Sydney - School Holidays

What a great place Sydney is.  There is so much to do. A friend and I decided we would take our sons on a surprise “all about them” adventure trip to Sydney as part of School Holidays. 

We found great value flights and accommodation on www.expedia.com.au.  

On arriving we purchased a travel pass that covered train, ferry and bus trips around Sydney for the next 3 days.  We stayed at the  Mercure Hotel, close to Central Station, a great spot to hop on and travel wherever you so desire and we found it well worth finding a hotel with a pool especially after a long day.  On our travels that day we took a stroll up  to Hyde Park, then on to  a monorail ride to Darling Harbour where we visited the Maritime Museum.  It was well worth exploring the Endeavour, Submarine and the Destroyer boats not to mention the interactive, action displays at the rescue exhibition.  At Darling Harbour we found a great spot for dinner,  chicken schnitzel, salad and chips with glass of beer or soft drink for $14.50. The best delicious “Chicken Schnitty” around @ The Watershed Hotel., www.thewatershedhotel.com.au.  Walking back to Town Hall Station we stumbled across  Haigh’s Chocolates in the Queen Victoria Building and bought a moreish sweet treat for our cuppa back at our unit.

The next day was a train trip to Circular Quays to see the Opera House and Sydney Harbour bridge, then a most anticipated  ferry ride to the house of fun – Luna Park. The boys loved the awesome rides. Later that night we all ventured down to the  China Town markets where the boys spent most of their pocket money and dined on fried rice and honey chicken.  We were recommended to try the Emperor Puffs from the hole in the wall at the Emperor Garden Restaurant there.  And you must….  It is the best kept secret around- they are delicious little balls of puff encasing hot custard and @ 30 cents each, a delicious dessert!

On our last day the boys explored the aisles at Paddy’s Market spending the last of their well earned pocket money on LA Lakers shirts before taking a train ride down to the boardwalk to watch the street performers at Circular Quay, a walk up to the The Rocks Markets,  and finally catching the train back to the airport for our trip home.

A great time was had by all.   We couldn’t have asked for better weather.  Unfortunately though as it all too often  happens.. we ran out of time.  Next time, it will be the Sydney Eye Tower, Bondi Beach and the Taronga Zoo…

Flokati Rugs and Laundromats

Thank goodness for Flokati Rugs and Laundromats!  After being away for a few days last week our dog still hasn’t forgiven me for leaving her home with the man of the house and has been leaving little parcels on our rug even though I have only just taken her out!

Our Flokati rug has been put through a lot over the years but it still comes up trumps.  Just a quick trip to the laundromat to throw in the industrial washer with nappisan, and hung over the clothes line to dry, it is back to brand new.

As we speak my dog is sitting on my lap gazing at me with her big brown eyes.  How can we not love them?

School Holiday Ideas - Design and Create

Want a great idea to keep the kids amused during school holidays?

Have them custom design their own canvas shoes, tshirts, hats  or even jeans or bags using fabric paint pens.

My youngest son and his friend spent hours one day last  school holidays designing their own t-shirts.  We later ventured on to custom designing  and colouring in white canvas shoes.

All you need are:

• ·      Pencils and Paper (it is a great idea to draft a design beforehand)
• ·      Fabric Pens
• ·      Clothing (white tshirts, canvas shoes or caps are great)

Fabric pens  can be bought from Target or Big W (Stainers by Sharpie) for $6-$10, or at Office Works you can buy a pack of 10 pens (Crayola Fabric Markers) for under $10 and also extra black markers for  $2.00 which certainly come in handy as black tends to be used fairly quickly.

Tip:  For t-shirts make sure you place sheets of paper in between t-shirt to prevent bleed-through. 

Once design is finished, let ink dry and heat set.  (Set iron to cotton setting and iron the reverse side of design using a back and forth motion for 4 minutes.)  Or in the case of shoes or hats, tumble dry in dryer for 30 minutes on the hottest setting.  Rather tumble dry shoes, I sprayed mine with a couple of coats of clear  sealer and left shoes out in sun to dry.

Let the budding artists create.

Until next time have a great one.

Angela xx

Beach Hanging Sculpture and Yummy Wagon Wheel Slice Recipe

Want to create a unique  fantastic beach   hanging sculpture?

I am always thinking of creative new ideas for home. 

As my neighbour was cutting down branches  a few weeks ago, I picked up a couple of branches originally to put in a pot but thought one could be used to hang from the ceiling.    The man of the house thought I was mad when I tried to explain it to him at the time what I was doing but he now  does admit he likes it. 

To start I pulled off all the leaves and left most of the small branches including the little twigs on and put branch out in the sun to dry for a week.   With a can of white spray paint,  I gave then gave the branch  a good coat of paint.  I bought some clear glass crystal beads at Spotlight in different sizes.  You could also use glass baubles or  little silver disco balls  that you can get at an outlet shop.  

Thread beads on to fishing line and arrange how you like ensuring that you place plenty of knots to ensure beads do not fall off, (it is a bit like macramé).  Make  a loop to hang beads over the branches.

Ready  to hang?  Screw 2 cup hoops into roof, or to see if you like it first, stick self adhesive cup hooks to roof.    Work out what height to hang sculpture and cut fishing line twice the height.  Knot line together and loop through sculpture on both ends and hook  on to cup hooks.  

The  result, a great looking original sculpture! Let me know what you think.

    Wagon Wheel Slice 

I found this great recipe in a Good Food magazine and made it for morning tea at work.  It  went down a treat with many coming back for seconds! It is also a great recipe for the kids to make over school holidays.  Enjoy and until next time.. have a great one!

Angela xx

            
235g butter, softened

            
1/3 cup caster sugar

            
1 1/2 cups plain flour

            
1/3 cup self-raising flour

            
1/2 cup raspberry jam

            
145g white marshmallows, halved

            
185g dark chocolate, broken into pieces

        


Preheat oven to 180°C/160°C fan-forced. Grease a 3cm-deep, 16cm x 26cm slice pan. Line base and sides with baking paper, extending paper 2cm from edge on all sides.

Using an electric mixer, beat 185g butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Sift flours over butter mixture. Stir until dough comes together. Press mixture into prepared pan. Bake for 20 minutes until golden.

Spread warm base with jam. Cover with marshmallows, cut-side down. Bake for 2 minutes. Remove from oven. Press down on marshmallows to level surface. Cool in tin.


Combine chocolate and remaining butter in small saucepan over low heat. Cook, stirring, for 2 to 3 minutes or until melted. Pour over marshmallows. Tap pan to level surface. Refrigerate for 2 hours or until set. Stand at room temperature for 5 minutes before cutting into pieces and serving.