Jo writes...

W O W !

2010-11-29T09:42:00.000+08:00

Me and Karen... I love this photo.

Well blogger world heaps has happened since I last visited. I have moved house, changed quite a few things in my life and have become a much happier person in the process.

I am a super busy beaver working two jobs, and I like it!

I am looking forward to Christmas, even though I will be working. But I will get to spend it a different way this year...usually I am busy entertaining, making sure everyone is happy...but not so this year, gonna sit back relax and go with the flow...and work. It is good to try new things!

Cheers...

The things you read...

2009-11-09T07:51:00.002+08:00

I was at school last week and was browsing some book club books...there was a book called "What your birthday says about you"...well it caught my eye so I opened up to my birthday and had a read... tell me what you think...

April 24
Taurus

The seemingly easygoing individuals born on April 24 like the good life and enjoy sharing its pleasures with others. Your desire for beauty and luxury impels you to seek out the very best. You're continually looking for ways to improve your surroundings by making them more attractive and harmonious. Despite your low threshold for discord, you refuse to let people take advantage of your good nature. Underneath the glamour and charm, you're considerably more resolute and practical than you seem. Moreover, you rarely agree to do anything that you don't want to do.
Creativity is your strong point, and your artistry manifests in all your activities. At times your keen instincts in monetary matters make you look like a financial genius. (they got this bit very wrong!) You have big dreams and the talent to match. Although you have difficulty making up your mind, once you decide what you want, you know exactly what to do to get it.
More than anything, you crave love. You may find that you're not truly happy without a partner. In intimate relationships you're ardent and romantic, but you can also be rather possessive and demanding. You view romance as an ongoing ritual, and when you're in love, you lavish in expressing your feelings for your significant other. And you expect no less in return.

So... there are a few things in there a bit off...but for the most of it...amazing...I read in wonder...

Things...

2009-10-26T00:17:00.003+08:00

Well Hello!
Long time no see...
Life just seems to roll on by really which is a worry because I feel we should be living each day to the fullest!
I am now living a very quiet life... he hee hee... Matt has decided to move out of home and go live with some mates. He is doing really well... but funny how he returns home for regular visits when the food supply gets low in his house... Matt is also working away, he is being a drillers assistant/offsider, so he is away for a few weeks at a time. So quiet, no noisy car, no noisy Matt in general...bliss!

Karen has chosen to go back to Leonora...back working at the hospital. She has been gone for about 3 weeks now...however she is on the move again...she is taking a job at Capricorn Roadhouse in the Pilbara! Middle of nowhere and a big working week. I hope she enjoys it and has a great time...great life experience for her. Peter is still working away, so the house really is a quiet place to be. I keep myself busy enough between working at the Woolies Servo and teaching. And of course having fun with my friends.
Well Christmas will be upon us soon and we will be kissing goodbye to 2009...didn't it just start?
Keep well... will be back soon....

Neglect...

2009-08-09T22:55:00.002+08:00

I have truly neglected my blog... :-(

I guess I haven't been feeling the need to blog...

I haven't seen the Magpies again, but I am sure they aren't too far away. The weather has been rather wet so I guess they are off getting shelter somewhere.

My budgie Banjo is now deceased! Not too sure what happened there...he fell off his perch, so to speak. I rushed off and purchased another budgie, no where near as lovely as Banjo...rather neurotic actually. It chatters all the time, I am sure it sings along to the tv advert jingles and also chirps away to the pounding noise of the computer keyboard! Yes, it lives inside as the there are cats in the neighbourhood and I can't leave it outside.

OOOooo----------oooOOO

My boy, 21yr old son, is now working, that is a great situation for both him and me...man oh man 10 months without a job is a long time. He is doing mechanical work at a workshop in Maddington and really enjoying it.

Our niece is getting married...gawd haven't been to a wedding for such a long time...need to get all dressed up. Will put up some pics after the date!

Cheers for now...

Magpies...

2009-05-24T14:51:00.003+08:00

I was getting myself some breakfast the other morning and could hear Magpies singing away.
So I peered out the window to find...
five magpies sitting on the fence with lots to say!

They were really lovely.

Hello...

2009-05-24T14:16:00.006+08:00

Hello out there in bloggerland...

Well what have I been up to since I last blogged...

My birthday, had a great evening at Murphy's Irish Pub with some friends. We had an awesome meal, definitely going back there again.

My sister gave me a budgie for my birthday...we have named him Banjo...he is rather cute. He was a bit quiet when we first got him and I worried that he was a mute bird...however he has now found a voice.
Our dog Elton is SO jealous...it is hilarious. The dog gets all jittery every time anyone shows any interest in the bird. I have tried to introduce them to each other...but Elton has too much attitude and snobbery to accept the bird! Funny really.

My friend, Kasey, has had her baby...a lovely little girl Named Grace. She was a chunker of a baby at almost 10 pounds!!! Mum, baby and Dad are all doing fine.

I took off to Walpole for a few days. It was lovely and peaceful. No children to argue with for a few days was just wonderful.

So...all in all eventful but boring really.

Birthday...

2009-04-23T23:57:00.002+08:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

Today I plan to spend a quiet day at home, am having a couple of visitors, and then...off to Murphy's Irish Pub for drinks and dinner with friends...

Cheers...

Easter...

2009-04-14T07:36:00.002+08:00

Easter is over for another year...
Thank you for the Easter wishes and thank you to those that passed on Easter treats.
I have had my annual fill of chocolate...it will now be quite some time before I enjoy another chocolate.
I am not a huge chocolate fan...but I love those little solid Easter eggs.

Now that Easter is over...its nearly my birthday... :-)

cheers...

21 years...

2009-03-17T16:18:00.002+09:00

My boy is not too far from his 21st birthday...

I am stuck for ideas...
what to get him for a gift;
what to do for a party...bearing in mind there isn't alot of $$
guest list...me thinks a quiet 'family' type party would be nice...if he wants to party with his friends, they can go to the pub, I don't need the mess or the drunkeness.

come forth with ideas...

Thats if anyone reads blogs anymore...there is a drought on!

cheers...

Mooo...

2009-03-10T16:49:00.002+09:00

Why is it that some people, (mostly female), just have to be total cows???
I encountered a beauty this week...she upset me...I had a crap day...the next day...I bit back, the next day...she was great. We actually had a laugh.

I need to be more assertive...I am too soft. I need to learn to stand up for myself.

:-) :-) :-) :-)

Matt went for two job interviews today...Y A Y...
one he was really positive about and hope he gets the position, the other he said wasn't so good. So fingers crossed and hopefully he will get some good news.

Calm...

2009-03-02T18:11:00.003+09:00

Hello out there in blogger land... and a special mention to absent bloggers...ANDREA in particular.

I seem to have calmed a tad bit since my last entry and it wasn't thanx to Bella...just chilled. Matt still isn't working, but he is working on it...please pray that something comes by soon. (Note...I am not religious.)

I had a good visit from Ma and Pa. Pa was in search of crabs, but they were elusive, so Pa packed up and went home! They were here for a few days, so it was all good.

Peter has been home, so that is always good. He has been 'encouraging' Matt. Went crabbing with Pa and generally had a relaxing time. He is cooking roast lamb for dinner...yum. Sorry Jenn, not in the camp oven

Kazzie called by for a visit too...always good to see her.

My new job...well it is going okay. I seem to have scored the nightshift. I don't mind it actually. There aren't a great deal of customers at night but there are plently of other jobs to do that keep you very busy and help the time to pass. My biggest problem is with my feet...what else is new! My heels are absolutely killing by the time the shift is about 2 hrs short of being over! But hopefully time will pass and so will the pain.

Cheers...

SugarHoneyIcedTea...

2009-02-19T11:54:00.002+09:00

I am feeling so crap today...all I want to do is cry my eyes out...
Life is just too hard sometimes.
I am over my son not working...I really feel for him, I know he has applied for jobs and he gets knockbacks, but surely to God there is something he can do...some one surely wants to employ him...is there more he can do, there must be something...I am feeling so damn frustrated and cranky over the whole thing. Pete is in my ear...what's he doing?...has he done this...that...phoned that person...this person...I don't have the answers.
Every one in my life at the moment seems to have a great deal of opinion and advice...thank you...but I am over it! I am continually ridiculed for being too soft...yep, thanks for that too...but you wait and see how YOU deal with all this if you were in the same boat. Sometimes I hate being a parent...where's the friggin rule book??

H E L L O . . .

2009-02-08T17:55:00.003+09:00

Helloooo...anybody out there?

Seems the land of blogger land has been very quiet...where is everybody? Think Andrea has completely forgotten about her blog, and she was the one to get us started!

********

On a different note...my new job at the servo is going well. There isn't much to tell, I quite like it, the work is pretty good, you are kept busy....BUT...I can't get over how quickly customers get irate if they have to wait like 2 seconds! Crazy! The public is pretty funny tho, keep your sense of humour and things will be fine I reckon. I am doing a night shift tonight, should be interesting. I have never done night shift before, so I hope I can keep my eyes open.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Matt still not working! Un @#*#believable!! I do feel for the guy tho, he puts in applications and either gets no reply or a knock back. Can't work out what is going wrong...I know there is a down turn in jobs at the moment, but surely he should be able to get something...

oh well, that me for the time being...
cheers and beers...

New Job...

2009-01-29T20:56:00.002+09:00

I got a new job...how excitement!

I will be working as a console operator at Woolies Petrol...will be great!
Just think...
no kids to control...just customers to please
when I finished for the day I am finished...no lessons to prepare or work to mark
no playground duty...hehehehe

Yep I'm excited...

24 years...

2009-01-26T08:14:00.002+09:00

Today is my 24th wedding anniversary.

Thank you to my wonderful husband, we have had heaps of fun.
Looking forward to the next 24 years!...or more!

Happy Birthday

2009-01-17T10:23:00.002+09:00

Happy Birthday Kazzie!

My 'baby' Karen is 19 today, my my the years do go by very quickly.

Happy Birthday and best wishes for a great day.

Love Mum, Dad and Matt

Oven...

2009-01-16T07:43:00.002+09:00

My oven isn't working, it won't get hot!
That is like a major disaster for me as I use my oven a lot.
Of course, everything I want to cook at the moment requires an oven!!

Why does that happen???every time something isn't available you want it even more??? The water is turned off...I will wash the dishes;
the power is off...I will vacuum;
the phone isn't working...I will ring my friend ~ argh the mind can do some silly things to you.

Yeah, I rang the repair man...his mobile is switched off or in a no service area!

Jokes...

2009-01-07T12:52:00.002+09:00

This was Kazzie's gift to her Dad for Christmas....

very appropriate...

Christmas come...Christmas go...

2009-01-07T12:24:00.006+09:00

there is always this huge hype in the lead up to Christmas...normally I am right there along with the best of them, but this year, I just couldn't get into it. Lucky then that Christmas has been and gone and it all went rather quickly.

Xmas Lunch...Coral Bay style

I did have a highlight though...a family holiday to Coral Bay, just love the place...
so quiet and peaceful, no rush, no bother, just relaxation, swimming and snorkeling looking at all the coral and fish. The water temp was chilly at first, but oh so nice once you were in!

The view from the beach hut... we worked on our tans and had a lovely time people watching!!!

Our next trip to Coral Bay? ...

Kazzie's 21st birthday ...

January 2011!!

2009...

2009-01-03T07:14:00.002+09:00

H A P P Y N E W Y E A R

Best wishes to you all for a fabulous year, may you have many happy moments and create some some happy memories.

Love and wishes...

Merry Christmas...

2008-12-16T22:54:00.002+09:00

I wish you all a happy and safe festive season...
wherever you may be, whomever you are with, whatever you are doing...enjoy!

Check out this card...just for you!

We are off to Coral Bay in a couple of days for lots of swimming and relaxation.
Can hardly wait.

Cheers and beers for a great Christmas...hope Santa is nice to you.

jingle bells...

seems to be working...

2008-12-02T06:39:00.002+09:00

Foot update...all is going quite good. Definitely less pain AND I can actually walk when I get out of bed first thing in the morning! Oh the joy of it.

Now I just have to raise my fitness so I stop getting so puffed out from being able to be on my feet all day!! He heh hee

Doctors...

2008-11-27T09:11:00.002+09:00

they are so funny aren't they...

I went to the Dr today to have a cortisone injection in my painful foot...I am laying on the table/bed thingy trying to think pleasant thoughts as I know it will hurt...
the Doc casually says...I won't feel any of this!
Yes thank you! I say, I know you won't!

Cheeky!

Anyway, a little secret...it actually wasn't that bad.

here is to being able to walk barefoot...

they look good...

2008-11-25T16:45:00.005+09:00

I think I have won a minor war with the snails...for a short time at least.

The zucchini plants look good...

And the tomato bushes look great, flowers are starting to show, so there will be fruit to pick some time soon.

My next task...
keep them alive and healthy...

Wish me luck!

summer?...

2008-11-23T10:30:00.003+09:00

Where is the warm weather?
It is mid November and it is pouring with rain!

Great for the garden... not good for play.

One moment it is raining....

the next is sunshine...

Lovely weather, I am not complaining, I enjoy the cooler weather.
Wonder what it will be like at Christmas time?

:-) :-) :-) :-) :-)

Thank you

A huge "Thank you" to my lovely 'sisters' who helped me so much with putting together my resume and application letter...it is all up to wait and see now!

Thanks again, I really appreciated your help.

Cheers...

33 sleeps...until Coral bay

2008-11-16T16:37:00.005+09:00

33 sleeps sounds almost a life time away, but I know it will be here before I know it...we will be relaxing at beautiful Coral Bay...Me, Peter, Matt and Karen.

The Bay...just lovely...we love to spend hours snorkeling here, the marine life is amazing.

Then this is where we will sleep at night time...and sometimes during the day...hanging out being relaxed, drinking and eating...having fun...
so cheers for a family holiday.

cats...

2008-11-13T13:28:00.003+09:00

Cats are not my favourite...but this video is funny.

s n a i l s...

2008-11-09T11:41:00.002+09:00

Well! ...upon inspection this morning...yes the snails have been feasting...all is not lost though, there are about 3 plants eaten to the ground...the rest are okay.

So off I went to trusty Bunnings this morning and came back armed with snail pellets...dog friendly of course...so to the snails...DIE you BASTARDS!

tinkering...

2008-11-08T22:48:00.002+09:00

me has been playing in the garden...I have 3 lovely tomato bushes growing...have decided to hang baskets around the spa, so bought a selection of flower seedlings and potted them up...hope they turn out like the vision I have in my mind! Thought I would grow some zucchini...funny how there are 8 plants in a punnet...so if they all grow (so long as the snails leave them alone) I will be eating zucchini until I begin to look like one! Need to source some chooks and eggs so I can make heaps of zucchini slice. The weather was so lovely outside today...just makes you want to go outside and play.

<<<<<<<<<<<< >>>>>>>>>>>>

Tyres...had to get new tyres put on the car today...suppose if I didn't drive to so many places that are such a long way away... ho hum, it is a job that needs to be done. Glad to have good tyres though, makes you feel safe.

oooooooooo OOOOOOOOOO oooooooooo

I am still trying to come to terms with my idea of NO Christmas presents...I am still reminding myself to embrace the idea of NO Christmas shopping...I think I like that, but I also like to give and recieve gifts...so I am having trouble remembering...but I am determined to stick with it. Sounds like I am twisted when I read it back to myself...must be going mad.

Oh no, thats right...already there!

S U R P R I S E. . .

2008-11-05T17:43:00.002+09:00

I wonder about my sillyness sometimes...
I had sent a text to my sister bragging about sausage rolls I had made, then I sent her a pic of the product! Well she replied with...'I hope you choke!'

Uhmph! I thought. I will fix her...I will deliver a plate of sausage rolls to her! Just a minor detail is that she lives two and half hours drive away!!! No problem...I delivered them.

Her and Dad loved them... Mum too, I think she got to have a taste, coz Dad was in to them...he ate most of them.

So thanx sis for the bed...keep your wits about you though, might have to do something silly like that again!

Hehehehehee

Wow! what a garden...

2008-11-02T13:49:00.008+09:00

On the weekend I went to visit my nephew and nieces (well, they are really my husbands niece and nephew...) garden. Nothing too extraordinary about that I can hear you thinking...but... take a look at this:

this is the pathway down to the lake from the house...

Mum walking back towards the house...

Stuart and Selly live on a farm at Bolgart...not far from Toodyay. They entered their garden in Australia's Open Garden Scheme...where people open their gardens to the public.

Web... opengarden.org.au

On the grass down by the lake there was a 'cafe' set up with delicious cake, sandwiches, cold drinks, tea and coffee. How beautiful to sit and gaze and enjoy a cuppa.

The weather was magical...the company was great...the garden was just fabulous.

Great work Stuart and Selly...Selly mostly me thinks!!!

Syd

2008-10-27T16:02:00.006+09:00

Our Syd has declined really quickly...he can hardly walk, his back legs just don't want to work for him, he is sleeping all day, more than usual, and has lost so much weight.

We have made the decision...we took him to the vet this afternoon and have had him put to sleep so he can go to doggy heaven and chase as many sheep as he likes, he can swim at Gantheaume Point again and generally be his old usual funny self.

Good bye Syd, you were the best family pet and working dog we ever had...everyone loved you lots.

Diesel

2008-10-25T17:24:00.003+08:00

R I P

Animals become such a big part of your life
And when they go, it can leave a big void.

Diez you are at rest now, you had a loving nature and were a very loved pet.
Thanks being a part of our lives.

Sympathy to Andrea, Wayne and Murphy.

Love and hugs from Aunty Jo, Uncle Pete, Matt & Karen
xxxx

Boys...

2008-10-25T17:13:00.003+08:00

Aren't these two just too cute?...Maxim and Chaice.

Happy 30th Birthday Kasey...

2008-10-25T17:00:00.003+08:00

My friend Kasey had her 30th birthday on 21st...so, I made her a very yummy birthday cake and took it to her at work.

Then...on Thursday we had dinner at my place with a few friends...very nice evening.

Hope you had a great birthday 'week' Kasey.

cake...anyone?

2008-10-16T17:27:00.003+08:00

Today I baked cakes...real cakes too!

I have made banana cake...I doubled the recipe coz I had heaps of really ripe bananas, so managed to make 2 cakes. So one cake was plain banana and then I added white chocolate chunks to the other half of the mix.

Then I made a yummy carrot cake. Complete with delicious cream cheese frosting.

Too much cake for just me and Matt so most of it will go in the freezer...great for when visitors pop in.

Seeya!

unexpected...

2008-10-15T21:16:00.002+08:00

Isn't it great to have friends?
Isn't it great to do things unexpected?
It is even better to combine both.

Today I got a text...want to come to my place for dinner at 6, bring garlic bread. It was from my friend Jo. Yep! I'm there. I replied.

So me, Jo and Kasey had a really pleasant dinner. We all had to have dinner so we may as well get together and share.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Had coffee with a friend today. Heather and I haven't caught up for ages. She has such a busy life with children and family. Our catch up was a spare of the moment thing too. So two mugs of coffee each and lunch were done in 2 hrs...mostly because Heather had a hairdressers appt!

Cheers to friends...where would we be without them?

happenings...

2008-10-13T21:20:00.002+08:00

Family...they keep you on your toes.

My Uncle Wally has been really sick...really sick. Anyway he is on the long and windy road to recovery now which is good. His wife, Aunty Lorna, has had an awful time, spending weeks on end by his bed in the hospital. She seems to have forgotten to look after herself, mostly I mean mental health, she has had so much to deal with. Me and Mum have been trying to do that, she is a bit stubborn though. I have been visiting trying to get a giggle out of them and lend a shoulder to lean on. Hopefully all will be okay very soon.

My son...he is putting his parents through a very trying time at the moment. He has finished his apprenticeship...if you flick through previous blog entries you will notice a very proud entry. WELL...now is the time for him to be trying to get a 'proper' job. Seems he isn't too interested in doing too much to help himself. His father is going around the bend trying to lead him to good job adverts etc...me, his mother, is going spare with the crap he has all over the place, half started jobs and a huge resistance to do anything...including looking for a job.

My nephew Thomas...well he is a cute 3yr old who has just been for a sleepover. Whenever he asked for his Mum I told him his Mum had gone with Dad to have romance! We had fun, as we usually do when we catch up. I think I like this job of being Aunty...shame there aren't a few more nieces or nephews to spoil...hint hint, might have to adopt some! Tom loves to chat and his favourite phrase is 'why?'...it is the answer to all things.

My sister and her hubby have moved to quaint Quairading. It is much better having them only a couple of hours drive away instead of a days drive away! So, yes, I have been to visit. Their house is cute and very homey...nearly all the boxes were unpacked and it looked like they had been there for ages!

******************

School is back tomorrow. Wonder if the phone calls will start? I hope so. I need a few days relief as I have another holiday to save for! We have a family holiday in Coral Bay...our favourite place to be. We will be there for Christmas...warm, sunny, swimming, snorkelling, relaxing etc...just lovely.

Speaking of Christmas...I am an extremely generous person. ( I get told by many, I am not making this up). This year I have decided it is time to cull the Christmas gift list. I think it is time to stop buying unnecessary gifts. I ran this idea past my sister, the biggest kid in the family who loves pressies more than I do, and she thought it was great. So now I have had a vote of confidence I will endeavour to stand by my idea. Cull the gift list! Should save me a few $$.

Here is to no Christmas shopping!

strawberries

2008-09-25T21:51:00.002+08:00

Strawberries are in great supply at the moment. I have a favourite strawberry 'patch'. There is this shed on Thomas Road that sells the biggest, juiciest, sweetest delicious strawberries ever. So whenever I pass by Thomas Road I make a detour to get strawberries.
Once home I eat them plain, sometimes chopped with a little sprinkle of icing sugar, or with ice cream...but the most decadent way to eat them...try this recipe...mmmmm

Mr Cameron's Roasted Strawberries

Serves: How hungry are you all ?

You need:
500gm Strawberries, husks removed and washed. If the strawberries are large, cut them in half.
1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil
1 dessertspoon of balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon caster sugar
1 vanilla bean pod, split with innards (the good bits) scraped out
Cracked black pepper

Method:
Place strawberries in a large ovenproof dish, and stir in all the ingredients, making sure the strawberries are well coated.
Roast in a moderate oven for 10 to 15 minutes.
Serve immediately with plain vanilla ice cream, or to be really decadent, a large dollop of King Island cream.

Note:- As vanilla bean pods are expensive, you can substitute vanilla sugar, or vanilla essence, but for a real treat, save up for fresh vanilla pods.

This is just deluxe.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Still trying to get used to being home after my great trip to Bali. I should be on top of the world but I am tired, lethargic and down right lacking in motivation. Maybe I need another holiday...lucky the school term is about to end!
I think I am missing the weather, the pool, brekkie being cooked for me, relaxing by the pool...oh the list is almost endless.

ho hum...need to save for the next holiday
Coral Bay for Christmas! Now that will be just wonderful.
Cheerio...

just love it

2008-09-17T11:59:00.002+08:00

My Bali holiday is over and all us girls have returned safely to our homes. The accommodation we had in Bali was just wonderful...more than we expected. The Kunja Villas provided us with a luxurious holiday...

nice pool, it positively sparkled
day beds for couches...I now want one or two in my home!
Bali Boys, as we nicknamed them, were available for every whim we may have had. From cooking great breakfasts to housekeeping, changing pool towels to lighting mozzie coils, taking us to reception in the buggy and providing a driver to drop us off wherever we wanted to go.
Dial 0 for just about anything...yes everything.

Kunja is fantastic. The photos on the web site (www.thekunja.com) just don't do it justice...it is better.

up, up and away..

2008-09-05T07:44:00.002+08:00

today we are off on a holiday... me, my Mum (Dotty), my sister ( Andrea), my daughter (Karen) and an adopted family member (Jennafina).

We are all off to enjoy 10 wonderful days in Bali. 3/5 of us haven't been to Bali before so we are in for an interesting time. We are staying at the Kunja Villas... they look just deluxe on the website.

Plans for the trip...

sitting by private pool and doing sweet F A
swimming in private pool
working on the tan
enjoying a cooked breakfast each morning
browsing the sights
and whatever it takes to relax and have fun...

seeya later...

Matt the Mechanic

2008-08-31T10:59:00.002+08:00

Well he did it!

Matt has completed his trade and now he needs to find a job in the big wide world of employment. Good on you Matt... we are all very proud of you and what you have achieved so far.

spring bed

2008-08-28T19:55:00.003+08:00

There are no words for this...

add your thoughts...

Spinach cob dip

2008-08-25T17:28:00.004+08:00

A yummy dip for a winter's night...

Hot Spinach Dip

Ingredients:

1 cob loaf

½ packet spring vegetable soup mix

200 ml sour cream

4 tablespoons mayonnaise

1 cup tasty cheese, grated

1 box frozen spinach, thawed

Freshly ground black pepper

Toasted pine nuts (optional)

Method:

Cut top off cob loaf, hollow out with fingers, save for later.

Blend all ingredients together thoroughly and pour into cob loaf, secure the lid of the loaf with toothpicks.

Bake for 30 minutes at 180 C.

Use lid and bread for dipping into dip.

Enjoy...yummmm

Busselton

2008-08-23T16:37:00.006+08:00

Hubby and I have just had a couple of lovely days in Busselton.

We lapped it up and stayed in style at Abbey Beach Resort.
It was rather nice and very relaxing.
We wandered around Busselton and had a look at the jetty...no we did not walk to the end and back!
The weather was beautiful, nice and sunny, a bit chilly thanks to the wind... but enjoyable.

**********************

We have had a footpath put in along the front of our place. We have lived in our 'new' house for 4 years and now they decide to put in a footpath! What a mess they have created. First they dig up the front lawn, retic and all... we will fix it up the workers assure us! We already had a concrete driveway, but no that isn't good enough for their footpath. So they cut and pull out a huge section. Can't see the logic in that... pull up perfectly good concrete to be replaced with more concrete...??! Anyway, while they were pulling out the section of driveway they have damaged what is left...only minutely, but it looks tacky now... they best be fixing that too. Why oh why couldn't the footpath have been put in when the estate was first established...before the garden went in??

Congratulating other's achievements

2008-08-19T18:09:00.003+08:00

I have a friend at school, Sheila... well last term she decided she was going to go for her level 3 teacher status. The thing is most people take a long time to get these submissions ready... not Sheila, as her husband was going to be away for 5 weeks (nothing unusual) she thought that would be a great time for her to focus on the level 3. So away she went... all done in 5 weeks!

Well... yesterday she received notification in the mail that she has passed stage one! (Stage two is an oral presentation.) Sheila was so excited, you 'd have thought she had won the lottery. I was very pleased for her... I knew she would pass, but just the same it is wonderful news. So...

it was drinks and nibbles at Michelle's house. Champagne and flowers with dip and bikkies! A great night of celebration to a wonderful teacher who works hard.

I am bored

2008-08-10T13:57:00.004+08:00

when I am bored I like to fluff around on the internet...
love to visit this place

www.broomecam.com

The pic refreshes...this is a snapshot

sweet not much

2008-08-08T15:58:00.002+08:00

Hello out there in the big wide world...

Well I feel like I have done nothing today ... I went to work to day ... I went from room to room relieving teachers to do a session with the IT lady. So basically I 'babysat' a class of kids for 5o minutes at a time. In amongst all this was the district x country event ... so the kids wanted to go watch, so I did that with the first class of 4/5's I had ... standing in the nice sunshine.
The year6/7 class had a couple of 'mosquitoes' in it ... buzzing children that you wish you could just squish!
Then I had some beautiful pre primary kids ... so cute, we made monkey's!

So a nice easy day at work today. That is why I feel like I have done nothing.

The things we do...

2008-08-06T16:33:00.005+08:00

The Entrance to the Fremantle Prison

I had a great day today. When I was at school last week one of the teacher's told me they were going on an excursion to Fremantle Prison. The ever enthusiastic me asked if I could come along as a 'parent helper'...never mind I have no kids in primary school, or at school for that matter! So along I went... yep I went to 'work' for the fun of it ...

We had the ever exciting/noisy bus trip, 50 minutes worth, to get there, and of course back again. Once there we had our 'recess' snack and in we went.

What a cold and dreary place, imagine that it would be a bonzer of a sauna in summer! We had a guided tour and had a great look around the place.

A hallway showing the cell doorways,
notice the netting above...to catch fallen objects! Apparently these were mostly full toilet buckets...yuck.

Just before the prison closed in 1991, the prisoners were allowed to put art onto the walls of their cells... here are a couple of examples.
Previous to this they were not allowed to put anything on the walls.

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After the prison we went to the round house...WA's oldest building, built in 1831... that was pretty good to see too. They let off the old canon every day at 1pm...it is so loud! Jumped out of my skin when it was let off!!

So a good day was had by all...5 adults and 50 students!

chunky dunk...

2008-08-06T16:11:00.004+08:00

This pic came thru on an email today, I liked it, it applies to me...

The cake

2008-08-02T13:24:00.004+08:00

This is the end result of the kick arse sized mud cake I was cooking yesterday...12 inches in diameter, 500gms butter, 500gms chocolate and over 1kg of castor sugar!!!!

The top cake... a white chocolate mud cake, heart shaped.

I made the cake for my neighbour's daughter.

Brittany is 18 years old tomorrow, the party is tonight. Her Mum says she is a bit of a princess so the cake needed to have a tiara on it.

What do you think?
I thought it turned out ok.

Not much happens here

2008-08-01T17:04:00.003+08:00

I have been having a hard time thinking of things to write about...
Now let me see what I have been up to...

picked up husband from the airport the other day...he is home for a week.
have volunteered to make a birthday cake for my neighbours daughter who will be 18 years old this weekend. There is a big party planned. So have managed to hire a large round cake tin to make a huge chocolate mud cake. That was my mission today, so far so good, it is still in the oven. My next post should include a pic of the finished product.
had coffee with my Mother in law, this a regular event, generally once a week. She is off to Kununurra next week so our coffee date comes to a stand still. At the moment she says she is going for 3 weeks...but she has been known to change her ideas.
it is freezing cold here... and has been raining so much that everything is soggy. There has also been lots of wind too...hate the wind.

Yesterday after the rain, there was this most brilliant rainbow across the sky. I tried to take a photo of it, but it failed...sorry folks.

Tonight husband is cooking...I requested a night off! We are having roast pork... he his cooking it in the weber coz the oven is still occupied with a kick arse sized mud cake!!

Cheerio...off to pour a champers with a flower.

recipe...

2008-07-29T22:00:00.002+08:00

I can't think of anything to write about, so ... I am posting a recipe...
Hope you try it... let me know how it goes.

Mexican Meatballs

1 kg lean beef mince

1 red onion, finely chopped

1/3 cup finely chopped fresh coriander

1 egg

2 tablespoons taco seasoning

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 red capsicum, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, crushed

800gm can diced tomatoes

Sour cream to serve

Flour tortillas, to serve

Guacamole

1 avocado

Tablespoon sour cream

½ ripe tomato, finely chopped

¼ small red onion, finely chopped

Combine mince, onion, coriander, egg and half the taco seasoning in a bowl. Roll mince mixture into small meatballs. Heat oil on fry pan and cook meatballs in batches, placing on a plate once cooked.

Add capsicum and garlic to fry pan and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes or until soft. Add remaining taco seasoning and cook stirring for 1 minute until aromatic. Stir in the tomato. Reduce heat to medium and simmer, stirring occasionally for 5 minutes. Add the meatballs and simmer for 5 minutes or until the sauce thickens slightly.

To make guacamole, use a fork to mash the avocado in a bowl. Stir in the sour cream, tomato and onion.

Divide the meatballs among serving bowls. Top with guacamole, sour cream and coriander. Serve with tortillas.

Pets

2008-07-27T16:44:00.005+08:00

This is Elton...he is the funniest dog we have ever had the pleasure of welcoming into our family. We have always had 'working' dogs...kelpies or kelpie collie cross dogs. My daughter wanted a 'fluff ball' of a dog. So...three and half years ago we got Elton. He is very protective of his family and house. Looks just hilarious when he is outside and the wind is blowing his fluffy locks everywhere.
Elton is a papillon, also known as butterfly ears. When you talk to him he looks at you and tilts his head as if he is taking in every word you are saying. We love him.

Then there is Syd...

Syd is an almost 16 year old Kelpie collie cross. He came to us when was all of 10 days old, we just fell in love. He has been our first 'family' pet. We were living at Munglinup at the time, then moved to a farm in Williams where Syd became a brilliant sheep dog at the tender age of 3 months! Other dog owners wanted to buy him or at the least breed from him! Then to Dongara where he continued to be a brilliant sheep dog. Then in 1996 Syd got to retire from being a sheep dog as we moved to Broome. Syd's new favourite pass time was to swim in the ocean. He would swim for as long as you were in the water. We used to say he was on shark patrol because he was always out deeper than the rest of us just swimming up and down.
Syd is true old gentleman now...he likes to think he keeps Elton in line, mind you neither can be without the other! He is mostly deaf...or ignorant, not sure about which one, am sure he is going blind, and has had a few teeth removed. He wobbles around some days...so my guess is he is getting on and one day will no longer be with us.

Pets are such fun...they bring so much to a family.

I have another 'pet' ... my husband! He has been around for quite some time, over half my life! He is easy to look after, doesn't demand too much and can be quite self sufficient at times. He even looks after me.

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I knew it...I just knew it! I decided I was ready to return to teaching...doing relief. I did hesitate as I had a feeling once I walked back in the door at school I would be called in time and time again. This is not all together a bad thing. I went to work on Friday...booked again for Tuesday...have had a phone call today to work Monday! So, apart from the weekend at home, I am working 3 days in a row! Was asked to work Wednesday but had to say no as I am picking up husband from the airport. The $$ will be great though. It is nice to be welcomed back.

I survived!

2008-07-25T16:48:00.002+08:00

Well I have restored my faith in my ability to teach...I had a really good day at school. I did Music relief...pretty funny as I am NOT musical. I had cute pre primary/year 1 classes for 50 minute sessions and one year 2 class. The little kids are always so good...they carry the cute factor.

Had fun with the staff too...good to be amongst friends.

Back to work...

2008-07-25T13:55:00.000+08:00

well it is back to school for me...not as a student but as a teacher. I had decided at the end of last year that this year I was going to have a rest away from school for a while. I did contemplate finding work in a different field...but what to do?? Couldn't make up my mind so I have taken the easy way out, as usual, and am returning to relief teaching. Lets face it, it is good money for a fairly cooshee day at work...minding a group of children for 6 hours...mind you not all days are like that some times I feel us relief teachers should get paid double!

Why back to work? There is a small amount of boredom setting in at home, and of course the big one...I am going to Bali soon and would love to have some spending money!

Cheerio...