conversation with Minty... is there an echo in here?

Minty bringing me my laptop: I want an Elmo bideo

Me attempting to take back the laptop: no, not right now sweetheart

Minty: No, no, NO! Don't say no! I will be cross with you! You don't touch it! Little girls don't touch it.

Later, after spilling a glass of milk...

Minty: Oh man! Shoot!

flagrant attempt to be sent a free book...

I've always loved Heidi (the museum of modern art not the book or trashy star on the Hills). The wonderful architecture (gotta love a conversation pit), the inspiring art, the gardens, but perhaps most of all I love the stories of the people who lived there. Minty was very nearly named Sunday after Sunday Reed. So when I saw this cookbook my heart skipped a beat. Here is a little excerpt from the blurb...

A passionate cook and gardener, who believed in home-grown produce, seasonal cooking and a communal table, Sunday created a pastoral paradise where big ideas could be explored both on canvas, in books and across the table.

Sunday's Kitchen is a superb collection of art, photographs of the artists in their much-loved home and garden - many previously unpublished - and simple home recipes from Sunday’s personal collection.

And it's on sale at Readings for $39.95! I really must have it.

Surely the publisher/author/bookshop/gallery could send me a free copy for giving the book such a fantastic plug?? No?? *sigh*

In other news... I bought very dark midnight blue paint for our bedroom. I feel somewhat panicky just thinking about it. Too late to chicken out now though.

And in case anyone was feeling sad that there wasn't a cute photo in this post... here is a picture of my little helper at the computer...

5am

Turi is on the move. He has been rolling for months but this past week he has taken it up a notch. When I pop him down on the floor, if I turn around or step away I'm never quite sure where he'll be when I get back - peeking out from under the coffee table, tangled up in his play mat or chewing on an age inappropriate toy of Minty's that he's discovered. And you know what? If I have to be up before dawn I can't think of a more enjoyable way to spend the time than adventuring around the living room with this little person.

cuddles with Grandi...

I've been absent the last couple of days because little Minty had some kind of foul lurgy. Let's just say she reenacted a certain famous scene from the Exorcist all over her father. All is well now, although the whole family is somewhat sleep deprived.
I just thought I'd write a quick post and share with you this sweet photo I took today of little Turi with his Grandi.
Apologies to everyone I owe an email... I promise I'll write soon!

sticky business

Alright peeps, time for another toddler friendly craft activity. This one is super fun and was a big hit with Minty. We made our own glue! It's like a child friendly cross between PVA and clag. I'd been a bit hesitant to do craft activities with glue because I was worried Minty would accidentally (or maybe even intentionally) ingest some, so this is the perfect solution. It is made entirely with food products so even if your kid swallows a whole spoonful you don't need to stress.

Glue Recipe (found here)

1 cup flour

1/3 cup sugar

1 1/2 cups water

1 teaspoon vinegar

Mix everything together, then warm on the stove until it thickens. You can store this in the fridge for a couple of weeks.

We then used our glue to make a picture with all sorts of dried beans and lentils. If your child was a bit older you could get them to draw a picture and then get them to fill in each colour with a different bean. Since that kind of discipline is way beyond Minty's current skill level her work was more of a free form homage to pulses. It was a really lovely way of playing with textures. I can't wait to try out our glue on some other fun projects - the possibilities are infinite.

The many faces of Minty...

in which we eat peanut butter in dusty robes...

Day six without a washing machine. We are officially drowning in a sea of dirty laundry. Perhaps unsurprisingly the kids have ignored my requests to keep their clothes clean so we can rewear them. A well-meaning devout member of the baptist playgroup we attend told me that God doesn't throw anything at us that we can't handle, and while I don't believe in any kind of a God that concerns himself with my laundry, I am attempting to adopt the kind of saintly attitude that allows me to take such challenges gracefully in my stride. After all Jesus didn't have a washing machine, although I'm sure the other mothers didn't look askance at Mary if she sent Jesus down the street in a dusty robe. Looks like we might have to haul ourselves over to the laundromat tomorrow.

I know I said yesterday I was going to make a pie… but we didn't have any cream on hand, and what's pie without cream?? We did however, happen to have exactly 85grams of cocoa left… the precise amount needed to make these rich, moist chocolate cupcakes (if that's not a sign I don't know what is). And because I am feeling more sinner than saint this evening I decided to top them with some decidedly wicked, decadent creamy peanut butter frosting (surely the gluttons frosting of choice).

Peanut Butter Frosting

1/2 cup (130g) peanut butter

1/4 cup (55g) softened butter

1 cup (125g) icing sugar

1-2 tablespoons milk

Put the peanut butter and butter in an electric mixer. Beat until creamy. Gradually add the sugar, adding the milk as necessary if it gets too thick. Beat for about 3 minutes until a smooth consistency.

Come back tomorrow for some highly amusing photos...