Hillbilly's at Heart

Confessions from a foodie

2011-11-16T20:33:00.000+10:00

It is no secret, I love food.

I love cooking it.

I love thinking about it.

I love reading recipe books/blogs.

I love planning dinner party menus.

You get the gist I really like good food and everything about food.

So it is with great shame that I admit that I love this stuff...

I really really do love the good ol cheese in a box. The stuff that would probably survive nuclear holocaust. I love to eat it, in the worlds tackiest salad, and I use that term loosely of Kraft Cheese and grated carrot mixed in a bowl. Served as a side to any meal.

Please don't judge me harshly and I hope this confession can help me to no longer feel the shame. I hope that I can bravely and proudly place this purchase on top of the trolley load of groceries and not hidden away.

Don't leave me hanging share your shameful food secrets.

Last a Lifetime

2011-09-26T12:28:00.000+10:00

They were meant to last a life time. We have not even made it to year 9 yet and the 2 front teeth are broken.

I thought about this blog post yesterday and how this was the worst thing ever and well it's not you know. Things could be a lot worse, I know, but it still makes me upset to think that his beautiful perfect teeth are no more.

(excuse the horrible pic that is pasta sauce on his chin)

So we are off to the dentist this afternoon to hopefully hear good news and spend a wad of cash, but it could be worse right?

Have you ever done some major dental damage as a kid? Was your mum as melodramatic as Juniors is/was?

Cancer you suck big fat hairy balls

2011-08-26T19:24:00.001+10:00

It's Daffodil Day this week.

If you haven't already and you can spare a dollar or two please donate.

I drove an 800km round trip today to attend a funeral because of cancer.

R.I.P Michele. You battled that bastard with much grace and dignity, your memory will be forever cherished.

Remakes are bad...honest.

2011-08-18T20:49:00.001+10:00

Some things should be left in the past.

Please Australian tv execs dont try and recreate this magic, it will only end in tears,

And just for those playing at home, who used to sing into their hair brushes and dreamt of singing a duet with Vinnie Del Tito (or Joey Perrone) here is a great Australian TV magic moment (it could rival Molly dying on a Coutry Practice)

Big Bags

2011-08-16T20:11:00.000+10:00

Waaaaa, I am scared.

I have never put my mug on the blog before. I am more of a behind the camera gal not in front.

Now the reason for this photo is to show you the bags I am packing under my eyes. These suckers are the Louis Vuitton of the (eye) bag world.

So I moisturise daily and have pots and potions of goop all over the place but never seem to stick to a "routine" religiously. But these bags seem to get worse as the years roll by.

So on Monday I spent the grand sum of $19 and bought this little sucker.

Apparently (hopefully) this stuff will visibly reduce the appearance of dark circles and puffiness YAY.

Now the real challenge will be sticking to it for the whole 4 weeks.

Me and my bags will keep you posted during the 4 weeks.

*Disclaimer* this is not a paid or sponsored post as this is not that kind of blog (obviously)

Drink Du Jour

2011-08-13T14:15:00.001+10:00

I love me a drink, of the alcoholic kind.

I even have a special drink cupboard but do not think I am a cupboard drinker.

I love summer, I love hosting parties and making a new drink to share with my friends that I have discovered.

I am always on the look out for new funky glasses and Dan Murphy's to me is like a lolly shop to a kid. I get giddy in that shop.

So I thought I would share a drink I discovered a few months back that I have shared with my friends and they have all loved.

So you need:

1 part

(or you can use vodka if you prefer)

1 part

you can use ginger ale if you prefer, I have tried both ways but prefer the ginger beer

and 1 part

and a squeeze of lemon or lime juice. I put mine in a cocktail shaker but don't make the mistake of shaking it vigorously like me, ginger beer when shaken explodes, trust me. So either stir or gently shake the vessel then pour over crushed ice into a glass of your choice. No garnish for this drink (and I love me a garnish) a straw if you must but otherwise just drink (guzzle) at your leisure.

This is a seriously refreshing drink without being too sickly sweet.

My tip: Before making for friends decide on your serving glass and find an appropriate measure to suit your cup to get the parts right. Also you can (obviously) mix the quantities to suit your tastes e.g less alcohol (gasp) or soft drink. Also go the diet soft drinks if you prefer.

Enjoy. You're Welcome.

Would love to hear your favourite cocktail or mocktail.

Frock It #11

2011-08-11T20:14:00.000+10:00

source

Nothing controversial this week just a really beautiful simple dress worn by a beautiful girl. Frieda Pinto (Slumdog Millionaire fame) in New York heading into a tv studio selling her new flick Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Great hair and it looks like the kind of dress that would suit a lot of shapes (I think)

So come join in and link up to This Mid 30's Life

Floatin my Boat

2011-08-07T20:10:00.000+10:00

I love me a little bit of musical genius, you know when you get little goosebumps and all. I couldn't have picked a better "quartet" to sing together.

Well for me today I caught an ad for the new reality show The Voice

Like Adam Levine wasn't already hot enough, Cee Lo Green just got a tiny bit cute and Blake Shelton (who I had to google) is darn tootin cute too.

Love it... So I guess this reality tv hag has a new addition to add to the watch list, I hope they do more songs together.

Golden Blog Find

2011-07-25T11:34:00.000+10:00

There are a lot of blogs about.
(that little tidbit from me in case you didn't know)

You can spend hours linking up to new discoveries and blog hopping all over the joint.

I happened upon this little gem this morning and it really made my bitch-o-meter jump with joy.

My new favourite blog:

Suri your little designer ass used to tick me off but now I just love love love you. Go check it out and tell me you don't just love it.

Unknow It

2011-07-10T20:02:00.000+10:00

On Saturday I was told something that irrevocably changed my world and rocked me to my core.

I want to go back to that time and be untold just for a week or two, to when I was pure and innocent and my world was pretty good.

It took a lot of courage for this person to tell me this news and I am thankful that they did but I really just want to put my rose coloured glasses back on and bask in the winter sunshine.

Have you ever been told something and then immediately wanted to unknow it?

Gwyneth Hating the lazy lady sport

2011-07-07T10:08:00.000+10:00

I was over at This Mid 30's Life reading her latest post (swear I am not a stalker) and it got me to thinking I actually do participate in sport. The sport of bagging the shit out of Gwyneth. I realised I am not alone in fact we could actually make this a team sport and have a round robin game draw. I mean we could even have uniforms.

So why do we hate her so much?

Did it start off because of her boyfriend?

Oh Brad really!

Is it because of this...

That speech makes me want to stab myself in the eye with a fork.

Or was it when she chose another human beings name?

As far as celebrity baby names go this has to be the worst

Or because she is trying to convince us she actually cooks and eats food like a normal person?

How long do you think she sat in hair and make up to achieve the harrassed mum in the kitchen look?

Or was the fatal blow when she did this?

Seriously hand me that fork now

So do you want to come join my team or are you firmly planted in Team Gwyneth?

Frock It #10

2011-07-05T18:41:00.000+10:00

Frock It has reached double digits...yay.

So this week I have have ditched all the Euro wedding scene and have headed over to New York for a bit of Aussie Glam. My Frock It for this week is Aussie actress Rose Byrne. She is one gorgeous girl. She is at the season premiere of her tv show Damages.

Now whilst I love this whole look, the dress, belt, bag, make up hair and shoes. It is just not a New York summer outfit. Autumn, winter yes but not Summer.

So it pains me but I am going to give it the thumbs down.

Head on over to This Mid 30's Life and join in. There is a bit of wedding fever over in the UK so go check it out.

I purposely avoided the Grimaldi horror but am totally intrigued by the whole drama surrounding it. I wonder if Princess Charlenes tears were of happiness or horror???

Frock It #9

2011-07-02T21:30:00.000+10:00

So I am a bit late in joining this week over at This Mid 30's Life

So Kate Moss got married. You either love her or hate her, or you could be a fence sitter like me.

I think I love her dress, though I hate the pixie look lining at the top of her thighs. Do love the veil/headpiece. The dress is designed by currently disgraced designer Galliano.

Do however think that the little flowergirl attendants dresses are just divine. And the look is very boho Kate.

So what do you think of her dress?

Jump on over and join Frock it for this week.

How to claim vajayjay remodeling under Medicare

2011-06-13T21:24:00.000+10:00

A nip and tuck here and there would be great I think most days. But just not there!!!!

For the average joe the costs of "remodelling" are quite prohibitive and totally not claimable under the Medicare Scheme...damn it.

But one ingenious ~~lady~~ sheila in Victoria figured a way to get around all that red tape. Read the fine print here on how to claim your remodel under medicare and also try to earn a few bob on the side.

Now I have quite a few issues with this story. The "ex" had dodgy balustrading and little to no lighting, oh the travesty.

What the hell was wrong with the toilet the normal human asks.

Anyway the moral of the story was the day I read that article was the day I was truly proud to be a Queenslander.

She's all yours Victoria.

So where is the weirdest place you have had to pee?

Frock It #7

2011-06-13T16:17:00.000+10:00

This week we are heading to Eagle Farm in Brisbane, Queensland for the Stradbroke Handicap Day. Now it is winter in Australia and this week has really had the temperature dial turned down to low.

This frock is worn by the absolutely stunning Megan Gale.

I love the simplicity of the dress and the hat. The colour is just spot on for a winter race meet.

So click on the link and come join in.

Frock It #6

2011-06-05T19:28:00.000+10:00

Am joining in this week on This Mid 30's Life blog hop. Where you pick your frock of the week (hence the name)

I have also picked the Grand Prix which was held in Monacco.

Such a naturally stunning young woman but this dress just does nothing for me at all. Her soon to be aunt however got it right I think.

All the old Neighbours watchers would be tickled pink at the thought of a Princess Charlene *snort*

Jack Sprat Could Eat No Fat...

2011-05-26T11:49:00.000+10:00

Have you ever been in a relationship where your partner is on a get fit/lose weight program?

Well welcome to my life. I am very proud of Snr for losing over 16kgs. He is now at our starting weight from when we first met over 17 years ago..fark that makes us sound old.

Can you see where this post is going. I am not at my starting weight. Nor do I think I ever will be. If you have read any of my posts over the years you will know that I am an out and proud lazy ass.

If at the end of a long hard weekend I have left a warm arse indent on the couch well my heart could not be prouder. If I have a cocktail in one hand and a wedge of cheese in the other, you can't wipe the grin off my face. As much as I hate winter, in my house winter equals puddings for dessert...squeeeeeeallll.

As much as I would love to lose these pesky 10kgs to get me back to my starting weight my love of food and wine, my lack of inclination, motivation and a whole stack of other words ending ation prevent me from doing so.

So Jack Sprat good for you but me, well I could eat no lean.

Do you feel guilty about your current weight or exercise regime or are you like me and do you accept it and embrace it?

How's that working out for you - an update in 2011

2011-05-25T10:37:00.000+10:00

Okay so my blogging has been sporadic and boring at best of late. I tend to read a LOT of blogs. I feel almost stalkerish and that I "know" these people and that me popping around and laying on their couch reading their magazines and drinking their alcohol and eating their food would be okay. Sadly they would call the police on me and well lets face it, it would be weird.

So this morning I was reading through a few old posts and came across this post in 2009 of a bunch of resolutions but not really resolutions to achieve that year.

**to do the Couch to 5km running plan like my good friend Jodes (note to self buy some joggers). I bought the joggers. Two years later they still have that new shoe smell and look fantastic, that is probably due to the fact that they have been worn twice for jogging/walking purposes. I also bought a cheap watch/stopwatch thingo as I didn't really want to run any longer than I had too. It too is still going great guns. The running well lets just say that I have the couch part down pat.

**do more sewing (note to self - you do not need anymore fabric you have enough to clothe a small village)
Yeah that didn't happen at all. I did have to drag it out to sew on some patches for Ruby's Little Athletics shirt that she sooooo desperately wanted to join and went to 2 yes 2 sessions. She shows great committment to things just like her mama. The machine is now gathering dust in the garage.

**be calmer and not wig out over the little things (note to self get some valium or stock up on some good bubbles)
Be wiggier and not calm. Tick got that bit right...oh what you mean be calm and not wig out..oh sorry I failed in that department too. Though I was very proud of the fact that I did not let out one single swear word when the "I didn't put the lid on my drink bottle properly incident" of last week resulted in wet jumpers, hats and a puddle in the boot of the car. The fact that I was in the carpark of the school with lots of parents around had absolutely nothing to do with that, at all.

**follow a good skincare regime (note to self you ain't getting any younger this is a must)
Still not getting any younger - tick got that bit right.
Still pretty adhoc but I am getting better. I bought all the good (read expensive) stuff and it looks nice and pretty in my bathroom.

**return dvd's on time (note to self you cannot keep relying on your namesake - yes there is another Ellie Mae out there and she works at my local Blockbuster - to keep deleting your late fees because she feels some kind of kinship to you)
Wanted posters are now appearing in 4 out of 5 of my local video shops (I am old I still call DVD shops video stores). I have taken to watching stuff on you tube and buying DVD's. Hello Johnathon Rhy Meyers in the Tudors.

**write Christmas cards this year (note to self don't make it 3 years running with no cards sent)
I think I may have sent cards in 2009. But I didn't in 2010 and I probably wont this year either. Does a message on Facebook count?

Someone please come ruin my life like this.

2011-04-07T15:53:00.001+10:00

What sort of mother goes and does that to their child? Someone call DOCS on this woman, what was she thinking.

Poor Audrey!

Frogs you have been warned

2011-04-06T22:28:00.000+10:00

Tomorrow the Littlest One turns three!!!

As I sit here typing this blog entry this time, 3 years ago we had just rung my mum and told her to come around to sleep at our place for the night as our last ever baby was coming...we think.

3 years ago today my last ever day of being pregnant.

Turns out she arrived the next day in her sweet pick-a-ninny time. But here safe and sound all the same.

I actually couldn't believe she was a girl. I think for the first hour all I could say was "oh she is a girl" I never really cared with the first 2 but I secretly wanted a girl for this third one just so that Baby Girl had a sister. I was (and still am) so very jealous of sisters. I only have brothers, good ones but I would love a sister to share sister stuff with.

So here are THREE things about the Littlest One:

She has a smart mouth:
ME: LO please hold my hand you are going to get hit by a trolley
LO: Dont you worry about me, just worry about what you are doing.

She loves Frogs:

She Rules our House:

Here she is looking a little Hitleresque.

Some days it feels like a lifetime but sure as heck these 3 years have gone fast. Time can stop for just a wee moment and let me saviour it a bit longer.

Today I would like to be here...

2011-02-25T19:28:00.000+10:00

It is such a cliche but I really really would love to go back here. Especially now as we are having whine time here not to be confused with wine time. Two very different times.

Senior Hillbilly and I honeymooned in Greece and the Greek Islands and from the moment we landed, well not quite the moment as this was pre-olympics and the airport was like some dodgy regional Qld airport circa 1985, we fell instantly in love with this country.

The people literally embraced you every time and then in the next breath asked if you knew their cousin who was in Melbourne.

I am playing along with honey and fizz

I donate to the rich people too...

2011-02-25T14:14:00.003+10:00

I am a giving person, just ask me.

So giving that I donated nearly $100 to the some of the richest men in Australia aka The Wiggles.

We have a ritual in our house that when you turn 2 you get taken to a real (not one of the fake rip off ones) Wiggles Concert.

So Jnr got taken in 2004 - our first Wiggles concert ever. I think I was more excited. oh those days when I wasn't a worn out, permanently tired gal and actually got excited about things rather than a muffled meh.

Baby Girl went in 2007 when I was fat and pregnant and oh so the last place I wanted to be was at the Entertainment Centre with thousands of excited toddlers and their over excited parents.

Well 2010 was the year for Boo (The Little One) and what a year it was. She was so excited and I was semi excited - well it was to be my last ever Wiggles Concert.

Except.........

(Photo courtesy of my smart arse work mates who like to remind me of my stuff ups)

Well I got the date and time wrong didn't I.

File that in the You stuffed up folder.

Paint - Daring colours

2011-02-21T18:24:00.002+10:00

Okay not sure if anyone is reading this anymore (or ever where) but here goes. I need help.

I need tips ideas and inspiration to take the plunge and paint Jnr's room navy. Not just any navy but the perfect navy blue.

I am not adverse to being bold with paint. We owned a house which you could almost call a rainbow, almost every room was a different colour (oh the early 90's hey).

So have you done it?

Would you do it?

have you seen it done well (or bad)?

1 year and 1 day

2010-11-26T10:43:00.003+10:00

Since I last blogged. That will be 366 hail marys for you, you slack arse.

I really am lazy but surprised that I did in my first blog promise to do it for a year and I did (gobsmacked)

I still read heaps of blogs..Lots of blogs (thanks to my employer) and I have developed a love for a new genre of blog the social commentary mummy/mommy blogger. So I guess my love of reading those has definitely intimidated me in not wanting to post.

Also I have 9 follwers. Who knew I even knew 9 people. Poor buggers probably dont even bother with me anymore.

Anyway I am going to try and post more...I promise (fingers crossed behind my back while I smile sweetly at the screen)

Oh and based on my last post - I still nag...a lot.

Nagging is my specialty

2009-11-25T10:27:00.002+10:00

I nag alot. No!!!! really I would never have guessed I hear you say. Well its true I do.

I know I do it but I just cant seem to stop.

It got so bad that I realised I had turned into horrible naggy parent. No one wants to be that parent do they. So I am trying to stop and part of that, was that I would no longer nag Jnr about the state of his room. As long as he kept the door shut so his sisters could not enter to get into any harm I was happy. Well sort of the inner anal OCD part of me hated it. Jnr thought all his Christmases had come at once.

Last night however Snr overruled this and he has to keep his room in some kind of order. I decided to keep out of it as I truly amsick of the sound of my own voice.

With holidays soom closing in on me I am scared of the anarchy that will ensue.

I came across this little gem

over at Modecokids.

So in the interests of less nagging and a small glimmer of sanity I hope to implement this little beauty and hope that it will result in less nagging.

Will keep you posted.

49 more sleeps

2009-10-22T10:39:00.002+10:00

Till I get to see my most favourite group of men together (excluding husband and son of course) I will be the old enough to know better but doesn't give a fig lady boppping like mad (see really showing my age by using the term bop) at the front.

Eeeekkkk so excited.

Just for Gina

2009-10-21T19:53:00.007+10:00

Hi Gina *waves* and my poor neglected readers (if I have any left). Life has been busy and I have been slack so here is a quick pictorial update as to why I have been so neglectful.

We went here

Am growing these (hardy but difficult)

Making heaps of these (am a little bit addicted to making aprons atm)

Went without comfort for a short period

And building one of these

And that folks explains my absence. Hopefully the message I received this afternoon on my phone was the kick up the butt I needed to start blogging again.

Oh and Gina get your arse onto Facebook

p.s Jo would love some in kitchen action shots of the aprons (especially the red one with the red splashback :-)

Hunters & Gatherers

2009-06-22T11:15:00.004+10:00

Here is Jnr with his first offical (did it all by himself) catch.

Just legal bream.

Panfried with a bit of chilli, parsley and butter. With some sweet potato fries on the side.

The little bits that he deigned us to try were quite delicious.

MOre Sewing on a Sunday

2009-06-07T21:03:00.006+10:00

This is becoming quite a productive habit of mine and just quietly I love it.

So here is a collection of stuff that I have made today and last week. The twin boys pram blankets (really crappy photos that I took on a windy day so had to hang on the clothesline - excuse the shadows).

A scarf I made using some Amy Butler that I had in my stash backed with pink flannel quite warm and cosy and pretty...

I have also made 2 aprons this week but no pictures I will wait until I get some action shots to blog about those.

A sneak peek at a little birthday gift.

And lastly the other day The Little One was super quiet you know so quiet you kind of gulp as you prepare yourself for major mayhem and destruction. No not this little angel she took her self into her sisters room and laid on a mattress that was out being used for cubby play time and was 'reading' awww bless her little cotton socks.

Sewing Sunday

2009-05-31T21:46:00.004+10:00

After my morning trip to the markets to get my fresh fruit and veg for the week I decided to make a Flipsy Skirt.

Using some fabric from my ever growing hardly decreasing stash this little baby is on it's way to Canada for a birthday girl.

This really is such a great pattern. I deviated slightly from the pattern and only put belt loops on and no buttons or loops on the hem. I hope she likes it and that I get heaps of photos of her wearing it.

Scones and Aprons

2009-05-25T19:18:00.008+10:00

The other week I made Lemonade scones my first ever attempt at making scones.

Whilst making said scones I came to the conclusion that I need an apron and not just any old apron - no way. So I head over to the Queen of Aprons Louise at Made by Miffy and ordered an apron in an hour kit complete with fabric. And if you didn't have kids I am quite positive you could actually make this in an hour. Very easy pattern to follow and the end results are rather spiffy if I do say sew (ha ha) myself.

(Excuse messy house in background but I did try to sew all day)

Snr has now put an order in for one - which I guess makes sense seen as he is head Chef and chief bottle washer. Now to find something suitably manly and not too emasculating.

Little Fairy

2009-05-24T19:14:00.004+10:00

Only wants to be held at present, wakes up far too early but by god we love this little girl.

Have inlcuded a photo of my F&V shopping this morning at our local farmer's market. I am not too sure if it is as cheap as I once thought it was. Have a guess how much this lot cost which incidentally will not last me all week (gosh you don't think I am that organised do you!!!)

I have been sewing just really slack at blogging

2009-05-23T18:26:00.005+10:00

As the post suggests I have actually been sewing quite a bit just slack at blogging.

I have been making a lot of these crossover shoulder bags for gifts and have been well pleased with some of my fabric combo's especially the vintage mushroom with green dot lining. Like last years crayon roll gift this year is the year of the bag.

I also have just finished a very cute pram blanket in pink for a new baby girl and I have on the machine 2 boy versions for a set of twins born earlier this month. Cluck cluck cluck

edited to add that my photography really does need some help. These shots are woeful.

Procrastination Skirt

2009-05-23T18:18:00.004+10:00

This is a skirt I have had in my WIP box for longer than I care to share with you all. My very patient skinny, leggy friend is waiting for.

It is supposed to be 3 tiers of blue corduroy but because my friend has great pegs it was to be customised as a short skirt. So after sewing the 3 tiers together on one panel I deemed it to be too long and so cut off one tier and added a beautiful Amy Butler Lotus panel as a contrast hem. I hope it fits okay which I think my skinny friend is too skinny and it will be too big.

Dont you just hate skinny people and their problems...

p.s I do love you Mothership.

Musings on a whiteboard

2009-05-23T18:08:00.001+10:00

Translation:

Mum likes to watch Powderfinger. What do you think mum likes to eat? She likes oysters.

Yes I do my boy yes I do indeed.

Op Shop Wednesday

2009-05-06T11:43:00.002+10:00

And today we have a daisy theme. I never really find too many 'bargains' or great vintage type stuff whenever I go looking but today I had a feeling so strong that I even woke my sleeping baby to go into this shop and I was rewarded with a daisy tea cup and some very cool green daisy fabric (well it is a sheet actually) but it immediately reminded me of the Amy Butler Daisy Chain fabric.

Can't wait to have my tea out of that clean cup tonight.

Turning One

2009-04-12T20:54:00.003+10:00

It is such a huge milestone but one that the recipient is really none the wiser about apart from looking back in old and worn photo albums.

Last week The Littlest One in our household passed this milestone, the last one to be celebrated in this house unless we have any post vasectomy surprise babies...bwahahahahahahaha

To say the year has gone by far too quickly is a huge understatement it truly has gone by in a blur. She is such a (normally) easy going little girl. Who goes with the ebbs and flow of a loud and enthusiastic family.

She has 6 teeth (those last 4 came through not so long ago) is standing and taking a few tentative steps but not officially walking yet. Loves her vegies but loves them even more with a dash of gravy. And because she is a big girl now she insists on feeding herself these days (much to my floors dismay)

We love you Little One all the way to the moon and back.

Special mention and big thank you's to our dear friend Hilly who decorated the cake for us...mwah

Summertime

2009-03-14T20:16:00.002+10:00

Take me back to the sweet sounds, hot nights everything is gonna be all right in the summertime... (Thirsty Merc)

Well its over and tomorrow will really bring it home with the last day of Nippers.

The mornings are crisp and I am starting to dress the Little One in warm pj's (she has an aversion to blankets).

I miss you already summer come back soon now you hear.

I've seen it all now.

2009-03-05T11:09:00.002+10:00

Yes that is right I can now officially say that I have seen and heard it all.

Jnr Hillbilly was invited to his first Tupperware party today. Yes that is right his first tupperware party.

What has the poor kid got to look forward to now when he becomes an adult?

The box is back home.

2009-02-25T21:55:00.001+10:00

Emma has received her pay it forward gift and has photographed her goods (far better than I ever could) and with a very cute model.

Go check out Emma's blog and all her beautiful quilts.

8 & 9 months- a catch up

2009-02-14T19:39:00.006+10:00

I have been a bit slack with my blog of late. November & December was rather hectic for the Hillbilly's and I just seem to be coming back into my self and am on the sewing machine when I can.

Anyway enough about that here is The Little One. In my eyes she hasn't changed all that much in the looks department. She is just like Jnr Hillbilly which probably explains all the "...isn't HE beautiful" comments we get. I just nod and agree I mean SHE really is rather gorgeous, who am I to argue.

December 2008 - 8 months old

Still only 2 teeth, but now, not only is she crawling but cruising around the furniture. Still can be rather picky on the food front but has a few firm favourites that we stick to. She has also discovered her voice and is rather fond of using it and using it well (read loudly) but hey she is cute we can forgive her.

January 2009

Hard to believe she will be one soon where has the past year gone. This time last year I was very pregnant and spending a lot of time whale like at the beach. It is funny though as two of the school mums are due in April so they are where I was last year it is funny now that I get to give that commiserating smile as they 'waddle' up to the gates at the end of the day.

Back to work (part time) next month eeek.

Pay it Forward - Sneak Peak

2009-02-14T19:30:00.003+10:00

As the title says a sneak peak at my Pay it Forward

So Emma expect your little package in the mail shortly.

p.s Don't look too closely at my sewing ability just remember that I am new to all of this.

This week I am loving

2009-02-03T11:18:00.003+10:00

Gordon's G&T.

I don't normally go for this 'alcopop' type drinks but this one is seriously refreshing.

Heaps of ice a wedge of lemon (preferably minus the mint like I have in mine) and away you go.

It sometimes makes Witching Hour that little more bareable.

Give it a go I promise you will like it.

I died

2009-02-02T06:30:00.002+10:00

... and went to Jogger's Hell.

Who knew 60 seconds could feel like 2 hours and that 90 seconds could go so quickly.

And while I am whinging who started this friendly hello thing going on between joggers. I can barely breath let alone get out a hello. I tried to smile but I think it was more a grimace just know if you passed the lady walking/jogging this morning that I was trying to be friendly. And same friendly joggers if you see a lady curled up in a ball on the side of the jogging path on Wednesday can you call me an ambulance.

Thanks

I did it... finally.

2009-02-01T13:44:00.003+10:00

Today I faced a fear...sewing buttonholes.

Oh boo hoo Ellie I hear you say so scary. Well for me it was. Being mostly self taught I have two little dresses in my UFO basket (it is a big basket) that needed buttons and buttonholes. So while Jnr and Baby Girl were off at the grandparents and Snr was on Little One duty I faced my fear. I was supposed to be catching up on some sleep but the sewing was calling me.

I can't show you too much of the actual item because it is part of a gift. But I just couldn't not share my victory be it small with blogland.

YAY for me today.

And this last one is another UFO that needed buttons and buttonholes. Not very happy with my button choice here but live and learn I say.

Fad Lover

2009-01-27T13:53:00.003+10:00

I am a lover of FADS. Not typically popular ones but I get into something whether it be food, sewing or whatever and will do it till I am literally sick of it. FOr example when I was pg with the Little One I could eat Peanut Butter M&M's till the cows come home. Funny I should use the word cow because towards the end of that pregnancy I was looking a little bovine'ish. Anyway so every week I will post about my new love of the week, it could be an appliance it could be something I am eating or drinking. Just so you know I am in no way profitting from my endorsements I just like to share the love (however if someone feels the need to send me products so I can see if I love them - email me ;-p)

This week I am in love with my Zyliss Potato Peeler. I know this is seriously lame but this thing makes me want to peel vegetables. THe colour is funky and from someone who for the past 20 odd years since I have been coerced into peeling potatoes we have only ever owned those cheap crappy ones that you buy like 5 for $2. This one is seriously good.

I took this photo of my peeler after I peeled some beetroots from our garden to make into this salad I kind of invented (was pretty yumm I thought and the guests had seconds so it must have been okay).

I fyou need a new peeler I seriously recommend this one.

I don't do resolutions

2009-01-01T18:32:00.003+10:00

because invariably I end up breaking them so instead I am going to attempt (that doesn't imply any negative connatations if I don't complete them does it!!!)

**to do the Couch to 5km running plan like my good friend Jodes (note to self buy some joggers)

**do more sewing (note to self - you do not need anymore fabric you have enough to clothe a small village)

**be calmer and not wig out over the little things (note to self get some valium or stock up on some good bubbles)

**follow a good skincare regime (note to self you ain't getting any younger this is a must)

**return dvd's on time (note to self you cannot keep relying on your namesake - yes there is another Ellie Mae out there and she works at my local Blockbuster - to keep deleting your late fees because she feels some kind of kinship to you)

**write Christmas cards this year (note to self don't make it 3 years running with no cards sent)

Lastly the very yummy Turkish Delight Ice Cream cake which the Hillbilly's partook in lieu of a Christmas cake.

And finally one of Baby Girl just doing a thorough check to make sure she didn't leave anything in her Santa Sack

Tagged - Christmas Dinner

2008-12-23T19:40:00.005+10:00

Our table from last year

I have been tagged by Jodie
about our Christmas dinner.

Basically apart from opening Santa's presents we pretty much spend the day at my parents place with any other friends or family who are visiting. This year it will be just my mum and dad plus the Hillbilly's. My brother will spend it with his in-laws.

Breakfast is eggs benedict with salmon and for the non salmon lovers the ham version we normally eat that out by the pool as it is still cool enough.

After breakfast we open the presents

Lunch this year will be cold turkey, ham and pork with roast vegetables, german potato salad, sweet potato salad, prawns, oysters, bugs and crabmeat.

Dessert this year we have 3 one is something with mangoes (cant remember my mum did tell me but I tuned out) this decadent chocolate meringue thing made by my mum for Snr and I am making the Raspberry & Turkish Delight Ice cream cake which is on the front of the Family Circle Christmas edition this year. I made the mango ice cream cake out of last years Family Circle christmas edition (this is a great magazine to keep for the festive season)

Most importantly I have a bottle of Moet chilling in the fridge as I type and this year I am not driving, incubating or feeding a baby and that bottle is all mine. Alllllllllllll mine you hear....

Okay so I tag

Jodes
Mothership
Lisa

A lot to blog about

2008-12-23T19:16:00.004+10:00

I have about a million things to blog but just have been really slack. I am really struggling with my lack of enthusiasm about Christmas this year. I want to be excited but just can't for some reason. Oh well maybe next year hey.

While we were away for the week catching up with some lovely friends a parcel arrived for moi from my lovely talented friend Lisa I am guessing it was a christmas present but damn that who can wait so I ripped it open and received this loveliness.

Secondly my darling gorgeous friend Mothership did me a huge favour as I subtley hinted that these markets would be excellent (and apparently they were) to get me this bag from Beckybean I had been eyeing this bag off for ages

and thought I would get Mothership to check it out for me and if it was as cute in real life as it looked on the blog then to get it for me and get it she did all wrapped up gorgeously in brown paper with red string and buttons.

So anyway heaps more to blog (and one is about a big dangerous bloody snake) so will be back later.

Tata

Awww

2008-12-07T20:22:00.006+10:00

Who owns those cute clean kids.

Sweet Jnr
Precious Little One
Spirited Baby Girl (tattoo's and all)

Well here they are all dressed up and ready to attend Carols on the foreshore but the thunder and lightning put a halt to proceedings so we took our takeaway pizza and glo stick bracelets home and put on a Christmas CD and did it at home. Not quite the same but you can't control the weather (and if by chance you are reading this and you CAN control the weather can you adjust the temperature gauge it is a tad too high up this way). The tinlids were a bit disappointed but a few tears later and promises of some yummy biscotti all was forgotten.

Last Day of School

2008-12-03T10:04:00.002+10:00

Well we have officially survived the first year of school 12 more years to go, well for this one anyway.

It has been a year all of highs and I hope that this continues throughout Jnr's whole school life.

To finish off the year instead of Christmas cards Jnr will give each classmate a gingerbread tree (yes they are supposed to look like trees).

Much nicer to eat than a paper card I think.

From Little Things...

2008-11-29T14:17:00.003+10:00

A couple of months ago we were using a section of the vegie patch as a composting area until our new compost bin was built. From that section of the garden with no planting of any kind on our part up sprouted about 1/2 a dozen tomato bushes. From just throwing away unused tomatoes we harvested well over 100 tomatoes.

So apart from the usual eating of tomatoes we have also made some green tomato pickles.

The colour of the green tomatoes when sliced was amazing and I am sure my photos will not do it justice.

It was a 2 day process as the tomatoes need soaking in brine overnight but such an easy recipe.

Now to find a yummy roasted tomato relish.

Taking a moment

2008-11-26T10:21:00.002+10:00

I don't know about you but my life seems really really hectic. This morning when feeding the Little One (LO) I took a moment to reflect. I think this is because today I started negotiating my return to work...eeeek. I am so torn I really really want to go back but I really really want to stay at home.

I gazed at my baby girl as I fed her and I told myself that I need to remember that she loves to twirl her dummy in her hands whilst drinking. I often forget this and she will fuss until I remember and place it in her tiny hands. She will also tickle her ears when tired just how her big sister used to do it when she used a dummy.

She hates to have blankets on her just like her big brother and sister. Most of all she loves to just smile at us. She smiles not only with her mouth but from her eyes they sparkle. I hope she keeps that sparkle forever as it truly is a gift. She especially loves to make us laugh and when she does something that makes us laugh she will keep repeating it until after 20 times our forced laughter makes us laugh all over again.

She has been crawling now for nearly 3 weeks and I am afraid to say that she is also trying to stand up. I caught her yesterday when she should have been sleeping standing up in her cot at the rails. Was I cranky that she should have been sleeping, no. Was I shocked that she was standing (well yes a little) but mostly I was just a bit sad that she is growing up so very quickly.

****
Baby Girl who was born to be a middle child is also growing. She told me yesterday in her cranky tone that I am not the Queen of the house she is and that I am just a princess. Apparently she is the Queen. Well we all knew that and to be honest I am surprised she bestowed the title of princess on me and not her royal slave.

Baby girl loves to sing and dance such a stark contrast to her brother who we could not get to wiggle his hips in the slightest as a toddler. She sings for most of the day but will stop and gives us a modest smirk when she catches me drinking her in.

She is an independant soul who really wants to do it all herself but gets easily frustrated when she cant (unfortunately something she obviously inherited from me). She loves to help (when it suits her) and is a keen assistant gardener to Snr. She can name all the vegetables in our garden and loves to eat the food she has helped to grow. She too is growing fast and is starting to make her own little friends which is nice to know that she can do that on her own. Her favourite book is Celeste sails to Spain and Clive eats Alligators (both by Allison Lester) and we can't go to bed until Snr has told a story and sung Advance Australia Fair. She loves to take Jnr to school and looks forward to Friday's so she can go to assembly at Jnr's school.

****

My first baby the baby we never thought we would have is truly the light of our lives. He opened up our world and our hearts to endless unconditional love. He has amazed us every single day of his life.

He is analytical, compassionate, caring and a great conversationalist (he gets that from his father). This week at school (his first year- prep) we attended the Jnr Primary Presentation Evening where our son won the highest award given at the school. It is called the Timothy Award and is for demonstrating a christian attitude, a sevant heart and the fruit of the Holy Spirit in your life. You have followed your teaches direction and learned well, just like Timothy in the New Testament.

To say we were proud is a total understatement. It was a small relief on our part to know that we are doing okay in the parenting department. Whilst we are not religious folk we have decided on a Christian education for our children, one because the school ticked all the boxes for our educational requirements and two because it would open up his mind to the concept of religion which is something he does not get at home. Though this has created many topical discussions on creation vs evolution in our home.

If I could stop time for just a short time that would be great life is good and whilst I often dont stop to think just how damn lucky I am because I am too stressed that I have a sink full of dishes or my floors need mopping I need to come back here and read just how lucky I am.

Take one recycled skirt

2008-11-21T11:41:00.003+10:00

And make 4 out of it, for 4 lucky (I think) girls.

Here Baby is modelling hers but apparently (according to her) it needed something so she picked out that lovely button embellishment all by herself and it matches it perfectly.

That was my non school related sewing effort this morning in my very hot and humid sewing room (aka the garage). We are so going to get a big storm this afternoon.

Baby Gift

2008-11-21T11:15:00.002+10:00

A new little girl entered the world on the 3rd November weighing 8lb 6 oz.

Hopefully she has now received her box of goodies. A quilt, a taggy blanket and a fabric beach ball using the lovely pattern from Purl Bee.

I was not overly happy with my attempts at the beach ball because basically my hand sewing sucks (no it really really does, I seriously need to look into getting some lessons of some kind) and I nearly wasn't going to send it but at Snr's insistence (why o why do I listen to him) I included it. At worst it will be covered in slobber or hidden at the bottom of a toy box.

So welcome to the world Ashlyn Brynn and congratulations Sean, Annie and big brother Callum.

Bathing Hillbilly Style

2008-11-21T09:32:00.004+10:00

This is how we (the kids that is - I would not fit my left buttock into that bucket) bathed last night.

Snr has a theory (he has a lot of them, one for every scenario life throws our way) that showering or bathing during a lightning storm is rather dangerous and because everyone was hot, sweaty and a tad tetchy bathing in a bucket was our solution.

The kids thought it was hilarious and in the process we saved a bit of water.

7 mths old (a bit late)

2008-11-20T10:11:00.005+10:00

I am running very very behind this month and have a whole heap of posts to do but I am just purely exhausted. Too many late nights, lots of sewing (mainly school presentation evening costumes...gah) and birthday party madness.

In amongst all of that chaos my Little One hit 7 mths. This photo was actually taken on the 8th Nov and I just didn't get time to take one of her on her quilt (well I did remember but late at night). Still totally delicious but now with teeth. Eating now, but only jars of shop bought stuff will not eat my totally yummy organic homemade stuff. She even has a few words in her vocabulary (mainly just mimic type words) mum, da, yum, dum, bub. LO also crawls and if I put little mops on her hands I could have the cleanest floors in Australia.

Happy Birthday to ya...

2008-11-13T06:45:00.003+10:00

Well in this house today means two ya's. That is right only at Chez Clampett could we manage to pull off the quinella. With both Jnr and Baby celebrating their birthday's today. Jnr is 6 and Baby is 3.

If you know Baby and her 'spirited' little personality you just know that her arriving on Jnr's 3rd birthday so that we had to cancel his party and dote and drool over our new baby girl is so her.

Hard to believe really that I have a 6 year old he is the most amazing little boy (to us) and we love him and his inquiring mind like no other.

How to describe the 3 years of Baby. Loving, funny, challenging and tiring. But at the end of the day even when it has been tough we always laugh (in hindsight) at her antics and wonder what the new day will bring.

I wish you both a lifetime of health, happiness and love and no matter what you always have a friend in me.

Today is bought to you by the letter R

2008-11-03T07:37:00.004+10:00

Also I have included my current WIP (well one of one hundred but one that will be finished this week.) It is a quilt for a baby that will arrive tomorrow and I so loved this fabric but I truly do question my ability to pick fabrics. This wasn't my original plan for the quilt but due to the busy nature of my fabric choice it has been altered slightly. It is gender neutral as we don't know the baby flavour but the colours are bright and cheery and I am sure will get some good workouts on the floor.

This week will be a busy sewing week as I have stupidly decided that crayon rolls instead of lolly bags was a good idea for Jnr and Baby Hillbilly's party next week so I have roughly 20 or so to make...argggghhhhhhh

Tagged

2008-10-29T14:18:00.002+10:00

I have a few of these to catch up on so here goes...

1. Where is your cell phone? Good question I have no idea, I think it is in the car.
2. Where is your significant other? Work
3. Your hair colour? Brown
4. Your mother? Is an excellent Grandmother
5. Your father? Very generous
6. Your favorite thing? A good night sleep
7. Your dream last night? Dont sleep enough to get to dream unfortunately
8. Your dream/goal? To finish all my sewing projects before the fabric gets dusty
9. The room you're in? Kitchen/Family room with old repeats of All Saints playing in the background
10. Your hobby? At the moment sewing
11. Your fear? My kids getting a terminal disease
12. Where do you want to be in six years? Still here but possibly in a new house
13. Where were you last night? At home cleaning, cutting patterns and fabric
14. What you’re not? motivated enough
15. One of your wish list items? 1 carat (eah ear) diamond earrings.
16. Where you grew up? A small mining town in Central Qld
17. The last thing you did? Rang the Dr to see if he is running on time and spewing because I have 2 sick sleeping children and I will have to wake them both up to take them to the said Dr who even though I have been told is running on time will make me effing wait a long time
18. What are you wearing? 3/4 grey/black denim look pants a black polo and this very coolred chunky necklace with my new cool $50 thongs...I know that price is ridiculous but they are very fancy rubber thongs
19. Your TV? All Saints repeat
20. Your pet? None - and it is great
21. Your computer? Is old and covered in dust
22. Your mood? Is okay nothing a few hours sleep wouldn't fix
23. Missing someone? Umm not off the top of my head
24. Your car? Is terribly messy on the inside it is seriously a dumping ground for everything and anything
25. Something you’re not wearing? My engagement ring it isticks and scratchs LO
26. Favorite store? Spotlight
27. Your summer? Will be spent at the beach
28. Love someone? The kids and Snr and my parents for all the help they give us with the kids
29. Your favorite color? Red
30. When is the last time you laughed? This morning at Jnrs school as I went to help out with Finger Gym and after their morning story they all get to share something with the class which is usually something that is happening at home one little boy shared how his mummy was sick this morning and I cringed wondering what goodness Jnr shares that happens in our house some days.
31. Last time you cried? About 20 mins something banal on tv. I am the worlds biggest tear jerker I cry at anything and everything.

Pink Ribbon Day

2008-10-27T19:46:00.005+10:00

Today is Pink Ribbon Day and unfortunately there are probably far too many of us who have been touched by cancer.

A lovely friend of mine hosted a Girls Night In 2 weeks ago.

We held a little shindig where there were 11 ladies and we raised just over $500.00. I was tickled pink (excuse the pun) at how much we raised and had so much fun doing it.

Far too many grape juices consumed along with some totally delicious food. This is how I recovered the next day with some of my highly coveted goodies.

So I hope you got your ribbon or donated even just a dollar there are so many worthy cancer related charities around.

I lost my beautiful Grandmother at the age of 50 to breast cancer.

R.I.P - Rita Hapgood 09.09.1926 ~ 24.09.1976

You know I love a good test for absolutely useless information

2008-10-22T12:05:00.002+10:00

Created by OnePlusYou - Free Dating Sites

So take the test here and tell me how long you could survive.

Just quietly I think we could last longer because technically the Little One doesn't eat but then we don't own a cow so the milk could get us earlier. But we do have our own vegie patch and heaps of seeds plus a new apparently tasty leather couch???

6 Months

2008-10-20T15:44:00.002+10:00

Am a bit late this month due to being sick but here she is in all her gorgeousness.

Starting to get very mobile now not quite crawling but somehow moves around the place very phantom like, no sees it she is just there.

Eating solids still on the rice cereal as it is a bit hit and miss one day she wolfs it down the next wont have a bar of it. So we are starting her tonight on organic pumpkin...yummmmm.

And lastly we have two little toothy pegs that popped up overnight it would seem.

She melts my heart.

A friendly reminder friends.

2008-10-16T13:18:00.004+10:00

Hi Regular Reader. I have been MIA for a bit due to sickness hitting Chez Clampett. Note to self never brag about how you never got any lurgy's during winter. Because come spring something nasty will come and bite you fair on the arse.

Anyway today's post is a bit of doom and gloom but also a community notice all wrapped up into one.

Summer will soon hit our Australian shores and our sun has quite a bite to it. Can I beg and plead regular reader that you go and get your annual skin check if you have not already. It could save your life...seriously.

I have just had a suspected melanoma cut out and will be getting another done next week.

So get your family done soon. Nag your friends and neighbours. Spread the word even if you have just had summer it is never too late to get your skin check done. And remember SLIP SLOP and SLAP. And if you dont your a bloody idiot.

Hopefully back to normal programming soon regular reader.

Habitual Sundress

2008-10-01T22:38:00.003+10:00

Finally I have made the dress that I have been admiring for so long. I am so enamoured with this style that I made both my girls one (even matching and I swore I would never do the matching outfit thing)

So simple to make and it is just simply stunning IMO.

The photo doesn't really do it justice but you will have to wait till morning when the girls are awake to try them on for a photo shoot.

So a huge thank you to Habitual for being so generous and sharing this wonderful pattern for free with us all.

And so it begins....

2008-10-01T21:12:00.002+10:00

Much love to my dear friend Jodes over at The House of Chaos for her technical work on the picture for her technophobe friend.

Girls Night In

2008-09-30T20:43:00.002+10:00

A great fundraising event being organised by the Cancer Council.

So pull your finger out and get together with a bunch of your girlfriends and raise a few dollars for such a worthy cause.

At the little soiree I am attending we are each bringing some kind of food item and it will be auctioned off on the night. I am secretly hoping someone brings along a homemade Lemon Meringue Pie. I am a sucker for this pie *drool*

Lunch

2008-09-30T20:29:00.004+10:00

Lunch last week was this lovely little Mushroom and Spinach Layer Cake. I caught the tail end of it being made on Alive and Cooking with James Reeson.

This truly was a very simple dish to make and was really quite yummy.

The recipe calls for just one large 'cake' but I had 2 other people joining me and decided that cutting into the pastry would be just too messy so I made individual ones instead. The recipe measurements made 3 individual serves just perfectly.

I also pre made mine and kept them in a low warm oven. It melted the bocconcini but I think it made it nicer as cutting into the uncooked cheese would have made it a bit difficult.

Thoroughly recommend this recipe.

Another wrap skirt

2008-09-30T20:24:00.003+10:00

I have been sitting on this fabric for a while now. I bought it with the good intention of making Baby HB a little dress but decided it was too nice and had to use it for myself. I was not going to make this skirt reversible but being the modest little thing that I am the fabric was far too see through for my liking so I just bought some lovely cheap dark brown floral for the lining.

Only a minute

2008-09-26T15:19:00.002+10:00

60 seconds

It is always good to know this kind of information, you just never know...

Lego Heaven

2008-09-24T20:22:00.005+10:00

That is where Jnr was today.

We spent a large portion of our day today at the Art Centre where we were able to 'play' with the current works.

Olafur Eliasson's The Cubic Structural Evolution Project is in the house.
Literally thousands of white pieces of lego on a large table where all and sundry can make whatever you heart desires.

When we were finished we put our 'art' up for display with heaps of other pieces. So I guess you can offically say that Jnr and I have had our work displayed in a gallery now.

What kind of mother

2008-09-22T13:53:00.002+10:00

forgets to take her camera on the first day of Nippers for Jnr.

Why this mum of course!!!!!

Well the Hillbilly's have joined the Qld Surf Lifesaving movement even Snr is getting into the spirit and will be completing a few water supervisors course so he can assist the coaches.

And again this morning after taking all 3 (yes I must be crazy) to the beach this morning I forget the camera again.

Mother England

2008-09-20T19:19:00.004+10:00

Last week they held a mini Olympics at Jnr HB's school. Prep 1 were England so we had to present a table of english fare. After much head scratching and lots of lovely suggestions but nothing practical to pre make to have ready for morning tea for approx 100 junior primary students. I decided to make cups of tea which is very english and another mum made scones to go with our 'cups of tea'. So the night before with Jnr and Snr's help we set up a lovely little production line with Jnr salivating at every mishap and wanting to eat all the leftovers (dream on buddy)

The day was absolutely excellent and the teaching staff had put a lot of thought and effort into preparing for the day. There was a torch relay, opening ceremony and medal ceremonies.

For morning tea we had tropical fruit kebabs from Fiji. Meat pies, vegemite sandwichs and lamingtons from Australia. Fried rice and spring rolls from China and greek shortbread from Greece as well as scones and cups of tea from England.

ANd here is one of the Little One in some alternative furniture.

Success...at last

2008-09-19T11:14:00.014+10:00

Finally some success in the pesto department.

I went back to a basic recipe and it tastes just lovely.

We used it last night just mixed into some fresh pasta with some finely grated pecorino and was devoured by one and all.

Finally we got it right. Think it might be time to let go of the disasterous rocket pesto now.

Pay it Forward

2008-09-19T11:14:00.009+10:00

I received my lovely Pay It Forward gift from the very talented and generous Lisa.

I received a lovely pin cushion and matching little zip bag to store all my sewing accessories in. The fabric is lovely Amy Butler and the little button embellishment is just gorgeous.

I was very excited to receive my pin cushion as it was something I had always admired seeing other people make but never bothered to make one for myself.

There are still 2 spots available in my Pay It Forward so if you are keen let me know.

P.S Check out the big chomping bug that has eaten almost a whole leaf of spinach. Greedy bugger.

Recycling to the extreme

2008-09-19T11:14:00.004+10:00

Okay so it is just your generic Australia Post postpak but this little baby will be turning 2 in November and after being lovingly picked up from the post office has lived in Rockhampton, Adelaide and Bargara and soon to go back to what could be its final resting place in Adelaide (its home town) very soon.

This little postpak has travelled approx 7,100 km even lived in a removalist box for a short while (yes I know can you believe I actually packed it up when we moved - okay who am I kidding I never packed it but I did instruct the removalist guy to pack it)

I mean it's not like we can't afford to buy a new one but it kind of became a joke between Emma and I to keep resending it to each other.

So what is your weird recycling story!!!!

More Taggy Blankets

2008-09-15T16:37:00.003+10:00

This time I 'had' to make one for my Little One plus I got the bug and made one for a friend using some fabric that I have in my stash which I am pretty sure will coordinate with a softie her little boy already has. The one I made for LO I used some Japanese fabric which I have seen used lots of times in blogland and was never much fussed on it but in the flesh it is gorgeous and think I will have to buy some more to make something to wear for my girls.

I had high hopes of sewing more but I got hit hard on Sunday night with a very sore throat and general unwellness (is that even a word)it hit hard and quickly. All tea and sympathy gladly accepted. I am trying to get as much as I can out of Snr as humanly possible. Somehow I think I will be too exhausted for kitchen or lunch making duties tonight .

From the garden to the table

2008-09-15T16:19:00.005+10:00

I am desperately trying to use what I can from the garden so it does not go to waste.

So I have made some mint ice cubes to add to summer drinks. Which I used today in my iced tea with my basil, boccocini and tomato salad for lunch.

Some beetroot dip for a Sunday afternoon wine and nibblies session with our friends. The colour was amazing, hot pink. People kept asking was food colouring added but all natural no additives. Beetroot, greek yoghurt, garlic and cumin seeds.

And tonight for dinner a hodge podge chicken casserole using tins of tomatoes, 1/2 pkt of french onion soup mix and from the garden spring onions, basil, parsely, spinach, baby carrots, zucchini and mushrooms. I will add some cannelini beans in the last 1/2 hour I hope it tastes okay.

And tonight we will again attempt a pesto this time using basil. I hope it works because I have spent a small country in pine nuts over the past few weeks. I want something for my investment. Hopefully it works and we can have a lovely simple pasta dish tomorrow night with a tomato and basil salad.

5 Months Old

2008-09-15T11:04:00.004+10:00

Stop the clock!!!

Seriously this is going way too fast. My beautiful little girl is now 5 months old and I have enjoyed every single minute with her even the late nights early starts.
She is an absolute joy.

She makes me want to have another baby.

Green Gift Baskets

2008-09-12T07:14:00.003+10:00

Don't they look fab (if I do say so myself)

All grown organically by Snr HB.

Went to lunch yesterday with two very lovely ladies and was able to take these along to each of them.

Sweet Little Dress

2008-09-07T22:13:00.005+10:00

I made this today. It is from Leila and Ben . A very simple summer dress which I just love. Can't wait to try it on Baby Hillbilly tomorrow.

Ooh I love it even more now that I have seen it on her. Looks rather groovy with the red tights if I do say so myself.

Wrap Skirt

2008-09-06T19:45:00.002+10:00

So I made this skirt today as I am hoping that skirts will be my summer staple this year.

The skirt is the Reversible Wrap Skirt and once you read the instructions it is embarrassing to think that I actually purchased a pattern this simple. It really is.

I used Amy Butler for the outside and just some cheap spotlight stuff for the inside. I was going to use 2 different AB fabrics but didn't want to risk a dud and waste 2 lots of fabric. Still not sure if I love this skirt yet but am going to wear it to our Father's Day lunch at Kacy's. I get the feeling when I wear it that I should be asking "Does my bum look big in this?" When I don't normally worry about things like that but maybe because I dont wear a lot of skirts it feels a bit funny.

Tag Blanket

2008-09-06T14:17:00.003+10:00

I think that is what they are called but that is what I think I made anyway for a dear friend whose little boy is fascinated with tags.

I hope it holds up to some tough boy play.

On our plate tonight

2008-09-03T10:33:00.002+10:00

will be baby carrots, baby beets and spinach. The spinach is a hybrid cross of silverbeet and english spinach and it is goooooood. ( I am a huge spinach lover)

The beets will be roasted in alfoil with some garlic, white wine, olive oil and thyme (Jamie Oliver recipe) and it is gorgeous. A good way to try beetroot if you are a novice.

Have a lovely zucchini slice in the oven with some nice aged cheddar waiting to go on in the last 5 minutes and some brownies baking.

This zucchini has been nibbled on by the mouse in our house she does this every time a zucchini is left on the kitchen bench.

Now if the cleaning fairy is nearby feel free to drop by and wave your magic wand.

Did you know

2008-09-02T10:53:00.003+10:00

that four ladybeetles were sent into space in 1999 on NASA's space shuttle to participate in anti-gravity experiments.

Now if I did not partake in a snack size box of smarties for breakfast today I would never have known that.

Flipsy Skirt

2008-09-02T10:44:00.003+10:00

Finally finished. A lovely easy pattern to follow and cut. The fabric is just el cheapo stuff from Spotlight but lovely for a first go. Will definitely be making a few of these I think.

Chutney Club

2008-09-01T13:44:00.002+10:00

Over at SadieandLance they are starting a chutney club which sadly excites me greatly.

If you love making and eating chutneys, relishes etc come join in.

I am about a week away from harvesting our beetroot so am going to make some lovely beetroot relish. Am also wanting to make some mint and rosemary jelly to store for some lovely winter roasts next year.

Still need to find one of those jelly stands.

Ellie the Elephant

2008-08-26T12:10:00.003+10:00

Here she is relaxing on the front porch.

I deviated slightly from the pattern and used googly eyes as my hand sewing abilities are really bad so thought it best to hide as best as possible.

Also if I made this one again I would make the dress a bit long and the head a bit fatter.

She can't see

2008-08-25T12:47:00.004+10:00

and she can't touch. Mainly because she has no eyes and no arms and she is also naked.

But this is my latest little WIP it's called Ellie the Elephant and it is from the Melly & Me design team.

Will hopefully have it finished tonight as I want to give it to a little girl at Jnr 's school who touched my heart the other week.

No one ever blogs the dud stuff

2008-08-25T12:34:00.003+10:00

Well I am here today today to do just that.

The grand plan was to turn some of our organic home grown rocket and basil into some amazing pesto to give away to family and friends and have them all in a taste sensation telling us how wonderful our pesto was.

We failed...

It tastes like crap and we are blaming our variety of rocket for this failure.

So I had planned a lovely blog post of how we turned this

into this

It looks pretty though, shame about the taste.

Snr Hillbilly asked if we had any enemies to load it off to. So if you get a jar of pesto from us this week. Big smoochies to you from us.

Come on peoples dont leave me hanging here all by myself on disaster lane come join me. Make me feel a bit better and blog your recent disaster.

A GREAT Giveaway

2008-08-17T13:20:00.002+10:00

Emma over at Sampaguita Quilts is celebrating her first year of blogging her quilts with a giveaway. We are fortunate enough at Chez Clampett to have 3 of Emma's creations. So I thought I would give Emma a plug and share the love of her quilty goodness.

She is an amazing artist and very very generous.

Happy 1st Birthday Emma's blog.

Love Ellie

2008-08-16T19:55:00.005+10:00

That is my new label which I had made here by MommieMadeIt at Etsy. I love the label very much and cant wait to point it out to people who receive my 'gifts'. The flower on the label is the same flower I have as a stamp so I can coordinate cards and simple wrapping papers.

I have, with still over one month up my sleeve, finished my niece's 3rd birthday present. The whole gift except for the dolls bed (partly made by us and partly by Ikea) is all made by me.

I have made the dolls bedding, a shirred dress, Pj set, the obligatory crayon roll and a tote bag to put it all in.

THE TOTE BAG

The pj set - am really happy with the pants just need to keep practicing my applique skills.

Crayon Roll and Shirred Dress

Dolls Quilt and Bedding with a little pillow.

How to mend a broken heart

2008-08-08T21:05:00.003+10:00

This is not a sewing tutorial but love advice from Jnr Hillbilly.

Conversation verbatim:

"...Mum if you have a girlfriend and she doesn't love you anymore it can break your heart. So if you have a broken heart just get a glue stick and put it back together..."

Gosh I love that kid.

FINALLY....A post for Jo

2008-08-07T14:17:00.002+10:00

She is ever so patient.

The little one in her bumbo for the first time today.

She thought she was pretty clever sitting up like that. I can see we are going to get a lot of use out of this lovely gift very very soon.

Have a nice holiday Jo.

4 months old

2008-08-07T14:06:00.002+10:00

Almost to the minute as I type 4 months ago The Little One made her entrance into the world.

4 months of pure bliss what a delight she is.

Groovy Green Bag

2008-08-07T10:13:00.003+10:00

I have so many things on my to do list this was one of them but with a plastic coat. I wasn't brave enough to do a coat this time but will try later.

The bag probably cost less than $3.50 to make as it was sale fabric ($1/m) so far more glamorous than those 99cent green ones.

I am going to attempt to make some more of these but a little smaller as gift bags.

Granny Clampett Celebrates

2008-08-05T19:50:00.004+10:00

Her birthday at Chez Clampett.

We started the meal with an avocado and prawn salad on a bed of rocket with coriander dressing with lemon segments served in my lovely new stemless wine glasses how gorgeous are they.

Mains was Oysters Moscavitch (creme fraiche, smoked salmon and salmon roe), Oysters Kilpatrick (made with love by Baby Hillbilly with the help of her gorgeous mother), prawn & avocado platter, Sweetlip (emperor grass I think) and chips with a salad of rocket and parmesan.

All washed down with a lovely Grant Burge Merlot and finished off with the cupcakes sprinkled with fairy dust.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDMA

Chelsea Handbag

2008-08-01T22:23:00.004+10:00

This evening I am the proud new owner of a beautiful (if I do say so myself) Amy Butler Chelsea bag which was made using beautiful Amy Butler Fabric from the Midwest Modern range.

I just did a little each night and found after each step I was totally enraptured with the process.

Tonight I finished it off and I am like a giddy teenager experiencing her first love (okay highly dramatic but I do love a good handbag)and I can't wait to make a red one.

Edited to add that my photography is almost as crap as my sewing so the photo's really do not do it justice (believe me when I say it is unreal ;-p)

6 Random Things

2008-07-31T19:51:00.002+10:00

I have been tagged by my sewing buddy Lisa to write six random things about myself.

Here are the rules ...
1. Link to the person who “tagged” you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Write six random things about yourself.
4. Tag six people at the end of your post.
5. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.
6. Let the tagger know your entry is up.

Okay so here we go - and I apologise for being so boring.

1. I have never ever watched a Bond film.

2. I have never eaten crumbed steak either.

3. Snr HB and I honeymooned in Greece and on the Greek Islands and would rate it as one of our most memorable/favourite places in the world.

4. I have two birthmarks - yep 2. One on my right ankle and one on my left shin. The one on my ankle is a port wine stain one and the one on my shin is just your average everyday looking generic kind of birthmark.

5. I have now lived in Qld for most of my life (23 years so far v 11yrs in NSW) but at State of Origin time I will always back NSW - mainly just to piss Snr HB off who is a staunch Qld/Bronco fan.

6. I have a cousin who has the same name as an island and to be honest I have never ever heard of another girl with this name. Her name is Martinique.

Okay who shall I tag...I dont think I have 6 friends but here goes.

Shannon
Mothership
Judge Superbonus - this could be the nudge to get him out of semi retirement.
Nina
Emma (over at Sampaguita Quilts)
Leah

Tooth Fairy Duties

2008-07-28T20:28:00.002+10:00

Well tonight I have to play tooth fairy for the second time. However this time we actually have a real life tooth to deal with (last time he accidentally spat it down the drain when brushing his teeth).

What do I do with the tooth?

Do I keep it or throw it?