Happy Easter

Still here...

...just can't get my head around blogging with no photos! I get my new camera in 2 sleeps (not that I'm counting - much). The kids are downstairs right now creating the cutest little rabbit cupcakes (for sale at tomorrow nights annual Easter Carnival), and I have no photo evidence! They got their idea from here and they look just as great.

What else is happening at the Nut House? Well the painters have arrived. The outside of our rental is getting a very much needed once-over. This place is all timber so the painters have a massive task ahead of them. So far they've water-blasted and today they got stuck into sanding back the window and door frames. Ben spent the whole day at home with the cheery sound of sanders blaring - he reckons the whole house rattled and his ears are still ringing. Apart from that, I'm doing extra big days at work and feeling a wee bit weary for it. We are looking forward to an extra long weekend to recharge the batteries. Not too long now and Term 1 will be over. Talk about the fastest term in history!

This weekend...

....I stayed close to home. Come to think of it, I only left the house once - yesterday afternoon, for yoga class. I love weekends spent lolling (is that a real word?) round the house, doing whatever I please. Nothing is more relaxing to me than time spent pottering around my own house!

Sadly, our tank was filled (well topped up is a more apt description) with bought water today. When Ben dipped the measuring pole into the tank yesterday, it revealed we were down to our last 5 inches. I wish the rain gods would look more favourably on our small thirsty island. I'm thankful for the decent down-pour on Friday night, but we really need a solid week of rain.

Well as of lunchtime today, I'm now officially camera-less. My trusty Pentax k~x has gone to a new home. It's weird to think I can't just grab the camera....it was almost an extension of my right arm. This terrible state of affairs will only last 'till the weekend though, when I'll be picking up my new camera. I can't wait to fire it up.  There's sure to be photos galore.

I hope you have a great week leading up to Easter! I have an exciting trip coming up. And here's my last photo ever...from the Pentax that is...

Spot the burn on my wrist? I had a fight with the oven on Friday night! Ouch.

Friday Favourite: Discovery

a little backyard science

Here's my favourite photo taken this week. I'd love it if you'd share your Friday Favourite too, just add a link to yours in the 'comments' below.

Attitude of gratitude

Feeling grateful right now for...

:: this boy - looking handsome wearing safety goggles ::

:: kids who'll willingly dry dishes if a Jamiroquai dance party kicks off in the kitchen at the same time (think flying tea towels and crazy dance moves) ::

:: the sweetest love letters emails, even after almost 19 years (NINETEEN years) ::

:: neighbours who share! (a big bunch of bananas) ::

:: family yoga sessions in the lounge room ::

and 

:: meeting new acquaintances (and like-minded souls) through blogging ::

A beauty tip

From me? Yeah yeah...stop smirking. Us a la natural, chemical-free, bi-carb using, vinegar-splashing, herbal-infusing chickie-babes have beauty tips too you know. Have you ever tried dry body brushing? About 18 months ago a beautician told me about the benefits of daily dry body brushing (that's a mouth full) and I've been doing it ever since. I won't harp on with all the advantages - they are too numerous to mention. But here's two really worthwhile reasons to consider taking it up...(i) gentle body brushing safely stimulates the lymphatic system and (ii) it promotes good circulation. You can read this or this if you want to know more. I read numerous online articles about the process and watched this video, plus a few others on YouTube. Once I could see how to do it properly, I was on my way.  I try to remember to use my body brush everyday before I jump in the shower. I love how it wakes up my skin first thing in the morning!

Here's where I bought my brush. I had to shop online as I was unable to source one locally. I imagine on the mainland it would be much easier to track one down. There are many different designs - some have long handles, others are worn like a glove. Just make sure it's made of natural fibers. A synthetic brush isn't suitable. Give it a go - and be sure to tell me what you think!

Heidi Spidey

Many years ago we had a magnet on our fridge with an illustration of a spider on it. Underneath the picture were the words "Heidi Spidey'. The magnet is long gone, but since that time, all spiders have been known (now and forever) by that name (in the world according to me). You know how that sort of thing works.

I like spiders, honest. I never squash them. I think that's why we have so many living on our verandah right now - word on the street is - live at Michelle's, she's cool, she won't wreck your web! Plus there's home-delivery!!! Yep, Ben even feeds them. Truly, every cockroach caught is thoughtfully placed in a web. Heidi rubs her belly whenever she sees Ben coming. A free meal - it's no wonder they like our place.

I'm not exaggerating when I say there are webs between every single post! I kid you not, there are webs on webs...on webs. I think they are beautiful and intricate and just plain fascinating. We don't normally let it get this out of control. The painters are meant to be coming to give our rental a face-lift. I figure once they show up, it will be goodbye Heidi Spidey for a while (rumour is...they're going to attack the outside walls with a high pressure hose - eeek!)

Apologies to all the spider phobics....the flower shots are there for you to focus on! xx

PS I'm not responsible for Heidi Spidey's (AKA The Golden Orb) missing leg.

Fridge Wisdom

The front of our fridge is a shambles. The rest of our house isn't (I'm generalising of course), so we I happily live with a messy fridge door! The other morning I trudged down the stairs in one of those 'I-just-want-to-stay-in-bed' moods, barged up to the fridge (praying some quick effortless sustenance would leap out), and there amongst the notes, photos, magnets, paper clippings and goodness knows what else, was this gorgeous message. Oh my clever wise Harry - everyday you surprise us in more ways than one!

Looking for treasure on a Sunday morning...

Friday Favourite: Birthday Bedhair

In my library bag...

Sometimes I feel like the universe is looking out for me. Some months ago, my friend Kristy recommended I read 'The Power of Now'. I diligently wrote down the title and author with a promise to track it down.

This afternoon at yoga, a conversation about my over-analytical nature (and mission for a guilt-free year) led my teacher to hand me a book, saying "Michelle, you should really read this!". It was of course the very same book. Coincidence? I think not.

And when I'm not searching for inner peace....I have my head in the Jean M. Auel's Earth's Children series. Currently up to Book 3. Oh how I love them - Ayla, you are my hero!

Finally...

...it's raining! Not a whole heap so far...but I'm certain there is more on the way as a cyclone is blowing in our hood (don't worry, it's quite a distance offshore). The plants looked so relieved this morning and so much shinier; months of built-up dust and salt washed away. There's hardly a puddle to be seen as the parched ground thirstily draws in every drop. I bet that even the spiders were happy for a shower! Let's hope our tank is full to the brim very soon so we can all enjoy a long soak in the tub - I'm a bit over 30 second showers.

The Swimming Carnival '13

We had the school swimming carnival a fortnight ago. It was (as it is every year) a great day.  Once again, Harry participated in every event possible. A far cry from the boy who when we first arrived on Norfolk, quivered with fear at the mere thought of swimming to the raft. The little kids don't partake in swimming races, but Till had a blast riding on the paddle boards and running in the flag race. I know I say this again and again, but the swimming carnival here really is unique and special.

Ben's Rice Paper Rolls

Ben makes a pretty mean rice paper roll. Seriously.  Just the other day our mate Kristy wrote us an email asking Ben to send her a list of the ingredients he puts in his rice paper rolls (see I told you they are good). When he and Till cracked open a new packet of rice papers for lunch today and started chopping and grating and soaking I ran for the camera! 

So here's that list of ingredients, just for you Kristy x mwah (kisses are a bonus)

Ben's incredibly delicious rice paper rolls 

- the filling -

:: lettuce - all chopped up (Ben uses kitchen scissors)

:: a handful of chopped roasted peanuts

:: a big bunch of chopped coriander (we like HEAPS)

:: a smallish bunch of chopped fresh mint

:: a grated carrot or two or three

:: a big splash of sweet chilli sauce

:: an equally big splash of tamari

:: chopped cold meat (today Ben used left over cold pork....but sometimes he uses BBQ chicken or cooked prawns)

:: a packet of rice noodles - softened in hot water and drained

And that's it! I'm not going into the knitty gritty how-to. Those instructions are on the rice paper packet. I also haven't given exact quantities cause that's not how this works for Ben. He just throws it all in a bowl and mixes and tastes and then adds whatever he feels is missing!! Yes....it's a very scientific process.

And yes my Ben is manly enough to wear that babushka doll apron. Real men are. If you don't have a cute little carrot grater girl like we do, we can probably rent her out for a fee (with that hat I promise). She can soak rice paper sheets for just the right amount of time too.

PS If we have some freshly grated beetroot, we add that too. You can really put whatever you like in rice paper rolls.

PPS It's Ben's birthday today! 36 years young. Happy b'day Bean....we think you (and your rice-paper roll making skills) are rad!

Foundation Day 2013

Yep, that time of the year again! Although this time around, Foundation Day (Wednesday March 6) was a just a tad more special for our family, as Harry had a part to play in this years re-enactment! He played the part of George Oakley, a boy born on Norfolk Island in July 1791. George was the son of First Fleet convict George Wood who was convicted for stealing three red leather trunks of clothing from a moored ship situated at Limehouse, England. Harry had high hopes that he'd get to ride on a boat during the re-enactment. Ben and I weren't sure how his role would play out, but we sure were relieved when Harry did indeed get to hop on board the lighter for the short voyage from Slaughter Bay to Emily Bay. Yes, that tiny little boat journey made Harry's day!

People Power

We all took part in a protest against whaling, a few Sundays ago. It was Harry and Till's first time participating in a public protest....hmmm come to think of it, I've never taken to the streets with placards before either. I love community spirit, don't you? It's alive and well on this island.

NB. Did you notice the spelling error?