S.S.A.S

Simple. Sunday. Afternoon. Sewing.

 Vliseofix is your best friend if you like instant gratification like me.

Red Lantern

Dave and I recently snuck away for a couple of nights in the city (thanks Mum!!), and we were able to go to Red Lantern, a restaurant that I have been wanting to try for ages.

 We couldn't get a dinner reservation at such short notice (you have to book a couple of months ahead), but we were able to go for lunch.

The food and the atmosphere were great, and it made our little getaway just that bit more special.

Orange Granita.

What a hot and sweaty afternoon it was yesterday here in Sydney! Not the kind of afternoon you feel like standing over a hot stove in.

 But maybe, just maybe you would, in order to make this...

Orange Granita. YUM!

 It is very simple (even an 8 year old can do it). Put 300ml OJ, zest of 1 orange, 50g caster sugar, 150ml water and 30ml of lemon juice in a saucepan. Bring to the boil, reduce heat and simmer till sugar is dissolved. Let it cool. Pour it into a tray, whack it in the freezer and when it is just frozen, scrape up the yummy crystals with a fork and put into cups and EAT!!! It is so deliciously cool and refreshing.

And here is Ben who thought he would try a bit of cooking too.

Note to self - Ben can reach up on the bench now. Beware!

New House Blog

I have started a new separate blog to follow the build of our house. You can find it HERE.

Unfortunately, the block still looks like this even though plans came out of council weeks ago :(

Op-Shop till you drop.

Yesterday I headed out on an op-shop safari with the lovely Pippi and Cathy. We hit the Salvo's at Hornsby first and were greeted with this fabulous sight -1/2 price today! Woo hoo.

 Part of my haul. An IKEA doona cover set for Sarah (she loves it!), a quilted comforter and 2 pillowcases, a hobby horse, plenty of PB Bear and DK board books for Ben, and an abridged version of Gulliver's Travels.

 We visited 5 op-shops, and had lunch in between. It was a fab day, thanks girls.

And I scored these little guys, $1 for the lot!

Junior Masterchef

Afterschool cooking has been running hot this week after the kids watched Junior Masterchef on Sunday night.
Yesterday, Jonty made Lemon Meringue Pie and it was GOOD!!!!!!!!!

I heart Queenstown!

We have just returned from a week in Queenstown, NZ. Wow! What an unreal place.
It was so spectacular being constantly surrounded by snow capped mountains, and perched on the edge of a beautiful lake. We took my mum along as our travelling 'nanny' as ben was too little for lots of the activities.

We went skiing, jet-boating (twice), on a helicopter ride, quadbiking.... and a few other less extreme activities like winetasting, and plenty of delicious food.

This is our luggage. We don't travel light, but it is my aim to from now on. A friend who recently MOVED to Hong Kong with 4 kids said she took less than this. I also met a family in NZ who had recently done Europe with their 2 kids for 6 weeks with CARRY ON LUGGAGE ONLY!!!! Woah.

I might start my new regime this weekend by turning up at KWC just with a sleeping bag and the clothes on my back??? Wonder how my roomies will feel about that?