Two new layouts

This first layout I only used the sewing machine and no adhesive. Lol the poor sewing machine hasn't been out in a loooonnnng while!
The second one was a challenge where I had to use fabric and flowers. The embroidered flower in the middle is sewed on with the machine. I have then stamped the flowers around the sides. I actually don't like this but have posted it anyway! Lol
This shot is of James who grew this cabbage in his garden, he was extremely proud of it and it fed us coleslaw for a couple of nights.
Hope everyone is well and have had a good day.
Nicki

Biscuits

http://www.nzsugar.co.nz/ViewRecipe.aspx?id=129

The kids have just made these choco biscuits - mmm they were so yum!

Chocolate Chip Biscuits

Ingredients

75 g butter, melted
1/2 cup Chelsea White Sugar
1/2 cup Chelsea Soft Brown Sugar
1 large egg
1 cup plain flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup chocolate chips
Method

Turn the oven on to 180°C. Beat melted butter, sugars and egg together.
Sift the flour and baking soda and add with the chocolate chips to the butter mixture. Stir until well combined.
Place teaspoonsful on oven trays that have been lightly greased, sprayed or lined with baking paper. Leave room for the biscuits to spread.
Bake for 8 – 10 minutes, or until golden brown. Transfer to a cooling rack.
When cold, store in an airtight container.
Makes: 30 biscuits
Special thanks to Alison Holst for use of this Best Ever recipe

Next word and Mum the nerd

Emily has posted her new word - its Connect - hmm going to have to do some thinking about that one.

I've so far kept up my gratitude journal and have been enjoying thinking during the day what I am thankful for. Yesterday the pigs got out again and James and I with the help of Atu walked them back to their 'home'. It was raining - (which we are very thankful for) I was also thankful for the short time I spent with James as we walked in the rain, talking about the turnips, the pigs, and the random things James came out with- he told told me I looked like a nerd with the rain on my classes as I pretended to use my fingers as a windscreen wiper. I need to treasure these moments as he goes to High School next year and we can already see the changes that are approaching us - at very high speed!

Have a good day.
Nicki

Another Journal - a word a week

I have taken up a challenge from Emily Falconbridge for a art journal. She will come up with a word a week that you do something with. I've chosen to do a small 6x4 journal. I have done the front a bit like a scrap page and then written a few personal things on the back.

First word - Commit - I chose to do it on the commitment Phil and I made when we married 18 years ago. The best part is that the flower on the bottom of the page is one of many that mum hand sewed pearl beads (over 3000) on for my wedding dress. I found it and it was the last one that had been embroidered. Its very special.

Second Word - Feel

Hope everyone is having a good weekend.

Nicki

I'm a Great Aunty

Bec, Peter and Me

Baby Peter Jeramiah Scott was born on 4 January 2008.
Jackie and Baby doing well.

My sister Jo, Jackie and Peter

Rebeccas Gratitude Journal

Gratitude Journal

Happy New Year everyone - hope your new year has started better than ours! After not being able to go to the beach for our awaited holiday due to work reasons, Phil jumped off the tractor and has done the cartilige in his knee - not a good start to the year. He his currently hobbling along on crutches he goes back to the hospital on Tuesday to see where he goes from here.


I've made this journal after viewing one at http://blairsboys.wordpress.com/. Its to record something that you are thankful for each day. Life gets a bit tough sometimes and we have certainly had our fair share of 'toughness' lately and I thought it would be nice to try and get my 'head' back in a better place. My first entry was 'water - I was thankful for water in the kids pool after a hot day in the office' lol. I enjoyed making the journal for myself and it was fun to find bits of paper for it. They are all shapes and sizes, an envelope with an old address on it, a wedding invite, a postcard, even a coaster and top of the invite from our wedding 18 years ago! The aim is to have 52 bits of paper one for each week and then number the paper from 1-7 for each day of the week. I think it will be fun to look back on each day particularly if I am having a real low or bad day - as we all do from time to time! What I liked about this project was I did whatever I liked with it - I think it will make a great keepsake. I'm not much of a diary writer so I also thought that a word a day would be good to get that habit started of writing things down. My MIL is very good at filling in her diary daily and I wish it was something I had the discipline to do.

Rebecca also wanted to make one - I think she has done a great job and she also enjoyed finding bits of card and paper for hers. Her first entry was 'dreams - magic moments'. I have been trying to post a pic but it doesn't want to work so will do that in next post. Its worth waiting for!

And today I'm thankful that I have two healthy legs to walk on!

Some more shots of Christmas Day

Brunch New Zealand style!
Bacon, Hash Browns, Shrimps, Eggs, Mushrooms etc
Mmmmm

Busy Busy

Well the boys are out again today with fencing and weeding. They are very enthusiastic and getting through more than Phil thought they would. Bec decided that she like farm work better than office work - she sat and what the Grinch about 2.5 times yesterday while I worked. Shes watching it again this morning - she'll be able to recite it soon! The kids have put their inside tents up in the lounge with all their Christmas presents set up inside them so will have a tidy up today around those and get a few jobs done so that this afternoon I might be able to get some scrapping done. Had some photos printed last week in anticipation! One of my goals is to get more scrapping done in the coming year. This past year has been a very quiet one with the scrapbooks.

Off to Work!

Well we are all off to work today (Phil has been working right throu anyway) but the boys have got a job on the farm nailing in staples onto the fences, Bec is coming with me into the office - she started last night packing her lunch and getting her drink bottle ready - shes very excited. I'll take the lap top in and she can play games on it, shes also packed her bag with her new Polly Pocket and drawing bits and pieces.

I managed to get a little scrapping done yesterday afternoon. Hope you are all enjoying the holiday season.

Waiting to Open Pressies

Here is some pics of the kids waiting for Phil to come home before they open their pressies. Rebecca was most excited and put out carrots for the reindeer. We had a good day and the kids made it special. You can see the christmas spirit in their faces!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone hope you all have a great day. Very quiet one here - waiting for Phil to milk the cows then the kids will unwrap their pressies. Enjoy your day.

Rebecca Angel

Rebecca got a beautiful angel from her cousin Ruth. I just had to share with you all. You did an awesome job Ruth!

Thank you Ruth for the angel picture you gave me it is hanging up on my wall now. It is very special to me I really like it. I hope you have a good Christmas as well.
Love Rebecca

Te Puke Christmas Parade

The kids were in the Whakatane and Te Puke Christmas Parade with the school. Callum was God of the Sea - Tongaroa. The float won 1st prize for best school and overall Mayors award in Whakatane and then second in the Te Puke parade.

They are advertising the fishing competition on Easter Sunday next year.

Callum as Tongaroa

There were two men under the fish moving it - thats Phil you see under the end of the fish.
Thats me talking to Callum. Rebecca and James were up closer to the mouth of the fish.

Happy December to you!

Oh dear I see by my last blog that it's been nearly a month since I have been here! Terrible isn't it. I haven't finished my christmas shopping bad aye. We did have a night away a couple of weekends ago and visited the Te Puna Quarry Park which is on the other side of Tauranga.

Te Puna Quarry Park
It used to be a Quarry but thanks to volunteers they have beautified it.

The Orchid gardens are just beautiful.



China Lady, Man and Callum is sitting on a China dog.