Dramatic Black & White

Day 82 - 25th Mar 2010


This is the 1st time I have entered something into I ♥ Faces. So I chose this shot of my son Miles. He is eating yogurt. He loves yogurt, as does his sister. I just love the way he is in awe of the spoon.

Day 81 - 24th Mar 2010

This bush seems to get photographed a lot. It is the same bush (line) that I took the other day (day 71).

It makes for a good photo that's why.

Day 80 - 23rd Mar 2010

While Miles was sleeping Kayla and I went outside to blow bubbles.

I just love the delicate hand.

Day 79 - 22nd Mar 2010

It was nearly 8pm and I realised that I hadn't taken a photo. So while I was putting the kids in bed, I quickly raced outside and took some shots.



i just loved the sun glow on the fence.

Day 78 - 21st Mar 2010

Husband had the kids at his mums so I had the day off. I went up the street to grab some things from the supermarket, and decided to keep on walking.



this image is part of the old SES(state emergency service), fire brigade building (which is right next to the new complex).

I loved it in colour, but i loved it even more in mono

Day 77 - 20th Mar 2010

I never usually post the day's photo on the actual day. But seeing that some of my facebook friends wanted to see Kayla's new skirt, I figured it can do for the photo of the day.



and



It's a 3 tired skirt. You can't really tell that it's 3 tired though because all 3 tires are the same colour. She does have the exact same skirt in purple, with the middle tire being of a contrasting colour. She loves it.
She was so excited when I showed her the skirt was done.

I actually had saved this fabric for myself, but she picked it when I showed her the fabrics I had. I was just as well, because I wouldn't have had enough of the other fabric. This skirt has 1.2m of fabric. You wouldn't think it but it does.

Day 76 - 19th Mar 2010

Kayla and Miles play so well together.

Well they were in their indoor chubby house. In the boat. The boat is my laundry basket (which use to be the old baby bath).

They just looked so adorable together.

Day 75 - 18th March 2010

I had taken 1 photo for the day and it was pretty crappy.

Then Miles made me laugh. I was tidying up the bathroom while he was in the bath, so my back was turned to him. I turn around and this is what I find.



I quickly grabbed the camera (which was in the hallway) and took some photo's.

I love how he just looks so happy, even though he looks a little foolish. God love him!

Day 74 - 17th Mar 2010

My mother in law had the kids, so I got to do a lot of stuff on this day.

I was walking into town and I just like the post office sign.



looked good against the sky.

Day 73 - 16th Mar 2010

Miles has figured out how to climb up the ladder of the trampoline. I just assumed that Kayla was helping him, but no, he can climb up on his own.

So we were all on the trampoline jumping away. I took loads of photo's, but it's hard to jump and look through the camera so a lot of them were crappy, but I did manage to get this shot.



I just like the way that Kayla is in the air but Miles is happy playing with his truck (50cents from the op shop - he choose it).

Day 72 - 15th Mar 2010

I had the kids in the double pram and we were walking to the leisure centre for play gym. On the way to the play gym is this house, that I just love. The owners look after this house so well. It's well maintained, the garden is just extraordinary. This plant is in their garden. I have no idea what it is, but I like the shape of it.



I was going to post another image of Miles, but I just couldn't quite work out the processing to the way I liked it, so I figured I'll just choose another image.

Day 71 - 14th Mar 2010

The kitchen window faces east. So we always get this beautiful light coming through the window into the kitchen.

I was washing the dishes admiring the leaves of the plant out of the window, and how it looked good against the blue sky.

So I dried my hands and got the camera out and put the tammy (macro lens) on. Captured this shot.

Day 70 - 13th Mar 2010

It was early in the morning and we were going to go to the playground across the road (at the primary school).
Kayla was having a hissy fit (i don't remember what about). So my sister, who was holding Miles at the time, was kneeling down to talk to her, and that's when I took this photo.

I like the morning glow and I like the patterns of the shadows. But I just love the tenderness of it.

Blue/Brown Floral Camera Strap Cover

BUILD ME UP BUTTERCUP

Wanna get one of my fabulous camera strap covers for free!

Well in 25 words or less, post why you would like one. The one who is the most creative will get one of these for free! Yes free. I will even pay the postage.

Please note that free postage will only apply to Australian customers. Overseas customers, you can still participate but a donation will be required.

Have fun!

Starfish + Chickpea Salad

Ok so my Monday inspirational story is a bit late, but I'm still going to give it to you all the same. Even thought it is now Thursday.

I should let you know that I didn't wright this story, I first heard it about 10 years ago and it stuck with me. Anyway here is the story.

One day I was walking barefoot on the beach. I was enjoying the view, and the waves splashing against my feet.
In the distance I could see a little girl throwing something into the ocean. As I got closer I noticed that she wasn't throwing stones, or sticks. She was in fact throwing starfish. Hundreds of starfish had washed up on the shore from a storm the night before.
I asked the little girl 'What are you doing? It's not like you can save them all?'
She picked up another starfish and as she was throwing it back into the sea she said 'I know, but it made a difference to that one.'

So the point of the story? Well sometimes we loose perspective. Sometimes well try to look at too much, rather than just focusing on the small things. Just remember that whatever you do, give it 100%. It is better to do small things with great love than big things with rushed love and attention.



Chickpea Salad
Serves 4 (you can half the ingredients to serve 2)

2 large tins chickpeas
3 tomatoes (you can use a punnet of cherry tomatoes as an alternative
1 red onion, thinly sliced
1 small red capsicum cut into strips (you can use green or yellow if you don't have red).
4 spring onions, cut into thin strips
1 cup chopped parsley
2-3 tablespoons chopped mint leaves

Dressing
2 tbls tahini
2 tbls lemon juice
1 tbls olive oil
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

* Drain the chickpeas and rinse well.
* Cut the tomatoes in half and remove the seeds (if using cherry tomatoes just cut them in half)
* Dice the flesh of the tomatoes
* mix the red onion, tomato, capsicum and spring onion in a bowl
* Add the parsley chickpeas and mint

To make the dressing, put all the ingredients in a screw top jar with 2 tbls water, season well and shake vigorously to make a creamy liquid. Pour over the salad and toss.

A really refreshing summer (or any other time of the year) salad.

Delicious

Delicious

I first discovered this website when I was looking at plug in's for Firefox, and this plug in is fantastic.

Never loose a bookmark again! What I love about it you can access it from anywhere, you just log into delicious and all your bookmarks are linked there. You can also tag them into groups, like shopping, photography, social network etc.

My user name for delicious is moonke. The reason I'm giving you my user name is because if you join and put me down as a friend you can access my bookmarks, and vice versa.

Day 69 - 11th Mar 2010

Miles and I were having fun with the sand pit.



Isn't he just a cutie, dirt and all. Oh and he is actually on the sand pit, he climbed up and sat in there. Told you he was an earthy kid.

Day 68 - 10th March 2010

I missed out on taking a photo on 10th March 2010. I didn't realise that I missed a photo until I woke up Thursday morning. Needless to say I was peeved off at myself.

So the image I'm going to show is an image that I took on day 65 (but after I had already posted day 65 image (that of Kayla)).

I was working out on the wii fit, when I saw this amazing orange glow coming from the front door. I open the door, and this is what I find!



It was also raining as well, but you can see that in the image.

Day 67 - 9th Mar 2010

We were at the school again for a play. Miles again in his bare feet. I just love photo's of feet!



or in this case foot.

Day 66 - 8th Mar 2010

I decided the image for the day would be a storyboard.

Monday was a public holiday here for us (labour day). So we went over to the playground to have a play. I had been raining on and off for the last couple of days and the kids were starting to get cabin fever.

Kayla and Miles both love the puddles. Miles was wearing gum boots (they are too big though as he is inbetween sizes), and he was like 'what the hell are these?, they are stupid' and so took them off straight away.

Miles is such an earthy baby (well he is a Capricorn and that is an earth symbol. He loves to have his hands and feet in the earth. He is very much a touch/feel kid.



I do need to get him some waterproof out wear. I had one, but it was Kayla's and it was pink, and I gave it to a friend for her little girl. Because as you can clearly see, Miles is saturated! But he didn't care. I think that was he 3rd outfit for the day anyway.

Oh and all my photo's will now be watermarked with MiCreations (blog here I like my new watermark logo :D

cauliflower & sweet potato curry

Ingrediants
500g cauliflower (about 1/2 a large cauliflower), cut into large chunks
300g sweet potato (you can use pumpkin if you don't have enough or don't have any), cut up into 1cm cubs
2 large potatoes, sliced or cubed
1 onion, chopped
1 clove of garlic, crushed (you can use jar if you don't have fresh)
1tsp fresh ginger (if you don't like it leave it out)
1tbls curry powder (if you want different flavour try, the yellow/green/red curry paste)
2tsp ground cumin (if you don't have it you can leave it out)
400g can of diced tomatoes
1 cup of vegetable stock
1/3 cup frozen peas
cooking spray.

1. Heat oil in a stock pot/pressure cooker, over medium heat. Add onion, garlic and ginger and cook for approx 2 mins. Stir in curry powder and cumin and cook for a further min.
2. Add tomatoes and stock and bring to the boil.
3. Add prepared vegetables, reduce heat to simmer for 20-30 mins until tender.

If you are using a pressure cooker, add all ingredients at step 2. Once pressure is reached, reduce heat, and leave for 10 minutes, then turn off heat and let steam escape.

4. add peas and cook for a further 5 mins until peas cooked.

Serve with rice or couscous.

Make sure you have all your vegetables prepared beforehand.


NB: sorry it's late, but this one is a winner in our house, I just love it.

Inspirational Monday

My bit of inspiration for today is the following:

I am thankful for all the good in my life.

A lot of people focus on all the negative things in their life, that they forget that there are a lot of wonderful things to be thankful for.

I'm thankful that I have a roof over my head.
I'm thankful that I have a great support network
I'm thankful that I have wonderful kids.

Five days a week.

I'm going to add a new element to my blog.

I have been thinking about this for a while. I got the idea from Sunny Mummy. Each day Stacey has a 'thing' for that day. Like Thursdays are 'Thankful Thursdays' etc.

Well I plan to do the same. But just Monday-Friday. Once I think of things for Saturday/Sunday then I will add them.

Ok so this is what My list is going to be
Inspirational Monday Inspirational quotes, affirmations or stories
Writing words Tuesday Stories, or poems written by me
Creative Wednesday paintings or drawings made by me
Tried and Tested Thursday Recipes from the kitchen that I love and will share
Useful Friday tips or all kinds.

Day 65 - 7th Mar 2010

Put the macro lens on and went with Kayla to the playground. When we got outside Kayla asked to have her photo taken. I took a few, and I love them all, but I like her expression in this one.



I must say she is getting a lot better at posing for me.

Day 64 - 5th Mar 2010

Kayla and I were playing in the 'water logged' sand pit. And well she wanted a candle for the cake she was making. On the ground was one of these from the plant that the sand pit sits next too.

It looked interesting, hence the photo. Gave it a mono treatment.

Day 63 - 6th Mar 2010

Had to go to the hardware store to get a fluro light for the kitchen. It stopped working about a week ago, and I got sick of cooking in the dark.

So this is Mitre 10 from the outside.

Day 62 - 4th Mar 2010

Took 2 photo's during the day, and when I looked at them I thought omg, so crappy, so I decided on some self portraits instead.

Day 61 - 3rd Marh 2010

This photo just didn't work for me in colour. Lighting was wrong, temperture was wrong and many other things too. Like her eyes (the white) where blue! Sure if I fooled around in photoshop I could have achieved what I was after, but just wasn't in the mood to, so I converted it to black and white was like yay that's exactly how I want it.

The 3rd Day The Frost

Is the 3rd book in the Tomorrow Series by John Marsden

Live what you believe in... die fighting for it.

The third day comes a frost... a killing frost.

The enemy spreads across the land, cold and relentless. They invade. They destroy. They kill.

Only the heroism of Ellie and her friends can stop them.

When hot courage meets icy death, who will win through?

The Third Day, the Frost is the third volume in the award-winning Tomorrow series.

Great series, full of action. Last read them about 10 years ago. Appealing to teenagers, and young adults. Can't wait until the movie (series?) comes out, shame it has to have Geoff from home and away as Kevin, what a drag.

The Shadow Thief

I read this book out-loud as the good night book to my kids. Kayla said it was boring (hence why i read it so she would fall asleep). But I know she was paying attention because she would refer to it as the 'shadow book'.

Drabville is a model town, where Milli Klompet lives with her slightly offbeat family and spends her time longing for adventure.

Then one day, along with her cautious best friend and amateur geologist, Ernest Perriclof, Milli discovers ′Hog House′. But the afternoon′s entertainment takes a different turn when they are held prisoner by the wacky Mr and Mrs Mayor and a cohort of evil magicians, led by the sinister Aldor.

Aldor is eagerly anticipating the Great Guzzle - a horrifying ceremony during which he plans to swallow the shadows of every citizen in Drabville, absorbing their skills and talents and rendering himself invincible.

Milli and Ernest must evade the Shadow Keepers and outwit the sinister Aldor before the shadows are swallowed and Drabville loses its soul forever.

Ages: 10+

I have no idea how this is an aged 10+ book. Sure the adventure of the book is 10+ but the words! omg is it wordy. Some of the words I could say properly outloud (i felt like a retard let me tell you!), but some of the other words I didn't even understand. And if I couldn't understand then how is a 10 year old!
The girl who wrote it (Alexandra Adornetto) was 13 at the time, but serious, who at 13 knows some of the words in the story.
It was ok. But not omg i want to read it again. Will keep it for the kids for when they are older.

Fallen

One of the things that I wanted to achieve in 2010 was to read 12 books. That is essential 1 book a month. Which is totally achievable considering I read 17 books last year.

I ended up not reading anything in January. Opps my bad. But I have made up for it.

The 1st book read and completed is Fallen by Lauren Kate

I 1st heard about this book thanks to the double day magazine that I got in the mail.
The blurb was very interesting and it had me intrigued and hooked.

Appealing to Twilight fans, Fallen is the addictive debut in a new paranormal romance series that revolves around the forbidden love between an 17-year-old mortal and a tormented fallen angel.
Like a moth to a flame, Luce is drawn to Daniel, a handsome student at her boarding school, despite his frosty almost frightening demeanour. Little does she know, their love is doomed and she is destined to die before her next birthday …
Daniel is equally drawn to Luce, but is determined to keep his distance. As a fallen angel, he has learnt the hard way that he's not entitled to lasting happiness – for centuries, he has been cursed to fall in love with the same girl every 17 years – and then watch her die.

It ended up that I had to go to 3 bookstores to find the book, and I got the last that they had in stock.
Having read the twilight series, I thought ok, I'll give this one a go. And well I loved it from beginning to end. I couldn't put it down. I ended up reading it in 2 days. Which with 2 kids I have to say is pretty impressive.

So if you are a twilight fan, then this could be the new series to get hooked into.

now registered

micreations is now registered!

I'm still working on the website. But the web address will eventually be www.micreations.net.au

of course there is nothing there and if you try to go there it will tell you 'hello mistake', but give me time. All this behind the scene stuff is hard work.

Day 60 - 2nd Mar 2010

Decided to walk over to Main street (as it's a lot more busier than Barnes) and do some long exposures.

I got a lot of looks from cars driving past. I should also mention it was quite windy, so the sign looks out of focus, but it's just the wind that was moving it.

Day 59 - 1st Mar 2010

We drove down to Hamilton to celebrate Pa Russell's and Nana Russell's birthday (it's not until Thursday/Friday but this was the only day that everyone could meet up).



I just love this shot. I cheated and used the auto functions and the inbuilt flash. So it is a bit grainy as the iso went from my default 200 to 800 (that's what happens when you choose the auto function).