tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45442566325924084352024-02-08T02:39:47.330+10:00sunshine timeAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16175026532405799644noreply@blogger.comBlogger173125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4544256632592408435.post-77664542450730404022016-02-09T22:39:00.002+10:002016-02-09T22:41:45.282+10:00and so it goes...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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There's really no excuse for the length of time elapsed since I last posted.</div>
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I thought maybe I wouldn't be back here; I've pared my blog reading down over the last few months and allotted maybe ten minutes at night before I head to bed.</div>
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I haven't visited my own blog since my last post. When I did so tonight I spent a bit of time reading back over previous posts. I felt very nostalgic and a bit flat. </div>
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I've missed so much out; at such an important time.</div>
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so, here's a quick recap of the last six months around here.</div>
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Since I was on here, </div>
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my parents celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary,</div>
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I finally finished my cardigan,</div>
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Stella turned twelve,</div>
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Ruby went off to her first music camp,</div>
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The lounge room received a long-awaited make-over,</div>
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I coached Stella's netball team to victory, best season ever!</div>
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<a href="http://deborahlee911.blogspot.com.au/2013/12/hello-jack_11.html" target="_blank">Jack</a> turned two,</div>
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School was done and dusted, so we took a family holiday to Northland, New Zealand,</div>
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And made it home just in time for Christmas, which whizzed by, like the rest of the holidays, in a mad blur of work, family, friends and beach.</div>
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Rubes and I got to hang with these little guys,</div>
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The kids performed in musicals, who would have thought?</div>
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And our rescue pig, Lily, finally grew hair and put on weight, turning into the gorgeous little pet we knew she could be.</div>
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So, that's my last six months in a nutshell.</div>
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Hoping to be back here on a more regular basis, as well as touching base with you all as well.</div>
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Wishing everybody a very happy and healthy New Year.<br />
See you soon, that's a promise xx</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16175026532405799644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4544256632592408435.post-86632819564221509002015-07-29T14:26:00.000+10:002015-07-29T14:26:11.266+10:00winter, part 1- making, baking, growing.<div style="text-align: center;">
hello, neglected little blog. </div>
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I feel like I'm emerging out of a big black cloud into more optimistic skies. Don't ask why; it's probably not really something I can answer. It's a head space thing. Some things are finished and so some things are starting. Another cycle begins. Suffice to say I feel a whole lot more positive about where I'm headed. </div>
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We've been making some big decisions as a family; including finalising a high school for next year. Years of talking and reading and researching, months of paperwork and interviews and scholarship applications and auditions are finally over. We have chosen a path and it feels good.</div>
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I've got holiday plans afoot. I love dreaming of new places and adventures in new climates. There is stuff to be done but I do love to plan. Exciting suff.</div>
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I've been assessing my work situation and I've got some ideas there too. Building on what I have and what I like; the possibility of adapting my skills to build another income stream. It involves some re-training, which finally feels like an option. I've got some time-frames and some budget strategies and I feel ready.</div>
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While all these moods and plans and ideas have been swirling and whirling around in my head, we've been getting on with life. </div>
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So this is winter, Part 1. Photographic evidence of daily doings in our little house.</div>
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Winter in the subtropics may not really seem like winter to a lot of people. Or to plants. My tomatoes continue to grow; without any frost about we have a slow but steady supply of these little gifts.</div>
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I've got pumpkin flowers, and for the first time ever, little pumpkins growing on these vines. Little round yellow balls which I am desperately hoping will hang in there for the long haul. </div>
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Winter is all about comfort food. Passionfruit cake, made with gifted fruit, via my Mum's friends, to me. Served with whipped cream, of course, and a cup of tea.</div>
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A chocolate fudge cake which I have been making for years. It's a birthday favourite and now seems to be a standard in this house. Topped with chocolate butter icing, this is a decadent treat guaranteed to make you feel happy.</div>
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I'm more a baker than a savoury maker, but these bagels from <a href="http://www.hellokateberry.com/" target="_blank">Kate's blog</a> are amazing and fun and delicious and not hard at all. There's something about winter and warm yeasty bread that just make for a magic combination.</div>
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Pesto with basil from the garden. Pesto in everything for winter. Well, most things, anyway.</div>
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I've never been a processed cereal lover. Why eat cardboard? I just don't get it. This homemade granola is divine and I eat it every day. </div>
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Lemon curd with gingerbread biscuits. If you have never tried this combination, you should. Lemon curd recipe courtesy of <a href="http://www.baby-mac.com/" target="_blank">Beth</a>.</div>
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We stitched a hat for this little owl, made by Ruby. Did you ever see anything so cute?</div>
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I'm still going on my Tikki Knits cardie. This is my second winter knitting away on this project. I'm onto the sleeves and should be finished by the end of winter. Time is not important though, I feel. This is my down time, my relaxation after the kids head to bed. No rush.</div>
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And this. Some left over clay, moulded and embellished with love. This is what makes everything in the world good. </div>
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Such a treasure.</div>
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Onward and upward.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16175026532405799644noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4544256632592408435.post-12853633998997946152015-06-17T14:22:00.001+10:002015-06-17T14:22:34.417+10:00The Planting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We spent a weekend camping on a 500 acre property known as Woodfordia, home of The Planting Festival.</div>
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Most people would know this area from the better-known Woodford Folk festival, a mega-annual event held between Christmas and New Year.</div>
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The Planting is a much smaller gathering, but oh, so rich in community spirit, music, visual delights and more than a touch of magic.</div>
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We set up camp Friday afternoon, and just on dark wandered into the grounds of the Festival itself. </div>
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Goodness, it was amazing. Trees were illuminated and campfires were burning. There were small bars selling mulled and red wines; tiny stalls selling an array of delicious looking food. Old trucks morphed into dazzling stages, amazing weaved nests for reclining, an eerily beautiful lake, ethical wares....</div>
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The kids were entranced. I was overwhelmed. We sat around the fires with glasses of wine while the girls climbed trees and made friends. We sat and relaxed, ooh-ing and ahh-ing at the creativity and talent surrounding us. We ate chilli beans on rice, gourmet duck pies and gelatos.</div>
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We spent the weekend chilling with friends, sleeping in and doing fun creative stuff. We made ponchos, listened to music, walked and explored, laughed, rolled down hills in sleeping bags, had foot spas in the creek, and ate like royalty. We wore home knit beanies with pom-poms, leg warmers and layers for warmth at night. There were crafty workshops and interesting lectures on all kinds of fascinating stuff.</div>
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It was great. Just felt like a world away from what goes on in the routine day to day life.</div>
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Check it out <a href="http://www.theplanting.com.au/" target="_blank">here</a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16175026532405799644noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4544256632592408435.post-25846573820814820772015-05-31T21:41:00.000+10:002015-06-01T08:37:25.156+10:00The Million Paws Walk- an annual RSPCA event<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Each year, the RSPCA holds an event to raise funds for animals in need. That event is the <a href="http://www.millionpawswalk.com.au/" target="_blank">Million Paws Walk</a>.</div>
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"Funds raised from registrations, merchandise sales and fundraising pages, will help to provide essential care, veterinary treatment, food and shelter for more than 18,000 dogs that RSPCA Qld cares for each year." *<br />
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The girls and I always like to go down and lend a hand. We usually have a couple of other willing helpers too. This year we manned the cupcake stall. I left the kids in charge this year; they did a great job on sales and promotion.</div>
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After their efforts, we joined all the other lovely locals for a meander up the river. We don't have a dog so we borrowed little Shadow here from a friend. She was prettily washed and hair-sprayed for the occasion. Stella got her face painted especially to match Shadow's tail.</div>
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This year we were stationed next to the Snake-catcher and rehabilitation stall. For a small donation, you could get close up with a python and snap a few shots. </div>
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Ruby was into it but Stella's snake seemed very keen on wrapping round her neck.. I think she was a bit out of her comfort zone...</div>
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Ruby got brave and took Shadow into the Eventing Ring, where she managed to get this little girl to sit, drop and stay. She made it into the second round, before being pipped by a very smart and quite gorgeous black Lab. </div>
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It's always a lovely day where I get to meet and talk to some amazing and dedicated people. It makes me so happy to be working in a job I love, with people I admire. </div>
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And that's May. </div>
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And I'm caught up. :-) </div>
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(*quoted from the RSPCA Million Paws Walk official website)</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16175026532405799644noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4544256632592408435.post-74763593141388234792015-05-27T13:21:00.003+10:002015-05-31T21:50:43.367+10:00The Mary River<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A couple of weeks ago, we went camping. There's so many beautiful spots within one hour's travel from home.<br />
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One of the reasons we went is that at school, Ruby is learning all about the unique life forms that live in our Mary River habitat. She asked us if we could go check it out, so she could draw it accurately for her project. </div>
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Seemed like a good excuse to extend it into an overnighter.</div>
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Some years ago, this region, including a lot of the smaller townships in and around, were under threat of being sunk under a huge water catchment. Luckily, at the eleventh hour, this plan came to nought, and so these beautiful places have remained intact. The Mary Valley people, unfortunately, didn't escape unscarred. A lot of people were bought out and moved on; it's caused permanent emotional scarring and change. That's another (long) story though, for another time.</div>
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Back to camping...</div>
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I'd actually booked at a place we'd not been to before. When we got there, none of us liked the look of it! We drove around and quickly exited before we were committed. Maybe not exactly the right thing to do, but we'd driven past some gorgeous camping grounds, including <a href="http://kenilworthhomestead.com.au/" target="_blank">this one</a> at Kenilworth. We didn't actually stay here this time but it's on our to-do list for a long weekend. Next time!</div>
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We set up on the bend of the Mary River, at a place called Little Yabba. </div>
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The girls put up their own tent now. Such independence! They may or may not spend the full night in it, but it's their spot to read and hide away from us. They squirrel away the lamp and some snacks; it's delightful.</div>
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Late afternoon, the fire was lit; darkness fell quickly and so did the thermostat...</div>
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In the morning there was frost and mist; it was quiet and still and just absolutely mesmerising. </div>
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As the sun rose and we warmed up, layers were shed and a meander up the river was in order.</div>
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It was chilly, but not too cold for a dip. The water was cool and clean and green and there was no-one else in sight. At all. </div>
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We checked out the rocks and the pools, all in the name of research. </div>
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Best school project ever.</div>
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Looking forward to our next camping adventure, in just a couple of weeks.</div>
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Have a lovely week, everyone xx</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16175026532405799644noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4544256632592408435.post-89231257218918291502015-05-24T21:26:00.000+10:002015-05-24T21:28:27.209+10:00other April highlights...a month in pictures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
April always starts off with <a href="http://deborahlee911.blogspot.com.au/2015/05/nine.html" target="_blank">Ruby's birthday</a>. It's one of my favourite months. Not just because of the birthday celebrations, but because it's Easter, school holidays and the weather here on the Coast is usually always close on perfect. This year was no exception.</div>
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It came and went in a flash. No time for blogging, really. So I'm just diarising it in pictures; highlighting some of my favourite parts.</div>
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Easter: </div>
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I like to chuck in a little something handmade. This year I just went with a very simple bunny template, old fabric and some ribbon. Perched on the end of a kid's bed on Easter morning with some chocolate eggs; perfection.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiji_a7jzhFSMEmbLiNsbHXh5E7IrIFc3eXtB3Ri3JthD5wQH2Gkdl4FV7IEkCiHviKa-i8brqIcf488lOIBbY-mNp9-Xq-iOe9mwGCns-ADJZoog6HfjSvgDiCwOR7mdvoU1_lC9oaNp5P/s1600/IMG_0217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiji_a7jzhFSMEmbLiNsbHXh5E7IrIFc3eXtB3Ri3JthD5wQH2Gkdl4FV7IEkCiHviKa-i8brqIcf488lOIBbY-mNp9-Xq-iOe9mwGCns-ADJZoog6HfjSvgDiCwOR7mdvoU1_lC9oaNp5P/s640/IMG_0217.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Still on the Easter theme: the egg hunt. Obviously best carried out in undies and an oversized jumper...</div>
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The booty. I keep this part of it pretty small as we tend to get swamped in chocolate once the extended family has arrived.</div>
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Goodness, we had some lovely weather this April. My Dad has been getting into his sailing since my parents relocated to the Coast. At Lake Cootharaba over the break we took a picnic and had some fun times with the family.</div>
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We seriously spent a lot of time on the beach. You know, we have so many people around over Christmas, but right now, they seem to just drop off. I never get it. The beaches are sublime, you can be down here for longer without frying and it's so much easier to get a park. At Christmas, you won't find me down here on this busy beach, no indeed. But right now? Everyday.</div>
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This game of <a href="http://finska.com.au/" target="_blank">finska</a> was a Christmas present and great fun on the beach.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6S_3Y_VB7vboW05DVMDXoCWofr0dRplQrtiEdZvuiX-OOWYjuQ6wh33TuxzmMibDqXR5QByqF3LeK97A9YiQ1w8cLHd_cNUig21ZfCiD_7xU6ypWW9xxDNeI24fmZCiQ7YDiNzHGYQ9dE/s1600/IMG_0247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6S_3Y_VB7vboW05DVMDXoCWofr0dRplQrtiEdZvuiX-OOWYjuQ6wh33TuxzmMibDqXR5QByqF3LeK97A9YiQ1w8cLHd_cNUig21ZfCiD_7xU6ypWW9xxDNeI24fmZCiQ7YDiNzHGYQ9dE/s640/IMG_0247.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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We took the surfboards, surf mats and PK's handcrafted <a href="http://tomwegenersurfboards.com/history/surfie" target="_blank">surfie</a>: something for everyone.</div>
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We were down on the beach in the morning and back again in the afternoons for some awesome surfing sessions...</div>
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Back home we made use of left over party bubbles.</div>
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There was some silliness at the local park.</div>
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We had two lots of foster kittens through April. So, so very cute! They're never popular with our cat though; she moves outside while they stay with us.</div>
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Who can resist a pile of fluffy purr-iness? Not me, that's for sure. Not the girls, either. And not even PK, although he may pretend otherwise.</div>
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Cat whiskers...just delicious.</div>
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More beach. We just couldn't get enough.</div>
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My niece came to stay and tuned out to be a super-surfer.</div>
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Long shadows and glorious sunsets. Bliss.</div>
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Hope April was good around your parts of the world, wherever that may be.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16175026532405799644noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4544256632592408435.post-28283948191483432842015-05-20T13:50:00.000+10:002015-05-27T13:22:33.807+10:00nine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Gosh.</div>
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In April my baby turned nine (I'm still catching up)</div>
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There was a chocolate fudge cake for school...</div>
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and a small party celebration at home with her two best buds.</div>
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A poodle cake for home...</div>
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Goodness. Nine. Wow.</div>
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She seems so grown up this year. Grade 4 and just blossoming all the time.</div>
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(She's so independent, this daughter of ours.)</div>
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I walk her to school but I'm not really allowed up to the classroom. That's her zone.</div>
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At home she engages herself endlessly in creative and constructive activities. </div>
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Or I'll find her, bent into the armchair in the lounge, nose in a book.</div>
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She might be cartwheeling in the garden, or practising new tricks on the trampoline.</div>
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She'll be hanging with Smokey, on the back steps, snack in hand.</div>
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There might be a home-made activity book for me to complete.</div>
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Maybe she's collected the ripe tomatoes from the garden and put them on the bench for me</div>
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She may even have washed up, set the table and made a salad for dinner.</div>
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Every day is awesome with this little person in our lives. The laughter, the silliness, the crazy endless chatter, the hugs and love-words, the smiles and the dancing... all of it is a journey in love and life.</div>
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Happy birthday Ruby. </div>
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You're a very special person who sees the joy in everything. May you always encourage me to do the same. xxxx</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16175026532405799644noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4544256632592408435.post-44276713736718448312015-03-12T10:29:00.000+10:002015-03-12T10:29:53.851+10:00RIP Coco<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last week we lost our dear little guinea pig, Coco. I went out one morning to find her lying on one side, in the heat of the day. When I picked her up it was immediately apparent she was in a sorry way.</div>
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She felt lighter, like she'd lost a whole lot of weight. Considering we always used to call her the chubba, that was very significant. I did my vet thing and got her going with some critical care nursing. Injectable fluids, antibiotics and vitamins were all administered; to no avail. Sadly, Coco hung on for one more day, then quietly passed away while I watched on helplessly. </div>
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I guess that's the thing with guinea pigs. They're pretty delicate little critters, and once in a state of decline, it's very hard to pull them back.</div>
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Coco was always our most placid pig. Lacking the speed and wiliness of her sister Ivy, she could always be enticed by a tidbit. She was always the pig we would give the little kids to hold as she would sit there patiently on their laps, happily munching on a piece of capsicum.</div>
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She came to us pregnant, unknown by us at the time, eventually giving birth to two very large and dead babies. I had to help her pass the second one; if I hadn't found her with the baby stuck in her birth passage early that morning, I think she would have died back then. </div>
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We have buried her under the Tree of Love, home to our old cat Poose, who passed away about four years back. She was laid to rest last Saturday morning, with a beautiful letter in an origami boat, made with love by Ruby. We collected fresh flowers to lay on her grave.</div>
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So with two very sad little girls, we must continue on and make sure her sister Ivy is happy and well. there have been lots of cuddles and extra treats for this bereft little piggy. </div>
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Who, I must say, seems OK on her own.</div>
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RIP Coco, much loved family pet.</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16175026532405799644noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4544256632592408435.post-77225958726587046122015-02-28T18:12:00.000+10:002015-02-28T18:12:09.858+10:00and that was February.<div style="text-align: center;">
It's the last day of February and we're one-sixth of the way through this year. Summer is at an end and as this day fades quietly away, I am reflecting on the month that was.</div>
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It's a month that's meant back to school. It's a month that has seen us parting with quite a lot of money. New uniforms. Lots of bills. Wedding outfits (not ours, our niece). New shoes, new dresses, new blazers. School camps, swimming lessons, violin lessons, tennis lessons, netball, touch football and more. Not to mention a hefty speeding fine. And just two nights ago we forked out on a snake catcher to come and remove and 2.5 metre python from the rafters of our deck.</div>
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It's been a month of busyness. School runs and helping out in classes. Work, extra-curricular stuff, a new Swiss student and the afore-mentioned wedding. Endless nit treatments and school lunch boxes. It's a month where I can't really find any lovely photos to share. Too busy getting through the day and planning for the next to stop and take a breath and appreciate what's around me. Too busy for my morning walks, a bike ride or a lap session in the local pool.</div>
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As of tomorrow, I shall aim to change all that. I plan to slow down, look around and take it easier.</div>
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Wish me luck!</div>
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I'm leaving you with a photo of PK and I from the wedding.</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16175026532405799644noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4544256632592408435.post-24508863056883069522015-01-26T09:50:00.000+10:002015-01-26T09:50:46.219+10:00the long summer holidays<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXMy-qMrzimqxa-Xk_SRbtIkC339rNsMAUD-750PjLUrAIyGOt51Vas-gcGhMRk_s7NKUvkKe2e9Dn90f6L4dxFVcple5bnK4-Xblg09Fk3BrpMxo2tvkyJ7D1t1KN8hoGvX9NTOW_AmzQ/s1600/IMG_9370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXMy-qMrzimqxa-Xk_SRbtIkC339rNsMAUD-750PjLUrAIyGOt51Vas-gcGhMRk_s7NKUvkKe2e9Dn90f6L4dxFVcple5bnK4-Xblg09Fk3BrpMxo2tvkyJ7D1t1KN8hoGvX9NTOW_AmzQ/s1600/IMG_9370.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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This has been the best type of holiday. Constant streams of family and friends passing through to share days on the beach and at home with us. The weeks post-Christmas have disappeared in a blur of brown bodies, laughter, good food, good wine and good company.</div>
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There have been late nights and lazy sleep ins with the constant whir of fans to try to counteract the oppressive mugginess of our subtropical summer.</div>
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We don't have air-con in our little beach house; just old fashioned windows to open wide. Our trampoline and hose have been getting a good work out on these hottest of days.</div>
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With the girls heading back to school tomorrow, I've put a few happy snaps together; just for me to look back on. To make me smile and remember all the fun stuff.</div>
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Late, late afternoon post tennis dip in the river with my Mum, sister and kids. There's nothing quite like a wallow after some strenuous sweaty activity!</div>
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Beautiful paper bags decorated by two crafty and gorgeous little girls.</div>
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A pop-up craft stall in our driveway on a Saturday morning. Featuring these beautiful thumbprint art cards.</div>
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Three best buddies...friends for ever.</div>
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The hit of the summer has been these retro style surf mats which have been in use almost every day, often twice a day. Gosh, we've all had a blast on these!</div>
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<a href="http://www.twigandgrace.com/" target="_blank">This place</a> underwent a makeover, so the girls and I did a country detour on or way to Brisbane for an organic juice and delicious chocolately brownie. Well, that's what they had. Coffee for me...</div>
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First ever Pop-Up Adoption by the RSPCA was a resounding success. It was great to see some of our long term Noosa residents find their forever homes. Check out Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RSPCAQueensland" target="_blank">here</a> for some feel-good stories.</div>
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I always love to hang at GOMA with the girls in the holidays. So much to see and do. Actually most of our time is spent eating; in between sticker-ing.</div>
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Sometimes I gotta catch the art while the kids have some escalator fun! Not many escalators in our little pocket of the world.</div>
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Enoggera Reservoir just opened up for swimming. This is just over the back fence from my sister's place and seriously one of the highlights of our Brisbane trip.</div>
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o</div>
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Oh, and this little kid just melts my heart. <a href="http://deborahlee911.blogspot.com.au/2013/12/hello-jack_11.html" target="_blank">Jack</a> is growing up!</div>
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Ruby's giving me a manicure.</div>
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Those freckles...xxx</div>
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Hope your holidays were all that you needed.</div>
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What have you been up to?</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16175026532405799644noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4544256632592408435.post-26487670499200172052015-01-14T23:14:00.000+10:002015-01-14T23:14:46.890+10:00Woodgate<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimEd_bS7mE_uXnmzgkOhBIc5CSrxaVQgkdKZKGh4ug2ibzznDugT9EVSB-_-z5ixAOkqANF3YfVmAvrDCXGGWWlDbYqayyI9gaPVlIuJjMLgrCe9kLSf1qSRDvIPHkvBfxR6R2Vsa2QUw-/s1600/IMG_9191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimEd_bS7mE_uXnmzgkOhBIc5CSrxaVQgkdKZKGh4ug2ibzznDugT9EVSB-_-z5ixAOkqANF3YfVmAvrDCXGGWWlDbYqayyI9gaPVlIuJjMLgrCe9kLSf1qSRDvIPHkvBfxR6R2Vsa2QUw-/s1600/IMG_9191.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Before Christmas and right after school finished, we snuck away for a week of complete and utter rest. Now you might think it strange that when one lives at the beach, such as we do, that we would choose another beach to holiday at. </div>
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It's not really that odd. We live in a beautiful part of the world, definitely. it's just that a lot of other people think it's lovely too, so this time of year we are inundated with visitors to our town. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_HS8DHD-FNd3SAbeVED2oQumQGJwYLghGD3j8bUCf8eoPMcFt1f4XYgcJ-Erz6mGhtZy8sKs7IBD4aLEocnHF3gGgoXwzUkJe9G4DVKd9Nh-sE7-kV3EmemeF2-gudOtWHwZGSGiFuyuE/s1600/IMG_9058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_HS8DHD-FNd3SAbeVED2oQumQGJwYLghGD3j8bUCf8eoPMcFt1f4XYgcJ-Erz6mGhtZy8sKs7IBD4aLEocnHF3gGgoXwzUkJe9G4DVKd9Nh-sE7-kV3EmemeF2-gudOtWHwZGSGiFuyuE/s1600/IMG_9058.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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We used to escape to a little place near here called Burrum Heads. We would rent a fifties style old wooden house right on the water with a huge backyard and it would be absolute bliss. When I was dreaming about revisiting that place I discovered the house we loved so much had been sold and was no longer available to rent.</div>
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So looking just a little further afield we found ourselves at Woodgate.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx4TM8DL9DL6WEi5noaaXBWs6Y7jtlMdV6lycgPWiX3NenrIqLypWaoogYGM69W-AV-c-PoNIMFdkO15MmgcmuxYFsCG5zhxdvN3PY8Y5FMR8ZdUGkdzc0Un6LHo863Y7hJSX0QraiKmyy/s1600/IMG_9100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx4TM8DL9DL6WEi5noaaXBWs6Y7jtlMdV6lycgPWiX3NenrIqLypWaoogYGM69W-AV-c-PoNIMFdkO15MmgcmuxYFsCG5zhxdvN3PY8Y5FMR8ZdUGkdzc0Un6LHo863Y7hJSX0QraiKmyy/s1600/IMG_9100.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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It's sleepy. Re-e-e-al sleepy. There's a store, a bowls club, a caravan park, a pretty dodgy pub and ten kilometres of flat bike paths along the most beautiful bay beach... just perfect for kids and adults alike to explore.</div>
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There's a river mouth and tidal flats and kangaroos all over the front lawns of resident's houses.</div>
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There's endless beach shacks to drool over (posted previously on instagram, check them out <a href="http://instagram.com/deb_sunshinetime?ref=badge" target="_blank">here</a>).</div>
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There's driftwood and shells to collect and fashion into mobiles and necklaces; there's trees to climb and long empty beaches to hula-hoop on.</div>
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There were no markets, cancelled due to the dumping of rain just prior to our arrival, which flooded out the show-grounds. But there was the most amazing garage sale offering loads of vintage and retro wares. I restrained myself and came away with just one little purchase...</div>
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There was a book fair. It surpassed all expectations and I picked up thirteen books for eleven dollars.</div>
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There was rain, and then there was sun. We read books, napped, ate, played games and swam in the pool and ocean. There was no wi-fi and we didn't miss it much at all.</div>
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There was peace and quiet and some much needed family time.</div>
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Oh, and there were some spectacular Christmas lights too.</div>
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We'll be back.</div>
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Where do you like to holiday? </div>
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Somewhere like home or somewhere completely different?</div>
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<i>(I'm almost caught up now!)</i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16175026532405799644noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4544256632592408435.post-1054565761782128982015-01-13T22:55:00.000+10:002015-01-13T23:12:47.121+10:00In the weeks before Christmas.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyj9mMx3u_utA80VGTfTgfTUzEKiVu_GivelWxUDSpVsNvUNYqDRAPvRVr9Bl3AyqS2swpmLfOpDL3jRo2GNOx1jX30lYujsQ35YCTZ44dHzXCMUZRHV8xyAOM-D7h_TOeYjTOHSXLuf0i/s1600/IMG_8986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyj9mMx3u_utA80VGTfTgfTUzEKiVu_GivelWxUDSpVsNvUNYqDRAPvRVr9Bl3AyqS2swpmLfOpDL3jRo2GNOx1jX30lYujsQ35YCTZ44dHzXCMUZRHV8xyAOM-D7h_TOeYjTOHSXLuf0i/s1600/IMG_8986.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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Christmas has come and gone again (where did that time go?), and I am left with the memories of all the joy and hope and love and happiness it brings...</div>
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This is my favourite time of year because the girls are always really keen to get their crafting on. The house is a hive of activity; bits of paper and tinsel are constantly strewn around the place. Treasured Christmas books are revisited and plans laid for creative presents for friends and family.</div>
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I am a sucker for a mince pie, I make my own pastry but I must confess I am a big fan of Robertson's store-bought fruit mince; it must be my English heritage coming out in me...</div>
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And really, what better way to enjoy them than with a delicious coffee in a beautiful gifted cup? </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2YEd0JOdhceHz3AhdCTobzNFxS_19T2Wsr5AUmpDkp1cgATcdbCK_4zzgOuoETi66dgJciu0qxNPlbsOvrSg2Qnwg1bF3ieRIKpPsp5kF8YnjIOXtDX8821VXB_kyx4XDmmF-FwqzjF_D/s1600/IMG_9037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2YEd0JOdhceHz3AhdCTobzNFxS_19T2Wsr5AUmpDkp1cgATcdbCK_4zzgOuoETi66dgJciu0qxNPlbsOvrSg2Qnwg1bF3ieRIKpPsp5kF8YnjIOXtDX8821VXB_kyx4XDmmF-FwqzjF_D/s1600/IMG_9037.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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This year I went blog searching for a reasonably simple and straightforward Christmas cake recipe, and found one <a href="http://www.baby-mac.com/2014/11/start-christmas-tradition-make-fruit-cake/" target="_blank">here</a>. Thanks to BabyMac's Grandma Dot and a few quick Instagram messages back and forth about the best type of sherry to use, I had some delicious cakes whipped up for the teacher's baskets and a nice big cake put away for my family's Christmas Eve's do.</div>
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Last year we made some clay ornaments. They were just so easy and fun that we decided to do it again. This is an air drying clay which just rolls out with a pin. Cut with cookie cutters and voila!</div>
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Decorate any way you want. </div>
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Last year we imprinted leaves and nature stuff; this year we used stamps and ink. The girls also painted some with nail polish and glitter; they looked pretty cool too. We used a bamboo skewer to make the holes for hanging. Just make sure to do this before leaving them out to dry!</div>
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There was also a stage production in the planning...a Christmas puppet show of extraordinary proportions. Check out Ruby's Santa puppet...</div>
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Into the teacher's baskets go a special handmade gift from each of the girls. Stella's was a carol singer ornament, based on one made a few years back (see photo above). We added a cute little woolly hat to keep her head toasty.</div>
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Ruby made her teacher the cutest little reindeer from pompom balls made from an old wool jumper of mine (some moths had feasted on this some years back so I re-wound the salvageable stuff ). Into the basket it went, along with some bunting, a homemade bag, a clay ornament, the previously mentioned sherry-infused cake, and of course, some champers and chocolate. Oh, and you might just see some mince pies hiding in there, too.</div>
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Pinterest is great, isn't it? Except for when your daughter is browsing through it two nights before her class party, and decides she wants snowmen skewers. At ten o clock the night before, I found myself putting these little guys together (faces were added fresh the next morning). I have to admit, they looked really awesome and apparently were gone in a flash.</div>
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Homemade peppermint foot scrub. Just because it looked and sounded so delicious.</div>
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Another Pinterest steal. Thanks to Bunnings for supplying the card stock, free of charge.</div>
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Hope everybody had a wonderful Christmas time.</div>
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<i>(almost caught up now. Thanks for sticking with me!)</i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16175026532405799644noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4544256632592408435.post-45502729525690208802015-01-12T20:34:00.000+10:002015-01-12T20:34:28.954+10:00eleven<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Stella turned eleven back in October. And it's been bothering me for a long time that I neglected to blog it. Time just got away, then it seemed a bit silly, then I felt I couldn't really go on until I'd put some photos and memories down here. I was stuck. </div>
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I realised I have to backward in order to go forward. I got caught up thinking that I was writing this blog for other people, when in fact it started life as a journal record for me; my family and our story. </div>
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So...</div>
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She turned eleven.</div>
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We celebrated like we always do. Presents in our bed, early morning. Breakfast of her choice; then off to school with homemake cupcakes (chocolate with popping topping.. crackle crackle).</div>
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She didn't want a "party". She's an interesting insular little personality sometimes, my girl. Not keen on being the centre of attention. All she wanted was her best friend to come and hang out for the day. She was happy for Ruby to have a friend over too. </div>
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Then she just wanted to organise some easy-peasy games for the four of them. </div>
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We made a piñata; so, so simple; unpainted, sturdy and filled with treats.</div>
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They played Pass the Parcel, the Chocolate Game, Memory and of course Musical Statues, trampoline-style. There was a bucket of prizes, chosen by her and wrapped by us.</div>
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They were busy all afternoon; these four girls. And even though it wasn't officially a party, it just felt festive and fun and easy and stress free for me. </div>
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And afterwards, there was some chill out time in the garden, with Smokey.</div>
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My girl is growing up. My sweet, sensitive, complicated, sometimes prickly, amazing daughter that I love to the moon and back. </div>
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Happy birthday sweetheart. </div>
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(May you always know we are forever here for you.)</div>
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<i>(There's a couple more retrograde posts to follow. Bear with me!)</i></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16175026532405799644noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4544256632592408435.post-73545376634308859142014-11-01T22:31:00.001+10:002014-11-01T22:35:00.853+10:00Saturday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This morning I woke up and had absolutely nothing pressing to do. </div>
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The relief...</div>
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I think we all needed it. October's been busy; extra shifts at work, a home-stay student, a birthday and school camp to name but a few events going on... none of it blogged and although I feel a bit sad about that, I just lost my blogging mojo and felt stuck. Stuck for words and stuck for time. </div>
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I just decided to concentrate on my family and be in the moment. I thought I would know when I felt un-stuck. But really, it wasn't until today, when Rubes asked me to find a particular photo, that I found myself trawling back through my blog and realising why I started it in the first place. Pure and simple, it's a record for me; just to chart my family's progress as we move through our days. So although I still feel sludgy and slow, I'm getting back on the blog-wagon.</div>
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So, as we head into November, this is what's going on at my place today.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEDTsWZYvSnTxPe1fxH6SIO4vdW0gNyV0ntVOuhMUuFpv4Ildo3Z2GH1dl6MQ-hypMpYVCdqLdPq_byUI81I2nRXBjZhMEkD0VJpG_PQnO-sM0ZyM6v1P_1SrAg7BDWP5_M5p1Oh18CtNr/s1600/IMG_8733.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEDTsWZYvSnTxPe1fxH6SIO4vdW0gNyV0ntVOuhMUuFpv4Ildo3Z2GH1dl6MQ-hypMpYVCdqLdPq_byUI81I2nRXBjZhMEkD0VJpG_PQnO-sM0ZyM6v1P_1SrAg7BDWP5_M5p1Oh18CtNr/s1600/IMG_8733.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Washing</b>. Always washing. We're experiencing a heat-wave this week; not great for my new seedlings just gone in, but it does mean my laundry dries in record time; smelling sweet and fresh.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ZdrxF0u67PQCxGiaZOvnpJpCeASskVeG3geV3tZpxO2XS2GlgtgsDyifq9knp7jX3kYl2iBOkkUpldHpLEhLgSwN7UusPtE7zPzVR2HiLa_56x3u2Mk0Hb9hSMQHfo8JukeVGMAe8wa7/s1600/IMG_8731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ZdrxF0u67PQCxGiaZOvnpJpCeASskVeG3geV3tZpxO2XS2GlgtgsDyifq9knp7jX3kYl2iBOkkUpldHpLEhLgSwN7UusPtE7zPzVR2HiLa_56x3u2Mk0Hb9hSMQHfo8JukeVGMAe8wa7/s1600/IMG_8731.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Quiet time </b>on the day bed with Smokey this morning. A cup of tea, a good book and one whole hour to ourselves.</div>
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<b>Coffee </b>made on the <a href="http://www.atomiccoffeemachines.com.au/" target="_blank">atomic</a> and savoured slowly.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVMmrNd1kwwUvnGr_RRQp8_1v3WyyssCYJh97aYmJunmUcp0CdboGXtjK-W4KmMXDznmgQ418jbBEApRqF53m21Gjf-4sG7xlbkw4DsT19Czmwi7Pvs_5xxLKzcdV-gh9Ek6dwc3-a15Cw/s1600/IMG_8739.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVMmrNd1kwwUvnGr_RRQp8_1v3WyyssCYJh97aYmJunmUcp0CdboGXtjK-W4KmMXDznmgQ418jbBEApRqF53m21Gjf-4sG7xlbkw4DsT19Czmwi7Pvs_5xxLKzcdV-gh9Ek6dwc3-a15Cw/s1600/IMG_8739.JPG" height="456" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Birthday lights </b>giving Stella's room a lovely cosy glow at night.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIZ1Kw-iVKz12Wf6pAhYQLAM5vPptudnL0Pxw-GOz2ulQG0FnbgeeL2FNm_-pkC499rx6ySQ5HFLZ8hklGL-DoYLqGib8ZVZIxldlXXVhKTU7pICmWaJo3DigJKD8tmi4bwNtCTMOJY2bk/s1600/IMG_8746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIZ1Kw-iVKz12Wf6pAhYQLAM5vPptudnL0Pxw-GOz2ulQG0FnbgeeL2FNm_-pkC499rx6ySQ5HFLZ8hklGL-DoYLqGib8ZVZIxldlXXVhKTU7pICmWaJo3DigJKD8tmi4bwNtCTMOJY2bk/s1600/IMG_8746.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Tomatoes</b>, some planted, some self-seeding and some growing out of the guinea pig poo!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRICi4EgyrETQ3DnTGr7YcBPYM5wqomuuPBxOJNGezjN2NIOOrZGEr6XNCha3J8D3U5aUY57jxR_sDkgXKg5yeBrhhRmisDRWIpfIenA_PwJ6Pli6o15850MrkXxvobqAvC7oa3iCQUIFt/s1600/IMG_8740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRICi4EgyrETQ3DnTGr7YcBPYM5wqomuuPBxOJNGezjN2NIOOrZGEr6XNCha3J8D3U5aUY57jxR_sDkgXKg5yeBrhhRmisDRWIpfIenA_PwJ6Pli6o15850MrkXxvobqAvC7oa3iCQUIFt/s1600/IMG_8740.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Bunting</b>. It's going in the Christmas baskets for the teachers. It's not really Christmassy material, but it's red and green and I like it. And I think they will too.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxHOQbTqntBkltmx0b-uB2HWgcZBDgxHDxekN6AA0K7mq5h69Yg40y3PsCddOg5XJi64fjrsXctvrR-UNe_LqnqTdLn8kvMd_-F1J_LHPwCzibBL_Bpcczv_fS5H7uGKGO3mBh-UkC17_9/s1600/IMG_8751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxHOQbTqntBkltmx0b-uB2HWgcZBDgxHDxekN6AA0K7mq5h69Yg40y3PsCddOg5XJi64fjrsXctvrR-UNe_LqnqTdLn8kvMd_-F1J_LHPwCzibBL_Bpcczv_fS5H7uGKGO3mBh-UkC17_9/s1600/IMG_8751.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Each one is 2 metres long. I've added some elastic rounds at the ends for hanging.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHq7qPuTbtGvuTIpi-XNguRbyChGa4ss9pb9Vf5ZsF5OSGAYYSEGYAT-FVOsK3Or5SYyq1WXQmUJTN9nJRn6lZeqLWLU5Y2-7uJtWUpGhp4NJjVoJt2CXrxEdQbS5tytb3hyIFi7nEa0EB/s1600/IMG_8754.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHq7qPuTbtGvuTIpi-XNguRbyChGa4ss9pb9Vf5ZsF5OSGAYYSEGYAT-FVOsK3Or5SYyq1WXQmUJTN9nJRn6lZeqLWLU5Y2-7uJtWUpGhp4NJjVoJt2CXrxEdQbS5tytb3hyIFi7nEa0EB/s1600/IMG_8754.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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There's bits from old dresses, pillowcases and donated stuff, along with some good quality remnant offcuts.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbCEiae0wp-o_9pUzxNS5EJ96uqQYtC8O3GTOljuDgvJJYvOg9G0v8oqPfVi-hbbYKBkYDkFIa9iD5PO-olu_6TN6HnYVHbu0Q1e8HAJzSF2M-VdSjpMCsAIpCfoevA3QNmlurWpeGcyeB/s1600/IMG_8757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbCEiae0wp-o_9pUzxNS5EJ96uqQYtC8O3GTOljuDgvJJYvOg9G0v8oqPfVi-hbbYKBkYDkFIa9iD5PO-olu_6TN6HnYVHbu0Q1e8HAJzSF2M-VdSjpMCsAIpCfoevA3QNmlurWpeGcyeB/s1600/IMG_8757.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>My little craft guru </b>Ruby is constantly making. Activity books are always a popular choice. Gosh I love her stuff.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsiY1Ay_IePqdpQDC9G8ttfuLqMf0CnSIJMel_EG2upWv8ITj-8Ip-aWnSGgXG6SjWt_cYNSMoQpYQ7Uhnyuas2DcEyowZ2opzV7rT1PC6c6BZ0FDcJxjj3sGeqzqIbXKCPd7SjsSpWkH0/s1600/IMG_8756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsiY1Ay_IePqdpQDC9G8ttfuLqMf0CnSIJMel_EG2upWv8ITj-8Ip-aWnSGgXG6SjWt_cYNSMoQpYQ7Uhnyuas2DcEyowZ2opzV7rT1PC6c6BZ0FDcJxjj3sGeqzqIbXKCPd7SjsSpWkH0/s1600/IMG_8756.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Go, on, tell me what you would draw...!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9QFS1UNG9zRzPSpfnrZ8wnubWjynkfeoYcHJFhgwDJtk8rPvHNbF3uIf7k47AAhXlHLGq1rtcq91O2OPSrtYG2_tyG5gMqGoWdZyvP0oBKrrd5n5xHTEpAJaiKAlp0IZaJ8dzZz07rB3a/s1600/IMG_8755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9QFS1UNG9zRzPSpfnrZ8wnubWjynkfeoYcHJFhgwDJtk8rPvHNbF3uIf7k47AAhXlHLGq1rtcq91O2OPSrtYG2_tyG5gMqGoWdZyvP0oBKrrd5n5xHTEpAJaiKAlp0IZaJ8dzZz07rB3a/s1600/IMG_8755.jpg" height="500" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>PK </b>went grocery shopping, which was great because I just didn't feel like it. He came home with this whole watermelon which we cut into huge chunks and ate with spoons. Which makes me happy. </div>
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Summer is coming and I am going to embrace it. There is so much goodness to be had in summer. Hot days, cool swims. Warm nights, gentle fan breezes. Mangoes. Holidays. Family.</div>
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Happy weekend. xxx</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16175026532405799644noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4544256632592408435.post-55694484255229850952014-09-02T11:13:00.000+10:002014-09-04T20:33:00.636+10:00crochet FAIL.....(but it's not all bad)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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okay, so I know that I said <a href="http://deborahlee911.blogspot.com.au/2014/08/snippets.html" target="_blank">in my last post</a> that I would finish this project....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOZjOou4InB4k0HofJrqqjkuEgxrebru2y1hAZGv0VU1BS94aiPwvDYkZvTjfqciZW72OCkd6xmDV5H9D26ln9myK6DorzPrjBn_CpsQxVh9xrPRzEizqrANEQzEfXoLaarAx4t-svqzty/s1600/IMG_8227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOZjOou4InB4k0HofJrqqjkuEgxrebru2y1hAZGv0VU1BS94aiPwvDYkZvTjfqciZW72OCkd6xmDV5H9D26ln9myK6DorzPrjBn_CpsQxVh9xrPRzEizqrANEQzEfXoLaarAx4t-svqzty/s1600/IMG_8227.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4KUmu9iYu6nJ9ss8MRz9TIyDggbtL0wIZcIDcWMozJvloqReguNSnW22UG6KRrFO-J1Qs2IwyeRxUQwauiiUGNsimeDAz61-7vi_3tm8Z4G9fWAoP72WK11GEAMLslaRfPtbud3Bd0unP/s1600/IMG_8228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4KUmu9iYu6nJ9ss8MRz9TIyDggbtL0wIZcIDcWMozJvloqReguNSnW22UG6KRrFO-J1Qs2IwyeRxUQwauiiUGNsimeDAz61-7vi_3tm8Z4G9fWAoP72WK11GEAMLslaRfPtbud3Bd0unP/s1600/IMG_8228.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Well, I'm giving up. </div>
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Why?</div>
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... two words...</div>
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<b>cheap yarn.</b></div>
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There. I've admitted it. For years I've been buying the cheap stuff from the cheap shops. In my past pre-blogging life, this yarn was fine for all the kiddie projects. Pom-poms, finger knitting, scarves for toys, weaving... </div>
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But now a whole new world has opened up. Now I'm embracing more advanced projects. Ravelry cardies, beanies, mohair scarves... the possibilities are endless. So I've been buying up some nice yarn. I can get it locally, from <a href="http://www.thinkkidsnoosa.com.au/" target="_blank">Think Kids</a>, or from op shops, or online (yes, I've been late night browsing). I even picked some up from the beautiful <a href="http://www.noosasteiner.qld.edu.au/_blog/Noosa_Steiner_Pengari_Blog/post/childrens-festival-2014/" target="_blank">Children's festival</a> on the weekend. My small but pretty stash is slowly expanding.</div>
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As I started to crochet around the edges of my cheap, nasty granny squares, I found I was not enjoying myself at all. The yarn was harsh, unyielding, plasticky. So when I noticed the centre of this square had started to unravel, I was ridiculously relieved. A solid reason to abandon this once and for all.</div>
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My apologies, Kate. To see Kate's beautiful granny hottie, click <a href="http://foxslane.blogspot.com.au/2014/08/how-to-crochet-grannyhottie-grand-finale.html#.VAUSLmSSzRw" target="_blank">here</a>. This is what it should look like. Not some cheap imitation version. </div>
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So I delved into my new collection and started again...</div>
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This time I started with no particular project in mind. Just started by finding patterns I liked, and playing with colours I liked. Letting it grow organically, taking shape by itself...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzME7-66p521r-1vioLgmb6VjhdGUYuvLqqlEcuhQKPnEh23OwPtsgsTaR6NDa8JZ2OYL2evZKsVZPfaOp1EZLr4Iiu_opLQsCPpeA_hq6te65pMArZBX2oif9m-rzht-B85L9JiJ_ciYa/s1600/IMG_8229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzME7-66p521r-1vioLgmb6VjhdGUYuvLqqlEcuhQKPnEh23OwPtsgsTaR6NDa8JZ2OYL2evZKsVZPfaOp1EZLr4Iiu_opLQsCPpeA_hq6te65pMArZBX2oif9m-rzht-B85L9JiJ_ciYa/s1600/IMG_8229.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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And putting them together with edging I liked...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc8ImrQgasn-cAar6MWMPX93Noh7Ej5ABA0fr87NRZNDhwNaZNPAnOKMVZrKlw_m6NZj5144vEaSM7aX9ZQMwhw-KZ2n7yUF3uxjgykvr4pcD8C4c3j-rz0y8N3w1avphAZOFJt9ZqePAG/s1600/IMG_8234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc8ImrQgasn-cAar6MWMPX93Noh7Ej5ABA0fr87NRZNDhwNaZNPAnOKMVZrKlw_m6NZj5144vEaSM7aX9ZQMwhw-KZ2n7yUF3uxjgykvr4pcD8C4c3j-rz0y8N3w1avphAZOFJt9ZqePAG/s1600/IMG_8234.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipwTDxdsIvrrUL9QuWXcTd4rM1pwqWDf87mkh5hPEuXWhMbnqGM8CSM3mv3gKa9nihEQgDFm6KOjS8TEQduwnsWU8Fs7jdvKNpxuefR_uK3OYwXQjTCkHi6-AXhT4ezXagRpo4Z9rTEYJ9/s1600/IMG_8237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipwTDxdsIvrrUL9QuWXcTd4rM1pwqWDf87mkh5hPEuXWhMbnqGM8CSM3mv3gKa9nihEQgDFm6KOjS8TEQduwnsWU8Fs7jdvKNpxuefR_uK3OYwXQjTCkHi6-AXhT4ezXagRpo4Z9rTEYJ9/s1600/IMG_8237.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Late at night, when the kids are in bed, I'm sitting and Pinterest-ing and learning and practising...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxesKFTzNnlMURKg5UWi27WwFgESc8r_PBumxnY7a8nDuNQK9HFybPB-ZiRVlF_Q0SWwZeYvBAQ_OY3qH-g3aXLBh3oBwxlXVa1YD9JJpilAvjuQV1BpYolRLj-FpkUoYleqj9HYUaZdeW/s1600/IMG_8240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxesKFTzNnlMURKg5UWi27WwFgESc8r_PBumxnY7a8nDuNQK9HFybPB-ZiRVlF_Q0SWwZeYvBAQ_OY3qH-g3aXLBh3oBwxlXVa1YD9JJpilAvjuQV1BpYolRLj-FpkUoYleqj9HYUaZdeW/s1600/IMG_8240.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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And now I have this...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEt1wNbwyfyqb2f7BKIryp2Wlncpp_6RfGAG_ynq_c3_3yak-iOMkYj3mbd2eQU-uDAmHuITwfWVf4mfxgPYq5cNI_8jxot7Mva5mtLFjr8wT_NlboT6eLEQxTPl_G5DuF9smw_T1qd1lN/s1600/IMG_8286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEt1wNbwyfyqb2f7BKIryp2Wlncpp_6RfGAG_ynq_c3_3yak-iOMkYj3mbd2eQU-uDAmHuITwfWVf4mfxgPYq5cNI_8jxot7Mva5mtLFjr8wT_NlboT6eLEQxTPl_G5DuF9smw_T1qd1lN/s1600/IMG_8286.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'm almost out of some of the colours. I've got enough of everything for four more squares. I've plenty of edging wool, a free ball from <a href="http://www.majesticmerino.com/" target="_blank">this lovely shop</a>. So, I'm thinking a cushion cover? </div>
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The main thing is, I'm enjoying every moment of this. But mostly, the way this yarn feels in my hands. It's a completely different experience from before. So although my hottie has bitten the dust, a whole new addiction has opened up before me.</div>
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Crochet, I love you.</div>
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And thank you, <a href="http://foxslane.blogspot.com.au/" target="_blank">Kate</a>, for providing the inspiration.</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16175026532405799644noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4544256632592408435.post-6148557251057791352014-08-19T11:41:00.000+10:002014-08-19T12:50:54.738+10:00snippets<div style="text-align: center;">
It's been a month since I last posted. I've been keeping busy and dealing with some aggravating health issues as well. I've been a bit awry and have been heading early to bed. Blogging just hasn't been on the radar. Yesterday when I read <a href="http://foxslane.blogspot.com.au/2014/08/snippets-third.html#.U_KbgLySzRw" target="_blank">Kate's</a> post, it seemed a good way to dive back in. </div>
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So here are my snippets from the last month:</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Wandering </span></b>at the river at sunset; a walk with my sister, her daughter and my girls. Such a magical time of day.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqXUta78SVqJsCqqI9YU5ryEjYS1t05tgb51wtpYWjAKOFASp2KVUqWxzULSrHOuVJ7tSHhiM1GefAZjtfL2MQwAyLn_uobi93lajz6Yua4AmbUC0VeJTqk4jEAHDJF4AN_YUU70dzjAD2/s1600/IMG_8091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqXUta78SVqJsCqqI9YU5ryEjYS1t05tgb51wtpYWjAKOFASp2KVUqWxzULSrHOuVJ7tSHhiM1GefAZjtfL2MQwAyLn_uobi93lajz6Yua4AmbUC0VeJTqk4jEAHDJF4AN_YUU70dzjAD2/s1600/IMG_8091.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b style="font-size: x-large;">Enjoying </b>family time at the Peregian markets on the coast...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvkagyIY2DwIM5Lobw3XTA845sdYbcC9fH4UHZ-eou2eozPySnDelK6y2ed0Fu7czrzjwacR8bSDG8uDtQiGflU7GhwStLV61E2NdaDIQdgWKkAL21Z37rx0pQw8l0af1Z6R1T07FecVeg/s1600/IMG_8086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvkagyIY2DwIM5Lobw3XTA845sdYbcC9fH4UHZ-eou2eozPySnDelK6y2ed0Fu7czrzjwacR8bSDG8uDtQiGflU7GhwStLV61E2NdaDIQdgWKkAL21Z37rx0pQw8l0af1Z6R1T07FecVeg/s1600/IMG_8086.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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and in Brisbane with these adorable people.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZH0I_fmMAXYF2vs6uRUR_MsT0LPBAmu0ZMPXvvMP0lQSSBs8-DjzNoyjSfaDQWHdNITYNvLCwrUWHLs6q1skH3XivxaJUhGgGB5RIm5jEbVhmye254OSZhu6vpL8oCthjZnE7Y-dBx4S9/s1600/IMG_8132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZH0I_fmMAXYF2vs6uRUR_MsT0LPBAmu0ZMPXvvMP0lQSSBs8-DjzNoyjSfaDQWHdNITYNvLCwrUWHLs6q1skH3XivxaJUhGgGB5RIm5jEbVhmye254OSZhu6vpL8oCthjZnE7Y-dBx4S9/s1600/IMG_8132.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Outside</span> </b>I've been gardening with the girls. they've each re-done their bed, taking full responsibility for maintenance (with some gentle "encouragement" from me). We've been planting and watering and waiting and watching...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdQecvObzhBt39ot17H548qUR9jjf-ga7b4x-vYF6Ofq8b0Cmzif04QcR06WllpIGDLI_0JwAO-jb5-yoKz-IsLifWTHZeImkofeuhQp1mQ2G2LD1_Jbcg-G36st2wwuJBLxQyYrcWLdL2/s1600/IMG_8145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdQecvObzhBt39ot17H548qUR9jjf-ga7b4x-vYF6Ofq8b0Cmzif04QcR06WllpIGDLI_0JwAO-jb5-yoKz-IsLifWTHZeImkofeuhQp1mQ2G2LD1_Jbcg-G36st2wwuJBLxQyYrcWLdL2/s1600/IMG_8145.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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On the <span style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">knitting</span> front<b> </b>I've finally finished this beautiful cardigan, for Stella, from <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/designers/georgie-hallam" target="_blank">Ravelry</a>. My mum is knitting the same, in grey, for Ruby. She's almost done too. I love the shape and fit of this cardigan. Next one I'm doing is for me. On 3 and 3/4 needles with a 5 ply wool from Bendigo Woollen Mill. I'm awaiting delivery. Eeeek!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg52bM5EH8hhvGrzDCLBvn9k9qn1TQGPxLxl44GNJ9B0jUgW5FUsjfzD0b16a_YppDL3jghYvVjpdwX9vh9KvCgbu2MpaKrRAJtzIeW716Jx-Xt1CJzpdSPBLVPilfA1zWO_3OQOfopeLkr/s1600/IMG_8194.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg52bM5EH8hhvGrzDCLBvn9k9qn1TQGPxLxl44GNJ9B0jUgW5FUsjfzD0b16a_YppDL3jghYvVjpdwX9vh9KvCgbu2MpaKrRAJtzIeW716Jx-Xt1CJzpdSPBLVPilfA1zWO_3OQOfopeLkr/s1600/IMG_8194.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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With the leftover yarn<b> </b>I'm knitting up some school beanies. It's a small cheeky deviation from our school's uniform policy. The colour is a perfect match and they've each chosen their own personal stripy design.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Crocheting</span> </b>some squares for <a href="http://foxslane.blogspot.com.au/2014/08/grannyhottie-step-three.html#.U_Kj77ySzRw" target="_blank">Kate's granny hottie crochet-a-long</a>. I'm running behind. Because crochet is relatively new for me I find I have to concentrate more. At night when I'm tired I find it's easier just to pick up my knitting and carry on. I will finish this though. I love the idea and I like developing new skills.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Loving </span></b>Ruby's owl school. Each night these nocturnal creatures are put through their flying paces; on completion they'll receive a flying certificate ( I shamelessly listen from outside her door).</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Reading </span></b>lots of books, lately. I've just finished a lovely book of short stories called "Emperor of the Air". Before that, the disturbing but totally absorbing "We need to talk about Kevin". Next in line is <a href="http://www.readings.com.au/review/nest-by-inga-simpson" target="_blank">"Nest"</a> by Inga Simpson. I loved "Mr Wigg", so I'm hoping this will be good.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Crafting</span> </b>pom-poms, just for fun. A rainy day plus kids equals craft.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Dealing with</span> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benign_paroxysmal_positional_vertigo" target="_blank">BPPV</a>. </b>I'm not going to dwell too much on this but suffice to say this has been making my life a bit of a misery since April. I was hoping it would go away on it's own but this week I plan to seek out some help. I can function and work and I look pretty much normal (!) but it has been been making me chronically tired and a little bit anxious. Time to deal with it.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Experimenting </span></b>with bicarb and vinegar. It's amazing how much fun you can have making things go pop and fizz...</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Baking </span></b>whatever comes out of Ruby's head. And biscuits. I just love baking.</div>
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So that's the last month, in summary. I'm hoping to be around a bit more in the coming weeks. Thanks for sticking with me, if in fact you are still there! </div>
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Enjoy your week, wherever you may be.</div>
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Much love.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16175026532405799644noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4544256632592408435.post-10092024977984573592014-07-30T12:20:00.001+10:002014-07-30T12:20:11.216+10:00finding beauty in the city.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm a beach girl at heart. Or a country girl. Living where I do allows me to dip my toes into both. Oh, I've travelled and lived in cities. Big, big cities. There was a time when I liked cities best. The excitement, the crowds, the diversity; the busy-ness; frantic twenty four hour activity...it was fun and wild and crazy. I was in my twenties and the world was all there before me.</div>
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Nowadays I prefer quiet solitude, mostly. Birds, waves, the wind. Children running barefoot through the water and bush, the smell of horses and cow dung, open fires. Boots and creeks, sand and salt.</div>
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But I do like a trip to the city every now and then. For a long weekend, some culture, a footy game, a late slow dinner. Or in this case, the chance to see a dear friend and her lovely family. </div>
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Before I left, we browsed through <a href="http://groundsroasters.com/" target="_blank">The Grounds, of Alexandria</a>. We had a soon-to-be five year old in tow; this was the ideal stop for all of us. There was a small urban farm, a pig called Kevin Bacon, the most beautiful flower shop I have seen in, maybe ever; there was a BBQ deluxe-o bacon and egg roll for my (very mild) hangover, fantastic coffee and salted caramel tarts. And, oh, so much more.</div>
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Sydney, you haven't always been my first choice in city breaks. But I think we may become good friends after all.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16175026532405799644noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4544256632592408435.post-15969828083688459852014-07-20T22:03:00.001+10:002014-07-20T22:04:08.962+10:00stills: blue skies and cold clear waters<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu5k_MRahGK8x6YulHuxjFha8geAq8D2ALXIePV9EkFxOJM7LsrPwilu1KtgqF0t1V9OUWvzjlSLQltiX7Y739n3QUnNGOze6yCymoJ5MNhlvxWgmO7gk4teVJAKDRnZ9lqwgaubtO_rD8/s1600/IMG_7823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu5k_MRahGK8x6YulHuxjFha8geAq8D2ALXIePV9EkFxOJM7LsrPwilu1KtgqF0t1V9OUWvzjlSLQltiX7Y739n3QUnNGOze6yCymoJ5MNhlvxWgmO7gk4teVJAKDRnZ9lqwgaubtO_rD8/s1600/IMG_7823.JPG" height="474" width="640" /></a></div>
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rockpools</div>
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off lead paradise</div>
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northern end, home beach</div>
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looking south</div>
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on the lake</div>
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sandbags</div>
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contemplating</div>
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winter. </div>
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cold nights and crisp clear days. if we're lucky, little to no wind. we leave the house rugged up; we're in a shady hollow at home, but once outdoors it's a different story. layers are peeled back, then shed completely. it's not too cold to get in. and afterwards, back home for hot showers and chocolate.</div>
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joining in with <a href="http://www.thebeetleshack.com/2014/07/stills-weekly-collection_20.html" target="_blank">em</a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16175026532405799644noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4544256632592408435.post-87361122605195192762014-07-01T21:59:00.002+10:002014-07-01T22:04:35.239+10:00stills: life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_umGkaMjjA7ioTPYLwW-py9Voat7Q_m7ayg78GtIcVLmooSju6RUbGFfaS4Bvpl2ILP1Dqucf50-slrSnltSpxJ5x1GqTvJH1EVORAKiuFqQAqU4HE2k3I1LcR-AMdblXuNsmK5dC6CIK/s1600/IMG_7451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_umGkaMjjA7ioTPYLwW-py9Voat7Q_m7ayg78GtIcVLmooSju6RUbGFfaS4Bvpl2ILP1Dqucf50-slrSnltSpxJ5x1GqTvJH1EVORAKiuFqQAqU4HE2k3I1LcR-AMdblXuNsmK5dC6CIK/s1600/IMG_7451.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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1. watching real live cowgirls in action.</div>
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2. enjoying an impromptu <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Village-Bicycle-Noosa/595316647228470" target="_blank">night out</a>.</div>
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3. sublime winter weather at the rock pools.</div>
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4. afternoon snacks.</div>
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5 and 6. my favourite <a href="http://www.theriverread.com.au/" target="_blank">coffee and book shop</a></div>
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7 and 8. winter colours...</div>
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Joining in with <a href="http://ww.thebeetleshack.com/2014/06/stills-weekly-collection_30.html" target="_blank">Em</a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16175026532405799644noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4544256632592408435.post-65450168372360609192014-06-24T13:20:00.001+10:002014-06-24T13:24:10.979+10:00playing catch up, continued...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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After the blues of last week; I feel the need to focus on the positives. After all, my life on the whole is pretty darn good. We're healthy, we're happy and there are some good times ahead. School holidays are just around the corner; the promise of sleeping in, winding down and a change in routine await us. </div>
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Yay!</div>
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Last week I took the girls to my old stomping ground at the University of Queensland. My sister was playing in the orchestra in a theatre production of The Wizard of Oz. There was a real dog on stage! </div>
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Much of the University has changed. The Vet School in its entirety is no longer. It's been moved an hour west to Gatton. The old dirt car park near the theatre was a super new tech building. And as I drove the girls around reminiscing, I realised the ferry I used to catch across the river has gone. There's a walk-bridge instead. It's obviously much more efficient. But somehow, so much less romantic. I loved that ferry...</div>
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But the beautiful lakes are still here. So we took a picnic lunch and caught up with a bunch of family and friends. Some I hadn't seen for, ooh, maybe ten years or more. </div>
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There were ducks to feed, trees to climb and hide behind and expansive green lawns to roll about on.</div>
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The beautiful old sandstone buildings of the University are a defining feature. My dad had his office in one of these buildings; I've certainly spent a lot of my time around these grounds. It was lovely to walk with the girls and show them some special places and memories.</div>
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Last week I also managed to get my stationary swap packaged up and away. It was late. I included a handmade rolled up pencil case, some cute pineapple magnets, some folders, a journal and some other bits and bobs. </div>
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The cooler weather has been very conducive to cooking. Cakes, pies, soups and biscuits have been making daily appearances. I love to be able to provide home cooked fare for afternoon tea and lunch-boxes. This is a sticky berry cake which got devoured almost the instant it hit the table.</div>
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And just because it makes me happy. Ruby's drawing of a horse and some fridge art I look at at least a hundred times a day.</div>
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I am loved. We make a great family. And my kids are happy.</div>
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What more could I ask for?</div>
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(Have a lovely week, everyone)</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16175026532405799644noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4544256632592408435.post-41736581578283056862014-06-19T12:48:00.000+10:002014-06-19T14:07:33.251+10:00playing catch up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I feel like I just took a deep breath and lost three weeks.</div>
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Time feels like it's slipping away. I always seem to be doing something, and yet, and yet...</div>
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I'm doing the same things over and over again. Cleaning, shopping, working, pets, lunch boxes, school run, homework, bills, gardening. It's ok. It needs to be done. It's just a little; dare it say it; dull. And I can see that Paul feels the same way. My darling man who rallies against timetables, planning and routine has been drawn into this too.</div>
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Last week a large tree decided to lie down in our back garden (see photo above). It eased its way gently down onto the lawn; a dead tree enveloped with vines. And it was the most exciting thing I felt had happened in a while. The girls and I watched it come down; we'd just rescued the guinea pigs. The next day multiple family members who had dropped in for a cuppa found themselves attacking it with axes and chainsaws; turning it into firewood. It was FUN.</div>
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What I really want is a big long break. Or a change. Just something a bit different, a bit inspiring. I want to pick my little family up and jump head-first into something new. Just for a little bit. And it's frustrating me that I can't seem to work that into my mid-term future. What seemed so fluid three years back, when we disappeared to Bruny Island for six months, seems so achingly and annoyingly elusive now. The pressures of work, schooling, finances and responsibility just seem some days to be caving in on me.</div>
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I've got itchy feet. And no way to scratch them. </div>
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Got any good ideas? Any way to take off and escape the rat race?</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16175026532405799644noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4544256632592408435.post-61984947815615114162014-06-01T20:33:00.000+10:002014-06-01T20:42:57.163+10:00a beanie winner<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
In amongst all the busy-ness of today, the girls and I chose a winner for my beanie give-away..</div>
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We used PK's new birthday beanie for the entries.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvG4oEyclVNohlvbq5hnr8qp_hmHXfL8cDzs8mlG0qb6-goW6hMYDedeILj0zEXsR-sUP4fNsFGEQetWvhSMwM3mCyL51tDh2kwHK9sKiBHe3XyTZFsa7gKDBJZvSOzfTIZZtfQ7knvuFU/s1600/IMG_7180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvG4oEyclVNohlvbq5hnr8qp_hmHXfL8cDzs8mlG0qb6-goW6hMYDedeILj0zEXsR-sUP4fNsFGEQetWvhSMwM3mCyL51tDh2kwHK9sKiBHe3XyTZFsa7gKDBJZvSOzfTIZZtfQ7knvuFU/s1600/IMG_7180.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI_YjfycH7HMp3XlalY7C4csoi3Xk6cXSmk1Ntd2xU1SdYpwyuJA13j_P-npzk0fsAzJ20VgDQVr1ilSXYB3rrRCvDs184KapaYx7RnKsz9GCGpSwPa5fObG0K15ZZjCH2QkF84CcHfxP1/s1600/IMG_7185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI_YjfycH7HMp3XlalY7C4csoi3Xk6cXSmk1Ntd2xU1SdYpwyuJA13j_P-npzk0fsAzJ20VgDQVr1ilSXYB3rrRCvDs184KapaYx7RnKsz9GCGpSwPa5fObG0K15ZZjCH2QkF84CcHfxP1/s1600/IMG_7185.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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And the winner is.....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJYuYy4-aT29WnnfW-DLxOvGw4LC9VrCzHDYE8tRYT8OQvlKjm1gWc3lbJSDK5x6Q7GbTI5_0tTz7CSxU18gmbbBIa3BLyIkGOavkK1hXt2NyIAj_Hj8sKp36YqAGvpo4-PjIPC2fmSMo-/s1600/IMG_7190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJYuYy4-aT29WnnfW-DLxOvGw4LC9VrCzHDYE8tRYT8OQvlKjm1gWc3lbJSDK5x6Q7GbTI5_0tTz7CSxU18gmbbBIa3BLyIkGOavkK1hXt2NyIAj_Hj8sKp36YqAGvpo4-PjIPC2fmSMo-/s1600/IMG_7190.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG882OiRP2-FZvfBUtj5YPJyQm7UI7UDmYQhN7tapJUQ7VISR2TR6Ah8_-w-ibC58d43BvbSjreF8NvQh9dbii3P9Jdxp9XdIPDyUM8nRMhrie0neoVCOQP4jwhILA1nIPDp3oEQ0tWBZt/s1600/IMG_7191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG882OiRP2-FZvfBUtj5YPJyQm7UI7UDmYQhN7tapJUQ7VISR2TR6Ah8_-w-ibC58d43BvbSjreF8NvQh9dbii3P9Jdxp9XdIPDyUM8nRMhrie0neoVCOQP4jwhILA1nIPDp3oEQ0tWBZt/s1600/IMG_7191.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.thistlebearhome.com/" target="_blank">Jennifer</a>!</div>
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Which makes me happy, as Jennifer has been a long time supporter of my blog. Even though she's obviously a very busy and crafty lady, she always finds the time to leave comments on my posts.</div>
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Thanks Jennifer! </div>
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Hope everyone had a lovely weekend...</div>
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We had a birthday, a market meander and a boating outing...</div>
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Which was all pretty nice.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16175026532405799644noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4544256632592408435.post-83580580533511142562014-05-28T12:17:00.000+10:002014-05-28T12:22:08.071+10:00stills: around and about<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3TR5FcyeUYhbh9H5txAn05bximjDAbZEEGqECtjoZJOWF0SbsgpZENB2gk1qfNUfUbMFIm7HZrsj5U37T7vuGlQFYyk15rgtdxjvPehahFxRFOBIkUxoI3BJE5FMvAsLFLbkB_ZK9hMVB/s1600/IMG_7004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3TR5FcyeUYhbh9H5txAn05bximjDAbZEEGqECtjoZJOWF0SbsgpZENB2gk1qfNUfUbMFIm7HZrsj5U37T7vuGlQFYyk15rgtdxjvPehahFxRFOBIkUxoI3BJE5FMvAsLFLbkB_ZK9hMVB/s1600/IMG_7004.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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1. It's not too late to enter my <a href="http://deborahlee911.blogspot.com.au/2014/05/a-beanie-giveaway-my-150th-post.html" target="_blank">beanie giveaway</a>. Hop on over and leave a comment :-)<br />
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2. Posing on the beach<br />
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3. Ivy waiting (im)patiently for breakfast<br />
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3. Smokey taking advantage of a quiet corner<br />
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4. Chunky green critter on the olive tree<br />
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5. Flannelette pyjamas taking shape<br />
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6. Bathroom colour<br />
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7. Ripening on the windowsill<br />
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8. I just could not, could not resist...<br />
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<i>Linking in with <a href="http://www.thebeetleshack.com/2014/05/stills-weekly-collection_25.html" target="_blank">Emily's weekly stills</a></i></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16175026532405799644noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4544256632592408435.post-80059866051265102252014-05-25T13:42:00.000+10:002014-05-25T13:42:35.597+10:00a beanie giveaway.. my 150th post!<div style="text-align: center;">
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Hello and welcome to my 150th post! It feels like a bit of a milestone, so I thought I'd like to do something special...</div>
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I started making beanies almost exactly one year ago today. My first one was for PK's birthday; since then I've made probably around twenty.</div>
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I use a combination of two free patterns I found online; to get a shape and fit I like. I've created a design and size that is a great "one size fits all" beanie. </div>
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I've made them out of all sorts of yarn, from op shopped remnants through to a luxurious alpaca wool. </div>
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Each beanie is unique; made with a specific person in mind. </div>
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So far, I've gifted these to friends and family only. </div>
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Now I'd like to make one to give away to a member of my blogging family. A thank-you for the last eighteen months of online sharing, motivation and encouragement.</div>
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I'm not a professional knitter. But I make these with love and care. </div>
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Yesterday I took a couple of beanie models to the beach. It was a beautiful afternoon and we had fun running and jumping around. Let me tell you, these beanies will stay on your head even if you decide to turn a cartwheel or leap off a cliff!</div>
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this last beanie is made from Debbie Bliss cotton dk 8ply.</div>
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<i>(thanks to my beautiful mini-models, Ruby and Seisia, and my lovely friend Cheryl. It was a wonderful afternoon on the beach)</i></div>
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So, if you like these beanies and would like to win one for yourself, please follow my blog and leave a comment below. You can include a request for colours and favourite yarn as well. Make sure you leave some contact details so I can get in touch with you.</div>
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I'll close the competition on the last day of Autumn, next Saturday night.</div>
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And I'll randomly pick a winner on the first day of Winter. I'll get my girls to pull a number out of a hat.</div>
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Thanks to everyone who has made this blogging experience so awesome. </div>
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Have a lovely weekend, wherever you are...</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16175026532405799644noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4544256632592408435.post-91333060673635092922014-05-19T11:31:00.001+10:002014-05-19T11:35:21.266+10:00stills: crafts and canines<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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1. inside activities while outside it rains...</div>
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2. play dough love hearts...<br />
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3. knitting cardigans with my mum...<br />
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4. I'm having to concentrate and count every stitch on <a href="http://www.tikkiknits.com/" target="_blank">this pattern</a>...<br />
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5. a reward for NAPLAN students...<br />
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6 and 7. changing earrings for the first time...<br />
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8. Stella and <a href="http://www.adoptapet.com.au/animal/animalDetails.asp?task=search&s=adoption&animalType=3&state=1&submitbtn=Find%20Animals&regionID=18&tpage=1&searchType=4&animalid=320296" target="_blank">Tessa</a>. This dog surprised me in every way*<br />
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9. Ruby and Donny...<br />
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10. fancy tails at the <a href="http://www.millionpawswalk.com.au/Queensland/Walk_locations/Noosa.htm" target="_blank">Million Paws Walk</a>...<br />
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11. taking the river path back...<br />
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12. banana chocolate marshmallow parcels...<br />
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* On Sunday we volunteered at the Million Paws Walk. This is Tessa.</div>
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Each year we take a dog from the Shelter for a day out. My criteria: good natured, sociable with other dogs, good with kids, able to be walked by my children. </div>
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I've always looked for the smaller fluffy type dogs that seem easier to manage. This year we took Tessa, a cattle-staffy cross. I've always associated these breeds with a little more... hyperactivity, shall we say? </div>
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Well, Tessa proved me wrong. She was calm, friendly, fantastic with the kids and a complete darling. She sat for treats, she dropped and stayed, she walked like a dream and seemed in every way to enjoy her day out. I was completely smitten by her. </div>
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If I was in a position to adopt a dog, I would definitely consider her. She was so good with Stella; it was just lovely to see. </div>
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She's looking for a home; if you're in QLD and considering a dog, please look at her page. </div>
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She's been in shelter such a long time.</div>
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