Photo's of stuff around my home town...

Didn't have anything to blog so I thought some photo's might be nice.

B-B

Op Shop Bargain!!!!

I fell in love today.... I was doing my usual Op Shop Thursday thing and then I glimpsed these....

I have a cake tin fetish! Look how big this lovely cake tin is (hense the Chapstick showing you how humongous this gorgeous tin is!). I'm looking forward to finding some Nut Loaf recipes for my new nut loaf tin. Soooo loving these. Op Shops Rock!

B-B

Retro Party Cool

Master 9's birthday party was on Saturday and he chose the theme Video Games... Straight away I put my thinking cap in and I loved the theme! 80's retro here we come with a modern video game twist.

Pacman Streamers

Pin the Controller on the Playstation and Pacman Pinata

Mario Mushrooms

Mario Life Stars

Mario Mushrooms

Goku (Dragon Ball Z) Cake

Goodie Tin's instead of Goodie Bags, decided to upcycle my old formula tin's (that I had been hoarding since Master 9 was a baby...). I made the tin's with a slot in the top so the boys could use them as money tin's too.

B-B

How to Make a Pacman Piñata.

I originally was looking for a good quality helium balloon (which I have used previously for other pinata's) but after a discussion with the shop lady she suggested a ball. I wasn't sure to begin with thinking a ball might me too thick but this one is a cheap $3 ball from one of those variety shops. You'll also need some vaseline, strips of old paper, prepared wallpaper glue and a bowl or stand to put the ball/balloon in.

Give the ball a coating of vaseline as this helps the ball (or balloon) come away easily when the paper mache' has dried properly. I had no vaseline this time so I just used a coating of coconut oil.  

Coat the paper scraps each side with the glue and start placing them overlapping over the whole surface. Let this layer fulling dry.

Then a second layer, let this dry.

  

A pinata needs to be hung up so I attach a ribbon right round (plus extra obviously so you can tie it around a pole for hanging) and secure it with tape then paper mache over it with a white layer.

Then so a second layer using different white toned paper so you know the difference between layers. Let thsi dry.

Staple around opening to secure the ribbon, then paper mache over the staples.

Mark out where you want the mouth to be. Pop the with the craft knife carefully.

Carefully cut out the mouth piece.

I taped 2 pieces of card together for a hinge effect and place in to Pacman's mouth and traced the round outline and cut to fit. I stuck black paper (A4 folded in half and pasted over the hinged card) over it.

Place the 'mouth' in the gap and cut the over hang pieces so they can be glued down.

Paper mache over with white pieces and leave to dry.

Paint the white yellow.

Nearly finished. Glue some funky eyes on.

Walaa! There he is!

B-B

Hot Water Bottle Cover

Its Winter so I crocheted myself a hot water bottle cover.

Wheat Free and Dairy Free Date Slice

Spurred on by a bloggy friend who can't have gluten or dairy so I put my thinking cap on.

1 cup of stewed apples (drained)
1 cup of chopped dates
1/4 cup of oil
2 cups of oats
1 cup of coconuts
1 TB honey
1 TB peanut butter
1/4 tsp cinnamon
Poppy Seeds (optional)

Mix well together in a bowl then turn out into a sprayed tin. Flatten out and bake for 30 mins in a pre-heated oven at 180*

I iced this with icing made from icing sugar, lemon juice and a splash of hot water. Drizzle this over the slice hot or cold.

NB: When I made this it was too moist so that's why I have increased the oats and drained the stewed apples. It may need slightly longer baking. Let me know how you go!

B-B

Our Wonderful National Anthem

I love our National Anthem:

God of nations! at Thy feet 

In the bonds of love we meet, 

Hear our voices, we entreat, 

God defend our Free Land. 

Guard Pacific's triple star, 

From the shafts of strife and war, 

Make her praises heard afar, 

God defend New Zealand 

Men of ev'ry creed and race 

Gather here before Thy face, 

Asking Thee to bless this place, 

God defend our Free Land. 

From dissension, envy, hate, 

And corruption guard our State, 

Make our country good and great, 

God defend New Zealand. 

Peace, not war, shall be our boast, 

But, should foes assail our coast, 

Make us then a mighty host, 

God defend our Free Land. 

Lord of battles in thy might, 

Put our enemies to flight, 

Let our cause be just and right, 

God defend New Zealand. 

Let our love for Thee increase, 

May Thy blessings never cease, 

Give us plenty, give us peace, 

God defend our Free Land. 

From dishonour and from shame 

Guard our country's spotless name 

Crown her with immortal fame, 

God defend New Zealand. 

May our mountains ever be 

Freedom's ramparts on the sea, 

Make us faithful unto Thee, 

God defend our Free Land. 

Guide her in the nations' van, 

Preaching love and truth to man, 

Working out Thy Glorious plan, 

God defend New Zealand. 

Maori Words 

E Ihoa Atua, 

O nga Iwi Matoura, 

Ata whaka rongona; 

Me aroha noa. 

Kia hua ko te pai; 

Kia tau to atawhai; 

Manaakitia mai 

Aotearoa 

Ona mano tangata 

Kiri whero, kiri ma, 

Iwi Maori Pakeha 

Repeke katoa, 

Nei ka tono ko nga he 

Mau e whakaahu ke, 

Kia ora marire 

Aotearoa 

Waiho tona takiwa 

Ko te ao marama; 

Kia whiti tona ra 

Taiawhio noa. 

Ko te hae me te ngangau 

Meinga kia kore kau; 

Waiho i te rongo mau 

Aotearoa 

Tona pai me toitu; 

Tika rawa, pono pu; 

Tona noho, tana tu; 

Iwi no Ihoa. 

Kaua mona whakama; 

Kia hau te ingoa; 

Kia tu hei tauira; 

Aotearoa