Nicholas enjoying his time outside!
Rhubarb!
Raspberries - yum
Our newly planted mulberry tree!
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Spring is coming!
Spring is almost here! There is an obvious change in the air. The sun is starting to shine just a little bit more and it is becoming slowly warmer. Everything is starting to grow again. Even the chickens have started laying again and make an embarrassing racket in the morning when they are laying eggs. Plus everything is looking just that tiny bit greener. Now is the perfect time to be out in the garden preparing it for summer, which is what we have been doing these past two weekends. Even Nicholas has started spending some time outside, which is a first for him.
Rhubarb!
Raspberries - yum
Our newly planted mulberry tree!
Rhubarb!
Raspberries - yum
Our newly planted mulberry tree!
Sunday, August 7, 2011
1-1-1-1-1
Everyone should know how to make this cake. It is super easy and super tasty, because all it involves is 5 ingredients, each measuring 1 cup.
I don't know what this cake is called, so I'm calling it the '1-1-1-1-1 cake'
1 cup SR Flour
1 cup coconut
1 cup milk
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup sultanas (I substituted with dates as I had no sultanas, and if I had made a caramel sauce it would have tasted like sticky date pudding).
Then in the oven for about 45-50mins on 180°C.
Too easy :)
I don't know what this cake is called, so I'm calling it the '1-1-1-1-1 cake'
1 cup SR Flour
1 cup coconut
1 cup milk
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup sultanas (I substituted with dates as I had no sultanas, and if I had made a caramel sauce it would have tasted like sticky date pudding).
Then in the oven for about 45-50mins on 180°C.
Too easy :)
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Our introduction into August this year was unlike any I had ever experienced. As a kid, I never broke any bones (first fractured bone was when I was almost 19-years-old), I was never admitted to hospital because of an illness (I did have an operation when I was 16 for scoliosis but this isn't an illness). In fact I was hardly ever sick and I rarely injured myself.
Before having children I actively avoided thinking about the notion that one day my child might be so sick that they would need to be admitted to hospital. I think as a parent, no-one ever wants to imagine their child being that ill because when they are it is heartbreaking. Thankfully, we have have a good public health system, knowledgeable doctors and caring nurses to help when we have sick children. I am grateful that during this time I didn't have to worry so much because, even though Nicholas had bronchiolitis, they gave him oxygen when he had trouble breathing, a feeding tube when he was too tired to feed himself, and a full-time nurse to watch him when things were really bad. I would hate to think how things would have been if we didn't have any of these things.
Sadly, keeping out of hospital, other than when he was born, didn't last very long. Only 11 weeks. And I honestly think that this time in hospital was more tiring than the first. Not only was Nicholas' sleep disturbed regularly by doctors and nurses poking and prodding, but so was mine. On the first night we were there, we sat in paeds emergency from about 8pm until we were admitted to a ward at about 1.30am. After talking with the nurses, feeding Nicholas one last time, saying goodbye to Daniel and helping Nicholas to sleep, I finally got to lie down and sleep around 4am, only to woken up at 6.30pm for another feed. This sleep deprivation continued the entire time Nicholas was in hospital, and to some extent is still happening even though we are home. So much so, that I now have a cold and am running on empty.
The hardest thing though, apart from the sleep deprivation, was seeing Nicholas in pain. Over the last few days all I have really heard from him is crying. On the Friday night, while waiting in emergency the nurses had to take some blood for testing. They did this by pricking his heel and then squeezing it. At first it didn't seem so bad. He didn't cry when the prick occurred but after they started squeezing his foot, he tried so hard to get away from them. He struggled and screamed more than ever before, and I found it so difficult to keep hold of him. I found it so distressing that I ended up in tears also. So when it came to putting in a nasal gastric tube, because he was too weak to feed, I just had to leave the room. I just couldn't bring myself to watch him struggle that much again. What I could do though was be there to give him cuddles afterwards.
After 4 or so days in hospital we were sent home with the all clear. And it is great to be home. There is just no comparison. Nicholas is slowly on the mend, but still very clingy and grumpy, and cries far more than usual. Also, his sleep patterns were disrupted in hospital, so now he has to relearn those too. Hopefully over the next few days things will start to get a bit better. And thankfully, I have great friends and family, who bring us dinner so I don't have to cook, and who come over and help me or listen to me cry on the phone when I am not coping.
Here are some photos of our time in hospital.
Before having children I actively avoided thinking about the notion that one day my child might be so sick that they would need to be admitted to hospital. I think as a parent, no-one ever wants to imagine their child being that ill because when they are it is heartbreaking. Thankfully, we have have a good public health system, knowledgeable doctors and caring nurses to help when we have sick children. I am grateful that during this time I didn't have to worry so much because, even though Nicholas had bronchiolitis, they gave him oxygen when he had trouble breathing, a feeding tube when he was too tired to feed himself, and a full-time nurse to watch him when things were really bad. I would hate to think how things would have been if we didn't have any of these things.
Sadly, keeping out of hospital, other than when he was born, didn't last very long. Only 11 weeks. And I honestly think that this time in hospital was more tiring than the first. Not only was Nicholas' sleep disturbed regularly by doctors and nurses poking and prodding, but so was mine. On the first night we were there, we sat in paeds emergency from about 8pm until we were admitted to a ward at about 1.30am. After talking with the nurses, feeding Nicholas one last time, saying goodbye to Daniel and helping Nicholas to sleep, I finally got to lie down and sleep around 4am, only to woken up at 6.30pm for another feed. This sleep deprivation continued the entire time Nicholas was in hospital, and to some extent is still happening even though we are home. So much so, that I now have a cold and am running on empty.
The hardest thing though, apart from the sleep deprivation, was seeing Nicholas in pain. Over the last few days all I have really heard from him is crying. On the Friday night, while waiting in emergency the nurses had to take some blood for testing. They did this by pricking his heel and then squeezing it. At first it didn't seem so bad. He didn't cry when the prick occurred but after they started squeezing his foot, he tried so hard to get away from them. He struggled and screamed more than ever before, and I found it so difficult to keep hold of him. I found it so distressing that I ended up in tears also. So when it came to putting in a nasal gastric tube, because he was too weak to feed, I just had to leave the room. I just couldn't bring myself to watch him struggle that much again. What I could do though was be there to give him cuddles afterwards.
After 4 or so days in hospital we were sent home with the all clear. And it is great to be home. There is just no comparison. Nicholas is slowly on the mend, but still very clingy and grumpy, and cries far more than usual. Also, his sleep patterns were disrupted in hospital, so now he has to relearn those too. Hopefully over the next few days things will start to get a bit better. And thankfully, I have great friends and family, who bring us dinner so I don't have to cook, and who come over and help me or listen to me cry on the phone when I am not coping.
Here are some photos of our time in hospital.
And two of favourites
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
The olive verdict?
It has now been about 2 weeks since I told you about our plans to experiment with olives before deciding to spend money buying trees. Well the verdict is... this weekend we went to the garden shop and bought 2 different types of olive trees. :)
Only one of the three different methods (the sultana olives) worked out, but it was definitely worth the wait. They tasted great unseasoned, and even better when seasoned with oil, balsamic vinegar, fresh garlic and lemon juice. They were amazing! I was surprised that I could make something so nice. They were so nice in fact that I rang up the olive tree owner in South Arm and asked if we could come and pick some more olives. Thankfully she said yes, so we made the trip out there on Saturday and picked us about 2kg of olives. I can't wait till they are ready to eat! YUM.
Like I mentioned, the two green olive batches didn't work out so well. By 14 days the green olives that were in salt water actually tasted quite nice, but this was before I noticed that something unpleasant had grown around the outside edges that weren't submerged. I didn't want to cause a major food poisoning incident, so they ended up in the bin. Don't worry though, I have a super strong immune system :). I think I might actually try that way of brining again. However, I will just make sure I keep the outside edges nice and clean, or use more salt.
The other batch of green olives just in plain water was super mouldy. There were spores everywhere. I'm not sure how to make this method work.
Anyway, I am just glad one batch worked out so well :)
Now, we just need to start planting an olive orchard...
Only one of the three different methods (the sultana olives) worked out, but it was definitely worth the wait. They tasted great unseasoned, and even better when seasoned with oil, balsamic vinegar, fresh garlic and lemon juice. They were amazing! I was surprised that I could make something so nice. They were so nice in fact that I rang up the olive tree owner in South Arm and asked if we could come and pick some more olives. Thankfully she said yes, so we made the trip out there on Saturday and picked us about 2kg of olives. I can't wait till they are ready to eat! YUM.
Like I mentioned, the two green olive batches didn't work out so well. By 14 days the green olives that were in salt water actually tasted quite nice, but this was before I noticed that something unpleasant had grown around the outside edges that weren't submerged. I didn't want to cause a major food poisoning incident, so they ended up in the bin. Don't worry though, I have a super strong immune system :). I think I might actually try that way of brining again. However, I will just make sure I keep the outside edges nice and clean, or use more salt.
The other batch of green olives just in plain water was super mouldy. There were spores everywhere. I'm not sure how to make this method work.
Anyway, I am just glad one batch worked out so well :)
Now, we just need to start planting an olive orchard...
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Birthday!
This year for Daniel's birthday, I bought him a few little gifts. One great gift I found was a cookbook called The SuperJam Cookbook. Not only is the design very funky but the recipes are unique and sound delicious. For instance, Daniel really likes the sound of the kiwi fruit, lime and ginger jam, and I'm keen to try the plum and elderberry jam. Sadly though, I probably wouldn't eat a lot of it. I thoroughly enjoy making jam but I just don't seem to eat it that much. Daniel, on the other hand, loves eating jam which is why I bought him the cookbook. Maybe this will inspire him this coming summer to do some preserving in the the kitchen.
I also bought him a few CDs. The first was The Black Keys 'Brothers'. In particular, I really enjoy the song and the video clip isn't too bad either.
I also bought him a Fleet Foxes CD, all based on the song on how much I enjoyed this song.
And here is a great cover version of it.
While on links to music, I also really like this song by TV On The Radio.
Happy birthday Daniel. Thanks for being such an awesome husband, father and friend :).
I also bought him a few CDs. The first was The Black Keys 'Brothers'. In particular, I really enjoy the song and the video clip isn't too bad either.
I also bought him a Fleet Foxes CD, all based on the song on how much I enjoyed this song.
And here is a great cover version of it.
While on links to music, I also really like this song by TV On The Radio.
Happy birthday Daniel. Thanks for being such an awesome husband, father and friend :).
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
One year!
Can you believe it? I have now been writing this blog for a year. I realised this the other day as I was thinking about what I was going to get Daniel for his birthday. Here is one of the very first posts I wrote.
It is amazing how much things can change in a year! Last year I had no children. Now I have a little boy who I dearly love. Last year I was studying full-time, as well as working two jobs. This year I have one full-time job - being a parent. By the light of my computer screen I can see my little bundle of joy is smiling at me now... even though he should be feeding. Last year I slept a lot more. Now I sleep in 3-5 hour blocks. I also went out a lot more, especially in the evening. I went to the movies, I went to friends houses, I went to parties and to music gigs. Now I try to go to bed as soon as baby is fast asleep. I feel like an old lady!
The biggest change though has been my attitude towards having children. When Daniel and I married in 2006 he was ready and keen to have children. I, on the other hand, was not. The prospect of having children terrified me, especially the thought of having to give everything up to look after another person. I'm not saying I didn't want children; I did. I just didn't want babies. I am totally not a babies person. They don't make my clucky, they are 100 percent dependent on you, and they poo and spew a lot (never thought I would write those two words on a blog). I certainly didn't want one of these, but to get to the point of having older children you have to go through the baby stage. And because I was never clucky it was super easy to put off having children. And it wasn't as if I was missing out on interacting or spending time with kids, they were part of nearly every aspect of my life - school, swimming teaching, church, home- so why would I want to have my own?
Eventually, Daniel persuaded me and now how different things are.... Since having Nicholas, I have noticed that my thinking has changed considerably, and I'm saying things I never ever thought I would. For instance, the other day I realised (even with the memory of labour still so fresh) that I was excited about the idea of having more children and meeting these new little people who we will love and know. Now even just thinking this freaked me out at the time, because a year ago this would never have been the case. I also like babies now as well. And not just my own. I suddenly think that all babies are cute, and one might even say that I am a little bit clucky. This is very weird for me.
Here is a picture of Daniel and Nicholas at my parents' place after singing happy birthday to him and my sister (only 2 days difference). Soooo cute :)
It is amazing how much can change in a year!
It is amazing how much things can change in a year! Last year I had no children. Now I have a little boy who I dearly love. Last year I was studying full-time, as well as working two jobs. This year I have one full-time job - being a parent. By the light of my computer screen I can see my little bundle of joy is smiling at me now... even though he should be feeding. Last year I slept a lot more. Now I sleep in 3-5 hour blocks. I also went out a lot more, especially in the evening. I went to the movies, I went to friends houses, I went to parties and to music gigs. Now I try to go to bed as soon as baby is fast asleep. I feel like an old lady!
The biggest change though has been my attitude towards having children. When Daniel and I married in 2006 he was ready and keen to have children. I, on the other hand, was not. The prospect of having children terrified me, especially the thought of having to give everything up to look after another person. I'm not saying I didn't want children; I did. I just didn't want babies. I am totally not a babies person. They don't make my clucky, they are 100 percent dependent on you, and they poo and spew a lot (never thought I would write those two words on a blog). I certainly didn't want one of these, but to get to the point of having older children you have to go through the baby stage. And because I was never clucky it was super easy to put off having children. And it wasn't as if I was missing out on interacting or spending time with kids, they were part of nearly every aspect of my life - school, swimming teaching, church, home- so why would I want to have my own?
Eventually, Daniel persuaded me and now how different things are.... Since having Nicholas, I have noticed that my thinking has changed considerably, and I'm saying things I never ever thought I would. For instance, the other day I realised (even with the memory of labour still so fresh) that I was excited about the idea of having more children and meeting these new little people who we will love and know. Now even just thinking this freaked me out at the time, because a year ago this would never have been the case. I also like babies now as well. And not just my own. I suddenly think that all babies are cute, and one might even say that I am a little bit clucky. This is very weird for me.
Here is a picture of Daniel and Nicholas at my parents' place after singing happy birthday to him and my sister (only 2 days difference). Soooo cute :)
It is amazing how much can change in a year!
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Seam allowance guide
This looked super handy, so I bought one for myself.
What is it? Watch this and find out.
What is it? Watch this and find out.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
command + option + esc
The title of this post was inspired by a blog post by The Plaid Cupcake. However, because I have a Mac, the command sequence is slightly different when forcing a program to quit. The word 'escape' might be better suited than 'delete' in a force-quit, and more appropriate for this post. Strangely enough, as I went to write about heading to my parents place to get away from the business of daily life, which I had done that day, Patty had written about her family cabin she goes to 'restart'. We must be on the same wavelength, even though we are so far away from each other.
I should introduce you to Patty actually. Patty, from The Plaid Cupcake, is my sewing buddy. She lives in America, and is very creative and talented. You should check out her blog, as well as her etsy store.
Escape - To break loose from confinement; get free.
When things are becoming to much at my place or I just need some time away, I go to my parents' place. My parents live in Kaoota. It is about a 25min drive out of Hobart, on a hill facing north (the all day sun in winter is great), with no close surrounding neighbours, and has a beautiful view of Mt Wellington. It is quiet, out of the way and best of all relaxing.
My Dad spent a lot of time on the property when he was a boy, and when my parents were newly married they bought the property. My Dad loves this place. My Mum does also, but she doesn't have the same affiliation to it as my Dad.
When I was about 5 my parents decided they wanted to leave Tasmania for a short time. As the two years they initially decided to go for turned into 13, I know that my Dad continually thought and dreamed about being back at Kaoota. It wasn't that he was unhappy where he was, it was just that so much of his life was was tied up to that property and he found it difficult to be away from it. It's a part of him. I doubt he will ever leave it again.
He reminds a little bit of the father from the movie The Castle actually, who stands at his door, admiring his surroundings, and says "ahhh the serenity".
Anyway, Kaoota is a great place to disappear to and forget about the rest of the world... partly for the peacefulness, but also because my parents live there, as does my sister and her family. I love finding the time to drive up there, sit in the house, staring out the window, knowing that I am in the best place ever.
I should introduce you to Patty actually. Patty, from The Plaid Cupcake, is my sewing buddy. She lives in America, and is very creative and talented. You should check out her blog, as well as her etsy store.
Escape - To break loose from confinement; get free.
When things are becoming to much at my place or I just need some time away, I go to my parents' place. My parents live in Kaoota. It is about a 25min drive out of Hobart, on a hill facing north (the all day sun in winter is great), with no close surrounding neighbours, and has a beautiful view of Mt Wellington. It is quiet, out of the way and best of all relaxing.
My Dad spent a lot of time on the property when he was a boy, and when my parents were newly married they bought the property. My Dad loves this place. My Mum does also, but she doesn't have the same affiliation to it as my Dad.
When I was about 5 my parents decided they wanted to leave Tasmania for a short time. As the two years they initially decided to go for turned into 13, I know that my Dad continually thought and dreamed about being back at Kaoota. It wasn't that he was unhappy where he was, it was just that so much of his life was was tied up to that property and he found it difficult to be away from it. It's a part of him. I doubt he will ever leave it again.
He reminds a little bit of the father from the movie The Castle actually, who stands at his door, admiring his surroundings, and says "ahhh the serenity".
Anyway, Kaoota is a great place to disappear to and forget about the rest of the world... partly for the peacefulness, but also because my parents live there, as does my sister and her family. I love finding the time to drive up there, sit in the house, staring out the window, knowing that I am in the best place ever.
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