This is going to be one of those posts that, in years to come, I know I will probably live to regret... one of those ones where my teenage daughter will cry out...
"Mum!!! Seriously!!! Did you HAVE to write about that?!"
But given that this blog is a place for offloading the bizarre thought-processes of my brain, as well as being some form of record life in our family and our children's growing up years, I couldn't really avoid this fairly major issue...
We are attempting to begin potty training.
Yes. I know its madness. I know its early. I know it seems ridiculous. I thought EXACTLY the same thing when my mother-in-law kept insisting we get the ball rolling on it, but after trialling the "prep" stage for the last few weeks, very casually, I have come to the conclusion that Ava is at least up for giving it a go... so giving it a go we are...
About a month ago, when Ava was just over 15 months, we starting whipping out the potty occasionally, and we were EXTREMELY lucky in that Ava just happened to wee on the potty the very first time we put her on it. It was first thing in the morning, I had just got up and was heading into the bathroom and thought I may as well stick her on it at the same time. Lo and behold... 2 minutes later there was joyous dancing in the bathroom, shouts of "Dave, Dave... come look" and Ava looking a confused mixture of great joy and pride at whatever she had done that had pleased Mama so much, and slight fear at this bizarre display of celebration! We were lucky, because it was chance - and although it probably did help that I had told her what to do, and she was there at the same time as me - I can't deny that it was just very fortunate on our part. The great thing about that "pure chance" was that Ava therefore knew what the potty was for, and what we wanted her to do on it.
Fast forward a month, and I've been sporadically trying her out on it, plonking her on whenever Dave or I use the bathroom, and sitting her on it first thing it the morning. While she's on it, she's surrounded by books, a couple of which are board books about using the potty, and its been pretty successful. She hasn't performed every time, but has been not far off. She still looks with wonder at the puddle in the potty every time, perhaps wondering how on earth it got there!
Ava has been telling me for a couple of months when she needs a number two, so I knew that we had to bite the bullet with that one, and this weekend we had our first success story. She looked so chuffed with herself, bless her. And I was literally dancing for joy... the thought that she could perhaps be trained before the arrival of number two seems too good to be true (and I'm not holding out on it - if she has a positive relationship with the potty, thats enough for me)
These next couple of days are pretty manic with new years etc, so I've decided to hold on to our relaxed "prep" phase for a couple more days and then attempt to bite the bullet on Wednesday... we'll see how it goes. I don't want to pressure her, or force her into a negative view of the potty. She's been really positive about it so far and I definitely don't want that to change... but come Wednesday we'll give it a go. If it doesn't work, I've not lost anything, and if it does? Well... that would be utterly amazing! But I'm convinced she's ready mentally. We just have to see if she's physically able with the whole control thing yet. At 16 months, she's pretty young, but certainly on the continent its not abnormal to have them trained by 18 months. All I know is if I leave it til after Bubba 2 arrives, it will get shelved for another six months at least... and part of me thinks if she's up for it and is able to communicate, follow instructions and wants to please, then surely its worth having a go???
Well, its remains to be seen....
I'll keep you posted!
Monday 31 December 2012
Friday 28 December 2012
Wind the bobbin up...
One of Ava's favourite songs at the moment... after a little distraction from her new stacking blocks, she finally gets into it!
Meanwhile, I am shattered after a day of hubby being ill in bed, and beginning to attempt to clear the spare room so we can move Ava into the big bedroom to make way for the new baby. This little visit from my Mum (Ava's beloved Nanny!) for an English sing-song was a welcome reprieve!
Things looking up today - hubby feeling better and guest room well on the way to being cleared. Once its cleared out, the fun begins. I'll be taking pics to share the adventure with you all!
Meanwhile, I am shattered after a day of hubby being ill in bed, and beginning to attempt to clear the spare room so we can move Ava into the big bedroom to make way for the new baby. This little visit from my Mum (Ava's beloved Nanny!) for an English sing-song was a welcome reprieve!
Things looking up today - hubby feeling better and guest room well on the way to being cleared. Once its cleared out, the fun begins. I'll be taking pics to share the adventure with you all!
Thursday 27 December 2012
The masses descend!
Every year, on Boxing Day, my Dad's family has a huge gathering. I mean huge. Like 30 people huge. It's noisy. It's packed. But its wonderful. And we love it!
Ava, and the other small children, were in their element. After getting over the initial "overwhelmingness" of it all, they spent the day being spoilt rotten, followed around by their big cousins (once-removed) and generally having a whale of a time. Great food. Great conversation. Great fun!
Ava, and the other small children, were in their element. After getting over the initial "overwhelmingness" of it all, they spent the day being spoilt rotten, followed around by their big cousins (once-removed) and generally having a whale of a time. Great food. Great conversation. Great fun!
Centre of attention! |
Trying to make her mouth "pop" like Grandpa! |
Story time! |
Boys will be boys... the Wii was played with ALL day...! |
Food glorious food! The clan seriously knows how to put on a good spread! |
Another great Boxing Day behind us... SO much fun, but absolutely exhausted!
xxx
Wednesday 26 December 2012
Our Christmas Day...
Turkey dinner at my parents - yes, I know I'm huge... less than 10 weeks to go! |
It was lovely. And chilled. And special. Just how I like it...
This girly adores her Uncle Agga... |
... and there's always tonnes of fun to be had with "Tante" Kristin |
Loving her Etchasketch... |
Helping Nanny and Grandpa with their present-opening! |
They were seriously chuffed with their "Ava calendar" |
We then had a quick Skype chat with our Norwegian family to say Merry Christmas, before one tired little girl was packed off to bed!
I hope you have all had a wonderful, relaxing and memorable Christmas, remembering the arrival of the Saviour!
xxx
Tuesday 25 December 2012
Merry Christmas Everyone!
With love from us, as we remember the Saviour,
David, Claire, Ava and Bump xxx
Friday 21 December 2012
Daddy's girl...
As the christmas mayhem ensues, I have cut the creative idea today and instead wanted just to post some pics of one girly and her Daddy. This was the scene 3 minutes after Dave arrived home from work last night. She adores him. He adores her. Nothing more to say really...
Hope the weekend isn't too hectic as you all do your last minute preparations (I know I will be running around like a headless chicken!!)
Happy Christmas!
Thursday 20 December 2012
Countdown to Christmas 13: Table decorations with Kitty...
Only 5 days to go!!! Another visitor today - the lovely Kitty is here with some really cute, christmas ideas for decorating the table - these will be a particular hit with the kids and they are SUPER simple to make!! Over to Kitty...
Hi there! My name is Kitty and I'm 26 years old. I have a degree in textile design and am currently doing some private art work alongside my admin job. This is an idea I had for some simple Christmas place name holders... its an easy way to bring some festive cheer to your dinner table!
You need:
Candy canes
Ribbon
Card
A pen
Step One: Using some simple card, create your place names, decorating them to match the "theme" of your table...
Step Two: Use your hot glue gun to attach 3 candy canes together. One facing backwards in the centre, and two at a slight angle facing out, as in the picture...
Voila - beautiful table name holders that take about 5 minutes to make! Thanks Kitty! I love them! Now I just need to go candy cane shopping!
Hi there! My name is Kitty and I'm 26 years old. I have a degree in textile design and am currently doing some private art work alongside my admin job. This is an idea I had for some simple Christmas place name holders... its an easy way to bring some festive cheer to your dinner table!
You need:
Candy canes
Ribbon
Card
A pen
Step One: Using some simple card, create your place names, decorating them to match the "theme" of your table...
Step Two: Use your hot glue gun to attach 3 candy canes together. One facing backwards in the centre, and two at a slight angle facing out, as in the picture...
Voila - beautiful table name holders that take about 5 minutes to make! Thanks Kitty! I love them! Now I just need to go candy cane shopping!
Wednesday 19 December 2012
Countdown to Christmas 12: A different kind of creative...
There are SO many creative people out there, and I appreciate so much the creativity of others - particularly the kind I don't possess! I have found "Igniter Media" to be a brilliant resource bank of fantastic, thought-provoking, creative film clips that really make us think through christmas. Here's one for you to enjoy, and I recommend you peruse their HUGE variety of creative short movies on Youtube!
It's so easy to get side-tracked by all the great traditions we wrap christmas up in; this short clip reminds us how to keep focussed!
Less than a week to go!
It's so easy to get side-tracked by all the great traditions we wrap christmas up in; this short clip reminds us how to keep focussed!
Less than a week to go!
Tuesday 18 December 2012
Countdown to Christmas 11: Cranberry and Chocolate Cookies with Jo from "Standing on Solid Ground"
Time for another lovely visitor today... I'll let her introduce herself!
I’m Jo, Claire’s sister-in-law. I love all things craft and cooking. My latest venture has been making lip balms and bath products but for this post I have returned to my primary passion, baking.
These cookies are so easy to make but the flavour is great and, whilst cranberries always make me think of Christmas and Turkey, they can be made anytime of the year. Every time I have made them they have been a hit!
Serves 18 (or more if you want smaller bitesize pieces)
You need:
2.5oz / 70g Caster Sugar
2oz / 60g Light Brown Sugar
4oz / 125g Plain flour
1/2 teaspoon Baking powder
1/8 teaspoon Bicarbonate of soda
1/8 teaspoon Salt
3oz / 100g Quick cook oats
6 oz / 170g Dried cranberries
4oz / 120g White chocolate chopped, or white chocolate drops
4oz / 120g Butter melted
1 Egg
1 teaspoon of Vanilla extract
Method:
Put all the dry ingredients in a bowl add the butter and egg and mix in well. Put the cookie mix in the fridge and leave to chill for at least 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to Gas 4/180°C/350°F. Line a baking tray or 2 with greaseproof or baking paper. Drop spoonfuls of the mixture onto the baking tray leaving enough distance between the cookies for them to spread. If you want the mixture is solid enough to roll into balls and press down with a fork.
Bake in the oven for 8-10 minutes until golden, remove and leave on a rack to cool, they can be served warm or cold and taste great with a glass of milk.
These cookies also makes a great Christmas gift, by layering the dry ingredients in an airtight jar in the order above, sieving together the flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda and salt before adding them in, it will last for up to 6 months. All you need to do is add a label with the method and the amount of butter, egg and vanilla essence required. If you have Vanilla Sugar you can substitute 1 teaspoon of it for the Vanilla extract and would be a great gift for someone who doesn’t normally bake & wouldn’t ever use vanilla extract.
NB Vanilla sugar isn’t ordinary sugar flavoured with vanilla but a product used widely on the continent instead of vanilla extract.
Thanks Jo! I will admit, I was with Jo one day when she made these and I scoffed a few down - they are utterly yum!! I highly recommend giving them a go, and I will be giving them a go myself once the holidays begin (and the end of term/pre-christmas chaos ends!)
I’m Jo, Claire’s sister-in-law. I love all things craft and cooking. My latest venture has been making lip balms and bath products but for this post I have returned to my primary passion, baking.
These cookies are so easy to make but the flavour is great and, whilst cranberries always make me think of Christmas and Turkey, they can be made anytime of the year. Every time I have made them they have been a hit!
Serves 18 (or more if you want smaller bitesize pieces)
You need:
2.5oz / 70g Caster Sugar
2oz / 60g Light Brown Sugar
4oz / 125g Plain flour
1/2 teaspoon Baking powder
1/8 teaspoon Bicarbonate of soda
1/8 teaspoon Salt
3oz / 100g Quick cook oats
6 oz / 170g Dried cranberries
4oz / 120g White chocolate chopped, or white chocolate drops
4oz / 120g Butter melted
1 Egg
1 teaspoon of Vanilla extract
Method:
Put all the dry ingredients in a bowl add the butter and egg and mix in well. Put the cookie mix in the fridge and leave to chill for at least 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to Gas 4/180°C/350°F. Line a baking tray or 2 with greaseproof or baking paper. Drop spoonfuls of the mixture onto the baking tray leaving enough distance between the cookies for them to spread. If you want the mixture is solid enough to roll into balls and press down with a fork.
Bake in the oven for 8-10 minutes until golden, remove and leave on a rack to cool, they can be served warm or cold and taste great with a glass of milk.
These cookies also makes a great Christmas gift, by layering the dry ingredients in an airtight jar in the order above, sieving together the flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda and salt before adding them in, it will last for up to 6 months. All you need to do is add a label with the method and the amount of butter, egg and vanilla essence required. If you have Vanilla Sugar you can substitute 1 teaspoon of it for the Vanilla extract and would be a great gift for someone who doesn’t normally bake & wouldn’t ever use vanilla extract.
NB Vanilla sugar isn’t ordinary sugar flavoured with vanilla but a product used widely on the continent instead of vanilla extract.
Thanks Jo! I will admit, I was with Jo one day when she made these and I scoffed a few down - they are utterly yum!! I highly recommend giving them a go, and I will be giving them a go myself once the holidays begin (and the end of term/pre-christmas chaos ends!)
Monday 17 December 2012
How fast a year flies...
I'm taking a slight deviation from my "Countdown to Christmas" today... I hope you'll forgive me... but this Saturday we had our NCT christmas party and I just had to share...
This time last year, we were new parents of little bubbas who couldn't sit, but slouched against the sofa, propped up by cushions and dressed up in suitable christmassy attire... like this...
One year on, and boy, how our worlds have changed. We have toddlers - little mini people who walk around, back-chat, show their little personalities and don't always do what they're told. But boy do we love them. Its been such a journey, and fab to share it with these lovely ladies who have changed from being the strangers we first laid eyes on in that awkward first meeting, to some of my best friends.
And here they are one year later! Yes we are total saddo's and lined them up in the same order as last year. But yes, we are also clever enough to put them in high chairs so they couldn't escape! Still impossible to get that perfect picture, though!!!
Aren't they too cute?!
This time last year, we were new parents of little bubbas who couldn't sit, but slouched against the sofa, propped up by cushions and dressed up in suitable christmassy attire... like this...
One year on, and boy, how our worlds have changed. We have toddlers - little mini people who walk around, back-chat, show their little personalities and don't always do what they're told. But boy do we love them. Its been such a journey, and fab to share it with these lovely ladies who have changed from being the strangers we first laid eyes on in that awkward first meeting, to some of my best friends.
And here they are one year later! Yes we are total saddo's and lined them up in the same order as last year. But yes, we are also clever enough to put them in high chairs so they couldn't escape! Still impossible to get that perfect picture, though!!!
Aren't they too cute?!
Friday 14 December 2012
Countdown to Christmas 10: The scent of Christmas...
There's something lovely about the scent of Christmas, isn't there? Yesterday evening, my hub brought home our Christmas tree and its perfect. It ticks every box I wanted it to (see here for my long checklist this year!) and for the first time, I haven't taken a pair of garden shears to it! Last night, after Ava went to bed, we put it up and decorated it. I can't wait to see that cute little chubby face grin with glee when she sees all those sparkly lights! And the smell... there is just something incredible that takes you right back to that childhood excitement when you walk into a room with a live Christmas tree in it.
But fir branches aren't the only scents I associate with Christmas - cloves in orange pomanders, cranberry and cinnamon are all high up there, and that's what led me to this SERIOUSLY quick and easy craft for today...
Cinnamon sticks are easy to get hold of, easy to work with and smell INCREDIBLE...
Time taken: About 5 minutes...
You Need:
A pack of cinnamon sticks (either from your Supermarket or craft shop)
Some thin Christmassy ribbon
A dab of liquid glue
Some string (optional)
Step One:
Gather three cinammon sticks together and lay two on the bottom, and one centrally on the top. Dab a bit of glue on the inside (so it remains unseen) to secure the sticks. The ribbon should hold them together, but better to be safe than sorry!
Step Two:
Wrap a bit of ribbon tight around your three cinnamon sticks and tie tightly in a knot. Once you are sure it is tight and secure, tie the remaining ribbon into a bow on the top. You can then either attach a piece of string to make a lovely, scented Christmas tree decoration, or you can simply pile them up - perhaps amongst some dried oranges, apples or star of anis, to create your own gorgeous Christmas pot pourri.
DEAD easy. Seriously!
Happy weekend everyone! Hope its not TOO full of hectic Christmas shopping!
Thursday 13 December 2012
Countdown to Christmas 9: Advent Drawers with Lisa
Hi! I'm a part time Science teacher and Mum of nearly two (Esther is coming up 2 and a half and my baby boy is due soon after the new year!) I know Claire from Church and have enjoyed craft and sewing evenings with her!
So here's the project...
Christmas Craft: Advent Drawers
Time to make: 1.5 hours (I made it during my daughter's lunchtime nap!) You need:
25 mini matchboxes
Glue
A cereal box
Paint or glue/paper for decoupage
Sweets/goodies/stickers for filling the drawers
Step 1:
Stick your 25 matchboxes in 5 rows and 5 columns. I used a fairly strong liquid glue - a bit like Uhu.
Step 2: Cut out cardboard sections for the top, bottom and sides from your cereal box. Then paint or decoupage them...
Pull out the drawers and paint/decoupage/decorate them. I used a mixture of Christmas paper and colourful paper.
Step 4:
Stick on beads as drawer handles. Ideally, I wanted to use brass fasteners (split pins) but I couldn't get hold of any in time, so I used beads and double sided sticky tape instead.
Step 5:
Number the drawers randomly from 1-25 and fill each drawer with a goodie or two plus a piece of the Christmas story! I put a sticker and sweet in each one, plus a wooden christmas character that I picked up from my local craft shop, that my daughter can colour in each day.
Step 6:
Finished!
Reflections:
The drawers are quite small and delicate (plus there's not much room for goodies). Larger matchboxes would have been more suitable, though more expensive to buy. The door handles I used were beads and they come off quite easily. Ideally I wanted to use brass fasteners, but couldn't get hold of any in time.
Thanks so much Lisa - I think I better get collecting large matchboxes for advent next year! We do go through candles by the tonne in this house, so hopefully 12 months might give me a good head start! What a cute idea!
Back tomorrow with some more Creative Christmas ideas! Only 12 days to go!
Wednesday 12 December 2012
St Nick in the sky...
This week at prayer meeting, the following clip was shown. I just found it SO helpful in thinking through what Christmas is really all about, and challenging many of the ideas that our society holds...
Is it really all about Santa?
Its pure genius! I urge you to watch!
Is it really all about Santa?
Its pure genius! I urge you to watch!
Countdown to Christmas 8: Biscuits galore!
After my baking post, I had a couple of requests for more yummy German/Austrian Christmas biscuits, so I thought I'd give you a sneaky insight into my favourite page of my recipe book...
It's FULL of yummy Christmas recipes that I nabbed when I lived out in Austria a few years ago...
So here are some more recipes for you to add to your Christmas Bake-book! I'm going to hold back on the Lebkuchen (Gingerbread) as my friend Lisa and I are hoping to create some gingerbread houses this week, and they'll go on the blog next week! Recipe to follow!!
In the meantime... here are some recipes for you to get your teeth into - quite literally!!
Coconut Macaroons
4 egg whites
pinch of salt
200g sugar
300g coconut
Add the salt to the egg whites and then beat until stiff (hold bowl upside down without the mix dropping - dangerous I know, but its a good test, and ensures you are pretty sure its stiff enough before you test it!). Slowly beat in the sugar a little at a time. Stir in the coconut carefully. Spoon teaspoonfuls of the mixture onto a lined baking tray. Bake for approx. 20 minutes at 170 degrees until light brown.
Hausfreunde
3 eggs
140g sugar
8g vanilla sugar/1tsp vanilla essence
100g flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
150g ground hazelnuts
100g raisins
Beat the eggs until light and fluffy, gradually add the sugar and vanilla sugar until the mixture is creamy. Sieve the flour and baking powder over the mixture and stir in. Stir in the nuts and raisins. Spread the mixture onto a greased baking tray. Bake for approx. 20 mins at 160 degrees. Cut into cubes or strips while its still hot.
Vanillakipferln (these are my ABSOLUTE favourites!)
270g flour
300g butter
90g icing sugar
150g ground hazelnuts
icing sugar and vanilla sugar for coating
Rub the butter into the flour. Mix in the nuts and icing sugar and form the mass into a large ball. Leave the ball in the fridge for at least two hours. Break off parts of the dough and roll into long roll strips about 1cm in diameter. Cut into pieces and fold into crescent shapes. Bake for around 20-25 minutes at 160 degrees in a preheated oven. When they have cooled, sprinkle over them a mixture of icing sugar and vanilla sugar to flavour. Then devour!
Sauerrahmkekse
300g flour
1tsp baking powder
150g sugar
pinch of salt
nutmeg
1 egg yolk
125g butter
3 spoons sour cream
8g Vanilla sugar/1 tsp vanilla essence
Rub the butter into the flour until the mixture looks like breadcrumbs. Stir in the other dry ingredients. Add the sour cream and egg yolks and knead the mixture together until a ball forms. Leave in the fridge to rest for a couple of hours.
Once removed from the fridge, roll out the dough and, using biscuit cutters, cut out the desired shape. Brush with egg yolk/milk and sprinkle with rock sugar before placing in the oven for approximately 18 minutes at 180 degrees until golden brown.
Well, hopefully that's enough for you to be getting on with! Let me know which are the favourite! I might just have to make some Vanillekipferln myself know - they are definitely my favourites!!
It's FULL of yummy Christmas recipes that I nabbed when I lived out in Austria a few years ago...
So here are some more recipes for you to add to your Christmas Bake-book! I'm going to hold back on the Lebkuchen (Gingerbread) as my friend Lisa and I are hoping to create some gingerbread houses this week, and they'll go on the blog next week! Recipe to follow!!
In the meantime... here are some recipes for you to get your teeth into - quite literally!!
Pic courtesy of Elana's Pantry |
4 egg whites
pinch of salt
200g sugar
300g coconut
Add the salt to the egg whites and then beat until stiff (hold bowl upside down without the mix dropping - dangerous I know, but its a good test, and ensures you are pretty sure its stiff enough before you test it!). Slowly beat in the sugar a little at a time. Stir in the coconut carefully. Spoon teaspoonfuls of the mixture onto a lined baking tray. Bake for approx. 20 minutes at 170 degrees until light brown.
Hausfreunde
3 eggs
140g sugar
8g vanilla sugar/1tsp vanilla essence
100g flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
150g ground hazelnuts
100g raisins
Beat the eggs until light and fluffy, gradually add the sugar and vanilla sugar until the mixture is creamy. Sieve the flour and baking powder over the mixture and stir in. Stir in the nuts and raisins. Spread the mixture onto a greased baking tray. Bake for approx. 20 mins at 160 degrees. Cut into cubes or strips while its still hot.
Pic courtesy of Ichkoche |
270g flour
300g butter
90g icing sugar
150g ground hazelnuts
icing sugar and vanilla sugar for coating
Rub the butter into the flour. Mix in the nuts and icing sugar and form the mass into a large ball. Leave the ball in the fridge for at least two hours. Break off parts of the dough and roll into long roll strips about 1cm in diameter. Cut into pieces and fold into crescent shapes. Bake for around 20-25 minutes at 160 degrees in a preheated oven. When they have cooled, sprinkle over them a mixture of icing sugar and vanilla sugar to flavour. Then devour!
Sauerrahmkekse
300g flour
1tsp baking powder
150g sugar
pinch of salt
nutmeg
1 egg yolk
125g butter
3 spoons sour cream
8g Vanilla sugar/1 tsp vanilla essence
Rub the butter into the flour until the mixture looks like breadcrumbs. Stir in the other dry ingredients. Add the sour cream and egg yolks and knead the mixture together until a ball forms. Leave in the fridge to rest for a couple of hours.
Once removed from the fridge, roll out the dough and, using biscuit cutters, cut out the desired shape. Brush with egg yolk/milk and sprinkle with rock sugar before placing in the oven for approximately 18 minutes at 180 degrees until golden brown.
Well, hopefully that's enough for you to be getting on with! Let me know which are the favourite! I might just have to make some Vanillekipferln myself know - they are definitely my favourites!!
Tuesday 11 December 2012
Countdown to Christmas 7: Classmate Treats with Catrin from "Love Life!"
Today, my lovely friend Catrin is going to be giving us some lovely ideas for little pressies for your kids classmates, or teachers! This is a really cute idea, and one I will be using in the future (when my little girl actually has teachers!!)
Over to you Catrin!
Hi my name is Catrin and I blog over at Love Life! Unfortunately, I only write in German there, but feel free to email me or leave a comment if you have any questions (or use the google translator, installed on my sidebar - just in case you want to have a good laugh! ;-))
When Claire asked me if I could help out with some kind of creative little project around Christmas-time, I was happy to do so.
Every year, before the Christmas holidays, my son brings a "little-something" for his friends at school (last year we made Rudolph's spare red noses) and this year we've made a little Christmas fruit tea kit...
It's REALLY easy to make... even little children can help making the sugar cubes, stamping the labels or drawing a picture. And you can get really creative in packing them up!
You need:
* Sugar cubes
* Icing Sugar
* A drop of water
* Sprinkles
* Christmassy teabags (individually wrapped)
* little cellophane bags (for the sugar cubes)
* Card to wrap the teabags up
* Optional stamps, ribbon, tape to decorate!
So here goes!
1. Mix two tablespoons of icing sugar with a few drops of water and stir well until you have icing the consistency of honey. Add the water little by little; you only need a few drops!
2. Dip the sugar cubes in the icing and apply the sprinkles. Then leave them overnight to dry out.
3. Pack up your sugar cubes with a Christmassy teabag and make a cute little kit!
These little sets would also be nice for a friends or as an advent calendar filling! Or if you only make the sugar cubes, they add a little something extra for your advent teatime.
I hope you like the idea and enjoy Christmastime and the holidays to come!
Love life!
Catrin
Over to you Catrin!
Hi my name is Catrin and I blog over at Love Life! Unfortunately, I only write in German there, but feel free to email me or leave a comment if you have any questions (or use the google translator, installed on my sidebar - just in case you want to have a good laugh! ;-))
When Claire asked me if I could help out with some kind of creative little project around Christmas-time, I was happy to do so.
Every year, before the Christmas holidays, my son brings a "little-something" for his friends at school (last year we made Rudolph's spare red noses) and this year we've made a little Christmas fruit tea kit...
It's REALLY easy to make... even little children can help making the sugar cubes, stamping the labels or drawing a picture. And you can get really creative in packing them up!
You need:
* Sugar cubes
* Icing Sugar
* A drop of water
* Sprinkles
* Christmassy teabags (individually wrapped)
* little cellophane bags (for the sugar cubes)
* Card to wrap the teabags up
* Optional stamps, ribbon, tape to decorate!
So here goes!
1. Mix two tablespoons of icing sugar with a few drops of water and stir well until you have icing the consistency of honey. Add the water little by little; you only need a few drops!
2. Dip the sugar cubes in the icing and apply the sprinkles. Then leave them overnight to dry out.
3. Pack up your sugar cubes with a Christmassy teabag and make a cute little kit!
These little sets would also be nice for a friends or as an advent calendar filling! Or if you only make the sugar cubes, they add a little something extra for your advent teatime.
I hope you like the idea and enjoy Christmastime and the holidays to come!
Love life!
Catrin
Monday 10 December 2012
Countdown to Christmas 6: Austrian Christmas biscuits...
This Saturday morning, Ava and I had a quiet one. We have had a girly week as Dave has been away in Germany with school, and we have had a lovely time with Bestamor (Ava's norwegian Granny) who returned to Norway on Friday. So Saturday was just the two of us, and I decided, for the first time, to attempt braving baking with a one year old!
Every year, since I live in Austria, I have made a batch of yummy Austrian Christmas biscuits... this year, in light of all the busyness, I decided to only attempt one kind. My lovely mother-in-law also sent over some lovely homemade coconut norwegian biscuits, so I figured two types of Christmas biscuits would do us this year!!!
So, here's how to make "Schneeflocken", or in English "Snowflakes" - they are literally a melt in your mouth vanilla shortbread type biscuit and they are utterly divine. They are also made of ingredients that I have in my cupboard all the time. Easy, quick and incredibly YUM!
You need:
* 250g butter (unsalted)
* 100g icing sugar
* 10g vanilla sugar/ 1tsp vanilla essence
* 200g cornflour
* 130g flour
1. Cream the butter the sugars (/essence) and the butter in a mixing bowl.
2. Add the remainder of the ingredients and knead the mixture until it comes together (don't be tempted to give up before its completely kneaded together - I did that one year, and then when they were in the oven, all the biscuits just melted into one big buttery mess!)
3. Form walnut-sized balls out of the mixture, and put them onto a baking tray. Make sure they are decently spaced out, so they don't merge as they will spread out as they bake
4. Press the balls down gently with a fork to make a marking on the top.
5. Bake at 180 degrees until the biscuits are very light brown coloured. (Approx 15 mins)
6. Sit down and eat - they LITERALLY melt in your mouth!!
HEALTH AND SAFETY WARNING...
If baking with a one year old, attempt to avoid the following possibilities...
Bless her little cotton socks. Someone thoroughly enjoyed baking though!!! And it was fun to do it together!
Happy baking!
Every year, since I live in Austria, I have made a batch of yummy Austrian Christmas biscuits... this year, in light of all the busyness, I decided to only attempt one kind. My lovely mother-in-law also sent over some lovely homemade coconut norwegian biscuits, so I figured two types of Christmas biscuits would do us this year!!!
So, here's how to make "Schneeflocken", or in English "Snowflakes" - they are literally a melt in your mouth vanilla shortbread type biscuit and they are utterly divine. They are also made of ingredients that I have in my cupboard all the time. Easy, quick and incredibly YUM!
You need:
* 250g butter (unsalted)
* 100g icing sugar
* 10g vanilla sugar/ 1tsp vanilla essence
* 200g cornflour
* 130g flour
1. Cream the butter the sugars (/essence) and the butter in a mixing bowl.
2. Add the remainder of the ingredients and knead the mixture until it comes together (don't be tempted to give up before its completely kneaded together - I did that one year, and then when they were in the oven, all the biscuits just melted into one big buttery mess!)
3. Form walnut-sized balls out of the mixture, and put them onto a baking tray. Make sure they are decently spaced out, so they don't merge as they will spread out as they bake
4. Press the balls down gently with a fork to make a marking on the top.
5. Bake at 180 degrees until the biscuits are very light brown coloured. (Approx 15 mins)
6. Sit down and eat - they LITERALLY melt in your mouth!!
HEALTH AND SAFETY WARNING...
If baking with a one year old, attempt to avoid the following possibilities...
Bless her little cotton socks. Someone thoroughly enjoyed baking though!!! And it was fun to do it together!
Happy baking!
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