Tea time

Hardly original, I know, but it is the end of the holidays and I am fresh out of ideas. These were fun. Don't know that I'd want to eat them, way too sugary sweet, but certain other family members have happily devoured them. Poppy and I (mostly Poppy) made a dozen little biscuits for morning tea, but with ample supplies on hand, we will probably end up making another dozen for afternoon tea.

Lovinitup

Apparently I am always grumpy. So I've been told this morning. Just to prove I'm not, I have a few lovey projects on the go. Valentines papercuts from here, and maybe here. A nice dinner tonight, a glass of wine, and maybe no yelling from me. Because really I do need to curb the yelling a little. Positively fishwifey. Not that it fusses our neighbours who are equally vocal in a crazy italian way. We are going through a difficult phase with our six year old, and it is impacting on all of the family in a not very nice way. I have become ranty and screechy in response to all this and it's not so attractive.

So here's to chilling out, smiling more, and spreading the love.

Australia Day

This time last year, we hosted a big Australia Day BBQ, complete with lots of, ahem, refreshments, but due to work commitments, this years get together has had to be abandoned.

Instead, we have made lamingtons. While wearing Australian Flag tattoos. Aussie huh? We might even listen to a bit of old school Aussie pub rock- ACDC, Mental as Anything and Cold Chisel. Just because we can.

Anyway, here they are.

I heart IKEA

I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with these beads. I love, love, love both the process and the end result. But the mess when that bucket is tipped....

Anyway, I thought I might do a quick how to.

This bucket was a Christmas purchase, and with a bit of trial and error, I finally sussed out how to meld them together successfully.

After stacking them on your board,

place between sheets of baking paper and gently press with a moderate iron. The baking paper is really important. When I looked for instructions on the internet, nobody mentioned this and I managed to get a whole lot of beads melted on the iron. Seriously stuck on. Not what you want.

Flip, removing board, cover with paper, and press the other side.

I have found it takes about fifteen seconds. These get REALLY hot, so be careful. They do tend to curl a little at the edges, so I let them cool slowly, pressed under a weight.

We have made a few into brooches,

some into bracelets,

and a super sized one into a room tag.

Hours of entertainment.

Done

I am exhausted! Our last trip for the holidays was jam packed with country driving. A two night stay with a friend in Benalla was absolutely bursting with goodness. Roadside food stalls,

wineries, bakeries and cafes had us enjoying the best the region had to offer. And don't even get me started on the amazing hospitality shown to our family. Truly wonderful friends we are

blessed to have.

Our boot came home filled with Milawa cheeses and bread, fresh tomatoes, onions and garlic, and the cutest free range eggs which are white, brown, speckled, big and small.

The most delicious smelling peaches were brought back, which will be my dinner tonight.

Blueberries for breakfast tomorrow.

After escaping all the wonderful linen and homeware stores, my very tolerant husband managed to find some vintage cars at a nearby service station. This was just a couple, but there were several more, all very retro cool I say.

By day, and night, the kids went possum hunting by the lake at Benalla.

Trees were peeked in.

And shy little possums were found!

Hills were rolled down.

And lakes swam in.

Thank you so much for an unforgettable weekend. We love you Ellen!

Thirty Nine

Is it weird to make your own birthday cake? I suspect it might be, but here I am, merrily baking away.

You see, tomorrow is my birthday and with a busy weekend planned, I thought I get in early and make a little something we can all enjoy. A dark chocolate tart is in the oven, so I guess, technically at least, I'm not actually baking a cake.

It's hard to believe that I am only a year away from forty. Not that I'm angsty-like, far from it. As far as I'm concerned, life is just getting better and better. Certainly more comfortable. The kids are getting older, and while still a handful at times, they are growing into confident, independent children.

So today is filled with a million little catch up tasks, then feet up (in fancy shoes) and relax. Perhaps with a glass of champagne in hand.

Home again, home again....

How I love my own bed. Nothing quite beats being home. We have covered around three thousand kilometers in the last month, with long drives and short drives, criss crossing all over the place. Today has been a day spent in the laundry. So far I've managed ten loads of washing, but with a gorgeous day outside it's no real hardship to be out hanging it all up.

Our very old dog has been returned, much to everyones delight. He certainly has been missed, but I think we have worn him out with our hustle and bustle as he is firmly ensconced in his favourite spot, not budging for anyone.

The garden has run wild, seemingly abandoned, with the lawn around our knees and garden beds overgrown, it is all in desperate need of a little attention.

A generous neighbour has given us an enormous bag of plums, Satsumas and Greengages. After a quick trip to the supermarket later today, I will make a crumble tonight, and maybe a fresh plum tart tomorrow. With plans for another weekend away, much baking is needed, perhaps a lemon tart or two might be made.

For now though, its good to be home.

Blogging on the go

Don't you just love the Internet? Here I am, in the car, blogging away. The ability to publish posts from anywhere is just terrific. At the moment we are cruising along the coast of Victoria, having just crossed the state border just east of Mount Gambier.




We left Robe behind this morning after a leisurely start to the day.
Our accomodation here was perfect. A two story stone cottage, right on the beach. A twenty second walk to the sea! A glass of vintage champagne, a cracker or two and them a dip in the water and the travel weariness all but disappeared. If ever you find yourself in this neck of the woods, the Caledonian Inn is the best spot you could find yourself.




With Ben doing all the driving, I've been able to catch up on emails, read a few blogs and have had fun playing in car DJ. I've caught up with a long lost pal on Facebook (hi Jess) and made plans for dinner tomorrow (thanks Ellen).
Love these gadgets that keep us in touch!

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The final leg

Today is our last day before we head back home. What a fantastic break we have had. At the last minute we decided to extend our holiday by another night, and take the coastal road home.
So far we have been on a dolphin cruise on the Port River (yes we did see dolphins), visited the vibrant seaside suburb of Glenelg, cheese shopped in the Adelaide Hills and caught up with family.



Yesterday we left the hills, travelling through wine country for a quick stop at our favourite vineyard in Langhorne Creek for a few bottles if red. We were delighted with an impromptu tour of the cellars, something I had never seen despite many previous visits. Here we got to see the original wine press, dating back to the 1800's and the huge big oak barrels that their fortified wines mature in.
From here, we made our way to the tiny township of Wellington, where we crossed the Murray via car ferry to continue the rest our journey, taking in the Coorong National Park before arriving in Robe.




The Coorong is where we spent a lot of time as kids. My father was a keen fisherman and at any opportunity would pack our little Volkswagon beetle full of camping gear and provisions and take off for the beach.
At Salt Creek we would stop and let air out of our tires before climbing the dunes at Tea Tree Crossing.
Our beach stays here were always rough and ready, lots of sand, lots of wind and lots of play. To this day it remains one of my fondest childhood memories, running along the beach and exploring the dunes. We kids roamed pretty free, whole Dad fished, spending the day collecting shells, discovering middens and chasing the surf. Occasionally Dad would let us stand on the running boards while he drove along the beach-teriffic fun, even now my heart beats a little faster thinking of how dangerous it seemed.




Further along from the Coorong, not far from Robe is another childhood treasure-the Big Lobster. How great is this! In the fishing town of Kingston, this iconic treasure continues to draw in tourists, and anyone you speak to here in Australia seems to fondly recall a visit here. I must admit a soft spot for all things big, having visited many and posed under them all for the obligitory photo. This trip alone saw us at the Big Olive, the Big Rocking Horse, the Big Koala and the Big Lobster.
Ah happy days.....

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Road Trip

Off we go again. The car has been repacked and the kids' have plenty of things to amuse them for the long drive ahead.

Once a year we all pile into the car and make our way interstate to visit family. Really this is a trip that should happen more frequently, but an eight hour drive is an exhausting event, and now with two school age kids, one that is restricted to school holidays.

Having spent the first twenty odd years of my life in South Australia, I do of course miss it from time to time, but not so much out of nostalgia, mostly a craving for the lovely German fare of the Adelaide Hills. Although I didn't grow up in the Hills, we were not so far away and visited often. Bienenstich, bagels, metwurst, pickles and sausages. Mmmm.
Now that my family has scattered far and wide, visiting is a little different. Neither of my parents, nor my brother and his little family remain in our home town. Mum is near me now, my brother on Kangaroo Island and my Father has settled in the Hills.
Woodside truly is Eden. Green all year round, with small roadside stalls selling all manner of local produce. Fresh picked cherries in summer, nothing quite beats them.

This trip we have decided to break our journey with an overnight stay on Horsham, with the kids spending the night with some of my husband's side of the family while we luxuriate in a nearby hotel. Peace and quiet. Something to look forward to.

Beach Fun

Just a few gratuitous beach shots to prove it wasn't all scones and shopping.

Hopefully I will have even nicer shots to share soon. Did I mention our delightful houseguest is a VERY talented photographer?

Somehow we all managed to look adorable, and not so cranky for once.

Summer on the Peninsula

What a lovely summer break we are having. We have had ten days of relaxing by the beach, relishing the refreshing coastal breezes, and lack of daily structure.

My oh my it has been busy though. Sooo many other beach goers and horrendous traffic snarls. We have tried to avoid the crowded spots, driving a bit further to escape the bustle. Across the peninsula is somewhat more subdued, less chaotic, and of course a very scenic drive through rolling hills.

Red Hill was our destination yesterday. A leisurely lunch with a glass of wine, then a visit to my new favourite shop, Miss Kitty's. This was my second visit in as many days, and it really is a delightful shop.

Filled to the brim with girly goodness, and just the right amount of pink. Frilly aprons, stripey cups and darling little pencils. Sadly restraint had to be my mantra, but I would certainly like to return some time soon, even if it is only to enjoy more of their scones and tea.

And a big glass of wine from across the road...

With a close friend joining us for the last few days we have been spoilt with delightful company, even the kids were (mostly) well behaved.

Today was our last day, and sadly we packed up, and headed off for home. The weather gods are quite unkind today, with the mercury topping 43C, we are all indoors resting. Not a bad thing because tomorrow we start out again, with a visit to the Adelaide Hills for a few days. Berry picking, wineries and artisan cheese makers. I've planned ahead and managed to borrow a small in car fridge to keep everything icy cool.

Off we go.

Summer Break

Here on the Peninsula we have perfect weather conditions.




A lovely 26C, and a gentle sea breeze. The kids are having a great time. Sandcastles are being built, new flippers used, and lots of floating around in the calm waters of the bay.

We more sedate adults are relaxing under a big umbrella, with little on our mind other than planning our next meal (BBQ tuna steaks). Having packed boxes and boxes of wine, we have been very controlled and so far stuck to fresh juices (I have had a nasty cold). On the mend now, I'm really starting to unwind and appreciate the lack of structure our days have.

With a house guest due to arrive in the next few days, perhaps more activities will be planned, but for now, lazy days and midday naps rule.