Just Like Martha

Good Life Wednesday

Its always nice to be reminded to be thankful for the "good stuff", the everyday ordinary stuff that we sometimes take for granted......enter A Beach Cottage and "Good Life Wednesdays".

 

After running a few errands today Lilly and I stole some time alone (Taylor was at a sleepover) and went for a drive along the beaches......it wasn't long before we pulled into a favourite haunt for cake and coffee.... Alfresco Emporium ...yummo!

 

Thankyou Sarah for reminding me that sometimes its the simple things that remind us of our "Good Life".

 

 

 

Shadow Shot Sunday

Another busy weekend almost over and another shadow to share...these shadows compliments of our trek across Sydney Harbour last weekend, taken on the Manly ferry.

 

And another as we walked along the harbours edge...

 

Visit Tracy and shadow chasers from all over the world, make sure you stop by and have a look at the collages Tracy has made from last week's shots (can you see mine??)

Organise your cards to give...

Anyone that knows me knows that I am VERY organised when it comes to gift and card giving. This was made easier a few years ago when a friend brought me a 'card organiser' on a trip to America..it got me to thinking how much easier life would be for me if I made my cards (in one sitting) for an entire month and then filed them in my organiser.

Fast forward a few years and I made one for my good friend Jane for her Birthday, she loved it so I am making a few more to give to some of my crafty friends.....it would also work for th 'not so crafty' who can simply purchase rather than make cards and keep them ready in the folders!

 

Grab a A5 concertina folder with tabbed sections (I was lucky enought to find one with months), then simply decorate with paper and lace and other treasures (I have used some of my recent op shop finds, newly dyed for the occassion).

 

I just covered up the writing that was on the tabs that I didn't want. Finally I made a sheet for each month that you can add Birthday details to...and voilla..an organised card file.

 

You will NEVER miss another Birthday again!

Shadow Shot Sunday

Tracy has been busy as usual creating wonderful collages and hosting SHADOW SHOT SUNDAY, pop on over and say hello and while you are there check out what shadow chasers all over the world have been up to.

This week my shadow shot is compliments of my recent 'grown-up' weekend away in the wine region near Canberra...enjoy!

 

 

Hope you are enjoying a glorious Sunday (it has been a stunning day here in Sydney) xx

A very yummy (and super EASY) dinner to share...

You gotta love a super easy and yummy dinner, especially when you throw everything in the one pot...AND...the kids ask for seconds, oh yeh, you gotta love that!

One of my favourite blogs to 'stalk' is local girl Sarah who lives with her family in a wonderful beach cottage by the sea, the other day she posted about a chicken dish that sounded too good to be true check it out here so yesterday I decided to give it a go. Thursday is our 'manic' day of the week where we all eat at different times, head off in different directions and to top it off I work all day so an easy peasy meal is handy.

Introducing Sarah's "Beach Cottage Too Easy Forty Garlic Chicken".

I opted for the slow cooker version and the smells wafted through the house all day.

 

The chicken literally fell of the bones and I served with with couscous, I kept all the yummy juices and stock ready to make a batch of soup so the recipe is super economical (even with my hungry lot there was enough chicken leftover for school lunches today)

So, if you are after a super easy (in the crockpot or not - you choose) chicken dish that everyone is sure to love pop on over and say hello to Sarah for the recipe.

A weekend away...

Just back from a wonderful weekend away with hubby...yep..just the two of us..yippee! The girls spent a few days with their grandparents and we headed off just three hours from Sydney to the wine region close to Canberra, affectionately known as "The Poachers Way". As we headed out of rainy Sydney early Saturday we were greeted with a wonderful rainbow, the closer we got to our destination the better the weather. We visited some wonderful wineries, enjoyed great coffee and cake and a wonderful picnic lunch put together with love from my mum (yep not only did they offer to babysit but they sent us on our way with a basket of goodies - thanks mum).....Saturday night we stayed in a lovely B&B in a cute little town called Gundaroo and enjoyed wood fired pizzas and a lovely bottle of red (purchased earlier of course)...Sunday morning we enjoyed a leisurely cooked country breakfast and headed back home visiting Mittagong and Bowral on the way home for more yummy cake and coffee (yes I know extra training for me on Wednesday) and a quick browse in one or two little antique shops....

 

Yes a wonderful weekend indeed xx

Been Busy Crafting!

 
Its been cold and chilly here in Sydney for the past few days and like a lot of Sydneysiders I have been 'cold struck', sniffling and coughing my way thru the past few days. In an effort to recover in time for our long weekend I took some sick leave today, rugged up and treated myself to some crafting (after all a girl has got to feel better somehow). Turn out it was just what the doctor ordered!

 

 

 

And some presents are now all wrapped and ready to go...

 

 
 
After all the card making I even managed to catch up on a few taped episodes of my favourite Nate and do some knitting....just in time for my girlfriends Birthday.

 

Well I have to say I don't make a very good patient, I hate being sick....but, I did enjoy my day of 'rest' and crafting! All ready now for the long weekend...and a little trip....more on that later!

 

Thanks for the inspiration Kim !

But first I have to thank Taylor for 'fixing' my Typepad photo issues....it only took the 14 year old IT guru a few minutes to locate the problem and change a few settings!

We have wanted to 're-decorate' our study for some time now, its really the only room in the house that has been left untouched since we originally renovated. I have been watching the Nate Burkus show and started to lean towards darker shades. I work from home a few days a week in the study so John was happy to leave the decision making to me. We liked a dark grey (almost black) shade of Dulux but something wasn't quite right...then enter Kim Archer . Now I don't want Kim to think I am stalking her and painting my house the same as hers but her colour choice was perfect...it just had to be Dulux "Namadji". So a few weekends later our study went from this...

 

to this...

 

Love, love, love my new inproved study! Nate Burkus talks a lot about making pieces work for you, the old upright bookcase was plain and boring, just the old varnished pine type, nothing special. Well after some special undercoat (Zinnser) and a new lick of paint it looks fabulous...I am one very happy girl so thanks Kim (and Nate) for the inspiration!

Shadow Shot Sunday

So frustrating!!!! This is my fifth attempt to post SHADOW SHOT SUNDAY this week! Apparently an upgrade  made to me laptop last night doesn't like Typepad so after numerous attempts to load photos unsuccessfully I have given up and borrowed Lilly's laptop only to have the internet 'disappear' mid post...grrrrr...here goes again.

We have had winter weather in Autumn and Autumn weather now that it is winter, luckily the trees still know what is happening and have out on another spctacular display of colour (and shadows)..

 

 

 

Make sure you stop by and say hello to Tracy and the other shadow shooters from all over the world.....now I think I deserve a cuppa!