Favourite Books

As most people who know me or read this blog know, I LOVE books. If ever there was a fire in this house, after the kids and photos, I would be grabbing a lot of my favourite books. Here are some I would be packing as the flames licked my heels.


The World of Susie Wong.

I watched this as a movie when I was a kid. The movie had William Holden in it and is about an artist who moves to Hong Kong to paint and falls in love with a Wanchi girl who works in a bar as a prostitute (Kinda like Pretty Woman about 30 years before Julia Roberts was born).

Then one day in a dusty old book store I found the novel - for a huge $1. I was so overjoyed and of course the book is SO much better then the movie.

Betty Blue.

Another find in a second hand book store in Glebe. I bought this when I was 19 and I have read it 31 times. No word of a lie. Djian's prose is the most beautiful writing I have ever read. The story is set in France and is about Betty who is a functional lunatic and the love affair she has with Zorg. Zorg knows she is a bit unbalanced but loves her (and tries to save her from herself) anyway. Of course I own the movie too, but the book is just perfect...nothing could compete.

The Creative Family.

Amanda Blake Soule has a blog and I discovered her books through there. This book is food for the eyes to look through and it encapsulates everything I would like my home with with my family to be. Lots and lots of creative and home made things to do with your kids.

Handmade Home.

Another book by Amanda Blake Soule. Here she has lots of sewing and craft projects for Mumma to do. Such a lovely book with quite achieveable projects to do within its pages.

Our Family Table.

My newest addition to the bookcase. My husband Bill bought this for me (Gotta love a man who buys you stuff for no good reason).

If you were a fan of Masterchef last year then this book would need no introduction. Julie Goodwin was the winner of Series One and this is her cookbook. Lovely photos and nice family friendly recipes. I'm sure it will be a favourite.

And Bill, my new book wishlist is on the fridge.

I'd love to hear all about your favourite books. Your oldest, the one you'd save in a fire and the newest addtion. I may have overlooked a potential new favourite to my bookcase.

Old Photos

There's not much Rhianna and I like to do more than curl up on the lounge and look at old photos. She especially likes the ones that have funny stories attached to them. It's such a great way to bond and enjoy our holidays together.

One photo I'd like to share is this one of my husband as a little boy with his mother Shirley.

Bill grew up in Paddington (Sydney) and to say that his mother was an eccentric local character would be a mild understatement.

She worked in PR and threw outrageous cocktail parties at the house where everybody who was anybody would attend.

I love the clothes she is wearing - this would have been the height of fashion back in the mid 1970's. And Bill looks just like a kid did in those days - dirty,unkempt and in desperate need of a good haircut.

I particularly like this photo because Shirley is gone now and although she and I had our "moments" I miss her outrageousness and zest for life.

I'd also like to thank her for raising my husband to be the most thoughtful, open-minded and tolerant man I know. Thanks Shirley.

A Little Setback

I may be out of action on here for a little while as I have had an accident. In trying to put down the trundle bed in Miss R's room, I got my little finger caught and squashed it.

It's the most pain I've been in for a long time. Rhianna was hysterical as I ran around the room screaming. Later on she told me she was upset, not because I was injured, but because she thought I'd lost my finger and she didn't want a Mum who only had 9 fingers.

Even in all my agony I had to laugh!

Not so Fantastic Plastic

There's been a lot of press lately about the dangers of plastic that is used to store our foodstuffs and especially plastic that comes in contact with food when it is being heated.

There is now conclusive evidence that plasticides (DEHA) from some food wraps (clingwrap) leach and migrate into food - particularly when that food and plastic are heated. (Such as in a microwave) Here are some of the steps I have taken to reduce the amount of plastic being used by our family.

If I use clingwrap (rare now) I make sure it does not come into contact with the food it is covering.

I got rid of the microwave and thus the temptation to quickly reheat things.

I use nude food containers for Miss R's lunch or waxed paper if required.

I have now converted my entire pantry to glass storage containers. I did this gradually over time to cut down on the cost. I do have quite a small pantry but because I am at home full time I can pick up what I need for dinner fresh each day. Storing less food means less food waste at the end of the week.

Here is my pantry

Is anybody else reducing the amount of plastic in their homes?

I knew I was kidding myself that I'd have a restful school holidays but today was full on. After Rhianna cooked herself some breakfast, we went op shopping and then to the park.

Back home again, I started on dinner as my energy was getting low. Pumpkin soup and a batch of scones.

A spot of cubby house building and then into the cubby to colour in and play some games.

Then outside for some trampolining and then some ironing. Phew, I don't think I can keep this up for another 2 weeks.

Early Bird Crafting

For those of you who have ever wondered how early is too early to craft...I have the answer. It's never to early to paint, glue and cut. Well,... maybe have your first coffee before you start cutting.

Not even out of our PJ's and already elbow deep in recycled craft. Today it's old cardboard and egg cartons. Those are actually my PJ's as I love to sleep in my husbands clothing - much to his annoyance. I love his clothing, its big and roomy and smells just like him.

Here is the flower wreath - probably more appropriate for Spring, but who cares. We had fun.

And where do you put a wreath but on the front door to welcome everybody.

Hope everybody enjoyed their Easter break as much as we did - now to keep the momentum going for the next 2 weeks - that will be the real test of my parenting skills. Stay tuned.

Nature Nurturing

I've been reading a lot lately about how important it is to get kids out of the house, away from all the screens and back into nature. With that in mind, and the weather being beautiful again we headed up to Wentworth Falls.

First stop was the park where there are lots of good things to climb on. Gotta love that appropriate footwear.

No nature adventure is worth its salt without ducks

There's a terrific walking path around the lake. Here we are setting off.

After crossing the little bridge Miss R tries her hand at some graffiti, I mean.....stick drawing.


No matter what I tried to bribe him with, Bill would not let his feet leave the ground.

The track around the lake is beautiful, cool with the overhanging trees and most importantly for a 6 year old in boots - flat!


While Bill and I decide which house we'd like to buy in this gorgeous street - Rhianna takes a very unflattering photo of my bottom.

The best part about today was that we all had such a nice time and it did not cost a cent.
And the Easter Bunny did visit amid much excitement which was another good reason to get out and active today. Hope everybody had a lovely day - I know we did.

Waiting for the Easter Bunny

Such a beautiful day and a shame not to get out and about. Took my knitting in the car as I had no idea how long we would be out - Bill was in charge.

Here I am looking like a granny

Miss R smiles for the camera

Lunch at one of our favourite restaurants - Trellinis.

Still waiting for that waitress to come back


After all that yummy food - off to the local bike and walking track.


Such a great day to bike ride through the trees.

And a new park has been built since the last time we were here. Woohoo!!!!!

Rhianna gets a ride back to the car.


Hope the Easter Bunny visits tonight.