On any given day I am partial to baking, but I simply can’t resist the opportunity when the occasion actually calls for it. An open, English-speaking babies play group here hosts a casual Halloween party each year and parents are asked to bring snacks for sharing. Last year I made chocolate spiderweb cookies, this year…
CHOCOLATE CRACKLES- REPRESENTING AUSTRALIA ON UNITED NATIONS DAY (AKA so popular I don't even have photos to show you!)
Due to my diagnosis, I have been unable to participate in the day-to-day running around with L to nursery school and so on, let alone to enjoy some of the more momentous occasions of the past few months, such as his first day there. So, as you can well imagine, I was ecstatic to hear…
DIY AUTUMN DECORATIONS (AKA a fun, free and eco-friendly activity to share with the kids)
It was a not-so-picturesque autumn day, but Project Pinterest (the Halloween Edition) was in full-effect! Braving the elements, we headed outside to collect autumn leaves and acorns to create some seasonal decorations for the home; specifically a leaf garland and an autumnal table centerpiece (see DIY instructions at end of post). My 19-month-old, L, loves being…
HOT CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE (AKA the easiest, fastest cake in the universe!)
If you’ve ever come across a recipe for a “mug cake” and wondered if they really are too good to be true, wonder no more! Mug cakes are fabulous, fast, so easy you’ll be able to commit the recipe to memory and, most importantly for dessert lovers, utterly delicious! I promise you that a quicker,…
PROJECT PINTEREST, WEEK 2 (AKA The Halloween Edition)
I am really satisfied with the results from Project Pinterest ,Week 1 and, as I am starting to go into nesting overdrive, I can’t wait to get stuck into this week’s assignments! On the list for Project Pinterest, Week 2: • To continue crocheting an amigurumi dragon for Cupcake and a bunny for L (it’s a labour…
CUPCAKE FOR CHARITY (AKA an exercise in gratitude & giving)
No mother-to-be wants to receive the news that, after multiple trips to the ER, 12 ultrasounds, 3 major hemorrhaging episodes, 2 monitored stays in the hospital and a month of modified bed rest, the reason for all the pregnancy complications is in fact a formerly undiagnosed “… large blood clot inside the uterine wall” (otherwise know…
SIMPLE POP-UP CARD (AKA sweet sentiment)
My husband specifically said “no presents” as his birthday approached this year. Not only is our second baby on the way and our budget is tightening somewhat, but he truly believes he has everything he needs (not a bad place to be, really). He does appreciate any efforts I go to however, so I thought…
NUTELLA HOT CHOCOLATE (AKA I'm terrible!)
When I was little there was a commercial on television for Nutella where the kids sang “Aaaaah, Nutella! We always say yes to Nutella!”. Even as an adult, I have to agree with that statement. Although we rarely buy Nutella, when we do it tends to disappear fast! A couple of years ago I discovered…
SUPER-GIRLY GLITTER FRENCH MANICURE
Another of my Project Pinterest agenda items doubled as a “me making time for me” project. I don’t exactly know why, but I have recently crossed over to the other side in terms of recent nail wear tastes. I have put my baby blues on the shelf and gone in search of all that is…
BLUEBERRY DANISH (AKA Do try this at home)
Another of my Project Pinterest must-do’s for my husband’s birthday brunch, modified from a recipe that seemed (and proved to be) simple in execution and fun to make! The main modification I make is a steep reduction in the amount of almond extract (which, in the amounts specified in the original recipe, can make for cloyingly sweet, overly…