Things I am loving...

I wholeheartedly believe that no matter what is happening in your life, there is always something you can be thankful for..no matter how simple it is.

I am loving that my back is feeling a bit better so I can now give my wee girl more cuddles.  Clearly the super strength drugs I am on are kicking in.

I am loving the ruffle bum nappy I got Eva as part of her Christmas present.  It is gorgeous.

This ruffle bum got me thinking about a dress I could make that would show off the ruffles and got me onto my second two loves...

I am loving the two patterns I purchased off Etsy a week ago.  I cannot wait for my back to improve so I can get sewing. 

The dress and nappy cover will be perfect for summer and I will able to make some as gifts.  I have so many funky fabrics that are waiting to be used.

I am loving my huge collection of ribbon.  An awesome emporium I used to go to every now and again is closing down and most things were 50% off.  I spent a fortune of ribbon, bias tape, buttons and cotton...

This photo does not make my collection look very impressive at all

I am loving this cross stitch that has taken a on a new lease of life.  I completed this in 1999 and did it because I thought it was cute.  It had a very 90s brown frame around it and got it re framed for Eva's room.  I look forward to it going up on her wall.

Have a great week!

Pain, pain go away...

Dear Back,

You suck.

Why did you have to pack up on me now?!  I cannot think of a more appropriate time but I am sure we could have come to an arrangement.

Eva is only three months old, how am I supposed to look after her when I have a sore back?
Not only can I not lift her and cuddle her I cannot breastfeed her because of the high level of pain relief I am on.

Do you realize back the sadness and stress you have caused me?

I am sad I cannot feed Eva anymore.  I have shed a lot of tears because of it.  I have loved that special time with her  and I am disappointed the decision was taken out of my hands and there was not even a chance to get used to the idea and make the transition.

So now I am in this predicament because of you please use your energy in the universe to make a time at the specialist be available for me this week.

I want to be able to look after my little girl.  I am missing having cuddles with my beautiful girl.

From Melissa
 

Things I am loving...

I wholeheartedly believe that no matter what is happening in your life, there is always something you can be thankful for..no matter how simple it is.

I am loving having my vege garden planted up with summer veges, if it was not so windy outside I would go and take a photo.

I have planted...

Green zucchini
Yellow zucchini
Yellow capsicum
Red capsicum
Eggplant
Squash (scollapini - yellow)
Spring onions
Picolini cucumber
Sugar snap peas
Butter beans
Italian Parsley
Chives
Basil
Money maker tomato
Sweet 100 tomato

There is a bit of room for a few more tomato plants, I might get one more cucumber, maybe a lebanese and one or two other things.

Dream vege garden

And I am loving the breakfasts I have been having lately.   A yoghurt, and a bagel with cream cheese and raspberry jam served with a milo made with vanilla soy milk. mmmmmmmm

Have a great week everyone.

New recipe...

Last night I made some lactation cookies.  I am not too sure if these will work and help me to produce more milk and quite frankly I don't care because they are delicious!!!

Lactation Cookies

250g Butter, softened

1/2C Brown sugar

2TBSP condensed milk (i used a little more as i had some leftover)

Cream together.

Then Add:

2C Flour

1C Rolled Oats

2tsp Baking powder

4TBSP LSA (heaped) - I make my own LSA (1 cup linseeds, 2/3 cup sunflower seeds,1/3 cup almonds grind/process together)

1TBSP Brewers yeast (OPTIONAL) - i dont use this as every time i have, its given me awful stomach cramps :S

250g Dark Choc Chips - I only use about 150g and i find its HEAPS.

I use a round table spoon (measuring spoon) to make little mounds and then put them on a baking tray. Press down gently before baking. Bake at 180C for 10-12 mins - but i normally bake for about 15mins in my oven until they are nice and golden brown. Mixture can be a little crumbly, but once you squish it together it holds well with all that butter ;)

 

Photo Challenge...

Fruit or Floral

Flowers my husband got me yesterday

Photo Challenge...

SHADES OF WHITE

New Recipes...

So my challenge to try one new recipe a week has been exceeded this week.

Today I made...

Mango Lassi Ice Cream

Super quick and easy to make and according to my husband, very very nice.
http://tvnz.co.nz/good-morning/mango-lassi-ice-cream-5106907

And...

Annabels Choconut Slice (yes another Annabel Langbein recipe, I made one earlier in the week)

I know it looks burnt, but I assure you it is not.  This is another quick and easy recipe and very delish.  http://tvnz.co.nz/good-morning/annabel-s-choconut-slice-5094928

***Note to self, must learn how to make links to websites that are not long and just one word.  

Things I am loving...

I wholeheartedly believe that no matter what is happening in your life, there is always something you can be thankful for..no matter how simple it is.

I am loving this photo I took on Thursday...

I am loving my growing collection of cloth nappies.  I don't know what it is about them but I really like using them instead of disposables.  I purchased a few of them while pregnant so I could decide which ones I like the best.
Don't tell my husband I purchased another one today...

Most of the nappies I have are one size so they have domes at the front to make them smaller and bigger.  The reason I got these was because I thought it would be the cheaper way to go.  The majority of the nappies are pocket nappies this means the soaker pad goes inside the nappy.  

So far my favourite in terms of reliability and ease of use is the tot bots easy fit.  

My favourite in terms of looks (and price) is the monkey one, because my wee girl is a cheeky monkey.  Favourite in terms of feel is the itti bitti, it is a pink minky, soooooo nice and smooth.

Least favourites would have is the Ones an Twos.  These are reasonably new to the market and at the size Eva is at the moment they are too bulky for her.  When she gets older and bigger however they will be fine and I would say very good, reliable nappies.

I am loving the rainbows we saw on the way home this afternoon.  The weather has been yucky in Auckland and we saw two rainbows close together and this one was very bright in colour.  I managed to get a few photos of it.
I like this one...

I am loving the Christmas presents I have for Eva so far.  Yes Christmas presents!!  I got this set at a great price from one of the one day deal type websites.  Eva is far too young for it but I could not help myself.  

I also have two personalised books for her, they are so lovely.  I got a Christmas Adventures one and another that is Nursery Rhyme Adventures.  I was given one of these as a child and loved it. 

I still have it and it is in Eva's bookcase.

And lastly, I am loving that this is my 100th post!!!  100 is a lot.  For something I thought I would get bored of, I think I have done pretty well.  

Have a great week everyone!!

New Recipes...

I LOVE cookbooks!!!  

I love the photos in them.  I love the prospect of trying out new foods and I love that they encourage my love of cooking.

Two things I don't like is how much they cost and how much room they take up.
I have recently moved my recipe books from a draw where they are hidden to the top of my wine cabinet opposite the kitchen bench.  Very visible, kind of inspiring.

Coincidentally enough I was discussing my love of cookbooks with some friends a few days ago (friends who also fancy them).  A few of them said they attempt to try one new recipe a week.  On first thought I thought the concept of this would be hard but in the last three days I have tried 4 or 5 new recipes!

Sunday...

I did some baking when Eva was having an unusually long sleep.
I made Ginger Kisses, Lemon Loaf (made this before but a new recipe) and Annabel Langbeins Orange Lightening Cake.

Monday...

Pumpkin pasta

Tuesday...

Annabel Langbeins Turkish Bread

So a new challenge for myself is to try one new recipe a week.  The recipe is for a dinner meal apposed to baking.  I try new baking recipes all the time so that is why the challenge is for dinner.  I, like many people, tend to make the same thing for dinner.

Last night was the Pumpkin Pasta.
Really easy and it was nice.  I will make this again but will make a few additions next time.

Pumpkin pasta was cooked fettucini with a pumpkin sauce.
Pumpkin sauce was one onion, chopped finely and cooked in a frying pan with a bit of crushed garlic.  Add a tin of Watties Very Special Pumpkin Soup (was supposed to be a tin of condensed pumpkin soup but I had none).
Then you add half a cup of sour cream and quarter of a cup of grated parmesan cheese.  Stir until cheese is melted, do not boil.

Stir pasta into sauce and top with chives.

I added some chopped mushrooms and wilted spinach.  Next time I would add chicken and more cheese I think.

Because I tried a new recipe so early in the week, I might try out another one later in the week.