when life gives you lemons....make cordial

We were gifted a big load of lemons recently.  The only problem was that they were on their way out so I needed to use them up quickly.  I had a great little helper squeeze over 50 lemons and I made a sugar syrup - 2 parts sugar to 1 part water - to make the best lemon cordial I've ever tasted!!  I also sliced them up and froze them to be ready for an addition to a summer drink.

I've also been crocheting: tea cosies, a cushion and beanies.

The spring garden is cranking at full steam so we are enjoying picking each day - there really is nothing like wandering around the garden, and planning your meal from what you have.  This year our indoor hot house (aka back room) has worked a treat to raise the seeds.  The first of the tomatoes are in, bring on summer!

These melting moments

A few months ago a friend of mine won a voucher for a local bookshop which she very, very generously gave to me :) You might be surprised to learn that I actually only have a small hoard of cookbooks.  The ususal suspects ~ Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Guy Grossi, Jamie, Nigella and other superstars, but I do adore my cookbooks from yester year.   My nan gave me her hardly touched copy of Margret Fultons cookery book, with a European section (very fancy for the 60's :) ) so when I went to the bookshop I picked a gorgeous vintage looking book by the Australian Women's Weekly called "Baking Day".  Every page is beautifully styled and just flicking through it and looking at the pictures gives me just as much pleasure as cooking the recipes.

It has so many great old school recipes, how to make an apron and the like and a few pages of etiquette.

One of my favourite's from the etiquette page is this ripper sure to make you smile.

The Kitchen

While it's important to look at home in your natural setting, remain careful to avoid looking unkempt.  Keep a collection of smart aprons pressed and ready to wear.  A half-sized frilly option is best for preparing tea or sandwiches.  A bright pinafore is lovely for baking and having a large butcher's apron on-hand for making pots of jam and the like.  Never fall into the ghastly habit of wearing sleepwear in the kitchen.

I've been slowly making my way through the recipes and made these cute melting moments.

Melting moments

250g butter, softened

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup (80g) icing (confectioners') sugar

1 1/2 cups (225g) plain flour (all-purpost)

1/2 cup (75g) corn flour (cornstarch)

butter cream

90g butter, softened

3/4 cup (120g) icing (confectioners') sugar

1 teaspoon finely grated lemon rind

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1. Preheat oven to 160c/325F.  Line oven trays with baking paper.
2. Beat butter, extract and icing sugar in small bowl with electric mixer until light and fluffy.  Transfer mixture to large bowl.  Stir in sifted flours in two batches.
3. With floured hands, roll rounded teaspoons of mixture into balls; place about 2.5cm apart on trays.  Flatten slightly with a floured fork.
4. Bake biscuits about 15 minutes.  Stand 5 minutes before lifting onto wire racks to cool.  
5. Make butter cream.
6. Sandwich biscuits with butter cream.  Dust with extra sifted icing sugar before serving (optional).

Butter cream: Beat butter, icing sugar and rind in small bowl with electric mixer until pale and fluffy; beat in juice.

prep + cook time 40 minutes.  Makes 25

Perfect with a pot of tea shared with a friend :)

Ciao, Jan x

In a holding pattern

I've been in a crochet holding pattern the last month.  I had asked one of my besties if she would like a blankie for her up coming birthday to which she said yes.  I did warn her to not just say yes to make me happy, it would be a lot of work for something someone didn't really like or want.  It was to be big enough for a snuggle on the couch and she didn't want granny squares.  So I started.....3 times!! I first started with single crochet but soon realised I'd be here until Christmas so I had to pull it all out, let me tell you that is heartbreaking!  I then tried 2 other ways until I finally found the look I thought would do the job best and the quickest as time wasn't on my side.  Enter the granny stripe! It is a fabulous stitch to use to make a big rectangle and not just a big square

The hardest part is chaining the start and hooking into them.  I did a boarder of granny stripe all the way around followed by a scalloped edge which helps to even out the rows.

Ta daaaaa!!! 

I've been working on more of the beanies and have taught myself how to crochet a flower and added a little pearl to the centre.

We have also had some gorgeous days here so it's been nice to get out and enjoy the sunshine and get some Vitamin D.

I hope the sun has been shining where ever you are :)

Ciao Jan x

round here

Brrrrr it's been cold, wet and wintery around here.  I love it :)  The home fires have been kept burning with lots of slow cooked meals and yummy things for an excuse to keep the oven on to help warm the house.

Here's a peak at some.

These would have to be the pick of the bunch.  Chelsea buns that I bastardised beautifully with chia, walnuts and sultanas...dangerously delicious if I do say so myself!!

horribly addictive chocolate coconut slice that Kathy from Our simple and meaningful life posted here.  I doubled the recipe though to make it thicker :)

easy peasy honeycomb

I had a stash of rhubarb, apple and pear puree that needed using up and it was turned into this gorgeous pudding called Shelia's pudding from Jamie Oliver's return of the naked chef cookbook

lamb shanks with lentils and vegies

my first try at melting moments

our first crop of lemons!! Hallelujah!!!!

We almost had snow!! Here's a glimpse at my hubbies rock wall he is building ~ steps still to go

I've fallen head over heels in love with crochet.  I've been making these cute beanies.  They are quite easy, as long as you pay attention!! A few have been pulled out but I'm getting there.

If there are any recipes that you would like just leave a comment below. Have a great week wherever you are.

Ciao Jan x

Writers block

I've got writters block, and can hardly think of a word to say....so here are some photos of my finished blanket I've been working on to fill the silence.

Ciao, Jan

pumpkin and brown rice soup with walnuts

Hasn't winter kicked in! I'm one of those rare breed of people who actually loves winter.  I love the change of seasons and the excuse to snuggle inside with the heater on and recharge.  Days of constant sunshine and heat wear me down...I know, strange.  But true!

I've had the slow cooker out working for me so I can do my crochet.  Yep, it's official, I'm hooked on hooking.  I've finished a pretty blanket for my daughter and am now working on connecting one for me :D  

This pumpkin soup is nothing new, but the addition of brown rice is.  I just cut up 1/2 a pumpkin and add in whatever I have on hand ~ carrots, sweet potato, potato, celery, onion and garlic.  Plop it all into the slow cooker with a cup of well rinsed brown rice  with enough chicken stock to cover and turn the dial up to high for the next 4-6 hours.  

Blend and serve with crushed walnuts and a big dollop of natural yoghurt.

This is the easiest blanket as it's just a continuous granny square.  I just love this soft pink and green wool.

Now on to crocheting up my granny rug.

I think this is going to take awhile, lucky the weathers bad, no summer sun guilt here!!

What do you do to get you through a rough winter?

Ciao, Jan.