Wednesday, 27 June 2012

The Gallery - Hands


Joining Sticky Fingers for The Gallery... the theme this week is Hands. 


My thoughts went straight to this photo as soon as I read Tara's theme for this week. Julia is just a few days old. The contrasting hand sizes of Julia and her Daddy reminds me how small she was when she was born.

I shared a similar photo for a Gallery theme last year, but it's one of my favourites and I'm glad to have the opportunity to share it again!

Christine xx

Tuesday, 26 June 2012

A secret... and a perfect smile


This is the third week of the June photo a day challenge from Fat Mum Slim


15. Yellow 
Mickey's raincoat brightens my collection of little bears and animals. 


16. Out and about 
A beautiful view on my way home from the school dropoff. 


17. In my bag 
I usually have a bit of crochet in my bag to do while I am waiting... making rainbow medallion granny squares for a baby blanket. 


18. Something you don't know about me 
I have a box of things that I just can't bear to part with - little things collected over the years. Inside my box is this collection of McDonalds Transformers. I think they are just fabulous and heaps better than any of the toys you get from Maccas these days! 


19. Imperfect 
Can you see the imperfection in my bathroom? I'm pretty sure it was tiled by a blind person. What's even worse is our main bathroom also has one tile upside down too. 


20. Favourite photo I've ever taken 
Although the lighting is terrible, her smile is perfect. Having fun on some play equipment, looking at me from inside a big red pipe. 


21. Where I slept 
Zzzzzzzzzzz.............. 

Christine xx

Monday, 25 June 2012

Calisthenics - first competition for the year

Julia (Miss Five) has continued with Calisthenics this year. She loves the stage, the performance, the dressing up and most of all, she loves the attention. 

She is very fortunate to be part of both the tinies and the sub-junior teams this year, so she has had a lot of practise to do in the past few weeks. Her first competition for the year was held last weekend. Although places were not awarded at this practice competition, it was a wonderful opportunity for all the girls to get on the stage and perform.


Here she is, ready to go on stage for aesthetics.

Huge thanks to her coaches Kirsty and Kari, the team assistants and the team managers, who all put so much work into making the day such a success for all the girls. It's hard to believe that the next competition is just five weeks away!

Calisthenics promotes teamwork, encourages physical development and co-ordination, and takes a series of routines set to music and turns them into beautiful performances.

If you'd like to find out more, please take a look at Calisthenics ACT if you are in Canberra like me, or Calisthenics Australia for more information about Calisthenics in other states. 

Christine xx

Thursday, 21 June 2012

Breakfast, lunch and dinner


Continuing the June photo a day challenge from Fat Mum Slim. Here is my second week:


8. Six o'clock 
Dinner time! Roast tonight... sorry, these are the leftovers because I forgot to take a photo as I was serving up :) 


9. My view today 
Eating breakfast and looking out to a beautiful sunny day. 


10. Best bit of my weekend 
This fabulous chocolate birthday cake, made and beautifully decorated by my husband and daughter. 


11. Door 
Behind my pantry door - aprons and inspiration. 


12. From a low angle 
My winter garden from the ground up. 


13. Art 
The walls of my house are decorated with Julia's artwork. 


14. Time 
The passing of just a week sees the wilting of these beautiful roses. 

Christine xx

Wednesday, 20 June 2012

The Gallery - Family


Joining Sticky Fingers for The Gallery... the theme this week is Family. 


It's become our tradition to take a family photo every Christmas Day. This is one of my favourites so far. I love my little wide-eyed two-year-old beauty in the centre, and hubby's looking quite handsome too!

Christine xx

Monday, 18 June 2012

Collaborate for a Cause 2012 - a sneak peek ♥


I have a third collaboration underway for Collaborate for a Cause! You may have seen my previous blog posts showing sneak peek number one and sneak peek number two; now here is a glimpse of my third collaboration... 


The auction date is getting closer! You can find out more about this exciting handmade charity auction event on Facebook at Collaborate for a Cause. Bidding on the auction will commence at 8pm AEST on July 27th 2012. I can't wait! 

Christine xx

Friday, 15 June 2012

Winter, slumbering in the open air...


I have had a busy week and am now catching up on the June photo a day challenge from Fat Mum Slim. Here is my first week: 


1. Morning
I love wintry Canberra mornings. After the fog lifts, the clouds remain layered around the base of the hills and gathered in the distance, whilst overhead the sky is a beautiful crystal clear blue and the sun shines warmly. 


2. Empty
Mmmmmm.... a hot cup of tea and chocolate biscuits - sadly the mug and packet are now empty. 


3. On my plate
My crochet sandwich. 


4. Close up
It was my birthday this week and my lovely husband bought me the most beautiful bunch of roses. 


5. Sign
It's a sure sign that winter is here when all the leaves have fallen from the trees. 


6. Hat
A box of hats. Julia always grabs a hat when she goes outside to play. 


7. Drink
My husband's favourite winter warmer!

Winter, slumbering in the open air, wears on his smiling face a
dream of Spring...
- Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Stay warm!

Christine xx

Monday, 11 June 2012

Strawberry pikelets

If you liked my apple pikelets, here is something else to try: 


Using the apple pikelet batter, just cut thin slices of strawberry and place a slice into the batter of each apple pikelet whilst the first side is cooking. When you flip them over the strawberry will cook too. Delicious!

Enjoy!

Christine xx

Tuesday, 5 June 2012

All things bright and beautiful


The end of the May photo a day challenge from Fat Mum Slim


22. Pink
Pink is this pretty sunhat pin cushion I crocheted for a craft swap at Clare's Craftroom


23. Technology
When I was a kid, I would play solitaire (with real cards). Julia prefers to play on the DS. 


24. Something new
I have just bought a slow cooker and I love using it! 


25. Unusual
A crochet dalek I made for a friend. 


26. 12 o'clock
Tick tock, tick tock. 


27. Something sweet
Marshmallows - yum! 


28. The weather today
Glorious! 


29. A number
Five. The age of my darling daughter! 


30. My personality
Optimistic. 


31. Something beautiful
I have had this beautiful doll since I was just a little girl.

Will you be joining me for the June photo a day challenge?

Christine xx

Monday, 4 June 2012

Never put anything smaller than your elbow into your ear...

It was almost the perfect Saturday morning, starting with a lovely (and rare) sleep in. Until Julia (Miss 5 and-a-half) confessed to her Dad that she had a bead in her ear. What???

I took her to the doctor and he flushed out two beads. As we were driving home, I jokingly asked her whether she had put anything into her other ear. She said yes, sorry I forgot. So we had to go straight back to the doctor again where he flushed one out of the other ear!!

Then I spent the whole afternoon sewing the offending beads and sequins onto her new calisthenics leotard (although not specifically the ones that had been in her ears).


Beads are no longer my friends.

Christine xx