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!

This and That

In between nana naps and coughing fits ( I thought I'd totally escaped Winter bugs this year-almost made it but not quite!) I've managed to get quite a bit of sewing done, hooray! Lots of bunting, in "boy" colours, some to be given to friends and some to go in the felt shop. And two headbands, an order from one of my colleagues.

In other news, I've been busy learning how to use the software to record my radio show. Hopefully it will be available for public consumption on Sunday. So exciting!

Small Stitches

This weekend has been a goodie for stitching little things. A recent trip to Rotorua assisted me in filling up the fabric drawer.

I made this pincushion, using the pattern and instruction from the book I mentioned here.

The pincushion is almost large enough to accommodate my huge collection of pins and needles!

And then I made some headband's. I never would have thought of putting the Omiage flowers onto headbands. I've used them on everything from little purses to fridge magnets and frequently on hair ties but I followed a suggestion on my Facebook page to make them on a longer headband with pleasing results.

With nothing but rain, rain and more rain outside, it's been lovely to sit by the window stitching small things and daydreaming about Spring.

Not Cool

I've never posted anything remotely negative on this blog. It's not the space for that sort of thing. But lately something's been bothering me and I'd like to share my course of action and feelings regarding this issue. For the last 6 months or so, I've been experiencing harassment in the form of unwelcome spam comments being left on my blog, as well as explicit comments and links being left in other languages. I have loved sharing my creations, and little glimpses into our family life over the last two years that I have been blogging. I've made some wonderful friends through blogging, but I'm offended and disgusted at the people who are putting links to cheap, smutty "adult" sites in a space where I share photos of my precious children. Comments will be moderated by me from now on. How disheartening it is that people would behave so abhorrently.

Winter Beach Love

The children and I agree that we like the beach just as much in Winter as we do in Summer. We go nearly every day. How could we not, when it's just over the road?

Having lived here at the beach for almost a year now, I'm not sure I'd ever want to live anywhere else!

What's your favourite time of year for beach visits?

Oranges and Lemons...

"Oranges and Lemons, say the bells of St Clements!

Bullseyes and Targets, say the bells of St Margarets!

Brickbats and Tiles, say the bells of St Giles!

Halfpence and Farthings, say the bells of St Martins!

Pancakes and Fritters, say the bells of St Peters!

Two sticks and an Apple, say the bells of Whitechapel!

Maid in White Aprons, say the bells at St Katherines!

Pokers and Tongs, say the bells of St Johns!

Kettles and Pans, say the bells of St Annes!"

I spent a large part of my childhood in England. And today as I looked out of the window to see the branches on the orange and lemon trees groaning under the weight of all the ripening fruit, I had a sudden vivid memory of skipping double dutch in a playground under a concrete-grey sky and reciting the above rhyme! Do you still remember your favourite games and rhymes from childhood?

And also, what should I do with all these oranges and lemons? I'll definitely visit my lemon curd recipe again, as I so enjoyed making (and eating) it last year. But what else? Perhaps some marmalade is in order as well....

Warming Words

Gosh it seems like I've made a lot of rabbits lately! I've just finished 4 (one had to be posted before I had a chance to photograph it-darned Winter light!). I do adore making rabbits, but I felt the need for some fresh inspiration, so I ordered this book, as a treat for myself.

I think I'll definitely have to try one of these gorgeous elephants...

And a new pincushion too.

What a lovely way to spend a grey, indoorsy type of Winter day. I'll leave you with a quote I read in a magazine which I thought was very eloquent.

Be careful of your thoughts

For your thoughts become your words.

Be careful of your words

For your words become your actions.

Be careful of your actions

For your actions become your habits.

Be careful of your habits

For your habits become your character.

Be careful of your character

For your character becomes your destiny.--author unknown

Hope everyone else is having an inspiring day too xx