Monday, June 25, 2012

The Last Birthday in June

Drew's is the third birthday for the month! He had a very quiet day, spent at home with his Grandma while Gibbo and I worked. We let him sleep in though and I came home and had a cappuccino with him when he woke up. It was a cold and drizzly day, just perfect for being inside in front of the heater (except when he went for a run).

Meg unleashed her enthusiasm again and made a fabulous cake (I promise to try harder for your 25th Meg). We went to Tba and had a bbq with the rellies.














Not only did it look fantastic, it tasted pretty good too! It disappeared very quickly.








Happy 19th Birthday Drewy. We love you very much.

19 Years Ago Today..

my little baby boy was born! Here he is on that first day with his Dad - and yes, Gibbo was older than 12 although he might not have looked it!


Sunday, June 24, 2012

Tidying Up

It took us a while to get going this morning. Meg spent last night cooking Drew's birthday cake but I can't put any photos up yet until the big reveal. Gibbo arrived home mid-morning from yesterday's cricket at Caloundra; they won both the day and night games.

After lunch we took the bike to the farm and left it there. Drew moved the cows from their first paddock to their second then he dragged the cut branches to the burning pile. Meg continued to attempt removal of the very stubborn wallpaper glue. Gibbo removed one strand from a 5 barb fence. I pulled some more geraniums from the house garden and Mum was kept busy letting the dog in and out.




Took this just before Meg drove off, back to Tba.


When we got home we found this fella trying to hid behind the post at the tank and garden shed. He was on the other side of the house yesterday.


Saturday, June 23, 2012

Simplify Your Life

Meg drove home from Tba this morning and she and I spent most of the day at the "living simply" workshop at Bell. We had a fantastic day along with 48 other women of all ages. It was relaxing, funny, interesting and informative. We're looking forward to the cheese making workshop in a few weeks.


I already had the book; the author signed copies.




First we made laundry liquid - works out to be about $2 for 10 litres. Meg is currently washing her smalls with it.


Then we made strawberry jam - I've never tasted anything quite like it; it actually tastes like the fruit! Who would have thought.






The tasting jar; we all had a little plastic spoon each and dipped for a taste.


Then we had morning tea. Meg was on plate duty; she did well. I had trouble keeping her away for the macaROONs (as opposed to the macaRONs). I think she'll take up making the OONs now.






Then we made tomato chutney - Meg helped by cutting up the capsicum, celery, chilli and onions. She cried.










While the relish cooked we had lunch - mini sausage rolls, mini quiche and beautiful sandwiches. After lunch there was a question and answer/discussion session. There was a lot of talk about making your own soap, something I've been thinking about for a while but not got around to doing. I picked the brains of the lady next to me who made her first batch 5 weeks ago.

The cafe and attached hall are decorated 1950s style; the cups and plates are all old fashioned china.








We brought home a small sample of what was made; washing liquid, tomato relish and strawberry jam. Meg won one of the lucky door prizes - a skein of natural cotton. The other jar holds concentrated lime cordial made and shared by one of the women who runs the cafe. She intends holding a barter day soon.


Thursday, June 21, 2012

Birthday 2

Gibbo's is the second family birthday in June. We went to family night dinner in Twba and had lots of cake afterwards. His Mum has been working on a project for months and months - and tonight she gave it to him. A lot of work and a whole lot of love has gone into her gift.

Tradition demands that you wear the silly birthday hat; great nephew Harry has no idea what's going on.


Mud cake and strawberry cheesecake - just what a diabetic needs for dessert.


Tradition also demands that the candles that re-light themselves are used at each birthday -and each child gets to blow them out and watch them re-start.


Here's the big project - a cricket quilt - and there's photos of Gibbo on his own and in teams dotted throughout. A huge effort. It's for our bed at the new house! Now I not only get to sleep beside him, I now have to sleep under him! There's no escape!









Meg wants to know why we all dye our hair dark when her blonde hair looks so natural?!


Meg and Harry. Look at that dimple - it's always been there!