feathers, twigs and twine...

As we walked through the park, we heard the screeches of cockatoos. Flying about like hooligans, they appeared to be having a marvelous time. We stopped under the shade of a patch of gum trees and discovered a carpet of fallen feathers. Little hands grasped them one by one and soon they were stuffed into Mama's purse. There was talk of a mobile and twigs were promptly gathered for the grand construction.
On our arrival home, we sat on the balcony. A patient little boy helped me to snip and tie.
And then we hung our creation above our potted herbs on the balcony.

In the evening after he had gone to bed, I sat out with my beloved and watched those feathers flit in the wind. They made me happy. Something so simple. From nature, made with our hands. 
Beautiful really.

We've had some rather strong winds here lately, I must say that the feathers have got themselves into a magnificent tangle. I'm yet to find the time, or the patience to untangle them. 
Keeping it real.

Have you made something beautiful from nature lately?
Do you have screeching hooligans at your place too?*

I hope your week is keeping calm and you're not getting too overwhelmed with the holiday madness.
Happy Wednesday to you!


*the winged or two legged variety

into nature...

Two is wonderful. 
There is so many new things to learn, songs to sing, stories to recite. 
The world is full of wonder.
But two is also hard. 
There is energy to burn, emotions to figure out and boundaries to test.
When days are hard {and the weather is reasonable} we head outside.
We jump in the car and find a local reserve to explore.
And then we exhale.
The focus shifts from butting heads, to the beauty of nature.
We walk through the bush peacefully, stopping every now and then to study something of interest and to discuss what it might be, how it got to be here and why.
Why is the feather blue? Why did the tree fall? Who cut it up? Where are the ants going?
So, so much to learn.
These little adventures make the day to day a little less overwhelming.
Thank you mother nature. 

cooking with huckle :: apple oat loaf...

I've received some wonderful Mama wisdom on my last few posts. Thank you sweet ladies for your words of encouragement. I am so grateful.

Despite the toddler shenanigans that are going on around here, there's still good times. It's like a big swinging pendulum... only nobody knows which way it will swing!

Last week I set up a little experiment. Huckle loves to help cook, so I thought I could give him something to cook all by himself (so to speak). 

I measured out all the ingredients into individual bowls and placed them onto the table with a mixing bowl and spoon. I then invited him to make Apple Oat Loaf.

He was so focused and didn't ask for help at all. He took his time sprinkling a little bit of each ingredient at a time, tasting each flavour as he went and mixing them all together.

I only stepped in to help mix it thoroughly at the end.

This is a great recipe for little ones to make, as there is no special method at all, you just throw it together. It kept Huckle occupied for a good half hour and he was proud as punch to serve his loaf for morning tea.

Apple Oat Loaf

1/2 cup rolled oats

300ml milk - we used cows, but you could use soy or almond milk to make it dairy free

1 & 1/2 cups of spelt flour with 3 tsp baking power mixed in

2 apples - peeled and grated

1/2 cup sultanas 

1/3 cup rapadura sugar

1/3 cup honey

1/3 cup walnuts roughly chopped

1 tsp cinnamon

Mix together. Bake in a loaf tin at 180 degrees celcius for 45-60 minutes. Check with cake tester, as all ovens are different. Allow to rest in tin for 5 minutes before cooling on cake rack. Enjoy with butter. Also good toasted. Freezes really well too.