Shells and Beans

House Swap

2011-12-30T18:55:00.000+11:00

So while we are relaxing in a lovely house in a smallish town on the north Island of New Zealand, the family who own this house are having a holiday in our house near Brisbane Australia.

I came across the idea of house swapping when I was looking for places to stay (and pay for) over the Christmas period here in NZ. I needed somewhere to sleep 7 (my in-laws are with us) and somewhere that provided linen. Many I found requested that we bring our own linen and I really didn't fancy filling a suitcase (or 2) with enough sheets and towels for 7 of us!! I stumbled across www.aussiehouseswap.com.au and now we are having a great holiday! It appears like a "dating website" - you can view places but only make contact if you pay the registration ($60.00). I made contact with a few people and the swap that we made has been great. We actually met the family we swapped with as we arrived earlier in NZ and called in our way to Taupo. They were really nice and we felt like we had met them before (they are English and have lived in NZ for 3 years). They have the same configuration of kids as we do - 2 girls and a boy and similar ages. This has meant that age appropriate toys etc have been catered for (this was just luck of course!). When I mentioned the house swap idea to some people back home - they were "oh no - how could you have someone you don't know in your house?" - But I will be in their house I said. We have kept in touch while we are in each other's houses and all has been smooth sailing (so far). House swapping has meant we have saved a huge amount of money on hotels/holiday homes and we have been able to do so many other things. I think the best part is that all we need is here - kids are happy and I have really been able to relax! There isn't a big list of things that I need to do in this house - there are cobwebs that need removing but this isn't my place so they can stay!
What I am loving at the moment is that my 3 kids only have each other to play with. It has been fun and interesting to watch the dynamics of the three change and how they interact as a three or a two against one! Zoe has realised her little brother isn't that bad!!!
I would really recommend house swapping for a holiday!

New Zealand

2011-12-30T13:59:00.000+11:00

Whitewater rafting and the Zorb - oh this country is fun!!

Back to Nature!!

2011-09-25T16:59:00.000+10:30

So i remembered my camera on our weekend camping at Cunninghams Gap. It was fabulous and we all enjoyed it so much - maybe not the storm and heavy rain on our tent.

September

2011-09-21T21:33:00.000+10:30

Actually these photos were taken in some other month! I can see that my in-laws have been logging on to Shells and Beans in the hope of seeing some images of their grandchildren - so here are a few. I am pretty crap with taking photos of my kids of late. They all now have cameras and I guess I leave it up to them. I just never think to copy the images they have taken. The slippers above - how can you not love them. It was actually the 'craft' Zoe and her friends made at her party this year. I bought $2 pairs of slippers and let them go wild!! Actually it was only Shay who actually went wild. The other girls were more methodical, matching etc than the above pair - but that is my girl!!!

School holidays for 4 out of 5 of us. Had a lovely couple of days up with the Country Cousins. The kids have had 2 days already of the 3 day Sailing course I booked them into. Really windy conditions today and I thought I might have to pick them up from Noosa!!! I had a planning day with my teaching team - made better by Thai and wine for lunch together!! Fish and chips for an early dinner with the kids by the bay and a Zumba class at 7pm to shake up all that food I had eaten - smart move!!!!!

Very very proud of myself for taking 5 bags of clothes to the Op shop (most were originally bought there anyway) - and I didn't go in!!! No - I will wait a week or so and then decide to purchase back something I really miss or get very close to buying something and then finally realise it was mine in the first place. Don't laugh - this has happened before! I couldn't believe they wanted $12 for a dress I had donated!! I had paid less for it originally!

Enough rabbiting - it feels good!! I could do a few more posts of no real importance very soon!

xx

Hello

2011-08-14T19:40:00.000+10:30

I know I know - I am completely rubbish at maintaining a blog!! And I could give you many many reasons why - but the main one is my laziness!!!

So to keep a few people quiet (family) - some snaps of things going on. All mixed up but hey blogged!!!

Zoe - chosen to be part of the Dolphin Show at Seaworld (a few months ago).

My parents and their 6 grandchildren!! Not being biased or anything - but they couldn't have asked for 6 more gorgeous kids!!!!

TODAY - Luca was chosen to participate in the Dolphin Show! We have season tickets. Luca didn't care that the announcer said " Yes - the young lady in the orange come on down!" - She called him 'Buddy' later. All 3 of my kids have now been chosen to be part of the show (they pick 2) - so our 7 visits to date have paid off!!

Shay has always been brave when it comes to heights! She was in her element!

Zoe has overcome her fears and is equally at home - meters above the ground with a mere rope to hang on to.

A father and daughter moment!! Bright pink mood changing nail polish for her Papi!

The green snake sadly not seen and run over by my snake loving husband! He was devastated! The snake now resides in a bottle of methylated spirits in the future Scientist's bedroom!

Some dressing up antics!

......and again.....

Until next time xxxx

My Best Friend's Wedding!!!

2011-05-08T18:57:00.000+10:30

I have known Nicky since we were 11 years old!! She is my dearest friend!! It was the most beautiful wedding ever and so very emotional too in the happiest way possible!!! I am so soppy anyway!!! She was my Bridesmaid nearly 15 years ago and it was such a pleasure to have my two girls as her Flower Girls! Their outfits were a combination of designs and expertly made by my wonderful Aunt and myself (maybe not as expertly though)!! They were very Nicky and very my girls! I made a tearful reading at the ceremony and had others tearful too. It was the same reading as Nicky had made at my wedding and it was read from the exact book The Prophet - that Nicky had given me in '94 when I went travelling again. I also made a speech at the wedding but thanks to the many glasses of Champagne prior, it wasn't so tearful!

Hello

2011-04-08T07:16:00.000+10:30

Yep - I am now a Soccer Mum!!!!!

He LOVES it!!!

I made a place mat thingy for my class to put their water bottles on. None of them commented on it - unobservant creatures!!

Still here

2011-02-27T06:44:00.001+11:00

........a few days after my last post, I started full-time work and only now I feel that I can surface from the pile of student files, curriculum documents, school policies etc and the endless hum of the laminator!!! My classroom is starting to look like a nice learning environment for my 23 cherubs (managed to lose one already!) as you could not have asked for a more stark room on the first day!!! I have an interesting class and others have said "you have been given a doozy of a class" - probably to test me I am sure!!! Still I have managed to find something to like about each of the kids and look forward to the year with them. Of course I am counting down seven more weeks until holidays!

Op Shop + Haircut Joy

2011-01-17T18:22:00.000+11:00

After the embarrassing revealing of my chronic fabric obsession - I was told NOT to buy anymore fabric!! So I found joy in some lovely Op Shop finds!

This skirt was lovingly (i suppose) handmade by someone!! Gorgeous stretchy cotton - perfect teacher skirt!

Dots could be my new obsession too - this fabric is so cute!!

Haircut joy too!!! I found a new hairdresser and I love him already!! Moving to a new city it takes a bit of time to find all the services you need and to be happy with them. I have tried a few hairdressers and as I am not that fussy about my hair - I like to try new things!! I have given hairdressers free rein and end up with the same cut as I went in with just shorter. They never say this would suit you etc and are scared to cut it shorter!! I spent nearly 4 hours at this salon - it was joyful, funny and I walked out looking really different! When I was paying (let us not even discuss what I paid - it was worth it!) the next client walked in, looked at me and said "Wow - I want THAT hair cut!!" - that made me feel good!

Flood Appeal

2011-01-13T07:10:00.000+11:00

Like many other people I am sitting in my living room (in Queensland) watching the events of these tragic floods unfold. I am dry and cannot imagine how it must be to lose so much! Toni from Make it Perfect has organised an auction. Please donate or bid. I think I will do my Christmas shopping here.

Rain oh Rain

2011-01-09T17:39:00.000+11:00

I live in Queensland and where I live we have had enough - more than enough - my thoughts are with those who have had too much- just too much!!!

Merry Christmas

2010-12-23T14:04:00.000+11:00

Wishing you all a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and a FABULOUS 2011!!!

Holiday stuff

2010-12-21T11:36:00.000+11:00

Just sugar and golden syrup.

Add some bicarb!!! Honeycomb!! Mind you our humid weather means it is chewy rather than crunchy!!

I will now be known as the neighbourhood plant theif by those who didn't know that I did ask!! I raided Lola's garden for some succulents that she has growing in mass amounts. Then I asked Maria if I could raid her skip for some bits of a Dracena she was throwing out!! I must have looked very bold later when I took the yellow bin from the neighbours who are on holidays to use as our recycling bin was full!!!

In a break in the rain there has been some swimming to cool down happening. The kids have used the pool as a bartering tool already these holidays. I have just heard "No - you can't come in the pool because you were really mean to Lachlan yesterday!" - I have already said to my children that given the amount of kids and diversity of ages on the street where we live - that I am only to be called to 'adjudicate' if there is blood involved or damage to property!! I would go spare with the "He said, she said" dramas that go on.

Some succulents nicked from No.12!!

oh and our new Christmas Tree! Decorations we already had but the kids and I could not resist this tacky white tree! With the white lights flashing at night it may just induce a seizure!

Quirky!!

2010-12-13T07:33:00.001+11:00

Quirkiness was usually Shay's domain. So it was quite a surprise when Zoe spent a whole weekend in various dressup clothes and insisted on wearing these glasses (no lenses).

I love quirky!

Tis the season ...to spend!

2010-12-12T07:00:00.001+11:00

The day started with meeting some friends at a Chinese restaurant for breakfast. We opted for all the traditional Chinese breakfast foods and ordered two ham (spam!!) and egg toasted sandwiches just in case. Rice porridge with seafood and noodles on the side was delicious. The sandwiches were left!! Yum - we will go back again...and again I am sure.

Next stop - Bike shop!
"Can I help you" *
"These 3 children need new bikes"
Each child is thrilled with their new Christmas present that were brought home and promptly ridden in the rain for a few hours!

Stop after that - Music shop!
"Can I help you" *
"We need a violin and a trumpet please!"
That was quick but a bit painful on the credit card!

Then I purchased 3 tickets to Wicked for the girls and I to see in January.

Oh and then I had to purchase myself something. I have been looking at these for ages and I am in love with them. I LOVE cement! The smell of cement is up there with rain on a hot day and coffee for delicious aromas!!

Made in Canada by METSA

Lucky I have a fulltime job next year!!!!

Mutterings that could be heard at our house.

2010-11-26T17:08:00.000+11:00

'I am only ringing your dental practice because you have Gentle in your name - are they gentle?"
"Yes they are Michelle"
"Good -because I am one of those pathetic phobic adults who will cry"
"Ok - I will make a note of that!"

"If we don't get to have a Japanese exchange student because when the lady comes to inspect the house and she finds your rooms are too messy - you will be in trouble!'

15 minutes later

"WOW - Shay that is amazing! Don't you like having a clean room?"
"No it is too boring!"

PS. The lady only wants to see the room where the student will sleep and the bathroom!! ssshhhhh

"Marcel when are your parents coming back to Australia?"
"Not sure - why?"
"Because the car is a mess and the windows need cleaning!"

"Hey kids - you have a new cousin! A boy called Liam"
Very loud "YAY!!!!!!"

Oh My God - she has posted something!

2010-11-22T06:28:00.000+11:00

1st photo i found - I give you Cookie and Latte. These are the resident rodents that kepp my children amused for ages!

Thought I might just do a quick blog update in case someone calls by to Shells and Beans and says "When is she ever going to update her blog?" or more likely "hesch di blog nid updated" from my Swiss inlaws!!!

Will need to be bullet form as I have spent most of the weekend answering a selection criteria for what could be the most perfect job for me in the world (at the moment!). Really I am not comfortable putting in writing just how incredibly good I am. It has been rather agonising to the point of deciding I don't really want the bloody job anymore!! But I will send it off.

In other news - I bought myself one of these. Once all the dials are turned to meet MY measurements the poor model (to be named) is full of gaps!!! I am not happy about being reminded of my height though so i think I will make it taller!
Other Stuff

kids all played in a music concert the other night - trumpet, violin and guitar.
Zoe was awarded 'Quiet Achiever for Junior Band'
Shay was awarded 'Outstanding Achiever for Junior Strings'
Luca has only started guitar and is really enjoying it.
Marcel had a hernia operation - was a good patient too!! Still not allowed to lift anything heavier than 5kgs. Amazing how all the baskets of washing have been less than 5kgs and the grocery shoppping bags!!
Had a week of fulltime work teaching Prep and PrePrep kids. My god I was so shattered each evening!!! Hats off to Prep and Pre School teachers!!!
Had an Interview the other day with the Education Dept. Spent all night (it seemed) thinking about what I SHOULD have said!!!
Zoe has been shortlisted for a position as a School Captain next year. She is 1 of 5 girls and they choose 3. Not bad for someone who has only been at the school 10 months! She had to have an interview too! I am so proud that she got this far.

Ok - enough for now. More snaps next time.
Michelle xx

More food

2010-10-27T11:56:00.000+11:00

This is my sensational Green Tomato Pickles!! I made about 8 jars and neighbours and friends have told me that it is excellent. it was really easy to make. Recipe here .

On the weekend I made this peanut Satay Sauce which is easy and delicious! Recipe here.

This is Marcel's favourite dessert. This one was my best one to date. The last time I made it I added a little instant coffee as I wanted the meringue to be cream in colour. I think it is just me but i think Pavlova looks a bit healthier when it isn't so white!!! Anyway the one with the coffee added was a flop!! The recipe I use is from the English mother of one of my oldest (as in since we were 11) and dearest friend and as Marcel told me sternly "Never mess with a perfect recipe!!". yesterday I didn't add anything and measured very carefully the ingredients - and perfection!! And with a creamy coloured meringue!

I also like to put the fruit under the cream - well I guess i put the cream over the fruit - that would be rather tricky to put the fruit under the cream!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Darling!!!

PS. He is pretending to blow out the invisible candles - not that he wants to throw up!!

old fashioned cooking

2010-10-20T14:04:00.001+11:00

I have 3 kilos of green tomatoes and 1 kilo of onions macerating with a good handful of salt, waiting to be cooked into Green Tomato Pickles. I have never made this before, in fact i have never made any kind of pickles or jam. There is always a first time for everything. I will post photos of how it turns out.

Last night I cooked corned beef for the first time ever. I followed the instructions, made a lovely mustard sauce and served it with steam potatoes and asparagus. It was awful!! I never really liked corned beef anyway, but thought I should branch out with the family meals a bit. It wasn't a winner for anyone in the family and will join my increasing list of bad meals. Nothing has topped the dusty meatballs served with ~~porridge~~ cous cous that started the "Mums most forgettable meals list". I think I will just go back to pasta and curries! While these type of meals are traditional in their own places of origin - they are not the types of food I grew up eating. I wonder what sort of foods my children will be cooking when they are older. Will they consider my type of cooking (the successful meals!!) as old fashioned?

water and trumpets

2010-10-18T06:46:00.000+11:00

My husband said if I went on this ride he would do all the housework for a year!!! A year of no housework!!!

I am such a wimp!!

My three children and my husband had such a great time on the waterslides! I went on a few and got wet and cold and felt a little ill because i closed my eyes on a scary one!! My husband said "you have lost your little girl inside" - I told him 'No i haven't - the little girl inside me never really liked these kinds of rides anyway!!"

We went as a family to see this man the other night.

It was a great concert and the kids loved it too. I hope James wasn't offended as we had front row seats and by the end of the concert 2 out of 3 were asleep!

My Son Loves Sketching

2010-10-13T13:07:00.000+11:00

This is a new hobby for my 7 year old son. He takes his sketch book to school and tells me he goes to the library and sketches. I am loving his artistic talents and his independence. Mind you in his own words "All the kids in my class are so annoying!" - I have visited his class a number of times and sadly he is right!

Thoughts on Friday

2010-10-08T07:58:00.000+11:00

Again a rather long absence due to a two week holiday in Canberra. It was lovely staying with my parents and the kids and I were able to catch up with lots of friends. It was good for the kids to do this trip and I think they all feel better about our move north. They were happy to get back to the kids in the street but not school of course!

Thoughts on Friday

2010-09-17T16:50:00.000+10:30

Oops i missed last week....was busy.

*Last day of school - holidays for 2 weeks and we are heading to Canberra for most of the time. Better get out the tights and wooly clothes!!! - 25 degrees here and 14 there - I think we will feel the difference.

*Kids are very excited about going - of course about seeing their friends, I am hoping that the kids will come back here and feel a bit more 'happier' about our move north and know that their friends are still their friends despite the distance.

*have had a lovely 2 week teaching contract with a lovely class. made all the more worthwhile by the hugs on my last day - especially from the boy in the class who was a little challenging and unfortunately has had a pretty tough life. His two big hugs and watery eyes were pretty special.

*Am working on my bravery skills as I feel the need to call the dentist.

*At the acupuncturist yesterday the young girl who now work with Philip told me "I was about to go home and then I saw that you were coming and i told Philip - oh I will stay here for Michelle as it is always so much fun because she laughs so much!" - could be that I have the wrong idea about acupuncture and this is why it is not working as well as I was hoping!

*It could also be that my husband keeps saying "Acupuncture is just a Placebo - the GP told me that the other day!"

*Am getting a little obsessed with bidding for shoes on eBay - there are some good bargains out there. Although I sent one pair back that stated they were leather and were quite clearly synthetic in fact pure plastic really!

*Lazy weekend planned.

Enjoy yours

xx

Thoughts on Friday

2010-09-03T13:56:00.000+10:30

*Remember that tooth that was going to fall out last week? Well it did. My son presented it to me that afternoon safely wrapped in an envelope. Somehow the tooth fairy (me) - lost the tooth in the envelope somewhere between school and home!!!

*Book Week this week at school. We dusted off the blue wigs and found red clothes and made new signs for the girls to adorn their tops. They went as Thing 1 and Thing 2 last year - but New School this year.

* Luca loves the Cat in the Hat books so this was a good choice for him. I made the hat out of scraps and he found the clothes and ribbon.

* I have been doing some sewing this week too.

*I went to the hairdresser and asked to go dark! This is pretty dark! The kids were shocked and I am a little too! Still a change is as good as a holiday so why not. The hairdresser was not very comfortable cutting it "short" - I had to say about 3 times "Can you cut it shorter please?" - I still would have liked it shorter. Think I will find myself a hot looking barber!!

* Feeling pretty happy that the lunch I made was so huge it will feed the family for dinner!

*Am working fulltime for the next 2 weeks. Same year level as the last contract - but oh what a different class. Am looking forward to it!

Thoughts on Friday

2010-08-27T14:48:00.000+10:30

Maybe I might start a weekly post on Fridays with some of the random thoughts I have or the random observations that I have made. Feel free to comment, agree or disagree.

* Do young "Bogan" mothers feel that when they are shopping in a pair (each with a child in a trolley) they need to out "bogan' each other? There were many raised eyebrows after hearing "Jamie will you f*(&^%g shut up. You are doing my head in". Shortly followed by the friend "Madison sit the f*&k down in the f*&^%$g trolley".

*My son has his 4th wobbly tooth - currently hanging by a thread it seems. This will be the first to fall out naturally as the other 3 were pulled by the dentist due to very long roots and not being very wobbly at all. My children have been telling me that I am the tooth fairy. I try to argue that I am not as forgetful as the tooth fairy!

*My cooking talents are far from Gourmet (we like to pronounce the "t" in our house to annoy the Swiss man!) - however I love that I am a creative and resourceful cook. At this moment there is some Beef Stew bubbling away in the slow cooker. Unsure what vegies to add - I just upended the left over salad from last night - celery, fennel, tomato, parsley, capsicum. I am sure the mayonnaise dressing will disappear into the gravy!

Have a lovely weekend.

Choices

2010-08-24T11:02:00.000+10:30

Sometimes I choose to make/create something yummy to eat. This was my creative version of a Strawberry Tiramasu.

Puree (older) strawberries with a dash of white wine.

Dip Savoirde (those Italian sweet biscuits) in Strawberry puree.

Add cream cheese to whipped cream and a good amount of Caster sugar - beat.

Layer. Put in Fridge. Add grated Chocolate. Pour over more Strawberry puree if left.

Enjoy!

Rather than sort this out!!

so long away.....

2010-08-19T14:06:00.000+10:30

What has been happening???
Let's do this in point form shall we........ok I will!

*The weather is glorious and when it is 28 degrees in the middle of August I feel good about our move from Canberra.

*I taught a Year 1 class for 3 weeks. - many of the other teachers told me they were the worst class in the school!!!! On some days I think they were right!

*I am procrastinating putting my name down at other schools in fear of getting more work!!

*I was measured and fitted for a bra - I have been wearing the wrong size since having children!! 11 years!!

*I am still going to the gym - little results!

*I have been having acupuncture for my insomnia - not the falling asleep as I think I could quite easily hold the record for that - the waking up and staying awake in the middle of the night kind of insomnia. We could be getting somewhere as last night I slept until 5am. If I woke up I don't remember - this is a good sign!

*I made a quilt.

* My dear sister moved with her precious family to China!

*My dear brother and dear sister in-law are having another baby....in Belgium!

*My children are feeling happier about their new home (8 months now) and surroundings. We are all old enough to go on long bike rides together and this is such a wonderful activity we all love.

*A trip to Sea World had one very happy daughter chosen from the crowd to feed and pat a dolphin. The other daughter while happy for her sister was bitterly dissapointed!

*We now have a child learning the guitar. The noise (even with doors closed) of a trumpet, violin and guitar being played at the same time by learners is ~~delightful~~ awful!

*After the macaroon frenzy on MasterChef - my sister and I had a go. I tell you they are not easy and these ones were so sweet that one would make you ill!

More Food...

2010-06-25T15:06:00.000+10:30

Pasta making with the family. A long process and despite the jamming of the pasta making machine and some rolling required - we had a fabulous fettucine cabonara!

Our family loves watching MasterChef and learning about all the fabulous things that are cooked. Time after time the celebrity chefs go on about the secret to being a good chef is to use the freshest ingredients possible!! Now I wonder how the contestants would have gone with my "mystery box" challenge the other night - could they have created a family meal from the ingredients in the fridge that needed to be either cooked or binned!!! Can these whiz bang chefs cook without the freshest ingredients like many a family do?

Pseudo Enchiladas

Ingredients

1 rock hard avocado that was never going to ripen

8 slices of ham 1 day off expiring

2 very soft tomatoes

can of cannellini beans

Salsa remnants from two jars

grated cheese

stale tortillas

Method

Chop

Mix

Roll

Top with Cheese

Bake

Enjoy...... and remember to go shopping the next day for the freshest ingredients possible!!!

happy birthday

2010-06-06T19:52:00.000+10:30

Celebrated with Oreo Cake!!!! Yummy

Foody Post

2010-05-11T11:10:00.000+10:30

It was Pesto production after I cut a basil plant right back. I made this batch with Cashews and Macadamia nuts......because they were in a mixed packet and I couldn't be bothered separating them!!! Other ingredients - garlic and oil!!!

My husband has far more patience than I do - sometimes!!! Milk, butter and sugar in a pan ....and stir!!!

...keep stirring......more stirring...about 75 minutes!!!!!

Hey presto - Caramel!!! Actually these ones went 'wrong' somewhere and have a bit of a chalky texture which I cannot stand on my teeth!! They taste great - I am just not eating them.

Marcel also cooked some requested by Me dishes!! Veal rolls in the slow cooker - delicious though next time they wont go in the slow cooker!! And Lime (my favourite) tart!!! He did well.

Family Fun

2010-05-03T07:53:00.000+10:30

Still talking about food

2010-04-29T16:30:00.000+10:30

Still on the MasterChef theme - and the theme the other day was about recreating childhood food memories. I decided that I wanted to be able to give my kids some memorable meals or at least good food experiences and thought I should let them try new things. Hence the purchase of a pomegranate - what a sensational fruit!! We enjoyed it in a Spinach and Cucumber Salad.

MasterChef

2010-04-21T21:48:00.000+10:30

So this year the kids and I have started watching MasterChef - we didn't get into it last year as we were away and arrived back in Australia close to the final and could not understand the hype. Anyway we watch and decide which food we would like to eat. The kids already have their favourites and who they want to win - tears will get the kids on your side (Adele).
So it has got me thinking - if I was on there what would my signature dish be? However chatting with a friend today and seeing all this great food being cooked by amatuer chefs as inspired us to maybe think a bit more about the family meal.
Well after my effort tonight I thought maybe it could all be about making bad food sound good by giving it a longer name or something. I tried to cook something different tonight and it wasn't a great success. The kids were helping me to come up with names for the meal - they are brutally honest of course.

The menu tonight was

Grilled lamb with a herb and blackened macadamia nut crust
Homegrown and exceptionally bitter aubergene (eggplant) fried with aged green beans
Slightly crunchy polenta with aged cheese shavings.

en guete

a late happy easter

2010-04-08T14:39:00.000+10:30

The annual egg dying

The delicious (12 minutes with blue ring) eggs. Three breakfasts and a lunch of egg and mayonaise on toast and sandwiches and the introduction of curried egg has been enough until next easter.

An installation by Shay.

Very effective and was only removed so that I could paint the wall.

The reason I LOVE cooking with gas!!

Sometimes a photo needs to be taken before the food is actually cooked!

****Oh and this is a classic example of good recycling. Luca made me a lovely card for Easter and presented it to me after school the other day. After I admired it and gave him a big hug and said I would pin it on my pinboard - Luca said "Well now that you have read and seen it can I rub out your name and put Papi's name on it and give it to him?"

"Of course Luca"

Another Blog

2010-03-30T17:07:00.000+11:00

I have been thinking about starting a new blog for ages in the hope that I will get more creative. Well maybe in the hope that I will actually finish some of the projects I have started and even start the projects I keep thinking about.

Shells and Beans started out after inspiration from looking at craft blogs but turned out to be a bit of a space to let family and friends far away see what was going on in our lives. I will still keep this blog but invite you to pop over for occasional creative posts to Sew Frayed .

Kids Cooking

2010-03-30T16:56:00.000+11:00

With the help of their Swiss Grandma - the kids made these Zopf creations!

With no adult help the kids created this much fun!! Who doesn't love goop! Mind you the blue hands took some scrubbing to get clean!!

Enough Rain

2010-03-26T07:46:00.003+11:00

We have been wanting to seal the sandstone pavers in the back garden for......ages!!! So with all the rain we have had there hasn't been a dry day for......ages!! Yesterday was our second sunny day and the forecast looked fabulous - Sunny 29 ....No mention of showers. So 3 of us rushed out side and put the first smelly coat on and left it to dry for 2 hours. While inside I could sense the outside light had changed and ran outside to see that a rain cloud directly over our house ..... blue sky surrounding....was dropping light rain on our pavers!!! Shit!! The instructions on the can could not be more explicit about how dry the sealer needed to be! Later that afternoon we sealed another section of pavers and things were looking - well sunny!! This morning I woke up to see large pools of water on the pavers after what must have been a substantial downpour overnight!

Looks like you might need to wear shoes at our house when you go outside - your feet will get sticky otherwise!!

wonders

2010-03-19T22:58:00.002+11:00

The wonders of technology!! I called Samsung today to complain about rust forming on our fridge that is only a couple of months old. The lady on the phone asked if I could send some photos as it would save a technician coming out and from the photos they could see what parts needed replacing. I resized the photos using the Paint program and of course couldn't help highlighting the problems! Sounds like a common problem......rust forming on the ice and water dispenser area that is prone to be wet anyway!!

Have had 2 German backpackers here for two nights. My husband 'picked up' sorry met Lisa when he was in Perth for work and she was working at the hotel. He of course said come and stay if you are in Brisbane. She turned up with a male friend for two nights. They were lovely and I think they enjoyed staying here - especially the free internet! Marcel and I laughed to ourselves when we realised that being 19 they were actually closer in age to our own kids than to us. It was a little like having more kids in the house - only these ones drank beer!! Yes - the backpackers of today are no longer our age!!!

We are off to Australia Zoo tomorrow with the kids and in-laws. I have told the kids to look on the website and to each choose two animals they really want to see. Hopefully it will save the mass "I want to see..... &.......& ......." "But I want to see ....&......&.......&......."

We are staying two nights in the Sunshine Coast hinterland and all having a day off on Monday.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend and thinking of those dear family and friends on Cyclone Watch.

Ului is a pretty cool name though!!!

fabric and wrinkles

2010-03-12T13:06:00.007+11:00

I seem to be coping with having turned 40 quite well!! no ill effects really......though the below photo I did just crop again as my neck was looking decidedly wrinkly!! When people asked me what I was going to do when I turned 40 - I usually replied with "going to watch the wrinkles develop!"

I am wanting to get more sewing done and have bought a couple of new patterns and found a couple of fabric shops around here that are not run of the mill. Also I have sourced the fabric stashes at the local second hand places!! This however was a lincraft bargain and this is yet another of those tops that everyone seemed to be making and while they are probably onto new trends.....I am still churning out an old faithful. I did however shir around the neckline this time.

My desire to sew more even spurred a clean up of my sewing things as I now have a dedicated sewing/craft room! The clean up was alos spurred on by the fact that I had just ordered a new zipper foot for my machine as I had lost mine. I then couldn't find my teflon foot so had a clean up that entailed upending every box, bag, conatiner, basket etc there was. Thankfully I found the teflon foot.....and the bloody zipper foot!! In different places of course.

Some refashioned tops for my little (getting bigger) sister for her birthday!!

Oh and I am so very excited about this upcoming workshop that I have signed up to do with this very talented lady.

Another topic being discussed at the Shells and Beans household is the whole Private vs State school. Currently the 3 Beans are in a State school and we are deciding what to do for secondary school. Anyone wanting to share their view about this would be very welcome.

Have a lovely weekend.

Turning 40

2010-02-16T15:33:00.006+11:00

The things people approaching 40 do!!!!

Back in the 80's I had always wanted to look like the lovely Marie Fredriksson. So as I walked past a hairdresser (4 days before I turn 40) - I asked for this!!

I am now 40 as of Saturday and so far I seem to be ok!!! Actually I am very fine with my age and it feels a little liberating to say "I am Forty!" It seems like for the last two years I have been saying "I am nearly 40" followed by a heavy sigh.

Celebrations involved a weekend house party at our house with 17 people in total sleeping here. Good Food and Good Company...lovely!!!

Things are looking sunny....

2010-02-04T18:16:00.005+11:00

Weather has been mostly sunny with a few cloudy patches in the morning - (I'm not going to school!). By the afternoon the clouds have gone and things are again sunny!!I have made some cushions to go with my new sofa. Ages ago on the IKEA website you could do a quiz and it showed you which sofa cover suited your personality. This one suited mine so I thought I should buy it. Not the most comfy sofa - a little more so with cushions, but what can you expect for less than $300.

The annual book covering challenge has occurred and I think I covered more than 50 books. These Queenslanders still like to use the little excercise books.....using A4 size would halve the books required!! With some coloured paper and a packet of pre-cut shapes I let the kids personalise their books and then I covered them with contact. Behold the talents of my darlings!

Now that we are living in a subtropical climate - the house attire of my husband needed some attention. His current choice of clothing was undies!! Yep - just undies and the occassional t-shirt. Behold......the Manskirt!! A tube made with Voille that he loves!! It is now safe to have him answer the door.

All weathers

2010-02-02T07:18:00.002+11:00

Well we are currently experiencing all kinds of weather here in Queensland at the moment - both inside and outside the house. We are getting used to the heat and humidity and now the winds and welcome rains. With the start of a new school brought some different weathers for us all to endure. The kids were really brave and of course nervous but did really well on their first day. That evening there were torrential rains (in the form of tears) as the girls and I realised this is no longer a holiday and how much we miss our friends. The following day we had scattered showers and a violent thunderstorm later in the afternoon. It was produced by daughter No.2 as her frustrations of a new school came out. There have been a few cloudy days too and after 4 days of school there has been some glimpses of total sunshine. There have been other moments of sunshine including a visit to this very sunny home where the 5 children got along incredibly well - cubby houses and cane toads - simply wonderful for all. So the forecast looks optimistic and hopefully sunny but we will expect scattered showers every now and then.

Snaps

2010-01-15T18:35:00.003+11:00

Now that I have moved away and some friends from Canberra finally know about my blog - here are some snaps for them - just so they know the kids are fine and that the wonders of nature still seem to follow our family and end up in our backyard...wherever we are!

This little one has been found in the umbrella a few times now.

New Surroundings

2010-01-11T17:38:00.002+11:00

Although it feels like we are still on a big holiday and lots of people have been staying with us. in fact we have had 14 different people staying with us for different periods of time - which has been lovely. We are getting used to our new surroundings and enjoying all the new things that are so different from living in Canberra. Of course the pool is the big draw card and has been getting lots of use. Zoe already had a bout of swimmers ear and had 10 days no swimming. It is all splashing and underwater today!!
A Bali Hut that is a little haven for reading and kids giggling together in the hammock!
These bougainvillea flowers are so lovely - and they are growing in my garden. Frosts would have killed them in Canberra.
Palm leaves swaying in the breeze......aaah lovely!
The only sewing or crafting around here is a little crotchet repair job!

vegie garden

2010-01-05T20:51:00.003+11:00

I love it when I have an idea and then the manpower in the form of my Father-in-law who is always happy to help. This then inspires my husband to help and hey presto.......just what I wanted!!!

BEFORE

AFTER

We (sorry I) decided that the vegie garden in this new house needed to be smaller and more manageable than the one in Canberra. So we are doing the vegie garden in tubs this year....hopefully we will be able to maintain it...and enjoy the vegies and herbs!!

Goodbye to the Old

2009-12-31T12:30:00.003+11:00

Well a long time between posts I know. We have packed up, sold up and moved from our little home of 6 years in Canberra to a rather larger one in sunny (though loads of rain these past few days) Queensland. I didn't make it easy for myself with the kids and I at school right up until the day before we drove out. We attended a beautiful wedding of my brother in Tamworth and drove here the following day to be greeted by a house full of boxes!! Things are almost all unpacked - probably not where they will stay but at least out of a box.

It has been exhausting and emotional saying goodbye to so many wonderful people not only for me but for the children too. Still we are excited and always embrace new things so I think we will be really ok. The kids are forever in the pool so they are coping quite well already.

I took these photos not long before we left as I wanted to capture the little things of where we used to live that made it a home for us.

Ah the Serenity...

2009-11-11T19:07:00.002+11:00

A weekend in Kangaroo Valley. Just what we all needed!!
A very special weekend.

2009-11-03T15:17:00.003+11:00

So I have spent the last couple of days writing reports for children I have taught for 6 weeks!!!!!! I actually wrote my own and then had a look at the comments from the previous teacher - just to make sure parents wouldn't think their child had morphed into another being in the space of 6 months!!

I have been teaching this class for 6 weeks now and so far things have been going really well. I can honestly say I like ALL of the kids in my class as individuals - when mixed together it can be a little tough - given the various behaviours and diagnoses! I have had other teachers in the school tell me that I have the most stressful class in the school! For once it is good to have age on my side as I don't look like the "Fresh out of Uni" teacher that I am. The parents of my students don't know this either - no one has lied about my experience - the parents just haven't asked.

I know I am teaching the kids things - but in actual fact they are teaching me many many things and for this I am really grateful!

Thank You Mr Hooker!!

2009-10-24T16:00:00.003+11:00

I shouldn't have been so stressed!!! The Auction lasted about 6 minutes. There were 11 bidders and before the Auctioneer could launch into his spiel about our house a female bidder said "I have to be somewhere soon I will open the bidding with $alot,00" - wiping out all other bidders who had shown interest. Except one other guy (who it was rumoured did not want to spend much) - and so a quick bidding game happened between the two and our house was sold to the other guy for $morethanwethought,00

Yes we are happy!!!

A visitor

2009-10-22T19:54:00.003+11:00

Last week Marcel walked the kids to school and this little fellow was lying on the footpath. His nest was very high above him with two siblings still there. Marcel left Weddin (as he is now fondly known) for the day and checked up on him to see if the parents would somehow care for him. By the afternoon it was clear Weddin had been abandoned and he is now being cared for by us. He is noisy and his poo can really smell but he is well loved. He has been very brave as the subject of news for three children and their classmates were very gentle with him. Today it was so wonderful to discover the wonder of the natural world when another Magpie (probably a parent) came onto our deck and fed Weddin. We will wait until he is a little stronger and able to fly and then release him to his family.

house update

2009-10-18T06:46:00.004+11:00

Third weekend of open houses. Numerous people looking through the week. We all escape out of the house carrying baskets of washing that I don't want to leave around. Beds are patted flat and I feel like I am always backing out the door covering our tracks!! Auction day next weekend which is quite scary....do we really want to sell our little house?

Well we have bought another one in Queensland so we really should sell this one. I can't wait to sell this and bring all our 'clutter' back - we don't live all clean and tidy...it is boring for us!! And as there isn't much around I end up cleaning - for something to do. Now that is just plain wrong!!!!

For sale

2009-09-26T17:25:00.002+10:30

I am currently 'holed up' in the kitchen!! We have jsut had the carpets cleaned and silly me forgot (well how would I know since Carpet Cleaning people and I are not really aquainted) that you can't walk on the lovely clean and wet carpets for 4 hours ....and today is Saturday. Have sent husband to indoor pool with 3 eager kiddies. I have been sorting out and straightening my pantry!! Why?? for the nosey people who will dare to open my cupboards next week at our first open house!!! I have 'decluttered' and sent loads of boxes to a storage unit down the road. Even the kids say "Our house is really boring now!".
I even swapped my 6 odd dining chairs for 6 matching ones from my sister!! I am trying to appeal to the masses not the odd one like myself!! We still have lots to do in the garden and the weather has been ghastly today. All that lovely red dust has landed and made everything well Dirty!!! Then there is rain storm after rainstorm and it is freezing!! Oh well someone will buy our home - I mean we bought it and it looked far worse then than it does now!!!

It has been some time.....

2009-09-15T20:54:00.002+10:30

I have been very busy though!!

**I have a fulltime job!! I picked up a teaching contract until the end of the year. I am teaching a Year 1 class and so far all is going well. I have a class of characters (some diagnosed and some not) and the school considers them G&T. So far the hardest lesson to run is Sport!!!!

**I wanted to see how I and the family cope with me teaching fulltime. We will cope until the end of the year but fulltime is not for me yet! I miss my kids too.

**We are busy getting the house ready to sell. Thought we would go with an Auction as it means only having it 'open' for 4 weeks. I have therefore paid for some storage space to house the decluttered stuff!!

**My husband has put two offers on houses with the conditions stating "subject to the approval of my wife" - the first one I saw enough photos to say No. The second I will see more photos tomorrow. I have told the realestate agent that I do not want any staged photos or that the house be in "vogue" condition.

Remember this?????

2009-08-29T12:02:00.003+10:30

Last year I started with this

Well now it is this big.............

.......and it is really warm!!!!

I Love Book Week

2009-08-28T08:15:00.000+10:30

Effing wind!!!!

2009-08-25T09:50:00.001+10:30

Burnt Flour Soup

2009-08-21T18:35:00.002+10:30

I tell you the Swiss are a clever bunch. They invented recipes out of necessity that are delicious - Raclette to use up old cheese and Fondue to use up old bread and then there is this soup which is nothing more than burning a bit of flour!!!
Basel Flour Soup - Basel being my 'home' town.
Ingredients:
2 Tbs butter
4 Tbs flour
1.2 L Stock

Melt butter and add 2 Tbs flour and brown lightly, stirring constantly. Add remaining flour and remove from heat. Pour in stock and stir well. Simmer on low heat for 45 mins.

We like it served with cooked onion, grated cheese and crusty bread.

Simple.......and delicious.

Farm Weekend

2009-08-15T09:26:00.006+10:30

Sickness

2009-08-15T08:57:00.002+10:30

I have spent the last four days in bed with some awful flu thing - not sure which animal strain it was. Surely a new kind like maybe Fish Flu!
Why is it that when I am sick I.........
....manage to make time for a relaxing bath...every day!
....cannot stand the taste of coffee yet when I am healthy I drink it to cure a headache.
....do not care who comes in the house and sees me in PJ's at 4 in the afternoon.
....drink lots of fluids because you should. I know I don't drink enough water throughout the day normally.
....eat more fruit.
....get more sleep.

Maybe being sick gives me the chance to be healthier!!!

Finally......

2009-08-06T09:28:00.001+10:30

ShellyC BEd

A pair.....

2009-07-28T16:32:00.002+10:30

.......but not really matching!! Just how I like them!!

Sweet Dreams

2009-07-28T16:23:00.005+10:30

Conversation the other day between my dear husband and myself.

Me: Honey I had a really great dream last night.

Him: Really? A good dream?

Me: Yes and I was so excited.

Him: Really? Tell me.

Me: Oh look it was so vivid and I was getting all excited about it.

Him: Tell me what was it about...about us????

Me: Oh honey I dreamt that I had ironed all my fabric stash and it was all perfect and neat and I was just so happy!!

Him: You have got to be kidding!!!!

Me: Sorry honey but I am not - sad I know!!!

.......I think this dream WILL come true!!!

Slow Food

2009-07-27T16:50:00.007+10:30

I love cooking and often I class myself as a 'one pot cooker' - although many pots might be used to cook the meal, ultimately it will look like it came out of one pot. I also love creating a meal out of 'nothing' - whatever is left in the fridge and on its way to the compost so to speak. These kind of meals I like to have ready on the table in less than a "Ready Steady Cook" 20 minutes. That said I also love making things that take lots of time and many steps and for some reason I love rolling things like Spring rolls, Sushi and Pastries. The other day a friend came over and we had a Pasta making session. I have always wanted a pasta maker but thought I would use it once and then it would stay in the cupboard thereafter. This way I used hers and now it can go and stay in her cupboard! No, actually I think I might just have to go out and buy one as it was so much fun and so satisfying and quite hard work with all the kneading and rolling. But taste - let's not forget the taste! Sensational and the sauce (my special prawn, pea and dill) stuck to the pasta and wasn't pooling at the bottom of the bowl. Oh I know there is a whole "Slow Food" movement out there - but I think it is me who is the slow one. Slow to catch on to the wonders and taste of making pasta yourself!!

The other day my favourite cooking show was all about Fast Food and the focus was on the expense and the additives in store bought packaged foods. I confess that I do love to bake and there are many things that I wont buy because I know I can bake it cheaper and it will contain no additives. Often people think that it is such an effort to bake but I am convinced it is easier than getting dressed and driving to the shops all before 8am because you have forgotten that your son is having a 100 Days at Kindergarten Party!! The above scrolls consisted of puff pastry, bacon and cheese - that is it!! All made while wearing my jammies, no make up and hair pointing in every direction!!

Kids in the Kitchen

2009-07-19T15:10:00.002+10:30

I love giving my 8 and 10 year olds a recipe and saying "Tell me when you want me to put it in the oven". They had another friend over today and so that made for 3 laughing and giggling girls and quite a mess that was cleaned up quite well. The above are the Gluten Free Friands - some with rasberries, some with chocolate and some with surprises!

I decided to have a go at some Gluten Free Brownies - these are good......really good.

Pair..........

2009-07-18T11:51:00.003+10:30

Well at least this will help with the issue of the washing machine eating one of a pair!! I don't see a problem with this. Actually this is because I get a bit bored knitting the second sock straight after. I will knit the pairs to these lonely socks.

oops

2009-07-16T06:48:00.004+10:30

So I am sure that this has happened to you at least on one occasion. It is 10:45 am - you are still in your jammies (thank god they match for once) and a bit hot and sweaty because you have been doing some exercises on Wii Fit. The house is a complete tip - you've let the kids get their own breakfast and there are tell tale signs of last nights dinner on the table including two wine glasses and a bottle (all empty of course). Then there is a knock at the door - the friend who you don't know that well and her three kids are here and you were expecting them this time the NEXT day!!!!

I greeted her in my Jammies and welcomed hem all inside. I changed really quickly and sat my friend at the bench, we chatted while I cleaned up and made a chocolate cake!! It was a nice morning.

And it was MY misunderstanding about the days.

Before and After

2009-07-14T16:51:00.004+10:30

.....there was enough blonde hair on the floor to make a nice wig!! - Maybe for Papi ......?

Cashmere Refashion

2009-07-12T17:46:00.003+10:30

If I was a good blogger I would have photo documented this refashion and had detailed instructions for a tutorial.

Suffice to say I am a pretty crap blogger anyway.

A few instructions if you needed them :

*Take a large Mens cashmere jumper and wash it on hot.

*Cut down the middle and scoop the sides.

*Machine sew some fuzzy wool in loops onto the felted and rather shrunken jumper.

.......Hey Presto!!!

Very cozy and even a little bit glam!!

Pairs

2009-07-12T09:05:00.000+10:30

Stuff

2009-07-10T07:28:00.005+10:30

You know if you want to make things happen they really can. Have signed with a realestate agent to sell the house. We are still deciding if we want to go with an Auction - I am being selfish and thinking it is only 4 weeks I have to keep the house 'home beautiful' looking!! We need to do a few things around here first - touch up painting and new carpets.

Have shown the kids photos like this and they are sold on the idea! Well you have to make the carrot worth eating! Not that we can afford this place.

Funny how I want to escape winter - yet i am enjoying...

*Cooking Risottos- my favourite thing to cook.

*Knitting my fourth sock - yes that would be nearly 2 pairs!!!

*Flannel PJ's

*Scarves

*Tucked in singlets

*Early mornings where it is still dark and I can feel like I am up late!!

Do you think we could use the above drawing as the image to sell the house?

Home...very jet-lagged.....bit unsettled....very annoyed...

2009-07-01T06:46:00.004+10:30

It is only 6.15am although I have been awake since 3AM!!!!! For the past 3 mornings!!!!!

We arrived back in Australia very early on Sunday morning. The flight was long but fine and the kids were great. It appears that I am the only one in the family who is having trouble sleeping at the right time. The kids all went back to school the next day and have been fine and settled back OK.

Hubby and I are a bit unsettled and even more so after hearing the news that a road is going to be built at the back of our house. This had been debated in parliament years before we bought the place due to rare and endangered legless lizards living here. The road was not built and in actual fact the local town centre was built further away. Our view has been our saviour and there has not been a day when I have looked out my kitchen, my bedroom or my office and not appreciated the view. We also built two decks to take advantage of the view. I don't really like my house but am happy here because of our location. Now the powers that be have decided a road shall be built!! Bastards!!!!

This is an older photo but you can see how a road 30 meters from my back fence would annoy me.

So at 4am this morning after looking at houses on realestate.com in warmer climes and deciding that I don't really want to fill in the application form to be a permanent teacher here in the ACT - I woke hubby up to say we are moving!!! He grunted 'ok' and went back to sleep. Just before at 6am while eating some cold lasagne with Shay (maybe she is jet-lagged) I mentioned to her about the road and she replied "Then let's move. Can we take the birds and kangaroos with us?"

I know I have had plans to move in the past but then decided I needed to finish my Uni degree here. Well now I have finished it and although I really want to teach and have a class of my own, I still need to give some more of my time to my children first - especially if/when...no we are going to - move!!

...I'll keep you posted!!

PS. The something special I picked up the day before we left Switzerland was a ring........a wedding ring.......after 13 years of marriage.......and three children!!

Home soon.....

2009-06-25T06:29:00.002+10:30

In less than two days we are heading back to Australia. I cannot believe how fast three months has gone. To us and everyone else it seemed that 3 months in Switzerland was going to be a holiday however it turned out that it was more about 'living' in Switzerland again. Naturally with the kids going to school for 7 weeks and I doing my 8 week teaching Internship it wasn't really a holiday - but so so so worthwhile. I couldn't have imagined how well the kids would adapt to school here and it all being in a foreign language. I am just so proud of all three of them.

My Internship went really well and I was lucky to have a wonderful mentoring teacher who I learnt so much from. I still want to be a teacher - just with my own class. It was hard work and I had a lot of Uni work to do at the same time. So I am very thankful to my husband and in-laws who looked after the kids and myself!! I will graduate in a few weeks, fill in applications and have an interview....who knows what will happen.

I have caught up with some of my most beautiful friends since being back and it really has defined to me that true friends are the ones that you can pick up where you left off....4 years ago and really 6 years ago when I lived here!! There has been a few people that I haven't been able to see and some I just thought that things have changed so much that I didn't call. Time moves on and I do feel sad and even guilty but have realised that some people we are friends with due to circumstance and time and when that changes the friendship changes too.

We are all looking forward to going home and even Marcel has said "Home is wherever the five of us are." - which is lovely coming from my very Pro Swiss husband!!!

.....am picking something very special up tomorrow so will try and post a photo!!

more underwater babies

2009-06-19T16:01:00.005+10:30

Socks!!!

2009-06-17T19:29:00.002+10:30

Well I guess I should say SOCK (singular)...as I have only knitted one!!! But this is my first ever sock that I have knitted!! I am so happy with it ....will be happier when I have knitted two of course!!!!

Thanks to my mother-in-law for her patience in helping me troll through a knitting pattern in German!!

Underwater Dancer

2009-06-14T19:36:00.002+10:30

mmm??

2009-06-03T06:52:00.002+10:30

...so if the chocolate appears to be full of holes but still weighs 100grams - do I still need to worry when I happily can eat a whole block???......and then another??

balloon.....

2009-05-28T06:08:00.004+10:30

Pictures are in the opposite order.......still a balloon this size can crash and cause a small grass fire!!!!!!!.......lucky.

M-Day

2009-05-11T07:15:00.003+10:30

These three make me smile everyday and today being Mothers Day they made me smile more!!

Lots of handmade cards and gifts from school and here at home .......the jigsaw noises turned out to be lovely hearts that the girls made and painted! Together they made me breakfast in bed which was lovely although lonely as everyone else was downstairs. So I brought my tray down to join them and told them next year to make enough for us ALL to eat in bed together.

I have to admit though that I wasn't much of a Mum to them today as they all went out to do some touristy things and I sat in front of the computer all day doing an assignment that is due this week - my LAST assignment ever!! Shay was rather annoyed with me but I really had to work. I have been really busy with my teaching internship and God knows how I would have managed without 3 other adults looking after the kids fulltime!.....and doing all the cooking and washing etc etc.

......must get some sleep....big week ahead!!!

Power Tools

2009-04-28T03:49:00.004+10:30

My two daughters are down in the basement using a bandsaw to cut out wood in animal shapes. They are printing off the animals from clipart!!! I am 2 floors up waiting for screams of "I have cut my finger off!".......

......Pa is watching them though!!

Swiss Stuff

2009-04-21T05:02:00.009+10:30

How cool is this floor of some toilets in a fancy restaurant!
The playground that the kids are spending hours on.

Three kids and a dinosuar!

Meditating!!

Things still going well here on the other side of the world......
**Busy catching up with some wonderful people and their children - who I love and have missed.

**Eating lots of Chocolate!! The Easter Bunny really was loaded this year!!

**Enjoying Spring and really appreciating beautiful days and warm weather.

**My three children started Swiss school today- they were so excited and had a great time!

** Zoe was thrilled to do woodwork and has joined the class half way through their unit on chocolate -she is already excited about the trip to the chocolatier to make chocolate!!

**Shay was a bit unsure about the 'squiggly' writing on the blackboard - "So I just copied what it looked like"......maybe Australia should introduce cursive a bit earlier? Plus first day at school and two birthdays in the class meant lots of cake!

**Luca was so excited to go this morning that he had 'bumps in his tummy'

**The kids are OK with Swiss German which is only a spoken language and in school their lessons are in High German which none of them know! This is a real experience for them and I am so happy that they are happy. Their Swiss German has improved so much thanks to Grandparents but also the 3 kids who live across the path and play at the playground just out the door.

**I had my first day of my 8 week teaching Internship today and also with 'bumps in my tummy' this morning - it all went well and i am looing forward to my weeks of teaching ahead.

**I need to get some sleep.............

At the River

2009-04-12T06:10:00.004+10:30

Conversation at the river the other day.

Shay - Can I take my shoes off?

Me - Yes

Shay - Really?

Me - Yes

Shay - And can I roll my pants up and go in the water?

Me- Yes

Shay - Really?

Me - Yes

Shay- But it is really cold.

Me- Well you decide.

Shay - So I can really put my feet in the water?

Me- Yes.

Shay - WOW - you are not always the meanest Mum in the world!

Me......no words!!!

It was so lovely to lie in the sun (remember I am currently in Switzerland and it is uncommonly warm) and listen to the shreaks of laughter!!

PS. The water was f.........ing freezing!!!

Belgium - It's all about the food!!

2009-03-31T06:31:00.003+11:00

Where else would they perform a boob job in Chocolate!!
They really are great Fries here - double fried is the rule!!

You have to try them with mayonnaise - it is quite good! Though I prefer vinegar and loads of salt!

Belgian Waffles!! They are so good!!

....really really good!

We are having a great time!

We're Off........

2009-03-25T11:50:00.001+11:00

.......to Switzerland!!

.......for 3 months!!!!!!

Will keep updating the blog with photos and news!
Take Care

Juanita

2009-03-20T21:32:00.002+11:00

Sometimes we are blessed to have someone come into our lives who is truly a pleasure to have around. Someone larger than life (she is really tall compared to my 'tall' self ) who you can really depend on and who manages to be the 'glue' that holds a beautiful groups of friends together. I am not often the one who is left behind as I have usually been the one leaving but this is hard - tearfully hard! There are 3 of us feeling quite numb today as our dear friend departed for the other side of the country (that would be west - far west!!!) - yet wish her and her family the very very best for a wonderful life. They really deserve it!

All the best Juanita - I really will miss you!
xo

Just for Thomas!!

2009-03-06T09:05:00.004+11:00

Change of colour - especially for Thomas!!!
Because according to Thomas "That is a really nasty red colour and it hurts my eyes after reading your blog for 5 minutes!"

At his request we now have a blue blackground!!!

Long weekend here - so we are off camping at the beach!

Happy weekend to you all.

PS. If you don't like the colour - blame Thomas!

...just a few ramblings....

2009-02-26T20:39:00.007+11:00

It has been awhile.......

I am back at Uni and really pissed off that my list of things I wanted to do (back In October) hardly got touched!! - I don't know what happened - it's not like I sat on my arse all day!

Now in my last semester of Uni and very happy to be finishing soon. Not happy that there are still a few students who will graduate with me that I do NOT want teaching my kids!! Should I have given them a hint in the first or second year and told them they would be crap teachers?

I know I am a mature aged student and try not to make it so obviuos but there are others who really give us a bad name!!

We have had some birthdays in the house! Zoe made cards to remind us of ages!

There was a swimming carnival where we were able to see that the money put towards swimming lessons went to good use!!! Shay won her two races and when I told her she would get to go to the school district carnival she replied "No I don't want to go and swim again - someone else can go!" - Zoe did very well too.

We all had a lovely weekend in Sydney with a lovely family who live in a gorgeous house with two fantastic dogs. The kids were in heaven! Beaches and bushwalks saw close encounters with puffer fish, bluebottles, huntsmen (in the car) and leeches on legs and shoes - no one was hurt and everyone remained very calm! I am very proud of my children!

I am off this weekend for a girls weekend in Sydney - nice hotel.....good food....wine and bubbles of course.....laughing....and maybe crying as one of the four is moving to Western Australia!!

In an effort to solve my slow computer issues etc - Mr IT (as in Information Technology - who I am married to) decided to reset my computer. we saved everything - EXCEPT all my emails and of course email addresses! I am not too worried - if people want to get in touch with me they will and I will again have their addresses.

My daily 45 minute walk is not having the desired effect.....I should be stick thin by now!!!!

Aldi Milk Chocolate with Almonds is sensational!! It is the yellow packet. Usually I hate chocolate with nuts and any chocolate that isn't Swiss of course - however this is loved by ALL the family - including fussy Mr IT!!!

Kindergarten.

2009-02-16T05:58:00.002+11:00

Well Luca has been to school for two whole weeks now and we have had varied cmments and conversations. They have been along these lines and in this kind of order.

* 1st Day - School was really good and the playground is fun.

*2nd Day - I had a fun day at school and my teacher is really nice.

*4th Day - We did lots of Paper Stuff and it was really fun!

*5th Day - Do I have to go again? I don't want to go!

*Monday Week 2 - Is that all I get now - just two days at home to play? I don't want to go to school.

*Tues. Week 2 - I can say hello in Indonesian!

*Thurs. Week 2 - All we do is paper stuff and it is really boring.

*Fri. am Week 2 - I am too tired to go to school.

*Fri. pm Week 2 - School was fun today - and this..... and this....happened.

*Last night (sunday) going to bed - I want to go back to Preschool - I am going to quit school!!

My baby starts school.

2009-02-01T15:37:00.003+11:00

My little baby boy is starting big school tomorrow!!! He is my youngest and many are asking 'will you be sad that your youngest is starting school?' ummm NO!! Only because he is so ready and really wants to go - it will be a joy to watch him start his school life.

I am always sad that school holidays end and we have to get into a routine and the whole school uniform and packed lunches business! I love summer school holidays for being lazy days and long mornings and just being together! This year we have been really lucky and Marcel has been home for all of the holidays. So with the youngest starting school it feels like we are now are grown up family and all things toddler and baby are well behind us. Not that they weren't wonderful times either - now we are a family who can all hike and ride big bikes! It is a time where the kids still want to do things with us and they don't think we are yet from another planet and an embarrassment to them! I hope this stage lasts a long time...!!!

So to my baby Luca who is sometimes too grown up anyway - I wish you all the very best for school. May it be a really happy time for you and if you choose to - learn a few things!

Summer is all about.........

2009-01-27T20:24:00.002+11:00

....going to the beach.....

.......doing hand stands and the chicken dance!!

Getting fit.....well trying!

2009-01-21T07:20:00.003+11:00

Not one to enjoy computer games at all - this Christmas present is really good! I have my own trainer who tells me i need to work harder, that I favour my right leg and then rates me as a couch potato! There are some great things and my thighs have been really sore from the lunges!

Each morning I go for a 45 min walk with a bit of a jog in there too that is getting longer. My trusty companion Zoe rides her scooter along too - all the while looking out for bugs and asking if I can hold slaters in my pockets for her!!

Must get ready and go before the heat of the day runins it.

Back again.

2009-01-18T21:06:00.004+11:00

Well we had a great week despite camping in a very crowded campground!!! The area was lovely though and the weather was mostly fabulous. I did come back with a few ideas that could make camping a little easier.....

*A campground that offered a "pack up" service would really rock!
*Not only should the milk, bread, prawn and fruit people come through the campground - an early morning Latte would work better!
*Campgrounds need little lockers that you could pay a few dollars to recharge your lamps and phones and not have to hang out in the toilets or the bbq area and listen to disgusting teenage chat!
*Upon returning home the Front Loader should morf into a top loader - just to get through the washing!!! Even a fast wash is 1hour 18 minutes!! Times that by 8!!!

......anyone have any other ideas??

We took a boat trip to see these wonderful creatures!
My foot just to show how close we were.

With some fish heads the fisherman were throwing out the girls were able to hand feed some more amazing creatures.

This photo taken by Marcel while snorkelling.

Back soon

2009-01-09T12:20:00.002+11:00

...off for a week of more beach, surfing, camping and food!!!...with 3 other families - 12 kids in all!!!

Weather had better be kind to me. I am known for turning on 12 kids in rainy weather!!

Stripes in Nature

2009-01-07T13:20:00.004+11:00

Sometimes I fancy myself as a photographer - walking along the beach snapping away and every picture would be sensational. Not that these are but it shows what i like to take photos of - Nature close up!! All stripey too!

Happy New Year

2009-01-06T08:17:00.002+11:00

To all the wonderful people who stop by Shells & Beans - I would lilke to wish you all a wonderful and healthy 2009.

We had a lovely Christmas, a very Merry New Years Eve and then a few days camping at the beach which was wonderful.
After two weeks and one day of the other two children not being infected/infested with the chicken pox - they arrived. Within an hour the two kids had spots popping up in all manner of places. Zoe being older was pretty flat for a whole day and had about a million more spots. However sea water and a hot tent seemed to send the spots crusting up after only a couple of days. We are off camping again in a couple of days so the car is still half packed and a few boxes are lying around my kitchen that i am not going to pack away and then repack.

Some more shots of my beach loving children - for the grandparents overseas!

I am an Aunty!!

2008-12-22T05:56:00.002+11:00

Check out my gorgeous niece !

We can't wait to visit Evelynne in Belgium next year.

Mixed Stuff

2008-12-20T07:51:00.004+11:00

Chicken Pox arrived on the 15th of December!! Of course only one child with spots at the moment - guaranteed the other two will get it - each 2 weeks after the other!!!

Some dancing round the Christmas Tree while setting it up. I like to get the kids to put it up once school has finished for the year.

This guy needs a reality check!! Actually what you cannot see is at the next desk is my laptop - yes 4 laptops and a big (I say silly) screen. Actually two are work ones.

Well my profile does say something like "....makes and creates things sometimes.." So here just to prove it!

Close up - zips and all!

Op shopping!!!!

Now I have an idea that could save the people at op shops some work! Don't you think that if you see someone in the street who wears clothes your size and you like their style - you could just go up to them and say "Hey here is my number - when you want to throw out your old clothes call me first and then I will go through them, take what I want and then make a generous donation to the charity shop."

I am sure I just bought clothes from the donations of the one person ....

.....my size.....they like floral.....obviously been/lived in England as most brands were English.

....oh and there was an English designer skirt too - but I put that in with the Christmas stuff I sent to my sister. How generous of me I know!

Bye Belgian Backpackers

2008-12-15T17:14:00.005+11:00

...Well we survived!! The Belgians didn't harm us at all!!

The girls left today and we miss them already - the house is quiet. They stayed 5 nights and it was fabulous for us all. We waved good-bye this morning - but not before I whipped them up some new curtains for their camper van!

Belgian Backpackers.

2008-12-11T21:30:00.002+11:00

So what is your opinion??

The other day at the Kiama Blowhole, we walked down the steps to see it blowing - and it wasn't! A girl was sitting near and we asked her if it had to be low or high tide for it to blow! Anyway we got chatting and as there was an accent asked where she was from - Belgium! Chatted some more as my brother lives there too - blah blah as you do. Enquired as to the travel plans with her girl friend and their camper van.

They were headed our way so I wrote down my numbers and said come and stay - really!

We walked off and I said to Marcel "do you think they will come to stay" - No he said.

A few days later they arrived and said could they park their camper in the driveway.
Of course I said.
Told them to sleep inside on the sofa as it would be more comfy - even though my husband is away. I gave them a key to my house and I went out for the day and said see you at about 4pm.
Are you getting anxious about what happened?

See that is the thing - when i told my friends at coffee this morning that I had two Belgian Backpackers at home who I only met for 5 minutes on the weekend - there were all kinds of opinions and comments.

You are on your own. They might have taken all the valuables and sold them. Are your kids safe? Are you just plain crazy? Put all the knives ! etc

You see none of that entered my mind before - I tend to see the good in people. They were two very nice girls who could do with some hospitality and a chance to avoid paying stupid amounts of money to park their van.

.....and they are lovely. My kids love them too and they are staying another few nights. They can sleep on our sofa, use our towels, eat dinner with us and watch movies with me in the evening.

They are friendly and so am I.

PS. Oh I have had them helping me with dinner and reading bedtime stories to the kids!

The Beach.......

2008-12-09T15:33:00.001+11:00

.......I could sit back for ages watching and listening to these three!!

Wednesday Food

2008-12-03T20:37:00.003+11:00

There is a bit of a food trend happening at the moment over here. Maybe it is because I have more time on my hands or something. Anyway tonights cooking involved pastry and as the oven needed to go on I always feel the need to bake something to share the energy!

Cherries from yesterday.....into a pie/flan type thingy.
Grease pie dish. Put in puff pastry, prick with fork and bake for a bit. Put in cherries (not pitted) add a mix of 3 eggs, some milk, vanilla and sugar and a bit of lemon zest. Pour and bake at 180 until less burnt than this one!! Oh and the rest of the pastry was used for a swirly decoration - lattice is so out!!

Easy Spinach and Feta Pastries

Chop Onion
Add thawed frozen spinach
Add crumbled feta and some egg. Season and Mix.
Cut puff pastry sheets into 4 and spoon mixture on. Fold and Seal.
Splodge with milk and bake at 180 until brown.

A little helper!! Of course I only washed the floor TODAY!!!! Even Luca asked this morning "Do you ever use that fluffy thing on the floor and you make it all wet?"

The cheek I tell you!!