paradise

Aussie Kids

2012-01-26T10:53:00.006+10:00

........so mine aren't 'weekbix kids' but we are proud Aussies.

I want to wish my fellow Australians a wonderful day today -
Whatever you may be doing, in whatever part of this vast country of ours you are in.
We are spending today at home.
It is stinkin' hot and so so humid.
All official Australia Day Celebrations have had to be postponed as yesterday we had such heavy rain and flash flooding. We are all fine, but I had a scary commute to work yesterday with very low visibility and the M1 was eventually cut by flooding. It has receded and is open again, but the rain is predicted to return with Sunday supposedly the worst.

below is lil sis, she is listening to one of my favourite songs (over and over and over and over, lol)

I think Dorothea Mackellar can say it better than I ever could -

I love a sunburnt country,
a land of sweeping plains.
of rugged mountain ranges,
of droughts and flooding rains.
I love her far horizons,
I love her jewel sea.
her beauty and her terror -
the wild brown land for me.

Jodie

wool eater wednesday

2012-01-25T08:45:00.000+10:00

still keeping up, 10 rounds now.

Jodie

it is the first day back at school.......

2012-01-24T10:48:00.003+10:00

......and it is pouring today.

just like it was yesterday!

great for the garden though. here is my little herb and veg corner, yes I graduated from pots to my own little corner of the garden.

the rocket is ready for eating. tomatoes, peas and beans are coming along. then there is oregano, thyme, mint, sage and rosemary.

just need some more basil and parsley!

Jodie

spotted in the carpark of our local shopping centre

2012-01-20T10:00:00.000+10:00

the name of this van is

ADVENTURE BEFORE DEMENTIA

love it!

Jodie

wool eater wednesday

2012-01-17T18:41:00.005+10:00

arghhhhhh, my pic didn't load last night - oh well it is still Wednesday!

(on a Tuesday night).

my first 6 rounds!

I am so pleased with how it is coming along.

I have made mistakes! I have pulled some out, and then others I have discovered too late and have had to improvise. I am not going to point them out, but I hope they aren't obvious. (Don't look toooooooo closely).

I am pleased with how the colours are coming together as well. The colours are pretty close except the dark pink looks red in all the photos. It is pouring with rain today and so hard to get a good shot. I guess the most important thing is the Miss Paradise is happy :)

on to the next 4 rounds!

Jodie

a getaway to paradise

2012-01-16T17:16:00.003+10:00

we have had a few days away camping at the beach. I have developed the REALLY BAD habit of only using my phone. In fact at the moment I only get the BIG camera out to photograph my crochet. Oops.

So starting with lil sis playing peek a boo in the camper trailer, through a tired Tess the Wonderdog all the way to our battery operated fairy lights... it was a great getaway!

Jodie

Wool Eater Wednesday Week One (on a Thursday)

2012-01-12T06:50:00.004+10:00

Not sure where this week has gone, it is Thursday already!

Miss Paradise and I have had a little shopping adventure and have chosen our colours..... light pink, dark pink, turquoise, mauve and butter.

I have had a practice and I know it is not perfect but I am getting the hang of it.

This is the year to finish things! "Finished is better than perfect" is my motto for 2012.

I am sticking with the square, rather than the oblong.

So it is all systems go here in Paradise.

We are on track for six rounds by next Wednesday!

All I need to do now is join the Flickr group.

Have a great week!

Jodie

count me in!

2012-01-09T20:14:00.000+10:00

crochet a rainbow was so last year, haha, (the second pic is of my blocks, I finally sent them in) this year I am joining in with the Wooleater CAL (crochet along).

It is sooooo stinkin' hot here and humid - summer has arrived! But I am going to do this. A Wool Eater for Miss Paradise. I have done a practice couple of rounds and I think I get it.... well I do get it, I just don't always get it right! haha.

It was back to work for me today, so this will be my reward! It has been awhile since I have finished anything..... so here's hoping.

See you with some sort of update on Wednesday

Jodie

down by the riverside

2011-12-27T18:15:00.003+10:00

well the Christmas madness has passed and we are in holiday mode. Staying close to home but still getting out and about to places we don't usually go.

- this is a shot of the river near home, just further upstream.

Jodie

Sent from my Garmin-Asus phone.

night sky

2011-12-18T19:35:00.001+10:00

Jodie

we're getting there.....

2011-12-16T15:04:00.002+10:00

really slowly though!

Jodie

Saturday Harvest

2011-10-22T08:15:00.001+10:00

Yes, I am getting carried away by today's title, but we are all a wee bit excited with our pot of beans and our pot of cherry tomatoes. I am still watering these every day! That in itself is a big deal 'cause I tend to forget details like that.

While I knew we had flowers on the bean plant, I hadn't noticed we had BEANS!

Our Cherry tomato plant is full of tiny green tomatoes, only a few are ripe enough to eat.

Jodie

our first one!

2011-10-13T09:31:00.002+10:00

just waiting to be picked, I will leave it there until the girls get home from school today. Jodie xx

Sent from my Garmin-Asus phone.

garden update

2011-10-01T09:30:00.000+10:00

very uncharacteristically, things are growing well in the garden. I am trying to do the companion planting thing to reduce bugs and creepy crawlies, although despite planting strawberry plants at the base of our bean, something is munching on some bean leaves.

this bean plant came home from school, you know the seed on the cotton wool in the plastic cup? well it sprouted so we stuck in the pot!

we even have a little (rather sickly looking) flower.

now onto our cherry tomatoes. the little guy didn't make it, but the others are thriving. this pot is in a high wind location so they are surviving despite the elements.

lots of little yellow flowers and even some little green tomatoes. Happily companioned with basil.

and some garlic chives just beside.

these are some new additions acquired at the recent school fete.

sage, thyme, rosemary, 2 x lavender, mint and oregano.

I would like to start gardening in the ground, but with these pots just outside the door, there is a better chance of me remembering to water them.

Jodie

the school holidays are almost over :(

2011-09-30T11:10:00.000+10:00

who has been playing with my phone?

Jodie x

Sent from my Garmin-Asus phone.

it is school holiday time again!

2011-09-28T11:47:00.001+10:00

toasting marshmallows by the fire.

I love the school holidays!

Jodie x

Sent from my Garmin-Asus phone.

it is school holiday time again!

2011-09-26T11:46:00.002+10:00

moooooooooooo!

he he, I love the school holidays!

Jodie xx

Sent from my Garmin-Asus phone.

it is school holiday time again!

2011-09-25T11:11:00.002+10:00

we have been op-shopping. we got a 'new' game of "Trouble" for $2 and used to to top up the missing pieces from ours.

there was also some holiday game board crafting going on.

I love the school holidays!

Jodie xx

Sent from my Garmin-Asus phone.

it is school holiday time again!

2011-09-23T12:00:00.000+10:00

fun in the sun!

Jodie x

Sent from my Garmin-Asus phone.

it is school holiday time again!

2011-09-21T16:53:00.001+10:00

cheers!

Jodie x

Sent from my Garmin-Asus phone.

we've lost a lens cap

2011-08-11T11:44:00.002+10:00

how's that for a title? 'we' have misplaced a lens cap though. I blame mr p, it wasn't on the lens when he gave the camera back to me. he says it wasn't on the lens when I gave him the camera. he said.......she said..........

enough about that. I am not known for my green thumb, ahem, but not long ago I happened upon an old packet of seeds that had come in a magazine, that were well past their use by date. so I threw them in a pot and put it underneath the temporary clothes line I use in the winter. the theory being, when I see them I will water it. well it has worked. they are thriving......

buoyed by this success, I purchased some seedlings - basil and italian parsley in fact -

again, success!

so I moved on to cherry tomatoes last weekend. it is still early days, but that is only going at about 75%

see the little guy on the right? he is from the same punnet, he is in the same pot, and he is getting the same amount of water. so what am I doing wrong?

thanks for your help!

Jodie

botanical gardens

2011-07-28T13:57:00.002+10:00

I am pretty sure I have shared my goal of visiting the botanical gardens every school holidays in a calendar year - therefore experiencing it during every season? To date it hasn't happened. While we have now visited in every season, we haven't managed it in a calendar year. (Need to check out if we have done in a financial year?)

I even have the scrapbooking embellishments for my layout for when it happens! Does that make me super organised or sad?

So, you may wonder why this is such a thing with me? Well 'the mountain' is really quite close to home, but they have seasons up there. Here were we live we really only have varying degrees of summer.

We started with a picnic lunch at a park near the gardens. We took the soccer ball as well to get some of the energy out of the system so I could take lots of photos at the gardens :)

It worked! I took LOTS (and lots) of photos. While it is not at it's best in the winter, it is still a very pretty place to be. Here is a selection.....

YoYo Update

2011-07-15T09:09:00.002+10:00

It has been a busy week.

We had a birthday this week.

My baby girl is now 7.

Seven!

We are all getting old.

It was back to school this week.

With 30 cupcakes.

YoYo count is now at 63.

Have a lovely weekend.

Jodie

I haven't signed up just yet....

2011-07-07T15:45:00.002+10:00

But,

This morning I saw this post by Amanda Jean, that lead me to Penny's blog and her yoyo along.

I still have these yoyos from last year. I had though maybe a cushion, but I haven't done anything with them yet.

Then I got to fiddling and I have made 13 today. In pinks and purples.

I haven't signed on for the yoyo along JUST yet, let's see how it goes.

Jodie

school holiday time.....

2011-07-05T17:34:00.003+10:00

School holiday time and the winter weather is GLORIOUS!

Lil sis and I hit some Op Shops this morning to replenish essential beach supplies.

- cake tin, measuring cups, jug, large spoons, colander, biscuit cutters, even a bright red beach bucket. Back home I donated a muffin tray that had seen better days.

A flat rock in the sunshine was just the place to bake a cake and some muffins.

Coconut ball anyone? (hard sand rolled and sprinkled with soft sand)

Then, a spot of fishing - with a bucket and spade?

Caught ourselves a teeny tiny widdle fishy (strain your eyes towards 4 o'clock!)

This friendly maggie stopped to say hello.

We spent $8 on supplies this morning, the memories - priceless! :)

Jodie

let's start with something sweet.......

2011-05-30T16:44:00.002+10:00

....... and pink!

I am not going to apologise for how long it has been, I will just sound like a broken record.

I did finish MIL's Swirly Twirly and I think I even took some pictures of it before I posted it off.

I have had Miss Paradise home from school today and we cleaned up her room and then this afternoon because she was feeling better we made some cupcakes.

Pink Cupcakes from cityhippyfarmgirl.

They are delish and they have natural yogurt and beetroot juice in them. Check them out!

Jodie

hooky wip

2011-04-26T19:39:00.004+10:00

hols are over and it is back to school tomorrow. we have had a lot of rain (will it ever end!!!!) but we have also had some fun mornings down by the water, paddling, digging in the sand and a little bit of hooky!

I have been taking way too many photos on my phone, and only tonight Mr P has downloaded them for me. Quality is better than I thought.

Above is a swirly twirly scarf, in progress, al fresco!

Jodie

Pom Pom Tree Revisited

2011-04-23T12:35:00.003+10:00

Remember our PomPom Tree from an early CREATE afternoon?

well it has had an Easter makeover.

some of the pesky little chicks are quite the daredevil!

Jodie

it is school holiday time for us - FINALLY!

2011-04-15T18:38:00.004+10:00

yes! we are on hols, today is the first day.

we need it, it has been a. long. hot. wet. term!

I love, LOVE, LOVE school holidays!!

I am not delusional....

Miss Paradise is 9 and Lil Sis is pushing 7,

but right now they thing I am way cool!

(Now people, DON"T SPOIL IT FOR THEM!)

so today, we played hair dressers!

Lil sis, has some twisty action that ends in my first attempt at a fishtail plait. we are all pretty impressed with me on this one!

then we come to Miss Paradise.

She has my hair - I am sorry gorgeous, people will comment for the rest of your life, it is so thick, it is so strong, it has such curl.......

- you will always wish you got your sisters hair!

so for Miss Paradise we went with a controlling braid - that I have never done before!

for a first effort we are both pretty darn impressed!

as I told her, it can only get better!

so onto the really cool stuff.

We (the 3 of us) have been working on an old WIP.

A shaggy for Mr P.

we have laid out the design,

laid out the backing, and we have 5 rows fully assembled.

YAY US!

Jodie

do you say biscuits or cookies?

2011-04-10T16:01:00.002+10:00

I will admit that while I prefer to hear them called biscuits I have developed the habit of saying cookies! I think it depends on the style.....

For example in the container we have "Custard Biscuits" down in front and "M&M Cookies" at the back!

The "Custard Biscuits" are new to my repertoire. They are delish, a cross between short bread and the biscuit part of melting moments. In fact I have threatened to make them into melting moments. Recipe for them is here....

The M&M Cookies however are from a generic "cookie" recipe I found online yonks ago. I never did record the source, sorry.

I just make up the dough and the before they go in the oven I press some M&M on the top. You can add anything - choc chips, nuts.... you get the idea.

half a cup butter

half a cup brown sugar

half a cup white sugar

1 egg, slightly beaten

1 cup + 2 tbs flour

half a tsp baking soda

half a tsp salt

quart. tsp hot water.

Morning tea is looking good for this weeks lunchboxes!

Jodie

Raggedy Station is having a give away .....

2011-04-08T09:10:00.004+10:00

and it is black and white!

I lurve black and white!

you have gotta be in it to win it! and if you want to win it, check out this post here.

"Homespun and Beautiful" is a new shop in my corner of the world, hope to check it out real soon. Good luck.

Jodie

sunday morning in pictures

2011-04-03T11:42:00.005+10:00

while I learnt to granny in one colour, there was a chess tournament unfolding in the formal lounge..........love it!

results so far....

miss paradise beat lil sis,

mr p beat miss paradise,

mr p and lil sis still at it.

the tension mounts - lol!

Jodie

(BTW, yes we are missing one pawn. anyone got a spare white marble looking pawn they no longer require?)

crochet a rainbow

2011-03-27T12:04:00.002+10:00

When I signed up for Crochet a Rainbow back in January, I always intended to post off my first lot at the end of March. That time has come and I only have 12 made but then it is better than nothing. As our weather finally starts to cool, it will be more conducive to crocheting.

When Sarah first put the call out, these blankets were for the victims of the Queensland and Victorian floods. Since then there has been more devastation - Christchurch and Japan.

The first load of blankets is on its way to Japan, Sarah blogged about it last night. One of my sister-in-law works in Japan. She was here in Australia on March 11. Her return was delayed but now she is scheduled to return this Thursday.

Jodie

the week that was

2011-03-26T14:16:00.002+10:00

It has been a good week.

gorgeous days,

slower pace,

time to smell the roses as my mother would say.

(Although I don't grow roses.)

Lots of blue sky and pretty sunsets.

Bananas are $12/kg in the shops, lucky I have a stash in the freezer so banana muffins and banana smoothies were on the menu this week.

Rain is predicted tomorrow :(

Jodie

Oops!

2011-03-25T11:31:00.001+10:00

Some over-enthusiastic trimming of ends taking place :(

Jodie

it is 10am (Qld time)

2011-03-19T10:00:00.001+10:00

Saturday is usually our earliest start of the week (the girls play tennis). today we were rained out.

miss paradise is playing the wii

foo, aka lil sis is watching cartoons in our room

the watch dog is sleeping

outside is dark and cool

and I am watching jamie does while I crochet a rainbow!

Thinking of the girls in Nundle today. Have fun ladies :)

Jodie

what's in the box.....

2011-03-11T16:05:00.002+10:00

only a little bit of craftiness going on around here!

it's my nan's birthday (she is 97 today) so a twirly swirly was in order

plus a cute flower brooch.

what is a birthday without cupcakes?

I am rather pleased with how it came out....

also I made one for my mum (she doesn't want a brooch)

it is a pretty variegated pink, but that is not showing up too well.

Jodie

Chocolate Peppermint Creams

2011-02-27T19:42:00.002+10:00

Thanks for the love in the comments from my last post! I wasn't fishing for it, but it did make me feel good!

I have used this first photo before.... over on Snappy Friends from our "brown" challenge.

I used it for CHOCOLATE! Seems I wasn't the only one who thought like that! Denice asked for the recipe or more to the point, she said how could I post a picture like that WITHOUT a recipe!

(BTW, our current challenge is "Y", any ideas?)

My Nan is turning 97 at the end of next week! She used to make "chocolate apple pie". It is the stuff of legends throughout my extended family. I grew up hearing them rave about it. It is is not overly sweet, so not something a child would love, but as an adult .... ooh la la!
It is me that makes it these days - she even gave me her pie dish!

The other 'heritage recipe' she made, that I DID love as a child was Chocolate Peppermint Creams. The biscuit part is the pastry from Chocolate Apple Pie, sandwiched together with plain icing, hit with a splash of peppermint essence. Simple really is the best!

so without further ado, here is her pastry recipe......

1 cup SR flour
1 tbs cocoa
1 tbs sugar
pinch of salt
1 heaped tbs butter
1 egg
a few drops of vanilla essence (extract these days, please)

sift flour, salt, sugar, cocoa into a bowl.
rub in butter to resemble breadcrumbs
add vanilla and egg
mix well
roll out, cut with a cutter and bake in a mod. oven for approx 10-15 mins.

for the icing,
mix together 1 cup of sifted icing sugar,
1 tbs soft butter,
1 splash of peppermint essence.
Carefully add a tiny drop of warm water and mix to icing consistancy.

When the biscuits have cooled, sandwich together with the icing.
(for an arty photo, sprinkle with cocoa)

As I made these (originally) for valentines day,

I planned to use a heart shape cutter.
Only to learn that I don't have a heart shaped cutter!

So I made mine into stars.

I never realised I had never made these for my little family.

They went NUTS over them.

Little Sis even asked if she could have these instead of cupcakes on her birthday!

NO!!!!

she can have both :)

Jodie

5 years and 3 day ago......

2011-02-17T11:15:00.001+10:00

.......I started blogging. I am not prolific at it that's for sure, I still haven't hit 400 posts. In fact I have long gaps in between posts when it starts to play on me that I haven't blogged for awhile.

I started this post on Valentines Day, my 5th Anniversary. I couldn't up load any photos then so I saved it as a Draft. I have since posted the photo over on Snappy Friends!

Since then I have changed this post many times. It started as a farewell to blogging (yes really!), then excuses for why I haven't been posting and now today I just want to share this morning's rainbows - can you see two?

Our lives have changed a lot from when I started this blog, as have my interests. I am not going anywhere, and I will pop in here when I can.

Jodie

on a brighter note....

2011-01-16T10:58:00.002+10:00

as the clean up continues, volunteers have been asked to wear work boots or gumboots as well as long pants to protect against bacteria in the toxic sludge. This has led to a state wide shortage of gum boots.

our local camping store had this sign out the front.

it brought a smile to our face :)

Jodie

a break in the weather.....

2011-01-14T11:28:00.005+10:00

Yesterday's "Sunset"

(this is not a black and white shot)

There is a lot of sadness is our wonderful state, 75% is flood affected.

We are so lucky not to be part of that.

It will take a lot of money to rebuilt, both city and rural Queensland. No matter how small it all adds up. To donate please go here.

Jodie

Jammin'

2011-01-04T12:20:00.002+10:00

the stone fruit has been disappointing so far this season. Well what we have has been.

The nectarines were languishing in the bottom of the fridge. I left one out to ripen and it didn't so rather than waste them I turned the into jam.

it is good enough to eat!

the one with the label is for my Dad.

Jodie

Swirly Twirly Scarf x 2

2011-01-03T09:09:00.006+10:00

My first TWO finishes for 2011.

I am really enjoying crocheting, are you sensing that? I really enjoy when I 'get' a pattern and I can just go with it. So I was really pleased when Sara posted a link to Maize's Swirly Twirly Scarf. The pattern is written in US lingo, and I was able to translate it to UK lingo and then just go for it. (to the uninitiated, this is no great feat, but for me it was a first. Mr Google didn't need to help me out!)

Two Swirly Twirly Scarves!

Purple for Lil Sis......

and Pink for Miss Paradise.

and just for fun.....

Jodie

Bag Swap

2011-01-02T11:05:00.001+10:00

I seem to have so much to share at the moment.

I am part of a little internet group, and I organised a bag swap for us this Christmas.

I made my bag for Sue. Sue's favourite colours are blue and yellow and she is just getting into hexagons. So I made this QAYG Hexagon bag for her. This is a Sue Daley design I have made a few times. It is fun and easy to put together. Sue loved it and said it sits on the coffee table in her lounge room with all her goodies on it. :)

Margaret sent to me.
She made me this tote bag. Great size to fit in all the girls and my (good) junk for a day out and about.
Margaret is one of those really organised types. This arrived really early, but I kept it under the tree until Christmas Day.
Thanks Margaret!

Jodie

home again, home again, jiggity jig!

2011-01-01T17:47:00.002+10:00

We are back again after two short nights away - our annual leave.

Today just sharing a little of the love happening in the back seat,

between Miss Paradise and Tess the Wonderdog.

Jodie

a post Christmas finish...

2010-12-31T09:58:00.001+10:00

Way back in August, I had the chance to learn how to crochet Granny Squares.

Back in that post I mentioned that I work s l o w.

So now come December I have made 9 Grannies.

In fact, the Grannies didn't take me all that time.

I had the front assembled for quite awhile.

It was the back that took a long time. It looks simple enough too, don't know why it took so long.

Anyway. Finished is better than perfect!

And finished it is.

Happy New Year, and here's to 2011

Jodie

friday afternoon CREATE

2010-12-30T09:20:00.003+10:00

I haven't posted and Friday arvo sessions lately. This is one from quite a few Fridays ago, but as you read on you will understand why I had to hold this one over.

Not only did the chookster organise the SSCS swap for millions around the world, she also organised a kids ornament swap for some blogger offspring. These kids have there own blog to share what they are working on but it is not publicly available.

My 2 girls swapped with Bec's two girls. Suited us both as they are well matched age wise and we saved on postage!

First up is what Jessie Girl sent to my Miss Paradise.....

and here is what Little Miss Busy made for our Lil Sis.

Lil Sis is modelling our ornaments. First up is what she made for Little Miss Busy - a Santa hat and a handbag filled with candy canes. I sewed the pom pom on for her and the handle on the bag. She did the rest. This is her first sewing project and she really impressed me with her ideas and execution.

here is the Christmas Tree Miss Paradise made for Jessie Girl. I sewed the seam along the bottom, only because she hadn't cut out her front and back evenly and it was quite tricky to keep them together.

and here is a little wreath I crocheted for Bec. I have found I like crafting with the girls but I can't work on the same project as they are. So I did a bit of hookey at the other end of the table.

Here are Lil Sis's little stitches.

she really got into it.

and some cutting action from Miss Paradise.

Oh, and on the day we were crafting these - it was raining! Just for a change! Lol

Jodie

PS as I type this, IT IS NOT RAINING!

around here lately......

2010-12-29T08:35:00.003+10:00

all of our days have looked the same....

like this!

now, lots of the state are flooded, and here it almost broke the bank, which is really unusual, but we are under no threat.

but, hang on a minute! suddenly and unexpectedly it stopped! the clouds parted and some light poked through.

the colours were wonderful

and kept changing.

but now it is all a memory.

Jodie

SSCS SR

2010-12-27T13:56:00.008+10:00

SR = Sent and received (lingo learnt from Chooky)

In this years SSCS I received my gift from Terry. Lucky Me! If you remember back to my post when I received the parcel well the goods description for customs was QUILT, and a quilt it was. I LOVE IT!

Now I must apologise for the quality of these photos, it has been raining NON STOP since at least Friday and it is very grey. But I had to share.

Ta Dah!

Here are some other goodies that were included, the needle book I shared when I opened the card, but I got some soap, a memo pad and pen and some variegated DMC.

Now to take these pics I cleared away Christmas from the dining room table. The dark blue at the head of the table is Mr P, thinking he is funny!

to show you how perfect the colours are, here is the bowl that normally sits on the table in non Christmas times......

the gold in the base and opal effect of the bowl work perfectly.

If you walked into our house you wouldn't know that I sew, or crochet, or probably even scrapbook. I am always making something for someone else. It is so nice to have something for me out on show. Thanks Terry.

Here is what I sent to Ruth

The colours are not true. Ruth likes brights. The lower part of the bag is hot pink and the top purple, with turquoise in between.

Thanks Chookster for another great swap.

Jodie

Have a good one......

2010-12-24T22:51:00.003+10:00

The girls are tucked up in bed sound asleep. The rain is pouring down outside. All the gifts are made, wrapped and under the tree. The fridge is full of food. I am off to mass very soon and then to bed. Wishing you and your families a very Merry Christmas.

Jodie

(pic is of this year Christmas card)

SSCS Parcel Received

2010-12-09T12:26:00.008+10:00

Well so much for December Daily huh? Lol. Life has beaten me a little this year, but it is all good. We are having lots of fun, I just haven't been blogging it.

But today something I just MUST blog about. My SSCS arrived all the way from Terry! in Ohio.

ooooooh! look at the goods description!

so here it is, out of the packaging but still wrapped up.

and here is an envelope with my name on it and a cute little snowman.

here is that cute little snowman on our tree. and just below him is.....

the present, STILL WRAPPED UP.

and if you look just a little further you will seen another present under the tree. That one is for me too, and it is also STILL WRAPPED UP.

but remember the envelope? I opened that! I don't remember any rules about the envelope, so I opened it!! and look was inside the card....... a cute little needle card. Thank you Terry.

and a big thank you to the Chookster.

I took the girls to see Santa today and get the all important photo. Although it is muggy as anything here and threatening to rain again, it is really starting to feel like Christmas!

Jodie

December 2

2010-12-02T09:24:00.000+10:00

we put our tree up on December 1, but it always seems to be a work in progress for a few days. so far half the lights are up.

Jodie

December 1

2010-12-01T09:00:00.000+10:00

Our new Christmas wreath for our front door.

Thanks, Mum!

It's that time of the year again.

December time.

You thought I was going to say Christmas time, didn't you? Well it is that too.

Every year I am inspired by Ali Edward's December Daily, and to date I have never made up an album. So........... I have no intention of doing it this year. I can't keep up with everyday life at the moment, let alone keep up with any sort of scrapbooking.

But I will try and post here on the blog. It is fun for us to look back on.

Jodie

around here....

2010-11-28T08:27:00.003+10:00

we CREATED puppy dog cupcakes!

yes they do look like puppy dogs, use your imagination!

our family is finished with birthdays for the year

christmas cards are written.....

well theirs are, mine aren't even made yet!

and my SSCS pressie is winging its way around the world.

December is a matter of days away and school breaks up this Friday!

Jodie

a cute blast from the past

2010-11-24T06:06:00.004+10:00

miss paradise is 10.5 months old and tess the wonderdog must be pushing 3 and a half years. miss paradise turned 9 last week!

this was taken in our old house (we have been in our current house almost 7 years), and while neither ever touched the other they used to spend their time side by side.

Jodie

friday afternoon create

2010-11-22T13:24:00.001+10:00

playing catch up, behind as usual. We have still been creating, I just haven't been blogging!

.......fun with pipecleaners, flutterbys and flowers.

Jodie

friday afternoon CREATE

2010-10-29T17:41:00.008+10:00

this week we made paper chains. for ease, and lack of fighting (yes they fight) I pre-prepared the paper strips. quite therapeutic with a paper trimmer actually.

we have oodles and oodles of christmas paper, and have done for many years. we 'came into' it several years ago and it shows no sign of running out. so I used some again today.

I picked up these little staplers during the week. are they cute or are they CUTE!!! honestly!

see, look this side.....

and again......

so after some simple instructions they set to work.

in perfect harmony.

then in the end, we joined it all together for a group shot, showing how l o n g our paper chain was. but tess the wonderdog though we were out there to play ball with her, so the photoshoot kinda aborted.

so here it is all in the box again, until December 1st when we put up our Christmas tree!

Jodie

more moody skies

2010-10-28T17:16:00.000+10:00

I know, more lake shots.

but these are taken by chance in the afternoon,

and when I downloaded them,

the colours were so beautiful!

yep! rain still around in these parts :)

Jodie

friday afternoon create

2010-10-26T17:35:00.003+10:00

we made the pompom tree!

we are all rather chuffed with it too!

Jodie

Happy 50th!

2010-10-25T17:46:00.004+10:00

SIL - AG turns 50 today. we had some family in town over the weekend to celebrate.

a good time was had by all.

Jodie

the silver lining......

2010-10-22T18:28:00.000+10:00

they say every cloud has one.

the rain has been back, on and off.

but we are rewarded with these beautiful skies just as the sun is saying good bye.

I know this is my second 'lake' post of the week, but it is still my favourite landscape to shoot.

Jodie

you must try this.....

2010-10-21T18:21:00.000+10:00

the recipe is here.....

italian chicken stew - it is delish!! we have had it more than once now. first time I made it with chicken pieces, bone in, not such a hit with the younger residents, too many "bits", but the meat just fell off the bone!

since then we have had it with thigh fillet, still delish, but doesn't hold together as well - visually.

do yourself the ole favour and try it!

Jodie

the rain stopped!

2010-10-19T18:08:00.001+10:00

and the sun came out.

and then it set.

and it was beautiful.

Jodie

a little creating of my own.....

2010-10-17T18:10:00.002+10:00

not much to show, but these QAYG hexies will be a bag for a Christmas bag swap I am in...... NOT the SSCS, relax Chook :)

and these yo-yos.... I don't know, I always thought a cushion for my 'good lounge' but who knows. I am out of these red fabric now.

The baskets are new too, $3 for both at the op shop.

Jodie

it didn't take long for the rules to change!

2010-10-16T15:44:00.003+10:00

week two of our 'friday afternoon craft' and I changed it to CREATE. the girls didn't mind :)

At the moment I am working outside the home and mr p's business and while it is not full time it is everyday and I am tired at the end of the week and my creativity is lacking. also it was raining again, or still raining, depends how you want to look at it.

so this week we CREATED in the kitchen - dinner in fact.

lil' sis was in charge of rubbing the marg into the flour and cinnamon till it resembled fine breadcrumbs, except that our marg was a bit soft and it wasn't really breadcrumb like.

miss paradise stirred the white sauce for our salmon mornay, until she could stir no more (she is not known for her endurance).

all the while the rice cooked in the steamer. (see how long the grass is out the window? it has been raining for weeks and weeks here)

here is a tadah moment for lil' sis - the apple crumble ready for the oven.

and miss paradise's mornay ready to go under the grill

a little while later it is ready to go....

yummy.....

and here are two portions of apple crumble and ice cream

and one portion for me with vanilla yoghurt

next week...... who knows? any ideas?

friday afterschool crafting

2010-10-09T07:33:00.003+10:00

quite some time ago I purchased a pack of pom pom looms from Spotlight. they were really cheap and I thought one day they might be fun.

fast forward to the day miss paradise asked for the third time in recent years can she attend the after school art classes held on Friday afternoon. for the third time we said no. we think they are too expensive, we think she already has enough extra curricular activities - none of which she wanted to give up.

so I had the grand idea to run my own after school CRAFT (not art) classes.

I drew up a sign and posted it on the the bathroom door, anyone interested should be at the dining room table at 3.20pm!

now my grand plan involved commencing with a nature walk to collect treasured items to be used in future projects as well us some sticks/twigs/branches to make some pussy willow. we have a bag of baby pom poms here and mr paradise bought me a new hot glue gun.

we have had rain for weeks here, and yesterday afternoon was no different. in fact just to spite me (I think) the rain was even heavier at 3.20pm, so with some quick thinking I changed the plan to pom poms with a view to a pom pom tree in the future.

my craft class attendees were non the wiser and very happy with the plan. we pulled out the yarn, cracked open the looms and set to work. I have only ever made pom poms with two cardboard 'donuts' and found myself challenged by the looms. in fact I wasted 3 pom poms worth of yarn before I gave up and sort assistance from the world wide web.

thank God for youtube is all I can say! or at least thank God for Jenny from Craft test dummies! Lol. so after a bit of DUH!!! we got to work. the girls still don't know the grand plan for these, they have to wait for finer weather, but all in all our first friday was a lot of fun!

Jodie

pencil rolls and journal covers

2010-08-27T09:00:00.002+10:00

another party this weekend, so a pencil roll and journal was requested.

the batting I had on hand was a little thicker than needed for a journal cover, but it turned out ok.

what I particularly like about this set ........

is it is all repurposed from one of lil sis's cute dresses.

next to it is a thrifted pillowcase I was going to use as well, but I got it all out of the dress. even the white in the pencil roll and the inside of the journal cover is the lining from the dress.

Jodie

Mountain Grannys

2010-08-25T19:33:00.004+10:00

Today I found myself with almost two hours to my self, alone in the car. No I hadn't broken down.

Fortunately I was well prepared.

I had printed out Lucy's instructions for "Summer Garden Granny Squares", so with that and my basket of yarn I was ready.

I make no secret of the fact I work slow, so having the opportunity to sit uninterrupted (except for one mobile phone call - incoming) I think I got a handle on it.

To quote Lucy, Ta-Dah!

I am so pleased.

I think I like the dark green centre and white outer the best. I am going to make enough for a cushion but if yarn stock allows I will also make a cushion out of the other colour way :)

What truly amazes me is they are the same size! I haven't mastered the centre 'bobble stitch" but I can only get better.

So why was I alone in the car? Mr P had a job in the hinterland and he invited me to tag along. I think it all took a little longer than he expected, but all things considered, I didn't mind.

The scenery was gorgeous! This is one outlook. From the other side you look over the coast and the ocean. Unfortunately AFTER we drove past the lookout on that side, I realised I should have got him to stop so I could take a pic! The view above, is taken from the car park of the General Store below.

Love this sign that was just near the white car in the above photo Sure hope that white car belongs to Dena!

(Parking for Dena's General Store only! Disobedient vehicles will be mulched and returned to the earth)

We had our lunch here at the General Store, and how perfect! Those are crocheted blankets on the verandah. Inside there were scarves and beanies!

Speaking of scarves (!), Mr P's is done.

Unfortunately so are Parramatta for the season, he tells me.

Just some ends to be woven in. We are away this weekend, where potentially he may actually have the opportunity to wear it, so I will get onto it.

Jodie

I had a birthday during the week......

2010-08-21T15:01:00.002+10:00

and my gift from Mr P and the girls was something I have been wanting for a while........

a manual typewriter!

why you ask?
to use when card making and scrapbooking.

Ironically, this is a more modern typewriter and the font is a bit computer like, than the rounded typewriter text.

The girls had never seen one.

We have all had so much fun on it we used up the ribbon!
Yes you can still buy them, we are just waiting for it to arrive.

I am not one to name 'things' but I have the strong urge to christen HER Ollie.

and here is an interesting tidbit, a sign of the times....

"Typewriter and case made in Western Germany"

Jodie

Trucks.....

2010-08-15T21:38:00.006+10:00

is the theme over on Snappy Friends this week. we we spent the weekend at the track which made it a bit easier.

Love the pic below, taken by Mr P. Tyres locked up just before the kitty litter!

Jodie

latest find

2010-08-13T13:10:00.003+10:00

I have to admit that I enjoy a bit of op shopping as I call it, or thrifting. with my recent interest in crocheting and appreciation for the work that goes into it, I couldn't walk past this BIG blanket. It was in the "animal blankets all $4" bin! I asked the guy working there, is it REALLY $4! he said yes, it has a stain on it. We only sell them as animal blankets if they are stained.

just to show the size of this thing I layed it out on our queen sized bed.

see how it skims the floor on this side,

well over on the other side it is hanging on the floor!

there is a little damage - the centre of this square is starting to unravel so I will mend it before I wash it.

see you have to look close.......

once I have mended this, I will look hard for the stain and be sure to get it out in the wash! When I got to the register the woman serving said "some one's doggy will be warm tonight!" I just smiled because our spoilt dog sleeps inside this time of year, on a floor cushion beside my side of the bed.

This blanket is destined for the car, to be well used on cold drives and picnics. To whom ever worked on it and made such a large blanket, Thank you! We will give it plenty of use and care.

Jodie

Blender Piklets?

2010-08-12T21:51:00.003+10:00

we get through alot of piklets in this house. they are a quick and easy afternoon tea. normally I make them with a whisk and two Pyrex jugs, a 500ml one for the wet ingredients and a litre one for the dry. Then it is easy to pour the batter into the pan.

so today I decided to try something a little different. I dumped all the ingredients into the blender.

whizzed it all together and poured it in the pan. Excellent results!

yesterday was a holiday for school kids so miss paradise whipped up a batch herself.....

they were almost as good as mine!

Jodie

Home Alone!

2010-08-10T12:40:00.003+10:00

well, except for my watchdog of course!

it is grey and rainy today, although everything looks lush and green.

I thought I would take the time to share some finishes with you.

I am happy to report that both my daughters have a scarf made by me!

Miss Paradise loves her, and wears it with pride.

Little sis doesn't wear hers, in fact to take this photo I had to dig it out of the dress up box!

and here is Mr P's Parramatta Birthday Scarf.

still a WIP and I am almost out of yarn. Hope to get out to see if I can get some more as it isn't long enough yet. I gave up on being arty and going for the vertical strips. This is horizontal and traditional :)

Ok, back to it!

Jodie

Today!

2010-08-01T16:24:00.003+10:00

is the first of August!

I didn't blog once in July!

In fact in July, I didn't download the photos from my cameras.

I filled the memory card on both!
(both would be the little snappy, snappy in my hand bag as well as the 'good' camera)

We were on school holidays for two weeks in July and we had the busiest holidays we have ever had. Normally we go to the park, and go to the beach... lots... but this time we went to the movies twice, had one on one days with Nanny, caught up with friends, went to tennis camp and the specialist of all is a certain little someone turned SIX!

the big deal about being six, is you need two hands to show your age when someone asks how old you are!

you can't have a birthday without some friends to help you celebrate.

so we invited a few.
just to come for afternoon tea and some games.....
not for a PARTY.

parties are hard work and this mother can get very stressed.

so they played, and they ate and I took some pics of them,
and then they scrapbooked the pics and I put it in a frame and that was their take home goodies.

at the end of it all, I wiped the table and vaccuumed the floor.

there were 4 little girls that thought I was a legend.

and two mum's inparticular were very impressed :)

ahhhhh, it good to be back!

Jodie

30

2010-06-30T18:18:00.001+10:00

snapshots in june.....

I love these creatures. today was the last day our passes were valid. money well spent.

Jodie

Out takes of a self portrait

2010-06-29T17:34:00.005+10:00

Over on the Snappy Friends Blog we were set the Challenge to take a self
portrait. I am so far behind in our challenges I had no intention of
attempting this one.

The sunset and clouds were reflecting in the lake this afternoon so I
ventured out to take a pic.

as I was walking back inside, there I was reflected in the glass door.

hmmmmm, maybe this would work as a self portrait?

I should try and get one with my face showing

a bit far away, if I just zoom in a bit.....

oops, too high.

blurry,

a bit low.

almost!

there I am, shot 25, this will have to be the one!!

Lol. Pop over and see the others, some of them are very inventive!

Jodie

29

2010-06-29T12:11:00.000+10:00

snapshots in june.....

I sewed!! Well kinda.... new trackpants for the girls, means the hems have to be taken up. Lol.

Jodie

28

2010-06-29T09:14:00.001+10:00

snapshots in june......

grrrrr, this is our front room!

Jodie

27

2010-06-27T18:02:00.000+10:00

she is very creative isn't she!

Jodie

Historical Society

2010-06-27T12:10:00.000+10:00

my snapshots in june has sorta fallen by the way side. Life has just been too busy. This past week I had the opportunity to go on a school excusion with Miss Paradise's class to the Historical Society up the mountain. It was really interesting!

can you spot which one is the dummy? lol....

Jodie

schools out!!

2010-06-27T11:58:00.002+10:00

woohoo!!! time to chill a bit.... (not due to the weather) but just because we can!

Jodie

18, 19 & 20

2010-06-21T13:17:00.003+10:00

snapshots in june.....

I have a little dilemma! We have had a HUGE weekend.

a little friend of ours won her tennis final and there was a whole crowd of us gathered to cheer her on.

my elder daughter, Miss Paradise made her first Holy Communion and she looked beautiful - my totally unbiased opinion of course.

and, my mum turned 70 and I put on a special lunch for her.

So what is the problem you ask? I have made a conscious decision not to post photos of my girls on my blog, now that they are older and they have their own lives. I protect them fiercely as is my right as their mother. BUT as they are the feature of many of my photos, it means I have nothing to show you of our wonderful weekend.

You will just have to take my word for it! So instead I give you a pic of some purple gorgeousness growing in the garden on one of our neighbours.

Jodie

a little extra.....

2010-06-18T07:30:00.001+10:00

I started this project again, my tension was too tight and I couldn't get the crochet hook through my chain! This is for DH, a little belated birthday present. Progress is SLOW!

I have decided there are some important steps in quilting that I really dislike - cutting out the pieces, basting, preparing the binding. With crochet it is the same - the initial chain and the first row! Grrrrr

Jodie

15, 16, 17

2010-06-17T19:23:00.002+10:00

snapshots in june.......

I have been doing some crafty shopping the last couple of days.

Firstly a scallop oval punch from Stampin' Up from their June sales.

SEWING MACHINE NEEDLES!!!!!!, some quilting pins and some polar fleece. Watch this space, something coming up with these this weekend.

Finally, some white card stock and some chip board stickers. You can never have too much white card stock! (Well I can't anyway!)

Jodie

14.06.10

2010-06-14T17:36:00.002+10:00

snapshots in june......

i've made a start on something new!

Jodie

13.06.10

2010-06-14T08:34:00.000+10:00

snapshots in june.....

we've been up in the mountains!

and it was c-c-cold away from the fire. so we stayed real close to it!

Jodie

12.06.10

2010-06-12T17:39:00.001+10:00

snapshots in june......

it's a beautiful day!

Jodie

11.06.10

2010-06-12T10:00:00.003+10:00

snapshots in june.......

THE confirmation stole. a labour of love and sewing machine needles.

Jodie

10.06.10

2010-06-10T14:30:00.000+10:00

snapshots in june .......

feeding my cold with homemade roast vegetable soup

Jodie

09.06.10

2010-06-10T10:16:00.001+10:00

snapshots in june.......

grrrr, broke two sewing machine needles on the confirmation stole yesterday!

The only two sewing machine needles that were in the house!

Exhale............ all good.

Jodie

08.06.10

2010-06-08T20:28:00.001+10:00

snapshots in june.....

feeling blah! off to bed with my peppermint tea and tissues.

Jodie

07.06.10

2010-06-08T15:13:00.000+10:00

snapshot in june.......

SPRUNG!

Jodie

06.06.10

2010-06-08T11:12:00.001+10:00

snapshots in june ......

Potato and tomato frittata by Mr P.

Jodie

05.06.10

2010-06-05T15:35:00.001+10:00

snapshots in june......

birthday cake anyone?

Jodie

04.06.10

2010-06-05T11:34:00.001+10:00

snapshots in june......

stillness at the end of the week

Jodie

(yes I worked out the photos, still can't access ones from the 3rd though!)

03 and 04 of 06.10

2010-06-04T17:17:00.002+10:00

snapshots in june

uhmmm, little hiccup. Remember I may have mentioned.......

MY DAD WON A LAPTOP AND HE GAVE IT TO ME!!!!

Well because of that, Mr Paradise sold my desktop! So just at the moment I can't access my photos or download new ones.

Well, actually, that isn't totally true. I have downloaded pics from yesterday and today, but I can't seem to load them to the blog. :(

So believe me, I have some snapshots of june to post, eventually. :)

Honest! It's true.

Jodie

02.06.10

2010-06-02T11:40:00.002+10:00

snapshots in june........

we got the outfit last weekend, the job for this weekend, miss paradise's confirmation stole.
......picked up these supplies this morning.

Jodie

01.06.10

2010-06-01T20:21:00.002+10:00

snapshots in june.........

count me in janelle

Jodie

I am the luckiest daughter in the world!

2010-05-30T14:50:00.002+10:00

My dad won a laptop yesterday.......

AND HE GAVE IT TOO ME!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks so much Dad:)

Jodie

Why is it.....

2010-05-18T10:07:00.001+10:00

That when your first born loses their first tooth it is so exciting, but when your second born does there is a twinge of sadness. She is growing up so fast.

Jodie