Japanese Children's Festival

Coffs Harbour Botanic Garden was host to the 

Japanese Children's festival a couple of weeks ago.
The sixth of it's kind to be held in this beautiful setting. 

We were welcomed with  kites in all colours & sizes
& there were kite making workshops too.

  We meandered along the path leading through the trees

No prizes for guessing who wasn't long in finding the cup cake stall!

The dancers were an absolute delight, and this gentleman 

was thoroughly enjoying himself!

Some families got into the spirit, and everyone had fun.  

The beautiful Japanese Gardens and bright red bridge

 were the perfect location.

I took a couple of the photos earlier in the year like the one above left, so on the day the tea house was buzzing with people enjoying a cuppa and a bite to eat provided by volunteers. And the trees below had nearly lost their leaves but I had to include this photo from earlier because it is so vibrant. I believe it is a type of Crepe Myrtle.

This fish was just one of many being displayed to show us the different colours. Dear follower Midori has let me know that this is a Koinobori or carp.  If you like things with a Japanese twist, hop over and take a look at her blog,you'll be glad you did!

This rainbow lorikeet couldn't work out what all the fuss was about!

Even dancers have to relax sometime......oh what a feeling!

Our sweet grand daughter gave the sushi a tick of approval!

And then it was time to head home, after a fantastic day out.  Next year I hope our son and daughter in law who is from Japan, will be able to come along as well, and we can all wear the beautiful kimono's that her family gave us at the wedding last year. Maybe you could join us too!

Lovely day to share

Hands up who loves spending time with their grand child!  Me too!  Wanted to share a tiny part of my lovely day with you.

Morning started early, water vapour from planes way up high,
 as I headed down the mountain to mind my grand daughter for the morning.

Reached my daughter's place in nearby Bellingen.
Colours of fading flowering gum quite delish!
Linking this photo with Mandarin Orange Monday

Lasiandra and bunting welcomed me in.

Darling grand daughter and I headed for coffee 
and fun at you know where!

She has the most delightful facial expressions!

Appointments dealt with, met up again with daughter and son in law
for lunch break at Botanic Gardens in Coffs Harbour.

The Grass Trees are just one of the attractions

Son in law went back to work & after some quick shopping I left sleeping baby girl
 at home with Mum & headed back up to my mountain home

Where the sun's fingers were tickling the hills 

And making their own special magic

Hubby had some fish cooking on the stove as the sun went down.
No complaints!

Grand children are pretty special, and so are grand parents. Do you have a special memory of a grand parent, or moment with a grand child that you could share with us?  Would love to hear:)

Anzac Day Poppy Potato Prints!

Hello Everyone!  Today, 25th April, is ANZAC day.

According to the Australian War Memorial website,

ANZAC Day is probably Australia's most important national occasion. It marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War.

ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. If you would like to know more take a look at the Australian War Memorial website.

So where, I hear you asking, do potatoes come in to this?  Well, I have found a wonderful post by Jane from The Learning Curve blog.  She is a primary school teacher,who is using potato printing with her young students, to depict poppies.

"Poppies", as Jane says, "have been associated with Anzac Day since the 1920's.  The red poppy reminds us of the sacrifice - the blood lost - in war.  Poppies are also significant because these flowers grow naturally in the fields on the Western Front where many soldiers fought and died."

Aren't they so effective? 
Take a look here to see how Jane does it 

Australians come together on ANZAC day and spend time remembering
the sacrifices of those who died in war protecting our country

I would like to finish this post on ANZAC day with some more thoughts from Primary School teacher Jane, who writes, " I hope that by commemorating Anzac Day, we will look back at the atrocities of war and search for better ways of solving our problems now and in the future".

Easter Egg Printing with Potatoes... So Cool !!

Potato Printing is a tried and true way of making stunning designs that are individual, fun and easy to do. Here is a great idea for Easter Cards, to try out with your children or grandchildren for Easter

Don't you just love the wonderful colours and bold designs!

It comes from Becca Swanson and she says
"It's a tradition in our house for the kids to make cards for their cousins and grandparents for every holiday. And with Easter right around the corner, this is the perfect time to get a head start on making your own custom Easter cards. No matter the age of your kids, any child can participate in this easy, fun craft, made with a simple potato print technique. Here's how to get started:


Required craft materials:


- small or medium-sized potato
- paper towel
- knife
- acrylic paint
- any color(s) and white
- card stock in pastel colors
- plate
- glue
- scissors
- permanent markers - thick and thin-tipped


How to potato print your Easter cards:


1. Select a smooth potato and cut in half across the middle, ending up with two flat oval ends. Blot the potato halves against a paper towel to dry the ends.


2. Pour a few areas of white paint onto your plate, then add a drop of a single different color into each white area. When blended, these will become pastel colors.


3. Dip the flat end of your potato into a pastel color, then print the oval onto your card stock. With your help, even toddlers can help in this stage of the craft. Mix, match, and blend colors and continue stamping. Each oval print will become an Easter egg on your Easter cards. Arrange and overlap two, three, or any number of eggs on each piece of cardstock, then let dry.


4. When the paint has dried, use your permanent markers to draw designs and patterns on each Easter egg - try drawing stripes, spirals, dots, wavy lines and zig-zags. Patterns look more intricate and complex when you draw using both thick and thin-tipped markers. Use black for a neat look, or try using colored markers for extra color.


5. Next, cut out the eggs as a group, or in a neat square or rectangle. Glue the prints onto the front of another piece of folded cardstock to add a decorative cover to your Easter cards. Next, simply write your holiday message on the inside, and your cute, custom Easter cards are finished.


Still inspired? Try more potato prints to create matching envelopes to go with your cards. Or, for a dash of sparkle, add a bit of glitter or sequins to your Easter eggs.