Almost one year?

I can't believe that it's been almost one year since our little girl was born. She is without a doubt the best thing that Matt and I have ever created. We are gearing up for her first birthday party, which people have been 'pooh poohing' saying that she won't remember it so we shouldn't make a fuss, but we want to make a GIANT fuss of the fact that our lives have changed for the better and that we god damn survived the first year without screwing things up too badly.

So bring on the GIANT birthday and three cheers for not screwing up :)

Our Light Lucia

Babyproofing

Lucia is on the move, she is doing a weird scoot crawl hybrid with one leg out to the side but it doesn't stop her from getting into trouble if I turn my back for too long. So today Matt and I babyproofed. The house is latched and gated, for her safety and our sanity. She doesn't mind at all.

Cooking: Orangey Sultana Friands

I'm sensing a theme here with my Orangey Sultana Friands (they're only friands because I baked them in my friand pan rather than a muffin pan)... everything I bake seems to have orange in it and now Matt is even getting in on the action because he's cooking Spiced Orange Chicken tonight.

Anyway these muffins are delicious and they're adapted from this generic muffin recipe and they are simple, light and delicious.



Orangey Sultana Friands
Makes 12 large friands

Ingredients

• 250g (2 cups) self raising flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 155g (2/3rds cup) caster sugar
• 1 egg
• 125ml (1/2 cup) milk
• 125ml (1/2 cup) orange juice
• zest of 2 small oranges
  
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 cup sultanas
  

Method

1. Preheat oven to 200 C
2. Mix all the ingredients in a bowl
3. Spoon the mixture between 12, well greased friand pans (or muffins whatever)
4. Bake for 25-30 mins or until golden brown and firm to touch
5. Nom them all with a cup of tea or for your lunchbox.

mmmmm frothy

Lucy had her first bubbacino and check out this look of absolute delight...

We were at Mocha and Lime in Healesville, which is an amazing cafe I heartily endorse it if you want somewhere to eat when visiting. They buy the best produce, free range eggs and bacon, so you can eat without feeling bad for the animals. They have free wifi and a fireplace. Last weekend was market weekend and it was flat out and they had a band (TK and Rose) who were cheerful bedreaded guitarist/ukeleleists. When they first got up I thought we would have to leave because it would be too loud for Lucy, but they weren't and she LOVED it. Banging her spoon on the table in time with the music. So I'm keen to seek out more live music for her to enjoy.

Reading with Grandpa Fred

Lucia takes her reading seriously!

The ultimate biscuit

I'm on a mission, a mission from the FSM to find my ultimate biscuit, one that I can whip up whenever I feel the need. A biscuit that fulfils that need to have something with your cup of tea in the afternoon, that keeps well in the cupboard. I haven't make the same biscuit once this year because I keep trying recipes and none of them are quiiiiiiiite right. I feel like the goldilocks of biscuits.

Do you have a favourite biscuit recipe, point me in the right direction.