Letterbox Lovliness

Now I love the Internet and email as much as the next person. But something I worry our children may miss out on these days is the joy of running to the letterbox, finding a handwritten letter inside that's just for you (and um, not a bill!). When I was a little girl, with most of my family living in England, I used to read and reread a letter from my Granny, a cousin or an aunty. I treasured those letters and still have them today.

So it's pretty great that young Charlie, from the Heartfelt household, and my Isla have become penpals! Thanks Charlie, for another gorgeous letter and an AMAZING treasure map xx

Our Father's Day...

There's a reason we're smiling chocolately smiles today. Not only is it Father's Day in our part of the world, but it's also Liam's birthday-this means extra special chocolate cake for him!

Chocolate Birthday Cake

2 Tablespoons good quality cocoa

1 Teaspoon baking soda

pinch of salt

1 1/2 cups plain flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 cup castor sugar

2 eggs

1/2 cup milk

100 grams melted unsalted butter

1 teaspoon vanilla essence

1/2 cup black instant coffee

Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius.

In a large bowl, sift together the dry ingredients, then mix them together using a dry egg

whisk. Think "airy"...

Beat the eggs, butter and vanilla together in another bowl, then add to the dry ingredients carefully.

Make up the coffee, then add the baking soda while it's still hot.

Mix everything together then pour into a very well greased cake tin.

Bake for about 40-50 min-until a skewer inserted comes out cleanly.

Ice and decorate when the cake is completely cooled. The shamrocks were Isla's idea-celebrating Liam's Irish-ness! Eating leftover icing, half of which ends up on your face and all over the kitchen cupboards then smiling a cute chocolately smile is optional. But recommended! Happy Father's Day everyone!

The Squares Quilt

The squares quilt. It took me ages, but it was worth it. I started it about 6 months ago, and when I went to Auckland recently, I took the quilt top with me, and Mum finished it off. That's how we roll- I do the exciting parts and Mum does the bits that require the real quilting love. And so now it sits happily on my bed. Just in time for it to be needed as it's slowly but surely getting cooler in these parts.

Mum's a super talented quilter-her work is colourful, textural and almost sculptural sometimes. And being the pushy oldest child/Capricorn/naturally bossy person I admit I am, I'm pleased to say that she now has her own Felt shop. Awesome.

I love this quilt for the following reasons-1. I stitched all those squares together by hand, and I'm proud of that. 2. I can honestly say that I LOVE every single one of the fabrics I used, and 3. Because Mum and I did it together and that's special to me.

Also, I'd like to point out that I'm pretty sure my husband would much prefer a neutral coloured bedroom with lots of cream and peaceful tones, but, because the poor man is married to me, this is what he has instead. He must love me huh?

What to make next?

The Week That Was...

A few images from my week. Cooking...


With my beautiful sous chef at my side...


Reading... Always! I've got rather a stack of books to get through at the moment!

Wondering at all the varieties of tomatoes Liam has grown. Who knew there were so many different kinds? Look at all those wonderful colours!

Washing.

Being showered with love by the exuberant Zac, who is rarely still enough to take any sort of photo!

Loving this dress sent to me by my best friend Anna.

Remembering when Isla was this little and wondering how she grew just so fast?

Feeling pretty pleased with my first attempt at upholstery. Thanks Dad for the lend of the staple gun!

Making use of my Amy Butler fabric.

And very much enjoying meeting a new friend! The beautiful Rhiannon had Kyan and I over for afternoon tea today-it's so nice to meet a fellow crafty-blogger (and her two gorgeous boys!). So all in all a rather good week!

So Far This Week...

Here's a Temari Ball which has rolled off to the shop

Nothing else to report really. I'm home taking care of poor Isla who had a nasty asthma attack on Monday and is still a bit shaky-although she's very pleased and keeps reminding me; "Mummy, I went in an Ambulance!". Not something I'm particularly keen to relive, but it's good to see her smiling.

And this made me smile; Look closely at the armpits... Oh the things we find to entertain ourselves with on these at-home days! Have a good one xx

Today

Well, I said I would, and therefore I had to-finish this train! It's a commission project for a lady here in town. It's to send back to her family in Canada. It's made from a New Zealand Map tea towel. I built it up making one section at a time, and piecing them together, and finally adding the wheels and nameplate.


There's little old Whakatane...


With that ticked off the list-it was off to the beach for us. Fabulous.

Zac's first time at the beach. He was so funny when he stepped on the sand for the first time.

A beautiful sunset to finish off a beautiful day.

Yay!

I'm feeling quite "Yay!" and here's a few reasons why...
1. It's Friday. 2. I finally managed to get a shot of Kyan in his hoodie from lovely Kristin, of squidgy widgy woo .Kristin and I did a swap a wee while ago now. The hoodie is fabulous quality, and adorably gorgeous. I think I want another one... (by the way-look at K walking-another Yay!)

Yay for having a fabulous book to read. If you haven't read "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini, then please do. I am in the process and I find myself snatching any moment possible-even just two minutes-to read a page because it's so beautiful.

Second to last yay; I AM GOING TO FINISH a commission project that is starting to drag a little. That's it. I've said it now and I will blog about it tomorrow. I don't care if it takes me all night. I WILL DO IT.

Final yay for the day; Jason Mraz. I bought the CD "We sing, we dance, we steal things" on Thursday and have listened to it continuously ever since. Genius. The song "A Beautiful Mess" actually made me cry, and that hasn't happened since Hollie Smith. Ok... just one more link xx

Book Sharing Monday

Whew! We moved house, we got the flu, we got better, we got a puppy (see below) and then a tummy bug. And he's gorgeous (see below). His name is Zac, he's a Border Collie and we are all very much in love with him.

Especially Isla, who showers him with kisses and wraps him in blankets and pushes him around in her dolls' pram. Luckily he doesn't seem to mind.

Hopefully I can start to get back on track now, so here is this weeks Book Sharing Monday. "Giraffes can't Dance" by Giles Andreae.

Poor Gerald. He's really good at munching shoots off trees, but not so flash at the dancing...

At the annual Jungle Dance, he tries his best but the other animals laugh at him...

Luckily he meets a friendly cricket who plays him a lovely song on his violin, and advises him to look inside himself and listen to the music all around him in the leaves and the trees.

And much to the other animals surprise, Gerald learns to dance better than he could have dreamed! And then he gives his friends some very good advice-see below xx