tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70331354618941051552024-03-13T16:29:30.515+11:00Little in CowesSusanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02141836406113250543noreply@blogger.comBlogger439125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7033135461894105155.post-78973334068116868412015-12-12T20:59:00.002+11:002015-12-12T20:59:56.849+11:00In which Minty sews a Christmas skirt for her kris kringle...<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ll5g2kGjOenZgKcbdGivtM9UF-30KtBeC6r6UOrNyIna81WdWCW4YteqpPO6aNPRC8gXcLB4IGLKUXvLNt2hdU2Qp61zNoS73x2EBa7R4bjDlxGy74UfqEajNf0qicmqIuOAWXsG--tv4OClKj-P4cNrhKYyLjNKNUHq1ujW8e12UK-sTvNtF1qUjjY8fJ0lR0ALCQcqkedg-6W70gzojNGVy-c_2lEmQAj42hF1n1JEpBhbAkiNYiYNrShNAhnt9CKDEgWRQ_rR-KVFgQppGinRHQ91JaM1XvS2owdh15q1A8ZbwZIrLLNGO3Nk1cJjjn6QUoHRr6hZWBhuziLX2VlUVd4S3Lysv9mPKYI5h0Af2iCXKSQkX6EqyMqGYMb6WYZboIFQNum1tRwnwlCnItu2M7oKeLmCyiAyAdrjfW2J82kg7da0d3Xga2zgx_xT6r-4m3XK7Z2PIc9U2XQRx-JmdK0m68T5nmxAGZuQ9zv8bL1ij7qBY36wR-x5-1jNbXI-UD0JIZWwfYnVqz7SJjmd4Tum0coAEozbyxyCxjoyXHXZJl5qkfSBaKZsPr36mDBT=w987-h658-no" width="625" />
<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/0EGKRhAcUPfDmAEtyUkctX-MUzf_3sh8NWMQID4UW6amSJAfM3BgLXW_PJ2sv4wfw_-hswHhuNg5e9f8nwZrr3jWd7eKRD472H5YD9AdGk_g0thYvMEEWeTUHD2qBsi1zcKtio-tRrNM9mrKheNTwAXpnMfm5mJboS8auy9cnf_MpVvJtoSmhbtNN-FqQHjfe0yGsbR-P8PFmSILnFZKVc5RftTZmp498AiZc8rZEY6pQg6A-r92_9DroTOMEyu2EcidmJLUy3WR9tdUJLosCji-LU6f1gtiAk0O1UHV9moPEG9I0vZZ7-7-yPJjmiDaUPn79Tx8GApqxwd8Xqgwkj372KZrm7jx_7-W0xj5aZnQkolF6stz7eekj0hR1whJPAdoYFl8EpHuvSF5lhQM-E-NuyKHfVJTNasLkwQXRy3twFHClCh1j8MYJScl_oDaV5RJxytOWBUkmQYy7XkMQYoW9rCWTd1LV6lR90Ok5rBQ7TLYLFyqsqO6AklEj_r99b7WhOcA32vFQ-rlcwZyQhF7-rvBH-5bDst9Vn0n1vVgczJ4ICEuNnsMXBEsw2sNlrK7=w987-h658-no" width="625" />
<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/oLD2spnjL3Rgxt0A3uRH3hRW4A_2-DseRynv_lwLz_Fz_Oyo3Ay86ke8KeHKXNb2sj7VBPP-w29Tjxhsg0YpM7JVLqhkAOtumgC_M1V9Z0e0nHRkjJM3V2-p14S-0jNTrzpG0hGyrS2PgB4qFwjGauYRNLENQ4FGdueFloO1EuvgJzYLwZgbcXEI3n4pKwMPGeCC2tEKmGDQikIZQAiCymELSHdgrldS5vaBm30C5mJ2oNlLwV0Qj-utlfAcicMszG3jrDpQr2ZiLIFmGFwJIQRu4f12_I30IYFlWKeX7VibQGLueJdqrJBlqcoxZVlXuiql-ywai8ChwskZCyEKSoxgGH19K-c8lcSllJ6Be9ctjmMKPhv5EU_1GsHSC0j6CwInvG7C_wq6o0s9g47C_-ZJ6w8jrcGjnIQvuS_iI5Fy2dWILR2HrSDv7Yz1iwf6_G8c97gVjJElqswthC3ONMMNXvmwMpDwSOPPreyLRy1jOtDDyMoKB_39PDHDtwIC3wxxxXtd-QW7ihdL8NIFUvigtLh_nPGA2RqWXo_AVKPLxlw6YcHL98ANSAk_dVOqXVTM=w987-h658-no" width="625" />Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02141836406113250543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7033135461894105155.post-85080616546276864132015-12-09T09:41:00.002+11:002015-12-09T10:12:21.416+11:00Conversations with Minty and Turi...<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/GFc0zxfnxaWzc4iPxgAuf5DZ5CMP7C1MKCcOi86VQTVruVe9S6iaTT2XVNVDKhiGOVCl18n1ZxPHGEwsTvPa8fL96dccAU4jzaWF0o_p1C5LfkMXreRpXQxqktGw-JLNLdJ9CPpZ7Vxx9a-oqfygQq2to8TZqj1L-sWERzf10ABEY6-4FWH_QaAruoAH6Z-VC7B4DDk2uT5Jcjsssn8ffBxpUxprxdCfmXdzNEQBYmWxFDV97YRXXmIeCihWN_B_5FZM6ncWBwoYLoVJoAsIOmewJYtVO2bnrL0awBxDaMp5sAxP0sBM_7-n2czTOSk8tJ6tP1YkhyRjsi8Mm5X4cqvf5mBVH55F4ddZgHqFx7GaL0yTdQ-5V8ZkkzPxDM0XQWeRYZSmVjxjdzQ2VBfa3KDIy1btIdAgQ_GMl0f31fojQBbx4coiX5dSeUuvEPgHeYBZzqJSkEFv8BHtqZBm6iOuTTnZISACUpILLNNCpvQiTmhrhrCJ4XVX5ZSq5OiDDygkdi8yXLCx5QHWee36_Ob6hPrixpZ-E7H-5hkEu3E=w439-h658-no" /><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On Star Wars...</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Turi</b>: Dark Maul is Dark Vader's father</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Minty</b>: what about Light Vader?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Mr</b>: there isn't a Light Vader</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Minty</b>: I've heard people talking about it</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Mr</b> <i>[confused pause]</i>: oh… you mean light saber!</span></div>
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<b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Minty</b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">: I like Princess Layla</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Upon finding a spider...</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Me</b>: don't stress! It's just a money spider. They bring you good luck</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Turi</b>: so they poop money?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Turi</b>: Mum you should write a letter to santa and just ask for money</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Me:</b> Santa doesn't give money</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Turi</b>: why?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Me</b>: well you're not allowed to make money, that's called 'money laundering'. Remember we went to the mint? That's the only place you're allowed to make money. If someone else tries to make money they can go to prison</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Minty</b>: I've money laundered</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Me</b>: I suspect since your notes don't look very official you'll be ok</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Turi</b>: No one knows where santa is though</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Me</b>: so you think because he's well hidden he'll get away with it?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Turi</b>: yeah</span></div>
<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Ejy63vFoHPUhfMYlHVJcPPYNuQVjNvIYvFkJQTaE6NbIQ57RsgWzEgmKPjE_h74rqV70wcbNNOmJHq2hLuvPjzb91pUjuMbg89odIqq5mXKZoOa4uY8pKf0l7qxsj4P_ejov7L_FJIVgwVdbysWyt393CLG4bng9qhSJB8Hhe7P6fe6N4uacuzgEePYcCDMxbF8GCbqyCXUljgmhtPpJxZHP-qS0FneBUdEzDX32bJV7ByjAAi0CWhUBwe6FErbuW0hIAvD8dafn1Qge0i8PIKLtAdHjgUqoNPhQJv9KmMO2dsCLPzn5j8Oct3p1ivZ7R8fxCuE6S8Tb0suFOhjkd-LcR4a4cAgsAZvLTXV6_lgPzgr5oovqH8spAH96oNBLYEQYsh-CyFCA5jiHoiQj9b04sFgAT86rj7_5VeAfVQ0O3vQMN0aAyo35vvVZHr10qd16GCifEey8e-PgrAnZ4WjshZKhcUC3AyzYWEa-aOsrVpNobBVct1R9OLLe7Yk3T3PcSHLZBnT9dNn5DzAt6aLHeF-4MRUMVoiHyaDmRm8=w987-h658-no" width="625" /><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Today's photos by the Mr</span>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02141836406113250543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7033135461894105155.post-21285392847094014732015-12-08T21:40:00.000+11:002015-12-08T21:40:02.156+11:00In which I attempt to plan a Christmas menu and sound vaguely passive aggressive...<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/1Aa3JYhGyAke_OzcygtBwohDGPlKFUp0MsqoUlpjPRKlM-Lw19FCpQKcTtrXWgLp1VVSeJKyJ6Pp8s6BPP1DOh9_vyvDPTzPyEV2e5aqTO3Bj-HKqwsWD1izlKobKEhCLdNKUh9QoC4DuxjeZZ0xrTGunQKNyTH_CSu3fGZ7McCiDxBGXMV7BGpftw3bxKcB-Ie8mSwDHCpgbhP9jMj0dEuxHFy3zg7gWdhHsDYwt_Z5VOOcrZXJKLR-kKXNCmFEst-XNzS4XupNwkBTBHOL4_CuUW9fWAUe6AXyAMwLhuBrc-gKZkT-57T5Le7CaoJIcZX9jOPRCN7LpFadNyBjCNgu9vRWeqF5AhjsJJCjDukVE_ZU_zYFtBpYVoMoXV9SZgLbYhiAZ90w-CyZhZJc8HyvfabPw_Ace9RtNk5nCxaFv5QbEUVDQxwdI48c83zPGrYXn69vZeQxjutQJ8U5I2o3NiB_StOEjt2G0ld2ysisxVNCgNHeGJvvSDlCH2FMfURVcYjZqpXGbwTt1DBIpna2Pm_FoURdx4oVIF4KrHA=w987-h658-no" width="625" /><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Christmas is really quite strange when you think about it. On any other day of the year, if I asked you around for cocktails, fancy salads and a range of homemade ice creams you'd probably be stoked. But when I suggest that as a Christmas menu I am met with an uncomfortable pregnant silence that you might expect had I proposed that we kill the neighbour's cat and spit roast it for lunch. If you are one of my family members reading this and you're heading to mine for Christmas, relax and breathe. I'm totes going to cook a dead bird… or maybe glaze a pig leg and stud it with cloves (I've always thought they look rather pretty even though I don't actually like ham very much). And there will be a pudding. I've accepted that I am alone in wanting to radicalise Christmas, so I'll resist the urge to serve you up guacamole and a christmas taco! But just be warned that I'm not an experienced roaster of meat so be kind if you arrive to find me wearing the turkey on my head like Mr. Bean. Oh and there will be plenty of homemade ice-cream because… ice-cream. Enough said.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We went berry picking with friends this weekend. No prizes for guessing what went into my first batch of ice-cream!</span></div>
<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Rllgl0Qkxu_Ssr2WK12AV0tefAVbPnHyHg0GOZZ14rClH9VvS92lMAYNzwLLCszyntbpMSlq3j0AgfYg81h83Vk4W3sM9Kq7Y5esgvJRUa8BPSNxToa4LzQGc-nyezRd1pEuCbZMKs8vQIAdIRrPx7KWtQqB9hfn2eBq0libecYGXRxIeCCsyzzPvzJYV4kg7K_K7bmWWIXLAKhfisethjBsAa500-hVKGcGFoq0xHBnp8PSSKtT5_bs9AluCO7AX49x6oTIb44hjZ57Hmqp_HhXl0-eKusWXPBray9vfj3d79lURBEcGp_9JMl9l6zWRdfbTG5kcB-wrxOlOY0bGrt3lgb0_El_u1gF64RP17T4iC9bYzaAZiZSP8AaXQWw0FKskl4VO7JS-0q4-XJ6QAr6l9Higlbqp5Kt4ts9RgTsfP1rP37F4CFfNMeQzjLhVTReIOM3d4I3RhFxwCYR1qR1j4udvd0vX-HP5UTkxKiniFtrL-1AU2sewfiS2JtdfXv9-9H7Er4_rbYzEPkoJsjuaK4CqV_TuEQ_jQYeZas=w439-h658-no" width="309" /><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Fz3b3OAIl-opMtGK_XfyH0z6DFcRlickv92kBPQz3xVYJf6jr8U0cC1qMFYBJgK1gWJLbVv_XS9Z2zj5d4jL7ZAJ7gu6bnNKfFprbe9RyY0D_800RlCgmRWYe2Fkbt_fvh_O_j-xDb1_I2h_Mr78-iiSF4AsKv9SZAwcjJVghcLMizPQGaPJPhOQx8IkXYR9BspzvNXLPSgLdeIZEMkrg6Bmay1H1T-xVyUaAUiZ43iZJ-OG6sKxaabiJW7UYWtWxIZ6bXE1jZFfJiG9o66tjvg6U-Pj305XX-dIYYctYBALgd6rilV-wvNIwLdZVNnytByrAzouna71wO9mtqBDR6Gxqv3Vx6QqC7dJpqfZeSTROSMT7swKbzH26Q9HgL5xn1otKUmBLDrHyadMj25BfhhEFElkJVtWWcerBhoDZG3O_YtWKJz_WXgSk3SXeQrSbyZk3Q36kOR2nRfMibZmalJjbOilrxE4cOMatSAwooKMpOcr-Zz0W0hjNYSKi-gx13WlEdhml5l6dJLJ2EIIxkWtHoKHUHyR5Qr0aQ7QGMg=w439-h658-no" width="309" />
<img height="285" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/uwatp5kDvDGG1RlTIdCHHkIe4XFu_yYEnKlj4Z7-Whu9HRT8PuXNjIhOCHD43K69EVZUs-ftviA0ZIAS7Lmlzfhwy61SkEblMTKJE4UkvwztPlKxjQ_PDo4B0-IIZCYb4hOD3RRpPjwoD29yCqYhbMCXp16AU2FcOYSlvZNlgqiXEbDiMPtnncvTPdfaFWMJEn6kDAtgkWDu5D5-_Qyc7WhjU_-FMJSL2veMPI7rrSRTW4j19JyDz0vCBqFe3TDMmbENig8TN_Xmd92CqW_aclHS6pXwkzm9g8l9AlxQIAOgLVeAo0osSfhLLUHMOOD5Wxdg9UH_yX--PQ4DLEXHAIwfGezkKHwy9ypwRiqvV7LtVgSmHjg75Vfhg1x-WfajEF4iRanzFP73Nntbg4B9tLgj1L7_TSUzARmL5Sbw0HCariUmKRRdlb3BQvDpDXP6QsLWnT2TdzXAg_vx_HhPlOnBf6Yu_oBTdD8Ux_Vc0931tGS7Zz-uOIISYvXFsSWyqeQAUDiM0O-uP9nVv2YWgbUVRMODeotinffhPXUCeMs=w439-h658-no" /><img height="285" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/3fSlf_gNjhS-Lb-t3ZubrsC_JRmX6NiITeA2LfpIMtwxALIeZUiTP_aJ4CpUvha1An7QNHXFudZyPpBOmjXDvBm1A1nNEroCPCSFTqqfYvY1sMsodgPex7cwiBBQTyf6SM-C_nyTKXXj7AK-TSs0yknQ9XEGUNxMkhiEDcqZ24F8SEh8ugo4VUGqfkXfhb065aiuMs6IaF1Ke5a6WEGzjom6ddoFdoVGNTYdZt1kgRrh9fB82krtGVwePOZ2C13DcVkfY9Ft4z_MGIYQZ6-TThMtD-2KNGctOEpP-D2IsTUifc_V4trBP63wMaMHeLB9qAie0-E23HBFDGPQtTxXKdZW7MWR7RiRBWwqb6v67tnJfGXv6uCgnBq6dvrTJL4HxLUjqokZdPKbljEoYkcNEJqirVDiEPafXdJ7MSpdsV1xi_Pkk5hhNfn3r5Pac4NJNT38xcDDyXhldf__iM1janliMPE9hLwxrkmGCdF0_yY--j8171ui9bIUeuopFEt9CiBwW4ntv0pTNbrHb-nZmsQv8lSmeAzcQeibj6amlzQ=w987-h658-no" />
<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/JzM4d6Q2XD_qPpWB45P7kTzX5ui0RCxxQwziYQZ2WiEjLnQLJ6YqfxGKYIwcfbStQFwYkyu6K94u60u33ZvrTi7aqK0QsjCPOPX0TTBmTVV6a2_jjkXDZrIuqtOL2MfjhqJbu7SZafWx5RRY12mcjeaFZv6GzAmPaBujNL61yJWYpSiWQGzAzgHvdZyz-700r4O2IdBjKDy9l_wCzVM3Nyv9HwsQuMl7nbiQkcYwJ8SyI_2Aw0mNPvboDp_N_3XkzVMCqx_63Pw-4OSXAxBMjV3NBVnWYenRaqK1umcoamQuTTQ1-zBHMJEq4VRTVT1Qdzzf9bf1tVpD0to1iI2lTfyWFln_5x-q-M4DduZXC-aDlHLNLvHiNPxFbexOU6dAT9wUFWR8DnnbyuA0EMknWeNzVOA0fnAofB2Y4dx4WDXEQ8GacYttzikazDylgLx3WYKcT9QkiadHHKPH_OgZugc4OVH6SVhhjRdg5dmcD3csXpfcn0wZTiCV2-JjsHzL9CBybdTO_28f9MWbj47wHL2FMA1IFl_q81E4wT-8Eaw=w987-h658-no" width="625" />
Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02141836406113250543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7033135461894105155.post-59463212260232162692015-12-02T17:27:00.000+11:002015-12-02T20:14:51.764+11:00In which Turi discovers that caribou don't fly...<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/RoD_LRTYi2NbWqZKI22E449nWGFLYHS8b99Ze6ayeD_X7uYnIAANp4YZw31rMQsWDEOy0eZ-c9ZVSLjS5xVwflvsaxyXhBmBzI47e_rbK6ksFyUhOAZOx5FQ5kFr-7MSRzcqbP9AGWAUM6ycBWxKdw4Qtvc_sERKA5-pKJCYjpmffLTDXjrBWJ2i01VjKJ_hW-qdKLKBeJhqaoMfhwDZFxKG8zyxbLSR9ZZf-GqA4ERqf-QkSwzwDu1hMUCWBDXS5024-yTTLdNp17h3Jn37rKor6HKxJ1n3RYz4FfE3zQoyk-20uYqTRnvQjG-OjFzEu0aqN4GdyDMD4c-cantYfeU11459tj_4_-nND-PnH82dEy_17plQjJlZ7eL5MUmOaCAYYBh7aoJDjLsP2WRn5MJDAsmBX65IJwW4nTrTRRMginwFk-TF1pDLNDYRVzvE48MaLjoCn9jeqCeLVB-IV4GVACwL3-qxyph_TKHRN6DZ7nNKpzyCECfoWneifGivu2x4QrslKuHEdYNQW0BXVBLICXaG0Nh7LfdqG4ZZbMA=w439-h658-no"><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's only the second of December but already Advent has been fraught. Last night Turi announced he doesn't believe in Santa anymore. Apparently it 'doesn't make any sense' that there could be such a thing as actual reindeer as well as magical ones, and if Santa doesn't live in space and the North Pole is a real place we should just be able to visit there and check it out. Plus the whole 'visit everyone in one night' is apparently problematic. The Elf on the Shelf also copped a barrage of criticism because he couldn't possibly be real since his hair doesn't move. Hello, has he seen Osher Gunsberg? The whole thing has shaken me to my core. The kid is only just six. Christmas magic should still be well and truly alive, not being crushed with a logic hammer. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Despite his crisis of faith Turi decided he would still place an 'order' with Santa (sometimes described as a letter by less demanding children). Presumably he is hedging his bets. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The extremely grumpy face in the first picture occurred because I made him revise his list. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He is holding the original list in the second picture.</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The crosses indicate items I told him he wasn't allowed to have.</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Possibly a nicer mother would have left them on the list but I'd rather get the sad face over and done with now than save it for Christmas morning.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Minty took a logical, investigative approach to the issues raised by Turi's scepticism and requested 'more information' and photographic evidence of the elf in the workshop. I sense some serious late night photoshopping in my future. And possibly an even greater problem to solve before Christmas arrives: what the heck is a 'choochoo'??!</span></div>
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<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/S2bb7IEIqRVeT0RmCl9kH55zlEhuB3UwSwGWFpyPx7laHAQpnN1sSsuuKO0rAn8Zac0DnHqO-iK5LA3OPagR1u4_CGDn-yVUEr2nz9XZggKrcTXRQIrRKgXKBYAaqDlpTYFpmXzqFTtulLyjZd6OFpzBIcxHyDIOdVo4DF3s3ls3onA9sBdoKob4yJ1zNH3zkvcqLiesucXVN5yXHFR6fm8LIyd37ebBTxJMesLhZ9qJi6iSYw8PfeXowMkXwzqgtwBH2s75ekCLBlZqJPge_IZoN3sSdm9IHrGK2B0zGGzX-m8Nx1zz1MD0P_kxCaK16_KYT9zqhMskoAWrgvdvPjpC0nPMA-RxsA78zPCp2BFwq05WETkR2Gd--WXK7bcfG8f9JBUsTUISY8DceuDiIZuN3IYvjUkMyCNbrmv4e71PmKQoRdXLheLrCaElGn02-BjmqanuzzNvmR15713fhtwCvunnRxHjHXa6unpXEqE2ih8DGcmoKv0wACyV5xp4tn7aYAjXmQSys-aoLLvo2bCOAgEfCkuGdPjfLUzUDdw=w439-h658-no" /><br />
<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/V369qtGak-kPeysYU-PQw__FyjZaXTJXzdE3ZVp0werLMaEUHjhAN7gcou1DezdhsMmUFRZsQaUHoi-XKRjSEoGrITYVMhIJiimB3H0AzEKku9dQ49URXdbnujmYQpCj_bjIt5I-d_IAuCu1Y9e_ozuWI3HMTZHYw9iXllQoKq4VYyNOgzFwsUxnZde7Jc_TqhyplyGqtpFwb_GeJALm5k0ENbBhDfNHwo_97D1BieoKUJMFlTVzsngcRtIypNYEEi6NL_4ObQWG_-2LYqR8e_eSDgbCyqH_Le8hDLlPf2YUzFSyhm6fIGEGbADQQsGy0w8B2xKUFj9cjf2uqDF_z-FCoOCku71Fb7aZdq0hb5WCaOyp4R4Z4-d6RqQEjtFsoE4yWb3w71kT_EOdI8mN2igRN2LOEx3P8TBTlnejsZtC523IdaM9B9rVcl_vL_ABfKrQ1zAma-sZHElwlXa9ZwdO3PShl1Dhs-s8Ihk3gbO6VlMNu3xN0L5SW_JfAfBCK97KPX7neggrDQIyVPgwQf39M9mFchFeOpnPNzBLX90=w439-h658-no"><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Dear Santa-Claus, </i></span><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope you have a Merry Christmas. I would like on my list a Smiggle diary if you have one and a monster high doll if you have one, a calm colouring book if you have one and a violin if you have one and I would like some more information about Alfie the elf and I would like a picture of you and your elf at your work shop. And 3 candy canes and 2 choochoos. From Minty</i></div>
<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/AXTF95sXZnuEQUDT4x6VzADsBfEtRs-5FKgLIMvq21SR1Khxyq5HC5T1bB6LhweUBQ5Rg-LeqRXetnNam1vbkOep1uUUS0lSpqwpu0eKQw-5-WhPTETN_L5t4yBELsF5ShG9ytDouWkII9ZSHHk_iE9PA5Hb6D-6ZAeWGxslwmFdh2FxSngxsC8_bmvYVaUVsOUZDhFtZ5X2lMPbzuUSldDQAz-QvAE1cfkNcGXanKqoZove3X3vIUNL33dsWlo32mN5ze1K7J60JYeKphoe6JLVvpGoAPxo_WetgpCFtPkUJjl6aCSA0FTowWisPgoT0j-Kc86PGMVNAR-yrBcMXQ6DGwElKn8r9xhxMwAJuTSshvTkktbgyVvnVYvfTFdJy4KJqYnUEVLq5dL-q8lmzSgRR3SpNV7CSTyBDsR0eSnp5mZV9aqIi3PhKkCGO0sKwtzlneEvLlbAvooScDdqOYALWAB8YYgBbgJ_QnfJ9WtVDNAKPcf3F-c97Rlj5EGgid-GX1yQeAX88QPBf3t10QTAWGKjYXWjF-bc_2UeZ28=w439-h658-no" />
<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/F0oT7Ed7Vtv5qDbTp3rc_4njolLPw6dJDauZb6dmBcCFo4pNTTtKgUPDQHFtiw-e2-u-1pMEZfVRVfJSpZ4jCAEmDuZ1iguY2CN7h2euOzUvEmfOpMCwWGuQ1BFFAdX7aSOcdIgFUuYdxeN6rW7e5MfgZ74KfzGnkPkTn077lKWDAib7bt9s2rKsfxZQGoUgyvLE2AQ2hQRpRTt52_lsP8FSfzTZDGc6yhnQkH5t_XhCtg8A9BPgRIT5zP_xKb9LZQaNvq_V0juEJn6Ep3YrWHuGt_5MGNwGDrw3Ph4WTYQrUpyD4y0_EQ9pFs2EmcSmqSVqG35omBIRpP_ClGv1non2v1cT2mEtVFM6VlkC8e5nu-f8ry-Edt2UGqa2fIIw7JxKvuJnx3ixMHQuDIX1eOOJ_HemtMz6AXSPbUCzgwPIbbcAAs4Nn3aGALK6_EgqVAcwh9VjlqE55z-9o84QF6GU43InCbiElbyRduWIygJdcDaVzF1JVAIxlgnqrrmpIW3sgDZCml_CU-JJYIMjingpq9PsFdlgtt_ku4tSJ5I=w439-h658-no" />
<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/WS-DIaXoLLJkoaep1qKw3e2Fyo-ZdMBRpCi7WLkjJYLke6GjcQZFR78B9uTIKXkaDzMtx0SXhRYmUHooV-TTDg8w1_02lC7A7MT5uYPBKurWhxuojPIMAE86vaWnXaLCShUDrxoY9D7vxu0yYVLE1z9PEfksyIjHOW2e01VlKi92Prsp7n8LPsz3iMFw_Y_o0pRfQ1zXmzcTC2VAsrvydga0I9gPkDbXY8H8pm_ydx5qn4yS_GJ5Evd4Vcom5GtCK_Lbcaq_6X4pcRU6uRtJExoi7SsNcq_wONijXXLc4_grUZRQF8T5S_rXoGV73InQHLHdyMP9-a62ZQV8bY4T5MZlWBHTiE4aHcK4ulenTWa35M4fxdvbtl-Bf0mF8Nkx_0dU92PN13FkV5BfLUvrrytoiWIpKZlZYArT1QAp89OAXVAMJu40YPUWrSxwSyxpofZJO08nFNEcqCJp_AuuWoQxG_UsAJEbVyERnUvFOKd4Nt1GxvcFpXu2OkuAD27xcJaqD_NuCYaypMHJGGUbz-TRCN-obGZaHwZmu-Pgt2Y=w987-h658-no" />
<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/cQmPqfE_Z3ajJCqrI-P6nljOrg3QO24GSvsrZErtqRHLxU13mjBW2s0haIPKDtOaIK-dZVXm0kK46WJTuwxuJwEqfvY76yJ4GIusQicmx2J7FyQfiqHzkmvHJueoGiPBbIEI_Rys3S88v-TBkm0BAX47l9nS620-f_sqy4xJHX66CABT93QE7mS7LQk8KAPKF1wSwX7-nq4Y_hxmC5x4mXo_F0DMfiz-I0G619GVHmdEt-H1BdJwgVtI-RqFY_D9DMQpHBGlaoEfquoxBUvgt1Seh6_vCo0U4549B7O1_WEUNtb-julbMz79hGz0LzdzjCDaaXTYSf8XkSEMja2vnIIJeAUFmJ8kfpndORUbLwcSw0mkbxJlBrglK39ab9yITj-7Zw7Kwx87fA4dl4rTyzBGIBRN9pkWDBfOgkLNRS6i8aVCBEhMSG_88lfUOZiAOXvJgyRUZR4rKkqe0g31uoBPNioq3gKjrDjTWtce-tdHLuvQyvis2ckNuOgf8HCiCJFs_nN3ZpGWaMncirkolMU-NKuOcxSkdDrZEqjOC_M=w987-h658-no" />Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02141836406113250543noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7033135461894105155.post-83179425260135279192015-01-27T21:45:00.000+11:002015-01-27T21:45:50.011+11:00Australia Day Pavlova<img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/lcMPoYQP8_63CkkUlIkTL0hnfUqtRvjSM5x9gbR1yHQ=w737-h491-no" width="625" />
<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9XjA2cdBqJI/VMXzhMDfITI/AAAAAAAABwI/U9h9aGNR2yo/w393-h590-no/IMG_3554.jpg" width="307" /><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9eqKKjMsiZ8/VMXzhOAgP_I/AAAAAAAABwA/DtrJ8RbMowA/w393-h590-no/IMG_3552.jpg" width="307" /><br />
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I love the blank white canvas of a pavlova, perfect for creating glorious edible flights of fancy. I topped this billowing cloud with sweet summer peaches, a drizzle of fresh passionfruit, a generous scattering of edible flowers and tiny ruby red strawberries straight from the garden. The styling seems a bit off for Australia day. It should probably have been covered with crumbled tim tams and studded with little paper Aussie flags but I couldn't resist a more whimsical approach. If it was up to me, edible flowers would be scattered on every meal!</div>
Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02141836406113250543noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7033135461894105155.post-86765043856846253852015-01-26T19:36:00.000+11:002015-01-26T19:36:20.804+11:00Lobster Festival<img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-f5vxr-HRRxQ/VMXzcQXL1EI/AAAAAAAABvI/60YUPkCnI4s/w737-h491-no/IMG_3523.jpg" width="625" /><br />
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One of the stranger things about the little strip of coast line we call home is the local lobster festival. There's something gorgeously quaint and provincial about the whole thing. It feels a bit like an Australian version of groundhog day, but instead of Punxsutawney Phil there's a man holding a lobster aloft to mark the summer season. Happy Lobster Festival!</div>
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<img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-FltkNXieRb0/VMXzawR8D-I/AAAAAAAABuw/vxaTxOjcIJg/w737-h491-no/IMG_3519.jpg" width="625" />
<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XqFfmQCg8c8/VMXza86Qc_I/AAAAAAAABu4/XxM8Gimq_XE/w393-h590-no/IMG_3520.jpg" width="307" /><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-jPC4uEna5zI/VMXza35_MpI/AAAAAAAABu0/spXECFBkBMo/w393-h590-no/IMG_3521.jpg" width="307" />
<img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-klhjvQUkl1Y/VMXzfBI8pJI/AAAAAAAABvs/MayBwiNUPYg/w737-h491-no/IMG_3526.jpg" width="625" />
<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ok9loCAclro/VMXzeokPAUI/AAAAAAAABwc/9VOP0s8rBi4/w737-h491-no/IMG_3544.jpg" width="625" />
<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jRxK7OjSvxU/VMXzf3z6bzI/AAAAAAAABwU/CslSybfiDuo/w737-h491-no/IMG_3549.jpg" width="625" />Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02141836406113250543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7033135461894105155.post-22211361079973284652015-01-05T08:15:00.000+11:002015-01-05T08:15:48.053+11:00In which we get a chicken 'Dinner'...<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xp2wTZlazIc/VKmijQ7DekI/AAAAAAAABs8/4Hv3DK7Qj5A/w532-h798-no/IMG_3474.jpg" />
<img height="285" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-H8ndmFQDi70/VKmiiB4ROGI/AAAAAAAABss/5U265e5uSSI/w386-h579-no/IMG_3469.jpg" /><img height="285" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-TdUoDFGGz4c/VKmiiuh2KDI/AAAAAAAABs0/N3QigIekwUo/w800-h533-no/IMG_3471.jpg" /><br />
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Meet the newest addition to our family. Minty has named her 'Dinah' after Alice's pet cat in Alice in Wonderland but there is some dispute over the pronunciation. I am going with the traditional <i>Die</i>-na, while the kids are insisting on <i>Dee</i>-na and the Mr. in a state of confusion thought we had named her 'Dinner'. She's a bantam leghorn and she lays the most delightful pure white little eggs.</div>
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On the way to pick up Dinah we visited the local markets in Jumbunna and Kongwak. It was a gorgeous morning and we had some very yummy waffles with fresh berries. I couldn't resist taking a photo of this epic colour blocked bookshelf. It covers a massive wall but I didn't have a wide angle lens on my camera so you'll have to be content with this little blue corner!</div>
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<img height="285" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ib74hV1qY50/VKmigrYUnyI/AAAAAAAABsU/JDHxbIQ-Ops/w386-h579-no/IMG_3462.jpg" /><img height="285" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-WemlgLyFAhI/VKmigiIIJ5I/AAAAAAAABsY/1LC-0EtnEqY/w800-h533-no/IMG_3459.jpg" />
<img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-QmuS_cqirLc/VKmiifh1pmI/AAAAAAAABsw/k8PXVMd8tro/w386-h579-no/IMG_3466.jpg" width="309" /><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-lqmmbrz1HkQ/VKmign_xwUI/AAAAAAAABsc/L4tzerK_QzA/w386-h579-no/IMG_3464.jpg" width="309" /></div>
Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02141836406113250543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7033135461894105155.post-27520839229918487912014-12-24T07:40:00.000+11:002014-12-24T07:40:25.232+11:00Merry 'Faux' Christmas!<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pNKXZk6pTGc/VJk3MA3r0gI/AAAAAAAABn0/CDQjB5T00Gs/w393-h590-no/IMG_3281.jpg" width="309" /><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-b60vyDexiOk/VJk3Ni2N3YI/AAAAAAAABno/aIArAtlKPaA/w393-h590-no/IMG_3289.jpg" width="309" /><br />
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So it's christmas eve. As a child this was by far the most exciting night of the year. Nowadays there's always a risk that the weight of holding everyone's christmas expectations, the quest for a picture perfect celebration, the bone crunching fatigue from all that baking, holiday crafting, shopping, wrapping and driving everyone to endless celebrations will catch up with me and I'll have an epic christmas meltdown. So my christmas wish for all the grownups out there is that you slow down, embrace imperfection and have a calm, jolly and snuggly christmas with your peeps… because after a few days everyone will have forgotten about the food and the gifts but everyone is going to remember you losing your shit. Merry christmas lovlies!</div>
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<img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-trHg9t-8WKE/VJk3O4eWWlI/AAAAAAAABoI/3wgPhH2QWa0/w393-h590-no/IMG_3296.jpg" width="309" /><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-KJB1GmaTRbE/VJk3Og8gC0I/AAAAAAAABoE/0ry951ylIgk/w393-h590-no/IMG_3295.jpg" width="309" />
<img height="285" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-j6RqiMFwQzY/VJk3MUR-nQI/AAAAAAAABnc/Sqtm1WvXEwo/w393-h590-no/IMG_3287.jpg" /><img height="285" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-kRsNoB9Siz8/VJk3MNqHkuI/AAAAAAAABnw/1ix23VB8mao/w737-h491-no/IMG_3286.jpg" />
<img height="285" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-5qTXmxW9sGw/VJk3PSN-78I/AAAAAAAABoM/T7WHSgBewsI/w737-h491-no/IMG_3299.jpg" /><img height="285" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-P-xTRvewtc0/VJk3RTzNtdI/AAAAAAAABog/Hr21y4-LARM/w393-h590-no/IMG_3303.jpg" />
<img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-I6M1QJNKGDQ/VJk3Q003MWI/AAAAAAAABoc/Ckb-ZtXy3is/w737-h491-no/IMG_3302.jpg" width="625" />
<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jhq_MfXK8Bw/VJk3SA2PjrI/AAAAAAAABow/u0y_DalSVx4/w393-h590-no/IMG_3304.jpg" width="309" /><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-XT1rB1G2PjY/VJk3Su5guxI/AAAAAAAABo0/BIa2c5xVxkc/w393-h590-no/IMG_3308.jpg" width="309" />Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02141836406113250543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7033135461894105155.post-89006844554506487282014-12-22T10:25:00.000+11:002014-12-22T10:25:07.170+11:00T graduates...<img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-BQjgTEDHLSk/VJP1CzytXVI/AAAAAAAABlY/ON0W3nOrg-Q/w393-h590-no/IMG_3144.jpg" width="309" /><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/XQBpwJF6Bb40MuHB8_dtnq1JXYNa3SusatA1ljPMfrM=w393-h590" width="309" /><br />
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<i>T picked a big bunch of rhubarb, lavender and herbs to give to his teacher.</i></div>
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We celebrated 'faux' christmas with my family yesterday but since I haven't had time to sort through photos yet I thought we could flash back to last week for a look at T's last day of kinder (captions under photos). </div>
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The kids put on a very sweet nativity play. T was supposed to play an angel but he was nervous about having to sing so made a hasty costume change and played a cow instead. Apparently mooing is a lot less threatening than performing an angelic chorus! Sadly I can't share photos of the play as I didn't managed to snap a decent cow portrait!</div>
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<img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-reNpU_0aCvM/VJP1ETVY9RI/AAAAAAAABlw/5qaVLDRdrb4/w737-h491-no/IMG_3169.jpg" width="625" /><br />
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<i>T getting his 'graduation' certificate.</i></div>
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<img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-AkSWoexf49g/VJP1FFI0LpI/AAAAAAAABls/-xHqzqll1OQ/w737-h491-no/IMG_3180.jpg" width="625" /><br />
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<i>There was a party with lots of 'pinterest' worthy food made by parents who seemingly had much more energy than me!</i></div>
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<img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-b6SIigTPZXc/VJP1C5CDjyI/AAAAAAAABlU/oZYi563SPA0/w737-h491-no/IMG_3130.jpg" width="625" /><br />
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<i>Berries packaged up for more teacher gifts.</i></div>
Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02141836406113250543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7033135461894105155.post-34564503687130737362014-12-20T22:26:00.000+11:002014-12-20T22:26:48.151+11:00My christmas anthem this year...<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/7E-47VmFopE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02141836406113250543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7033135461894105155.post-64927075563480417462014-12-19T21:48:00.000+11:002014-12-19T21:48:28.932+11:00School's out for summer...<img height="285" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-nriJWk_jvqM/VJP1Fkw9RQI/AAAAAAAABl0/n8qsv1C4Z3A/w393-h590-no/IMG_3200.jpg" /><img height="285" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BqCwjFxFQKw/VJP1HfbKzGI/AAAAAAAABmA/5a28BvWcrGA/w737-h491-no/IMG_3211.jpg" /><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last day of school today! Minty made these necklaces for her teachers using felt and wooden beads. I love her colour combinations!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After school we headed to the beach with friends for fish and chips. There was plenty of seagull chasing, crab catching and general hilarity. We even got to watch a pelican being released back into the wild. A great start to the holidays!</span><br />
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<img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-oStpeS4XSPQ/VJP1OzazBjI/AAAAAAAABmc/kj6vXD_X9ek/w393-h590-no/IMG_3226.jpg" width="309" /><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6sqFU7c9wOY/VJP1Rs_kPLI/AAAAAAAABmk/6w4npn6Kqzw/w393-h590-no/IMG_3228.jpg" width="309" />Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02141836406113250543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7033135461894105155.post-78376354056484210492014-12-18T20:59:00.000+11:002014-12-18T20:59:10.599+11:00In which we search for the perfect gift...<img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-D9I0jJpvct0/VJKhwhkdyTI/AAAAAAAABko/_vgJRVRA87M/w737-h491-no/IMG_3167.jpg" width="625" /><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It must be close to Christmas because this morning the Mr. announced that we should probably start our Christmas shopping. We entered the first shop and he gestured at an item on the display table nearest the entrance. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"How about that for my mum?" he asked.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Um… it's $1000. Do you think that might be vaguely out of our price range?" I replied, my voice an octave higher than usual. He huffed and gave me a look that made it clear I was just being difficult.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I'm really good at Christmas shopping," he proclaimed. "It's easy when you're not here."</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Meanwhile Turi selected himself an oven thermometer and announced that he would really like "this little clock". No matter what kind of store we are in, Turi always manages to find something he desperately 'needs'. He is like a little bower bird finding treasures on every shelf while I helplessly shriek after him, "touch with your eyes, not your hands!!". I can totally relate though. I keep finding items I want for myself… a gorgeous new basket perfect for veggie box, a set of vintage wooden mooncake moulds, some cute little ceramic berry baskets. And yet, somehow when I'm looking for other people all I can see are ceramic pineapples.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By the end of the day I was so exhausted, I was staggering about like a drunken schoolie in platform stripper heals. Sadly I'll be heading back to the shops again tomorrow, to finish off the last few gifts.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These photos are totally unrelated because who takes photos when they're shopping? These are from yesterdays play group at the beach.</span><br />
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<img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-6LdrMifh4rQ/VJKhuq-NtZI/AAAAAAAABkY/OERtMTBHR54/w737-h491-no/IMG_3161.jpg" width="625" />
<img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--p62X4WUyqc/VJKhupW8N_I/AAAAAAAABk0/1CJI35X73z4/w737-h491-no/IMG_3157.jpg" width="625" />Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02141836406113250543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7033135461894105155.post-49665913345630686702014-12-16T21:09:00.000+11:002014-12-16T21:09:54.629+11:00The christmas tree...<img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-B6dTYrlolvw/VI_-qF0BvbI/AAAAAAAABj8/enmMmbMq9so/w737-h491-no/IMG_3078.jpg" width="625" /><br />
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<img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-fes6207_u8I/VI_-opJhLjI/AAAAAAAABjc/mkdMQmDv11g/w393-h590-no/IMG_3073.jpg" width="309" /><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-vxLHEOMU3ns/VI_-ozhEBnI/AAAAAAAABjg/ybITPYASrFM/w393-h590-no/IMG_3075.jpg" width="309" />
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<img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-rZF6JoEcXM8/VI6-XMBnb7I/AAAAAAAABiU/3tGDXhyc_xQ/w393-h590-no/IMG_3105.jpg" width="309"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IipGUBgMP3c/VI6-YEiejsI/AAAAAAAABic/jWN8OhNvaO8/w393-h590-no/IMG_3106.jpg" width="309">Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02141836406113250543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7033135461894105155.post-32986619867912225862014-12-14T17:58:00.000+11:002014-12-14T17:58:56.638+11:00In which I randomly resume blogging...<img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ly9V7_1n070/VI0wVa-Oq0I/AAAAAAAABhg/PDyYsJgpLYc/w737-h491-no/IMG_3122.jpg" width="625" /><br />
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I'm resisting the urge to be completely overtaken by Christmas panic! This end of the year seems to be an endless whirlwind of christmas parties, school breakups, concerts, Kris Kringles, and catch-ups with friends. Any one of these events taken individually would be great fun but the ceaseless back to back celebrating is making my eye twitch. I'm starting to wish I could hide behind the Christmas tree in my pyjamas, with a copy of Great Expectations until the parties are all over!! I haven't even started my Christmas shopping and it's less than a week until we celebrate with my side of the family. But instead of spiralling into complete scrooge-like behaviour, I'm popping on the Christmas carols, channelling Mary and trying to emanate an aura of calm ("It's totally fine Joseph, don't worry about the manure. I'll just birth our baby on this hay bale and he can sleep in the feed trough.")</div>
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In pursuit of this calm, today we headed to a local berry farm to pick a mountain of juicy Logan, Silvan, Young and Boysen berries. We'll package up our goodies for teacher gifts. It was great to avoid the shops, support a local family and get the kids involved in the gift gathering.</div>
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While we're on a berry theme I thought I'd sneak in some pics of the berry tarts I made for last night's CFA christmas bash… because yum!</div>
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<img height="285" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-cbjmScpC1FI/VI0wRoB96MI/AAAAAAAABgw/MID5g8wZQcI/w382-h573-no/IMG_3111.jpg" /><img height="285" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-8QSHQoOnm24/VI0wRihEJpI/AAAAAAAABhQ/uxWXs0YZj0A/w737-h491-no/IMG_3110.jpg" />Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02141836406113250543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7033135461894105155.post-58413064085557041592014-02-06T13:40:00.000+11:002014-02-06T13:40:51.978+11:00In which Minty wants to be less 'Sonny' and more Cher...<img height="285" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_K5TdosqOVI/UvLzeuIQAhI/AAAAAAAABPM/cdjF8JRdQIw/w408-h612-no/IMG_2155.jpg" /><img height="285" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-h2Q1AobvDJc/UvLzeVZ97eI/AAAAAAAABPE/AfU_Y0ea880/w737-h492-no/IMG_2147.jpg" /><br />
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Minty has developed a recent aversion to all pants and shorts. This probably isn't helped by the odd stranger calling her 'Sonny' due to her pixie hair cut (this recently happened while she was wearing a dress and I wasn't sure whether to be excited by their liberal attitude that boys could wear dresses too, or horrified by the fact that they thought only boys could have short hair). Anyway, I felt it would be largely impractical for Mint to wear dresses for sports lessons so I needed to come up with some kind of solution. Rather than hunting around for child hair extensions I decided to sew a pair of 'feminine' yet practical shorts. I opted for the <a href="http://oliverands.com/oliver-and-s-patterns/OLV-OS002PS.html" target="_blank">Oliver +S puppet show pattern</a> and Mint was very happy with them.</div>
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Before you all message me to let me know about the existence of 'skorts', I'm aware. They just sort of freak me out, like a liger or a 'splade' or something and in any case, I've never had any success selling the idea to Mint either.</div>
Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02141836406113250543noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7033135461894105155.post-49472911220286023012014-02-03T21:06:00.000+11:002014-02-03T21:06:44.811+11:00In which the children brawl over a magic mirror...<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VJdkVZUA2_s/Uu9oHgeU4CI/AAAAAAAABOs/ByF_Q13iVXo/w737-h492-no/IMG_2120.jpg" width="625" /><br />
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Life is fairly chaotic at the moment. This morning we were running late for school and the kids were having an epic brawl in the back seat of the car. I went to glance in the rear vision mirror to see what all the ruckus was about and then realised the mirror wasn't there. So I glanced over my shoulder to find the two of them wrestling over the said mirror. I don't even know how this is possible.</div>
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Turi (bless) doesn't know what to do with himself when his sister is at school. When he isn't staging an epic tantrum to demand that his needs are immediately met, all he wants to do is veg out on the couch watching '<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Brave_Little_Toaster_(film)" target="_blank">The Brave Little Toaster</a>' until his sister returns. I have to had to work very hard to divert his attention. At one point he even watched half of 'Chicken Little' in Dutch because he was too scared to ask me to change the audio track to English in case I made him turn it of!! Here he is, looking very innocent and playing with his 'box props'. This brief contentment lasted all of ten minutes. Thank god kinder goes back tomorrow. I am exhausted.</div>
Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02141836406113250543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7033135461894105155.post-5923265554188923372014-02-02T06:41:00.000+11:002014-02-02T06:41:24.444+11:00DIY icy-pole moulds!<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IiQz5218w7U/UumzRxBpnPI/AAAAAAAABNs/M3bvOqIPtoo/w737-h492-no/IMG_2069.jpg" width="625" />
<img height="285" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-LwynkvPLRC8/UumzSekKFgI/AAAAAAAABNw/P4nAJKOFkAw/w394-h590-no/IMG_2077.jpg" /><img height="285" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/CMXGdDYJI0Ch6_Ww666g0x7JQ78memWja07XvSxNqeU=w737-h492-no" />
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We're going through a bit of an icy-pole making obsession around these parts! Since I don't have icy-pole moulds I've come up with my own DIY method. </div>
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Basically I just blend up a combination of fruit, juice, yoghurt and/or milk. I've also made some yummy ones with coconut milk (great for visitors with dairy intolerance!) Here are some of the combinations I've made so far…</div>
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- Coconut and pineapple</div>
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- Watermelon, yoghurt and lime (Minty calls this one a 'Flamingo Fling'!)</div>
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- Peach and yoghurt (with a splash of maple syrup)</div>
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- Berry, banana and yoghurt</div>
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- Orange and raspberry</div>
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The mix then gets poured into plastic cups, freeze for about 45mins then add a popsicle stick (you can get big packs at the $2 shop) and freeze for about 6 hours. To get them out just run the cup under the hot tap for a couple of seconds. I then pop them into zip lock bags for storing in the freezer. I wash out the bags and cups and reuse them to minimise waste. This means I can make icy-poles in bulk and have lots of flavours on hand for hot days and after school snacks!</div>
Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02141836406113250543noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7033135461894105155.post-40922415316982319922014-01-30T12:17:00.000+11:002014-01-30T12:17:31.729+11:00School girl...<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OfEZz6U9H7Q/UumTEYTnKuI/AAAAAAAABM4/thlURkV3P9Q/w737-h492-no/IMG_2103.jpg" width="625" />
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Minty had her first day of school today. You would never guess from these photos but she had a bout of school refusal this morning! I thought my only worry would be what to put in her lunch box but instead I had to negotiate the mine field of her emotional freak out! She woke up with a phantom 'sore neck' and announced that she was excited about school, but sadly she thought because of her neck she'd have to skip today… and tomorrow… and probably all the days after that!! Eventually we talked her back from the ledge and loaded our little deer in the headlights off to school. Hopefully tomorrow will go a bit more smoothly!</div>
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In case there are any other first time school mum's obsessing over lunch box food as the last opportunity for control, here is a recipe for a super easy healthy cake (dairy free, egg free, sugar free)….</div>
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500g mixed dried fruit</div>
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2 cups fruit juice (I used orange and lime juice but whatever you have is fine)</div>
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2 cups SR flour (or 2 cups plain + 4tsp baking powder)</div>
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Soak the fruit in the juice overnight.</div>
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Mix in the flour.</div>
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Pour into a lined tin and bake for 50mins at 180C.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">Super easy and surprisingly yummy. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">Thanks Manu for the recipe!</span>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02141836406113250543noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7033135461894105155.post-85639230087186425802014-01-21T17:26:00.000+11:002014-01-21T17:26:36.147+11:00Sugar free first birthday cake<img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-PoIwCPJ40HA/Ut4JMQAsqAI/AAAAAAAABMU/yhbXD267NU0/w737-h492-no/IMG_2026.jpg" width="625" />
<img height="285" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pNpVsItwivo/Ut4JMlt5CAI/AAAAAAAABMY/eVjKXyitPQ4/w394-h590-no/IMG_2034.jpg" /><img height="285" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ubw_R_Z89ic/Ut4JK6T6tuI/AAAAAAAABMI/GZ78Rqgn6dI/w737-h492-no/IMG_2036.jpg" /><br />
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My precious little nephew turned one on the weekend. All the extended family went back to the <a href="http://littleincowes.blogspot.com.au/2013/01/a-birthday-party.html" target="_blank">winery</a> where we first celebrated his birth for a weekend of fun.</div>
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At the request of his parents, I made a sugar free, honey free, sweetener free, super healthy smash cake. Apparently this is what all the cool hipster kids are having these days. Sweet stuff is so 2008.</div>
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I used <a href="http://www.thingsforboys.com/2011/11/sugar-free-carrot-and-date-cake.html" target="_blank">this recipe</a> for carrot and date cake and then frosted it using plain greek yoghurt and decorated it with frozen blackberries, borage and coriander flowers and a light sprinkling of edible gold stars for a bit of whimsy. The birthday boy seemed to love it but I'm not going to lie, there weren't too many takers from the hardened sugar addicts amongst us!!</div>
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Happy Birthday little M!</div>
Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02141836406113250543noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7033135461894105155.post-65972890404416869352014-01-07T19:51:00.000+11:002014-01-07T19:51:33.767+11:00The training wheels are off...<img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-tmAj_8t8fy0/Usu-aI0RNOI/AAAAAAAABLw/TWE5q45S7w0/w737-h492-no/IMG_1929.jpg" width="625" /><br />
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Everyone is smiling and laughing as we ride our bikes in the sunshine beside a crystal blue ocean. If you added a boppy, uplifting soundtrack we could be on a commercial for bottled water or tampons… (although possibly not tampons since we are the wrong demographic and no one is wearing short shorts or a bikini). Because everything is going so perfectly we ride further than usual, but with every meter we travel further from the house I am tempting disaster.</div>
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Suddenly it's less bottled water commercial and more <i>Saving Private Ryan</i>. The smallest child has tumbled from his bike and scraped his elbow. Nothing serious, but he is screaming inconsolably and stamping in a circle whilst flapping his arms. This strange chicken like dance is performed so that everyone will know he is certainly going to die… imminently. I assess the wound, and assure him it's not that bad and everything is going to be fine, while internally panicking because everything is not going to be fine because we are a LONG way from home and I have to somehow get us back with this sobbing child in tow.</div>
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Now the sun seems oppressive rather than idyllic, and I realise we are all wearing way too many clothes. The mix of sweat and blood acts like a barrel of burley thrown into shark infested waters and suddenly all the blow flies in a 20km radius are swarmed around us in a haze of black.</div>
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First I try my impression of a motivational sports coach, "hop back on that bike and ride home a champion"… this doesn't really work as the small child snivels between sobs, "what's a champion mummy?". Then I try bribery, "if you can make it home you can have some jelly beans". The number of jelly beans on offer steadily increases as the sobs continue. In this manner we limp almost half way home, at which point the child decides even a truck load of jelly beans aren't worth it and gives up. As he lies prostrate on someone's lawn, thoughts of putting my feet up at home with a cup of tea and <i>One Hundred Years of Solitude</i> flash before me, mirage like, tantalising yet unattainably just out of reach. I am ashamed to say this is when I embrace my last motivational strategy… fear. I absently note that the flies are 'eating' his wound. Alarmed the child peels himself from the grass and examines his elbow with increasing horror. "The only way to get rid of them is to ride fast enough so they won't be able to keep up." The child is back on his bike and now I am Jillian Michaels on a bad day, "Peddle, peddle, peddle, balance!!', I bark as he weaves his way up the final hill. For good measure I add, "…and if you make it home you can have a movie!"</div>
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<i>I know he looks broken here but never fear he was back up and nagging to go to the local BMX track an hour later so the event can't have been too scarring!</i></div>
Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02141836406113250543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7033135461894105155.post-79559937771672476382014-01-07T08:57:00.001+11:002014-01-07T08:57:10.701+11:00What You Will... Twelfth Night celebrations<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EG6CK3hyiB0/UssZUt3wo3I/AAAAAAAABLM/yG-Ix5tWU5g/w737-h492-no/IMG_1910.jpg" width="625" />
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I just had to sneak in some quick photos of twelfth night. Whenever I tell people we celebrate twelfth night they look at me blankly, as if we're celebrating some completely arbitrary day of the year… about as arbitrary as celebrating the 25th or 31st day of December, I say. Twelfth night has been celebrated for centuries and what other holiday can boast a Shakespeare play written to be performed as part of the festivities? (Incidentally, wouldn't Minty make a perfect Viola with her pixie hair cut?)</div>
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What I love most about twelfth night is the cake, with little treasures hidden inside to give you luck and decide your role for the day. I made a traditional English style twelfth night cake this year. Hidden inside the cake there was a...</div>
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-dried pea (or chickpea as was the case this year) = King</div>
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-dried bortolli bean = Queen</div>
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-dried cannelloni bean = Princess (a second 'princess' bean isn't really traditional but I wanted to increase the odds of finding something!)</div>
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-clove = villain</div>
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-twig = fool (I used a twig from a rosemary plant so it wouldn't be too scary!)</div>
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-rag = the tart</div>
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Minty desperately wanted to be the fool this year and Turi wanted to be the villain, which I found amusing since I had always considered these to be the booby prizes! Alas it wasn't to be, the Mr. was this year's villain and our neighbour won the fool. Minty scored the pea and was crowned King. Poor little Turi found nothing so we had to tell him the borage flowers on top were good luck when eaten!!</div>
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Here is my twelfth night cake recipe. I've changed the recipe pretty substantially from it's original source so I won't include it here (note the strange use of creme de cacao in lieu of brandy because we'd run out - it actually tasted pretty good!)…</div>
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227g caster sugar</div>
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227g butter (room temperature)</div>
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4 eggs</div>
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1/4 cup creme de cacao</div>
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220g plain flour</div>
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3/4 tspn all spice</div>
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100g glace cherries chopped</div>
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120g sultanas</div>
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3/4 cup blanched almonds chopped</div>
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1/4 cup chopped mixed peal</div>
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Preheat oven to 150C. Line 8inch tin with baking paper. Cream the butter and sugar. Mix in lightly beaten eggs and creme de cacao. Sift flour and spices together, then mix into the wet ingredients. Fold through the fruit and nuts along with dried pea, bean etc for luck. Pour into tin and bake for 2 hours, 45 mins, covering with foil after the first hour.</div>
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You can read about our cakes from previous years <a href="http://littleincowes.blogspot.com.au/2012/01/dost-thou-think-because-thou-art.html" target="_blank">here (2012)</a>, and <a href="http://littleincowes.blogspot.com.au/2011/01/12-drummers-drumming.html" target="_blank">here (2011)</a></div>
Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02141836406113250543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7033135461894105155.post-47484348208645727932014-01-02T21:51:00.000+11:002014-01-02T21:51:23.155+11:00The end of an era...<img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-UQWhDKz8B6I/UsSblSlPLHI/AAAAAAAABKE/FbZzNxL8HXo/w737-h492-no/IMG_1837.jpg" width="625" />
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2014 is going to bring some big changes for us. Minty is starting school, Turi will be at kinder 3 days a week and I will be working and/or studying. Honestly the new year has filled me with a sense of panic and dread. I feel like we're all living on borrowed time and we need to make the most of these last few weeks of freedom.</div>
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Just to make it clear, I realise both the kids are going to be completely fine and will probably love their new adventures, I'm just struggling with the fact that we are all starting to go off in different directions. Spending the last few days reading Henry Handel Richardson's 'The Getting of Wisdom', certainly didn't help me warm to the idea of Minty going to school!! </div>
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So for the next four weeks I'm trying to pack in all the fun we can before the 'death' of entering formalised education!!! Yesterday Mint went surfing with dad. This morning I said to the Mr, "What meaningful life event can I pack into day 2 of our last 28 days of freedom?", his reply, a shrug "Almost 10% already gone". He finds it amusing to alarm me.</div>
Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02141836406113250543noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7033135461894105155.post-65043275340241292822013-12-02T13:33:00.000+11:002013-12-02T13:33:07.841+11:00Letters to Santa...<img height="800" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-AjNXzbCg8dE/UpvuCPIE0HI/AAAAAAAABIU/awFv6FhnYzE/w393-h590-no/IMG_1650.jpg" /><br />
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<i>"Happy Christmas Santa! Please bring me one of your elves to clean my room because our room is really dirty. I'd also like a unicorn to ride to school on so mum doesn't have to drive me every day. A pink doll house would be nice too. Thank you santa for giving me my presents. Love Minty."</i></div>
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<i><i>"Dear Santa, Merry Christmas! Thank you for my presents last year. This year I'd like a crane for the back garden (maybe 2!), a pet doggy, a squirty toy shark for the bath (one for Minty too). Love from Turi."</i></i></div>
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Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02141836406113250543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7033135461894105155.post-70890621733392775202013-11-01T18:21:00.000+11:002013-11-01T18:21:57.073+11:00Conversations with Minty and Turi...<img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-anuYHC5cSOM/UnI05j62uTI/AAAAAAAABDc/JT7_5CPLvxY/w393-h590-no/IMG_0012.JPG" width="307" /><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZF1NP4nCU7w/UnI089G3m0I/AAAAAAAABDk/LKp7fhgOGaM/w393-h590-no/IMG_0016.JPG" width="307" /><br />
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<b>Me</b>: stop putting your hand in your mouth. It's filthy!</div>
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<b>Turi </b><i>[pointing to his stomach]</i>: well its ok. Now i can just have a muddy puddle in here.</div>
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<b>Tur</b>i: I want an animal party where they bring around snakes and turtles and things and you get to hold them.</div>
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<b>Me</b>: oh a reptile party. I don't really want to have to pay for a reptile party. How about a bug party and we could have worms and a stick insect and other bugs you could touch?</div>
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<b>Turi</b>: no I HATE bugs.</div>
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<b>Me</b>: ok another type of party then. What about a dinosaur party?</div>
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<b>Turi</b><i> [excitedly]</i>: Yeah!! They could bring a T-rex for me to touch!!</div>
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<b>Me</b> <i>[suppressing laughter]</i>[: Darling there aren't any live dinosaurs anymore, they're extinct.</div>
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<b>Turi</b> <i>[disappointed]</i>: awwww!!</div>
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<i>whilst collecting the eggs…</i> </div>
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<b>Minty</b> <i>[excitedly holding an egg aloft]</i>: one egg!!</div>
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<b>Me</b>: The shell is a bit wrinkly. I think we need to give the chickens some more shell grit.</div>
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<b>Minty</b> <i>[admonishing]</i>: don't say shell grit!</div>
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<b>Me</b> <i>[surprised]</i>: why can't I say shell grit?</div>
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<b>Minty</b><i> [in an overly dramatised whisper while pointing to the egg]</i>: because this is the shell grit</div>
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<i>(Just a quick explanation for those of you for whom this conversation made no sense. Chickens need to be given shell grit to help their egg shells develop properly. This can be given in the form of crushed up egg shells but you have to be careful to make sure the pieces are very small so they don't start recognising their own eggs as food!)</i></div>
Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02141836406113250543noreply@blogger.com0