Just Like Martha

Toys for RAINBOW COMFORT PACKS

A few weeks ago when the Victorian bushfire disaster first reared its ugly head a lady called Monica from www.beyonepinkandblue.blogspot.com began putting together "comfort packs for little ones affected by the bush fires"...I understand there has been an outpour of support for Monica who has been working tirelessly putting together these packs as quickly as she can.

A recent visit to Ikea and a few purchases together with a handmade creation of my own sees me posting off a package to Monica - its not much but it all helps.

 

Please help if you can......Lee x

Shadow Shot Sunday - my very first!!!

Well I have decided to give in - every Sunday I LOVE to check out all the wonderful talented people who post 'shadow photographs' - so, so clever and every week I think "hey maybe I should have a go" - well here I am...

 

Now I know my first should be something spectacular - but I am a beginner after all....and as the other lovely shadow participants say its amazing once you start you see shadows everywhere and I happened to come acorss this - one of our Shanghai photos so I thought it might be a nice place to start.

Check out all the wonderful blogs that participate in this every Sunday and for the amazing collages that Hey Harriet puts together go to www.heyharriet.blogspot.com

Have a great week everyone xxx Lee

Happy Birthday To You (and you and you)

We enjoyed celebrating little Maclean's first Birthday on the weekend...I'd forgottten how yummy chocolate crackles are....

 

This is Lilly modeling the latest in presents for a busy one year old - cute huh..and here is a close up of the card...we had a run of first Birthdays...Happy Birthday little Summer wish we could have shared it with you.... next time you need a "age card" check out www.timeforcrafting.co.uk they have lots of cool templates to download!

 

While on the subject of Birthdays...our 'baby' is soon to turn TEN and what better way to celebrate than with a dinner party!!

Yep that is right, a few years ago Taylor had the same party, must admit after years of organising games, decorations, fancy cakes, chocolates crackles and other party food this was easy peasy...and VERY grown up. Its not happening for another month but we have just finished the invites ready to post (none of this handing them out at school - we are nearly 10 after all!)...will keep you posted with all the planning but here is a peek at the invites...

 

Don't you just love "FROCK UP FOR A DINNER PARTY"....

 

Just love the colours she chose, pink and brown - I can feel a colour theme coming on!

Happy Valentines Day (and a last minute gift idea) xx

Happy Valentines Day everybody (for tomorrow that is), we don't really get into all the over commercialised stuff but I do like to treat my hubby with just a little something...came up with this idea this year...what do you think?

 

First I bought a plain white gift box, filled it with lots of yummy treats (found chocolate covered jelly snakes - yum, rasberry bullets and lots of white chocolate (John's fave)) then I printed off a love poem (we had Elizabeth Barrett Browning - "How do I love Thee" as a reading at our wedding - an old favourite), wiped over the paper with a used tea bag (for that old worldy look) and attached the poem to the box with a gorgeous red bow - pretty cool huh!

Please HELP if you can......

The past weeks tragedies have left us all numb....first the devastating floods and savage weather in FNQ especially around the Ingham area then the irony of the heat and bushfires that have claimed so many lives and homes in Victoria....BUT if it is one thing that we Aussies are good at its banding together and helping each other out.

I sit in my beautiful home surronded by treasured possessions and a healthy family and I feel helpless, how can we help??? So many people have lost so much, where do you begin to start all over again....well WE CAN HELP, here are some great ideas...

* REGISTER TO DONATE BLOOD www.donateblood.com.au - I believe they have been inundated which is fantastic but they will continue to need blood supplies so put a note in your diary and organise an appointment for a few weeks!

* SHOP AT COLES THIS FRIDAY 13TH FEB www.coles.com.au - and ALL profits will be sent directly to the Red Cross.

* DONATE $$$$ VIA RED CROSS www.redcross.org.au - every cent that is collected will be put into a trust fund for victims

There are many clever and talented people selling their handmade wares with some or all profits going to the cause, check out ETSY www.etsy.com next time you need to buy a gift or go to www.handmadehelpsout.blogspot.com where there is a HANDMADE HELP 2009 VICTORIAN BUSHFIRE APPEAL

* HANDMADE TOYS are being distributed to children who have lost everything, log on to www.thetoysociety.blogspot.com to see how you can help

and finally..........

An amazing lady called Monica from www.beyondpinkandblue.blogspot.com is organising comfort packs for the children - this is such a fantastic idea, please help if you can

Please give generously and pray often xxx

Memories of Shanghai

Finally I have organised my photos of Shanghai and set aside some time to write a post about this wonderful city....we left the 45' heat of Cairns and headed to Shanghai for a cold and wintery Christmas.....for a few days we were in shock, -4' was certainly pretty cold but must admit it was so nice to rug up in coats, hats, scarves and gloves and there is something about the cold weather that somehow makes it more like Christmas.

 

What an amazing city Shanghai is, I was quite surprised as to how much I fell in love with it, such a city of contrasts and it is growing at such a rate, everywhere you look there is building work as they hurry to get the city ready for Expo in 2010 and yet take a train to the country and village life continues, tourists are a novelty and English scarcely spoken. We found the people of Shanghai friendly and eager to help, we walked everywhere and if we ever looked lost before long there would be a crowd around us guiding us to our next destination.

 

We were also surprised by the amount of Christmas lights and decorations everywhere, it truly was a magical wonderland and the city came alive at night with all the light displays, I don't think I have ever seen so many decorations in the one city.

 

The next photos I just couldn't resist sharing with you, they demonstrate the real Shanghai....... city of contrasts.......... the New York of the East!

 

 

 

 

 

Fond memories of Shanghai - we'll be back!

Saturday Scones....yum!

There is nothing like a fresh home-made scone with yummy jam and lashings of cream served witha cuppa to put a smile on your face....especially if they are made by your talented children!

 

 

Certainly a great way to start a busy weekend of gardening and catching up with friends...Taylor has become a legendary scone maker...might even have a "scone-off" when Nan comes to stay???? YUM SCRUM!!

 

Thanks girls they were DELICIOUS xx