back to school check list - a free printable

image source

Well it is almost that time of year again, back to school.  

If you are anything like me, you have reminders and to do points scribbled on bits of paper everywhere!
To make it easier on myself and you too, I have put together a check list of all the most common things to do at this time of year.

I looked at several on line offerings but none that I found suited the differing needs of several kids.  This document is customisable for 5 children.  Just write their names at the top of the columns and tick as you get stuff done!  To make it truely customisable I have included a blank form too!

Back to School List Share

Back to School List Share Blank


Hope this helps your back to school preparations.

Enjoy what remains of your school holidays!!

raspberry sorbet - a recipe

A dear friend dropped off a huge bucket of freshly picked raspberries today 

and my mind went straight to sorbet.  

Well straight after eating several bowls full 

and then realising that we could not possibly eat them all while they were still fresh!! 

 What a problem to have!!

My recipe is a very easy one, no cooking involved.  

The sorbet is not overly sweet and lets the flavour of the raspberries shine through.

Raspberry Sorbet   (makes 1 litre)

500g raspberries

juice of one lemon

50ml orange juice

1 cup white sugar

1. Blend all ingredients together to form a smooth puree.

2. Sieve to remove seeds.

3. Pour into an ice cream machine and process until done.
Or, pour into a shallow tray and freeze, stirring several times to break up the ice crystals.


What fresh produce do you have in excess at the moment?
What are you doing to preserve it?

diy christmas ornaments - part one

Tonight the big boys and I used air dry clay to make Christmas ornaments.  It is a very easy craft and with the purchase of the clay, you will most likely have everything else in your cupboards.

What you will need:
air dry clay
cookie cutters
butter knife
skewer
rolling pin
baking paper

What to do:
Knead the clay until soft.
Roll out until 4mm thick.
Press cookie cutter into clay.
Remove excess clay.  (Keep to reuse)
Make a hole for hanging with skewer.
Place on baking paper.
Repeat until clay is all used up.
Allow to dry according to instructions on pack.

Next time I will share the decorating ideas we used.

Hope you are enjoying the lead up to the Christmas season.

my garden today

We have all been rather busy in the back yard of late. Lots of major landscaping and planting for the growing season. So I thought I'd show you around. It should go with out saying that nothing is finished, but when are things truly finished in a growing garden??
The chicken house has a built in nesting box and we have two new girls in the flock.
The seedlings are planted out; sweet corn, beans, peas, tomatoes and squash.
I've moved two garden beds and they are ready for more tomatoes and squash. Mum and I with the two little kids, went to the local horse track and collected a trailer load of horse muck. Hope to see some happy veggies soon!
The ornamental bed is looking good. The weeds are just as happy as the roses, dahlias and camellias!!
We still have a lot of dirt too. The dirt pit is soon to be our patio. It will be ready for the summer holidays?!!
I do enjoy getting outside and getting dirty. The evening ritual of watering is one of my most relaxing times of the day and I do look forward to it.


Hope you gardens are growing too.

the one hour reversible wrap skirt

 

 

You will need:

about 50cm each of two co-ordinating fabrics (for an average adult, knee length skirt)

2m pre-made cotton tape (or make your own, I show you how)

sewing machine, scissors, thread, tape measure, iron and board

and about 1 hour

 

 

To wear, you just step inside the skirt and pull the tape around in front and tie where comfortable.
Open up, twist skirt around and re-tie.  There you have a different skirt!!
This works for a ladies skirt as well as for a little girl. 
Got an hour and some fabric in your stash?  Make a skirt!  It is that easy.