Hearth & Health
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Spring Menu
I’ve been rather focused on re-vamping our menu. It’s long needed an overhaul, we are so sick of eating the same meals, bland and boring. I have been in survival mode for so long, but it was time to move on. I don’t know if I can convey my family’s excitement with having new meals! Also PC asked that I cut the monthly food budget by $200, which I did!:) First – organisation. I have many Super Food Ideas Magazines given by a friend, they are very inspiring but were not being used. Focusing on a Spring menu I gathered the spring months’ magazines. I started ripping out family orientated…
- Blog, Hearth & Health, Home Education, Home Education - Planning, In the Home - Organisation, Liturgical Year, Living
Living & Learning Sketch – October
Thanks to my friend Gae for inspiring me to finally organise my thoughts a whole month ahead. and ‘lending’ me her format. The first two weeks of October we will be taking ‘school’ holidays, so life will be a little different. FAITH: The Month of the Most Holy Rosary As two name days occur this month (we celebrate middle and confirmation names too) we are planning to celebrate: – 1st St Therese of the Child Jesus (Princess and my name day) with colouring, a coconut cake and modified punch, this prayer and reading Catholic Treasure Box books and other Feast Day books. – 2nd Feast of the Guardian Angels Celebrating…
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Father ‘Meranti’
Two years ago I was totally inspired by Jennifer’s Fr Oak, not only the craftmanship of the materials but the whole concept behind Father Oak. To help focus the children’s attention on the liturgical year in a visible and tangible manner. Everyday the children change the vestments of the ‘priest’ in conjunction with the liturgical colours of the day. However I was a little daunted and sat on this project for a couple of years. It wasn’t until I saw Charlotte’s Father Dowling that I thought; “Oh I can do that!” So I set out op-shopping to see what I could find. And found a mug holder, and mugs; I…
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Mass Bags for Little Ones
A dear friend sent me some beautiful material, my plan was to make Mass bags for my little ones. Yesterday I completed them! An A4 size they are just the right size to fit prayer books in. The children can’t wait to use them. I had plans to give you a quick tutorial on making the bags, they were so easy once I worked it out. Unfortunately I can’t retrieve the photos off my camera so it will be all verbal. The material was a metre length, I cut into four rectangles. Turning right sides together on the fold I only needed to sew along one side and the bottom.…
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Grandma’s Nappy Covers
After completing my first nappy cover I had every intention of knitting more. I even started and progressed about a quarter of the way along. However in the holidays I finally admitted defeat and asked Grandma if she was willing to complete the cover for me. Thankfully she was:) In a matter of hours it was completed!! No joke; my little contribution had taken me a full day. This week we picked up a parcel from the mailbox and contained inside were two more covers! Yeah!! Thank you Grandma:):) Grandma has tried a slightly different design (I believe she has used a real pattern;) I’m just so thrilled:)
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From Our Own Garden
Yesterday I finally made a spinach quiche that I was happy with and received rave reviews:) One of the most satisfying part of the meal was that a some of the ingredients were home grown. The spinach and carrots were grown with love by PC, and the eggs were contributed by our own chooks. (and collected by Jelly Bean) The responses to my Lemon and Poppy Seed Muffins weren’t so favourable. Serves 12 Preparation Time: 45 min Ham and Spinach Quiche 6 eggs 3 cups milk 1 cup flour 4 cups grated cheese 2 carrots, grated 500 g cooked spinach(or huge bunch;) 60g ham Method 1. Place all ingredients into…
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Creating Pot Mitts
When our recent sewing bug hit, Michelangelo and Princess got into the act and made some pot mitts with Grandma’s help. We first drew around Michelangelo’s hand onto tracing paper for a template. For each glove he cut four, the padded thickness for safety. They then added a double rectangle strip to join the hands together. Very handy, fits over the oven door handle nicely and we can all use them;) (Michelangelo wants you to know the reason the mitts are pink is that was the only material available) Princess’ are of a slightly smaller size and her design feature was two separate gloves. They are pretty proud of their…
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Fabric Buckets
Last week I visited my friend Deanne who is talented in all things homemaking. She excitedly showed me some fabric buckets she had made and I totally, instantly developed a case of covetousness; I wanted my own fabric buckets. Obviously I ‘interrogated’ my friend and wrote down her instructions so I could make one. What’s impressive is Deanne never had a pattern or instructions, she just ‘figured it out.’ Originally inspired by pictures of Wisecraft and Maya made’s buckets she worked out how to create her own! Using a circular ‘template’; for mine I used a serving dish, obviously the size dish you use depends on the size bag you…
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Lemon Tree, Very Pretty
As I mentioned in my last post our lemon tree is simply loaded with lemon. I’ve been trying new recipes on my family and thought I’d share them here. The following two recipes were sent to me by my friend Deanne. Lemon Butter: 4 eggs beaten 4 large lemons 500g sugar 125g butter Grate rind of lemons and squeeze juice. Place butter and sugar in double saucepan. When butter is melted add juice and grated rind of lemons. Then add eggs. Stir until smooth and thickened- about 20mins. Bottle and seal, store in refrigerator. Passionfruit butter: use 10 passionfruit instead of lemons. PC wondered why the colour was a bit…
