Real Aussie Mum – June
Janelle + 3 kids + 1 supportive hubby
Have you seen the funky designer cards and stationery at Earth & Ink yet? Janelle Keys is the creative force behind this gorgeous, environmentally friendly range, and she’s my Real Aussie Mum for June! She started her graphic design business after eight years in the print industry, and now happily juggles motherhood with her own rapidly growing business. Her three kids are aged 6, 4 and 3. Here are her five faves:
1. Favourite outing with kids: Every school holidays our local library shows free movies. The kids grab their pillows and bags of movie munchies and we sprawl out on the library floor. It’s free, it’s fun, and it’s a great way to enterain the kids!
2. Favourite at-home activity with the kids: I don’t get to do it often, but I do love playing hide and seek indoors with the kids. It’s a game that has us all laughing, and on those days when I seem to do a lot of work, it’s good just to turn the computer off for twenty minutes and have some fun.
3. Favourite family meal: The humble spaghetti bolognaise is definitely one meal that will please everyone – which is fine by me! I make it choc-full of grated veggies so I know the kids are getting a healthy meal. It’s also my personal favourite because I make a double quantity of the bolognaise sauce, leaving plenty for another meal during the week. And that means a night off cooking (yay)!
4. Favourite bedtime stories: I remember when my eldest son loved to hear ”Cat in the Hat” every night. I could almost recite it! At the moment my daughter is really loving her “Letters from the King” devotion each night where she is learning how to be a real Princess. I think it’s helping control some of those 4 year old tantrums…
5. Favourite way to wind down: Friday night is my favourite time, knowing that I don’t have any client deadlines the next day. I enjoy just watching tv with a good cup of tea. It’s not much, but knowing that I don’t have to do anything for anyone is great!
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If you haven’t been for a look, go and check out the cards at Earth and Ink. Personally, I’d rather buy a pack of eight fabulous designer cards for under $10 than pay up to $5 for one generic card from the newsagent… You do the math!
Wow, a family and own at home small business. How on earth do people find the time. I am so busy with the kids and chores I could not imagaine fitting everything in.
Julia Zuber at 2:51pm June 8
via Facebook:
Nice find Cath!! Janelle’s stuff is gorgeous!! & you’re so very right about the prices! :O)
Natalie Monos at 3:14pm June 8
via Facebook:
Hey MOPS ladies – Janelle does fundraising packs too! hint hint – have a look and run it by your team!
Thanks for bringing us Janelle and her gorgeous cards and writing sets at ‘Earth & Ink’. As someone who is always aghast at the cost of a card I will certainly be shopping here!
PS I’d love her bolognese sauce recipe if she drops by and wants to post it in the comments.
Ditto request for the spaghetti recipe. I’m always looking for ways to sneak in veggies, and I agree on the card economics. The prices they’re charging these days for a cookie cutter card…
Here’s the recipe for all you spaghetti lovers -
Ingredients: 1kg beef mince, 1 diced onion, 1 tsp minced garlic, 1 tsp dried Italian herbs, 1 large grated carrot, 1 large grated zucchini, 2 cups finely chopped mushrooms, 1/4 cup tomato paste, 2 cans diced tomatoes, 1 cup beef stock, 1 500g bottle pasta sauce, 1/4 cup grated cheese.
Method: brown the mince, onion and garlic. Add the tomato paste, herbs and other veggies and cook for about 3-5 minutes until veggies are soft & golden. Add the 2 cans of tomatoes and beef stock and simmer uncovered for about 20 minutes until reduced. Add the pasta sauce about 2 minutes before serving to make a nice consistency. Serve with spaghetti and sprinkle with cheese! This feeds my family of 5 for two meals. Try making a lasagne with the leftovers for something different!
Thanks Janelle! Can’t wait to give it a try.
Great site. I’ve bought a Garden friends Gift Set. It’s just gorgeous and to think that these cards are better for the planet at the same time!!! I can’t wait to write my notes to the school teacher on nice paper instead of the scraps I usually find!