Hello all, yes I have been absent for a lonnng time. many times the thought has occurred oh i must blog that but never did. such are our busy lives. well i'm here all rugged up and sick with too much time on my hands and getting seriously sick of being sick... and bored yet too exhuasted to do much at all. in fact in 6 days this is probably the first time i've been on the computer. Well while i'm here i thought I would update with the pictures of the projects I have been working on for my soon to be step grand child who is due to arrive in the world in approximately 2 and a half weeks!

This was my first attempt at bunting and second go at making a taggy. The first Tagggy was made for young Tao. <3 The cot blanket was the first project for Layla and have also made one previously for my neice Hayley when she was born <3

So there it all is now to find a lovely big basket to bundle it all up in for young Layla. I'll have to wait for now until I am well enough to get out and shop as for the time being i've not the energy or stamina. But Shhh no linking to facebook yet... it's a surprise for Derek and Chloe too!

Here is one of my recent creations i made for a friends baby. is was mad from a cross stitch I stitched, then sewn to a face washer. I then sewed some blue ribbon on as taggies and backed with another face washer on the back. quite pleased with this. SO MANY PEOPLE HAVING BABIES!

Produce from the garden.

Despite the early touch of rain we got this morning we managed a beautiful day.
I Enjoyed the sunshine today completing 2 loads of washing and getting my itchy fingers out into the garden. managed some weeding, planting, pruning and harvested some garlic chives.
Mind many complaints were coming about the terrible smell of the kitchen... "EWW Whats that smell." Ahh thats what garden fresh chives smell like as opossed to shop bought chives!
Afterward we went for bike ride something we've missed during this rainy period.
hopefully tomorrow brings some more sunshine.

Yesterday we took the kids to Gosford regional art gallery and commemorative gardens. We loved it. It was difficult to keep up with Katie whom continually led us down the garden path. :P

Luke was keen to capture his favourite images on Martin's iphone, or perphaps he just wanted an opportunity to PLAY?

Regional art gallery - Gosford. This marvelous image of sea creatures was presented beautifully onto the floor in a way that made us feel we were at the waters edge or in a glass bottomed boat... magical...

Luke loved the feel of this kangaroo skin and also discovered a hand woven basket hanging and traditional tools inside.

we loved this replica of a traditional koori hut.

We took a walk from down near the rock pool and collected both natural items and rubbish we r currently working on collaging these items onto a canvas will post the results when we are done. here are some of the items we found.

Here's what my little bower bird brings home from school in her pocket and prob why her fingernails r caked with dirt when she gets home. lol xxx

Our Busy Weekend.

So proud of Luke for winning 2nd place in a local writing competition with entries from all local schools. The top entries were displayed at our local festival last month. Thursday at assembly Luke was presented with his award, trophy and prize.


Katie began taking portraits of herself with Tysen last night, I decided to give her a hand.


After picking Luke up from his friends Birthday party we went for a really looong bike ride. All the way to Buff Point and beginning of budgewoi. here are some pics.





Last night we went ten pin bowling, I WAS HORIBLE! Havent been for years, however had sooo much fun. Martin came first, Luke second, Katie Third and Me Last. :P

KATIE'S YR 6 TAFE EXCURSION

Today Katie had her excursion to Tighes Hill TAFE in Newcastle. Parents were encouraged to go also to help families to become more aware of the opportunities and work towards their chosen career paths. here are some pics from some of the introductory to some of their classes. In the above pic, Katie takes a look at the mini model houses where students studying electronics can apply what they have learnt in a similar way to on the job.



Katie examines the electronic switches.


On this tour we had a look at the printing and design of signs and how they were made, this massive work of art was printed of the giant printer in a number of panels and then applyed like wallpaper.


Katie thought it was pretty amazing and moved in for a closer look.


In the painting and decorating workshops we took a look at how the students practise stripping, sanding, varnishing, painting, applying wallpaper and creating special effects using colour and shade.


Katie took an interest in what the students had pre mixed in the paint tins.


Katie; "Knock knock is anyone there?"


We were also shown a number of ways students were taught to finish a product in order to make it appear like expensive timbers even marbled finishes.


Off to the music studios. This music teacher showed us all the gear in the studio and even a demo with the sound proof rooms and their enourmously thick heavy doors.
I'ld like one of them.


"Is anyone a guitar player?" Katie replies, "I am." Well okay then!
He showed Katie this contrapment with alows you to play your instrument,sing and record and send to computer quickly so muso's can send their work quickly to music company's. oh and it's also a keyboard!


Beauty school... Katie gets a manicure and hands moisterised.


Using the face models, the teacher shows how to give a facial, using sobeline cream and a little water for the lesson.


Using a little bowl of water and small sponges they are then shown how to gently wash it off and towel dry the face.
What a great day. :)

We love Bunnings!

This morning I began with the aim of cutting back the wisteria and training the rambling rose in the backyard and cutting off all the infecting black spot, after last night watching Gardening Australia.
i was trying to reach to wistera over the low hanging grivillia branch when i thought bugger this i can't get to this patch of the garden with this in the way and the other plants under it are not exactly thriving so i'll get Marty to cut it off.
So I did.



After we cut the branch up and put it in the green bin, I planted the broms that I removed last weekend underneith with some stepping stones in between.


Using the remainants of the wisteria which i had taken off, I made this Hangy wreath type thing and hung it in the garden.



found a nice spot for it here.



We had to go to bunnings to get a new toilet seat, so of course while we were there we had a little look in the garden centre. Katie took a liking to this lovely plum coloured paper daisy "I like it, it feels funny." so we added that to our purchase and headed home to plant it.

Luke dug the hole...


Katie measured to see if it was the right height and planted in the ground with my help.



Time to give it a drink. :P