Things I Know I Am Thankful For

It feels like forever and a day since I last wrote a Thankful Thursday post. Perhaps because it just about has been?
 Just in case curiosity gets the better of you as well my last thankful post was way back in April when I was thankful for getting the chance to hang with Samuel Johnson and the Love Your Sister crew. The post is here if you are interested

But enough living in the past and back to now. Well back to last week when the lovely Miss Cinders announced that she would be moving Things I Know to a Thursday rather than Friday. Which I think actually suits me a little more but as the link stays open for a whole week it doesn't make a whole lot of difference I guess, but now I am just rambling.

Anyway since I am super thankful for bloggers like Miss Cinders and Francesca (and all the others who host awesome linkies) it only seemed right to combine the both together.

I know I am always thankful for a good coffee

I know that even though I may not have publicly shared my thanks for a while it doesn't mean I haven't been thankful for a whole range of good fortune. From winning tickets to a concert, to being surrounded by lovely friends, and not to mention watching three delightful girls grow before my very eyes.

I know that I am thankful to have finally finished making this little video. I am also thankful that I had the opportunity, skills and time to make it. Not to mention, being super thankful for all the lovely comments I have been given regarding it.

I know that while I am super thankful to be the proud new owner of a flash fang dangled iron I am not necessarily inspired to iron on a more regular basis.

I know I am thankful that we have the opportunity to hang out at movies tonight as a family. The Deckchair Cinema is hosting a fundraising night for a local basketball team. They are showing Dispicable Me 2. At the normal cinemas it was just too expensive for us all to go but the Deckchair Cinema does family tickets for $30. Totally winning. 

I know I am thankful that when Mr Awesome comes home he never complains about how little housework I have done. And on the rare occassions that I have actually done some he not only notices but shows his appreciation as well.

I know that should possibly inspire me to do more but sadly it doesn't.

I know that I am thankful I managed to get this post finished before school pick time arrived. I may or may not have been a little late the other day because I just had to get my video post finished. This may or may not have been the same day I was proudly boasting at my ability to choose to take the children to school on time rather than make them late in a bid to finish that blasted video.

My inner 1950's Housewife reviews the Philips PerfectCare Aqua

So finally it is done and ready to go, my thoughts and experiences with the Philips PerfectCare Aqua

Hopefully it was worth the wait for those few that were waiting for my greatness to be unveiled.

Crazily enough I actually ended up with two possible clips. It was hard to decide which one to actually go with. but in the end this is the one that won.

In all seriousness though the Philips PerfectCare Aqua was quite nice to use. The iron did seem to just glide over the fabric and I loved that I didn't have to fuss around with settings or dials or the right temperature for the right fabric. If only it could actually glide over the fabric with out my arm powering it. Now there is an iron for me!

If you are interested in more details and nitty gritty of this amazing machine check out over here

My Inner 1950's Housewife

So if you are a regular and dedicated reader and follow me on various social media platforms yesterday you would have been privy to a rather exciting image. And when I say rather exciting I not over exaggerating on account of all the likes that were almost insantly given.

Awesome photo in question as seen on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram

Anyway when I shared the photo I promised that the next day would see more of this sparkling housewife. Specifically in the form of a vlog.

Yes that's right I had every intention of jumping out from behind the computer screen and in front of the  camera. Sadly we all know what can happen to the best of my intentions.

As it turns out my inner 1950's housewife is no more organised and together than the one I have trying to be for the last decade. Who would have thought?

In my and my inner 1950's housewife defence we were hit with a few unexpected surprises which delayed the already left to the last minute attempt of awesome. Things like children not going to sleep as quickly and easily as they are supposed to and a very drull year seven politics and government research booklet due in two days ago. Not to mention a lorrikeet with some long strands of something or other tied around her feet.

It most certainly had nothing to do with me not quite remembering how to use my video editing program or looking at myself too critically and thinking that perhaps behind the screen is much more advisable than in front of the camera. No siree none of that. Well maybe just a little.

Now I can hear the sighs of disappointment from here but try not to let the waves of sorrow overwhelming you because all is not lost. While there may be no video for you to watch right this very instant there will be. One day. I hope.

No seriously I have spent far too long thinking about this little beauty to not follow it through now. It may not exactly be the Oscar winning clip I first expected it to be but I am sure it will still manage to raise a wee giggle here and there.

So I am sure it is with baited breath that I leave you paitently waiting, but rest assured my 1950's inner housewife will be gracing a YouTube channel near you before long. While you are waiting head on over to Essentially Jess and join in all the fun of IBOT

Monday Mention - America For Alyssa

At some point in my blogging journey I recall that of a Monday I would join in a little thing called Monday Mention. It was hosted by Tammy over at Ramblings Of A Brokenhearted Mummy and as a relative newbie blogger at the time I thought it was a great way to not only share some blogging love but also discover new blogs that I could dream to aspire to.

The idea of Monday Mention was to share some bloggy love and mention any blogs or blog posts that had caught your eye the previous week. Sadly though it was not exactly a well attended linky and before long I drfited on to other things.

Today I thought that I might resurect the good old Monday Mention but with a slight twist. To start with it won't be a linky, it will just be me mentioning whatever it is that has tickled my fancy. It may also not be the most regular of things, just as the mood strikes or whenever I come across something I just can't help but mention.

So what is it this week that I just have to mention and share with you all?

America For Alyssa

I first came across Alyssa's story thanks to Carmen a few weeks ago. I instantly liked the America For Alyssa Facebook page and offered to spread the word as far as I could. Which essentially meant I planned on writing a blog post because that is the furtherest way to spread my word. (Though if I continue to use words like furtherest in that sense I may cease to spread at all).

Anyways I imagine at this point you haven't clicked through the links yet and are wondering who is Alyssa and what has America got to do for her.

Well Alyssa is a surving craniopagus cojoined twin. She and her sister Bethany were born 2001. Which just so happens to be the same year that Lovely was born in case you were wondering, though you probably weren't. The reason why I bring it up is because Alyssa and Bethany were actually born within a month of Lovely. For the life of me though I can not remember hearing anything about it.

Nor can I recall  hearing of their emergency surgery a month later. Sadly Bethany lost her fight for life soon after this and Alyssa endured twenty three and half hours of surgery including not one but two cardiac arrests. Again I was in such a new baby bubble I was oblivious to it all. So much so that I missed not one but two reports shown on Sixty Minutes in the months after the twins birth.

In case you are interested the stories can be found here to save you the search

The Nolan Twins
The Nolan Twins Part Two

Having just watched them both now though, I can understand why as a new mum I may have blocked it all out. She says as she wipes the tears away.

One thing that I couldn't help but notice, both in the interviews and through the Facebook page is the courage and determination that Mary, Alyssa's mum, faces all that is before her with. As well as Bethany and Alyssa, Mary also has three wonderful sons.

Next year will see the first ever meeting of Families of Conjoined Twins held in Kansaa USA. One can only image what it would be like for Mary and Alyssa to catch up with people in a similar boat to theirs. Hence America For Alyssa.

Getting to America is not going to be an easy process. The funds needed are in order of $20, 000. Which for anyone is fair wad of cash. Mary and Alyssa are not asking for individual handouts because Mary knows how everyone is facing their own financial hardships. What they would really love though is as many Facebook likes on their page as possible. Something we can all easily help out with!

The more Facebook likers the more likely a large scale sponsor. So what are you waiting for go and get liking the America for Alyssa page.

Things I Know About Things I Know

 Today I though it would be a bit of fun to share all the things I know about the wonderful link up called Things I Know. Exciting huh?

Things I Know (TIK) was one of the first link ups that I ever joined in with. In fact my very first TIK post remains one of my most viewed posts ever. Which for a while made me cringe just a little because of it's simplicity. Now however I marvel at how little has changed in the past few years.

I know that under the tag TIK I have a total of 48 posts.

I know that I was a little surprised that there were only 48. I thought that I had been a more regular knower. Maybe I just haven't tagged them all?

I know that if I had more time and inclination I would trail through my 700+ posts and see just how many untagged TIK posts there were. Anyone with nothing better to do want to check it out for me?

I know that these are what have been deemed by my readers as my best read TIK Posts.

Things I Know About Breast Cancer
Things I Know about reality, holding onto it and having it slap you in the face
Things I Know About Blogging
Things I Know About Love Your Sister Supporters
Things I Know About Blogging Awards, Me and Life Itself
Things I Know About Dentists
Things I Know - Nothing like leaving it till the last minute
More Things I Know About Running
Thirty Awesome Things I Know About Me

I know that I have really enjoyed scouring through my old posts. It is something that is on my to do list but rarely do I ever seem to have time to actually do it.

Not that I actually have time to do it now because the alarms telling me that school pick up is here are ringing all over the place. Yes I have alarms telling me when I need to go and get children because otherwise I know I will more than likely forget.

I know that I can totally understand why only 11 people have ever read this TIK post. I know that there are probably 50 other posts on the blog that are not dissimillar to it.

I know that I am now officially late so off I must go.

Secret Subject Swap Reveal - 1

Astute and observant regular readers would have noticed a little badge appear in my side bar the other week.

In case you missed it it looks a little like this

Ok so it looks a lot like that, because that is it.

Secret Subject Swap is the brain child of Emily who can be found here and here. She asked myself and a bunch of other uber cool bloggers, (a full list is at the end of the post) if we were interested in setting some secret writing prompts for each other and all publishing on the same day. Given my desire to challenge myself as a writer whenever possible I jumped at the chance. Plus I am always a fan of anything secret, but who isn't?

So today is the day on which we are all to unveil our secret prompts. Mine was given to me by the ever lovely Josefa from always Josefa. 

Image from here
Painted by Craig Orback

“His talent was as natural as the pattern that was made by the dust on a butterfly's wings. At one time he understood it no more than the butterfly did and he did not know when it was brushed or marred. Later he became conscious of his damaged wings and of their construction and he learned to think and could not fly any more because the love of flight was gone and he could only remember when it had been effortless.”

This quote was said by Ernest Hemingway in reference to Scott Fitzgerald. I encourage you to interpret, write, prose, describe or philosophise in any way you like as a response to this quote.

Deep huh?

Now full credit to Josefa because she gave me this some what complex prompt with plenty of time to think it all over and come up with something truly wonderful. Which I promise I had every intention of doing. Honest, I did.

When I first read it I was totally excited because I thought it was just the excuse I was looking for to re-read The Great Gatsby. I fondly recall devouring the pages back when I was a university student. With the recent release of the latest movie version I had been thinking of doing so anyway but had just not quite got around to it. Surprisingly, or not, I still haven't managed to pull it off the book shelf.

Nor did I get around to researching what else old Ernest had to say. Or anyone else for that matter. Technically I could get up and turn the internet on and have a look now but I lost interest at the getting up part. It is the end of another long day after all. Plus with the internet on I am not likely to be able to resist the time void that is Facebook (but please come and like my page). Tragic I know but in my defence I have been resisting the temptations of evil ALL. DAY. LONG.

I have however pondered greatly on how Josefa came across the quote and what prompted her to pass it on to me. Did she simply Google butterfly and go from there? I mean that makes sense because I like butterflies (but again who doesn't?) Or is there more to it than that? Was it perhaps a prompt that she herself was given at some point in time. Such a crafter writer as her is bound to have completed at least a course or two at some point. 

Needless to say I then question all that I am. Wonder whether the prompt I passed onto Ashely cut the mustard. Did she struggle with it as much as I with mine? Did she curse me and my stupid prompt like I may or may not have? Was it completely off the mark and not what was expected? Should I even be a part of such a group?

Nothing like a dose of self doubt to get the creative juices flowing. Or not.

The distracted procrastinator in me then kicks in and the original train of thought is completely gone and long forgotten. My post still a blank canvas and my mind in much the same state.

I go back and read the quote again. For the umpteenth time I might add. Desperate to try and find something, anything that I make into a worthy post and hold onto the hope there is a chance for me and this writing gig.

“His talent was as natural as the pattern that was made by the dust on a butterfly's wings. At one time he understood it no more than the butterfly did and he did not know when it was brushed or marred. Later he became conscious of his damaged wings and of their construction and he learned to think and could not fly any more because the love of flight was gone and he could only remember when it had been effortless.”

I can't help but wonder if my own wings are perhaps a little damaged. Only if they are, I hope the dust can once again be brushed on to them and I can go back to it being effortless. Life in general of late has been far from effortless, but that is not what I want to get caught up in now.Right now I want to get caught up on dissecting all the different ways Hemmingway's words could be interpreted regarding his friend. 

But alas 'tis now late and this post long enough for now.

Other Secret Subject Swappers include

Melissa Writes

JFGibson

The Wolfe's Den

Imagine Create Write

always Josefa

Ghostnapped

My Little Sunshine House

In the water

Climbing over the rocks between her and the water's edge proved to be a little trickier than Sally first anticipated. Between the heat of the day and her body trying to process the excess toxins from the night before Sally was suddenly a little uneasy on her feet.

Gingerly she placed her foot on the smooth rock, hoping that she would not slid right off. As flat as the rock may have been it was not exactly on the best angle for walking on. Before long though Sally had managed to safely negotiate her way into the water.

The relief that the water brought was both instant and all that Sally thought it would be. It was like her body absorbed the sweet liquid by osmosis. There was no more hot sticky heat. There was no more beads of perspiration trying to break free from the pores of her skin. There was no more throbbing or pounding amongst her brain cells.

In fact there was no more discomfort in any shape or form. It was almost like the water had magical properties.

Laying on top of the water Sally idly floated on her back. The water was starting to chill her previously hot body. The sun on her stomach was a stark contrast to the muscles in her back that were beginning to contract due coolness in the water.

Swishing her hands below her buttocks in a loose figure eight to stay afloat Sally inhaled the fresh air till she could feel it reach the bottom of her lungs. There was something invigorating about bush air. Sally imagined all the little particles of oxygen invading her blood stream and giving new life to the alcohol damaged fibres within her.

Exhaling Sally pushed the air out of her newly filled lungs. Making sure there was not a drop in there she repeated the process a few more times. Spreading her arms and legs out like a starfish Sally moved them in and out in time with her breathing. Each time she inhaled she vislualised her body being filled with fresh new life. With each exhale she saw all the stresses, worries and burdens leaving. Giving an extra big puff at the end to ensure they were all blown away for good. As if it were all that easy.

Feeling slightly invigorated and a lot cooler than when she entered the water Sally was now beginning to feel a little pruney. Her wrinkled finger tips confirmed that she had probably obsorbed enough water for the time being. Flipping over to her stomach Sally headed back to the bank and her towel. Her head felt clear enough now to concentrate on her book.

Things I Know About Confessing To Being An Easily Distracted Procrastinator

As I potter around trying to see to the never ending to-do list that is always waiting to be done, I generally allow my mind to wander as it chooses. Which essentially means that I day dream about all the wonderful blog posts that I wish I could be writing instead of half heartedly doing whatever it is I am supposed to be doing.

Some of these wonderful blog posts that I think of, may actually make it to being written. Which is a pretty big achievement considering I have the attention span of a gnat. Though I have wondered what kind of attention span gnats actually have. Most people say the attention span of a goldfish but my parents always told me I wasn't like everyone else. Which at the time I was actually really disappointed about, now however more than slightly relieved, but none of that is really relevant right now I guess...

Other ideas, in fact possibly most of them, however are not nearly as fortunate. The vast majoritity of my brilliance seems get lost amongst the abyss that is my mind at times. I tend to have a bit of a flow through policy on my mind. In that most things just tend to float on through the space occupied between my ears. There is so much floating through that sometimes there is just too much momentum for anything to stop and stick. Just one of the many joys of being an easily distracted procrastinator I guess. Or a mother. I am not sure which is really responsible for the abundance of thoughts that float on by.

One thing I do know though is that there is absolutely no denying that I am an easily distracted procrastinator. The very fact that Things I Know goes live on Fridays and I am only getting around to knowing something on Monday is testament to that. Just between me and you I did think about holding it off till the end of this week but then what would I write about today?

I know that I must confess that I am only writing this now because the editing work I have to do is just so tiresome and boring.

Just in case you doubted the tiresomeness I was referring to.

And as boring as it may be it is slightly more appealing than the washing, folding or dishes that are patiently waiting for me to get to. Luckily, for both them and me, all of the afore menitioned are experts in the patience department. Based on all the experience they get waiting to be done they must be.

But I digresss, I am meant to be confessing all the things I know about being an easily distracted procrastinator... Now where was I?

Oh look something shiney...

So much sadness

There's an opening line that is bound to get the readers in, in droves. Or not.

Sorry for the rather dreary title (that will quite possibly lead to an equally dreay post, too early to say though as we are only at the start) but it can not be helped. As much as I would like it to be all sunshines and rainbows sadly life just isn't like that sometimes.

The good news, well the good news for me at least, is that the sadness has not been experienced first hand. It has been felt from a distance as I watch grief and sorrow wash through, tearing families apart and leaving communities in tears.

On Monday a young girl tragically had her mother snatched away from her. And when I say young girl I mean a beautiful innocent five year old. And when I say snatched I mean a tragic and somewhat freak accident that saw a young woman (26) lose her life way to early.

Simone Montgomerie was leading the pack in race six at The Darwin Cup when the horse she was riding baulked and threw the talented jockey to the ground. Montgomerie had just been crowned Darwin Jockey of the Year. The first female to have the honour.

This days after the local newspaper's front page is splashed with a horrific single vechile car crash that killed a mother and two children. The father and a third child remained in hospital. Today's paper saying something about a last text. I couldn't bring myself to open the cover and read more about it.

That paper has seen enough of my tears these last few days. Hidden amongst the back pages where the death notices lay. A young boy this time lost far, far, far too soon. Perhaps the most tragic and sad of them all. My heart just breaks and my stomach churns when I think of it all.

My mind has been trying not to go into over drive. Wondering how his mother didn't just stop breathing herself when she found him? Wondering how long it had been since she last checked on him? And how many times she will beat herself up for not checking on him sooner...and...

Enough.

It really does make my head start to hurt if I think about it for too long. Or at all. As soon as I start thinking about it, it leads to too long. Not that I mean or want to trivialise these terrible loss of lives, it's just if I don't keep my empathy in check I tend to forget that this is all the grief of others and not my own to own.

To all those who have lost a loved one recently, or even at all, my heart goes out to you, may fairy wishes and butterfly kisses surround you in your time of need

Forgive me readers for I have not blogged

It feels like forever since I sat down and tried to put words into sentences. The reality is that it was only last week, Friday in fact, when I shared the wonders and joy of a new budgeting and money planning website called mypropensity. I guess a lot has happened between now and then.

And by that I mean a lot has happened in the world at large but not a great deal in my little neck of the woods.

The ever wonderful Mr Awesome was struck down with man flu last week. Thankfully he was only out of action for a two days. He would have liked to have stretched it out to three but the guy who gives him his pay cheque each week insisted that he return to work on Friday. Which Mr A dutifully did regardless of how he was actually feeling.

However during his time at home Mr A ensured that he shared his germs with Teapot and myself. And when I say shared I mean he gave us worse germs than the ones he had. Either that or our immune systems are not as tough as his because Teapot and I were both hit for six with these little beauties.

But enough of my moaning and back to some of the other things that were happening in the world while I was trying not to give into the deep dark chasm that is man flu. 

The upside to being unwell was that I slept a lot during the day which meant I was awake a lot during the middle of the night. Normally not exactly what one is hoping for, apart from when The Ashes are being played in England.

After the disappointment that was the first test I didn't bother too much with choosing cricket over sleep. Sleep won easily, much to my dismay because I was all geared up for some quality cricket. With the result of the series hanging on the outcome of this game, I couldn't help but hope the cricket fairies would be on the Aussies side this game.

Back when our Ashes hopes were alive and well
image from here

As it turned out the first few days of play appeared as if the cricket powers that be were actually listening to the desperate pleas of our cricketing nation. Either that or the prospect of going down in the history books as one of the crappest teams ever finally sunk in to the boys. There was a glimmer of hope after all.

Well there was until the weather powers that be came along and stuffed it all up.

Despite finally remembering how the game of cricket is played Australia failed to secure holding onto the hope of bringing The Ashes home. Thanks to the gloriously awful English weather the game was abandoned and declared a draw. Which for those uninitiated into the joys of cricket ultimately means England retains the highly sought after urn.

(Insert copious amounts of swearing, toe kicking and pommy slagging here)

Sigh.

Did you lose sleep over The Ashes?

I like to Blog on Tuesdays, do you?

Budgeting, planning and making money goals stick. A review of myprosperity for Nuffnang Product Talk

This a product talk for Nuffnang

Saving and planning are not exactly my strongest strengths. Combine the two together and expecting me to plan to save is much like asking the a chocolate lover to save the last square of their favourite block for you. Not exactly impossible but not exactly likely either.

Given that we are meant to be running off into the wilderness on the adventure of a lifetime next year I need to get over both my inabilities to plan and save and what not because otherwise it just ain't going to happen. There needs to be both some serious planning and saving going on in order to make it all happen.

Regular readers and those who know me well, will know that I like to think that fairies and various powers that be, look out for little old me. At random times they just seem to send me messages. Actually I think they send me messages on a fairly regular basis but I only happen to notice them at random times but that is all an entirely different post.

When I saw the callout from Nuffnang asking for bloggers interested in reviewing a new site  called myprosperity aimed at helping you take control of your money so you could do more of the things you loved, I just knew it was a message from the fairies.

So it was with great excitment and much expectation that I headed on over to sign up for a free myprosperity account. I was certain that within a few clicks my money problems would be whisked away and returned as a reasonable and practical solution that saw ends easily meeting and money being saved.

Needless to say that wasn't quite how things turned out.

After all myprosperity is merely a website to collate and organise your spending habits and financial standings. It is not actually the modern day answer to the provision of the proverbial money tree.

What myprosperity does do though is securely connect to your bank accounts and catergorise where your money is being spent. It then shows you this information in all manner of ways so as you can work out exactly how your money is being spent. Which gives insight into areas where you may actually be able to save a dollar or two.

There is also the ability to go and retag any of the allocations that the site automatically assigns to transactions

I must admit that I did have some hesitation about linking our accounts. You know internet security and all that. Turns out though that myprosperity uses ultra tight security in the same way that banks do so my fear were quickly eased. I am so glad that I did because it is one of my most favourite features.

Being able to see all the transactions from all of our accounts in the one place was all kinds of awesome and really helped to see where a lot of our funds go to. The supermarket if you are really interested.

There were are few down sides like remembering when and how much cash out you take out when paying for the groceries. And the fact it took longer than this impatient being liked for the accounts all to be linked. Which in the scheme of things is no biggie it just made me incredibly frustrated because I couldn't do some of the things I wanted it to till the accounts were linked. A wait that most certainly was worth it.

The other feature that I really liked on the the myprosperity site was the savings calculator. I quite possible spent far too long working out all the different amounts of money we *could* save over various lengths of time

I may then have even wasted more time taking screen shots because I was *certain* it would make for a great post

 Ahem.

myprosperity also helps you to set up goals and regularly asks what financial expectations and hopes you have. Which is a great way to stay focused and head towards what you hope to achieve. There is also the option to upload documents like wills, receipts and superannuation. You can even organize your tax return. 

On the whole the myprosperity site has bucket loads of potential. Initially I did struggle to navigate my way around the place. There is a chance though that was just me being a little slow of the mark. After having been in there a few more times I began to feel a bit more at home and familiar with it all. 

If you generally struggle to devise a workable and realistic budget then myprosperity is a wonderful starting place as all the information can be easily found and accessed. For a free service myprosperity is well worth looking into. 

As mentioned earlier this post is part of  Nuffnang Product Talk I received a small gift for my time which did not in anyway influence my words, but I am sure you already knew that didn't you?

Totally pinworthy decorated fish biscuits. Easy. Yum. Fun.

For some reason there is the general expectation that Bloggers are all over Pinterest. Not just in the way they spend hours pouring over pins but also in their ability to create pinnable things. 

Personally I have tried to stay away from the dangers of Pinterest (though I naturally have an account there if you are interested). I am easily distracted and my box of distractions is always overflowing. I most certainly do not need a Pinterest addiction to deal with. 

Of course my ability (or perhaps lack there of) to recreate the images generally found on the likes of Pinterest may also have something to do with my aversion to spending too much time there.

There have of course been a few exceptions. Well one really, my infamous Pigs in Mud Cake. I still get all tingly when I think about how awesome that little beauty turned out. Well worth the effort I must say, though I am not sure I am in a rush to go to that much effort again. 

Thankfully though I recently discovered a new little party winner that, is dead easy and will leave you with a totally pinworthy creation all of your own.

Drum roll please as I proudly present my 

Totally Pinworthy Decorated Fish Biscuits

The most enjoyable and easy to make biscuits delights I have ever come across. These little fish were not only fun to make but pretty tasty too boot!

So where did I come across this brilliant party idea?

While Essentially Jess and I were checking out the super cool entries in this year's Royal Darwin Show. We went along early on the opening day so as to avoid crowds and take advantage of reduced gate entry. Since we were only taking the littlest children so they could see the animals (read so that Jess and I could get our yearly show fix) it all worked quite well.

These ones were not created by me,
I did however take the photo
It was taken at the Royal Darwin Show.
If by chance you made these
(and hey stranger things have happened)
Please get in touch.

 Sadly though the downside to the opening day early entry prices is that not all of the judging is completed and some displays don't have up all their information. Hence why crediting the creator of the inspirational fish is easier said than done. Massive kudos to whoever you are though.

So as I stood there taking my very dodgy photo with my once lovely camera that now only seems to take a decent shot in broad daylight, I mumbled to Jess something about hoping to remember these next time I needed to make cupcakes. Since my kids have all had their birthday this year I could imagine when I would get the chance to try my hand at these.

"Bring on Monday for Ava's birthday, she says with a smile, "then you can blog about it for IBOT and get lots of pins"

Brilliance if ever I saw it!

Little did Jess know, was that even if she hadn't have given me this totally viable excuse, I probably would have made them any way I was so crazily keen.

Now I know I haven't made exactly the same as the photo and that is purely because despite having the joys of modern technology I don't always have the sense to use them. Even though I took the photo I didn't think to look at it until after I had been shopping for supplies.

At which point I of course realised I didn't have any jelly beans or black things (which I suspect might be licorice) for eyes. I temporarily fleeted with the notion of running back to the shops. They are after all literally only five hundred meters down the road. But then I decided I would somehow make do amongst the five packets of lollies I came home with. Not to mention what I may already have had at home.

Anyways as simple as these decorated fish biscuits may be I still have a few tips to share for when you create your own.

Tips for making your own totally pinworthy decorated fish biscuits

Sorting the sweets into colours is not mandatory.
On a side not I would be totally excited to have bowls
to match for all the colours

* Set yourself up before you start. I found having the smarties and sweets sorted into colours made creating the fish much easier.

*Make up one big batch of white icing. Add the various colours as you need them.

*To make the icing mix 2 cups of icing mixture with 2 tablespoons of milk. The easiest way to get rid of lumps is use an electric mixer.

*To make super yummy tasting icing add a splash of vanilla essence

*Make the lightest colours first. In our case we started with yellow icing, which we then turned to orange by adding a drop of red. After orange we added more red to get a pinkish of sorts kinda colour. After this we were out of icing and started again with blue, then green and finally purple.

*I found it best to do the eye and mouth, then the tail and fill the gap up with smarties. It could be just me but I never seemed to leave enough room if I left the mouth or tail till last.

*In case you want to use the same as me I had milk arrowroot biscuits, smarties, fruit flavoured soft jubes (tails) and starburst fruit jellies (mouth). Mind you I think the jelly beans in the orginal may actually be the way to go.

*You don't have to keep the colours all matchy matchy if you don't want to. Though just between you and me if you are going for the whole pinworthy thing then colour matching is a must, as demonstrated below.

While these fish are certainly still very cool looking I am just not sure if it is
quite worthy of a Pinterest board, of course feel free to prove me wrong

These ones however...well I am sure it would be crime not to pin them

So what about it, are you a pinner? Did you pin me?

Can you recreate pins with the simplest of ease?

Do you like fish biscuits?

Have you joined in the fun of IBOT like I did?

#TheBlogfastClub - Morning

After a long yet not exactly restful sleep Teapot pleaded with me to rise with her at first light. Given I had convinced her to go to sleep not long after the sun had gone to bed the night before, I could not really object. However much I may have wished to.

Surrounded in all the beauty that the Australian bush has to offer I tried not to grumble about the fact my day had gotten off to such an early start. The little miss positive in me keeps trying to point out that it just means there is so much more of the day for me to enjoy.

The only sounds are that of the fire crackling underneath the billy that just boiled and the birds singing in the trees. Zany stirred as Teapot and I tried to clamber out of sleeping bags and then the tent. The two play together on a mat by the fire. The novelty of seeking warmth enjoyed by all.

Right now possibilities seem endless. One of the true joys of a new day dawning. All the hope and possibility with which it can bring.

With a pen in my hand, coffee by my side and blank paper patiently waiting to be filled. One would could be mistaken for thinking all is well in my neck of the woods. I am afterall basking in the glorious rays of the early morning sun as she gently rises ready to face the day.

Only my heart is filled with sadness as my eyes begin to well with tears.

As so often is the case when camping in shared grounds, Mr A began chatting with a fellow camper. Within seconds she has mentioned her husband passing, the trip of a life time that took a life time to plan and now doing it alone...

I had to walk away. Terrible I know, all that she must have been through and I couldn't overcome my sadness at her loss to listen to her tale. I had to walk away the moment I heard her mention the husband. We had seen her the day before, I knew there was no husband to speak of. I could feel the lump forming in my throat as the words left hers. I knew that tears would not be far away, I am sure it was the last thing she need to start her day with.

Letting out a deep sigh I look at the blankness still on the paper before me.

The morning did not go as planned. So rarely it does. Out here though I thought it would be different. With no computer, no internet, no plans, no commitment. No nothing except time, fresh air and freedom. 

Freedom from the restraints of life that I so often feel are holding me back. Till I remember that it onlt myself that is ever holding me back.

The early morning sun has now turned to mid morning. It is hard to believe how long it has taken me to write these few words. Hours I tell you, yet what else I have done there is no knowing.

The mid morning sun is slightly harsher than the one that starts the day. One that requires shade to be sought as a protection.

Thankfully a young wattle is growing nearby. It's branches and leaves providing a tranquil refuge as the sun's rays continue to beat on down throughout the day. Mr A and I muse over the possibility of it being the same seedling we saw on our first visit, years ago now.

We scratch our heads and try to recall exactly which campsite we occupied that time and what other tree it could be. There have been so many trips here since then it is sometimes hard to remember exactly what was when. 

The sun has now reached her peak in the sky. The midday sun shining strongly over all below. Her heat radiating down with all the strength it can muster. The sun may have reached her climax for the day but the heat will keep rising for a few more hours yet. Compared to other times of the year though there isn't exactly a lot of heat so to speak, more of a comforting warmth. Another day is well and truly under way.