tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31301016128718930462023-11-16T14:06:37.774+11:00pretty essentialSharynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02717925699191367110noreply@blogger.comBlogger85125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130101612871893046.post-77180919223241580102011-10-22T09:21:00.001+11:002011-10-22T09:22:00.100+11:00Finis<div style="text-align: justify;">I laughed when I came back to <i>Pretty Essential</i> recently and saw that it looked like we were still "<i>Stuck in Albany"</i>. We did get on our way eventually and continued our little caravan adventure, enjoying our time in Western Australia very much. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">But so much has happened, and actually was happening while we were travelling. And, I really haven't been able to write about it before now.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Just before we set off, my Mother was given a diagnosis of cancer. The worst possible category of cancer, with primary and metastatic locations. It was a devastating time for her and all of us. Treatment was started immediately to try to prolong the amount of time she would have left. But truly, it was hard for all of us to take in. At just 58, and a very healthy, non drinking, non smoking person, to say we didn't understand would be an understatement.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">My parents were married very young, at just 17 and 20. So, for my Father it was simply impossible to come to terms with the reality of the situation. The fact that my Mother was also the main carer for her 92 year old Mother at the time was another difficulty to face. We also had to say goodbye to the house that has been the family home for six generations, the one my Grandmother was born in and her Father and Grandfather built.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">My mother passed away on August 18th 2010.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">She would have been 60 at the beginning of October this year. I don't feel like I'm at the point of acceptance or understanding yet, but I am beginning to feel less sad about it a little bit more each day. Mum was such a 'doer', she never sat around much, and always had projects, activities and events on the go. I am trying to keep that in mind. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">At this point, I feel the need to close my <i>Pretty Essential</i> blog that was focused mainly of craft and family. I have enjoyed the time spent recording the bits and pieces of my daily life and interacting with such lovely people in 'blogland'. To all those who have stopped by and left me comments, I want to say a huge <b><i>Thank You!</i></b> Really, it has meant a lot to me.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">To honour Mum - the person who taught me so much - I have started a new blog called <a href="http://hathillfarm.blogspot.com/">Hat Hill Farm</a>. It feels like the right thing to do. Mum loved blogs. She found them immensely inspiring and loved to see so many people creating and sharing. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Hat Hill Farm will document the new home that we are making for ourselves. It will be like a gardening diary and will detail the steps we take each day. Keith and I will work on it together.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div>Sharynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02717925699191367110noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130101612871893046.post-49531018676436807892010-02-23T16:12:00.015+11:002010-02-23T17:13:09.106+11:00Stuck in Albany<p align="justify">We had been in Albany, which is an old whaling town south of Perth, for about an hour when there was a bit of an incident which means we'll be here for a whole lot longer than we planned.</p><p align="justify"><br /></p><p align="justify"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU4eTd9DNkn4-PNTS8asO4GgHbSQN0efpYOnopluUMCsphcomRSA3fxKUcs6TcORJZzoairYwj26A5wXBDfXaVVQiNznjwoV9IsbK98ORxh6ZgdP0EGpFOIQywShESdu1TOGM0nO3dmPyS/s400/Blowhole+-+Albany.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441305083586313490" /></p><p align="center"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">The Gap, Albany, WA</span></em><em><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></em></p><p align="justify"><br /></p><p align="justify">After finding a caravan park in town we went for a drive along the coast to see the Blowhole, Gap and Natural Bridge. On the path down to the Gap, we passed some young guys heading back up to the car park after doing some fishing. Just as we started to head back up one of the guys came running down to us to see if we owned a 'gold x-trail'. As you say 'yes' to a such a question you just know it isn't going to be good news!<br /></p><p align="justify"><br /></p><p align="justify"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZVF48Fb_FY0br8Wb3ZM8V0DMZ-U5uT446I6-6M2Sp5Y0cRFAqnUuaGn1JQjDSLwR0tS_si66KO7nRRH7QlzjQSe-C9yCKL-sGnvMJH10ALy4n_31ucmBDh-c4iDcImNDuVXa7zFFKVuNo/s400/Bridge+-+Albany.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441305089745939426" /></p><p align="center"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Natural Bridge, Albany, WA</span></em></p><p align="justify"><br /></p><p align="justify">He explained, very apologetically, how he'd only just got his license and car a few days ago and as he was backing out his car door swung open and he panicked and hit the accelerator instead of the break . . .</p><p align="justify">It must have been quite an impact because the back door of the car, bumper and back window were damaged extensively. Oh, and he also explained that he hadn't got around to getting any insurance yet.</p><p align="justify"><br /></p><div align="justify"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 389px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh45Dc-9j9zFdxcqgiJPcHcf2IuYlLq2JiCbPvjpfmnaIfpkQarhC9RJYsq7ISl3jR-0tOWl9xhId9O0XLKaoGe-QCSSVbffyj0gEIpXa5GPbQaikciMw_dowcXg3XealEGBw7EblygrHpT/s400/Car+-+Albany.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441305103583570402" /><br /></div><div align="justify">That was on Saturday night. We went and bought a tarp to cover the back window and cleaned out all the glass from the car, which was <em>everywhere</em>. On Monday we took it to the smash repairers to get a quote and the young guy's Mum called us to say they would pay for the damage. We have a car on loan from the repairers so we can get around and our car should be ready on Friday. So, it's all working out okay.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">Hey I'm sure there are a lot worse places to be stuck than Albany. There are lots of lovely beaches, yesterday we went to <a href="http://www.whaleworld.org/">Whale World</a> and today we visited <a href="http://www.porongurup.com/index.htm">Porongurup National Park</a>.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilifnjbZk9srWDHDVTj_UWcZ9Ochq5TcfEiqty3Ai7_KhzDjYpmzRumiIcXjnNZZ9X_rvnpbLownC73tfqOecOXYNRsq-iry0IjNDlWuLFEFnKlO7iogGehWlP9mGAOX0Px7ALte-QsJmx/s400/Mutton+Bird+Island+-+Albany.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441305097326816706" /></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Mutton Bird Island Beach, Albany WA</span></em></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">But when your on the road and then you suddenly have seven days to spend in the one place, well what can I say . . . we're headed to Margaret River next and I kinda wish we were stuck there. Sorry Albany!<br /><br /></div><p><br /></p>Sharynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02717925699191367110noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130101612871893046.post-72033163757177596622010-02-21T21:26:00.012+11:002010-02-21T22:12:05.779+11:00Rescued<p align="justify">It's the first time I've ever been glad that a car wouldn't start!</p><p align="justify">We set off for a drive to look at more of the stunning Esperance coastline, stopping along the way at Look Outs, etc. At Observatory Beach, after a quick look, we all piled back into the car only to find that the engine wouldn't turn over. A little shocked, the car has been traveling so well and had an extensive service before we left home, we all got back out and stood looking in the engine.</p><p align="justify">Really we had no clue what was wrong - starter engine maybe Keith suggested? </p><p align="justify">A lady who had been walking her dog on the beach and was about to leave came over to see if she could help. There was no mobile reception and she was the only other person around. Very quickly she offered to take me and the children back to her house to use her phone and hang out till the Roadside Assistance man came and hopefully got the car started.</p><p align="justify">So, I took her up on her generous offer. We headed back to Deb's house, quickly covering many topics and by the time we reached her gorgeous property we felt like old friends. The kids were very excited to meet her four alpacas, including two babies.</p><p align="justify"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPxX630GLucgwJ9xPUuytD-Q60Vj2qlW5_IZsHG-QlBGlqwsIT1_2uJnxs536DLA77uK_Imxr8wCUpSRR2OI0cQltst1KOVDwu2rlGwDYzPjniQHFcgBl6L1pP51nQlBxl69AwOPWXqkyx/s400/Alpacas.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440648138607402994" /></p><p align="justify"><br /></p><p align="justify">Deb is one of those people who is always rescuing people. She's widely traveled and after settling in Esperance with her husband four years ago has created a very beautiful lifestyle based loosely on permaculture principals. There was so much to talk about, including the care of those alpacas. I'm sure we'll end up with some one day. . . Deb has even started learning to spin their fleece.</p><p align="justify">Keith arrived all too quickly. The Esperance man had been very prompt and quickly worked out that our cars battery had simply come to the end of its life. Luckily for us it chose Esperance that morning, at that beach, and not any of the few days before when we were driving across the desert!</p><p align="justify">Meeting people along the way always adds to the experience of traveling, but there was something more to meeting Deb and seeing how she lives at this particular time in my life. There were so many similarities to someone very close to me who is going through a difficult and frightening time at the moment that I was a little thrown by the whole experience. But very glad of it none the less.</p><p align="justify"><br /></p><p align="justify"><br /></p>Sharynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02717925699191367110noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130101612871893046.post-2040794360408363742010-02-19T22:31:00.018+11:002010-02-21T22:09:59.689+11:00A new adventure<p align="justify">So, it has been a while since I've wanted to return to my Journal here at Pretty Essential. A lot of changes have taken place over the last year. Family have moved close to us in Blackheath, I've been working a few days a week, Keith has been working like crazy around the property and of course the children have grown up a lot. My energies have been fully occupied to say the least!</p><p align="justify">Over Christmas and the New Year, I started to feel like we needed a little break to our regular routine. The end of a school year always gets me thinking like this, but this time it was different. We have always talked of taking the children out of school and doing the 'trip around Australia' but I've always felt like the time wasn't right or preferred the idea of taking them to Europe instead. But the more we thought about it the more keen we became. "Let's just do it now while we feel like it" we kept saying to each other.</p><p align="justify">So, with very little planning we set about buying a caravan, finding someone to look after the dog, talked to the school and pretty much that was it - we were ready. </p><p align="justify">At the end of January 2010 we drove out of Blackheath, NSW with a very vague plan to head west, then south and travel as far across Australia as we can in approx. 10 weeks!</p><p align="justify">Tonight, I right this from a town called Esperance in Western Australia, surely home to the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen. We've packed a lot in already, and there are many highlights from Victoria and South Australia. Keira and Caley are having a great time. They're keeping a daily journal of life on the road and making the most of an extended summer . . .<br /></p><p align="justify"><br /></p><div align="center"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvX0tdcbmaR8OKtihX-8w8aObH1giVPLFQq0itlCh1jLN_bXOE9dNFsxJjpvX7FOKukH0xc4HiIUaX07gYpu7mHuJGLmL3-Un5zE4udMxIJyZHxBAq7Xknfe0PCzU31FXghHjdo2vyulmU/s400/Camping+under+the+Koala.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439925661183366386" /><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Camping under the Koalas, Otway National Park, Victoria</span></em> </div><p align="center"><br /></p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEich8nXpuebTQZ7t73KoQlIQB3O3XynGTErFaje_axaV2rKLrpQzBtau1INcdJ0mkFJUqCI1R78XwRh0ctn1gle_B9ZO8C185rj4lGZy9ACB79DI2mRNyiF4Z8HNr-VfkKBEGIJ43sdw-hf/s1600-h/Koala+-+close+up.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEich8nXpuebTQZ7t73KoQlIQB3O3XynGTErFaje_axaV2rKLrpQzBtau1INcdJ0mkFJUqCI1R78XwRh0ctn1gle_B9ZO8C185rj4lGZy9ACB79DI2mRNyiF4Z8HNr-VfkKBEGIJ43sdw-hf/s400/Koala+-+close+up.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439925677982282834" /></a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgixH7z2Y7-PAkb2oHCbxfLqv6rl6OF2MugGKNdS4dAUHbARfCutnQBpq7fM2Cuot2ODE7zinf3sQhazGtyoAgBRa7ZzJZq_IZaTUUKNOZ18hMnSiDaRyeoalPyAMXRQnFQx3JcrJyzh8kO/s400/Apostles.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439925832869601090" /></p><p align="center"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">12 Apostles, Great Ocean Road, Victoria</span></em> </p><p><br /></p><p align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr6plVzMqN1LP803E8sX5tU8aNuOurF919Q7lA46r4rsYq4zuDt4yFPIx24t2OlOckW7MkFMALjP3quLv0p5hQnZu9Zk1WSynZ8P3rM8q5uZ4gmCcqNWgc2B5MWAEC8hey2X-VQgMVrwdb/s1600-h/Flinders+Ranges+-+Mt+Ohlssen+Bagge.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr6plVzMqN1LP803E8sX5tU8aNuOurF919Q7lA46r4rsYq4zuDt4yFPIx24t2OlOckW7MkFMALjP3quLv0p5hQnZu9Zk1WSynZ8P3rM8q5uZ4gmCcqNWgc2B5MWAEC8hey2X-VQgMVrwdb/s400/Flinders+Ranges+-+Mt+Ohlssen+Bagge.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439925675136056530" /></a><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Flinders Ranges, South Australia</span></em> </p><p><br /></p><p align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUULbydi8S0LIuLPqg8n2yVeB-5-Q4tCl_aeVOaG4Uy2SvBpgJGCrIASxdfX04FYWiDFW2kqacSKiE9oTh_F2tPQ753u_V_Z03weUcHKMX9O7L7MVr67yoDYmajeQRPcFjGe9lzaSKHwnW/s1600-h/Crossing+the+Nullarbor.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUULbydi8S0LIuLPqg8n2yVeB-5-Q4tCl_aeVOaG4Uy2SvBpgJGCrIASxdfX04FYWiDFW2kqacSKiE9oTh_F2tPQ753u_V_Z03weUcHKMX9O7L7MVr67yoDYmajeQRPcFjGe9lzaSKHwnW/s400/Crossing+the+Nullarbor.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439925672488660226" /></a><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Crossing the Nullarbor Desert, South Australia and Western Australia</span></em> </p><div align="justify"><br />As we travel along, seeing new places for the first time, it feels very special to have my family together like this.</div><p align="justify"><br /></p><p align="justify"><br /></p>Sharynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02717925699191367110noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130101612871893046.post-26375637515670386732008-12-10T19:45:00.007+11:002008-12-10T19:59:18.712+11:00Counting down<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">aa</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3KBGCRHLPsKKDCK2gjMS1-3XvYWwmRIkd7WPPqV3bt9-BckgnqINgEhogd-pO_7aaMinrgX9DAU_4_0gdCf_le9_rj_zYcVe02FAertvvjV2K4moNEzX-eWol49LognOCBAeo95aOVsgQ/s1600-h/advent+candles.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 234px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3KBGCRHLPsKKDCK2gjMS1-3XvYWwmRIkd7WPPqV3bt9-BckgnqINgEhogd-pO_7aaMinrgX9DAU_4_0gdCf_le9_rj_zYcVe02FAertvvjV2K4moNEzX-eWol49LognOCBAeo95aOVsgQ/s400/advent+candles.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278080623308891362" border="0" /></a><br />Running a bit behind with our little 'advent' tealight calender - we lit ten candles tonight to play catch up!<br /><br />It's a simple idea, not fancy at all. This year I'm really striving for some simple, handmade, thoughtful touches for our first Christmas in our new home.<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><br />aa</span><br /></div>Sharynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02717925699191367110noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130101612871893046.post-32741515967256789992008-11-10T08:35:00.014+11:002008-11-10T09:38:05.946+11:00Two landmarks in one weekend<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-size:78%;" >aa</span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">On Saturday, Keira played in a piano graduation concert at the Opera House in Sydney. The children learn the piano following the <a href="http://www.suzukimusic.org.au/suzuki.htm">Suzuki</a> method and each year they are invited to play in concerts at the Opera House if they have passed their level during the year.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA1QHrVk6X2CRCz8T4vEOCzwx45Casqe00r7Z93ZJwFuS95httfaIkgAtEKc301ckO68KaLmDpzvws81qqm_g3UToTnTcBWcIerrcSFsbIF_M9kqz6gvupVvW4Vp0JzcE3MUhK8uWn692W/s1600-h/Keira+-+opera+house+08+-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 218px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA1QHrVk6X2CRCz8T4vEOCzwx45Casqe00r7Z93ZJwFuS95httfaIkgAtEKc301ckO68KaLmDpzvws81qqm_g3UToTnTcBWcIerrcSFsbIF_M9kqz6gvupVvW4Vp0JzcE3MUhK8uWn692W/s400/Keira+-+opera+house+08+-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266776990543391250" border="0" /></a><br />This was the third time that Keira has played in one of these concerts and I think it's the first time I have ever seen her anxious about it. The concerts are great in that they are meant to be a celebration of the hard work the students have done. They need to be dressed very smartly (lot's of boys in mini tuxes!) and they play on a grand piano in the Utzon Room which has a large wall of glass that makes you feel as though you are right in the harbour.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ4ce5RtbClHqF1MrxcS6CgLZwdqPrOpvqc59nFXI9WweKQ9MRvCvPgpRcEW049lFp2BlfVDQHOVQK5ger7d_p_m6wDIrXL2C-dVcZlgcK5CS0xmrkyvJvXXOf1L2NJAvAU-EgYJ_8DsdL/s1600-h/Keira+-+opera+house+08+-2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 179px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ4ce5RtbClHqF1MrxcS6CgLZwdqPrOpvqc59nFXI9WweKQ9MRvCvPgpRcEW049lFp2BlfVDQHOVQK5ger7d_p_m6wDIrXL2C-dVcZlgcK5CS0xmrkyvJvXXOf1L2NJAvAU-EgYJ_8DsdL/s400/Keira+-+opera+house+08+-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266776995011323506" border="0" /></a><br />But, the standard is very high and Keira was worried that she would make a mistake (which many kids do and it isn't a big deal but Keira is quite tough on herself). Of course when her turn came she played beautifully and I could see that she felt good about herself afterwards.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKqMWs-mVCel-Ehn_mvtv6L4VaFZDApPAzCgfkgBPOhtbh9bp-j8fp-SyFISbAEQuB7dKvygghu8azlWIZAofxQk_hqZI4KFvsc0EuvRXAoNGZCTWBCOlU9l8S7F8NlKFceqLzq_wuTfgA/s1600-h/Keira+-+opera+house+08+-3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKqMWs-mVCel-Ehn_mvtv6L4VaFZDApPAzCgfkgBPOhtbh9bp-j8fp-SyFISbAEQuB7dKvygghu8azlWIZAofxQk_hqZI4KFvsc0EuvRXAoNGZCTWBCOlU9l8S7F8NlKFceqLzq_wuTfgA/s400/Keira+-+opera+house+08+-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266776996349652242" border="0" /></a><br />After the concert we made a very quick dash back up the Mountains, because Keith and I had a school function at the very beautiful and historic <a href="http://www.collitsinn.com.au/index.html">Collits' Inn</a> to get to.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNPvIIFY0lFTazT2MK_BRcbcuXJFqdbjOhx8YkcwIs5YWRiDA05GJ1swgOzP6tJW_cgF5ox-NjrF6DOr9CnJ_oUCc4Rh6R0yj49M99_BPC4cxCmQz2z48D-uN5ogDaxaSQq1NwBINdjzgi/s1600-h/Collits+Inn+-+logo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 120px; height: 167px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNPvIIFY0lFTazT2MK_BRcbcuXJFqdbjOhx8YkcwIs5YWRiDA05GJ1swgOzP6tJW_cgF5ox-NjrF6DOr9CnJ_oUCc4Rh6R0yj49M99_BPC4cxCmQz2z48D-uN5ogDaxaSQq1NwBINdjzgi/s400/Collits+Inn+-+logo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266786525115342850" border="0" /></a><br />This used to be run as a restaurant/b&b, but a family from the school bought it recently and now it is their home. They opened it up to us on Saturday night for dinner and I can't tell you how wonderful it was. We all arrived in the late afternoon when it was still light and could have a good look around. The Inn was built in 1823 and has been lovingly restored right down to the original room that the Governor would stay in when they were moving convicts through the area. In fact the previous owners who had done a huge amount of work in building up a library of the history of the place, left everything intact on the property when they left.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_e0pniSfjpijXJlFe08sjhrE0RzAUMDYHzHgzF0HhOOWoWW-5-qsMZ2GSKbz390d2g-2xlPdf25qvLp_0sfQ1498yxzeH1ZILuWoaJcQQtgU5SPhfXLt6aq9Ftzj0rPAzwViyK8GPwx70/s1600-h/Collits+Inn.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 334px; height: 201px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_e0pniSfjpijXJlFe08sjhrE0RzAUMDYHzHgzF0HhOOWoWW-5-qsMZ2GSKbz390d2g-2xlPdf25qvLp_0sfQ1498yxzeH1ZILuWoaJcQQtgU5SPhfXLt6aq9Ftzj0rPAzwViyK8GPwx70/s400/Collits+Inn.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266786525478701458" border="0" /></a><br />We had a guided walk around the cemetery before dinner, where there are 62 people buried from the area including the poet Henry Lawson's father. Apparently one of Lawson's poems is about the murder of one of the Collits' daughters (some sort of love triangle back in the 1800's!).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzndptSvPLw9etudrO7cT7-y9Bn-sRLIrAyxtR5_SPH_oF6ndts2Ilvpkzf5vAiiRjoAyMz6_WXpN-cfzPRD5viKfyLj3OIA763m44_JbgpzvNB-AnwdHDoCcXpvTj7XBocxyeG5mH27pl/s1600-h/Collits+Inn+-+barn.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 295px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzndptSvPLw9etudrO7cT7-y9Bn-sRLIrAyxtR5_SPH_oF6ndts2Ilvpkzf5vAiiRjoAyMz6_WXpN-cfzPRD5viKfyLj3OIA763m44_JbgpzvNB-AnwdHDoCcXpvTj7XBocxyeG5mH27pl/s400/Collits+Inn+-+barn.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266786858243442258" border="0" /></a><br />Then it was on to dinner which was served in the original barn and afterwards the owner and another father from school played their guitars and sang until late into the night. By then everyone was in very good form and thoroughly enjoyed themselves.<br /><br />Sunday saw me a little tired and weary, but the weather was fantastic so I sat in the sun and watched Cal and his friend learn how to put up a tent for their first overnight camping expedition with the school this week. Listening to the patience in Keith's voice as he gave instructions from the side was a little amusing as well!<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >(Photos of Collits Inn from the <a href="http://www.nationaltrust.com.au/collitsinn.html">National Trust</a>, I of course forgot to take my camera . . .)</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">aa</span><br /></div>Sharynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02717925699191367110noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130101612871893046.post-869019434155034102008-11-06T19:36:00.011+11:002008-11-06T20:18:12.720+11:00Surprise mail<p align="justify">Not long ago I decided to put on my sidebar a book recommendation from both Keira and Caley. Keira was raving about a book that she had just finished so I thought I'd include some of their favourites along with mine. I asked Cal for the name of a book that he had read recently and liked, and he said <em>Samurai Kids, White Crane.</em></p><p align="justify">Then out of the blue we received an email from the author, <a href="http://www.walkerbooks.com.au/Contributors/Sandy-Fussell">Sandy Fussell</a>. I have to say we were very excited by this! For the kids, who read and read and read, it was wonderful to have an author directly contact us like this.</p><p align="justify">But that wasn't all. Sandy very generously offered to send Cal a copy of her latest book, <em>Polar Boy</em>. As she put it - <em>"its about an Inuit brother and sister - lots of whales, polar bears and Vikings"</em>. Which of course sounds just right for Cal! </p><p align="justify"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 124px; height: 190px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcTweuulOh272EfsikpmGuwYVx5wHUEQokNThKNOWjiNPQ1NitiL5cmrqdV5ZUw6rgrqTMSxH08gCJC2_XVob3WRumbiOfTH8KgUlrIXaZdhO_5NEdL_HQZdMPmlveiDeUspKg4KlH3Pro/s400/polar+boy.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265466800250263186" /></p><p align="justify">The package arrived in the mail today, along with a special note from Sandy and some posters from <em>Samurai Kids</em> for Cal's bedroom.</p><p align="justify">Cal is a great reader, but I have had to work quite hard to get him interested in fiction. He loves his facts, on nature, history or science. He's always loved listening to the stories that I've read to them but hadn't been drawn to them for himself. So I looked for books that I thought he'd like if he gave them a chance and got far enough into them. We've built up a little library for him with books of his own in his bedroom (as opposed to reading 'Keira's' books) and over time I'm noticing that he's reading more fiction that non-fiction these days. </p><p align="justify">Don't get me wrong, I don't think there's anything wrong with reading non-fiction, and I'm sure Cal's knowledge of reptiles, the Elizabethans and Tudors, and Elvis Presley would rival most 8 year olds! It's just that I know how much pleasure reading fiction can bring and I really feel that the earlier that you 'get' it the better.</p><p align="justify">Of course, now the kids are expecting great things from my blog, and Keira keeps asking me if I've heard from the author of her book . . .</p><p align="justify"><em></em></p><p align="justify"><em>(a very</em><strong><em> big </em></strong><em>thank you Sandy!</em><em>)</em></p><p align="justify"><span style="color:#ffffff;">aa</span></p>Sharynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02717925699191367110noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130101612871893046.post-83983252893936611402008-10-21T12:50:00.006+11:002008-10-21T13:26:47.084+11:00This time last year<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">aa</span><br />I was walking to -<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwfHCJLTZXGs-hVUNm0gXLW_t3aDz4C69EgtD1u2ueP-ey0e_UELh_s6a95sAgT9zI4ZCP5XkTozp1C3eWTnCtN-itDZ7a4itDrzTJ8YPjoOdc1tKl15eQrRB6hxjoLz5m2Q8lEcZITzwx/s1600-h/Base+Camp.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwfHCJLTZXGs-hVUNm0gXLW_t3aDz4C69EgtD1u2ueP-ey0e_UELh_s6a95sAgT9zI4ZCP5XkTozp1C3eWTnCtN-itDZ7a4itDrzTJ8YPjoOdc1tKl15eQrRB6hxjoLz5m2Q8lEcZITzwx/s400/Base+Camp.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259426176933234530" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Base Camp, Mt Everest</span></span><br /></div><br /><br />Staying here -<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBlj-OowHKNrtH8K-7o1mbBnQDA8E9rBB-uhRTXyRNA3ImLNAXBMwquBn942GJOI9RpATNPZ4M5TKH-o5fDOGGuZH0zLFZyAshusVHFD3V_TwjhLA8O8rtowYCDV5F8rcm7VwhpGvlU7bR/s1600-h/Gorek+Shep.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBlj-OowHKNrtH8K-7o1mbBnQDA8E9rBB-uhRTXyRNA3ImLNAXBMwquBn942GJOI9RpATNPZ4M5TKH-o5fDOGGuZH0zLFZyAshusVHFD3V_TwjhLA8O8rtowYCDV5F8rcm7VwhpGvlU7bR/s400/Gorek+Shep.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259426179545961634" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Gorek Shep, last stop before Mt Everest<br />(we stayed in the tea house on the far right,<br />the upmarket end of town!)<br /></span></span></div><br /><br />and looking at -<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm2EqY_c6iLllVfTIu945qrD8mJH606L9hA8pIhl7QI2sQUVxmaNr_ES4xftH4U2GuYFJCrEy1EzCy1-kLDSDmF6UrHBtcoKlz8SLy-xF0AVp56vxAckQSUmPynuUJdkGEAVcqK6avumIv/s1600-h/Mt+Everest.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm2EqY_c6iLllVfTIu945qrD8mJH606L9hA8pIhl7QI2sQUVxmaNr_ES4xftH4U2GuYFJCrEy1EzCy1-kLDSDmF6UrHBtcoKlz8SLy-xF0AVp56vxAckQSUmPynuUJdkGEAVcqK6avumIv/s400/Mt+Everest.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259426182940986754" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Mt Everest, Nepal.<br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-size:100%;" >aa</span></span></span><br /></div></div>Sharynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02717925699191367110noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130101612871893046.post-81062261073857327692008-10-20T15:02:00.013+11:002008-10-20T15:45:14.609+11:00Usefull skills<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> aa</span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I now have experience in all sorts of building jobs, and can add gyprocking and cornicing to the list. My arm and neck muscles are aching, but luckily the bath has finally been installed so much soaking and relaxing in the evening has been happening.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin7h9KaW8pV8QZV1zo94_E1ixHqkQLvOeq4Bo1Evv5KI1kmYf2YDuSa_yeUjwXrjNbBXXxoFC_E8pZ_DRHdyBc6cYsq2HUn20i41rIoSECJB15keJSFU29CoR3otbKVfm_x9PMTDm4CSeT/s1600-h/mosaic+-+gyprock.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin7h9KaW8pV8QZV1zo94_E1ixHqkQLvOeq4Bo1Evv5KI1kmYf2YDuSa_yeUjwXrjNbBXXxoFC_E8pZ_DRHdyBc6cYsq2HUn20i41rIoSECJB15keJSFU29CoR3otbKVfm_x9PMTDm4CSeT/s400/mosaic+-+gyprock.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259090294168383138" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> Cornice in my new bedroom - Gyprocking the carport</span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I've learnt two things; Keith is very lucky that I'm not scared of heights, and life would be a lot easier if I was just a bit taller . . .<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Along the way I found some time to finish my <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/scrapchallenge/pool/">scrap challenge</a>. I decided to make a little zippered bag and use the different <span style="font-style: italic;">scrap </span>fabrics as decoration.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4sUClADN7NOZKjk4V3xSMysUAK06l1iMn8ypJWL2MAoPmfzndIFncj5YolBth03h5MXlGorIsk29evhOpVWPtprO5k419mEPaLJOQHDt9LjditQmzB8bIdY5ywLpT7yX8LqQrbufea5j5/s1600-h/Scrap+Challenge+-+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4sUClADN7NOZKjk4V3xSMysUAK06l1iMn8ypJWL2MAoPmfzndIFncj5YolBth03h5MXlGorIsk29evhOpVWPtprO5k419mEPaLJOQHDt9LjditQmzB8bIdY5ywLpT7yX8LqQrbufea5j5/s400/Scrap+Challenge+-+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259082769358943746" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Each one was cut out in a hexagon shape and sewed together. I used a piece of felt as backing to give it a padded feel.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGjtji_ctPkuGxraesrnhDBHRdnKjd9dvPDEeCgYoXF5CvjbISS41iCtiBz2qn7a4DQabWgndxPFaW20x6b7g2KpUML4oQrGBdyilrXQVwNc4gJI71O3An_cwXlGYvGs1Q6NtQpE7qVkpO/s1600-h/Scrap+Challenge+-+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGjtji_ctPkuGxraesrnhDBHRdnKjd9dvPDEeCgYoXF5CvjbISS41iCtiBz2qn7a4DQabWgndxPFaW20x6b7g2KpUML4oQrGBdyilrXQVwNc4gJI71O3An_cwXlGYvGs1Q6NtQpE7qVkpO/s400/Scrap+Challenge+-+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259082773369112690" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">The back is a piece of linen with one of the fabrics highlighted.<br /><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYKCi8lqcPYVJRwjn_bzp7CNpsSPOsh99b1wsZsgDMM7OnA-TBzQ4VZwJvup8E9zSvJPxX71k6nNitF0Ki50q1eh06OqSmQ_-VUO0YIMv0rcltNmaWg2UwBSSOVJ6eQyF54ruleaHlanVU/s1600-h/Scrap+Challenge+-+4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYKCi8lqcPYVJRwjn_bzp7CNpsSPOsh99b1wsZsgDMM7OnA-TBzQ4VZwJvup8E9zSvJPxX71k6nNitF0Ki50q1eh06OqSmQ_-VUO0YIMv0rcltNmaWg2UwBSSOVJ6eQyF54ruleaHlanVU/s400/Scrap+Challenge+-+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259082776902164578" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">It's a little wonky and a bit smaller than I had in mind, but I like the way the fabrics look together and the patchwork feel of it.<br /><br />There are some really clever things being made, it's well worth a look at the flickr group. A big thank you to Jennifer from <a href="http://jchandmade.typepad.com/jc_handmade/">JC handmade</a> for organising this swap!<br /></div><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">aa</span>Sharynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02717925699191367110noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130101612871893046.post-25912936980742221872008-10-14T13:37:00.005+11:002008-10-14T13:50:03.652+11:00Scrap Challenge<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">aa</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw7XlXXXI3024HGvn0RXA1tNx_szNj83iGmWcAs-epxpP3IJyv60Alt99I9XmIqTsONdl0SLuC5N1ZwcjMe-dq8F4r2gXaFSS5yltnvFBCn9mcep3PXWBXZ_UESRmQtVjaY1I9QA1sSVRM/s1600-h/Scrap+Challenge+-+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw7XlXXXI3024HGvn0RXA1tNx_szNj83iGmWcAs-epxpP3IJyv60Alt99I9XmIqTsONdl0SLuC5N1ZwcjMe-dq8F4r2gXaFSS5yltnvFBCn9mcep3PXWBXZ_UESRmQtVjaY1I9QA1sSVRM/s400/Scrap+Challenge+-+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256833958744659810" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">My package from <a href="http://jchandmade.typepad.com/jc_handmade/">JC Handmade</a> arrived yesterday. I've signed up for my first ever blog fabric swap. It appealed to me because I liked the idea of receiving a little parcel of fabric scraps and then the challenge of having to make something out of them (if your not a fabric person I get that this probably just sounds weird).<br /><br />Not sure what to make, when it's quiet after dinner I'll have a good look at the fabric and think of something. The finished pieces can be seen <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/scrapchallenge/pool/">here</a>.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">aa</span></div>Sharynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02717925699191367110noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130101612871893046.post-79263360239000041932008-10-13T11:25:00.012+11:002008-10-13T12:08:02.981+11:00The herb garden<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">aa</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrHXLn3ykSPa64mxpETubVr5z-ljg5-MTCJzgU3BMBOOg4lUzOFdmZvz5Xur6_gg7bpr2IHlJCYxN8b03eHMmP-jkK-aIU4JkljmxgKV3zLrE2OlLI2M_YM_WY4B1isdOqyRnXLCgyfN0q/s1600-h/Herb+Garden+-+Spinach.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrHXLn3ykSPa64mxpETubVr5z-ljg5-MTCJzgU3BMBOOg4lUzOFdmZvz5Xur6_gg7bpr2IHlJCYxN8b03eHMmP-jkK-aIU4JkljmxgKV3zLrE2OlLI2M_YM_WY4B1isdOqyRnXLCgyfN0q/s400/Herb+Garden+-+Spinach.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256431847424398466" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPlNKjkLGDHvbUXJJyWDr72SagaB_fvnaxKgR0dbbLjSKXhiO1sqFjSrIi1JAHNM4GcBWKmdX3_9tKS66T7EhFwxT_o3IGJA6w_WblQuk6EnolGu-Apheqfzv1DHWEXkTzBLmm_D8YXGi8/s1600-h/Herb+Garden+-+Leeks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPlNKjkLGDHvbUXJJyWDr72SagaB_fvnaxKgR0dbbLjSKXhiO1sqFjSrIi1JAHNM4GcBWKmdX3_9tKS66T7EhFwxT_o3IGJA6w_WblQuk6EnolGu-Apheqfzv1DHWEXkTzBLmm_D8YXGi8/s400/Herb+Garden+-+Leeks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256431274219359874" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I have a large and fairly grand plan of the vegetable garden that I'd like to have. But as it involves constructing large walls and clearing some land (& Keith has a house to finish...) it will have to wait.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1dbnhZ9tRG0Eqt3Kesaf8Y7kL4BBhZZYN5ubif2Wkg3wrqleQ8_S5k8tzOeu1OziBWstV6dnFjRmjWUX8IIYUtiKEb2j9nPF60fOumfS1MwSkbscYZ2Nb0aRLrB2OJMIxjahclANXBy9c/s1600-h/Herb+Garden+-+Preparation.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1dbnhZ9tRG0Eqt3Kesaf8Y7kL4BBhZZYN5ubif2Wkg3wrqleQ8_S5k8tzOeu1OziBWstV6dnFjRmjWUX8IIYUtiKEb2j9nPF60fOumfS1MwSkbscYZ2Nb0aRLrB2OJMIxjahclANXBy9c/s400/Herb+Garden+-+Preparation.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256431847670296978" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Making a start</span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">So a much more achievable and really useful project was finished on the weekend.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJjBTHNX4OsFTsrQsjkO7r0ENPYBgXxxMc1C36L_yjmp3pgy-YqdvR6_NLpsQAkX5b6YehR_h511AnAs1b4VJ0AiBZF0wFbYixHXmTj8awjkXstiFbwXksUhavBJQPx_IK71tSD_pbyCrG/s1600-h/Herb+Garden+-+Construction.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJjBTHNX4OsFTsrQsjkO7r0ENPYBgXxxMc1C36L_yjmp3pgy-YqdvR6_NLpsQAkX5b6YehR_h511AnAs1b4VJ0AiBZF0wFbYixHXmTj8awjkXstiFbwXksUhavBJQPx_IK71tSD_pbyCrG/s400/Herb+Garden+-+Construction.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256431255675385394" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Made from besser blocks<br /><br /></span></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiboZuGU6aNuLrf54HWWW2orfU5UzSpuqsERmwNzvjIXab7IShnkdLEQ8ixIx5HF4qWd1W6V1szJP4upk8EmgwSs-9h68MUNQefIQUUnwI7ib3wVSwb3kGVqNQ5kduWXmxfyS_pGenN9n4e/s1600-h/Herb+Garden+-+Construction+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiboZuGU6aNuLrf54HWWW2orfU5UzSpuqsERmwNzvjIXab7IShnkdLEQ8ixIx5HF4qWd1W6V1szJP4upk8EmgwSs-9h68MUNQefIQUUnwI7ib3wVSwb3kGVqNQ5kduWXmxfyS_pGenN9n4e/s400/Herb+Garden+-+Construction+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256431265388564818" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Finished with some capping</span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">It is outside the kitchen window, just a few steps from the back door, making it perfect for collecting from when cooking.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15hSaVzSEAVBPLx-VM16Bcw5wuXQwhbodHRZuMMqwY3tA1DSgIJu3mddf-twFPWxGvtMcM0gjGCN1sH-LqTp-gbVK4JsofWhXBROcnzeqjJwdzfRW7LGWySRVXq38iy3jscwSKhyphenhyphenb1D71/s1600-h/Herb+Garden+-+Construction+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15hSaVzSEAVBPLx-VM16Bcw5wuXQwhbodHRZuMMqwY3tA1DSgIJu3mddf-twFPWxGvtMcM0gjGCN1sH-LqTp-gbVK4JsofWhXBROcnzeqjJwdzfRW7LGWySRVXq38iy3jscwSKhyphenhyphenb1D71/s400/Herb+Garden+-+Construction+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256431269253766162" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Some render and gravel around the outside to finish</span></span><br /></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEO46Iz-UdzQZxY84uaXSwXmrvx8wR5h1L_h1uHsSBvPzs7V3QecAXIJEfP1oPU6C9Pu4cgPmHvxv5AT_8vW6Psx_IrztFm7AdrWMJkCrooVgRrr98Ap8V1j9UzHKGcbC8GPOrenjv9DBI/s1600-h/Herb+Garden+-+Planted.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEO46Iz-UdzQZxY84uaXSwXmrvx8wR5h1L_h1uHsSBvPzs7V3QecAXIJEfP1oPU6C9Pu4cgPmHvxv5AT_8vW6Psx_IrztFm7AdrWMJkCrooVgRrr98Ap8V1j9UzHKGcbC8GPOrenjv9DBI/s400/Herb+Garden+-+Planted.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256431857491431602" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Planted and watered</span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">There's a great <a href="http://www.blackcastleevents.com.au/growers-market/">Growers Market</a> here in Blackheath every second Sunday and we went there to get the plants. Parsley, Oregano, Sage, Rosemary, Basil, Chives, Thyme and Lemon Thyme. Plus Spinach, Leeks, Capsicum, and four varieties of Lettuce.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh749VyFcUhE-Amyn3AZnUPns6iGTTMKYfccD2Z4yLj-MDfmjGVhVHCsFtXRdt4DIor0tDU1opmDZrFIX7ZG7iEYeAxWjR0Q_dKUqM90Wr7NLZymHGPd6FhWFeoc6KNb68tFl9EfpVxajMH/s1600-h/Herb+Garden+-+Caley+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh749VyFcUhE-Amyn3AZnUPns6iGTTMKYfccD2Z4yLj-MDfmjGVhVHCsFtXRdt4DIor0tDU1opmDZrFIX7ZG7iEYeAxWjR0Q_dKUqM90Wr7NLZymHGPd6FhWFeoc6KNb68tFl9EfpVxajMH/s400/Herb+Garden+-+Caley+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256431254424579666" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Cal helped out last night, picking parsley for our pasta.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">aa</span><br /></div>Sharynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02717925699191367110noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130101612871893046.post-65077690709057930292008-10-11T09:27:00.009+11:002008-10-11T14:58:44.303+11:00Mapped Out<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">bb</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiErJADq6sHUR_Q7S5VBdH0UG9X0L_mC4dyaow6TSDu11uwPrIvZBwgqVTUXybRTyWC0_x1W40QKSsZY68XmgHxyUad0ThRJVHtOwmoLWmw1kBl1mBbD5EWFBnopPvjotUlcXzkkMwwSs7/s1600-h/Map+mosaic.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiErJADq6sHUR_Q7S5VBdH0UG9X0L_mC4dyaow6TSDu11uwPrIvZBwgqVTUXybRTyWC0_x1W40QKSsZY68XmgHxyUad0ThRJVHtOwmoLWmw1kBl1mBbD5EWFBnopPvjotUlcXzkkMwwSs7/s400/Map+mosaic.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255657629802770930" border="0" /></a><br />We tackled this job in Cal's room while the kids are away. I was a <span style="font-style: italic;">little </span>nervous, never having done any wallpapering before. There are 8 panels that you put up in the order you prefer, we chose the Asia/Australia focus. It's big - 264cm x 396cm (8ft 8in x 13ft) and covers an entire wall in his bedroom.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">It started out well, the first sheet went up without any problems but the second was a little tricky... I don't recommend having a door in the wall for your first wallpapering attempt! We kept going, hoping it would all turn out okay in the end.<br /></div><br />I'm really pleased with it, yes there are a few creases and air bubbles but the overall effect is fantastic. I can't wait for Cal to get home tomorrow and see his reaction.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">aa</span>Sharynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02717925699191367110noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130101612871893046.post-1422337207161211222008-10-07T19:33:00.030+11:002008-10-07T20:49:38.351+11:00Living with nature<div style="text-align: justify;font-family:times new roman;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >eiaa</span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >I had a little break from posting last week, our first week of school holidays and focused on spending lovely sunny days with the kids. It was relaxing and good to be outside together.</span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEAWbpZX6QnvO6KG1DPD11qIF2jqVc31vckc6E5VAsb_VH7kuaIm3uA0f5QK7c2xKojRjmuEOLD5sGFBbgbF30HRyQPs_wwSdYLEoiRVPBUeFydAiCYXsdZzrOsZmlpWojNuAECMiqkAjd/s1600-h/Nature+table.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEAWbpZX6QnvO6KG1DPD11qIF2jqVc31vckc6E5VAsb_VH7kuaIm3uA0f5QK7c2xKojRjmuEOLD5sGFBbgbF30HRyQPs_wwSdYLEoiRVPBUeFydAiCYXsdZzrOsZmlpWojNuAECMiqkAjd/s400/Nature+table.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254339230297729890" border="0" /></a></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >Yesterday my family came up from Sydney for lunch and we got to show them our new house and property. They've heard so much about it (including occasional moaning on my part...) and it was fun to be able to show them around. </span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >The weather was a bit cold but we still managed to eat outside. It's interesting times for all of us at the moment and it was really great to eat, drink and talk things over together<span style="font-size:85%;">. </span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;">(I haven't quite got the hang of the blogging way of taking photos of everything as it's happening! So no photos, must get into the habit of taking more photos)</span><br /></span></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYn2mEUcPm2eU3WQjnyWIS3RN3aDck55rtv6VtqceP_jF4U1A4g2J2S_YRxYwsIv9RIc7B2rnDsdYtf2_eWUEKqyGVt0gvUUX41NNyhKzAYwm0YX7v5iKGEHmt4Y2EIyeCn9jNVf0BBqi7/s1600-h/Nature+table+-+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYn2mEUcPm2eU3WQjnyWIS3RN3aDck55rtv6VtqceP_jF4U1A4g2J2S_YRxYwsIv9RIc7B2rnDsdYtf2_eWUEKqyGVt0gvUUX41NNyhKzAYwm0YX7v5iKGEHmt4Y2EIyeCn9jNVf0BBqi7/s400/Nature+table+-+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254339233536820274" border="0" /></a></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >Keira and Cal left with my parents to spend this week at their place. They love doing this. It's a break from the usual routine of being at home and there's always lots going on. </span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >I miss them already but am also relishing the quiet. Apparently Keith has a list of jobs he wants us to get done while they're away - argh! I am insisting on one day of sewing though!</span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwNZ1EoaMg7XtpZI8tFIOLNJuDNq7Wy3H-gDIgPwwCgMg5VYITvTBgkfnxs37U1E-WmdBDWAsHIDzqI2wu_v5mZfPzByNk-BzHRLMyvuZGrXbP6hU3D-2QbxXZhuljzu5H_iv5d4vJKv_Y/s1600-h/Nature+table+-+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwNZ1EoaMg7XtpZI8tFIOLNJuDNq7Wy3H-gDIgPwwCgMg5VYITvTBgkfnxs37U1E-WmdBDWAsHIDzqI2wu_v5mZfPzByNk-BzHRLMyvuZGrXbP6hU3D-2QbxXZhuljzu5H_iv5d4vJKv_Y/s400/Nature+table+-+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254339233728256386" border="0" /></a></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >Before the kids left, they worked on this nature table. It's a little school like, but they had fun collecting things for it and we plan to keep it as a changing display.<br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgepznpXyrBjNCpLBcTeUz6Bz-3qJXU5g8_OoAvDZne1z9IpF0GtKzSYvAUPi6BwqpCbd5fxEnHWXYNCehdvXjJTzDnhB3HmQFjR-L3XNWtNnzcUHZdPPb33kRWXLP98YbvJhzMwmQ2Saol/s1600-h/kingfisher.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgepznpXyrBjNCpLBcTeUz6Bz-3qJXU5g8_OoAvDZne1z9IpF0GtKzSYvAUPi6BwqpCbd5fxEnHWXYNCehdvXjJTzDnhB3HmQFjR-L3XNWtNnzcUHZdPPb33kRWXLP98YbvJhzMwmQ2Saol/s400/kingfisher.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254339232555577890" border="0" /></a></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >Also spotted hanging out at our place recently, was this beautiful blue kingfisher. <a href="http://www.bluemountainsmary.blogspot.com/">Mary</a>, you need to come and get a good photo of him!</span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >qq</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div>Sharynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02717925699191367110noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130101612871893046.post-54027360211840462008-09-25T08:15:00.008+10:002008-09-25T08:45:03.773+10:00Colorstrology - huh?<div align="center"><div align="justify"><span><span><span style="color:#ffffff;">aa</span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOKWzvsdLNTGhh9hiWgrbPZaMW2YsJMAVK8bbpDWoeV-dqumpEZMTDaVkFtBrgFqHSu59OqWn2C-kfQLNR9Ze-6oVfDZZmgAwOFuNpxEDmU4VN6ruEk6XdQDVhpw4fQ2ia7jcmIMtmgUrv/s1600-h/pantone+colour.jpg"><br /></a>I've just discovered that my personal colour is Pantone's <i>Amberlight</i>. (I got here in a very round about way, via <a href="http://howaboutorange.blogspot.com/2008/09/what-color-are-you.html">How About Orange</a>).<br /><br /><div align="center"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOKWzvsdLNTGhh9hiWgrbPZaMW2YsJMAVK8bbpDWoeV-dqumpEZMTDaVkFtBrgFqHSu59OqWn2C-kfQLNR9Ze-6oVfDZZmgAwOFuNpxEDmU4VN6ruEk6XdQDVhpw4fQ2ia7jcmIMtmgUrv/s400/pantone+colour.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249721334948788290" /></div><br />Apparently it means that I am dramatic, creative and sensitive. Okay, what else? <br /><br />"You are enormously creative and inspiring to watch and be around. You have your own way of thinking and doing things. You come across as self-assured and powerful. You tend to have a strong point of view, so it is important to cultivate flexibility and ease when dealing with others. Your personal colour blends greatness with humility."<br /><br />Keith got pretty vocal when I read out the bit about having strong views and needing to be flexible, don't know why . . . any family members out there reading this might agree, I guess . . .<br /><br />You can go to <a href="http://www.colorstrology.com/colorstrology_sniffer.html">Colorstrology</a> and find your birthday's colour, if like me, you are putting off cleaning up after breakfast, doing some laundry, stripping beds, painting ceilings, etc. etc.<br /><br /><span><span><span style="color:#ffffff;">aa</span></span></span><br /></div></div>Sharynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02717925699191367110noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130101612871893046.post-45086772363463895362008-09-23T19:23:00.011+10:002008-09-23T20:29:01.822+10:00Quite a surprise<span><span style="color:#ffffff;">aa</span></span><br /><div align="center"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh4TaifaWcbQ3LFOSEZS-QD9KiPIBDsCMufaWk1gOmhxNl-UzApa2dQai2PTvT7Sm9pn_i6eE8LErQSCTH6tdFOknK2XGrNYZfnz88QOvD3cWjQ1OrZoa6d7UpIqo_o9Zp-R12Z3BXXJ65/s400/waratah+-+6.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249153429887334578" /></div><br /><div align="justify">Well, it was quite a weekend. After months and months of keeping a secret it was finally time to party! <br /></div><br /><div align="center"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs9Qctti9mZmsg66TMlu45N_o9_LnPaX1BYV5huk5Row4ctmopLJe3a-lKjTg22yf5Ri6Z8_VJWoezB9AzH24mvYsnHF2KRpIMHy5zkLKXQYpn9i-JuQoBlLMBiEqCzamGzMomQO-veYBF/s400/waratah+-+5.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249153241291447650" /></div><br /><div align="justify">Despite it not being a complete surprise at the end, I'm sure <a href="http://bluemountainsmary.blogspot.com/">Mary</a> was pretty blown away by the crowd of friends and family who were waiting for her at the lovely Paragon Cafe in Katoomba on Saturday night.<br /></div><br /><div align="center"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIAexyOVuK2xUci02Hst4Lt4BnXjX9ocARrIRGBf5Cx_DR6bFfePVMHaFlitFzRUvfwQ8qh8U0Ng89z3E1qYnXtg_3NsfYmGR5lAYg6-clks4VeEm7N9BlTQHo5Iri62N1vhuEJc54Y5kv/s400/waratah+-+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249153218077207554" /></div><br /><div align="justify">Of course I also got a surprise when Mary introduced me to two of my favourite bloggers - <a href="http://easternmax.blogspot.com/">M</a> and <a href="http://www.fairliearoundthetraps.blogspot.com/">Fairlie</a>. This was the first time that I have met any blog friends and it was quite strange that we knew so much about each others lives despite having not met in 'real' life before. <a href="http://fairliearoundthetraps.blogspot.com/2008/09/big-bang-at-end-of-universe.html">Fairlie's</a> recent post about the weekend really describes this colliding of two worlds beautifully.<br /></div><br /><div align="center"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjqOkbfjbWwDoRbdd27K4GZ07Cxzr-WlX-dH-mugxO9wJ0ShOfObZgYrAN4JeiKm9NeABUrLI6T37zyY22rkxKYWMm-k-3Jn_bcCWpmPY81sqOAi3CfxNQ-vWuuQSqfQi3uc0-0Sjl3Wrp/s400/waratah+-+3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249153228737343970" /></div><br /><div align="justify">The whole weekend really made me think about blogging and what my blog means to me. I think of my blog as a journal of my family's day to day activities and try to have a craft/creating focus. But of course it is so much more than that when you start connecting with the large, lovely community out there!<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1LnndYFUKMhOxm4-VQAG8qNO3XcKbGC4vOC3Sj7EYRqg-1b64cFUkbFb7qTmXomi-QoKbkTQIT-dqkLiz1Qowsi4BjZaJpswmgj4FTc_Ace_D8tcAg9dRh7y0msFcf2ZvODimVqPqDM7S/s400/waratah+-+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249153229168803570" /></div><br /><div align="justify">This is particularly highlighted every time you read a post that describes struggle, loss, frustration, love, etc. and see the response the blog world has. It blows you away the connections forged around the world over shared responses, how we all relate to each other. These connections and emotional responses are real. They have a real impact on people's lives.<br /></div><br /><div align="center"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixFoPg-1-b_3LpZwVrpmwVC-I2r1loQboRSL_4w6Fc-ulOzzfNLump6xLhU8H641yu7klVOOIHw2ndncAeUiuXQr5gYmqTTG1ITSdDHfVQpiGPG7hIdRPxgh1UZRlA_Bc4zdOZ55CtZJpf/s400/waratah+-+4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249153234241468802" /></div><br /><div align="justify">But the main thing that I keep coming back to is how often I smile and laugh when reading other blogs. Often I can't believe how much time has passed by, as I travel from one blog to the next following some thread. Often I think it's sucking up too much of my time, but I've never failed to be inspired and energised from these journeys. <br /><br />So thank you blog friends, it's great to be a part of this world.<i><br /><br /></i><br /><i>(Walking around the house today I suddenly noticed waratahs in various stages of flowering everywhere.)</i><i><br /></i><br /><br /><span><span style="color:#ffffff;">sss</span></span><br /></div>Sharynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02717925699191367110noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130101612871893046.post-3662821519906417652008-09-15T13:45:00.003+10:002008-09-15T13:54:19.869+10:00Working on<div align="center"><div align="left"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGq7ze5fuDi4G4r7KejHyMIw4nkAypTIEpsGLNrLcgAInVEixE9mX9WGKdXlJcmC5fkSzvENmUA6unWsbkj2rBm3mJ0R071b69Ne-22UfreZy0-1_Jck2PgSwS7ugJKVrkKsZFI2u-6LlJ/s1600-h/mural+design.jpg"><span><span style="color:#ffffff;">aa</span></span><br /><div align="center"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGq7ze5fuDi4G4r7KejHyMIw4nkAypTIEpsGLNrLcgAInVEixE9mX9WGKdXlJcmC5fkSzvENmUA6unWsbkj2rBm3mJ0R071b69Ne-22UfreZy0-1_Jck2PgSwS7ugJKVrkKsZFI2u-6LlJ/s400/mural+design.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246090324178811666" /></div></a><br /><br />A mural for a wall in the school playground.<br /><br /><span><i><span style="font-size:85%;">(Need a clearer, larger photo . . . will update later when I add colour to the layout)</span></i></span><br /><br /><span><span style="color:#ffffff;">aa</span></span><br /><br /></div></div>Sharynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02717925699191367110noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130101612871893046.post-71176663186237053982008-09-11T16:45:00.006+10:002008-09-11T17:15:53.139+10:00Birthday sewing #2 (& cute visitors)<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">dd</span><br />Also whipped up <span style="font-style: italic;">just </span>in time for Keira's birthday was this bag from Amy's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bend-Rules-Sewing-Essential-Guide/dp/0307347214/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1221115618&sr=8-1">Bend the Rules Sewing</a>. I've had this book a while now and this is the first thing I've made. Just like the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sublime-Stitching-Hundreds-Embroidery-How/dp/0811850110/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1221115730&sr=1-2">Sublime Stitching</a> book which I bought at the same time and have only now used the alphabet stencils.<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyxe0-Ic4ZWGYCTVFo9kpV0cwwK9-_dIaF-LBcI8q8ptBrsKXCsSerjY8FfgH3-t0Z0EzOMiiOtCuOXR7CF37iE430Ox9LwktHTccxCdl8eFSX19dpOW8ABnE0OGKF3J_L1tivr1b4pTb0/s1600-h/Keira's+bird+bag.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyxe0-Ic4ZWGYCTVFo9kpV0cwwK9-_dIaF-LBcI8q8ptBrsKXCsSerjY8FfgH3-t0Z0EzOMiiOtCuOXR7CF37iE430Ox9LwktHTccxCdl8eFSX19dpOW8ABnE0OGKF3J_L1tivr1b4pTb0/s400/Keira's+bird+bag.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244652775935454498" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">It's really cute the way the long handle slips through the smaller one and closes up the bag. I added an inch to each handle (they seemed too short to me) and it fits Keira fine now but I may add to the longer one in the future.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwGipcNoWV9F7K-2LXe6U5kP0BfyLYeNXYXea05ARXXXa6CgfMcoTzA-72KI0Iwt6y6OBCqygCs1G-n37dXRHijInsJuMLLBo6JbWAPa0LvXccgP3sX3uEoJuK1k_E-OlXpfxHAbFMSrf7/s1600-h/Keira's+bird+bag+-+Inside.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwGipcNoWV9F7K-2LXe6U5kP0BfyLYeNXYXea05ARXXXa6CgfMcoTzA-72KI0Iwt6y6OBCqygCs1G-n37dXRHijInsJuMLLBo6JbWAPa0LvXccgP3sX3uEoJuK1k_E-OlXpfxHAbFMSrf7/s400/Keira's+bird+bag+-+Inside.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244652775395311762" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Inside I added an embroidery that Keira had made of a drawing she did when quite young. It was just hanging around in the sewing box and I thought she might like to see it when she looks inside the bag. It's such a happy little figure and makes me smile when I see it<br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_rkVUOze_7oHE_AG7U7F2vyh4qXYUc8yZqE8Alry15OVI32Nebf0Su-gHMIvKkvPZ5WiwUktv89Su9oG7S38XG1B9T0_0OkZsk70VsCabP5Q93coH7GRvQYNfsxTUxoizjTvY2_xHU5tg/s1600-h/Keira's+bird+bag+-+Inside+Pocket.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_rkVUOze_7oHE_AG7U7F2vyh4qXYUc8yZqE8Alry15OVI32Nebf0Su-gHMIvKkvPZ5WiwUktv89Su9oG7S38XG1B9T0_0OkZsk70VsCabP5Q93coH7GRvQYNfsxTUxoizjTvY2_xHU5tg/s400/Keira's+bird+bag+-+Inside+Pocket.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244652780539409042" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">And of course there's always a pocket inside too. This one with her name like on the <a href="http://prettyessential.blogspot.com/2008/09/birthday-sewing.html">pencil wrap</a>. I seem to be adding names to everything at the moment.<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">This morning we woke up to two very excited children because we had visitors - very close to the house visitors and one of them has a baby! (Not a great photo through the window, didn't want to disturb them or draw the dog's attention to them!) If you look closely you can see a little head poking out. Gorgeous!<br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYr_xPCL9bZCN7gTtmJtKxwVFuXwDpXT0G4D6y9fH-qUCHffCVJ63FS-xCgIk9ork0qL3s5iK3uKM3xthgjHJxcM8eOkmsNum8W4uAp1ETKWa28xq8eMIi4eMX5de_j8grWXRbLW91oq7V/s1600-h/Wallabies.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYr_xPCL9bZCN7gTtmJtKxwVFuXwDpXT0G4D6y9fH-qUCHffCVJ63FS-xCgIk9ork0qL3s5iK3uKM3xthgjHJxcM8eOkmsNum8W4uAp1ETKWa28xq8eMIi4eMX5de_j8grWXRbLW91oq7V/s400/Wallabies.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244652785690577970" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">hh</span>Sharynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02717925699191367110noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130101612871893046.post-50761851710610800912008-09-09T16:17:00.008+10:002008-09-09T16:40:01.191+10:00Birthday sewing<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">ddd</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKkfMMBqGJ7nVN4nokn9FvPAiFVi3IPKikXMTCUsZtDjK-N-eoTNXhsb56hDP4u3DtwFk_49PkG8EEE7-knIwYkrk-9hqBt1JZCJ9Akb_Xdz4L4yHXNd5Q9o4pHq_vIh74Hxaf32W73jYb/s1600-h/Pencil+Roll+-+top+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKkfMMBqGJ7nVN4nokn9FvPAiFVi3IPKikXMTCUsZtDjK-N-eoTNXhsb56hDP4u3DtwFk_49PkG8EEE7-knIwYkrk-9hqBt1JZCJ9Akb_Xdz4L4yHXNd5Q9o4pHq_vIh74Hxaf32W73jYb/s400/Pencil+Roll+-+top+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243906354915240130" border="0" /></a><br />I've managed to set up my sewing machine in the corner of Keith's office (my room won't be ready for a while) and have done a bit of sewing for Keira's birthday. I really enjoyed making her a pencil roll (from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Last-Minute-Patchwork-Quilted-Joelle-Hoverson/dp/1584796340/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1220941265&sr=1-1">this</a> book).<br /><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrw-diLk1SZnrrEuyEKOkavixsakNWx9JmMhxeNKD9QlJar5_FTFyq4HmdNbi9OVAgqmgGfFCPfdRfv4G7ZwYF8gH2nceOInctNTVhX9vFxLjZf4fwayNh7FqoiWt6AMU_UFnWIRzrUGZK/s1600-h/Pencil+Roll+-+open.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrw-diLk1SZnrrEuyEKOkavixsakNWx9JmMhxeNKD9QlJar5_FTFyq4HmdNbi9OVAgqmgGfFCPfdRfv4G7ZwYF8gH2nceOInctNTVhX9vFxLjZf4fwayNh7FqoiWt6AMU_UFnWIRzrUGZK/s400/Pencil+Roll+-+open.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243906359642988258" border="0" /></a><br />Going through my stash of fabrics and matching them up to the pencils was good fun. (I'll even admit to selecting the pencils with the nicest colours!)<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilPZJ5-3NRaQQZaZ-Fzx8Pq-AmWLXpHtaDO9WyozNFYs75NQZQ8km8DcCoiYmhvzRl0Ed-X0PsuUiFla28pup13S8VWLEU0BfAcGpbHTazoqsfGZbnUlbBY6EuqlTfGzOkNA4gKzellZji/s1600-h/Pencil+Roll.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilPZJ5-3NRaQQZaZ-Fzx8Pq-AmWLXpHtaDO9WyozNFYs75NQZQ8km8DcCoiYmhvzRl0Ed-X0PsuUiFla28pup13S8VWLEU0BfAcGpbHTazoqsfGZbnUlbBY6EuqlTfGzOkNA4gKzellZji/s400/Pencil+Roll.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243902673395319986" border="0" /></a><br />I embroidered her name in running stitch on the outside.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsgRtfzwIxyoHHmmxGWDTLt5sGYeGa_tCreLQeG1nQiw6Wk6Q3KogzHIv9umTx7NhnKIlDycwcOacfbVFBMw8C7cO6DkPSqvQpL0imoh8ubYJBv7rvS-kWHvoNITYs_34INXDG9p3Bq1VK/s1600-h/Pencil+Roll+-+embroidery.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsgRtfzwIxyoHHmmxGWDTLt5sGYeGa_tCreLQeG1nQiw6Wk6Q3KogzHIv9umTx7NhnKIlDycwcOacfbVFBMw8C7cO6DkPSqvQpL0imoh8ubYJBv7rvS-kWHvoNITYs_34INXDG9p3Bq1VK/s400/Pencil+Roll+-+embroidery.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243902668934780770" border="0" /></a><br />I'll definitely be making more of these.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">sss</span>Sharynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02717925699191367110noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130101612871893046.post-88929619035986024812008-09-06T21:03:00.009+10:002008-09-06T22:08:51.536+10:00A very wet Saturday<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />Our spring weather lasted 2 days before the rain and cold set in again. I think this happens every year but I always get excited that the cold is over and then have to go through a bit more winter before spring weather becomes the norm.<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />We used this wet weather day to work inside and started the day by painting this wall in the kitchen. It's a colour that <a href="http://www.porterspaints.com.au/">Porters</a> calls <span style="font-style: italic;">White Clay</span>, but the guy who mixed it at the store (a friend of Keiths) nicknamed it <span style="font-style: italic;">Sick Camel</span> and it seems that it will only be known by this name now. . .<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg52CGiSnAk0eI8xiSlAPwGdHwEXg0qHBaDpjOEyrG4tgroOko3lX81zV8rKIgEiluTtX2CTqM905c3dxZQBfA14BMhy2X2hQ2a37lVFUnL5BLIfMglGWSUxdAgyw3pvrGhdPg7f52h3zt-/s1600-h/Kitchen.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg52CGiSnAk0eI8xiSlAPwGdHwEXg0qHBaDpjOEyrG4tgroOko3lX81zV8rKIgEiluTtX2CTqM905c3dxZQBfA14BMhy2X2hQ2a37lVFUnL5BLIfMglGWSUxdAgyw3pvrGhdPg7f52h3zt-/s400/Kitchen.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242873851153022514" border="0" /></a><br />I also finished this <a href="http://prettyessential.blogspot.com/2007/07/i-finally-got-hang-of-it.html">rug</a> that was started a long time ago in a slightly different way. When I didn't have any wool and was looking for something to do one night, I found the squares I'd started and undid them, then started again making a giant granny square.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvVR_aOD126ZtzR4H71T910eYZMsN5ul4j0qF4-ER4c1ugYG9ZLQTZ6XCx6e3f7jp9ieP4OyMFp7MYtFWiOrrcUE7-RwV0SOpicmjbdGnCSilJB6-gtDvZzldzKUmPBsI-T_lDJOPPckxP/s1600-h/green+crotchet+rug.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvVR_aOD126ZtzR4H71T910eYZMsN5ul4j0qF4-ER4c1ugYG9ZLQTZ6XCx6e3f7jp9ieP4OyMFp7MYtFWiOrrcUE7-RwV0SOpicmjbdGnCSilJB6-gtDvZzldzKUmPBsI-T_lDJOPPckxP/s400/green+crotchet+rug.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242867113032695826" border="0" /></a><br />I like the way it turned out, particularly the wide border and of course am feeling very pleased with myself for getting it finished quite quickly!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Keira's birthday is on Monday but the celebrating starts tomorrow so this Lemon Cake was made and decorated with her name. It's a bit bright for my liking but she loves it.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj55DeTTiQM4pSYo_O69WMrL_B4_JxSlpKoSR0-opKEQLbhkpIADmutpLsqt3l-pjORdamJANbiPjc5AV2BagaIDImCCEAP4oTZRUw4G895DtJ3kqG0bHxlOo7DwibS6qgojDhK1kspOc6C/s1600-h/Cake+-+Keira.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj55DeTTiQM4pSYo_O69WMrL_B4_JxSlpKoSR0-opKEQLbhkpIADmutpLsqt3l-pjORdamJANbiPjc5AV2BagaIDImCCEAP4oTZRUw4G895DtJ3kqG0bHxlOo7DwibS6qgojDhK1kspOc6C/s400/Cake+-+Keira.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242867117063129010" border="0" /></a><br />The kids amused themselves with some cardboard that came home from Ikea, first Keira started with a K for herself.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAaKMVskB5xfRN_BpiFYUlV3qGzYErxISwHoReWwmsy5vNJrnM5qthZGFRGfj3C4j5VRuJFqGroKlQ-jrARhM_8_LYifr-JWc2H-IEYiVCTAp4CbTFQ_MY0arUOn2_fwNIUbUJk6zI8H7p/s1600-h/Keira+-+K.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAaKMVskB5xfRN_BpiFYUlV3qGzYErxISwHoReWwmsy5vNJrnM5qthZGFRGfj3C4j5VRuJFqGroKlQ-jrARhM_8_LYifr-JWc2H-IEYiVCTAp4CbTFQ_MY0arUOn2_fwNIUbUJk6zI8H7p/s400/Keira+-+K.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242873851335678546" border="0" /></a><br />Then Caley had a go and made a D for Dad in honour of Fathers Day tomorrow.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiss2pwxhhp1vnHY2vIZRbLH-7RBVTbKtdxZERUQ5MZt4OMtAkRlwxC4yn-SL3L96bYmvTN-P7kmMK0gFkBgzPJoD0I5q10TDhYFZ9DEDmM9g4gHA_KyUx5BXpfJB5gzglyPLFNApYLduKb/s1600-h/Caley's+D.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiss2pwxhhp1vnHY2vIZRbLH-7RBVTbKtdxZERUQ5MZt4OMtAkRlwxC4yn-SL3L96bYmvTN-P7kmMK0gFkBgzPJoD0I5q10TDhYFZ9DEDmM9g4gHA_KyUx5BXpfJB5gzglyPLFNApYLduKb/s400/Caley's+D.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242873848539887058" border="0" /></a><br />A good day. Enjoy your weekend!Sharynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02717925699191367110noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130101612871893046.post-24542640835333525332008-09-02T20:39:00.011+10:002008-09-02T21:07:10.463+10:00Playing outside<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUGbhDYhD3u7IXfLIvrQYkDQGvVUW9nY9M0rCZwzQkyKDzs_d3TFH-K2t-cv1wQgHJShCRnqDcdP7q8jDS8IOlfzzTyBYlJwiSO0G9W6OkchLUB2AD2O_hPstwXAhxTAUNrwNksK0vBIY6/s1600-h/Preparing+for+grass.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUGbhDYhD3u7IXfLIvrQYkDQGvVUW9nY9M0rCZwzQkyKDzs_d3TFH-K2t-cv1wQgHJShCRnqDcdP7q8jDS8IOlfzzTyBYlJwiSO0G9W6OkchLUB2AD2O_hPstwXAhxTAUNrwNksK0vBIY6/s400/Preparing+for+grass.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241372199378971586" border="0" /></a>This was the first load of soil delivered this morning. We're very keen to get a patch of grass growing at the back of the house and hopefully cut down on some of the red dirt that is walked inside constantly.<br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />When I came outside to take a photo, Keith ran over and stuck his spade in the dirt. Which made me laugh because he actually used this to spread it around.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJvzdly_1gLuzU9BJuL-0Ob_t_GAMa8gnZTfrQtOZQQV3jgDfawsgC6D0Lj9LNxDY6Pb-CfCZ2adX22UHUJaYfHPIrCaL7UJvGc4PpJU4x-WDaNDlMifR9kYmANav4U3zE9n-BF88tnFRS/s1600-h/Digger.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJvzdly_1gLuzU9BJuL-0Ob_t_GAMa8gnZTfrQtOZQQV3jgDfawsgC6D0Lj9LNxDY6Pb-CfCZ2adX22UHUJaYfHPIrCaL7UJvGc4PpJU4x-WDaNDlMifR9kYmANav4U3zE9n-BF88tnFRS/s400/Digger.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241376827396643570" border="0" /></a>So I refuse to call it work, as this is by far his favourite toy!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzl3eVLzKOVEWbsRcvNyS4s2d_pYbOhHOuLj0M9WwIwcfurK5-cBr88EKZlcPcZT4KDeXRGeyw0e2NlsHJMltorbInLouVZSTBjqpErJAMokNv7C-lWtmsL-jmw20uQ5DeUuzlmvVpZQ1l/s1600-h/Cutting+out+bird+bag.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzl3eVLzKOVEWbsRcvNyS4s2d_pYbOhHOuLj0M9WwIwcfurK5-cBr88EKZlcPcZT4KDeXRGeyw0e2NlsHJMltorbInLouVZSTBjqpErJAMokNv7C-lWtmsL-jmw20uQ5DeUuzlmvVpZQ1l/s400/Cutting+out+bird+bag.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241372193698619138" border="0" /></a><br />This is what my work looked like today, so I guess I can't complain either.<br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><br /></div>Sharynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02717925699191367110noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130101612871893046.post-56621258647759366222008-09-01T19:42:00.009+10:002008-09-01T20:18:32.322+10:00Knock, knock, who's there?<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJeYHXIcJfUiAm9_tZhnIqsR89T-I80WONMl1C1Z828Ii_9wkzb7crpXHjjR_2ubAsaMjjZISYZPWHKg6xVwaf33KifgvBI2LNMUqf5li0JgCPwR62d0u2W8fSaV-1qD7gPAA4N3YzEkdH/s1600-h/Door+Knocker.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJeYHXIcJfUiAm9_tZhnIqsR89T-I80WONMl1C1Z828Ii_9wkzb7crpXHjjR_2ubAsaMjjZISYZPWHKg6xVwaf33KifgvBI2LNMUqf5li0JgCPwR62d0u2W8fSaV-1qD7gPAA4N3YzEkdH/s400/Door+Knocker.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240986445275838882" border="0" /></a><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:100%;">So, it looks like I've completely missed August . . .<br /><br />Oh well, I do plan to record a bit more of what's happening around here. There's a lot going on in our lives at the moment and finding time to take pictures and jot down a few thoughts has been a bit tough. But I'm disappointed when I look back at this journal and see how little I've recorded so I've set myself a challenge to make more of an effort.<br /><br />It seems like a good time for a new start, the first day of Spring and all. I have been looking forward to this season with a longing unlike anything I can ever remember before and today really delivered! A beautiful warm day that allowed for the house to be opened up and gave me a much needed energy boost.<br /><br />We put this door knocker on the front door yesterday and it feels like this is a home now instead of a building site! </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />I finished Keira's </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >Big Round</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> rug a little while back and it's been busy keeping her warm in bed ever since.<br /></span></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkpxTykEZwEfsuQVA3OIBXcDuqLS1-4TlPyEOosmqqfsgUApgeO_oK4bSboV6qiUTl4fG6m5PlQp1cwkqcSWcxm9ajZZwDQZRn3GnzSK24uRY1LFdkOiVJkbBkvkfhHaFga3-Irfl-OzUT/s1600-h/crochet+-+Big+Round+on+Keira%27s+bed.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkpxTykEZwEfsuQVA3OIBXcDuqLS1-4TlPyEOosmqqfsgUApgeO_oK4bSboV6qiUTl4fG6m5PlQp1cwkqcSWcxm9ajZZwDQZRn3GnzSK24uRY1LFdkOiVJkbBkvkfhHaFga3-Irfl-OzUT/s400/crochet+-+Big+Round+on+Keira%27s+bed.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240986444194204162" border="0" /></a><br />This is the border that I added after sewing the blocks together.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAqr9xZVXrATZQRge8KGqmRMy21yOaOqtoOAyibXeh9OhImltX8vcxuJ_ZgEqWinkQofN4xzuR8Ju73NFIysmvj-76ZLC0F6jdvQVTguGsjl2QB3waZFpEzCdduEA6xU-XYxLjKXHn8BAk/s1600-h/crochet+-+Big+Round+border.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAqr9xZVXrATZQRge8KGqmRMy21yOaOqtoOAyibXeh9OhImltX8vcxuJ_ZgEqWinkQofN4xzuR8Ju73NFIysmvj-76ZLC0F6jdvQVTguGsjl2QB3waZFpEzCdduEA6xU-XYxLjKXHn8BAk/s400/crochet+-+Big+Round+border.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240986445382016466" border="0" /></a><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >Happy Spring!</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></div>Sharynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02717925699191367110noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130101612871893046.post-3369476064257877512008-07-24T15:04:00.016+10:002008-07-24T15:38:36.370+10:00How happy does she look?<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">dddd</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDhDNuRb3j5UHhQPthchzZbLWTNW27q2HK8Lp4rHRdxpnXh7frbf7b530HOunZjolhfoQKSXZb-s3R3-p7fWqSHAfk-9iO04BRnoV5hdZj4qT8MciZIfiMqDLuq1492ejETV0CVWPBabSj/s1600-h/Keira+and+pony.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDhDNuRb3j5UHhQPthchzZbLWTNW27q2HK8Lp4rHRdxpnXh7frbf7b530HOunZjolhfoQKSXZb-s3R3-p7fWqSHAfk-9iO04BRnoV5hdZj4qT8MciZIfiMqDLuq1492ejETV0CVWPBabSj/s400/Keira+and+pony.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226443482381288850" border="0" /></a><br />Where we live is a pretty small town. It doesn't seem to take too long to meet people around the place. (So far this has been a good thing!)<br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />We've noticed a woman walking two miniature horses along the street we live on a few times since we moved here and every time we passed these tiny horses, Keira would come up with elaborate schemes for how she could get to meet them. I'd have to drive <span style="font-style: italic;">very slowly</span> pass them so she could have a good look, the poor woman probably thought she was being stalked!<br /><br />Then one day a man came to work on the house, got talking to Keith, and sure enough it's his wife who owns the horses. So of course they said Keira could come and meet them and walk them back to their house where they sleep each night.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUz-TZUPaaUsxTlgjl5-WFT0DF6JfF-KSD_dbaTZTThb6owExlbPgxw5asVKBQM65w_2vaqtCBdfbLf00VDRHUcyYvq5hqsarV5qoJSprgQhn_6Usl7LuGZHadY6cWrCvP-wACr5AHwTGk/s1600-h/Keira+and+pony+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUz-TZUPaaUsxTlgjl5-WFT0DF6JfF-KSD_dbaTZTThb6owExlbPgxw5asVKBQM65w_2vaqtCBdfbLf00VDRHUcyYvq5hqsarV5qoJSprgQhn_6Usl7LuGZHadY6cWrCvP-wACr5AHwTGk/s400/Keira+and+pony+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226449296150981074" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Keira is a typical 9 year old girl who is keen on horses. A close friend of hers has a pony that she keeps nearby and the two of them hang out on the weekends there, riding and looking after 'Dexter'. This arrangement suits us fine as the last thing we want right now is the responsibility of a horse to look after!<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN6Jl1HHtmQ4NkrGwLfbPJCQu6gfYtoK0Bz5PlmdA-Ha9JEbXhSgNfBbQOsJv_ibs3d26CsEuyg0IBQjK_dED8688V-TvqYHQnxTQBN4oRBEPAKKBUZ84wpt1s_NNiQKs5R1u4Ngi9Seed/s1600-h/Keira+and+pony+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN6Jl1HHtmQ4NkrGwLfbPJCQu6gfYtoK0Bz5PlmdA-Ha9JEbXhSgNfBbQOsJv_ibs3d26CsEuyg0IBQjK_dED8688V-TvqYHQnxTQBN4oRBEPAKKBUZ84wpt1s_NNiQKs5R1u4Ngi9Seed/s400/Keira+and+pony+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226443488969518994" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I love these photos. Keira just looks so happy! The last one is obviously way too dark, but I included it because I like the feel of it. It's gone dusk, and they're headed home for the night . . .<br /></div></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxHwp6_xg-jvJloM0cRpp9PWvFvZfbrOu5T4hl1leBldI08J1_hw4kWvgaqFmO8kuDFiNf1OfISC_vl1l3l6L0gpJJS4dBQ7kWAiv99WKHUtmKy8QoqOwXxsOHAA4Y9lfM407XaFJYKYJ/s1600-h/Keira+and+pony+4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxHwp6_xg-jvJloM0cRpp9PWvFvZfbrOu5T4hl1leBldI08J1_hw4kWvgaqFmO8kuDFiNf1OfISC_vl1l3l6L0gpJJS4dBQ7kWAiv99WKHUtmKy8QoqOwXxsOHAA4Y9lfM407XaFJYKYJ/s400/Keira+and+pony+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226443494378965458" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">ddd</span>Sharynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02717925699191367110noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130101612871893046.post-84582060746959344822008-07-21T14:36:00.008+10:002008-07-21T19:18:16.586+10:00Back to School<div style="text-align: justify;">After three weeks of school holidays, it was a very quiet morning tea time here today. It's been really great to have had Keira and Caley around while Keith and I continue to work on getting the rest of the house habitable. We had given ourselves the deadline of these holidays to try to have the children's bedrooms ready, well we haven't made it. We're waiting on the Electrician, he's now supposed to be here on Wednesday . . .<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVMuUuaxFQBcWgsGg7tcAQO63cqtnx18NBKAzEoxo10f189E4IBa01AaszyyBLLEiql69ujaNkOGhZff8yIZtakKmmu2AHR9SHu88OhQ2YUwPpM_OaSO2OdSW-bGWifN2jGKsct-0zBZKg/s1600-h/Staircase+2.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVMuUuaxFQBcWgsGg7tcAQO63cqtnx18NBKAzEoxo10f189E4IBa01AaszyyBLLEiql69ujaNkOGhZff8yIZtakKmmu2AHR9SHu88OhQ2YUwPpM_OaSO2OdSW-bGWifN2jGKsct-0zBZKg/s400/Staircase+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225324281501721410" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">We take heart by looking at how far we've come, and for me the fun part of playing around decorating the rooms is just around the corner. Time to get that folder of ideas out and get inspired to keep working.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA3vI-M6ywWzMM4kVy7YO91fRf_uEcwZpcM7OZr_jmh987eOJazBo27FZWbaYYdaaGVbOWZqDh3vP4z1WLn7fhbNGc8Yvr1OO55XPkYdVE6_epjfy8gdPwOZQYVqRITbzjd7xTdeRpH8By/s1600-h/Staircase+1.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA3vI-M6ywWzMM4kVy7YO91fRf_uEcwZpcM7OZr_jmh987eOJazBo27FZWbaYYdaaGVbOWZqDh3vP4z1WLn7fhbNGc8Yvr1OO55XPkYdVE6_epjfy8gdPwOZQYVqRITbzjd7xTdeRpH8By/s400/Staircase+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225324278470434834" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Today's job - working on the staircase. Oiling treads and painting balustrades. All 47 of them!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieG9Dl_p-uvf3Z4Ih09esYJWcBw6Fq_o0xRkjHJS07-VTX83gsXWL6f-3eN7BvgbaGJDTQztToQyKj2RjkElyKRcosDLNmNZQz4LX6LUI8cq5N_pnwCig9kGRYLvTGbELVmFsbymWrR_aM/s1600-h/Staircase+3.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieG9Dl_p-uvf3Z4Ih09esYJWcBw6Fq_o0xRkjHJS07-VTX83gsXWL6f-3eN7BvgbaGJDTQztToQyKj2RjkElyKRcosDLNmNZQz4LX6LUI8cq5N_pnwCig9kGRYLvTGbELVmFsbymWrR_aM/s400/Staircase+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225324285531339842" border="0" /></a><br /></div><span><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify; font-style: italic;"><span>(ps. I did manage to take the kids on a few outings these holidays and I'm sure they've enjoyed the break - I wouldn't want it to sound too much like boot camp around here!)</span><br /><br /></div>Sharynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02717925699191367110noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130101612871893046.post-4327077475046362152008-07-17T19:04:00.006+10:002008-07-17T19:36:29.424+10:00They're ready<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvAWzwCr9yAR-4eH4OAgWzsBOCQBoo1uvdHCaS0JC-66ue1y89Otm1fRdy3Inbumbhvxk2cLw0KAl1YcTl7UwtyaBivex_IeKIx47NSMEITy7XKvc0MVtSSUPp2fWWHH9WSza4S9zmEyGn/s1600-h/crochet+-+Big+Round+finished+squares+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvAWzwCr9yAR-4eH4OAgWzsBOCQBoo1uvdHCaS0JC-66ue1y89Otm1fRdy3Inbumbhvxk2cLw0KAl1YcTl7UwtyaBivex_IeKIx47NSMEITy7XKvc0MVtSSUPp2fWWHH9WSza4S9zmEyGn/s400/crochet+-+Big+Round+finished+squares+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223909465443323154" border="0" /></a><br />All 64 squares are finished (including threading the ends in!) and are ready to be sewn together. I think I'll try out the different methods for joining the squares and see which effect I like the best. I also plan to crochet a border around the outside of the rug, using up the left over yarn, not that there's much of that really. I'm quite surprised by how much yarn a rug takes! But hopefully it will be with us for a long time and I know Keira is looking forward to snuggling up with it.<br /><br />This will be my first finished crothet project and I'm feeling quite proud of myself for getting this far!<br /><br />Also, I came home from visiting a good <a href="http://www.bluemountainsmary.blogspot.com/">friend</a> today with a little gift.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYtWc_48XFa3a1O-58TCn8_BfQbLk9FcqveZd79n4lMaWrfpYsn2AP4a9NMj1s-PHxDENFCCiaYDz5lIx8sVFG2d5nnwlqgyhZCbugZZ2au_qT9ih7rPrcsljQDj5T2A1WMdOWONUGmmHy/s1600-h/Mary's+green+scarf.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYtWc_48XFa3a1O-58TCn8_BfQbLk9FcqveZd79n4lMaWrfpYsn2AP4a9NMj1s-PHxDENFCCiaYDz5lIx8sVFG2d5nnwlqgyhZCbugZZ2au_qT9ih7rPrcsljQDj5T2A1WMdOWONUGmmHy/s400/Mary's+green+scarf.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223909471005395554" border="0" /></a><br />The photo isn't very good, but the scarf is in the most lovely green, blue and grey shades. It's very warm and soft and I love it - thank you!<br /><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><br /></div>Sharynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02717925699191367110noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130101612871893046.post-90980345402640461732008-07-13T20:09:00.011+10:002008-07-13T20:20:15.951+10:00Schiacciata con le Cipolle Rosse e Formaggio<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />We took the day off from working on the house today and headed down the hill to my brother's place in Windsor. Using a recipe from my bread bible, <span style="font-style: italic;">Bread by Eric Treuille & Ursula Ferrigno</span>, which I've had for years, I made <span style="font-style: italic;">Schiacciata with Roasted Red Onions and Cheese</span> (which doesn't have quite the same ring to it as it does in Italian!).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK89RsCp_hX1GSUwY7XC8beE4hv3PTk0yjDflxRsyDIrcHLO80HUF7GAlgsQOmlnASRGzY2eh-VyZbrq2pzfzDhvgfjhD_xrdRW_vDXpi92BNXGofkvQDxh5F-niWVvRTOoxX6y62V3kQ8/s1600-h/Schiacciata+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK89RsCp_hX1GSUwY7XC8beE4hv3PTk0yjDflxRsyDIrcHLO80HUF7GAlgsQOmlnASRGzY2eh-VyZbrq2pzfzDhvgfjhD_xrdRW_vDXpi92BNXGofkvQDxh5F-niWVvRTOoxX6y62V3kQ8/s400/Schiacciata+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222439287958193874" border="0" /></a><br />You make a starter the night before and then the next day add the rest of the flour and other ingredients. I just throw it all into the bread machine on the dough cycle and then shape as per the instructions.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Ji4OJboRBhz6oGnLt00thBWVxmEhkqMB5IAtAXbsxfFl7rUA5pkBBjRK-6nEJrANKZihtn7RtpALS7DBj1icQJ2vuqG7uQfWcbEfojiwN9dknstKYuP1iikJELxYhMNtXivrT6lqEW-n/s1600-h/Schiacciata+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Ji4OJboRBhz6oGnLt00thBWVxmEhkqMB5IAtAXbsxfFl7rUA5pkBBjRK-6nEJrANKZihtn7RtpALS7DBj1icQJ2vuqG7uQfWcbEfojiwN9dknstKYuP1iikJELxYhMNtXivrT6lqEW-n/s400/Schiacciata+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222439287817262306" border="0" /></a><br />Schiacciata translates as "squashed" or "flattened" and is the Florentine version of Focaccia, which comes from Genoa (according to my bread bible). It tasted great - the topping of red onion, gruyere cheese and thyme was perfect.<br /><br /><br /></div>Sharynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02717925699191367110noreply@blogger.com6