
1 slice of fruit bread with margerine
2 cruskits (rye crackers) with promite
A fruit stick (Bella brand)


For Stuart (medieval history buff)
For Elijah (our resident monkey and budding musician)
For Saraya (lover of all things "tiny"- she loves this little Pinnochio)
And me! (Carrier of nappies, wipes, changes of clothes, dummies, burping cloths, snacks, drinkbottles, oh, and my purse is in there somewhere........)
How fun to get presents!! Especially when they were specially chosen and have travelled so far to get to us.
We've had a nice Monday today. A quiet day at home, which was fitting as the weather was bleak- rainy and very very cold. I had the fireplace going all day, and the house is really toasty tonight! Elijah and I played lots of games together, made a cake, read books, did the folding, cooked tea, and he played the computer while I managed to finish "The Alchemist" (great ending). We also had 2 little friends come to play after school this afternoon which was lots of fun. Off to our toddler music group "Mainly Music" tomorrow. I'm hoping the weather is a little brighter so I feel inspired enough to walk outside! It would be nice to see the sun- cloudy days really make me appreciate it. :)
This bit is for Mum as she has asked for the recipe, though I would highly recommend it to anyone as it's my favourite cake to bake (and the one we made today!):
Applesauce Cake
Cream 1/2 cup shortening (veg oil or margerine) with 1 and a 1/2 cups of sugar. Add 2 well-beaten eggs, mix well. Mix in alternately 1 and 1/2 cups of applesauce and 2 and 1/2 cups of sifted plain flour, beating well after each addition. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon of ground cloves and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Dissolve 1 teaspoon bicarb soda in 2 tablespoons of hot water, add and mix well. Fold in 1 cup of currants or sultanas, plus (optional) 1/2 cup chopped nuts.
Done! Pour into a greased round cake tin and bake in 180 degree oven for about 1 hour or until skewer comes out clean. I actually find 175 is a better temperature, but my oven is quite hot.
Mmmmm, enjoy... this cake is yummy and spicey in the Winter.






Tomorrow's post will feature a few more holiday gift pictures. Yes, we were really blessed with some lovely treasures from Mum's trip! Hope everyone has had a great weekend.
What a happy smiley face to wake up to!

My other smiley wonder......... I have two other beautiful smiley ones from this little photo session, but they keep loading sideways for some reason. Will ask Stu about it later.
Before you think I'm completely mad, let me explain that Eljiah likes to climb into the front of the car and have a "drive" while we're waiting for the school bell to ring (when we're early that is, which is rare!)........

William, a little more sedate as we head towards bedtime..............
The other thing I wanted to add is a fun room change-around that we did last weekend. Since we've lived in this house, our middle room has been our dining room, and our front room our playroom. Well, we felt like a change and swapped them around!! I am loving the change, and here are a couple of pics to share.

A spot for drawing (paper and pens in the big basket on the blue table), puzzles, Noah's ark, railroad track, Elijah's cars, magnodoodles, books galore, and our favourite toys ever, Little People. We're having fun in that room!

