26/52

 

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Bell - 2 weeks left of this term and then roll on the school holidays.  We are both counting down the days.  It is not coming around quick enough.

Tom - Our Little Ripper.  He loves his Saturday morning rugby game...........in the freezing cold..........barefoot.
George - Another dodgy barber shop visit.  We only attempted a very quick fringe trim this time.  Afterwards we went for coffee and "fluffies" at a cafe and he sat, STILL for the first time ever!

Very happy to be joining in with Jodi's "52 project".

 

 

Wind swept

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We wagged swimming yesterday.  It was so cold.  I think we will give swimming a miss next term and start up again in the summer. 

 

George and I are on the mend.  I have my energy back this week, hooray!  So to avoid cabin fever we wrapped up and headed into town for a quick op shop looky and did a cafe stop, then headed out to the beach.

 

It was freezing but the boys loved it.  They bolted from the car and could'nt wait to head down to the sand...........and the water.  They were on auto pilot for the stream where they played and plodged.

 

It was cold, windy and grey.  But the fresh air did us all good. 

 

We headed happily back home for warm (dry) clothes, lunch, milos and a blazing fire.

 

Rugby practice was cancelled.  So it was an early dinner of sausages, mash and gravy.  Baths and early nights for the boys.

 

I love days like these.

 

Happy weekending lovelies!

 

 

Penny Scallan Design Giveaway!

I have a wonderful giveaway for you! The very generous people from Penny Scallan Design have sent me a Kinder backpack (RRP $64.95) to review and one lucky reader will win one in the design of their choice.








Tom picked the Big City design. You can see the other designs below and here - as well as take a look at the other great Penny Scallan products that are available.

He loves his "Jet Pack" and the extra pockets are always popular for stashing cars, trains and other treasures. Being able to wipe it down easily is a huge bonus especially as we are surrounded by lots of mud at the moment and it is like a magnet to my boys!

I love the stripe lining and the extra large zips which make opening and closing the backpack so much easier for little hands.

It does'nt swamp him like a lot of backpacks do these days and is the perfect size for Tom to take to kindy. It holds a change of clothes, lunchbox and drink bottle. With plenty of room still to hide his treasures.








 Great for day trips or out and about!




Kinder backpack details:

Each backpack measures slightly smaller (W26 x H34 x D16cm) than the school sizes so are perfect for little people who are busy going to kindy, daycare or out and about.

They have two front pockets, a small zippered pocket on the side, a drink bottle holder and a matching bag tag with an area to write your name on the back.

Made from 100% cotton canvas, polyester lined and with a scratch resistant coating. The Kinder backpacks are easy to wipe clean and are BPA free.







So..............would you like to win one?

To enter the Penny Scallan Kinder backpack giveaway all you need to do is:

First and mandatory entry: Be a follower of "A little bit country" via Google Friends Connect and comment below telling me which Kinder backpack design you love.

For bonus entries (leave a comment for each):

Bonus entry #1 Follow "A little bit country" via Blog lovin.

Bonus entry #2 "Like" Penny Scallan Designs on Facebook.

Bonus entry #3 Share this giveaway via Social media (Facebook, Twitter, blog).

This is an International Giveaway.
(One Kinder backpack to be won)

Giveaway closes on Tuesday 2nd July at 8:00pm (NZ Time) - Winner will be announced the following day. Winner will have 1 week to get in touch or a new winner will be drawn.

This Giveaway is now closed. Click here to see who won.

 Good luck!



 



























25/52

 

 

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Bell - "Fashions in the field" - it was cold on our morning walk.  Despite telling her to wear a coat, she insisted that the grey leg warmers would keep her warm.

Tom - Loves this cap from big cousin Cory.  Always worn backwards.  Have you spotted the car in his top pocket?
George - So relaxed when in the stroller.  Mandarins and Thomas to hand.  Not a peep from him the entire walk.

Very happy to be joining in with Jodi's "52 project".

Tis Cold!

We have had a big temperature drop overnight.  The wood baskets are piled high and our fire is chugging along nicely keeping everyone warm.  The last couple of days have been clear so my washing machine has been getting a workout.  Rain is predicted over the weekend.  I secretly have my fingers crossed that Saturday sports will be cancelled.  Much of the South Island is experiencing snow storms and gales.  We won't get the snow but the cold wind and rain is approaching as the severe winter weather moves towards the North Island.

Georgie and I are both full up with colds.  Aches and runny noses.  I've been falling asleep putting George to bed the last couple of nights, a good indication that something was brewing.

So I have been enjoying Lemon and Honey drinks when I can.  I now always use UMF Manuka Honey.

"Unique Manuka Factor (UMF) contains special antibacterial properties not found in ordinary Active Manuka honey. The special antibacterial activity is measured as a UMF5+ through to 20+. The higher the UMF, the more potent the UMF honey is." - Comvita.

Unfortunately, the higher the UMF the more costly the honey, I use a UMF10+.  I keep it separate to our other honey.  This one is for medicinal purposes only.

Lemon and Honey Drink

Manuka Honey (use 10+ or above for the best benefits)
Lemon
Boiling water

I place a heaped teaspoon of honey in a cup along with a few slices of lemon and squeeze in the juice of half a lemon.

Stir to dissolve the honey and enjoy!

I don't take anything from the chemist (if I can help it) apart from Panadol to keep aches at bay.  Staying warm and resting when I can helps too.  I also have a huge bowl of mandarins to work my way through today.

Does anyone have a great recipe for chicken soup that they swear by?

When the winter bugs hit your home, do you have any special remedies that you like to use?

Have a great weekend everyone and if you are in the Southern Hemisphere, stay warm!

24/52

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Bell - Fresh faced and rosy cheeked.  Back from a walk in the vineyard.

Tom - A smile!  A rarely captured elusive Tom Smile.  He usually shys away from the camera but was more than happy to say "cheese" on this occassion.
George - Happy to help in the vege garden.  By the time we came inside he was muddy and soaking wet.  Happiest when this type of play is about.

Very happy to be joining in with Jodi's "52 project".

 

 

Opshop Showoff......anyone for tennis?

 

I bought these 3 (and quite old) little trophies a while back for Tom from an op shop in town.  For the princely sum of $1.50 each. .

He loves them, and they are displayed with pride in his bedroom.  One of them is for being so strong..."like a super hero".  As the muscle posing above confirms.

Trophies from left to right show:

 

Parawai Tennis Club - Berridge Cup (Mixed Doubles) - C Davies - 1953-54.

 

Berridge Cup - C Davies - 1955-56.

 

The oldest cup (HB Motor Coy Cup) is dated 1939.  Won by a Miss C E Ansel.

I wonder if Miss CE Ansel eventually became C Davies (Mrs) perhaps?

Sweet little pieces of history don't you think?

Found anything great lately? Pop over and share it with Max.