Chocolate and Raspberry Trifle

Recipe for my first ever trifle! Ingredients: Thickened Cream Chocolate moose Fresh Raspberries Chocolate sponge roll (as above) & Raspberry Jelly Method: Layer however you please!...

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Family Christmas Advent Activities: Day 22

Today after another two hour shop Uncle Al started a war which quickly escalated into a water war! Why is it that my kids always want to be on their Uncle Al's team is what I want to know?.. But there was a last minute change when Nevaeh thought my bucket on my head was a great idea to trade in uncle Al's cup for his bucket! Better late then never I guess.. As part of our advent today we were meant to go Chrissy Light...

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Family Christmas Advent Activities: Day 20

Our Advent Calender for 2011 had us looking and Luke 2:22-32, but our activity was more specifically based on Leviticus 12 which talks about the purification after Childbirth. During the first week of December after creating our advent for this month I decided I was going to find a sheep, two doves and two pigeons to hang from our tree.. But.. in a small town like this it would have to have taken a small miricle.. So I had to think out side the box and while searching through Etsy and after buying...

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Family Christmas Advent Activities: Day 18

Today we have had a wonderful day filled with praise, prayer, worship and love. Not just any kind of love - Warm, fuzzy, generous and wholesome love! This morning we went to Church and it was awesome. I love how personal it is.. At our other church, I would be too afraid to ask for more guidance in areas I didn't understand but at The Living Word Church, I love that I can so freely ask for more information or just verify my interpretation of what has been said. I couldn't believe my Jie today too.. He...

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A day of scissors and styles..

Back in July we gave Nevaeh a fringe {Blog post here} but today Nevaeh has a new do.. I was fussy with what I wanted as I still wanted to keep her curl but wanted it off her neck.. I couldn't be happier, it must feel different for her too because she kept running her hand through the back of her hair this afternoon.. I just love it! Jiedyn also got a new hair cut, but he choose it himself. He went for a more slick look...

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Raising Kids..

This past year I have changed so much as a person. I have struggled more than I ever have as a single Mum but have also accomplished so much as well.. The power of prayer.. What a miraculous tool to transform lives.. This year I have prayed more than any other too.. How great is our God, always listening and knowing what your about to say before it leaves your mouth. Always hearing and giving in his time - not yours.. Since April I have constantly prayed about Jiedyns education....

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One For Us & One For 10 Of You..

Who loves getting rewards? Me & Kelly! Who loves giving rewards? Me & Kelly! On the 11th, I received the Kreativ Blogger award from Miss Kelly-Marie via her post here.. As part of this award, I must reveal 7 things about myself so here we go.. My nickname is Balissa I counted to 100 yesterday with my son I want to go to the Plaza Hotel in NYC before I die I love D'Arcy Doyle paintings For...

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Family Christmas Advent Activities: Days 10 & 11

We're Cancelled.. But we did go out for tea last night and watch carols by candle light at the Bacchus Marsh Village. Here are some of my favorite shots I snapped up tonight.. Jiedyn showing Nevaeh something A kind lady stepped forward to help an elder of the community  Beautiful bright eyes My son on my lap singing with me My two blessings from the lord and Jie wearing some pretty cool glasses from his...

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Family Christmas Advent Activities: Day 9

Today as part of our advent activities we had to make angel notes, things we love about each other, sealed with a kiss. After dinner we read out our angel notes to each other.. Mine from Jiedyn read "I love you because your always happy and dance with us, and because we both love God" Jiedyn's to Nevaeh read "I love you because you love me and you always make me smile, and sometimes laugh too.." Mine to Jiedyn read "I love you because...

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Family Christmas Advent Activities: Day 8

Write encouraging things with Chalk on the footpath [in 10 different locations]..? We sure did! Love who you are! Merry Christmas! Sing with joy in your heart! Merry Christmas! Open your bible! Merry Christmas! Jesus loves you! Merry Christmas! You were made with a purpose! Merry Christmas! Have you seen any of our artwork around today? Tonight we also played hopscotch and created a rainbow serpent because it was too hot to go to bed early.. Our house is an oven after a hot day, and to make...

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Jiedyn's Pirate Hat Picnic Party..

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Family Christmas Advent Activities: Day 2

Because we did all our shopping yesterday there was no need to go down again so today we enjoyed our day at home building a gingerbread train. It was a new experience for us all and the kids had a great time sneaking [yes, Mum knew you were eating some] fingers full of frosting and the odd bite of yummy candy balls. The kids had a great time decorating our "J Train" I think it looks fabulous and Nevaeh's finger texture on the front adds an extra pa-zazz to it don't you think? ...

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Family Christmas Advent Activities: Day 1

Please excuse Nevaeh's Face, we were running behind schedule today - all day since Jie decided that 12:45pm would be a grand time to wake up this fine 1st of December. We had one million and one things to get done today and.. well.. surprisingly we got them all done! Sending Christmas cards/postcards, we printed out our advents for December at the library, did shopping for Jiedyn's pirate hat birthday picnic on Saturday,  brought everything on our list we need for our advent activities this year, we...

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Family Christmas Advent is Finalized..

Please click these images to take a peep! I was up until 4am this morning working on this years advent calender! Last year we did not emphasize enough on God and the greatest gift to all mankind. Yeah we listened to a few hymes, did a few good deeds but there was no real meaning and we were counting down to Santa - Not Jesus. In my post "A Jesus Day" I explained to my son that Santa died just as Jesus did.. But when...

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We have Twins!

Today we got the opportunity to meet our newest members of our family for the first time. It was a new experience for all of us as I have always been a 'dog' person and not really into cats.. Please let me introduce you to little Matthias.. Matthias was born along with 6 brothers and 1 sister on the 26th of October which just so happens to be my brothers birthday also. Matthias and his brother whom we have named Altius...

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Recipe for Mum's Rissoles..

Tonight Jiedyn and I prepared and cooked a yummy BBQ..   Jie had fun learning Mum's special recipe'.. You'll Need:  A large bowl Clean Hands  Ingredients:  1 egg 500 grams of Minced (ground) Beef 1 diced onion 1 cup of breadcrumbs  And don't forget Mums special ingredients: 1 tablespoon of Hoi Sin Sauce 1 tablespoon of Soy Sauce 1 tablespoon of Honey Method: Squish and scrunch all ingredients in a large bowl using your hands.. once thoroughly combined roll into balls of...

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Mum's Easy Egg & Bacon Pizza

Here is the finished product of my first ever time making mini pizzas.. Both the kids licked their fingers clean and ate two each without tomato.. I couldn't even get through one! This quick and easy recipe is nice and cheap and would make a great hit on fathers day! Pizza Base Sundried tomato pesto Half cooked bacon Sliced Tomato an egg and cheese! Cook in a pre-heated oven at 200 degrees until egg is cooked just the way you like...

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Back In Time (Thursday)

Now onto some funny memories.. This first one is of the kids bathing together, almost looks innocent enough.. oh, but whats Jiedyn holding? A water gun! Really good for shooting at Mum if she tries to get Nevaeh out of the bath..haha! I even walked past the bathroom door to go toilet and the little rascal got me!! 2010  Okay, because I'm embarrassing my kids and I'm such a good Mummy, I had to also let you have...

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Short Bread Biscuits

This is an extra special recipe' because my Nana taught me how to make these only two weeks before she passed in '09 Easy, simple and when made from the heart.. delicious! Ingredients 150g Plain Flour 50g Caster sugar 100g butter (softened) Method 1. Pre heat the oven to 170 degrees Celsius 2. Grease a baking tray 3. Put the plain flour, caster sugar and butter ingredients together in a large bowl and rub the mixture together between your thumbs and fingertips until the texture becomes moist like play doh....

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My First Blog Award

I am quite excited about receiving my very first blog award! It comes from Shelomita over at CuteCoconut. Before I pass this on I must first do these two things.. 1. Thank the person who gave it to me. So a very big and whole hearted ThankYou to Shelomita! Its great that you enjoy my blog! 2. I must put together 7 things that make me - Me! > I am a TwitFace! I love twitter and Facebook! > I'm a strict Mum. I love my kids enough to discipline them > I eat take away two days a week.. > I don't drive, I walk everywhere. >...

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Brushie Brushie Brushie

Jiedyn last night was teaching Nevaeh how to brush her teeth properly in the bath. Unfortunately I wasn't able to get videos/photos as I'm lending my brothers camera and the battery died, so I have to grab the charger next time I see him. The photo's above were taken in February this year when I was teaching Jie how to brush and the things he was saying to Nevaeh last night were similar to the instructions gave him at this time! It...

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Poppies Famous Meatlof

You need: X1 Large Bowl X1 Roasting tray x1 Grater Ingredients: X1 chopped onion X1 egg X1 handful of grated carrot 500g of beef mince 500g of sausage mince 125g bread crumbs For best results sprinkle some steak pepper over the top (Don't tell Dad/Pop, seems I beat him at his own recipe) I only put this on half, as my kids like it the way Poppy makes it. Method: Preheat oven to 180 degrees Using your hands...

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Fridays Photo Edit

Proudly brought to you by Kelly over at Our Footprints on the world This is how I am spending my Friday night, and what is a reading session without yummy smelly candles? A book read in candle light and in peace is my ideal night!...

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Thursday Theme Challenge: Golden

Prep time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 30 minutes Makes 12 Ingredients 2 cups self raising flour 1 large carrot, peeled and grated 1 medium zucchini, trimmed and grated 100g sliced ham, finely chopped 1 1/3 cups grated tasty cheese 1/2 cup milk 3 eggs 60g butter, melted Method 1. Preheat oven 200 degrees Celsius (180 degrees Celsius fan forced) and grease a 12 - hole (1/3 cup) muffin pan with cooking spray. 2. Place flour...

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No TV!

Back in June we unplugged our TV! Since then we have gotten out outside antenna fixed, thrown away our set top box and have only been watching DVD's or Videos.. maybe three a week. It's been absolutely fabulous. The kids are playing together more, making their own fun and are wanting to go outside heaps more too. When the TV was on Jiedyn would sit in front of it more than 5 hours a day. I'm so glad he is exploring the world around him and teaching his sister new things along the way. They have also started getting they're...

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Pineapple Fritters with Sugar

Ingredients:  1 Tin of Pineapple Slices Cup of Flour Half Cup Water An Egg  and Sugar.. Naturally! Method:   Pre-heat Deep Fryer to 140+ degrees Add Flour, Water and the egg into a mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer. Dip Pineapple slices in the batter and slowly put them in the Deep Fryer (slowly to stop them from sticking to the bottom). Cook until golden brown Sprinkle with sugar...

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Mum's Curried Sausages

Ingredients Chicken stock cube 4 sausages 1 onion 1 tablespoon of flour 2-3 tablespoons of curry pinch of parsley Rice 3 cups of water 3 veggies (peas, corn, carrot, potato, pumpkin etc.) salt and pepper Method Rice Place a table spoon of oil into a pot Pour in rice and mix so that every grain of rice has oil on it Constantly mix it on high temp until most rice pieces are a lighter white (being careful not to burn it) Add boiling water until it is a cm over the rice Boil then cover it and...

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Family Update

Okay so I thought while I had a little minute to myself I'd let you guys all know what our family has been up to these past two weeks. The past week we have sent out postcards to places like India, Croatia, Germany, The Netherlands, Canada, South Africa, USA and Taiwan. Jiedyn is learning so much about the world around him we even got given to us a pair of chop sticks, which I cant seem to find. We have been seeing alot more of Uncle Allan, he came over three times this week to help me out while Jiedyn's been sick with asthma...

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I am number 2wo..

Nevaeh is growing up so fast, I cant believe how much she is talking now. A week ago she was a little lady only speaking a few words here and there, but today she is trying so hard to put sentences together. Her favorite words are Mine, Teddy and Pwam. Her favorite song is the Carlton Theme Song and she has started getting giggly and shy when she see's her favorite player Chris Judd on TV. Nevaeh loves playing outside, playing with play-doh, squishing bugs with her fingers and playing with blocks. She doesn't like stepping...

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Two Years Too Long

Two years ago today our beautiful Nana passed away. She was strong and wise and very loved. Today we honored her memory together. My wounds are still raw, and although I thought the pain would ease over time, somehow it seems to swell. I would have loved to share so many things that have happend this year with her especially with my sister being pregnant. My Nana didn't deserve the life she had.. she deserved so much more. She was special,...

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Four months later..

And the kids are back together again.. They say cousins are the first friends we make in life and it has been proved true in my kids lives. Jiedyn and Nevaeh both met their cousins at six weeks old. When Kristal (my sister) moved in with us in 2009 they all become more like sisters and brothers than cousins. Yesterday they arrived here late afternoon and the kids weren't shy in picking up right where they left off. The two boys enjoyed showing and sharing each others dvd collections and the three girls drew, joked and laughed...

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Embracing The Cam-er-ah!

First of all I just really wanted to say that you should get your bums over to the Embrace The Camera bloghop (our favorite bloghop) its a fun little community which get photos with their kids, family and friends every Thursday. I ove it because I am forever behind the camera catching milestones and it gives my kids some great photos of us together! So this one of Jiedyn and I was the first photo taken on our brand new Cam-er-ah! Comments...

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Our First Family Fable

Aunty Kristal, Jeanette, Janae & Hiram came to stay for the weekend not long after I birthed Nevaeh. It was a special time as they welcomed their baby cousin and niece into our family. Cuddles, kisses and lots of long silent stares were exchanged before Nevaeh had to sleep again. Aunty Kristal got all clucky and your cousin Janai just couldn't stop herself for sneak peeks as Nevaeh lay rested in her bassinet. That whole weekend wherever...

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85 Facts About the Queen

Early years 1. The Queen was born at 2.40am on 21 April 1926 at 17 Bruton Street in Mayfair, London 2. She was the first child of The Duke and Duchess of York, who later became King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. 3. At the time she stood third in line of succession to the throne after Edward, Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII), and her father, The Duke of York. But it was not expected that her father would become King, or...

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