Gracious Strange
Life in PerthTo My Daughter
It is your first birthday and to me that means a whole lot more than you just turning one. It means I have been a mother for a whole year.
I have fed you, kept you warm, soothed your cries, enjoyed every smile and been so proud of your every little achievement.
The day you were born my heart burst with love and everyday that love grows stronger. Never could I have imagined how wonderful my life was going to be with you in it.
As first years go I feel like we have sailed through, you could sleep a little more…but we will work on that. You have your little quirks, but that’s fine too…you are our little weirdo.
Your whole, little life so far everything has had to be done your way, on your terms and in your own time. From the moment you hit the baby version of the eject button 12 months ago, to sleeping in your own room, to discovering your own unique method of getting around, to standing on your feet for the very first time…it has all happened in your own time and in your own way.
I am beginning to see a pattern and although independence and self-assurance are great qualities to possess as a person, as a parent it is terrifying to think of what’s to come.
To my fuzzy-haired, toothless beauty on your very first birthday, I love you with all my heart and I wish you a long life filled with all the happiness in the world.
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On the 27th December 2010 at 2.30am my daughter was born. On the 27th December 2011 we celebrated her birthday with our family and friends at our house with a high-tea style party.
Unfortunately the day did not go completely to plan as a gastro bug was working its was through our entire family. Luckily (I guess you would call it lucky in this case) Ivy was the first to be taken down by this bug and was therefore feeling great by the time her birthday rolled around. My husband on the other hand came down with the illness on Ivy’s birthday and was confined to isolation for the entire party, only being allowed out briefly whilst we sang happy birthday.
It was still a fabulous day and watching the joy on Ivy’s face as she ripped countless pieces of wrapping paper and proceeded to shove handfuls into her mouth was priceless.
Here are some photos from the day. The cake was made by me using a recipe for Pink Layer Cake from the kids edition of Donna Hay Magazine and the cupcakes were a chocolate butter cake from the same magazine. Both delicious!
The Crawley Edge Boatshed
We have been past this boatshed many times now but finally decided to walk there on Sunday to get some photos…36 degrees and 10kms, but worth it!
Santa Claus and Other Scary Folklore
*Image taken from Google Images
It is our baby girls very first Christmas this year and we fully intend on taking her to meet and have a photo with Santa. The only problem is she is terrified of men with beards! It doesn’t matter if she has seen this person often or only once, if they have a beard they must be evil.
Now as you could imagine, this poses a bit of a problem. The jolly old guy is well-known for his lush, white facial locks and I think we would be rather hard pressed to find a Santa without a beard.
This got me thinking, many children all around the world are taken to shopping centres at this time of year, with the promise of meeting Santa Claus. Excitement in their eyes…but FEAR in their hearts. As soon as Mummy or Daddy drops their little one onto that strange man’s lap they dissolve into tears. Santa is no longer the big, jolly man in the red suit, he is the scary, fat guy with weird smelling, synthetic facial hair. However, no matter how traumatic their Santa experience is, they know that this is the guy that brings the best gifts. So year, after year, they agree to line up and do it all over again.
I however, can not remember ever being one of the children that cried. In fact I am certain that I secretly hoped that Santa would scoop me up, tell me that I was the chosen one and take me in his sleigh to deliver the presents.
As a child I always got terribly car sick. Any trip over thirty minutes and I was singing Jingle Bells all over the side of the road. One year, I guess I was around seven years old, my Grandparents took myself and my brother to visit Santa at a shopping centre about an hour away. We had travelled this road many a time and without fail a bucket and a change of clothing were always necessary. I can’t quite remember why, but on this particular occasion only a towel and face-washer were packed.
Right on queue thirty minutes into the trip I had that telltale feeling in my throat and sure enough I was covered from waist down in vomit before my Grandfather even had a chance to pull the car over. It was decided that I could get some new clothes from one of the big chain stores before we had our photo taken. Most children at this point may be feeling a little distressed and uncomfortable…but not me. I was already plotting in my mind the perfect way to get Santa Claus to really notice me. I was thrilled! As soon as we stopped the car and I was cleaned up as best as possible we headed into the shop. My Nan pointed out many lovely and appropriate outfits but none of them fit the bill. I knew what I wanted, and I was on a mission to find it. Then there they were – the track suits! I searched through the racks of red and green fleecy to find my size. Unfortunately I couldn’t do the green bottom, red top combo I had hoped for, but they did have bright red pants and a maroon top in my size so that would have to do.
So pleased with myself in my new Christmas-theme attire I bound onto Santa’s lap. I told him what I wanted for Christmas and smiled for the photographer. Then came the disappointment. Not Santa nor his helper elves even mentioned how delightfully Christmassy I looked! The plan had failed. Now I was just some kid wearing an awful, mismatched track suit with a photo of it so I would never forget.
Failing with Santa Claus I decided it was time to move on and try my luck with another of the many childhood folkloric creatures. It was early one Easter morning and I lay quietly in my bed waiting for the sun to rise so I could see if the Easter bunny had left me some chocolate. My childish mind began to wonder and I could hear a boing, boing, boing noise…You know, like the noise rabbits make when hopping in cartoons? I stopped breathing. I lay very still. Then out of the corner of my eye I could see what appeared to be a large, floppy ear hiding behind my door. By this stage I was underneath my blankets with only one little eye peering out. I couldn’t move, I know what happens when rabbits get frightened. They scratch! I began planning ways I could quickly get out of bed and open the front door or my window for the Easter bunny before it had a chance to claw me. My heart was pounding, I kept thinking that surely my Mum would come and find me soon…It was Easter Sunday after all.
After several minutes (I can’t remember exactly how long but it felt like an eternity) I gathered up my courage and sat up! There right in front of me was my life-size baby Sinclair toy from the TV show Dinosaurs (Google it if you don’t remember this series), upside down and appearing from behind my bedroom door was his leg like a big floppy ear. I looked past my door and out into the hallway where our oil heater had been humming along keeping us warm. For those of you that don’t have an oil heater, they tend to make a strange noise (one might describe it as a boing, boing noise) when they are either heating up or cooling down. Relief! Followed by slight disappointment…or at least until I noticed my loot at the foot of my bed.
So I am hoping that our daughter is not terrified of men with beards for too much longer as I am looking forward to reliving my own childhood Christmas traditions and creating some new ones with her.
Were you afraid of Santa Claus? Do remember when you still ‘believed’? Do you have any funny moments from this time? Please share.
Apple Crumble-Top Cake
The temperature has been in the mid-thirties the past two days and we have been inside with the air-conditioning on for the most part. So when Ivy went down for her nap this afternoon I decided to cook something to combat the cabin fever.
I have been thinking about making a loaf of some kind but our ‘fully equipped’ kitchen is not exactly ‘fully equipped’. It has fantastic appliances but the lack of cooking utensils suggests it was set up for nothing more than heat and eat type dining. Therefore, no loaf tin.
I decided to throw some ingredients together and make a muffiny-cake type of thing. It turned out to be a delicious (if i do say so myself) apple cake with a crumble crust. Perfect for afternoon tea.
Apple Crumble-Top Cake
Crumble Top
2 apples chopped into small chunks
1/2 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup instant oats
30g unsalted butter melted
Cake
1 & 1/2 cups plain flour
1tbsp baking powder
1tsp cinnamon
1tsp vanilla essence
1/2 cup caster sugar
100g butter
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
Combine the crumble top ingredients in a bowl, mix and then place at the bottom of a square cake tin. Push it down so it forms one layer.
The next part is very easy and there is no need to be fussy in the way you do this as it is a very rustic, easy cake. Combine all the cake ingredients together in a bowl and mix throughly with a wooden spoon until it forms a smooth consistency.
Pour the cake mixture over the top of the crumble top and smooth with a spoon. Place in a low oven (approximately 150 degrees C) for at least an hour, but keep an eye on it. Low and slow is the best way to cook this cake to ensure it is cooked through.
Remove from the oven and turn out the cake while it is still hot. It is best served immediately with some cream or ice-cream.
The Birthday Cake
It was my husband’s birthday yesterday and he requested a chocolate brownie cake. So I used my brownie recipe (which you can find here: http://graciousstrange.wordpress.com/2011/11/08/the-perfect-ch…y-husband-says/ ).
I just baked two brownie slabs and made some chocolate ganache with dark chocolate and cream. I put 3/4 of the ganache onto the first brownie slab and covered in blueberries, then put the second brownie slab on top and covered with the remaining ganache.
It was so rich and dense but really delicious. The few pieces that are remaining won’t last long.
A Whale Song
Since we moved to Perth I have wanted to see the whales and on Sunday I finally got my wish.
Every year between September and December they travel with their newborn calves down the West Australian coast to Antarctic waters along Humpback Highway. We travelled by boat out to an area between Fremantle and Rottnest Island known as ‘The Singles Bar’. This is an area were males yet to find a mate hang out and put on a show. However, in true Western Australian style it appeared The Singles Bar was closed on a Sunday.
After over an hour and a half of motoring along in this boat it became apparent that the whales were not going to come out to play. By this stage the wind had picked up dramatically and we were bobby up and down like an apple in a barrel. Many of the passengers were beginning to look very green and although you could feel the disappointment, we were all wishing for dry land.
Just as we were being told that we had to head back and would be entitled to a free trip, an announcement came over the speaker to advise everyone that in fact a whale had been spotted and was making a scene near the bow of the boat. Everyone ran to get a glimpse of this calf all by itself and I joined them with my camera.
It was fantastic to see this whale so active and in its natural environment. Everyone on the bow was buzzing with excitement and we barely noticed the wind picking up even more.
After about 15 minutes a few people had gone back inside and the rest of us tried to capture the amazing creature with our cameras. Then all of a sudden the waves got bigger and we were all hanging on as tight as we could to each other and the railing. The boat bobbed down and then up again over the waves, dipping so low at one point I thought we were all going to end up in the drink…as my granddad would say. Instead, the wave crashed on the deck and a few people slipped over. They hurried to grab hold of something before the next wave.
Thinking back on it now, it was rather scary and dangerous. At the time we were squealing and laughing which I am sure was a combination of nerves and excitement.
The captain then advised us to return to the cabin and take our seats, it was going to be a rough journey back to Fremantle.
I walked down the steps and back into the cabin with a smile on my face and a wet camera in hand. I then noticed all the green looking people spread throughout. The woman crouched over the bin near the door, a young girl singing a whale song into a sick bag, the girl’s mother looking just as unwell with her head rested on the table and my poor husband curled up against a window, white as a ghost with his eyes closed.
We finally began our trip home and I must admit, even I felt a little squeamish. My husband didn’t surface until we began to slowly approach the jetty. I’m sure he was chanting the mantra “Don’t vom, don’t vom, don’t vom” to himself all the way home.
‘That’ table
My Mother-in-law and her partner flew into Perth town today for the first time. They really enjoy good Indian food so we decided to take them to Balti for dinner after we spent the afternoon showing them around the city.
The food was fantastic and we ordered plenty of it. So much so that we now have a couple of doggy bags in the fridge for lunch tomorrow.
All was going swimmingly until I took a ginormous bite of a samosa and got the hiccups and Ivy began high-pitch squealing at everyone and everything in sight. Yes, we were THAT table.
I hiccuped my way through our entree, trying not to do any of those weird, open mouth, extra loud ones that always come out when the room has gone quiet. Mains arrived and magically the hiccups disappeared. Although, I was still in a state of caution as it is a well known fact that when I get the hiccups, I always get them twice. I’m still on waiting for the second round…
By this stage Ivy was in full fledge, over-excited, over-tired, crazy kid mode. Panting like a dog, waving her arms around and squealing. All very cute normally, but not when you are sitting in a quiet restaurant, while the couple on their first date behind you are getting to know each other and you are trying to listen to their awkward conversation!
So I couldn’t help myself and had to listen in. I hadn’t seen what they looked like when we came in because I was busy getting Ivy set up. I tried to imagine how they looked by their voices and the type of things they said to one another.
He kept talking about work and took a work call or two whilst on the date so I imagined a tall guy in a well-tailored suit.
The woman mentioned that she is very particular about the clothes she wears and buys so I predicted she was average height but thin and fashionably dressed, looking very high-maintenance.
When they left I was very surprised to see how oh-so-wrong I was! Neither of them fit the description I had built in my mind at all and I found myself watching them as they paid for their meal and left. Eye stalking them until they were out of sight.
In an attempt to finish my meal in peace I gave Ivy some naan bread to chew on. Being the little charmer she is, she proceeded to lean over and rub it into my arm and then drop it on floor.
As we got up to leave so after, many eyes were on us. Ivy and I scurried to the door while the others sorted out the bill.
With an almost 11month old I’m sure we will have many more interesting restaurant experiences to come. Have you had any awkward moments with your kids? Have you unwillingly drawn attention to yourself in a restaurant? Share your funny stories.
A surprise and a lesson learnt
What an interesting and unexpected day I had today.
My baby girl (Ivy) and I finally made it to the indoor heated swimming pool I have been meaning to take her to for the last few weeks. It was fantastic! It is in the middle of a refurbishment but the children’s pool is wonderful. It is a watery wonderland for kids with lots of slides, waterfalls, spouts and pools within pools. She is a little young to fully appreciate it yet but was quite excited to be there nonetheless.
It was also interesting to discover ‘Ivy Park’ on our way there, I must remember to go back and take a photo of that next time.
There is also a street in the same area called Ivy Street…I wonder if they would miss their sign? Don’t worry, I just joke. I don’t have the upper body strength to rip a sign off. Or the coordination and speed to run in the dark.
We then went home for some lunch before going to the hairdresser.
I was a little apprehensive about my hair appointment as I knew it would be a long one and didn’t know how Ivy would cope. I packed plenty or toys and snacks to keep her occupied and hoped for the best.
I ended up getting a bit lost on my way to the hairdresser and thanks to some guy in a shop that sent me in the complete opposite direction I was 20 minutes late. The colourist was understanding albeit a little snooty.
To make it worse, a few months ago I decided it would be a great idea to put a semi-permanent colour in my hair and now she had to fix the mess I made. Lesson to be learned – don’t just do things because it is cheap and easy…works out to be expensive and messy later. Gee, that lesson really could apply to many things. Must Remember.
Getting off track again, but the story continues…
Then in a city where I know almost no one, in a salon that I have never been to before, in the middle of the day, in the middle of the week I spotted someone I knew!
The mother of a very good school friend that I hadn’t seen in years, who is now living in Perth, showed up to have her hair done. What a blessing she was!
After a lovely chat and catch up while we had our hair coloured, she offered to take Ivy for a walk while my hair was cut and dried. It was such a nice thing to do and I greatly appreciated it.
To top it all off my hair turned out great and I vowed never to use home hair colour again.
Homemade Pizza
After looking through some of my recipes, my husband and I spotted the one for pizza dough. We didn’t have all the ingredients in the pantry so made a quick trip to the supermarket to gather what we needed.
I ended up going for a chorizo and vegetable pizza with tomato pesto and fetta cheese and he had a nacho style pizza complete with beans, avocado and sour cream. Both delicious.
This recipe is probably not authentic but it surely is tasty! It is also really easy and other than having to wait for the dough to rise isn’t that time consuming either.
So here is my recipe and I hope you enjoy!
Homemade Pizza
Makes 1 large pizza
1 sachet dry yeast
Pinch caster sugar
Pinch salt
2 cups plain flour
3/4 cup warm water
2 tbsp olive oil
e.g. toppings:
tomato paste
mushroom
salami
capsicum
ham
bean
avocado
spinach
roast vegetables
cheese
Place dry yeast, sugar, salt and water into a bowl. Whisk, cover and leave in a warm place for 5 minutes.
Sift flour, add oil, yeast mixture and combine.
Roll out the dough and place on a pizza board or oven tray. Cover in a layer of tomato paste, pesto or similar.
Add toppings as desired and place in a 200 degree C oven for 30 minutes.
Exploring Cottesloe
It was a cloudy old day in Perth today, but instead of sitting inside with the blinds closed and the TV on we decided to take a drive to Cottesloe. We started at the delicious Boatshed Market ( http://boatshedmarket.com.au/ ) and ended up taking a walk along Cottesloe beach.
Here are some photos from our day.
