tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60421684769313808972024-03-05T12:19:48.879-08:00littlerosegardenlife's precious moments. My love of gardening, cooking, eating out & in!, family time and... watching the roses grow.littlerosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09390616550942732727noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6042168476931380897.post-3632853869140294102013-04-08T22:37:00.003-07:002013-04-08T22:37:56.485-07:004 MONTHS - HAPPY DAYS!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Victoria officially turned 4 months old at the end </div>
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of last month!</div>
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Good neck control and smiles all </div>
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round most of the time.</div>
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Such a hungry baby though that we've </div>
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already started solids!</div>
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This photo is taken in elise's room. </div>
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She's the spitting image of elise.</div>
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Being scool holidays - we ventured out to </div>
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the pool today.</div>
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Little Victoria enjoyed her first swim ever.</div>
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Cant wait for more 'firsts'!</div>
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littlerosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09390616550942732727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6042168476931380897.post-48231257169298776702013-01-01T20:03:00.000-08:002013-01-01T20:03:34.269-08:00Toshi-Koshi Soba - Happy New Year!Farewell 2012 and welcome 2013!
We bid 2012 farewell in the traditional Japanese way way - with a dinner of 'toshi-koshi' or end of year soba noodles.
Elise set the table with her favorite pink partyware and TM set up a mini shrine to thank the gods for 2012 (especially for the safe arrival of Victoria).
With incense burning and offerings of sake and grapes to the gods, all that was left to do was enjoy a glass of champagne.
May 2013 be a wonderful year!
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ith
littlerosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09390616550942732727noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6042168476931380897.post-19645999041160278862013-01-01T19:58:00.000-08:002013-01-01T19:58:37.657-08:00rockin' around the christmas tree... happy holidays!This Christmas, we decided to mix things up a bit and headed down to Apollo Bay for 5 days. With the beach right on our doorstep, it was a relaxing stay and enabled the whole family time to get to the know and enjoy my the latest addition to the family - the delightful Victoria Rose.
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littlerosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09390616550942732727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6042168476931380897.post-67246504227123743262012-09-17T16:11:00.001-07:002012-09-17T16:11:09.186-07:00Let's Get Physical... ?!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Let's get physical, physical, I wanna get physicallllll....
Little Elise gave Jane Fonda a serious run for her money last night.
TM caught her in action and couldn't resist a few happy snaps.
I'm sure we'll be gym buddies before I even know it!
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What can I say? She is the daughter of someone who used to dance on the trampoline to 'Uptown Girl", dressed in a leotard, leg warmers and makeup. (My goal in life at that age was to BE the girl in Flashdance. littlerosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09390616550942732727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6042168476931380897.post-30218272062055027992012-09-12T15:41:00.000-07:002012-09-12T15:41:36.888-07:00Pondering The Hours Away<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Forgive me for bragging, but TM is really quite talented in so many ways.
He's one of those people who can do anything he turns his hand to.
And so it was, that I discovered him making a pond at the back of our house.
The pond is now complete and we now also have goldfish, much to Elise's delight.
TM would have preffered Koi Carp, but they are apparently illegal in Victoria.
Oh well, one day perhaps.
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Elise and TM now enjoy "yachting" adventures on their pond, as the fish scramble for cover under the rocks and this little 'shrine'. Made from any recyclable materials that they can find, the boats enjoy hours of travel on the calm waters of our pond.
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The other thing Elise enjoys is harvesting the produce that we occassionally manage to successfuly produce. This would have to be our biggest radish yet. Now that Spring is here, we are expecting more sunflowers and (fingers crossed) watermelon in Summer. littlerosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09390616550942732727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6042168476931380897.post-18965531932207948432012-09-06T18:10:00.000-07:002012-09-06T18:11:12.998-07:00School Uniform Morning!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This morning Elise and I dropped in to the School uniform shop to buy her school uniform for next year (seeing as I will be a bit tied up with new baby at the end of the year). Plus I can't help myself. Everyone in my family knows that I like to plan months and months in advance.
Elise was so excited! She looks so tiny in her little uniform and what a big school bag! Lucky school is only a block away. Now the job of sewing name tags onto everything.
East Ivanhoe Primary School - here we come ... next year!!
littlerosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09390616550942732727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6042168476931380897.post-76838657882114543442012-08-12T20:50:00.000-07:002012-08-12T20:50:18.074-07:00Homemade Gyoza Nights<h4 class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">Gyoza - a Steadfast Family Favourite</span></h4>
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Japanese gyoza (pan-fried dumplings)<br />are a family favourite,</div>
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but I only make them every now and then.</div>
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They are especially loved by kids.<br />This weekend was <em>the</em> gyoza weekend.</div>
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Please note you don't really want to attempt</div>
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making gyoza after a full day at work.</div>
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Leave it for a day when you have plenty of time.<br />They are actually very easy to make.</div>
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I usually make them on a weekend afternoon</div>
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and make 2 batches. One is usually eaten that night,</div>
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the other batch I freeze for another night.<br /><br /><strong><u>The Moriyoshi Gyoza Recipe</u></strong> <br /><strong><br />Ingredients </strong></div>
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Gow Gee Wrappers (round type) x 2 packets<br />(from refrigerated noodle section of most major supermarkets)<br />500g pork mince<br />Garlic x 2 cloves<br />Fresh Ginger x 1 small knob<br />Cabbage x one-quarter<br />Shallots x 4 lengths or so<br />Salt & White Pepper<br /><br /><u><strong>How to Make</strong></u><br />1. Roughly chop the 1/4 cabbage into manageable chunks.<br />Cut shallots into 4 sections.<br />Peel garlic and ginger.</div>
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Put cabbage, shallots, garlic and ginger into food processor.<br />Process until cabbage is finely shredded.<br />(Please note this could all be done by hand if </div>
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you have the time and patience - unlike me)<br /><br />2. Next put the pork mince into a large bowl and<br />add the shredded cabbage mix to the mince.</div>
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Season with salt and white pepper.<br />(I use a delicious pink salt from the Murray River).<br /><br />3. Use your hands to mix the pork and <br />cabbage mix together.<br />When it is well mixed, <br />you are ready to start making the </div>
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dumplings.</div>
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4. Lay the wrappers out on a board or table.<br />Spoon about half a dessert spoon full</div>
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of mixture onto each wrapper.</div>
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Dip your finger into a bowl of water and wet the</div>
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edges of the wrappers.</div>
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Fold the bottom part of the wrapper over the mixture</div>
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and seal it to the top part of the wrapper.<br />This should create a semi-circle 'moon' shape.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_0WQKafiwuiYXFsuDgCPXf8Bva5dWIn9WUF8AfSGrC3tSqYoxLDxPlbM8UOV1pN5T4xeztb4mw_a4f8F4cvylOavrnfJlurm87YdDhtMq89xCIt7i_FBrxIO6zFqEwMOYZJLakrVJzKP0/s1600/DSCF3785.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_0WQKafiwuiYXFsuDgCPXf8Bva5dWIn9WUF8AfSGrC3tSqYoxLDxPlbM8UOV1pN5T4xeztb4mw_a4f8F4cvylOavrnfJlurm87YdDhtMq89xCIt7i_FBrxIO6zFqEwMOYZJLakrVJzKP0/s320/DSCF3785.JPG" width="320" /></a><br /><br />5. Next, pinch the edges together to completely</div>
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seal the dumplings. </div>
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You may want to sit down to do this!</div>
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6. Cooking - if you have a good fry-pan, these are fine <br />in a fry-pan. If your fry-pan tends to make </div>
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food stick, dont attempt this in a fry-pan.</div>
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We use a small electric hot plate to cook ours.</div>
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Spray the cooking surface with some cooking spray.<br />Make sure the cooking surface is hot then lay the <br />gyoza bottom-side down on the surface.<br />Pour some water over the dumplings </div>
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and cover with a lid or foil to thoroughly </div>
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steam the meatinside the dumplings. </div>
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Once the meat inside looks cooked,</div>
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take the cover off and cook for a few more </div>
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minutes until the bottom of the gyoza are </div>
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nice and crispy, but not burnt!<br /><br />7. Serve with a dipping sauce of Japanese vinegar, <br />soy sauce and sesame oil or chilli oil. Enjoy!</div>
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littlerosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09390616550942732727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6042168476931380897.post-65172785400344592132012-08-12T20:24:00.000-07:002012-08-12T20:24:00.443-07:00Picnic Days<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjUoIoZVMA-GBmQbT8YeioRvjxTHaJvfGbl92L8aAzaP4ifkGXgsX-QHglsRZzTQUjnmQP7oiihUgjlGDxUQwVuR3njfpEnlb4SoiyMOLGJWraUIQrCHiGyC-aDcbcv-DLka5dlzQ3nSTz/s1600/DSCF3772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjUoIoZVMA-GBmQbT8YeioRvjxTHaJvfGbl92L8aAzaP4ifkGXgsX-QHglsRZzTQUjnmQP7oiihUgjlGDxUQwVuR3njfpEnlb4SoiyMOLGJWraUIQrCHiGyC-aDcbcv-DLka5dlzQ3nSTz/s320/DSCF3772.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />As soon as the sun pokes its head out on the </div>
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weekends, we have been heading straight outside</div>
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for impromptu picnics.<br />As I waited for our turn to use the BBQ,</div>
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TM and Elise went looking for 'treasure',</div>
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although without a treasure map - much</div>
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to Elise's distress!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3umS3cVClup0q0GhsYOuVjweQqp3-8h4XiYR9nu7IEqM1t6xOeaY7kc2EImGlGw6DDaBprmuifE9jJrgwtxgmO01RB3cBCcL0PZv2VP48ZGWXgQgBk64uPt_p6AOKYDvuIJBMXOFnHJNE/s1600/DSCF3774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3umS3cVClup0q0GhsYOuVjweQqp3-8h4XiYR9nu7IEqM1t6xOeaY7kc2EImGlGw6DDaBprmuifE9jJrgwtxgmO01RB3cBCcL0PZv2VP48ZGWXgQgBk64uPt_p6AOKYDvuIJBMXOFnHJNE/s320/DSCF3774.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />Tired after a long treasure hunt!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigreRle8cvkAh1J2wQzPsouYgkDkmuASwQsCyaPBPSaxhcS3GLZq9-wn6UfIXNePDxN2n_SFwkcea-MQ_rdQFh3iTlubgc9syvKpfSQg88bQmyDIMw_ffrGTmE2L8SE8HkkI5EAbixDPZJ/s1600/DSCF3775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigreRle8cvkAh1J2wQzPsouYgkDkmuASwQsCyaPBPSaxhcS3GLZq9-wn6UfIXNePDxN2n_SFwkcea-MQ_rdQFh3iTlubgc9syvKpfSQg88bQmyDIMw_ffrGTmE2L8SE8HkkI5EAbixDPZJ/s320/DSCF3775.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />Oh and there was plenty of dancing as well!</div>
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<br />I used to have this misconception that</div>
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picnics needed to be elaborate affairs,</div>
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with baskets stuffed full of homemade</div>
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goodies prepared well in advance.</div>
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But I have discovered the joy</div>
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of a simple picnic basket that can be </div>
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thrown together in 5 minutes (well maybe 10!)</div>
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Add a ball and some outside</div>
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games enjoyed in the afternoon sun,</div>
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and I usually have one satisfied toddler</div>
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and two relaxed parents.</div>
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<br /></div>
littlerosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09390616550942732727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6042168476931380897.post-16872764169248736792012-07-29T16:13:00.000-07:002012-07-29T16:14:43.067-07:00Fairies & Pixies & Magical Worlds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnUHHIsoKQlCfxMXInOMbPwn1vRthynwS0NEi6ZPPrfDjyi3ERVwjTCHmGxhzXzrmFpKmUHQl3mnWWkV_Gv-JCqhuv7-bcXAbUdArWUTvrX5z9QAkEO9oHexXENp0Ay3p_DAwEf3gP9s-b/s1600/DSCF3756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnUHHIsoKQlCfxMXInOMbPwn1vRthynwS0NEi6ZPPrfDjyi3ERVwjTCHmGxhzXzrmFpKmUHQl3mnWWkV_Gv-JCqhuv7-bcXAbUdArWUTvrX5z9QAkEO9oHexXENp0Ay3p_DAwEf3gP9s-b/s320/DSCF3756.JPG" width="246" /></a></div>
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Elise is at that wonderful age where everything </div>
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is without doubt 'magical'.</div>
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Even the simple sheltered picnic area in the park that</div>
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we visited yesterday was quickly labelled a</div>
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'magical house'.</div>
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All of Elise's friends parties are either 'princess' </div>
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or 'fairy' themed and I find myself digging out </div>
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the fairy wings with increasing frequency.</div>
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And so it was that we found ourselves before</div>
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the facepainter at an event we attended</div>
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on the weekend requesting an image of </div>
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Tinkerbell be painted on Elise's cheek.</div>
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Poor Mr. Facepainter had apparently never had</div>
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to do a Tinkerbelle before, but</div>
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true to form, managed to produce a look-a-like.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAO-ihotMUfO28mASVdnOLfFCGDP-M9RIKkFDzvrv5CZntRk4Pd1cBtdftIGAs2VewHUsU8pChAEBj4sw6dgC3JMZAbLLb4QcY0tYyi1tjrF55sj8ig59Tx-gjqha_PMiH8EI0lnQBQGvx/s1600/DSCF3757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAO-ihotMUfO28mASVdnOLfFCGDP-M9RIKkFDzvrv5CZntRk4Pd1cBtdftIGAs2VewHUsU8pChAEBj4sw6dgC3JMZAbLLb4QcY0tYyi1tjrF55sj8ig59Tx-gjqha_PMiH8EI0lnQBQGvx/s320/DSCF3757.JPG" width="308" /></a></div>
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Elise would have been delighted with anything that</div>
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even slightly resembled the good fairy,</div>
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so there were smiles all around when Mr. Facepainter</div>
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finished and advised us he 'liked a good challenge'!</div>
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When I think back to my own childhood days,</div>
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I remember believing in Santa Clause</div>
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and thinking that the Wizzard of Oz was a true story.</div>
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I remember dreaming up magical scenarios</div>
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in which magical and special things happened.</div>
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What a special age. And what a special reminder...</div>
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that we shouldn't forget to dream a little</div>
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and believe in magic.</div>
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<br /></div>littlerosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09390616550942732727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6042168476931380897.post-81227748977408028292012-07-09T22:55:00.001-07:002012-07-09T22:57:28.978-07:00Elise Runs Wild at the Melbourne Zoo!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJyVNkdPwm-35h6TZWRhJWzCOKMmsMoQOZA_ImZ90Vto6LiXJTqHC147aYJA-l5xn9u4g0DJXuzc1TrGg24g-MdRmxi4Zfij9dHcWnZxHbpxcVd_Wur3ceGPo_arDicf_hu3IginRY_N_S/s1600/DSCF3735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJyVNkdPwm-35h6TZWRhJWzCOKMmsMoQOZA_ImZ90Vto6LiXJTqHC147aYJA-l5xn9u4g0DJXuzc1TrGg24g-MdRmxi4Zfij9dHcWnZxHbpxcVd_Wur3ceGPo_arDicf_hu3IginRY_N_S/s320/DSCF3735.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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After much pleading on the part of Elise,</div>
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we headed to the Melbourne Zoo last weekend.</div>
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It was Elise's first time to visit the Zoo</div>
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and I have to say she was at the perfect age for it.</div>
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Elise has been to every kid's annimal farm</div>
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in Melbourne, but I had been waiting for her </div>
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to show an interest in going</div>
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to the zoo and am glad we waited.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcWCG-kXpVjDj2ikZHw19WP89LpfEmvRHQFd-UKAdJ3pUdIAX_Eq13nn1D4LSf5sb7AK5IqWMEpUuVxN1igscVv6BGtemIqq_C0FEHOiiEjPrMx056QOWURSks8pa8ppbdUvvwUGr4jDc-/s1600/DSCF3737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcWCG-kXpVjDj2ikZHw19WP89LpfEmvRHQFd-UKAdJ3pUdIAX_Eq13nn1D4LSf5sb7AK5IqWMEpUuVxN1igscVv6BGtemIqq_C0FEHOiiEjPrMx056QOWURSks8pa8ppbdUvvwUGr4jDc-/s320/DSCF3737.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Elise ran from exhibit to exhibit with a look of </div>
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pure joy and excitement on her face, </div>
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repeatedly asking "what's next?! what's next?!".</div>
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I have to say, her enthusiasm was charming.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-cilKDO2QvERbfEbG3RRhYD5gXOFCtxpJ95Vs16UOkR6LSmsh4U8l7TU0NHPlPAoyV9WmZsxx3kP-HSSym7DPpPIYbbvIn_VC9UNv58L5fo5E-aJhUuF6EQ6JwL_lbck6CNfFWyhnhBb3/s1600/DSCF3739.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-cilKDO2QvERbfEbG3RRhYD5gXOFCtxpJ95Vs16UOkR6LSmsh4U8l7TU0NHPlPAoyV9WmZsxx3kP-HSSym7DPpPIYbbvIn_VC9UNv58L5fo5E-aJhUuF6EQ6JwL_lbck6CNfFWyhnhBb3/s320/DSCF3739.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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After a great deal of walking, we managed to pursuade</div>
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elise to sit down for a rest</div>
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(... admittedly a bit of rainbow icypole bribery </div>
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did the trick!)</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTC-wudGFIXBPQA-x3d5505H7L5ong-djBRo07pF2vQ8bh-uBQyKTET1QmKGLZpb33eQCFNDVViLaL45GnvVAjSM9jlrmp21hSYvSLYZ7rKJ9QSbItHH-ssxtuAkiwZ8Hxr6w-X-5_PbNZ/s1600/DSCF3738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTC-wudGFIXBPQA-x3d5505H7L5ong-djBRo07pF2vQ8bh-uBQyKTET1QmKGLZpb33eQCFNDVViLaL45GnvVAjSM9jlrmp21hSYvSLYZ7rKJ9QSbItHH-ssxtuAkiwZ8Hxr6w-X-5_PbNZ/s320/DSCF3738.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
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Elise's and my favourite exhibit - the giraffs</div>
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with their graceful long necks and Angelina Jolie lips.</div>littlerosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09390616550942732727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6042168476931380897.post-4753977692708392432012-05-08T01:10:00.001-07:002012-05-08T01:11:08.207-07:00Daylesford Get Away<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I have always been a fan of Daylesford.</div>
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Mainly for the mineral springs spa center.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Last week it was the annual 'golden week'</div>
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holiday (1 week of consecutive public holidays)</div>
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in Japan, which meant, we were able to take a few</div>
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days off from work.</div>
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<br /></div>
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With Forest (our dog) and Elise in tow, </div>
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we headed to Chestnut Daylesford </div>
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(a boutique get away stay perfect for the 3+1 of us!)</div>
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The hostess, kindly allows dogs to stay inside the house.</div>
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And Elise slept on the generous sized leather couch.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFayNfvZ8jxty9kH0pqtm7Bx_YjQ-CvrxF9dPv-xT2RV7xabl2fIfmLtAKhUZqZ5fSTJQ3RWjX4ggPOC6BdmGZxSYrH6kC0b3HtLjFYY36dVfhEDAKYcejHK5YOz8g_MA_fER2gdIdJrF8/s1600/DSCF3579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFayNfvZ8jxty9kH0pqtm7Bx_YjQ-CvrxF9dPv-xT2RV7xabl2fIfmLtAKhUZqZ5fSTJQ3RWjX4ggPOC6BdmGZxSYrH6kC0b3HtLjFYY36dVfhEDAKYcejHK5YOz8g_MA_fER2gdIdJrF8/s320/DSCF3579.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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The property had a very comfortable bed, kitchen and...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU-eOF0D57J7Re0I215_2qs4_pSJqIX6lY2qiRfYU57Yb7mrm1viGp9uyv3Xm1NJDh7nHinGtIH97WKrmfqHT3UWuWd8mv-f4r036Lb4_PPAmcQEQgJ_SP-6FH10xxoTWmEEmd_n4f1Q3K/s1600/DSCF3582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU-eOF0D57J7Re0I215_2qs4_pSJqIX6lY2qiRfYU57Yb7mrm1viGp9uyv3Xm1NJDh7nHinGtIH97WKrmfqHT3UWuWd8mv-f4r036Lb4_PPAmcQEQgJ_SP-6FH10xxoTWmEEmd_n4f1Q3K/s320/DSCF3582.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
spa bath in the living room!</div>
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(It got a very good work out, trust me)</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8flyA95zTd_XJndhsX_p2nHAaa-6o7a4ffeZ4fsEKum4HBnnpic2o3ugmvdELd8RqZiwrMiyqW_FdrsbCh5-WfDD4RrlHU3uS7jy3aKA_rb1iq3s9KNaAgWoEwn42EyD-sTk5T4UNKip6/s1600/DSCF3578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8flyA95zTd_XJndhsX_p2nHAaa-6o7a4ffeZ4fsEKum4HBnnpic2o3ugmvdELd8RqZiwrMiyqW_FdrsbCh5-WfDD4RrlHU3uS7jy3aKA_rb1iq3s9KNaAgWoEwn42EyD-sTk5T4UNKip6/s320/DSCF3578.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We were even allowed to pick the lovely tomatoes</div>
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from the vine in the garden. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ3hsJ-vmK3hWy9QbgLYoUfuq6Hd76Li7YBTjaJHGaHv05oD5lIhVaRaFNASVHmdmkTdvYwCmNEIw-FdIBvBggos-lqktWqmgN4arTuuD7SG7uMNvb6C2GmOVR0THFZkm3Xl-yUVwc-hsA/s1600/DSCF3583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ3hsJ-vmK3hWy9QbgLYoUfuq6Hd76Li7YBTjaJHGaHv05oD5lIhVaRaFNASVHmdmkTdvYwCmNEIw-FdIBvBggos-lqktWqmgN4arTuuD7SG7uMNvb6C2GmOVR0THFZkm3Xl-yUVwc-hsA/s320/DSCF3583.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The view from the garden was lovely.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Smokey chimneys, mountains and autumn foliage.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv0OVUVZlBp_2nVRO0RyTCr74XA4LO9bU3J2jKkXIzA8Rvgj7k7G2WQ5KpSGdtSj7mLb73VpjgUFXgwc0ya_xZYucCJQdi43cQD4FEEQ3XTgrVnbz3U5h9UBjrWDhIPHiPzJXyAIaVk7NB/s1600/DSCF3584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv0OVUVZlBp_2nVRO0RyTCr74XA4LO9bU3J2jKkXIzA8Rvgj7k7G2WQ5KpSGdtSj7mLb73VpjgUFXgwc0ya_xZYucCJQdi43cQD4FEEQ3XTgrVnbz3U5h9UBjrWDhIPHiPzJXyAIaVk7NB/s320/DSCF3584.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The two younger ones seemed considerably worn</div>
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out as we headed back home to Melbourne.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So did I! Somtimes I think you need a holiday </div>
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after a holiday...</div>
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<br /></div>littlerosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09390616550942732727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6042168476931380897.post-49823113234848265012012-04-15T00:25:00.000-07:002012-04-15T00:25:28.280-07:00A Humble Harvest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWgACKNMA1xSIfwvgjF1PxqBzOQaja8z8vHO3fyeLju9p5tvRhPbfkx0q2csK_yb5rNSeq_twkQYPiqvTRGN3Am2Py0O5ozsH_lXnZdbbMQ-DN6d9RO5d9N54mXzTDsGfGH2P9i28xAVzD/s1600/DSCF3576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWgACKNMA1xSIfwvgjF1PxqBzOQaja8z8vHO3fyeLju9p5tvRhPbfkx0q2csK_yb5rNSeq_twkQYPiqvTRGN3Am2Py0O5ozsH_lXnZdbbMQ-DN6d9RO5d9N54mXzTDsGfGH2P9i28xAVzD/s320/DSCF3576.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Today was such a lovely Autumn day that we decided to set out on a picnic/drive.<br />
After one bbq sausage too many and a bit too much bouncing around playing soccer,<br />
we headed home, much to the dissapointment of Elise who continued to ask why we<br />
had to go home (a bit of an icy-pole bargaining did the trick in the end though).<br />
<br />On arrival home, I decided it was time to harvest some of our prized veggies that we <br />
have finally managed to grow. Although a very humble harvest indeed, this is a big <br />
improvement on our carrot harvest of a couple of years ago! (Refer to picture up the top!)<br />
Our first attempt to grow lebanese eggplant, cucumber and capsicum was successful, so we are now looking forward to planting some things for the winter and reaping the delicious rewards.<br />littlerosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09390616550942732727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6042168476931380897.post-26918406809356769732012-04-05T23:39:00.000-07:002012-04-05T23:39:55.340-07:00A Cubby House for Tea Parties & Secret Gatherings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZeM9Q9a__ZdnTm0MTLvrYtcG5DGVEu9OBXu_CNeoJSNoNpOTMU4YcYSLy0MDipRxErXpNrswb-IWhi5vS20iBrwip5TMYUgJe6Pos_xNrVYuQ__DxKmqHHNTGISV7fFQz1N3SoSJdp1_G/s1600/DSCF3571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZeM9Q9a__ZdnTm0MTLvrYtcG5DGVEu9OBXu_CNeoJSNoNpOTMU4YcYSLy0MDipRxErXpNrswb-IWhi5vS20iBrwip5TMYUgJe6Pos_xNrVYuQ__DxKmqHHNTGISV7fFQz1N3SoSJdp1_G/s400/DSCF3571.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Last week, I decided it was time Elise discovered</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">the joys of the good old cubby house.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tea parties have been held every day since </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and a handmade wooden tea cup and saucer</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">set from a friend is her most prized possession.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy Easter!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>littlerosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09390616550942732727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6042168476931380897.post-86062728239685554662012-03-21T16:16:00.000-07:002012-03-21T16:16:45.615-07:00Re-using/Recyling & Giving Back to the Flow of Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ85-2XkkEdFTP0WLzoOyk1evR0tcpzIHIs8pzw6IBL1Cgo1GqHiKPZQu0J_PYUCkbmREAZEThEGJvdJ4_vgHqJRscffFDE12u7ta0rDIGvdk_ABgtYI2M_GQV18ijic-B5Ps7LImPU5Gs/s1600/DSCF3556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ85-2XkkEdFTP0WLzoOyk1evR0tcpzIHIs8pzw6IBL1Cgo1GqHiKPZQu0J_PYUCkbmREAZEThEGJvdJ4_vgHqJRscffFDE12u7ta0rDIGvdk_ABgtYI2M_GQV18ijic-B5Ps7LImPU5Gs/s320/DSCF3556.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
When the fence that divides our abode from</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">our neighbor's was replaced over the summer</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(much to my distress as our energic puppy & Elise</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">were not impressed at being confined to the verandah),</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">we decided to keep all the untreated timber for fire</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">wood for the winter.<br />
As we lugged all the old timber that the </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">contractor threw onto our front lawn</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(happy that he didnt have to take it to the tip)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">down to the back of the house, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I wondered whether we had lost our minds,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">just for a bit of free kindling.<br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRr6l1o0ZeLaSG70NjI8AlUjsFV3tpk5wDEx_7oIXvyEzqfcrVdemZxtXPdH2rQ9AcNUlnU7kkB5ub6h6jrqD7Gi17hl7C__PZjPoXb2l_v7EFedzdjQ2Wh6Ym16jH-oNteCSFyYiL84lJ/s1600/DSCF3557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRr6l1o0ZeLaSG70NjI8AlUjsFV3tpk5wDEx_7oIXvyEzqfcrVdemZxtXPdH2rQ9AcNUlnU7kkB5ub6h6jrqD7Gi17hl7C__PZjPoXb2l_v7EFedzdjQ2Wh6Ym16jH-oNteCSFyYiL84lJ/s320/DSCF3557.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
<br />
When TM came up with the project idea</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">of converting some of the tired old timber pailings</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">into a deck to spruce up the old concrete area</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">at the front of our house, I was still</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">skeptical. It's hard to imagine old greying timber</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">that looks thirstier than our labrador,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">turning into a decking area.<br />
But here is the result of our modest effort.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Some nails and stain from the hardware <br />
shop were the most it cost us.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_sIWuxr4wMbxa2x5JA_SvmwaudwBtn2z2-rV-6pyV2XqyNHLvulN9x-14qp2kkcqVFGLGToOU9RUmSnu26gsNDsdU1n9gCwQ9IsS32_22YvcAFdsS_lUgxo9wTZZwXkXC2N-dnCZohB3/s1600/DSCF3558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_sIWuxr4wMbxa2x5JA_SvmwaudwBtn2z2-rV-6pyV2XqyNHLvulN9x-14qp2kkcqVFGLGToOU9RUmSnu26gsNDsdU1n9gCwQ9IsS32_22YvcAFdsS_lUgxo9wTZZwXkXC2N-dnCZohB3/s320/DSCF3558.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
And a few little gnomes to keep Elise happy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sometimes its nice to have things with character.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Not everything has to be brand new.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And it is the most pleasant feeling</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">when you can give back, rather than take </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">from the environment.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(We have also started composting all our</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">food scraps and we have managed to </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">significantly reduce our rubbish volume).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We also grow all our own salad leaves (rocket etc).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's the easiest thing in the world,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1000 times tastier and we don't have to </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">buy expensive bags of mouldy salad from the </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">supermarket anymore.</div>littlerosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09390616550942732727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6042168476931380897.post-55082681617662097322012-03-20T22:13:00.000-07:002012-03-20T22:13:12.054-07:00First Fairy Party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYnFwYGfGqvgIIbxrefXRA05XabhWRclxvK8oV0wPXNNeX5Gy9tkhe6DO4KiFL1Fe-hPoceN2rhpwd2BCPzDMAf3X6LAi6T235xqgemXiUYSstgDNZJLZsPcig8UNmz74wtz3xMGDiEx8v/s1600/DSCF3530.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYnFwYGfGqvgIIbxrefXRA05XabhWRclxvK8oV0wPXNNeX5Gy9tkhe6DO4KiFL1Fe-hPoceN2rhpwd2BCPzDMAf3X6LAi6T235xqgemXiUYSstgDNZJLZsPcig8UNmz74wtz3xMGDiEx8v/s320/DSCF3530.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Elise is attending Fairy Hills </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Kindergarten this year to do her final year of kinder</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">before school starts next year.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fairy Hills is a beautiful</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">kinder in East Ivanhoe that I'm so glad</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">we stumbled upon..</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We set out to attend Elise's first </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">party of the season a few weekends ago.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Most of her little friends will be turning</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">5 this year.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYpjcwQD26B5pR_zwY4MBTu5WKSFsvdvl9cICNraGkPA9lTfNXLvUYLuE4dN3RYk3-PsgFXVBdvegfbRe_My48drALAYBEEZYk3DePoSUZwIq1qDi5m7cYcU381uNMuyNGGDWBDn0PDjq4/s1600/DSCF3531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYpjcwQD26B5pR_zwY4MBTu5WKSFsvdvl9cICNraGkPA9lTfNXLvUYLuE4dN3RYk3-PsgFXVBdvegfbRe_My48drALAYBEEZYk3DePoSUZwIq1qDi5m7cYcU381uNMuyNGGDWBDn0PDjq4/s320/DSCF3531.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Compared to some of the girls</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">who came fitted out in </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">professionally-made fairy atire,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">our costume was a little </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">make-shift but had character none</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">the less.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Elise had a ball, but mum was badly </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">in need of a coffee hit given the 10:30am</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">saturday starting time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Any ideas for Elise's 5 yr old party in December?<br />
If you know me, you know I like a good</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">pre-planning!!</div>littlerosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09390616550942732727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6042168476931380897.post-42880532530368194312012-02-22T21:28:00.000-08:002012-02-22T21:28:03.658-08:00Another Year to Live!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When you live with a 4 year old,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">having a hot spicy meal is a rare special treat.<br />
And so TM's birthday dinner</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">the other day ended up featuring </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">an array of steaming, spicy Indian dishes,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">due to my lack of imagination</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and love of curry and rotti.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(I was seriously ridiculed by TM when all I </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">ate in Singapore was Indian curry!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi50V_vyFTZNCJwbPtIZQprtrovtwnDZaWgopZwB04Yt478ItlB3PIj7CzqFD8iBn1UIqmdguv4Yw3EPlhmpmLUXN_MPd0TIujKU-kC1bXAwxywyvGeTKGXVBcC9jJ-CkOvppY5Bgx8V3YE/s1600/DSCF3503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi50V_vyFTZNCJwbPtIZQprtrovtwnDZaWgopZwB04Yt478ItlB3PIj7CzqFD8iBn1UIqmdguv4Yw3EPlhmpmLUXN_MPd0TIujKU-kC1bXAwxywyvGeTKGXVBcC9jJ-CkOvppY5Bgx8V3YE/s320/DSCF3503.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have to admit the usually reserved TM loosens up </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">considerably when it's party time!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiyZEF5qasNEzOJHhDBfaltNXNuFeyZL4EVetqMSk5L7i9_OfF6rdaPTbdc6OmZVu8gR0XbZ7JRBqCx-xOtJ84ye-vTmDQ71oEZ0JS6Souixshv0A7kcyQSOAvDcFfHy9HvgaQlBbn43bZ/s1600/DSCF3501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiyZEF5qasNEzOJHhDBfaltNXNuFeyZL4EVetqMSk5L7i9_OfF6rdaPTbdc6OmZVu8gR0XbZ7JRBqCx-xOtJ84ye-vTmDQ71oEZ0JS6Souixshv0A7kcyQSOAvDcFfHy9HvgaQlBbn43bZ/s320/DSCF3501.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
My attempt at a Japanese strawberry shortcake</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(sponge cake with cream and strawberries)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">was a success. But putting it in the fridge was</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">not a success as it was a little hard when we </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">ate it later that night.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I also realized I needed to soak the sponge in more</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">syrup (which prevents it from drying out).</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihZGzBywxwX5kYkoXm0YmQVdGcvz7fumseoxo04LSUqzVNi6lVt8fRd29n14vBXDpbi4Itr6ls5ZgF9Zyb4_faeXym_U111k8tEImS1oFZvgmOTFhhF7JyhVMIyhZGy6_IGuh8Ql1nl2D8/s1600/DSCF3506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihZGzBywxwX5kYkoXm0YmQVdGcvz7fumseoxo04LSUqzVNi6lVt8fRd29n14vBXDpbi4Itr6ls5ZgF9Zyb4_faeXym_U111k8tEImS1oFZvgmOTFhhF7JyhVMIyhZGy6_IGuh8Ql1nl2D8/s320/DSCF3506.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
Happy Birthday for 2012 TM.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">May all your wishes for this year come true.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">xo</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>littlerosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09390616550942732727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6042168476931380897.post-35971412346796117662012-01-30T15:56:00.000-08:002012-01-30T15:56:52.037-08:00REFRESHING SHOPPING EXPERIENCE AT LA MANNA DIRECT<div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="left" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="84" src="http://www.lamannadirect.com.au/site_images/cafe_banner.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">La Manna Direct. <br />
Photo: From La Manna Website<br />
<div align="center">http://www.lamannadirect.com.au/index.php</div></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">On Saturday morning as TM slept like a baby,<br />
Elise and I tip-toed out of the house on a girl's <br />
mission to investigate a recently opened new-<br />
concept supermarket near the airport. It's <br />
called LA MANNA Direct and its located <br />
in Essendon Fields,which was quite a trip for<br />
us, but actually well worth the experience.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">It was a massive supermarket but nothing like<br />
the standard supermarkets. I liked the black <br />
and green colour scheme straight away and the <br />
groovy green trolleys. It was more like a market<br />
that an a supermarket. As you enter the store, <br />
it stretches for miles ahead of you, a bit like the<br />
American Cosco chain, but much more <br />
aesthetically pleasing and interesting.</div><div style="text-align: left;">(The only reason I joined Cosco was to get my </div><div style="text-align: left;">hands on the massive King Crab legs they sell there.)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Large signs adorning the walls divide the store<br />
into large sections including a massive area for<br />
cheeses, small goods, fish and meat, veggies, <br />
pastries and cakes, bread and then standard <br />
supermarket items. It was all the fresh produce<br />
that was of most interest to me though, so after <br />
sharing a croissant and having a coffee in their <br />
cafe, Elise and I hit the aisles.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">All of the fresh produce is grown and purchased <br />
locally orfrom within Australia, so prices were <br />
noticably cheaper for all these items. There was <br />
also a really amazing selection of different meats<br />
and poultry including rabbits and quail.</div><div style="text-align: left;">I found some chicken hearts that I knew TM would</div><div style="text-align: left;">love, so they made their way into our trolley too!<br />
If we lived closer I would definately be a regular, <br />
but we still invested in quite a bit of meat, poultry<br />
and fish which we have frozen and can use as we need.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghYOgwbdbVhxJ8h5RUwfmuzh20us5XXif8krh79WvNUcHIBiUtp3pb_CMVy2sUH1BIVSgHom60Q3Z5N9EpN6W_VvAkzWVfyzWP-ajhwWcKbdkU0ts5aS9e33NeFSb6G5pcpeKeE1eE7yYR/s1600/DSCF3479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghYOgwbdbVhxJ8h5RUwfmuzh20us5XXif8krh79WvNUcHIBiUtp3pb_CMVy2sUH1BIVSgHom60Q3Z5N9EpN6W_VvAkzWVfyzWP-ajhwWcKbdkU0ts5aS9e33NeFSb6G5pcpeKeE1eE7yYR/s320/DSCF3479.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I stumbled across some black truffle oil, which <br />
automatically fell into my hands.We splashed <br />
some of it over our homemade pizzas that night.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">As you may have gathered by now, I am in<br />
love with citrus.So I was also happy to stumble <br />
across this Dilmah blend of tea infused with <br />
mandarin.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO8VkSMKRNTsPvvkvp6GUWaMKPFebFyOmC5cDE8aXgK0FqrgvLw9EUXFOvOkRjhVrWbtRJCKrpdQnYpWVNHLsQb3RYiqzFeVtGKgkCLF8t7yy76YQcEVCJ17XfIaelNEdkx0WVBoGRDQxK/s1600/DSCF3481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO8VkSMKRNTsPvvkvp6GUWaMKPFebFyOmC5cDE8aXgK0FqrgvLw9EUXFOvOkRjhVrWbtRJCKrpdQnYpWVNHLsQb3RYiqzFeVtGKgkCLF8t7yy76YQcEVCJ17XfIaelNEdkx0WVBoGRDQxK/s320/DSCF3481.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div align="center"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Given the distance, this new shopping phenomenon</div><div style="text-align: left;">won't be on my weekly list of things to do, </div><div style="text-align: left;">but it will definately stay there for the occassion trip</div><div style="text-align: left;">when I want to get away for a weekend morning.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">La Manna Direct</div><div style="text-align: left;">10 English Street<br />
Essendon Fields Vic 3041</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.lamannadirect.com.au/">http://www.lamannadirect.com.au</a></div>littlerosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09390616550942732727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6042168476931380897.post-74620145169161174492012-01-21T23:20:00.000-08:002012-01-21T23:20:59.954-08:00Out of the Sewing Box<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">First let it be known that I am very much<br />
a beginner sewer.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I took my first sewing course 2 years ago</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">where we learnt the basics for making</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">a pair of pyjamas<br />
(which by the way TM never wore!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3t-5139iAPSfu1eG0N0XJeWphjJ8OKWjBTghVDPbcoq5Is8vO4V4gNZ0dN1DsNjj1gQ96sp8yuiTLloRPow_oegvAcXiARWl2NUalEYpCtP-6G_9SDIyvqkf0JnAkQPxPm9TybCT-yg3j/s1600/DSCF3476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3t-5139iAPSfu1eG0N0XJeWphjJ8OKWjBTghVDPbcoq5Is8vO4V4gNZ0dN1DsNjj1gQ96sp8yuiTLloRPow_oegvAcXiARWl2NUalEYpCtP-6G_9SDIyvqkf0JnAkQPxPm9TybCT-yg3j/s320/DSCF3476.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
I guess the experience taught me the basics.</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Although it should also be known </div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have very little patience for the kind</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">of sometimes mind-numbing <br />
attention required of sewing.</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am a quick results girl when it comes</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">to things like this.<br />
<br />
Today I dragged the old sewing machine</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">out of its hiding place in my wardrobe</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and made Elise a set of </div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">miniature rice bags for throwing around.</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I can't quite remember how I used</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">to play with them when I was</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">little, but I have a feeling</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">it was a little like 'knuckles'.<br />
<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1tOBHX03Xw9aLKDzgpcKb9MZ6_3M_7ofD30WWmaqX2iSlS9ysXrwud722FNFn-ssCtTwY4av9T4HBsFvBMU4QPcKinwZbdzSA50Cp8DzfKsm9ihdGfgBotaeKwKA273ExsP8_QQLeD0Ul/s1600/DSCF3477.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1tOBHX03Xw9aLKDzgpcKb9MZ6_3M_7ofD30WWmaqX2iSlS9ysXrwud722FNFn-ssCtTwY4av9T4HBsFvBMU4QPcKinwZbdzSA50Cp8DzfKsm9ihdGfgBotaeKwKA273ExsP8_QQLeD0Ul/s320/DSCF3477.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
Our new family addition, Forest (a black labrador),</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">seems to have grown at an amazing rate since</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">last year, so my next project was to make a larger</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and fluffier comfy cushion</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">for her bed.<br />
Some old tracksuit pant material and </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">filling and a few dangerous-looking</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">seams later, I had proudly created what I</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">had started out to create.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Something of a triumph given that</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I broke a machine needle and had to </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">re-thread about 20 times in all).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifw0cyQM6tMfHx1CWj-ZdI1ZPgsKRI-DJfGZKiy4YvfaujJ5iBkQhTlm2KrOwPF-A67uxJ2N_aqkpRtR3N2JTMjagpAh6HSRHeo-wKPrIp0YJuiursZEFGuEf2OJqQ-TrDy5AubqibILK-/s1600/DSCF3478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifw0cyQM6tMfHx1CWj-ZdI1ZPgsKRI-DJfGZKiy4YvfaujJ5iBkQhTlm2KrOwPF-A67uxJ2N_aqkpRtR3N2JTMjagpAh6HSRHeo-wKPrIp0YJuiursZEFGuEf2OJqQ-TrDy5AubqibILK-/s320/DSCF3478.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
After getting into the swing of things,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I thought it was about time</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I bought back the old</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">lavender bag, and with that final creation,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">my old sewing box resumed its place</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">in my wardrobe.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Until next time!</div>littlerosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09390616550942732727noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6042168476931380897.post-9113198919398161312012-01-14T20:54:00.000-08:002012-01-14T20:54:31.906-08:00Cultivating Happiness - Sundays in the Garden<div style="text-align: center;">Sundays are a day for rest and quiet</div><div style="text-align: center;">(to the extent that a 4 year will allow..)</div><div style="text-align: center;">and aimless pottering around in the garden.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Today we planted mini eggplant, more cucumber</div><div style="text-align: center;">and Russian tomatoes.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">But Elise and Forest were oblivious to these </div><div style="text-align: center;">goings-on ...</div><div style="text-align: center;">Oh to be that small again!<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEAs0XR75GFe84ZBhUboqxGkFTAAuQas0QYZJBeFcjyW2nBlsRVififbaBXFSxXNjdQCmp3GBtdZb_WW2jV1unVJdAw12XEC9wI1rgNH0NVF8hftxKfVY06wiVRXljhK1mpq59aokM181Y/s1600/DSCF3452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEAs0XR75GFe84ZBhUboqxGkFTAAuQas0QYZJBeFcjyW2nBlsRVififbaBXFSxXNjdQCmp3GBtdZb_WW2jV1unVJdAw12XEC9wI1rgNH0NVF8hftxKfVY06wiVRXljhK1mpq59aokM181Y/s320/DSCF3452.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>littlerosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09390616550942732727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6042168476931380897.post-27892120627343558422012-01-12T14:38:00.000-08:002012-01-12T14:41:51.820-08:00Treasured Christmas Gifts<div style="text-align: center;">I am a big fan of all beautiful smelling products.</div><div style="text-align: center;">My favorite aromatherapy oil would have to be 'YUZU'.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Yuzu is a kind of Japanese citrus - a cross between a </div><div style="text-align: center;">lemon, lime and orange.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This Christmas, I was overwhelmed to discover</div><div style="text-align: center;">that TM had actually gone to the trouble of </div><div style="text-align: center;">walking into an airport shop to buy my xmas gift,</div><div style="text-align: center;">rather than doing his usual 'in-flight shopping' thing.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
He really did well this year and his little gifts</div><div style="text-align: center;">are just the kind of thing I would have bought<br />
for myself.</div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWhC4LVpCAYlpHS9EQWKRU8umNQZLQa0oCefX2kyONd4UMAWKa9rmwbW7ZlMPAKwzdypsDzeNpQmO77AR8bSsRzFkgsPtPM2kRbNhzv0KHjsJE3Jj99j7xFBrW2YzleGfS_Fw8rGyZUtRA/s1600/DSCF3449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWhC4LVpCAYlpHS9EQWKRU8umNQZLQa0oCefX2kyONd4UMAWKa9rmwbW7ZlMPAKwzdypsDzeNpQmO77AR8bSsRzFkgsPtPM2kRbNhzv0KHjsJE3Jj99j7xFBrW2YzleGfS_Fw8rGyZUtRA/s320/DSCF3449.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A trio of beautiful Jurlique handcreams.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Lavendar, citrus and rose).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am saving my favorite - citrus - for last.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Rose is divine. So subtle and gentle - </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">like rubbing rose petals into my hands.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The trio of hand creams have joined </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">my birthday gift received from a friend</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">last year - the Jurlique Herbal Recovery Gel.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I apply this in the mornings, before I settle</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">down to work.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijI4NcHXfUzgC-WgtB0xXO8jDudDLEj1cdSYTmjYxpApEkbVDGFpun7BwnxluULSTbc06VpY-q6qQvW9XcyiFQjI74QEW4OlvNbEvOzYIr9axXVSb-9pYDUj3hbPyex2JTJcJKzwDYmSxA/s1600/DSCF3451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijI4NcHXfUzgC-WgtB0xXO8jDudDLEj1cdSYTmjYxpApEkbVDGFpun7BwnxluULSTbc06VpY-q6qQvW9XcyiFQjI74QEW4OlvNbEvOzYIr9axXVSb-9pYDUj3hbPyex2JTJcJKzwDYmSxA/s320/DSCF3451.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The other gift was a pack of 4 Japanese soaps,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">with lovely aromas, including</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">honey, aloe vera, <br />
my beloved Yuzu and rice bran.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's to a sweet smelling year..!</div>littlerosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09390616550942732727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6042168476931380897.post-24520158074148292312012-01-11T22:39:00.000-08:002012-01-11T22:39:36.769-08:00Rice Power Extract!<div style="text-align: center;">A little while ago, I did a translation <br />
piece for a company with a <br />
skin care brand called Rice Force.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The products they create sounded so </div><div style="text-align: center;">interesting, I found myself looking at their </div><div style="text-align: center;">online shop as I translated!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">They were originally a sake brewing company.</div><div style="text-align: center;">They discovered that the factory workers</div><div style="text-align: center;">had beautiful hands from all the hands-on</div><div style="text-align: center;">contact with rice.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I couldn't help myself, and ordered a sample pack.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The product is lovely to apply and it feels like</div><div style="text-align: center;">it is doing some good! Time will tell.</div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5yni1ObVJRvRbmEh7yGEaoZ6K9McdG2yZ6csfOb13LfXqWIpeWCNXFpQAGRSae_OuH16mCUGCkN82Fd_NQryi1jLaBRYkpxWXOpIfHG2e59gdNMqf0VIgRiXvxcEWctJs0WAsC7a-M8Gj/s1600/DSCF3443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5yni1ObVJRvRbmEh7yGEaoZ6K9McdG2yZ6csfOb13LfXqWIpeWCNXFpQAGRSae_OuH16mCUGCkN82Fd_NQryi1jLaBRYkpxWXOpIfHG2e59gdNMqf0VIgRiXvxcEWctJs0WAsC7a-M8Gj/s320/DSCF3443.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://en.riceforce.com/about/ricepower/index.html">http://en.riceforce.com/about/ricepower/index.html</a></div>littlerosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09390616550942732727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6042168476931380897.post-3743495530811325182012-01-10T14:55:00.000-08:002012-01-10T14:55:23.676-08:00First Hot Cross Bun of the Season!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsmfm0tub5VT0sbYfnkJ1cYhUvHINLcnDwtT2OFZG0CGQHqe0CP9MEML1OX7JUXqzZFGH6md6lna542z_P9KLntsvzn-TRmLRdtyYopBYs4imw-h1BqHOnrk4IemldQ5IcW9x_KCwqL3Y_/s1600/DSCF3441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsmfm0tub5VT0sbYfnkJ1cYhUvHINLcnDwtT2OFZG0CGQHqe0CP9MEML1OX7JUXqzZFGH6md6lna542z_P9KLntsvzn-TRmLRdtyYopBYs4imw-h1BqHOnrk4IemldQ5IcW9x_KCwqL3Y_/s320/DSCF3441.JPG" width="273" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I have really outdone myself this year.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I am proud to announce that I have had my first<br />
hot cross bun of the season, </div><div style="text-align: center;">just 17 days after Christmas!!</div><div style="text-align: center;">That will be hard to better next year and I <br />
am now in for a long season of HCB consumption.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>littlerosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09390616550942732727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6042168476931380897.post-61982234863418834662012-01-08T15:26:00.000-08:002012-01-08T15:26:11.526-08:00Camping at Bright<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1yyvQiFxd62-OjcFwU2iQQleWZ_sDAAC7BCbuoYMhXDzzVoooR1AMIkvPVPDAaEwsVER3h11TuhwZtOwJFcrIFTKH2NF_T8UVqh11n1OiWm2O4646Wu1NXUh9JvKk8zeBTfVb9togN3Im/s1600/DSCF3414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1yyvQiFxd62-OjcFwU2iQQleWZ_sDAAC7BCbuoYMhXDzzVoooR1AMIkvPVPDAaEwsVER3h11TuhwZtOwJFcrIFTKH2NF_T8UVqh11n1OiWm2O4646Wu1NXUh9JvKk8zeBTfVb9togN3Im/s320/DSCF3414.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
It has become one of our traditions</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">to go on an annual camping trip.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This year we decided to head to Bright,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">known famously for its Autumn trees,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">but it was just a lovely in Summer.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We spent the nights lighting sparklers for Elise.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCTkdmVxT9u60NSjma8hcqq6wFHBH6gdOa_MKsC1UczXjkShDjo_YriUxle5h0Ta0Cpq3ABz0Hs03eoh9HT9GDRnKzYZ4_i0l-QfJfpIDPDkMvRvf_7TDBZ3wtNI8JZv6p3aIBCaiyGBxe/s1600/DSCF3415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCTkdmVxT9u60NSjma8hcqq6wFHBH6gdOa_MKsC1UczXjkShDjo_YriUxle5h0Ta0Cpq3ABz0Hs03eoh9HT9GDRnKzYZ4_i0l-QfJfpIDPDkMvRvf_7TDBZ3wtNI8JZv6p3aIBCaiyGBxe/s320/DSCF3415.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
The days were hot, so we chose a spot </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">under a tree along the Owens River,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">which had beautiful clear water.<br />
TM decided there might be gold in the river</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and sat there for hours panning with his hands!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ2_RxAkwGGqn7Rj4ItrSOlYlqnrSIoHSfAPBmlHYld4L_kKnjdQgHlY7TilCm_N_zf4bZy9UropjCLEqz_vtk3Y6aoQ-U7fT41yNzprDTvZxr8_ZlzxsRyCWGygNiKbaL4VUAIqZLtk1b/s1600/DSCF3421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ2_RxAkwGGqn7Rj4ItrSOlYlqnrSIoHSfAPBmlHYld4L_kKnjdQgHlY7TilCm_N_zf4bZy9UropjCLEqz_vtk3Y6aoQ-U7fT41yNzprDTvZxr8_ZlzxsRyCWGygNiKbaL4VUAIqZLtk1b/s320/DSCF3421.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
Elise and TM get into some serious<br />
watermelon eating!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF3NbjpaLHl92Cw-6Z3MguvpgilAK4R_Nr9TgvzHKl8sMIGb4ZEGN04kEv5u15P0MtwoA-EDWSM9JQ3FJsAF7Ixj2irHdvO7fcHJ7mJmywasbPWAtZ2DO6T7cty5AEigbq38xExiQxZgu9/s1600/DSCF3423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF3NbjpaLHl92Cw-6Z3MguvpgilAK4R_Nr9TgvzHKl8sMIGb4ZEGN04kEv5u15P0MtwoA-EDWSM9JQ3FJsAF7Ixj2irHdvO7fcHJ7mJmywasbPWAtZ2DO6T7cty5AEigbq38xExiQxZgu9/s320/DSCF3423.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
A rare photo opp!</div>littlerosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09390616550942732727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6042168476931380897.post-14755662561417256412012-01-08T15:13:00.000-08:002012-01-08T15:13:40.910-08:00Happy New Year! 新年明けましておめでとうございます!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZyQplfqaZd7qo4Bnqvj0IzA6smnLd4XveOsEAEEm_-rIDvS3RKon8xkLqjr9ttgPxbKMcazXY2j2UEwLBhNH2HzGWWiqOd3qaCb7aWErR3L-sDuKlc9uUECBKwGTmUKUW_uARhieKJcVu/s1600/DSCF3407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZyQplfqaZd7qo4Bnqvj0IzA6smnLd4XveOsEAEEm_-rIDvS3RKon8xkLqjr9ttgPxbKMcazXY2j2UEwLBhNH2HzGWWiqOd3qaCb7aWErR3L-sDuKlc9uUECBKwGTmUKUW_uARhieKJcVu/s320/DSCF3407.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
The New Year is probably the most important</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">event in the Japanese calendar (on par with</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Christmas in Australia) and it is a time when</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">the whole family get together.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">TM obviously misses this very much, so we have</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">made our own tradition.<br />
We have the customary soba noodles on New Year's Eve<br />
(although chilled because it's too hot to have them warm).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This year we had NHK Tv, so TM was able to </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">watch the endless music program that everyone</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">typically watches in Japan on NY eve.<br />
I have to admit, I have never been a fan of it,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">but I actually got into it this year.<br />
Elise kept up a dancing ritual in front of the TV.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjklc6QbHNX9Gn5oRsI9x-t47MWXLzCGLw7HFxgxqixNa7FUtsklPFOsgJPSe0cP4lG8l2qBYh-4pXS2yyiPF9REKKI5T4ZyUVamaxoEdp28hPuJn6f6D74Cs_XTzLc7bzIBjl8Lxw1q9fe/s1600/DSCF3408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjklc6QbHNX9Gn5oRsI9x-t47MWXLzCGLw7HFxgxqixNa7FUtsklPFOsgJPSe0cP4lG8l2qBYh-4pXS2yyiPF9REKKI5T4ZyUVamaxoEdp28hPuJn6f6D74Cs_XTzLc7bzIBjl8Lxw1q9fe/s320/DSCF3408.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
TM managed to stay up till 2am (as Japan is 2 hrs behind </div><div align="center">Oz), but I turned in after 12pm, <br />
seeing as I am usually</div><div align="center">the one on Elise and dog duty when they <br />
wake up at random hours!</div><div align="center">TM set up this little shrine on our dining room buffet</div><div align="center">and has been presenting 'god' with little offerings</div><div align="center">of sake and rice.<br />
<br />
May it be an excellent year for everyone.</div>littlerosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09390616550942732727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6042168476931380897.post-76203547697620296032012-01-08T15:03:00.000-08:002012-01-08T15:03:12.953-08:00The White Christmas<div style="text-align: center;">As everyone will have noticed, Christmas Day this year</div><div style="text-align: center;">put on a strange weather display... hot one minute...<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpxGbStOJ1EmOI1vnuHs9XcjlZENyIoJemDGrS-coYmJ4YjlUa8xZjOItdduAaQTh0BSuUEDg1a0mRyxR8MzU8eK0TSciOOOoukEb3c_j0P9Hoit_f1bSyMXRJMCL9bDA_gBtPCKKTgct2/s1600/DSCF3404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpxGbStOJ1EmOI1vnuHs9XcjlZENyIoJemDGrS-coYmJ4YjlUa8xZjOItdduAaQTh0BSuUEDg1a0mRyxR8MzU8eK0TSciOOOoukEb3c_j0P9Hoit_f1bSyMXRJMCL9bDA_gBtPCKKTgct2/s320/DSCF3404.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Snowing hail-stones the next!...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmg_9ZkNvfhryQI8WWTyYT0bey_O31iRk4F-j32p99Y5YuDa7vXtwPljKRc3AH1Tpkng_XrjazrQwYwZEgPZD7tRhTS9gzVS1tmjjGS-9oEr9JPVy9bqQPIQ6w0yhluRwJAQOfSpMWGqEW/s1600/DSCF3406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmg_9ZkNvfhryQI8WWTyYT0bey_O31iRk4F-j32p99Y5YuDa7vXtwPljKRc3AH1Tpkng_XrjazrQwYwZEgPZD7tRhTS9gzVS1tmjjGS-9oEr9JPVy9bqQPIQ6w0yhluRwJAQOfSpMWGqEW/s320/DSCF3406.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
But the main thing for Elise was that Santa came!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Mh60vl6PSVtLtpR8sRWGn_ey2-vuE5A87Bgf-UpyJYPW2Wy6UWcHqduxc-XEau7LC5ikvvfRfwrmpPL3yGdcVWvc4I2MR-QMz_FKx7IfJs5zbZRhEHrcZJoo4uflyDP-rIiIQOGNYipD/s1600/DSCF3397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Mh60vl6PSVtLtpR8sRWGn_ey2-vuE5A87Bgf-UpyJYPW2Wy6UWcHqduxc-XEau7LC5ikvvfRfwrmpPL3yGdcVWvc4I2MR-QMz_FKx7IfJs5zbZRhEHrcZJoo4uflyDP-rIiIQOGNYipD/s320/DSCF3397.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>littlerosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09390616550942732727noreply@blogger.com0