Frothy Beach Reading.

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Let me tell you something. I am hanging out BIG TIME for Summer. Not only will I be on those awesome holidays that we teachers get (sorry, am I making you sick yet?) but Mr Hummingbird, the Little Lion and I have booked a villa in a resort, right on the beach for a week. Can you say bliss? Hell yeah!

All I want to do is lay on that beach, or on our deck with a few books and a drink made up of some fruity connection with a splash of alcohol. Books that I can lose myself in and completely chill out with for hours at a time. I’m a Stephen King fan, so I’m thinking his latest 11.22.63 will be at the top of my list. It’s actually a bit unfortunate that I read The Carrie Diaries and Summer and the City by Candace Bushnell last holidays, as they would have been perfect frothy reading for Summer.

I’m scouring The Book Depository for a few more titles to add to my beach reading list. On my wish list I have The Help, The Elegance of the Hedgehog and The Hunger Games.

So tell me lovelies, what else should I add? What else will keep me captivated for the rest of the holidays?

Wordless Wednesday- Emerge.

Playing Wordless Wednesday with Faith, Hope and a Whole Lotta Love and My Little Drummer Boys.

Gorgeous Summer Days.

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❤ Strawberries, watermelon and grapes are all in season

❤ Getting a dose of that Vitamin D on your shoulders

❤ Icy poles and sorbets now make a regular appearance

❤ Being able to jump out of bed in the morning without freezing your toes off

❤ Those long, balmy evenings with a cocktail or two

❤ Baring your toes in gorgeous sandals or wedges

❤  The 'want' to exercise kicks up a notch, and the need to hibernate is banished

❤  It's Barbecue season. So damn good!

❤  Trips to the pool with the Little Lion

❤ Just an all round feeling of overall happiness that I miss during those long Winter months.

       

Are you a warm weather person? If so, what's your favourite thing about Summer?

Chocolate Cake = No Willpower.

Sometimes, I could kick myself. Really, I could kick myself hard. 

I’m terrible with willpower. Wait, scratch that, I’m actually not too bad when it comes to resisting many things loaded with fat and sugar, but when it comes to chocolately whipped creamy goodness, I’m a gonner. Willpower is thrown out the window, and before I know it I’ve got a forkful of that evil slice of cake. Sigh.

Last weeks evil culprit.

I kick myself because I feel like I’ve just undone all the good work I did last night on my 5K run. Or erased all the effort I put in when I killed myself over Jillian’s workout. But, you know what? Tomorrow is another day. Tomorrow is another thirty day shred session. Tomorrow is another day I can work towards being my sister’s super awesome fit bridesmaid. 

I’ll think I’ll have to put this as my screensaver though-

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Oh, and stay away from the staffroom at morning teatime. Or, enforce Margaret to be my life coach (yes, I’m not giving her a choice) and yell at me every time I take a step towards that sponge cake. 

Although, don’t get me wrong, I’m not abstaining from delicious little morsels completely. It’s just all in moderation, and making sure I don’t over-indulge. To me, balance is healthy. 

OK. Time to re-motivate myself! Let’s get physical (again) people!

Baking Bliss- Lamb and Chagrilled Vegetable Couscous

I'm trying to widen my tastes and try new things lately, while still keeping it quick and healthy. I actually found this recipe in the Herald Sun while I was at work, so I ripped it out and thought I'd give it a go for tea on Saturday night.

Lamb and Chargrilled Vegetable Couscous

Ingrediants:

• 300g lean lamb steaks
• 1 tsp olive oil
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 2tbsp Moroccan spice
• 3/4 cup couscous
• 3/4 cup boiling water
• olive oil spray
• 1 Lebanese eggplant sliced lengthways into strips
• 1 medium zucchini, washed and sliced lengthways into strips
  
• 1 capsicum washed, deseeded and sliced into strips
• 1/2 spinach leaves, washed and finely chopped
• 1/4 cup flat-leaf parsley, washed and finely chopped

Method:

Marinate lamb in oil, 1 tsp of lemon juice and spice for 10 minutes at room temperature. Place couscous, remaining juice and boiling water in a bowl. Set aside for 10-15 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
Heat griddle pan or barbecue grill on high, cook lamb for 4 minutes on each side or until cooked to well done. Time will vary depending on the thickness of the steaks. Take off heat and allow to rest for 5-10 minutes covered in tin foil.
Spray vegetables with oil, place them on the hot grill and cook for 2 minutes each side or until charred and tender.
Toss vegetables, couscous, spinach and flat leaf parsley together and serve on plates. Slice lamb and place on top of the couscous and serve.


For me, this dish ticked all the boxes that I was after. Light, full of flavour with that hit of Moroccan spice and high in protein. Definitely don't cook the lamb steaks for more than 4 minutes each side if you like them slightly pink in the middle like I do. Absolutely delish though, will definitely be making this during the week again! 

I always love to see what other people have baked, as it gives me inspiration and ideas on what to cook next weekend. Each Sunday I'm going to post a photo of what I've created (whether it's a success or not!) and I would love for you to link back to your own blog and show me what culinary delight you've whipped up! Remember, it's not just limited to baking, show me your soups, casseroles, pastas.. anything you like!

To Tree or Not to Tree?

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The skies are an ominous charcoal grey today, so apart from a baby shower I'm attending today I'm planning onto hibernating indoors. I definitely won't have a shortage of things to do- I've got block sets to create, artworks to paint and presents to buy (online of course). I'm also going to start making handmade Christmas wrapping paper with the Little Lion and turn those Christmas wrapping ideas into reality.

There is all that housework that needs to be done too... but I might leave that for tomorrow and put the Christmas Tree up with the Little Lion. Although, is it bad luck to do it before Decemeber? I normally wait until December 1st, but we'll be flat out working that day?

Do you have your Christmas Tree up yet? Should I wait? Help!

A Handmade Christmas thanks to Pinterest.

So, last week I posted some gorgeous and inspiring gift wrapping ideas from Pinterest. This week, I thought I'd keep the festive theme going by finding some lovely handmade Christmas items that some you of you crafty readers may feel like attempting yourself. If you do, make sure you email me to show me some pics and let me know how you go!

Repinned from Festive Decorations by Femke Vluggen

Repinned from Christmas by Sarah Tibbitts

Repinned from eats by Lee

Repinned from christmas cards by Shannon Dulaney

Repinned from Future Projects by Yana Yaroshevich

Repinned from Joyeux Noël // Merry Christmas! by Erin Wilkes Kreutzer

Repinned from Christmas Gifts by Linda Walters

All images can be found on my Pinterest Boards.

Time to Order for Christmas!

I've been a busy little bee the last couple of months creating letter block sets, and I'm now ready to take orders for Christmas! If you're after a beautiful, creative present for someone special then these are absolutely perfect. Choose any word you like, whether it be a child's name, a special word such as 'Create' 'Love' 'Adore' or 'Dream' or even go the Christmas theme with 'Noel'. 

Each set is unique, and embellished with ribbon, beads and stitching. Hand printed images may also be used on request. 

 

Each block measures 9 x 9 cm.

PRICING

Each set of blocks begins at $40. Each block thereafter is $5.

For example: The name CARTER would be $70.

Initial price- $40

6 letters @ $5 each- $30

TOTAL- $70

Shipping is $15 to anywhere in Australia. 

Because I'm in an extra super special Christmas mode, I'm offering 10% off the full price to everyone who places an order before the 30th of November!

If you'd like to order a set, make sure you jump in now to get them in time for Christmas! Simply email me at hummingbirdssong@live.com or visit my madeit page for more details.

Please note: THESE BLOCKS ARE FOR DECORATIVE PURPOSES ONLY. They are not suitable as toys.

Wordless Wednesday- Wilted Rose.

Playing Wordless Wednesday along with Faith, Hope and a Whole Lotta Love and My Little Drummer Boys.

Do it. Without Bitching.

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Last week I looked at the pile of washing that was spilling out of the laundry door. It seem to be growing with every minute, and it glowered at me, trying to guilt trip me into getting it clean NOW! The more I tried to ignore it, the more it ate away at me and finally, with some resentment, I started stuffing the first load into the washing machine. I started running a very negative internal dialogue about how much of a pain in the ass this was, and how time consuming it was.

Then, I stopped. I realised that I was beginning to fall into a pattern that wasn't doing myself any favours. If there was a task that I didn't find particularly pleasant, or was difficult, or simply bloody boring then I started to whinge about it. And really, by doing this, I was only making the task more unpleasant than what it already was. 

I'm now making it my mission to find a way to make every task I do enjoyable in some way. Because really, I'm wasting way too much time thinking negatively about things. How much more productive could I be if I smiled and just got on with the job? I tell you what, way more productive. And, the happiness then spills out into other aspects of my life. Win/win, right? 

My goal for the rest of this year is to, as the image above says, do everything without bitching. Trust me, I know this will be hard when I'm super tired or stressed out, but I'm determined to give it a go. Hey, if I tell my students to suck it up (*hi kids!) and get on with the task at hand, then I guess I should practice what I preach. Right?

What You Don't Know About Me...

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If I'm at home, I wear bedsocks. Not at bedtime, but during the day. I love to wear bedsocks, as they feel like little cushiony pillows for your feet. Pink ones feel better too. Trust me one that.

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I can't stand masses of flying insects. I don't know why, but seeing a mass of flying insects makes my nose itch terribly. Even the thought of them is making my nose itch now! Flying ants be banished...

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Ballet flats look bizarre on me. They make my feet look all stumpy and strange, and they give my toes claustrophobia.

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I don't get Harry Potter. I mean, I just seriously don't. I've never read the books or watched the movies, and have absolutely zero desire to. Am I the only person in the world that feels this way?!

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I'm addicted to pencil eyeliner. If I don't have it on during the day, I feel naked. If I went on Survivor, I'd have to ask the producers if I could have eyeliner as my luxury item. Oh, and lipgloss too. Oh, and I can't live without a razor. Wait, maybe I'm not cut out for Survivor...

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I do my best daydreaming when I'm out running. 

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I was addicted to wearing grey woolen legwarmers over my skinny jeans last Winter. 

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I want another tattoo. I always thought that one would be enough, but it's strangely addictive...

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I spray The Body Shop's Deep Sleep on my pillow every night. Not only does it calm me instantly, it actually helps me sleep better.

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I absolutely love vanilla. I once had a candle that smelt of Vanilla Sugar Cookies and it was to die for. I can't find them anywhere now, so I make do with Ecoya Vanilla Soy Wax Melts. House still smells delicious though! 

Calippos and Chocco Frappes.

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For me, I definitely know that Summer has arrived when a few little things I do change. Not the obvious ones where I swap jeans for denim shorts, but things like feeling like an ice cold chocolate frappe from Macca's in the morning instead of a hot chocolate. Going for a Calippo rather than a muesli bar. Choosing coral pink lipglosses over candy apple reds. Simply feeling that happiness as those sunbeams hit my shoulders.

We're in for another warm one here this weekend, and I'll be taking advantage of it by spending some time outdoors with my Little Lion. Wherever you are, I hope you're having a fabuloso weekend too!

Beautiful Gift Wrapping on Pinterest.

I love beautiful gift wrapping. My beautiful sister in law Summer is a star at gift wrapping, always presenting us with the most beautifully wrapped gifts and thoughtful cards that consistently hit the mark. The season for presents buying is now upon us, so I scoured Pinterest to find some beautiful, original and creative wrapping ideas that I might just steal to use for my own gifts!

Repinned from Gifts/Wrapping by Ashlyn Papajohn

Repinned from My Style by Alida Karro

Repinned from gift ideas by Karen Winton

Repinned from branding ideas by Cassy Binneman

Repinned from Christmas by Amy Dang

 

 

Repinned from Gift Giving by Katie Griffeth

Repinned from Crafty by Justine Bucher

Repinned from Holiday by Stephanie Crider

Repinned from Merry Christmas by Amber Daniels

 

Repinned from Craft Ideas by Hannah Winslow

Repinned from Paper, Wrapping & Gifts by Hidden Garden Etsy (Jewelry)

Aren't they gorgeous? I think for Christmas this year I'm going to create my own cards and gift tags using a linocut. My students are pretty keen to print their own too, so that will be a lesson coming up in the near future!

All images can be found on my Pinterest Boards.