Canvas, cats and cake

On Saturday, we visited Grandma and Grandad for Grandma's birthday.

We'll call them 'Lumpy' and 'Bumpy', so as to keep their anonymity. They'll like those nom da plumes.

I'd ordered Lumpy something for her birthday from my Dutch ceramics supplier, but it seems like it's on the slow boat from Amsterdam, so it's not here yet. My Dutch supplier is most upset. It's not his fault.

Anyway, I'd promised Lumpy I'd make her an apron, and I bought some fabric from Ikea when I was there last ... still having nightmares about Child 4's mysterious behaviour ...

at Lumpy and Bumpy's, the Fuzz turned up and said Child 4 had to remain in custody ...

Anyway, I digress. 

Here's a tip, sewers (and I mean that not in the drainage way), DON'T use the Ikea $9.99AUD per metre fabric if you plan on sewing folded hems etc ... it is virtually impossible if you don't have an industrial machine!

In retrospect, this should have been obvious to me, because the fabric is the thickness of canvas.

The apron was made, but good grief it was difficult trying to get needle through double hems etc.

Lesson learned. Let's move on.

This is Lumpy and Bumpy's view ... they like to watch the humpback whales travel up and down the Coast.
I think in June and then October?

Despite it being Lumpy's birthday, she gave Child 4 some presents, and we at the MC Hacienda received some additions to the Bitossi-side of the family ... Your perusal time starts now ....

Burnt orange was predominant.

As much as I love the orange cat, I question its Bitossi heritage ... It has a 'Made in Italy' stamp on it, but I'm sure is not Bitossi ... but its shade of orange fits with the other pieces, and it seems to have slotted in nicely.

Lumpy and Bumpy have a real cat ...

Here's a pussy cat tail and a pussy cat leg ...

This is Aunty Tainty (another nom da plume) ... she's a nice aunty ... though she has trouble holding onto babies. She says they are heavy. When she holds them they slide lower and lower down her torso until they're so close to the ground they may as well have been sitting on the floor.

I'm not sure Aunty Tainty is too maternal!

I made a cake for Lumpy. In fact, I'd go as far to say that the cake was lumpy. 

It was from a Donna Hay kids' magazine. I don't blame Ms Hay. I blame my interpretation of her recipe.

It was quite disgusting to everyone but the kids. It was dry and sugary. Bleh!! I chose blue icing on the advice of Child 2. That was a mistake. 

While at Lumpy and Bumpy's I also snaffled some old cookbooks ... these are them ... 

Surprisingly, the Margaret Fulton Book of Quick Meals had the most stomach-churning recipes. 

Though some of the fashion in the Mexican cookbook is worth a gander.

I'll share them with you in the coming days. Away with you, Readers!