I read in the news a few weeks ago the last year saw a record number of babies being born in New Zealand. It feels like this year is shaping up to be much the same. At the moment I can think of 6 couples that are expecting this year, so it is time to stock up the baby gift box.

I'm starting with bibs. I think that they are one of those things that you can't really have too many of. I was inspired by the fantastic one made by Prairie in Greytown, and have followed her lead by putting pincord on the back. It's easy to work with, soaks up well and can handle the occasional scrub – because babies are lovely but not always tidy. There is not particular pattern to these bibs. I started with a nice rounded pattern with a side fastening and adapted it to close at the back and fit in a 10” x 14” shape.

Bibs are being made everywhere . Louise at 20 Cent Mixture is working on some and there are a few other patterns already out there like this one and this one [ (it even has a pocket).

Note: The stunt tree's double is working overtime. This one is a purple magnolia that seems to flower first and for longer than anything else in the garden. If you look closely you can seen the buds ready for next spring.

Yes, they are the days of the week and they are all there. I think there might be a quilt in there somewhere. I would like to thank the stunt tree, and the lovely lady at the church sale who passed me the rest of the days of the week (there were only 2 left when I saw them).

I just couldn't resist these when I saw them last week. I mean, who hasn't felt like this on a Saturday?

While cleaning up I found this stack looking photogenic and couldn't resist. The plates are a collection of Johnson Brothers and Crown Lynn. The crumbs are a new chocolate brownie recipe that I have stumbled across and am quite impressed with. Only 3 eggs, as opposed to Nigella's 6, don't need to melt the chocolate and cheap chocolate works well. Trust me I have tried it.

Double Chocolate Mocha Brownie (thanks to an old NZ H&G magazine)

125g butter (melted)
60g cocoa powder
250g caster sugar
1 t vanilla extract
1T coffee liqueur (or 1 t instant coffee in 1 T hot water)
3 eggs, lightly beaten
50g flour (no, this is not a typo)
½ t baking powder
125g chocolate chips

Heat oven to 150 Celsius.

Grease and line 20 cm x 30 cm slice tin.

Mix butter and cocoa.

Stir in caster sugar, vanilla and liqueur.

Add eggs and mix.

Sift over flour and baking powder.

Fold into mixture with chocolate chips.

Pour into tin and bake for approx 40 minutes (check at about 30 min).