Tag: kids

thoughts on mothering

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I have been mothering for most of my adult life, naturally and instinctually. And it is only now that i am older and where outside opinions only matter when i decide that they do, that i can say it’s the part that i like and respect the most about myself.  It has taken some time getting to this place of contentment. Not because i didn’t feel the worthiness of my chosen path or understand the magnitude of just how important my role is, but more, its taken this long to feel secure enough in saying it is absolutely enough for me. There has been pressure over the years, to be more, do more than only be a mother. Whether this derives from outside perceptions or from within, my guess is, it’s most likely a little of both. I have defiantly had my fair share of condescending queries about ‘what it is i do,other than mother. And for a short time, i did question if it truly was enough. Was i able to say i have no regrets of any unfulfilled ideas i had for myself?   Was there something else i needed to do to prove my worthiness and sense of value to the world, and possibly myself before i could say, Mothering is enough. Looking back now, the only times i have held any doubts in my life’s choices, has always been during times of great despondency, when doubt has pervaded all senses. Yet in times when i have remained true to myself, there has been no doubt, no regret, no other idea that could ever be more important than the path i am on.  Now, the dread of such inquiries wouldn’t bother me at all, more rather they would be welcomed. What ever doubts i held in my earlier years of parenting being a sufficient enough path to take, have stayed there.  I undeniably know now that it absolutely is enough. Enough for me.

 

a moment of grace

IMG_9777We gathered again on Christmas Eve as we always do with other families at my mums oldest, dearest, friends house. This year was different. This year, we were all here, with the children a year older and happy to reintroduce themselves to each other and the same faces we see only once a year and yet have become so familiar with. We were all here, in the absence of her. It has been less than a year, since she left us, we weren’t really certain if this wonderful tradition would continue, it has been going on for over thirty years. This celebration has always been about the children, the generations that it began with, now belongs to their children. It has been a sad year for this family, sad for my mum. On this night, we all paused, we took a breath from our own lives and it was there that the magic happened, there was a moment of grace for us all. We played, we laughed, we talked, we let go and smiled. There was a new baby to add to the generation, and the babies of last year were all toddlers now, and instant friends. Georgia, our littlest had a special attentiveness towards my mums friends husband. This was a recognisable hard moment for him, this had been his wife’s celebration, this was now, his gift to her. Georgia, in all of her young wise years, I’m certain knew this to be true. Her focus was on him. We watched in wonderment as she assertively bossed him around, ordering and leading him here and there, keeping him present, keeping him from falling down in his grief, that on a night like this would have been all too  easy to do. With bubbles, and smiles and angel wings on her tiny shoulders, we all remembered and vowed to come again next year.IMG_9720 IMG_9721 IMG_9712 IMG_9714 IMG_9717 IMG_9718 IMG_9713 IMG_9715 IMG_9711 IMG_9710 IMG_9709 IMG_9704 IMG_9706IMG_9784IMG_9782IMG_9781IMG_9783IMG_9786IMG_9785

rice paper rolls

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RICE PAPER ROLLS

Filling;1 packet rice paper,salad mix,carrot,avocado,cucumber,spring onions,dried shallots,light soy sauce,sweet chilli sauce

Method; prepare rice paper as packet directions,grate carrot,Julienne cucumber and slice avocado,gently pile ingredients into the centre of the rice paper being careful not to overfill or the rice paper will tear, add a teaspoon of sweet chilli sauce, fold in the ends, then fold over one side and roll up. Rolls can be eaten straight away or kept in the fridge for later. Dip in the soy sauce and enjoy.

 

beach moments

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we headed off down the coast to Phillip Island for the easter school holidays.  this is fast becoming our home away from home. We are fortunate enough to have a regular place to stay that makes it really easy to take very little with us, besides five kids packed into the car doesn’t leave very much room for too much more. So with just the necessities we make do, it’s a nice opportunity to live a little more simplified. It was a welcomed change spending our mornings on the beach, playing and forgetting our usual patterns of lunch making and school rush mornings. It was just the six of us this time, we left daddy behind to tend to the house and chickens.

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boston baked beans

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This is a fantastic quick weeknight dinner option and left overs for breakfast a couple of days later when the flavours have developed to their full potential,  is even better. I tend to make this dish without the bacon most of the time to cater for my vegetarians and it really doest seem to impact on the flavour at all. We often have this dish with scoops of creamy mash potato and fresh bread, its real comfort food for those winter nights or it is just as yummy served with flat bread and sour cream.

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boston baked beans

ingredients

olive oil,1 brown onion,4 rashes of free range rindless bacon,1 clove garlic,1 teaspoon of smoked paprika,2 tablespoons brown sugar,2 tablespoons tomato paste,2 tablespoons golden syrup,2 tablespoons worcestershire sauce,4 cans borlotti beans rinsed,3 cans of whole peeled tomatoes,season to taste

method

Using a large heavy based sauce pan gently fry the onion in the olive oil a few minutes then add garlic and chopped bacon if using, cook until bacon is slightly browned. Add paprika, sugar,tomato paste, golden syrup and worcestershire sauce. Stir for a few minutes until combined and fragrant.  Add beans with the whole tomatoes, bring to the boil and then simmer on  low heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to avoid sticking. serve with buttered toast or mashed potato.

this day in November

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This day in November, early morning wake up for mamma and papa,COFFEE and CUDDLES in bed from BOO, freshly laid eggs for perfect SCRAMBLED, a little art from SKYE,WASHING, garden PLAY time,swim in paddle pool for little ones and COUS COUS lunch.

COUS COUS SALAD

Ingredients: cous cous, sultanas, flaked almonds, grated carrot, pumpkin seeds, olive oil, sea salt,table spoon of salad dressing if desired.

Method: prepare cous cous as directed, grate one carrot, mix all ingredients together and serve cold.

down on the farm

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It was the most beautiful day in Melbourne yesterday, for the middle of winter.  We decided to pack up the children and head off to the Collingwood Children’s Farm for the morning. Once a month they hold a farmers market and sell everything from organically grown fruit and vegetables to wild flowers, home-made chai tea, giant hash browns, eggs, free range meat, sourdough bread even beer.  This is a fabulous market to go to especially with the kids and the dog if you have one, there’s so much room for them to run.   The farm itself grows all its own produce and the animals are hands on with the kids.  They can watch a cow being milked at 10 am,  pat sheep which are incredibly friendly, walk amongst the ducks, talk to the chickens, feed the goats and I’m sure much more.  We had a really, good, stress free time here, which is a rare thing when travelling with toddlers and babies with an added bonus of a great coffee.  If you live in Melbourne and have kids, pack up the gum boots, a change of clothes just in case and head there one weekend.. it really is a fun day out.