Author Archives: mlwilkie

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About mlwilkie

Software Developer, Mother, Wife with keen interest in art, design and crafts of all kinds.

Warning: Elf on the shelf

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Thanksgiving has past and we are getting ready for Christmas. Yesterday we bought our Christmas Tree from the local YMCA – its  a beautiful tree. Since the Christmas tree arrived, the elf on the shelf arrived too, this morning.

This is the first year we have done elf on the shelf. We read the Elf on the Shelf book, to prep our 5 year old son on what the elf does. He understood that the Elf is going to inform Santa if he is good or bad each day, and in the morning he will be able to find the elf in a new spot. He was so excited when going to bed.

This morning he got up and hunted for the elf. He found it, and then went and hid from him. The “elf on the shelf” idea has back fired on us somewhat. He has taken it very seriously and is now a little scared/worried/apprehensive of this elf that is watching him.

I was a little worried and asked him if we should send him away – he did say “No” then added “I want to give Santa my list”. We called him Mr. Underpants (trying to keep to light). I will post a photo of Mr. Underpants, new place in the house every day (letting Sean participate in taking the photos as well….that might make it a little better). We will keep going and I hope the acceptance of the elf improves as we go.

Week 1: Photo Journal

Week 2: Photo Journal

Week 3: Photo Journal

Other Christmas preparations; I am making these cute felt ornaments. The mittens, I am selling in the upcoming Craft fair at work, and I am still thinking about the Christmas tree one (this first one was a sample).

The Christmas tree is an idea from this link.

My favorite Banana Bread recipe

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This weekend I made the family Banana Bread (banana loaf), which is already gone – yes, in 36 hours (with 2 adults and one 5-year-old devouring it). It was perfect with a latte (or hot chocolate) on these colder days. This recipe easily doubles and you can make two loaves and store one in the freezer in a Ziploc bag.

 

Ingredients (from the Edmonds Cookery Book)

1 3/4 cups self-raising flour
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/4 cup milk
75 g butter (melted)
1 cup of mashed ripe banana (~2-3 banana’s)

Sift flour, baking soda and salt into a bowl. Mix in sugar. In another bowl, beat the eggs. Add milk, butter and banana into egg mixture with a spoon. Quickly add the dry ingredients stirring until just combined. Place mixture in a loaf tin (greased and lined if not using silicone). Bake at 350 degrees F (180 degrees C) for 50-55 minutes (until top is golden brown). Leave in tin for 10 minutes before turning out on a cooling rack.

NOTE: I use very ripe banana’s that I basically have to turn out of the skin for the really banana’ery taste.

NOTE: Once cool store in a Ziploc bag or air-tight container to retain freshness. I usually wait a few hours so you first get the bread with a slight crunch on top.

Serving suggestions:
1. I have eaten as is just as a slice with a cup of coffee or
2. You could try it as a dessert with a hot chocolate ganache and whipped cream or vanilla ice cream

Both are great!!!

Backyard design and garden update

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We survived the night in the tent, but we did wake up to a frost. I am very thankful that it was for only one night. I get to sleep in my own bed tonight.

After spending time outside yesterday, I realized that the backyard has come along way since we posted our design progress a month or so back. We are in fact ready for sod (though it might be too late for us to lay it down before winter).

The winter vegetable gardens are coming along too, though slowly but I suppose that is due to the colder temperatures now. Here are photos of the everlasting bell peppers (still growing from Summer), the swiss chard, broccoli, cabbages and spinach.

    

We have carrots and cauliflower too but they were planted a little late and are still quiet small.

That’s it for today – my new dwell magazine just arrived in the mail and the banana bread is about to come out of the oven – time for a coffee break :-). I will post the banana bread recipe tomorrow.