Don't Loose Your Sparkle

All relationships go through their ups and downs, and mine is certainly no different. It is so easy to get caught up with the every day distractions that life throws your way that sometimes without even realising it, your relationship comes in on the bottom rung of the ladder, and you find that you are leaving each other and your relationship unattended.

Earlier this year my wonderful husband and I realised that we had been neglecting "us" that we were just rolling along going about the business of life. 

We had not lost our love or commitment to each other but we had lost our "sparkle" Somewhere along the road we had taken a sharp turn and ended up on a road that we had originally vowed not to go down. 

The conversations were almost non existent, and as for alone time........well who has the time ?

Thankfully we realised that we needed to stop the roller coaster, take a deep breathe and get back to the basics of our relationship. It had been too long since we had put ourselves first and with our boys growing up so rapidly, it finally clicked that now is our time. It's time to spend some quality one on one time with each other and bring our "sparkle" back to what it once was.

Coffee dates, a glass of wine in our backyard, and recently our four glorious days in Brisbane. Long walks, quiet dinners, the Pink concert and a night time ride on the Brisbane Wheel at South Bank was a highlight. It was romantic, it was special and a time that I will never forget. We are on the right track and with continued effort on both our parts I know that our "sparkle" will continue to shine for many years to come........

                                                         

             Linking up with the lovely Grace for another fabulous week of FYBF

Enjoy your weekend everyone

And don't forget to

Sparkle

xx

            

                                                                       

So...You Want The Truth ?

She is amazing, strong, talented, powerful, beautiful and inspiring. I am talking about none other then superstar P!NK

Over the weekend I was lucky enough to attend my third Pink concert. Yep that's right, third ! and yet again she blew me away. The woman is amazing sorry for my gushing she is like fine wine......"gets better with age" 

From the moment she "flies" on stage you are taken on the ride of a life time......a journey of love, light and laughter. There is so much action your eyes are always searching for something new to look at, but the time goes by all to quickly, and before you are ready it's over !!

My show plus Lanyard

Pink sang a range of songs from each of her albums, including two cover songs.
"Wicked Game" by Chris Isaak and "Time After Time" by Cindi Lauper, and as usual she sang them to perfection.
I did however think that she would have sung more from her latest album "The Truth About Love" and was a little disappointed that she did not sing the new single "True Love" but I guess I am just greedy and would love to see her sing every single song that she has ever recorded. LOL

We had amazing seats, I certainly couldn't complain. Her fly wire was right about us and she actually came within reach, I was as excited as a little kid and almost dropped my camera as she flew by : ) I was in complete awe.  

You may think that seeing one artist three times is a little obsessive, but those of you who have been as lucky as I have to see this amazingly talented woman in concert, would understand why it is, that no matter how many times she graces our shores, I will do my damnedest to get my hands on tickets. 

Concert souvenirs 

Some of my favorite quotes and lyrics from this extraordinary woman

"My definition of stupid is wasting

your opportunity to  be yourself,

because I think everybody has a

uniqueness and everybody's good

at something"

Pink

"I'm learning to be brave

in my beautiful 

mistakes"

Pink

Crystal Ball

Flashback Friday - Captured Memories

I still cant believe that one week ago today my first born son turned 20.....
How the years go by so quickly I will never understand, and it seems that the older I get, the faster they seem to fly. Sad but true !

Today for Flashback Friday I decided to share my three favorite photos taken of my son and I, at different stages of our lives together. These photos are just a few of many that I hold dear to my heart, and so many beautiful memories come flooding back, memories that I will cherish forever.

This first photo was taken the morning of his first and only trip to Australia's Wonderland. We spent so many hours going round and round on that Merry Go Round it was about the only ride acceptable for his age group that I think I may still be dizzy all these years later.
His laughter and excitement were infectious and still to this day I can hear his giggles as he screamed with delight......

This next one was taken at home. If I remember correctly, I think we may have been working on a school project together. Hubby had just purchased a new camera, and of course was snap happy. Although I look quite the tired mess, I cant help but love this photo.

Finally this last one was taken in his final year of school. We were headed out to a grade 12 graduation information night, and as usual I was teary and proud. I couldn't believe at the time that one of my sons was about to graduate since then I now have two graduates

To say that these photos bring back wonderful, warm, fuzzy memories is an understatement. I am so very thankful to Johann Zahn for inventing the camera (thanks google) Where would we honestly be if the humble old camera had never come about ????

Happily linking up and sharing some more wonderful memories with the beautiful Cathy for Flashback Friday :)

Happy Friday and have a safe and glorious Weekend

Lemon Tart

I cant go and claim this delicious recipe as my own. I have to confess that I discovered it on the ever addictive Pinterest......

Yes I admit it - My name is Beck and I am addicted to Pinterest 

If my family cant find me in any of the usual spots that I lerk in, I am usually hidden away with my Ipad pinning frantically, oohing and ahhing with the best of them :) 

I admit that I don't just pin and forget, I cant see the point in that, when each pin gets me more excited with the possibilities, I have made a generous amount of the things that I have pinned so far. But so far out of all the recipes that I have pinned, this lemon tart was beyond delicious and left the whole family looking for more ! 

LEMON TART

Pastry

250 grams plain flour

125 grams cold unsalted butter

75 grams icing sugar

3 egg yolks

3 tbls water

Process flour, butter and icing sugar in food processor until mix resembles course breadcrumbs. Add egg yolks one at a time then gradually add 1-3 tbls of water until pastry comes together. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 30 seconds. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Roll pastry out on a lightly flour surface then roll out into a greased rectangular flan tin. Line pastry with baking paper, fill with rice and bake for 10 minutes at 160 degrees celcius, then remove paper and rice and bake until pastry is golden.

Filling

5 eggs

150 grams caster sugar

90 ml lemon juice

2 tbls grated lemon zest

150 ml double cream

Place eggs, sugar, lemon juice and rind in a bowl and whisk to combine, then whisk in cream. Heat lemon mix in a saucepan over medium heat for 5 minutes or until warm, then pour into prepared pastry case and bake at 160 degrees celcius for 25 minutes or until just firm.

Cool the tart for 1 hour, then serve dusted with icing sugar (optional) and lashings of double cream.

original recipe pinned by http://jillianleiboff.blogspot.com.au

Whipping up this delicious Lemon Tart for the gorgeous Jess for this weeks IBOT 

ENJOY <3

May You Always Be My Baby Boy

You desperately want to stop the clock, but in reality know that you cant and it's inevitable that time will pass and that the day will come when you must let go.

It provokes mixed emotions. Your palms are sweaty, your heart is racing and although as a parent you have always questioned yourself, the questions resurface and rush through your mind thick and fast.

This morning, I opened my eyes and it really hit home. I am now the mother of an adult. My first born turned 20 years old today and the memories of times gone by came to mind in floods of happiness.
The day he was born and I held him for the first time. His first Christmas, first tooth, first word. The day he took his first steps (for a lolly snake no less) and the list goes on.

As we celebrate this next mile stone in your life, I want you to remember that you are loved so very much and have brought nothing but complete joy to our lives, and although you may no longer be a child but a grown man, know that we are always here to guide you, protect you, and wrap our arms tightly around you.

So my son, celebrate your childhood experiences for they make you who you are, and has filled your life so far with adventure.

Honour your wisdom and the lessons that you have learned. Your know your own mind so always trust your instincts.

Take joy in this gift that is life. Since the very day that you were born, you have touched the lives of each and every one of us that has had the pleasure to know you.

You make being a parent a joy, a dream. You are my world and I am so very proud of the young man that you have grown into.

Happy 20th birthday "Kigga" may you always be my baby boy xx

Celebrating this wonderful mile stone on FYBF
Happy Friday x

Yarn Love !

It's been getting rather chilly around these parts lately, and as I am a sucker for keeping warm and trying to look as fashionable as I can whenever I leave the house, I am rather partial to wearing pretty scarfs to brighten up these dreary Winter days.

I have quite a collection of soft, warm, floaty scarves to choose from, but each year when Winter rolls around, it seems that there are always new exciting colours and patterns that I just can't resist, I am quite sure that they are calling my name as I stroll past the displays.

 *sigh*

So this year, as I waded through my wardrobe to see what Winter woollies would need updating in my small collection (here in QLD our Winters do not last long so spending a lot of $$ on Winter warmers is not needed) I decided that there would be NO need to add to my scarf collection. Enough is enough, right ?

Whoops, I failed.......

I didn't exactly go out and buy any new scarves, I promise ! but on a recent trip to my favorite "women's hardware store" Lincraft :) I came across the most gorgeous yarn that was perfect for making pretty scarves.

I couldn't resist
I purchased said yarn
And I have been whipping up some beautiful scarves ever since.

The colours are amazing, and though it is a little difficult to use at the beginning (I recommend watching the short movie clip in store) once you get the hang of it, the scarves grow alarmingly fast. So far I have made one in the purple and one in pink and I am heading out this afternoon to purchase a few more balls of this magical yarn :)

Shhhhhhh that part is a secret !!!!

The finished project

This is not a sponsored post !!