According to a blog I follow 14 month old babies behaviours can test limits and patience.  He/she may become suddenly assertive about where he/she wants to go , wants to eat and also might refuse to put on a hat or a jacket or in my daughter's case wants to put the same jacket on even if it is warm outside!!.  Consider ways you can make your house or at least parts of it utterly safe for his/her investigations.  Also something very IMPORTANT -  experts agree that spanking or any form of corporal punishment does not work.  It's true however that parenting a toddler can be frustrating so try and figure out ways to set limits and you and your child will be much better.  Praise and pay attention to him/her especially when he/she are playing quietly and nicely.  What do you think ?

A rare photo of me, taken this morning with my little man.

Here's the latest finished work on this section of the house.

This is being cleared out as I type this post :))

Here's our one and only tree.  Lemons anyone?

and here's a lovely lemon pudding I made from here

work in progress.........

the sleeping quarters are being built .....upstairs.  Since I've taken this photo the roof has been put on for the upstairs bedroom (which will be our bedroom) . 

this room will be our en suite :))

St.Martin's day .....

........... and here in Malta together with a bag full of figs, chestnuts, almonds, walnuts and hazelnuts it is also a tradition to bake this cake.  Here's some information about this day San Martin .  I will also be posting the recipe once my other hand is not holding baby :)) (too long to type recipe with one finger!!)

An update...... Not much is happening  at the moment as I am stuck indoors with middle child who is sick     :(( .  However he can still goof around with his little sister.

Hello everyone, I would like to share this with you and wish you all a great week.  I've just seen this over at Capers and Olives  and I think it is wonderful.

American frosting and walnut cake . Recipe can be found here Rachel Allen

Friday after school we went to see the Science fair.  This was great fun with hands on experiments, an earthquake room which was the kids' highlight, science shows explaining water and it's components, static electricity and lots more.

Saturday evening was spent with our friends enjoying a delicious meal and Halloween treats. Then on Sunday morning we were invited to join our dear friends for a hat birthday party which turned out to be great fun.

Cinnamon Rolls 

1/4 cup granulated sugar (50ml)
1/2 cup warm water (125ml)
1 tablespoon dry yeast
1/2 cup milk (125ml)
1/4 cup butter
1 tsp salt
2 eggs, beaten
4 cups plain flour

Filling

1 cup butter
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1 cp coarsely chopped pecans/walnuts (optional)
1 generous tbsp cinnamon

In a large bowl, dissolve 1 tsp of the sugar in warm water.  Sprinkle in yeast, let stand for 10 minutes or until frothy.  Meanwhile in small saucepan heat together milk remaining sugar, butter and salt until butter is melted, let cool to lukewarm.  Stir into yeast mixture along with eggs.  With electric mixer, gradually beat in 1 1/2 cups of the flour, beat for 2 minutes or until smooth.  With wooden spoon, gradually stir enough of the remaining flour to make soft slightly sticky dough.

Turned out dough onto lightly floured surface , knead for 7 - 10 minutes or until smooth and elastic.  Place in large greased bowl , turning to grease all over.  Cover lightly with plastic wrap let rise in warm draft free place until doubled in bulk. 

Filling :   meanwhile in a saucepan over medium heat melt butter and sugar mixing well together add cinnamon and pecan/walnuts (optional) and set aside.

Turn the oven on, punch down dough and turn out onto lightly floured surface.  Roll out into 18 x 14 inch (45 x35cm) rectangle.  Brush with half the melted butter leaving a 1 cm border uncovered.  sprinkle the sugar mixture, here you can leave some of the mixture to pour on top later.  Starting at long side tightly roll up pinching seam to seal.  Brush with melted butter.  With a serrated knife cut into 15 pieces place cut side down in the pan cover and let rise until double in bulk.

Finally pour the remaining sugar mixture on top and bake for 30 minutes (this all depends on your ovens really)| or until golden and top sounds hollow when tapped.  Let stand for a couple of minutes and then you can serve and enjoy.