Sunday, October 31, 2010

The games people play


We've just spent another weekend in Ruakaka playing on the beach, and stuff. Naturally, we worked up an appetite and indulged in a healthy afternoon tea – who needs a lazy Susan when you've got skateboards lying around. Here's a snapshot of what we got up to...

Beach soccer


Dune tumbling (a.k.a. sandy orifices)


The stick game (which way is it going to go?)


Uno (a serious game?)


Pass the hot Halloween pinata (and the goodies)




Four square (A fun game for the whole family. Sorry, no pic available.)

Duck feeding (meet Betty)


Candle swiping


And a strange thing we saw along the way

Friday, October 29, 2010

Happy Halloween




The girls dressed up for the school disco. So it gave us a good reason to wish you all a happy Halloween!

There won't be any trick or treating this year as we will be up north [sigh]. The girls are a bit of a disappointed as last year they collected quite a bounty. I will have a few treats on hand to soften the blow ‐ call it bribery if you like.

Happy Halloween!!
From the Devil, Dracula and the Corpse Bride xxx

Monday, October 25, 2010

No meat Monday


Don't tell me it's too late to act on my 2010 New Year's resolution – it's only October after all.

No meat Monday, except it was a Friday. An unconventional Indian spread consisting of dahl (using brown lentils instead of red because that's what I had), raita, mashed potatoes (a recent overdose of rice meant a need for an alternative carb) and a baguette (cause it was handy).

Everybody loved it. OK, Ava didn't LOVE it, but she ate it and was pleased with the accompanying mash.

Ruby put hers on a gluten free bun and made a dahl + raita burger.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Patterns in nature


At the school art auction recently, there was a pencil drawing of a kina which I really liked. I went home and took a photo of one I found on a beach a while ago. I love it's patterns and the fact that I found it intact before it copped a battering from nature. I don't know if it will end up on paper, but I think it's a nice photo.

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Nothing new for a month


I've only just discovered the Nothing new for a month challenge and we're already half way through October so it seems a bit silly to sign up now. But it is a good way to get you thinking about where, and most importantly, why we buy things. Do you really have to have that new blouse just because it's 20% off? Do we really want to fill our lives, wardrobes, and houses with shiny new "stuff".

If we were to take up the challenge I have no doubt some of us would find it easier than others. Anyway, I've already started my Christmas shopping so I'm already disqualified. Maybe we could do it in February, when Christmas is done and dusted and everyone is suffering from post-sales exhaustion.

My latest op shop purchase is the picture above – an original, of course. I can hear you laughing at me, but art should be about what you love, right? And there was something about this "still life" that compelled me to buy it. No, I didn't have to have it, but now that I do, I think it would look better in a different frame.

Friday, October 15, 2010

More pleasures


Ava and I made jam drops the other day – gluten free of course. When trialling new recipes there is always an element of luck. Sometimes things just don't turn out the way they should. When you add the gluten-free element you also rely on the luck factor a bit more. Everyone was pleased with the way this batch turned out and the jar is now empty.

Leave a comment if you want me to post the recipe. (I'm warning you now, this is not diet food!)

OK, you asked for it so here it is...

Jam Drops

Ingredients:
1 cup (240g) softened butter,
(Yes, 1 cup. It helps if you don't think about it.)
1/2 cup caster sugar
2 cups Gluten-free plain flour
Jam of choice

Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Fold in gluten-free flour. Roll spoonfuls into balls and line up on a baking paper-lined tray. Use the end of a wooden spoon to make a hole in the centre of each ball. Fill hole with jam of choice and bake for 15 minutes or until slightly golden. Remove from oven and allow to cool before serving.

So easssy!

Saturday, October 9, 2010

Simple pleasures


The smallest of gestures are often appreciated the most.
Thanks Eadie =)

Friday, October 8, 2010

Hurrah! Turoa!


Huey was kind to us again and we had a fabulous couple of days at Turoa ski field on Ruapehu. The locals complained about the conditions but we Aussies know only too well that you've got to take what you can get. From the first run, the girls were confidently using the chair lifts and skiing down the mountain.




Whilst the girls were taking a lesson, Steve and I went up to the top of the mountain to ski a few runs together–a rare opportunity. Naturally, the snow coverage was better up there and the runs were a lot wider which meant for more fun!