Sayonara 2010 - what a year you have been!

And I mean that - what a big year! Not just for me on a personal level but on this blog.

This little place I call my 'online home' has had a huge year too - with some of the recipes appearing over at Kidspot along with some others I did along the way (birthday cakes/food the prime-minister grew up on) and of course the Christmas on the Cheap Series.  I also did a few editorials over there with the very popular Meal Planning Prowess probably a standout amongst those - the Kidspot Team are very encouraging and just lovely people - which I guess the world has worked out too because their Kidspot Social has grown enormously over this year too.

I've contributed to Kleenex Mum's blog, their Mum's the word eBook and recently the KleenexMums Guide to Giving eBook.  Stay tuned because I'll be doing more work with KleenexMums in the new year (hint hint, go and subscribe!)

Frills has had some wonderful guest posters this year and I've also guest posted elsewhere - it's fun to do that sometimes!  I'm excited to share that there will be at least one regular guest poster next year which I know you'll LOVE. I was also very lucky to be asked to be a contributor over at Make it from Scratch, Sydney Film Festival and Sydney Children's Festival this year which was LOADS of fun.

The highlight of my bloggy and personal life was something you guys had a lot to do with - and was winning the 2010 Kidspot's Top 50 Blogger and my family will holiday in Dunk Island!  We'll be taking this in early June and I can't wait!!

I almost forgot the launch the Facebook page which is where I like to connect with so many readers every day and the newsletter which I'm getting the hang of - I love learning new things.

2010 is also when we started giving away subscriptions monthly to Super Food Ideas - and on new years day I'll be announcing TWO people who have won subscriptions - there's still time to be in the running for that one!   Do you know we had 17 giveaways this year? Wow!


254 RECIPE POSTS THIS YEAR!!! 254!!

I'm hoping to make-over my blog a little in 2011 - and give some new features which will stop me from waking up in the middle of the night writing them down time and again (or perhaps not) and also make it a little easier to use and access.

So here's to a fabulous 2010 - most unexpected and exciting success and here's to 2011 - whatever it brings!  Thank you for visiting, commenting and ENCOURAGING me.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart - HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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Seven years of good luck?

Lately I feel like a bit of luck has been flowing our way and it's no wonder.  Tonight, when out to dinner with my hubby and my three healthy, happy frills I sat back and breathed in the happiness, because I do feel so  very very lucky.  Our family means everything to me and although it's fraught with constant activity and me repeating myself incessantly (oh my goodness this is driving me insane at present!) our family just works.

I think a positive outlook makes all the difference, don't you?

People told me many times when the babies were little that we were 'so lucky' and of course you feel fortunate and grateful and you love them all completely but I didn't feel lucky - in fact I felt cursed in their younger years as it was so intense with no respite.  I kept reminding myself that they were only little once and I better find a way to enjoy it or I'd regret it.  I also looked at other families with many young children who were now at the ages we are and I knew it would get better.  Finally we are there - and I am starting to understand just how LUCKY I am.

I have

Love - unconditional love, amongst our entire family unit, it's said and demonstrated every day without fail.
Unity - Hubby and I are on the same page entirely about what we want for our family and how we parent our children.  We are coming out of the fog of the early years of parenthood and feel like a couple again rather than battlemates.
Community - I have wonderful communities around me - locally, socially and on the net.  I can't express how much your encouragement/comments/interaction inspires and gives me something to think about/laugh about and occasionally cry about!
Kindness - I have learned since having my kids in particular that indeed a little bit of kindness goes a long way.  How Mums connect with each other, can help each other, can make a big difference.
You - Say no more!

So yeah, I'm lucky.  I'm hoping an extra bit of luck floats our way too - the Kidspot Top 50 Bloggers is ending on Friday - I'm hoping that I'm in with a chance.... I've been overwhelmed with the votes, the comments, the love.    Wouldn't it be wonderful to tell hubby on our 7th anniversary next Monday that we might have won our long-overdue honeymoon?

Wish us luck?  Please?  Vote here, and/or comment here.... thank you!

The journey back to us..

When faced with writing about travelling with kids for the Kidspot Top 50 bloggers I was torn.  I really wanted to tell this story, our story about why I felt we needed and would dearly love a week in Dunk Island.  But I also wanted to give the readers, you, something useful too.  Hence my last post - Holidaying with Kids - without losing your mind or life savings - the official entry - it fitted the entry criteria more exactly.

So I hope you'll indulge me here with my 'other' piece.  The piece that didn't quite make it as my official entry but the one I want to share with you anyway.  It might speak to you - either you're there, been there or even on your way there - the journey I share with you!

Thank you!
Liss xxx
____________________________________________________________
Hubby understands the importance of giving me time out for my mental health but doesn't take any for himself.  I'd love him to have a 'real' holiday.    One where he's not driving at least!  I can count on one hand the times we've been out together without children in the past six years!  I'm not complaining though - it's been a hectic, but wonderful, fulfilling in ways I never could dream of - and now we're on the cusp of the next chapter in our parenthood story.

But let's take a quick look at the story so far...

Almost seven years ago we started this crazy journey.   Hubby and I were married in the September and planned to honeymoon over December/January in New York.    Our plans soon changed.

One week after our perfect day we discovered we were headed for another destination.  The passports we would have stamped would not be those ones at the airport.  These passports were ones that lasted well beyond ten years.  We were on our parenting journey.

We decided at that point that a honeymoon whilst unwell with morning sickness was probably a frivilous use of our savings. Hubby's new job was not secure and soon I would need to leave mine so 'postponed' the honeymoon.  Our first child Eloise arrived the following June, and eighteen months later her little sisters Laura and Olivia blessed us with their arrival.

Two years of marriage and three children under two.  We were taking no scenic tours!  Non-stop to family of five.

My babies Laura and Olivia (3m) and big sister Eloise (21m)

The idea of a honeymoon at this point seemed ridiculous - it would have been more stressful than staying at home.  Hubby's leave is invariably taken in dribs and drabs to support the home - when I've been unwell or to visit our families who aren't nearby and of course for the crazy and un-relaxed Christmas period.  We love taking short trips where we can find time for us to spend time with our kids - allowing them (and us) to experience what this great planet has to offer us, so we do love to take time out, it's just not for long enough to actually settle in and relax....

Recent day trip to the snow - Eloise (6y) Olivia and Laura (4.5y)

Next year - our youngest girls are off to school and things will shift for us as a family.  I will be heading back to my career, we'll be more school centric and the time we spend together as a family will reduce significantly.  

I'd love to give this part of our lives, the first seven years of our marriage and our graduation from babies to toddlers to preschoolers to school-kids a last hoorah.   Good-bye nappies, bottles, Play School and prams.

Hello tuck-shop, weekend sports and independence.  Hello career again. Hello hubby.  Remember me?

Kidspot Top 50 Blog Your Way To Dunk Island

Dunk Island, wouldn't it be idyllic?   Kids club, sandy beaches that seem to go on forever - kick back and relax, have a conversation with your other half without the peanut gallery in the back seat droning
 'Muuuuuum, are we there yet?'

No we're not.  Not yet.

The Kidspot Top 50 bloggers competition has had me thinking - what can I share about my holidays?  Our holidays (or rather short jaunts) have taught me a few things:

What I learned about holidays with children under two
- Make your life as easy as possible.  Don't try and stick to your home routine - because it doesn't work.  Go with the flow a bit, let the kids sleep when they want to - leave the cloth nappies at home and bring a reliable yet compact pram!
- Short outings are best, the attention span isn't really there to undertake a four-hour-long bushwalk.
- Pack plenty of snacks - they are great to divert attention or soothe a hungry beast toddler.
- Don't forget your scented nappy bags  and pack extra, extra wipes (I'll tell you about that one day when I've recovered)


What I learned about holidays with two and three year olds
- A portable DVD player or Ipod touch can save you from total meltdown at times.  It will be the best money you spend!
- Activities with animals that are cute and small without big teeth are sure-fire winners
- Locate a local play-park
- Sometimes nappies are necessary for long car trips - regardless if they are toilet trained (I won't tell you about that one...)

What I learned about holidays with four and five year olds

- Plan your days - these are the years of 'What are we doing next?'

- Physical activities work - wear them out completely and then send them to bed early! (that's when your holiday starts sometimes!)

- Kids are soaking in information like sponges - Kid-friendly museums and learning experiences like visiting a historical landmark are great - they love recounting what they learned too!

- They like souvenirs - so let the collect them and glue them in a book with a zip lock bag attached) along the way (i.e. for leaves, shells, postcards, drink coasters)..

- They get VERY  excited so try not to tell them what's happening to far in advance, or your ears might be bleeding before the first day is out.

Let's face it, most of us in a one income family (and even those in a two income family) find it hard to justify the cost of a holiday - but if you can get more 'bang for your buck' you'll consider it money well spent.  Here's some of my Budget holiday tips

Accommodation
- Although it may seem like the more expensive accommodation option sometimes, take a self-contained apartment over a hotel room.  Going out for meals and sending out your laundry can add up very quickly.
- Don't discount a caravan park with self contained cabins - some are state-of-the art with internet and cable tv - for a fraction of the price of a hotel or apartment.
- Houseswapping - there are many online resources that arrange houseswapping interstate and overseas.
- Use online last minute deals - but before you book, ring the hotel direct and see if you can get a cheaper price - it sometimes works and doesn't hurt to try!
- Sometimes resorts offer flights, accommodation and meals - don't scoff at the price - do the sums - it might end up being cheaper!


Air, cruise and tour travel
- Take advantage of off peak times to travel - non-school holidays, off-peak seasons such as end of winter in ski season or autumn for summer destinations.
- Shop around - haggle for the right deal - get little inclusions for free - like asking for free insurance if you pay by cash etc.
- Use loyalty programs - frequent flyer using credit card mileage - make your money work - twice!
- On expensive flights, try to travel before kids turn two, after two you pay for them too!


Activities and sightseeing
- Fly/drive packages can be very attractive, hiring a car rather than going on organised tours can be a lot cheaper and better fitting the requirements of your family.
- Many activities are free!  Beaches, parks, local council facilities - Cairns for examples has a 1km strip of just free kid's attractions including wading pool, water park, sandpit, traditional park.
- Sightsee in your area !  Locals often get discounts in off-season and even peak season ticketing.
- Go with a crowd.  Go with a group of friends or family and ask for group bookings.

Now, another important and often stressful aspect of preparing for a holiday... the packing

Try not to pack:
- Too many toys...! Let the kids fit one toy that fits in their backpack...
- Too many disposable nappies if they're available where you're going - it's bulky and un-necessary to take 52 nappies for the first day.
- Same goes for formula
- Ditto for food
- Enormous prams - invest in a travel one because believe me a few airport check ins and you might leave it on a baggage collection trolley.  Forever.
- Carseats if possible (if travelling by air or train) hire one at the other end - it's pretty cheap, and can be included in your car hire costs if you ask!

Don't forget to pack:
A back pack for each kid who can walk - colouring in books, pencils, a few books to read, sticker books, lunchbox and drink and a sunhat.   Not only for the getting to and from - but the day trips too.
Incidentals - Sunscreen, insect repellent, a medium (I'm talking a small ziplock bag) first aid kit with antiseptic cream, gauze, some bandaids, a thermometer and some baby and adult panadol.
Your camera and spare batteries - you don't want to miss anything do you?


Tell me some of YOUR tips! (please!)
Do you holiday at any particular time of the year? Why?


image credits:  
http://randiriel.wordpress.com/
http://cdn.venturebeat.com
http://www.abc.net.au

I've been busy you see...

I don't have a recipe for you this afternoon my friends - I have SIX including the 'Whacky cake' pictured above.

Last week Kidspot asked me to road-test and review six of Moira Gillard's -(Julia's Mum) recipes.  Click here to see six of the recipes our Prime Minister grew up on.

I found all the recipes extremely easy and particularly enjoyed making and eating the apricot balls .
Which one/s do you think you'd try?

It's all about birthdays at the moment...

Yes, the countdown is on again, to SIX for Miss Eloise.  She's so disappointed she won't have any teeth missing for her birthday pics (just quietly I'm relieved) but all the invitations went out yesterday for the butterfly themed party this year.

We're having a home party again this year - she was given the choice, and that's what she wants so it's happening!  It's going to be low-key-ish with 6 school friends, 3 family friends and 2 sisters.

Aptly, Kidspot have released their 25 Awesome birthday cake slideshow today - there's a few of my creations there - Jelly rainbow, clown cupcakes, make-up compact cake (that one can be done in 1 hour!) and the island cake - check it out.  All of the birthday cakes have step-by-step instructions too - so totally achievable!

You can also check out my guide (with checklist) to hosting a stress-free birthday party at home - that one's a keeper!

Here, there...

Just thought I'd send you around the interwebs and catch up with my escapades elsewhere!

Here I am at Sydney Film Festival - recounting my insular days with babies

And here I am at Kidspot giving you some tips on guilt free grocery shopping - no need to leave your values at the supermarket checkout!








And some new recipes over at kidspot this week from my kitchen:

Clown cupcakes/muffins - decorate any cake or muffin this way for school, snack, birthday party or trip to the big-top!

And continuing on with the rainbow theme from the popular jelly rainbow - here are rainbow lollipops

ENJOY MY FRIENDS!

and let me know what you think ?

Mothers day recipes for you - Rosewater cake, lime and raspberry friands and slow cooker saltbush lamb

Being a mother puts a whole new perspective on your own mother.  You realise you might not have been a breeze to raise and yes, your mother might have been right about a few things.  Mother’s Day for those who are Mother’s and have Mother’s presents a whole new dimension.  How and can you spoil AND be spoiled on mother's day without your mood being spoiled!?


I remember my second ever Mother’s’ Day.  My eldest daughter was almost two, and I had five month old baby twins.  We were having car issues so the decision was made as a family to save me the hassle of carting all my babies around town it would be easier for everyone to come to me.  Sounds easy doesn’t it?


Well you’re right, it doesn’t.  I got up at the crack of dawn to clean, cook, organise my kids and have something palatable and hopefully impressive to serve to our party of twelve.   10 minutes before they were due to arrive I was a sobbing mess.  This wasn’t my relaxing Mother’s’ Day.  This wasn’t my break from the most intense year of motherhood ever. 


As in life, I took on too much.  I had the disease to please.


Since then, it has been my mission to have my Mother’s’ Day.  I’ve decided the best course of action is to delegate all kid wrangling and domestic chores to my hubby on Mother’s Day.  I cook ahead, and where I can I make it easy to spoil and be spoiled without my mood or my patience being spoiled also.


So here's some Mother's day recipes I've done over at kidspot for mother's day you can make in advance, make your day pleasurable and enjoy making some of them with the kids!

 Rosewater cake 

Again, very easy, one mixing bowl cake mix - with a musky pretty smell and taste.  

recipe can be used for cupcakes too.

 Lime and raspberry friands 

Seriously takes only 40 minutes from beginning to end, you won't pay $4 each for these again!

Slow cooker stuffed lamb shoulder

This absolutely melts in the mouth - I made this one with Saltbush lamb, but it would work with any lamb shoulder.  15 minutes prep in the morning, then 10 minutes in the afternoon - voila!

Have you planned a Mother's Day menu yet?

What day is it again?

Oh yes, it's Saturday!  These school holidays have my head muddled.   Hubby has been off sick (yes, still) so it's felt like the weekend all week..and it's been a long weekend!  I'm looking forward to the structure of school - and I can hardly believe I'm writing that!

I've been busy over at kidspot kitchen this week - here's one of my favourites for a little while - I'm working on a boy birthday party focus at the moment which is a fabulous and exciting change for me, given I have three girls!  I love the little car in this pic so much I'm keeping it despite protests from the frills!  So cute right? Literally is minutes work, I made my own cake for the pops too, but you can just buy a slab cake and save time if you like!

Traffic light cake pops

Would love some ideas on boys parties themes too - apart from the regular pirates, cars, trains and dinosaur themes.?

I think we might head out on a bit of an excursion today - to allow hubby to get some rest in peace, tomorrow I think I'll be cooking and getting organised to go back to school... there is an absolutely YUMMY Sunday baking project coming up tomorrow, so if you're feeling in a baking mood, see you then!

What are you up to this weekend?

Lamb Samosas, Curry Puffs and Express French Onion Potato Bake

These are just some of my NEW recipes you'll find over at the Kidspot Kitchen!  Go have a look, you can also subscribe to receive all new recipes at Kidspot by clicking here

Lamb samosas (with curry puff variation)

These totally surprised me as to how delicious they are.  And how easy they are!

Make for dinner accompaniment, entree, in smaller size for cocktail food or serve cold in lunches.

I shortly after tried a takeaway lamb samosa -never again!

Express french onion potato bake

This is seriously yummy, moorish in fact! You can make ahead and even serve leftovers (if you have any!) as potato salad!

Enjoy your weekend all - I'm off to the Farmers Markets and farmgate trail today and taking the frills to their first game of NRL tomorrow!

See you Monday!

The reason I seem a little 'everywhere' at the moment.. is because.

I am!

Hello friends!  Hope you're enjoying your public holiday and planning to do some relaxing....If you're up to some cooking - Here's a few little ditties that might keep you busy:

Easter Egg Icecreams
These are quick, effective and a nice alternative to chocolate if you want something sweet but can't face any more chocolate - and there's some adult variations too - you'll find this at www.kidspot.com.au where you will find me moonlighting a couple of times a week!   You can also join their forum - I have started a meal planning group,  a group for Mummies with kids starting school in 2011 plus some others - come over and join me!

Mini Cheaty Vanilla Flans
If you've got lots of milk you'd like to use up, this is for you - it's a very quick and yummy and will warm the cockles on those cool nights we seem to be having....These were one of my Make it from Scratch submissions!

Another one I've contributed over at Make it from Scratch - if you've got a surplus of Easter eggs you might want to consider making some some Spanish Hot Chocolate.  I discovered the Spanish Hot Chocolate during my backpacking travels and the memory will never leave me.  Oh sigh...

Stay tuned for some more!


Don't forget my previous Easter posts too!  

Easter Shrewsbury Biscuits 

Chocolate Hot Cross Buns

Traditional Hot Cross Buns






Easter Sugar Cookies

And I just love these over at Not Quite Nigella!  I'm a fan of cheating making something that looks like a lot of effort when it isn't!  Using Raffelos and Rondoirs - little Easter Hens!