Changing Lives

If you've been around here for a bit, you would know that last year was one of extreme highs and lows in the Button household. Mr Button found out about this time last year that the long talked about kidney transplant needed to happen or dialysis would start. There was lots of uncertainty and fear and watching him change and watching our family change, way too many trips to the hospital and long, boring, stressful hours without him. Then, there was THE GIFT. It came from an everyday hero and it gave great hope and wellness for him and for our family. Now, we see the real Mr Button again and life is changing into a mundane and healthy normal. It's a blessing I thank God for many, many times each day.

Our story has a magnificent, happy, healthy ending. Mr Button's kidney came from a living donor and they are both doing very well. Many of the people we've met throughout his treatment have received their GIFT through the Australian Organ Donor register. Others are still waiting. It is a terrible thing to lose someone you love. It changes you and your life forever. I have seen how that terrible, aching, loss can transform someone else's life and I urge you, if you haven't already done so, to talk about about organ donation with your family and to make your wishes known here.

This week has been Organ Donor Awareness week. A very personal reminder of the need for thought and discussion is here.

Super Pops Entry

Number of days since purchase of this rug - 11.

Average age of artists collaborating on this project - 2yrs 2 mths.

Expletives uttered by Mr Button - 73.

Look on Mrs Button's face - apoplectic.

Dear SuperPops,

Please accept this as the Button family entry in your recent giveaway competition. I believe it to be the artists' impression of the chaos from which you produce your crafty goodness. At this stage they are not available for comment.

The artwork is on a fairly large scale and only a small portion is shown in this photograph but we believe it accurately conveys the intent of the artists.

You should be aware that this was not our first choice for submission. The older brother of said artists had committed to this project but he is a bit miffed as their choice of medium was the new rug in his bedroom. He has, understandably, withdrawn from the project until further notice.

Kind regards,

Mrs Button.

In Memory of Masterchef

Image: Curly Pops

I've noticed a few folk in Blogland lamenting the end of Masterchef. Luckily for me, I've found a way to help fill the gap. I've treated myself to one of Curly Pops' vintage teatowel aprons and it is a beauty. I was very excited to notice that it has snaps so you can adjust the neck and the waist ties are lovely and generous for those of us with substantial girths! I was able to select my own teatowel and it is full of the colours I love. I've decided that she is too pretty for any messy cooking and I'm going to keep her for good!

Image: Curly Pops

Every apron needs a recipe and this one is a Jamie Oliver recipe which he calls the English version of risotto. We Buttons eat it at any time of the day but it is a yummy, comfort dessert.

RICE PUDDING

1 vanilla pod

75g arborio rice

600ml milk

2 knobs unsalted butter

50g caster sugar

1 wide strip of orange zest

Strawberry jam or Seville orange marmalade

Button Variation

We omit the zest and jam and add a handful of sultanas/currants/blueberries or other fruit at the end.

SCORE vanilla pod and scrape out the seeds from the inside.

COMBINE first 5 ingredients in a large saucepan and place on MED heat.

COOK gently, stirring every now and then.

REMOVE from heat when rice is tender and has absorbed all the liquid.

ADD jam or fruit to pudding before serving and sprinkle with zest.

You must be the change you want to see in the world.

Mahatma Ghandi

Have you ever had a serendipitous experience? Today's quote is the happy result of mine. Last night I was visiting Curly Pops' blog and she was considering writing a letter to in the hope that something that bothered her would change. This quote popped into my head - I admire people who choose to make a difference and I love the simplicity of Mahatma Ghandi's words.

Then, today, I took my 51/2 year old button for an appointment and as we walked in the door, a magnificent banner with this quote written on it was hanging from the wall! Twice in twenty four hours....this quote has come to me for a reason!

Sometimes, we can be overwhelmed by all that we need or want to do. A very gentle, wise, old, man once told me that if we changed one little thing each day, we would soon live more contentedly. I don't always remember this wisdom, but, when I do, it makes a difference in my world and it gives me courage for the times when I need to be brave to bring about a big change.

What changes are you trying to make in your world...reducing, reusing, recycling? Changing the way your children speak to each other? Changing your sleeping habits or replanning your workday? Are you advocating for a healthier menu in your school tuckshop? Perhaps you are trying to change yourself? I'd love to hear what you are working on.

SewMamaSew's great May Giveaway Day has finally started and I think the blogs are going to experience heavy traffic!  I'm keeping my post brief so I can go and enter some more giveaways! 

The first picture is a cute little giveaway over at edward and lilly which comprises 2 little brooches and some treasures from the stash.  Leave a comment on the post for one entry and blog about it for two.  

Perhaps you'd like to win the vintage tea towel apron over at Curly Pops.  I think it is too pretty to mess up with cooking spills.  So I might keep it for good.

The other thing I am going to do is work on a hair tie for my baby girl and some sort of yo yo arrangement to go on a shirt.  I bought her a skirt from Bubba Chenille a couple of weeks ago and also purchased the self covered buttons that match the trim.  I am going to use the buttons to pull the whole outfit together.  I love my boys to bits but I have to admit that having Miss Molly is a bit like having a real live Barbie doll to play with.  She lets me dress her up and play with her hair and she always looks delightful!  I'll post a photo of the finished ensemble tomorrow.