Thrifty Thursday

I've had a few days of wonderful thrifting over the last few weeks and have managed to tick another item off my wish list :)  I found this set of drawers for $20  - perfect size to put in the guest room.  I'm currently painting it a lovely white satin finish and will replace the handles.  

A incomplete set of Babushka dolls for $3, but couldn't resist the gorgeous colours and pattern.

A bundle of gorgeous linen fabric and set of wooden buttons 50c each.

Another exciting Fire King find on my wish list - a large purple pie dish $5.

Diane found this chair / toy box combo for baby - $10. 

Have you found anything interesting / on your wish list lately?

Australia Day

We headed to the Botanic Gardens to join in the Australia Day celebrations today.  The steam train was going, lots of entertainment and games, vintage car displays and free entry to the Hall of Aviation. Even though it was ridicously hot and we waited for nearly 2 hours to get into the hall - it was a nice day out to celebrate :)

Pregnancy Week 25-28

Week 25
While mum was visiting Kate at Christmas time they went through her cupboards and packed up all the baby stuff Jaxson no longer needed.  Mum brought it all home and washed it for me.  It was exciting going through all the bags - there was clothes, blankets, shoes, baby sling, cot sheets, etc.

Week 26
We started antenatal classes this week.

Week 27
Baby is a lot more active!  He punches, kicks and does somersaults regularly.  I can now see him when he kicks my belly :)  He doesn't like it when I rest my iPad on my belly and kicks it - so funny to see my iPad bouncing around!  While Craig was resting his head on my belly, talking to bubby - bubby kicked him in the head - LOL!

Week 28
We've cleaned the last of the boxes out of the nursery - woo hoo!  Now it's just all baby stuff in there :) We brought a new dresser, which was delivered Monday and I managed to buy a change table from FB classifieds.  I've started washing all the clothes / blankets and will start putting them in the drawers this weekend.  Baby is going to start out sleeping in our room in his bassinet, but we laybuyed a cot and mattress this week ready for when he outgrows the bassinet.Baby is still very active and I've had a new sensation of feeling him slowly stretch out his limbs which is different to the quick punches / kicks.

Mars Bar Slice

Craig needed a cake / slice to take for a work lunch yesterday, so I made his favourite Mars Bar Slice - so quick and easy (and very delicious!!).

3 Mars bars or 1 bag snack size Mars bars (12 pieces), chopped

90g butter

3 cups rice bubbles

block of milk chocolate

• STEP 1Grease a slice tray.
• STEP 2Combine Mars Bars and butter in a saucepan. Stir constantly over low heat, without boiling, until the mixture is smooth.
• STEP 3Stir in Rice Bubbles and press mixture evenly into greased tray.
• STEP 4Melt the chocolate in the microwave on a low setting, stirring every 20-30 seconds.
• STEP 5Spread the chocolate evenly over the slice mixture and refrigerate until topping is set

Layout

Woo hoo!  I have scrapped my first layout for the year :)

Cards

On Monday Tanya came over for a scrap-date :)  After some procrastinating, I managed to scrap a layout and make 2 baby cards.  I used the latest SU! mini catalogue for inspiration to make a boy and girl card.

Kylie & Jason's Baby Bash

Today Cathie, the kids and I headed to a local sports club to celebrate Kylie & Jason's baby bash.  All the ladies & kids enjoyed chatting over a delicious cake (vanilla with cranberry & pistachio white chocolate buttercream) and cold drinks, while the guys had a few beers at the bar.  

How stunning does Kylie look - 3 days before bub is born (she is having a c-section on Tuesday)?!?!

There were pink & blue decorations as they didn't know what sex baby is.  With 3 boys already, there is lots of hoping baby #4 is a girl!

ETA 20/1/2015 Congratulations to Kylie, Jason and family on the birth of their little princess Chloe!

Coconut Ice Cupcakes

• I felt like a coconut flavoured cake, so after a quick search of my favourite recipe site Taste.com and found a recipe for Coconut Ice Cupcakes.  
• 
  

Ingredients
80g butter, melted
2/3 cup caster sugar
2 tsp vanilla essence
1 egg, lightly beaten
2/3 cup desiccated coconut
1 cup SR flour, sifter
2/3 cup milk
Coconut Ice Topping
1 cup desiccated coconut
2 cups icing sugar mixture
1 teaspoon butter, softened
pink food colouring

1. Preheat oven to 180°C. Line two 12-hole, 2 tablespoon (40ml) capacity patty pans with paper cases. Place butter, sugar, vanilla, egg, coconut, flour and milk in a bowl. Mix well to combine. Spoon level tablespoons of batter into paper cases.
2. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until a skewer inserted into cake comes out clean. Stand cakes in pan for 1 minute. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
3. Make coconut ice topping: Combine coconut, icing sugar and butter in a bowl. Gradually stir in 1/4 cup hot water until mixture is a spreadable consistency. Stir in 2 to 3 drops pink food colouring. Spread topping over cakes. Stand at room temperature until set. 

**These were very delicious - the cake part was lovely and moist, but found the icing a bit too sweet.  Next time I will top with whipped cream and sprinkling of coconut instead (similar to another cake recipe I saw).

Miara

Mum, Kate, James & the boys went to Miara for a few days camping and fishing, so we decided to take a drive and spend the day with them.  Katie & James fished in the boat just off the river bank, while we sat under the trees watching them, chatting and playing in the sand with the kids.  It was a perfect day and the view was beautiful.

Cohan & I went crab-hunting  - well Cohan went hunting while I spotted them :)

After a morning of fishing & swimming - Jaxson crashed out :)

We watched some pelicans swimming around the river.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year!  Well we didn't see the new year in again this year, but we did head to the beach to watch the family fireworks at 8pm :)  We packed a picnic dinner and chairs and enjoyed a few hours enjoying the sunset and entertainment.  Mum, Kate, James & the boys joined us just in time to watch the fireworks display.  The gorgeous scenery from our picnic spot.

So the new year means new goals :)  I think I was a little bit ambitious with my 2014 year goals LOL, then again I wasn't expecting to be pregnant / so exhausted.  


2014 Goals

Layouts 41/85
Cards & Gift Tags 86/100

OTP & Handmade 32/20

DIY Projects 4

I know that  there are some big changes this year with baby coming along, but am hoping to still have some creative time.

2015 Goals

Layouts / PL Page 52
Cards & Gift Tags 100

OTP & Handmade 20