Monday, March 17, 2008

final email reminder

this is the last email reminder from this blog... please go to my new blog and sign up there - though I am having trouble creating it so please be patient

Sunday, March 16, 2008

UBP


THIS IS A STICKY AND ALL NEW POSTS WILL APPEAR BELOW IT - until after the party!!
I am number 620 on a growing list..
1283 now!!!!!!

see the
pink invitation button in my index (yer that's it over to the right) for the
ULTIMATE BLOG PARTY 08!

COME ALONG AND JOIN IN THE FUN...CHECK IT OUT AT
5 MINUTES FOR MOM

I'm making groovy lil cupcakes
what will you bring?


Don't be shy get your party gear on
join all us gals

at the UBP 08!!!

OK so I have learnt to make a sticky!

I love learning and life.
Digi scrapbooking and Blogging are how I relax.
My family and friends & others keep track of me through my Blog as I am on 'Walkabout' at the moment...scroll down a ways to see all about it...the counter in the index is in fact indicating the days since I commenced...

I am a writer. A researcher and a PA to almost anyone who needs me.
I see life as the glass half full however
I am a chocolate free zone,
but hey don't let me stop you.
Leave me a comment and lets start a new friendship -
How about a cup cake while you write to me.
Actually, all the cup cakes have gone but I am just rolling the LAMINGTONS (see photo at the top of this sticky and recipe below) in coconut having done the chocolate dipping already . they will be ready in a jiffy

L A M I N G T O N S

Preparation Time

20 minutes

Cooking Time

30 minutes

Ingredients (serves 15)

  • Melted butter, to grease
  • 75g (1/2 cup) self-raising flour
  • 75g (1/2 cup) plain flour
  • 70g (1/2 cup) cornflour
  • 6 eggs, at room temperature
  • 215g (1 cup) caster sugar
  • 1 tbs boiling water
  • 170g (2 cups) desiccated coconut
  • Chocolate icing

  • 300g (2 cups) icing sugar mixture
  • 35g (1/3 cup) cocoa powder
  • 60ml (1/4 cup) milk
  • 60ml (1/4 cup) boiling water

Method

  1. Preheat oven to 160°C. Brush a 19 x 29cm (base measurement) lamington pan with melted butter to lightly grease. Line the base and sides with non-stick baking paper, allowing it to overhang slightly.
  2. Sift the combined flours together into a large bowl. Repeat twice.
  3. Use an electric beater to whisk the eggs in a large clean, dry bowl until thick and pale. Gradually add the sugar, 1 tbs at a time, whisking well after each addition until mixture is thick and sugar dissolves.
  4. Sift the combined flours over the egg mixture. Pour the boiling water down the side of the bowl. Use a large metal spoon to gently fold until just combined. Pour mixture into the prepared pan and use the back of a spoon to smooth the surface. Bake in oven for 20 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Turn cake onto a wire rack, cover with a clean tea towel and set aside overnight to cool.
  5. Trim the edges of the cake and cut into 15 squares. Spread the coconut over a plate.
  6. To make the chocolate icing, sift the icing sugar and cocoa powder into a medium bowl. Add the milk and water and stir until smooth.
  7. Use 2 forks to dip 1 cake square into the warm icing to evenly coat. Allow any excess icing to drip off. Use your fingers to roll the cake in the coconut to evenly coat, then place on a wire rack. Repeat with the remaining cake squares, icing and coconut. Set aside for 1 hour or until icing sets.
for this and other aussie recipes go here
TASTE

ok back to the parteeeeeee

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Saturday, March 15, 2008

I have been working on a new template and then turned to creating a newblog in order to get a new address...when I have it all to go I will put a permanent post with the link here in this Blog.

Competition:Pictures only a mother would take

Friday, March 14, 2008

Terrific Thursday



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The day ended with a viewing of 'Casablanca'. A great black and white movie, and so many forgotten scenes; the remembered ones have almost become cliches.

* * * * *
While Victoria swelters South Australia burns:
welcome to autumn in the south east.

from www.news.com.au

March 14, 2008 09:40am

Adelaide Bush Fires

SOARING temperatures and strong winds will cause major concern for firefighters battling to keep bushfires under control north and south of Adelaide today.

The Country Fire Service (CFS) said a fire at Willunga, south of Adelaide, which destroyed one home yesterday, had been contained and a fire at Williamstown, to the north, was also under control.

But a spokesman said predictions of 40-degree heat and strong northerly winds posed a significant risk of the fires breaking through control lines.

* * * * *





we watched the final of the current series (here in Australia) of The Amazing Race. T'was a disappointment to see the 'bama girls eliminated by one of their rare misjudgements.
Still it was fun to watch - and great to know there are more to come.

I'd like to see a follow up show revealing
what the winners have done with the
million dollars they won.

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Wednesday, March 12, 2008

A Day in Review


THANKS TO ALL THE UBP BLOGGERS WHO HAVE VISITED ENJOYED THE CUP CAKES AND LEFT ME COMMENTS....

The Orthopod that has been enjoying Brisbane's cool weather ought now to rush home to Perth. Adelaide continues a l-o-n-g stretch of hot weather and Melbourne turnS on a sweltering start to autumn.


PERTH COOLS AS ADELAIDE SWELTERS - NOW IT'S MELBOURNE'S TURN.
* * * * *


A home viewing of La Vie En Rose tonight revealed a very arthouse type movie. Dark and moody, passionate and oppressive...
as was the life of Edith Piaf - The Little Sparrow
- with the big voice.



* * * * *

Photographed these deep red flowers in an otherwise dried out front garden - here in Melbourne. Quite remarkable really.
The walk led to the local shops where a power board with safety surge protection was purchased. This is to be used for a computer.
A Business Requirements shop did in fact sell screen wipes for monitors, however they would need to be ordered in. Suddenly a flash of memory (human memory) showed where the purchased up north cleaners were.
Sure enough, so now the screen is finger print free and looks all new again.
Cleaning a laptop screen or desktop monitor with just anything is not a good idea.

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Tuesday, March 11, 2008

I have been visiting many Blogs during the UBP
and enjoying meeting new people and seeing great ideas.
Not to mention wonderful templates...I am inspired.

We are having a cooler day before the a mini heat wave, so typical of Melbourne.

Resturant Review
'
Window on the Bay' at Mordialloc.
Apparently this establishment has changed hands, sadly not for the better.

The Tuscan chicken two guests selected was bland and uninteresting.
The Scallops were rated as wonderful by the two other diners.
The fried ice cream balls were way to big. Also parfait spoons had to be requested rather than the huge dessert spoons offered.

The waiter was spunky and friendly.

And water had to be requested. A suggestion to the manager(?) was received well based upon the comment that it was 35+ outside. In fact, yesterday reached 38+

OOO here comes the rubbish truck!



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Monday, March 10, 2008

Linda Walton over at 3 Scrapateers designed this button as part of the 'Win'Tree' kit
check the store to purchase the kit.
I added the Monday

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This looks like a great idea and resource....

check it out HERE

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I found this quote over at the Laura Of Harvest Lane Blog.

There are better things ahead than any we leave behind." ~C.S. Lewis

I believe this to be true.

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Sunday, March 09, 2008

Windows on the Bay

Tomorrow - it being a public holiday -
we shall sail forth and have luncheon at

Windows on the Bay

in Mordialloc.
So in 24 hours the pictures and review will be here for you to see.

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Weather Report

Melbourne has been hot today reaching about 32 C. The humidity has stayed int he low 30's high 20's which is amazing compared to the Brisbane humidity Levels.

However none of that is relevant due to being inside with air conditioning.

Tomorrow is scheduled to be hot hot hot.

However streaky change clouds have begin to appear in the late afternoon sky.

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I'm off to visit some of the UBP Blogs -
maybe I will see you there!!

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Saturday, March 08, 2008

check this out


Osten Wilkins Designs - New Store on line





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Papers & Butterflies by Osten Wilkins see his new store HERE

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Saltbush Castle Dinning Room


soon there will be a view out over the recreational pool
- now under construction.

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90 minute vegie garden frame


tough times at Saltbush Castle?
Or an intense desire to go 'green' - have led the building of the 1st raised vegetable garden. Further reports will be posted

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Pie anyone?

Brunch at the Black Poppy Cafe - Frankston


a beautiful sunny morning - rather Brisbane like -

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a sensation, then a taste, a name and now and ad.

seeing is believing

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Thursday, March 06, 2008

Teaching Grade 3

Today was spent teaching and working with Grade 3 as they learnt about digital scrapbooking.

This was to broaden the computer experience, and to show them there are uses for computers beyond writing homework, and playing games.

We made a digi page for each student with the colours and elements of their choosing.

After all 23 were finished we were able to view their creativity on a pc whiteboard - the work looked great and the parents present were impressed.

Each student saved their particular artwork onto their personal memory stick for use at home, or here in the class room.

Well done Mrs G's Grade 3

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Tuesday, March 04, 2008

THANK GOODNESS, I'M A HAPPY GUEST
John Denver
- words and music by John Martin Summers


Well, life at the CASTLE is kinda laid back
Ain't much an old country guest like me can't hack
It's early to rise, early in the sack
Thank Goodness, I'm a country guest.

Well a simple kinda life never gave me hassle
A raisin' me a family and workin' in a castle
My days are all filled with an easy country best
Thank Goodness I'm a Castle Guest.

When the work's all done and the sun's settin' low
The Butler pulls out a fiddle and he rosin' up the bow
The chooks are asleep so he keeps it kinda low
Thank Goodness I'm a happy guest.

He's bin playing "Waltzing Matilda'" all day if he could
But the Lord and HRH take it very good
So he fiddles when he can, work when he should
Thank Goodness I am a relaxed guest.

Well I wouldn't trade my life for diamonds or jewels
never was one of those money hungry fools
But! gotta have me a Butler and swimmin' pool
Thank Goodness I'm a laid back guest.

Yeah, city folk drivin' in a black limousine
A lotta poor people thinkin' that's a mighty keen
Hey let me tell ya now exactly what it means
I'm happy being here with the Queen (ahem HRH)

Well, the Castle was not her daddies - it's only in her stride
And she took her Consort by the hand and held him close to her side
She said...'Live a good life and live with pride
Then you know we will never have to hide

HRH taught many how to punt and how to put on a kettle
she read many books and learned how to wave
Taught how to love and how to give just a little
Thank Goodness she can behave.

Well, shes got a fine Consort, he might be a riddle
When the sun's comin' up the maids got cakes on the griddle
Life ain't nothing but a funny, funny riddle
Thank Goodness I'm a stayin' at the castle..

with apologies or whatever to the the original author...

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Saltbush Castle

As you will see below, I am a guest at Saltbush Castle. This is the home of HRH and her King Consort. The Princess also dwells with in the walls, but being a young thing is out and about on social duties more often then not.

Said Princess also spends regular evenings with chickens from Kentucky.

The various demands upon HRH's time and energy indicate that it is time to review staff allocations and perhaps even Civil List Payments.

The castle mechanic is servicing all the vehicles at the castle and this has caused some delays in the daily travel plans for HRH.

A kitchen garden is planned, and the aquatic center whilst slow in completion shows great promise.

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when is caesar not caesar?

HRH's chef was dismayed to discover the guest did not want anchovies in the caesar salad scheduled for dinner tonight.
A request for Colby cheese and cashews to be added almost caused a disaster with the staff below stairs.
However in due course the meal was served en familie, and though not made according to strict requirements was deemed more than acceptable, and delicious.


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Dinner with HRH & her King Consort


first night's lamb salad.

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Saturday, March 01, 2008

Something New...

this is an entry made from Windows Live Writer! A great new tool? Well we will see.