farmers market

Before we visited the farmers market we spent some time adorning our tree with our home-made easter decorations that we made yesterday.  Although way more glitter was used than anticipated, there was so much joy in the process.  I loved little flutterbug's comment, 'Now the easter eggs are going to be really happy mummy.'

It was such a beautiful morning, we couldn't resist going to our local farmers market. We enjoyed meeting up with friends and relaxed under an old tree to soak in the atmosphere. Before we left we bought some vegies and herbs in preparation for winter - more on that tomorrow. 

Yes! I can fit a whole easter egg in my mouth!

easter crafting

Step 1: gather crafty materials: glue, glitter, pens, crayons, scissors, cotton bud tips, paint (acrylic, water, fingerpaint), paint brushes, containers.... basically any craft materials you can find from around the house.

Step 2: gather around a table for little ones.

Step 3: they will do the rest!

There was a plan to blow our eggs and experiment with natural dyes however, common sense prevailed and I boiled our eggs so little hands could manage the weight of the eggs and draw, paint and colour without any breakages.  For instant results I found the oil pastels worked really well on the egg shells.  These pastels work well for those who have short attention spans. 

I found the paper egg shape templates on 'bing' using the search box.  There were plenty of easter images to choose from.  I chose a plain template so my little flutterbug and flutterby could create their own designs and use their own imagination.  I printed the template on plain paper, glued them onto old manilla folders and cut them out so they were ready to be decorated.   

I also invited our beautiful friend 'B' over because its nice to have someone to share in the fun but also 'B' can handle the mess. 

At the moment our creations are drying in the sun.  Tomorrow we will be decorating our tree.

Happy Easter crafting!

splash!

Swim lesson time again.  Oh it's such a joy to see their confidence grow. 

temptations...



plans for a new crafty project




yarn purchased yesterday from Spotlight



neutral tones with a splash of red



mail arrived - a gift subscription from my sister


Our household is preparing for the arrival of family and friends over the Easter break.  Admist these preparations was a trip to the shops for some essential items (obviously not those photographed above).  However, since the scarf is almost finished, I couldn't pass by an opportunity while we were out to gather more yarn for another project.  I have selected neutral colours with a splash of red.  We do not know what the gender of our new little flutterby is so these were the colours I chose for our winter flutterby. 

this morning...



50 grams, Bamboo Cotton by Moda Vera Colour No 36.

 While the family was sleeping I had a few quiet moments to knit.  I will have to confess that I started again using this pattern (not so surprising).  I was half way through knitting the scarf last night when I realised a few things mainly to do with the probability that I might not have enough yarn and that I am using different size needles.  This really is a learn as you go process and I am learning.  Like following any pattern or recipe, I will make my own notes as I progress.  So far, it is going well and I am just enjoying the click, clack, click of the needles and being still. 

Have a great day.

muffins

Sweet apple and cinnamon muffins

 ‘We Love Food – family recipes from the garden’ by Kirsty Manning-Wilcox and Peta Heine (2010), Hardie grant books, Melbourne (page 27).  

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time: 15 minutes

Makes: 12 large or 36 mini muffins

Ingredients

1 ½ cups finely chopped apple

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon or nutmeg

½ cup caster sugar

2 cups self-raising flour

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon baking powder

¾ cup milk

1 egg

½ cup olive oil

Method

Preheat the oven to 180°C.  Line the standard 12-hole muffin tin with paper cases.  Combine the apple in a bowl with the cinnamon and sugar. 

Put the flour, salt and baking powder into a bowl and make a well in the centre.  Add the milk, egg and oil to the flour mixture and combine well before adding the apple mixture.  Stir until combined. 

Divide the mixture evenly between the paper cases and tap the tray on the bench to even out the mixture.  Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until a skewer comes out clean.  These muffins will store in an airtight container in the pantry for up to 5 days. 

Note: make some cinnamon butter for the muffins by combining; 1 tablespoon softened butter, 1 tablespoon caster sugar and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon. 

 

 

happy weekending



tunic for day care




baltic amber necklace



Tunic Time

Little flutter­-by is off to day care wearing mama’s hand/home-made Toffee Apple Tunic from ‘Make It Perfect’ by Toni Coward. I have to admit I made this a while ago in preparation for the cooler autumn morning weather when little flutter-by is playing outside at day care. 

I did make a few adjustments to the pattern.  I didn’t include the ruffled collar or the contrasting tie as the pattern suggests.  The main reason I omitted these features was that I could see this little flutter-by pulling on these features because that’s the type of flutter-by she is.  

This particular pattern offers sizing from size 0 to size 5 which is great as I have more opportunities to make this tunic.  As a beginner, I found the instructions and pattern easy to follow.  I purchased the bunny print cotton fabric from Spotlight.  This light cotton tunic is perfect for autumn as you can layer a long sleeve shirt underneath to keep little chests warm to ward of runny noses. 

Amber Necklace   

I purchased the Baltic Amber Necklace from our local health food store.  Little flutter-by had a different one when she started teething, however, she has outgrown it.  I have found that she is not as aggravated when teething, there is less drooling and she hardly has a runny nose.  So for all those reasons and especially to help keep me saner throughout the day, I think it’s worth paying the money.   We take it off during rest time and bed time. 

Little Helpers...Hanging out the Washing




stones



little helpers



my peg basket!




Outside Play Time

Baking

This weekend we were invited to a birthday barbeque.  I made…

• a noodle salad from: ‘Jamie’s 30-minute meals’  page 110 – 113.
• potato bake from: taste.com.au
• sticky toffee date pudding from:  ‘donna hay modern classics book 2’ page 134 – 135.
• chocolate cake from: ‘Women’s Weekly Cakes biscuits and slices’ page 74 – 75.
• chocolate fudge icing from:  ‘donna hay simple essentials chocolate’ page 15.

I adjusted some of the recipes according to how many people were attending the BBQ and some of the ingredients. 

Baking this morning

This morning we baked sweet apple and cinnamon muffins from ‘We Love Food’ by Kirsty Manning-Wilcox and Peta Heine page 27. I baked them using mini muffin trays that are the perfect portion size for little tummies.  They were delicious!

Over the next few days I will post the recipes on my blog to share.  For now, I am ready to put my feet up.  Have a happy weekend!