How Easily You Can Be Found

The police gave a talk at my sons' school on social media awareness. It was a fascinating talk, and I will post more about it in the future. But last week I was emailed the link to the youtube clip below, which reinforced elements of the police talk.

It's something I think every person who posts photos online should be aware of.

ANZAC Biscuits

Every year around ANZAC Day I make ANZAC Biscuits. The availability of ingredients, coupled with the lack of eggs which results in a long shelf life, meant they were popular for sending to soldiers at war. There are many variations to the recipe, although they are all very similar. Here's my family recipe:

ANZAC BISCUITS

1 cup rolled oats

1 cup plain flour

1 cup sugar

¾ cup coconut

125 g melted butter

2 tbs golden syrup

½ tsp bicarb soda

1 tbs boiling water.

Combine oats, flour, sugar and coconut.  Melt butter and syrup. 

Mix soda with boiling water and add to butter/syrup mix.  Pour into dry ingredients and mix well.

Place teaspoonfuls of mixture onto trays.  Bake in a moderate oven for 20 mins.

ANZAC Day

April 25th is a very significant and important day in Australia (and New Zealand). It is the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australia and New Zealand in WW1 (the Australian and New Zealand Armoured Corp - ANZAC). On this day the nation comes together to remember those who have served, and are serving, our country in war.

Lest We Forget.

Easter Bilbies

In Australia we don't just have the Easter Bunny, we also have the Easter Bilby.

WIth its long fluffy ears it is easy to see how the Bilby could be Australia's answer to the bunny. But it isn't that simple. The Bilby is disappearing. In fact, the Lesser Bilby is extinct. The Greater Bilby is vulnerable.

The Easter Bilby is all about raising funds to save the Bilby in the wild and to increase the public's awareness of the plight of the Bilby.

The Greater Bilby is a nocturnal marsupial, native to Australia, which has a silky light grey and white coat and a long black and white crested tail with a naked spur-like tip.  Bilbies have a long snout and well-developed sense of smell to aid in finding food. Their large, hairless ears are extremely useful for listening for predators as well as prey.

Pink Lady proudly sponsors Save the Bilby Fund through the sale of its chocolate bilbies. Locate your nearest Pink Lady chocolate bilby stockist so you too can help save the bilby this Easter.

Stolen: Motorbike from Fisher, Canberra

Wednesday night The Hubs motorbike was stolen from our driveway. It was locked and the key was nice and safe inside the house. At 16 years old it wasn't worth a lot, so the insurance will help, but it will still cost us money to replace.

It was well looked after but old and without any flashy after-market parts. But for us it was worth far more than its face value. We only have one car, so The Hub relied on the bike to get to and from work. Without it I will have to drive across town to drop him at work, drive back to get the kids to school, and then back across town so I can get to work. And repeat again in the afternoon while somehow juggling the sport and extra-curricular activities the kids are involved in.

The thieves would have to break the steering lock and the key lock itself to be able to move it and get it started (somehow, but they obviously know how). Not much use if you can't start it. I guess they might strip it for parts. But it is 16 years old.


Below is a photo of a similar bike (not ours but one I found on the net).

If you are in Canberra and see our bike, or hear anything about it, please call the police (crimestoppers 1800 333 000). 

The Lego Movie

As it was the last day of school term on Friday, we took Heckle and Jeckle and two of their mates to see the Lego Movie that night. Everyone, kids and grown-ups both, enjoyed it. It's a fast-paced, fun movie that anyone who has ever played with lego will enjoy. I enjoyed every element of the movie.

Apart from the jingle.

There is a really catchy jingle that the characters in the movie sing. And it has been playing on a loop in my head ever since. Argh. The basic words/tune is very simple:

Everything is awesome

Everything is cool when you're part of a team

Everything is awesome

When you're living out a dream

The song is actually by an indie pop group Tegan and Sara. As I don't want to be the only one suffering here's the video clip:

Silly Walks Song

I'm a big fan of Monty Python. I wish I could make one of their reunion shows, but unless they come Down Under it won't happen.

I was thrilled to discover, though, that they have released a new song in anticipation of their reunion shows. Time hasn't lessened their ability to make me smile :')