Great Birthday Gifts

One of the things I love about my Mum is the value she places on our Family History. She preserves things and loves to share them with us and her grandchildren and remember where we came from. We moved around a lot growing up because of my Dad's work. Mum packed many of these things for 10 moves around half of Australia until she and Dad settled in in what is now our Family Home. Amongst her treasures are the pram and truck I was given for my 1st Birthday. They have great life left in them and it gives me great joy to see my Little Buttons playing with these toys which bring back such happy memories for me.

When I shop for the Little Buttons' presents I want to buy things that are like the pram and truck, that will last for 30+ years and still be great toys. We try to cater to their interest at the time but are always happy when the big ticket item is something that doesn't have a trademark symbol on it. These blocks were a 1st Birthday present for Will. They come in a neat little wooden box and are made by a little man on the Sunshine Coast and sold in an excellent local toy store. (Feel free to email me if you want the details.) There are no bells, whistles or colours, but, they are without a doubt one of the best presents we've ever given. I know that they'll be around in 40 years and I can only hope they continue to provide the same level of entertainment and developmentally appropriate play as they've given the Little Buttons.

Our 5 almost 6 year old Button has been spending hours constructing elaborate castles with these blocks and taking photographs to document his work. I'm very proud of his handiwork. His birthday is looming large and I am canvassing present ideas for long lasting gifts that float a 6 year old boy's boat. All opinions gratefully accepted.

Celebrations!

Ahoy there, Blogging Friends! The posts have been a little scarce of late as there have been so many exciting things to celebrate. Firstly, our landscaping is finished and beautiful. We've spent lots of time communing with nature and have had visits from koalas, wallabies and our resident scrub turkeys. I'll show you some pics later in the week.

Secondly, The Handmade Expo turned 1 and we had a great time joining in the celebrations with them at their new home at the Ipswich Turf Club.

Lastly, the little Buttons are 2 tomorrow and we are all geared up to have a whale of a time. I've just finished sewing the buttons on their shirts for tomorrow so thought I'd show you some photos of the finished products. When I was visiting Karen's blog, I noticed the Babushka shirt she made for her littlest girl and thought I'd rather fancy one of those for my Miss Molly. I have changed it a little and incorporated some chenille hair and button eyes. I think she's luscious. I know you've seen Pete the Pirate before but just thought I'd show you Will's birthday version.

Apologies for the dodgy photos...I keep hoping Tania from Myrtle & Eunice or Taryn will conduct a photography lesson via their blogs and help me develop my previously unexplored talent for photography!

I can't believe that those teeny, little 1.5kg bubs are turning 2. How very blessed we Buttons are!

Boys and Their Toys

There are big things afoot in the Button household. After almost 8 years of living in our house, we decided it was time to call in some professionals and get the front yard landscaped. We live on the side of a mountain and our yard is fairly steep. Who am I kidding - it is ridiculously steep and even the dog avoids running up the hill because it tires him out. I think the small buttons penchant for starting at the top of the hill on their bikes and scooters and flying, helter skelter to the bottom of the hill may have prompted Mr Button to make the necessary phone calls to find someone willing to take on the job.

It started with trucks, rocks, and bobcat on Monday morning and will hopefully draw to a close at the end of the week. The little buttons set up their chairs on the verandah at 7:01am Monday morning and that is pretty much where they have stayed all day. Will is almost 2 and is currently obsessed with machines and Bobby. He has clung to the rails and ooh and aahed his little heart out. The workers have been treated to shouts of Hooray, spontaneous rounds of applause and sundry cars, trucks and favourite toys being tossed over the railing as gestures of his goodwill and appreciation.

This morning it became too much for Will's verbal skills. He could only look on in awe and wonder as the Big Digger and the little Dingo thingy passed each other dirt. He shook his curls and stared at me with eyes of wonder - I knew what he was thinking. "Does it get any better than this, Mum?"

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.

Cold Feet

Image: Anni

Believe it or not, we are experiencing what passes for a cold snap in South East Queensland. Now I realise that those of you from more southerly climes are holding your sides and snorting with laughter at the notion that nightly temps of 8C are considered cold. However, I guess it is all about 'match fitness', isn't it? We Queenslanders just aren't good at coping with the cold.

The other night I was up late making some hair ties and pins while Mr Button was tucked up in bed snoring softly. When I snuck in beside him with my iceblock toes, he automatically put his warm foot on top and started defrosting them for me. It occurred to me that was a particularly kind and loving thing to do and one which I must admit, I don't reciprocate! I cannot bear feeling cold toes on my warm ones and each morning when the little Buttons scurry into our bed, I grin and bear it as they burrow their cold fingers and toes into me. Not so Mr Button, he is happy to help out cold frogs and it is a quality I do admire in my Prince Charming.

As a reward for his generosity, I think I will make him a gift of the Hot Frog that Tania from Myrtle and Eunice is going to post on her blog. I'm not sure he will be the sole beneficiary of this gift but I am positive it will be well used by the cold frogs in the household!