tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62059281628910969352024-03-13T17:07:35.515+13:00Life Amongst the Testosterone.......Ramblings from a SAHM of 3 boys, who likes to read, sew, run, craft, bake and generally bring some girlyness into a very boisterous household!Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14136441557455668725noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205928162891096935.post-40711983496498893682013-06-26T20:08:00.001+12:002013-06-26T20:08:15.632+12:00Muesli bars ....I have three boys, they eat a lot! I try and make most of there snack food from scratch. Apart from the fact that its often cheaper, I love knowing what goes in to what they are eating and also having the choice of substituting ingredients for healthier ones.<br />
the last couple of years I've been trying to perfect the perfect muesli bar. I have tried <span style="font-size: x-small;">(no word of a lie)<span style="font-size: small;"> at least 20 different recipe's! I really wanted</span></span> the bars not to be full of empty carbs and sugar, but I also needed the boys to like them and most importantly eat them! Anyhow i am happy to say that i think i have finally nailed it yeah!! I have a muesli bar that is filling, nutritious, semi healthy and appealing to the chillins! Since I've done all the testing, made all the mistakes and I've been asked for the recipe by a load of peeps. I'm sharing the love. The beauty of this recipe is as long as you keep the base quantities the same, you can pretty much chop and change it to your hearts content....... Hope you like xxx<br />
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<u>Muesli bars</u><br />
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Base:<br />
2 cups of rolled oats ( I use wholegrain, they are low GI so keep you fuller for longer)<br />
2 cups of ricies ( can substitute for any random cereal you might have lying round)<br />
1 cup of shredded coconut<br />
1 cup of mixed seeds ( I usually use small seeds like chia, flax seed, millet, sesame seeds)<br />
!/2 cup of dried fruit (optional, i don't usually put it in, not great for kids and mine don't like it)<br />
1/2 cup of nuts (optional, I like sliced almonds or chopped peanuts)<br />
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Put all of the above in a BIG bowl, mix.<br />
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Toffee (glue that holds them together):<br />
125 grams of butter<br />
1/4 of a cup of raw sugar<br />
1/3 of a cup of honey<br />
1/3 of a cup of nut butter ( I alternate between almond and peanut)<br />
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Put all of the above into a pot and stir over a low heat until the sugar has dissolved, once dissolved simmer on low for 5 mins until toffee has thickened, make sure you stir every so often to prevent catching,<br />
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Tip the toffee into the dry ingredients and stir quickly,. transfer in to a prepared slice tin, and press down firmly. I like to use a tin and roll the tin over the bars. It packs it down nicely and prevents the mixture sticking all over your hands!!<br />
You can now leave it like this and pop it in to the fridge to set, all you can sprinkle some choc chips over the top yum! Takes a couple of hours to set, once set chop into bars, makes about 30. I keep ours in a container in the fridge.<br />
<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14136441557455668725noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205928162891096935.post-11890100455455112222013-06-24T14:24:00.000+12:002013-06-24T14:24:11.041+12:00Cold and cosy...........<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Its cold in our little old Nelson, in fact I believe its cold in most of NZ at the moment.On Saturday the hills surrounding the city got a thick dusting of snow, it came down quite low and stayed around for most of the day. This is very unusual and a little exciting for us as we don't usually get snow at all!<br />
We decided to go for a walk and soak in the atmosphere, it almost felt like we were on holiday in some little alpine village <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(one can wish)</span><span style="font-size: small;">! On came the merino's, uggs and Puffers. </span>Whilst I was getting Archie ready I noticed that he was wearing an entire mummy made wardrobe, so took the opportunity to snap a few pics!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Merino lounge pants </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Merino tee with vintage pocket, long sleeve base layer </td></tr>
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The two tops were made for Charlie and are still going strong a couple of years later. The pants I made this winter for kindy, lovely warm and comfy!<br />
Hope you all had a lovely weekend x<br />
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<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14136441557455668725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205928162891096935.post-19645255978329198582013-06-19T20:00:00.000+12:002013-06-19T20:00:13.069+12:00This past year .....Ive run three running events, two half marathons and a 10k.....<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St Clair half Marathon</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PsNbtCtDVUc/UcFMYjieDoI/AAAAAAAAAjo/cNe-YVUN6PI/s1600/pics+for+blog+036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PsNbtCtDVUc/UcFMYjieDoI/AAAAAAAAAjo/cNe-YVUN6PI/s320/pics+for+blog+036.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kaiteriteri 10k</td></tr>
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I've spent a lot of time <a href="http://www.hotyoganelson.co.nz/">here</a> ....</div>
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Had an amazing summer with family, friends and lots of sun!</div>
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Had some crafty time, though didn't take a lot of pics :(</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cute high waisty!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">yearly milo</td></tr>
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Wow there you have it in a nut shell! I feel like these photo's are but the tip of the iceberg, but what can you do when you ignore your blog for almost a whole year!!<br />
There has been a change in my life, coinciding I guess with the boys getting older. I'm finding myself with a lot more 'me' time, and have really been enjoying trying out new things. These things tend to be more away from the home, and sporty in nature (i know right). The blog may have a a bit of a different emphasis, as I find myself more passionate about yoga and running, then baking and sewing. This does not however mean that I don't do the latter, just not as much as I used to!<br />
Well if anyone is reading, thank you for sticking around! Hopefully I will as well :)<br />
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14136441557455668725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205928162891096935.post-67854241137987877312013-06-19T15:54:00.001+12:002013-06-19T15:54:10.765+12:00New beginings.....hey peeps, i'm giving this Blogging thing another go! If you are still out there and want to catch up with whats been going on around here, please follow me on <a href="http://bloglovin/">Bloglovin</a>.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/5132361/?claim=ntv8pq62tsg%22%3EFollow%20my%20blog%20with%20Bloglovin%3C/a%3E"> </a><br />
I've got loads of cool stuff to share, so much to catch up on, I'm excited!<br />
Sarah xxSarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14136441557455668725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205928162891096935.post-27454189211544910252012-08-15T16:14:00.000+12:002012-08-15T16:14:25.989+12:00Mustard Cowl ......<br />
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My sister in law is very gifted in the knitting department. She completes the most amazing projects, they always look perfect and flawless. Its the kind of knitting I aspire to do, one day, when I'm not interrupted every two seconds.<br />
The last few times she has visited, she has been working on a cowl. A mustard cowl, two of my currant fav things put together. Last weekends visit, she presented the finished cowl and it was love. I 'borrowed' the cowl all weekend, the wool was gorgeous and soft, it really was deliciousness around my neck! I was pleasantly surprised when it was 'accidently' left behind!!! Hopefully it has a long Vaca in Nelson!!<br />
Thanks Renee xxx<br />
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14136441557455668725noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205928162891096935.post-31700553852458575462012-08-13T19:27:00.000+12:002012-08-13T19:27:20.225+12:00Sourdough goodness .....<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
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As promised a long while back lets talk sourdough! Ive been making sourdough bread on and off for a couple of years now, I love it. So dense, aromatic and chewy, better for you too apparently! Amazing with blue cheese and quince jelly.... anyhow I digress.</div>
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When I first started making the bread, I was very lucky to be given some super ancient rye starter from a German friend. This starter had been handed down within her family for years. It made lovely bread, but unfortunately somehow, <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(I blame it on the plastic container it was accidentally put in to) </span><span style="font-size: small;">it went mouldy, I know, couldn't believe it. Id had it for over a year, and now found myself with no starter. </span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">Now for those of you who are not familiar with sourdough baking, the starter is the star ingredient. Its the yeast, it is what makes the bread rise and taste delicious! Each time you bake a loaf you use the original starter, make it into the sponge </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(more on this later) </span><span style="font-size: small;">, then put some of the sponge aside to be the starter for the next loaf. Its a never ending cycle, unless it goes mouldy!</span><br />
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Being starterless, I had toyed with the idea of making my own but had always put it into the too hard basket, until I came across <a href="http://suburbanhomemade.blogspot.co.nz/2012/03/sourdough-101-day-1.html">this blog post.</a> It didn't look too hard, the instructions were clear, and how cool is it to have starter specific to your own home!</div>
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So if you are interested in making your own starter, here's how I did it. One ceramic bowl, 100gms of rye flour and just enough luke warm water so it mixes to pancake batter consistency. Glad wrap the top of the bowl and put somewhere warm, by the fire in this house. Voila it really is that simple.</div>
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Basically the next few days you just feed the starter more flour and water, and around day 3 or 4 you will have to start discarding some starter or you will end up with bucket loads (lovely detailed instructions in link above). By the end of the week you should have a lovely bubbly, sour, yeasty smelling batter. Now you are ready to bake!</div>
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There are a huge amount of recipes out there for sourdough bread. I often use a traditianal french one that comes out really dense and chewy. It is a bit of a long process but very worth it. The other ive enjoyed recently is from the recipe off the link above. I have adapted it slightly to suit, as you do. I like this one as it cooks beautifully in a loaf tin, and is much less fiddly to make.<br />
There you go, sourdough bread really isn't that scary. You do need to be patient as it takes a lot longer to rise then normal bread, but the wait is worth it and if you plan it right most of it can be done over night!<br />
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<br /><u>Basic Sourdough bread:</u></div>
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Make sponge:</div>
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Tip your starter into a bowl, add 100g ms of rye flour and enough water to bring to right consistency. Leave somewhere warm for a few hours until nice and bubbly.</div>
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Take half a cup of the starter out (this is for next time), then add to bowl: 100gms of rye flour, 100gms of wholemeal flour, 300gms of high grade white flour, 2 tbsps of olive oil, 1tsp of brown sugar, 2 tspns of salt. Add enough lukewarm water to form dough, tip on to a floured surface and knead for 10mins or so. (I usually do this step in the evening and let the dough rise over night next to the fire)</div>
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Pop dough in to an oiled bowl, cover and let rise to double in size.</div>
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Preheat oven to 200 degrees, shape and place dough on to pizza stone, oven tray or whatever you choose to bake your bread on, spritz oven with water and bake for 30-35 mins. Bread should sound hollow when taped.</div>
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If I'm baking bread in a loaf tin, I do the rising in the tin as well.</div>
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I also as mentioned above rise the dough through the night, then bake the bread in the morning,</div>
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Happy baking , Sarah xxx</div>
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14136441557455668725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205928162891096935.post-49779395848782420812012-08-07T16:25:00.000+12:002012-08-07T16:25:54.986+12:00Rain ......Its been raining here, a lot ......... <br />
I constantly feel grateful that Archie is such a laid back independent kid. We don't do much round here after kindy, this suits him perfectly. He LOVES hanging out at home with all his favourite things. At the moment Thomas is flavour of the day, in fact he's been a winner for months. As long as he has toys I honestly don't hear a peep from him. Its bizarre, I mean he is a three year old boy after all, his brothers were never like this!<br />
We like to call him 'the dream' ........<br />
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So this afternoon this is what Archie did ......<br />
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And this is what I did ......</div>
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It was a lovely couple of hours. I do feel blessed that my third child is so low maintenance, so delicious and so enjoyable! Now the peace is about to be broken, and I must go and catch up on all the things I was meant to be doing xxxx</div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14136441557455668725noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205928162891096935.post-77866254941979427402012-08-01T19:22:00.000+12:002012-08-01T19:22:29.631+12:00Fun ......After three days of trying to re-thread my overlocker, yep you read that right three days, I finally got the damn tension right <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(please never break again needle).</span><span style="font-size: small;"> I was all ready to tackle a pile of orders, but decided to have a little creative play instead. </span><br />
My mum volunteers in an op-shop, so she keeps me in good supply of woollen jerseys to re -purpose. This lovely grey one has been sitting round for a while waiting for me to do something with it. With no real plan in mind I started cutting!<br />
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So the above turned in to a Cardi for Charlie or maybe Archie, not sure yet!</div>
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Im pretty happy with it..... not 100% sure about the pockets. They have already been unpicked once, they started out blue. Charlie loves it, but I'm thinking it might be a wee bit small, we shall see......</div>
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I loved this wee project, it was so nice to just start doing something and see it evolve. Felt good to re-use something as well!</div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14136441557455668725noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205928162891096935.post-22772843901193118332012-07-28T16:49:00.001+12:002012-07-28T16:49:57.371+12:00Gardening .......<br />
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The sun was shining bright today, so we decided to brave the cold and do a spot of gardening. I wanted to get a bit of a head start, and put things in before spring. These had to be frost hardy of course, so Kale, broccoli, mesclun, beetroot and silver beet it was. We do not have a huge garden, so plant a lot in pots, and in a big concrete planter at the front of the house. Ive also due to lack of space, started planting along the lawn edge, which I guess traditionally would normally be flowers!! Hopefully it works!<br />
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We are not pro gardeners around here, but each year we learn a little more and get a little better. We even planted tomatoes from seed last year!! I love looking out the window and seeing the little seedlings do their thing, and always feel a bit of pride when dishing up something for dinner from our garden.<br />
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The kids enjoy helping out, and often will have their own little pot where they can grow what ever they like. Charlie planted an avocado stone one year to see what would happen, and now we have a 50cm tree to deal with! <br />
There are still a few things I would like to master, such as composting and companion planting. We do a bit of the latter, but at this stage all out scraps go to our chickens. I'm looking at making a <a href="http://www.bokashicomposting.com/">bokashi</a> type system, hopefully this summer!<br />
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I'm certainly not a passionate Gardner, but have slowly learnt to enjoy pottering around outside. I love going out in the middle of summer and picking juicy tomatoes and colanders full of courgettes. This for me makes a bit of weeding every so often very much worth it!<br />
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Hope you are having a lovely saturday, Sarah xxSarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14136441557455668725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205928162891096935.post-58556157721018113922012-07-24T16:08:00.000+12:002012-07-24T16:08:41.154+12:00Joe ......I have been really enjoying knitting this winter. I have finally found some patience and have found myself liking the fact that it takes longer to finish something, then it does when you whip it up on the sewing machine!! I love the fact that I can leave my knitting on the side of the couch, and pick it up and do a few rows whenever I have few minits spare time. <br />
I am still very much an amateur, but slowly learning new things enabling me to undertake slightly more exciting projects!<br />
At the moment I'm knitting a hat for Andy <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(</span> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">apparently I never make him anything so I really had to get on to it!). </span><span style="font-size: small;">This is take two of the hat, the first one ended up fitting Charlie, important lesson learnt.... Use the right size yarn!! The pattern I'm using is called <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/joe-5">Joe</a>, from designer Jane Richmond. Ive also made her mitten cuffs, which have come out super cute. I like her patterns as they are really easy to follow and simple, great for beginners. The hat is knit on double pointed needles which was a first for me, now I have gotten past the awkwardness I'm really enjoying it.</span><br />
I'm about a third of the way done, hopefully it works out fingers crossed!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joe attempt number 1!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joe attempt number 2 ....</td></tr>
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Do you like knitting?? Id love some suggestions of cool knitting patterns to try ..... Sarah xxSarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14136441557455668725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205928162891096935.post-11203160717260372932012-07-16T19:40:00.000+12:002012-07-16T19:40:38.849+12:00Hiatus ......So it seems I've had a bit of a blog Hiatus. Not because I've had nothing to share, but the simple fact that I have been soo busy! This does mean though, that I now have a build up of cool stuff to show you yay! <br />
In the mean time here is a photo essay, of some things that have been happening round here. (<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Had a wee play on </span><a href="http://www.picmonkey.com/#"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">picmonkey</span></a><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> FUN!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 1/ knitting gloves, 2/ waiting for the train, 3/ beautiful church outside our house, 4/ Archie and I on our road trip, 5/ Beach fun, 6/ Marlborough winery, 7/ Picton foreshore, 8/ New pretty quilt, 9,10/ New haircuts.</span></div>
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If you made it past the photo bomb well done! It has been a busy but fun few weeks.</div>
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Hope you are all keeping warm, Sarah xx</div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14136441557455668725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205928162891096935.post-58037633903942643862012-06-04T19:18:00.001+12:002012-06-04T19:18:23.954+12:00Mini Break ....<br />
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Queens birthday is mine and Andy's Anniversary. This year we have been together for 9 years! On Saturday morning Andy woke me with a surprise, he had planned a mini break away to one of our favourite beaches. How he managed to keep it a secret i'll never know, but he did fabulously. We packed up the kids, dropped them at Nana's where we picked up the camper and off we went. <br />
It was a bliss full, relaxing time away. I won't brag too much, but will share a few pics of our good time!!<br />
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Hope you all had a lovely long weekend xxxSarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14136441557455668725noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205928162891096935.post-63127290177953033832012-05-31T13:38:00.000+12:002012-05-31T13:38:06.918+12:00Girly fun ...As I mentioned before my sister is down for a wee holiday, as I've also mentioned I like to spend as little money as possible on things. I love bargains, and getting things for cheap!! Anyhow I'm a bit of a shocker for maintaining my hair/ beauty regime. I always seem to have something better to spend money on, and before I know it, I have brown hair and bushy eyebrows!! <br />
Last night we decided to have a pamper night. Jessie said she would foil my hair, and we would do our eyebrows and nails. So off to the supermarket for some foil and some dye ... <br />
Not sure why I actually let my 23 year old sister near my hair with scissors and bleach, but she actually did a pretty good job, and it was fun, and it was cheap! Right up my alley basically. The hair took ages to do, so we didn't get round to doing our eyes and nails, might have to do round two tonight. Wish I had a before pic, it was actually brown. The colour's not too bad considering she's an amateur!! Hopefully my hairdresser doesn't think she has ruined it next time I go and see her... in a year lol!<br />
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Such fun hanging out with my sister, we talk and laugh nonstop. Now she does my hair too, and buys me coffee, and looks after my baby so I can go for a run!! Yay for sisters xxxSarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14136441557455668725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205928162891096935.post-59441645212011895102012-05-30T16:20:00.001+12:002012-05-30T16:20:51.363+12:00Bitter sweet .....My brother has been in hospital for last couple of weeks. He is pretty unwell, for a young guy it's not all that cool. We are waiting on tests and numerous other things to get a more conclusive diagnosis. <br />
My sister has come down from up north to see him and hang out. It's nice to have her home. C loved her visit, and the kids are lapping up all the attention!<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-RVDOX8d_NXM/T8WgIGnK_sI/AAAAAAAAAXg/-CocNH4ihv0/s640/blogger-image-1383172898.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-RVDOX8d_NXM/T8WgIGnK_sI/AAAAAAAAAXg/-CocNH4ihv0/s640/blogger-image-1383172898.jpg" /></a></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14136441557455668725noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205928162891096935.post-87806239430495185532012-05-28T13:25:00.000+12:002012-05-28T13:25:26.813+12:00With Love......<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Brrrrr its getting cold in the mornings round here. Lucky for us Andy's mum (nana) is a top notch quilter and has made all the kids a cute wee lap quilt each to keep them cosy. While we were at her place on Sunday for lunch (<span style="font-size: x-small;">yes she made us a full sunday roast as well, how lucky are we!) </span><span style="font-size: small;">she was stitching the last bit of binding in place for Jack's quilt. </span><br />
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He loves it, especially the spacemen and rockets, typical boy! Quilting is something I think I could enjoy, if I ever get brave enough to try. In the mean time I have selected some fabric, for Nana to make me a lap quilt as well. Thanks Nana xxxx<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jTKHtQJi9sQ/T8LTdEJjzRI/AAAAAAAAAXU/qBBUWgfkwKY/s1600/blog+pics+289.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jTKHtQJi9sQ/T8LTdEJjzRI/AAAAAAAAAXU/qBBUWgfkwKY/s400/blog+pics+289.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14136441557455668725noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205928162891096935.post-73655447239648987402012-05-19T14:07:00.001+12:002012-05-19T14:07:11.279+12:00Monster ......Made a monster hoodie for Archie, it was fun. Nice to be creative and do something for my kids for a change! Charlie came home and decided he wanted one as well, I let him model Archies one for the pic ..... Do you think that will cut it?<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-rI9LvL5x-rg/T7cAS9htxJI/AAAAAAAAAWs/eVTFK7vMbmk/s640/blogger-image--468717776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-rI9LvL5x-rg/T7cAS9htxJI/AAAAAAAAAWs/eVTFK7vMbmk/s640/blogger-image--468717776.jpg" /></a></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14136441557455668725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205928162891096935.post-19191732248902566612012-05-17T19:01:00.000+12:002012-05-17T19:01:46.548+12:00Autumn........<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Its getting cold out, we were all bundled up in our woollies this morning ready to walk to school.The leaves are dropping and there are feijoa's that need to be picked. Autumn has well and truly set in.</div>
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Ive been meaning to make Archie some new winter clothes for ages but haven't got round to it. His kindy is in a valley and it gets so cold there, I don't think the sun comes up till about 10.30! He needs lots of woollies!! The good thing about making Archie stuff is that it kills two birds with one stone. If I make his things a bit big, Charlie will fit them too, BONUS!</div>
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Unfortunately once again, by the time I had finished making things for orders, I had run out of sewing time! I did however manage to whip up a new hat each. They chose the fabric, stoked!!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">100% merino hoodie</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reversible merino beanie</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GRUMPY!! 100% merino beanie, reversible.</td></tr>
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<br /></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14136441557455668725noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205928162891096935.post-28904321694724727572012-05-15T19:15:00.000+12:002012-08-03T18:42:56.771+12:00Race Day .....<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nearly there!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I can see the finish line ....</td></tr>
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Well I ran the race...... And I loved it!! I was quite surprised by this as I'm not a very competative person, but thinking about it I wasn't really competing against anyone else, I just wanted to better my own time. I came 37th out of 350 odd, so pretty pleased. My 5k time was 29min18 secs, I managed to achieve all the goals that I had talked about in my previous post, stoked!!! <br />
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The kids had run a cross country race the day before, and I had told them to try their hardest. When we were watching them race past, their faces all flushed and their arms pumping, you could see that they really were trying their hardest!!! I decided to take my own advice and really push myself during the run and guess what it paid off! The kids and Andy were there watching and cheering me on, it felt great. The kids told me they were really proud of me doing the run, and that next time I would come first lol yeah right!<br />
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The rest of the day was pretty low key. Had lunch with the in laws, then headed home to relax and hang out all cosy like in front of the fire, was bliss! Andy surprised me with a special extra mother's day gift (had already got magazine, lollies and cd form the kids), he got me a heart rate monitor. Now this may not sound very exciting to most, but I've wanted one for a while but couldn't really justify the cost. So THANKS HEAPS hun! The best thing was I went for a run this morning and did my workout dvd straight after, and the HRM showed id burned double the amount of calories that id thought id been burning Bonus!!! I hope its right!<br />
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Hope you all had a lovely mother's day xxxSarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14136441557455668725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205928162891096935.post-11205581617830715692012-05-11T14:25:00.001+12:002012-05-11T14:25:34.601+12:00Happy Days ......The last couple of days have been Happy days. Days where I feel like I have accomplished things other than the normal day to day tasks. They have also been well balanced days, which is important to me as a Libran! A good balance spent on family, on myself and on crafty goodness.<br />
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Yesterday I hit a big milestone on my weight loss journey. I stood on the scales and realised Id lost 30kgs, since beginning in January 2011. I was pretty stoked, its left me with only a few kilos left to go to hit 'goal' though feeling pretty good as I am so will just see what happens. I'm hoping to get brave enough to do a post with some before and after pics. I LOVE looking at peoples before and after pics, just not so sure I want to share my own.... watch this space!<br />
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I also spent some time downstairs reconnecting with my sewing room. This room has been in a shambles for the last few weeks, as we had new carpet put it. Its starting to look a bit more organised and pretty again, and I can feel some inspiration coming on. A<span style="font-size: x-small;">nother Libra trait of not being able to do anything if the room isn't tidy or organised!! </span><span style="font-size: small;">In fact I almost finished both my mother's days gift Ive working on, which I'm pleased about because for a while there I thought I was being a bit too ambitious and wasn't going to get them done! ( I will post finished pics once the mother's have received them, don't want to ruin the surprise)</span><br />
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This morning I went and saw a herbalist who made me up a tincture to help me sleep. Ive been sleeping so badly for a while now, its starting to have effect on my life in a bad way. This tincture is full of herby goodness such as kavakava, lemon balm, chamomile and lots more I cant thing of at the moment. Here's to some sweet dreams happening tonight! <br />
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Had a lovely lunch with my mum, where we feasted on delicious miso soup and salmon don, and now I'm about to tidy the house and make some <a href="http://www.thelondoner.me/2011/06/slutty-brownies.html">Slutty Brownies</a> in preparation for Book Club tonight.<br />
I'm feeling content, like I'm doing my 'job' as a sahm well at the moment. Sometimes as you all probably know it gets so chaotic and you just feel like your running around doing a million things without actually achieving anything! Its always those bitsy things that get me as well, all the little jobs. Anyway I was just thinking today how things had been going pretty smooth the last few days, and thought it was worth blogging about!! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l-zVqMbXnLo/T6x29fj2nQI/AAAAAAAAAVA/bez9T8E0FX8/s1600/Hanmer+nov+2011+125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l-zVqMbXnLo/T6x29fj2nQI/AAAAAAAAAVA/bez9T8E0FX8/s400/Hanmer+nov+2011+125.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Its cold and grey out today so thought I would pop this pic up of our holiday in Hanmer last year, twas nice and warm then!</td></tr>
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<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14136441557455668725noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205928162891096935.post-62045139596857559672012-05-09T13:25:00.003+12:002012-05-09T13:26:06.629+12:00Expectations ......Yesterday I registered for this<a href="http://www.nelsonevents.co.nz/content/jennian-homes-mothers-day-5km"> race</a>. Its a 5k fun run, held on mother's day. I was meant to do a race last weekend, but I chickened out. Now I regret it. The thing is I have NEVER done a race before, and as I have previously mentioned have never seen myself as a race kind of person! I still wouldn't class myself as 'sporty' and have always had this image of people doing fun runs/ races etc as being these great athletes. Anyhow as I have been told numerous times this week, I am a sporty person. I run 4 times a week, and do some sort of workout 6 times a week. I am perfectly able to run a 5k race!!! Funny though how it takes so much longer mentally to catch up with the physical changes.<br />
My other issue is my high expectations, this is a constant problem in many areas of my life but that's a complete different post. I don't want to be last. I want to have a good finish time. I have been doing most of my running training for distance and haven't really focused on pace so much. I can run 14k, but my 5k time isn't great. <br />
Well yesterday I decided to get over it and just give it a try. I read in a running forum somewhere that it was good to set yourself a few goals for the race, in the hope that you will accomplish at least a couple ( depending on all the factors that could affect the run, weather, how you feel etc). <br />
These are mine:<br />
I want to push myself and run as fast as I can<br />
I want to finish with a time between 29-31 mins. I want to enjoy the run, instead of being stressed the whole time.<br />
I'm sure that once I get over the not knowing what its like fear, I will love it. I really enjoy running and see races as good motivation and incentive to do better and push myself. Hopefully it all goes well and I can relax and enjoy the rest of Mother's day with my family xxx<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's Charlie. Nothing to do with the post, but he looks cute, and I need to see cute pics of him atm because he is driving me crazy! Hope this phase is a quick one!</td></tr>
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Anyhow I digress .... Sport is big in our household, basically its the main interest. Andy has played Soccer for years, he still plays now and coaches Jacks team. Charlie plays as well, so that's 3 games in one day. The boys also love mountain biking, tennis, basketball shall I go on? Soooo I've chosen to embrace it. I decided that if I wanted to spend any time with my family that I would have to learn to love the things that they do. We now cycle together in the weekend, Jack and I go for runs, we go for many family walks!! The kids love it, it burns off excess energy, I must admit I don't mind it too much either!! Its good healthy clean fun and its free! Thankfully my boys also love to do craft, read, bake and other more sedate activities..... just not as much as they love sport!!!!!<br />
Our weekend sports activities so far:<br />
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Watching the Giants game:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Captivated!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Like father like son</td></tr>
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Saturday morning soccer:</div>
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I only got as far as Charlie's game before I met up with a few friends who were going out for coffee and got a bit sidetracked. I'm not totally committed to the soccer mum thing quite yet, it was a bit to easy to sway!</div>
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<br /></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14136441557455668725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205928162891096935.post-87188162490857267962012-05-01T18:27:00.000+12:002012-05-01T18:27:40.286+12:00Home Again .......Wellington was amazing, oh how I LOVE that city. We wined, we dined. We coffeed on Cuba. We browsed in beautiful designer stores where we couldn't afford anything, it was fabulous! I have come home feeling so inspired, the people looked fashionable, the store displays interesting, the city is so vibrant! <br />
But as lovely as the weekend was, it was also very nice to come home to my boys. Andy did a great job as per usual, and apart form a little extra washing, the house was just as I left it YES!!!! <br />
Easing back in to it the last couple of days, there has been lots of baking (spicy apple muffins and chewy muesli bars), walnut eating and smashing (the boys favourite part), and running (ME, have to work off the weekends indulgence). Also started watching season two of Game of Thrones, OMG intense!!!<br />
Its nice to be home. Hope you all had a good weekend xxx<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My mum came round this afternoon with this super cute teapot for me!!<br />
THANKS MUM!!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14136441557455668725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205928162891096935.post-64222324968671144052012-04-27T13:12:00.001+12:002012-04-27T13:12:23.522+12:00Girls Weekend ....A friend and I are off to Wellington tonight for the weekend! That's right two whole days and two whole nights of doing exactly as we please. This will most likely include loads of shopping, coffee, yummy eats, more coffee, wine, dancing ....... So excited! Thank god for partners who can hold the fort. I felt pretty gratefull this morning,so got my lovely a few treats for over the weekend, see I'm not totally selfish!!<br />
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<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_HYDHFiKtXk/T5nydMJe5XI/AAAAAAAAATI/1T2pEQpi5pY/s640/blogger-image--1897225312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_HYDHFiKtXk/T5nydMJe5XI/AAAAAAAAATI/1T2pEQpi5pY/s640/blogger-image--1897225312.jpg" /></a></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14136441557455668725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205928162891096935.post-6405898871126135032012-04-25T19:03:00.001+12:002012-04-25T19:03:42.201+12:00Anzac Day ........<br />
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Today in New Zealand it is Anzac Day. A day where the nation remembers the New Zealand and Australian soldiers who fought during World War 1. <br />
Our town as part of the 'lest we forget' commemorations, created a <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/6772180/Trench-visitors-welcomed-to-hell">reenactment of the war</a>. This was held in a heritage park on the edge of the city. The reenactment was made into a 20min film, then was opened to the public today.<br />
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We took the boys along and it was truly amazing, a real eye opener. The trenches were so real like with the soldiers moving around and the sound effects, that we had 3 little boys crying before we were halfway through the tour!</div>
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Unfortunately I didn't get any good pics in the trenches, as I was too busy consoling crying children! The theatre company did an amazing job in portraying what it would have been like at the time. I think it was a great learning opportunity for the children as well, and helped them understand a bit more the meaning behind Anzac Day.<br />
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In other news, I finished my Milo yesterday! This was very exciting for me as its the first thing I have ever knitted apart from a wee hat that didn't work out! Sadly I have no pics, because I made it the wrong size! I didn't measure Archie before deciding what size to make and it has ended up too big! Nevermind lesson learnt, ill just have to knit another! Hope you all had a nice day xxSarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14136441557455668725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205928162891096935.post-47787023049581072502012-04-23T18:30:00.000+12:002012-04-23T18:30:35.316+12:00Term two ......<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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School and kindy went back today in our neck of the woods. It was an odd day, almost like I had the post holiday blues. I couldn't quite get it together, had all these things planned to do, but did nothing.... you get the drift!<br />
I really enjoy the slower pace of school holidays, hanging out at home, no time restraints etc. Don't get me wrong my kids drive me crazy from time to time, but in general they are great wee friends and I love watching them together, playing, interacting and creating. Its so nice for Archie as well to have his big brothers home to play with, I'm sure he gets lonely with just me! I guess what I'm trying to say, is it obviously takes me a while to get back into the swing, of school/kindy pickups, swimming lessons, school lunches and that I miss my little boys! I know It will only take a couple of days and we will be back on track! Anyone else feel a bit blah when the holidays end??Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14136441557455668725noreply@blogger.com0