What’s Up Skip?

Posted on August 23, 2011 by Jacinta

With all this glorious weather we have been having the last few days, we have been heading off to a lovely park close to Scarlett’s school.   It’s has been too nice to go home, after all, there are way too many jobs to greet me there, but at least I know they will wait for me, the sunshine may not.  And besides, who needs dinner, right?  Well, ok, a late dinner it is.

The park is in a bush setting and is frequented by all sorts of native animals.  The kangaroos for one, love basking in the sun and nibbling at the lush green grass that is abundant in the park.  The park is near a water reserve so there is no shortage of birds either.

We have spent the last two evenings wrapped in the warmth of glorious sunshine in the playground, finished off by a wonder along the walking path to the kangaroo’s favourite afternoon hangout.  There were plenty of joeys in their mother’s pouches and they make for great outdoor entertainment.  The way the kangaroos scratch themselves is worthy of their own tv segment alone.  I should have taken a movie to show you, maybe another day.  Even though I have been surrounded by kangaroos most of my life, I still find them fascinating.  Those tails for one, have a life of their own.

We were fairly close to the kangaroos, but my phone isn’t great for close ups.  Even though they are fairly quiet, we respect that they are wild animals and kept our distance. But if you are lucky, they will actually hop across the playground right in front of you.  It is quite a sight.

Ok, I know it's not the best photo, but the kangaroo to the far right has a joey in her pouch. See if you squint, you can see it. Yes you can, I'm sure!

Just for your interest (I know you are interested) a group of kangaroos are called a mob, group or herd. Yes, I know you were wondering.

Oh and as for my reference to Skip in the title, see here (ah, that show was a cracker).  If you grew up in Australia in the 70’s and 80’s you would definitely know what I am referring to.  If not, go check out Skippy, I will guarantee you a laugh if nothing else.  Jacinta x

Posted in Family Life, Favourite Places, The Natives | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

This Moment

Posted on August 19, 2011 by Jacinta

From Soulemama {this moment} – A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment.  A moment I want to pause, savour and remember.

I love your moments too.  So feel free to leave a link in the comment section for us all to see.  Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful weekend lovelies!  Jacinta x

 

Posted in Family Life, This Moment | 17 Comments

Stealing a Moment

Posted on August 16, 2011 by Jacinta

I have had good intentions of getting multiple blog posts written over the last few days, but I have either had Jairah in my arms, or I just haven’t had the energy to sit down and try and ramble on about our days.  I have therefore stolen some time today via a DVD so I could sit down and connect with you lovely readers and to say thanks to those of you who inquired about everyone’s wellness.  We are all much better, except for Jairah who is still coughing, but he is definitely much better than a couple of days ago.

Now tv is something we don’t do a lot of around here.  We aren’t connected up to free-to-air nor cable television.  However, on rare occasions, I will put a DVD on.  Today television is making up for the nanny I don’t have, but could do with right now.  I am sitting watching in the background with the kids, but I am also enjoying my cup of tea and a generous slice of raspberry and dark chocolate cake with both my hands free.  Now that is a treat.  I have dinner cooking in the slow cooker and have some apple and rhubarb I stewed yesterday, that I will make into a pie as a special treat tonight.  I will have to share the recipe once it’s made.  Ah, I think today is looking up and the sun is shining to boot.

Oh, and I couldn’t resist taking this rare photo of a quiet and snuggly sibling moment.

I hope your days are being kind to you and yours.  Jacinta x

Posted in Family Life, Gastronomic Explosions - aka Yummy Food/Recipes | Tagged , | 7 Comments

Yarn Along

Posted on August 10, 2011 by Jacinta

Joining in with Ginny at Small Things yarn along this week.

Or in my case, should I just say book along?  I haven’t had a chance to knit in the last two weeks.  It seems winter lurgies have been running rampent in our house these last couple of weeks.  Scarlett was the first, followed by Jairah then Greg.  Thankfully Tenneille seems to have missed this round!

I fell victim earlier this week too, which means I have been trying to take it easy as being the mama, I don’t really have time to take off to be sick (as I’m sure is the same for all of you).  The good news is, that I have had lots of early nights which means I can read more.  I have read three books which ironically have all been Amish themed.  The first book was The Amish Midwife by Mindy Starns Clark and Leslie Gould.  I really liked it and found it hard to put down.  It was an easy read and I read in in only a few days, just reading a page here and there.  I love all things home birth related and that is what attracted me to the book in the first place.  I recommend it.

I found a sequel to The Amish Midwife called, The Amish Nanny by the same authors as above and well, I had to read it too.  It followed on quite well from the first book and again I read it in a few days.  I noticed that Mindy has written a few other books, so I might have to check them out too.  Or if you have read any of her other books, I would like to know your recommendations.

The lastest book was a $1.99 kindle special called The Hope of Refuge, by Cindy Woodsmall.  I found myself yet again sucked into the story and just finished it tonight.  I loved the characters and the storyline.  There are another two books in the series which I am tempted to buy.  Although I can see how one would get addicted to buying books this way!

I will admit now that kindle is my secret to getting books read quickly.  I often have small snippets of time while waiting at school to pick up Scarlett or in between jobs while the kids are happily playing.  I can lay in bed with the light out and still be able to read. Oh yes, kindle is my friend!

I can’t wait to see what you have all been crafting and/or reading this week.

Jacinta x

Posted in Books, Yarn Along | Tagged , , , , , | 14 Comments

This Moment

Posted on August 5, 2011 by Jacinta

From Soulemama {this moment} – A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment.  A moment I want to pause, savour and remember.

I love your moments too.  So feel free to leave a link in the comment section for us all to see.  Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful weekend lovelies!  Jacinta x

Posted in The Garden, This Moment | Tagged | 26 Comments

Raspberry and Dark Chocolate Cake

Posted on August 3, 2011 by Jacinta

Well to say the least, this week has been rather full on.  With two sick kids, my to do list which has grown to epic proportions, including trying to get my kitchen renovation off to a start amongst other things, had to be put on hold.  Enter the fact that I have been without my oven for over three months now (it died without warning), my need for something sweet and home baked had reached crisis level.  Enter dad’s turbo oven (it’s like a bench top convection oven), he has loaned us.  Thanks dad!

I had raspberries in the freezer and dark chocolate in the cupboard and my need for cake, straight out of the oven, was necessary for me to survive another day in sickieville!  I made the recipe up as I went and two slices in, I can say it was a success.  The kids had some too.  I don’t think they could believe their luck, as I don’t often let them have anything with white sugar let alone chocolate (besides birthday cakes).  Suffice to say, they loved it! My first piece happened to have a huge chunk of melted chocolate in the middle and mixed with the tart flavour of the raspberries, I think I may have bitten into heaven itself.

Ingredients:

1 cup raspberries (I used frozen)
100 gm quality dark chocolate, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup castor sugar
1 cup plain flour
1 cup milk
1 egg
1 small lemon, juiced
rind of one lemon
3 tbsp oil (I use GM free canola oil)
1/2 tsp baking powder (bi-carb soda)
1 tsp cream of tartar

Method:

First make buttermilk by adding the juice of a lemon to the milk.  Stir and set aside.   Place raspberries in a bowl and sprinkle with about 2 tablespoons of the castor sugar and set aside.

Crack the egg into a mixing bowl and beat until light and fluffy.  Add oil and 1/4 cup of castor sugar and beat until well combined.  Stir in lemon rind and buttermilk.  Sift flour, baking powder, cream of tartar and remaining sugar.  Add to the wet ingredients and stir until just combined. Stir in raspberries and coarsely chopped chocolate.
Pour mixture into a greased cake tin and place in a pre-heated moderate oven for approx. 40 mins or until cooked through.  (Using the turbo oven I cooked the cake at 200 degrees celsius for around 55 mins, but this will vary according to your oven).  Remove from oven and let cool slightly before cutting.   Cut a wedge (or two) and serve with extra berries, dusted with icing sugar or whipped cream if desired.

Raspberry and Dark Chocolate Cake

Enjoy!  Jacinta x

 

Posted in Gastronomic Explosions - aka Yummy Food/Recipes | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Tangy Macadamia Dip

Posted on August 2, 2011 by Jacinta

I love making dips for quick and easy snacks to share or to take along to a party.  I came up with this recipe last summer and made it again the other day to take to a candle party (the party plan kind), where I offered to bring a plate (with food on it of course!).  It’s quick and easy to make.  It’s vegan and non-dairy too.

Ingredients:

100gm raw macadamia nuts, unsalted
1 carrot, coarsely chopped
1 tomato, coarsely chopped
Lemon juice to taste,  (I use about 1/2 a lemon)
1/4 tsp cummin
salt to taste

Method:

Add macadamia nuts to food processor along with the carrot and blend briefly.  Add tomato, lemon juice, cummin and salt and blend until well combined.   Place into a dish and serve with your favourite crackers.

Variations:

  • You could toast the macadamia nuts for a stronger nut flavour.
  • Try your favourite nut in place of macadamia.

Tangy Macadamia Dip

Enjoy!  Jacinta x

Posted in Gastronomic Explosions - aka Yummy Food/Recipes | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Sunday

Posted on August 1, 2011 by Jacinta

Our Sunday was spent flying kites under clear blue skies and in brilliant (almost warm) sunshine.

With family.

Finishing jobs that I thought would never be done.

Eating steamed pudding with a hot cuppa in hand at the end of a beautiful day.

Life is good. 

I hope your Sunday was well spent too.  Jacinta x

 

Posted in Family Life | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

This Moment

Posted on July 29, 2011 by Jacinta

From Soulemama {this moment} – A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment.  A moment I want to pause, savour and remember.

I love your moments too.  So feel free to leave a link in the comment section for us all to see.  Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful weekend lovelies!  Jacinta x

Posted in Family Life, This Moment | Tagged , , , , | 19 Comments

Crowning Glory

Posted on July 28, 2011 by Jacinta

Scarlett was recently invited to one of her school friend’s fairy/princess party.   She decided to go as a garden fairy, wearing the dress I made for her birthday last year.  She was desperate for a crown to wear and we decided that making one out of foliage would very fitting for a garden fairly.  So we all headed for a walk down our road in search of flowers, which is a feat in itself considering it’s mid-winter and we live amongst a forrest.

It was lovely to wonder along and take in the gorgeous views that are just a stone’s throw from our house and thankfully there were a few pretty flowers to pick along side the road.  Although, apparently there’s a rather long process to picking just the right flower for the job and making sure one’s dragon is placed just so in a basket, to prevent crushing freshly picked flowers (Tenneille’s dragon that is).

Searching for that perfect crown adornment and keeping check on one's dragon in the basket.

 

Meanwhile, there were pretty views of the valley below us, with the last of the morning fog lifting.

Once we finally made it home there was a mad rush to get everyone lunch and dressed to get out the door (Tenneille had gone flower picking in her pjs!).  I constructed the main part of the crown for Scarlett from a vine and she decorated it with all the flowers and foliage.  We added some pretty ribbon to hang down at the back.

I promise they posed themselves so perfectly, Cardamon included!

 

The Crowning Glory - our very own garden fairly

The crown was worn for all of 5 minutes at the party, of course.  All the girls looked gorgeous dressed up in their finest.  Especially when they were all on a jumping castle!

It was a special treat for this mama to sit and chat to other parents at the party while Greg took Tenneille and Jairah off to a park.   All the princesses and fairies went home very happy with balloons in hand and smiles on faces.  Jacinta x

Posted in Craft, Family Life, Seasons | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments