sunrisesister

We went to Bendigo! A big group of us stayed at the same place as last year, this time taking up 3 houses instead of the 1 and retreat! We were there for the Australian Sheep and Wool Show which was fabulous and even more busy than last year.

So busy, in fact, that I think I took a grand total of about 10 photos

However, there was yarn buying! woohoo!

So many great finds, and some lovely surprises. I even got a (very affordable) swift and some blocking wires too. Stoked. I had some great scores in the BWM bargain room, including some 12ply and some undyed cameo which has a touch of lovely fluffy angora.

And we even had a Dagwood Dog for Kelli xx

The Curry Bible, originally uploaded by sunrisesister.

On a very very cold day, it was nice to come home to this sitting on my doorstep…

The big 3 kids weren’t home, so it was a bit of a quiet Mother’s Day. No cold tea and burnt toast in bed for me It’s amazing to think that exactly a year ago, I had horrible morning sickness!

We dont do the mother’s day thing much, but this year I did get something I really really wanted.. a cook/frypan/banquet/slow cooker thingamybob. I really wanted a slow cooker, but with a big family and a CRAP stove, this is ideal!

A pan filled with choc and goodies!

mmmmmmmm cooking.

My first dish, Butter chicken. I treated myself to this book in anticipation. This recipe is a KNOCKOUT. Clean plates all rounds, and seconds and thirds devoured. Awful pic, great curry.

The pan is wonderful – max high sear is VERY hot, and the element is lovely an even. Apparently you can cook nearly anything in it, so I am looking forward to using it instead of the crap stove/oven for most meals!

Sometimes.. it’s nice to escape..

What you dont see? The copious amount of relaxing, reading, knitting, eating, drinking..

Our fave cafe was still there, and still serving the most amazing brekkies to share..

A gorgeous walk around the CWA shop, pondering their jams, knitted goods, and had a lovely natter with the ladies knitting and beading the saturday away.

And a quick trip to the chocolate factory. Which I will admit has become a total tourist trap, and less of a joy. But I still managed to procure a MASSIVE amount of choc, mostly gifts. Yum yum!

What a brilliant weekend, and a totally wonderful way to spend what may be our last weekend kid-free before baby arrives!

Dear Bushells.

I love tea. I really do. I don’t even drink coffee. And as a mother of soon to be 4 children, my first 2 cups of the day enable me to get out of the door and on the road without killing anyone. And many a varied brew has passed my lips. Different brands, blends, types, and infusions. And somehow I keep coming back to Bushells. I’m a particular fan of your ’rounds’ variety. It has enough ‘kick in the pants’ for the morning, and enough mellow twang for an afternoon brew.

So today, on my fortnightly shop, I reached for a discounted box of ‘Extra Strong’ at $3.50 for the first time. What can I say, I’m experimental. I got them home, opened my almost empty teabag tin, ready for the momentous refill, the kettle already boiling for a test run.

Disaster. So much loose tea in the box, I knew something was wrong. I lifted out a line of bags, and it started raining tea granules into the box. Panic! Closer inspection revealed that the inside fold of at least 3/4 of the bags was not sealed. I rescued the salvagable ones, and made that vital cuppa, in order to regain my composure and assess the situation.

Now yes, I’m sure I could return to the shop with goods and reciept in hand, and get a replacement/refund, but here’s the thing:

We’re talking teabags here, not a laptop.

We live in an ok area, but I can really only handle one dose of the local supermarket bogans in a fortnight.

Shopping with 3 kids while nearly 8 months pregnant isn’t an enjoyable experience. In fact, I’d rather gouge my own eyes out than listen to my 5 year old pester me for a $9 my little pony storybook one more time. I mean, really.

Don’t get me wrong, I love tea. I love your tea. I always will. But these teabags were a big let down. I’m still a fan, and will keep buying Bushells, but just thought I’d explain. I even love your ad, it makes me smile, even when the guy smacks his missus on the bum. That’s us, see.

Yours, in tannin and antioxident enrichment, and good humour.

Charlotte Betts.