 |
Through these eyes What do you see Can you see my reflection Can you see the sky Can you see the beauty of your life in front of you These beautiful eyes. |
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Through these eyes
When life hands you lemons...
MAKE SOME LEMONADE!!
We have a cute little lemon tree in one corner of our backyard. It has about 3985450876340586345 lemons on it, so Arthur picked about 230498375 of them on the weekend. He juiced all of them (bless his heart) and we made some lemonade. YUM!!
Recipe
3/4 cup sugar
1 cup water
1 1/4 cup lemon juice (I like it tart!)
3-4 cups additional water
- Mix sugar in 1 cup boiling water until it dissolves, making a sugar syrup.
- Add sugar syrup to lemon juice and additional water.
- Mix and enjoy!
We have a cute little lemon tree in one corner of our backyard. It has about 3985450876340586345 lemons on it, so Arthur picked about 230498375 of them on the weekend. He juiced all of them (bless his heart) and we made some lemonade. YUM!!
Recipe
3/4 cup sugar
1 cup water
1 1/4 cup lemon juice (I like it tart!)
3-4 cups additional water
- Mix sugar in 1 cup boiling water until it dissolves, making a sugar syrup.
- Add sugar syrup to lemon juice and additional water.
- Mix and enjoy!
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Giveaway Winner!!
Thanks to all who left comments for the giveaway. Congratulations to Tricia!!! She is the winner of the Clickin' Moms LIFETIME membership!!! Yay Tricia! You're going to love it. I'll be in touch to organise your prize.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Neighborhood walk
The kids love going for walks in our neighborhood. Yesterday, Austin decided to ride his scooter while we walked. Halfway down our street, he needed a break because "his legs were hurting from all the exercise".
We were also detained a bit whilst waiting for Sienna to pick, yet another, flower. She LOVES "flowas".
So, needless to say, our walk didn't last very long.
Smelling the flower she had just picked:
Friday, June 17, 2011
BOB Books for iPhone
A friend told me about the free BOB Books app for the iPhone. So, I installed it and Austin LOVES it. Sienna even loves it. She grabs my phone and says "Sam, Sam" (which is one of the words in the books).
Monday, June 13, 2011
A little 'noise' and a little smile
She had just woken from her nap and was still lying in bed. There wasn't very much natural light, so I had to crank up my ISO; hence the 'noise' in the shot. I don't mind a bit of noise if it helps tell the story (dark room, nap-time).
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Old Mates
Today, we made a VERY last minute decision to venture out to the Kyneton Olive Oil Festival (approx one hour outside Melbourne). The weather at home in Melbourne was cold, foggy, misty and just plain miserable. So, we loaded up the kids, a carload of 'necessities' and headed off on our road trip.
Once we finally buckled into the car, I put the address into my iPhone GPS and realised Kyneton is just past Woodend!! So, I contacted my old friend Fiona and we made plans to meet up in the country for a good ole' country-bumpkin time!!
Half-way to our destination, the sun started peeking through the clouds and the fog started lifting. By the time we arrived, it was a perfect winter day, full of sunshine and a pleasant cool breeze. The festival was perfect. They had delicious wood-fired pizza, divine home-made jams and (best of all) FREE wine tastings!!!! Who could ask for anything more? Sunshine + Savoury + Sweets + WINE! MOST of my favorite things!
We snagged a few (okay FOUR) bottles of YUMMO Shiraz from Bull Hen winery. It was a steal at only $12 a bottle. It's full of body and goes down oh-so-well. We also snagged a delicious little Vanilla & Plum jam that is, seriously, out of this world!!
The best part of our visit to the festival was our reunion with old friends from Mother's Group, Fiona, Mark and their beautiful girls Katrina & Gabby. It was amazing to see how well Katrina & Austin 'clicked'!! It was as though they knew they were old mates who were catching up for 'just another playdate'. They played beautifully and had so many laughs together. They just couldn't get enough of each other. I wish you guys lived closer!!!
Once we finally buckled into the car, I put the address into my iPhone GPS and realised Kyneton is just past Woodend!! So, I contacted my old friend Fiona and we made plans to meet up in the country for a good ole' country-bumpkin time!!
Half-way to our destination, the sun started peeking through the clouds and the fog started lifting. By the time we arrived, it was a perfect winter day, full of sunshine and a pleasant cool breeze. The festival was perfect. They had delicious wood-fired pizza, divine home-made jams and (best of all) FREE wine tastings!!!! Who could ask for anything more? Sunshine + Savoury + Sweets + WINE! MOST of my favorite things!
We snagged a few (okay FOUR) bottles of YUMMO Shiraz from Bull Hen winery. It was a steal at only $12 a bottle. It's full of body and goes down oh-so-well. We also snagged a delicious little Vanilla & Plum jam that is, seriously, out of this world!!
The best part of our visit to the festival was our reunion with old friends from Mother's Group, Fiona, Mark and their beautiful girls Katrina & Gabby. It was amazing to see how well Katrina & Austin 'clicked'!! It was as though they knew they were old mates who were catching up for 'just another playdate'. They played beautifully and had so many laughs together. They just couldn't get enough of each other. I wish you guys lived closer!!!
Saturday, June 11, 2011
The Giveaway
You've been patiently waiting for it and I'm finally ready to post about it. Here we go....
Clickin' Moms has been kind enough to sponsor an awesome giveaway valued at $195 for one of my lucky readers!!!!
If you are keen to learn anything related to photography, this is your place. They have over 8,000 members who range from top professionals to enthusiastic hobbyists like me. I joined Clickin' Moms early last year and quickly found that it's not just for "MOMS".
One of my lucky readers will be eligible to win a Lifetime Membership to Clickin' Moms !!! That is a $195 value for free and that is only the beginning. This membership will include:
* Advanced notice to sign up for CM workshops;
* Special contests and perks (like this giveaway) available only to lifetime members;
* Discounted CMpro membership (subject to application and approval);
* Access to a countless number of photography tutorials;
* Discounts with participating vendors;
* Photo critiques.
If you are keen to learn more about photography or simply promote your existing business, this is a great place for you!!
So, now for the good stuff. How do you get an entry to this awesome giveaway?!!! You have FIVE opportunities to win (and an extra 2 opportunities for anyone willing to help me with my technical question in the previous post):
1. Become a follower of my blog and leave a comment here letting me know you did so.
2. Share this giveaway on Facebook with a link to this post and leave a comment here telling me you did so.
3. Share this giveaway on your blog with a link to this post. Leave a comment here to tell me you did so!
4. Tweet about this giveaway, with a link to this post. Leave a comment here to tell me you did so!
5. Join Clickin' Moms through one of my links on this page and leave a comment here telling me you did so. If you win the giveaway, Clickin' Moms will refund your membership fees.
The deadline for this giveaway is June 26th Australian time, which is June 25th US time. I will select a winner using random.org and will post that winner here.
Existing Clickin' Moms members are not eligible for this giveaway. If you choose to join Clickin' Moms (even with a lovely trial membership), membership fees will be refunded if you are the giveaway winner.
Good Luck!!!
Clickin' Moms has been kind enough to sponsor an awesome giveaway valued at $195 for one of my lucky readers!!!!
If you are keen to learn anything related to photography, this is your place. They have over 8,000 members who range from top professionals to enthusiastic hobbyists like me. I joined Clickin' Moms early last year and quickly found that it's not just for "MOMS".
One of my lucky readers will be eligible to win a Lifetime Membership to Clickin' Moms !!! That is a $195 value for free and that is only the beginning. This membership will include:
* Advanced notice to sign up for CM workshops;
* Special contests and perks (like this giveaway) available only to lifetime members;
* Discounted CMpro membership (subject to application and approval);
* Access to a countless number of photography tutorials;
* Discounts with participating vendors;
* Photo critiques.
If you are keen to learn more about photography or simply promote your existing business, this is a great place for you!!
So, now for the good stuff. How do you get an entry to this awesome giveaway?!!! You have FIVE opportunities to win (and an extra 2 opportunities for anyone willing to help me with my technical question in the previous post):
1. Become a follower of my blog and leave a comment here letting me know you did so.
2. Share this giveaway on Facebook with a link to this post and leave a comment here telling me you did so.
3. Share this giveaway on your blog with a link to this post. Leave a comment here to tell me you did so!
4. Tweet about this giveaway, with a link to this post. Leave a comment here to tell me you did so!
5. Join Clickin' Moms through one of my links on this page and leave a comment here telling me you did so. If you win the giveaway, Clickin' Moms will refund your membership fees.
The deadline for this giveaway is June 26th Australian time, which is June 25th US time. I will select a winner using random.org and will post that winner here.
Existing Clickin' Moms members are not eligible for this giveaway. If you choose to join Clickin' Moms (even with a lovely trial membership), membership fees will be refunded if you are the giveaway winner.
Good Luck!!!
Technical difficulties
I am in need of some technical HTML expertise.
I would like to create transitions between my images in my header slideshow. If anyone can help, please contact me and I'll gift you an extra TWO chances in the awesome giveaway which I'm about to post!!!
I would like to create transitions between my images in my header slideshow. If anyone can help, please contact me and I'll gift you an extra TWO chances in the awesome giveaway which I'm about to post!!!
Friday, June 10, 2011
Get Clickin'
I'm a lover of photography. I'll admit it, I'm a photo junkie. I've had my little Nikon D80 for over 2 years now and have clicked away over 16,000 shots (16.2k actuations as of April). It's no wonder my little MacBook Pro 250GB hard drive is full! I'm a hoarder of 'sentimental shots' and horrible at purging data after doing my backups!
As a lover of photography, I'm also a lover of all things nice...like a bright, new, shiny DSLR!! This year, my goal is to upgrade to a full frame DSLR. The only problem is that I'm really torn and I'm thinking of switching teams <insert GASP here>. Yup, I'm thinking of moving over to Canon. I only have 3 Nikon lenses and I could probably make back a good amount of money on their resell.
I still have a lot of research to do. The fact that Nikon factories in Japan are out of commission for a while, is also a big contributing factor. I am willing to hold out though, if I can be certain that Nikon is for me!
Until my upgrade, I'll continue clickin' along on my good ole' faithful D80. It's been there for me through the years, and hasn't failed me yet!
Thankfully, about a year ago, I was introduced to a website called Clickin' Moms. It's been a wonderful forum which has provided me endless photography tutorials, workshops and general photography chit-chat. I'll be offering a VERY yummy giveaway, sponsored by Clickin' Moms, to the value of $195!! Keep your eyes open and check back soon!!!
As a lover of photography, I'm also a lover of all things nice...like a bright, new, shiny DSLR!! This year, my goal is to upgrade to a full frame DSLR. The only problem is that I'm really torn and I'm thinking of switching teams <insert GASP here>. Yup, I'm thinking of moving over to Canon. I only have 3 Nikon lenses and I could probably make back a good amount of money on their resell.
I still have a lot of research to do. The fact that Nikon factories in Japan are out of commission for a while, is also a big contributing factor. I am willing to hold out though, if I can be certain that Nikon is for me!
Until my upgrade, I'll continue clickin' along on my good ole' faithful D80. It's been there for me through the years, and hasn't failed me yet!
Thankfully, about a year ago, I was introduced to a website called Clickin' Moms. It's been a wonderful forum which has provided me endless photography tutorials, workshops and general photography chit-chat. I'll be offering a VERY yummy giveaway, sponsored by Clickin' Moms, to the value of $195!! Keep your eyes open and check back soon!!!
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Austin's quote of the day
Austin: Mommy, I want to be a daddy when I grow up.
Me: Really, Austin? Do you want to have kids?
Austin: Yes.
Me: How many kids would you like to have?
Austin: Two.
Me: Do you want boys or girls or one of each?
Austin: I want two girls and I'm going to name them Alice and Sienna.
[He has a friend at kinder named Alice. I had no idea how much he admired her!]
Me: Really, Austin? Do you want to have kids?
Austin: Yes.
Me: How many kids would you like to have?
Austin: Two.
Me: Do you want boys or girls or one of each?
Austin: I want two girls and I'm going to name them Alice and Sienna.
[He has a friend at kinder named Alice. I had no idea how much he admired her!]
Helen Keller
Helen Keller was an amazing woman. My favorite quote of hers is:
"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt within the heart."
"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt within the heart."
Pure Imagination
Can you guess what my favorite Willy Wonka song is? All children should be able to live by these words and I hope my children do.
"Pure Imagination"
[Spoken]
Hold your breath
Make a wish
Count to three
[Sung]
Come with me
And you'll be
In a world of
Pure imagination
Take a look
And you'll see
Into your imagination
We'll begin
With a spin
Traveling in
The world of my creation
What we'll see
Will defy
Explanation
If you want to view paradise
Simply look around and view it
Anything you want to, do it
Wanta change the world?
There's nothing
To it
There is no
Life I know
To compare with
Pure imagination
Living there
You'll be free
If you truly wish to be
If you want to view paradise
Simply look around and view it
Anything you want to, do it
Wanta change the world?
There's nothing
To it
There is no
Life I know
To compare with
Pure imagination
Living there
You'll be free
If you truly
Wish to be
"Pure Imagination"
[Spoken]
Hold your breath
Make a wish
Count to three
[Sung]
Come with me
And you'll be
In a world of
Pure imagination
Take a look
And you'll see
Into your imagination
We'll begin
With a spin
Traveling in
The world of my creation
What we'll see
Will defy
Explanation
If you want to view paradise
Simply look around and view it
Anything you want to, do it
Wanta change the world?
There's nothing
To it
There is no
Life I know
To compare with
Pure imagination
Living there
You'll be free
If you truly wish to be
If you want to view paradise
Simply look around and view it
Anything you want to, do it
Wanta change the world?
There's nothing
To it
There is no
Life I know
To compare with
Pure imagination
Living there
You'll be free
If you truly
Wish to be
Be glad you are you
I thought it would be appropriate to explain my blog heading. "Be glad you are you" is a quote that I once heard in the movie Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. As a mother, I especially feel those words are so powerful and so important for children to believe. I hope my children will always "be glad you are you".
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