Bags of fun

Originally uploaded by eggdipdip

This little bag is a very special bag.

It was 'designed' by a very special 3 year old who will turn 4 in about 5 weeks.

And it's purpose? To hold treasure. Or rather chocolate bunnies and chocolate eggs from a special birthday Easter egg hunt.

I've got another 9 of these to make, so I'd better get a move on. I haven't even thought about the cake yet...

Soul food

Originally uploaded by eggdipdip

Yesterday we were stuck home with no hot water, no heating and not a lot of motivation. So, to cheer us and warm us, I baked this gorgeous banana loaf.

I'd been eager to try out Julochka's recipe for awhile (especially after I saw how gorgeous Spud's version looked), but I'm just not that great using cups - the scientist in me prefers grams and kg or even good old lbs and oz.

So instead, I used this recipe. But I was wise enough to include some chunky chocolate chips as suggested by Julochka's daughter. And oh my, it is quite simply divine.

Put it this way, I'm now 50% baby bump and 50% banana bread belly. But it's time for another slice, so we could be pushing 60% banana bread belly by the end of the day. Hmm, can I justify making another a mere 24 hours after the first? Surely baking is good for the soul (if not for the hips/thighs/tum) and that's good enough for me.

Ommmmmmmmmmm

I'm feeling all serene and virtuous this morning. After a couple of weeks of procrastinating, I finally made it along to pregnancy yoga last night and it was divine! Of course the lovely soft jersey yoga pants and super soft top I bought especially for the occasion did help enhance the experience, but even without the frisson of retail therapy, it was a wonderful way to spend a Tuesday evening.

Subdued lighting, a couple of candles, a waft of incense, surrounded by turquoise and deep pink and sat on purple yoga mats, it was remarkably womb-like. After a good 30 minutes of general pregnancy chit chat, we performed a couple of "moon" salutations (my yoga teachers version of a sun salutation adapted for pregnant bodies) before getting into variations on cat with the odd downward dog thrown in for good measure.

There was a good dose of Om-ing and lots and lots of pelvic floor work (sheesh - hard work but needs must) and at the end I floated home on a cloud of yoga loveliness. It was just so lovely to spend half an hour and a half devoted to me and this ever expanding pregnant bump of mine. It felt so indulgent, but so necessary.

I can't wait for next week and may even get my yoga mat out at home...if I can find it that is.