Cheap toys can be fun...

Mum bought me these cars from New World for $2 - fantastic cool!

To add to the pile...

Clockwise from left:  Linen bedspread (like new), cotton single sheet set, flannelette single sheet set, pair of cotton pillowcases, interesting doily

I am thinking handbags with the linen but have no plans as yet for the other items - I just liked them

If you think I'm all op shopped out this week think again.  Tomorrow I have Leesh coming and I promised to take her to my local oppies.  I can't wait ☺

Language Lesson - Printables

Numbers (pdf format)

You can print this out and keep it somewhere you can see it.  You will learn numbers 1 to 6 in no time!

Gluten free date scones...

If you can get past the odd after-taste of gluten free flour then I recommend trying these date scones.  They may not look pretty but they are pretty similar to regular date scones.

Basic recipe (all approximates)

2 cups gluten free baking mix

1 heaped teaspoon baking soda

2 tablespoons sugar

1/2 cup chopped dates

2 tablespoons butter

1/2 cup- 3/4 cup cold water

Sift baking mix, soda and sugar.  Rub in butter, add dates then slowly mix in water to form a soft dough.  Divide into balls or roll out and cut into squares.  Bake at 200C for 10-15 minutes or until browned.  Serve with your favourite topping.

Feeling pretty lucky...

Monday's are always poor days for me - I'm hopeless at making my money last through the weekend.  So imagine getting all this for free

Left: 180cm round tablecloth

Right: Single bedspread

I paid 50c for the plastic container at a different op shop

Divided Tupperware dish - could be quite handy!

I had to mind the op shop we were in (first time I had been to it!) because the ladies had just swapped shifts and the key to the money drawer had gone home with the first lady.  So instead of shutting up shop to go and retrieve the key, I was asked if I minded watching the shop while she went to get it.  She was only gone about ten minutes but it's a busy little shop!  So in return she gave me not only my purchases but also my sister's (apparently I had to pay for hers because she had no cash) - obviously it made my day.

Language Lesson - Week Two

This week we are learning the days of the week.  There are two different versions and Dad uses either so I will list both.

Monday - Piir/Soomwaar

Tuesday - Mangal/Mangalwaar

Wednesday - Budh/Budhwaar

Thursday - Jume-raat/Guruwaar

Friday - Juma/Shukrawaar

Saturday - Hafta/Shaniwaar

Sunday - Itwaar/Raviwaar

This weeks song...

I learnt to sing Jingle Bells a few months before I turned two.  I couldn't say 'one horse open sleigh' no matter how many times Mum and my Aunties tried to teach me.  I changed to song to suit me.  Just have a listen and tell me what you think!

Childhood is... (includes linky)

What does childhood mean to you?

(Link up below)

We had some awesome links last week, why don't you join in?  It can be just a special photo of an ordinary everyday thing, it can be a story from your own childhood or a video clip of your child/ren doing something you're proud of.  You don't need to write a new post, you can link an earlier post if you wish.

To me childhood is making mountains out of cushions for cars to drive over...

We've had a pretty wet week here in Auckland so there has been a lot of indoor play.  Even though Elijah has numerous Hot Wheels tracks, it's nice to see he can still use his imagination and make his own.

Temporary bunting...

of the paper variety!

I like buntings but I just haven't gotten around to sewing one up so I found a very cute alternative.  It's a bit girly but Elijah doesn't mind

Want to print out your own?  You can find every letter of the alphabet here.  There is even a heart spacer - cute!

I like to draw...

Mum printed me some colouring pages from here

This is an alien from Ben 10

Sometimes kindy can be so tiring!

Need a quilt?

or just want one?  Say.... something like

this?

Isn't it the best?  Perfect for those cold winter nights and guess what... this quilt is being given away!

The very generous Deb over at Works in Progress is giving away this quilt to one lucky blog follower.  It's me, it's me.... well, it could be me.  Want a chance to win?  Find all the entry details here

Adapted Recipe - GF gingernuts...

I read that you could just about adjust any recipe to include gluten free flour in place of ordinary wheat flour.  This morning I decided to out that theory to the test by baking my usual gingernut recipe but making them gluten free.

Not bad.  Actually the only difference I found was they take a little longer to bake than normal and they have a little bit of a gritty after-taste that comes with gluten free flour, but other than that there is no difference.

You will need

100gm butter (I use a little less depending on how much is left in the fridge)

1 cup sugar (I used raw or unrefined sugar)

2 teaspoons ground ginger (more or less depending on your taste)

1 teaspoon vanilla essence

1 egg

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 1/2 cups gluten free baking mix

Melt butter.  Stir in sugar, ginger and vanilla.  Then add the egg and whisk.  Then add your baking mix and baking soda.  Place small teaspoonfuls onto tray lined with baking paper.  Bake at 180C for approximately 15 minutes - I use fan bake so it could be a little longer or even less depending on the size of your biscuit.  Be aware that they spread a lot so leave plenty of room between them.  Easy!

Catching up...

I've spent the week catching up on housework - boring!  I mentioned in an earlier post that I had changed the rooms around again.  My sewing room is now back in the smallest room in the house - also the coldest!  At least a sewing machine is portable so I can bring it into the dining room if I need to.  So, a week without sewing, but I did make these felt shapes for when Elijah is learning his colours and shapes in Urdu

I made these the night before I posted about felt food finds on Felt.  At the time I was pretty happy with my efforts since I loathe hand stitching, but after seeing what is out there I'm actually quite embarrassed.  Elijah is none the wiser though and loves anything I make him!

I finally bought myself a printer but so far I've only printed off colouring pages for Elijah!

Tonight's dinner - as the weather gets colder, the food needs to get hotter.  I'm not a huge curry eater but this recipe for Goan-style fish and coconut curry looked so yummy!

I also went for my second Bowen Therapy appointment - oh my I love it!  It's so relaxing and I no longer have a sway back.  It's like everything is clicking back into place.  I know I keep promising a post about it - it will come.  I'm a bit tired right now - exhausted actually!

I hope everyone is having a good week - I'm off to meet a couple of blogging Mums tomorrow afternoon (Crazy Crafter NZ and Catalina's Cottage - oh and if you're quick Cat is having a giveaway for her birthday!)

Our front yard...

One morning Mr Duck came to visit me....

Mrs Duck was not far behind

Look at this magpie...

I love that all the neighbourhood birds come to play at my house.

Kids Click...

This week we were asked to photograph something green.  With all the rain we've had there is alot of green - the grass, plants and trees are all very green.  I took a lot of pictures but I like this one

Dirty mop water by Elijah, Aged 3

I also took these

I really enjoy joining in the competitions on Kids Click - Mum was worried I might drop the camera in the water.  But I didn't.

Rainy Day Felt Finds...

and not surprisingly, it's all about food!

Sugared Donuts by PaisleyJade

Sandwich by Oh So Felty

Cakes and Biscuits by Speers

Pancakes with fruit and cream by lisajhoney

Plushie Toadstools by Stitchery

Sushi kit by LittleCute1

Yum - I'm feeling so hungry now!

Language Lesson - Week One

My Mum is a Kiwi and my Dad is a Pakistani, does that makes me a Pakiwi?  Anyway, over the past few months Dad has been trying to teach me some Urdu.  But it's not going so well because he is at work six days a week, so Mum is going to try to teach me.


So today's lesson is colours (using phonetic spelling rather than Urdu script)

kalaa

neela

bhoora

surmai

hara/sabz

naaranji

gulaabi

jaamani

lal

peela

Next week we will learn the days of the week.

Does your family speak a different language at home?  Why don't you teach your readers some easy words from a language you know (other than English)?

Congratulations goes to....

Thanks to everyone who entered my current giveaway.  I wish I had the time and patience to make you all a coin  purse.  I had Elijah do the honours for me instead of the randomiser so...

A basket full of tiny paper planes...fantastic cool!

Here's one...fantastic cool!

What does it say?  Widge...fantastic cool!

Fantastic Cool!

Congratulations Widge, once I get your postal details I'll pop that in the mail for you.  For those of you who entered and didn't win (this time) I will have another giveaway in August.

Giveaway now closed

Good Luck to all those that entered - I will make the draw in about an hour

Childhood is... (includes linky)

What does childhood mean to you?

(Link up below)

We had some awesome links last week, why don't you join in?  It can be just a special photo of an ordinary everyday thing, it can be a story from your own childhood or a video clip of your child/ren doing something you're proud of.

Elijah loves to sing and it's not often I am able to get him singing on video.  He has his favourites and this week thanks to the new Instant Kiwi ad it's the theme song to Greatest American Hero!

Arguably the best brownie ever...

and it's gluten-free!

Find the recipe here

And it must be good because my super fussy sister loved it!

My new room...

Our house has three bedrooms.  I have been in two of them since we moved here and now I am in the third!  I now have the biggest room in the house!

We are still working on it.  We're not sure if we are going with a theme yet or just mix and match.

Room #1 - Mum went with a pirate theme but I was scared of the skulls and didn't like sleeping in there

Room #1 Granny bought me a Cars duvet and curtains.  I bought myself the toy trays and box with the money I won from having a photo in Lucky Break

Room #2  Mum moved me into the smallest room because she thought it would be nice and cosy in Winter.  It turns out that it is the most damp room in the house and became covered in mould.  She will use this room as a sewing room now.

Song of the week...

My version of Apples, Oranges, Bananas by the Funky Monkeys  (I am 3 years 5 months old)

Quick giveaway reminder...

Don't forget my giveaway ends tomorrow! (Sunday 20th June)  I will be drawing a winner on Monday

Leave a comment on this post or here or here on facebook to enter - one entry per person will go into the hat/bowl/cup ;)

A happily received package...

Last week I was lucky enough to win runner up in Jennie's (a little vintage) Giveaway - I love that she asked us to think of what a cushion might say.  Of course there were so many great entries.  A few of my favourites were:
Sit! (Sarah of Dolly Donations - I wish my cushions would tell me to sit!)
It's what's on the inside that counts (Jessica of Bam Bam Creative)
and of course
Relax (Knitty Graffity & Jo Ashcroft)

so I was surprised that my "Don't worry, I got your back" was a favourite.  Anyway, look what arrived in the post yesterday

Beautifully wrapped!

with even better stuff inside!

Of course, I love these cards so much that I'm keeping them all to myself!  I think they would look pretty all framed and hanging in my sewing room (which by the way I am in the process of shifting into the small room that was Elijah's bedroom).  Mum also agreed they were too nice to give away.  Elijah has claimed the one on the right - he thought it was really neat.  Boys.

So thank you Jennie, I hope to see your cards popping up all over the country because they are truly beautiful and a great price!  If you'd like to purchase a doll of Jennie's, some cards or badges, you can do so here or if you'd like a custom made doll using your baby/children's special outfits you can contact her through her blog or email her at jennie.alittlevintage@gmail.com 

Op shop catch up...

I feel like I haven't blogged about my op shopping expeditions in ages but in reality I have still been going twice a week *gasp*
I have been giving myself a budget each time though.  One visit I specifically went for a blanket and walked out with a near new crocheted number

The cute blanket underneath the crocheted one is a vintage continental quilt.  It's a little worse for wear but still very useable.

Some fairly old books - I always thought teaching your baby to read was a fairly new phenomenon - clearly not as this book is over 35 years old

A wee bit of history in the Mr Why & Mr What book

I had seen the Gilbert Harding Question Book at the op shop for a while so I decided to give it a quick scan - it's great!  All sorts of general knowledge type questions.  Published in 1956.

You know what they say about fashion - it goes around and around.  Look at these wee birdies from a copy of Pins and Needles Home Fashions magazine from 1969!

I'm predicting a comeback in children's beach cover-ups - we had them as kids, must be time to bring back the towelling!

The obligatory patterns - they're getting few and far between at my local op shop - I may have to search further afield. 

How about making a pretty crochet pot of flowers?

Can you guess which era this magazine is from?

If you guessed the 80s you'd be right!  How about a crocheted rag rug for your child's room?

Silk ties seem to be a third of the price of polyester ties at out oppie - seems wrong doesn't it?  Elijah and I both agree the paisley tie is the best.  I have plans for these but they may have to wait a bit.

And for just $3 I found an Urban Originals handbag - now if only I had this three years ago, it'd make an awesome nappy bag!

Phew!  I do have a few more things but I'll blog about them another time.