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GrosgrainStore.com Grand Opening & Giftcard Giveaway

This is.....

My favourite Quote....

'My formula for living is quite simple. I get up in the morning and I go to bed at night. In between, I occupy myself as best I can. '
~ Cary Grant


Need I say more?

Thank you to Strawberry kisses for choosing this weeks theme and to Angela for hosting!

Love Fridays!

{We heart it}

{We heart it} - Get one of these HERE!
I {heart} Ink & Spindle!

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{We heart it} - You can also pick this up HERE!

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Feeling C***!

Sorry about the title but it's true....

Not much going on here. Haven't been feeling the best for the last few days. I did end up finishing Brett's overalls but other then the usual everyday house work there hasn't been much else going here. This waiting to see people regarding Zach is really getting me down. There are some real issues that I need to discuss with SOMEONE and its just not happening. I really feel for people out there with children with a disability (Geez - did I just say that, actually has made me feel a little sad). Zach's issues could be 100 times worse and I would still probably not have made any progress. Mitchell was at pre-school on Wednesday for 4 hours and it felt like I was on the phone the ENTIRE time trying to get something happening.

Come back tomorrow - I'm actually going to do 'On my desk' ON FRIDAY! I'm going to have a nice hot chocolate and head to bed.....in the mean time I'll leave you with a few photos....(to brighten my night :)

The outcome of our 'Puff Painting' session (I don't know who enjoyed it more - the kids or me! haha)



And a few 'happy snaps' from the past few days....Sweet Dreams!



And there will be pictures of Ashlee on here soon! If she will stand still long enough to get them!

On the list....

for tomorrow....

'Puff paint' painting with help from here

We will be cooking more of these

There will definitely be some sewing going on - I have a ton of things to finish but on the top of the list is Brett's overalls that are all pinned up, just waiting for the machine to run over them.

I'm hoping that the weather is better because my washing pile is not getting any smaller!

And I really want to get the kids out for a lovely walk to the park....

But for now -
its 10:15pm,
all is quiet,
everyone sleeping,
all house work done,
I'm watching 'Bones; - LOVE IT!,
Now I plan to have a nice warm hot chocolate and head off to bed....sweet dreams!

Not me Monday! In honour of Baby Stellan!

OK so I totally lied! In honour of little Stellan coming home I just had to join in today's Not me Monday!


I did not just write a post promising no more post for today - never!

I did not look a couple of recent photos of me and think how terrible my nose looked and I most definitely did not have plastic surgery run through my mind....

I did not feed Zach and Anna half a Freddo Frog each because I was eating chocolate and they REALLY wanted some - no way!

I have certainly not let Mitchell watch Ice Age 2 and cartoons most of the day because it raining and cold outside. I would never let that happen! (He did some colouring in though)

I have not used disposable nappies all day because neither baby has pooed yet and I really couldn't stomach any nappy rinsing today. I would never do that - I love my MCN's!

I most certainly did not drive down to shops yesterday on warm and sunny day instead of walking the few kilometres. I would never waste fuel like that!

I did not put the Twins to bed last night without a bath because I was tired and just plan couldn't be bothered. I'm not like that....

OK, that's me for this week (but I might come back and update this post if I feel the need!) - make sure you check out Mckmama's Blog for other Not Me Monday-ites! (I'll come back with a more direct link soon, they are a day behind us here in Oz so there is no post yet and besides she has just brought home her amazing miracle! She most certainly doesn't even have to do a Not Me post this week!)

Menu Plan Monday!

Last post for the day ... I promise!



This week...short and sweet as I'm running out of day - hahahaha!

Monday - Beef & Red Wine Casserole - I substitute the red wine for rich beef stock as I'm not a drinker and don't stock wine the house.

Tuesday - Family Mince Pie - This is always a hit!

Wednesday - Chicken Parmigiana with veggies on the side

Thursday - Meat lover homemade Pizza - with homemade garlic bread

Friday - Aussie Beef burgers with the LOT!

Saturday - Chicken & Cheese Pasta bake - I buy a roast chicken that is ALWAYS on special on Friday night and use that.

Sunday - All in one quiche - an easy for a Sunday night

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A great link for recipes is Taste.com.au - Great recipes on this site.

Also check this blog out for other great recipes!

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Make sure you head over to Organizing Junkie for other great recipe ideas!

My craft space

This month over at Organizing Junkie they rounding up the Craft Rooms - I hadn't planned on it but after spending some time doing a few things in our Office/Craft Room over the last few weeks (of my own accord and not just for the round up) I thought 'what the heck' I'll join in! This is my first time so be kind to me ... hahaha.

I don't have any before photos because as I said I had no intentions of doing this but I can show you a few after photos and you will just have to visualize the (terrible) before's.

This is one area that still needs more work...but it is a lot better because before this I didn't even have a cupboard to put it all in!

This is most of my fabric for the time being

Here I have my everyday use stuff. My 'Side Winder', my patterns (on the right) I picked up most of the tubs and boxes at places like GoLo etc. I still have some work to do on this. I'm always moving stuff around until it suits me to a T (drives my family crazy!)

This area still has room to move! I'm yet to decide completely about what I'm going to put here but for now it looks kinda tidy!


This space is pretty much finished. I have made use of (the top photo) an old chips box (that I do plan to cover and make pretty!) to hold all my fabric scraps that are still kinda large or I just can't let go of. Then we have a plastic container holding craft and decorating magazines that I have borrowed from my Mum (so I don't mix them up with mine) and some of the kids craft things (sitting in front). I have a box (the white one - bottom photo) with current projects in it. I can pick this up at the drop of a hat and take it with me if I go to visit Mum etc.

Notice the bag sitting on top?! I have made use of an old bag that one of the Twins sheepskins came in to hold my wool and needles. Its the perfect size and that I can grab to if needed.

Here is my crafting/sewing desk. Notice my pride and joy?! I don't know how I lived with out my Snap Press! I use it for everything! (Sorry the photo is dark - its that kind of day) My view from this window is great. Great light, our front garden and of course the mail box - some of you will understand that comment.

And because my boy is a photo crazy, take of a photo of anything anytime kinda guy here is a photo of his paint brushes that he 'requested' I take....

Ok, so overall I still have a bit of work to do but just visualize the worst case scenario for your before photos and you will see I have done quite a bit! Hahaha.

I hope you have enjoyed a small look into my craft room. Make sure you go and check out some of the other Craft Rooms that Organizing Junkie and currently roundin' up!

More photo love...

The ones that would upload last night!

Lovin' Spring - minus the hayfever!

Oh - beautiful boy

Mummy and daughter

Twin lovin'!

And here he is again!

This is.....A recipe I would like to share

This is recent favourite at our place. Ashlee makes them herself and they are glorious!

Marshmallow Muffins:

These Ashlee made yesterday

Ingredients

2 cups self raising flour, sifted
1/2 cup caster sugar
2/3 cup milk
125g butter, melted
1 egg, lightly beaten
6 pink Marshmallows

Method

1. Preheat oven to 180c. Combine flour and sugar.

2. Add milk, butter and egg. Spoon half into greased muffin pan (we just use muffin cases). Top with a marshmallow then top with batter. Bake for 20 - 25 minutes.

This makes around 16 medium sized muffins.

These are also highly sort after around here...

Lemonade Scones:

Photo thanks to Taste.com.au

Ingredients

2 cups self raising flour, sifted

1/4 cup caster sugar

1/2 cup thick cream

1/2 lemonade

2 tbs milk

Method

Preheat oven to 220c. Lightly grease a baking tray.

Place flour, sugar and 1/2 tsp salt in a large bowl. Add cream and lemonade and mix to a soft dough. Turn out onto a floured board and knead lightly until combined. Press the dough with your hands to a thickness of about 2cm. Use 6 cm round cutters to cut 8 scones, place on a baking tray and brush tops with some milk. Bake for around 10 - 15 minutes. Serve with whipped cream and jam - YUMMY!

This makes around 8 large scones

Thanks to Angela for the theme and also for hosting at Three Buttons!

Going's on at our home - in pictures! (warning PIC HEAVY!)

We have been mildly busy here. Still trying to come to terms with our recent news but also trying to move on - if you know what I mean....

Saturday: Decided to do some painting, well for the kids to do some painting. Zach and Anna were sleeping so it was the perfect time. I proceeded to have a cup of tea and relax for 5 minutes while they were doing this. It was great! The paint we used was home made from this recipe found here. Although I was in a bit of hurry to make it so it could have been better but the kids enjoyed it and the paintings turn out alright. The other great thing is this paint is totally eat-able! Totally toddler friendly!

Here is the painting session: in pictures (well a few anyway)


Excuse the boxes in the back ground I was also in the process of unpacking a few (more)

Mummy's sweet little boy

I also decided to take a few photo's of the beautiful flowers that have been popping up in our yard lately. They are all so lovely I just had to share!

Who's hiding in there?!

Here is a few pictures of Anna modelling her new shorts (thanks to mummy). She loves them.

And Ashlee on the other end of the camera ...this is what you get....ENJOY!

{ More coming - Photo bucket is just playing up on AGAIN! }

Sunday Stash - Week 1

....my very first!



I thought I would join in with Sunday Stash. Although I don't have a HUGE stash it is quite considerable and some is show off worthy....I guess....So here we go - Sunday Stash Week 1 !!

{ Doggies }

I purchased this at Spotlight the other day and plan to make some shorts out of it for my boys. Mitchell loves it :)

Thank you to Tamara over at: 1/4 of an inch for hosting!