Aussie Food Again..........

I am just getting you all "in the know" if you come to visit our wonderful Australia one day, and you will know all the yummy things to try. These cakes are called "Lamingtons" and if I do say it myself, no one makes them better than my Mum!! They are a small square of plain sponge cake which is dipped in melted chocolate and sugar and then coated in desicated coconut. They are a real Australian tradition. No one is quite sure where they got their name, but it is believed that they were named after Lady Lamington, the wife of the Queensland Governor Baron Lamington back in 1896. Poor love, perhaps she had a reputation for eating lots of cake - I know I have!!!!

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Don't Get Mad........

I'm really a Canary.........

A New Little Girl.......

Please meet my newest little girl "Paige". She is a little antique style girl who is 9" tall. Paige has been made from a sparse mohair, and has been given a gentle "make-over", but the wrong way!! She is also wearing a little aged vintage dolly's dress. You can find Paige on the Ebay Listing page on my website at http://www.bootbuttonbears.com/

Thanks for peeking......

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On-Line Show this Weekend.....

Here is a sneak preview of the six bears I shall have available for the Teddy Bears and Critters On-line show this weekend. The show starts at 8am Australian Eastern Standard time and runs for 24 hours. You can vist the show here at www.teddybearsandcritters.com and if you see a bear you like you can purchase it from me direct. Times around the world that the show is beginning are:

Los Angles USA 3.00pm Friday

Washington USA 6.00pm Friday

London UK 11pm Friday

Cape Town South Africa Midnight Friday

Rome Italy Midnight Friday

Moscow Russia 2.00am Saturday

Abu Dhabi UAE 2.00am Saturday

Beijing China 6.00am Saturday

Sydney Australia 8.00am Saturday

Wellington New Zealand 10.00am Saturday

I really hope you can pay a visit to the On-Line Show on the weekend as there will be some wonderful bears and critters available. Do you think I will be able to stay awake for 24 hours!!!

And Now For Something Exciting......Washing...

This brings back such memories of my childhood and I think it would to most Australian children of my generation. Luckily in Australia, our weather lends itself to drying washing outside, all year round. No-one ever had a clothes drier. This is called a "Hills Hoist" and every Australian garden had one. You peg your washing on wire which is strung around and around the frame, and it would then wizz around in the wind, drying everything brilliantly. We also used to get in such trouble when we were little for climbing up and hanging on to the hills hoist and having someone swing us around. It tended to bend the poles a bit, and left evidence as to what you had been doing. Clothes Driers are more common now in Australia as more and more people live in apartments and smaller properties. Lots of us though, still always dry our washing outside. Told you it was going to be exciting didn't I......

Lucky Little Mary....

This is my latest little poppet called Mary. She was the luckiest little girl and was adopted straight away.

You Let Go First...

My brother works with Aboriginal communities in some very remote parts of South Australia. Last week he was travelling in the Nullarbor region and he came across this amazing sight. A snake was trying to eat a lizard tail first and the lizard was quite obviously letting the snake know that this just wasn't on!! After about 20 minutes, they both decided to let go and went off quite happily on their separate ways. I am so glad they both decided to call it quits!!!

Beautiful Buddies......

Isn't this just the most beautiful picture of two gorgeous little souls. The emotion in the little monkey's face is just precious.

A Little Boot Button Bear......

This is little PIP, and she really is a little one for me. At only 6", that is about as small as I go. Everytime I make one this small, I have a complete new respect for the artists who make mini's. They really are a whole different ballgame. You can find PIP on my website at www.BootButtonBears.com.

Best Mates .....

Don't these two little girls look wonderful together. You can just tell that they are best buddies. I love the way they are holding hands, and the dear little dog wants to be with them, but he is still distracted by something off in the other direction. I also love the little overalls they are wearing. It looks like they take their teddies everywhere with them. It is such a natural looking photograph. These little souls are probably old ladies now with their wonderful memories. I wonder if they still have their teddies?

Ever Eaten A Frog Cake.........

I suppose every city has its strange quirks of traditional. One of ours in Adelaide is that we invented the "Frog Cake". In the 1800's a Bakery was born which was later to be known as Balfours. In 1922 they developed a wonderful little cake which was to become their trade mark, and it was known as "a Frog Cake".

The cakes are made in the shape of a frog's head, and consist of a square sponge cake coated in jam (the frog's body). The frog's head is made from a firm butter cream and both the body and head are covered in fondant icing. In 2001, the Balfour's frog cake was name a Heritage Icon by the National Trust of South Australia.

It was such a treat when I was little to go to town for the day, and have a cup of tea and a frog cake - sheer heaven. I think we must be the only city in the world that has something you can eat as a Heritage Icon!!! If you ever visit us in Adelaide, you simply must try a Frog Cake!!!

A Bad Hair Day.... Poor Love.....

Aren't we lucky nowadays all the products we have to keep our hair in order. Also, being able to jump in the shower and wash it so easily and dry it. Have you ever thought of the poor women of say a hundred years ago, who couldn't wash their hair as often (it was considered unhealthy to wash your hair too regularly), and who didn't have hairdryers, straighteners and various products to keep it in check. I know wealthier women in the olden days had little curly headpiece wigs to attach onto the front of their forehead to make their hair look fuller. I would have been in such trouble as I have the finest most hopeless head of hair. Look at this poor darlings bad hair day.

Don't Forget......

To smile and laugh everyday.....

Stunning Mother and Baby

Isn't this photograph just stunning. I know that in years gone by, people having their photograph taken were encouraged not to smile or show emotion, but I don't think this young Mum took any notice. Look at the joy on her face. Do you think it is a little girl or a little boy. Little boys were dressed so pretty back then, it is hard to tell.

Another Lesson in Aussie Culture...

I need to warn you about something if you ever come to Adelaide, and that is our "Pie Floater". It is sold at several outlets in the city and it is a favourite with late night revellers. I am educating you about this so that you know to refuse if it doesn't sound your "cup of tea". A pie floater is a traditional Australian meat pie, covered with tomato sauce (ketchup) and then it floats upside down in a plate of thick green pea soup. It is one of the most filling things you will ever eat, and the few that I have had, I have never been able to finish it all. It is a favourite of several celebrities apparently, like Billy Connolly and Joe Cocker, and they always go and have one after a performance if visiting Adelaide. Don't say I didn't warn you.......

Another Cutie....

Have a look at this adorable little soul. Can you imagine how much effort her Mum must have gone to with that outfit for the photograph. I don't think I would even know where to start ironing it!!!

New Little Jenna

This is my latest little girl Jenna. She loves to play dress-up and has been playing Nurses all morning!! She still has her little dolly patient in her pocket!!! Jenna is 10 inches tall and has been aged in the Boot Button style of a reverse makeover!!! She is currently on Ebay and you can find her on the Ebay Page on my website www.BootButtonBears.com