A blue iceberg

Having time to look through the non-fiction and craft books we've got has been a lot of fun these holidays. It's been nice to have the time and head-space to try some craft projects and even a little science.

Over the years I've been collecting DK books for the girls - science, dictionaries, encyclopedias, atlases, cooking and 'my first' craft books. They're full of interesting info, great photos and step by step instructions for all sorts of projects. This science experiment caught our interest last week - turning a white flower blue with the use of food colouring.

One iceberg rose, one glass of water and a few drops of blue food colouring later and ........... one definitely tinged blue flower. This photo was taken about an hour after we began.

This photo below was taken a couple of days later - you may not be able to see but all the petals have blue patterns on them.

And this was taken a week later. One very blue iceberg! You can try the same thing with any coloured food colouring, or try it with different types of flowers to see if they vary at all in taking up the colour.

The experiment shows how much the stem of a flower is like a giant straw, taking up the water through the stem to the flower for nutrients and life.

It's turned out to be an easy, fun little experiment. The options are endless with how you could extend it too. Different amounts of food colouring, water - even mixing yellow and blue. Does the white flower turn green?

Maybe try it with the little people in your life. Fun at home!

Happy birthday, Maurice

This year's summer holiday has been all about family visiting, play dates, lots of reading, cooking and craft with Mummy and a post-building, backyard reconsruction/restoration project. We've also had many day trips and multiple 20/20 cricket matches at Bellerive. The weather has been wonderful so we've done lots of beach visits and swimming, picnics and time on the deck (which Daddy and I have just oiled over the past couple of days). It's been so nice to be at home to enjoy our new-look house. A bit like having a holiday at home, actually. 

The girls have had no TV during the day (except for watching cricket and tennis alongside mummy and daddy!) and maybe 3 movie nights. Their time at home has been taken up with lots of craft, the rehearsal of music and drama productions, the putting on of their 'shows', making up games, climbing the apricot tree and lots of playing in the cubby. 

On this particular day Alice woke up and announced it was her special teddy's birthday. Unbeknown to me, Maurice was turning 2. By the end of the day however, it was decided that he was actually turning 4. All this despite being given to Alice at birth 8 years ago. ))))))

Maurice, pictured above in the centre and named after his look-alike on Playschool, enjoyed a morning tea birthday party. All the beanie kids were invited. Wooden fruit laid out on a plate and presents from each of the girls unwrapped. Then after lunch Alice made her first chocolate cake with just a little help with the oven from me. We enjoyed a birthday dinner and the cake was served for dessert. Even with candles!!!

It was such a fun day and the girls loved that we made such a fuss. It's so great to see them come up with these ideas and let them get excited and wrapped up with all the planning and creativity. Their imaginations get carried away and it's priceless to watch!

We didn't ice the cake as it was close to bedtime and Maurice doesn't sleep well with too much sugar.

I truly hope this stage of childhood lasts as long as possible. We're trying to stretch it out as best we can. It seems there is so much pressure to have our little ones grow up so, so quickly. Here we are trying to put it off. Plenty of time for all that later.

Right now we're close to Sarah turning 10 and the twins to starting full time school.

Denial is a healthy, reasonable way to deal with it, is it not??? We aren't the only ones feeling this way, are we? Ideas for prolonging childhood gladly welcome!

Happy days for you, too.

Brown paper packages...

...tied up with string, or maybe red wool, finger knitting or crocheted chain stitch.

Well, this is the plan anyway. We made a start on Wrapping 2010 yesterday.

I thought we'd make a return to our painted brown paper from the days of one pre-schooler and a sleeping baby. Surely we could manage it now with all four girls?! It was quite successful, but thankfully I was sensible enough to only have two girls painting at a time.

Hannah and Ruby started out with a paint brush and a lovely array of Christmas coloured spots.

Sarah and Alice had a play with a few cut potatoes. Straight cuts through the middle gave us round, bauble like circles.

I was amazed that Sarah could remember doing it so well. She must have been no more than 3 when we did it last time. Alice got the technique right pretty quickly. 

Our triangle cut potato gave us cute little Christmas trees. As bedtime was approaching, this was a team effort - Sarah green, Alice red and Mummy on the yellow stars.

We've replenished the paint supply today and plans are underway for star-cut potatoes over the weekend. That calls for a dramatic rise in the level of skill required with the knife!

Here's hoping I'm up for it or we could have some very wonky stars.

Have a great weekend and I hope your list gets a few ticks, too.

x

Two little peasant tops

Well here's an achievement for little me - two sewing projects finished in two days. And what makes it such an exciting achievement, you might ask? Two more items of clothing sewn by Mummy without any need for a zip or button hole! Do I need be so fearful of such things? Please tell me that once I try and do it alone I'll wonder what all the fuss was about!

After seeing many little peasant tops and dresses in my blog travels, I've been wanting to make a couple (or maybe 4!) I considered trying a tutorial, buying a pattern online or just making one up when I found...........a neglected pattern in my plastic pattern box - Simplicity 5695. It's actually a pattern for little dresses but I just missed the gathered frill off the bottom to make a top.

I didn't have enough material for two complete tops but the different sleeves serve a very useful function!

The girls are happy they can both wear this floral as they just loved it. Everyone else is happy because they know that rubies are red so - pink sleeves Ruby, green Hannah. Mummy is happy cause she used up more scraps!

   

And the added bonus? It seems that with a pretty new flower top that 'sticks out like a dress' we are happy to wear our jeans.

But now there's a challenge. I have two older girls asking for a peasant top, but this is a size 2-4 pattern. Will I be able to make it in size 7 and 8 without ending up with some very wonky lines and shapes???? A job for another day.

In the meantime, Sarah and Alice have their own treat this weekend anyway. I'm taking them to the ballet at the Theatre Royal on Saturday night to see The Nutcracker. Dressing up with Mummy and being out late for a special night will keep them very happy, I think.

 Here's hoping you all have a lovely weekend too.

'Breakfast on biscuits??'

Today was one of our 'Home Mondays' - nothing to attend (till school pick up and swimming lessons!) and so a day at home to enjoy lots of play, stories and get some housework done. I also got a little bit of sewing done though, in between my 5 minute 'room rescues' and warm and cosy story times.

Baking was on the list too. Hannah and Ruby have been loving this lately - they are old enough now to co-operate, help out and feel important when they can sift, tip ingredients into the bowl and have a good mix with the spoon. I used to make WW Weekender biscuits a lot with the older girls when they were young but had overlooked them for a while. I think I bake slices and cakes a bit more nowadays to cut back on time spent rolling biscuits. Everything disappears so quickly!

After their initial surprise that we would put 'breakfast on biscuits' we got to it and had lots of fun. Crushing the biscuits in a big bowl with the bottom of a heavy glass was a highlight. I didn't have to coat one biscuit in flakes - I rolled them standing between the twins and they did the rest. They each had a bowl of crushed flakes and a baking tray. They also pressed every biscuit with a fork, coming up with some interesting angles!

Looking at these photos, I just love how the girls look so happy and proud of themselves and how busy their little hands are doing important jobs.

They went in the oven at 2.10, out at 2.30 cooled for 10 minutes and then half a dozen were packed for afternoon tea between swimming lessons at the pool. I wonder if they'll stretch to both morning and afternoon tea tomorrow?!

This is a recipe worth trying - although I ought to double it next time.

Weekender Biscuits - makes 35 (we only managed 29)

125 g butter

1/3 c caster sugar

1 egg, lightly beaten

1 c SR flour

2/3 c sultanas

1 1/2 c Corn flakes, crushed

Beat butter and sugar with electric mixer till smooth. Add egg, beat till combined. Stir in sultanas and sifted flour. Roll rounded teaspoons of mixture in crushed flakes. Flatten slightly. Mod oven 20 min.

Have a great week - hope you too can enjoy a day like this!

x

A swing and a clean

Finally, the new skirts I made for the twins recently: soft, warm navy cord and a little applique with scraps. They were today's chosen outfit (chosen, that is, by the girls!), they were clean and ironed, we were home and the girls were happy so we headed out for a little photo or two. The only thing missing was the sun! I made them to match a couple of new tops I bought recently so we've got an easy outfit to pull together in our morning rush. It turns out these skirts match quite a few of their winter tops so I think they will wear them often!

Ruby was happy on the swings today. 

Hannah was most concerned with cleaning and drying every seat and bar on the swing set. She loves being helpful.

Ruby picked this flower (a clover flower, I think!) for Mummy.

I've realised now that the beanies the girls are wearing were made by two of their great grandmothers. Grandma knitted Ruby's pale pink beanie (along with 3 others) for the twins as babies - they have worn them since before they had hair! Hannah's was made by my late Nan for Sarah and Alice (there is another one somewhere!) - complete with a little flower on the side.

I love that the things we create provide a memory of people (and ourselves!) and times in our life for years to come.

x

Weekend warming

Welcome, weekend!  There will need to be plenty of warming food, drinks and activities here today. We've had a low of 3 overnight, will reach only twelve degrees today and although a fine forecast, there is not a sign of sunshine.

Our two eldest girls have gone to a statewide gathering for Girl Guides today in the north of the state, a two and a half hour drive away. They left at 6.30am (!), in the dark, but on very warm, cosy coaches. I had expected they could sit together, snuggle up and have a sleep leaning on one another. You can imagine the picture, I think! Well, all that was dashed when we found they were to travel on two separate buses in their guiding age groups. (Breathe, Mummy, breathe) As so often is the case, they were less bothered by that than me, and happily found a good friend to fall asleep on. They're expected back at 7pm - what a day they will have!

Daddy has also headed north for the day - not quite as far, but nearly spot on in the middle of Tassie in the little town of Ross. Again, a statewide gathering, meeting in a central spot, to talk school, music and committees.

So, it's just the twins and I. Hannah and Ruby are used to having just Mummy during the week, but this is very odd for a Saturday. I suspect we may get some baking done, and a touch of sewing. My plan is to get as much housework done by 9am as possible. Waking up at 5.30 on a Saturday has some advantages, I guess!

We have the pleasure of visitors today, too. My sister and her husband are in Hobart for the weekend, so they will spend some time here which will be lovely. She has even bought her current sewing projects with her so I think we may get a little done together. She got her first machine last year, has started building her fabric supply and has a few projects on the go.

These photos were taken on Thursday, when the sun was shining - how cute is Hannah bending down over the geraniums? She was so worried about the flowers that have finished and now brown and shrivelled! I made their skirts a few weeks ago out of embroidered denim - so cute with little flowers, butterflies and gingham love hearts. The remainder of the denim (the plain section) was used for Sarah's skirt that I posted about last weekend. Not one scrap of that fabric was left. Now that's a good feeling.

All the very best for a good weekend.

x

A day of touring

Today was spent showing this beautiful place to a lovely Finnish tourist. As a renowned music specialist, she has been in Tassie and Victoria for just a few days, presenting day-long workshops to our primary music teachers. Daddy is President of the Tasmanian association and suggested I take her on a personal tour of some of our highlights.

Yesterday she toured Bruny Island, by land and sea. Today, we followed my itinerary. First stop was Mount Wellington - the weather forecast wasn't great but we had no cloud and a wonderful clear view of Hobart and its intricate waterways and hills. But it was sooooo cold up there and I have never walked into wind blowing so strong - not even on the rolling hills of Yolla, NW Tassie, bringing home the cows for milking!

Despite the conditions, we were impressed and my friend was quite taken aback by the scale and beauty of the place. As was Ruby with the following comment. While in the observation tower looking at the view:

Ruby: Mummy, I had no idea the world was SO big!

The concept of distance and space is a tricky one to grasp when you are just 3. I think their innocence is just so delightful.

A drive to Longley, Margate, Kingston and then Richmond was next - lunch, galleries, lolly shop and the 1823 Richmond Bridge. My client was enthralled, made a lovely purchase of local craftsmanship and took lots of lovely photos. I, despite running back inside for my camera this morning, took not one photo. None. Totally forgot I had it in my bag. I guess being a tourist guide requires focus! Therefore, no photos.

And many thanks must go to my dear friend Claire. With half an hour's notice, she happily collected my girls from school (along with her own kids) and took them home for afternoon tea, while we made our way back across town from Richmond.

We picked up the girls, came home and prepared and shared dinner. Peter and our guest talked 'school' and the girls learnt Finnish hand clapping games. They played their favourite kid's CDs for our guest and she made a long list. Maybe young children in Finland will enjoy them too! Mr Whiskers, The Wiggles, Justine, Georgie and Jay all made the shortlist. What a great experience it was for the girls.

Story time and bedtime came around. As did a trip to the airport for our guest - Melbourne and then home to Finland. Daddy drove, I did the 'story time, teeth and toilet'.

And that was our day. A few too many words though!!! x

Show and tell

And now to share some of what we have been making over summer.



Knitting with a pattern is something I don't do alone. I need my mother, or knitting-grandmother extraordinaire, sitting right beside me to take me through the pattern. Anything in plain or purl and that looks like a scarf I can manage! I would like to venture into something more involved this year, but will need grandma's phone number on speed dial. I knitted this scarf for Sarah (that way it will be ready for day 1 of the cold!!) while enjoying the Australian Open, with wool bought for basic blanket squares years ago. She chose the buttons from my Nan's button tin I inherited. I love the tin and the collection of old buttons is gorgeous. I suggested little pink buttons from my craft stash but Sarah had her heart set on these gold ones of Nan's. Makes it all the more special I think.



While I was knitting Sarah asked to start a new project of her own. So we cast on 10 stitches and she set out to knit a scarf for her Tom Kitten toy. Beatrix Potter is a favourite of all my girls - there is no sign of Sarah growing tired of the Roly Poly Pudding or Jemima Puddleduck. They can recite sections of The Tale of Peter Rabbit with no effort! This week she finished it off, and with a 1940s press stud handed down to me from my Nan, and a Spotlight button, it was done. Rather cute I thought. She now has a pink one underway for her toy Mittens.



I recently spent Christmas money buying two books by Amanda Soule of Soulemama. They got me thinking of so many activities and projects for us to take on. Sarah has just started writing to penpals in America so I made her this lined fabric envelope for her letters, the pattern coming from The Handmade Home. That sweet fabric was purchased from Retro Mummy. Rarely have I seen such detailed fabrics in stores such as Spotlight. Buying on-line is also much easier than going to Spotlight in the city with two 3 year olds in tow! We have plans for a matching letter writing wallet, fitted out with felt pockets for her stamps, stationery and photos or bookmarks she wants to send away. A job for another day.