Giveaway

I have another giveaway for my amazing readers! How can I say no to hosting a giveaway when I know one of you fabulous people will win!

I love looking at homewares and furniture online; whether it's Microsoft Windows shopping (hehe) for a new vanity, lounge, kitchen or dining suite...and all the accessories that go with those big ticket items.

Accessories and homewares...so much fun to choose. I'm thrilled that CSN Stores is offering my US & Canadian readers another chance to win a $40 voucher to spend in any of their online shops. Head over to their site to see what you like.

If it was me, hmmm...what might I choose...

Le Creuset 9" Square Baking Dish with Bonus 5" Baking Dish in Caribbean

Sengware Square Plates

Le Creuset Mortar & Pestle

Birdcage Teatowel

Le Creuset Cool Tool Potholders

Flirty Aprons Girl's Apron in Blue/Chocolate

Le Creuset 14-Ounce Petite Strawberry Casserole

Can you tell I am a Le Creuset fan?!? I love these colours; the yellow, red and Carribean blue together are really gorgeous, I think. Makes a kitchen all bright and lovely.

Please leave a comment to enter :) New followers welcome! 

For a bonus entry, visit one of the CSN Stores and tell me what you would choose.

Entries close 8th July 2010.

Shipping charges may apply for Canadian readers.

Yummy baking day

Today I have been industrious in the kitchen; making kid friendly 'Invisble Apple Muffins' and also Cheesymite Scrolls. I will be making some Tuna Patties for dinner as well.

I found the Invisible Apple Muffins recipe at kidspot.com.au, always handy for recipes, especially for children. I made a slight 'tweak' and added grated dates, some cinnamon in the mix and some shredded coconut as well. I would have added sultanas/raisins as well but we have run out. A really easy recipe. I will be hanging on to this one. The taste is subtle, perfect for young kids. Tastes a little like butter cake, with slight apple-y goodness. They won't even know they are eating apple.

For Cheesymite Scrolls, you really don't need a recipe, although there are heaps out there. Spread an even coat of Vegemite (or Promite or Marmite if you are so inclined) over a thawed sheet of pastry. Sprinkle with cheese (your choice; I use Tasty or Colby, Cheddar) or a mixture of cheeses. Roll into a log. Cut log into evenish circles. They don't have to be pretty to taste good! Put on greased tray. Bake for 15 mins at around 200 C.

If you don't like Vegemite, try these with pesto...yum.

Coincidentally, I found my favourite Tuna Patties recipe at kidspot.com.au a while back too. I make variations depending on when I make it and what's in the fridge, but it's a great recipe.

Easy to pack a whole lot of vegies in there. I dice them really small with my favourite kitchen item of all time...Tupperware 's (Australia / USA) Happy Chopper. I really, really love it. Unfortunately, they didn't pay me to say that. I just truly think it is incredibly awesome.

American readers please note - Australian cup measurement=250 mls

So true

"This is the thing that no one can really explain to you, before you live it, before you feel it deep in your heart in that place that you didn’t even know was there until your children came and called to it, is this: that you will always miss them, always even as you crave and relish your solitude, even when you experience that aloneness as a kind of bliss, even when you thank the gods that you got to spend the night without a toddler attached to your hair, you will miss them. You will keenly miss them. And the heart never gets used to that." - Her Bad Mother

This is so true! There are many people out there that have expressed to me a bafflement that one would ever want to have a break from their children. It's also true, these people rarely have children themselves. There's this idea that it's unnatural of a mother to need space, fun or independence; God forbid ALONE TIME.

"You made the choice to have children," is the mantra. "Suck it up".

I just love how Her Bad Mother expressed the feeling. Good gravy, alone time is wonderful. Be it 20 minutes or hours. No one grabbing at you, begging for another this, that, the other, wrestling with siblings and knocking their bodies on the furniture. A coffee that is at least warm the whole time you're drinking it! Bathroom breaks in peace with no one following you. B.L.I.S.S. You never understand how precious that is before you have children.

So yeah, alone time = wonderful. But it's so true that you miss and pine after them the whole time you are alone. Your heart always seems full to bursting with your children. Motherhood, huh?

And for those that utter the mantra...just wait. :)

Free Printable - Light Candles Quote

Thanks to The Graphics Fairy for the vintage frame image.

Australia's First Female Prime Minister

Today Australia's first female Prime Minister Julia Gillard was sworn in by Australia's first female Governor General Quentin Bryce.

Image Source: http://ninemsn.com.au/img/2010/news/2406_gillard4_nh_sp.jpg

A historic day for Australia.

I shed a tear watching the swearing in ceremony because of the symbolic nature of the occasion.

There was some political hoopla that lead to this appointment, including the previous PM standing down. No matter what your political persuasion or perspective, a very historic day indeed.

Now, let's celebrate the occasion (even if we mourn the fact former PM Rudd was dispatched), and move on to letting the new PM do her job. And let's hope various media outlets cease referring to her as 'Australia's First Lady'!?!

She is now the Prime Minister, not married to one, please afford her some respect for her office.

The fact that she is not married and has no children also has no bearing on her political career. Who cares??? Stop mentioning it!

Read more here if interested.

Free Printable - Strength Quote

"The Coffee"

Oh, I can't stop drinking the coffee. If I stop drinking coffee, I stop doing the standing and the walking and the words putting-into-sentence doing.

- Lorelai Gilmore (from TV's Gilmore Girls)

STORY. OF. MY. LIFE.


Spotted at Mmmcrafts.

New headbands

I made some new headbands with my trusty glue gun and a tiny bit of sewing...

The pink & black felt one is based on Yoonie's peony tutorial with less layers and the other is just different sized circles of white satin, edges burned/melted and embellished with a bead. Many people have done variations of these, I did these without reference to a particular tutorial, they are very easy.

Giveaway Winner!

The winner of the Charlie Moo's Party Bags is...

Lexi's Mommy! Congratulations! Please contact me so I can send you your prize :)

Everyone else stay tuned as we will have more giveaways in the future as well as some big news coming soon!

Retro ideas of today's fashion

World; apparently, we're doing it wrong.