Mama Marks

Happy L-Easter (as Little E would say :-)

2009-04-13T07:12:00.007-07:00

I had terrible camera troubles yesterday (of course it wasn't me!)

My beautiful Easter egg hunteresses ...

The sensible 16 year old (who also decided to terrorise the 3 year old by playing tennis with the mini eggs and hitting them over the fence!)

Cadbury bokeh ...

I FINALLY finished some boiled egg warmers (also useful for chocolate egg hats!)

Hope you all had a blessed Easter, with lots of love from me and mine ... to you and yours xxx

PS Caitlin is the best (she told me to say that!)

Life: 14,297 .... Peace: 0

2009-04-10T04:29:00.005-07:00

Hi there! Miss me? :-)

So ... 3 and a bit months since my self-proclaimed year of peace, and unfortunately no peace to be had as yet. Most days I'm a little like this flower .... dying around the edges, and trying hard to keep my bright center alive.

Some wonderful days I'm more like this sunflower ... bright and cheery. I hold my head high and can tackle anything that comes my way.

Some days I put on a mask and hide from the world.

And every day ... I hope I soon find the key that unlocks the door to my ideal (and peaceful!) world.

2009 so far (in dot points!)

1 new nephew
1 16 year old daughter who now has a boyfriend
1 (now cured) flickr obsession
1 photography workshop
1 shortish haircut
1 burnt fringe with hair straighteners!
1 hens day
1 wedding
1 x 1 year old birthday party
1 x 3 year old birthday party
1 25th wedding anniversay
1 x 65th birthday
1 ultrasound
1 lovely brother came to live with me
2 nights at the outdoor movies
2 friends with babies on the way
2 x 16 year old fancy dress birthday parties
2 dinners out
2kg weight loss
2 indoor movies
3 concerts
6 parent/teacher interviews
some wine
moderate amount of anger
a fair amount of tears
quite a bit of chocolate :-)
and lots and lots of reasons to be grateful.

peace

2009-01-01T19:37:00.000-08:00

i have a word for 2009 - it's peace.

this was my inspiration.

last year my word was simplify (I even made a t-shirt with simplify on ... taught by Em who was taught by Amy.)

simplify didn't happen in 2008 ... chaos, disorder, heartache? yep, but no simplify.

so i'm determined that in 2009, my version of peace will be achieved.

I've edited the definition from here, and this is how it goes:

peace
1: a state of tranquillity or quiet:
2: freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions
3: harmony in personal relations

at peace

1: in a state of concord or tranquillity

wish me luck!

You Suck - but I Love You anyway ... Happy 1st Birthday Dyson!!

2008-12-31T00:01:00.008-08:00

Oh Dyson, how ironic that I should choose the Eve of 2008 to bring you into my life!

2008 - a year that brought so much dirt, muck, crud and mess into my life. If only you could suck it all away with your super duper-ness, and I could just empty it into the bin and have it all taken far away ...

And now on the Eve of 2009, my Dad & Sister surprise me with the gift of 2 cleaners for 2 hours!

An unkind person (thanks Big B!) might say they think my home needs a good clean ... I think it's a powerful metaphor for moving into the New Year all clean and fresh and sparkly.

Works for me!

The OTHER side of Christmas ...

2008-12-30T14:22:00.001-08:00

A bit like this blow up Christmas tree, I'm feeling a little deflated today.

This ditty may give you an indication of why:

" ... on the 24th day of Christmas, little E gave to me ... an unexpected bout of vomiting (SING ALONG!) ...

... on the 26th day of Christmas, little E gave to me ... the stuff from inside a glo stick in her eye, and a trip to E.D. (ALTOGETHER NOW) ...

... on the 30th day of Christmas, my Dad gave to me ... one collapsed lung and he also had a trip to E.D. (WE'RE REALLY GETTING INTO IT NOW) ... "

Everything's gonna be alright!

Handmade Christmas ...

2008-12-28T03:35:00.001-08:00

I got some lovely gifts for Christmas, but the one's that really warmed the cockles of my heart were handmade with love ...

Middle C handcut 2 designs in lino and printed and framed these lovelies for me.

My friend Nicky embroidered this fab wall hanging.

Big B designed and screen printed this yummy bag.

Em was my Secret Santa for the Thailand trip girls. I got this gorgeous apron that she made, and her friend made the silver ring which says "peace."

Middle C made this delish lemon cheesecake for her Stepdad (his favourite.)

and Big B screen printed this funky t-shirt for him (using a variation of the design for my bag.)

Of course, Little E made a lovely card and had a photo taken with Santa for me, and one of my Doctor's at work made something similar to New Norcia nutcake with his kids.

I am very keen to spread (and receive!) even more handmade wonderfulness next year!

One off event - Pink in Perth 21.12.08!!

2008-12-21T20:57:00.008-08:00

NO - not her ...

THIS one! ...

Ingredients for a 3 year old's special pink birthday party - 1 very excited birthday girl ...

add an Uncle or two ...

and baby cousin Z ...

cupcakes and candle ...

special friends & more pink cupcakes ...

a cousin or four ...

a Grandad all dressed up for the occasion ...

lovely birthday cards ...

lovely birthday pressies (including this one handmade by Big B) - pattern from here ...

and you will have a wonderfully happy 3rd Birthday party!

Love you little E - you give me joy every single day,

love Mumma xx

Fun Foto Friday (Fave Festiveness)

2008-12-19T20:05:00.005-08:00

Yes, I've had the Festive Funk this year ... but here is the antidote.

Melt Cinnamon roll scented waffle bar in the oil burner (bought from a very cute Christmas shop near Clares' place.)
Play Christmas carols all day and night, especially obscure Soul or Punk versions to annoy the teenagers.
Take photographs of Christmas-sy things that make you smile, and share them with the world (i.e. you - yes, you!)
Eat yummy gingerbread Christmas decorations.
Open lovely handmade Secret Santa gift from Em before Christmas, and wear your lovely apron all day ... whilst doing all of the above.
Rejoice in suddenly being transformed into Mrs Christmas herself! :-) Kind of ...

Fabric Christmas Ornament (all you need is love)

These would be mine! (Thank You Dr & Mrs P)

Isn't he cute?

A bowl of baubles (try saying that fast 6 times after a glass of eggnog!)

Lovely knitted Christmas stocking found at IKEA yesterday (on sale too!)

A cuddly friend (who actually came free with a pair of boxer shorts many years ago, but I couldn't part with him. Shhhh, don't tell!)

The Tree by Me - not my finest hour, but much loved by my own Christmas angel, Little E.

In the entry: I have had a thing for painted metal decorations the last few years.

Father Christmas doll from my Mum, don't you just love his beard??

And of course, Little E, who is very happy that Christmas is finally here, cos it means Birthday number 3 is too! (Cat face painting is optional for Father Christmas visits in Australia.)

Thoughtful Thursday - The Serenity Prayer

2008-12-18T15:28:00.007-08:00

I've been thinking about The Serenity Prayer a lot this week. This is one version:

"God, give us grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed, courage to change the things that should be changed, and the wisdom to distinguish the one from the other."

Sometimes I repeat the whole prayer in my head, sometimes it's more of a shortened "God give me serenity!" urgent request. It's not here yet ... but it's coming.

I believe it's coming.

(Photograph taken in the very serene Krabi, Thailand. October 2008.)

Fun Foto Friday (Random Randomness & Ramblings)

2008-12-12T03:04:00.009-08:00

It's been a funny old day today, and my photo selection probably reflects the state of my mind!

Little E - Isn't this what everyone does when they get a new pack of knickers?? (We did encourage her - just a bit!)

Shiny drum kit in Big B's bedroom

I don't have a knicker fetish or anything, but don't they look so cute in a pile?

Little E and her Great-Gran - she's like the Energizer bunny - keeps going and going ...

Bright washing baskets make the mountains seem not QUITE so bad!

Make Do Dinner #2 - salmon cutlets were on special for $20.00kg, I lightly pan fried the salmon, and had an unusual angel hair pasta, herb, brown lentil & cherry tomato mixture in a light cream sauce on the side (yes, not much left in the fridge again!) and it was YUM!!

I hadn't taken a close look in the veggie patch this week, so I was delighted today to find 2 baby zucchini growing really well, and these two "unusual" looking cucumbers! They are just going through that awkward teenage stage ...

Little E's swag I made for her.

I used to REALLY like Jamie Oliver. I still like him. Just not REALLY ...

And I had mushroom, pumpkin & cherry tomato risotto for tea, with good old Cadbury's dairy milk for dessert.

Life is beautiful.

Thoughtful Thursday - What if you put all your eggs in one basket ...

2008-12-11T15:53:00.003-08:00

... and it turns out to be the TOO HARD basket??!!

Counting our Blessings ...

2008-12-07T21:44:00.003-08:00

It's an honour to be your Godmother little Zoe. Looking forward to being a part of your journey through life. Wishing you health and happiness & love and laughter always. Lots of love, Aunty Jo xxxxx

The story of THE red dress - a modern fable (you might want to get a drink, you could be here a while)

2008-12-06T03:50:00.004-08:00

CHARACTERS:
Girl
Sister
Niece
Dad
Friend
Jennifer Hawkins (Miss Universe 2004)

PLOT:
Girl gets asked by Sister to undertake important role at christening of niece. Girl decides she needs a new red dress, and shops high and low for THE perfect red dress. Girl finds to her horror, that "watermelon" seems to be the only red around! People say girl looks good in red. Not watermelon. Girl gives up and tries every other-colour-of-the-rainbow dress on. But she pines for red. Girl gives up altogether. Girl moans to friend about lack of red dresses in-the-whole-world. Friend (who is Trinny & Susannah all rolled into one) spends day off work searching for THE red dress for girl (even though she is appalled by meagre budget she is given.) Friend phones girl with many choices. Then friend emails girl photo of THE dress. Girls heart stops beating. It is THE red dress! It is (ahem) a little over budget, but she will love it and wear it forever! Girl is happy, although she ignores big flashing warning sign. Warning, warning - dress is being modelled by Jennifer Hawkins -warning, warning. Girl still ignores. Friend is so happy for girl, that she phones every Myer store in West Australia, to find there is only one size 10 in whole of the State! But Size 10 is only 2 minutes from where girls' Dad lives! It's an omen. Girls' Dad happily agrees to pick up dress for girl (though almost has heart attack when he thinks girl tells him it is $449.00 not $149.00. ) Dad and girl meeting for lunch next day. Dad phones girl in morning to confirm he has dress. Warning, warning - Dad says he thinks dress is a little sexy for a christening. Warning, warning. Girl doesn't do sexy (unless it's outdoor bath in Thailand.) Girl thinks it's just Dad talk and ignores him. Dad and girl meet. Dad hands over bag with dress. Girl fondles material. It is THE red dress! Big B & Little E agree - it is THE red dress. Girl buys tiny cardie to cover sexy shoulders in church. Girl spends many hours Christmas shopping and isn't able to try on dress until 2.54pm ...

CONCLUSION:
It takes a whole village to raise a child. It takes a whole cast of characters to find THE red dress. And it takes one heartbreaking second to realise you're not Jennifer Hawkins.

And just in case you think I slacked off completely ...

2008-12-05T03:48:00.004-08:00

In between washing; tidying; taking photos; taking sick kids to the Doctor; emailing etc, I also assembled 75 photo Christmas cards and made 25 birthday invitations ...

And just because she's so gorgeous (even with morning hair!)

Fun Foto Friday (photos you take when you should be doing housework!)

2008-12-05T02:57:00.006-08:00

To cope with the mess and cleaning that needed to be done everywhere around here today, I ignored it and took happy photos instead! :-)

Little E's room (above & below)

love love love books

minimalist for a maximalist :-)

Necessity (and me!) is the Mother of invention ...

2008-12-04T04:03:00.006-08:00

You know the story, 3 hungry kids eating you out of house and home - so when you go to cook tea, all you can find is -

satay tofu

tin of chick peas

spinach

dried spaghetti

I could have called it "all-we-had-left" pasta sauce, and it would have tasted awful.

So I called it my "Asian-Italian-Middle Eastern-fusion" pasta sauce - and it was good!

It's all about perception :-)

Hello Summer ... be gentle with me ... it's been a long time.

2008-12-01T15:32:00.005-08:00

I know you've got your job to do, but so do I - and you make it very difficult with all your hot-headedness. So I'll do you a deal - you keep it under, say 38 degrees (that's celsius for my overseas friends) and I'll stop complaining.

Maybe.

Fun Foto Friday (food and fat)

2008-11-28T00:01:00.000-08:00

Last night I went to a work function and enjoyed one of these ... I have no idea what is was called, but it was delish!

And on Tuesday, I had one of these Bakers Delight white chocolate/berry scones with Big B - YUM!

However, to keep on the straight and narrow (i.e. not becoming wider than my height) - I have this on my desk at work ...

Play Doh?

Lumpy custard?

How about a model of 1kg of human fat??!! (and it is SO big in real life.)

Sigh. But it works.

If it's Thursday, it must be Thanksgiving.

2008-11-27T16:40:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends who are celebrating today!

I am giving thanks, that hopefully after more chemotherapy today and tomorrow, my lovely Dad will be in remission again ... and I am so very thankful for that.

Then little E (and the rest of us) can have more of this ... that makes me thankful AND very happy too.

Up dog ...

2008-11-26T04:41:00.000-08:00

The other night while I was busily working away on the computer (i.e. blog reading), Big B came into the study ...

B: "It smells like up dog in here"

Me: "What?"

B: "It smells like up dog in here"

Me: "I can't smell anything"

B: "It really smells like up dog in here Mum"

Me: "I don't understand what you're saying. Talk English. What's up dog?"

B: (in her best Gangster voice) "NO! Wassup wiv YOU dawg!"

Blessings

2008-11-24T20:51:00.000-08:00

My Aunt recently wrote me a lovely letter, and gave me this beautiful Willow Tree figurine called "Blessings." When Big B saw it, she said it looked like my friend Em ...

Blessings?

Em?

How appropriate.

oh ... and growing!

2008-11-23T03:53:00.001-08:00

So where did that weekend (month, year ...) go??

2008-11-23T02:48:00.000-08:00

Randomness:

Little E is very excited about her birthday/Christmas. Her favourite Christmas colour is "Silba" and every day she tells me "Guess what? Soon it's Mimi's birsday!"

Middle C has just got her first job, and starts as a check-out chick at Coles this week.

Listening to Paul Weller "22 Dreams"

and Duffy "Rockferry"

Big B performed an original song "Queen B" at a concert last night.

and I'm reading "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho and eating Pumpkin, lentil & coconut soup.

(un) Anniversary 20.11.04 - 22.5.08

2008-11-20T05:51:00.000-08:00

Confucius say "girl who smile like cat that got the cream, soon have taste of sour milk!"

However, Grandad used to say that "this too shall pass" ... and it does ... and it will.

Birthday Boxing Day

2007-09-16T06:19:00.000-07:00

9.24pm, nearing the end of Birthday Boxing Day, and a big case of post "very-nice-birthday-indeed" blues.
Had our first veggie crop today! (have previously used some parsley to make a yum tabouli, and a few odd lettuce leaves) but this was the first batch big enough to make a meal! I made broccoli and potato soup, and we ate it with a loaf of turkish bread from the freezer. Very yum (I did worry that I may have missed a bright green caterpillar somewhere in the tight head of broccoli - being a no spray garden means lots of happy bugs!) but I'm sure no-one ever died from eating 1/5th of a caterpillar??!!
Met my lovely Dad for a coffee at Mindarie today with Big Kid and Middle Kid. Dad gave me a fantastic fruit and veggie growing book from the Diggers Club, got very enthused reading through it. Am desperate to grow some berries (blueberries won't work) but perhaps some yum blackberries??
Hubby out tonight listening to a band that could make your ears bleed. I'm off for a bit more tidying, chucking stuff in dryer and then a cup of tea and the last of my birthday Lindt choc .. and hopefully 1/2 hour of craft before I crash! Let's hope Baby kid sleeps all night .. and there you have it, my first ever blog .. didn't hurt a bit!