCLsolEb4dZ8dqvZ7He3dFtfmQ0lscYURGkzUtQYlJC2NVBDakybh0IlllNZAtE5TWVc-5N4FmzDPb9C7KJYslOE9CPY5VokFoG6g7hVmZhKwziR0p4bLchFls/s1600/bites+007.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtxyhO_jyVABpnTp81uRfCLsolEb4dZ8dqvZ7He3dFtfmQ0lscYURGkzUtQYlJC2NVBDakybh0IlllNZAtE5TWVc-5N4FmzDPb9C7KJYslOE9CPY5VokFoG6g7hVmZhKwziR0p4bLchFls/s400/bites+007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694305927267564354" border="0" /></a>We learnt the fine art of tea making later in the afternoon.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-h5iQRH_EEU1G5O_UhzGGLGEztSpG0Cp2bO2xXTdLJTYHqTkNRzKpp-1yGHQHxXY4DXTchGQQomhk5kiNq45WsIKk4clvSUwyrmRec_4rNlVYRHnBR9KTjdsPnpgHH0FJi8mRkI2-fHoy/s1600/bites+006.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-h5iQRH_EEU1G5O_UhzGGLGEztSpG0Cp2bO2xXTdLJTYHqTkNRzKpp-1yGHQHxXY4DXTchGQQomhk5kiNq45WsIKk4clvSUwyrmRec_4rNlVYRHnBR9KTjdsPnpgHH0FJi8mRkI2-fHoy/s400/bites+006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694305855259142050" border="0" /></a>Followed by a DVD before dinner.<br /><br />Wasn't this on at the movies in the last school holidays? I can't believe how quickly movies come out on DVD now. Why would you bother blowing all that money to see these movies on the big screen when you only have to wait a few months and they are $5 at the local DVD store?<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEqcN2K3T3Kk52MTWICDkJ-faXRywqzVWJDEZnmGmqGsufHEdiYLCtJWAwc-6DwLDznjnVEtWiTr8dBIB35lsFibUnur1XD6WjZjnMAPqjZb_K3wc8AAju4BKVQ2W_pRTOEfvSl7zG9DQl/s1600/bites+003.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEqcN2K3T3Kk52MTWICDkJ-faXRywqzVWJDEZnmGmqGsufHEdiYLCtJWAwc-6DwLDznjnVEtWiTr8dBIB35lsFibUnur1XD6WjZjnMAPqjZb_K3wc8AAju4BKVQ2W_pRTOEfvSl7zG9DQl/s400/bites+003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694305786204668450" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Of course, there has been a bit of op shopping now and again. But it seems there are no bargains to be had at the moment.<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifQAJB3NekfbjWPXkCBYqaG1FhVbwtafGLD1JH_lZg1OYFZXrVOfRRDwvM2dvaXGzbOWWjXOlv2oZnfKtA8wo6rWrwfj-EttIOoOrZWKTcnkCQtZh_b16CBGpx25R_GvYE2AE_cC_dv9Jk/s1600/bites+005.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifQAJB3NekfbjWPXkCBYqaG1FhVbwtafGLD1JH_lZg1OYFZXrVOfRRDwvM2dvaXGzbOWWjXOlv2oZnfKtA8wo6rWrwfj-EttIOoOrZWKTcnkCQtZh_b16CBGpx25R_GvYE2AE_cC_dv9Jk/s400/bites+005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694305712671998114" border="0" /></a>On the down side, we went to the local pool the other day to swim some laps and when Rhianna got out her chest, arms and back were covered in spots.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXmefzt1vdF-sYBjI-7-i4WYKxJauMaOcDFBJTsBMB_ko-taFAvV7KhGH6tcni5kRcrdNVXJ_oxn2-JLxUegdASt40oHJlMIF2ScFxrqlMIISj5eFAlOtn9NLRNXf0_V9k5IWqejZDUQRg/s1600/bites+002.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXmefzt1vdF-sYBjI-7-i4WYKxJauMaOcDFBJTsBMB_ko-taFAvV7KhGH6tcni5kRcrdNVXJ_oxn2-JLxUegdASt40oHJlMIF2ScFxrqlMIISj5eFAlOtn9NLRNXf0_V9k5IWqejZDUQRg/s400/bites+002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694306251842239362" border="0" /></a>We had a trip to the doctors to rule out measles and chicken pox but the Dr said she just had a reaction to something in the pool.<br /><br />I think we'll just swim in our own pool from now on.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3gf4c4UAOOEbK32zbV6twW0f_hYnjEkhIJ0qLjbjUGdla4YxqBVI3WYGP3MV3b5oDr2njr7TZcPdC9qsGoWzy0PdcR6aHcQ_5C9Sj3k-84c5EVXCpG0VKZ-lY_MyL2Yb2HceytNaoI_WR/s1600/bites+004.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3gf4c4UAOOEbK32zbV6twW0f_hYnjEkhIJ0qLjbjUGdla4YxqBVI3WYGP3MV3b5oDr2njr7TZcPdC9qsGoWzy0PdcR6aHcQ_5C9Sj3k-84c5EVXCpG0VKZ-lY_MyL2Yb2HceytNaoI_WR/s400/bites+004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694306313425938082" border="0" /></a>And that's it. Just plain, boring old Christmas school holidays.<br /></div>Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15706494291838152826noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934652407234322735.post-26246991847845859672012-01-02T19:32:00.000-08:002012-01-02T20:00:17.714-08:00<span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">We Love the Eastern Suburbs.</span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Probably because my husband Bill grew up in Paddington and I lived at Randwick for many years, our family loves the eastern suburbs of Sydney. And there is no better time to run amok out there than in Summer when the vibe is great and the scenery to die for.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">We headed out there last weekend for no particular purpose - just to take things as they come.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">We had an extra passenger this time - my niece, Hayley who is the same age as my daughter Rhianna - very handy.<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_wFWCtnrXJ7QtytAtGRzKQl1qA3Un7q2Gy8ejvX_CR7HH3P97XpQ3d73YsoEbS-YwJnmrWJVEc3YQp3vzkBGKuf0MDXWxb0scyaxx-HJfSfza-f129k5Mn_98MvAqL2nRO30ie_PcSclR/s1600/2012+040.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_wFWCtnrXJ7QtytAtGRzKQl1qA3Un7q2Gy8ejvX_CR7HH3P97XpQ3d73YsoEbS-YwJnmrWJVEc3YQp3vzkBGKuf0MDXWxb0scyaxx-HJfSfza-f129k5Mn_98MvAqL2nRO30ie_PcSclR/s400/2012+040.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693244954948884466" border="0" /></a>We headed first to Paddington where we trawled through the Matt Blatt furniture store.<br /><br />Very retro pieces as you can see and as you can imagine, I was in heaven.<br /><br /> Rhianna and I loved this this egg chair. It was only $1000!!!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrFjeALhTtlj-aklludU2OomkDa_oZvqjr3cwuhRuoiqHIHIT94RljYLe0thwfwhNVY1VV-qhaDLAbtd2DHwNN7n_Fnb-0U35I6EfStiDMSDO-bLpGxivlwWHadL9h_-7y67COxLaQDAWP/s1600/2012+034.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrFjeALhTtlj-aklludU2OomkDa_oZvqjr3cwuhRuoiqHIHIT94RljYLe0thwfwhNVY1VV-qhaDLAbtd2DHwNN7n_Fnb-0U35I6EfStiDMSDO-bLpGxivlwWHadL9h_-7y67COxLaQDAWP/s400/2012+034.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693244857032064290" border="0" /></a>We had a quick walk through Paddington markets but have been here plenty of times before so really only stopped for coffee and handmade chocolates.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ZM3QVj-6J3Txt6DhRX6Kj-5gzq5OYlMvHTUVmz1cAa5Z5DNHIJS7PzhDQZKjPA1so4OPx-DiYsTkjTqqxtWkQiPU5VnTmNmCkfoeOrykc42RefLNXd_kXWpzPfuhBLhfOIb_Kji6VL41/s1600/2012+038.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ZM3QVj-6J3Txt6DhRX6Kj-5gzq5OYlMvHTUVmz1cAa5Z5DNHIJS7PzhDQZKjPA1so4OPx-DiYsTkjTqqxtWkQiPU5VnTmNmCkfoeOrykc42RefLNXd_kXWpzPfuhBLhfOIb_Kji6VL41/s400/2012+038.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693244427751797634" border="0" /></a>Then it was across the street to the pub for a toilet break and a drink.<br /><br /> Most pubs look pretty much the same so I didn't take a photo but I thought this was an interesting idea in the the girls loo.<br /><br />For $2 you can straighten your hair.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlRREV6zpey1Mggvh9quPML7LE7poaiuMnbyP4datJZSQPPuqFz8RUIlK4yOPrH5-xi0WQvpZe214fgGNg8Svl20w3TIls1ePF-LgBbS4PLZ7VAjSEe2yodwqClqHSrFwVqO6bY8VtI6aj/s1600/2012+035.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlRREV6zpey1Mggvh9quPML7LE7poaiuMnbyP4datJZSQPPuqFz8RUIlK4yOPrH5-xi0WQvpZe214fgGNg8Svl20w3TIls1ePF-LgBbS4PLZ7VAjSEe2yodwqClqHSrFwVqO6bY8VtI6aj/s400/2012+035.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693244732222019762" border="0" /></a>Now, I may not get around very much but I have never seen this before and think it's a brilliant idea.<br /><br /> It would also save you $300 on a GHD.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjklWslFEAr9oYGNoWSuFUDS6-ndQUPLfStrkVZ04mw7FIz91wq0tfR1q7bGwTodpcae8SN4bIs06D_1XvDPTsVaefHbJ8-RocInrEvC8Dn-SDJg6ibYdrk3y05YK5hvak_8lt4uSBrY9Eq/s1600/2012+036.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjklWslFEAr9oYGNoWSuFUDS6-ndQUPLfStrkVZ04mw7FIz91wq0tfR1q7bGwTodpcae8SN4bIs06D_1XvDPTsVaefHbJ8-RocInrEvC8Dn-SDJg6ibYdrk3y05YK5hvak_8lt4uSBrY9Eq/s400/2012+036.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693244646946327714" border="0" /></a>Bill then took us to Redleaf pool at Double Bay. He spent many boyhood days here and was thrilled to be able to bring Rhianna here.<br /><br />Isn't it picture postcard perfection?<br /><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXDBKaW094irTA9tj4nCA8tUM_JOR4QY-w8KBlXo5jC6ijB4-JWrj6gMDhxL-eO98vs63voLVE3ozlSKq-qrrAmRZCVOq6uaAE5UHqreaaSxYpf4dWxtCA6nevkFhaUadIFOGmaSp83yTU/s1600/2012+041.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXDBKaW094irTA9tj4nCA8tUM_JOR4QY-w8KBlXo5jC6ijB4-JWrj6gMDhxL-eO98vs63voLVE3ozlSKq-qrrAmRZCVOq6uaAE5UHqreaaSxYpf4dWxtCA6nevkFhaUadIFOGmaSp83yTU/s400/2012+041.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693244169311744098" border="0" /></a>The girls couldn't wait to get in for a swim.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXSUgzp2niW2YEotNwkiLx3pWTSeac1tTkkjAfvtBt7VuLihfubh1dJ2dXb3J5uiGF9bZ59sLshKcRyscnbyB5FROWRYcpFZZwKc1QxAx_Qm7G_69PvIFHMteS1NPSjw6oa5E_DfrUukUy/s1600/2012+042.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXSUgzp2niW2YEotNwkiLx3pWTSeac1tTkkjAfvtBt7VuLihfubh1dJ2dXb3J5uiGF9bZ59sLshKcRyscnbyB5FROWRYcpFZZwKc1QxAx_Qm7G_69PvIFHMteS1NPSjw6oa5E_DfrUukUy/s400/2012+042.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693244052686017314" border="0" /></a>The best bits of this pool are the large platform that surrounds the pool which is great for jumping off and the 2 pontoons in the middle of the pool which are fun to swim out to and pose on.<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJvwEOs7TdmvQjt705sCbJa53CYRqzI43tHsvhgkpB3H6N4CRC-gk_yhUY1UvsIkiRW1PuAAJbiJMM9P3GyT0YV_vhvF4X7DiduqLFXc1GEAH_UMwGXqkaDn8RzVbRh94Zf5utDtZImHWf/s1600/2012+045.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJvwEOs7TdmvQjt705sCbJa53CYRqzI43tHsvhgkpB3H6N4CRC-gk_yhUY1UvsIkiRW1PuAAJbiJMM9P3GyT0YV_vhvF4X7DiduqLFXc1GEAH_UMwGXqkaDn8RzVbRh94Zf5utDtZImHWf/s400/2012+045.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693243962170833826" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">That's Bill in the middle and the 2 girls off to the left sitting down.<br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8tBiJFx8O9qhcOXMTVzjfob4G0Cd6EYfKEa6P8gVQiN3WiLy_qtDw0AcuKwD-dKcc9lpTbOWy15xFx8X6vn1gOt9GH5IwJxCgdjlw-OnFozmngtS9AnCq1aIyPOssN-oRwuPkfPvVCwaC/s1600/2012+046.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8tBiJFx8O9qhcOXMTVzjfob4G0Cd6EYfKEa6P8gVQiN3WiLy_qtDw0AcuKwD-dKcc9lpTbOWy15xFx8X6vn1gOt9GH5IwJxCgdjlw-OnFozmngtS9AnCq1aIyPOssN-oRwuPkfPvVCwaC/s400/2012+046.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693243880821655618" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Love, love, love doing this kind of stuff in Summer.<br /></div>Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15706494291838152826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934652407234322735.post-50455897148759242822012-01-01T22:06:00.000-08:002012-01-01T22:29:05.494-08:00<span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Happy 2012</span></span><br /><br />Boy, are we ever in holiday mode around here.<br /><br />We usually get up around 9am or sometimes closer to 10. We muck around doing not a lot of anything before eating around 11am. We spend some days kicking around the house and then we go out for an adventure the next day. Today we stayed at home, lazing around.<br /><br />Rhianna got caught up on some of her favourite blogs and games.<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPCCRe2YwhelioMhQyxOInqyHyygI-5tWl1IYO_6tnhCXts2kfLq0m4fLBlyWzJEWh6pjNWvZh-HARyGdRXr-MGLSO85E60yiCaKPXyXd0nETf_mpyFd_fJDbV_n2PZyx9rAIwkbdj3ZxD/s1600/2012+001.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPCCRe2YwhelioMhQyxOInqyHyygI-5tWl1IYO_6tnhCXts2kfLq0m4fLBlyWzJEWh6pjNWvZh-HARyGdRXr-MGLSO85E60yiCaKPXyXd0nETf_mpyFd_fJDbV_n2PZyx9rAIwkbdj3ZxD/s400/2012+001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692913319108838994" border="0" /></a>She has a mini "study" set up for the holidays in front of the telly.<br /><br />Much creative work goes on while Hannah Montana blares out across the room.<br /><br />God help me....<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqmq-khDxNitvZ11I2Iimd61xmJDJlA2oeMwrdYMdQZV-Bt_QBLjjxJoPfWUIxG8rGdN5RZaFTvauQjYcXvgeaVssqbFAWCPhGLRXgqkufbmOtg6Y50e4a4i5ZT29iB93ULh4ZkkmO8zEv/s1600/2012+002.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqmq-khDxNitvZ11I2Iimd61xmJDJlA2oeMwrdYMdQZV-Bt_QBLjjxJoPfWUIxG8rGdN5RZaFTvauQjYcXvgeaVssqbFAWCPhGLRXgqkufbmOtg6Y50e4a4i5ZT29iB93ULh4ZkkmO8zEv/s400/2012+002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692913260996161954" border="0" /></a>There has been much discussion about whether we should drink or save these bottles of marketing genius.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic2POhC0g1zVI9FchUIkxtXjErFh7ooauU7H5OkYm0Bgl5xWAixx0FTr8lYHZ-xDUbocEJYn-B1y52QcJ95QYT_lzwUKYFOXDtWP4TH46aSWYUM35YtAtRcZUUN0lYyEM3Y_0IaCKtDhxo/s1600/2012+004.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic2POhC0g1zVI9FchUIkxtXjErFh7ooauU7H5OkYm0Bgl5xWAixx0FTr8lYHZ-xDUbocEJYn-B1y52QcJ95QYT_lzwUKYFOXDtWP4TH46aSWYUM35YtAtRcZUUN0lYyEM3Y_0IaCKtDhxo/s400/2012+004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692913201460864162" border="0" /></a>We've had a few very heated rounds of this new board game that we got as a family for Christmas. So much fun. I can highly recommend this game.<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBGkOhuzipxWK5iPpVWDMUlmk_OoraE6fWIQdaohxwzSEessMcPdeVPVGsNqXns2hhv1nFmHu9qyS0xGZ8Z8gUuvrebVhlASNtBHM_ftX6-Hm74KNzkcanwH-iZlgvLr08gtWhfGUnDNA1/s1600/2012+005.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBGkOhuzipxWK5iPpVWDMUlmk_OoraE6fWIQdaohxwzSEessMcPdeVPVGsNqXns2hhv1nFmHu9qyS0xGZ8Z8gUuvrebVhlASNtBHM_ftX6-Hm74KNzkcanwH-iZlgvLr08gtWhfGUnDNA1/s400/2012+005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692913129271545938" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Rhianna has found some unusual ways to entertain herself including a bucket bath.<br /><br />No idea why she would do this when she has a perfectly good pool right next to her.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwECOToCZYnXihroQ1J8MTj0OMy17AatMkd_NjO4_dorwbugMLyU9n0f7s_2KI2Ov-QU7Yf6vGPyZTrQok9HorR3defJJk8Ig1Sso1fpbPAsPe_-AWQ8kt01hnRvzOvRdhbNJDi-B8J4ZR/s1600/2012+007.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwECOToCZYnXihroQ1J8MTj0OMy17AatMkd_NjO4_dorwbugMLyU9n0f7s_2KI2Ov-QU7Yf6vGPyZTrQok9HorR3defJJk8Ig1Sso1fpbPAsPe_-AWQ8kt01hnRvzOvRdhbNJDi-B8J4ZR/s400/2012+007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692913057597616498" border="0" /></a>We've spent a lot of time opening new Christmas presents such as this pottery wheel Rhianna received from her brother Broc.<br /><br />Thanks Broc!!!!!<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwLGjVg9490k4GlGF_x9yitDjEIJAy9wSiBBaRU9slUURohMdbgKCIW6iSB16IxGxHHtlJwl1X-793ErxY8KB1g0ZOpyMGz_7oKVS1EojA5GtZ-lkUbfkpnSHHpxUaNRZRhAEB1XURSjLi/s1600/2012+012.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwLGjVg9490k4GlGF_x9yitDjEIJAy9wSiBBaRU9slUURohMdbgKCIW6iSB16IxGxHHtlJwl1X-793ErxY8KB1g0ZOpyMGz_7oKVS1EojA5GtZ-lkUbfkpnSHHpxUaNRZRhAEB1XURSjLi/s400/2012+012.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692912955270062338" border="0" /></a>It was lots of fun to try and produce a pot from the damn thing though.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghI5pIga08tQqy8SNAuCs2JbRkKzp69-aZEm8CGlh06KJe90AWi9qglcjkxtBuv2YNvOYFv4J_7cN5g2tSZ8TinQeFhZMCUOmyNH4oExiALsQiLGLLmC0c4461mI3WD4_eXTXWRhUtc0lf/s1600/2012+016.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghI5pIga08tQqy8SNAuCs2JbRkKzp69-aZEm8CGlh06KJe90AWi9qglcjkxtBuv2YNvOYFv4J_7cN5g2tSZ8TinQeFhZMCUOmyNH4oExiALsQiLGLLmC0c4461mI3WD4_eXTXWRhUtc0lf/s400/2012+016.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692912876437573298" border="0" /></a>It wasn't long before we realised we needed to have our hair tied back and some sort of apron on.<br /><br /> Silly Mummy!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb9bqfFnglBd0iIwmzCsiM1oCX90Dg9mHre-Cv_gKB61aMfcxoC3q1yfdNdnGwAT-s00J0njTVuJfBOtP-S3dQTScWyODHU23CrzFEXKd-2kjNjT6BHFaIk_tATUBcGvqziaKeKBA-2qI6/s1600/2012+021.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb9bqfFnglBd0iIwmzCsiM1oCX90Dg9mHre-Cv_gKB61aMfcxoC3q1yfdNdnGwAT-s00J0njTVuJfBOtP-S3dQTScWyODHU23CrzFEXKd-2kjNjT6BHFaIk_tATUBcGvqziaKeKBA-2qI6/s400/2012+021.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692912757950605490" border="0" /></a>Rhianna and I tidied her room, put the new toys away and did a huge declutter. Looks bare now ready for the new year and all the junk that will bring with it.<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhFSOT_bzmIXfPBAhaWuiPG3jQ5fBqA6jbMaBOBTIyolJh1BCG5iVcUWE32p4AhhIG1eb7-FSEsmvHBO5x5A4kFTInb_-0AYbfavWDxHTgz0HFGkfkaIY0LXkdv3uiEesQR-d1JjH9CZLx/s1600/2012+023.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhFSOT_bzmIXfPBAhaWuiPG3jQ5fBqA6jbMaBOBTIyolJh1BCG5iVcUWE32p4AhhIG1eb7-FSEsmvHBO5x5A4kFTInb_-0AYbfavWDxHTgz0HFGkfkaIY0LXkdv3uiEesQR-d1JjH9CZLx/s400/2012+023.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692912642820301762" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">And lastly a quick trip home to check on my parents, who along with myself, had a horrendous 2011. It was quite an emotional time (for reasons I won't go into here) so I spent a bit of time walking up and down this old childhood beach.<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigy5w_HvSOBmSGfARM_JVlec7SHHaGs7wCZGZFNYYM1oMHVx9BtbuCHigSbc85Bgwg6IoYe45am84eKaEmf9TKRQpzPQ1YBvfdNRp2zEmK5zi3rA32679eLhyFAl5RAV4e6PDoNBg_mqJz/s1600/2012+030.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigy5w_HvSOBmSGfARM_JVlec7SHHaGs7wCZGZFNYYM1oMHVx9BtbuCHigSbc85Bgwg6IoYe45am84eKaEmf9TKRQpzPQ1YBvfdNRp2zEmK5zi3rA32679eLhyFAl5RAV4e6PDoNBg_mqJz/s400/2012+030.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692912539912926050" border="0" /></a>Looking forward to a wonderful 2012. Hope you are too.<br /></div>Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15706494291838152826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934652407234322735.post-26149766415214716742011-12-21T15:19:00.000-08:002011-12-21T15:44:23.100-08:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Merry Bloggy Christmas</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Finally we have adapted to school holiday time.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> Rhianna has stopped asking me to amuse her every second minute, we are sleeping in till 9am every morning and then doing much pottering around the house and local area to keep us busy.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> It's the lovely time of year when there seems to be time to do almost everything. No routine, no have to be places, nothing essential that really needs doing. We just lumber from one random activity to the next.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />As Christmas Day is fast approaching with visitors arriving and parties to go to, Rhianna and I got our toes into the Christmas spirit with a bit of Red Red nail polish.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXdgFUdc8wfKlpXfCJhRRMACfQ-wQpYaDTYb7CJNacqycJnq7r37X0eRMD8cUiWgDNmtVaenV-4wug4hbARRkp4rtfy33ht9BiJPc9kPXUl4Y51uT8Ifkblfz1RB46xx0sKnCTrBOTpU0E/s1600/xmas+002.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXdgFUdc8wfKlpXfCJhRRMACfQ-wQpYaDTYb7CJNacqycJnq7r37X0eRMD8cUiWgDNmtVaenV-4wug4hbARRkp4rtfy33ht9BiJPc9kPXUl4Y51uT8Ifkblfz1RB46xx0sKnCTrBOTpU0E/s400/xmas+002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688726722186692514" border="0" /></a>While we waited for the nail polish to dry, it was a good opportunity for a spot of reading .<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaNbmKo4vUxtyO58FWfZffJEG-zPaQ_dAnPDXsdAWYw12V0WYDQW7OGwRhG1eTqZ_Xex-RQtZU22LNj0-2c6aeRQ4my6rGAn6qGv7xYC9CGOADBo9pKGwsRyNOPVOcWNYnpY568hsUZhrB/s1600/xmas+001.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaNbmKo4vUxtyO58FWfZffJEG-zPaQ_dAnPDXsdAWYw12V0WYDQW7OGwRhG1eTqZ_Xex-RQtZU22LNj0-2c6aeRQ4my6rGAn6qGv7xYC9CGOADBo9pKGwsRyNOPVOcWNYnpY568hsUZhrB/s400/xmas+001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688726654825748242" border="0" /></a>With all the rain we've been having it's hard to get out and about as you never know when you are going to get caught in a shower. But Rhianna has been busting to get out on her razor scooter so we braved the elements and went for a walk/ride down by the Nepean River.<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLM7m4aGd3xi9h6fS3INy7PNG3TvRx7ZQD1X42EJooTSjZOriyQzvtf-Zymp1OQotdl4drrkdBL8nHf3eit6hvJbVEey7l0VhNAm7uwYPbqlu0TnqOgzLppsrUyEXpVErvMKKaW1OGoNj7/s1600/xmas+003.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLM7m4aGd3xi9h6fS3INy7PNG3TvRx7ZQD1X42EJooTSjZOriyQzvtf-Zymp1OQotdl4drrkdBL8nHf3eit6hvJbVEey7l0VhNAm7uwYPbqlu0TnqOgzLppsrUyEXpVErvMKKaW1OGoNj7/s400/xmas+003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688726532782425266" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">As you can see the view was pretty ordinary. The weather was overcast, the water a very dull grey and nobody is out and about. Hardly feels like Summer at all.<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV8UkhQyl72tXSXeeGbeH69U7Vghep72QXlwczrWnbaEyOyCnzQArElKPs18-kMK4AeLfMu6Mynk8vQAwwTd8uZAaA14K4vHohTng-pzw2d9k_Sq_DJ9WXt8gMGQI-qawd3-HxshOUFwyL/s1600/xmas+005.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV8UkhQyl72tXSXeeGbeH69U7Vghep72QXlwczrWnbaEyOyCnzQArElKPs18-kMK4AeLfMu6Mynk8vQAwwTd8uZAaA14K4vHohTng-pzw2d9k_Sq_DJ9WXt8gMGQI-qawd3-HxshOUFwyL/s400/xmas+005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688726417271750626" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Nearby to the river walk is a park that we had not visited before. It too was deserted. We had a nice play on the equipment and worked off some energy before heading home again.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIMxZIgpAJCDvgqXt0HXt5s9uJUXIbkEKm2qteBEGG067lVECu_8K1RxDYbvAC7BTNKZCMD2KJDVuwi4I7fosaDOgIQYRw1BgVge3S8ZKyJq7z274vapO8bEjBXXfwbXWRgfCF1imXuzXw/s1600/xmas+006.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIMxZIgpAJCDvgqXt0HXt5s9uJUXIbkEKm2qteBEGG067lVECu_8K1RxDYbvAC7BTNKZCMD2KJDVuwi4I7fosaDOgIQYRw1BgVge3S8ZKyJq7z274vapO8bEjBXXfwbXWRgfCF1imXuzXw/s400/xmas+006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688726346740193490" border="0" /></a>On the way home Rhianna asked if we could stop at the library. This is another thing that we rarely get time to do, so I thought "Why not?" We spent ages in there selecting some books, magazines and even a DVD to watch. Such good value at absolutely nothing!!!!!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk1qyI0OQLQsYMP08Jmq1pYY5TwCu3iCHD0hVp8_iEG0Z2C6ctCA6c01HcoIH6UuWcirpzCoyZgKS9VH95mdHuEZwWfbjgWd-lHH9C2QGMCSlJUfzJ_cqgaOovzS32IqO-GnqITcuqzOhv/s1600/xmas+007.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk1qyI0OQLQsYMP08Jmq1pYY5TwCu3iCHD0hVp8_iEG0Z2C6ctCA6c01HcoIH6UuWcirpzCoyZgKS9VH95mdHuEZwWfbjgWd-lHH9C2QGMCSlJUfzJ_cqgaOovzS32IqO-GnqITcuqzOhv/s400/xmas+007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688726276830664898" border="0" /></a>I'm making some truffles for Christmas Day this year. I found a new recipe called Chocolate Fruity Truffles. We got busy last night after dinner. Such good fun when the recipes are really easy like this and with no cooking involved.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbBT-IIJL27novQ52MEY-vC5961SeRAoe2aGjqhGFAP8XAicqylAReoUI-LFu8AZFm4yWDp-XbhMPXcwGm9Ahm6qGPIOiYxfg-fORa8LUFC_j2f7PR5bxnnyg7zinIYUkWKW9U7UNJAti8/s1600/xmas+010.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbBT-IIJL27novQ52MEY-vC5961SeRAoe2aGjqhGFAP8XAicqylAReoUI-LFu8AZFm4yWDp-XbhMPXcwGm9Ahm6qGPIOiYxfg-fORa8LUFC_j2f7PR5bxnnyg7zinIYUkWKW9U7UNJAti8/s400/xmas+010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688726167073495698" border="0" /></a>Bill arrived home quite late but it doesn't matter at the moment because there are no bedtimes to adhere to. We can all stay up late chatting and laughing into the night. Here I am getting my Christmas cheer on - with a little bit of help from a glass of red.<br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAtHkBFUTtS-V6YSAGaF_Uz0AIVj2fDngqzFpq8OH5LkllzlRt5khZcTNmcY6QLYrazvjCEDeuqkw5LhOLBLSJQNaSWRKPEVFyCJNwRUhyphenhyphenbcojJ94JIYjWaxOfAaSuIM9LNmwr1Bx1pUOo/s1600/xmas+017.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAtHkBFUTtS-V6YSAGaF_Uz0AIVj2fDngqzFpq8OH5LkllzlRt5khZcTNmcY6QLYrazvjCEDeuqkw5LhOLBLSJQNaSWRKPEVFyCJNwRUhyphenhyphenbcojJ94JIYjWaxOfAaSuIM9LNmwr1Bx1pUOo/s400/xmas+017.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688725933414904946" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Merry Christmas from our little retro house.<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuv5Go8cll4GFWl9xW4CZPIQnPKF6G3sUOOEL0zqjzElO29u9MJf67_JTaALcq27DXxViwtRxCJkaxTLfC2w2RRMn9iFUGZS72G5fnDMi-gOI-ZN-3wWqJTKrQB7_upArA5oLdw0xqL1MM/s1600/xmas+018.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuv5Go8cll4GFWl9xW4CZPIQnPKF6G3sUOOEL0zqjzElO29u9MJf67_JTaALcq27DXxViwtRxCJkaxTLfC2w2RRMn9iFUGZS72G5fnDMi-gOI-ZN-3wWqJTKrQB7_upArA5oLdw0xqL1MM/s400/xmas+018.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688725842033395010" border="0" /></a>Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15706494291838152826noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934652407234322735.post-5492854951119263012011-12-18T16:16:00.000-08:002011-12-18T16:45:00.912-08:00<span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Can you tell a book by its cover?</span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Summer holidays are the best time to get stuck into some reading. I wonder what you can tell about a person from what they read. Let's have a look at what is on my beside table at the moment. I always have a stack of stuff to read. Reading is my favourite thing to do - besides eating chocolate ice cream.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">First up is my beloved Frankie magazine.<br /><br />I love, love, love this mag as it's full of other dags just like myself who are trying to be creative.<br /><br /> Plus the writing is just so, so good. Even Bill loves to have have a flick through this one. It has a little bit of craft, a bit of cooking, stuff to buy, home decorating that is just like mine. It's just fab.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbqPoLUhy2GtS9BQKfBPGe51ScHKJQZe79dGnxnRYuZXB0ENNMtIiMz3VBP8CSF9-Y64RFZDu1PvJMW-Ffdw67Dj0FWn0WvaBGTCxMlZn5u046fXLmUK07lh4hytG_oc1-7aJz-_oRj2st/s1600/books+005.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbqPoLUhy2GtS9BQKfBPGe51ScHKJQZe79dGnxnRYuZXB0ENNMtIiMz3VBP8CSF9-Y64RFZDu1PvJMW-Ffdw67Dj0FWn0WvaBGTCxMlZn5u046fXLmUK07lh4hytG_oc1-7aJz-_oRj2st/s400/books+005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687627825064332706" border="0" /></a>Another mag I love is G magazine. It's all environmental stuff and organic stuff and simple living and frugality and heaps of ideas on how to reduce your carbon footprint. Just stuff that floats my boat really.<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivValEoth0WBOPAM9_hGS-bEMfwZgDoBglSHbDBDNnvdqZeAe2AtgytMRpgZLVBSQwSmpgrWjFs9h2yFx5uAF3jA3xmpgrQib0CWV1gKxdhcy9YMVQZvUJHp34La5wWqiaIM_iSmBpS-cC/s1600/books+006.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivValEoth0WBOPAM9_hGS-bEMfwZgDoBglSHbDBDNnvdqZeAe2AtgytMRpgZLVBSQwSmpgrWjFs9h2yFx5uAF3jA3xmpgrQib0CWV1gKxdhcy9YMVQZvUJHp34La5wWqiaIM_iSmBpS-cC/s400/books+006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687627430337926738" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I am super excited that Tintin has been made into a movie as it's one of my favourite sets of books from my childhood.<br /><br />We used to go to The Entrance Library every Friday afternoon and I would always try to borrow Tintin books.<br /><br />Yesterday in the city we had a stroll around Dymocks and Bill bought me a Tintin book. It is going to be the first one in my new collection. There are 24 in the set. I know it's quite an acquired taste but I do love a bit of nostalgia.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYVUbNS3H_w1kw8C0FPpgNgO0AbbJL_iim0M0NT1RN629p5hXIB0JnbysJJkKmSk4FW1ZIPhSDOU4blNyzrUI1rVw6oFvVr_VaCHAzc0CMGawJEocKWxRh71Dk8T0qJh9oyrbY1L9c03jf/s1600/books+003.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYVUbNS3H_w1kw8C0FPpgNgO0AbbJL_iim0M0NT1RN629p5hXIB0JnbysJJkKmSk4FW1ZIPhSDOU4blNyzrUI1rVw6oFvVr_VaCHAzc0CMGawJEocKWxRh71Dk8T0qJh9oyrbY1L9c03jf/s400/books+003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687627348663238882" border="0" /></a>A new book on the bedside table this week. It's got fantastic reviews. It's a bit of a sociology/anthropology book about the lack of interaction between kids and nature these days and the consequences of that lack of interaction. Can't wait to get into this one.<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA-RnF-pEv8HCtiouMo-pnZ0tAJw5A8O3rs43pNl2ToVN4QpOpkBRZ0NMam_vJdwyCiB5n_w779e-tQUr9KS2P6hcTYkxef-4tCOFnkEBiQvdiaARE_3oem18ykEW0aY-f1DK53KVkjGBF/s1600/books+002.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA-RnF-pEv8HCtiouMo-pnZ0tAJw5A8O3rs43pNl2ToVN4QpOpkBRZ0NMam_vJdwyCiB5n_w779e-tQUr9KS2P6hcTYkxef-4tCOFnkEBiQvdiaARE_3oem18ykEW0aY-f1DK53KVkjGBF/s400/books+002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687627259190847890" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">But it's not all heavy going.<br /><br /> Another new book on the bedside table is this bit of chick lit. I can't even remember what it's about but it sounded good in the book shop. I'll take this one away camping with us in January as I suspect it's the kind of book you can read while you cook sausages on a campfire.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpOZo4nLSz-Jp-Ceon7XkVbD9htvpD0xdHJb2yCsUSlS81amchVbmOUzpT5n3qaWWERZKpPlc0K2Gnn4XUijcPCoX6KhL6Yp6ZPnZkQagm6W23gIK6wIZQfy2FEORhkUq1s8FzwB1Qg5sx/s1600/books+001.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpOZo4nLSz-Jp-Ceon7XkVbD9htvpD0xdHJb2yCsUSlS81amchVbmOUzpT5n3qaWWERZKpPlc0K2Gnn4XUijcPCoX6KhL6Yp6ZPnZkQagm6W23gIK6wIZQfy2FEORhkUq1s8FzwB1Qg5sx/s400/books+001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687627175077490130" border="0" /></a>What are you reading now?<br /><br /> Any recommendations?<br /><br /> Am I the biggest dag you've ever known?<br /></div>Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15706494291838152826noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934652407234322735.post-42202640721512949382011-12-18T13:52:00.000-08:002011-12-18T14:02:59.072-08:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">How can you blog without a camera?</span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">We had a lovely weekend. Unfortunately for various reasons, I didn't take one photo of any of it.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">We had my sister-in-law and her hubby and kids over for drinks on Saturday night. But I told my husband Bill it was his turn to host and promptly put my feet up. That of course meant I didn't get around to taking any photos.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">On Sunday we travelled into the city to see the David Jones window display, the new kid's park at Darling Harbour and to have lunch with relatives at Cockle Wharf.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> This time I actually did take the camera with me. I took it out and got lots of great photos with it. Then when I got home I realised I had left the memory card plugged into the computer. So no photos of yesterday either.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Very sad......<br /><br /><br />A post is just not a post without the pictures is it?<br /></div>Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15706494291838152826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934652407234322735.post-92057987518221244292011-12-16T16:17:00.000-08:002011-12-16T16:36:39.014-08:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">School Holidays Day 1</span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">We're off to a great start with the school holidays.<br /><br /> Miss R has commenced the festive season by promptly becoming ill. She has some sort of gastro bug along with a delightfully productive cough.<br /><br /> At least I can leave her huddled up on the lounge for the day and not have to worry about missed school and after school sport.<br /><br />It's also fabulous weather to be sick at the moment. I, myself am sitting here in a jumper as I write this post and I'm loving it. There will certainly be enough long, hot Summer days for me in January and February I'm sure.<br /></div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzgjYMUgBGA_maTHQDqsjPZBKLdg5so3YJ8ItQ58SKEXP2_9L2gmyrrwzoY_H5xic3ddcBSQj4gOYNDe8BDsPr2bk37xUoSCmzdCLInFBvBxYvaZZbPQhdewhhUGdUgWrhworWA_96BWma/s1600/SH+day+1+002.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzgjYMUgBGA_maTHQDqsjPZBKLdg5so3YJ8ItQ58SKEXP2_9L2gmyrrwzoY_H5xic3ddcBSQj4gOYNDe8BDsPr2bk37xUoSCmzdCLInFBvBxYvaZZbPQhdewhhUGdUgWrhworWA_96BWma/s400/SH+day+1+002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686885155229436034" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">When Rhianna does manage to haul herself off the lounge we are going to attend to this little monstrosity.<br /><br />This is what I call the end of school typhoon. When teachers like to send home 12 months worth of crap, I mean valuable teaching outcomes and leave the mothers to assimilate it into the house.<br /><br />Or into the garbage - as is the case at our house!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">We also need to make some much needed room for the new things Santa may bring.<br /><br />And as you know, I do like a good clean out.<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeh2fbw_RKtXI6NTSM2fbH-Vjyd7t8HCSquBILHaRP62E_LkAbE9UjNf6o4lsAyeC9a7h9A_Xfi5E9JAHj3D142j5XP91D8daq5bf0lTLzs4-VysFcydIrs_gDk4zk-eY8r8DjLeHd7xN-/s1600/SH+day+1+005.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeh2fbw_RKtXI6NTSM2fbH-Vjyd7t8HCSquBILHaRP62E_LkAbE9UjNf6o4lsAyeC9a7h9A_Xfi5E9JAHj3D142j5XP91D8daq5bf0lTLzs4-VysFcydIrs_gDk4zk-eY8r8DjLeHd7xN-/s400/SH+day+1+005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686885088692817458" border="0" /></a>My quilt is coming along slowly. I have sewed the squares together into strips - 9 in all. The next step is to join the strips to complete the top of the quilt cover.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxlQJOj7i8wcmfI1mqgJmRPFHteRqhNYo4cXHG-cJHa1smJSu-fsw5ty1C5WoHQf6ODsIIlxHxiSogUSJzL7vobUVUkOXQgHR_HQi286EUbR-gJ1Kx5YVdVk5JJ0fHOGZeKTcDK58TpbYJ/s1600/SH+day+1+001.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxlQJOj7i8wcmfI1mqgJmRPFHteRqhNYo4cXHG-cJHa1smJSu-fsw5ty1C5WoHQf6ODsIIlxHxiSogUSJzL7vobUVUkOXQgHR_HQi286EUbR-gJ1Kx5YVdVk5JJ0fHOGZeKTcDK58TpbYJ/s400/SH+day+1+001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686885026271882770" border="0" /></a>Yesterday I felt quilty looking at my very expensive organic carrots wilting sadly in the crisper.<br /><br />So I found a recipe for carrot cake and got to work. The result was this fantastic cake. The icing was a mixture of cream cheese and icing with some orange zest and juice. So yummy. I will never eat a Sara Lee carrot cake again now I know how easy and yummy the real thing is.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">My next baking experiment will be a Christmas Cake from a lovely recipe from Busy Mum's blog. Check out her blog - link on the right hand side of my blog for some great tips on making the perfect Xmas Cake.<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEignRBOPGlVg3-elgwuPREGDWWkzmoOyR2CiUZzFBcEeNxgekJyl4B5RBtFzo23Btk8eHL6mD2aQmJzCCoraz9AWZflfGrk58vc7PK7pBbf-izBW5f6uiKLB9ZvEKAdCm7hRErVmqLx5vHd/s1600/SH+day+1+004.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEignRBOPGlVg3-elgwuPREGDWWkzmoOyR2CiUZzFBcEeNxgekJyl4B5RBtFzo23Btk8eHL6mD2aQmJzCCoraz9AWZflfGrk58vc7PK7pBbf-izBW5f6uiKLB9ZvEKAdCm7hRErVmqLx5vHd/s400/SH+day+1+004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686884953497929698" border="0" /></a>Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15706494291838152826noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934652407234322735.post-8064059096039026792011-12-12T16:26:00.000-08:002011-12-12T16:50:00.064-08:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Crazy Christmas Time</span></span><br /><br />It's getting crazy busy here and I bet it is at your place too.<br /><br />Packages are arriving daily as I did most of my shopping online this year.<br /><br />We have come to love seeing the courier and the postman cross our driveway.<br /><br />For a bit of sustainable shopping there is nowhere on the planet like Etsy. If you have no idea<br /><br /> what Etsy is, well I'm afraid there is just no hope for you. Etsy is THE place for retro, recycled,<br /><br />homemade and vintage loveliness.<br /><br />Here is a crocheted afghan I received last week.<br /><br /> You know I am mad and obsessed with crochet so I couldn't wait till Christmas Day I had to<br /><br />have it out and proud on my lounge <span style="font-weight: bold;">today.</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPuih9w0P1jFBnsmOgKtWKukj9Xm-cBuMzz1Vi9fymj1qCyqViQ7n1CTvo5Q6amUUWhvgQC-caxmp0RS4dTV0wf-hDTR5MvkMLFMyZmHatXV7Pmdee8r7bY-8Ei9bqf5qsN2WR19U0h3i2/s1600/crochet+lounge+002.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPuih9w0P1jFBnsmOgKtWKukj9Xm-cBuMzz1Vi9fymj1qCyqViQ7n1CTvo5Q6amUUWhvgQC-caxmp0RS4dTV0wf-hDTR5MvkMLFMyZmHatXV7Pmdee8r7bY-8Ei9bqf5qsN2WR19U0h3i2/s400/crochet+lounge+002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685404782526098258" border="0" /></a>On Saturday we did a spot of fashion designing. Rhianna created the designs for her new bear<br /><br />and I assisted with the sewing up of said creations. I LOVE that she loves craft the way I do.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLv_iCNtEikqwnDcRkB0K5o5y4q6yXs_gBFMjkG1M2ksdh5YS_MXH6vessCh3ACqoAYDe_pWEO5q27TCqajmy0Lod5SrNjZV4AOwvn6ucfekYUI4TSnrVbWGAPBBcKcH__vziz5LcJjIPJ/s1600/crochet+lounge+004.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLv_iCNtEikqwnDcRkB0K5o5y4q6yXs_gBFMjkG1M2ksdh5YS_MXH6vessCh3ACqoAYDe_pWEO5q27TCqajmy0Lod5SrNjZV4AOwvn6ucfekYUI4TSnrVbWGAPBBcKcH__vziz5LcJjIPJ/s400/crochet+lounge+004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685404707621060770" border="0" /></a>Please notice the bears' earrings. Red felt hearts. Bet you want some now too right?<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsbD1CxtsHxX_zJ8dxhdPI5l24pMRmIp9gUQj3IWjNjwjVmgj-rAVwARDCaL4ySLcUiG_zVhISjTgvcz7WMHfs-FMf9tByCCb-P1DyEJdlyQV_OVjwItAllzAbO6SMLTBwiZRb3Iey47V_/s1600/crochet+lounge+005.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsbD1CxtsHxX_zJ8dxhdPI5l24pMRmIp9gUQj3IWjNjwjVmgj-rAVwARDCaL4ySLcUiG_zVhISjTgvcz7WMHfs-FMf9tByCCb-P1DyEJdlyQV_OVjwItAllzAbO6SMLTBwiZRb3Iey47V_/s400/crochet+lounge+005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685404651498433426" border="0" /></a>Is everybody eating as many cherries as we are at the moment?<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix-aHML6zw6NaBw88bzgXWGRmXrW1CVwq9L8gpKMRKAIYDL_id7WFy8QvY-nB_b-vgvoJVUkzL_r47BExxJVxw3WfIZU7F1lEjD2Rfszteq2tHQrpp6nfPVafUA5gWWXcT_tQx5I-DG3Rj/s1600/crochet+lounge+006.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix-aHML6zw6NaBw88bzgXWGRmXrW1CVwq9L8gpKMRKAIYDL_id7WFy8QvY-nB_b-vgvoJVUkzL_r47BExxJVxw3WfIZU7F1lEjD2Rfszteq2tHQrpp6nfPVafUA5gWWXcT_tQx5I-DG3Rj/s400/crochet+lounge+006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685404576475220722" border="0" /></a>One of my best friends came for a visit Saturday night. Here are the kids swapping presents<br /><br /> beside the tree. Then we all went out for dinner which made a nice change from eating in - and<br /><br /> so much less clean up. I might make it the new tradition.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqj-sxWXK15tYq7mtCd3hIu-4vurFgEJcgGeRTK9mzeEneQ5_KnsnAoYY4Gj-1rxNP3NWwZt2dssqSBtETQUhHdZQhnLE1-S7IxPyYHZCq8J-lhCed8wXKeJls1YZt5E-1NoFV8OG2kZb5/s1600/crochet+lounge+009.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqj-sxWXK15tYq7mtCd3hIu-4vurFgEJcgGeRTK9mzeEneQ5_KnsnAoYY4Gj-1rxNP3NWwZt2dssqSBtETQUhHdZQhnLE1-S7IxPyYHZCq8J-lhCed8wXKeJls1YZt5E-1NoFV8OG2kZb5/s400/crochet+lounge+009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685404495778990018" border="0" /></a>Bill got a bit creative with the rope lights this year next to the pool. It says "LOVE" in case you<br /><br />are having trouble deciphering.<br /><br />Probably a good time to mention how much I love that man. Too, too beautiful for words.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWWbxlPS3XMvmQRusD38XMqUxgI1sAuljkbIy2XVVhCdd9c2xkyxKRY7c4kSX2lXBsFa0XKwgFqLMo7pNJBOc5CkwyoLxjC9Bv7sbpUZv4Kf3FJRyqW2vlpbkKbeR433WZxfkhI27Pfgx3/s1600/crochet+lounge+012.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWWbxlPS3XMvmQRusD38XMqUxgI1sAuljkbIy2XVVhCdd9c2xkyxKRY7c4kSX2lXBsFa0XKwgFqLMo7pNJBOc5CkwyoLxjC9Bv7sbpUZv4Kf3FJRyqW2vlpbkKbeR433WZxfkhI27Pfgx3/s400/crochet+lounge+012.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685404395527262418" border="0" /></a>And also from Etsy some Pyrex dishes. Just the orange ones, the white ones are from local op shops.<br /><br />If there is anything more retro than orange pyrex I am yet to find it.<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj42EYArwEI4SWZorVeNpmotBCmQTPQHxpC7lC4nO0_yCBGOMY75G6orroY0lPPdRDvRHCD48CIXXxPhakJVNfDskC7G3_9TG0tO2gkRnvMtjy6NTBkwk_eeISDWc2UDxOp9Ga_rj_nmF7/s1600/crochet+lounge+013.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj42EYArwEI4SWZorVeNpmotBCmQTPQHxpC7lC4nO0_yCBGOMY75G6orroY0lPPdRDvRHCD48CIXXxPhakJVNfDskC7G3_9TG0tO2gkRnvMtjy6NTBkwk_eeISDWc2UDxOp9Ga_rj_nmF7/s400/crochet+lounge+013.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685404303106355938" border="0" /></a>Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15706494291838152826noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934652407234322735.post-18335983948649714352011-12-07T16:34:00.000-08:002011-12-07T18:29:45.218-08:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Around the House Today</span></span><br /><br />I don't know what the weather is like in your neck of the woods but where I live it's down right depressing at the moment.<br /><br />Lots of clouds, rain and cold temperatures. Day after day after day.<br /><br />Today I gave into temptation and snuggled myself up on the lounge for a bit of unusual telly watching.<br /><br />Of course, I always have my sidekick, Finn with me.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDtxHUkRXgjvEnEeGcQkhzmMlDlTnpxgFCyd1KbgobgbWr-vo28YxNfzTGHo2ap69wHtVonYBVRuqIi1FzxtdqjdFtc6KCR8TgTbSiUZHxymlkYR3nCsNdnhVhITJr2nXaK6ozXIfGr11N/s1600/around+the+house+today+001.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDtxHUkRXgjvEnEeGcQkhzmMlDlTnpxgFCyd1KbgobgbWr-vo28YxNfzTGHo2ap69wHtVonYBVRuqIi1FzxtdqjdFtc6KCR8TgTbSiUZHxymlkYR3nCsNdnhVhITJr2nXaK6ozXIfGr11N/s400/around+the+house+today+001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683550859579869570" border="0" /></a>And even Finn looks depressed by the weather and the lack of walkies happening around here today.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgezjl_0crk5aYqr6_VcuM82L0crqibF7660iZFnmCE5Z_6YlM2mj2nP-H-rhX49JDwpzQjm09dEvf33y3cyWLxdV_BO71DY6mYO0uzTcSCUExIa4AaxtQaKCO3HgwPu9VTuKf2afsALm5a/s1600/around+the+house+today+002.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgezjl_0crk5aYqr6_VcuM82L0crqibF7660iZFnmCE5Z_6YlM2mj2nP-H-rhX49JDwpzQjm09dEvf33y3cyWLxdV_BO71DY6mYO0uzTcSCUExIa4AaxtQaKCO3HgwPu9VTuKf2afsALm5a/s400/around+the+house+today+002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683550787488928466" border="0" /></a>It was the perfect weather to try out one of my new purchases from Ikea - a little ironing board to put out when I am doing my sewing. Because space is so limited in my house it's great not having a huge ironing board taking up valuable room.<br /><br />I got out some of my fabrics and gave them a good press as I intend to start on my quilt cover next week.<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpxN3guYm9nYMMiP1pZsy3oyRlUyxAff5FXcM5heAVuSD4k1sGtuB4VS3yemluLLr33QC4mimxbmBc8wus94C-fsLiBS3WRPBL_B3Nolbx4cVTg33HKcOsn7CO9qtOjI_wA_8Op7CMFq7I/s1600/around+the+house+today+005.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpxN3guYm9nYMMiP1pZsy3oyRlUyxAff5FXcM5heAVuSD4k1sGtuB4VS3yemluLLr33QC4mimxbmBc8wus94C-fsLiBS3WRPBL_B3Nolbx4cVTg33HKcOsn7CO9qtOjI_wA_8Op7CMFq7I/s400/around+the+house+today+005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683550719076424738" border="0" /></a>I thought I might show you what's happening on my mantle since we're in this area of the house.<br /><br />I've had some new additions which I don't think I've shown you yet.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ML_e5-avn5nos3BiGjkNjrsJD6inH7Yz45Njn60ihQ_JR3RfW6pYrGE8qqERpII7YyoZ3slKJ1f4alFQvhlrWZcSZLnv_rr5WwAo00jTZ8VvYuf_dHMAyQ5gtsgR0bnaMgGPinDXUhfl/s1600/around+the+house+today+006.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ML_e5-avn5nos3BiGjkNjrsJD6inH7Yz45Njn60ihQ_JR3RfW6pYrGE8qqERpII7YyoZ3slKJ1f4alFQvhlrWZcSZLnv_rr5WwAo00jTZ8VvYuf_dHMAyQ5gtsgR0bnaMgGPinDXUhfl/s400/around+the+house+today+006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683550632800007234" border="0" /></a>The little deer and cart are an Etsy purchase. I had him in my favourites for over a year as I thought he was too expensive.<br /><br />But then the seller had a sale and well, I just head to bring him home to Australia.<br /><br />Next to him is an old camera Bill bought off Ebay and the start of my Penguins classic book collection. I'm determined to do a bit more high brow reading next year.<br /><br />So far I've read Catcher in the Rye, Jane Eyre and Breakfast at Tiffany's.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFniviot6xPmOA1W2cdBxedw7EoQZBz6XeivQpjU43yJbUrGftUlZEquwVkaaOSMZuX8g2vDX5Q1WNtsnSpEmFDTILU1vNtqPQgsKYLAcKEZadq2wYj_YVtuwxstqr_ZSL4yrLlFyeold5/s1600/around+the+house+today+007.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFniviot6xPmOA1W2cdBxedw7EoQZBz6XeivQpjU43yJbUrGftUlZEquwVkaaOSMZuX8g2vDX5Q1WNtsnSpEmFDTILU1vNtqPQgsKYLAcKEZadq2wYj_YVtuwxstqr_ZSL4yrLlFyeold5/s400/around+the+house+today+007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683550569502792162" border="0" /></a>But this is my brand new love and it didn't cost me a cent.<br /><br />Mum has had this vase since she got married. I remember it on her dressing table when I was a little girl. Last time I went home to see Mum and Dad, Mum gifted it to me. I can't tell you how much I love this vase. Not only because it's so lovely but because it reminds me so vividly of my childhood.<br /><br />Thanks Mum.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3UYsD7pFbhYg3fLV8MfhgqnynjH_0p-oVukfsHG8CSBO1b0GuGP6tEmxTSHKivLwspv_IuI8U-AxD5JJck08xzESqi4jnQVYwJnfPKgdInkg7VpXUVxLykefBYDndNxouPKRQnszMdWmt/s1600/around+the+house+today+008.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3UYsD7pFbhYg3fLV8MfhgqnynjH_0p-oVukfsHG8CSBO1b0GuGP6tEmxTSHKivLwspv_IuI8U-AxD5JJck08xzESqi4jnQVYwJnfPKgdInkg7VpXUVxLykefBYDndNxouPKRQnszMdWmt/s400/around+the+house+today+008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683550494583183026" border="0" /></a>With all this wet weather, the house is smelling a bit musty and damp. I've lit a couple of burners around the house today to keep things smelling sweet. In this burner I have some organic soy musk oil. It smells divine.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm8pFdrCdrYDafe5oRI4CdrVwICv8qIzip5M2Q26D_0xqSY4uVyX_Y7qN6TsMCX5BIqdyYLA4t2c70pNlohoTUaQlGyZr0uWZM9XfQyGeiyNrBikSQlJ5ERWm7-omOwHPee6kTO2QbNcbe/s1600/around+the+house+today+009.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm8pFdrCdrYDafe5oRI4CdrVwICv8qIzip5M2Q26D_0xqSY4uVyX_Y7qN6TsMCX5BIqdyYLA4t2c70pNlohoTUaQlGyZr0uWZM9XfQyGeiyNrBikSQlJ5ERWm7-omOwHPee6kTO2QbNcbe/s400/around+the+house+today+009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683549955957166466" border="0" /></a>The I went in to vacuum Rhianna's bedroom and had to laugh when I saw that her bravery bear was wearing her new Christmas earrings. Thought I'd share it with you too.<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYnmQIWp8cOTbEodBa2qiNM8Yu2IwBX13PRPogqpuyqtO-iCRcF0KZF9skr8OzMI6By-I8xZTFsbCyQYsEc_vF9ZOGBO7RzHDmGkApZgWY0ELSPIQuNDeX-gUG3MM3FwQp43yzQVw-txjd/s1600/around+the+house+today+010.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYnmQIWp8cOTbEodBa2qiNM8Yu2IwBX13PRPogqpuyqtO-iCRcF0KZF9skr8OzMI6By-I8xZTFsbCyQYsEc_vF9ZOGBO7RzHDmGkApZgWY0ELSPIQuNDeX-gUG3MM3FwQp43yzQVw-txjd/s400/around+the+house+today+010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683550418785982802" border="0" /></a>Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15706494291838152826noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934652407234322735.post-3841594001846415562011-12-05T15:05:00.000-08:002011-12-05T15:29:11.467-08:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Simple Living</span></span><br /><br />As I have finished all my Christmas shopping except for the fresh food I will need on Christmas day, I am staying well and truly away from all large shopping centres.<br /><br /> Luckily we have a small IGA in our local area which doesn't get too busy for day to day needs but as for going near a Westfield plaza - forget it!<br /><br />Time to get on with some of the craft projects that have been sitting in the cupboard.<br /><br />One of the easy and quick things I wanted to do was to dress up some of my plain pillowcases.<br /><br /> I like to buy white pillowcases as they are so easy to napisan back to a lovely fresh white again.<br /><br />But they are oh, so boring.<br /><br />I picked up a fat quarter in Big W a few months ago with the intention of adding it as a border to some white pillowcases I already had.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI0XYye7fCfasgtlzTIhD7cR7b2YQypS_hoC-AfwW-bRKLtdjmmAMdgWOOHGlQh8ik-iSvxUxV7VSUc3AJFArkvNAq62pDRx0UmhYjB_mVU29bJS6HK_W__1RmqxEEXFlyn1M2rRo46v70/s1600/pillowcases+001.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI0XYye7fCfasgtlzTIhD7cR7b2YQypS_hoC-AfwW-bRKLtdjmmAMdgWOOHGlQh8ik-iSvxUxV7VSUc3AJFArkvNAq62pDRx0UmhYjB_mVU29bJS6HK_W__1RmqxEEXFlyn1M2rRo46v70/s400/pillowcases+001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682785167362839890" border="0" /></a>Just a bit on the entry side of the pillowcase.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqlwEByd_QzhMK9f96ZLIhZoDwT9nddpMbBOoleWX1Gin6vKy3D-8_3EB9EpH5G5zABfRSIinJo4ygiZNzqHzV5ZhuLU1f3bhdhX7YtdfoXudHNvMqBIlxoJtEHs0sHLTzjXkD4JzGUlD9/s1600/pillowcases+002.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqlwEByd_QzhMK9f96ZLIhZoDwT9nddpMbBOoleWX1Gin6vKy3D-8_3EB9EpH5G5zABfRSIinJo4ygiZNzqHzV5ZhuLU1f3bhdhX7YtdfoXudHNvMqBIlxoJtEHs0sHLTzjXkD4JzGUlD9/s400/pillowcases+002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682785090777873570" border="0" /></a>Makes our bed look nice and fresh. Took me about 30 minutes to do the two pillowcases.<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsWmrPc_SQaIwaBiwnp5YMzhAopljI3s8lsJpRJaq185tkXFLIZGvekjdp2yxCIt74DUaGx00tyMLNVvDkjynn6pZ7ZOIPm78mv3BZ8UV6f9rvGQOA7IFgrJZG8qAVTmhgfK1O7HSylYeS/s1600/pillowcases+003.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsWmrPc_SQaIwaBiwnp5YMzhAopljI3s8lsJpRJaq185tkXFLIZGvekjdp2yxCIt74DUaGx00tyMLNVvDkjynn6pZ7ZOIPm78mv3BZ8UV6f9rvGQOA7IFgrJZG8qAVTmhgfK1O7HSylYeS/s400/pillowcases+003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682785017958986914" border="0" /></a>The other thing I've been doing a bit of lately is stockpiling.<br /><br />Firstly, because I hope to avoid the shops as much as I can for the next month and secondly, because the school holidays are approaching and I know I will be grocery shopping with an irritable 8 year old.<br /><br />Last week, Woolies had this great special on toilet paper. Sixteen rolls for $4. I grabbed two lots.<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioo9B7LVcNlsMbs_JEqQuBTO3P2tLSwcG8QKBTmGlU2TWtRvbZOjqr1d2vZbR6lzqiAurj3BI8KIEh3FWpWvU4M0aOiwduRubVYQUMb9mPMtP9Cgs3GPc-jbD0FKXCo-gOknM0L2591zml/s1600/pillowcases+004.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioo9B7LVcNlsMbs_JEqQuBTO3P2tLSwcG8QKBTmGlU2TWtRvbZOjqr1d2vZbR6lzqiAurj3BI8KIEh3FWpWvU4M0aOiwduRubVYQUMb9mPMtP9Cgs3GPc-jbD0FKXCo-gOknM0L2591zml/s400/pillowcases+004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682784945462360562" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I also love to grab shampoo and conditioner when it's on sale.<br /><br />I have absolutely no brand loyalty. I try to buy organic when I can but sometimes the other brands have such good specials it's hard to say no.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2GoOKDNp62gE9XBvXiK_pIqWAvp30hQJ3oRuhegpz-Qx79r9TKN-1j9bLhh4xUrO37tPOmZcGjL8O6DvPdkT97FRis3Lu-xXUGS-CLlRQdEGkCnSIZvhJSJF1LgnOhpnE4ODWQyGbFKlH/s1600/pillowcases+005.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2GoOKDNp62gE9XBvXiK_pIqWAvp30hQJ3oRuhegpz-Qx79r9TKN-1j9bLhh4xUrO37tPOmZcGjL8O6DvPdkT97FRis3Lu-xXUGS-CLlRQdEGkCnSIZvhJSJF1LgnOhpnE4ODWQyGbFKlH/s400/pillowcases+005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682784870034638690" border="0" /></a>My shampoo collection.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ1F2_frgfErwG2p8e9-NwH9YTczNRXm685aC04rb6jRX5WaJ1467ZGTN2lk-kUbJ_2qED4C_j2sVVjFrH6wEk0oVa-bfE0tgseRS-Y0p1tp9QbW6fSuySh3fxJpS4hlmA2gSYy3LwHAnm/s1600/pillowcases+006.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ1F2_frgfErwG2p8e9-NwH9YTczNRXm685aC04rb6jRX5WaJ1467ZGTN2lk-kUbJ_2qED4C_j2sVVjFrH6wEk0oVa-bfE0tgseRS-Y0p1tp9QbW6fSuySh3fxJpS4hlmA2gSYy3LwHAnm/s400/pillowcases+006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682784794889560082" border="0" /></a>I've also gotten back into op shopping. I had given up on it a bit because I wasn't finding much in the stores lately and when I did, I found they were charging too much for vintage items.<br /><br />But a girlfriend reminded me to just take my time when I'm looking through the stores, don't go looking for a particular item and don't buy anything unless I love it.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Well today I feel in love.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">My Nan used to have one of these bags/baskets. Made of fabric with cane looking handles. Nan used to keep her knitting projects in hers. I was walking past the local cancer op shop and saw this in the window. I quickly walked in and snaffled it up for myself.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhowQyeqEfnzhDmznPhxHj3sR0nnSdsSjkyaRk4X3yKPXXNsR8JBGEkZeiwtbqLupQbjViIIj-ZG9QsmJntrhLCV9AWEKp8d2viLUSwnE0SA0aggtB5__JnLUquAWibjwmMB8xaCV4aaiW-/s1600/pillowcases+008.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhowQyeqEfnzhDmznPhxHj3sR0nnSdsSjkyaRk4X3yKPXXNsR8JBGEkZeiwtbqLupQbjViIIj-ZG9QsmJntrhLCV9AWEKp8d2viLUSwnE0SA0aggtB5__JnLUquAWibjwmMB8xaCV4aaiW-/s400/pillowcases+008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682784712019073458" border="0" /></a>It's now right next to my bed ready for some Autumn/Winter knitting projects.<br /><br />And 2012 is going to be the year I learn to crochet. (No laughing)<br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq1jyKmgIBwBqNKmMlEfZ6hGpPsYR-ZvawpEB_c5GxoojXfr7idiYYWl07SN24aqBEIDBqf1btPkXpKrRMIfEGcEMz1dJC7vkk2CGmRt2J_Zau-nwu7RtOGsBXtpieivnfSwwDp6ZBVjx9/s1600/pillowcases+007.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq1jyKmgIBwBqNKmMlEfZ6hGpPsYR-ZvawpEB_c5GxoojXfr7idiYYWl07SN24aqBEIDBqf1btPkXpKrRMIfEGcEMz1dJC7vkk2CGmRt2J_Zau-nwu7RtOGsBXtpieivnfSwwDp6ZBVjx9/s400/pillowcases+007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682784623152856722" border="0" /></a>Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15706494291838152826noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934652407234322735.post-44182071067264634882011-12-03T16:54:00.000-08:002011-12-03T17:17:59.662-08:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Recovering. </span></span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Back to the land of the living today - but only just.<br /><br />The surgery went well but it does tend to knock you around a bit.<br /><br />I spent yesterday in bed recovering but have managed to get up and about today for a bit of pottering around the house.<br /><br />Most importantly I had a very nice, long warm shower.<br /><br />Then off to the kitchen for a coffee and a bit of a read of the paper.<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfiOnyEhLdrvKy1QbARoZnHhA86yqd73zx6MYVZmDv75ppjVJDVyAno6lhZOOE2Ml4WK3cjNaflw2JENLlHniarrwTqsPTZJJapirqlcrTLC78ioLWOWyBjvopesxEOuDGnQTm88xw2frm/s1600/recovery+002.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfiOnyEhLdrvKy1QbARoZnHhA86yqd73zx6MYVZmDv75ppjVJDVyAno6lhZOOE2Ml4WK3cjNaflw2JENLlHniarrwTqsPTZJJapirqlcrTLC78ioLWOWyBjvopesxEOuDGnQTm88xw2frm/s400/recovery+002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682071282106774466" border="0" /></a>Bill has taken Rhianna and one of her little friends out for the day so I can have some quiet time to recover.<br /><br /> He got the bed sorted for me before he left so I could crawl back in if I need to - bless him.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOhNXMnspbIk5COJkL1Mt1vimKI8FcTga1fOxIsDGMt2yL1vxpc-nJV-nvx6DT-Ns6J9Y5Mh9-et7qk8HYaZQ_XEbOjKd5F_boEVGMyPPcA8NIllgMYmbY_iyAOSfhBPv1_tKu1XisguXw/s1600/recovery+004.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOhNXMnspbIk5COJkL1Mt1vimKI8FcTga1fOxIsDGMt2yL1vxpc-nJV-nvx6DT-Ns6J9Y5Mh9-et7qk8HYaZQ_XEbOjKd5F_boEVGMyPPcA8NIllgMYmbY_iyAOSfhBPv1_tKu1XisguXw/s400/recovery+004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682071193594476530" border="0" /></a>But I have a little bit of energy, and I do mean a very little bit so I decide to wrap Rhianna's teacher's Christmas present.<br /><br /> I collect some supplies, paper bag, cardstock, paper doily, vintage yoyo and a button.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs0E0VSMRNz9ak2R4keXJuarGdgXDQUkAnf-sT5lbDk6M3HNaKrYckiu5iCOahV_YRRhBlYpf2vKc3pl-Bz27gej2-JmtVow1Zzw-AYVX_OCYQd9pO_GUOjwKWASnkg0-UXtGJFBCsR-rU/s1600/recovery+005.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs0E0VSMRNz9ak2R4keXJuarGdgXDQUkAnf-sT5lbDk6M3HNaKrYckiu5iCOahV_YRRhBlYpf2vKc3pl-Bz27gej2-JmtVow1Zzw-AYVX_OCYQd9pO_GUOjwKWASnkg0-UXtGJFBCsR-rU/s400/recovery+005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682071125104147314" border="0" /></a>I cut a circle of cardstock. Sew the yoyo to the doily and glue the whole lot to the paper bag.<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQdtGNgs6FwXEEjESMwv3FYsO7GvuPAnAzmj3hXY29xz4-m-PZjJP2uDpOUcxyV257iakDktiJQeyKCLVpd77LYLl_-dYk8c2nYyD9iRbX-ps9sc-fuQdTpdL-KdhOHYaWOkKFkqzSf_TU/s1600/recovery+006.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQdtGNgs6FwXEEjESMwv3FYsO7GvuPAnAzmj3hXY29xz4-m-PZjJP2uDpOUcxyV257iakDktiJQeyKCLVpd77LYLl_-dYk8c2nYyD9iRbX-ps9sc-fuQdTpdL-KdhOHYaWOkKFkqzSf_TU/s400/recovery+006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682071055298225346" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Do the same on the back but instead of a yoyo I sew on a large pink love heart button.<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGSTgKto06BNGfAk_oJW4rReMZ5T0dtISLKylKSrfGs4OtyAOzXh_O6ASOddjxDibCzWJNXtQC2Dr9u1tLsomscxCdzVPiBotTECjgULzZksx3AIugfwFlVm774pIcAC0Rea8nJw_OleZG/s1600/recovery+007.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGSTgKto06BNGfAk_oJW4rReMZ5T0dtISLKylKSrfGs4OtyAOzXh_O6ASOddjxDibCzWJNXtQC2Dr9u1tLsomscxCdzVPiBotTECjgULzZksx3AIugfwFlVm774pIcAC0Rea8nJw_OleZG/s400/recovery+007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682070975577277234" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyo4fn0xY6zd0xVAA4JT-e1OuodQbEDJ_iJW9TG_XqrT8PAR9nXtDY5_xffG676S4W92vtlkSeu-EkqsFjXLqtQPjH74m8Z_hLFwOfGqcJk47rh6pk9PlZMJ43pqLN0N4XdABZbPjnuGrX/s1600/recovery+008.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyo4fn0xY6zd0xVAA4JT-e1OuodQbEDJ_iJW9TG_XqrT8PAR9nXtDY5_xffG676S4W92vtlkSeu-EkqsFjXLqtQPjH74m8Z_hLFwOfGqcJk47rh6pk9PlZMJ43pqLN0N4XdABZbPjnuGrX/s400/recovery+008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682070820742831618" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFtQtm39tdqHGu8PanSlOiHKOFqEyZD1l2gLQ6Ple8TK-QQzh46s5TOlRPjugLKakplFHL5MdO452W4fw-ZhOiUQpk8FDtAANLCYPySmvxpocZidXLwVaZwg8tOhu_fL3BDGqwlvFt6tyI/s1600/recovery+009.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFtQtm39tdqHGu8PanSlOiHKOFqEyZD1l2gLQ6Ple8TK-QQzh46s5TOlRPjugLKakplFHL5MdO452W4fw-ZhOiUQpk8FDtAANLCYPySmvxpocZidXLwVaZwg8tOhu_fL3BDGqwlvFt6tyI/s400/recovery+009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682070738727342882" border="0" /></a>Inside the paperbag I have a couple of things made by my friend Emma.<br /><br />Some lovely papergoods that all teachers love to receive.<br /><br /> After putting them in the bag though, they look a bit meagre so I'll buy a box of chocolates through the week to pad it out a bit.<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1_NxeNWTRJmC0SlMSa2XetIcCP1lTqS3JZ2KxPKmHXD1WJPL2w_ulfjPQJlL0eCo62HZYfwsC1ojrYz6wnfFSKzWipnKg0bIejsnof3mmQwM45ErQHUiebcyjBfe5Ptd08DzF73Rgbjmb/s1600/recovery+010.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1_NxeNWTRJmC0SlMSa2XetIcCP1lTqS3JZ2KxPKmHXD1WJPL2w_ulfjPQJlL0eCo62HZYfwsC1ojrYz6wnfFSKzWipnKg0bIejsnof3mmQwM45ErQHUiebcyjBfe5Ptd08DzF73Rgbjmb/s400/recovery+010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682070639085349186" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br />A nice little Xmas bow to finish things off.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1EybpYKyD-6W4jXqi31x8ed5fDPAPcbHs57fn3y2aL4ho4pwgm0Gp3CmEI2_0mxhkjHHbRaU6FynANhvnNNru2cSFT0AxxxMktALFZwujpznfAfSsh04hKEIgOhJK-vRXXuGvIxvsM8aE/s1600/recovery+011.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1EybpYKyD-6W4jXqi31x8ed5fDPAPcbHs57fn3y2aL4ho4pwgm0Gp3CmEI2_0mxhkjHHbRaU6FynANhvnNNru2cSFT0AxxxMktALFZwujpznfAfSsh04hKEIgOhJK-vRXXuGvIxvsM8aE/s400/recovery+011.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682070557989624706" border="0" /></a>Back to bed now for a little midday sleep.<br /></div>Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15706494291838152826noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934652407234322735.post-89785290756531107092011-11-30T16:34:00.001-08:002011-11-30T17:12:47.415-08:00<span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">A Quiet Day</span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I'm off to the hospital tomorrow for a day surgery.<br /><br />Today is all about getting ready for the surgery.<br /><br /> I have to stick to a clear fluid diet today (Oh Joy!!!) and this afternoon I have to take something called Picoprep which will make myself and the bathroom best buddies from now until tomorrow morning. It just gets better and better doesn't it?<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">So this morning I headed up to the Op shop to drop off some donations.<br /><br />While I was there I had a little poke around - as you do, and found this board game in brand new condition.<br /><br />It's called Tipayatung. It's all about remembering the end line of famous sayings and quotes.<br /><br />I think I'll put it aside to play on Christmas afternoon. It was a whole $3.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_wMO-otLdtcoF_Ys4_szfeCK0TAXxQhlmBGKf0hhaE9HOxqPKNsNDYTHnVuRasg6Xm5FaHDSBXqYmrJR4vcjAvywkRe6og7tu-0yMuv50_01ZLcVDKJIZhH5E2OqUaJuB9suE_1dBawQX/s1600/yo+yo+cushion+001.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_wMO-otLdtcoF_Ys4_szfeCK0TAXxQhlmBGKf0hhaE9HOxqPKNsNDYTHnVuRasg6Xm5FaHDSBXqYmrJR4vcjAvywkRe6og7tu-0yMuv50_01ZLcVDKJIZhH5E2OqUaJuB9suE_1dBawQX/s400/yo+yo+cushion+001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680952823108944850" border="0" /></a>I also got some cheap magazines and a book to take to the hospital with me. I know from experience there can be a lot of waiting around.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoSPds17iwk30MBmc60VLScEv8w2HYnTZj_3GS9fxo0A_6zHT_VbjeauzIMbvIb9w87F-LYJ4t3Lt9msgiq26uiL0fVPV6StBZTNQtGcqmJfFtGbztkayLpjjUaydBtZaI6AWdGcRCxqcN/s1600/yo+yo+cushion+002.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoSPds17iwk30MBmc60VLScEv8w2HYnTZj_3GS9fxo0A_6zHT_VbjeauzIMbvIb9w87F-LYJ4t3Lt9msgiq26uiL0fVPV6StBZTNQtGcqmJfFtGbztkayLpjjUaydBtZaI6AWdGcRCxqcN/s400/yo+yo+cushion+002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680952753717880546" border="0" /></a>The book I got for 50 cents is called Choosing Eden.<br /><br />I have wanted to read this book for ages and was so happy to find it in an Op shop.<br /><br />It's about a family that turn their backs on the big city lifestyle and go to live in the country to live a much simpler life including growing as much of their own produce as possible.<br /><br /> It is just the right size to pop in my handbag for tomorrow.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3tWszdrOiinElAsVjgLBnzrCydc2lQD7MFQNf0dt9y5grvUuR4uIu08KMGnpBnGdt8hlqjUlggjmKYCVwGORophYuwkUDG6izFJZrkGnxJFjnNwAPJxsdmZLnEpIxPapMVfa9iiAfT6j4/s1600/yo+yo+cushion+003.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3tWszdrOiinElAsVjgLBnzrCydc2lQD7MFQNf0dt9y5grvUuR4uIu08KMGnpBnGdt8hlqjUlggjmKYCVwGORophYuwkUDG6izFJZrkGnxJFjnNwAPJxsdmZLnEpIxPapMVfa9iiAfT6j4/s400/yo+yo+cushion+003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680952679208787282" border="0" /></a>This afternoon while I'm taking it easy I'm going to be working on a craft project . I tore this craft page from a magazine ages ago.<br /><br /> Today I've gathered the supplies to have a go at it myself.'<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYgU_On0xXUrQ0nJ_Dm9ZTPGW6tbR4o0MaSx4n_h5Sm3N2BZQLzpSG0EnCTVGi3JFtsOQ8XIyhhEcQ1qq5uJ9jwWM4Ykh3KRXnSQ1J2lmI0FVya1AFpOAm9wZDzc-zzVP3RElapLWToTYB/s1600/yo+yo+cushion+008.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYgU_On0xXUrQ0nJ_Dm9ZTPGW6tbR4o0MaSx4n_h5Sm3N2BZQLzpSG0EnCTVGi3JFtsOQ8XIyhhEcQ1qq5uJ9jwWM4Ykh3KRXnSQ1J2lmI0FVya1AFpOAm9wZDzc-zzVP3RElapLWToTYB/s400/yo+yo+cushion+008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680958496209430850" border="0" /></a>I've made some yoyo's from some vintage scrap material I had lying around.<br /><br /> The cushion was a $5 bargain from a furniture store. I've pinned the yoyo's onto the pillow to get an idea of colour placement and now I just have to sew them all on.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_aUepz9e_D4XZ0rBP4eBcjyJOrpXmr_tYyabzhff2YVD0-tGxrPVWr_srUs06iQLMDYDuoHgtDoAZbUG3gNT25xDgj1s34XNUmJ4ZIYei_bF85RGAXa3LakgDvw6ciRVifAXVgysMkZtw/s1600/yo+yo+cushion+004.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_aUepz9e_D4XZ0rBP4eBcjyJOrpXmr_tYyabzhff2YVD0-tGxrPVWr_srUs06iQLMDYDuoHgtDoAZbUG3gNT25xDgj1s34XNUmJ4ZIYei_bF85RGAXa3LakgDvw6ciRVifAXVgysMkZtw/s400/yo+yo+cushion+004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680952162790327730" border="0" /></a>Can't wait to pop it somewhere in the house.<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie8ruFUhjr1aCak7sTOX0VfTJ-BRMEKxwcExktt9mVpp6YqaJEJsK8o-y4F_ZEIDHJhRiQ1DCSv-C1bp3vMXQw1XPtzd3HFXt1l3fbaJw3IuCSIQJE7wXQbICSzRi_PO1WncsxIA5Z8HH7/s1600/yo+yo+cushion+007.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie8ruFUhjr1aCak7sTOX0VfTJ-BRMEKxwcExktt9mVpp6YqaJEJsK8o-y4F_ZEIDHJhRiQ1DCSv-C1bp3vMXQw1XPtzd3HFXt1l3fbaJw3IuCSIQJE7wXQbICSzRi_PO1WncsxIA5Z8HH7/s400/yo+yo+cushion+007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680952095950591858" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I may be away for a few days while I recover from my surgery.<br /><br /> Will be back as soon as I am able to.<br /></div>Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15706494291838152826noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934652407234322735.post-45231495609403900002011-11-29T17:31:00.000-08:002011-11-29T17:58:53.069-08:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Simple Pleasures and Somewhere to Sit.</span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">My husband Bill works very long hours. When you run your own business, you can never clock off. Subsequently, we spent very little quality time together through the week.<br /><br />We do get the odd cup of coffee together in the morning and maybe an hour together in the evening. But with the kids, dinner, showers etc all competing for our time the quality of our interactions leave a lot to be desired.<br /><br />About a year ago we decided to create an area that was just for us. A place with two chairs, a place to put our coffee and a light to read by. Of course, it all had to feel a bit retro.<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKtltIBnaMltnIorz63hQbsDFTtowmLNEQdr16ib7FBXQxFhsguaYgfntusaDgHYg8K7gT8E_sdyxj81WdiDBfaZ4d8tqT-U8g1-U69cIl4MPkWNo9oCaYDkes7K9DANcLNgoiTuiq91Q4/s1600/somewhere+to+sit+001.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKtltIBnaMltnIorz63hQbsDFTtowmLNEQdr16ib7FBXQxFhsguaYgfntusaDgHYg8K7gT8E_sdyxj81WdiDBfaZ4d8tqT-U8g1-U69cIl4MPkWNo9oCaYDkes7K9DANcLNgoiTuiq91Q4/s400/somewhere+to+sit+001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680596556504029138" border="0" /></a>We spend most mornings in this spot reading the papers, chatting and having our first coffee of the day. We put in a footstool to put our feet up on. This also doubles as a place for the kids and the dog to come and say hello.<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnC6fwkYHIicVAFBNlcaEBynxj9htfSQG0ZqcAtSyjXdqVApZD3EIpSWconfH9jFH5MUh6BcEnD6hkobta4n5ShqJF58lrCTjRJfs8FZsvsC2LOcKGpPwEBOYofPWp9bnHFzODs4zH75CY/s1600/somewhere+to+sit+002.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnC6fwkYHIicVAFBNlcaEBynxj9htfSQG0ZqcAtSyjXdqVApZD3EIpSWconfH9jFH5MUh6BcEnD6hkobta4n5ShqJF58lrCTjRJfs8FZsvsC2LOcKGpPwEBOYofPWp9bnHFzODs4zH75CY/s400/somewhere+to+sit+002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680596478600974818" border="0" /></a>A little table to put coffee cups, papers etc. I used to use the retro phone until it became impractical. Now it's just an ornament. The table also has the triffid style lights that you can manually angle to suit your reading purposes.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYpMLhh-Kc8XckFC07CdzZTJZ6mqpxYsW-cIgiOnel8mXq6vpISMOlX1KVgvPhFn5nfH7WVz8w4ESg09MpVCIWZ1PaECE4N7JYygZJh34qBv6vBTHr4ZkW1GLtoRSg_GiwaM5tQsBmwE1J/s1600/somewhere+to+sit+003.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYpMLhh-Kc8XckFC07CdzZTJZ6mqpxYsW-cIgiOnel8mXq6vpISMOlX1KVgvPhFn5nfH7WVz8w4ESg09MpVCIWZ1PaECE4N7JYygZJh34qBv6vBTHr4ZkW1GLtoRSg_GiwaM5tQsBmwE1J/s400/somewhere+to+sit+003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680596412613020770" border="0" /></a>I had a little phase of old blighty love during which time I bought this cushion from Etsy.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXGDihhVtpepwy3yMOBufY4vIuf7d7LzrKLD_Okd59DeaUcblI8fdMORDvoECvCoss7h5tCbQBlFwKOMLDIQ7nG6MaXB_fGTYcF9_LxUa6C6vUEuq-8wQ3BFdWpuWi-Q2omqh__5NC2FHJ/s1600/somewhere+to+sit+004.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXGDihhVtpepwy3yMOBufY4vIuf7d7LzrKLD_Okd59DeaUcblI8fdMORDvoECvCoss7h5tCbQBlFwKOMLDIQ7nG6MaXB_fGTYcF9_LxUa6C6vUEuq-8wQ3BFdWpuWi-Q2omqh__5NC2FHJ/s400/somewhere+to+sit+004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680596347439875330" border="0" /></a>And this very British poster from Lark.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkdl-ivIzPRB7t7VejrKHVd6gSODY4jvJ8sxWuA0Z2Kq7WCdEgutFtX1qQ6ykfLtVM1s8J_I4cQRpjBMvP9TfGXIS6CAX78FkTNnfIyc1mSBPLXV5m7Ng8ncYMQgZWJ3znbPzHQdaWboWG/s1600/somewhere+to+sit+005.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkdl-ivIzPRB7t7VejrKHVd6gSODY4jvJ8sxWuA0Z2Kq7WCdEgutFtX1qQ6ykfLtVM1s8J_I4cQRpjBMvP9TfGXIS6CAX78FkTNnfIyc1mSBPLXV5m7Ng8ncYMQgZWJ3znbPzHQdaWboWG/s400/somewhere+to+sit+005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680596283891579778" border="0" /></a>While I am detesting this Summer weather, I am loving the fresh fruit that is everywhere at the moment. Such a simple pleasure that can really make your day. I got these massive mangoes yesterday for $1 each at the local greengrocer.<br /><br />With these short life span fruits you really have to eat as much as you can while they are abundant I think.<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhQbx3wM9ESm0LtGf_mu7xjnwljWSBFbgudS_ZhjGvAcE9ccSmeIpPfuS2Zouo5LnS-mhlVl-sHjAfHWLQkC1i-Dow68EUu8AKeewxGuqW0EBv_UhGn07RxiK2sggwuQHYgx3MZU_6igc/s1600/somewhere+to+sit+006.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhQbx3wM9ESm0LtGf_mu7xjnwljWSBFbgudS_ZhjGvAcE9ccSmeIpPfuS2Zouo5LnS-mhlVl-sHjAfHWLQkC1i-Dow68EUu8AKeewxGuqW0EBv_UhGn07RxiK2sggwuQHYgx3MZU_6igc/s400/somewhere+to+sit+006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680596180436261106" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">And last night I received these beautiful roses directly from my father in law's garden.<br /><br />Bill had been up to the Central Coast for business and popped in to see him and came home with these beauties from his lovely garden.<br /><br />I don't know which I enjoyed more, the roses or the fact that they were picked especially for me.<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhatUrYL23rdAoXsFLW4GfTf59HCqZK84L30XQ-fn5c7m8F_6EWQyW1lFq7jP_CjcxsNgrsDb6HbbDyLpBM5I1xiqy90u4M-W5aTsqpDeAUopPvMqoNIzCCcvNEojQZ6Jz6cHArU_uzJcc/s1600/somewhere+to+sit+007.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhatUrYL23rdAoXsFLW4GfTf59HCqZK84L30XQ-fn5c7m8F_6EWQyW1lFq7jP_CjcxsNgrsDb6HbbDyLpBM5I1xiqy90u4M-W5aTsqpDeAUopPvMqoNIzCCcvNEojQZ6Jz6cHArU_uzJcc/s400/somewhere+to+sit+007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680596108227445010" border="0" /></a>Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15706494291838152826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934652407234322735.post-77840750482345053362011-11-28T16:46:00.000-08:002011-11-28T17:06:45.268-08:00<span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Christmas Menu Planning</span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Christmas day is at my place this year for the first time since we moved to the Blue Mountains four years ago. I am looking forward to planning the menu for the big day.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Yesterday I got my Christmas planner out that I made last year and had a bit of a flick through for ideas.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuQP_B1O0ixOJdcBnbXX3QgwLH2g5EyHVRzbSmeJo78gqJStcZhWLXm2DXmBLJHTcxQ_GIViHwQtvjcuqdLZ0H84SmJNqFqad62gWMRzJ1lTYWkPBtzD1KT00vb4dCMRXejnsrNy2AY7g/s1600/xmas+menu+003.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuQP_B1O0ixOJdcBnbXX3QgwLH2g5EyHVRzbSmeJo78gqJStcZhWLXm2DXmBLJHTcxQ_GIViHwQtvjcuqdLZ0H84SmJNqFqad62gWMRzJ1lTYWkPBtzD1KT00vb4dCMRXejnsrNy2AY7g/s400/xmas+menu+003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680213401744283618" border="0" /></a>Last week I saw that the 4 ingredients girls had a new book out for Christmas.<br /><br /> I am all for having lovely but easily prepared food ready to go for Christmas Day.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvcsTN00DHnawwKw1LmF9gw2MoERAcu7nNVaADxHf666y_Bpp48iVoZDMSvaG9NWOnWuYYeEUfNC8LOEb4fySSbxK8tBCCxmFztMXBGWGK871IDG8ejmAjJUeweR_3-gc_93OJIzzy3Eg/s1600/xmas+menu+001.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvcsTN00DHnawwKw1LmF9gw2MoERAcu7nNVaADxHf666y_Bpp48iVoZDMSvaG9NWOnWuYYeEUfNC8LOEb4fySSbxK8tBCCxmFztMXBGWGK871IDG8ejmAjJUeweR_3-gc_93OJIzzy3Eg/s400/xmas+menu+001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680213336274795250" border="0" /></a>This months SFI magazine has lots of lovely and very easy recipes. I am planning to make the salted caramel truffles from this magazine.<br /><br /> It's nice to have something to go with coffee when we play some board games in the afternoon.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Gb6K4_-d0x9jzB1b0gS9Bhlc1500hKjggAY0dZvIqanzk8wnHnVZIIjt6PMYrQ0T8rzoTXJn9xAlLUBKCMzHq1MW6rsaJsRM1yWTPNsT57FnOtMphz3cYlwUDMEpKq-lIJ5ma7ZOe1k/s1600/xmas+menu+002.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Gb6K4_-d0x9jzB1b0gS9Bhlc1500hKjggAY0dZvIqanzk8wnHnVZIIjt6PMYrQ0T8rzoTXJn9xAlLUBKCMzHq1MW6rsaJsRM1yWTPNsT57FnOtMphz3cYlwUDMEpKq-lIJ5ma7ZOe1k/s400/xmas+menu+002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680213256354842978" border="0" /></a>I also love the Coles and Woolies free store magazines that come out around Christmas time.<br /><br />They are great to flick through for menu inspiration.<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVL3U3-BYfUoAmI7BEZoREO-RuYiECP-9_ThApbN-NhMLO9YzQS48xXfd9u_HuHiPqf0k162Hh6pSwmynSmPP_CgqwTnd5JCKiUxZLcnhGE5fIhogJsU28phoujKCTnyeXU-B6OxwBiIM/s1600/xmas+menu+004.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVL3U3-BYfUoAmI7BEZoREO-RuYiECP-9_ThApbN-NhMLO9YzQS48xXfd9u_HuHiPqf0k162Hh6pSwmynSmPP_CgqwTnd5JCKiUxZLcnhGE5fIhogJsU28phoujKCTnyeXU-B6OxwBiIM/s400/xmas+menu+004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680213166520662354" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">So after all the research I have the following menu planned:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Breakfast</span>: bacon and eggs<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Starter:</span> brushetta<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Lunch</span>: Turkey Breast with brie, bacon and spinach stuffing<br /> Roast trio of vegies<br /> Asparagus wrapped in proscuitto.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dessert:</span> Plum pudding and brandy custard<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">With coffee:</span> caramel salted truffles<br /> Fruity chocolate truffles.<br /></div>Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15706494291838152826noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934652407234322735.post-67836129298043109912011-11-26T18:08:00.000-08:002011-11-26T18:46:06.889-08:00<div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Retro Lounging<br /><br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv5JnfkKq80mtTiTCTQKmbiiE-fldAfr4pADFOP9a9U6GbSXliuvMDnzKJRM7Gf9R7Us7X7D_WkxvH0tk-63w0mQUdZH2cwZlLT-JEr_cccSkIR9zDwUlgi0GJx9Hby-8x2GE2QEUzbLY/s1600/ikea+003.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv5JnfkKq80mtTiTCTQKmbiiE-fldAfr4pADFOP9a9U6GbSXliuvMDnzKJRM7Gf9R7Us7X7D_WkxvH0tk-63w0mQUdZH2cwZlLT-JEr_cccSkIR9zDwUlgi0GJx9Hby-8x2GE2QEUzbLY/s400/ikea+003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679492898618615954" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Today was a quick trip down to Ikea to collect a new shagpile rug for my little retro loungeroom.<br /><br /><br /> I really love this room because it's so cosy, especially at nightime and in Winter when we all snuggle on the lounge together.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoWP0PJ-tfx6BFx9A8CUlEsa5UeUQLO9hXHXVYkl4fKHjY3wUbXrp5uATq1r-lNu7pVnU1om9webcJ17Dr6T1FTOyenu3LkQuL5mLe7DydTYcVE3v9e8pNBr-sGd2k_-YOCDFaLRoEFmc/s1600/ikea+004.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoWP0PJ-tfx6BFx9A8CUlEsa5UeUQLO9hXHXVYkl4fKHjY3wUbXrp5uATq1r-lNu7pVnU1om9webcJ17Dr6T1FTOyenu3LkQuL5mLe7DydTYcVE3v9e8pNBr-sGd2k_-YOCDFaLRoEFmc/s400/ikea+004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679492827099355538" border="0" /></a>The Christmas tree went up yesterday.<br /><br />Next to that is an oil painting we bought in New York this year. Not at all retro but reminds us daily of the fantastic holiday we had there in June.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzvlxkpFg_shCRoIgvnWlC5zIYpJkKdLVby1CcRV_Z-UJsY5KcEaoGGYeZCk0nviQaQTJgmh7UwFNVQYT_ggoCLFzLU5I0VOY8b03ExxZ-rzR9xxoe7xA1BJFPWytCnxX1CrmrIJGKpjU/s1600/ikea+005.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzvlxkpFg_shCRoIgvnWlC5zIYpJkKdLVby1CcRV_Z-UJsY5KcEaoGGYeZCk0nviQaQTJgmh7UwFNVQYT_ggoCLFzLU5I0VOY8b03ExxZ-rzR9xxoe7xA1BJFPWytCnxX1CrmrIJGKpjU/s400/ikea+005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679492746509582194" border="0" /></a>Some of my recent finds include this fabulous retro orange bowl which I found at a flea market while on holidays at my Mums' place.<br /><br />I actually haggled, for the first time ever and got the lady on the stall to reduce the bowl from $30 to $15.<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7NxAbGamapE1DSZ4wvBoBlXco3fz6Z0B13j2o432HcZzgTKXncGRC3yWuK6TEktIhkzxUMUfYB6WutOgVCsFVeKryhaGVCsa1LNB8Uyfw9Zjn8IcsNlYFCJZlZTI8DqjP5jVWsPKBpyQ/s1600/ikea+008.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7NxAbGamapE1DSZ4wvBoBlXco3fz6Z0B13j2o432HcZzgTKXncGRC3yWuK6TEktIhkzxUMUfYB6WutOgVCsFVeKryhaGVCsa1LNB8Uyfw9Zjn8IcsNlYFCJZlZTI8DqjP5jVWsPKBpyQ/s400/ikea+008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679492365878564146" border="0" /></a>This tapestry was a vintage Etsy buy.<br /><br /> Now, I'm not saying I'm into bull fighting which of course I am totally not but these types of prints were prolific in the 60's and 70's and I adore the tapestry feel and the colours. It also stops the house from looking too feminine which it is always in danger of with me and Rhianna crafting away.<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcXYx9qNkgdqT8k1zkC8_oATeWO5eoH2itBhxpbtWhoocB_LAJYrMX_jWEZ5L_bdxzi8EThiP3CdqcXRW_TakQ80f9CBeB7E98ZsQyoTppm3y3un9-zpKA9cEGl6babapU01F8x_cdR-s/s1600/ikea+009.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcXYx9qNkgdqT8k1zkC8_oATeWO5eoH2itBhxpbtWhoocB_LAJYrMX_jWEZ5L_bdxzi8EThiP3CdqcXRW_TakQ80f9CBeB7E98ZsQyoTppm3y3un9-zpKA9cEGl6babapU01F8x_cdR-s/s400/ikea+009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679492277797056674" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">This very cute little footstool is from Ebay. Miss R uses this a lot to sit on and play with in the loungeroom.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqo8glXRfI5E_ihrXK7IZl5QQdQHbO3d1BVJAoJbuRxHemqgw-w4HtnnhAXXdBv9ag0o9jgEjNj2Z1a0gwouEBv6b_EapjnOMHde73IPrN37-ReULCkpVHYXyfI0BcDEbp4tnC6qDU4jE/s1600/ikea+010.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqo8glXRfI5E_ihrXK7IZl5QQdQHbO3d1BVJAoJbuRxHemqgw-w4HtnnhAXXdBv9ag0o9jgEjNj2Z1a0gwouEBv6b_EapjnOMHde73IPrN37-ReULCkpVHYXyfI0BcDEbp4tnC6qDU4jE/s400/ikea+010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679492200357741602" border="0" /></a>Some of my retro glassware which at the moment is sharing space with the Christmas bits and pieces.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcP8xfgLVio0pxRLSeCFvxyOCNmVcGPVpmlTM4ZkKUrZXL4Ubh1hz9-KFqMJY0wT0C194pdKwqRNakKNnCPFbcbQxcOmlOpa8Ec0CYTZqLrlIlc7GkRZ7g93Ndlq683vOSGZ_reyWt-Iw/s1600/ikea+011.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcP8xfgLVio0pxRLSeCFvxyOCNmVcGPVpmlTM4ZkKUrZXL4Ubh1hz9-KFqMJY0wT0C194pdKwqRNakKNnCPFbcbQxcOmlOpa8Ec0CYTZqLrlIlc7GkRZ7g93Ndlq683vOSGZ_reyWt-Iw/s400/ikea+011.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679492114650096002" border="0" /></a>More retro vases which I've picked up in Op shops and the little canister with the lid is truly a retro piece from the 1970's. We keep the air conditioner remote in it as I hate remote controls lying around the loungeroom.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsba34aPUQAjnenKOxAx4sO1rg2FmJh_F0bazfNKRsoX2P4k-ALE5Tsg18k2ZhV-X7d0J3gi6cAlFsCdK-063H8IbSBfeKDhrsWZnNzxR7NVNf10IRLNn9CaSwkPxFjAa1J-e8JMkmDNM/s1600/ikea+012.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsba34aPUQAjnenKOxAx4sO1rg2FmJh_F0bazfNKRsoX2P4k-ALE5Tsg18k2ZhV-X7d0J3gi6cAlFsCdK-063H8IbSBfeKDhrsWZnNzxR7NVNf10IRLNn9CaSwkPxFjAa1J-e8JMkmDNM/s400/ikea+012.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679492027843776018" border="0" /></a>Little Finny loves the new rug. Maybe because he looks like he is made out of the same shagpile.<br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAjhqF003ZUcUzaRde1PiJpMVgUPjBKAhEa4QOZ5E0cGM6lpnje_fheT8LHilqNx8kvyzeTuFlUgBlztRaMPkxWr4A9am2I5nEInrZsX1jOjTwE68VV4y_GCECy2kHHZd78drGD9nC50I/s1600/ikea+017.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAjhqF003ZUcUzaRde1PiJpMVgUPjBKAhEa4QOZ5E0cGM6lpnje_fheT8LHilqNx8kvyzeTuFlUgBlztRaMPkxWr4A9am2I5nEInrZsX1jOjTwE68VV4y_GCECy2kHHZd78drGD9nC50I/s400/ikea+017.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679491929722180850" border="0" /></a>Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15706494291838152826noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934652407234322735.post-48120238562620411112011-11-24T20:38:00.000-08:002011-11-24T21:27:21.235-08:00<span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Diaries, Donations and a Day Out.</span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">The diary</span></span><br /><br />One of my friends that does a lot of travelling gave me the idea to keep a travel diary in our car.<br /><br />In it you can write a mini review of the places that you have been.<br /><br />I was keen to make one to keep in our new camper van.<br /><br />Of course, I had to craft it up a bit first. I gathered my supplies. Notebook, contact and some colourful pages from one of my vintage caravan magazines.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8KLkTQ8c_gpcVRfk3eBBp68K2pZKv5TmgCYw4JpMHak1-zhE8nbAu6fj-_8XGttg3EWTGUIB76-fO2OfDE5IieZKX8t5522dX0nSz8ji58zmh9BFyozz9tkDpRbRW3Hc8oL656kbNAMs/s1600/day+out+001.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8KLkTQ8c_gpcVRfk3eBBp68K2pZKv5TmgCYw4JpMHak1-zhE8nbAu6fj-_8XGttg3EWTGUIB76-fO2OfDE5IieZKX8t5522dX0nSz8ji58zmh9BFyozz9tkDpRbRW3Hc8oL656kbNAMs/s400/day+out+001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678789206781560818" border="0" /></a>Here is the finished product. I knew all those years of covering books for school would come in handy for my own projects one day.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwKqi7cIgzpz0N2m9mhV0iEfVMQ9JHLfCISidJIIS13YYOhH4ydhcTMmMsG25o5-pdXs1PyNHQedj8_vX7ts_08w8sVli997gGkEydPmZxnK-V5qEdP_cHO39ewcRvliQrAcgLx9XxPzM/s1600/day+out+002.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwKqi7cIgzpz0N2m9mhV0iEfVMQ9JHLfCISidJIIS13YYOhH4ydhcTMmMsG25o5-pdXs1PyNHQedj8_vX7ts_08w8sVli997gGkEydPmZxnK-V5qEdP_cHO39ewcRvliQrAcgLx9XxPzM/s400/day+out+002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678789151683722418" border="0" /></a> One of the pages I have completed already.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYch65ydp1yUM75VlBBsJ2nvVRdGLey0CaXMB1LIFxp18Zj918vB65v-7F84bVpLy8SVctQkjkelLNYMcs4QEMNt8G4qP6gOfom6uxo9ZZ3fD5OsOzsqcW50bMqiMLbfq-IqyGp9YdZkE/s1600/day+out+004.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYch65ydp1yUM75VlBBsJ2nvVRdGLey0CaXMB1LIFxp18Zj918vB65v-7F84bVpLy8SVctQkjkelLNYMcs4QEMNt8G4qP6gOfom6uxo9ZZ3fD5OsOzsqcW50bMqiMLbfq-IqyGp9YdZkE/s400/day+out+004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678789087587122386" border="0" /></a>On one side of the page, I wrote the date we went away and the camp site we had.<br /><br />I include details about the amenities and what was good to keep Miss R entertained (crucial info as far as I am concerned as a bored child equals no relaxation for Mumma).<br /><br />I put in the best and worst things about the place we stayed as well as any site we would prefer to have next time so if we ever go again we might get a better spot.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJUXx2EI4jgsxG1kVXDsHpf2lxfPrZqQ0kCHheOP8KNAq7cy9vaZXPozp0rwP1BNkOBRUkLp6fKW9VdEZOTUtdeNKVOi8GTurchW-3OwTlvzn2Gpe0P0qY5JdwsMwwxhRZUDZon_B1Rg/s1600/day+out+005.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJUXx2EI4jgsxG1kVXDsHpf2lxfPrZqQ0kCHheOP8KNAq7cy9vaZXPozp0rwP1BNkOBRUkLp6fKW9VdEZOTUtdeNKVOi8GTurchW-3OwTlvzn2Gpe0P0qY5JdwsMwwxhRZUDZon_B1Rg/s400/day+out+005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678789025218969170" border="0" /></a>On the opposing page I put any paper work that relates to the park we stayed in.<br /><br />In this case, I've included the park site map and the rules that apply in the park.<br /><br />I hope it will be a handy reference in the camping years ahead.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9OdecaV3S_NPiU3075WxRJdTy4vx3AhJDgL9Jg9o6up3wzltFvKVHrVMd4zCB7Aw-wD4cRtDaIWVg9NdGhjM5XRv5QX4JTDbsz5S7SN87jDMu3pS6OrAbCteqPqrjt7vh-j1bM4hpuA4/s1600/day+out+006.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9OdecaV3S_NPiU3075WxRJdTy4vx3AhJDgL9Jg9o6up3wzltFvKVHrVMd4zCB7Aw-wD4cRtDaIWVg9NdGhjM5XRv5QX4JTDbsz5S7SN87jDMu3pS6OrAbCteqPqrjt7vh-j1bM4hpuA4/s400/day+out+006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678788976553416978" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Donation</span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Miss Rhianna earned herself $300 through a challenge she did this year.<br /><br />At the beginning of the year I promised her $100 if she did not eat nor ask to eat McDonalds fast food. When her Dad heard of this challenge he said he would throw in a further $200.<br /><br />Well, I am happy to say she made it easily through the year with not one cheeseburger crossing her lips.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">She was super excited about having $300 in her hot little hand and we talked about a trillion things that she could buy with the money. I tried to talk about savings accounts and the like but got shouted down with cries of "No, I want to spend it Mum".<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Then, the other night I was tucked up in bed reading the latest Woman's Weekly when a brochure fell out regarding World Vision donations. Rhianna picked it up and asked what it was all about. I explained that you could buy a gift for a family in another country such as a goat or a piglet.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmqVbyLaHXpEqmsgXotHvNUB54kLaWnl_-ibKCreCHbMQnwfe40WU5PiyQIH4fPq8f_rviEQWlPHFGHlBuT4y2oiEZm90o0fMFopjmQMTeRiF_VokqZzVgTMFJtMYdtcb64B8Lg6W1PE4/s1600/day+out+007.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmqVbyLaHXpEqmsgXotHvNUB54kLaWnl_-ibKCreCHbMQnwfe40WU5PiyQIH4fPq8f_rviEQWlPHFGHlBuT4y2oiEZm90o0fMFopjmQMTeRiF_VokqZzVgTMFJtMYdtcb64B8Lg6W1PE4/s400/day+out+007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678788890310601778" border="0" /></a>Rhianna read the whole brochure through before announcing she was buying a cow.<br /><br />A cow for $265.<br /><br />I thought for sure it would be a two minute wonder and the next morning she would change her mind. But no, she was committed and today a cheque for $265 was posted to World Vision for a cow to be bought and given to a struggling family in a third world country.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I hope we can afford to do this every year and make it a new family tradition.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I can't tell you how proud I am of my daughter as she is not usually one for selfless acts.<br /><br />Maybe the tide is turning.....<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAhXmseD73JccAzzjH99H4GZvm35UoeW2jq0omJG1Yj2bsgZhESpGYzuBnVG2S9QbKcksFdVjUb8wmHAuuQDf9FadrZQClBP0JM_75fkBhGd6l092IDU1kjmK0g-xr2p0htpSxMKkKd0A/s1600/day+out+008.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAhXmseD73JccAzzjH99H4GZvm35UoeW2jq0omJG1Yj2bsgZhESpGYzuBnVG2S9QbKcksFdVjUb8wmHAuuQDf9FadrZQClBP0JM_75fkBhGd6l092IDU1kjmK0g-xr2p0htpSxMKkKd0A/s400/day+out+008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678788797863352002" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">A Day Out</span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I've had a day out planned with one of my besties, Linda for a while now so when I was up half the night with Rhianna and gastro I thought the day would have to be cancelled.<br /><br />But lovely girlie days out are few and far between so I bit the bullet, bundled up the girl and headed to Castle Hill, Sydney.<br /><br />It's about a 40 minute drive from our place and my girlfriend Linda and I used to be neighbours there many years ago. Now I live in the mountains and she has moved to Mona Vale which is by the sea but we catch up at the midway point of our two houses as often as possible.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Of course it had to be pouring with rain and we ran into a traffic jam caused by a road accident but we soldiered on.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQLKL1Fcmz1J58BnssqXEqpZV358hE7x2MDdIOUOLYXhcFiRSi0syMdv8sdS6H43agu4NP4ORFbdWhWpuYPLzVhWHALrVHsGsb8UFST1cmzOYy9C3ogt8wRKc45-cPuvf7n6PdbGXdyS8/s1600/day+out+010.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQLKL1Fcmz1J58BnssqXEqpZV358hE7x2MDdIOUOLYXhcFiRSi0syMdv8sdS6H43agu4NP4ORFbdWhWpuYPLzVhWHALrVHsGsb8UFST1cmzOYy9C3ogt8wRKc45-cPuvf7n6PdbGXdyS8/s400/day+out+010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678788718572937586" border="0" /></a>Rhianna keep my company by singing me lots and lots of Christmas carols. Did I mention that I made sure I took my anti-anxiety medication BEFORE I left the house.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSp72Ir2Q4-GUQS9JXQZmpXnAWk-dclEunllcfgytzPCHtsFX-A2t3VVbnYl_Grwr0mI3H0sBS55NHDXXnZdoXvnblNyjiyxZ3uThsRlxfzVQBR1lspxuDPpzNtPkker6F0G6yL0jk_dQ/s1600/day+out+011.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSp72Ir2Q4-GUQS9JXQZmpXnAWk-dclEunllcfgytzPCHtsFX-A2t3VVbnYl_Grwr0mI3H0sBS55NHDXXnZdoXvnblNyjiyxZ3uThsRlxfzVQBR1lspxuDPpzNtPkker6F0G6yL0jk_dQ/s400/day+out+011.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678788647228398786" border="0" /></a>First stop a coffee and a muffin to fuel ourselves for the fun bit - gift buying for the people we love.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-YILfqKWRBr5_G8ujeLphS9ZFkirOUb5ycEsQQaAUrS8wyyvEzYhMHWyPToFDDaEmz0tUtZ9_ymD-xGQatB54kl_ARTZ3q446bzDt2St_GSyzd7uVX6gPCZLI5hvJErm-s48XhdQrmM/s1600/day+out+012.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-YILfqKWRBr5_G8ujeLphS9ZFkirOUb5ycEsQQaAUrS8wyyvEzYhMHWyPToFDDaEmz0tUtZ9_ymD-xGQatB54kl_ARTZ3q446bzDt2St_GSyzd7uVX6gPCZLI5hvJErm-s48XhdQrmM/s400/day+out+012.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678788563050148082" border="0" /></a>Three hours of shopping later we met said bestie for lunch.<br /><br />I didn't get time to take a breath let alone a photo of us shopping.<br /><br />If you haven't started your shopping yet, it might be time to get started - it's getting really crazy out there now.<br /><br />After a delightful lunch at our favourite cafe Rhianna and I headed back home.<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI7FwRR-S-VEbcki5XiZtKaLTzodipgKGWBi0oMjcDmfDSvyX_uxO7OWNwuWZ3S40KeYhRzg7i_IUzpITMMG4dSDbQKPO010TiHxEvzalKjUUFYQHM2PdulL7HEBTwEWHwtMzw8uvN310/s1600/day+out+013.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI7FwRR-S-VEbcki5XiZtKaLTzodipgKGWBi0oMjcDmfDSvyX_uxO7OWNwuWZ3S40KeYhRzg7i_IUzpITMMG4dSDbQKPO010TiHxEvzalKjUUFYQHM2PdulL7HEBTwEWHwtMzw8uvN310/s400/day+out+013.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678788485759029522" border="0" /></a>Love, love, love the girlie day out.<br /></div>Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15706494291838152826noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934652407234322735.post-36978434906903177352011-11-23T16:57:00.000-08:002011-11-23T17:02:39.018-08:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Retro Dining</span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">As well as loving all things retro, I am also very much about the making, the making do and the thrifting.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Today, I thought I'd show you our little dining room.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here she is in all her glory.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Such a mishmash of colour, style and kitsch. Just the way I love it.<br /><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">I think you've seen the dining room table and chairs circa 1970 before. They were a second hand furniture store find and in perfect condition.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNzvFSHhznfXimwQirf_UQjvEX3ZGAE2QyQmZgVbGlyXH-RxoMhMdh4bwnHIcnjkgvZ1ehPlVWuM9bkxXH8GuhqrWnMi-vtc-lBRmkOrkXcDMOyjOC6rMoc3sB6YcGmx9r8Jqh_EQC5hI/s1600/retro+dining+003.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNzvFSHhznfXimwQirf_UQjvEX3ZGAE2QyQmZgVbGlyXH-RxoMhMdh4bwnHIcnjkgvZ1ehPlVWuM9bkxXH8GuhqrWnMi-vtc-lBRmkOrkXcDMOyjOC6rMoc3sB6YcGmx9r8Jqh_EQC5hI/s400/retro+dining+003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678355645199786914" border="0" /></a>I had quite a little collection of tins that I've been picking up mostly in op shops and when I saw this old pot holder stand in a local antique store I knew it would be the perfect thing to store my tins on. And the tins are useful too. Rhianna and I can cram quite a lot of craft bits and pieces into those tins.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHONp7kuV9nWqhXv7I2jaBt94c4CFslbZ-BirawMRFf2f-OKawtpRS3gbClWXRm2eR3u77XbPWdFCiDF9-NoYC4PICOneussZW4Da4pezrI6aSb-_8gUYovGI-xsGm_lWdFGXkiXxmw7E/s1600/retro+dining+004.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHONp7kuV9nWqhXv7I2jaBt94c4CFslbZ-BirawMRFf2f-OKawtpRS3gbClWXRm2eR3u77XbPWdFCiDF9-NoYC4PICOneussZW4Da4pezrI6aSb-_8gUYovGI-xsGm_lWdFGXkiXxmw7E/s400/retro+dining+004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678355544257925042" border="0" /></a>Some tin love.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpkzsIYFbIM_NK32npqipvhcEbWYMNMCIkAtwjEVty3t6RwY_TIKxxtEizbZocyAVHXf6Vwd1ATQmAlzl2txksWjKSTlWzYQyRAKbvxyIUTWwZJD-yBzy0lgveybe8oR5i3y3wD8ipGxc/s1600/retro+dining+005.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpkzsIYFbIM_NK32npqipvhcEbWYMNMCIkAtwjEVty3t6RwY_TIKxxtEizbZocyAVHXf6Vwd1ATQmAlzl2txksWjKSTlWzYQyRAKbvxyIUTWwZJD-yBzy0lgveybe8oR5i3y3wD8ipGxc/s400/retro+dining+005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678355485175201794" border="0" /></a>This plaque was found in an op shop up near my Mum's house. I've never seen or heard of this saying before but it works for me and it has that genius retro orange trim that I do so love.<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaI2NmLgcTZrLRbiUfCLZVQHO_oni-LTuIUv0dImJeWby0AAz4MXPHZAN0uyUfI6hKPSyInSZgzX5BWLXL9suCb1gHlQLtgN7WD_-4SxhGuhR46Ovw_LPiqHG24M1FaB4sqiovCt9dSP0/s1600/retro+dining+006.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaI2NmLgcTZrLRbiUfCLZVQHO_oni-LTuIUv0dImJeWby0AAz4MXPHZAN0uyUfI6hKPSyInSZgzX5BWLXL9suCb1gHlQLtgN7WD_-4SxhGuhR46Ovw_LPiqHG24M1FaB4sqiovCt9dSP0/s400/retro+dining+006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678355413332376466" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">This is an Etsy buy but it was in plain old wood grain colour when it arrived. I do love to spray paint and yellow just suited this piece so well. I love it, love it, love it.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvEBpvl859-wx0x_sLGOGUNRxRiz_vISRjm9lhvqGX82d_of1dY4HDBUnndmqwQT3RIM1GuMCfx4hby5-UtYSEdHCEht4IH7v9sgj5gJUHJCHBVk9d6pIcHhCnA6yRfkuQxWf783B9_g8/s1600/retro+dining+007.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvEBpvl859-wx0x_sLGOGUNRxRiz_vISRjm9lhvqGX82d_of1dY4HDBUnndmqwQT3RIM1GuMCfx4hby5-UtYSEdHCEht4IH7v9sgj5gJUHJCHBVk9d6pIcHhCnA6yRfkuQxWf783B9_g8/s400/retro+dining+007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678355340172922162" border="0" /></a>This pillow was handmade by myself and honestly, I got the idea and design out of a kid's craft book. I was pretty pleased with the way it turned out.<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzSqVr_M-29XZnQ_rkx_i8ioZ0lPCScw2BbCVeoZkHMcPtGAO0OsAu_5eHKd6aMBiSOQ8AqOV2-ou8118CdPf_19xWJQpBWSkRm8fK7S4bI4zu8wZBvpUAtkYfbxVKfN9zT_JX_FncssU/s1600/retro+dining+008.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzSqVr_M-29XZnQ_rkx_i8ioZ0lPCScw2BbCVeoZkHMcPtGAO0OsAu_5eHKd6aMBiSOQ8AqOV2-ou8118CdPf_19xWJQpBWSkRm8fK7S4bI4zu8wZBvpUAtkYfbxVKfN9zT_JX_FncssU/s400/retro+dining+008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678355263529384850" border="0" /></a>Very vintage crochet cushion purchased for around $10 from Frou Frou in Springwood.<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVBGbIgH-HjXvgYkkVrb2YGYAeRm2aETrgWEUPw66Ah9QXY2c7H9c0Xv-n8bmzO7zDdpF5kcKCq_l_wVlBum4UmZVj6oxRrIP_nWVD4rfEY3EjFbJkt20bs38-B3MEU5XTfMdPFwd_Wkw/s1600/retro+dining+009.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVBGbIgH-HjXvgYkkVrb2YGYAeRm2aETrgWEUPw66Ah9QXY2c7H9c0Xv-n8bmzO7zDdpF5kcKCq_l_wVlBum4UmZVj6oxRrIP_nWVD4rfEY3EjFbJkt20bs38-B3MEU5XTfMdPFwd_Wkw/s400/retro+dining+009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678355189332955570" border="0" /></a>This stool is actually a WIP. It was just a plain wooden stool from our last (boring) house that I spray painted and I have a lovely lady crocheting a nice little cover for the top of it.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiImn9VwSWc4LRWqyho5uIvo09AFMYFhSJni0jVUzRYXIWkNjliFWnraFK5ktDIvxlmrGLVTpK0ImVBQTYHf35mGpwHe_JdBHxcj30Bd0xaP6hn8m2CsD1nMVnjB32Fn59zmaKnowgQ-pg/s1600/retro+dining+010.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiImn9VwSWc4LRWqyho5uIvo09AFMYFhSJni0jVUzRYXIWkNjliFWnraFK5ktDIvxlmrGLVTpK0ImVBQTYHf35mGpwHe_JdBHxcj30Bd0xaP6hn8m2CsD1nMVnjB32Fn59zmaKnowgQ-pg/s400/retro+dining+010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678355105560203362" border="0" /></a>Finally, Finn wanted me to tell you all that he is loving this return to winter weather. The fire is on, the comfy pouffe has been dragged right next to it and we are having lots of cosy hugs on the lounge today. Furthermore, he's just been told that some baking will be happening shortly.<br /><br /> He does so love my sultana pound cake.<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrRZxYbhyphenhyphenPQH8p5rOfR2jDPQBBz_lW1PSFqUbv-T82bU7J1UUNJnMwUQEjhImcgJwIc2DyGk3ecMi3q5qW_lx7gbiA7E6eUZiqZrqSWseHeZlBKpugx5MLryf2Nx13OnF0g_Qab1c_T5c/s1600/retro+dining+002.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrRZxYbhyphenhyphenPQH8p5rOfR2jDPQBBz_lW1PSFqUbv-T82bU7J1UUNJnMwUQEjhImcgJwIc2DyGk3ecMi3q5qW_lx7gbiA7E6eUZiqZrqSWseHeZlBKpugx5MLryf2Nx13OnF0g_Qab1c_T5c/s400/retro+dining+002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678354964832640466" border="0" /></a>Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15706494291838152826noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934652407234322735.post-71259212016375935612011-11-21T16:48:00.000-08:002011-11-21T17:22:54.577-08:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Works In Progress or WIPS</span><br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I've finally got my creative mojo back which is kind of a good thing and kind of a bad thing.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The great stuff, is being creative - just so much fun, fun, fun. And fellow creatives out there will know exactly what I am talking about.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The bad bit is the lack of time to do all the fun stuff and still have time for all the dreary stuff like cleaning, cooking and interacting with other members of the human race.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">No, there must be a balance.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> At the moment I am painting the kitchen and trying to crumb fish for tonight's dinner. Not only is that not the kind of balance you need, It might also be slightly dangerous - like in a food poisoning kind of way.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Meanwhile my lovely retro fabric quilt cover keeps calling my name and begging me to work on her. But not today Josephine....<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6mWoAUFNlvwC3S5kg6BmgYNfK9cCw12Bn5Ui1uuRfTOPLOmG-6rtbfzczwbTEfm_AzvctTa76DBLDC1at5CHB_lhsrH3RpEGNWmiI0VTclLg6cAaxt3j2a141WOR8W2BUzYbS30cZv-U/s1600/WIPS+005.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6mWoAUFNlvwC3S5kg6BmgYNfK9cCw12Bn5Ui1uuRfTOPLOmG-6rtbfzczwbTEfm_AzvctTa76DBLDC1at5CHB_lhsrH3RpEGNWmiI0VTclLg6cAaxt3j2a141WOR8W2BUzYbS30cZv-U/s400/WIPS+005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677617096250205986" border="0" /></a>My glory box, that my Pop made for me when I was 15 wants a make over.<br /><br />It's currently living in Miss Rhianna's room and is desperate for some colour.<br /><br />I have such a lovely idea to spruce up this box but I just don't have time to make a start today.....<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJkkbYCLL8R6txCONZIDYQYG0fahbpCDMTo6FEbiTGtjcVLEVKs_pD0bl-Id7abxcSrHtyn-sihUEUwGkvp-Bw7JwIKlcrqCR37UJULV0nZylag0_l2UIOlepeWPsC_oAqZawBbLKEPE/s1600/WIPS+004.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJkkbYCLL8R6txCONZIDYQYG0fahbpCDMTo6FEbiTGtjcVLEVKs_pD0bl-Id7abxcSrHtyn-sihUEUwGkvp-Bw7JwIKlcrqCR37UJULV0nZylag0_l2UIOlepeWPsC_oAqZawBbLKEPE/s400/WIPS+004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677616916612242850" border="0" /></a>...because the kitchen reno has been started and must be completed.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Oh what a long drawn out mission this is turning out to be.<br /><br />I am loving the results but all the painting that must take place. Truly, it's doing my head in.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9g3qjsifvpi0A3tDkK5H-St002VzhiJhOzlScOd6tWgFFvQS0GFVE7eek7nrzm3gaHF8AMEHltIQe3IYhl69q1qW1ujMKKsGCjziUiSm-BkPibSFlomev1LliVYdilNIj11us_em4oF4/s1600/WIPS+001.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9g3qjsifvpi0A3tDkK5H-St002VzhiJhOzlScOd6tWgFFvQS0GFVE7eek7nrzm3gaHF8AMEHltIQe3IYhl69q1qW1ujMKKsGCjziUiSm-BkPibSFlomev1LliVYdilNIj11us_em4oF4/s400/WIPS+001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677616707309746514" border="0" /></a>But I can't stop now with half done and half undone. No, no, no, I. Must. Keep. Going.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSYWWZFYC7wlF_C2Lo89du8zkdR8j1tOBKWbqHYKd-Iq_vpUujYQ4w1zvedLdBZ7ZEuZVijWbK4bVXyb-LJfdrAXvkHbphqaSlNJtzVUOgIkjCTf5esGKBzegO-2L_Kaok32ktqmFBNJc/s1600/WIPS+002.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSYWWZFYC7wlF_C2Lo89du8zkdR8j1tOBKWbqHYKd-Iq_vpUujYQ4w1zvedLdBZ7ZEuZVijWbK4bVXyb-LJfdrAXvkHbphqaSlNJtzVUOgIkjCTf5esGKBzegO-2L_Kaok32ktqmFBNJc/s400/WIPS+002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677616649581295810" border="0" /></a>I take the cupboard doors off and carry them out to our entertaining area where they get the painting once over, or in their case the twice over.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYH3l8GpIp7w2RzI2J38L3TA2oWstnuWbq7SGrg_SbpOtR1vjxrkLXz2zfsjnji-caD-s__4HTkjSbbWYE4ozGFXooqYdmHdLv2kYZjq2BsZCKajOUHhjBuQl1rKSeOiLDTQHeZcX_XLA/s1600/WIPS+007.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYH3l8GpIp7w2RzI2J38L3TA2oWstnuWbq7SGrg_SbpOtR1vjxrkLXz2zfsjnji-caD-s__4HTkjSbbWYE4ozGFXooqYdmHdLv2kYZjq2BsZCKajOUHhjBuQl1rKSeOiLDTQHeZcX_XLA/s400/WIPS+007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677616581616890034" border="0" /></a>Have a look at the state of the entertaining area.<br /><br />I think we have a Xmas party coming up soon and I still have to go into hospital for surgery before that.<br /><br />How will I ever get this kitchen finished, recover from some medical slicing and dicing <span style="font-weight: bold;">and</span> organise a party in the next month?????<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFd2qnVv01sQMF4zu4OuGG4OWSFuTP6TmPD5vSr5DdkzUrwL07tbLZm1Gn3hvdZBF-Pf8GUh3csdrAqNDTNlcPBDkwRXtZdxKa-O_Xg5wXmKMNWGxkO7BnjHa-2A0zkAqkYyOipqaQA1k/s1600/WIPS+006.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFd2qnVv01sQMF4zu4OuGG4OWSFuTP6TmPD5vSr5DdkzUrwL07tbLZm1Gn3hvdZBF-Pf8GUh3csdrAqNDTNlcPBDkwRXtZdxKa-O_Xg5wXmKMNWGxkO7BnjHa-2A0zkAqkYyOipqaQA1k/s400/WIPS+006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677616491677115730" border="0" /></a>Sigh....now onto a completed project.<br /><br />The little Xmas craft project I mentioned last week.<br /><br />I stole the idea from this kids craft book.<br /><br />Truly, that's the level I am at skill wise.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOnTqv8UvJ_vP8AXsT8kS40IvPwFYBJI7ocmP59uO2vfYjhj1QVAxJk1m4CqNt47wPTKlp5ueKU3D6jpL7FNwJVdKl_5_GbqEfh-fbBkW8DglFdVu324TPIXhauXPmHhs3WqCTGhG4Zoo/s1600/WIPS+013.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOnTqv8UvJ_vP8AXsT8kS40IvPwFYBJI7ocmP59uO2vfYjhj1QVAxJk1m4CqNt47wPTKlp5ueKU3D6jpL7FNwJVdKl_5_GbqEfh-fbBkW8DglFdVu324TPIXhauXPmHhs3WqCTGhG4Zoo/s400/WIPS+013.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677616374503263378" border="0" /></a>They had some snazzy fabric book covers as a project for 8 year olds. Looked easy enough.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl7Hw7q9sPAMJLXbYKlu61IvKj336JBBP9DGsrXFnHZ9hQxz3t3j6GiIxvcguLw4YLCGYOZh84n37YDycxd8Tbvnio7BB4OjmIbcTJ0-7pH7pLi8VWxNeGm7KafKXzcDiyNgnapO4mO0U/s1600/WIPS+012.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl7Hw7q9sPAMJLXbYKlu61IvKj336JBBP9DGsrXFnHZ9hQxz3t3j6GiIxvcguLw4YLCGYOZh84n37YDycxd8Tbvnio7BB4OjmIbcTJ0-7pH7pLi8VWxNeGm7KafKXzcDiyNgnapO4mO0U/s400/WIPS+012.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677616268477154738" border="0" /></a>I covered some 2012 diaries for Miss R and I. Using all old scraps I already had lying around in the sewing box. Dead easy.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirmPjWsuTOtwj93xvGcz2WBpnOxMGFNQmYaHvtQrNY-6v2muQlyMPg-TAfx_fQ8rxrgrbJrFkIVSohtrc8_wueyzvCQOiTT6WEIyZlR7CKMR9HLLIrMWRcupIrrYq6PjCQawLfL7aCf-E/s1600/WIPS+010.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirmPjWsuTOtwj93xvGcz2WBpnOxMGFNQmYaHvtQrNY-6v2muQlyMPg-TAfx_fQ8rxrgrbJrFkIVSohtrc8_wueyzvCQOiTT6WEIyZlR7CKMR9HLLIrMWRcupIrrYq6PjCQawLfL7aCf-E/s400/WIPS+010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677616166974634802" border="0" /></a>Just tucked and sewed the ends in.<br /><br />And then the cover can be taken off and used on a 2013 diary.<br /><br />So easy and only cost me $10 for the two diaries.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwIOJOJME0U72TkwaQIhN1bq2pQbx5SiTxoa1goVudYyNZN4qYK-PzgyrBY-wnZ79vPkkU8Ef-GEsH9OUJIRyr0pmmVYevGGm2gM1gfRBS6t-f6N2OtkIzuX27ge7034G_p5pYAAt2DLQ/s1600/WIPS+011.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwIOJOJME0U72TkwaQIhN1bq2pQbx5SiTxoa1goVudYyNZN4qYK-PzgyrBY-wnZ79vPkkU8Ef-GEsH9OUJIRyr0pmmVYevGGm2gM1gfRBS6t-f6N2OtkIzuX27ge7034G_p5pYAAt2DLQ/s400/WIPS+011.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677616089665036962" border="0" /></a>On the retail front I am trying to source a new rug for my loungeroom.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> I'm thinking a nice creamy shagpile number. What do you think?<br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS9bM23eX8_sNzjxM8lvTGzO3ISqPtdkcYUALkdzD-b7N7TuCs9oyUbRajPNgkxA2vlQMDXogGiGn6FHYDzoJTp3b-SHfPHdiK6An664SJBLogvxKnFxFGVawi5H2wjbidNnepyq0yMhQ/s1600/WIPS+014.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS9bM23eX8_sNzjxM8lvTGzO3ISqPtdkcYUALkdzD-b7N7TuCs9oyUbRajPNgkxA2vlQMDXogGiGn6FHYDzoJTp3b-SHfPHdiK6An664SJBLogvxKnFxFGVawi5H2wjbidNnepyq0yMhQ/s400/WIPS+014.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677623736455987362" border="0" /></a>Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15706494291838152826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934652407234322735.post-57849576340968667052011-11-20T17:54:00.001-08:002011-11-20T18:27:43.754-08:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Weekend Away in Kiama</span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Our second weekend away in the new camper. I have to say that practice is making perfect as it took a lot less time to set up and put down the camper this time.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">We stayed at the Big 4 at Kiama on Easts Beach. We have stayed here before so we are pretty familiar with the set up and amenities.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">As well as being right on the beach, about 20 metres from our van, they also have a pool, tennis courts, playground etc. All very nice.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Rhianna took a little friend with her on this trip which was lovely for her. They had great fun trying out the new boogie board in the surf, making friends at the pool and setting up the hammock.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Umm girls, the idea is be OFF the ground.<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDVN-jn4_UO0HXLM9cFEE-xS8qRHJnNBRulbC8G6JOVDkRDOw9lZp9FIsAA5vfrq-FhRyaq2E_nPugfonW3BKU5MQu3zU6Sitt2ZgPtzETaYWJZVeqF4niBQmm-8YXgC760D8fwE3jzOo/s1600/kiama+001.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDVN-jn4_UO0HXLM9cFEE-xS8qRHJnNBRulbC8G6JOVDkRDOw9lZp9FIsAA5vfrq-FhRyaq2E_nPugfonW3BKU5MQu3zU6Sitt2ZgPtzETaYWJZVeqF4niBQmm-8YXgC760D8fwE3jzOo/s400/kiama+001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677262859292849570" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Right next to our camper was the best fun the girls had all weekend - 'rockclimbing' on the retaining wall.<br /><br />Sure, it looks dangerous but when you're stuck in a campervan with two eight year old girls all weekend, your definition of dangerous becomes very liberal.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhci8E2Za-6ipPkaS6CHLZQO5Rl3asNXgIa5nCgaTN_8SegdFBBVduDEROsmm0SyEHyOGxWYGRxSsOhWNfvH1UKNmZ-K4fdu_eiMsS60LSH9I9d2918Kc74Whmbe98QDO16Gvnh-WXnp8U/s1600/kiama+006.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhci8E2Za-6ipPkaS6CHLZQO5Rl3asNXgIa5nCgaTN_8SegdFBBVduDEROsmm0SyEHyOGxWYGRxSsOhWNfvH1UKNmZ-K4fdu_eiMsS60LSH9I9d2918Kc74Whmbe98QDO16Gvnh-WXnp8U/s400/kiama+006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677262788242050226" border="0" /></a>Here is our little camper all set up and sitting very happily in the 28 degree sunshine.<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH9h1JR7-4-ULu9gB45_N7dN9uDWTpTYwZDvIJ5iedJmE-yjB6JLqbltwBIRpUVwqnlprSE4hFadrDg6YcJwzlC_qNRJm0lsP-ljjEVpNbPtE8owBFGq223wOG4DH0bgNPxkBmTGf0y64/s1600/kiama+004.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH9h1JR7-4-ULu9gB45_N7dN9uDWTpTYwZDvIJ5iedJmE-yjB6JLqbltwBIRpUVwqnlprSE4hFadrDg6YcJwzlC_qNRJm0lsP-ljjEVpNbPtE8owBFGq223wOG4DH0bgNPxkBmTGf0y64/s400/kiama+004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677262676749378482" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The caravan park was almost full this weekend. We had a very lovely couple next to us who also had a little girl. She quickly made friends with my two and there was much rockclimbing happiness.<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Ixu76cgbX-mOAxognmKTDBfL1XL55uGZT9PVWkrOj1aQhtpnRmC1Oh4UY82wRx1ZgI9O5aqYaAozP1MQb_qJeAZsaRrgABWTkS2KcYIbsPuRbU8LeLV2Vj97QfJaRhfq42ro0mlI2Hg/s1600/kiama+003.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Ixu76cgbX-mOAxognmKTDBfL1XL55uGZT9PVWkrOj1aQhtpnRmC1Oh4UY82wRx1ZgI9O5aqYaAozP1MQb_qJeAZsaRrgABWTkS2KcYIbsPuRbU8LeLV2Vj97QfJaRhfq42ro0mlI2Hg/s400/kiama+003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677262579970383778" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">On Sunday, most people packed up and left which was fantastic as we felt we had the place to ourselves and played a few ball games and such on the lawn next to the camper.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjckJC3qMkv86MXkXVp9PFWhtuONeSLdZ3oPvjObPVINfxDwF6QTTTZzoRAqLCUunagV8CvR9LZmDiaqQcVxzkEx3rpKtTxpmbCPa8gMqfVDOqd0_Rn6AtAJAwe9qlyt1ALMTFyFoKE0BI/s1600/kiama+009.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjckJC3qMkv86MXkXVp9PFWhtuONeSLdZ3oPvjObPVINfxDwF6QTTTZzoRAqLCUunagV8CvR9LZmDiaqQcVxzkEx3rpKtTxpmbCPa8gMqfVDOqd0_Rn6AtAJAwe9qlyt1ALMTFyFoKE0BI/s400/kiama+009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677262508723906802" border="0" /></a>In between times, I read magazines (of course)...<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEievn192q8mFDqchgYSx3qduB_pP5SyOMAP1rt-SVIE0RX5zRNMhqtDZ8Es1-CpOG1Y0zRQBc2E7W8Q0DYZiJhq362gTkfNlfpb2IgAYqjYYlw34-OONB9h5fsRfP8hfVYT3aKHnymXlIg/s1600/kiama+010.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEievn192q8mFDqchgYSx3qduB_pP5SyOMAP1rt-SVIE0RX5zRNMhqtDZ8Es1-CpOG1Y0zRQBc2E7W8Q0DYZiJhq362gTkfNlfpb2IgAYqjYYlw34-OONB9h5fsRfP8hfVYT3aKHnymXlIg/s400/kiama+010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677262426284457362" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">....and painted toenails. Just look at those little fat sausage toes will ya!!!!!<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2tC8uGac6V0U12A6_dbjVl9mMM78E9ONibMA8aE5grN4Ot2CH6JTNMyebYohclkkkCREAh_xtaSxvEnTuKLYs1AVTTVthKFQstVmkNCJcJkT7Y1NHITLXXTuUOQldrsiSrFZJ5DCrE9Y/s1600/kiama+011.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2tC8uGac6V0U12A6_dbjVl9mMM78E9ONibMA8aE5grN4Ot2CH6JTNMyebYohclkkkCREAh_xtaSxvEnTuKLYs1AVTTVthKFQstVmkNCJcJkT7Y1NHITLXXTuUOQldrsiSrFZJ5DCrE9Y/s400/kiama+011.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677262306131969810" border="0" /></a>Bill took the girls off for a scenic walk around the coastline and onto the rock platforms. They were gone for hours and came back with lots of "treasure" - which I can tell you will be in the bin by Tuesday at the latest!<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipkTdPhL-6wGrgUI6nBTc0AEBTBftbjw4bV-e_Q_cqXDx0nvjXfc-FPwaiaeKtek1nsFjzHNqPd6L8y5xJ1QqWvUa9DtPfyW-dwaOurk-fgxPtst_ie3AR9ywgQGeWKFjgZnT9VLiEu_I/s1600/kiama+013.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipkTdPhL-6wGrgUI6nBTc0AEBTBftbjw4bV-e_Q_cqXDx0nvjXfc-FPwaiaeKtek1nsFjzHNqPd6L8y5xJ1QqWvUa9DtPfyW-dwaOurk-fgxPtst_ie3AR9ywgQGeWKFjgZnT9VLiEu_I/s400/kiama+013.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677262204875745042" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Sunday afternoon we had a catch up with one of my online friends, Libby from one of my favourite blogs: Life is a Journey not a Destination. She brought her lovely husband Kevin and her 2 girls Amy and Kristy with her.<br /><br /> Unfortunately the weather turned nasty in the afternoon and we didn't get to do too much besides watch the girls in the surf and huddle beneath the awning trying not to get wet.<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh6if1lHqFIZBpK_XlpTCnOMODUcSzxhZLva2Cs6TeVFdcMWk7rq3S3bG6nYvpyeVQBeGADrmQVe4S3XUD70CyR9VqoQfC5BEH1z8fo17_LIaimANU9RO72Myd_-BHY6gac_MaovzkjdI/s1600/kiama+020.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh6if1lHqFIZBpK_XlpTCnOMODUcSzxhZLva2Cs6TeVFdcMWk7rq3S3bG6nYvpyeVQBeGADrmQVe4S3XUD70CyR9VqoQfC5BEH1z8fo17_LIaimANU9RO72Myd_-BHY6gac_MaovzkjdI/s400/kiama+020.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677261931164407714" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Monday morning, the girls were very disappointed to be leaving . They dawdled over their breakfast and begged to stay another day. We might have been tempted if the weather was nicer.<br /><br />But no, we packed up and headed home. All in all a very successful second camping trip.<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsHJ_akXA2m_0YWR0pZoAqZFAdHXVHJYgXZvNRj9KIZKjfHDswWIwx0XpP47WJh4YM4-PMviTYdGd5ZEjtV-FklzZQtaYndd1R3LwajMeS9vFTEwqq07fMUlL5a7nuG1VmTnPxfQyERAI/s1600/kiama+021.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsHJ_akXA2m_0YWR0pZoAqZFAdHXVHJYgXZvNRj9KIZKjfHDswWIwx0XpP47WJh4YM4-PMviTYdGd5ZEjtV-FklzZQtaYndd1R3LwajMeS9vFTEwqq07fMUlL5a7nuG1VmTnPxfQyERAI/s400/kiama+021.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677261794452032866" border="0" /></a>Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15706494291838152826noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934652407234322735.post-8288211827466172432011-11-17T17:26:00.000-08:002011-11-17T17:57:06.434-08:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">New Beginning</span></span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Part 2</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />A lot has happened in the past 6 months while I have been absent from blogger land. Most of it good, some not so good and some of it tragic. Rather than try and cover all the projects, cooking and events that I was involved with during that time I have decided to maybe just refer to past things as they relate to the here and now. Clear as mud.....alrighty then!<br /></div><br />On the home front much has been happening. I am really into the Spring renovation mood at the moment and have decided to fiftify (Look, I just made up a new word) my kitchen a bit more by painting the cabinets.<br /><br />Luckily my husband allows me these crazy flights of fancy and so off I went with my retro green and antique white paintbrushes.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEKK9dN5HzzdjojiTmAnc7y-8zv2KqJqHeiQwvbgkwg26O12Uj1pjU4qVh668GJAstjHE5BycntHf_nfqWbsYXbXwJ4q6CDAvnFvPC6nhbEj13Divlua7Jzat2_DnUdfHnEehmlLcECQA/s1600/new+beginning+004.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEKK9dN5HzzdjojiTmAnc7y-8zv2KqJqHeiQwvbgkwg26O12Uj1pjU4qVh668GJAstjHE5BycntHf_nfqWbsYXbXwJ4q6CDAvnFvPC6nhbEj13Divlua7Jzat2_DnUdfHnEehmlLcECQA/s400/new+beginning+004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676142173850351986" border="0" /></a>This, unfortunately is my pantry. Tiny isn't it?<br /><br />But now looking oh so retro.....<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMnxvzUhBapVuRE2CrirPRjFUcwBAJMZgRelwOHJTS44Rh2KJdSAy_I4DMZyVgIPZ9_Mf-rVpZ9pmYjlgfN_MQ1_wRGA5_sURONLghmfNAtIVf9dh8tgHVRJZg6iAOPzmd1B0_el7XNo8/s1600/new+beginning+005.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMnxvzUhBapVuRE2CrirPRjFUcwBAJMZgRelwOHJTS44Rh2KJdSAy_I4DMZyVgIPZ9_Mf-rVpZ9pmYjlgfN_MQ1_wRGA5_sURONLghmfNAtIVf9dh8tgHVRJZg6iAOPzmd1B0_el7XNo8/s400/new+beginning+005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676142091024364482" border="0" /></a>I've started, but not finished the kitchen cabinets.<br /><br />I have a few health issues with my parents lately and just get done what I can when I can.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I am also onto a new craft project and it's a big one.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> I hope I haven't bitten off more than I can chew here.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> I decided to do something with some of my retro fabric stash. I'm going to make a queen sized quilt cover for my bed. Now I've never made one before so it will be a steep learning curve I'm sure.<br /><br />Today after dropping Rhianna at school I got all my equipment out......<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw0lCXkZeVHHpfaTFJ5ZGwpErzSaRoooAYCXEqhqyt2MpSYuPCMBoqwxRoIKyW9lhhbjFHES_mHvIJ168PAJ6vp4IZGHYm9m8SmAhcyh49TeNcOVHXQoJc5mz6oV4g9M7LhADOqcKp0u0/s1600/new+beginning+003.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw0lCXkZeVHHpfaTFJ5ZGwpErzSaRoooAYCXEqhqyt2MpSYuPCMBoqwxRoIKyW9lhhbjFHES_mHvIJ168PAJ6vp4IZGHYm9m8SmAhcyh49TeNcOVHXQoJc5mz6oV4g9M7LhADOqcKp0u0/s400/new+beginning+003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676141932026505810" border="0" /></a>After much cutting, ironing and fluffing about I laid the squares out on my existing quilt cover to see what it was all going to look like. Well, firstly it looks nice which is a relief but I can foresee a lot of sewing coming up.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">While I was still feeling a lot of love towards the project I packed it away to do a bit more another day.<br /></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHq4kiwG1qIm5fCmZjgf3MyKbf6T_Dwqr1S2deu-s5KCe50G0LrHPiit-wR0gHOSY7dzQmU2z8tuO0V2UU2YM7h3x3iLl8b69amGBO0t2jKhbki8C9Efyn2rRXu-CMaWIL4xS3VEQ-04s/s1600/new+beginning+009.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHq4kiwG1qIm5fCmZjgf3MyKbf6T_Dwqr1S2deu-s5KCe50G0LrHPiit-wR0gHOSY7dzQmU2z8tuO0V2UU2YM7h3x3iLl8b69amGBO0t2jKhbki8C9Efyn2rRXu-CMaWIL4xS3VEQ-04s/s400/new+beginning+009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676142011829777426" border="0" /></a>We are off on the weekend to sunny Kiama. It's on the south coast of NSW and it's one of our favourite spots.<br /><br />We recently purchased a camper trailer and this will be it's second outing. The photo below is of our first outing to Narrabeen on the North shore of Sydney where we went to catch up with one of my best friends who has just moved to Mona Vale.<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiJ3nREqVmd7QBZMx4YPyh2S6xtIwKwWl9EDIlpaz0ymp8AVjLFRjbNR1qf6hY28oD2SA07zk6j-I16lolz-HwFfhqpzs2N0PFM72F3URTanJdjQ2B2UoZ_80yLbqMsymbZeYGixRS0-A/s1600/hello+019.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiJ3nREqVmd7QBZMx4YPyh2S6xtIwKwWl9EDIlpaz0ymp8AVjLFRjbNR1qf6hY28oD2SA07zk6j-I16lolz-HwFfhqpzs2N0PFM72F3URTanJdjQ2B2UoZ_80yLbqMsymbZeYGixRS0-A/s400/hello+019.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676141625864427442" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">So I shall not be back to blog until Monday at least. I've got a great, cheap and easy Christmas present that I made to share.<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiJ3nREqVmd7QBZMx4YPyh2S6xtIwKwWl9EDIlpaz0ymp8AVjLFRjbNR1qf6hY28oD2SA07zk6j-I16lolz-HwFfhqpzs2N0PFM72F3URTanJdjQ2B2UoZ_80yLbqMsymbZeYGixRS0-A/s1600/hello+019.JPG"><br /></a>Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15706494291838152826noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934652407234322735.post-7562700256556042292011-11-17T01:29:00.000-08:002011-11-17T01:46:32.900-08:00New BeginningsWell after many months of rest I've decided to restart my blog.<br /><br />It's such a wonderful way to record our lives and I have to admit to missing it a little bit.<br /><br />I have renamed my blog to Little Retro House as I feel that this better reflects the tone of not only the blog but my life and those of my family.<br /><br />It's good to be back.Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15706494291838152826noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934652407234322735.post-85407712577451260732011-05-19T23:09:00.000-07:002011-05-20T00:13:46.208-07:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Friday Catch-Up</span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I know, I know, such a long time between drinks but I have such a good excuse.<br /><br />Umm, I've been busy????<br /><br /> With this delicious Autumn weather I've been crafting and cooking up a storm and just too darn tired to blog about it all.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">We've had a fair few days out and some parties to attend which have been lovely but also quite tiring.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">So here are a few snapshots of what we have been doing.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">A visit to the Maritime Museum at Darling Harbour. I love, love, love living as close as I do to Sydney and often take the train in to be a tourist in my own city.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Here I am on the destroyer at the museum playing Captain.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE9KHzUX8qBD7hXWSEJwTbejJ1ZhDDK5hJdWbXEskdqUjBvjqI9MesBkrAhpvDtQMERWTl0UQ__SeDoPgzFyeZ6hSFK6stlB953HwDraqbuf9eKMndYyQUYLNf_17Oi-XU1hz7a2vfDA0/s1600/easter+008.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE9KHzUX8qBD7hXWSEJwTbejJ1ZhDDK5hJdWbXEskdqUjBvjqI9MesBkrAhpvDtQMERWTl0UQ__SeDoPgzFyeZ6hSFK6stlB953HwDraqbuf9eKMndYyQUYLNf_17Oi-XU1hz7a2vfDA0/s400/easter+008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608678606104127890" border="0" /></a>The weather has been so lovely, often you will find Bill and I on a Saturday afternoon sitting on the lounge outside in the sun drinking wine, eating cheese and crackers and reading the weekend newspapers. Ahh, true bliss!!!!<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlBSNmj5Yx7z6h-dYM9LSZqeNCRMFcUQZvaiz3sIQQXz9A2qdjNxNLQ5-dGOMVtwTNe0H_b7ARrBq-3PDK6kosMavtSMcnY80R2cmRbzbcgBzjKiQ3QM0O8b6pJO6G4x_HZ_2Y05uFAeY/s1600/easter+009.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlBSNmj5Yx7z6h-dYM9LSZqeNCRMFcUQZvaiz3sIQQXz9A2qdjNxNLQ5-dGOMVtwTNe0H_b7ARrBq-3PDK6kosMavtSMcnY80R2cmRbzbcgBzjKiQ3QM0O8b6pJO6G4x_HZ_2Y05uFAeY/s400/easter+009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608678525013286962" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">We had the Easter Hat Parade at school - enough said.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9XWqfiwc-e7IcHj6iOGAy_xBMUGpRPW1Jwan-Rmuch-S98reFSd1XIxtzxgDAkvsjNlzXHpejwaV1j9wwwKDOd0Cre8tqNSyln72naGXjCHJBhx7nBfUxOSl9moTlmetDeHOiWJxFfuE/s1600/easter+002.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9XWqfiwc-e7IcHj6iOGAy_xBMUGpRPW1Jwan-Rmuch-S98reFSd1XIxtzxgDAkvsjNlzXHpejwaV1j9wwwKDOd0Cre8tqNSyln72naGXjCHJBhx7nBfUxOSl9moTlmetDeHOiWJxFfuE/s400/easter+002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608678442710120098" border="0" /></a>I've completed a little project in Rhianna's room.<br /><br /> I bought this chair at a garage sale from a good friend of mine. It was just a basic wooden chair.<br /><br />I've this week added a bit of life to the old girl using blue spray paint and some stick on white dots.<br /><br />Just have to finish off with a layer of varnish.<br /></div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivbka4l6IAeBhlGdTL8RdSvuPmG2xkehFN0034KXBFBoqErChRdwjOm68IWOAlRFf9m25grNtbhTTtXxTJDacJ0J5EcvkUrkwJZ2nq82n1lClhhkaVPqtBEAPzb9hv4UedFbEHMgV7M9s/s1600/2+more+002.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivbka4l6IAeBhlGdTL8RdSvuPmG2xkehFN0034KXBFBoqErChRdwjOm68IWOAlRFf9m25grNtbhTTtXxTJDacJ0J5EcvkUrkwJZ2nq82n1lClhhkaVPqtBEAPzb9hv4UedFbEHMgV7M9s/s400/2+more+002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608678342226067570" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">And finally my cooking masterpiece of the week so far - a Brandy Honey Swiss Roll.<br /><br />I've never made a cake where you had to roll it up before so I was quite nervous but what fun this was to make.<br /><br />It turned out perfectly, was so easy and tasted divine.<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB_ax8ArHKgcB6qEFcM8GWGyrx17WHd95GF7ebc-GiANf09b6NnOARwrvLA0qrQltf7tPoNuwdVpYAVB393fefrR8BmhA8nBlI58LotUNbmvrFP1NApBHqmkIIFzZowDZNTJRV5KFx0ag/s1600/2+more+001.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB_ax8ArHKgcB6qEFcM8GWGyrx17WHd95GF7ebc-GiANf09b6NnOARwrvLA0qrQltf7tPoNuwdVpYAVB393fefrR8BmhA8nBlI58LotUNbmvrFP1NApBHqmkIIFzZowDZNTJRV5KFx0ag/s400/2+more+001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608678275526958562" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">More to come later.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Have a great weekend everybody.<br /></div>Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15706494291838152826noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934652407234322735.post-75843078205840509682011-04-27T00:14:00.000-07:002011-04-27T00:50:56.768-07:00<span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Last day of the School Holidays</span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I have to say, I limped to the finish line of these school holidays (hangs head in shame).<br /><br />This unrelenting bad weather has almost seen me lose my mind.<br /><br /> Luckily I had some "stuff" put aside for just such a hair-pulling day.<br /><br />I'd previously purchased some very good maths resources from MTA and shoved them in a cupboard till a day when we really needed something to entertain us.<br /><br /> These weighing scales and cuisenaire rods really fit the bill today.<br /><br />We had a lovely couple of hours mucking around with them. And the best bit? Rhianna was actually learning some stuff. And there was no glitter, glue or paint involved. I mean, I love my craft as much as the next girl. But honestly, if I had to glue another pom pom onto anything I would have screamed!!!!<br /><br />Then, I kid you not, I played hide and seek, colouring in, shops, make-overs and did the grocery shopping.<br /><br />I'm exhausted.<br /><br /> But I try to cherish every second with my girl because I know how quickly this time will pass and I want to store as many beautiful memories as I can.<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6dcJKcXpiqRHqNmW0Us1yFPXoSChEkb1gGlnl4ScYMv0GF0Ds9qWjuxQcKYNjRa6iSrVJjA8bPPCrQkYfIa-c7HNAvh-_9LIQZXfsTkmpgCyUdBtKIEjKisyymYrYh82ugTPQ2-_FLPQ/s1600/last+day+006.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6dcJKcXpiqRHqNmW0Us1yFPXoSChEkb1gGlnl4ScYMv0GF0Ds9qWjuxQcKYNjRa6iSrVJjA8bPPCrQkYfIa-c7HNAvh-_9LIQZXfsTkmpgCyUdBtKIEjKisyymYrYh82ugTPQ2-_FLPQ/s400/last+day+006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600159575247862482" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The cuisenaire rods came with a little booklet with math activities to try. Today was all about exploring them and having fun but this book may give us some direction for future activities.<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Emdi3TSW0riwoiHvUsqXtwZBFM0XkDf90HSZR-zKSxJs1RpTpdlapLKHQP-NgY0iuDhDc4pgtUzjxwlKEhp-uo5Rll5bYw2vcDMbd7WS9J9v7mxMvq86GeFSRJY-xHsspUkz1IutloM/s1600/last+day+008.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Emdi3TSW0riwoiHvUsqXtwZBFM0XkDf90HSZR-zKSxJs1RpTpdlapLKHQP-NgY0iuDhDc4pgtUzjxwlKEhp-uo5Rll5bYw2vcDMbd7WS9J9v7mxMvq86GeFSRJY-xHsspUkz1IutloM/s400/last+day+008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600159510000305250" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Love how colourful the rods are.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR9ndd0OrrnJKn2-RaEWnkrc1yPwzCRONuxrT9hfZ88pWMNKg0OgSQ3q60vPPDdNSJu1M086xFV8mBL9ncj_sOZWSRPoStdNUZh2CBZGjlpDy6he38ajiqNic74HLKSbmoRdmZ-X6UdYI/s1600/last+day+007.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR9ndd0OrrnJKn2-RaEWnkrc1yPwzCRONuxrT9hfZ88pWMNKg0OgSQ3q60vPPDdNSJu1M086xFV8mBL9ncj_sOZWSRPoStdNUZh2CBZGjlpDy6he38ajiqNic74HLKSbmoRdmZ-X6UdYI/s400/last+day+007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600159446259272434" border="0" /></a>Because I'm tired and feeling lazy tonight, I decided to fill the rest of this post with my recent op shop finds.<br /><br /> I scored some good stuff up at the op shops near Mum at Toukley.<br /><br />Toukley is a little town on the Central Coast of NSW full of retirees, so it just makes sense that the op shops there are top notch as much new stock comes in daily.<br /><br />First up, a genuine Nally 1960's biscuit barrel in mint condition - $7. Bargain.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGVErmzg9PLmenqpH6nF9XGU5pBJpbNTrleM7w3KUyNsEimrQlGv40ksYMpB69iJLBauk9GgO413eJT6qn4BAqhiPKEqFJz6hSmf92iUvylMtulKa_GCyYqMb-fHmWPJk2Uqb3m9uJbeA/s1600/last+day+001.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGVErmzg9PLmenqpH6nF9XGU5pBJpbNTrleM7w3KUyNsEimrQlGv40ksYMpB69iJLBauk9GgO413eJT6qn4BAqhiPKEqFJz6hSmf92iUvylMtulKa_GCyYqMb-fHmWPJk2Uqb3m9uJbeA/s400/last+day+001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600159367258603410" border="0" /></a>A 1960's yellow vase - $12.<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJtc1qrHWGy4xHG8pnALuv_H_Wvo1lfB77-x4ac5S9G9yyGyh7hdhM7qa2DiBb_w-gpphoevyxYavZfsnyjBy7Cug6tP7FtRqxS6mAtHKJpuCKNqonhwZA2UkH3R2ZHYrq9Ihm0LO6HGQ/s1600/last+day+002.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJtc1qrHWGy4xHG8pnALuv_H_Wvo1lfB77-x4ac5S9G9yyGyh7hdhM7qa2DiBb_w-gpphoevyxYavZfsnyjBy7Cug6tP7FtRqxS6mAtHKJpuCKNqonhwZA2UkH3R2ZHYrq9Ihm0LO6HGQ/s400/last+day+002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600159297186272578" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Handpainted cream and sugar set - This was for my vintage sideboard. ($2)<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZR_WVbXVfui0WLPjM8hSkpasgwwT4c7XdwaiQSlrIR4QFAoJPtKK0NcdFm9haYXFCJbHR_gUvN-vGffUkwAxhv62DGmKl-GnEM60afppbH46WyHOY4oVALWkLCxsoXLSgtqIatCgBZNQ/s1600/last+day+003.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZR_WVbXVfui0WLPjM8hSkpasgwwT4c7XdwaiQSlrIR4QFAoJPtKK0NcdFm9haYXFCJbHR_gUvN-vGffUkwAxhv62DGmKl-GnEM60afppbH46WyHOY4oVALWkLCxsoXLSgtqIatCgBZNQ/s400/last+day+003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600159233575395570" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Another cute little ceramic Japanese deer - $3.<br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_PmLb_6VtQbHgNmdDulWl9Dv4Eg5736WLhsF19SefRwDC99GG6D7FGJBDdJmPOJnaj8iam0psch13oY23ErQiIBjUhRrasbdZ9shOtvcmKXRATjfBH-w81qub7uPG3rOJFiuM6kueWgs/s1600/last+day+004.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_PmLb_6VtQbHgNmdDulWl9Dv4Eg5736WLhsF19SefRwDC99GG6D7FGJBDdJmPOJnaj8iam0psch13oY23ErQiIBjUhRrasbdZ9shOtvcmKXRATjfBH-w81qub7uPG3rOJFiuM6kueWgs/s400/last+day+004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600159155026491810" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I now have three in my "collection". Who knew collecting was so much fun?<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ksm1x95AGzPLAikLHbEzgJOuXFTUcwBIc31zpFsLVsERAU5TGp1xlZNuIh4pZyXmmcD_gYvDPvqeLttGcjSZLQaWZhOzAwItRuDjc7eM5keOU4nVzmzh9WDXtsy5Pi9HUGHXJiJ3kCg/s1600/last+day+005.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ksm1x95AGzPLAikLHbEzgJOuXFTUcwBIc31zpFsLVsERAU5TGp1xlZNuIh4pZyXmmcD_gYvDPvqeLttGcjSZLQaWZhOzAwItRuDjc7eM5keOU4nVzmzh9WDXtsy5Pi9HUGHXJiJ3kCg/s400/last+day+005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600159092293297618" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Tomorrow Rhianna is back to school and the big clean up begins.<br /></div>Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15706494291838152826noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934652407234322735.post-21972991465361702892011-04-26T00:00:00.000-07:002011-04-26T00:27:02.260-07:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Make and Bake</span></span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Well I did say I am in love with all things British and as luck would have it, I awoke to some very English weather today. Drizzle, drizzle, drizzle. I did have a little laugh to myself at all those people I saw last Thursday heading up the mountain with their camping gear.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjupljPsa50-B_RSqTaxe5Z3hWVHBM47NXwItOfNdgH42yjGBQkMr8yD2KNWgAobuZEgLCDDQrL9ppdSPa_0-Z6J_B1IX-frfgfe8axvC9xomAK_YEqH10FDb7ebbp6GOQ27gC23nTETFg/s1600/sunday+make+and+bake+024.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjupljPsa50-B_RSqTaxe5Z3hWVHBM47NXwItOfNdgH42yjGBQkMr8yD2KNWgAobuZEgLCDDQrL9ppdSPa_0-Z6J_B1IX-frfgfe8axvC9xomAK_YEqH10FDb7ebbp6GOQ27gC23nTETFg/s400/sunday+make+and+bake+024.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599784923965826354" border="0" /></a>Nothing goes better with the drip, drip, drip than a nice cup of tea, whereupon Rhianna and I decided to stay in our jammies all day. This is otherwise known as the make and bake day.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijqpCXFhyphenhyphenYJ5NjbDoADwvGFTcswJJ4r3JYZsUEtT3aqRBP8xqlyRmBa4w4ip0v4mgzwMqHtu_O15PwZBP4N0juNkp1EpEe5EniZsk0E01LYuYCmEvoWwz9zbHWSfuaw9_PDcFW1dSMW2Q/s1600/sunday+make+and+bake+003.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijqpCXFhyphenhyphenYJ5NjbDoADwvGFTcswJJ4r3JYZsUEtT3aqRBP8xqlyRmBa4w4ip0v4mgzwMqHtu_O15PwZBP4N0juNkp1EpEe5EniZsk0E01LYuYCmEvoWwz9zbHWSfuaw9_PDcFW1dSMW2Q/s400/sunday+make+and+bake+003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599784724366202274" border="0" /></a>First up the make part of the equation.<br /><br /> I've been working on this pillow for a while and today it reached completion. It's totally kitsch and totally me.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEing3b2zxcymcmwmRhBunx6XqUlqHKY8gSD45ax3s8jmxmZYHW42sS3V48eSzEc3GZsewpoFYWsVU2KQetHiqZVTo_ggPK111AIz8IgxaBuvs5hcW6zmE9zUElEqr2f6yT3en_UsnNKfhU/s1600/sunday+make+and+bake+005.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEing3b2zxcymcmwmRhBunx6XqUlqHKY8gSD45ax3s8jmxmZYHW42sS3V48eSzEc3GZsewpoFYWsVU2KQetHiqZVTo_ggPK111AIz8IgxaBuvs5hcW6zmE9zUElEqr2f6yT3en_UsnNKfhU/s400/sunday+make+and+bake+005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599784646635569842" border="0" /></a>A close up :: it's my first real attempt at applique. I think I've found a new love.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN5MUuPaCveFlfl64ceP4_676J9t3VWEtmX3RAJiIse5QoFSNLEycXz3FigyZakLrN4IJv_vXDH7vORk_Wh6fd5jho7vI4BKcW1jllxjCU3sOSrIrvKM9aAtr0nOAkku1-RCg8p3MuKdI/s1600/sunday+make+and+bake+006.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN5MUuPaCveFlfl64ceP4_676J9t3VWEtmX3RAJiIse5QoFSNLEycXz3FigyZakLrN4IJv_vXDH7vORk_Wh6fd5jho7vI4BKcW1jllxjCU3sOSrIrvKM9aAtr0nOAkku1-RCg8p3MuKdI/s400/sunday+make+and+bake+006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599784581306085474" border="0" /></a>It's nearing morning tea time and we decide to bring some baking into the day.<br /><br />Nothing too fancy as we have no intention of leaving the house to buy ingredients.<br /><br />I found a recipe at Mum's last week for chocolate peanut butter cookies. And yipee, I already have everything to get started.<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_OByuptUBFetAh-njYynf0ehNdzlvLMx6AuUcAJaCrptb3HA0u2ub9XzQXI3r4FxZaXmjDXdOZI5V94tV-BVO07VIF_GkFfaa8n3zVonCWDuIeFlw_nB7ws4QQMdGBCiKBEzSWh51Bc0/s1600/sunday+make+and+bake+008.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_OByuptUBFetAh-njYynf0ehNdzlvLMx6AuUcAJaCrptb3HA0u2ub9XzQXI3r4FxZaXmjDXdOZI5V94tV-BVO07VIF_GkFfaa8n3zVonCWDuIeFlw_nB7ws4QQMdGBCiKBEzSWh51Bc0/s400/sunday+make+and+bake+008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599784505541313282" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">My God, these were seriously good, and the recipe made millions. Well ok, maybe not millions but if you live close by, please pop in and grab some.<br /><br />The chocolate and peanut butter gave the biscuits this chewy caramelly taste. So yummy.<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyWS32zkHoKE0pz0QPu6pr69tksfWGzG10O_z7UHm6VEVFm3-kodXkdlEy7PohhQelOQZOXPYT2vneYfGrU0-ymhbpk223pbS_t5MhrSdJjAKWFiv5hKJmGpt172ss0VpNA6LzS_Ifr3U/s1600/sunday+make+and+bake+025.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyWS32zkHoKE0pz0QPu6pr69tksfWGzG10O_z7UHm6VEVFm3-kodXkdlEy7PohhQelOQZOXPYT2vneYfGrU0-ymhbpk223pbS_t5MhrSdJjAKWFiv5hKJmGpt172ss0VpNA6LzS_Ifr3U/s400/sunday+make+and+bake+025.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599784067643769906" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The onto some more making :: take some old shoeboxes and turn them into........<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTOxrqybKuOVVxVXllv_7GqPb6N9way9Wj5WR-Pb6hNc-1c9qv-VFNSElgcSmyMfzAMtm3_iCLTSOl16AorPUwy1SfQRhHEOsAGmAJJDbHhrGXUUU9QzM99hA3Gf08ALo_kddaXFM33Zc/s1600/sunday+make+and+bake+007.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTOxrqybKuOVVxVXllv_7GqPb6N9way9Wj5WR-Pb6hNc-1c9qv-VFNSElgcSmyMfzAMtm3_iCLTSOl16AorPUwy1SfQRhHEOsAGmAJJDbHhrGXUUU9QzM99hA3Gf08ALo_kddaXFM33Zc/s400/sunday+make+and+bake+007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599784337580431970" border="0" /></a>A treasure box.<br /><br /> Again we used just existing supplies. The white around the buckles is the glue still waiting to dry.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkjWNjwPYHhan5l61liWnPxTYo60e8L2vsFfJ6MCEyfdXVGajNaXnVwTo6RjEO90Lutz5NQNBfl8ca9tsvAs-M7dyonC5jk-Nv1Q_LAFpRkBvW2sLwdoBaR9aGRO-QhKy0f9QMagH3IFc/s1600/sunday+make+and+bake+017.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkjWNjwPYHhan5l61liWnPxTYo60e8L2vsFfJ6MCEyfdXVGajNaXnVwTo6RjEO90Lutz5NQNBfl8ca9tsvAs-M7dyonC5jk-Nv1Q_LAFpRkBvW2sLwdoBaR9aGRO-QhKy0f9QMagH3IFc/s400/sunday+make+and+bake+017.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599784248080787602" border="0" /></a>And inside any good treasure chest is some treasure :: otherwise known as junk jewellery and old currency money. Except I just spotted some US currency that will come in handy in about 6 weeks time.<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdtOABf74YJhuRfPoq8zwUhAfUAkknJjnJs-GMXT1JKAjzzzsAJKgezdQ9qd7Q6fdFwxPA3jSmMvGRazW_BImA_4mEinRhoA6WMr6-BAZcGb6rDAifau_nT26FCtN5v8ch36-FHakRF0s/s1600/sunday+make+and+bake+022.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdtOABf74YJhuRfPoq8zwUhAfUAkknJjnJs-GMXT1JKAjzzzsAJKgezdQ9qd7Q6fdFwxPA3jSmMvGRazW_BImA_4mEinRhoA6WMr6-BAZcGb6rDAifau_nT26FCtN5v8ch36-FHakRF0s/s400/sunday+make+and+bake+022.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599784152424095634" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_OByuptUBFetAh-njYynf0ehNdzlvLMx6AuUcAJaCrptb3HA0u2ub9XzQXI3r4FxZaXmjDXdOZI5V94tV-BVO07VIF_GkFfaa8n3zVonCWDuIeFlw_nB7ws4QQMdGBCiKBEzSWh51Bc0/s1600/sunday+make+and+bake+008.JPG"><br /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Bill could take the crafting and baking no longer and headed out. He'd blown up the toaster at the start of Easter and returned later this afternoon with this lovely red Delonghi model. It's a little bit retro, very shiny, very red and very big.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgFw8E53LfdKCmCrd7v7cg1iLPivFsfczLTTINiA2uCsGVLkxNfOXca4No-jlE0Elv7v9mdLn8NUl4-L2dz95zUWl5xO0Z2sWZSg9UQSjzlFhyfKQI30YulXvw4qN33pDsATcpzcCEyjE/s1600/sunday+make+and+bake+026.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgFw8E53LfdKCmCrd7v7cg1iLPivFsfczLTTINiA2uCsGVLkxNfOXca4No-jlE0Elv7v9mdLn8NUl4-L2dz95zUWl5xO0Z2sWZSg9UQSjzlFhyfKQI30YulXvw4qN33pDsATcpzcCEyjE/s400/sunday+make+and+bake+026.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599783984921526898" border="0" /></a>We've had a fabulous Easter and hope you and your family did too.<br /></div>Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15706494291838152826noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3934652407234322735.post-29780561994778898942011-04-25T00:37:00.000-07:002011-04-25T01:02:57.674-07:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Day at the Museum<br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuGNQZtW1yEeIHYFk_v5XDo-xQ4AXSB-cjAXPTP4wL3QxrUkB9BVTXeQohwhe4ZKnfAM1MuKk6VqniiwiutqMjHtf2s3ygKbY7JdTt5Y6BE9T1p86Oy0Ve8TlBDRgBxlqjl5vWccwGerw/s1600/museum+day+003.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuGNQZtW1yEeIHYFk_v5XDo-xQ4AXSB-cjAXPTP4wL3QxrUkB9BVTXeQohwhe4ZKnfAM1MuKk6VqniiwiutqMjHtf2s3ygKbY7JdTt5Y6BE9T1p86Oy0Ve8TlBDRgBxlqjl5vWccwGerw/s400/museum+day+003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599423780575330354" border="0" /></a><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">With the weather being very ordinary on this Anzac long weekend we decided to head out for the day.<br /><br />We needed somewhere indoor, interesting and hopefully not too crowded.<br /><br />The Australian Museum in the city seemed like a good choice.<br /><br />We caught the train in, as it's way cheaper and more convenient than trying to find parking and arrived at the Museum around 11am.<br /><br />The dinosaur exhibition is the big draw card at the museum.<br /><br />Rhianna wanted to see what it was like to pick the nose of the giant wombat - she's all class my girl!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg1prmbzruDVZIHIGW4JeiUVdcJ6-oZGZU152763HQU3ZmbwWzaDjEpIR29e61Jq-U3Cf0np3BpN7Rpg0v7BIfTa54nSHGMRCX5AGOM_W0Usu7KiSwKn-qFHhZD_D9AI4cS_OeryaEXDo/s1600/museum+day+004.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg1prmbzruDVZIHIGW4JeiUVdcJ6-oZGZU152763HQU3ZmbwWzaDjEpIR29e61Jq-U3Cf0np3BpN7Rpg0v7BIfTa54nSHGMRCX5AGOM_W0Usu7KiSwKn-qFHhZD_D9AI4cS_OeryaEXDo/s400/museum+day+004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599423701441344562" border="0" /></a>We voted this guy the dinosaur we would most like as a pet.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkkdEeFaomMzvWrYfcERsn72NaLraM4GWOoXRQYL5gM0JPamq7Me_whL66LLHdfeNaZyvcUAf1hmtVsUfV1TATCEGEHmFBzzlCcXpW8yRtp9dhfBSPtpU9KNYVzKQMsZTDgk7nyFoBdzg/s1600/museum+day+001.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkkdEeFaomMzvWrYfcERsn72NaLraM4GWOoXRQYL5gM0JPamq7Me_whL66LLHdfeNaZyvcUAf1hmtVsUfV1TATCEGEHmFBzzlCcXpW8yRtp9dhfBSPtpU9KNYVzKQMsZTDgk7nyFoBdzg/s400/museum+day+001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599423855482931314" border="0" /></a>The great thing about the Museum is all the interactive stuff they have for the kids.<br /><br />The photo below is Rhianna using a gigantic interactive table about sea creatures.<br /><br />When you touch certain areas of the table, animals would appear and then describe them in very simple text.<br /><br />Rhianna is touching a blue ringed octopus.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbbJPgjAeiMvrOYv-YSfFtJzvGDiMIveiK2bN7B5G3tyLWk91XQm3wAzBgO7i33JBj7J4_1hR4WoOxNflp3BWytooQWDxmpeXj2Ui8uKtzabhf39HTCQuyWvamLS0DzZoNqe1lnkjKhns/s1600/museum+day+005.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbbJPgjAeiMvrOYv-YSfFtJzvGDiMIveiK2bN7B5G3tyLWk91XQm3wAzBgO7i33JBj7J4_1hR4WoOxNflp3BWytooQWDxmpeXj2Ui8uKtzabhf39HTCQuyWvamLS0DzZoNqe1lnkjKhns/s400/museum+day+005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599423507855010562" border="0" /></a>The computer programs are popular too. There was no waiting time to use anything so we definitely came on a good day.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0BLzSEFsBvTz7OzNrko0qodZCFkyHJ08dpGLzbRLoUHue7XRIYoHGibs1JD723VEkTuHdAKDzlu2HLJpKaL_i_hYSEr_JqYzXaYXSSfEXA5V4ZwOxBjhKwQGyQt1rNq__Y-tWZRMup4Y/s1600/museum+day+006.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0BLzSEFsBvTz7OzNrko0qodZCFkyHJ08dpGLzbRLoUHue7XRIYoHGibs1JD723VEkTuHdAKDzlu2HLJpKaL_i_hYSEr_JqYzXaYXSSfEXA5V4ZwOxBjhKwQGyQt1rNq__Y-tWZRMup4Y/s400/museum+day+006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599423384882121042" border="0" /></a>There was a drawing area for the kids to learn how to draw tree frogs.<br /><br />Rhianna came away with a really good picture.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnBY5QaWs_9Q7HOPRtu4C7y9aXUm1K7q4t-y6acVs0YE9jvHGegj4ohqGJw5KUxJuql5qHBN6VIk0nEn4gIYvCFD00z5aXqBtksX1yJhuYVpQ3Zwvq4So8LuWhDIRobKAX_36QFiYHxHQ/s1600/museum+day+007.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnBY5QaWs_9Q7HOPRtu4C7y9aXUm1K7q4t-y6acVs0YE9jvHGegj4ohqGJw5KUxJuql5qHBN6VIk0nEn4gIYvCFD00z5aXqBtksX1yJhuYVpQ3Zwvq4So8LuWhDIRobKAX_36QFiYHxHQ/s400/museum+day+007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599423218929318930" border="0" /></a>Not to mention all the exercise we got walking around and riding the exercise bike.<br /><br />The bike demonstrates how your skeleton works when you ride a bike.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4NUyi4tVHlkhLeCYPVdYejBw-fnt5GpdVUg9rcWw1jd3lIhNSP837iGRwh52IOiDMpu-uxgbeh_07O5v8xs8K8ecsX49IKjoxwJceBNJ222_Uvt3tc6mJSNYOvIBHFBbCKCFXaYQaVg0/s1600/museum+day+013.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4NUyi4tVHlkhLeCYPVdYejBw-fnt5GpdVUg9rcWw1jd3lIhNSP837iGRwh52IOiDMpu-uxgbeh_07O5v8xs8K8ecsX49IKjoxwJceBNJ222_Uvt3tc6mJSNYOvIBHFBbCKCFXaYQaVg0/s400/museum+day+013.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599423081064023378" border="0" /></a>It really was a fabulous day out with us not arriving home till after dark.<br /><br /><br />If you live near Sydney or are visiting soon, I highly recommend it.<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3zqdUfFdX2Yv3ZIUw-dpH_hKfYja5Ky5koR84evEpWGMDWamKZ6ubziseoBSvu-ZupFwxNyWVu9V0HEBSMGvBdtv71z4_mxBiy1EjadIwo3Eb4xOtiKs1-GvSJscPD-4w9lajOMPpbHU/s1600/museum+day+014.JPG"><br /></a>Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15706494291838152826noreply@blogger.com0