advent post #1

Is the delightful Floss a mind reader I wonder?
I had been toying with the idea of writing a couple of posts about the new christmas traditions that seem to be a part of this years beach hut celebrations; then Floss puts a pause in advent out there...a happy coincidence or bloggy telepathy...hmmmm...

So, what happened this year to cause new traditions? Actually, I don't really know (is it only me that has to say that little phrase in a Les Dennis does Coronation Streets Mavis sort of a way?); but the kids really did grow up.
This year there were no school plays, no shouts for a tree around mid November, the chocolate advent calendars have been ignored during the supermarket runs and the letters to Santa replaced by electrical store catalogues...
Do I fight this teenage lethargy.......
ABSO - FLAMING - LUTELY!

So new tradition #1
The Advent Calendar:

Barbie, Hot Wheels and Winnie the Pooh may have lost their appeal but what teenager can ignore a waist high, sky blue tree covered in orangey chocolate balls...especially when it's strategically placed by the front door and school shoes? And what could be more pleasant than a mouthful of jaffa flavoured candy to accompany the morning school run?

So, the scores on the doors please,

Round 1:
Mummy 1 Teenagers 0

bunting and fairy lights...

On a recent op shop expedition I was lucky enough to come across an old fabric sample book; obviously there is only one true use for an old fabric sample book.....
BUNTING!! miles and miles of bunting,

So the Sunday sum is...

fabric sample book + pinking shears = triangles. (divide triangles between old ribbons and the occasional pretty button) + needle and cotton + midsomer murders and a wet afternoon

= happy verandah.

I've sprinkled in a few fairy lights for good measure...happy, happy, happy verandah!

i'm so excited i may vomit!

Tintin, Peter Jackson, Tintin, Steven Spielberg and Tintin!

Whoooopeeeeeee...

P.S. Did I mention Tintin?

P.P.S When did Mr Jackson get so skinny and doesn't Mr Spielberg look a little like Santa?

it's not what you know...

it's who.

A lovely friend dropped a heap of coffee bean sacks off this week; I'm planning outdoor seat covers, market bags and doorstops.

Watch this space...

nee nah nee nah...

One of the reasons I love blogging so much is that you learn new things daily. Take vinegar for example...until 3 weeks ago it was just a condiment squirreled away in the pantry. Admittedly, I had at least 4 different types, but it was most definitely a foodie thing. The various vinegars are all still there, however there has been a wonderous addition and it lives in my first aid box...
Apple Cider Vinegar...google it!
It is a curer of all and I'm a convert. There is only one downside, you do smell a little fish and chippy if you take too much, but that is really such a tiny 'con' when stacked up against all the amazing qualities of this wonder fuel.

I'm a huge believer in the healing qualities of food... and it's not just about comfort eating either.
I have garlic infused olive oil to be warmed and then dripped into sore ears; lemon, manuka honey and ginger for anything fluey, butterscotch for sore throats, lavender for the restless and salty water for everything else.

Just out of shot is a bottle of red wine, a nip of whiskey, organic dark chocolate and the entire back catalogue of Midsomer Murders on DVD... these however are 'adult only' medical supplies, to be enjoyed at leisure.

cookies...gobble, gobble, gobble

Alfie made these yesterday. He just whipped them up after school, in a nonchalant, Masterchef sort of a way.
Impressed...I was!

moments #1

I recently read a couple of blogs where the prettifying of posts was alluded to. Although I really enjoy blogs where the photo's are all gorgeous and the writer's lives complete cheesecake (if I want gritty realism I'll watch the news), I do appreciate those real life posts where the untidy, embarrassing and bad tempered are celebrated too.
A Commonplace Life has decided to celebrate in style and I'm sure there's still time to join in her 'Moments' challenge if you feel up to it.
My moment... an early morning stop off on the way to the market where my tootsies found their way into shot. Normally I'd crop, but in the present 'keeping it real' climate I've left them in, shoddy home manicure and all!

a pirate with a heart

Alfie reluctantly agreed to model the latest Canteen bandanna, as he knows it's for a very worthy cause. (Why is it always the boys who get the golden curls?!

Canteen are an NZ organisation supporting young people living with cancer and every year they release a range of beautiful bandanna's to raise awareness and cash.

This year a likeness of the All Black Dan Carter, almost as well known for his underwear endorsements as his rugby, has been printed onto one of the range. However, I was swayed by the orange and, as I use the bandanna's as hankies in winter, the idea of blowing my nose on Dan's little face didn't really appeal.

happy fireworks night!!

DC Fireworks, originally uploaded by Grundlepuck.

Thank you Flickr...

I would have posted my own but we were completely rained off... Ya boo sucks!

Can't stop, my favourite wedding reception song of all time has just come on the radio and I'm overwhelmed by the urge to dance like a red neck and scream 'living on a prayer' at the top of my lungs...

Back soon!

make that a skinny latte...thank you!

I woke up this morning, sun shining and a definite smell of summer in the air. Out came the shorts, out came the singlets...quick shower and out the door, breezing passed the full length mirror on my way and WHAAAAATTT...back up the truck!

I was going to say you could have blown me down with a feather, but therein lies the problem, it's going to take a wrecking ball to blow me anywhere these days...I've gotten fat.

How this has happened is, of course, a complete mystery. My initial outrage was directed at the washing machine...

"I can't believe it has shrunk every piece of summer attire I own, and why pick on me ...nobody else's clothes have shrunk"

" Don't feel bad darlin', I like you a little bigger...pleasantly plump..."

A crashing silence descended over the house, the birds stopped singing and a tumbleweed blew quietly past the window.

"Pardon"

"Oh Shit"

It's taken all morning but I have now regained my composure (although marital bliss is still a little short on the ground) and I've already refused half a Bounty and arranged a run after work.

My body is now a temple...all sacrificial offerings should be inedible please.

P.S Check out the little horror found lurking under the frozen peas!
Halloween has been and gone, but this orange and mango icy lantern managed to escape unharmed...

So easy to make, cut off the top of an orange, scoop out the flesh and eat it with sticky fingers. Carve a face into the orange peel and then fill with fruity icecream (mango is best, but chocolate also works well...and yes I know chocolate isn't a fruit, but it is a valuable member of a very important food group, I'm sure)
Refreeze and enjoy...mwah, hah, hah, hah.

q: when is plankton beautiful?

A: When it looks like this....

A vast plankton bloom occurring east of New Zealand has been captured by satellite. Caught up in eddies and currents, the blooms create intricate patterns of blues and greens that spread across thousands of square kilometers of the sea surface.

It reminds me of marbling hard boiled eggs; a favourite Easter time activity when the kids were small... gorgeous.