Stills: A weekly collection

I'm jealous of everyone that can take amazing photos!

And I came across Rachael at Pretty Pink Peony who had linked up with The Beetle Shack's Stills: A Weekly Collection. And all I can say is WOW!

My photos don't even come close to these ladies beautiful and amazing photos but I would like to join in anyway! I would love to take a photography course in the not to distant future (any recommendations??!), as I'm still using my DSLR camera on auto mode (add that to my to-do-list, together with surfing lessons and learning the guitar! The list goes on and on).

Some (iPhone) photos of the week.

 

1. An early morning play down at the foreshore. I now call Busselton, W.A my home. And have the beautiful jetty and Indian Ocean on my doorstep. Very lucky indeed.

 

2 & 3. Lots of running and playing on the beach calls for a babychino on the lawn! Very relaxed look you have going on there Charli!

 

4. A gift I received in the mail. Not sure if I'm looking forward to reading it or if I should be scared at whats to come?! Has some great reviews.

 

5. Someone would rather push themselves! Long walks with no time limit are the best. Exploring and learning along the way.

 

6. This letter box is just around the corner from my place and looks great in contrast to the black sky (if only I could take amazing photos to really show the colours)... Oh and we didn't get wet walking home!

 

7. I found these two doll cradles at a local op shop and have already given them a couple of coats of white paint since taking this photo. The plan is to give them another coat of paint, make them a mattress and buy a doll to go in each and they will be for Charli and my niece Sophie for Christmas (plenty of time to finish them!)

 

8 & 9 & 10. Study with a toddler turns into painting nails with the highlighter. Study was not very successful.

 

11. (Instagram pic) We made an Easter tree! Simple and cute.

 

12. (Instagram pic) I love quotes. This one is very true.

 

Clare x

 Stills

Craft with kids - little garden bugs

 

 

 



 

I've stumbled across a great blog...

'Paging Fun Mums'

A great place to find crafty kids stuff which seem to be quick and easy for all different age groups. They also have a facebook page, so check them out.

We attempted the Easy Bug Craft (here's the direct link)

What we needed:

• plastic spoons
• plastic to make the wings (we used a milk bottle)
• permanent marker (to draw the wings)
• scissors
• paint (for the wings)
• googly eyes
• hot glue gun

Draw up the wings on the plastic bottle using the permanent marker and then cut them out.

Next we painted our wings.

And of course painted ourselves!

Using the hot glue gun we glued the wings and eyes on the plastic spoons.

Then pocked them into our pop plants!

 

Clare x

Keep dreaming...

I dream of being a crafty sorta chic

 

I dream of making these...

 

(from here)

 

(from here)

 

(from here)

 

(from here)

 

 

And decorating my house like this...

 

(from here)

 

(from here)

 

(from here)

 

(from here)

 

(from here)

 

(from here)

 

 

And sharing these...

 

(recipe)

 

(recipe)

 

(recipe)

 

(recipe)

 

(recipe)

 

I think I spend wayyyyy too much time on pinterest!!

 

Anyone else have a pinterest problem??!

 

Clare x

You can call me a time wasting professional!

This blogging business is tricky! Finding time in my oh-so-busy (or time wasting) day is hard work!

Any tips??
Deleting facebook could be the best time saver!

I am still on the house hunt.. that in itself is so damn frustrating. I'm hoping I will win lotto (preferably in the next couple of months) so I can buy that great big mansion that I have had my eye on for some time. Keep dreaming Clare, keep dreaming!

I have BIG plans for Charli and I to get our own place.. But that's all on hold until we actually find one, and one that's suitable. Maybe I am too picky?! Maybe I am scared after having that constant support from my parents?! Or maybe there are only pieces of crap for rent, that I would rather not have to call 'home'.

So in the next few months I have some goals (pffffft goals, what are they ?!)
If I write them on here then I sorta have to stick to them or at least keep you all updated on my progress.
Most of them are straightforward.
And most of them I would say on a daily basis 'I really need to start....'
I sound like a skipping record!

Here we go:

1) Part A: Do some exercise - lets start at 2 times a week! And I'm talking sweating, puffing, red in the face and put a little effort in sorta exercise! Starting small and working up is the way to go. Baby steps I reckon!
I do dream of attempting the Michelle Bridges 12 wk thingy! I'm terrible at commitment!

1) Part B: Eat HEALTHY, not rubbish. I love food. Whats wrong with me????

2) Complete my immunisation course. I'm enrolled to start on the 1st of March. 1 hour a night, 5 nights a week.... for FIVE WEEKS! This is the test to see if I can commit to post grad study. Hmmmmmmmmm again lets start with baby steps.

3) Find a house for Charli and I. I am a good person and I'm reliable, trustworthy and honest. I have a job, good references, and a uni degree!! But when it comes down to it, who wants to rent there house to a single mum. Australians don't stereotype do they??
But everyone keeps saying 'you'll find something' and 'something perfect will pop up, just be patient'.... Well??! I'm waiting!!

4) Go on a date! HAHA.... This is a long term goal!! Whats a date again?!! Maybe I should change that to - Join the CWA so I can do more sewing/craft/things I enjoy (I'm being serious). Hmmmmmm I need to get out more! I

5) Use my surfboard I got for Christmas.. I am scared/petrified/shitting myself. I have to book in and get myself some lessons! Watch out Layne!!!

I'm finishing at 5. If i over commit myself with too many goals I will never achieve them! Lets get off the Internet and use some of Charli's sleep time productively. I'm going to attempt to make a baby shower gift!

Have a nice day,
Clare x

(Attempting to link up with Essentially Jess - IBOT)

Choc Weetbix (yep weetbix!) Slice!

This slice is delishhhh...

 

So easy to make and sort of healthy (the weetbix is good for you right!)

 

Choc Weetbix Slice

 

Taken and slightly altered from here

 

What you need:

3 weetbix

1 cup (85g) desiccated coconut

1/2 cup (120g) caster sugar - I only put 3 tablespoons in

1 cup (150g) self-raising flour

2 tbs cocoa

150g butter

1 tsp vanilla essence

1 1/2 cups icing sugar

Extra 1 tbs cocoa

2 tbs hot water

What to do:

Preheat the oven to 180°C.

Line a slice tin (or a 16x26cm baking pan) with baking paper.

Break up weetbix. Place into a bowl with the coconut and sugar.

Sift the flour and cocoa into the bowl and stir.

Melt the butter. Add the vanilla.

Pour over the dry ingredients. Mix well.

Spoon the mixture into the tin and press down until level.

Bake for 15 minutes or until cooked.

Sift the icing sugar and cocoa into a small bowl. Add water and stir well.

Ice the slice while slightly cooled. Sprinkle with coconut if you like!

Cut into squares to serve.

 

Picture also taken from here as i only thought to take a picture after it was all eaten!!

Clare x

Baby chino trial

So I took lil Miss to have her first baby chino yesterday.
That morning we were on our way to Dunsborough to meet up with a uni friend. All organised and ready to go, my car plays up (insert angry/sad/frustrated/pissed off face here) for the 3rd time this month and the useless mechanic just keeps resetting the computer fault and not actually finding the problem. So I just took it there and they said it would take an hour to 'look at'.. So an hour to kill with a toddler who is hungry and full of energy, was chosen to trial a baby chino!

A new white shirt (I never dress her in white because of this reason!) didn't look so new when we walked out!

Clare x

Quote for the day

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?
-Marianne Williamson-

Life

Life versus Stress..
 
Who wins?
 
Lately I have been getting a bit down in the dumps. And I know its a result of a lot of things - not being able to find somewhere to live, not exercising enough, cold weather, sick lil lady etc etc... Some times I need a little reminder to look after myself, as do a lot of people I'm sure.
A quick post on some 'stress less' management will make it just a click away when I find myself needing that little reminder...
 
1. Focus more on things you CAN control
 
2. Have the courage to be imperfect
 
3. Take time for yourself
 
4. Sign up for that course, or join that club
 
5. Be active! Everyday! In as many ways as you can
 
6. Spend time with people who make you feel good
 
7. Laugh out loud each day
 
8. Invite your neighbour over for a cuppa
 
9. Do one thing NOW, that you have been putting off
 
10. Remember, this too shall pass
 (tips from here)
 
.
.
I found the following and thought it was a great analysis..
It was stolen directly from Kidspot - you can find it here

Stress, the best explanation I have ever come across

  A lecturer when explaining stress management to an audience,

Raised a glass of water and asked

'How heavy is this glass of water?'
Answers called out ranged from 20g to 500g.

The lecturer replied, 'The absolute weight doesn't matter.

It depends on how long you try to hold it.

If I hold it for a minute, that's not a problem.

If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my right arm.

If I hold it for a day, you'll have to call an ambulance.

In each case, it's the same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes.'

He continued,

'And that's the way it is with stress management.

If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later,

As the burden becomes increasingly heavy,
We won't be able to carry on. '

'As with the glass of water,

You have to put it down for a while and rest before holding it again.

When we're refreshed, we can carry on with the burden.'

'So, before you return home tonight, put the burden of work  down.!

Don't carry it home.
You can pick it up tomorrow.

Whatever burdens you're carrying now,

Let them down for a moment if you can.'

So, my friend, Put down anything that may be a burden to you right now.

Don't pick it up again until after you've rested a while.

 

Do you think that's a good explanation?

 

I hope your day is enjoyable.

Keep smiling.

 

Clare x

Dance in the rain

Where has my motivation gone ?

Clare x

Zucchini Slice - Not a baking fail!

I thought I was a good cook, but lately I've proved to myself I TOTALLY AM NOT!
However after saying this, I did make the following recipe 3 times in a row and it turned out pretty alright! Well everyone ate it - that's a positive right?!

Easy to make, and it fools Charli every time (he he)... She's decided she doesn't need to eat veggies, but she eats this!

Zucchini Slice (for the beginners!)

You need (give or take):
3 zucchinis - grated
1 carrot - grated
1 cup S.R flour
3 rashers bacon (I bought diced bacon from the deli!)
6 eggs, lightly beaten
1 1/2 cups grated cheese (I used about 1/2 cup and still tasted good!)
1 large onion, finely diced
salt and pepper to season

What to do:
Add all the ingredients together in a bowl and mix well.
Pour into a well greased (egg sticks otherwise - I found that out the hard way!) tray - 16cm x 26cm lamington tray and bake at 180 degrees for 30-40 minutes or until brown.
Slice into fingers/pieces when cool.
Serve hot or cold!
Enjoy!

recipe from here

Clare x

5 photos - 5 minute post

I've been quiet on the blog..
I need some motivation..

5 photos - 5 minute post

5 photos in 5 mins!
Easy...
I'm a sucker for a good quote! Gets me all inspired and motivated to live life to the fullest!!
So some I've saved on my phone lately that need to be shared - mostly from people posting on Facebook or Pinterest (did I mention I love pinterest?!! Follow me!)

I hope they make you smile :)