Don't...

...stand still around here at the moment.  You may be put into a bag, thrown out, rehomed or popped in the Charity bin.

With every move comes the clean up.  I am being ruthless this time.  On the hit list this week is the acrylic wool and the linen cupboard.

I did not take a before photo but I am very happy with my after result.

I have a cupboard like this one here.  Infact, it could easily be mine.  More on that later.  It only felt like yesterday that we were packing up and moving to Brisbane, that is until you come across how much the little people have grown in the time we have been here.

Joining in with the fun over at Tinniegirl and failing to visiting all that is on the list.  How is everyone else going?

A friend in the Kitchen...

Meet my new friend in the kitchen.

She has been part of the family for a few months now and to she is here to stay.

The Thermomix.  A food processor that also minces, blends, beats, whips, grinds, kneads and COOKS.  It has taken me a while to come out in blogland as I didn't want you all to think that I was made of money.

I have dreamt of owning one of these since I saw it at a friends demo in December last year.  I came home announcing that I would love one to my husband and he announced that I could have it the next day if it cooked toast and replaced the oven* (the two things that it can not achieve)

After finally killing  the food processor in May, I ordered one and have not looked back.

Just look at their faces.  This was the first time they used it and they were not impressed.

It took a little convincing the kids that this new machine was a good thing.  We had tears from both of them as helping Mum in the kitchen meant licking the beaters and I was not about to take out the blade for them.  They have come around now and love helping to make everything from cakes and playdough to micing tge garlic and watching steak turn into mince

I am enjoying how quickly it makes everything and Tim fears that if it ever breaks I will not know how to use a knife and with Baden with his reactions to food preservatives I have cut down my preparation in the kitchen by approx 2 hours a day.

Parmesan Cheese in seconds

This is not going to become a food/thermomix blog.  But if you would like to see it in action and live in Brisbane I have signed up as a consultant and would love to come and cook you and a few friends lunch or dinner so you can see its magic. There is no pushy sales pitch. I promise.

 * Little did I know that he had been on to Google and checked out what it could do.

By the Sea...

One of many things we are going to miss about Brisbane is the closeness to the sea.  (especially the male of the house)  Saturdays are on the water day around here.

We joined him on the weekend for a picnic and a chance for the kids to go for a paddle with him.

Amelia also had her first fishing lesson off of her Pa.  It didn't take long before she was over the little crabs eating it and we went past the fishing trawlers on the way home and bought some fish.

Tim then took over holding it for a while - what do you think?  Does the colour suit him?  Apparently it is Hot Salmon.

Joining in with Blogtoberfest.  Day three and keeping up.

A sad goodbye

There have been tears here today.

We said goodbye to our Eme dog.  Her ears have been clipped and she has gone to stay on the farm. To enjoy the open paddock and run, run and run some more until we move south and pick her up.

I found a little girl sobbing at the back door this afternoon.  She misses her already.

These will be the first of many tears shed I feel.  The next 10 weeks are going to fly by, and withit will come lots of goodbyes.

The Party {And then she was SIX}

I thought I would start the first day of October off with a bang and a party and share with you a little party.

We had a little tea party with a few friends in celebration of Amelia turning six on Thursday.

The kids usually get something handmade as part of their birthday presents.  But due to lack of time and the late night knitting that occured here I just plain ran out of time.

Instead, every part of Amelia's little tea party was baked and prepared by me.  All on Thursday monring.  Thank heavens for my new machine in the kitchen (more on that later) or there would have been tears.

Decorations were in the form of chinese lantans made by the birthday girl and a few ballons.

Tea cups from the opshops were filled with a few lollies and taken home by the guests. The girls decorated their own cup cakes and a game of musical chairs, pass the parcel and dancing filled in the time.

Joining in with the month worth of celebrations and fun that is Blogtoberfest over at Tinniegirl.

This Moment {and then she was six}

This week, this moment is a little bit different. There is more than one photo and lots of words.  Sorry in advance Soulemama, but this is a special moment.

Our little girl turned 6 yesterday.  SIX.   A little note to my little girl - she started the whole 'Mealy and I' after all...

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Six whole years ago you made be a Mum and a stay-at-home one at that. Who would have known that the years would slip by so quickly.  I have enjoyed spending time with you, and later your brother.  From playgroups to plays in the park.  Sewing on my lap and cooking in the kitchen.  You are there for all of it and for every learning curve that has come along the way in my new role as your Mum.

You are growing into a beautiful little girl (I won't apologise for being bias)  Yes, there are times where I could pull out my hair and yell "why!!!"  Which Mum doesn't?

You enjoy spending time with your brother. The two of you are never too far apart and are always on the look out for each other.

You spend more time upside down then right way up these days.  You enjoy drawing and writing and have leaped in with both feet at school and love learning new things (it took me two days to convince you that you had two whole weeks of holidays and that no-one would be at school)

At the end of the year you will again pack up and move.  This time leaving behind lovely friends that you have made at Kindergarten and your first year of school.  I pray that we are able to keep in contact with them through writing and skyping  This will be your 5th move and although are moving back to somewhere we have lived before you don't recall our last posting there.

Happy Birthday Amelia.  We are looking forward to what the next 6 years will bring (an almost teenager - aghhhh) My degree and knowledge ends now (early childhood), I am in uncharted waters HELP!

My Creative Space {Finished}

The fluffiness that was last week is off the needles.  Wrapped, delivered and received at it's destination awaiting the arrival of the big day to be worn on the shoulders of the to be bride.

There has been alot of stressing over the last week (hence the lack of blogging).  Will I get it finished, will she like it, will it arrive in time and will it fit.  Knitting is stressful to start with when making gifts but this project took it to a whole new level.  There have also been alot of late nights and lots of swearing in the name of our future Queen.

It is adorable.  I think it will look fantastic on and from all weather reports it is meant to be a chilly one in our nations capitol this weekend. I am looking forward to seeing photos of it on. 

I know you are all asking, Will I knit another?  Yes I will, I would love one for myself to wear to functions of which there will be a few next year when we move south.  Will I knit you one?  YES.  But at a price and not until next year.  I am now officially on holiday from anything fluffy and fuzzy.

Kate Middleton, you are stunning and I love your sense of style and elegance.  But your name is a swear word in this house at the moment.

All the details of the bolero can be found on Ravelry.And of course joining in over here.