Flowers make me happy

The weather is finally warming up and we are enjoying all the spring sun, one thing that has happen in all this hot weather is that lots of our crop has gone right into flowering, we might not enjoy the broccoli but we are definitely enjoying their flowers, the snow peas and beans are growing fantastically.

The vegetable patch looks alive with all the colours, every morning I enjoy the kitchen window view, this is what I see.

It was my Father-in-law birthday over the weekend, I made a Lemon cake for the occassion and what better way to enjoy the beauty of grown edible flowers than to decorate a cake.

 

 The cake was delicious, there is nothing more satisfying than knowing that the cake was made in our kitchen and decorated by flowers that we grow in our garden. 

Happy feeling.  

Karla 

Father's day 2015

Today is Father's day here in Australia, the munchkins and I woke up early to get ready for the celebrations, Farmer Joe had strict instructions to stay in bed as we were showering him with breakfast and gifts. 

Well he had his breakfast in bed well he was able to eat a piece of fruit toast as there were three little mouths saying "Papa are you going to share your delicious toast".

The morning run pretty smoothly Farmer Joe went to church while the munchkins and I prepared food and by this I mean I cooked and the kids made the biggest mess with Lego.

Lunch time was nearly here, we made our way. Today was all about Farmer Joe and he decided that we would go to the Botanic Gardens for a picnic, then we would wander around the grounds and make our way to QUT as we have been promising the children to take them and showed them where Farmer Joe and I went to university.

Once we arrived at the Gardens the munchkins played in the playground while I set up the table, I made all the food Farmer Joe loves
 

 

 

After wandering around the City Botanic Gardens we made our way to the University, Farmer Joe told the munchkins where his faculty was located, who his friends were, what he did as a past time, the munchkins seem really interesting asking all sort of questions.

 

Farmer Joe mentioned that he had gone to two universities, the munchkins were screaming "can we go, can we go" so off we went across town, we did a stop over to a gelato place to fetch some delish gelato for the road.

 

And this was our last stop, we finished our gelato on the lawn, we walked around, it was getting dark so it was time to come back to the Whitecottage.

What a fabulous Father's Day. We love Farmer Joe he is not perfect but he is the perfect dad to our three little munchkins and the perfect husband for me.

Happy Father's day to all. 

Karla 

 

Happy Birthday Beautiful Girl

Our little beautiful munchkin turned 3 years old on the 16th August, this year she has been very aware of what is going on around her and one morning she came and told me that she was having a birthday party with a birthday cake and presents, I hadn't thought about doing a birthday party for her but she was so happy and jumping with excitement that I decided to do a small party at home during the school holidays.

It was such a lovely morning I set up in the front garden, this way we could use the grass area at the front of the Whitecottage to ride our ride-on car and the kids could run up and down the hill.

In the garden I had three tables, one for the food one for the children and one for us mums, it was so easy and relaxing, we sat and enjoyed the morning sun and a cup of tea and some beautiful Salted Caramel tarts made by the Country Lady who had come to stay overnight just for the occasion.

The kids did arts and crafts, they ate sausage rolls and fresh fruit then ran around the garden, it was such a joyous occasion, baby munchkin as we call her was so excited I have never seen her so happy she was jumping and laughing hard.

The party was an all day affair and we had friends popping over throughout the day.

It was a fun day full of love and laughter, I think baby munchkin had a good idea when she told me she was having a birthday party.

After two parties in one month I think I will take a break and put my feet up.

Happy Birthday beautiful girl I love you so much, Mum.

 

An impromptu birthday party

Our middle munchkin turned 6 last week, he was unsure as to what to do, his brain was working overtime with all the ideas he had first he wanted a party at home then at the play centre, then he thought he should take the whole class to the countryside after 20 millions ideas he came to the conclusion he didn't want a party after all.

His birthday came, one of his longtime friend was also born the same day, he had a lovely party that was the game changer Mr munchkin decided that he did indeed want a party which was great that he made a firm decision but that meant I only had about 5 days to invite his friends and prepare the party itself.

I sent an email to the whole class and some of our old friends to meet us on Friday afternoon at the park.

I would have to say that it was relatively easy to prepare we loaded the GO GO mobile with all sorts of toys and party food and Viola!!! we were on our way to a parrrty.

Once at the park I set up like a playground wonderland we had a craft and arts table, tenpin bowling,  a ride on car, a giant parachute and soccer balls for a bit of a soccer game.

I decided to keep the food front fairly easy I ordered a couple of antipasti and fresh vegetable platters, we had the usual children's party food lollies, chips a fresh fruit platter and of course I made the Ninjago Cake and the cupcakes.

The kids seemed to enjoy themselves and I must say that us adults had a good time too, I was able to sit and have a chat.

and this is how we had an impromptu Birthday party.

No fuss and plenty of fun. 

arts & crafts table

must always keep hydrated

Ninjago cake

Pumpkins at the Whitecottage.

Well something exciting has happened in the Whitecottage, we finally have pumpkins, we haven't had  much luck in previous years but this year we are on a roll I picked one yesterday and I made my delicious pumpkin soup (click for recipe)it is always a winner around here.

Today is raining and I am enjoying the last bowl with a dollop of sour cream and toasted bread.

Perfect Saturday!!!!1

What's good about winter - Kalfresh Carrot Field Day

Well we all know that my favourite season is Winter, I love that I can wear fabulous coats, wool hats and long boots and who can argue with a good cup of hot chocolate, but what I most like about winter is all the fantastic events hosted in winter time.

Last year we were so lucky to go to carrot picking at Kalfresh (read here)after I posted this I had lots of emails asking me when and where the next one would be so here it is people the  Kalfresh Carrot field day 

We had so much fun we learned about where carrots come from and how they are cleaned and packed, the people at Kalfresh were so friendly and happy to answer all our questions, after our tour  we got to pick our own very  carrots to take home, the munchkins and maybe myself were jumping with excitement. 

Anyhoo if you want to go for a fun drive  and join the  carrot festivities get on their website and book a spot.

See you there.

Karla

ps. Not sponsored just happy to spread the word for grow local eat local.

Good Neighbours and the Whitecottage Harvest

A few months ago our new next door neighbours moved in, a young couple and their baby, after a week or so after they moved in I popped over with a warm cake to say hello and welcome them to the neighbourhood, the lady expressed how happy she was by our gesture and that this made it more affirmative that they had made the right decision to move into our street.

I told her that's what we do in this neighbourhood we welcome people with open arms.

I went on my merry way back to the Whitecottage and life got busy as always and hadn't seen the neighbours much except for the casual wave as they leave for work and us for our school run.

The other night she came around and she needed some help in her home Farmer Joe went and he was back in a flash.

The next day we got a knock on the door the neighbour had come over with a gorgeous chocolate cake to say thank you.

Our vegie patch is going so well at the moment we don't have lot of variety but what we have we got plenty of it.

I needed to take back the cake plate to our neighbour and since we have plenty on our little crop and eggs thanks to our trusty chickens, I decided to make a little hamper and take it over, baby munchkin and myself made our way next door.

 

and this is what we left by the front door.