tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49634452303935135642024-03-12T18:38:39.655-07:00Be-Stitched Artfully and Live BeautifullyLife, Craft, Family, Homemaking Kathy Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13584014260456995441noreply@blogger.comBlogger142125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4963445230393513564.post-67769108376207943852016-01-11T13:41:00.001-08:002016-01-11T13:41:03.592-08:00Der Papierfuchs, My new paper bead jewelry brand<br />
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Lately I have given away the crochet hook and taken up the art of paper bead making. I have found it to be very interesting and satisfying artistically. As a result I have started making paper bead jewelry to sell and have even opened my own Etsy shop Link here----> <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/papierfuchsjewellery">(Papierfuchsjewellery)</a><br />
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My actual love for making paper beads started with the viewing of a random video on Youtube. Those 'how to' videos can sometimes be addictive! I just love how the bead forms right under your finger as you twirl the paper around.<br />
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Here are some photos of some of my products that are currently available on Etsy.<br />
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All the pieces for sale are handmade by myself. A lot of the papers have also been hand-painted and embellished with gold or silver acrylic artist's paint. I have sealed all pieces using 2-4 layers of high-gloss varnish making these pieces durable and moisture proof.<br />
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If you love a bit of jewelry please feel free to check out my Etsy shop or leave a comment here. Some of the most valuable things one can have when starting out are comments, so please leave a comment and let me know what you think, what do you like, where can I improve!<br />
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Kathy Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13584014260456995441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4963445230393513564.post-39767137685844486422015-03-31T12:10:00.000-07:002015-03-31T12:11:11.187-07:00Recipe for Paleo Chocolate Milkshake Here is something I am making quite often at the moment. It is a super healthy chocolate 'milkshake' that tastes amazing. It's great for people doing the paleo diet or who are vegan or vegetarian.<br />
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<u><b>What you need </b></u><br />
A blender<br />
A cup to soak almonds in<br />
1/2 litre water<br />
2 ripe bananas<br />
1
big handful of raw almonds to make almond milk. You could use bought
almond milk but please make your own. (how to make almond milk included
in recipe) Do not buy this stuff! If you look on the packets at
supermarkets you will see it's got more than just almonds and water in
the ingredients. <br />
1 full tablespoon manuka honey<br />
1 level tablespoon raw cacao powder<br />
1 teaspoon cinnamon - optional <br />
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<u><b>How to make it </b></u><br />
<ul>
<li><b><i>Making the almond milk first </i></b></li>
</ul>
Note you will need to prepare your almonds by soaking them in a
cup with water over night or for a minimum of 8 hours. This helps them
plump up and makes it easier to make more milk from them.<br />
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Once your almonds have soaked rinse them in fresh water and put them in
the blender. Add the 1/2 litre of water to the blender and then blend it
for about 2 minutes. You will notice the liquid becomes white and
milky. Now traditionally you need to pour this mixture through a sieve
and just keep the 'milk'. I personally think that's a waste of
nutritious almonds, and they are not cheap! So my preference is to not
strain and to leave everything in the milk. You can choose what you want
to do. <br />
<ul>
<li><i><b>Making the milkshake </b></i></li>
</ul>
Now that you have the almond milk finished, yes that's all it
takes!, add the bananas, raw cacao powder, manuka honey and cinnamon.
Blend till it is nice and smooth and serve. <br />
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<u><b>ALLERGY WARNING </b></u><br />
I
am guessing this recipe is not great for children with nut allergies,
though some people like my cousin have an allergy to other nuts but not
almonds, go figure! If the people you plan on serving this to have
allergies please be careful and replace the almond milk with rice milk.
You won't get all the nutritional value from the almonds but at least it
is still a healthier alternative to a normal chocolate milkshake. <br />
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<u><b>NUTRITIONAL FACTS</b></u><br />
Almost forgot, I should probably tell you why this chocolate milkshake is so healthy and nutritious!<br />
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<i><b>Bananas </b></i><br />
Banana's contain a good dose of vitamins such as B6; Manganese, vitamin C, potassium, copper and biotin. <br />
They are sweet but low GI and are a great source of fiber. Bananas can also help lower cholesterol and blood pressure.<br />
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<i><b>Almonds</b></i><br />
Almonds are high in vitamins E, Folate, B2
and minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, zinc,
phosphorous and potassium. They are also a good source of protein<br />
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<i><b>Raw cacao powder</b></i><br />
Is
a good source of minerals such as potassium, phosphorous, magnesium,
manganese, zinc, iron as well as calcium. Surprisingly it is a good
source of fiber and protein too. <i><b> </b></i><br />
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<i><b>Manuka honey </b></i><br />
Manuka honey is antimicrobial and antiviral. It is also an antioxidant that can help to increase vitality and immunity. <i><b> </b></i>These capabilities are stable and it doesn't lose its potency when exposed to dilution, heat or light.<br />
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<i><b>Cinnamon </b></i><br />
Is an excellent sourse of manganese also a good source of calcium, potassium and iron. Also 1 tablespoon is equal to 16% DV for dietry fiber. It is good for controling blood sugar, anti microbial activity and it has anti clotting actions. Kathy Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13584014260456995441noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4963445230393513564.post-16258608356646711832015-03-31T07:52:00.005-07:002015-03-31T08:01:50.193-07:00Fondant Nature cake for 60th birthday <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Thought I'd just share some photos of a cake I made recently. It was for a 60th birthday party and the lady who it was for is into crystals, healing stones, flowers and other things from nature. The cake itself is a chocolate orange mud cake with ganache layer under the marshmallow fondant topping.The flowers, stones and butterflies are all made with fondant with the details added with watered down gel food colouring. The stones and top of cake have also had a bit of sparkle added to them with some silver edible glitter. </div>
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Here is the final product with candles and silver wooden 60 held in place with royal icing. I was lucky enough to be a guest at the birthday party and I must say chocolate orange mud cake is my new favourite flavour!
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Now, having newly arrived in Germany to start our new life, I am in a position where getting on a bike is kind of necessary. Since we've had to leave our cars back in Australia, here in Germany we are without any means of transport other than the local bus, hitching a ride with Oma and Opa or getting on a bike.<br />
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The bus is quite limited, it will take me into town and there is one every hour on weekdays but it costs me €2.50 just to go into town which is a 5 minute drive and €2.50 for the ride back. So €5.00 for 10 minutes worth of bus service? I don't think so! I can take the same bus into the closest 'city' Wessel but to visit our relatives in Alpen I have no clue how many different buses or trains we have to catch just because Alpen is in a different direction to Wessel.<br />
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So to nag Oma and Opa or not to nag? That is the question. At the moment we kind of have worked out that Mondays are shopping days and so we often go together to the shops. Sometimes I forget the half a kilo mince that I need for the next day's meal and nagging Oma to take me into town for some 'hackfleisch' well I'd rather not bother her.<br />
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So behold my new love the humble bike! Included is an old child's trailer which can hold two children and a bit of shopping in the back. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my little monkey all rugged up in the trailer. </td></tr>
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Here are the top 5 reasons why I love my bike. There are many more!<br />
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1. <i>Freedom (part 1)</i><br />
As I said before I don't have a car at the moment and having a bike with child trailer means I can go shopping and pick up cousins from kindergarten without depending on the bus or relatives. <br />
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2. <i>Freedom (part 2)</i><br />
This time from expensive petrol prices. It costs me nothing but the fat off of my chubby butt and legs to get that bike moving! I have spent around €250.00 on pimping an old bike from my husband's sister-in-law but hay that will end up serving me for at least 10 years as long as I, I mean my husband, keeps bike maintenance up. <br />
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3. <i>Free Exercise</i><br />
I remember doing classes in a gym and doing hours on treadmills and stepper machines etc. at a local gym. Bored out of my mind as I walked and jogged like a friggen hamster on those electricity guzzling machines. Fluro lighting, crappy MTV or news on the big flat screen T.V's surrounded by beefcake Schwarzenegger wannabees. NO MORE! Beautiful German country side, fresh air, beautiful sunlight and real things to look at while I ride to get somewhere!<br />
Just to add I think I will soon have the best legs and buns in all of Birten!<br />
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4. <i>Me-Time</i> <br />
I say me-time because when I am on that bike and my child is sitting in the trailer watching quietly the world go by, I can just mentally chill out and take in all the beautiful scenery. I can enjoy the light breeze in my hair and just look around looking out for potential places for foraging chestnuts or nettle. I don't have to talk to anyone, I don't have to worry about what Zara is up to, I can just ride.<br />
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5. <i>The Romatic lifestyle</i><br />
Rinding a bike through the backstreets of small villages in Germany reminds me of those romantic foreign films on SBS that I watched as a teenager and wished that I was a part of. The sense of freedom and adventure! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MZ4Wg7mHdDc/VDr2SkukkgI/AAAAAAAABeQ/VGLsg_B_2iw/s1600/julesetjim-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MZ4Wg7mHdDc/VDr2SkukkgI/AAAAAAAABeQ/VGLsg_B_2iw/s1600/julesetjim-001.jpg" height="192" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Jules et Jim 1962</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mxEFa9eadoo/VDr2XyWQg4I/AAAAAAAABeY/RMN_1bMr8mM/s1600/frenchfilmsbb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mxEFa9eadoo/VDr2XyWQg4I/AAAAAAAABeY/RMN_1bMr8mM/s1600/frenchfilmsbb.png" height="140" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>And God created Woman 1956</b></td></tr>
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Unfortunately the weather in Germany gets cold in winter like much, much colder than in Australia so it looks like my bike ridding days will be limited until spring comes again. Until that time I'm going to make the most of it and ride most days, even if it just means picking up the kids from kindergarten.<br />
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<br />Kathy Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13584014260456995441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4963445230393513564.post-29836977103083271042011-07-08T06:17:00.000-07:002011-07-08T06:17:48.316-07:00Belly Cast finished!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ktbFP2V6l4c/ThcA4iRVeHI/AAAAAAAABZA/RGMNVTAIBlU/s1600/belly+cast+final+from+from.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ktbFP2V6l4c/ThcA4iRVeHI/AAAAAAAABZA/RGMNVTAIBlU/s320/belly+cast+final+from+from.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Around the 37th week of my pregnancy my hubby and I decided to make a belly cast. I've used modrock before but Axel had little idea of how to use it. Considering he took to it well and did a great job finishing just before I fainted from kneeling on my knees for too long. :-O<br />
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I did a lot of image searches online, looking at what other people did with their casts. Sooooo many beautiful casts out there with beautiful whimsical designs on them. I decided to go for something a little more realistic and a little symbolic. The flower is a water lily. At the time I was just drawn to it for some reason, thought a rose might be more appropirate but nope I decided on the lily, just before bubs due date I discover July's birth flower is a water lily! must have been a sign that she wasnt going to come late June. The leaves around the edge are birch leaves for protection and new beginnings according to Wiccan symbolism.And then there is the photo of the parents-to-be. Looped around us is the umbilical cord that connects us to our baby. <br />
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While it's technically finished tomorrow I will spray it with a clear vanish and Axel will add some device so we can hang it in bub's room. I am very pleased with the finished belly cast. Now we just need the baby to put in the nursery. I'm sure it won't be too long now. Here are some photos from different angles. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UwHWelDhP4A/ThcDHchJXHI/AAAAAAAABZI/ZGeLTVcEnSI/s1600/belly+cast+final+bottom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UwHWelDhP4A/ThcDHchJXHI/AAAAAAAABZI/ZGeLTVcEnSI/s320/belly+cast+final+bottom.jpg" width="259" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rxsV04_mG_U/ThcDLjuFmwI/AAAAAAAABZM/3GqsVdKren0/s1600/belly+cast+final+top+detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rxsV04_mG_U/ThcDLjuFmwI/AAAAAAAABZM/3GqsVdKren0/s320/belly+cast+final+top+detail.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Yep there are little stars on my nipples! Thought it would be a laugh!</div>Kathy Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13584014260456995441noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4963445230393513564.post-76933350344976753622011-06-05T00:15:00.000-07:002011-06-05T00:15:32.779-07:00A Granny blanket for BabyIt's been a long while since I last wrote. Not sure if I mentioned that we are having a girl and have already named her Zara Artemis. There's only 4 more weeks till her due date, but you know how babies are, they come when they want to come! I have been making oodles of things for Zara including 3 crochet blankets. I've already posted about the first one which was the large white granny square. I never did end up making the bunny one. But as you can see below I managed to make a typical granny square blanket. I wanted to use some of my stash and make it fun and colourful.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Other things I've made include a heap of crochet caps/beanies, burp cloths, bibs, burpkerchiefs and a cute red corduroy pinafore. I have a few more things I want to make like some simple track pants but I'll wait to see how big she is before I make them. </div>Kathy Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13584014260456995441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4963445230393513564.post-40035662198651796642011-01-03T03:16:00.000-08:002011-01-03T03:16:30.884-08:00First Baby BlanketI have finally finished my first baby blanket. It's not what I hoped it would be but it is kinda cute all the same. I actually bought this yarn to make another pattern with little bunnies on it. Here is a photo of what I wanted to make.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But with all the nausea and exhaustion I could only muster enough brain and physical strength to make a large granny square blanket which I can practically do asleep. I finished it off with a simple scalloped edge. Here is a photo. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/TSGuxr7BxII/AAAAAAAABYo/stwS6TIHrVs/s1600/baby+blanket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/TSGuxr7BxII/AAAAAAAABYo/stwS6TIHrVs/s320/baby+blanket.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Maybe a little later, now that I'm getting my mojo back, (blessed 2nd trimester!) I can attempt to make the bunny blanket. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Speaking of bunnies I would like to introduce you to our newest fur child, Gloria! We adopted her when friends of friends found a rabbit who two days later gave birth to 4 kittens. They couldn't keep them so we helped out. Our George is not impressed about sharing his house with a new 'girl' bunny! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Gloria was a very scatty rabbit, scared of any movement or noise. She would take ages to catch and would not let you pat her. With a few treats and lots of patience I have manage to tame her. She is now actually the most affectionate out of the 3 bunnies we have! 2 weeks ago I would never have guessed! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div>Kathy Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13584014260456995441noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4963445230393513564.post-82634418392633312952010-12-25T20:39:00.000-08:002010-12-25T20:39:28.969-08:00Merry Christmas (Christmas Eve 2010!)This year was the first year Axel and I spent Christmas in our own house. To celebrate and to help make Axel feel at home we celebrated Christmas Eve German style, or at least in the way his German family do. We put up the Chrissy tree, brought out the ornaments and scattered green and red candles here there and everywhere. In the morning we received a postal delivery which was a box full of Chrissy ornaments from his mum. They were very pretty and typically German in style. I instantly hung them around the house to complete our look.<br />
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So what do Germans usually do for Christmas Eve? Well they go to church and then come home and have dinner followed by sweets and the exchanging of gifts. Axel's mum makes a plate for everyone that has an assortment of nuts, winter fruits, chocolates and biscuits. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/TRbFXGCsy1I/AAAAAAAABYU/Nynvp6Jrk3M/s1600/Xmas+eve2010_+075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/TRbFXGCsy1I/AAAAAAAABYU/Nynvp6Jrk3M/s320/Xmas+eve2010_+075.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">For everyone I made a 'shortbread' person with their name and likeness. They would have been gingerbread men and women but everyone complained that they didn't like gingerbread. Fussy relatives! </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/TRbGYEaG_qI/AAAAAAAABYY/q2NivKTrm6U/s1600/Xmas+eve2010_+076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/TRbGYEaG_qI/AAAAAAAABYY/q2NivKTrm6U/s320/Xmas+eve2010_+076.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I had a little fun with mine and added the baby!</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">All in all it was a great night. We had lots of fun and heaps of laughs. I think it might have been the best time we've had as a family for a long time. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas too full of happiness and yummy treats! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Kathy Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13584014260456995441noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4963445230393513564.post-65390533516198956112010-12-14T17:22:00.000-08:002010-12-14T17:22:16.682-08:00Where have I been?I just looked at the date of my last post and its from MAY. OMG where have I been? I have been crocheting and working on some quilting but just haven't posted about it due to a lack of photos. It's also been a hectic year with work so much so that I asked to go part time next year, that was until....<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/TQgUVJ3swEI/AAAAAAAABYI/A3sDcgzeOIs/s1600/baby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/TQgUVJ3swEI/AAAAAAAABYI/A3sDcgzeOIs/s320/baby.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Yep this little person came along. Within a week of missing my period my anxiety panic disorder came back full blast sending me to the emergency room begging for my old medication. (damn hormones!) It took 6 weeks for the medication to completely kick in and in the mean time I packed up my husband and rabbits and moved back to my parents for extra help. I had no energy for doing house work, cooking etc, and lost all interest in things including my husband. It was such a scary experience constantly having hideous thoughts that my baby will be deformed, will die, will have 5 limbs etc etc.Work was a nightmare, I tried to go in a few times but totally freaked out and was very anxious for the whole day, adrenalin running through my veins and causing my whole body to be in pain. Even my uterus was killing me and that's when I thought I have to take time off this can't be healthy for the baby or myself.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> And so I've taken the rest of the year off and after 6 weeks school holidays I will go back as a casual relief teacher, filling in when I feel ok. I am seeing a psychiatrist and psycologist as well as my midwife and doctor so I'm in pretty good hands at the moment. It's taking me some time getting used to being a 'house wife'. I've never not worked or studied. I felt very guilty at the start but my husband said it was the best decision I could make and that he is happy that he can go to work now and know I'm safe at home or hanging out at mums or friends. He just wants a healthy wife and baby and work can wait! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ironically now that I have time on my hands I have NOOOOOOOO energy or interest in crocheting or crafting. I'm told that your energy levels come back after the first trimesters finished so I'm very much hoping that that's true! I have so many things I want to make. Mum and I went to the yarn store the other day and mum bought a great baby knit book heaps of awesome patterns and some yarn. She's already finished one little sweater. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Anyhow hopefully now that I'm at home I will post more but I seem to always say that, hope this time I stick to it! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Merry Christmas to everyone if I don't post by then and I hope you have a lovely festive time! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Kathy Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13584014260456995441noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4963445230393513564.post-20171501105608905732010-05-29T19:49:00.000-07:002010-05-29T20:00:52.119-07:00Raspberry Delights and Over the Top cakeI finished the cardigan I was making for our friends' new baby girl Paula Johanna. She was born about a month ago and we are just itching to go see her. I was so happy to hear that it was a girl because then I had an excuse to use some super pink raspberry yarn. I just love hot pinks but haven't had any real reason to use some.<br /><br />Lucky for me the exact stuff I was looking for was in the discount corner at the local yarn shop, still meant $5 dollars for 50gms but hay for raspberry coloured 100% merino wool who's complaining! I mixed up two patterns to come up with this one. Unfortunately I printed out the patterns long ago and have forgotten the sites I got them from so I cannot share them.<br /><br />Here's a photo of the little gem!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/TAHTW-IM5PI/AAAAAAAABUs/A0LZGAxUVAw/s1600/DSC01634.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/TAHTW-IM5PI/AAAAAAAABUs/A0LZGAxUVAw/s320/DSC01634.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476891013447214322" border="0" /></a><br /><br />It's been finished off with the cutes of pink mother of pear buttons. I am also planing to make a beanie to go with the cardigan. I hope it will keep her warm this winter. It will be too small for the following winter.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Just before I go thought I'd throw in a photo of a yummy cake I tried today. I got the recipe from Recipes + May 2010. It's called pear and chocolate cake with hazelnut syrup. I didn't have any hazelnut liquor so I swapped that for chocolate essence as suggested at the start of the recipe.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/TAHUoYg9zsI/AAAAAAAABU0/O2S7EvsDIsw/s1600/DSC01618.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/TAHUoYg9zsI/AAAAAAAABU0/O2S7EvsDIsw/s320/DSC01618.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476892412099808962" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /></div></div>Kathy Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13584014260456995441noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4963445230393513564.post-57958463040363862932010-05-29T05:36:00.000-07:002010-05-29T06:01:42.266-07:00DON'T TELL ME TO GROW UP!Last weekend Axel and I attended my friend Nanette's 60th birthday party. What can I say about Nanette? Well, she is a funny, say-it-like-it-is, warm and generous woman, who recently became a granny for the first time. Nanette started off as my boss, well second-in-charge boss, then mentor and finally became my friend. To give you more of an idea of what Nanette is like let me just tell you that instead of a speech after singing happy birthday, we were all asked to do the chicken dance in her honor.<br /><br />The party was wonderful, and held at her daughter's beautiful home in Ascot Vale. We were spoiled with yummy Asian food and oodles of rich cakes and sweets. It was really nice to finally meet all of Nanette's family and meet her granddaughter who I'd made the little booties for. <a href="http://fortheloveofcrochetalong.blogspot.com/2010/04/weddings-and-baby-presents.html">(see post at For the Love of Crochet Along)</a> A few people from work were there too and it was great to spend some time with them away from work.<br /><br />The present I gave Nanette was of course hand made. I later found out that she is usually the one who cross stitches presents for others, traditionally for their 40th birthdays, so she was surprised to get one herself!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/TAEKt2N7KvI/AAAAAAAABUk/IsaZqpDqSgY/s1600/IMG_0179.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/TAEKt2N7KvI/AAAAAAAABUk/IsaZqpDqSgY/s320/IMG_0179.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476670404623543026" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This is the first installment of the present I made her. I knew I couldn't just make her something ordinary or without a twist. I initially wanted to cross stitch 'I'm getting too old for this shit' but my more proper and less daring husband suggested she might not be able to display something with a 'swear word' and thus I came up with 'don't tell me to grow up'. But after talking to some friends who also know Nanette I convinced that she would love and display the other, thus why this one has become a 'part one'. Basically I only had enough time to make one so Nanette now knows she's got another present to look forward to.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/TAEKtvMzSxI/AAAAAAAABUc/0gg3W6Fuy64/s1600/IMG_0177.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/TAEKtvMzSxI/AAAAAAAABUc/0gg3W6Fuy64/s320/IMG_0177.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476670402739784466" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">A site that inspired the cross stitch messages can be found on Flicker. The group's name - <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/scs/">subversive cross stitch</a>. I recommend anyone with a wicked sense of humor go and check it out!.<br /></div><br />Anyhow I better stop with all this and get back to some serious report writing, yep it's that time of year again!<br /><br /></div>Kathy Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13584014260456995441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4963445230393513564.post-71849999047910984012010-05-27T07:00:00.000-07:002010-05-27T07:18:59.698-07:00Food Glorious Food!I've been dying to try some new things in the kitchen only to find that I haven't really got much time to actually experiment and cook something more interesting than a simple stir-fry or chop in the oven. Watching Master Chef is not helping either because now I feel like everything has to look like it came out of a fancy restaurant just so I can call myself a great cook. It also makes me want to try my hand at some of the recipes just so I can 'test' how good a cook I am. But the problem with that is most of the recipes have ingredients that Axel will not eat. I didn't realise how many things he just wont eat. He must of been just too polite before to complain leading me to think he was a good eatter. Arrrhhhh!<br /><br />So anyhow over the last few weeks I've just had to let some other areas of house keeping go, like clothes washing, vacuuming and make some time to cook. I've looked through some old cook books and adapted some classics to my liking. Classic gnocchi with roasted pumpkin and butter sage sauce, ( think this one was on Master chef also) well I took it one step further! Mine was roasted beetroot, pumpkin and garlic with mixed herbs in a butter sauce and balsamic vinigar, sprinkled with fresh riccota. TAKE THAT MASTER CHEF! I served it with a nice bit of pork chop and damn it was good and so colourful too. The following night I took the left over pumpkin and beetroot cooked a new batch, with the gnochi again but also adding some brussle sprouts I had boiled the day before and served it with sliced sausages. Soooo good!<br /><br />Here are some photos of the second batch with sausage and brussle sprouts...<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/S_5-Lm-GAoI/AAAAAAAABUM/LOI1E2w7Mfs/s1600/IMG_0154.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/S_5-Lm-GAoI/AAAAAAAABUM/LOI1E2w7Mfs/s320/IMG_0154.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475952934833750658" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Sizzling away on the stove!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/S_5-L1A8NqI/AAAAAAAABUU/kHUBEYmK79E/s1600/IMG_0159.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/S_5-L1A8NqI/AAAAAAAABUU/kHUBEYmK79E/s320/IMG_0159.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475952938603787938" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Served with the ricotta<br /><br />Still want to try the beef wellington that was on Master Chef! Will let you know if I ever get to try it!<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div>Kathy Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13584014260456995441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4963445230393513564.post-42628809922785147282010-05-16T02:15:00.001-07:002010-05-16T02:35:37.425-07:00The WeddingHere is the final chapter in the 'wedding cup cake' saga. It's a little late but here is what we ended up making for the wedding.<br /><br />As you can see below we set to work early Saturday morning (day before the wedding) baking 110 cupcakes from the trusted and well tested White Wings Golden Butter Cake mix. Yes I took the easy way out and went packet cake. The reason for doing so was that we found the packet cakes stayed moist longer and since they were going to be eaten over a day after making we thought this was the best option.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/S--4PkHBXHI/AAAAAAAABT8/RjU7CH7xRoc/s1600/cake+making.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/S--4PkHBXHI/AAAAAAAABT8/RjU7CH7xRoc/s320/cake+making.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471794649809116274" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Axel helped turn the cupcakes as I piped. The new piper that I bought for the job didn't work so well, icing kept on coming out even after I stopped pressing. I had to use an old one I had that was very hard to use and needed a lot of force to push the icing through. Hence the aching hand and sore shoulder the next day! It all went pretty well and took 8 hours to complete. We did however break 2 electric hand mixers, one blowing up in our faces (lucky I didn't loose my eyebrows). Fortunately the last one broke just as we finished making the last batch of icing.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/S--4P235tnI/AAAAAAAABUE/HLNvbkgDzac/s1600/cake.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/S--4P235tnI/AAAAAAAABUE/HLNvbkgDzac/s320/cake.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471794654845974130" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Here is a shot of the cupcakes on the cake table. Unfortunately even if you send a photo of how the cake should look and detailed instructions to the reception, people still can't set up the cakes exactly how you intened... in our case a missing cupcake on the very top part of the stand. If there was no cupcake intended for the top, why would we have it there? Obviously not all people think the same.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/S--4PIRC4gI/AAAAAAAABT0/WOax5o5uT4M/s1600/cake2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/S--4PIRC4gI/AAAAAAAABT0/WOax5o5uT4M/s320/cake2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471794642334966274" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />We went with the silver patty pans and plain blue icing pipped in little stars all around. No silver balls. We were pleased with the end results and all up it cost under 200 dollars which included the cake stand and the practice runs. Much cheaper than paying $4.00 to $5.00 per cupcake, which would have meant minimum $440 plus the stand. Considering at least 30 cakes were not eatten that would have been $120 wasted.<br /><br />So here ends our cupcake story!Kathy Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13584014260456995441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4963445230393513564.post-14931834728670052652010-05-08T09:35:00.000-07:002010-05-08T10:03:41.111-07:00He Fell Asleep on Me<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/S-WTUtDFP2I/AAAAAAAABTs/o2rnjJ7PNvE/s1600/axel+fell+asleep.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 367px; height: 263px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/S-WTUtDFP2I/AAAAAAAABTs/o2rnjJ7PNvE/s320/axel+fell+asleep.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468939306410524514" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />There hasn't been much time for anything other than work and house work. The place is pretty much the same as when we first moved in just before the wedding and it's bugging me to the max because so much of my craft and art materials are in boxes with no chance of coming out to play. The sun has moved position in the sky and no longer reachers my little veggie patch. Nothing is growing, the plants are not really dying either but the fruit and veggies are no bigger than 2 months ago. They seem to be in suspended animation.<br /><br />Out of artistic desperation I took some printer paper today and an old HB pencil that was lying around and sketched Axel laying in bed. It's nice to know I can still hold a pencil and make a semi-recognisable sketch. It's been way too long. Only problem was Axel fell asleep halfway through the sketch, hence the one eye.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Kathy Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13584014260456995441noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4963445230393513564.post-20249131994111004082010-03-08T03:17:00.000-08:002010-03-08T03:23:44.335-08:00And the next day this happened...<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/S5Td3uag5MI/AAAAAAAABTU/uQNmSOocsSI/s1600-h/IMG_9635.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/S5Td3uag5MI/AAAAAAAABTU/uQNmSOocsSI/s320/IMG_9635.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446221798819554498" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/S5TdnLLSSZI/AAAAAAAABTE/MM6vXVP2hOM/s1600-h/IMG_9634.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/S5TdnLLSSZI/AAAAAAAABTE/MM6vXVP2hOM/s320/IMG_9634.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446221514482534802" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div>Hail storms Melbourne. Just when all the tomatoes and peppers were getting ready for harvest. And the poor beetroot was looking so healthy. Growing so nicely... Sad the a whole 3 months of heart and work can be destroyed in a few minutes.Kathy Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13584014260456995441noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4963445230393513564.post-87644079825667929792010-03-05T04:08:00.000-08:002010-03-05T04:27:14.964-08:00In the Garden we have...<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/S5D29rfKuTI/AAAAAAAABS8/_NbZN5-e6dA/s1600-h/IMG_2923.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/S5D29rfKuTI/AAAAAAAABS8/_NbZN5-e6dA/s320/IMG_2923.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445123488996833586" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/S5D29SGwmaI/AAAAAAAABS0/vscR6iynmpk/s1600-h/IMG_2914.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/S5D29SGwmaI/AAAAAAAABS0/vscR6iynmpk/s320/IMG_2914.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445123482183571874" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/S5D28ymJP7I/AAAAAAAABSs/kkzzEwr4O3M/s1600-h/IMG_2902.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/S5D28ymJP7I/AAAAAAAABSs/kkzzEwr4O3M/s320/IMG_2902.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445123473725276082" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/S5D28a8zuDI/AAAAAAAABSk/a5jNgvgyRpY/s1600-h/IMG_2905.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/S5D28a8zuDI/AAAAAAAABSk/a5jNgvgyRpY/s320/IMG_2905.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445123467377883186" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/S5D275ZQlrI/AAAAAAAABSc/BAr4X8lpAv0/s1600-h/IMG_2900.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/S5D275ZQlrI/AAAAAAAABSc/BAr4X8lpAv0/s320/IMG_2900.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445123458370410162" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Kathy Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13584014260456995441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4963445230393513564.post-90434192111348480912010-01-26T04:18:00.001-08:002010-01-26T04:26:35.134-08:00Somethings Growing!<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Just a few photos of some veggies we are growing in our little garden. We can't believe we are actually getting fruit! We are not sure how they will go maturing. Some of the peppers seem to be dropping off just after they start growing. You can see one that has dropped still with the withered flower on the top left corner of the photo before.<br /></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/S17exSwnfBI/AAAAAAAABSE/TtbOsEifl8w/s1600-h/IMG_9481.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/S17exSwnfBI/AAAAAAAABSE/TtbOsEifl8w/s320/IMG_9481.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431023139086105618" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/S17exxFQbzI/AAAAAAAABSU/26X7ccFfcrM/s1600-h/IMG_9474.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/S17exxFQbzI/AAAAAAAABSU/26X7ccFfcrM/s320/IMG_9474.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431023147225739058" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/S17exoDpeFI/AAAAAAAABSM/LESRoSEG-6g/s1600-h/IMG_9475.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/S17exoDpeFI/AAAAAAAABSM/LESRoSEG-6g/s320/IMG_9475.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431023144803072082" border="0" /></a></div>Kathy Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13584014260456995441noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4963445230393513564.post-89838149448344410642010-01-21T07:18:00.000-08:002010-01-21T07:33:24.613-08:0030Today I turned 30. So what does one do on their 30th birthday...? Demand a really yummy and huge lemon meringue for their birthday cake! Why? Because I felt like it and 5$ mud cakes from the supermarket just don't cut it when you're the big 30. hehehehe. I guess one good thing about being in the middle of renovations and wedding plans is that you don't have time to feel so pooped about turning another year older and saying goodbye to your 20's. Here are some pics from the big moment.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/S1hynfBZ9_I/AAAAAAAABRs/A6P6QsGRe7c/s1600-h/IMG_9452.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/S1hynfBZ9_I/AAAAAAAABRs/A6P6QsGRe7c/s320/IMG_9452.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429215373462992882" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/S1hynxF63EI/AAAAAAAABR0/aLyQqX14sNk/s1600-h/IMG_9455.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/S1hynxF63EI/AAAAAAAABR0/aLyQqX14sNk/s320/IMG_9455.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429215378313763906" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div>We had Axel's parents on Skype while everyone sang happy birthday. They are so cute they made me a birthday sign and had a candle burning for me too. I've got a special parcel on it's way too. They always spoil me. Axel spoilt me with flowers and I spoilt myself with a new little cotton bud. His name is Joseph. He's a little 7 week old Angora X lop bunny. I've been thinking of getting a new rabbit for a while now and today I popped in to the shopping centre for a pair of shorts for indoor soccer and came out with a little fluff ball as well. I just have to work out how to socialise Joseph with Charlotte so they can be out together.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/S1hyojxkPBI/AAAAAAAABR8/3ANTixipRHw/s1600-h/IMG_9461.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/S1hyojxkPBI/AAAAAAAABR8/3ANTixipRHw/s320/IMG_9461.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429215391918603282" border="0" /></a></div>Kathy Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13584014260456995441noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4963445230393513564.post-39657539555040840602010-01-11T02:26:00.000-08:002010-01-11T02:48:16.059-08:00Home Improvement<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/Sx7xjI-PVpI/AAAAAAAABQU/FrjuXQM-PUw/s1600-h/IMG_9315.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 359px; height: 269px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/Sx7xjI-PVpI/AAAAAAAABQU/FrjuXQM-PUw/s320/IMG_9315.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413029388152166034" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div>I have some photos of a couple of projects that I am working on at the moment. Above is a section of an afghan I'm making for our new red velvet couch. I thought I'd be a bit more daring and use a variety of different colours. So far I am very happy with the results. I'm thinking of making it about 8 by 10 squares just large enough to cover the couch seat.<br /><br />I'm also working on a quilt for our new bedroom. We bought a new bed frame because Axel keeps on hitting his feet on the bottom of the one we have now. (I guess being tall is not always an advantage!)<br /><br />Here is a catalog photo of the bed. We haven't actually got it yet, it's on order.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/S0r9xqcg6XI/AAAAAAAABRM/IUCXX70c_6A/s1600-h/creamfauxbed.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 229px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/S0r9xqcg6XI/AAAAAAAABRM/IUCXX70c_6A/s320/creamfauxbed.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425427730770487666" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Our walls will be a light blue and the ceiling, skirting boards and doors are white so I decided on making a blue and white quilt with a hint of orange and peach for contrast. Here are some progress photos.<br /><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/S0r-t6qYJbI/AAAAAAAABRU/dw1fKKRRDHE/s1600-h/IMG_9360.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/S0r-t6qYJbI/AAAAAAAABRU/dw1fKKRRDHE/s320/IMG_9360.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425428765915751858" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/S0r-uV6Q7HI/AAAAAAAABRc/G0NSnjr_KI8/s1600-h/IMG_9364.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/S0r-uV6Q7HI/AAAAAAAABRc/G0NSnjr_KI8/s320/IMG_9364.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425428773230144626" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">At the moment I just have the blocks finished (simple maple leaf blocks without the stems. Did I mention I hate doing the stems on maple leaf blocks?) I'm planning on adding a 3 or 2 inch white border around each block and then a 1 inch navy border, finished with another 6 inch white border. I'm also considering putting a border of triangles made from the left over blue and orange material. I will see how it looks after the first white border and see if it needs more colour.<br /><br />Anyhow I hope everyone is well and enjoying the first month of the new year. I can't believe 11 days have already passed! 16 more days before I go back to work! I have so much to finish at home that I am no longer looking forward to getting back to work, I just want more time so I can get things finished!!!!!!!<br /><br /><br /></div></div>Kathy Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13584014260456995441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4963445230393513564.post-48941400998985518232010-01-01T03:00:00.000-08:002010-01-01T03:34:43.611-08:00To 'New year's resolution' or not?For the last few years I've given up on even setting new year's resolutions, what's the point I never keep them. Don't even know anyone that does. And they always seem to be the same ones, get fit, lose weight, eat right with the occasional read more books, get back to art.<br /><br />Is there anyone out there that has actually kept their new year's resolutions? Is there a way of setting them and actually achieving success?<br /><br />Having said all this I am one to make a 'what I want to do this year' list and it usually becomes more of a yearly to-do list like a daily to-do list. So what do I have to do this year?<br /><br />1. Finish renovations on the house<br />2. Finish planning wedding and get married<br />3. Pay off more of home loan<br />5. Finish craft projects not finished from this year<br />6. Get body ready for pregnancy<br />7. Extend work skills<br />8. Start a vegetable garden<br />9. Maintain happy house and marriage<br />10. Continue to be pill free, (finally I have come off my antidepressants and want to stay that way!)<br />11. Living more frugally and environmentally responsible with the main focus being on recycling and getting others to do so as well as being self sustainable as possible. (bring on the solar panels, veggie patch, chooks and water tanks!<br /><br />I also should be less sporadic when it comes to blogging. Anyhow lets see how things go. I got a feeling this is going to be a busy and exciting year! By the way did I mention I'll be turning 30 this January?<br /><br />Happy new year everyone, hope it's a good one for you all and that you make the most of it. Hope you pass by and keep in touch with comments and follow me towards being more environmentally responsible. We can do it!... and should do it!Kathy Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13584014260456995441noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4963445230393513564.post-91589542406621622372009-12-20T14:32:00.000-08:002009-12-20T14:34:07.551-08:00My Swap ParcelI got my swap package the other day and I must say WOW what a wonderful package! Here are some photos of what was inside the HUGE parcel.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/Sy6kPcPbliI/AAAAAAAABQs/os6psD5G0do/s1600-h/IMG_1354.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/Sy6kPcPbliI/AAAAAAAABQs/os6psD5G0do/s320/IMG_1354.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417447986959193634" border="0" /></a><br />As you can see I got spoilt by Pammy Sue! The beautiful pineapple shawl in the background is just perfect to snuggle up with.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/Sy6kP_2X7qI/AAAAAAAABQ0/HJQ16lSOX3U/s1600-h/IMG_1356.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/Sy6kP_2X7qI/AAAAAAAABQ0/HJQ16lSOX3U/s320/IMG_1356.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417447996517772962" border="0" /></a><br />Here are some cute cowboy inspired Christmas ornaments, already hanging on our tree I must say!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/Sy6kQLMn6FI/AAAAAAAABQ8/_Da6gyohkOY/s1600-h/IMG_1357.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/Sy6kQLMn6FI/AAAAAAAABQ8/_Da6gyohkOY/s320/IMG_1357.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417447999563884626" border="0" /></a><br />And last but not least two wonderfully festive pot holders. I just love the sparklly yarn.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Thank you sooooo much Pammy Sue. It's been wonderful having you as a swap partner and learning all about you. I hope we can keep in touch over the years to come.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div>Kathy Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13584014260456995441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4963445230393513564.post-30259502479607796042009-12-10T00:34:00.000-08:002009-12-10T14:43:00.136-08:00Another Cupcake post... why not?!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/SyF5ENR3qYI/AAAAAAAABQc/vD86FPHU2FQ/s1600-h/IMG_9254.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/SyF5ENR3qYI/AAAAAAAABQc/vD86FPHU2FQ/s320/IMG_9254.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413741340267096450" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ok made some more cupcakes recently and tried some different colours, recipe and icing designs. What do you think?<br /><br />I really need to get on with things and stop fussing about the cupcakes... although eating them has been fun!<br /></div>Kathy Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13584014260456995441noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4963445230393513564.post-1698459570497209392009-11-24T12:41:00.000-08:002009-11-24T12:50:37.705-08:00Daydream among the flowersA few flower ideas I like for myself and the bridesmaids. I must say though I am being very indecisive when it comes to the flowers. Nothing has really captured my heart yet. The only thing I've been able to decide on is that I want lots of different flowers in my bouquet and feathers. I can't even decide on whether I want red or white flowers.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 274px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/SwxGJTL3DbI/AAAAAAAABP0/SxV6TDhs1x8/s320/img_wed3calasroses.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407774378147909042" border="0" /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/SwxGJDvuUPI/AAAAAAAABPs/mRv7WICwRkQ/s1600/true-blood-vampire-wedding-edition-red-gothic-dark-wedding-theme-red-roses-hanging-plants-perfect-for-winter-wedding.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/SwxGJDvuUPI/AAAAAAAABPs/mRv7WICwRkQ/s320/true-blood-vampire-wedding-edition-red-gothic-dark-wedding-theme-red-roses-hanging-plants-perfect-for-winter-wedding.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407774374003364082" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/SwxGIvhKHyI/AAAAAAAABPk/V6u7z_XkWmg/s1600/bouquetPic.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 270px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/SwxGIvhKHyI/AAAAAAAABPk/V6u7z_XkWmg/s320/bouquetPic.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407774368573562658" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Kathy Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13584014260456995441noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4963445230393513564.post-32541847420672838882009-11-18T18:08:00.000-08:002009-11-18T18:22:52.869-08:00Ring Bearer pillows and favours<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/SwSrbl_nrNI/AAAAAAAABPU/Jlusc-RptvM/s1600/wedding+cake+and+stuff+035.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/SwSrbl_nrNI/AAAAAAAABPU/Jlusc-RptvM/s320/wedding+cake+and+stuff+035.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405633943295208658" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div>Just thought I'd post a few photos of the ring bearer pillow I made and the favors we've decided on for the wedding. I did try several other things for the pillow like a crochet pillow and then I even tried a quilt block pillow from left over material from the bridesmaid dresses but both of these just failed so I went for the simple ribbon/bow pillow made from some lovely duchess satin which I scored for $1.00 a meter! it was on the clearance rack for $8.00 a meter and I just wanted 20cm so the woman said here have a meter for a dollar. The brooch you can see on it was some old costume jewelery I bought at a clearance sale years ago. I was going though my jewelery box looking for a ring and saw it and bob's your uncle it was the perfect finishing touch. The ribbon was left overs from decorating the unity candles and the stuffing was left overs from another craft adventure so all up I think this pillow cost me $5.00 not bad considering the ones in the magazines are around $30.00 to $50.00.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/SwSrb5cZUCI/AAAAAAAABPc/3clSjPuP6-o/s1600/wedding+cake+and+stuff+030.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 270px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/SwSrb5cZUCI/AAAAAAAABPc/3clSjPuP6-o/s320/wedding+cake+and+stuff+030.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405633948516175906" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />The favors will hopefully add some color to the tables and be a yummy treat for our guests. 2 chocolate hearts and the traditional 5 sugar almonds. I almost bought the ribbon from a fabric store for something like 80c a meter but then found the perfect stuff at the Reject shop $3.50 for 91 meters of curling ribbon and $2.00 for 45 meters of the red ribbon. Thank God I didn't pay the full price from the fabric store. I mean people are just going to untie it and throw it away.<br /><br />If you want chocolate hearts don't go to candy stores they charge like 50c each. We have a local wholesaler and its like $22.00 per kilo and you get around 160 pieces and the chocolate quality is very good!Kathy Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13584014260456995441noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4963445230393513564.post-6171424755388900712009-11-10T03:59:00.000-08:002009-11-10T04:21:36.518-08:00And the Cupcake drama continuesOk I have a confession to make, making your own cupcake wedding cake is just a good excuse for trialing cup cake recipes. We have been at it again this time trying the most awesome berries and white chocolate mudcake cupcakes. The recipe worked wonders and the cakes were to die for BUT bad news was they were too hard after being put in the fridge and the cost got a bit much with all the chocolate and berries. But still an awesome recipe to make for other occassions that dont require 130 cupcakes.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/SvlXiRX1RWI/AAAAAAAABO8/A4i7YIVbPS8/s1600-h/cako.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/SvlXiRX1RWI/AAAAAAAABO8/A4i7YIVbPS8/s320/cako.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402445474298152290" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />We tried out the beautiful blue foil patties which I paid good money for and while the blue shine is divine the size of the cupcakes are HUGE and look rediculous. The red cherry-on-top look was also not so great for a wedding, more comical and suited to a birthday so we ditched that idea too.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/SvlXitCOZnI/AAAAAAAABPE/rSkYWuq7JD4/s1600-h/cakoe.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 236px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DWoWB2Y2ptk/SvlXitCOZnI/AAAAAAAABPE/rSkYWuq7JD4/s320/cakoe.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402445481723717234" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Finally we got the look right with blue frosting and silver candy balls and cheap silver pattie pans. If only I'd known I would never have spent so much cash on the blue metalic ones. Oh well.<br />We kept this batch in the fridge for 2 days, overnight, like we would have to when it came to the wedding. We also made them using a simple vanilla recipe and added some berry mix so that they didnt set solid when kept refrigerated. Taste testing them on the second day I was suprised and relieved to find that they still tasted fresh and soft.<br /><br />All we have to do now it figure out how to transport 130ish cupcakes to the reception centre without them melting in the car or getting squished. Any ideas?????????Kathy Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13584014260456995441noreply@blogger.com1