Scatterday M #2

Here I am - finally. A big long day yesterday which necessitated a little sleep in.

Music (which actually starts with M itself!) was always played on a Mouth Organ when I was little. My Dad used to play and my sister would start crying. It was the mournful tone I think.

Yesterday we went to two parties. One for a 40 year old and one for a 2 year old. The 2 year old held his in one of those big indoor adventure playgrounds and as we were leaving I walked past the ice cream freezer and look what I saw. As Cold as could be - Milo. My kids love these tubs of frozen choclate ice cream.

And finally for Dangerous I have Me, Michelle, the Mother. I was going to have a Machete but the family said I was way more dangerous. This was taken yesterday at the 40th birthday party and I am playing with Eva who belongs to a friend. We were taking pictures of ourselves and then looking at them. Eva was intrigued

We don't have any categories or letters for next week as Dy is taking a little break for a while. Check back soon to see what's happening.

Wool

I got some new wool. It's called Smoothie. And it is! Doesn't it just look like it feels good. Not sure what I am going to do with it yet. Perhaps I'll just own it.

Scatterday T #2

I have a few T things In My Neighbourhood. I live near Taren Point which houses the Toyota factory and this fabulous business called Total Tools - always amuses me.

And in my house I have a fabulous array of Tins. So here we have some Square Tins. Moda charm square fabrics come in these gorgeous tins. I bought some a while back - just to get the tin! If you are interested have a look at the Fat Quarter Shop.

And while I was discovering my square tins I realised I had some Blue Tins. So I just had to take a photo of them as well.

That was a bit too easy this week. I have chosen M for next week but we are going to have to wait for Dy to wake up to get the categories.

Another outing

And today I went here...


... with these people...


...for a nice lunch...




How about that!

k.d.lang

We saw her in concert last night in Sydney's State Theatre. She was spectacular. Such an amazing voice. It was well worth it. The State Theatre is one of the best venues. I tried to take some photos but I didn't do it justice. You can take a virtual tour of the theatre on their website - click here. Truly beautiful. An excellent night all round.

An excellent day!

We had a big day out at my sister and brother-in-law's house this last weekend. My only cousin on my mother's side -Matthew - brought his partner Kim and their two boys. We had a great day.


Here's the motley crew after a few hours of motor bike riding around their property. As you can see they have the right sort of backyard for it.


Here's a nice relaxed photo of Auntie Robyn and Uncle Chuck. They had also been motor bike riding.

I found this guy in the middle of a busy intersection in Strathfield this morning. Just loved him. I went round the block three times to get a good photo of him and when he realised what I was doing he smiled braodly and posed. I thought briefly that he was taking it upon himself to advertise the show but then realised that tonight on the ABC at 8.30pm is Four Corners. And tonight they are investigating political fundraising so I gather this gentleman is making some time for social commentary. Well good on him. I just loved finding him and his little dog on the way to work this morning. He brightened my day.

Scatterday K #2

I'll get the easiest one over and done with first. Does everyone have Keyboard for their Office Item? I tried so hard to find something else but I failed. Mind you, my time was taken up with the Smelly category. Read on.


The lengths you go to for Scatterday! If I didn't need a photo of something that smells good starting with K - I would never have gone to Krispy Kreme. Have a look at my photos - the development of the doughnut. From a scrappy looking bit of dough, through the raising process and then plopped into the oil. Flipped over and drying out ready to be filled with something to make your arteries scream! It smells great but you can really only eat one.




Jed came with me - and loved every minute of it. And I killed two birds with one stone. Now I have something to take to my sister's house tomorrow.


And finally my Hobby. Knitting is sure to be another favourite today. Here are some squares I am knitting. I knit these every year and send them to the ABC Knit In. These squares are made into blankets and Wrap with Love send them overseas. Here are a couple of photos that show you the finished products with their happy recipients. It's an excellent thing to be involved in. If you want the knitting instructions you can find them on the ABC Knit In site.


Next week Dy has pulled the Letter T and the categories are Square Things, Blue, In My Neighbourhood. But watch out for a change in the wind. Dy and I have been mulling a few ideas. Just to keep it interesting. Got a suggestion? Feel free to throw it into the hat.

I have new shoes

I heard about this website - Can of Worms - from somewhere and read the entire thing from beginning to end and then I went to this website - Buy Shoes Save Lives - and then I bought some shoes. And a T-shirt. Have a look at the websites and the video below. I think it's a privilege to own these shoes.

Buy Shoes. Save Lives. (Official)

Happy Birthday Lozzie!

Lozzie came and had her birthday with the Tuesday night sewing girls. We did some singing, some talking, some cake eating and some shopping. Did anyone sew?

Road trip

I went for a big long drive today. About 500km in fact. I got up and left early so the trip through the city to the other side was quite good. Once I got out on the country roads the scenery was lovely. I snapped this one looking east over the vineyards in the Hunter Valley up to the mountains. Those clouds were amazing.


I actually took this one while I was driving. I love a long straight road. Those clouds in the distance turned into some very annoying rain that I had to drive through!


And I passed a few of these. Don't they look interesting? They were on the site of a brewing company but it was too early in the morning for them to be open so I could ask someone what they were for.

Scatterday A #2

Who the dickens chooses these categories?!? Drats - I think it was me. This was a shocker of a week. Left it until the last minute yet again. I was driving home tonight and had planned to photograph Antonio's which is a local pizzeria. I took this photo (above) from the opposite side of the road, in the dark, while driving along in the car. Thank goodness I had the menu at home to get a better photo of my Restaurant - Antonio's.


I was a bit worried about finding something in the dark but I also drove past the Audi place at Sutherland and took a photo. It was 11.00 at night so I definitely found it in the dark. Actually I took all my photos at night so they can all be found in the dark!

And in keeping with the sign theme I also found the ANZ sign and the Antiques sign which I think are of a Turquoise sort of hue and lastly I have a photo of the Acer Arena last Sunday night. This was taken in the middle of the laser light display. It was very clever. And as an aside the image of the man is meant to be Martin Hodge who is on the Dairy Farmers milk cartons who just so happens to be the nephew of my friend Janet who sews with me on Thursdays. How is that for three degrees of separation?

Next week Dy has chosen Something You Like The Smell Of, Hobby and Office Things and I pulled out the letter K. Gosh I hope this one is easier.

X marks the spot!

Dang - it's Friday again. I always get to this day and have a little screech attack about my lack of photos. Oh well, I'll pack my trusty camera and see what I can find while I am at work today. I left a bit late today. I am normally at my desk by about 7am but as I park my car I take a quick look at the time and see that it is already 7.18am. Maybe if I hadn't stopped for coffee on the way in I might have got here a little earlier. But how can I go past GJ's when they're open?!? It's wonderful to cruise along if the semi darkness on the way to work drinking my coffee. I looked everywhere for an X but couldn't find anything!

Never mind - I'll find something at the office. Must have a mint before I put on the computer. As you may or may not know I work for TAFE NSW in flexible delivery. That means doing all the regular teaching but I do it via the computer and the telephone. I work in the community services section and teach welfare and disability related courses. It's a good place to work. After I pick up all my phone messages and have a look at my emails I pop into the kitchen to discover we have a new urn. Looks a little tricky to work. Where's the lever? Aaaarrrggghhh hot water seems to come from nowhere just by touching the big square on the front. Thankfully there is a map to all the first aid officers nearby. I'm going to need a pain killer though - my finger hurts.

Back at my desk I realise I have a bit of copying to do and head over to the photocopier. This is one of those machines that doubles as a fax so you have to be careful to press the right button. While I am copying away I can hear my mobile buzzing. Turns out to be my eldest messaging about her weekend plans. I know what I am going to be doing. Looking for X photos!

As I said, I generally work on the phone and the computer but sometimes I get to visit students. This year we have some TVET students. These are students doing our courses while still at school. Our Certificate II counts as 2 units in the HSC. This week I visited a student. It's nice to be able to put a face to a name. Normally you only get to talk to them on the phone. The students love our new highlighters. They all get one as a gift.

Work today was busy. I finally pack everything away. I have a cute new tin on my desk. It's very colourful with big photos of pencils up the side. Wish this was a P week. Then I could have Pencil Tin. Of well. Better hurry. I like to try and get in the car by 5pm on Friday. That way I can listen to Thank God it's Friday on 702 ABC. Noeline Brown is on today. Do you remember her on Naked Vicar and Blankety Blanks. She lives in the southern highlands of NSW and seems to have been active in politics which I didn't know.

I get to listen to just about all of the radio show on my way home to the Shire. The Sutherland Shire is on the southern side of Sydney and has always been known as "The Shire". Of course the locals call it "Our Shire". I wasn't born here so I am not considered a true local. I married one though and I have produced three more. We even have our own website - http://www.ourshire.com.au/

The traffic in Sydney isn't great. On the radio the comedians are talking about the Sydney traffic jams and I realise I am sitting in one while I am listening to the story about them. Nothing like a speedo on Zero is there. Pity it isn't a Z week I could have had Zero on my speedo.

While I am stopped at the lights I have a quick look in the UBD and discover that there is only one street in the whole of the Sydney metropolitan area that starts with the Letter X and it is a street I pass on my way home. If I hurry maybe I can get a photo of it. And if not maybe I can find an X laying around the house. I'll bet the kids have something. There must be an X somewhere. I'm just not looking hard enough!

Late Note: I did put the letter and the categories in the sidebar. For those that haven't seen it we are looking for things that start with the Letter A - Restaurants, Things you find in the dark and Turquoise.

Pinball Wizard!

My husband is a happy little vegemite. He has long harboured a desire for a pinball machine. A friend of a friend, who is a bit of a collector, was wanting to get rid of one (he has a garage full of them). We are the very happy recipients of his need for a clean out. For those interested it is a Stern Magic 1979. It seems that has meaning in the pinball world. Thankfully we have a large back verandah and with three children I am sure it will well be worth having. Oh well, I don't mind being a Pinball widow. I comfort myself that it isn't a double decker bus!

Scatterday N #2

For your viewing pleasure this week I have chosen Nails as my Little Thing. I had grand plans to make them my Mineral as well. But alas I discovered that not all metals are minerals. I did a little google and discovered that Nickel is a Mineral. So, thinking laterally, I present a five cent coin of US currency commonly known as a Nickel. And finally for Human I would like you to have a look at my Nail. Perhaps a manicure is in order.

Next week - X marks the spot. All you need to do is find three X photos. Looking forward to seeing what you all come up with. (Fran - this is when you do Z).

Happy Anniversary

It's been a big week all round in this house. Peter and I also celebrated our 20th Wedding Anniversary. Best 20 years I've spent. His Mum and Dad sent us these beautiful flowers. Thanks June and Bob.

Happy Birthday Jed!

Jed has been celebrating his 7th birthday this weekend. He had a great day Sunday with all his school friends and on St Patrick's Day, his birthday, we had dinner with all his other friends. He said it was the best 7th birthday ever.


Here's the gang at last night's dinner.

Scatterday L #2

So - it's 10.30pm and I am on my way home from dinner and I think to myself - aaaarrrggghhhh, haven't done my photos. I start talking Scatterdaisy gobbledegook which my husband immediately understands as I have now been doing this for 30 weeks. He starts suggesting Round Things that start with L. We decide on Lifesaver and pull into a service station to buy a packet and while waiting in the car I look out my window and discover a great big round Light as well. Not being one to let a photo opportunity slip by I immediately snap the Light but the Lifesavers are such a good Round Thing that I think I should take two photos.

Once home I start rabbiting about Tools and find the husband in the bottom of the cupboard looking to see if he owns anything that will shut the wife up. He suggests a Little Screwdriver - but I'm not happy with that and then he fossicks some more and fishes a Level out of the back of the cupboard and I agree that this is indeed a Tool that will suffice.

Having sorted two categories out I decide that I will take a photo of a Lounge as my Household Item. I love my blue lounge out the front. I like to sit here and read so I take a photo of that but when I walk back through the family room I think I had best take a photo of the lounge I actually sit on here too. Not being one to let a photo opportunity slip by I quickly take a photo and as I do I realise that right behind me is another Lounge.

This is the oldest lounge. This one is the very same lounge the husband jumped on as a small boy but it has been recovered and is now living in our house to be used by another small boy. It really does have a good set of springs.

Having got the useful boring lounges I think I had better take a photo of my colourful lounge as it really is gorgeous. It used to live in my sewing room and folded out to a sofa bed for visitors but alas the sewing rooms has been invaded by drums, guitars and pianos and the Lounge had to be relocated. It does not go with all the other furniture but I love it so much it has to stay. One day it will go back to it's own space.

So, now it's 11.55pm on Friday night. The husband is laying on the bed fully clothed and half asleep waiting for the wife to finish tapping the buttons. Want to see?


I am thinking to myself that is marvellous what you can do under pressure but more wonderful is having the husband who listens to talk of letters and categories and finds things for me to snap and show my friends for no other reason that to make me happy. Can't complain can I? And you know, he'll ask me what you all had tomorrow. So you had better have something good.

Next week I promise to get organised earlier. We have the Letter N and the categories are Little Things, Human and Mineral.

Caramel Tarts

I've been doing a little cooking. Well you can hardly call it cooking. Di tells me she avoids all things complicated. Well she hit the mark this time.

Di mentioned these on her blog recently and I thought they would be just ideal for a supper I am involved in tomorrow night.

Tonight I made the tart caes which is dead easy. You put gingernut biscuits on a patty cake tray and pop them in the oven for 10mins and they came out as a lovely little tart shell.

Here are all the flat ones lined up ready to go in, and the nicelittle dish shapes when they come out. Cooling them takes a minute or two and now I have lovely big tin of them ready for filling tomorrow night. Woohoo!

Scatterday V #2

I struggled this week. I really wanted to find a big, pink sign but I didn't. Quite often I see a pink VW on the way to week - this week I didn't. I had all sorts of Viagra ideas but alas I couldn't acquire some LOL.
So here it is for me. When we shop we always have to buy the Big version of the Vegemite. It is consumed in great abundance here. Here on my window ledge is a Pink Vase. And lastly I bought petrol this week and found my Sign - V Power.

Next week we have the Letter L and Household Items, Things That Are Round, Tools. Have fun. I'm off to brunch. Will check and see what everyone has done later.

Google Earth

My friend Pennie told me Google Earth has got better so I thought I'd have a look at my house. Here it is. The big blue bit in the middle of the house is our verandah with the two skylights. You can see the pool and the trampoline quite clearly and the odd square thing in between is our clothesline. Looks weird from the sky. The car in the driveway belongs to Miss 17 who hopes to have her driver's license in about an hour from now!!!

The thing I really want to know is what's on the trampoline? I think it must be washing I've put out there to dry flat. I know it can't be children as I am pretty sure the photo was taken on a weekday as both my husband's and my own cars are not there. I also know it was taken last year before summer as the neighbours put a pool in last November. Interesting isn't it?

Crochety

I found this cute old-fashioned bag pattern this week and some new variegated cotton and just had to have a play. It grew quickly and is nearly finished. Will show you when I have it done. Nice colours yes?

Jed got the camera

At one point during the night Jed had a go of the camera. You don't mind this so much when it's digital as there is no precious film to waste. Most of the photos were him trying to get photos of the moths flying near the light outside in the dark. They were not saveworthy. But these ones of Lucy were. She's just soooo thrilled at being photographed by the budding young photographer isn't she?

The Dinner!

Here's the photo of the Birthday Dinner Guests. All a pleasure to have there. And without any planning they seem to have managed a black and white theme. We're not in the photo but parents, one grandparent, brother and sister all managed to wear black and white as well. We couldn't have done better had it been planned.

Scatterday O#2

Well here's my Offering. This is my Sweet Oreo biscuit sitting on the book about Oahu the main island of Hawaii which you can see has been borrowed from the Library. Howzat?!?!?

Next week - is the Letter V and the categories are Pink, Big and Signs.

Happy Birthday Gracie!

17! Today. She has turned into the most glorious girl. I love her and am proud of her. The best I can hope for is that she feels the same about me. We are celebrating tonight with some of her friends. I might have some more photos tomorrow. Here she is today holding the most gorgeous bunch of flowers. They were sent anonymously to school! I am want to know who sent them and I want to know their intentions!

Scatterday H #2

Here we go. Another crazy Scatterday week. It always starts out hard and then something goes snap in your brain and you get it sorted in the end.

Firstly my Game. We are great Harry Potter fans on this house so what better than a Harry Potter Play Staion Game.

Then my Colour - I chose Hot Pink. Last year my daughter had a 16th birthday party at our house and the back verandah was swathed in this fabulous Hot Pink organza. Here you have a photo of it in a pile and in a drape.

Finally my Pointy Thing. Here is the label on my Pointy Hat, showing a selection of Pointy Hats you can buy. And believe it or not this is a photo of me wearing the Pointy Hat.

Now that wasn't too bad was it. But next week is a doozy. Dy pulled the Letter O and I chose Something you would find in a library, Sweet Things and Hawaiian. Have fun with that why don't you.

Just filling in time!

I'm copying Dy's meme. She's right - it's hard to do things with just one word. Have a go.

One Word
1. Where is your cell phone? floor
2. Your significant other? work
3. Your hair? dark
4. Your mother? sick
5. Your father? weak
6. Your favorite thing? time
7. Your dream last night? odd
8. Your favorite drink? coffee
9. Your dream/goal? alive
10. The room you’re in? bedroom
11. Your ex? who?
12. Your fear? spiders
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? here
14. Where were you last night? here
15. What you’re not? shy
16. Muffins? sometimes
17. One of your wish list items? time
18. Where you grew up? Sydney
19. The last thing you did? clean
20. What are you wearing? dress
21. Your TV? black
22. Your pet? Beagles
23. Your computer? Acer
24. Your life? busy
25. Your mood? mixed
26. Missing someone? no
27 Your car? Voyager
28. Something you’re not wearing? bra
29. Favorite Store? Peter's
30. Your summer? hot
31. Like someone? yes
32. Your favorite color? purple
33. When is the last time you laughed? Tuesday
34. Last time you cried? yesterday

Just thought I'd share my lunch with you. I love the combination I have here. A water cracker, some Honeycup Mustard, a slice of vintage cheese and a slice of nectarine. We're a fan of the Honeycup Mustard in this house. It's a bit hard to find. I usually get some when I go to the Blackwattle Deli at the Fish Markets in Sydney. The nectarine I have here was grown by my friend Kerry who lives in Woorinen in Victoria. Amazing the difference in taste to the local supermarket fruit.

I've been TAGGED! By Naughty Di.

Now, here are THE RULES...

1. Once you are tagged, link back to the person who tagged you.
2. Post THE RULES on your blog.
3. Post 7 weird or random facts about yourself on your blog.
4. Tag 7 people and link to them.
5. Comment on their blog to let them know they have been tagged.

Seven random facts......

1. I hate wearing makeup
2. I sleep on my stomach
3. I love being home alone.
4. I love reading murder mysteries.
5. I collect tins but have nowhere to keep them.
6. I am a cow and a cupcake.
7. Brushing my back teeth makes me gag.

I'm tagging Fran, Carmel, Dy, Stephanie, Liz, Lisa and Nola.

Scatterday S #2

What a lovely week. I took my Fruit photos on Monday while shopping. I looked very hard to find something other than Strawberries. Here are some Sundowner Apples and some Seedless Grapes. I was trying to photograph the grapes inconspicuously with the flash off but there is a focus light or something that comes on just before you take the photo. My smallest child kept seeing the camera light up the grapes and started exclaiming loudly about the grapes that were glowing. It's hard to be surreptitious when the kids are with you.

Nex category is Gold and here is a Signet Ring. It just happened to be sitting in front of my computer screen. My daughter gave it to me to get her initial engraved on it. Must do that!

Finally - something that makes you itch. I really had to think about this one. I was a little excited when my daughter came home from an excursion with Sunburn but by the next morning it had gone and I didn't get a photo. Drats. Imagine my delight when I saw my friend Di after her weekend in Queensland. She has a fabulous case of Sunburn. She graciously allowed me to photograph her. Please note that I do not condone the burning of one's skin on purpose even in the interests of Scatterdaisies.

Next week I have pulled out the Letter H and Dy says the categories are Colour, Games and Pointy Things. On your bikes!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Well I was heard saying it was all commercial claptrap earlier today but I must admit it was nice surprise finding these waiting for me at home. He's a lovely husband - and not just on Valentine's Day.

Scatterday I #2

Phew - I'm just home from the expedition to get the last photo. We had to go and pick up the eldest from Cronulla so the rest of us piled in a car and proceeded to scour the streets until I found what I was looking for. I have been on the hunt for this all week but they are an elsuive object. My offering for the Australian category that commences with the Letter I is an Australian Car Registration Plate that commences with the Letter I. I really wanted a yellow one but I have made do with this one.

It would have been a nice overlap from that to my Yellow category but not to worry - I had my Yellow photo sorted out very early. Last Sunday morning in fact. I was in Miranda Fair, our local large shopping centre, when I spied the vats of Icecream. Here is a very beautiful Yellow one right next to an orange one so you can see how Yellow the Yellow Icecream is!

And finally Things that you would find in the air. You know I am a bit of a Griswald at Christmas and have an abundance of lights. These are the set of Icicle Lights I have hanging, in the air, in the kitchen. I loved them so much I have decided they are staying up all year and I put them on occasionally to make me feel happy.

I quite like my Letter I as well - it has a touch of the Dear Jane's about it doesn't it?

Hope you like my choices. I had a fun week and I love a scavenger hunt. I am looking forward to next week. We will be looking for things that start with the letter S. Not just anything - the categories are Fruit, Things that make you itch and Gold. Get your thinking caps on!

Scatterday Z

I decided this week I wasn't going to stress about Z things. I would take my camera wherever I went and keep my little eye open to see what I came across. Here's what I found.

Lots of Z's in Razzamattazz stockings taken while I was waiting in line to pay for petrol. A shop called Zoom Optics taken with the zoom going up the escalators and having to work quickly.

Two ranges of furniture in Freedom where I was looking for crates - Zodiac side tables and Zero sofas.

A recipe for Zabaglione that I found while I was trying to sort out the cookbooks this week. A bottle of Coke Zero.

And finally here is Miss Middle Child who found me a Letter Z for sale in Freedom. The kids love to help me look for things and Lucy was thrilled at her find.

Well - it wasn't as bad as I expected. I didn't have to do any mad dashes and there are a few Z things around if you look.

Next week we will be back to the scavenger hunt of life. We have the Letter I and we are looking for Yellow, Australian, Something you would find in the air. Z doesn't look so hard now does it?