with summer almost upon us, slushies are a popular afternoon treat – especially when they’re made with fizzy drink!

when i was growing up, i remember loving slushies – the sweet icy goodness, those brief cold headaches … do you remember them?

so i was excited to find out about these slushie mugs via one of taraW’s tweets & they’ve been a huge hit in our house!

you can read more about them here: http://www.glacierware.com/slushmug.htm

master B couldn’t help but ham it up – just a little – for the camera!

i loved this recent post by Stacey Woods on the creative mama

its about a 365/Grateful project that Brisbane photographer Hailey Bartholomew started in 2008

Hayley took a polaroid every day of something she was grateful for (you can view them in her flickr stream)

the idea of the project is to live in the moment & be open to simple daily pleasures, because being aware & grateful for the little things, helps you to view the world from a more positive angle

i’ve started 365 projects & made grateful lists – all with good intentions, but the habit hasn’t ever lasted

this one feels different … the idea of photographing the things i’m grateful for is challenging, but in a fun way!

i’d love to do this project with an iphone or polaroid camera (like one of the SX70 land cameras!)

but i’ve found the next best thing – this great polaroid action. i tried a few & enjoyed this one the most. everything is layered so you can toggle & adjust the effects & there are 6 different emulsions: type 600, vivid, expired & b&w + type zero & type zero expired

here are the 1st 4 days in the series – if you’d like to play along, be sure to post a link in the comments!

you might also like to join the grateful daily flickr group

today, we went up into the hills for a picnic with our VISE tutors, Peter & Lee

they might not look very big, but they sure felt big when you climbed them!

it was definitely worth the effort to capture views like these!

this recipe is adapted from a recipe in the Family Circle best of kids cookbook – its quick & easy to make & tastes delicious! The great thing about it, is you can substitute ingredients, depending on what’s in your cupboard eg. dried cranberries can be used instead of dried apricots

Seedy Slice

ingredients:

• 1 cup desiccated coconut
• 1 cup pepitas
• 1 cup sunflower seeds
• 1 cup sesame seeds
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 100g diced dried apricots
• 150g butter
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup golden syrup
  

method:

• put dry ingredients in a big microwave bowl with a flat base
• cook on high for 5 minutes (depending on the wattage of your microwave, you may need to stop & stir several times)
• add diced dried apricots to dry ingredients
• put butter, sugar, golden syrup in another bowl. cover with absorbent paper. cook 4 mins on medium (50%)
• stir wet ingredients well. add to dry ingredients. mix well
• spread evenly in a 20x30cm lined tin. press down firmly
• leave until cold, then slice into bars. enjoy!

lots of excitement here this morning … one of our pets (6.30) had her 1st lamb & we were lucky to witness his arrival

this photo was taken not long afterwards – when he was still cold & wet & wobbly

already 6.30 has proved to be such a good mum & its going to be exciting watching her lamb grow

we discussed many names, then miss M suggested calling him Thursday – so Thursday it is!

… are always a hit … especially when its something you *have* to do for school

another milestone – my sweet girl has hit double digits!

it’s like I blinked & she’s almost a tween already *sigh*

so … here are 10 things i know about Madi …

1. she wants to be a singer or an actress when she grows up

2. she would eat chocolate every day if i let her

3. a pony (a real live one!) and a DSi were at the top of her birthday list  (sorry babe! hoping a new bed will be almost as good!)

4. her favourite & most cherished toy is still Florie (her teddy)

5. she loves chatting on the phone & playing webkinz with her buddy miss E

6. her foot is the same size as her brother’s (big kids 4)

7. even though she has the sweetest smile, she gets shy & self conscious when asked to smile eg. for school photos

8. she loves to sing – in the car, in the shower, outside – anywhere! she also loves taking photos & making movies

9. she’s been learning the recorder & keyboard & is doing well with both because she’s got a good ear

10. her favourite subject at school is maths & she’s also involved in thinkers club, lone guides, project club & chess

she loves tickles & cuddles and i can’t imagine life without her!

today i’m hugging her as much as she wants and more because this time together is so precious

love you baby girl!

i love so many things about this photo … Bear’s too big workshirt paired with his pj pants; the angle of his foot; the cluster of 3 lambs; Ricky drinking as fast as he can, tail wagging with Fighter right there – just in case! the way Gibby is nibbling hopefully near his leg … its something many country kids have experienced

they race outside in the morning to feed them before they eat their own breakfast & their breaks are spent feeding & playing with them. baby lambs make great pets & both kids adore them!

its a mixed bag of fashion, food & fun this week …

a great fashion blog for teens

lots of delicious recipies

more than a year’s worth of slow cooker (crock pot) recipies

renovating & decorating adventures

stylish letterpress goodness at Twig & Thistle

enjoy!

chocolate & pink is one of my favourite colour combos!

its no surprise to see chocolate truffle & rose dust among Pantone’s 10 hot colours for autumn 2010

the richness of chocolate is the perfect base to compliment many shades of pink. it’s a classic combination that’s both fresh & sophisticated

this week, I’m delighted to feature some gorgeous handmade accessories from the AnK Bowtique

Angie & Kristy are the talented mums who make this range of delightful accessories & teach their children through the school of the air

using the prettiest ribbons, touches of crochet, vintage yo yos, & flowers of all types, their attention to detail & the way they combine colours has taken their made it shop to #1 on the top 100 Australian Handmade kids sites

their delicious chocolate crochet beanie + Kate Korker clip co ordinates perfectly with Madi’s pink Bridget B sweater

Pumpkin Patch had a gorgeous pink & chocolate collection a few years ago – Ebay is a great source for near new items like these:

there are lots of pink & chocolate goodies in the AnK Bowtique (thanks Kristy for these photos!)

Claudia Felt & Fabric Stretch Band + Lily Bow Headband

Olivia Bling Trio Clips + Mikaela Bow Clip +

try mixing textures – chunky cords, knitwear, suede & battered leather-look jackets + girls will love this grosgrain ribbon belt

AnK Bowtique’s facebook fans are the 1st to find out about new products & garage sales – so make sure you sign up!

& check out this blog for more pink & chocolate goodness!

thanks for stopping by!