Serendipity

Serendipity Experience 86: Host a Spy Party!

2012-05-25T01:26:00.004-07:00

For my son's 10th Birthday we decided to host a Spy Party, which proved a real hit!!

The excitement began with our "Top Secret Invitations" which were sealed in a Confidential, "for your eye's only" envelope. ( Unfortunately one child took this too literally and nearly missed the party as he concealed the invitation too well from his mother).

Of course we had to have Spy Themed food complete with "Detective Dogs", "Bomb Cupcakes" and a Fortune cookie which held secret messages. The "Truth Serum" cordial proved very popular with the more serious spy members.

Upon arrival each child was taken to "Spy Training Camp", where they were fingerprinted and inducted into spy school.

Each child was issued with a passport and then had to travel through ten mission posts, which included Code Breaking, Target Practice, Bomb Detonation ( water bombs of course!), Invisible Writing, Laser Evasion, Disguises and Memory Test.

The children loved the Detective Disguises game where they had to dress in a disguise and eat chocolate with a knife and fork before someone threw a six on the dice.

This, however, was nowhere near as popular as the Laser Evasion. I think they would have been happy just to spend the entire party crawling under the web of string that I set up in the hallway.

The party ended with a Scavenger Hunt in which I had them decode a series of cryptic clues, which led them to a pretend bomb, the excitement was tangible as they argued over which of the coloured wires to cut. Thanks to one of the great cake ideas on pinterest my teenage daughter made a great magnifying glass birthday cake ( but that's another story!)

In all it was a highly successful party and a theme I would highly recommend for a party for 8 - 10 year olds.

Linking with Feathered Nest Friday and My Romantic Home

Serendipity Experience 85: Have Fun at the Fair.

2012-04-07T23:49:00.002-07:00

Despite having to battle the crowds, it is not truly Easter without a day out at the Sydney Royal Easter Show. If you get past the all consuming show bags and expensive fairground rides, the Easter show can actually be a very pleasant experience

The show brings back so many wonderful childhood memories of fairy floss, Kewpie dolls and Toffee apples

I am always amazed at the incredible decorated cakes that people create, this ferris wheel really seemed to capture the essence of the showground.

But what I think we love the most is the fact that we get to experience a little of the country life in the city, the smell of the hay, the tiny ducklings and those all too adorable sleepy piglets!

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Serendipity Experience 84: Embrace Easter!

2012-04-05T18:48:00.004-07:00

The sun is shining in all it's glory and we have the most spectacular Easter day here in Sydney! It is almost picture perfect weather!!!! With the family finally all home and relaxing we are busy preparing for our Easter luncheon.

In keeping with the lovely fresh feel in the air we are planning on having a lime green and duck egg blue colour scheme this year, which allows us to recycle our little bunny serviettes which were a real hit last year.

Wishing you all a very Happy Easter!! x

Linking with my romantic home, The charm of home, ivyandelephant, a rural journal

Serendipity Experience 83 - Spring Fling!

2012-03-31T16:25:00.002-07:00

It may be the start of Autumn here in Sydney but you could certainly be forgiven for thinking it was Spring.The sky is blue, the flowers are blooming and there is signs of new life everywhere you look.

I love the fact that introducing one solitary colour can totally transform the landscape of the house into an Easter celebration.

My favourites are the tiny little daffodil bulbs that last throughout the entire Easter week

Instead of buying the fresh flowers which seem to wilt so quickly in the heat, the little bulbs go on and on and everywhere you look there is a backdrop of yellow which makes it feel like a glorious spring day...even if in reality it's still months away!!!!

Linking with The charm of home French CountryCottage

Serendipity Experience 82 : Easter Eggcitement!

2012-03-26T00:11:00.004-07:00

I love the simplicity and joy of Easter. It is a celebration of new life, freshness and pureness!
Whilst the chocolate bunnies are embraced enthusiastically by our household on Easter Sunday, beyond
the chocolate is the excuse to refresh the house with beautiful posies and fresh pastel colours.
Easter for us is a time to relax and re energize. To set the easter table, prepare an easter tree and delight in making a mess dying eggs.

Unfortunately in recent years the new wax coating that they have been applying onto our eggs has somewhat hindered the effects of our egg dying practices. Sourcing eggs straight from the farmyard is no easy feat, even when visiting the local markets. ( so called fresh eggs miraculously still had that waxed coating!!!!!)

For me the humble egg is such a perfect package. It looks fabulous sitting in an eggcup. used as a centerpiece or initialed as a place card, I just have to be careful not to get eggstremely carried away!!!

Linking with polishthestars and myromantichome

Serendipity Experience 81 : Take a Break!

2012-02-09T04:24:00.000-08:00

I decided to take a "blogging break" over our summer holidays in order to attempt to have some quality family time!!! School has returned and so I find myself back in my routines and able to return to my computer!! I have spent the past few days looking back over my holiday photos from our recent trip to Europe and have been feeling very nostalgic....so much so that I have convinced my husband that it is time to arrange another summer holiday. I am thinking that a trip to Scandinavia and Russia sounds appealing ( of course in the finer weather) would love to hear from anyone who has done this trip and has any itinerary suggestions!
Joining up with Lisa at The Creative Exchange to see what you have all been up to lately!!!

Serendipity Experience 80: Treasure Tranquility!

2012-01-04T20:11:00.000-08:00

As I sit back relishing the long summer holiday break, I find myself with time to reflect upon the year just past and to decide upon my goals and dreams for the year ahead. As I do so, I am increasingly aware of the importance of those tranquil, quiet moments which are all too rare amidst the daily routines and schedules.

Taking photographs has certainly inspired me to take the time to capture those moments which are too fleeting and transient. Just to sit and appreciate the world passing us by and being so grateful to be part of it!

Wishing you all many moments of tranquility in 2012!
Linking up with Lisa at The Creative exchange and Challenge 12 a new monthly challenge!

Serendipity Experience 79 : Be a Sydney Spectator!

2011-12-28T15:02:00.000-08:00

This is our first year of owning a boat and so of course we had to join the hoard of spectators out on Sydney Harbour to watch the popular Sydney to Hobart yaght race.

It was quite a surreal experience sitting in the midst of the action and hearing the boom of the starter gun.

It was the most amazing atmosphere, being surrounded by these immense sailing ships and hearing the crews shouting orders to one another!

We felt as though we were in the race itself....I can not imagine what it must be like to head out through the heads knowing you have days of sailing through trecherous conditions!

Surviving in the harbour alone was enough for us!!!!!

Serendipity Experience 78 : Share Christmas Traditions

2011-12-20T14:48:00.000-08:00

Despite living in a country that celebrates Christmas in Summer our family always has a traditional Hot Christmas Dinner complete with Roast Turkey, Yorkshire Pudding, Peaches with Cranberry Sauce and Plum Pudding with Brandy Sauce. To me it wouldn't be Christmas if we didn't celebrate in this way!

We always have Christmas Crackers on our table. We sit around the table joining each of our crackers and break them at the same time. We then put on our silly hats and share the jokes inside. Until I read a recent blog by Sherry at The Heart of Home I thought this was a universal tradition!!!

We set aside the week before Christmas to make our Mince Pies, Snowflake cookies and of course our Reindeer Poo!

The Christmas Tradition which has changed the most for us is Christmas Card giving. We used to love going to the mailbox each day to collect our cards and would string them across the garland. Of course like everyone else we are now resorting to sending e-cards!

I also couldn't imagine Christmas without the obligatory bowl of nuts to crack!...Although with the increase of nut allergies around, perhaps this is the next tradition that will disappear!!! Would love to hear about your Christmas Traditions!

With love and good cheer from our house to yours, Merry Christmas!

Linking with The Creative Exchange and A Holiday Haven

Serendipity Experience 77: Make Clay Ornaments

2011-12-16T07:45:00.000-08:00

My daughters and I decided we would attempt to make our own white clay ornaments this year. It was such an easy and enjoyable task!

We have used the ornaments to decorate our presents, wine glasses and even our Christmas Wreath!

How to make White Clay

Making these decorations only requires 3 ingredients

2 Cups Bi - Carb Soda ( Baking Powder)

1 Cup Conflour ( Cornstarch)

1 1/4 Cups water

Mix ingredients in a heavy pan and place on stove stirring until

it reaches boiling point. Remove from heat and place a damp

cloth over bowl until cool. Place into small balls and roll between

two sheets of baking paper. Cut out shape with cookie cutter and

stamp with a suitable Christmas stamp - our say's "no peeping"!

We tried two seperate methods for drying, placing in an oven for 10

minutes and just air drying them for two days. The air dried ornaments

were definitely better as they did not distort and were far whiter than

those dried in the oven

Linking with My Romantic Home, At the Picket Fence, French Country Cottage, The Charm of Home

Serendipity Experience 76: Candy Canes and Christmas Carols

2011-12-14T05:28:00.000-08:00

Candy canes seem to be featuring very strongly in our Christmas preparations this year! My daughter is busy preparing us spectacular Lindt hot chocolates and milkshakes with candy cane stirrers, whilst my son and I are sharing a nightly reading of "The Christmas Carol" accompanied by a glass of milk and mandatory candy cane. We are thoroughly enjoying our nightly reading sessions and have decided we should read more Christmas stories.

We have decided that the next in line will be "The Nutcracker" and "Twas the night before Christmas"

If you have any good Christmas story suggestions please let us know!!!

Linking with Michelle at Keeping the Spirit Alive 365. and The Mustard Ceiling

Serendipity Experience 75: Christmas in the Kitchen!

2011-12-10T13:05:00.000-08:00

With the Children embarking upon their seven weeks of school holidays I am already looking for ways to keep them off their computers, what better than the offer of food???

Our Hot Chocolate Station

My youngest daughter is hot chocolate crazy, so when I came across the idea of a Christmas drinking station we just had to have our own!!!

Supper for Santa!

My son, on the otherhand is only interested in what Santa and his reindeer are going to drink!!!

Reindeer Poo!!!

The most fun we had was making our Reindeer poo Rocky Road clusters. If you ever make this

I recommend adding turkish delight and red frogs to the recipe, it is absolutely delicious.

We found this cute little verse to attach to our treats - " I checked my list once and then

checked it twice and discovered that you had been more naughty than nice, as coal is expensive,

here's the scoop, all you are getting is reindeer poop!" .

Linking up with The Picket Fence, French Country Cottage, My Romantic Home,The charm of home, Holiday Haven, Tatertots & Jello

Serendipity Experience 74: Babushka, Babushka!!!

2011-12-03T23:03:00.000-08:00

Today we went Christmas shopping at the Boutique Markets at The Entertainment Quarter at Moore Park. I was thrilled to come across these most gorgeous Cake Pops, handmade from balls of cake dipped in chocolate candy. My favourite was this lovely Babushka pop made by Zsa Zsa Delights, they really are too gorgeous to eat!!!

This season I am decorating with my Babushka nesting sets that my husband bought back from Budapest. Although it is driving me crazy the way my family keep stacking and restacking them!!!

Joining design dazzle and my summer house.

Serendipity Experience 73 : Create a Christmas Advent Calendar

2011-11-30T20:59:00.000-08:00

This year I decided to create an Advent calendar with a countdown activity list to keep us on track ( and also to encourage us to have some fun along the way!). I used a mixture of handmade and bought decorations to symbolize each of the activities we plan to do each day.

A sample of some of the activities we have planned this Christmas!

Our Christmas Countdown Activities

                                         1.   Decorate the Christmas Tree
                                         2.   Send Christmas Cards
                                         3.   Hang the Stockings with care.
                                         4.   Write to the North Pole.
                                         5.   Build a gingerbread house.
                                         6.   Attend Carols by candlelight.
                                         7.   Make Orange & Cinnamon potpourri
                                         8.   Put up Mistletoe and kiss beneath it!
                                         9.   Sing Christmas Carols.
                                       10.   Make the Christmas Pudding.
                                       11.   Make Cinnamon Hot Chocolates.
                                       12.   Complete the Christmas Shopping.
                                       13.   Crack Nuts and eat Pretzels.
                                       14.   Decorate Snowflake Cookies.
                                       15.   Make Gingerbread men.
                                       16.   Donate to Charity.
                                       17.   Wrap the Christmas Presents.
                                       18.   Do a good deed!
                                       19.   Have Photos with Santa.
                                       20.   Watch Christmas movies - elf!!!
                                       21.   Decorate the Christmas table.
                                       22.   Light the Christmas Angel.
                                       23.   Tour the Neighbourhood Christmas Lights
                                       24.   Attend Midnight Mass.

Linking up with Natasha at Keeping the spirit alive365, Romantic Home, French Country Cottage

Serendipity Experience 72: Create a Christmas Snowscene

2011-11-25T15:24:00.000-08:00

This year we have decided upon a Reindeer snow theme for Christmas. We decided that although we had no chance of a White Christmas here in Sydney, there was absolutely nothing stopping us from creating our own!

We made glitter houses on little trays

Our little reindeer surveys the snow scene

A Coastal White Christmas??

We are having so much fun creating our little touches of a White Christmas! Linking up with My Romantic Home,French Country Cottage and Tatertots and Jello

Serendipity Experience 71 : Delight in a splash of Lavender.

2011-11-10T21:48:00.000-08:00

The Jacaranda's are in full bloom and Sydney is awash with colour! Everywhere you turn splashes of purple and lavender abound.

From my window little patches of Lavender are everywhere!

In keeping with the colour scheme I thought it was only appropriate that I add my own interior splashes of lavender to my home, unfortunately the intense heat over the past few days has meant that not many flowers can endure the heat!!

I am joining up with these new sites I have recently discovered "Feathered Nest Friday" , The Charm of Home, My Romantic Home , Friday's unfolded and Common Ground They have so many inspirational ideas, pop by and take a look!

Serendipity Experience 70: Decorate for Halloween

2011-10-27T19:02:00.000-07:00

Our Family are Halloween addicts, we just love halloween parties, trick or treating and general macabre decorating! This year on my son's insistence we made our own gory apothecary jars. It was a lot of fun sourcing old antique jars, making the labels and finding creative fillings, I'm beginning to think that offering my children "Eye of Newt" peas may finally one way I can encourage them to eat their greens!!!!

Linking up with French Country cottage and Design Dazzle!

Serendipity Experience 69 : Sit under a Tuscan Sun!

2011-08-18T22:59:00.000-07:00

Winter in Sydney can not be considered harsh by any stretch of the imagination, yet we are all missing the glorious heat of the long summer Tuscan days!

Was it really only just a few weeks ago that we were walking through these vineyards?

Tranquility in Tuscany

Share your Vacation at

Serendipity Experience 68: Serenity in Santorini

2011-08-02T01:23:00.000-07:00

There is something so surreal about sitting on the beautiful island of Santorini amidst the striking blue Mediterranean and the blue domed churches that so typify this little haven. After weeks of travelling, our feet are weary and our bags heavy, yet we seem to have no difficulty sprinting down the steep white stairways to the cool sanctuary of our villa. We are re invigorated and ready to feast on all the beauty and serenity this tiny island has to offer!!!

The hardest part is knowing that it wont be long before we must tear ourselves away!

Sharing with Lisa at Creative exchange.

Serendipity Experience 67: Swiss Kiss

2011-07-05T18:14:00.000-07:00

We have just spent the past week enjoy the crisp mountain air of Switzerland. It is so simple to get

thoroughly lost in the "chocolate box" scenery that unfolds each day as you embrace the crisp clean air

and mountain freshness!

A blanket of summer flowers just asking us to run through the midst of them!

Inviting us to stop and linger and wait a while....what more can you ask for?

Sharing with Lisa at the Creative Exchange.

Serendipity experience 66: Fall in love with Laduree

2011-06-25T23:11:00.000-07:00

There is nothing more delightful than peeping into that Laduree box and gazing at an assortment of the best macaroons in the entire world and then deciding on which one you should choose first!

Serendipity Experience 65: Peruse Paris!

2011-06-23T21:14:00.000-07:00

Our family has left the wintery weather of Sydney for a family vacation in Europe. Our first stop... Paris! Being an avid francophile I just adore anything remotely french, so being immersed in the wonderful french culture is such a delightful experience. Despite being challenged to recall my schoolgirl french I am amazed at how quickly you fall into a new language, which becomes the fabric of your daily life.

After a twenty four hour plane trip, our first necessity... a much needed run around the park for our eight year old son!

Place des Voges

Serendipity Experience 64: Set Sail!

2011-06-10T23:57:00.000-07:00

After ten years of living by the water we have finally taken the plunge and bought a boat! I have never been particularly motivated to have a boat, as all I can think of is the upkeep and maintenance that they require, however, after a few initial days of sailing I must admit that I am quite enjoying this new experience.

It is amazing how different everything looks when viewed from the water!

Linking with a beachcottage, life by the sea!

Serendipity Experience 63: Welcome Winter.

2011-06-01T19:44:00.000-07:00

Today we must finally accepted that it is Winter here in Sydney! With all our lovely sunny days it is quite easy to think that we are still in summer. We seem to say to each other in astonishment - "gosh it's cold today!" quite forgetting what season we are actually in.So this week I am embracing the winter winds!!! I am wrapping myself in woolens, relishing in my winter reading list, enjoying the new seasonal produce and the emergence of my new winter bulbs.

"In seed time learn, in harvest teach, in winter enjoy!" ~ William blake

Linking up with Lisa's creative exchange and abeachcottage.

Serendipity Experience 62: Start a collection.

2011-05-24T00:22:00.000-07:00

There is a beauty in found objects that just can't be replicated! Sifting through my shelves today I discovered that I have become a collector of found objects. Sea treasures, pebbles, birds nests, shells, no matter where I go I find myself picking up fallen leaves, acorns and drift wood, combing the beaches for any interesting finds! I knew that I had this group of "things" but had never really thought of it as a collection!!!

My Shell study

Beach Treasures

My Shell Collection

My Found Objects

Are you a collector????

Linking up with the talented Lisa at The Creative Exchange and abeachcottage!