hiding wires

Wires, wires everywhere. I believe my maternal grandfather was renowned for them... and yes, my hubby likes his technology too...

But what to do with the wires? I am constantly trying to dream up ways of tucking them away, finding ways to make them less obvious/tidy and yet able to be accessed when my beloved comes looking for that cable...

Well I was delighted to pick up these baskets (yes, my trusty Lifeline store). Serving dual purposes... to store bits and pieces, though more importantly to hide those nasty wires (...oops forgot to move one wire before taking this photo)

PLEASE... if any of you know of other creative, aesthetically ok ideas for hiding wires/making them less obvious, please send them my way...

Garlic Basil Butter

Just thought I'd share a little family favourite. When we have guests I often find myself making garlic bread to go with the meal.

I especially like to make garlic basil butter for the bread - always seems to go down well...

I simply soften butter (the real kind) and chop up basil and add crushed garlic. I mix it well and then spread it onto the bread (we like the Aldi turkish bread - often keep some in freezer). Then I simply wrap it up in foil and heat. Whenever we run out Joshua is the first to notice..."Awwhh Mum, I only had 3 pieces, what happened to it all?"

This time I decided the most economical way to do it was to use up the basil before it went wilted and sad in the fridge. I made a stack of this butter, put into small containers and put them in the freezer. This way I don't have to run to the shop to buy basil (my garden's basil is still small and wimpy) when I think of making it again... and better still it is ready to go!

What little family favourites do you have? Any tricks/short cuts for preparing meals ahead for guests?

side aches!

Here are some humorous things I have jotted down recently (the sort of funny things my kids come out with - that I just don't want to forget) I thank the Lord for children that are sometimes just so funny they make my sides ache. It kind of makes those disastrous nappy changes kind of pale into insignificance for a moment or two...

Some funny things from Joshua (8)

"Too much sugar makes bad protein!"

"I probably don't realise it, but I think I'm getting fatter!"

and Rosa when he put his shoes on wrong:

"Owie, dat's da wong way!"

and looking crossly at Bonnie (dog we are minding)

"Bonnie, do da barking over dat (points to side of house) way!" Ah, I just chuckled - yes, please Bonnie, could you bark over the other side of the yard so it is not so loud? Hee hee

...and this one made for one humorous shower... yes, David came and relayed this one to me outside the shower door - obviously it tickled his fancy... sure made for the most humorous shower I've ever had...

Rosa: Daddy, sore toe! (points to her little toe)

Daddy:Did Josh bite it?

Rosa:No!

Daddy: Did Owen bite it?

Rosa: No!

Daddy: Did Daddy bite it?

Rosa: NO!

Daddy: Who bit it?

Rosa: Mummy bit it!

that was met with a humorous uproar from Daddy and Josh, and a big grin from Owen... I guess she figured she could blame the sore toe on Mummy while she was away having a shower;)

..two year old humour!

**and yes, Evonne & Angela, that is my toe in the picture:) I put it there especially for you!