Helicopter flowers

Love these flowers in our garden. Anyone know their name?

Coconut sunday

No, we don't have coconuts growing in our garden - now that would be something! We went to the markets for our grocery shop, and Agnes spotted the coconuts and bought it with her money, earned from working around the house and in the garden! She was very excited to explore what is really inside a coconut....

Mmmmm, yummy coconut water - not Milla's favourite! We scooped out all the white coconut, and it is sooooo good. Reminds me of my travels in the pacific ocean - so many coconuts on Rarotonga and Aitutaki! Love - love - love!

Witchetty grub!

If you have ever seen a grub before, you probably didn’t think to yourself ‘yum!’  However, the Aboriginal peoples in the Australian Outback would beg to differ. Aboriginal people consider the witchetty grub a delicacy, and are happy to eat them as often as possible. It is the women's job to dig for witchetty grubs, and after our Aboriginal aunties showed Elliot how to do it, she is on the lookout for them and enjoys eating them. And would you believe it - we have heaps of them in our garden!

If you wish to try one for yourself, you can harvest your own by finding a witchetty tree, and digging beneath the root system to expose the roots. Once you can see the roots of the tree, you must locate a burrow hole.  After you have located such a hole, you will need to use a shovel or other hard object to split the root in two, to find a witchetty grub deep within the root.

If you will be traveling in Australia and wish to try an unusual local food, there is no better choice than the witchetty grub. They are an excellent source of protein and are definitely a food to include on your list of foods to try at least once in a lifetime. They have a nutty flavour to them and you eat it raw, it tastes like scrambled eggs. And if you cook it, it tastes like chicken. Who knows, you might just like it so much that you ask for a second helping just like Elliot!

The term witchetty grub is used for large white larvae of moths that chew through wood and eat roots or sap of certain trees and plants. The most common type of witchetty grub is the larvae of the Cossid Moth. Witchetty grubs are part of the traditional diet of Indigenous Australians and the word ‘witchetty grub’ comes from the Indigenous Australian language, Adnyamathanha, from the words ‘wityu‘ meaning hooked stick and ‘vartus‘ meaning grub. The witchetty bush (acacia kempeanas) is the main food of certain witchetty grub and it can grow up to 12 cm (4.7 inches) in size. They live in burrows that they create, up to 60 cm (23 inches) underground. Witchetty grub moths have a wingspan of up to 16cm (6 inches) and don’t eat, but instead use stored energy from the grub form. As a bush nurse, we also used the grub to treat burns to the skin in the clinic.

I used to live in a small Aboriginal community on Warlpuri land where the women taught me a lot about bush tucker (foods) and bush medicines. The Napangardi family was good friends and they even gave me their 'skin name' of Napangardi. Below is a videosnippet from Warlpuri land looking for witchetty grubs.

Gifts for George!

We were all very excited when princess Kate in England was having a baby and when George arrived, the girls decided to make him some welcome gifts.

Elliot sent a 'have a lovely baby' well-wishes

So we sent off all the gifts and letters and drawings...and guess what?! Look what arrived in our letterbox!!! A letter from Buckingham Palace!!! Wow, a thank you note from princess Kate, prince William and baby George to Milla, Agnes and Elliot!

Very proud girls - 'we got a letter from a REAL princess!'

The thank you note...

...and a photograph of the new baby!

Boobie-knickers!

When Milla was little she came up with a new word... I was getting dressed and she was sitting on the bed and she asked: 'why do you wear boobie-knickers, mamma?'

Very descriptive. And that's what we still call a bra today; boobie-knickers!

Agnes' certificate of merit!

Agnes got a certificate of merit at assembly! It was her teacher, Kellie, who presented her with the award and Agnes gave her a firm handshake and a loud thank you!

Congratulations Agnes on demonstrating that you are becoming a risk taker by having a go and trying lots of new things. You are showing greater persistence working through mistakes and tasks that are challenging. You are becoming more confident and active in our class discussions. We enjoy hearing your ideas and thoughts. Well done Agnes.

What a proud morning!

Who needs a superhero when you have dad!

Father's Day here in Australia have come and passed - and the girls made sure to spoil their hero!

They have been working hard to make cards for Father's Day!

Agnes and Gregg (notice his hair:-)

Milla made a pop-up card! Here is Gregg sitting in his chair in front of the TV (a green pop-up tv!)

Milla playing the piano

I was a bit puzzled by this one and had to ask Milla what it was. She replied: 'can't you see it is Besta's stairs in Norway!'

Milla's card: I love when we cuddle on the couch

Agnes and daddy (with his characteristic hair)

Elliot's card to daddy

Everyone chipped in on his present...even Samba and Budgie went shopping for a PS4!

So excited to give him his cards....

...reading Agnes' card!

(Eggs and kaviar and pancakes for breakfast...mmmmm)

Look what she made in school for pappa! I love you because you make me laugh!

Elliot made fireworks

...and I love you because you play hide and seek with me!

Milla's pop-up card!

Happy Father's Day pappa!