A sneaky peek

She is finished. Miss Moo Moo's fourth birthday present. Clara and her Nutcracker Doll.

We have got tickets to see the BCYB production of the Nutcracker for Miss Moo Moo's birthday (just us girls, as Miss Moo Moo will say). This post by Soulemama made me really want to take my daughter to the ballet. Then, this book by Alicia Paulson inspired me to make a Clara doll. One month ago I saw the youth ballet production advertised and it all seemed like fate.


Greta, Sophie, Betty and this mikodesign doll. (sorry to say that she still has no name and no clothes. But that does not mean that she is not loved, and apparently it is absolutely fine that she plays in her 'pajama's all day long)

So with inspiration from everywhere and the help of these girls (photo above), I was able to come up with a pattern and size of doll I was happy with. I have made a few soft toys over the years, for my kids and for friends, but with some great tips from my aunt and lessons learnt from my own mistakes, this is the best doll that I have made so far. And it has hair! I can't tell you what a worry that has been for me, it is the reason I have only made animals or monsters or aliens or babushka dolls in the past. I just didn't know how to tackle the hair.



No need to worry anymore.



I'm not so happy with the Nutcracker (the legs and boots) Another learning curve, the black felt I used was an op shop find, a bit cheap and nasty. But I am proud to say that the entire doll was made with things from in my cupboard, I have a great cupboard.

And as my heart does a somersault, I'll tell you - the dress is made from my Nana's nightie.

I just hope Miss Moo Moo loves it as much as I do. I'm pretty sure she will.

Farm eggs and baked custard

Last week, when we were on the farm we swapped some of our homegrown passionfruit's and banana's for these fresh farm eggs, collected by Spunky Monkey on the morning that we left.

I had this pudding dish desperate to be used and this recipe book ready and waiting full of yummy goodness. I had wanted to make the baked custard recipe in the 'how to cook' section. I had never cooked one before, in truth I was a little scared of it.

But yesterday afternoon with big pot of chicken soup on the stove and just enough farm eggs left to make it, it seemed like to perfect time to try. The kids got involved and saw that there was a chocolate option. So that was the one we made. Baked chocolate custard. It was delicious and easy peasy. I think I might be making another one this week for Miss Moo Moo's birthday dinner.

I was happy with my new Gordon Ramsay pudding dish that I had bought a while back from 'Buyster'. It looked great coming out to the table, a definite improvement to my old pudding dish. And maybe even more important, it was easy to clean. Not at all like the quiche and baking dish incident that I had recently, I won't go into it, but lets just say, the dish was soaking in the sink for days!

I've been looking on 'Buyster' again today and after watching Jamie Oliver's cooking show in Spain last week, I am eyeing off this paella pan. What do you think?
Si, por favor.

Also............

Welcome to my newest follower, Melissa.

Apologies - Technology breakdown

I just want to apologize to my followers. I am having big trouble with my computer this morning. So you may getting multiple copies of my entries sent to you???? Who knows.

Not only do I have serious modem problems, that's a whole other story, but now my screen has flipped out. The screen is black with white text and x-ray style images that are hurting my eyes. There has been font problems and link problems. Arrrghhh! I have persisted thus far, but I am over it and going to get a cup of tea.

Hopefully, readers you are seeing my blog as it should be seen and not how I am seeing it.

Fingers crossed, Mr Moo (my tech assistant) can fix it when he comes home tonight.

I hope you are having a happy computer day.

New things

(this photo is from this book that Miss Moo Moo picked out at the library, if you you are lucky enough to know how to knit you can make some. They are so cute.)

You may have noticed I have added a 'challenge' to my side bar. Knicky Knacks Handmade Christmas Challenge.

I know........ Christmas? But last week Spunky Monkey asked "How long until Christmas?" And even though I have been asked this question almost daily since last Christmas, I counted up the months and realised, that it is not that far away. So hopefully, with a bit of encouragement from this challenge, I will find myself during the final countdown to Christmas; calm, relaxed and with handmade gifts under the tree.

Welcome to my newest follower, Megan. You can see some of the things that Megan makes on her blog, 'mousehouse.' Not only does she make some really beautiful things, but shares tips and tutorials, making anything seem possible. Thanks Megan, for introducing me to this great Christmas challenge

I have also discovered 'small acorns' lovely blog (also via mousehouse) and Amanda is having a great giveaway, see my sidebar for details to win, there are still couple of days left to enter.

And...... petalplum has also got a great book to giveaway too. "Craft Hope", If I don't win I might just have to buy one of these books anyway. Inspiration of the very best kind.

And......cakies also has some great giveaways - Yipee! But you have to be in it to win it. You have until Friday for this one.

Father's Day weekend

Relaxing but busy.

On Saturday we drove to Brisbane and on arriving stopped off at the West End Markets for a snack. Hungarian pancakes stuffed with bacon, spinach, mushrooms and cheese and galaktoboureko, It was so difficult to pick just one of the yummy greek sweets from the many stalls on offer. Tropical berry juice and cappuccino's all enjoyed sitting in the semi shade of the giant moreton bay figs trees. We watched the locals playing frisbee with the tall city buildings in the background and the early spring breeze in our hair.



After the markets we spent most of the day in the cultural centre. The girls went to see the amazing Valentino Exhibition and the boys spent almost all day at the Sciencentre. We were also in and out of the museum and the state library. I got a quick peek in the gallery shop and Miss Moo Moo and I enjoyed really yummy egg finger sandwiches and sour cherry crumble cake at the Watermall Cafe. Happy, but hungry after a long day, we then headed straight for our favourite Vietnamese restaurant for dinner. Crispy fried chicken and egg noodle soup and prawn and rice paper rolls. It doesn't sound like much but, we couldn't even eat it all. Extremely full and contented we headed to our little apartment and settled in for the night.



On Sunday we went to the Breakfast on the Bridge. It was threatening rain and the French themed event didn't quiet live up to what I had expected. (no mime artists, no can can dancers, no crepe stations, no fresh food markets - as promised) But after a long wait in the queue for this stall, all faith had been restored.

Pains au chocolat, croissants aux amandes and beignets de confiture.

Tres magnicient!



After a very long walk along the river (to walk off breakfast) It was time for lunch! Mr Moo's all time favourite, Yum Cha, did not disappoint. The food was soooo good, with, dare I say it, the best sweet and sour pork I have ever tasted. The atmosphere was really buzzing. A really good end to a great weekend.

Father's Day

(the week Mr Moo Moo's life changed forever. Here's Mr Moo, George the monkey and Spunky Monkey, just one week old.)

We are headed off to the big smoke this weekend, a surprise Father's Day weekend away for Mr Moo.

As Mr Moo and I won't be seeing our Dad's on the day, I'll take this opportunity to wish them and all the other great Dad's out there, a very Happy Fathers Day for Sunday.

Spring

The sun is shining and the birds are singing as we skip into Spring today.

We have already been doing many Spring-like things this week. Spending mornings at the beach, eating breakfast outdoors, wearing summer sandals and short sleeve tops and taking late afternoon walks. The scent of the neighbour's jasmine is filling our street and the aroma of the mock orange blossoms are greeting us at the school gate. In our own garden, our small jasmine plant has a few first flowers.

Happy new beginnings to you.

(The photograph above is one of Joanna Henderson's from here, another amazing photographer that I have discovered via Hanna's beautiful, beautiful blog, 'girl from the corner table'.)