Emu Dreaming - Waterholes

The Yuendumu community lies 280 kilometres north west of Alice Springs along the red, dusty Tanami Track and has approximately 1000 mainly Warlpiri speaking residents.

A number of years ago I visited this community with some friends from Geelong as part of a cultural & mission trip. During our visit another friend and I were keen to buy some Aboriginal Art that was painted on the Community.

Above is one of my purchases - Emu Dreaming Waterholes - Emu going to drink water in the waterholes. The painting is on canvas and was more recently framed and Today it has found a spot on my wall in our lounge room.

To find out more about Yuendumu and the art from this region go to http://www.aboriginalartonline.com/regions/yuendumu.php

Favourite Places - Barwon Heads

Australia Day 26th January 2011

The lighthouse at Aireys Inlet

Today is Australia Day - a holiday for all here in this stunning country we call home. Australia day for me is a chance to celebrate all that is Aussie and I thought I would do that with some of my own photos taken over the years of favourite places and favourite things. The only photo that is not mine is the Aussie Rules but I had to include it..

Rugged Coast Lines

Amazing Sunsets

Kangaroo

Aussie Rules (my Mum on the left with my two Cousins)

Beaches - NSW

Foxsglove Spires Garden Tilba Tilba - NSW

Steiglitz - Victoria

Camping with Friends

Buttons

I had a great little find towards the end of last year at the Briar Patch Giftshop at the Wintergarden here in Geelong.

These stunning boxes of vintage buttons made from vegetable ivory—or Tagua nut from the Corozo palm.

I have a few projects ready to start to make good use of my wonderful find.

Funny thing I have a Button Phobia - yes I hear you laughing... I cannot go near jars of old musty buttons

More later ♥

I just payed it forward - (No:1)

In an earlier blog I talked about "Paying It Forward 2011" - well i gave out the first of my gifts today. I have decided to make Individual gifts for each person so that I am putting some thought into each one.. Robyn received the Lavender and Peppermint Bath Soak I made in a previous blog. I added a gold ribbon to my jar as well as a lovely little ceramic spoon I found in a craft shop. I also included the instructions on how to use the bath soak and the benefits of each ingredient.

January 22nd 2000

♥Rob & I Celebrate our 11th Wedding Anniversary today♥

We were married in the Fenwick Baptist Church in East Geelong, our wedding was the last thing to happen before the Church doors closed and Fenwick merged with Leopold baptist to become Moolap Baptist Church. Being our home Church for a number of years It was very significant for us to be married at Fenwick.

We were married on a humid summer evening and our reception followed at All Saints Hall in Newtown.

It was an amazing day with many close friends and family taking part in our special occasion.
My friend Karen made my dress and I wore some tartan draped down my back. I came down the Isle to two two Scottish pieces transposed and played by friends "Eriskay Love Lit" and "Wastering Home".

When the Church closed we purchased some of the old pews to one day make a dinning table, well almost 11 years on the table has been completed and complimented by two other pews thanks to my clever husband, and boy it was worth the wait.

Reed Diffuser

I am enjoying the idea of making my own natural household and beauty product's and today came across this web page http://www.back-to-basics-cleaning.com/ with lots of great ideas for around the home.

I especially liked this simple recipe for the reed diffuser (see below)

What you will need -

Willow or rattan reeds (which can be purchased at your local craft store)
A small vase or jar with a narrow opening
Essential oil
Inexpensive Vodka
A light vegetable-based oil such as safflower or sunflower

Fill the vase about halfway with the vegetable oil

Add 15-20 drops of your favorite essential oil.

Add a teaspoon of inexpensive vodka. (The high-proof alcohol content in the vodka will help emulsify the oil and water together, and will help with rapid evaporation.

Shake gently to mix.

Stand the reeds in the vase.

You can adjust the amount of essential oil to your liking, but remember a small amount usually goes a long way.

Remember to flip the reeds occasionally to recharge the scent.

I found the picture above on the Ikea website and thought this would make a great bottle at only

99c.

Lavender & Peppermint Bath Soak

Tonight I made some lavender and peppermint bath soak.


Ingredients


I cup Epsom Salts
1/4 cup Bicarb / Baking soda
1/4 cup Sea Salt
Lavender Essential oil 12 drops
Peppermint Essential oil 6 drops
Some dried lavender husks

Place salts, soda, lavender husks in a bowl add the oils and mix together well.
Store in a glass jar.

The Epsom salts help to reduce inflammation to relieve the aches and pains from muscle cramps and works as a muscle relaxer. Epsom salts also works to remove the toxins from your body and is a natural emollient for your skin.

The sea salts are loaded with natural minerals and nutrients. Soaking in sea salts helps to remove the lactic acid build up that occurs in sore muscles.

The baking soda works to neutralize the acids in your skin and washes away the oil and perspiration.

The lavender has anti-inflammatory properties and the Peppermint is used to treat sore muscles.

Fill the bath with hot water and put 1/4 of the salt mixture in under the tap as it is filling.

Add some raffia or ribbon around the jar and maybe a small bunch of lavender for decoration and give as a gift.

ENJOY♥

Spinach & Ham Frittata

We are heading over to have dinner with friends tonight and I said I would bring the main meal. I have cooked a spinach & ham frittata and made some potato & Greek salad to have with it. This is a great little recipe hot or cold it is also a versatile recipe as you can keep the base and change filling. Another favourite is sweet potato, red pepper & Spanish chorizzo sausage (these ingredients require prior cooking)

12 eggs
1 cup cream
2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tsp Crushed garlic
100gr Baby spinach leaves (shredded)
200g Shaved ham (shredded)
1 tomato thinly sliced

Whisk together the eggs, cream, Parmesan and garlic.. Season with salt & pepper.

Layer half spinach on bottom of dish, then add ham, second layer of spinach and tomato pour over eggs mixture.

Cook in oven on 150 (fan forced) or 180 (normal) until firm and golden.

ENJOY♥

Summer Holidays

Day 2 - 11th January

Headed to Lakes Entrance this morning.. We enjoyed a boat trip today to a local winery sampling wine and enjoying a leisurely lunch. After an afternoon nap we enjoyed some Fish & Chips down by the water this evening.

I must say the day has been sad and overshadowed for me as I consider the devastation that has hit our Country. The floods in Queensland have claimed life, land, infrastructure, property and so on. We seem so far away here in Victoria, yet so close. We have several friends in the regions being hit by floods and natural disaster, so it brings it even closer to home for us.

My heart goes out and my prayers go up for all who have been affected by this time of loss.

Summer Holidays

Day 1 - 10th January 2011

Yesterday we set off on holidays with my mum & dad, Griswold's eat your heart out...

9.30am time to pick up ma & pa, with all those bags it was evident that mum was prepared for the long journey (only 4 1/2hrs) with all she had packed, crisps (chips), sweets (lollies), ginger (soft drink). Our destination Paynesville.

Paynesville was originally called Toonalook which is an aboriginal name for place of many fish. The Post Office opened on 8 November 1879 as Toonalook and was renamed Paynesville in 1886 by the Dickson family who still reside in the area.

Paynesville is a popular tourist resort, 18 km from Bairnsdale on the McMillan Straits. Located at the centre of the Gippsland Lakes system, Paynesville is surrounded by Lakes Wellington and Victoria to the west and Lake King to the east, with McMillan Straits separating it from Raymond Island.

As the boating capital of the Gippsland Lakes, Paynesville promises a memorable holiday to its visitors. The town is unique in that it boasts a network of man-made canals - which provide easy access to the lakes and the region's attractions.

Situated at the mouth of the Mitchell River are the famous Mitchell River Silt Jetties. The Jetties form a delta of interest to both scientists and visitors - extending almost 8 kilometres into Lake King from the cliffs at Eagle Point. You can drive or walk along them.

Paynesville is a mecca for the boat enthusiast and is famous for yachting and speedboat racing as well as water-skiing.

It is the headquarters for the Gippsland Lakes Yacht Club and speedboat championships are held each year.

Raymond Island, accessed either by boat or on the car ferry, has attractive shorelines and plentiful bushland. Go koala spotting or look for other native wildlife.

Close by is Eagle Point. Visit the Bluff or take a drive along the Mitchell River Silt Jetties - the second longest in the world.

We headed into Bairnsdale this morning and decided we would go see Gullivers Travels a the cinema. We were a little early so decided to go for a coffee first as we crossed at the lights I walked with dad who is a bit achy this morning from Arthritis and not so steady on his feet. Mums bounding along behind Rob fell over and has a shiner of an eye as a result. She hit the side of her face and her glasses pushed into her face. Not sure who was more in shock mum or I! Any way all is good we sat for a while as Rob went to the optometrist to get her glasses fixed. Eventful start to the holidays, quiet night tonight dinner at the Pub then off to Lakes Entrance in the morning.

Todays the day the teddy bears having a picnic

Here is one of my favourite things - this stunning picnic hamper was given to me by some dear friends for my 40th Birthday.


I love that it has that vintage feel and looks like an old hat box, then on opening up It reveals lovely crockery, glass wear and linen serviettes. The zipper section opens to reveal a cooler where your picnic goodies can be stored.

Pay It Forward 2011

I found this on a friends Status on facebook this morning -

Pay it Forward in 2011: I promise to send something handmade to the first 5 people who leave a comment here. They must, in turn, post this and send something they make to the first 5 people who comment on their status. The rules are that it must be handmade by you and it must be sent to your 5 people sometime in 2011.

So i decided to participate and see what happens.

I will send 5 people a handcrafted item that I have made in return I will receive something someone else has made.

Love surprises... lets see what happens.

Special Delivery

Rob and I ran a few errands today and when we came home the postman had been. No not unusual, but it is rare for us to get mail delivered to home as we have a PO Box we prefer to use.

I opened the envelope addressed to Rob and I to find some beautiful pictures inside, I was thrilled to get such special mail. I cant tell you who it was from because no name was attached, but thank you to our special friend(s) for thinking of us. I will put these pictures up on my fridge to share with others.

These are a few of my favorite things

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things

Cream colored ponies and crisp apple streudels
Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wingsT
hese are a few of my favorite things

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes
Silver white winters that melt into springs
These are a few of my favorite things

When the dog bites When the bee stings
When I'm feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don't feel so bad

I love Flowers but my favourite is dutch Iris
Peacock's, my favourite pet was a peacock called "Bob the Chook"
I love brown paper packages tied up with string, but I would rather give than receive
Quality time with good friends and family, cooking for others
Food: Sharing a Yummy platter with my husband, seafood, Lindt Chocolate
Christmas and Christmas decorations
Being at home in my PJ's
That fresh smell after a long awaited rain fall, walking in the rain
All things Scottish, helps me remain in touch with my Childhood and the Scott in me
Getting into bed when the bedding has just been changed
Feeling girly - love bags, love shoes, love jewelry
Perfume - Opium please
Tree's, I love trees
Being creative

16 months ago we moved homes and It became clear that it was time for a major clean out. The place we moved to was fresh & more modern and I felt it was a time for a change. The difficulty was what to get rid of, I had collected a lot of vintage China, depression glass, I had cupboards full of fancy bowls, platters, glass wear and the list goes on. I was not sure how I would go letting go of certain things, but amazed myself that after two huge garage sales I felt quite liberated that I was able to let go of so much.

What a good life lesson to have learnt, there are times in all our lives when wee need to have a clear out and let go so that we can move on and embrace the change.

I must admit that some things I could not part with that they needed to come with me on the next leg of the journey.

Inspired

I used my scrub this morning in the shower on my legs and arms, my legs have not felt itchy all day and my arms feel smooth. So this got me thinking about a moisturizer, so I have been searching the web for an easy to make moisturising lotion and have found a recipe I am going to try. It has three basic ingredients olive oil, chamomile flowers and beeswax. So on my travels tomorrow I will pick up some chamomile flowers and some beeswax and give this a go. When I have made it and sampled will let you know what I think.

♥Sugar And Spice And All Things Nice♥

This lovely little hand and body scrub is thanks to my friend Kath. All you need is a few ingredients found around the home, mainly in your pantry. In addition a pretty jar to put it in.

I have used similar scrubs bought from markets for $40.00 yet this little wonder costs around $2.00 and then the jar I bought was $1.50.

Dress up the jar and you have a lovely gift for a friend. Great for folks with dry skin (me) or as hand scrub after gardening.


Late last year I attended a women's camp where the theme was "The Ordinary made Extraordinary". I was asked to lead a session over the weekend and being me wanted to add a creative flavour to the session. We talked about our hands being Ordinary but through our hands we can do Extraordinary things. We also reflected on how our hands have served both others and ourselves well over the years. At the end of our discussion I talked about the importance of caring for our hands and each of the women made two scrubs to take home one for themselves and one to give away.

1 cup of salt
1 cup of white sugar
3/4 cup of olive oil
10 drops pure lavender essential oil

Using an old bowl mix together all ingredients once well mixed transfer to your jar.

Not: You can vary the salt & sugar you use - sea salt etc.
You can also vary the oil - Almond oil
Essential oil of your choice, I also like citrus
And add a couple of drops of food colouring to pretty things up

About 1 teaspoon is all you need as a hand scrub, rub well into hands and then rinse off under warm water, pat dry with towel. Use in the shower as a body scrub.

ENJOY♥

Orange, Poppy Seed & Ginger Coleslaw

We have just purchased a new outdoor setting to suite our courtyard. Rob spent the evening putting it together as I cooked tonight's dinner. Coleslaw, Potato salad & steak. Yes we enjoyed eating outdoors this evening.

Coleslaw Recipe

1/4 (400g) red cabbage, finely shredded

1 large red capsicum, thinly sliced

1 small red onion, thinly diced

120g snow peas sprouts

1/2 pkt Changs noodles

Dressing

1/2 cup light sour cream

1/2 cup orange juice

2cm piece ginger, peeled and finely grated

2tsp poppy seeds

Dressing: Whisk sour cream, orange juice, ginger and Poppy seeds in a bowl until well combined. Season with salt and pepper.

Combine cabbage, capsicum, onion, snow peas and noodles in a large bowl. Add the dressing and toss well.

This is a lovely light recipe for those lazy summer days.

ENJOY♥

My Army of Snowmen

Snow was part of my childhood winters growing up in Scotland as was building many a Snowman. It comes as no surprise that I have become a collector of Snowmen gathering together this quirky little Army that goes on display each Christmas.

Taste Sensation

A favourite around our home is a platter of all that is Yummy. It is like giving your taste buds a good work out.

The secret to a good looking platter is plenty of everything pilled on.

The one pictured was made for a staff Christmas party held at our home.

I have included the following -

Sweet potato dip, tzatziki, beetroot relish, Brie cheese, Danish Blue cheese, garlic feta, baby bocconcini with cherry tomatoes and fresh basil, salami, sun dried tomatoes, pate, olives, baby gherkins, strawberries, grapes and a variety of biscuits.

Be adventurous try different tastes together.

ENJOY ♥

Cranberry Punch

2 litre cranberry juice chilled

1 litre unsweetened pineapple juice

1.25 litre dry ginger

mint leaves

chopped berries

ice cubes

Combine cranberry and pineapple juice with mint in a large jug or punch bowl.

Add dry Ginger, chopped berries and ice cubes.

Note - best served well chilled and if the occasion calls add a little extra zing....

ENJOY ♥

Salmon - Topped with tomato & lime salsa

Recipe is for 4 people

1 long red chilli (or 1tsp Crushed chilli from Jar)
2tsp caster sugar
1tbs lime juice & wedges to serve
2 tsp fish sauce
2tsp sesame oil
1/2 cup coriander leaves
1/4 cup mint leaves
1/2 punnet grape tomatoes, halved
1 eschalot, thinly sliced
4 x 180g salmon or trout fillets
1 tbs oil
Steamed jasmine or basmati rice to serve

nb: Salmon can be done in oven or on BBQ

Preheat oven to 190oc

Place chilli, sugar, lime juice, fish and sesame oil in a bowl and stir until sugar has dissolved.

Tear herbs in a separate bowl and add tomatoes eschalots.

Season Salmon with salt and pepper, then set aside.

Heat oil in a non-stick and ovenproof fry pan over medium heat.

Cook Salmon for 2min on each side.

Transfer salmon to the oven & cook a further 5min's or until cooked just the way you like.

Before serving toss the dressing and tomato mix together.

Serve salmon on bed of rice topped with salsa.

ENJOY ♥

Fa la la la la la la la la la 2010

Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time.

~Laura Ingalls Wilder

Christmas 2010 is all but over and already we are looking to a new year. I know that for many folk Christmas is not an easy time of year and it can bring much sadness. I have very much kept Christmas alive in my heart like a little Child; it is a big part of who I am. I love to decorate my home, write Christmas Cards, cook and welcome people into my home.

What’s in a name?

I am a little embarrassed to say it has been just over 2years since I last posted.

Well New Year new beginning let us see if I can improve on my previous efforts.

I never did explain why it is called Lines about Linee. Well Linee is my nick name given to me by some dear friends whom I affectionately call the Egg family.
My real name is Caroline.
My friend’s daughter was born with nerve deafness and as much as we tried to teach her to say Caroline the first thing she called me was Linee and over the years many others have adopted the use of Linee when addressing me.

So my nick name is very special to me, Linee I am ♥