... and welcome everyone to this Mother's Day and may I wish all Mums a very happy day, and, in fact, happiness for all days, and especially those who have just recently become a Mum. Welcome to Motherhood and I'm sure you'll find it a very rewarding and enlightening experience which will bring you much joy.

Ngaio is in Melbourne this weekend for the opening of the first exhibition she has held in that fair city, at the Flinders Lane Gallery.

Do click on the link to find out more: - It is hard to envisage what 'the paintings' look like 'in the flesh' but they certainly sound very interesting and judging from the numbers she sold on opening night they must be quite impressive. I'm just sorry I'm not in Melbourne to see the exhibition and share her excitement ....

but then again...

I'd also like to be in Sydney this week where Katelyn is exhibiting at DesignEx - an exhibition for Architects, Interior Designers and the like - at the Convention & Exhibition Centre from 14 to 16 May.

You can read a little about her work & what she'll be exhibiting by clicking on this link.

Why God Made Mums

Why Did God make Mothers?

1. She's the only one who knows where the sticky-tape is.
2. Mostly to clean the house.
3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.

How Did God make Mothers?

1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.
3. God made my Mum just the same like he made me.. He just used bigger parts.

Why did God give you your mother and not some other Mum?

1. We're related.
2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's Mum like me.

What kind of a little girl was your Mum?

1. My Mum has always been my Mum and none of that other stuff.
2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.
3. They say she used to be nice.

What did Mum need to know about Dad before she married him?

1. His last name.
2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer?
3. Does he make at least 1 million a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?

Why did your Mum marry your Dad?

1. My Dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my Mum eats a lot.
2. She got too old to do anything else with him.
3. My Grandma says that Mum didn't have her thinking cap on.

1. Mum doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because Dad's such an idiot.
2. Mum. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.
3. I guess Mum is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.

What's the difference between Mums and Dads?

1. Mums work at work and work at home and Dads just go to work at work.
2. Mums know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.
3. Dads are taller and stronger, but Mums have all the real power 'cause that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friends.
4. Mums have magic, they make you feel better without medicine.

What does your Mum do in her spare time?

1. Mothers don't do spare time.
2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.

What would it take to make your Mum perfect?

1. On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.
2. Diet. You know, her hair. I'd dye it, maybe blue.

If you could change one thing about your Mum, what would it be?

1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.
2. I'd make my Mum smarter. Then she would know it was my Sister who did it not me.
3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head.

We are just off to an impromptu Family picnic with son Anthony and family, so I quickly dashed off this Armenian Nutmeg Cake (recipe courtesy of my very good friend Sue) so thought I would include it here for you. It's dead easy and very tasty.

You'll need:

• 1 cup SR flour
• 1 cup plain flour
• 1 teas grt nutmeg
• 125 g butter
• 1 ½ cups lightly packed brown sugar
• 1 teas bicarb
• ¾ cup milk
• 1 egg lightly beaten
• ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Stir combined soda & milk into remaining dry ingredients with egg & nuts & mix well. Pour into tin.

Bake in a Moderate oven for about 35mins. Let stand for 5 mins before turning out on to wire rack to cool and slice.

I'm sure you'll enjoy!

The hydro therapy certainly helps and is about the only exercise I can manage at the moment - it is so frustrating not to be able to walk without great effort and pain. I have an appointment with a knee specialist next week so here's hoping he has some good ideas for improvement.

...till next time, don't forget that I love to receive your questions, comments or requests and I'd love you to send your favourite recipe or health tip, so please contact me if you have anything you'd like to contribute or any questions.

Until then keep well and remember

'healthy cells = healthy bodies'

Jane