Bilpin Springs Apple Picking + Apple Chips Recipe

Before the brunt of winter hit we made a trip to the foothills of the blue mountains to Bilpin to go apple picking. We made the pilgrimage the previous year to the same orchard, Bilpin Springs which has granny smith and sundowner apples. Both varieties of apples are great for baking with, so of course a good proportion of the $35 worth of apples we came home with were used to make cakes, pies and apple chips. Click below to hear more about our apple picking adventure and for an apple chips recipe that is easy and tasty. Bonus, it will make your home smell amazing!

DIY Flower Crown

There is something very ethereal and whimsical about a flower crown, especially on a child. While in Hawaii on vacation I wanted to take some portrait photos of the little bears since nothing beats a tropical beach backdrop. Also since in Hawaii I thought it would be fitting to make my own version of a Haku Lei for my little bear to wear. For a photo step by step click below.

Kahlua Colada

I decided not to put any demands on myself to post any blog updates while on vacation. I figured, if it happened it happened. I knew there was no way I was going to do any sewing tutorials (no sewing machine) or any baking recipes (way too hot here to have the oven on!) but a cocktail recipe, now that I could do! Click below for the recipe and a little look at our vacation thus far. Oh and you're allowed to be jealous, perfectly understandable ;) 

Salted Caramel Cookies

Well it is definitely winter now in Sydney, though I really can’t complain as we’re going to be blowing this popsicle stand soon for a more tropical location. In the meantime though, I needed a way to entertain the little bears one afternoon and baking was the way to go. We made these Salted Caramel Cookies and they were so good I had to share.

Stick Horse Pattern

We're trying to get back to simple pleasures with the kids, which means board games, puzzles, make believe, stories and timeless toys. Stick horses used to be a staple in any child's toy treasury and our kids do really love pretending to gallop around our apartment on their "horses". So when a friend's little boy was having a birthday and I knew he loved horses, I thought a stick horse would be the prefect gift. To find out how to make your very own stick horse with my free pattern and directions, click below.