Wednesday 30 September 2015

Chocolate Strawberry Rainbow Cake

When I asked Eliana what kind of cake she'd like for her birthday, she was quite certain that she wanted a chocolate strawberry cake, probably inspired by the one I recently made for Anastasia. Unfortunately, our strawberry supply has dramatically slowed down. So I searched the internet for ideas. That reminded me that we just don't have a lot of options out here. Sprinkles? Nope. Kit-Kats? Dreaming. Fondant? Haha, good one! 
But when searching through my sweet stash, hiding in the very bottom corner I found a small packet of m&ms that someone had brought us from South Africa. (When Nate found out he informed me that if he'd known about it they'd be long gone.) Upon assessing the assortment of colors in the packet I realized it could just make out a rainbow using every m&m (minus one orange one that Nate snuck on his way past.) Do they plan that during packaging?  
Needless to say, Eliana LOVED the cake and told me that it was even better than what she was thinking and that I was like a piece of delicious chocolate birthday cake myself. (Love those descriptive lessons in homeschooling!) Thank you, Lord, for sweet surprises found in the bush of Africa. 

Saturday 26 September 2015

Fresh Eggs

We had all of these fresh eggs from two of our hens. Sadly, our favorite, Lucy, died this week. We don't know why. Our guard suggested that we kept her too healthy!

Wednesday 23 September 2015

Fun shaped tortillas

Last night we had some funly shaped tortillas made by little hands. Eliana particularly sees countries and continents in her shapes. Last night we ate Africa and Australia!

Monday 21 September 2015

Family game night - Old Maid

Here's Daddy trying not to pick the old maid from Lilah. The kids crack up in this game whenever poor old maid is traded. Ambrose won this one. Poor daddy lost:)

Sunday 20 September 2015

Good morning Daddy!

We love Saturday morning "sleep-ins"

Saturday 19 September 2015

Iced Coffee season

A tradition that Nate and I have had for the duration of our marriage is to sit down and have a coffee and piece of chocolate together once a day. At this season of our life we usually do it after lunch while the kids are resting. Yesterday, Nate served iced coffee. That means it's the end of the cold season. 

Goodbye cold season, we look forward to your return next year!

Wednesday 16 September 2015

Tuesday 15 September 2015

Monday 14 September 2015

Family game night

Sunday night became "family game night" for us a couple of months ago. It's been a good addition to our family.  As a plus to the fun, I'm seeing that the kids are learning about turn taking, numbers, sequencing, matching, rejoicing with others and losing well. I've been surprised with what our two year old can do. Anastasia pretty much just eats the game boxes... 


Sunday 13 September 2015

Filing Cabinet makeover

Nate has had this filing cabinet for 14 years. It was black and a bit banged up (it has crossed the seas after all). So when Nate found some gold spray paint in town he indulged my dreams for this faithful bit of furniture. Love it. 

Saturday 12 September 2015

Anastasia One

Happy first birthday my baby. You are a beautiful joy to us!


Friday 11 September 2015

Pavlova

This was the farewell treat I got the night before leaving Australia. My sister-in-law makes it for us without fail when we're in aus. It's called Pavlova and it's a traditional Australian dessert. Whipped egg whites and sugar, crusted on the outside and soft in the middle, topped with cream and fruit. Need I talk about the deliciousness? Thank you Sconny!

Thursday 10 September 2015

Sound sleeping.

Why is it babies sleep their heaviest when you need to go out?

Fresh from our garden

Mulberries, strawberries and bananas