Puzzle fun

I love puzzles but we haven't done one for a while so I got a 1000 piece one out for Mum and I to do.

We like to sort all the edge pieces first and then get the whole outside bit done before we start on the middle.

Not back to school picnic.

Today we went to a not back to school picnic at a local lake. It was really windy and the waves were more like ocean waves but we had so much fun. I made a new friend and we had heaps of fun in the water together.

Photos.

Christmas catch up.

We had a cool Christmas. Here are some photos of some of my presents.


We got a trampoline for Christmas. It was a complete surprise and it's so much fun. It has a net but we don't have any photos of it yet.

My Aunty bought me a potting wheel. It took a little bit of getting used to but I finally got the hang of it. I made a little bowl for my Dad.

I also got this dress-up doll book. It's very cool.

Me and my friend dancing.

Latest photos

Mum copied this post of hers to here. Thanks Mum.

These pics are all out of order.


All below is a straight copy. Darcy got a very cool magnetic warrior dude from his Aunty & Uncle in Australia that he just loves. And wow - it only took him about an hour to lose the head! Yah for eagle-eyed sisters who are willing to get that far under the couch. Ewwwww, can you say giant dust bunnies!!! LOL

Hannah got a beautiful handbag from the same Aunty & Uncle. Verry styley.

Oh no....what on earth possessed Santa to get them water blasters!

New shorts for DH.......look surprised babe!!!


It's a bit hard to see this gorgeous ring holder clearly. A creation of Hannahs.
I love that the kids want to make presents.

There's the ever-present dressing gowns!!!!!!!!!!!!

Darcy LUUUVVVVSSS PS2!!!!! Oops - who left that price sticker on! lol



Maybe next year I should ask for a new dressing gown!!!!



Hannah was doing some serious present wrapping so Darcy made a sign for the door. I wonder what the 'or else is'???




Yeah well I should probably try and take a photo of the lights when they're on aye?

Hannah saw this a while ago while we were shopping for the cousins so we got it but she had to wait til today to use it.

Ok Hannah just woke up so off I go.

Ho ho ho and have a great day.

I made a pavlova

We had a special lunch today for Mum, my brother and me and I made my very first pavlova. (It's a meringue dessert). It was so yummy with cream and strawberries on it.

Here is a recipe for it.



This is a typical recipe for a "homemade" Pavlova

4 egg whites
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
¼ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vinegar
1 cup castor sugar
2 teaspoons cornflour (cornstarch)

Preheat the oven to 150°C(Gas Mark 2).Beat egg whites and salt in a bowl until soft peaks form. Gradually add the castor sugar while beating. Continue until stiff peaks form. Beat in the remaining ingredients, vanilla essence, vinegar and cornflour. Turn mixture out onto a baking paper covered tray. Shape into a circle approximately 23 cm (9 in) in diameter.Reduce oven temperature to 140°C. Bake for 15 minutes, then further reduce the oven temperature to 120°C and bake for 1 ¼ hours. Cool completely in the oven. Top with whipped cream and your choice of fresh fruit.

Some "secrets" to successful Pavlova making!
- Ensure implements are scrupulously clean.
- Never use a copper bowl to beat the eggs.
- Egg whites should be whipped at approximately room temperature.
- Ensure that no yolk gets into the egg white.



Mum and I bought some Henna on Tuesday and we put it in yesterday. I'm so pleased with how it looks. Mum thinks I look just like my cousin (a natural redhead) and now she wants to do her hair. : )