nimble fingers

Today was filled with origami and baking. I haven't made paper cranes in a long time. It was nice to relive one of my childhood pastimes. As for the baking, I made a double batch of cookies and tried a new recipe for banana bread. I've had to trial a couple of different recipes to get the soft springiness found in café versions, and not so dry and crumby as the last few recipes I'd tried. Today's recipe was the closest I've gotten so far.

'afternoon tea' challenge: lemon meringue pie

Last Thursday I had my first run at making lemon meringue pie. The recipe was actually pretty easy and consisted of three parts: the base, the filling and the meringue. I was a bit worried how it would work out as I'd never made any of these before but I found them all really simple to make and the result was surprisingly really yummy! This is definitely something I want to bake again. The best part? My non-lemon-loving hubby liked it so much he had seconds.

It's 2am, I feel wide awake and hungry (crazy pregnancy). Scary things happen when staying up late in Aussie summer! I'd forgotten how many flies and bugs will swarm towards whatever light is kept on in the dark of night. The last time I remember experiencing this was back in high school days, which is over six years ago. Now I feel itchy and paranoid that they're crawling on me..

On a happier note, my sister-in-law gave birth to adorable Abigail Jane yesterday! Despite attempting a natural birth, after 24 hours in labour she had an emergency C-section. I had expected this to scare me but instead, after looking at her baby's gorgeous little face and watching her yawn, I absolutely cannot wait to give birth and meet my own little baby despite all the pain that comes with it. You can see a photo of baby AJ here.

yummy baking goodness

Image from frankie.com.au. Get your own copy here.
I have been a fan of Frankie Magazine since their first issue back in Oct/Nov 2004. Each issue is beautifully designed with lots of white space and a mishmash of modern-yet-crafty illustrations and photographs. Frankie doesn't bombard you with the latest celebrity gossip nor the next fashion craze you cannot afford, but has remained faithful to staying "smart, funny, sarcastic, friendly, cute, rude, arty, curious and caring".

So when Frankie released their yummy baking cookbook "Afternoon Tea" I just had to buy it! Which I did, about two years ago. Being a lazy sort of person by nature, I hadn't really attempted more than two or three recipes in this book. Until now, where I will attempt to work my way through the entire list of recipes. Idea taken from the movie 'Julie & Julia'.

ready to take on 2010

After watching 'Julie & Julia' on dvd a few weeks ago I was reminded of my own blog, all forlorn and forgotten. I realised a lot had changed since I last posted, and so will give a brief summary:

In mid-October: I was made redundant just before completing a full year.
As shocked as I was I had also expected this to occur in the near future, but didn't think it would for another few months. At the same I was glad and at peace about finishing up working there as I had started to resent accepting the role despite the gut feeling I had during the interview for the role, the gut feeling telling me that this was not the right place for me. Despite all, I learned a lot of life skills being there and so was excited for whatever was coming ahead in life.

About one week later: I discovered I was pregnant.
I was a month overdue and had been having horrible cramps constantly for a week straight. I was worried that this was due to a cyst that had previously been found in my left ovary, and I was scheduled to have key-hole surgery in January to remove and test it for cancer. So the morning after a week of cramps and worry I went to the doctor to have a blood test done. That afternoon hubby and I went to get the results to find out if it gave an indication of what might be causing the pain. What I'll never forget is the feeling of being told we were going to have a baby. It was complete and pure joy, the same feeling I had felt on our wedding day upon being told Adam and I were husband and wife. We had previously been told that it was highly unlikely that I would fall pregnant as the cyst present in one of the ovaries would prevent it from producing eggs. So this is our miracle baby.

Since then: I am growing and maturing.
I am enjoying the crazy journey of pregnancy with the support for family and friends, and am excited to meet our little bub. I am learning how to be a better wife-lover-friend to my husband and be less selfish, and desire that my heart will expand to embrace those around me so that I may love others better. I am praying that I will be a loving, nurturing mother. I am learning to take better care of our bedroom home and am looking forward to moving out in May, to make that house a home that is welcoming to all who step in, and to finally play with all the wedding gifts we've got as they have all been stored away till we move. Most of all, I am trusting that Jesus' love will always be at the core of all that I do, that I the way I live my life and love myself and others will be in a direct response to His love for us.