74 Little Morsels

Would you like to come over and bake chocolate chip cookies with No.4 and me?  I'm sure you'll have a whole load of fun and you can sample as you go.

Here is a copy of the recipe for you to keep.  It's probably a family recipe that's a huge secret, but never mind, we'll just keep it between us.  The only difference to how I made it, was I didn't use the custard powder as No.2 can't eat things with cornflower in them.  They still work out fine.  Please excuse the dreadfully messy writing!!  My girls write much neater than I ever did.

Right now, lets turn the oven on to 150.  Mmmm I wonder if this is about right?  Seems the previous owners liked deep cleaning.

Now who's got their new apron on?  Yep I sure have.  I wear it pretty much constantly these days.  I've not been out it in yet, but there was a close call on Saturday night.  Just hopping out to the after hours pharmacy and hubby enquired with a grin if I was planning on wearing my apron too!  Actually I'm amazed he mentioned it.   

OK ladies, lets get creaming...

Mmmm honey, something isn't quite right here.  It's a bit dry and crumbly.

Oh my gosh, the eggs!!!  It says mix well after each egg.  Oh well I'm sure it will be just fine.  It's not like I'm going to be eating them anyway.  Baking really isn't my thing.  The big girls are going to be speachless when they discover what I've been up to this morning.

And last, but certainly not least, the chocolate chips.  Just look at the way she's caressing them.  Sniffing them too.  Such a food junky this one.  They are not safe with her around.

We don't want to miss any now do we?  Must we really lick the bench?!!Honestly the amount of sampling was quite a joke.  Fingers in the sugar, then licking the spoon of baking powder, that was a funny reaction!

Now we're looking good. The best thing about this recipe is the lack of dishes afterwards.  One bowl, beaters and a few spoons to wash up. (Or leave in the sink!)

My little helper was on fork squashing.  She was fired in the end.  Couldn't stop herself from squashing the dough right into the tray. 

But somehow they all came out fine and smelling divine.  We made 74.  The more the merrier when you have four mouths to feed.  Well that should read five really, hubby quite likes to eat biscuits as well.  I'm hoping they last at least one week. 

Happy Baking and apron wearing!

Flowers Galore

You may remember I bought this fabulous piece of fabric some time ago.  Unfortunately it found itself a nice shelf and refused to budge until last night.  Now it's a pretty cool dress for No.4 and she outside right now with it on, running through puddles and admiring the rainbow in the sky.  I wonder if she'll come in when the rain starts?  She's a bit wicked sometimes!

We can show you the new dress sideways too if you like.  The stripy legs are quite neat with it.  The more patterns the better when you're three.  I'd love a pretty crochet edge on the hem of the dress but I wouldn't have a clue how to do that.  We may have to settle for some cotton lace.  I'll add that to the list.

I couldn't resist adding a doily to one of the flowers!  I really do love them these days.  Isn't it funny how things catch on?  I had never enjoyed doilies before blogging.  Come to think of it there are many things I hadn't even tried before my blogging days.  Yes we may spend too long searching through the many blogs some days, but I know that I have certainly gained many new skills from reading them. 

My little poppet picked out her own buttons.  She has quite an opinion about things these days, but her favourite clothes are those that she has seen being made for her.  You don't get to make special choices when you go out and buy a ready made garment do you?  It's nice to pick out buttons, laces, fabrics and other cute bits and pieces when you are little, and big too.

Over the weekend our house started to become a home once again.  Finally!  I was completely over the mess and having piles of stuff everywhere on Friday.  But now the two little girls are in their new rooms.  And boy do they look fabulous.  Hubby has done himself proud yet again.  The finishing is perfect as usual.  I just hope the little girls are careful for at least a couple of months. 

So far I've managed to get hubby to hang one picture up on the perfect walls.  I'll work on him next week for another wee hole.  After all my little girl and tree wall hangings, garland, raggy heart, and other bits and pieces I've made for their new rooms, need a home too.

Today the littlest poppet and I have sorted out all the buttons into their correct jars, made a dress, rewashed all the soaking washing from the line, done a puzzle, had morning tea and are now about to have lunch.  Then it's back to the Grannies for me.  They are coming along splendidly.  I am doing the last two rounds of the white and am managing to get about six done each day.  I can see the light at the end of the tunnel now for sure!  I can't believe I am actually going to have a crochet blanket that I've made.  Just incredible.

Anyway I'll catch up with your blogs later on today.  Thanks for going to the trouble of posting about your aprons again.  I've enjoyed seeing a few that slipped me by.  They are all so beautiful and lovingly made. 

The Great Apron Swap 2010 Show and Tell

The big weekend 'Show and Tell' has arrived.  I do hope you all participate as it would be great to see all the beautiful aprons in one go. 

This is the apron I made for my wonderful swap partner Heleen.  I used this pretty neat fabric with old fashioned aprons on it.  I've lined the  apron with the same gingham as the pocket so it could be worn in reverse if she messes up the good side! 

The pocket features giant ric rac which I love.  It's quite a feature on any garment.  If you click here you can see Heleen's much better photos of the two aprons.

And here is the fantastic apron that Heleen made for me.  The colours are so bright and colourful.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my swap.  Thank you again Heleen for your wonderful gifts for me.  I'd also like to thank each and every one of you 81 ladies who participated in The Great Apron Swap 2010.  Thank you for your support and lovely comments.  I'm sure you have also enjoyed making and receiving your aprons.  Hopefully you have made a friend or two through it as well. 

I think we'll have to have another apron swap some time.  There were many lovely ladies who missed out and would love to join in the next one.  Until then, happy apron wearing!

I'm So Excited!

Well ladies, look what arrived in the post box yesterday.  Yep all the way from The Netherlands.  It can only be one thing, yes it's my apron swap parcel from dear Heleen.  I was very controlled I'll have you know.  Since it was nearly school finishing time, I waited until I had walked the girls home from school to open it.  I know, nice of me aye?  Well they were just as excited as me really.

Hmm... two parcels?  Naughty Heleen!  And just look at the pretty cards.  That bird one could make a lovely stitched wall hanging don't you think?

We'll open the small one first shall we?  Oh lovely!  Three beautiful pieces of fabric.  One of them so very Holland with the windmills.  I'll be able to make something very special with those thank you.  Love the ribbon too.  I have a very big thing for ribbons in case you didn't know.  Oh that's right we all do, silly me.

And now what we've been waiting for...

Sneaky peaky... oh me oh my!

Ta da!!!  Don't I look fancy now?  Aye?  Oh yes I feel fine in this little get up.  Stuff the kitchen, this one's not going to get dirty, no way.  Perhaps I could keep my crochet hook in the pocket and a stash of Grannies too?

I'm almost a little Dutch girl.  Just need a good hair cut and some outward curls.  And one of those cute white hats too. 

Just look at the pretty details on it.  Heleen you've done yourself proud with this apron.  It couldn't be prettier. I absolutely adore it thank you.

The fabrics are perfectly me.  They are so cute.  And her sewing is immaculate too. The binding looks like it's been put on by a fancy machine it's so neat.  Thank you so very much Heleen.  I've have loved being your swap partner.

And look what my mother has been busy making.  It must be winter as her knitting needles are flying at the moment.  I love Sophie's new jumper and the fancy wool.  It's made from special wool that knits in stripes like this.  Clever isn't it?  And the best bit is, she's loves it too.  Thanks Nana!

Now please remember to show your apron swap gifts this weekend.  Pop on the apron swap button at the top of your post so we can see who is showing.  It will be funny to see so many of the buttons down the side of my blog.  You just need to show a couple of photos of your aprons and a small blurb if you like. 

Eight Things About Me

Kate over at Fox's Lane has just answered eight questions we had for her.  Now I am going to have a turn as well.  I don't usually talk about myself much, let alone show photos of myself.  So here goes!

Favourite meal to eat?  Easy!  I have always loved a roast dinner, lamb with mint jelly if given the choice, with peas, carrots, kumera, pumpkin and gravy.  I'll have the potatoes too if necessary, but can easily go without them.  My lunchtime treat would be chicken sushi.

Do you have a quirky eccentricity?  Well apparently my whole face moves around when I eat, especially my nose.  Gosh that's so rude hubby!  He also says the whole place could be coming down around my ears and I'd still be concentrating on my current project.  That could be a good thing, it means I have good focus, right?

My middle name is Frances.  I do not like it at all.  I tried to give my girls  middle names that they would be proud of.  They are Jessica, Rose, Amelia and Eliza.  So far they love them.  I'm hoping Sophie Eliza likes hers!  I wanted her to be named Greta but hubby wouldn't have a bar of it. 

I am passionate about my girls having a childhood like we had.  Doing normal things children seem to do less of these days.  Playing together, playing board games, outdoor games, reading, riding bikes, drawing, having fun.  Not playing on the computer, watching too much TV, or homework.

Thongs or Birkenstocks?  Thongs are knickers over in NZ so we'll call them jandals right away!  And I have no idea what Birkenstocks are.  I wear proper shoes all year round.  Jandals around the house and for hanging out the washing.  I hate shoe shopping and only have one or two pairs of shoes on the go at any time. 

Who was I before I had kids?  I was a traveller and someone who always wanted to get married and have babies.  I've done all that and have really enjoyed myself.  I took myself off to London when I was is my early 20's and worked for a year as a live-in nanny.  I spent my weekends travelling around England and several other countries on my own and have many wonderful memories of my time there. 

 

Have I ever been arrested?  Heck no!  That's so not me.  Boring to some but just the way I am.  I hate the thought of ever loosing my freedom.

This weekend I have spent a great deal of time crocheting my Grannies.  I've done so many of them too.  I'm very pleased with my progress as I've been very slack lately with them.  My first love is sewing but I've learned to love crochet too. 

So who else wants to join in and have a go?  It's good for us to share about ourselves and not just our crafts.  Let me know if you are going to join in the comments section.

Now that my apron swap is sort of over, although my apron hasn't quite arrived here yet, I've decided that next weekend we should have a show and tell.  All you have to do is put my apron button at the top of your post, or a photo of you apron if you struggle with buttons.  And then pop a photo or two of the apron you made and the one you have received.  It should be a lot of fun to see them all at the same time.  Any day next weekend will do as we are all in different time zones. 

Hope you are all enjoying a great week!  Catch you later on. 

A Very Lovely Afternoon in the Sun

Well goodness me, did it rain the other day?!  This was the back yard...

And this was the front, which is much worst than the photo I showed the other day isn't it?  We were lucky, others had floods in their houses and the South Island didn't fare too well at all with some farms completely under water.

But after the rain we have had the most beautiful days.  It's really quite warm again which is absolutely heavenly.  The washing will dry on the line too which I love.  So on Wednesday, after kindy drop off, I took myself for a nice walk around the village and went into shops that aren't too suitable for taking children into.  And it was so lovely.

Here are some photos the Anglican church, which is quite a landmark in the village.  It's a very pretty church, this being the small old one and not the new one.  The archway is beautiful as well,

and the picket fence, and the gardens,

even the headstones too.

And while I was wandering around I stepped into the Antique Shop.  There I spent a good part of half an hour sifting through baskets of doilies and other linen.  What fun that was.

Here are a few little treasured cloths I found.  After a good soak and an iron they have come up a treat.  I'm so pleased with them I'll have to go back for more.

The idea was to cut them up and make a garland for little Sophie's bedroom.  But now they look so much nicer I just can't cut them, well most of them anyway. 

This is a hanky but perfect for a garland I think.

And this one Lululiz won't let me go near with a pair of shears!!  I couldn't anyway.  It came with a huge brown stain on one corner but that's mostly gone now.   This mat was the most expensive at $4.  What a bargain!  The others were only $1 each.  Think I can afford a few more. 

But why are they so worthless?  So much work goes into them and they sell for pittance.  I'd have more fun with these than a metre of $12 fabric.  

Today It Is Officially...

Winter.  Oh dear, never mind.  Just as well we have some pretty colour indoors to warm us up.  Do you like Katie's new scalloped garland?  It's all ready to go up on her pretty blue/green wall next week.  The painting of the two little girls' rooms and the hallway is finally completed!!  The carpets are going to be cleaned by hubby on Saturday, the rest of the doors rehung, ready for the big move in next week.   

Take a looksie outside today.  My poor little Christmas tree is about to float away I'm sure.

All the bark is floating away too.  These photos were taken half an hour ago and it's so much worse now.  I hope I don't have to go out in my bare feet to rescue the garden later.  I've done that before and it's freezing cold water.  There is a big drain just in front of the red pot, it works well doesn't it? 

It sure is an inside day today.  Slippers...

my mother's pumpkin and orange soup, very yummy and scrummy...

and perhaps a little crocheting of Grannies later...

Last week I had Lucy home from school with a tummy bug.  She and I needed some entertaining so we decided on origami crane making.  It turned out to be the best thing because we were both rolling around the floor laughing in the end.  Honestly those instructions are just impossible to work out.  In the end we did get one made correctly...

only to forget the last step each time.  Thankfully my brain kicked into gear by about the fifth one and then we were off.  Aren't they so pretty and colourful?  We would have preferred the pretty floral ones in the book, but perhaps another day.

This new puzzle was also impossible.  We ended up with one piece that didn't fit anywhere no matter how hard we tried.  In the end we both got up to move on with life and found Lucy had been sitting on the correct missing piece all along!  So we have a full puzzle and an extra piece.

Now I have a question for you all.  I'm making a notice board for Molly and I have cut a couple of pieces of fabric to fit over the cork.  I have enough fabric to slip under the frame edges to make it neat and tidy.  What glue would I use to attach it onto the cork?  I don't want to make the fabric all stiff looking but don't think it would work with just the edges glued either.  Any advice?

I have some lovely red ric rac to go across in rows and will decorate some wooden pegs with buttons for her to hang her goodies on.   This photo is just the corner of the whole board.  What do you think of the doily use? 

Well the sun is out and the rain has stopped.  My feet have been saved for now.  Hopefully the school pick up is dry and the day continues to improve.  May the sun shine where you are too!  

Gosh I nearly forgot to say, have you all posted your aprons?  The aprons should all be posted by now unless you have an agreement.  I'm thinking in a week or two we should have an apron day where we all post a photo of our apron.  That way you could pop over to my blog, search through the apron blog list and ooh and aah over them.  What do you think?