Pure Love

Being a full-time mother is one of the highest
salaried jobs... since the payment is pure love.

~ Mildred B. Vermont

Afternoon Tea

Image from Belle and Boo

Caramel Mud Cake

Ingredients
(serves 8)

Melted butter, to grease
200g butter, cubed
200g white chocolate (Nestle brand), chopped
200g (1 cup, firmly packed) dark brown sugar
180ml (3/4 cup) hot water
1 tbs golden syrup
2 tsp vanilla essence
2 eggs, at room temperature
150g (1 cup) plain flour
150g (1 cup) self-raising flour
Icing sugar, to dust

Method

Preheat oven to 160°C. Brush a round 22cm
(base measurement) cake pan with melted butter.

Line base and side with non-stick baking paper.

Place butter, chocolate, sugar, water, golden syrup
and vanilla essence in a heavy-based saucepan.

Stir over medium-low heat with a wooden spoon for 5 mins
or until chocolate melts and mixture is smooth.

Set aside for 20 mins to cool.

Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition.

Sift combined flours over chocolate mixture and
stir with a wooden spoon until well combined.

Pour mixture into pan and bake in preheated oven for
50-60 mins or until a skewer comes out almost clean.

Stand cake for 20 mins before turning onto a wire rack to cool.

Dust with icing sugar.

Enjoy!
x

Northcote Social Club

"Northcote Social Club is better known for its pumping night life
and amazing live bands, not so much for its facilities for the kids.

So l was pleasantly surprised to see when we arrived for a casual
Saturday pub lunch that not only do they cater for the big kids and little
kids but there were several other families enjoying a Saturday lunch too."

Too see full review on the Northcote Social Club check out our website

Lovely Monday Competition

Good Morning and welcome to a new week!
To celebrate Mothers Day a little early we are
running a competition on our Facebook Fan Page

Become a Fan and go into the draw to win
these lovely guest soaps by Cath Kidston.

Good Luck and have a great week

xo

Merry Friday

Have a fab long ANZAC weekend everyone

Make time on Sunday to remember
all our brave souls we have lost

Peace and Love to all

xo

Chair 14

We've added a lovely new baby friendly cafe to our site this week.

Chair 14
167 Darebin Rd
Thornbury

It has the works for mums and bubs.

For mums they offer and great little breakfast and lunch
menu, but the great thing about Chair 14 is the space.

Even a double pram will glide straight past
tables without catching an odd chair leg.

For the bubba's the have a fold down change table, toys and books.
To fill little tummies they offer all menu options at half serves.
To see the full review see our website.
Enjoy!

Let's get Packing Baby!

It's always fun to pack for a holiday.

The packing part is easy - it's the unpacking l hate.

So when the time comes to pack up baby and head overseas or interstate
on a jet plane here are some tips and tricks to help you on your way.


This is only a guide of what l packed for my "carry on luggage'

I found all the items very useful for the age of my child which is 16 months

**********
One medium size carry on suitcase or bag

A spare change of clothes – track pants and top, t-shirt and socks – don’t put baby in jeans.

One grow suit for night time.
I found changing my baby when it was time
for bed settled him better as he knows this routine.

One dry face washer in a sealed plastic bag for cleaning grubby hands and faces

One large pack of wipes

10 night-time nappies.
I used night time nappies for the whole flight – they are extra absorbent
especially if your little one is drinking lots of water to rehydrate.
Pending on your time in the air l gave my son one night time nappy per hour.
Although l didn't use all of them it’s always better to have spares.

Plastic disposable nappy bags

2 light blankets

15 sachets of powdered milk

4 sachets of Rafferty’s Fruit Puree
– although my bubba is well over 4 months and onto solids these
are great for “filling” tummies and are a sweet treat.
No mess no fuss.

One pack of Heinz Baby Fruit Sticks

6 Mr Men books for reading – small and light

4 Matchbox cars that bubba hadn't seen before – so they were new and exciting

Panadol with two spare medicine dosage syringes

Brauer Calm – Natural Medicine to calm babies

Vicks Baby Balsam – just in case of congestion from flight

Lavender Lotion to rub on chest and back for calming and soothing

Kids QuicKit – small first aid kit with bandaids and alcohol wipes

4 Spare plastic supermarket bags for dirty clothes or any extra mess

Happy Packing!

Vintage Knits

l adore anything vintage.

So when mum had saved these old knitting books
from a recent clean out l was delighted!

Knitting and winter just go hand in hand.

These old books are perfect for learning the basics of knitting and crochet.

So be inspired and go down to your local op-shop and
look for some old knitting books and start a fun winter project!

Autumn Weekend

What a magnificent weekend we had!

l hope you had a fabulous one too.

We caught up with friends for dinner, lunched with family
and had a little trip to the country side.

l adore Daylesford, especially this time of year with all the trees changing.

The colours are amazing.

We had a bit of retail therapy at the Daylesford Market and
popped into Lark's newly renovated store.

Hey Bambini are in for a busy week.
We have two new cafes to add to the site, along with a truck load
of emails to read and new cafes to visit.

Just as well we got all that country air on the weekend.

Enjoy your week.
xo

About last night's dinner?

l don't usually blow my own trumpet about my cooking.

But last night l cooked up a storm and l just had to
share this delicious recipe from last night's dinner.
I grabbed it from The Sunday Age last week
so some of you may have already seen it.



Parsley Pesto with Gnocchi

1 big bunch flat leaf parsley
- leaves washed, picked, dried and chopped1 bunch basil leaves
2 cloves garlic
pinch of salt120 ml extra virgin olive oil
freshly ground pepper
120g pine nuts, toasted
100g parmesan, grated2 cups potato gnocchi
40g butter
100ml thin cream
1 tbsp tiny capers


For pesto, combine parsley,basil, garlic & salt in a
food processor & pulse until the mixture resembles puree
Slowly add oil and season with pepper
Add 80g pine nuts & 80g parmesan & blitz quickly in pulses

Place in a clean jar
(if you drizzle a little oil on top it will keep for a up to a week)

Cook gnocchi in plenty of lightly salted boiling water
for 2-3 minutes until slightly puffed, drain & set aside
In a heavy-based pan over medium heat, combine butter, gnocchi & cream
Bring to the simmer & then add as much parsley pesto
as you would like - at least 2 heaped tbsp - & toss through
Add a handful of parsley & the capers, & serve with remaining pine nuts & parmesan

Voila!
A delicious meal for all to enjoy.

Let's fly away Baby!!

**Airline tips**
As you all know we have recently returned from an overseas trip.

Long haul flights are painful no matter what your age.

Taking a baby on a plane can be quite a challenge but if your organised
it can be a stress free experience that the whole family can enjoy.

Whether you are planning on jetting half way around the world or
just a few hours away here are some tips on how to deal with the airlines.

***************

Always call your airline before you fly to double
check they know you're coming with a little one.

l recommend calling the airline a week
in advance to check and confirm your booking.

When you call the airline to confirm your
booking you can also request the following things - if available.

**Bassinet for Baby**
**Food for Baby**
**What you can take aboard for Baby**


The Bassinet

If your baby weighs under 11kg and is under
2 years of age they can sleep in a provided bassinet.

You need to book the bassinet.

Also keep in mind to that although you have booked the
bassinet it can go to a younger child on board
if they have limited numbers available.

There is no guarantee

What's for lunch Mum?

If your baby is on solids you are able to request a
special children's meal for them - if available.

Jetstar and other cheaper airlines do not provide meals.

Meals are simple and often healthy choices.
For breakfast my bubba was offered cereal, yogurt, juice and fruit.

Also most airlines have spare fruit, dry biscuits and cheese available.

All airlines provide bottled water.

What can Mum take on board for me?

MILK
You can't take on fresh milk.
Airline security won't let you through.
Powered milk is fabulous.
Your local pharmacy sells powdered milk in sachets, so stock up!

The big airlines have fresh milk on board
and do provide it in some cases.

Please don't bank on getting fresh milk - once again there is no guarantee.


BABY FOOD
With the new rules these days one person
can only take on liquids that are under 100ml.

I was allowed up to 10 x 100mls - although l didn't take anywhere near that amount.

Most baby food will get through security as long as it is under 100ml.
Make sure it's sealed and showing the branded label.
Don't take on your own homemade mush - it just wont get through.


MEDICATIONS
Medications such as Panadol, cough mixture and other medicines
are allowed on board as long as they are under
100ml and clearly labeled and in a sealed plastic bag.

If you require to take on medication that is over 100ml
you need a written letter by your doctor outlining
the reason for the medication and type of medication.

********

Hopefully now you can sit back and relax - a little!
Stay tuned for...
What to pack in baby's carry on luggage.

xo



**Please take note**

This is only a guide of what l personally experienced.
Airline procedures CAN and DO change all the
time so please call them to clarify any worries or concerns.


**If you're not confident with the information the customer service operator
provides on the other end when calling the airline - just call
back and talk to another consultant (I did!)**

We are back!

My dear holiday is over.

It was a lovely affair but all good
things must come to an end.

I'd like to thank you all for the constant flow of emails over the past few weeks.

l love getting feedback from fellow mums.
Thanks for taking the time to drop me a line.

We are looking forward to getting back out into the
cafe world and finding you some more little gems and treasures.

I've also have a list as long as my arm of great
baby friendly restaurants in Canada so stay tuned!

Ciao Bellas

xo