Further Afield {an ambitious adventure}

 After three weeks of serious hibernation we have emerged, ready to return to the outside world and all it's glory. On Tuesday we packed an assortment of home made delights and the kids into the Kluger and set off for the forest.

The air was crisp as we filled our tin tea cups from the thermos. Hot tea and chocolate slice warmed our  bellies while the children found various ways to ensure they were covered with soot, dust and dirt - chasing, tripping and adventuring as they went.

While I placated an unsettled Elke, Dave and the kids built a fire to crispen mammoth croutons and crackle bacon. Once they were ready we piled them atop the hearty vegetable soup we had made the day before. As the flies raced us to our bowls, we devoured said delicacies.

It was an ambitious adventure for our first as a family of five - a long drive, a fancy pants hand crafted pic nic, real crockery, a fire, you know, the works. But it was so much fun and hilariously chaotic. On more than one occasion Dave and I looked at each other, laughed and knowingly shook our heads.

Life is wonderful.

These are the golden days - the ones we will always fondly remember. When our babes are tiny and adorable and want nothing more than our time and attention. To hold our hands and tell us tall tales about astronauts and the ocean. To kiss us on the lips and cuddle us at the hips.


Forgive me for being nauseatingly sweet but i'd like to document both the beautiful and the totally irritating. Kids are nut cases, nothing is truer but gosh they a little love buckets, overflowing with goodness.

Wearing: The Round

 Like I mentioned yesterday, the post baby 'round' is here and I suspect it will be staying. So why not embrace it? Yes it's hard to dress and can be rather cumbersome but so are small children, and we put up with them just fine.

I'm yet to muster the courage to pull out any denim jeans from my wardrobe so I've been living in glorified track pants and floating knits. On this occasion I opted for tights (control panels included), a floating jersey dress by Tigerlilly and my very favourite cape layered over a studded Country Road boyfriend cardi. Elke kept warm in beautiful alpaca threads sent as a gift from Sally at Fawn and Fox.

Yesterday we packed a filling winter pic-nic and escaped the house for the woods where these photo's were taken. Tomorrow, I'll tell you all about it.... because it's like, totally exciting.

Like A Lovers Hug

There is something special about being the mum of a new born, it doesn't matter how many times over- it's always the same. Maybe it's the rush of hormones or the pride in having grown a tiny human. Maybe it's having a husband who's home from work and the fabulous extra family time. Maybe it's delicious hot meals that miraculously arrive on your door step from generous friends and family. It could be the sleep induced delirium or possibly the girth that all of the above ensures.

Yes, thats it. For me it's the girth- you know, the chub.

It's special and sacred and homely, that post baby 'roundness' and it lingers like a lovers hug.

I've got it, and I like it.

You know why? Because when I look in the mirror I see a little more of my mother. That warm, generous, soft mother of mine. The one who dried my toddler tears when I cried and tolerated my obnoxious adolescent antics. The one who, along with my Dad, cares for my own babies so that I can have a rest. That mum.

She's got the post baby 'roundness' too (though not quite as much as I do).

So today, in honour of her I dug out the The Big Book of Beautiful Biscuits and baked a classic. One of my favourites, actually.

Chocolate Fudge Bars were a staple in our house growing up (covered in sprinkles, naturally) and recently I've been craving them. These ones will be devoured by my own children, leaving dark chocolate smears on their beautiful faces.

Recipe

1 cup plain flour
½ cup sugar
1 cup coconut
1 tablespoon cocoa
185g butter
½ teaspoon vanilla

Chocolate Icing
1 cup icing sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
30g butter
1½ tablespoons hot water
coconut

 

Sift dry ingredients into bowl, add melted butter and vanilla, mix well. Press mixture over base of greased 28cm x 18cm lamington tin. Bake in moderate oven 20 minutes. Cool in tin.

When cold, ice with Chocolate Icing, sprinkle with coconut. Cut into bars when icing has set.

Chocolate Icing: Sift icing sugar and cocoa into small bowl, add melted butter and water, mix until the icing is smooth and glossy.

Tell me you know this recipe. Was it a childhood staple for you too (fellow 80's babies)?


p.s the winner of the 'Baby's Here' giveaway will be announced on the original post between 8pm and 9pm tonight. Make sure you check back to see if it was you.

Stills: A Weekly Collection {the domestic edition}

1. Piles and piles of washing. I must be nutty because since having my new washing machine*, I have taken great delight in making the clothes clean. Even sorting isn't a chore (who the hell am I?). As I fold and organise endless amounts of clean towels, sheets and clothes I can be head remarking 'oh my gosh, I just can't believe how clean this is'- it's only now that i realise how crap my last machine was. 

2. There were three in the bed.

3. X marks the spot. Drawing maps and searching for treasure.

4. I know I said no coffee, but I just can't help it.

5. Lavender and Country Style (no, i haven't had time to read it)

6. More washing. What can I say?

7. We bought this swing just before Pippi was born. It's one of those items that I was never going to have when Zeph was born (because I was going to be a superior parent, you know) but I can safely say, it's a bloody miracle worker. if you have a baby or are going to have a baby, cut yourself some slack and get a swing!

* I bought this one, if your interested. I can strongly recommend it- mine was delivered to my front door days after purchase.