Baking with my Boy

I asked Ryan what he wanted to do a few days back and it was to bake a cake with me. So simple, yet something I really struggle with. But, I made the effort and had a wonderful time doing it. He enjoyed it so much that I felt guilty I haven't done more of it. Certainly something we have to do more of.

We made raspberry chocolate cake. Oh my it is my most favourite chocolate cake. It is one we make a lot and I have blogged about it before. Ryan was so proud of this cake, telling Adele all about the ingredients and eating half of it, at least!!.

Maybe he will make me a birthday cake ;) I very much doubt it, I don't usually get one, but each year I hope that I do. Surely sometime soon they will make me one

Tx

A little bit of photography

I cam across a photography weekly challenge. On Pinterest, one of those random lists that gives you a bit of direction for a few weeks. This challenge is 20 weeks with a whole bunch of different things to try to photograph. I figure it is a great challenge for me as I don't really know what style, things or anything really about me as a photographer. All I know is I love taking photos and I love a challenge and I love lists.

This week is "self portrait". I must admit from summer I am noticing that I am missing from the family photos. Apparently you can buy a remote control to take photos, I might need to invest in one. Soon it will start to look like I have left the family, all these lovely shots of Blair and the kids.

So here is "Self Portrait"

You might not be able to see in a small photo, but I am in that bubble.

I am starting to notice that I really like black and white photos. I like the contrast.  Each Wednesday I am aiming to post my photos from each weeks challenge.

My application has been sent of to do that course, now I just have to wait to see if I am accepted. I have no idea how long that is going to take, hopefully I will find out soon as it starts on the 3 March.

And of course not long till Adeles birthday. Party planning is in full swing. I have to sit down and write a list of what I want to make and what exactly I need. I may be going a little over board, but hey, its her party and if she wants it why not!! (Of course I am not going super crazy, I more mean in terms of cute cakes and home made stuff).

Also we are preparing to move. Into the new house! So not only is it party time it is packing and sort out stuff time AND next week Adele starts school. Man oh man, we don't make life easy at all here.


Right time to head off for my third to last kindy pick-up. I just know I am going to cry on Friday.

Tx

Birthday Skirt

Birthday party invites are starting to come in again. Adele has had two parties this week, Ryan has a couple before school goes back, a friends baby is turning one and, of course, we have Adeles big party. Oh and a birthday for me, but no party.

The party we went to on Sunday was our old neighbours daughter. Adele and her had been the best of friends and it was so sad when we moved away. We have caught up a couple of time since we moved, the girls still love each other to bits. When we arrived at the party from that moment on I am not sure if the girl played with any of her other guests.

I made her a skirt, her mum is all into home made things so I knew it would appreciated. Plus, I knew she would like the style as a friend of hers posted a picture of her daughter in the style of this skirt. She had commented on how much she liked it. So I sort of copied the skirt. I made it fit Adele, they are the same size so I knew it would fit her. It was easy to recreate. A lot of straight cutting and sewing.

I used the matching purple spots and chevron to Adele's pink. I would really like a picture of the girls in their sort of matching outfits. I really hope she wears her skirt to Adele's party.

And of course a cute picture of Greta. She kept popping up in the photos of I was trying to take of the skirt. Of course I have to include one.

I am about to send off the enrolment form to do a Diploma in Photography. Whether this leads to a career change I don't know, but the next couple of years will be filled with learning and be interesting. I am looking forward to it, but sort of nervous too. I haven't done study in a while so I hope I can manage it, and the kids and everything else.

Tx

Back to Real Life

What a great summer holidays the kids have had. We have been to three different beaches. Spent about three weeks away from Hamilton and spent a lot of time with friends and family. Today is the first day in forever at home. Well until a few hours as we are off to a movie.

I have been doing a bunch of cooking and baking, just the normal staples. Vanilla cake and onion relish. Not together of course. I didn't get as much sewing done as planned, but that was mainly due to us being so busy having fun.

When we got home from one stay at the beach we found we had been robbed. Not too much was taken, TV, laptops, you know, all the electronic stuff and thankfully the house wasn't trashed. Bags opened and tipped out. Still a yucky feeling. And put a bit of a downer on things. Thankfully three days later we were off to another beach and all that became a distant memory.

Today I have started on Adele's birthday. So far we have made the invitations and I managed to make her dress. Got to have a birthday dress!

I used a pattern called Stella by Violette Field Threads. It is so simple and perfect. Adele has been wanting a one shoulder dress for ages. I found this on Pinterest, got the pattern and all done. I got the fabric from good old Spotlight. Adele picked it. I also got the same fabric in a purple. I might just make matching dresses.

So my poor Adele had a hearing re-test at the hospital last week. And it turns out she will be needing hearing aids for life. She had them fitted the other day. It comes as a huge shock to us as she has a great vocabulary and we never suspected a thing. But the aids are really "cool" and the child gets to pick bright colours and they are just so better than I thought they would be. And it means she will hear properly and learn more and really once we got over the shock I am not to fazed by it.

Adele getting her moulds taken.

So life continues on, 2014 appears to be equally as busy and crazy as 2013.

Tx

Holiday Fun

For me, baking and crafting doesn't stop on holiday. I have come armed with a couple of cook books and my sewing machine. I have tried to keep my list of things I want to achieve short as I want to get out for regular runs and go for a few photo shoots. I must say, I am loving my camera. Even found a diploma I could do. Super keen and slightly crazy!!

So anyway, I made a cheesecake for lunch today. It is a real crowd pleaser, it is about the only dessert that Blair loves. He is about to eat slice number three. It is simple to make and super tasty.

With yummy dark chocolate, maybe I want an extra piece now.

I have started another quilt. Ryan has been asking and asking for his own Batman quilt. Today I started it for him. I was going to do a hugs and kisses type quilt but I decided that I would go simple and do 5 inch squares randomly sewn together. I will put on a border and just keep expanding it to make it the size I want.

Heres all the piles of fabric.

I have nearly all the squares into pairs. I am thinking 12 wide and how ever many rows I can make. Ryan was pretty happy to see it finally being made. I promised I would have it all sorted for when we move into the new house. I have quite a bit of work to do.

And just a few photos I took this afternoon. I am really enjoying learning how my camera works and the things you can do with each shot. Maybe I need a career change

Tx

Christmas Day

We had such a lovely day. It was low key, relaxing and a whole heap of fun. Then on Boxing Day we went round to my parents and had another lovely day. Complete with a bike ride and more yummy food. Next week we will have Christmas with Blairs parents. Feels like the longest Christmas ever.

I got a new camera, like a real one, so I have been trying it out and taking loads of pictures. This post is pretty much going to be a whole heap of photos, look for the kids in their christmas outfits

 The kids got scooters for Christmas, so Christmas day we went on a massive scooter ride between opening presents and lunch.

 Even Blair had to get in on the action.

 We took Greta out for her first bike ride in the baby seat and she just loved it.

 The kids thought they were so lucky being able to have water from a wine glass.

 We visited Blairs Grandmother on Boxing Day. It was the first Christmas without Blairs Grandad. We didn't want her to feel alone so took over crackers, chocolates, ham, a fruit platter and a few Christmas themed bits and pieces for her room. Plus the kids were still on a happy Christmas high. I hope it made her day, or at the least put a smile on her face.

 My parents have been in India for the last few weeks so they brought home Adele a sari. She has been rocking it for two days solid.

And of course our bike ride. I was impressed with both the kids. My folks live on a road that is still un-sealed so they managed to bike to the end of the road on the gravel with out fussing at all. Even my Dad came, so the six of us biked around for a bit.

It was such a great few days. Of course the Christmas niceties has worn off the kids and they have been fighting like cats and dogs today. At least we start our holidays proper tomorrow, I just have to work tonight and Blair had to go in for a few hours today. But tomorrow, watch out beach, here we come. Of course the weather is rubbish for the time we are meant to be there, but I don't care, it is a holiday and we will have a bunch more space and well, it is our holiday!!!!!!!

Tx

All done

I just put my finishing touches on my last Christmas present. Well home made ones.

I have made Ryan a pair of shorts. And he is so happy with them. I let him try them on and he wanted to keep them. But no, I have to put them away and wrap them up.

Most boys (and girls too) I know love space and Ryan loves planets and stars. 

I found this fabric in Spotlight a while ago and had tucked it away. 

We got Ryan a solar system poster for Christmas so this is a perfect companion for his gifts.

I feel quite relieved it is all done now. Just waiting for the big day, wahoo!!!

Tx