a photo a day for the month of December - week 1

In and effort to get back into being more mindful, living in the moment and blogging, I remembered how much I loved doing the photo a day back in June which you can see here (where have those 5 months gone!).  Fat mum slim blog does this challenge every month, and here is a look at Decembers inspirational words.

I won't post each day but at the end of each week, so here is a look at my week one.

Day 1: "Fruit"

Day 2: "Grass"

Day 3: "Pop!"

Day 4: "Free" there really is nothing quite like watching a dog free to roam the beach.

Day 5: "me" my daughter drew this picture :D

Day 6: "joy is ......" looking through my nan's recipe books

Day 7: "weekends are for......." gardening, cooking and picking - although that's also most days!

This challenge really makes you look at the little things hidden in each day that we either miss being too busy or are distracted to notice.  It makes me be present and remember how beautiful our lives are with so many blessings and things to be grateful for :)

Ciao, Jan x

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

It's been along time between drinks here on my blog.  I really lost my blogging mojo this year.  Lots of reasons really, but the main ones were a lack of motivation and feeling like I didn't have much more to say.....and probably looking too much at other peoples blogs and feeling like what difference did my opinion and contribution make?  I'd like to say I'm back, raring to go and will be here as often as I was before, but I can't make that promise.  What I can say is how much I have missed it and the creative outlet it allowed me.

Today was the 1st of December and I'm happy to say I just love Christmas.  I made my first batch of baby fruit mince tarts today, purely for the pleasure of a dear friends enjoyment but gosh I love making them.

I've also been crocheting my heart out, I just love the process and looking for new projects on Youtube, due to my brain not liking the written pattern :)  Here is some of the items bringing me so much pleasure.

Christmas tree bunting

baby booties

Baby beanie and booties....almost made me clucky...almost ;)

Christmas star for bunting or a single ornament

santa's boots

my shortbread

I'm hosting Christmas this year and am looking forward to lots of goodies from the garden and lots of time with loved ones, related and unrelated alike.

But for now, what ever the future brings for my blog, it's lovely being back :)

 Ciao, Jan

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