weekending...

 

 

We've been doing a bit of everything this weekend. From building bonfires, to drawing (above - it's a dog), doing puzzles and squeezing in a bit of shopping too. 

 

What have you been up to this weekend?

xo

this moment...

Wishing you a lovely weekend ahead.

xo

absent days...

My apologies for being absent.  Not long after I took this photo on Tuesday we were at the doctors.  Baby flutterbug was struck with an awlful contagious virus. 

He looks happy (above) wearing his big brother's jumper because it was so cold outside.  Within a matter of a couple of hours I noticed the warning signs and we were at the doctors.  We have basically been at home looking after him trying to make him as comfortable as possible.  He can't have anything to treat the virus just panadol, rest, fluids etc.  Hopefully things should start improving in a few more days.  I had a lot of plans for this first week of our holidays to share with you but everything has been put on hold until everyone feels a bit better.
xo

52 Weeks of Grateful

Winter Blooms...

from the weekend...

It was an inside/outside weekend at our house.  We did many busy things to welcome in the holidays including; cooking, gardening, drawing and visiting friends. 

Activating nuts  

To activate nuts - soak nuts overnight, lay on a tray and bake on low temperature (very low) for approximately 12 hours!

Tidying up the gardens

Inspired by the good weather and with slightly more time on our hands we are tidying up our poor neglected garden beds. 

 

I would say that today is going to be more of the same as yesterday - pottering around with littlies doing a bit of this and a bit of that.  Despite fighting a cold it's great to be outside enjoying sunny winter weather.  I'm off to do more digging. 

 

xo

 

mixed medley...

Now that we are a family of five, making small savings throughout our week is something I try to do. 

• Home-made fried rice medley - leftover cooked rice including; frozen peas and a small handful of kidney beans, freshly scrambled eggs etc.  This is a variation of my easy fried rice recipe.  Its one of those standby meals we have because we usually have left over cooked rice in the fridge. 
• Fresh eggs from the farm at school - $2 for a dozen!
• Three long sleeve shirts (boy size 5) - from Target  $2.50 each! (not sponsored)

xo





52 Weeks of Grateful: mischief

I am grateful that this is about the extent of the mischief in our home these days - thankgoodness - using our devices to take selfies when we aren't looking.  All I can say is... Gottcha!  The colourful effect is all their doing too.

 

I hope you have a great week.

xo

Weekending...

I have to admit I was stuck inside (ALL) weekend marking, profiling and reporting and there's more to complete for this week yet.  I was glad however, that three out of the five of us were able to take advantage of the sunshine today and while I had my head down working, my husband took master flutterbug and miss flutterby out for the morning.  Baby flutterbug was sound asleep at home with me.  I gave instructions to take some photos to share with you.  Trust me, these were the best shots.  I hope you had a great weekend.  xo.

morning/afternoon tea recipe

 

BANANA AND MAPLE SYRUP BREAD
 

125g butter, softened

1 cup (175g) brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 eggs
2 cups mashed bananas
1¾ cups (255g) plain (all purpose) flour, sifted
1 tsp baking powder, sifted
1 tsp bicarbonate of (baking) soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
⅓ cup maple syrup
Butter, extra, to serve (optional)


1.   Preheat oven to 160°C (325°F).  Place the butter, sugar and vanilla in an electric mixer and beat for 8-10 minutes or until pale and creamy. 
2. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.  Gradually add the eggs and beat well to combine.
3. Add the banana, flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, cinnamon and golden syrup and stir to combine.

Spoon the mixture into a 26cmx11cm (2.5 litre-capacity) lightly greased loaf tin lined with baking paper.  Bake for 60-65 minutes or until cooked when tested with a skewer.  Cool in the tin for 20 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely.  Slice and serve with extra butter. 

 
Note: I cook mine for 50 minutes - it depends on your oven.
 
I really wanted to bake something else for you today however we had some over-ripe bananas that just could not go to waste.  I have shared this recipe with you before although today I could not find the golden syrup (original recipe).  Thankfully we had some maple syrup in the pantry that I used as a substitute.  It was worth a try and the results were simply D..E..L..I..C..I..O..U..S. 

 

What are you planning to bake on the weekend?  

xo

I went walking...

My goodness, it is hard to believe we are half way through the week already.  I am literally in recovery mode - a teething baby flutterbug and a sick boy, both are on the mend thank goodness, but baby flutterbug still has no teeth yet!

Given the hectic weekend, it was good to finally get some fresh air and to think about what the next few days entail.  To tell you the truth I didn't really do too much thinking.  Walking was just a good opportunity to breathe and enjoy.

 

 

I hope you had the chance to do the same today.

xo

Garden treasures...

Last week we picked passionfruit and lemons galore.  This week we are watching and waiting for these purple treasures to ripen.  They will be the last of the crop for the winter season.  Once harvested, we will discard the plants and new mulch will be added to this tiny garden bed. 

 

 

  



  

Companion planting has also helped - chives. 

Looking back we literally 'threw in' these seedlings to see how they would go and I have to say the amount and size of the eggplants were rather surprising. 
 

Actually, I cannot take any of the credit for growing these.  My Dad is a bit of a 'green thumb'.  He loves planting vegies in our garden and enjoys visiting to inspect 'his' plants.  Naturally there is extra pressure to look after the garden to make sure 'his' plants survive because those who know me, know that I am a tad forgetful when it comes to watering. 

It's lucky I always have some help close by.

Wishing you a lovely start to the week.

xo

52 Weeks of Grateful: love to you in Germany

We are sending lots of love and kisses to our friend Cobie who is undergoing treatment in Germany.  We hope these photos from a couple of weeks ago make her smile. 

We miss you lots B.

xo

A simple heart...

It wasn't by design, it could be luck or chance or maybe it's an omen. A simple heart appeared before me, at home, amongst the everyday busy tasks that happen around here.  I noticed and paused - and I took this photo. 

And it's true, there is a piece of my heart missing - and a tear to represent the well of tears I carry for those I dearly miss. It's not perfect, life never is.  I try not to dwell on the sadness but keep my eyes open for these simple signs/omens and be present for those I love here and now. 

52 Weeks of Grateful: bountiful basket

 

 

 

A bountiful basket of organic lemons and passionfruit from our little backyard.  I am going to need a few recipe ideas for these beauties. 

Do you have you a favourite recipe containing lemons or passionfruit?

Weekending...

I've been hanging out with my girlfriends this morning at a very quaint local cafe.  There's nothing better than happy chatter amongst friends about home, work, kids, husbands and well, life in general really - Oh so good. 

 

Happy, warm weekending to you.

xo

Hello June...

In a few short weeks I am looking forward to lying in bed a little longer and savouring that moment of silence just before I am about to sip my hot cup of coffee.   Yes, soon the school holidays will be here.  However, for now, I am resisting that overwhelming feeling of what is ahead of me in order to actually make it to the holidays.  Like many educators out there lead up to the end of the term is mentally, emotionally and physically draining.  Very late nights, very early mornings, planning, preparing, teaching, marking, cross-marking, moderating, meetings; reporting, filing and planning for next term… the list goes on.  Oh, how I am looking forward to the holidays.  So this month my focus is to survive; to breathe and survive - to savour the little moments and find joy in the simple everyday things. 

5 things to do in June…

-   read a good book
-   nourish your digestive fire with some one-pot slow cook meals
-   go on a picnic with family and friends
-   learn to knit
-   compost your food scraps