Happy Valentine's Day

I hope everyone's having a nice day. I received two cards this morning - a handmade paper one from each of the girls. Very sweet. My husband and I just said "Happy Valentines' Day' to each other. It's not something we make a big deal about, although I did decorate the bottles above in keeping with the Valentines theme.

I had ideas of doing a fancy frosted version, but in the end, I left it to the last minute and slapped some white paint on, with some crackle medium I had lying around since about 1994. And excuse my hastily picked flowers from my garden. I planned to buy some pretty ones from the supermarket, but the usual cheap bunches have been replaced with very expensive ones! I wonder why...

Blame this:

Well, Happy New Year sounds quite lame, considering it's February already. I'm very embarassed about my lack of blog posts, but we have had a very relaxing time over the Christmas/New Year period, and it's taken a while to settle back into routine.

That handy little device above was my Christmas present, and I've been busy acquiring lots of great reading (including free classics!), so have become even more of a book worm than usual. I promise I'll be a better blogger from now on. Right after I finish this novel...

Kate Rusby, Sweet Bells

Here's something to get you in the Christmas mood, from one of my favourite singers.

Annual Santa Photo

The girls and I met 'Santa' the other morning. I have to say, he was a wonderful Santa, and the girls had a lovely chat to him about Christmas Eve and what they might leave for him and his reindeers.

He also asked if they'd thought about what they'd like and Lizzie mentioned a Flairie doll (from Barbie in A Fashion Fairytale), and Louisa, having just seen a toy cobra in the store, mentioned that. So we discussed Cobra cars and how Daddy would probably like one, but they're very expensive and maybe a toy one would do. So a very patient and lovely Santa.

Lizzie managed an almost smile, while Louisa beamed.

Lizzie's Kids Swap

Well done to Kylie for organising this Kids Swap. We enjoyed making some clay decorations and cutting out some paper dolls, as well as choosing some cool craft stuff to send to another mini crafter.

Mollie's received her parcel from us. We hope she enjoys it! We hope our other little recipient recieved hers in one piece too.

Lizzie was so lucky to get some beautiful things from Alice. Unfortunately my camera's playing up so no photos, but there was so many bits and pieces, and a drawstring bag full of things that tinkle and sparkle. Lizzie loves it! And is painting her little clay santa as I write.

I hope to be back with a load of pics soon!

Still here, still busy

Sorry for lack of posts lately. I seem quite busy leading up to the Christmas hols - only a week and a bit before all of Santa's little jobs must be done! I've been running around trying to locate items the girls have on their lists, while also assuring them they won't be getting even half of what they've asked for. We don't want to overwork those elves now, do we?

Someone may end up with this:

and there may be a new Tinkerbell DVD and playset for someone else, so they can't really complain.

I'm looking forward to the end of term,. I love the lack of rushing around and remembering forms and taxiing to activities. Roll on Friday week!

Pumpkin free zone

Hi everyone.

I have nothing against others celebrating Halloween. I'll keep a small stock of lollies in case anyone comes door knocking on the weekend, and may even take my kids along to a Halloween dress up party a friend has organised - but just letting you know I'm not doing any form of Halloween decoration.


I'll admit to spending way too much time looking at blogs, and gee, those Americans get carried away with it, don't they? I'm sure it's lots of fun, but let's just say that any holiday where orange and black are the predominant colours isn't going to win me over.



And let's face it, the seasons are all wrong. Here in Australia it's spring, and images like this are far prettier:



That's Under the Jacaranda Tree by Richard Godfrey Rivers. If you're ever in Brissie, pop into the gallery and you can check it out. The girls and I decided it's our favourite painting there. The girls may have been swayed by the pile of jacarnada leaves the staff leave at the base of the painting at the right time of year.

At the moment, the jacarandas are blooming everywhere. The girls play a little game when we're in the car to see who can be first to call out 'Jacaranda!' everytime they see one - even they same ones we see everyday.

It was funny reading A-M's post today about the connection between the jacaranda blooms and the start of exam study. Being from Victoria, I never knew about this, and so thankfully I can simply enjoy the purple prettiness.