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Exploring Geography: Australia!

Exploring Geography at Mama Smiles

Kelly is an Aussie mum to two kids, Dino Boy (3 1/2) and Little Miss Q (1). Kelly is aiming to fill their childhood with magic, through imaginative play, homemade toys, the great outdoors (or our backyard), crafts and baking. Happy Whimsical Hearts is Waldorf inspired – here are three of my favorite posts: Flower Peg People, Ball Run Fun, and Rainbow Stacker.

flag

Australia is often called the lucky country… and I have to say, I agree
{mind you when Australia was first called the lucky country is was meant ironically}
We have wonderful beaches, great bushland and lots of barbeques *smile*

beach

We are known for being laid back and informal…
And maybe the fact that we love our barbeques is a reflection of this

BBQ

During the warmer months my family loves to eat outdoors
There is something better about barbequed food
{don’t you agree?}
Often when we are having a bbq we cook damper
It is a simple bread that Aussie swagmen and drovers used to make when travelling

You need:
2 cups self raising flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons sugar
2 teaspoons butter
1 cup milk

Mix the butter and dry ingredients together before adding milk
Work until it is a good dough (staying together, but not too sticky)
Then wrap the dough around your stick and place it in the coals…
…or for a more civilised version wrap the dough in foil and place on top of a brazier
Cook for around 20 minutes
Enjoy with honey or jam

damper

You may have noticed we like to shorten our words…
Chickens become chooks, the afternoon the arvo, the postman is the postie

chickens

We like to wear trackie daks instead of tracksuit pants
And we say things like she’ll be right ~ meaning it will be okay
And we all know someone who lives out Woop Woop
{otherwise know as somewhere small in the middle of nowhere}

gum leaves

But like many other countries, we are a country of contrasts

Bush

Where you can lie down on the roof of our parliament house…

lying down

Yet we still have a Queen…

I’d say that’s pretty lucky… wouldn’t you *smile*

And if you’d like to learn more about Australia you can go here

 Warmly, Kelly

Thank you, Kelly, for this wonderful post! I can practically feel the Australian sun on my face right now – hopefully I will make it there to visit, someday!

Would you like to contribute a post to this series? Email mamasmilesblog at gmail dot com!

MaryAnne at Mama Smiles

MaryAnne is a craft loving educator, musician, photographer, and writer who lives in Silicon Valley with her husband Mike and their four children.

19 thoughts on “Exploring Geography: Australia!”

  1. Cool! Australia is next on our “virtual journey” list. I hope one day we’ll go for real.

  2. Elisa | blissfulE

    G’day! I’ve been down under for a few years, but I learned some new Aussie slang reading this post! You’ll be glad to know I’m typing this comment while wearing my comfy trackie daks! :) And I had no idea people could lie down on the top of Parliament, though I did see the Queen from afar during CHOGM here in Perth.

    Australia really is a lucky country!

  3. Ness @ One Perfect Day

    Great post! We love heading to Canberra and yet I’ve never sat on the roof of Parliament House. Really must do that next time we are there.

    1. I think it is very cool that you can sit (or lie down) on the roof of the Parliament House! I hope I can visit Australia, someday!

      1. It is great that you can get on top of parliament house :-) There is a lovely view across Canberra from up there! And I hope you do get to visit MaryAnne x

    1. Bread on a stick is yummy isn’t it! My brothers and I loved making it when we were kids, and now it’s fun to make with my kids :-)

  4. I would love to visit Australia, we’re huge beach lovers so a big ol’ country surrounded by amazing beaches with good surf would be a dream.

    1. I hope to make it to Australia, someday, too! And with this post it almost feels like you’re there!

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