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.

One Year On ...

 DAD

A beautiful memory, dearer than gold,
Of a father whose worth can never be told,
There's a place in my heart no one can fill,
I miss you, Dad, and always will.

Great Finds

These are two great finds I've had in the last week. Aren't they fabulous?

Ella loves this little stool I found to go with her dressing table

I had been looking around for a hat/coat stand for the front entrance way for awhile, so I was delighted when I found this gorgeous one.

I love having older pieces to add to my home! Even though I don't know their history, having an 'assortment' of pieces makes my home more characteristic to me.

Can You Guess ...

Where we are off to next month?

First of March

  

Sorry I haven't been around much! Life here has been flat chat, so I'll give you a brief rundown!

• Kate is currently dancing 6 days a week in preparation for her part in this. She is part of the pre-entertainment. A fantastic opportunity for her. After the show, she'll be back to dancing 4 times a week.
• Kate was one of 15 chosen at school to play an instrument after sitting an  aptitude test at the end of last year. Her chosen instrument is clarinet.
• Both girls are dancing at the Corymbia Festival again this year.
• We've had a few tradies here lately. Alot of electrical work had to be done, a new security door to be measured up for and quotes for the remaining roller shutters on the back. 

The garden is growing well. Currently we have growing:

• lettuce
• beetroot
• pumpkin
• zucchini
• snow peas
• carrots
• broccoli
• silverbeet
• sweetcorn
• capsicum
• raspberries
• boysenberries
• cauliflower
• lemons
• limes
• feijoas
• passionfruit
• parsley
• mint
• basil (purple)
• chives
• rocket

• I help out one morning a week in Ella's class with maths. 
• I help out a lady who collects children, one day a week.
• We've booked a holiday which hopefully doesn't coincide with Kate dancing competition (date for comp is not out yet!)
• Ruby is enjoying being back at our dancing school. She's doing ballet and jazz. We love getting to see her and Jonah every week when they come up!
• I've had some awesome OP shop finds lately.  

Sickness

It's been a week of sickness for Ella and I. Sore throats, tummy bugs and headaches.

I hope everyone else is fine and dandy!

Saturday

 It's been a busy afternoon (after 6 classes of dancing between 3 girls) a visit to the garden centre and some planting done in the vegie garden that Phil made for me out of recycled materials. We planted lettuce, beetroot, silverbeet, cauliflower, sweetcorn, carrots and pumpkin and snow peas.

Last week we bought some more trees to add to our list of what we want to grow in our backyard.

The feijoa tree

The passionfruit which will grow along a trellis

The lime tree which will go in a pot to match the lemon tree

Snow Peas

The capsicums are growing well

My little helper with the dirty face

Ruby and Jonah are staying tonight while Amie & Brendan attend a wedding. We headed up the hill to the park for tea and a play. 

Kate then took the camera and took the following photos of the others playing!