Up, up, up, Up in a balloon

Up so high I can touch the moon. Up, up, up sailing with the clouds. Look at me, I'm so high, I can fly, I know how.

The words above were in a library book that Destiny fell in love with about 6 months ago. I still have the words memorized because we read it so many times.

This past weekend, we got up bright and early at 5 AM to attend a balloon festival that is going on for a week here in Canberra. It's Canberra's 98th birthday and they are celebrating in a fabulous way! The balloons set sail each morning at 6:30. Here are the pictures from our adventure!

The girls running and playing. Look at those cute smiles!

Destiny, when we first got there. You can see the shape of a balloon behind her. It was so dark and she kept telling me that it was still night!

The balloons going up.

The family sitting and taking it all in. The girls would jump up and down and smile and scream, there's another one....oh look at that one taking off...it's going UP!

There they GO!!

Matt with his coffee.

Destiny and me

Mr. Bow tie balloon.

The fire glowing within the balloon and the sun rising in the background. Beautiful!

A balloon just taking off. The girls loved waving at the people as they flew away!

Sunrise.

The special strawberry balloon from Belgium!

Bye-bye balloons!

Matt got a picture of this balloon over the reflection pool...spectacular!

My handsome hubby!

So, how is everyone doing? I can't blog today without mentioning Japan, but I really am lacking the words to say. I feel a deep sense of sorrow for the people of Japan and ALL people affected by these natural disasters ALL over the world. My prayers and thoughts are with Japan.

Enjoy today!

When the Bakeries see me coming...

Hi Friends and Family!

How is everything going over there in the U.S.? Lately, I feel a bit out of touch. Write me and let me know how life is going for you!

I swear, when the bakeries see me coming I look like one BIG dollar sign. They all get little grins on their faces...they know I'm there to spend some dough (pun intended!)

Today, the girls and I popped off to the bakery to grab a quick lunch after our trip to the grocery store. I saw pizza in the case and I knew that would win over the hearts of my two little girlies. Man, oh, man, was I in for a surprise! I had never ordered pizza at the bakery and it was SO delicious...If you come to visit me for no other reason than to have Aussie Bakery Pizza that would be OK! I ordered a Mediterranean one for me and the girls got a Hawaiian. They were AMAZING! We devoured them before I could get a picture.

Speaking of pictures, my camera has been on the fritz lately. I think I need to find a new one. Any suggestions on small cameras would be great!

Here are a few snaps I took yesterday.

This pretty purple eggplant was destined to become baba ganoush.

Mix it with some tahini, sesame seeds, lemon juice, garlic, EVOO and S+P....DE-LISH! I didn't get a pic of the final product, but I bet you could imagine the party in my mouth when that dip topped my home-made pita chip! YUM-O!

The girls had a dress up story time yesterday here at the house...with me as the "teacher". They were so cute in their princess outfits :)

Today I am currently baking a yummy cake and setting out to create a stuffed pepper of sorts for dinner! We'll see how it goes! Tomorrow we are setting out early in the morning to see the balloon festival here in Canberra...HAPPY BIRTHDAY CANBERRA!!!

Enjoy today!

Singing the Mommy Blues

Hello!

How are you all doing today? It's raining here, but that didn't stop me from going out for my morning jog...Dusty on the other hand, pouted and stopped steady in the door way.

I have to tell you, I didn't take a single picture yesterday...that has got to be a record for me! We did have a fantastic day with many happenings, but the camera didn't come out to play.

Yesterday, I had one of those 'out of body' experiences. A moment in time that feels like you are just an actor in some one's dream or nightmare. I have to tell you about the experience, however, if you have a weak stomach please read no further. Here the story goes:

Yesterday, I toted the girls along to meet Matt at a cooking school/gourmet canteen/store called 3 seeds for a quick lunch. I have been wanting to try this place for a while. Their cooking classes are a bit out of my price range ($150 per one night class) YIKES! However, I noticed that they serve a lunch menu or a take away menu. So, yesterday was THE day!

Upon arrival, I was delighted to see things like those pictured above in their display cases. I had a hard time deciding what to order, but finally settled on fresh squeezed apple/pineapple juice to drink and warmed figs with pancetta, creme fraiche, and lovely little leaflets that looks like flowers. The type of meal a Grandmother would order and take 5 hours to eat delicately with her fork and knife as she sips her tea and uses a napkin on her face between each bite.

The gals were incredibly nice, bringing our children's meal out prior to our own. We got them situated with a lovely frittata. Addi scarfed the frittata like a child who has had no food in the last 48 hours, Destiny on the other hand was hesitant. There were potatoes, she doesn't like potatoes; there were sweet potatoes, she doesn't like sweet potatoes; there was cheese and eggs and a whole slug of other yummy things. I got her to take a few bites and then found a piece of sweet potato that has some egg and cheese on it. Initially she liked the taste, but as she tasted more of the potato I could tell she didn't like it at all. Matt piped in from across the table, "just swallow it"...that's when the gagging started and that is when I turned into SURVIVAL WOMAN. As you could imagine...everything my daughter had eaten throughout the whole day was spewed on the table and her outfit. Wipes were quickly retrieved and the mess cleaned up prior to the waitress coming with the "grown up" entrees.

My entree arrived and looked as dazzling as I could have ever imagined. I couldn't wait to savor every bite of it. I had nearly forgotten that Destiny had a tummy ache (or a stubborn stomach) until she said softly by my side, "I'm hungry" as she looked at my beautifully displayed figs. By this time I had taken a few bites and found that there was a bit much pancetta on the plate for my liking so I offered her a piece of pancetta. She happily took it and ate it. Then suddenly the nightmare turned worse...horrific noises of gagging roared from my daughter again. As survival mode set in I found myself mopping up around the table as I devoured my beautiful lunch in a beastly manner. When there were just a few smidgens of creme fraiche on my plate, I slurped on the rest of my juice like a 5th grade boy and grabbed Destiny in a football hold and headed out the door and into my safety zone, the car. We waited in there until Matt and Addi had savored their last bites of food and then headed home.

Now the question is: Should I go back? I feel like I will be remembered as the lady who's child messed up the entire canteen. On the other hand, I feel like it was all a bad dream and never really happened (although I know it did happen). It's a strange thing.

As a mom, it has helped me to write this whole thing out to etch it into my memory. I love stories like this, situations that make me turn into something that I typically am not. Children do the strangest things to you!

Enjoy today!

I fought the redback and I won!

Hello Ladies and Gents!

Good morning from Oz! I bet you wish you were here enjoying the beginning of Autumn with me! We could have a cuppa and some Iced vovo and a nice visit on this lovely morning! You are invited...ANYTIME!


Before arriving in Australia, I took a few moments to learn about the animals living here. For a few days I was scared out of my mind to move here and especially to bring children here. There are SO many animals "that could kill ya" here! In fact, just the other day I found one of those animals in my GARAGE of all places! (I bet that makes you want to visit!!! haha) As my title says...I fought the redback and I won!!

The sneaky little bugger was hiding in a corner and he was no match for the piece of paper I held in my hand. I'm sorry, Itsy, I just didn't want my children getting bitten. I did the right thing! To learn more about the Redback Spider and the 14 deaths it has caused go here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redback_spider

After my near death experience with the spider (haha) the girls and I headed out on a picnic at the bell tower with our lovely play group! A small crowd showed up, but it was just what we needed. A beautiful sunny day on the lake.

This is the National Carillon (the bell tower) on Lake Burley Griffin. We settled in under it in the shade of some trees. The girls loved playing with their friends and I enjoyed chatting with the moms.

Destiny getting friendly with a black swan. She was trying to give the swan a toy train...poor swan probably thought it was food. We had a blast playing with a parachute, some balls, and bubbles!! Such a great morning!

As the girls and I walked back to the car, I found this on the ground. It was that this tree was planted by Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson...Interesting! I went a little off the beaten path and found something really neat!

And here is the special "American" tree!

I couldn't resist taking a picture as I was driving. We passed a croquet club as we drove home and there were many people all dressed in white wearing white hats playing croquet! I love it!! It's things like this that make me go: hmmm...I'm not in the U.S.! haha!

We are off to paint n' play today! Hopefully the rain holds off!

Enjoy today!

Wine for one...not so fun!

Wine for all the U.S. military spouses in Canberra Australia...VERY fun!


I set out for an adventure...5 gals piled tightly in a small car headed to Mount Majura Winery (5 miles down the road from my house). We met up with about 15 others for the ultimate wine tasting and tour of the vineyards and winery!

Wine bottle chimes on the front porch of the winery.

Some of the gals at the tasting...we tried 8 types of wine paired with some lovely local foods including brie and goat cheese, olives, sun dried tomatoes, kangaroo prosciutto, and some lovely jams.

Standing is the man that gave us our tour. (yes we made fun of his accent...we were the majority which doesn't happen very often haha) He said "spider" and everyone heard "spotter"!

These boots were made for stomping through the vineyard...which we did VERY well!

Grapes. They will start harvesting in about one week.

Walking up the mountain. The grapes are situated on a mountain to get the perfect amount of sunshine and when the frost come in it brushes down the mountain over the grapes and settles in the valley.

Some of the gals and their lovely boots :)

The views! We can ALMOST see my neighborhood from the top of the mount.

It was such a lovely event and I am so happy to have met some of the military wives in the area! I am looking forward to the next event; I hear it's going to be a very mysterious dinner!

It's days like these that I find myself missing "home" a little less! Thank goodness for wonderful ladies to explore our new city with!

We are off to the park this morning! Be back tomorrow with pictures of our adventure!

Enjoy today!

A story time and A picnic

Hello Blog World!

Here is Beautiful Princess Destiny to greet you today!

On Friday, we ventured to the Botanical Gardens for a LOVELY story time about dinos!

The kids hung on to a rope and walked along a path as the story teller told a story of a little boy who LOVED dinos!

The gardens are beautiful! So many plants and water dragons. I have even seen a kangaroo or two!

That evening we set out to have a picnic. We stopped by three different restaurants to please all of our taste buds.

A veggie burrito for mommy from Zambrero

A lamb wrap thing for daddy from a Turkish Restaurant

and Maccas for the girls (McDonalds) Destiny was begging for a Cheese-a-burger! That's exactly how she said it...Cheese-a-burger. Come to find out...she doesn't even like them. boo!

At many of the parks here, they provide propane grills for the public to use. They are so convenient and nice!

The view while we ate

Matt with Black Mountain in the back ground. Telstra Tower on top!

Addi + Sunset.

The next morning we went for a run around Lake Burley Griffin. Sorry for the blurry shot...I was in full run! There were dragon boat races going on and people chanting and singing and rowing! It was quite exciting!

After our run we headed to the farmer's market...all the goodies! Flowers, Fish, Melon, Garlic, Muffin and eggs... **not pictures...hot chocolate and coffee!

...with a chicken feather tucked in the carton!

Destiny wanted to hold the feather and tickle!

We had a splendid family weekend! I'll be back tomorrow with pictures from my trip to the winery and vineyard!

Enjoy today!

Helloooooooooooooooo!

Hi Everybody!

How is your day going? Mine started out with a run...I could see my breath! I am NOT happy about that. I really enjoyed having my Summer when all of you Americans were having your winter...I don't think I'm prepared for the opposite! Fall is coming in strong. I hear that the trees are beautiful here in Autumn, but I'm not sure that will make up for the cold.

This morning I received a comic via email from my Uncle John in North Dakota. I liked it so much that I wanted to share it with you! Here it is:

The funny thing about the comic is that before moving here, I printed off a "Aussie Slang Dictionary" from the world wide web and have used it to figure out different things that people have said to me. ALL of the words in this cartoon were in my Aussie Slang Dictionary!


Last night, after dinner, I asked the girls to smile and say hi to their cousin Jordy in Washington so I could take a picture and email it to her. Here are the results:

Addi saying "hi" Jordy!

Destiny saying "hi" Jordy!

The story doesn't end there, folks. After saying "hi" to Jordy, they proceeded to say "hi" to each family member or friend of the family for the next 10 minutes! They wanted a picture for each family member to see of them waving and smiling.

Even if you don't think they are capable of missing you....they are...and...they DO! In fact, WE ALL MISS YOU! Our mail box has been lonely for quite some time (which makes me miss you even more). I would LOVE to hear from all of you!

Our address is: Matt and Jill Sanchez : PSC 277 BOX 183 : APO, AP 96549

Enjoy today!