Grateful for newborn calves and choc chip banana loaf

Hubby woke up this morning and as he made me a cup of tea - thought he was seeing things through the window ...a tiny calf in the far paddock.

He went to check and so it was - so off we all went to for a closer look !

The umbilicus ? still attached.

Not that it was totally unexpected he did put Grandpa's Angus bull over the cows about 9 months ago. Then we left them to it.

According to the cattle gestation chart in his diary - the first calves weren't expected until February 14th. Though I read younger cows (like ours can calve 10 days earlier) so I am calf watch from now on.

We own 11 cows and we are not totally sure how many are in calf because the Bull preferred the other ladies instead and escaped at first chance a few weeks later into a large heavily tree'd paddock...like he did again today.

Sam & Joel also own a Cow & calf each , a gift from their Grandpa. Their cows & calves escaped too with another one of our 11. The rest of our little herd they got back after a little game of chasey with Hubby and his cousin (K was over Grandpa's working on fences).

Hubby unlocked the padlock on the gate to the lane way to fix it, the chain was across and he came back for lunch. Somehow it came open - we suspect the Bull pushed on it and the chain wasn't latched securely.

Today , I got my apron on and started baking. I wanted to bake some treats for the boys who start school on Monday *sob*. Chocolate coconut slice and Low fat choc-chip banana loaf that I am trying in the bread maker. The oven is small and not too good at getting and staying hot - so I made the slice in it.

Ingredients ~ Low fat choc-chip banana loaf

2 cups S/R flour

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon bicarb of soda

2/3 cup caster sugar 

1 cup choc chips ( I used dark)

2 eggs 

1 cup buttermilk ( I substituted 1/4 cup lowfat milk & with 1 teaspoon lemon juice & 3/4 cup natural yoghurt because I had no BM)
1 tablespoon olive oil

1 cup mashed bananas

Icing sugar to dust

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 180 ° (if using loaf pan - grease and line it)
2. Sift flour , bicarb of soda and cinnamon in a medium bowl, stir in sugar & choc bits (I used dark) and mix in well.
3. Whisk together in a jug - eggs , buttermilk (or my substitute) , olive oil and bananas until smooth
4. Stir mixture into flour mix , then spoon into prepared loaf tin - or toss it all in bread-maker like I did.
5. Bake at 180° for 45- 55 minutes until brown and knife or skewer comes out clean from center of loaf. If using a large or deeper loaf pan, increase time to 50-60 minutes. 
6. Leave to cool in loaf tin for 10 mins - turn out onto wire rack - Serve and dust with icing sugar if desired - consume responsibly !

{How low fat it is I know not - but it should serve 10 ?} 

The result was a very moist, not too sweet banana bread perfect with a cup of tea.

I noticed this one is a different texture to last time I made it in my previous oven - could it be the buttermilk substitute  or the bread maker and a short, deeper loaf tin ?

The choc coconut slice is overcooked very crunchy - it was too soft so I left it longer and longer ...covered with icing and coconut it is still very edible ! I also reduced the sugar, butter by a 1/4 - 1/5 and added rolled oats - so it makes a difference too maybe. I confess I am not an expert on tweaking recipes.

I 'd be grateful to know how to stop the choc chips from sinking ?

♥

Back to School with Cheeki Stainless Steel Water Bottles ~ {Giveaway}

I know there has been a lot of talk about plastic water bottles and BPA does concern me. I am pleased to know that my cheeky boys will be starting school with Cheeki.

Since having seen the very popular Cheeki stainless steel water bottles , I've had my eye on buying a few.

I have tried to keep my kids on the right path to good hydration by giving them water - but they hate drinking 'warm' water while we are out & about or road-tripping . I'd rather not buy cold water ( or worse) when we go out - just why is water so expensive ? - not anymore with Cheeki  !

Awesome facts I like about Cheeki

• Children's {all actually} stainless steel water bottles are eco-friendly, safe to drink from and painted with non-toxic inks. Lots of bright kids designs ( including ABC favourites and attractive girl/boy/teen designs) !
• Cheeki lids are BPA free -  made out of Polypropylene (also known as PP) with a Silicone washer.
• The bottles are made from Pure Grade 304 (18/8) stainless steel - there are no linings and they will not leach chemicals.
• They have insulated neoprene pouches {& even carry straps} that fit snugly and are not bulky. We tested them out and the water was as cold to taste 5 hrs later as when I filled it. Perfect for long , hot school days.They do last 8hrs apparently.
• Replacements are available for twist sports caps , Screw caps ! So you don't have to replace the whole drink bottle. The lids are interchangeable.
• 350ml, 500ml, 600ml,750ml and 1L sizes ...for thirsty little camels
• The sports bottles have special flip up lids and fast flow instead of screw cap. 
• My 5 yr olds managed getting the lids open/closed well - so hopefully I won't have leaks in the school bag.

The single walled bottles are designed for cold liquids only and cannot be frozen ( Trust me I lost a S/S bottle last year that was accidentally frozen - it bulged out at the bottom ,then cracked open) . 

Cheeki have products for everyone in the family. They have unique insulated bottles which are a vacuum sealed double walled bottle, they will keep the content hot or cold for 12 hours.

I love the look of their Stainless Steel Insulated Coffee mugs {I want to get one for my tea : when I have to rush out the door , to get to school on time - so I can have it in the car ) or maybe a flask}. Plastic coffee / tea tastes terrible !!



Those of you who use Fitness shakes will love the Cheeki Protein shakers which even come with a blending ball for lump free mixes and are unique to the market !

For mums with bubs using bottles- 

Cheeki make a range of BPA free - 280ml baby bottles too that are durable and hygienic - bacteria cannot form on the inside or outside of the bottle and it will not break down like plastic. Shatter-proof and with embosed markings, they contain no linings and will not leach chemicals.Painted with non-toxic inks too.

We were fortunate to receive 1 x 350ml kids and 500ml water bottle with insulated pouches to review.

I plan to buy more they are very reasonably priced and online you can buy duo/trio gift packs.

It is important to me that Cheeki products are fully recyclable, unlike plastic bottles which harm our environment and create landfill ... I was gob smacked !

It takes 1000 years for just ONE plastic bottle to decompose. That bottle you bought when you were 12? Yes, it's still in landfill and will be there for many generations to come.

Did you know Cheeki are also happy to support school fundraising - check their website for details.

Now I know you can't wait to try Cheeki water bottles so I have 2 x $25 gift certificates for an online purchase to giveaway . Perfect for the lucky winners to choose a Cheeki product that suits them !

To enter complete the entry form and leave a comment below.



Visit the website or eat drink stainless partner site and tell me what is your favourite Cheeki product and why you would like to own it ?

For an Optional second entry - LIKE Cheeki on Facebook   - to be a valid entry you must answer the question again.

In the meantime checkout the special offers and sales on the website http://www.eatdrinkstainless.com.au/special-offers.html or use store locator here.

The Huffington post has a great article on 20 interesting things to do with water bottles 

Disclaimer - we received 1 x 350ml & 500ml Kid's water bottles with neoprene pouches to road test. No financial payment was offered , all opinions are my own.  I was very impressed with their fast delivery too from Eat, drink, Stainless!

♥

Wordless Wednesday ~ Worth of water

We never know the worth of water till the well is dry.  ~Thomas Fuller, Gnomologia, 1732

Forgot to take a photo once they got it off .

33,000L in case you are wondering ...the rain didn't make it into the tank .





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Tetris, tears and tissues

So here I am counting down the last mins hour before we collect the twins from school.

Today is their best start assessment , a 4 hr stint during which the teacher will take them aside individually and see where they are at  .The rest of the time is for playing. They were fine once they spied the toys on the mat.

I was by then fine. I had a few leaky tears on the way. I wasn't crying , just a single tear or two sliding over my lids. Getting ready and finding stuff was most stressful. A bit of verbal biffing.

DH & I were very tired , he didn't get home from working in Sydney till 1am . I waited up for him. It was closer to 2am by the time we were in bed. Awake at 7am ...

Yes , this is real - it looks worse in real life !

It is like playing tetris with boxes, furniture, the exercise bike, TOYS and everything every day as we try to find a spot for things. Things come crashing down sometimes. The unpacker did not organise the boxes well so I have been rifling through to find stuff I WANT now !

The lads also like to move things especially my shoes (so I lost them this morning too) and keep finding stuff that isn't lost to hand me 
" Mum, I found this ..."
I put it down ...goodness knows where...when I am next looking and can't remember where and you get the picture $^!#

The kitty- Mia loves hiding from the puppies and kids here !

Sadly, our other cat , mumma ~ Ziggy is missing. I haven't seen her for maybe a week now. Lost ? I hope or found by someone nice *sniff*.

My mission once the boys go to school full time Monday is to really get the box tetris under control and organised since we can't unpack it all ever right now.




♥

Lazy Sunday

It's been quite a grey and dreary day here . Therefore ...

Insert Me !

Source: tumblr.com via Trish on Pinterest

I discovered I can waste hours on Pinterest and You tube...getting inspired :)

Source: etsy.com Pinterest

I really want to make this blackboard !

I discovered I need to practice my A B C's .

Source: beautifulyoubyjulie.com Pinterest

So I am going to print this out and frame it .

 

Source: Uploaded by user via Trish on Pinterest

 This I love this whimsical poster too !

I've also been listening to lots of old favourites and making new discoveries . This song - Can you stand the rain ? speaks volumes !



This I can't embed but over 9 million people have watched it . The message is Hold onto your dreams - when you least expect it be surprised and don't judge anyone !

Be kind to every one you meet this week and go dance in the rain.

Linking up with Thea's

♥

Grateful - not end up in the frying pan

Most days from son'rise to son'set are busy.

Not our farm but Broken Hill - quickest I could locate

New challenges emerge and I just don't know where to start as we settle in to our tree change lifestyle here on the farm.

There is a lot to do or NOT ; there is no real hurry.

I was reminded last night never to take anything for granted because we can lose loved ones in a blink.

Time after time I am humbled and inspired by words on redefining joy in our lives, no matter what the present circumstances.

I followed the journey of a blogger called Emilie with terminal cancer for a while.
Early in her journey she wrote ...

If there is a bright side to any of this, it's that the unimportant, superficial things in our lives have suddenly fallen away, and we are intensely focused on what remains truly important, which is each other, our family, and making the most of the time we have together now. Emilie Lemmons

Tragically, her time with her two young boys was cut very short.

Try as I might I can't help worrying about how much time any of us have.

The message I try to focus on - is life is far too precious and we should just live intensely in the present, absorbing and embracing life as it happens. Plan for future yes but live for today.

It means letting the superficial things in life go and stop sweating the small stuff. In the end will they matter ?

I thankful for the laughter, squeals and chattering that spills drink and crumbs through my home. {The floors are concrete now so it really doesn't matter}

I am grateful beyond measure that these sounds fill my ears home and heart because it means I have children who are happy and healthy. Children I never thought would bless my life.

I am thankful for my health and theirs. Our health isn't perfect and we have ongoing health issues , but we are still blessed.

I am thankful for my family and that most of time we get along and help each other out... thankful my Brother, Sister in law, niece and nephew who came to spend a few days with us. Plus extended cousins who came to visit too. We were all grateful the temperatures this year were in the 20's ° not 40's °.

credit

We had so much fun catching Yabbies in the dams - approx: 70 yesterday (from 2 dams) and again today (1 of same dams). I bet the Yabbies were grateful we only relocated them to another dam and not the frying pan {yet}. I guess it is all any of us can hope for any day not to end up in the frying pan and to keep swimming another day ! (Do yabbies even swim ? hmm)

Have you tried Yabbies ? How do you cook them ?

♥

Wordless Wednesday ~ A boy and his dog { x 2 }

Every boy should have two things: a dog, and a mother willing to let him have one ~ anon

A boy and his dog 

Every puppy should have a boy ~ Erma Bombeck





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Going to school Nude ~ { Giveaway }

Do you stress out about what your children are {or not} eating at school ?

Let me get to it quick !

 I admit my eldest son's (now 18) school lunch would often return home squashed (and soggy from his spilt drink) at the bottom of his bag, with evidence of other friend's snacks & empty packets in his bag too.

I didn't give him any too many processed packaged treats like BBQ Shapes, chips, mini cookies and the like. Lucky for him , one (or more) of his friends  was always in the running for the most popular Mum of the year was a good sharer .

Mr 18 just wanted the same sandwich, nuffin' different - yes I tried lots of ideas. So I usually gave him what he asked - Vegiemite sandwiches (unless he had already eaten all the bread). He was partial to processed canteen lunches occasionally and I know he raided his Dad's bedside pocket change or conned him more often .


He was in 'paradise' when I did Canteen duty each month. I always went prepared to buy his friends a little $omething too. (I still did school canteen in year Seven [First year highschool in NSW] till I was six months pregnant with twins (MOTY runner-up ?)

I wish he had just thrown it in the bin but he wasn't smart enough so I didn't know ...because I did care. Wasted ! Emotions and food and wrappers (plus lost lunchboxes from him leaving them wherever he felt like)
He didn't starve , he would come home and proceed to eat half a loaf of toasted bread and inhale the leftovers in the fridge.

Twin1 & Twin2 are starting kindergarten in 2 weeks {sob} - I have an arsenal hundreds of new ideas to tempt their fussy bite size appetites thanks to

$120 Food  - 20 sandwich filling ideas 

Larissa has a lunch box love and printable schedule to plan ahead and get organised

Mummy Smiles has this list of edible snacks.

Kidspot ~ Non sandwich lunchbox ideas

Katrina ~ Organised Housewife has this extensive list of freezable treats ideas {submitted by her readers}

Thankfully my twins love fruit,and some raw vegies, so it is easy to choose seasonal fruits and raw vegies they will eat and I am hoping they don't let them out to play till they eat something.

I am also sending them to school NUDE ! No wrappers unless absolutely necessary. 
We have been practicing with the easy flip openings and screw tops , zipping bags - with no trouble at all with this ...

I like the new Nude Mini Lunch mover because it suits my 'kinder' boys' appetites and small school bags better . Take the divider out to fit non sandwich items - rolls, wraps or slices.

I know they will just want to smoosh  food into their gobs quick, then run off to play ; not sit and chew.

Better still it fits inside the cooler bags we already own (you can buy special Nude ones too). I like the idea of everything staying cool and fresh tasting , plus it's rubbish free.

We were also sent a muffin mover to try, I think it is a perfect size for anything really. Sam loves it being pink{clear is available as well}.

I think they are reasonably priced and long lasting ; we've had a bigger lunch mover for a few years.

There is a SMASHING new range to choose from for kids of all ages. Smash & Nude Food Movers also have a new online retailer - www.bonzoo.com.au

Ok, so I can't be bothered might not have time to do these ideas everyday or go all the way. Hopefully I will find my

Lunch Punches

 or I could try these ...

How smug creative and clever are they  1. 2. 3. 4. ? These were just the cute & easy ones. 

I don't want to start competing for kinder mum of the year !

This I might manage

How far would you go to encourage your children to eat lunch ?

To win 1 x Nude Mini Lunch mover and 1 x Muffin mover - tell me something funny about your school lunches ? 
Leave a comment below - easy I will chose 1 winner !


Australian Residents Only
Closes 6th February, 2012



Disclaimer: I was sent 1 x Nude Mini lunch mover and 1 x Muffin mover to review, no financial payment was received. all opinions are my own.


♥

Monday Muse and Song ~ I am

I love this song and Australia day is just around the corner.



Another quintessential Aussie song.

Linking up with Thea's

because it is still Sunday somewhere !
What are your favourite Australian songs ? What songs inspire you ?

♥