Warming up

I'm enjoying the last of the wintery weather by baking lots and lots.

The stove is lit first thing in the morning, the oven is on and kitchen is nice and toasty.

The garden is calling, but for now we'll snuggle up with a warm drink and something freshly baked...

Using last of the candy canes in chocolate squares

Pizza bread

Simple beauty - Pancakes made with almond milk

Girls just wanna have fun (and perhaps some cake)

We were in no hurry to get dressed this morning, so we did some chalk art after breakfast.

I am still finding blue and pink dust everywhere. I did clean up after this, but it didn't help. Turns out chalk dust is like blocks, creeping under things to hide and plot revenge. Tomorrow more will join its' force and I won't sleep easy for the next few weeks...

After a walk into town she was ready for ups and some take away milk.

We had a dinner guest for our girls' dinner in today.

We made an epic spaghetti bolognaise (with a sponge for dessert for the big people)

The we ate, chatted and had a lovely afternoon, which stretched until the evening.

Then Captain said "Peitto!" and went to get our snuggle blanket from behind the sofa.

She likes her little routine, no matter how good the company.

Now I'll go and try to eat some more and enjoy the peace until Captain puts me to sleep again.

Good night!

When people ask you...

"What is it that you do all day?"

"Do you not get bored?"

"How does it get you that long to get into town?"

"Does your husband not mind if the house isn't clean?"

This. No. This is why. Ha ha ha.

Building project

"I see another tree! Bump!"

Stopping to check that her shoes are still there

Spring

Stones make a brilliant sound

Some more flowers (or "sniff, sniff", as they are scientifically known as...)

Shadows provided entertainment every few metres

They clap and dance when you do, you know...

We made some dinner

And ate some too!

Captain's baby joins her at the table too. Her baby acts very similarly to Captain herself, by needing to be picked up several times through the meal, hugged, calmed and nursed.

She does this with great gentleness and patience, but doesn't appear to follow BLW with her baba, which we must have a chat about...

In addition to this we

had an imaginary tea party (mama had some real cake too)

did the food shopping and carried it home (although Captain boobed and slept through this part)

sang songs

read a few books

watched Rio

did some dancing

helped Mr. Buttons with his homework

got the fire going

hung the washing outside to celebrate the sunshine (my inserts thank me!)

fed an uncle (I made the food, Captain fed it to him)

Now we are tired, but happy.

She is sensible and asleep.

I need coffee.

Two special days at the end of the week...

It has been the ultimate lazy Sunday. Mr. Buttons had a friend visiting since yesterday morning and the two of them stayed in their jammies all day. Captain needed extra snuggles due to teething, so I put her on my back to get some cooking done. A friend of mine came over for a bit of lunch and numerous cups of tea and made the day even nicer by giving me an excuse to bake something chocolatey...

Teething toddler -tamed by Pomegranate

Quiche for dinner

                                                   And peanut butter brownies for dessert

It was nice to have a day at home just chilling, to balance out our big forest adventure yesterday. We went for a big walk and a picnic, and left phones and cameras home. You can just take my word for it; it was fabulous. I feel ready for the week ahead after such a refreshing weekend!

Happy New Year

The last BLW meal of the year.

Coconut rice and bean chilli in rosti form.

It has been a fantastic year of good food, lots of firsts, fun and friends.
This new year's eve I'll be skipping resolutions and focusing on just enjoying life just like I did for the whole year.

Time to stick on some party food, have fun with friends and enjoy snuggles with The Captain, when she wakes up to nurse again.

Happy New Year, everyone!

Cakes and bakes

 Gingerbread. Lots and lots of gingerbread. About 75 shapes of the stuff.

Quiche for pre-Christmas dinner for my poor family, just because the oven was on anyway

Puff pastry and orange marmalade for a lazy treat

The house that got hit by a storm minutes later

My "mince pies"

(Spicy beef, peas and Indian spices)

Duck and roast veggies

(Christmas dinner)

Chocolate cake lurking in the background,

a modern, slightly lighter take on the good old Yule Log

made for my mother-in-law

This is missing the hundred oat and chocolate chip cookies I made for hubby and gave to friends as little gifts. Oh, and the Christmas eve party food. Just as well I enjoy cooking and baking!
Time to start planning the New Year's Eve menu...