Grateful - Big Rain, Little Poem

The rain has been relentless here in Queensland, coming and going all week.

We've been very fortunate in the area we live, only having to contend with a few road closures, a little cabin fever, wet school dropoffs and wet washing hanging on the line. But aside from any inconvenience, I am grateful for the rain.  Here's a little verse I just wrote as I gaze through the window out to a fine mist sprinkling over the trees which are greener than ever..

"Rain, rain, you come again,

soaking, drenching, feeding, cleansing.

At night I fall asleep to your lullaby

softy falling from the sky.

Watching through the window pane,

how I long to see the sun again.

Tomorrow you'll return I know,

atleast the pretty flowers grow"

 

How does the rain make you feel?

Joining in with Maxabella Loves for grateful today

xSam



Cake Therapy

Cake decorating is fast becoming one of my favourite forms of therapy.  In fact, I may even enjoy baking cakes more than eating them (gasp, well, I did say I wanted to get healthy this year)!

Last year, I purchased Planet Cake, by Paris Cutler, an amazing book for beginners (like me), which steps you through all of the basics you need to know about decorating cakes with fondant.   I'm afraid I've spent more time ogling the pictures in this book than baking, but because I have a liking for cupcakes, I have attempted a few of the techniques and designs.  If you've never used cake fondant before, I would say it's a little like playdough for grown ups, so much fun to work with, but tastes alot better.

I've wanted to try making these baby cupcakes for ages..

What do you think?  Too cute to eat right?  I couldn't bring myself to eat one, aside from those cute little faces looking up at me,  I am one focussed lady right now, my health is a priority this year, but that's a whole other post!

So for now, I'm enjoying cooking up sweet things for anyone who's not watching their waistline.

P.S. I also added a page to my blog which includes a gallery of the cakes I bake, in case you're interested in some eye candy.   I plan on adding to this gallery regularly, and hope there'll be plenty of opportunities to bake special things throughout the year.

Do you find cake decorating relaxing or just hard work?

Joining in again with ourcreativespaces, why not pop over to see what others are creating?
xSam

Getting Out There

It's been ages since we went on a bushwalk as a family.

Lately hubby has gone on a few long bushwalks by himself,

 I guess it's his way of switching off and he loves exploring, especially mountains!

We've talked about going together for a while now, it's just been tricky with a toddler.

The last time we went on a bushwalk altogether was a couple of years ago, 

so we thought it was about time we got back out there!

  

Ok, so the toddler backpack wasn't really necessary afterall!

"Mum, this tree looks like it has eyes"

"Mummy, I talk to the birds"

So much learning to be had,  plenty of opportunities

to talk about looking after and respecting the environment

 and it's inhabitants, also how to stay safe.

Figured out where we are yet?  Here's one more clue..

Guessed yet?

We visited Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve (Maleny, Queensland).

If you live in Brisbane or up to the Sunshine Coast, you should check it out.

There's a cafe, playground, bbq's and lookout with amazing views.  

The walk itself is really safe (no steep dropoffs, clear tracks etc)

and takes between 45 minutes to an hour,

so it's easy for little ones (but long enough to tire them out of course).

Where do you and your family like to explore?

xSam

2012 Here We Come

After the build up and excitement of Christmas has died down, this last week I've had the chance to reflect upon the year that was, the things I've learned, the wonderful people I've met, the great times, and the not so great.  I'm amazed by how my kids have grown, and feel that I've become more grateful for my family and friends.

This year I'm looking forward to new beginnings, setting goals, positive changes, making new friends, learning something new, strengthening my relationships, revelling in the unknown, there are so many possibilities, things to learn, and places to go.

Although few things are certain, I know one thing, that I'll continue blogging as it's had such a positive impact on my life.  I really enjoy chatting with and being inspired by all of the friendly, creative and thoughtful people in the blogging community.  Your comments on my blog offer great support, encouragement and inspiration to me, which I really appreciate.
No New Years Resolutions here, as such, just to focus on a healthy lifestyle, hope for the health & wellbeing of my family, and find a little joy in each day.  This is what I hope for my 2012.

A new year brings a renewed sense of hope, of new possibilities, so I'm wishing you and your families all the very best for the coming year and that you have the strength, courage, sense of humour, and love in your heart to deal with whatever lies ahead. 

Happy New Year!

xSam

A Cheerio and post Christmas Catchup

With the hustle and bustle of the season, I just didn't get a chance to post anything before Christmas, so I just wanted to send out a cheerio to my followers and hope you and your families have had a wonderful Christmas and are enjoying this special time as we countdown the days 'til the end of another year.  

Although it went really fast, we had a great time catching up with our families and friends over Christmas.  We had Christmas Eve dinner at our house, so I had the chance to decorate, cook turkey and play hostess, and although lots of work, I thoroughly enjoyed it and  was really pleased with how things turned out. 

On Christmas morning, of course, the best part was watching the kids unwrap their presents..
*This photo has been removed for internet security purposes, as it contained photos of my children.


It's so magical to share that time in the morning together, having a lovely breaky, the kids enjoying their new toys, Christmas carols playing on the radio.


The rest of the day we spent up the sunny coast with my Mum, two of my brothers, niece and nephew.  Unfortunately, I forgot to take photos, something I seem to do alot when I'm with family, I think I just get caught up chatting and catching up, and never seem to have my camera at the ready.  My family all caught up for a picnic before Christmas, since we were all heading in different directions for Christmas this year.  I never seem to be able to get everyone together for a group shot!



I did have my camera with me when my Mum and I went for a stroll along the beach in the afternoon on Christmas day.  Just check out the surf foam on the beach from the King Tide (the closest we could get to a White Christmas!). 

Boxing Day was spent still up the coast eating leftovers, swimming, eating more leftovers at a park whilst the kids played, then drove back home to relax and eat yet more leftovers.
 

We are now decompressing from the excitement and build up of Christmas, and Hubby is on holidays for two weeks, so now it's time for just the four of us.  Although we like to take each day as it comes, we have a few ideas in mind:

• A bushwalk
• Drive to a rockpool nearby, dip our feet in and watch the kids splash around
• Swimming at our local pool (my son has just recently learned to swim so I want to keep it up over the hols)
• A day to myself, with maybe a spot of opshopping and girly time with Mum
• A little house re-organising, and de-cluttering to get ready for the new year
• Some playing around with new cake ideas, including baking some special cupcakes for New Years Eve
• Movies
• Day trip to somewhere like Maleny or Mt Tamborine for lunch, shopping and exploring
• A day at the beach, which will inevitably include calamari and gelati (not together though of course)
• Visit a playcentre I heard about which has a big Lego display

This post turned out longer than I thought, but if I don't blog about it now, I may forget, so thanks for hanging in there with me.


I'd love to hear about your Christmas and what you have planned for this time of the year?  Or do you just go with the flow and see where the day takes you?


xSam
*This post has been edited to remove photos of my children, for internet security purposes.

My New Morning Routine

Lately, I'm waking up early,
it seems Summer has arrived.

Room warm and filled with light.

I feel rested, awake,
 thoughts of tasks to be done already running through my head,

so throw back the covers and bounce out of bed.

 I enjoy a cup of coffee,

even a little crochet or magazine,
it's quiet,

just me and the cockatoos that I see through the window.

Seems I have a new morning routine,

nature has seen to that.

I'm going with it.

Waking up early before the noisy little ones, 
I'm finding is a good start to the day.

How do the seasons effect you and your routine?

xSam

My Creative Space - Homemade Advent Calendar

My son was bugging me for ages to get one of those advent calendars which has a chocolate behind each window for every day.  He had one last year, however, one morning I awoke to find the whole thing completely empty on his bedroom floor!  So this year, I refused to buy him one, but because I really like the idea of the advent calendar, I decided to come up with something original and handmade.

I found plenty of inspiration on the net here, here,here, and here  (to name a few) and decided to use up what I already had in the cupboard, cupcake wrappers!

Before my son left for school, I got him to help me with writing the numbers 1-24 on some white dot stickers, and then told him I was going to make a surprise for him and his sister.

I filled the cupcake wrappers with tiny christmas ornaments, chocolate money (some), jokes, riddles, activity ideas, and nice messages.  Then closed them up with some sticky tape, and pegged them up to some festive string.

It was so priceless to see the looks on my kids faces when they walked in to find all 24 pretty packages hanging up. 

We're enjoying the morning ritual of opening up a surprise package each day.  We're also enjoying learning more about the true meaning of Christmas, and how a handmade gift can bring so much joy!

P.S. Despite turning the house upside down looking for my camera,  it still has not been found.  I'm just hoping that it will turn up when I'm looking for something else, which is how things usually work around here.  Nevertheless, I shall keep on blogging away with the aid of my camera phone, despite the dodgy photos..for now!

For more creative happenings go here.
xSam
*This post has been edited to remove photos of my children, for internet security purposes.