Artwork Display.

When we emptied the study, we had a few pictures which the children had done over the years which needed a new home.  I put them into a basket till I had made a decision about them, but liked them so much; that I have left them there.

Setting the Table.

We missed 10 year old daughter as she had been on a wonderful school camp last week.
Dignity was restored to the table on her return as she sets it beautifully.  She knew that we were using Japanese pottery for crockery this night and chose beautiful purple napkins with lacquered Japanese spoons pocketed in each napkin.

The House is Elastic.

Our house has seen many changes over the last 16 years.  This week, it changed again.  We thought that our younger two daughters would share a room for a long time, but one of the two is quite affected by any noise during the night.  It seems that her sister's breathing was waking her up.  We would then find her in the lounge, asleep on a couch.
We decided (after much deliberation) that we would change the study into a bedroom.
Great sorting and culling occured and we placed a bed, desk, chair, a few toys and some books in this room for 8 year old daughter.
She loves it.  6 year old daughter misses her, but sleepovers are promised.  The bonus is that the room they once shared is now larger for toys to really spread out.
Both girls really enjoyed using their walkie talkies yesterday from one room to the other.

Sit Down and Rest A While.

Husband E did not want to throw this bench out.  I am so pleased that we did not.  Look at the beautiful restoration which he did.

Weetbix Slice.

I had tried to make this slice with another recipe years ago and it did not work.
I tried Justine's recipe today:

This made two trays:

8 crushed weetbix
2 cups SR flour
2 cups coconut

Mix

Add 250g melted butter mixed with 4T golden syrup.

Pour into trays and press down.  Bake for about 30minutes

I spread melted milk chocolate on top.  I cut it while it was cooling and then into the fridge. 
Family here have tried some warm morsels today with a drink of milk.

Some Jobs Around the Place.

We moved some pictures about and have moved the Japanese ladies from our room into the two younger girls' room and have just focused on the botanical prints in our room; drawn by a family friend.

The blinds were unplanned but will make a big difference as the Summer heat comes.

Twelve Hours of Reading.

This is the book that kept me reading from 6pm till 6am, as I loved the details about food and the setting in Dublin.  Some characters changed rather quickly though and it is not a book that I would read again; but it was holidays and I thoroughly enjoyed being absorbed.

J.K Rowling.

I am reading "Casual Vacancy" by J.K Rowling.  I was not one of those who loved her Harry Potter books, however I did enjoy reading the way in which she crafted her stories.  When I learnt that "cobble stone paths" and "villages"  featured in her new book, I decided to get a copy.  The story is a lot harsher than lovely English village life and would not usually be my kind of book, as I read to enjoy a happy escape into loveliness... but I am intrigued and will finish the book.  She has pulled together many characters effortlessly and I think that she was very brave to branch away from Harry Potter.

This book won't keep me up as late as my last book did: 6pm to 6am the following morning!

Avoiding the Paint Job.

We did not want to paint the end of this cabinet, so we have put up 8 year old daughter's artwork (which is my background for my header) to brighten things up.
We rearranged quite a few pictures these holidays and put up some new blinds.  Photo's later....

Onions.

Mum and Dad had been to the markets and brought lots of fruit and vegetables to our house, including these onions.  They smelt good.

Holidays Ended.

We went down to Canberra for Floriade.  It was as enjoyable as ever with the added bonus of honey popcorn and honey lollipops.
We have had a lovely holiday with husband E home for both weeks, and we have picked up our dear cat, Noddy.  Part of the enjoyment of travelling, is coming home.

Satisfying and Simple.

A whole month of Spring already?
We had sausages done on the BBQ, watching for swooping kookaburras.
Strawberries dipped in chocolate, thanks to Liz for the inspiration.
Lots of sunny spots in the garden.  Blue skies, no smoke in the air from bushfires.....
A cool wind, yet sun on the back.

Very satisfying.