A visit to the kitchen shop

[judydawn]

DD did the jumpy castle thing too and it was a great hit - had to drag the kids out of it to eat!  Another one she had 2 ponies come to the house for rides up and down the long driveway, then there were the small native animals which were handed around and she also had face painting at that one and last year everyone went to a children's farm.  Oh ILB, there are plenty of things to choose from and your DD will probably want them all at some stage or other. 

[I Love Bimby!]

I guess it's all about limiting them so as she gets older the more exciting/bigger things aren't so "last year"... lol

[meganjane]

Judy, I have both those size tins. I make bread with 500g flour in the larger one and 300g in the smaller one.

Ah, kids' birthday parties.... Living in the country means that parties are always at home. No hiring of anything either as it's all too far away!
We now have a really lovely little park in our town with a BBQ and gazebo, so loads of birthday parties are held there.

[Chelsea (Thermie Groupie)]

We had our sons party yesterday at a park and it was fantastic. The adults all sat around on picnic rugs in the shade eating cake and drinking lemonade while the kids raced around on the play equipment and their bikes.  My son originally wanted his party at a buggy park (over $100 to hire + buying their food), but I resisted and am very happy that I did.  He was only turning 4 and had a bonza time at the park - "the bestest birthday ever". 

[judydawn]

Going to the park is a great idea - should be more of it.  I know a family who used to spend their Christmas day at the park, just a casual lunch with everyone bringing something but more importantly, a family gathering of people who knew the true meaning of this important day and did not go down the commercial road. Sadly, now it is not the same as they have lost one 32 yr old daughter to a heart attack and just a couple of years later,  their second daughter is now in a hospice with a brain tumour.  How much tragedy can one family bear 

[Chelsea (Thermie Groupie)]

I agree JD.  It is just awful how much some families have to go through.  Our family friends lost their two sons (both in their early 30's) to cancer within 2 years.  I don't think the family will ever fully recover.  We really have to be so thankful for each day that we are here and for each day that we have our loved ones with us. 

[Ceejay]

However did you manage to get out of a kitchen shop with only 3 items??  I really struggle in them so I avoid them now! 

I agree JD.  It is just awful how much some families have to go through.  Our family friends lost their two sons (both in their early 30's) to cancer within 2 years.  I don't think the family will ever fully recover.  We really have to be so thankful for each day that we are here and for each day that we have our loved ones with us. 

Another who takes nothing for granted with the family here... and I have my youngest's 3rd birthday in just over a month.  I'm considering a small family party but the thought of catering for it is still overwhelming (due to an egg and strawberry allergy he has..).  I'm sure hoping my TMX will inspire me as well as checking around the forum for recipes.

Must be tough being the youngest of 5.... although it doesn't seem to concern him yet! 

[achookwoman]

Ceejay,  my GD had the egg allergy but grew out of it when she was 6.  We think she coped by thinking she was rather special.   When we went out,  if she was offered something to eat,  she would ask,' do you think it has egg in it?'   If the answer was ',I don't know, ' she would say, 'perhaps I had better not have it'.
Could you ask family to all bring something without egg or strawberry.   This is what we did,   and it seemed to work.

[Ceejay]

Thanks achookwoman.  We are hoping he will outgrow it in time but in the past it actually got worse.  For now he has no exposure at all to it.

Even now if he is offered something he will ask if it has egg or strawberry in it and tell people he can't have either.  If he is asked why he responds that egg has strawberries in it and strawberries have egg! LOL!

I also took the step of buying him an embroidered food allergy awareness shirt and a navy bucket hat with yellow writing "Egg and Strawberry Free for Me" that I will dress him in at outings to alert others.  He actually goes looking for them now. 

I shall have to think on others bringing something to share as we've had issues with older family members not understanding about allergies before. 

[achookwoman]

Ceejay,  with GD they were told that it would get worse before it got better,   this indeed was true and we couldn't believe it when it went away.  Aren't little kids great the way they cope.   

[Ceejay]

They are indeed amazing little ones! 

[I Love Bimby!]

JD, I'm eyeing off some brioche fluted pans at our kitchen place in town.... oh how I handle them so gently everytime I go in - LOL! Funny isn't it, this forum. Have never made brioche... ROFLOL.

[judydawn]

Too true ILB.  I reckon you and I could do a lot of damage going shopping together in a kitchen shop (to our purses I mean). I love them but they are very expensive and we could probably buy online much cheaper.

[meganjane]

In response to the posts about family sadness, I'm amazed that some families have not just one, but a number of terrible tragedies to cope with. A friend of mine lost her daughter to Meningitis and her Sister in Law to murder. (David Birnie) I wonder how much one family can bear, sometimes.

Back to kitchen shops, I'm fighting to control myself. I do not need a blow torch for creme brulee, I do not need a blow torch for creme brulee. I really love creme brulee, but rarely make it. I do not need a.........

[judydawn]

Yes you do MJ    Anyone who spends as much time in the kitchen as us fanatics, deserves every little gadget they can get their hands on I say