How was your weekend?

We are back to a whole lot of dreary weather here in Brisbane. Not a particularly exciting weekend.
Miss TikiBoo is starting soccer, so we raced out to get her kit. Fancy boots and her outfit for training, which has now been cancelled due to rain.
I managed to get a little bit of gardening in, I'm trying out some miniature roses in the front garden. I'm not overly optimistic, but am hoping they surprise me!
As for the house, a few weeks ago I ordered curtains and a cushion for our new windowseat in the front bay window. I finally got around to having a go at painting the window frame. It's only undercoat at the moment, but already the difference is amazing, and I can't wait to share the finished job with you.

I almost forgot to mention the new addition to our family! This is Scout. She is a Welsh Springer Spaniel, and a complete sweetheart. This is about the last decent photo I have of her, taken a few weeks ago. She has grown since then, however every time I get the camera out she runs up to me to play!

What did you get up to this weekend?

If you have stopped by, it would be lovely if you could leave a comment or just say hello so I know that you've been here. Thank you!

{my girl} Happy Birthday to my "favourite thing"

Miss TikiBoo turned 6 a couple of weeks ago. We had a little party based around the song "These are a few of my favourite things" from The Sound of Music.
Unfortunately not many photos were taken, but we had lots of brown paper packages tied up with string, Miss TikiBoo wore a white dress with a blue satin sash and we ate lots of her favourite things - popcorn, pizza, mini hotdogs.  Yum.
















Is anyone else the only person in their family who takes photos?  I was pretty sad that all I managed to get were these, none of the decorations etc I spent so long making, and none of my pretty birthday girl.  I think

next time I have a party I'll have to find a photographer to come along and do it for me, it's such a shame to miss chronicling these special times.




If you have stopped by, it would be lovely if you could leave a comment or just say hello so I know that you've been here. Thank you!

{Travel} Miss TikiBoo's New York

I am assuming that travelling to New York City minus children would be a vastly different holiday (and one I'd like to experience!). However, child we did have, so a lot of the trip catered for her.  No flashy fine dining or swanky wine bars, we stuck to (awesome, NY style) pizza and diners, although we did find a nice little Italian place around the corner from our hotel.
Miss TikiBoo loved it. Everything from the hotdogs to the subways, she embraced it.  She is a great little traveller and always keen to experience new things.
I had a chat to her to find out which parts were her favourite, and compiled them below in a series of iPhone photos.

So, these are some of her recommendations!





If you have stopped by, it would be lovely if you could leave a comment or just say hello so I know that you've been here. Thank you!

{Travel} The colours of New York City

Yes, that short break turned into a long one! I've had issues with my old PC, which is where my photoshop lives, so being able to play with my photos has become tedious rather than fun.

I've managed to compile a few, and present to you "New York in Yellow".  Fall leaves, taxi cabs, school buses and traffic lights, yellow is all over New York.

I promise to get around to sharing some more about the trip - if you have anything you'd like me to cover, please let me know!

If you have stopped by, it would be lovely if you could leave a comment or just say hello so I know that you've been here. Thank you!

So...that was a rather extended break!

All those good intentions, all that trying to figure out how to blog via ipad. It all got a bit overwhelming and just didn't happen.

Our trip was awesome, amazing, fabulous. New York is all that and more.

We returned home to the last week of school, ballet concert, school holidays, Christmas...and all of a sudden it's been a very long time since I have blogged, or even read another blog. These days, with Miss TikiBoo home, I've been checking email and Facebook a few times a day (usually via phone) and that's about it. I downloaded our New York photos, but haven't even looked at them.

So. Let's just say that some time in early Feb, I hope to get back to regular blogging, including a proper travel report.


If you have stopped by, it would be lovely if you could leave a comment or just say hello so I know that you've been here. Thank you!

Packing - my top tips

People have been asking me for days, "are you ready for your trip?". Yes. I'm rather obsessive when it comes to packing, and tend to start weeks before it's time to go. I don't like to overpack, but then there is the fear of forgetting something essential, although that's not likely to be an issue when travelling to the States!

These are some of the little things I've learnt - especially when it's likely you'll be shopping!


1. Suitcase within a suitcase.
We have a large case which will easily hold a regular suitcase, so I pack the regular, then put it inside the large. There are 3 of us travelling, so it's no hassle to be taking 3 cases home, and perfect if you intend to shop! I've packed the hats and gloves around the sides.


2. An extra carry on bag, and a spacebag.
I bought this super light travel bag in Paris last year. It holds loads and is carry on compatible. It will be going in the suitcase as a "just in case". I'm also taking a spacebag to use with our coats on the way home. It's a roll up type as we may not have access to a vacuum.


3. Guide books.
These are a must for me! As is the little New York Moleskine. I've also loaded everything imaginable onto the iPad and iPhone, including tickets, itineraries etc. Dropbox is a really great application for this, you can drag any document from your computer to it.


4. Comfortable footwear!
I've had these boots for a few years now, and they are super comfortable. In a pinch they go with almost everything too. I tend to stick with black for travelling to make it easier as well.
Another tip - get extra soles put on before you go!


5. Snacks and water.
How cool is this Vapur drink bottle! When it's filled it stands up. When it's empty you can roll it up and stash in your bag. I also always take extra snacks on the plane, just in case I'm not liking what they're offering.

These are just a few of my tips, do you have any brilliant extras to add?

What sort of packer are you - last minute or weeks in advance?


If you have stopped by, it would be lovely if you could leave a comment or just say hello so I know that you've been here. Thank you!

{Home on Wednesday} - Spring is for planting

A fun little weekend activity with my girl.  She has the attention span of a... nearly six year old, so it's good to find things which don't take long and have a few different steps.

Step 1. Add seed raising mix to trays.
Step 2. Place one seed in each section.
Step 3. Cover with 5mm seed raising mix.
Step 4. Water regularly.

I wanted to grow something under the plants along our back fenceline.  Nasturtiums are a great choice as they grow quickly and are quite hardy, PLUS the flowers can be added to salads for a pop of summer colour.  They have a slightly peppery taste which I really enjoy.

image from Sheridan Rodgers (links to recipe!)

I planted some of them out yesterday evening, so hopefully they will do their thing and grow like wildfire!

If you have stopped by, it would be lovely if you could leave a comment or just say hello so I know that you've been here. Thank you!