Friday 29 April 2011

Grateful for Weddings , RAKs & Babies


A Wedding  ~  it reminds me of how grateful I am for my husband of 21 yrs. We were married in a warehouse with a Christian ceremony, the building stands but it is no longer a church - just a warehouse. 
 
I don't remember our exact vows though I trust we mostly hold true to them and cherish them highly. Our future was before us (like William & Kate's today) a blank slate, waiting to be filled with shared dreams and adventures.A future that was filled with all the hope and promise two young twenty-somethings with the world at their feet could ever imagine...

Incredibly two weeks ago we saw G, a Pastor at the time, who 'talked' us through our wedding vows. G was at DH's niece's enagagement party. Plus our lovely photographer, V who is now his bride. 
(Though this Pastor wasn't the Pastor to sign our official marriage certificate...and a year had me all worried we weren't married - he was stirring us up at our friend's wedding)
 
Every day , I am thankful for my husband's strength and tenacity.  I am grateful today I can pause for a moment to just reflect and recognize all that we do have and enjoy it simply for what it is, without thinking about what it is not.

"What counts in making a happy marriage is not so much how compatible you are, but how you deal with incompatibility." - George Levinger

We've been apart the last 3 days and I've missed him terribly ...and his cups of tea :).

Steve -  a 'VIP' truck driver & random stranger ~ who helped back up the car & caravan today after I found myself down a narrow, bendy street blocked by construction ...DEAD END -  Steve's RAK {random acts of kindness} rescued me.
It wasn't supposed to be a one way street , with cars parked either side . I'd still be there otherwise waiting for hubby to come rescue me after he got home from Dubbo 6hrs later.

Babies ~ the International acclaimed movie preview screening of BABIES is on Sunday May 1, 1pm at Event Cinemas Macquarie see this post. If you are in Sydney Sunday and would like to attend I have 5 free family tickets , you can meet me there.
Today is the last day to enter the Lego City SPACE comp - click the Lego Logo 'brick' on the right.
 

 So, what's making you smile today?
... Please add a link back to Maxibella in your post. Blog hop to visit other bloggers who are spreading a little sunshine.
  

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Westfield Online and Giveway


This time it's a giveaway just for you (and me).

I don't normally blog much about fashion. It doesn't mean I don't like to shop for new clothes I just rarely get the chance with small children in tow.

Mostly, my fashion worries are limited to keeping myself cleanly attired and smear free when I leave the house. Ah ..motherhood is so glam.

You ?

This time the giveaway is for you ...MUM. Perfect since Mother's Day is just around the corner and maybe your wardrobe needs a boost and a little refreshing now that the cooler weather is creeping in. 
I love the recently launched Westfield online shopping website. There was such an array of brand choices all on the one site.  

I was asked to review tee shirts and tops.

With more than 
2022 choices
from 118 brands  
shopping from 33 stores 
 (I actually counted the brands & stores)

I especially love that you can compare different brands and prices.

All available at your fingertips in your pj's or whatever , on the easy to navigate Westfield online site, which allows consumers to search by store, category, brand, price or specific product name. 

Even so far as colour schemes , florals, prints & stripes and just items on sale.

I know it won't replace the actual joy of trying on new outfits or a day out of the house  with the kids (yours or unknown) peeking under the change room doors but it's a great option considering so many of us shop online now. 

I am still eyeing off my winter selections and planning to create my wishlist for family ...what a super idea for the clueless people in your life.


Consider yourself a fashionista? - go create a whole new look and share with friends or leave *hints* for hubby.

The only thing to watch out for it that each store has an individual postage charge and items are sent separately ...but think of the money you'll save on fuel, parking and not buying the kids lunch or bribes.

I choose

Colorado

and this.

It will be perfect when I move to the country to shop from home - there is no Westfield for miles. 

The fun bits ...
To win a $20 giftcard ...
Leave a comment to say what you like about online shopping

The boring ... 
You don't have to like me, follow me or anything but you can :).
Australia residents only.
Closes Tuesday 3rd May.

Disclosure: I received my tops to keep complimentary of Westfield Online Campaign. No financial payment was offered nor accepted for this post. All opinions expressed are purely my own.
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Wednesday 27 April 2011

Wordless Wednesday - What the ?

Aussie Wordless Wednesday


Still not 100 % but Kim thinks it could be an Emperor Gum moth ? I wish I'd seen the wings opened but he flew into my hair



Bee to the blossom, moth to the flame; Each to his passion; what's in a name?
Helen Hunt Jackson


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Win LEGO® City SPACE celebrating 30th anniversary of the space shuttle and the 50th anniversary of man’s first space flight. AUST ONLY


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Tuesday 26 April 2011

Death by Easter Egg brownies

Almost ...
 
My Mission : Sunday afternoon I drove 5kms to the main farmhouse , risking life and limb, to do some Easter baking .
The recipe is easy, the hardest part was whacking away the hands that wanted one of the Caramel Easter eggs peeling the foil off 16 Mini Easter Eggs .

Ingredients :
Method: 
  1. Preheat oven to 180 ° C /160 ° C fan forced. Coat the baking dish with a non stick spray.

  2. Place butter and chocolate in heatproof bowl of simmering water on low heat. (Don't let bowl touch water)

    Cook, stirring, for 2-3 mins until a smooth and combined. remove from heat. Stir in sugar thoroughly until you have a silky smooth consistency. Set aside for 5 mins.

  3. Stir in beaten eggs and flour. Pour mixture into prepared dish. Spread top evenly with spatula. Press chocolate eggs in brownie mixture.
  4. Bake for 25 mins or until brownie is firm to touch. The brownie should be slightly springy on the outside but still slightly gooey in the middle. Cool in dish. Cut into 15 squares. Serve with dusted cocoa powder. *recipe from taste.com.au

They are very decadent and chocolaty, nom, nom scrumptious even if i do toot my own horn. 


Next time I might half the eggs because it was a hunk of solid choc to bite in too where the Easter eggs had melted and kind of caramel oozed out...mmm.

The riskiest part of my mission was smuggling the Easter Egg brownie out of the farmhouse and the STABBY looks I got ...(mostly from the dog)

I almost didn't make it because I was tackled to the ground ...not really  

I got distracted by my BIL's Labrador dog, stealing the remaining...

butter 

from my bag I'd put near the car ...arghhhh 'ruddy' dog !
 
I got to the first gate and had to reverse back to get my Brownies (from inside the house no where near the dog thankfully - he also got J's Easter Bunny over the w/end ) quick LOL.


They didn't take long ...



I don't dare weigh myself when I get home tonight ...


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Monday 25 April 2011

Run , rabbit , run ...

Sunday Selections #1




Love this little song ...

Run rabbit run

I found Gold

S missed it
J got it



(ok ok I know bunnies don't have nests)
Which way did that wabbit go we better warn him?
Counting their luck

 
This is a big critter we found too! What do you think it is ?
 

I'm linking up to Kim's@ Frogponds Rock's Sunday Selections

As a Christian Easter for me is more than Chocolate eggs & bunnies but we still let our sons have a bit of fun on Easter Sunday. They were so excited until I mentioned baking Rabbit pie for lunch ( I saw this on another blog LOL).

I celebrate that Jesus is risen today and I've been set free. 

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Saturday 23 April 2011

Grateful Saturday - Cattle grids , pizza ovens and contracts.

So much to feel grateful for and not enough time to scribble it down.



Cattle grids - We are grateful to be at the farm for Easter.We are 5kms away at one end of the farm from the rest of the family at the big farmhouse. There are 20 of us in total.It's lovely to have everyone here.

They are grateful the small boys are here and not there :)

I'm grateful we get invited for dinner but I hate opening and closing gates ...just saying - I'll be grateful when DH puts more cattle grids in soon. 

The 20' somethings left a gate open too so DH had to chase a few cows back to another paddock...then we realised a mum & calf were separated. 
So we had to turn around, get out of the car again and chase the 'Mum' back through. 
During dinner we heard the 20' somethings had their own adventures chasing the same group of cows/calves after they realised the mistake of not shutting the gate ;) .

Pizza Ovens ~ J - our niece's gorgeous hubby is coming to start building us an outdoor ,wood fired, pizza oven today - I am so excited.It won't be ready to cook in this weekend though I'm grateful that we are making a start.

Contracts ~ Wednesday, we signed up with a Real Estate agent to list our house in Sydney for sale. I'm grateful we finally did it but also anticipating an incredible mix of emotions when it comes time to move.... after we find a buyer.
   
 Maxabella hasn't got a grateful link up today but feel free to share your link or gratefuls in the comments if you wish.
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Thursday 21 April 2011

Giveaway Tron - Legacy & review.

I was immediately drawn to the offer to review Tron (2D) because it was chance to score something hub & the teen would enjoy for a change  - instead the small boys.

The Teen has seen it in 3D and raved about it. Tron is a futuristic adventure that is high tech and action packed from start to finish.

I knew they would immediately immerse themselves in the magic of the digital world of TRON.

The sequel demonstrates a new dimension (yes not just talking about 3D here) with advances in technology and computerised graphics. (No singing or catchy songs in sight here but soundtrack's impressive.)


Myself I loved the luminous neon tight suits, gymnastics with neon Frisbees and neon light motorbikes.

Though a sequel to the original Tron ...you can watch Tron,The Legacy and enjoy it without missing anything.
The story centres around Sam Flynn (Garrett Hedlund), a now grown man, searching for his long-lost father , disappeared ENCOM CEO, Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges Oscar® and Golden Globe® actor extraordinaire). Kevin disappeared when Sam was a boy.

Sam investigates a mysterious signal sent from the abandoned Flynn’s Arcade. Sam gets the key to check it out. Sam then finds himself transported via the portal into the digital world, GRID.
 

Soon enough Sam meets Clu. The evil Clu, a digital copy and younger version of Kevin Flynn has taken control of the Grid. Sam learns to survive he must play hard in the virtual world inside the computer.

Quorra (gorgeous Olivia Wilde) comes to his rescue and takes him to the real Kevin (now an aged grey fox). Kevin has been in hiding in The Outlands after been trapped for decades. 

The trio -Sam, Kevin and his loyal confidant, Quorra embark on a mission to escape the cyberworld before it becomes deadly. The journey, an ultimate good vs evil battle against the ruthless villain Clu, is across a visually stunning futuristic cyber landscape, created by Kevin himself.

What happens next ...well you’ll have to enter to win or buy it yourself.

TRON was released yesterday April 20th ... 

I enjoyed Tron, though I was a little overwhelmed by the dazzling visual and light spectacles, fortunately the dialogue is simple to follow. 

It’s an enjoyable family movie you could watch over for the stunning visual effects. The small boys haven’t watch it yet, the digital violence isn’t too much but I doubt they’d follow the plot.

Tron rated PG with Mild Science Fiction Violence is more for older kids .

Disclosure: We received a complimentary review copy of the DVD courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment via Aussie Mummy Bloggers. No financial payment was offered nor accepted for this post. All opinions expressed are purely our own.

I have ONE Tron Legacy DVD to giveaway to a lucky commenter !

For the chance to win, in the comments below tell me ...

What is your favourite Disney movie?
Guidelines / Terms and conditions: 
  1. You must be an Australian resident 
  2. Everyone is welcome to enter followers or not :).
  3. Closes Tuesday 26th April 2011.
  4. Winner chosen by Random Org. 
  5. Be sure to leave an email address or your twitter handle. I need to contact the winner so the promoter can send your prize.
  6. For an extra entry, tweet the giveaway and leave a comment to say you did.

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Wednesday 20 April 2011

Wordless Wednesday - Every little boy wants to be an ...


. 
“The most important thing we can do is inspire young minds and to advance the kind of science, math and technology education that will help youngsters take us to the next phase of space travel.”  John Glenn quotes (American Marine and Astronaut, b.1921

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