THE SIMPLE THINGS

Aussie Soldiers

2012-01-28T16:02:00.000+10:00

Lane with "Stan the Ram" mascot for 8/9 RAR

Love these kind of photos- look at

the Soldiers right legs all perfectly sync'd.

As far as the eye can see......

We are so proud of each & everyone of you & the sacrifices you all have to make.

Another Update- Emerald's Sleep Apnoea

2012-01-27T21:40:00.000+10:00

For the ones that have asked of late-

It seems like we finally have a handle on Emerald's sleep apnoea & with many thanks to her fantastic surgeon the operations a success and she doesn't have to sleep on a CPAP machine. Thank goodness for that it would have been devastating at such an age.

Mind you she wasn't overly impressed with the ultra fashionably leg wear she had to wear her entire hospital stay!!

Of course waiting around hospitals is never easy

but....

if you have to be in a hospital The Noosa Private Hospital was great.

Fantastic care & attention & the nursing staff were lovely & very attentive.

This was the lovely bush view from Emerald's hospital bed, such a lovely peaceful setting has just got to be an advantage with patients convalescing. There was always something new to see looking out the window. Plenty of birds flitting around along with lizards scurrying to & fro.

Must say very good for mothers sitting beside for MANY hours.

and so life continues....

Have a great weekend (flooding in our area again)

Caroline xo

Summer Fun

2012-01-07T10:54:00.001+10:00

Cooling off

Totally oblivious that a crocodile is about to amputate

a leg or two

Watermelon, Swimming & Summer

Enjoying a Snuggle

Caroline xo

Mooloolaba Fish Market

2012-01-06T08:47:00.000+10:00

On the New Years Day holiday we had on Monday we went over to The Mooloolaba Fish Market to get a last bit of holiday seafood. We LOVE this place for seafood, they have their own boats so it is fresh fresh fresh.

While over there picking up our seafood we got a serve of their calamari, they soak it in milk & garlic overnight & it really is the most tenderness, flavourful calamari I have ever had. Everything is really fresh, filleted in-house & the staff are SO helpful even when it is busy(& believe me it gets super busy at times)

So in-case your wondering if I've been paid or have received product for this good plug, I haven't (they don't even know I'm doing it) I simply like good service combined with good products something I think is sorely missing of late.

So if you live or are travelling/holidaying in the area try it, give it a go & let me know what you think?

This year I'm going to tell you a few more places I like to go.

Good service /product deserves a good word & is much nicer than complaining about the bad that seems to be so common now.

Where do you like to go/shop/eat??

Caroline

Happy New Year

2012-01-02T21:25:00.000+10:00

Happy New Year to you all.

I hope you all had a Wonderful & safe Christmas & New Year.

A big thank you to all my followers & to the people that take the time to read my posts & leave a comment for me. It makes my day!

Just before Christmas I was lucky to be able to go to my Dil's ultrasound with her & my son.

WOW!

I may or may not have shed a tear.

After, we went shopping for baby clothes in the applicable colour.

NO! I'm not telling.

Guess what?? I'm even lucky enough to know the name. Everything has to be discussed & decided well ahead of time as Soldier Boy will not be here for the birth.

Nup! I'm not telling you that either.

BUT.... I do promise to keep you posted.

Best wishes for 2012

Caroline xoxo

PS- A big yeh for me. I actually took down all my Christmas decorations on the 1st Jan.

GULP! they have been known to stick around way into February ;0

Merry Christmas From Afghanistan

2011-12-13T01:55:00.000+10:00

A Special Phone Call

2011-12-12T15:42:00.001+10:00

I had a very very special phone call this morning,

-in fact I am still in shock :)

My Dil rang and asked if I would like to come to her ultrasound/scan

........would I ever!!

Wow she has made my day/week...cause not only do I get to share this very special occasion with her, Soldier Boy is able to be there to.

I did mention to her that I didn't want to intrude on their privacy

seeing as he won't be here at the birth, but she said it's not a problem.

Soldier Boy,Dil & her little poppet are coming up tonight for dinner so I'll be able to get all the details then!

So today dear Dil I feel very honoured THANK YOU.

Caroline xo

PS-I have received a couple of emails lately that I haven't got around to reply to yet. You both know who you are -thank you.

I shall email back soon.

Happy Birthday

2011-12-07T12:03:00.003+10:00

Happy Birthday Lane

with much love from us all...xoxo

They've started.....

2011-12-04T20:55:00.001+10:00

Schools holiday's have begun at our house

so this is what I will be letting my boy do come tomorrow morning.

He's just at the age he needs no encouragement to have a sleep in.

The age of hollow legged boys, tired in the morning but can stay awake all night type of boys.

With just a little but enough back answering to let you know

they have spirit :-)

He's my youngest.... gee I'm going to miss this when it's gone.

Caroline xo

Homemade Pasta

2011-12-03T19:10:00.004+10:00

Oh so fun for the girls to make

& easier than I thought.....

we borrowed the Pasta maker

but I'd definitely think about getting one.

Does anybody else make their own pasta?

Any hints,tips or best brand to get?

Hope you are all having a fantastic weekend

Caroline xo

What is Christmas?

2011-12-02T12:55:00.005+10:00

What is Christmas?

It is tenderness for the past,

courage for the present,

hope for the future.

It is a fervent wish that every cup

may overflow with blessings rich

and eternal, and that every path may

lead to peace.

Agnes M. Pharo

A Neglectful Blogger, Sydney & a Grandbaby

2011-12-01T10:02:00.000+10:00

Haven't I been a neglectful blogger of late. Thank you to the people that still follow, check in & send me an email to see I haven't dropped off the earth -I haven't lol!

but wow! where do I start...

First & foremost next year my first Grand-baby will be born. (I posted about my son's wedding back in July)

As you know my son is a soldier & therefore will not be here for most of the pregnancy nor the birth. Which is so sad & very hard on both of them, fortunately though DIL has been through it all before (DIL has a child to a previous relationship) & hopefully this will make it a little less stressful & scary for her. You can only wish, hope & pray for the very best as unfortunately we have been told that nobody will be holding the baby after it's born, and our friends have now said they will just wait till my son gets back to see the baby & Dil.

However my Granny-who will be the babes GREAT GREAT GRANNY is pretty upset cause as she says herself at 88 "I'm on borrowed time" Anyways I am sure it will all work out & they will both be the best of parents.

How big the contrast is to my friend that is due around the same time & has asked several of us to help her so she can at least have some time with her other kids and an undisturbed toilet or shower(I think we all remember what that's like)

We have had these little control issues come up in the past and we are hoping with maturity & a feeling of security for her & her daughter they will disperse. They really put a dampener on things. We have also been told we are to come & leave at a certain time on Christmas Day. To us this is not what Christmas Day is all about so we will probably stay at home where friends/family can come & go as & when they please -it's really not the day to rush! While we are all sympathetic to these issues our family has decided it is still best to stick to our principles & the interests of all family & not to the wishes of one.

A few weeks ago I went to Sydney to Equitana. (a national horse event) I took a friend that had never visited Sydney before so after Equitana we had a lovely few days doing the tourist thing.

Lane has now finished school for the year. (only two more years to go) & is getting some work with a Baker, we all have our fingers crossed that in time it may lead to an

apprenticeship as he would love to be a pastry chef. The school has given me a contact to an organisation that negotiates with employers about employing kids with disabilities so hopefully that will work in our favour as well.

Yesterday I spent the whole day 5am to 6.30pm at The Royal Children's Hospital in Brisbane. My neighbours baby had an operation and she had no one to go with her to support her. How terrible it would be to have to sit there by yourself for hours while your little baby was in theatre, anyway the operation went well & I hope I was of a little assistance in taking her mind off things. Yesterday I felt so thankful for my children & was reminded of how impossibly hard it was after their father died doing it all myself. I am forever thankful for good friends & hope I am somehow returning the favour done for me.

Emerald started a new job and now within 3 wks she has been made a supervisor. This has given her a lovely self esteem boost as she wasn't being treated very well in her last job & ended up being hurt as they didn't provide the necessary protective equipment for her to use. The new boss seems to be so much more understanding of her Uni hours & that it must always be her first priority. Emerald has now finished the first year of her nursing degree and is very excited about becoming a second year student.

Anyway I must be off only 25dys till Christmas and this is the most disorganised I have been in as long as I can remember.

Take Care

Caroline xoxo

A Prayer for Soldiers

2011-11-05T21:22:00.002+10:00

We Said A Little Prayer Today

We said a little prayer today

A Prayer for mates who died

And no one here's ashamed to say

There's been some tears we've cried

For good mates full of zest for life

Cut down while in their prime

Amid the war's furore and strife

Now gone before their time

We said a little prayer today

For all their families

And asking Lord for strength that they

Can bear their sadness please!

For parents who have lost a son

And kids who lost their Dad

And wives who've lost beloved ones

So tragic Lord, so sad.

We said a little prayer today

For strength and courage for

The mates And colleagues who must stay

Away to fight this war

We're sure they're sad to lose their friends

So help them bear the strain

That when one day this fighting ends

This cost won't be in vain

We said a little prayer today

For those who sacrifice

Their lives in service in the fray

To pay our freedom's price

O help us God to realise

As tears flow for the lost

Our peace and freedom is the prize

That's won at such a cost

- Padre Jim Cosgrove

Wordless Wednesday

2011-11-02T08:11:00.003+10:00

Emeralds 18th @ The Deadwood Saloon Part 2

2011-11-01T09:12:00.001+10:00

Well...Part 2 was a little while coming wasn't it.

These are photos off someone else's camera & I have been trying to remove the date on the photo(as it's not the right date anyway!!) I was unsuccessful as you can see but I thought I would post them anyway.

The star of the show in character -Sally Starr

Distinguished Gentlemen -that should give you a laugh Lacey!

Playing it up!

Oh my gosh what IS the Marshall doing to moi

(I think my face tells it all)

I got Emerald's cake made in theme with the night. She was so surprised when we bought it out because I told her I had just bought a Cheesecake shop cake.

(Blogger has very thoughtfully turned the photo around for me Ggrr....)

Caroline xo

Emeralds 18th @ The Deadwood Saloon Part 1

2011-10-23T21:23:00.000+10:00

A couple of week-ends ago we held Emerald's 18th Birthday.

Now because she didn't want the whole big party thing happening like her brother had where we had over 100 people(insert big sigh of relief here from me ;-) we had to decide on something VERY different to do.

Saloon girl Sally Starr (Emerald)

with Banker Bob (Lane)

Then it just so happened I was having a delicious lunch with my new daughter-in-law at our local Bed,Breakfast & Coffee shop when we saw the blackboard up saying they were holding Murder Mystery Nights.

Well my heart did a little flutter & I just knew this is what we would be doing come the second week in October.

Oh my gosh that's ME!-Henrietta High Stakes(hope you all dig my wig)

with just one of my girls-Sally Starr(dd)

It all worked out great as we were told it was perfect with just a small number 25-35 so this fitted in well with Emerald's wishes of just a small gathering.

Included in the murder mystery night was a 2 course meal.(Fantastic for me no work to do catering)

We had a lovely mix of family, close family friends & only the bestest & closest of Emeralds mates, a great bunch with some travelling 950km's just to join us on her special day.

Whose this trio???

None other than- My make believe LOL! husband Harry High Stakes

with a Lady from the east Elizabeth Money(much more dignified than us Saloon girls but I'm still digging the wig)

along with Mitch Maverick.

I was so excited & impressed leading up to the big day that everbody was putting so much effort into dressing up to play their character. All the information was sent to them along with their invite & an informal script straight from the venue. (no fuss or work for me here either)

Playing dress-ups is still so much fun when your older

After wards we all ventured home to have Emeralds Birthday cake with nibbles & a few drinks.

T'was a great night

Caroline....

Bathing Dogs

2011-10-22T21:42:00.003+10:00

Dogs that decide to roll in disgusting things then enter houses

to sleep on lounges must agree to baths WETHER they like to

be bathed or not!!

AND that means you Chloe....

Hope your having a lovely weekend(without any stinky dogs to wash)

Caroline xoxo

Ps-she does look oh so cute though. Dont ya think??

Making things with old horseshoes

2011-10-19T08:18:00.005+10:00

We have a LOT of old horseshoes lying around so

The Blacksmith & The Soldier Boy got put to work in the shed to make me a new boot pull. So quick & easy for them to make, with virtually nil cost as the shoes are of course being recycled.

Soldier Boy made one to take home to his place then we had a friend visit the next day that took a liking to mine that I had put by the front door so he then took that home to his place & before you know it I am once again without a boot pull.

I think the boys will have to venture down to the shed again to make some more as we now have a couple of orders for them as well.

Meanwhile back at the house little old me has been searching the Internet & found many nice things that I would like made out of old shoes including one VERY large outdoor table.

But alas it's the time it takes dear always the time.....

Have a great day all

Caroline xoxo

The Weather

2011-10-18T10:38:00.006+10:00

It's been funny weather around here of late

you can awake to blue skies then an hour later this arrives

only to be followed up by blue skies again.

They say we are to have a bad storm season this summer but honestly don't they tell

us that every spring. The best advice they could possibly give is just to be prepared

but please please powers of the universe hold the flooding this year!

Caroline

Happy Birthday Simone

2011-10-17T18:33:00.004+10:00

Happy 21st Birthday to you,

to a sweet girl that I've known as long as my own children.

(from the day of your hasty arrival in an Ambulance)

I hope you had a fantastic day.

Love from us all

XOXO

Rainbow Cake

2011-09-27T20:27:00.000+10:00

Years ago I saw a picture of this cake in a magazine....and as usual it has taken me this long to get around to making it.

It's a little time consuming as you have to cook 5 cakes, I suppose it would be heaps quicker if you

A. Had a really big oven - I don't

B. You had 5 cake tins all the same size - I don't

However I did have a lot of fun making it & of course my family got a big surprise as uncut it just looks like any iced cake, once cut it surprised everyone with a little bit of Rainbow Cake cheer!

Try it sometime it's well worth the time & effort. I just used a simple Butter cake recipe (doubled) & then split into 5 bowls.

Caroline

I LOve this girl

2011-09-16T08:08:00.000+10:00

I Love this girl

Who is still only seventeen (So young)

Oh the joy of being seventeen again!!

Who is nearly, but not quite through the first year of a double degree.

A Bachelor of Nursing & just to put a bit more pressure on herself, a degree in

Paramedical Science. HEAVY!!

A girl that joked with her Mother, when asked of her marks?

(While we were washing up one day)

"I haven't even got a pass yet Mum"

And as I was about to go into PANIC!! mode

(Before I dropped the stack of clean dishes)

She turned around gave me a mischievous grin

and said....

"Well, Mum that's because I only get Distinctions, High Distinctions

& a few Credits"

Gosh I Love this Girl!!

Caroline xoxo

PS-Emerald's away doing her nursing placement atm, so I do hope she checks in & reads this.

PSS- The Universty system here in Queensland is (but not always) a - Fail, Pass, Credit, Distinction or a High Distinction.

Winters end

2011-09-12T07:25:00.000+10:00

The last of the peas from my little garden

Caroline xox

We Remember....

2011-09-11T08:28:00.001+10:00

before you complain.....

2011-09-09T09:21:00.000+10:00

Don't just think of them on ANZAC Day their out there doing it tough 365, 24/7.

Caroline xoxo

For Today....

2011-09-07T14:21:00.004+10:00

A lot of lazing & resting, tissues & more tissues along with a hefty dose of

painkillers waiting for this dreaded lurgy to pass.

Caroline xoxo

Wordless Wednesday

2011-09-07T08:02:00.000+10:00

Happy Fathers Day

2011-09-05T11:58:00.000+10:00

Sorry I didn't post this yesterday honey it sat in my drafts all day- but we did have an awesome day didn't we.

Thank you for being such a good Dadda in my children's

life since they lost their own Daddy.

We cherish it & you have made my life so much easier by it.

I love the way the kids write such thoughtful kind messages of love in their cards to you.

Soldier Boy's blew me away this year, for a guy of his age to write such loving words to you has made me so proud to be his Mumma.

Love Caroline xoxo

PS-And thank you for sooking me this week while I have the flu.

Not MORE Wedding Pictures!

2011-08-30T08:21:00.001+10:00

Sunday...

2011-08-28T13:49:00.000+10:00

relaxing & reading

Today....

2011-08-27T17:36:00.002+10:00

The chooks are enjoying the little bit of damp weather

we are having.

What's the weather like at your place this weekend?

Caroline

Soldier Boy's Wedding -Part 2

2011-08-26T11:10:00.001+10:00

You'll have to ignore the C*!# scanning job my scanners been playing up of late & even when you put the photo's in straight they come out looking like this. Hope you can see past it to the beautiful photos.

I still couldn't resist posting them....Mmmm a mother's heart.

And don't start me about blogger...it hasn't let me load photo's for weeks

Emerald(Dd), My new daughter, Soldier Boy(Ds), Lane(Ds)

My Two Boyz!

All of us together!!

Have a great weekend

Caroline xoxo

PS-Just for the record I will probably just HAVE to post more yet.

Stay tuned!

Soldier Boy Marry's- Part 1

2011-08-25T13:06:00.000+10:00

Soldier Boy married his sweetheart of 2 years in July

@ The Crowne Plaza Pelican Waters.

Everything about the day was simply beautiful.

Soldier Boy's Sweetheart brings her own little sweetie to our family

as she already has a little 4y.o

"poppin"

Soldier Boy hugging me....

(he still calls me "Mumma" *tears*)

]

No caption needed

the joy on his face says it all!!

Waiting for his Bride.

One of their friends did the cake

& what an awesome job she did,

complete with the groom on the cake topper

wearing a hat -Just like my boys

Wow...what beautiful vows.

Soldier Boy said vows to the little "Poppin" as well.

He also lit a candle during the ceremony in memory of his

Dadda who died when he was eight.

Sorry to those who new & had to wait so long, I wanted to respect their privacy & get permission before posting this & since the wedding Soldier Boy has been away busy with his job.

More to come

Caroline xoxo

PS- I just wish I had the professional photographer's photos on disc!

Abbey Medieval Festival 2011 Part 2

2011-07-17T11:58:00.006+10:00

Doesn't she just look stunning

The children were little sweethearts

Come late afternoon I felt I could have curled

up here for a nap.

"VERY" Medieval Blacksmithing

The authentic camp.

Caroline xo...

Abbey Medieval Festival 2011 Part 1

2011-07-16T14:41:00.007+10:00

Just like last year, another great day out.

Lot's to do and see!

The Janissary Barracks had Turkish cooking demonstrations

Turkish coffee history & culture with coffee reading.

My favourite's, The Shuvani Romani Kumpania had

Romani herbal remedies & putsi making as well as their Gypsy Cob horse on show.

Heaps of other things to see & do

there is no way you would be able to see everything on offer.

Some other things we enjoyed were-Blacksmithing, Medieval Cooking, Leather craft,

making drinking & blowing horns, making Meade, How to make chain maile

& so the list continues.

Hope your having a lovely week-end

Caroline.....

This is what we like to do....

2011-07-15T18:55:00.003+10:00

in strawberry season.

So easy to whip up when guests are coming.

So yummy on the lips.......

BUT...

not on the hips.

Caroline xoxo

Meat Chickens

2011-07-14T16:51:00.003+10:00

The meat chickens were 3wks old on Tuesday.

(Gee do they grow!)

We have been doing meat chickens every year now for the past 8yrs. We prefer to grow ours out a bit slower than their commercial relatives. Usually to about 14-16wks, by this time most are 2.5 -3.5kg.

They may grow slower but they live a happy life free ranging & eating natural foods instead of mass produced garbage. This morning they devoured a large bowl of rolled oats & bran mixed with a generous pour of warm milk.

(Yummy straight from the cow milk that is, the stuff you can't buy & with all that lovely cream on top)

I could of eat it myself....in fact I did have porridge for breakfast.

Does anyone else raise their own chicken or other meats??

Caroline xoxo....

Wordless Wednesday

2011-06-22T17:17:00.001+10:00

Australia

2011-06-20T15:11:00.001+10:00

A Little Gift.....

2011-06-14T18:03:00.003+10:00

from a darling son.

Who is able to always find me a gift I love even when he's on the strictest of budgets-now that's one gift that HE has!!

Do you have THAT gift??

Caroline xoxo

Reducing Plastics in your Home & Thrift Shopping

2011-06-11T08:58:00.000+10:00

For many many years now I have been trying to reduce the use of plastics in my home. This came to the forefront of my concerns when my last child was born with Autism. These kids are and/or very likely to be overloaded & effected by chemicals.

By the way Lego is one of the most stable plastics you can get, thank goodness -my last born is obsessed with it.

Most people know of the nasty chemicals used in the making of plastics and how these can leach into the products contained in them. Plastics contain molecules called Phthalates (which effect the endocrine system) they infiltrate everything they touch as well as this they are by-products of the petroleum industry which makes them a big pollutant.

Usually the cheaper the plastic container the more chemically unstable it is. For example pharmaceutical plastic is much more stable than say your cheap plastic container from the dollar shop.(Have you ever walked into one of these dollar shops and smelt the plastic chemical in the air? my youngest used to go troppo in those shops) this is because the harder the plastic the more chemically stable it is.(hence leggo being ok)

So please, if you do have a lot of plastics please make sure they are not the soft variety and avoid vinyl's which are highly unstable. Leather is a good alternative to vinyl and yes, I know of the price difference but the initial outlay is nothing compared to the years of use you will get out of leather if you maintain it well.

The photo above of the ceramic pumpkin container is what I picked up at the op-shop for $8. I was going to use it to store my homemade Laundry Detergent in but the shelf in my laundry isn't big enough for it so I am now storing my dog treats in it. Unfortunately the lid does not seal well enough to store food stuffs in it. Still a great thrift shop bargain though which I am sure I will use for many years to come.

I certainally can not eliminate all plastics from my home but I do try to find alternatives if it is at all possible.

Do You??

Caroline

Cooking.....

2011-06-07T15:45:00.003+10:00

Daughter's in the kitchen baking up some of these pretties.

YUM!!

Caroline xoxo

For Today....

2011-06-05T20:50:00.008+10:00

"Write in your heart that every day is the

best day of the year"

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Kids....You've gotta love them!

2011-06-04T11:25:00.003+10:00

This morning

she told me she was leaving home....

But nah!,

I bet she'll be in by dark.

Caroline xoxo

Photos!

2011-06-03T14:29:00.001+10:00

Photographing Boys is always hard

It wasn't TOO bad

Then it went bad

Then it went even badder!!

Mean while Emerald smiles away.....

Photographing girls is SO much easier.

Have a great weekend

Caroline xoxo

Thrift Shopping & Reducing Disposables

2011-06-02T16:45:00.001+10:00

In my quest to cut down on disposable consumables in my home like paper towels, serviettes etc for environmental reasons and the fact that it reduces my grocery bill. (saving money is always a good reason) I have been trawling the local thrift shops for items I may be able to put to good use.

The other day I was lucky enough to find these four vintage Western Australian Placemats 50 cents for a set of four.

They had never been used as they still had the stickers on the back of them and while I won't be using them as placemats I have found a use for them where once I used disposable paper towel.....Lining the basket I keep my potatoes in.

One on the bottom to stop any bits of soil or dust going through the basket and one on top to stop the light getting on the potatoes and sending them green!

As there are four in the set, yesterday I threw the two I was currently using in the wash & replaced it with the other two. Easy Peasy.

I am now also using knitted dish cloths instead of buying chux. (disposable dishcloths)

I actually think this is more hygienic as every morning after cleaning the kitchen I throw it in the wash to then be hung out in the beautiful sunshine-Natures disinfectant.

A roll of disposable paper towel is now lasting me AT LEAST a month and I hope to reduce this even more and I'm not buying Chux at all now. Which has been a good saving.

Have you ever tried to reduce your disposable consumables??

If so HOW?

I know this is not a new thing to alot of you, so please leave me some tips.

Caroline xoxo

Wordless Wednesday

2011-06-01T15:05:00.000+10:00

Where to......

Caroline.....

Slow Cooker Lamb Shanks

2011-05-24T15:05:00.006+10:00

Dinner tonight....one of my favourites for this time

of year.

Lamb Shanks done in the slow cooker with fresh onion, baby carrots,

bunches of herbs & a generous splash of 2006 Heathcote Reserve Shiraz

with plenty left over to have a glass tonight.

along with a delicious loaf of nutty wholemeal bread I cooked in the

bread maker this morning.

I put the Lamb Shanks on at about eleven, so by the time everyone arrives home from their

busy day around seven we will all be able to sit down to a nice hot meal, much welcomed on these cooler nights.

What 's for dinner at your house??

Caroline xoxo

PS-It's making the house smell wonderful!!

The Pumpkin & Gourd Harvest

2011-05-18T10:47:00.004+10:00

The cold weather we have had has just about killed off the Pumpkin vine and the Gourd vine has already finished.

SO......time to harvest. I am in-visioning Hot Pumpkin Soup on a chilly night.YUM!

But...the gourds does anyone know what to do with them??

Caroline xo

KATY PERRY

2011-05-06T14:55:00.003+10:00

The Katy Perry

Concert last night was totally awesome

Anyone for a cupcake??

Caroline xoxox

Just Because.......

2011-04-29T06:53:00.007+10:00

your a good friend to me

& yesterday you told me I don't blog enough these days.....

SO....I decided to do this post "JUST" for you

IS this a SON of yours??

Sorry I dress him this way when he come to our place to visit BUT I did do a good job on his head dress didn't I (Stolen from the pink house garden no less) with much procrastination on whether the red berries were poisonous AND if our sons would decide to eat them if they had one to many drinks. Mmmm they become most child like again don't they??

Lotsa love from our house to yours

Caroline xoxo

Looking forward to seeing this ultra handsome young man again this week-end Ha!Ha!

ANZAC Day - Ragged Bloody Heroes

2011-04-25T09:18:00.002+10:00

Today is Anzac Day where we as Australians come together to lay our respect for the men & women who fought for our country.

With my eldest son in the Army and my youngest son who will play the drums with the Army cadets at four different Anzac day marches, our day will start early, we have to leave here by 2.15am(So I'm praying blogger will publish this respectfully on time :-)

Please take the time to listen to this wonderful song- Ragged Bloody heroes by Luke O'Shea and his band Medicine Wheel. Some of the footage in the clip sends tingles down my spine as my skin goose-bumps.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them.

LEST WE FORGET

Snorkelling

2011-04-05T08:39:00.004+10:00

Snorkelling on The Great Barrier Reef wearing SUPER sexy stinger suits.

So where did we go??

2011-03-29T20:49:00.003+10:00

I mentioned a couple of posts ago that I had been on holidays.

(I took this photo from the plane)

Can you guess where??

HINT- It's one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the world.

Caroline.....

Paved Paradise & a ?

2011-03-28T08:43:00.000+10:00

I've always liked this song it has such a good message behind it, but the other day I found this clip on u tube which highlights some horrifying statistics.

So my question is -

Do you think musicians should use their public position to highlight valuable causes more??

Let me know what you think.

Caroline

LAZY!

2011-03-27T14:56:00.001+10:00

You think he would move, Don't you??

We have just got back from our holiday today & as the gardens were so dry I pulled the hose out to water and this happened.

I pulled the hose out & across Maverick thinking he would get up and move, he stayed this way for a good 1/2hr.

Funny Dog!!

Chloe

2011-03-18T09:33:00.005+10:00

Chloe is recovering slowly, despite having to take her back for another day at the vets because she reacted to the anti-venom after I took her home. Apparently it is common when the dog has had anti-venom previously.

So it turns out because it was the second time around she should have had an anti-histamine shot & also a shot of cortisone at the time when she was given the anti-venom.

She is a lot lot better but not quite back to her old self.

I'm off for a few days, leaving Chloe in the hands of my darling daughter & wonderful house-sitter"H". I have known "H" for ten years & she has been house sitting for me for five of those years. She is absolutely wonderful but this time just a little bit of me may still worry for the "little dog"

Back soon to share with you my doings.....

Caroline xo

Another Snake Bite!!

2011-03-15T21:40:00.007+10:00

"Chloe Emma" is at the vets having a sleep over tonight!!

Bitten by a Brown Snake AGAIN...

The curse of Jack Russell Terriers they just can't help themselves.

Another bottle of VERY expensive anti-venom.

She has been lucky both times, as we have been around & have got her to the vet quickly, one day I know we won't be.

At least this time we know she will survive. Last time she had 3 serious bites with one being on the neck it was real touch & go for weeks.

Today only one just above her paw.

We haven't seen a snake here in years but they came to slash the vacant block next door & maybe that's why, she was actually sitting up on my lap when she saw our Red Cattle Dog react to something, she was off my lap in a flash and well.... the rest is history(NOT!!)

just a BIG vet bill.

Caroline............

Do we live in a crazy house.......

2011-02-28T17:58:00.007+10:00

When the dog has to sun bake just like Emerald???

Not been blogging much lately I know, but gee I have been getting alot done off my "To Do List"

I met up with Soldier boy yesterday for a quick coffee & he was telling me about his never-ending "To do list" and how he never seems to get to the bottom of it before he's added more things, I just sat there thinking you are so my son the way you make lists, talk & express your self.

Advice for Soldier Boy was then promptly given by Mother dearest- You will NEVER EVER EVER finish a list that's just the way it is.

This week-end gone though, I have crossed off one MAMMOTH job I had on my list, you see I needed to sort all the timber from when we pulled down the old stable & fence. It's been sitting there for a few months now & I had done what I could but I needed to grab the Blacksmith on his day off so he could lend me his muscles to finish the job.

Ha, Ha, I just sat back & enjoyed watching his muscles as he sweated it out in 36c humidity to finish the job!!

We had another hen hatch out chicks today she has 7 under her. The hens are going really well this season. So far I have had 18 chicks hatch(naturally) in 2mths. Yippee!!

Hope you have a great week. March tomorrow, isn't the year just flying by.

We will be off on holidays soon. Yah, for me.

Caroline xoxo

Sunday Mending

2011-02-13T14:25:00.001+10:00

A lazy Sunday, sitting and mending his little dog's stuffed toys.

Did you have a lazy Sunday??

Caroline xoxo

Been to busy...

2011-02-12T20:54:00.000+10:00

to blog, but hope to return soon.

What with School starting,

Emerald having her op... (more on that to come)

Granny's house having gone under in the floods (she say's it's aged her 3yrs-don't know how she came to that figure, but that would make her 90-going awesome I reckon)

Hope to be back here soon.....

Caroline xoxo

Arlington National Cemetery

2011-01-23T21:00:00.003+10:00

Trace Adkins - Arlington

This & That?

2011-01-19T20:35:00.000+10:00

I've dropped out of blog land for a few days, I have been busy busy busy. My Granny's house went under in the floods & at 87 she is finding it very hard to cope. Family First right!!

I have also been having a massive clean at my own home, with a leak in the roof last week & a small amount of water getting in under the house. Everything has grown massive amounts of mould. Did you know that mould even comes in different colours, we have had the white looking dusty mould, the black/grey mould and even to be a little bit artistic(yuk!) a blue & a pinky colour.

Everything & I mean everything has had to be wiped clean. I have found Vinegar & a good dash of Oil of Cloves to be the best. I have also been running the air-con on the "DRY" air setting and if you go outside where the outlet pipe is the amount of water that is running out of the pipe is amazing. Didn't think to use that setting when it was teaming with rain all last week but I'll be sure to remember from now on it may help to eliminate the mould problem. Although living in a hot humid climate like ours I may just be "DREAMING"

Luckily, although we have had storms the last two afternoons there has been plenty of sunshine in the mornings to put things out in the sun for a good air. Nothing like a good old air in the sun!!

I find the kids old trampoline is great for putting items out in the sun that are difficult to hang on the clothes line. I pull the trampoline over close to the house & because the mat is a mesh material it has good air flow from all sides.

I realize I am much luckier than most- my grandmother included, all her worldly possessions have been put out on the footpath as rubbish for removal.

Hope to get back here soon & to get around and answer the growing amount of mail in my inbox. I have had a few new followers of late -Thank you. I hope to be able to get over to discover your blogs soon.

Emerald has her operation scheduled for this Friday for her Sleep Aponea so wish us luck. we are hoping for the best outcome, meaning hopefully she will not have to sleep on a machine for the rest of her life.

Caroline xoxo

Wildlife in the Qld Floods

2011-01-12T17:25:00.001+10:00

In the last couple of days we have seen a lot of different wildlife doing a lot of different things. They surely do have good survival mechanisms, in fact just by observing we could probably learn a lot from them.

BUT, I wouldn't like to take any tips from this baby bird.

He flew into our front sliding door and must have given himself a throbbing headache,

along with a 3hr stretch of the dizzies.

Lane picked him gently up and put him on the bush seat on the front veranda. At least it was under cover and he was also able to dry off a bit & groom himself. It took the little bird about 3hrs to pull himself together before flying off. Hope he's okay.

If you have any concerns with wildlife caught up in floods Ph-07 3221 0194 or go here for more information.

Caroline

The BEST blog post I've ever read!!

2011-01-12T14:51:00.001+10:00

Mandy & all her family from The Old Diary are safe.

Thankful

Caroline

QLD FLOODS

2011-01-11T21:33:00.001+10:00

So we now have water under our double story house, it is more from run off then the actual flood water level rising. We bought wisely for that reason as I have always been concerned about houses in low lying areas(we live on a hill) BUT on the top side(pardon the pun) the roof has started to leak-must have a cracked or moved tile. We have been up into the roof cavity & placed a bucket under the drip. I have been told that the SES is tarping roofs, but I really think they have more important things to do at this time. We will continue to empty the bucket!!

It has however damaged the ceiling as the first we noticed it was when the ceiling colour appeared wet. It has very quickly developed into a nice shade of black mould. I must heartily congratulate our hot, humid & wet climate for that little gesture.

My Granny has been evacuated from her home late this arvo. Atm. it is more a precaution than anything else as they don't know what the night will bring she is 87 and still lives by herself so better to play on the side of caution. In the 1974 floods she had water through the downstairs areas of her home. Granny's house is only about 200 metres from the Brisbane River.

However we can't get over her way from our side of town & she can't get to us from her side either.

I talked to Soldier Boy a little while ago he is still yet to be called in, but knows many others that already have been.

I am still very concerned about the welfare of Mandy & her family after the devastation that unfolded in Toowoomba yesterday, please continue to pray for their safety.

Caroline xoxo

QLD Floods & Queenslander Houses

2011-01-11T16:09:00.002+10:00

Thankyou for the emails I am receiving from international bloggers with well wishes for us Queenslanders. It means a lot to know we have the support from other countries. I can't thank you enough to know people on the other side of the world care.

However I can understand your confusion as to thinking WHY?? So here's a bit of info you may find interesting/useful!!

We have been hit by absolutely tremendous amounts of rain, in my small town we have had 22inches since Saturday. 6inches fell from 9am to 12.30pm(3 1/2hrs) this morning. On top of that we have been having heavy rains for months, in fact most of last year. The ground is so wet, the dams, rivers & catchments areas are so full it really does, just have no where to go.

Here in Queensland we are used to living with flood & drought in fact in Australia there's not much in between, it's either doing one or the other. I have put up some pictures(courtesy of google) to show you the type of house that is common in our state.

It is actually called a "Queenslander" by name.

It is built to withstand the elements - Built on tall stumps to resist flooding(well usually) built on stumps it also ensures good air circulation for our hot, humid climate(especially before aircon became commonplace) Large verandas also provide an area out of the elements & again allow a cool place for the houses occupants. "Queenslanders" also often have an area called a sleep out, which is an area with beds often used on hot, humid nights for sleeping. Any way the big point is these are built on tall stumps- but it doesn't mean you will be flood proof.

Another good point for international bloggers to know is the sheer size of The State of Queensland, we could nearly fit all of Germany & France inside of the Queensland borders and as you can imagine when most of out state is in flood the sheer, size & enormity that out emergency services have to contend with is simply overwhelming. Resources are becoming stretched.

Toowoomba that was devastatingly hit by what they are referring to as an inland Tsunami was actually caused by the sheer amount of rain we are having.Toowoomba is actually approx 2000ft above sea level.

Hope you find this info useful.

Thank you to all our Emergency Services, SES (State Emergency Service) and the Australian Defense Force (My soldier Boy hasn't been called in yet) for there tireless work, away from their own families in others hours of need.

Caroline xox

PS- My internet has been going in & out all morning so I don't know how long it will last. The mobiles are playing up to, along with my Austar (Satellite Pay T.V) because of the dense cloud cover.

Toowoomba Flood an inland Tsunami

2011-01-11T08:21:00.000+10:00

Yesterday Toowoomba was hit by a flash flood that some have likened to an inland tsunami, an 8 metre wall of water hit the main CBD with little warning resulting in loss of life & tremendous damage. Whole houses were reportable washed away.

Please go here to read a more official report.

Thank you for all your emails of concern for me & my family from my interstate & international blog buddies. We are all okay.

However this morning I am very concerned for one of my other blog buddies Mandy from the Old Dairy as after the wall of water hit Toowoomba it continued down the range & into her area again causing loss of life & damage. I have been thinking about Mandy & her family since I heard yesterday & hope she is okay. Please let me know if any one hears anything??

Caroline xxoxo

And if it's something you do-Please Pray

Rain Totals & Water Rates!!

2011-01-10T10:35:00.001+10:00

92mls,368pts from 4pm yesterday to 9am this morning.

Total rain from 9am Saturday morning to 9am this morning(48hrs)

352mls or14.08inches

but I bet Unity water won't make our water rates any cheaper!!

Caroline xoxo

Flooding!!

2011-01-09T20:00:00.001+10:00

Rain in the 24hrs previous to 9am this morning -140ml or 560pts,

in 24hrs.

Rain from 9am this morning to 4pm this arvo-120ml or 480pts,

in 7 hrs.

So in the last 31hrs we have had 260ml or 10.4inches onto our already

flooding area.

Please, Mr Rain Man stop the rain we have had enough.....Please!!

Caroline

Turkish Dips - Guest Post from Simcha

2011-01-08T19:07:00.000+10:00

My guest post today is from my beautiful friend Simcha. You can read about her Turkish cooking blog & the antics we once got up to in my post yesterday. Today she has provided some quick & easy dip recipes-Enjoy!!

Hello everyone what kind words from a kind soul. My friend Caroline and I used to have lots of fun and hopefully we will have more when I come back. If you are anything like me you are curious about different cultures and people, what they do and what they eat. This has lead me to cook various things other than just the average meat and 3 veg. I came to Turkey 6 years ago and what an adventure,! many things have happened including living the way the locals do and learning all their culinary secrets. Turkish food seems to becoming more and more popular these days and I can understand why. The Turkish food culture is one of appreciating fresh at its best. Combining ingredients to compliment each other and eating in season. I have lived in many areas of Turkey from the European side to Middle Anatolia to the Mediterranean. All the areas have their own distinct dishes and styles but there are many dishes that the Turks as a whole have in common. Those are the ones you will probably find at your local Turkish restaurant.

What would most people order at a Turkish Restaurant if they have no exposure to the food before?

I'm thinking the dip platter(I have checked online and most still seem to be serving this)so I will give you the recipes for all those beautiful looking dips and you can do this at your next BBQ and impress your friends.

We will start with Baba Ghanoush, Beetroot dip and Cacik. You will find these very very easy to make. You might all have your favorite recipes for these as I know in most areas these are sold in the fridge sections of most supermarkets. I will be giving you the recipes as I know them from the average Turkish housewife.

Baba Ghanoush

1 large eggplant or a couple of small ones

garlic to taste, minced

salt to taste

lemon juice to taste

yogurt --- probably 1 or 2 cups

Cook the eggplants whole in your oven until black. Place them into a plastic bag until cool. Take off the blackened skins, rinse off then chop roughly. Add everything into the yogurt and serve. You can garnish with dried mint or chili.

Beetroot or Pembe Sultan

I love this and make it all the time. I usually eat it as a side with salad.

1 kilo of cooked beetroot - you can boil it or roast it to be fancy - you can add it in raw if you like but it doesn't give you the deep red colour.

garlic, minced

salt

yogurt - 1-2 cups

Peel and grate the cooked beetroot. Add everything else, stir and serve.

Hummus

1 tin of cooked chickpeas

sesame paste - half a cup

lemon juice to taste - 1 or 2 tbsp

salt

garlic, minced

olive oil

Drain the chickpeas and put everything into a food processor or use a hand blender. When you add in the sesame paste add half in first, taste to see if you want more, then add the rest(some people find it a bit strong) same with the garlic add to your own taste. I would probably add in 4 cloves. With the olive oil I would probably put in a couple of tablespoons, if the mix looked a bit dry then add in some more.

With all of the above dishes you can add olive oil.

Everyday Turkish Cooking

2011-01-07T05:39:00.000+10:00

One of my bestest friends Simcha has just started a blog on Turkish cooking she is an Australian(now living in Turkey) that comes from the same small town as me.

Now if you loving eating Turkish food as much as me, get over to here and check her blog out for some of the authentic stuff.

Simcha is hoping to move back to Australia with her family soon & maybe open a little Turkish restaurant. I know already it would be a raging success, she was a fantastic cook(and friend) before she left. (maybe she will give me a job or at least share her cooking skills!!)

Simcha, remember our little escapades,when once we would put the kids safely in school for the day we would be off on an hours drive to West end for a little fix of Greek or Turk food or maybe a little fix at the hare krishna rooms, a stock up at the deli & then a frantic drive home -hoping all the time there would be no accidents on the highway to JUST meet the school bus in time!!

Hope we can have more fun times like that in the future, love to you & your family

Caroline xoxox

A Belated Happy New Year

2011-01-05T12:18:00.003+10:00

We have been away since Christmas Eve, stuck in the floods.

Blessings to the wonderful people we were staying with & to my wonderful,

housesitter(who incidentally my dogs just adore)

I hope all my blog readers had a wonderful Christmas & New Year & a big thankyou to all my faithful followers from 2010.

Catch up soon

Caroline xoxo

Pot Roast Beef -Slow Cooker

2010-12-20T11:58:00.003+10:00

Years ago I had a slow cooker, a very much loved slow cooker. This I know because, when I found it lying discarded on a dusty thrift shop shelf it had already seen better days.

While it was rather interesting to look at - as bright as orange as you have ever seen with a mass of flowers decorating the sides. It really was to small for my family to be practicable, living on a cattle station often meant I had the many mouths of Hungary ringers to feed. It eventually died, put a pot roast on one morning for the nights dinner, then went off to muster a paddock of cattle, came home late to no dinner. Broken!!

I then went for many years not owning another slow cooker. Then earlier this year sense prevailed me once again when I found this lovely on special. I already had a Target gift card & a Fly Buys voucher that I hadn't cashed in yet. So with all those small amounts added up I was able to buy this slow cooker for an outlay of only $29. What's more it's huge!! AND the sleek Stainless Steel is a far cry from my old 1970's orange horror.

So here is the pot roast recipe I tried to cook many years ago when my old slow cooker died.

POT ROASTED BEEF

1.5kg-2kg piece of Topside(remove outer fat)

1/2 cup Tomato Sauce

1 Onion

1Carrot

1 Turnip/parsnip

1tsp. Mixed Herbs

3tsps. Cornflour

1/2 Cup Good Red Wine

(I say good because I won't cook with anything I wouldn't drink. Oh! by the

way I always add a good slosh more!! He! He!)

Wash, peel & slice your carrot & turnip/parsnip

Peel & finely chop your onion

Place you meat in the slow cooker with the veggies surrounding the meat

Sprinkle your herbs over the meat & season with salt & pepper.

Combine 1/4 cup water, tomato Sauce & the slosh of your good red.

Pour over your meat.

Put the lid on the cooker and sloow cook on the low setting for about 8hrs.

Then remove the meat & veg- Set aside.

Mix the cornflour with 1/4 cup water to make a smooth paste. Use as much of this as you need to make a gravy of the thickness you like. (don't forget to check your seasoning)

(this photo is before removing the meat/veg to thicken)

Yummy!! I always serve more veggies on the side.
Caroline xoxo

Blue Hors Matine'

2010-12-17T20:42:00.003+10:00

Even if you aren't a horse lover you may enjoy this.

Please take the time, broaden the horizons and take a peak at this.

Blue hors matine' is a show stopper an amazing mare who just simply loved to dance.

Dressage at it's finest!!

This video has been around for a while but this mare was simple amazing and I for one never get tired of seeing her talent.

Unfortunately she had to be put down earlier this year when she broke her leg while in her paddock.

Have a fantastic weekend

Caroline xoxo

Emerald's Health Update!!

2010-12-16T21:33:00.006+10:00

Emerald will have her first operation mid-January(& hopefully her last) The surgeon is fast tracking her operation because of the severity of her aponea. He is fairly confident that he will be successful and she will not need to sleep on a machine. Please pray for that one!!

We are hoping that we can get some resemblance of normal back into her life before Uni begins in February. Em had a really bad day yesterday at work, having to rush of to be sick she then came home & slept for the next 6hrs. It's a hard balancing act trying to keep things relatively "normal" & making sure her health stays strong. Today has been a great day for her, Soldier boy came to visit and the three of them mucked around - just like old times. She is still bright as a bubble tonight and it's nearly 10pm. You just can't pick it. She did say she might sleep upstairs in her old room tonight though, so she may just be needing a little Mumma sooking saying that.

So I better be off this computer & go and clean her old bed off. That's where I have all the Christmas presents stacked atm.

I would just like to thank the lovely caring people who have left me such kind well wishes for Emerald over the last couple of posts & specially to you Simcha as I know you haven't seen Em in ages & we just can't wait for you to move back to Australia. xxoxo

Caroline.......

Results are in

2010-12-13T15:46:00.009+10:00

We have just got Emerald's results back from her Sleep Study.

It seems she has Severe Sleep Apnoea, so severe in fact that at times during the testing she stopped breathing in her sleep, at some stages up to 6 times in a 5min period as well as having 3 Hypoapnoea's (very shallow breaths)

More than 1 episode every minute. No wonder she is becoming such a tired/sick girl.

They are saying it is quite rare in a child this age , hence I suppose their reluctance to even give her a sleep study in the first place. I am so glad I kept pushing for this even though her other blood/urine tests were clear.

They say she is a most unusual case as-

She is only 17

She has always been medically healthy

Is very fit & athletic

Has a perfect weight/height ratio-BMI

So now we are off to see a round of specialists the first being tomorrow. Thank goodness they have fast tracked everything (owing to the severity of her apnoea) otherwise with Christmas only next week we wouldn't be able to see anyone till at least mid to late January. We are hoping for the best case scenario that an operation will fix it. We are all praying that she will not need to have a machine to sleep on at night, that would be such a terrible thing for a young girl to have to do specially at an age when they have so many sleep overs with friends and maybe in the not to distant future, a relationship. I was a little frustrated while seeing her GP as I would have liked to have seen the full results of her study. I was craning my neck to read his computer screen, but we were at just the wrong angle.LOL! I hope I can learn more about things tomorrow.

A note to all mothers out there, please believe in your own motherly intuition/instinct regarding your children even if you have to push your way there & never hesitate about getting a second opinion. If I hadn't have kept pushing we still wouldn't have any answers.

Wish us luck

Caroline xoxo

Happy Birthday

2010-12-09T20:58:00.002+10:00

Happy Birthday Lane-Austin

with love from us all.

MUM.....

xxxxxxxxxxxxxooooooooooooooooo

A Sleep Study

2010-12-08T15:15:00.006+10:00

Please think of

my darling daughter Emerald

Whose health has been deteriorating for a while now, more rapidly as the year has progressed. It has been increasingly difficult with her having to complete her Senior studies & a Trainee ship she has had through her part-time job.

We have finally found a doctor that was willing to refer her for a sleep study, this is something that I have wanted for a while but most doctors are reluctant to send young people for them.

It is just NOT normal, some days if I was to leave her she would sleep 16-18hrs. She is finding it harder & harder to concentrate & retain memory of the things she is doing. Not good, for a normally high achieving student.

The photos are of Em getting "wired up" ready for her sleep study. These are only about 1/3 of the wires that she ended up having to wear. She also had them on her body & legs.

Her sleep study was done just before we went on holidays

so we are anxiously awaiting her results.

Be back soon to let you know how it all goes, otherwise, back to the drawing board!!

Caroline xoxo

Maybe, a little prayer -if that is what you do. Thank you.

Hi!

2010-12-05T07:56:00.004+10:00

Long time no blogging.....

We have been on holiday here-

We are back from our Lovely, Gorgeous holiday,

it really is so nice holidaying with good friends.

November was such a crazy month with everything happening

all at once, but we are back ready to get into the next crazy phrase

of Christmas(hopefully a quiet one)

We still have a birthday in the family to get to before we get to Christmas though.

Thanks Cathy for sending me the email with that info. I will catch up with

you soon.

I hope your weekend is a peaceful one in the midst of this busy busy

season. Don't forget to nurture yourself & breathe....

Caroline xoxoxo

Harper Valley P.T.A. -Yippee School's Out

2010-11-19T13:06:00.000+10:00

With Emerald having had her Valedictory ceremony last night I thought we would go out with a bang this morning with this song.

WHY?? because Emerald says the song reminds her of me, well what can I say!

That's a worry isn't it, Mmm! Em can we just settle for the "Same but Different"

I may have been just a little outspoken at SOME P&C meetings and have had to have the "Office Vultures" under control over MANY things & a lot of my friends & family know that when you have a child with a disability(my youngest) you have to stick up & fight for their rights every step of their school years (now that's a hard one that shouldn't have to be) but I've never had to complain over the things Jeannie C. Riley had to in this song. LOL!! Thank Goodness.

Of course, along with a lot of people think that Jeannie C. Riley is the only person that has ever been able to sing this song well. An oldie but a goodie!

Have a great weekend

Caroline xoxo

Oh Dear a bit of 50's Goodness!

2010-11-15T10:54:00.006+10:00

Aren't these just the cutest little 50's paper napkins one ever did see??

Gotta luv them!!

with "wicked wicked" sayings & all.

NOW it's over to you ladies to "TALK" in my comments section.

Caroline xoxoo

SOLDIER BOY IS HOME.....

2010-11-12T20:54:00.003+10:00

And we are all VERY happy to have him home safe.

(Jumping over the moon in fact)

So now I hope I've finally got around to you all & everybody can stop texting, ringing

& emailing -asking when??

Don't get me wrong ...we love your care & concern.

We also love the fact he's always been every body's son

& always had so many "Mummy's looking out for him.

(Poor guy!! LOL)

I know alot of you are concerned for him at the moment,don't be he's a man now & can well, make his own choices-if you have any other views on that pleeesse take them up with him not me.....cause I get in trouble for it LOL!!

I've done my job, and I am so proud of him

WELCOME HOME SON!!

On the other hand though, spent a delightful (read NOT!!) night in the Hospital Emergency Dept. after youngest son went to an Army Cadet camp and was injured. He's on the mend now but geez...hope he doesn't make a habit of visiting this place like his big bro did during his teenage years.

Love to you all & have a good weekend

Carolinexoxo

PS- I am so behind with blogging. So many things to share before I go on hol's be back to show you Emerald's Formal photo's soon.

REMEMBRANCE DAY

2010-11-11T01:40:00.003+10:00

My other Remembrance post is HERE

THE LAST DAY....

2010-11-10T09:43:00.005+10:00

It's all over....

Emerald has her very last full day at school today EVER!!

She still has to go for a few hours on a couple of days to complete block exams, but apart from that her Senior schooling is all finished. Done & dusted!!

That's two kids finished -one to go. Bit sad on one hand & incredibly exciting on the other. I'm sure there will be a few tears shed among all the girls today. Emerald has been School Sports Captain this year so she will be handing her role over to another.

Next Thursday will be her Valedictory Ceremony. I was a bit disappointed as on the invitation it stated only 2 guests per graduating student. I know her brother wanted to attend. Anyway, you were able to apply for extra tickets which I did. (wish us luck!!) I can understand why they would have to do that though with some families bringing 8-10 family members.

Then it will be off to a well earned beach holiday, Christmas & then another wait for the results of her university applications.

The Journey Continues.....

Carolinexoxoxo

Cowboys & Cowgirls

2010-09-24T09:23:00.001+10:00

MORE RAIN & OTHER STUFF

2010-09-21T19:05:00.006+10:00

It's been a wet old year for us to date, with the promise of a wet Spring & Summer to come. We have had 30ml in the last day with more rain predicted until Friday.

It has been great for the garden. I have not had to water for 4weeks now, which is a big saving. I did use a bit of water today though as we washed the exterior of the house. We use a high pressure water cleaner so we don't use as much as we would otherwise but I still try to be concious of it. We usually wash it down every spring, today though I also had to clean down the driveway & front path as with all the rain we have had it has become slippery & dangerous with the green stuff!!

Also had a call from the Soldier Boy which was lovely & Emerald cooked a delicious meal of Meat Balls 'n' Sauce with Pasta. She even cleaned up the kitchen afterwards, BONUS!!

Em was over the moon today as her new cowboy boots arrived from the States. We only ordered them 10days ago, so someones been doing their job well. I don't know what the Australian Air Express man thought though when he pulled into the drive, Emerald dived out the front door screaming "There here" before he even got out of his van.

No doubt we will be doing lots more photos with the new boots. I still have some more Cowboy pics from the other day when we were mucking around taking photos so I will post them soon. The Soldier Boy has asked to see them, so if I put them on here it's a job easy & done.

Caroline xoxo...

PS-Not long now Soldier Boy. Love Ya!!

NOT!! Cat in the Hat

2010-09-13T16:25:00.006+10:00

Well you've all heard of the children's Book "Cat in the Hat" by Dr. Seuss

We have our very own version at our place......

"Cat in the Box"

Why?? An 8kilo cat would want to squeeze into a box that size AND stay there for many hours I cannot fathom.

Hope you all had an enjoyable weekend

Caroline xoxo

9-11 We Remember

2010-09-11T06:27:00.002+10:00

We Have a Date!!

2010-09-08T04:42:00.004+10:00

Can you see the smile on my face??

BECAUSE.......

We now have a time (next month) when Soldier Boy will return safely home to us from his overseas deployment.

The countdown begins.

The other kids are beginning to get excited, they have started to plan -and anything could happen when those two get their heads together!!

Today I got a nice little stack of letters from Soldier Boy & a USB with piccies of him AND some sketches he has done. Soldier Boy has always been a talented artist & after him not drawing much of late it's nice to see him back at it.

After carefully opening the envelopes and unfolding the letters trying real hard not to touch the paper to much, I let his Red Cattle Dog (Pictured above) smell them to see if he could pick up on his scent. Well now, I can't tell of course if he definitely did or not but he sure put on a show, ran around wildly & then started talking in his funny little dog way where his lips go up in a smile then the noise begins. Incidentally this is something he has only started doing seriously in the last 6mths & seeing as he is now 10years old-Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks.

Yeah I know -you probably think I'm mad. Ha!! Ha!! Mums missing Soldier Boys are bound to go off the deep end and do some pretty weird stuff, but then maybe I'm just joining in with the rest of the family.

Have a good one!!

Caroline xoxo

Caroline

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY-Cowboy Kidz

2010-09-01T09:57:00.007+10:00

Yeh I know it's Wordless Wednesday,

but I'd like to say one little thing.......

Geez I wish we had of moved that trampoline out of the background ;-)

Have a great day

Caroline

FUNDRAISING SILENT AUCTION

2010-08-31T10:06:00.008+10:00

Mari over at her blog Carpe Quiltem is having a Silent Auction to raise money for the people suffering from the disaster in Pakistan. The funds raised will be going to Medecins Sans Frontieres/Doctors without Borders.

BOOK FAIR

2010-08-29T13:23:00.002+10:00

This is the stash of books I got recently at one of our local second-hand book fairs. Sometimes I go & find great hoards of books, other times I come home with not much at all. This lot of books cost me $50 and there is more than is pictured here as the kids had taken theirs and I also got a few DVDs & a couple of talking books(always good on long road trips)

The Green Cleaner book was a book I had years ago, lent it to someone and usual story-never returned. I was pleased to find another copy of it as it has some handy recipes in it, specially one for liquid detergent that I use to make frequently when the children were young. Also got quite a few Earth Garden & Grass Roots Magazines for my collection which is good as I nearly have a complete set right back to the early 70's. Loads of cook books (Yippee!! one of my fav finds) plus some novels and other groovy finds.

I love buying second hand books and it is such a good way to save!! I can get a boxful of books for the price of maybe only one or two.

Do you buy any books secondhand or do you prefer to buy new out of the bookshop??

Hope you had a lovely weekend
Caroline

THE BIG PADDOCK

2010-08-27T05:21:00.000+10:00

(Photo @ "Crail" Roma, QLD)

And the bush has friends to meet him,

and their kindly voices greet him

In the murmur of the breezes and the river

on it's bars,

And he sees the vision splendid of the

sunlight plains extended,

And at night the wondrous glory of the

everlasting stars.

A.B. (Banjo)Patterson

from 'Clancy of the Overflow'

WRONG SIDE OF THE WORLD

2010-08-25T05:45:00.000+10:00

Australian Country music star Beccy Cole wrote POSTER GIRL (wrong side of the world) as a response to a letter she received from a fan after she spent 2wks visiting Australian Soldiers overseas.

The fan wrote that he would be taking her poster off his wall and would not be listening to her music anymore.

Beccy was quoted as saying "That when I met the troops I become patriotic and really proud. I met young, enthusiastic Australians that just want to keep terrorism from reaching our home shores so that Australians can keep the life of peace & freedom"

She also says she did not know what her stance was until she went over there. People are quick to judge these situations without knowing fully what it's all about. Prior to that she said she would have said she was staunchly anti -war -but then again aren't we all

Please take the time to listen & have a great day

Caroline xoxoxo

MARY, A BOY AND AN X-BOX

2010-08-20T09:00:00.005+10:00

I went downstairs to the kids t.v room the other day & this is what I was greeted with...

Lane playing X-Box with his little Silkie bantam, Mary snuggled up on his lap. She looked so contented bundled up in the rug. I didn't have the heart to move anyone of them. So they contentedly sat there for many hours till Lane's eyes began to square from to much of a good thing.Well good for him anyway specially as it's not even his X-Box.

We went over to Soldier Boys house the other day and seeing as he is deployed at the moment Lane thought he might just have to borrow (read take) his x-Box home to our house just to give it some exercise(you know how it is)

It was such a beastly day that day, no good for playing outside anyway. This time of year we get strong (read -gale force) cold westerly winds. Yesterday was a lovely day though it felt just like a warm spring day. Today it is raining we have had 9mls this morning so I hope it keeps up as I won't have to water the veggie patch.

Hope you all have a lovely weekend

Caroline xoxoo

EVER REMEMBER.......

2010-08-17T04:12:00.000+10:00

Feeling like this?????

So pregnant you think you really couldn't get ANY bigger.(and then you do)

Lane is monitoring her closely, cause in the way of a 13y.o boy he thinks she might just burst
(he also described it in only the way a 13y.o boy could-gore & all)

As for me I have sworn to dear little Rosie pig that I will never let her get in the mothering way again.

Hope your all having a better day than Rosie

Caroline xoxox

PLANTING SEEDLINGS & UNI

2010-08-15T17:23:00.008+10:00

This is what I've been up to.(Yesterday)

We had about 2 1/2 inches of rain on Wednesday and Thursday so with this garden bed sitting empty and the place having had a good soaking I decided to plant some more veggie seedlings.

In this bed I put a mixture of beans, assorted lettuces and Asian greens, a few squash and of course and as always Marigolds.

Today I took Emerald to the USC (University of the Sunshine Coast) Open Day. They ran a really good day. Plenty of demonstrations,exhibits and information lectures on anything & everything they offer. We now feel a lot more prepared for next year now.

A busy but productive weekend here. What did you get up to??

Caroline xoxo

ABBEY MEDIEVAL FESTIVAL 2010

2010-08-12T16:43:00.005+10:00

My youngest son had been wanting to go to this for the last few years. I didn't think it was quite my thing!! but what do you know I had a fantastic time AND I would go again. Lane is absolutely Knight mad and being autistic he has the classic trait of becoming well and truly obsessed with anything he takes a fancy to.

One of the added bonuses for me and impressed me very much was the absence of plastics. EVERYTHING was made from Wood, Metal, Leather, Hides & Paper. Even the majority of the food was served in this way including the use of disposable/recyclable bamboo utensils. Very impressive and no mean feat when feeding 50 000 people.

It was held at the ABBEY MUSEUM which houses wonderful collections spanning the last half million years of humankind. Ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece, Rome, Middle Ages, Renaissance and Baroque Europe as well as China, Japan, India & The Islamic World.

FANTASTIC!! Highly recommend going to anyone.

Caroline xoxoxo

I BELIEVE IN .........

2010-08-10T14:40:00.000+10:00

all living species living together in harmony

(yes even black cats & ultra cute Guinea pigs)

It's a bleak cold rainy day here, good day for the veggie patch though & for snuggling up with some "Soul Food"

Caroline xoxoxo