tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75581820248509085792024-03-05T23:43:46.167+13:00Jacksta - B ♥ my teeny little piece of the blogisphere jackstahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09433816784934589899noreply@blogger.comBlogger250125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558182024850908579.post-12575169607888215492014-10-01T10:51:00.000+13:002014-10-01T10:58:32.343+13:00closing up the blogTime to close up the blog.<br />
<br />
Its time.<br />
<br />
I'm happy that I met a few bloggers out there.<br />
<br />
I'm happy that some of you write so honestly and have allowed me to come into your lives too.<br />
<br />
I think I will keep lurking. Popping in to comment on your thoughts....<br />
<br />
But its time for <i>me</i> to shut up shop.<br />
<br />
The passion for it has gone. My voice seems lost. With not much left to say.<br />
<br />
Drafts remain unfinished. Half blog posts turn around in my head. <br />
<br />
4 years.<br />
<br />
4 years of bullet point posts, food pictures, parenting fun, birthday cakes, birthday giveaways, trying new things, watching the kids grow up, especially the baby who is now 4!<br />
<br />
4 years of putting on my thinking cap and trying to form actual sentences that made sense, quite a challenge for this non writer. These are my favourite writing pieces,<br />
<a href="http://jacksta-b.blogspot.co.nz/2013/05/i-was-brave.html">I was brave</a><br />
<a href="http://jacksta-b.blogspot.co.nz/2012/07/an-ode-to-hannah.html">An ode to Hannah</a><br />
<a href="http://jacksta-b.blogspot.co.nz/2013/04/end-of-era.html">An end of an e</a>ra<br />
<a href="http://jacksta-b.blogspot.co.nz/2011/05/worst-case-scenario-mum.html">Worst case scenario mum</a><br />
<br />
<br />
I hope I have inspired. I hope I have encouraged. I hope I have made you smile.<br />
<br />
Because you have done the same for me.<br />
<br />
4 years<br />
<br />
About the right time for the end of an era.<br />
<br />
This is Jacksta B Signing off<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSaVxZvqfSEMznB3ljlofcS_03lOLYNa0-AqJU4ebITsAYTddrbRu6yUmCdYVnZb2Mx5g-xnS4wJ7peM20PnNaKaxfVlTZ0Ny6XUQPzyZnffhmB6wdUXIdqCJaR2_wL0BCCnt-agBxUci8/s1600/bloom+where+you+are+planted.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSaVxZvqfSEMznB3ljlofcS_03lOLYNa0-AqJU4ebITsAYTddrbRu6yUmCdYVnZb2Mx5g-xnS4wJ7peM20PnNaKaxfVlTZ0Ny6XUQPzyZnffhmB6wdUXIdqCJaR2_wL0BCCnt-agBxUci8/s1600/bloom+where+you+are+planted.JPG" height="364" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />jackstahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09433816784934589899noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558182024850908579.post-87891469630008592642014-05-06T11:49:00.000+12:002014-05-06T14:00:49.441+12:00Bullet point ponderingsDear Reader. You know what time it is? Its time for a bullet point post! I know you wanna know what shenanigans we've been up to since we last chatted!<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>I'm on holiday. Yeahh! Of course that really doesn't mean much when you are a mum. What I really imagine is this....</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipI8RsxfM09OGRpYEpsN_H0qngJNBAiqa21Apw0Tw4SjtsOXAhVSG38gagmS8TShB7Sm7BYWCpp9DRU2oEFCdxFhS-kLqp-ssBqZlHEjtfsrdS2SQeHcUGLYGE5LR7E5X1LfF68JqRWfIZ/s1600/pinacolada.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipI8RsxfM09OGRpYEpsN_H0qngJNBAiqa21Apw0Tw4SjtsOXAhVSG38gagmS8TShB7Sm7BYWCpp9DRU2oEFCdxFhS-kLqp-ssBqZlHEjtfsrdS2SQeHcUGLYGE5LR7E5X1LfF68JqRWfIZ/s1600/pinacolada.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ifood.tv/blog/enjoy-national-pina-colada-day">photo credit</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<ul>
<li>What really happened was I tried to make of the most of it by getting up earlier and going to work gym the first Monday. I got all the way there at 615am and couldn't get in because I didn't know the code! I thought about going back to bed because it was still dark but decided to go for a walk instead. I went again the next day after finding out the code!</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>I still have this stupid shoulder. Its really frustrating me, because its now in its 6th month of being painful. And it could take 18 months to heal on its own. Gah! So after pushing it in the gym for a week I'm letting it rest, and am getting some advice about how to get fit without aggravating it. I tried getting it covered as workplace injury but it got declined because I didn't do the right paperwork at the time so I have to pay for all myself. Boo :( But still...people have it way worse than this, and deal with it valiantly. I'm going to stay positive! </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The rest of the week was more of hanging out with this lot over their school holidays....</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_DKmpmBthacJYFrVdNpF1ykJikuZE1C9kBqyCIjB-CqmRSvfSTM-y5Gda6VlQLV3hQC1eYUCqm5cYQszcjNYQo4ZBBUMp0pS2xdeIRIfqGLvBFf_9nYPHrO6pxshwZEJP5y9ERC38ZZKI/s1600/IMG_1808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_DKmpmBthacJYFrVdNpF1ykJikuZE1C9kBqyCIjB-CqmRSvfSTM-y5Gda6VlQLV3hQC1eYUCqm5cYQszcjNYQo4ZBBUMp0pS2xdeIRIfqGLvBFf_9nYPHrO6pxshwZEJP5y9ERC38ZZKI/s1600/IMG_1808.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi61XzHjghVHf4cKmGJMLISECf-kM1NIXKD9sqKN_H41v-q3rFxH13Zi_ioSzD1fKDLZIgWCroyJvhzgKEItxQOsaWLmV-DMR-sAoGNXCtywVtqPJCQ1IlFa3nAPsWNad2nBFBX-SSUWoSU/s1600/IMG_1757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi61XzHjghVHf4cKmGJMLISECf-kM1NIXKD9sqKN_H41v-q3rFxH13Zi_ioSzD1fKDLZIgWCroyJvhzgKEItxQOsaWLmV-DMR-sAoGNXCtywVtqPJCQ1IlFa3nAPsWNad2nBFBX-SSUWoSU/s1600/IMG_1757.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<ul>
<li>These holidays seemed to go really fast. Except for the fighting, arguing and general horseplay... in those times I dreamed of peace and quiet. We managed to balance getting out for a couple of activities and general moping around. After watching the Lego movie, the kids are back into playing with their Lego...even Miss Joy. The older two would create wonderful creations and just before they were happy with them "The Destroyer" would come and obliterate it all. More arguing, more yelling.... Zak Zak seems to be quite a destructive little guy. Anyone had a kid like this? He doesn't seem to learn! Drives us all nuts. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>I've been really enjoying having a bright coloured nail polish on these holidays! I've got on an OPI red that is called "Santa's Suit". Might bring that one out again at Christmas time.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>A couple of week ago I found a grab one voucher online for a bus tour to Cape Reinga. I wasn't that keen to put Zak Zak on a bus with some poor unsuspecting tourists but the hubster reckoned that was the only way to visit the cape and so we went for it. He manged to get Friday off work so we made a weekend of it. Friday rolls around and would you believe it Zak zak is sick as. A Temperature, vomited a couple of days before, off his food, lethargic, and a slight all over body rash. Grandma kindly offered to keep him while the rest of us could have fun with out him. We made the decision right at the last minute. "I can't leave him" I tell hubster. He comes with us or I'm not going at all! We decide to risk it and hope for the best. You know how kids are..one minute they are sick the next minute they are fine. And with two nurse parents we thought we'd be fine. We kept up the panadol every 6 hours over the whole weekend. And he coped and got a little better each day. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The voucher couldn't be used on Saturdays so we went on the Sunday after staying on the Karikari Peninsula in a lovely Spa Bath motel room at a Top 10 Holiday park. It was a tad expensive for the 5 of us but totally worth it. We saved money on food for the weekend because we filled a chilly bin full of food, snacks and drinks. And boy did we use that spa bath! </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>I had recently read in the <a href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503450&objectid=11219931">NZ herald</a> that the top beach in all of Northland was "Matai Bay" and third overall in all of NZ voted on the AA website. I had never even heard of this beach even though I've lived in the north all my life. We decided to check it out. And Oh my! I believe it is. We had a lovely few hours with the beach pretty much all to our selves! And such a beautifully clear hot day in May even! The water was too chilly for me but the rest of the family enjoyed a dip, especially hubster. I enjoyed catching some snaps with my camera. I put the portable tripod in and managed this one shot of us all together. Hubster is holding on to Zak Zak to keep him still for one photo!</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul></ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIpsuuwvNWAi4Dc9GKnslL6QAlisMbEvyNYjB9c6VXKzAku0JNSatvI_5LSK_8Gif3llyg1c445WAURz5yLDbxpPISds81Hyuzb95gqceqGGUzhJY10nsRaVm8-CMO6kOUXSYuUEtM9P8P/s1600/MATAI+BAY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIpsuuwvNWAi4Dc9GKnslL6QAlisMbEvyNYjB9c6VXKzAku0JNSatvI_5LSK_8Gif3llyg1c445WAURz5yLDbxpPISds81Hyuzb95gqceqGGUzhJY10nsRaVm8-CMO6kOUXSYuUEtM9P8P/s1600/MATAI+BAY.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">{Crystal clear waters of Matai Bay}</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div>
<ul>
<li>If you ever head up to the Cape make a detour to this beautiful beach. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The next day we got up bright and early to head to Kaitaia for our tour bus pick up. We gave ourselves an extra half hour to get there early. Just as we arrive at Kaitaia at 9am I get out the voucher to check the address and my heart sinks...I've made a mistake! The pick up time is 9am not 930am. We try to get there a little faster hoping it's still waiting for us and then we see it coming in the opposite direction out of town! Everyone in the car is mad at me...especially hubster. We try and figure out what to do. I suggest we just drive up to the cape ourselves. And then have a brainwave to call the tour company. She says I'll call the bus driver and see if he will come back for you. And he does! We hop on the bus apologizing to the other tourists! Shame! </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="text-align: center;">He still loves me even though I'm a wally sometimes!</span></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidrPO_AlXMq46bwmAIfwKWoDQFNXWGtBGAuLYuezx0BRxvolLv_m4Mp2fXoPnfNf_oTS4kDPelI0ftJ9keTJbrDVnaAakYGiBlFViYn8Njzi4-0fPJTAuprV5l82cZIX7QUOJFsLgsOzp0/s1600/farnorth+holiday-199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidrPO_AlXMq46bwmAIfwKWoDQFNXWGtBGAuLYuezx0BRxvolLv_m4Mp2fXoPnfNf_oTS4kDPelI0ftJ9keTJbrDVnaAakYGiBlFViYn8Njzi4-0fPJTAuprV5l82cZIX7QUOJFsLgsOzp0/s1600/farnorth+holiday-199.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">{Taputaputa Bay}</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi25MU1TU8_QzxKOKUh1SyQiQWRWm4nNJ1UXY9O4wKVutYEtnh53AmPUioH1BecPB8eH7of3XWtqQOS6KdnJtzpc7D2jdE16PcWhq5HNYc6osDp5c3uencN68lF3z2lIfFjAn_ZloPu7DZI/s1600/Cape.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi25MU1TU8_QzxKOKUh1SyQiQWRWm4nNJ1UXY9O4wKVutYEtnh53AmPUioH1BecPB8eH7of3XWtqQOS6KdnJtzpc7D2jdE16PcWhq5HNYc6osDp5c3uencN68lF3z2lIfFjAn_ZloPu7DZI/s1600/Cape.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">{We made it in the end!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Cape Reinga} </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li>We got home late on Sunday night after stopping in at my mums for a quick curry feed and arrived home just in time to watch the Master Chef Final. A great weekend away!</li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<li style="text-align: left;"><u><b>I'm Listening</b></u> to Bethels latest album with the Ladies only called <a href="http://grooveshark.com/#!/album/You+Make+Me+Brave/9647878">"You Make me Brave"</a></li>
<br />
<ul></ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg03MWrQgzczEW0OALtTKvHHfF9AWwM-Zfc9cJFvwDq794p83fVzBMk-F0s0IiZO1IIsbqkTpbQ2SUPW3lBzrTOLvJ96pu9FXQgzN3WB2F6y5v18BJP1A7dCedYaH54frxACrUMRjuphiOK/s1600/brave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg03MWrQgzczEW0OALtTKvHHfF9AWwM-Zfc9cJFvwDq794p83fVzBMk-F0s0IiZO1IIsbqkTpbQ2SUPW3lBzrTOLvJ96pu9FXQgzN3WB2F6y5v18BJP1A7dCedYaH54frxACrUMRjuphiOK/s1600/brave.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;"><u style="font-weight: bold;">I'm Creating</u> a knitted blanket. Since I'm such a crafting retard and can only knit rectangles, I'm making my self a blanket with colors that have special meaning to me. I even did some on the bus. Its going have 25/25 stitch squares that will look like a patch work of colors...I hope. I'm not following a pattern...and hope to finish it some time this life time....</li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkPlZfHF3su9z3Qcb4N0jfSZab4mPFVpauEXlEEU4jdKzTm0vSlUvRoF2v6i1liut0xuPQgWUNE7PvEDXwnAcoA6magAZhDwPs7r3A7CcE4bCmqTKanvZ9ijmVOWzNhwusjgfHfO2KnH5g/s1600/IMG_1941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkPlZfHF3su9z3Qcb4N0jfSZab4mPFVpauEXlEEU4jdKzTm0vSlUvRoF2v6i1liut0xuPQgWUNE7PvEDXwnAcoA6magAZhDwPs7r3A7CcE4bCmqTKanvZ9ijmVOWzNhwusjgfHfO2KnH5g/s1600/IMG_1941.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUECNJX5FdGjSoXlve7LyZoHdn631uetGufwaArHLRxeW0ODtsuXgeA9FzcYOTj4IVXU9eGQ1rTZn3Y3C7Bja3cVNu4AKPFtbXAKFks-52_KOm8xi2Z0uiQwtVYhseUuzdktsHSrIJOBGz/s1600/IMG_1815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUECNJX5FdGjSoXlve7LyZoHdn631uetGufwaArHLRxeW0ODtsuXgeA9FzcYOTj4IVXU9eGQ1rTZn3Y3C7Bja3cVNu4AKPFtbXAKFks-52_KOm8xi2Z0uiQwtVYhseUuzdktsHSrIJOBGz/s1600/IMG_1815.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;"><u style="font-weight: bold;">I'm Reading: </u> Kerre Woodhams "Short fat chick to Marathon runner". And have the<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daughter_of_Smoke_and_Bone"> Daughter of Smoke and bone Trilogy</a> coming from the book depository in the mail soon. I had to see what ya'll were so excited about! </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;"><b><u>Im cooking:</u></b> After seeing Simon Gault at a stall at our local New World selling his new product range, I've been wanting to try his Cloudy Bay <a href="http://www.simongault.com/index.php/recipes/item/268-euro-cloudy-bay-clam-chowder">Clam Chowder recipe</a>. Oh My! So good. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZWKgVLuT7f-nemWMWfCq-W0nxegGVPFlUVWUvSY9AbcIldSFkaFJnyGa7blNCng5B4lisrOvBzC2BDGnnUNG5i8IhwT0BV9SdCQKcJ2YS00t2jBDwarkLTiTbSF5GO4AQ98gekEZ9910Y/s1600/IMG_1851.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZWKgVLuT7f-nemWMWfCq-W0nxegGVPFlUVWUvSY9AbcIldSFkaFJnyGa7blNCng5B4lisrOvBzC2BDGnnUNG5i8IhwT0BV9SdCQKcJ2YS00t2jBDwarkLTiTbSF5GO4AQ98gekEZ9910Y/s1600/IMG_1851.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;"><b><u>Funny: <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE4TCtojxoreYMCRlcaasCjXgQnOsiw-nn9Zgnp9kBDzQ_9tVyaBMo0RUnNMXnVRQweS6LTSDAF1Ha1kfh8tWH1WdnNSwYN7WrzDv32VNquo6SmTuGPUihJ1vMkXv49hP9czIB3jMcWR58/s1600/mum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE4TCtojxoreYMCRlcaasCjXgQnOsiw-nn9Zgnp9kBDzQ_9tVyaBMo0RUnNMXnVRQweS6LTSDAF1Ha1kfh8tWH1WdnNSwYN7WrzDv32VNquo6SmTuGPUihJ1vMkXv49hP9czIB3jMcWR58/s1600/mum.jpg" height="320" width="255" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.dumpaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/funny-quotes-dumpaday-30.jpg">{credit}</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</u></b></li>
</ul>
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;">Hope all is well in your neck of the woods</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div>
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="text-align: left;">Jacksta</span></div>
<div>
<span style="text-align: left;">xx </span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-1-cRhMwAkKM%2FU2gV5vcvXhI%2FAAAAAAAADco%2FpaiqeGlcDUY%2Fs1600%2FMATAI%2BBAY.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIpsuuwvNWAi4Dc9GKnslL6QAlisMbEvyNYjB9c6VXKzAku0JNSatvI_5LSK_8Gif3llyg1c445WAURz5yLDbxpPISds81Hyuzb95gqceqGGUzhJY10nsRaVm8-CMO6kOUXSYuUEtM9P8P/s1600/MATAI+BAY.jpg" -->jackstahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09433816784934589899noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558182024850908579.post-1588022272607695952014-04-20T18:05:00.000+12:002014-04-20T18:05:00.060+12:00And the winner is...A big thank you to all those who entered my birthday giveaway last week.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYycTIG8Jkr17IXbPXOrH1adojbnehlV6FbnKupqfilT8fio9_oqYtMXQD9t7G-SYGcDe-2VgUTkR3Ho3lscyY-ldHnNSdhca59BpvKsZrTkLUxMxcFxrPyeHj6y_Tb7RXeF8G_Gut9Xg/s1600/birthday-40.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYycTIG8Jkr17IXbPXOrH1adojbnehlV6FbnKupqfilT8fio9_oqYtMXQD9t7G-SYGcDe-2VgUTkR3Ho3lscyY-ldHnNSdhca59BpvKsZrTkLUxMxcFxrPyeHj6y_Tb7RXeF8G_Gut9Xg/s1600/birthday-40.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
And the winner is....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAQshyphenhyphen1m-rAiQkdSWiDC4zzIRQo6uvwm0CYndzGSsQZ5nIOLAl-LLQdMLUARmI7FI51BLBG9qNTO3nKrXInKlR_ZPNw3114r7BWZzIUfaU_p5xwosI3hcSUwCOyrSX9S6sV1d8grp6_E0M/s1600/IMG_1759.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAQshyphenhyphen1m-rAiQkdSWiDC4zzIRQo6uvwm0CYndzGSsQZ5nIOLAl-LLQdMLUARmI7FI51BLBG9qNTO3nKrXInKlR_ZPNw3114r7BWZzIUfaU_p5xwosI3hcSUwCOyrSX9S6sV1d8grp6_E0M/s1600/IMG_1759.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Congratulations to Nina Buchanan. Ill have it right out to you asap. </div>
jackstahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09433816784934589899noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558182024850908579.post-79834069156820845842014-04-17T17:09:00.000+12:002014-04-17T17:09:35.569+12:00last chance<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Don't forget to head over to <a href="http://jacksta-b.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/my-birthday-giveaway.html">here</a> to be in to win my birthday giveaway. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Drawing it tomorrow the 18th April 2014</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYycTIG8Jkr17IXbPXOrH1adojbnehlV6FbnKupqfilT8fio9_oqYtMXQD9t7G-SYGcDe-2VgUTkR3Ho3lscyY-ldHnNSdhca59BpvKsZrTkLUxMxcFxrPyeHj6y_Tb7RXeF8G_Gut9Xg/s1600/birthday-40.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYycTIG8Jkr17IXbPXOrH1adojbnehlV6FbnKupqfilT8fio9_oqYtMXQD9t7G-SYGcDe-2VgUTkR3Ho3lscyY-ldHnNSdhca59BpvKsZrTkLUxMxcFxrPyeHj6y_Tb7RXeF8G_Gut9Xg/s1600/birthday-40.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />jackstahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09433816784934589899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558182024850908579.post-83803922827002459732014-04-11T14:24:00.000+12:002014-04-11T14:25:22.516+12:00My Birthday GiveawayIn recent years every time my birthday rolls around I'm more excited than ever. As you know I work as a nurse.A lot of my job is helping people get well and out the door to live their lives, but part of my job is helping people deal with death. I find that every time I comfort a family who have just watched their loved one breathe their last breath, I am faced with my own mortality and how much each day is a blessing. I choose to celebrate my birthday as a great day to be blessed with another year. I use it as a day to look around at my family and friends and be thankful that I get to share my life with them.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy02FgYrQ17ndIcyazmeCggsXmpqoEiN9z-QAQVnr4jqiohRoQG2jcW-glcL9vm_80cfHoO59ETzzvIzwX68dEIKBEmSTZuoFVwNQsvnp8tVhD5UNtqODBVpyYlPUwPzz0x7EUIKzondSj/s1600/birthday-37.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy02FgYrQ17ndIcyazmeCggsXmpqoEiN9z-QAQVnr4jqiohRoQG2jcW-glcL9vm_80cfHoO59ETzzvIzwX68dEIKBEmSTZuoFVwNQsvnp8tVhD5UNtqODBVpyYlPUwPzz0x7EUIKzondSj/s1600/birthday-37.JPG" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">{Whoa...Google knows its my birthday!}</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
With that in mind I decided it was a good reason to gather my favourite long time friends and have a fancy dinner out at a swankie restaurant. I have known each of these ladies for over ten years. We've laughed together and cried together. They've cooked me dinners when I have had a newborn and have always had a listening ear and are just a fab bunch of gals. I tried really hard to get them act more lady like at our fine dining experience but you can't take the Northland out of them.<br />
We had a great pre-birthday night out with loads of laughs and the most delicious food in Whangarei at A'Deco with Top NZ Chef Brenton Low. Super Yum!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAjt_r7GM19SHp7C1wCpXtEK5z7ZInWCQPUz3zGtFaqRTwC9AhFeIBWOADRr6IGw8GA7MAgz1yXSriZLEld_QN6UUPmnGPI5idynfMHfPhVqLenYj7HYIX7jhyCte7EVCKr84jn8i792St/s1600/birthday-18.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAjt_r7GM19SHp7C1wCpXtEK5z7ZInWCQPUz3zGtFaqRTwC9AhFeIBWOADRr6IGw8GA7MAgz1yXSriZLEld_QN6UUPmnGPI5idynfMHfPhVqLenYj7HYIX7jhyCte7EVCKr84jn8i792St/s1600/birthday-18.JPG" height="419" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">That's us "posh fake laughing"</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis704jlxoKl40G3UInkP1G9zbfvfmpV0xi7-R63XcNCwUkwgGM1aX1zITo-qEgVTOJwLtRv7KR4onox3KA8uwVtgP9KnQ93CH1aM3yPCvb2WpUWlRlWNZCO77LQfRITnW78VJ9rFJ-rgk4/s1600/birthday-20.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis704jlxoKl40G3UInkP1G9zbfvfmpV0xi7-R63XcNCwUkwgGM1aX1zITo-qEgVTOJwLtRv7KR4onox3KA8uwVtgP9KnQ93CH1aM3yPCvb2WpUWlRlWNZCO77LQfRITnW78VJ9rFJ-rgk4/s1600/birthday-20.JPG" height="398" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{My dessert}</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>~Giveaway~</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And since its my birthday...I've decided to do a
giveaway...just because...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
So these are a few of my favourite things at the moment. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li>Loving the coffee from Northland roasting company<a href="http://www.maxcoffee.co.nz/"> “Max Coffee”.</a> Roasted in Kerikeri. Gets me going in the mornings.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Still loving the<a href="http://www.nzfudgefarm.co.nz/"> Fudge farm!</a> Today I have for you their
delicious Russian Fudge sauce and some of their Bailey’s Fudge...</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>I'm currently enjoying the <a href="http://www.joycemeyer.org/">Joyce Meyer</a> book “the Confident
Mom” as an ibook which only hit the shelves this year. As usual she is super relatable
and it is a great read.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>And you must check out my friend <a href="https://www.facebook.com/goatmilksoapandskincare?fref=ts">Emily’s </a>website for her
range of handmade Goats milk soap. This stuff lathers so nicely with a range of
smells. She also has products for people with sensitive skin. Today I'm giving
you a Goats milk Soap with Ginger & Lemongrass Essential Oils. </li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKFJZd46oj1KuIUT1GsLn4EAccihIMexM0JBJ7c__sfDD-yfWRVAgWy2FWrwf8ssTubUjo4oHjQhPYvW-QWzdkgh7x9k0Ryn_Mv-qq0M8haMnlJFYsYAlz-lKPpbvfpuThd-8FzofHC8Q4/s1600/birthday-40.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKFJZd46oj1KuIUT1GsLn4EAccihIMexM0JBJ7c__sfDD-yfWRVAgWy2FWrwf8ssTubUjo4oHjQhPYvW-QWzdkgh7x9k0Ryn_Mv-qq0M8haMnlJFYsYAlz-lKPpbvfpuThd-8FzofHC8Q4/s1600/birthday-40.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<b><u>The Nitty Gritty!</u></b><br />
<br />
All you need to do is be a follower of my blog and fill in this sentence in the comment section below to be in to win....that's all!<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">PI_K MEEE____EEEEEEEE!!</span><br />
<br />
Make sure I can Email you if you win. Competition closes in a week....on Good Friday 18th April 2014.<br />
<br />
"May the odds be ever in your favour"...ha ha couldn't resist! Good luck! NZ and Australian bloggers only sorry.<br />
<br />jackstahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09433816784934589899noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558182024850908579.post-45003097725701986402014-03-28T06:30:00.000+13:002014-03-31T12:00:43.735+13:00bullet point ponderings<ul>
<li>Why hello there?! I trust all is well in your neck of the woods. Just me, checking in with my favorite bullet point ponders. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li> I'm not sure whats going on with me at the mo. Social media. I'm a little bit over it. I finally took the first step, I got rid of Facebook from my phone. I was getting a little bit ridiculous, checking it constantly and it was bringing out the worst in me. So both the hubster and I have taken FB off our phones..and he went one step further and got rid of instagram too. I still dig instagram for now, so it stays. And I do still check in with my favourite blogs too. Although our kids don't have phones yet I am trying SO hard to prevent them from getting trapped in the social media black hole. I would much rather they met or talked to their friends in real life rather than these silly screens! You know....like WE all used to do once upon a time. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Anyhoo...I don't know what the answer is. We will probably all end up like these people from Wall-e</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMcicGaW19O8LVuMHQpEnZ8dKgXIRFmvdcd4NHyPk7L0otiFtTiMgAQFaRbbviYpgV-VlC-TpgVCswtuFN_JblnEtzey8xtc8wjaGfD6t8sVhJNRWXxKALYO7XEqSXj__6PfwFPFw0GXs2/s1600/walle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMcicGaW19O8LVuMHQpEnZ8dKgXIRFmvdcd4NHyPk7L0otiFtTiMgAQFaRbbviYpgV-VlC-TpgVCswtuFN_JblnEtzey8xtc8wjaGfD6t8sVhJNRWXxKALYO7XEqSXj__6PfwFPFw0GXs2/s1600/walle.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pixar.com/features_films/WALLE">link</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li>SO I did something fun a couple weeks ago ....I got a nice long needle to the shoulder joint! I may have mentioned before that I have had this crappy painful shoulder since October last year. Well I saw an orthopedic surgeon about it and he diagnosed it as<span style="font-family: inherit;"> "<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">adhesive capsulitis</span>" or "fro<span style="font-family: inherit;">ze</span>n</span> shoulder". He recommended another steroid injection but into a different spot. Man it was painful! But guess what!? Now my shoulder is mostly pain free! Now I just have to improve my range of movement and I'll be playing golf in no time...ha! Maybe. My lovely physio "invited me" to our work gym and gave me some exercises to improve my strength and range of movement. And guess what? I actually enjoyed it...so much so I'm thinking of joining one of the local gyms while our work one is getting remodeled. Time to get this fat butt into shape. I say that every year!</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>On the mummy front the kids have finished their athletics season. The conclusion is long distance running is their strength. Throwing things like a discus and shot put....not so much! They do have the skinniest arms around! Anyway, its all good learning. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>We have also been doing cooking lessons with mumma again. I honestly think the food tastes better when they help me. I take the time to teach...and we taste and take our time, and in the end the food is better. Case and point. A while ago I was teach miss joy to make the perfect steak. We like it medium rare... and this piece of rump steak was one of the best we had ever cooked! Perfectly pink in the middle. And I have found their taste buds are changing as they try new things. Win for all. </li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-MT90qWElVi1XfrHSZ1unB6UMDqARxTCdgNf8tE0W7ps0a_l0IJp6ksngxBvogOIHsO7Y-EzpkW9WaE3MYwfW60QBEOuEmALGSNY9INF3Fb24TPO59Py6dsfSQ-c9J9tUGqZ6yR5mTmCS/s1600/IMG_1546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-MT90qWElVi1XfrHSZ1unB6UMDqARxTCdgNf8tE0W7ps0a_l0IJp6ksngxBvogOIHsO7Y-EzpkW9WaE3MYwfW60QBEOuEmALGSNY9INF3Fb24TPO59Py6dsfSQ-c9J9tUGqZ6yR5mTmCS/s1600/IMG_1546.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">{Delicious butter chicken and homemade naan bread}</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
In other news....</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZlI_ai62wA9ykM64PmrzpR0uBEwOuM-VnPGkGIJKvXd485Ev43rCl93QOAuYOsGWoX7JqWgiaT3bm3XKjJTnRfKjaVVSojEO5yiHwbG6A7ty2N5QInls0w7RfgUUPx9E3GR3DBG2XfqCs/s1600/IMG_1507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZlI_ai62wA9ykM64PmrzpR0uBEwOuM-VnPGkGIJKvXd485Ev43rCl93QOAuYOsGWoX7JqWgiaT3bm3XKjJTnRfKjaVVSojEO5yiHwbG6A7ty2N5QInls0w7RfgUUPx9E3GR3DBG2XfqCs/s1600/IMG_1507.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">{I went to the beach recently with the sole purpose <br />of eating this ploughmans meal for a picnic} </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUYKT_AWP4NpBEZmZ__deMOrwAW_lpsVAmwKF3rM73OGCqVRD26ymuGNIKIruRA0Yz8Om1P0tTT1XHxFv1i0Pw0TWpSCPX4DB6E2QcLkYAIHCBqyAz8JrS2PF_S3khjaK_X_JN12SVBw3l/s1600/IMG_1484.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUYKT_AWP4NpBEZmZ__deMOrwAW_lpsVAmwKF3rM73OGCqVRD26ymuGNIKIruRA0Yz8Om1P0tTT1XHxFv1i0Pw0TWpSCPX4DB6E2QcLkYAIHCBqyAz8JrS2PF_S3khjaK_X_JN12SVBw3l/s1600/IMG_1484.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">{And of course to hang out with this lot}</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk7EcTF8UYdISRjoXcAbISxmKz8_YTkErTCo2aTKL40-n7DCfbsi7MTVl2DKwrz40Phh0dCYq6bPD8noyEB1Q04PMIXxd4JIWHZf93ipsOGppDqm-zHkQlZyu_1Raru5KGKnSrJM7yhCCU/s1600/IMG_1487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk7EcTF8UYdISRjoXcAbISxmKz8_YTkErTCo2aTKL40-n7DCfbsi7MTVl2DKwrz40Phh0dCYq6bPD8noyEB1Q04PMIXxd4JIWHZf93ipsOGppDqm-zHkQlZyu_1Raru5KGKnSrJM7yhCCU/s1600/IMG_1487.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">{A day at the beach is never wasted}</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfeLAPI1IEYwaE3y-wAYmI7mT-nz-p_2WHeBTZ5qaMCGRR5l845pyU1uA_s2G45vtYnbg_41aL7_NVz0jA5EwwB4rXPNcDsG8JIyukOrYNP-6E972mEGySOri9xczPKiD8cqDxqcG1NquB/s1600/IMG_1520.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfeLAPI1IEYwaE3y-wAYmI7mT-nz-p_2WHeBTZ5qaMCGRR5l845pyU1uA_s2G45vtYnbg_41aL7_NVz0jA5EwwB4rXPNcDsG8JIyukOrYNP-6E972mEGySOri9xczPKiD8cqDxqcG1NquB/s1600/IMG_1520.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">{ I started a skin care regime for the first time in my life. <br />With the help of my beauty therapist I am trying to get rid <br />of my "pregnancy mask" using the Aspect range.<br /> Morning and night!} </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEile77UUF1ZXVvh_H23g0B8ikFoHgbTjfBOp7BHeU66XdZlNz-HbRtNx-qSbrrTRYdyy1qONXwTwK1_9qXLBnoEokgjarkFhCB3DR6rc3djxYMeuV_BFzk4V0375blJurqIW-L1JqpHIv6S/s1600/IMG_1561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEile77UUF1ZXVvh_H23g0B8ikFoHgbTjfBOp7BHeU66XdZlNz-HbRtNx-qSbrrTRYdyy1qONXwTwK1_9qXLBnoEokgjarkFhCB3DR6rc3djxYMeuV_BFzk4V0375blJurqIW-L1JqpHIv6S/s1600/IMG_1561.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">{ I tried my first ever spinach smoothie...<br />thankfully the banana and blue berries disguised the flavour}</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>My birthday is coming up next month. Just saying. There may well be a giveaway...</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>I'm thinking of doing what Katie from <a href="http://www.mummy-adventures.com/">Mummy Adventures </a> does this year. She thinks up a number of things to do before her next birthday that is about her age. Since I'm turning 33 I have to think up 33 things to do before my next birthday. I have an idea! Can you throw some suggestions my way in the comments section below. OOOhhh This could be fun or rather daunting! Making things...reading things....watching things...doing things....climbing things.....Help me out here! Ill take your suggestions and come up with some of my own and we'll make a birthday thing out of it!</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG1GyfjAYosxTICJ-O34n6V2l7f1dgojjBSvG7Wtu7jTIQeGWfDJfyBgNUS0wHT1otEmLzUixKZQ_wVTrjQSAn3EUoeEXgIgPyZwDDd9L0SdfVD8hr-Ebg3xkgdcnGubKIh2KYUqqYwD1d/s1600/IMG_1576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG1GyfjAYosxTICJ-O34n6V2l7f1dgojjBSvG7Wtu7jTIQeGWfDJfyBgNUS0wHT1otEmLzUixKZQ_wVTrjQSAn3EUoeEXgIgPyZwDDd9L0SdfVD8hr-Ebg3xkgdcnGubKIh2KYUqqYwD1d/s1600/IMG_1576.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">{ #nomakeupselfie}</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
jackstahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09433816784934589899noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558182024850908579.post-56608149716415853772014-03-27T10:13:00.000+13:002014-03-27T10:42:36.819+13:00My new toy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This Christmas I gave the hubster two options for my
present: 1) a Juicer or 2) a Juicer. To which he replied “not another kitchen appliance!”
Okaaaay! So I have a little addiction to collecting kitchen utensils and
appliances, but in my defense I use them all! Weirdly though instead of breaking this bad boy out of its box as soon as I got it on Christmas day...I
waited while I researched and contemplated what exactly to do with it. It’s a
pretty big contraption that needed a space in my already full of crap kitchen.
I also needed an abundance of fruit to juice. Then out of the blue I was given a giant bag
of unwanted home grown grapes from my parents and in-laws. First juice in juicer....grape
juice! Delicious! It was a good start.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmwlo6NYMDBKSqP-5bTZCMVgYb_4VFT-LferY21zwO0quMKTxxAivpNmKOOQKqd3QGl5GgVS8fwTntpzoKRD1_1X5_QG_CHPcm01yDJ4ZDnDOcoQsWx_Nb5sv_fI9-9zRNjeSB5LaGaOe/s1600/beetroot+and+apple+chocolate+cake+(6).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmwlo6NYMDBKSqP-5bTZCMVgYb_4VFT-LferY21zwO0quMKTxxAivpNmKOOQKqd3QGl5GgVS8fwTntpzoKRD1_1X5_QG_CHPcm01yDJ4ZDnDOcoQsWx_Nb5sv_fI9-9zRNjeSB5LaGaOe/s1600/beetroot+and+apple+chocolate+cake+(6).JPG" height="400" width="253" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">{Breville juice fountain}</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This week I was given a big bag of home grown apples and I bought
some beetroot hoping to try a new mix. During my research I found that juicing
is a good way of getting a good dose of vitamins and a whole bunch of nutrients but dietitians and nutritionists
are skeptical of the fact that while the juice may be good the fiber that is
left out from the juicing is a real shame....queue today’s experimental
cooking!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjADwYB7OJjAjzuhBjhmrDZeg6UBvaUPWV6BijjJ4584tWbLfSCnamgzxjNgs3XYqmQc3maeZ_sw6JmH2He_OSMbyfh-gDskIny1gSI86yCE1kxUa-FWIGDi6PCFKeHl9YYlQiCaLEzCbMB/s1600/IMG_1578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjADwYB7OJjAjzuhBjhmrDZeg6UBvaUPWV6BijjJ4584tWbLfSCnamgzxjNgs3XYqmQc3maeZ_sw6JmH2He_OSMbyfh-gDskIny1gSI86yCE1kxUa-FWIGDi6PCFKeHl9YYlQiCaLEzCbMB/s1600/IMG_1578.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">{Zak Zak is absolutely obsessed with helping me juice. He keeps asking when we can do again.}</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEharZPdtqQsFdB34fY-AHN4XSt09xCY83-DCVStACNaktBNLUcVEf7UVCCrgRk6OQnS3mpEshehGrXIOh-4QP46eh-t-pmHXHZ1P2jwlvRLnvt5dhqh7umRMxZIdZkCKNaS1n_VCqycQdEN/s1600/IMG_1581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEharZPdtqQsFdB34fY-AHN4XSt09xCY83-DCVStACNaktBNLUcVEf7UVCCrgRk6OQnS3mpEshehGrXIOh-4QP46eh-t-pmHXHZ1P2jwlvRLnvt5dhqh7umRMxZIdZkCKNaS1n_VCqycQdEN/s1600/IMG_1581.JPG" height="400" width="298" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">{Apple and beetroot juice}</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My juicer can apparently take whole apples peel and pips in
all, but I took the time to peel and cut out the flesh from each one and I did
the same for the beetroot. After the juicing process the pulp I was left with
was quite dry so what I did was, I added the gross frothy stuff that comes out and a little tap water to re-hydrate it and
then I popped it in the microwave to cook for about 4 minutes. It looked just
like actual apple sauce except with a few larger bits of pulp. I then used a
hand blender and blitzed up the fruit pulp until it was smooth. </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgTF-RrwLkipi9wbluNyA0lUcpG4pbc0KNWhyIP1yDsPNQd6kSuFAqC5vPs_jUHRwG9J7uYH4TUH1L-rN953DgqgUZLvX2Yi9H7W2x3wEDk6oxOiJWMV4XLhLsImAvUK06H7N5doyaj-B1/s1600/IMG_1580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgTF-RrwLkipi9wbluNyA0lUcpG4pbc0KNWhyIP1yDsPNQd6kSuFAqC5vPs_jUHRwG9J7uYH4TUH1L-rN953DgqgUZLvX2Yi9H7W2x3wEDk6oxOiJWMV4XLhLsImAvUK06H7N5doyaj-B1/s1600/IMG_1580.JPG" height="285" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">{Re-hydrated and cooked apple and beetroot pulp from juicer}</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> ~Apple and Beetroot Chocolate cake~</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></u></b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvoq-YaAZYI_80LJDRBb9SxbjJGyVHGvWBwF8xUAZU4TUqwzEIquBCarRYNOd_8axwqTBSZeDzoPXPf7GtRGUNzayU7YW5A2pJTA5eMps4DmYeDd-bRqVEKr3dH2yVwW0OYjTtd1GkwQrA/s1600/beetroot+and+apple+chocolate+cake+(11).JPG" height="640" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="436" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">{super moist}</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvoq-YaAZYI_80LJDRBb9SxbjJGyVHGvWBwF8xUAZU4TUqwzEIquBCarRYNOd_8axwqTBSZeDzoPXPf7GtRGUNzayU7YW5A2pJTA5eMps4DmYeDd-bRqVEKr3dH2yVwW0OYjTtd1GkwQrA/s1600/beetroot+and+apple+chocolate+cake+(11).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Righto ready for some cake!</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I turned my juicing pulp into a chocolate cake...but a
healthy- good for you- version!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I haven’t quite perfected the recipe yet but here's how I did
it:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Beetroot and Apple Chocolate cake</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">200g butter melted</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 cup white sugar</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 and ½ cups beetroot and apple cooked pulp</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 Egg</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 cup self raising flour</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">½ dark cocoa</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 cup dark chocolate chips</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl. Pour mix into a greased cake tin and cook
until skewer comes out clean around 40 minutes on 180 degree oven. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When cool. Ice it with your favourite chocolate icing. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The result a super moist cake.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The kids have almost finished the whole cake and because it
has beetroot in it... I'm just stoked they are eating it! Especially since they didn't really
like the juice I made them.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next time I might try and see if the same works for carrot
pulp from carrot juice. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfHOcHBC9R8fkLdAJvoTnxnikMx99OkQhcqut1dGzNgyZeP2kf9n2XO17PwAJKGwWocQQnn0YoMBuHLBQCs62RGB_abPQ4YhDCcA2q_2GUS1K4gK0YvTK9HDSNR_1zVGoe23W-g8EzcXP9/s1600/beetroot+and+apple+chocolate+cake+(10).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfHOcHBC9R8fkLdAJvoTnxnikMx99OkQhcqut1dGzNgyZeP2kf9n2XO17PwAJKGwWocQQnn0YoMBuHLBQCs62RGB_abPQ4YhDCcA2q_2GUS1K4gK0YvTK9HDSNR_1zVGoe23W-g8EzcXP9/s1600/beetroot+and+apple+chocolate+cake+(10).JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">{Not usually a cake eater!}</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />jackstahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09433816784934589899noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558182024850908579.post-15732485018146744192014-02-18T11:47:00.000+13:002014-02-18T11:47:38.890+13:00ba hum bug<br />
<ul>
<li>So finally after a couple of years of this blogging thing...I have finally have to write the words I hate reading on other peoples blogs..."hello poor neglected blog"</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>I'm not going to say I told you so...but I will... instagram has killed the blog mojo. I knew it would happen...I saw other bloggers fall into instagrams miry dark underworld. A place where friendships soar over a picture of a cup of coffee and followers are gained from a hipstamatic picture of pink neon nails. Curse you instagram and your ease of use. Your ability to fill my time in line at the coffee shop as I scroll through endless pictures and comments and short descriptions, simultaneously placing me and other strangers connected by the same hash tag in real time some where, some place. Interconnected and scrolling. Scrolling, scrolling, scrolling. Curse you little heart that quickly informs the instagramer that I have indeed seen their picture and have decided to 'like it". And curse you little heart that make me want my pictures to have many hearts also. *waves fist*</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>If only blogger could figure out a way to be easier to use on the iPhone...or at least figure out a way to leave comments on other peoples blogs from the iPhone/Android. Unless you have already figured it out...please share with it with me! Until then reading blogs and commenting while on the go will remain a mystery to me. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>On a lighter note. I watched Pitch Perfect again recently, and I cannot get the songs out of my head! I think I might get the DVD version. I think it is going to have to be a "I'm having a bad day" movie pick me up. SO far my current bad day pick me up movie is "50 first dates". Oh I love that movie. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>So we are back into some semblance of a school routine. Except for today. I'm bunking Mainly Music. Been working the last 4 days with this afternoon to come, and I'm kinda tired. Clapping and pretending to enjoy myself so that Mr Zak zak will finally show some enthusiasm for it was not on my agenda today. Honestly why I force it, I don't know. Maybe its the coffee and the cake for the grown ups and a natter with a friend that keeps me going. We are having a quiet morning instead. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>On the first day of school Joe had his bags packed, lunch made and was ready to go to school at 7am...only a cool hour and half before necessary. I'm glad he loves school so much. Miss Joy couldn't wait to see her friends again too. It seemed like a really long summer holiday...7 weeks! </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><u><b>Although I must say we did squeeze in a few adventures....</b></u></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;">These two gorgeous monkeys entered into their first real sporting event. Both were rather apprehensive but gave all their athletic events a good go. Over 1000 young children aged 7-14 descended on Whangarei early in January for the North Island champs. What dedication these parents and children have! And I was so proud of Miss Joy who managed to get a gold medal with her mixed medley relay team. Initially she didn't even want to compete in this event! SO pleased we encouraged her to fulfill her potential! Well done my girl! Joe won himself a few ribbons for his troubles. </span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0s9cqBoaLibZTeY2uLLCmCXO-zwFKPmgpf9geE0t5dnwpE3Y9a6LEWFEcREB9uBBMMIrTAaJeGKBul5IEl9Z3m-59bL3XciYNkl89zNRtjx-RlKLbNDxeRVW5W46UMNd5hCIVY53ekKkc/s1600/athletics-10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0s9cqBoaLibZTeY2uLLCmCXO-zwFKPmgpf9geE0t5dnwpE3Y9a6LEWFEcREB9uBBMMIrTAaJeGKBul5IEl9Z3m-59bL3XciYNkl89zNRtjx-RlKLbNDxeRVW5W46UMNd5hCIVY53ekKkc/s1600/athletics-10.JPG" height="400" width="265" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnCyRUDN_XWTFxnB_1WGn1u-YuP2Var5_DV-C-BO0Gt1u89ftaLZw6EiEdF3RuvmINNbvqDwWa8n4o-Wd_LvZuS1Vp7X0X7KNWaZymieD5QhIrdW46gcfGwOGW08KFA2AXMq8d115soDnT/s1600/athletics-33.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnCyRUDN_XWTFxnB_1WGn1u-YuP2Var5_DV-C-BO0Gt1u89ftaLZw6EiEdF3RuvmINNbvqDwWa8n4o-Wd_LvZuS1Vp7X0X7KNWaZymieD5QhIrdW46gcfGwOGW08KFA2AXMq8d115soDnT/s1600/athletics-33.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;"><b style="text-decoration: underline;">Exploring: </b> So there's this one museum we walk past on a weekly basis in our city..The Claphams Clock Museum but we had never been to it. One day on a rare occasion when we were all together we rather spontaneously decided to do it. And we really enjoyed it! The cuckcoo clocks were our favorite. I highly recommend going when the tour is on. The lady was quite knowledgeable and gets to touch the clocks and set them off together. Zak Zak was a good boy for the most part and kept his hands in his pockets under my instruction. He did try sneaking through the barriers a few times though!</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiYATsPE1Jm3o_GmtTZ67I8J1tLjQbgsuUqZcg8iCqC7zo5WYrcLVu1TXZiT0oZe1V2_901jboZFPOvma879UMzCOpqpZWOVdSyJyZ_zEL0ao5of-46tpeRE4WtCHlZnc_JQtJ6iV8ynzU/s1600/holidays-7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiYATsPE1Jm3o_GmtTZ67I8J1tLjQbgsuUqZcg8iCqC7zo5WYrcLVu1TXZiT0oZe1V2_901jboZFPOvma879UMzCOpqpZWOVdSyJyZ_zEL0ao5of-46tpeRE4WtCHlZnc_JQtJ6iV8ynzU/s1600/holidays-7.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYW8vrCc_T6pPUsQhzGxOj6pVNGgiMdAbXLOVzvtj00msGlGMumT5v-zqENZZBjRptN1MCZPW4fjIA-Qgj4qwY4gpJULia6b9NkOChfP6PGBePSSiTrYQG91WUaWPETnyZLL6f2Lf9k5j6/s1600/holidays-20.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYW8vrCc_T6pPUsQhzGxOj6pVNGgiMdAbXLOVzvtj00msGlGMumT5v-zqENZZBjRptN1MCZPW4fjIA-Qgj4qwY4gpJULia6b9NkOChfP6PGBePSSiTrYQG91WUaWPETnyZLL6f2Lf9k5j6/s1600/holidays-20.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
</div>
<br />
<ul>
<li><u style="font-weight: bold;">Off the beaten track: </u> SO we have been to Auckland so many times and done all the usual kiddie things. I thought this time we would try some different activities. I saw the ad for the <a href="http://www.maze.co.nz/">Maize Maze</a>. I googled and decided we would try it. We were staying in the area for it so it worked out well. It was super creepy driving in to the place. It is situated where the "Spookers" attraction is at an old mental health hospital. Its all abandoned, derelict and creepy as!!</li>
</ul>
<br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix6s0prTG6IHDHdk2xGm5xp4-XmLHQ4z-2Gt96ULc_bxrrrkUIziKlBABzt6sgYD1DPhWvJEP_h5O7bvf9tyqk28FUfTIE7FlFpEcfyJu7DQUcCBv0FqOVxuFZUUE_wdr5dgEu3Yi9IjZs/s1600/trip+to+auckland-84.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix6s0prTG6IHDHdk2xGm5xp4-XmLHQ4z-2Gt96ULc_bxrrrkUIziKlBABzt6sgYD1DPhWvJEP_h5O7bvf9tyqk28FUfTIE7FlFpEcfyJu7DQUcCBv0FqOVxuFZUUE_wdr5dgEu3Yi9IjZs/s1600/trip+to+auckland-84.JPG" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVi2kfL9MJfSEjVq-tAyMGxipmf4vd60okpxsUI_bR-tLDT-sf57WkagYj67iIRcIiecx0dqnoV0MPg5avjjRqAVlaXzp43MM3b6EKyHtZBOD27fgH_yql8qhRIEwF-4V_QymZ2F-3swG2/s1600/trip+to+auckland-92.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVi2kfL9MJfSEjVq-tAyMGxipmf4vd60okpxsUI_bR-tLDT-sf57WkagYj67iIRcIiecx0dqnoV0MPg5avjjRqAVlaXzp43MM3b6EKyHtZBOD27fgH_yql8qhRIEwF-4V_QymZ2F-3swG2/s1600/trip+to+auckland-92.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">{creepy place}</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqC_OCp6fNTK8nj9Sgv8pCXnd9v0U3eKe06zmc-w0M8FHyj8SgeGYifZtG8RHmUFj8kYQUXdVDz0itXQ1pcKywb6RCgedeehUJtqzFZWqCgJGMtz80zlM1Y1hNRn9ES1KJOw1I4a8HleWu/s1600/trip+to+auckland-109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqC_OCp6fNTK8nj9Sgv8pCXnd9v0U3eKe06zmc-w0M8FHyj8SgeGYifZtG8RHmUFj8kYQUXdVDz0itXQ1pcKywb6RCgedeehUJtqzFZWqCgJGMtz80zlM1Y1hNRn9ES1KJOw1I4a8HleWu/s1600/trip+to+auckland-109.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC-BMKIxNtl93loT9OLdJgj1GV4eMMChN5V-liVE5uwolqUmo4Xt5tqXfFvlsvhpG0DTuEjDK_Wlaq0tVC1cvlM-V2WiK2ORgNMl29Vb9qA1gNL_CSZVrbTe9_s6kE8s_lgW0IwvbtJ1Qj/s1600/trip+to+auckland-100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC-BMKIxNtl93loT9OLdJgj1GV4eMMChN5V-liVE5uwolqUmo4Xt5tqXfFvlsvhpG0DTuEjDK_Wlaq0tVC1cvlM-V2WiK2ORgNMl29Vb9qA1gNL_CSZVrbTe9_s6kE8s_lgW0IwvbtJ1Qj/s1600/trip+to+auckland-100.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU2WG40SFVABUTRu4S3tv7khHdtcD-1c1w4sJCIjc1veE1GUC7wiqhTcHNyBsVtRFpyb_yo8T9qAxAKZ9M9oOGBeP-THSrpV653qPcdc-FtcIPZLhj_-niTE2X82-ZYcB7mHphLWP8bFK-/s1600/trip+to+auckland-97.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU2WG40SFVABUTRu4S3tv7khHdtcD-1c1w4sJCIjc1veE1GUC7wiqhTcHNyBsVtRFpyb_yo8T9qAxAKZ9M9oOGBeP-THSrpV653qPcdc-FtcIPZLhj_-niTE2X82-ZYcB7mHphLWP8bFK-/s1600/trip+to+auckland-97.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>The three year old was pretty over it quite quickly stating every few minutes "I want to get out of here". Dadda found another family who were losing their way a bit...and suddenly it was on! Us against them....who could get out alive first! They beat us by a narrow margin...only because we got stuck behind their push chair...Ha! Ice blocks all around afterwards. It was super hot and only 10am. Great fun for the family. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>The Next day we thought we would join half of Auckland at the Pukekohe race track to watch the Colour Race. Major traffic jam getting there...but I managed to direct us through a few back roads. A friend was doing it...but do you think I could find her any where!? Needle in a haystack. We all decided we would be back next year to compete in it our selves. It looked like so much fun. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR9gsFV4XLC04hbr8Rl1hMrby0128KiwR8hdHzu08S00SCdnXmD7ev9_eUopYgmgXDcqhQS7yGNGMs2SoMf487ZiqUXWhQRS0eeLVCAigYuecolCbKCCzmlHyHLQusH0uMrG89dMEhdSJA/s1600/trip+to+auckland-50.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR9gsFV4XLC04hbr8Rl1hMrby0128KiwR8hdHzu08S00SCdnXmD7ev9_eUopYgmgXDcqhQS7yGNGMs2SoMf487ZiqUXWhQRS0eeLVCAigYuecolCbKCCzmlHyHLQusH0uMrG89dMEhdSJA/s1600/trip+to+auckland-50.JPG" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv0ZYb1b1__LMUGRqf0KAhJkIrirmsWWV6rcIVab78s0BRC1uwcfjdumZ8iQByr370XZZheznoAaRKns2qZSvDqCAq4Rof97Br_bjxNj9eQa-nqU7W7wod6fkRUVHkcXt0UUDWIWnaUc-G/s1600/trip+to+auckland-70.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv0ZYb1b1__LMUGRqf0KAhJkIrirmsWWV6rcIVab78s0BRC1uwcfjdumZ8iQByr370XZZheznoAaRKns2qZSvDqCAq4Rof97Br_bjxNj9eQa-nqU7W7wod6fkRUVHkcXt0UUDWIWnaUc-G/s1600/trip+to+auckland-70.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ahQuQ4RMbNvz-8P3IhXwozaoMBSCDvEq9VDfAFAZ4nbvgAuBIWejA3ZdK4YPX2FCjPj2-1zfJVpicfsn6d1qxY_YT5dKB-opOiaefG3G7aY8GpImPXPsYOujnOMfeDPweYfs2Yl0lxli/s1600/trip+to+auckland-78.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ahQuQ4RMbNvz-8P3IhXwozaoMBSCDvEq9VDfAFAZ4nbvgAuBIWejA3ZdK4YPX2FCjPj2-1zfJVpicfsn6d1qxY_YT5dKB-opOiaefG3G7aY8GpImPXPsYOujnOMfeDPweYfs2Yl0lxli/s1600/trip+to+auckland-78.JPG" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhegUH7YP4Kpe8fKbTCXQPpggM42YFaWJqIZ4wXMXGYmyevZHzxTBqTQ-EiuueLbQg-vrd2pT-TfXzKizxOc_B8JVeyZ1LtM08xJ4Xx_IUpih29EiLDkBUNYjfospEq6Zzu0D07avdLxQO6/s1600/trip+to+auckland-54.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhegUH7YP4Kpe8fKbTCXQPpggM42YFaWJqIZ4wXMXGYmyevZHzxTBqTQ-EiuueLbQg-vrd2pT-TfXzKizxOc_B8JVeyZ1LtM08xJ4Xx_IUpih29EiLDkBUNYjfospEq6Zzu0D07avdLxQO6/s1600/trip+to+auckland-54.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>And on the way home we decided to take the scenic route home through Mangawhai...a bit of detour...but the coastal route home. We stopped off at the Bennetts Chocolate Factory for some goodies! And found a couple of fun play grounds for the kids to explore too. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZm7ELC_3t2FVbxBwyA14Hd4phsMbwAX8j9LJQ8G8OcUiH1sR6zsV1f2uI1POD22pzg1ZknETmBAhfTBaP0jpxR5OIcEB9plThSCd7rYzJ4ykGzfvGQDrVUqLU_OvZZRCDDzRrAJPg1z-/s1600/trip+to+auckland-29.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZm7ELC_3t2FVbxBwyA14Hd4phsMbwAX8j9LJQ8G8OcUiH1sR6zsV1f2uI1POD22pzg1ZknETmBAhfTBaP0jpxR5OIcEB9plThSCd7rYzJ4ykGzfvGQDrVUqLU_OvZZRCDDzRrAJPg1z-/s1600/trip+to+auckland-29.JPG" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">{The glee of an inward facing swing set}</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUbBVGsqSSL0f294vkV_mGwCe_pKssIajAK7HuVn0ILDDAD703cKiKD4rbmFRnhC5RchEZUXuUOS6NXn9aJoUxTiyGJXEMY9yaJ5tuqI43Q8cX5_ZAy9maWJqWId_BFc33Wx9XntuCG26r/s1600/trip+to+auckland-41.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUbBVGsqSSL0f294vkV_mGwCe_pKssIajAK7HuVn0ILDDAD703cKiKD4rbmFRnhC5RchEZUXuUOS6NXn9aJoUxTiyGJXEMY9yaJ5tuqI43Q8cX5_ZAy9maWJqWId_BFc33Wx9XntuCG26r/s1600/trip+to+auckland-41.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMWox63EsNeuvNF7upAOIjTwqGH7p4LbC0HHbzUNu8x72ACYCvFvo3xmDoG0XW5X_3mNYs2Jl4TIDgy-FfoW8NDcel1h6kZZBnU0AozYooUVZ0FwcfvOxkDgmk0lN0WPfAZgtgpvrdFW24/s1600/trip+to+auckland-37.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMWox63EsNeuvNF7upAOIjTwqGH7p4LbC0HHbzUNu8x72ACYCvFvo3xmDoG0XW5X_3mNYs2Jl4TIDgy-FfoW8NDcel1h6kZZBnU0AozYooUVZ0FwcfvOxkDgmk0lN0WPfAZgtgpvrdFW24/s1600/trip+to+auckland-37.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">{mmm Chocolate...}</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm4NU4a7Z3RhNkv_0lGSbewHwOEm9rN7XFu_9ojLV94ACnanbXWehoeXrIaeMuQpNV0oOa-sUNw-kQXzSHEDskYyhKpJ_SxlS83rbkOy_EvXsicdWxd05f5FXrNOl93WjUqwJKoP0fcfUM/s1600/trip+to+auckland-49.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm4NU4a7Z3RhNkv_0lGSbewHwOEm9rN7XFu_9ojLV94ACnanbXWehoeXrIaeMuQpNV0oOa-sUNw-kQXzSHEDskYyhKpJ_SxlS83rbkOy_EvXsicdWxd05f5FXrNOl93WjUqwJKoP0fcfUM/s1600/trip+to+auckland-49.JPG" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGMXf_rdzfbNcVU7yUjawrG6aTTLi4V8718NqOHSVSaqkw3UEbamrjjOKfl44Lt_M4GiIW2LM6SVL9_uioCeUeQ51JONWAO8llGMmZ1UTE1R3xSxyK5311qYWXfMIQ7zYThcoFZv4S54JT/s1600/trip+to+auckland-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGMXf_rdzfbNcVU7yUjawrG6aTTLi4V8718NqOHSVSaqkw3UEbamrjjOKfl44Lt_M4GiIW2LM6SVL9_uioCeUeQ51JONWAO8llGMmZ1UTE1R3xSxyK5311qYWXfMIQ7zYThcoFZv4S54JT/s1600/trip+to+auckland-3.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{ Mangawhai }</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiibTg11fb_oirkoWsnVOqSU6EFuUPFDSJ4zhhfxJ9nDncm_XG_yqM-0Vt9uLCgUus2Q-1XYb6jvtZ3X7HV_FlLZyC47QLWK76WJZqt3MoWTkihDZRMYa-ezfeFBTvAm1U3tXqJEUyhunZ/s1600/trip+to+auckland-14.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiibTg11fb_oirkoWsnVOqSU6EFuUPFDSJ4zhhfxJ9nDncm_XG_yqM-0Vt9uLCgUus2Q-1XYb6jvtZ3X7HV_FlLZyC47QLWK76WJZqt3MoWTkihDZRMYa-ezfeFBTvAm1U3tXqJEUyhunZ/s1600/trip+to+auckland-14.JPG" height="414" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Mandatory Selfie...otherwise who would even know I was on this trip!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I've decided...its fun exploring with this lot...and may there be many more adventures to come. </div>
jackstahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09433816784934589899noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558182024850908579.post-6072764324722479092014-01-11T12:15:00.000+13:002014-01-11T17:53:40.676+13:00holiday catch up<b>Hiya!</b><br />
I thought it was about time to catch you up on the haps around here in my favourite format..bullet point style!<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>We celebrated Miss Joys Birthday the week before Christmas with a bowling and laser maze party. Oh the pain of hearing the balls bounce on the floor! </li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnGF2jXOBtSnJdPYCIg-ZdFa1xJ2Kj3gq8eof6CQ06X77a0ReExZZuvuMJjLNWr-ZLwVltFCkHfAQz9_j3ByTZXZiDi0H7Vh1_5lzgRnUmtfUGOIO02_C9kG_wqEatSILySE7TXwaWAdMb/s1600/tenpinbirthday-20.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnGF2jXOBtSnJdPYCIg-ZdFa1xJ2Kj3gq8eof6CQ06X77a0ReExZZuvuMJjLNWr-ZLwVltFCkHfAQz9_j3ByTZXZiDi0H7Vh1_5lzgRnUmtfUGOIO02_C9kG_wqEatSILySE7TXwaWAdMb/s1600/tenpinbirthday-20.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<ul>
<li>One of the joys of parenting is watching how your kids interact when they around their friends and peers. Their personalities come out and its like you are on safari and are watching a lion cub in its own environment somewhere in Africa. There was one friend who was apprehensive about trying bowling. They patiently tried to encourage her to try it when ever it was her turn. She declined. They just made light of the situation by cheering her up, until finally when it was one of the last turns she surprised us all by having a turn. Watching this lovely group of friends about 6 in all made my little heart happy. All friends since year one or two displaying beautiful personality traits that I'm happy for my daughter to be around. No cattiness that is synonymous for this age group, just a bunch of sweeties. May it stay this way, even when the hormones kick in! </li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ju07iJGfHm7d9LI9yU9ntHMu0cmhc1A0s6NBRm73fabAAWFvn-V3i894ypk0dDcPloF2scAPB6h3gf1qNiwU52YfavIwslvrWzPY32sJ0dwFHkuUKEdMJ0g2dv8PF1xlmalaKdhyphenhyphenBPT_/s1600/tenpinbirthday-26+cropped.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ju07iJGfHm7d9LI9yU9ntHMu0cmhc1A0s6NBRm73fabAAWFvn-V3i894ypk0dDcPloF2scAPB6h3gf1qNiwU52YfavIwslvrWzPY32sJ0dwFHkuUKEdMJ0g2dv8PF1xlmalaKdhyphenhyphenBPT_/s1600/tenpinbirthday-26+cropped.JPG" height="376" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>I was pretty happy with how my cake turned out.The ladies at the bowling place were pretty stoked with it too! It was a pretty cool cake to make...I printed out a template from the computer of a blown up ten pin and cut it out of a rectangle banana cake. The icing was just lemon flavoured butter icing whipped up for ages to get a white colour for the pin colour. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIrZDifvCZaoqJqr9gpVlAtAX0zSDPsm4RjCxQ2_e7H-HiGkJKiCN_jh51_ZOqojFME0ss0E0t7lO35evPoj8dduFV5kkmsyKhuIh1a0UfawpU4JAoTcxg0hwg9NRc1DgO_00bcDg7JjFw/s1600/tenpinbowling-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIrZDifvCZaoqJqr9gpVlAtAX0zSDPsm4RjCxQ2_e7H-HiGkJKiCN_jh51_ZOqojFME0ss0E0t7lO35evPoj8dduFV5kkmsyKhuIh1a0UfawpU4JAoTcxg0hwg9NRc1DgO_00bcDg7JjFw/s1600/tenpinbowling-1.JPG" height="400" width="345" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{ten pin bowling cake}</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;">Christmas celebrations began on the Christmas Eve in my parents back yard. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZhHcxXbpYTC5elfd_nGnFXkjCcrqvNiMlyV7LhcDPSxlr7vSGFI4tB9-QeisszaxzVIbnu8bLbqzODh7pyZs-tqSFSmQceJRmzGIrJ1xMDm2he-ZptALuWBD3gOrPzOyrH5WGSFwZoN6/s1600/holidays-69.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZhHcxXbpYTC5elfd_nGnFXkjCcrqvNiMlyV7LhcDPSxlr7vSGFI4tB9-QeisszaxzVIbnu8bLbqzODh7pyZs-tqSFSmQceJRmzGIrJ1xMDm2he-ZptALuWBD3gOrPzOyrH5WGSFwZoN6/s1600/holidays-69.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuw0oENaVX-T_82Y47piUyqLo7Fd07iJBxy8yuv3KAF1dh8QONZPLS5rxfgYwVu87vCCYKHz8EVHL1HSBXzV_bWgljm-KMkHnxXocr5GfzFmTTn_HLYjoNGD7x6uFMXt6PcrWQH7Y3Gz9q/s1600/christmas+page.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuw0oENaVX-T_82Y47piUyqLo7Fd07iJBxy8yuv3KAF1dh8QONZPLS5rxfgYwVu87vCCYKHz8EVHL1HSBXzV_bWgljm-KMkHnxXocr5GfzFmTTn_HLYjoNGD7x6uFMXt6PcrWQH7Y3Gz9q/s1600/christmas+page.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{I didn't realize I bought so many book presents!}</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>After stuffing our selves with a selection of cooked glazed ham and veges....I brought out my contribution which was a Baked White chocolate and berry Cheese cake. Oh my! this was so good...and we had no trouble finishing off the left overs a couple of days later. I HAVE to make it again some time soon! I got the idea for the design on top from where else but<a href="http://www.cookingclassy.com/2011/11/white-chocolate-raspberry-cheesecake-2/"> Pinterest here at this link. </a> So yum!</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipqOvpWkQsSFv1Xu40deJbxirsbe7LoMhGLnqxwtAYCAXvXK2b0_5kfwd_BPdC1k0eX6cvTEzTVzvdJdSTilhVJH7O5qzY520_vNLEM6En-6vuEXprszfzChlJFfbMEg1oThcedR6WSFVS/s1600/holidays-41.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="display: inline !important; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipqOvpWkQsSFv1Xu40deJbxirsbe7LoMhGLnqxwtAYCAXvXK2b0_5kfwd_BPdC1k0eX6cvTEzTVzvdJdSTilhVJH7O5qzY520_vNLEM6En-6vuEXprszfzChlJFfbMEg1oThcedR6WSFVS/s1600/holidays-41.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>The next day we spent Christmas day at Hubsters parents place. We started eating early with croissants for breakfast followed by present opening and then proceeded on to a gourmet lunch. I forgot to take my camera with me but got a couple of pics on my phone.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwUZp-BY2gASZ8hMzxE0BmOJ5fv2j2cEul1soBzlIGZW4VhowFQeUlX44VzyynKincBERInHQmEV4M3it8MOx_rCBT2BPORF8SYadAhj6zJ3Vnva8bdQDkSV0vm-Ih4eDR3bBKKWxz6vcV/s1600/IMG_0947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwUZp-BY2gASZ8hMzxE0BmOJ5fv2j2cEul1soBzlIGZW4VhowFQeUlX44VzyynKincBERInHQmEV4M3it8MOx_rCBT2BPORF8SYadAhj6zJ3Vnva8bdQDkSV0vm-Ih4eDR3bBKKWxz6vcV/s1600/IMG_0947.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;">{Grandma dressed the kids as elves!}</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaQCTpAtgsHzz2itlNYPBUOsZD0uC9s2oyEk_cf829lbWdPnMe2wuiLL7ZRFJudfqSZ222GMS-SY57RhmhBbbAykbPAm22QzrfIeRJ3JSMvNs2iFozQfKpBAN_pfQKDjDB5mI-ISZXABIe/s1600/IMG_0973.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaQCTpAtgsHzz2itlNYPBUOsZD0uC9s2oyEk_cf829lbWdPnMe2wuiLL7ZRFJudfqSZ222GMS-SY57RhmhBbbAykbPAm22QzrfIeRJ3JSMvNs2iFozQfKpBAN_pfQKDjDB5mI-ISZXABIe/s1600/IMG_0973.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;">{Gourmet Christmas lunch....</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Salmon ceviche, roasted duck breast with cherry compote, Individual tiramisu and port, crackers and cheeses} </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<ul>
<li> I made the tiramisu and it turned out so much nicer than I had hoped. Quite light and fluffy. There was a general consensus that most of us hate soggy desserts like trifle...so the challenge to was so not let it get too soggy. Those lady fingers had a one second dip in the coffee! And I only prepped it a couple of hours before it was due. So yum.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2 for 2 for Christmas desserts this year! </div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaAmO2jkGCjWRHDLSgLmm4HSHzfnC2p0MkaGE9L5oCMPkWZ3rDEMvOekuAh9VpDH4ZmtYvmjdtnsLJrh7KH-E-X-wMmVFsh08uaYPCBuKIqtaSX0u59S0zq44sEaWJ-086BhmggTQOZd3H/s1600/IMG_0950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaAmO2jkGCjWRHDLSgLmm4HSHzfnC2p0MkaGE9L5oCMPkWZ3rDEMvOekuAh9VpDH4ZmtYvmjdtnsLJrh7KH-E-X-wMmVFsh08uaYPCBuKIqtaSX0u59S0zq44sEaWJ-086BhmggTQOZd3H/s1600/IMG_0950.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">{mwah}</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<ul>
<li>The eating continued on boxing day! My bothers came over to my place for a BBQ and stuffed lamb.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>This blog post makes it sound like I have done a lot of eating! Well you would be right! The eating continued the week after Christmas when my MIL and FIL invited us to stay with them at a book a bach place on the Tutukaka coast. The house had a little pool at the back which kept the kids occupied all week. So blessed to be able to be out at coast. I had to drive back in to town couple of the days including New years day...which made for very little celebrations for new years eve...again! I really hope to be dancing next new years eve! </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>With all this holiday eating..I'll be going on a diet! The walking will have to start again. AND the hubster gave me a juicer for christmas so Ill have to get on that bandwagon! </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>For a lot of the last part of the year I have struggled with a sore shoulder. I have just lived with the pain.. hoping it would go away, but it hasn't. I can barely brush my hair, get stuck in tight clothes and wake up in searing pain after I have moved it wrong somehow in my sleep. SO I finally went and saw my GP...a "rotator cuff injury". Darn it. I need it to get better. Its been getting sore at work...so that is sucking. </li>
</ul>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Reading. I bought a couple of NZ authored e-books that were on special on my phone (just $4!). Jay Jay Feeny's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Misconception-true-story-life-infertility-ebook/dp/B00EPSGZAM">"Misconception"</a>. An honest account of their troubles with fertility and their quest to have a family, with a little of her life story too. And currently reading her other half's book "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bucket-List-Idiot-Dom-Harvey-ebook/dp/B009EHDYOE">The bucket list of an idiot"</a> by Dominic Harvey. Laugh out loud funny. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Hope all is well in your neck of the woods. I think I am finally up to date with all my favourite blogs on the reading list. Once all the "noise" has died down around here later on this month and normality resumes...and I can hear myself think...I may have something a little more inspiring and insightful to say! Until then...enjoy your holiday...while I countdown the days until school begins...which for the record is...10 days! Wait 10 days??? is that it? Yeah!</li>
</ul>
<div>
<b><i>*Amendment!! I had another look at the calendar! I think I'm the one who needs to go back to school! I have recounted the days...I was a whole week off! Its seventeen days....<span style="font-size: x-large;">17 days!</span></i></b></div>
</div>
<div>
<b><i>Oh gosh...what I'm I going to do with this lot for that many days! I'm sure we will all think of something</i></b>!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />jackstahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09433816784934589899noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558182024850908579.post-35343205998365269972013-12-13T20:52:00.000+13:002013-12-13T20:56:53.043+13:00Is it Christmas Already!?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXFwjIVqVsR_jE4aZdLFnw0Z5ga5ehEyYyK8aZ-ASwIjNx505lLGXu5pcTikuRXFqDPLcP4XQ5HmgVqFwwQiqleNEP9RoleBzqVGEppLIAksdTQDV7DCY01cnLxlq9yoZzS7imUXLtSdRX/s1600/Christmas-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXFwjIVqVsR_jE4aZdLFnw0Z5ga5ehEyYyK8aZ-ASwIjNx505lLGXu5pcTikuRXFqDPLcP4XQ5HmgVqFwwQiqleNEP9RoleBzqVGEppLIAksdTQDV7DCY01cnLxlq9yoZzS7imUXLtSdRX/s400/Christmas-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<ul>
<li>Well we are well on the way to Christmas now. The kids finished up school for the year on Tuesday, and we are in holiday mode. Me included! Every afternoon this week I have spent a little time in the back yard on my swing seat and read a book. Not just any book! The <strike>freakin</strike> HOBBIT! This book is such a challenge for me...because a) I usually only read biographies and b) Im not a fantasy fiction fan. Honestly the only reason I sat through the Lord of the Rings trilogy was because it was NZ made. And you know how I love NZ made. But I am determined... and so far I am pleasantly surprised! I am really 'getting' why people love this stuff so much...hubster included!</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Our advent calendar is up and running and we are counting down the sleeps to Jesus Birthday and special times with family. We started the advent calendar last year, which I had put together from a kit set I bought at the lovely Tracy's Shop. The boxes are quite small, and can only fit about three lollies and a teeny piece of paper. And on that little piece of paper I have Advent Activities that we complete that day. Here are a few of the highlights so far...</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaJq9dLyMUjrHWZsbiM825MT-1oFbBh1jXK-KeRwwMWNcXQjx8iAzKR5IlOjLKUZi9Z-0uB72Kw7SYIHhoKdxspYdybDVS1YKbIIbY3eyMbir4Em0PlGDxGGMOjPTfYFSuZjggSeY8_gQN/s1600/advent3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaJq9dLyMUjrHWZsbiM825MT-1oFbBh1jXK-KeRwwMWNcXQjx8iAzKR5IlOjLKUZi9Z-0uB72Kw7SYIHhoKdxspYdybDVS1YKbIIbY3eyMbir4Em0PlGDxGGMOjPTfYFSuZjggSeY8_gQN/s400/advent3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2tGTBIxFkTtVL19WRzjxkryhiR5BmYUd8lbK-ZIVm3ow9YQq4rpZt6cTLzEPXKyIV1Npa11cn7KNZoYDOSyxPNdtyYsad-2gUZlgIFbnjgxH0Z7op_wDGGEAbcQM4w7GDc6BSE30nIsB3/s1600/advent+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2tGTBIxFkTtVL19WRzjxkryhiR5BmYUd8lbK-ZIVm3ow9YQq4rpZt6cTLzEPXKyIV1Npa11cn7KNZoYDOSyxPNdtyYsad-2gUZlgIFbnjgxH0Z7op_wDGGEAbcQM4w7GDc6BSE30nIsB3/s400/advent+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bought a keepsake ornament</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmn2EELBPKVMz5lGT9pVLyllcCD80vXusE3uRZHm1EixBon9F9OEHin06Dzint_8qGtUPGiQWswwxAxxiAlw3XBR98JSZY8lHgJKhsDV4gtmbXPwz280uEVEzYosPKqlAPruJdKgri6i6_/s1600/advent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmn2EELBPKVMz5lGT9pVLyllcCD80vXusE3uRZHm1EixBon9F9OEHin06Dzint_8qGtUPGiQWswwxAxxiAlw3XBR98JSZY8lHgJKhsDV4gtmbXPwz280uEVEzYosPKqlAPruJdKgri6i6_/s400/advent.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bought food for the food bank<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li>So far we have also been to a Christmas Parade, put up the tree, read a Christmas story, made paper chains, written out Xmas cards and done Christmas coloring in pages. I think having a little Christmas activity each day gives the kids the best gift ...and that is TIME...and they like a little sugar too! But we have so much more to come...Christmas baking...attempt to make marshmallows...go see the lights...make ginger bread men... so much fun to be had at this time of year! </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>As mentioned on this <a href="http://jacksta-b.blogspot.co.nz/2013/11/the-perfect-day.html">blog post.</a>..I took my annual Christmas card pic. I went for a beached theme once again... I cant help it!...we just love our Northland beaches and they provide a lovely back drop for my little sprogs. And as you can see by their faces, the sprogs love the beach...which means they smile more because they are just happy. I picked the beautiful<a href="https://maps.google.co.nz/maps?q=langs+beach&hnear=Langs+Beach,+Northland&t=h&z=13"> Langs beach</a> this year. Its not a beach we go to very often, but after this photo shoot Hubster and I agreed...if we won a million dollars we would retire here! Yes it really is that stunning. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Again Master Zak Zak proved to be an unwilling muse. You really have to have patience for children's photography...something I have very little of. This year I took literally hundreds of photos so there were lots to sift through. I did the stupidest thing, I left the boys nice shirts at home on the couch, so unfortunately they are in their beach clothes. Oh well! Miss Joy looked beautiful in her new dress and was photogenic as always. Hubster was in charge of project managing the "Snowman". I think he did a good job without a bucket or spade. Once he finished his project he spent the next hour in the surf, while I wrangled the kids into my shots. </li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz-zIfgIoReTKaO6M4rXDoXyRQ2SUMgpGEaLi5u9INRcBDeTz745_rJfzZoJsFGq88RK2bNirds3EI2PftozUkBfNevYmgAoQsy6pelhVIL86KRX3vAuP4Iqe1OvJ-nYkIa-Ug-oLmOEU4/s1600/langsbeach-159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz-zIfgIoReTKaO6M4rXDoXyRQ2SUMgpGEaLi5u9INRcBDeTz745_rJfzZoJsFGq88RK2bNirds3EI2PftozUkBfNevYmgAoQsy6pelhVIL86KRX3vAuP4Iqe1OvJ-nYkIa-Ug-oLmOEU4/s400/langsbeach-159.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZe9nT7H7yKkYcrNu4hx4Si5TlWj7r1j0MHTp8yH-YiUxywzBQDil6DP9EYeAyidPzN6pzkNQAJj7Fm4dWknM17Tt0PKlc1MGwMvdeAZ1jSXvl8k3Pjk9ZB3b6hlvjqFrn24m5YcBezY_0/s1600/langsbeach-147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZe9nT7H7yKkYcrNu4hx4Si5TlWj7r1j0MHTp8yH-YiUxywzBQDil6DP9EYeAyidPzN6pzkNQAJj7Fm4dWknM17Tt0PKlc1MGwMvdeAZ1jSXvl8k3Pjk9ZB3b6hlvjqFrn24m5YcBezY_0/s400/langsbeach-147.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhixGFxayDviv8kU8YMnCf04VI8Yg2Fkz1Hv-L6dR8qFIvZy-BJtsJ-ajrMVEozko7SYgXIXqAykwNRydu8kKZjJnziReD8qzjX7rla016yEob9n72ilum0MvDX407CabL4Y30ehsKrpegT/s1600/langsbeach-68.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhixGFxayDviv8kU8YMnCf04VI8Yg2Fkz1Hv-L6dR8qFIvZy-BJtsJ-ajrMVEozko7SYgXIXqAykwNRydu8kKZjJnziReD8qzjX7rla016yEob9n72ilum0MvDX407CabL4Y30ehsKrpegT/s400/langsbeach-68.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjEIiI6E2bwfruUkGr0wzvvLA9mR46-5wDgD6ROjnHIWxylOXPEhYfJGQAUB9FGQLWW61cXd0htyGz6A3o2Hm6qlkJVGV320Nyd_4Vs4dWdFF_Q_6MnIkQvReCLgXOUBHuH8-g-cmdTg2T/s1600/christmas+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjEIiI6E2bwfruUkGr0wzvvLA9mR46-5wDgD6ROjnHIWxylOXPEhYfJGQAUB9FGQLWW61cXd0htyGz6A3o2Hm6qlkJVGV320Nyd_4Vs4dWdFF_Q_6MnIkQvReCLgXOUBHuH8-g-cmdTg2T/s640/christmas+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>The Final Product</b></i></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhquhQOgssTqlInrHsj5jmu_Il3RkQIR-FdBMyhU2GPebamwZHi3hpbGRWJcMhH9h2AfnCNl7SqexLpo2RlHODiVwK11jyZ6VTgxUC9FRyhMT6o3VEUjDAEkHfbkyDRFfsyx9m9ZqdznNju/s1600/FB+banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhquhQOgssTqlInrHsj5jmu_Il3RkQIR-FdBMyhU2GPebamwZHi3hpbGRWJcMhH9h2AfnCNl7SqexLpo2RlHODiVwK11jyZ6VTgxUC9FRyhMT6o3VEUjDAEkHfbkyDRFfsyx9m9ZqdznNju/s640/FB+banner.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
To all of you who read this silly little blog, Thank you! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Your comments and well wishes really warm my heart and make it all worth while. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I so enjoy sharing snippets of my life with you to inspire, encourage or give you a laugh. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And So with that...May I wish you all a very Merry Christmas, filled with fun, joy, family and great food.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I'm off to spend the next wee while wrangling my kids and enjoying the sun and holidays and possibly a little less blogging. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Stay safe and may the Lord Bless you and yours. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
♥♥♥ Jacksta B ♥♥♥</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
jackstahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09433816784934589899noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558182024850908579.post-85330753241324595702013-12-05T14:36:00.001+13:002013-12-05T18:25:09.602+13:00Family and toolbox parenting. Way back in April when I went to the<a href="http://www.bloggersconnecting.com/"> Bloggers Conference in Christchurch</a>, Leonie and I were at the table at the same time filling in an entry to win a <a href="http://www.theparentingplace.com/">Parenting Place (formerly Parents Inc</a>) competition for a "<a href="http://www.theparentingplace.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=40&Itemid=1138"><b>toolbox parents course</b>"</a>. We both looked at each other and said the same thing... "I hope I win because I'm a terrible parent!"...We both had a laugh when we both won a prize each. The prize was for one or a couple to attend a 6 week course. And ever since April, I had been on the look out for one in my area, but none seemed to be offered, until last month a Facebook friend invited people for one at her place. Phew!...I was considering giving it to someone in Auckland. And it was exactly the age group I needed..."the Middle years 6-12 year old's".<br />
<br />
The group had eight of us and one facilitator and we met for 6 weeks from 7:30pm to 9:30pm. The course has been created by the genius parenting Gurus and mentors from the Parenting Place such as Ian and Mary Grant and John Cowan. Each of us were given a Participants Handbook to keep and to write notes in. The night is run by a mix of reading the handbook, watching short snippets of a DVD with presenters, some group discussions and review activity's. Time and care was taken to listen to each participants views and thoughts, but our facilitator kept us on track and moving through each of the nights topics. And there was a huge range of topics covered!<br />
<br />
What did I come away from it??<br />
Well I learnt perhaps I wasn't such terrible parent after all! I had found that over the years that I had been a parent, I had managed to glean a lot of the ideas presented in the sessions from reading the Parents Inc Magazine and from a couple of Ian and Mary Grants books I had on my shelf. My down fall was that I had read them...but hadn't been applying them.<br />
<br />
So after attending the course these are the take home things that we have decided to apply to our family.<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>There are a range of parenting styles...but our aim is to be a parent coach style...with a backbone as opposed to Sergeant-major parent we have been at times. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Trying really hard not to discipline with anger. I learnt that the emotion of the anger will override the lesson that can be learnt to improve behavior for next time.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>I want to to try and encourage good EQ in the kids by teaching good manners. To get along in the world they need social skills and our home is the first place they learn to get along in the world. Habitual good manners will lead to habitual good treatment of others.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>I learnt about the Anger Rules: <i>"Its okay to feel angry, but the rules are...I must not hurt others or things or myself. And I must talk about it." </i>I have thought about putting this one up on the fridge for the couple of hot heads in the house...me included! Along with some cool down strategies mentioned in my manual. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>We did a session on personality types...the animal one: beavers, otters, golden retrievers, and lions. I almost cried when I realised each of us represent all of the different personality types! No wonder we all clash sometimes! There was some good strategies on how to coach each kind of personality which was fab. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Understanding this is the perfect time for family traditions and creating great memories. Exploring together andhaving fun as a family. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Putting in the time and effort at this time in their lives will help us A LOT when they get to the teenage years. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>But the major thing we have instigated is the "<b><i>Family Meeting</i></b>". I was a little apprehensive about it...but gave it ago. Our first family meeting was about family meetings! I introduced what it was about and how it will work. We decided a once a week family meeting on a Sunday would work for us...AND the kids loved it! They were asking for a family meeting every second day! I said NO..put it on the agenda for next time! How hilarious! </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Things that we have on the agenda were: Chores for the week...they decided that doing the same particular chore for the week was better than alternating..so we let them do it. Other things we talked about were the things coming up the next week like what days I was working and who had school activities. One person is the scribe for the night and one person gets to have the gavel and be the chair person. The Kids Love being able to put forward ideas like "Saturday family Movie night" etc. "Hmmm Mumma and Dadda will think about those ideas...." we reply! We make it fun by having ice creams or chocolate and a game after the meeting, like Uno. </li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizxC6-12cHXyJoR7zLCSxyvr-3IJ7dszPwwW4k0cwpbHhcLSHY7vEv3uo9sznDBCQOP9szM4W3bG_nbZuiaBpb3_5sx5bFEC7KtbGcVQ-grDcUj6EprO4Of32ejovTl8tII4lngayWzVdE/s1600/IMG_0698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizxC6-12cHXyJoR7zLCSxyvr-3IJ7dszPwwW4k0cwpbHhcLSHY7vEv3uo9sznDBCQOP9szM4W3bG_nbZuiaBpb3_5sx5bFEC7KtbGcVQ-grDcUj6EprO4Of32ejovTl8tII4lngayWzVdE/s320/IMG_0698.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRGbYA18sLwW5zLaopz2HoTW8isHsJp-hSYjIhyts4hPHjqGltkPu8IKJOZzMs-UCKuQPjpoDPvhaujZ2HJJTtORu0CgLip-gbauXkQAI2rXJTjpUdOH0_ro4aWLVshYy_qRYG-pSqsF0w/s1600/IMG_0705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRGbYA18sLwW5zLaopz2HoTW8isHsJp-hSYjIhyts4hPHjqGltkPu8IKJOZzMs-UCKuQPjpoDPvhaujZ2HJJTtORu0CgLip-gbauXkQAI2rXJTjpUdOH0_ro4aWLVshYy_qRYG-pSqsF0w/s400/IMG_0705.JPG" width="297" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3T5DWsYmphcwMOHuuUFuuPccjbazTHCpotQIOdk-KP2HBxOuwg0n479DxUU24LY-M2k1E4SP9giSDMT8ffQns4g61cgsMIk_NAngFaJcC5LDBPD-ZPwAfb-_CyXruoIU6YTfGaxv7YMQa/s1600/IMG_0703.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3T5DWsYmphcwMOHuuUFuuPccjbazTHCpotQIOdk-KP2HBxOuwg0n479DxUU24LY-M2k1E4SP9giSDMT8ffQns4g61cgsMIk_NAngFaJcC5LDBPD-ZPwAfb-_CyXruoIU6YTfGaxv7YMQa/s320/IMG_0703.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Lately as we have been eating our dinners at the table and conversing I have been looking around at my little family with a feeling of contentment. Like...we are on the right track if that makes sense? and we are making progress to making ourselves a nice little family unit. My hope is that we would one day use the words "we are a close family". Or that my children will grow up not only as siblings but have genuine friendships with one and another. That they will look back on their childhoods with fondness and joy. And that I will make it through the other side with all my hair still intact and preferable my not grey from stress! </div>
<div>
So doing courses like this really helps! Looking forward to the next one!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />jackstahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09433816784934589899noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558182024850908579.post-91333024822294836482013-11-24T20:34:00.000+13:002013-11-24T20:34:46.521+13:00The Perfect day. <br />
Today was the perfect day.<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>It started rather bright and early. We woke at 0630 hours, which we NEVER do on a Sunday. But NZ played England in the Rugby League World cup semi-final. It was a nail biter of a game...England were 4 up in the last two minutes of the game ...and then in the final play we snatched the victory and won the game. We play Australia next weekend in the final. Cant wait. And we will HAVE to watch it live! We are the current world cup holders so it would be great to take it from the likely Auzzie winners.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3aoUYwLunaOdIcEszF7YcPZTcXCu0fIDF-VHVNP5SNbvWcNOuWVPset5-BQRKDx3pjQKzC25mN1CUvuQPsI6753x2qGZNIWmC9cbK92xb5dTCqjE7UG2rWH1QISwqPcfOgHjblee_9vLc/s1600/shaun+johnson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3aoUYwLunaOdIcEszF7YcPZTcXCu0fIDF-VHVNP5SNbvWcNOuWVPset5-BQRKDx3pjQKzC25mN1CUvuQPsI6753x2qGZNIWmC9cbK92xb5dTCqjE7UG2rWH1QISwqPcfOgHjblee_9vLc/s400/shaun+johnson.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/sport/9436291/Shaun-Johnson-rescues-Kiwis-at-the-death">source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li>We made it our church on time even! I love hanging with my fellow God loving Peeps. This morning we were on Creche duty which is always fun. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;">Arriving home just before midday...I decided today was the perfect day to head to the beach for my Christmas shot. We decided to go to a beach we never go to...Langs beach. It is a 30-40 minute drive away from Whangarei. </li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;">Just before we hit Langs beach we came up over the hill and we were faced with the most most amazing view of the horizon <b><i>ever</i></b>. Literally breath taking. The blues were amazing, so many beautiful colours. When we saw this sight, we knew we had made the best decision to drive the extra miles to this beach.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi85kDlIaRDz2KTO4apNRmwLuBfUtr6yPYk9n0TI6N8fulS6pNRAumnu_066k9fZF8_2xq39RN7XGz1Kiq-8DfS7e4mJhyphenhyphenWFl9xJcwiJmaBegOxQrL0WJxv6cu1HsJS4e3aKuMqCMr01RWK/s1600/langsbeach-10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi85kDlIaRDz2KTO4apNRmwLuBfUtr6yPYk9n0TI6N8fulS6pNRAumnu_066k9fZF8_2xq39RN7XGz1Kiq-8DfS7e4mJhyphenhyphenWFl9xJcwiJmaBegOxQrL0WJxv6cu1HsJS4e3aKuMqCMr01RWK/s640/langsbeach-10.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh168csTI_cXs5rmVOnU_o_FpBhHaH6gcmfZbg-ZePNkt7MaCh6V9qqAEGJE7CQX1WIJFG2xJiMSxFiWkKliiJsmVmMmlMKYFhhl6DCaHaMKiGRLiE13cqD9IhXEXp1mTc9nDcTPHBt0jwd/s1600/langsbeach-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh168csTI_cXs5rmVOnU_o_FpBhHaH6gcmfZbg-ZePNkt7MaCh6V9qqAEGJE7CQX1WIJFG2xJiMSxFiWkKliiJsmVmMmlMKYFhhl6DCaHaMKiGRLiE13cqD9IhXEXp1mTc9nDcTPHBt0jwd/s640/langsbeach-1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>We drove on trying to find the best part of the beach and parked up. And this sight was right by the car on the side of the road. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjkfBxjGaUwoky74uixLpc9rVAYYrNhirFqeYdUTuOc7ktoQrKi3akeP805y-e968CCmFxX74P6VMaFnazkTp8F54HuHUm_Veq9GFB1cP61BnRGLXhv7kubZAQKk6Oh3SxaLVE8tPlO0UT/s1600/langsbeach-165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjkfBxjGaUwoky74uixLpc9rVAYYrNhirFqeYdUTuOc7ktoQrKi3akeP805y-e968CCmFxX74P6VMaFnazkTp8F54HuHUm_Veq9GFB1cP61BnRGLXhv7kubZAQKk6Oh3SxaLVE8tPlO0UT/s640/langsbeach-165.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{ Langs Beach...post card perfect}</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjayhBq02RdjBMrV32lVUc_BZX3-g6io_E4l1wLZAL_rQQEBQOPX59NzPt638MNvGPHB3WXH2ur7Mq0Ndi1SsZH_Vx_JQTnWIjTyyiOMVsHmvdsQlmiX8hpE-sj58c8CxPqD7DvsFu2_Mid/s1600/langsbeach-159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjayhBq02RdjBMrV32lVUc_BZX3-g6io_E4l1wLZAL_rQQEBQOPX59NzPt638MNvGPHB3WXH2ur7Mq0Ndi1SsZH_Vx_JQTnWIjTyyiOMVsHmvdsQlmiX8hpE-sj58c8CxPqD7DvsFu2_Mid/s640/langsbeach-159.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
</blockquote>
<br />
<ul>
<li> We got to work on our project with Dadda in charge...but more on that another time... Then it was play time. </li>
<li>I kept on snapping away with my camera trying to capture some great shots of the family and beautiful scenery. The kids were mighty sick of me and the camera...especially Zak Zak. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHGo-EB-pQWwlu9XnuXiEeHkO3GwKsVwXDMW3p6zMk6tFIxUwuL5OuMg0ezsVfv0K34k-JcMq6v1TT_phx2KeheI-slnZJ5mzwBR8W4rFr2y8902MfYZ6dIlKFRJtSlu-4XSFDNvOmSuWO/s1600/langsbeach-112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHGo-EB-pQWwlu9XnuXiEeHkO3GwKsVwXDMW3p6zMk6tFIxUwuL5OuMg0ezsVfv0K34k-JcMq6v1TT_phx2KeheI-slnZJ5mzwBR8W4rFr2y8902MfYZ6dIlKFRJtSlu-4XSFDNvOmSuWO/s640/langsbeach-112.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIoBVFVm-5-vjlcxGaXn6gSrP5y3-wG5ySK-TMytrE1QKugxfaBDbJ2CTyyxDi-SpTvi6ze9nVuB3etzdJE7t-vD7crYg2L3iMKRHVt1Ix2lCpZY0AFHTR-j3owlwJrKG9wDljcND27mJR/s1600/langsbeach-108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIoBVFVm-5-vjlcxGaXn6gSrP5y3-wG5ySK-TMytrE1QKugxfaBDbJ2CTyyxDi-SpTvi6ze9nVuB3etzdJE7t-vD7crYg2L3iMKRHVt1Ix2lCpZY0AFHTR-j3owlwJrKG9wDljcND27mJR/s640/langsbeach-108.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMxGiWu6ZItLGBBn8fIeEoA4YvmZXB5GXUegInR7zkfR6_d0CjIUH_tiu_0WpXBzlsgOP2f95LqJCf95N-ySBjvSi9inG_UazvaMSIA8YE5UEp5xDvMYHUbuvhfUf-Cv5zSUC9lWohTVhr/s1600/langsbeach-32.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMxGiWu6ZItLGBBn8fIeEoA4YvmZXB5GXUegInR7zkfR6_d0CjIUH_tiu_0WpXBzlsgOP2f95LqJCf95N-ySBjvSi9inG_UazvaMSIA8YE5UEp5xDvMYHUbuvhfUf-Cv5zSUC9lWohTVhr/s640/langsbeach-32.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1qtRe5hVd86GrdCHim1RVj9dpcWWIkqdTB_KjXehTCwM5ghu9hM6NB9RAQGFKwtuzS5QoRM4abjhe5iuug4I7SDNiHgwR5mD1sj7ukkJgFGwPiymZSukgx-pr_lmhtZ41R8PsXOKGWs_J/s1600/langsbeach-155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1qtRe5hVd86GrdCHim1RVj9dpcWWIkqdTB_KjXehTCwM5ghu9hM6NB9RAQGFKwtuzS5QoRM4abjhe5iuug4I7SDNiHgwR5mD1sj7ukkJgFGwPiymZSukgx-pr_lmhtZ41R8PsXOKGWs_J/s640/langsbeach-155.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibFYHc6UXNORcXITWBHQ3vJGHVCrkhKedSzFG2RTmmaqRiUS2lzdJymANPbnxFY4tbq9_meK-jsQVpN9Y29bfNm1tcUthKwaanIVGbWCzLpyFTWKeo3n2m-4o3pAzYhIgxHVJFe43KdI_O/s1600/langsbeach-124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibFYHc6UXNORcXITWBHQ3vJGHVCrkhKedSzFG2RTmmaqRiUS2lzdJymANPbnxFY4tbq9_meK-jsQVpN9Y29bfNm1tcUthKwaanIVGbWCzLpyFTWKeo3n2m-4o3pAzYhIgxHVJFe43KdI_O/s640/langsbeach-124.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;">On the way home we decided to stop off at Waipu Cove for an ice cream. The cove was a lot busier than Langs Beach with the waves being a bit better for the surfers. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk5CQcKjNodQGcpPzsTqNLOYv5LeuAJCEVhEpDxIViK0Euy7yye6Q0c3pXb46bBV0tF-z6qTqlZI_y0kmM_ygfzIbTwT-hqQ_uAkv-3B158LOZU2RdA2BK4X4VltgE1NHbHxePfP1zWYYS/s1600/waipucove-9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk5CQcKjNodQGcpPzsTqNLOYv5LeuAJCEVhEpDxIViK0Euy7yye6Q0c3pXb46bBV0tF-z6qTqlZI_y0kmM_ygfzIbTwT-hqQ_uAkv-3B158LOZU2RdA2BK4X4VltgE1NHbHxePfP1zWYYS/s640/waipucove-9.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{waipu cove}</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSgT3y2-zwTXBPNO2aF2UgQCtXG5CQZyS5heBa5ADF4bbJDiL98ozh20-Z5_IUc3DFXL1wuU9OqRPYqQEwA55qzQ-vHJL8IGaLfeX9zma2RhhC7OR1EZYWF6HQfJYNxBUjxFSSg7vbDJHh/s1600/waipucove-10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSgT3y2-zwTXBPNO2aF2UgQCtXG5CQZyS5heBa5ADF4bbJDiL98ozh20-Z5_IUc3DFXL1wuU9OqRPYqQEwA55qzQ-vHJL8IGaLfeX9zma2RhhC7OR1EZYWF6HQfJYNxBUjxFSSg7vbDJHh/s640/waipucove-10.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{waipu cove}</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgZBiauKkcI_Ewu9a13fsYJ7eZDYM41ckO_ftl3BITJFlTha1ph4GqxSk_8zniWKVp-GYLifQjpfC779NDCxdhbi8eBUkUNU9siuvRED5xwxARcajGFilh84bQk1nqSc8F0NyEYxcX7z4P/s1600/waipucove-19.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgZBiauKkcI_Ewu9a13fsYJ7eZDYM41ckO_ftl3BITJFlTha1ph4GqxSk_8zniWKVp-GYLifQjpfC779NDCxdhbi8eBUkUNU9siuvRED5xwxARcajGFilh84bQk1nqSc8F0NyEYxcX7z4P/s640/waipucove-19.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{Waipu cove} </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsDl57bKPOPEOBuozJgALwSCN23I2nsQ6vZTaDAnhxXjHIUmMzUihq0OHSBsgA1vJxkUztyLxwb-_EdRyfIiin3AH-y_ay30gZGq93ar_ySiiTQeqzBodMnMw9RhuTmxAf11Sm3TXBuIJL/s1600/waipucove-18.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsDl57bKPOPEOBuozJgALwSCN23I2nsQ6vZTaDAnhxXjHIUmMzUihq0OHSBsgA1vJxkUztyLxwb-_EdRyfIiin3AH-y_ay30gZGq93ar_ySiiTQeqzBodMnMw9RhuTmxAf11Sm3TXBuIJL/s640/waipucove-18.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family Pic. Ice creams at Waipu Cove</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We topped off our perfect day with a pizza and a cold one at the Waipu Pizza Barn. So much fun all one day. Now Im pooped! </div>
</li>
</ul>
jackstahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09433816784934589899noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558182024850908579.post-24824223596482248892013-11-13T14:56:00.000+13:002013-11-13T17:11:36.958+13:00Bullet point life<br />
<div>
<ul>
<li>The other day was takeout night...the kids opted for McDonalds, while we had Thai. I realized I should really be up for worst mum of the year when I looked back and saw that while were going through the drive thru, Zak Zak was sucking on a giant lollie pop! Ha! McDs and lollies Tisk Tisk!</li>
<li>Ive been keeping up with the walking most weeks. This is a patience exercise for me...because I really really want to try and run it...but I'm trying to build up the strength in my sore knees. Today I tried running anyway, for about 20 seconds before I realized I did not have the bra for it. Yep these former breast feeders need a double sports bra when undertaking anything more than brisk walk. They could take my eye out. One of these days I'll get back to a B cup! </li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>So I told you awhile ago I started instagraming? Well Ive found on my walks its quite cool to take in the sights of the neighbourhood and look for good instagram opportunities. Its good fun and keeps my mind occupied from "ARGGHH this sucks!" to....."ooh look at that pretty thing" And so I stop and take a photo and a breather at the same time. You should try it. I never used to be a Hash tag fan...but Im seeing the point now. So I hash tag it #onthewalktoday, and can look back at the pretty pictures I've taken on the walk. Its a good motivator. So if you take your phone out for a walk with you and instagram, hash tag it #onthewalktoday and we can be virtual walking buddies :)</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Here's some of my #onthewalk pics. Its amazing how diverse peoples front yards are aye? I try so hard to look casual when I take pictures in case a car drives past or the neighbours catch me...I pretend to be changing a track on the music or something. Hehe....like a stealth ninja!</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEtla8McAZ6alsOX2U22XuNGno6t-oRtsGM3x168Ad8GQeiyfgF8aY_5e9R5wYK56UhxWzKIAqnxZ41YiWTO9TR6qI6cDEwG9y6UxHOE6CkvfGZwuVL8ZUy0Tko6KflLEQ4fXbjQsMnfi3/s1600/%23onthewalk2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEtla8McAZ6alsOX2U22XuNGno6t-oRtsGM3x168Ad8GQeiyfgF8aY_5e9R5wYK56UhxWzKIAqnxZ41YiWTO9TR6qI6cDEwG9y6UxHOE6CkvfGZwuVL8ZUy0Tko6KflLEQ4fXbjQsMnfi3/s640/%23onthewalk2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnRujAGnk-k4q1bD-TDTx23W5anH28uWvanpJMTQL4_uHxZF_lhSzrgiYzhDIE37P5UCOc3lM7KOHBh3hZBjWT1g4eRen_L71RcyvR5rWHFNuWMbjo_evTX_f9g-LmUT1-6lajPa96TSHL/s1600/%23onthewalk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnRujAGnk-k4q1bD-TDTx23W5anH28uWvanpJMTQL4_uHxZF_lhSzrgiYzhDIE37P5UCOc3lM7KOHBh3hZBjWT1g4eRen_L71RcyvR5rWHFNuWMbjo_evTX_f9g-LmUT1-6lajPa96TSHL/s640/%23onthewalk.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
<br />
<ul>
<li>I have probably mentioned it before, but since arriving in Whangarei, I am yet to find one particular hairdresser that I love. Not a word of a lie..Over the last 12 years...I have been to every single hair salon in the CBD. That's a lot! I am weird about my hair....when I feel like a haircut...I need to do it...like right then and there. So the other day I was having one of these moments and stopped in at a couple of places...and they were booked, but there was this one place that I always drive past but have never tried, so I stop in and they have an appointment available. Yay. It turned out to be the first time I've had a transgender person cut my hair...or to be honest... spent much time with. We got to chatting and it turned out we knew some of the same people. I in turn could tell him what I hated about my hair...and he gave me some tips and all in all it was a really fun appointment. By some random spontaneous need to have a haircut, we crossed paths and it helped me get over my prejudices. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>This was how it looked the day I did it. But do you think I could get it to look anything like it a couple of days later?? Darn you hair dressers and your hairdressing superpowers!! *waves fist*</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi48nPJWVIvGQwoOtdo-ewFySAQF5FD01SStFv9CBOh60lMgO6nWtBPdOm4vcXjVCyobscHZ3ztNtuqV7uR9N6WSFYyibpTcMCBvG5yKKwIvsUDGRiDY1oBMjhhBHKjTtUXBomGKStE4znG/s1600/IMG_0517.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi48nPJWVIvGQwoOtdo-ewFySAQF5FD01SStFv9CBOh60lMgO6nWtBPdOm4vcXjVCyobscHZ3ztNtuqV7uR9N6WSFYyibpTcMCBvG5yKKwIvsUDGRiDY1oBMjhhBHKjTtUXBomGKStE4znG/s400/IMG_0517.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Alas my month off work is over. Boy, is it over. People....Stop being sick! So I wont have to work so darn hard! </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>So I have started the Christmas Shopping. Have you? On one hand I like the giving...on the other hand it does get a little stressful. So I'm going to pace myself...Like... buy a present per week! Its only once a year...its only once a year....breathe people!</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Boo...one of my favourite programmes "Private Practice" ended. Like completely ended! And TV2 had the brilliant idea to bump it even later that usual...it started at 1130pm! It used to be at 930pm...sheesh...its was bad enough that it was ending let alone making me stay up so late for it. In other news TV4 have stopped showing New Girl until they get their Poop together...Argh Come on! Guess Ill have to get some new hobbies since there's nothing good to watch. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Does anyone else think we should invent the word "pinteresting". Here, Ill use it in a sentence...."ooohhh look at that, that is so Pinteresting!" It would be in reference to something that is beautifully crafted and or photographed...worthy of being on Pinterest. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>On a side note....please <b>do not</b> follow my Humor Board on Pinterest...I'm a afraid you'll notice my strange sense of humor and no longer respect me as a person. But I am getting a pretty good collection of <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/jackstaB/funny-ecards/">ecards</a>....those things crack me up.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>I read this<a href="http://themattwalshblog.com/2013/11/04/i-dont-agree-with-your-parenting-choices-now-let-me-explain-how-you-should-raise-your-own-children/"> interesting blog pos</a>t from the Matt Walsh Blog on parenting that I thought was worth a linky. He has an interesting point of view on a lot of topics. </li>
And this article minus the colourful language summed up how I feel about the whole INTRAVERT/ EXTROVERT debate : "15 signs that you're neither an introvert nor an extrovert, you're just a human being with largely the same responses to social situations as everyone else." <a href="http://happyplace.someecards.com/25864/signs-that-you-are-neither-an-introvert-nor-an-extrovert">Link Here</a></ul>
<ul>
<li>I saw<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1454029/"> "The Help"</a> movie on TV the other night...and have an overwhelming desire to make "Minnies Chocolate pie" and Fried chicken!</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Okay so I have to end with a funny picture from my <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/jackstaB/funny-stuff/">Humor board</a> on Pinterest...</li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVgrNGyEPk0XkE4rvlo_6UPdv0SF1dfqu4A8GsACawze-Po1nqZ3iQZZd_XatdV9b4kIrtYB71pp-CTcRCjr55dz2pZQeVMQPAKt1X-X3UrLhDMWhB5ZjvWyJaDDKb5r0MIkmolXh1pgpm/s1600/mustache.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVgrNGyEPk0XkE4rvlo_6UPdv0SF1dfqu4A8GsACawze-Po1nqZ3iQZZd_XatdV9b4kIrtYB71pp-CTcRCjr55dz2pZQeVMQPAKt1X-X3UrLhDMWhB5ZjvWyJaDDKb5r0MIkmolXh1pgpm/s400/mustache.jpg" width="303" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
I told you my sense of humor is weird! So funny.<br />
<div>
xx Jacksta-B</div>
</div>
<br />jackstahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09433816784934589899noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558182024850908579.post-50135489836074460192013-11-08T12:14:00.000+13:002013-12-03T19:23:46.045+13:00Christmas photosIts coming up that time of year again...Time to take my family Christmas photo. I started making my own photo Christmas card way back in 2008 when miss Joy was 4 and Joe was 2. Even back then it was a mission to get the "money shot"so to speak. If there is one thing I have learnt is that my children don't really want to sit for anything more than one shot!<br />
<i>" Just one more...and smile this time...not like that like this...hey stop elbowing your sister...hey don't throw the baubles!!! " </i>Argh the frustration!!<br />
Generally I try and get as many shots as I can...and pick the best of a bad bunch!<br />
<br />
I was looking back on what I had done over the years...and I'm so glad I took the time and did each one. It takes time to set up and process..but it gives you a treasured memory of Christmas that year.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Down memory lane....</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>{2008}</b></div>
The first one is probably my favourite. And the one that got the most oohs and aahs from the recipients that year. I had set it on a handmade black card so the colours really "popped" from the photo.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGPvw17Z-j8QqeeEK-xPaKjgNS0Sxr46Wrba4oD1tnQbtqDQtgb0U4XzH7RebCWLIaXiYKUkwU_2li7o7w1l3uIT1neRpbn4FuN1SnmzvotJLlEiuqgD6D2KStxU3tjijNHCvQQ7SK90j0/s1600/e++J+xmas.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGPvw17Z-j8QqeeEK-xPaKjgNS0Sxr46Wrba4oD1tnQbtqDQtgb0U4XzH7RebCWLIaXiYKUkwU_2li7o7w1l3uIT1neRpbn4FuN1SnmzvotJLlEiuqgD6D2KStxU3tjijNHCvQQ7SK90j0/s640/e++J+xmas.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> {2009}</b></div>
<br />
That years was shot at Takapuna Beach with Rangitoto in the background. I was so mad at my self this particular year..because it wasn't until I got home and put the photos on the computer that I realized all that photos had a little blurry spot in the middle. I couldn't figure it out..until I realized I hadn't cleaned the lens after hubster had taken the camera on a wake boarding trip! The pohutakawa tree looked amazing that year. The sky was blue and the ocean looked amazing...Just a pity the camera and lame photographer (me) couldn't capture the beauty on film.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoMECdmxNF17_Y4qrLNzQbemC9FB-5S3VqEMQypGp0XKK9FwTHuc03Ds5qBSU2iztLdt_6oLhfw0GoYs_APOdpFC75PwehisLZF-SPtTVXuDauckVYyVUmJnHUe7KIevPGVajIzpDPYNb2/s1600/beach+photos+030-horz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoMECdmxNF17_Y4qrLNzQbemC9FB-5S3VqEMQypGp0XKK9FwTHuc03Ds5qBSU2iztLdt_6oLhfw0GoYs_APOdpFC75PwehisLZF-SPtTVXuDauckVYyVUmJnHUe7KIevPGVajIzpDPYNb2/s640/beach+photos+030-horz.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>{2010}</b></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This year we added a cranky baby into the mix by the name of Zak zak. He was 5 months old and in no mood for photos that day...this shot was the only photo he wasn't upset in. Taken at Whangarei heads somewhere.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9tea_6clFGepU73pwpHX2D5G-lWWx_wtmp8JJ2yKSMAtPu5mRBSHpSoY91e2v4qeKq-DKGze9lj5wnNDnUb1GN4z5PTUxPzHjVbQabpTRTnajLF7IQtCJbN5hRrBf3vIzuOLwADfasUaz/s1600/xmas+photos+016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9tea_6clFGepU73pwpHX2D5G-lWWx_wtmp8JJ2yKSMAtPu5mRBSHpSoY91e2v4qeKq-DKGze9lj5wnNDnUb1GN4z5PTUxPzHjVbQabpTRTnajLF7IQtCJbN5hRrBf3vIzuOLwADfasUaz/s640/xmas+photos+016.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>{2011}</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This year I made letters to spell JOY. I bought them from Spotlight and painted them red. I tried sitting them all together, but Mr Zak zak again wasn't very compliant..he started stealing all the letter off his siblings. In the end I did each shot individually and collaged them together. Joe had taken some skin off his nose days before so, he was looking a bit worse for wear. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4mjcobwrPWocAkOiEVMYbZN60bkqNtKUnU2_ixE1t2shGmEkghOq_9KuanjM-qvSBSFaJBZBW7vtdfdEJi9yKuBb2E6Ih_55nnU82-4DpARnYeKF2XE7cKaVkZcCDq3nFcxlhmfMI3NGM/s1600/kids+xmas+B&W-horz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4mjcobwrPWocAkOiEVMYbZN60bkqNtKUnU2_ixE1t2shGmEkghOq_9KuanjM-qvSBSFaJBZBW7vtdfdEJi9yKuBb2E6Ih_55nnU82-4DpARnYeKF2XE7cKaVkZcCDq3nFcxlhmfMI3NGM/s640/kids+xmas+B&W-horz.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>{2012}</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I was keen for another beach shot this year and had some ideas for props. Again Mr Zak Zak wasn't having a bar of it this year. Luckily the other two are quite photogenic, so I could instruct them to hold their pose while we got the naughty toddler back in the shot. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Next time I do a beach shot I will check the tide chart too...the sea would have looked better at full tide. This is the beautiful Matapouri Beach...make sure you check it out if you are a visitor to Northland, New Zealand. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibU0PFkymp-3faPxJvyooW7e0vvkgkl2nzFFvTJksyy7jOE7zDMP855mhar2DSpMpmi05beRGlrwnEpVfSxuXARlpbAh1h2EBbqkhH_FGIr8D7tqp8Unu-8PC32gODT7hm8V7snl_b-X9q/s1600/enhanced+words.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibU0PFkymp-3faPxJvyooW7e0vvkgkl2nzFFvTJksyy7jOE7zDMP855mhar2DSpMpmi05beRGlrwnEpVfSxuXARlpbAh1h2EBbqkhH_FGIr8D7tqp8Unu-8PC32gODT7hm8V7snl_b-X9q/s640/enhanced+words.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyTJYeMHMp2XsxciT1qDYHEIkWKR73EDf42bxadyor0YqyLYFfy3xwSWBdd-c13KnKLveYg_FqBU7dOqWWKzAZqZOJddi8aTnVMwk4Xv4l90am1oB832WwVPX8X0idWYo7viMkXd8UIzbI/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyTJYeMHMp2XsxciT1qDYHEIkWKR73EDf42bxadyor0YqyLYFfy3xwSWBdd-c13KnKLveYg_FqBU7dOqWWKzAZqZOJddi8aTnVMwk4Xv4l90am1oB832WwVPX8X0idWYo7viMkXd8UIzbI/s640/1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I have been having a look through Pintrest for this years Christmas card idea...Cant wait! Hopefully Mr Zak zak will sit still this year!<br />
<br />
Have you got any ideas for getting the ants in your pants type kid to sit still for a shot?jackstahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09433816784934589899noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558182024850908579.post-64104313479038313282013-11-03T16:28:00.000+13:002013-11-03T16:28:42.963+13:00Experimental cook: pipis, mussels and ginger slice<b><u>Pipi Fritters</u></b><br />
You may recall a couple of weeks ago we went<a href="http://jacksta-b.blogspot.co.nz/2013/10/ponderings.html"> pipi picking</a>...and by "we" I mean <b>he</b>. I "watched" the car...and by watched the car, I mean... did some sun bathing, and avoided the inevitable nail breakage that comes with pipi picking.<br />
Any hoo...the Hubster has developed a very systematic approach to pipi shelling. The pipi sit in a bucket of sea water overnight. And then he steams them open...a small amount at a time... shells them...then steams some more...shells them. It takes a long time. But the result is non rubbery pipi that are just barely cooked.<br />
Good Hubster.<br />
<br />
Once they are all shelled...its my turn. I put them in the food processor along with onion, garlic, egg, fresh parsley, pepper and some lemon zest and juice. I then add little flour to bind right at then end. Spoonfuls are fried in a little vegetable oil in batches until golden brown. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho_B2XP_ThatJ8aDuE56X5zDz70kHV7ofrPkZr4KuKwxvHhaD3bJb2V-TB8fBtJ0UOS8ib9PHAh7jBhPNTGKO5ckFZem4O0rVBwWTRlNlKYacI71RHOuOQL62Qq6Fhth8T9vta5rlvOGsH/s1600/shellfish-15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho_B2XP_ThatJ8aDuE56X5zDz70kHV7ofrPkZr4KuKwxvHhaD3bJb2V-TB8fBtJ0UOS8ib9PHAh7jBhPNTGKO5ckFZem4O0rVBwWTRlNlKYacI71RHOuOQL62Qq6Fhth8T9vta5rlvOGsH/s640/shellfish-15.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilEhYm0H4nbZE_lPM6YulNJrJh_7tqNi8MS-itJE3jayl1uTjx71DAtW7X8hpLMLHJiE20vqTmlq5cCBXe6qQFc8C28QoHUEeVGSnW7f2KnNf6KM5zoy6PsBz-OiQzXRGvF0DHar7YkaEY/s1600/shellfish-17.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilEhYm0H4nbZE_lPM6YulNJrJh_7tqNi8MS-itJE3jayl1uTjx71DAtW7X8hpLMLHJiE20vqTmlq5cCBXe6qQFc8C28QoHUEeVGSnW7f2KnNf6KM5zoy6PsBz-OiQzXRGvF0DHar7YkaEY/s640/shellfish-17.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">{NZ Pipi fritters with a side salad}</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><u>Crumbed NZ Green Lipped Mussels.</u></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><u><br /></u></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I recently read that mussels are really high in Heam Iron content! Like higher than red meat! I found this out <a href="http://www.nutritionfoundation.org.nz/nutrition-facts/minerals/iron">here</a>. I've had a bit of iron level trouble so when I read this I was stoked...because when made right...they can be a really yummy dish. Our local New World has them sitting under spraying water and is some what fresh...and on special at $3.50 per kg, it can be quite economical too. The last few times Ive made it, I ve done the white wine creamed recipe, but hubster wanted to try a less mussel tasting dish..so I came up with this. The mussels were cleaned and de-bearded in fresh water. Steamed in a pot until just opened then half shelled. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In the food processor blitz a couple of slices of fresh bread, a small onion and parsley to a fine crumb and then add a little olive oil to moisten. Lay out the mussels on a tray and put spoonfuls on each mussel pressing down slightly to get it to stay on the mussel. Bake at 180 degrees Celsius until crumb is golden. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp4LdJzpGN8wsj0ywmkOxvopqfyaTVdghv16e_1QWuxEpendm6OzSEiRm31gPp5KGSlov5MCZ0ydl3h8PTxFdfzCX-dk7M9pFoCzT-UPEWXCbwI4oZxVHMnoupEoNbQbilZyY3L_1GGdCh/s1600/shellfish-29.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp4LdJzpGN8wsj0ywmkOxvopqfyaTVdghv16e_1QWuxEpendm6OzSEiRm31gPp5KGSlov5MCZ0ydl3h8PTxFdfzCX-dk7M9pFoCzT-UPEWXCbwI4oZxVHMnoupEoNbQbilZyY3L_1GGdCh/s640/shellfish-29.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
The kids havent quite found the taste for mussels so they had their favourite fish, baked salmon.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvX1_GFuBI60L24-dOlKqEcnpZFHlwLb2TXKI1QByYJ4Tbod839gi1flTJPTRIXyuKzb5F3lulQRfQ4b36Qft2zm0zySpp4Zi3XM54xMJ2wUgDNo761IHjLqs5pf0CvSKJsZfuk3KnCS0H/s1600/shellfish-7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvX1_GFuBI60L24-dOlKqEcnpZFHlwLb2TXKI1QByYJ4Tbod839gi1flTJPTRIXyuKzb5F3lulQRfQ4b36Qft2zm0zySpp4Zi3XM54xMJ2wUgDNo761IHjLqs5pf0CvSKJsZfuk3KnCS0H/s640/shellfish-7.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6czoaONaF14PCGq87L7GgWNO8V67kCLH4swPwPGTUi1BpZJKRPWZzM8iwKVt3gGn8TI8XoaeYtVO0mdggvr7fRepxfq495283YhzUYmXlau2xVX2gLsxCGuza_-42_Ja3i3LmbMFUgFy3/s1600/shellfish-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6czoaONaF14PCGq87L7GgWNO8V67kCLH4swPwPGTUi1BpZJKRPWZzM8iwKVt3gGn8TI8XoaeYtVO0mdggvr7fRepxfq495283YhzUYmXlau2xVX2gLsxCGuza_-42_Ja3i3LmbMFUgFy3/s640/shellfish-1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">{delicious NZ seafood, with a side of bok choy and home made potato chips}</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b><u>Healthy Ginger Slice</u></b>.<br />
<br />
I was having a friend around for coffee...and I know she loves ginger crunch. I also know she is a dietitian...so I tried to experiment with the recipe to try and healthy it up a little. My go-to site for healthy food (HFG) didn't have a healthy version of it so I tired my own.<br />
<br />
The <a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/edmonds-ginger-crunch-152535">original recipe</a> has a lot of butter in the base, and flour and sugar. So I reduced the flour and butter and added: oats, an egg, and shredded coconut. Instead of white sugar I used brown sugar.<br />
The icing was pretty similar except that my ground ginger was pretty old so I used freshly ground jar ginger.<br />
<br />
Overall the base was less "crunchy" and more of a "slice". We all liked it, but I'll tweak it next time to try and make the base a little more crunchy. The dietitian prefers the crunchier ones too but appreciated my efforts to try and make it healthier.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-m0Zux1ULsgunrB7zSdrPesbz7T4_sBMyD6cit3fwEekvCaOB4JDMFBEGWgtEIHVb06tERDDlamKa51yC9vXOEREEbRMU_zvM3zO6XpFYHMktVwoYFT9ZuMDO5GzTI0SFR_4_-Euv6_aj/s1600/-54.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-m0Zux1ULsgunrB7zSdrPesbz7T4_sBMyD6cit3fwEekvCaOB4JDMFBEGWgtEIHVb06tERDDlamKa51yC9vXOEREEbRMU_zvM3zO6XpFYHMktVwoYFT9ZuMDO5GzTI0SFR_4_-Euv6_aj/s640/-54.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{Ginger Slice}</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Any hoo as usual I liked playing around with ingredients to try something new...jackstahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09433816784934589899noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558182024850908579.post-22540293968264905482013-11-01T13:04:00.000+13:002013-11-01T13:05:07.400+13:00and the winner is....<div style="text-align: center;">
And the winner is....</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Thank you to everyone who checked out my friend Olivia's new business and entered into the competition. Every entrant was deserving of some pampering but there could only be one winner.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I went over to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Bach-Beauty-Therapy/297782917030851">"The Bach Beauty Therapy"</a> today to get my self a relaxing facial to celebrate the last day of my holiday and to help pick out the winner of the draw.</div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1g9F40VXpgLjxWjVyzZ0ko9hQlAG6h241IMjCFdfjkq4RojOIc1h8l2erjXpstMyf_P23M8JJRcfIKXnBme24S-Yd_FEVGBqEuiWKUDsY7ekRM-hqy0AiYcv-mLOdzdcQtJYRcJFHnsh3/s1600/-52.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1g9F40VXpgLjxWjVyzZ0ko9hQlAG6h241IMjCFdfjkq4RojOIc1h8l2erjXpstMyf_P23M8JJRcfIKXnBme24S-Yd_FEVGBqEuiWKUDsY7ekRM-hqy0AiYcv-mLOdzdcQtJYRcJFHnsh3/s640/-52.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the impartial name picker.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzIVJ_NUfrbOZOXut_z84wxW_BzYW9GWjPRerhBjozkk4yPQjMAjT3A7PwtsGpEJx5hbOD8TB8L8cBmevFA7lAuIE8J4aioByIPWjggwFRHikxTLeM268QppeoqtYqmrXgWOA50cdsGIkl/s1600/-48.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzIVJ_NUfrbOZOXut_z84wxW_BzYW9GWjPRerhBjozkk4yPQjMAjT3A7PwtsGpEJx5hbOD8TB8L8cBmevFA7lAuIE8J4aioByIPWjggwFRHikxTLeM268QppeoqtYqmrXgWOA50cdsGIkl/s640/-48.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And the winner is....fellow blogger <a href="http://simajblog.blogspot.co.nz/">Sima J</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
She will be pampered to the value of $75!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Yay for her!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
jackstahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09433816784934589899noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558182024850908579.post-63925402262354262412013-10-31T09:27:00.001+13:002013-10-31T09:27:12.925+13:00Last day to enter competition<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglivq-ibM9Masklss7ACAm2X6FN_MDWHUJsI7DvWM_cla-KMph9yTSA31p8e2mUAuLCfrD6RiHWaXHVH4eCxTah2jkCpA_tyZmVGhgtn_Pp7bIIm-HFjg-Kd7KTHvdYcA2HTCgmY5QpUQV/s1600/the+bach-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglivq-ibM9Masklss7ACAm2X6FN_MDWHUJsI7DvWM_cla-KMph9yTSA31p8e2mUAuLCfrD6RiHWaXHVH4eCxTah2jkCpA_tyZmVGhgtn_Pp7bIIm-HFjg-Kd7KTHvdYcA2HTCgmY5QpUQV/s640/the+bach-3.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Just a reminder you have until Midnight tonight (31st October 2013) to be in to win a Beauty Therapy Voucher to Spend at the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Bach-Beauty-Therapy/297782917030851?fref=ts">THE BACH BEAUTY THERAPY</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Check out this blog post: <a href="http://jacksta-b.blogspot.co.nz/2013/10/when-dreams-become-reality.html">"When Dreams become a reality"</a> to see how.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Good Luck!</div>
jackstahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09433816784934589899noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558182024850908579.post-63141614438794570142013-10-23T13:11:00.000+13:002013-10-23T13:11:20.974+13:00ponderings<ul>
<li>I wonder if all the pumpkin flesh that America wastes from carving out Jack o lanterns during Halloween season could cure world hunger? </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>On a side note...Pumpkin curry is one of my favs. Chopped Pumpkin, onion, garlic, dash of tomatoes (fresh or canned), curry spices: Mustard seeds, cumin, curry powder, and turmeric, chilli. Goes well with freshly made roti or naan bread. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>This week I saw how fat my arms were getting and decided I better do something about it. When it comes to being healthy, I'm an all or nothing kind of person. Been more of the<i><b> nothing</b></i> lately. So this time I'm trying to be sensible and try a regime that eases me in slowly instead of scaring me off after the first day. I'm working towards an achievable 9km Fun run in March. I need to be realistic and balance shift work and children. I forgot how addictive the endorphins are, and how nice it is just to spend 45 minutes to your self and just think and pray and listen. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Speaking of Listening! I had a funny God inspired revelation about "TWINK PEN" ...or "Correction fluid"... of all things on my walk today. Someone had written on a wooden letter box, "I am cool" in <b>Twink pen. </b>I thought to myself <i>who uses twink anymore? </i>I certainly don't. As a nurse when we write notes at work, we are specifically not allowed to use twink. If you make a mistake you have to make a cross through it and write above it or next to it "<b><i>Written in error</i></b>". But everybody can still<b> <i>see</i></b> your mistake. Sometimes its an embarrassing mistake! It got me thinking about how if my life story was hand written on a piece of paper, and I had made an embarrassing mistake, or a mistake that I was really shameful about and I had to cross it out, people could still quite easily see it even though I had crossed it out. But it is written, if we come clean about our mistakes to God he blots them out of our story and never thinks of them again or holds it against us. In a word picture it describes our mistakes like they were the color <span style="background-color: black;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">scarlet</span></b>,</span> and He makes them <span style="background-color: black; color: #eeeeee;"><b>white as snow</b></span>...Or...as white as liquid TWINK!! Nobody needs to know or remind us about our past mistakes or transgressions because the God can get out His "Twink" and erase them from our story, bring healing and help us to live better lives with hopefully less mistakes!</li>
</ul>
Hehe...all that from a little graffiti on a letter box!<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Sometimes when my 7 year old is reading to me...in his really slow and boring...still learning to read voice...I get lost in thought about how beautiful his face is...and can't believe I helped make that. He has the most stunning blue eyes and the darkest eye lashes.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>One time when Miss Joy was doing her reading homework in her still learning to read voice, I fell asleep! It was only 7 pm and a woke up to find she had gone! She quietly tip toed away so I didn't wake up. I felt so bad! </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Yesterday son number two fell asleep on me while were watching TV. He had missed his afternoon nap while we were out for the afternoon. Snug sleepy naps don't happen very often, so I took time to enjoy it while I could.</li>
</ul>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>I am going to be attending a <a href="http://www.theparentingplace.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=68&Itemid=1018">Parenting "TOOLBOX"</a> parenting course! Way back in April when I attended the Christchurch Blogger conference I won something! It was a voucher to attend a TOOL BOX course, but there wasn't any running in Whangarei. But recently a Facebook friend announced she was running one at her house, So I signed up. The hubster is going to stay home and babysit while I shyly meet some strangers. Hopefully I wont feel too crappy about my parenting skills and will learn some new things! I'll let you know how I get on. Our church is running a really fun sounding Marriage Course the same month that Id love to go to...but I don't think I can fit in both and work some evenings too! Typical! ...after a pretty quiet year, everything happens at the same time. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Don't forget to check out this blog post <a href="http://jacksta-b.blogspot.co.nz/2013/10/when-dreams-become-reality.html">"When Dreams Become a Reality"</a> for a beauty therapy voucher giveaway</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>And speaking of giveaways...if you are a runner, Rachel from<a href="http://curiousrunnergirl.blogspot.co.nz/2013/10/beaten-by-door-and-free-race-entry-to.html"> Curious Runner Girl</a> has a giveaway for a race entry on her blog today. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The Hubster finished the retaining wall and painted the hallway. Good Hubster. The poor fella has gone back to work for a break! But on the last weekend of his holiday, we decided we needed to go to the beach. The MIL and FIL had the same thing in mind, so we chucked the BBQ in the boot, and a picnic lunch and headed to Pataua South for lunch and a spot of Pipi picking. Kiwi As! We spit them over night in bucket of sea water and then made Pipi fritters for dinner the next night! So good!</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeIituGQFntf5ltH22ZALmdgksSjXOO-mzRgKdxBcKzzXJtErbtZf1vXTSKESWmA5c0-jSWTvy1xZNX3-Cxkq6rQG96yg6iLy_zh9YamwoghOgDSmGxLUm1S_-oHxWvKP6RZhVBYUayEY6/s1600/pataua+sth-31.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeIituGQFntf5ltH22ZALmdgksSjXOO-mzRgKdxBcKzzXJtErbtZf1vXTSKESWmA5c0-jSWTvy1xZNX3-Cxkq6rQG96yg6iLy_zh9YamwoghOgDSmGxLUm1S_-oHxWvKP6RZhVBYUayEY6/s640/pataua+sth-31.JPG" width="406" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I could do with a pedicure!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJuzZyUxmoT8GsEfCZrlmqFVKNPyHICgLHVa4GaE3x30mUZGewapa-YSKDAl6NBf0cFn9yekFYij-gGcjkrIjWxhS6IxCaNxoFLWEjcAjVTsPGdSiTxNGaDH-q8-sf2VXC-SeEws_uQXCx/s1600/pataua+sth-37.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJuzZyUxmoT8GsEfCZrlmqFVKNPyHICgLHVa4GaE3x30mUZGewapa-YSKDAl6NBf0cFn9yekFYij-gGcjkrIjWxhS6IxCaNxoFLWEjcAjVTsPGdSiTxNGaDH-q8-sf2VXC-SeEws_uQXCx/s640/pataua+sth-37.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A seagull photo bombing my shot of the bridge and blue water</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7TxhqO4A-yE9wTVroPLfg827YX9RItcHNDkyG_pEnpCGZUL3W_ze-n5worvBymkIXuAovUDPCsT6RThU_rxAXx1_OfKQfckpdDcB3DW74s8CcXBv0Iw4iMGhSV4QGmMj4J2Wqc64jx5v4/s1600/pataua+sth-41.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7TxhqO4A-yE9wTVroPLfg827YX9RItcHNDkyG_pEnpCGZUL3W_ze-n5worvBymkIXuAovUDPCsT6RThU_rxAXx1_OfKQfckpdDcB3DW74s8CcXBv0Iw4iMGhSV4QGmMj4J2Wqc64jx5v4/s640/pataua+sth-41.JPG" width="416" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picked Pipis!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1zH3WgSRDg5tBktZ94_B6RT4U9MS_gAjwiEd2qyUW5xw0hsEc5dysKIwt15kcs3oBw-lSFxOBO4iLxYKdJIz6-ApDkJJA_uHCF67h7jJplHM85REmO4HZ0l80-s6geDP5L5dzlgN3d-Lv/s1600/pataua+sth-12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1zH3WgSRDg5tBktZ94_B6RT4U9MS_gAjwiEd2qyUW5xw0hsEc5dysKIwt15kcs3oBw-lSFxOBO4iLxYKdJIz6-ApDkJJA_uHCF67h7jJplHM85REmO4HZ0l80-s6geDP5L5dzlgN3d-Lv/s640/pataua+sth-12.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little game of swing ball. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwStTutDQOYZzxpyC1PWDexK2Ca_Ht8nirottjUx2m_7MHcOzWugcbZMmjs9uorXr88IR3Eb8d4AoT0N7eQ4MI3dAA6H1KkXNgtyl9KqdfQhQrJ0qOaAJ9CNrs6cIyGhHbTK-NlEUwtnSU/s1600/IMG_0396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwStTutDQOYZzxpyC1PWDexK2Ca_Ht8nirottjUx2m_7MHcOzWugcbZMmjs9uorXr88IR3Eb8d4AoT0N7eQ4MI3dAA6H1KkXNgtyl9KqdfQhQrJ0qOaAJ9CNrs6cIyGhHbTK-NlEUwtnSU/s640/IMG_0396.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting a good dose of Vitamin D in my new Sunnies from Pagani </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br />
Hope all is well with you and yours!</div>
<div>
xx Jacksta B</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
jackstahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09433816784934589899noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558182024850908579.post-6118954367351031862013-10-18T10:00:00.000+13:002013-10-18T10:30:58.555+13:00Israeli Couscous salad recipeIts Foodie Friday.<br />
<br />
I was at a BBQ earlier this year when I tried an Israeli couscous salad for the first time. It had a similar texture to pasta but teeny tiny balls of it, known as Ptitim in Israel. I finally got my hot little hands on some recently...but quickly realized I had no idea how to make it! I<br />
I put the call out as a Facebook status for any tips and ideas on how to force feed my little food critics with it. Turns out there were already few out there who had made it before and enjoyed it. I googled some recipe ideas and mashed a few together and came up with my own one. Give it a try this BBQ season.<br />
<br />
Spring Israeli Couscous Salad <br />
<br />
1 & 1/4 Cup Israeli Couscous<br />
2 cups of chicken or vegetable stock.<br />
1 Tablespoon of Olive oil<br />
<br />
1 cup of fresh asparagus cut into small pieces<br />
1/2 cup of sliced cherry tomatoes<br />
1/2 cup of chopped capsicum (bell pepper- red or yellow)<br />
1/2 cup chopped cucumber, deseeded <br />
1 Tbsp of chopped fresh mint<br />
1 Tbsp of chopped parsley<br />
1 generous squeeze of lemon juice<br />
1 Tbsp of extra virgin olive oil.<br />
<br />
Method:<br />
Chop up your asparagus. Set aside.<br />
Heat up the oil in a pot and add couscous to saute and lightly brown for 1 to 2 minutes on a medium to high heat. Add the stock and bring to a boil. Turn down the heat to a gentle simmer. Stir once in a while. Just before all of the liquid has been absorbed add your asparagus to the pot. Continue to cook until the couscous has been absorbed the stock. (<b style="font-style: italic;">Flavor infusion!! ). </b><br />
Pour into your serving dish, allow to cool and then place in fridge to cool down some more.<br />
Meanwhile at this point chop up all your other veges and herbs.<br />
Once the couscous has cooled add the rest of the ingredients and mix though gently.<br />
Viola! A lovely spring salad side dish that will be a good dish to bring along to your next BBQ. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkXiOSnRKK49UT9_2kv2BUUDaZcYmD-f5iK02lIYEU3xSozaVrzEP3y5PsO4sYUkW6FO7Z2NyqHJGJ_T7m9Aq8-MmUIEdZub0z1h5LecWlKTjsIMNSS5NjOsI7UOtbItEA1x6Q4Ih0JhOv/s1600/couscous-12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkXiOSnRKK49UT9_2kv2BUUDaZcYmD-f5iK02lIYEU3xSozaVrzEP3y5PsO4sYUkW6FO7Z2NyqHJGJ_T7m9Aq8-MmUIEdZub0z1h5LecWlKTjsIMNSS5NjOsI7UOtbItEA1x6Q4Ih0JhOv/s640/couscous-12.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
What did the food critics think??<br />
Miss Joy (9) not usually adventurous with my cooking...gave it ago.<br />
Joe (7) Liked it.<br />
Zak Zak (3) Loved it...begged for "more ballies"<br />
Hubster Like it too.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />jackstahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09433816784934589899noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558182024850908579.post-29939313645509239292013-10-17T09:36:00.000+13:002013-10-17T09:55:20.888+13:00When dreams become a reality<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p>
</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is a story about a lovely young lady called Olivia. We
met way back in 1999 when I moved to the city. She was still in high school
back then, and I was starting my Nursing degree at Polytechnic. We were part of
a wider group of friends and young people at our local church youth group. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Olivia finished high school and went on to study beauty
therapy in Auckland. In her mid semester break she happily volunteered to do
our make up for my wedding. The day before the wedding we had a great time having
facials and getting our nails done...with the Sound of Music movie playing in
the background.Don’t ask! We also had a flannelette pajama burning ceremony....but I digress! On my actual wedding day she made me up so
beautifully, that I still look at my framed wedding photo in awe of her magical
touch. She showed such a natural talent for beauty therapy before she had even
qualified. Later she returned home and began working as a fully qualified
beauty therapist. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG4qbmTJQkfWwQTsI75PxFxHCD95Lk3S801bb3ajsV6WDQ2ti6k_Wnb3vaW29Xeb04f4v-7hNzuHy2_FD38cjNjbyZc5kE2BCrtyTBgUXTwgj9FJBqeWFogaAB9NloeNOvSh2MePgIid4R/s640/wedding+001.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="416" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Olivia doing my make up on my wedding day.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In the years that have past, she has since married and had
three children, and we have gotten to know each other better through our mums
group and our children being friends. She is one of those people who is beautiful inside and out, is always
encouraging and a pleasure to be around. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Over the years she has worked a little, trying to balance
some work hours with family life, all the while dreaming of a little beauty
therapy spot to call her own in order to work from home and be a mum too. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A few years ago she purchased a property that had a tenanted
flat attached to it. The place was an ideal spot for a beauty therapy business. It
was the perfect size and location, but it needed a bit of work and it also needed
to be at the right time. So she sat on it...waiting for the right time for her
dream to become a reality. After 4 years of it being tenanted it became empty
and she knew it was time. Along with her
supportive husband, she has personally spent the last few months completely
renovating the studio into a completely new space. The one bedroom flat is now
a newly refurbished Beauty Therapy Studio called “The Bach”. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am just so excited for her and so proud of her! Watching from the sidelines
and waiting with anticipation to see this all unfold for her is just so very
cool. I went out and visited her today to see how it was all coming along with
my camera and I was so overcome with joy for her. All her hard work and patience
has paid off, and she is all ready for business. The space is so warm and inviting, with a really
pretty colour scheme. It is secluded and private and has a nice outlook to the
ocean. The massage bed and nail studio are all set up. The towels are rolled and ready. The products are all lined up on the shelf. Its all finally ready to go!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Did I mention I am so EXCITED for her! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
I offered to use my teensy little bit of cyber space to tell
you about her...with absolutely no remuneration in mind purely just because she
is my friend and I love her. I
personally can’t wait to be in that bed overlooking that ocean view having a relaxing facial.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b>
<b>If you head over to her <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Bach-Beauty-Therapy/297782917030851?hc_location=timeline">Facebook page</a> and copy and paste the words. "Jacksta-B sent me over to say PICK MEEEEEE!!!!." on to her Facebook wall, you will go into a draw to win a voucher to spend at The Bach!! If you are from out of town or (country!) ...but have a Whangarei resident in mind (or a favourite Whangarei blogger...hehe! ) that you would love to nominate ...go right ahead and enter too! </b><br />
<b>If you don't do Facebook and are keen to win a voucher for you or a Whangarei friend, leave the comment PICK MEEEEEEEEEEE!!! on the end of this post. Good Luck!</b><br />
<br />
<b><i><u>Entries for the voucher will close on October 31st 2013</u></i></b><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0rhnN8V25do985ZYYkj_ZzRDq-0_7LZ50Vg4ARGGPA8x4k4mMz9ckeMP7uPXFDD9uqKXrfu8hFwCitBoUFTp52iLnRt0PoliOqUCXEflL7nNFUt1nxaoSMeZzirMiXqmzD6GnE3RpvpDz/s1600/the+bach-13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0rhnN8V25do985ZYYkj_ZzRDq-0_7LZ50Vg4ARGGPA8x4k4mMz9ckeMP7uPXFDD9uqKXrfu8hFwCitBoUFTp52iLnRt0PoliOqUCXEflL7nNFUt1nxaoSMeZzirMiXqmzD6GnE3RpvpDz/s640/the+bach-13.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6gs7eshwYgIrAcZ3F83MRFOcqe768txdinFsmNUiwcJbNuRLfCyeNoIsTwOz7p8jhk1vrDLDwRwKXuD1EggZhF4ZLbh1-tzGrdm-m00AYA9g-aQYChngiqdfAByXBWh0vgyd4_GjekdHL/s1600/the+bach-7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6gs7eshwYgIrAcZ3F83MRFOcqe768txdinFsmNUiwcJbNuRLfCyeNoIsTwOz7p8jhk1vrDLDwRwKXuD1EggZhF4ZLbh1-tzGrdm-m00AYA9g-aQYChngiqdfAByXBWh0vgyd4_GjekdHL/s640/the+bach-7.JPG" width="420" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilxLzdNlvRXOC5QrN_gIfEWgodLjVriqT7ni9UZX_wMYsYaLx3GEJw5R9DQg3_8MXzLTkRFsRXBbxMDezoEEtR447D4UH43hOyFODR-0ZSsZuSVnaXHjjbTyLd1T-DmczesnErGJpeMZOu/s1600/the+bach-8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilxLzdNlvRXOC5QrN_gIfEWgodLjVriqT7ni9UZX_wMYsYaLx3GEJw5R9DQg3_8MXzLTkRFsRXBbxMDezoEEtR447D4UH43hOyFODR-0ZSsZuSVnaXHjjbTyLd1T-DmczesnErGJpeMZOu/s640/the+bach-8.JPG" width="425" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhigl-l4Z7mIttgrobqmkgiqjwf7csAsVrKJExwfpuA_2XIrfzB_L3xHjurKH1alohDCsoZ5WBF9XGt1RHIakm7ATqo-vK8JK5Z7JfLxFIPWkqk-dNdY-8l3zLevIapJLU_YSBcJwjyqmjZ/s1600/bach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhigl-l4Z7mIttgrobqmkgiqjwf7csAsVrKJExwfpuA_2XIrfzB_L3xHjurKH1alohDCsoZ5WBF9XGt1RHIakm7ATqo-vK8JK5Z7JfLxFIPWkqk-dNdY-8l3zLevIapJLU_YSBcJwjyqmjZ/s640/bach.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Bach runs by Appointment only and can cater to after hours clients who are unable to make it during day time hours due to work commitments or child care arrangements.<br />
Check out her treatments and prices on her Facebook page and book in your beauty therapy appointment with my lovely friend today!</div>
jackstahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09433816784934589899noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558182024850908579.post-27010024708231592192013-10-13T14:37:00.000+13:002013-10-13T14:44:31.929+13:00done already?<ul>
<li>These holidays have whizzed past, I cant believe that they are over!</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Did I tell you I'm on holiday?! For a whole month even. I have been looking forward to them all year...since February to be exact. At my work place, the annual leave calendar gets filled up for the entire year pretty quickly. Some people have been known to take three months off right on January 1st! This will be the longest holiday I've have since my last maternity leave stint 3 years ago. While I am enjoying not even thinking about work, it does seem a little weird to have a holiday from the so little hours I do anyway. I just wish I was going some where....like Hawaii!</li>
</ul>
<div>
<ul>
<li>When the kids go back to school, Ill be doing a whole lot of this...</li>
</ul>
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMG2NxlAbW8DK15z0NL_MxJZbIN4aVTXUjCDBzYzRztWQsf32jodZXB4PUIS5tIUL_ae-jQHhwWMLkr8PiJYv24TuJkKxwl_WuyumBMT2UIAiaj_3BXhJ3QqHRDnIkLo9OkU8sCcCf21CM/s1600/IMG_0261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMG2NxlAbW8DK15z0NL_MxJZbIN4aVTXUjCDBzYzRztWQsf32jodZXB4PUIS5tIUL_ae-jQHhwWMLkr8PiJYv24TuJkKxwl_WuyumBMT2UIAiaj_3BXhJ3QqHRDnIkLo9OkU8sCcCf21CM/s400/IMG_0261.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;">Yes M2 is a mens magazine...but I like the articles. And an old time family friend is the publisher/editor. So I like to support him. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;">My lovely Hubster is on holiday too, for two short weeks. Sadly he isn't doing a lot of coffee drinking and magazine reading. I have the whip out so he can do some long awaited jobs around the house...like help build a retaining wall.</li>
<li>His poor nice clean soft hands have blisters and callus's. The joys of being a home owner. We still have a hallway to paint...which I will try and help with next week when the kids go back to school and aren't running around being in the way. </li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjutXTSAqwkQ_v_pe2B5ebcd3tt3je8-FfIhS42TfJF-gIJl331LDKq3b6SeRQaVcRWyas7RHlUup9-47epzkY1Y1_0np9Zu5N4hg2Ltqx-WBeEDwfXhqA9ryuIN4HhUO213vTr7l9ZE8tK/s1600/IMG_0225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjutXTSAqwkQ_v_pe2B5ebcd3tt3je8-FfIhS42TfJF-gIJl331LDKq3b6SeRQaVcRWyas7RHlUup9-47epzkY1Y1_0np9Zu5N4hg2Ltqx-WBeEDwfXhqA9ryuIN4HhUO213vTr7l9ZE8tK/s400/IMG_0225.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNgQ-NjBuPHXuYnsrJ00yK9MxEl6-82maGjp5wMEs3u17CQBCBGBZDrMTFigPwWXSVbiEZaAo6lq7PTHQWC-KDcEAEduku256hvMOXzVNf4HZr67JHXrqeeFljJlnIjFMfEjXZhSx-DfNp/s1600/IMG_0273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNgQ-NjBuPHXuYnsrJ00yK9MxEl6-82maGjp5wMEs3u17CQBCBGBZDrMTFigPwWXSVbiEZaAo6lq7PTHQWC-KDcEAEduku256hvMOXzVNf4HZr67JHXrqeeFljJlnIjFMfEjXZhSx-DfNp/s400/IMG_0273.JPG" width="298" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Lots of spontaneous days have been had these holiday..if you read my <a href="http://jacksta-b.blogspot.co.nz/2013/10/let-spontaneity-reign.html">last blog post.</a> The kids have pretty much just had play dates and hung out at home playing a new computer game. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>We did however take the little tike to his first zoo visit. He was such a laugh, with his map. Well it wasn't funny at the time. We started off at the pridelands...to the left. And all he wanted to see was a spider! Which was all the way on the other side of the zoo....so we'd go...look the <b><i>elephant</i></b> Zak zak...and he'd say..."I WANNA SEE SPIDEEEEERRRRR!". A little teeny bit frustrating that kid! After a while I suggested we just get to the spider which was actually the tarantula...and he didn't even get that excited when he saw it. Funny little guy. You forget how much walking you need to do...along with the extra miles we parked away from the entrance...because it was the such a busy day to visit. Any hoo. Making memories aye?!</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ER8rJ6hrQbvAL9BhYff2GVm7Smq6M5MVUOTr5gLIIB7i-TXqoRetxFaByhlHQcfbUbNutmROEpJLT00k5skoPAYzOickXhFa5Yto3Fve0g0ZCdLUsTcqRNqosZM4rcnHGxCB_JVuNJam/s1600/IMG_0249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ER8rJ6hrQbvAL9BhYff2GVm7Smq6M5MVUOTr5gLIIB7i-TXqoRetxFaByhlHQcfbUbNutmROEpJLT00k5skoPAYzOickXhFa5Yto3Fve0g0ZCdLUsTcqRNqosZM4rcnHGxCB_JVuNJam/s400/IMG_0249.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwbDj6us0b1RRrzStl5creeX21zMwctHA3zkPGL9dPfBYhB6K41To5ZBf7ahINHoqUW0ee9vv5-jW9OOVS_qKPCWF8M5goHM_HiEfJeheIKYUt27QzHJzn5IkMpjHIGVMiYaPVq6ioEzW/s1600/IMG_0241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwbDj6us0b1RRrzStl5creeX21zMwctHA3zkPGL9dPfBYhB6K41To5ZBf7ahINHoqUW0ee9vv5-jW9OOVS_qKPCWF8M5goHM_HiEfJeheIKYUt27QzHJzn5IkMpjHIGVMiYaPVq6ioEzW/s400/IMG_0241.JPG" width="298" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;">Can you really go the zoo and <b><u>not</u></b> have a photo inside the dragons mouth?</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>So I joined instagram. The jury is still out on that one. What I'm discovering is a whole lot of my favourite bloggers are all in this ap instead of blogging. It really is like a whole new world in there. I feel like one of those newbies to Facebook...while the rest of the world has been doing it since 2007, we all snigger at the way they incorrectly write updates in the wrong bits. Yep this happened the me on instagram. I recorded my first movie and it didn't even have any sound, which was the whole point because I was listening to Irish music. Fail. </li>
<li>A week in and Hashtags still pee me off. I'm sure in a little while my eyes wont be bothered by them..or maybe they still will. #Firstworldproblems. </li>
<li>I did warn the people who begged me to join instagram, that I would be one of those annoying people who instagram their plates of food. See... </li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPZ-jg5xoZ8XpWlbMNhNGR2ii05chc2XaVEL_9M_pNgdjLvlaG1odIYv5gRpWjKKnNJefpVDGLkTtdrfcD6oecu6hDBxc5T0zO9CP97FMW4y2OHEdDUTK0gXRhyG2bwbrASLHrRoK9YlgF/s1600/thai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPZ-jg5xoZ8XpWlbMNhNGR2ii05chc2XaVEL_9M_pNgdjLvlaG1odIYv5gRpWjKKnNJefpVDGLkTtdrfcD6oecu6hDBxc5T0zO9CP97FMW4y2OHEdDUTK0gXRhyG2bwbrASLHrRoK9YlgF/s400/thai.jpg" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saturday night takeaways. So yum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;">Trying to separate instagram photos- with Facebook photos- with blog photos to make sure the same people don't have to see the same photos, it seems is a challenge. Gotta keep it fresh</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;">So I participated in my first blog swap. It was the <a href="http://findingalisa.blogspot.co.nz/2013/09/nzmugswap2013-details-here.html">NZ mug swap 2013</a> I think I missed the brief. My poor mug swap partner must be thinking she got ripped off! I put a LOT of thought into the actual MUG...and not a lot else to be fair. And then my mug swap partner goes and gives me this awesome package. Thank you so much <a href="http://thismumrocks.wordpress.com/">Heather from This Mum Rocks</a>. I'm blown away. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMHDjGh1UcVvhVRdqkBA0g3YsHhe79v9qEs09NlIg_tA3cqxM2KQktV3WfAy_QIs-EoLUFyWP0DINQJA6EIXBKSTOMh67JvHcyyJOe1jAMxSiFw4zSKcfmAkNQfzlj3Tbhya2vMUm5GwqA/s1600/IMG_0285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMHDjGh1UcVvhVRdqkBA0g3YsHhe79v9qEs09NlIg_tA3cqxM2KQktV3WfAy_QIs-EoLUFyWP0DINQJA6EIXBKSTOMh67JvHcyyJOe1jAMxSiFw4zSKcfmAkNQfzlj3Tbhya2vMUm5GwqA/s640/IMG_0285.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="text-align: left;">I went out and watched the movie <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1454468/">Gravity</a> with these two lovely chicks...followed by apple and cinnamon tea at the Fat Camel. It was a cool movie, but then I've been a Sandra Bullock fan since SPEED. George Clooney I can take or leave! Okay he <i>was</i> good in Oceans Eleven. </span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1rmG0WPi5ipLLRhMTV1G4g13UdOOGgyMcwRkhVlMTUaAXWrKbaLh8EYOtj-BOsVOvkOK2x_nBB0jdOPGCOedpxTKsk3GQZKIM2w1KNeVG2UhaJTK_mgPMSAVkHVvH7lz4Co986XLaferz/s1600/IMG_0281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1rmG0WPi5ipLLRhMTV1G4g13UdOOGgyMcwRkhVlMTUaAXWrKbaLh8EYOtj-BOsVOvkOK2x_nBB0jdOPGCOedpxTKsk3GQZKIM2w1KNeVG2UhaJTK_mgPMSAVkHVvH7lz4Co986XLaferz/s320/IMG_0281.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.paisleyjade.com/">Kristy</a> and <a href="http://missbeckyboosview.blogspot.co.nz/">Becky</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;">I recently saw this outside a pub on the waterfront in Auckland. Haha...</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHaTeghlSqukybARu18s9m0yvxu02ouEtI8zBIy5vaGjCKEIc6bC4TD1KY8i1DREDoAdtgRklAoMn0kz30xdwzCe1N0MS-Y3AXm_rVvDSLW7C3FNPLmJmLe4fjrkX9yKGBoxwdopuDLI0c/s1600/IMG_0251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHaTeghlSqukybARu18s9m0yvxu02ouEtI8zBIy5vaGjCKEIc6bC4TD1KY8i1DREDoAdtgRklAoMn0kz30xdwzCe1N0MS-Y3AXm_rVvDSLW7C3FNPLmJmLe4fjrkX9yKGBoxwdopuDLI0c/s640/IMG_0251.JPG" width="478" /></a></div>
<br />
<ul>
<li>This cartoon always cracks me up!</li>
</ul>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh80vilsKWBJRacNW8rQvgdkPf-htLWNn3FwPX6Zvwp8F_4PaTpzVKefb_XF9XA3_MrV6DDQRyEEJDNqfEhjgZCGXh1ib7xynZr3y-aGNJI84qModIUbuhXHFm7Nok2e7PeAYmncrbT_BZ8/s1600/fart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh80vilsKWBJRacNW8rQvgdkPf-htLWNn3FwPX6Zvwp8F_4PaTpzVKefb_XF9XA3_MrV6DDQRyEEJDNqfEhjgZCGXh1ib7xynZr3y-aGNJI84qModIUbuhXHFm7Nok2e7PeAYmncrbT_BZ8/s1600/fart.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/originals/fd/97/02/fd97024481ac1263e47fb1691fedd7ff.jpg">source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<ul>
<li>Alright...so everybody...it's the home stretch till Christmas. We can do it! One more school term and then some summer holidays. Bring it on. </li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
xx Jacksta-B</div>
jackstahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09433816784934589899noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558182024850908579.post-2207581260309693792013-10-01T12:30:00.000+13:002013-10-01T12:30:30.321+13:00let spontaneity reign Its the school holidays here in NZ. <i><span style="font-size: x-small;">yay</span></i>.<br />
This mumma had plans...plans for fun.<br />
Plans for outings and activities.<br />
I was even working on a little holiday programme....one that was detailed to the hour. To try and stuff in as much in as possible.<br />
Crafting at the library. Swimming lessons. going to chipmunks. a movie day, taking a family trip up to the northern most tip of the North. a trip to Auckland to the zoo maybe even Kelly Tarltons.<br />
All my suggestions were met with negativity. One of them wanted to do it ..the other didn't <i>(</i>"<b><i>BUT </i></b><i>I dont like long drives, I've already been to the zoo, I </i><i> don't like crafting</i>, <i>or making kites or making a bug catcher")</i>...and so on down the list. Neither seemed keen to do any of my fun suggestions. Seriously...I almost pulled out the "when I was your age" card.<br />
That's it! I called it. Holiday plans are over..no ACTIVITIES...we will entertain ourselves at home..we go nowhere...<br />
That was yesterday.<br />
<br />
Today I woke to the sounds of children actually playing nicely.<br />
Jumping on the wobbly trampoline<br />
Pushing each other up and down the hallway in a large box,<br />
Playing "Church" with all their soft toys lined up in the seats with the music cranked up being song leaders.<br />
Playing hide and seek outside in the fresh air.<br />
Looking after their kid brother.<br />
Helping themselves to the cupboard when they are hungry.<br />
No schedules, no bell to tell them when to eat, and when to sit.<br />
<br />
Just unruly, loud holiday behavior.<br />
Time to be themselves.<br />
Unscheduled...time to relax and unwind from the school term.<br />
<br />
So today while I enjoyed my breakfast in bed, catching up on last nights Grey Anatomy on Demand...I decided plans are NOT what the doctor ordered...and spontaneity need's to reign instead. <br />
<br />
Happy Holiday's<br />
<br />
PS: If your kids would like to have some fun at the Library while we are at home doing not much..<a href="http://www.whangarei-libraries.com/Kids/WhatsOnForKids/Pages/WhatsOnForKids.aspx">.heres the link for their their free holiday programme for school age kids</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpyVWZq3Sj2xOYFcUgdgA-U84CKJgfepkS68yyNVoUKNyl02eKDhaw0bZ_7mPNjc7hrQ-ZDJI4MfLx9nPQyJa-P2JlwFHP4iFywq_fV4lwEcTtOysC4pAMY_ml4IcIV9vLbK3j0L-pXJ3l/s1600/tumblr_m0umypraRL1qebzpao1_500.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpyVWZq3Sj2xOYFcUgdgA-U84CKJgfepkS68yyNVoUKNyl02eKDhaw0bZ_7mPNjc7hrQ-ZDJI4MfLx9nPQyJa-P2JlwFHP4iFywq_fV4lwEcTtOysC4pAMY_ml4IcIV9vLbK3j0L-pXJ3l/s400/tumblr_m0umypraRL1qebzpao1_500.png" width="400" /></a></div>
jackstahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09433816784934589899noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558182024850908579.post-22122083856657003122013-09-27T14:14:00.000+12:002013-09-27T14:20:59.316+12:00Food Friday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
While I do enjoy cooking, I don't enjoy spending a long time doing it. Slaving over a hot stove all day is for the 1950's wife and that's not me. I got stuff to do! Like pinning on pintrest, reading blogs and Facebooking...You know being a Noughties housewife. :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So today I have a couple of <b><i>quick and easy</i></b> dishes I experimented with recently.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Mums cake and my sauce.</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMxIXnoR7lW1UCCioUQ2qiOWD7GZYsFknDPFa0W_Tb13dZ7VVCbZAVwNhzqDGC24-vRDgvvWdpKmzognvM-e3IEt402-5n6aPCvkaYTeDK9CJ66hmCSwTTwo1qWby8y8pP_Pgw9WtbiiRD/s1600/food-1_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMxIXnoR7lW1UCCioUQ2qiOWD7GZYsFknDPFa0W_Tb13dZ7VVCbZAVwNhzqDGC24-vRDgvvWdpKmzognvM-e3IEt402-5n6aPCvkaYTeDK9CJ66hmCSwTTwo1qWby8y8pP_Pgw9WtbiiRD/s640/food-1_01.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpOPRRN2sdjDUCbDBHZInct4OaEMt-TxjAoAZJkkSSIXUBqiiA-pgG6IRzayDP388avCnM6gBjVaZQRCffLOb6l3fmrxCQ9uyGQpA-7G984tTic07i2W2yU4Knlsf0n14HReefV1ALy5Al/s1600/food-5_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpOPRRN2sdjDUCbDBHZInct4OaEMt-TxjAoAZJkkSSIXUBqiiA-pgG6IRzayDP388avCnM6gBjVaZQRCffLOb6l3fmrxCQ9uyGQpA-7G984tTic07i2W2yU4Knlsf0n14HReefV1ALy5Al/s640/food-5_01.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My mum made this delicious cake which she insisted was so moist it didn't need any icing...I wasn't so sure so experimented with these two ingredients Creme Fraiche and <a href="http://www.whittakers.co.nz/?gclid=CJDg8e_B6rkCFUMzpAodPwcAmQ#/products/blocks/lp120/">Whittaker's L&P</a> chocolate to make a quick sauce. I plonked about 100 grams of the chocolate in with about 50 grams of the creme fraiche in the microwave for 1 minute. Boom...a delicious sauce! The family went nuts for it. Mum was right though...her cake was the most moist chocolate cake ever. I NEED that recipe. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Grandmas Lemon Honey tart</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Confession time. I have had these blind baking balls for about a year...and these tart tins for about 6 month...and just used them for the first time. Oh dear...good intentions yadda yadda.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This one has three easy ingredients....<a href="http://www.edmondscooking.co.nz/frozen-pastry/sweet-short-crust-1kg">Frozen Sweet Short crust pastry</a>, Lemon Honey (homemade by my MIL) and a dollop of vanilla yogurt. So easy but tasted so good. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuBtlf6caeGwsb5S_9r9S4hClKs_UY8_wMO44Kmg5acBuTRkbfpYlB940tVe80g2qEdflSo05KamjIGtalnH4rvUtTIww0noKrI4A0RL0GWGtze_RDgNFSUdzzczrZ4hZoHOLuvfefd2rO/s1600/food-6_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuBtlf6caeGwsb5S_9r9S4hClKs_UY8_wMO44Kmg5acBuTRkbfpYlB940tVe80g2qEdflSo05KamjIGtalnH4rvUtTIww0noKrI4A0RL0GWGtze_RDgNFSUdzzczrZ4hZoHOLuvfefd2rO/s640/food-6_01.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_BAB5KVWjPg0-ki7DlgHr4JAPeIBaNlDljGR2bgEJyHxOKs77QKYa10vIMBByapK75vEPMehDt5AAJBmCAXHXRQzZIvV6XJHwl3IH6M99wTsuRxvPMF_P8Mpgs5_3yoI3KSfFarN1tA5F/s1600/food-10_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_BAB5KVWjPg0-ki7DlgHr4JAPeIBaNlDljGR2bgEJyHxOKs77QKYa10vIMBByapK75vEPMehDt5AAJBmCAXHXRQzZIvV6XJHwl3IH6M99wTsuRxvPMF_P8Mpgs5_3yoI3KSfFarN1tA5F/s640/food-10_01.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlUwYti8NnNp2qAS5UHhgYIeETwnFwy-5PxONYccI2FWoRdCfNatENwSVza9m7GuA3CbSGfmTrLXOtvkMtldpZexR3vU2JIkTR1Z5QJyFgGRCb7GZLFkawuIS0niCDl-8Y1fWMExAEsEF9/s1600/food-14_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlUwYti8NnNp2qAS5UHhgYIeETwnFwy-5PxONYccI2FWoRdCfNatENwSVza9m7GuA3CbSGfmTrLXOtvkMtldpZexR3vU2JIkTR1Z5QJyFgGRCb7GZLFkawuIS0niCDl-8Y1fWMExAEsEF9/s640/food-14_01.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Roasted Pork Belly</b></div>
Roasted pork belly is pretty much our favourite family meal. Priced at $30-40 as a mains at the local restaurants, I am slowly trying to perfect it on a budget. My local New World has started selling a piece of pork belly for $10-15 and this size easily feeds our family of 5. <br />
<br />
I use a layer of carrots, onion, cellery and garlic and sliced apple in an oven proof dish, with a bit of water in it. I lay the pork belly over the top which has been scored and sprinkled generously with salt to create a delicious crackling. I slowly roast it on a low heat (120 Celsius) for 2 hours with some foil over it. Then I turn up the heat to 200C with the foil off on the top rung of the oven until the crackling is golden and crunchie, about another 20-30 minutes.<br />
<br />
While the pork is resting I put the layer of veges that was underneath the pork into a pot with some more water and chicken stock and reduce it down. Strain it so you just use the liquid to make a delicious "jus". Some roasted veges on the side and you have an easy special family meal. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ0Irz6cVkbab9fErO2MYeR44Y6JP3qy4x7FSTpSkFctF8_vwemXY8X-HwKqgK-MbLQL0Ui3UWbF3sf_LnuGsgaXyCM94iY6y0UwHhf5uLIBA6HTopntWkoAkBR5SkgGtOGGl4pdnR3SQ3/s1600/food-35.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ0Irz6cVkbab9fErO2MYeR44Y6JP3qy4x7FSTpSkFctF8_vwemXY8X-HwKqgK-MbLQL0Ui3UWbF3sf_LnuGsgaXyCM94iY6y0UwHhf5uLIBA6HTopntWkoAkBR5SkgGtOGGl4pdnR3SQ3/s640/food-35.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT-_1CuiK8AJr0KaZtx2_8eioJsj_TvFA5fbbOqcXpuXy3mqV1rNVMIHQtUa4aNeBZSMACzLMqu825gMHFRn3zXzgYBzgWHmXKs7-q6NsIjalYw0YfXaBhlr51qZo42RJ4gOe9MPFmY_w8/s1600/food-37.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT-_1CuiK8AJr0KaZtx2_8eioJsj_TvFA5fbbOqcXpuXy3mqV1rNVMIHQtUa4aNeBZSMACzLMqu825gMHFRn3zXzgYBzgWHmXKs7-q6NsIjalYw0YfXaBhlr51qZo42RJ4gOe9MPFmY_w8/s640/food-37.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibKIbNtncXQ_3HUjSPxFvksJ8rxn1UxiNIMVScrBInIw-rahAyhp_XPcVnnTgMROLPrEKNI-m3kniKlT4Up8azcMuVixm8Q5mg22JeuWtlBN4buyiaJ9Y_snx005lma3QmyS0SFJhtWHgC/s1600/food-41.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibKIbNtncXQ_3HUjSPxFvksJ8rxn1UxiNIMVScrBInIw-rahAyhp_XPcVnnTgMROLPrEKNI-m3kniKlT4Up8azcMuVixm8Q5mg22JeuWtlBN4buyiaJ9Y_snx005lma3QmyS0SFJhtWHgC/s640/food-41.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
jackstahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09433816784934589899noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558182024850908579.post-72909864211113508732013-09-23T11:08:00.000+12:002013-09-23T11:08:04.515+12:00happy birthday hubsta<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiODCqRnsaFmoYOeQytELRDFoLsYSSNaoi7j8TG9Mm_VYhqjID_yIdrcW8ptUWiSK2G9JDXmH_JHIqYMezuVVX6_WRx_Ek_OGuj2aqqHxMoyhzgAlETYuWcwZx8Rhy_X9WVnNzxYL4xG_eq/s1600/birthday+les.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiODCqRnsaFmoYOeQytELRDFoLsYSSNaoi7j8TG9Mm_VYhqjID_yIdrcW8ptUWiSK2G9JDXmH_JHIqYMezuVVX6_WRx_Ek_OGuj2aqqHxMoyhzgAlETYuWcwZx8Rhy_X9WVnNzxYL4xG_eq/s640/birthday+les.jpg" width="476" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
This post is dedicated to my fella...aka Hubsta...aka...My love. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I had a brilliant idea to break into his office and <b>birthday bomb*</b> his desk space. He was feeling a little depressed about having to work on his birthday so I thought this would be a fun surprise for him to walk in to. We both work for the same company so when I went to work yesterday (Sunday) I could get it all ready for a Monday morning surprise. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I bought him a cake to share with his workmates and their favourite plunger coffee to have for morning tea. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In our line of work where people our age are sick or are dying, I have now come to the realization that every birthday is a blessing and is worth celebrating... the more extravagant the better!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Birthday celebrations will continue later when he comes home from work today...as he left a bit too early for the usual morning pressies in bed this morning. So a favourite meal and our traditional goofy birthday dance will be on the cards later on tonight.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY LOVE!</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZbnq5ezzO43K5Nw8zWvupbQyXwmcTa5MQSJdZ9Tn5ZnsdHa9GNmuBA4EOGVfBCaJchFoSVGUDbqJBLeJz1ETPjK17YoHMEMkBU3mpqJ4jME2IWcccO3vz_czoxvP1l-ciOt3e88HZD2-C/s1600/winter+2013-96.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZbnq5ezzO43K5Nw8zWvupbQyXwmcTa5MQSJdZ9Tn5ZnsdHa9GNmuBA4EOGVfBCaJchFoSVGUDbqJBLeJz1ETPjK17YoHMEMkBU3mpqJ4jME2IWcccO3vz_czoxvP1l-ciOt3e88HZD2-C/s400/winter+2013-96.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
*<b>Birthday Bomb</b>....we should make that new thing! Im keen to birthday bomb some more loved ones...make sure you let me know if you birthday bomb someone!</div>
jackstahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09433816784934589899noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558182024850908579.post-51654932774691674422013-09-18T12:31:00.001+12:002013-09-18T12:55:17.787+12:00bullet point ponderingsTime for a catch up bullet point post.<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Im a tired grumpy cow today. Two night shifts and few more late nights including another work night tonight has gotten to me. And so when this morning I could hear two boys bouncing off the walls far too early in the morning for my liking..I almost lost the plot. I decided not to. I took my self of to the shower and calmed myself with the warm waters... and came up with a better idea...I did not yell. I told them in no uncertain terms that if the same thing happens tomorrow morning...a game they have been saving up for will have a one day delay for every morning I am woken up too early...that'll learn them. </li>
</ul>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Yep...I'm not a morning person. </li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>I planted some three plants three weeks ago and they are not dead!</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Friday Fun-day continues to be weekly event unless I have to work that afternoon. I try not to use it as a way to enforce good behavior...as in "<i>we wont have Friday fun-day if you don't behave</i>". In fact we do it anyway...just because. And so my kids don't think I'm a dragon mumma. It Friday fun-day...just because its Friday. That's all. Favorite things we do are...visit a park, go to McDonald's, go to the town basin and have an ice cream, go to the DVD store. Just anything fun rather than just coming straight home from school. A good way to start the weekend.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaM5qaASkC3h3WHPiqgIpzNJGsGZVdzXZ33j0KrQNdI0n805fR17zisA5Lwo3_8hky9frPjH_ji2cOeVZEBrpkxrRfFn-Q_A80kd6p6CFvcIJSeZtEWcIpg_RjYtnWIUPB_w7JCgLmHbjK/s1600/IMG_0193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaM5qaASkC3h3WHPiqgIpzNJGsGZVdzXZ33j0KrQNdI0n805fR17zisA5Lwo3_8hky9frPjH_ji2cOeVZEBrpkxrRfFn-Q_A80kd6p6CFvcIJSeZtEWcIpg_RjYtnWIUPB_w7JCgLmHbjK/s400/IMG_0193.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Friday Fun-day</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwV9b_73x5etSqrx9ia2PXcPMQlvUs5FVg-PBaDU7hpMnr7LaYxoFmG-etYpQvwlnCe5Mo2yaQNRKCrCscq5oXDGoX2xj3kLUQ2Oxqef9K6yngMDDOQvfeZlQAcJhfLS0ZsZqAIERVlI3G/s1600/IMG_0202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwV9b_73x5etSqrx9ia2PXcPMQlvUs5FVg-PBaDU7hpMnr7LaYxoFmG-etYpQvwlnCe5Mo2yaQNRKCrCscq5oXDGoX2xj3kLUQ2Oxqef9K6yngMDDOQvfeZlQAcJhfLS0ZsZqAIERVlI3G/s400/IMG_0202.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">{The furthest Zak zak has made it up the web. Super proud of himself} </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpDs9oTRxKV98YQx0yVyp3mVk4YYAipnUKjG5psFJx2wFZciJI5U25nFX8q7nTFGx9BM-sJWF5linC6iMAv1nqZ2AAFrvqXZVi2x8wcJmAfinw75cjjLzLusgXdjs2-ZJcxIUY-oMmaYQ2/s1600/IMG_0190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpDs9oTRxKV98YQx0yVyp3mVk4YYAipnUKjG5psFJx2wFZciJI5U25nFX8q7nTFGx9BM-sJWF5linC6iMAv1nqZ2AAFrvqXZVi2x8wcJmAfinw75cjjLzLusgXdjs2-ZJcxIUY-oMmaYQ2/s400/IMG_0190.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Me and my lovely Miss Joy.<br />Knocked out tooth healing well. <br />Thanks for the concerns and prayers for her a few weeks ago</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>I finally watched all the Star wars Movies. They were okay. I could see how they would have been a huge hit in the 70's and 80's. New ground breaking special effects and animations...of which they won awards for. Good stuff George Lucus. Who knows maybe this Sci-fi snob might actually watch the 7th installment at the movies when it comes out in few years time. </li>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ6NVfkUpiYwWBNv_Rs3JFJBOJOlhSUHVJvOCkfTqdLVdm1Xi_vkfCvQobiQbn1i4vt_hnrL-QHMg9XsgtvYSRPBF-YaNDYApdsJZ8kNFMEXpxcFxJ-tkVi0ENeNFIyhuZEWcQNCRVkCvC/s1600/yoda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ6NVfkUpiYwWBNv_Rs3JFJBOJOlhSUHVJvOCkfTqdLVdm1Xi_vkfCvQobiQbn1i4vt_hnrL-QHMg9XsgtvYSRPBF-YaNDYApdsJZ8kNFMEXpxcFxJ-tkVi0ENeNFIyhuZEWcQNCRVkCvC/s320/yoda.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/DeeJay_Jon_E_Fever/media/stuff%204/942556_654119847936318_1340352394_n_zps76d33294.jpg.html?sort=3&o=23">source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<li><span style="text-align: center;">He he....funny mash up of the "Ain't nobody got time for that" meme and Yoda. Yep I now know who Yoda is!</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPJk-MxVsRU-tzOfzvmaTXsgaHH8bGaFiHS8aIdfEJnnxSdo1t-Q-MQxbpWx2Yb5-Kbuo7mgP_WEEbS-XXVBJsvUHZKEsIYTlhOG2wFrZfG9B8_kFnFOWGuq7WauABblHPBSEd1AJgGT-Q/s1600/IMG_0152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPJk-MxVsRU-tzOfzvmaTXsgaHH8bGaFiHS8aIdfEJnnxSdo1t-Q-MQxbpWx2Yb5-Kbuo7mgP_WEEbS-XXVBJsvUHZKEsIYTlhOG2wFrZfG9B8_kFnFOWGuq7WauABblHPBSEd1AJgGT-Q/s320/IMG_0152.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div>
<ul>
<li>Having a rare mid week coffee with Dadda while he was having a lunch break from Jury service</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Cocktail time??</li>
</ul>
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdmlncQ3bvOQlUpem-befn_-yHUOTSKlx5sOOEjLEMeiCdp3nI39h-6MjDd_nhRjVZQtCCWN4iQbg1yHLzRdjFHlN9qBSLaKJZSYkv7qUN_ongv24_ii9vvhbWo_a4YJwXADHAc84OE8ee/s1600/IMG_0206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdmlncQ3bvOQlUpem-befn_-yHUOTSKlx5sOOEjLEMeiCdp3nI39h-6MjDd_nhRjVZQtCCWN4iQbg1yHLzRdjFHlN9qBSLaKJZSYkv7qUN_ongv24_ii9vvhbWo_a4YJwXADHAc84OE8ee/s320/IMG_0206.JPG" width="163" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hope your week is going splendid. </div>
jackstahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09433816784934589899noreply@blogger.com3