Recovering

I love things with history, that tell a tale or hold memories of some kind, and have been known to display, wear or restore things of that kind. But vintage is not my greatest love. I think I'm more of a 'old made new' kind of girl. I love to see something well loved given a makeover or refashioned into something slightly different but just as lovely, fun or interesting as it's former self (Hmmm, I'm a youth worker/counsellor by trade so maybe this goes for more than just objects?). Anyway, here are a few small housey items I have recovered recently.

Dolls pram... I think it'll need recovering once a year - it gets a lot of use now that India is bigger and loves dolls! I just used the old cover for a template, and used bias binding to edge it all.

Camping mattresses... I cut an old foam mattress into two, and recovered them, using an old (and really soft - must have been a good quality one back in the 70's!) queen size sheet. I didn't even bother with a zip because they won't be used for much other than camping trips and cubbies.

Stereo speakers... they are so boring looking in the girls colourful room so I just clicked off the cover, made four holes in the rainbow fabric for the legs of the cover, folded the edges in and clicked it back on!

Stay tuned for trickier projects soon...

Vintage fare

During my recent short blogging hiatus, I missed sharing some lovely homemade treats with you. These pistachio and orange cakes were made with a vintage tea in mind. They reminded me of a era gone by but were exceedingly enjoyed by us modern girls (and even the kids). There are lots of ingredients so maybe enjoy just at very special occasions!

125g butter

1 cup caster sugar

2 eggs

1 cup roasted pistachios, chopped coarsely

2 cups SR flour

2/3 cup milk

1 tbls icing sugar

1/2 tsp ground cardamom

2 tsp gelatine

2 tbls water

125g cream cheese, softened

3/4 cup caster sugar

2 tbls lemon juice

1/2 tsp orange essence

1 cup marscapone

300g thickened cream

1. Preheat oven to 180 c. Grease 2 22cm spingform tins and line base with baking paper.
2. Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time until combined.
3. Stir in nuts, sifted flour and milk, in 2 batches.
4. Spread mixture into tins, bake about 40 mins. cool
5. Make filling by sprinkling gelatine over the water in a heatproof bowl. Stand jug in saucepan of simmering water. Stir until gelatine dissolves. Cool 5 mins.
6. Beat cheese, sugar, juice and essence until smooth. Add marscapone; beat until combined. Stir in gelatine mixture; fold in cream.
7. Split cakes in half. Cut out circles with cookie cutter. Dollop filling on half of cake circles, and top with remainder. Refrigerate at least 3 hours.
8. Serve dusted with sifted icing sugar and cardamom.

When children bloom

"Whenever she turned her steep focus to me, I felt the warmth that flowers must feel when they bloom through the snow, under the first concentrated rays of the sun" (Janet Fitch).

At the end of every day I am always weary from the many hours of absorbing and attending to the 'tell me about the sky Mum', and the 'Oh-a, oh-a' (read me Charlie and Lola books Mum), and the 'I'm hungry Mum' and the 'you hide and I'll find you Mum'. Though I can give them lots of time as a stay-at-home Mum, sometimes it's a struggle to give my blue-ribbon attention. And while Tim is great at giving the girls quality time, they really glowed this week after a quantity of time with their Dad. Seeing them thrive is certainly worth the tough days, and encourages me to press on!

Rain, sunshine and the weather withstanding bond

We've had a great week in nature. The pitching of the tent, the puddles on the road, the sand in everything, the best steak burgers (at Loaded Lizard, Mudjimba), the markets, the sunshine, the late night cards, the walking, the laughing, the dancing (yes, there is always dancing when my sisters are around), the spanish hot chocolate (at San Churros Chocolateria), the splashing, the more time than usual, and the bonding. I loved watching our family play and laugh together. Elara and India shared many special, sisterly moments. And the time I spent with my sisters will be one I remember for years to come. Tim's Mum, sisters, brother-in-law-to-be and our niece all spent time together with us and made our week more special. Love between grandmothers, fathers, mothers, aunties, uncles, sisters, brothers, cousins, nieces, daughters and sons was expressed (and appreciated, as I reflect on it now). Memories of what we actually did might fade but I'm quite sure that each small experience has tempered the bonds within our family, so that they will better and better stand whatever weather becomes us.

Need some crunch?

Here's a way to add some colour and crunch to that old favourite recipe! I added crushed peppermint bars to these mini caramel tarts, and the taste was very fresh (and yummy too). This was actually Tessa Kiros idea, found in her 'Apples for Jam' cookbook. If only I could top my brussels sprouts with these too!

Feels like home

The contract for our first home is signed! We've spent many weeks looking for a place that was just right. And while this isn't my dream home, it is the only one, among many viewed, that I felt love from. Actually that was was I was hoping for more than anything else. It's easy to love a house with lots of bedrooms, or a great backyard, or a sweet location. But to be in a house where I can imagine laughter and cuddles and chasing and togetherness, swayed my choice. Looking forward to making those memories.

Until then we'll love our other house. I found this dolls house on ebay for $40. It was a glaring sight - bright pink and purple and very huge! Tim painted it and put on a new base, then we added some wallpaper and a mini garden too. It is so huge, we store almost all our toys in it (as well as the dolls furniture), and India can fit into bottom rooms to play! It was a great buy and is well used and loved!

Mum with a newborn 'help'

We know what doesn't help: well meaning, but unhelpful advice; offers to come over and nurse the baby while you 'sleep'; or words that abate the validity of your feelings. We know what does help: brownies; cookies; dinners; cupcakes; ice-cream; smiles; and anything that gives you some shower time.
I have a most awesome, most patient, most hard working, second-time Mum friend whom I want to help, but she lives a long way away. I'd love some input from you Mums (or others) on some things I could send to encourage her.