Pomander time

 So you remember those things you used to make at Christmas time at home with your mum that had an orange and a whole pile of cloves......well it turns out there called Pomanders.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Pomander, noun, a ball or perforated container of aromatic substances, placed in a cupboard or room to perfume the air or (formerly) carried as a supposed protection against infection.

A piece of fruit, typically an orange, studded with cloves and hung in a wardrobe"

They are super easy to make and simply make the house smell amazing.

We made ours last week as gifts for the teachers and whilst I intended to get a photo of our finished products, they were whisked off to school before I had a chance! Sorry!

But here's what we did......

1. Tie ribbon around your orange to create quarters. Leaving enough ribbon to create a loop in which to hang.

2. Secure ribbon underneath with a pin so it doesn't slip off.

3. Poke holes in the orange using a skewer (less orange spray gets your eyes then!)

4. Push a whole clove into your hole

You can make them as intricate or simple as you like. We kept our simple, as in I handed the kids a skewer and said Go!

You can make the design as intricate or as simple as you like. We made ours simple (as in I gave them all an orange, a skewer and said go!)

There's definitely a Christmassy smell these 'pomander balls' bring to the house, you should definitely give them a go........think I'll have to make one myself for the house now!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gingerbread stars...

Presents for family and friends are all taken care of, now its time we move onto the teachers gifts!
This year we thought we'd make gingerbread stars and then dress them up as ornaments....bit of fun?

Gingerbread Stars

 

70g butter

1/4 c dark brown sugar

60mls golden syrup

1 3/4 c plain flour

1/2 tsp. bi carb soda

2 tsp. ground ginger

1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp. ground cloves

1/4 tsp. salt

2tbsp water

 

Preheat oven to 180 degrees and line your trays with non stick paper

Beat together butter and sugar until pale and creamy then slowly add golden syrup till just combined

Sift in flour, bi carb soda, salt and all spices. Using a wooden spoon mix everything together including the water until a soft dough occurs.

Work dough together gently on a lightly floured surface then roll out and cut to the shapes you require. (we used stars, but angels, doves, Santa etc. would work too!)

Bake for 10 min or until lightly browned.

It's begining to look alot like......

         
                                                                      Christmas !!!!!!!!!

Happy Sunday

Here's one I saw and just had to share......happy Sunday everyone.

Advent time....

Advent calendars......do you have one?

Do you get the chocolate on cardboard type or do you make your own?

With 3 kids in the house ( and me just quietly ) there is always big excitement as the Christmas count down begins. The ticking off of days meaning Christmas is getting closer, and closer, and closer.....oh I love it!
But I have to say I'm not a big fan of the chocolate/cardboard types you get from the supermarket. I find the picture is usually something completely irrelevant like Dora or Thomas the tank engine etc. and the chocolate if frankly yuck! Let alone the fact they've been mass produced months prior to December, left to sit somewhere and then no doubt shipped from further than we could imagine. 

Instead, we've had a few different styles over the years and really that's the best thing about the advent, you can make it exactly how you want. 

Some adverts you can open, some you add something daily, others you subtract each day. There can be something to read, to flip, to create, to eat even just to look at. Here's a few examples that sure beat the chocolate /cardboard surely..........(not all ours btw) 

                                (not sure why that one is so blurry, sorry, but you get the idea)

                                           (how cool is this one for those Lego lovers!)

 Not quite sure what ours will be this year, but I'm sure I'll have 3 little people to help come up with a fun idea.
Hope this gives you a few ideas for creating your own advent calendar and prepare for the count down to begin................

little hints of summer

There has been a lovely shift in the weather here of late.

The rain has stopped and we're getting a little hint of the summer months ahead.

 

There's been washing on the line.

 

The feijoa is blossoming.

 

The skies are blue.

 

The roses are blooming.

 

Indoor activities have moved outside.

 

 Windows are being opened wide.

 

 

Private picnics and quiet places are enjoyed.

 

And the last of the veggies have gone to seed.

 

My favourite season is almost here.....and so far so good!

 

What's your favourite season?

 

 

Really?

I'm not sure but I think I've missed a few years somewhere?

Whilst doing my usual morning routine of breakfast for the tribe, coffee, make lunches, nag said tribe to get dressed, stack dishwasher etc, I saw something that made my heart stop for a second.

It was the above image that made me stop in my tracks. I realised that I now have 3 big people in my tribe and not a little one anymore. With Rouge headed of to kindy 2 days this term, I'm having to pack her a lunch just like the older two. Nooooooo......where did those years go? 

I know it's inevitable but it still hit me like a brick wall. Luckily I still have her home for 3 days, but boy what a reality check. 

Savour the time my friends, savour the time.