Diet Coke and I broke up

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I have told you a few times about my love for Diet Coke.   I guess I became addicted about 12 years ago when working 18 hour days during super-hyped go-lives on projects... I used to pick up a diet coke on my way to work every day and that 600ml would last me all day.

When I fell pregnant with Eloise, I cut it back a bit because the taste buds wanted Vanilla Milkshakes, but I still had a few a week, I continued to drink it and then when my twins arrived and I was living on a few hours sleep each night for months on end, I stepped it up to a litre or sometimes more a day.  Bad, bad bad.  I did eventually cut back but didn't go a day without the diet coke and I always made sure I had some in reserve.

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I don't like being addicted to anything but I recognised this was a habit that I found hard to break... then late last year I got a bad bout of gastro in Manila.  So bad I couldn't leave the hotel room and at one point I thought I wouldn't be able to fly home.  During that the hotel doctor advised against any caffeine or soft drinks because they sped up digestion and without thought I just did what the doctor said because I wanted to go home.

After some good drugs which enabled me to fly, it took me about 2 weeks to get over the gastro completely and after that I 'treated myself' to a Diet Coke - and didn't enjoy the taste anymore.  This was strange because that's why I drank coke vs diet coke - the taste - but any cola tasted vile, so I gave it up.  I had one last glass last Christmas and confirmed I didn't like it anymore and then vowed not to drink it again... people who have known me for years can't believe it - and neither can I really.

There are times when I'm tired or stressed I think 'hmm, I'd like a Diet Coke' but then I think about how I hadn't enjoyed the last ones I had and decide against it in favour of a cup of tea or a glass of water.  I still manage to work long hours, take way too many red-eye flights and survive without it, which I think is the best part of all.

Now I don't recommend everyone gets food poisoning or gastro to kick a Diet Coke habit, but I have to say as sick as I was, I'm grateful!  I think once you go without it for a period, it tastes different perhaps.

Have you kicked a bad habit?  Or want to?

The Frills in the Hills Autumn cleanout checklist

Hello friends!

After a weekend dedicated to the Annual Autumn clean-out that I normally do just before Easter I realise working I just don't have time to do it all at once and secondly before making myself a list I thought I would never get through it, but I've done my list and I'm working my way through it so I thought I'd share it with you and you could join me for the ride (and even give me some of your tips!)....

Here's my list:

Prune:  

• I prune my prolific growers - jasmine and gardenia- really just to give them shape, just a small trim really but it now looks a lot better!
• Clean out your summer harvests if you have some - get your tomatoes gone if they haven't done that by themselves already - here's some ideas to preserve your glut
• I give my herbs a bit of a haircut too, not a major one, just again the prolific growers like mint and oregano.

Plant:

• Bulbs for spring before it gets too cold.  We're planting some daffodils.
• If you have a vege garden, now's the time to be planting your carrots, brussel sprouts and cabbages - here's other suggestions too

Feed:

• The lawn, your plants and your trees.  Especially feed your flowers that will bloom in spring.

Our passionfruit got a good feed this weekend, isn't it glorious!?

Gutters:

• Clean out the gutters whilst its dry - nothing worse than having your roof cave in because you have stuff caught in your gutter (happened to us almost, next-door neighbours cricket ball!)

Sweep and Rake:

• This would have to be the most thankless job of the autumn, because just as soon as you've done it, you need to do it again, make it a once-a month job. 

Clean:

• The exterior of the house - we have a karcher but any guerney will do - you can hire them cheaply if you don't have one or a friend to loan you one, ask your neighbour or friend if they want to split the cost... it takes no time to do and you can give your deck/entertaining area and driveway a good once-over too.
• Also if you have any outdoor furniture it's a good time to give that a clean and seal if it's wooden - Wash all cushions and store in the garage for spring if you don't think you'll be outside much in Autumn.

Cull:

• Time to get rid of that stuff sitting in your garage that you've been meaning to take to the tip... that space you will need for the car and other outdoor stuff you may want to store undercover over winter

Clean:

• Your oven - before you get those casseroles and puddings and baked treats in there, give it a good clean.
• Your bedding, before it gets too cold or wash your doonas, blankets, throws and cushions.  Get them dry-cleaned before the rush if that's what you prefer.  If they were cleaned at the end of last spring and you haven't used them, just give them an air on the washing line for a few hours.
• Light fittings, because you'll be using more artificial light during winter, pull them apart, give the shades a good once over, keep them bright.
• Cobwebs - you probably haven't noticed them, but make it a habit to seek them out at least once a month - you can use a broom brushed with lemon oil to deter the spiders from coming back.
• Walls - clean from bottom to top to avoid streaks but I just do this with a vileda sponge that has the non-scratch scourer on it and some warm water with liquid sugar soap, you notice the difference straight away- pay note to light switches and power points too - they get a bit grotty!
• Defrost your freezer, and get rid of any food you don't recognise or looks a bit dodgy!

Service:

• Now's the time to have your fireplace or heating serviced if you need to (before the price-hike!) get your firewood sorted or just clean the filters in your heaters.
• Your coffee machine if you have one - you can get DIY descaling kits online.

Cull:

• Clothes you don't wear anymore, clothes your kids don't fit anymore - donate or list on ebay - but if you haven't listed after 2 weeks, donate!! 
• Pantry goods that are out of date
• Plastic containers you've been saving for a 'rainy day'.
• Books and magazines you've read that you're not likely to read or refer to again
• Toys and Board games that are missing pieces

Look at my donation pile!  This is going to Salvation Army/Freecycle, and this is HALF of what I started with (already freecycled a bit!) I also took about the same to the tip!

Store:

• Hand-me down clothes and toys for later - I find spacebags work best.  Store them above wardrobes, under beds or in trunks.  Don't forget to label the contents and sizes!
• Outdoor furniture/soft furnishings/portable fans.

So friends, feel free to add your tips or your thoughts - do you do an Autumn Clean?  Are you motivated to do one?  I'm about 1/3 of the way through mine, and on track to finish before winter, are you keen to join me?

This has many meanings..

I've been giving this phrase quite a bit of thought this week.

It's literal meaning is: 'Be kind to others or before too long they will have an opportunity to pay you back for your injustice.'

I like to think I live by this on the whole.  But otherwise it could be interpreted as 

'Life is dull without some risks..?'

What do you think?  What phrases are swimming around your brain at the moment if any?

The seven (new) faces of Dianne

Remember how last week I told you about my friend who with waist-length hair shaved it for a cure?  I'm pleased to announce that Dianne raised 3,175 for the Leukaemia Foundation ! Go Di!

Now here she is sporting her new 'do'

This was before:

To see pics of the 'chop'n'shave' click here - you can still donate if you wish too!

Now for something serious...

I have a friend Di.  We've been friends oh, for about 7 years now.   Di is a very supportive and generous person.  Extremely funny too.  Di has beautiful hair.  Long hair down to waist.

But it's about be chopped off.  All off.  Shaved even.

Why?  In honour of her Dad who died of leukemia.... and if that wasn't enough, her 5 year old niece currently has leukemia.  Enough said.

So this Friday she's doing to worlds' greatest shave.   If you're in Sydney, pop on down to the Salisbury Hotel in Stanmore and watch/support/cheer her on at 7pm!  She's pretty nervous about it, you can imagine!

If you can't make it but would love to support a worthy (tax deductible!) cause - you can donate online here - every little bit helps - please spread the word!

Word to the Wise Wednesday - make packing easy

How cool is this?

It's a web application that spits out your packing list depending on where, when, who and how they are travelling.  I love it!!  It's the way geeks pack....!

find it here

The afternoon that made me change my mind about the food I eat..

This is a long post.  But bear with me, please!

Recently I had the most enlightening afternoon.  It was a Sunday, and my hubby and frills dropped me down to Manly Wharf... I embarked on my ferry journey, Sushi in one hand, Sun Herald in the other and sat in silence reading the paper uninterrupted, taking in Sydneys' sights - the familiar ones I took in daily on my commute to and from work for many years.

I then walked around Circular Quay, I looked and felt like a tourist.  Although I have been there too many times to count, it was like the fist time again, I took photos I breathed in Sydney and its' beautiful harbour and made my way to the Sydney Opera House.

I was there to listen to the Slow Food Movements' "Padre", Carlo Petrini. 

Carlo the founder of the Slow Food Movement and the Non Profit organisation 'Terra Madre' (translates to Mother Earth) which is in 150 countries worldwide.  Maggie Beer is Australias' founding member.



Carlo is Italian, and speaks with an interpreter.. but there is no barrier when it comes to his passion and inspiring manner.  He told us of some experiences that confused, perplexed and drove him to start the movement.  One that will stay with me forever is this:

Carlo comes from a small town in North Italy in Piedmont - it's called 'Bra'.  Piedmonts' regional dish is Pepperonata - a dish of capsicums, tomato, garlic and tomates using Piedmonts' local Capsicums.  These square shaped capsicums grown in the area since forever.   He decided after a long overseas trip he would fly into Rome, and drive to Milan, passing through Bra, which he hadn't visited in about 6 years.

He popped into a local eatery, one he had visited since he was a boy and was a family business.  All he could think about on the trip up is how delicious the pepperonata was going to be, how it represented the produce and the culture of his hometown.  He stepped into the eatery, and was comforted by the familiarity of the decor and the local face, and ordered his Pepperonata.  He was excited.  It arrived, and took a bite, and then spat it out.  It tasted horrible.  He said it didn't taste like anything.  He called the chef over, asked how they prepared it.  Sounded about right.  Asked what was different, they said they were getting their capsicums from Holland.  He was in disbelief.. 'why'? 

Apparently, because they were cheaper and grown hydroponically, and were all the perfect size/identical so they could fit 32 in a box.

'But they don't taste like anything, can't you get the local ones instead'
'There are no local ones, they couldn't compete with the imports'
'So what are the farmers doing now?  Are they ruined?' he was concerned.
'Oh, they are growing tulip bulbs, and export them to Holland'.

ISN'T THAT CRAZY???!!

The aims of Slow Food is to make food good, clean and fair.

Good: Fresh, flavoursome and seasonal, satisfying the senses and part of local culture
Clean:  Produced in harmony with the environment and in ways that respect the earth, its animals, plants and peoples' health.
Fair:  by which farmers and consumers benefit fairly from production and purpose


In other words - we should try:
Not over-producing - keeping the crops to a level that doesn't harm the soil, being seasonal etc.
Buying and supplying local - reducing carbon footprint - understand where your food comes from
Value the skills of farmers, allow that to be passed down, appreciate the difference - pay a little more to nurture local produce.

It all got me thinking.  Yes, I do buy local, we buy from farmgate and the abbatoir.  Yes, I try to eat as seasonally as possible.  But No.  I might not be doing the best I can.

I have bought fish and seafood from Asia and I have bought in my inbetween shops fruit from the other side of the country when I should really be supporting local produce from my state, no matter what the price.

So I could be doing a whole lot better.  I have no idea if fruit and vegetables from large chain supermarkets or fruit barns (i.e. not farmers markets) are being farmed in an overproductive market.  Sometimes I'm not 100% sure they are as local as they say they are.  I will go the extra (literal) miles to make sure I know in future.    Our vegetable garden will help us this summer eat seasonally, understand how much we consume.  Be mindful of how much we waste.

Carlo told us we produce enough food to feed 12 billion people on planet of 6.3 billion, yet 1 billion still starve.  

Are you willing to give up taste/culture for a few dollars?  Not me.  The most memorable quote of the day: "When I was a child, food fell on the ground, we picked it up & kissed it. It had value, but now it only has a price..."   how sadly true that is.

I got to briefly chat with Carlo whilst he signed my book Slow Food Nation - he has warm eyes and a genuine manner.  It was an enormous honour to listen to him.  I shall be forever grateful for what he taught me.. and in turn, my family.  The book is wonderful... would recommend it to any food or produce enthusiast.


A huge thank you to Lorraine who was able to secure me the ticket and the lovely Arwen and Trish for the excellent company and post-event discussion!

Word-to-the-wise-Wednesday - All about cake failure....

When good cakes go bad
You thought you had a good cake, but lately he’s been hanging out with the wrong crowd - some tough cookies. Soon he’s staying out late and coming home reeking of alcohol-based vanilla extract. Before you know it your angel ( food) is on a one way street to culinary reform school.
It’s tough when good cakes go bad — and here are some of the most common reasons:


In General:


If the cake rose unevenly in the oven:

• The flour was not blended sufficiently into the main mixture.
• The temperature inside the oven was uneven.
• The oven temperature was too high.

If the batter overflowed the pans:

• Make sure you used the right size pan. The uncooked mixture should fill the pan by no more than two-thirds.

Cakes That Use Separately-beaten Egg Whites And Yolks


If the cake is dense and heavy:

• The eggs were too small. Always use large eggs when baking.
• Insufficient air was whisked into the egg and sugar mixture.
• The flour was not folded in gently. Always mix in the flour at the lowest speed.
• The melted butter was too hot when added, causing it to sink down through the whisked foam.
• The oven temperature was too low.

If the top of the cake dropped:

• The oven temperature was too hot.
• The cake was not cooked long enough.
• The oven door was opened too soon, which created a draft.

Cakes That Use Creamed Butter And Sugar Mixtures


If the batter curdles and separates:

• The ingredients were not at room temperature.
• The butter and sugar were not creamed together well enough before adding the eggs.
• The eggs were added too quickly.
• If the cake’s texture is too heavy:
• The butter, sugar and eggs were not beaten together long enough.
• The flour was beaten at too high a speed.
• Too much flour was added to the creamed mixture.
• The oven temperature was not hot enough.

If the top of the cake peaks and cracks:

• The oven temperature was too hot, causing the outside of the cake to bake and form a crust too quickly. As the mixture in the center of the cake continued to cook and rise, it burst up through the top of the cake.
• The cake wasn’t baked on the center rack of the oven.
• If raisins, dried fruit and nuts sunk to the bottom:
• The pieces of fruit were too large and too heavy.
• The sugary syrup on the outside of the fruit was not washed off- this caused the pieces of fruit to slide through the mixture as it heated.
• The washed and dried fruit was not dusted with flour before being added to the mixture.
• The cake mixture was over beaten or was too wet so it could not hold the fruit in place.
• The oven temperature was too low, causing the mixture to melt before it set to hold the fruit in place.

Source: http://www.chefrick.com/
Pic Courtesy of Photobucket

Word to the wise Wednesday - Vege tips I learned this week

• To keep potatoes from budding, place an apple in the bag with the potatoes! 
• If you accidentally over-salt a dish while it’s still cooking, drop in a peeled potato-it absorbs the excess salt for an instant “fix me up.”
• Avoid storing potatoes with onions because, when close together, they produce gases that spoil both.
• To help prevent sprouting and rot, try putting some dried sprigs of sage, rosemary, and/or lavender in with the potatoes. The oils in these herbs help to suppress sprouting and inhibit the growth of bacteria that can cause potatoes to rot.
• Zap garlic cloves in the microwave for 15 seconds and the skins slip right off!  
• Wrap celery in aluminum foil when putting in the refrigerator it will keep for weeks! 
• Save celery leaves. Spread them out on paper towels or a paper plate and let them dry. Crumble them into soups, salads and stuffings ( I knew this actually but wanted to let you know because it is delicious sprinkled on a roast too!)

Enjoy
   

Word-to-the-wise-Wednesday - Live by the list

It seems these days we tend to expect a lot from ourselves.
Be a good friend, parent, sibling, son or daughter, employee, and citizen.

I'm terrible at remember to call people.  I think about it, and it then I get distracted.
There are weeks I let the housework get away from me.  It then makes me cranky and that's not good.

So I'm making lists every week.  5 things I want to achieve this week.

My tips

• Make your to-do list achievable - if you have kids realise some things you might be dreaming!
  
• If you put something significant (like weeding a big garden bed/cleaning out a pantry/garage etc) reward yourself!  A cuppucino, a movie, a facial!
• If you are seriously overwhelmed, look at oursourcing, get your oven or your windows professionally cleaned, get pizza on a night you want to scrub the bathroom!
• If you find it hard to get on top of every day housework, what I do is I set myself a few mini-daily goals
• everyone up, breakfasted, kitchen cleaned, everyone dressed, beds made and first load of washing in the washing machine by 9am.
• Wash towels on Mondays, Alternate linens 2 beds one Weds,other 2 beds other Weds, bathrooms Tuesdays and Saturday mornings,dusting Mondays and Fridays mop floors Wednesdays, Vacuum Tuesday, Friday, Sunday etc
• If you have kids that are old enough to do simple or household chores, draw up a roster and share the load.
  

Word to the wise Wednesday - The gospel according to Martha..

Stewart that is.

A couple of years ago I splurged and bought Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook.  And to be honest until the past week I've flicked through it maybe twice.  What a mistake!  It's full of fabulous things but I thought I would share with you Marthas' spring cleaning checklist:

Kitchen:
Vacuum refrigerator grill and coil
Wipe inside of freezer


Living Room:
Rotate heavy curtains (reading this made me remove some of mine to wash!) rugs and throws - I think here in Australia that would be clean stripping wood floors and/or steam cleaning carpet/rugs too.

Bedrooms
Replace cool weather bedding with warmer weather bedding
Launder or dry-clean blankets

Bathrooms
Discard expired cosmetics, beauty products and medications


Home Office
Clean out files
Review and update insurance policies, contracts and household inventories

Closets
Reorganise closets, giving away unwanted items
Replace cool weather clothing with warm weather clothing


Utility spaces:
Remove lint from the hose attached to the back of the clothes drier (I'm going to interpret this as giving the washer and the dryer a good clean out)
Clean attic/basement/shed/garages giving away or discarding unwanted items
Vacuum and mop all utility spaces

Outdoor spaces:
Scrub porch ceilings and walls
Scrub porch floors, decks, patios, the driveway, and walkways (I would use a deck scrub broom attachment by decor, they are fab)
Wash light-texture covers
Clean gutters

Throughout the house
Vacuum and wipe walls and ceilings
Shampoo wall-to-wall carpets and area rugs with backings
Send area rugs without backings out for professional cleaning
Steam clean upholstery
Dust radiators/heaters
Reseal stone surfaces
Reseal grout
Launder machine-washable window treatments
Take books off shelves, dust shelves and books
Polish metal door and wndow hardware
Oil window and door hinges (I love this tip!)
Wax wood furniture
Strip and rewax vinyl and linoleum flooring
Wash windows and window screens
Remove, wash and store storm windows.

Can I add a few:
Check the batteries in your smoke alarms
Buy insect zappers/preventors before prices go up

Any you'd like to add?

Word to the Wise Wednesday - Clean your oven the non caustic way

I recently let my oven get to an absolutely disgusting state.  I cleaned it last December but given how much I bake, that's not near often enough!  I hate cleaning the oven mostly because of the commercial oven cleaners..

• They STINK.  Literally.
• My lungs are not happy and either is my family. 
• I also hate that no matter how much you rinse afterwards, the smell permeates into the next one or two things you cook
• It aint cheap and you have to use gloves!!

So, the solution for me.. Napisan (oxygenated nappy wash).  Yes, don't gasp.  It works.

• 1 cup Napisan and enough water so it goes into a runny paste.
• take your oven racks and trays out
• smear over all surfaces (well excluding vents!)
• smear over trays and racks separately
• close oven and leave for 30 minutes (leave racks same period)
• With a scourer, sponge and bucket of warm water - dislodge any grime with scourer, then wipe off with sponge.
• Finally using vinegar in a spray bottle or just plain spray and wipe, wipe off any residue.
• Scrub trays and racks same way.

The great news here is:

• It's easy
• It's effective
• It's cheap
• and it doesn't stink and your food doesn't taste funny!

Give it a try as part of your spring cleaning routine!

Word to the Wise: Veges for Free

Having now had our first taste of success with our Autumn/Winter vegetable garden, we're moving on...  last time we used seedlings (i.e. baby plants) to start us off, with the exception of the beans and carrots which we used seeds.

This time around we're going with about 80% seeds and 20% seedlings (just to get us started and because they were ridiculously cheap at the nursery on Sunday!)...  so I bought some seeds on Ebay and some I've dried myself... yes.. seeds (and later veges) for free.

I've started off easy.  Pumpkin.  Queensland Blue and Butternut - I just instead of throwing them in the compost, put them on a plate on the window sill for about 36 hours until they were dry and then labelled an envelope and slipped them in.   

Look at the little babies!!

Truth be told we've done veges for fee before, but with chillis.  Well hubby did it.  We've also had little things grow out of our compost - potatoes, tomatoes.. another lot of veges for free and another good reason to compost.

So next time you're throwing out those seeds, have a good look at them, can you save them?

Word-to-the-wise Wednesday - Kids' craft for handmade gifts

Have you got your fathers' day presents sorted yet?  I'm still working on mine but really need to get things sorted! 

With Christmas coming up I'm looking at some home-made gifts - it's more personal, made with love and kind to the back pocket.  I've bought some supplies at Edex, and I'll be getting some more - here's some of my ideas (Mum if you're reading, please close the window!)

Keyrings - got a favourite family photo?  Or maybe just one of the kids?  Make keyrings for everyone!

These cost $9.90 for 10 key rings.   Edex also have them in in rectangle and heart shapes also.

I'm a big fan of Envirosax - the take with you shopping bags but I think it would be nice to make some too.  Some with handprints of my girls:

Large Library bags are $27.39 for 12 bags (41cm x 37cm)
Biocolor Fabric medium - $13.09 each
3 colours of Biocolour paint (of your choice) @ $11.99 each

Total = 76.45 for 12 bags/gifts = 6.37 each

If you're fund-raising for preschool or playgroup, this might also be a good idea as a fundraiser - sell bags for $10- $15 each.

You could also buy some transfer paper and print your own photos on your inkjet printer and iron those on!

Word-to-the-wise Wednesday - Shopping Bargains for kids' summer clothes

Well anyone who knows me, knows that my girls nearly exclusively wear Gymboree clothing. Yes, it's not very patriotic I realise, but it is well-made and I can get more 4 items that co-ordinate (especially helpful with three girls and twins at that - saves me A LOT of grief!) and I can get a couple of co-ordinating ranges a season and be done with it - no traipsing around the shops for me! I keep them well and have no issue selling them after we've grown out of them. You can also get everything from head-to-toe - hats, shoes, coats, rainboots, hairclips,pyjamas - you name it.

They also deliver world-wide which is another wonderful thing, and being an aussie, we can buy clothes for our upcoming summer. Tomorrow, circle of friends' promotion is on - which means if you check out with code GYMFAMILY you receive 30% off your order - before shipping is applied - which means your shipping will go down too (shipping is based on $$ spent, not net weight)

Some examples of summer bargains:

For a Size 2 little lady:

Price =7.99(hat)+5.49 (clips)+17.99 (dress)+11.99(shoes)=43.46 less 30% = 30.42 USD for outfit (about $37 AUD!)

For the little man in your life (Size 2)

Cost = 7.49 (hat)+11.49 (shirt)+19.49(denim shorts)+17.49 (sneakers)=55.96 less 30% = 39.17

For the bigger girl (size 6)

9.75(sunglasses)+19.99(dress)+8.00(bracelet)+27.49(glitter ballet flats)=65.23 less 30%=45.66

For the little man (8 years)

6.99(sunglasses)+11.49(tshirt)+19.49(cargo shorts)+24.75=62.72 less 30% = 43.90

Of course you need to add freight but if you order $225 USD (after discount) it's $35 USD to Australia. Go in with some friends!

Current exchange rate is $1 AUD = .8267 USD - so if you were to order $225 USD +35 delivery - 260 USD - you'd be up for $315.50 AUD. It seems like a lot of money - but at prices like above, you can get a lot for that money!

Shameless Plug!

Everyone knows someone who has heart issues right?  Unfortunately heart disease and heart-related health issues are right up there with the most common causes of death.  In fact, just this week my hubby's cousin at 42, has had bypass surgery..  He has a wife and two young daughters which can't help you but think about life and how much we sometimes take health for granted.

By total co-incidence the same day we found out hubby's cousin had been admitted to hospital, my Dad sent me an email asking if I could support him in some fundraising for the cardiac unit at Cairns Base Hospital.  Dad is going to ride his bike 330kms next month over 3 days in a bid to raise his target of $3,000 of the $250,000 needed to buy an ultrasound machine.

He knows how tight budgets are these days, but $5 is maybe not even 2 cuppucinos these days, or maybe the Sunday papers but every bit helps - Dad, I and most importantly the Cairns Base Hospital Cardiac unit will be very grateful. You can do it by creditcard online or even paypal! Click here to read all about the ride and Dads' progress, you can also donate from this page if you wish.

Thank you!!

Word-to-the-wise Wednesday - the jewels to be found in your 'useful box'

Those familiar with Play School in the 70's and 80's will know what a 'useful box is'.  For us, it's a big 70litre crate with a lid that I put miscellaneous household waste and miscellaneous tidbits for the kids to make craft with.

Currently:

• loo rolls/cling wrap and paper towel rolls
• paper plates
• patty pans
• aluminium mini pie patty pans
• cardboard packaging
• egg cartons
• ice cream containers
• netting from orange/onion bags
• macaroni
• margarine containers
• scrap paper
• streamers
• ribbon
• biodegradeable filler packaging
• dried maple leaves
• cotton balls

We also have a craft cupboard - with textas, crayons, oil pastels, paints, stamps, sponges, sticker books, colouring books - we are fully crafted out!

But today it was all about the useful box as it's beginning to overflow...

So I cut up some loo rolls and divided them into 3 icecream containers

We put the lid on for a while and used it as a drum

Then the girls sat at the table and coloured in their 'jewels'

Threaded them onto some ribbon (good use of motor skills!)

And made beautiful necklaces.   If the crowns we made months ago are anything to go by, we may have these for a while!!

Those looking for their own inspiration for what to do with a useful box - here's the Playschool Website area for Useful box activities

Word-to-the-wise-Wednesday - bargains to be had..

If you have a creative streak or you don't like logo clothing or you're after an inexpensive school jumper - check out http://www.blankclothing.com.au/ - plain coloured Tees, jumpers, aprons for babies to plus-sizings - all in good quality fabric and finishing. For example, cap sleeved t-shirts in a lycra cotton blend (think Bonds stretchies) is $7.50 - but if you buy 2 - you get 20% discount on both - if you buy 10 or more you get 30% off and so on... I placed an order with my best friend last week and we split our postage - worked out very cheap!

They also sell transfer paper that you can make your own transfer to put on your piece of clothing if you have a inkjet printer... Christmas presents? Kids' birthday parties? Get to it!

Also, Snapfish have free delivery for orders over $30 - until 4th August - use code SHIP30AU9

Word to Wise Wednesday - Westfield shoppers...

Did you know that if you spend $120 at Westfield Shopping Centres between now and 16th August 2009, you can take your receipt to the concierge desk and you get a $20 Westfield voucher!

Info here

Word to the wise Wednesday - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle for FUN.

Plastic Bag Kites

Ok, so plastic bags are bad. Shouldn't use them and we don't most of the time - but I have 4 set aside to make plastic kites when it stops raining (hopefully sometime today)

You need per kite:

1 plastic bag

3-10m string depending on where you will use it (i.e. windy environment or just running around the backyard)

Stapler

Scraps of coloured plastic bags and/or streamers cut into 40cm strips.

Basically at the bottom of the bag staple on streamers and thread one end of your string through both handles of a supermarket shopping bag and then tie the threaded end to the length (i.e. it should be a loop).

You could also wind the end around a stick so your little ones can grip.