Fun & Free

I have been searching for some fun, free or cheap things to do with the kids during the year and came across - Geocaching.

You can sign up here at http://www.geocaching.com/, a basic membership is free as is the iPhone app. There are literally thousands of caches waiting to be found. Located in rural and urban areas, you could easily break up road trips for a little treasure hunting!

We had our first go yesterday, it was a more urban cache and totally fun! The GPS took us straight to the cache site but it took us a while (about 30 mins) to find it as it was quite small and since it was our first go we weren't a 100% sure what it would look like.

In each cache there are also little trinkets, you can take one and replace it with another. In our first one we put in 2 old coins and took a glow in the dark star.


A treasure found!

Today we found another, this one only took about 5 mins to find! But it was hidden in a lovely location.

Gorgeous view on a very hot day

Next time we go geocaching I am going to pack a picnic and make a day of it. Other than any fuel it is a free fun family activity which makes a great change.

Birthday Archery

Yesterday was Dave's 36th birthday. I'm telling him he has turned thirty sexy!! He is only somewhat amused. Funny that.  Anyhoo, we went down and bought his recurve bow that we had put away and half a dozen arrows. He is loving his bow who I have named Shirley (and yes there is a bit of a convoluted reason for it).

For the love of Shirley

We went out to the outdoor archery range for a picnic and so Dave could shoot Shirley.Sounds a little mafia but it is really lovely out there. It is about 5 kms out of  town and quiet, quiet enough to hear the birds. A guy who is in the archery club and knew Dave was getting Shirls came out and took both Dave and Wes around the course.

Wes shooting with his compound bow

They both had a good time even though they both lost an arrow and broke one each! You would think that with neon fletches on the end of the arrows it wouldn't be to hard to find but they both stayed lost.

Targets are wool bales filled with a bunch of different stuff

Amelia and I stayed at the picnic area and collected leaves, took pictures of  interesting things we found and went for a stroll. We couldn't walk too far as we were both wearing thongs and the snakes are already out and about.

Sorting leaves into colours

We will definately be going out again, it was a really nice few hours and it was really fun for Dave to get to shoot on his birthday.

How was your weekend?

Mother's Day

I love Autumn, it's my favourite season! I took this picture this afternoon, don't the colours look gorgeous? One of our neighbours trees is flame red and it is so striking.

Today is Mother's Day and what a fab day I have had. I have been spoilt (as is all mothers due), had a poke around the shops and did some gardening. Planting carrot seeds, garlic and weeding. I tended my worm farm and lamented the forgotten Fairy garden. I watched "We bought a zoo" with Dave and the kids and finished a dishcloth.

I also came across The Inner Pickle's blog and have since been in a slice making frenzy! I made her Lemon slice  and her Choc Caramel slice, I will make the Insane slice this week cause I just cant work out how it works!!! Yummo!

So I hope all you Mums had a very special day!

Saturday

With Mother's Day being tomorrow, we trotted out to Ashford to see Mum (& Dad). My sister got Mum a pair of massage slippers and I got her Rhonda's Down to Earth book. It very nearly killed me not to read it but I was too scared of creasing the pages to give it a go! Can't wait to borrow it!

There was also a combined garage sale out there this morning so we went and had a look. I ended up scoring a Johnson dinner plate (though we had to buy the whole box to get it! $4) and a couple of other plates in there too.

I also got some 100% cotton to make more dishclothes and a lucky find it was as I was contemplating buying more online! Mum got some cotton too as well as a lamp. Amelia got a pair of miniture rocking horses for her dressing table which is already choc full.

I also got sent home with some molasses to make spray for the cauli's and broc's and half a dozen eggs!

I even got to start a dishcloth out there today!

Mum made lunch, which was delicious and gave the extra bonus of being the main meal so we can all just have an easy dinner. Thanks Mum!

Peg Apron - of sorts!

As I said, I want to make some peg aprons for gifts this year so I unpicked my apron and it kind of fell apart as I was doing it!!! However I DID salvage the three main pieces and not really thinking it through (how unusual - not), I kind of just rushed into putting it together.

It obviously didn't occur to me why there was bias binding on the edges (duh!), so I had to do a bit of regigging of the whole apron as I went along BUT is does work as a peg apron! Luckily it is mine so doesn't have to be perfect. Lucky too that I talked to my sister and she thinks she may have the actual pattern for it ~ maybe I should have asked first!

I am off to visit my sister today, so I have a load of washing on to be hung before we go and a loaf of bread on to take with us for lunch. I might take a jar of homemade jam too! We will also pop in and see Dave's Nan as she hasn't been very well lately and I know Dave is a bit worried about her. She is awesome and lived through London's Blitz, was part of the Land Army and came out to Australia with a young family and started fresh not knowing a soul, in a small rural town! That's gutsy. I just hope she gets better real quick.

What's on your weekend agenda??? Have a good one!

Catching Up

The last two weeks have felt really busy, though to say I had no time to blog would be a big lie. But finding where to start was a lot harder, so I didn't write but I read a lot of other blogs!

Have now been in the new work space for two weeks and I am still trying to decide if I like it or not. It has a lot of pluses going for it but of course there is a couple of negatives that I am going to have to learn to live with. I am really hoping it will grow on me cause I love my job!

I have made up some adult bunting for the back deck and bought a garden seat for the back garden. Ripped out alot of plants that have finished and started getting ready for the winter plantings.

My front porch is still coming along and the end is almost in sight! It is even better than I had hoped. We have organised for the house to be painted and now are trying to pick out colours. I had a specific colour scheme in mind, then I thought - If I had to sell the house tomorrow what colours would be ok?- so we are still thinking.

Buying nothing new in Feb went really well and we saved a good chunk - even in just four weeks! I didnt buy anything after we took the kids to the town show and think I did ok for the month. Mum and Megan just never got into the swing of it.

Tomorrow I am going to put up the before and nearly after pics of my porch!

New Year New Pets

Santa gave Amelia two guinea pigs for Christmas! So Sparkles and Glitter have joined our crew. They are small and are still getting used to us but they are very very cute!With some of his Christmas money Wes bought himself an aquarium. There are three goldfish now in residence. Their names are Steve, Bob and Jimmy - yes we are assuming they are all blokes.

Happy New Year to everyone!! I have to admit we didn't see the year in at all, fast asleep in bed! Last of the party animals we are not!!!

Dave and I have set down some goals for this year that mainly focus on health and fiscal matters, both I know I will come to love and hate in equal measures. I am really hoping to plan my vegie garden more so that it will evolve into the "dream" garden that I have in my head. We also want to do some housey stuff like fix the laserlite for the deck, a front fence and maybe have an awning over the front porch.

Mostly I am hoping for a happy, healthy and safe 2012!

A First & Evan Almighty

Amelia received a small sewing machine from Santa. She wanted to make Aunty Megan a bag, so we used a 70's style cloth placemat and a leftover extra strap from one of my aprons. Here is Aunty Megan modelling her new bag!
And here is the bag by itself. I think she did a really good job and she is quite proud of herself too. This afternoon she sewed Wesley a bookmark that he had requested, its green as Amelia thought that green is more "boyish".

It's very nearly a smile... really it is! Master Evan is a bit tight fisted with his smiles so close enough is good enough. Look at him trying to flex his almighty muscles, what a strong nephew!!

Babies

Yesterday we had a flying visit to Gunnedah, to deliver Christmas presents and see my new niece and nephew!

Both my sisters had babies last month, only 12 hours apart but they each still have their own birthdays. Too cute!
Here is Dave holding Ava Rose, she has just had a bottle and is in a milk haze I think.

Here is Wesley Patrick holding Evan Patrick! Both have the same middle name as their Pop. Evan has long arms and legs and Amelia swears he did a Superman move!

They were so lovely and happy babies. Love having them to spoil!

Busy Busy Busy

Woo hoo! Three days off! I love the October labour day holiday! Always a Monday. Thank goodness I dont work in hospitality or I would have to work.

Got a few things planned for this weekend. Pull the last of the cauliflowers out and blanch them as well as blanching a bunch of silverbeet, plant more carrots, pick-blanch-freeze some peas and make some cheese.

I also have the material to make Harry's Christmas present and will look for a pattern for Megan's birthday present. On top of this we have to keep the house looking fairly nice as we will have a valuation Tues/Wednesday next week - oh joy!

Megan's shower was really good and I am sure the table was bowing under the weight of all her gifts, even though she told everyone not to bother. I have to say that she loved Evan's bunting and I will get her to send me a pic of it to put here. Mums quilt is gorgeous and I will get a photo of that too. And here they are!!!!! Looks like my washing is ready to hang - hopefully it will dry before the black clouds get here!

Happenings

Yesterday was Wesley's 14th birthday - yep 14! I told him I am too young to have a fourteen year old but he assured me I was wrong - gee thanks Wes! Its really hard to get pictures of Wes as he is camera shy. He had a great day and got gifts that he loves.

The other news is Amelia passed her grading and is now the proud wearer of a yellow belt!
Couldn't resist a few bargains in Target today, got Wes 2 t-shirts for $2.70 each, a 2 pack of baby jumpsuits for $3.88 and 2 toiletry packs for $2.48 each of which one will be Amelia's teachers Xmas gift.

Speaking of teachers, here in NSW we are having a teachers strike tomorrow. Wesley's high school is closed and only about a third of the teachers at Amelia's are working, unfortunately one of them isn't Amelia's. Its a massive inconvenience and makes it VERY hard to feel sympathy for the teachers.

Back to Blogging

After a small hiatus from blogging I am back to it! I am currently obsessed about applique and will have to show you some of the squares i have done form my king size quilt. Loving it bad!

Being winter the garden is slow but steady. My lettuce is growing well and my broccoli is close to picking. Still picking silverbeet, carrots and beetroot. My wheelbarrow pansies are flowering as is the camellia out the front - gorgeous hot pink flowers.

The last couple of weeks have flown and I have been busy though not feeling like I am getting anywhere! Running on the spot so to speak. I have had a birthday so will have to update the bit about me on the side. 37.

I got some great presents and loved everything I got. I will post pics tomorrow after I get home from seeing my mum on HER birthday. We are making a lush morning tea to take.

Until tomorrow-have fun!

Italiano!

Italian night was a roaring success! We are thinking of having another themed night very soon. Maybe Greek or Indian. Everything was so delicious and everyone had fun cooking. Here are a couple of the dishes; This is Bron's penne e fungi con prociuetto. The sauce was gorgeous, made with Parmesan cheese melted and reduced in chicken stock. This is something I will definitely be making.

Dave's world's famous lasagna.

Wayne Swan and Me

Who would have thought we would have so much in common! We are both putting forth our budgets tonight. Of course I am pitching mine only to Dave but still... lol! Though I am hoping we will get back to surplus (other than our mortgage) before 2013.

Dave and I kind of go in cycles of spending, for a while we will be very aware of our money then we slide in to Mr & Mrs Spendy Pants. I think we are heading the spendy way again, so we are focussing on the budget again. Focussing on sticking to our menu plan. Focussing on saving.

I am also going to do a spend diary for the next fortnight. I am writing down every cash, eft and any bank transfer from thursday. I am hoping for a few no spend days in there too.

It so easy to spend. You see something and suddenly you can't imagine life without it. Or you see a little thing that only costs a few dollars so you get it and then you see another liitle thing that's only $4 or $5 and then your at the till forking over $20! I find this happens to me a lot when I go into Coles. I will buy stuff that I don't need plain and simple. I got to stop it!!!

BTW the federal budget doesn't really effect us in any immediate way though it may trickle our way in time.

That's my money jumble for tonight!

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day! Especially to my mum Joan - I will give you your gift on Thursday when I see you.
Dave and the kids got me a tonne of dirt for mothers day. I was pretty happy with it, we all had a turn behind the shovels.Wes weeded the garden bed out for me too.

Here it is filled and with pansies, cauliflowers and two different broccolis in it.

Amelia got me this from the school stalll. Its very cute.
Peach tree has a new home!

New home for strawberries

Fairy hole filled

New mat for back door - only $2 from Bunnings

The plastic moths from last year are back in action!

Looking back at the house

Dinner! Dave's pizzas were so good we got him to make them again!

Getting There

Weekend list update number two!

The pear chutney is done and I have given two jars away already! It has a really nice flavour and I think it will go very nicely with pork. Thank you Debbie.

Wesley's stitchery has been started. Though I bought this tracing pen from the material shop and I think I might have made a mistake. It is meant to go through your tracing paper straight onto the material. I am not loving it for two reasons, firstly you have to go over the pattern quite a few times quite firmly for the pen to go through and secondly, it fades very very very quickly. I did the trace this morning went back tonight to start and 75% of it was gone! Plus the stupid thing cost me $9.90 so I feel like I HAVE to use it now.

We had a lovely day at the Ashford caves and McIntyre Falls. It was fun and relaxing. I took some pictures but have got to get the camera out of the car, so will do that in the morning. The Easter bunny was very good to all the kids (and Dave and I too). The kids were up at just past six to see what they got and then went for an egg hunt in the garden. Lovely.

Thinking off doing more stitching tomorrow and I might go feed the ducks! Though I will watch the Anzac march first. Have a great Easter Monday.

List Update

So I have made the zucchini pickles, planted the garlic, pulled out the cucumber vine and zucchini plants and have made a start weeding the veg garden. Today I am hoping to make the pear chutney, finish weeding and start Wesley's stitchery. I have also got do the usual stuff like grocery shopping, washing and cleaning.

We went out to Mum and Dad's yesterday for Good Friday. It was a really nice day, we did take a load of pavers out there too. Ashford is such a nice quiet town, it just feels relaxing,

I have other little projects that I want to start - have you noticed the more you looking around blogs and I guess the Internet in general, the longer your 'must do' list gets? It's crazy! I have sewing and craft that I want to do but firstly I MUST focus on the garden so everything is good to go. Our first frost usually comes around ANZAC day so I have got to be ready soon..

Righto I am off to do some ironing - how exciting is my life? LOL!

Bellingen

Last Thursday we headed off to Bellingen. It is a cute little town with a very big cafe scene and some nice shops. This is the view from the cabin we were staying in 4 kms out of Bellingen. The dairy cows would wander across the river for milking and at 5 in the afternoon the ducks would land on the river and then head home by all walking in a line. It was very funny to see. We went to the Butterfly Farm and it was better than I remembered. The last time we had been there Wes had been 6 years old. This time Amelia is 6!

And three very beautiful and extremely rare butterflies.

We stopped in at the Honey Place at Urunga on the way to visiting Dave's parents in Macksville for a couple of hours on Saturday.

This is Marilyn the pig and Amelia was so keen to feed her our scraps that she was encouraging us not to eat all our lunch or dinner!

We bought Dave's muesli for only $7.50 a kg from Kombu and I went in and saw a Carman Miranda tea cosy, a bit smaller than the one I made Megs and the purse I made Aunty Wilma for Christmas last year. Obviously I am a lot more hip than I knew!

Spending Money

Spending money USED to be a hobby, I USED to enjoy it. Now, not so much.

I used to be able to find something in any shop to buy and bring home with me (not that I bring home stuff that I don't pay for!) I would have a half hour before work so I'd have a browse at the newsagent and would spend $10 on a magazine, that I would take home flick through and put on my bookshelf. I now borrow my mags from the ibrary, the only exception from this is the occaisional GrassRoots mag - which I love, read cover to cover and refer back to. Or I would go Target after work everyday and see what was on special or their reduced racks and 9 times out of 10 I would find SOMETHING to buy, I would rationalise that it is a bargain - even if we didn't really need it.

This week I have bought a couple of things but in a completely different way. I needed undies so I went to Big W, walked to the underwear section, got them, paid for them and left. I got Dad's bday present (going thirds with Meg and Kate), paid and left. I am not looking around for random stuff to buy and it is good!!

Got to take the kids to the dentist tomorrow for their 6 monthly checkups but luckily I have the government Teen Dental voucher for Wes's visit so if his appointment isn't more than $159.85 we are all good and I will only have to pay for Amelia's. Thank you the Australian government!! Ha!

I am in two minds about going away for a long weekend with the kids. I really want to go away but I really dont want to spend the money. I will have 2 weeks overtime (about $600) but I COULD put that to paying off bills. Grrrr. I am going to see if I can find a less expensive compromise. I ask Dave what he thinks and he just says "as long as we can afford it". And as I am the CFO of this household thats no answer at all!

Crafty wise, I have 3 easter bookmarks to make, my red top to sew, Wesley's stitchery and Amelias sundress to do. Oh and mending. I need more hours in the day!

Bonus! Found some cheap plums so will be making plum jam tonight or tomorrow night. Yum!

Cheap Milk

I bought my last bottle of $1 = 1L of milk at Coles or from Woolies. I am going back to my normal buying habits. Why? Well cause this type of pricing is only going to result in either two things as far as I can see;

1. Dairy farmers will get less money than the pitiful amount they already do and
2. the stores will put prices up to ccompensate.

Actually I take that back both things will probably happen. Isn't capitalism fantastic?

In other news I have just finished recess baking for this week, we are having brownies and muesli bars. I have GOT to make banana bread tonight as the 'nanas that are left are overripe and now perfect for it.

Valentines day, hmmm. Dave has assured me that he hasn't bought me anything even a card going with our trying not to be spendy pants'. I did crack and get him a little box of Rose chocs (his all time favourites) for $3.88 and I wrote a lovely card which I printed off the internet, thank you WWW.

It's bad but I hope he did get me a card LOL! Can't please me!