Upycled Caravan

Its been a while since I posted on my blog, I have been Uber busy for the last few weeks, with not much spare time for the simple pleasures in life!!

I have been revamping an old vintage caravan for what seems like a lifetime but in actual fact its only been a few months , it wasnt as straight forward as I thought as it was shiny laminate inside, the sort of stuff that paint wont stick to, so I had to paint special primer on first before I could use ordinary paint, bit of a palarva but so worth it in the end, I love the finished result, I am using it as a sewing room/retreat, the girls love being in there with me too.  Milli sits & draws & sews  & Kenya lays on the  bed & uses the computer or reads, Its very peaceful & has a great vibe.

I have some before & after shots, hope you like it too xx

A Valentine Suprise

Emerson & I have been together for 14 years, never before has he got me anything for valentines day, neither of us do, its not really our thang, when you are at school & a secret admirer gives you a card, then its exciting but when you have been together for a while its not quite as goosebump worthy,  just quietly I think the girls were on at him to get me something never-the-less a single red rose & a card, that'll do nicely, Thanks xxx

Our Spontanious Holiday in NZ

On a Monday morning a couple of weeks ago, I alighted from from bed with my lovely new mattress wondering what the new day had in store for me, I didn't have any work & the girls were still on holidays from school for another 2 weeks, I was greeted by my man who said I want to go home for a week or so to see his family, It was booked by 11am, we were at the airport by 4pm & in Auckland by midnight being picked up by my sister-in-law Louise then a long 3 hour ride to the Bay Of Islands, knackered......

Milli with Louise's baby Weewah

The Homestead

View from my bedroom window at Marge's

 Emo & his Grandmother Thelma

 The four of us

Kenya with Charlie & Robyn's boy Awatea

 New Zealand fern

 My Sister-in-law Robyn's private family beach

 Some of the cuzzies

We had a fab week, tranquility on the farm, fun filled days of picnics on the beach & all being together, although the girls are city girls, they fit right in with country life, swimming in the creek, picking plums from the tree's, sleeping all over the place & generally having a ball with all their cousins, we also had two new babies to meet, who were adorable, we packed alot into the week & it didn't go too fast ..

Shared Art Work

This is a picture that Kenya, Milli & I all did a bit of, its beautiful flowers that we found in the garden... I did the bottom left, Milli did top right & Kenya did the two in the middle, very pleased with the result..

Happy New Year

Had a bit of a dull Christmas this year at home, didnt even really have a proper meal, had a nice late breakfast with strawberry sparkly wine, a few neighbours came around & we sat outside with a few drinks my tipple of choice being G&T's very nice too, by the time the food was ready no one was hungry so we all sort of just picked at it, I did cook myself some quorn fillets with a mediteranian tomato sauce, so I had that with some veg on the end of the table, but it was all a bit of a muddle really. I like to go to someone else's place & take something so will do that again next year.. New Years Eve was also quiet but we were up the coast at Emerson's cousins for a few days so that was nice, they had their grown up children there & grandchildren so it was a nice house full of people & they have a big enough house to accomodate everyone.

 On new years day we all went out on their boat, it was a beautiful sunny day & we all had a turn on the donut, I wasnt going to after my last "banana" experience!! but under much duress & persuasion I went on with Pane I made it clear to Captain Marcel not to make it tip up, it was fun although I screamed most of the time & was scared but he stuck to his word & it all ended ok, the girls loved it especially Milli, she seems like a bit of a dare devil, loves extreme stuff, which is a bit of a worry..we came home exhausted, aching, tanned & happy..

Girls in the donut

This is the life

Ready to go

Happy Happy Christmas

 Well here we are again, the end of another year & christmas crept up on me really fast again, I am finally ready although havnt done the groceries yet but pressies all bought, wrapped & sent, although a little late, I have heard they have all arrived on time... I am usually a little more organised than I am, but I have been busy with my bag orders so at least I have an excuse... the girls are so excited for Father Christmas to arrive & open their presents that are snuggly sitting under the tree, it looks fantastic, I hate it afterwards when all the presents are opened & the tree is bare & sad looking, so here are a couple of pictures of my new fabulous white tree, I bought a white one so every timeI look at it it reminds me of Nana & Grandpa...

The Jungle

1. What one thing about being a parent makes you scream “Get me out of here!”
Answer: When I'm trying to concentrate on something & all I get is mum, mum, mum, mum, its rather annoying.



2. What skills, if any, do you have that would be useful in the jungle?

Answer:

Not much, I love animals!!! & fit men with no tops on..





3. How are you likely to annoy people in your were stuck with them for 3 weeks?

Answer: whinging about the toilet situation, lack of food & all the bugs



4. What is the worst thing you have ever eaten?

Answer: mussels I think




5. What luxury item would you take into the jungle with you?

Answer: mascara







6. What is the most daring thing you have ever done?

Answer: given birth for the 2nd time




7. Who would you miss most if you went into the jungle with a bunch of strangers?

Answer: My girls







8. What celebrity alive or dead would you like to have with you in the jungle?

Answer: Chris Angel, for obvious reasons!!!


9. What would scare you about being in the jungle?

Answer: All the horrid bugs


10. After leaving the jungle, you go to a luxury hotel. What would be the first thing you did on reaching your hotel?

Answer: Shower & a glass of bubbly





11th mission should you choose to accept it is to tell us why the person who tagged you is a star. (For the uninitiated, stars play a big party in the television programme)

Answer: Because she's my beautiful talented sister & I love her  very much xxx




Pippa - I tag you to have a go - I know you'll have great answers; and enjoy the fun. Any one else who passes by - you are more than welcome!

Book week & school masquerade disco

Last week the girls had book week at school & had to dress as a favourite character, Milli went as Dora which was easy enough as she only had to wear shorts & a t shirt & I made her bag, "backpack" from scratch & just from a picture, was very pleased with the result!!

Kenya went as Izzy the indigo fairy, her outfit too was nice & simple but effective.

The same week they had a masquerade disco at school where they had to wear a mask. Milli made hers in class x

A Spiced Up Rug

I saw a simalar rug in a haberdashery store called Spotlight (for those not familiar with the shop) it was larger & very expensive, so I got on my hands & knees & studied how they did it & a lightbulb appeared above my head & I realised I could probably do my own take on one & as it happens I think mine is better not so gaudy as the store one. I did it on a smaller scale & used silk or nylon scarfs as they were easier to use & lovely & soft on the feet.
Before,

After...

Long weekend in Jervis Bay

Last weekend we had the good fortune of spending a few days in a house 2 minutes from the beach at a gorgeous spot called Jervis Bay, its about 3 hours south of Sydney, we went with my bestie Jo & her husband Tim & kids, the house belongs to their next door neighbour who is away in Europe for 6 weeks & left them the keys..

It was sooo lovely, we left friday morning after I went to the Dr to get anti biotics for my swollen face because a spider or something horrid had bitten me on the face & caused my eye to swell up, I looked like Quasimodo, so that put a bit of a dampner on the weekend a bit but once the drugs kicked in it was a lot better. We moved into the shack at the back which was divine & very beachy & Jo etc were in the house, we too were in the house most of the time & slept in the shack which was very comfortable,thanks very much..The weather wasnt the best but luckily we only had one downpour & that was at night, we had lovely long walks on the beach, collecting shells & other interesting things Jo & I drove to Berry for a spot of shopping on Saturday morning, what a fab place with lots of curiousity shops, we were in our element, lots of Oohing & arghing, got a couple of bits & bobs..

We had lovely food cooked by Tim & lots of wine & a few cheeky Gin & Tonics with fresh lemon picked from the tree outside, delicious few days had by all, cant wait for the next one!!

Gotta luv a spring fair !!

OOOhhh I do love a school/church fete, not only spring but any season, you never know what you are going to find bit like a flea market or junk shop, its an Aladins cave of pure mystery & goodness, Its an array of white elephant stalls, homemade treasures, tombolas & second hand books, takes me back to my childhood of St Mary's church fetes & all the preparation that went with it, it was a fab atmospere that I try to relive, when life was simple & we had no worries, spending all our pocket money on Joan's tombola, book marks make out of felt & knitted mice!!, here are a few pics of the goodies I picked up at Jo's childrens school spring fair

Talking of Spring fairs, we had the girls fete last saturday, I shared a stall with my friend Tanya & I sold 5 market bags & 2 lunch box's was well pleased, as it was a last minute thing, have been so busy lately.....

Mt Selwyn snow fields

What a fab weekend we had at the snow, 6 adults & 6 kids, we all left after lunch & it took about 5.5 hours to get there with stop revive, survive breaks & a wrong turn by Pete!! got to our 2 star hotel! which incidently was warm, clean & fab just in time for dinner, we were starving, as it was above a pub it would be rude to not stay up for a while for a few beverages, after deciding who was sleeping where, we all had a great nights sleep all ready for an early start & a full day of skiing.

Up bright & early, we all hired ski's & snowboards & everything that goes with it & off we went to the Kosiosko National Park, we could see the snow as we got nearer the girls were so excitedI, had a fab day, I didnt get on too well but the girls were excellent, flying up & down the slopes like real pro's, they did so well was so proud...I managed to borrow all our ski clothes from friends before we went, so was pleased about that, Sat night we had dinner & drinks in  the rooms & then bed exhausted. Same again for half day on Sunday then left after lunch, for the long drive home, I am lucky Emo doesnt like my driving as he drove all the way home, poor thing.. same time & place next year then!! x