How True ...

Thirteen

Today our Kate is 13!

Thirteen!!

On one hand it feels like yesterday we welcomed her into our World, on the other hand the time since she was born 13 years ago seems like a different life altogether, as it seems like forever since we lived in New Zealand.

And yet here she is, thirteen years later, making her mark on the World. She has her own style, her own quirkiness and it's wonderful to see it unravel.

She's a delight!

She's fun to hang out with.

She's full of love.

She is a calming influence.

We are very proud of all her achievements.

Happy Birthday Kate! xxx

The Pets

It's fair to say we spend alot of time with our pets. It seems these days someone always has the cat with them (I think he is secretly pleased when they are at school, so he can nap in peace!) he gets carried around constantly, dressed up, taken out to see the chooks and guinea pigs, brought back in again, hunted down in his favourite hidey holes so he can be played with and so it goes on. These days there is usually a guinea pig or two in one of the girls arms too. They are pretty cute and getting more used to us every day. the chickens are still a delight as always, and we spend warmer parts of day in the backyard with them. Everytime I go to download photos from my camera, I find lots the girls took of our pets!

Dining & Kitchen Clean-Up

I started early this morning with the dining room, major declutter and clean, then moved onto the kitchen. It took a long time, but I am happy to say it is done! I scrubbed fans and lights and ovens and windows! , filled bags for the OP shop and bags for the bin. I moved furniture around, and appliances. Now I am so tired, but it's a good tired! Here are the results.

Pikelets

We are a huge fan of pikelets in this house. Hot, straight from the pan with butter and raspberry jam are a favourite for Kate & I. Ella prefers hers just plain. No butter or anything else. Phil likes his with vegemite? Not my cup of tea, but that's the way he likes it. I also love mine with butter, a sprinkle of sugar and a squeeze of lemon juice. Yum!The girls often take them for recess as well. The recipe I use makes about 25. They don't last very long around here though.

Pikelets

 3 eggs
2 C milk
4 Tbsp sugar
3 C SR flour
Salt
2 Tbsp melted butter.

Whisk together eggs, milk and sugar in a bowl. Add sifted flour, a sprinkle of salt and melted butter. Stir until smooth. Cook on both sides in non stick frypan, turning over when bubbles appear. Enjoy!

Weekly Stills

1. Kates flowers from hospital
2. The morning after OP, before we removed the bandage
3. And underneath
4. Pretty night sky
5. Love how Panda always sits in the bowl
6. This red geranium always makes me smile
7. Muffin and Phoebe meet for a drink
8. Gordon catching some rays

Stills Collection @ The Beetle Shack

Out the back

It was a beautiful winter day yesterday, so we put the guinea pigs in a temporary outside pen we made, the chooks were loving the weather, and the cat joined us too! The garden is growing well. Ella and I took these photos! Enjoy!