ChristinaJane

2012-02-11T16:29:00.000+10:00

It's Been A While

2010-01-01T21:28:00.003+10:00

Happy New Year to family and friends, and one and all.

What an eventful year the Brosnan household has had. We started the year with a young girl who started year 1 and had the fun and joy of helping and encouraging her with school. At the beginning of January we purchased three, day old chicks and a day old duck. We all thoroughly enjoyed making a pen, home and enclosure for our new family members, and our girl learnt all about caring and raising a pet. Then in April, I was diagnosed with cancer, and had to have major surgery, and our dear little girl had to leave to other carers. The road to recovery took a while with much support from my wonderful husband, parents, Katrina and well wishes and prays from many family and friends. After recovery, myself and Warren have had many other children in our care and have had many experiences with those children, which has enable us better skills to care for the full time children we will care for in 2010.

In September our duck started to sit on 12 eggs, and after 40 days, we had 10 beautiful, fluffy, yellow ducklings. This brought much joy to ourselves, family, friends and any children that came to stay during that time. 8 ducklings went to a hobbyfarm in Bundaberg, and 2 days ago the last male and female went to the local produce store to be re-homed, as they had grown to big and messy.

In October, after many bouts of illness, Rose, our 10 year old poodle, passed away to go to doggy heaven with Toby. Rose was our baby girl and is still sadly missed.

In November we had our first overseas trip, to wonderful place called Fiji, and we really did have the best holiday of our lives. This is a place I would strongly suggest you visit, as it is so much cheaper then staying at the Gold or Sunshine coast, and the atmosphere there is just so relaxed and child friendly. They make your stay there so enjoyable.

When we came back from Fiji we purchased two new babies for our family, Lucy and Bob. Lucy is a mini poodle and is nearly four months old. She is a similar colour to Rose, a little darker, and has golden ears. She has usual markings, as her nose, mouth, and around her eyes are a lovely chocolate colour.

Bob is a toy poodle and is just over four months old, he appears black, but he is starting to go silver. We are enjoying the puppy stage, but missing the adult dog that we were so use to. The training of wee wees and poo poos is becoming a challenge but we are slowly winning the war. They are just so cute at this stage and so amusing to watch.

We celebrated Christmas with two children and headed to Kingaroy to Warren's sister for Christmas Day lunch. It was great to see everyone and spent an enjoyable day, eating and being merry with his family. Boxing Day we had an great meal with my parents and beat the boys (Warren and Dad) , at a game called Sequence. It was great relaxing day.

New Year's eve we went to the hill behind Web Park and slid down the very slippy and muddy slope. The boys had an absolute ball and I had just as much fun watching. New Year's Day we spent with my Mum and Dad and had yummy toasted ham sandwich's, the best for those after Christmas festivities, something mild and simple. Then the boys beat us girl's (Mum and myself) at Sequence, but only by one and only because Warren got a lucky hand. Final score being 4-3.

I have posted some photos of the boys at Webb Park and there muddy aftermath, and also of Bob and Lucy playing with the drain, not being able to figure why they could not catch the water coming out of the drain.

We are hoping for ourselves and for all to have a good, if not better year then 2009. We can't have any worse then the year we have had, and I feel it is about time we had a good one. Wishing one and all a Happy 2010.

One Muddy Hill

The Cardboard didn't work but found that awesome white house sign,

made out of thin metal and it zoooooomed down that hill

Getting it up the hill was a task and a half

Warren screamed like a girl, god I wish I had had a video camera with me,

very amusing, not to his liking

very sore bum

very very very muddy after

butts were much dirtier by the time we left

mud, mud and more mud

this is why we thought it was a good time we left, it started soon after. It was so black.

We got home and took the puppies out to toilet, and they discovered the drain.

Said Drain

(who would think this could be the source of so much fun)

trying so hard, let me have a turn, I can get it

trying

please help mum

one wet girl

one wet boy

SO MUCH FUN and then poor old Mum having to bath as they then got into the red dirt up the yard chasing chooks and ducks.

FIJI Photos

2009-11-22T14:11:00.002+10:00

Well, what can I say about Fiji, it was the best holiday we have ever had. The best part of the holiday was the 3 night, 4 day cruise, we were taken to many little island in the yasawa group, we visited an isolated traditonal Fiji village, which was in stark contrast to the way we live. Extremely basic, but the villages made the most of it, and were the happiest people you could image, cheerful, friendly, and eager to please. Our last day full day on the cruise we spent at a private island, swimming, snorkeling, relaxing in hammocks, jumping off the back of the boat, the evening meal was a tradiontal lovo meal, (underground BBQ), the meat was so tender and the moist, the most amazing I have tasted. We had an evening concert and dancing, it really was the best day of our lives.
After four days we arrived back at the Hotel we were staying at, The Westin,
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/westin/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=202&EM=WI_WESTINFIJI.COM_202
We have never stayed anywhere so up market, the service was spot on, they have special beds at the Westin, invision a soft fluffy cloud, now invision sleeping on that cloud, that is what these beds were like.
We did a couple of days trips, one was to Treasure Island, a 40min boat trip to an outer island. It is surrounded by the marine reserve, and the snorkeling here was fantastic, Warren finally gave it a go, and became as addicted as me to snorkeling. The fish and the coral were the most amazing colours, the photographs I took, really do not show the true colours we saw.

The other day trip was a hinterland cave tour, it is a physically challenging trip and by the end of it I was buggered and could not move. I would not recommend this for unfit people. Getting to the cave and exploring it, was well worth it in the end. We also road a traditional canoe, called a billibilli. We travel down the river on this canoe, and it really was a beautiful experience.
Other then that we just sat around the pool or the beach at the Westin, reading and swimming. It was a sad day when we left, and we just wished it had been longer.

Fiji Photos still coming

2009-11-17T20:27:00.002+10:00

Have over 700 photos to sort through, so will upload once I have sorted them.

Back from Fiji and New Babies

2009-11-17T20:24:00.001+10:00

Well, we got back from Fiji, safe and sound, but 4 days later, wish we were still there. Before we left for Fiji we went and saw some poodles, and picked a girl and a boy. We picked our girl Lucy (10 weeks old) up on friday, and our little boy, Bob (12 weeks old) on Saturday in Brisbane.

Introducing

Our Little boy Bob

Introducing

Our Little Girl Lucy

Personalities are still developing , but have noticed that they are total opposites to Toby and Rose, Lucy is the dominate one, and Bob is the sooky one, they have been best of friends since they met.

We were amazed at how much our ducklings had grown in 10 days, and am so thankful to Katrina for all the care she provided, she honestly did above and beyond what we expected and we are very grateful. I just hope she does kiss that Fijian man every night for luck. Here is our ducklings now, just over a month old.

First Walk

2009-11-01T14:27:00.001+10:00

They are now 4 days old, and been out in the yard for there first walk with mum, and the chooks and the drake, Jemina. 

We are off to Fiji for 10 days, we fly out in about 15 hours, and cannot wait. I know the ducklings are going to be so different when we get home. Thankyou Aunty Katrina for looking after our ducklings.

24 hrs after hatching

2009-10-29T18:12:00.000+10:00

It is 24 hrs and they are now dry and fluffy. They have been for there first walk and swim with Mother Duck, and they are just adorable.

Baby Ducklings Born 28 October 2009

2009-10-28T19:33:00.000+10:00

Our Baby Ducklings have hatched. We came home from grocery shopping, and I noticed Esme was not sitting on the eggs but moving around and pecking underneath her. I went over and I saw under her a little tiny yellow head. As of about 5.30pm this afernoon, 7 of the 11 have hatched. They are so tiny, cute and yellow. All I can think is that maybe Rose had something to do with this, as they weren't due to hatched till we were away. Thankyou Rose wherever you are.

Mum and Dad came over and this is mum having a cuddle

Been Busy

2009-10-24T16:22:00.021+10:00

Well, Warren has started his holidays and one week has already gone. We have had a week of remodeling the backyard for the arrival of our ducklings.

We have made an enclosure around Esme for the arrival of her ducklings. Had to do this as have been told Dad duck could kill the ducklings.
Have redesigned the chicken coup, dividing it in half, and making the other side into a veggie patch. (poor old Warren had to dig rock hard ground)
Have planted seeds for some of my favourite veggies and herbs, and if they have sprouted while away,the ground should have been mulched down enough to plant them.
We are going to make a miniature scarecrow tomorrow, found the cutest toddler denium overalls and a check shirt to make one with.

Other then that, have had a distressing week. We were not able to be blessed with our own 'human' child, so we have had animals instead. Rose our 10 year old poodle, my baby girl, was in hospital for 2 days and after numerous test, we have decided that it is better to let her go to heaven with Toby. This is a challenge for Warren and myself, as she has been our girl and been treated as such. This year so far has been a real challenge for us, and I am just hoping that Fiji is the start of a better year for us. Rose will be going to heaven on Monday at 1.30pm. I just really hope that Toby is waiting for her.

Our Baby Girl Rose

Our variety of planted seeds, the remodeled chicken coop and the veggie patch

And I just have to share this one. Tess our black cat had been watching Warren all afternoon making the veggie patch, wandering in and out and playing. Warren had just finished and sat down with a cool drink and our adorable cat, decided to christen it. Just have to share this photo.

28 Days to Ducklings

2009-10-04T15:48:00.001+10:00

Esme has been laying one egg a day for the last couple of weeks, 11 are intact, and yesterday she finally started to sit on them. I did some research on the internet and it is about 28 days from when she sits on them that they 'might' hatch. Jemina is being very protective and has attacked me numerous times whenever we go near Esme's nest. One thing, we will probably be in Fiji when they hatch, so hopefully, we will come home to some ducklings.

Since she was a duckling herself, her favourite spot in the yard has been under the hibiscus tree, so when the first egg appeared, we made a shelter for her under the tree and that is where she went each day to lay her eggs. Will keep you up-to-date.

Community Weight Loss Program

2009-09-28T21:52:00.000+10:00

A friend and myself have been involved with a community weight loss program for the last 5 weeks.  The program runs for 12 weeks.  To begin the program I paid $29, all participants pay this, and then that money is put into a jackpot, and at the end of the 12 weeks, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd biggest losers win the jackpot.  There are about 20 people involved all toll.  We attend a meeting every Monday night, where we are measured and weighed.  Each week there is a topic to discuss, this weeks was 'reading labels on foods'. 

What you eat and how you exercise is up to you.  The program is there to keep you motivated, and I feel so far so good.

In five weeks I have loss 2kg, and in cms from all areas of the body in total I have loss18cm.  That has mostly been from my waist and hips.

There is not a lot that I have changed eating wise, I just eat smaller portions.  I have changed simple things like using light dairy products such as cream and cheese.  I have also changed from white bread to whole grain and I have suprised myself by enjoying it more then the white bread now.  The only thing I am still struggling with is eating breakfast.

I have been accomplishing exercise 3 to 4 times a week.  With the help of my friend, we have been doing strength and toning exercises, and I have been doing walking laps of the Highfields pool.   This week I hope to be able to swim some laps. 

I do feel that if I had tried to do this on my own I would have given up weeks ago, but with the aid of the program and also my good friend, I have stuck to it, and I am proud of myself.

I will keep you up to date on my progress.

A Silhouette with a Twist

2009-09-28T21:32:00.001+10:00

Teaching and guiding scrap-booking to young ones. Then the end result being something that they and myself are proud of, is worth the teaching and effort, to see that youth with a smile of accomplish on there face. Then the sense of pride when they show others, and receive praise for there work. It just gives you satisfaction that you have helped someone make an achievement in a otherwise difficult life.

We started by taking a side on photo. Making sure there head is straight up and there ponytail or hair is neat. I went to the photo shop and got a size 5 by 7 developed. We came home and then cut out the shape, being careful around the mouth nose and eyes, to make sure you get the shape and it is not just a flat face. We then traced it onto black card stock, and carefully cut out out the silhouette. That gives you the basis of a silhouette. Traditionally, it is just the silhouette onto a background, but to make it more interesting for a child, we decided to put a name plaque at the bottom. We then placed it into a frame and the child signed the back of the frame. I insist on doing this as it gives them a sense of accomplishment and they can look back in the future.

2nd Dust Storm in one week

2009-09-26T20:47:00.000+10:00

As I am sitting at the computer, inside my house, the smell of dust is sickening, the dust started to come over in the late afternoon, and when I took these photos you could see the glow of the moon rising in the distance, about 10 minutes later you could not even see the moon, it was very quick and thick.

the moon rising top right

no longer there

just before the dust came over, my favourite creepy photo

2009-09-26T20:29:00.003+10:00

MUDDY PUDDLES

and 2 ducks

said puddle

said duck Esme

said duck Jemina

digging for worms

the end result

2 muddy ducks

New York Style Cheesecake

2009-09-26T20:05:00.000+10:00

Then I made this today for Warren, his favourite, as he worked hard in the yard all day.

New York Style Cheesecake

here is the link for the recipe

(mine is so yellow because of our fresh eggs, this recipe uses 8 eggs, thanks to our chooks)

http://www.cheesecakerecipes.ws/Recipes/NewYorkCheesecake.htm

Baking Frenzy

2009-09-26T19:12:00.001+10:00

Over the last few days have done a lot of baking, made a meatloaf for dinner, but yesterday made an

Apple Crumble Dessert Cake

and all the hard work that went into, was in a big, delicious slice with custard.

recipe

220g butter, chopped, melted

4 eggs, at room temp.

2 3/4 c. SR flour

1 1/2 c. caster sugar

1 c. sour cream

1/3 c. custard powder

1 teas. vanilla

800g tin pie apple fruit

CRUMBLE TOPPING

3/4 c. plain flour

1/3 c. white sugar

1 teas. baking powder

1 teas. ground cinnamon

75g butter

1. Preheat oven 180c. Grease a 5cm deep pan. Line base with baking paper and grease the rest of the tin.

2. Using an electric mixer, beat melted butter, eggs, flour, caster sugar, sour cream, custard powder and vanilla. Beat for 3 mins until pale and fluffy.

3. Pour half the mixture into prepared dish. Spread apple over mixture, and top with remaining mixture.

4. Make crumble topping combine flour, white sugar, baking powder and cinnamon in a bowl. Using your fingertips, rub the butter into flour mixture until mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs. Sprinkle topping over cake mixture.

5. Bake cake for 1 hr to 1 hr 15 mins or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Serve with custard or cream. (I found the skewer didn't come out clean, but the cake was cook after 1 hr 15 mins)

Weight Loss Ideas

1. low fat butter instead of the butter

2. extra light sour cream (pauls)

3. you could use whole wheat flour instead, but it is already a heavy cake, but give it a go

4. extra light custard

ENJOY

WELCOME

2009-09-26T18:18:00.001+10:00

am only new to this blog experience but looking forward to keeping a blog, any advice would be great, and I hope that when you visit that you enjoy what you see and hopefully will enable you to try some great recipes.

Had a busy day today, Rose, our poodle, was in bad need of a haircut, and she hates her feet being done. Warren was mowing, so her feet are not clipped and she looks like she is wearing socks. That will be a tomorrow job.