Pink Party Cake

Matilda wanted a pink fairy princess party for her 4th birthday, so being the obliging mother that I am we tried out best.

She typically wants cupcakes for her birthday, and who can blame her, I seldom let a cupcake pass my way unscathed, but this year it was different.  She came up  and informed me that not only did she not want  cupcakes, but she wanted a big pink cake instead.

Several of Tilly's little friends have food allergies so didn't want to use milk or red/pink food colouring in the cake or icing.  I decided on a vanilla cake with Strawberry Icing to get the pink she desired.  We did a triple layer cake to give it that extra height.  I meant to take a picture of it sliced but was too in the moment with 10 four year olds wanting a piece that I forgot.

It was absolutely delicious, moist, and wonderfully pink.

 Vanilla Cake

2 1/2 cups cake flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

4 eggs

1 1/2 cup sugar

2 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1 cup oil (vegetable, canola or extra light olive oil) or 1/2 c oil 1/2 c applesauce or plain yogurt

1 cup buttermilk

(or 1 cup milk plus 1 teaspoon white vinegar or lemon juice- add acid to the milk then set aside for 5 minutes before using)

Directions-

* In a medium bowl, add cake flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.  Stir together with whisk, and set aside.
* Preheat oven to 350*F.
* Using an electric mixer add eggs and beat 10-20 seconds.  Add sugar and continue to beat on medium speed about 30 seconds.  Add vanilla and oil, continue beating.
* Reduce mixer speed to low and slowly add about half of the flour mixture.  Add half of the milk, then the rest of the flour and the rest of the milk.  Beat until just combined.  Scrap down the side of the bowl.
* The batter will be thin.   Pour batter into prepared cake tins I used 9in ones as that is all I have.  
* Bake cupcakes in pre-heated oven for 25-30minutes.
* Cool in pan up to 5 minutes, then remove from pan (carefully) and finish cooling on a wire rack.

I doubled the recipe for a triple layer cake and used the leftover batter to make mini cupcakes.

I adapted this recipe from a cupcake one off Glorious Treats website.  She has LOADS of amazing looking things to make.  

Strawberry buttercream frosting

1 stick (125 g) butter softened

4 c powdered sugar

1/2 c strawberries purred with some chunks left

-beat butter until fluffy

-slowly add in powdered sugar, if it does you like it did me, even doing this slowly you'll end up with a white film

-add in mashed strawberries

More to come about the fairy party and our DIY projects involved :)

Do you have a typical birthday cake you eat?  If so tell me about it. . . 

She turned four

Yesterday my sweet little Matilda Grace turned 4.

I look at her and can't believe how big she has gotten, even though she told me she will be my little girl at least until she is 6. :)   

  It doesn't seem very long ago that we were counting down the days in anticipation for her arrival. 

 

I remember how hard her birth was (they say you forget, but you don't).  Then I remember thinking it was all worth it, as I sat up half the night, just watching that wonderful little person sleeping.  I remember thinking, "She is so perfect, I can't believe she's mine."   

She has helped teach me what it means to fervently pray for someone.  

She has made me laugh countless time and remember that the world is full of mystery and wonder, and it's good to ask questions.  

 

 She has taught me selflessness and that this world doesn't revolve around me. 

 Because of her and Nathan, I've seen what an amazing father my hubby is, and it makes me even more grateful for him each day. 

She has shown me what innocence looks like and made me want to preserve hers as long as possible.  

She is smart, hilarious, beautiful, imaginative, stubborn, silly, and countless other adjectives.   She has taught me me so much from day one, and I can't imagine our lives without this beautiful little girl in it.   We are blessed beyond measure.  I hope and pray we celebrate many more wonderful birthdays together.  Happy birthday my little angel girl.   

First things first

As mothers and older women it's about fixing ourselves.

A friend of mine commented on the last post like this:

 I don't have a daughter yet, but one thing I have learned from others is to be really careful about what you say about yourself and others. If a mother constantly talks about her weight (whether it is "I wish I weren't so fat" or "I wish I didn't have to work out all the time to stay this skinny") girls pick up on that priority. I like to hear mothers talk about being healthy (not fat or skinny) "so we can have the energy to do the things God wants us to do."


This was a great comment and hit right at the next point I was going to make.  (Which is why I didn't comment to you directly Deb).  If we are going to help our children not be focused on what they look like, to not have the same obsessions and insecurities that plague so many young girls then we have to work on that ourselves, and like Deborah mentioned change how we talk and be mindful of the example we are setting.  Children don't learn from our "intentions" they learn from our behaviours.

I try to think of the woman I admire most.  Women who have meant the most to me, that have helped to  mold and shape me into the woman I am today.  Women that when I think of Proverbs 3,1 their faces take shape.  What characteristics do these women possess?  Why do I admire and adore these women?

These aren't women who were fixated on the way they looked or complained about what they didn't have.  I admire and value them because of who they are on the inside, how they act and display their character, how they love and care for others around them, how they seek God first, others next, and themselves last.  They might not be the most physically beautiful women I have met, though some are, that plays no part, they have an inner beauty that radiates out.  They all possess personalities that draws others to them, a sort of sincerity and humble confidence that radiates out.  These are the things we need to teach our daughters and the other young women in our lives.

As women, and I think especially as young women, it is hard not to look around and compare ourselves with others.  Society constantly bombards us with these ideas in movies, tv shows, books, cartoons, magazines, and even in how we speak to one other.  We are encouraged to look a certain way, act a certain way, like certain things, not like certain people. We want to be liked, to be popular, to fit in,  to not be chosen last, and lets be honest to have that special guy like us.  However, when that is our focus, when those are the things we are really striving after and trying so hard to achieve, we are cheating ourselves out of so much happiness, and more importantly we aren’t  becoming the amazing individuals that God has designed us to be.  

Psalms 139: 1-3, 13-16

Let’s look again at verse 14:  “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made?  Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”

"My soul knows it very well"

How often do we thank God for the way he made us?  For the attributes that he has given us?  More often than not we see the flaws or the I wish this was a bit different, instead of praising God.  

God made each and every one of us with a plan in mind and to fulfil a different role.  When God created the first woman in Gen. 2  he saw everything that he had made and said that it was good, and he still feels the same way about us.

  

We need to start by resetting our focus and what we as parents and women think about.  

Read:

Philippians 4:8

English Standard Version (ESV)

⁸ Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

We must quit worrying and in turn teach our daughters not to worry about what we wear, how our hair is, what music is in, what gadgits are in, what boy noticed me, how many friends I have on facebook, etc, because you know what, in the scheme of life those things don’t matter, fashion changes, as well as music, gadgits break, you are most attractive to boys when you aren’t chasing them, and believe it or not but facebook doesn’t determine your worth.  Like Philippians says, you have to change your focus on to what really matters.  Focus on what is good, pure, noble.  Read your bibles, put scriptures up around the house or your room to remind you of things, when you start having negative thoughts about yourself, make yourself think of two good qualities, when you start focusing on negative in others think of good qualitites for them as well. 

QUIT the comparison game!   This is so costly and damaging to our relationships and does nothing but sow problems.  God made each of us differently and we are all important. Either we think we are better that someone else and drag them down without really knowing the full extent of their lives, or we belittle ourselves which is only causing harm as well.   

Please read through:

1 Cor. 12:14-25   

People will notice if you are different in this, if you have learned to accept and love yourself for who God created you to be.  They will notice that you love others around you.  They will see a true inner beauty, not one that is diminished by time, but one that will only grow stronger as you grow stronger in your faith.  When we change our behaviours to match these, and our focus onto what God has called us to be as women, then those habits and characteristics will be the ones we pass on to our daughters.

Also, never underestimate the power of prayer.  It is never to early to pray for them, to pray for that they become children of God, that they become the people He has made them to be.

It won't be easy, and I am sure my daughter will have her doubts, but I am determined to do my best to help her see how fearfully and wonderfully she has been made.  

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made, Breaking the self-doubt cycle

On our last visit home, I was asked to speak for a small group of younger christian women.  I was told they were studying Psalms and I could cover anything.   The prospect was a bit overwhelming, where should I begin?

What topic was something that was personal to me and would be applicable to these young women who were mostly in their teens and early 20's?

As I was reading I came across:   

Psalm 139:13-14

For You formed my inward parts:  You knitted me together in my mother's womb.  I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvellous are your works. And that my soul knows very well.

I had prayed these scriptures many times before during both of my pregnancies, it gave me such comfort knowing that God was at work on my little people. Yet it struck me there that these scriptures had a different application that addressed something I found as a struggle and believe many other young women do as well.

Why can't I remember that I am fearfully and wonderfully made?  Why do girls have to struggle so much with this concept?  Why do we doubt the beauty that God has bestowed on each of us?  Why do I still struggle with this issue?  It may not manifest itself the same way it did when I was 18 but many of these insecurities still plague me today.

As I look at my own daughter who will be 4 in a few weeks I pray for wisdom in how to help her break that cycle.  I want her to be confident, to know she is beautiful (not in a self-absorbed haughty way but in an inside good person sort of way).  I want her not worry about about what other people think and if she "fits in".  I want her to care about people no matter what "group" they are in. I want her to enjoy being who she is and not conform to others expectations.  I don't want her plagued by the same insecurities.  Insecurities that led to behaviours I wish I hadn't done, judgements I wish I hadn't made, sin I wish I had avoided.

So how do we break this cycle?  How do we teach young girls to see and accept that God has made them each beautiful in different ways, that they are valuable and worthy, that others opinions, especially boys, don't make them who they are?

In the next post I'll look at some ideas and scriptures that I've put together on this topic, but I would love to hear your opinions!  Do you think this is a problem area for young women?  How do you as older women and mothers help to teach them differently?  

Breakfast: A healthier alternative

My children LOVE pancakes, 8 out of 10 mornings that is what Tilly and even Nate will ask/beg for.  You do get the occasional eggs and toast or porridge, but usually it's pancakes with surbup (that's how Nate pronounces syrup and I just think it's adorable).

They don't typically get to sit in front of the tv, it's a treat.  

I just couldn't bring myself to make the typical white flour, no nutrient ones for them so often.  They don't stick with you and I found the kids asking for something else to eat an hour later. We are trying to instil healthy eating habits with our kids.  We try to only have whole wheat bread, pasta, and flour around the house.   I searched online for a while, tried a few varieties and this one is one of my favourites.  If there going to eat pancakes at least have so hearty, healthy ones going in. They are filling and very tasty.   I typically make a big batch of these early one morning each week and there are enough left overs for 2-3 more breakfast, plus they freeze great.

 Tilly likes hers plain with a little honey to dip them in,  Nate loves his full of blueberries, and Ed and I love ours with nuts and berries.  You can also add pecans, bananas, different spices, etc  they are pretty versatile.

 They go wonderfully with a cup of coffee, they call that a plunger here.  I just can't bring myself to call it that, reminds me to much of the toilet.

Pancakes

1 1/2 c old fashioned oats
1 1/2 c whole wheat flour
3 c buttermilk
3 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 TBSP apple sauce
2 eggs
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp (nutmeg, allspice, or I even like to throw in a little ginger)
1 tsp vanilla


-mix oats and buttermilk allow to soak while combining other ingredients
-mix all dry ingredients together
-beat eggs, and vanilla together
-add oat/buttermilk to dry ingredients along with eggs and apple sauce

-heat skillet add small tab of butter
-pour in mixture add fruit and nuts (whichever you prefer, i find blueberries and walnuts or pecans are wonderful!!!

Enjoy :)

Feeling young again

I love the fair.  I love the food, the hustle and bustle, the lights, the shows, the carnie folk, the animals, now that I think of there isn't much I don't like about it.  My mouth starts watering even now thinking of the cinnamon donuts and grilled corn.

I love the weird little sideshows that you come across like the mouse circus below.  It just amazes me the different interest people have and what they dedicate their time and energy to.

It is the perfect opportunity to let the little kid in you burst forth and try something new.  This is much harder than it looks. . . . or maybe it is exactly as hard and awkward as it looks.

The fair is a perfect opportunity for the little people to get up close and personal with lots of different farm animals.  Nathan could hardly contain his excitement.  He was so enthralled he kept running from one stall to the next trying to cuddle up to everything.

Our little chicks aren't nearly this small anymore.  I miss their little cuddle down feathers but look forward to the upcoming eggs.

The camels were one of his favourites and I think he would have eagerly ridden one if he had been allowed.  Who am I kidding, I would too.  

Seeing the adorable cuddly little piglets made me want one.  Who hasn't watched the movie Babe and not had the inkling for a smart little porker to follow you around.  If only they stayed that precious. I just couldn't keep that mindset as I looked into the next pen at the gigantic sows.  Maybe pigs aren't for me.  Note the hand holding Nathan back, sometimes he is a little TOO affectionate.  

They were offering free face painting outside the dairy barn.  I begrudgingly gave up my place in line after I saw all the small children waiting patiently giving me the evil eye (or was that my imagination).  The upside was that it was free (few things in Australia are), the downside was, since it was at the dairy barn, they were only painting cow related pictures.  Now look closely. . . .What do you see?  

A Unicow!!!!!!  That's right.  The girls both wanted unicorns, so my sister in a pinch,  used her creativity and asked the painter if she would mind making Unicows for them instead. . . and low and behold, a new breed was created and everyone was happy.

I did say happy before. Don't be misled by the previous picture, the girls weren't so sure about what they were watching.  To be fair, it was a 8ft robot straight out of Terminator, he even freaked me out at first, that was until he talked.  

He was hilarious!! He sang, danced, cried on the crowd, cooed at the babies, and was thoroughly entertaining.  Ed wished he was darker, but I have to admit I was glad for silliness, otherwise I think I might have been having nightmares that night.

It was an amazing day together spent with my favourite people in the world.  As we left that night Tilly asked if we could go back the next day and I must admit I found myself wanting to relent.  It is something we look forward to each and every year, looking forward to next October and the Royal Show 2013.

Do you like the fair?  What's your favourite part?

Our new little ones

Eddie grew up on a farm and even though he says that when he was younger he swore when he was big he would pave all of his property so there was nothing to weed, the farm life still calls to him.  

Everywhere we have lived we have had some sort of mini-garden.  From our first apartment in Atlanta where everything was planted in pots on our tiny little patio, to making our raised garden beds in the house we owned, to our current little veggie patch here we have always been growing something.  It seems we have even begun passing this desire onto the little people as they are always wanting to help and digging in the dirt.  It is such a great feeling planting and tending to something and then getting to eat the fruits of your labor.  

Our little garden patch

Tilly's strawberries she planted and grew.

Apart from gardening and growing our our veggies, animals have always been a part of both of our lives.  We have Tess (the dog) and Oz (the cat), but have recently decided to add a few more members to our family.  

In case our lives aren't crazy enough we've decided to get chickens once again.  

We adopted 5 little ones, all different breeds.

We thought, even though it will be longer until we are able to get fresh eggs that, it would be fun for the kids to adopt week-old chicks and raise.  The reasoning was two-fold, the chicks could get use to being handled and the kids could see the huge change they go through.  

Tilly instantly took to the smallest and claimed it as her own

Nathan and Tilly have absolutely loved it.  Tilly helps clean up their box and they both hold and pet them almost daily.

Since we bought week old chicks it's still unknown whether they are male or female so we have explained to the kids that any boys have to go.  After we know they sex of them we are going to have a chicken naming party with cupcakes and chicken hats.

By the way Tilly has already named hers, the little white one, aka Pretty.  She's real original :)

To me, chickens should have old lady names.  Our last chickens were Beatrice and Millicent, "B" and "Millie" for short.

What would you name a chicken?   All names will go into the draw at the chicken naming party.