Roast Chicken in 44 degrees

We are in the middle of a heat wave. That being said one of my favourite hot day dinners is roast chicken and salad. So - as I like to roast my own chook - I thought I would do it in my turbo oven...outside.

Out the front in the carport - as we have no power point out the back (soon to be rectified) - I placed my oven with chook to cook on a picnic table....and in a little over an hour it was cooked..and delicious!

See - no reason not to have roast chook in 44 degrees :)

Bran Nue Dae Premier

Last night Mike and I went to reading Cinemas and saw Bran Nue Dae. I won tickets in the ABC radio and wasn't sure what to expect as I didn't know much about it.

Well it was amazing - I would highly recommend you go. Its so funny, got a fantastic cast and has some really ripper songs in it. Its bright and colourful and fast moving. A real Aussie gem!

And to top it off - I met Ernie Dingo ! Yah!

Savings Challenge

Gill in Canada (That British Woman) is a very thrifty woman. She is always posting wonderful tips and this is my favourite.

Its called "The Daily Savings Club" and it runs on the principle of saving a small amount everyday. This amount increases every month and by the end of the year you have a healthy little amount in your piggy bank.

This is the plan I am going to follow:

January 31 x 25 cents = $7.75

February 28 x 50 cents = $14.00

March 31 x 75 cents = $23.25

April 30 x $1.00 = $30.00

May 31 x $1.25 = $38.75

June 30 x $1.50 = $45.00

July 31 x $1.75 = $54.25

August 31 x $2.00 = $62.00

September 30 x $2.25 = $67.50

October 31 x $2.50 = $77.50

November 30 x $2.75 = $82.50

December 31 x $3.00 = $93.00

for a total: $595.50, that's pretty good by just putting your change away.

You can read Gills whole post here - she also blogs a saving tip everytime she blogs so its definitely worth a read. Thanks for the tips Gill!

Blooming Wonderful!

Seeing that I run the Crafty Mamas blog giveaways I dont enter them - so when Peta from stitch pixie offered us a Bloom to giveaway I knew I had to beg her to make one for Lainey. I sent her the wool and this arrived back in the mail today.



Isnt it divine - its actually like an earthy red colour. The wool comes from the Bendigo Wool Mills and the pattern from tikki fabric addict .

Thank you so very much Peta - when its too short for a dress she can wear it as a top. I just adore it - you are so clever!

Home from Holidays

We are home!!!

Albany will go down as one of the best ever holidays. We had a ball. We did everything that Albany, Denmark and Walpole had to offer...we swam (a couple of times as the weather was very mild!), we ate, we spent time together as a family and I have come home energised and ready for what 2010 brings.

Here are some snaps for you. I took 541 - so this is definitely only a small proportion!

Tracys Quilt

A little time ago you may remember that I made a square for a quilt a friend of mine at Crafty Mamas is making for her new baby. Heres a reminder....

Well today she posted that she had finished the quilt - and its gorgeous! Check it out here...

I was so happy to be a part of this quilt. Unless she goes into labour Tracy will be induced on Monday. I wish her all the best and cant wait to meet baby :)

Happy New Year

Happy new year everyone and I hope 2010 is safe prosperous and happy for all of you.

We spent NYE with the family eating surf and turf and playing board games - it was awesome.

Tomorrow we head off to Albany on our week long camping trip. I cant wait.

When we get home from that Mike has 2 weeks left and we are going to have some quiet times and some family time just pottering and doing things that only take a day. no more going away.

So many things happening this year - Jack starts Pre Primary and Lainey turns 3, hopefully a family trip to the Gold Coast next Christmas and who knows what in between.

Have a great break and catch you all when I get back :)