Wordless Wednesday - Lunch

It's Wordless Wednesday, and I am linking up with My little drummer boys. On the weekend we took the kids to a local cafe for lunch...

Lots of games to play

Toby discovered kiddy milk shakes

As did Hannah (only $1.45!!!)

Meg enjoyed the cheesy bread.

If you enjoy my blog you can also follow me on facebook or twitter. Thanks for stopping by!

When Do You Just Surrender To Chaos?

The Country Boy and I are planners. With this move we have slowly been taking all the nonessential items down to the farm. Gone are the books and bookcases, the keyboard, the craft cupboard etc. We have pared our lives down to the bare minimum. To be honest I like living this way. I don't care that I can't see my photo albums (although I miss my books), I love that there isn't much furniture so there is plenty of floor space (and not much dusting either). Minimalist living would suit me fine!

With 2 weeks until the move, I've got to the point where I am stuck for ideas about what to do next. All the big and easy things have been done, now come the hard decisions.

image credit

Do I pack all the linen and make everyone just do with what they have? I just know that as soon as I pack it all, there will be an unexpected bed wet, or worse projectile vomit session.

What about the kids toys? Can't they just scrabble around in the dirt for 2 weeks? Apparently not!

Can't pack bathroom supplies yet - showers are required for the next 2 weeks too!

I can pack some kitchen stuff, but really do need plates, cups, saucepans etc. to feed the family.

When should we dismantle the beds and sleep on mattresses on the floor?

I thought about packing winter clothes, but then it has been really cold over the last week and we have been wearing them.

At some point we are just going to have to cut our losses and start packing, but I am not sure when that time is. When do you just give up on your life as you know it and start throwing it into boxes? Forget about trying to live a normal life and surrender to takeaway food eaten on the floor with plastic cutlery? When do I just accept that chaos is going to happen? 2 weeks to go... and I think it might be soon!

Pinteresting Ideas For When You Are Moving House

It's only 2 weeks until the big move (gulp) so today I am sharing some of the pins that have given me great ideas to help with the packing and moving.

This is a great idea to keep screws and shelf supports etc together.

image credit

These labels would be great printed on to adhesive paper and then stuck onto boxes... 

image credit

I would love to find some boxes like this to put all my breakables in.

image credit

This is a fantastic idea for moving drawers - wrap in cling wrap

Add caption

Love these ideas for address change cards...

image credit

image credit

So with 2 weeks to go till our Country Life Experiment begins, what are your tips and tricks for moving as stress free as possible with kids???

You can find these and more great pins I have found at my Pinterest boards. You can also follow me on facebook or twitter. Thanks for stopping by!

I'm linking up with Tina Gray {dot} me for Ooh! That's Pinteresting and 5 minutes just for me for Pinning and Singing

The Final 14...

Yesterday, I wrote my 100th post, but only managed to think of 86 things to share with you. Some of my good friends messaged me to let me know that I should do a final 14 to make the full 100. So here are my final 14 things you may not know about me....

1. Most of my good friends I have known since I was a teenager. Sure, kids and life get in the way so we no longer get to hang out till 3am every weekend (we would rather be in bed because the kids are going to get up in 3 hours), but when we do get together, we have a great time. I am going to miss them when we move!

2. Most of my good friends are interrelated. My sister's inlaws were friends before she got married. My husband's best mate turned out to be his 3rd cousin, and HE married another good friend of mine. Several others are married to brother/ sisters of others etc. Trying to explain the relationships to outsiders is difficult.

3. I hope my kids have such a great group of friends when they are teenagers/ young adults.

4. I don't want my kids to grow up! I love them just at the stages they are. Then I think how sad it would be if they didn't grow and change and I am grateful for happy, healthy, normal kids!

5. I am very bad at sports... all of them. It is genetic! My Mum failed PE at teacher's college, and she is more sporty than my Dad! This is a source of pride in our family! Unfortunately it seems that the girls have inherited my lack of sporting ability rather than The Country Boy's coordination and skill (sorry kids!)

6. Hannah was unplanned, but we are so glad that we had her when we did. We probably would have kept finding other "more important" things to do. Now we realise that bringing our kids up well is THE most important thing we can do!

7. I do NOT like scary/action movies - The Country Boy does. This makes it very hard to agree on a DVD to hire with The Country Boy. However this issue will soon be solved. We won't be hiring many in the country - 40 min drive to nearest DVD hire store!

8. I am not very adventurous with fashion. Sometimes I wish I was, but it is just too hard!

9. I have never dyed my hair, though I have recently found some grey hairs (I blame the children) so I may yet consider it!

10. I am the palest/whitest person I know. My skin goes straight from bright white to bright red, and fake tan looks awful. I accept this.

11. I don't have a favourite food - I love all food :) (This one is for Sarah)

12. I don't drink alcohol. I'm not really sure why not. I guess I never really developed the habit. I use it in cooking a lot. I don't drink coffee regularly either, though I quite like it when I do have one!

13. I hate winter. I am a summer girl all the way. The farm is a lot colder than the mountains, so I think I may die of cold!

14. We have started going on holidays with my family every year, but I NEVER drive with my parents. I used to think it took 10 hours to get from Sydney to Batemans Bay, because that is how long it took with my father driving. It once took us 3 hours to get from Bathurst to Orange. My father enjoys the scenic route!

So there you go; 14 things to complete my 100th post. This one dedicated to Sarah and Kathryn, because they are friends and family, and they already knew most of this, but still made comments anyway!

86 Things for 100 Posts

It's my 100th post today. In honour of the auspicious occasion (hmmm), I have put together a list of 86 things you might not know about me (apparently it is the blogging tradition) I was going to do 100 but ran out of inspiration.  So let me know… how much do you know about me??

1. I collect platters - too many of them.
2. I still don't always have the perfect platter for what I am cooking.
3. I don't like spiders.
4. Or snakes.
5. Or rodents.
6. I love Christmas time.
7. I love the decorations.
8. And even the shopping!
9. I taught in UK - I didn't really like it.
10. I am scared of heights (terrified).
11. I can talk about vomiting whilst eating dinner and don't get grossed out.
12. Watching an operation on TV makes me feel like vomiting. It's only the cutting of the skin I hate. Once they are in and poking about - no problem!
13. My favourite movie of all time is Love Actually. It reminds me of when we lived in the UK.
14. I can find a Simpsons quote for any occasion.
15. I have rule about skirts: a skirt should always be longer than it is wide, otherwise it is a belt (I teach high school so I have seen it all in the skirt department).
16. I am quite introverted, but the Country Boy is more introverted so I seem extroverted by comparison.
17. I enjoy scrapbooking.
18. I don't get much time to scrapbook. I hope I will be able to do some more once we move to the farm.
19. I don't believe your wedding should be the best day of your life. It should be a good day but if it is the best, it doesn't give you much to look forward to after you are married.
20. I work full time and The Country Boy is a stay at home dad. We do this because it works for our family, not because of some massive feminist agenda on my part.
21. I don't have a massive feminist agenda.
22. I became a Christian at age 7.
23. I like to be on time.
24. I think being very late with no good reason is rude.
25. I like the concept of a bath, but the reality is you sit in luke warm water and wallow in your own dirt.
26. I compulsively peel dry glue off the top of glue bottles.
27. I don't regret calling Meg, Meghann, but I should have known better because she will spend her life explaining how to pronounce and spell it (it rhymes with Pegin ie. Not Mee gan)
28. I never chose a boys name for Hannah or Meg before they were born. I never chose a girls name for Toby before he was born either.
29. I wanted to find out the gender of our babies at the 20 week ultrasound but The Country Boy wanted a surprise.
30. I'm not very good at keeping secrets from The Country Boy.
31. I love going to garage sales and markets on Saturday mornings.
32. I feel proud of myself when I get a good bargain.
33. I hate the fact that Hannah gets homework in 1st class. But I insist that she does it anyway.
34. I have watched The West Wing (all 7 series) about 4 times - maybe more.
35. I would like to find another tv series I could watch on DVD which is just as good (suggestions please).
36. I don't like my kids wearing visible brands on their clothes because I don't want them to be a marketing tool for a multinational corporation.
37. I get internal conflict when I get hand-me-down clothes with visible brands because I want to use them rather than buying new clothes. I haven't resolved this issue yet.
38. I don't like most clothes made for girls once they hit size 7. It's hard to find clothes that don't make them look like a mini stripper.
39. I don't like how unbranded boys clothing all have skulls and crossbones on them (what is wrong with trucks or tractors??).
40. I find buying clothes for my kids a hard task.
41. The Country Boy and I met at University.
42. He thought I was strange and I thought he was strange too.
43. He is still my best friend.
44. I have incredible patience with my students, but sometimes find it hard to have the same patience for my own kids.
45. I love teaching (mostly).
46. I hate marking - especially exams.
47. Sometimes I get "over" cooking. This usually occurs when I have to do a lot of cooking at work.
48. My favourite subject to teach is Food Technology - I get excited by all the chemistry and nutritional science stuff. My students think that this is weird.
49. When I was in year 10 I did 2 weeks work experience; 1 as a teacher and 1 as a food technologist. I hated both and swore I wouldn't do either for a career!
50. Many of my students call me "mum". 17 year old boys get embarrassed when they do this.
51. I would love to have more babies, but my body can't take anymore pregnancies (and neither can The Country Boy).
52. I don't feel scarred by the fact that Hannah's birth was a nightmare, or that Meg and Toby were Caesareans - I feel grateful that I had options and choices.
53. I feel proud that I managed to breast feed Toby for 9 months (3rd time lucky).
54. I don't believe that Hannah and Meg are going to blame all their life issues on the fact that I couldn't successfully breastfeed them (there are probably plenty of other reasons I will give them).
55. I wish I was more organised.
56. I play the piano mostly by ear, but I can read music.
57. I taught myself to play the guitar (badly).
58. I would love to play the violin.
59. I would love my kids to learn to play musical instruments so that I can live vicariously through them, and so they can form a family band (like The Corrs or Hanson - NOT Jackson 5!!), and make heaps of money to look after me in my old age - Joking (sort of).
60. In high school I played the flute.
61. I cannot find my flute (ooops).
62. I can read books that I enjoy over and over again.
63. I have too many books.
64. My favourite author (at the moment) is probably Bill Bryson, but there are soooo many good ones!
65. I love watching my kids play - they are hilarious.
66. I sometimes wish I taught infants rather than high school.
67. I avoid eating food my students have cooked at all cost - 12 year old boys aren't known for their hygiene!
68. I have accepted that I will never be the same size that I was when I was 22.
69. We took the girls to Malaysia and China in 2009 to visit my sister and brother in law.
70. I would like to visit them again, but this time go via Vietnam.
71. I watch Escape to the Country and laugh at all the people who want large open plan living in 16th century cottages with period features. You CANNOT have both people (rant over).
72. I hide some of my kids books when I am sick of reading them (PB Bear for 10 days in a row!)
73. I love reading the books I read as a kid to Hannah.
74. I am good at making decisions quickly.
75. I get frustrated when others are not so good at decision making.
76. Many things about country life perplex me - like how much conversation revolves around grass, weather and sheep conditions!
77. I believe parents need to take responsibility for bring up their children, and not rely on schools to do the job for them.
78. I believe kids need parents to be parents, not BFFs.
79. People always try to give me recipe books - I have so many but I never use most of them!
80. I don't like it when people swear a lot.
81. I have lots of opinions - I don't expect that people will agree with them.
82. I like to play Singstar with the girls. Our favourite is the 80's. Meg can sing Uptown girl, and We built this city, word perfect. Hannah prefers Wake me up before you gogo, and Walking on sunshine.
83. I still have a lot to learn about blogging - it is a slow process!
84. I use a lot of brackets (because I can).
85. I began this blog as a way to process my thoughts about living in a rural area and to keep friends and family up to date with what I am doing.
86. I have been surprised by the amount of people who visit my blog and make time to comment. (Thanks everyone!)

Here's your opportunity to hop on the band wagon... you can follow me on Facebook and now also Twitter (how very modern of me).

Wordless Wednesday - A Birthday Party

It's an (almost) Wordless Wednesday and I am linking up with My Little Drummer Boys. Today I am sharing the Birthday Party we had for Hannah's birthday last year. I can't believe it was a whole year.

We had a "Masterchef Party" where the kids did some 'cooking'.

We started by playing a few games

It's pin the cherry on the cupcake

We  decorated our own cupcakes

And possibly put as many lollies on as possible

We also made fruit kebabs and fairy bread (and mini pizza's)

The cupcakes made a birthday cake

We all tucked in

If you enjoy my blog, you can follow me on my facebook page or twitter.

Saying Goodbye

Just a quick post today, because life is sooo hectic. Working full time, marking a major exam at night, trying to organise to move house in 3 weeks (!!!) etc.

Today, however, one of my sisters and her husband fly out to South East Asia, where they live. We have been fortunate to have them home for the last (almost) 2 years. During their visit we have spent sooo much time together. I went over to say good bye to them before work this morning. It was strange because in someways it was just another day; we were chatting about pinterest and other good things we have found, but when it came time to say goodbye, it wasn't "see you on Friday" it was "see you next year" (if we are lucky!).

Weren't we cuties in the early 80's

My siblings and I are good friends. We have lots of common interests and spend a lot of time together. My sister is a great support for me and my other sister with our young children. Being away from them is going to be hard.

We can't put our lives on hold to remain near to each other. I know that she is needed where she is going, and that she wants to go. I know that our family needs to try living in the country and we can't wait to go. It doesn't make saying goodbye any easier though.

A Summer BBQ

The weather has been beautiful, and I am dreaming of summer BBQs, but like everything else, the BBQ will have to wait until after our move (only 3 weeks). So instead I am sharing with you my perfect summer BBQ, with some of the beautiful pins I have found on Pinterest over the last few weeks.

Of course the most important part of a BBQ is good company, so you are all invited!

Before every one arrives, I will string up some bunting, made with left over scraps of fabric (I love bunting)...

image credit

Then,  I will set the table...

image credit

Here is some yummy finger food to serve as people arrive...

image credit

And some refreshing summer drinks...

image credit

Marinate balsamic pork with grilled peaches for dinner...

image credit

Pumpkin, feta, and rocket salad on the side...

image credit

And since so many lovely people have come, I will whip up a chocolate raspberry pavlova for dessert...

image credit

We can sit back and enjoy the warm weather whilst the kids run around under the sprinkler.

image credit

So when I have moved down to the farm, you are all invited!

What would you do for your ultimate summer BBQ?

You can find all these pins and more on my Pinterest board. You can also follow me on facebook or twitter. (yes I have joined the 21st century). Thanks for stopping by!

I'm linking up with Tina Gray {dot} me for Ooh! That's pinteresting and 5 Minutes Just For Me for Pinning and Singing

Christmas Tree Conflict

I love decorating Christmas trees. Over the years I have collected many beautiful decorations from our travels, and have been given some by friends and colleagues. I love getting the decorations out each year and telling my kids the stories about where we got the decoration. I love looking at the decorations given to me by old friends and reminisce about the good times I had with them. I love how they all look beautiful and coordinated on my tree.

The girls also love to decorate the Christmas tree - heck they love to decorate the whole house for Christmas. They create many wonderful artworks and decorations each year and have a lovely time doing it. The only problem with this is that the kid's don't seem to understand my colour scheme or decorative theme. Pasta seems to be their construction material of choice, and the colour scheme is rarely red, gold and green. So their craft clashes with my tree.

I know I should proudly display their creations, and I am pleased that they are enthusiastic, but the truth is  I dream of the Christmas tree most often seen in the movies and catalogues. Some how pasta doesn't really fit with my "dream".

My first solution was to get a second Christmas tree, but The Country Boy wouldn't let me thought it would be a bit excessive. Luckily we have found a solution - we have a saying: "Every Christmas tree has a front and a back". This means I can have my beautiful tree on one side, and the kids can still put their crap craft on the tree too!

Do you have a theme for your tree, or do you just let your kids go crazy with the decorations?

Happy Birthday To Me

It's my birthday today - 35 years old! I know! I can't really cling to the idea that I am in my early 30's any more.

I begin marking a certain large annual exam today (can't say any more) so there will be no celebration. I don't get home till late, and so Meg was concerned that she will have already eaten all the cake by the time I get home.

Instead we celebrated on the weekend: lunch with The Country Boy, and dinner with my family.

I know I am hitting my mid 30's because I was super excited to be given this...

And this....

Saturday maybe the last time for a few years in which all of my family will be in the one place together. One of my sisters, and her husband are heading back to South East Asia next week to work. They have been home for 2 years and we have grown used to having them around. They hope to get back in a year or so, but you never know.

We sat around the dinner table, and talked. The kids ran around, enjoying the negligent parenting. The childless aunts and uncles, played with the kids, cut up their meat, and pour their drinks. We discussed everything and nothing, and the evening ended too soon.

We move in about 3 weeks so we are also facing some big changes.

By the time you hit 35 you don't really expect your birthdays to be that exciting or memorable. My birthday  was memorable though. It felt like the end of an era. Not because I am now in my mid 30's but because life is about to change.

Wordless Wednesday - Secrets

It's a Wordless Wednesday and I am linking up with My little drummer boys.

The 5 kids in our family are all very close, but Meg and Jem are best buddies. On Saturday night they were all busy whispering secrets and plans to each other.

I've got something to tell you...

It's a secret.

Let's see who can pull the silliest face!

Here comes the surprise...

We decorated mum's birthday cake by ourselves!

If you enjoy my blog you can follow me on facebook, or twitter

{Recipe} Barbecue Snapper

As I wrote yesterday, The Country Boy took me to the Sydney Fish Markets for an early birthday lunch over the weekend. While we were down there, we also bought a snapper to cook at home.

I have only ever cooked whole fish at work. Normally I just buy fillets (the kids like fish but hate bones), but I thought I'd be adventurous and buy a whole fish for a change (yes I'm living on the edge).

The recipe is based on one from Pete Evans' book "Fish", but being me, I changed it a little (it's a great book if you like fish but don't really know how to cook it well).

Ingredients (It fed all of us, but I think that 2 hungry adults could easily finish it off themselves)

1 large snapper - scaled and gutted
1T butter
3cm knob ginger - julienned (or cut into matchsticks)
2 garlic cloves - chopped
4cm stem lemon grass - thinly sliced
1t coriander root (we are not coriander fans so you could up this if you are)
1/2 lemon sliced
1/2 lemon juiced
1T soy sauce
2T sweet chilli sauce (the original recipe used a chilli, but I didn't have one)

Method
1. Cut 3 slits into each side of the snapper.

2. Tear 2 large sheets of foil. Rub half the butter over one and place the snapper on it.
3. Sprinkle remaining ingredients over and under the fish.
4. Butter a second piece of foil and place over the top
5. Roll the 2 pieces of foil together to seal the parcel. (If the foil gets a hole in it, just put a second layer over the top.)

6. Place parcel on a hot barbeque for 5 minutes. Turn and cook a further 3 minutes.
7. Rip open the parcel and serve.

Our kids loved it as much as we did.

Here Fishy Fishy Fishy

I't my birthday later this week, so on Saturday, The Country Boy announce he was taking me to the Sydney Fish Markets for lunch. He had even organised my mother to baby sit the kids - Yay! I have always wanted to go and have a look (we love seafood), but had never got around to it.

We drove down and had an uninterrupted conversation, which in itself is cause for celebration.

We browsed through the shops, and I got inspired by all the produce...

We shared a huge seafood platter....

Though we couldn't fit it all in...

We sat under the palm trees in the warm sun....

and talked and watched people...

On the way home, we may have stopped at Haberfield and had some gelato, before we went to the cheese shop, and the patisserie to buy some more treats for later.