26/52

A portrait of my children once a week, every week for a year 

26/52

J - Not very cooperative for a photo this week...I might have to try a more covert style 

M - Always time for a quick stroll in the Winter sun dressed as a fairy...even a cranky fairy 

A gorgeous image from last week (envious of that Summer weather)!!  

Linking in with Jodie @ Che and Fidel 

xx

don't forget a giveaway here 

afternoon delight {giveaway}

An afternoon, with a small glimmer of winter sunshine cascading in the windows, the slow murmur of the kettle rumbling the water within to boiling point for steaming cups of tea to accompany delicious scones of various colours and tastes.

The delight in afternoon tea is a fond time of the day.  It's not meal time, it can be formal or on a whim, with loved ones or newly met acquaintances and has the excuse of indulging in something sweet as a pick me up you need to get on with the rest of your day.

When Bakers Delight were so lovely to deliver me a selection of their scones, well afternoon tea has never been so delightful!   My kids devoured the choc chip, whilst the husband took to the white chocolate and blueberry which left me very happy to have my favourite date scone all to myself!

With school holidays just around the corner, why not have afternoon on me at of course Bakers Delight!

I have three $10 vouchers to giveaway so to enter.....

Be a follower of this here blog and just leave a comment.... for extra entries, like the Bakers Delight FB page,  repost this giveaway on any other form of social media (Facebook, instagram or twitter) and let me know (one comment for each shout out).  Vouchers only redeemable in Australia.

Three winners will be drawn at random and entries close on Tuesday 2nd July at 9pm. 

xx


Giveaway now closed!  The lucky winners drawn with Random Org are Zara, Provincial Homemaker and Pauline.  Congrats!

25/52

25/52 - a portrait of my children once a week every week for a year 

It feels so strange, writing that post heading...the reflected numbers staring back at me in disbelief...are we really so close to the half way mark of this wonderful challenge?  Challenge it is not either...I have found it such a enjoyed moment in my week to take, select and share special images of my children.  I already have ideas of collating the images in a digital book marking the end of the year...perfect gift for grandparents too.

J -  taking a moment to yourself, waiting for your sister to get outside so you can play in the winter sunshine 

M - always looking for a way to make me laugh

Linking in with Jodi @ Che and Fidel 

loving these gorgeous images from last week - this lady has amazing talent with the camera 

xx

growing up

  

Before my eyes they have blossomed, fleeting moments of nostalgia already infiltrating my mind, casting memories back when they were smaller, acknowledging that I am no longer a mother of wee babes.  Independence increases, their demands alter, what they need from me is constantly changing and so to is what they can provide for the family.

Some reflections on the past few weeks fuelled by tension, repetition, un-attempted tasks and job just not completed had me in a spin.  I needed to re-collabrate this family, to assess my children's abilities and just what they were capable of.  My children have always been requested to help around the house and be responsible for various aspects of themselves and their belongings.  Yet, with the addition of school, kinder and mornings that are no longer fluid and lasting, it was time to formalise my expectation and create something tangible and visual.

A formal "jobs chart" has been created.  Each child has their set of tasks expected of them for each day, which takes into account where they are going and any extra activities they may have on.  Tasks differ between my children, taking into account their age and jobs which include learning and development prompt me to remember it will take time to learn a new skill.

Making beds, setting the table, collecting the mail, unstacking the dishwasher and putting away toys are common jobs feature prominently on their jobs chart.  More intricate tasks like meal preparation, sweeping and sorting a marvel at assisting with fine motor development.  We potter along, doing our jobs, in tandem, conversation flowing.   A small packet of stickers near by for immediate reward, and a tally at the end of each week to determine if any other congratulatory signifiant offering is required.  Pride on their faces evident of a good days work.

The effects have been profound, noticeable and rewarding for the entire family.  Seeing my chidden growing up, but also being an active part of the family and helping in small but signifiant moments of the day is just a joy to watch.

How do you incorporate jobs and tasks into your children's day?

wintery-ness

Dang.  It's cold.  The heater is broken and it hasn't really stopped raining all week.  All. Week.  It's not fun trying to dry washing in this sort of weather without relying on the old tumble dryer.  But as it happens Winter has it's ok moments...like an excuse for endless hot drinks, and slow sunday roasts.  Staying in winter pj's is just a little more luxurious when it's cold than in warmer months and snuggling on the couch is oh so cozy.....here's what we got up to this week. 

1. Props...gorgeous citrus, eucalyptus, geraniums, lavender and rosemary...all used for a photo shoot for some wonderful products, which I'll reveal soon. 

2. Ladder time - At the end of each footy round the ladder gets updated.  Very happy people at the moment with their team in top position. 

3. My old antique wardrobe...photos taken of her because it's time to sell her (sob!) 

4. Shenanigans on the couch

5. Hiding under the quilt

6. Letting me take photos of her down the lane way. 

Linking up with Em @ The Shack 

24/52

A portrait of my children, once a week, every week for a year 

J - Always thinking, calculating with such intensity...this morning you at least got to enjoy a snippet of sunshine

M - After I showed you the scrappy owl wings I made you, you've enjoyed moments of owl madness

Linking up with Jodi @ Che & Fidel 

I loved the cute little smiles on these faces from last week

the weekend {& cake}

Oh the weekend is here...Hooray!  I love the approach of Friday afternoon, the cheerfulness that only Friday afternoon school pick up in imminent rain cannot diminish because it's that time that the weekend truely begins.  Two little days that bring so much joy, and the night before that is even considered part of the weekend for the hair gets let down, the kids are allowed to stay up a little later having learnt the term "not a school night"....

...Not much is planned for the weekend, we'll do a lazy Saturday breakfast, head out and about! Oh we have tickets for Jesus Christ Superstar Spectacular and I'm kinda excited about a night out sans kids with my man.  Sunday is free as a bird and that's how I like it.

What are you up to this weekend?

Oh here's a fabulous cake recipe...I never thought of mixing carrots with lime.  Turns out to be quite the surprise combination!  It's a winner in my book.

What you need....


200 g butter, softened
240 g caster sugar
4 eggs
180 g self raising flour
1 tsp baking powder
200 g carrot, grated (that’s 2 medium carrots)
60 g coconut, shredded
60 g walnuts, crushed
zest and juice of one orange (or lemon)

Icing:
200g cream cheese
100g icing sugar
juice one lime (more if your icing needs more liquid)

Preheat the oven to 170 degrees. Grease and line a 23cm springform cake tin. Place butter and sugar in a large bowl and beat with an electric beater until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Sift in flour and baking powder then mix to combine. Add carrots, coconut, zest, walnuts and orange juice. Mix to combine and pour into cake pan. Bake for 40 - 50 minutes, or until a skewer comes out clean. Let cool in the tin for 10 minutes then move to a rack. Let the cake cool completely

To make the icing combine the softened cream cheese, icing sugar and lime juice and spread over cake.

Enjoy
xx

• 
  

seven

seven.

wow.

Feels so much more grown up.  And really you are.  No longer the newbie at school, your take on the world has evolved so much.  With such a sweet personality, people are drawn to you, they like you instantly and whilst a shy nature takes some getting used, when you warm to someone, you really steal a little piece of their heart.

Caring, considerate and kind.  Older brother, first born.  Early riser (always!) and affectionate to those you love.  Happy in your own company, inventive and imaginative.  Pizza, pasta and hommus with carrot sticks...favourite foods to please.  Strategic, mathematical and analytical.  Your memory is astounding.  I gaze at you in your slumber often thinking, what will you become?

For now, lets just enjoy Seven.  After all it's my favourite number.

Happy Birthday

xx

slow and steady

It was a week of anticipation as our first born celebrated his seventh birthday*.  The week started slow, mulling about the house the usual routine, warding off the dreaded winter lurgies.     The Queens Birthday long weekend combined with a  birthday is most often a long weekend affair.  No doubt we packed our few possessions required and headed for our sanctuary.  We lit a fire, I slapped together a cake and with some nibbles and a splattering of family, it was a celebration in style.

1. Two little friends cuddled up on a rainy day
2. Fairy dress her outfit of choice most days
3. Yes, I found a face on my orange
4. keeping warm around the fire.
5. I'll steal your beanie then ask for a piggy back uncle konny
6. Enjoying the view from his office window
7. Gumboots and shadows
8. Roof and blue sky

Linking up terribly late with the lovely Em @ The shack 

Does the long weekend through you out?  or is it just me?

xx

*birthday post to come

23/52

A portrait of my children, once a week every week for a year

J - Excited, running from room to room

M- Delicately replacing your gumboot back on as you roam free in surroundings you love 

Joining in with Jodi @ Che & Fidel 

create

The weeks are flying by now...It's almost like I can feel them whizz by.  Winter is upon us, the heater is a constant companion again as are warm drinks, jackets and beanies....Summer and long days just seem so long ago.  We busy ourselves creating this and that.  I'm still trying to work hard at sewing my way through the fabric stash in the lead up to packing this house up in the coming months. The lists keep growing, always finding another thing to add as one gets crossed off.    This is what kept us busy this week.

1. Limes, oh limes, I love you almost as much as lemons...almost
2. Especially when put with this extraordinary carrot cake with lemon cream cheese icing....booyeah!
3. All lined up waiting for their Master to return from Kinder
4. All lined up waiting for their Master to return from School
5. An exciting little package filled with gorgeous products...products that I get to photograph

Linking up with Em @ The Shack