Important #fmy52weeksofmemories

I've been needing to get away from the house AND kids for some time for myself. It's has been obvious to me that I need to. It hasn't happened and is something I am going to have to organise, because I have been a total crabby McStabby and well because MENTAL HEALTH.

My quick getaway for the day is usually fishing. I think I'll be needing more than a day away though.

Over the weekend we all went fishing. Fishing with kids is far from calming, although I was happy to have all my kids along for the ride this day. We had heaps of bites, but didn't catch a thing. We tried at the drain and then at the jetty, where all I got was snagged, twice, and lost all my hooks and a sinker.

Even though we didn't catch anything, I was in my happy place. I spent a lot of time here when I was a kid. By the beach and fishing, the seaside really is one of my good for the soul places.

Everyone was happy and together, that is just a important to me as having some time out for myself.

One Mother Hen: John Leslie O'Brien - His Story

On this, the 25th of April, ANZAC day, I thought I'd repost John O'Brien's story.

It has been almost four years since we lost my extremely impoliticly correct father in law, and grand pop to my kids.

He was known to blurt out such statements as the bombs that were dropped on Japan were not atomic, they were fertiliser bombs!! Because they did not stop them, they multiplied!

Not sure he would turn in his military grave at Pasadena or not, to be featured here. He wouldn't want the bloody fuss. I am sure he is proud as punch of his grandkids, in fact I know he would be. Not that when he was alive, he was the best at showing it to his offspring, but he would tell all removed who would listen, of their achievements.

Please take the time to read the legacy he left behind, according to Annette, his most beloved daughter in law, and read by his grand daughter Zoe, at his funeral.

Please click on the link to read of his amazing life One Mother Hen: John Leslie O'Brien - His Story:

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A whole buncha fun

Product review brought to you by Nuffnang and Funtastic Bunchems.

My little clown, super excited with her box of Bunchems RRP $39.99

I was hesitant about accepting Bunchems into our house. I knew nothing about them but the stories about horrific hair tangles. From what I'd seen on social media, it had me thinking that surely they were evil and a shoe in for worst toy of the century.

You have to excuse me for expecting them to fly out like heat hair seeking missiles as soon as the box was opened.

It wasn't the case. Not to say, I wasnt cautious, with a whole spiel to the girls about not putting anywhere near their heads. I even went as far as putting their hair up so there were no accidents!

A furry caterpillar

 

Everyone knows kids are happier when they are busy, and this doesn't always mean busy in front of a screen. It's important for them to be creative and engage their imagination through construction and craft. Bunchems keeps them busy and entertained with no glue, sticky tape or MESS.

Bunchems magically cling together to build and create anything your kids can think of and they can create again and again, as the plastic spheres are reusable.

Here is how much fun my girls had with Bunchems on the day they arrived in our house. The next morning they pulled them out again for more fun.

Some of the designs were a bit more involved, like the octopus and the crazy car. Izzy needed a little help with these ones, I found myself sitting down for some creating too.

It dawned on me that it's been a while since I joined in for some quality time creating with them. I really enjoyed it. Mostly though they were happy to construct whatever their minds desired.



A vase of flowers. Summer's favourite thing was making flowers.

A snake

My very own Bunchems fail. The girls thought it was pretty good!

Izzy's favourite, the unicorn

What was your favourite Bunchems creation?

What would you create with Bunchems?

North African veggie casserole

I posted my lunch on Instagram the other day (as I do). Kimmie asked for the recipe, so here it is.

I have blogged the Baharat spice mix before, you can find it by following the link. If you can't be stuffed with that, buy something like Moroccan or Middle Eastern spice blend from the supermarket.

1 can lentils
1 can kidney beans
1 can black beans (Edgell)
1 can diced tomatoes
1 onion, diced
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
2 cups cubed squash
2 celery stalks
1 olive oil
3 Tablespoons Baharat spice mix
1/2 preserved lemon
2 cups water
plain yogurt, mint or coriander to garnish

Heat oil on a medium-high heat, add onion and fry until soft. Add baharat spice mix, garlic and stir for a minute.

Add 3 tablespoons of the water (so the spices don't burn), squash and celery and stir until water is absorbed.
Pour in tomatoes and rest of water. Bring to the boil and reduce heat to medium low.

Add the drained and rinsed lentils and beans. Simmer all ingredients uncovered for 15 minutes or until squash is cooked. I usually leave it until the liquid is thick and saucy.

Finely chop preserved lemon rind and stir into the casserole.

Serve up garnished with a dollop of yogurt and torn up mint leaves or coriander.

• instead of squash, use pumpkin, sweet potato or eggplant
• swap out the lentils or beans for chick peas
• add some chilli for heat
• if you don't have preserved lemon, garnish at the end with lemon zest
• add some finely grated ginger with the spices for a flavour twist

-----Recipe adapted from the Maza recipe booklet-----

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Colour #fmy52weeksofmemories

 

 

Cosmos

Dahlia

Daisy

Gladioli

Impatient

A naughty jonquil flower bud emerging from the ground. It's only April!!

Pigface flower

Red carpet rose

Renae Rose (and below)

Sally Holmes Rose (and below)

Snapdragon

Sunday drives

Autumn has well and truly hit. Cold nights and mild days are with us now. Gone are the days of thirty plus and the high twenty degree days. The past week and the forecast for the coming week are struggling to reach twenty!

Sunday a week ago, turned out a gorgeous day though, with the Geltwood festival markets in the main street of Millicent in the morning and a Sunday drive down to Pelican Point in the afternoon.

My niece and her husband, who have just returned from a couple of years overseas, joined us for the day. It was really good.

I fell in love with this immaculate HT Holden GTS (circa 1970) this is one car I would love to own!
My place in time #64 - a car I would love to own

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