hot cross buns

jess and i made a batch of hot cross buns.

the beautiful smell of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves filled the kitchen.

i don't think i am the best hot cross bun maker. they were okay, tasty but not as light and fluffy or as well risen as i would have liked.

they were a huge improvement from the rocks that i made last year! 

we might have to try another batch tomorrow as we all love hot cross buns and easter does only come once a year.

this moment...

this moment inspired by soulemama - a friday ritual. a single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. a simple, special, extraordinary moment. a moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

the big swell

i love hearing the ocean during the night. 

we are quite close to the beach but we don't hear it all the time.

 during this past week it has been roaring, the swell has been huge. when its like this i find myself constantly looking out my front windows to the water, watching the enormous waves breaking across the reef which shelters our bay from the open ocean.

we walked out on the jetty to get a closer look in the late afternoon. the photos don't do it justice. the waves had been breaking in the middle of the bay during the morning not just across the reef, with huge sprays of water coming up on to the headland rocks. it was a little smaller by the time we made it down to the beach in the afternoon but still just as fun to watch.

it was big. i love the power. it is quite exciting even for one who is a little very afraid of big waves.

we saw the strangest little bird at the end of the jetty, it wasn't at all afraid of the fisherman. i tried to identify it in my local areas field guide but it doesn't seem to be in there. to me it looks like some kind of kingfisher.

sing me a song

jess has been very focused on language over the last couple of months.

her sentences still amaze me. most are very clear and can be quite long. there is no word that this little girl won't or can't say. 

i guess a natural progression from learning to talk is then to sing.

over the past week jess has become increasingly interested in rhymes and songs.

i hear her all day long as she is playing, trying to remember the words to rhymes.

ring - a - ring - a rosie, polly put the kettle on, i'm a little teapot, bananas in pajamas are a few of her favourites and she nearly has all the words together for those.

if i start singing a rhyme she insists on hearing it again and again and concentrates and watches my face very closely, obviously trying to memorise it.

we really have to watch what we are saying around jess now as she will repeat everything, good and bad!

crumble

when my older two were small i was always in a hurry. they must've shown interest in cooking as most children do and i remember times when they would help bake a cake or make some biscuits but i didn't include them as much as i should have, especially in dinner preparation and cooking. i guess i felt like it was easier to do it myself. both older girls are quite good at cooking now and capable in the kitchen, so they must've taken something in over the years.

jess has been very interested in what is happening in the kitchen lately and will often pull a chair up to the kitchen bench to stand on. i am trying to have more patience and include her where she is capable. it doesn't always go according to plan but i am glad i let her help.

last night we made an apple and raspberry crumble.

crumble would have to be one of the best dishes for a toddler to help with. after all who doesn't like to get their hands in the bowl to crumble the mixture. only problem was that jess didn't want to process to end and a bowl full of crumble nearly ended up on the floor. crisis averted and saved by the promise of a go on the skateboard with eloise.



i would have taken more photos but cooking with a toddler can be a little hectic sometimes.

while you were sleeping...

all is quiet in the house.

yet there are signs of the morning's busyness everywhere.

duplo creations, drawings, the adorable little animals i find in all sorts of places, dolls that have just been put to bed.

the schleich dogs pictured above are one of jessica's favourite things to play with. we have four dogs and have just added a cat called "tomcat" to the collection.


"rosie" bunny and "poppy" the rag doll are from and the little dog laughed. 

sunday

sunday at our place...

a morning walk to the beach, the sky and sea looked so blue today and there was a big swell which i always find exciting.

what a beautiful calm day it was.

i finished the vest for jess late last night. she helped me to choose the buttons from my stash this morning and i finished it off. the buttons are okay but i may replace them if i find ones i like better when we go to town next. 

i am pleased with the finished product... don't look too closely... there are a few mistakes but i think its okay for a first attempt at something like this. i am sure i will use this pattern again and it will be very easy next time.

a bit of weeding took place, planted out a few seeds, did a bit of cooking, a bit of sewing this evening.

i am feeling happy that day light savings has ended. it was nice having dinner in the warm glow of candle light as it was beginning to get dark.