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chit chat at the checkout

January 17, 2011 By corrie 75 Comments

Now this really is a classic conversation. I know I’ve said it before, but people do stop me all the time to enquire as to whether my children are all mine. Now it’s just a normal everyday occurrence around here. Personally, I would prefer it if you told me I had beautiful children or that they were beautifully behaved. But this lady last week really took the cake for inappropriate chit chat at the supermarket checkout and I laugh when I think of her…..

florists in training

I get to the checkout and she’s in front of me, staring at all the kids (this is totally normal, so I ignore it and keep chatting to them), she keeps staring and so it starts

her are they all yours
me yes, smiling sweetly
her but they are all so clean
me……………………………………if this was a tv show we could insert the crickets chirping and a half smile……………yes
her and they are so quiet
me………………………………………..yes, well not all of the time
her you’re not having anymore are you?
me well I’d like to
her you don’t see many people with lots of kids anymore
me well I think it’s more expensive to have children nowadays
her no, my grandmother had 12 children and they had no money back then, the depression
me well I think in this area there are school fees, mortgages and people want to give their kids the best
her no, they had no money back then, it was the depression but now of course we have social security, it’s easier now, thats the difference, social security. Social security (I lost track of how many times she said social security to me but it was at least 6 times)
me thinking is she implying that I must be on social security because I have 4 children and want more
me well we don’t get any benefits
her turns to the checkout assistant – No don’t give me a bag, No I don’t want a receipt either, save paper and plastic.
her turns to me and says bye and good luck
me half smile

So there you have it, some people really do speak before they think! Where to begin…I could have a field day dissecting this woman’s conversation with me. Well let’s begin, she expects 4 little children to one woman to have snot everywhere and be really dirty when they go out? Am I right? Well my children are always dressed nicely and always look clean. I do have standards you know, lady.

floral arranging is my new rainy day craft I think!

next, we have social security – what was she implying? that I have 4 children because of social security? Did she think she was paying for my children? I should point out that I feel lucky to live in a country that has a fairly extensive social security system. I know plenty of people who receive benefits in some form or another and who knows when any of us may need assistance at some point in our lives. I might not need it but I was raised and taught the importance of social justice but it is not something I bang on about to a total stranger at the supermarket. I kind of lump it together with my political views as a no go zone. I felt insulted and a little embarrassed.

australia’s next top model – daddy did her hair in case you were wondering!

of course hindsight = a beautiful thing and I got in the car and thought of all of the things I wanted to tell her! Anyway, I had forgotten about it till this morning when I was having a little giggle to myself about her. I love my family and would keep having babies if retro daddy let me and I just don’t think of us as a large family! But I’d love to know what YOU would have told her ………….

Filed Under: large families, twins

first quilt for queensland

January 16, 2011 By corrie 71 Comments

Well I’m writing this so I must have survived zumba…….in fact I l.o.v.e.d. it! Not as hopeless as I thought I’d be and ladies of all shapes, sizes and ages in there. I’m feeling a little sore today but I had plenty of body to shake it when needed! Definitely got a date with zumba again next week.

And after some recovery time (i.e lying on the couch and asking other people to do things for me) it was time to get started piecing my first quilt for queensland. I left grandma betty in charge of the little people and with a bit of time to myself decided a quick quilt using a jelly roll was the way to go. To make one you just lay out the strips, start at the top and join 2 strips together, then add the next strip to these 2 and keep going adding 1 strip at a time. Before you know it you’ve used up most/all of a jelly roll.

Trim the sides down so they are straight, I actually took an inch off so I could lay the quilt down on some fabric measuring 115cm wide for the back. I did have one little whoopsie that required some unpicking after midnight and then I was off again. I find free motion quilting is fast, forgiving and looks so pretty. I trimmed the batting and backing to match the front and at 1.30am called it a night. I actually fell asleep wearing my gym clothes I was so tired! Ha, can’t believe I just told you that but you know sometimes I just have to let you know I don’t have it all together here!!!

Sunday morning while Elodie napped and cartoons were on, I pulled out the binding (premade binding is a huuuuge time saver). And as I try to become proficient at sewing binding on with a machine, I used a blanket stitch to sew it on. I’m far from perfect at it but looks very pretty.

Thanks to a blog reader for suggesting that stitch to me last time I did a quilt. Next time I’ll attach it to the back first, then fold over and then blanket stitch. Maybe that is what she told me. I’ll get there but I’ve got to say it’s a much faster way for me to finish my quilts which is very important now!

And that is that! One finished quilt, the first quilt for queensland. This one is going up with retro daddy tomorrow and a care package for his colleague, Corey (I know! great name!). They are still cleaning out their home and it will be at least 1 -2 months before they can live in it again. I hope that the little package I’ve put together (with huge thanks to Lisa, Sharon, Skye) will cheer them up this week.

Filed Under: queensland floods, quilting, quilts for queensland

the finer details

January 14, 2011 By corrie 23 Comments

Wow, thanks everyone for getting involved and offering to help out! You guys are just amazing and after posie left here last night after a few hours chatting, I opened my inbox to find 20 gazillion emails from you all. I love how you want to help out. Heck I just love you guys. It seems we all feel the same way about doing something very personal. For some (or a lot) of us we are home with small children making volunteering in person very hard or impossible to do.

Anyway I went to bed and realised I better get some finer details out there to help you out so here are some Q&A which will hopefully help out. If you have anything to ask or suggest just let me know and I’ll add it.

great youtube tutorial on making wonky log cabins

When do you want the blocks? when you’ve finished making them! I think a 3 week deadline (early february) to receive blocks and late feb to have all of our quilts done and ready to go. If you can’t do a block or two in this time don’t worry, we’ll get there. It’s just a loose guide especially as Keira starts school in February so I could be kidding myself! Whatever happens, we’ll get there!

Where do I send the blocks? that will be included in an email to you

Do you mean 12 inch or 12 1/2 inch blocks? I’m confused. Thanks for asking! Ok so I would love it if the quilt blocks you give me are 12 1/2 inches. This means if you’re looking to do a pattern it will say 12 inch finished block – which means when the whole quilt top is put together your quilt block measures 12 inches. In other words 12 1/2 inches less 1/4 inch seam allowance all the way around! I hope that clarifies it for everyone. If yours are measuring 12 inches don’t worry we can put them together in one quilt and trim a few larger ones to co-ordinate. Please make sure this is a pleasant, happy, warm and fuzzy experience – this is not MasterQuilt!

I’ve never made a block before? No problem – here are some great ideas below. Julie and I also thought we might offer a few suggestions too…..mine will come….you know when I get a spare 5 minutes. And please note that these suggestions below are for making a block/quilt to donate and not for auction/sale where copyright will apply. Always do the right thing by the pattern designer and ask first if you want to auction something by another designer.

lovely oh fransson tutorial – just keep going till you get to 12 1/12 inches

oh fransson scrappy hedgerow block tutorial this is the size we want
quilt dad’s wonky log cabin tutorial you’ve got love quilt dad! lovely clear instructions with this one!
scrappy heart tutorial perfect size
foundation pieced block something a little different
Delaware quilts blocks of the months huge list of blocks and instructions for just the size we are after

I’m not very good at quilting? Neither am I, have a go, use nice fabric and make something you would love to receive.

I want to help you quilt the quilts! Yay! Now that I realise the organisation involved I am going to need some quilters! If you have batting at your house/access to batting then I’ll just post out the blocks to make a quilt. Here is a quilt I put together for the bushfire victims of Victoria, everyone used different colours and designs but all quilting cottons. I backed this one in polar fleece which makes them nice and quick and you don’t need to quilt it. I backed it with fleece and knotted some embroidery thread into the corner of each block!

I have backing fabrics! OK, no one asked this question, I just made it up because I’m guessing we all have some fabric in our stash that we don’t love too much anymore or forgot what we were going to use it for. It could make a great backing pieced together with other fabrics so pop it in with your blocks.

What fabric should I use?…OK, again, I made this one up……..if you’re making blocks try to use 100% cotton where possible as the quilts will last longer and it will ensure our quilts are made of the same fabrics. A cotton/linen blend is fine in there too. If you’re making an entire quilt yourself use what you like.

Do you have a button I can share on my blog? Yep, here we go.

For a thumbnail version just copy and paste the code in the box

<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5170/5354856263_effe735a91_t.jpg" width="100" height="95" alt="qld quilt button" /></a>

and if you prefer a huger than huge button just copy and paste the code here

Ok well I have a date with a zumba class this morning, I’ve decided I must try it out and see what all the hype is about and will definitely be the totally unco-ordinated lady up the back of the class going the opposite direction to everyone else. I love this youtube video- watch the lady in the green tee – that will be me! I know it!

this isn’t my zumba class btw, I am not the guy/girl in black with the sweatband!

Filed Under: quilting, quilts for queensland

Quilts for Queensland

January 13, 2011 By corrie 86 Comments

Ok it seems that I now have some sewers and quilters looking to make quilt blocks and quilts so let’s get this show on the road. Nothing says we care about you more than a handmade quilt. Something to cuddle and snuggle under, to brighten a bare house as lives and homes are rebuilt and just make you feel oh so very special. So here is what I’m thinking for our quilts……

1. make and send me 12 1/2 inch square blocks (so that we have a finished block size of 12 inch once we’ve pieced them together) for girls, boys and adults. These blocks could be scrappy log cabins, traditional quilt blocks, hand pieced, appliqued………….whatever you choose! Make 1 or make 10 it’s also up to you. If you need some inspiration look what lovely things I found here and blogs are another source of inspiration.

2. make lap quilts….I find these easy to whip up and they are the perfect size for babies, little ones and to throw over a couch or bed. I’d ask that you finish the quilt and attach a lovely quilt label from you with some sweet words of hope and encouragement.

one of my lap quilts that was made for my grandma betty

Logistics? I am happy to receive all quilt blocks and sort them out here. What I will do is have a quilting bee or two here putting them together AND if we get more blocks than I can possibly handle then I’ll ask for some lovely quilters out there to help me out and I’ll post everything out to you.

lap quilt of 1 charm square pack with a border

Donating the quilts? I’m going to ask my gorgeous Queensland friends to help me with this bit and see what is going on in their community, school or church and the best way to get these quilts out to people who really need them. Retro daddy flies up to Brisbane each week so he’ll be my quilt mule which will save us on postage! Yay retro daddy and he doesn’t even know that bit yet!

What about auctioning quilts? If you have a quilt now that you want to auction to raise money then please visit Toni’s blog where you can find more info with all proceeds going to the Premier’s Appeal. If you would prefer to make a quilt and auction it off at a later date (because quilts do take time to make) then we could do this! Just let me know if this is what you want to do and thanks Bianca for the suggestion.

Phew, ok so where do you sign up. Leave me a comment here with your email address or email it to me (corrie_sebire@hotmail.com). We’ll make a list of whose in so we can share our progress on our blogs and we can email more details. I’ll also give you a button to put on your blog (when I make one). You don’t need to have a blog…..just a big heart! That’s all! Have I missed anything? Let me know……………

Filed Under: queensland floods, quilting, quilts for queensland

Auction 2: Don’t Look Now Pattern Pack

January 13, 2011 By corrie 9 Comments

Here is my second auction for Toni’s Queensland Flood Appeal Auctions. We have 8 of Kellie’s Don’t Look Now patterns….these include her most popular designs and a must for any quilter whether they are new or experienced as Kellie provides detailed instructions of every step along the way. Ranging from patterns for cushions to quilts this is a gorgeous addition to anyone’s pattern collection. Also included in the auction is 1m lite steam a seam 2 and 1m white quilters muslin which are used in all of Kellie’s patterns.

here’s how to play (thanks Toni for the rules)

1. Bidding will start at $70 (Australian).

2. You can place a bid by leaving a comment on this blog post with your bid amount and email address. Please make sure that your bid is higher than the previous bidder.

3. Your bid must be in whole dollar increments.

4. This auction is open to everyone and I will cover the cost of postage (here and overseas)!

5. The auction begins NOW and will END at midnight on Monday 24th January 2011.

6. At the close of the auction, I will contact the winner (please make sure your bid comment includes your email address). The winner will pay the winning amount directly into the Premier’s Flood Relief Appeal and send me proof of payment via email. Once proof of payment has been received, I will post your goodies

7. Thank you for taking part and let the bidding begin

Filed Under: don't look now, queensland floods

Auction 1 – Moda Charm Square Packs

January 13, 2011 By corrie 15 Comments

OK, here is the first of my three auctions for the Queensland Flood Appeal Auctions! Can I just say again, thanks Toni for an awesome job organising this amongst the crafting and blogging community! So I’ve raided all my hiding spots to find a lovely assortment of Moda charm square packs that I had set aside for myself. 6 charm square packs by Moda – It’s a Hoot by MoMo, Sunkissed, Bliss, Plume, Lily & Will, Dream On and 2 packs of 100 large paper hexagons. These charm squares would make 6 gorgeous cot/lap quilts or you could use the paper hexagons and make one mumma of a colourful quilt.

here’s how to play (thanks Toni for the rules)

1. Bidding will start at $70 (Australian).

2. You can place a bid by leaving a comment on this blog post with your bid amount and email address. Please make sure that your bid is higher than the previous bidder.

3. Your bid must be in whole dollar increments.

4. This auction is open to everyone and I will cover the cost of postage (here and overseas)!

5. The auction begins NOW and will END at midnight on Monday 24th January 2011.

7. Thank you for taking part and let the bidding begin

Filed Under: charm squares, moda, queensland floods

how to help

January 13, 2011 By corrie 27 Comments

I’m usually a daily blogger but I’ve just been feeling too guilty blogging about our happy little life down here in Sydney at a time when people have lost lives, homes, animals and livelihoods. And it’s not just people who live in country towns, we’re talking about people living in or around one of Australia’s capital cities. It’s still unthinkable for me….watch this footage here which gives you a taste of how Brisbane is looking this morning and listen and watch this, it breaks my heart.

So what can we do? That’s my big question today. If we’re able to help let’s do it! Let’s get involved and show we care in our own ways. Some of us have time, some have money, some have skills, some live nearby and some live on the other side of the world. Here is just a small list of ways we can help…….it is certainly not exhaustive so please, pretty please, if you know of other ways to help then let us know in the comments and we’ll add it to the list:

Donating to the Premier’s Appeal – if you want to donate $$$$ directly then this is the best place to donate. Just go here and more information is here

Queensland Flood Relief Auctions Toni’s auctions have already started and you can keep track of them all on her blog here, more will continue to be added as Monday 17th Jan is the main launch date. All proceeds are going to the above appeal so you can be assured that money is going to a reputable appeal. I will be asking that winners of my auctions donate the winning bid directly to that account. Reading these emails from one of her reader’s, Jan, is just heartbreaking.

Food for the SES volunteers this lovely lady has made a list of places where SES volunteers are and where you could drop off some food and yummy things to keep them going. Of course don’t leave your home if you shouldn’t or get in the way of essential work. Her blog post includes a list of SES centres.

Register to Volunteer ring this number if you want to register to volunteer or have items to donate 1800 994 100. Thanks Leonie for letting me know this one. Another link is here

BrisStyle thanks Bells for letting us know about some crafty ladies on Etsy raising funds. Just go here

Brisbane Helping Hands lots of items needed and drop off points in Brisbane. just go here

and one of the guys in retro daddy’s team has lost his house in Brisbane, they are a young married couple and took a canoe out to see their house last night to find water up to the second storey. Retro daddy was texting him last night to let him know that work will provide their temporary accommodation in Brisbane which must be a small relief to them. In the meantime, I’m wracking my brain of what to put in a care package for them! I’m thinking a quilt, handmade teatowels, cushion covers, coffee mugs, gift voucher for an online store. Please tell me what I should put in there as retro daddy will be flying back up there next week. If you want to help me with the parcel just drop me an email (corrie_sebire@hotmail.com)

And lastly my quilters, what do you think. Can we get some quilt blocks done to make up quilts to donate? What do you think……..if you’re in let me know. This is more of a longer term project but I’m sure quilting groups will be doing the same and I have the hugest bolt of batting here and white muslin when we’re ready to put them together. I’ll be back with more details of block size etc later…………..

And please, let me know of other ways to help and of course let’s not forget that we can pray and keep these people in our thoughts for the long road ahead of them. It breaks my heart when I hear that people I know through my blog and store are affected or at risk. A special prayer also going out to everyone in Goondiwindi today who are now at risk of flooding…………….

Images from here

Filed Under: qld floods

thinking of our fellow australians

January 11, 2011 By corrie 26 Comments

I wrote my previous post very early this morning before the day’s events unfolded. And as we go to sleep tonight I wanted to let our Queensland friends know that we are thinking, praying and crying tears for them. I have been glued to the tv all day. In my own little world I feel so grateful to have retro daddy here with us as he spends half of his week working in brisbane and it is just by chance that he didn’t go up this week.

I had been chatting to a lovely blog reader very early this morning on facebook who was alone with her girls and her town cut off by water. Thankfully she is safe for now but separated from her husband, other readers are also safe up high but roads are closed. I’m keeping everyone in my prayers – all of those people who have had to leave their homes, are nervously waiting tonight to see what happens, for those who have family and friends affected and for those missing. And of course the lives lost including precious children, innocent little children who couldn’t be saved. As a mother it is an unimaginable loss.

The scene of destruction is like a hollywood movie and who could imagine that floods would have the potential to affect Brisbane and it’s CBD. So please my lovely friends up there, stay safe and dry……….my heart is breaking tonight and I know I’m not alone.

It is heartwarming to see Toni’s auctions are gathering steam and next Monday bidding will start. I know we can make a difference so if you want to get involved join in with an auction, a purchase or just putting the blog button on your blog.

All images from ninemsn

Filed Under: prayer, queensland floods

what a day

January 10, 2011 By corrie 16 Comments

I think God is working overtime for me because I have been praying my little heart out here. On Sunday I was so saddened to hear that another mummy blogger had a husband in intensive care who needed our prayers. I don’t know Lori but couldn’t get her and her little children out of my mind. I prayed for a full recovery and for strength for Lori. Sadly, she lost her husband yesterday. I cannot even begin to imagine the loss of your beloved husband at such a young age (he was just 30), the financial worry about raising a family on your own and just how you will get on with day to day life. Oh I have a very heavy heart when I think about Lori and what she is going through.

and then there are the queensland floods. Watching the video footage is just so scary. Being a mummy I think what would I do if I had to leave my house and take all the children with me, with a new baby. What if we lost everything and had nothing left but the clothes we were wearing. So when I received an email from Toni about raising money for the floods through auctions I said yes without even thinking about it. I didn’t need to think. And so later this week I will make a few bundles of things from my store to auction off. I will donate all the money raised including the cost of postage to the QLD flood appeal. A small gesture and a way I can give with what I have here. I do hope that you will get behind this to help out our fellow Australians. And if you would like to participate in the auctions yourself then you can find out more from Toni’s blog and grab her button. If you would rather donate directly then you can go and do that here.

And to some of my readers and customers who I know have been affected by these floods or are in the path of the water, please take care and look after yourselves. We are thinking of you.

Filed Under: blogs, catholic, lori rrsahm, prayer, queensland floods

clearing it out

January 9, 2011 By corrie 6 Comments

Well we’re in 2011 and that means new fabrics are arriving in a few months. But I went totally overboard last year buying fabrics and now need to empty a few more bolts just to make room. What’s a girl to do but slash prices. How does $30 to $36 for 2m of japanese fabric sound and including postage in australia?

Just go here to find my lowest prices ever but it’s win win……you get a bargain and I get to make some room for new bolts. Be quick……………

Filed Under: japanese fabrics, retro mummy store

a quilt for Elodie

January 8, 2011 By corrie 41 Comments

A very lovely reader Danielle emailed me and asked had I made a quilt for Elodie. Sadly, no. There just hasn’t been enough time and you might remember I seemed to have the fastest pregnancy on record. So she asked would I like a quilt that she’d made that was sitting in her cupboard. Oh would I ever but it was such a generous offer………….

dress from country road – thanks grandmummy

and oh wow it is such a beautiful quilt. Linen and liberty half square triangles and oh so beautifully made. Danielle even appliqued a little russian doll on the bag it came in! And I knew as soon as it arrived that it deserved a little photo shoot with my little model Elodie.

she loves it!

And as you can tell Elodie has no problems in the growing department. Lots of little rolls of baby fat and oh her thighs are too cute for words! How do babies get such cute little thighs…oh to have such cute thighs!!! Elodie you are not helping me agree with retro daddy that there will be no more babies, not helping at all. I could have a few babies if they were all as cute and placid as you are.

this hair is still growing

And she is such a happy little model that we even had time for a quick wardrobe change into a little fuschia number by gymboree. I also love that Elodie is revealing her love affair with ceilings, lights, walls…..she’ll stare and giggle at them as if they were a person and it’s so funny to watch.

So thank you, thank you, thank you Danielle. It is the most beautiful little quilt that Elodie will keep forever. And isn’t that the beauty of a quilt….clothes and toys will come and go but a beautifully made quilt can last forever.

Filed Under: liberty, quilting

my christmas haul

January 7, 2011 By corrie 32 Comments

WARNING! FABRIC OVERLOAD!

Last year I had so much fabric in the store and so many invoices to pay that I hadn’t ordered any fabric for myself. Retro daddy would tell you that isn’t a bad thing. But for Christmas I went all out treating myself to some fat quarter packs for quilts and here is the haul….all bought from my favourite fabric store in the states.

First up, Parisville by Tula Pink. I just love the colours in this one and think it would be perfect for a quilt in our bedroom. The colours aren’t too girly for retro daddy as we never (ever) seem to agree on the right bed set for our room and as a result stick to mostly white!

Soul Blossoms by Amy Butler. I love Amy Butler as she is the reason I got back into sewing in my 20’s back when I was working in the city. I was so inspired by her patterns and fabric and that was well before her product range expanded to include anything and everything.

She knows how to use colour and her fabric ranges always make bright and colourful quilts.

And since I’m a huuuuuge Darla fan, I couldn’t go past the latest Tanya Whelan range, Delilah. If you love shabby chic, roses with polka dots or all things pretty…..then this range has your name on it.

It had mine stamped all over and I bought a couple of extra yards for dresses for my girls.

But wait, there is still more (I did warn you I went overboard). I’ve wanted an accuquilt Go for some time now but they haven’t been cheap here in oz and I’ve put it off, because I’m such a good saver of course. But then I saw the Go Baby and knew I had to have one…..I got a great deal on ebay for a new one and now I’m just waiting for my cutting mat to arrive and I’ll put this baby to work!

And that is the lot. Thanks Corrie, you really spoiled me!

Filed Under: fabric, quilting, tanya whelan

Giveaway for January

January 6, 2011 By corrie 708 Comments

Well, at last I posted off all outstanding giveaways this morning. No wonder I hadn’t gotten around to it……………90 fat quarters all up and a stack of parcels to take to the PO with the kids in tow. Phew!!!! And I’ve decided to do a giveaway each month this year to share the fabric love around the world (in other words fabric is taking over my house). Here is January’s offering and I’m soooo taking it easy this time……

Excuse my curling ribbon……my mum is so good at it and I obviously wasn’t paying attention to the master!

Dream On charm square pack and jelly roll – it’s precut fabric, perfectly ‘vintagey’, all wrapped up and ready to go. And all you have to do is leave a comment and I’ll draw a winner on the 20th January! Everyone is welcome to enter too, wherever you live in the world 🙂 And now that I look at it here, I just want to keep it for myself. But I won’t.

Filed Under: dream on, giveaway, giveaways, moda

an old friend + low fat banana bread

January 5, 2011 By corrie 31 Comments

Well, the holidays are definitely over here. There are orders to get out, doctors appointments, visitors, retro daddy working his usual long hours and heading off interstate and then there is the housework to catch up on. Thankfully, I treated ~~myself~~ the family to a wii fit on the weekend and plan to get on there tonight and unwind. And try to reduce my wii fit age down from 45!

But today we made time for a special visitor, my old friend Amanda who now lives in london but comes home once a year and always pops in for a visit. We first met over 10 years ago when we were the only girls our age in the office. I used to pop out to her desk for a big chat and hear about her weekend (party girl!) and other stuff! And years later we’d meet up in London for lunch and compare recent shopping purchases (we both love to shop!). This girl makes a success of whatever she does and I’m lucky to count her as one of my friends. She drives a porsche around, owns a very cool flat in London, was in Marie Claire last year, loves a good bargain and travels the world. But she is still and will always be the same Amanda I’ve always known and loved. And my kids love her too!

So I thought we better make something yummy for morning tea in her honour……and this is my easy banana bread recipe which keeps evolving. It is super easy for the kids to make too – no getting out the mixer for this one. And since I’m on a diet right now (2 kilos lost in my first week – woo hoo, you can high 5 me!) I’ve made it low fat and it’s still delicious.

served on the wedding china makes it look all fancy

Retro Mummy’s Low Fat Banana Bread
2 bananas, mashed
125g low fat margerine (I use nuttelex lite), melted
2 eggs, lightly beaten
2 Tbsp low fat milk
1Tbsp vanilla extract
2Tbsp maple syrup
1 cup brown sugar (or caster if that’s what you’ve got)
1 1/2 cups self raising flour

Mix together the bananas, margerine, eggs, milk, vanilla, maple syrup and sugar. Sift in flour and gently combine. You don’t want to overbeat your mixture just make sure there are no pockets of flour. Now pour into a lined loaf tin and bake in 160 degrees oven for about 45-50 minutes or until top is brown and cake is cooked through. Lift cake out of tin by the paper and cool on a cooling rack.

for the kids!

And a little tip, if you want to slice it while still warm use a long serrated knife. No one can resist this cake when it comes out of the oven. Trust me. But it’s best to leave it at least 5 minutes or so, if you can. Try. Go on. You can do it. This is perfect with a cup of tea when you are taking a mummy break!

Filed Under: banana bread, friendship, recipe

we got a wii

January 3, 2011 By corrie Leave a Comment

It’s official. I’ve been wii’d. When the wii fit came out I thought it was all a bit silly, a computer to exercise on. Just get out in the fresh air! but when you spend as much time as we do at home……..because let’s be honest do you want to go out with 4 children under 5 to places where they are either going to a) get bored b) throw a tantrum c) want everything in sight d) outnumber you or e) all of the above. Well, I was starting to see the benefits for rainy days, super hot afternoons and as a better alternative to dvd’s.

So I made an ~~impulsive~~ executive decision to get a Wii (and the Wii Fit plus) and I’m loving it. So far my favourite game is Just Dance. I thought we had come home with the latest Just Dance 2 but I had in fact picked up the wrong one (a pair of screaming twins out shopping will do that to you). Miss keira is a natural……..so long as you let her win and I can’t wait to have some dance offs at our house. I haven’t had that much fun in a long time – i was squealing, singing and high 5ing!

And I work up a sweat just doing the nickolodean fit when really I should be doing the biggest loser challenge………….Everyone gets involved but the twinnies are given pretend wii remotes and they don’t notice the difference, for now. And it’s just another reason not to fold washing and put it away – one of the jobs that seems to get done on a sunday night…………only to be replaced by a new pile the next day. Never ending washing here!

Filed Under: parenting