tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29301198795180238542023-11-16T10:54:09.423-08:00Cattle and CushionsCattle and Cushionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17984889684282518364noreply@blogger.comBlogger84125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2930119879518023854.post-30014366078221385112014-11-04T15:28:00.000-08:002014-11-04T15:28:16.525-08:00Vanishing act<span style="font-size: large;">I have pulled my vanishing act on everyone lately. I didn't mean to ignore this blog and not post for so long. But as it has been my excuse before, I will trot it out again (I know, I know). Life gets in the way and blogging is way down the list of jobs to do.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I say it every time I neglect the blog for months at a time, so you will have to bear with me and treat each new post as a surprise that I am still about, busy with life and trying to fit it all in.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiZsBARnm-XvV1FvGz71zj1U40v27GTv3AjYLZAY2dDUpuvQxN0MOkQi525CNoLxRNE_w92i7JiEwCnsAdSRspnvokdysLz_HU3qKqp_sUeV4gT-k859yMDppxfJo4lXw8kis2nSyqeS8/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiZsBARnm-XvV1FvGz71zj1U40v27GTv3AjYLZAY2dDUpuvQxN0MOkQi525CNoLxRNE_w92i7JiEwCnsAdSRspnvokdysLz_HU3qKqp_sUeV4gT-k859yMDppxfJo4lXw8kis2nSyqeS8/s1600/014.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We have been busy selling bullocks. Some of our crops were destined to be failures this year due to the dry so we shoved as many cattle as we could on them to fatten them up for sale.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some crops were ok, so harvest went ahead and we were surprised that the yield was a bit better than we thought for some of them. We were lucky that we got anything at all considering the dry year we have had.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlVl6jxZ5e2nRvq9cTPyn0ns9lXYnzxVfwUuVMgx84eCLRJ2R6xL1HGc0P3PFeTCLLqgkmXcCtmILRs6iipeQ6-CSj_hzt8Li_AaK3Asenpe3UpR5sgyDPx5HwPcaHnl1ETDozVpcimys/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlVl6jxZ5e2nRvq9cTPyn0ns9lXYnzxVfwUuVMgx84eCLRJ2R6xL1HGc0P3PFeTCLLqgkmXcCtmILRs6iipeQ6-CSj_hzt8Li_AaK3Asenpe3UpR5sgyDPx5HwPcaHnl1ETDozVpcimys/s1600/001.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Busy buying cattle too, out and in constantly. The boys were a great help in the holidays as that was when the bulk of our cattle came in. Mustering, sorting, marking and branding took the majority of the holidays.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We have had a few hot weeks to give us a taste of our relentless summer to come. Dust storms too. Wishing for a flood to come this Christmas.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPJazRe5pQJ5cAgb1g4LU8jPVBZG-I4_YT3gOlSQRFA0D8UxT5Mb_UdyEi_JaBPuQLCTkxXehxXahVqmdKWnt7_F5ktsFCC6hC2ICVTmdIdbLjrqi7R8IaAmlkyNKPQgs7BB5Izzkmr7s/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPJazRe5pQJ5cAgb1g4LU8jPVBZG-I4_YT3gOlSQRFA0D8UxT5Mb_UdyEi_JaBPuQLCTkxXehxXahVqmdKWnt7_F5ktsFCC6hC2ICVTmdIdbLjrqi7R8IaAmlkyNKPQgs7BB5Izzkmr7s/s1600/009.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">School and activities have been taking up time. Back to swimming and cricket. General busyness and the lead up to Christmas is keeping me on my toes.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2OPwa7Nf9Y6gDnFD1OeuEhNYsXJR5U7mA4yRHSYlXbQtfrPQ4e_Oa7rel75pDpyayqVA_eM59X_4rJGHiff7ON4d1jPcWpbBWryH3aKOOz3fBIkvEmR3eJHKvkWbuLJC-3I49s62P9Kk/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2OPwa7Nf9Y6gDnFD1OeuEhNYsXJR5U7mA4yRHSYlXbQtfrPQ4e_Oa7rel75pDpyayqVA_eM59X_4rJGHiff7ON4d1jPcWpbBWryH3aKOOz3fBIkvEmR3eJHKvkWbuLJC-3I49s62P9Kk/s1600/013.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My first son is going away to boarding school next year. He has had a sample boarding/sleepover weekend at the new school and made new friends. I am so glad that he enjoyed it so much, and when we had another orientation day they all knew each other to catch up and have a chat.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I bought some uniforms too. Nothing like trying on blazers to hit you with the reality of sending your firstborn away in a couple of short months.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD4q6j8S1cET2ygIdfxCQVadeOioXzRyY1nsl8kDjC93vD2ZV8mXVzFoL-Zp2ZZx4rKX9OhKaUmZJ3_OyWU_gOroXmcgWMV03Z4ZtJWZtVKF7qv48oTa8uxmGC66t3h3twnvo1Lln_k8c/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD4q6j8S1cET2ygIdfxCQVadeOioXzRyY1nsl8kDjC93vD2ZV8mXVzFoL-Zp2ZZx4rKX9OhKaUmZJ3_OyWU_gOroXmcgWMV03Z4ZtJWZtVKF7qv48oTa8uxmGC66t3h3twnvo1Lln_k8c/s1600/016.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And the reality of sending my baby of the family to school next year is hitting too with his orientation days over, and his eagerness to start kindergarten next year.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSUq0J_78_QTg1RGL21zpjbLoX9_m9oxXMtMw4Is9SXDEURzgLoV1Lc9SwljpxcgzTWJFGMxmcNkaaJ2nCzqBSjqGSjFl-5kCIqhvt1hbzIkY-FuvHtxwGduTTK7iDjTSn4fC40aqYWK0/s1600/018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSUq0J_78_QTg1RGL21zpjbLoX9_m9oxXMtMw4Is9SXDEURzgLoV1Lc9SwljpxcgzTWJFGMxmcNkaaJ2nCzqBSjqGSjFl-5kCIqhvt1hbzIkY-FuvHtxwGduTTK7iDjTSn4fC40aqYWK0/s1600/018.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I will be home alone for the first time in forever, what the hell will I do with my spare time? </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ha! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Spare time? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I will be driving to Sydney on top of all the sporting and school commitments we do. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFaEvRXjXsSNNveLqhLxHucGibk1YRgtn8ewmLXjFLp0qmwBO5ikRHXcJpq6DbGmwZG2iwi5_vLPrWnBwQNy1jO8uyBJkF-uewhF447AyH6y0Keo7N1TGBXEjUNl4UF3offSeOa631euw/s1600/304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFaEvRXjXsSNNveLqhLxHucGibk1YRgtn8ewmLXjFLp0qmwBO5ikRHXcJpq6DbGmwZG2iwi5_vLPrWnBwQNy1jO8uyBJkF-uewhF447AyH6y0Keo7N1TGBXEjUNl4UF3offSeOa631euw/s1600/304.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It will be a fine juggling and balancing act to go with the vanishing act in my circus.</span><br />
Cattle and Cushionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17984889684282518364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2930119879518023854.post-61414285513407717762014-08-05T21:55:00.000-07:002014-08-05T21:56:02.194-07:00Black exteriors<span style="font-size: large;">There is something mysterious about a black home isn't there? </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So dramatic, so stylish!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">No worries about the colour dating as black is always a classic.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">In a cold climate it would be a great choice as the black would absorb and retain the heat much better.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">If I could, I would do a black exterior for a change, but I fear it would be much too hot in our Australian sun. And it would fade far too quickly too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here's some inspiration.........</span><br />
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<a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/originals/2c/23/81/2c2381614305662e39b4f22ce0118fc3.jpg" target="_blank"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/originals/2c/23/81/2c2381614305662e39b4f22ce0118fc3.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.pinterest.com/" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdK1-48f2TVvqCRzfpgQFWaBSg2yDTvhucKLbgX-vKmBZR8Uyl9JZa2Hfbz1guc79JEDZHjL2u79Wmb2Fb8WCuqDJvWOzg4GI7XnXIJFwjSxb4FDDRCKe2HNqFnzNKFwZonQQgvOnjaXc/s1600/black+house1.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/originals/2c/23/81/2c2381614305662e39b4f22ce0118fc3.jpg" target="_blank">Modernised with black</a></td></tr>
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<a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/originals/2c/23/81/2c2381614305662e39b4f22ce0118fc3.jpg" target="_blank"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.remodelista.com/posts/10-traditional-houses-gone-to-the-dark-side" target="_blank"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.remodelista.com/posts/10-traditional-houses-gone-to-the-dark-side" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.remodelista.com/posts/10-traditional-houses-gone-to-the-dark-side" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU2ySYxYE671WQFMdAmM9Zy1LjmGsmY2GV3rKL9ov2tdGgDXh7Ke5Tng0OezLSsJJR6Hc4dZ1iVFOJPY7eLSBV99VF_M00pZE6c094tYEYR8wQLme2zlRb4Tn71dIdiy-tankMcV5P4T4/s1600/black+house2.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.remodelista.com/posts/10-traditional-houses-gone-to-the-dark-side" target="_blank">Great with lime green</a></td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.remodelista.com/posts/10-traditional-houses-gone-to-the-dark-side" target="_blank"></a><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="http://limilee.tumblr.com/post/35336441128/birdcagewalk-nicolecfranzen-sara-barner" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4PF4HZ4PbTjiMHA6lVVYe5NwqnneB-KxoiYIQz6d3CG5Yo3LGhDd_gOgcyj-qxri2iLtDyRM-jZ8URHy-zfWq0f6ofl0yjBSuULHA_gaaKQyefeF-EOwDm7c__WXnALO9ngShFNBQul8/s1600/black+house3.jpg" height="640" width="500" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A gorgeous church</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXdI8XM_c5cr-NO7NTfNXOpET-2ZzHGO5rQ2qNnVZ-PcpjUTgaIGZjKSeDkizvNjTqNdDxDRhTxEXgSw3E19y-DFd2ZJLfvs7n6EBXhc2Jwhx5w3HNp2Pok8CZfSuQVlOp-fiVJfrmIoM/s1600/black+house4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXdI8XM_c5cr-NO7NTfNXOpET-2ZzHGO5rQ2qNnVZ-PcpjUTgaIGZjKSeDkizvNjTqNdDxDRhTxEXgSw3E19y-DFd2ZJLfvs7n6EBXhc2Jwhx5w3HNp2Pok8CZfSuQVlOp-fiVJfrmIoM/s1600/black+house4.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stylish entertaining area</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thenewblack.goffgough.com/image/63198281192" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="http://thenewblack.goffgough.com/image/63198281192" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPyXbnJL1jN1UJsLQQYIyA87o3g108dFOZW1TJx-LwxZDNwGYKRe3pfnjsuEwZJ0aeDBJshhCJz9vc35a1Zb7IgiGDxwDZdry04IUCTuCHtbv-6w5j8defhRZnH9qjkDaLyY5D6OzRdRo/s1600/black+house5.jpg" height="504" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All black stunner</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.dailyimprint.net/2012/06/stylist-jane-frosh.html" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.dailyimprint.net/2012/06/stylist-jane-frosh.html" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_t83Rh1UKKRT-m1odrfL4WUbX3emh1TXuFsIHlh91af6u8RNhZHf-RpbNJqquKuCebiRZw2IIrkamYHg9EXVqHne8Id-p7m2X52LtYnbKVkukzukypWskVDJE2WjW8cu92T3MMWbwKzc/s1600/black+house6.png" height="400" width="260" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue Mountains abode</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.remodelista.com/posts/10-traditional-houses-gone-to-the-dark-side" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.remodelista.com/posts/10-traditional-houses-gone-to-the-dark-side" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0XvRioCajzbpLrLAZRyvH8ITp94r0M_fCfQsZn3OoZUKxDTH5Ls5GhL364HSLez0q70ehOiS4luB6-kUcDZvSf4gxnH9bjigSn5mEYFz_JS6O_8haUtqiWjtZbSNt1U29Bwf6x81P4m0/s1600/black+house7.jpg" height="456" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Farmhouse style</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlr1l5DxfMH1zhcWQlY_gU6oFvACZewf4Rl8gBxrh5fSuD_1u4mehpQxjovoPPedfE8u5mOUJvHnZSFMQdUS20WLP1F8Mxqdk3dbcgbVfvkyWgSrd1d6HRpwAeNCkvYt2cpzTQxraDvi8/s1600/black+house8.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlr1l5DxfMH1zhcWQlY_gU6oFvACZewf4Rl8gBxrh5fSuD_1u4mehpQxjovoPPedfE8u5mOUJvHnZSFMQdUS20WLP1F8Mxqdk3dbcgbVfvkyWgSrd1d6HRpwAeNCkvYt2cpzTQxraDvi8/s1600/black+house8.png" height="634" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stunner</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhinE8j0G3pqUuZROfLIKtEmqKDMe59LZPOxJaAXHGLEyf4Nj1-eLGDF1d1mrm2rvgPN_5X8Lz-OGTfYdmj9s21cX1dIFlod1inLGEpACisN236RSiKoYG5PLTZS87jCI73wJH2x89CryI/s1600/black+house9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhinE8j0G3pqUuZROfLIKtEmqKDMe59LZPOxJaAXHGLEyf4Nj1-eLGDF1d1mrm2rvgPN_5X8Lz-OGTfYdmj9s21cX1dIFlod1inLGEpACisN236RSiKoYG5PLTZS87jCI73wJH2x89CryI/s1600/black+house9.jpg" height="640" width="518" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A traditional take</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/frame?post=2297160313&group=0&frame_type=a&blog=3722836&frame=1&click=0&user=0" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.bloglovin.com/frame?post=2297160313&group=0&frame_type=a&blog=3722836&frame=1&click=0&user=0" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI00bG0WMaWm1uG3tBDYL02eY_Kjmqv2XDR6mMEsmdlIrgv3PY658v3NB5Xd1O2WBGW-QbfnOxoNhg0FPzcCkzUyDbEr5WbzQu4BAJxA62NVV_Zg317f45zYdPhPNhWs7kFTlDxABVe5s/s1600/black+house+10.jpg" height="640" width="408" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> gorgeous</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/csquirrelrun/4690144564/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.flickr.com/photos/csquirrelrun/4690144564/" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRP5GxnXAPnxSm-aJ-o564nlUwVeR7-lY48OsA9gWDEsiMM2aHKr6ugB3Zt-aZ6mMuOmPIEt4QoLOUAISYGThPZF0ctnE-FYqQHkzynGNEWDgMnjhrSATfSShmqc4Db_TQj2MEoB2MYlU/s1600/black+house+11.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green and black always a winner</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I think black wins hands-down to get that dramatic look and it can give even the most rustic barn some sophistication. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Would you, or have you done a black house?</span><br />
Cattle and Cushionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17984889684282518364noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2930119879518023854.post-14790952857872965372014-07-19T19:49:00.002-07:002014-07-19T19:49:20.136-07:00Getting in amongst nature<span style="font-size: large;"><em>Warning: this post is pic heavy!</em></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We have been back to school for a week now. Back into routine of packing lunches, footy training and soccer games. The holidays flew so quickly that I felt like I could have done with an extra week!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We were all so tired after the school term. I was exhausted and just wanted to stay at home, and not go anywhere for a change. We didn't do too much. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The boys all went out and helped with some cattlework most days. I caught up on the mountain of washing. We did some dental appointments and a day of jobs in Dubbo. Some small cousins came to visit us and we did a day of Rugby in the middle. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">At the end of the holidays I caught up with a good friend I went to school with in the Warrumbungles National Park. She has small children, and we decided to do a walk and have a picnic in the bush.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The Warrumbungles suffered devastating bushfires in January 2013. You can see how the area is recovering and regenerating from the fires a year and a half later now. I remember the night those fires started. It was the worst day possible for a fire to start. I think the temp was about 47.C and that night after the unrelenting heat the winds blew to a gale and lighting strikes started the fires. 53 homes were destroyed, but luckily there was no human life lost in the fires.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I haven't been to The Warrumbungles since I was a kid, and it seems ridiculous that it has been that long seeing as we live so close to them. I guess I was caught up before with the boys being smaller and in the baby stage with my youngest. And I didn't really relish the idea of carrying small tired children up and down mountains. So we were all pretty excited to go and do a walk. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So we met at the visitor's centre. Paid our $7 fee and got a map of where we could go. Some tracks are still closed, but most have reopened so there are plenty of walks to choose from.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We chose the Grand High Tops Walk. It is meant to take 5 hours and we thought that would be long enough to wear our kids out.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ9c7duqB3ynStjyEJ1DphfJSMQKqnWrT9uTt6LItMwuWKylXgYnTRDHWNqOEVLaWyfDDpamiOjENeR9yRUr_5WaQ_ntkmlbTxS4qKqLn8BnBlxpGfSdvwg8UM4dugsaipB8SwoS6NaWA/s1600/093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ9c7duqB3ynStjyEJ1DphfJSMQKqnWrT9uTt6LItMwuWKylXgYnTRDHWNqOEVLaWyfDDpamiOjENeR9yRUr_5WaQ_ntkmlbTxS4qKqLn8BnBlxpGfSdvwg8UM4dugsaipB8SwoS6NaWA/s1600/093.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Regeneration</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There are plenty of things to see along the way. The track runs along a creek and is quite flat most of the way for a few kilometres. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge45PfWBqR4LXYgkut__9mUpuA3YKo_ClAgMScrB6bijq4rkWSZI-TfpXapH4Srp8xVNM47stkfbfPEvhqoJCj1_o0cSVWuiffWrryGxW5orv_cVHkbZWaxV-LvmY-TRSKDtzfS_7QDEs/s1600/096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge45PfWBqR4LXYgkut__9mUpuA3YKo_ClAgMScrB6bijq4rkWSZI-TfpXapH4Srp8xVNM47stkfbfPEvhqoJCj1_o0cSVWuiffWrryGxW5orv_cVHkbZWaxV-LvmY-TRSKDtzfS_7QDEs/s1600/096.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9M9nzx3DQC1kNSn6YshDC9xosGmaXlgaXDVhBgsITmUZTq63JOyKlCW3nSDaIhrDbs9Mm6qSky8Jnpi1I6qvK3HMcNjLQ7WYfeUnqzYP8LvQHP-rVx_Nh5FVfPBeY8-XBUKp-f8r9Imc/s1600/100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9M9nzx3DQC1kNSn6YshDC9xosGmaXlgaXDVhBgsITmUZTq63JOyKlCW3nSDaIhrDbs9Mm6qSky8Jnpi1I6qvK3HMcNjLQ7WYfeUnqzYP8LvQHP-rVx_Nh5FVfPBeY8-XBUKp-f8r9Imc/s1600/100.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Breadknife</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On our way up there is a good vantage point to view "The Breadknife" on the way. We decided to press on and upwards. The track gets quite steep from here on in. It is tough, but we keep going.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">When you get to the top of the paved track there are a few fights of stairs so you get the best view of the Warrumbungles. It is so gorgeous up here, and in my opinion, winter time is the best time to come up here. Provided you have a fine sunny day of course!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN5NBFXMTNjYI29DygVM7Hq1mwe_khAJlpwsAJsZvY3WkuAHFnFi7zwVbX8bY1PyAgV8gO-9Sako5Ihu_8ZT2Jqhb9CFuw0nD_3Lpl5IGHNTprJykrvr6_xvs3qQ36LqB4Q9lg7BiI1Vo/s1600/101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN5NBFXMTNjYI29DygVM7Hq1mwe_khAJlpwsAJsZvY3WkuAHFnFi7zwVbX8bY1PyAgV8gO-9Sako5Ihu_8ZT2Jqhb9CFuw0nD_3Lpl5IGHNTprJykrvr6_xvs3qQ36LqB4Q9lg7BiI1Vo/s1600/101.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The face of The Breadknife</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhKy3m717-dSgZ05wgp40WnmIajQdgmiWhhqwnu6RGTH4lKuYW9_Zb9QLbuudh4V2GeL-dyN9IGhqiUxzU4mEtRW1tFAtWKRWJ1xdanBUqiBiRJMUmU8xuoCisJTljO0FGhyphenhyphenJlhofG5Fg/s1600/122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhKy3m717-dSgZ05wgp40WnmIajQdgmiWhhqwnu6RGTH4lKuYW9_Zb9QLbuudh4V2GeL-dyN9IGhqiUxzU4mEtRW1tFAtWKRWJ1xdanBUqiBiRJMUmU8xuoCisJTljO0FGhyphenhyphenJlhofG5Fg/s1600/122.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That domed building on the mountain is Siding Spring Observatory.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The view is magnificent up the top and we were told it was 8.6km. Turns out we find a sign at the top that says 5kms back to the carpark. So we actually did a 10km walk all up. The kids did so well to go that far without complaining or without begging to be carried some of the way. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The stairs to the top</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">5km up and 5 km down</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It is a long way up.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can see lots of regrowth here.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Once we managed to get back to our cars we were well and truly exhausted!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And hungry!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We drove around the other side of the park to the Canyon picnic area where you get a good view of Split Rock.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We could hear bleating and we spotted some wild goats near the top of Split Rock. There was about 20 of them all foraging away.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild goats on Split Rock</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Split Rock</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picnic area</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The creek.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caves on Split Rock</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Once we were all fed, the kids went exploring the lava flow from all the extinct volcanoes and the creek was a hit. Not much water in there, but plenty of rocks and it kept them entertained until the sun began to go down. We decided to go before it got too cold.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It is such a beautiful place, and I plan of spending more time here before the heat hits again. Now that I know the boys handled that walk well, we may have to climb Split Rock next time!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span>Cattle and Cushionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17984889684282518364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2930119879518023854.post-42726621859953024832014-07-13T23:00:00.001-07:002014-07-13T23:00:08.845-07:00Slow cooked lamb shanks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">When it is freezing cold outside this is my go to meal in the winter months. My shanks come from our Wiltipoll sheep we kill for our own consumption on our farm. I was given this recipe by my mother-in-law many years ago, and I have tweaked it to include more legumes to bulk it up. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">It is pretty easy to put together in the afternoon and throw it in the oven. It's a good one when you are entertaining, so you aren't slaving in the kitchen while you can be relaxing with your beer/wine and guests.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gather your ingredients</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here are the massive shanks</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In it all goes</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steaming hot out of the oven</td></tr>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Lamb Shanks</span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span> <span style="font-size: x-large;">4 Lamb shanks </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">2 tablespoons olive oil</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">4 medium sweet potatoes</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">2 brown onions</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">2 tins of chopped tomatoes</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">1 tin of chickpeas (Drained and rinsed)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">1 tin of lentils (Drained and rinsed)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">2 tablespoons of dried rosemary</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">2 tablespoons of minced garlic</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">1 tablespoon of dried Basil</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">1 tablespoon of dried oregano</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">1 litre of beef stock</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Gather ingredients together and chop onions into slices, peel and chop sweet potatoes into large chunks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Place large cast iron casserole (Le Creuset) dish on high heat on your stovetop. Put a couple of tablespoons of olive oil in the pan and place the lamb shanks in browning them all over.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Once they are browned, add onions and all the herbs and garlic. Brown them slightly. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Add the chickpeas, lentils and sweet potato browning them slightly too. Add tinned tomatoes and stir it all up mixing thoroughly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Add the beef stock. You can alter the amount you use. I like to cover all the shanks and vegetables with it as it will reduce down with cooking. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Place in oven at 150 C. for about 2 - 2.5 hours. give it a stir occasionally to check it. I put the lid on after about an hour or so when the sauce has reduced a bit so I don't lose all the liquid.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">You will know when it is ready as the meat will be tender and falling off the bone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I served this with brown rice this time, you can use white rice, polenta, couscous. Really, it goes with any grains you may have on hand. It is healthy comfort food and oh so warming on our chilly winter nights.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Enjoy!</span></div>
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Cattle and Cushionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17984889684282518364noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2930119879518023854.post-30280321434359800582014-07-09T22:53:00.001-07:002014-07-09T22:58:01.880-07:00A three-legged cow<span style="font-size: x-large;">Have you ever seen a three-legged cow?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">No?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Me neither, until we discovered this.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju17B7m3osYEDp9F-gn2CsLriTQZBq_NHhCnu27tDp5rthNcW81c_QUqFcTDwwGIUD_mz4-x3tWD_7JXRiLkHKd6cEiWZD2rJ7GA7bqIh_vEUYiVTwvP_CDFYaVo-xfBdCNbxlCAmMU0s/s1600/081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju17B7m3osYEDp9F-gn2CsLriTQZBq_NHhCnu27tDp5rthNcW81c_QUqFcTDwwGIUD_mz4-x3tWD_7JXRiLkHKd6cEiWZD2rJ7GA7bqIh_vEUYiVTwvP_CDFYaVo-xfBdCNbxlCAmMU0s/s1600/081.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">We found this little one two years ago and we could hardly believe that we had a three-legged calf. It is extremely rare, and my husband had never come across one before. My husband's father had never come across one either, and between them both they have clocked up a lot of years producing beef cattle, so it was quite the unusual find.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYocFVwYnAYF5MbbOlTghyphenhyphenA3a0yVWrbeMVPfeXiX_EdGAYXhDCrYzGZ1FrnH_Wf19GZfRUiW__bc1s-3XOK4twOUTiMfADVcPUpMBtPVpssHRh9GUq-Kvza3jXahl4zsLuAwwq6Anla6Q/s1600/105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYocFVwYnAYF5MbbOlTghyphenhyphenA3a0yVWrbeMVPfeXiX_EdGAYXhDCrYzGZ1FrnH_Wf19GZfRUiW__bc1s-3XOK4twOUTiMfADVcPUpMBtPVpssHRh9GUq-Kvza3jXahl4zsLuAwwq6Anla6Q/s1600/105.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">We were surprised that it could get up off the ground with only one front leg after it's birth. I guess a lot of them can't, so this one is a proven fighter. The fact that it could get off the ground and keep up with the herd was amazing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">As you can see she was prancing around and happy as Larry with her mother. We named her Hoppy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">She ended up getting pregnant accidentally as we really didn't want her to get pregnant. We thought it may be too hard on her. The bull pushed through a fence, so here were with our pregnant heifer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">We were really worried for her as the bull was a Charolais and they produce huge calves. We waited and watched her every day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">When we went away for a football weekend, we got someone to check Hoppy for us as we were sure she was close to giving birth.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Fortunately for us she had her calf unassisted and while we were at home. A beautiful healthy calf. She is so good with her baby. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCV-o7JE4MZlXk3HaAlFi359-S9r896eAT7aavr5M5gHxRntWwFMrmAGopGHj_QSDyopuTe-T-5Ht5WFvH7YfETBK4C_bMFdiXL4suvF2zKEg8Vz-oFzVPQYya_lM_fWCCCKc6jkatIvM/s1600/IMG_0328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCV-o7JE4MZlXk3HaAlFi359-S9r896eAT7aavr5M5gHxRntWwFMrmAGopGHj_QSDyopuTe-T-5Ht5WFvH7YfETBK4C_bMFdiXL4suvF2zKEg8Vz-oFzVPQYya_lM_fWCCCKc6jkatIvM/s1600/IMG_0328.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">So glad she is ok since heifers are notorious for having trouble with their first calves. She should be alright now.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">There you have it, the three-legged cow. She will hopefully produce many calves to come and she is pretty good company wandering the house paddock.</span>Cattle and Cushionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17984889684282518364noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2930119879518023854.post-33180045748461782692014-06-17T18:47:00.001-07:002014-06-17T18:47:47.266-07:00Catch up post<span style="font-size: large;">Hi, remember me and this blog?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">No of course not I haven't seen you in ages!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">When was the last time you posted? About 6 months ago!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Oh really? No way! It definitely has not been that long!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Perhaps you should close the blog if you are going to be so slack with your posts?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hmmm....... </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Nah!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Perhaps I should just do a catch up so it doesn't look like I have dropped off the face of the earth.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'll try that instead.......</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">........................................................................................................................</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">While I have been slack on the blog front life has been humming away with so many things to keep me away from the blog. I will try to condense 6 months into this blog post and then hopefully start posting a bit more often than I have been. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We spent the first 4 months of the year swimming and doing swimming carnivals. Amazingly my boys went well in their school carnivals and then their regionals. The Diocesan carnival followed and amazingly F made it through to Catholic State (Polding) with his relay team. He was so excited to make it to Sydney for State. And we had never got that far before, so to say we were all excited was a bit of an understatement!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">So exciting!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The Sydney Aquatic Centre at Olympic Park is so huge! The boys kept eyeing off the waterpark over the other side all day. After the race they got to relax and have a play.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Waiting is nerve wracking.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And they won!!!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Well, won a bronze medal anyway! It was absolutely the most nerve wracking experience watching the race. So close and so much cheering. F swam his fastest time ever that day.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKHb1wiznHNA7qO69a8MTO94fPCeCHFaUut3X0v0PJPllTdQtW7HYQCbFqsYQTS0DOr-IlRltkOdtMvnEuinomd3BIkW-KRVF6Fk8atwsuuSFar8Kk5u5P5P7rXeAZfmIAUiVfsF64Ag4/s1600/picmonkey2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKHb1wiznHNA7qO69a8MTO94fPCeCHFaUut3X0v0PJPllTdQtW7HYQCbFqsYQTS0DOr-IlRltkOdtMvnEuinomd3BIkW-KRVF6Fk8atwsuuSFar8Kk5u5P5P7rXeAZfmIAUiVfsF64Ag4/s1600/picmonkey2.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Bronze medallists</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Parents were allowed to go downstairs to take pics of the winners on the podium. Then we signed forms and paid levy's to go on to the next level. PSSA (NSW State swimming). We spent a couple of days in Sydney doing other jobs. We never stopped going to Sydney in term 1. We went down for swimming, Scholarship exams and interviews for H. We did a trip to Bathurst for soccer trials. We slipped in a few trips to see family in Orange on our way home from Sydney. We were never at home that term and I kept our suitcase out and kept washing and repacking it any day we were home! That along with the swimming training made it a pretty busy time.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">End of the day.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlpIfZOwP5VqQXEJorsl5UJ1VFKrU-hMGsL62fNORpAaNB6H9UCidLQ2mlFSVGV4N01OsHMkyurnzOZibxNrOtWTiJXBQgwUfO3LZGXzdYsTU-v6rumUuSOoZiuxXcTggpwAvainacHLk/s1600/IMG_0059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlpIfZOwP5VqQXEJorsl5UJ1VFKrU-hMGsL62fNORpAaNB6H9UCidLQ2mlFSVGV4N01OsHMkyurnzOZibxNrOtWTiJXBQgwUfO3LZGXzdYsTU-v6rumUuSOoZiuxXcTggpwAvainacHLk/s1600/IMG_0059.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The cattleyards</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">While plenty of excitement was going on for us, home was looking pretty dry all the same. We were fairly worried that we may be in for more drought, but luckily we got some crucial rain and we have sown our crops. Thank god for that!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2koe2vWTx1TWNqkFwlSmMKsrqNJRM3b5mQYOZlaq5h4Fi1NGrB-uXfl1JFXEqhKvaO0G194tgli6gXWvupHFs52FXDFEmMPn8epYxhIPlojOPA3VAEoOC_JUqyb8Aq6Amq5WKbCSWFDU/s1600/090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2koe2vWTx1TWNqkFwlSmMKsrqNJRM3b5mQYOZlaq5h4Fi1NGrB-uXfl1JFXEqhKvaO0G194tgli6gXWvupHFs52FXDFEmMPn8epYxhIPlojOPA3VAEoOC_JUqyb8Aq6Amq5WKbCSWFDU/s1600/090.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Easter hunt</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhya_yIx8gTn1obFbyw6c_lEBrq1BxUzRgJP0RbfTg8PSxRnG3a5GTDO-QmVwjwA6JFjlrDFc8u1hdNOd6HoarNhOEW-cFJVQLhUkt8Ldz9NwAhcyzYYAQTjr0SpfooWn3xX79EpczK388/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhya_yIx8gTn1obFbyw6c_lEBrq1BxUzRgJP0RbfTg8PSxRnG3a5GTDO-QmVwjwA6JFjlrDFc8u1hdNOd6HoarNhOEW-cFJVQLhUkt8Ldz9NwAhcyzYYAQTjr0SpfooWn3xX79EpczK388/s1600/013.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Nervous wait again.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Back to Sydney for more swimming, this time in the PSSA carnival. It was an extremely tight competition and came 8th in their heat. 22nd overall out of 40 school teams, which is pretty good as our boys don't get to swim year round like some schools. We don't have a heated pool so only swim October to April. We have great coaches and the boys did their best.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">This little one is old enough to start playing Rugby in the under sixes. So we have been travelling most weekends for that too. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Rodeo came to town. And it was a glorious winters day for it. Beautiful sunshine and bucking broncs. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbhGY3bNmkum_EcMSPMQEu5qvXMJEE9JioVH-oEKGXsLAMTC-7nZ3gwpgwJzrm6l2zoec9kDboBVNJBhjYoRvlGFcOtRtRt0C7jIZ9_qjg7cwDucu50R8ys_a2rC5avLRhP2vcXlQL02U/s1600/picmonkey1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbhGY3bNmkum_EcMSPMQEu5qvXMJEE9JioVH-oEKGXsLAMTC-7nZ3gwpgwJzrm6l2zoec9kDboBVNJBhjYoRvlGFcOtRtRt0C7jIZ9_qjg7cwDucu50R8ys_a2rC5avLRhP2vcXlQL02U/s1600/picmonkey1.jpg" height="640" width="286" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> The boys also made it to the Diocesan Spelling Bee. They came first in their school for their age groups so another trip away to do that too. They went really well in all the rounds and made it to the "unseen" words which is the words they did not practice off the given list. They had to figure out how to spell them off the top of their heads which was rather tricky. Hard to tell their placing, but F came in the last 20 kids out of 65. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> H made it all the way to the final 5 kids out of 65. He was so very close to winning or coming second. He is kicking himself now as he had the unseen word correctly but though it seemed too short and added an R to the end of it. They went well though and it was a great experience to have. All that practicing spelling in the car all the trips to Sydney pays off!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So there you go, 6 months in condensed highlight form. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Not counting all the mundane stuff no one wants to hear about...</span><br />
<br />Cattle and Cushionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17984889684282518364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2930119879518023854.post-55378011147427128742014-02-19T16:52:00.002-08:002014-02-19T16:52:44.515-08:00No broken drought here....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">We got a small amount of rain this week. Only 15mm all up. Unfortunately nothing to get excited about though. My garden greened up, but that was it!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">These pictures were taken recently on one of our properties hardest hit by the drought. The cattle pictured were sorted and sold in the week after the photo was taken. We sold some more this week, and we are waiting to see if this small fall of rain will trigger some bigger falls for us.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">We will wait it out and see what comes....</span>Cattle and Cushionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17984889684282518364noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2930119879518023854.post-62711929883979098772014-02-15T18:46:00.003-08:002014-02-15T18:46:59.061-08:00A Gold Coast holiday<span style="font-size: x-large;">Well it's back to reality for us out here in Cattle and Cushions territory. We are all back in School and Preschool, and trying to get used to the frantic pace a new term brings. We got an extra week in the school holidays due to our location in the western division. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">We call it heat week. The extra weeks holiday is heaven for us as it is so hot when our kids go back to school. I am so grateful that we get that heat week as it gives us a chance to go to the beach without the extortionist prices of peak holiday season!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">I am trying to get my head around all the busy routine happening again with the early starts, the packing of lunches and the morning rush until the bus pickup. And swimming and cricket thrown into the mix makes it a busy time.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">All holidays we have been swimming most days, the boys do swim training in the mornings and then we have a swim late afternoon in our pool. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">It has been a long, hot, dry summer for us. And we have now hit a wall with our feed running out, with our remaining cattle needing to be sorted and sold from our property. It is quite heartbreaking to see the rain avoid us and the hot weather killing what is left of our feed here. I have avoided talking about it on the blog before as it was just a dry time, and we all get those every few years. But now it is fully fledged drought. We didn't get a decent crop this year, and we have been selling cattle all year as it got drier, destocking our place as much as we could. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">The bullocks are all gone and now we are down to selling unfinished ones to feedlots. The quotas are filling fast as we are all running out of options here. The smaller cattle will stay until we wait for rain so we can spread them out a bit. We run on a low stocking rate, so we have had a bit of room to move for a while.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Yes, it is a bit crap. It isn't anywhere as bad as the 2002 drought yet, but incomes will stop and small towns will suffer from the drought. The government (as always) is a bit slow on the uptake and are only recognising the problem now. The horse has bolted. Some people have been feeding for over a year now and feeding subsidies were needed ages ago. And freight subsidies were needed 9 months ago when we had the good sense to start getting rid of cattle when it started drying up. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">We are waiting for rain and once it does things will turn around. I am hoping this next change will bring a bit!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">.................................................................</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">So onto the good part of my post.....</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">We have had to forgo a family holiday for about four years due to dry times, wet times, hot times and it is always hard for us to get away in January with it being hot and busy. And it is always so expensive to have that beach holiday. So we were really looking forward to doing something with the kids this time. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">I did a lot of ringing around in the holidays and could not find anything available for our family of 5 when we wanted it. I did a fair bit of internet research and I was nearly going to give up on it when I found a property management site and gave them a call. It turned out to be pretty good value as we got 8 nights for a lot less than 7 with some other companies. We ended up going to Turtle Beach Resort in Mermaid Beach on the Gold Coast for two nights and the other six in the Q1 at Surfers Paradise.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">I love the Gold Coast! It is tacky and full of tourists, but the beaches are second to none, and when it rains there is still plenty to do without being stuck inside and bored. With kids that is essential!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Turtle Beach is great, we had a holiday there about 4 years ago and it is so family friendly and quiet. Close to everything and it has a couple of places to eat inside, so if you have a short stay you don't even have to leave the resort if you like. It has a wood fired pizza place and a cafe inside, so you don't even need to cook if you don't feel like it.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">The only thing I find that Turtle needs to improve on is the lack of swimming pool space. There are four pools in the complex and they are quite small. It is good in a quiet time, but as we arrived on Australia Day weekend the pools were packed to capacity! Still a great place to stay though - just better in the off-peak season.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<a href="http://www.turtlebeach.com.au/">http://www.turtlebeach.com.au/</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSPWI01L7AN0rl8PxrqQZVj248UDUL2VpOvU-ndxYdcOoLGcreRPibf5cG8qcfy4uKA1er7rzhBMztmyXoPxVtl2yB_Z2o9Dwnqvcv83S7NI6-BBsgz47XwH6wxtgZ5IjgDToZymtOr8g/s1600/485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSPWI01L7AN0rl8PxrqQZVj248UDUL2VpOvU-ndxYdcOoLGcreRPibf5cG8qcfy4uKA1er7rzhBMztmyXoPxVtl2yB_Z2o9Dwnqvcv83S7NI6-BBsgz47XwH6wxtgZ5IjgDToZymtOr8g/s1600/485.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">In this pic it looks quite deserted though as it was 7.30am in the morning and the boys did a few laps before the masses arrived.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">The next six days were spent at the Q1 building in Surfers Paradise. It was another great place to stay too. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTKOaW4wxdFtA__J9SzovZHwGj5YeeiF0Ra5-RJ_F65BAbMuQK5vuI-7vgw0hPaIKUZCsdmzL-_alKwJCC-16BcQ3HpOkKx3R6lx-kN7hJjLRn3p7ykiOwiap0MXESP43y_4wjeuYN2f8/s1600/738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTKOaW4wxdFtA__J9SzovZHwGj5YeeiF0Ra5-RJ_F65BAbMuQK5vuI-7vgw0hPaIKUZCsdmzL-_alKwJCC-16BcQ3HpOkKx3R6lx-kN7hJjLRn3p7ykiOwiap0MXESP43y_4wjeuYN2f8/s1600/738.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Q1 - the tall one with the spike on it.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Used to</span> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">be the tallest residential tower in the world with its 78 floors. It is now the third highest, but still the tallest in Australia.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.q1.com.au/">http://www.q1.com.au/</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">We stayed on the 20th floor and we had a corner unit facing the canals with a ocean glimpse. North West facing so it was better for drying clothes. My washing would only take a day to dry instead of two in the Queensland humidity.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaqHQiJkYdZWrPYu0RCuiMXVL4DZIVUKk62hqxeXzEL0g1tA7xuaXT61tE5hVQxV-fPsoFzJWq4xPheqhVXlEjx8iU1FCMoabNIB_4Q6HQ2cu8PRBbmSjmKWwT0KnHfsQP4nw1xUg6G6k/s1600/493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaqHQiJkYdZWrPYu0RCuiMXVL4DZIVUKk62hqxeXzEL0g1tA7xuaXT61tE5hVQxV-fPsoFzJWq4xPheqhVXlEjx8iU1FCMoabNIB_4Q6HQ2cu8PRBbmSjmKWwT0KnHfsQP4nw1xUg6G6k/s1600/493.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The main living area</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheqVqbbZni2u8JoAPMK6cmf3Lg5o0d2dxBPc_KSfHPAfAj8ZVBUadYDpFpHe2mtQMbQFBSTONxlnanZd_Z4lpQAxUmaF-9iPRSwJ-ECBcQpnLNDnfR4zuh3BVsvoy9HS_KJ8kdDl7pehc/s1600/494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheqVqbbZni2u8JoAPMK6cmf3Lg5o0d2dxBPc_KSfHPAfAj8ZVBUadYDpFpHe2mtQMbQFBSTONxlnanZd_Z4lpQAxUmaF-9iPRSwJ-ECBcQpnLNDnfR4zuh3BVsvoy9HS_KJ8kdDl7pehc/s1600/494.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids bedroom</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_mzSU7AdiWGoWNL5a65jGtZLK2T92U3D6qaWtat03vPHH8OaQAaeICOQUkMreJS7n9T4ODvlqQXDTL26lCp5VM6MyKVWaVjIdEbSqRkyt5VbQ0B981FqijgcMKq1boHyjvCeaxma8jK4/s1600/496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_mzSU7AdiWGoWNL5a65jGtZLK2T92U3D6qaWtat03vPHH8OaQAaeICOQUkMreJS7n9T4ODvlqQXDTL26lCp5VM6MyKVWaVjIdEbSqRkyt5VbQ0B981FqijgcMKq1boHyjvCeaxma8jK4/s1600/496.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The master bedroom</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBNeLP60TbA4M1L-JbZl3XT5JaFz0OLmXbMvSc_5o43d2gibfrogMxzRwU3L7Hq5rwq_1N-J0f8phr_QAOwy7t6UHgtRFv0YX3_k5NZvrG5wHZpOihTspCQVLfrqQupWycQ-KDEms-g90/s1600/497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBNeLP60TbA4M1L-JbZl3XT5JaFz0OLmXbMvSc_5o43d2gibfrogMxzRwU3L7Hq5rwq_1N-J0f8phr_QAOwy7t6UHgtRFv0YX3_k5NZvrG5wHZpOihTspCQVLfrqQupWycQ-KDEms-g90/s1600/497.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Master bedroom again</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5sKmm-l2f7SSqFosweJ2p0UXhllB-vglGATz_12_Fycx3GvVYMCUi464yD4dBOwF4M-toVmqlmW0O6lMD2qioUuZpwigmSP5CBnJC6vcsyrOzC0VeVG_9PyrVxlnpvH-rvm96QHtADpw/s1600/495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5sKmm-l2f7SSqFosweJ2p0UXhllB-vglGATz_12_Fycx3GvVYMCUi464yD4dBOwF4M-toVmqlmW0O6lMD2qioUuZpwigmSP5CBnJC6vcsyrOzC0VeVG_9PyrVxlnpvH-rvm96QHtADpw/s1600/495.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The second bathroom</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS9FzhQUdDek3HxfjGxv-H5JLJ4vNguxtCDR7qWrz0Fdx91JUWimWPUKsqwqYVuZqB-1sdZl2kZOqathhsJY-Vo7dqeScw6A7QRaGiahK2ectM1-ZdrmVuLaDZAg14JkXAWEqaGQ7Uz50/s1600/501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS9FzhQUdDek3HxfjGxv-H5JLJ4vNguxtCDR7qWrz0Fdx91JUWimWPUKsqwqYVuZqB-1sdZl2kZOqathhsJY-Vo7dqeScw6A7QRaGiahK2ectM1-ZdrmVuLaDZAg14JkXAWEqaGQ7Uz50/s1600/501.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The main bathroom</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq8CExplVFREOwB4Gff2Y5HkCI1FoZz0Ct8_FTEbybTH-C4fpej0t0bDhMIB638dGcwrqdjkmq_pR61Bwj4NCnaufX8FYjMWJmDN6KCSCYXXS6-M6zutn5-pHVhtHvBx-UhYzmAuhrM5I/s1600/500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq8CExplVFREOwB4Gff2Y5HkCI1FoZz0Ct8_FTEbybTH-C4fpej0t0bDhMIB638dGcwrqdjkmq_pR61Bwj4NCnaufX8FYjMWJmDN6KCSCYXXS6-M6zutn5-pHVhtHvBx-UhYzmAuhrM5I/s1600/500.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking from the master bedroom into the main bathroom</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHyZD8WUoXRzbycuyS09VX-9czIsNdITLYaWBifX0HoO20-wNgC-OJxWLRlJHK7xAehrbjxu8s14FGdAXehg0Q92BEJl3qr5CJUIz6VCYxe5k_oanOF84nSEIKnaSgBGApYk3Ui8S8fKo/s1600/499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHyZD8WUoXRzbycuyS09VX-9czIsNdITLYaWBifX0HoO20-wNgC-OJxWLRlJHK7xAehrbjxu8s14FGdAXehg0Q92BEJl3qr5CJUIz6VCYxe5k_oanOF84nSEIKnaSgBGApYk3Ui8S8fKo/s1600/499.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ocean glimpse</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOu84pYo_ibwhDAszfB4ok7iicbfnX_aymalcaF2tKHblpC6PM9q-POk1zvWAlwBcJ878GlpKqaTgH6QasE8PsWIFeosqvkHjaRB4WSHxEzmWUu3JMXbl33M4TtrRambLzTqp5UbNpV88/s1600/515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOu84pYo_ibwhDAszfB4ok7iicbfnX_aymalcaF2tKHblpC6PM9q-POk1zvWAlwBcJ878GlpKqaTgH6QasE8PsWIFeosqvkHjaRB4WSHxEzmWUu3JMXbl33M4TtrRambLzTqp5UbNpV88/s1600/515.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bathtub with a great view</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">I tried to take the pics before it got too dishevelled by the kids flopping down onto the beds. It was very modern and spacious and suited us down to the ground.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">The beach was across the road and there is a few really good restaurants downstairs. Everything you need for a great and easy stay. BWS liquor store, an IGA supermarket down the road, and so many places to eat you need never cook anything! And there were so many cuisines to choose from -Persian to Malaysian and everything in between. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzlNa6yDe6OsNA-NybGu-ouBv-NY02qdD2XO421TUkyh39emqaHN-FB_jFupzngy4W-d5wR8e8pZwAy3MK5DwoJz7p8_lnp9cRyUJt_P0i4C2CtarNAmuhIC_RSxwNRMQwEavQwUwrM5k/s1600/722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzlNa6yDe6OsNA-NybGu-ouBv-NY02qdD2XO421TUkyh39emqaHN-FB_jFupzngy4W-d5wR8e8pZwAy3MK5DwoJz7p8_lnp9cRyUJt_P0i4C2CtarNAmuhIC_RSxwNRMQwEavQwUwrM5k/s1600/722.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down the coast towards Broadbeach.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL8Cz2PWhgATU9qtxzjbV4Vn8uEQCTqUrZnz7a00ovp74QfW6PMj_uFUpwQRvWle2TPq9HvXYTiODpiL1pEC93GP9Hk4y52XupwVdfA_0dnhhEi1Ee5WVzLnCg2hPxSzSruQ3VgbRP1QU/s1600/744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL8Cz2PWhgATU9qtxzjbV4Vn8uEQCTqUrZnz7a00ovp74QfW6PMj_uFUpwQRvWle2TPq9HvXYTiODpiL1pEC93GP9Hk4y52XupwVdfA_0dnhhEi1Ee5WVzLnCg2hPxSzSruQ3VgbRP1QU/s1600/744.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking up the coast towards Main Beach.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgWHc5DfZ9-_ku-8lLzCRqXVJaDhBoO4bHgbXkU5pHw76bR_z2yTMcg80CTEOOa2mvtHnE4oSedru5d3xUCjgeKo-IjBbpwD9IE3OddUfjpRo8QDvIhIhler6H8U6c6ZaOXh1O-yPQFU8/s1600/745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgWHc5DfZ9-_ku-8lLzCRqXVJaDhBoO4bHgbXkU5pHw76bR_z2yTMcg80CTEOOa2mvtHnE4oSedru5d3xUCjgeKo-IjBbpwD9IE3OddUfjpRo8QDvIhIhler6H8U6c6ZaOXh1O-yPQFU8/s1600/745.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down towards Broadbeach</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRpHr5frtD0PifJjnH6f8q-sAcA-kzdzH3iJTEDjY_dom4SKnSYjLylSApnbEskBShLso-mciUCK8-0vD4oZd7dS7WkwxK9TmbdVDLZR_fDLrpfmjpXBjk6Ho5FzkwvCx6KgSWmjKikQI/s1600/498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRpHr5frtD0PifJjnH6f8q-sAcA-kzdzH3iJTEDjY_dom4SKnSYjLylSApnbEskBShLso-mciUCK8-0vD4oZd7dS7WkwxK9TmbdVDLZR_fDLrpfmjpXBjk6Ho5FzkwvCx6KgSWmjKikQI/s1600/498.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our view by day</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXAmaD5uuwnnPXFyAQd1GmxYWg63oj8z8a2TvTpQzKjqWpizFckicA-lU4FzlhSx1BSsisPKEIIpWD03xN9IrUXz5MCRDqGbVbHCg2rH2RIorue_MYzepA1npF_f8BPlcLFNfBiSRin58/s1600/723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXAmaD5uuwnnPXFyAQd1GmxYWg63oj8z8a2TvTpQzKjqWpizFckicA-lU4FzlhSx1BSsisPKEIIpWD03xN9IrUXz5MCRDqGbVbHCg2rH2RIorue_MYzepA1npF_f8BPlcLFNfBiSRin58/s1600/723.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And by night</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">The weather was pretty good. We had some overcast days which brought 5 minute showers which cleared to some lovely days. The ocean was a bit choppy and rough some days, but we managed to get in a good lot of beach time. We fit some putt putt golf in, lots of pool time and driving around checking out the sights. I have relatives up in the area, so we caught up with them too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Of course we squeezed in some theme parks. We chose Dreamworld and White Water world this time. I have been to Dreamworld many times and it is always a huge day out. To do the two parks you really need two days to devote enough time to them. The lines were pretty good, not too much queueing since everyone else was meant to be back to school, so it made it much more worthwhile. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I am fairly game, so I usually do the scary rides with the boys. The Giant Drop was nearly my undoing though! So not a fan of that one.........</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">White Water World was quite good too, fairly quiet and we did the park by lunchtime. And we went back into Dreamworld to do a couple of favourite rides before calling it a day. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJmZxLo3G1F6CXqcBh1rWznLLtiKOfFfFIB-ERkBFPJ3Z0NhkQ9kVKx3Y2PSdAeBYY275F-a6gSOomf-yZ42NgyjHZjBSLBsAxYsLyAbhz7dNiWZ4EvfEuvvVRnM40jZAADgpxsi3pakA/s1600/774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJmZxLo3G1F6CXqcBh1rWznLLtiKOfFfFIB-ERkBFPJ3Z0NhkQ9kVKx3Y2PSdAeBYY275F-a6gSOomf-yZ42NgyjHZjBSLBsAxYsLyAbhz7dNiWZ4EvfEuvvVRnM40jZAADgpxsi3pakA/s1600/774.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tigers at Dreamworld</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">I really don't understand why the keepers just hang out with the tigers all day. When I took this photo, they had done a show hours ago and weren't due for another one for about two hours time. I know they are mainly hand-raised tigers, but in light of the tiger attack on a keeper that happened not so long ago there, I wonder why they still do this? Seems a bit dangerous to me!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBefZKiQFWixXAHwZuFPCJH1TPD7hZ31aZLayWnx1NgcsCrZhK-00sv1c0BFmIFzmzhP8ix1zETWbXzej6PaqZEhJtYmDnscYS10XgEi4-16fe7wEgJ63QkzaZpqtDw9TPJjn_m6-UzpM/s1600/680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBefZKiQFWixXAHwZuFPCJH1TPD7hZ31aZLayWnx1NgcsCrZhK-00sv1c0BFmIFzmzhP8ix1zETWbXzej6PaqZEhJtYmDnscYS10XgEi4-16fe7wEgJ63QkzaZpqtDw9TPJjn_m6-UzpM/s1600/680.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dolphins in the water</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">The boys went fishing too, they were all excited to go deep sea fishing, but the water was too choppy and dangerous. So they did a calm water fishing trip and they went around the rivers and estuaries near Runaway Bay. They took them out to The Spit and close to Stradbroke Island where the ocean meets. Caught 7 lovely fish in the end. A few Flathead, bream and snapper. We got them filleted, boned and packed in ice to take home.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Seriously, the BEST fish I have ever eaten! I crumbed them and fried them in a frying pan. I used regular breadcrumbs for some and I tried some panko on the others. So beautiful and fresh! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">There you go, our Queensland holiday in a few pics. Our last heat week with little H as he will be going to boarding school next time we get one. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Back to reality now and back to facing the drought and plan C of what to do with the remaining stock we have.</span>Cattle and Cushionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17984889684282518364noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2930119879518023854.post-4569288587044983912013-12-26T20:05:00.000-08:002013-12-26T20:05:05.578-08:00Merry Christmas and all the rest! <span style="font-size: large;">Merry Christmas from Cattle and Cushions for 2013. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">May 2014 be sensational for you all!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We did some family stuff on both sides in the lead up to Christmas, and hung out at my side of the family on the actual day. It was quite nice to not have to travel anywhere, and we have been pretty relaxed since the big family dinners are now over for another year. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Travelling was totally out of the question for us in the thick of these hot, dry times unless everyone came to us. And it was really nice to hang in the pool and lie about in the air-con for a few days. And it was too hot to do anything else anyway. Had a couple of days where it got to 40 degrees and the cold climate relatives could really feel the heat here.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was lucky enough to score this gorgeous marble cheese board and beautiful bowls to go with it. I found the Brahman placed on there by the little one. He loves his farm set and he is always playing little games with trucks and animals.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Also scored some home grown organic garlic from my Sister-in-law. She has an amazing vegie patch at her house.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And the garlic is amazing!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Love my lights!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Everyone brought the food, and it was so amazing! Turkey, ham and salads were the order of the day. Too hot for a full hot lunch out here!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The younger kids had their own table.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I made half a ham just for us on Christmas Eve. It is a Bourbon glazed ham. Just so I don't have to cook for the next week or so. I predict in two more days everyone will start jacking up on another ham meal, so I am milking it as much as I can!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">More ham anyone?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This was our esky after two days of solid Christmassing. It was chock-a-block when we filled it. I think we bought a bit too much grog, but New Year will soon be upon us anyway. Detox will be on it's way then when the guilt sets in!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Merry Christmas everyone and hope your holidays were full of food, fun and copious amounts of champagne!</span>Cattle and Cushionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17984889684282518364noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2930119879518023854.post-48380270482984995912013-12-13T11:31:00.000-08:002013-12-13T11:31:00.471-08:00Orchid pics<span style="font-size: large;">I have been absent from the blog for a while and while I have wanted to post for a while, life gets in the way!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here's some gratuitous orchid pics.....</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am really into these phalanopsis orchids at the moment. They last for months and look so stunning! They don't mind being dry in their pots so they are easy care too. I have them scattered all over my house. I bought a couple last year. One died, but I think it got too wet. I have not figured out the secret to get them to bloom again for the next year, but they are alive and healthy.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">These ones I bought from Big W about a month ago. They don't always have them, so when they do I snap them up quick smart!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Anyone else an Phal orchid lover?</span>Cattle and Cushionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17984889684282518364noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2930119879518023854.post-63718461494656840102013-12-11T11:18:00.001-08:002013-12-11T11:18:36.174-08:00Christmas is coming<span style="font-size: large;">How did it come around so quick?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I am not really organised, and before I knew it, it is here!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The boys put up the Christmas tree and I have been going full Clark Griswold with the lights. I tried last year to do lights on my pergola, but I don't think I thought it through properly, as half of them fell down in the wind and I ended up with black electrical tape everywhere.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So this year I discovered cable ties. I know, how on earth did it take me so long? And I discovered that if they aren't long enough, you can add another one on so you get the right length - revolutionary!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The things you learn in the hardware shop!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I spent all of last night putting them up, I love them - just like my own little fairyland.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I only wish that I could finish painting the pergola, it is too hot now - will have to wait until next autumn. S</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">LED lights are amazing, and are low on power usage aren't they?</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioJZYN-qMTmJ4_aydk71VTiMceg2D-M-UdNPxnwG4_1ms6NMvCZuWWuHsGuRkwXAIQQZaMss-5r6Qmli4RBVXlYMD_MhDrEbeJIkmc0AXj1RCwwuxkX335BJ-_ZLNtjE4qSu_NU7pi9aI/s1600/108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioJZYN-qMTmJ4_aydk71VTiMceg2D-M-UdNPxnwG4_1ms6NMvCZuWWuHsGuRkwXAIQQZaMss-5r6Qmli4RBVXlYMD_MhDrEbeJIkmc0AXj1RCwwuxkX335BJ-_ZLNtjE4qSu_NU7pi9aI/s640/108.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our tree is one I bought when H was about 2. It has been fairly good, but the plastic needles are starting to fall off everywhere. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm not really into chopping down a tree just for Christmas. And our pine trees are a bit ratty with the dry anyway.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4yV09YDl9Ku1SrEmcohETy5D5d7IPY6LBjpJ2FfT1mIi6-jpsBshk5iFSQHDoEmvqTJZy8AxR0YCsoM4cWgM4CW1YACRB4Tcl5CMpB25hUK8JQmou2dq-67nVrqaYlOhxJwvO3Say_8g/s1600/121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4yV09YDl9Ku1SrEmcohETy5D5d7IPY6LBjpJ2FfT1mIi6-jpsBshk5iFSQHDoEmvqTJZy8AxR0YCsoM4cWgM4CW1YACRB4Tcl5CMpB25hUK8JQmou2dq-67nVrqaYlOhxJwvO3Say_8g/s640/121.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have been making clay tags at my ceramics class lately, I made so many my tree has a lot of weight to hold with those tags. I hand stamped the paisley design on all of them. They are really easy to make, and I have loved doing it. Great for gifts too! I am adding one to my teacher gifts this year.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil6TDKQuQ5dqHh3yOenP8Iked_IB81tKmd2Jn65o4vlweDV-OcmV-JJXskyXDNNxdDnl3ZnJPOKwbJ5Z3S55J2_wRMSwNav-vTn4ULqHFX8qUV_RtLxQsyBKH8_4zkpu67Ygc8guYEgnA/s1600/120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil6TDKQuQ5dqHh3yOenP8Iked_IB81tKmd2Jn65o4vlweDV-OcmV-JJXskyXDNNxdDnl3ZnJPOKwbJ5Z3S55J2_wRMSwNav-vTn4ULqHFX8qUV_RtLxQsyBKH8_4zkpu67Ygc8guYEgnA/s640/120.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I made quite a few.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZayIdvvV9d4XeDep0p_jpJnq6mo8-1tXoqeh1JaEZlj_M3_XekHt93F9-AjcVBO9KH2JSrlxt0wIrg4X3m4rPdld_gVS3kkpU3VnaLQ8RbUX5fyjJw4g4Dx5mVUjZHKXf5uuwIVEBVuI/s1600/119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZayIdvvV9d4XeDep0p_jpJnq6mo8-1tXoqeh1JaEZlj_M3_XekHt93F9-AjcVBO9KH2JSrlxt0wIrg4X3m4rPdld_gVS3kkpU3VnaLQ8RbUX5fyjJw4g4Dx5mVUjZHKXf5uuwIVEBVuI/s640/119.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I sprayed a few gold, but the paint was rubbing off them a bit. I prefer them plain anyway - much more rustic, and they feel so nice in your hand. I made a few trees too, but were a bit annoying and fiddly to do. I prefer the circle tags.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The boys have made so many cute ornaments over the years, they love pulling them out and telling me when they made them and which teacher was there at the time. I really love them!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So there you go! Christmas is coming, tree and lights are up. Now to deep clean the house and get ready to have our Christmas lunch here. This is my first go at Christmas lunch for 17 of us - wish me luck, because I will need every bit of it.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Also, if you have any favourite recipes that feed a crowd, I'd love to see them. </span>Cattle and Cushionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17984889684282518364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2930119879518023854.post-77476071647011966582013-11-04T17:50:00.001-08:002013-11-04T17:50:39.810-08:00Melbourne Cup Day<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Melbourne Cup Day, where the race that stops a nation is happening right on school pick up time. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Hence why I don't watch the race until the 6.00pm news. I am recording it for my husband as he is mustering cattle and I will be at swimming lessons for little N.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">I remember when I was working in town (before children) it was a fun day where we bought the paper and studied the form and I would go down to the TAB to place bets for everyone in the office.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">We would shut the office and go around to one of our co-workers homes to drink champagne and watch it on TV.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">One year we all went to the pub to see the big race. It was always fun and when we had to return to the office, we would giggle until 5pm from the champers. and head back to the pub for a bit more weeknight fun. Those were the days!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Nowadays, I don't really do anything for cup day except watch fashions on the field if I am home and watch a replay. That's it!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Once the boys are older I probably will make it the the cup one day, but until then I will be content with watching it on telly.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">I'm not really into the horses, but I do love the fashions! Here is a great timeline of past winners of the fashions on the field. Check it out!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://melbournecup.com/fashion-style/timeline/">http://melbournecup.com/fashion-style/timeline/</a></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjARJhAs5CKYkqmEEQkOdsZ7ip4X4Rlvipv-WNpEwv7MeMdDVUeuu0Q_CZ5e9rKCDzimUPUalx2uSxNHxW55rrsdBOQRk_hlCLkZEDCHN6XviehoIDAlKdqYxBI2M_joHHQkVg9lvQgHMk/s1600/fashions+on+the+field.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjARJhAs5CKYkqmEEQkOdsZ7ip4X4Rlvipv-WNpEwv7MeMdDVUeuu0Q_CZ5e9rKCDzimUPUalx2uSxNHxW55rrsdBOQRk_hlCLkZEDCHN6XviehoIDAlKdqYxBI2M_joHHQkVg9lvQgHMk/s400/fashions+on+the+field.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">60's style<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxRg_4Fgr30L82gheScVVHwJFc72U-F7fhtfSJh6vhjbCr9i1X7liweTlkwyKirVqzj_oWt_9sO659845hr1vWjDuxERZYsW64AvD38bVwLdFvWQcruPzwhJfnmvRCvdntYqnLYTI-fsQ/s1600/fashions+on+the+field.png1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxRg_4Fgr30L82gheScVVHwJFc72U-F7fhtfSJh6vhjbCr9i1X7liweTlkwyKirVqzj_oWt_9sO659845hr1vWjDuxERZYsW64AvD38bVwLdFvWQcruPzwhJfnmvRCvdntYqnLYTI-fsQ/s400/fashions+on+the+field.png1.png" width="232" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">70's style</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9_lpYj9VmIqFy0p9NMCxdGmFTNeQIPHYG69b2Yq6js0_xpUHzkleopV8C-iXCWg30Nvcmxw-ha2uLQragvS9o-Fll1szE9veJFA7uGnf_GMlldp_vF6v-poZPv54FlNPaLaAnvo9sZMA/s1600/fashions+on+the+field.png2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9_lpYj9VmIqFy0p9NMCxdGmFTNeQIPHYG69b2Yq6js0_xpUHzkleopV8C-iXCWg30Nvcmxw-ha2uLQragvS9o-Fll1szE9veJFA7uGnf_GMlldp_vF6v-poZPv54FlNPaLaAnvo9sZMA/s400/fashions+on+the+field.png2.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">80's flair for fashion</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0xVwL78oA1RlX7z8jNh_lKR1fkxk5u-2qVNXktvsABxNV54EMC8z7X5JuVr-OnxORqfeMbTKlhQkGOjWEtUVqU6lbsWnLUQyPQRGRVjeOhpIcXvDVbVSb5nWLPdqUCCFyxf9wF0lxftc/s1600/fashions+on+the+field.png3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0xVwL78oA1RlX7z8jNh_lKR1fkxk5u-2qVNXktvsABxNV54EMC8z7X5JuVr-OnxORqfeMbTKlhQkGOjWEtUVqU6lbsWnLUQyPQRGRVjeOhpIcXvDVbVSb5nWLPdqUCCFyxf9wF0lxftc/s400/fashions+on+the+field.png3.png" width="258" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">90's </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJptvOUpS9zhxElAkyTe4CqDWuk9qivlGlpJB3UznzRquJpDcrdTCZ_LXhZ-ySv0UQNvYyjcZ1GComhvcrzoGVOzeZhpWYDolA2KzwtkmuYf1aDlz_tB29gLV4blP20oAagwKSnH7ezoU/s1600/fashions+on+the+field.png4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJptvOUpS9zhxElAkyTe4CqDWuk9qivlGlpJB3UznzRquJpDcrdTCZ_LXhZ-ySv0UQNvYyjcZ1GComhvcrzoGVOzeZhpWYDolA2KzwtkmuYf1aDlz_tB29gLV4blP20oAagwKSnH7ezoU/s400/fashions+on+the+field.png4.png" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last year's winner.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">It's all too fabulous!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Are you doing anything exciting for Melbourne Cup Day?</span>Cattle and Cushionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17984889684282518364noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2930119879518023854.post-50798919910699467222013-10-06T20:59:00.001-07:002013-10-06T20:59:15.798-07:00French Essence giveaway!<span style="font-size: large;">Would you like to go in a giveaway?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's a pretty amazing one at that too!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">To celebrate 5 years of French Essence blog, Vicky Archer is giving the chance to win a week’s stay at </span><a href="http://vickiarcher.com/2013/08/le-petit-bijou-part-5/" target="_blank" title="Le Petit Bijou… Part 5…"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Le Petit Bijou</span></strong></a><span style="font-size: large;">. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1MRN12eKLleONhUCk8zPsbtz6wIakzsDJPAPqw3pN864Jr0xLVFr4AUozFj4VKPps_SryjlOyk2zvVX3go_aZx6H7vOKBTvmzIRUSM28UgVjMS6bd9MUlKMi7kU3oPF7ctCKBClOw4eQ/s1600/french.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1MRN12eKLleONhUCk8zPsbtz6wIakzsDJPAPqw3pN864Jr0xLVFr4AUozFj4VKPps_SryjlOyk2zvVX3go_aZx6H7vOKBTvmzIRUSM28UgVjMS6bd9MUlKMi7kU3oPF7ctCKBClOw4eQ/s640/french.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Pretty spectacular prize hey!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Enter here. It is quite easy, you just have to follow on various outlets and subscribe to French Essence. Leave a comment and see how you go!</span><br />
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<a href="http://vickiarcher.com/2013/09/would-you-like-to-spend-one-week-in-st-remy-de-provence-at-le-petit-bijou-its-french-essences-fifth-birthday-and-time-to-celebrate/#comment-68669"><span style="font-size: large;">http://vickiarcher.com/2013/09/would-you-like-to-spend-one-week-in-st-remy-de-provence-at-le-petit-bijou-its-french-essences-fifth-birthday-and-time-to-celebrate/#comment-68669</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Vicky's blog was one of the very first blogs I discovered and it has always been a gorgeous read.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And if you don't win, the blog is still a spectacular read!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Good Luck!</span>Cattle and Cushionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17984889684282518364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2930119879518023854.post-75049663672751202802013-10-05T06:00:00.000-07:002013-10-05T13:39:52.768-07:00Simple Ideas are often the best<span style="font-size: x-large;">I have been playing around on Pinterest lately and found this little bit of inspiration.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I love that the simplest of ideas can just work so well and are functional whilst looking cute too.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNlcIFoGTQFi-A0_L5xPp6a843uYOma-2QnMe2xLOYRZEuJJ7-xkDMbFtSyNQmEpBCkN2Lt8BPsZwzT-yVpU3QQDRJzGGIUnZilUSr-d2gJX23J1Xysm-4ytlcd6NwH9dRCutr2TNZHoI/s1600/roll+of+paper.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNlcIFoGTQFi-A0_L5xPp6a843uYOma-2QnMe2xLOYRZEuJJ7-xkDMbFtSyNQmEpBCkN2Lt8BPsZwzT-yVpU3QQDRJzGGIUnZilUSr-d2gJX23J1Xysm-4ytlcd6NwH9dRCutr2TNZHoI/s640/roll+of+paper.png" width="440" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.weheart.co.uk/2013/07/05/bistro-union-london/">Bistro Union, Clapham</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Sure beats a blackboard with chalk dust flying about! And I imagine it would be fairly easy to keep replacing the roll when you want to.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Imagine using it to write messages to your (older) kids, like a chore list they can do while you are out or at work. Handy for lots of mums! </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">Or you could use it to write messages to your family outlining where everyone is, at what times, to keep track of it all. Perfect for busy homes with lots of sporting commitments!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Or you could just using it as a shopping list that everyone could add to as the kitchen runs out of things.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Although this is from a Cafe/Bar, and I imagine it would be used to write up the daily specials. I think it looks great for a rustic/industrial look kitchen.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Would you use this in your kitchen? Or do you think it could be a bit too rustic and over sized?</span><br />
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Cattle and Cushionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17984889684282518364noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2930119879518023854.post-59818184677395679462013-10-05T00:27:00.000-07:002013-10-05T00:27:17.166-07:00Catch up post<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">I have been rather slack on the blog front, I feel rather guilty for neglecting it so much. But life goes on, and we get busy with other things. And before I knew it it turned into October and the blog is the last job on the list of things to do.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_LXeswFNygIKNiQ2w9GCmpbrb1ynF7dGNGtv78uageTAmHp5E3ei9ZMjoyvx5yr84Gz2acQjHzCdLM0rvPgmb-knGEJfMcHVMVWKAXPHcbnFotZihwPWaFpA0-gcvEvDMekMeNjXByM/s1600/114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_LXeswFNygIKNiQ2w9GCmpbrb1ynF7dGNGtv78uageTAmHp5E3ei9ZMjoyvx5yr84Gz2acQjHzCdLM0rvPgmb-knGEJfMcHVMVWKAXPHcbnFotZihwPWaFpA0-gcvEvDMekMeNjXByM/s640/114.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I took some pics in the garden as the crab apple came into bloom. I love this blossom sprouting from the trunk.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwVNm4hOjizwS36ieF8bE6IKSBxeC4-QJfZ-Hojn-fycle9HEDbcM2OtCzoVFIQnH9w-ITN5_UFfcsktT4leiu86_vVeqM0J-Y1aCuB-Z8M_VnygPCkW0xzOwqKOMuOg4jAkDLD0vLPr0/s1600/113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwVNm4hOjizwS36ieF8bE6IKSBxeC4-QJfZ-Hojn-fycle9HEDbcM2OtCzoVFIQnH9w-ITN5_UFfcsktT4leiu86_vVeqM0J-Y1aCuB-Z8M_VnygPCkW0xzOwqKOMuOg4jAkDLD0vLPr0/s640/113.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I love spring and all the flowers it brings forth. But not the weeds.....</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkZatIVWb38Jz0HvJCZjhlpLMZMnDEYxCZw87aoW5R-nZOdxIy6wug2EiKUe9fP2_oqSXYwrrge1EeoJks_QM9y_XK7AoPD_X2jMvCoFyC6Lpq_tipdFLW04RsO207hx8F5-u5NIVs88A/s1600/156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkZatIVWb38Jz0HvJCZjhlpLMZMnDEYxCZw87aoW5R-nZOdxIy6wug2EiKUe9fP2_oqSXYwrrge1EeoJks_QM9y_XK7AoPD_X2jMvCoFyC6Lpq_tipdFLW04RsO207hx8F5-u5NIVs88A/s640/156.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Black and green, I never get sick of that colour combo!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Sm36kgNM3SptBSMerfTjgI1yQ4ECxBsbjfhPNHQix883PCJvq-fUY6nRdGCZwQL0YycWWdObMSDXfy0JOUxtL8uxNVrZoZcbWz8xbKRXhzDRNfNAJhdc9lfz7RXCkdQtJi7tKmncxzQ/s1600/132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Sm36kgNM3SptBSMerfTjgI1yQ4ECxBsbjfhPNHQix883PCJvq-fUY6nRdGCZwQL0YycWWdObMSDXfy0JOUxtL8uxNVrZoZcbWz8xbKRXhzDRNfNAJhdc9lfz7RXCkdQtJi7tKmncxzQ/s640/132.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The archway was looking particularly green and fluffy. White Jasmine on this one.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyGGB7yLlkjkPSku4qwMiUGFaDeRWt2AhUT9t-cnOCMAf0cT563-4wKTjIJjlKSRDeSF_cJ93hbyAIkN-8TST7pawr94KFWpbeRryyrzjFqn0N7p5gX6ycX2OeUlE0NXgs2qgDR00hMiQ/s1600/154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyGGB7yLlkjkPSku4qwMiUGFaDeRWt2AhUT9t-cnOCMAf0cT563-4wKTjIJjlKSRDeSF_cJ93hbyAIkN-8TST7pawr94KFWpbeRryyrzjFqn0N7p5gX6ycX2OeUlE0NXgs2qgDR00hMiQ/s640/154.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">We put a new fence up. And this is the top of the gorgeous old gate we are using as the entrance to the orchard.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The poddy calves won't be able to graze in my garden now with my new fence.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp3DPwDH5dFUOrZOyBl4Yfcs6w_l_dE6M5UbR01e-DpA_7Iuv7_HZ5WAaPzv18B6fDxxxAOAo-V5GEp5qJYQFTVwUJfJGtQiX7kHBv9X6BqUOVxOELXXdsqtZSjFJemMntRdPY_sJRHNU/s1600/158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp3DPwDH5dFUOrZOyBl4Yfcs6w_l_dE6M5UbR01e-DpA_7Iuv7_HZ5WAaPzv18B6fDxxxAOAo-V5GEp5qJYQFTVwUJfJGtQiX7kHBv9X6BqUOVxOELXXdsqtZSjFJemMntRdPY_sJRHNU/s640/158.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The avenue of Chinese Elms were looking pretty good after mowing under them, and a good prune...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYDwl6olQyqObaCzfHY0_uJ41JgyWbsap6CGYVfcSDW5nwRJ-NcmZ6Nyp0G1SW9Vn4QGNmdLstQ6d35ZAxUXGa069xUcKP44UczzeDoBdQ8vyBGl-7RfEGVTVLp_JpBRbqnP7OG3rza5k/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYDwl6olQyqObaCzfHY0_uJ41JgyWbsap6CGYVfcSDW5nwRJ-NcmZ6Nyp0G1SW9Vn4QGNmdLstQ6d35ZAxUXGa069xUcKP44UczzeDoBdQ8vyBGl-7RfEGVTVLp_JpBRbqnP7OG3rza5k/s640/002.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I said goodbye to my pram. I loved this pram to bits! Bought it for my first baby H (who is now 11) and it has seen two more babies arrive after him, and it was time to go. Now that little N is 4 and a half - it was way past time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I gave it to a friends who needed it for their first baby. I think they will love it just as much as I did. The suspension it has is amazingly smooth, and they are pretty expensive these days. Doubled in price since I bought this one.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAlaIQGzxf6o2WlIADK9kgAn83GCaJGE-wPIYK8rLErkq6nCHt3J26ShB9Qu89MIr6h3XOyBa4ePvofonlFm4982lbEuEFgtGJXQ8DNTdCw5iRyRa1jMt_fKrtITTQ5M04OAgpdn38ECU/s1600/167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAlaIQGzxf6o2WlIADK9kgAn83GCaJGE-wPIYK8rLErkq6nCHt3J26ShB9Qu89MIr6h3XOyBa4ePvofonlFm4982lbEuEFgtGJXQ8DNTdCw5iRyRa1jMt_fKrtITTQ5M04OAgpdn38ECU/s640/167.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Our new puppy Pete the Border Collie. He has fit in quickly after Ted. He is insanely keen to work. He will round up butterflies, birds, and kids. He hasn't been trained to work cattle of sheep yet, but he is showing lots of promise and enthusiasm.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMMgH5uL21rTM4hieHT6Tr-CTZAEasFczgoXlr3eBePYZlhqT6b1JfW0X4Uk0Psm5TMZA5G_iqF4P91xTPdJpeKreg-sX-k9eWV9_fWyF4v-bsnrLwhpMFObMjg6wGytJpIosWmPZli5U/s1600/170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMMgH5uL21rTM4hieHT6Tr-CTZAEasFczgoXlr3eBePYZlhqT6b1JfW0X4Uk0Psm5TMZA5G_iqF4P91xTPdJpeKreg-sX-k9eWV9_fWyF4v-bsnrLwhpMFObMjg6wGytJpIosWmPZli5U/s640/170.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Border Collies are so intelligent and active. I can't imagine anyone owning one in the city, they would go insane. Pete would anyway!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGPbdR_KiKOm6QNVo2kRhV6Me4uIi90TrzsLipLgeemk5ypeFaY8dqLRESl9D5Nn9VpwbP4YTODKrIZ_7tb2j-0YfPQV2LYGu8XSC-xqYKOwfrJOBxSbEd5sd_3YpbnNm4996sqO2pNko/s1600/181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGPbdR_KiKOm6QNVo2kRhV6Me4uIi90TrzsLipLgeemk5ypeFaY8dqLRESl9D5Nn9VpwbP4YTODKrIZ_7tb2j-0YfPQV2LYGu8XSC-xqYKOwfrJOBxSbEd5sd_3YpbnNm4996sqO2pNko/s640/181.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Finishing off with a purple sky the other night. Love this beautiful weather, it's perfect!</span>Cattle and Cushionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17984889684282518364noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2930119879518023854.post-91122928656238247232013-08-19T19:02:00.001-07:002013-08-19T23:36:59.982-07:00O'verlays<span style="font-size: large;">Finally!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have been waiting for years and years for O'verlays to make their way to our shores in Australia.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It truly is worth the wait though. If you are a DIY'er who loves Ikea, this is the product for you!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">If you have never heard of O'verlays before, let me explain. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">They are thin pieces of decorative PVC that can be glued onto furniture or mirrors. They can be painted, and they are used in so many different ways to make a simple piece look much more "high-end". It truly is an inexpensive way to transform furniture taking it to the next level.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Ikea furniture can be transformed into designer look pieces using O'verlays. You can buy O'verlays to suit the particular styles of Ikea furniture, because it is already premade and measured to fit.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">If you have an old piece of furniture lying around that you are bored with, you can order custom fitted O'verlays to suit your project. They really are so versatile!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Let me demonstrate.........</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdR-ED5hjXvuJySlkNNz47_B-Scdv5SseO4brkqAhcS8NRof-9OwKeT2yzxPkdHn1ACnZheZpWXexLomZjcNA3jXmY-rv9xaYAEg7V-S9Y_f2fghyphenhyphenqORLLtgmk7nVqEcY4vaNGS-6i_hI/s1600/overlays2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="620" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdR-ED5hjXvuJySlkNNz47_B-Scdv5SseO4brkqAhcS8NRof-9OwKeT2yzxPkdHn1ACnZheZpWXexLomZjcNA3jXmY-rv9xaYAEg7V-S9Y_f2fghyphenhyphenqORLLtgmk7nVqEcY4vaNGS-6i_hI/s640/overlays2.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">They give a bit more "depth" to plain furniture.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIlT4oNH-LrkalBSS9dxXJW6eYDmVNprvtbSzAv97GC4rAIb-kl4A1-DDKLLy2J8Dq_Sq4r_NKiETuyqJFecvtQ_Qgj6yjp6W3OKoKx6epFxTwDkgTsbUkuxY1z_G46OTnvLIJATo82LA/s1600/overlays.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIlT4oNH-LrkalBSS9dxXJW6eYDmVNprvtbSzAv97GC4rAIb-kl4A1-DDKLLy2J8Dq_Sq4r_NKiETuyqJFecvtQ_Qgj6yjp6W3OKoKx6epFxTwDkgTsbUkuxY1z_G46OTnvLIJATo82LA/s640/overlays.png" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Love this one layered over the top of a mirrored chest of drawers.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH6iHrOYntAeZr1UQdedpcvnZ6EJ_AF-xLvWlwCFbNld1UutyYUr87rQFD-_ASAwJUH095XBQUQiZa6oXo692vjMHgnTRWZQzKGH-QYwS7aLo4U4GjOH8JV14I0isjBiHaH9D5AykN9Kk/s1600/overlays5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH6iHrOYntAeZr1UQdedpcvnZ6EJ_AF-xLvWlwCFbNld1UutyYUr87rQFD-_ASAwJUH095XBQUQiZa6oXo692vjMHgnTRWZQzKGH-QYwS7aLo4U4GjOH8JV14I0isjBiHaH9D5AykN9Kk/s640/overlays5.png" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just look at the transformation of this basic "Malm" chest of drawers. Makes such a huge difference to this basic Ikea piece! I love the Greek Key style, but there are so many different patterns that I would find it hard to pick one.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjANb2Ss-W7Mv61IIplHkAqWQylkEAGkgF2fdRdW_9S298Ft9kvTlwHq-hZuguQkZSyZkkcE6pzxa9NnptOFYnrBtQ0uKrfUkhISCLu3IPWfmnFTU1gLtjcxCzmoAJsAkvAGNyP1csBTXk/s1600/overlays6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjANb2Ss-W7Mv61IIplHkAqWQylkEAGkgF2fdRdW_9S298Ft9kvTlwHq-hZuguQkZSyZkkcE6pzxa9NnptOFYnrBtQ0uKrfUkhISCLu3IPWfmnFTU1gLtjcxCzmoAJsAkvAGNyP1csBTXk/s640/overlays6.png" width="496" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">before</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdSjIORznNZHFkXLrIZXZRJOwgeLO996DYt43hyphenhyphenJTXBpywf2FFjsA3SVcL06Jvsk5LlEuzTmgtRUQ6myu_e2wJ3YmAKZlBrtpI_XvBHEUi6aaArSFLg-ChP8M6yPWUIohRjGIxuikPR68/s1600/overlays7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdSjIORznNZHFkXLrIZXZRJOwgeLO996DYt43hyphenhyphenJTXBpywf2FFjsA3SVcL06Jvsk5LlEuzTmgtRUQ6myu_e2wJ3YmAKZlBrtpI_XvBHEUi6aaArSFLg-ChP8M6yPWUIohRjGIxuikPR68/s640/overlays7.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: large;">With the O'verlays glued on and painted a lovely blue, this chest is anything but boring or basic.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEM3NjW9Hlj9iPp9Y4ib0iL0u6xmI2iU4HSQEdygum0-B7VZ6byOrwZsvn4b5LjRn9C35GdpsuGZUXs8xU4JNg-a94EW8X_YcKcuXSuf4_PJPCPnNeVxY3A8vELxS4Z8mNopwPMCpNcBc/s1600/overlays4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEM3NjW9Hlj9iPp9Y4ib0iL0u6xmI2iU4HSQEdygum0-B7VZ6byOrwZsvn4b5LjRn9C35GdpsuGZUXs8xU4JNg-a94EW8X_YcKcuXSuf4_PJPCPnNeVxY3A8vELxS4Z8mNopwPMCpNcBc/s640/overlays4.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">With the help of some mirrors, a bit of DIY skill and lots of different O'verlays,. This Ikea wardrobe is transformed into something you would expect to be an expensive custom piece.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigS54ZU3X1EC-stGtoi5UuRkY72e0HcD75Cag6tRqh6LuvAHoiuA0X83Idfpa224OEv4I6E7EIe_ZEabTWE6KAgwx-wiJxuTOTW2mKo9Iy1HvFp2SXqusFXYFCFxx6azg0p0-5NaBRIuo/s1600/overlays3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigS54ZU3X1EC-stGtoi5UuRkY72e0HcD75Cag6tRqh6LuvAHoiuA0X83Idfpa224OEv4I6E7EIe_ZEabTWE6KAgwx-wiJxuTOTW2mKo9Iy1HvFp2SXqusFXYFCFxx6azg0p0-5NaBRIuo/s640/overlays3.png" width="556" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you want a modern look, you can paint them a different colour and stick them on. This nursery looks fabulous with a pop of colour on the O'verlays!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUlpWxMjeSt1jhHHPLPGtJDgpe9DlLZ9K44dXaBsjXaQLDwd2L799BBLcYfwWkYvd6dyzLoJtbQtHb_4NI0wEkfGspSBi8B18L8N7QKFd4G_Sehr6jbHUQFXrqfyp_u42nSsMX1uN1QiI/s1600/ov.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUlpWxMjeSt1jhHHPLPGtJDgpe9DlLZ9K44dXaBsjXaQLDwd2L799BBLcYfwWkYvd6dyzLoJtbQtHb_4NI0wEkfGspSBi8B18L8N7QKFd4G_Sehr6jbHUQFXrqfyp_u42nSsMX1uN1QiI/s640/ov.png" width="510" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And how could we forget the $20 Lack table? Doesn't look like a cheap table now with the Greek Key style fretwork!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The possibilities are endless, only limited by your imagination...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">They stick on with Liquid Nails, so there is no carpentry skills required. Some people use heavy duty double sided tape so the O'verlay can be removed if you like to change the look for something different. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The O'verlay Blog has lots of great ideas, advice and tutorials, you can find it <a href="http://www.myoverlays.blogspot.com.au/">here</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">To order or buy O'verlays you can go <a href="http://www.myoverlays.com.au/">here</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I can't wait to try some out!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">On another note, I have been having problems with my blog. I am trying to reply to all my comments, but the text box has my blog page on it (my blog within my blog) so I can't reply to you until I figure out how to get rid of it. So I am very sorry if it looks like I am ignoring my lovely commenters! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Anyone else having this problem?</span>Cattle and Cushionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17984889684282518364noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2930119879518023854.post-67465231238978166892013-08-16T22:06:00.000-07:002013-08-16T22:06:32.767-07:00Once in a lifetime.....<span style="font-size: large;">Any Rugby Union fans out there?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">As a mum to three boys I have watched many football games in the past, and I see plenty more in my immediate future too. There really is no escaping it!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">In our small town sport is what brings us all together as a community, and it gives all the kids something to do on the weekends to keep them occupied. It gets parents out and about socially when events are few and far between. And a welcome break from the daily grind on the farm.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">In short, sport is pretty important and a life essential out here. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Our Rugby club is a little parent run organisation. The coaches are all volunteers, and we just do Rugby carnivals. We aren't in a points competition as there isn't any clubs around close enough to play with. So we travel a fair distance to play, and have three games each time we play to make it more worthwhile. It's nice when you can catch up with people you havn't seen in ages from other towns you don't get to go to very often. We have met other people through Rugby and it is great for our kids to mix with other kids.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Oh and the other bonus is that they learn how to play Rugby and grow their confidence before they hit high school and want to play with their mates.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Anyway, to cut to the chase......</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Our club was nominated to be included as the guard of honour for the Wallabies at the Bledisloe Cup tonight! It is pretty exciting, and one of those once in a lifetime opportunities that never come along. Especially when Australia is looking to break the long drought of having the Bledisloe Cup back from the All Blacks (New Zealand) hands. If you are overseas and wondering what the hell I am going on about it is basically the biggest game in Australian Rugby for the year. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Probably will be as close to the Wallabies as H will ever get too!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">They basically stand there looking proud and clapping or waving flags and high-fiving as the Wallabies run onto the field. They stay on the field for the national anthems and The Haka. And then they get to go back to their seats to watch the game. It is really quite exciting and fabulous for these boys from their tiny club in the sticks!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So H and my husband went down to Sydney yesterday. They flew down so they would have more time to play in Sydney without the long drive making them tired. It's H's early birthday present going on the plane and having a Dad/Son weekend too. So that worked in quite well!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">They have already been shopping (for football gear), went out for dinner at Darling Harbour, eaten lots of seafood and caught up with some friends too. Today they caught up with some of the boys who are in the team, and they did laser skirmish and ten pin bowling to wear them out. And one of those metre long pizzas went down a treat! As it will be a late night, my husband was hoping to wear H out so he would have a really big afternoon nap before the excitement.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">One of my husband's friends is in the television hosting business, and he said he is mates with the guy who does all the camera work at the Rugby. He is going to try to put as much camera time on our little bush team as much as he can. So I will be at home watching with little F and little N waiting to see their brother's smiling face tonight!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So exciting!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnZ_DbHq0tZSuy2glK-R7KRjSPvirNmENtJdKYwIDEG16_CEq3TaPuNSEEK2WuUyVocFB49xmqvRdmuliIvwr_fyPCmxRsMtESGKDDQnOwfPGU9OpiHe3wTrFxkKOv_UgdTkQ6PtsZJnE/s1600/wallabies.png1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnZ_DbHq0tZSuy2glK-R7KRjSPvirNmENtJdKYwIDEG16_CEq3TaPuNSEEK2WuUyVocFB49xmqvRdmuliIvwr_fyPCmxRsMtESGKDDQnOwfPGU9OpiHe3wTrFxkKOv_UgdTkQ6PtsZJnE/s400/wallabies.png1.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Cattle and Cushionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17984889684282518364noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2930119879518023854.post-63464179729610958322013-08-06T22:49:00.000-07:002013-08-06T22:49:35.610-07:00The dining table<span style="font-size: large;">Thank you all for your nice comments yesterday about Ted, I thought I had better put a post up that I meant to before he died. So moving on........</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I found a dining setting on Gumtree a few weeks ago. Not many antiques come up in my area very often, and none that are as nice or in as good condition as this. It was a real find!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Anyway, I saw it and made a mental note to show my husband, as he is into nice antiques. And of course with hectic life stuff happening I forgot about mentioning it again.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We were in Sydney and I mentioned my find as we were talking about going for a look at some antique shops while we were down there. We never found enough time (like always) and I really don't relish dragging the boys around shops that have precious items in them (good as the boys are usually).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Anyway, I mentioned that I found this huuuuge mahogany table with matching chairs on Gumtree. He had a look and I called the number. Turns out it was from friends of ours locally and they couldn't fit it in their new home. So I went out and had a look.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We thought it was stunning. And worth every cent.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We collected it ourselves and because it was so heavy, it takes about 4 men to lift the table, even without the leaves in.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here she is in extended glory!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmlj60-NEo8W3AzyBh-neB3UMnVL3EpoIELPXM8Zp_qRcOrMFVp-4ao0QNslnqbY-WHtSza-eyC6s4mBZ068SICpJjI5b8BmaprASx5lIpjzFvXXydBh6-ee0nXbh-8Y1fXUMj_IpwDTA/s1600/IMG_0051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmlj60-NEo8W3AzyBh-neB3UMnVL3EpoIELPXM8Zp_qRcOrMFVp-4ao0QNslnqbY-WHtSza-eyC6s4mBZ068SICpJjI5b8BmaprASx5lIpjzFvXXydBh6-ee0nXbh-8Y1fXUMj_IpwDTA/s640/IMG_0051.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It's a 10 seater solid mahogany table with 10 balloon back upholstered chairs. I love it a lot!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg10PefV2Yy4pPILiquJ0urTsbJ35_CIHkc8HUElzfRZ-AqrfQpTMA4yQnZUALg2wdArApTQFf0AwcrCMclubbfuwwFG06IWW3V2v1Bk7UtFbpMlwfkD0u7girH6xRL8EjywF_EaAnFTsk/s1600/IMG_0052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg10PefV2Yy4pPILiquJ0urTsbJ35_CIHkc8HUElzfRZ-AqrfQpTMA4yQnZUALg2wdArApTQFf0AwcrCMclubbfuwwFG06IWW3V2v1Bk7UtFbpMlwfkD0u7girH6xRL8EjywF_EaAnFTsk/s640/IMG_0052.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The upholstery is in mint condition. Floral grandma fabric isn't really my style, but it isn't offensive to me so I will keep it until I (save up) to reupholster. I think re upholstery/flash fabric would probably cost more than an arm and a leg, so at the moment it will stay.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoEr9t9gYQh5NzxsQScYIghpnUIAkHLO-FhnbV05OE4mBvZEWoGlterWw41QawHeXWY4Z9D3EHZ83V9brmMsRMCJajexGb-9V5GkXQaOd_NH7fNNaOWR-kg7pw93nwWcObmTZlLwH1jbA/s1600/IMG_0053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoEr9t9gYQh5NzxsQScYIghpnUIAkHLO-FhnbV05OE4mBvZEWoGlterWw41QawHeXWY4Z9D3EHZ83V9brmMsRMCJajexGb-9V5GkXQaOd_NH7fNNaOWR-kg7pw93nwWcObmTZlLwH1jbA/s640/IMG_0053.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I should have moved the ironing board before taking a pic.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I love the detail on all the legs.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQQEDM7mCNApN7twnUzwGw1ElDp1abZzLCnJq0idMtUPtn4a9fWK2Cg7w40V3RyESll6scEB54vRarWzc78NWIiY9T28PE9GRd80QPfon2qIN_yt7OeDlWg6-hfTWJNg8D9N1WlsgtQ04/s1600/IMG_0055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQQEDM7mCNApN7twnUzwGw1ElDp1abZzLCnJq0idMtUPtn4a9fWK2Cg7w40V3RyESll6scEB54vRarWzc78NWIiY9T28PE9GRd80QPfon2qIN_yt7OeDlWg6-hfTWJNg8D9N1WlsgtQ04/s640/IMG_0055.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fits in the room quite well.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The carvers are divine. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The whole setting is in amazing condition and it looks like someone had it in their "good" dining room and probably never used it. Not many people have the room for such a big piece, So I am glad it fits really well in my dining room. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I kept my old Harvey Norman table we bought when we first married for everyday use in the kitchen. The boys will be able to sit here when I get some sort of protective tablecloth for it. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I just can't stop looking at the shine and feeling the silky smooth top.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I know dark antique furniture is pretty outdated at the moment for most people, but I am not like most people. Beach style and Hampton's style, as much as I like it doesn't really suit my house in the country. Even this table feels slightly out of place, like it should be in some stately home in Melbourne. But it fits, I love it and we will use it all the time.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The buffet in the background is matching to my old table, I am figuring out what to do as they don't really gel together. If you want to know what the paint colours are they are Dulux Grand Piano (full strength) on the walls. Taubmans Iron Gate on the bank of built ins. The trim and door is Taubmans white. The floors are original floorboards of the house and they have been sanded, but not sure what stain was used. They are a matte finish.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I am pleased that I found a full set, often with old furniture the chairs are missing.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Whichever child of mine gets my house in the future, the table will have to come with it. No one will be able to move it without a hassle. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span>Cattle and Cushionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17984889684282518364noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2930119879518023854.post-2175318227610498032013-08-06T00:24:00.001-07:002013-08-06T00:25:51.904-07:00RIP Ted<span style="font-size: large;">I am sorry to say that I have sad news to tell about our dog Ted. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">This morning we had to shoot the most beautiful dog I think we have ever had. It was a terrible way to start the day.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">In the early hours of this morning Ted was barking like crazy. He is pretty good at night as a rule, because we trained him to be quiet at night.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">He only ever barked at night if there was a fox prowling, or if another dog turned up at our house. When Ted started barking and just wouldn't stop, I went out to investigate. I couldn't see anything as it was so dark. I couldn't spot a fox or anything at all, so we went back to bed. He barked on and off until 6.00 and I went out there to see if there was in fact another dog annoying him, but he seemed to be barking at anything and everything. He started biting his poly kennel as he thought it was attacking him when he raced past it. I couldn't get him to stop barking and I realised that he just couldn't really see me, or he was hallucinating terribly. My husband noticed that his eyes were popping out and that he had crazy eyes. It was terrible.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We were wondering what to do, and suspected rat poison firstly. I googled it, but none of the symptoms were the same. We called the vet as soon as we could gwt a hold of her and straight away, she said 1080 poisoning. She said it was up to us what we do, but there isn't really any hope of saving an animal from it. We checked him again and he was having trouble breathing and he was shaking like a leaf all over and close to convulsing. We decided to shoot him then and there.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">My husband had to do the deed and put him out of his misery.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I just feel so terrible about the whole thing. I know that if we figured it out when he was barking like mad for no reason, he still could not be saved from the 1080 poison. It works very quickly and it kills within around three hours. Apparently the symptoms may take 6 hours plus to show up, but when it starts showing, the dog just won't survive.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We don't put 1080 poison out on our property. We do bait on a property 20 kms away though. Some of the neighbours do occasionally put them out when the foxes and pigs are particularly bad, the vet said that a piece of bait can be dropped by a crow, or within a dead fox that's remains are disturbed. I have since found out that pig vomit can contain 1080, and if it is eaten by an animal, it can easily kill it too. And the poison can last a long time out in the weather too, it may be weaker, but it still kills. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I am just so sad that our beautiful 1 year old pup suffered this. I am glad we were all home to put him out of his misery once we knew what the problem was.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">................................................................................</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Ted was a lovely animal, he was very placid for a cattle dog and never aggressive. He would try to get as close to you as possible by sitting against the back door, or on your lap if you were sitting down. He could not get enough pats and would lie on the ground just gazing and wanting those belly rubs and scratches.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">He was like a baby really. And he was growing up to be a great companion too. Just out of that annoying puppy stage where they chew every shoe in sight, he was good at letting me know when random people showed up to the house.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The boys are shattered, this is their first pet - so it's one of those learning curves of life on a farm. And I have always tried to not get too attached to farm animals as I know nothing lasts forever. But, he was really my dog. He thought I was his mother, he usually looked to me first.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I would not be so sad if he lived to 14 and died of old age, it has been quite a shock to see a healthy young pet die so suddenly. I think we will have to get another pup when we can from the same parents as he really was the best cattle dog I have ever had.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">If you want to know more about 1080 poison baits here is a factsheet on first aid you can do if you see your dog or cat consume 1080 poison. </span><a href="http://www.gamecouncil.nsw.gov.au/docs/Advice-FirstAidforWorkingDogs.pdf"><span style="font-size: large;">http://www.gamecouncil.nsw.gov.au/docs/Advice-FirstAidforWorkingDogs.pdf</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And here are some pics of my beautiful Ted</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How I remember him</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfcc9S5SVq3LGipnFewC6vhJbG-Qem8t6go6L6vkKxFzZl5vs1w52i09WNcKLjpBwWP3v1-XpQ1qlpvna8-kNoRoWwjMD5PgO6QLvvFGF9uejddpdkm76DwHSBWlSNMX3O1HDqrbekKUo/s1600/024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfcc9S5SVq3LGipnFewC6vhJbG-Qem8t6go6L6vkKxFzZl5vs1w52i09WNcKLjpBwWP3v1-XpQ1qlpvna8-kNoRoWwjMD5PgO6QLvvFGF9uejddpdkm76DwHSBWlSNMX3O1HDqrbekKUo/s640/024.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When we brought him home</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVZ5LZCruyip6lB2se-1vDsntDSmX6tWhCy0QgjjX_RJOQYTp0Y2GnH8OQjsyepMWslCmQXqjRGek_ZEQfDwzuXvVQIRCLu3Q_6_XhJi6Ct7hOSDfw13QTtGxbl9xRZJ4WU6OjUDMDrCs/s1600/086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVZ5LZCruyip6lB2se-1vDsntDSmX6tWhCy0QgjjX_RJOQYTp0Y2GnH8OQjsyepMWslCmQXqjRGek_ZEQfDwzuXvVQIRCLu3Q_6_XhJi6Ct7hOSDfw13QTtGxbl9xRZJ4WU6OjUDMDrCs/s640/086.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovely and calm Ted</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I promise I will post something a bit happier tomorrow.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">xx</span>Cattle and Cushionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17984889684282518364noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2930119879518023854.post-9027856865405152942013-08-01T21:22:00.000-07:002013-08-01T21:22:12.488-07:00Succulents<span style="font-size: large;">I love succulents! They are fairly tough, drought tolerant, can be easily propagated from cuttings, and they usually look good year-round.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Some gardeners don't really like cacti and succulents, but I think they certainly have their place. Especially in my garden where it can be incredibly hot in summer. Plants need to be tough to survive our inland Australian summers.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1274029581" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6iuaIJX3Kg3jHIbhND58N9-vj-NfHSOf6VqQ3cYbVdq4ai9PQ39vJId_GDlI_CJxD6MZuIKmkVg4MpILiRXa6CbT1JRUIZG7l8oawDWPHyz7mCMacH-eERg6GGxpQPd4epMBLXVglMWA/s640/succulent.png3.png" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://its-a-green-life.com/2013/02/11/succulent-centerpieces-with-echeveria-perle-von-nurnberg-pachyveria-glauca-little-jewel-sedum-spathulifolium-capo-blanco-echeveria-lol/">succulent-centrepieces</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2vMoq0jqa4hdQbOCanXXUBWp_FQEfB2oHNptscSLRoNhk2sP7AirtcAewRVsPSFKkUtsu4fNqC-RhJobDJRmYQunuBYoqEJrnXPTEl5ehI-CTUHTeFlOk-NHDpqFwLsfFx54KN28V9Xk/s1600/succulent.png2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2vMoq0jqa4hdQbOCanXXUBWp_FQEfB2oHNptscSLRoNhk2sP7AirtcAewRVsPSFKkUtsu4fNqC-RhJobDJRmYQunuBYoqEJrnXPTEl5ehI-CTUHTeFlOk-NHDpqFwLsfFx54KN28V9Xk/s640/succulent.png2.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://blog.downthatlittlelane.com.au/2013/07/lets-make-it-succulent-eggshells.html">succulents in eggshells - cute!</a></td></tr>
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<a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/9f/b2/a4/9fb2a4c1057cefb48992b6874365a936.jpg"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjStLSCJWSPY1vRiH64KssjXjb9AbfvCzdMNyuzOCb7TNe5bPJzXWkiiS0PymFEON8A7B09avUNC8NyHLm4Gf1GznGQjVa9D1Tqfa6nkNxvvkVOCz8XylSmQCYFWDsT5ovLVzLuWAWdyqc/s640/succulent.png5.png" width="532" /> Love these as a centrepiece</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVY9Gnjj43NqSK-ECcCLVO4SEJTpdb3QJl0Se1kf2zXRG0r2lJcZ4WYIX1TxJBJvOiO-AVsvrBMNYFCFf6_af7tOdhiyTnJ8qJbDYo2mGPqb1Aclqnw4NfzTZcxv4EIu0krgc_oNhKqOw/s1600/succulent.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVY9Gnjj43NqSK-ECcCLVO4SEJTpdb3QJl0Se1kf2zXRG0r2lJcZ4WYIX1TxJBJvOiO-AVsvrBMNYFCFf6_af7tOdhiyTnJ8qJbDYo2mGPqb1Aclqnw4NfzTZcxv4EIu0krgc_oNhKqOw/s400/succulent.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://theshinysquirrel.tumblr.com/post/46383758860"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhluTijAYZRQQX4BTLOHVfr5oPyi34Z7c-Z0kmXcXvjLW2_6rgnT_QtRCmP5-U4ElKxmR36-irgeQGnYqrUrqUlc7SGvaFKo3kjMgZO_E6byDVFv8jOZIrlcsmn5dLMTmsZtOS6bMbE_9o/s640/succulent.png1.png" width="420" /> </a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2vMoq0jqa4hdQbOCanXXUBWp_FQEfB2oHNptscSLRoNhk2sP7AirtcAewRVsPSFKkUtsu4fNqC-RhJobDJRmYQunuBYoqEJrnXPTEl5ehI-CTUHTeFlOk-NHDpqFwLsfFx54KN28V9Xk/s1600/succulent.png2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> <u><span style="color: #0066cc;">Colours of the rainbow</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There are plenty of ways to display succulents, you can make a succulent ball like this one. This looks fabulous and not too hard!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/9f/b2/a4/9fb2a4c1057cefb48992b6874365a936.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis5LQ9BXveS5Y-bWc9W9SBJQ1qZHAyzoKuhKlQQSC7n5O8E61a7EJMDzmFH4rjkC2Ps2l0ps48RnW_GZOswvS3VRR2jYohX4zuOb9JMoUDXPBO5XDdd2pxGbqNWZS-9ZGJvsTRhxTRFBo/s200/succulent.png6.png" width="200" /> Make a succulent ball</a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/9f/b2/a4/9fb2a4c1057cefb48992b6874365a936.jpg">Make a succulent ball</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid7Od-BNRgtmXM5CCEEtUzD8WBt9SBNYPBl5MxIb8F5sbojMaEyGn9cknAbN974Fc_aXU_rU-Oh7Rg3PoLD8D4rGq8Kt3nt2QC4L25Hp9JK0Dbg6hyTz3qEO-6c8kYSoYEiwkH0jWInmw/s1600/succulent.png7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid7Od-BNRgtmXM5CCEEtUzD8WBt9SBNYPBl5MxIb8F5sbojMaEyGn9cknAbN974Fc_aXU_rU-Oh7Rg3PoLD8D4rGq8Kt3nt2QC4L25Hp9JK0Dbg6hyTz3qEO-6c8kYSoYEiwkH0jWInmw/s400/succulent.png7.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/9f/b2/a4/9fb2a4c1057cefb48992b6874365a936.jpg">Some look like ocean coral</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You could grow them vertically in a frame like this. Easy care garden!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://gardengrab.co.uk/post/15096714731/vertical-container-garden-click-on-the-image-to" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqEMJvPalL0IXPjzYqIUB4FsTUdbq0pbVok2q1al-Fy-Nkn9LkZRR33nXKkeTN7XX5BHz_QdoA9mN4GonCulhq4ldfFS37wypsACMEV2M8PAIKlSRu-6kracYHOJBeOo9XSG7gQ0oN38U/s400/succulent.png8.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://gardengrab.co.uk/post/15096714731/vertical-container-garden-click-on-the-image-to">They can grow vertically too like these ones in wooden frames</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/ffximage/2007/06/26/urn_narrowweb__300x410,0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwpNFhOzpq7jJ27lhdQG5jIItdHoQx3NoiS1vW4yQrbmfysg6JhTcG6Tgv3ecsJeG2LIug1utYmSUofkSi4sXls6HTlNikqHV3z29pXBTGOqDS51EGknycMAP9VKCwRwzKyF8gi4c5VaI/s320/succulent.png9.png" width="234" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/ffximage/2007/06/26/urn_narrowweb__300x410,0.jpg">Gorgeous and hardy in pots</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2FtWjqkTaiXgmIskzoRrnR93j33tf1ub_63A7u73znc9LQYPcBV1SPY-tSXyW8y-AqOYBmMOr4f3Rhf_YLshPY7knvHQ0eQW671yi2DqZM6gkDpbqOGX1LUutbkbRzfoJn4xsiR6YA6M/s1600/succulent.png10.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2FtWjqkTaiXgmIskzoRrnR93j33tf1ub_63A7u73znc9LQYPcBV1SPY-tSXyW8y-AqOYBmMOr4f3Rhf_YLshPY7knvHQ0eQW671yi2DqZM6gkDpbqOGX1LUutbkbRzfoJn4xsiR6YA6M/s640/succulent.png10.png" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/anniesannuals/5170635486/">love the contrast and variety of these in the garden</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">How about a whole garden of succulents?</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiyUZCM0Hl-4DGoq6L9-M_Q3d3IqFA7FaDOj9gxY_oCOiyi05rXxozBNkIMOpWR3C3RK_eI6mfAZHARPhfkiFaGvBA-23d9n4EbdDXmRXYm7Zux75gk1lqThxWe07A9ukR2KIzBvPhcKg/s1600/succulent.png11.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiyUZCM0Hl-4DGoq6L9-M_Q3d3IqFA7FaDOj9gxY_oCOiyi05rXxozBNkIMOpWR3C3RK_eI6mfAZHARPhfkiFaGvBA-23d9n4EbdDXmRXYm7Zux75gk1lqThxWe07A9ukR2KIzBvPhcKg/s640/succulent.png11.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So Beautiful.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you aren't too impatient, you could collect loads of cuttings and plant in mini pots as bonbonniere or party favours. Not an expensive gift, but lots of impact!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhymT80IYiRAkfOJP_WdZDDsbL0p-Knh6B0AXCwq9ziKPoVwvGxbHROboBuYbdtvbzvQGWwlBSnqqF1_5GE7VHqVXgoNwE-rV3SSDrA86dwbBXRxmffnj_rjpH0EqOEbcFmpZKF3RL0MnY/s1600/succulent.png12.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhymT80IYiRAkfOJP_WdZDDsbL0p-Knh6B0AXCwq9ziKPoVwvGxbHROboBuYbdtvbzvQGWwlBSnqqF1_5GE7VHqVXgoNwE-rV3SSDrA86dwbBXRxmffnj_rjpH0EqOEbcFmpZKF3RL0MnY/s400/succulent.png12.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They make wonderful wedding gifts</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjStz7odw_FkwCikqmfYAfel73ukjA3QxZU8STo2CyIO-XyxW6712fDENQdeZmBhRMCW6MPsXCt5KkO9cP1cZa6umNtmgf5bqb3z-8OhEA3B8OExzPNv96pYmWA4uv6CLgNNlYR2M0Yxkg/s1600/succulent+wedding.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjStz7odw_FkwCikqmfYAfel73ukjA3QxZU8STo2CyIO-XyxW6712fDENQdeZmBhRMCW6MPsXCt5KkO9cP1cZa6umNtmgf5bqb3z-8OhEA3B8OExzPNv96pYmWA4uv6CLgNNlYR2M0Yxkg/s400/succulent+wedding.png" width="332" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mini wedding cakes for guests</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4hekVKrL5kACCOuLBhgIexcvA2sQgO95biEm5f1ypSa-Lesnz8wvuwzw3nu0wGzW_kjfg6jQyysTWByVwkOfhqYLJXkRhOAfNXzJoyUmj4-GpmsYLcc1s9iEV0cKTGjf2kSefO6UzIHo/s1600/succulent+wedding.png1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4hekVKrL5kACCOuLBhgIexcvA2sQgO95biEm5f1ypSa-Lesnz8wvuwzw3nu0wGzW_kjfg6jQyysTWByVwkOfhqYLJXkRhOAfNXzJoyUmj4-GpmsYLcc1s9iEV0cKTGjf2kSefO6UzIHo/s400/succulent+wedding.png1.png" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wedding bouquet</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So what do you think?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I love a few succulents in my garden, they seem to be the only thing that has done well in our last scorching summer. I am always propagating more to add to my collection too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">All images can be found via the links under the photos and all others are from </span><a href="http://pinterest.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">http://pinterest.com/</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I will be giving my backyard a much needed blitz these next few weeks. It is looking rather sad and neglected and spring is just around the corner - warmer weather to look forward to!</span><br />
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Cattle and Cushionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17984889684282518364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2930119879518023854.post-7842508871355168792013-07-23T22:32:00.001-07:002013-07-23T22:32:31.384-07:00Sydney againWe had a quick trip to Sydney again.<br />
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This time we all went down as H had an interview for boarding school. It was a rushed trip, but we were lucky that we had a pupil-free day at home on Friday, so at least they didn't miss too much schoolwork. <br />
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Took a drive out to Watson's Bay for a look while we were waiting around. <br />
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I don't do a lot of city driving and I basically get to the place we stay and use public transport and walk everywhere. I am not a great driver in Sydney, so I have been practising getting around the Eastern Suburbs a bit. <br />
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I find that I can drive across using the Cross City Tunnel, and it is pretty straightforward. But I always end up in the wrong lane coming back, and nearly taken over the harbour bridge when I do. <br />
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It must be a Derek Zoolander thing, he can't turn left, and I can't get in the right lane I need!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5E8HKsfizh03cJMIWEMjQIxwoyaC-vF2whkpy2eF-RgCGj-Bz1rX0Gngk93wgiS1GGDTOUHO7iP-Ug64hOsll9FyTs6setGv9PMv7WkV4CO3fPvG3cSxH5PLvui25uCurzBNZI4pTvEw/s1600/085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5E8HKsfizh03cJMIWEMjQIxwoyaC-vF2whkpy2eF-RgCGj-Bz1rX0Gngk93wgiS1GGDTOUHO7iP-Ug64hOsll9FyTs6setGv9PMv7WkV4CO3fPvG3cSxH5PLvui25uCurzBNZI4pTvEw/s640/085.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Lighthouse at Watson's Bay looking from The Gap</td></tr>
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Check this pretty house out!<br />
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This one looks out over the ocean at The Gap. Such a beautifully restored home. Some of the houses around there aren't as pretty as this one, but they all have magnificent views!<br />
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Oh yes - I'll take it!<br />
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The weather in Sydney was stunningly warm and beautiful for July. The day we left it was back to normal wintery temps.<br />
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We had one day to ourselves to do something fun for the boys, so down we went to Darling Harbour to find something to do.<br />
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Darling Harbour is probably the best place you can go in Sydney with kids. There is plenty of space for them to run around, great playgrounds and nice cafes and restaurants too. It is basically "Our park" when are there due to the close proximity of where we stay. <br />
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There is lots of free things to do that won't break the bank, so if you pack a picnic it won't cost you an arm or a leg.<br />
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I think N ran up and down into this fountain about a thousand times. <br />
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There is a great playground there which is always a hit.<br />
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Sometimes it can be pretty busy, so pick a weekday to go.<br />
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Someone is pleased about going in the people mover train!<br />
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It's an expensive novelty to go on the train, but it is worth it's weight in gold when you have tired little ones who tell you "My legs are broken" when they just can't walk anymore.<br />
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We did the Sydney Aquarium this time. Most times we go to Sydney we go and do one museum or we do a big day out like Luna Park. The rest of the time we take the boys ten pin bowling or laser skirmish. They have good stuff like that upstairs in Harbourside.<br />
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I love the Aquarium! Have been quite a few times. I went when I was a kid when it was relatively new and the boys have been a couple of times. Little N was pretty excited because he had never been there before and the sharks were top of his list.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Dugong</td></tr>
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Can't get over how much lettuce the dugongs were eating. They hoovered that stuff up all day, We were there for hours and they ate the whole time.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty tropical fish in the Great Barrier Reef exhibition</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The scary sharks</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Touch pools</td></tr>
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The touch pools are pretty good. That corkscrewy seaweedy thing in the bottom right is a shark egg!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sawfish </td></tr>
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The boys called this one the chainsaw fish.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fish are so relaxing to look at aren't they?</td></tr>
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We packed in some fun, some movies and coffee time. And when I am away, I don't cook. So a few nights out for dinner too. No time for shopping though!</div>
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Lovely to get away somewhere completely opposite for a change.</div>
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Back into real life now with more football, soccer and lots of work waiting for me to get stuck into.</div>
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<em>Have you ever been to the Sydney Aquarium,? </em></div>
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<em>Do you like Darling Harbour, or do you think it is too touristy?</em></div>
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Cattle and Cushionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17984889684282518364noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2930119879518023854.post-91913094237041118952013-07-14T23:23:00.002-07:002013-07-14T23:23:42.038-07:00Zumbo goodiesI road tested Adriano Zumbo's macarons the other day. I saw a packet in the supermarket when his range for Greens first came out, so I bought the salted caramel macarons. I put the packet in the pantry and I left it there for a few months. I know macarons can be quite fiddly, so I waited until I had time in the school holidays to give it a go.<br />
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They are smaller than the macarons you see in the shops, I don't know something was amiss with my cooking, or they are actually mini-macarons.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivqKNmSbulpAiDb34dvvgnSeBf_LaeNeVlrwav4NK7j4mChuyWZBW3VIT98EN14AUxlHzPU6JY2EjKhIHWlaSggALSNAKbOHRgjibj_BocckTCi4fxUDrfbMazHM0Nsjtd7zvh-iR5m7A/s1600/124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivqKNmSbulpAiDb34dvvgnSeBf_LaeNeVlrwav4NK7j4mChuyWZBW3VIT98EN14AUxlHzPU6JY2EjKhIHWlaSggALSNAKbOHRgjibj_BocckTCi4fxUDrfbMazHM0Nsjtd7zvh-iR5m7A/s640/124.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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As you can see, they turned out alright. I was really quite surprised too, because there are so many variables when making these little treats. You do have to follow the instructions carefully. I am a pretty slap-dash cook, so I watched these babies like a hawk!</div>
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I would probably give them a go again, they are something you really have to want to set the time aside for. And you will cry if they are eaten in one fell swoop, because of the many steps involved in the process. I may make them again for a special occasion, and I will do double quantities and have a production line going because they are much smaller than store bought Zumbarons.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wedgwood Jasper Conran "Chinoiserie" entree plate and espresso mug</td></tr>
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Really nice with a cup of Nespresso on/in my favourite china.</div>
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In other Zumbo related news.....</div>
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Little F and I went to confirmation for the children in his class who were going through the process. We aren't Catholic, but we were there to support the other kids and the non Catholics did some special little jobs for the church service.</div>
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F received some rosary beads and a special certificate, He was pretty chuffed!</div>
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But he was more excited to play on the play equipment with his friends at his school in the night. </div>
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The confirmation celebration cake was made by Adriano since his nephew was one of the candidates for confirmation. So it was pretty exciting!</div>
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And there were macarons too!</div>
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So much yum!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8vJ-Dr4B8u4B_eWz98f8rUgmLeRwxbNZSEUkgHqNOq7gVZOiREVQG-zJT_4jrRdC1TicRX9RgjWfFyXgSbD_lhBiij0_iJCnyU5Efzy6FRJ9tI5Xjo_WRe0a-W9MClovSup9Hm-npyYw/s1600/IMG_0384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8vJ-Dr4B8u4B_eWz98f8rUgmLeRwxbNZSEUkgHqNOq7gVZOiREVQG-zJT_4jrRdC1TicRX9RgjWfFyXgSbD_lhBiij0_iJCnyU5Efzy6FRJ9tI5Xjo_WRe0a-W9MClovSup9Hm-npyYw/s640/IMG_0384.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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It was one of his famous V8 cakes. So many layers of yum!</div>
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Gorgeous cake isn't it? And the flower is white chocolate.</div>
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The macarons were caramel, raspberry and coconut. And the ones that look like they have crushed nuts on them were actually buttery popcorn flavour.</div>
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The popcorn ones were my favourites, they are to die for!</div>
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Zumbo is bringing out a new flavour of macaron soon - redskin flavour!</div>
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How I know this?</div>
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Adriano's dad said he peeled a bucket of redskins while he picked up all the goodies from his shop. Took him a long time too, as we all know how hard redskins are to peel!</div>
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I'll finish up this post with some random flowers I found in the old cottage garden. Jonquils must be the toughest bulb in the world to survive 60 years without any care. And they keep popping up every winter! </div>
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The pink cyclamen is still going strong.</div>
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The red one I bought at the same time a few months ago turned it's toes up and died for no apparent reason. So I need to find another to match this one for the other planter.</div>
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You will notice I have put a bloglovin button on my sidebar. This is so you can follow my blog when Google Reader died. I still have Google Reader on Blogger - so I don't know why it hasn't disappeared? Anyway, if you are interested in never missing another post - you can click on that button to see posts as they come in. I like bloglovin because I can find more blogs worth checking out on there. And it is easy to navigate too.</div>
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'til next time.....</div>
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Cattle and Cushionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17984889684282518364noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2930119879518023854.post-76120573580329252352013-07-14T19:05:00.000-07:002013-07-14T19:05:50.329-07:00Where have I been?I have been taking a break from the blog. Not that I really wanted to, but I haven't been home much to actually blog.<br />
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The bookwork called, the accountant wanted end of year stuff, the kids had sport, sport and more sport. And I had a few trips all over the place. <br />
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It was lovely to have a few weeks off from the busy term time to just chill. I wish it were longer! We didn't do anything exciting these holidays, but I tried to catch up as much as I could before the rush again. Don't worry, I am still behind - but that is to be expected with the craziness of life with kids on a farm.<br />
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Cattle contracts, buying, selling, sorting, mustering has been happening around our traps. Along with renovating, painting, sorting out my pool problems etc.<br />
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Phew.......<br />
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I probably should add some pics to this post...<br />
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Trying my hand at growing a few veggies. I want to put in a veggie garden soon, but for now, I grow things in polystyrene boxes in my greenhouse.<br />
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Ear tags all written on and drying out. Ready to mark some cattle.<br />
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The show came to town and scary masks and gun showbags were the order of the day.<br />
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Testing out the height of motorbikes on growing boys legs. The 50 is getting too small for H now!<br />
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Pony rides for the little fella, he picked this nice little black one.<br />
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Scary rides for the big fellas.<br />
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Football season is here, this is the Rugby at Moree.<br />
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We have been all over the place taking these boys to their rugby carnivals.<br />
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We have been playing League as well. <br />
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And Soccer.<br />
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Tamworth Rugby.<br />
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That was a trip and a half! I took the boys to Walgett for Soccer on a Saturday morning. We played three games each boy and then I went to Tamworth via Burren Junction, Wee Waa, Narrabri and Boggagri. We stayed in Tamworth and played three games of Rugby on Sunday (each boy). T'was a long round trip by the time we got home on Sunday night. And about 700kms on the speedo that sporting trip.<br />
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We have done Quirindi too, done lots of motels, lots of dinners out and lots of time in the car. It is insane times, but it is family time too. They are little for such a short time, so it feels worthwhile, even when everything is chaotic at the time.<br />
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We like to go "camping" which means we light a fire 50 metres from the house and toast marshmallows in our jarmies. I don't "do" camping, so this is as close as I get to organising a camping trip.<br />
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Winter sunsets are magical!</div>
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Hungry sheep on the road. Lots of drovers about!<br />
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The rodeo came to town<br />
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Mechanical bucking bulls are always a hit.</div>
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I must confess, I had my doubts as to whether the boys should sit on this bull for a pic. The reason being that my husband's voice in my head was saying over and over again "Never trust a bull - even if they are the quietest bull on earth, hand fed and rared from a bottle". <br />
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My heart was in my mouth until they got off.<br />
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Yes, he was quiet as a mouse, probably asleep and used to people standing (yes standing) on his back for pictures. But I wonder if there will be a day when he is so sick of it he snaps, and flings someone off!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiymGDfAt1JmyX8KWjVc1Pr2f-WRZf5QNJ3eB7Z6sag0PFXn5FZm8jL5uC4yXofVWuD46bbUtLTOh9Avt20gMnLFyT_CVEOoJdz7RV9xNcDQ9Je3QX_tuQOUlT6QtNA4bapWFfSwfi2Jto/s1600/076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiymGDfAt1JmyX8KWjVc1Pr2f-WRZf5QNJ3eB7Z6sag0PFXn5FZm8jL5uC4yXofVWuD46bbUtLTOh9Avt20gMnLFyT_CVEOoJdz7RV9xNcDQ9Je3QX_tuQOUlT6QtNA4bapWFfSwfi2Jto/s640/076.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bucking bulls in action.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOCp6A_NeDK3tZ2j3TQFn3ABTwIi7R9JGZZ_8odXmrNkBoyPmPu-3tI6s3GmQNOW0-aIuNNJf9HD3G5voWYLD24bqdsihvDuZi-FPv9TmpHN1OyTqepzkTkx_JEFnpWkoeOphcpFiz878/s1600/101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOCp6A_NeDK3tZ2j3TQFn3ABTwIi7R9JGZZ_8odXmrNkBoyPmPu-3tI6s3GmQNOW0-aIuNNJf9HD3G5voWYLD24bqdsihvDuZi-FPv9TmpHN1OyTqepzkTkx_JEFnpWkoeOphcpFiz878/s640/101.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cowgirls watching the action.</td></tr>
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There you go!<br />
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A quick catch up to what has been happening in Cattle and Cushions world. I will be blogging a lot more than I have been, that is the plan anyway!<br />
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Cheers to more blog posts!Cattle and Cushionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17984889684282518364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2930119879518023854.post-27212907283024793582013-05-16T19:56:00.000-07:002013-05-16T19:56:05.577-07:00Over the RainbowThings have been pretty dry lately, everyone is crying out for rain. We got a little bit the other day (4mm). It didn't do much, but we are rolling the dice and hoping the odds are good to sow a couple of paddocks.<br />
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So it begins.<br />
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We need a lot of rain to get our winter feed going, not just dribs and drabs of moisture. We have had a couple of scuds come across yesterday - it is looking much more promising now. We will just have to wait and see.<br />
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So while things look brown and depressing at the moment, I have been looking for some inspiration on Pinterest.<br />
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More of my <a href="http://pinterest.com/joannakennedy79/rainbow-things/">rainbow things on Pinterest</a></div>
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So much colour, colour always lifts my spirits. Especially rainbow colour! Hoping for some rainbows here, along with lots of soaking rain.<br />
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Have a good weekend!<br />
Cattle and Cushionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17984889684282518364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2930119879518023854.post-59903824960552345962013-05-15T20:27:00.000-07:002013-05-15T20:27:01.083-07:00Pottery Barn, Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn Kids and West Elm.Well that is a super long blog post title!<br />
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Unless you have been living under a rock in internet world and blogland, you are sure to have seen the myriad of posts and bloggers promoting Williams Sonoma Inc's new Australian venture.<br />
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I was pretty excited to see the news about a Pottery Barn opening in Bondi Junction, Australia. And I have drooled for years over their website full of amazing, lower priced, good quality homewares and furniture.<br />
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For years they never shipped to Australia, but recently they started shipping here. I never bought anything, just hoping that they would just open up here, since there were so many fans of their stores and products.<br />
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I have done a lot of window shopping on their sites and I concluded that their prices are very competitive, and that a lot of things they source are just things we don't have here.<br />
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I am talking lighting and bathrooms here. In Australia we have a squillion homeware stores overflowing with home decorator items, overpriced furniture, expensive (and ugly) lighting. And it is impossible, in my experience to buy nice, classic styled bathroom vanities for reasonable prices<br />
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Unless you want modern, or expensive custom made cabinets - this stuff only exists in Recollections and Schots Home Emporium. And it is very limited and fairly expensive too!<br />
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Anyway, the verdict........<br />
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When I went to Sydney the other day, it coincided with the opening day of Williams Sonoma Inc. I was pretty chuffed that I would get to check it out that day. I didn't make it to the ribbon cutting as I was checking out a school that day (see my last post). I made my way out there in the afternoon when the fuss had died down.<br />
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<strong>Pottery Barn Kids</strong><br />
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By the time I got there, there were still plenty of people browsing and lots of people with their kids after school in Pottery Barn Kids. I spent most of my time in there looking at everything. <br />
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They do monogramming in Pottery Barn Kids. They will introduce it in time to Pottery Barn's merchandise. I was pretty excited Because I love anything monogrammed, and I decided to get some towels for my boys done. In my house, they all just grab towels and swap towels all the time. Drives me nuts that they can't remember what colour they have. So if they have their names embroidered on them, there will be no more towel confusion in my house. At least, that is the plan!<br />
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H was with me, and he was enthralled just watching the monogram machine. He spent half an hour deciding on a colour/typeface for the towels. I think I will hold them back as presents for Birthdays and Christmas. Great gift ideas!<br />
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And the monogramming isn't too expensive, it is about $9.00 for a line. And the towels were a reasonable $20.00 each. Since it was opening day, they had a backlog of about a day's worth of monogramming to do, so the staff said they would ship them to me.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pottery Barn Kids rugs -so cute!</td></tr>
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<strong>On to Pottery Barn.</strong><br />
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I spent a bit of time in there wandering about and I love all their styling, they just make all their products look amazing by styling them to the hilt. I love what they do with their bedding, hanging it all knotted over a curtain rod. Better than stuffing plastic sheathed envelopes into a table! You can see and feel the fabric without pulling fabric out of the packet and wrecking the packaging.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.desireempire.com/2013/05/pottery-barn-and-friends-come-to-town.html">Desire Empire</a></td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.google.com.au/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=ARP3fQBQwQY2OM&tbnid=xNmjVSbx6dmppM:&ved=0CAQQjB0&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftheinteriorsaddict.com%2Fthe-day-id-been-waiting-for-the-pottery-barn-west-elm-and-williams-sonoma-preview&ei=kzCUUazrHsuDlQWNiYHABA&bvm=bv.46471029,d.aGc&psig=AFQjCNEchVAxbc9bKhs9wjo360vgKKRyXg&ust=1368752176462519">Interiors addict</a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5cK4BxZYitc6S4HsncDA0MB0TVzMa9sYwDAaUNpPqCvBi59f_wZ6ZokD6igplbswxpyy6ie2rj_4jL3xVDBeo8QDJVsIrY9dOV_4A-crO37Zz58KNm4voUqa-mCSxcbUoL48UEwrrYuE/s320/pb+throws.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.potterybarn.com.au/">Pottery Barn</a><br />
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<strong>Williams Sonoma.</strong><br />
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Well, I loved their shop, the cooking school looked amazing! The cookware they sell is fairly upmarket and really good quality stuff. There are some great labels there. Some things you can get here at Peter's of Kensington anyway, I was more interested in brands I had not seen before.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoLTekToTQrNUG4CrSRstQn5dPeIdp_e1CYw2aXHGJ3zxTWtr0BaHWDO3yYEOORbdurwJNAV0vPMyXmQHCLBDUj1zHur8mf8MTgUF1rMcEle2dlSm1bqO2uU6SbMHEZdrGjOSf19yQt-w/s1600/ws+pot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoLTekToTQrNUG4CrSRstQn5dPeIdp_e1CYw2aXHGJ3zxTWtr0BaHWDO3yYEOORbdurwJNAV0vPMyXmQHCLBDUj1zHur8mf8MTgUF1rMcEle2dlSm1bqO2uU6SbMHEZdrGjOSf19yQt-w/s1600/ws+pot.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think this pot is to die for!<br />
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I love the quality in Williams Sonoma, even their oven mitts are super thick and I will be going back one day to get some so I can throw my thin Big W ones away.<br />
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When I was there, I didn't see a lot of their branded foods that you can get on the site, mostly Simon Johnson stuff I have seen in David Jones in the past. I hope they are able to import some interesting brands in the future.<br />
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<strong>West Elm.</strong><br />
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I was never a massive fan of West Elm's international site before, I thought a lot of it was super trendy, and I prefer a more classic look to theirs. But it has surprised me how many things I thought were just lovely in there. <br />
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It is a treasure trove for quirky things that look so very NY style. West Elm is opening in Melbourne soon, and I think their whole store fit out is perfect for Melbourne style. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXlrCuFKFQLI2gRuTLYMJHtEwomLIrJrbzxYgoSWmw3mCrUMJ3fm9OT0HaPKTQhISCYuLHUn2jn5tTYZNFlcN0mwzD7MKYS1FLyhE40ivffer1YRLu3AS2h_2rsO718QvcdUmYu_U_RRw/s320/west+elm.jpg" width="320" /> </td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.westelm.com.au/Furniture-WE/Sofas_3/">West Elm</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmqM2RYUIaGr-umQcmPQXvOZVu-ALZmD4cdbYHlNIq7eLox-4yS2csPXfMu9pnyvpAXZP-3Z4znfyg1GGak62Ey_OdHyHxwBmI7f0E-OBxU95N7F09Wx_y1zMbBTM09eQCUVBCrk93wLk/s1600/west+elm+shop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmqM2RYUIaGr-umQcmPQXvOZVu-ALZmD4cdbYHlNIq7eLox-4yS2csPXfMu9pnyvpAXZP-3Z4znfyg1GGak62Ey_OdHyHxwBmI7f0E-OBxU95N7F09Wx_y1zMbBTM09eQCUVBCrk93wLk/s400/west+elm+shop.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://georgicapond.blogspot.com.au/2013/05/williams-sonoma-and-west-elm-now-open.html">Georgica Pond</a></td></tr>
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They have some lovely things, the website is up and running with all the things you can get in Australia. We can't buy from the US site anymore, which is a shame. We don't get the range that the US gets, which is also bit of a shame.<br />
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I hope as they expand, more products will be added to the stores. Or at least, make them available online.<br />
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As I walked through the shop, I talked to a few random people. Someone who lived in the states thought it was much more expensive for most things. <br />
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When you know how much our dollar is compared to the US Dollar, it seems a bit ridiculous some of the price points they have set. I understand that the shipping, the overheads, the wages are more expensive than the states, but I think they need to re-think some of their prices, to lure us in. <br />
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Shipping is not that expensive when it is done in bulk shipping containers compared to randomly sending items to Australia when we were able to purchase from the US site. Some people who were used to the US stores were unhappy with the fraction of the range we got in our PB Stores comparing to the US.<br />
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Some things seemed to be reasonable and better quality than we can get here though. <br />
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I know that there are issues with lighting, so what they sell will have to be converted, or they will have to buy a range that they can sell just to Australia. I think the biggest thing missing from The Aussie shops is the lighting and the bathroom vanities. I am a bit sad that they don't have them available yet. hoping they sort those issues out and start selling those items, or PB and the rest will just be another Bed Bath and Table to many here.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwgWMARiXO85J0GtWXLb1eGuA-LR80dOK6YF2l8jskRCU-w5PUXN2ypwt3dUJeXN0Aa9TcP8dwKyZ-WbTB5KPU4J2jzrfEMFCq2kMpHg88lTI1XJlQCkkeir1HX6UyjkVUKgxrYxmmf7I/s1600/pb+vanity.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwgWMARiXO85J0GtWXLb1eGuA-LR80dOK6YF2l8jskRCU-w5PUXN2ypwt3dUJeXN0Aa9TcP8dwKyZ-WbTB5KPU4J2jzrfEMFCq2kMpHg88lTI1XJlQCkkeir1HX6UyjkVUKgxrYxmmf7I/s320/pb+vanity.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pottery Barn vanity - please add to your Aussie stores PB!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSm7uvLXX8KBFZOGm0Mf6mxLLS4_FIYLcVeMa6_43STzjscDcUTYotqx2Mcwghc8vUqpybMisTHPt4_gtxMmj5Fu97CoFPLHBSB_bGrMuDmnnzcNZ1gi-f9OCJtWG1HEYsE2yIqNgDH5w/s1600/light.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSm7uvLXX8KBFZOGm0Mf6mxLLS4_FIYLcVeMa6_43STzjscDcUTYotqx2Mcwghc8vUqpybMisTHPt4_gtxMmj5Fu97CoFPLHBSB_bGrMuDmnnzcNZ1gi-f9OCJtWG1HEYsE2yIqNgDH5w/s1600/light.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PB Lighting, gorgeous and reasonable in the US</td></tr>
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I am especially sad that Williams Sonoma don't carry linens yet. I am in love with their monogrammed and gorgeously embroidered sheets. I am hoping that they will fill the gap in the market with the things we miss out on living in Australia. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl3Gx-TjL24kxzndjqM5hEZ5IpSuGWW69g7K9R-iTuivugrtypr3RX3JDCQ6mnt7xx87Vsq12ceWj3-LyH7-PptM4ES33sUdTvbtyGQOtIO4O-97sDlfRTAz4A5YF-9NUhvg38Yx0OezQ/s1600/bedding.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl3Gx-TjL24kxzndjqM5hEZ5IpSuGWW69g7K9R-iTuivugrtypr3RX3JDCQ6mnt7xx87Vsq12ceWj3-LyH7-PptM4ES33sUdTvbtyGQOtIO4O-97sDlfRTAz4A5YF-9NUhvg38Yx0OezQ/s320/bedding.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Williams Sonoma bedlinen we can't get here!<br />
Damn.... should of bought while they still shipped to Australia from the US Site.</td></tr>
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There is more on the website, than in store because they would not be able to carry the whole range in the Bondi Junction site. Perhaps a PB Warehouse would be a great addition to their lovely stores to stock the full range, so we can touch and feel items too?<br />
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They ship Australia wide for a fairly reasonable fee. Depending on what you purchase of course! <br />
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For all the ho hum's, and the price difference gripes, I don't want to end on a bad note! For all the things I thought we would be finally getting on our shores, there are plenty of things that will hopefully give our retailers the kick they need, to start trying a lot harder to get us to part with our hard earned cash. <br />
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Great customer service, styling and beautiful fit out of their stores are their strengths.<br />
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Take a look at <a href="http://georgicapond.blogspot.com.au/2013/05/williams-sonoma-and-west-elm-now-open.html">Georgica Pond's</a> and <a href="http://www.desireempire.com/2013/05/pottery-barn-kids-in-australia-along.html">Desire Empire</a>'s posts on all the stores, they did very comprehensive posts, and you can see what the shop fit out was like. I didn't want to get my camera out instore, it was really busy, and I always feel funny unless other people are snapping too. <br />
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I will probably pop in there soon to buy more towels!<br />
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Cattle and Cushionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17984889684282518364noreply@blogger.com4