EXTRA LONG

It already seems like so long ago but how can that be when the weekend only really finished on Wednesday? What a treat having Labour Day tacked on to the end of the Easter long weekend! We had a great weekend with family, eating, cooking, celebrating all things Easter and for me, sewing.

Felt Easter Bilbys for a niece and nephew

Plenty of egg dying

My first ever Tsoureki (first one I've made that is, I've eaten plenty!)

And new winter pyjama pants for the kids (this has become and Easter tradition in our house...does three years consitute "a tradition"?)

She was very impressed with her first ever "big girl pony-tail"

And a new 'Lazy Days Skirt' for Elsa - a long one this time, at her request



TOWARDS EASTER

ns, On our way towards Easter plenty has been happening around here. Before I cover this actual weekend (oh what a lovely, long one!), thought I'd reflect on the last.

Some cooking from one of my favourite cookbooks...Kofta with Tomato Sauce. We love this cookbook. So straight forward and full of recipes for delicious meals, including sweets. And we know, because in the few years since I bought this book, we've tried most of them!

And I'm thoroughly enjoying (and quickly devouring) this box of teas from Canadian label 'Tea Forte', a birthday gift from my sister-in-law in Toronto. I could be addicted.

And E and I had some fun shopping for some supplies necessary to making Easter happen around here (the Greek part at least). We feel very lucky to be able to explore and purchase these things at our local supermarket but we shoudn't be surprised, we all in Melbourne after all with it's huge Greek population.

And it's that time of the year...bread galore! And this year, pizza bases waiting be topped with all sorts.



And while we wait for the pizza, popcorn anyone? Do you remember the excitement as a child listening to the corn popping in the pan and feeling eager to hear the popping end so the devouring could begin?!

And cousins have been making pasta (with the help of their Mamas). Autumn/Winter 2011 could go down as our greatest pasta making season...on to Ravioli next time. Yum!

Shopping at our good local book shop, I finally bought March and grabbed her latest book too. I'm hoping their as fantastic as Year of Wonders, which is definitley one of my favourite novels.  And last weekend, I also enjoyed flicking through the lastest Frankie that arrived here just in time for the weekend. Quite the contrast from the novels but entertaining in it's own way.

It hasn't all been about food around here (though mostly!), we also enjoyed some arts and crafts. After seeing these stamps here it was only a matter of time until we had them in operation at our kitchen table. They're great for little hands and a nice way to send a message (near or far), and some recipes.

And how could I resist...

PENGUINS AND PLAY

Last week, we had a wonderful few days on Phillip Island with family (one brother and familia, one brother-in-law and kids, minus my sister who couldn't make it). The highlights?



Watching all the kids enjoy immensely  the time together cousins and siblings alike; giggling,  intense concentration over a board game (many played), happy squealing and screaming as they darted through the kitchen on the chase (or being chased), quiet time with drawing pencils in hand or sharing a story book, the self-discipling (some may call it 'bossing' or 'directing'!), splashing in the outdoor spa (so much fun!), walks on the beach, wrestling, cuddles...ALL the play. They certainly  "played hard" as my brother put it.



Humouring their little cousin/sibling...yeah sure Raf, you can play....for a second...

Sharing time with the adults; evenings of laughing til our sides hurt, remembering aspects of our own childhood, reflecting on the day and enjoying 'adult sweets' (because clearly, the kid's had had enough during the day - well, that's what we told ourselves though, actually it was probably true).

Spending some time 'alone' in the kitchen (minus little helpers!); preparing food for all the kids including baking chocolate apple cake (yum), chocolate chip cookes and scones and cooking pizza and lamb on the bbq and making lots of jelly (oh, they're poor teeth) (better still, watching all the kids and adults devour and enjoy all the food!).

Knitting uninterupted for lengthy spells; Dino's vest is now oh so close to completion and the kid's Easter bunnies are knit and ready to be sewn up - woohooo! Sorry, no photographic evidence yet.

Taking in the lovely views; visiting 'The Nobbies' and seeing Dino inspired to take up the camera again and go for a little hike.

Hearing all about the 'penguin parade' from the 'big' kids; we chose not to visit the penguins as they were due to arrive on the beach at about the same time as our kid's were due to arrive in bed for a much needed sleep! (another time) but, it was great to hear all about the adventure from their cousins and uncles and aunt...it sounds amazing!

Planning our next get away; with even more of our sibling group and their families and hopefully before Christmas, when we're all ten of us (and partners, children) are together but have hardly a moment to breathe!

MARCHING ON

Looking back on the month of March and remembering how the kids spent it...swinging, drawing, exploring, baking, walking, painting, gardening, cycling, twirling, escaping, cooking, running...playing, the wonderful work of childhood! (and sometimes simply resting in the beautiful new pants knit by his Auntie!).

THE CAT'S AWAY

We had some fun this past weekend, though minus a husband/Dada who was away in Sydney. I managed to squeeze in a little bit of knitting and a great deal of yarn shopping thereby adding at least five projects to the list, some of them now underway, others waiting for some elusive 'spare' time. A while back I visited Morris and Sons for a quick drool over the exquisite yarn range, and this past Saturday I made it back for a more detailed exploration made possible by the lovely friend accompanying me who absorbed some of Elsa's chatter and need to explore all corners of the shop. The staff are knowledgable, interested and helpful, which is a bonus when you have many projects in mind and are completely overwhlemed by the range of options available.

And we were able to squeeze in a tea/coffee at the Block Arcade followed by an essential peruse of Haighs (as much as one can with kids - peruse that is!). I was relatively controlled, surprisingly, especially in light of Easter and the goodies on offer like this. Guess I could always go back before Easter!

"Excuse me sir, can you tell me why my Mum won't let me eat ALL that chocolate?"

And plenty of other fun things also happened this past weekend. We've reached that stage around here where card and board games rate highly. And there's been a new found interest in puzzles too. So, while the cat was away, we certainly did PLAY! (And bake of course).

Mama was even treated to very lengthy finger-puppet show