Nostalgia and rice bubble slice

 

Do you remember rice bubble slice?  For me it is up there with fairy bread, cheerios and coco pop cups.  Party food at it's very best.

The boys tried rice bubble slice a few weeks ago at a party and loved it.  So I found a recipe and made it.  It is super easy, perfect for "take a plate" / shared morning teas etc.  We polished it off for pudding..........it does not last long.

I love making things for the kids that I enjoyed as a child.  We have also being ordering movies that Mr H and I watched as children.  The Gremlins, Jurassic Park, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to name a few.  Next on our list is The Princess Bride.  Do you remember watching it?

What childhood treats do you love making for your family?

 

Do you get all nostalgic by watching movies from your childhood?  Which ones?

 

Here is the rice bubble slice recipe.  It only takes a few minutes.......and lasts only slightly longer.

Ingredients

 

100g butter
100g (1/2 cup) white Sugar
1 1/2 tbsp honey
3-5 cups of rice bubbles  ( I used 3 cups)

Method

Melt the butter, sugar, and honey in a saucepan. When melted, boil for 3 mins, take off the heat and add rice bubbles, mix in.

Put in a lined slice tin and leave to cool before cutting into squares.
 

Enjoy!

 

 

 

43/52

 

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

Bell - A quick drive into town for ice cream at the beach.  The driftwood has all been cleared, apart from a few small pieces, perfect for hurling into the ocean.
Tom - Received the Rosette at kindy for Leadership this week......so very, very chuffed.

George - Finally on the mend.  Obsessed with the blue tractor that lives in the vineyard.  We are not really supposed to be playing on them.......... but pants, it makes him happy.

Glorious long weekend here.  The weather has been wonderful and George is on the mend.  Here's to a great week ahead!

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

 

 

 

 

Sunsets and huffy puffy

I've started doing a bit of huffy puffy in the evening.  I'm starting off with walks and will soon hope to break into a gentle "jog".  I've dusted off my sneakers and have been leaving Mr H with the kids while pooch and I jump the fence into the vineyard.

It's the perfect place to exercise.  Safe, quiet, no cars or people.  All that jiggling that will happen once I start jogging won't be seen by any passing eyes.  Perfect for singing, cartwheels and jazz hands too.

It's been a tough week, George has not been well.  There has been a doctors and A&E visit along with hours of night coughing, vomiting and unbelievable two year old behaviour.  It has been hard going.

But now it's the weekend and a long weekend at that.  I'm looking forward to having Mr H around a bit more to share in the parenting load.  Hooray for modern day Dads!

So for me, my walks this week have been a bit of a saviour.  Much needed calm in the midst of a crazy week.

I raced back to get my camera tonight.  The night sky as the sun was setting was pretty spectacular.

Here's to a great weekend.

 

I hope you have a good one!

Kiwi Christmas Ornament Swap

 

 

 

 I did it!  I have signed up for the Kiwi Christmas Ornament Swap.

 

I'm excited, and a tad nervous considering I'm a novice and all.  It's slightly out of the realms of my comfort zone.  But I love handmade Christmas ornaments and remember looking on in envy last year at the amazing Christmas swaps that were going on in blog land.

 

So, if you are in NZ, it's not to late to sign up.  You can do so here.

 

Have you done an ornament swap before?

 

Are you joining in with one this year?

 

 

 

Antics

Seriously, these two!

Tonight as I was bathing George,  I could hear lots of laughing, yelling and slamming of doors.

Tom had locked Bell out of the house.............. and was calling her a "Bosom"!

I go to check everything out and find Tom giving Bell a "moonie" through the window.

Being the good mum I am and a joiner - I suggest that he stands on the side table for better leverage and to let him know that it will be easier to squish his butt against the window.

Cue hysterics...........

It is never dull around here, I swear.

What antics do your kids get up to?

 

Do you encourage any of it?

 

 

 

Weekending

 

Phew!  What a weekend.  It was full, busy, fun and sunny  Just how we like it.

 

The annual A&P show came to town, it's a bit of a highlight here.  And most conversations the week of the show go like this - "so, are you going to the show?"

 

We always go early, and leave before it gets too manic.  We managed a 3 hour stay with the boys, which was plenty.  A few rides, yummy food, animal farm, tractor gazing, side show looking......

 

Bell went with friends this year, we saw her briefly in the crowd.  The weather held out.  No gumboots required again this year.

 

We went to a family BBQ at my brothers.  Lots of wine and good food.  Love watching them all running around together like lunatics.  Tom had an impromptu sleepover too.

 

Feeling sorry for himself here.....

 

Sunday walks after breakfast in the vineyard are a favourite around here.  We usually venture in after a big cooked breakfast.  The plan is to walk off all that bacon (and toast) and give the kids and pooch a blast of fresh air.  We just had Georgie with us on this walk.  Bell was sleeping off spending 7 hours at the show, she was exhausted.  Tom was at the sleepover still.  The flu was brewing in George, hence the need to be carried and have lots of stops to sit in the grass.........this never happens.  He usually runs the entire way.  He seems to be getting everything at the moment.

 

I spent Sunday afternoon in the garden.  Planted up strawberries in one of the raised planters.  Will fill the other one too I think.  We eat a lot of strawberries come Summer.  Should save us a fortune!

New plantings in the fairy garden.  Miniature horses have taken over.  The pebbles and coloured stone pathways have long gone - little hands and all that.

My SNL Em, bought me these retro tablecloths from the markets.  They won't be going in the Travelling Linen Stash swap though but  I found some other great things over the last couple of weeks to add in, lots of souvenir tablecloths among them.

 

How pretty is this?!  Bell bought one for each of us at the show.  Chuffed she doesn't mind us wearing the same thing.

How was your weekend?

 

Have a great week!

42/52

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

Bell - Relaxing in the sun with her pal.
Tom - Fun at the annual A&P show.

George - Taking a break on our Sunday morning walk in the vineyard.

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

 

 

 

 

Calling all lovers of retro and vintage linen!

Just a reminder......

 

Calling all lovers of retro and vintage linen!

 

Come join me for The Travelling Linen Stash!

 

Do you have any retro or vintage tea towels, pillowcases, sheets, aprons,  doilies, tablecloths or serviettes etc that you would love to swap for other retro or vintage items???

 

Excited?  I thought you would be, me too!

 

So here is how it will work:

 

*Email me your name and address details to alittlebitcountrynz (at) gmail (dot) com

by Monday, October 21st.

 

*I will put my stash of linen that I am keen to swap into a travelling box and post it off to the first name on the list.

 

*For every item you remove from the box you will need to replace it with something.

 

*All items need to be clean.  And of course stain and hole free.  As with a lot of retro and vintage items there are sometimes age spots etc.  Some people don't mind this.  Just make sure you pin a note to your item so future swappers are aware.

 

*You need to be happy about paying the outgoing postage to the next person.  I will compile the recipient list so the next person to receive the Stash is as near to you as possible.

 

*Open to all New Zealand and Australian residents BUT if you are anywhere else in the world, please register your interest and if there are other keen swappers near you I will be happy to post The Travelling Linen Stash to you too.

 

Are you going to join me?  If you have any questions, email me or pop your question in the comments section below.

 

Share this on your blog or other Social Media - the more the merrier!

 

This is the first time I have put together a swap so let me know if I have missed anything out.

 

So start hunting out your retro and vintage linens! 

 

 

 

 

Today

 Today I...........

 

Started the day with a large mug of sweet tea, boiled eggs and asparagus.  I'm trying to cut a little more bread out of my diet.  I eat way too much bread.

 

Packed Tom's kindy bag, George's nappy bag, my sewing machine and tote.

 

Took Tom to kindy then drove into town to drop George at my SNL's Em's house.  As soon as we pull into the driveway he starts clapping and kicking his feet.  He can't get out of the car quick enough.  He loves it there.

 

Went to my Wednesday morning sewing lesson with Fiona from More than Fabric.  I couldn't wait to go.  It is now going to be a weekly "Wednesday thing".  A couple of hours of sewing, chatting and cups of tea.

 

Met up with Em, my niece and George for coffee and cake (us mums) and fluffies and curly fries for the little ones.  Delicious!

 

Zipped home for a bit of housework before picking Tom up from kindy and heading back home again.

 

Spent time outside with the kids before meal prep and the start of dinner, bath and our night time routine.

Tonight.............

 

The kids went to bed early (ish).

 

A late dinner for Mr H and I, before settling in for a movie.

 

Besides the weekend, Wednesday is fast becoming my very favourite day of the week.  Wednesdays feel like a bit of a treat, a nice break in the middle of a busy week.  A day where I race out of the house in the morning leaving beds unmade and breakfast dishes in the sink.

 

A break from the norm.  And I like that.

 

 What did you get up to today?  What is your favourite day of the week?


 

Op shop show off..........Harrods tins

When I first moved to London, one of the first places on my "must see" list was Harrods.  I only knew of a few people who had ever been and was envious of their Harrods shopping bags that they carted back with them.

I lived in London for 5 years and made lots of visits, sometimes for hours at a time, stopping only briefly for tea and cakes in one of the many cafes before moving onto the next floor.  I often took goodies home from the Food Hall along with a shopping bag or two that I still use and a couple of tea towels.  On one of my last visits before we moved back to NZ (5 years ago now, time flies) I bought the two cream coloured Harrods tins as mementos.

Since being back I have come across the 3 green tins, ranging from 50cents to $1.50.  I always keep an eye out for them and am hoping to add to my (nana) collection.  I have them displayed (gathering dust) on the top shelf in our kitchen.  I love looking at them as they always bring back great memories of my time in London and that treasure trove in Kensington........Harrods.

 

Have you been to Harrods? What did you buy?  Were you blown away by the food hall and the people watching?

 

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

41/52

 

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

Shadows...............

Bell - afternoon sun is perfect for checking her "line" apparently.
Tom - sitting on mum and dads bed in the morning sun.

George - being chased by mum for a photo.  I had an idea for a shadow pic, but trying to keep him still.......impossible.

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

 

 

 

This week

My favourite tree is starting to get it's green leaves again, this gives us lots of awesome shade over the summer months.  This to me signals the start of summer.......can you see the rainbow just behind?  Look closely.

I've planted lavender along the front of the house.  This is a beautifully perfumed variety.  Looking forward to this growing higher and fuller so we can hopefully smell it when tucked up in bed at night with the windows open to catch the summer breezes.

 

I found some great tablecloths this week at one of the op shops in town - the faded yellow one will be great to use outside and the other two will be added to the box for The Travelling Linen Stash.  Keen to join in?  Take a look here to see how you can swap along.

My material stash of retro sheets.  After my first sewing and quilting lesson I'm so excited to start using my material.  I get my quilting kit next week so will be able to start cutting out my squares.

Thank you Bella from the blog Sea and Salt.  I won this beautiful book in one of Bella's giveaways.  I don't know very much about the Raw Food movement but am loving some of the smoothie recipes in here.  Lots of delicious summer time meal ideas in here too.

 

 

I love wooden toys!  These are our latest additions.  Bought from the Playcentre shop in town.  The boys are loving the play fruit and veg.  BUT..............as much as I love wooden toys it does not mean the boys will too.  Their favourites are anything to do with Thomas the Tank Engine, cars and trucks and Disney Pixar Cars..........none of it wooden........of course.

 

Mr H has done good and supplied the boys with another ramp after I finally killed (I had also slightly split it when "walking the plank") the other one by tripping out the front door and landing on it.......CRACK!  I shall stay far away from this one.

And for us here we are back to kindy and school next week.  Two weeks holiday has gone quickly.  The first week was great, we were busy and the weather was wonderful.  The second week the kids are really tired and I lack the energy that I had last week.  We have taken things a little slower these last few days.  We also have had tummy bugs lurking.  Today being the worst day for wee Georgie.  I'm wondering if Tom will have another bout as looking at him tonight his cheeks are very red, not a good sign.  Fingers crossed for Bell and for the weekend.  We are meant to be painting (it was too warm and sunny to be indoors last weekend) but we will see how we go.

Term 4 we are ready for you (as long as the bugs stay away)!

Got anything great planned for the weekend?

 

Have a fun and relaxing one!

"I wholeheartedly believe that no matter what is happening in your life, there is always something you can be thankful for..no matter how simple it is."

Joining in here and here with Em.