Sweet Sweet Sunshine

FINALLY... after a long cold, random, snowy winter we are coming out of hibernation and into beautiful sunshine. Something my body has been craving for the last 6 months, but thank goodness for Vitamin D pills which I call my happy pills for the winter.  I can't get enough of this sun, I am excited to wake up every morning and open my blinds and feel the warmth. I am finally able to meet all my neighbours now as everyone is out and about nurturing their yards, and walking dogs. I feel like my soul has come alive again..  thank you Mr.Sun.

I can't keep Eva inside anymore, the girl would live outside if she could. Eating sticks and leaves whenever she got hungry. Walking up every driveway or footpath she could find and waving at every person that walks by. I am so glad she loves it tho, because I can't wait to go on little exploring adventures together, and collecting items to then go home and make crafts with! This might be the first summer where I can actually see my tan reach its full potential. (fingers crossed)

We just went for our first bike ride ever as a family last weekend, Eva was strapped in on the back of Daddy's bike hanging on for dear life. She loved every moment of it tho, waving at people as we biked on past. I think once she starts talking we won't be getting anywhere to fast, she is going to be our Miss. Social.

I am trying to get creative on how I can keep Eva happy by getting outside everyday but also getting things I need to get done. Last week we walked to the grocery store in the stroller, got groceries and walked back. We made it back right before it started to rain, but what a beautiful and successful grocery shop that was. She was happy as and I was fully stocked up for the week!! 

Two birds with one stone... cha ching! 

I am cherishing every moment of being home with my little munchkin. I know that with 4 words, "wanna go out outside?" she will drop whatever she is doing and run to the door and start banging. I can't wait for the memories yet to be built this first active summer we have together. 

K.I.S.S

         

I had to post this video of Eva's first time playing with bubbles, because it reminded me of a statement my Grade 7 teacher used to always write on the chalkboard. "K.I.S.S".... meaning "Keep It Super Simple"(my variation). Sometimes its the simplest things in life that may seem silly or ridiculous turn out to be the most fun! Having Eva has brought me back to the basic's, the simplicity of life. That everyday is an adventure and there is always something to be learnt or discovered. Life is all about what you make of it, so keep it super simple and fun by not allowing yourself to feel too "Grown up" in the midst of it.  I want to nurture Eva's childlikeness and if I don't bring mine out how will she grow in discovering hers.  I love how we can learn from each other, what a beautiful relationship parents and children share.

Here's to Keeping It Super Simple......

Dave crawling on the floor with Eva, chasing each other with toys hanging out of their mouths. Simple, yet became hours of entertainment.

Watching morning cartoons together, has so quickly become a ritual we enjoy together. I could sit there for hours just watching her, intently watch the TV screen. 

Blocks are so much more fun with Daddy, he builds it tall and Eva knocks it over. Then the whole procedure starts again. 

Freedom to Create - (finished and up & coming projects)

A friend of mine passed through some cute little craft ideas to do for Eva's Bedroom. Things that would keep me busy during the evenings while Eva is in bed, and Dave is studying.  So over the last couple of weeks I have been playing around with my creative side. Thought I would share the finished results. 

Butterfly Mobile

This was the project Desiree and I got into one afternoon. 

This is the next project I would like to get started on, gotta love butterflies!! 

I love being creative, I think we limit our ability to be crafty by not stretching ourselves. I think we all have a creative side, it just will be expressed through different forms of art. I think if God has a creative nature then my ability to be create, dream, and produce must be endless!! 

  I can't wait till Eva gets older and we can do crafts together. I am going to be one of those mums with her kids crafts posted all over her house, I want them to be proud of themselves and never ashamed by what they come up with. There should be such freedom and in being creative, what is simple to one person may be majestic to another.  I am so thankful that my parents encouraged and praised my artwork when I was little.. because those words still bring me motivation to try new things. 

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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