Monday, January 30, 2012

Good Things #6/366 :: Pompom garlands.


We're having a little party for our Nell-bell in a couple of weeks - one already! - and so I've begun organising.

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Moments :: A hot & productive day.


Today in Melbourne it was hot and humid. The temperature was not extreme, at just 34 degrees, but the humidity has been growing all day.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Moments :: Images of an Australia Day.


Today is Australia Day. I'm proud to be Australian. We are proud to fly our flag and celebrate our nationhood. It's the best place in the world to live, and even though it's not perfect (yet), I think, on balance, that it's pretty darned close.

Monday, January 16, 2012

Thai-time :: Pork and Zucchini stirfry.

This is how a professional does it.....
Lately I have been trying to limit how much I've been spending at the supermarket. The freezer, pantry and fridge are groaning with produce - and it ain't all fresh. When I look beyond the everyday staples parked at the front, I find things submerged in the freezer pack ice and stashed in the pantry corners which are approaching, and in some cases well past, their expiry dates.

Plain & simple: comfort food the whole family loves.


Every family has its fussy eaters. In ours, I'm probably the worst culprit. But as I'm usually the one in charge of deciding and preparing meals, I can tailor what we eat around what I like. Bonus!

But when it's the kids who get picky, we tend to get worried that they're not eating enough or the right things. We definitely experience this with Jack and try to play down his inconsistent dislikes (usually colour-related, red and green causing the most trouble) and try to get the good stuff into him where ever possible and by whatever means.

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Inspirations :: Homemade Lip Balm


Tonight I discovered this great site call The Art of Homemaking. Megan is SUCH a talented gal, I think she may be living one of my dream lives (I have several - don't you?).

She has recently posted details of how to make your own lip balm, something which I would never have thought of trying before but her recipe really is quite straight forward. The main trick seems to be securing some of the ingredients and some super dinky little tins, but what a great gift for friends and family at Christmas! Totes impressed!

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Good Things #5/366 :: In Which I Make Toasted Muesli.


I like muesli. Unfortunately, I`m a fussy mueslian. Luckily, I like the muesli I make for myself. Happy co-incidence, no? Good Thing, yes!

Here`s my recipe for a yummy toasted muesli which I try to make every couple of months. I vary it a little bit each time and below is the recipe I used this morning. Easy peasy japan-esy!

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Good Things #4/366 :: I won a prize!


A couple of months ago I spotted an ABC TV competition to win the DVD's of Upstairs, Downstairs. It required coming up with a new character for the story.

I was inspired. One night I put fingers to keyboard and came up with Eleanor Holland. I checked it. I reviewed it. I read it to my husband. He loved it. I hit 'send'. And forgot about it.

Good Things #3/366: Jack is learning to pedal.

Riding a bike is something most of us expect our kids to do. Often, when expectant couples are dreaming of the future with their new child, amid images of playing football, ballet, school concerts and playing in the backyard, are those of kids on their bikes, tearing around the neighborhood with their besties.

For the parents of children with Cerebral Palsy this is often a dream which is one of the many crushed by the harsh reality of spasticity, dystonia and imbalance. But it's not impossible. Like most things for people with Cerebral Palsy, a lot can be achieved with patience and perseverance (and philanthropy - thought I'd throw that in!)





Monday, January 9, 2012

Good Thing # 2/366 :: Lidia the Tattooed Lady.



I loved The Muppets as a child and still do. They aren't on free to air TV right now in Australia so my brother bought the first season on DVD for my kids for Christmas.

Today I popped it on, looking for a chance for my son to do some passive physio while I got some things done. What has happened is we are both stuck watching it, laughing all the way through! A new experience for Jack, a revival for me. Either way, it's a Good Thing.

Finger-knittin' fun!


When I was a kid my mum taught me how to fingerknit. And do you think I could remember how to do it now? No way, Jose! So how glad was I when one of my favorite blogs put up this post? Very.

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Somebody That I Used to Know - Walk Off The Earth (Gotye - Cover)

The amazing Gotye struck gold when he came up with this song. I was as giddy as a schoolgirl when I found myself on the same flight as him a few months ago, when he was on a flight to Sydney after his fabulous ARIA Awards performance of this song.

I also love this excellent cover version by Walk Off The Earth. Five people on one guitar!

Enjoy.



Note: thanks JustB for putting me onto this....

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Do-gooding in 2012.

"Back where I come from there are men who do nothing all day but good deeds. They are called phila... er, phila... er, yes, er, Good Deed Doers."
The Wizard of Oz

I am a bit of a do-gooder. It's a phrase which has some negative connotations of being a dobber and interferer, so I think it's time to redeem the reputation of do-gooding and do-gooders generally. Do-gooders unite!

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Goodbye 2011, you were so good to me...

Another year has passed, and what a year it was. We had our second baby, beautiful Nellie May, complete with Mummy drama; Jack started at CPEC and in kinder; and my husband suddenly lost the job he'd had for 16 years, only to then accept one based overseas. Eventful, challenging and rewarding.

To celebrate we had dinner with some very close friends who also have a couple of very young children and had our traditional epicurean seafood dinner. Nothing too elaborate, but always a bit decadent and lots of fun.