Ice skating report...

Mel mentioned the other day that we were going to go ice skating... the kids were really excited at the idea, but had no idea what it was really like.  They discovered that it's actually kind of hard!  Mel went for a spin around the rink first to make sure she could stay upright before taking Ben round.  Ben really struggled to stay upright, spending most of the time hanging onto Mel with his feet sliding all over the place.  Joanna wasn't a whole lot better, although she didn't thrash around quite as much as Ben.  With a little bit of practise, Ben was getting slightly better, although he still hadn't quite worked out how to effectively propel himself forwards.

I managed to stay upright going round by myself, so took Joanna round as well - which worked fine until we were about 2m from the edge, when I sprawled on the ice with Joanna next to me.
They both enjoyed the experience - I think it was a little different from what they were expecting though - not quite as easy as gliding along effortlessly!

4 Seasons

One of the things we like about Hamilton compared to Brisbane is that each season lasts its traditional 3 month period. We get warm summer, autumn which get cooler and the leaves change colour and fall off the tress, winter which is cold and wet and spring where the sun gets warmer, the bare trees grow new leaves and the flowers bloom.

The one problem I have is with clothing in spring and autumn. As the weather is changing either cooler or warmer, some days are suitable for shorts and t-shirts, some days long shirts and pants are needed. Which means for at least a couple of months in each of the seasons the kids need both summer and winter clothes at hand. Which makes for messy drawers and regular weather checks in the morning so the kids make suitable clothing choices for the day.

We're going ice skating...OUTSIDE!

There is currently and outdoor ice skating rink in the city. It is something that I've seen in movies and magazines and have always thought it would be a cool thing to do (the outdoor ice skating thing - I've done a lot of ice skating indoors). The kids have never been ice skating. So we thought it would be a great family activity - something we would never get to do in Brisbane and probably will never get to do again (this is a one-off thing that the council has set up for the duration of the world cup).

(It has been slammed by locals and others as the council wasting rate payers money, I probably agree, but will still take the opportunity for a possibly once in a lifetime experience)

Cookie cutter produce

While preserving our harvest of leeks this morning, I was pondering the nature of modern recipe books. When fruits and vegetables are listed in the ingredients of most recipes, in most recipe book, they simple just list a number - not a weight. But anyone who has grown their own fruit or veggies know that they can come in a variety of sizes...For example leeks (seeing as that is what I was dealing with at the time), the only way I've seen leeks listed in a recipe is by number eg. 2 leeks, finely chopped. However you can have tall leeks, short leeks, fat leeks, skinny leeks so that the amount of chopped leek you have could vary greatly. Which got me thinking...have modern recipe writers succumb to the supermarket 'cookie cutter' approach to fruit and veggies, where they demand they are produced to look all the same size, colour and shape. Or are they just lazy and can't be bothered working out more specifically how much of a fruit or veggies is required (by working out a weight).

Obviously I realise that recipes should be used a guide and there is room in any recipe to make adjustments and variations based on personal preferences. But for those who are culinarily challenged and like to be able to follow a step by step recipe and have the finished product look the same as the picture, a more specific measure would be helpful/reduce stress.

Good news!

After fearing I had not earnt enough (marking QCS papers) to pay for our flights to Brisbane...I got paid this week and it was enough to pay for the flights with about $200AUD left over. (That's after tax, so I'll still also get another $200 after I fill out my tax return next year)

Zoned out

My brain feels like it has used up all it 'data' and is on slowed down speed this morning. Not much getting done.

Got him finally!

Home-made muesli

We've been making our own muesli for a couple of years now... and always wondered how it compares cost-wise with normal cereal... so the last time I made some, I measured out exactly how much I use (rather than just "a bit"!).  So, here's the recipe (along with how much each item costs us):

• 700g oats (~$2)
• 130g pumpkin seeds ($1.67)
• 150g sunflower seeds ($0.89)
• 130g cashew nuts ($2.52)
• 65g coconut flakes ($0.58)
• 200g maple syrup ($1.33) (you can also use honey)

That gets mixed together, then baked on a baking tray for ~40min @ 150C, until it's all nice and golden.  You need to stir it every 10min or so.  Once it's dried out in the oven, it made ~1.15kg of muesli, and cost ~$9.  Served with home-made yoghurt, it's yum!  That's roughly the same price as the very cheapest muesli you can get in the supermarket, and it's certainly a lot nicer than that!  We do mix up the ingredients a little to vary things sometimes.

Simple, but effective...

Borrowed a paper plane making book from the library yesterday. It is amazing how putting a few folds in a piece of paper can create such excitement and enthusiasm (and not just for the kids). We made a couple last night after dinner with Ben. Then this morning we have had the book out again with some school friends...the boys of all ages were really into it (the only older girl wasn't interested).

Scary...

Cleaned the bathroom mirror this morning...Just got a fright when I went in there to wash my hands - I could see myself clearly!

(the kids seem to delight in spreading toothpaste gunk - from toothbrushes - all over the mirror)