Play hard, Knock out harder...

My little girl makes me laugh, she's a go-getter for sure!! She is like the energizer bunny, just keeps going and going and going.  One day this week, she must of had an upset tummy because I was finding patches of throw up in random places in the house. But do you think that would stop her, or that she would fuzz and let me know she wasn't feeling well.. umm NO! To much to do!!

Here are some photos of the last week adventures....

 Eva learning to feed herself.. results in... food on clothes, face, highchair, floor and walls!!!! Fun for Eva but more cleaning for Mum.

 Any toy that isn't a baby toy, is actually a EVA TOY.. running through the house with belt in hand and  between her legs.

Big Girl Eva enjoying Daddy's jam toast, after already having her own breakfast about 15 minutes prior.

 Just discovered her new found love for frozen blueberries, even though they stain everything they come in contact with.

Knocking out hard with daddy.. or maybe it was Daddy knocked out hard with Eva. Oh well.. all I know was it was quiet....

Dave's Childhood Favorite- Jam Tart

Dave has been bugging me since we got married to make him this infamous Jam Tart that his mum used to always make for them when they were kids. Through numerous testing and searching.. I have found it!!
He loved it, just about finished the whole tart himself... so I thought I would share this super easy recipe and see what you others(kiwis) think of it!

Jam Tart Recipe
9 tablespoons (110g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup (100g) sugar

1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
1/8 teaspoon almond extract
1 1/2 cups (190g) flour
1/2 cup (70g) stone-ground cornmeal or polenta
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
2 teaspoons baking powder (preferably aluminum-free)
1 3/4 cups (450g) apricot, raspberry or other jam

coarse raw sugar; known as cassonade, turbinado, or demerara sugar, for finishing the tart

1. Beat together butter and sugar until well-combined. Mix in the egg, egg yolk and almond extract.

2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cornmeal, salt, and baking powder. Gradually add the dry ingredients, just until the mixture just comes together.

3. Measure out 11 ounces (300g), which is about 2/3rd of the dough if you don’t have a scale, pat it into a disk, wrap it in plastic, and chill it. Take the remaining dough and roll it into a log about 2-inches (5cm) in diameter, wrap it and chill it, too

4. Remove the dough from the refrigerator and allow to room temperature slightly. With the heel of your hand, press the dough into the bottom and sides of an unbuttered removable bottom tart pan (one that’s 9″ or 10″, 24cm), or springform pan, patting it evenly.

5. Spread the jam evenly over the dough.

6. Remove the log of dough from the refrigerator and slice in cookie-sized disks, then lay them over the jam. Top very generously with lots of coarse raw sugar, at least 2 tablespoons.

7. Bake until the pastry is golden brown. (If you don’t trust yourself, or your oven, Luisa’s recipe says 20-25 minutes.) Let cool before serving, and serve at room temperature.

I would insert a picture here of what mine looked like, but I took it out of the oven and when I came back to check on it, it was already being devoured. 

My Favourite Indian Curry

I got a Indian Curry Cookbook for Christmas and I have been playing around in a bit, Dave loves Curry's, and I want my kids to be well aquatinted with different cultural dishes. So I have taken the duty upon myself to learn new and different dishes. And so far I can seriously say I am loving it! What is even more fun is having people over to try my curry's, as that isn't something you would normally get served.

I have to share with you the recipe I found for Mango Chicken. Mango Chicken was my favourite Indian dish when we lived in New Zealand(curry's are very popular down there). So I have found a recipe that tastes very close to what you would find in the Indian Restaurant.

Mango Chicken

INGREDIENTS

• 3 Tbsp (or more) of vegetable oil
• 1 large onion, chopped (1 1/2 to 2 cups)
• 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 1/2 Tbsp fresh minced ginger
• 1 Tbsp curry powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 2 mangos, peeled and diced (I used Canned)
• 2 Tbsp cider vinegar or white vinegar
• 1 1/4 cup water
• 1 1/4 pounds skinless boneless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1/2 cup heavy cream (can substitute all or partially with coconut milk)
• Salt and pepper
• Cilantro for garnish

METHOD

1 Heat 2 Tbsp oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the red bell pepper and another tablespoon of oil, cook for a couple more minutes. Add the curry powder and cumin, cook for a few more minutes. The spices will absorb some of the oil, so if anything begins to stick too much to the bottom of the pan, add a little more oil to the pan. Add the ginger and garlic, cook for one minute more.

2 Add the vinegar, water, and a 1/2 of the chopped mango to the pan. Increase the heat and bring to a boil, then lower the heat to maintain a low simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove pan from heat. Scoop the sauce into a blender. Purée the sauce, pulsing until smooth. Return the sauce to the pan.

3 Add chicken pieces and raisins to the pan. Return to a low simmer. Cover the pan and let cook for 8-10 minutes. Chicken should be just cooked through. Use a knife to cut open the largest piece to check.

4 Add remaining mango pieces to the pan. Stir in the cream. Let cook at a very low temperature for another minute or two, uncovered. Do not let boil! Or the cream may curdle. Adjust seasonings. If a little too sweet, add a little more vinegar. If not sweet enough, you can add a dash of sugar. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Serve over rice. Garnish with cilantro. Serves 4.

ENJOY!!!

Ooey Gooey Cinnamon Buns Recipe

This was an amazing Cinnamon Bun recipe I found on the internet and I thought I should share. If you like light airy sticky buns then do give this recipe a try!

The finished result....

Ingredients

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• 1 teaspoon white sugar
• 1 package active dry yeast
• 1/2 warm water
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup butter
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup butter, meltted
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• How to make it
  • Dissolve yeast in warm water. Let stand for 10 minutes.
  • Warm the milk in saucepan until edges bubble; remove from heat.
  • Mix in 1/4 cup sugar, 1/4 cup butter and salt; stir until melted.
  • Cool to lukewarm.
  • In large bowl combine the yeast mixture, milk mixture, eggs and 1 1/2 cups flour; stir well to combine.
  • Stir in remaining flour 1/2 cup at a time, beating after each addition.
  • When dough pulls together turn it onto a lightly floured board and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes.
  • Lightly oil a large bowl. Place dough in bowl and turn to coat.
  • Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
  • While dough is rising, melt 3/4 cup butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in 3/4 cup brown sugar, whisking until smooth.
  • Pour into greased 9x13" baking pan.
  • Melt remaining butter; set aside. Combine remaining 3/4 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup pecans and cinnamon. Set aside.
  • Turn dough out onto lightly floured board and roll to an 18x14" rectangle.
  • Brush with 2 tablespoons melted butter. Leaving 1/2" border uncovered, sprinkle with brown sugar/cinnamon mixture. Starting at the long side, roll up (not too tightly!), pinching seam to seal. Brush with remaining 2 tablespoons butter. With a serrated knife, cut dough into 15 pieces and place cut-side down in prepared pan.
  • Cover and let rise until doubles in volume, about 1 hour. Meanwhile preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). 
  • Bake buns for 25 to 30 minutes OR until golden brown. Let cool in pan for 3 minutes.
  • Invert pan onto serving platter and allow buns to slowly leave the pan. Scrape any remaining filling from the pan onto the buns.
  • Enjoy!

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My Little Girl is ONE!

Oh where o where has my precious time gone, a year has passed and my baby is now 1. What a great day March 1st was, many tears of joy and love. We wanted to celebrate in the same joy and love we felt that day. Obviously I was more excited about this day then she was, I had been planing it for months. All the thought that went into every detail was what made it so her! Eva has grown this love for her big stuffy cow, their has been endless moments of kisses, hugs and cuddles. Cow can turn a frown, upside down!
So we had a cow theme, with cow decorations and a cow birthday cake. Of course I had to buy every cow decorative item I could find.. i was really wanting to go all out!! I do reckon people thought I must have a cow fetish with all the cow items I would have in my cart.

Now the birthday cake let me tell you, was a project in itself. One day to make the buttercream icing and marshmallow fondant(which was amazing to work with). Another day was cake baking, followed by a 4 hour evening of assembling. Thank you Lord for blessing me with a artsy husband, who was willing to help me make it happen.

It was a small birthday with a couple of Eva's friends and some family. She had her very own birthday girl outfit that I had been saving for this special day. Everything turned out just as I imagined, my thoughts are even thought they may not remember that day... they only turn 1 once!

A couple days before her Birthday she started walking on her own. Talk about the most exciting, yet scary moment so far. She was so confident with a permanent proud smile on her face. I was the one walking behind her ready to catch her if she fell. Now we have not just a walker but a runner on our hands.
 Its keeping me in shape, I don't need workout machines anymore just a walking toodler!!

Venturing Into Mommyhood.

When i think back all the emotions i was feeling when i found out the news of the new addition to our family. I was overwhelmed with excitement and joy, then at the same time fear of all the unknowns. Thankful that in that moment i felt the incredible love and grace of God that all that fear diminished.  Fear was replaced with peace and trust. I knew at that moment that God was knitting our little girl together in my womb. 

Pregnancy was indescribable, the emotions, the movements, the feelings of carrying life inside your tummy. 

I pray that every woman gets to experience that at some point in their life... thee most amazing gift! 

9 months seemed like an eternity, all i wanted to do was hold perfection in my arms, kiss her and tell her she is beautiful.

Then suddenly March 1, 2010 all my dreams can true, I birthed the new love of our life.... Eva Rae Belgrave. 

It was in that moment it felt like the world stopped and all that remained was the love we had for the new life God had blessed us with. I felt all the love we had for one another, and all the love we had experienced in our relationship with God suddenly gravitated to our daughter. I remember moments of holding Eva after returning home, looking at her with tears in our eyes... thanking God for this breathtaking gift that he has entrusted us with. An angel straight from heaven, i was holding in my arms. God never seized to confirm that to us, with numerous encounters of Gold Dust all over Eva's body....  those are moments when you know heaven all around. 

Watching Eva grow up and discover new things, i sit back in amazement of the wonder she displays. I see the very nature of Christ illuminating from her. That bright smile and contagious laugh always seems to come at the right time. 

My favourite moments are catching her laughing at nothing in particular, but in what seems like uncontrollable laughter. Its like God is having his own personal time with her, giving her JOY like a fountain. 

I love being the one to pick her up out of the crib in the morning and after naps, the excitement of seeing me is plastered all over her face, she can't contain herself.. its like we have both been waiting for this moment. We walk out of the room together and she starts laughing and piercing her lips together going "hoo hoo hoo" We sit down to enjoy a moment together and next thing i know she is looking in the distance waving, with a big smile on her face. In my mind, she's visiting with angels. Sometimes I wish I could join her in what she sees and feels. But i feel honoured the be a part of those precious moments. 

My little girl is almost one, where has the time gone. It was almost a year ago, i was counting down the days till i could meet her.. thinking every night could be the NIGHT! And now a year has passed us by, so with no regrets thus far we confidently walk into another joyous year of motherhood. Watching and waiting for those encounters that make my heart melt. 

I feel like I have found my destiny, to enjoy the wonderful blessings from God.. my wonderful loving husband and my beautiful daughter. With my heart exploding with love, and my head held high i fully jump into everything God has for me in my Journey into Mommyhood. 

Feel free to join me in this journey, in posting some of your own memories or proud mommy moments. I just want to share my heart with you and what God teaches me along the way.  

xoxo

Kara