and some more

Craft box in action

The Crafting Box

This craft box has been a constant source of entertainment ! It is filled with coloured square paper, scissors, textas, pencils, water colour paint, crayons, pencils, middle bits of card offcuts from the framing shop, hole punch and streamers. Of course it doesnt look as neat as this because on a daily basis both my girls will open the lid and especially my 3 year old will create something, whether it be cutting bits of paper into 'tickets', or writing shopping lists, drawing cards and letters for friends, punching holes or wrapping and sticky taping presents up.

It was a good exercise for me of letting go because I am always trying to create structured craft exercises al la steiner using all natural and found materials, and I always have a clear goal of what is going to be made. With this box it is totally free of expectations and the girls can use it exactly how they like and this allows them to be freely creative and spontanious because it is always available to use.

Summer Im Missing You!

At the end of last Summer I washed a whole lot of linen that was hand emroidered by my late grandmother. I loved hanging up the tableclothes, tea towels, linen napkins, beautiful embroidered table runners and doilies and thinking about her life, and then reflecting on how I was going to incorporate these pieces of fabric into my own family, so that they can continue to create memories.
Oh how washing drys so quickly and crisply in the summer sun!

Gluten Free Nanna Fruit Cake Recipe

I got this general recipe off the girls Nanna and then I tweeked it so it was gluten free so I could eat it! 

Ingredients -

- 500grams mixed dried fruit ( I just used black and gold but the better the brand the richer the cake)
- 30 grams Butter
- 1/2 cup sugar                                         
1 cup Gluten free self Raising flour
- 1 cup polenta
- 2 eggs

- Milk
-water

Method-

Ok..... put Dried Fruit, Butter and sugar in a saucepan, cover with water with an extra cm on top and slowly simmer for at least an hour, stir occasionally and don't burn! Let mix cool down.

In a big bowl mix together polenta and GF self raising Flour, add fruit mixture, eggs and milk. The mixture needs to be wetter than normal because of the polenta so at least 1/2 cup of milk but it all depends, it should be a batter consistency that easily drops off the spoon..... Tip into greased cake tin and bake at 180 degrees for approx. 40 mins.

The Last of the Autumn Apples

 I think this is the last of the apples in our area. These came from someones front yard and I noticed that they where not being picked so I asked if I could help myself and of course they said I was welcome. They are so fresh and crisp and extra delicious because they are the last until next year.

 Crafting - painting and drawing today.

 Our seasonal table in the kitchen so that we can look at it whilst we eat our meals.

 Grating apples for apple pikelets

I was talking to a dear friend of mine the other day about affirmations and angel cards and their power to inspire. Well on my morning walk this came to me. I have been struggling with my eldest daughter over everything at the moment and I have felt continually challenged throughout the day until I forget that she is a beautiful being and that I love her..... I stuck this affirmation in my kitchen and it really has helped me to be patient and kind and closer to the parent I want to be.

Herstory

Ive been doing some deep thinking on this blog thing....as sometimes I have been wondering if it was a narcissistic past time and maybe I should just concentrate on the real world.

But then Ive been thinking some more and I think the blogs that I enjoy, are mostly women who are mothers and its a way of recording HerStory - as she lives in the world.
Whenever I study History I am always disappointed at the lack of a women s perspective, or even what women where doing at the time and their story.
 Maybe blogs are a way for women to have a voice, to tell their story, their unique domestic tale that has been kept private and forgotten for so long. And I have begun to feel this in the home, like my story is invisible, lost...in the everyday. And so in frustration I have begun to take pictures to record what has happened in the day, and it is gratifying to see the so many moments of each day is valid. Its like things really DID happen! And so as proof I am going to post the days here on my blog, using it as a voice to tell my story - herstory.

The day was full - we sewed, wrote letters, gardened, hung washing, mopped floors, ate lentil soup....all by the early afternoon!
This day is a part of my story.