Beach outings

It's now officially Autumn here although it is still pretty hot and muggy.  Autumn means the end of summer so we decided to get a few more beach outings in with the kids while hubby was home on the weekend.  The previous weekends plans went out the window with all the flooding we had around here so we jumped at the chance to get out and about.

 

On Saturday we went up to the Maroochy River to throw some lines in.  The kids had been harassing their father to take them fishing for weeks but with cyclones and flooding, it wasn't possible.

 

The trip wasn't a great success.

 

 

After having his rod in the water for about 1 minute, Master M kept asking why he hadn't caught a fish yet.  After about 15 minutes of repeatedly pulling the line in, nearly hooking himself in the face, then complaining that he was soooo hungry, Master M declared that fishing wasn't as fun as he thought it would be.

 

Little Miss R wasn't much better except all she wanted to do was go swimming and not fish.  Daddy didn't cope with all of this very well although it was to be expected.  He decided to go fishing by himself that night so in next to no time we were packed up and on our way.

 

Late Sunday afternoon we headed the other direction and went to Toorbul which is on Pumicestone Passage and looks across to Bribie Island.

 

The tide was still out a bit so the kids got to kick a ball around the mudflats, paddle in the water and dig in the mud of course.

 

Even Patch got to come for a drive and a play this time which made him happy.  He's not in the good books with me right now as he keeps running away so I have to keep him chained up because I really don't feel like driving the streets all day looking for him.

 

It ended up being quite a lovely weekend with a good mixture of everything to make us all pretty happy.

 

xx Susan

 

 



Homemade Ice-Cream

Look away Master Chef's. This is certainly one of the easiest ice-creams you will ever make but I'm sure true foodies would shudder at it.

We love it though and the kids REALLY love it so it gets my tick of approval.

The basic ice-cream is made up of 600ml cream & one tin of condensed milk. I like to chill the condensed milk first but it's not necessary. You can also use "light" cream and condensed milk as they work well too.

Pour into a mix master or whatever you call it and beat until thick. 

Then add whatever flavours you wish. 

You can blend or puree any fresh fruit you like. Mango is always a favourite or mixed berries etc. 

This time I mixed in some vanilla & rainbow sprinkles and in the past I've used Bailey's with chocolate chips. 

The flavours are limited to your imagination.

You then pour it into whatever mould you like. I've used an old ice-cream container as well as shaped muffin moulds. 

This time I used dinosaur and butterfly/ladybug moulds.

Cover with Glad Wrap and freeze for 24 hours. (No need to take out & mix periodically).

It's then ready to eat!

The dinosaurs did lose their heads a bit when turned out but they still tasted great.

Very easy and delicious. 

We have a few mangoes here so  I think I'll blitz some of that up soon.

xx Susan 

And they're off....

Hubby and Master M are heading to a property north of Richmond in the Gulf for a couple of weeks. 

My brother and his boys have gone too so it's certainly a boys only trip they're all looking forward to.

little Miss R and I are looking forward to some special girl  time at home although she still has school next week. We'll make surely we do some nice things though. 

Have a great time my boys!

Beach Days

We're really lucky to live only a 15-20 minute drive from the beach.

On gorgeous days like we've been having, it's lovely to be able to pack a picnic & head down to Caloundra with it's multitude of beaches to choose from.

Yesterday was pretty windy & there were a few jellyfish around but it was still lovely.

I love going to Golden Beach as it's protected by Bribie Island and is very child friendly. 

There's plenty of lovely spots along the waterfront with lots shady trees & areas to explore. 

After spending time playing & exploring with the kidlettes, it was nice to be able to sit & relax while keeping an eye on them as they swam.

Hubby's home next weekend so we've decided we need to have more beach picnics & daddy can bring his fishing gear.

Xx Susan 

The circle of life

Last week was quite big when I look back on it.  

My cousin Trish and her husband John have just become the proud parents of two little girls.

It's been a long road since this photo was taken at their wedding.

They now have two little darling girls, born at 30 weeks and a day apart (those rare twins that won't share a birthday).

Our heart wishes and thoughts are with you all.

....and a candle lit...

...for my husband's Uncle John who passed away on Saturday after a long illness.

The weekend in pictures

It was lovely.

A weekend away

We're at Hubby's Aunty Rob's again in Clifton for a few days. 

The kidlettes have been loving feeding the chooks, cows and goat as well as playing with the dogs. 

Being on the Southern Downs it's wonderfully chilly and the fire has been on since just after we arrived yesterday.

This morning has been spent exploring and now a little drizzle has set in so we've plonked ourselves in front if the fire with colouring in & boardgames.

Xx Susan