a little bathtime madness

You may have seen this hideous................but surprisingly cool stuff on the market this summer!

One box was kindly delivered by Santa and was enjoyed last evening.

Well, you fill the bath with approx 40 litres, of warm water, sprinkle the magic powder over the top.

Wait 5 minutes and mix. Voila............a bath of bright blue goo.

Stare at it in wonder for a moment.........should I really invite all three children in to spread this stuff around my bathroom?

Invite children in to play.

Warm icky goo actually feels quite amazing!

Thankfully the box also includes another magic powder that turns the goo back into water.

No staining nor mess. Another Christmas miracle ;-)

A quick rinse off in the shower and you'd never know I had just bathed my children in slime.

Well if Shrek can do it..................

....you should try it.

xx

Gluten free Christmas Cake

I had mentioned this on my Christmas cake post and thought I should post the recipe for the gluten free version before the festive season really does slip away from me.

I made it two Christmases ago and it was really good. I fed it to friends while camping (who did not partake in a gluten free diet) and they were genuinely surprised at how tasty it was.

So if you know someone to gift a 'special' cake to or maybe you need less gluten and wheat in your life then this one is a winner!

225grms butter

1 cup sugar

grated rind of one lemon

1 tspn vanilla

1 tspn each cinnamon, ground ginger and mixed spice

1 tspn baking powder (Edmonds is gluten free)

1/2 tspn nutmeg

3cups of gluten free flour mix or baking mix. (I use the Healthries gluten free baking mix which has a blend of flours and gums which replaces the standard gluten. Very successful with a nice texture. Found in most supermarkets I have visited!!)

6 eggs

1.5kg dried fruit mix (add anything that takes your fancy as well as long as the weight is accurate eg prunes, figs etc)

1/4 cup sherry or brandy

1 cup crushed pineapple

Soak your dried fruit in the sherry or brandy (for as long as it takes to drink it up if in a hurry) Several hours or overnight means superior flavour.

Preheat oven to 150C

Line a 25cm round or square tin with baking paper. I line the outside with damp newspaper and cooking string as well to avoid a dry edged cake.

Mix flour, baking powder and spices.

Cream butter, sugar, lemon rind and vanilla. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition and adding a little flour each time to prevent the mix curdling.

Mix the fruit and pineapple in a BIG bowl, and add in the flour mix and butter mix.

Mix well with a strong wooden spoon ( or clean hands as we do in this family). Pour into tin.

Decorate with almonds and cherries if not icing.

Bake at 150C for 1 & 1/2 hours, then turn down heat to 130C for a further 2 hours OR until skewer comes out clean

Pour some extra brandy or sherry over hot cake if desired. Store in airtight container for a few days to allow flavours to mellow and the textures improves!!

Such a lovely cake that will allow somebody in your life to eat festively without a sore tummy!

Enjoy

xx

1.1. Legs eleven

I woke this morning, after a little sleep in!!!

mmmm.....maybe I should let the kids stay up till midnight more often.........

I digress.......

After the lovely lie-in, a yummy coffee and a piece of Christmas Cake ( it IS perfectly acceptable............a balanced portion of fruit, nuts, carb, very little protein, but a good kick-start to the day!!).

... digressing again........

As the other family members gradually appeared from their beds, I declared a New Year's picnic on the beach was in order.

After a drive around we found a beach that wasn't crowded. Waiwera; about ten minutes north of our home in Whangaparaoa.

The sand was so warm under little fingers.

We dusted off the boogie boards!!

So peaceful and relaxing........

A breeze, but warm water.

Littlest people watching carefully.....

desperate to be like the others.

Dad on holiday adds to the fun!!

Quick Caitlin!!!! A beach portrait needed, oops, not ready??

Much better.

Ha, ha......how we laughed when we saw these.

I love that fact that we still crack each other up!

There are many ways to get rid of the annoying younger sister ;-)

hee hee.......it looks really warm........sleepy warm!!

Swings in roundabouts!!

Big happy beach raspberries to you all!

Welcome 2011

I think you're going to be a whole lot of fun!

Have a brilliant summer break.

xx

Christmas 2010 Part two

Part Two.........

begins in Matakana, at our friend's parents beautiful home. Not far from the famous Morris and James pottery factory.

Our new Auckland friends also have three children, so a perfect match for paydates.

The kids spent much of the time riding around and around on their bikes, water games, while the toddlers settled into the sandpit. This made it very relaxing for the adults, with our biggest challenge of the day only being what we might prepare for dinner and how many wickets had been taken in the cricket.

As promised to family and friends. Here are some happy play pics of the kids and the view which I couldn't not share with you.

A few hits of golf.

What's summer without a

paddling pool?

We must have been on holiday.....even the beds were leapt from and left unmade!

So nice to just leave toys and children scattered on the lawn.

The view, the vines, the pond on which we could look for a evening's supper........ sipping the most beautiful wine I'd had in a long time.

Beautiful roses. Scarlet by day, at night the colour of a good merlot.

Our own suite off the side of the house.

......and those kids are still in that pool!!!!

The sunset with lovely Barney, the resident dog watching guard.

One thing I love about living up here are the views. The flat countryside of Canterbury is gorgeous, but this Northland part of NZ is also offering some spectacular scenes.........

........and did I mention the wine??!!

We must make the most of it this summer. (The views, more than the wine ;-)

I can't wait to blog about all our day trips.

A VERY happy new year to all of you.

xx

Treacy Christmas 2010

Part one

This was like the first Christmas for Phoebe. When you are two, the Stocking on the end of the bed is a wonderful surprise!

Gift giving begins. Trainer chopsticks for Phoebe......

Despite a cool Christmas morning, new togs and goggles must be tried out.

While the children dress, the table was laid.

Soon appearing in their Christmas best.

Our normal South Island fare is hot meats and veges. As we now have a Northland Christmas it was the perfect opportunity to sample local seafood with dollaps of aoli. Yum!

Another South Island, extended family tradition just couldn't be forgotten. It seems that over- sized ears and crazy glasses work well at breaking the ice (even at small family parties).

After a lovely morning and sleepy afternoon we ventured North to stay with friends for three nights.

Part two; 'fun in the sun' to follow soon.

Happy holidays to you all.

xx

We're ready!

You know what. I think we're ready!

Santa key is tinkling....

Trifle is a waiting...

The stockings have been hung.

Children's ornaments snuck into stockings.

Deers are gayly prancing....

Mirror balls are swinging.

The local store is open late ;-)

Garlands are a hanging.

Lights are a twinkling.....

The countdown is nearly over..........

Children gently snoozing.

Merry Christmas blogging buddies

xx