Happy Birthday My Petal

My little Petal is 7 already. I can hardly believe that this much time has gone by. My girl had a lovely day at school and bought home a little present which she was very happy about and a dress covered in stickers from all the teachers. She is loved! We had a little party for her, well it was a gathering, (A couple of surprise visitors) fish and chips and CAKE, which seems to constitute a party. I love that she had a table of pink presents and was thrilled with each and everyone of them. the cupcakes turned out well on the second attempt. I found that using natural red colouring does not give it the correct colour and adding un-natural red colouring turns them BROWN ARGHHH so on our second attempt we stuck to the recipe and they worked a treat. The cake which I did was not grand, it was very simple butterfly cake decorated with icing and hundreds and thousands. (I realised that I desperately need to do a cake decorating course if I am going to continue the tradition of making them each year) was very happily received by all. That is what really counts. My petal told me at the end of the night that she was VERY happy that she received quite a few books, a barbie, a strawberry shortcake girl and other lovely things. I didn't make her something to wear this year. I was a bit distracted so I will have to save it for Xmas I think.

Last night we went to Bunnings to see Vasili! HOW MUCH FUN DID WE HAVE!!!! YEAH. I won a prize, by answering a question on water savings amazing that one of the facts and figures floating around in my head came in very handy. It is his new magazine "good gardening". This is not the first time that we have spoken to him however the kids are a bit older now and thrilled to bits. Especially as we were watching him on tv just before we went to see him. My red headed hurricane told him that he is VERY magical as he was able to pop out of the tv at our house and come down to Bunnings even when the tv was turned off! It was a wonderful evening of amazing things that we learnt. About grafting as many species of citrus to the lemon tree as we like. 23 or more! Look out lemon tree, he solved the problem for our little lemon tree in the wine barrel. We learnt about life cycles of the gall wasp and his campaign to have a national gall wasp pruning day. I do hope he succeeds! He talked about eco-oil and other natural remedies for getting rid of pests in the garden. Told stories of his lovely house that he used to have, more importantly of the garden that he has left behind and would desperately wants to buy it back. We had pizza and was entertained with Greek music. We made friends and watched the children play on the jumping castle, do crafts and listen to Vasili and get our book signed and a photo taken nothing was too much trouble! What an amazing man he is. Make sure you watch him on Chanel 31 7:30pm Wednesdays or download his show from the website. All in all it was a great night.

http://www.vasilisgarden.com/

I bought my first online magazine. Toffee! I haven't had a look yet been so busy culling, more culling and painting. I am trying to get the rest of the inside open plan area painted or at least undercoated. I need to keep busy at the moment. Plus it is a busy time of the year. Ideally I would like to renovate during the day and sew in the evening however that is not happening at the moment.

Being summoned I will talk again soon

so much has happened....

I have to start with our beautiful big black monster boy died the next day and that is all I have to say at the moment. All our hearts are very sad.

It is my girls birthday tomorrow. I always find this time a very difficult time, We have 2 Anniversary's for our loved ones that have left us. Now a third one with Stanley. First is Lily and oh I cannot even talk about that day. Next Stanley and then my dad. On the last day of October we have our wedding anniversary and it always reminds me that with death there is still life and on it goes.

We went for a lovely pre-birthday stay down the coast. It was lovely even though it rained. We visited Toast to the Coast and had friends come and visit and did all the things on my girls list that makes her feel very special. She went swimming with her daddy whilst mummy made breakfast, a big cooked breakfast no less. We went to the organic shop and bought lots of lovely things for lunches and dinners. We had the CURRY night and Fish and Chip night and a sleepover so that they are in the Bunk beds. We had a walk and bought milkshakes and went to the beach to make sandcastles. We went Op shopping to get a book or 2 and a toy! I love her precious little list for the simplicity and enjoyment.

I am busy preparing cupcakes for our Petal to take to school and Fairy wands., it is funny how she always chooses 2 things for her birthday and we happily compile... I think I am thinking of both my girls then and it just makes it a bit easier doing things for both of them or that is what it feels like. (The red velvet ones) http://melbourneepicure.blogspot.com/2009/08/i-red-velvet-cupcakes.html and the Fairy wands (I cannot find the direct link however I am sure that the lovely Kate from Fox's lane gave us all the amazing conception and as it is her birthday today Pop over and say Happy Birthday) http://foxslane.blogspot.com/ They are both amazing women and fabulous blogs and goodness I have no idea what we would be doing for our girls birthday if I didn't have them!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY My lovely Daylesford Women (Belated) for ROB and (today) for KATE and (tomorrow) for my other very good friend JENNII (fellow Scorps) You look fabulous and what an amazing women you are!! I feel very privledged to have you as friends.

As for us today is cake(fingers crossed) and clean up time I am dashing off to do this. SO many things to do preparing for a birthday.

Have a lovely day ESPECIALLY the birthday girls! :)