Just now...

It's really cold, it's December, in the southern hemisphere, and I'm thinking about turning the heater on, the one I nearly packed away last week, when it was really hot and we were sweating with shorts and t-shirts on.

The washing is hanging undercover on the deck outside, but it's still getting wet.

(Thanks for the jasmine you left on my windowsill Frith xx)

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Isla is wearing a vest, overtop of merino.

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And socks.

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We're staying indoors, baking bread.

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It's only about 4pm and it's dark enough to have the lamp on and we're snuggling up on the couch eating popcorn.

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Last Friday's weather seems like a distant memory.

I hope you have a lovely weekend, whatever your weather may be :)

Siblings

I love it how these guys hang out together.
Of course there is the odd fight. And a bit of arguing now that Isla is talking more, which usually sounds like - I not, do, I not, doo, I NOT, dooooo , I NOT, DOOOOOOO - this can go on for a wee while sometimes, and I think the majority of the time either one or both of them don't actually know what they are arguing about.
But most of the time they are just the best of friends.

Shop things

I've been getting around to listing some of the collections of things I have to sell. It can be a slow process and pretty much impossible to do with the kids jumping around me. So I've been doing it bit by bit as they have their afternoon naps.

These are a few things that have been added to the Felt and Etsy shops just lately.

Still lots more to do.

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Cake and zoo

So we finished off our birthday celebrations for Isla with some cake and singing on Friday night, and a trip to the zoo on Saturday - so much fun.
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Here are some photos.

Hope you had a great weekend.
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Wholemeal carrot cake with cream cheese icing - Yum!

Birthday celebration candle holder - like the one I made for Liam

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I made her a special crown too, like Liam's, and then forgot to give it to her!
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We all loved our zoo visit

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It's so amazing seeing all these magestic animals in real life

I love how they were just peacefully basking in the sun.

There was a baby playing in the grass.

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Look at this guy's hair!

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Isla posing by the otters - she's such a girl :)

Happy Birthday Isla

Two years old today.
Our sweet little bundle of cuteness.
Sometimes I do wonder how you can be so darn cute! he he xx


(group hug this morning - with new baby doll from my dad - she LOVES it, see)

It's a stunning day here today, a lovely day indeed to celebrate being born.
And a lovely day to take a walk to the beach for a little picnic if I do say so.

(getting the sand between our toes - which we weren't actually that pleased about)

(collecting a big pocket full of sea glass in pretty colours)

(testing the water)

(which led to this...)

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(which then led to this...)
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(...which resulted in this. And mummy, foolishly, didn't bring extra clothes.)
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They're both fast asleep now, all worn out and salty and I've just finished decorating the cake (which you will have to wait till Monday to see). So there is happy birthday singing and candle blowing out etc etc on the agenda tonight, and then tomorrow we are off to visit the zoo - unless the skies open up and the rains come down - but going by today - surely not.

Baking with carrots

I'm thinking about carrot cake. I'm going to cook one tonight, and tomorrow Liam is going to help me turn it into a special birthday cake for Isla. Carrot cake with cream cheese icing is my favourite kind of cake, and the kids think it's yummy too, and it seems a little healthier than some of the other options, so I always make it for their birthday cakes.

And thinking about carrot cake making has reminded me of some yummy carrot muffins we made last week. The recipe came from here.

(Rearranging the couch, waiting for the muffins to cook)

I'm always looking for recipies that are a little more healthy, I do like my baked goods, and if the biscuit tins are full, well, they don't stay full for too long. So I'm trying not to make too many sugary bad for me kind of things. These muffins only have 1/4 cup of sugar in them so they are really not very sweet at all, the raisins give them most of their sweetness.

Oh and speaking of birthday cakes - this is so sweet

It's Wednesday

Where did Monday and Tuesday go?
Did you have a good weekend?
Ours was busy but good. Got my handmades all delivered to the shop, yay, it feels good to get things ticked off the list. This week is all about getting ready for Isla's birthday on Friday. Two years old already! We are going on a little celebration outing to the zoo on Saturday. I know the kids will just love it, they've been asking me draw all sorts of wild zooish kind of animals this week in anticipation.
And then, after this weekend, my mind is going to be on Christmas! I know we say it every year, but Christmas and the years end seems to come around so quickly. I'm determined to have a relaxed lead up to Christmas this year, no last minute rushing around, no busyness. I'm going to get everything finished early. I want to make sure it's some feet up, sipping on cool drinks, playing in the sunshine, calmly baking Christmas treats kind of time. Rather than a rushing around like a mad thing, list making, sweating in the heat kind of time. Sounds good aye.

A few photos from the weekend.

(Pixie hats that went to the shop. More things here, here, here.)

(Watching the Santa Parade. Maori kapa haka group)

(Keeping close to mum. Worried by all the loud cars and horns and motorbikes)

(Hi fireman)

(Fresh eggs from the market. Scrambled for Sunday dinner.)

(Simple summery kind of Sunday dinner. Bread recipe here.)