Bragging Rights

It's not often that I gloat so openly and publicly about my children - I usually leave that to their Dad - but today I am breaking with tradition.
We attended a wedding yesterday in which, between us, we knew one person...the groom. Ok so we had to dust off our conversation cards, but thanks to our two little men, we firmly established ourselves among the wedding party. Jack in all his finery was very helpful and excelled in bubble blowing, petal throwing and clapping on cue, but it was the dance floor where he showed his true talent. Whether he takes after his Mum or Dad with his slick moves is contestable, but suffice to say, he broke some hearts last night. In particular, the mystery blond in the pretty pink dress, who took a shine to our teeny Travolta. They held hands, shuffled to the Gipsy Kings and momentarily took the attention away from the bride and groom. His solo routine was equally popular with high energy bouncing and arm jigging hard to beat. Meanwhile, in his Daddy's arms, it was all a little too much for Charlie, who slept through the whole thing.

Before and After

Continuing on from my initial Before and After project, here is some inspiration for you. Ever wondered what to do with all those used milk formula tins? In these sustainable times, why not recycle them? I found some really cute paper in Spotlight of all places. Bring to that the fabulous Mod Podge and some cute ribbon and hey presto, a pretty new storage tin!

Hyper-bole

By the way, I have just figured out how to add a hyperlink to those images that I use (that deserve credit). So if you want to know where this cute image is from, click it and find out!

Lemon Loveliness

I mentioned in my post last week, a certain lemon drizzle cake that is delicious with a cup of tea. I thought I'd share this foolproof recipe, with all credit to Nigella Lawson.

For the cake:
125 g unsalted butter
175g caster sugar
2 eggs
zest 1 lemon
175g self-raising flour
pinch salt
4 tablespoons milk
23x13x7cm loaf tin, buttered and lined

For the syrup:
juice of 1.5 lemons (4 tbsp)
100g icing sugar

Preheat oven to 180 oC/gas mark 4 and butter and line you loaf tin well.
Cream together butter and sugar, add eggs and lemon zest, beating well.
Add flour and salt, folding in gently but thoroughly, and then the milk.
Spoon into prepared loaf tin and put in oven. While the cake is cooking, make the syrup by putting lemon juice and sugar into a small saucepan and heat gently so that the sugar dissolves.
Bake the cake for 45 mins, or until golden, risen in the middle and an inserted cake-tester comes out clean. As soon as the cake comes out of the oven, puncture the top of the loaf all over with cake-tester. Pour over the syrup, trying to let the middle absorb as well as the sides, then leave to soak up the rest. Don't try and take the cake out of the tin until it is completely cold, as it will be sodden with syrup and might crumble.

Now sit down with a cup of Twining's Afternoon Tea and enjoy.

Retail therapy?

So it's true what they say. Retail therapy works. OK the actual ACT of shopping, you can have, or maybe is it that I had the two littlies in a bulky stroller drowning any semblance of pleasure? I have to admit, I haven't bought myself anything new for quite a while, as I've been rather spoilt by my elder sister who regularly sends me H&M treats from London. Oh to have a personal shopper...Oh to have H&M here...

So enough was enough, I decided it was time to brave the shops and grab myself some fresh items for Spring. Maybe it's because I am so out of practice, and listen to too much soft dub, but going into stores that are hitting decibels I haven't heard in a while made me whince. Ighh techno before midday, please, too loud!! Oh dear, I swore I would never think those thoughts, and look, it's happened.

Anyway, I braved the changing room and ignored the horrible lighting that did very unkind things to my post baby body. Thankfully I chose well and everything fit, so was able to pay with lightning speed and get home before the boys lost their marbles. It was this morning, when I put my fresh new clothes on that I felt the benefit of my retail experience. I feel modern again, rather than super dowdy, out of fashion and tired. Nice.

..and the kitchen sink

The oh so enticing job of packing up our belongings is now looming over us like a thunderous cloud. I have managed to fill five boxes without taking a breath, with our endless collection of cookbooks and magazines looking like they will take up a whole container of their own. And then there is Vinnie's vinyl...

So I took the foolish step of packing a box or two the other morning while the boys were up and about. Big mistake. We have a fairly established collection of trucks and toys that should keep any child amused for hours. But it was the act that I was undertaking that seemed so much more interesting. And then there was the packing tape that could be picked off the boxes...oh and did I mention the big black marker that Jack got his hands on? He was very helpful 'labelling' the boxes for me, narrowly missing the carpet before I 'borrowed' it from him and placed it far out of reach.

I now have to face the job of dealing with the three, yes three, old basins kept from an old renovation job, that in my infinite wisdom, thought would be a fabulous addition to our fantasy home. Six years later and no such home to speak of, these sinks are still sitting in the back yard. Ok, if there was one, I wouldn't really be writing about it, but THREE? What was I thinking?

Spellcheck?

On our recent reconnaissance mission to Hobart, we stumbled across this sign in the Botanical Gardens. With a nervous giggle we found this little blunder, should we be worried? Maybe I should offer them my copywriting services...

It's the little things...

I don't advocate myself as any kind of tea expert but I seem to have started a bit of a fan club with this particular Twinings blend. Before I became pregnant I never considered a cup of tea as a pleasurable experience. In fact I can remember being offered my first taste by my aunt. I think I had a broken arm at the time and was convalescing in their house one weekend. My older sister and I used to love going to our older cousins and get to run through the fields and play in the tomato greenhouses nearby. Anyway, although I was in quiet adoration of my surroundings and this particular moment of attention, I just didn't get what all the fuss was about and totally pretended to like it.
It has taken me nearly thirty years and a lot of raging hormones later to give it another try. And now I relish a good cuppa and a bickie, or even better still, a slice of homemade lemon drizzle cake! As a mother, when you have a few moments to sit still, it's the little things that help you along your day.

Good Housekeeping

When Vinnie came home with 'The Country Women's Association Cookery Book and Household Hints' book, I wondered was this a subtle comment on my housekeeping skills. To some, my ability to 'keep house' can be questionable and the state of the house can often reflect my mood. Neat as a pin - content. Looking like a bomb hit? Well, you can imagine.
With our big move to Tasmania now only around the corner, I thought it appropriate to open this bible to many. I mean, if I don't have a good scone recipe to welcome my new neighbours, I won't stand a chance there will I?
Not only did I find infinite wisdom on the art of a good scone, but there are pages dedicated to jam making, chutneys, sandwich fillings and pudding sauces. But it was the Simple Home Remedies chapter that had me hooked. If you ever find yourself choking on a fish bone, here is how to remove it;
"Swallow a raw egg, and follow, if possible, by eating plenty of mashed potato or bread. The egg will carry the bone to the stomach and the potato will prevent it from doing any harm there."
Who knew?
Oh and I bought myself my first pair of dish gloves today. After ten years of washing dishes gloveless, I decided it was time to look after my poor little hands. Gloves have come a long way since those dreadful rubber Marigolds...

Playground Pests

I can now officially add 'Scatterbrain' to my lists of personal traits. When you go to the playground with your two children mid morning and completely forget to bring food for either of them, you wonder if you are losing your mind or just not getting enough sleep.
To help make amends I decided a stick fort in the sand would cause a distraction and make up for my forgetfulness. So with the help of Charlie the Chewer, we set about collecting sticks and setting the boundary fence in place. Just as I had completed the rather impressive circular foundation, a pint sized pest came straight over to view our creation, bent down, stuck out his hand, and with one fell swoop, demolished our hard work. It wasn't the actual act that shocked me,( although I was totally disgusted) but the hideous expression on this kids face that left me speechless. He was actually quite pleased with himself and gave me a look as to say, "Hah you stupid grown up, look what I can do to ruin your day." Thankfully I got my voice back and proceeded to tell him what a rude thing he did and how close he was to getting sand in my little treasure's eyes. Urghhhh... And do you THINK there was a parent around to reprimand him? Of course not...
Ok, vent over, I feel better now, thank you.