Apricot Slice

I made this slice last week because we were going to The Lodge at Le Bons Bay for the weekend and I know it is my brother-in-law John's favourite. If you have a sweet tooth give it a go. Real easy and only dirties one bowl.

Apricot Slice

Blend 1 packet of plain biscuits

Microwave 1/2 tin of condensed milk, 175g butter and 3/4 cup brown sugar until blended

Leave to cool for about ten minutes

Add 1 cup chopped dried apricots, 1/2 cup chocolate drops/chips and the biscuit crumbs

Press into a tray (about 25 x 25cm).

Top with coconut and refrigerate

My Baby Goes to School

Na'uli had her first day at preschool today. Sofia started going one morning a week at about the same age that Na'uli is but for some reason it feels like Na is still more of a baby. Sofia is in the Over Two's area and Na'uli in the Under Two's but Sofia joined the little ones today to keep an eye on her sister...yes she needs an eye kept on her as recently she has taken to scragging and scratching other babies and toddlers. It's pretty embarrasing but what can you do? (Any ideas would be great). I stayed with her while she settled in, had lotu (prayer) and sat down for morning tea. Then I sneaked off for a bit of shopping ON MY OWN, now that doesn't happen very often. I went to Knit World to find some wool and needles to make these wrist warmers and then to the mall for a few bits and pieces and a cup of coffee.

Na'uli pays attention on the mat

Prayer circle

Ready for morning tea

Wool for my wrist warmers

From Mummy to Mrs V.

Yesterday I went back to my old job as a primary school teacher for the first time since leaving to become a mother. I contacted the school that I used to work at for around 5 years to find out if they had an relieving available. I felt quite confident at that stage and then my friend got back to me saying "Yes can you do a day next week?". I was surprised at how nervous I felt when my return to the classroom was becoming a reality! Anyway it was actually just an afternoon of teaching a class of Year 3/4 (7/8 year old) children. I enjoyed being back in my old role although I was a bit rusty and I think I need to brush up on some of my strategies like noise control and time management. I have to say though that neither of these was helped by the fact that another reliever didn't turn up so I ended up with that class in my room as well...wonder if I'll get paid double? haha

Choice Kids Music

I recently got a copy of this CD from my parents. Sofia and Na'uli absolutely love it. Sofia can sing heaps of the words and the music just makes them dance...I quite like it myself too!

They're catchy tunes but not in the way that some kids songs can be where they actually drive you nuts.

The latest in Putumayo World Music’s acclaimed music series for children features a star-studded cast of artists singing classic folk and blues songs. Arlo Guthrie, Taj Mahal, Dan Zanes, Keb’ Mo’, and others offer a mix of unforgettable folk, blues, bluegrass, swing and reggae that children and their families can easily sing along with. (Description from Putumayo website)

You can listen to samples of the music here. And I just realised as I went looking for info about this CD that there are dozens more in their range. Most have a cultural theme-I reckon I'd be liking the Reggae one and the Hawaiian one

Completed Cardi and Cotton Conundrum

I have just completed this darling little sleeveless cardigan for Na'uli. It's the second one I made as the first turned out just a bit too small. Not sure what I'll do with that one yet-maybe it will go in my Felt Shop or perhaps I need to do a giveaway...
I bought the pattern called 'Spring Butterfly' from this shop on Felt. It was really easy to follow and knitted up pretty quick. It can be done on circular or long 'normal' needles.
It's got some gorgeous little features on it...

picot edged sleeves that pop up like wee wings...

this little twisty design at the back...

and a gusset at the back which is so practical for a cloth-nappy-wearing toddler

I can see this is going to become a favourite.

So what's the cotton conundrum? Well it's not so much a conundrum but I liked the alliteration in my title! At present my growing stash of cotton reels looks like this...

I was hoping that some of you might be able to suggest some fabulous ideas for storing cotton so that it's tidy and easily accessible. Any ideas gratefully accepted. Thanks.

Jimeoin Third Drawer Down

I think this guy is hilarious. I first heard him sing this song as a guest on a local radio station. I've never forgotten it and it still cracks me up. Bet you've got a third drawer down from the top...or at least one somewhere that's full of s*#t!
It's not the best version to listen to but here's the words if you miss them...

In my kitchen there's a drawer at the top
It's got cutlery: knives, forks, spoons the lot
Second drawer down's got a big knife and an egg whip
Things that should go in the first drawer - but they just don't fit

And the third drawer down from the top
Is just full of shit
And there's tonnes of it (Rhymes with shit)

Elastic bands and Tally-Hos that don't stick
Dried up glue, false teeth, something stolen from a hotel
Things that are broken that you know you'll never fix
But you put them in the third drawer
'cause you just don't got the heart to throw them away

It's the third drawer down from the top
And it's full of shit

Blu-tac and cellotape that's been hit by a truck
One chopstick, an ashtray from New Zealand
Paid bills and envelopes
Things that you think'll come in handy, but they just never do

It's the third drawer down from the top
And it's full of shit

And the fourth drawer down
It's got plastic bags in it
And that's it

Works in Progress

Seeing as I haven't really been able to do much craft lately I thought I'd share some works in progress-the things I would be doing if I could! I did do a bit of knitting last night because I desperately wanted to complete a super cute garment that I'm making for Na'uli. I just need to find the right buttons to finish it off then I will share a photo of the whole thing. The bottom picture shows what I worked on today-sewing is a bit kinder on my hands than wool crafts. I received the remedy from my homeopath and have already noticed an improved so hopefully that will continue and I can get back to these projects.

Can't Craft

Grrr. I have this skin condition which has been going on for some time now. It mainly affects my hands. They are dry and itchy and cracked and it makes it hard to do many things but the most frustrating for me is craft work. When my hands are at their worst, as they are at the moment, it is impossible to knit. I can't grasp the needles and the wool catches on the dry skin. It is sooo annoying. I have been through so many different creams with little or no relief so have given up on those. I am now working with a homeopath recommended by my sister Allie (who is a training homeopath herself). I visited the homeopath again yesterday so now I'm eagerly awaiting her remedy in the mail and crossing my fingers, well I would if I could anyway!, that it will work. Earlier in the year she fixed a recurring sore throat, which I had been suffering from for about a year, with a single dose so I definitely have faith in her.

Anyway today we have still managed to get the vacuuming done and bake these orange cup cakes

A Craft Affair

I went along to A Craft Affair in the city today. What a great collection of crafty goodies. It was so nice to see some of the online crafters out and about show casing their handmade bits and pieces. The only downside to the market was that it was SO crowded. It was really hard to get close to see things in detail and you felt that you couldn't linger and browse for too long because there was a bunch of people waiting behind to have their turn. I purchased just a couple of wee bits (photos following) and picked up a few business cards so I could come home and peruse their products at my leisure-and that's exactly what I've been doing since I got home! Oh and I've had three cups of tea and cut out my next skirt. It's been a stunning day weatherwise and the girls enjoyed feeding the ducks and taking a walk with their Daddy while I was at A Craft Affair. We also popped over to the Arts Centre Market afterwards and listened to music and had some lunch-for me a souvlaki yeee-ummm!

Card, gift tags, envelope seals, pencil and eraser from a Songbird Designs assortment bag (sort of luck dip)

Fabric brooch and hair pin also from the assortment bag

Fabric covered fridge magnets by Cat Taylor Designs

You might like to check out the sites and blogs of these crafty people that I saw today

hobby horses and second courses

cat taylor design

Relique Vintage Jewellery

In My Backyard

Revived in New Zealand

Songbird Designs

Craft-it-Round

I am so glad I joined the Craft-it-Round organised by Stella. I think it's a great way to get in touch with people, a good reason to craft and such fun to receive lovely handmade goodies. It took me ages to decide what to make and I was quite behind for awhile(sorry ladies!) but I have caught up now and I just love finding these little packages in my mail box (and Sofia does too!).

Owl softie from lil knight lights

Shopping bag from Frith

 

 Purse and buttons from Green Valley Crafts

Needlebook from Bellabree

Can't wait to see what will come next...

A Favourite Winter Meal-Recipe to Try

I thought I would share the recipe for this delicious meal that is one of my all time favourites.

Chicken and Brocolli in Mayonnaise Sauce

Boil a chicken and pull off the meat or poach about 3 chicken breasts and shred the meat.

Keep the cooking liquid to be used in the sauce.

Cook a large head of brocolli until tender. Butter a wide shallow dish and put brocolli and chicken in.

Make the Sauce:

Melt 2oz butter, stir in 2oz flour and 1 tablespoon of curry powder. Cook over a gentle heat for 1-2 minutes then gradually stir in 1 pint chicken stock (I use the liquid that I cooked the chicken in, adding a bit more water if needed and some powdered chicken stock if it needs a bit more flavour). Stir until boiling, remove from heat and add 300g evaporated milk, 4 tablespoons mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons lemon juice and 2oz grated cheese.

Pour sauce over chicken and brocolli and sprinkle with bread crumbs or crushed potato chips

Bake at 190 degrees for about 1/2 an hour or until bubbling and golden.

I like to serve this with steamed carrots and bolied or mashed potatoes. Definitely worth a try. Enjoy!

A Magical Place

Here's a few pictures from Le Bons Bay Beach at the weekend. It's an amazing place-if you've been there you will know what I mean...if you haven't then you'd better put it on your list of places to visit. Our family have heaps of fun there-swimming, playing in the sand, hunting for shells and other precious treasure, gathering shell fish, letting the dogs run free, walking, talking, spear fishing for flounder in the river and dragging the net in the waves. My sisters even used to ride their horses out into the breakers. Beautiful...

And here's our little dog Coconut. I think he's dreaming about being big!

Back at the Bay

This week I've been staying with my parents in Le Bons Bay after having a couple of days in hospital last week as I needed surgery for an ectopic pregnancy. The pregnancy itself was totally unexpected and then to require this surgery also came as a big shock. However it all went well and I was lucky to have the help of my family when I returned home. Mum offered for me and the girls to spend the week at her place so that I could have some help with the girls and avoid lifting, housework, driving etc. so here we are back home (I have a lovely home with my husband and our daughters but it is in the city and I always reckon that "home is where your Mum is")
Sofia and Na'uli are having a lovely time with their Mama and Pa and aunties and cousins. Heres some pictures of them