Reno: Our Boudoir #2

Here is the finishing touch to our Bedroom reno.

A beautiful Bordeaux tree from one of my favourite shops in the city: Influence.

There are 4 gorgeous little birds nestled into the branches.

Thrilled with how beautiful it is!

Training...

... starts early around here. String Bean cleaned the lounge room and Squealy vacuumed the family room. They were given a choice in what cleaning they'd like to do. Given that most of the mess is created by the kids, it is only fair that they help to clean it up.

Am glad that Squealy actually enjoys using the vacuum cleaner (see photo 2 for a huge grin!)

Trucks and Big Boy Pass Times

Fuzzy and Husband Deluxe helped our friends move house last weekend. Fuzzy just loved the moving truck and being a part of it all.

Tim, Dip, Simon and Husband Deluxe moved everything within 6 hours.

Fuzzy Truck Driver Extraordinaire

Being the sociable boy that we all love, he immediately on arrival, befriended the neighbourhood kids. Considering how much time we spend together, having friends for the kids is a real asset!

Kennards really does make life easier!

Rainy Days

The rain set in over night, so there isn't much to do really but to curl up in bed together.

As you can see Squealy still loves his blankie and sucking his fingers. Am not too sure when he is going to give up either, not that it really matters.

Kim's Lemon Tart

Photo Courtesy of: taste.com

Kim's Lemon Tart

1 sheet frozen shortcrust pastry, thawed
4 eggs
1/2 heaped caster sugar
1/2 cup lemon juice (see SuzyBoo tricks below)
finely grated lemon rind from 1 lemon
1/2 cup cream

1. Preheat oven 180 or 160 fan forced.
2. Line sheet with pastry and chill for 15 minutes (don't skip this step or the pastry will shrink).
3. Line pastry with baking paper and pastry weights (I use glass wishing stones)
4. Blind bake for 15 minutes. Remove paper and weights and bake for another 5 minutes.
5. While the pastry is baking prepare filling by whisking all other ingredients.
6. Pour into prepared pan and bake for 30 minutes or until set.
7. Cool in pan. Don't be tempted to serve it too quickly or it will fall apart.

SuzyBoo tricks I've picked up while cooking this 6 times since the lovely Kimsy gave me the recipe:

* Use spray oil in your pie dish. It will help getting it out when you serve it. If making for a special occasion and it needs to look perfect: use the spray oil and then line the dish with baking paper. Also chill for 6 hours prior to serving.

* I prefer to use the juice of 1 lemon (1/4 of a cup) and then fill up to a full 1/2 a cup using lemon squeeze. Now before all the cooking zealots jump on me... the full 1/2 cup of real lemon juice makes the tart very, well tart! hahaha The lemon squeeze, even though it's crappy fake lemon , actually makes this dish taste better not worse.

* invest in a good microplane like this one. Don't skip adding the zest as it makes the pie delish.

* I also use a heaped cup of caster sugar.

* You can be all prissy and serve it dusted with icing sugar and a dollop of whipped cream... or do what we do and serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

OMG Theatre!

SPAMalot set, Supa Productions.

Haha this is the only photo I got all evening, wasn't going to risk the Supa boys selling my little red camera baby on Ebay (as they threatened to do at the start of the show if they caught you taking photos).

Wow what can I say. Fantastic night from start to finish. Lovely dinner at Teatro Vivaldi, act 1, dessert served during the intermission and then act 2. For an amateur production it was unbelievably good. A large cast, beautiful sets and costumes. Wonderful singing and dancing. It had it all. And being Monty Python it was FUNNY!!!

Photo Courtesy of: citysearch.com

Def. recommended for the Monty fans out there. Season runs for 2 weeks, May 7th to 22nd... see it while you can. Read a review here.

Mother's Day

I had such a lovely day full of spoiling. The day started with a sleep in, followed by breakfast in bed and cuddles and gifts.

Stringy made me a gorgeous card, Fuzzy made a bookmark and voucher booklet. Squealy made me a hand painted tile.

The highlight of the day was a trip to the creek bike riding and BBQ lunch with friends.

A Spamalot Birthday

On Friday Husband Deluxe is turning the big thirty five (eeek here comes 40) so I have planned a big night out. Dinner at one of his favourite restaurants: Teatro Vivaldi followed by Spamalot both at ANU.

I know he is going to have the best night!

New Desk

I've been lucky enough to be given this gorgeous roll top desk from my friend Greg. He's in the process of decluttering and kindly offered us this desk.

Husband Deluxe last weekend mentioned that he was on the hunt for a small desk for me to store my laptop and assorted teaching bits and pieces in. Greg flipped out his phone and said he wanted to find a good home for his desk from his childhood... :-)

Husband Deluxe being completely fuckawesome has already made some minor adjustments to increase the desks usability.

He drilled a small hole at the back to feed the laptop cable through and raised the drawers so that my legs fit properly.

Such a fabulous husband and gorgeous friend. I am grateful for both!

Collector Pumpkin Festival

We decided to head out to Collector for the annual pumpkin festival. There were lots of giant pumpkins, pumpkin inspired foods and pumpkin scarecrows around.

String Bean on a 204kg pumpkin.

Squealy in his car!





















Squealy turning on the fire hose.

Getting up close and personal with a scarecrow.

The kids loved the markets and the highlight was climbing into some really old cars. Old Scruffy owned a 1950's 'Riley' and our little guy loved getting into a car with his name!

String Bean loved the giant pumpkins which all the kids poked, prodded and climbed.