tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54161940852747681962011-12-24T10:50:46.892+11:00its all swings and roundabouts...Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.comBlogger2241100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-40953752405546128132011-04-04T16:15:00.000+10:002011-04-04T16:15:16.348+10:00

Hey there!  Just a bit of cross promotion here to remind you all that we now blog regularly over at Alice Becomes and that we are having our first ever GIVEAWAY! All you need to do is click on to Alice Becomes, read our We Love...April and Burt's Bees Giveaway and leave a comment and you are in the running to win a fabulous Burt's Bees Earth Goddess Gift Pack! And while you are there, don't

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-24119057694117447932011-03-01T03:23:00.000+11:002011-03-01T03:23:00.434+11:00

we have moved...but we haven't gone far. Just click here to read us at Alice Becomes Gill xo

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-17075422614998012202011-02-23T12:11:00.000+11:002011-02-23T12:11:53.118+11:00

pouring Prevelli Wines 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon We've been pouring and tasting wine....see the image over at Alice Becomes and join in the Wordless Wednesday fun! Nic xo 

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-92160287218563840602011-02-22T01:31:00.000+11:002011-02-22T01:31:22.962+11:00

now here is an achievable To Do List! Hey there! Are you organised? Are you a planner? Yes, then pop over to Alice Becomes to give me some advice on writing achievable To Do Lists...No? Then pop by anyway and learn along with me! Gill xo   image from We Heart It

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Add caption Read about this Burger and more over at Alice Becomes! We've moved...have you forgotten to add us to your blog roll or follow us at Alice becomes?

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-60329314645255710012011-02-19T14:00:00.001+11:002011-02-19T14:27:22.638+11:00

shoe lovers need to check out this comp We have moved.....remember? So click here to visit our new blog and to find out about the new shoe comp we found over at Style Tread.com. It's a good one so check it out now! Gill xo

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Midnight Oil, Beds are Burning, Remember that? You can remind yourself over here and read all about it at our new blog, Alice Becomes. And whilst your there, don't forget to subscribe or follow Alice Becomes, or add us to your blogroll! Happy Weekend! Nic xo

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-91646063644543451192011-02-17T02:12:00.000+11:002011-02-17T02:16:18.229+11:00

could my passport be hiding behind this curtain? Another friendly reminder...We have moved over here Are you suffering from Extreme Disorganisation? Me too...Read about it here Gill xo

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-61563769195017989992011-02-16T13:26:00.000+11:002011-02-16T13:26:13.278+11:00

We are linking up with Faith Hope & a whole lotta Love today for Wordless Wednesday...but you need to check it out at Alice Becomes!  And while your there, don't forget to Follow Alice Becomes! Nic and Gill xo

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-14820495341745745192011-02-15T23:32:00.000+11:002011-02-15T23:32:37.269+11:00

Just a quick one to remind you that we have moved.... Please read our We Love February post here instead! Gill & Nic xo

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time for a change...image at weheatit Last week we re-entered the blogging world and posed the question "Who is Alice?". This week we can finally reveal all and announce that yes we've been 'down the rabbit hole and off to the market'. We've become Alice...or rather Alice Becomes, because there is a little bit of Alice in us all. Whilst we have enjoyed writing for Our Park Life, the blog was

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  Off to Market, one, two, threeto buy the goods we need for tea.Off to Market, here we goerrands to run, don't be slow.Carrots here, potatoes there, what's that sir, you ain't got no pear?Change the plan, its raspberry foolGolly is that the time...get to school!Back to Market, one, two, threesilly me, forgot the peas! 

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-1412383110383636442011-02-01T17:29:00.000+11:002011-02-01T17:29:45.280+11:00

"The rabbit-hole went straight on like a tunnel for some way, and then dipped suddenly down, so suddenly that Alice had not a moment to think about stopping herself before she found herself falling down a very deep well" Lewis Carroll

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-56534496060207316412011-01-31T20:16:00.000+11:002011-01-31T20:16:08.702+11:00

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-75108284185938117082011-01-07T12:29:00.001+11:002011-01-07T12:33:39.791+11:00

vintage image found here There is nothing like a family bout of Gastro, followed by the emotional conversations by way of phone and family over what is potentially the last Christmas of a beloved family member who has been living with cancer for the past two years, topped with my own challenges of receiving more manipulative text messages from my father, to get your head back into

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so long, farewell, auf weidersehen, goodbye! Well, for 2010 anyhow.... Because we have decided to sign off for the year. We are taking a bloggy break and raising our glasses to toast a brand new year... So long, Farewell, Au Revoir, Auf Weidersehen. We'd like to stay but it is time to taste champagne But before we go... On reflection, I realised that 2010 has been a year of firsts. Amongst many

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-19049873977150361462010-12-10T10:58:00.002+11:002010-12-10T16:03:59.171+11:00

'tis the season to be jolly Life has been busy around here lately. Nic has been working ridiculously long hours, 6 days a week as well as keeping on top of her usual mum duties. I have had house guests, the joys of moving house and one sick little monkey to look after. Not to mention all the usual Christmas/End of Year busy-ness.  I did have all kinds of ideas for today's post, but it is just

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and sometimes it is too early for either! On Saturday morning I adamantly insisted gently encouraged MM to take M1 out for the morning. We are having house guests and I thought it would be nice for our guests if they were able to actually open the door to the spare room. It would also be nice if they did not have to sleep inside an empty nappy box with a pile of washing for a pillow. No, a

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-32294041663580553762010-12-04T11:57:00.002+11:002010-12-04T12:00:41.444+11:00

sweet dreams...image found here I have always been a dreamer, in my reality and in my sleep. My dreams are 99% pleasant, and I am almost certain that I live in parallel universes through my dreams... Last night saw me dancing away the night with a tall, dark, handsome someone and a girlfriend decked out in the nicest 50's attire. We were dancing to a swing band and enjoying the finest

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-45599294781728389392010-12-03T14:51:00.006+11:002010-12-03T16:18:23.778+11:00

Cocktails at Naptime is a new parenting book that has been  taking the blogging world by storm. Written by two women, one of whom lives in Scotland while the other lives in the United States, I was lucky enough to win a copy recently. You can read my thoughts on the book here. But below is a little interview with Emma Kaufmann and Gillian Martin, the authors behind the book that is quite the

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-6435859697427523942010-12-03T12:31:00.002+11:002010-12-03T14:55:40.237+11:00

I know, I know. I am a little slow off the bat with this one.  Because for the last few months the online world has been bustling with reviews, news and giveaways of a little book called Cocktails at Naptime, by Gillian Martin and Emma Kaufmann. The book has caused a fair bit of excitement in the blogging world, no doubt partly because of the fact that the two co-writers joined forces via their

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-42767491672343767562010-12-02T13:27:00.002+11:002010-12-02T13:46:16.105+11:00

I come across all sorts of wonderful bits of news and information when researching for my Eco Friendly post for We Heart Life. And considering my recent attempts at Getting Organised for Christmas, you can imagine how excited I was to discover a sweet little post on re-purposing at Green Your Way.  Most years, I am the person at 5pm on Christmas Eve desperately sorting through the

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-35965217294942490172010-11-29T11:22:00.001+11:002010-11-29T11:24:52.953+11:00

Mini Hoges turned three last Thursday. An age that was met with joy and dread. I have been here before with a three year old boy. He is now seven. And still prone to terrible burst of anger. It seems that the Terrible Two's don't really exist, but, the TERRIBLE, TERRIFYING THREE'S do. Here's an of examples of a weekend morning at our house. Junior Hoges wakes up on a Saturday morning, comes in

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When Gill and her Monkeys came over on Friday arvo for our usual Friday wind down wine time, I decided not to go with our usual sausage sizzle fare. But what to make? I am one of those people who can cook and bake rather well. I have quite a few recipes up my sleeve now that I know off by heart and can make them with my eyes shut.  My Easy Meatballs are one such recipe that will get your kids

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-25344200657094675382010-11-27T04:00:00.010+11:002010-11-27T11:14:54.340+11:00

it's thursday.....i forgot to put the bin out...again! Lately, I have been trying really hard to be more organised. But I am not sure it is working out all that well for me. I find myself contemplating as to whether organisation and planning skills come more naturally to some. Is there an organisational gene? Is it a learnt behavior?  And while I would rather avoid a whole nurture/nature type

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-17859312552117982192010-11-26T03:12:00.004+11:002010-11-30T13:12:36.196+11:00

Sometime ago, I wrote about Toys for Boys and how I was encouraging my sons to play with Lulu my childhood doll. Well, my attempt at adding a little balance to the type of play my boys are involved in has perhaps been in vain. Yesterday, we were driving back home from Nana's house when an announcement was made from the backseat - "Ladies Don't Drive Trucks" Now, you would be mistaken for thinking

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-50730056358646188012010-11-25T09:24:00.003+11:002010-11-29T22:57:38.807+11:00

mmm...tequila. This fabulous vintage ad is courtesy of Found in Mom's Basement There is nothing new about what I am about to write, in fact I am sure many bloggers have experienced this at sometime in their bloggy life. I'm talking about censorship, disclosure and changing what you write for the sake of potentially offending others.  Let's take the lovely Mrs Woog, for example. She has

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-78700970180954643262010-11-24T10:28:00.000+11:002010-11-24T10:28:34.130+11:00

We are playing Wordless Wednesday at Faith, Hope & a whole lotta love...check out more great pics and posts here Nic xo

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-21421707139960204682010-11-20T15:07:00.017+11:002010-11-23T23:46:08.880+11:00

image from we heart it  The last year has flown by. And for the most part of it, I have been cracking on with life, raising two little boys, learning how to care for a family of four and trying to strike the ever elusive balance between me-me and mum-me.  Then, late last night, I read at My Little Drummer Boys that it is National Premmie Week and that Movember is not just about Tom Selleck

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-54201123480708363392010-11-19T10:39:00.004+11:002010-11-23T16:29:26.474+11:00

john can move his head really well Driving home a few months ago, I was listening to one of the Down South afternoon radio shows. One of the male duo comedy teams that seem to have taken over the afternoon airwaves since the other stations realised how much everyone loves Hamish & Andy. Anyway, the Hamish & Andy clones were talking about the results of a little experiment, conducted in

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There is nothing rational about a toddlers behaviour. I know this. I SHOULD know this having already raised one to an independent and energetic seven year old. But there is just something that gets in the way of that understanding when your toddler is screaming at you in a most defiant "NO! I'm NOT!", or you have put them back into bed for the umpteenth time...patience thins, parents get snappy,

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-13223870818769369922010-11-17T10:57:00.002+11:002010-11-23T16:31:21.637+11:00

Just some of my favourite tea pots from an ever growing collection of antiques, modern and gifted teapots! Check out other great Wordless Wednesday posts at Faith, Hope & a whole lotta love. Nic xo

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-84394868957772112692010-11-15T10:16:00.017+11:002010-11-23T16:31:52.057+11:00

 images of ornaments for sale at PaperBoatPress For a Non Planner like me, Christmas still seems a long way off. So each year Christmas creeps up on me. I end up spending the last few days before the Big Day madly trying to buy gifts, Bon Bons and the rest of the Christmas paraphernalia in one go.  With the exception of last year - I was briefly possessed by Crazy Toy Sale Mummy and went to the

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-25758272587669701952010-11-11T09:49:00.003+11:002010-11-19T09:20:34.564+11:00

Gosh, we thought that October arrived pretty fast, but where did November Spring up from? Here is what we love this month... Nic loves: 1. Great British Menu - move over Masterchef, GBM is back in my life on Lifestyle food. I love the concept - regional chef's battling it out in the kitchen to to see who will be judged the finest to cook for the Prince of Wales in a banquet for 100....and

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-57181700067068153332010-11-10T11:19:00.000+11:002010-11-10T11:19:19.706+11:00

Check out more Wordless Wednesday fun here. Nic xo

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-32135352171646412602010-11-09T11:20:00.020+11:002010-11-10T15:18:34.916+11:00

Right. It is Groundhog Day. Again.  Remember the radio alarm clock buzzer that wakes Bill Murray each morning? Well, my buzzer is the sound of a 2 year old making his own breakfast. Crashing bowls, rolling apples, that sort of thing. And instead of I Got You Babe, the wake up song is a Fisher Price Musical Sea Horse that plays Frere Jacques as it is banged against my head with a "Time to get Up,

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-41780418154970525612010-11-04T12:34:00.002+11:002010-11-10T15:19:53.917+11:00

moonlight romance, found here I'm a sucker for romance.  Romance in novels that is. Not the Mills and Boon kind of stories, but your Marion Keyes, Maggie Alderson meets Sex and the City kind of stories. There is nothing more that I love (except the real thing of course!) than escaping into some kind of fictional world where girl meets boy and is hooked, there is some kind of drama, something

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-2512509333274889672010-11-03T11:26:00.000+11:002010-11-03T11:26:46.943+11:00

image by angela wylie @ the age 2010 Melbourne Cup has been and gone, thank goodness! I worked yesterday, co managing a lunch function followed by our towns "AFTER PARTY OF THE YEAR". It is always amazes me how the most classy, and civilized of ladies end up so trashed. Yesterday I saw semi local socialite personalities kicking up their heels in designer frocks. Above the knee (or more

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-5356659271685132822010-10-30T11:26:00.005+11:002010-10-30T11:34:38.875+11:00

why, with bi-carb and vinegar of course! I know it has not been long since I wrote about being grateful for having a Clean Perspective. Well, I felt the need to continue with this clean theme after experiencing yet another domestic epiphany. I briefly mentioned last time, Shannon Lush, the home hints guru from the ABC. But I don’t think I really described how wonderful her book has been for me

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-33075381206974755112010-10-29T10:28:00.000+11:002010-10-29T10:28:16.889+11:00

slow down, you move too fast, got to make the morning last This morning, I was standing by the side of the road, waiting to cross over to the Post Office. It was raining and I was holding 10 month old M2 in my arms, doing a little "am i ready to cross?" dance. You know how that dance goes -  *two steps forward, two steps back. I had found my way into a bit of a Margaret River traffic hub. Cars

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This is our first Wordless Wednesday.....and I thought everyone else is doing it, so why can't we! And with Spring having just sprung, our Strawberries are growing and the first lot have been picked! the first strawberries from the patch ripe and ready mmmm...delicious! Nothing like picking and eating your own fresh produce! Just hope that Mini Hoges saves some for all of us! Check out

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this great image can be found here There is something to be said about hormones. As women, we all know about the roller coaster ride that comes with menstruation, pregnancy and menopause. But what about the fellars? Their hormones fluctuate as well and in my experience, this presents itself as the Grumpy Old Man Syndrome, regardless if you are 2 or 52. And it's no wonder our men and boys are

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-68902062846675288102010-10-24T10:41:00.000+11:002010-10-24T10:41:36.522+11:00

image found here It has just dawned on me that it is exactly four weeks til Mini Hoges turns three. And this therefore means, that Christmas is only eight weeks away! I have always been a bit of an unorganised Christmas shopper, leaving it till the very last minute to purchase gifts for friends and family, and wrapping at least 15 boxes of chocolates to give to anyone I may have missed.  Some

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-65342255087927345542010-10-23T11:31:00.001+11:002010-10-23T11:33:16.021+11:00

rocking the suburbs photo found here I have just popped into town to do some grocery shopping. Not a big shop, just the random little things. Toilet paper, bread, lemons, apple and quince paste (for some strange reason M1 has taken a liking to this).   Anyway, on my way to the supermarket, I have accidentally on purpose, wandered into a little cafe and ordered a large pot of tea and WHOOPS, I

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image found here 1. You tell your child health nurse that your 10 month old is suffering from strong status anxiety. You ramble on, completely unaware that a look of bewilderment has taken over the young student nurse's face. You finally realise the word you were looking for was separation and explain that, Status Anxiety, is actually the name of a book you have been attempting to read for the

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-81170055180886478902010-10-19T17:11:00.001+11:002010-10-19T17:13:48.924+11:00

image found here Keeping in the theme of Online Issues from Gill's post yesterday, Scoop me. My toddler uses twitter,  I realized that I actually haven't been online since Thursday last week. Shock Horror! When we first started out with Our Park Life I was online all the time. In fact even when I wasn't online I was...I'd be thinking about it non stop. But somewhere in between April and October

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-12663027198173858472010-10-18T09:55:00.000+11:002010-10-18T09:55:06.930+11:00

hmm, so do I accept this friend request from this Big Brother guy? perhaps he's in my mother's group. I might be a little slow on this one. I just read (at Sheknows.com) that parents are now setting up social networking accounts in the names of their children, toddlers, babies and even unborn fetuses. Apparently 81% of children under 2 have a digital footprint! Really? At first I felt shocked

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-34247885333285780902010-10-16T11:02:00.000+11:002010-10-16T11:02:03.902+11:00

Simone De Beauvoir said housework was torture. But someones got to do it! It is finally dawning on me After almost three years of motherhood I have had a moment of clarity. I have finally realized that while I am the stay at home parent, in the main, it is my job to keep the house clean and tidy. I can wish all I like, but House elves do not sneak out at night to do my laundry. If I don't

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-35572508713165271792010-10-15T10:59:00.013+11:002010-10-15T16:36:34.055+11:00

image found here I am trying to write about Body Image. And I am finding it a ridiculously hard topic. It is easy to write about what Body Image is. It is easy to write about how important a healthy Body Image is.  But when I try to make this a personal subject, when I try to think clearly about my own sense of Body Image, well I don't even know where to begin. I don't know if I have a

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-33495653932002622992010-10-14T13:12:00.001+11:002010-10-14T16:26:47.891+11:00

There is nothing like the feeling you get when you are invited to something special, something new and exclusive. This week Gill and I were fortunate to receive invitations to the launch of our girlfriends' business, Mon Amie. Gill and Nic tasting sweet treats. Pic by Rebecca Lemm Both chefs, Monique and Amelia have worked together for nearly two years, and have decided to join culinary

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-67529209694605823332010-10-13T11:14:00.073+11:002010-10-14T17:00:00.129+11:00

sarah murdoch hearts natural body love I am pretty awful when it comes to accepting compliments. I am trying hard to simply thank people when I do get a compliment, but for years, I have brushed off compliments almost rudely. It is not my intention to make the bearer of compliments feel stupid but I think this is often the image I give off. And as for obsessing over body features and body

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-62149468453939188672010-10-12T09:59:00.004+11:002010-10-12T11:35:53.017+11:00

Oh My Goodness Gracious! Can you believe it's October already? We can't either! And here is what we are loving this October...Nic Loves: rockin it, little red 1. Little Red. Melbournians, Little Red, offer a great quirky and alternative sound right from their current hit "Rock It" through to their previous album "Listen to Little Red". Love the sound, love the look, Love Little Red. 2. Friday

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-49123716918620794892010-10-11T14:49:00.000+11:002010-10-11T14:49:36.919+11:00

With the weather being warmer these days, the need for layering is less, which means those lumpy and bumpy bits show more. After a recent shopping expedition for some new spring and summer wear, I felt disappointed at the number of clothes I tried on that would fit, but at the compromise of a muffin top or flabby belly or mass of skin/fat folds folding over the top of the pants or being pushed up

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-18580374869138517762010-10-09T03:10:00.002+11:002010-10-09T12:26:05.687+11:00

How often do you schedule in time for you and your significant other? image from love relations I'm talking about quality time, date time. The kind of time where you and your partner get to be you. No kids, no work, nothing else...just two people in love. Well, if I'm totally honest here, I think I put my relationship at the bottom of the list. And let's be honest ladies, I'm not alone. 

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-58401265063469197532010-10-07T13:34:00.001+11:002010-10-07T14:24:02.065+11:00

One of the negatives of living in a country town is the lack of decent and affordable take away foods. The variety is pretty minimal here - bad Chinese, pizza, dodgy curry, pizza, greasy chicken, kebabs, pizza and an upmarket take away that charges like its a restaurant. Did I mention Pizza? Why we have three different pizza shops to service one town I don't know. After spending some time in

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-79988309813611810932010-10-06T10:28:00.003+11:002010-10-06T10:30:44.316+11:00

look mum, i'm on TV! image found here  Lately I have been trying to figure out how I feel about toddlers and television. If I am being honest, before my children were born (when I was a perfect parent) I did not agree with young children watching any TV. And up until about 15 months old, M1 didn't watch any television. Since the birth of M2, this has changed. I admit that sometimes, okay,

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-56781356560617559512010-10-05T10:12:00.000+11:002010-10-05T10:12:55.662+11:00

The rain came back to Margaret River yesterday after a glorious absence of a few weeks. Sure the sun was great, but we need the rain, like the rest of the nation. Being the second week of the school holidays, and rained in for a few hours, the kids started to climb the walls.  On this particular morning I broke up five screaming matches and two punch ups between the Hogan boys. One minute

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-49472816526000479872010-10-04T13:44:00.002+11:002010-10-05T11:30:48.072+11:00

image found at we heart it I am wondering if the universe is trying to tell me something. This weekend was my dad's 60th birthday and we had a pretty small family celebration but also enough food for a small army. I noticed that M1 was enjoying the plates of dips, chips, cheese and biscuits a little too much. He just kept going back for more, there was no sense of self control. He was well

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-30368842474645820102010-10-03T17:05:00.000+11:002010-10-03T17:05:28.396+11:00

Remember the story about the country mouse and the town mouse? The town mouse goes to visit his country mouse cousin and gets a taste of a simpler more humble lifestyle. The town mouse then returns the favour and shows the country mouse a more 'sophisticated' way of living. the town mouse and country mouse found here Well, this past week I have come to experience this very tale, except, the

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-13038153603246669672010-10-01T11:08:00.014+10:002010-10-06T18:12:38.248+11:00

Remember Frobscottle and Snozzcumbers? Whizzpopping? The Manhugger? The Maidmasher?   All words and characters from The BFG, my favorite Roald Dahl book...I first heard about Roald Dahl Day a few weeks ago at the lovely site Pink Patent Mary Janes. The day is a celebration of Roald's birthday and in my opinion the man was worth celebrating. His books inspired imagination, creativity and were just

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-9809033540181036512010-09-30T12:36:00.001+10:002010-09-30T12:36:06.894+10:00

Ever wondered how a night out for dinner and drinks impacts on the environment? Possibly not. But the designers of this new bar and restaurant believe that minimizing your carbon footprint does not mean minimizing the things you enjoy in life. Far from it...Welcome to the greenhouse! This is Perth’s most eco-friendly eatery ever… more cool pics of the greenhouse here To mention just a few of

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-18791606092094350932010-09-30T01:12:00.015+10:002010-09-30T01:33:52.577+10:00

The Great Bag of Kiwifruit is no more.... And in its place are 24 pretty decent muffins...Now, I know I copped out on the The Scary Free Form Tart but I did what I do best....when in doubt, I make muffins... Got a bag of squishy kiwi fruit you'd rather not waste? Do the muffin thing:4 squishy kiwi fruit mashed2 eggs1/2 cup sugar3 cups of SR flour1tbs lemon juicevanilla essence1/4 cup oil1/2

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-60692592713679873062010-09-29T11:57:00.007+10:002010-09-30T12:39:32.791+10:00

the very scary kiwi tart image and recipe at Taste.com. I hate to waste food. Unlike my brother, who tells me if a recipe calls for half an onion, he uses half an onion and then throws the rest out. This baffles and intensely irks me... However, as I burn porridge every second morning am still developing my culinary skills, I often find myself staring at spontaneously purchased

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-41414024631484990712010-09-28T15:59:00.005+10:002010-09-30T00:32:38.443+10:00

from scissors paper rock designs What do you think of online shopping? Do you have a favorite MADEIT store? Yesterday I did write about zombie like consuming but this does not mean I do not like to shop! And shopping at MADEIT.com is even more fun because you get to support independent designers and discover some real unique, quality products... Now, I have mentioned Made It, the online

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-72064155553414843602010-09-27T09:37:00.004+10:002010-09-30T00:34:26.217+10:00

Not offensive, rather cute...But would you like to have Tom as your father?image found here You can have a Cinderella Complex, a Peter Pan Complex, an Oedipus and Electra Complex. You can have Alice in Wonderland Syndrome. Watch out though, because as a parent, you can now suffer from The Suri Cruise Effect. This is not the name of an early 90's rock band. And I am a little slow with this one.

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-33601119335901101462010-09-25T17:21:00.011+10:002010-09-30T00:31:31.815+10:00

image found here My boys are so young that at the moment it is hard for me to imagine a day when either of them will be ready to jump on a plane and head off to the other side of the world without their parents. Without me. But one day they might move to a new city. They might take a job inter-state. They might meet the love of their life overseas. So this morning, while at the park with M1

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-33379066687585136622010-09-24T07:05:00.007+10:002010-09-24T10:09:07.456+10:00

Gene Wilder, the original Willy Wonka Johnny Depp, the modern Wonka This weeks Flashback Friday is short and sweet, pardon the pun, and based on my all time favourite movie, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Produced in 1971, the Original version starred Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka and featured some lovely songs such as "I've got a golden ticket", "Pure Imagination" and those sweet

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-27889615933811454872010-09-23T09:57:00.003+10:002010-09-23T23:42:17.935+10:00

The Box Family would take a walk together every evening image found here We were out  having lunch on Monday and we started talking about the quirky little rituals that are special to just your family....The funny little traditions that are just the things that you do... I have fond memories of a battered old angel ornament that went to the top of the Christmas tree every year, a Stevie Wonder

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-35196022968316815402010-09-22T14:04:00.000+10:002010-09-22T14:04:43.861+10:00

Yesterday I wrote about how I was attempting the Victoria Sponge for the first time. And ladies and gentlemen here it is.... looking good! I am pretty happy with my sponge, and it was relatively easy to make.  The feedback from the family was that it was a little firm on the 'crust' and needed twice as much cream in the middle, but pretty good for a first time effort. And having just had a

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-69619644873114715612010-09-21T15:12:00.000+10:002010-09-21T15:12:00.081+10:00

I am about to take on a challenge! I am going to bake something I have never made before.  I am going to attempt a Victoria Sponge Cake! Spurred on from a recent visit to the McHenry Hohnen Farm Shop for coffee and amazing sponge cake, and after seeing UK Masterchef contestants take on their country's version of the CWA Sponge, I am going to give it a go. Lets just hope it turns out like this:

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-78474744366303517032010-09-20T10:05:00.000+10:002010-09-20T10:05:35.276+10:00

image courtesy of we love monday shop Hey there! Happy Monday! Did you jump out of bed with a spring in your step, or did you reluctantly roll out of bed, dragging your feet at the start of a new week? I quite like Monday's - school goes back, it's a fresh week and it's Industry Night at the Wine Bar, meaning, that it's the local hospitality crew in for their "Friday" night, and I feel like I

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-76779036216127895172010-09-18T14:09:00.022+10:002010-09-18T17:50:23.536+10:00

There is something decidedly creepy about Perfection. Think of supposedly perfect child beauty queens with their fake tans and lipstick. And Kathleen Turner in Serial Mum. Perfect Mothers. Perfect Families. Perfect Kids. Perfectly unobtainable. A couple of nights ago I re-watched Little Miss Sunshine.. I love this movie because there is nothing perfect about this family. The brother refuses to

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-28021075547262054572010-09-17T09:24:00.000+10:002010-09-17T09:24:24.600+10:00

In springtime, the only pretty ring time Birds sing, hey ding A-ding, a-ding Sweet lovers love the spring-William Shakespeare [1564-1616], spoken by Willy Wonka in the Inventing Room mixing bicycle scene. time to bust out a few of your best cleaning moves?image found here  Has Spring Sprung in your neck of the woods? Is the sun shining a little more brightly in your life, giving you a

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-53545352061472611412010-09-17T02:12:00.001+10:002010-09-17T02:20:40.792+10:00

Today, Gill and I had the most wonderful culinary experience that we've had in a long time. Thanks to our good friend Little Chef who organised the lunch date, we dined at one of Margaret River's newest foodie and wine ventures, The McHenry Hohnen Farm Shop . Set off Cave's Road, and surrounded by natural bush setting, the Farm Shop offers a relaxing dining experience that I could only imagine is

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-18509596383972584392010-09-15T23:08:00.003+10:002010-09-15T23:14:03.617+10:00

image found here I normally leave the foodie recipe stuff to Nic... You only have to look at the results of our Muffin Top Bake Off to know why…. Saying this, I have to say that I did give Nic's Best Crispy Spuds Ever a go on Sunday evening...and they really and truly were the crispiest spuds I have ever made...To be fair, somehow I have managed to get through 32 years of my life without EVER

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-79215396963299034672010-09-14T14:59:00.000+10:002010-09-14T14:59:08.435+10:00

Oh the joys of moving the toddler from a cot to a junior bed! I know I'm not alone here. Gill has even written about her experiences of Monkey 1 waking at some ridiculous time in the wee hours of the morning to find her toddler, bright eyed and ready to play, throwing books or cars at her head in an attempt to get her out of bed. Whilst my toddler hasn't wanted to play, he is getting up very

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-87541521470415979332010-09-12T00:13:00.008+10:002010-09-12T00:48:36.452+10:00

image found here I love a good cafe.It's one of the things I do to relax. I like to sit for ages with a friend or the family and take things easy, order another coffee if I fancy it, read a magazine or very occasionally, if alone, do a bit of writing.  So for me, a perfect weekend morning is to go out for breakfast. Or, as it takes me forever to get out of the house in the morning, perhaps I

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-38106401668761249662010-09-10T14:54:00.001+10:002010-09-12T00:15:27.090+10:00

too cool for school "Well I've been looking around for some kind of feeling some kind of a sensation, and you know I can feel it all inside. I don't care baby where you've been, and I don't care to see what you've seen. Don't you know I will be dying to be by your side. Don't go now, Don't go now, Don't go now..... Well You can have my heart, & have my soul, without you i feel cold. Won't you

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-72997539573695097522010-09-09T16:10:00.000+10:002010-09-09T16:10:40.121+10:00

A few weeks ago I wrote about Flying with Children after I was pleasantly surprised at how wonderfully relaxing the experience was.. That first flight was a dream. I got to watch a whole movie (without falling asleep once!) and I ate my lunch in peace while M1 happily lapped up the appeal of having his very own television for 4 hours and M2 napped away to the soothing sound of the engine hum. It

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-91645067646109693652010-09-08T14:28:00.000+10:002010-09-08T14:28:36.360+10:00

Its our third time writing for We Heart Life this week.  Make sure you head on over Wednesday and Thursday to check out what Nic and Gill are writing about! And read some other great posts by some fabulously positive ladies from the We Heart Life crew.

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-90724224347911481332010-09-08T09:43:00.000+10:002010-09-08T09:45:57.507+10:00

No one likes a soft roast potato. What's the point, you may as well just serve up steamed spuds...BORING! Having just moved house, I thought I'd take the opportunity to see just how good my new oven is and cook a lamb roast. The Hoges' boys pulled up all the potatoes from the tractor tyre at the old house yesterday, and today they will become the BEST CRISPY SPUDS EVER! *warning these spuds

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-69930873269595042162010-09-04T15:02:00.003+10:002010-09-04T15:03:33.817+10:00

Some of you may have been curious, some of you may not have thought about it at all. But I thought I'd take the time to share with our readers and the rest of the world one of our all time favourite parks, and the image on the Our Park Life banner. That's right folks, our image is real, our image is (drum roll please).... The APPLE FUN PARK, in Donnybrook Western Australia. just some of the

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-32381108954894487782010-09-03T22:00:00.001+10:002010-09-04T08:08:00.425+10:00

Spring is here at last! Here is what we are loving in September... Gill Loves... 1. Buddhism for Mothers by Sarah Napthali I don't like to push parenting books because I am  of the opinion to each his own when it comes to parenting, HOWEVER, I am just loving this book at the moment most of all because it reminds me to be a calm person, which in turn makes me a calmer parent! 2. Spirited image

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-83375216895208759642010-09-03T14:26:00.000+10:002010-09-03T14:26:06.621+10:00

Yesterday, I read here that a school in Melbourne has suggested that one of Australia's best known nursery rhymes could do with a little update in its lyrics... You see, the Kookaburra still sits in the old gum tree but no one seems to be able to decide whether it is OK for the kookaburra to live a life that is gay and are therefore looking to take the word "gay"out of the song altogether. A few

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-70790784145542332852010-09-01T15:15:00.001+10:002010-09-01T17:45:35.841+10:00

bush, streams and discovery It's been an interesting time of new experiences and discovery here at Our Park Life. Whilst Gill and her Monkeys have been in Sydney soaking up the excitement of the big city and traffic, the Hoges' boys and I have moved house from a very Urban town setting (yes in the country, I know, but we did live in the heart of the town) to the very backend of the town or

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-36331554144100534312010-09-01T11:48:00.000+10:002010-09-01T11:48:41.571+10:00

You know how once you see one Orange Kombi van you start seeing them everywhere? Well, whether spooky coincidence or simply that I am noticing it more, lately my Orange Kombi is all about the Written Word. Yes, it all started with Amanda B who writes at Homeage. She and I exchanged postcards a few weeks ago as part of her We've Got Mail  series. Now, I've always been a bit of a romantic when it

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-88749960965226207672010-08-30T22:14:00.000+10:002010-08-30T22:14:46.458+10:00

The play atmosphere has changed for M1 since coming to the big city. You see, we don't have a single set of traffic lights in Margaret River. So whenever we go for a drive at home, M1 sits in the backseat content to point out all the cows, sheep and farm vehicles we see along the way. In Sydney, the Monkeys have been exposed to many new transport related experiences. Tunnels, road tolls, fire

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-20730706859781122692010-08-30T10:51:00.000+10:002010-08-30T10:51:05.460+10:00

I vaguely remember a television game show in the eighties that involved a camera crew going around the home of a celebrity. Contestants had to guess which celebrity the home belonged to by the house contents and styling. You can walk into most houses and make a few basic assumptions about the people who live there.  And, from time to time, we all hear about the (somewhat unfortunate?) people who 

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-78034909323660706282010-08-29T09:43:00.007+10:002010-08-30T00:32:56.107+10:00

                   Mr Weaving and Ms Blanchett. Uncle Vanya at The Sydney Theatre                                                         image found here Once upon a time, in a galaxy far far away...I would go out after dark. Since the birth of the monkeys, life has changed. I do go out after dark. Occasionally. Usually for a dinner. And on most of these nights I am preoccupied with the clock

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-89000311009473168182010-08-27T09:49:00.000+10:002010-08-27T09:49:57.122+10:00

Do you remember the Aussie hit 'The Henderson Kids'?  It was screened on Australian TV during the late eighties with two seasons being filmed in 1985 and 1987. The drama family show casted some HOT young Aussie talent. I wonder where they are now.... she grew up real lucky Obviously Kylie Minogue has generated the most success for herself, from Neighbours to Pop Princess. We've all read

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-16281527861195262392010-08-25T22:20:00.000+10:002010-08-25T22:20:26.683+10:00

mmmm....smoothie! If your kids are like mine - constantly hounding you for food the minute they get home from school until dinner time, then you will love this Low GI, filling and nutritious after school smoothie. Super Smoothie 2 bananas 2 tablespoons of milo 1 tablespoon of honey 1 scoop of vanilla icecream 1/2 cup of natural yoghurt 250 ml milk  Blend all the ingredients together. Serve

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-55020700127629806192010-08-25T09:24:00.002+10:002010-08-26T07:41:47.251+10:00

It is done.  The dummy is no more! there are no more dummy's in our house! A few months back I wrote about Mini Hoges love of his dummy in the art of dummy distraction.  We have been talking about getting rid of the dummy for sometime now, but there was reluctance on everyone's behalf. Would he sleep ok? Would we cope without it? Well, yesterday morning we couldn't find that darn dummy

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-80115981814952490852010-08-24T14:15:00.006+10:002010-08-26T08:57:54.615+10:00

image found hereThis is Frank's Facebook profile pic...He LOOKS like a pilot so he must BE be a Pilot. Right? Leo DiCaprio played Frank Abagnale Jr, the man who successfully conned million of dollars by posing as a doctor, lawyer and pilot. Well, I'm not sure anyone will make a Hollywood movie out of it but I was just reading here about a former public servant who lied on job applications and

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-32728553377792184622010-08-24T09:13:00.000+10:002010-08-24T09:13:47.399+10:00

A few years ago, Grandma Molly started Junior Hoges on a Beanie Kids collection journey. Everytime she went to a supermarket she would get him another. Over the years, the Beanie kids have been confined to shoe box in the back of the cupboard. That is until now.... With the process of moving house underway, our current home is a buzz with packing, sorting and culling. Furniture has been emptied

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-44962787381526283192010-08-23T10:51:00.000+10:002010-08-23T10:51:33.380+10:00

The tribe has spoken. But we still have no winning party. Who's it gonna be? I suggest the winner is determined through a challenge. Or a series of challenges, Survivor Style.  last man/woman standing challenge - who's it gonna be? Or, perhaps with this Nation's current love of foodies, a Masterchef Challenge. Gillard and Abbott go head to head against Neil Perry and Maggie Beer. Who

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-56108528774685703112010-08-21T16:26:00.018+10:002010-08-27T15:53:11.087+10:00

Sydney. It's a pretty, pretty city....        image found here My idea of the "perfect" place to live has changed since I had children. I was once concerned with proximity to bars and shops but I now think about proximity to schools and lovely parks when choosing a place to call home. I am a Perth girl. I was born and bred in the *State of Excitement. These days I live in Margaret River.

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-46756054839148498452010-08-20T14:02:00.001+10:002010-08-20T14:02:00.386+10:00

Canapes, hor' d'oeuvres, finger foods -  I have seen and served my fair share over the 15 years or more that I have worked in the hospitality industry. Crudettee, salmon blini's, risotto balls, asparagus wrapped in proscuitto, you know where I'm at. We've all attended the functions, weddings and openings with delightful flavoursome bite sized morsels being waved in front of us on white platters

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-22814170404228000452010-08-19T14:14:00.004+10:002010-08-21T16:31:54.833+10:00

image by kateefish Up in the air, we fly! Zoom, zoom, a zoom, zoom, zoom, zoom...  This was the song I had been singing with the Monkeys in preparation for our trip to Sydney. Every chance I got, over breakfast, in the car, while doing the food shopping, I would say to M1 "We are going on a plane soon, aren't we?!" I would say it in my Enthusiastic Voice - my teaching voice, partnered up with

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-7664924841634700982010-08-18T14:56:00.003+10:002010-08-18T14:57:44.615+10:00

I love GRAVY! Having an English heritage I grew up on the stuff. And I think I have finally perfected making my own from scratch. gravy is great! don't know about drinking it though! Nic's Good Gravy 1 quantity of pan juices from roast beef, lamb or chicken(last night it was roast lamb with whole garlic cloves and spriggs of rosemary)250ml of beef stock1 tablespoon of plain flourseasoning

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416194085274768196.post-28413571769584191542010-08-17T14:16:00.002+10:002010-08-17T14:16:00.508+10:00

A family member emailed me this funny Question and Answer on marriage, written by children. After Gill wrote about the Marriage Bonus in her Sunday Scoop post, I thought this was a piece of insightful information that just had to be shared..... image by nouvelles images  1.  HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHOM TO MARRY? -You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports, she

Alice Becomeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453791643796256551noreply@blogger.com2