We got an email yesterday asking if we wanted to join a group driving out to a dark point in the desert to watch the Perseid Meteor Shower.
Always one for adventure and impromptu outings I had to wait till hubby came home from work to make a decision. A few questions from him, a couple of emails back and forwards and we decided at 3.30 pm that we would make the trek.
That gave me 2 hours to leave. We had no food to take and nothing prepared for snacks or dinner, so we raced around to the supermarket and grabbed both healthy fruit, cheeses and nuts, plus some drinks and of course a couple of unhealthy choices like crisps and choc chip cookies – just because this was going to be an adventure. We planned to pick up KFC – which we have not had in over 6 months, for dinner on the way.
We had to meet at a gas station about 20 mins away to head out with the group. We only new one person going and him not very well.Some people planned to BBQ while watching the Perseid Meteor Shower and the others would walk further into the desert away from the light of the fire.
The gps and phones were charged and loaded with contact numbers "just in case". We checked the car out, made sure the spare was fine and as the Mr had filled that car up with gas that morning we were pretty right there.
In the meantime the munchkins got busy, readying themselves, collecting chairs, blankets, torches and filling the water jerry cans. Miss 13 cooked some eggs and her sister helped stuff them ready to take. One thing about being out in the fresh air with kids – you have to be sure to take plenty of food.
We left with 1/2 hr to be at the meeting point stopping at KFC. They had run out of cooked food but didn't tell Hubby till after he had paid. Then they said only 10 minutess till it was ready. Twenty-five minutes later we finally had our order and were on the road again. We had rung the leader of the group we were meeting and he was running late anyway so it wasn't a problem.
We headed out toward the north west and meet up with a whole lot of other vehicles at a prearranged point. Then waited for the expedition leader. I am thinking we got there about 6.15 and he arrived about 1/2 an hour later. We could have gone on without him as we had the gps co-ordinates but everyone seemed happy to wait and go in convoy.
I am sure glad we went together.
Yes – that is our car. Bogged!! Sorry the photo is so bad, it was pitch black out there! 
More on the rest of the adventure to view the Perseid Meteorite shower tomorrow.
This last week and half at The Digi Chick was a rather busy one with August grab bags being released, plus new releases and it hardly seemed we got them out when it was new release time again.
Which all added up to a wonderful time creating and getting some of my "to be scrapped" photos done.
It also adds up to a longish post.
Best Buds was made with items from MKC Designs Grab Bag.
For sure I will be using this one again – she has some wonderful elements that are so useful on any layout and with any kit. Be sure to grab it while it is so well priced.
This one below was fun to do and I think the journaling makes it. Also used a couple of actions from Totally Rad and Pioneer Woman to get the effect on the photo. It works well with the bg colours. Everything is from Dawn Inskips August Grab Bag
From Gypsy Couture's August Grab Bag.
Just love all the colours and the crockery and dishes in this one.
My youngest Dd' wants a groovy party with hot pink and orange this year. The Papers and elements are from Madame Wings August Grab Bag and the piece of cake which will make the perfect goody box for taking home is Cake Template from Kelleigh Ratzlaff's August Grab Bag
This next layout was done for the PickleBerryPop.com blind scraplift challenge for their 3rd birthday celebrations. You were given instructions for the scraplift but had no idea what the original layout looked like. It was fun and I really like the result.
Everything is From Elise's Pieces August Grab Bag
These two layouts are using a double page template using Having a Heart to Heart Template set from Mrs Wresh Designs. I have used the kit which was a new release last week called Sweet Dreams from Jan Hosford.
The following was released just this last Thursday – It is one of those layouts where I have tried to step outside my usual style and as yet is has to grow on me. I see so many of these style layouts and they are very inspiring but just not sure I have the hang of them yet. That said, I have had more comments on this than normal. So there you go!
Anyway the kita I have used are Pri's White Papers and Gypsy Couture's Artist Loft.
Another new release this week was just perfect for photos of my girls with their handmade spring garden party hats.
This pretty kit is from Little Garden Bundle by ELash
If you made it all the way to the end – thanks! Now go and shop for some of these great grab bags before they are taken down!
I love being an Aunty – it is one of lifes wonderful blessings to have nieces and nephews to love on as well as your own children.
Today I was blessed with another nephew. Welcome to the world little one – your Aunty loves you already!!
He was not due till late October so at 28.5 weeks he is very premmie. Weighing in at 1.4 kg he is doing well on the ventilator in ICU and they are pleased with his progress. Even talking about the ventilator coming off tomorrow.
So today I am thanking God for a good delivery, in the right place and timing that this wonderful new arrival can have the best chances at being all he was intended to be.
And I can't wait to meet him for real!!
There is nothing nicer than sitting down in the shade as the afternoon cools and enjoying a lovely "healthy" summer snack. We have had an abundance of the yummy but unhealthy kinds like homemade shortbread, choc chip cookies and banana cake lately as the girls have been honing their baking skills – not to mention keeping their Dad happy.
This morning I actually went to the supermarket. Not intentionally though as hubby usually does the shopping, just one of the drawbacks fun things about living in a country where women are not permitted to drive.
Anyhow he had taken me in to town to the craft store to purchase some dye as Miss C wants to try and revive some of her old clothes that still fit. All in our push to learn to be better stewards with the blessing we have. We needed salt, and lots of it, for the dyeing process and so we stopped at the supermarket on the way home.
Big mistake, Big, HUGE!
Well, not really, but so much for just popping in to pick up some salt. It has been months since I have grocery shopped and we have been eating out of our pantry aside from the weekly essentials. So when I walked up the store cupboard aisle I knew what we were out of and needed.
Plus they had a whole new range of organic spices and herbs. Place pretty green organic looking bottles with the perfect shape and cute old fashioned brown top in front of me and I'm in trouble. I am sure they call my name! They inspired me though and when I got home I showed the girls how to make dip with some dry ingredients that you would normally have on hand and some sour cream.
I thought I would share it with you.
Summer Onion Dip
This takes about 2 mins.
- 1 Tub sour cream (this one is 200ml)
- 1 Tab Dried Onion Flakes
- 1 Tab Organic Dried Parsley
- 1 Tab Dried Organic Chives
- 1 Tab Dried Organic Cilantro
- 1 Tab Powdered Stock Powder (I used beef as that is what I had. Chicken or veg would be fine too.)
- 2 or 3 drops of Worcestershire Sauce
- 3 Tabs Homemade Mayonnaise
- Salt and Pepper to taste.
Mix it all together and put in the fridge for a couple of hours. Then serve with some carrot, celery and cucumber sticks and a delicious cold glass of homemade lemonade.
The perfect summer snack!
So what do you follow that lovely healthy snack up with.
Why, the totally unhealthy homemade sausage rolls that you fixed with the other ingredients purchased when you went to buy salt.
That was the Daddy/Daughter purchase though.
Isn't this just the cutest little cupcake. I have always loved cupcakes and thoroughly enjoyed making this one as a gift. Not to mention it is a guilt free gift as I don't have to ruin anyone's diet by giving them this.
It was made with a template by the awesome template queen Kelleigh Ratzlaff and the cutest kit call Click by Kelley Mickus.
For the full tutorial and lots of scrummy photos you can view my guest post over at The Hybrid Chick on how to make this perfect and low calorie cupcake for a deliciously divine gift.
Look what my girls made today. Just too cute!
We have been saving the oatmeal boxes up for some sort of project. Both girls were in a crafting mood so I supplied them with cutters and edgers,stamps and ink, ribbons, glue and scrapbooking papers then left them to it.
While it would have been very easy for my to show them what to do, being a firm believer that children can do anything given enough time and encouragement I wanted them to try it out for themselves. They learn more from thinking it through and seeing what works out – and what does not.
Making a "mistake" is fine too. Each time is an occasion to learn something. After all craft is really in the eye of the creator and therefore nothing is "wrong", just unique.
They must have learnt by osmosis or hanging around in my craft spot while I am working because they managed to create these wonderful and useful containers. First they both chose the papers they wanted to use and combine. They stamped their names on, added some cut out flower elements, and one added a 'hair bands' tag to hers. Not bad for a pre-tween and just teen.
Both tubs now hold pride of place on their dresser. I am sure we'll be seeing more craft projects from them very soon.
Been busy editing photo's again so have not had much time to play this week. So there is just one layout this time.
I enjoyed doing this layout. First I altered the photo to be pale and washed out. I wanted to retain some of the colour like the green in my trousers but have it kind of old and faded but without that vintage brown look. I think I got what I was trying to achieve. That is what is so much fun about playing around in Photoshop.
The kit I have use is by Gypsy Couture and is called Quirky Chronicles. It has wonderful elements and I just love that silver frame and old watch surround.
The newest releases at The Digi Chick this week were amazing. So much variety and style!
First up is another kit from Flergs. This one is Samandean and is such a fun summery kit with wonderful colours. Just perfect for this photo of a munchkin having fun.
Second one is Party on the Patio kit by Gypsy Couture. I have also used a template from her Page Genies #4. I just love these photos from DD's birthday and they came together in this layout which is a little out of my usual scrapping style. it's fun trying something new – especially when you like the finished result.
This last one is very special. The photograph is my grandmother and her twin brother. It is in the very early 1900's and I am so thankful to have it. The kit I have used is Forget Years by JM Designs.
For full credit click on any of the images above.
Seems I am far to busy to blog – either that or I just can't seem to get back into it. Maybe it is a mojo issue?
This week has been very busy with two senior photo shoots and also twins yesterday. Then there was the baby shoot from last week to edit as well. It is such a learning curve and sorting out my work flow is essential. I have not discovered all the short cuts and things that must make that job a lot more efficient.
I have not done many baby portrait sessions. In fact this was only my second – so doing it with twins was such a challenge. I am still not confident enough in myself but am happy to have come away with some nice shots. It is so wonderful and I am very thankful that people are willing to let me work with them while I find my feet.
There is so much to remember and of course waiting on babies teaches such patience. Hopefully everything will come together one day with regards to taking photos.
They say practice makes perfect.
Still it will be wonderful when it finally feels like second nature in getting all the things you need in place to take that perfect photo, if not every photograph, than least a lot of them.
One challenge I have set myself is to try and get to the point where I have minimal post processing. So out with the camera and more practice required.
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