Altered Cutlery

Move

2012-01-02T21:18:00.000+10:30

2012 is going to be an interesting year. I've chosen my word for this year to reflect some of the happenings.
- I'm going to be moving house at least once, maybe twice in the next twelve months;
- I'm going to move back to studying at TAFE part-time (Accounting);
- I'm going to move more (i.e. exercise) at least 3 times a week
- I've already moved into 2 days per week in a different role with my current employer for 6 months;
- I've going to move (re-arrange) my routines to make more time for family & friends;

You've probably got the idea by now.
I'm going to be watching my dollars very closely this year while I move, sub-divide, sell one lot then build.
For a portion of the year I'll be paying a mortgage and rent so things will be tight, but I have allowed for rent in my new home budget. Unfortunately my current house is crumbling around me and the cost to renovate it to a comfortable standard is more than I have or am able to borrow. Hence the path I am taking means I will have a new, low maintenance house with no extra debt.
I hope it all falls into place now.
Step one has been finding a rental property that is affordable and not too far from everything that we do as a family. It seemed like a false economy to move too far away for cheaper rent but then spend more money on petrol. I'll know this week hopefully if i get the property I've put in for. In the meantime I'm packing boxes and trying to look at my budget. Thank you to Frogdancer for sharing her food budget spreadsheet with me.
Off to clean up the kitchen and then bed. Tomorrow is a busy day and more boxes will be packed!

take care of you
Lis
xx

Good Food & Wine Show

2011-10-10T16:27:00.001+10:30

Yesterday (Sunday) I was lucky enough to win tickets to attend the Good Food & Wine Show in my home town of Adelaide. I took a fellow food & wine lover, my oldest friend Cathy along with me. Thank you Westfield West Lakes for the tickets (that I won in an on line competition via their on line newsletter)! Mine was a runner up prize so was just entry to the show - would have loved to have won the VIP pack, but regardless we still had loads of fun!

We went for the afternoon and I have to say one of the best things was spending time together without partners or children. It is not often we get to hang out just the two of us.

We spent the afternoon wandering around trying lots of yummy produce and tasting many lovely wines. Some of the produce was local, some from interstate but the majority seemed to be Australian.

We did buy a $3 wine glass each which seemed to be the only way to get to taste most of the wines...so unfortunately I did break my buy nothing new pledge for the month :( I alos purchased a few gourmet food items - some organic vanilla beans which were only $1.90 each if you bought 10 (Cathy and I split these). I was very surprised at the price as one standard one at the supermarket is like $6 the last time I looked. I'll be using these to make some vanilla sugar and some home made vanilla essence/extract. These could make an appearance in my Christmas gift baskets I think. Now I just need to find some inexpensive vodka.

Getting back to the show, we also got to attend the Fisher & Paykel celebrity theatre and see Ainsley Harriott and Matt Moran. Sadly I didn't get to meet either of them afterwards, but they were both entertaining and funny. Ainsley would have to have been my favourite and the most entertaining of the two. The dishes they both cooked looked fabulous and fairly easy to make at home. Not sure if the recipes are somewhere, might have missed that bit but was all fun.

We also picked up along the way some tomato relish, raspberry vinegar and organic Apricots (part of the Macro range available at Woolworths). There were definite advantages to going on the last day as a lot of the stalls were selling products cheaper or doing package deals, so we managed to make a few savings there.

All in all we had a great afternoon and great fun together. I'll think about going next year even if I have to pay the $20 ticket price. I think for all the goods we got to sample it was good value for money and I got to try a lot of products I've seen in supermarkets or gourmet delis, and wanted to try.

Anyone tried any new food products lately?

buy nothing new

2011-10-01T22:21:00.000+09:30

So many times of late I've written posts in my head, lying in bed at night! Finally tonight I'm putting my thoughts out there in the world again. 2011 has been a difficult year but I'm determined not to let it get me down!
I've still been on my frugal bandwagon, although I think my spending has gone a little off track of late.
In order to make myself accountable I've signed up to buy nothing new month. Although it stops me buying new things other than groceries and essentials, I can still buy used or swap. See more about it here buynothingnew.com.au .
I've got some new frugal recipes to share and my thoughts and ideas on living a frugal and fun life.
Thanks for reading :)

Food for thought...finding time

2010-05-02T15:28:00.004+09:30

I think we all need to find time to do the things we love...scrapbooking is my time for my Self.

"I’ve heard it said that every day you need half an hour of quiet time for yourself, or your Self, unless you’re incredibly busy and stressed, in which case you need an hour. I promise you, it is there. Fight tooth and nail to find time, to make it. It is our true wealth, this moment, this hour, this day. "

Read the rest of the article here. http://www.sunset.com/travel/anne-lamott-how-to-find-time-00418000067331/
..thanks to Ali Edwards for the link.

Beef and Lentil Rissoles / Buttermilk pancakes

2010-04-03T09:46:00.003+10:30

A couple of recipes I'm going to try in the near future - I found them in a low-gi cookbook at a friends house :

beef and lentil rissoles

1/2 cup (100g) red lentils
400g lean minced beef
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1/2 small capsicum, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, crushed
2 tsp dried mixed herbs
1/3 cup tomato sauce
1 egg, lightly beaten
freshly ground black pepper, to taste
about 1/2 cup (70g) unprocessed oat bran

1. Cook the lentils in a saucepan of boiling water for about 20 mins or until soft; drain well.
2. Combine the lentils with the beef, onion, capsicum, garlic, herbs, sauce, egg and pepper in a bowl; mix well.
3. Add enough oat bran to form a burger consistency. Shape the mixture into 24 rissoles and place on a lightly greased baking tray.
4. Bake in a hot oven (220c) for about 40 minutes, or until cooked through, turning halfway through cooking time. Alternatively, cook the rissoles in a non-stick frying pan over medium high heat or until browned and cooked through.

Makes 24 small rissoles.
234kj, 4g carbs, 2g fat, 1g fibre

Buttermilk Pancakes

1 cup (100g) 1-minute oats or unprocessed oat bran
2 cups (500ml) buttermilk
1/2 cup (75g) dried fruit medley, chopped
1/2 cup (75g) plain flour, sifted
2 tsp sugar
1 tsp bicarb soda
1 egg, lightly beaten
2 tsp margarine, melted
low fat milk, optional

1. Combine the oats and buttermilk in a bowl and let stand for 10 minutes.
2. Stir in the dried fruit, flour, sugar, bicarb, egg and margarine; mix thoroughly. Let stand for up to an hour.
3. After standing, add a little low fat milk if the mix is too thick.
4. Heat a non-stick frying pan and grease lightly. Pour in about 3 tablespoons of mix, cook over moderate heat until bubbly on top and lightly browned underneath. Flip and brown on other side. Repeat with remaining batter.

I've only made these with the oats, not the oat bran and also omitted the fruit medley. They are very light and fluffy with a nice consistency due to the oats. Serve with some stewed fruit and low-fat plain or vanilla yoghurt.

Butterscotch Biscuits

2009-05-13T10:27:00.002+09:30

Quick to make and I always double or triple the recipe and freeze the uncooked flattened balls :)
If cooking from frozen allow an extra couple of minutes.

125g butter
1/2 tsp vanilla essence (optional)
1/2 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1 tbsp golden syrup
1 1/4 cups self- raising flour

Beat butter, vanilla essence, sugar and golden syrup together in a bowl. Stir in sifted flour until all combined. Roll into walnut sized balls. Place about 5cm apart on greased oven trays and flatten with a fork. Bake for 15 mins (soft) or 20 mins (crunchy) at 180c.

* My children prefer them crunchy - to freeze the dough I line a container with freezer wrap or baking paper and the slightly flatten rolled balls onto it. You can do multiple layers you'll just need to flatten the balls first before adding layers between sheets of paper.

Choc Weetbix slice & Chewy Weetbix biscuits

2009-05-10T13:40:00.002+09:30

I took this with me a friends house for an Undercover wear party. It disappeared fast! It is also a firm favourite with my children :) I found these recipes when I was trying to use up some weetbix that my children have decided they don't want for breakfast.

Choc Weetbix slice
7 Weet bix, crushed
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
2 cups SR flour
2 tlbsp cocoa
250g butter, melted
3 drops vanilla essence

Preheat oven to 180c. Mix all ingredients very well until there are no dry patches. Press mixture into a lined lamington tray. Bake for 20 minutes. When almost cooked - prepare the icing mixture and ice within 2 minutes of removing from the oven. Cut into small pieces when cool.

Icing
1 cup icing sugar
2 tblsp cocoa

Mix together with enough hot water to make a thin icing.

Notes - the original recipe has 4 tblsp coconut and only 6 weet-bix.
Everyone loved it without the coconut but you could change it back if you wished.

Chewy Weetbix Biscuits
250g butter
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
2 tblspns golden syrup
1 tspn bicarb soda
3 tspns boiling water
2 1/4 cups SR flour
9 crushed weetbix
1 cup choc chips

Method
Cream butter and sugar. Add golden syrup and keep beating, then add bicarb dissolved in boiling water. Fold in flour, crushed weetbix and choc bits. Roll into small balls and place on trays and flatten slightly, leave enough room for spreading. Bake in 180C oven for 15 mins.

2009-04-12T22:14:00.003+09:30

So much for my new years resolution to blog more!
Seems I am blogging less this year.
I'm going to start adding a few more of my favourite recipes on here to share with you all.
I've even been working with a few gluten free recipes!

My blog of the day is hanigan family recipes - loving those cute easter eggs!! YUM!

Easy Tuna Dip

2009-01-02T09:22:00.003+10:30

Thank you to another Lisa for this recipe! Here is my version. This was a huge hit on Christmas Eve at my place.

Easy Tuna Dip

250g (8oz) cream cheese
185g (6oz) can tuna in brine or springwater
4tbs sweet chilli sauce

Drain tuna really well. (I tipped mine into a sieve and left it to drain for about 5 mins - stirring it a couple of times. If your can is slightly larger it won't make any difference to the finished product.
Allow cream cheese to soften, then beat it with electric mixer till it is soft and fluffy.
Stir in tuna and chilli sauce and mix until all combined.
Taste and add more sweet chilli sauce, to your own taste.
Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Serve with hard biscuits, as the dip sets once you refrigerate it.

Recipe can be halved.
If using the soft cream cheese in the tub you won't need to whip it first.
Also you can cheat and buy the tuna with chilli in one of the foil sachets and just stir that through the tub of soft cream cheese!
Also works with light cream cheese.

2009 - Nurture

2009-01-01T18:29:00.008+10:30

This idea originally came from scrapbook guru Ali Edwards in 2007.

Here is the spiel from her blog:

"one little word

A single word can be a powerful thing. It can be the ripple in the pond that changes everything. It can be sharp and biting or rich and soft and slow.

Last year I began a tradition of choosing one word for myself each January - a word that I can focus on, mediate on, and reflect upon as I go about my daily life. Last year my word was something I wanted to bring into my life in a more tangible way."

2008 was "Less" - which I really didn't do well at. I think most of the things I was aiming for didn't happen due to my own procrastination.

2007 was "enough" - which was the beginning of my journey to a simpler life and the year I stopped buying "stuff" just for the sake of it.

2009 - I have chosen "nurture".

Nurture [nur-cher]

-verb (used with object)
1. to feed and protect: to nurture one's offspring.
2. to support and encourage, as during the period of training or development; foster: to nurture promising musicians.
3. to bring up; train; educate.

–noun
4. rearing, upbringing, training, education, or the like.
5. development: the nurture of young artists.
6.something that nourishes; nourishment; food.

Over the next few weeks I am going to set a tangible goal for each month, that reflects the word nurture.

Slow cooker cassoulet

2008-08-29T23:16:00.002+09:30

1 onion, peeled and chopped
3 cloves garlic, crushed
300g chopped bacon
2 sticks of celery, finely sliced
400g diced lamb
400g diced pork
2 cups haricot beans
1 cup beef stock
1 cup water
140g tomato paste
1 tsp dried thyme
400g can diced tomatoes
1 bouquet garni
salt

topping
50g butter
2 cups soft breadcrumbs
1/ cup chopped parsley to serve

Add all ingredients to slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 8-10 hours, stirring halfway through cooking if possible.

Topping
Melt the butter in a frying pan and fry breadcrumbs until golden.

Serve cassoulet sprinkled with parley and toasted crumbs.
Place

Thyme Dumplings - to top a slow cooker casserole

2008-08-29T23:11:00.002+09:30

1 cup flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp dried thyme
25g butter
approx 1/2 cup milk

Combine flour, baking powder and thyme. Melt butter and mix into flour. Add milk until a soft dough is formed. Roll mixture into balls and drop onto top of casserole. Do this about 1/2 an hour before the casserole is ready.

Slow cooker - Moroccan Hotpot with cornbread

2008-08-29T22:58:00.004+09:30

2 red onions, peeled and thinly sliced
6 chicken thighs, cut in half
2 chorizo sausages, cut in 2cm slices
400g can moroccan-style tomatoes
1/2 cup water

Place onions, tomatoes, chorizo and chicken into the slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours.
Half an hour before the end of cooking, spoon corn bread topping onto the chicken mixture, spreading to cover. Turn the slow cooker to HIGH and cook for a further half hour.

CORN BREAD TOPPING
1 cup flour
1 cup cornmeal
4 tsp baking powder
2 tsp paprika
25g melted butter
1 egg
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup milk

Mix all dray ingredients together. Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients. Mix together wet ingredients and pour into the well. Mix well to combine.

Slow cooker Minestrone

2008-08-29T22:32:00.003+09:30

Serves 6-8

1 c red kidney beans
2 carrots, diced
3 pieces celery, diced
2 cloves garlic, crushed
3 rashers bacon, de-rinded and chopped
2 x 400g tins tomatoes
1/4 c tomato paste
6 c boiling chicken stock
1 bouquet garni
1 c macaroni elbows
1/4 small cabbage, finely sliced
salt
parmesan cheese to serve

Soak kidney beans overnight. Drain and rinse, discarding soaking water.
Alternatively, boil for 15-20 minutes, discarding cooking water.
Place the following in the slow cooker: soaked beans, carrots, celery, garlic, bacon, tinned tomatoes, tomato paste, chicken stock and bouquet garni. Cover and cook on high for 6-8 hours.
Add macaroni an hour before the end as well as salt to taste. Add cabbage half and hour before ready to serve. Serve hot garnished with shaved Parmesan cheese.

***Did you know that red kidney beans, unlike other beans must be presoaked or precooked before using in the slow cooker. These beans contain aflotoxins, which are removed in the pre-soaking.
Don't be tempted to keep the soaking/precooking water you are not wasting nutrients but stopping these toxins making you sick.

Spicy Chickpea Salad

2008-08-12T20:22:00.004+09:30

I've been trying to replicate a bought salad, I think this might come close. I've yet to try it as I don't have the ingredients on hand. I'd love your feedback if you try it before I do!

Dressing
1 clove garlic, crushed
2 tbs olive oil
2 tbs freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tsp grated fresh ginger
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp ground paprika

Salad
400g can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
10-12 cherry tomatoes, halved (or you could use 2-3 large ones roughly chopped)
a handful of chopped parley
salt and pepper, to taste

Mix all the ingredients for the dressing together well.
Likewise toss all the salad ingredients together.
Pour dressing over salad, stir well.
leave for at least and hour for flavours to develop.
Season with salt and pepper to taste, before serving.

Makes 2 serves.

Fresh Pear Cake/s

2008-08-12T20:11:00.005+09:30

I'm going to try this on the weekend as I have some pears laying around.

150g softened butter
150g caster sugar
150g plain flour, sifted
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1 tbs baking powder
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 pears, peeled, cored and sliced
1/2 cup flaked almonds

Preheat oven to 170c
Line a medium 12 cup muffin pan.
Beat together all ingredients, except pears and almonds, in a bowl with an electric mixer - until light and creamy.
Spoon mixture into each cup - lay a couple of slices of pear on top of each and sprinkle over almonds.
Bake for 18-20 minutes.
Cool on wire rack.

This can also be baked in a greased and lined 20cm springform pan @ 180c for 45 minutes.

Apricot, white chocolate and oat muffins (updated)

2008-08-10T21:41:00.003+09:30

These were a bit of an experiment to use up some of the remaining home preserved apricots.
I forgot the oats in the original recipe, but they are here now :)
Makes 24 medium muffins

425g tin of apricots in syrup, drained quickly (I used home preserved ones)
1&1/3 cups white sugar
2/3 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
3 cups plain flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
3/4 cup quick cooking oats
3/4 cup white chocolate chunks, chips or buds
extra white chocolate

Puree apricots (could also use fresh or dried ones that have been stewed).
Stir in sugar, oil and eggs.
Lightly stir in remaining ingredients until just combined.
Spoon batter into lightly greased/lined muffin tins.
Top each muffin with a piece of the remaining chocolate.
Bake 15-18 minutes in 180c /425f oven.
Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan.
These are awesome when still warm.

Old fashioned rice pudding in a slow cooker

2008-08-10T21:33:00.003+09:30

Loosely adapted another recipe to make this - cinnamon was nice but I think next time I would use less or leave it out altogether.

3/4 cup white long grain rice
3 & 1/2 cups milk
3 tbs powered milk
1/2 cup white sugar
3/4 tsp cinnamon
1 pinch salt
3 tbs butter (I grated mine into the mix)

Grease the inside of the slow cooker.
Stir in all the other ingredients.
Cook on high for 2 &1/2 to 3 hours.
Check after the lesser time - it will also keep cooking after the slow cooker is turned off...so turn it off when there is still a bit of liquid - it will solidify on standing.

I'm back!!!

2008-08-10T21:29:00.002+09:30

Yes, I'll admit I haven't been around for a while...life has been moving a long at a cracking pace and right now I am finding it hard to keep up some days!
Nothing exceptional to report - just spending more time hanging out with friends and family.
I'll post some new recipes below - at least that is one thing I am doing lots of ...cooking and trying new recipes.
Enjoy and take care of you all!

Satay Chicken (slow cooker)

2008-05-20T20:24:00.002+09:30

This one is loosely based on one that I think came from a FlyLady email.

12 skinless chicken thighs
3 tbs soy sauce
4-6 cloves garlic (crushed)
1tsp powdered ginger
3 tsp oil
2 tbs chilli sauce
1/3 cup peanut butter

Combine all the sauce/marinade ingredients in a bowl and mix well - except for peanut butter. Toss halved chicken thighs in mixture to coat thoroughly.
Pour everything into lightly greased slow cooker.
Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours.
Remove chicken from dish and stir in peanut butter and
2tbs cornflour dissolved in 2 tbs water.
Return chicken to the pot and cook on high for 30 minutes.
Serves 6 with rice.

Swiss Steak (slow cooker recipe)

2008-05-19T20:22:00.004+09:30

Antotehr in my series of family favourites. I think this one came from the aussie slow cookers group on yahoo. Thank you to whoever added it!

Swiss Steak

1/4 cup flour
salt and pepper
750g diced beef/steak
3 stalks celery, chopped
1 onion, chopped
3 carrots, diced
2 small (440g) tins of chopped tomatoes
1 tbs worcestershire sauce
2 tbs brown sugar

Toss steak in flour, seasoned to taste with salt and pepper.
Saute onion, cerely and carrot together in a frypan (or skip this step if short on time)
Place everything into the slow cooker and mix it well.
Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours.***

Great served with mashed potoatoes and green vegetables.

*** Just remember not all slow cookers are created equal. The latest generation of slow cookers tend to cook hotter and faster than the older models. Make sure you test drive any new recipes on a day that you will be home. Then you'll know what timing and settings work for you!

Pasta Mince Casserole

2008-05-19T19:51:00.003+09:30

This is the first in a new series of family favourite recipes - a lot of friends have been asking me for these as well as some of my favourite slow cooker recipes. it seems a few of my friends got slow cookers for Mother's Day and now need new recipes for them.
This one is an oven recipe that my Mum gave me - it is in her handwriting in an old diary. It was one of her very practical gifts to me, early on in my married life.
This one is also great to make up the night before, but don't put it in the oven till the next day. Also makes great leftovers and freezes well.

Pasta Mince Casserole
1 large onion (diced)
500g topside mince
3/4 cup grated carrot
2 medium tomatoes (chopped) or 1/2 tin drained chopped tomatoes
1 tbs Worcestershire sauce
2 cups shell or elbow macaroni (cooked for about 7 mins)
2 cups grated tasty cheese
1 440g can cream of mushroom/celery soup or cream of soup replacement (see below)

Method
Little oil in a pan.
Add onion to meat, stir over high heat until lightly browned
Add carrot, Worcestershire sauce and chopped tomatoes.
Then add can of soup (or substitute), stir until heated through.
Grease a long casserole dish.
Place a layer of macaroni.
Layer of cheese.
Layer of mince mixture.
Continue until you finish with a cheese layer.
Cook for a bout 35 mins at about 180c, until cooked and lightly browned on top.

Not sure which website I got this recipe from but it worked well as a replacement for the tinned soup! Thank you to whoever it was :)

Condensed cream of chicken soup
1.5 cups homemade chicken stock
1 small onion finely diced
1 clove garlic, crushed
1/8 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp salt (or to taste)
1 tbs fresh parsley (1/4 tsp dried)
dash of paprika
1.5 cups reduced fat milk
0.75 cup plain flour

Method
Boil together stock, 0.5 cup milk and the seasonings for 3-5 minutes.
In a separate bowl whisk together the remaining milk and flour until smooth. Add tot he boiling stock mixture and continue whisking until the mix boils and thickens.
Mixture should be cooled and then refrigerated or frozen in portions.
Make approx 3 cups.
1.5 cups is roughly the equivalent of a 440g tin of condensed soup.

Chocolate Truffles (UPDATED)

2008-05-06T08:05:00.003+09:30

I've had these twice over the past month at two separate Tupperware parties. I wanted to just post the link to the Tupperware Recipe page, but seems they are redesigning it right now so I am posting it here instead! Thought these would make a great Mother's Day gift or you could serve them with coffee at a mothers day meal :)

Tuppertruffles

Ingredients

50g walnuts or hazelnuts
300g dark cooking chocolate
100g good quality dark eating chocolate
25g copha (OR BUTTER)

Fudge centre
1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
1 tbs orange liqueur
1/4 tsp finely grated orange rind or few drops of orange essence
1 tbs dessicated coconut

cocoa for dusting

Method

1. Toast nuts on a microwave proof lid/plate in the microwave for 2 mins on 650w (medium high). Set aside to cool slightly. To remove the brown skins of the hazelnuts, place in a clean tea towel and rub together. Roughly chop the nuts and set aside.
2. Place the roughly chopped chocolate into a microwave proof jug. Grate the copha/butter and add to the jug. Microwave for two minutes on 650w (medium high), until softened but not all melted. Keep gently stirring until all the chocolate melts.
3. Place the sweetened condensed milk, liqueur, orange rind, coconut and nuts into a bowl. Add 1/4 cup of the melted chocolate mix from step 2. Stir well until the mix become thick and fudge like.
4. Carefully spoon just enough melted chocolate to cover the base of your ice cube tray. top with approximately 1/2 tsp of the fudge mix. Spoon over a little more melted chocolate to encase the fudge centre.
5. Refrigerate or freeze the ice cube tray for 15-30 minutes or until set. Twist the tray to release the chocolate. Arrange artfully on a plate and dust lightly with cocoa before serving.

Notes:

*I used the Tupperware ice cube trays for these, but I have made other chocolates using other brands of ice cube trays - just as long as they are deep trays these will work.
* Truffles will keep for up to two weeks in a sealed container, in the pantry. In hot weather it is best to keep them refrigerated.
* Using milk or white chocolates in place of the dark will also work, but be sure to use 500w (medium) when melting these.
* Nuts can be substituted with dried fruit snipped into small pieces. Adding a whole hazelnut to the centre would also be nice.
* We doubled the quantity of orange liqueur and the taste was still very subtle.
* Butter worked well in place of the copha although the chocolates do melt a bit quicker in your fingers, unfortunately this means you will have to either eat them quickly or lick your fingers! How unfortunate!

Be warned you can really only eat one of these, they are very rich and very chocolaty!

Thank you

2008-05-03T08:05:00.005+09:30

I just wanted to say a belated thank you to all the people who have visited me in the past week, both the new visitors and also my regular ones (You know who you are - most of your blogs are in my sidebar). All that positive feedback makes it all worth it. Some days I think it is all too hard, but then I remember why I try to live that way I do.
Because it makes me happy and as Rhonda said today I am part of the kitchen sink revolution! Go read her great post here and join us on our frugal and sustainable journey.
I value each and every comment I receive and read them all, even if I don't get time to comment on all of them!
Please keep visiting and leave a comment if you like :)
If you'd like me to add your blog to my favourites list then leave me a comment :) I know there are a lot out there that I read and then forget to add them to my list. Plus if you have any favourites why not share then with us.
I've also got some new recipes to share this coming week so I hope you like them.
Thanks again.
-hugs-
Lis

My life, simply

2008-04-25T22:34:00.004+09:30

Rhonda Jean of http://down---to---earth.blogspot.com/ asked all her readers to write about our versions of living a simple life. Here is mine.

I guess I was always brought up in a frugal way, I remember always eating home baked biscuits and my Mum making all our clothes. My Mum only ever worked part time and my Dad was always able to fix things. I can remember many of our bikes being made from parts salvaged from the local tip. We used to joke that Dad would bring home more from the tip than he dropped off!

In my early 20's I fell for all the advertising and keeping up with the Jones'. We had a mortgage and the interest rates peaked at 17%. We had friends over for dinner parties and rarely went out for meals as we couldn't afford it! We commuted over an hour each day to work. We decided to cut our losses and eventually we bought the worst house in a really nice street.
From that point on I started to remember the old ways. We did most of the renovating ourselves and learned lots along that way!
I have always enjoyed cooking and always owned a slow cooker. When I became pregnant with my first child that I really started to look at ways to cut costs. I knew I didn't want to go back to work immediately. My children both had cloth nappies and home made clothes.
Years later following my divorce I spent six months back under my parents roof. They still live the same frugal, gentle life I remember from my childhood.
Being a single parent with 2 children and a mortgage I try to lead a frugal but happy life. We also discovered that my son reacts to a lot of food preservatives and additives (the numbers as he calls them).
I work about 30 hours a week so have learned to be very organised. I have a wonderful boyfriend who helps a lot with meal preparation and planning. My children also spend 50% of their time with their Dad, so I work longer hours the week they are with him and shorter hours when they are in my care. Here is a list of things that come to mind, the everyday of our simple, frugal lives:
I cook from scratch and bake at least once a week, our own biscuits and cakes.
I recycle, I have started growing our own herbs.
This year I started a compost heap.
We collect water when it rains in our old rainwater tank.
I dry my washing outside on the line and have only ever owned one dryer (it came with a house) I always think before I buy something new.
My daughter loves going op shopping with me.
I clean with bicarb and vinegar mostly, using old clothes/towels as cleaning cloths.
I menu plan and stockpile when I see good specials.
I use a cash budget for most items.
I preserve excess fruit to use throughout the year.
I freeze excess veggies as well.
I shop at local markets in order to buy in bulk and then share with family & friends.
I try to buy only Australian foods, but this is not always possible with my budget.
I catch public transport when I can.
My children ride or catch the bus to school most days.
I don't use plastic bags for my shopping - I have green bags and mesh bags for my fruit & veg.
I make my own laundry liquid.
I cook freezable meals in bulk (like bolognaise sauce).
I don't have a dishwasher in my kitchen.
My children attend the local public schools and I try to stay involved in their education.

My favourite thing right now is that I have managed to save enough to take my children overseas this year. I still have my mortgage to pay off, but I figure the memories are worth more than I can put a price on. In a few years my children will miss too much school, so it is now or never.
I hope you enjoyed reading this. Thanks for stopping by.

Swapping

2008-04-13T15:22:00.004+09:30

I've been fortunate in the last few weeks to receive a couple of parcels in the post!
I love getting mail!

The first one was part of Lightening's Smiley Saturday where we had to swap something pink.
My swap partner was a lady called Lizzie who also lives here in Adelaide - we had plans to meet and perhaps we still will but here is a pic of what she sent me:
(did someone tell her I was into scrapbooking and baking???)
Thank you Lizzie your pink parcel made me smile :)
My second parcel was part of the shopping tote swap organised by the girls at down to earth - mine came from Kelly who lives in the USA - Thank you Kelly I really do feel spoilt! For those of you who haven't tried the Reece's Peanut Butter cups - you are missing out! And I'm not sharing! YUMMMMM!

Swapping is a great way to make new friends! Do try it if you get the chance!

You Cheer Me Up

2008-04-13T15:11:00.005+09:30

I have to admit I am feeling a little overwhelmed of late. Time seems to be passing too quick and I seem not be keeping up. One of the things I have tried to cut down on is my computer time, to allow more more time to do the things I need to do. This means I don't get to post as often, but I promise I will try at least once a week to get on here and share some pieces of my life, recipes and pictures.

Thank you to Tracy for this award!

Here are the instructions for this award:"If you are a recipient of the "You Cheer Me Up" Award, please find the blogs that cheer you up, copy the code to post on your sidebar and pass Ethel and Lucy across the blogosphere. You can use what cheers you up in your post, or copy this one, but please send your award recipients back to the original post on A Nice Place In The Sun to get a copy of the award code, post the image and read the instructions. I want to try to maintain a page of original and ongoing award recipients, so feel free to let me know if you've received an award when you pick up the image code."

100 posts!

2008-04-04T21:01:00.003+10:30

100 posts is something I never thought I would reach when I first started writing out my favourite recipes and thoughts here. Where has all that time gone? This is actually my 101st post, cause I missed it entirely in the grand scheme of my life!
My families favourite recipe for this week is apricot squares and also a great recipe to use up all the jars of preserved apricots I have stored from the summer before last! I can see this one becoming a regular item at my house over winter!

Birthdays and more birthdays...

2008-03-28T09:07:00.003+10:30

Well I think I went into hibernation with the heat here in Adelaide and now I am finally coming back out. Here is what I got up to in March!
I had a birthday back on 8/3 and was given very practical/frugal presents.
My BF refinished the bench tops in my kitchen which were peeling badly.
New timber on top (I bought some tongue & groove floorboards a few months ago) and then two coats of stain/lacquer and 3 coats of polyurethane later. They look fab - will hopefully post a pic on my blog soon!
My parents got me a torch to put in my car (my request) and it doesn't need batteries! BONUS! It is a wind up one. Also has a built in radio, siren and adaptors to do an emergency charge on your mobile phone. How cool is that! They also gave me some $$.
My best friend had me over her house for dinner and bought me two things that she had, that I had been eyeing off. An awesome circulon dish brush - every time I have used hers I kept asking her where she go it! The other thing is a non-stick Mat for the BBQ - this is like a silicon sheet that you put on the hotplate of your BBQ - especially good when you are cooking marinated items as they don't burn or stick. When it cools down you just remove it and wash it in the sink, ready for next time!
My workmates gave me a cute card and more $$.
Why the $$ you may well ask - well I am taking my family to BALI in August this year - so most people have been giving me money to buy stuff I need for the trip or to add to my savings a/c (I have a separate one) for spending when I get there.
I saw a great digital camera in the K-Mart catalogue last week ($149) with really cheap SD memory cards (1GB for $15) so I put one on lay-by as well as two memory cards.
So there goes all my birthday money
On a side note my other camera which is 4 years old will go to my son so he has a camera for Bali too!

My son's birthday was on Easter Sunday.
All my son wanted for his birthday was a copy of Mario Kart for his Nintendo DS!
I tried to be frugal with my shopping so we ended up with the following:
- Mario Kart for his DS - I finally found a second hand copy for $40 at the local gaming store (after I had walked two larger shopping centres looking for one).
- a small backpack for our holiday and when we go on family bike rides - it was marked down for $16 to $12.
- one of those large "how to draw" folder/collections. There were on special at Big W for $14.95. My son loves drawing and I have realised that even in high school they still need to draw stuff on their assignments.
- some really cool black and white board shorts off the clearance rack at best & less for $5.
So all up I spent about $72 - He was quite thrilled with all his gifts and they were all things I know he will use :)
I made mini choc chunk muffins which he took to school last Thursday - much easier than a big cake.
On the morning of his actual birthday, I made two birthday cakes and some sausage rolls. We had lunch with my parents ( microwave butter cake and sausage rolls) and then dinner @ my ex's house (his Dad) - where we consumed a small part of cake number two - boiled chocolate cake with lashings of cream!
Enough of the calories and birthday - on top of all the Easter chocolate I am trying to inspire myself to exercise more by watching the biggest loser - the trouble is I sit on the couch every night and watch them doing exercise! D'oh!

Food Porn Meme

2008-03-25T20:47:00.003+10:30

Katrina has tagged me for this one, which originally started with Rosanne.

Here are the really simple rules.
Answer each of the five questions.
Tag five bloggers you would like to pass the meme to.
Have them link back to you and to this post as the source meme.
You and they can take the graphic from here if they like.

1. What food do you consider the best “date” food? In other words, what meal or food item do you think is sexiest to eat in the company of someone you would like to look sexy around?

I can never pass up a good risotto, cooked by someone passionate about food like say...err Jamie Oliver?? After all he was the "naked" chef :P

2. What well-known person would you like to share a meal with—with or without clothing. (saying whether or not clothes are involved is optional).

Didn't I just answer this in question one?

3. What does your perfect breakfast-in-bed look like? (Food AND the details, please. Candles? Music? Flowers? Hot tub? Dancing girls?

One of those cute tray with legs, a single rose, oozy scrambled eggs on toast, milky freshly brewed coffee in a mug and a kiss from my gorgeous BF. Jammies on of course as there is hot food/liquids involved.

4. What do you consider the best application of whipped cream to be?

If it is homemade then definitely on a chocolate cake or on the side of good piece of cheesecake. Please don't give me the stuff in a can, that isn't whipped cream.

5. Oh-God-No, Biff, the yacht is sinking! You are sent to the galley to retrieve the food. What luxury food items do you snatch first? The champagne? The caviar? Smoked Salmon? Truffles? Chocolate? Or something else?
Water, dry biscuits, anything non-perishable - leave the fancy stuff to sink with the ship!

I tag the following folks, passing on Rosanne's own bit of circulating ~~nuisance~~ nonsense.

If you are dying to do this meme feel free to pick it up and run with it.

Has it really been that long?

2008-03-24T09:28:00.002+10:30

Wow, when I finally logged in here this morning my blogger tells me that my last post was on 10th February 2008 - 6 weeks ago. So where have I been, what have I been doing...nothing special of note. Celebrated a few birthdays - mine, my dear friend Jo and my son T who turned 12 yesterday. I can still remember the day he was born. I worked full time for a week or two which really threw my life inot chaos! I also helped another friend say goodbye to a very special Lady in her life. She puts it way more eloquently than I ever could...here.
Apart from these things I have basically been living my life, doing things with my family and friends and remembering what is really important to me. Along the way I have still been trying to be frugal and mindful of what resources I am consuming.
I've still been reading all my favourite blogs, but I think I most likely need to update my blog roll a little...anyone want me to add them?
Thank you to those who noticed my absence and left me messages to ask me if I was okay. I appreciate that you all care.
I have some great new recipes to share and I'll try to do that in the next few weeks, unless my life gets all crazy again!
Hoping you all had a safe and Happy Easter. Take care of you all :)

Shoestring Sunday - Leftovers

2008-02-10T22:15:00.000+10:30

Today we had a bbq lunch, as a belated celebration for my boyfriends birthday. After the bbq I had to decide what we were going to eat for dinner. Leftover from lunch I had 1/2 a garden salad and two pieces of marinated steak that had been barbequed.
I thought for a while and then decided I would make a thai beef salad with what I had on hand.

Thai Beef Salad

Dressing
1 1/2 tbs fresh lemon juice
1 tbs brown sugar
1 tbs sweet chilli sauce
1 tsp fish sauce
2 tsp olive oil
2 tsp soy sauce
1/2 tsp powered ginger
1 garlic clove, crushed
1 tbs finely chopped mint

Salad
2 pieces cooked steak, sliced into thin strips
200g pkt grape tomatoes
1 continental cucumber, thinly sliced diagonally
1 capsicum, cut into thin strips
1 carrot, sliced inot thin rings
1 red onion, halved, cut into thin wedges
mixed salad leaves

Method
Whisk together all the sauce ingredients.
Place the steak in a bowl and drizzle with half the dressing.
Combine the salad ingredients together and then add the meat.
Toss again and then divide inot bowls for serving, drizzle each with some of the reserved dressing.

Oriental Mince

2008-02-04T10:39:00.000+10:30

Oriental Mince

This is my version of savory mince, with an asian twist on the sauce.

500g minced beef
1 onion, finely diced
2 tbs oil
2 cups shredded cabbage
2 cups mixed vegetables (I used, zucchini, carrots, mushrooms)
2 tbs oyster sauce
1 beef or vegetable stock cube (I used 1 tsp vegeta)
1 tbs soy sauce
2 tsp sugar

Brown mince and onion together, in half the oil. Remove and keep warm, add remaining oil, vegetables and cabbage and fry until cooked through/softened to your liking. Add mince back into pan. Stir to combine. Mixture will still be quite wet, if not add about 1/8 cup water. Make a well in the centre of the pan and add remaining ingredients, combining with pan juices. Then mix together ensuring that everything is coated in the sauce.
If the remaining sauce is too thin, add 1 tbs cornflour dissolved in some water and add this to thicken.
Serve over rice or noodle or by itself is nice too!

Easy Lemon Chicken

2008-02-04T09:47:00.000+10:30

Easy Lemon Chicken

2 tbs oil
500g boneless chicken, sliced into strips
3-4 cups finely sliced vegetables (can also use a packet of frozen stir fry veggies)
2 tbs lemon juice
1/2 chicken stock cube, crumbled
2 tbs dry sherry
1 tsp soy sauce
1 tbs chilli sauce
1 tsp cornflour
1/4 cup warm water

Add one tablespoon of oil to wok and fry chicken pieces, until browned and cooked through.
Remove and keep warm. Add remaining oil to wok and add vegetables. Keep stiring until vegetables are cooked to your liking. Meanwhile combine all the remaining ingreients in a jug, stirring until well combined. When vegetables are ready, add chicken back into wok and pour in sauce. Keep stirring until sauce thickens and all ingredients are hot.
Serve by itself or with rice or noodles.

Menu Planning Monday

2008-02-03T21:58:00.000+10:30

Since I have moved my budget from weekly to fortnight, I am trying to only do one large shop each fortnight. Now I have to menu plan for a fortnight and I have to admit it is a bit tougher than I first thought. I have written it "restaurant style" as was originally started by Lightening! :)

1. Tender portions of veal, lightly crumbed in our fresh chunky style bread crumbs. Served with a lean gluten free beef sausage. Served with a selection of seasonal vegetables. (Beef schnitzel & sausages & veggies)

2. Our pizza dough is lovingly prepared from scratch, topped with a simple tomato puree and then served with a choice of the following toppings - grilled chicken, pineapple, gourmet beef sausage, ham off the bone, marinate mushrooms. Topped with our special cheese blensd and individually baked on a stone.(Gourmet homemade pizzas)

3. A portion of a whole chicken, marinated and rubbed with our secrte spice blend. Then lovingly baked slowly, to leave the chicken moist and flaouvsome. Served with baby roast vegetable and zucchini & tomato bake.(Sticky Chicken)

4.Tender minced beef simmered gently in a tomato and vegetable based sauce and served with a mixture of wholemeal and wheat pasta.(Spaghetti Bolognaise)

5. Finger sized strips of chicken, lightly crumbed in fresh breadcrumbs and pan fried. Served with cheesy potatoes baked in a creamy sauce.(Chicken Schnitzel & Potato Bake)

6. Tender thight fillets thinly sliced and sauted with a selection of seasonal vegetables, served in light asian inspired lemon sauce (Easy Lemon Chicken) recipe below

7. Lightly salted beef, lovingly cooked with brown sugar and other seasonings. Served with a creamy mash of potato and pumpkin and lightly steamed broccoli and zucchini.(Corned Beef)

8. Finely minced beef, stir fried with our specail vegetable mixture simmered in a sticky asian style sauce. (Oriental Mince) recipe below

9. Homemade beef and vegetable patties, presented in a fresh bread roll with baby spinach, tomato, avocado, cheese and beetroot relish (Gourmet Beef burgers)

10. A season selection of fish, prawns and other seafood with a side of our specail spicy home style fries. (Fisherman's Basket)

11. Tender strips of beef, marinated in our chefs specail sauce and seved on skewers with a spicy peanut sauce and fluffy basmati rice. (Beef satays with peanut sauce)

12. Tasmanian salon fillets, lightly marinated in chilli, ginger and soy all served an a bed of seasonal vegetables (Salmon steaks with veggie stir fry)

13. It's your birthday so your choice of any dish the chef is able to make :) (birthday dinner for my boyfriend)

14. Organic shaped fluffy tortillas served with delicately pan fried chicken, garlic and zucchini. Presented with a platter of seasonal salad vegetables, for a wrap your own feast for four. (chicken strips, tortillas and salad)

That should keep me busy for a few days huh?
Only really have to top up on fresh fruit and vegetables as well as supplies for the birthday dinner.

I can feel another cheesecake recipe soon :)
I'll post the recipes separately to make them easier to find later :)
I apologise for any spelling mistakes, but google doesn't want to spell check for me anymore :(

I've also joined Menu Planning Monday over at I'm and Organising Junkie - follow the link and get some more great menu ideas! :)

Menu Planning and More!

2008-02-02T14:19:00.000+10:30

Well, who would have believed that I had been on holidays all this week! I thought I would get heaps done and I did manage to achieve a few things, but not everything on the list in my head.
I did manage to fit in some exercise, a few swims at the beach, a couple of visits with my parents, helped a friend move house, visits from the electrician and the freezer seal guy and spend part of one day with my best friend (zoe's mum) for her birthday!
I also managed to lose 2.2kg :)
I don't feel so bad now I have listed all of that!

Tuesday I am back at work so I need to organise the following before then:
- Ironing school and work uniforms
- finish a scrapbook for a 40th I am attending tonight
- make sausage rolls for above party
- make biscuits/muffins for lunchboxes
- cook freeze up glut of veggies remaining from my shopping on Sunday (mainly zucchini, mushrooms & plums)

I did manage to menu plan and grocery shop, but since it is already 2.30pm and i really need to get the album finished I will blog tomorrow about it!
Hope you are all having a great weekend :)

Shoestring Sunday

2008-01-27T11:51:00.000+10:30

Well it is that time of week again, so in keeping with my frugal theme this morning I did my fruit & veg shopping at the Torrens Island Markets.

I spent a grand total of $15.20 and my best buy of the day was a 3kg box of Swiss brown mushrooms for $6 ($2kg, can't go past that).

I also sewed myself some of those net produce bags to transport some of the smaller items.

Some of the fruit and veg was a similar price to my local bulk fruit & veg but other items were cheaper. There were other bargains to be had, but not being in the mood to preserve food I restrained myself from buying one of the cheap boxes of tomatoes on offer.

So what did I end up with:

Apart from the 3kg box of mushrooms, zucchini (courgettes)for $1kg, capsicums (peppers) for $1.99kg, carrots for $0.80kg, a whole red cabbage for $1.50, nectarines $0.99kg, beans for $2.00kg, satsuma plums for $1.99kg, eggplants (aubergines) for $0.99kg.

If you want to shop at the markets, here is my frugal guide to getting a good deal:

- Know your prices at your local shops (are you really getting a bargain?)

- make sure you pick your items carefully (check the bottom of boxes if you are buying a whole box, sometimes the produce at the bottom is rotten)

- take your own shopping bags and a trolley if you have one

- get some friends together and form your own informal food co-op - shop in bulk and save even more (lots of Google links on how to do this!)

- arrive early and talk to the stallholders

-have fun!

Hope you are all having a great long weekend (for those in Oz)!

Lisa's List

2008-01-23T11:18:00.000+10:30

I love visiting other websites and sometimes I stumble across some really cool stuff. I notice a few other bloggers share their cool links too :)
Thought I might share a few of my favourites each week:

Found this sticky chicken rub that might make it onto our menu for this week (you have to scroll down a bit as it is at the end of the post.) Even better that it can go in the slow cooker :))

Love this idea, not sure I will get time to make one, but this pencil roll is a great back-to-school project for all the sewers out there. (This one is made for crayons, but could be easily adapted for textas or pencils).

These yummy calzones are a nice variation on pizzas for dinner and a great way to use leftovers up. They can also be frozen and reheated for a quick meal later.

Also thought I might try this yummy recipe for a vegetarian pad thai, which looks very frugal :)

And last but not least I made this couscous salad last week with some leftovers form dinner the night before. It got good reviews.

Let me know what you think?

Shoestring Sunday Reworked

2008-01-20T21:33:00.000+10:30

It's been a while since I did a shoestring Sunday, but this week I finally have something important to write about.
Don't let your freezer get like this...

I'm loathe to admit that my freezer has been like this before and instead of getting the seal replaced then, I just defrosted it and started again...meaning to get it done at some point!
Right now I am enjoying 2 weeks annual leave so one of the jobs on my list was to defrost and get the seal replaced, BEFORE I turn it back on. I am also fortunate to have a friends fridge/freezer stored in my garage at the moment so I am using that space to store what was in my freezer. Tomorrow mornings job then is to find someone to replace it and at a reasonable price. Yes, it will cost me money to replace it, but at the same time it has been working very hard producing all that ice so in the long run it will save me money on my electricity bill and cut greenhouse gas emissions by replacing it.

Do you have something that you have procrastinated about that has cost you money?

As an added bonus http://www.momadvice.com/blog/ has a great article about running an energy efficient freezer. Amy also has lots of other great articles on her site as well as some yummy recipes on her other blog The Aldi Queen.

Peanut Butter Cheesecake

2008-01-20T10:45:00.000+10:30

WARNING!!!! I take no responsibility for any calories gained from reading, making or eating this cheesecake! This ones for you Mark :P
And for the all the people who called me evil when I posted the honeycomb cheesecake recipe...this just confirms you were right :)

PEANUT BUTTER CHEESECAKE

1 c. graham cracker crumbs (I used milk arrowroot biscuits)
1/4 c. firmly packed light brown sugar
1/4 c. butter, melted
2 c. creamy peanut butter
2 c. sugar
2 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, at room temperature
2 tbsp. melted butter
2 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 c. whipping cream
4 oz. semisweet chocolate
3 tbsp. plus 2 tsp. hot coffee

Cream cheese adds a rich texture to this delicious and unusual cheesecake.
Combine crumbs, brown sugar and 1/4 cup melted butter.
Press into bottom and halfway up sides of a 9 inch springform pan.
Beat peanut butter, sugar, cream cheese, 2 tablespoons butter and vanilla in large bowl of electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
Beat cream until soft peaks form.
Fold whipped cream into peanut butter mixture.
Spoon into crust.
Refrigerate 6 hours.
Melt chocolate with coffee in double boiler over gently simmering water.
Spread atop filling.
Refrigerate until firm.

N.B.I have never actually put the choc/coffee glaze onto the cheesecake as it seem rich enough already without it.

Three Gifts Challenge

2008-01-19T14:54:00.000+10:30

Rhonda @ down to earth started this challenge last week and here is my contribution.

1. Always taking my bags with me to the supermarket (I also carry a small zip up bag in my handbag) - for those who forget their bags - PUT YOUR SHOPPING LIST IN THEM! That way if you get inside the supermarket you will have to go back for the list and the bags too :) If you leave them at home I can't help you with that one :)

2. Trying to buy items with the least amount of packaging, in recyclable packaging or buy in bulk where possible if it has to be in plastic.

3. Making myself some of the net produce bags and putting them with my grocery bags in the boot of my car (Immediately after I have unpacked them)

I'll also be continuing to try and use more public transport to work and riding my bike for errands. i haven't been doing this as much as I would like, but I have been trying to combine multiple errands when I am out and about :)

It's not too late to join up and spread the word - click the link and go join -oh and leave me a comment to let me know you have joined :)

Beetroot relish

2008-01-13T22:35:00.001+10:30

I can't remember who asked me over a week ago for the link to this recipe, but here it is again and also have reproduced the recipe for those who can't get the link to work.

Yummy Beetroot Relish
Chef: Leanne Arfuso
In a Pickle's Leanne Arfuso makes relishes and chutneys an artform.
Beetroot is easy to grow and in this relish, delicious to eat!

You need:
1 kg beetroot – raw, peeled and grated
750 ml white vinegar
Bring to the boil in a wide mouthed pan. Cover and simmer for 10 min.
Add
1 kg cooking apples - peeled, cored and grated
500 g onions – chopped
5 garlic cloves - diced
1 tbsp ground ginger
1 ½ tsp Spanish paprika
1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
500 g brown sugar
Method:Bring mixture back to the boil, stirring until sugar has dissolved.
Simmer uncovered 1 ½ hours or until relish has thickened.
Stir vigorously every 10-15 minutes, more often as the vinegar cooks down.
Bottle into warm clean, dry, sterilized jars.
Screw clean, sterilized lids into place while still hot.
Although bottles can be recycled, lids should always be new with every batch of pickles, chutney or relish.
Enjoy!

This recipe makes about 4 jam sized jars of relish :)

Decluttered Dresser

2008-01-07T14:41:00.000+10:30

As promised I have taken an after pic (now that I have found my camera).

My next mission is my scrapbooking cupboard & desk - have remembered to take before photos this time.

Will report on my progress later, off to tackle it some more and stop procrastinating!

Decluttering & Smiley Saturday

2008-01-05T09:53:00.000+10:30

Weight loss is a form of decluttering...It won't happen overnight, but it will happen. After all in reality it didn't appear overnight so it won't disappear overnight either. Life would be so much simpler if we could lose weight as easily as we put it on, but that is not the case. It takes hard work, discipline, commitment and a great support network. Can I just say I have a fantastic group of family, friends and workmates, who are supporting me and some are joining me in my weight loss journey! One of my best friends & I are both following the Kate Morgan Plan, she has already lost quite a few kg so I am hoping to also do the same. I have been doing a little bit of exercise, but I have to say the excessively hot weather we are having right now has not really given me the enthusiasm to want to do too much.
In the mean time I have also been working on decluttering and cleaning up various parts of my house. Yesterday I totally cleaned my bathrooms (yes, I have two!) following mostly Rhonda's instructions for Green cleaning over at her blog Down to Earth. If you are not already a huge fan like I am, after one visit and reading her beautiful words you will be .
Yesterdays other mission was my dressing table/dresser top.
I started by taking everything off and giving it a good wipe over to remove allt he bust bunnies and everything else on it. I also changed the cover I have on it from a Thai woven purple and gold one with cute fringing to a white batternberg (sp?) lace one. Then I looked at all the items I had taken off and decided which ones I wanted to remain. The criteria was, is it something I either:
(a) use regularly
(b) love to look at or
(c) belongs with its friends who are on of the above.
My camera seems to have gone AWOL, but I will add a picture to this post of the finished product when I figure out where it is! Suffice to say it makes me smile each time I walk into my room, as does my semi-sparkling and decluttered bathroom. Hence I have linked to Lightening's Smiley Saturdays. Go here to see more!
Today list of things to do:
(a) declutter and re-organise my scrapbooking supplies
(b) make ice-cream using excess cream from Christmas
(c) make more beetroot relish - this is seriously good stuff if you haven't tried it you should! The recipe I used last time is here, but this time I am going to omit the cinnamon.
Okay enough blogging for today, off to have my breakfast and tackle the above list!
If anyone needs a bit of weight loss motivation I am happy to email support, just leave ma comment :)
Any other questions, thoughts etc...I love reading them :)
Take care of you.

New Years Resolutions

2008-01-01T22:43:00.000+10:30

Hope everyone had a great Christmas, will post about how mine all turned out with photos in a few days!
It seems like everyone else in blogland I too have been thinking and reflecting on 2007, as well as thinking ahead to 2008. Rather than make a resolution as such I tend to pick a word to remind me of my direction for the coming year. I think i originally got this idea form a scrapbooker I admire...possibly Heidi Swapp?
In 2007 my word was "ENOUGH"
in 2008 I am going with
"LESS"
To me it means:
- less petrol consumption (use public transport at least twice a fortnight, maybe more)
- less weight (I have a friend for us to keep each other motivated)
- less shopping
- less stuff (decluttering)
- less food (consume less, grow a little of my own starting with spring onions, herbs and salad leaves)
- less chocolate/cheese (two of my greatest weaknesses - not going to give them up, just limit the amounts I consume to being a "treat")

I'm sure other things will come to me throughout the year and I hope to blog at least twice a week to keep you informed of my progress on all these goals. My friend and I photographed each other in our bathers and no I definitely won't be posting that photo on here! Just one more tool to keep us motivated.
I value everyone's feedback and comments. So please feel free to comment.
What resolutions have you made for 2008?
Anyone else going on the weight loss path with me?
What would you like to see on my blog this year?

Christmas Countdown - Part 3

2007-12-21T09:34:00.000+10:30

Okay well only 24 hours before the first Christmas celebration at my house. My best friend and her family are coming over for lunch tomorrow (Saturday). Then I have Christmas Eve here with my immediate family as well as my ex-hubby. My children enjoy spending time with both their parents together. Fortunately as I have shared custody of my children I remain on good terms with my ex. I know this is not always the case, but I decided from the beginning that it was not my children fault that we divorced, so they should not have to suffer as a result of it.
Anyway enough about me, back to my updated list - today is going to be busy:

- leg waxing appointment
- drive ex-hubby to city for day surgery- picking up children at same time :)
- stop off at bunnings on way home to get heat beads/fire lighters (none of my local shops have the brand that works best)
- stop off on way home at gift shop to buy secret Santa gift for work mate (saw item the other day so know what I am buying)
- feed children lunch once we get home
- clean house like a mad woman, with a little help from my children
- defrost and marinate chicken for lunch tomorrow
- defrost mince for lunch tomorrow
- make 3 x cookie in a jar mix
- bake more peanut butter cookies
- make baileys
- make peanut butter cheesecake
- make fudge/shortbread if I get time
- using rainwater give back verandah a wash
- sort out table decoration for Saturday/Monday and put storage tubs away till after Christmas :)
Okay that just about does it for today :)
Not sure I will get it all done, but no doubt I will rope my boyfriend & children in to assist with some items.

A few items I can cross off:
-hunt down Christmas present for my parents (in progress - waiting for response from my sister)-
- start shopping list for 3 Christmas meals, now menus has been finalised
-Op shop for some trays/baskets/bowls (for gift baskets)

My next update will be on Saturday night or Sunday morning and I hope to post some photos of our first Christmas function.

Christmas Countdown Part 2

2007-12-18T21:31:00.000+10:30

Here is my new and updated list - I am slowly crossing things off as I add more!

- ~~mow lawn/weeds/dust bowl~~ (done tonight after work - have blisters to prove it!)
- start to clean up back verandah in preparation for Christmas eve dinner here (in progress)
- collapse in a heap/relax (have done this tonight while I am blogging)
- hunt down Christmas present for my parents (in progress - waiting for response from my sister)
- buy ingredients and make beetroot relish (for gift baskets)
- make & bottle home made Irish Cream (for gift baskets)
- make and freeze more biscuit dough (for gift baskets)
- freeze ham bone and make soup after Christmas (doing after I finish this post)
- ~~finalise menu for BBQ this Saturday with Cathy, Zoe and families~~ (finalised today)
- ~~move Christmas tree~~
- start shopping list for 3 Christmas meals, now menus has been finalised
- make Peanut Butter Cheesecake (and you though the honeycomb one was bad Pam!)
- post recipe for above Cheesecake
- Op shop for some trays/baskets/bowls (for gift baskets)

Okay stopping now - starting to scare myself!
How are your lists going?

Homemade Irish Cream

2007-12-18T21:06:00.000+10:30

Stephanie from Stop the Ride requested this one! Be careful who you give it to as once you start making it at Christmas, people expect it every year. Having said that it makes a great gift! I have a small collection of Grolsch beer bottles (the ones with the swing top lids and a rubber seal). I think they hold about 600ml so they are an excellent size for a gift. Also I tell the recipients that if they don't return the bottles they won't get any next year!

Irish Cream

2 x 400g tins condensed milk
2 x 400g tins evaporated milk
600ml pouring cream
300g milk chocolate
1 tsp coffee granules
700ml bottle of whisky

Melt chocolate in condensed milk, stir in coffee while still warm then allow to cool. Then mix together remaining ingredients, ensuring everything is well mixed. Decant into bottles stirring well in between filling each one. Store in the fridge. Shake before using.

I did try to find conversion charts for all of these, but then I wasn't sure which countries to do them for in the end. All mine are in Australian weights and measures so hope that helps!
Enjoy in Moderation!

Apron Swap

2007-12-18T08:07:00.000+10:30

Rhonda at Down to Earth hosted yet another swap, this time for aprons. My swap partner was Tracy from Sunny Corner Farm - cute name huh? The link shows a picture of the aprons I sent her. In return I received the beautiful double sided apron pictured. As well she included a hand made jug cover and the cute card you can see pictured. Thank you Tracy, your apron is already getting a workout with all the Christmas baking I am doing :) Oh and the apron says "Life is just a chair of bowlies". Cute!

Happy Birthday Dad!

2007-12-17T22:01:00.000+10:30

My dear sweet Dad turned 78 on Sunday. He loves nothing more than spending time with his children and grandchildren. So I organised to go over for afternoon tea. My Mum made some of her beautiful homemade scones, she bought a cake from the local bakery and I made these fantastic peanut butter cookies - I'll confess I ran out of time so I went with the traditional style criss-crossed with the tines of a fork. Sorry! But they were yummy :) I did have enough time to make extra dough and freeze the rolled balls in my freezer, to be baked for my Christmas hampers. I might try to do the chocolate drizzles on the next batch. Here is a picture of them in a jar as presented to him on Sunday.So what else do you get your Dad? A six pack of one of his favourite beers (Grolsch), a jar of home baked cookies (as above) and a CD of some of his favourite German music (thank you Steve for digitising some of Dad's old records!) He was truly chuffed with the whole afternoon and even had a bit of sing-a-long to a few of his favourite songs!
Love you heaps Dad!

Christmas countdown - part one

2007-12-17T08:00:00.000+10:30

Here's my updated list. I didn't get everything done, but then i didn't expect to. By writing it all down this week though I hope to give you all an insight into the next 8 days, in my lead up to Christmas day.

Update
- ~~Bake biscuits for Dad's birthday cookie jar (yes, I'll photograph it)~~
- ~~Help boyfriend move more of his stuff to his new unit~~
- mow lawn/weeds? (only if I get time)
- ~~go to afternoon tea with my Dad for his birthday~~
- start to clean up back verandah in preparation for Christmas eve dinner here (in progress)
- ~~finish sewing my new apron to wear when I do all my Christmas preparation recipes.~~ (taken off the list as I know I won't get time)
- ~~sew mesh bags for fruit and veg (yes, I still have not managed this)~~ (also deleted till after Christmas)
- ~~collapse in a heap~~ (did this last night while installing my new printer/scanner)
- hunt down Christmas present for my parents (in progress, have two options so far and need to consult with my sister as to her preference - since she is paying half)
New Items
- buy ingredients and make beetroot relish (for gift baskets)
- make & bottle home made "baileys" (for gift baskets)
- make and freeze more biscuit dough (for gift baskets)
- make and freeze pea and ham soup (from ham bone) or freeze ham bone and make after Christmas (suspect I will do the latter)
- finalise menu for BBQ this Saturday with Cathy, Zoe and families.

Okay that should just about do it for the moment I won't add anything else till I can cross a few more things off!
How is everyone else doing???

Christmas Preparation

2007-12-15T08:16:00.000+10:30

How is yours going?

I got the children to decorate the tree this year. I told my workmates that it looks a bit like someone vomited the decorations onto it. this had them all rolling on the floor laughing a lot. Will photograph it when I move it tomorrow.

My to do list looks like this for Sunday (working today, scrapbooking tonight):

- Bake biscuits for Dad's birthday cookie jar (yes, I'll photograph it)
- Help boyfriend move more of his stuff to his new unit
- mow lawn/weeds? (only if I get time)
- go to afternoon tea with my Dad for his birthday
- start to clean up back verandah in preparation for Christmas eve dinner here
- finish sewing my new apron to wear when I do all my Christmas preparation recipes.
- sew mesh bags for fruit and veg (yes, I still have not managed this)
- collapse in a heap.
- hunt down Christmas present for my parents

Maybe some of this will not get done? Do you think I am being a tad ambitious?
What have you got to do this weekend?

Menu Planning

2007-12-15T08:01:00.000+10:30

Life still hasn't slowed down for me, so I am working on easy meals this week.

Friday - Ham rosti with salad
Finely grated potato, egg and ham lightly pan fried into miniature patties served with a tossed garden salad.

Saturday - Steak cooked to your liking and served with an assortment of seasonal steamed summer vegetables

Sunday - Corned Beef
Lightly salted beef, lovingly cooked with brown sugar and other seasonings. Served with a creamy mash of potato and pumpkin and lightly steamed broccoli and zucchini.

Monday - Hamburgers
Homemade beef and vegetable patties, presented in a fresh bread roll with baby spinach, tomato, avocado, cheese and beetroot relish.

Tuesday - Chicken stir fry
Delicately sliced & marinated strips of chicken thigh, stir fried with seasonal vegetables and served on a fluffy bed of rice.

Wednesday - Chickpea and Lentil Burgers - recipe is here.

Thursday - A selection of pre-cooked frozen meals from the cold pantry
(leftovers from the freezer)

What's for Dinner?

2007-12-10T20:11:00.000+10:30

I shop on Friday so I am a Little late in posting this. Hope Lightening gets some inspiration from this list!

Friday
Tender portions of chicken leg, marinated in a plum soy mixture and oven baked till golden.
Served with a medley of seasonal vegetables & delicate strands of egg lovingly mixed through fluffy rice with a light soy flavour. (plum marinated chicken drumsticks with fried rice)

Saturday
Organic shaped fluffy tortillas served with delicately pan fried chicken, garlic and zucchini. Presented with a platter of seasonal salad vegetables. (chicken strips, tortillas and salad)

Sunday
Tender minced beef simmered gently in a tomato and vegetable based sauce and served with a mixture of wholemeal and wheat pasta. (spaghetti bolognaise)

Monday
Delicate balls of mince, vegetables and oats pan fried and served with creamy mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables. (rissoles with mashed potato & veg)

Tuesday
Prime beef steak and gourmet sausages served with crispy oven fries and tossed salad.
(steak and sausages with chips and salad)
Wednesday
Finger sized strips of chicken, lightly crumbed in fresh breadcrumbs and pan fried. Served with cheesy potatoes baked in a creamy sauce.
(chicken schnitzel strips with cheesy potato bake)
Thursday
Gourmet home made pizzas served with your choice of toppings.
(homemade pizzas with whatever we can find)

What's cooking this week at your house?

Shoestring Sunday

2007-12-09T12:22:00.000+10:30

Things don't really seem to have slowed down since my weekend in Melbourne. The shopping was great at the DFO @ Essendon although getting there was a bit of nightmare - the closest public transport was a twenty minute walk away! I must thank Sue & Frank for putting up with me for the 3 nights/4 days and Henrietta for her hospitality and helping me get reacquainted with the Melbourne Tram network. A big thank you to Zoe's mum (Cathy) for taking me with her! It went all too quickly but it was nice to get away.

Now as the school year grows to a close I am madly doing the following:

WRAPPING Christmas presents in newspaper with cute red ribbons (not my original idea saw it under a tree on a Christmas TV special last weekend) - thought it was a nice green alternative as it will all get recycled -plus I couldn't find any recycled wrapping paper this year in the stores.

BAKING various recipes to make sure they are okay in my Christmas hampers. This past week I have made refrigerator biscuits, cookies in a jar mix and some chocolate biscuits that my family have christened "Uncle Ronnie biscuits". (Will post recipe separately).

MENU planning; again something I will post separately.

FREEZING excess cookie dough, already rolled in balls. I read this on someone Else's blog, but sorry to say I can't remember where, but it is a good way to have a nice mix of cookies; by freezing some dough from each batch you make, as well as have some on hand when you need to bake in a hurry.

READING magazines and books from the library. Mainly at this time of year Christmas themed articles. Still haven't finalised the Christmas Eve/Christmas Day menus.

OP-SHOPPING for some baskets to put my Christmas hampers in.

A few links that I thought might help over the holidays when you run out of things or have more time to make it yourself.

Make your own brown sugar by thrifty mummy.

Yummy beetroot relish courtesy of the ABC website. (This will also be going into my Christmas hampers).

Homemade pancake mix - cook breakfast in a flash or whip up a batch when visitors appear on your doorstep from the Family CEO.

Home-made crackers and cheese ball would make a great snack anytime you are entertaining over the holiday season courtesy of the Common room.

What has everyone else been up to the last few weeks? Why not share in the comments (haven't got Mr Linky working tonight) or are there some great holiday idea links you want to share on your blog?
Have a great week
-hugs-
Lis

Refrigerator Biscuits (cookies)

2007-12-09T10:00:00.000+10:30

I'm sorry I can't remember when I found this recipe, but it is simple to make and the variations are endless. I have been working through a few different recipes to test drive them prior to putting together my Christmas hampers. (Part of this years Christmas gifts).

1 cup (250g) butter or margarine
1&1/2 cups caster sugar
2 eggs
3 cups plain flour
1 tsp vanilla

Cream butter and sugar; add eggs one at a time, then flour and vanilla. Roll into 3 long snakes. (I ended up making 4 as mine were about the thickness of a 20c piece). Wrap each in alfoil (I prefer to use cling wrap) and then freeze.They will keep in the freezer for about a month.
To use: Still frozen, slice cookies off the snake onto a greased tray; bake till very pale gold @ 200C. Remove from try while still warm. Store in a sealed container when cool.

A few flavourings:
Chocolate: add 2 tbs melted chocolate to the mix.
Orange or lemon: omit the vanilla and add 2 tbs grated lemon or orange zest.
Ginger: add 1 tbs ground ginger
Jam: put a splodge of jam in the centre of each cookie
Nut: add chopped nuts - about 3/4 cup tot eh mix. They must be chopped or the mix will crumble when you are trying to slice it.
Oatmeal: substitute 1 cup rolled oats for 1 cup of flour (ginger with this variation is apparently nice too!)
Choc chip: add 1/2 cup coarsely grated chocolate - must be grated not choc chips as mix will crumble.
Coconut: add 1/2 cup of coconut; this is also good with orange zest or the jam splodge or both instead of the vanilla.

From what I have read about these types of recipes if you only refrigerate, but don't freeze the mix you can add chunkier ingredients. This would also work for the jam drop type ones as you could make the little indents int he top to make then look more like jam drops.

The longer these biscuits are in the oven, the harder they get. I found about 12 minutes was enough in my oven - keep an eye on your first batch and go from there. If you only refrigerate but don't freeze maybe try then at 180C. I'll be interested to read your feedback :)
Back to my regular blogging soon I promise!

Time Poor

2007-12-03T08:07:00.000+10:30

I can hardly believe it has already been a week since my trip to Melbourne, this time last week I was zipping up my bag and heading off to the airport. The weekend seems to go so quickly when you only have one full day off. Yesterday wasn't very productive, but was just a fun day. I spent a bit of it laying around reading a few of my overdue library items! In the afternoon we rode our bikes to the library to return my overdue items, as well as borrow some new ones. We also went into the local supermarket to pick a few items that I needed for dinner. I haven't menu planned or shopped for the week but I decided to try and use mostly what I had on hand to make dinner. I ended up making Lentil and chickpea burgers, I had frozen pre-cooked chickpea in the freezer and all the other ingredients on hand. At the supermarket I purchased a few mushrooms, an avocado and a bag of capsicums to make up a side salad/dish to have with the burgers. Given the prices of groceries keep going up I am going to try and cook at least one meat free meal per week.
Back to work this morning and I am not taking my car today or tomorrow. Bus to work and then train + a ten minute walk home. Must scoot as I have washing to hang out and need to put together some lunch!
Have a great day :)

Holidays

2007-11-22T07:57:00.000+10:30

I'm off to Melbourne very early tomorrow morning and as I am working late tonight I won't have time to post. Once I get back on Monday night I hope to be able to update you on my travels and my shopping. I'm hoping to pick up a few items of clothing for my children as part of their Christmas presents. Not planning to spend a lot of money although I think I might be drinking a few cups of coffee at lovely seaside locations and just enjoying my mini break. I'll try not to get caught up in the buy, buy, buy mentality.
Take care of all of you and if you want to participate in shoestring Sunday - Mr Linky is still open on last weeks post.
Thank you all for your lovely comments and ideas - I love reading all your blogs and thoughts.

I'll leave you with this quote from Rhonda at down to earth which is my thought for the coming week.
"Simplicity is not a tea bag, it's a pot of tea and it needs time to develop it's full flavour."

Go read the rest of her blog, if you are not already a visitor there, she is a very inspiring lady!

Menu Planning Monday, or is is Tuesday?

2007-11-20T07:54:00.000+10:30

In reality I did my menu plan on Sunday and it was quite easy as I am only here until Thursday night. On Friday morning I am flying to Melbourne with Zoe and her Mum for 4 days. Can you believe she is already 12 weeks old? I'm kind of excited but at the same time I really don't enjoy flying (I suffer really bad motion sickness), but nonetheless it will be nice to have a change of scenery.

Here is my Menu plan inspired by Lightening's restaurant style write up :

Sunday
Plum marinated pork skewers served with a selection of two gourmet salads - Modern Greek salad with sun-dried tomatoes and Orange and avocado salad in a mustardy dressing.

Monday
Tuna and avocado rice paper rolls - a hands on meal - ideal for hot weather - roll your own choice of salad, avocado and tuna slices delicately marinated in sun dried tomato and basil.

Tuesday
Tender chicken leg portions coated in a sticky marinade and rolled in lightly toasted sesame seeds. Served with lightly fried rice and a sprinkle of egg and vegetables.

Wednesday
Thai inspired flavourings season juicy balls of chicken, served with a selection of seasonal vegetables.

Thursday
Asian flavourings combine with crisp vegetables and chicken to make a cool and delectable chicken salad.

I think I need more practice at this! Hope you get a small laugh at least :)

Another Shoestring Sunday

2007-11-18T19:59:00.000+10:30

Shoestring Sunday's are a way to review my frugal/green activities for the past week and to look forward to what I might try next week.

MAKING - still working on the apron and haven't yet made my veggie bags!

REMEMBERING - to carry my zip-up shopping bag with me at all times. It takes up a little room in my handbag, but saves me so many times from bringing home another plastic bag. Also to put my "green" bags back in my car boot (trunk) as soon as I have finished unpacking the shopping.

SAYING NO - to plastic bags at the supermarket, by a small amount of rearranging my groceries they did all fit in my "green" bags I had brought from home.

MENU PLANNING - including side dishes in order to avoid wasting food. It seems I was in the
habit of buying the same fruit and veg each week, only to have odd leftovers which sometimes went bad before they got used. (see menu plan in separate post).

INVESTIGATING - Places in Adelaide that I can buy bulk items, like flour and sugar as well as looking for suitable vermin proof storage containers (also working out where to put said storage containers). Any ideas?

PRICING/investigating - Ice-cream makers. Have been thinking about it for a while as I can never quite figure out what to do with the empty containers. I would have one a month, sometimes more in summer, but given my son's limited diet it is one of the few treats he gets to have regularly. My parents are going to purchase my chosen model for me for Christmas. YAY!
Any feedback on this would be welcomed from any Aussie readers who have one - also would anyone know if Choice magazine might have a recent article I can read at the library?

BORROWING - Magazines, Books, CDs and DVDs from the library. This week we are listening to Lily Allen and watching Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen.

COOKING - New recipes for Muffins, Greek Salad & Avocado and Orange Salad.

Thank you to Artman for my fantastic new logo :) If you want to join in shoestring Sunday please feel free to take the logo and use it on your page :)

Muffins!

2007-11-15T21:19:00.000+10:30

The problem every mother faces every school day morning, what to put in the children's lunchboxes. This morning I realised I had exhausted my supply of home baked goods (with are supplemented with a few failsafe store bought items). We are in the middle of a heatwave right now so the prospect of a full on baking session was not appealing! Also next week the temperatures are soaring again.
My solution was to mix up two batches of muffins, putting them both in the oven at the same time - one sweet and one savory.
I went for a hunt on my computers hard drive to see what I could come up with - hope you like them :)

Savoury zucchini muffins

Degree of difficulty: Medium

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 15 - 25 minutes

Ingredients for muffins
150 g bacon (chopped) - I used ham as I had no bacon
1 small onion (chopped) - could also use chopped leeks
1 cup of self-raising flour
1/2 cup oil
4 eggs
1 teaspoon mustard (optional)
1/2 teaspoon paprika (optional)
2 cups grated zucchini (approx two small ones)
1 cup grated tasty cheese

Method:
1) Pre-heat a hot oven to 200C.
2) Saute bacon and onion in a non-stick fry pan.
3) Place flour, oil, eggs, mustard and paprika in bowl and mix.
4) Add grated cheese and zucchini to flour/oil mix and stir well.
5) Add slightly cooled bacon/onion mix to the rest of the muffin batter and stir well.
6) Spoon into non-stick muffin pans (of any size) but do not over-fill muffin pans.
7) Place in oven for 15 minutes (mini muffins), 20 minutes (cup-cake size muffins) or 25 minutes (large muffins).

My BF was my taste tester he rated them well and likened them to zucchini slice in a muffin :)

The second batch were sweet ones and I decided on this recipe as I had 3 aged bananas in my freezer :)

Banana and Choc Chip Muffins
Making muffins means days of quick snacks with no unnecessary packaging. Steph (our other resident Domestic Goddess) reckons these are fantastic. They can be frozen too, so you can make double and relax for a week or two.

2 ½ cups (375gm) self raising flour
½ cup (110gm) firmly packed brown sugar
½ cup (95gm) dark choc chips
1 ½ cups mashed bananas (3 large, very ripe bananas)
2/3 cup (160ml) buttermilk ( can use regular with a squeeze of lemon to thicken it)
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
½ cup (125 ml) extra light olive oil
1)Preheat oven to 200 C or 180 C fan forced.
2)Sift flour and sugar into a large bowl.
3)Stir in chocolate chips and banana, then combined milk, eggs, essence and oil.
4)Mix till just combined.Do not over stir the mixture or your muffins will be tough and will not rise sufficiently.
5)Stir gently until barely combined.
6)Spoon into large muffin pans and bake for about 20 mins.

My children taste tested these and wanted more - I have no idea who Steph is , but i thank her anyway for her great recipe :)
Both lots were baked together in the oven in about 20 mins, so the kitchen didn't get too overheated after all.
The photo above shows them all ready to be frozen (well technically not all , what the "taste testers" didn't consume!)
Notice they they are all encased in pieces of baking paper, I prefer to do this instead of greasing the tins or buying the premade muffin cases. I just cut/tear baking paper into small squares to line my muffin tins. I found the cases were expensive and some of the muffin gets stuck to them unless you also grease them. Also I don't enjoy scrubbing burnt muffin tins (the bits that always spill when you fill them). This way I have minimal clean up, plus I just remove one from the freezer as is and insert into lunchbox paper and all (instant wrapping)!
Enjoy :)

Rice bubble slice

2007-11-12T15:18:00.000+10:30

A lunchbox staple in our house and easy to melt butter and marshmallows in the microwave - no heating up the kitchen in Summer! This recipe comes from the failsafe website.

200 g of home-made marshmallows (see recipe elsewhere or 2 x 100g packets of Pascall's white marshmallows)
80 g butter or Nuttelex
4 cups rice bubbles
Measure rice bubbles and place them in a large bowl. Line a lamington/ swiss roll tray with ovenbake paper. Melt marshmallows & butter over low heat, stirring so it doesn't burn. Alternatively melt butter in microwave, add marshmallows and microwave on high for another 30 seconeds. Pour the marshmallow and butter mix onto the rice bubbles. Mix well. Tip into lined tray and press down. This may work best with a metal spoon as the mixture cools.

Shoestring Sunday!

2007-11-11T11:58:00.000+10:30

Thought I might try something new and share of few of my frugal/green ideas for the coming week. Thank you to Towards Sustainability for the inpiration to do this!

- CUTTING tubes open when I think they are empty - like my toothpaste this week. It amazes me how much more you can get out of the tube, when you think you have squeezed out every last drop.

- USING wooden pegs on my clothesline - I had some old style "dolly" pegs in my craft supplies that have now made it into my peg bag.

- MAKING
- waffles for breakfast - Yes, I also own another "maker" that makes the most lovely buttermilk waffles - they also freeze well like the donuts (for those of you who are interested) and reheat nicely in the toaster :)
- aprons for the apron swap at Down--to--Earth
- fruit and veggie bags from some netting I have left from my daughters fairy costume days
- rice bubble slice (very similar to the commercial LCM's) will post recipe later today.

- MENU PLANNING - will also post later today

What frugal/green activities have you been trying or will you try today? Do you like the idea of us all trying to post about his each week?

Instant Oats - Frugal ideas

2007-11-09T10:03:00.000+10:30

Jenn @ Frual Upstate had this idea on her blog for making your own instant oatmeal packets.
I know we used to consume a lot of these over winter and now I can make them failsafe as well so my son will be able to eat them! He loves his oats in winter!

Homemade Instant Oatmeal(Makes 8 Packets)
3 Cups Quick Cooking Oatmeal
Salt
Put 1 cup oatmeal in the blender or food processor and blend to a powder(you may want to do this 1/2 C at a time).
In each of 8 zipper style baggies 1/4 cup un-powdered oats, 2 tablespoons powdered oats, and 1/8 teaspoons salt.
To use: Empty packet into a bowl. Add 3/4 cup boiling water. Stir and let stand for2 minutes. For thicker oatmeal, use less water – for thinner oatmeal, use morewater.
You can adapt this recipe to many different flavors.
For brown sugar oatmeal add 1TBS packed brown sugar to each.
You can also add raisins, splenda, chopped dried apples, or even make a fruit and cream version by adding 1TBS powdered creamer and 2TBS dried fruit.
I am going to try a mix with some powered milk and brown sugar added to make it creamier - will let you know the outcome :)

Butterscotch Popcorn

2007-11-06T08:21:00.000+10:30

Don't blame me for this one - blame Jenny in Williamstown - she is a member in one of my Yahoo groups - we were talking about Christmas gift ideas and she made this last year along with home made cookies for all her family and friends as her homemade gifts.

The butterscotch popcorn recipe I use is the one in the Women's Weekly Original Cookbook. Easy as!! And everybody loves it.
Here it is:-
BUTTERSCOTCH POPCORN
125g popping corn
2 tablespoons oil
125g butter
2 tablespoons honey
3/4 cup sugar
In a large saucepan or frypan, heat oil until very hot.
Add corn, place lid on pan, shake pan continually until popping ceases.
Place popped corn in large bowl.
Combine honey, sugar and butter in separate pan, stir over low heat until sugar dissolves, slowly bring to boil;boil 5 minutes.
Pour syrup over popped corn and mix till corn is well coated.
Pour quickly onto well greased oven trays, cool.
Enjoy!!

She also had this to add -"You might have to make a double lot because you'll eat most of the first one yourself, I'll bet!!!!I am fighting the urge to go and make a batch myself right now!!!"

I'm also fighting the urge, but will try it on the weekend when the children are around to ~~sample~~ eat it all - so I can stick to my diet!

Honeycomb Cheesecake Slice - another family favourite

2007-11-01T22:10:00.000+10:30

Honeycomb Cheesecake Slice
2 cups plain chocolate biscuit crumbs

4 oz (125g) melted butter

1/2 cup caster sugar

1/2 cup sour cream

2 teaspoons Gelatine

1 tablespoon water

3 Violet Crumble bars (break into small bits)

2 x 8oz (250g) packets cream cheese, softened

Lightly grease 8" x 12" shallow pan, line with paper. Can also make in a springform pan. Combine biscuit crumbs and butter in a bowl and mix well. Press evenly over base of prepared pan and refrigerate for 30 mins.Beat cream cheese, sugar and sour cream until light and fluffy. Sprinkle Gelatine over water in cup, stand in small pan of simmering water, stir until dissolved and cool slightly. While beating, pour the Gelatine mixture into cream cheese. Fold in 2/3 of broken Violet Crumble. Pour the mixture over the biscuit base and refrigerate until set. Sprinkle over remaining violet crumble before serving.

Instead of the violet crumble bars I used some failsafe dark chocolate and honeycomb, which I pulsed in the food processor. The remains of this were sprinkled on top of the finished cheesecake.

Enjoy!

Take care of you

"Picture Me" meme

2007-10-31T19:15:00.000+10:30

Ali from Our Patch tagged me for the "Picture Me" MeMe.

Kate at Our Red House began this MeMe and said the following;

"The rules are simple: post a picture of yourself on your blog. As some may feel uncomfortable posting a current photo, a baby or childhood picture is fine. Post the picture, tell us the story behind it, copy the logo, and tag three others (without forgetting to tell them that they have been tagged!)"

I too, like a lot of people I know, dislike my photo being taken. This has gotten easier sometimes as I grow older - or maybe not. I chose this photo which was taken on my birthday this year (in March). I am at home in my lounge room, surrounded by my family. The birthday cake was home made by me (so my son could eat it!). It is my favourite boiled chocolate cake recipe. The photo is so typically me, always laughing on the outside - my glass is always half-full...at least!

I tag the following people:

Mandy @ Made by Mandy

Kez @ Kez's Blog

Busy woman @ A Vision Splendid

I'll try and post the cake recipe too...soon!

Healthy Hamburgers

2007-10-31T18:59:00.000+10:30

We had these last night for dinner with egg, cheese, salad/coleslaw on fresh bread rolls.

500g (approx 1lb)minced beef
1/2 leek finely sliced
1 small carrot grated
1 clove garlic crushed
1/2 zucchini (courgette) grated
1/4 quick cook oats
1/4 cup rolled oats
3tbs tomato sauce (ketchup)
1 egg

All my measurements are a bit on the approximate side - I just add a bit of everything. Mix it all together and I am sorry to say for those who don't like messy hands, it is the best way to mix it. If it seems too sloppy add a few more oats. I have a hamburger press so I normally get 8 good sized burgers from this mixture. You can also shape by hand or make into smaller rissoles/meatballs and serve with a side salad instead of in burger rolls like I did.
Cook as you would any other burgers. They will tend to brown quite well due to the tomato sauce (ketchup) in them.

Hope you like them, the oats give them a slightly nutty flavour and all the hidden vegetables are good for children too!

take care of you.

Donuts!

2007-10-28T22:23:00.000+10:30

One of the blogs I enjoy reading is Lightening's and I noticed recently she had a dig through her appliance cupboard. Among all her makers was a donut maker. I noted in the comment that she most likely didn't have the recipe anymore and I would happily supply it if she didn't. I use mine about once a month, make a double batch and freeze the leftovers for lunchbox treats! Since they are baked not fried the fat levels aren't too bad :) Also since there are so many commercially made products that my DS can't eat it is nice to make him things that are special! So here is the recipe for everyone else who also has one in their cupboard or finds a bargain at a garage sale and no instruction book.
(If you have a local Black and Decker factory outlet they retail for about $16.)

Basic Donut Mixture

1 cup SR flour
1/4 cup caster sugar
pinch bicarbonate of soda
1 egg, lightly beaten
3/4 cup milk
20g butter, melted

1. Sift dry ingredients in a bowl
2. Make a well in the centre, gradually stir in the egg and milk.
3. Fold in melted butter and stir until mixture is smooth and creamy.
4. Allow to stand for 10 minutes before using.
5. Cook doughnuts, being careful no to spoon to much mixture into each mould.
6. Toss while still warm in cinnamon sugar or leave to cool and decorate with glace icing.

Glace Icing

1/2 cup pure sifted icing sugar
2-3 tsp water, or fruit juice
2-3 drops food colouring (optional)

1. Combine icing sugar and water or juice in a medium bowl.

2. Add food colour if desired and stir until well combined.

3. Place bowl over a pan of simmering water, stirring until icing is smooth and glossy.

4. Remove from the heat. Use as required.
Variation:

For chocolate glace icing, add 1 tbs of cocoa to the dry ingredients and substitute water for 1 tbs milk.

Suggested toppings:
100's and 1000's
coloured sprinkles
silver cachous
coconut
grated chocolate
coloured sugar
crushed nuts

Take care of you!

Orange Cordial

2007-10-28T17:00:00.000+10:30

In my attempts to make it from scratch as well as keep my grocery prices down, today I made some orange cordial from Rhonda's recipe @ down to earth. Also interestingly today she posted about her jar collection and funnily enough my cordial is normally stored in recycled glass bottles from the tomato puree I use in cooking. They are the perfect size to ensure my DS doesn't pour too much in or pour too much on the bench! (Is it all boys that are messy?)

Having tasted both I think I might prefer the lemon cordial myself, but then I am a bit of lemon fan anyway :)

Take care of you.

Chicken & Pear Salad with Tarragon dressing

2007-10-22T08:00:00.000+09:30

Made this last night for tea since although it is only spring we have already had very warm summery weather.
Loosely based on a recipe from Australian Good Taste magazine.
The dressing was really nice and even though I didn't have any tarragon this time it was still nice without it!

serves 4
Salad
oil spray
2 (about 500g) single chicken breast fillets, sliced into about 4 strips each
1 green oak leaf lettuce (or other fancy variety - just not iceberg), washed, dried, torn
1 large ripe pear, quartered, cored and thinly sliced (tossed in extra OJ to stop it browning)
50g sprouts (I just grabbed a handful of snow pea and mustard ones)
1/2 large cucumber, peeled, split & de-seeded then sliced into crescents
1 punnet cherry/grape tomatoes, sliced into halves
You could also add celery, watercress and parsley to this mixture if you wish)

dressing
2tbs fresh orange juice
1tbs balsamic vinegar (white makes the dressing prettier, but I only have the brown one)
1tbs olive oil
1tbs chopped fresh tarragon (optional)
2tsp mustard
1tsp honey

1. Spray pan with oil spray, and heat adding strips of chicken. Cook until lightly browned on the outside and cooked through. Set aside for 5 minutes to rest then slice into thin slices across the grain.
2. While chicken is browning prepare all the other salad ingredients and gently toss to combine. Mix salad dressing in a jar, jug or shaker.
3. Add the chicken to the salad and pour over the dressing. Gently toss to combine. Serve immediately.
Enjoy!
Take care of you

My families favourite biscuits (this week)

2007-10-20T19:23:00.000+09:30

Double choc chip cookies
Makes about 30

INGREDIENTS
• 125g butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• ¾ cup caster sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
• 1 egg
• 1½ cups self raising flour
• ½ cup Cadbury Bourneville Cocoa
• ¾ cup Cadbury Dark Chocolate Chips
1. Preheat oven to 160ºC.
2. Cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy.
3. Mix in vanilla essence and egg.
4. Stir in flour and Cadbury Bourneville Cocoa.
5. Add Cadbury Dark Chocolate Chips.
6. Place teaspoons of mixture on greased baking tray and bake in moderate oven for 10-15 minutes.

Made these last week - recipe is on the Cadbury website or currently printed on the back of the Cadbury Dark Chocolate chips.
My children couldn't get enough and several people I work with thought they looked like bought ones! Still not sure if that is a good or a bad thing? One workmate also loved the fact they are crunchy on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside.
Do you have a favourite biscuit/cookie recipe?

All the small things...

2007-10-20T17:29:00.000+09:30

If you think you're too small to have an impact, try going to bed with a mosquito - Anita Roddick

It seems time has gotten away from me again and here it is two weeks without blogging! Thank you Jo for reminding me it has been a a while - I know you will be reading this :)

Life seems to be so many small things that seem to take up so much time. Sometimes I long to return to a simpler life where things passed more slowly.

Is it that we have less time or that we just try to pack too much in?

At the moment I have a few friends who are pregnant and I have been invited to two baby showers on the same day, at opposite ends of town. Fortunately the times overlap so I will be able to attend both. Common sense would have me attend only one, or none. In fact strangely I have never attended a baby shower before and now I get invited to two on the one day. Go figure?

Two of the girls having babies are people I have worked with so one of the projects a workmate and I tried was a nappy (diaper) wreath. Yes, it is basically a ring of disposable nappies(diapers) decorated with ribbons, toys and items for the baby. Unfortunately none of the girls were keen on the idea of cloth nappies (diapers), but you can make these items with the cloth versions if you know the receiver will use them!

We loved the first one so much we then made another. I still have a third gift to make so I am unsure whether to make another one or a nappy(diaper) cake. I still have a week to get my act together on that one :)

My apologies for the picture quality as they were taken with a mobile phone! Can you guess the sexes of the babies?

If you want to try this at home try this link for a diaper cake or this for the wreath.

Take care of you.

Ironing...

2007-10-07T18:01:00.000+09:30

Ironing would have to be my least favourite task but today I tackled it. Two hours later my ironing area looked like this (sorry I forgot tot ake the before shot!). I loaded up my ipod with some boppy dance type music and danced my way through the piles! Try it yourself, it certainly made the time pass faster and I also got to listen to a few of my favourite tunes! I keep smiling as I walk past the empty space! Do you have a task that you really don't enjoy?

Napkin Swap

2007-10-04T16:32:00.001+09:30

Today I received these gorgeous Napkins and a delightful watercolour from the lovely Heather who lives in the U.S. - she was my partner in the napkin swap organised by Rhonda @ Down to Earth. I felt thrilled that I received something so beautiful and well made. Thank you Heather, you really made me smile!
Take care of you.

Powdered milk and other gems...

2007-09-29T20:56:00.000+09:30

Why is it some weeks just fly by and I feel like I am chasing my tail? The past week has been like this and now school holidays have started here it will probably just snowball for a while.
I did manage to shop and menu plan so here it is (I didn't quite manage two weeks as I wasn't feeling creative enough for more than that).

1. Spaghetti Bolognaise
2. Roast Pork & Veggies (in my new-to-me webber kettle bbq)
3. chicken schnitzel & potato bake (family favourite)
4. chicken wraps and salad
5. salmon, prawns and chips
6. homemade hamburgers
7. roast beef (in the slow cooker)
8. fried rice
9. Moroccan chicken with cous cous
10. rissoles and veggies

I have been making the tortilla recipe from A Vision Splendid to use as our home made wraps. Go on you know you want to try them. They are so easy! I find it make 6 good size wraps, which don't fall apart as you are trying to eat them! Plus they are very frugal to make. My short cut tip is: I make up some powdered milk with hot water, measure what I need and refrigerate the rest - this way I don't have to heat the milk to make them.
Powdered milk is something I have been making up regularly. I tend to use it mostly in cooking, although I have been trying to get my son to drink it as well since he seems to have several glasses of milk a day. It is so much cheaper than fresh milk and if you are only using it in cooking you won't notice the difference in taste.
Here are some hints about using powdered milk.
Did you know you could make your own low-fat milk?
Just mix together regular milk with skim milk powder and water. Mixing equal parts of each will give a milk with 2% fat.
If you are using powdered milk in recipes this might help as well -
2 tablespoons powder and 1 cup of water = 1 cup milk
1 cup powder and 1 litre of water = 1 litre of milk
Thought I might finish off with a fast & frugal recipe - using powdered milk - haven't tried this yet but will report back in a few days when I have.

Fast Fruit and Nut Slice
DOUGH
1 cup SR flour
1 cup wholemeal SR flour
1/4 cup skim milk powder
2 tbsp vegetable oil
3/4 - 1 cup water

Gradually add oil and water to dry ingredients and mix to a soft dough. Spread the dough into a lightly greased lamington tray.

TOPPING
1 cup raisins
1 cup sultanas
1/2 cup crushed nuts
grated rind and juice of 1 orange

Combine topping ingredients and spread over dough. Bake in oven at 200c for about 20 minutes. Cut into 24 pieces. Serve while still warm.
Enjoy!
Take care of you.

Busy week...

2007-09-23T17:04:00.000+09:30

Well it seems it has been a few days since I have managed to put any thoughts down here. My sister was visiting earlier this week form Darwin so that meant I spent most of my free time with her. We also had soccer presentations, Dinner with baby Zoe and her family (Friday night), work all day followed by another fabulous Scrap and Salad at Mandy's on Saturday night. Today on Sunday i had a far too leisurely morning (meaning I got nothing done - apart from folding and putting away some washing). Lunch today was a social club function at a seaside all-you-can-eat restaurant. It was a pleasant afternoon with good food and good company. The problem of course with all-you-can-eat establishments is that you always eat too much. The up side i guess is I won't be cooking or eating dinner tonight! The other problem is since I have3 done very little for most of the day I really don't feel like starting anything now! How does everyone else keep themselves motivated at the end of a long day, when there are still chores to be done?

More recent Zoe pic

2007-09-14T21:39:00.000+09:30

And now for something with no added sugar!

2007-09-14T21:31:00.000+09:30

My boyfriend saw this today on Ellen, I had to see it to believe it!

Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding with Butter Rum Sauce

2 dozen Krispy Kreme donuts

1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated)

2 (4.5-ounce) cans fruit cocktail (undrained)

2 eggs, beaten

1 (9-ounce) box raisins

1 pinch salt

1 or 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Butter Rum Sauce, recipe follows
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.Cube donuts into a large bowl. Pour other ingredients on top of donuts and let soak for a few minutes. Mix all ingredients together until donuts have soaked up the liquid as much as possible.Bake for about 1 hour until center has jelled. Top with Butter Rum Sauce.

Butter Rum Sauce:

1 stick butter

1 pound box confectioners' sugar

Rum, to taste

Melt butter and slowly stir in confectioners' sugar. Add rum and heat until bubbly. Pour over each serving of Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding.

Apricot and Ginger Muffins - Feedback

2007-09-14T21:23:00.000+09:30

Well in my travesl today a number of people taste tested the muffins. I got good reaction when they were still warm, but once they had cooled they were a bit on the dry side. My verdict is that I will make them again and maybe add some sultanas or other dried fruit. I would also chop the fruit up a little. As I used my home preserved apricots (which are softer than the tinned ones) they did still tend to clump a bit.

Apricot and Ginger Muffins

2007-09-14T08:38:00.000+09:30

Thought I would try and make these today - have a couple of people to visit so will make a double batch and take a few on my travels.
Recipe is from the ABC radio (Australia) backyard recipe finder. One of my fave sites for finding quick and easy recipes. Will update tonight and let you know if this one is a keeper! Will use up some of my home preserved apricots instead of the tinned ones.
Here it is

Apricot & Ginger Muffins

Serves Six
Degree of difficulty: Medium
You need:1 cup self raising flour
1/2 cup wholemeal self raising flour
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ginger
1/3 cup brown sugar
200gr tinned apricot halves, drained
1 egg
3/4 cup skim milk
2 tbs honey
Method:Pre-heat oven to 180 degrees.Mix dry ingredients in a bowl, fold through apricots. In a separate bowl mix wet ingredients and add to dry ingredients, don't over mix. Spray muffin tray with a little oil, fill tray and bake for 12-15 mins until cooked. Cool on a wire rack.

Greener Living

2007-09-13T21:35:00.000+09:30

Thank you to Rhonda and all the ladies who post on her blog, for reminding me of all the things we can do/are doing to help make our lives greener. In response to her post of what will you do here is my list:
- using fabric shopping bags @ the supermarket
- having a bucket in the shower to catch the water before it heats up (about 4l per shower)
- having empty cordial bottles in my kitchen that I fill with the 3-4l before the hot water comes through - this is used for drinking, rinsing and filling the kettle - if all 6 bottles are full it is used in the washing machine or to water plants.
- bucketing the rinse water from the washing machine onto the garden (today I purchased a diverter hose to make it easier)
- not owning a clothes dryer - I have a fold down line under my verandah that most of the washing gets hung on. In winter if it is too damp I hang it inside in the lounge room where there is a heater.
- from a young age I have "nagged" my children into turning off lights and appliances (tv, vcr, dvd) when they are not being used - and to not leave those little standby lights on either!
-replacing ordinary globes with energy efficient globes when they stop working.
- removing the diffusers from most of said lights so I can get more light from said bulbs, has also meant I can use lower wattage.
- recycling as much as I can.
- buying goods with the least amount of packaging.
- making my own liquid laundry detergent (see post here)

I'm sure there are a lot of other things I do which will come to me later. I'm posting this quote directly from Rhonda's blog...
"So today my friends, I want you to commit to your change. I want you step up today and decide that even if you haven't done anything yet for your planet, and especially if you have, today I want you to tell me in the comments box what small step will start or continue you along the road to a greener life. I want you to tell me about your change and how it will affect your life. Please don't close this blog down now and walk away. Today is the day when instead of just knowing that something needs to be done, you start doing it.
I want every one of you to email this post to a friend so we can get a million small steps happening. I want you to help me tell as many people as possible that we are doing this. And, most of all, I want to know what you will do."
My commitment this month is to make some re-usable mesh bags for my fruit and veggies to be weighed in and no longer take home the plastic bags. I am also going to try and use my new diverter hose as much as possible, which might mean I have to spend a bit more time in the laundry, but so be it.
So what will you do? Leave me a comment and send the message to all your friends!

You Make me smile award

2007-09-11T19:19:00.000+09:30

Lib over at Lib's Private Paradise has given me an award.Thank you Lib and I feel humbled to think you are inspired by my blog.
Don't actually know the origins of this award, but apparently I can pass this on to as many or as few other Bloggers that make me smile. Please take the badge and wear it with honor and keep doing what you are doing because each and everyone of you "MAKE ME SMILE" !!!
Ooh where to start I read so many fascinating blogs these days...but I will go back to a few of the original blogs I stumbled upon these ladies never cease to amaze me with their posts and make me smile with their thoughts, posts and wonderful photographs.
Jewels at Eyes of Wonder
Rhonda at Down to Earth
Busy Woman at A Vision Splendid

Thank you ladies and hope you wear your badges with honour :)

Home preserved

2007-09-03T09:03:00.000+09:30

Well it seems it has been over a week since I last posted on here. It is amazing how one night of virtually no sleep can throw your body out of rhythm. I am finally starting to feel normal and get my household routines back in place. First on my agenda is to hang some washing, but my other task for today is to move my jars of preserved fruit to a new cupboard. Last year I was fortunate to get plums and apricots from friends' trees and some cheap nectarines from the local market. All these were dutifully "bottled" using my new Fowlers Vacola preserving unit (basically it is a large plastic barrel with a heating element in it). There are quite a few good websites out there with instructions on using them, so I won't bore you with the details. A few of the sites I refer to for help & parts are Bake and Brew and Green Living Australia. Rhonda is also going to be posting about preserving over the next few motns so keep an eye on her blog too! Or just use Google. I'll also post as I manage to do more preserving.
Anyway the washing machine is beeping to say it is finished so off I go to start my day! Hope you have a productive day and take care of you.

It's a Girl!

2007-08-27T09:48:00.000+09:30

Above is a picture of me nursing her at about 10 minutes old :)
Baby Zoe arrived at 2.55 am this morning, weighing 3.320kg. She is 49cm long with a good head of strawberry blonde hair! Mum was only in labour for 2hrs and 45 minutes and a totally natural birth. Both Mum and Baby are doing well!
Welcome little girl!
Take care of you

Waiting...

2007-08-26T09:10:00.000+09:30

I have spent the last few days waiting for a phone call. My best friends baby has still not arrived, seems she is not in a hurry to leave her warm watery home and frankly who would be? If nothing happens today she is booked into to be induced tomorrow. The wonderful people I work with have been great in allowing me to call them if I needed to leave work, even on their day off! Fortunately I haven't had to do this, but I want to say thank you anyway for your support and understanding. Rest assured you guys will be one of the first I ring :)

I have a few errands to run this morning, part of Sarah's bed had cracked so I need to drive back to the place of purchase to get the part exchanged.
The other night I managed to pick up some winter school tracksuit pants for Sarah for $7.50 a pair. I am going past one of the other stores in the same chain this morning to see if I can get another few pairs. The normal retail price is $25 - so they are good buying at $7.50! I am getting them a size bigger for next year :)
I do tend to buy plain items like jeans, t-shirts, windcheaters at the end of the season on sale, a size bigger ready for next winter! I do find it saves me money and I am very selective about what I buy, especially since my children are becoming more "fashion conscious" as they get older. I think as I said before the trick is to pick up the plainer items.
take care of you.

2007-08-25T08:26:00.000+09:30

Seems I missed this one a few days ago...Kez has awarded me the "schmooze" award!

This award was created by Danielle at Pink Reviews with the help of Mike at Things by Mike.

The award was created to:"recognize those people that were exceptionally adept at creating relationships with other bloggers by making an effort to be part of a conversation, as opposed to a monologue".

Thank you Kez! I like being able to leave comments on other peoples blogs and I really enjoy the feedback I get as well. I love reading the thoughts of my blogger "friends". Thank you all for sharing you lives and thoughts with me. I suspect most of you out there already have this award so I'll hunt around for the next few days to see who I can award it to!

take care of you.

Homemade cleaning products

2007-08-23T16:51:00.000+09:30

Thank you to Rhonda for posting the "recipes" for these wonderfully green and inexpensive cleaning products on her blog. I have to admit I was initially disappointed with the laundry "powder" I made up on the weekend. It was a very easy recipe, but obviously my washing machine water is too cold or it doesn't agitate enough to fully dissolve the soap flakes. Or it could be my box of soap flakes is old and a lot harder than they should be...I had to end up re-rinsing my first dark load to remove the soap flakes (No, I didn't use too much in fact I might have even been a bit stingy!) After my initial disappointment I found if I dissolved it first in hot or boiling water and added this to the machine it was fine.
But I am not the only one who washes in my house. So I decided to try making up the laundry liquid recipe instead. Given that I already had the ingredients mixed and in the same ratios I basically just scooped out 2 cups of my powder mix and dissolved it in hot water and brought it to the boil on the stove. Then I followed the rest of the instructions. I now have 10l of homemade laundry liquid ready to launch on my washing. I did the first load last night and it seems to have worked out okay!

I also have stored it in some recycled plastic bottles from milk and cordial. To me it will be more manageable that way. According to Rhonda's calculations it works out to $1.80 roughly for 10l - you can't argue with that price. In my mind the best part is knowing exactly the ingredients as well with no overpowering fragrances.

If you are game give the recipes a try...you might just be surprised!

Take care of you

Leftovers...

2007-08-20T21:58:00.001+09:30

Seems we always have some of these in our house and i would rather use them up than throw them out. Yogurt is always one of those things that I tended to buy in the supermarket when it was marked down, but then it would get to the use by date before we managed to eat it all.
I found this recipe that helps to use up the excess of yoghurt as well as the one or two apples in the fruit bowl that no-one seems to want. I made a double batch of these today to use up said items, including 400ml of easiyo Greek yoghurt. I also added in the remains of a packet of frozen berries as the yoghurt was plain and an extra tablespoon of sugar.

Fruit and Yoghurt Muffins
makes 12 muffins

2 cups SR flour
1/2 tsp cinnamon
pinch salt
1/2 cup brown sugar
200g tub flavoured yoghurt
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/2 cup olive oil
1 1/2 cups chopped fruit (pear, apples)
cinnamon sugar (optional)
1. Preheat oven to 180°C. Grease a 12 hole standard muffin tin.
2. Sift flour, cinnamon, sugar and salt into a large bowl.
3. Make a well in the centre. Add yoghurt, egg and oil. Stir until mixture has nearly come together. Add fruit and stir a couple of more times. Mixture should be quite lumpy.
4. Bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.
5. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar if desired.

I have even substituted tinned (drained) fruit in these and they still taste great.
Not overly sweet but just right.

As far as the yoghurt goes I have started to make my own and must thank Crazy mumma for her simple instructions.

"In traditional yoghurt making, the milk is heated to just below boiling point to kill off the "bad" bacteria, then cooled to "blood temperature" or around 38-44'C, and the starter culture is added. Keeping the mixture at this temperature for a period of time then forms the yoghurt.

The Easiyo yoghurt maker gets around this by using a powdered milk and starter culture mixture, where the "bad" bacteria has been killed off by heat treatment already. Using UHT milk and a starter, in theory, is the same process, as the UHT process also kills off the "bad" bacteria. So I tried this out last night and ended up with fabulous, thick homemade yoghurt this morning! Success!
My recipe was:
1 litre organic UHT milk
2 dessertspoons powdered milk to thicken
2 dessertspoons biodynamic plain yoghurt.
I mixed the yoghurt and powdered milk together with a small amount of UHT milk until it was smooth and then added it to the rest of the milk in the Easiyo container and mixed well. I then added boiling water to the thermos, sealed and let it sit for 14 hours (overnight). This morning I put it in the fridge and tried it this afternoon after it had cooled - it is a lovely thick yoghurt that is difficult to distinguish from the Jalna yoghurt I bought last night! Very happy :-)"

I didn't have organic so I just used the skim UHT milk I bought on special last week along with skim milk powder I already had. I used some yoghurt from the last batch of Easiyo that I had left. After doing a bit of reading I may well buy some plain bio dynamic yoghurt just to make sure my next batch has a good start in life. In total my litre of yoghurt cost me about $1.05.

All up a productive day.
Off to get my beauty sleep.
Take care of you.

To market, to market...

2007-08-19T21:09:00.000+09:30

After a yummy breakfast of french toast with berries and cream (Yes! I didn't make pancakes this morning.)

We headed off to check out the markets at Gepps Cross. For those who don't live in Adelaide they are held on the grounds of a drive-in theatre. My children were quite surprised at the idea of an outdoor cinema where you cold sit in your car. Both have asked if we can go one evening, I'll have to find a suitable movie that we might all enjoy and perhaps we shall.

It makes me seem old to remember that it was at the drive-in we saw all our movies. I can even remember going there as a young child, it was family friendly there would be a children's film on first then interval (where everyone lined up at the snack bar) and then as the children all fell asleep they would screen a film for the parents. On hot nights in Darwin we would sit out the front of the combi van on our bean bags and enjoy the warm evenings. I don't know how often we went but I can remember going quite often, but then there really wasn't a lot else to do on a Saturday night in Darwin.

Anyway enough reminiscing and back to the markets. There was quite a crowd to get in and the stalls are very closely packed together. About half the market is trash and treasure with the remainder being fruit and veg. i also saw people wandering around with bunches of flowers so i presume there was also a flower stall or two. I think we walked around for nearly an hour in total by which time my 11yr old had enough. In this time I managed to get through about half of what was there.

Knowing your prices in your local stores is always a bonus before you go and so everything i bought was less or equivalent to the prices in my local fruit and veg shops.

I got Bananas for $2.99kg; baby zucchini, red capsicum, Lebanese cucumbers & broccoli were all $2kg; baby eggplants $4kg, 5kg potatoes $2.50, 4 avocados for $1, bunch of celery $1, salad mix (leaves) $12.00kg ($1.20 per 100g), strawberries $2.80 punnet, blood oranges $1kg, sweet potato $1.49kg, leeks $2.50 lge bunch of 3. That was all my bargains for the day. i also bought some local (Adelaide Hills) Corella pears - I absolutely love these pears - they were $4 a kg but were so lovely and fresh I had to have them.

I will absolutely be going back as the prices were so good and everything seemed so fresh. They also seemed to have many bulk purchases available but as our car was a fair way away and the children were tired I didn't get to take advantage of any of these. I did see what looked like 10kg bags of oranges for $5 which would be great if you had a juicer! I also saw bulk bags of red capsicums and a lot of people seemed to be buying them so they mush have been a good price.

I'm planning to head back next weekend and hopefully get at least one of my friends to come with me. I might also talk to them about doing a few bulk purchases and then splitting them, which would make the prices even better! A veggie co-op of sorts:)

It has been a long day, so I am taking an early mark tonight :)

take care of you.

Doubly Awarded!

2007-08-16T22:37:00.000+09:30

It seems I have received this award from both Rhonda and Kez and upon reading about it I feel honoured that my little blog has been awarded :)

The award was started by Bella-Enchanted

"This award will be awarded to those that are just nice people, good blog friends and those that inspire good feelings and inspiration! Those that care about others that are there to lend support or those that are just a positive influence in our blogging world! I am naming this award the Nice Matters Blog Award I will begin my naming a few of those that I feel deserve this award and I would like for those awarded to name 7 others."

Thank you both :)) It is lovely to feel like a "good blog friend" !

And now to pass on the warm fuzzies to a few more people...

Willow at Contemplating Change
Crazy Mumma
Vanessa at Green as a Thistle
Mrs Pivec at Go lightly Palace
Busy Woman at A Vision Splendid

Oh and i can't find any others who I regularly read who have not been awarded as yet!
That reminds me that I need to update my list of favourite blogs.
Take care of you.

Happy Birthday Sarah

2007-08-15T22:51:00.000+09:30

Is it only me or do all mothers reminisce on their children's birthdays. I can remember the day she was born and the first time I held her in my arms. It's hard to believe sometimes how grown up she is, but it was 14 years ago after all...

From all reports she had a nice day at school and on Saturday we will be going to one of the local pubs for lunch and birthday cake with 5 of her best friends. I'm sure I'll feel like the inevitable fish out of water, but I love meeting and interacting with her friends. Things seem a lot more complicated nowadays, than they were when I was 14. I just re-read that last sentence and now I am starting to feel old...

Anyway enough about me...Happy Birthday Darling Sarah!
Take care of you.

Slow Cookers

2007-08-13T08:27:00.000+09:30

Thanks to Michelle who asked about using her slow cooker, I thought I would post a few instructions that I was given from the Aussie Slow Cookers Yahoo group. They have some great recipes in their files and hopefully you can follow the link here. If not I will post a few of my favourite recipes over the next few days.

In terms of "Dry roasting" in the slow cooker it couldn't be easier. Basically I take my frozen roast (yes, frozen)and place it in the slow cooker on either a bed of potatoes, onions or foil balls. This allows the roast to steam in the juices and leaves the meat very moist. Also be raising it up off the bottom of the pot it is not in direct contact with the heat and so you don't get a burnt bottom. If you don't feel comfortable with putting it in frozen then by all means thaw it first, but I never do and most of the girls on the slow cooker group don't either. I have cooked chickens, roast beef, legs of lamb and many pieces of pork this way. You can marinate the meat as well or add flavours to the bottom of the dish with the potatoes etc.

From frozen I normally cook it on high for a few hours and then switch it down to low. If I am going out all day I just leave it on low all day. If your slow cooker is new I would suggest that you try it on a day you are at home so you can work out how quickly it cooks in your particular brand. It does vary between brands and the new slow cookers do cook things faster then their vintage cousins. hence older ones are highly sought after by slow cooker addicts!

Will post more info in the next few days but right now I must head off to work! Please leave any questions in the comments or if you would like me to write about a particular recipe/method please ask.
Take care of you :)

Update

2007-08-12T20:38:00.000+09:30

It has been a few days since I wrote anything here, but rest assured I have been a busy little beaver. I did my menu planning for the next fortnight and it goes something like this:
1. spaghetti bolognaise
2. chicken schnitzel
(these two are my children's favourites so they are part of any fortnightly plan)
3. marinated drumsticks with cous cous
4. corned beef
5. burgers
6. roast pork (dry roasted in slow cooker)
7. salmon
8. beef pies
9.home made pizza
10. hearty beef casserole (from last f/nights menu that we didn't get to make for some reason)
11. green chicken curry
12. soup or toasted s/w

Why you ask are there only 12 dinner items when there are 14 meals to be prepared. Saturday night just gone we had a "scrap and salad" at my friend Mandy's house. 6 hours of scrapbooking with a roast lamb, salad and jacket potato to sustain us for the evening :) Also this coming week is my daughters birthday so we have a family dinner that night, which this year is at her Dad's house. I do have to make a cake appear but i am sure I will manage something :)

My back is recovering nicely, although I still need to get better at all the exercises my physio has given me! I did some house work today and then threw together a batch of muffins from the recipe on Rhonda's blog. I was expecting my best friend, her sister and parents over for afternoon tea so I wanted to have something warm and inviting. They were so good that there are none left! So none to photgraph...sorry....Did I say they were good?

Pancakes & more pancakes!

2007-08-09T19:57:00.000+09:30

Here by request is my "fluffy" pancakes recipe.
I will freely admit it is a recipe mostly in my head, created with lots of trial and error over the years.
The measurements are all approximate. The vinegar is essential as it helps the pancakes be fluffy!

Lisa's Pancakes

Ingredients
2 1/2 cups SR flour
3 tbsp sugar
1 1/2 cups milk + 1/2 cup extra
2 tsp vinegar
2 eggs

Method
Mix the vinegar into the 1 1/2 cups of milk and leave to sit for a few minutes. Then add all the other ingredients. Add extra milk gradually until the batter is runny but not too thin. You may have some milk remaining. Don't overmix the batter or you will have flat pancakes!

Drop tablespoons into a heated frying pan. Once bubbles stop breaking turn over. Repeat.
Keep warm until all are made. Serve with cream and any other toppings.These are also great cold.

I first made this recipe at my friend Cathy's house - we were all trying to eat low GI at that time. Sorry to say I didn't write down the name of the recipe book.
Everytime I make this I never seem to have the dried fruit, but I have found they are just as yummy without it.

Low-carb oat pancakes

Ingredients
1 cup oats
2 cups (500ml) buttermilk
1/2 cup (75g) dried fruit
1/2 cup (75g) plain flour
2 tsp sugar
1 tsp bicarb
1 egg
2 tsp butter (melted)
low fat milk

Method
Soak first two ingredients for ten minutes.
Add remaining ingredients (excluding milk). Leave sit for up to an hour.
Add milk to thin slightly and then spoon about a tbsp at a time into a heated pan.
Serve warm with favourite pancake toppings. If you omit the dried fruit they are yummy with berries and low-fat yogurt and a drizzle of maple syrup!

This is my final recipe that I love, these are really light and fluffy and you can make them with or without the blueberries. This one is from the Dairy Farmers Buttermilk carton.

Buttermilk & Blueberry Pancakes

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups self-raising flour
2tbsp castor sugar
375ml buttermilk
1 tsp finely grated orange rind
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 tbsp melted butter
1 cup blueberries

Method
Sift flour into a bowl. Add sugar, buttermilk, egg and butter. Beat with a wooden spoon until batter is smooth. Add blueberries and orange rind and stir to combine. Pre-heat a non-stick oiled frying pan over medium heat. Cook pancakes for approx 1-2 minutes or until bubbles appear in the uncooked batter. Then turn the pancake over and cook for a further 1-2 minutes or until golden. Enjoy immediately or keep warm in a pre-heated oven. Serve with fresh lemon juice or maple syrup.

Take care of you.

Frugal Subversive Award!

2007-08-07T20:06:00.000+09:30

Wow! Can I just say that I am honoured that Lightening nominated me for a Frugal Subversive Award that was begun by Rhonda Jean . Thank you Rhonda Jean for starting the award in an effort to raise awareness and thank you so much Lightening for your lovely words about my blog. I promise to post some pancake recipes for you in the next few posts :)

Now it's my turn to pass on the award to 3 bloggers who I think are deserving of the award. There are so many great blogs out there it is hard to choose just 3 but here it goes:

My first nomination goes to Kez who like the rest of us trying to simplify her life whilst juggling work, motherhood and CEO of her home. I love her honesty and her posts about the guilt of being a working mother really strike a chord with me. I also love her reading list of "posts-I-like".

Secondly I'd like to nominate Kate whose blog Our red house has the words "ordinary things, simple things, beautiful things" as part of her heading. Her blog brings back lots of memories of my own childhood and I love the vintage items she manages to post about on her blog. Keep bringing out the nostalgia Kate!

My final nomination goes to Mrs Pivec at Golightly Place. I've been inspired by her efforts to get her children menu planning and cooking meals for the family. I knew I had met a kindred spirit when I read this:

"When my children arrived on the planet, I just assumed that craft supplies were vital to life, and so I have always had them. I mean, I had them even before they arrived, of course, but once they were on the scene, I would now have two little ones to do crafts with me!"

Thank you Mrs Pivec for making me smile :) Lots!

And here is a copy of the original notes that go with the award so you know what to do next:

If you are given an award and want to take part in this meme, you can in turn select three other bloggers who have inspired you to be a frugal subversive.
Passing the rules on with the award will make it easier for everyone to participate.
Congratulations on the award. I hope it helps you spread awareness near and far.
MEME RULES
1. When you are tagged, write a post with links to three blogs who have inspired you with their frugal creativity or innovation.
2. In your post, please link back to this post so that people can easily find the exact origin of the meme and save the award graphic.
3. Leave a comment or message for the bloggers you’re tagging, so they they know they're received the award.
4. Display the Frugal Subversive Award badge to identify your blog as part of the movement that is turning its back on consumerism at any cost.

Now I am off to post on these lovely ladies blogs to let them know they are nominated:)
Please go visit and read what they have to say. There are more I would have picked, but I had to choose only three this time.
take care of you.

Blondies

2007-08-06T19:33:00.000+09:30

No I'm not talking about the 80's rock sensation, or the fact that I do have blonde moments!

This is another in my series of "family favourite" recipes. I can't lay claim to inventing it...it comes from the fedup website. It was one of the first recipes I tried when we went failsafe.

They are called blondies because they are like brownies, but without the cocoa!

BLONDIES

2 cups of flour
2 tsp of baking powder
1/2 cup of butter (125g)
2 cups of packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1/2 tsp of vanilla (optional)

1/4 tsp sea salt

failsafe carob buttons (optional) final step.
Grease a 13x9x2 inch (35x22x5cm) baking pan. Combine flour, baking powder and sea salt. Melt butter, remove from heat. Stir in sugar. Add eggs and vanilla. Stir till combined. Stir mixed dry ingredients (and carob buttons, if desired) into sugar mixture. Spread in pan. Bake in a 180’C (350’F) oven 20 to 25 minutes. Cut into bars while warm.

My children don't like the carob buttons on them, plain is just as nice! Yes, they will be quite soft in the middle, how soft is up to you. I normally got 25 -30 minutes in my oven. You might need to adjust times to suit your oven.

Today I found the birthday bed, yesterday we found the doona cover and sheets. So it seems the birthday gifts are all organised. Now we just have to organise the celebrations. We will share this one as she is at her Dad's house on her actual birthday, so as it our tradition he will cook her chosen meal. As for her celebration with friends, she want to go out to dinner with a few girlfriends, not sure what else she has in mind, but I am sure we will figure it out...soon I hope!

I now hav ea glut of lemons from my parents who pruned back their tree on the weekend. Tomorrow perhaps I will try and make some lemon cordial.

take care of you.

Traditions

2007-08-05T21:50:00.000+09:30

One of the things I enjoy doing with my children is creating family traditions. Special things we do as a family that will hopefully create some lasting memories. Sunday morning is pancakes (or more correctly pikelets) for breakfast. Rarely a Sunday passes where we don't have them. My 11yr old DS even has a go sometimes. This morning he helped to pour and flip, but of course as soon as the plate was filling up he was off to eat.

For such a skinny thing he has a good appetite.

Here is a picture of his breakfast, (which he cooked) and I actually got him to pause long enough to let me take a photo. Yes, that is ice cream on top as we didn't have any cream!

Take care of you.

Recap of Me time...

2007-08-04T08:48:00.000+09:30

I really enjoyed yesterday, but at the same time i am quite tired today. My back is quite stiff and sore so i am thinking that the trekking around the markets and carrying my "bargains" didn't do me any favours.

In some ways I was disappointed in the Central Markets. Some things did appear to be cheaper but not many things that I wanted to buy were. My good buys for the day were - baby bok choy (3 for 80c), bag of beansprouts (70c), bananas (5kg), zucchini ($4.95kg), tomatoes (1.95kg), mushrooms ($5kg). I also went to the organic grocery stand and bought some salad greens $1.99/per 100g) which is comparable to the local non-organic grocers. I also bought 4 fuji apples they were $5.95 kg but look very nice. We shall give them the taste test later on. The only extravagant item I purchased was some home made quince paste which was $2.50, but actually compared tot eh pre-packaged item in the supermarket it was really good value. It will go nicely with the brie I bought last week, with leftover grocery money. It was a reward of sorts for managing to stick to my budget.

I also had a really nice lunch with my best friend Cathy. Only 2 weeks to go now, so one thing I must organise this weekend is a few things in a bag in the car so that when I get the call that she is in labour , I won't necessarily need to come home first. I also need to organise a few non- perishable snacks to go in there, in case we are there for a a long time.

This morning I am feeling stiff and sore and frankly I am over the whole sore back thing. I'd just like to go back to being myself. I'd like to be able to vacuum and sweep and mop my house. I'd like to take my new bike for a ride (I bought it on sale about 3 weeks ago and have ridden it up and down the driveway). I am determined to make sure I do everything the physio says so I can recover quicker.

Today we have soccer at 12.00, which is kind of an annoying time. It means we wait around all morning at home, so don't really achieve much. Then by the time we get home, have a late lunch the afternoon has mostly escaped. Another quiet night at home tonight methinks. My daughter is going fishing at Snowdens Beach with her friends and one of the other parents. Then she is having a sleepover. Tomorrow we are going shopping for her bed.
Hope you all have a great weekend.
Take care of you

Me time

2007-08-03T09:53:00.000+09:30

Being a mum and a girlfriend and a workmate and a friend all takes time and effort. We all wear so many hats and try to do so much. I am ll for the slowing down and living in the moment. I don't want to be one of the people on their deathbed who regrets the life they had led.

Today I am having some me time. Time to do what I want to do. Admittedly I have a time frame in which to do but I can't totally neglect my responsibilities or my children. This morning after I finish my coffee I am heading off to the city. My first stop will be the Adelaide Central markets. I don't know how much I will actually buy today, more of an exploration of prices and the range of products available. I will be taking my price book with me as well as my own shopping bags so that I will not be carting home extra plastic bags or overpriced purchases.

After that I am dropping into my old workplace to say goodbye to one of the girls I have known there for a while. She is moving on to a new job. After that I am meeting my best friend for a quick lunch and will get a report on her latest visit to the ob/gyn. She only has 17 days till her delivery date. I am starting to get excited. After that I am off home to collect children form school.

Will hopefully report back tonight with my shopping adventures and any baby news!
Take care of you.