Saturday
Tuesday
About to have my 5th Caesarean!
Just thought I would put my own experience with previous caesareans here, as other mums have found it helpful and reassuring in the past, due to the positive experiences I have had with my caesareans.
I am actually due to have my 5th baby (and 5th caesarean) in 2 days time!
When I had my last caesarean, my obstetrician let me know that my previous scars had all healed remarkably well each time, and that it looked like I should be totally fine to have more.
She is highly experienced and I have had great recoveries each time, so I was confident of her recommendation, even though I have had so many people look shocked when I tell them that I am about to have my 5th caesarean, and countless people have said, "but I thought 3 was the limit".
I have had 4 caesareans so far and although the first one was scary because it was emergency, the next three planned ones were all wonderful!
With my first born, I was overdue at 41 weeks, when my waters broke and were full of meconium. My contractions started and I went to hospital.
About 9 hours later, during one of the contractions (which they were monitoring because of the thick meconium in my waters) his heartrate dropped from 120 down to 60 and then didn't come back up again. I was in a country town, so they phoned the major maternity hospital in Perth who told my doctor that the baby needed to be born immediately as I was not dilating properly and he was stuck and in distress.
Anyway, I was *rushed* into the operating theatre and told to sign a piece of paper (which was near on impossible with my minute-and-a-half apart contractions which were lasting a minute each!) and then they gave me a GA and then next thing I knew I was waking up with a baby in my arms! He fed immediately and my milk came in with in 2-3 days. I bonded perfectly with him and everything was wonderful. My doctor told me not to drive for 6 weeks, so I didn't and I think that really helped with my recovery. I also had heaps of help and ladies from our church brought me meals at home just about every night for the first few weeks which was wonderful!
Any pain was always dealt with almost before I felt it and with in a few days I could get by with just panadol and then after about 6 days I didn't even need that.
The worst pain I felt after the caesarean was wind pain on the second day, and referred wind pain which you feel in your shoulder when the wind inside you presses on your diaphragm. I recommend taking peppermint tea for the wind pain and ask for a gentle laxative if you need it.
Also it helps to get up as soon as you can and begin walking around a little bit, otherwise you can seize up a bit. Try to walk tall and straight but be gentle.
I was absolutely amazed at how quickly the cut heals over and goes back to being completely normal. After 5 days, they remove the tape (and stitches if you have ones that need removing) and the cut is all perfectly sealed back with just a thin clean line to see. Anyone who saw it was absolutely amazed as they had expected a big wound or something!
With my next birth, I waited until my due date, and then had a planned caesarean as I was too scared to go through that whole emergency saga again. It was really wonderful and I healed so much faster and had very little pain at any stage.
I had a spinal block which I was dreading but it was fine and there was nothing painful about it in the slightest. I preferred the thought of a spinal block (as opposed to an epidural) as it is just a quick needle in and out and no tube remains in your back like it does with an epidural.
First you sit on the edge of the bed in a gown (or lie on the edge of the bed on your side, depending on the anesthetist) and they clean and paint your back (with antiseptic stuff) and then put the spinal block in which lasts a few seconds. Then they roll you onto your back and after a few seconds your legs start feeling heavy. Next they check that there is no feeling there by using a cold pack, and finally, when everything is ready (after they have put in a catheter), the doctor who is performing your caesarean comes in.
The baby is literally out within a few minutes and you get to cuddle them straight away. You feel nothing but tugging sensations at any time. Your legs just feel cozy and warm and your husband sits by your head and talks to you the whole time. Your husband usually gets to hold your baby and bond with them while you are being stitched up. My husband went with our baby to the nursery and then back to my room every time, while I was in recovery.
In recovery, they just monitor you and make sure you are fine until you get a stable blood pressure reading and stable temperature. I always get the shakes afterwards and that is a normal side effect, but it's nothing to worry about. I also always get a really itchy face as the spinal block wears off, but again that is very normal and just a slight annoyance and it doesn't last long.
With all four babies, I was able to sit up and feed them as soon as I came out of recovery and was back in my room (about an hour after the birth). All of them latched on immediately and fed for a full hour the very first time. I found that they have all wanted to feed for hours on the second day and second night and so I just let them, as this is what helps to make sure your milk comes in by the third day. I think the other reason that some people who have caesareans have problems with milk supply, is that with a planned caesarean, the doctor often wants to perform the caesarean up to 3 weeks before the due date. I have always tried to have it as close to the due date as possible so the baby is definitely ready to be born.
My next two births were also planned caesareans with a spinal block as my experience had been so positive with the last one that I wanted to repeat it. I have had the same obstetrician for the last two and she had my baby out both times within 7 minutes of walking into the room (but took much longer to stitch me up which is good!) I healed so perfectly well that I could do sit ups and run around after the 8 week recovery period with absolutely *no* pain at all.
I followed doctor's advice and didn't drive at all within the first 6 weeks for all four caesareans which helped to keep me at home resting and bonding, and not gallivanting around injuring myself
With all four caesareans my milk has come in within 2-3 days.
I think I healed faster each time and was up and about faster.
Here's what I have done for the last three and would do again if I ever had another:
* Try to wait until your due date (or as close as possible) so your baby doesn't have to come into the world too early
* Have a spinal block if available (as opposed to an epidural)
* Cuddle your baby straight away and then give them to your husband to hold while being stitched up
* Feed immediately on arriving back in bedroom (has been for a full hour every time)
* Drink peppermint tea to help with wind pain
* Give your baby heaps of cuddles
* Keep your baby right there beside the bed all the so you can reach them
* Make sure you have a hanging thing above your bed that you grab onto with your hand to help you get up
* Ask midwives for help when you need to get up or get your baby
* Try to get up the second day and do a very gentle walk
* Get as much help as possible
* Don't drive for the first 6 weeks
Ummm, I think that's all... lol... You are probably sick of reading by now, but I'm sure a positive experience (or 4) will help you feel better if you are about to face a caesarean and don't really know what to expect.
Just ask if you have any questions as I am very happy to answer them
I am actually due to have my 5th baby (and 5th caesarean) in 2 days time!
When I had my last caesarean, my obstetrician let me know that my previous scars had all healed remarkably well each time, and that it looked like I should be totally fine to have more.
She is highly experienced and I have had great recoveries each time, so I was confident of her recommendation, even though I have had so many people look shocked when I tell them that I am about to have my 5th caesarean, and countless people have said, "but I thought 3 was the limit".
I have had 4 caesareans so far and although the first one was scary because it was emergency, the next three planned ones were all wonderful!
With my first born, I was overdue at 41 weeks, when my waters broke and were full of meconium. My contractions started and I went to hospital.
About 9 hours later, during one of the contractions (which they were monitoring because of the thick meconium in my waters) his heartrate dropped from 120 down to 60 and then didn't come back up again. I was in a country town, so they phoned the major maternity hospital in Perth who told my doctor that the baby needed to be born immediately as I was not dilating properly and he was stuck and in distress.
Anyway, I was *rushed* into the operating theatre and told to sign a piece of paper (which was near on impossible with my minute-and-a-half apart contractions which were lasting a minute each!) and then they gave me a GA and then next thing I knew I was waking up with a baby in my arms! He fed immediately and my milk came in with in 2-3 days. I bonded perfectly with him and everything was wonderful. My doctor told me not to drive for 6 weeks, so I didn't and I think that really helped with my recovery. I also had heaps of help and ladies from our church brought me meals at home just about every night for the first few weeks which was wonderful!
Any pain was always dealt with almost before I felt it and with in a few days I could get by with just panadol and then after about 6 days I didn't even need that.
The worst pain I felt after the caesarean was wind pain on the second day, and referred wind pain which you feel in your shoulder when the wind inside you presses on your diaphragm. I recommend taking peppermint tea for the wind pain and ask for a gentle laxative if you need it.
Also it helps to get up as soon as you can and begin walking around a little bit, otherwise you can seize up a bit. Try to walk tall and straight but be gentle.
I was absolutely amazed at how quickly the cut heals over and goes back to being completely normal. After 5 days, they remove the tape (and stitches if you have ones that need removing) and the cut is all perfectly sealed back with just a thin clean line to see. Anyone who saw it was absolutely amazed as they had expected a big wound or something!
With my next birth, I waited until my due date, and then had a planned caesarean as I was too scared to go through that whole emergency saga again. It was really wonderful and I healed so much faster and had very little pain at any stage.
I had a spinal block which I was dreading but it was fine and there was nothing painful about it in the slightest. I preferred the thought of a spinal block (as opposed to an epidural) as it is just a quick needle in and out and no tube remains in your back like it does with an epidural.
First you sit on the edge of the bed in a gown (or lie on the edge of the bed on your side, depending on the anesthetist) and they clean and paint your back (with antiseptic stuff) and then put the spinal block in which lasts a few seconds. Then they roll you onto your back and after a few seconds your legs start feeling heavy. Next they check that there is no feeling there by using a cold pack, and finally, when everything is ready (after they have put in a catheter), the doctor who is performing your caesarean comes in.
The baby is literally out within a few minutes and you get to cuddle them straight away. You feel nothing but tugging sensations at any time. Your legs just feel cozy and warm and your husband sits by your head and talks to you the whole time. Your husband usually gets to hold your baby and bond with them while you are being stitched up. My husband went with our baby to the nursery and then back to my room every time, while I was in recovery.
In recovery, they just monitor you and make sure you are fine until you get a stable blood pressure reading and stable temperature. I always get the shakes afterwards and that is a normal side effect, but it's nothing to worry about. I also always get a really itchy face as the spinal block wears off, but again that is very normal and just a slight annoyance and it doesn't last long.
With all four babies, I was able to sit up and feed them as soon as I came out of recovery and was back in my room (about an hour after the birth). All of them latched on immediately and fed for a full hour the very first time. I found that they have all wanted to feed for hours on the second day and second night and so I just let them, as this is what helps to make sure your milk comes in by the third day. I think the other reason that some people who have caesareans have problems with milk supply, is that with a planned caesarean, the doctor often wants to perform the caesarean up to 3 weeks before the due date. I have always tried to have it as close to the due date as possible so the baby is definitely ready to be born.
My next two births were also planned caesareans with a spinal block as my experience had been so positive with the last one that I wanted to repeat it. I have had the same obstetrician for the last two and she had my baby out both times within 7 minutes of walking into the room (but took much longer to stitch me up which is good!) I healed so perfectly well that I could do sit ups and run around after the 8 week recovery period with absolutely *no* pain at all.
I followed doctor's advice and didn't drive at all within the first 6 weeks for all four caesareans which helped to keep me at home resting and bonding, and not gallivanting around injuring myself
With all four caesareans my milk has come in within 2-3 days.
I think I healed faster each time and was up and about faster.
Here's what I have done for the last three and would do again if I ever had another:
* Try to wait until your due date (or as close as possible) so your baby doesn't have to come into the world too early
* Have a spinal block if available (as opposed to an epidural)
* Cuddle your baby straight away and then give them to your husband to hold while being stitched up
* Feed immediately on arriving back in bedroom (has been for a full hour every time)
* Drink peppermint tea to help with wind pain
* Give your baby heaps of cuddles
* Keep your baby right there beside the bed all the so you can reach them
* Make sure you have a hanging thing above your bed that you grab onto with your hand to help you get up
* Ask midwives for help when you need to get up or get your baby
* Try to get up the second day and do a very gentle walk
* Get as much help as possible
* Don't drive for the first 6 weeks
Ummm, I think that's all... lol... You are probably sick of reading by now, but I'm sure a positive experience (or 4) will help you feel better if you are about to face a caesarean and don't really know what to expect.
Just ask if you have any questions as I am very happy to answer them
Friday
Home through the Stirling Ranges
We came home from Ravensthorpe yesterday through the Stirling Ranges. It was a beautiful drive and we even stopped to climb a "mountain"... well it was actually a hill. Oliver and I waited halfway up as I have been forbidden to climb any more mountains at this stage of my pregnancy!Oliver took the photo of me by the pile of rocks. He took it very seriously and he looked so little as he intently peered through the viewfinder of the huge camera with the strap dangling around his neck.
We stopped in Kendenup and the kids had great fun feeding Nemo the horse and running around in the bush while we had a cup of tea with Heather and Bob.
This cheeky fox ran across the road in front of us just as we were almost in Kendenup, so we stopped to take a closer look at him.
He was very bold and just stood there looking at us for a few seconds. He even pricked up his ears and cocked his head when I whistled.
Prospecting in Ravensthorpe
We decided these that these school holidays we would let the kids all choose one fun holiday activity each.Ben's choice was to go prospecting, so we drove over to Ravensthorpe on Wednesday.
We stayed the night in a funny little cabin in the Ravensthorpe Caravan Park and drove around to a heap of different locations hunting for interesting rocks. Ben had such a great time and really enjoyed every minute of it.
We visited a few old mines which were facinating and full of history and old equipment. There were colourful rocks everywhere we went and everyone collected samples to bring home and look up.
Some of the sites were quite dangerous. The ground in some of the areas of bush we walked through was full of pits and holes where people had tried to find gold. We had to keep a very close watch on the children, especially Jacob, who just wanted to jump in them all!
These ducks were so lovely. There was a mum and dad duck and heaps of tiny baby ducklings. We had to follow them slowly along the road for so long as they just wouldn't get off the road! The kids thought they were so funny.
Let me assure you that Jacob has no intention of collecting this big rock as a "sample". He just wanted to show how strong he was and then throw it in the nearest puddle!
Ham and cheese sandwiches for lunch... so simple but so delicious! I think it's eating outside in the fresh air that makes all the difference.
Jacob climbed up this sheer cliff face and then slid all the way down and landed on his head! He just stood up and dusted himself down, then checked out all his scratches and went off to find another dangerous activity to scare his parents with...
Here the kids were actually asking, "Can we go down there?" It was a big hole with steep sides and possibly no bottom... umm, I don't think so!
It was very windy at this lookout.
Sunday
Day 2 - School Holidays
Well we've just had our second day of the school holidays. Michael was working today, so I took the kids to church this morning, then we came home and made bread!I gave them all a piece of dough to make whatever they liked and they made all sorts of bread goodies, from plaited bread loaves to a bread man. They added sultanas to some of them which was fun.
I made 2 large loaves and they were very yummy and so easy!
While the bread was doing it's second rising and baking, I gave Ben a little dish of tiny choc chips to take outside and share with the other kids and when I came outside, they were all sitting on the bricks in a circle sharing them out evenly. It was so cute I had to take a photo.
When their bread treats were cooked, I took them outside with some butter and they ate them on the trampoline in the beautiful sunshine.
Saturday
First day of the school holidays!
Yay! It's school holiday time at last!
Today I took the kids out to our block and we spent the morning there.
Uncle Ian came out to join us too, which was fun.
We lit a little campfire and cooked damper on sticks and had it with lemon butter, strawberry jam and cream... yum!
Obviously his mum never told him not to run with sticks!
Today I took the kids out to our block and we spent the morning there.
Uncle Ian came out to join us too, which was fun.
We lit a little campfire and cooked damper on sticks and had it with lemon butter, strawberry jam and cream... yum!
Obviously his mum never told him not to run with sticks!
Friday
Shampoo and Conditioner
I want to change from our current jumble of bottles, to have the whole family using the same thing (preferably a big pump bottle of each).
It needs to be a good natural one that leaves hair feeling, looking and smelling lovely.
At this stage, I wouldn't consider going "shampoo free" like some people do (using apple cider vinegar and baking soda), as I love washing my hair, and love the relaxing experience of fragrant shampoo followed by conditioner, and l like the kids hair to smell nice and fresh.
Some of the natural ones are too "herby" smelling for me... also I have considered the solid shampoo bars, which look like they would be nice and are a great idea, but think they might be a bit messy for the kids to use on their own.
Any recommendations?
It needs to be a good natural one that leaves hair feeling, looking and smelling lovely.
At this stage, I wouldn't consider going "shampoo free" like some people do (using apple cider vinegar and baking soda), as I love washing my hair, and love the relaxing experience of fragrant shampoo followed by conditioner, and l like the kids hair to smell nice and fresh.
Some of the natural ones are too "herby" smelling for me... also I have considered the solid shampoo bars, which look like they would be nice and are a great idea, but think they might be a bit messy for the kids to use on their own.
Any recommendations?
Sunday
Lemon Butter
This lemon butter is so delicious!
I have only made stovetop lemon butter before, but this quick and easy microwave recipe came from Michael's Nanna.
It made three little pots full, and we had it while it was still warm yesterday, on some fresh lemonade scones with whipped cream!
The kids took one pot to Grandma and we are already onto our third!
We've been eating it today, spread thickly on fresh bread... yum!
I think I'll make some more tomorrow.
I have only made stovetop lemon butter before, but this quick and easy microwave recipe came from Michael's Nanna.
It made three little pots full, and we had it while it was still warm yesterday, on some fresh lemonade scones with whipped cream!
The kids took one pot to Grandma and we are already onto our third!
We've been eating it today, spread thickly on fresh bread... yum!
I think I'll make some more tomorrow.
Lemon Butter
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup lemon juice
4 eggs
125 grams butter
3/4 cup lemon juice
4 eggs
125 grams butter
Place the sugar, butter and lemon juice in a large bowl.
Microwave on high for three minutes, stirring halfway.
Beat the eggs well and then beat into the mixture thoroughly.
Microwave on high for four minutes or until thickened, checking and stirring every 30 - 40 seconds.
Beat well.
Cool quickly in the fridge.
Can be used as a delicious filling in tart shells or as a filling in sponge cake.
Freezes well.
Microwave on high for three minutes, stirring halfway.
Beat the eggs well and then beat into the mixture thoroughly.
Microwave on high for four minutes or until thickened, checking and stirring every 30 - 40 seconds.
Beat well.
Cool quickly in the fridge.
Can be used as a delicious filling in tart shells or as a filling in sponge cake.
Freezes well.
Making Orange Juice
Making a mess... err... I mean orange juice!
Kids love making orange juice for some reason. Maybe because it is something that they can do on their own and the finished product actually closely resembles what it is supposed to, or maybe simply because it's fun to make a sticky mess!
Ben asked to make orange juice yesterday and he had a lovely time making 4 little glasses of juice. I think a lemon and a mandarine also made their way into the juice but they all seemed to enjoy it.
I have an antique glass citrus juicer that I love to use for this purpose. It is so heavy and solid and definitely makes the juice-making process a more pleasant affair than my nasty old plastic one... I do recommend that it is well worth getting a glass citrus juicer if you ever happen come across one in an antique or second hand shop. I think this one was about $15.
Kids love making orange juice for some reason. Maybe because it is something that they can do on their own and the finished product actually closely resembles what it is supposed to, or maybe simply because it's fun to make a sticky mess!
Ben asked to make orange juice yesterday and he had a lovely time making 4 little glasses of juice. I think a lemon and a mandarine also made their way into the juice but they all seemed to enjoy it.
I have an antique glass citrus juicer that I love to use for this purpose. It is so heavy and solid and definitely makes the juice-making process a more pleasant affair than my nasty old plastic one... I do recommend that it is well worth getting a glass citrus juicer if you ever happen come across one in an antique or second hand shop. I think this one was about $15.
Potato Cakes (Failsafe)
These potato cakes are gluten and dairy free and also failsafe for those who are constantly looking for new recipes on limited diets.
I just made this recipe up, so please forgive the inaccurate measurements! It is a very versatile recipe, so please do not feel you need to stick to it exactly. Any vegetables you like can be added or substituted for these ones.
Our kids love them hot for dinner and they also like them cold in their school lunches the next day.
Potato Cakes (Failsafe)
8 potatoes
1/2 choko
1 whole leek
garlic powder
salt
potato flour (about 1/2 cup)
rice crumbs (about 4 tbsp)
4 eggs
oil for frying
8 potatoes
1/2 choko
1 whole leek
garlic powder
salt
potato flour (about 1/2 cup)
rice crumbs (about 4 tbsp)
4 eggs
oil for frying
Grate all vegetables (I used the largest grater on my food processor).
Squeeze excess liquid from grated vegetables, drain off and discard.
Add 4 eggs and mix well.
Add potato flour (amount you need to add may vary depending on how much liquid you have left in) and rice crumbs and mix well.
Add garlic powder and salt to taste.
Heat frying pan, then add oil. You will need a good coating of oil for them to fry well.
Add a large dollup of mixture to your frying pan for each potato cake and slightly flatten.
When the back is golden brown, gently flip and fry the other side until centre is well cooked.
Fry in batches and keep warm in the oven until ready to serve. You may need to add more oil between batches.
You can allow some to cool completely and then cover with cling wrap and keep in the fridge to eat cold the next day. Great lunchbox fillers!
Thursday
Lemonade Scones
These are just so ridiculously awesome and sooo quick and easy!! I made them tonight and they were lovely.
Sorry no photos this time... I'll take one next time I make them.
I usually make traditional scones, but never again. I am a true convert! I can't believe it has taken me this long to try making lemonade scones.
They rose to great heights and were amazingly light and fluffy and tasted delicious.
We had them after our roast dinner tonight, with strawberry jam and freshly whipped cream (to which I added a little vanilla and icing sugar). Needless to say, we are all rather full!
I used this recipe:
Preheat oven to 225 degrees Celcius (205 degrees if fan forced)
Line baking tray with baking paper
Sift flour into a large bowl
Add lemonade and cream
Very gently fold ingredients together until just combined (do NOT overmix or scones will be tough)! Dough should be fairly soft and sticky
Place dough on a lightly floured bench, gently shape into a round and press to about 3.5 cm height
Cut scones with a floured 5cm diameter cutter
Form offcuts into another round and cut more scones
Place scones close together on the tray so they are just touching (this helps them to rise well)
Bake for 12-15 minutes until light golden and cooked through
If you like scones with a soft crust (I don't but some people do), cover with a teatowel for 1 min after removing from oven
Serve hot with jam and whipped cream
Sorry no photos this time... I'll take one next time I make them.
I usually make traditional scones, but never again. I am a true convert! I can't believe it has taken me this long to try making lemonade scones.
They rose to great heights and were amazingly light and fluffy and tasted delicious.
We had them after our roast dinner tonight, with strawberry jam and freshly whipped cream (to which I added a little vanilla and icing sugar). Needless to say, we are all rather full!
I used this recipe:
Lemonade Scones
Makes 12-14 scones
325g (2 cups and 2 tbs) SR Flour
2/3 cup cold lemonade
2/3 cup cream
Makes 12-14 scones
325g (2 cups and 2 tbs) SR Flour
2/3 cup cold lemonade
2/3 cup cream
Preheat oven to 225 degrees Celcius (205 degrees if fan forced)
Line baking tray with baking paper
Sift flour into a large bowl
Add lemonade and cream
Very gently fold ingredients together until just combined (do NOT overmix or scones will be tough)! Dough should be fairly soft and sticky
Place dough on a lightly floured bench, gently shape into a round and press to about 3.5 cm height
Cut scones with a floured 5cm diameter cutter
Form offcuts into another round and cut more scones
Place scones close together on the tray so they are just touching (this helps them to rise well)
Bake for 12-15 minutes until light golden and cooked through
If you like scones with a soft crust (I don't but some people do), cover with a teatowel for 1 min after removing from oven
Serve hot with jam and whipped cream
Sunday
Devil's Slide
Instead of going to church on Sunday morning, we climbed Devil's Slide! We prayed as we walked and it was wonderful to be out in God's beautiful creation as a family.
The kids all did really well, and we didn't get any complaining on the way up. A couple of them did slip over on the way down, but they were fine. It drizzled a little on the way up and was freezing cold at the top (toughen the kids up I say!) but we all had a lovely time.
After our climb up the mountain and back, we bought hot pies on the way home for lunch and had them with a warm milo followed by hot baths. What a lovely day!
Friday
Apple Custard Tea Cakes
I got this recipe from Alice (my sister) and made them this afternoon.
I was really impressed with how delicious they were, although I must admit I did have my doubts when making them that they would turn out so well.
The funny thing was that I decided to make these apple cakes today to help get rid of a huge bag of cooking apples that need using up, and when I got halfway through the recipe, I realised that it only uses 1 apple!
Next time I make these (and there will definitely be a next time), I will put a few slices of apple on each cake. At least that way I might use up three apples... I will also double the recipe because 12 cakes is nowhere near enough to keep everyone happy here... especially when the cakes are so yummy!
Oh, and I didn't put on the melted butter and cinnamon/sugar mix. I just dusted them with icing sugar and they were awesome!
Apple Custard Tea Cakes
Makes 12
90 grams butter
½ tsp vanilla extract
½ cup caster sugar
2 eggs
3/4 cup self-raising flour
1/4 cup custard powder
2 tbsp milk
1 large apple
30 grams butter (extra for brushing hot cakes)
1tsp sugar combined with 1/2 tsp cinnamon for dusting
Custard
1 tbsp custard powder
1 tbsp caster sugar
1/2 cup milk
1/4 tsp vanilla
I was really impressed with how delicious they were, although I must admit I did have my doubts when making them that they would turn out so well.
The funny thing was that I decided to make these apple cakes today to help get rid of a huge bag of cooking apples that need using up, and when I got halfway through the recipe, I realised that it only uses 1 apple!
Next time I make these (and there will definitely be a next time), I will put a few slices of apple on each cake. At least that way I might use up three apples... I will also double the recipe because 12 cakes is nowhere near enough to keep everyone happy here... especially when the cakes are so yummy!
Oh, and I didn't put on the melted butter and cinnamon/sugar mix. I just dusted them with icing sugar and they were awesome!
Apple Custard Tea Cakes
Makes 12
90 grams butter
½ tsp vanilla extract
½ cup caster sugar
2 eggs
3/4 cup self-raising flour
1/4 cup custard powder
2 tbsp milk
1 large apple
30 grams butter (extra for brushing hot cakes)
1tsp sugar combined with 1/2 tsp cinnamon for dusting
Custard
1 tbsp custard powder
1 tbsp caster sugar
1/2 cup milk
1/4 tsp vanilla
1. Make custard and leave to cool
2. Mix butter, vanilla, sugar, eggs, SR flour, custard powder and milk on low speed till just combined... increase speed and beat until mixture is changed to a paler colour.
3. Divide half the mixture among cases top with custard and then spread remaining mixture over the top. Top with apple slices.
4. Bake for approx 30 min @ 180 degrees.
5. Brush hot cakes with extra butter and sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon!
2. Mix butter, vanilla, sugar, eggs, SR flour, custard powder and milk on low speed till just combined... increase speed and beat until mixture is changed to a paler colour.
3. Divide half the mixture among cases top with custard and then spread remaining mixture over the top. Top with apple slices.
4. Bake for approx 30 min @ 180 degrees.
5. Brush hot cakes with extra butter and sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon!
Saturday
Wood heater with oven!
We are looking at maybe getting a fireplace (in the open living area of the house that we build) that also has an oven and hot plate, so that in winter when the fire is going, we will be able to pop a casserole in the oven to cook during the day, or cook homemade pizzas when people come over, and keep a kettle on top for cuppas all day long... heh heh.
I am so excited about it! It will remind me of the woodstove we had as our only stove/oven in the kitchen when I was growing up... only we will also have a normal oven and stove in the kitchen of our new house... so no pressure to light it every day, just in winter when it's cold, or for fun if we feel like pizzas!
We can also opt to run our hot water through the back of the fireplace as a winter backup to a solar panel on the roof, so we are currently looking into that too. It's just a matter of being able to afford it all up front... it would be great if we could, as it will save so much on gas/electricity bills in the future.
I am so excited about it! It will remind me of the woodstove we had as our only stove/oven in the kitchen when I was growing up... only we will also have a normal oven and stove in the kitchen of our new house... so no pressure to light it every day, just in winter when it's cold, or for fun if we feel like pizzas!We can also opt to run our hot water through the back of the fireplace as a winter backup to a solar panel on the roof, so we are currently looking into that too. It's just a matter of being able to afford it all up front... it would be great if we could, as it will save so much on gas/electricity bills in the future.
Thursday
Yummy Carrot Cupcakes!
I made these last night and have eaten far too many of them already. They are so delicious! A slightly chewy top, and moist and full of flavor inside. I used the following recipe (but didn't add the walnuts or the cinnamon). I topped them with the cream cheese icing but used far less icing sugar (less than half) than the recipe calls for, and they were perfect.
We had them topped with lightly toasted fresh pecans. Yum!
Don't be put off by the amount of oil... that is what makes them so moist and perfect. Anyway, olive oil is good for you, heh heh.
Oh, and I totally forgot to see how many this recipe made. I cooked them in batches, and we ate the first couple of batches hot out of the oven before I even got a chance to ice them. It made a lot anyway! I would guess about 28, and they are a pretty substantial size.
Carrot cupcakes
- 2 cups self-raising flour
- 1 1/2 cups plain flour
- 1 teaspoon bicarbonate soda
- 2 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 cups caster sugar
- 3 1/2 cups coarsley grated carrot
- 100 grams walnuts (roughly chopped)
- 1 1/4 cups vegetable oil
- 5 eggs (lightly beaten)
- 300 grams sour cream
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Cream cheese icing
- 500 grams cream cheese (softened)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 1/3 cups icing sugar
Method
- Pre-heat oven to 180C
- Sift flours, soda and spices into a large bowl. Add caster sugar, grated carrot and 3/4 of the walnuts. Stir to combine.
- In a separate bowl, whisk oil, eggs, sour cream and vanilla until smooth
- Add to dry ingredients and stir until just combine
- Pour batter into cupcakes and bake in the oven for 1 hour or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean
- Stand for 20 minutes then turn onto a wire rack to cool
- For icing, beat cream cheese using electric beaters until smooth
- Add vanilla and beat well, gradually add icing sugar, beating until smooth and creamy
- Top cupcakes with cream cheese icing and decorate with remaining walnuts (or pecans)
Day at our bush block
We spent the whole day out at our bush block today. Michael hired a little tractor with a slasher on the back and a front end loader, and he was on it from first thing this morning until tonight when it got dark. He had great fun!
Oliver and I got out there not long after Michael and spent the morning getting the fire ready and picking rocks and stumps from where Michael was trying to mow the lawn.
At lunchtime, I picked up the other three kids from school so that they could come out to the block and spend the afternoon with us. They didn't want to miss out on the bonfire and tractor!
We had lunch on a picnic rug, and then lit the big fire. We had great fun chucking wood on the fire, and even had marshmallows when friends came out to join us later on in the afternoon.
At the end of the day, we were all exhausted and filthy, but we got heaps done and the block looks great!
Now to make our minds up about what we are going to build there...
Oliver and I got out there not long after Michael and spent the morning getting the fire ready and picking rocks and stumps from where Michael was trying to mow the lawn.
At lunchtime, I picked up the other three kids from school so that they could come out to the block and spend the afternoon with us. They didn't want to miss out on the bonfire and tractor!
We had lunch on a picnic rug, and then lit the big fire. We had great fun chucking wood on the fire, and even had marshmallows when friends came out to join us later on in the afternoon.
At the end of the day, we were all exhausted and filthy, but we got heaps done and the block looks great!
Now to make our minds up about what we are going to build there...
Monday
Home made crumpets!
These are so much fun to make! I used this recipe:Home made Crumpets
Makes about 15 small or 7 large
2 tsp (7g/1 sachet) dried yeast
2 tsp caster sugar
1/2 cup (125ml) warm milk
1/2 cup (125ml) warm water
11/2 cups (225g) plain flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup (125ml) water, extra
1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
Honey, to serve
- Combine the yeast, sugar, milk and water in a medium bowl. Set aside in a warm, draught-free place for 10 minutes, or until foaming.
- Combine the flour and salt in a large bowl. Make a well in the centre and add the milk mixture. Stir until well combined. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside for 1 hour or until mixture doubles in size.
- Combine the extra water and bicarbonate of soda in a jug. Use a balloon whisk to whisk the flour mixture until it deflates to the original size. Gradually add the water mixture, whisking well between each addition, until well combined and smooth. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside for 30 minutes to rest.
- Brush a large non-stick frying pan with oil to grease. Brush 5 egg rings (or the larger crumpet rings) with oil to lightly grease. Place frying pan over medium-low heat. Pour 2 tbs of mixture into the egg rings (or 3-4 tbs of mixture into the crumpet rings) in pan and cook for 5 minutes or until bubbles rise to the surface and base is golden and top is set. Turn and cook for 1 minute or until lightly golden. Transfer to a wire rack. Continue with remaining batter.
- Toast crumpets in the toaster and place on serving plates. Drizzle with honey. Serve immediately.
I just took the top off each end with a can opener, washed it well and removed the label, and then oiled it inside, and just cooked my crumpets one at a time. It made 7 large (more like a conventional crumpet size) ones with the above recipe.
Saturday
Ben's First Soccer Game!
Ben had his first day of soccer today, so I am now officially a soccer mum... heh heh. I was sure it would be raining, but it was glorious! He had great fun, and the other three kids seemed happy to be watching from the sidelines. At one stage I did turn around to see what had happened to Jacob and Oliver and saw them playing swords with a couple of sticks they had found. What is it with boys and sticks? They were probably the only two sticks on the whole oval!
If the game looks a little confusing, it is because the two teams were wearing almost identical uniforms... Ben in in the team with the green and black tops and the other team had green and white tops.
Tuesday
Picnic on the back lawn
For afternoon snack today, I gave the kids their snacks cut up on a plate with a picnic rug, and they had great fun in the sunshine.
Why does food always taste so much better when eaten outdoors?
They all love having apple with their cheese, which I think is a very normal thing to do, but some people seem to think is quite strange.
Why does food always taste so much better when eaten outdoors?
They all love having apple with their cheese, which I think is a very normal thing to do, but some people seem to think is quite strange.
Thursday
5 minute chocolate cake in a mug
Ok, I have been reading about this a bit lately on various blogs, etc...
I made it today with the kiddies, and to my amazement... it worked!!
I do actually have an aversion to microwaves, having been told by mum when I was little that they were evil... heh heh, but I decided to put my squeamishness aside for the sake of some chocolate cake in a hurry, and gave it a try.
We used the recipe from this article: Five-minute chocolate cake in a mug a sensation | The Courier-Mail
I don't think it would be good to eat cold, so make sure you gobble it all up warm!
I totally expected it to be a dismal failure after reading the comments on this hilarious, dodgy site!! Chocolate cake. In a mug. In 5 minutes. Someone please test this. - The Something Awful Forums Seriously, I was almost rolling around on the floor reading it.
Oh, I and we only made one batch to share between the 5 of us (the 4 kids and I)! Next time I will seriously make it when the kids are in bed and I only have to share it with Michael... mwah hah hah
As an aside, I was interested to note that this recipe had no rising agent (it uses plain flour) and I did wonder if it would truly work, but it is the steam that acts as the rising agent, and it works very well too.
At one point our cake was so high above the top of the mug that we all though it was about to explode! You could probably do it for a shorter cooking time (maybe try 2 1/2 mins).
Stiring...
Watching it grow in the microwave!
Waiting for it to cool...
Yay! It's ready to eat!
I made it today with the kiddies, and to my amazement... it worked!!
I do actually have an aversion to microwaves, having been told by mum when I was little that they were evil... heh heh, but I decided to put my squeamishness aside for the sake of some chocolate cake in a hurry, and gave it a try.
We used the recipe from this article: Five-minute chocolate cake in a mug a sensation | The Courier-Mail
Five Minute Chocolate Cake in a Mug
2 large wide mugs
4 tbs plain flour
4 tbs sugar
2 tbs cocoa
1 egg
3 tbs milk
3 tbs oil
3 tbs chocolate chips (optional)
Small splash of vanilla extract
Add dry ingredients to one mug and mix well. In a separate mug, beat the egg, pour in the milk, oil and mix well. Stir into the powdered ingredients. Add chocolate chips (if using), vanilla extract and mix again. Put cake mix mug in the microwave for 3 minutes at 1000 watts.
The cake may rise to the top of the mug. Allow to cool a little before eating or tip out onto a plate if desired.
We did not add the choc chips, and we ate it all straight away while it was warm! Yum, yum! It would definitely be great eaten warm with cream or vanilla icecream, like a chocolate pudding, but we didn't have any, so had to make do without.2 large wide mugs
4 tbs plain flour
4 tbs sugar
2 tbs cocoa
1 egg
3 tbs milk
3 tbs oil
3 tbs chocolate chips (optional)
Small splash of vanilla extract
Add dry ingredients to one mug and mix well. In a separate mug, beat the egg, pour in the milk, oil and mix well. Stir into the powdered ingredients. Add chocolate chips (if using), vanilla extract and mix again. Put cake mix mug in the microwave for 3 minutes at 1000 watts.
The cake may rise to the top of the mug. Allow to cool a little before eating or tip out onto a plate if desired.
I don't think it would be good to eat cold, so make sure you gobble it all up warm!
I totally expected it to be a dismal failure after reading the comments on this hilarious, dodgy site!! Chocolate cake. In a mug. In 5 minutes. Someone please test this. - The Something Awful Forums Seriously, I was almost rolling around on the floor reading it.
Oh, I and we only made one batch to share between the 5 of us (the 4 kids and I)! Next time I will seriously make it when the kids are in bed and I only have to share it with Michael... mwah hah hah
As an aside, I was interested to note that this recipe had no rising agent (it uses plain flour) and I did wonder if it would truly work, but it is the steam that acts as the rising agent, and it works very well too.
At one point our cake was so high above the top of the mug that we all though it was about to explode! You could probably do it for a shorter cooking time (maybe try 2 1/2 mins).
Stiring...
Watching it grow in the microwave!
Waiting for it to cool...
Yay! It's ready to eat!
Monday
Fun in the grass
I took the kids for a little walk down the road with a bag of snacks so I could take a few fun photos.
They had apples to munch on and feijoas to eat out with a teaspoon, and some sweet treats!
They also brought a toy rubber snake and had fun flinging it far away and then playing "Hunt the snake". Luckily they didn't come across any real live snakes!
This is just a vacant lot between two new houses about 1 min walk from our house. The property in the background belongs to friends of ours, and in lambing season, we can hear the lambs baaing from our house. Pretty fun for a house in the suburbs!
They had apples to munch on and feijoas to eat out with a teaspoon, and some sweet treats!
They also brought a toy rubber snake and had fun flinging it far away and then playing "Hunt the snake". Luckily they didn't come across any real live snakes!
This is just a vacant lot between two new houses about 1 min walk from our house. The property in the background belongs to friends of ours, and in lambing season, we can hear the lambs baaing from our house. Pretty fun for a house in the suburbs!
Wednesday
Fish and Chips at Mids
We went down to Middleton Beach for a play and some dinner one night last week. It was a perfect evening and we all had a lovely time. The kids played on the beach and playground, and then we got fish and chips to eat while watching the moon rise.
Tuesday
Bright Easter Cupcakes
Just thought I'd add a quick photo of the brighter Easter cupcakes that the kids made yesterday, seeing as they definitely seem to prefer these ones. They loved doing all kinds of weird colour combinations!
Little Doll
Alice and Paul came over today with Matilda and we had a lovely lunch and then went out to our block for some yummy cupcakes and a play on the ropeswing.
Paul put Matilda in our little doll's pram and she was so cute. The kids thought she made a very fun little doll. I can't believe how quickly she is growing!
Paul put Matilda in our little doll's pram and she was so cute. The kids thought she made a very fun little doll. I can't believe how quickly she is growing!
Frenchmans Bay
We spent most of the day yesterday at Frenchmans Bay... one of our favourite local beaches.We took a BBQ lunch to share with our friends, and all ate far too much (well I did anyway)! The kids had fun climbing on the rocks, digging in the sand, swimming and climbing trees.
Night Fishing
We took our kids night fishing last night on the town jetty with friends and they had a wonderful time! There weren't many fish biting, but we caught three little trumpeters and threw them back in after the kids had a look. They also enjoyed walking up and down the jetty and climbing the whale watching tower.
When we got home, we gave the kids a milo and hot buttered crumpets, and they were asleep instantly as soon as they crawled into bed. Maybe we need to take them fishing every night!
When we got home, we gave the kids a milo and hot buttered crumpets, and they were asleep instantly as soon as they crawled into bed. Maybe we need to take them fishing every night!
Sunday
Easter Cupcakes
Our lovely neighbours brought us over a warm fruitcake and Easter Eggs for all our kids yesterday, so the kids all made cards for them this afternoon, and I baked cupcakes.
Then we all decorated them and took a plateful over. This is not actually the plateful we took... we made cuter ones with a pink and yellow speckled egg on each cupcake, to match the pink and yellow swirl buttercream icing, but I forgot to take a photo! Then the kids ate the next batch, and then we had run out of pink and yellow eggs, so I just made up a few with these white eggs and quickly took a photo before they got eaten too!
The eggs we used are the chocolate filled candy coated M&M eggs, and are quite yummy and very cute. I just tried to make sure that the M that was on them was hidden underneath when the kids placed the eggs on the cakes. I think they do look cuter with two eggs on each cake, but we only had bright colours left, and they didn't really suit the pastel icing, so this lot had to make do with just one egg on each... still cute enough though.
Then we all decorated them and took a plateful over. This is not actually the plateful we took... we made cuter ones with a pink and yellow speckled egg on each cupcake, to match the pink and yellow swirl buttercream icing, but I forgot to take a photo! Then the kids ate the next batch, and then we had run out of pink and yellow eggs, so I just made up a few with these white eggs and quickly took a photo before they got eaten too!
The eggs we used are the chocolate filled candy coated M&M eggs, and are quite yummy and very cute. I just tried to make sure that the M that was on them was hidden underneath when the kids placed the eggs on the cakes. I think they do look cuter with two eggs on each cake, but we only had bright colours left, and they didn't really suit the pastel icing, so this lot had to make do with just one egg on each... still cute enough though.
Wednesday
Monster Truck show
We went to the Monster Truck show here a while back. The kids had heaps of fun and loved watching all the crazy cars, motorbikes and trucks hooning around.
We took chairs with us, and lots of food and got there early at about 4pm so that Michael could take the kids in the pits to see the monster trucks up close before it began. Then the kids got to go on the bouncy castle and have an icecream, so they had a lovely day.
We sat well back from the action, so the kids sat on the fence to get a good view, and Oliver sat on Michael's shoulders. We stayed until about 9pm when they had fireworks.
Now, I'm sorry (not really... heh heh) to say that I didn't actually get many photos of the show at all... I was too distracted by my lovely family, and monster trucks are not really my thing... but they all had fun watching.
Warheads!
Do you remember Warheads from your childhood? Very nasty sour (or chilli hot) lollies? We decided to torture our 3 eldest children with some of the sour ones.
Don't worry... we warned them first, and they had great fun. Jacob had the least reaction, and even went back for seconds! Funny boy...
Oliver's strawberry plant
Oli is so proud of his little strawberry plant. Michael took all the kids to Bunnings one day to choose a plant eat. Charlotte and Jacob chose pretty flowers, and Ben (ever the practical one) chose a spinach plant!
Oliver's choice however has produced by far the most desirable product, and the other kids are always looking on enviously everytime he gets to eat yummy strawberries!
He is however, very generous with them and always shares if anyone asks for a bite.
Girl time
It's lovely now that Alissa is getting older that she and Charlotte can play real games together and they do have such great fun! It's lovely having cousins of similar ages.
My mum bought these dresses for the girls and they loved dressing up in them and just being girly.
Alissa is so cute with Charlotte's baby doll... she really loves it and we have to find all the correct things (dummy, rattle, teddy etc) that go with the doll every time she comes over. I'm just glad she can remember them all, although sometimes the little pieces can be hard to find!
My mum bought these dresses for the girls and they loved dressing up in them and just being girly.
Alissa is so cute with Charlotte's baby doll... she really loves it and we have to find all the correct things (dummy, rattle, teddy etc) that go with the doll every time she comes over. I'm just glad she can remember them all, although sometimes the little pieces can be hard to find!
Thursday
Little Athletics
Our kids all love going to Little Athletics every Saturday morning... they compete in 4-5 events each week which rotate so they do different things each week.
Our kids go in all the events and it's great to see them enjoying everything and getting right into it. This week they had hurdles, long jump, shot put and a 1500 m so it's quite tiring but they love it.
Oliver and Jacob are too young to be official members, but they have a "Tiny Tots" race each week, and they love to wear a green t-shirt to be just like the big kids and go in a race. They take it so seriously, but have so much fun at the same time.
Our kids go in all the events and it's great to see them enjoying everything and getting right into it. This week they had hurdles, long jump, shot put and a 1500 m so it's quite tiring but they love it.
Oliver and Jacob are too young to be official members, but they have a "Tiny Tots" race each week, and they love to wear a green t-shirt to be just like the big kids and go in a race. They take it so seriously, but have so much fun at the same time.
Exciting News!
Well our latest news is that we are expecting a new little addition to the family! Due in August, I am now into the second trimester, which is very exciting.
I have not experienced morning sickness with any of my previous pregnancies, and have been very blessed with great health this time round again, although I have been a little more tired than usual.
The kids are all super excited and can't wait to meet their new little brother or sister, but it's hard to explain to the little ones that they still have 6 months to wait... However, I'm sure the time will fly by with our busy schedule!
I have not experienced morning sickness with any of my previous pregnancies, and have been very blessed with great health this time round again, although I have been a little more tired than usual.
The kids are all super excited and can't wait to meet their new little brother or sister, but it's hard to explain to the little ones that they still have 6 months to wait... However, I'm sure the time will fly by with our busy schedule!
Fishing
Oliver loves fishing! He sat and fished intently for ages this evening and was the most keen out of all the kids... Michael and I both thought he looked like my Dad. You'd better come take him fishing Grandad!
Wednesday
Bluff Knoll
Well this morning I got up at 3:30 am to climb Bluff Knoll (in the Stirling Range National Park) with two friends.
We arrived at the Bluff Knoll carpark in the dark and got to the top just after sunrise.
It was very fun and I'm so glad I did it, but I am a bit sore now!
I am definitely not as fit as I used to be... heh heh
Here are some photos of our trip up (actually, they were all taken at the top and on the way down, because it was dark on the way up!).
You can see in the last photo, that we looked down and could see that we were still the only car in the car park.
We arrived at the Bluff Knoll carpark in the dark and got to the top just after sunrise.
It was very fun and I'm so glad I did it, but I am a bit sore now!
I am definitely not as fit as I used to be... heh heh
Here are some photos of our trip up (actually, they were all taken at the top and on the way down, because it was dark on the way up!).
You can see in the last photo, that we looked down and could see that we were still the only car in the car park.
Tuesday
Wildlife on the block
These are just some fun shots I took while playing with my new camera. I had to make the most of the kids playing so nicely while they were building the bridge over the snake pit!
I love the Christmas spider... I have always loved them and we always look for them at Christmas time.
I love the Christmas spider... I have always loved them and we always look for them at Christmas time.
Snake Pit here we come!
Well, we put in an offer on the "snake pit" block, and it has been accepted so we are all very happy!
Just off to the bank tomorrow to sort out finance. One bonus has been that we thought we would have to put in a rainwater tank straight away, but have just found out that there is actually scheme water, so was a good surprise!
Here are a few photos of the kids playing in the "snake pit". They built a bridge over it with great excitement and cooperation:
Just off to the bank tomorrow to sort out finance. One bonus has been that we thought we would have to put in a rainwater tank straight away, but have just found out that there is actually scheme water, so was a good surprise!
Here are a few photos of the kids playing in the "snake pit". They built a bridge over it with great excitement and cooperation:
Monday
The "Snake Pit" Block
These photos were taken on the block of land we have been looking at to buy.
It is one acre of mostly bush, on a hill, and it is so lovely, with a fantastic outlook. We have been back to this block of land many times over the last year, and it is the one that we have been the most keen on the whole time.
It has dropped in price considerably since we first looked at it, which is great news for us, but the other properties in the subdivision have been selling recently, so it doesn't look like it will last long.
The most exciting thing about this block for the kids, is the "Snake Pit". It is a ditch in the middle of the bush about 5 metres long and 1.5 metres deep. They love playing in and around it, and even built a bridge across it when we were there this week! Apparently it is an old saw pit from when there was a saw mill in the area, and it would have had the big saw blade sitting in it, so that is an interesting piece of history.
It is one acre of mostly bush, on a hill, and it is so lovely, with a fantastic outlook. We have been back to this block of land many times over the last year, and it is the one that we have been the most keen on the whole time.
It has dropped in price considerably since we first looked at it, which is great news for us, but the other properties in the subdivision have been selling recently, so it doesn't look like it will last long.
The most exciting thing about this block for the kids, is the "Snake Pit". It is a ditch in the middle of the bush about 5 metres long and 1.5 metres deep. They love playing in and around it, and even built a bridge across it when we were there this week! Apparently it is an old saw pit from when there was a saw mill in the area, and it would have had the big saw blade sitting in it, so that is an interesting piece of history.
New motorbike!
Well Michael has bought a motorbike, and the kids think it's pretty fun! It's a road/trail bike, so it's good for going offroad too. He doesn't have his licence yet, so has been riding up and down the driveway... heh heh
He did ride to work with a friend a few mornings ago (on L plates), and will do this a few more times before getting his licence, and then he'll be able to ride to work when the weather is fine.
He did ride to work with a friend a few mornings ago (on L plates), and will do this a few more times before getting his licence, and then he'll be able to ride to work when the weather is fine.
Sunday
New Camera!
Squeak! I am so excited! It was my birthday last week and Michael gave me a beautiful new digital SLR.
It is a Nikon D60 and so lovely to use. It came with 2 zoom lenses (18-55 and 55-200) and a heap of other lovely goodies.
Here are some of my first few photos... they are actually quite disappointingly ruined by Blogger, but do look a little better when you click on them :-)
Oh, and apologies for the three week absence from the blogging world! Our computer actually blew up (nasty virus) and I quite enjoyed the break, but when I finally tackled it and reinstalled Windows, I found that it was recoverable! Yay!
It is a Nikon D60 and so lovely to use. It came with 2 zoom lenses (18-55 and 55-200) and a heap of other lovely goodies.
Here are some of my first few photos... they are actually quite disappointingly ruined by Blogger, but do look a little better when you click on them :-)
Oh, and apologies for the three week absence from the blogging world! Our computer actually blew up (nasty virus) and I quite enjoyed the break, but when I finally tackled it and reinstalled Windows, I found that it was recoverable! Yay!
Thursday
Our Jesse Tree
A Jesse Tree is an ancient Christmas tradition that we as a family have only just started this year. I have wanted to include a Jesse tree in our Christmas celebrations for the last few years, but have never had it sorted in time for Christmas, so this year I just decided to just do it, even though I didn't have it all quite perfect.
It's been great this year as the kids are getting to an age where they can really appreciate things, and join in the discussions and activities.
What is a Jesse Tree?
A Jesse Tree is a unique Advent tree that can be very useful and fun for teaching children about the Bible at Christmas time.
The Jesse Tree represents the family tree, or genealogy of Jesus Christ. It tells the story of God's salvation plan from creation and throughout the Old Testament, to the coming of the Messiah. The name comes from Isaiah 11:1, "Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse, and a branch from his roots will bear fruit."
To make a Jesse Tree, you just need a dry branch (we found one in the bush behind the school), a bucket with some sand in it, and some symbols to hang on the tree.
We went to this page, and just printed out these small ornaments (pdf file) onto some card, punched a hole in each one and we tie them onto the tree each day with a piece of green ribbon after we have done the reading.
There are also readings that go with each symbol available on the same page. Just click on this link to download Advent reflections for Jesse Tree (pdf file).
If you want to see heaps of different ways of doing a Jesse Tree, just google "Jesse Tree". You will find heaps of images of different trees people have done. Some are felt, some people handcraft each decoration, some people use a green christmas tree... the possibilities are endless.
Our problem this year, has been that we actually found a really good Jesse Tree book from Koorong after we had begun using the printed out symbols from the internet, and the stories and readings in the book do not all correspond with the symbols we are using from the internet. However, we are improvising, and we will have it all sorted out for next year!
Here is the beginnings of our Jesse Tree... we might try to make ornaments next year to match up with our new Jesse Tree book, which has excellent readings, but no symbols (only symbol suggestions).
It's been great this year as the kids are getting to an age where they can really appreciate things, and join in the discussions and activities.
What is a Jesse Tree?
A Jesse Tree is a unique Advent tree that can be very useful and fun for teaching children about the Bible at Christmas time.
The Jesse Tree represents the family tree, or genealogy of Jesus Christ. It tells the story of God's salvation plan from creation and throughout the Old Testament, to the coming of the Messiah. The name comes from Isaiah 11:1, "Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse, and a branch from his roots will bear fruit."
To make a Jesse Tree, you just need a dry branch (we found one in the bush behind the school), a bucket with some sand in it, and some symbols to hang on the tree.
We went to this page, and just printed out these small ornaments (pdf file) onto some card, punched a hole in each one and we tie them onto the tree each day with a piece of green ribbon after we have done the reading.
There are also readings that go with each symbol available on the same page. Just click on this link to download Advent reflections for Jesse Tree (pdf file).
If you want to see heaps of different ways of doing a Jesse Tree, just google "Jesse Tree". You will find heaps of images of different trees people have done. Some are felt, some people handcraft each decoration, some people use a green christmas tree... the possibilities are endless.
Our problem this year, has been that we actually found a really good Jesse Tree book from Koorong after we had begun using the printed out symbols from the internet, and the stories and readings in the book do not all correspond with the symbols we are using from the internet. However, we are improvising, and we will have it all sorted out for next year!
Here is the beginnings of our Jesse Tree... we might try to make ornaments next year to match up with our new Jesse Tree book, which has excellent readings, but no symbols (only symbol suggestions).
Sunday
Choosing the Christmas Tree!
Each year we go as a family to choose a real Christmas Tree. It's such a lovely activity to do as a family, and I really enjoy watching the children trying to choose a tree!
After a little discussion over which tree was the best, we chose the perfect Christmas Tree and the kids watched the tree being cut down. The kids carried it triumphantly to the car, and we set it up in a bucket of water in the lounge room and decorated it.
We have a lot of little wooden decorations and we try to keep it all very natural looking. I am not a fan of tinsel, so we avoid that on the tree, and if the kids are madly keen, we sometimes hangs some over pictures etc. We also always hang lights and also chocolates on the tree... I try to hang a few chocolates up high and towards the back so the kids don't notice them... heh heh.
Our kids get to chose a new decoration for the tree each year, and we make a fun trip of it. Each Christmas, we get out all the past decorations, and they exclaim in delight when they find the ones they have chosen in the past.
We have many other family traditions that we do at Christmas, which I will explain about in my next post.
After a little discussion over which tree was the best, we chose the perfect Christmas Tree and the kids watched the tree being cut down. The kids carried it triumphantly to the car, and we set it up in a bucket of water in the lounge room and decorated it.
We have a lot of little wooden decorations and we try to keep it all very natural looking. I am not a fan of tinsel, so we avoid that on the tree, and if the kids are madly keen, we sometimes hangs some over pictures etc. We also always hang lights and also chocolates on the tree... I try to hang a few chocolates up high and towards the back so the kids don't notice them... heh heh.
Our kids get to chose a new decoration for the tree each year, and we make a fun trip of it. Each Christmas, we get out all the past decorations, and they exclaim in delight when they find the ones they have chosen in the past.
We have many other family traditions that we do at Christmas, which I will explain about in my next post.
Thursday
Christmas Nappies!
Wow! Sasha has just put up some very cute limited edition Christmas print nappies over at Green Kids.
I'm almost sad that Oliver is now completely toilet trained and won't get to wear one on Christmas day (not really... it's lovely not having to deal with nappies anymore!)
Oh... and I love the Christmas wetbags too... can I think of any other possible uses for one of those other than for wet nappies? hmm...
Wednesday
Fresh from the garden
We had some friends drop round some delicious vegetables straight out of their garden yesterday (thanks Mike and Jude!). I was so impressed with the quality of the vegetables... they were all so perfect! Michael is now inspired to get a vege patch going which would be wonderful.
There was a heap of lovely potatoes, a huge swede, some awesome beetroots and a heap of yummy carrots.
It all looked so fresh and healthy and delicious, that the kids all ran off with a whole raw carrot each while I cooked up all the rest and we ate the lot for dinner (healthy appetites around here!).
I cooked up the swede and potatoes together and made a creamy mash from them with some butter and milk, and turned the carrots into honey carrots, which all the kids love.
We also had some fresh, local Albany asparagus that I picked up at the Farmer's Market on Saturday, so I lightly panfried those in a little butter to go with the rest of the vegetables.
Also, when I went to our local gormet butcher yesterday, I saw the funniest thing... stuffed sausages!! I had to laugh, and then thought we would have to try them, so I got six of them and popped them into the oven to go with the veges for dinner.
Although they sound hilarious, and look a little funny, they were actually really delicious! They are really nice beef sausages to begin with, which are then spit longways, and stuffed with a mix of halved cherry tomatoes, parsley, a little grated cheese and a heap of other things that I can't think of right now!
When cooked, they held together nicely and the flavours from the stuffing managed to infuse right through. Everyone in the family loved them and the kids have asked when we can have them again.
A very simple dinner, almost bangers and mash really, but healthy and very tasty!
Oh... and if you are wondering what happened to the beetroots... well they weren't ready in time for dinner, but much later on that evening I discovered them and gobbled them all up, warm and lightly salted!! :-O
Sunday
Marshmallow Teacup Biscuits
How cute are these little teacups! And they are yummy too!
I made them today with the kids after church. We had friends over, so there were 6 little kids making them and they did a great job!
You will need:
1 packet of Tic Toc biscuits
1 bag of pink and white marshmallows
1 packet of Freckles
2 rolls of Musk lifesavers (we also used Strawberry Sundae lifesavers)
1 cup of icing sugar
Cut all the Life Savers in half to make the handles.
Mix icing sugar with a little water to make a thick paste.
Lay out biscuits coloured side up.
Put a little paste on the bottom of each marshmallow (on the narrowest end of the marshmallow) and stick to the biscuit.
Put more paste on the top of each marshmallow and press a Freckle onto it.
Dab a little paste onto the Life Saver and press into the side of the marshmallow to make the handle. You made need to hold for a few seconds, but as the paste dries the handles will attach quite firmly.
Leave to dry for a little while and then eat!
They make great party food or as a fun activity for kids to do at a party and then they can take their little cups home.
Friday
Camping Trip
We just got back from 3 days away camping in Bremer Bay with our friends and their 4 kids and little dog, Ted.
On the way there we saw this huge Wedge-tailed Eagle! It was sitting in the middle of the road and looked like a kangaroo, until it flew up into a nearby tree! The Wedge-tailed Eagle is Australia's largest living bird of prey and one of the largest eagles in the world. It can have a wingspan up to 2.3m.
We stayed at Bremer Bay Beaches Resort, and had the campsite pretty much all to ourselves which was lovely. It was our first real go at camping as a family, although we kind of cheated and stayed in a caravan park instead of roughing it in the national park.
The first day was hot and sunny and we all went down to the beach where the kids had heaps of fun frollicking along the sand and walking to the nearby rocks.
We all went to the pool in the afternoon, even though it was getting a little chilly by then
The next day was raining so the kids occupied themselves by collecting snails to play with
... and played cards in the camper's kitchen which was lovely and dry
On the last night we went out for pizza and icecream which was popular with everyone, and then the kids played with glowsticks on the tennis courts until bedtime. It poured all night, but we were all warm and dry in our tents.
Camping in a caravan park was lovely and easy... I don't know if we are ready to go camping in the wild just yet... we might have a few more trips to caravan parks first, until we are more organised!
On the way there we saw this huge Wedge-tailed Eagle! It was sitting in the middle of the road and looked like a kangaroo, until it flew up into a nearby tree! The Wedge-tailed Eagle is Australia's largest living bird of prey and one of the largest eagles in the world. It can have a wingspan up to 2.3m.
We stayed at Bremer Bay Beaches Resort, and had the campsite pretty much all to ourselves which was lovely. It was our first real go at camping as a family, although we kind of cheated and stayed in a caravan park instead of roughing it in the national park.
The first day was hot and sunny and we all went down to the beach where the kids had heaps of fun frollicking along the sand and walking to the nearby rocks.
We all went to the pool in the afternoon, even though it was getting a little chilly by then
The next day was raining so the kids occupied themselves by collecting snails to play with
... and played cards in the camper's kitchen which was lovely and dry
On the last night we went out for pizza and icecream which was popular with everyone, and then the kids played with glowsticks on the tennis courts until bedtime. It poured all night, but we were all warm and dry in our tents.
Camping in a caravan park was lovely and easy... I don't know if we are ready to go camping in the wild just yet... we might have a few more trips to caravan parks first, until we are more organised!
Monday
Fun Weekend
Well we had a fun weekend here, apart from poor Michael being very sick for most of it.
We had friends from Perth come to stay for the weekend, so we went out to the Wind Farm and Whale World on Saturday. We had lunch in the Whale World cafe and then the kids played on the rocks at the little beach there. I didn't bring my camera, but took a few photos with my mobile phone.
We also had Mum come visit after church yesterday which was lovely.
Charlotte took this photo of Mum and I
Then yesterday afternoon we drove out to a winery in the Porongorups with friends. The kids had great fun on this giant log.
Michael is better this morning, but poor little Oliver is now sick... we are hoping and praying that no-one else catches the dreaded stomach bug!
We had friends from Perth come to stay for the weekend, so we went out to the Wind Farm and Whale World on Saturday. We had lunch in the Whale World cafe and then the kids played on the rocks at the little beach there. I didn't bring my camera, but took a few photos with my mobile phone.
We also had Mum come visit after church yesterday which was lovely.
Charlotte took this photo of Mum and I
Then yesterday afternoon we drove out to a winery in the Porongorups with friends. The kids had great fun on this giant log.
Michael is better this morning, but poor little Oliver is now sick... we are hoping and praying that no-one else catches the dreaded stomach bug!
Taggy Giraffe
After buying the lovely little hand crotched rattle for Matilda from Ollie Rose... I saw these really cute Taggy Giraffes on the Ollie Rose blog.
I thought they looked really fun and decided to make one for a friend's little girl. She really likes it, so I will be making another one for little Matilda very soon.
If you would like one for your own little baby, check out the Ollie Rose online store... I love browsing through their lovely goodies.
I thought they looked really fun and decided to make one for a friend's little girl. She really likes it, so I will be making another one for little Matilda very soon.
If you would like one for your own little baby, check out the Ollie Rose online store... I love browsing through their lovely goodies.
Matilda
Here's my newest little niece Matilda. She is so cute! Alice (my sister) and Paul came to visit us recently and we got to play with her.
Here is Matilda with her new little hand crotcheted rattle that we got for her from Ollie Rose.
Charlotte holding her little cousin
Ben and Jacob admiring her
Here is Matilda with her new little hand crotcheted rattle that we got for her from Ollie Rose.
Charlotte holding her little cousin
Ben and Jacob admiring her
Wednesday
Toilet Trained Overnight!
Yay! Oliver is suddenly perfectly toilet trained and it happened overnight!
I think he just decided he was a big boy... heh heh. A few weeks ago, I did just take his nappy off and let him run around in the backyard for a few days, to see how it all "worked"... and then just put some undies on him and asked him to keep them dry and let me know when he needed to go to the toilet.
He had quite a few accidents that day, and then we had to go out for the next few days, so he was back in a nappy, but after that, we put him in undies and he just suddenly got it! He used the potty for a few days, then the toilet with a little soft seat for a couple of days, and then decided he didn't need any of it, and wanted to be a big boy like all the other kids. He now just uses the big toilet and takes himself off to the toilet every time and climbs up and does it all perfectly!
He has even been dry at nights which is amazing. I just can't believe how easy it has all been and he has been like this all week (just a few rare little accidents).
This has certainly been my easiest episode of toilet training ever, but he is older than the other kids were when I started them (Oliver is 2 1/2).
So yay, no more nappies!! Oh, and on that note, I have just realised that I have never done a post on modern cloth nappies, which is all we use...
Over 4 years ago, my sister-in-law (Sasha) and I started a business, Green Kids, making and selling our own pattern of pocket nappies. We sewed each nappy ourselves at the kitchen table, and sold them on our online store.
Well the business grew very quickly and we couldn't keep up with the sewing, so we started getting them all manufactured for us in Perth (Australia) and the business just got bigger and bigger.
When my 4th baby was born, it all became too much work for me with a new baby and 3 other little kiddies, so I withdrew from the business, leaving it in the capable hands of Sasha :-)
If you haven't tried modern cloth nappies, pop over to Green Kids and have look! You will be pleasantly surprised. There are huge cost benefits and environmental benefits to using cloth nappies which you can read about on the website.
(Please note, the images below are copyright, Green Kids).
Nappy Packages
I think he just decided he was a big boy... heh heh. A few weeks ago, I did just take his nappy off and let him run around in the backyard for a few days, to see how it all "worked"... and then just put some undies on him and asked him to keep them dry and let me know when he needed to go to the toilet.
He had quite a few accidents that day, and then we had to go out for the next few days, so he was back in a nappy, but after that, we put him in undies and he just suddenly got it! He used the potty for a few days, then the toilet with a little soft seat for a couple of days, and then decided he didn't need any of it, and wanted to be a big boy like all the other kids. He now just uses the big toilet and takes himself off to the toilet every time and climbs up and does it all perfectly!
He has even been dry at nights which is amazing. I just can't believe how easy it has all been and he has been like this all week (just a few rare little accidents).
This has certainly been my easiest episode of toilet training ever, but he is older than the other kids were when I started them (Oliver is 2 1/2).
So yay, no more nappies!! Oh, and on that note, I have just realised that I have never done a post on modern cloth nappies, which is all we use...
Over 4 years ago, my sister-in-law (Sasha) and I started a business, Green Kids, making and selling our own pattern of pocket nappies. We sewed each nappy ourselves at the kitchen table, and sold them on our online store.
Well the business grew very quickly and we couldn't keep up with the sewing, so we started getting them all manufactured for us in Perth (Australia) and the business just got bigger and bigger.
When my 4th baby was born, it all became too much work for me with a new baby and 3 other little kiddies, so I withdrew from the business, leaving it in the capable hands of Sasha :-)
If you haven't tried modern cloth nappies, pop over to Green Kids and have look! You will be pleasantly surprised. There are huge cost benefits and environmental benefits to using cloth nappies which you can read about on the website.
(Please note, the images below are copyright, Green Kids).
Nappy PackagesAnd below are some of Oliver's lovely stash of Green Kids nappies with bamboo inserts that will soon be finding new homes (let me know if you are interested).
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