Visiting friends

On the way to and from Queensland we stopped in on our friends in Coffs Harbour. Going by what fun two days we had, I think we should have stayed there the whole time we were on holidays!!

Steve and her husband went fishing whilst we took the two boys to look for soldier crabs. We didn't find any crabs, but the kids and us mum's loved splashing in the water! Then we had a little picnic and played on the play equipment. When we got home we filled up their canoe for the boys to splosh around in. We threw in some beach toys and empty water bottles for them to play with. Then I decided we should do some painting so the kids did some painting, and then hopped back in the canoe pool to clean off. Fi's husband makes homebrew beer, very good ( a bit like bees knees). Fi made 100% fruit sorbet with mango, banana and peach. The kids loved it too.

Fi sent me home with some vegies and some orchids she grows in her garden. While we were there she was sundrying tomatoes on the washing line. I admire Fi's energy and resourcefulness in everything she does.

Handmade Christmas

For Christmas I wanted to make many gifts by hand but started too late and ran out of time. I did however manage to make five customized t-shirts and 2 decorative throw cushions. These t-shirts were actually made for a friends little girl for her birthday. The bird print is from a thrifted dress, I cut it up to use the fabric.

The nieces loved the cushions. You may remember the cushion at the back from the Umbrella Prints trimmings competition. The one in front I made more recently.

Sewing

My son in a t-shirt that I decorated with a cute print of ants and flowers. He's been sick this week with a sore throat and he has produced more snot than ever before! I've been chasing him around with tissues for days.

Our weekend

My son has started walking in the last week. He is getting quite good at it but is walking with arms out front zombie style! He has also been riding his fire engine around a lot. Most notably while holding his balloon at the same time.

Sunday I visited the

Mathilda's Market

in Sydney. It was a great collection of craft products for children. As always the products for girls were over represented, however my Mum and I did purchase two very cute t-shirts for my son.

One was a cute pirate ship t-shirt from

Sandt.

It looks awesome with his navy pinstripe pants he was given for his first birthday!

and the owl tee from

The Raisin Did It.

I also bought a birthday gift for my sister from

Gifts Created.

First Birthday!!

My little man is one year old. On the weekend we had a party for him in the local park amongst the trees.



We wanted to make a cake based on a train, plane or spaceship but I didn't like any of the designs in my kids cake book. So I created this design loosely based on Ethan's toy aeroplane. I found this easy and very tasty chocolate cake recipe. My Mother made up a new buttercream icing recipe using buttermilk and a dash of vanilla. It tasted amazing! The licorice was pulled at by one of the eager young ones before we sang Happy Birthday, that's why that part of the plane is flapping in the breeze!

Even more amazing was the Medovnik (Russian Honey Cake) which my sister made (pictured in background). It consists of many layers of cake and creamy filling. She fell for the Medovnik when she was living in Prague and has been craving it since she arrived back in Australia. She tried to replicate the recipe. The entire Medovnik cake was devoured, it was so good.

In limbo

Well we made it to Sydney in one piece and we are camping at my Mum 's place until our apartment is available to move in. I can't wait! I miss my things and I miss, well... being sort of organised! Steve wrapped up all the last bits and pieces back in Perth and is getting accustomed to his new workplace here in Sydney.


I have so far caught up with most of my family and my mates Jen, Fi, Kathryn and Anne. Fionna's little 3 month old boy, William is adorable! Jen and I caught up for brunch in Newtown last Saturday. It was great to spend time with Jen and I hope to catch up with her often. We visited a fun new button shop and some of my old favourite stores in Newtown.


Next week my sister Frances arrives back from a year and a half abroad. I can't wait to see her and fiance Kristian, and for her to finally meet her nephew Ethan.