This printable is available here.
November begins tomorrow, and I am keen to make it my best month yet for connecting with my boys. Who is with me?
Life from my point of view as a Stay at Home Mum. Sharing recipes, play ideas, frugal fashion and a bit of crafting too!
Friday, October 31, 2014
30 Day Mum Challenge
As one of my Pinterest resolutions, I resolved to do this challenge.
This printable is available here.
November begins tomorrow, and I am keen to make it my best month yet for connecting with my boys. Who is with me?
This printable is available here.
November begins tomorrow, and I am keen to make it my best month yet for connecting with my boys. Who is with me?
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
WCW Fresh Pumpkin Scones
Welcome to another week of What's Cooking Wednesday!
This week's recipe will probably benefit those of you who are carving Halloween pumpkins and need something to do with leftover pumpkin. Or, if you are like me and don't celebrate Halloween but still like pumpkin, I hope you will give this recipe a try.
You will need:
2 1/2 cups self raising flour
pinch salt
1 cup cooked, mashed pumpkin
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup lemonade
1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
Preheat oven to 230 degrees C and line a baking tray.
Sift the flour and salt into a bowl. Mix the pumpkin and milk in another bowl, then add to the flour mix with the lemonade. Mix until a sticky dough forms.
Turn out and knead lightly, being generous with extra flour to dust. Cut into circles ad place on the baking sheet. Sprinkle with pumpkin seeds.
Bake for 15 minutes until golden.
The verdict- more like a bread than a scone, these still had a great flavour and my husband loves them (he loves anything pumpkin!). I really enjoyed these the next day, as the flavour was more pronounced.
This week's recipe will probably benefit those of you who are carving Halloween pumpkins and need something to do with leftover pumpkin. Or, if you are like me and don't celebrate Halloween but still like pumpkin, I hope you will give this recipe a try.
You will need:
2 1/2 cups self raising flour
pinch salt
1 cup cooked, mashed pumpkin
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup lemonade
1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
Preheat oven to 230 degrees C and line a baking tray.
Sift the flour and salt into a bowl. Mix the pumpkin and milk in another bowl, then add to the flour mix with the lemonade. Mix until a sticky dough forms.
Turn out and knead lightly, being generous with extra flour to dust. Cut into circles ad place on the baking sheet. Sprinkle with pumpkin seeds.
Bake for 15 minutes until golden.
The verdict- more like a bread than a scone, these still had a great flavour and my husband loves them (he loves anything pumpkin!). I really enjoyed these the next day, as the flavour was more pronounced.
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Frocktober Day 28 and Under $50 Challenge
I decided to try the lace white dress trend- not sure I can pull it off with my winter pastiness but I put a jacket over top due to the wild and windy weather here today.
This post is a bit late today as I had an exploding tap then no water, a vomiting child and a cardmaking class to contend with - I am impressed that I managed to do it all it a white dress! Inking up stamps and dealing with water shooting everywhere in my laundry still left me with a presentable outfit at the end of the day.
My legs look so wonky in these photos- I do have one leg 5cm shorter than the other so in case you were wondering why my knees always look uneven, there is your answer!
I love these new sandals from Number One Shoes, so comfortable and only $34.99! In fact, these are the only things I paid for for my entire outfit, as the dress and jacket were both passed on to me from friends. I am entering this look in the Mystery Case Style Challenge- Outfit under $50.
For more information about Frocktober and to make a donation to ovarian cancer research, please click here.
This post is a bit late today as I had an exploding tap then no water, a vomiting child and a cardmaking class to contend with - I am impressed that I managed to do it all it a white dress! Inking up stamps and dealing with water shooting everywhere in my laundry still left me with a presentable outfit at the end of the day.
My legs look so wonky in these photos- I do have one leg 5cm shorter than the other so in case you were wondering why my knees always look uneven, there is your answer!
I love these new sandals from Number One Shoes, so comfortable and only $34.99! In fact, these are the only things I paid for for my entire outfit, as the dress and jacket were both passed on to me from friends. I am entering this look in the Mystery Case Style Challenge- Outfit under $50.
For more information about Frocktober and to make a donation to ovarian cancer research, please click here.
Monday, October 27, 2014
Beyond Our Planet
This month, the theme over at Poppins Book Nook is Beyond Our Planet.
Lucas has been enjoying the Winnie the Witch series lately, so the two books we have been reading this month are Faces of the Moon and Winnie in Space.
The boys loved looking at Faces of the Moon, with the great rhyming text and fun illustrations.
I used Oreo cookies to describe the phases of the moon, although I accidentally got chocolate instead of normal ones.
I decided to simplify the phases and take advantage of the weather by playing a game I call Moon Hop. I drew four squares on the driveway, and each square had a full moon, new moon, crescent moon or half moon. When I yelled out a moon phase, the boys would moon hop to the corresponding square. They loved this game and requested to play it multiple times during the week.
We also made our own fizzy stars from lime zest, 1/2 cup cornflour, 1 teaspoon baking soda and 10 tablespoons of hair conditioner. This mixture allowed us to mould some stars in a pan, and then they boys squirted vinegar on top to make the stars go fizzy.
The boys loved the foam that this mixture created, and it was a fun science lesson.
Lucas also watched this Spanish video and played some games in Spanish such as Planet Memory and a Planet Puzzle. This website was a great resource for Spanish themed space learning.
Family fun night was a chance to make Galaxy jelly- ours didn't work out but I am still sharing the link so that you can have a go! I would suggest using half thew water suggested on tha packet so that the jelly will set with all of the sprinkles in it. We also watched Wall-E.
For our craft activity, we made a cheese grater star painting. We started by rubbing the side of a yellow crayon over the bumpy side of a cheese grater.
We then painted over it with blue paint and left to dry.
Here is a finished masterpiece.
The next messy activity was making our own swirly galaxies by mixing food colouring with milk in some jar lids.
This activity was a lot more popular than anticipated, and we ended up with a lot of galaxies!
We had so much fun reading and learning about space this month. Please feel free to link up below with your Beyond Our Planet inspired activities.
Clip art by MelonHeadz.
Enchanted Homeschooling Mom ~ 3 Dinosaurs ~ To the Moon and Back ~ Planet Smarty Pants ~ Farm Fresh Adventures ~ Growing in God's Grace ~ Chestnut Grove Academy ~ Learning and Growing the Piwi Way ~ The Usual Mayhem~ Preschool Powol Packets ~ Monsters Ed Homeschool Academy ~ Adventures in Mommydom ~ Teach Beside Me ~ Life with Moore Babies ~ Kathy's Cluttered Mind ~ Are We There Yet? ~ Our Crafts N Things ~ Hopkins Homeschool ~ ABC Creative Learning ~ Joy Focused Learning ~ P is for Preschooler ~ Laugh and Learn ~ A Mommy's Adventures ~ Inspiring 2 New Hampshire Children ~ World for Learning ~ Ever After in the Woods ~ Golden Grasses ~ A glimpse of our life ~ Journey to Excellence ~ Happy Little Homemaker ~ Little Homeschool Blessings ~ Raventhreads ~ Tots and Me ~ As We Walk Along The Road ~ Stir the Wonder ~ For This Season ~ Where Imagination Grows ~ Lextin Academy ~ The Canadian Homeschooler ~ School Time Snippets ~ Peakle Pie ~ A Moment in our World ~ Every Bed of Roses ~ Finchnwren ~ At Home Where Life Happens ~ The Library Adventure ~ Embracing Destiny ~ Day by Day in our World ~ Our Homeschool Studio ~ A "Peace" of Mind ~ Thou Shall Not Whine ~ SAHM I am ~ eLeMeNo-P Kids ~ Simple Living Mama
Frocktober Day 27
It is a public holiday here today, but the fun-filled family activities I had planned have all been put aside thanks to the weather. My husband is happily taking the pantry apart today though, as he decided I need new shelves and paint, so look forward to a pantry update on my blog soon!
This dress has been given a new look with a blue top underneath and paired with leggings and boots to keep me warm.
For more information about Frocktober and to make a donation to ovarian cancer research, please click here.
This dress has been given a new look with a blue top underneath and paired with leggings and boots to keep me warm.
For more information about Frocktober and to make a donation to ovarian cancer research, please click here.
Sunday, October 26, 2014
Halloween Papercraft Sampler
I have made up a Halloween inspired papercraft sampler, to match with all of my other seasonal and themed samplers.
This Halloween sampler matched in perfectly with the challenge over at Color My Heart.
I also used black as my neutral, and came up with this 12x12 layout for my home decor frame.
The outer white cardstock is 12x12, with the orange patterned paper at 11x11 and the thistle cardstock at 10.5x10.5 inches. The inner white squares are 2.5x2.5, with the coloured squares at 2.25x 2.25 inches.
I had a lot of fun working with different textures and layers for this, and the Thistle and Sunset together is such a striking combination.
Top left
Top right
Bottom left
Bottom right
I cut a few of the black die cuts from the Cricut, and the rest of the items were from the Scaredy Cat range or some old layered stickers I had. I also used the Halloween Greetings stamp set, some embossing folders, and the retired What A Hoot stamp set.
I would love to know what your favourite square is!
This Halloween sampler matched in perfectly with the challenge over at Color My Heart.
I also used black as my neutral, and came up with this 12x12 layout for my home decor frame.
The outer white cardstock is 12x12, with the orange patterned paper at 11x11 and the thistle cardstock at 10.5x10.5 inches. The inner white squares are 2.5x2.5, with the coloured squares at 2.25x 2.25 inches.
I had a lot of fun working with different textures and layers for this, and the Thistle and Sunset together is such a striking combination.
Top left
Top right
Bottom left
Bottom right
I cut a few of the black die cuts from the Cricut, and the rest of the items were from the Scaredy Cat range or some old layered stickers I had. I also used the Halloween Greetings stamp set, some embossing folders, and the retired What A Hoot stamp set.
I would love to know what your favourite square is!
A Frocktober Weekend
This weekend has been so busy, with my primary school Jubilee taking place. Since I was on the committee, it has meant a few late nights and so my blogging had taken a back seat.
Here are my Frocktober looks for Friday, Saturday and Sunday (today).
On Friday, I had the school Mix and Mingle with fellow students and past teachers. I wore a dress from Max that is a couple of years old, but still on trend thanks to the monochrome print. I wore black lace flats since this was a standing event, and paired it with a light cardigan.
Saturday night was the Jubilee dinner, and I wore my Sammydress Pink Ruffle Dress paired with black pumps and a pink snakeskin clutch.
Today I am in my trusty navy dress, with a navy waterfall cardigan and navy flats. There is a pop of jade from my camisole underneath. I am featuring this outfit in the Fashionomics Friday link up, as the entire outfit was free. The dress, cardigan and camisole were clothes swap finds, the shoes were a birthday present, and the necklace was gifted to me.
For more information about Frocktober and to make a donation to ovarian cancer research, please click here.
Linking up with What Wives Wear.
Here are my Frocktober looks for Friday, Saturday and Sunday (today).
On Friday, I had the school Mix and Mingle with fellow students and past teachers. I wore a dress from Max that is a couple of years old, but still on trend thanks to the monochrome print. I wore black lace flats since this was a standing event, and paired it with a light cardigan.
Saturday night was the Jubilee dinner, and I wore my Sammydress Pink Ruffle Dress paired with black pumps and a pink snakeskin clutch.
Today I am in my trusty navy dress, with a navy waterfall cardigan and navy flats. There is a pop of jade from my camisole underneath. I am featuring this outfit in the Fashionomics Friday link up, as the entire outfit was free. The dress, cardigan and camisole were clothes swap finds, the shoes were a birthday present, and the necklace was gifted to me.
For more information about Frocktober and to make a donation to ovarian cancer research, please click here.
Linking up with What Wives Wear.
Thursday, October 23, 2014
Frocktober Day 23
Just one photo today as my photographer was helped by a 2 year old who didn't take the most flattering photos!
This dress was a secondhand one gifted to me- I haven't really worn maxi dresses until this challenge and so I added a belt as I tend to feel rather pregnant in maxi dresses! The belt gave me a bit of shape and I kept everything else very simple.
For more information about Frocktober and to make a donation to ovarian cancer research, please click here.
This dress was a secondhand one gifted to me- I haven't really worn maxi dresses until this challenge and so I added a belt as I tend to feel rather pregnant in maxi dresses! The belt gave me a bit of shape and I kept everything else very simple.
For more information about Frocktober and to make a donation to ovarian cancer research, please click here.
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Frocktober Day 22
I am getting to the end of my frock wardrobe, and so some of the dresses are being repeated.
I wore this grey Boohoo tiered smock dress again, but this time teamed it with a belt to give it more shape as well as wearing a large necklace. When the weather cooled down I put a grey jersey on.
For more information about Frocktober and to make a donation to ovarian cancer research, please click here.
I wore this grey Boohoo tiered smock dress again, but this time teamed it with a belt to give it more shape as well as wearing a large necklace. When the weather cooled down I put a grey jersey on.
For more information about Frocktober and to make a donation to ovarian cancer research, please click here.
WCW Chicken and Rice Noodle Salad
I couldn't pass up some cheap chicken mince at the supermarket yesterday, so I looked through my recipe books to see what I could cook with it. I cam a cross a delicious Chicken Salad that I am sharing with you for this week's What's Cooking Wednesday.
Chicken and Rice Noodle Salad
adapted from Minced
1 teaspoon sesame oil
300g chicken mince
1 pack dried 10mm stick rice noodles
handful of crispy noodles
mixed salad greens, to serve
your favourite salad ingredients (I used sprouts, radish, cucumber, carrot and red capsicum)
for the dressing:
1/2 cup lime juice
1/4 cup fish sauce
1/4 cup brown sugar
Heat sesame oil and fry chicken mince until golden brown. Set aside to cool.
Bring a saucepan of water to the boil and add the rice noodles. Cook for 5-6 minutes then drain. Set aside to cool.
In a large salad bowl, mix together your salad ingredients. Add cooled chicken and rice noodles.
Combine lime juice, fish sauce and brown sugar and pour over the salad.
Top with crispy noodles and serve.
The verdict- This salad was better left to sit for a while so that the dressing soaked into the ingredients, but do not add the crispy noodles until serving time as they will go soggy otherwise. This was enjoyable as a meal for dinner, but it was even more delicious as leftovers for lunch the next day!
Chicken and Rice Noodle Salad
adapted from Minced
1 teaspoon sesame oil
300g chicken mince
1 pack dried 10mm stick rice noodles
handful of crispy noodles
mixed salad greens, to serve
your favourite salad ingredients (I used sprouts, radish, cucumber, carrot and red capsicum)
for the dressing:
1/2 cup lime juice
1/4 cup fish sauce
1/4 cup brown sugar
Heat sesame oil and fry chicken mince until golden brown. Set aside to cool.
Bring a saucepan of water to the boil and add the rice noodles. Cook for 5-6 minutes then drain. Set aside to cool.
In a large salad bowl, mix together your salad ingredients. Add cooled chicken and rice noodles.
Combine lime juice, fish sauce and brown sugar and pour over the salad.
Top with crispy noodles and serve.
The verdict- This salad was better left to sit for a while so that the dressing soaked into the ingredients, but do not add the crispy noodles until serving time as they will go soggy otherwise. This was enjoyable as a meal for dinner, but it was even more delicious as leftovers for lunch the next day!
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Frocktober Day 21
What a beautiful day it is today, finally sunny enough to wear this new maxi dress!
This dress is from Sammydress and is part of their current range. I am wearing a Small. I love the fact that they cater for shorter people so I don't have to hem this particular maxi dress. It came with a slip to go underneath, and the drawstring waist gives it some shape. I paired it with a denim jacket for the cooler weather this morning, but the sun has come out now and so I am wearing this as is with some simple jewelry and my studded sandals.
For more information about Frocktober and to make a donation to ovarian cancer research, please click here.
This dress is from Sammydress and is part of their current range. I am wearing a Small. I love the fact that they cater for shorter people so I don't have to hem this particular maxi dress. It came with a slip to go underneath, and the drawstring waist gives it some shape. I paired it with a denim jacket for the cooler weather this morning, but the sun has come out now and so I am wearing this as is with some simple jewelry and my studded sandals.
For more information about Frocktober and to make a donation to ovarian cancer research, please click here.
Monday, October 20, 2014
Spring Week
Our theme for the last week has been Spring, which meant we could take advantage of the lovely weather and learn about this season at the same time.
We had great fun making giant pinwheel daffodils.
Lucas and Adam completed the Spring Fling worksheet and especially loved graphing the dice roll.
On the way home from preschool we did a Spring scavenger hunt and manged to cross everything off the list except for a rainbow and a kite. It made the walk home a lot more fun and got the boys involved in helping each other to spot things on the list.
Lucas drew me a hedgehog during colouring time.
We went outside and collected lots of leaves to look at. Once we had decided on our favourite leaves, we made leaf rubbings and admired the pretty patterns.
On Wednesday we made cookies- we couldn't decide if they were ladybugs or toadstools, but either way they reminded us of Spring. We made a simple shortbread base, then used raspberry flavoured ready roll icing and chocolate drops to decorate. The boys were very good at taking turns with the circle cookie cutter, and Lucas had an impromptu maths lesson when he was weighing out the ingredients.
Of course, the best part of Spring is being outside, so we made plenty of time to enjoy the sunshine.
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Next week, we will be sharing the Poppins Book Nook activities, and then it will be our Halloween week!
We had great fun making giant pinwheel daffodils.
Lucas and Adam completed the Spring Fling worksheet and especially loved graphing the dice roll.
On the way home from preschool we did a Spring scavenger hunt and manged to cross everything off the list except for a rainbow and a kite. It made the walk home a lot more fun and got the boys involved in helping each other to spot things on the list.
Lucas drew me a hedgehog during colouring time.
We went outside and collected lots of leaves to look at. Once we had decided on our favourite leaves, we made leaf rubbings and admired the pretty patterns.
On Wednesday we made cookies- we couldn't decide if they were ladybugs or toadstools, but either way they reminded us of Spring. We made a simple shortbread base, then used raspberry flavoured ready roll icing and chocolate drops to decorate. The boys were very good at taking turns with the circle cookie cutter, and Lucas had an impromptu maths lesson when he was weighing out the ingredients.
Of course, the best part of Spring is being outside, so we made plenty of time to enjoy the sunshine.
Next week, we will be sharing the Poppins Book Nook activities, and then it will be our Halloween week!
Frocktober Day 20
Today I had a busy day full of visitors, running errands and playing with the boys.
I needed a comfortable, everyday dress and this Laura Ashley apple print dress does the trick! It is a bit loose and so a belt from another dress was added to add shape.
For more information about Frocktober and to make a donation to ovarian cancer research, please click here.
I needed a comfortable, everyday dress and this Laura Ashley apple print dress does the trick! It is a bit loose and so a belt from another dress was added to add shape.
For more information about Frocktober and to make a donation to ovarian cancer research, please click here.
Sunday, October 19, 2014
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Frocktober Day 19
Today I celebrated my 30th birthday, so I was out and about having coffee, lunch and visiting my family.
I wore this new dress from Farmers that I received as an early birthday present. It was 40% off and came with the belt, so was very reasonable.
I had a lovely morning out at White House Black, then it was out for lunch with my family.
Me and my Dad.
crop.jpg)
Me with my husband Malcolm.
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For more information about Frocktober and to make a donation to ovarian cancer research, please click here.
I wore this new dress from Farmers that I received as an early birthday present. It was 40% off and came with the belt, so was very reasonable.
I had a lovely morning out at White House Black, then it was out for lunch with my family.
Me and my Dad.
Me with my husband Malcolm.
For more information about Frocktober and to make a donation to ovarian cancer research, please click here.
Saturday, October 18, 2014
Frocktober Day 18
Today I frocked up for a high tea out at The Tea House. The occasion called for something floral, so I went with my new Boohoo floral zip dress.
The weather was slightly cooler today, so I put on a red merino jersey to keep warm.
These photos had to be taken at night, as my resident photogrpaher (the husband!) was out all day at a bike road race and since the weather was gloomy it got dark quicker than expected. So here is a bonus photo of me today at The Tea House.
crop.jpg)
For more information about Frocktober and to make a donation to ovarian cancer research, please click here.
The weather was slightly cooler today, so I put on a red merino jersey to keep warm.
These photos had to be taken at night, as my resident photogrpaher (the husband!) was out all day at a bike road race and since the weather was gloomy it got dark quicker than expected. So here is a bonus photo of me today at The Tea House.
For more information about Frocktober and to make a donation to ovarian cancer research, please click here.
Friday, October 17, 2014
Frocktober Day 17
This dress has been languishing in the back of my closet for a while now. I loved the print, but when I tried it on at home I realised that even with the slip underneath it is completely see through.
Today I tried it on- still not happy with the length and see-through factor. Then I remembered these faux leather panel leggings and paired it with them. Success! Now this dress is modest enough for our playgroup session and I won't feel self conscious of people seeing through my dress.
I chucked a denim jacket over this outfit for the morning, but it has quickly warmed up today and so I am enjoying the sun in this dress.
For more information about Frocktober and to make a donation to ovarian cancer research, please click here.
Today I tried it on- still not happy with the length and see-through factor. Then I remembered these faux leather panel leggings and paired it with them. Success! Now this dress is modest enough for our playgroup session and I won't feel self conscious of people seeing through my dress.
I chucked a denim jacket over this outfit for the morning, but it has quickly warmed up today and so I am enjoying the sun in this dress.
For more information about Frocktober and to make a donation to ovarian cancer research, please click here.
Thursday, October 16, 2014
Frocktober Days 15 and 16
Yesterday got away on me a bit and I didn't get home until 10pm, so here is yesterday's look as well as what I am wearing today!
Day 15 was a simple black dress, layered with a red merino jersey as it was rather cold. I relied on my trusty black flats to get me through the day, as well as a touch of berry red lip gloss.
Today I am wearing a new dress from Boohoo, which has a fun tile pattern to it. I am being brave and wearing white, although I also have a nude coloured slip underneath. This dress is so soft and it feels luxurious. I have put my navy flats on for this photo, but they are getting a bit old and so I am hoping for some new navy flats soon *hint hint*!
For more information about Frocktober and to make a donation to ovarian cancer research, please click here.
By the way, don't forget to enter my birthday week giveaway!
Linking up with Wardrobe Wednesday and What Wives Wear.
Day 15 was a simple black dress, layered with a red merino jersey as it was rather cold. I relied on my trusty black flats to get me through the day, as well as a touch of berry red lip gloss.
Today I am wearing a new dress from Boohoo, which has a fun tile pattern to it. I am being brave and wearing white, although I also have a nude coloured slip underneath. This dress is so soft and it feels luxurious. I have put my navy flats on for this photo, but they are getting a bit old and so I am hoping for some new navy flats soon *hint hint*!
For more information about Frocktober and to make a donation to ovarian cancer research, please click here.
By the way, don't forget to enter my birthday week giveaway!
Linking up with Wardrobe Wednesday and What Wives Wear.
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