Birthday Update - from Chaos to Acceptance to Happiness

My one-year old's birthday picnic was rained out....it was downpoured upon! We'd just taken everything out of the car, thinking the ominous clouds would blow away like they did the day before, but alas, no!, the heavens opened and we got soaked. "Who left the cake out in the rain?" as the song goes....well I did!  

After a few under-breath curses and rants, we decided to invade a local pub that was kid-friendly. Soaking wet and cold, we packed everything back into the car, and made our way to the local. Thank you Friend In Hand at Glebe (http://www.friendinhand.com.au/)....you obliged us nicely. It was nice having access to a few alcoholic beverages too.  Ended up entering in the 'meat-tray raffle' the pub was holding and won 10-beers instead (of course, we have a tab now at the bar because we were driving!). To be consumed at a later date....


The cake cutting was done there and I lay out a little of the spread to the much appreciative hungry guests. Kitchen was closed at the Bistro so the staff didn't seem to mind. 

rain damaged cake

negotiating the candle blowing

In the end, it wasn't my ideal birthday bash for my little girl, but then again, that's what happens when you don't have a back-up plan.  Well, the guests who lingered ending up having more fun....we stayed there till 8pm (with sleeping bubs in arms and prams). It was much longer than expected but it all turned out for the happy best.






Here are some jolly pics:

Mumma love:

And again,

Big Sis - too much sugar in her system! cutie

The Family - cake cutting in a very confined space....

friends Cat & Nat

Rach - with my girls

Nicki - with tired birthday girl

Rod & Leila - Family...

Me looking overly-smiley...you know awkward picture time

Hey, who's baby do you have? 

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Quick Birthday Cake

Is this for me?

Do I eat this?

 I did have a little family cake-cutting and birthday wishes ceremony at home - just the four of us. By the end of it, my little one has cottoned on about what a gift means -- unwrap and voila! -- there's something special inside. Although the other issue now is that the eldest child thinks baby's gifts are hers too to play with....I've warned my eldest, that bubs will be little for only a short time and then there'll be squabbles. In other words, watch out! 

1st Birthday Party Preparations

The start - items for Cupcakes & Carousel Birthday Cake

Time to prepare for my second daughter's first birthday party.  We're having a picnic party. Because it's this time of year, many of the lovely people I've invited cannot attend due to prior commitments. I guess this is what happens for many December babies.   Today's food plan is to make: jelly fruit cups; chocolate crackles; cheesy pastry puffs; and start preparing the birthday cake. I'll need to make two, one for the birth day and one for the party. Do you too do this?  I'm superstitious and think that it's necessary to have the cake cutting done on the actual birthday.  Baby Pink & Blue Carousel -- that's my idea for the birthday cake for the party. I have bought the carousel horses, but somehow will need to make the carousel part.  It will consist of covered bamboo sticks with ribbons, and pre-made icing fondant for molding and covering the cake's surface.  It should be fun making the cake. But less hope that this time I don't leave things to the last minute and I rush and burn cupcakes, meatballs, stay up to 1am etc etc.   Focus focus focus.

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Christmas Tree Decoration


Gosh, I just love how my kids get so excited about decorating the Christmas tree. I love it too. Their enthusiasm is contagious. There's nothing like feeling the joy of Christmas through the merriment of children.  

decorating the tree

My littlest didn't do much, but insisted on being held. It was the safest position, otherwise the tree would be on top of her.  She's at the stage of grabbing and pulling up to stand.   So this year, the tree had to go on a table barricaded by the sofas so the one-year old could not grab it. We've made paper-cut snowflakes, cardboard cut stars decorated with stickers and glitter, placed all the tinsel out and decorated the kid's room with tinsel.  Having children is a good excuse for me to relive my childhood craft desires.   Do you do anything particularly cutesy/kitsch for Christmas just because it is Christmas (and as it is said, the 'silly season')?

handmade decoration

vintage santa & wooden bell and angel decorations

the final look

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Vintage Decorations & Cards

I recently found some gorgeous wooden and plastic decorations at the op-shop.  Still in their original packaging, they are no happily hung up on my tree. But I've also found some gorgeous vintage Christmas cards. They look like calling cards, but I think they were actual cards sent to friends and families.  They're very small, the biggest only 8cm by 5cm. What adds to there charm is the beautiful words on the back "To Harriett from Mother" and "with love and best wishes from Mary" written in gorgeous old-fashioned cursive writing with fountain pens. My guess is that they are from the 1920s. I think this is the start of a beautiful obsession -- vintage paper paraphernalia.

Card reads: "Christmas. Good times to thine and thee Through sunlit days to be."

Card reads: "Happy Christmastide" 

Card reads: "A happy New year to you"

Good Cheer to you all. 

Christmas Stockings and pre-Christmas thoughts.

I've whipped up some Christmas Stockings to be used for holders of gifts/sweets for the many kiddy-winkles I know.  I say whipped up because they truly took no time at all, once I cut out a stocking template, I ransacked my fabric stash and found my Christmas fabric, and mixed and matched it with red/white/green festive looking fabric.  I'm pleased with the outcome. It's great because I think I am finally getting some of the things I've imagined doing when I lay in bed at night.  You know, the endless list that can ramble on and on in one's head, and occasionally the bright spark that breaks through and says to oneself "why don't you make or do this?"


I love Christmas. I love the beautiful intentions that Christmas evoke - the notion of togetherness, of family gatherings, of sharing, of jolliness, of devotion, of magic, and the general good cheer that emerges around this time of year. Or should emerge at this time of year. It is a time of celebration - regardless of whether you are Christian or not -  the general message I find and try to embrace within my own actions and being, is that it is a celebration of life, living, love, a time for reflection, and a time for gratitude. It is a time to look over the jolly good things in one's life and see that it is all fine -- I find, even with my quite somewhat difficult family situation, it is about being thankful that they are their for me, that I belong, that I have great friends and that I have my own intimate little lovely family.  Towards this time of year, I sincerely try to think over my own actions, give myself time to reflect, and try to enjoy LIFE.  Christmas is a great time to say to oneself  "yeah, this is pretty great and I am a lucky girl".  


I try not to let the prospect of a bad Christmas lunch, let's say, because I will be with people who have lost their Christmas cheer, affect my fundamental joy.  I try to put things in perspective, and try to bring cheer to even the most bitter, cynical or sad of people. Sometimes it's impossible, but it's worth trying, especially if it's someone I love and care for.


Here's a picture of my Christmas stockings.....

Next on the list, which I've had on the list for a very very long time, is to do a Christmas skirt for my tree.  Not to mention: two more quilted cot/throws; a library bag for my little girl who is off to school in the New Year; a basket lining for toys; then, all the quilt-tops I have made but have not basted nor quilted yet. **Sigh** But I'll start on the easiest because short projects give a great sense of satisfaction once completed and usually enough time before the demanding 1 year old wants my attention.




Gorgeous image of Victorian-era Christmas card. Have the girls spotted Santa?  




Good cheer to everyone....

SEWING time.

I've finally, and I mean, FINALLY finished the Oscar Cot Quilt.  It has only been achievable because I have no  (paid) work to do at the moment. I guess that means I'm 'officially' on holidays, although, with derision, I must confess that a stay-at-home mum's work is NEVER complete. I've been trying to finish the endless washing. With all the washing we have, for a family of four, it is enough of a realisation that I can not have another child because I'd have to add another day's washing to it.  But mind you all, if I do have another child I will be ecstatically happy because children are absolutely wonderful and make me sublimely content. In other words, I feel that children are a blessing and housework sucks!

Here's a (shabby) pic....It will be given to the recipient as part of their Christmas gift.

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When I'm feeling sad or overwhelmed.....

I would just like to say how grateful I am to my friends who are there for me when I am in need. You know who you are and I love you for it. You make my days sparkle when I feel lustreless.  Magical transformation in outlook can occur after just a short conversation. Lovely people who wholeheartedly share and give endlessly....now how does the song go: "that's amore!"

BANANA, PEAR & CHOCOLATE MUFFINS

Today I made some Banana, Pear, & Chocolate Muffins. I usually use ripe fruit that is a bit too ripe for eating on it's own (let a lone by a 5 year old) and chop it up to add to a muffin mix. And because my children are very fussy (yes, even the near one year old), I have to disguise fruit bits into some sort of tempting delight, hence the chocolate and chocolate chips throughout.  This way, there's a snack for all of us. And it keeps the pesky hunger away for the afternoon "I'm starving" bleats (from husband who comes home from an early start and kids alike -- me? well, I try to resist afternoon snacks!).  

Recipe
Banana, Pear, & Chocolate Muffins
(approx 12)

2 cups Self Raising Flour
1/2 cup Cocoa Powder
1/2 cup of Chocolate Chips
1/2 cup of Caster Sugar
1 cup of full cream milk
2 eggs (beaten)
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 ripe bananas (mashed)
1 ripe smallish pear (peeled, chopped/diced)

Sift all dry ingredients together (flour, cocoa, sugar), into a bowl. Add choc chips and mix through. In another bowl, mix wet ingredients: milk, beaten eggs, vanilla extract, vegetable oil.  Beat wet ingredients with a fork, then make a well in the dry ingredients', and pour into the well the wet mixture.  Mix through just until combined and there's no dry flour present. Then, add to this mix, the mashed banana and chopped pear.  Divide equally into patty cake/muffin  cases for a 12-hole tray . (Let  the 5 year old lick the spoon and bowl!!!)  Bake in a pre-heated oven of 180deg.c. for 15 minutes or until skewer comes out dry when inserted.  Let cool, then devour with a glass of milk (or my preference, a strong coffee).

Children and Post Birthday Elation

Yesterday we celebrated my daughter's 5th birthday. It was a beautiful picnic/bbq party by a lake and it turned out marvelously.   I am happy because the birthday girl had fun with cousins and friends, but importantly she realises just how many people there are in our world who love her. It feels nice to know that you can invite all these people to a party and they turn up (with gifts -- a bonus!).  


After two days of cooking and shopping for party food I can happily declare that I am glad that her birthday is over for another year. I am exhausted. So exhausted I even forgot today was Monday and she needed to go to her swimming lesson. But in reflection, I now realise that it's okay that we missed the lesson because we all needed to have a day at home to chill, play with new toys, sleep, post a new blog, and get back into the routine of daily life with children. 


Here's a picture of the birthday cake:

My 5 year old is obsessed with Ben 10, so of course, on asking her what theme cake she would like for her birthday, she responded with "BEN 10 PLEASE!!!".  So here is an interpretation of Ben 10's Omnitrix.   All the sweat, and some tears, was worth it.  My husband had to intervene towards the end of the icing because I was on the verge of going nuts trying to get the correct colour for the butter icing. My superb man took over, and finished off the designing of the icing and decorations --end result is not bad at all! He saved the day. It tasted delicious, and the birthday girl LOVED IT.

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Gustav Klimt

But I am thoroughly enjoying the day at home, listening to Angus & Julia Stone, whilst pottering about.  Their music is perfect for the mood I'm in, that is, soulful, sultry and dreamy. Angus & Julia Stone's music is poetry set to music and it's magnificent. Their music is just perfect even when  I have to deal with a teething crying baby who is so restless.  


This beautiful Gustav Klimt image feels me with joy -- as a mother, this is how I feel about my children. It's  gorgeous and it reminds me of just how precious my little darlings are to me.  Klimt has captured the connection of mother & child; it seems like they are blending into one but still remain as individuals nestled into each other's core.  It's a very peaceful image to me and I love that they have skin to skin contact because it emphasises the mortality of our physical being, the child listening to the heart beat of the mother (her rhythm of life), whilst baby rests on her naked breast (representing the food of life),  and the mother at peace with her sleeping child.




Next on the list is to do some crafting --- yes, finally!
I AM going to finish the cot quilt for my nephew which was begun a more than year a ago (when he was born) -- but a lot has happened since then -- most importantly, I've had a new addition to my family -- a daughter who is now 9 months old -- so I guess it's the best excuse not to be up-to-date with my craft.  I'm at the quilting stage, so I'm very close to finished.  Yay!
Here it is as it stands at the moment:

oscar's quilt - a close up

oscar's quilt

I enjoy quilt making. I love giving them as gifts too. I'm sure this one will be appreciated by my nephew Oscar and his parents too. 


Signing off for now. Back to domestic reality. 


Cheers,
Stella-Luna

Rock & Rolling to Wanda Jackson

Daily things surprise me, and today it is the joy of my five your old girl who loves rocking to Wanda Jackson!  Who would've have thought that she would connect to this rockabilly music?  It is fantastic to be able to turn off the television, put some music on, and just groove all day whilst doing chores (and as she plays!). Awesome stuff!  As you may know, it is quite often a challenge to entertain a child, let alone keep them entertained, therefore, thank you Wanda. You're awesome.  


I'm waiting for the clouds to clear so that we can enjoy a bit more of the gorgeous sunshine that is metaphorically clearing the cloudy thoughts from my winter hibernation. I love the smell of the freesias, jasmine, honeysuckle that are blooming this early in the season and their scent permeates the air.  My daughter has brought some inside, and we now have the essence of Spring in the home too.  


Hopefully today my itch to stitch will be sated. I have many projects on the go, and wish to finish a flannel blanket/throw for my girl's use whilst she snoozes on the sofa of an evening....yes, she does crash on the sofa after a day of hectic playing, in total imitation of her Dad!  She's chosen all these fat-quarter flannels that we found on sale many moons ago, and has helped me assemble them in a certain haphazard order. I'll post pictures once it's done
.  
With Spring on our doorstep, I am inspired by Walt Whitman's poetry and have once again pulled a volume of his verse from my shelf to peruse when I have the chance. The chance can be when I have my cuppa in the morning, as it was this day, whilst the kids ate their breakfast.  How's this one?:

Miracles
By Walt Whitman from Leaves of Grass


Why, who makes much of a miracle?
As to me I know of nothing else but miracles,
Whether I walk the streets of Manhattan,
Or dart my sight over the roofs of houses toward the sky,
Or wade with naked feet along the beach just in the edge 
 of the water,
Or stand under trees in the woods,
Or talk by day with any one I love, or sleep in the bed at
 night with any one I love,
Or sit at table at dinner with the rest,
Or look at strangers opposite me riding in the car,
Or watch honey-bees busy around the hive of a summer
 forenoon,
Or animals feeding in the fields,
Or birds, or the wonderfulness of insects in the air,
Or the wonderfulness of the sundown, or of stars shining
 so quiet and bright,
Or the exquisite delicate thin curve of the new moon in 
 spring;
These with the rest, one and all, are to me miracles,
The whole referring, yet each distinct and in its place.


To me every hour of the light and dark is a miracle,
Every cubic inch of space is a miracle,
Every square yard of the surface of the earth is spread
 with the same,
Every foot of the interior swarms with the same.


To me the sea is a continual miracle,
The fishes that swim--the rocks--the motion of the
 waves--the ships with men in them,
What stranger miracles are there?


Whitman has encapsulated all that he sees as beautiful and indeed a miracle: the everyday, the everything, the life in the miniscule and the grandeur of it all. That's what I love about this poem.This poem says it all about how I feel about life in general and is the purpose of this blogspot. Even in moments of bleakness and sadness, I try to remember that life is full of daily miracles and I am surrounded by love and beauty.


So enough of sharing my thoughts; now for some stitching time (hopefully, if the kids will let me!).

Enjoy!