Thursday Thirteen #8

Thirteen Things about our SKATERBOY Today we celebrate our skaterboy finishing school and graduating into the big world. From the second he was born he has brought love, joy and laughter into our lives. As he starts his journey into the great unknown we will share 13 of the many things we love about him. 1. That despite an often crazy world he has learnt to be his own person. 2. He is respectful of himself and others. 3. He still gives his mum a kiss and hug when saying goodbye and hello. 4. He has compassion and tolerance. 5. He is a kind natured person. 6. He is courteous and polite (most of the time). 7. He understands there are consequences for all actions. 8. He laughs alot. 9. He looks out for ballerina. 10. His cheeky grin. 11. He always lets us know where he is. 12. His willingness to share and discuss things with us - honesty. 13. Last but by no means least - he knows we love him - we tell him often - and he tells us that he loves us too. With all the love in the world we wish you well on your journey. Our support and love will always be there for you. It was with a tear in my eye that I watched you graduate from a high school kid to a young man last night. It only seems like yesterday that you came into this world. We have done our best to guide you and now the rest is up to you!! Stride forward young man - the world is your oyster!!! Get the Thursday Thirteen code here! The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted! View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Unconscious Mutterings 197

This weeks Unconscious Mutterings

I say.......and you think.......?

1. Nick :: steal
2. Focus :: too hard
3. Police :: law
4. Miles :: imperial
5. Earn :: money
6. Twice :: the fun
7. Razor :: shave
8. Personality :: happy
9. Dumped :: tip
10. Reliable :: always

Enjoy your week!!

Remembrance Day 11 November - Lest we Forget

Remembrance Day is the day Australians remember those who have died in war.

In 1918 the armistice that ended World War I came into force, bringing to an end four years of hostilities that saw 61 919 Australians die at sea, in the air, and on foreign soil. Few Australian families were left untouched by the events of World War I - 'the war to end all wars' most had lost a father, son, daughter, brother, sister or friend.

At 11am on 11 November we pause to remember the sacrifice of those men and women who have died or suffered in wars and conflicts and all those who have served during the past 100 years.

Origin
At 5am on 11 November 1918, three German government representatives accepted the armistice terms presented to them by an allied commander, General Foch of the French Army. The demands of the armistice included the withdrawal of German forces to the east bank of the Rhine within 30 days; immediate cessation of warfare; and surrender of the German fleet and all heavy guns with no further negotiations until the signing of the peace treaty.

The armistice became effective at 11am the same day, and as the guns fell silent on the Western Front in France and Belgium, four years of hostilities ended.

The cease-fire was made permanent the following year when members of the Commonwealth and the League of Nations signed the Treaty of Versailles. People across the world celebrated the war's end - celebrations tempered by thoughts of the enormous suffering and loss of life resulting from the war.

More than 416 000 Australians volunteered for service in World War I. Of these, 324 000 served overseas. More than 60 000 Australians were killed, including 45 000 who died on the Western Front in France and Belgium and more than 8 000 who died on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey.

In Australia and other allied countries, including New Zealand, Canada and the United States, 11 November became known as Armistice Day - a day to remember those who died in World War I. The day continues to be commemorated in Allied countries.

After World War II the Australian Government agreed to the United Kingdom's proposal that Armistice Day be renamed Remembrance Day to commemorate those who were killed in both World Wars. Today the loss of Australian lives from all wars and conflicts is commemorated on Remembrance Day.

In October 1997 the Governor-General issued a Proclamation declaring 11 November as Remembrance Day - a day to remember the sacrifice of those who have died for Australia in wars and conflicts.

The Proclamation reinforced the importance of Remembrance Day and encouraged all Australians to renew their observance of the event.


Silence
The central element of Remembrance Day ceremonies is the one minute silence.

A Melbourne journalist, Edward George Honey, first proposed a period of silence for national remembrance in a letter published in the London Evening News on 8 May 1919.

The suggestion came to the attention of King George V. After testing the practicality of five minutes silence - a trial was held with five Grenadier Guardsmen standing to attention for the silence - the King issued a proclamation on 7 November 1919 which called for a two-minute silence. His proclamation requested that "all locomotion should cease, so that, in perfect stillness, the thoughts of everyone may be concentrated on reverent remembrance of the glorious dead".

At 11am on 11 November 1919, Australians, for the first time, paused and stood in silent tribute to the men and women of the Australian Imperial Force who died on battlefields in the Middle East, Gallipoli and Europe.

In 1997 the Governor-General issued a Proclamation urging all Australians to observe the one minute silence on Remembrance Day. It is still appropriate for two minutes silence to be observed.

Poppies
In 1915, Major John McCrae, brigade-surgeon, First Brigade Canadian Forces Artillery, was working in a dressing station on the front line to the north of Ieper, Belgium, when he wrote In Flanders Fields:

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.


We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.


Take up our quarrel with the foe;
To you, from failing hands, we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields

In 1918 Moira Michael, an American, wrote a poem in reply, We shall keep the faith, in which she promised to wear a poppy 'in honour of our dead' and so began the tradition of wearing a poppy in remembrance.

It was French YMCA Secretary, Madame Guerin, who in 1918 conceived the idea of selling silk poppies to help needy soldiers.

Poppies were first sold in England on Armistice Day in 1921 by members of the British Legion to raise money for those who had been incapacitated by the war.

The practice began in Australia the same year, promoted by the Returned Sailors' and Soldiers' Imperial League of Australia (now known as the Returned & Services League of Australia or RSL).

In the lead-up to 11 November each year, the RSL sells red poppies for Australians to pin on their lapels, with proceeds helping the organisation undertake welfare work.

Since 1921 wearing a poppy has enabled Australians to show they have not forgotten the more than 102 000 Australian servicemen and women who have given their lives in wars and conflicts during the past 100 years.

Flanders poppy seeds may be grown in Australian gardens. By planting the seeds in April, the poppies bloom in November, in time for Remembrance Day. They serve as a visual reminder of those Australians who have died in war.


Rosemary
The Ancient Greeks believed that rosemary made their memories stronger. This idea has been carried on today when people wear sprigs of rosemary as a symbol of remembrance for those who have died in wars.

Unknown soldiers
Twentieth century warfare resulted in millions of unknown dead resting in unknown graves. Of Australia's war dead from World War I and World War II, 35 527 (about 35 per cent) have no known graves.

The names of many Australians who died in World War I appear on memorials along the Western Front, including the names of about 18 000 men of the Australian Imperial Force with 'no known grave'.

In 1993, to mark the 75th anniversary of the 1918 armistice, the Australian Government exhumed the remains of an unknown Australian soldier from the Western Front for entombment at the Australian War Memorial's Hall of Memory, Canberra.

The Unknown Soldier's remains were exhumed from the Adelaide Cemetery, near Villers-Bretonneux on the Western Front. A State Funeral was held on 11 November 1993 - Remembrance Day.


Before proceeding to the Hall of Memory, the Unknown Soldier's coffin was placed on the Stone of Remembrance outside the Memorial where the Prime Minister, Paul Keating, delivered a eulogy:

. . . We will never know who this Australian was. Yet he has always been among those we have honoured. We know that he was one of the 45,000 Australians who died on the Western Front, one of the 416,000 Australians who volunteered for service in World War I . . . and one of the 100,000 Australians who have died in wars this century. He is all of them. And he is one of us.

As Australia's Unknown Soldier was laid to rest in the Hall of Memory, World War I veteran Robert Comb, who had served in battles on the Western Front, sprinkled soil from Pozieres, France, over the coffin and said, "Now you're home, mate".

Thursday Thirteen #7

Thirteen Things I like about myself(in no particular order) 1. I like my positive nature - I always look on the bright side of life (dedum dedumdedumdedum - all together now). 2. I like that I always see the good in people - until they prove otherwise. 3. I like that I love my family unconditionally (goes without saying. 4. I like that I believe everyone has a place on this earth for a reason. 5. Sometimes not sure what the reasons are - see number 2. 6. I like that I can laugh at myself. 7. Oh and yes I do enjoy a good laugh and always see the lighter side of life. 8. I like that I take everything in my stride - helps my sanity (or maybe that's already gone - see 6) 9. I like that I have learnt to take time to smell the roses - life is way too short. 10. I like that I enjoy my own company. 11. I like that I enjoy good food and wine. 12. I like my strength of character. 13. Actually I'm not a bad person when you get to know me - gotta like that!!!

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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Thursday Thirteen #6

Thirteen reasons why I haven't blogged since 5 October 1. Had a bit of a health scare with Ballerina and had her to a myriad of Drs - thank goodness all is OK!! 2. Hubby has been home from work - actually applying and getting a new job. 3. Spending any spare time with Ballerina and Skaterboy - because I love them. 4. Spending as much time with Hubby while he is home - love him too and he works away. 5. Have been trying to organise our new house - still to be built - in fact still to go to council for approval!! 6. Preparing to move out of this house - a rental - owners want to move back in - aaagh the thought of moving again!! 7. Work has been really busy and have spent much of my loved own time, busy doing work stuff - yuck!! 8. In between it all the housework still needs to be done - any takers?? 9. Oh did I mention shopping - the groceries - I always seem to be buying groceries - go figure!! 10. I must admit we have done a little socialising too - priorities!! 11. Skaterboy got a job - so have done a bit of chauffering!! 12. I have caught up on some of my favourite TV shows too - also known as relaxing. 13. Oh yes Ballerina and her dancing has kept me busy too!!!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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Thursday Thirteen #5

Thirteen things I thought about doing Thursday Thirteen on this week. 1. Thirteen things on my coffee table. 2. Thirteen of my favourite TV shows. 3. Thirteen of my favourite colours. 4. Thirteen things I love about my children. 5. Thirteen things I love about my husband. 6. Thirteen places I visited this week. 7. Thirteen pictures on my TV unit. 8. Thirteen things in my living room. 9. Thirteen of my favourite animals. 10. Thirteen pieces of clothing in my wardrobe. 11. Thirteen reasons I love being me. 12. Thirteen foods in my fridge. 13. Thirteen reasons why I can't wait for my new house to be finished being built.

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Unconscious Mutterings 191

This weeks Unconscious Mutterings



I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Taxes :: too high


2. Hooray :: birthday


3. Justification :: perception


4. Shocking :: electricity


5. Bureaucracy :: red tape


6. Porn :: what purpose?


7. Silly :: fun


8. DJ :: dancing


9. Swing :: park


10. Anti- :: against

Scrapbooking

Well I'm going to give it a go. Although I probably do have some creativity in me I have never considered myself to be creative - in the Arts sense. Ballerina on the other hand is quite creative and loves to do crafty things - she gets it from my Mother - must have skipped a generation.

Anyway my Mum gave Ballerina some scrapbooking material to bring home from Adelaide last week and I've decided we'll give it a whirl.

Most people I talk to, who are in the midst of this scrapbooking for memories craze, seem to be quite addicted to it. I've been told it can be quite expensive. But I have always been fairly creative with my money - so I'm sure we can do it on a budget.

Anyway I will post my creations - don't hold your breath though - it may take a while for the first one!!



Enjoy your day!!

Barnyard - The original party animals

School holiday times and the kids mooooovies are here. If you get an opportunity to take your kids to this movie please do. Even if you don't have kids it's worth a watch.

Don't want to build it up too much, but for a bit of a giggle and lesson in life go see this mooooovie on the big screen.

WHAT HAPPENS IN THE BARN STAYS IN THE BARN!!!

A Busy Week - family time in Adelaide

Well I have had a busy week and haven't had much of a chance to sit down and blog. Spent some time in Adelaide this week combining work with pleasure. Spent time with my family - wonderful - in Adelaide. It's school holidays here so I took Ballerina and she spent time with Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles and Cousins. She had a great time. It was a short trip - 2 days, but it is always nice to catch up with family and spend time with them.

So I have a bit of catching up to do!!

Unconscious Mutters 190

This weeks Unconscious Mutterings

1. Bell :: church


2. Abuse :: wrong


3. Relief :: help


4. List :: shopping


5. Concern :: worry


6. Absolute :: forever


7. Cling :: wrap


8. Dump :: truck


9. Terminate :: end


10. Wine :: red

Thursday Thirteen #4

Thirteen items on my last grocery bill 1. Froot Loops 2. Cornflakes 3. 4 Kiwi fruit 4. Grannysmith apples 5. Greenseas tuna spread 6. Ski 2 pack divine raspberry yoghurt 7. Shredded cheese 8. 2 punnetts of strawberries 9. Mushrooms 10. 2 tins of cat food 11. 6 litres of milk 12. 2 litres of coca cola 13. Carrots

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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Unconscious Mutterings 188

This weeks Unconscious Mutterings

1. Running :: speed


2. Alternative :: opportunity


3. Cope :: get by


4. Lots :: many


5. Sympathetic :: sorry


6. Barn :: animals


7. Totally :: always


8. Baby :: beautiful


9. Undeniable :: no way


10. Watermelon :: summer
    

Some things I have done in my Life!!

I got this from Help, I'm a grown up! The things in bold are the things I've done! Some of them many years ago (and some certainly before I was married!!) and some I would like to do before I die!! Copy it and publish your list!!

01. Bought everyone in the bar a drink
02. Swam with wild dolphins
03. Climbed a mountain
04. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
05. Been inside the Great Pyramid
06. Held a tarantula
07. Taken a candlelit bath with someone
08. Said "I love you’ and meant it
09. Hugged a tree
10. Bungee jumped
11. Visited Paris
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea
13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise
14. Seen the Northern Lights
15. Gone to a huge sports game (and survived the crush afterwards)
16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa
17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
18. Touched an iceberg
19. Slept under the stars
20. Changed a baby’s diaper
21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
22. Watched a meteor shower
23. Gotten drunk on champagne
24. Given more than you can afford to charity
25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
27. Had a food fight
28. Bet on a winning horse
29. Asked out a stranger
30. Had a snowball fight
31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can
32. Held a lamb
33. Seen a total eclipse
34. Ridden a roller coaster
35. Hit a home run
36. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
37. Adopted an accent for an entire day
38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment
39. Had two hard drives for your computer
40. Visited all 50 states
41. Taken care of someone who was drunk
42. Had amazing friends
43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country
44. Watched wild whales
45. Stolen a sign
46. Backpacked in Europe
47. Taken a road-trip
48. Gone rock climbing
49. Midnight walk on the beach
50. Gone sky diving
51. Visited Ireland
52. Been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love
53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger’s table and had a meal with them
54. Visited Japan
55. Milked a cow
56. Alphabetized your CDs
57. Pretended to be a superhero
58. Sung karaoke
59. Lounged around in bed all day
60. Posed nude in front of strangers
61. Gone scuba diving
62. Kissed in the rain
63. Played in the mud
64. Played in the rain
65. Gone to a drive-in theater
66. Visited the Great Wall of China
67. Started a business
68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken
69. Toured ancient sites
70. Taken a martial arts class
71. Played D&D for more than 6 hours straight
72. Gotten married
73. Been in a movie
74. Crashed a party
75. Gotten divorced
76. Gone without food for 5 days
77. Made cookies from scratch
78. Won first prize in a costume contest
79. Ridden a gondola in Venice
80. Gotten a tattoo
81. Rafted the Snake River
82. Been on television news programs as an “expert”
83. Got flowers for no reason
84. Performed on stage
85. Been to Las Vegas
86. Recorded music
87. Eaten shark
88. Had a one-night stand
89. Gone to Thailand
90. Bought a house
91. Been in a combat zone
92. Buried one/both of your parents
93. Been on a cruise ship
94. Spoken more than one language fluently
95. Performed in Rocky Horror
96. Raised children
97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour
99. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country
100. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn’t stop when you knew someone was looking
103. Had plastic surgery
104. Survived an accident that you shouldn’t have survived
105. Wrote articles for a large publication
106. Lost over 100 pounds
107. Held someone while they were having a flashback
108. Piloted an airplane
109. Petted a stingray
110. Broken someone’s heart
111. Helped an animal give birth
112. Won money on a T.V. game show
113. Broken a bone
114. Gone on an African photo safari
115. Had a body part of yours below the neck pierced
116. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol
117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild
118. Ridden a horse
119. Had major surgery
120. Had a snake as a pet
121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
122. Slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours
123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states
124. Visited all 7 continents
125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
126. Eaten kangaroo meat
127. Eaten sushi
128. Had your picture in the newspaper
129. Changed someone’s mind about something you care deeply about
130. Gone back to school
131. Parasailed
132. Petted a cockroach
133. Eaten fried green tomatoes
134. Read The Iliad - and the Odyssey
135. Selected one “important” author who you missed in school, and read
136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
137. Skipped all your school reunions
138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
139. Been elected to public office
140. Written your own computer language
141. Thought to yourself that you’re living your dream
142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
143. Built your own PC from parts
144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn’t know you
145. Had a booth at a street fair
146. Dyed your hair
147. Been a DJ
148. Shaved your head
149. Caused a car accident
150. Saved someone’s life

Thursday Thirteen #3

Thirteen Things on my fridge 1. Ballerinas new Dance timetable for next term. 2. Dominos Pizza vouchers. 3. Kylie Minogue concert tickets. 4. Smile for Life magnet. 5. A picture of skaterboy. 6. A Chicken marinade recipe. 7. A picture of my niece Princess Kiara. 8. A picture drawn by Ballerina (a beautiful heart). 9. My Chrisco order. 10. Pizza Hut vouchers. 11. An electricians business card. 12. On top of my fridge I have several cookbooks. 13. Lot's of magnets holding the above stuff onto the front of the fridge

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Friday Feast 110

Feast One Hundred & Ten

Appetizer
Name 3 things that you are wearing today.

1. Taupe skirt
2. White shirt
3. Gold bracelet

Soup
Who was the last person you hugged?

My daughter before she went to school

Salad
What do you like to order from your favorite fast food place?

Singapore Noodles

Main Course
What time of day do you usually feel most energized?

Around 10am

Dessert
Using the letters in your first name, write a sentence. (Example: Sweet unusual spaniels are nice.)

Love Is So Awesome

Thursday Thirteen #2

Thirteen words to describe Spring 1. Fragrant - the lovely smells of blooming flowers. 2. Fun - warmer weather to go outside and play. 3. Fresh - clean and crisp. 4. Love - always in the air. 5. Hayfever - yes with those lovely fragrants comes the sneezing and itchy eyes. 6. Regrowth - everything old is new again. 7. Life - new life all around. 8. Diet - get those winter kilos off in time for summer. 9. Shopping - get ready for Christmas it's not far away. 10. Cleaning - spring cleaning - maybe I'll put that off for another season. 11. BBQ - time to get the barbie fired up. 12. Walks - with loved ones to take in the fresh surrounds. 13. Family - well every season is a family season!! Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Happy Birthday Ballerina!!

To our gorgeous Ballerina - Happy Birthday - have a great day - we love you.

A great loss - Steve Irwin

Oh what a sad day - the great Steve Irwin taken from us so tragically and so young. An Australian Icon who will be sorely missed.
Our thoughts go out to his young family.

Unconscious Mutterings 187

This weeks Unconscious Mutterings

1. Wiggle :: dance


2. Face :: smile


3. Adjustable :: movement


4. Room :: living


5. Easy :: going


6. Store :: shopping


7. Maid :: cleaning


8. 9 pm :: tired


9. Challenge :: bring it on


10. Debt :: oh Yeah

Enjoy your week!!

Happy Fathers Day

To the Best Dad in the World - We love you very much and always will. Wish we could be with you today - but we will celebrate next week when you are home. Lots of luv to you from Skateboarder and Ballerina XXXXX

Congratulations to our Ballerina!!!

Yesterday our beautiful daughter completed her Grade 4 Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) exam for ballet. We are so very proud of her. She commenced ballet this year and has come forward in leaps and bounds (as ballerinas do). She will now commence in her pointe classes which she is very excited about. Although she will not find out her results for a few weeks we know she has done very well!! We love you Ballerina

Friday Feast 109

Appetizer
What are some lyrics you have misheard (such as, instead of "Gettin' Jiggy With It" you heard "Kick a chicken with it")?
Instead of "with a finger and a thumb in the shape of an L on her forehead" I heard "with a finger and a bum near her forehead" - not sure what I was thinking but it conjured up some interesting images!!!

Soup
What is the worst movie you have ever seen?
I'm not much of a movie watcher so those I choose to watch I normally choose very carefully and tend to enjoy but I would say, much to the disagreement of many, the Lord of the Rings movies never kept me entertained for too long.

Salad
Using the letters from your favorite number, write a sentence. Example: Tomorrow has really easy experiences.
Feast Is Very Enlightening


Main Course
What was the most interesting news story you have heard this week?
It doesn't take much to interest me - Jennifer Hawkins (former Miss Universe) accepted an invitation by a Year 12 student to partner him at his school formal in November. She then decided that she might overshadow the whole formal experience for many of the kids and declined to attend but will be 'going out' to lunch with the young lad. Probably a good decision - I would expect many of the 17 yr old girls attending the formal would have faded into the darkness.

Dessert
Which word(s) would you choose to describe your wardrobe?
Last season, comfy and very me!!!

Thursday Thirteen #1

Thirteen Things I love 1. I love my husband - he is a kind, loving person who only wants the best for us. 2. I love our Son - his quirky teenage ways and his innocent outlook on life remind me how simple things should be. 3. I love our Daughter - her innocence, her beauty and that look that makes you melt - reminds me to not take things too seriously. 4. I love the simplicity of my life, it reminds me how lucky I am. 5. I love where I live - beautiful Queensland, Australia - it still is the lucky country. 6. I love my friends - I don't make friends easily but those I do make I hold close to my heart. 7. I love that my family put up with my overly optimistic outlook on life - she'll be right mate!! 8. I love that I have the freedom to make choices - whatever they may be. 9. I love that I have the courage to make those choices. 10. I love my extended family - their support is always there. 11. I love that we are building a new home. 12. I love that I often take the road less travelled. 13. I love because I can!!!! Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Unconscious Mutterings

This weeks Unconscious Mutterings

1. Visit : coffee and cake
   
2. Cake : chocolate
   
3. Period : timeframe
   
4. Triumphant : on top of the world
   
5. Screen : sore eyes
   
6. Neglect : my diet
   
7. Guitar : music
   
8. Loathe : mean people
   
9. Sugar : toffee
   
10. Montage : mixed up
    

Enjoy your week - Incog

Our word cloud

I like this - shows how little things amuse me.

Get your word cloud here

Year of the....

You Were Actually Born Under:

You have both a fiery energy and a warm heart. Your charisma and charm makes it easy for you to influence others. Lucky in life, you also have a reputation of being lucky in love. Power hungry, you are determined to get what you want - no matter what it takes. You are most compatible with a Monkey or Rat.

You Should Have Been Born Under:

You've got a ton of energy - and need plenty of room to roam. You tend to follow your whims, and it's hard for you to stick to one thing. Specific jobs, loves, and friends are always changing and never a part of your life for long. Very intuitive, you tend to know what people are thinking before they say a word. You are most compatible with a Dog or Tiger.

What Year Were You Born Under?

For Paul

Recipe of the week - Coleslaw

Another glorious winter (?) weekend coming up in wonderful Queensland - so it's more salads again this weekend!!!





Coleslaw

INGREDIENTS

½ small white cabbage, shredded
1 green capsicum, diced
½ small red onion, sliced thinly
White wine vinegar
2 tsp sugar
1 tsp salt
¼ cup olive oil
½ cup flat-leaf parsley leaves, torn
Crusty bread to serve

METHOD

Combine cabbage, capsicum and onion in a large serving bowl.

Combine vinegar, sugar, salt and oil in a small bowl and whisk to combine. Pour over salad and toss well to combine the flavours; stand 10 minutes.

Stir in the parsley leaves.

Serve with a lovely tossed green salad and a juicy steak!!!

Enjoy - Incog

Friday Feast 108

Appetizer
If you could have a free subscription to any magazine, which one would you like to have?
It would probably be a gardening magazine - we are currently building a house and are looking for inspiration to landscape when the house is finsished.

Soup
Describe your living room (furnishings, colors, etc.).
A lot of timber furniture ie TV cabinet, book cases, coffee table - lounge is aubergine (sort of), flooring is timber like - with timber venetian blinds - lots of family photos on the TV cabinet.

Salad
What does the shape of a circle make you think of?
It actually makes me think about life (something to do with the Lion King - the circle of life) and for me reflecting on family and how things change over the years.

Main Course
Name 3 things in your life that you consider to be absolute necessities.
My family, my reading glasses (or this would make no sense at all) and my hairdresser!!!

Dessert
What was the last really funny movie you watched?
Although not a new movie Bruce Almighty - not a big Jim Carey fan but I did find this funny.


Come dine with us at
Fridays Feast

We are all the same

After the game,

the king and the pawn go into the same box.
Italian Proverb

Incog

On my way!!

Well I have finally lost that first kilo!!! Made my day - still have a few to go but I'm on my way and feeling quite motivated to reach my goal. So with a bit more exercise and some more spring and summer salads on the menu I should be able to reach my goal before Christmas - thanks to everyone for their encouragement. Bye for now!!

Incog

OH my blogging is bigger than I thought

Well I have spent most of the day looking at other blogs - and my oh my have I been kept busy. Thursday Thirteen, Wordless Wednesday, Friday Feast, blogging chicks, Photo hunt and many more of those great ideas have been hitting me all day. There is so much out there and so confusing for a fairly new blogger. But I will over the next few weeks endeavour to be a part of as many of them as I can. They are great ideas and obviously some great people to meet out there too (even if it is through the blog and they are on the other side of the world). Maybe at some stage we can swap addresses and send postcards to each other from around the globe. So I am giving my head a deserved rest now (plus have to start dinner soon). I have really enjoyed looking at some great sites today check these out:

Fridays Child
Drama Queen's Momma
A revision

All great sites - you have all inspired me. See you all soon.

Incog

Tracking those special events

Well I am feeling quite proud of myself today. I am working out how to link things to my blog - probably will overdo it for a while. So as you can I am now tracking my weight (an incentive I hope) and also letting you all know how long until our 21st Wedding Anniversary (which I am very proud of). I also added the moon phases a few days ago. I love the moon - not sure why - it is beautiful.

Recipe of the Week - Chilli and Lime chicken salad

The days are getting warmer in this part of the world - almost Spring. So light easy salads are making their way to the table.





INGREDIENTS

1 cup (250ml) water
1 cup (250ml) chicken stock
340g chicken breast fillets
1 small carrot (70g)
1 small red capsicum (150g), sliced thinly
½ small chinese cabbage (200g), shredded finely
2 green onions, chopped finely
¾ cup (60g) bean sprouts
½ cup firmly packed fresh coriander leaves
100g watercress, trimmed

CHILLI LIME DRESSING:

¼ cup (60ml) lime juice
2 tablespoons sweet chilli sauce
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 tablespoon oyster sauce
1 teaspoon sesame oil

METHOD

1. Bring the water and stock to a boil in large saucepan. Reduce heat; add chicken, simmer about 10 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. Allow chicken to cool in cooking liquid before draining. Discard liquid; slice chicken thinly.

2. Meanwhile, halve carrot crossways, cut each half into 2mm-wide lengths; cut lengths into matchstick-thin strips.

3. Place chicken and carrot in large bowl with capsicum, cabbage, onion, sprouts, coriander and watercress; add chilli lime dressing, toss to combine.

Chilli lime dressing:
Combine ingredients in screw-topped jar; shake well.

Enjoy!!

A busy few days!!

Well I have had a few busy days and haven't been able to get to the computer. We are starting the process of building our next house. So have been running around choosing colours, tiles, carpets etc. Hubby works away but has been home this week, so we are both trying to cram alot into this week. Between signing contracts and picking paints we have been able to make some time for each other and the kids. So just a quick break - have not lost any weight, but haven't gained any either - yee haa!! Struggling with the exercise but am doing little bits. Anyway the sun is shining on us so can't complain. Bye for now

Full Moon

I know the old cliche about full moons - bringing out the crazies - but how can you resist such a wonderful sight!!

Thanks

Thanks to everyone for their support in weight loss quest. I haven't made a great start with the exercise - but hey there's always tomorrow. So will keep on posting my progress and look forward to your support - and of course for all of you out there who have your own battles - I'm right behind you - all the way.

Oh no I've put on weight!!!

Don't know why I even weighed myself - didn't need to I could tell by my waistbands that I had put on weight. So what to do - enjoy my food too much to diet, although I could include more fruit and veg into my diet (yes I will) - will just have to start walking. The sun is up before 6am now so I guess I can go for a walk before I get everyone ready for school and work. Gee it's going to be hard - it's still a bit cool of a morning - but I really have to. I'll report my progress over the coming weeks - need to lose about 10 kilograms - phew!! I'm tired just thinking about it. But I'll give it my best shot - here goes - wish me luck!!

Love

Love is like war,
Easy to begin but hard to end.
~ by Anonymous ~

Recipe of the Week

We have had a few warm days and it's only a couple of weeks till Spring. This fresh, mint icecream is an ideal way to finish off a warm day. Enjoy!




Fresh mint ice-cream

Serving size: Serves 6
Cooking time: More than 1 hour

INGREDIENTS
1¼ cups castor sugar
1¼ cups water
2/3 cup fresh mint leaves
1/3 cup lime juice
600ml thickened cream, whipped

METHOD
Combine sugar and water in pan, stir over heat, without boiling, until sugar is dissolved.
Simmer 5 minutes, without stirring, cool 5 minutes.
Blend or process syrup with mint and juice.
Strain through fine nylon sieve (to prevent mint discolouring); discard mint.
Pour mixture into shallow pan, cover, freeze until firm.
Process ice-cream mixture until smooth, transfer to bowl, fold in cream in several batches. Return to same pan, cover, freeze until firm.
Repeat processing, spread into loaf pan, cover, freeze several hours or overnight until firm.
Recipe best made several days ahead.
Storage: Covered, in freezer.
Freeze: Essential.
Microwave: Not suitable.

Harmony

If only humans could get on together as well as these cuties seem to!!

Daffodil Day - 25 August

Cancer affects nearly one in three Australians. Daffodil Day is Australia's flagship national event to support those affected by cancer and to inspire hope for our future.
In the Southern Hemisphere, Daffodil Day is the largest merchandise based fundraising event of its kind for cancer research, education and patient support
The Canadian Cancer Society originally created Daffodil Day in the early 1980s. Presently claiming international significance, Daffodil Day is hosted by cancer charities in seven western countries across the globe.
The event has given the daffodil world-wide significance as an accepted and positive symbol for the heroic efforts made by cancer patients.

Jeans for Genes Day

The first Friday in August is Jeans for Genes Day, the day you get to wear jeans to work for a great cause: finding cures for children’s diseases. Jeans for Genes Day is a FUNdraising day for the Children’s Medical Research Institute (CMRI).

Chances are you probably know someone who has a genetic disease, because one in twenty children are born with some form of genetic fault. There are children with leukaemia, muscular dystrophy, cystic fibrosis and many other disorders.
The scientists at the Children’s Medical Research Institute are working to try to prevent these diseases before they occur in children, or where that is not possible to develop better treatments.
The money raised from Jeans for Genes Day goes towards the work of these scientists.
You are part of every discovery we make.

Please support this great cause!!

Gluten-free recipe of the week!!

Gluten-Free Peanut Cookies

INGREDIENTS
125g butter
1/4 cup (65g) crunchy peanut butter
3/4 cup (150g) firmly packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 cups (225g) gluten-free plain flour
1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
3/4 cup (110g) roasted unsalted peanuts, toasted

METHOD
Preheat the oven to moderate (180 degrees C). Lightly grease oven trays.Beat the butter, peanut butter, sugar and egg in a small bowl with an electric mixer until well combined. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl and stir in the remaining ingredients. Roll heaped teaspoons of mixture into balls and place about 3cm apart on prepared trays. Press lightly with a fork. Bake in a moderate oven for about 12 minutes or until browned lightly. Loosen biscuits and cool on trays.

Of course you could go down to your local woolies and buy some ready made gluten-free cookies, but it is much more fun making your own (especially with your kids).

Enjoy!!!!

Enjoy Your Day

Today my thoughts are centred on expecting only the best
and giving only the best.
Today my mind and heart are open to new opportunities
and I make the most out of every situation.
Today I will smile and act enthusiastically in everything I do.
I will make every person I meet feel very important and
I will show them that I care.
Today my confidence is high and I am willing to step out
and take a chance.
I speak freely to all those I meet.
I know I have something valuable to contribute.
I expect results today and my time is well invested.
Today I am one step closer to achieving my goals and dreams.
I always keep my eyes focussed on success
and prosperity.
Today I will sow good seed so that I will reap my harvest of reward.

Today is my day!

Taxi!!!!

You know you're having one of those days when........

You flag down the wrong car!!!

Oh well better luck next time.

Live each day as if it's your last one - because one day it will be!!

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the tradewinds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.

- Mark Twain

Memories - can't wait for the next one!!

We recently went on a cruise around the South Pacific - some photos to share:


Magical Mystery Island


Idyllic Isle of Pines!


The Star was a fabulous ship!!!


The Islands were beautiful!!

The water perfect!!




With some bad press about cruising at the moment - just wanted to say we had a great time. It was a family holiday (we consider our friends family too) and was fabulous - if only once in your life it's something you should do. We have been on 3 so far and are looking forward to more cruising!!!!!!!!