Today I am loving my new Birkenstock Dundee’s. A little kooky looking – I do love the ‘duck’ shape toe and the taupe suede. At 32 weeks pregnant it is all about comfort as I have been in a lot of pain with my pelvis and hips for the past month and these babies are made for
Sneaky Peek : A Long Weekend
For the recent Long Weekend we went on a little holiday to the Tasman Peninsula for our annual Davies’ get together. In 2012 we all went to Philip Island in Victoria, but this year we spent three nights at the Stewarts Bay Lodge.
Poppy was very excited to be going on a ‘holiday’ with her cousins from Melbourne – Ruby, Max and Maggie. We visited Fortescue Bay, The Tasmanian Devil Conservation Park, Remarkable Cave and Safety Cove Beach.
I will let the photos speak for themselves – however we enjoyed quality family time in beautiful surroundings.
Cashmere ♥
Today I am loving my new Oyuna Cashmere scarf I recently bought in Melbourne. It is the perfect blend of soft cashmere ‘in classic taupe which has a subtle yet vibrant detailing with a rich spice red border down each long edge’.
I read the tag after my purchase, and although a little over the top I quite like the following description (as would my friend Tim):
At one with the land, wind and sun, cashmere goats graze under the soaring sky of the sweeping Mongolian steppe. These goats are the precious source of Oyuna’s cashmere. When they moult – just once a year in the spring – the soft underfleece is gathered and spun immediately. This captures all the fibre’s spirit creating supremely soft, light cashmere that radiates with energy and warmth.
Cashmere cares for you.
Melissa and I have nick-named the scarf the “Mongolian Princess“!
Sneaky Peek : Defiance
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!
Yum : French Toast
This recipe is one of my all time favourites, especially when you have time on the weekend to savour the delicious flavours.
French Toast
- 3 eggs
- ¼ cup (60ml) milk
- ⅓ cup (75g) caster sugar
- ¼ cup (60ml) pouring cream
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon lemon rind – finely grated
- 20g butter
- 8 slices baguette
- Maple syrup – to serve
Method
- Whisk together the eggs, milk, sugar, cream, cinnamon and lemon rind
- Heat a medium non-stick frying pan over high heat, add the butter and heat until melted and just starting to bubble
- Dip the bread slices in the egg mixture and cook, in batches, for 2 minutes each side or until golden
- Serve with the maple syrup
- Serves 4
I actually use crusty sourdough bread and serve bananas and bacon with the French Toast – the traditional Canadian way. Enjoy.
Source: Donna Hay
Peggy
My brother and his family gave Poppy this delightful book for her 2nd birthday. ‘Peggy‘ by Anna Walker is her favourite book at the moment.
This is the story of a brave chicken on a big adventure.
Peggy lives in a small house in a quiet street.
One blustery day a big gust of wind sweeps down and scoops up leaves, twigs and . . . Peggy!
The wind blows Peggy into the city, where she discovers strange new things, but how will she find her way back home?
I love reading Poppy this story as the illustrations are so beautiful. You can even purchase them here.
Baby Max
Yesterday we had a visit from Eve, Flynn and baby Max who is two weeks old today.
Poppy insisted on ‘carrying him’ and so with a little bit of help she had a hold and was very gentle. She kept saying: “cute“.
This was good practice for Poppy who will have her own little brother or sister in about 10 weeks! Oh my – that sounds so close.
Sneaky Peek : Wine Tasting
Each 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.
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The Poppy Files 