CHALK Comes Of Age!

I've just been over at the CHALK blog writing about this.... and thought I may as well post it over here too.

It appeared in this month's edition of The Age's Melbourne Magazine and we are thrilled.

Birthday Festa

I'm starting to get blogging withdrawals! Is that weird?

What with two birthdays in one week it has been quite hectic over here. No time to scratch let alone blog. As you know, Gidg' turned 6 on Thursday and we had a delightful group of girls over after school for a party. All went well, fun was had by all and my cake even turned out well...

The girls had a lovely time designing cupcakes and making their own plates. We even had an Easter Egg Hunt as requested by Gidget. I did go a little into teacher mode but all went swimmingly and they were a joy.

By 5.30 it was all over and we all collapsed in a heap.

Sunday we batted up again and had both sets of grandparents, various Uncles and Aunty's, and numerous cousins over for lunch - more baking, more eating, more pressies, more collapsing!!

Now we have the eye of the storm, the calm before it's Moondoggie's turn. He turns 4 on Thursday but I'll tell you all about that another day!! My problem now is building up some enthusiasm to create some sort of birthday cake. Gidget got an ice cream Barbie cake & a Fairy Cloud cake so I can't very well skimp out on Moondoggie's. Any suggestions?

(And to all those of little faith - I did make both the cakes myself. I may hate cooking but everyone knows I get off on an excuse to decorate.)

(p.s. You may also notice in one of the photos that Moondoggie actually has a cake - made by his Grandma and completely smothered in lollies - he thought it was Fantastic.)

Gidget Turns Six

My beautiful baby girl turned 6 today.

She is a joy and a blessing, a kind hearted soul who treads softly on the world.

Gidget is my sweet, sweet baby who tries to do her best in everything she does and cares about the feelings of those around her. I am so proud of her and am continually humbled by her presense in my life.

I love you my Gidget.

Stop Talking About It And Do It!

I joined a gym today!
I KNOW!!!!
Amazing huh?

(Oh God, what have I done.....)

Dish Pig.

God I hate doing the dishes!!!
Surfer Boy is away again and I'm stuck doing his chores. He does the dishes every night and I'd forgotton what an annoying job it is. We have the world's smallest sink with an equally minute draining board. It only takes someone to have a snack for the dishes to pile up. I NEED A DISHWASHER, or my husband back!!

Drop In And Visit

Anna over at Absolutely Beautiful Things posted about this house during the week and I have not been able to keep my eyes off it. It soothes my soul and has become my latest screen saver so I can gaze all day if I choose.

It's actually for sale at the moment so I might just take a sneaky trip down to Sorrento so I can stroll around the garden and pretend I can afford it!

Want to come?

P.S. Pop over to Kristine's blog and do the quiz...The boys from 'Nothing To Wear?' tell you what style you are. Fascinating.

Till Death...

8 Years ago today Surfer Boy and I tied the knot. We dragged all our family and friends to the top of a sand dune at the place where we met and were blessed with a glorious sunny April day with not a breath of wind. (Which believe me, is a blessing, as that sand dune is one windy spot for 360 days of the year.)

It was also the longest isle any bride has ever had to traipse down but I didn't think of that until I was actually doing it. I am not known for my love of exercise so I think many of the guests found my hike amusing. (note - cars parked on other side of lighthouse!)

We borrowed 2 fabulous old Holdens from friends and made our leisurely way to The Old School Hall for our party. We had no speeches, or weddingy stuff, just lots of yummy food, dear friends, a cake made of doughnuts,

and an inordinate amount of dancing! I am one of those poor unfortunates who has a husband who is a much better dancer than I am. I am no slouch, just unlucky in that Surfer Boy is unusually good for a straight man. This makes for a great party as he is usually the first one on the floor, along with every dance-mad member of his family. The Surfer Boy Family goes off on a dance floor.

We had an absolute ball and there is not one thing I would change about our day.....

Especially my choice of groom! I am constantly amazed at my good fortune - Surfer Boy is the most supportive, laid back, constant person I have ever met. He allows me complete freedom to be myself and pursue my passions. He believes utterly that marriage is an equal partnership and shows it in a thousand ways every day. After 8 years of marriage and 13 years together I am more in love with him than ever. (Maybe he should read this post 'cause I'm sure I don't tell him enough). Happy Anniversary Surfer Boy!

Celebrity Morph

Not only do I look remarkably like Rachael Bilson

MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Celebrity

but apparently I also share a very similar gene pool with Samaire Armstrong and...

MyHeritage: Family trees - Genealogy - Celebs

Kate Hudson!!! Oh I definitely think we are virtually twins!!!

MyHeritage: Celebrity Morph - Family search - Roots

Who Do They Look Like??

How fun is this?!? Once again Whitney has come through with the goods and put me on to this great time waster. You can even morph with celebrities.....I'm off to see what sort of kid Keith and I would have had .....

LOGIES??

The Gold Logie nominations are out - and there is already controversy!
I've had conversations with a couple of people with various strong opinions about who deserves to win TVs highest honour.
What are your thoughts?
Here are the nominees.... (sorry to those of you outside Aus)
Natalie Blair - Neighbours' actress


Adam Hills - Funnyman and host of Spics & Specs as well as various hosting gigs. This is his first time up.


Chris Lilley - another first timer and the creative genius behind Summer Height's High. He is also up in the best actor category and SHH is up for best light entertainment program.

Rove McManus - The Host with the most and past Gold winner

Andrew Denton - master interviewer.

John Howard - the cranky doctor from All Saint's.

Lisa McCune - multiple Gold Logie winner and now on Sea Patrol.

Kate Ritchie - Home and Away stalwart, It Take's Two host and last year's winner.

I have various opinions about some of the nominees but I'd be interested to hear your thoughts first.

Sixpence None The Richer - Kiss Me

Surfer Boy and I got engaged around the same time this song was released and as well as it's obvious merits as a Dwson's Creek song, it also brings back memories of a wonderful time for us. I would listen to this song while planning our wedding and hope that some of it's sweetness and wonder would show through in my plans. I pretty much based our day around the feel of this song. Maybe I'll dig up a photo to show you what I mean.

This Cracked Me Up!

These were posted on an unofficial but heavily utilised Australian Tourism Website and the answers are the actual responses by the webmaster , who obviously has a sense of humour. (thanks for this Jeff)

Q: Does it ever get windy in Australia ? I have never seen it rain on TV, how do the plants grow? ( UK ).
A: We import all plants fully grown and then just sit around watching them die
Q: Will I be able to see kangaroos in the street? ( USA )
A: Depends how much you've been drinking.
Q: I want to walk from Perth to Sydney - can I follow the railroad tracks? ( Sweden )
A: Sure, it's only three thousand miles, take lots of water.
Q: Are there any ATMs (cash machines) in Australia ? Can you send me a list of them in Brisbane , Cairns ,Townsville and Hervey Bay ? ( UK )
A: What did your last slave die of?
Q: Can you give me some information about hippo racing in Australia ? ( USA )
A: A-Fri-ca is the big triangle shaped continent south of Europe .Aus-tra-lia is that big island in the middle of the Pacific which does not... oh forget it. Sure, the hippo racing is every Tuesday night in Kings Cross. Come naked.
Q: Which direction is North in Australia ? ( USA )
A: Face south and then turn 180 degrees. Contact us when you get here and we'll send the rest of the directions.
Q: Can I bring cutlery into Australia ? ( UK )
A: Why? Just use your fingers like we do.
Q: Can you send me the Vienna Boys' Choir schedule? ( USA )
A: Aus-tri-a is that quaint little country bordering Ger-man-y, which is ...oh forget it. Sure, the Vienna Boys Choir plays every Tuesday night in Kings Cross, straight after the hippo races. Come naked.
Q: Can I wear high heels in Australia ? ( UK )
A: You are a British politician, right?
Q: Are there supermarkets in Sydney and is milk available all year round? ( Germany )
A: No, we are a peaceful civilization of vegan hunter/gatherers.Milk is illegal
Q: Please send a list of all doctors in Australia who can Dispense rattlesnake serum. ( USA )
A: Rattlesnakes live in A-meri-ca which is where YOU come from.All Australian snakes are perfectly harmless, can be safely handled and make good pets
Q: I have a question about a famous animal in Australia , but I forget its name. It's a kind of bear and lives in trees. ( USA )
A: It's called a Drop Bear. They are so called because they drop out of Gum trees and eat the brains of anyone walking underneath them. You can scare them off by spraying yourself with human urine before you go out walking.
Q: Can you tell me the regions in Tasmania where the female population is smaller than the male population? ( Italy )
A: Yes, gay night clubs
Q: Do you celebrate Christmas in Australia ? ( France )
A: Only at Christmas
Q: I was in Australia in 1969 on R+R, and I want to contact the Girl I dated while I was staying in Kings Cross*. Can you help? ( USA )
A: Yes, and you will still have to pay her by the hour..
Q: Will I be able to speak English most places I go? ( USA )
A: Yes, but you'll have to learn it first

2 Quilts and a Wedding

It's been a long time between creative endeavours.

I'm not sure why I'm having a crafting slump. I used to feel the need to create and produce on a daily basis but for some reason in the last few months I have experienced a creative block.

I finally finished Moondoggie's doona cover! ('thank god' I hear you all sigh) Mainly due to the fact that he was in hospital and I wanted to do something for him. (Some good has come out of the broken arms fiasco after all!)

And last week I finally delivered the quilt that I made my brother and sister-in-law as a wedding present.

I had every intention of having it done by their December wedding but with one thing and another, namely the Internet shop didn't deliver my queen sized wadding, I have only just finished it.

I spent ages choosing the fabrics and I don't think I'll do that to myself again - choosing for someone else is fraught with difficulties and is just too stressful. I finally settled on the lovely Amy Butler fabrics - not too girly but still botanical and stylish rather than cottagey.

They tell me they love it so with a bit of luck they are not just being polite.
This post makes it look like I've been productive but really both these projects belong to last year, with only the finishing done in '08. It is pathetic and I need to find my crafting Mojo again. But how??

Kids' Rock by Tim Hawkins

Now this CD I want to get!!!

Drop In And Visit.

I figure if we live here then Moondoggie can't hurt himself if he falls over in the yard ... although he'll probably get frostbite!

This house makes me feel very serene. I'm not usually a fan of winter but I love the blue sky and the white snow, with those gorgoeus stark tree trunks. I'm a huge fan of a white house, I'd paint all houses white if I could. I'd love to see what this house looks like in summer.