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Hi Everyone! Don't you just love spring?  The days and nights are warmer, flowers are blooming, and the sun is rising earlier and setting later.  Summer is just around the corner and following the winter we've just had - filled with record frosts and the Swine Flu pandemic - we certainly deserve some lovely weather to re-charge our batteries! As well as signallying the start of spring, September is also the month we celebrate the wonderful dads, step-dads, granddads and father figures who enrich our children's lives. My father passed away nine years ago having lost a long battle with cancer.  He was a kind and loving man with always a story to tell - car trips and meal times were never dull in our household.  I'm not sure whether it's cultural or generational, but we never spoke the words "I love you" when I was growing up.  That isn't to say that we didn't show our love for one another in other ways and I will always admire my father's unconditional love, forgiveness, and support for his children. Words cannot describe how much I miss my Apuci (a pet name for Dad in Hungarian) and in the years following his death Father's Day served as another reminder of what I had lost.  But that all changed when I became a mother. I now look forward to Father's Day more than ever before as a day to honour my father and to celebrate the wonderful relationship my husband has with our daughter.

Each year we plan to spend Father's Day simply chilling out and having fun as a family.  This generally involves a cooked breakfast and a special dinner - the fastest way to a man's heart is through his stomach, right?  We also plan to spend time with my father-in-law and will often visit a park. Satine's favourite activity for Father's Day is kite flying or simply running around and having fun with the two most important men in her life. I'd love to hear how you spent your Father's Day this year, so be sure to access the online version of this newsletter and post your comments immediately below. {source}[[script src="http://static.ak.connect.facebook.com/js/api_lib/v0.4/FeatureLoader.js.php" type="text/javascript"]][[/script]] [[fb:comments xid="id952"]][[/fb:comments]] [[script type="text/javascript"]] FB.init("77e6399157db8779c45eaf6ac4541368", "xd_receiver.htm"); [[/script]]{/source}   Once again our newsletter is bursting at the seams so why don't you grab a cuppa and check out the latest articles, reviews and recipes not only to honour the gorgeous men in our lives, but also to help keep our families safe, healthy and happy...   Sign On - The World Needs Us Climate change is occurring at a speed previously not thought possible and we're running out of time to turn things around.  There is a genuine sense of alarm amongst normally conservative climate scientists; they admit that they cannot keep pace with climate impacts already being observed.  We have a narrow window of opportunity to act before it's too late. Eminent climate scientists are now saying we only have about 10 years left to start rapidly reducing greenhouse gas emissions.  If we don't, the Earth's climate is likely to reach a point of no return, and any action taken will be too late to avert runaway climate change. The United Nations climate summit in Copenhagen in December 2009 may be humanity's last chance to avoid climate chaos. There, world leaders have pledged to reach an agreement to reduce global emissions.  Developed countries like New Zealand need to be signing on to a 40 per cent by 2020 emission reduction target at Copenhagen.  This is what the science says is the minimum reduction necessary for developed countried like ours. Disturbing New Developments Melting icecaps: The Arctic icecap has entered what's been called a 'death spiral'.  For the first time in human history, you can take a ship around the North Pole.  Within five years there may be no summer sea ice left at the North pole.  Closer to home, an Antarctic ice shelf almost half the size of the South Island is in the process of collapsing. Our oceans are turning more acidic: Carbon dioxide emissions are acidifying the oceans, with potentially disasterous consequences for marine life.  The oceans currently absorb one third of all carbon emissions, but they're reaching saturation point. Sea level rise: New studies are predicting sea level rises of over a metre or more by the end of this century, more than double the predictions made in 2007. Fires: The increasing fires in Australia and elsewhere in the world are being intensified by warming temperatures. Why New Zealand Needs to Sign On New Zealand's best selling point in key markets is our clean green brand.  The biggest risk to this is the perception internationally that we're not taking climate change seriously. Unfortunately, our clean green reputation is slipping.  Our record on greenhouse emissions is shocking.  We are among some of the worst emitters per person in the developed world, and our emissions are rising fater than those in the United States. New Zealand's failure to act will also come at a cost to other countries.  Why should China and India act on climate change if New Zealand doesn't?  And if China and India don't act on emissions, climate catastrophe is a near certainty.  it is important and beneficial for New Zealand to be seen again as a responsible global citizen and do our bit for achieving the most positive outcome at Copenhagen. 40 Per Cent by 2020 How? New Zealand has the ability and resources to become a 'low carbon' economy.  All that's missing is political will.  40 per cent by 2020 is an ambitious target, but it is not a figure pulled our of a hat.  The science dictates that this is what's required.  Only a 40 per cent target for the developed world will stop us reaching the 'tipping point' of catastrophic climate change. There are many ways of reaching the target: * 100 percent renewable electricity supply is easily achievable by 2020. * Massive reductions in energy use through energy efficiency and building insulation can be achieved by 2020 - giving New Zealanders lower energy bills and warm, dry, healthy homes. * Integrated transport solutions can make our cities and towns safer and healthier places to live and work. * Low emissions 'smart farming' can reduce emissions and give us new profitable markets for climate conscious global consumers. Want to Help New Zealand Sign On? The most effective thing you can do for climate in 2009 is supporting John Key to do the right thing at Copenhagen by adding your name to the Sign On campaign and encouraging others to Sign On as well. You can Sign on at: www.signon.org.nz or text your name to 874. If you have any questions, comments or would like to join a local team campaigning in towns and cities across New Zealand and encouraging people to Sign On, visit: www.signon.org.nz or email: info@signon.org.nz. Holiday Fun in Sept/Oct

Book / Product / Service Reviews

The aim of the Book / Product Reviews section is to share books, products and services available to New Zealand families and to provide our members with the opportunity to add their own ratings and reviews. This month we review a fantastic first aid kit for your littlies and a variety of fantastic books for children.  We also review another great parenting book from Nigel Latta and two very different books to tempt the adults of the household:

Cancer survivor Ruby Seeto has once again designed a unique tea towel to raise money for Starship Hospital’s cancer ward – but this time she’s thinking big and has teamed up with linen retailer Wallace Cotton. Twelve year-old Ruby had major surgery in October 2006 to remove a 1.6kg tumour from her liver; she was subsequently diagnosed with a rare form of cancer on her liver, and began 12 months of intensive chemotherapy treatment at Starship. For the last two years Ruby has designed and produced a tea towel to sell to her friends and Starship Foundation contacts in support of children with cancer. This year, Ruby’s tea towel will be sold for the first time through Wallace Cotton, a family-owned New Zealand company which specialises in exclusive, high quality home linen. Wallace Cotton will sell the tea towel in their two retail stores in Newmarket and Birkenhead, Auckland, on their website and in their Spring catalogue which is out September 1st.  This year’s colourful edition features a Starship cupcake recipe and is screen printed onto a thick 100% cotton tea towel. The tea towels will retail for $10.00, and $6.00 (which is all the proceeds after costs) from the sale of every tea towel, will go to Starship. Wallace Cotton Director Paula Wallace says, “It has been a great privilege working with Ruby on her tea towel, it reminds me of starting my own textile design career back in the early eighties. The colourful cupcake design says a lot about Ruby’s positive and bright personality, and is a perfect theme for a tea towel.

We need everyone to support Ruby and Starship by buying tea towels for their friends and family. I am sure there will be lots of kids lining up to dry the dishes with her work and make the cupcakes from her recipe. We have really enjoyed working with Starship to produce the tea towel; it is such a great cause.”

Ruby is now fully recovered and is a happy, healthy child.  She hopes to use the proceeds from her tea towel sales to help Starship make kids like her well again.  The final word should go to Ruby, who says: “Thanks you for buying my tea towel.  I love cupcakes.  I hope you do too!”

To purchase tea towels, visit the Wallace Cotton web site.

We often read about the difficulties women have in juggling the multitude of demands placed upon them: wife, mother, daughter, housekeeper, chef career woman, eents co-ordinator, taxi driver, the list goes on.  But what about the men?  Gone are the days when their main role in life was to "put bread on the table".  In many families he is now expected to share the load.  The typical Sensitive New Age Guy comes home to find his share of the household chores awaiting.  Bit first, he must entertain his child(ren) whilst his partner takes a much needed break.  Let's face it, ALL parents walk a tight rope of being everything to everyone: provider, nurturer, soulmate...

Aside from the wall calendar reminding us to put the clocks forward on the 27th September, Satine's ever increasing earlier rising in the mornings is a clear indication that Daylight Savings is fast approaching. Whilst some swear by the 'cold turkey' method of simply switching from one day to the next and claim that they've never had any issues, we've always been firm followers of routines and therefore prefer to adopt a gradual approach whether we're turning the clocks forward or backward.  I'm pleased to say that after six years we have the transition down to an art form.  Well, the theory of it anyway.  In reality, the gradual approach was easier to implement with a baby and toddler, but somewhat trickier once she learned how to tell time.  Thankfully, they eventually reach the age of reason or develop an apetite for sleep-ins.  For those that are embarking upon your first shifting of the clocks (or seasoned veterans) keen to try a less-stressful transition than simply going cold turkey (in my humble opinion anyway) the following article by Louise Tanguay from The Sleep Store will teach you how:

• Adjusting To and From Daylight Savings Time - Louise Tanguay
  

Do you have school-aged children?  If so, you are likely to be thinking about how you will fill their days during the up-coming school holidays.  No doubt you have received a variety of flyers and brochures promoting school holiday classes and programmes ranging from just a few hours to full days and even over night camps.  They cover just about every activity from arts and crafts to performing and sports.  Personally, I am in awe of the possibilities offered to our children and make an allowance in our family budget for at least one or two such activities each holidays.  I work from home, so a full-day programme gives me some time to work uninterrupted which means that for the rest of the time I am able to devote to chilling out and having fun with Satine.  And let's face it, every parent and child needs a break from each other and the opportunity to do something independantly and to meet new people does wonders for any child's self-confidence.  Having said that, I believe it is equally important for children to have some at-home down time during the holidays - to play, re-charge their batteries, and simply "to be".

Young people are busy posting their own content on the itnernet.  Whether it is on social networking sites, in games, blogging, on YouTube, etc. user generated content is extremely popular.  It is not however all positive.  Recent examples revolve around 'fight clubs' where participants are attempting to gain notoreity outside their normal social circles by filming acts of violence and sharing them online to the world. 

Why don't you sign in and join a discussion topic - or start a new post about something concerning you? Chances are, you're not alone in your experiences!

Having discovered and mastered the wonders of the slow cooker, I decided to venture even further into the land of domesticity and give bread baking a go.  And no, this latest idea of mine didn't involve purchasing yet another shiny kitchen appliance.  It did, however, require the purchase of a couple of bread baking tins and a variety of ingredients which are no doubt in abundance in the pantries of all domestic goddesses and Martha Stewart clones but were conspicuously absent from my repertoire.  Aside from one nasty experience with a particular ingredient that left me knowing WAY more about weevils than I care to, I was surprised to discover just how easy and satisfying (excuse the pun) baking your own bread can be.  Having no experience in the art of bread making I found the following recipes not only easy to execute, but also incredibly tasty!  After all, you know you're onto a good thing when the fussiest eater in the household prefers Mama's bread over the tried and true supermarket version.  We have always enjoyed fresh bread for lunch on a leisurely weekend day.  But nothing beats feasting on a loaf that has come out fresh from your own oven!!:

Cheese and Carrot Bread - Franciska Crusty Potato Bread - Franciska Divine Pesto Bread - Franciska Tripple Onion, Cheese and Bacon Buns - Franciska Visit the Cook's Corner page for more tempting recipes. In case you missed it last month, another new addition to our Cook's Corner section if our Birthday Cakes Gallery.  Whether you are new to cake decorating or a seasoned sugar-crafts-person, here this gallery allows you to share your creations and inspire others.

The coffeegroup.org Events / What's On section is devoted to "what's on" throughout New Zealand: from parenting courses and pre-school classes to community, sports and recreation events.

But wait, there's more!! As a member of the coffeegroup.org community, you now have the ability to upload and maintain your own listings so that you can notify the whole of New Zealand about your community-based, family oriented activities completely free of charge!!

Father's Day Photo Competition:

September is Father's Day month at coffeegroup.org and our fabulous sponsors below are inviting you to celebrate a special Dad in your life (your father, grandfarher, unlce, husband, brother, son, friend, or even yourself!) by nominating him to win either a photography package or a prize hamper valued at $500 each.  Click here for more details.

September 2009 Giveaways:

. Click here to go in the draw to win a WUAN Baby Bag valued at $167

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. Click here to go in the draw to win a copy of How to Talk to Dads valued at $17

. Click here to go in the draw to win a copy of Mothers Raising Sons valued at $30

. Click here to go in the draw to win a copy of Pop Hoopers Perfect Pets Books 1 and 2 valued at $26

Congratulations to the Winners from our July 2009 Giveaways:

• A Brolly Sheet went to: Shannon Genet (Auckland) and Serena Morgan (Taupo)
  

• A DryBars Heated Clothes Rack went to: Wendy Scott (Dunedin)
  

• A set of Rainbow Sound Blocks from Edex Toys went to: Rawhina Edwards (Whangarei) and Dionne Clarke (Auckland)
  

• A copy of What's So Bad About Gasoline by Anne Rockwell and Paul Meisel from HarperCollins Publishers went to: Mellisa Hadfield (Waikanae) and Brian O'Keefe (New Plymouth)