Making Friends

Poppy has decided to make friends with my lindt bunny - very cute!




- Posted by Jazz's iPhone

Sickie Lulu

Princess Lulu had a dental procedure yesterday.

Look at what the vet gave us! So cute! I love the pink bandage on her leg where the drip was.




On the way home.




Resting on my lap.




She is recovering well.

- Posted by Jazz's iPhone

Happy Good Friday

Happy Good Friday to all.

I hope you are having a fab extended long weekend!

I am going to try not to eat too many eggs this weekend - but I am not making any promises!

Enjoy!

BBQ Structure

We found this entrance structure in a street near to us.

It will give you an idea of the shape that we are looking at building over the BBQ area pavers.




Not 100% sure what we will make this structure out of - but now we have an idea of what we are wanting to out over the area below.

Seriously 6 Months!

Well today it’s been Six Months since we moved in!!!

Time has gone by so fast (in some ways) and in others it feels liked we have always lived here for years!

Thanks to everyone that has helped us out along the way.

We have a few more projects on this weekend – but we are getting closer to the finishing line every day!

Four Houses for The Block

oooooooooooooooh I saw this today here!

As a "Blocker" had to fill you in!

Hot on the heels of yesterday’s rumour about Nine stripping The Block (and it’s more than just a rumour now), comes confirmation of the series using Melbourne for its setting.

But rather than 4 apartments, the show will makeover 4 houses in the inner suburb of Richmond. It’s the first time the show will be based outside Sydney.

“We looked all over Australia and it just so happened that we found four properties here in Richmond,” host Scott Cam tells the Herald Sun.

“Who would have believed we would find four houses all owned by the same person, all in the same condition, all the same size, all perfect for the show.”

Source: tvtonight.com.au

Housewarming :: Thank You

We would like to thank our guests that attended the Housewarming Parties and gave us some great gifts.

We got some lovely tea towels and Tupperware, mugs and a funky magnetic message board!

We also got some Bunnings vouchers – which we have used to purchase Yard Saver 55 Shed!

Thanks to all our friends and family for the great gifts!

Yard Saver 55 Shed

Constructed with the highest quality, fire retardant PVC, these attractive sheds provide safe and secure storage space. These sheds are fade and weather proof, and are very easy to assemble

Features:
* Fire Retardant, Rust and Rot Proof
* Simple, Clean, Safe and Easy Assembly
* Metal Reinforced wall columns for superior strength
* Wind Rated to 185 km/hr
* Contemporary design will beautify your Backyard or Garden
* No Painting, Treating, or Maintaining Headaches
* 15 yr Limited Warranty
* Included Door and Door Handles
* Includes moulded Floor - Only needs compacted, level surface

Outside Sizes: 1.7m Wide x 1.7m Deep x 1.98m High
Inside Sizes: 1.55m Wide x 1.55m Deep x 1.82m High
Door Size: 1.34m Wide x 1.82m High
Storage Area 4.5 Cubic Metres.
Colour Alabaster

http://www.asmallshedplus.com.au/Vinyl-Garden-Sheds/Yard-Saver-55.html

The Weekend That Was

Well it was a great weekend of housewarming parties!

The only problem is I was having too much fun and didn't take many pics (sorry).




































Thanks to all of our guests it was a great weekend!

Book - City of Lies

So I have decided to go back to crime/thrillers this week.
I saw this book on the shelf and thought – it could be good – boy was I right…..
Could not stop listening to this audio book. Lots of twists and turns and intertwining stories.
I even listened to it at home one night while Brett was working late …. Ooohhhh scary (usually I listen while I am driving)!
Worth a look!




The new fast-paced thriller from rising star Alafair Burke, where no-one in Manhattan is safe. And no-one is innocent. In New York City nights are dangerous. Days are numbered.
When New York University student Megan Gunther is murdered in a vicious attack after receiving threats posted on a campus website, NYPD Detective Ellie Hatcher is convinced there is a link.
With straight-talking partner J. J. Rogan at her side, Ellie tries to identify Megan's enemies, but she begins to wonder if the girl's murder was more than just the culmination of a cyber obsession.
Then phone records reveal a link between Megan and a murdered real-estate agent who was living a dangerous double life.
Even more suspiciously, the detectives also learn that the dead real-estate agent shared a secret connection to a celebrity mogul whose bodyguard was mysteriously killed a few months earlier.
And when Megan's roommate suddenly disappears, they know they have to find her before it's too late.
With fans including everyone from Michael Connelly, Harlan Coben, and Lee Child to Tess Gerritsen, Lisa Gardner and Kathy Reichs, Alafair Burke gives us another nail-biting thriller to keep us on the edge of our seats.

- Posted by Jazz's iPhone

Sunday Morning

Love reading (catching up on all my blog reading) in the early morning by Chandelier light!

How awesome does it look!







- Posted by Jazz's iPhone

ClimateSmart

We have had the ClimateSmart assessment done to the house.

Its interesting to see how much power you are using in real time.

I will be interested to see what our power bills will be like in the future - only time will tell!

PS. Keep in mind that if you have power saving bulbs installed and water saving shower heads you don't get any for free....

http://www.climatesmarthome.com/

Save Up to $325 per year on your power bill. Find out how much power you're wasting at home with the $50 ClimateSmart Home Service and start saving.

We'll supply and install this little device, called a wireless power monitor, plus up to 15 power saving light globes and, where suitable, a water and energy efficient showerhead.

The service takes less than an hour and you can book an appointment at a time that suits you: Monday - Saturday, 7am - 7pm

- Posted by Jazz's iPhone

A Contrast Garden

When Brett and I were at Bunnings recently, I saw a sign that read “add these plants to your garden for contrast”.

Funny things is – all the plants that were contrast plants are what makes up the our whole garden LOL

We don’t really have a lot of green we have a lot of pinks & purples.

Oh well there is nothing normal about our house so I guess the garden shouldn’t be any different.

- Posted by Jazz's iPhone

What Time is it?

I am typing this post before 6am.

I thought works couldn't start onsite until 7am?

Trucks arrived this morning at 5.20am & cement started to be poured at 5.40am (with hammering noises).

Great start to "hump day" - I hope it improves!




- Posted by Jazz's iPhone

Book - How to Break Your Own Heart

I am a MASSIVE Maggie Alderson fan – she is one of my fav chic lit authors.

I love the fact that on her website she has a section called “Press” with a little note saying “I haven’t got around to this yet, ooppppss”.

Great book, really enjoyed it (as usual) – maybe check it out to read over the Easter break?

Amelia Bradlow seems to have everything she needs to be happy – a handsome husband, a beautiful home, money, good looks and a glamour job. Everything that is, except the thing she wants most – a baby.

Her husband, Ed, is funny affectionate and sophisticated, but simply not interested in parenthood. He likes his life neat and tidy. And he likes a wife who attends solely to his needs.

As she approaches 37, Amelia is faced with a life-changing decision, aided and abetted by Kiki, her hopelessly disorganised, but ridiculously rich friend. Should she stay in her nearly happy marriage, or expose herself to the vagaries of a single life and the distant possibility of meeting someone who wants to start a family?

Life in 90 sq ft Home

I saw this on the news this morning and thought WOW - she loves small spaces!

I think this place would drive me nuts! She is very clever with her use of space - check it out!

Is this America's smallest apartment? Woman describes life in 90 sq ft home!

Felice Cohen has squeezed her life into a 90 square ft flat even though it has no kitchen and a bed whose ceiling is 23 inches from her face.

The bathroom is so small that she has to sit sideways to go to the toilet and on her first night there she suffered a panic attack because it is so cramped.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1372926/Felice-Cohen-describes-miniature-90ft-home-Is-Americas-smallest-apartment.html#ixzz1IbXU7cbQ

Happy Birthday Lulu

Happy Birthday to Princess Lulu! 4 years old today!

Housewarming :: Substantial Food

This is what I am serving for substantial food. Chicken Drumsticks

Sausage Rolls

Tomato and boccoccini salad with fresh basil, baby capers and olive oil balsamic dressing.

Homemade Coleslaw salad with a creamy homemade mayonnaise dressing.

Chat potato salad with crispy bacon, chives and mayonnaise yoghurt dressing.

Happy Birthday Brett

Happy Birthday to Brett!!!!!! First Birthday in the new house!!!!

Have a great day!!!

Also Happy Birthday to Grand as well!!!!

Housewarming :: Atmosphere

A great and economical way to create atmosphere at your event is to use lighting. I have these glass tea light candle holders and lanterns from http://www.ikea.com.au/. I will also be using some of my “green eco chic” bees wax candles. What do I mean by green eco chic? If you have a wedding decorator in your neighbourhood you should stop by and ask if you can purchase their pillar candles (church candles) that are used. What do I mean? Every time a bride gets married they will no doubt use new candles that have only burnt for less than 2 hours (still at least 4 hours of light left in them – depending on size). I pick mine up from between .50cents and $2.00 depending on size, from local wedding decorators – they are happy to get rid of them. I have had brides that want to be “eco green” for their weddings by way of recycling etc. So that is where I came up with the idea. Also I prefer the slightly used candles as it looks more vintage and not so brand spanking new – if you know what I mean!

Book - Move to Strike

Perfect home, perfect family, perfect murder...

So I am back on the "thriller" band wagon this week - needed a "chick lit" break.

I wasn't sure about this book at the start - but it GETS GOOD.... TRUST ME!

Think..... a crazy Dr Phil! Really good book and full of twist and turns - totally worth the read!



Doctor Jeffrey Logan, daytime TV’s most loved psychologist, has a top-rating talk show seen around the world - his picture perfect life completed by his talented lawyer wife, Stephanie Tyler, their 16-year-old daughter Chelsea, and 13-year-old J.T. But this image of domestic bliss is shattered when Stephanie is killed instantly by a bullet from a big game rifle in the family’s pristine Beacon Hill kitchen – the consequences of her death catastrophic as Doctor Jeff confesses, despite all the evidence pointing decidedly towards his blood spattered son.

Now Boston criminal defence attorney David Cavanaugh faces his most gruelling case to date – as fate steps in to see him appointed to represent the man charged with murdering his old law school friend. Cavanaugh soon realises that this family has a dark secret, but it may not be the one the popular Doctor Jeff insists on revealing to the world. With the Logan children unwilling to reveal what really happened, and Doctor Jeff always one step ahead of his defence team, Cavanaugh must race to uncover the truth, before more lives, including those closest to him, are lost.

- Posted by Jazz's iPhone

Housewarming :: Signature Drinks

Signature Drinks are more of an American wedding tradition.

It’s a great way to serve alcoholic beverages at your event, with a little wow factor and as you focus on the 1 style of drink it can save you money.

I have a lot of Martini Glasses (occupational hazard) and I found Frozen Cocktail Buckets while out and about. We are going to serve Pina Colada and Pink Cosmos.

We have a NY Smoothy Maker so we will be up the cocktail mix in the blender with ice rather than put it in the freezer.

Basically with these buckets you just need to add the alcohol – I will be interested to see how they turn out.

Housewarming :: Punch

I always love serving punch at parties, its colourful and can also look like a great decor feature. I use Maxwell Williams large cookie jars to hold the punch.

I am going to do a Pink Grapefruit and Lime Punch and a Lemon Water Punch.

Housewarming :: Desserts

So as I have admitted in previous posts, I am a Cooking TV Show junkie!

I just love to watch Nigella – she totally cracks me up, she always has something in her mouth!

I was inspired by her mousse recipes and she served them in shot glasses – which is great for a cocktail style party (portion controlled and can be managed in hands)!

So I purchased some cute shot glasses at Christmas time for this very reason.
These little snaps shot glasses are from Ikea (http://www.ikea.com.au/)!

Instant Chocolate Mousse

150g mini marshmallows
50g soft butter
250g good dark chocolate (minimum 70% cocoa solids), chopped into small pieces
60ml hot water from a recently boiled kettle
1 x 284ml tub double cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

http://www.nigella.com/recipes/view/instant-chocolate-mousse-4

White Chocolate Mint Mousse

175g white chocolate
90ml milk
2 egg whites
1/4 tsp lemon juice
225ml double cream

http://www.nigella.com/recipes/view/white-chocolate-mousse-2224

I also want to have a Cupcake Station where people can PIMP THEIR CUPCAKE out!

I am going for a Red Velvet Cupcake with Cream Cheese frosting.

Red Velvet Cupcakes

2 1/2 cups sifted cake flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
2 oz. red food coloring (two bottles) or 4 oz beet juice (if you use unprocessed light cocoa you can leave out the food dyes and you'll get a warm red/brown color)
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs, at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon baking soda

http://bestcupcakerecipes.blogspot.com/2009/02/red-velvet-cupcake-recipe.html