Snow In The Grampians

 

Friday it snowed in The Grampians, a lot,

it might snow up there once each year or every second year, but not usually this much,

so when it does, it's very exiting.
Mitchell was picked up Saturday morning by a friend and headed to Mount William,

while Peter and Nathan headed up to Boroka Lookout.

It was a beautiful sunny day and excellent to have snow so close to home.

 

Mount William - thanks for the pic Chelsea

 

Mount William - thanks for the pic Chelsea

Mount William - thanks for the pic Chelsea

 

Boroka Lookout over Halls gap

 Looking towards a snow capped Mount William

 

Heath and I stayed home as we both had colds and feeling a bit yuk,

but Peter and Nathan loaded some snow into the ute, 

and bought home for Heath to have a play

 

Max the dog and the chooks were very interested in the snow too,

they built a couple of snowmen,

and believe it or not, it's now Monday arvo and they are still there!

A great day was had by all

and a big thankyou to Chelsea for Mitchell's great day in The Grampians,

and Peter for taking lots of pics for us.

 



Chooks!

 

For years we have been talking about getting chooks

 

 The husband could just never find the time to build a chook coop

 

 So the boys and I bought a kit one from the hardware store,

it was finally put together by the boys, then it sat for a while longer.

Then we bought some chooks, and built a yard around it,

so they could stretch their legs.

 

We had no idea of the entertainment these chooks would give the boys.

 The chooks like to play on the swing

 

 and in the sand pit and roam around the yard.
 

 Pa came and helped the boys build the yard,
we purchased some wire and poles from a local tennis club
that were replacing their courts after flood damage
 

everyone joined in,
and everyone has had fun getting to know the girls.

They have a lovely shady spot under the grape vines

We have been getting a steady supply of buttnuts too.
 



Naracoorte Swimming Lake

Firstly - We Love This Place!

An hour and a half drive from us is the town of Naracoorte, just over the border in SA.

Last summer, on a stinking hot day, during a heat wave,

the boys and I could not stand to be cooped up inside with each other

for one more day - we needed to get out - desperately!

We decided on a day trip to the Naracoorte Caves, it would be nice and cool underground.
We asked Mrs Google about Naracoorte Swimming Pool, 

as we planned to pack a picnic lunch and check out their pool too.



An image came up of a beautiful lake, apparently, this was the town pool,

we expected mud, reeds, maybe a yabby nip on the toe and to look out for broken glass.

Boy - did we get a surprise

 This lake has a cement bottom, is chlorinated, the water is a lovely temperature,

it has a sandy beach, 2 pontoons, a safety fence,

lush green grass under shady gum tree's for picnics

Is right next to a caravan park, and walking distance to the CBD.

There is even a kiosk and clean change rooms.

AND ITS FREE - crazy I know

We loved our day there so much,

we packed up the next week too and took the husband over for a swim.

 About a week ago, I took the boys over for 3 nights.

We stayed in the caravan park with another family from here.

The caravan park is very well run, has a big new camp kitchen

(that has a bbq inside which is ridiculous

as it makes the lovely room fill with stinky bbq smoke and fumes),

 mini train rides, a basic mini golf a games room

and a great grassy area for a game of cricket

and its right next door to the lake,

 and the CBD is a 2 minute walk from the caravan park.

the weather was not as warm, but the kids did'nt care

It was not warm enough for me to go in this time,

very lucky to have a friend that went swimming with the boys each day :-)

We had a trip out to the Naracoorte Caves one morning

We flew the kite on the oval next door

We went on a 1 1/2 hour trail ride at Limestone Coast Horse Riding,

the boys really, really, really loved this activity,

(our groups seven years old did not ride)

the staff were great and very thorough in their pre ride lessons,

and the horses and equipment were in great condition

and looked to be very well looked after.

(I do know a thing or 2 about horses)

We will definitely be back

Last year when we went over on our day trips,

we spent the day at the pool, then had an early meal at the pub before driving home

This was the sunset as we were coming back into town

from one our our Naracoorte trips last year - a lovely way to end a great day

This is not a sponsored post for any of the above business's,

it's just going to be bloody hot this week in The Wimmera,

so wanted to share this great spot to spend a 40+ deg day!

Because, it seems not many locals know about it.

Let me know if you visit the lake this summer, might even see you there

Have a great week

Jacqueline.



Santa Sacks

 

 

Santa orders for 2013 are well under way,

They are available in natural or denim

you can purchase them in my

Madeit Store

or

My Big Cartel Store

 

Orders will be closing next Friday December 6th

 

Jacqueline

 

 

I Made a Pencil Case

I sew a lot for my little shop,

but don't often get to make goodies for my boys.

When the firstborn's school pencil case burst at the seams

I decided to make a new one for him.

 

The back...

 

Has an extra pocket.

 

And the front.

He loves it, he's grade 5 this year,

so I always a worry about if he would still like things made by his mum.

No need to worry at this stage, he "gets" handmade,

and so far, is not fussed about the whole brand thing.

I'm very glad that he has the confidence to not have to

have/wear and be like everyone else.

He picked out his fabrics and watched it take shape,

then off to school it went.

 

Happy Boy

Happy Mum

 

Snack Container Lids

Like most mum's, I pack a lot of school lunches.

I send rubbish free lunch boxes,

I peel and core the fruit as our compost benefits from all those scraps,

rather than binning them at school   

 

 And, I wash a lot of school lunch containers.

The boys are very good at not leaving their containers at school,

but, somehow, the lids of the smash snack tubes do go missing.

I was going to buy some more, then wondered if I could just get the lid's,

rather than buying more containers.

 

I found them online at Bonzoo.

The lids were 50c each and even with postage, it was cheaper than buying new containers

 

The only thing was that the lids arrived in this huge box!

How can that be, it's just bloody ridiculous.

Anyway, I have my extra lids now, all ready for next term.

 

This is not a sponsored post,

just sharing the info in case you may have some missing lids too :)

 

Have a great weekend

Jacqueline



A Guest Post By Mr 8, How To Make A Snail

 

Mitchell has been making these little snails out of Easter Egg wrappers,

he made them up himself and suggested he could put them on my blog

so other kids could make them.

This morning I took some pics, showed him how to use pic monkey

and let him go for it.

So, here is his little tutorial.....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A big thankyou to Mitchell

for my guest post.

You've done a great job :)