I'm Back

Hello lovely blogging friends. I am finally back from our month or so over in New Zealand. We had a wonderful time together for the most part. We laughed often and enjoyed having each others company. We managed to enjoy Queenstown while it was snowing up at Coronet Peak. That was the first time we had been in the snow while it was actually snowing. Aparently they had a cold snap while we were there. But really heated up a few days before we came home, just to prepare us for our hot and humid weather here. Oh boy, we came home and were asking ourselves why we choose to live in Townsville. I really start to wonder. I am very thankful for our air conditioning and wouldn't like to go back to no escape from the heat. I have added some photos for you to enjoy below of our trip.

Cadbury World, Dunedin


Stunning isn't it?

Who could come to NZ and not go to Cadbury World? Not us!

This one I will explain lol. It is my Uncle Nige and our kids and Matt driving the front end loader on the Chook farm they have in Hastings. The kids thought it was just the ants pants.

Sorry for too many photos, will catch up with you all soon I am sure. I have an announcement to make also, but will start a new post for that. talk soon, Ali

Going to New Zealand

Photo taken at Lake Tekapo, New Zealand

Well lovlies, we are off for a little family holiday at long last. Hubby decided a few weeks back that it was time for the long anticipated holiday back to my native country. We leave next week and won't be back till end of November. Can't wait for all the bonding that we will do as we campervan through this incredible and rugged country, both Islands.

Our home for the next month.

So I plan to close my website this week and won't be reopening till end of November. Last orders that will be processed before I leave need to be in by tomorrow 5 October 08 to enable me time to complete them.

So take care everyone, and I will be back online in about 6 weeks or so. Take care all and be safe. ox Ali

A little Holiday Inspiration!

Today I am sharing with you a little holiday inspiration. If you haven't already done some baking with your children over these school holidays, then today might be the day to start. My youngest son who is 3, Joshy, and i did some baking last Thursday and I took some pictures of what we made to hopefully inspire some of you mums to get in and bake something with your little ones too. We had such a lovely time and these recipes are suitable for any age group, 3 and up. Joshy did all of the tipping in and some mixing and rolled the truffles in the coconut. He did a great job and we both had a lovely bonding time in our aprons lol. Hope these pictures and recipes inspire you today. ox

- Ingredients -

4 oz butter

1 pkt plain biscuits (250g)

1 cup of desicated coconut

2 TBLSP of lemon juice

1/2 cup of condensed milk

* * *

- Instructions -

1. Melt butter and condensed milk over low heat or in microwave.
2. Crush biscuits and add coconut and lemon juice.
3. Pour melted mixture over and stir thorougly. Press into a lined 7" x 11" tin.
4. Cool in fridge then ice with lemon icing and sprinkle with coconut.
5. Cut into slices and enjoy. Great for freezing and can be taken out when unexpected guest pop in, if it lasts that long without being eaten up lol. Yummo.

- Ingredients -

1 pkt of malt or plain biscuits (crushed)

1 cup of desicated coconut

2-3 TBLSP of cocoa

1 can of condensed milk

* * *

- Instructions -

1. Crush biscuits, add cocoa & coconut
2. mix and add can of condensed milk
3. mix and roll into balls
4. roll balls in coconut (or chocolate sprinkles, flake for variety)
5. chill for two hours and eat, or great to freeze as well.
6. Enjoy!
   

Big Holiday Renovation Sale at Miss Ali's

I have just received a big order of glass knobs, vintage style hardware and other DIY bits and pieces for your creative pleasure and to celebrate, I am having a big 25% off sale this week only. Get your bits ready for your holiday renovation projects and save. See you at Miss Ali's.

Home Again!!

Matt & I in Thredbo

Liam & Josh at Parliament House

Dream World Below

Thredbo Below

Well my lovlies, I am home again. We have been on a quick 8 day holiday. We headed to Thredbo for a few days in the snow, what was left of it, then to Canberra for a night to see the War Museum and Paliament House, then toTweed Heads for 4 days to Matts Mums new motel. So was very quick but mostly enjoyable lol. Our holidays usually include a few disasters and this trip had me in stitches then tears at one stage up in the snow lol. The final straw was me dropping the camera into the slushy wet snow. With that i went into a fit of uncontrollable laughter and it ended in great sobs lol. Just like my mother. Laugh so hard then cry. Was real tears with deep sobs as so much had gone wrong up till that point. Nothing big just one thing after the other. Oh well, all memories now and fond ones at that. I have included a few pics of our trip above and they have changed order lol. And I had my last market yesterday and will do a quick post about that later today i think. Hope you have all been well in my absence.

Home Tomorrow!!

Hello friends. We are heading home tomorrow. Just at Tweed Heads now and will finish our final part of the journey home tomorrow. Haven't managed to blog while away as we didn't get the computer out to download the photos. Just a quicky now to say hello and will talk again soon. We have been to Thredbo, Canberra and now at Tweed Heads. Will be back on line again properly on Monday. I have my twice a year big market on Sunday so will be busy with that when I get back. Ok hons, have no pics just yet so will sign off and go take the littlies for a swim again. Hope you are all well and will talk soon. ox Ali

Holiday In the Snow!

Hello lovely friends. I know I know, it has been a while. So sorry about that. It has been crazily busy for me over the last few weeks. With the sale on at ADRegan, Miss Ali orders, and just general mothering of three precious children and hubby away it has been a tad hectic. Ok this one won't be too long either lol. Just wanted to let everyone know that we are heading to the snow tomorrow and will be back online Mon 5th nov. Will post more details and pics when we get back. Have some friends house sitting for us so if you need to contact me urgently then just email and I will check in to see what I need to answer. Before I go i thought i would share some pics of the fun my Joshy and Gracie got up to yesterday with Grandma. They went to a local wildlife park with their grandma and uncle, in a bid to give me some time to get myself ready for the upcoming market which is 2 days after i get back. Anyway, thought my US friends would like to see some Aussie animals. Enjoy the pics and everyone take care while i am gone. Don't miss me too much will you lol. Talk soon. oxoxo Ali

PS. I have put a closed sign up on both websites. Please feel free to place orders though and I will attend to them when I get back. ox

. . .

Crocodile

Turtle
Cockatoo
Crocodile

Kangaroos

Joshy & Grandma with Python

with Crocodile

with Cockatoo

feeding Kangaroos

Joshy bravely touching Mr Python

Our little holiday!

Our little family just headed up north for a few days this week to get away from it all. Friends of ours sent us to a beach house up near Cairns and it was so lovely. The back yard led down to the beach and we spent such sweet time together and regrouped. I will post a few pics below of us all at the beach. Hope you are enjoying the school holidays, those of you with kids on holidays. It goes too fast for us, and we really treasure having Liam home with us during the holidays.

Take care everyone. ox

Ali