I'M BACK!!!!

OMG its June already!!!! How fast has this year gone!!!!

Lately Ive been enjoying the creative process but procrastinating when it comes to the finishing details. Well with a new month also comes a new promise to stop this behaviour. Stop laughing!!!! I know Ive said it before but here I go again.

So what have I doing lately........(all started but none are completed)

* Some scrapbook pages

* Material flowers

* Ruffle designs on some T shirts

* P.Js for Phoenix

* Redesigning my scrap space

* Studying for my photography course

* Redecorating my lounge room

* Playing with PSE actions.

I WILL start posting pics of these as I finish them.....I promise.

P.S. I have to say that last month I joined the Port Lincoln Photography Club and really enjoyed it and learnt heaps. Today we all got together for an outing at Tom McNabbs place to see his studio. All I can say is OMG!!!!!!!! This is a studio that any photographer in the WORLD, yes WORLD would just drool to have a space like this. I had to keep looking out the window to remind myself that we were in Port Lincoln,      not some studio in New York or other major capital city.

ITS ALL A MATTER OF BALANCE!!!!

Balance is something Ive been thinking alot about lately.
For the first 3 months of the year I was totally dedicated to my 365 project and blogging every day. I was a bit critical of my photography skills and a little embarrassed my lack of writing skills. I was putting alot of pressure on myself and after 3 months pretty much gave up. Oh yes I said to myself that I would still do both every couple of days but did I ???? Thats a big fat NO!
The last 2 months has seen me do only a couple of entries and although the pressure has been off I have been really disappointed in myself. When I stop and thought about it, I really enjoyed putting my blog up everyday. I actually thought about my day and how I had used it.
I have also realised that I was alot more creative then, more determined to do something rather than sit on my computer and browse. Don't get me wrong, I have found some amazing stuff out there in blog world and am totally inspired, now I just need to be more motivated. So here I go again.
I thought Id start by sharing my retreat pages.....

The last to are the pages I completed on my own at retreat, "a Fish Wish" actually has a pocket to hold Maddii's school report.

P.S Tried to post this last night but blogger said NO

HAPY MOTHERS DAY!!!

What a wonderful day!!!! It all started with the compulsory sleep in, I got up at 9am and was greeted with a yummy breakfast of eggs, toast and bacon made by my wonderful husband.  Whilst I was eating my wonderful girls and darling husband presented me with some lovely gifts. Firstly I got the cutest card from Phoenix, she had made it at Kindy and had wrote in it all by herself and read to me.On the front it had some amazing hand drawn picture which I just loved. Next came a card the Lavender and Phoenix had made together, again what could be better. I also got a pot of tulips and..........

then came this fantastic clock. I have been admiring it in The Bay Rooms window for the past few months and had nearly brought it a few times. This beauty is about 1m in height and is like a giants pocket watch. How lucky am I???? I LOVE it.

After  a slow start, I got up and did a few basic jobs, e.g put the dish washer on and hung out a load of washing. Next thing on my list was to do some exercising. With my bad back  I can only really walk so I have been doing so every day for the last week. In the last 7 days I have walked 35k and have lost 1.4kilos and I am stoked!!!!! I needed to get moving as the weight has been piling on since I gave up the smokes.
I am celebrating 5 weeks as a non smoker, yes  thats 5 weeks and I am so happy and proud of myself.
Next I did a load of ironing, hate it but needed to so the kids had school clothes for tomorrow.
After that the day was mine to lax (as Phoenix puts it), relax!!! yeah!!!!
We had a great family dinner of roast chicken, gravy, veges and potato mash.....Yummy!!!

And then came probably the best moment of the day maybe even the year..... drum roll please.......

My 3 daughters helping out in the kitchen together...... YES TOGETHER!!!!!! I dont know what came over them but I wish I could bottle it to use in the future. LOL

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY TO YOU ALL!!! I HOPE YOUR FAMILIES SPOILT YOU ROTTEN BECAUSE YOU DESERVE IT!!!

and

Happy mothers day MUM, I know you wont see this as you are flying to Czech right now but I love you so much. Take care and have a great time. mwah!!!!

TIARA TIME!!!

Hi guys hope everyone is doing well. Right now I am sitting here watching the royal wedding with Lavender. Both of us thought we would get into the spirit and wear tiaras.

Spent most of the time trying to explain what it all meant for Britain and that it was extremely special as it brought a whole country, if not the world, together, if only for a moment. 

Earlier on tonight Tony and I went out to a very special invite only event. Had a great time and wish them the best of luck.

Tony and me just before we go out.

A few random thoughts.....

Its great that we can leave Phoenix with the girls and go out together now.

Tony and I need to start going out together as a couple more.

Getting lots of inspiration from the net and some wonderful blogs, now I just need to sit down and start playing.

Need to start moving!!!

I really want a bright yellow bag. Why??? I do not know!!!

Think wedges are soooo comfortable.

JUST ENJOY!

Lots of relaxing going on here.  Monday was just spent hanging around enjoying each others company.
On Tuesday we decided to go for a drive to Coffin Bay. We had a great time exploring the national park.

Isn't this just spectacular!!!!

I just love this sign, it cracks me up when I see it.

I took lots of photos but I won't bore you.

After the national park we headed into town and stopped off at the new playground for some fun. I got lots of shot of Phoenix and Lavender climbing and sliding down the slippery dip. But this is the shot that made everyone wet themselves with laughter......

everyone except me. LOL. Tony got me to get on this spinny thing and just kept spinning me around and around. I was sooooo dizzy that I had to just close me eyes and hold on for dear life. I won't show you the rest of the photos, me trying to get off .

On our way home we stopped off to have another look at a block of land that we have been thinking about buying. It has the most amazing view of Port Lincoln. Its only negative is that it is nearly 10k from the centre of town, about a 10-15min drive. I took this shot of Lavender blowing on a "Santa Claus",

thats what I called them when I was a kid.

Today was busy, lots of running around for everyone. I had Physio and am feeling great, nearly back to normal, no back pain just a little tightening of my butt muscle.

Tonight the girls, yes all three girls, spent some time designing clothes. Phoenix got on old top and redesigned it into a top and headband.

HAPPY BUNNY DAY!!!!

Hope everyone has had a great Bunny Day, our has been great and relaxing!!!!
I have to say that my favourite part as to be when at 6.30am this morning I heard an excited squeal and lots of chatter from Phoenix when she realised that the Easter Bunny had been. She jumped out of bed, asked Maddii to hold Itty Bitty for her and started collecting the eggs from the trail that the bunny had left. It was so wonderful to hear that excitement again, even Maddii and Lavender enjoyed listening to her and said that was the best part of Easter for them.

Maddii worked until after lunch. We all spent the day just hanging out.

After lunch I had my first attempt at making the wonderful E2C Sticky Date Pudding with Caramel Sauce. I think I burnt it a little but it still tasted YUMMY!!!!

For dinner we had my favourite..... Roast Pork with CRACKLING{drooooooool} with mash potatoes and roast pumpkin. I also made E2C's Cranberry and Broccoli Salad, with a bit of a twist I added some apple as well. The kids didn't like it much but Tony and I loved it.

To celebrate this special day we thought we would have some fun around the dinner table......

we all put on bunny ears and got our photo taken.

What a great day!!!! Hope it was for you too!!!!

TO BLOG OR NOT TO BLOG, THAT IS THE QUESTION!

Hi everyone, hope everyone one is good.
For the last couple of weeks there has been no blogging from me. I have spent most of my time on the computer going thru other peoples blogs for inspiration and going through some of my favourite blog, thru to their very first blog entry. With House of 3 closing down,{wipe away a tear and blow nose}, I have been buying some of their digital files, lots actually. At the moment they have 50% of everything. I have been going thru the blog reading up on their creative talents and amazing projects.
Since the beginning of school holidays I have also been just enjoying spending time with the kids, playing games, cooking, crafting and watching some of their favourite movies with them. It has been so nice to just relax and not to put too much pressure on myself to get certain things done.
I guess the biggest change around here is that I am a NON SMOKER!!!!!! Yeah! Its been 20 days now and apart from seeing the occasional person on TV smoking, I don't miss it at all.
On Friday, Good Friday, I finally got around to making the spinach and pumpkin salad for the family. I forgot to put the feta cheese and only had mixed nuts, Tony had used the pine nuts for something else without me knowing, but it was still nice and more importantly, the family liked it.

Tonight we had another yummy dinner and the whole family asked for the pumpkin spinach salad. This time I did put in pine nuts and feta cheese as well as some baby roma tomatoes- YUMMY. Maddii asked to take the left over to work with her tomorrow. A real family favourite and went beautifully with our garlic buttered fish and bacon shallot mash. Thank E2C girls.

Tomorrow I am going to make the broccoli and cranberry salad and the sticky date pudding from retreat, can't wait.

Better go I think I can hear the Easter Bunny scratching at the door. Hope he is good to you all and bring you lots of chocolate eggs from the chocolate forest.