More Plums...

Newly added jam, now in the pantry. :)

Was going through the freezer the other day and realised that I still had some frozen, cut up plums that were just in a container and that needed sorting out. Could use the container too. Ended up making some Plum jam. Was good to do that again. Been a while since I have made jam and then water bathed it. Can't wait till the glut of fruit comes again. Especially grapes from the Stanthorpe area. :)

Cheers Damaris

What to do, how to do it...

My pantry as it is now...

My pantry is large by any means. I needed it that way as I get more and more into preserving as well as cooking everything from scratch. Russell and I are going through the motions at the moment of preparing our little family for the elimination Diet that we want to start after Easter holidays. That should be different... We tried it years ago and did not succeed but want to give it another really good go to see what difference it makes. I have been too cranky lately and Joshua is not going well in that area either. Would be fantastic to settle down Timothy as well. Who knows what difference it could make. The "Fed Up" book by Sue Dengate is what we are going by and hope to do allot more reading before giving it a go.

So this means also that we have allot of 'stuff' to get rid of. Over the weekend the boys took care of the last of the 2 minute noodles and Easy Mac Cheese packets... All the biscuits have to go as well. So because we are doing this I am also in a dilemma that I don't like the layout of the pantry and where things are. I don't like the stuff that is on the floor and don't want to share it with the ironing board anymore either. These things just have to go. So where to put it... I don't know. I need a cupboard that has room for the vacuum, steam mop (that is coming in the post) and ironing board plus iron. Then I have to find a place of where to put that cupboard, laundry I think. Nope don't have room for it there either... Oh the pain of it all...

I can't wait as over the holidays we get rid of more food to ensure that we are ready for this new challenge. It will be a huge one. Not so much that we won't be able to eat out as we don't generally anyway but more the premade groceries we will not be buying. As I get more of an understanding of it all I will write more, don't worry...

I just know that I want to change my pantry around. Some things have to go and some things just have to be moved around. Where to start...

Cheers Damaris

Finding old friends...

For a while I had been trying to find a childhood best friend. Our parents were very close friends and we all went to the same church. All our extended families know each other as well. I went to her wedding back in 1992 and again saw her and her little family when I went over to Austria again in 1998. I knew they were moving to New Zealand and had their address but lost it...

For a while now I have had an account on Facebook. Well I had been trying to find her on there as well. No success though unfortunately... Three nights ago, I woke up in the middle of the night and had this strong urge to try and search for her brother instead. That worked. I found him and then found a couple of cousins and then in turn found my long lost friend.

I couldn't believe it. I straight away sent a request for her to add me as a friend. Within an hour I was chatting to her on the Internet... Then yesterday morning I called her in New Zealand and we ended up chatting for a hour. How amazing is that... With Callback though it only cost me 16 cents which is an added bonus. :)

So there you have it. I have her number now and will keep in contact. Thank you FB I couldn't have done it without you. Technology hey???

Cheers Damaris

More Dishcloths...

Just a couple of Dishcloths...

I must admit I am all dishclothed out. :) I have made so many in the last little while that now I will take a break I think. I have enough for quite a few Christmas presents which is what I wanted so will now change and do some painting instead.

This week one of my jobs is to rearrange and declutter the painting table. It has way too much stuff on and in it so time for some of it to go to charity. They will appreciate it and I will be glad for being rid of it. :)

Cheers Damaris

Changes in the air...

The boys with Adam...

After Brekkie, there had to be one more game of Uno...

Adam's car packed to the rafters...

This morning we had one last visit from Adam as he made his way to Melbourne with Pippa the Prius. It was an emotionally charged breakfast to say the least. Adam had his usual Tea and homemade bread toasted with Jam and Peanut butter.

Timothy and Joshua were all over him off course. Lots of hugs and kisses. Even from Timothy, was quite wonderful to watch. :) Timothy even said at one stage: "Come back any time you are always welcome here." That comment coming from him alone made my heart ache...

At the end when Adam left the house, Timothy couldn't face that and hid in his room but the rest of us went out with him. That car of his is totally full. Amazing how many of his possessions he was able to fit into Pippa. lol

Well he is on his way now and will have a long drive ahead, stopping for the night in Parkes and then onto Melbourne tomorrow. He got the unit that he was after which is even more of a bonus and moves into that just before Easter...

He is very much apart of our little family and we will miss him terribly. It was so easy to see him up here at home or for me to go and visit him but that has all changed now. At least there are such things as computers and phones. The lines will be burnt that's for sure. :)

Needless to say we are very proud of Adam and his promotion. It would have taken allot for him to move his whole life from one state to another with only 12 days to do it all in... Amazing feat really. But then he is that sort of man. He is very dear to me and I miss him already...

Cheers Damaris

Dishwasher back from the dead...

Loving my dishwasher, at the moment anyway...

I have had my dishwasher for 2.5 years now and only really been using it for about six months. Other than that it has been either getting fixed or just sitting there. By getting fixed I mean that it needed a new motor. Anyway, even when we got it back it still didn't wash the dishes properly on the top shelf. I ended up giving up.

So two weekends ago I begged Russell to please either get it fixed once and for all or get me another one. I had had enough. It was sitting there doing nothing. I still have 2 1/4 years left on my warranty too which is good at least.

Russell thought that he would just load it up and see what happens. Well wouldn't you know it, it worked just fine. :) It has been working really well ever since. At the end of each week I do make sure that I totally clean out all the filters in the bottom of the dishwasher but other than that all is well. I just hope it keeps working like this. It only uses 13.5 litres of water and very economical. A saver for me after meals. Another battle I don't need or want. Helps keep my sink even more shiny now. :)

Cheers Damaris

Tuckshop Volunteering...

Reloading happening after first break...

Burgers and the like ready for second break...

When Timothy started High School this year I knew that I wanted to help out there in some capacity. I knew that I would not be able to attend Parent and Citizens Association (P&C) meetings as they were on a Wednesday at 7pm. BAD time for this household that runs on a timeline...

Anyway so I thought, what about the tuckshop, surely they can use me there... Well last Monday I spent the morning there and learnt lots in a very small space of time. :)

I washed up allot, made burgers, wraps and even stocked the freezer. I got lunch in exchange and left at 12:30pm and must say I had a good time. It was good to see Timothy come up and order from me. He was rather proud of his mum I reckon... When the kids were ordering I was smart and stuck to the Grade 8's. Half the time they don't even know what they want so easy to keep up with them. Much easier than the Grade 12's. hehe

I have decided to do this once a month and see how I go. I reckon it will take me that long just to get over it. :) Also must mention that Sally, Kerry and Denise were most helpful with teaching me the ropes. Thanks Ladies :)

Cheers Damaris