Lovely Loot

People very generously gave me lovely presents at the blogmeet on Friday.

Extraordinarily beautiful Myrtle & Eunice cards...

Dear Fii's tiny hexagon brooch - sewn with love and tiny stitches.

I've often marvelled at the super-thoughtful gifts that Nikki from My Black Cardigan has made for other people. This time I was the honoured one. She made fortune cookies for me - MADE THEM ESPECIALLY FOR ME.... she of the one-year-old twins!!! Each one with a tiny crafty message to make me smile. You're too sweet, Nikki (and gosh, you have a lovely name!).

No presents were required and I was touched and humbled by the talent, time and thought that went into these.

Other people made beautiful baked goodies - my favourite almond macaroons, rich brownies and cakes, super just-out-of-the-oven scones, orange and poppyseed cake, apple crumble, florentines..... all too good.

Thanks lovely ladies... You're all busy gals and I appreciate all the time and thoughtfulness.

Baking day

A cold wintery public holiday Monday in the Swine Flu capital of the world... a perfect occasion to stay in and teach my wee girl about the art of making bread. That's her "snake" roll in the front - kneaded twice (sort of) by her tiny hands - she saw it through the processes from when she stirred the water into the flour. She proudly ate it with her dinner, I hear. (I was teaching a class by that time, and I'm sorry I missed it).

In another time and place in my life I used to make a lot of bread, grow a lot of vegetables, keep chickens and generally lead a very wholesome, slow life. It was nice to tap back into that in these crazy juggling-everything times. Take the slow approach and enjoy the process. Katherine has been baking lots of bread lately and it made me remember...

I remember my mother saying "feel the water... feel how it's lukewarm?", showing me how to knead the dough with the heels of my hands, knocking it back after the first raising, shaping knot rolls....

I wonder if my girl will remember...?

More thanks...

We're now well over the 100 mark with the bags for Rainbow Comfort Packs. Thanks to those beautiful people who dropped in with their finished bags today.

Thanks also to the fabulous person who made these biscuits for Saturday's sewing bee. They are absolutely delicious. Let me know if you'd like your jar back and I'll try to get it to you.

..although I'm making no promises about the biscuits.

Have you bought your ART FIGHTS FIRE raffle tickets yet? Only $10 each and a bunch of great art to be won.

This Is... What I'm surprised I like.

The girl who was (and would like to still be, but can't be bothered) strictly "organic, home-grown, home-made or locally-produced slow-food" obsessed for years actually has a bit of a thing for two-minute noodles!! Go figure.

The more little sachets of fake vegetable matter and MSG the better. The only concession to "real food" in this one is that I must have real vegetables and sesame oil with my fake noodles and artificial flavourings.

Thanks Angela for the This Is meme, and Earl and Cookie for this week's theme.