ANZAC Day

Today is ANZAC Day. Have you ever been to see the diggers march through the city? I love it. Though we didn't do it today, maybe next year when the kidlets are a little bigger. But seeing those service men and women march is incredible. It has really helped me understand that these are real, live people that went off at an incredibly, heart breakingly young age to fight for our country. And many of them never returned. It made me realise just how many people went off to war.

My favourite spot to perch is right across from the non-marching servicemen and women and nurses. My goodness it is a good spot. They see someone they know and call out and a short dialogue ensues, just as the marcher is marching off. Left - right - left - right.

So I'm watching from home today, with the stray tear in my eye, listening to stories, watching with pride. I love the bagpipes. I love the drummers. It's incredibly moving. If you get the chance to go and watch next year, do it.

Still on the Aussie front, last night I started making my first project from the Mike's book.

Ta da! It's not finished, oh so close! This is Angela's (Three Buttons) pattern (check out her blog, it's delicious. It's capricious). It's the very handy 'Shopping bag keep-safe' that my kitchen needs! Oh yes, it needs it. I try not to have many plastic bags, but they do somehow muzzle their way into our kitchen and cause quite a riot. What a mess! This is a cure, and it just so happens - shazaaaam! It's an Australiana teatowel. How apt.

And now folks, it's on with the show. I'm going to whip up a batch of ANZAC biscuits to keep the memory alive. Smell some rosemary for rememberance. It's a small tribute.

Here's to honouring the sacrifices made for us. Lest we forget.

This Is...

Cebu Mangoes

Originally uploaded by Farl

Can I say mangoes? I love mangoes. It's mango season here. Nothing like standing over the sink with mango juice running down your chin, your arms, and that sweetness. Ah the sweetness - that first taste of mango for the season. It's addictive. It hits you. That mango love. Ah for a mango, I'd do almost anything. Just don't mix it with anything savoury - eeek - no no no, mangoes served as they are, perfect for me.

I ate one a day in the latter stages of my pregnancy with the Doctor. You'd think he'd be a fool for mangoes too - but at the moment, he's more of a strawberry kind of guy. But Tiny. Well she's a sucker for mangoes. She loves grabbing at that slippery piece of sweetness. Shoving it in her mouth - uh oh - missed, try again. Oh man, she loves the mangoes, just like her mango-lovin' mama.

This week's theme was chosen by the very clever Beth at cloth and fodder. Thanks to Angela at three buttons for hosting this is.

This Is... My Favourite Quote

Strawberry Kisses chose this week's theme... And of course our lovely hostess, Angela at Three Buttons holds the key for more players of This Is. Click over and see!

At any rate, my favourite quotes change to suit the time in my life.. So here's three I love at the moment.

'Wrinkles are hereditary. Parents get them from their children.' Doris Day

or this one

'Any girl can look glamorous. Just stand there and look stupid.' Doris Day

or this one

'Cultivate your curves - they may be dangerous but they won't be avoided.' Mae West

Amen sisters.

Just for fun, here's a shot of me just fresh from the shower. Ah glamour. It's a perfect mix for changing nappies and playing trains.

This Is...What I'm Surprised I Like

When Victoria from Earl & Cookie declared this week to be the This is what I'm surprised I like week, well I scratched my head.

• I'd like to like fish - but I'm not a huge fan
• I'd like to like tofu - but it tastes like someone chewed it up already for me
• I'd like to say I like Iron Maiden - but you know, I just don't dig all that metal

Perplexed, I'm hitting straight from the heart. I'm surprised I like Nick Cave. I know, I know, everyone loves a bit of Nick in the morning, noon and night, but me, well I've always fought it. Fought it with a vengeance.

But I have to say, when Matt requested this song as the song to walk out of the church as a married couple to - well it wooed me. I'm still not a hardcore Nick Cave fan, but I'm coming around.


Thanks to Victoria for an ace theme, and thanks as ever to Angela at Three Buttons for bringing This Is into our bloggy lives. Woop woop!

And I am now on a bent to check out pineapple lumps. I've never seen them before but they sound ACE!