MOLLIE AND SNIPPETS

A little summary of things around here of late, excluding the house-related 'stuff' that is truly wearing me down and the trip to Sydney, which requires a whole separate post with lots of photos that I don't have the internet capacity to upload for now (which is also wearing me out!). To start things off, our lemon tree has blossoms (above) and one wee lemon growing ever so slowly but growing just the same.

Mollie Makes

One of my sisters recently discovered this magazine and passed on the four issues published to date. I'm impressed and grateful for having access to her subscription (I might just need one of my own!).

The Beach

Soon we will live further away from the beach (ouch) so we've been maximising our time there often sharing the outing with friends. I can't even begin to explain the effect being near water has on me. It is my ultimate exercise in 'grounding' and is so entrenched in my past and present that I fear I'll long for it terribly when a beach is further afield. To compensate, I have all kinds of long beachside adventures in mind and thankfully I can console myself with the other wonderful benefits of the upcoming move.

All this from a girl from Sydney who once scoffed at the idea (and reality!) of a Melbourne beach. Such attitude! Somewhere in the past ten years I broadened by definition and appreciation of 'beachside' and learnt to enjoy the bayside beaches of Melbourne while continuing, at every opportunity, to visit exposed, coastal beaches too. For now, we inhale, love and revel in the nearby bay beaches and feel grateful for the nine good years we've enjoyed living within a stone's throw on them.

The Market

A few recent excursions to Footscray Market have left me wondering why I haven't taken the kids there more often. They were a little overwhelmed during our most recent visit because it was busy and they were tired but they've generally always enjoyed the sites and sounds of the market, particularly the fish stalls! And then there's the little 'cafe' (and I mean little - one table!) tucked away amongst coffee machines, dried legumes and an array of nuts, among other wonderful things. They make a great babychino, or so it seems!

And we never fail to duck across the road to another favourite haunt. They've been going since the mid-50s - amazing! And we know why. The kids love the little cannoli piped with half vanilla, half chocolate custard.

The Kitchen

I really should do a whole separate post on recent activities in our kitchen - and I will very soon but to an extent this photo says it all. We've been sharing so much time cooking and baking together, mostly in a cooperative fashion. Rafael has found his inner chef calling and his big sister is only too happy to instruct him on all she's learnt to date! There have been some very funny moments.

And to top it all off, there's been plenty of swaggering from this little boy as he gets more and more control over an increasingly active body!

JUST TO SAY...

...that we're still here just incredibly busy with 'stuff' that I'm looking forward to sharing in the coming days/weeks. It hasn't helped that our modem 'died' leaving us without internet connection and a phone! Actually, that's been a good thing for me on the crafting (and general living) front. This technology-dip (!) was hightened by the removal (into storage) of our television, which has been a wonderfully positive thing, though I do miss going square-eyed in front of it in the evenings. The sewing machine also appreciates the extra attention!

Enjoyed a rare reprieve from packing and paperwork (for Mama!) to play outdoors

SNIFFLES, COUGHS AND FEVER



Birds of Paradise from the garden, picked by Dada for the sniffling ones

We've had a week of it and copious amounts of ginger tea, Mama soup, oil-burning, cough elixer (this one by Weleda), a few lavender baths and 'Eucalyptus Hankies' (a little splash on a handkerchief stored close by for sniffing - remember that from childhood?) and oh so many books and hugs and 'homeness'. Antibiotics were required for me but the others escaped them. I am ever so grateful that we have antibiotics as an option, when needed, but it's also great to  know they've had success at fighting this bug on their own - this time at least (I'm sure they'll be a few more bugs about this winter).

Back to the books, our current favourite books include Dr. De Soto, Autumn and anything Shirley Hughes or Elsa Beskow (the latter two authors are ALWAYS a big hit around here).

Drawing by Elsa Beskow

Drawing by Shirley Hughes

Gnocchi seeks refuge under the book-box but Rafael was intent on a conversation

Making her own pretend herbal remedy

Making vegie stock, chicken stock and chicken soup - so very needed this past week

Time with her 'puppy', a remedy of its very own

A little hail storm to remind us that we're not missing anything out of doors

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!).