In the nursery
Five months old
3rd Birthday Party
E's third birthday was last Sunday. We had a train party because trains are his current obsession. I had so much fun organizing this party, I think there is a frustrated party planner in me... what with the Wedding and High tea I planned last year for my sister. We did pass the parcel and some train craft activity. The train cake was the first cake I had made on my own. My mum made the cupcakes last year and for his first birthday mum helped me make the aeroplane cake.
4 months old
Toddler bedroom decorating
This is the bedroom for our firstborn which we decorated this year. It will always be a work in progress as he grows up, but for now it is mostly finished. Blue paint colour is from Nippon paint, Cloud decals from
($7),
painted by me,
made by me, striped cushion cover made by my Mum, floor cushion from Freedom furniture, Trofast storage from Ikea, Miffy toy bought by Steve in Japan, Bunny was a gift from my sister, bed is a cutdown cot - Steve made the side rail.
Purple and yellow
My Illustration in Easy Living UK
Back in September I had my illustration the "Crow and the Peacock" published in Easy Living Magazine UK. It was around the same time I gave birth to Zoe so it missed a mention back then. I have finally taken some photos of the magazine. The issue was an Inspiration special, detailing where people got their inspiration for their various endeavours. My illustration was coupled with some of Alex Monroe's beautiful jewellery. He was inspired by the fable the Crow and the Peacock.
Christmas activities
My friend from Mother's group held a Christmas craft party for the kids, so I decided to make some gingerbread men with E to take to the party. I must admit I find it hard to relax and let him get too messy while cooking and crafting, I am too much of a control freak and my husband hates mess too. The recipe is a great one from Donna Hay's Modern Classics 2. I want to use this recipe to make a gingerbread house because it made a nice sturdy gingerbread.
She read a book about the Christmas story, we sang Silent Night and we did some craft activities like these star pictures using bits of paper stuck on vellum with a star frame around it. When you stick it on the window it looks really pretty with the light shining through it.
Summer food
Soak 1/2 a cup of sago or tapioca with the contents of 1 tin of coconut milk for about an hour. Pour into medium sized pot and add 1/2 cup of water, 30grams of castor sugar and 3 cubes of Jeeny's palm sugar. Simmer on the stove stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves and the sago turns completely translucent right through. Pour into dishes and leave to set a little. Add chopped mango on top(optional) and serve.