Happy Birthday to Me!

Yes it is that time of year - another year older - another wrinkle or three and who cares?? And no we didn't have a halloween party - this was taken a few years ago but it kinda reflects the scary thoughts I am having about my age :)

My Mum and Granny and Aunty Margaret arrived this morning to beautiful Launceston Tasmania. And did we put on a show for them!

Raining like cats and dogs and then as soon as we picked them up it was beautiful sunshine.

But it was all for show and just to get them in, because soon after we had very heavy rain and thunder and lightening and hail to finish it off!

The water gushing over the dam has risen again and is at the level it was when the Gorge was in flood.

My market find....

Even I find little items just for me..... I have been after a hand soap dispenser for the kitchen - and this is just perfect - unique (it is old Avon) corn on the cob - just right!!

Happy Birthday Mackenzie !!

My Baby turned 10 on Thursday.

So on Saturday we had a birthday party with 14 ten year old boys.

Now for all of you who have been to our house, you will know that it is a boys delight - 4 &1/2 acres to run around in - not to mention the next door neighbours yard which leads down to the river!

That is all good for Mum except when you add RAIN, then you have new rules:

• take off your shoes before you come inside
• no playing with the ball inside
• no playing with the ball inside
• no playing with the ball inside
• no running
• no playing with the ball inside!!!!
• take off your shoes!!!

And my house was perfect before they came...... sob, sob..... and my Mum comes tomorrow with my Grannie and my Aunty Margaret, so I have to clean it again.....

Anyhow isn't the cake fantastic!

Bad Shirley made it..... and 3 dozen cupcakes. 2 Dozen soccer balls for the kids

And 1 Dozen double choc - double rasberry for the adults.

Bad Shirley (alais Ashley Bird 0408 599 188) is one of my Recycled Relix customers. When Michael and I delivered the Kitchen Cabinet to Ash & Angela we got talking and Angela told us that Ash makes cupcakes.

So when Michael & I were talking birthday cakes, he suggested Ash.

I set him a challenge of a soccer ball and he grasped it with two hands and just look at the fantastic result!

I have never bought a better birthday cake.

He was really reasonable, the result was perfect and they tasted as good as they looked!

Needless to say there isn't much of the big ball left and we only have a few cupcakes left.

I am trying to save them for Mum, Grannie and Aunty Margaret.

Here he is making a wish.......


And the candles are all blown out....

Fettish number one.....

Ok you can see the baskets on the top of my Buffet??

Well these are a few I have collected - they are not something I sell..... I just can't bring myself to sell them.

I would love to find out how to make them. I have asked the CWA in George St but they don't make them anymore - it is a dying art.

In most cases they have used old birthday cards and they are absolutely gorgeous and not to mention practical - great for taking to the markets to put all your purchases in or even just to the shops. I would prefer one of these anyday to plastic or cloth bags.

I have asked at the craft shop in Kings Meadows and they do stock the plastic etc - I just need to find someone willing to teach me or a group of us how to do it. So if you know someone please put them in touch because I would love to learn - then I could make my own modern version and sell them at the markets.

Bunka Punch

Ever heard of Bunka Punch?

It is a Japanese form of embroidery or tapestry with a difference.

This was my first Bunka and I am yet to find another outlet to buy another here in Tasmania.

You use a needle like tool and you use a frame to keep the material tight. I really found it to be theraputic and the only issue I have with doing another one is that the pictures I find on ebay are not particularly attractive.

And as you can see this one has my favourite Blue & White china in it!

Mother Nature in all her glory

We visited the Gorge recently with my Dad ( he had flown in to watch Mackenzie play Representative soccer in Hobart - they won both games :)) and I can assure you there was a big pool there..... somewhere out there in the middle.

We live with a view to the Trevallyn Dam and we love it when the Dam flows. Over the last week though it is the highest it has been since we have been here.

We took these photo's a few days after Dad went home - pity he missed the fantastic display. One gentleman also taking in the sights said that when he was a boy he had seen the level rise to the roof of the small block shed just to the right of the playground.

He also told us scary stories of being a typical boy who used to swim and canoe in the flood - amazing what we used to get up to.

Market magic

I know I have said this before ..... but I do love the markets.... Inveresk markets that is.

And the "Recycled Relix" stalls are where you will find us every Sunday.

The best part of the markets is meeting new people, finding out what they like and then finding out they have emigrated from the mainland too.

We recently had a lady ask why the "West Coast Eagles" clock was not for sale. I explained that my husband is a supporter and from W.A.

She and her husband and another couple were from Corrigan - well did that bring up some memories! Luckily Michael was around and he had to tell the story of his conception.... just happened to be on a farm in Corrigan ..... a whole 55 years plus ago..... ewe!!

Anyhow it was nice for them to connect and he was able to recommend a few places to visit and they went away dazed (I am sure) and happy with an antique jug.

ebay magic...

I like ebay.... I pick up unusual things .... I just have to remember to add the postage on to see if it is worth buying.

My latest trick is to only buy Tasmanian. So when I am looking I make sure the sellers are within a 200k radius. It means I can buy bigger things and pick them up.

Here is my latest purchase. The buffet that is.... doesn't it go well with my table? All the way from Latrobe - and at a quarter of the original purchase price.

It has enabled me to put my favourite blue & white pieces on display.

The top shelf has some really old willow china - Madison's Paternal grandmother gave it to me many years ago. It is really only suitable for display and it looks great.

The second shelp has some Spode plates - I bought 6 in a boxed and numbered set probably 15 years ago and I now have the ability to display them well.

I love blue & white.

I don't care if it is cheep or not branded - if it looks nice and I like it, I buy it.

How time fly's....

I am embarrassed that it has taken me that long to blog again!!

But I have lots & lots of excuses .... Madison has changed schools since we last blogged - here is her first day at St Pat's and of course Mackenzie had to be in the photo too.

She was supposed to start on a Wednesday but due to her mother having a "seniors moment" (even though I don't qualify) she started a day later. It certainly helps to remember to pick up the uniform that was being shortened from the Tailors. It's not like she can go in her sports uniform :)