Birthday play...

Tonight the children decided to put on a couple of little plays in honour of my birthday. I was led in blindfold and hubby looked decidely unimpressed with the outfit the children had chosen for him...!

The first play was "Baa, baa, pink sheep...?" That's the pink sheep below, peeking around the corner...

The first bag of wool was for Dad (FJ) stuck on the toilet (with sound effects!!), the second for Mum, and the third for the little girl in the rubbish dump...

Then we had a fashion show with two beautiful princesses, Miss 11...

And Blondie...

Who were then bailed up by the two evil dogs, only to be released when a ransom of dog food was paid...

Followed by enthusiastic applause from some highly amused parents. May I present the proud performers...

Thanks kids!!!

Winter sports about to start...

Well, the t-ball and cricket seasons are coming to a close, and the kids were asked to pick a winter sport. They do gymnastics all year round, t-ball in the summer (FJ wants to play next season too - instead of cricket), and now, they've all decided to join hockey. Including hubby. I'll be the enthusiastic supporter on the sidelines!!

Doesn't Miss 11 look excited in her new uniform (Joondalup Lakers, if you're wondering) with her new stick? Dad's uniform is the same as his, and Blondie and FJ will be in the "Hook into Hockey" group - introducing them to the basic skills. Miss 11 will be straight into the games, and luckily hubby used to coach girl's hockey and can help her get up to speed.

She's also about to start trombone lessons - but that's a story for another post...

Knitting up a storm...

First of all Mary was joined by Joseph. I know that's not knitting - but his blanket is a piece of weaving that I did about twenty years ago on my Dad's inkle loom with the intention of making a guitar strap...

Then two became three as the happy couple was joined by their ever faithful donkey. I have a set of Alan Dart knitting patterns for farm animals. I adapted the horse to make a donkey and added a blanket cut from a 70s placemat...

Then I moved onto scarves and beanies - for teddy bears. Here is Paddington modelling the latest North Melbourne AFL fashion accessories. These are destined for my youngest (at the moment!) nephew's teddy. His big brother is also getting a beanie for his teddy, and there is a third much larger one for one of the teddy's owners...

Then Miss 11 wanted to knit a scarf to match each of her rag doll's outfits...

And Blondie had to join in on the action - she's a leftie but knits right-handed, thank goodness. She also doesn't seem to pick up extra stitches like her elder sister does...!

My fingerless glove pattern got adapted to become a fingerless mitten pattern. These are a birthday present for a certain sister of mine that requested them at Christmas - you know who you are - look away now if you don't want to know...

And Blondie likes them so much that she has requested a matching pair (in a smaller size - thanks Mum!), so they are now in progress...

I wonder what I should attempt next?

Another recipe...

More cooking this week. I have mostly been trying out various loaf recipes, because they are great for slicing up and freesing in individual slices. These are pulled out at the last minute and stuffed into lunchboxes - they defrost by recess and the kids love them.

PENNSYLVANIA APPLESAUCE BREAD

2 cups sifted flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup applesauce
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Sift together dry ingredients. Cream butter and sugar. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Blend in dry ingredients gradually. Add applesauce and nuts, mixing just enough to wet all ingreients. Pour into a well greased loaf pan. Let rise for 20 mins (YES -really!). Bake in a 180 degree C oven for 55 to 60 minutes.

I also made an Orange Nut Bread, but the recipe needs a bit of tweaking before I'll be happy to post it.

The other loaf I make regularly is http://www.banana-bread-recipe.com/. Hubby LOVES it - but he finds it too sweet as is. They use up to 1 cup sugar, we barely use 1/3 cup. I usually add some spices and I always use wholemeal flour for all my loaves.

Next time Miss CatJB, I promise I will post the muffin recipe!

A crafty few days...

This weekend saw me make my first foray into the art of glove making. I tried a fairly simple pattern for fingerless gloves. Miss 11 spotted the first one, tried it on, and promptly claimed it for biking to school in the winter...

So I had to make the second one. Here they are, finished and decorated with red buttons - her favourite colour...

Then I was in our local Salvo's store and I found these cute little ceramic pieces for $3. They were plain white so I have added a little girly decoration. These are for a teaset that I am slowly putting together for my gorgeous niece - the one whose birthday is in August! SSHH - don't tell, Mum!

And finally, this little lady. Inspired by my lovely sister, and other family memories, I decided it was high time I stopped putting it off and started making the children a nativity scene. So here is Mary. She was going to be in brown, but the girls insisted that Mary was always in blue. Who am I to argue? Her brooch is one of my mother's old earrings.

And finally, look what else I scored at the Salvo's that day? A whole $7 for this...

There are a few bits missing, but nothing that I can't pull out from our own stash, or that FJ won't miss. This is going in the cupboard for his birthday.