I love farmers markets and I'm lucky enough to have a great one quite close to where I live. The last time I was there I snapped a few photos and thought I would share them with you:
Rocklea Farmers Markets (also known as Brisbane Saturday Fresh Market), are open every Saturday from 6.00am to 12.00pm in Summer and 6.30am to 12.30pm in Winterand are located in Sherwood Road, Rocklea.
Take care...Di
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Are you a "list" maker? Do you plan your week?
Yes - I do love a list and any tool that helps me to be just a bit more organised. Being a single parent for so many years, I found that if I wasn't organised, I just created stress in the house. I'm still nowhere near as organised as I would like to be, but I do try. I thought when I bought my iphone, I would use the calendar for appointments and reminders etc but I found that I actually get a lot of satisfaction out of writing my goals or jobs down and crossing them off the list.
I try to find time at the end of the week to work out:
When I take the time to plan...I achieve more, I spend less money on last minute meals, gifts etc, I waste less food as I check the pantry and fridge when planning my meals, and I'm a bit more aware of what's going on in our household over the next 7 days. Although I would love to do this every week, there are times when it just doesn't happen but I just try and get back on track the next week.
I found this post over at designfinchwhich has a great list of free downloadable lists for weekly planners, weekly menu planers, cleaning check lists, and blog planners.
So pop over to designfinch and start downloading and take some time today to plan your week. Let me know how you go! Life will always throw you curve balls that mean that some weeks that plan gets thrown in the bin...but it's great to have some goals written down and try your best to to achieve them.
Take care...Di
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One of my favourite stores in Dunedin is Broad Bay China. It's out on the Peninsular in the small bay side town - "Broad Bay". They don't have a website - you are just going to have to trust me on this - if you are ever in the Dunedin area and love old china then this shop is a must. The prices are great and there is an amazing amount of stock. Below is the sweetest little tea set that my gorgeous man bought for me. I adore it!
It's a set of 3 - teapot, milk jug and sugar bowl. The colours just melt me! That shade of blue....aaahhh!
And the milk jug....does anyone else out there have a thing for milk jugs????
Broad Bay China has a very small shop front but don't let that mislead you. The rooms just keep going and each room is completely full of stock! Last time I visited this store, my Dad and 2 teenage kids sat in the car while Mum and I raced through. You can imagine how much time we had and how much complaining they did!!! This time was much more relaxed and enjoyable. (Don't you just love a man who patiently strolls along behind you while you ooohh and aaahhh over every piece of china in the shop -probably wishing that we could get to this place instead of looking at vintage plates and bowls.)
Take care.....Di
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I've spent the last few days just cleaning up around the house. I always have a great urge to clean out all the cupboards in the house from the kitchen to the bedrooms...nothing is safe! I am always stunned at how much "rubbish" we accumulate in just 12 months. It's almost embarrassing, as it seems so wasteful. I think that will be one of my New Year resolutions....to try to restrict the unnecessary material things that enter into our home. As I go through the kids clothes, culling items that no longer fit or haven't been worn for a couple of years, I find myself reflecting on the year....how much Luke has grown in just 12 months, and how Emma has now finished school (as I fold away her high school uniform for the last time). It's also a time to think ahead and imagine what wonderful moments are ahead of us throughout 2008. I feel like everything is ready now to begin the new year and with that in mind, we are all off on a family holiday and I will be having a blog break for about a week. Have a wonderful day and I hope you take some time to reflect on the year just past, and what your dreams and visions are for 2008. I let you in on my "list" of goals once I've returned.
take care....Di
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Summer is here and to celebrate the lovely weather we've been having lately I'm having a competition. You will have to read to the end of the post to find out about it (or just scroll down). The kids and I decided to have afternoon tea on the front deck. Cupcakes were carefully made complete with way too much colouring in the icing....but they tasted yummy! I've used the Cherry Baby fabric to decorate the table and chairs. The table runner has yo-yo's along each edge. I used the Clover large yo-yo maker, which enables you to whip them up in no time. The sashes around the chairs are very simple - and really dress up a plain chair. You could tie bows but I prefer a very simple knot and flowers tucked in. Summer has meant the first cherries of the season have started to arrive along with other beautiful fruit such as plums and nectarines. I'm sure the peaches and apricots will be arriving shortly.
The antique cutlery set was given to me by my mum. I love the old bone handles and the etching in the knife is beautiful. I think it's actually a fish knife, but we use them for anything. I would much rather use beautiful items, even if not for their original purpose, than leave them in a drawer. Summer isn't the only thing that has arrived around here lately. There have also been some wonderful surprises in the mail:
Joan Hawley from Lazy Girl Designs has sent me a delightful package that not only contained her latest bag design "Miranda" but also Bag-E-Bottom, flying geese book, ruler and some extra patterns which are sure to keep me busy. Thank you Joan!
I also received these little gems - charm packs of the latest Lakehouse ranges: Hydrangea and Cherry Baby. Ooohhh...what fun I'm going to have with them! There are 50 swatches in each one and they will be in Australian stores very soon! Keep reading....these are part of the Competition!
Summer also means school Holidays have started for us and I was reminded this morning of how I now have to be very careful walking through the house. Luke has been learning how to do a handstand. He uses the family room to practice and at 6 foot tall, there is an awful lot of him to come down!
Step 1 Lets go
Step 2 Nearly there
Step 3 Ta Da
I couldn't show you step 4 as I was running for my life!
COMPETITION:
With the start of Summer, I've decided to have a give away. Just leave a comment and you will go into the draw to win one of the Lakehouse Charm packs in the photo above! I'm giving 2 away and I will draw the winner out next Monday. Good Luck!
I hope you are enjoying summer as much as I am.....Di
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There's nothing I like better than going to the fresh fruit and vegie market near me. I love the people, the produce, the wonderful smells that change as you turn every corner. My mouth waters at the scrumptious ethnic deserts and pastries. But my favourite section is the flower bay. Have a great Saturday.....Di
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It's so lovely to finally have some rain! We have been in a drought here in South East Queenslad and are on level 5 water retrictions and although the rain has not lifted those restrictions...it has prolonged the introduction of level 6. It's been so long since I've seen droplets of water resting on leaves or lingering on the gate latch. The gardens enjoyed a long steady drink!
It's official - my registration for Quilt Market in Houston has arrived. The flights and accomodation are booked, classes and lectures are paid for...Houston...here I come!
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We only have one computer at our house and lately it has been a battle to get near it. With two teenagers who both have assignments to do, it has been a battle to have any time to post a blog, send emails etc.( I am getting to read all of your comments and emails - thanks so much, I really enjoy receiving them - I just haven't been able to reply lately due to this ongoing battle). The kids of course have a solution....buy them their own computer!! I have a house rule that the kids are not allowed to have a computer or TV in their bedrooms. This might be a bit old fashioned but I am a strong believer of the family spending time together, especially during this teenage phase, even if it means "discussions" over which TV program to watch or who gets to use the computer. Compromise and patience are the lesson of the week....unfortunately I seem to be the only one learning them!
As a sales rep in the Patchwork & Quilting Industry, I am always trying to do something different or give as much information to my clients (shops) as I can. A few years ago I started a monthly newsletter. It's 8 pages long and usually contains images and information on new fabric ranges, books, patterns, etc as well as display and marketing ideas. It takes hours of work to complete but I really enjoy working on it. Yesterday my newsletter returned from the printers so it was a case of folding and stuffing in envelopes, address labels and stamping in order to get them in the mail. Due to the wonders of technology, I also download the file onto my business website so that my clients can view it in colour. Some of my clients tell me that even though they can view the newsletter on the web, they still prefer to sit down with a cup of tea and read through the printed version they receive in the mail.
So after surrounding myself with newsletters and envelopes, I always feel a sense of accomplishment and relief as I push them into the mail box. Another month down....now what am I going to put in next month's newsletter?
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I received an email from a friend - challenging me to put a photo of my handbag and it's contents on the blog. Apparently I was not allowed to clean it out (thank goodness I had done that yesterday!!) - Just tip it out and start snapping. Now the purpose of this is that you may be able to tell what personality traits I have by the contents of my bag!!! Isn't that an interesting thought - that you can really tell a lot about someone just by what type of handbag they carry and what they choose to store inside that bag.
So here goes...... (I have to show you 2 photos - you'll see why)
As you can see I use a "Pursekette" which keeps everything neat and tidy - so I'll unroll it in the next photo:
Here's a list of what's in my bag: purse (patchwork design of course), keys, sunglasses, pens, fuel receipt, loose coins, business cards, lipsticks and gloss, notebook, wet wipes, spare card holder for all of those cards you get from stores etc., my new phone: i-mate jasjam, hair brush, tissues, hand cream, moisturiser. The purskette is fantasitc - it keeps everything in place and I just have to grab it out (when I'm changing bags) and pop it in the next one. They are easy to make and there's a good tutorial here at "the giving flower" . (I think I lengthened mine a bit)
o.k. - so now it's your turn - what does this tell you about my personaltiy?? Drop me a comment if you think you can "read" a handbag!!! I'm putting out the challenge to all you other bloggettes - What's in your bag?
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Have you ever thought about the weekend and planned your days only to find that those plans were never going to happen? I was looking forward to Saturday - I had a huge list of projects and goals that I wanted to accomplish but due to a change in venue for DS's rowing regatta - below is a version of how my day went.
We had to be at Lake Kawana by 6.am and it's an hour and a half drive from our house. So I let you guess what time my alarm went off. I took this photo while driving up the highway - Luke sound asleep - and I was listening to this group. It's early...really early. It was a great regatta with Luke's crew winning both of their races but it was a long day and I didn't return home until 4.30pm.
Luke's crew about to win!
The boys all waiting for the last race.
After a day in the sun I flopped on the lounge dreaming of someone making me a cup of tea and an early night, but instead DD informed me that she had forgotton to tell me that she had a party to go to and had to be in the city by 5.30pm and could I pick her up later that night!!! So back in the car and into the city and finally home again. Now how was I going to keep awake? A friend /client had given me a bag pattern that she had designed so I spent a few hours making this:
You can contact the bag designer here. I have used Clover bag handles and a print out of Heaven on Earth by Northcott. I think I'll put some decoration on the front...not sure what yet...and yes...I know you are supposed to do that before you put the bag together!!!!
So here's how I ended my day...the same as it started...driving in the dark! 
But I wouldn't have it any other way. I love being present when the kids have any sporting or important school event. I think they enjoy knowing that someone is cheering them on from the sidelines. And I feel much happier when I'm dropping them off or picking them up from a party. Although the day did not turn out as expected, or should I say "wished for", it was wonderful! I hope your weekend is as eventful or uneventful as you wish it to be!
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