A lovely lunch

We woke to another beautiful day and decided to take one of my girls out to lunch.  She works so hard.  She is working on a double degree, works part time and has just moved out.  I am so proud of her.  This is a little cafe in Sandgate, Brisbane.  It is on the waterfront near 2nd Ave and is called Doug's.  The meals are fresh and the salads are simple.  This meal fed us both amply and that makes it the best value.

Anzac Day

I am sorry for the absence.  My youngest has created a number of dramas and I have so many things to catch up with.  I need to send three balls of yarn for a start.

Today was Anzac Day.  For me as Australian today is special. I am proud and grateful for those who gave so much to keep the world and our country free.  The sacrifice continues with many still serving far from home.  The families of those who serve are heroes too.

So today we watched some of the services until dad was bored.  Since we were blessed with a beautiful day we piled into the car and drove to a beach side suburb.  The place was packed and it was difficult to find a place to park and eat.  Just as well we packed some food as the eateries had customers on the streets.  On our drive home we found a fisherman selling prawns/shrimp from his boat.  Mum and dad love these and I am allergic.  So for a very reasonable price they have a feast.  It was a day to count our blessings, be thankful and remember those who make our peace and safety possible.

Lest we forget.

My money tin

It has been fed a little more often this week but the amounts have been small.  Hopefully this tin will have a few hundred in it by the time I finish.  It would be a wonderful boost to the end of the year expenses.

Since Saving For Travel asks I have found 15 cents unexpectedly this week.  It went in the pot ASAP.

How is everyone else going.

Feeling overwhelmed

Am I the only one who dreads facing the complexities of grocery shopping?

Choice is a wonderful thing.  I would be among the first to complain if our freedom of choice was taken away.  However having to choose between so many options when I go to buy basic food is driving me nuts.  I am the shopper who stands there bamboozled by the packaging and then resorts to the cheapest product most of the time.  Time is precious and I don't want to waste it deciding if brand x is better than brand z.

I have become pretty much a dedicated Aldi girl.  The store is simple and frills are kept to the minimum.  I do make choices in the shop and I tend to find I do buy the more expensive paper products etc.  The range held within store is extending too so I don't waste as much time buying the extra things they do not stock.

Does anyone else choose to shop with less choice etc?  This decision was not made with the cost in mind.  For me it is a practical and simplified option.

The Draw

Lis, Lianne and Sara I have decided to send all three of you a ball of yarn.  I need a taller person to lift down a particular box and the wool will be on the way too.

The ripple-a-long and draw.

It has been another of those weeks.  Pick up the hook, work a few stitches and an interruption.  Worse still I lost my hook.   It has been found and I am glad as someone special gave it to me.I will finish this but not by the dead line.  I admire ladies who do get things finished quickly and applaud their efforts.  I have loved watching these treasures grow. I have loved the colours and the patterns applied to the blankets too.  Most all it is great to know that when it is chilly there is something personal and special to snuggle up in.  Thank you Mel for organising this.

Now for the draw.  I was going to do it now but will leave it a few more hours because of the world wide time differences.

Skimping and saving and the sealed pot

Sadly this has been one of those times when every last cent has had to squeal for mercy.  I hope the next two weeks will be better but with Miss 16 on holiday I am not banking on it.

On the weekend I cleaned mum's room in preparation for her beautiful new bed.  I am threatening to take it away.  I found lots of small coins which were put into dad's pot so he is a happy man.  He thinks that five cents will buy so much.  That was fun.

If anyone else is doing the sealed pot challenge at Saving for Travel I wish you well.