{this and that}

This post will most likely be a mish mash of a bunch of bits and pieces ... but you know, that's just how it is sometimes !

Let's start with my contribution to Melody's Straight Out of Camera Saturday. You want to join us ? It's easy. Just post a photo that you have not edited ... nope, not one bit ... and then link up over at Slurping Life. Mine this week is from "the big mountain climb on Wednesday" !

So, quite a few of you asked me where I got these handy little containers. I actually got them in my grocery store. That probably won't help most of you though so I did a little research for you.

and I found this website ... there are contact details for in Australia but there's an email address so you could probably email and see if they can lead you to a supplier in your country. That is, if you are really seriously wanting one ... or ten. I recommend them !! HIGHLY. I love mine. Use them ALL THE TIME !!

I had to take the cat to the vet today. No, she's not sick. They were having a 1/2 price off micro-chipping sale so I bit the bullet and got it done. Set us back a whopping $30. But that's not what I'm here to talk about. I'm here to talk about transporting her. I used to take her in a cage. You know, the ones made to transport animals. Only problem is she hates her cage. I haven't had her cage out in years. In fact, where is that thing ? I think we might have gotten rid of it in the move. So ... I tried a box. Just a plain copy paper box. Wrapped her in a towel and stuck her in there. It was ok. Today, I was getting ready to go and found her sleeping on a environmentally friendly shopping bag. You know the ones ? I just picked her up, plonked her in the bag, threw it over my shoulder and we were off. She was so calm the whole way ! The vet way amazed. I know ... she's strange. I like her though. My cat ... not the vet. Are you confused ? Me too. My cat is strange and I like her. I like the vet too but that's not who I was talking about.

Moving on ...

The bag with the cat in it fits much better in the front seat than the cage of box ever did ... and I didn't even need to clear out the workout bag, the picnic blanket, the other enviro bags, the mattress pump, a towel and a little garbage can. Why do all of these things live in my passenger seat ?!

Good question.

No answer.

Can you tell it's getting late ? And by late I mean 9:22 pm.

One last thing before I drag myself to bed. Did I mention I've been getting up at 5:30 am for the past few weeks ? I like having all the time in the morning but my goodness, I'm wrecked by bedtime !!

I've revamped the Lighthouse Studios Online blog. I hope you'll pop over and check it out. The girls were so encouraged and excited by the lovely comments that were left last time ...

There is a new post that I added today and I'm hoping to do one each day this week ... we'll see.

EDITED THE NEXT MORNING TO ADD >>>

I wanted to post this recipe last night but was too tired. No-one has commented here yet this morning so I thought I'd add a link now ... These cookies are too delicious ! And there is a funny story related to them. Go see ...

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{big day out}

Rory had work off today. The kids didn't have school. I took the day off to be with them !
What an amazing day it was too !
You all should know by now that we love bush walking.

We've been wanting to climb Mount Coolum ever since we got here but just haven't.

Today ... we did !!

We didn't check the clock when we
started
up the mountain
but we know it took us less than two hours
because
we know what time we left home
and we factored that into the time we finished.



Here's Rory checking out the view about 3/4 of the way up.



And the kids taking some photos.
I was taking photos of them and trying not to die.
Seriously, I knew I was unfit before we started up but sheesh ....



Good thing there were beautiful flowers along the way,
breathtaking views, and a family to walk with ... otherwise, I'd have turned back !





Getting to the top was such a sense of accomplishment.
And though I'd love to climb other mountains you will never find me
doing the big climbs because if the mountain has snow on it ... I'm OUT !



We got so dirty !!
On parts of the climb down, we had to sit on our bottoms and slide.
It was steep(ish) and quite slippery.
Still ... I preferred the going down over the going up !!



A portion of the view.
As Alia said "You can see the whole world from up here !"

How cool would that be ?



Trail Mix.



Note to self : Do not put choc chips in trail mix on hot day ...



Us ... at the top.



And on the way down ...
Do you see that fellow in blue ... in the photo above ?
He walked past us on our way down.
He was all decked out in climbing gear ... and had some sticks that looked like ski poles to me.
My guess is he was in his 60's.
I said to him "You're almost to the top."
And he said something that made me know this wasn't his first time.
I said as much and he answered "I try to climb this mountain once a week ..."

What an inspiration he is !



We were about 10 minutes from the bottom, on our way down, and Alia slipped.
She wasn't hurt badly, just grazed her knee.
But, of course, there were tears.
I told her to get a cuddle from Daddy (who was closer).
She did.
But the tears still persisted.
I told her to have a seat on a large rock so Daddy could pour water onto her knee.
But Jono sat down on the ground, pulled her onto his lap and said
"Here Alia, sit on me ..."

Rory and I looked at each other and just smiled.
We love our kindhearted boy !!



Here's a shot I took of the ocean on our way down.
I wish I could have taken hours and hours of photographs.
Maybe when I get a proper DSLR (and a bit more fitness), I'll do the climb by myself
so I can spend hours and hours taking photos !



And I just loved the way the same shot turned out when I was playing around with it in GIMP.



We topped off the outing with a trip to the beach.
The kids played in the park for a bit and then climbed the magnificent tree
that Rory and I were sprawled out under.
They had a bit of a play in the surf ... but not for too long ... it IS still winter here, folks !
We demolished shared three pieces of fish, a medium serve of calamari and chips too
before heading to the car to make the trip home.

We are all exhausted ... ready for a good nights sleep and back to work/school tomorrow !!

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{simple pleasures}

Sarah from Coffee at the Cabin did a cool post the other day called Life's Simple Pleasures. Inspired by another blogger, she "chose six things that are not vital to your life, but make it so much sweeter and special." I thought it looked like fun so am going to do the same ...

I'll tell you what, picking ONLY SIX THINGS was hard ! I love life and enjoy a lot of simple pleasures !! Seriously, there are so many ! Here are the six I chose ...


FLOWERS



LAZY SUMMER DAYS



SUSHI



BUBBLE BATHS



KNITTING WHILE SIPPING YUMMY FRUIT TEA



CLOCKS AND CANDLES



What are your simple pleasures ??
Do share ...

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Straight Out Of Camera

Thought I'd join in with Melody at Slurping Life who hosts Straight Out of Camera Saturday.

Melody says "The only rules are...share a family-friendly photo SOOC (straight out of camera), no editing allowed, and leave a comment at each photo you visit. "

I took this at Rory's parents house last weekend when we were visit.
Dad is an amazing garden man and there is no shortage of beautiful things for me
to photograph every time we visit !!

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Caught In The Act !

Lemon Tree in Pot on Back Patio - $25

Bug Spray to kill insects that want to eat Lemon Tree in Pot on Back Patio - $7.50

Guilty look on enormous, apparently immune to bug spray, grasshopper's face caught in the act while eating Lemon Tree in Pot on Back Patio - Priceless !!

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