from somewhere in my imagination

That Cheeky Grin

I'm catching up on Project Runway Australia but not quite in full concentration mode...I came across This Picture Tells 3 Tales on Freckled Nest and though it would be fun to join in with Leigh Ann.  She's currently making over my blog for me and I LOVE the concept she's got going on for me so far.

I'm taking this photo of Miss J and teling the stories that go with it.

After watching Playschool S & J decided it was time for a little dress up session.  He was Buzz Lightyear and she was a fairy.  S will change costumes many times in a dress up session but J pretty much sticks with the fairy costumes.  There is no doubt she is a girly girl at heart.

She was trying to steal my chocolate, she thought it was hilarious...me, not so much, not going to happen girlfriend.

She is the most adorably cheeky, confident and feisty little person.  I've heard stories of younger sibling allowing older siblings to talk/do everything for them.  That's not going to be her, ever.

She gives the best cuddles...but that's really got nothing to do with the photo...and she hates being kissed.  Gross.

Goodnight, I hope your day has been a good one!

Tatum xx

Farewells, Jigsaws and Mushroom Gravy.

This weekend we went to a farewell.

After nearly 12 years of mining town living I don't do goodbyes.  I avoid farewells but Friday night was an important one.  So we went, and we had fun...I was completely embarrased by my children who canvassed the room asking for 'coin' for the mo-lee-bikes (Sebastian) and chocolate skill tester (girls).

It was hilarious watching the little dude on the motorbike arcade game.  He was totally holding his tounge the right way.  The girls discovered that if they put in money and pushed a button they got games + their money back.  Hilarious.

Saturday was spent hanging out at home.  I was busy cutting Denim Dresses for Green Dandelion to sell at our upcoming markets.

Steven was busy finishing a Jigsaw puzzle that he started about 3 years ago.  It is an impossible puzzle, he was going to pack it away but decided he needed to finish it first.

He finally finished it while I was out walking on Sunday afternoon.

Enjoyed my first bit of exercise since we got home.  Our days have been full on and it was great to get out and walk and enjoy a chat with a good friend.

The kids played with lots of toys.  Puzzles, dolls house, babies, dress ups and lots and lots of role play.

We finished up with a yummy Sunday night dinner of Steak with Mushroom Gravy and veg.

While I was cooking tonight I thought how mushroom gravy is for me what hokey pokey was for Chantelle here in this post.  There was a time when a chicken parmy was my schnitzel of choice.  These days it is mushroom gravy all the way.  I guess I've matured from neapolitan sauce + cheese to mushroom gravy.

Over the past 6 months or so I have concocted my own perfect Mushroom Gravy to serve with Steak or Schnitzel.

Mushroom Gravy

Ingredients

1 Onion, finely chopped

250g Mushrooms, sliced

1 tsp Dijon Mustard

3 Tbs Gravox Rich Meat Gravy Powder

2 Cups water (approx)

Method

Using the pan you have cooked your steaks in (or a frying pan with a splash of olive oil if serving with schnitzel) fry your onion until soft.

Sprinkle in the Gravy Powder then start to add the liquid slowly, stirring as you go so that you don't get lumps.

When you are happy with the consistency of your gravy stop adding water and throw in the dijon mustard and mushrooms.

If you want your gravy a bit creamy feel free to add a splash of pouring cream.

Before serving add back in any juices from your resting steaks.

Delish

I'm linking up with Point + Shoot again this week.

Looking forward to seeing what others got up to over the weekend.

Hope you have a sensational week.  It's the last week of school before holidays here, School Sports Day is on Friday.  Not my favourite day of the year but the girls are looking forward to it!

Have you got anything exciting planned for this week?

Tatum xx

My Blog, My Way

I started blogging about a million years ago now it seems.  Well really about 4 1/2 but it seems like I've had a blog out there in blogland forever.

For a long time I posted with varying degrees of frequency about the kids, scrapbooking, myself, other craft type stuff and not much else.

I get bored easily, but I also stick with things that I enjoy, even when I do get bored from time to time.

Back in March I hadn't posted since January and needed to make a use it or loose it decision with respect to my blog.

I decided to use it.  I love writing and after stumbling across Fat Mum Slim I felt completely inspired about what a blog could be.  No longer would I feel that I needed to craft something or take beautiful photos of my kidlets to warrant a blog post.  I could ramble about what ever took my fancy and someone out there might actually be interested in reading it.

I love to write.  I always have.  One day I'll figure out what I want to write my book about.  They say that we all have at least one book in us.

I love to talk.  I talk a lot.  If I feel comfortable with you I'll talk your ear off.  My blog is my place to feel comfortable and talk.  I can be a little outspoken about things, however I also like to think that I am conscious of other people's feelings.  I know how black and white the written word is and how hurtful the it can be if taken out of context.  I aim not offend.  If I do then I'm probably beyond annoyed or upset and offending is actually my intention.

You will find crafty things.  I still scrapbook.  I sew lots more again.  I won a needle felting machine recently, I hoping to drag it out of it's box and create something with it very soon.  I like to share and be inspired by others.  I have been a long time reader of Mel's Blog One Crafty Mumma.  She is one of my all time blogging heroes, I'd love to make people feel warm, happy and inspired the way she does.  I definitely consider myself to be a Craft Blogger.

I recently started a small business with two of my sisters, Green Dandelion, there will be shameless self promotion of our business.  Just you wait ; 

I'll talk about stuff that I love, my style, kids style, house style.  I don't think I'll ever call myself a Style Blogger, a I Wanna Have Style Blogger perhaps?

You will still see my kids here.  I don't live near my family.  Soon I'll probably live even further away from them than I do now.  There will be plenty of content inspired by my kids.  Does that put me in the Mummy Blogger basket?  Perhaps I always have been?

There will be recipes.  There always have been and there still will be.  I love to cook and eat.  I'm a wannabe Food Blogger.

There will be a bit of health and fitness type stuff.  I have a brand new series planned that will be introduced very soon.  I don't live my life by the scales but I know that when I feel fit and strong I feel awesome.  Is there a name for people who blog in the category?

I won't swear.  In real life I do.  The more animated and passionate I become on a subject the more frequently you are likely to hear it.  I always cringe when I replay it back to myself in my head.  I like to think of myself as a little more eloquent than that.  Here I can censor myself and I will.  I'm not here to shock you with what I've got to say.  I'm here to share, interact and (hopefully) occasionally make you laugh. 

I'm not really that funny.  I have a dry, sarcastic sense of humour.  It doesn't translate well into writing, see point above regarding causing offence.  I prefer to laugh at other people's jokes than try and make them myself.  I don't like falling flat on my face, but I don't take myself too seriously.

There might be some sponsor content.  Ask my friends I am a total shopping enabler.  If I see something that is perfect for them or I know they want then I'll tell them.  Immediately.  If I love something (or loathe it) I'll tell you.  I'm a bit opinionated to go with outspoken at times.

Above all I will be true to me and who I am.  I am coming to you from somewhere in my imagination and I have so much I want to share.  Lets call it a My Life Blog.

If you are keen to hear more of what I've got to say then I have a facebook page for the blog which I have set up to enbale me to interact with my readers more freely, the like button up the top should let you like the page quickly and easily.  I've also taken a great liking to Twitter (see the point about me talking lots).  You can follow me here.

I'd love to know what you've enjoyed reading and what you'd like to hear more of.

Hope that you are having a Blissful Sunday.

Tatum xx