A quiet weekend

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Shane and Sarndra.

I hope all the mums had a wonderful day yesterday (or today) surrounded by family. I'm not sure of the origins of Mother's Day, it's probably commercial, but I like how a day is set aside for mother's and father's day. Those roles should be honoured and, quite frankly, I'm surprised they still are. I'd like to send out a special mother's day greeting to all those who became mothers for the first time this year, and are therefore having their first mother's day, and also to all the grandmothers (and grandfathers) who are raising their grandchildren. That must be a tough, but very rewarding, job. Hello Anna and Karyn!

All packed up and ready to hit the road.

I spent my mother's day here with Hanno. My boys both called me in the afternoon as both of them were working. They called within 10 minutes of each other on the break they get between lunch and dinner service. So what did Hanno and I do? We washed curtains, and then puzzled over how to get the clips back in so we could put them up again. Happy days! LOL

On Saturday I had some wonderful alone at home time. Hanno helped Shane and Sarndra move into their new home, I packed them a basket lunch to take and was then left to my own devices. I wandered around talking to the chooks after I fed them a big bowl of warm porridge and bread mixed together with milk. Margaret Olley (my favourite chook) died last week after being sick for about three or four weeks. We thought she was recovering a few times but eventually she started bleeding from the mouth, so Hanno had the horrible job of putting her down. Poor Margaret, we'll miss her.

And I was left with the chooks - Martha, Heather and Cocobelle.

I did some chores, a load of washing and then wandered through the front garden for a while. It's very peaceful out there, just the place for a wedding. We still have some plants to go in and I want to take some cuttings off a few of the flowering bushes, but most of it is done. We did a lot of talking about the wedding while Shane and Sarndra were here and now we know what they want, it's just a matter of putting that plan into action. Sarndra told me there will be five babies/toddlers attending so we're making our bedroom into a parents' lounge for the night. It is all those little bits and pieces that will make it a warm and family-friendly event so I hope we don't forget anything.

I packed a picnic lunch for the workers - sandwiches, homemade biscuits, water, tea and coffee.

It will be a family wedding in many ways, not only will the ceremony and reception be here but brothers, sisters, aunties, uncles, cousins, and a big group of close friends are all working to make the day one to remember. A homemade wedding, what could be better. I think it will be a lovely day for our family and the memory of it will stay with me forever.

Our car was packed to the roof too.

A few people asked for the crumpet recipe and I'm happy to share it.

CRUMPETS

1 ½ teaspoons dried yeast
1 cup plain (all purpose) flour
1 cup corn flour
1 ½ tablespoons baking powder
1 teaspoon bicarb (baking soda)
1 teaspoon sugar
½ teaspoon salt

2 cups warm water

METHOD

Place all the dry ingredients in a bowl and slowly add the water to a make a smooth batter. When it's completely mixed, put it aside for half hour to rise.

You will need some egg rings or a metal form to contain the crumpets in the frying pan. I used heart shaped cookie cutters. Grease the rings with oil.

When the batter has risen, heat your frying pan over a low heat and place the rings in the pan. Spoon out the batter so it's almost at the top of the form. Slowing cook the crumpets on one side. As it's cooking you will notice holes forming from bubbles in the batter. That is good. Make sure the bottom doesn't burn, have your heat low. When the batter has set and the bottom is cooked, turn the crumpet over, take off the form and let the crumpet cook on the top for a short amount of time to make sure it's cooked. Then place it on a cooling rack.

To serve, toast the crumpet in the same way you'd toast bread. When it's golden brown, serve hot with butter and honey, and a cup of tea. I freeze the crumpets when they're cold so I can have them for breakfast on and off over the following couple of weeks.

If you have favourite recipe for crumpets, I'd love to know about it. I have another recipe in my CWA cookbook (Barossa version) that uses self-raising flour to make a stiff dough. You cut the crumpet shapes out and bake in the oven. Whatever way you make them, crumpets make a truly delicious breakfast. I am going to make crumpets and tea for my breakfast this morning.

And then? Then I'm off to work. I hope you all enjoy the week ahead.

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