Cockatoos and Kookaburra friends

We are lucky enough to live in the bush and be surrounded by native wildlife.

There are cockatoos, kookaburras, pigeons, eagles, kangaroos, foxes, koalas (we had a koala in the tree right outside our back door last year and when he came down the tree, I chatted to him for a while from about a metre away!) and the endangered black cockatoos. The cockatoos are getting brave and if we move slowly, they will take food from our hands. 

Sometimes, nature is amazing and sometimes cruel.

Last week, I watched a massive eagle swoop down and steal a baby magpie from its nest.

The magpie family of about 20 started calling out and circling the eagle, trying to wrest the baby from its grip.

I couldn't help myself and joined in!

I picked up Ned (that eagle was massive and I didnt want him to come steal Ned instead!) and together we ran about 20 metres down the road and I joined in calling out to the bird to let the baby go!

(Henrietta was horrified at my actions and so embarrassed!!)

Our collective efforts scared the eagle and he flew to another branch but unfortunately didnt let go of the baby and it was soon obvious that it was dead, but at least we tried. 

And last Tuesday, waiting for the Moondew families to arrive, Ned and I sprinkled the remaining jar of 501 preparation over the grass.  Now, the morning was silent until we opened the jar and from the MOMENT we started sprinkling, about 20 kookaburras decided to perform for us in full voice!

There were kookaburras right, and kookaburras left and more kookaburras in the big gum we have in the centre of our garden. I've never seen so many kookaburras!

They sang all the way through our work and stopped when we finished.

It was strange and kooky and a bit unusual and it left me pondering the potency of the 501.

Perhaps it was just that the birds were saying thank you for our earth care!

Commercial branding logos and Children's products

So, today I rant!  Yes, here I go!  Please forgive me for this little trespass!  But it is all in the name of individuality, creativity and imagination, so here goes....

This year, I made a promise to myself to NOT BUY any children's product with blatant advertising on it.

So far, I'm three months in and doing well but gee, keeping to this promise is not easy and is getting harder!

The thing that really annoys me is when advertising is on food deemed for young ones.

All this advertising really limits my choice.

In our local supermarket, out of 15 yogurt/custard type items available, there was ONE non-branded item for me to buy.  This was the supermarkets own brand.

Yes, the rest were Pooh Bear, Hannah Montana, Nemo, Wiggles, Disney Princesses, and Cars to name a few.

I mean, really, what does Hannah Montana have to do with yogurt?

Luckily, I can avoid the museli bar and chip aisle as this is the worst of all!

My cousin works in advertising and when I mentioned my goal to her over Christmas, she pointed out that a product is more likely to sell if it has a 'value' or 'philosophy' attached to it.  Some companies attract this value through connection with a brand eg Wiggles identification on yogurts tell you that, by proxy, the yogurt too is honest, quality, value for money and trustworthy.  That is what these boys stand for.

Regardless, I want choice to buy healthy products for my family, without the brand. 

I dont want to pay more for that false sense of security and trust.

I definitely dont want to pay more to satisfy the management of big brands or fill the coffers of movie moguls or dancing stars.

I definitely dont want to fight battles with my children all the way around the supermarket as I come upon brand after brand trying to attract the dollar through the pester power of little ones.

And it is not just supermarkets.

The other week, I tried to find a pair of thongs for Ned.

In one of the big chain stores, there was NOT ONE pair of thongs without some form of branding.

NOT ONE!!!

When did the marketplace go crazy?

I can avoid commercial branding on many items, luckily!

I can find alternatives to not-so-cheap but still nasty plastic toys (one of Ned's best presents this past weekend was from my friend Cath who gave him a plant pot, a packet of seeds and a cool purple handled spade!), to school bags, lunchboxes, towels, underwear, calendars, personalised books, placemats, picnic sets, car organisers, growth charts, clocks, quilt sets, beach towels, library bags, notepads, drink bottles, art smocks, jigsaw puzzles, books, balls, childrens laptops and clothes but it is getting ridiculous!

Yes, all these things and more you can find with a brand attached!!

Honestly, does my child really need a Superman hat/undies/t shirt/shorts/school bag/

socks/scooter/carseat cover/toothbrush?

Years ago, I was lucky enough to work in a school with some consciousness around the issue of advertising and brands.  The school policy stated that children had to come to school in plain coloured clothes.  This was somewhat to do with creating a  'free space' for creativity and imagination when a child doesnt have to stress about not wearing the right clothes. 

School uniforms have somewhat the same principle, although often the uniform of a coveted school becomes the 'brand' itself.

For me, it was a case of being able to truly  'see' the child!

My eyes could actually look into their eyes.  Oh, such a realisation!

It was amazing to me to realise the power of a brand in pulling our attention to it.

When it was no longer there, the child was once again the focus.

And, my, how it changed the play!

One day, a little boy came to school wearing a great big S symbol (for superman) and immediately, and for days afterward, this became the dominant theme in play.  Superman flying around to kill the baddies.

All this, from one little symbol. Powerful, powerful.

(It is no wonder these symbols are now on everything- the mighty dollar speaks)

I am beginning to wonder if people actually think before they buy?

Do they buy this branded stuff because they like it, or because their child wants it?

I'd like to believe I am an individual- that each of us is an individual- in our taste, in our style, in our thinking, in our way of living - but all I see around me in the local shopping centres, at the parks, in the kindys, at restaurants, at sporting games and at the movies are children who are clones of one another- all wearing the latest 'In' brand or movie franchise tie-in.    

Are we all so numb to the brand advertising that we just accept it for our children and join in?

Recently, I read a book by Lynda Resnick called "Rubies in the Orchard", her guide to uncovering good business strategies.

In it, she states that "marketing has overstepped its natural boundaries... Disney and MTV have transformed childhood into a marketplace of branded experiences"

It is so true!

Oh, that is my big personal pet peeve- Movie tie ins. I don't buy the stuff but I'm tired of seeing the stuff just about everywhere.

 Honestly, us parents dont really stand a chance!

The movie isn't even in the cinema and yet all the paraphernalia is at the front of the shops, the toy is in the happy meal and the logo is on our food. Aggghhhh!!! 

"Magical Parent, Magical Child" by Michael Mendizza and Joseph Chilton Pearce shares the idea that young American children can recognise only a few plants but easily identify over one hundred corporate logos.

A recent study of preschoolers right here in Brisbane showed the same thing!

(I think I remember rightly when the article said that children as young as 2.5 years know the McDonalds sign and what it stands for!)

We can't fight the world we live in, but we can make a stand, that is for sure.

Vote with your dollar!

Buy independent, buy local, make your own, buy at the farmers market, and refuse to spend on companies that pester the children (and by proxy, us!).

Thank Goodness for like minded friends, handmade and independent designers who at least offer a choice, the great world of Etsy and local designer markets.  I love these sanity savers!

You guys are even more needed than ever!

How to make scrumptious Banoffee Toffee Pie

How to make Banoffee Toffee Pie-  My mother in law made this the Christmas before last for my brother in law.

It is his favourite. It is now my favourite too!

Ingredients for a large pie big enough to serve a village (or at least a big family, and have leftovers for those who need it)

• 2 tins condensed milk
• 200 gram butter
• 300 ml cream
• 1pkt malt biscuits
• 1/2 pkt ginger nut biscuits
• 4 large bananas (to make a double layer)
• cinnamon or nutmeg for sprinkling on top

Method:

1. First, place the two tins of condensed milk into a big, deep pot of water.  Bring it to the boil, then turn down to simmer for 90 mins.  Be sure to keep topping up the water so that the tins stay submerged at all times.  This is to prevent the tins popping and a caramel sprinkler spray in the kitchen! When done, let them cool.
2. Take both lots of biscuits and pop them in a large zip lock bag. Using a rolling pin, crush the biscuits into crumbs.  Place in a bowl and add butter so that crumbs begin to stick together
3. Lay the crumb mixture in a long pyrex dish or pan and press down firmly to form the base
4. Spread cooled caramel across the  biscuit base.
5. Slice the bananas long ways and layer them on top of caramel.  A double layer is great, helps you to feel somewhat healthy and prevents nausea from cream overload!
6. Whip the cream until peaks form then place the cream on top of the banana.  Sprinkle with cinnamon for taste.
7. Now, pop it into the fridge to chill for 30 mins (if you can wait that long) then share it with friends whilst enjoying a hot cup of tea! 

Be warned- this stuff is moreish. You can't stop at one bowl!

How to make a Truck cake

I was running out of time and searching everywhere for some inspiration for a truck cake!  But not one of the kids cake books had a truck!  Trains, tractors, aeroplanes, cars but NOT ONE truck.  So, Ned's metal tonka truck became the model and inspiration!

Good friends know I'm not into buying anything with a commercial tagline, especially cheap rubbishy plastic crap toys that break in a week, but Chris convinced me on his tonka purchase by telling me the Metal trucks have a lifetime warranty.  That is almost a miracle in the throwaway plastic toy society. 

Good job, Tonka.

So, here is how to make a Truck Cake

1. Bake two simple butter cakes (every recipe book has a simple version so I wont bore you here)- one in a deep square pan, and one in a long flat slice tray.
2. Cut out a section of cake at the back of the square cake so you are left with a U shape. Be sure to leave about an inch at the bottom of the cake for the tray support.  Be careful not to cut all the way through.   Cut the leftover slab into two- one for the drivers cab and another section behind the cab which helps to mimic make the truck shape
3. On a big cake decorating board, place a container (mine is a tupperware one) down and place the flat rectangular cake on top.  Place the square U shape on top, so that the open end of the U faces out (as the tipping part of the truck).  The leftover square sits at the front as the cab.
4. Make a double lot of butter icing.  (200gram butter, 6 cups of icing mixture, 2 tablespoons boiling water- mix together until it is smooth and relatively firm.  You might need a little extra water - go slowly or risk making the buttercream too soft and runny!) 
5. Divide the buttercream into two lots. Colour one with yellow cake dye and make the other one grey or black.

6.  Cover the entire cake (except for the cab and the inside of the tip truck) with yellow buttercream frosting.

Yes, you may lick your fingers when done!

7.  Cover the tiptruck tray and the cab with grey icing

To decorate:

• Add licorice strips for tyre tracks/road
• Add grey buttercream onto board and piles of smarties for stones/rocks
• Add licorice swirls as truck driving lights
• Add musk sticks to the windows of the cab and for a smoke exhaust
• Add wagonwheel biscuits or licorice swirls for wheels
• Licorice strips (3mm) give the truck definition
• Pipe your child's name onto two small pieces of licorice for numberplates- one front, one back
• And the best thing of all- a tip tray full of easter egg goodies!!  You could use maltesers or clinkers at other times of the year!

I'd love to see more cake creations!

Leave a link to your cake decorating posts here!

How to make Donna's easy (but out of this world) spinach ricotta lasagne!

On Friday, my kitchen table looked like this.

and my fridge was full of food in preparation for Ned's big truck party.

Each year, we have at least one big bash to celebrate, well, anything really.

It seems a shame to live in such a great party house with such a child friendly yard and not to share it so, we do!

Everyone was bringing something for the pot luck but I prepared enough food to feed another 50!

My friend Donna gave me the most yummy spinach and ricotta lasagne recipe years ago and it is a staple for big gatherings.

Recipe:  Spinach and Ricotta Lasagne

Ingredients

• 1 large bunch spinach, cooked (or 2 frozen packets- defrosted)
• 1 litre tomato passata (ready made or home made)
• 2 tins of diced tomatoes (or fresh equivalent)
• 500 gram ricotta cheese
• lasagne sheets
• 2 large cups grated cheese

Method:

1. Use a large glass dish or foil platter.  Lay lasagne sheets to cover the base of dish
2. In a large bowl, add spinach (thawed or cooked) and ricotta and mix together.  Add 1/2 of this mix to the base of dish
3. Add a second layer of lasagne sheets
4. Pour 1/2 litre of passata and one tin of tomatoes in dish and cover with lasagne sheets
5. Top this with the other half of spinach ricotta mix and a final layer of lasagne
6. Add rest of tomato passata to the dish.  Add one layer of freshly sliced tomatoes decoratively if you wish.  Cover with grated cheese.
7. Pop in oven for 50 mins or until cooked.  Approx 150 degrees c.
8. Enjoy with fresh salad and bread sticks!

I also made two meat based lasagnes for the meat lovers among us!

This is super yummy and everyone always asks for the recipe!!

Easy Cheesy Lasagne with zucchini for goodness!

Ingredients:

• 500 grams premium quality mince
• homemade cheese sauce (see below)
• 2 tins diced tomatoes or fresh equivalent
• 500 ml passata sauce
• 2 cups grated cheese
• 2 large zucchini sliced longways
• lasagne sheets
• fresh italian herbs
• worcestershire sauce
• salt to taste
• tomato slices for decoration

How to make cheese sauce:

Place 100gram butter in a saucepan and melt on low heat.

Add 3 tablespoons of flour and mix until it thickens

Slowly add about 1/2 litre of room temperature milk and heat until it simmers.

Let it thicken.  Add one cup of cheese and let it melt.

Stir through and remove from heat.

How to make lasagne:

1. In a large glass dish, lay lasagne sheets to fill the base
2. In a fry pan, cook mince.  Add 300 mls passata, tomatoes, herbs, salt and worcestershire sauce.  Let it simmer 15 mins
3. Add half of meat mixture to the dish
4. Add another layer of lasagne sheets
5. Add cheese sauce mixture and cover with lasagne sheets
6. Add the rest of meat mixture.  Cover this with zucchini slices, the rest of the passata sauce, a decorative tomato slice layer and grated cheese to top.
7. Cover with foil and bake in oven on 160 degrees for 50 mins
8. Remove the foil for the last 10 minutes to grill the cheese top.
9. Yummo!

Here are a few pics of the gathering early in the day when I thought about the camera!

And at the end of the night, I couldn't resist a shot of the favoured cubby all lit up.

It shone!

Playgroup Qld Big Day Out

Firstly, big happy birthday wishes to my little boy Ned who turned 2 today!

Happy Birthday to you, my darling son.

Some of the Moondew Mums and I spent our morning at the park for Playgroup Qld's big day out.

There was a little firetruck ride (Ned went twice!  A birthday highlight!), a petting zoo, a pony ride, lots of balls, balloons, craft, musical instruments and people!

Ned even got to sit on the front seat of the real fire truck. 

What is it with boys and fire trucks??

And now, I'm cooking for Ned's big birthday bash tomorrow.

Today was a Happy Friday!

Palm Beach Parklands new Pirate Park! Good work, Gold Coast City Council on this creative planning!

This is the new Pirate Park at the Palm Beach Parklands.

Finally, council employed a team who put on their creative thinking caps!

Creative stars to you all!!!  A Great effort all around!

(The parklands itself is pretty fab too. 

Lots of grass, a swimming inlet, plenty of shade and the groovy Dune Cafe- yum.)

The beauty is in the detail.

A steep slide at the bow of the boat (although a bit steep for little ones)

And a rock cave with hidden tunnels and a treasure map!

The treasure map leads children to a few X marks the spot places where they can dig for buried treasure.

(Rumour from locals has it that some of the local primary school children helped to make the treasure rocks that were then cemented into the ground under the sand.  It is a great community outreach if it is true and should be congratulated!)

I love the pirate insignia on the shade sail!!

Hide and seek barrels and barrel swings too!

Plus lots of nooks and hidey spots in the underside of the boat make playing pirates that extra little bit fun.

Palm Beach/ Currumbin is my favourite spot on the GC.  Who could ask for more? 

I'll have to post a few pics of the beach and Currumbin Alley- it is magic!

Golden sands, quiet water for little ones, clear blue ocean for surfers, flat water for stand up paddleboarding and you can even see the stingrays under you.  AND...Warm weather all year round.

I travelled all over the world years ago, and around Australia for a year, searching for "my great spot" (a  utopia of one's own!).  

There were some standouts-  Flagstaff, Arizona for the college and learning;  Sedona's great landscapes and camping;  San Francisco for the community and art and friends; New York- everyone loves New York; Coral Bay with its perfect reef and beach hideaway feel; Denmark in WA with the abundance of kauri trees and health focus; Darwin for just being like life in the 70's (I adore this city);  Saitama in Japan- just that little bit out of the city to find traditional Japanese life and community, yet still all the funky stuff Japan is known for; York in England- oh, the history; and spectacular Cape Town and the garden route to Plettenburg Bay. 

 But to be honest, I found my place here. From Burleigh to Byron Bay. 

That is not to say I'm not open to exploring further!!

One of my future life dreams is to take the family and set off again for a year or two; working along the way and putting the children in local schools for a few months at a time. 

There is nothing like travel for education, learning patience and tolerance and to appreciate home.

Life in southern Queensland is great.

Mama Moontime is on One Pretty Thing!

A dream come true!

My felt rose how-to is featured today on the lovely blog One Pretty Thing . I am so honoured!

If you haven't yet visited One Pretty Thing, pop on over today.  There are so many wonderful projects and inspirations.   It is a treasure trove of goodness!

How to make mouthwatering "Good Things Come in Three's" scones!

Good Things come in Three's Scones.

I made a BIG PILE of scones for Moondew families this week.

Here is the recipe.

Ingredients:

3 cups good quality self raising flour

3 teaspoons caster sugar (using icing sugar as a substitute if you need)

300 mls thickened cream

3/4 cup water

(see, good things do come in three's)

Method:

1. Cover your oven tray with baking paper.  Preheat oven to 150 degrees c.
2. In a nice big bowl, sift flour and add sugar, cream and water.  Mix with a wooden spoon until it begins to form a dough.
3. Tip the mixture onto a floured chopping board and knead lightly until the dough is smooth. 
4. Roll the dough out until it is about 2cm (1/2 inch) thick.
5. Use a cookie cutter to cut shapes from the dough. I chose a loveheart!
6. Pop them in the oven for 15 mins or until brown.
7. Serve with whipped cream and organic strawberry jam for a delicious morning tea treat!

I heard so many stories today about all the Mama's favourite scone-eating destinations and scone-induced memories.   Funny how a simple scone can mean so much!

(I couldnt resist another mouth watering view from a different angle.)

This is what was left!  Happy scone eating!!

How to make a simple paper Easter Egg Basket

Simple crafts do wonders in helping mamas to find their creative spark!

Even a simple creative task, such as this, proves that they CAN be creative!

In  a Moondew day, we only have limited time for crafty things.  The activity needs to be purposeful, beautiful and worthwhile and where possible, engage the older children in the task.

I only have a few moments to show mamas and children what to do whilst keeping an eye on things

so our creative tasks need to be fairly straight forward and easy.  

After showing one or two mama bears what to do,  they then teach each other.

It is called creative co-operation!!

These baskets are great for Easter Egg hunts or Autumn festivals. 

Make sure to have one for every child.

First, take a square piece of cardboard 18cm by 18cm.

Divide it into 3 sections.  Follow the pattern above.

Cut along the solid lines and around the corner edges. 

Fold the middle section up.

Take another strip of cardboard 2cm wide by 14cm long.

Line this strip with a smaller strip of fancy patterned paper.

We will use two 'brads' (paper fasteners) to put the whole thing together.

On one side, fold up the centre flap, then the right and left flaps.

Add the handle strip on the inside edge.

Use a sharp needle to poke a little guide hole through the four layers of cardboard.

Push a brad through the four pieces to hold them together.

Do the same thing on the other side, then decorate as you fancy.

We added little nametags and cut outs of little eggs.

Simple but sweet!

Here are some of the baskets, ready and waiting for Festival Day!