A Valentine's Day Party and an announcement...

All good things come to an end...

The squeak of a swing in use, the pitter patter of tiny feet and the tinkling of children's laughter surrounded me. Red, pink and white balloons hung from the room like garlands and paper hearts adorned the walls.

It was my daughter's first birthday party.

The theme was Valentine's Day and cheesy love songs wafted through the speakers whilst children played pin the heart on the cupid and hunted for hidden hearts amongst the playground. We were blessed with an abundance of sunshine, so the hall we had hired and decorated held only a few guests with the majority of them enjoying the surrounding park lands. I spent months planning and preparing, but on the day the little one decided to sleep during my decoration time, so I gave instructions to my husband and hoped for the best as I stayed at home with my sleeping beauty. I have to say, although it didn't turn out exactly as I had envisioned, he did a spectacular job bringing her birthday to life.

We had a whopping 70 guests (the husband assured me that most people wouldn't come, only two were unable to make it), so needless to say I was rather busy attending to everyone, organising games and ensuring there was enough food, all with a 10kg toddler on my hip (as I expected, Miss V was a little overwhelmed by all the people and only wanted to be held by mummy). Whilst it was wonderful seeing everyone, next year will definitely be a more intimate affair. I didn't take any photos of the day myself, but luckily I have a few snap-happy friends who did, so I'll share a few with you.

The children's dessert table included:

• red apples
• fresh strawberries
• home made strawberry and apple juice
• coconut and mixed berry yoghurt
• gingerbread men
• mini vanilla cupcakes
• and the birthday cake which was a strawberry and white chocolate mud swirl

Valentine's favourite part of the day was when daddy pushed her on the swing. And of course later at home when she got to rip open all of those gifts :). 

This year has brought a lot of change and new experiences for me. And I must admit, that before my daughter came along, I ignorantly assumed that I could just 'fit her in' to my life without having to change much. Boy, was my head up in the clouds. As it turns out, young kids aren't very fond of fine dining or long days at the beach or large events etc. What they do want is PLENTY of time with mummy and daddy to play and explore. Watching mummy typing on her laptop is not something Miss V endorses and with only 1-2 hours a day of alone time, after the housework is done and lunch is eaten, I am lucky to have enough time crumbs left to do one yoga pose or read a few pages of a book. 

And thus it is with a feeling of sadness that I have decided to say goodbye for now to my Greedy Gourmand. There are so many items on my 'to-do' list that I just can't justify spending the rather long time it takes to blog one entry, even if it's only once per month. Especially as I have decided to try to home school Miss V myself for the first 6 years of her life, and as with anything I do, I want to give it my everything and make it as enriching and fun for her as possible. Needless to say, my plate will certainly be full.

I don't want to say 'Goodbye for good' as who knows what the future holds as I do very much hope to return one day.

But for now, I wish all my treasured readers days filled with fine weather, fantastic company and most of all, fabulous food.

Sunday Salivations

Donut Holes

Sugerplum Buttermilk Cake

Chocolate Gelato

Chocolate, pear & vanilla tart

One year has passed since I held my daughter for the very first time.
One year since I became a mother and learned the real meaning of true love.
One year filled with more happiness, fatigue, love and amazement than the twenty five before it.
For me, this year has passed much too fast.

Each day I try my best to lock every moment I spend with her safely in the vault of my heart. For I know that soon, the particular squeal she makes when I 'find her' will disappear. And the way she smiles so proudly as she hands me whatever crumb, coin, paper remnant she has found on the floor will soon fade away. For she will never be as young as she is today, and with each day that she changes, some things are lost to make way for the new.

But today, which never held any significance to me,  is now so utterly precious since it became the day my daughter was born.

Although you will not read this dearest daughter, I want to wish you a wonderful birthday. I wish that life will give you more happy birthdays than you can dream of, each one more magical than the last. I wish that I will be there to share them with you and to help you blow out your candles until you can do it yourself. And most of all, I wish that one day, you will love someone as much as I love you.

Happy Birthday Valentine

xx

Sunday Salivations

Peach and Apricot Galette

Blueberry, Basil and Goat Cheese Hand Pies

Snickers Profiteroles

Orange date bread

I type these words as my little one slumbers.
Having a small child makes me feel like a teenager sometimes; sneaking around whilst she is sleeping to indulge in the activities that I like to do, whilst being as quiet as a mouse to keep her in dreamland.
These pictures, for instance, were taken during the beginning of her snooze, edited during the middle, and published just before she started stirring. It is amazing how quickly one hour seems to pass whilst babies sleep!

Whilst my hobbies have been relegated to baby nap times, the rest of my days are filled with hide and seek, whimsical picture books (that are read over and over again), playing with an array of wooden toys and various items she has found and claimed as her own (the remote controller and an old belly dancing arm bangle of mine being her current favourites), Bob Marley songs (played over and over and over...), hugging trees and smushing flowers, tickling toes and kissing boo boos - and whilst my days are marvelously tiring (the little one still wakes 7 times a night, so perhaps that is also a fatigue-factor), I wouldn't trade them for anything. My home might be a little shabbier, the meals slightly burnt and my adult conversational skills quite underused  but I am so incredibly thankful that I get to spend every single day being a mummy to such an amazing person. Being a part of someone's life from the moment they come into existence is such an honor; I get to witness her entire childhood and watch her metamorphosis first hand, to share her entire 'beginning'.

Now that I have gotten my daughter-gushing out of the way, let us eat cake!

ease: 4.5/5.
prep time: 20mins.
cooking time: 25mins.
total: 45mins.

taste: 3.5/5.

Whilst this bread/cake was incredibly soft and gently sweet, it lacked a strong flavour profile. The dates, which lent the sweetness, were prominent, but the orange only gave the faintest hint of bitterness. The cinnamon was also barely noticeable. It is lovely with a cup of tea, but a touch too delicate in flavour to be served on its own.

would I make it again: No, but I thoroughly enjoyed this loaf.

recipe: http://www.anjasfood4thought.com/2011/08/gluten-free-orange-date-bread.html

Sunday Salivations

Banana Bread French Toast

Individual Lamb and Guinnes Pies

No-Bake Oreo Chocolate Cherry Tart

Sunday Salivations

Plum Tray Bake

Tomato Salad

Peach and Raspberry Summer Tart

Violet chocolate fudge

“Every day has been so short, every hour so fleeting, every minute so filled with the life I love that time for me has fled on too swift a wing.” 

― Aga Khan

"They grow up so quickly".

Words I have heard countless times since the birth of my daughter, from knowing smiles of parents with children grown. And today, I thought those same words myself as I watched my little girl walking wherever she pleased, opening every cupboard, box or container as she babbled excitedly to me about whatever it is that babies ponder. I still remember as though it were yesterday, when she would fall asleep at my breast, her tiny hand wrapped around one of my fingers, her face basking in the sweet sleep of babes; such a tiny, sweet soul. I once worried that the world was too rough for such a delicate being, but now it's the world I am worried for. That little rosebud has blossomed into such a robust, rambunctious human who never tires of exploring and bustling her way around. She is a 'take charge and get outta my way' kinda gal and I adore being able to watch her 'become'.

My days have been so filled with her continual evolution that activities of my pre-child days, such as blogging, going out, personal maintenance etc seem to have fallen to the wayside. Whilst I might look a little bedraggled and quite sleep deprived I can say, that although quite challenging, I am enjoying this moment in my life, because like everything that's precious, it's finite.

On some days though, a little extra time to myself to catch up on things long abandoned is welcomed. And today, thanks to my mother-in-law who lovingly occupied my tenacious daughter, I used that glorious sixty minutes to return some sparkle to my house, eat a relaxed meal, blog and I even had some time spare to tidy my eyebrows.

And now, when she sleeps for the second time today, I can spend that respite completely on myself, needless to say there are more than a few books that need a good dusting and page turning.

ease: 5/5.
prep time: 15mins (I skipped the sieve part).
chilling time: 2hours.
total: 2hours and 15mins.


taste: 3.5/5.


Violet and chocolate is a stellar combination. I have a feeling this killer duo will be making more appearances in my cooking future, just not in this particular recipe.


Whilst I loved the texture, the flavour of the marshmallows completely dominated, if you like marshmallows that may be a good thing, but I personally wanted to savour the chocolate and violets only.


would I make it again: No. Would use the violets with a fudge recipe that didn't contain marshmallows.


recipe: http://gourmettraveller.com.au/violet_chocolate_fudge.htm

Sunday Salivations

Oreo Munchkins with Vanilla Icecream

Onglet with Cafe de Paris and Fries

Triple Chocolate Cheesecake with Salted Peanut Caramel

Sunday Salivations

Beer and Pretzel Cupcakes

 Slow Braised Pork Ragu with Roasted Garlic Gnocchi

Cider Caramel Apple Pie