Winter warmer

Winter is definately starting to show itself here.  Its getting harder to brave getting out of bed in the mornings and the evening chill starts to set in around 4pm.

With the cooler weather upon us, its a good excuse, well for me anyway, to fix some good old family favourites in the kitchen.  Wholesome, filling, tummy warming recipes that are just too much to eat in the Queensland summer and have a special place in our home in the cooler months.

I've been super busy, and perhaps getting a little carried away, in the kitchen this afternoon after picking up some very well priced vegetables at the fruit shoppe today.....how could I not stock up on pumpkin at only 29 cents a kilo!!

The kitchen has been a buzz with 5 recipes underway all at once.....and let me tell you the house smells delightful!  A traditional lasagne, vegetable lasagne, pumpkin soup, banana cake, caramel cakes....mmmmm yum!

What I am most looking forward to though is a slice of that fresh banana cake with my cuppa tonight when I snuggle under the douvet to watch my favourite shows, Greys and DHW.

Banana cake was a childhood favourite in our home.  I always remember looking at the bananas starting to get a little past their best and excitedly thinking...oh shame, now mum will have to make a banana cake!  I look forward to sharing our favourite recipe with you tomorrow!

Until then enjoy your evening and keep warm!

Tash

Easter Celebrations

Easter is a very special time for our family. It is a time of reflection and thankfulness, a time to be humbled by love and reflect on our Faith.
The story of Jesus’ death, is one of hope and truth. And as we reflect on his death and resurrection we can be excited about the freedom his love has given us.

It can be so easy to get caught up in the consumerism of the occasion with so many beautifully wrapped and decorated Easter themed goodies around when you have children. A couple of years ago, I spent alot of time considering how I could ensure my children embraced the meaning of Easter while still being able to share in the magical delight of the Easter bunny and his gifts.

And from that grew what has become our Easter tradition of a Resurrection Sunday Breakfast Party. Easter is, like any occasion in our home, a time of fun in the kitchen, of styling pretty things and enjoying fun and laughter with family and friends.  This breakfast allows us to do all of that, to laugh, to grow and to honor God.

This though is a party with a difference.  While the table is adorned with pretty things and sweet treats...the meal itself is simple and humble, reminding us of the sacrifice that was made at the cross.  Our menu consists of foods which represent to us the act of Easter.  A plate of warm Hot Cross Buns are a reminder of His death, of His flesh broken on the Cross; while Gleaming White boiled eggs symbolise New Life clean and unblemished; and finally some yummy treats remind us that Our Heavenly Father is a God of joy and delights in us coming to him with the heart of a child. 

We have found this a simple and beautiful way to take some time on Easter Sunday morning to reflect on Gods love.

From our family to yours, we pray you too have a blessed and joyful Easter however you celebrate it.

understanding selfworth - who we are, not what we have!

In a society of materialism and image; where striving for better homes, better cars, better labelled clothing, better body image etc,  seem to matter more than moral stance, ethics, good old fashioned values, and the joy of relationships;  In a world where even children struggle to keep up with their peers, and advertising gurus bombard them with expectations on possessions and image;  Where children say, I am bored, as soon as they are left to their own devices for more than 5 minutes without electronic games or the latest high tech toy to occupy them; I thought I would share a little story that happened with my daughter. Its a story that got me thinking about self worth and how despite the pressures of society around us, there is still hope that we can be happy with who we are, not what we have!

Through various life experiences I have tried as a parent to show my children the value of relationships and community V's possessions (which I assure you they still have plenty of!).  It can be hard for any parent to find a balance between social expectations and pressures and not spoiling or doing our kids self esteem any harm.  I have always tried to be sensitive to these social factors and certainly don't brush off the reality of them in my children's lives. The reality is that this is the type of society we live in.  And the reality is that its hard for kids to not be drawn into a world of materialism and self gratification to feel accepted by those around them, or even good about themselves...goodness knows its hard enough for us adults to work our way through!

Which brings me to yesterdays conversation where my 3 year old made a simple, honest from the heart statement that made me very proud of the way my kids are view the world and themselves at this point. 

Whilst driving home from Kindy, Miss 3 pops out with, "Mummy, do you know what?"...I reply with a cheeky, "No I don't, who is What?".  She giggles and says," No Mummy I want to tell you something!  Mummy, I love Me, and Mummy, and Daddy, and my brother and my sister and Papa and Mima and Koro and.....who lives with Koro?  Oh yeah Mama, and I love Grandma and.........." the list went on.  She went through all the people in her life she loves, I'll be honest, it took a while.  Finally when she couldn't think of anyone else I asked her, "What makes you the most happy in the whole world?"....she smiled her contagiously gorgeous smile and said confidently..."all the people that I love make me happy!".  I smiled and said to her..."you know I am so glad you said that, but I am most glad that when you started telling me all the people you love, you put yourself first!  I always want you to remember just how special you are, and to remember that God made you perfectly and you should always remember to love being the person God created you to be!"  her reply,"God made me very special didn't he Mummy, I like me!"..."Yes darling, VERY special, and I love you too!".

Today too many of us forget the value of enjoying who we are and accepting ourselves. We look to "material things" to make us who we think we need to be, we forget that we are enough the way we are and that the things in life that cost nothing, like relationships, quiet time, walking along the beach, sitting in a park; those things can make us truly happy. 

Miss 3 could have listed off a myriad of material things which make her happy; her toy room, her videos, her cubby house, her bicycle, the swimming pool, her favourite baby doll....But no, she choose the people she loves, and herself!

I am so proud to know that she is so balanced and has such a lovely view of the world at the moment, I certainly hope its not something she ever looses hold of.

Today, take some time to remember who you are....and where your true worth lies!