Blog - Page 9 of 19 - The Kiwi Country Girl

Life with Sadie - 3 months

September 3, 2017 By Laura 2 Comments

I can't believe our little girl is 3 months already!

The last month has been awesome. After having her tongue and lip tie sorted we were still having some trouble feeding, but finally about 9 weeks she got the hang of it! YAY! Feeding suddenly became so much easier and way quicker and obviously more efficient because Sadie also started sleeping for 6-8 hours overnight...I couldn't believe it! I woke up in a panic the first morning she did that, totally thinking that I must have slept through her waking up! [Read more...]

Homemade 100's & 1000's Biscuits

August 29, 2017 By Laura 8 Comments

Homemade 100's & 1000's biscuits!! Remember these beauties from when you were a kid? They always seemed to make an appearance at birthday parties...as they should! Nothing screams kids birthday parties like pink iced cookies covered in sprinkles!

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which pay me a small commission for my referral at no extra cost to you! Thank you for supporting The Kiwi Country Girl.

Well guess what...today, we make them at home!! I've finally cracked the recipe and these homemade 100's & 1000's biscuits are the real deal. They are so delicious that Josh & I demolished the entire batch in less than 1 week. Not even kidding. No big deal? Um...did I mention that the recipe makes 60. Yep. 6. 0. That's embarrassing.

Whatever, they're small. [Read more...]

Mexican Rice

August 25, 2017 By Laura Leave a Comment

Do you even know what Mexican rice is? I didn't, until about 4 weeks ago. But what happened was that I had a bowl of leftover rice in the fridge, tacos on the board for dinner (heeeey weekly meal planners I'm one of you now!) and really felt like using up the rice rather than letting it sit in the fridge for 5 days and then putting it in the pig bucket. So after a quick google of Mexican rice I discovered 3 things.

It is a legitimate thing.
It pretty much involves rice, some form of tomatoes and Mexican spices.
It sounded delicious and seemed like something that was pretty open to interpretation which is my kind of cooking.

Also, QUICK! This pan full of delicious Mexian goodness is on the table in 20 minutes. [Read more...]

Peanut Butter Banana and Chocolate Breakfast Smoothie

August 15, 2017 By Laura 1 Comment

Peanut butter banana and chocolate breakfast smoothie! Creamy and delicious but totally healthy! The perfect breakfast, snack or guilt free dessert!

I used to wonder how people didn't think they had time to eat breakfast in the morning. And then I had a baby and instantly became one of those people.

Not that breakfast has become any less of a priority for me, in fact I think it's more important than ever that I am having a good meal to start the day. The problem is that I only have a tiny window of opportunity to make breakfast before the ticking time bomb that is my sleeping baby needs me. And I mean NEEDS. Baby girl is like her mama...she wakes up hangry! A few smiles, a little good morning and then boom. Girl needs milk, stat! Problem is, I'm usually tired from being up with her in the night (wake-ups that are becoming few and far between, yay Sadie!) so I don't tend to wake up until she does. [Read more...]

Life with Sadie - 2 months

July 31, 2017 By Laura 2 Comments

The last month has been a real mixed bag. Sadie has grown and changed so much in a few weeks which is exciting and sad all at the same time...our little newborn is starting to look much more like a real little person than a squishy baby!

I'm still finding the whole parenting thing super confusing. I feel like it's a constant battle being happy with what she's doing, but also worrying about her! It's great when she sleeps for long periods overnight (she's doing 5-6 hour blocks) but then I worry that she's not feeding enough and needs to wake up more often! Not that I would EVER wake a sleeping baby...but there have been times that I've woken at 3am after she's been asleep since 10pm and just looked at her to make sure she is ok! But I just have to remember that she will let me know when she's hungry and she has been gaining weight really well, so there is no need to worry...but I've pretty much accepted that I won't stop worrying about her for the rest of my life! [Read more...]

Raspberry & White Chocolate Muffins

July 27, 2017 By Laura 29 Comments

Raspberry & white chocolate muffins - my favourite quick & easy muffin recipe with delicious raspberries & white chocolate in every bite! The perfect easy muffin recipe for beginner bakers and they're ready in 45 minutes!

Are you ready? Because these raspberry & white chocolate muffins are going to blow your mind! They're easy, take less than 20 minutes (aka the tiny window of opportunity I have to do anything while Sadie naps during the day) to prepare and are a winner with everyone! Also, they are particularly theraputic when you are being simultaneously excited and sad about your 9 week old baby outgrowing her teeny tiny newborn clothes as you are folding them up and storing them away. This parenting thing is so confusing! It's super exciting that Sadie is gaining weight and growing and changing but so sad that she's growing up so fast...already! But at the same time I know there are so many exciting things to come. I guess that's why you have more than 1 baby! [Read more...]

No Churn Peanut Butter Ice Cream with Chocolate Swirls

July 17, 2017 By Laura Leave a Comment

I know, I know it's winter. But really, are you sad about an exciting new ice-cream flavour in July? No, I didn't think so. We will not be those people who limit their ice-cream eating strictly to warm weather. Especially when it's No Churn Peanut Butter Ice Cream...with chocolate swirls! Plus, if you're in the Northern Hemisphere and it's actually summer this is totally appropriate and also I am insanely jealous right now. [Read more...]

Life with Sadie - 1 month

July 6, 2017 By Laura 6 Comments

The first few days (and looking back now, weeks) of parenthood were a bit of a blur really! After Sadie's speedy arrival (I'll tell you all about that one day) everything was suddenly happening...after 9 months of waiting, we had a baby! Not that I think having a longer labour would have made that any different.

We had a couple of hours at the hospital where she was born before transferring to the birthing centre for 3 nights which was great. Midwives on call 24 hours to answer any questions at all and constantly being fed! It was like being in a hotel, except that we also had a tiny baby that we needed to take care of. We had a huge number of visitors which was great while we were in town - it saved everyone the trek out to see us! [Read more...]

Beetroot Hummus

June 30, 2017 By Laura 1 Comment

I'm back with a new recipe!! It's actually taken me a whole month to do this. You know how the number 1 rule of talking to stay at home mums is to never ask what they've done all day? Well I am so serious, sometimes I get to the end of the day and ask myself that! I have days where it feels like I get a heap of things done (mostly laundry) but I also have days where I honestly couldn't tell you one thing that I did other than take care of our squishy little baby. But I figure that's enough. But on a day that I did manage to do a heap of things, making beetroot hummus was one of those things. And then eating it. All of it! [Read more...]

Oreo Cheesecake Cookies

June 13, 2017 By Laura 2 Comments

So, I started writing and editing the photos for this post the day Sadie was born. I had gone in the truck with Josh as I figured it would be the last time I would be able to (so true!) and I took my laptop to do this while he was loading/unloading the cattle. I planned to finish up when I got home but Sadie had other plans for that evening and instead we made a mad dash to the hospital and found ourselves with a baby that night! And now we have a 3 week old! So anyway, I am sorry that it's taken me 3 weeks to share the recipe for Oreo Cheesecake Cookies with you - but apparently newborn babies are very time consuming! But so very snuggly and adorable! [Read more...]

Sadie's Birth Story

June 10, 2017 By Laura Leave a Comment

Introducing our baby girl Sadie Jane MacDonald! | thekiwicountrygirl.com

Sadie was due on Saturday 20th May. That day came and went without any sign of her arriving which I wasn't at all surprised about. I was still feeling really great and was only just starting to be a little uncomfortable while I was sleeping which I thought was pretty amazing really and not at all how I expected to be feeling at 40 weeks pregnant! That day we went down to the local sports complex to watch the rugby and came home reasonably early. That night I woke a few times overnight feeling a little uncomfortable but didn't think anything of it. Sunday was also very relaxing and we just spent the day at home. I actually think I climbed a ladder and cleaned the ceiling in the bathroom...nesting much?! Sunday night was a different story and I woke about 10 times feeling kind of uncomfortable but again, didn't think it was anything.

[Read more...]

Introducing Sadie Jane

May 31, 2017 By Laura 4 Comments

It's a girl!! We have a daughter...wow.

On Monday 22nd May at 7.57pm we welcomed our gorgeous little girl Sadie Jane MacDonald weighing in at 7lb 2oz.

It was a super speedy delivery (she reeeeeally wanted to meet us!) but it all went as smoothly as it could have and Sadie is doing really well, as are we. [Read more...]

Baby Mac Update - 40 weeks!

May 21, 2017 By Laura Leave a Comment

And just like that we have passed the date that has pretty much ruled our lives for the last 9 months! May 20th came and went with no sign of this baby being ready to arrive! So I thought I would sneak in with an extra update this week as I'm hoping to not still be pregnant in 2 weeks time...buuuut we'll see! It's just got cold here so I don't blame the baby for wanting to stay where it's warm for a little longer!

It's a really strange thing to think that it really could be any day now. I'm excited that I've had 3 whole weeks off work and I'm now feeling totally wound down, relaxed and ready for this baby! [Read more...]

Autumn on the Farm

May 17, 2017 By Laura Leave a Comment

It has been the longest time since I did a farm post!

Autumn on the farm is super exciting this year. We have autumn calves, and for the first time, actual baby chicks that we hatched ourselves, from eggs that our chickens and rooster that we also hatched ourselves made!! Eeeeek! The whole process is finally happening on farm. Yay!

The best thing is that we got a new incubator because we were having some serious hatch rate issues with the old one and now I can see in the top when they are hatching. I was ~~almost~~ late for work the day they started arriving because I couldn't stop watching them! It's the coolest thing. But now we have 13 little chicks all of our own.

They've just got big enough that they are starting to explore the outside world. It doesn't take long for them to get to that weird awkward feathery stage but for the next few days anyway they're still cute! [Read more...]

Easy Baked Mac & Cheese

May 13, 2017 By Laura 5 Comments

This easy Baked Mac & Cheese is the perfect comfort food and even better for making one and putting one in the freezer for busy times!

Ok team, things are about to get real simple up in here. I'm talking the most simple of them all, Easy Baked Mac & Cheese.

Not that they've ever been complicated...hi, I'm the girl who lives on 5 minute blender enchilada sauce, spaghetti bolognese and even cuts corners with homemade granola. But as good as 39 weeks pregnant is, it also comes with the reality that at some stage in the next 3 weeks, there will be a crying, sleeping, eating tiny human being in this house that is going to be occupying about 150% of our time. And considering the fact that Josh & I are probably going to be functioning on a very similar schedule, only without the food on tap, I'm thinking that having meals that can be pulled out of the freezer and thrown in the oven without any thought are probably going to save some of the aforementioned tears from at least 1 party...um, me.

I'm thinking soups, lasagnes, meatballs and obviously, the epitome of comfort/simple food. Easy baked mac & cheese! Especially because after a week of beautiful sunny days, the weather has finally packed it in and it is wet, so cosy comfort food is definitely the order of the day. [Read more...]

Baby Mac Update - 38 Weeks

May 9, 2017 By Laura Leave a Comment

Carseat. Check. Bassinet made. Check. Finished work. Check. Teeny tiny baby clothes on the line and in the drawers. Check. Hospital bag packed. Check. Waking up in the middle of the night trying to decide if I'm going to cloth nappy my newborn? Check. It's alllll happening. We are now in official countdown mode and it's actually quite terrifying! But also so so SO exciting!

The highlight this month was definitely making it through opening weekend of duck shooting in 1 piece. Not that Josh would have missed the birth at all, but we are forward planners and both knew that this would mean birthday parties clashing with opening weekend every year! Luckily for us, we have passed that hurdle and now I imagine we will be in for a bit of a wait! Which is fine. I'm all done at work and am now making the most of whatever time I'm going to have at home before the little one arrives! [Read more...]

No Bake Peanut Butter Chia Bars

May 2, 2017 By Laura 8 Comments

These No Bake Peanut Butter Chia Bars are the perfect healthy snack. They are tasty, full of great ingredients and only take 15 minutes to make!

Guuuuuys guess what? I am officially a housewife! I had my last day of work on Friday and my first day at home yesterday. It was so weird! I was sitting on the couch, it was well past the time I should have left for work and I felt like I was being so naughty not going in! But after the initial strange feelings I had a leisurely breakfast and then spent the day baking, painting drawers, washing cot sheets, packing the baby bag for the hospital (eeeek) and just...being at home! I have to admit, it was kind of nice.

So now we play the waiting game! Which involves lots of snacking.

Even though I've so far managed to avoid massive cravings, sometimes I see something that I do need to have. These No Bake Peanut Butter Chia Bars were inspired by a post on Instagram from Taylor over at Greens & Chocolate. I saw her version of these and made them immediately! [Read more...]

Anzac Slice

April 25, 2017 By Laura 7 Comments

This loaded Anzac slice recipe is a twist on the traditional Anzac biscuits, filled with cranberries, apricot, walnuts and topped with a chocolate drizzle!

Just popping in quickly this morning with an amazing Anzac Day recipe. Today is the day in New Zealand & Australia that we celebrate and remember our soldiers and traditionally this is celebrated with a day off and Anzac biscuits!

Last year I shared my favourite Anzac biscuit recipe but this year I've mixed it up a bit with my favourite loaded Anzac slice. [Read more...]

Roast Vege Couscous Salad

April 22, 2017 By Laura Leave a Comment

Roast Vege Couscous Salad - the perfect healthy quick and easy lunch or side dish. Full of roast veges and with a simple lemon dressing this is an awesome dish!

So there has been a lot of sweet stuff going on here lately. Cupcakes, slices, desserts - I just like sweet things ok?! But we have hit that time of year where apparently it's starting to cool down - I haven't noticed because I have a heater in my belly and it still feels like summer to me - but that usually signals the start of comfort food eating. Diets go out the window because bikinis are back in the drawer for the next 6 months and suddenly all good eating intentions are gone. So before that totally takes hold let's try to sneak a few good healthy recipes in. Starting with roast vege couscous salad! [Read more...]

Butterscotch Slice

April 18, 2017 By Laura 3 Comments

Happy Easter!

I hope everyone had a great long weekend and ate loads of chocolate. We made the most of the Easter sales and bought alllllll the baby things! Cot, pushchair, adorable teeny tiny clothes...oh my gosh. So much cuteness. I also re-covered the rocking chair I bought second hand for the baby room, re-organised my pantry and freezer and did a bit more de-cluttering. Is this what they call nesting? Because I think it's happening to me. Plus we got a surprise visit from my friend Tammi who is over from the UK at the moment. Such a great weekend! I think they should all be 4 days. Speaking of 4 days, I only have two 4 day weeks left at work. Whaaaaat?? Then I am on permanent holiday/waiting around/mum duties. Kind of terrifying and exciting all at the same time! Things are about to change in a massive way! [Read more...]

Baby Mac Update - 34 weeks

April 12, 2017 By Laura Leave a Comment

So suddenly I have 3 weeks of work left, and only 6 weeks until this baby is due. Wow. The nursery is actually looking like it's expecting a small child to stay and we are starting to get pretty organised now! We've bought a new family car, started buying the things we need and even though being mentally prepared for a baby is something that seems impossible, I am starting to feel pretty ready for this next stage!

Bump size: It has definitely grown a lot in the last 4 weeks and is a very obvious baby bump.

Size of baby: Baby is as big as a muskmelon, whatever that is, or a butternut squash! It's about 45cm long and weighs about 2.1kg. [Read more...]

Granola, Yoghurt & Berry Popsicles

April 7, 2017 By Laura Leave a Comment

The perfect summer breakfast on the run or a snack for anytime is granola, yoghurt & berry breakfast popsicles. Healthy, easy to make and pretty!

If you are into popsicles for breakfast you are in luck. I've got a recipe for granola, yoghurt & berry popsicles that you can 100% eat for breakfast without feeling bad about it! Yuuuuus!

We have launched into autumn so quickly here. We got the tail end of a tropical cyclone that left us stranded at home on Wednesday morning - all 3 main roads into town were flooded! To make things worse it was my really busy day at work and it was the first week that the girl who will be replacing me was there! Luckily my other amazing workmates helped out and Josh & I eventually made it into town about lunchtime in his monster truck tyred 4 wheel drive ute. Phew! I'm telling you though, at almost 34 weeks pregnant it definitely made us think about how far out of town we live and I was preeeetty happy I wasn't about to go into labour! [Read more...]

Peach & Blueberry Galette

March 29, 2017 By Laura Leave a Comment

Peach & blueberry galette - a quick, easy rustic pie and super impressive dessert! It's the perfect way to use up all the delicious end of summer fruit.

If you are after a quick, easy and super impressive dessert, this peach & blueberry galette is just what you need. It's the perfect way to use up all the delicious end of summer fruit that I can't seem to stop eating at the moment and looks like a million bucks!

The best thing about a galette is that unlike a pie, there is definitely room for error. They are supposed to look rustic so rough edges are in, and if the worst case scenario happens and your perfectly assembled galette falls onto the floor <--- this actually happened - you can patch it back together and it will look as good as new! [Read more...]

15 Minute Stovetop Granola

March 22, 2017 By Laura 2 Comments

15 Minute Stovetop Granola - simple ingredients put in a frying pan and toasted for 15 minutes...this is the perfect base to make it your own!

I would like to announce that I have become lazy. Well, sort of. But it's going to benefit you because I have 15 minute stovetop granola coming for you today. Yippee!

The thing is, I seem to have run out of time for lots of things lately. I don't know if it's because my bedtime has come back by about an hour since I've become a human incubator, or because it's summer and light outside for longer so it always feels earlier than what it actually is, or because we have had the busiest social calendar of our lives in addition to trying to get ready for this baby for the last few months. Anyway, for whatever reason, evenings - particularly Sunday evenings - turn into little worker bee events involving me running around like a headless chicken trying to bake for the week, reassemble the house back into a reasonable state, prepare myself for the work week and about 1 million other things. And if Josh is really lucky and I'm tired because we've had a big weekend, exhausted/overwhelmed crying is also something that is generally happening at this point.

It's great. [Read more...]

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