Jikana Damaru: 08/13/10

Meet Kali

As previously mentioned, my parents recently adopted

a two year old Shiba-Inu/Shepherd mix.

I went to visit her today. What a girl.

There are so many words to describe Kali... strong, determined, curious,

Sweet

So happy to roll over for you to rub her belly and loves to give kisses...

Worried

She's confused as to where she is, it's all so new, yet again. This will be her fifth home in her two short years of life. She doesn't know what 'home' is. Every time she bonds with someone she's moved somewhere else.. a whole new surrounding, all new people.

Anxious

She has separation anxiety, I wonder why...

Smart

Kali knows sit, down, roll-over, paw, and seems to know 'kiss'... but her intelligence is so apparent she'll be learning much more...

Escape-Artist

Kali was taught how to ring a door bell when she needed to go out. Well she can also open doors very easily and can sneak her way through the smallest openings.

new family member

She's slowly adjusting to her new home with my parents and their two thirteen year old shepherd mixes. It will be a bit of work for awhile. But the years of unconditional love is more than worth it.

Kali doesn't know this yet, but she will be so happy there,

her mommy, daddy, and entire family will love her to no end,

and it really is her forever home.

This Saturday I'm grateful for... dreams

Here in Maxabellaland, Saturday is traditionally a sport, shop, sort the clothes, sweep the floors, strangle the Tsunamis (insert other 's' words here - no pun intended) kinda day. But on Maxabella loves... I thought it would be grounding to make Saturday my 'grateful' day.

This Saturday I'm grateful for...

1. Slow cookers - food goes in, life goes on, meal comes out.

2. Dreams - sustaining, nuturing, uplifting, motivating, stretching, cultivating, affirming, believing.

3. A good vegie peeler - getting your first vegie peeler that actually works is a life-changing moment.

What's making you happy today?

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Weekend Camping

~ I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend! I am off camping to Gordon Country in the morning! ~

I have packed my essentials! My books, my head lamp for reading at night, my gumboots and of course my winter jacket and gloves and beanie! I'm going to freeeeze!

I will be loosing myself in my books while dreaming of hot summer days :)

x S.K.K x

Birthday whispers and celebrations...

A beautiful birthday celebration was had...at 7.15am I whispered it's time to wake now. My husband and I were up, showered, dressed, kettle on and waiting for birthday cuddles and the birthday boy had decided to sleep in!
A little sleepy and dazed we carried him out to his little wooden easel that we had excitedly filled with art supplies, felt board and a little felt beach scene. He was excited by it all...especially the balloons and the little party hat I made for him. He enjoyed time with family and ate cupcakes with his cousins. We reflected and smiled at how far he has come and just how proud we are of him.

Magnolia Vanilla Cupcakes ~
A close friend who recently holidayed in New York knows how much I love the cupcakes from Magnolia Bakery. Last week she lent me her More from Magnolia Cookbook and I have to say it is a delicious read. I decided to attempt the famous Magnolia's Vanilla Cupcakes for yesterday's celebration. Two words "yum" and "easy" to make...I have decided to use this recipe for Sunday's birthday cake and I will top it with the Vanilla Butter cream. As we only have 3 children eating at the party and the rest adults I have decided to pull together a more adult menu:

Bill Granger's Lentil soup ~ cooked in the slow cooker.
Parmesan toast ~ served in a large bowl in the middle of the table.
Mini meatballs ~ served with chutney.
Bruschetta ~ this will be placed in the middle of table for the family to enjoy.

and for the children I have purchased and put together cute little food boxes that will contain ~
Pop corn (placed into little bags)
Berries and banana's served with passion fruit yogurt
Meatballs with melted cheese in little star shaped containers (they are made of foil) so can be kept warm in the oven before serving.
And as it is a birthday party I have added a couple of sweet treats ~ the Donna Hay Cornflake Crunch Bites served in cupcake cases and of course the Magnolia Vanilla Cake with butter cream will be dessert for everyone. I am not so big on sweet food for little one's so I am keeping the lollies and chocolates to an absolute minimum while I can. Tomorrow will be spent with the family baking, blowing up balloons and putting the finishing touches on the games. Can't wait!

Bright, Happy Birds

This week on Friday Finds I bring you my entry in the Summer Home Styling Challenge from VoucherCodes.co.uk, who have stacks of brilliant savings at top stores from Habitat and Graham and Green to Lombok and The White Company.

The challenge is all about updating a room without having to fork out to re-decorate it from scratch. I was given a budget of £50 per-item and asked to come up with my dream summer room additions. I, of course, went for a bird theme in a bright happy summer colour scheme!

Have a sweet day!