random morning thoughts

one of the books I am reading is talking about training your child in God's way. I like this quote: "you teach little by what you say, but you teach most by what you are." not what you do (although this matters) but by what you are. much food for thought there. since having kids I am so aware that every decision I make and every action I take effects so many around me. my version of the Police song! (digression here...)

the author also includes this poem:

A careful [mum] I ought to be,

A little fellow follows me.

I do not dare to go astray,

For fear he'll go the selfsame way.

Not once can I escape his eyes;

Whate'er he sees me do he tries.

Like me he says he's going to be,

That little chap who follows me...

I must remember as I go

Through summer sun and winter snow,

I'm molding for the years to be-

That little chap who follows me.

it is funny, when I got married I saw my parents relationship quite differently, because I was now experiencing it, rather than observing it. since I have had children I appreciate my parents in a different way because I am living it from the other side now.

here is a picture of us all. my mum, her mum and her mum. four generations.

now I have so many of your blogs to read and breakfast to have before the kids are up for the day!

by request

here is an attempt to photograph the inside of the nappy bag. a quick count resulted in 12 interior pockets. photographs proved a bit difficult on my own. it now has safetly stored inside it: sunhats, beanies, creams (nappy + moisturising) dummies, sunscreen, nappies, nappy sacks, baby wipes and the toddler strap should I ever need to tie N to my hand!

it's here

my sister did a great job in making me this nappy bag. I've had the pattern for about six months. the bag is huge and will be perfect for carrying around all you could possibly need for a toddler and a baby, plus more. and it has so many pockets the danger is forgetting which one your keys are in!
when I no longer need to carry around nappies, wipes and cream, or bags of dried fruit, bottles and crayons, there are 101 things I can use it for. like art, craft or knitting (should I ever learn how). not to mention to carry books and music on trips away.
anyway, here it is... thank you Mel!

harmony

it is D who does most of our cooking. I like to bake though, and last week the autumn Donna Hay magazine arrived in the mail. friends bought me a two year subscription (the best present!) for my birthday last year. her style is gorgeous and the pictures make you feel like preparing an amazing picnic and heading out to the countryside.
when I am hanging out the washing I like to look through the gate into our backyard. I look through bushes to the vegetable garden and the chicken coop. our block is so big and I am only now beginning to picture what it can be. one day when time and money allow.

I read a book called Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. it is about a year when the author's family decided to eat only food produced in the same place where they lived. they were allowed one exception each - because how else do you maintain the worthy addictions of coffee and chocolate?? it makes you yearn for a simpler life. although simple in the way you appreciate "little" things, because it is really a lot of hard work to live this way. but we can all slow down and take the time to be grateful for the sun on your back while you hang out washing, for the way a meal is prepared, or for eating together as a family.

here is N, where he can be most often found when you think things are a little too quite - either feeding or harassing the chickens.

how old am I??

I was browsing on ebay yesterday and came across a vintage toy Holly Hobbie sewing machine. I had the doll, the thermos and the lunch box. these days I only have the mug left. they use the word "vintage" for toys I had when I was little! a good thing I love vintage - although I associate the word with 1920's, 30's...

I looked her up on the net and there is a whole Holly Hobbie collectors world out there. and now there is a revamped 21st century Holly! maybe A will like her when she is older. I think I'd prefer that to Bratz etc anyway.

this got me thinking about the other things I loved when I was younger - Trixie Belden. I'd lie in bed at night with my cool light on the bedhead, eating honey sandwiches and reading the books. I had about 25 of them. looking her up on the net I find there are even Trixie Belden conventions! and of course you can't go past Enid Blyton. whether it was the Faraway Tree, the Secret Seven or the Children of Cherry Tree Farm. I loved them all.

Cheesy Herb Bread

my sister-in-law made the yummiest bread today, so of course I had to come home and make some. here is the recipe. it's super-easy.

2 cups self-raising flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon chicken stock powder

2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary (or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary)

2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill

2 tablespoons snipped fresh chives

2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage (or 1 teaspoon dried sage)

185g grated tasty cheese

1 egg, lightly beaten

155ml milk

30g butter

1. place flour, salt stock powder, rosemary, dill, chives, sage and 120g cheese in a bowl and mix to combine

2. combine egg, milk and butter

3. add to dry ingredients and mix to combine

4. spoon mixture into greased, lined loaf tin and sprinkle with remaining cheese. bake for 45 minutes in preheated (190 degrees) oven or until cooked when tested with a skewer. Turn onto a wire rack to cool.

Note: another time try combining the flavours of thyme bay leaves and fennel seeds with the rosemary and sage for a loaf infused with the classic 'herbes de Provence'.

and here is N enjoying it with the best cup-a-soup :o)

something before bed

a nice song with a really cute film clip