Mar 28, 2014

Chihuly Garden and Glass - Seattle WA




I know this post is a little behind the times but I FINALLY got around to sorting out all our holiday photos last night.  I'd done a lot of research about Seattle before we left, having never been there before, wanting to cram in as much as possible and especially because we had the smalls in tow.


Chihuly Garden and Glass came up trumps on most lists of 'must see' attractions in Seattle.  And although glass isn't strictly kid friendly I thought they might enjoy it and there was no way I was missing it.  I love glass and I love flowers.  Enough said.


On every level this attraction pleased.  It was a little hairy with kids in tow but there were four of us and four of them so we kind of had them covered.  They were well behaved inside and there was enough bright colours and stuff to look at to keep them satisfied.  The rooms are all lit at a low level with lights specifically lighting up each piece which seems to make the glass 'glow'.  Outside in the Garden the children could stretch their legs and roam a bit more freely (within reason of course - the Garden is still full of glass among the real plants).


We visited with friends who had been to Seattle several times but had never visited Chihuly.  Everyone loved it and agreed it was well worth a visit.  The location is great too - set just at the foot of the Space Needle and in the same precinct as the Pacific Science Centre and the EMP Museum.  There are great passes you can buy which include admission to most of these attractions but I won't bore you here with the details.

Anyway I hope you enjoy the photos.  And yes it was THAT beautiful.













Mar 15, 2014

Craftsy sale - up to 50% off classes

Have you checked out Craftsy yet? It's a fabulous resource for both free and paid patterns, tutorials and classes.  As well as supplies at great prices. The classes cover a huge range of topics from cake decorating to quilting.

Save Up to 50% on All Craftsy Classes!

Don't miss out on Craftsy's Endless Creativity Sale! Get ALL online classes at up to 50% off for a limited time only. You won't see hundreds of classes with prices this low again soon. Hurry, offer expires March 17 at midnight MT. (Eastern USA time)

Craftsy's Endless Creativity Sale

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links

Simply click on the link or use one of the buttons to the right >>>>


SALE NOW CLOSED

Mar 13, 2014

sponsored post - Palmolive Divine Blends

I've developed a bit of a system lately.  As a stay at home mum I find it easy to get side tracked.  A few play dates, a coffee, lots of sewing and my week is gone and the house is a mess. So I developed a schedule for myself.  It means the house is cleaner and I get more done.  I think like any job the role of mother and house keeper needs structure.

Monday now is floor day.  I tidy the toys in the lounge room and in the kids bedrooms then vacuum the house and wash the floors.  I like doing it on Monday as I then get to enjoy it for the whole week basically on my own and once the weekend is finished it's well and truly due again.

Tuesday is bathroom day.  This is one of my least favourite jobs as the main bathroom is the only unrenovated place left in our house.  It is really uninspiring and I'm terribly guilty of just letting it slide as I can't face the dated and pokey space.  But no longer!  Every Tuesday it gets cleaned as well as the toilet and little powder room.  Beautiful!  And it doesn't look half as bad once it's clean.

Unfortunately there are always the jobs that need to be done every day - the washing up and the laundry.  I don't mind washing clothes although (as my husband will confirm) I am hopeless at folding them up and putting them away.



The washing up however has become less of a chore since I was sent a bottle of Palmolive Divine Blends Vanilla & Berries to try out.  Think of a lush, beautifully perfumed body wash you might buy for yourself - and then turn it into a dishwashing liquid.  Dishwashing liquid was never something I'd given much thought to but this stuff is really yummy.  A huge 700ml bottle costs just $4.99 RRP and you really only need a tiny squirt to ensure a huge sink full of scrummy bubbles.  Don't do what I did the first time and slosh in a ton of it because you'll wind up with more bubbles than you know what to do with!  You really only need a tiny squirt (as per the instructions on the bottle :)  Not only does it smell delicious but it cuts through grease like nobodies business.

Now this is a sponsored post for Palmolive and Digital Parents Collective but the opinions expressed here are totally my own.

Would you like to try a bottle of Palmolive Divine Blends for yourself?  First three (3) people to leave a comment on this post will be sent a full sized bottle each.  Open to Australian residents only.

Thanks to those who entered. :)




Mar 7, 2014

gifts for school friends -art folio

Little Guy has his first birthday parties of the year this weekend.  Last year I had a strict rule (mostly for myself). No more than  $10 and I only bought books.  I think kids can never have too many books and you can get a great selection for not much money.  This year as part of my handmade gift challenge I decided to try and think of gifts I could make for the kids for around the same budget and from materials I already have.



Most 6 year olds I know love to draw or write or colour so I thought a little 'art folio' would be a nice step up from a normal pencil roll.  Perfect for taking on trips or just for every day use.

All I had to buy was a packet of pencils and a notepad for each.  All the rest of the materials I already had in my stash.



I've made two for this weekend's parties and think this will be my go to gift for classmates this year.


Mar 5, 2014

do you bake?

I love a homemade baked good.  Although I'm a wee bit lazy.  I like one bowl, hand mix only kinda things.  If I have to wash up multiple bowls and the electric beaters.... too much like hard work ;) Oh and I like basic recipes for which I already have the ingredients in the pantry.   No fancy things like sour cream or buttermilk.

I came across this website the other day.  An absolute plethora of baked goodies.  These carrot cake muffins are TO DIE FOR. (Even without the frosting).  Even after I reduced the sugar by half and used olive oil instead of vegetable oil.    And I didn't put nuts in as our school is a nut free zone.   I've made them twice now in a week. Really flavoursome and light.  I keep a few aside for us to eat and wrap the rest up and freeze for lunch boxes.

These biscuits have been doing the rounds of the Internet and I must say I make a batch every couple of weeks.   So handy to keep a few flavours in the freezer to take to afternoon play dates or if we have someone over for morning tea.  Only takes 10 minutes and you have fresh biscuits.  Easier than  running to the shop (especially with a 2yo in tow).

Pikelets are always on high rotation here, both plain and banana flavoured.  Next up for a treat I want to try this Chocolate Banana Bread.

Got any other good recipes I need to try?
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