Sue in Oz

Banana Chocolate Chip Mmmmuffins

2012-02-06T05:49:00.000-08:00

Ok. These are seriously simple-to-make, yummy, moist cupcakes. Only hand mixing required.
www.taste.com.au/recipes/15298/choc+chip+banana+muffins

Starting School 2012

2012-02-03T06:30:00.000-08:00

The kids headed back to school today. I mistakenly thought my son was supposed to start yesterday - the real first day of term. My husband went to all the trouble to get him and his lunch and breakie ready. Then he drove right past the school. My son called out: 'Why aren't you stopping Dad?!" He replied: 'Because there's 500 people missing from the school ground!' Back home they went. Today, my son didn't even make it into the school building before he hurt himself by falling and badly skinning his knee. He still went to Little Athletics in the evening, but it would have been sore to run and jump.

Up For Another Challenge?

2012-01-31T04:32:00.000-08:00

Last Day 31 'Me Again' - pouring over "Design Sponge"

The Photo A Day Challenge is over! Or is it?

FatMumSlim has given in to thousands of requests from around the world to continue the photo challenge monthly.

You can dip in and out when you feel like it.

Check out her blog for more info

www.fatmumslim.com.au

Or depict your day in photos.

Shall I do this tomorrow?

Treasury Gardens Oasis

2012-01-30T05:13:00.000-08:00

Day 30 of the January Photo A Day Challenge

'Nature'

This is the green oasis in front of the Victorian Government offices in Melbourne

Family Fun and Fishing in Echuca-Moama

2012-01-29T05:53:00.000-08:00

Colourful jumping pillow

Lagoon-style pool

Two-bedroom cabin with a front porch that housed family and friends for an Australia-Day dinner. Lunch was lamb on the barbie.

The next night we all dined at the Echuca-Moama RSL. The boys loved the playground and computer room.

The boys engrossed in sharing one electronic game in the cabin after dinner.

Vintage Picnic Case

2012-01-24T05:49:00.000-08:00

Late Photo A Day 23 'Something Old' - I could have taken a pic of the moldy blueberries in the fridge but 'Inside my Fridge' is the theme on the 29th - and I didn't want to gross you out. So here's something old and pretty. Hope it gets you in the mood for Australia Day picnics on January 26th.

This is a circa-1950s Brexton picnic case with china and bakelite - never used. it's so romantic looking.

I bought it about 17 years ago from the family of two sisters who used to operate a china shop in our town a long time ago. They were selling the sisters' possessions and this was supposedly an item in their old stock.

Day 24 'Guilty Pleasure' - books and magazines. I am such a bookworm.

Check out Design Sponge for Home by Grace Bonney, founder of the Design Sponge blog. It's a beautiful book that gives you a peak into the homes of some amazingly creative people, and includes some clever projects.

Shiny Shoes and Reflections

2012-01-22T05:14:00.000-08:00

Day 22 of the Photo A Day Challenge: 'My Shoes'.

While I do love wedges for work, I seem to have turned into my parents and live in Birkenstock sandals. But I haven't yet gone as far as donned socks with my Birkenstocks like my Dad!

The turquoise slip-on wedge, festooned with colourful 'jewels' are great for events.

At front are my black and white Django & Juliette peep-through silver wedged heels for nights out.

Second are my red with beige wedge-heeled Kumps (now named Zeira). I also have a black pair.

So comfy!

Third are ruby-red Magnini ballet slippers with sparky red tassles on the toes that I bought at Excessories.

Love the pink floral canvass wedges. Again, really comfy.

At the end are a pair of Diana Ferrari SuperSoft bronze and black slip-on, sturdy heels.

Day 21: 'Reflection' in my front hall mirror. Having double doors at the front entry is such a good idea (our old house was built that way but we replaced them with solid timber doors). Helps when you need to bring large furniture in or out of your house. Also wonderful to open both doors to allow beautiful breezes into the house

Country Club Living

2012-01-19T05:35:00.000-08:00

My daughter spent the past few days enjoying the hospitality of her friend's family at their home in the gorgeous gated community of the Heritage Golf and Country Club.

What would it be like to live in a resort-like setting?

Pristine lawns and gardens, spa, restaurants, pools, golf links, bicycle paths, security.

January Photo A Day Challenge Day 17 'Water': in the kiddie pool at the Country Club

Day 18 'Something I Bought': swishy new clothes for Aidan - on sale!

Love the stripes inside the shirt and hood and on the cool shorts.

Day 19 'Sweet': nature's honey made locally.

We like it on toast, in hot water with lemon to sooth a sore throat, in milkshakes and in chocolate raspberry brownies (will make and post the pics and recipe soon).

Day 16 Photo A Day Challenge 'Breakfast'

2012-01-16T04:44:00.000-08:00

January Photo A Day Challenge Continues

2012-01-15T04:25:00.000-08:00

Day 15 'Happiness' - Having fun in the playground.

Day 14 'What Your Are Reading' - Actually read this on Day 15.

Hostess with no more mostest

2012-01-13T06:58:00.000-08:00

Noooooooooo Hostess Cupcakes anymore?!!!! Just heard David Letterman say Hostess Brands, the makers of Twinkies and Ding Dongs, filed for bankrupty. Seems people want healthier products. I'm worried about all the staff that might lose their jobs. In an effort to help those people, I suggest all my family and friends in Canada buy up and send me as many Hostess Cupcakes boxes as you can. I of course won't eat any of them myself but will distribute them amongst the Aussies here so they can experience that creamy centre. It's helping everyone, really.

Day 13 of the January Photo A Day Challenge: 'What's in my (daughter's) bag'

What's in my bag

Surprisingly, I couldn't fit into the photo frame the 203 business cards, 506 receipts and 7 McDonald's (clean) napkins - you never know when you might need to mop up a glass of water spilt onto your keyboard...

Day 12 January Photo A Day Challenge: 'Close Up'

House Goals for 2012

2012-01-11T05:55:00.000-08:00

January Photo A Day Challenge: Day 11 'Where I Sleep'

This is my daughter's upholstered double bed. I love the turquoise/acqua blue.

Melissa from the Inspired Room blog (www.theinspiredroom.net) asked her readers to post our dreams for homes in 2012, projects on our wish list. Mine:

Build a house on our farm
A new driveway for our existing home
Update our entertaining area in the backyard
Paint my son's bedroom
Add a third toilet in our back hallway
Place white subway tiles as the back splash in the kitchen, laundry and ensuite

Favourite routines

Lisa Leonard asked her blog readers what our favourite routines are. Mine:

Big breakfast on Sunday mornings
Saturday visits to Melbourne’s Queen Victoria Market to stock up the pantry and fridge with seafood and veggies – and lunch of borek
Lots of laundry on the weekends, getting bedsheets and towels onto the backyard Hills Hoist (the Australian rotary clothes line)
Friday pj party night involves a movie or game at home, and often a takeaway meal

During the week, my routine involves long hours commuting and working. On the train at 7am, in the office just before 9am. Back on the train at 7pm and home at 8:30pm. Weekly meetings with the best creative minds in the Australian performing arts and event management industry, hiring staff, commissioning suppliers, writing briefings, yada yada.

I use the commute time to plan work, reply to emails and personal reading – if I don’t end up fast asleep on some poor unsuspecting soul’s shoulder sitting beside me! Other passengers can be entertained by watching my head snap forward in exhaustion when I’m trying to read. I wake with a start and promptly fall back asleep. How did I turn into my grandfather?

Australian Picture Rails

2012-01-10T05:49:00.000-08:00

Melissa of The Inspired Room (www.theinspiredroom.net) started a great discussion about using picture rails in a home. They allow great flexibility because you can move paintings, prints, photos and decorative plates into any room along the rails with picture rail hooks. No nails or holes required.

In our Australian 'Californian Bungalow' the picture rails are positioned 2/3 up the walls and are very popular in older-style homes.

In the first two pics, you can see that the walls are painted white above the picture rail and buttercup yellow below. It really brightens and opens up the room.

Our picture rails had originally been stained a dark brown, but we stripped them back to their natural timber. The third photo shows the solid red walls in our dining room.

In case you want to know the artist for each print.... The first photo at the top is a print by Lesa Delisi called 'Point of Interest'. The second is by Carolyn Blish. The third is Catherine Simpson's 'Homemade Soup'.

Back to the January Photo A Day Challenge!

Day 10 "Childhood" - there's nothing better than Star Wars Lego.

The photo frames above can be used for Day 9 "Routine" - if not the daily routine of cleaning them (which I certainly don't do enough of), then at least the routine of looking at them with enjoyment.

Day 8 "Sky" - over the Goulburn River in front of our house.

Day 7 "Favourite" dam on our farm where we can fish and boat.

Family Fun and Games

2012-01-06T05:52:00.000-08:00

Day 6 of the Photo A Day Challenge: "Something That Makes Me Smile"

Games night with the family.

You can't help but scream with laughter when you pull the wrong stick in KerPlunk and all the blooming marbles crash to the bottom.

What's your favourite board or card game for family fun? Wrenching your back playing Twister?

We like Mastermind, Cluedo, Game of Life, Crazy 8s, Sorry! and even CashFlow (hilarious hearing the kids talk about liabilities, passive income and the rate race - which we have yet to escape).

Ahhh, the games people play!

Photo A Day Challenge Continues

2012-01-05T06:39:00.000-08:00

Day 5 "What I Wore": We slathered on sunscreen for a day by and in the pool.

Anyone else hosting sleepovers for their kids these school holidays? Last night we had movies (Smurfs), pizza, popcorn, ice cream and giggles until after midnight. They woke up in time for a brunch of bacon and eggs.

Day 4 "Letterbox": this baby may be weathering under the strong sun's rays, but it's so solid that it could withstand being hit by a mail truck. It could house a huge flock of birds.

Day 3: Photo A Day Challenge

2012-01-03T05:33:00.000-08:00

Theme: 'Something I Adore'

There's NOTHING better than jumping into a pool on a 40 degrees Celsius day.

Another scorcher. Ugh.

2012 January Photo A Day Challenge

2012-01-02T05:00:00.000-08:00

I am jumping on board Sarah's challenge to take a photo on a different themed word each day through January.

Check out Sarah's beach blog for the directions:

Beach Cottage Photo Journalling A Photo A Day Challenge |

www.abeachcottage.com

Day One: 'Me'

Me with my head in a book, as per normal.

Wasn't outside for long though. It was 40 degrees C! Ugh.

Day Two: 'Breakfast'

Here is the breakfast hubby made this morning. Salubrious.

Organic tea with lemon straight off the tree.

Poached egg with cracked pepper on leftover Christmas ham (he tried to cut the ham into the shape of Australia to amuse our Canadian family back home) with a smidgen of Australian mustard.

Oh, and buttered toast.

Mom and Dad in Toronto will be licking their lips, knowing that hubby likes to whip up big breakfast (ends up being brunch) once a week:

usually omelet, hashbrown, bacon, tomato, mushrooms and toast.

Check out the pics being posted every second on Twitter by searching #JANphotoaday. This challenge is catching on like wildfire.

I loved the pic of the donut with green sprinkles, the one with the McDonald's chocolate frappe, and another that just showed a Vegemite jar, and there was a pic that depicted a lone pear.

New home needed for AGA stove!

2012-01-01T06:04:00.000-08:00

Photo: AGA Living

Our white and black wood-burning AGA stove has been sitting unused in our kitchen without a flue for a couple of years. What a travesty - I know!

But we didn't want to install it in our current home because it's meant to warm and feed us in the house we hope to build on our farm.

So it's time to take action. We have to finalise a house design and implement a plan.

The AGA is begging to be used in the new homestead.

I am looking to all you clever and creative bloggers for advice and inspiration on building a home and designing a farmhouse.

On the wish list:

mudroom, roomy laundry and toilet/shower for easy access from outdoors (thinking muddy boots and kids traipsing in and out to go the loo)
wrap-around porch with a screened-in portion to stymie some of the flying insects from storming into the house
a second-floor balcony to enjoy the view of the ranges
butler's pantry
and, of course, enough room in the kitchen for the AGA and a normal stove for the hotter months

Do you have any words of wisdom or warnings that we should follow?

2012 is here!

2011-12-31T04:36:00.000-08:00

Ringing in the New Year with family, friends and fireworks at Lake Nagambie.

We can't wait to skype Canadian family later in the morning and tease them about still being in the past. Har, har!

Just a few highlights from 2011:

Gran and Gramps visited us for over a month in February and we spent two weeks at Burleigh Heads Beach on the Gold Coast, and a couple of nights at Docklands in Melbourne.
Son A was the first person to catch a fish (an English perch) in the lake on our farm - on his first attempt at casting in! And it was a whopper! The fish was gently released back into the lake.
M performed in the Victorian State Schools Spectacular at Hisense Arena which was broadcast on TV, and with the Victorian State Schools Choir she got to perform at the National Gallery of Victoria, and for the Queen at Government House when she visited Melbourne recently. She even got to chat with Prince Phillip.

Wishing you all a healthy and magical 2012, full of wonderful possibilities.

Back to blogging!

2011-12-31T00:02:00.000-08:00

It's only been, oh... about a YEAR since I last blogged. Determined to do better than one post a year.

It's been sooooooo goooooood to be on leave from work - which is why I have time to contemplate blogging. It's been a very busy year with work, compounded by a long commute.

After the fun of family gathering over Christmas, the past few days have been full of swimming, picking apricots and plums from our trees, and visiting with friends camped out in their caravan at a farm (our annual Easter camping site) 10 minutes down the highway on the Goulburn River. And yesterday we went to see Mission Impossible 4 on Imax at the Melbourne Museum. AWESOME!

A checking out some minerals and fossils before the movie started.

Gotta dash. We're heading to Nagambie with friends for New Year's Eve fireworks. Shebang!

Happy Australia Day!

2011-01-26T03:47:00.000-08:00

Bathing, boating, batting, barbecue and best friends.

That's what our annual Australia Day celebrations involve.

This year we gathered at Waranga Basin, Rushworth.

The boys were given a ride in a special boat by it's owner who was set up with his family and friends beside us at the water's edge.

The other boys managed to play for hours in the "sand" when they weren't in the water.

Of course, on the drive to the Basin and back home, derigeur was the small Australian flag flapping madly out the car window. Flags proudly sprout up from boats and out truck windows everywhere on this day.

Docklands Fireworks

2010-07-09T07:30:00.000-07:00

The kids and I caught the Friday night fireworks in July festivities at Harbourtown City at 7 pm tonight. There were great splashes of colourful designs against the black sky and reflecting off the harourfront buildings.

The kids did a brilliant job helping out at the office today. They worked hard to help out with things like a mailout. My son said it was more fun than playing electronic games!

Too bad the day was marred by my son having a hard fall on the cement, skinning his chin in the process. The brave little lad fought back tears to focus on heading to the train station in time to catch our transport home.

Super School Holidays

2010-07-03T07:08:00.000-07:00

It was so wonderful to have Friday off at home -- even though I still did some office work. The kids are enjoying their school holidays, getting to stay up late tonight to watch Superman 2, cuddled up on the couches in front of the fireplace. My son's face is lit up with wonderment.

Today, the kids and I moved the rattan furniture from the porch into the family room for the winter. Looks good. The kids were so proud of their decorating handiwork. Then we moved the wicker bench from the back deck to the front porch.

On Thursday, my daughter got to see Circus Oz with her cousin, aunt and uncle. They treated her to yum cha for lunch and pizza for dinner, and stayed at a Melbourne hotel for the night, having a dip in its pool.

Whacky, Wonderful Whimsy

2010-07-01T06:32:00.000-07:00

I was a guest at the Herald Sun's special viewing last night of the Tim Burton exhibition at Melbourne's Australian Centre for the Moving Image.

This exhibit was previously at the MoMA in New York and was the third most popular exhibit ever – after Matisse and Picasso.

It has over 700 drawings, paintings, storyboards, puppets and costumes.

The clever curator gave a fascinating insight into Burton's personal involvement in the exhibit, reporting that at the opening he marvelled: "It's dark down here. I like it."

My favourite drawings were:

persecution complex

full bottle in front of me or a frontal lobotamy

This is a must-see exhibit-- and don't miss the free Screen Worlds while at ACMI, which houses alot of interactive fun.

Wishes and Wants

2010-06-27T05:17:00.000-07:00

1. Build a house on the farm: a homestead for our family and friends to enjoy, that will be used by our next generation, with a:

balcony on the second level to take in the views of the mountains, pastures and large dams
mud room to house boots and coats
screened-in porch with a double-side fireplace
walk-in butler's pantry (minus the butler, I guess)

2. Join the family get-together planned for the end of the year in Mexico. Last time we luxuriated at the Gran Bahia Principe Tulum/Akumal on the Mayan Riviera.

Soiree at Crown

2010-06-25T06:44:00.000-07:00

I was lucky to be invited to witness the launch of I.D Events at Crown Palladium Ballroom last night.

With the support of Crown's fantastic catering staff, service and exquisite food, I.D Events (a new, theme production house) wowed its audience with their designs of a Thai-style pagoda, the Forbidden City, a sphinx from the Egyptian desert, Indian elephants.

Entertainment was a fab Lady Ga Ga imitator and her dancers.

Fun night.

Leadership Lurch

2010-06-23T06:13:00.000-07:00

Phenomenal stuff. Australia's first-term Labor Prime Minister Kevin Rudd was last year termed the most popular Australian PM ever. Today he faced a leadership battle from the Deputy PM Julia Gillard.

On my way to a meeting at Channel 7's Docklands studio this morning, I was told by someone with media links that Labor Party factional leaders were calling around to seek support for a leadership change to win the next election. Who would have thought things would progress so quickly tonight. The next couple of days will be fascinating to watch via the media.

The leadership vote will happen tomorrow morning, on the eve of the G20 Summit in Canada. Will Rudd be leading the Australian delegation Friday?

Gillard ambled past me Monday afternoon at Melbourne's Treasury precinct looking relaxed and elegantly stylised, as she was to be photographed outside. On tonight's news bulletins, she looked tired and drawn.

Dance, Dance, Dance!

2010-06-22T05:19:00.000-07:00

If my body did this, I would be seriously worried.

Bravo to the organisers, performers and winners of the 2010 Australian Dance Awards. M and I saw them with friends at Melbourne's Arts Centre Sunday night.

The girls breathlessly pointed out so and so from So You Think You Can Dance which meant, to their astonishment, absolutely nothing to me.

Some of the highlights:

the comical dance routine of Untrained was the girls' favourite
the confetti toss with participation of the whole audience and all the performers - fun!
the Australian Ballet
the powerful and emotive singing of Tripod in memory of those from the dance world who passed away over the previous year.

Dinner at La Camera with views over the twinkling lights of Melbourne mirrored in the Yarra River added to the magical night.

M looked great sporting her new leather jacket from Jay Jays and her cute, red patterned skirt. It was so lovely spending a night out with my girl.

Kids TV Shows

2010-06-10T06:14:00.000-07:00

One of the sad things about my children growing up is that I don't get to watch early childhood TV programming anymore. I couldn't help but get totally engrossed in a few very special shows. And while my kids maintain they are past that stage of watching kiddie shows, I wanna watch them again.

I wanna be a part of Little Bill's family. Comforting voices that sound like they're talking with yummy toffees in their mouths, relaxing jazz music and happy solutions to simplistic problems. I blame Little Bill's gorgeous hamster Elephant for making me capitulate to my kids' pleas for guinea pigs.

I wanna marry Postman Pat. Yup. I have a thing for the postman. Maybe it was the enchanting song that pressed home: "Pat feels he's a really happy man!" He's just so lovely -- always helping people and coming to the rescue. Or maybe it's just that I secretly wanna live in a place like Pencaster or Glendale.

I wanna hang out with the cool, resourceful, adventurous Kipper. How adorable is Arnold? Who doesn't love Martin Clunes' voice?

I wanna live in Hanna Montana's house, right on the beach -- and who wouldn't love her closet? The kids still watch this, but it's been awhile since I've been home when it's been on. I have to say: this is a hilariously written show and the actor who plays Jackson is brilliant.

Maybe on a yucky, rainy Saturday morning one day soon I can relive my kids' early years by spending a few extra hours in my flannel pjs to watch some of these shows over a leisurely breakfast...

Daughterly Doings

2010-06-09T07:24:00.000-07:00

At 12 years of age, she:

Voluntarily helps her younger brother to clean and organise his room! What?!
Is caring with healing hands.
Bakes bundt cake, cookies and brownies.
Prepares a leg of lamb.
Crafts her own Halloween decorations for a party.
Sings like an angel.
Makes a scrapbook for her friend.
Is not embarrassed by her Mom and jokes: That's MY mommy. That's my MOMMY.

That's MY girl. How blessed am I to have her in my life.

Titanic Exhibition

2010-06-08T05:43:00.000-07:00

I was lucky to be a guest of the Herald Sun at its special event viewing of the Titanic exhibit last night, presented by promoter Michael Gudinski at the Melbourne Museum. It was interesting to hear Gudinski and the Herald & Weekly Times' Peter Blunden describe the huge success so far of this emotive exhibit.

The reconstruction of the ship's Grand Staircase, a two-tonne chunk of the hull and a glacial wall that you can touch are some of the fascinating elements to experience.

Spend a day at the marvellous, mesmerising Melbourne Museum with beaut dedicated volunteers and staff.

Especially if you are going with children, it's worth watching The Titanic movie and Night at the Museum and Night at the Museum 2 to set the scene before your visit.

Scrumptiousness, Shopping & Strolls

2010-03-08T00:25:00.000-08:00

My folks are enroute to Toronto -- back home to the last of winter. They have been excessively generous, and a huge help at home and in the garden while visiting with us for a month.

Some of their favourite things and places have included:

Yummy treats like Trampoline Gelato (two of my favourites are Banana and Hazelnut) and Devonshire tea (scones, jam, and cream with a lovely cuppa).
Shopping is always a given when holidaying or visiting with Gran. My parents were impressed with the elegant, new Westfield Doncaster (pic above), and the quaint Maling Road, Canterbury (pic below) is an annual favourite haunt. There are more shopping areas they want to explore next year like Williamstown/Port Melbourne and Church Street, Richmond.
Strolls along the walking paths on the Elwood and Brighton Beaches, their drool-worthy beachside residential streets, as well the tree-lined streets in Canterbury.

Sea Shells, Stones & Stingers

2010-02-19T04:55:00.001-08:00

We've spent our last day on the beach scavenging for interesting shells and stones.

The kids were fascinated by the poisonous blue bottle jellyfish washed up on the shore one day. Thank goodness they didn't come in contact with them while body surfing.

The kids were also keenly interested in the Surf Life Saving training that students were undertaking on the beach and in the water.

Sand, Shopping & Smorgasbord

2010-02-18T05:22:00.000-08:00

SAND

We are so happy at the Sands Mediterranean in Burleigh Heads, Queensland. It is well-maintained. Lovely landscaped gardens, an outdoor pool with some shade and waterfalls, lots of lounge chairs or tables and a couple of barbecue areas. The indoor pool, spa, sauna and gym are handy on rainy days. The rooftop also houses barbecues, dining tables and lounge areas, as well as amazing views.

The beach is perfect for walking: miles of pristine sand; no pebbles/rocks; firm sand when the waves recede; well patrolled. The beach front also has great walking/bicycle trails with exercise equipment and playgrounds.

SHOPPING

For shopping excursions, we prefer Marina Mirage, beside the Palazzo Versace and opposite the Sheraton Mirage Resort & Spa.

It's become tradition for the Dads to kit themselves out at Gazman during February sale time. Store Manager Meg is a fantastic help.

Robina Shopping Centre is also a favourite of Mom and Dad. I like Southport for discounts.

SMORGASBORD

Conrad Jupiter's Casino offers a popular buffet at Food Fantasy -- a family favourite. Prawns, lamb roast, stirfry, soups, salads, desserts, ice cream.... It's $39.95 for adults, while children are free.

Gold Coast

2010-02-17T04:53:00.000-08:00

We've been camping out at the lovely Sands Mediterranean, Burleigh Heads. Pictured is the rooftop area.

Days have been filled with swimming, walks on the beach, good food, family togetherness.

Travellers Enroute

2010-02-04T04:15:00.000-08:00

My parents are winging their way to Australia. Hooray! We can't wait to have their company after only seeing each other via wondrous Skype for the past year.

Some of our favourite places to take them in the past:

Burleigh Heads, Gold Coast
Ocean Grove
Sorrento
Rickett's Point
Southbank, Melbourne
St Kilda and Elwood
Maling Road, Canterbury
Goulburn River

Starting High School

2010-02-02T04:15:00.000-08:00

My daughter has soooo eagerly anticipated the start of Year 7 and her secondary school career. Weeks of organising books, writing utensils, school bags -- and modelling all her school uniform items. After years of watching high school hijinks on American shows like Lizzy Maquire, That's So Raven and Hanna Montana, it's now her turn to experience the real thing in Oz.

Given the school locker seems to symbolise this crucial period of a teen's life, she has cleverly crafted magnets out of bottle caps to decorate her first locker.

How lucky that her locker is right beside her new friend who lives three doors away from our home.

The Coolest Place

2010-01-13T04:33:00.000-08:00

What better place to survive 40+ degrees weather than in the pool.

Thank goodness for the cooler reprieve from the hot temperatures -- and that we've escaped potential bushfires.

Plum Heaven

2010-01-03T05:38:00.000-08:00

PLUMS GALORE! Thanks to expensive netting, we have managed to save our plums from crafty birds that have, in the past, quickly devoured the sweetly sour treats.

Nona will be making some plum sauce and jam. I continue to try different plum cake recipes trying to find something similar to what Mom has bought for years at one bakery in the German-Polish area of Toronto. I've found some recipes online that might be spot on, with streusel on top of the plums and a yeast-based cake. Will try two and report back on the results. In the meantime, I made Nigel Slater's plum cake (that I gleaned from David Herbert's The Really Useful Cookbook) yesterday and it was a hit when we took it to a party yesterday. I used regular caster sugar, though, rather than the unrefined golden caster sugar that he calls for.

M requested that we make Chocolate Fudge Cookies from David Herbert's cookbook and they were gobbled up by all the kids at the party. We kept a few in an air-tight container at home to try out Herbert's assertion that after a day or two they soften slightly and become more chewy. Well, we couldn't wait more than a day to find out he is correct. Yum! You'll have to wait until tomorrow for me to upload the recipe.

Today I made banana cake but wasn't thrilled with the outcome. It's fine but not something I would make again.

In the next few days I'll be freezing plums -- cut them in half, de-seed, freeze on a cookie sheet then place into sealable freezer bags and into sealed containers in the freezer for up to 3 months. Then I can keep trying plum cake recipes for when Mom and Dad visit soon.

It's a sweet, juicy start to 2010!

Favourite Things in 2009 - Part 3

2009-12-31T06:02:00.000-08:00

9. I've been coveting the talented Lisa Leonard's charming laundry line necklace. On my wish list for 2010, I hope to order my own personalised necklace as a way to symbolically carry my family with me every day.

10. What I treasure the most though is not anything materialistic - but the memorable moments with family and friends in 2009. Nothing represents this better than the priceless picture below of my parents being surprised by a rogue wave as they posed for a relaxing photo on the beach at Burleigh Heads, Queensland - a favourite place for our family to holiday. They are such hams! I am so grateful for this wonderful time that I got to share with my parents who live in Canada. So if I were to stretch my 10 favourite things to 11 things, I should add the marvellous Skype that keeps me personally connected to my family and friends on the other end of the planet. What an amazing thing, this technology!

Thank you God for providing us with a happy, healthful 2009. We've been very fortunate. While I have just listed favourite things in 2009 as a way to record my time in Australia, I hope in 2010 we will focus on and appreciate the simple things in life.

May you be blessed in 2010.

Favourite Things in 2009 - Part 2

2009-12-31T00:05:00.000-08:00

6. A month ago I finally found a second-hand, 5-piece rattan lounge suite for the front porch on eBay from a couple living in a nearby town (who fortuitously were visiting our neighbours the day they delivered the set) at a reasonable price. It's been very popular with the neighbourhood kids. Hopefully the neighbourhood cats don't make themselves at home and ruin the cushions.

7. I don't spend a lot time and money on preening but I do enjoy pamper products like:

Lush's best-selling soap called Honey I Washed the Kids - has the most yummy scent like sticky toffee and honey. It contains sweet orange oil, bergamot oil, gardenia extract and aloe vera. But, alas, it also contains the nasty sodium lauryl sulfate......why?! Ah well, a bar of it is nice to perfume one's linen closet or drawers.
Yes to Carrots may sound like a zany name for pamper products but they certainly are reasonably priced and their shampoo, body wash and face cream have been a family favourite and staved off my son's eczema.

More natural are the Living Nature products from New Zealand. My skin never looks better than when I use these products.

Clinique's Black Honey Almost Lipstick gives lips a natural stain. I always get nice comments from other women who ask if I'm wearing something on my lips and what it is.

8. I finally succumbed to the children's request for a Nintendo Wii as the family's Christmas gift this year, but secretly I've been wanting to use Wii Fit Plus myself. When the kids have not been outside swimming or riding scooters, during the hottest part of the day they have come in to ski, play baseball, soccer, karate and test their balance doing hilarious yoga poses. Trouncing my son in boxing felt pretty good and was surprisingly exhausting. Hopefully his loss to his mother turns him off this awful "sport".

Favourite Things in 2009 - Part 1

2009-12-30T05:45:00.000-08:00

1. Reed & Barton's Rosecliff Luxury Stainless Steel Cutlery/Tableware - unfortunately it was discontinued in 2001, but it's still a favourite and can certainly be found in North America via online companies like Replacements. This dessert spoon is so elegant for dinner parties, yet the stainless steel is oh so practical. I got my set in Toronto from my grandmother and mother who have such fantastic taste.

2. La Rochere dragonfly-emblazoned goblets from France - they are beautiful to hold, wonderfully rounded and heavily sturdy. I bought my set on Maling Road, Canterbury, near Melbourne.

3. The movie Something's Gotta Give starring Diane Keaton, Jack Nicholson and spunky Keanu Reeves - hilariously well-written and Keaton was always elegantly attired (but I could have done without seeing Nicholson's backside). And the beautiful beach house has been idolised by thousands of women as the epitome of a dreamy home.

4. Magazines! I love, love, love pouring over magazines - getting inspired and learning things.

Other faves include Australian Country Style, Real Living, Notebook, Money, Good Health & Medicine, Donna Hay, delicious, Burke's Backyard, Choice, Gourmet Traveller, Women's Weekly, Vogue and g.

5. How do I love thee, BlackBerry! Let me count the ways... I should not be proud to admit that I am chained to this powerful tool that lets me incessantly check work emails when I should be on holiday.

Stay tuned for part 2 tomorrow.

Student of the Year

2009-12-29T05:04:00.000-08:00

Proud Mama writes:

M received the Student of the Year Award from her primary school principal upon her graduation from Year 6.

How did the primary school years fly by so quickly? My goodness, she is turning into a young lady and will start high school in February 2010.

We were all so surprised - not realising that awards were being presented - but oh so proud of her.

Her certificate detailed her achievements, highlighting why she won the award and explaining the award is presented to a student who performs well in four areas: academic; sport; citizenship; and the arts.

Christmas Angel and Mermaid

2009-12-27T03:37:00.000-08:00

Thank you to the gorgeous Debbie Daks for her generous gifts of her whimsical mermaid and angel. Debbie creates colourful, sparkly paintings, cards and so much more. My photos don't do enough justice to show off her talent.

Canterbury Christmas

2009-12-26T01:01:00.000-08:00

Andrew's pride and joy: Tasmanian organic turkey cooked using Delia Smith's recipe for a no-fail moist bird but cooked in a Webber.

Plus locally smoked ham from Taurus Meats kicked off with prawns and oysters -- derigeur for an Aussie Christmas.

Nona's plum pudding, champagne and the necessary Christmas crackers stuffed with colourful, tissue paper crowns, bad jokes and cheap toys,

Hours of cricket and ping pong matches. Scooter rides for the younger kids to the park (tagging along allowed me the opportunity to snoop and drool over all the gorgeous Canterbury homes and front gardens - sigh).

But most important of all for a fantastic Christmas in Canterbury, was the hospitality of Sally, Bruce and Nat, and the love and company of Andrew's family (minus a large part of the crew who were spending this day elsewhere).