Bluebird makes her nest

Hello Sunshine!

2011-02-03T17:22:00.000-08:00

A little farewell to this blog. One that I havent written because I wasn't sure what to write.

Let's just say the past year or so has brought with it lots of ups and downs as well as some new adventures.

Thank you to anyone still reading this for all the comments, love and wishes I have received on this little bluebird blogging journey. It has been a beautiful ride and I feel so blessed when I look back at all of my posts. It is a beautiful life I have been given.

Whilst I am leaving this nest, I have started another. A more professionally based one.

In the twelve months since I have been gone, I have become a Thermomix consulant. It was love at first site for me and Thermomix. I just knew I had to find a way to get my hands on one. The Thermomix is an amzing product and being a consultant, sharing the love, it lots of fun! I love cooking, I love talking, I love talking about cooking: a match made in heaven.

I have started a blog with all my Thermomix adventures. My Melbourne Thermomix.

So, with that news, I sign off and wish you all happiness.
With love
Tamara xxoxx

2010-02-07T03:42:00.001-08:00

Despite the best of plans to be organised, last week didn't quite go as I had invisioned!

As much as some mothers find school holidays challenging, I find the school term challenging. The pressure of routine just gets me sometimes, and right now I have a little bit too much going on in my head.

I am taking a break from this little space for a while. Before I go, I would like to say thank you for the lovely comments you folks leave. As any other blogger would know, they really do put a smile on my face. How great it is to connect with a group of people who just 'get' each other!

Hope to be back some time.

Tamara xox

Agonised

2010-01-31T01:45:00.000-08:00

My mum will laugh when she reads this post title, you see, that is her word for organised. And sometimes it feels like it!

I am a person who fluctuates between that desire to feel super organised, clean, tidy and sorted and one who would really just rather spend time sewing, dreaming and making. From my experience, the two don't often meet!

Last year, for one reason and another, wasn't a great year for me. My struggles weren't dramatic struggles of illness, money or family (and for that I am very grateful) but rather, they were personal struggles. I am hoping to start this year on a different foot and set some things right.

Part of my hopeful strategy is a little more organisation and less procrastination. I have stumbled across a couple of blogs to aid my attempts. The Fly Lady is the first, and whilst I couldn't subscribe to her whole approach, she certainly has given me food for thought. The second is Sunny Mummy. I have had a few laughs as I have read some of her posts and last night I bought and printed off her weekly tasklist. (She even has a School Organiser)

image from Sunny Mummy

The girls are off to school tomorrow. I figured the new school year was a good time to implement my new plan. Tonight, I sat down and wrote a weekly plan. Not a plan set in concrete, but one to make sure there is time for the gym, the groceries, as well as a bit of sewing. Getting my priorities right will hopefully make this mummy a little more sunny and my life a little more organised, rather than agonised. Here's hoping!

Play

2010-01-28T22:03:00.000-08:00

There seems to be an awful lot written about the importance of play these days. Implying, it is a forgotten skill. A skill that has been replaced by tightly run parenting schedules and a multitude of screen entertainment. For us, play is something that my chicks have always been good at, especially the self-guided type.

The weather this summer, has been the most beautiful I can remember since moving to Melbourne and has provided lots of time for outdoor play. Seeing all three of them playing together in our backyard, using their imagination, makes this mama bird very happy.

I am always torn, during the school year, to provide them with opportunities of extra-curricular classes and lessons, whilst balancing the opportunity to play. Especially because they do the free play so well.

This morning, I woke up to see Ella and Kate painting each other's faces on the back deck. Later, Eddie and I did this jigsaw together.

I love to capture these scenes, they make my heart swell.

Happy Australia Day

2010-01-25T15:52:00.000-08:00

To all fellow Aussies. Have a great day and enjoy this most beautiful country.

Today we also celebrate my sister and husband's birthday. We are off for a bike ride along the bay followed by a picnic and fireworks in the city.

Our school holidays are coming to a close and I will be sad to see them end. They have been the most relaxing holidays so far. I will savour these last few days.

School Bows

2010-01-14T15:54:00.000-08:00

Getting ready for back to school?
20% off all School Bows at Ella and Kate.

Our School Bows and Satin Bows make getting ready in the morning just that little bit simpler. Our bows never come undone and they are available in almost every school colour.

Spread the word!

Tools vs Skills

2010-01-13T13:33:00.000-08:00

I recently bought a new lens for my Cannon DSLR. An EF 50mm 1.8, and for around $130, it was worth every cent. If you have a DSLR and don't have a prime lens, I thoroughly recommend it. It gives that lovely blurry background (bokeh). You can read more about it in Jo's great post on her camera equipment and accessories.

When it comes to photography though, it can be tempting to think that a better lens or accessory will make you a great photographer. To an extent this is true. However, I am always amazed at the photos my youngest brother takes, and he has the same camera and lens as me! He is self-taught, but really very talented. He is always there to answer my questions and has passed on a lot of knowledge to me. I am amazed when we both take our cameras to a family event, his photos are always so much better. I guess this proves, it isn't so much the camera, but the photographer. So this holidays I decided to work on my skills. I spent a little more time exploring my camera and it's capabilities. I took hundreds of photos, was happy with quite a few but absolutely thrilled with one or two.

One day on our holiday we went on the Mornington Steam Railway. Inside the carriages was the most beautiful light. I went a little crazy snapping away, but I got some good ones. That was an interesting lesson. Taking the time to pay attention to light is something I still need to master. I found this post very helpful as well.

Of all the photos I took, this one is my favourite.

So of course, still lots to learn. But really, what a fun thing it is to practice.

Little French Girl

2010-01-10T03:27:00.001-08:00

The minute I saw this Paris Street Scene fabric on tuttifruiti's blog blog I was in love. I managed to find some at Kelani and have enjoyed planning and sewing this dress for Kate.

It is no secret I love dressing up my girls.

When we were travelling around France the girls always looked lovely, wearing skirts and pretty tops. I remember as we were walking through Paris one day, hearing a couple say ooh, les petite filles as they passed the by. It put a smile on my face.

The fabric reminded me of that wonderful trip. I thought the dress should be very simple, very 1950's, a classic sundress.

I used a pattern that my mum had used to sew me a dress when I was little, which felt nice to do. I love the shaping at the top and the binding breaks up the colour, just perfectly.

And, she absolutely loves it!

When I was posting these photos I remembered this dress that I made for Kate when my blog has just begun. How she has grown!

Summer Holidays

2010-01-10T01:46:00.000-08:00

Every year our little clan heads to the Mornington Peninsula for our summer holidays. We have collected a few traditions along the way. Little things, that we always do. I hope that my children will look back on these times with very fond memories. Here are a few:

Fish and chips on the beach. No beach holiday is complete without this. This year we ate on the Dromana foreshore on a very hot night and followed it with a swim in the ocean, all five of us.

Dinner at Flinders. (The park near the pier) We always take a drive to Flinders and have either fish and chips or a BBQ. This year it was lamb chops, yum, followed by a walk on the pier.

Sailing. Of course, with Steve's little sabre. This year we decided Eddie was old enough to go out with him. How long he has waited for this time and how he enjoyed it!

Another little boat. This year we bought the kids an inflatable raft, $29 from Ray's! The best $29 we have spent. Many hours were spent this summer lazing about this super-comfortable boat. Ella would tie it to an anchor in the bay and we would lie out there, licking icy poles, reading magazines and falling asleep. Bliss.

Sorento back beach at low tide. Perfect for exploring rock pools, a favourite memory of my childhood. This year Ella went snorkeling in those beautiful deep pools.

Beach braids. I always braid the girls hair for the beach. It lies perfectly flat under a hat and keeps it as knot free as possible.

Standard beach fare. As we are regular beach go-ers I have the whole beach routine down pat. My chicks always seem super-hungry at the beach and so I always make sure the esky is full. I make most of it the night before and then freeze it all. By the time we eat, it is perfectly defrosted. It is simple, but here is what we pack; peanut butter sandwiches (still partially frozen in how I like to eat them!) watermelon and grapes, a frozen juice each and jam drop biscuits.

It is nice to document all of these memories. I know I will enjoy reading back on them next year.

Beautiful Belle

2009-12-15T14:52:00.001-08:00

One of my closest friends has two gorgeous kids. They are both older than mine (12 and 14 years) but have always been the most lovely friends to my children. I treasure our friendship with their whole family.

This week was Isabelle's grade six valedictory. After much searching for a dress that was just right for a twelve year old, and without any luck, Heather asked me if I could make it. Given that the design was so simple, I agreed. Heather chose the fabric, a beautiful beaded silk voile from the Cloth Shop in Ivanhoe (if you live in Melbourne and have never been to this shop, you MUST go). It was just perfect.

With much trepidation of my sewing and pattern alteration skills, and the help from another dear friend (Charlotte's mum), I began. I was very nervous throughout the dressmaking for three reasons: It was such beautiful fabric, I was sewing for someone else and my gorgeous girlfriend is a little, ahem, particular, shall we say!

But in the end it all turned out and Isabelle look like a Grecian beauty. I made a flower to match which was beaded with orange beads, subtle but pretty.

Doesn't she look beautiful.

Food at Our House

2009-12-12T23:58:00.000-08:00

Things have been pretty good at our dinner table, of late: Here is a little taste of what we have been eating:

BERRIES
We skipped school on Friday and went berry picking. It's becoming a bit of a summer ritual in our home and we usually do it on my birthday, but as I was a little pre-occupied this year, we went a week later. We came home exhausted with full bellies, and heads ready for the pillow.

PIECE DE RESISTANCE
Whenever I have an abundance of berries I cook this dessert, an impressive favourite from an old delicious. Three layers of meringues (in graduating sizes), piled up with berries and a mix of whipped cream, greek yoghurt and rosewater. So good!

MY OWN
And with all of those egg yolks leftover from the meringues, what to make, but mayonnaise. I put this in the same category as homemade chicken stock; so simple (at least with a Kitchenaid it is), ten times better when homemade and just why has it taken me so long to make my own? Last night it was mixed into boiled dutch creams and puy lentils and served with roast chicken . Oh man!

ALL HEART
Also, our own. We have loads of beautiful cabbages ready for picking. Steve planted our winter vege garden this year and went a little overboard on the cabbages. By spring they had grown some lovely leaves, but no heart. Doubting that they were going to heart at all, I pulled out quite a few to make way for our spring/summer plantings. Boy, am I glad I didn't pull them all out! So with our own cabbages, and our own mayonnaise, tonight's salad, which was coleslaw meets Waldorf, was out of this world.

The Icing on My Cake

2009-12-03T02:47:00.000-08:00

I have been blessed with some beautiful girlfriends in my life. Girlfriends who I can share almost anything with, who help out in time of need and add so much depth to my life. They bring me many happy moments and add a bit of sparkle to my days. They are the icing on my cake.

My cake, of course being my husband (he actually said he is the cake tin, holding me together), my children and my faith, but those girls are the sweetness on top. Their laughs and love mean so much to me. This year I decided that on my birthday I would give back to them. Hence, my little morning tea.

I have never really done anything like this before, a party to say thank you to all of them. But it has been so enjoyable and I do recommend it. I have made lots of special treats, filled the house with flowers and written a card for each of them. I also have a little present for each of them to take home.

It is going to be a fun day.

Turning a Blind Eye

2009-12-02T13:23:00.001-08:00

After re-reading a post like the one I wrote yesterday, with those photos of my house looking so lovely, I could find even myself believing it is all so perfect...until I look around the corner into to our playroom/study.

So how can I have some areas of the house so lovely (most of the time) and leave some to look like a bomb (most of the time). I guess it is my blind eye. There are some parts of my house that for my own peace of mind I have to keep tidy and clutter free (the entrance hall and the TV cabinet, for example). It is a direct correlation to those areas and my brain...and I like a clutter free brain.

Some parts of the house, my laundry and playroom, I can just ignore. Which is kind of good for my sanity becuase in a house of three kids you cannot have it all tidy, all of the time. So as long as a I have a little bit of lovliness to cast my eyes on (and photograph for my blog!) I can manage to keep pretending that the rest is all so perfect. I guess that is the balance that makes most of us tick.

So,for a dose of totally untouched reality. Just to make you smile.

Aaagh!

Re-arranging

2009-11-30T22:38:00.000-08:00

I spent a good portion of yesterday morning moving things around my home, re-decorating you might say, in a minor way. I haven't taken the time to do this in such a long while. But, I have motivation you see, becuase on Friday I am having a little morning tea for my girlfriends. And I want everything to be just right.

I started by moving the blue plates off the entrance wall. They now sit on a wall beside the kitchen.

I then re-arranged things above the TV cabinet.

And then the entry. I plan on filling a vase with some bright pink lilies and the Amy Butler fabric ties the pink, green and brown in perfectly.

Whenever I am arranging my special pieces around the home I am always inspired by the beautiful tablescapes that Anna shares on her blog; Absolutely Beautiful Things and her recently launched website; Black and Spiro. The way she mixes colours up is so amazingly and of course her love of blue and white china is a passion I share.

Speaking of china, I have been getting all of mine ready. I am so looking forward to this morning tea and will do a little show and tell with more details on the day.

3 Tops :: Part3

2009-11-18T20:00:00.000-08:00

The last top. View D of the Simplicity pattern. Made from a beautiful viole that my girlfriend bought from a recycle fabric shop in Mornington, Victoria. It has a little silk in it and sits so beautifully.

I cut the sleeves in a little more than the original pattern and used the same piece front and back. I didn't hem the top as the fabric already had a lovely selvedge on it.

The top isn't as sheer as the photos show. I just loved the photos with the light shining through, it emphasises the pattern.

Procrastinating

2009-11-18T15:07:00.000-08:00

Tonight I am selling my wares at our kinder market night and I still have few things to get ready.

But the kids are all home sick.

And last night Steve brought me home a new toy. It is a little distracting.

I am not in anyway a gadget person and am feeling a little overwhelmed with this surprise. I thought I might hop on Apple's app store and see what there is to download. Well, where do I start? Any of you crafty girls out there with an iphone that can point me in the right direction? What are your favourite apps?

Maybe I need to look for an app that can make bows.

Note: the kinder market night is in Blackburn so if anyone would like to come along, just email me and I will send the details. tmmorris@bigpond.net.au

Who Needs a Lawn Mower?

2009-11-17T22:49:00.000-08:00

We could call him Edward Scissorhands.

Before my girls went to school they used to drive me wild with their crafting mess. For always was the playroom floor covered in tiny bits of paper from the cutting and pasting. I kind of hoped when we had a boy that his mess would be different. But, with his good fine motor skills, I guess it is no surprise that he loves the scissors almost as much as his sisters. I am happy to say that he takes his cutting outside, most of the time.

3 Tops :: Part 2

2009-11-17T19:31:00.000-08:00

The second top.

I absolutley love this pattern! Simplicity 2586. I had to buy it online as it is not available in Australia. I have done quite a bit of tweaking in every version I have made (of course), but the base is good.

The pattern gives several options, but not one with straps. For this top, I just took a pencil and drew in a suitable line and then traced the pattern. The pattern also has a high neck on the back but I just used the same pattern piece for front and back. The other change I made is that I did not shape the body,instead I just cut it straight down.

It sits really well across the back and the front. It is such an easy to wear, pretty top. The cotton voile is from Lincraft! I loved it so much I went back and bought the rest of the roll and have since made a couple of nighties from it. The nighties are also very sweet and only took an hour each to make, start to finish. That's my type of sewing!

3 Tops::Part 1

2009-11-16T19:07:00.000-08:00

So, as I said the other day, I have been doing a little sewing. I have made three tops, a couple of nighties and have another dress cut out. And almost all of it is for me! That certainly makes a change.

This is the first top which I sewed a month or so ago. I traced the pattern off another top, which I loved. It has a couple of simple but nice features: the wide neckline (almost a boat neck) and way the shoulder seams sits just over the shoulder, not centred. This is accentuated by the two different fabrics, both from Darn Cheap. The front is a lovely soft cotton sateen and the back is a knit. The colour in the photo below is a little more accurate.

All of the loose tops this season are very easy to sew and this one was no exception AND I actually wear it!

Good Bread

2009-11-15T15:08:00.000-08:00

We love good bread in this house. And it can be hard to find, especially on holidays. That's why I was very happy to discover a great bakery whilst holidaying on the Mornington Peninsula last summer. The best rye sourdough I have tasted for a while, beautiful fruit bread perfect for breakfast and paninis for lunches.

Yesterday we enjoyed a great day on the beach at Rye. And of course, I simply had to stop in a pick up some bread.

The bakery is called Baker Boys and from the outside doesn't seem any different from the normal Aussie bakery, but look beyond the counter to the bread on the shelves and you could be mistaken for thinking you were in France.

Playing Tetris

2009-11-04T17:05:00.001-08:00

You know the game, lots of odd shaped pieces that kinda fit together, if you are clever at it. You can stack the pieces haphazardly on top or each other, and they would reach up to the sky, or you can carefully compose them and fit every corner into another, nice and tight.

Hmm, this is what my life feels like right now...each piece a task in my life. Every day is made up of lots of time slots where I need to fit in the many jobs that need to be done. Some tasks are quick and can fit into the twenty minutes before school pick-up, some require careful sequencing of other tasks.

Motherhood is such a tricky maneuvering of tasks and jobs.

I am starting to see some cracks in the tightly packed tetris board. One problem is that everything has to fit so perfectly together that if one thing is upset, the whole day doesn't fit. Another problem is that I spend too much time thinking of the next task to do, rather than enjoying the the moment. Sometimes I fit it all in a little bit more tightly than I should and end up feeling like a pressure cooker waiting to explode. My challenge in life has always been to balance my need to achieve/create/be productive with my need just be. Too much standing still and enjoying the moment and I get frustrated at the lack of achievement. But when I try to do too much I loose sight of the joys that motherhood brings.

Once again, I find myself needing a reminder to just BE in the moment, rather than thinking about what needs to be done in the next moment. I find posts like this from Grace's blog, Uncommon Grace, very helpful for this.

Today I took some time out for a little creativity and production with the focus on enjoying the process. I made a top and half of another one, but the best part, was enjoying the sewing with a couple of girlfriends. Food for the soul.

Bloom

2009-10-27T20:16:00.000-07:00

New in the Ella and Kate range this season are some gorgeous flowers. Our Peonies are about 10cm across, a perfect size for little girls (and for mamas).

The girls and I have all been wearing them tucked in a side ponytail, beside a chignon or as a brooch on summer dresses and cardigans. They are a lovely accessory now that my girls are not wearing the other bows as much.

Don't forget, 20% off for all blog readers, just enter Bluebird at checkout.

Spring/Summer with Ella and Kate

2009-10-27T15:01:00.000-07:00

www.ellaandkate.com.au

Well, I pulled my finger out and finally got my website updated. My brother, Alan, did such a great job of building the site two years ago and he made the whole process so easy to manage (well, as easy as a website can be).

Sometimes I wish I could use a professional photographer and have more design features put into the site but overall, I am pretty proud that it is all such a homegrown effort. And I do enjoy the photo shoots with my girls.

Steve, my tech support (and life support) has been working on a few changes to the site and I can now offer a discount at the Checkout.

So, until the end of November all orders from my blog are 20% off. Just type "Bluebird" into the discount code at the Checkout. And or course, feel free to spread the word.

Into The Swing

2009-10-17T14:19:00.000-07:00

....or trying.

Our family took a lovely little break up north recently and since returning I am struggling to get into the swing of it all.

There were lots of lovely parts to the holiday namely the beach, food (we all love cooking and so even on holidays there were lots of culinary creations, especially salads) and family, all my family. My parents were home from England and my siblings were all there, including my new little nephew so we all got out dose of baby cuddles.

Now, it is back to reality; housework, the daily grind, working hard my Ella and Kate spring/summer range (it's a little late, ahem), and the garden does beckon. I am trying to find routine again.

Do I keep searching or maybe I'll just pour gin and tonic and pretend I am back on holidays.

Spring, Yes Indeed!

2009-09-13T02:58:00.001-07:00

The balmy weather of this weekend has proved that spring has arrived.
Here is more proof.

Love That Girl

2009-09-09T15:00:00.000-07:00

I have a busy couple of weeks coming up so the other day I wrote myself a must do list (I am a list girl, always have been) Whilst sitting at the hairdressers I pulled the list out to read. I discovered there had been some ammedments by Ella.

Nothing like kids to keep you focussed on the important things in life.

MUST HAVE FUN!

Good Bones

2009-09-02T04:03:00.000-07:00

Last year we discovered that Edward was allergic to dairy and salicylates. They have been tricky allergies to deal with, but after a year, I have wrapped my head around them. One of the many things he cannot eat is commercial stock. And so I have started making my own, something I have always thought complicated and messy. I always thought you had to use a whole, fresh chook and I considered it messy to get all that meat off and not sure what how to use it afterwards. I have since leant that a roasted chicken carcass can be used. We enjoy roast chook pretty often. The next day, I put the carcass in a pot with some salt, an onion, parsnip, celery (I use the leafy ends, and not the edible part) and fill with water. You could add herbs or a carrot, but I don't, for Eddie's sake. I simmer this for about four hours. Then I strain, refridgerate, bag (two cups lots into a ziplock bag) and freeze flat. It is so lovely to have homemade stock and so much easier than I thought.

What I have also dicovered this winter is the benefits of cooking with bones. When it comes to chicken I have always had a tendency to use the breast or thigh cuts, the easy and quick option. Lately though, I have been buying marylands. These are a cheaper cut with more meat than a drumstick and the lovely flavour from the bones. I don't own a slow cooker but have found that my oven set at 160' is just as good. The flavour from this cut of meat is just great.

I have also learnt that the old rememdy of chicken soup, gains it health giving properties from the bones. The components of them, slow cooked over hours are why chicken soup is beleived to be so therapuetic. When Kate was sick recently, I once again bought the marylands, and simmered them in a pot with some finely diced vegetables, lots of garlic and a couple of handfuls of basmati rice for about four hours. The rice completely dissintegrated and the chicken shredded right off the bones, which I fished out at the end. Delicious, even for those of us who weren't sick. I fed her a few spoon fulls every hour.

I can assure you that the beautiful flavours and the therapuetic benefits of cooking with bones are all well worth the effort.

Spring

2009-09-01T00:20:00.000-07:00

Outside my window.

My Fishermen

2009-08-23T02:32:00.000-07:00

Our dinner tonight.

My boys went off fishing today. In response to Edward's interest in fishing. This place was sure not to dissapoint, a trout farm.

Cooked on the BBQ with fennel (an ingredient we are loving at the moment), lemon, Maldon salt and thyme.

Which brings me to two request I have had this week by friends who read my blog; some more recipes. For me, this is an easy request to satisfy and makes for easy posting, as I love sharing the food we cook. I hope that the rest of you don't get too bored!
.
P.S. Apologies again to the vegetarians

Oppy Love

2009-08-19T23:15:00.000-07:00

Could have titled this one pink and orange, but I have done that one before. I obviously have a thing for that combination.

How gorgeous is this wallpaper? I got a whole roll of it from an op-shop in Diamond Creek. I am saving it for the day Ella has her own bedroom. I think a strip or two of this paper at her bedhead would be a great starting point for decorating a teen girl's bedroom.

Cute

2009-08-19T00:27:00.000-07:00

This little purse is cute all over.

Made from one of Nicole Mallalieu's kits that I bought at the Stitches and Craft Show in Melbourne.

This one is for a special little four year old, who's mum helps me with the production of my ribbons. The gorgeous little girl on my website.

I thought the purse would make a perfect birthday present for a wee one, maybe with a pair of bows inside.

If you like what you see, then the purse patterns are now available from Nicole's stand at the Stitches and Craft Show in Sydney and these bows are available from Belinda's tuttifruti stand.

Get along there if you can becuase there are sure to be lots of other tempting treats.

Kids in the Kitchen

2009-08-17T20:34:00.000-07:00

A little while ago I posted about my children's increasing interest in cooking. I am now starting to take the time to teach Ella and Kate how to cook more independently so that they can make whole recipes, completely on their own. It is an initial investment of time but I am hoping their increased independence will pay back in the long run. Hey, soon they can start cooking the dinner.

One thing that makes cooking a little tricky for kids is the cutting up part. I recently found this knife which is perfect. It is sharp enough for them to cut apples, beans and almost anything except carrrots (and hopefully not fingers). It is designed for cutting iceberg lettuces without bruising them and I bought it from General Trader.

It is has made a great birthday present for Ella's friends when teamed up with a kids cookbook.

On Their Way

2009-08-10T21:36:00.000-07:00

...to Sydney.

Belinda from tutti fruiti asked if she could sell my ribbons on her stand at the Sydney Stitches and Craft Show. I was honoured. I think she is one of the Queens of Style.

There are all sorts of yummy colours and patterns including some to match her lovely skirts. Pop along and say hi!

A Little Ray of Sunshine

2009-08-08T20:48:00.001-07:00

Nothing like jonquils and lemons to brighten up your day.

The lemons were collected from the lovely tree of my neighbour. They are so good to have in abundance. Squeezed in a glass of water for a bit of zing in the morning, squeezed in a gin and tonic with ice at night (or just the tonic and ice, if I am trying to be good), stuffing a roast chook, lemon cake, lemon delicious (which I have developed a dairy free version of for my little man), and just for looking gorgeous in the basket beside my window.

The jug, well that was my most special memento from our holiday in France two years ago. It it part of a beautiful range of china from Gien and at the time seemed like a splurge. I don't regret a cent and admire it almost everyday.

The Best Medicine

2009-08-08T17:04:00.000-07:00

Beautiful flowers at my entry make me take a big sigh as I walk through the door.

This is one of my favourite combinations, white on white : orchids and lilies. The vases are perfect for this arrangement, the same shape just different sizes.

Several years ago Cathy, myself and a mutual friend had an open house, in my home. We all sewed and made our wares to sell as well as buying in lots of homewares. My whole house became a shop with each room full of delicious things to buy. We invited all of our friends and clients and the whole house was streaming with people drinking champagne, eating cupcakes and shopping. It was fun and exhausting (I was five months pregnant at the time). It would have been profitable if we hadn't spent all our earnings on the beautiful homewares for our own homes. As a result we now all have a lovely collection of vases, kitchen items and the sort. I will have to show you some photos one day.

In the meantime the here is my simple little tablescape. I find orchids to be such a great value flower; long lasting, elegant and not too expensive.

A Beautiful Life

2009-08-04T17:05:00.000-07:00

One of the most beautiful parts of my life right now is this new life.

So very very precious. The most amazing of all miracles is the birth of a new baby. When it's your nephew it is especially sweet.

We are all besotted. He is talked about every day, we wish we could live next door so we can see him every hour. It is so lovely to see my children, the older cousins, enamoured by this new life.

I know these photos aren't great but they do capture the absolute adoration they feel.

Kate held him like this for about an hour. Little mama.

This One is for Heidi

2009-08-02T17:43:00.000-07:00

I have a lovely neighbour called Heidi. We have share many interests, sewing and decorating being the greatest, and have so much in common it is almost scary.

Well Heidi has been sailing along life up until now with out a computer or the internet! Recently that changed when she bought a beautiful little Apple, and got connected. I was very interested to see just how she would resist the crafty blog world. She made the comment though that she was a little hesitant to start reading because they all seemed to present this perfect life.

It got me thinking.

What impression do we create? Is it truthful, does it matter? I know that this topic has been discussed on many a post before. Everyone has their own approach to just what type of image their blog creates. Some blogs are the warts and all kind (and I love them for that), some look like they have been created by Martha.

So I just wanted to set the record straight on me, my life and my blog.

I love lovely things and I get inspired by a lovely image and all it's detail. I love the feeling you get when you see a picture with beautiful colours and I love reading the story behind a creation.

It is these things that makes me tick. I love to keep my photos clean and free from clutter. I will openly admit I shift my angle and move things out the way to get the best effect. But that's not to say there are no crumbs or clutter in my house (oh if you could only see through my screen right now), or my life for that matter. There are plenty of times when I feel totally out of control. The past month of no posting might hint at that. I haven't really posted about this. Not because it might imply a less-than-perfect life but because, for me, that is not what my blog is about. I just don't want to overload my dear readers with the not-so-beautiful parts of life and I know everyone has there own stresses to deal with. When I am struggling to see the joy or find time in the day to put dinner on the table I know I just need to focus on the basics.

There are some beautiful blogs that I read though that express that 'caught in a whirlwind' feeling so poetically or write about the self-doubt we mothers suffer and the ups and downs of life. I find great solace in these posts to know that I am not alone.

For me, my blog is about my creations and the joys in my life. It is as much for me as it is for you. And isn't is often during these the more chaotic times in our life that we use the lovely blogs that have been created as a little escape. Which almost brings me full circle...blogging really can be an opportunity to look for the beautiful moments of my days and record them. So to kick start me posting again I am going to keep the next few posts simple, images of happy things that make me smile.

But before I go down the track of lovely images and just to prove my life is not prefect (and neither is all I make) here is a photo of the Croquembouche I made for dessert the night of Ella's birthday. The toffee wouldn't set, the choux was soggy and the pastry cream a little floury.

And look at the messy kitchen in the background! As a neighbour popping in, Heidi knows that it looks like that often! And taking Heidi's comment on board I would never want to leave a reader with the sense that there is any unattainable perfection going on in this house becuase there are plenty of cracks. It's just a matter of self-preservation that I just try not to stare at them.

False Illusions

2009-07-06T05:59:00.000-07:00

To any of the Aussie readers out there who read my macaroon post last week, and watched Masterchef tonight, and think that in someway I must be a total Nigella (aka Domestic Goddess) for pulling of those little parcels, well this post is to set you straight.

They were not that difficult.

If you read the article you would realise that the method they used was the Italian method rather than the French. I used the French and it was so much easier.

There, so we're straight on that now. I wouldn't want to give any of you a false illusion about my cooking skills. And, I would hate to think you were turned off trying to make them after tonight's show.

Because really, truly they are utter heaven to eat.

Nine

2009-07-05T17:43:00.000-07:00

This week Ella turned nine. Nine! Where have the years gone. She has grown up so much in the past year or so and we are so very very proud of the gorgeous girl she is becoming.

That beautiful personality that we saw from such a young age is truly blossoming.

And nine means a big girl haircut. Apparently 'layers and a side fringe' classify as a big girl haircut. Growing up I say!

And, how gorgeous is that coat! My brother and sister-in-law, (the same one who bought her the gorgeous Burberry dress) bought her this beautiful vintage coat. It suits her to a T.

Pink ....and orange

2009-06-30T15:51:00.000-07:00

When we visited France two years ago the pastry shops and tea rooms were almost as much a treat for the eyes as a treat for the stomach. Laduree with their famous macaroons had my colour tastebuds going into overdrive.

I decided to attempt my own after reading this post on orange flower:sketchbook (a gorgeous blog if you haven't yet found it). She references this excellent article which gives lots of helpful hints on achieving the perfect macaroon.

Sitting in my pistachio coloured Kitchenaid, the pink macaroon mix looked divine.

One of the tips the article gives is to rest the freshly piped macaroon on the trays before cooking. This forms a nice little crust and helps to give that flat top.

Whilst my macaroons were resting on the bench a certain member of the family helped themselves to the fruit bowl, situated right near the resting macaroons, and whoops a plump orange rolled right through the tray.

At least it didn't wipe out all of macaroons. There were still plenty to make into these delightful little treasures and I kind of liked the colour combo of pink and orange!

The finished product. I love the little frilly base of each biscuit and I can assure you, they taste as good as they look!

Note: The recipe for the biscuit used in this article is almost the same as the recipe found in my Women's Weekly Cookies cookbook but with a lot more detail. The recipe for the fillings is different though and I used the recipe in the article which had more cream instead of chocolate as I think the texture created by the chocolate doesn't entirely complement the macaroon. The result though is a runnier filling which doesn't make the biscuits sit perfectly separated. I used the raspberry jam in the filling also and it gave a lovely flavour.

Slowing down and slow cooking

2009-06-25T23:14:00.000-07:00

I Loooove school holidays and they are here! I let out a big hooray as we walked home this afternoon, two weeks of sleep-ins, free play, pancakes in the morning, no rousing kids out the door and just enjoying my three gorgeous kids.

I have this leg of lamb slow cooking in the oven (I ran out of bakers twine so I am hoping my quilting thread holds the garlic and rosemary in. And if you are vegetarian I am sorry, this pic probably makes your squeamy!), a bottle of red open and we're kicking back for a bit of R'n'R.

We are planning on celebrating Ella's birthday, a bit of sewing, lots of cooking and you might even see a post or two. No promises though, it's going to be two weeks of no commitment....bliss!

Are you on holidays? What are you folk all up to?

Crazy Cousin Weekend...no. 2

2009-06-21T00:06:00.000-07:00

Last weekend's blissful retreat was made possible by a great-big-cousin-swap. My husband (who prefers to be nameless on this blog!) has only one sibling (as opposed to me, who has three), but she has three children. Her three are the within months of the same age as my three and it has been so good watching them grow up together.

When we found some super-cheap flights to Adelaide, we knew the only way to get away without kids was this arrangement that we came to. We booked our flights for one weekend and their flights the next. Each alternate weekend the other couple had a crazy house of six kids...exhausting but fun.

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I have produced masses of food this weekend, which the older girls have helped me with; roast chicken with Maggie's verjuice, pear tart,lasagna that the girls assembled and chocolate meringues and hubby just made a delicious risotto with homemade stock from the chickens. The six kids have really all entertained each other and it has been such a great weekend.

I think we will need to make this an annual event! Well worth the effort for all involved.

We Are All About Food

2009-06-14T17:26:00.000-07:00

I have always enjoyed cooking but just of late I am really really enjoying it.

Maybe it was the chaos of a house with toddlers or the nauseousness of pregnancies but over the past few years I kind of lost the passion for cooking. Well, over the past few months it has been reignited.

I have really been enjoying cooking dinners once again. And I can honestly say that most nights I enjoy the whole process of putting the meal on the table.

And, we are all loving Masterchef. It has become a whole family affair with all five of us sitting down to enjoy it. I think this is a wonderful thing for children. It certainly is sparking lots of new conversations with the girls about food and cooking. How good is that!

My little spark of passion is now in danger of burning down the kitchen after this weekend! Hubby and I spend the most indulgent weekend in the Barossa Valley. Not having travelled around South Australia before, I really didn't realise how beautiful it was. We kind of ate and tasted our way around the valley, breakfast here, lunch here and dinner at this place (with lots of lovely courses). I picked up a fantastic food magazine called Sumptuous, jam packed with healthy, delicious food and recipe books from Maggie Beer who captures that fresh, farm produce style of cooking so well.

image courtesy of Schutz Barossa

So I am really looking forward to trying new recipes, developing a few more food skills and getting my children a lot more involved in the preparation.

Yep, we're all about food round here.

Sunday Crafting

2009-06-06T23:00:00.000-07:00

More crafting this Sunday!

A quick little project I have been wanting to do.

An Ikea storage solution

Some gorgeous papers (including Amy Butler)

Some mod podge and a lick of paint

Voila!

I also found the lovely bird labels over at LollyChops The papers were already sitting on my desk when I pulled these labels out from the printer, the colours all just sung.

Lolly also has some gorgeous embroidery patterns here.

Wearing Their Clothes

2009-06-02T03:28:00.000-07:00

It has begun. Ella and I are now swapping clothes....well, I am wearing hers!

I bought this gorgeous furry piece for her wardrobe, though I have to admit, it has spent more time on my back than hers. (It is a little, cropped version on me and I can't quite do it up in the middle)

And this skirt; Kate's. Or at least it was meant to be. I bought the fabric with her in mind but when I got it home I couldn't resist making this for myself. I pulled out a favourite skirt of mine, traced the yoke and wing-ed it the rest of the way.

Needless to say it's 'dodgy brothers' inside. I could show you but that would undo all the lovely comments on Edwards' coat about my 'amazing attention to detail'. At least from the outside no-one can tell.

The fabric is from Darn Cheap, Glenhuntly at $10 for the skirt, it's a steal.

Modern Baby Quilt

2009-05-29T15:01:00.000-07:00

Even though there are four children in my family there are only three grandchildren, my three. In August that will change when my brother has his first baby. We are all very excited about the new arrival.

As soon as my brother told me about their baby I started thinking about the quilt. All quilters must do the same. Afterall, baby quilts are one of the most rewarding types of quilts to make.

My brother and his wife live in a warehouse apartment in the city and have quite a modern style. I wanted the quilt to suit that style.

I bought most of the fabrics at Amitie's big sale and I must say it was hard to think amoungst all the chaos. A few weeks later I went back and bought more fabric, in a calmer environment where I could talk it through with those gorgeous girls there.

The design is very basic to keep the quilt looking simple and modern. I quilted it with stitch-in-a-ditch which I don't normally use as I am not accurate enough. Then I hand quilted the linen blocks. I was really happy with how that combination turned out as it was so much quicker to make than if I had of hand quilted the whole thing (a lesson I learnt from last time).

The other thing which I was very happy about this quilt was the basting spray I used. This was the first time I used the 505 Spray and Fix and it was so much better to work with that other sprays. It really held in place and it has washed out easily.

Here is it all wrapped up. I think quilts are such beautiful gifts that I prefer to give them wrapped in just a ribbon rather than paper.

I can't wait to wrap the new little bundle up in the quilt and hold him tight. I do love newborns!

Soldier Boy

2009-05-25T22:03:00.000-07:00

Last winter Edward got so much wear out of this little jacket that I picked up from my local op shop.And so I decided to make another, slightly more older-boy version.

My favourite part of this little coat is the Japanese soldier fabric.

When I started to make the coat I wasn't too sure what I would use to line the hood but my friend Bec was making a quilt from the fabric and suggested I use it. It is perfect as it has almost all the colours that he wears; red, brown, blue, khaki and black.

I also love the little star buttons. I bought these from the Button Lady, at the Camberwell Markets, when I was pregnant with Kate (and convinced I was having a boy).

I adapted from this pattern from the Winter6/2008 Ottobre magazine.

I found it easy to trace the pattern but a little trickier to assemble.You do have to have reasonable dressmaking skills as the instructions are a little vague. I added the cuff and shoulder trims as I wanted the jacket to look a little less baby-ish.

I lined the jacket with a polar fleece and as it wasn't a particularly thick wool I also used flannelet. I used it almost as an interfacing in the body to create another layer and provide more warmth.

I am so pleased with the result. Often when I sew, I cut corners. I really tried to do a good job on this coat and pay attention to detail. I do love the beautiful buttonholes that my Bernina sews.

Finishing Touches and Appreciation

2009-05-25T00:15:00.000-07:00

Tonight, at my sewing circle I will be putting the finishing touches on three projects I have been working on. (There will be some show and tell to come.)

I had the most blissful day yesterday working on these projects...sewing almost all day. My man (with help of the newly purchased Wii) entertained the kids, polished and vacuumed my car and tidied up the yard whilst I finished the buttonholes on Eddie's winter jacket and completely made Ella's velvet swing coat.

So I think that a public Declaration of Appreciation for his efforts is in order!

Also, I have almost finished a quilt for my new nephew to be. So my sewing basket is packed, full of hand sewing for tonight. And I am full of anticipation for plenty of chatting, raucous laughter and scrumptious food, because you can't have a gathering of women like that without some mighty fine food.

Here is my contribution, Bakewell Tart.

Embellishment

2009-05-11T20:03:00.000-07:00

This month the Amitie VIP bloggers received a little challenge: To create something using the lovely array of ribbons they were sent. My selection was all very bright yellows. Which, I must admit daunted me a little.

But once I teamed them with black it all came together. I made the flower using this tutorial and I attached mine to a brooch back so that it could be pinned onto a wristlet band as such,

pinned to a black velvet headband or onto the little black jacket I am making Ella at the moment.

Amitie have some beautiful ribbons in stock right now. Go have a look at what others are doing with them.

Bliss

2009-04-28T18:20:00.000-07:00

I have declared today a sewing day. It seems of late I just can't find any spare time to fit my sewing in, which is frustrating me no end. So today everything will have to wait, becuase I gotta sew.

This is my idea of bliss. You can see the sewing in the machine, but look a little further. Do you see that cup of tea on the right, and look through the gap in the machine, leftover cake. Yeah, this is my idea of bliss.

And did you know that I am clever enough to guide my sewing through the machine with one hand whilst drinking tea with the other.

Now that is my type of multi tasking!

Cheeky Monkey

2009-04-28T00:32:00.000-07:00

We have a few of those in this house but this little one belongs to the youngest of them, most definately the cheekiest of my monkeys!

The result of a lovely day sewing. The FREE pattern is from Larissa on her blog mmmcrafts, a gorgeous blog I was very happy to find. The first time I saw her blog I knew I had to make the monkey (better known as Molly, if making a girl version).

Edward loves Cheeky Monkey, as you can see.

Believe it or not, it is the first 'softie' I have made. That's right, how could I have existed in the world of crafty blogs for two years now and not made a softie? I am itching now to make Kitty Cat, for my own Kitty.

Big Girl Camping

2009-04-27T00:35:00.000-07:00

Today my biggest baby went on school camp. I know to all you seasoned mothers out there that this probably isn't a big deal. But first time round IT IS! A lot bigger deal than I imagined.

I have a saying that "I don't do clingy kids, it isn't my style". And it isn't, so they are well used to sleepovers with grandparents, cousins and friends. And I am fine with that. But school friends and teachers, in an unknown place, in the frezing cold (why did winter have to arive in Melbourne this week?). Right now, I'm thinking I am not fine with that.

I know she will return in two days time, safe and sound and even better than before.

And I will just keep telling myself that.

Sometimes I think I am so clever

2009-04-16T08:10:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I can think I am so clever. Remembering all sorts of little tips from Martha Stewart and the like.

Remembering that steamers make a great transporter of flans and pies for a picnic.

Remembering how my mum taught me to iron linens by wetting the whole cloth and then wrapping it up for an hour or so before ironing.

(beautiful tablecloth courtesy of my mum from her travels in Portugal)
Remembering that popping your baking trays in a low oven after washing them, dries them thorougly.

And then I just get too clever and try to dry out my favourite cake tin....and all of a sudden, feel like such a pill.

School Holidays, Mail Swaps and Free Postage

2009-04-05T21:44:00.001-07:00

Today we are

:: Lazing about enjoying the first day of school holidays.

:: Creating lovely packages to send to our Mail Swap friends.

:: Filling the orders from my shop that are coming in from the little promotion (free postage on orders over $30, until 10th April).

:: About to walk to the post office to send our packages off.

Ahh, holidays!

The Season for Bows

2009-03-31T00:29:00.000-07:00

There is a new kid on the Ella and Kate block. The Big Satin Bow. As a lover of all things bows I am appreciating the fashion for the big bows around this season.

Our new bow is a lovely soft floppy bow. A little more natural looking, like you just tied a ribbon in your hair. Nice for older girls, even mamas! I am quite smitten by this bow and if my hair were just a little bit longer I might try one myself, especially in black.

At the moment the colour range is limited to the basics but if it proves popular, it will be expanded maybe to include uniform colours as well.

So to celebrate the launch, a little giveaway. Leave a comment and I'll let Mr Random Number Generator choose another number.

Picture Perfect

2009-03-30T22:14:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I had a photoshoot for the winter range of my website. This week I have been busy updating it with new designs and lots of new colours.

As my girls are getting older I needed to include a new little four year old. Charlotte's mum helps me out with production of the ribbons and her little four year old is the most beautiful child.

I love taking photos but lack in the technical skills. I am can relate to Sarah Jane's comments about hoping for happy accidents.

I love this shot of Kate and Charlotte.

Black is so beautiful against her white hair and fair skin.

Isn't she just gorgeous!

Catching Butterflies

2009-03-27T04:56:00.000-07:00

Well, cabbage moths really.

Not as romantic,

but far more practical.

Looking Lovely and Feeling Organised.

2009-03-22T22:56:00.000-07:00

Remember the post about my laundry? Well I have admitted defeat, it is no longer a laundry. Rather, it is a workroom where I also wash the clothes . Growing stock, growing production levels and growing mess for my Ella and Kate business have meant any effort of sorting and ironing clothes in that room are pointless. I have had to have a rethink about how I worked the space and have made a few changes.

A trip to Ikea, (after a full day of planning with the catalogue) a few minutes with a drill and my handy husband have resulted in this lovely workspace. Everything at hand, right where I need it.

Still space for all of my lovely handmade gifts.

And, check out how deliciously neat this cupboard looks! Gotta love Ikea for organisation.

Top that off with the fact that my winter range has been finalised and is almost ready for both my website and retailers and boy it feels good!

Three

2009-03-22T03:33:00.000-07:00

He is as pleased as punch that he is now three.

He certainly is character! The other day he strode, or should I say galloped, into kinder doning his cowboy hat and that cheeky grin. Of course he was met with applaud and laughter by the teachers....such an introvert.

As far as he was concerned, cake, cousins and candles make a party.

As for me and as per usual, I feel a little sad that my baby is getting even bigger. But I am ever so grateful he came in to our lives. He certainly holds a very special place in our hearts...that boy of ours!

And The Lucky Number Is....

2009-03-19T03:05:00.000-07:00

Thank you Mr Random Number Generator

Here are your random numbers:

Timestamp: 2009-03-19 10:01:43 UTC

Congratulations Melinda from Hoppo Bumpo, I will contact you soon.

Thank you for all of your lovely comments.

Play Along

2009-03-17T23:34:00.000-07:00

If you have little tikes, and they love mail, come play along.

Christie from Pigeon Pair has started a kid's swap.

Go over here for details.

And in other news, tomorrow afternoon I will draw the winner of my blogaversary giveaway. Leave a comment if you haven't already!

And You Think You Know Them

2009-03-15T23:12:00.000-07:00

One of my WIPs that I MUST finish this year are the quilts for Ella and Kate's beds. As their doona covers are the same I thought it would be nice to have the quilt covers matching, but different. I started off using the some of the same fabrics in both quilts and then tailoring one quilt in the blue/pink/red direction and the other in the pink/orange/yellow direction.

To me it was obvious that Kate would have the blue/pink/red combo as I have always seen these as her colours. They sit well with her darker hair and lighter skin and match her personality which is a little more direct, and intense than her sister's.

Ella has always looked lovely in soft creamy tones and has more of a spring colourings. These colours also suit her more gentle personality. In my opinion!

Well, clearly they thought different because when I layed out the quilts the other day they both wanted the pink/blue/red. Nothing I could do would convince either of them that the orangey tones were lovely. I am torn. Do I combine the blocks and have all the colours in each quilt or stick to my guns and hope that when they are finished one of them will appreciate the orange/yellow tones. I really would like the quilts to be slightly different as their beds are the same otherwise.

I need your help here folks. What do you think?

Either way, I am going to need more fabric, so it is just as well that Amitie is having one of their grand sales this Friday. I will be making the most of my kiddie-free-time Friday morning and giving the girls a visit.

The Luckiest

2009-03-15T17:28:00.000-07:00

Last year I posted about a simple little gift that I made for the girls and for which I was awarded the title the best Mama in the world. Well after this little gift, I felt like the luckiest Mama in the world.

With school starting back we have had information evenings for each of the girl's classes. Each parent sits in their child's chair while the teachers explain about the curriculum and plans for the year. In Ella's class every child had written their parent a note. At Ella's desk was a note and this beautiful arrangement of follage that she had picked at lunch time. All beautifully presented in her own little 'vase'. To top it off she had kept one of her jam drops from morning tea for me to nibble on. How proud was I, especially when the teacher pointed out her creation. "That is Ella" is what I replied.

And honestly, it's Ella through and through! That girl's kindness, thoughfullness and creativity are inspirational. She has the sweetest heart. In almost all of her classes, each year, she has managed to implement some act of kindness that the whole class then adopts. Be it notes of encouragment to classmates, flowers for the teacher or the such. In this world that places such value on material acheivements I feel so privledge to be the parent of this child who places such a value on people.

Loot

2009-03-12T18:54:00.000-07:00

Well, The Show was amazing. It was so good to meet and reacquaint with some great bloggers. I love that all of those girls in the Indie Craft section have made a business out of their passion and their wares. It is an inspiration to share.

Living Creatively are doing a wonderful job of changing the face of craft in Australia. Those girls have so much talent and enthusiasm and great style.

One of our favourite parts of the show were the Craft Bars. Dotted through out the show, they were a cool place to chill out and try a little craft. Bec and I loved making the Liberty brooches (actually just fondling through the liberty scraps was probably the best bit...we got in trouble for taking too long to decide!)

And at the Christina Re stand we made this little box.

But even better we were given this beautiful bag to carry it in. Right now that bag is sitting up, looking so pretty in my laundry. Which, by the way, has had a makeover....but that's another post.

This weekend my man is taking his boy to the airshow, a much anticipated boy-thing they have been looking forward. The girls and I might head over to Mathilda's Market and check out the goodies there.

Enjoy your weekend.

I Missed It

2009-03-10T22:12:00.000-07:00

Just as I was publishing my last post, it struck me that soon it must be the two year anniversary of when my blog began. When I looked into it, I realised I had missed it.

But I cannot let the date go without a little give away. Lucky you (if you win), I am cleaning out my sewing cupboard this week and I will put together a little package. Who knows what it will contain, probably some ribbon, some buttons, a few bows of course and fabric. We'll see.

Leave a comment, and I will draw a name from a hat or such next week.

Thanks for all the lovely comments, friendship and 'conversations' I have had over the past two years. It has been a blast!

P.S. Delurkers welcomed!

Almost Famous

2009-03-09T18:13:00.001-07:00

On top of my list of things to do today was Write a Post! Three weeks without posting, what is going on? Even my mum emailed me this morning and asked the same question.

Well not a whole heap of anything and certainly no sewing, I am sad to say.

We did enjoy a little bit of feeling famous last week. All three of my little birds were in the Herald Sun; Kate was on the front page and Ella and Edward on page 14. We were at the right place at the right time (they needed models for the new Bushfire Appeal wristbands) and the kids were very excited to be celbraties for a couple of days.

I am planning a few more posts in the next week or so, so stay tuned. And, I am off to check out all of the excitement at the Stitches and Craft show this Thursday with my gorgeous friend Bec who is my partner in all-crafty-crimes (and a production machine when it comes to helping me out with my Ella and Kate proucts). We might see some of you there!

Hot nights

2009-02-17T14:58:00.000-08:00

Despite the risk of this blog becomming a food blog, rather than the craft blog originally intended, here is another food related post.

Oh, please don't groan and roll your eyes. It's just that right now there isn't much creating going on, at least of the textile kind. Lack of time, lack of energy and the distraction of settling our family back into a school routine are all leaving me with no craft. So, all my creative energies are being channelled into the kitchen. After all, we have to eat, right?

This is one of my favourtie throw-togethers for a hot night. The chicken breasts can be poached at any time of the day and then stored in the fridge. Just before serving (I serve it on a bed of rice which soaks up the yummy sauce) fry up the following:

A huge nob of ginger and four cloves of garlic, finally chopped. Heat up quite a bit of oil, a few tablespoons, in a saucepan and fry the garlic and ginger until almost crispy. Pour in several tablespoons of soy sauce and watch it sizzle.

Shred the chicken and arrange on a bed of rice, pour the steaming sauce on top and serve with coriander and chopped spring onions.

The combination of cold chicken and hot sauce seem to make this dish.

Last night I served this with a coleslaw-ey type dish with this Jamie Oliver dressing, which makes in not coleslaw-ey at all, just fresh and crunchy.

The week that was.

2009-02-12T01:42:00.001-08:00

What a tragic, tragic week. The Victorian Bushfires.

As we all come to grips with the tragedy of our Blackest Day, any words I can think of to express my grief seem so inadequate. It has occupied almost all of my thoughts this week. In my community (40 mins away) we all know people who have lost homes and some have lost friends. As the week has unfolded we have started to understand how this all happened. This was no ordinary bushfire, it is now being called a fire storm. Really it was a fire hurricane, totally unpredictable.

The stories told this week are so very tragic, too tragic, the toll too high.

It is amazing though to see outpouring of love and generosity from fellow Australians, organisations, the government, and even other nations. But it will be a very long time before the healing begins.

There are plenty of ways to help and reach out. Please reach out.

PS. We pray that these our CFA get a chance to break the back of these fires.

And we call this dinner

2009-01-30T03:17:00.000-08:00

In our house this is a great dinner. I have just harvested some lovely beetroot from my vege garden, to make way for more plantings. All scrubbed up and peeled like this, they make such a lovely sight, almost art.

This is a lovely salad which I have adjusted from a Delicious recipe as I have tried to replicate a great salad served at one of my favourite child-friendly restaurants Mecca Bah (Docklands, Melbourne).

Served with some crusty bread and maybe sliced homegrown tomatoes and basil, my family happily calls this dinner. Oh, I love those salad munchers!

Beetroot Salad

3 Grated beetroots
2 Grated carrots
Tin chickpeas
Rocket or spinach leaves
Yoghurt
Toasted pepitas

Dressing
2 Lemons, juiced
2 tsp cumin
seasonings
1 tbsp olive oil

Add dressing to grated beets, carrots and chickpeas. Layer on top of rocket and top with yoghurt and seeds. Yum.

I sometimes leave out the chickpeas if serving with another salad.

More Aprons

2009-01-29T23:30:00.000-08:00

Aprons are such a lovely present. Practical, pretty and personal.

As well as Julie's apron, which has made it's way safely to it's destination.(By the way when she tried it on her little girl said 'mummy that's not an apron, it's a skirt!) I made this apron through the year for one of Kitty's closest friends. A girl who loves a little bit of colour.

Being modelled by my co-operative, but not-happy-about-it Kitty.

Hey, would anyone be happy in this ridiculous weather (five days above 40'C 104'F and today it is 43'C 109'F). Our house is no longer cool, despite an air conditioner and keeping the curtains all closed (which I hate).I cannot belive there is another two days of it. Whinge, whinge whinge. Ah that feels better.

Me and the Post!

2009-01-29T08:45:00.000-08:00

Or should I say the post and I?

One of my closest friends lives overseas. I have posted before about my terrible ability to send anything in the mail promptly. Her birthday gifts are no exception and every year they are late. Her birthday is in November. Last year I gave her a handmade bag in late December and this year I have finally managed to post her present in January. I am so sorry Julie.

I made a little apron this year out of a favourite fabric of mine. It is fully lined and reversible. I am loving the fabric combinations. I hope the fact that it is all handmade might make up for the fact that it is so late.

Next year I am putting a note in my diary in August to start planning and a reminder in October to post.

Or maybe you could move back home Jules!

The Salad of 2009

2009-01-26T17:14:00.000-08:00

For those of you who having been following this blog since it's conception, almost two years ago, you might remember my post about the Salad of 2007. Well, this is the Salad of 2009.

Living in my house are four "salad munchers". It is definately a gene my husband has passed onto all three of our children....and a great one too.

At not many a table would the salad bowl be fought over, but at our house it is. At just two Eddie uttered the words "no more meat mama, more lettuce please!"

There was a salad of 2008 and there are plenty of other salad recipes too. If you show enough interest, I might post them too.

This salad, like many of my recipes was from a friend of a friend. So morish, even better the next day and perfect for a picnic.You have to try it!

Brown Rice, Mint and Pine Nut Salad

Ingredients
3 brown onions, halved and sliced
150 gm currants
red wine vinegar, to cover currants
2 cups brown rice, cooked and kept warm
½ bunch parsley, chopped
½ bunch mint, chopped
120 gm pine nuts, toasted
2 lemons, juiced
1 green chillies, sliced

Directions
Heat a little olive oil and cook onion slices until caramelized - about 30 min on very low heat.
Bring currants and red wine vinegar to a boil and simmer gently for 3 minutes, reserve liquid.
Add to onions and season
Combine rice, mint, parsley and chillies in a large bowl, add half the onions and pine nuts with 3tablespoon olive oil and the lemon juice
Top with remaining onions and pine nuts.

Sometimes if we are having this at home I will add other ingredients, to be a little healthier, like; celery, cabbage or beans.

Sew Sweet

2009-01-17T15:56:00.000-08:00

My mum came out from England at the end of last year and spent December with us. If was so lovely to have her with us again. She brought these gorgeous books for the girls. How delightfull!

I have seen these books around on blogs, but when they actually arrived they were so much nicer and larger than I had thought. I was also thinking that they might be a little too young for my girls, especially Ella. Actually they were perfect for their ages; eight and six.

Here is a little preview of Look and Cook

Strawberry Shortcake - a favourite in our house (we call it Strawberry Shortkate)

And See and Sew

There is also another one in the series called Sow and Grow but it is written month by month and is for the Northern Hemisphere. They are all by Tina Davis and would make a lovely gift for any little craftsters you know!

Next Time...

2009-01-13T16:23:00.000-08:00

Next time I make a quilt...

I will think twice about hand quilting

I will use Pearl cotton like everyone else

I will make myself finish it within twelve months

This time...
I took way too long to finish it - two years too long!

I was so excited to start that I didn't take the time out to get the proper thread

But, I did enjoy every stitch.
And I do think all that love is appreciated

The Art of Taking Tea

2009-01-05T05:32:00.000-08:00

This story all begins with Alison from Lark. Allison used to live in Cambridge, England, near where my parents now live. When chatting to her at Magnolia Square about our then planned trip to visit my parents, she said we must go to the beautiful town of Stamford, and make sure we visit the George Hotel.

Well Stamford was a beautiful town, as you can see from these photos, and The George was a magnificent hotel. The most lovely I have seen. We had afternoon tea in the lounge, by the fire. The girls sat up, using their best manners, eating lovely treats and sipping their hot chocolates.

After this lovely experience I so wanted to take the girls again to a proper afternoon tea back in Melbourne. Finding such a place proved difficult. The Windsor and such hotels do a high tea but I thought that this was a little too much for two chilren. Recently, I discovered that Chateau Yerring serves tea in their beautiful lounge room. So, last month when my mum was visitng, we went to morning tea again.

The story now ends with yet another afternoon tea that we enjoyed whilst on holidays last week. Once again at the recommendation of Allison. This time at Miss Kitty's Emporium in Red Hill. Having a Kitty ourselves we had to visit this place, and it was all as lovely as Alison had said; the wares, the china tea cups and the scones and jam and even old fashioned lolly jars. A little boy even enjoyed it! Thanks Allison

Little Birdies

2009-01-04T20:06:00.000-08:00

A new header for the new year!

I had a version of this up at the end of last year, but it was pretty lame. I am much happier with this version, thanks to some helpful advice from Christie from Pigeon Pair and Michelle's post on her blog Leni and Rose.

As my little Ella and Kate business grows I have enlisted the help of two close friends to keep up with production. They both do an amazing job and I am so grateful to them for their commitment to Ella and Kate. Both these girls gave me these special treats last year...both know my love of birds.

From Janine, this gorgeous fabric. You know sometimes you see a creation that you feel is entirely a part of you, made for you? Well when I cast my eyes on this fabric I had that feeling. The colour, the bluebirds, the blossoms, I love it all and of course it has made the perfect header for my blog.

From Bec, this little bird house. I have so many places to put it, I thought hanging from the front porch would be lovely. Ella suggested a little birdie peeping through with a welcome sign in his beak...oh, I love that girl and her imagination. But for now, he sits on a cabinet with another little bird that I found in a gorgeous shop in Healesville called Morris and Brown.

And the last little birdie goodness to show you are these little Spool Sewing treasures, two are a gift from Kitty's wonderful teacher last year.

We had a wonderful beach break and are all totally relaxed and looking forward to the rest of the school holidays. Lots of posts buzzing around my head....stay tuned.

Its a wrap

2008-12-17T21:37:00.000-08:00

For 2008 at least. I know there is still a little bit more time before the end of the year, but for me, it's a wrap.

This afternoon I was taking photos of the girls' little beach tops that I have made and when I was finished my camera just kept on shooting. I couldn't resist taking pictures of my three little chicks as they dug and explored around our backyard....how many hours of there life has that garden absorbed! This is a sight I have seen so many times before and yet each time brings great gladness to my heart.

As I walked up the back steps to come inside I was reminded of the photos I took at the beginning of the year on their first day of school together. Here I am snapping away on their last day.

Tomorrow we are off to the beach for a couple of weeks. Thank you to all my crafting friends reading this now, thank you for all of the lovely comments and conversations throughout the year. I look forward to my first post for 2009 when I know I will be brimming with ideas and inspiration.

little beach tops to match their bathers
Take care all xxx

Puddles

2008-12-14T21:02:00.000-08:00

The winter we moved into our house, four years ago, there was substantial rain. One part of the backyard flooded regularly. Unfortunately, those puddles haven't been seen since, until this weekend.

What a delight!

I wasn't the only person who welcomed the rain.

Soon, his sisters had to join him.

And of course, splashing was the most fun of all!

Simple and Sweet

2008-12-07T18:48:00.000-08:00

This summer I have made the girl's nighties and pajamas. It is so hard to find lovely cotton nightwear for children and with so many lovely fabrics to buy they are a cinch to make. For the nighties, I used the same pattern I used Kate's apple top, but just lengthened it.

I love the trim on Kitty's pants, I teamed them with a lace trimmed singlet that I picked up at the end of last summer. Ella's pants are for slightly cooler nights.

Simple and sweet, just the way little girls should be.

The Corner Cutter Strikes Again

2008-12-07T03:14:00.000-08:00

Cathy's Meringues, all wrapped up for our local school fete last weekend....which due to some very hard workers was a huge success! Labels made with the help of my trusty corner cutter. Oh, how I love thee!

A Special Note for Miss Anonymous,
I actually came up with the idea of using my already-sourced-uniform-fabric and putting it around the buttons that I was already covering for the fete, all by myself....tricky!! Maybe next time you would be so polite as to leave a name, or a nicer comment!

Pop

2008-11-26T23:13:00.000-08:00

Oh, that sound is so addictive. Those buttons are so addictive. But I was warned.

I started out making these button hair ties from uniform fabric for our school fete which is this weekend. My bows sell at our uniform shop and they are a hit with the Preps but as for the older girls, a little too fussy. I thought these might be the go.

Then I started experimenting with some of my favourite fabrics. One of my all time favourite fabrics from Ella's dress.

And some scraps from my swap with Soo last year.

Then I came up with the idea of using old doilies. I truly love these.

M is for Max

2008-11-25T18:08:00.000-08:00

A late birthday present for my nephew. His mum covered his bed head in the lovely red thick cord and asked me to make a cushion to match.

As much as I enjoy the soft pretty colours of the girl's bedding I do so love the clear crisp colours of boy's rooms.

The Easy Way or The Hard Way

2008-11-24T17:00:00.000-08:00

I have this knack. Thinking that I am oh-so-clever and inventing all sorts of lovely designs in my head, only to find that executing them is not so simple. Creativity is a curse sometimes.

Take children's bedlinen for example. The girls needed new, matching bedlinen. (I was over the non-matching look.) All I wanted was something sweet, simple, not garish, that went with all the quilts I will make them one day:) Something with a little pink, just the right pink, but not too much pink. I know most people would just go out and buy something from the shops!!! But I thought I would be clever and make it.

Easier said that done. I have laboured over this project for months, not in sewing time but thinking and planning time. Running to and fro to the shops and back, trying to make it all work and on a budget if possible. (Two doona covers made from patchwork fabric ain't cheap) Finally, I have completed two covers with all the right colours. Not without a few dramas, which I might share one day.

I actually ended up using Ella's old cover in part of the quilts. A beautiful Charlie Brown design called Geisha Girl...now discontinued. I also made two of the quilted pillow shams that I did for Edward's bedroom. They make arranging the bed so easy.

So here it is, finished at last. I would love to applique a breakfast cushion and have been very inspired by all of Kellie's gorgeous work. But that will be when I have some spare time, which has not been very plentiful of late!

P.S. Would anyone be interested in a tutorial on the cushion covers or can you all just work it out for yourselves?
P.P.S For more pictures of the girls bedroom, see one of my original posts.

As Easy as 1..2..3

2008-11-13T20:11:00.000-08:00

One
Pour all your ingredients (see below) in a bowl, I don't even bother to sift!

Two
Mix (you can mix by hand)

Three
Bake for one hour 180'

Oh and I forgot Four, eat fresh out of the oven with a slathering of butter,mmm mmm. Or the next morning it tastes even better toasted.

As Eddie goes down for his day time nap these days he asks for a piece of cake when he wakes up. Regardless of my plans for his nap time it is usually easy to whip up a cake or two. See here and here for my other superquick recipes.

This is my favourite at the moment, sort of a fruit bread, not much fat and it uses up any spare fruit in the house; bananas, pears or apples.

Fruit Bread
2 pieces of fruit; mashed bananas, diced pears, or apples (fresh or tinned)
2 cups wholemeal flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/3 cup olive oil
1/2 cup raw sugar
Nuts or spices for taste; cinnamon, walnuts etc

NB If using the apples, I cube them and pop them in a dish with a small amount of water and put in the microwave or stovetop for a couple of minutes, just to soften. Add the water to the mixing bowl if using this way. Or you could use tinned apples.

Don't Trust the Post

2008-11-05T20:26:00.000-08:00

After we got back from our trip, a couple of weeks ago now, I made a routine doctor's appointment for today. I must have known something, because two weeks later I really needed it. I have been fighting an awful virus for ten days now, dragging myself around, trying to get on with things but not really managing much at all. Seems that it has turned into severe bronchitis, bordering pneumonia. Ah, so that would explain why I feel so shocking. Hopefully some dreaded and feared antibiotics (only my third dose in my lifetime) will fix it and I can feel normal again.

Thankfully I got a lovely package in the mail from Ingrid yesterday. Nothing like mail to cheer you up. When I travelled to Sydney in August, Ingrid and I planned to catch up but alas, it didn't happen. As any good blogging friends would do, we both had a little something for each other and so we trustingly put our packages in the post a few weeks later. Well my parcel for Ingrid turned up,

An oven mit out of this thrifted bedspread

but her's did not! Australia Post lost her lovely handmade goodness. This week Ingrid posted another and with perfect timing too! Thank you Ingrid.

Where else...but Queensland

2008-10-27T00:14:00.001-07:00

Where else..
to slip away for a bit of family R&R
to wake up to the sound of the surf and warm skin
to explore the rockpools and the creatures there-in
to take a deep breath and enjoy the sunshine

ah yes, we have had a little break in that lovely state and come back feeling wonderfully refreshed.

How Does Your Garden Grow

2008-10-02T19:18:00.000-07:00

Kate's party this year was a gardening party. It was a beautiful spring day, the best all year and we all had a ball.

Each child had a pot with potting mix and a set of gloves. We potted a mixture of flowers, vegetable and herbs in the pot. The balloons were arranged to look like flowers on a stem and each child put a 'flower' in their pot when we were finished.

Kate asked to invite her prep teacher who was so obliging as to actually come. I think that only a prep teacher would be invited to a child's birthday party...and only a prep teacher would have the dedication to turn up. Thanks Miss Kelly!

Note: I received a few questions about the invitations. The font I used was a free downloadable front from dafont. The cards were some sweet scalloped cards from our local $2 shop, such a great find. The flowers were cut out using my girlfriend's Cuttlebug machine - boy is that thing addictive! The boys stamps were also hers which she bought from Stampin' Up.

There's a Party At Our House....

2008-09-30T21:51:00.000-07:00

..tomorrow.

Hey Frenchy

2008-09-25T17:46:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe it has been three weeks since my last post. Now, don't go assuming that becuse there has been no blogging there has been no crafting. Quite to the contrary. I have been flat out with my new summer range and suppling an ever growing list of retailers. Flat out with summer sewing for the girls, a lot more than I normally sew. And flat out preparing for Kate's birthday party.

So, finally I post. Here is a little creation I made for Kate. These oh-so-comfy French inspired jeans and a little swing top from this Japanese book. I also used the pattern to create nighties for my girls, but I will post about those another time.

For the jeans, I just adapted her pajama pants pattern to give it a flat front and then based the silhouette on an existing pair of pants to create the lovey flare. A big hem at the bottom and oversized pockets at the back were a must. Kate loves these jeans, becuase they are so much more comfortable than her other pairs.

I find this outfit totatlly irresistable when teamed with her dotty mary janes, red cotton cardi and polka dot bow. Perfect for spring.

Fail-proof Sponge

2008-09-04T18:24:00.000-07:00

My sewing circle girls were having a high tea birthday celebration for one of the girls. With lovely china, embroidered tablecloth, ribbon sandwiches, strawberries and petite fours, the birthday cake simply had to be a sponge.

As mentioned before, I really haven't got a light hand in the kitchen. But lately I have been making a special chocolate cake which uses whipped egg whites. At times it is almost sponge like and so I thought this might be the key to my success. This, as well as my Kitchen Aid. I googled 'fail proof sponge egg whites and came up with a suitable recipe.

I can now say that I can produce an acceptable sponge, not super light, maybe one day. I filled it with lemon curd (I had to use all of the egg yolks from the friands for something) and cream and 'iced' it with cream and fresh flowers.

It was all a lovely sight and such a perfect day.

Self-suffiency

2008-09-02T22:06:00.000-07:00

Edward and I enjoyed our little adventure very much!

It was special for him to meet his great-grandparents who live in the Blue Mountains and he loved their attention.

We also visited my uncle (who is only a few years older than me and more like a cousin) and his wife (who was one of my best friends at uni). Yes, I can add match-maker to my title.

They have two gorgeous boys and live in a very isolated valley in the Blue Mountains. Their 100 acre property is almost totally surrounded by beautiful cliff faces.

Their lifestyle is one of almost total self-sufficiency; tank water, solar-power, they farm 36 cattle and so eat their own beef and chickens (the meat birds are bread just for their own eating). Rachel's vegetable gardens are almost the size of my backyard and they live almost totally off their produce. She has fruit trees, nut trees and berry bushes. She bottles the excess fruit and cooks up the tomatoes into relish, pasata and tomato sauce. Rachel grinds her own flour and of, course makes the bread. Mitchell(7), is home schooled and the youngest will follow when he is school age. It is truly amazing to behold. In her spare time Rachel build dry stone rock walls. These are all over their beautiful property and she has collected almost all of the rocks herself.

I wish I had of taken photos of her wonderful work. It was amazing to see it all and I came back feeling very energised. Ready for a very busy five weeks ahead.

My Other Breakfast

2008-08-24T04:56:00.000-07:00

OK, so my morning routine does vary occasionally. There is another option; toast.

This is how I like my toast, with vegemite and walnuts. An unusual but delicious and nutritious combination that my Grandpa taught me. You aren't allowed to turn your nose up until you try it!

I am off to visit my wonderful grandparents this week. Eddie and I are off on a bus, plane and a train for a little adventure to the Blue Mountains. Along the way we are catching up with Ingrid and her gorgeous two little ones.

I am most excited about it all!

Enjoy your week.

Sunday Craft

2008-08-24T04:35:00.000-07:00

The girls and I have been enjoying these wet Sundays with a bit of crafting in the afternoons. Eddie goes down for a nap and out comes the craft.

We have particularly been enjoying some papercraft. Like Jo, scrapbooking has never taken my fancy but we are discovering the plethora of other paper projects out there. Hey, if you love fabric, you have to love the beautiful papers around.

Last week, we covered some plain clipboards with gorgeous paper, ribbon and mod podge (which I now know is available from Riot Art & Craft, not Spotlight or Lincraft!) This is a fun and simple activity that we saw over at A Spoonfull of Sugar. The boards will be most handy for clipping up the girl's schedules and morning reminders.

We've enjoyed making cards for birthday's, neighbours and really, whoever pops into our mind at the time. My children, like most, love making deliveries of handmade messages to whomever they can think of. And there is usually a sweet posy of flowers (and weeds) attached.

Sunday Craft, hopefully we will meet again. You are most welcome in our home...especially on rainy days!

Simple Things - Tree of Happiness

2008-08-11T00:23:00.000-07:00

Ingrid tagged me, for a meme I am happy to be tagged for. You see, gratefulness, as I have mentioned before, is a very important attribute in my books. I believe that it is only with a grateful heart that you can really achieve happiness. To be grateful is to see the glass half full, rather than half empty.

Everyday I feel grateful for these things. I will warn you, they are very basic but I think that without them happiness would be a search.

These things make me grateful;
1. Love in my life; from my man, my family and my friends.
2. A healthy family, nothing to be taken for granted.
3. Being able to feed my family enough food and healthy food and to cook each night what our hearts and stomachs desire.
4. Being able to keep my children and my house clean. OK,maybe this sounds a little obsessive. And don't think that I do always keep my house clean (you should see the floors right now!) but at least it is only my laziness stopping me; not illness or poor living conditions.
5. Time to do the things I love and spend it with the people I love. I would like a bit more of this though, pretty please.
6. Living in Australia because I truly believe this is the best country in the world and one of the reasons I have all of the above.

There are other little daily delights like these flowers, kisses and cuddles and cups of tea and chats with friends. They certainly put a smile on my dial, but the six points above can sometimes be taken for granted and for which I am very grateful.

Organised - Part Two

2008-08-10T03:40:00.000-07:00

Procrastinating....

This Sunday night's task was to organise our photos in to photo albums. Hmmm, the type of task I have been meaning to do for about three years, the type of task I don't actually enjoy doing and the type of task that I know will feel soooo good when it is finally complete.

I actually feel pretty chuffed that I have managed to sort the photos for printing, print them AND purchase three photos albums.

But instead, I am sitting here checking my growing list of bloglines and writing this post. I am such a wonderful procrastinator.

As another addition to my posts on organising, here is a little brainwave I came up with. The Bits and Pieces Box.

It's for all of the bits and pieces you find lying around that belong to games once played, jigsaws once put together or polly pockets once dressed. All those annoying bits you find after the tidying up has been done. Rather than digging out the box they belong to and putting them away, which takes too much effort for me, these pieces go into this box. Safe and sound for next time. And I particularly love using this Huggies box for this purpose because of it's little opening. It's sort of a one way hole.

So, there you have it. A little attempt to make life simpler and sweeter. Now, on to those photos.

This Is My Art

2008-08-07T04:53:00.000-07:00

How I would love to be able to draw. My creative abilities just do not extend to paper. This, is a close as I will ever get to my art gracing our walls.

I have been meaning to put up this little collection for a very, very long time. Almost all of these plates have a tale and are very special to me. Mostly gifts, collected from around the world by people I love and who know my love of blue and white china.

I will simply never tire of my blue and white china, I am sure.

As Promised

2008-08-07T04:34:00.000-07:00

I am so glad you all enjoyed the Lemon Cake so much. Here is the Chocolate Cake recipe, as promised. I would like to point out that both of these recipes are just your everyday, fill-the-lunch boxes type recipes. I have other Lemon and Chocolate Cake recipes for more special occasions. What makes these recipes noteworthy is the ease with which they are made.

This chocolate cake had been handed around my sewing circle and it originated with Nikki. It is such a classic, basic chocolate cake recipe. Another melted butter/oil recipe aka throw it all in together and mix.

Nikki's Chocolate Cake (at least that's what I call it because Nikki gave it to us)

200g melted butter or 3/4 cup oil
1 1/2 cup self-raising flour
1 1/2cup sugar
3 dessertspoons cocoa
vanilla
3 eggs
3/4 cup milk

Sift flour and cocoa and add all other ingredients. Beat. Pour into greased tin. Bake 180’ for 45-50 mins. You can ice it with chocolate icing when it is cooled but I usually just serve it dusted with icing sugar.

Get the kids to cook it, it is that easy!

What Does Your Morning Look Like?

2008-07-23T22:09:00.000-07:00

Here's a little baby one, two three
Sits in his highchair, what does he see?
He sees his mother pouring hot porrige in a bowl
And his father at the doorway with a bucketful of coal
from Peepo by Janet and Allan Ahlberg

I think of this poem, from one of our favourite books, as I pour hot porrige into our bowls each morning.

Being not a very good morning person my creativity hasn't kicked in by breakfast time. Our breakfasts are healthy but simple. (We do venture out a little on the weekends - after a good sleep-in.)

I can't quite ever believe those talented girls who managed to come up with a year's worth of different images, every morning. Day in, day out our's would look pretty similar to this.

It is a nice image though. What does your morning look like?

Easy Peasy Lemon Squeasy

2008-07-22T23:22:00.000-07:00

Since finding out more about Edward's allergies I have been looking for/developing some totally dairy free recipes. The milk component is easy to substitute with rice or soy milk but the butter component is a little trickier. I have been focusing on recipes with oil or melted butter(which I substitute with oil).

One of the benefits of such recipes is that they are extremely easy to put together. The throw-it-all-in-and-mix type. I now have a few recipes which I thought I would share. Not so much because they are dairy free, but because they are so so easy.

Really, after reading these recipes there is simply no excuse for not home baking. They all take less than 10 minutes to put together! So easy in fact, my girls often make them. The other thing about the recipes which I love is that they all taste great with wholemeal flour and raw sugar which I try to use wherever possible.

The first is a lemon cake recipe, sometime this week I will share my chocolate cake and muffin recipe.

Lemon Cake

INGREDIENTS
2 cups self-raising flour
½ cup caster sugar
Finely grated zest 1 lemon
Juice of lemon
3 eggs
½ cup milk
½ cup olive oil

ICING
1 cup icing sugar
Juice 1 lemon

METHOD
Preheat oven to moderate, 180°C. Lightly grease a 20cm round cake pan. Line base and sides with baking paper.
Sift flour into a large bowl, put in all other ingredients and mix together.
Pour into prepared pan. Bake for 35-40 minutes, until cooked when tested. Stand in pan for 5 minutes before turning onto a wire rack to cool completely.

ICING. Meanwhile, sift icing sugar into a small bowl. Add enough juice to make a smooth, spreadable consistency. Drizzle over cake. Stand until icing sets.
Adapted From Womans Day By Kathryn Parker

See those rays of sunlight shining on the cake? They are the only glimpses that we have all day and magically they appeared at school pick-up time. We enjoyed the walk home in the golden glow.

Look, here is more of it.

Oh, and what is that mark on my windows? Ahhh, little people's finger prints. Just as well you weren't under the illusion I was a total domestic goddess!

Little Boy Blue

2008-07-17T05:33:00.000-07:00

My baby has moved into a big boy bed and I have finally finished decorating his room in the way I have always intended - two years on!

I painted the room a lovely pale blue (please don't ask for the colour, I mixed it myself) and I got the first coat on one evening, at about the mad hour of 5:30. And the other coat at 5:30 the next morning. Oh what crazy efforts I go to when I finally decide something has to be done then and there.

I wanted the room to be fresh and light; pale blue, red and white with touches of navy from the airplane quilt and brown from the cowboy quilt.

I actually managed to find a quilt cover that matched the quilts and I liked. But it was only available in a double bed size, so I trimmed it down and had a bit of extra fabric to play with. I love the style of the large cushion that I made and have since made one for each of the girls beds. It covers up the messier pillow behind and because it is quilted and has the flange/border it sits perfectly.

This little outfit was a very special present from one of my best friends.

I love the red frames on blue walls I have had these little Rupert prints since I was about fifteen. The trucks were Steve's when he was little.

The little kitchen was a recent find at a second hand shop. A very popular addition to our home.

And I am happy to say that this room actually looks like this most of the time. The bed is easy to make, boys toys seem so much easier than girls toys to pack up and the storage is fabulous. I know as he gets older it won't always be this tidy, but for now I am enjoying it.