From my machine

Seasons change and with the change comes the realization that children have grown and are in need of new clothing.  What's not to love about that?

Among the recent orders I have received was one from a lovely returning customer who purchased these two special occasion dresses, as well as a pair of bubble shorts.  They are now on their way to their new home.

It is inevitable that with the warmer weather arriving, the Christmas shopping season as has commenced, if the department stores and supermarkets are to be our guides.  What a surprise.

Along with clothing orders, I have been preparing for the Christmas rush by making Christmas tree garlands which are always popular in the two months leading up to Christmas.

The traditional red and green ties have always been available, but in the last couple of seasons I have added aqua ties for those who like something a little different.  They are particularly popular among those who are fortunate enough to spend Christmas in the midst of summer.

I don't know if it's a sign of entering the let's say more mature phase of life, but I take particular delight in witnessing the pure joy and excitement of young children when they spy Santa for the first time, or stare in wonderment at department store Christmas window displays.  Pure gold.

Available here.

Speaking of such events, what is more adorable than little toddler sisters all dressed up for a special occasion, be it a wedding (perhaps as flower girls), Christmas family parties or birthday celebrations?  And who doesn't love bows, lace and the odd pin-tuck?  These two special occasion dresses are the last I have in stock, the smaller one in size 12 months and the larger one in size 2.

The backs are just as pretty.  They are made of a lovely soft grey fabric which falls so beautifully, and the skirts are extra full.  If you know of two little sisters who you are dying to outfit in co-ordinating special occasion dresses, look no further.

And now back to those trees.

Busy times

It's the first week of October and already the busy season is beginning.  Tonight we Fudges are off to the big city for the opening of our daughter's exhibition.

The gallery is in the The Rocks district, an historic part of the city and a great tourist attraction.  So if you are venturing to Sydney this month, put this exhibition at the top of your must-see list.

However, if you are in Brisbane tomorrow, do yourself a favour and visit the BrisStyle Mother and Child Market.

I have participated in previous Mother and Child markets and can vouch that it's a day full of fun, activities and stacks of beautiful handmade goodies to tempt you.

With Christmas not far away, both these venues will provide you with plenty of gift opportunities.

The perfect cookbook

One of gifts I received at Christmas was this beautiful cookbook/journal by renowned author Belinda Jeffery.  It's such a joy to read and I am savouring every page, trying not to drool as I read.

With most of my cookbooks I tend to ogle the tempting images and stick post-its on about 200 pages with vague promises of trying one of the recipes somewhere down the track.  However, this book is not only full of the most beautiful images by photographer Rodney Weidland, but it incorporates a journal of Belinda's life in northern coastal New South Wales, where the temperature is not dissimilar to our own here in Brisbane.  I am up to February, reading it slowly and planning meals as the season progresses.  This is not a book to rush through and it would work just as well for those living in the Northern Hemisphere by simply following the seasons rather than the months.


Dolphins, not sharks!

















With two lovely ribbon bookmarks, it's so easy to read the journal with one and mark a recipe which I intend to cook with the other.

Next on the list

These are not idle promises, as you can see from the image at the top of this post that I have indeed made her Poached White Nectarines, which are in abundance at this time of the year.  I have also made her shortbread recipe which earned me brownie points not only with Mr Fudge, but with our local computer man.  He did such a marvellous job saving my sanity that I gave him some to take home to his family.

Thanks my wonderful family, I have a mother lode of books to read which should get me through to next Christmas. Bliss.