Australia Day 2009

We visited Government House (also known as "Fernberg") today and enjoyed looking at historic items and relaxing on the grounds. As the weather continues to be extremely warm & humid, I was happy to cool down on the slightly damp grass under a wedding-style marquee, complete with chandeliers and a small stage. The kids loved the stage, and strangely, most people stayed on other parts of the grounds, so there was lots of room to run around. I used the "fashion shoot" setting on the camera (I don't know its real name, but that's how I think of it) to capture several action shots of Anya, airborne as she twirled and hopped around Callum on stage. Anya soon started playing with another little girl and as they ran back and forth, squealing, Callum followed them this way and that, clutching his chicken drumstick tightly.

Gung hay fat choy!

Yeasty Goodness

This recipe was so delicious and easy, I immediately made some more the very next day after trying it for the first time.

2 tsp dried yeast (1 small packet)
100 ml warm milk
100 g plain flour, sieved
Mix together & knead for 2-3 minutes (speed 2 on Kenwood mixer). Cover with plastic wrap or damp cloth and set in warm place to rise until doubled in size.
150 g plain flour, sieved
½ tsp salt
50 g caster sugar
25 g butter
1 egg, beaten
Mix together and add to the risen dough. Knead for 3 minutes. Roll out to 13" × 18" on a non-stick surface (baking paper, or plastic board).
40 g brown sugar
40 g butter, softened
1 tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp nutmeg
30 g dried fruit (eg. currants, sultanas, craisins, etc)
Mix together the sugar, butter and spices, and spread across the dough. Sprinkle the fruit over the surface evenly. Roll up the dough from the long edge. Slice into pieces 4 cm thick, making about 12 scrolls. Place scrolls into a deep, greased baking tray. Cover with plastic wrap or damp cloth and set in warm place to rise until doubled in size and spongy to the touch. Bake at 200°C for 15 to 20 minutes. Glaze while hot (50 g sugar dissolved in 80 ml water on low heat).

The dough is also supposedly suitable for making doughnuts (simply fry and roll in sugar/cinnamon mixture) but I haven't tried it yet.

Fun With Homonyms

I walked into the kitchen this evening just in time to hear David say, "No Callum, don't put poo on your penis."

I stepped closer and realised he meant Winnie the Pooh, whom Callum was clutching in one hand.

Making Choices

This morning I asked Anya, "Would you like Weetbix, or corn flakes for breakfast?" She didn't answer me, so I said, "Shall I choose? I guess I'll choose Weetbix."

Then she piped up, "No, no, don't choose Weetbix. You can choose corn flakes -- with honey."

Urgent Matters

Mid-afternoon, Anya raced up to me and asked anxiously, "When are we going home?" I thought, "Oh dear, is she having a bad day?" (She'd just had a long play with Rebecca from next door, who is completely her match in bossiness.) I said calmly, "In about a week -- why?"

She hopped in place and answered, "I have this money, and I need to put it in my money box!"

Laughing Boy

Callum has developed quite a sense of humor -- initiated peek-a-boo with Raema (grandma) over the end of the bed, and again at dinnertime he played peek-a-boo with me by ducking his head under the table and meeting my gaze when I ducked under as well.