Moey's Heart & Hearth: life in Australia

Showing posts with label life in Australia. Show all posts

Last January/This January: Beaches and Budgeting

Last January we were fresh off the airplane and the kids only had 2 weeks to adjust before starting school. It was pretty huge.

My parents saw to it that we took some time off in the midst of everything to go out and enjoy our new surroundings. We drove down to the beach, about an hour from their place, and had a really gorgeous afternoon. There were lots of loud and somewhat inebriated teens enjoying their last days of summer hols, but the gorgeous yellow sunshine, breeze, perfect temps and the salty ocean air overwhelmed everything with a sense of happiness and well-being.

We sat by the ocean at a little cafe for a while with family and friends, and had cappuccinos.

I can't believe that was a year ago -- it seems like yesterday and a lifetime ago.

I also can't believe that only just now, nearly a whole year later, I'm finally getting my house in order and really working on a budget -- I've been keeping track for the past six months and it's not looking good! -- so I'm diligently exploring ways to get our grocery bills down and cut back on everything I can cut back on.

Moving is expensive, and so is adjusting. I remember when we first moved back to the USA it was the same way. Time to knuckle down. Give me your best Aussie money saving tips! xx

A Big Trip for Mamma

Beautiful Perth

I know, it's been a whole year since I last posted. Don't take that as a sign that there's been nothing going on around here -- couldn't be further from the truth! So much has been going on, in fact, that I'm afraid I will never catch up with myself on this blog. But, never mind -- I'll just quickly show you a few things I've been up to most recently :)

I went to Australia, by myself, for five whole weeks -- a bit of June and the whole month of July. Can you believe it? Daddy, Grandma and Grandpa held down the fort here and gave the kids a most fabulous summer. Proof of that was the fact that few of the kids actually wanted me to come home, if it meant that the wonderful summer trips were over and school would be back in session with boring old me.

Anyway, sooooo much happened on my trip. It had been five years, so five weeks was barely -- no, not even close to -- enough time to catch up with my wonderful, large family. A sister, brother, nieces and nephews and cousins I'd not seen for five years -- unthinkable! and lots and lots of gentle, homey, welcoming things I'd missed for so long. The sunshine, the grapevines, the ocean, the stars -- the Milky Way stretching like a long thin cloud across the crystal-clear night sky.

My youngest brother got married and my youngest sister had her seventh baby while I was there. The kids were all on school holidays, too. It was such a joyful trip and felt like one long celebration.

The ferry that takes you across to the Zoo.

King's Park

Surfers at Scarborough

In Jeremy and Thi's back yard

Jeremy and Thi

Thi's sister and dresses of her own design and construction

Nieces and nephews

Beautiful sunny-morning brunch reception in the Swan Valley

Sweet-E

At the hospital, my favorite! Salad Rolls

New baby W

A get-together with the awesome ladies of the Down-to-Earth forums

Inspirational knitting -- Waldorf Doll and wardrobe by one of the DTE ladies

Escaped alpacas visiting mom and dad's

Breakfast out with Jeremy and Thi

Fremantle

Kailis fish and chips -- the best on the whole trip

Cooking out with Josh and Paula

Mandurah

Salad in the Swan Valley

Me, my sisters and mommy

Out for Devonshire Tea -- Lavender scones, strawberry-lavender jam, clotted cream, and tea.

Taste of a Great Country

The Aussie Salad Sandwich (made in America)

Star players: aged Wisconsin cheddar , freshly shredded (.75) ; grated carrot (.10); tomato (.50); red onion (.25); cucumber (.25); sliced pickled beets (.20); finely sliced lettuce (.15); 4 bakery rolls, crisped in the oven (.75); condiments (s & p, miracle whip, a little spread/butter) (.10)
Prep time: 30 minutes (but there's enough salad prepped for another set tomorrow)