Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Project Life Tuesday: Quotes

Project Life Tuesday for today is favourite quotes. Do you have one that you particularly love? For me, it is this one...
I found this quote on Becky Higgin's beautiful blog and if there is a quote that sums me up perfectly, this is it. I LOVE being at home and there is no where else I would rather be. I would choose an evening or weekend at home over any any other outing. This seems to be a family trait (on my side!) and one which has lasted for generations. I am happiest at home and look forward to walking in the door each afternoon after a long day at work...it is my favourite time of day.
To remind me of this, I just had to frame this great quote from Jane Austen, which makes me smile whenever I see it. You can download it here for free from Becky's blog.
Challenge for Project Lifers: Is there is a quote that sums you up?

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Holiday Fun at Butterfly Creek

A few weeks ago we headed to Butterfly Creek, an animal park in South Auckland.
It has been quite a while since we last went so it was great to see the new crocodile and bug section.
Rosie and Harry were able to pat the new spring lambs and have a hold of the rabbits and guinea pigs.
They were even able to feed the baby goat a bottle! They have heard me share stories of how I would feed my pet lamb Josie each day.
I have always felt lucky to have had that time living on the farm and one of the sad things about living in the city is a lack of these opportunities for my own kids.
The Butterfly House was also great and they loved having the butterflies landing all around them. You can see from the foggy photo how hot and steamy it was in there!
I would recommend Butterfly Creek for all ages and my kids really enjoyed it. They are looking forward to visiting again soon.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Project Life Tuesday: Magazine Inspiration

Do you have a favourite magazine that really inspires you? I have several that I love but have recently cut down and allowed myself only one each month...usually Your Home and Garden. It arrives in my letterbox mid month on a Friday and there is much happiness when I see it! I LOVE seeing what other people are doing in their homes and even though not all the interior styling is to my taste, I can appreciate it for what it is and glean inspiration for our own home redecoration process.
This snapshot was from a recent issue and I absolutely loved this house. I really want some of that circular art!
Challenge for Project Lifers: Do you have a favourite magazine that inspires you to take action and recreate something magical in your own home?

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Chocolate Weetbix Crunch

There are times when you NEED something sweet and you need it FAST! This is my 'go to' recipe when I am feeling my family are feeling like a quick sweet treat. :)
Chocolate Weetbix Crunch (Microwave)
100 grams butter
1 Tb golden syrup
1 cup white flour
1 tsp baking powder
2 Tb cocoa
1/2 cup coconut
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup crushed weetbix (approx 2 biscuits)

Melt butter and golden syrup in a mixing bowl at 50% power for 1 minute and 30 seconds. Stir until melted and add remaining ingredients. Press into an oblong dish (I use a glass Pyrex one) approximately 27cm x 17cm and cook at 70% for 5 minutes.
Mark into squares and cut while hot.
Sprinkle with icing sugar or chocolate icing when cool.
I am the type of person that hates to waste anything so I make this recipe when we get to the bottom of a Weetbix box. It is perfect for using up all the "crumbs" in the bag and is a great lunchbox filler which you can whip up in no time. :)

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Project Life Tuesday: Tools of the Trade

Project Life Tuesday is tools of the trade. :) If you are a regular reader you will know that I have a bit of thing with washing. I love to do it, I love to fold it, BUT I hate putting it away!
To make the whole washing process a little easier I picked up some washing baskets that bring a smile to my face. These are my two favourites of the four that I own. Yes, we have a lot of washing and that is only going to increase with another little one on the way. :)
Challenge for Project Lifers: What are your tools of the trade that make running your household a little easier?

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Project Life Tuesday: Favourite Places

Project Life Tuesday for today is favourite places. Do you have a favourite place in your house? One of our favourites is Rosie and Harry's bookcase in their bedroom. They both love books and are very lucky to have regularly received books as gifts from family overseas. They also love trips to the library and this is becoming a Saturday afternoon outing with Taff. They are slowly building up their collection and really enjoy revisiting old favourites.
They spend a lot of time choosing books from here and it is most definitely a favourite spot.
Challenge for Project Lifers: Take a photo of a favourite spot/nook/corner in  your house. :)

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Bagging a Bargain

Don't you just love a bargain?
I picked up these striped lamp shades in the clearance section at K-Mart for $1 each a few months ago and have finally got around to using them. They are actually from the kids section but I thought they would be equally nice in our guest room.
I went "shopping" in our garage for a couple of old Freedom lamps that we got many years ago and after ditching the old shades which had turned an unsightly pale yellow, I put my new $1 shades on.
The old lamps now have a new life ahead of them and were cheap as chips! I have a thing for stripes at the moment...and navy blue. :)

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Project Life Tuesday: Paint Accidents

Project Life Tuesday for today is when painting fun goes awry. I picked up Harry from preschool the other day and went to give him a little kiss on his head...and saw this!
Simple, I thought. A quick wash and it will come out easily. It didn't. We are now up to several days later and four hair washes and there is still red paint in there. It will have to grow out at this rate! Every time I see his little red head I think about the fun he must have had at preschool that day...and smile.
Challenge for Project Lifers: Take a photo of a little accident that has taken place with your little one lately. :)