Bring on Autunm!

PERTH is sweltering through a record-breaking eighth heatwave of the summer-autumn period as the mercury topped 40C for the second consecutive day.

The Bureau of Meteorology defines a heatwave as three consecutive days at or above 35C.
The record was reached during the weekend and today the temperature remained high, peaking at 40.6C.
Maximum temperatures for the previous three days were 38.9C on Friday, 39.5C on Saturday and 41.4C on Sunday.
It is the third time that Perth has recorded four consecutive days above 38C in March, the bureau says. The other occasions were between March 12-15, 1922 and March 7-10, 2003.
Only once before has Perth previously recorded two heatwaves in March and that was in 1988.
The bureau says the previous record of seven heatwaves in the summer/autumn season happened in 1977/78.

Perth has also experienced its hottest start to March on record.
The mean daily maximum temperature for March 1-12, 2012 was 35.9C, breaking the previous record of 34.7C in 1979, the bureau says.
Temperatures are expected to drop down to 30C tomorrow and hover around that temperature for the rest of the week.


I thought it had been too hot for this Kiwi Chicky!

Enjoying the Sunshine

I met up with a few other school mums today at this gorgeous rose garden cafe not far from home. The weather was a bit cooler, perfect for being outdoors.

I loved how all the roses were clearly named. It made it so easy to find what I was looking for.

I loved how these huge fish and ducks were in together.

These photos weren't taken today, but show what a beautiful place it would be to visit in the spring.

This will definitely be a place we will return to!

Lunchbox Update

Today they have - a ham and cheese roll, cut up watermelon, strawberry and kiwiberry, salad consisting of cucumber, carrot, red capsicum and sugar snap peas, and an assortment of biccies.

Just thought I would update on these fabulous lunchboxes that I posted about here

We are nearing the end of Term One (where did that go??) and I have to say they are the best thing ever. We have had no rubbish taken to school so far! We are not a totally waste-free school, but getting there. The teachers have been so impressed when they've seen my girls' lunches they have sent them to show other teachers! Also they are eating so much healthier as there is not alot of room for junk food!

Musical Kate

Kate practising the clarinet.

Listography: Top 5 cookbooks

 I'm joining up today with Kate from Kate Takes Five and listing my favourite five cookbooks!

1. New Zealands Edmonds Sure to Rise Cookbook. 
My most used cookbook, and I think the first cookbook I ever owned. Mine no longer has a cover, but it still used alot despite pages falling out. I bought Amie one when she left home and will get the other girls one each too when they leave the nest.

2. Simply Bill
I got this book out of the library a few times before I bought my own copy. It's a good all rounder.

3. Destitute Gourmet
Another favourite NZ cookbook, the first book that Sophie Grey wrote. I also have her next two books, but this is my favourite. Great if you are on a budget.
 

4. Jamie's Ministry of Food
My favourite of Jamie's. Good basic cooking, nothing too fancy. Good one for kids to learn from.
 

5. The Best of Alison Holst
Another NZ favourite of mine. I have a few of her books. This was well used by Amie growing up when she was learning to cook. The chocolate pudding and alphabet soup she learnt off by heart in a short time from this book. 

The Next Step

 It's a dress rehearsal day today for The Next Step that Kate is performing in next Saturday. They don't need makeup on today, but I'm wondering how we are going to comb through that hair later!!!

Corymbia Festival

It was a STINKING hot day at 39 deg for the annual Corymbia Festival. The girls each performed their jazz from last years concert. Kate was in Sam I Am, and Ella in Ghostbusters!

I didn't get many photos at all. Not many of Kate - it was far too hot plus they kept disappearing on me! 

Ella side stage waiting to go on

Ella second right

I forgot to take a photo of Kate dancing until they were nearly finished

Once they finished dancing and got changed a snow cone was in order to keep cool

Ella tried unsuccessfully to get on the unicycle

This was much easier

Kate lined up for ages to get a balloon, which later popped

Ella and her younger friend Jess hung out together after they performed.

These giant balls were lots of fun

So were the horse rides. Sadly their were no camels this year.

Ella practises with some circus gear.

I hardly saw Kate once she met up with an old friend she used to go to school with.

Fireworks finished off a lovely afternoon/evening.

Hot Weather

Cottesloe Beach, Perth

And still the hot weather continues:

Forecast for Wednesday
Mostly sunny. Light variable winds tending S/SW in the morning and becoming
fresh to strong SW'ly in the afternoon.

Precis:      Mostly sunny.                      
City:        Max 31
Mandurah:    Max 28

UV Alert:    8:50 am to 4:10 pm, UV Index predicted to reach 11 [Extreme]  
Fire Danger: Coastal Plain: HIGH        
             Hills:         HIGH        

Thursday     Sunny.                                 Min 16     Max 32
Friday       Hot. Sunny.                            Min 18     Max 37
Saturday     Very Hot. Sunny.                       Min 23     Max 38
Sunday       Very Hot. Sunny.                       Min 23     Max 39
Monday       Hot. Mostly sunny.                     Min 23     Max 36

After the last few days of 38/39, I was looking forward to a cooler week.

Library Love

I've been following Rhonda's blog Down To Earth for ages now, so I was absolutely delighted when I found a copy in the library which was brand spanking new! I've only had a small amount of time to sit down and read it, but so far I'm really liking it.

It's such a beautiful book, so if you're interested in simple living, be sure to get yourself a copy.