Category: Sneaky Peek
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Sneaky Peek : Defiance

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Our little ‘binocular babe’ has reached an interesting and quite challenging stage … defiance!  Regular phrases in her vocabulary include “No Mummy” and “Why Mummy?”!

I took her to the park in Sandy Bay on Sunday afternoon to expend some energy and as it was getting darker I mentioned it was time to go home to see Daddy and to have some dinner.  That suggestion was met with “No Mummy”.

Great – here we go!  Each time I approached her she would start running away in the opposite direction.  As I am in my third trimester of pregnancy my agility and speed are somewhat compromised!  The most frustrating thing for me was each time she would turn around, look at me and laugh and then keep running.

In the end I had to chase her across a playing field before I caught up with her.  My tolerance was waning!  Exhausted, I carried her back to the car, kicking and screaming and I thought to myself … yep, here we are in the ‘terrible twos’.

Once home and after a rest on the couch I reached out in earnest for my Gina Ford book – The Contented Toddler Years!  Mmmm … no tips on running after a toddler, but great advice on positive encouragement and praise. Hmmmph!

Wednesday, 5 June 2013 2 Comments Short URLSneaky Peek

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Sneaky Peek : Wine Tasting

MONAEach year my Adventure Tour Guiding students have a session on ‘Tasmanian Wine Knowledge & Appreciation’ which provides them with the necessary skills when working with a number of the tour operators in the future.

This year I took my students out to MONA after liaising with my friend – Daniel McMahon the Cellar Door Manager.  My students loved being in the Subterranean Barrel Room tasting the many wines and learning all about our amazing wines grown in Tasmania.

As I was the pregnant bus-driver there was no tasting for me unfortunately, but I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, as did my students!  Thanks Daniel. 

 

 

Wednesday, 29 May 2013 0 Comments Short URLSneaky Peek

Sneaky Peek : Kick Kick

It is such a joyous journey to be pregnant, and one that I am thankful for every day. It is difficult to comprehend that one day, this little person inside of me will give us as much joy as Poppy does now. As I go about my normal ‘day-to-day’ tasks such as cooking dinner; teaching

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Wednesday, 15 May 2013 1 Comment Short URL, Sneaky Peek

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Sneaky Peek : DIY Felt Crown

Well I did get crafty and popped into Spotlight yesterday and stocked up on colourful felt, jewels and embellishments.  I then downloaded a crown template from here and produced this beauty:

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What do you think??

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Wednesday, 8 May 2013 0 Comments Short URLSneaky Peek

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Sneaky Peek : Old School

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For our parent’s 50th Wedding Anniversary recently, my brother dragged out the old family slides and had them scanned for a presentation during their celebration.

Looking at these ‘old school’ photos from the ’70’s brought back many memories. Memories of the clothes that Mum made for us (including Robyn’s sailor dress below), the dodgy haircuts, the long socks and the new bikes! Classic. x

Wednesday, 1 May 2013 0 Comments Short URLSneaky Peek

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Sneaky Peek : Peppa Pig Birthday Cake

Today you get a ‘Yum’ and a ‘Sneaky Peek’ rolled into one – “How to make a Peppa Pig Birthday Cake”!  I had so much fun baking, icing and decorating Poppy’s 2nd Birthday Cake – I can’t wait for all of her birthdays in the future!
 

Simplicity Cake

  • 1 cup self-raising flour
  • ¾ cup caster sugar
  • ½ cup milk
  • 2 eggs
  • 60 g butter – melted
  • 2 tbsp cocoa
  • 1 tsp vanilla

Method

  • Sift flour and cocoa into a bowl and add sugar
  • Add butter, eggs, milk and vanilla and beat with an electric mixer for 2-3 minutes
  • Pour into a well-greased 20 cm tin and bake at 180°C for 30 minutes
  • Ice with butter icing when cold.

Source:  Best Recipes

I doubled this recipe for Poppy’s cake.  Once cooled I then looked at ‘Peppa’ on my computer and played around with getting the right outline. After carefully cutting the cake to get the basic shape of ‘Peppa’ I then iced with a butter icing (using the recipe on the back of the Icing Sugar packet and the Thermomix).

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I bought several packets of Wilton Rolled Fondant which I had never used before and to be honest was a little ‘wigged’ out about how to get the icing on the cake.  I did find it to be quite therapeutic kneading the fondant and adding the right about of ‘pink’ hue.

Surprisingly I found it more forgiving than the butter icing I used for Poppy’s 1st Birthday Cake as you could mould over any imperfections, and believe you me, there were plenty!

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So I was quite pleased with how little “Peppa” turned out.  Nick did mention that he thought it looked as though Peppa was smoking.  Mmmmm … now you mention that Nick??

PS:  Today is Poppy’s friend, Luka’s birthday.  Happy Birthday Luka.  xx

Wednesday, 24 April 2013 0 Comments Short URLSneaky Peek, Yum

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Sneaky Peek : 50 Years

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This Sunday we are celebrating my Mum & Dad – Ross & Val Gibson’s 50th Wedding Anniversary!  What a feat – 50 years of happy marriage!

There have been numerous emails pinging between my siblings to organise a community celebration.  Cath took the lead initially with a list of duties to be completed.  My duties included designing the invitation (see below), organising newspaper advertisements and writing the speech.

I love these photos and I used to pour over them for hours when I was a child.  I also love Mum’s stylish dress (which she made herself) and her classic headpiece and veil.  When we were kids we used to put on her veil and dress and dream of the day we would be married!  Check out the photographer with his ‘high-tech’ gear in the photo above.

I am looking forward to spending a family weekend together, celebrating such an amazing milestone!

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Wednesday, 17 April 2013 2 Comments Short URLSneaky Peek

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Sneaky Peek : Another Soul

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As I lie in bed each night and feel the little kicks from within, I reflect on the impending journey of becoming a mother for the second time.

Before having Poppy, I was actually quite terrified about becoming a Mum. I was never really that ‘maternal’ with other children, even though I always wanted a family of my own.  I was terrified about the lack of sleep, the change of lifestyle and whether I would actually like being a Mum or not. Such an unknown.

Having Poppy when I was 40 made me realise I had 22 years of ‘adult’ life to become quite used to travelling, working, going out and being quite ‘self-indulgent’ I guess.  But after experiencing the miracle of birth and the unconditional love that sweeps over you straight away, I knew I would be OK.  And I have been.

I have LOVED being a ‘Mummy’ and the journey keeps getting better each day.  When I look at Poppy and see her beautiful face that is reminiscent of the man I love, my heart melts.

I had my 20 week scan yesterday and these images gave me a sneaky peek into yet, another soul.  xx

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Wednesday, 27 March 2013 0 Comments Short URL, Sneaky Peek

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Sneaky Peek : Spotty Scarf

 

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Here is my new winter scarf that I bought from Country Road in Melbourne.  I love those spots!  

My Dad’s operation has gone well.  My Mum and I went to see him in ICU last night which was a little confronting, but he is in very good care.  xx

Wednesday, 20 March 2013 0 Comments Short URLSneaky Peek

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Sneaky Peek :

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My sister Cath and I fly to Melbourne this afternoon to see non-other than Neil Young with Crazy Horse at The Plenary.  I am so excited.

I saw ‘The Grandfather of Grunge‘ way back in 1993 when I was living in Vancouver with my good friend Jana.  Back when big hair and oversized jumpers were in fashion!

I have always loved his music, but I must admit I haven’t ‘rocked’ on to Neil for a while now.  I am looking forward to hearing his iconic voice and all those classics again after all these years.

I am flying home on Friday night, which will allow for a spot of ‘retail therapy’ and catching up with my in-laws and dear friend Bron.  Can’t wait.

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Wednesday, 13 March 2013 0 Comments Short URLSneaky Peek

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