rainy saturday

the fist of an angry god, by various brennemans.

Today as I sat in a newly opened cafe with two friends, we'd escaped my place leaving behind all the children. As we sat in this great cafe complete with indoor bicycle parking. I thought I am for a change not sitting wrangling a toddler and wiping up spilt baby-cino, no I am sitting with the girls looking very much like the women I sometimes envy who always look like they are having way more fun than me. I digress this place was a lovely space.

We did however wait way too long for our food, but golly gosh I wasn't too fussed I was too busy immersing myself in a world where I could talk and listen without ma ma ma ma getting progressively louder in my ear. I was in love with those light blue geometric tiles, bare brick walls, bentwood chairs and the french accent on our waitress.

Take a look at my cute European hot chocolate, all manner of tardy food service was forgiven when we sipped this,bitter sweet chocolate made right there on the premises, come on.

We then walked to the also new lost and found market. My how my this little strip end of Lygon street is stepping up. I grew up around here and worked in my parents bakery just opposite for a very long long time so seeing this place change the way it has is just great, my parents shop is however still stuck in the 80's.

The lost and found market was so visually pleasing, a little too pricey for someone who likes to op shop, but I came away with some ideas and some inspiration, and a Fleur Wood silk top.

This was a little treat, something girly and very nice. We all had a little fun trying on our wares and showing each other, just like I used to do many moons ago.

Once we were done in the market we crossed over to window shop at Pop Craft a beautiful little shop, selling yarn and some handmade pieces.

Next to pop craft is each Peach and this little bicycle sits out front, aint it sweet.

Off Home we went.

Getting home and still feeling a little like I wanted to be out I took three of my kids for a bike ride/walk along the creek. I love seeing my kids outside.
The leisurely morning meant I wasn't even phased when phoenix rode through some thick mud and got himself boot deep in it. Nope we instead just decided He'd have to go barefoot and walk or ride his bike. He was fine, with that.

My littlest is an avid walker, she just treks along doesn't even ask to be carried. Eliza and her balance bike riding alongside and sometimes a little too close to the edge for Phoenix who worried that she'd fall in.

As we walked and greeted fellow walkers and all dogs as you do with a toddler, The light shower and afternoon glow bought the brightest fullest arched rainbow for the longest time. After way many "what a gorgeous rainbow" from me, Finally Circe sees the rainbow, the look of awe and wonder was priceless.

Home to a meal Hubby had made whilst revelling in the quiet of our usually loud home, whilst listening to some dub.

I hope you too enjoyed your Saturday.

Another cake and an art party.

Neapolitan, by various brennemans.

You cannot ever have too much cake or too many birthday celebrations.

I hereby declare my love for my women's weekly butter cake recipe. I shall never bake any other children's cake using any other recipe. Three layers baked for 15 min produced an excellent cake to sandwich. I had also made the sweetest bunting which was easy to make I just cut out all my fabric into 1'" triangles and stung them together with 2 stitches in each and so on till they were all strung together.

Just when I thought I ought to be in bed already I thought of making these name picks with some mid weight paper cut into 1 1/2" rounds and I made up some circus font in black marker, just written with a light hand so as to make it look print-and-miss if you know what I mean. I then applied a scrap of glue and sandwiched front and backs with skewer sandwiched in between. Too easy, and effective.

The next afternoon was the art party for Eliza and her friends. Half the fun for me was the opening up of sequins, paint new brushes and glue and pastels and reams of think Kraft paper.

What a joyous afternoon with little stress and even an impromptu picnic on the lounge room floor, we had to have sushi and spring rolls, Eliza's favourite. Just when they thought it couldn't get better, we had the triple layer chocolate, vanilla, strawberry cake with yummy frosting. Bring on the next birthday. (Mine!)

Happy Birthday Eliza

almost there, by various brennemans.

Our third born turned four this weekend, I cannot believe where the years have gone.

Whilst I am happy she is getting older I am feeling the memories of her babyhood and toddler hood fading, I wish I could remember it all.

The times that are clear are the ones where she was most mischievous. The time she smeared nappy cream all over her change table and blinds and hid behind them sleepless and victorious. The time she made her way out the window and down the street to a neighbor to see the chooks in her pajamas, the time she told me she hated the skirt I made for her, or when she pulled my string of  pom-poms down.

Although those memories are clearest I will cherish even more the many we spent  nestled close with in my bed the feeds we had, the cheeks that grew  full and round, because of me. The memories that are being made everyday. The little felt cat we made together that she called Mr. Marbles and cuddles every night to sleep. The recent week she learned to click her fingers and consequently clicked them all the time.

The ever growing letters that fill her pages, the finger that brushes across them as she reads only what she can understand to me, the patchwork of colour in every drawing she makes. The ritual she has of making me drawings they fill jars, the fridge door, there are stacks to keep, the little piles I would never dare have her find in the recycling.

The nights I spent by her bed when she had croup, the fevers where she saw things that weren't there. the love of monkeys when she was two, the love of our cat who died when she was three, whom she still misses. The special place she held in her Granma's heart, they never had the chance to meet, but her little 18 month old hand reached out and touched her at the funeral.

The way she takes her balance bike everywhere we go. The way she never fails to tell me I really appreciate that you made me dinner Mum.  The bond that she has with people, the places she holds in the hearts of many that love her. Most of all the wonderful big sister she has made to her baby sister, their laughter together is  so warm and infectious they are growing into best friends.

I love her dearly and wish her a very happy Birthday.  Even as I return to edit this post a letter sat on my pillow waiting me, what a little treasure.

Just a quick stop

A quick morning trip to the local library and I have bought home a wonderful book called, Bake essential companion, by Alison Thompson.

You know I need to bake more sweets, just look back at my last posts, I haven't baked enough of late. This book is gorgeous, beautiful photography, decadent sweets and pastries. There is even a recipe for puff pastry, now I always just buy it in a pack, because seriously puff pastry requires some arm work. There is a quick puff pastry recipe in there though, I may try it out. 

I also can never resist a pretty twig of Australian Silver gum, for purposes of drawing and just cause they're so pretty.

Whilst out I remembered a friend had said, I had to try the bakery that sells great baklava near the library, again I didn't really need more sweets but I live in an area where there is baklava a plenty and if there is some that is better than the rest then I am there. It is certainly good I have eaten three.

So a quick dash to library and I have something to peruse over tea and sweets, what could be better when it is so cold and wet outside.

bits and pieces collective 1

entropy I, by various brennemans.

This is my ode to the bits and pieces that clutter my house and mind, that lay in corners behind couches that sit on sideboards or in baskets awaiting return to their rightful homes, you finally make me smile.

I went out walking, what did you see?

key in the door, by various brennemans.

I saw...
A hunter gatherer window display, in a vintage store.

I passed great knockers (of the door kind),

Peeling paint, a lovely patina worn and graceful,

Rusted oranges and yellow against a cold grey day that even turned my hands a shade of numbing blue,

Sitting solitary with other solitaries in Loafer bread, regaining feeling and colour with fingers wrapped around a latte,

Ate a wonderful Lentil and mushroom pie, the best flaky buttery pastry that ever passed these lips,

A fat slice of Babka all twirled rolled and twisted to rise in a beautiful fluted shape, sitting high on a crystal cake plate, who could say no.