Ho, ho, ho ...

Do you celebrate Christmas in July?
This is my first winter as a single Mum and I thought it would be a fun family tradition to start with the kids.
For readers from the northern hemisphere, Christmas in Queensland is hot. Damn hot!
So eating a traditional festive meal is not exactly fun.
Generally, our families tend to gravitate towards a menu featuring loads of seafood, fruit, and salad, with barbecued ham and/or chicken. Traditionally, we eat by the pool or inside in the air-conditioning, and there's always backyard cricket afterwards.
It’s still delicious, but it’s not like the traditional Christmas lunches you have throughout Europe and America.
So in July, our coldest month of the year, many families and restaurants celebrate Christmas in July.
A hot meal of turkey and ham, with pudding for dessert, is much more enjoyable when the weather is cool, preferably enjoyed by a log fire.
Santa usually makes an appearance with small gifts for the kids, crackers are pulled, carols are played, and everyone has a relaxing time.
This year, we’ll probably do a Christmas in July at home.
However, cashed up Queenslanders might like to take a trip to Thulimbah, near Stanthorpe, where Bella Rosa’s Tearoom, Cottage and Garden Centre is offering a Christmas in Winter lunch.
Bella Rosa’s is set in a historic building which was used as a butcher’s shop in the 1900s, complete with some of the original fittings and an old worlde atmosphere.
And everyday in June (okay that’s gone), July and August, Bella Rosa’s is putting on a 5-course meal, including roast meats, plum pudding and all the trimmings. Adults are $55 including a gift from Santa, with a special kids' menu for $20.
There’s a cottage with a log fire if you fancy staying longer.
Bella Rosa’s also offers chocolate making workshops (Mr 9 put his hand up for that one), and delicious high teas.
For details, go to their website.

Bella Rosa's has a stall at the Ipswich Handmade Expo, held each month at the Bundamba Turf Club.

Here, you can sample some of their decadent cakes and biscuits ... including the world's first jamdrop pizza! (Trust an Aussie to think of it...)

Jam Drop Pizza

Mr 9 has Asperger's Syndrome, and often has trouble sleeping, so I bought him one of these $10 crosses to help comfort him at night.

And finally, you don't see calenders like these too often! I think this would make the perfect gift for the woman who has everything, don't you?

Handmade Heaven - Part One

What I love about blogging is discovering other websites, meeting interesting people, and doing loads of fun things I probably would never have come across without the power of the internetz.

And so, after an invitation from bubbachenille, the kids and I decided to check out the Handmade Expo at Ipswich Turf Club, Bundamba yesterday.

With free parking, free entry, and a tasty collection of stalls, all offering handmade goodies to eat, wear, use or display, the expo was relaxed and unique compared to similar events we've been to.

Considering the kids had sulked when I first told them of our destination, we all had a wonderful day, and they loved absolutely everything on display.

Quite frankly, I could have spent a fortune, because just about everything was on special and/or decently priced as well.

I loved that the stallholders had time to chat and explain their work to the kids too.

There was so much to see and do, and so many fabulous homemade, locally produced products, that in aid of preventing this from being the longest blog in history, I'll cover it in several posts. Including our ride of the Swanbank Vintage Steam Train ride, which the kids declared to be awesome! 

One of the lovely stallholders was John Grieves, of Pens N Things. Mr 9 in particular, was fascinated by John's precision-crafted pens, un-pickers, key-rings and more, which he creates on a small bed lathe at his Ipswich home.

John took time to explain his work, and even gave the kids a few lollies.

I would have loved one of his gorgeous pens, but maybe next time!

A close-up of Joe's gorgeous creations

Mr 9 loved these ties by Little Mister clothing...

While Miss 7 and I were tempted by the funky clutch purses, bags, and jewellery created by sybella

And how about these for a creative idea? Artistic hair clip organisers by Holdilocks. Genius!

Miss 7 loved these gorgeous cupcake and flower biscuits on sticks. The small taste she allowed me was lovely - crumbly yet moist and not too sweet.

What child can resist fairy floss? (And yes, I did regret it later ...)

Pre-sugar rush!

A Taste of Heaven fudge and coconut ice. Their motto? Enjoy life piece by piece.

Home-baked goodness ...

The kids enjoyed a chat with Goondiwindi author, artist, illustrator, sculptor and educator Lynelle Zita Westlake. She was really patient with them, and I'm sure her school workshops would be inspirational.

So many pretty things to choose from ...

There was cheap locally-grown produce as well

Lunch-time. A wood-baked ham, pineapple and cheese pizza, just like Mr 9 loves them.

And all this is just for starters ... stay-tuned for the next post about the Handmade Expo.

If you go: The Handmade Expo is held monthly at Ipswich Turf Club, Brisbane Road, Bundamba. Entry and parking is free, and the Swanbank Vintage Steam Railway offers short trips in conjunction with the expo (small fee applies).

Hours: 8 am-2pm.

The next dates are: Saturday 17th July, Saturday 21st August, Saturday 18th September, Saturday 16th October,  Saturday 20th November, Saturday 18th December.

For details, email thehandmadeexpo@optusnet.com.au

A kalaidoscope of fun ....

I've always thought Ipswich (the Queensland, Australia version), gets a bad rap.

There are gorgeous stately houses, just aching to be renovated; incredible unique homes, which have already been lovingly updated; plus parks and shopping to boot.

Queens Park, in particular, is a family favourite. It's a fairly quick drive from suburban Brisbane, you can usually park quite close (even during holidays), and the park itself is awesome. Plus, there's a free mini-zoo for the kids. (Okay and the adults as well).

But on this occasion, and with an extra child in tow, I thought we were due some culture, and we decided to check out the Ipswich Art Gallery instead.

Now, let's be honest: It's not as big as Brisbane's, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. We parked close by, and cheaply; and found our way there easily. There were a couple of girls on the front desk who were friendly and smiley, and who didn't seem to mind at all that we were focussed on getting to the exhibition for kids, rather than the high-brow stuff in-between.

And here's the thing: Ipswich Art Gallery is the first in Australia to have a gallery purely dedicated for kids. Where they can enjoy, play and discover art on their own, or with a little help from parents or staff.

Even better? It's free.

On this occasion, the exhibition was called The Real Thing: Interactive Kaleidoscope Fun For Kids.

The brainchild of new media artist Jordana Maisie, the gallery featured optical illusions, and other hands-on events. 

Did I mention it was free? And even better, if there was a high-priced gift shop or cafe on the way out, we didn't see it. 

The exhibition is on until July 11, by which time I'm sure it will be replaced by something equally as awesome. 

My kids-plus-one had a ball, and I highly recommend it.

If you look closely, this is actually Mr 9's face in the kalaidoscope

Miss 7 creates a masterpiece using the computer as a medium

The finished design...

A touch of Alice-through-the-looking-glass here

New media artists at work

It's shagadelic, baby!

Creating mini-kalaidoscopes

I love you too - seriously!

Anyone who knows me, knows I love a good Freebie.
I blame the Marquardt gene ... it's a quirk of nature where we are born unable to resist a bargain.
Like my parents, I religiously enter competitions, though my biggest win so far has been a Vegemite hamper (and I had to give half of that away, as it included peanut butter and Toblerone .... Mr 9 has a life-threatening allergy to nuts).
Still, I can do stuff for free with the kids, and to my relief, they love it.
Picnics in the park - any park will do; feeding the ducks/eels/fish at our local creek; spending time with family and friends; even pottering around in the garden.

Here we are doing the DIY Day spa at home. Miss 7 enjoys a bubble bath, complete with face and hair mask. We followed that up with a massage, hair-styling and manicure session.
We love Ipswich's Queens Park, and during our last visit, there was a jazz music festival too. The kids weren't that keen on the jazz (sorry performers, because you were truly awesome), but they did love the carnival atmosphere.)

Mr 9 loved the jumping castle

Wheeeee! A fearless Miss 7

Hmm ... I wonder when I should put the balls in (Note to Miss 7: It doesn't really matter, the prizes are always crap!)

Can I get one of these signs for the kids?

A swan at the free mini-zoo. There were babies this time, but we didn't see any.

The flying fox

Miss 7's turn

IF YOU GO:

Ipswich's Queens Park is usually free, though on this occasion we did have to pay for rides. Queens Park is one of Queensland's oldest, and boast 22 hectares or so of huge trees, grassy areas, a fab playground, and a miniature zoo and nature park.

MEANWHILE, I recently won a double pass to see Aussie comedian/writer Peter Helliar's new movie I Love You Too at Indooroopilly's BCC for TONIGHT. I can't go, because I am on Mummy Duty tonight, so if you'd like to go, leave me a comment with your favourite Brisbane freebie. Make sure you include your email addy so I can send you the pass!