Gumnut Cottage

Sunday markets at Windsor

2009-08-16T14:39:00.015+10:00

Had a lovely relaxing morning at the Windsor markets. There's lots of great reasons to include it on your 'to do' list - one being that Windsor has the best fish and chips in Sydney! Just look out for the talkative parrot outside...

There's so much happening, with live music over at the pub and the amazing shire horses clopping past. That would be interesting, to dine in the restaurant as you tour around the area.

Windsor is home to a real working water-wheel that the kids like to stand and watch just at the top of the mall.

Time for a hot chocolate....

...and so to the shopping - ahhh, someone has to do it! I recommend starting at the English lolly shop, all my favourites here.

- and onto the markets. Some great stalls, from dolls houses, to home-made soap (the best in Sydney - super-size bars; if you can't make it to the markets get your supply from 'Backyard Abundance').

Organic fruit and vegetables..

..and lots of homemade preserves.

A great way to spend a Sunday morning, especially with the lovely sunshine we've been having just lately in Sydney.

Coconut Fudge Balls

2009-07-06T12:58:00.007+10:00

Quick, yummy & quite healthy!

You will need;- packet of plain biscuits, cup of coconut, half a cup of cocoa or milo, half a cup of brown sugar, 1 tin of condensed milk, 500g bag pitted dates, half a bag (cupful) of pecans.

Or just use whatever ingredients (nuts-dried fruit-coconut) etc that you have in the cupboard.

You crumb the biscuits in a food processor or by placing in a bag and bashing with a rolling pin (think 'therapy')!. Put the crumbs in a large bowl with the coconut, cocoa/milo, sugar and condensed milk. Process or chop up the dates and pecans, and add to the bowl. Stir to combine. Press the mixture together with your hands. Form into balls and roll in extra coconut.

More Great recipes and Free Downloads on website

Working with Wood Show, Sydney

2009-07-06T12:00:00.017+10:00

This was the show we intended going to last week but someone got the date wrong! Good news for me 'cause we ended up at the Stitches & Craft show instead. Even though I'm not a Woodworker (although I did work for the 'Australian Woodworking magazine for 6 years!) we all had a great day out and saw some really interesting stuff. Enjoy the pics.

This cute little cottage makes you want to take up carving!

This was an interesting display on Country Chairmaking - demonstrating the use of a handmade lathe. Beautiful chairs; an ordinary item that we take for granted becomes an art form when it's been handcrafted by a skilled craftsperson. Less is definately more...

Now for something really special. There was a fascinating bloke by the name of Ray Faull, who has created this miniature woodworking shed. He encouraged folks to pick up the tiny tools and even try them out - each one was an exact replica and actually worked! The attention to detail was incredible; and the entire project was an exact replica of his father's own woodworking shop. The following pics are all of Ray's masterpiece.

It was all you could do to stand and stare in awe...

The show is on every year at Moore Park (near Fox studio's) around mid-June.

Stitches & Craft Show, Sydney

2009-06-16T12:24:00.026+10:00

Had a great day on Sunday at the Stitches & Craft Show at Darling Harbour. I have only been once before a few years ago. The show has many more stalls and the quilt display was totally awe-inspiring. Some extremely talented people.

Many different styles of patchwork and quilting. Incredible designs and colours, here's just a sample of the work on display. I love the design here...

..and the colours chosen for the quilt below.

I am still a great lover of the scrap quilts though, and the whole idea of 'making something out of nothing' as was the original concept to use up old scraps for bed covers. I'm sure many of us started a quilt like this one with cardboard templates, only to run out of patience and decide that patchwork wasn't for us!

How far they have evolved now though, to become works of art that you wouldn't dream of using as a simple bed cover.

Some very inspiring Australiana designs....

Some beautiful Japanese designs and fabrics.

This owl quilt was incredible.

A beautiful three-panel quilt which looks like a tribute to mothers everywhere..

I did spend alot of time looking at the 'fantasy' themed quilts.. can't imagine how many hours of intensive work they took to complete not to mention the creativity involved. Alot of them used different techniques and mediums which combined to produce a stunning work of art that was hard to tear your eyes away from.

There's no doubt at all, from the level of talent featured by HSC and TAFE students, that the boundaries will continue to be pushed in all area's of textile mediums to produce even more incredible designs.

Finally, I couldn't end the post without making mention of my absolute favourite quilt of the show - if I really had to decide. Wendy Bailye was the Guest Artist of the Quilt Show (presented by the Quilters' Guild of NSW).

The quilting detail as you can see below was awesome. Being a potter myself, I love the theme and the research that obviously went into the design of the pots.

Here's Wendy chatting about the quilts and her designs. Incredible to think that she's only been making quilts for 6 years. Prior to that, she was an artist in other mediums. The one featured above was created by bleaching out area's on black fabric, then heavy quilting over the entire piece.

It was well worth attending the show just to gaze in awe at Wendy's quilts which featured many different theme's, from Australiana to a beautiful African inspired quilt, and to hear her talk about her work. Very inspirational.

But of course, we ran out of time. So we headed back out of Darling Harbour with a head full of fresh idea's and newly inspired to dig out the sewing machine....

..past the ferris wheel...

..past Chinatown...

..and trying to remember where we parked the car!

New Website Launch!!

2009-06-12T22:35:00.001+10:00

I’m very excited to announce the launch of my new website, www.backyardabundance.com.au.

It will feature a monthly newsletter full of interesting articles, recipes, projects (including easy step by step tutorials), competitions and more.
There will also be a photo gallery and an online store.
One of the things I have found particularly frustrating is getting excited about a new project only to spend the entire allotted weekend trying to source the required items, leaving no time to actually work on the project itself. So, in conjunction with the project tutorials, ie. basic soapmaking; there will be a basic starter kit or project pack available for purchase as well as many other related items, for those folks that get hooked on a new creative pursuit and wish to explore it further.
It will be a work in progress (as funds dictate) so please be patient while I work on it! I look forward to sharing it with you and learning new skills myself, giving a new focus on life - worldwide recession or not!

Kathy Kelly at Lorelei

2009-04-23T20:10:00.002+10:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgEV3mAnnsQ&NR=1

Love this song by Kathy. Probably the most awesome female voice ever.
This concert by the Kelly's took place about 14 years ago. Wasn't there unfortunately! Time for a reunion...

Amazing Grace

2009-04-23T20:06:00.000+10:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efrewgKldXs&NR=1

Awesome version by my favourite group - The Kelly's.

Easy Bag Pattern

2008-02-10T14:41:00.000+11:00

Easy Bag Tutorial

2008-02-10T12:25:00.000+11:00

This little bag is quick and easy to put together, and you can have alot of fun with fabric and trims. First of all, you need to draw up the pattern. Ruler, pencil and paper is all that's required. It's worth spending a bit of time to get it accurate as this will then be your template for every bag you make - you can then transfer the template to cardboard or template plastic. (Click on link below; right click and select 'save image as'. Save to desktop and/or print it out).

PATTERN.

You need;- 20 cm fabric for straps and bottom front of bag. 25cm fabric for back of bag (I use same as bottom front/straps). 10cm fabric for top front of bag. 25cm (cheaper) fabric for lining. 30cm Lightweight iron on interfacing. 10cm Ribbon for loop. 30cm Trim for front of bag. 1 Button.
1cm seam allowance has been included in pattern pieces. Use matching thread for a much better finish. Remember golden rule - RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER before sewing anything.

Using pattern, cut out interfacing, lining and fabrics. Iron the interfacing to the fabric pieces. With right sides facing, sew the top & bottom fronts together. Sew the trim over seam on front.

With right sides facing, sew bottom & side seams together.

To form the base of the bag - match the side and bottom seams - sew straight down this line. It will look like the photo below. Trim the seam.

Repeat with the other corner - your bag should now stand up by itself. Do exactly the same with the lining - sew side and bottom seams. Then match side & bottom seams and form base - only this time leave a 15cm opening in the bottom seam so that you can turn the bag through later.

Fold the straps lengthways, right sides facing and sew together across one end and along the side. Turn right side out and press.

The quickest & easiest way to do this is to use a tube, which you push into your strap (or arm/leg if making a doll) and push a stick into the fabric from the closed end. The stick pushes into the tube and turns the fabric tube right side out in one easy step. You can buy these online very cheaply if you can't find them around the home - it's money well spent.

Topstitch your straps to add a nice decorative touch. It's all these little steps that give a more professional finish (OK, my stitching's a bit wobbly; guess I like the homespun look more)!

Measure 7cm along front and back of bag from side seams and place pin. Use this as a guide and pin handles in place.

At back of bag at the top find the centre and pin the ends of the ribbon in place to form a loop for the button. Sew the loop and straps in place. Your bag should now look like this.

With right sides together and matching the side seams, place the bag inside the lining and sew around the top of the lining/bag sandwiching the loops and straps inside.
Trim the seam allowance around the top of the bag.

Turn the bag through to right side and hand stitch the opening in lining closed.

Your bag is almost finished. Give it a good iron now before topstitching around the top edge, and sewing the button in place.

And of course, the best part - wrapping it up and giving it to someone special...

Once you've got the hang of this easy bag, it's time to start making up a few more in different styles; you can't have too many bags!

MORE PATTERNS

The Perfect Mother

2008-02-07T15:00:00.001+11:00

He didn't like the casserole

And he didn't like my cake.
He said my biscuits were too hard...
Not like his mother used to make.
I didn't perk the coffee right
He didn't like the stew,
I didn't mend his socks
The way his mother used to do.
I pondered for an answer
I was looking for a clue.
Then I smacked the little sh*t

Like his MOTHER used to do.
(anonymous)

Easy Vegetable Curry

2008-02-03T18:51:00.000+11:00

This is based on a recipe from Gordon Ramsay's 'Fast Food'. This cookbook has a great list of storecupboard essentials in it, recipes for 'basics' and a good variety of mains and easy deserts; I wouldn't exactly call this one 'fast' though; I prefer to cook it on the weekend when I know there's plenty of time to let the vegetables simmer and absorb the fragrant spices.

You heat 2 tbsp oil in a large wide pan and add shallot's, garlic and chillies. Cook, stirring for a minute or so until the garlic fragrant. I won't give exact quantities as it's one of those recipes where you substitute what you have in the fridge and add as much as you know will feed your family. I then add approx 3 tbspns curry powder, a few cardamom pods and some cumin seeds as well as seasoning (should be smelling wonderful by now).
Add your veggies next such as celeriac, pumpkin, sweet potato, cauliflower, beans etc. all cut into similar sized pieces. Stir over a higher heat for a few minutes. Tip in a 400g can of chopped tomatoes, fill the empty can with water and pour this in too. Bring to the boil. Add broccoli/zucchini and veggies that don't require as long a cooking time and simmer until all the veggies are tender. Take off the heat and stir in about 250ml greek-style natural yogurt. Taste and adjust the seasoning before serving. I serve this with basmati rice and hot lebanese or afghan bread torn into pieces and not forgetting home-made mango chutney.

Craft Friday's

2008-02-03T18:11:00.000+11:00

Well - I've decided Friday's are all mine to work on my craft projects. Not quite as priveleged a life as Beatrice and Dorothea but it ain't half bad. I started with a nice easy project - a vintage bear made from a lovely piece of old chenille that I got off ebay a while ago; and vintage lace and buttons from my collection - aged beautifully with my special brew of tea and a few other things (top secret...)!...

....and complete with her own little patchwork quilt. She's packing her bags ready for a trip overseas as she's being adopted by a very special person who put a request in quite a while ago!!

And just to get inspired, I love going through my lovely old collection of sewing stuff.
There's bits of old lace and vintage gloves (were there hands really that small?)...

Lots of old cotton reels and wooden bobbins...

and buttons, needles, hooks & eyes etc.

- did I mention buttons.... I LOVVE buttons - you can't have too many!

Roll on next Friday....

Sunburnt Country Embroidery Project

2008-02-03T17:16:00.000+11:00

If you love the poem by Dorothea McKellar, it's worth getting hold of the current issue of 'Australian Homespun' Magazine. There's a fabulous design of the poem to embroider and frame, by Fiona Tully.

I couldn't resist it - especially with the lovely native plant borders. It'll be the first sewing project I've tackled in quite a while. I'd forgotten how much I enjoy sitting down and doing a bit of sewing... just needed some new inspiration!

I've transferred the design to calico; picked out some threads and found a little tin to keep all my bits & pieces in, and I'm ready to go. It may take a while - but I'll post the finished pic one day soon.

It's fascinating to read the story about Dorothea Mackellar. Not unlike Beatrice Potter in alot of ways - quite a privileged life but a great deal of heartbreak and sadness too.

For a brief history lesson in Australian literature when you have the time; here it is. Isobel Marion Dorothea Mackellar was born on 1 July 1885, at her family's home that stands on Point Piper, overlooking Rose Bay on Sydney Harbour. The third of four children, Dorothea was the only daughter born to renowned physician and Parliamentarian, Sir Charles Kinnaird Mackellar and his wife, Marion (nee Buckland). The young Dorothea received private tutoring in painting, fencing and languages and later attended lectures at the Sydney University though she never formally enrolled as a student. She spoke French, German, Italian and Spanish fluently. When the family travelled overseas, Dorothea acted as an interpreter for her father.

Dorothea had a lively personality with a keen sense of humour, which is reflected in her diary entries of the early 1900's. Hers was a privileged life that was divided between the busy sophistication of the city and the simplicity of the country.

The Mackellar family owned several properties in the Gunnedah area, including "Kurrumbede" and "The Rampadells" on the Blue Vale Road near Gunnedah. The late Mrs Maude Broun lived on the adjoining property, "Coulston", with her husband, the son of Sir Charles Broun. In a taped interview after Dorothea's death, Mrs Broun recalled the Mackellar's regular visits with Dorothea, Eric and Malcolm (her two remaining brothers, Keith having been killed in the Boer War at age 19), to their Gunnedah country residences.

Sir Charles handed these properties over to his sons whom many still remember as well respected and generous members of our local community. Over the years Dorothea often visited the area, staying with her brothers and maintaining her skills as an ardent horsewoman. Dorothea was very proud of the fact that she could ride side-saddle so well, even in the bush.

The first draft of what was to become Australia's most quoted and best loved poem, "My Country", was written in England at a time when Dorothea was feeling homesick. Never quite content with the verses, she wrote and re-wrote the poem several times after returning to Australia and living in the apartments above her father's consulting rooms in Buckland Chambers, Liverpool Street, Sydney, opposite the ANZAC Memorial. It is fitting that Dorothea's Memorial should now grace ANZAC Park in Gunnedah, depicting her as the young woman who wrote "My Country", and gazing in the direction of her beloved "Kurrumbede".

Dorothea never married though, at 28 years of age, whilst living in London, she fell in love with an English poet named Patrick Chalmers. When she returned to Australia just before the start of World War I, she wrote to Patrick to let him know her parents approved of their decision to wed. Unfortunately, the letter was lost and Patrick married someone else. Dorothea was heartbroken, her poetry after this experience becoming more serious with sometimes tragic undertones. ("Sorrow")

Dorothea continued to write and travel during the Twenties and early Thirties, her work appearing in journals of high repute such as the London "Spectator", American "Harper's Magazine" and the Sydney "Bulletin" among others. During these years, four volumes of verse were published, "The Closed Door", "The Witchmaid", "Dreamharbour" and "Fancy Dress".

The Australian countryside continued to be a source of inspiration to Dorothea. Two poems that particularly reflect her special relationship with our district are; "Dawn" (At the dawning of the day; On the road to Gunnedah...), and "Burning Off" (They're burning off at the Rampadells; The tawny flames uprise...).

Later in life Dorothea suffered increasing ill health and ceased to write. In the 1968 New Year Honours list her contribution to Australian literature was formally recognised and she was made an Officer of the British Empire. Sadly, only two weeks later on the 14 January, Dorothea Mackellar died in her sleep in the Scottish Hospital, Paddington. The funeral service was held in St Mark's Church at Darling Point where reportedly Dorothea's favourite poem, "Colour" was read. She was once recorded saying about the poem, "You know, I think that was as close as I ever came to writing poetry." She was laid to rest in the family vault at Waverley Cemetery in Sydney.

Dorothea's brothers predeceased her, leaving no heirs, therefore Dorothea was the last of that branch of the Mackellars. (Information from http://www.infogunnedah.com.au/tourism/dorothea.php)

My Country by Dorothea McKellar

2008-02-03T16:51:00.000+11:00

I'm all baked-out; time for a poem me-thinks. And from one of Australia's all-time greatest....

My Country
© 1904 Dorothea McKellar

The love of field and coppice, of green and shaded lanes,
Of ordered woods and gardens is running in your veins.
Strong love of grey-blue distance, brown streams and soft, dim skies-
I know but cannot share it, my love is otherwise.

I love a sunburnt country, a land of sweeping plains,
Of ragged mountain ranges, of droughts and flooding rains.
I love her far horizons, I love her jewel-sea,
Her beauty and her terror- the wide brown land for me!

The stark white ring-barked forests, all tragic to the moon,
The sapphire-misted mountains, the hot gold hush of noon,
Green tangle of the brushes where lithe lianas coil,
And orchids deck the tree-tops, and ferns the warm dark soil.

Core of my heart, my country! Her pitiless blue sky,
When, sick at heart, around us we see the cattle die -
But then the grey clouds gather, and we can bless again
The drumming of an army, the steady soaking rain.

Core of my heart, my country! Land of the rainbow gold,
For flood and fire and famine she pays us back threefold.
Over the thirsty paddocks, watch, after many days,
The filmy veil of greenness that thickens as we gaze.

An opal-hearted country, a wilful, lavish land -
All you who have not loved her, you will not understand -
Though earth holds many splendours, wherever I may die,
I know to what brown country my homing thoughts will fly.

Best Ever Lemon Slice

2008-02-03T16:33:00.000+11:00

Now to use up the other half of your lemon/orange icing. Unbelievably simple and delicious; you don't even need to switch the oven on for this one.
You need;- Half a cup of condensed milk, 125g butter, 250g packet of sweet biscuits - 'home brand' or the cheapest you can find, 1 cup desiccated coconut, zest of two lemons.
You;- heat the condensed milk and the butter in a saucepan until butter melts. Crush the packet of biscuits in a food processor; or just in a bag using a rolling pin. Combine the biscuit crumbs with the coconut and lemon zest in a large bowl. Simply pour the condensed milk mix in and stir until well combined. Press firmly into a square slice dish (approx 7 inches/18 cm sq) Refridgerate until cool. Spread your icing over the top. Return to fridge for at least 3 hours before slicing. (If you are making a new batch of icing for this recipe, just cream 250g room temp cream cheese and 90g soft butter with electric beaters. Add 1 cup sifted icing sugar, 1 tablespoon lemon juice and zest of 1 lemon).

Orange Poppyseed Muffins

2008-02-03T10:20:00.000+11:00

More back to school baking! Although I'll make sure there's enough of these for my lunches too. It took a bit of searching to find a good recipe for these; but there's a brilliant Aussie site which has recipes from alot of the food magazines. Very useful when you're stuck for idea's. Click on TASTE to go straight to the site and search engine.
Make up a double batch of the icing as I've got another great recipe coming up - saves heaps of time.
So for the muffins you need;-
2 and a half cups self-raising flour, 1 tspn baking powder, 2/3 cup caster sugar, 1 and a half tablespoons poppyseeds, third of a cup of extra light olive oil, third of a cup of buttermilk (easy to find in supermarkets now along with the ordinary milk), 2 eggs lightly whisked, 2 large oranges - rind grated and juiced.
For the icing you need;- 100g cream cheese, quarter cup of icing sugar.
You;- heat your oven to 200 degrees celcius. Grease a muffin tray or place muffin cases in. Sift the flour and baking powder in to a bowl. Stir in the sugar and poppyseeds. Make a well in the centre. Whisk the oil, buttermilk, eggs and 2 tspns orange rind and half a cup of orange juice in a jug. Pour into the well. Gently fold until just combined.
Three-quarters fill the muffin pan cases or tin. Bake for 15-20 mins until light golden.
Make the icing - beat the cream cheese and sifted icing sugar with half a tspn of orange rind and 1 tspn orange juice until well mixed. Spoon onto the top of the muffins.

Simple Soap Making

2008-01-28T15:47:00.002+11:00

I've had a couple of goes at making soap now. The first time I used a recipe from a book; it was a huge mission - I gathered all the equipment, waited for a time when everyone was out of the house, and donned apron, special chemical-spill gloves and goggles.
The goggles fogged up so I couldn't see what I was doing; I had to duck out mid-way through to buy more olive oil as I had underestimated the amount required, and finally - the soap mysteriously disappeared while I had left it to 'cure' on the back verandah. (I later found some of it in the garden; apparently the possums had mistaken it for coconut ice)!! All in all, not exactly a cheap, simple or enjoyable pursuit.

Determined not to let it get the better of me (and due to the fact that we had completely run out of soap and I stubbornly refused to buy any more after spending all that money on my equipment...) I set to and had another attempt. This time I used a recipe from
'The Self-Sufficiency Shoppe'
with considerably more success I might add, and I quite enjoyed the process. We now have enough to last several months. Not only does each piece last a long time, but it is very moisturising and smells wonderful with a special blend of essential oils. It's far better for your skin than bought soap - which has all sorts of extra chemicals added and then has the moisurising component removed (sold seperately as glycerine to maximise profits).

I would still advise that you read the basics of soap-making first though - as there are safety issues to take into account; but certainly don't let this put you off. The library has some good books, or there's a great tutorial on the Aussie Soap Supplies Website.
Anyway - for that quick basic soap recipe...
You need;- half a cup of distilled water, 2 rounded tablespoons of caustic soda, 1 cup melted fat (or 3/4 cup of fat and 1/4 cup olive oil or other oil). A soap mould.
I use 'Frymaster' - vegetable fat from the butter section of the supermarket - $2.50 for 500g and cheap olive oil. For the mould - I use a 'pringles' chip container; or similar round tube. Caustic Soda is readily available from the supermarket - but keep it locked in a cupboard or out of reach of young children.
This recipe is enough to make about 3 - 4 bars of soap; so if it doesn't work out at least you haven't wasted too much stuff, as you would with some of the other recipes.
You; assemble all your things first. Pour the distilled water into a glass or earthenware mixing bowl. PLACE THIS BOWL INTO THE SINK. It will get hot & steamy when you add the caustic soda so use caution. Gloves & goggles don't cost much from the hardware store. Add the caustic soda - STIR CONSTANTLY UNTIL DISSOLVED. Cover with a piece of cardboard and don't let anyone into the kitchen.
While this solution is cooling - melt your fat in the microwave. Add your olive or special oil (there's some great ones to try with different skin/moisturising properties such as emu/coconut/macadamia/avocado etc). Stir together slowly.
Test the temperature of your caustic soda solution with a thermometer if you have one - if not, it's quite OK to get a rough gauge of the temperature by touching the outside of the container. When both containers feel approx the same temperature (ie. lukewarm) remove the cardboard cover from the caustic soda solution in the sink and SLOWLY pour the melted fat in. Stir slowly - it should start to thicken and turn opaque. It's handy to use a stick blender at this stage to speed things along. Add any colours/essential oils/exfollient mixes such as rolled oats/herbs etc. to make your batch extra special, then pour it into your mould.
Allow it to set overnight; wrapped in an old towel. Turn out; cut it into bars, store in a well-aired but dry place for 4-6 weeks. Do a skin test before using; such as the inside of your arm - just to make sure the caustic soda has cured sufficiently. Bec used some of my first batch without testing it first, and got a rash all over her tummy! A bit of vinegar soon cured it although it took a bit of convincing for her to try my second batch of soap!!
The first batch above has lavender added which makes a great exfoliating bar - as well as lavender essential oil, and half of it has pink food colouring mixed in. The second batch just has pink food colouring and an essenial oil blend added; although it came out quite hard and broke apart when I tried to cut it - still great to use though. The third batch pictured above also has an essential oil blend added as well as some LSA mix (bread making section of supermarket) as an exfolient, some rolled oats and a tablespoon of honey. This bar cut very nicely into four pieces using the recipe above. You can use eucalyptus oil to make an antiseptic type soap; or a herbal infusion (3 tspns dried herbs to 250ml boiling water, cooled and strained) in place of the distilled water. Don't overdo the additives until you've had a bit of practise, as this could affect the soap's ability to reach trace. (When it thickens and sets). Have fun!!

Soap Making Kits and more free downloads see website

Awesome Chocolate Muffins

2008-01-28T15:22:00.000+11:00

I've been making this one for so long I can't remember where I got the recipe from. Muffins are one of the quickest recipes to throw together and it's also one of the most popular with the kids. We just dolloped some of the butter icing on top, but they're fine without.
You need;- 1 and a qrter cups plain flour, 3 tbspns cocoa, 2 tspns baking powder, half cup soft brown sugar, 100g butter, 2 eggs, half cup milk, 1 cup choc chips.
You;- sift the flour, cocoa & baking powder into a bowl. (or not!) Stir in sugar. Melt the butter in the microwave. Beat the eggs & milk until combined. Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients and add butter, egg mixture and chocolate chips. Mix to just moisten only - this is the key to making great muffins - and to get them in to the pre-heated oven straight away. Bake at 190 degrees celcius for approx 20 mins. Makes about 12. Use muffin cases if you have them - otherwise just put mixture straight into greased muffin tin.
And for more great 'back to school' baking recipes; check out some of my previous recipes; such as banana cake; anzac biscuits; shortbread; scones; choc-caramel slice and brownies.

Simple Chocolate/Coffee Cake

2008-01-28T15:07:00.001+11:00

You place the following, in order, into a mixing bowl;- 1 cup sugar, 1 egg, half cup milk, half cup melted butter, 4 tspns cocoa or coffee, 1 tspn baking powder, 1 tspn baking soda, 1 tspn vanilla essence, 1 and a half cups plain flour, half cup boiling water.
You;- beat hard for 3 mins with electric mixer. Bake in greased and lined tin - good in loaf tin if cutting into slices for freezing. The cake mix is quite runny - this is fine; it turns our perfect every time. (180 degrees celcius for 35-40 mins approx). Cool, and ice with butter icing.
We also made Vanilla Cup Cakes; it's quite easy then to make up a double batch of butter icing and just add coffee/cocoa to one half.
Another good one to try is Caramel Cup Cakes.

Tons of Choc-Chip Cookies

2008-01-28T14:44:00.001+11:00

This is a brilliant recipe that I got from the 'Simple Savings' website. Well worth joining if you're not already a member - the newsletters are filled with helpful hints and tips to save dollars. It is supposed to make around 120 cookies - but we made our's pretty big so we got around half that amount. Of course you can make the dough and leave it in the fridge, then just make up a trayful as you need them - just like that mega-expensive cookie-dough you can get at the supermarket.
You need;- 500g butter or margarine, 1 tin of condensed milk, 1 cup sugar, 5 cups Self-Raising Flour.
You;- Heat the oven to 180 degrees celcius. Cream the (softened) butter and sugar. We just used raw sugar and I refuse to ever use margarine - butter isn't that expensive; and better to have 1 incredible tasting cookie than a dozen filled with 'reduced-fat' chemicals. Add the tin of condensed milk and the flour. Roll into equal-sized balls, place on baking sheet, flatten with fork or bottom of a glass. Press choc-chips into the top (this makes them go much further than throwing them in the dough mixture). Bake for 10-15 mins. Fills the house with the most incredible aroma - hurry up and hide or they won't last until it's back to school time...

Back to School Time

2008-01-28T14:00:00.001+11:00

Yep - it's that time again.... 'relief for parents'.. whoops I mean - 'Back to School' time. I reckon Aussie parents have it particularly tough; there's the silly season with over-hyped kids and Christmas expenses; Summer holidays - all 6-8 weeks to keep them occupied & entertained; and for those working parents without extended family (who aren't teachers) - the dilemma of how to juggle working hours and child-care and still have enough left over (cash and energy that is) to take them to Big W when the 'back to school' flyers start arriving in the mail box and announce (cause your too worn out to do anything else) 'OK guys - just take the trolley and get what you need'. Oh yeah...BIG mistake!! So, what do you do? Spend the next 2 days in the kitchen cooking up a storm so there's actually something to put in that expensive-'but its really cool mum'-lunchbox that they managed to sneak into the Big W trolley.... and you wonder why you're so stressed and it's still only January??

.....Well, have I got the best tried-and-tested recipes for you!
And if you put everything in portions - ie. 2 x cookies/1 x slice of cake/ 1 muffin or cupcake etc. wrapped in Gladwrap in the freezer - there's a good chance you won't have to do any more baking for at least...oohhh..in our house - 2 days!!

Last of the Summer Garden....

2008-01-28T13:14:00.000+11:00

.....reminds me of these guys - used to love 'Last of the Summer Wine'!! If you ever go to the UK you must visit Yorkshire - a place called 'Holmfirth' where the series is made. You can even have a cuppa in the actual cafe - which closes temporarily when they're filming. (I bought mum a pair of Nora Batty's stockings from there!!) He's a couple of great links if you also love the show;-
Holmfirth, UK
Traditional Yorkshire Recipes

I've never laughed so much as when Compo had a go at water ski-ing - his faithful buddies pulling him alongside the creek on a motorbike...!!

I'm getting side-tracked here....!!
The kids were keen to pick the sweetcorn and try it. It wasn't exactly a great success though - I think we had left it too long. I will use this space for something more productive next time. I cleared alot of the Summer stuff out that had gone to seed this weekend and dug over the beds. I added lots of worm castings from my worm farm which is going great - they have multiplied and plough there way through just about all of my kitchen waste each week to make lots of rich compost; and the liquid is great as a weekly booster for all the plants.

The strawberries have been lovely though - just not enough of them...

..And the tomatoes have been sensational. I'll remove the last of the vines in another couple of weeks and plant something else in there. Wished I'd planted a few more though as there's still only just enough to make salads with - I'd like to have tried some preserving and sun-drying; guess there's always next year!

....must be time for a glass of that wine!

Home-made Lemonade

2008-01-28T13:02:00.001+11:00

Bec & I have found a great recipe for fresh lemonade and there's nothing better on a hot day - it's very quick too; we started making this just as the barbie was fired up.

You need;- 2 lemons - halved, 2 limes - halved, half a cup of caster sugar, a few basil sprigs and plenty of ice cubes. It's very refreshing just with cold water added, but you could also add sparkling mineral or soda water.
You;- squeeze the juice from the lemons & limes (zap them in the microwave first for 30 secs to help release the juice). Strain into large jug. Tip in sugar and stir well until it's dissolved. Put some of spent citrus skins into jug - or freshly cut slices, along with the basil and fill with ice cubes. Top up with the cold water to taste.

Now all that's left is to pour a glass for the chef, slaving over a hot barbie!

Summer Garden Pt 2 - Harvest Festival

2008-01-20T19:28:00.000+11:00

We're now picking lots of different kinds of tomatoes every day, capsicums, chillies, strawberries and beans galore - Bec & I usually just eat them straight from the garden! The beans are delicious raw.

Welcome Visitors...

We should have some lemons & limes ready soon for the first time.

Echinacea

Lots of lovely rain over the last few days...

The herbs are going insane - most of it goes in the compost as they grow so fast. The thai basil and apple mint both smell wonderful.

Lavender - still one of my cottage garden favourites.

Summer Garden Pt 1

2008-01-20T19:13:00.001+11:00

I've been having a lovely time with my new camera snapping away at everything in the garden - it's got a real 'wild' look happening at the moment and new things to discover every few days.

Home Preserves

2008-01-20T18:42:00.000+11:00

I decided this was the year to have a go at preserving, and with all the lovely Summer fruit at the moment I found a couple of recipes and gave it a shot.

I started with mango chutney, as I got a whole tray of them from the Fruit Barn quite cheap.

Next it was strawberry and nectarine jam. I got a big preserving pot from a garage sale last year and have been saving lots of jars.

I washed them well, let them dry in a hot oven and boiled the lids for a while. I got a roll of waxed paper and just cut circles the same size as the lids and placed them on top before screwing the lid on tight. As they cooled - the bumps in the lid went in so I knew they had sealed correctly. Even so - I'll keep the jam in the fridge just to be sure although the chutney should be fine for up to a year in the store-cupboard. It's worth getting a good book or doing some reading on this though before having a go yourself; although there's no reason to be put-off; hey, if I can do it...
Mango Chutney - you need; 6-8 firm mangoes, 2 cups ripe sliced tomatoes, 4 cups sliced onions, 3 cups raisins, 3 cups brown sugar, 3 cups malt vinegar, 2 chillies, handful of salt.
You;- mix everything together in the preserving pan and boil for one hour. (Medium heat - stir occasionally). Pour into sterilized jars. Keep for one month to mature before using.
Summer Jam - (from 'Marie Claire - Comfort') - you need;- 200g or 1 1/3 cups strawberries, rinsed & hulled, 2 ripe peaches/nectarines (300g in total), 400g or 1 3/4 cups sugar.
You;- Slice strawberries in half and put them in a bowl. Remove skin from peaches/nectarines and roughly slice the flesh into the bowl. Pour the sugar over the fruit, stir, cover with plastic wrap and allow to marinate for 2 hours. Then place it in a saucepan and bring to boil before reducing to a low simmer. Remove any frothy scum that may come to the surface. Simmer for 40 mins, stirring occasionally. Test that it's ready by dropping a little onto a cold saucer and placing in freezer for 1 min. When it begins to form a skin it's ready. Pour into sterilized jar and allow to cool before sealing with a lid, and refridgerating until ready to use. It will keep for several weeks. I actually added heaps more fruit, alot less sugar and a packet of 'Jam-Setta' to this recipe; although I haven't actually tried it yet! I'll save it for the scones...

Folk 'n Blues

2008-01-20T18:05:00.001+11:00

I knew I'd be wasting my breath trying to get them to give me a go with their magnificent flying machines; 'girls germs' and all that, so I came home to do some guitar practice - just started having lessons with a very inspiring teacher and folk musician, Nigel Foote. He's got a fascinating biography on his website - well worth a read.

I can now play 'happy birthday', 'silent night', 'house of the rising sun' and 'a-soulin' with the melody and base; - To quote Nigel from his biography '1963-64 Went to Peter, Paul & Mary concert at Rushcutter's Bay, Sydney. Hooked! Gave up the piano... fell in love with Mary!' They played a brilliant version of 'a-soulin' at the concert which he's given me on cassette; and although I'm playing it much slower it really feels like you're getting somewhere with it; chillin' out and having fun all at the same time, even after just a few lessons. Practising certainly isn't a chore as I remember piano used to be in my younger days.

*#$^LUNA PARK@#**

2008-01-16T21:08:00.001+11:00

We went along to the 'Friday Night Lunacy' at Luna Park - Sydney last week. Awesome fun!!Whats awesome about it is the old & the new combined - part's of it - like 'Coney Island' are unchanged from the 1930's when it first opened to the public. And the setting - right next to Sydney Harbour is spectacular.

Some great photo opportunities....

Sydney really is a stunning City.... well, it is when you only visit it once every couple of years!!

Dan and I went on the ferris wheel and enjoyed the best views of the harbour.

The Old and the New...

Coney Island is the original old-fashioned fun house, and the kids had just as much fun in here as on all the new rides (... except I don't know why they kept saying to me 'this is so cool mum... can't believe this is all they had when you were young...) !! Hello - the 1930's!!!
So that's why they made me go on all the new rides - they wanted me to know what I'd been missing out on...

Don't you just hate those girls walking around with big buff boyfriends and the biggest stuffed toys of all... well they didn't have 'hook-a-duck' so I couldn't impress the kids...

Right - those new rides I mentioned; this was one of them. I tried escaping at the last minute but to no avail. We weren't even strapped in - just standing up holding onto these bars infront of us; no worries though, we were pinned in place due to the centrifugal force.... I think some of these ride designers were recruited from the special forces - 'we have ways to make you talk' unit. OK...feeling slightly queasy by now... but only 4 more hours to go...

We're just working out who's birthday it is next so we can go back and do it all over again......!!

Vanilla Cup Cakes/Birthday Cakes

2008-01-16T20:58:00.000+11:00

You can get some really nice cup cake cases now from shops that specialise in kitchen stuff- it's worth putting some away for the odd special occasion as they really do add the finishing touch. I just had to buy them 'cause they were so cute!

Here's the recipe;-
You need:- 125 g butter, softened; 2 eggs; 3/4 cup caster sugar; 2 tspns vanilla extract; 1.5 cups Self Raising Flour; half cup milk. (for chocolate cakes just substitute 2 tbspns flour with cocoa).

You:- Beat butter, sugar & vanilla together until pale. Beat in eggs one at a time. Sift the flour over the mixture and milk and continue mixing until all is well combined. Spoon into cup cases, in muffin size tin. Bake at 190 degree's celcius for approx 15 mins. For vanilla cakes - you can cut a shallow cone from the top of each cake and fill with vanilla butter icing; for these cup cakes just make up some basic butter icing (1 cup icing sugar, 1 tspn butter, 2-3 tbspns milk or enough to make correct consistency, pink food colouring or cocoa - mixed together with wooden spoon). Decorate with icing and lollies when cakes have cooled. This recipe is great as it can be adapted in so many different ways - just check out some of the 'cup-cake' recipe books to get some idea's.

Have a Very Merry Christmas!! / 'Six White Boomers'...

2007-12-24T11:46:00.002+11:00

Well, I'm all blogged out. So that just leaves me to wish family, friends, fellow-bloggers (and the computer-illiterate - hi dad), and everyone else a 'Very Merry & Safe Christmas'
from all of us!!

Cheerio for 2007 - see you in 2008!

Or as they say in Wales (!!!)....(amazing what you can find out through the internet).......

'Nadolig Llawen a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda' !!!

(..that better be 'Merry Christmas' in Welsh!!)

The pressies are wrapped; the kids are watching 'The Grinch' and I'm off to make gingerbread men now. (of course...recipe to follow)
I'll just leave you with a great Aussie verse/song that's become a classic in the Land Down Under.....and one that we had a great time singing at the Jenolan Caves Christmas Concert. (OK, I'd had a few glasses of wine so I did the actions aswell...no, definately no photo)...

Six White Boomers

One of Santa Clause's favourite songs. By Rolf Harris & John D. Brown .

(Introduction)
Early on one Christmas Day, a Joey Kanga-roo,
Was far from home and lost in a great big zoo.
Mummy, where's my mummy, they've taken her a-way,
We'll help you find your mummy son, hop on the sleigh.

Chorus:
Six white boomers, snow white boomers,
Racing Santa Claus through the blazing sun.
Six white boomers, snow white boomers,
.. On his Aus-tra-lian run.

Verse: Up beside the bag of toys, little Joey hopped ,
But they had'nt gone far when Santa stopped.
Un-harnessed all the reindeer and Joey wondered why,
Then he heard a far off booming in the sky.

Chorus: Six white boomers ...

Pretty soon old Santa began to feel the heat,
Took his fur-lined boots off to cool his feet.
Into one popped Joey, feeling quite OK,
While those old man kangaroos kept pulling on the sleigh.

Chorus: Six white boomers ...

Joey said to Santa, Santa, what about the toys,
Aren't you giving some to these girls and boys.
They've all got their presents son, we were here last night,
This trip is an extra trip, Joey's special flight.

Chorus: Six white boomers ...

Soon the sleigh was flashing past, right over Marble Bar,
Slow down there, cried Santa, it can't be far.
Come up on my lap son, and have a look around,
There she is, that's mummy, bounding up and down.

Chorus: Six white boomers ...

Well that's the bestest Christmas treat that Joey ever had,
Curled up in mother's pouch all snug and glad.
The last they saw was Santa headed northward from the sun,
The only year the boomers worked a double run.

Chorus: Six white boomers ...

Right...where's the Berocca.........

Jenolan Caves Christmas Concert 2007

2007-12-24T11:08:00.003+11:00

We had a wonderful time at the Jenolan Caves last weekend - exploring the Imperial Cave followed by an incredible carol concert in the Grand Archway with friends.

The children were from Lapstone Public School Choir - they did an amazing job despite being very tired by the end of the concert!

It wouldn't be a Christmas celebration without the story of the nativity; it doesn't matter how many times I watch it - it's just so beautiful.

Recognise Bonita from Play School?? (And some funny old guy in red...)

You can't get better acoustics anywhere in the world than at the caves - the sound is awesome. (Except if I was singing...)!

Caves House. Just being at the Jenolan Caves always reminds me of Matlock, in Derbyshire for some reason - a place I always enjoyed visiting.

It's hard to capture the wonder of the caves and all the incredible rock formations, and underground river which glowed a pale blue due to the chrystals. Our guide was very informative and told us some fascinating stories....don't want to spoil it for you - just visit the caves!!

The performers at the concert appeared in various spots right up in the grand archway - and with the special lighting and sound, added to the surreal atmosphere.

There was even a little Christmas market & musicians during the day which they are hoping will get bigger & better each year.

Donna Hay Magazine

2007-12-24T10:02:00.000+11:00

Here's one magazine worth buying - the Donna Hay Christmas magazine. There's some great festive treats including the special icecream recipe on the cover - great for Christmas 'down under', as well as some yummy macadamia cookies and heaps more....

Christmas Table

2007-12-24T09:16:00.001+11:00

I love setting the table nice for special occasions - especially Christmas this year, as its the first one we've had at home for a few years. We're usually camping by the Hawkesbury River.

It doesn't have to cost the earth - I like the challenge of looking for alternative ways of doing things while pinching idea's from the glossy mags. (Then I put them back on the shelf!! - I'll be banned from the newsagents sooner or later)

A piece of old lace (read net curtain) plain white tablecloth and a piece of blue & white fabric - Spotlight sales are great for these.

An old teapot and some foil wrapped chocolate hearts & coins, sugared almonds and candy canes complete the setting with some scented candles, and wired -blue -beads (check local $2 shops) wrapped around some napkins.

Olivers Chocolate Pudding

2007-12-24T08:59:00.001+11:00

This is our all-time favourite family desert....so when we had our roast turkey dinner yesterday there was only one choice for pudding; (none of us like the traditional plum pud!) and its alot quicker & easier to make.

You need 1 cup Self Raising Flour, 2 tbsns cocoa, 125g butter, 1 cup caster sugar, 2 eggs, half tspn vanilla and 2 tspsns milk.
You;- sift the flour & cocoa onto a plate. Cream butter & sugar. Add eggs & vanilla. Fold in flour & milk. Spoon into dish (I use a large ceramic bowl - you need plenty of space for it to rise). Spread top evenly.
You then pour a chocolate sauce onto the top of the mixture. You need 1 cup soft brown sugar & 2 level tbspns cocoa. Mix together and stir in 8 fl oz hot water - stir until smooth then pour over cake mix. Bake 190 degrees c for about 40 mins. Serves 6. This is lovely served in little teacups with fresh cream or icecream.

Scents of Christmas

2007-12-24T08:47:00.000+11:00

This was my Kris Kringle pressie from work - so of course, I had to make a special trip... to the candle shop in Leura. (one of mums favourites too)!

Vanilla & Nutmeg candles for the table.

...And these lovely Berry & Honey Sorbet candles for the glass votive.

Bonfire Toffee

2007-12-23T20:27:00.001+11:00

I can almost smell the night air of November 5th when I munch on this delicious toffee that Bec made for my birthday. There's an excitement that's hard to describe about bonfire night in England and next to Christmas, is probably the day I miss most.
You need 4 tbspn water, 100g butter, 300g raw sugar, 2 level tbspns golden syrup, 1 level tbspn black treacle.
You;- put all the ingredients into a pan. Heat slowly, stirring, until butter melts and sugar dissolves. Bring to a boil. Cover the pan. Boil gently for 2 mins. Uncover. Continute to boil, stirring occasionally for 10-15 mins (or until a little of the mixture dropped into a cup of cold water seperates into hard & brittle threads). Pour into a buttered 6" square tin. Leave until hard. Turn out onto a board. Break up with a small hammer. Enjoy!!

My Treasures

2007-12-23T20:06:00.001+11:00

Here's the amazing windchimes that Zac made for me at school, in metalwork class. They make a beautiful sound when the breeze catches them; he was so proud of his hard work that he woke me up really early 'cause he couldn't wait any longer to hand over his precious gift! That's love for you!!

This beautiful knitted angel was sent to me from my cousin Sue in the UK. I love handmade crafts - they're my greatest treasures. The little bells on her shoes really finish her outfit off.

Check these awesome shoes out - they're actually made of clay; mum sent them from NZ; I was totally gob-smacked by the detail in them, I'm sure I had a pair similar when I was little.

So I'm feeling very spoilt, and very grateful that my life is filled with such loving, caring and big-hearted folks - thank you, and I love you very much.

My Birthday!

2007-12-23T19:53:00.001+11:00

Not telling....don't ask...I've stopped counting anyway.
I got some lovely cards and flowers; Bec made me some bonfire toffee - which always brings back wonderful memories for me of November 5th in England; Guy Fawkes night. I'll post the recipe - its very addictive stuff! Zac made me a lovely windchime in metalwork at school, and Dan got me an apple ipod - which is the best invention ever (once he showed me how to use it) as I can now listen to all my favourite music without having to switch cd's; the best feature being that it plays all the songs randomly. With a new camera off my wonderful hubby, I don't mind getting older if birthdays are as good as this one!!

For more Great birthday gifts and ideas see website

More Shortbread

2007-12-23T19:10:00.001+11:00

If you want to make the 'traditional' shape, it's very easy to do and you can just use the same recipe as before. Best Ever Shortbread
Cut out 2 x 20cm circles from baking paper and put them onto a baking sheet. Split the shortbread dough in half and roll each half out into a ball. Place it in the middle of a circle and press it out until it covers the baking paper. Pinch the edges, cut into wedges and sprinkle with caster sugar. Bake for about 35 mins at 160 degrees c. Break into wedges when cool.

Set it free....

2007-12-09T20:49:00.000+11:00

If you love something, set it free. If it comes back, it will always be yours. If it doesn't come back, it was never yours to begin with.

But, if it just sits in your living room, messes up your stuff, eats your food, uses your telephone, takes your money, and doesn't appear to realize that you had set it free...... You either married it or gave birth to it!

Yummy Quiche

2007-12-09T20:03:00.001+11:00

Filling enough to make a complete meal, if you use a nice deep quiche dish and serve with a green salad and crunchy bread. Make up two lots of the pastry so you can serve a quick weekend lunch as well as a tasty week night meal. I had some fresh asparagus in the fridge to use up, so I sliced it up and put it on top. Use whatever veggies you have to hand.
Preheat oven to 160 degrees c. In food processor, blitz 1, 1/4 cups plain flour with 1tsp sugar and half tsp salt. Add 125g cold butter, cut into small cubes. Process just until it looks like breadcrumbs. With machine running, add up to 1/4 cup cold water. Stop as soon as dough holds together. Roll into a ball and flatten to a disc. Wrap with cling film and put in fridge while you make filling. Chop 175g rindless bacon and 2 onions. Saute together in 1 tbspn olive oil until golden brown on edges. Meanwhile mix together 6 lge eggs, 300ml cream, half cup milk and a good pinch each of nutmeg & pepper. Roll out pastry to fit, running knife around top of dish to ensure none is overhanging the edge. Place 2 cups of grated tasty cheese into pastry shell, then cooled bacon/onion mixture and finally egg mixture. Bake for 1, 1/4 hours. Allow to cool for at least 15 mins before serving. Great hot or cold.

Best ever Banana Bread

2007-12-09T19:57:00.001+11:00

Preheat oven to 160 degrees c. Cream 125g butter and 1 cup lightly packed brown sugar together with electric mixer. Add three eggs, beating well between each one. Fold in 1, 3/4 cups self raising flour and 75g pecans. Stir in 3 mashed bananas, half cup milk and 1 tspn vanilla until combined. Pour in and bake for 1, 1/4 hours or until skewer inserted comes out clean. Rest for 5 mins before turning onto wire rack.

Oh Little Drummer Boy

2007-12-09T19:41:00.000+11:00

Little Drummer Boy!

The words and music to the Christmas song Little Drummer Boy was composed by Katherine K. Davis, Henry Onorati and Harry Simeone in 1958. The lyrics of Little Drummer Boy consist of 21 rum pum pum pum' - a major part of the song and therefore presenting an apparently easy task for the lyricist! However, Little Drummer Boy has been a huge hit for several artists. The most notable rendition was created by the most unlikely combination of Bing Crosby and David Bowie. This version of Little Drummer Boy was a massive hit for the artists and was in fact Bing Crosby's most successful recording since the legendary White Christmas.

Come they told me, pa rum pum pum pum
A new born King to see, pa rum pum pum pum
Our finest gifts we bring, pa rum pum pum pum
To lay before the King, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

So to honor Him, pa rum pum pum pum,
When we come.

Little Baby, pa rum pum pum pum
I am a poor boy too, pa rum pum pum pum
I have no gift to bring, pa rum pum pum pum
That's fit to give the King, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

Shall I play for you, pa rum pum pum pum,
On my drum?

Mary nodded, pa rum pum pum pum
The ox and lamb kept time, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for Him, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my best for Him, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

Then He smiled at me, pa rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum.

Home grown Beans

2007-12-09T19:37:00.001+11:00

I'm now picking a good handful of beans/peas every couple of days to throw into whatever meal we're preparing; which isn't bad for such a small veggie patch.

The best Shortbread in the World

2007-12-09T19:19:00.001+11:00

I don't bother with mince pies or Christmas cake, even though I love them - I'm the only one that will eat them and I don't want to be mistaken for a snowball (not until after Christmas, anyway). But as everyone loves shortbread, I don't mind making a few big batches of this wonderful recipe from Jamie Oliver - very easy.
Preheat the oven to 150 degrees celcius. Butter a 9" square tin. Cream 250g butter and 3/4 cup of caster sugar until light & fluffy. Add 2 cups sifted plain flour and 1 cup of semolina, cornflour or rice flour (or combination) - whatever you have. Mix very lightly with a wooden spoon and then your hands until you have a smooth dough. Transfer to a floured surface and roll it out until it's about 1" thick all over. Press the dough into your tin, poking it into the corners with your fingers - don't worry about it looking perfect. Prick all over with a fork then stick it in oven for 50 mins until light golden. Sprinkle with more sugar while still warm. Allow it to cool slightly then cut into 12 chunky finger-sized pieces.
You can also add orange/lemon zest, vanilla essence or a bit of lavender to the dough for a yummy twist.

Salvation Army

2007-12-09T19:09:00.001+11:00

As they say....thank God for the salvo's. They play carol's every year in our street - I even got to put a request in this year! My absolute favourite carol - 'Little drummer boy'. It was a real treat to sit on the kerb and listen to them play. They do an incredible job though, and are always there to pick up the pieces for those whose lives have fallen apart - no questions asked. They should be acknowledged for being the real heroes in our society....

An Aussie Night Before Christmas By Yvonne Morrison

2007-12-09T18:37:00.000+11:00

'Twas the night before Christmas;
there wasn't a sound.
Not a possum was stirring;
no-one was around.
We'd left on the table
some tucker and beer.
hoping that Santa Claus
soon would be here;
We children were snuggled up safe in our beds,
While dreams of pavlova danced round in our heads;
And mum in her nightie, and dad in his shorts,
Had just settled down to watch TV sports,
When outside the house
a mad ruckus arose;
Loud squeaking and banging
woke us from our doze.
We ran to the screen door,
peeked cautiously out,
Snuck onto the deck,
then let out a shout.
Guess what had woken us up
from our snooze,
But a rusty old ute
pulled by eight mighty 'roos.
The cheerful man driving
was giggling with glee,
And we both knew at once
who this plump bloke must be.
Now, I'm telling the truth-it's all dinki-di,
Those eight kangaroos fairly soared through the sky.
Santa leaned out the window to pull at the reins,
And encouraged the 'roos, by calling their names.
'Now, Kylie! Now, Kirsty!
Now, Shazza and Shane!
On, Kipper! On, Skipper!
On, Bazza and Wayne!
Park up on that water tank,
Grab a quick drink,
I'll scoot down the gum tree.
Be back in a wink!'
So up to the tank
those eight kangaroos flew,
With the ute full of toys,
and Santa Claus too.
He slid down the gum tree
and jumped to the ground,
Then in through the window
he sprang with a bound.
He had bright sunburned cheeks
and a milky white beard.
A jolly old joker
was how he appeared.
He wore red stubby shorts
and old thongs on his feet,
And a hat of deep crimson
as shade from the heat.
His eyes - bright as opals -
Oh! how they twinkled!
And, like a goanna,
his skin was quite wrinkled!
His shirt was stretched over
a round bulging belly
Which shook when he moved,
like a plate full of jelly.
A fat sack of prezzies
he flung from his back,
And he looked like a swaggie
unfastening his pack.
He spoke not a word,
but bent down on one knee,
To position our goodies
beneath the Yule tree.
Surfboard and footy-ball shapes
for us two.
And for dad, tongs to use
on the new barbeque.
A mysterious package
he left for our mum,
Then he turned and he winked
and he held up his thumb;
He strolled out on deck and his 'roos came on cue;
Flung his sack in the back and prepared to shoot through.
He bellowed out loud as they swooped past the gates -
'Merry Christmas to all, and goodonya, mates!'

It's worth getting the book if you can, as the illustrations, by Kilmeny Niland are just brilliant, and really bring the poem to life; and the kids will want it read to them over and over again (aghh, what am I talking about, stuff the kids - read it out loud to yourself like I do!)

Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree...

2007-12-09T18:35:00.001+11:00

The day I stop getting excited about all the little joys of Christmas is the day I'll keel over...!! (Just wish the kids would stop rolling their eyes)

Spicy Bean Burgers

2007-12-02T22:43:00.001+11:00

Found a new yummy recipe - the kids couldn't believe there was no meat in these burgers - they taste so good. Thanks to Ainsley for this recipe from his low fat cookbook.

....recipe to follow - too tired to blog any more!!
OK - I'm back...here it is.
You'll need the following;- 1 tbspn vegetable oil, 1 smll onion finely chopped, 2 garlic cloves, 1 smll hot red chilli finely chopped, 100g frozen chopped spinach, thawed (or just grab some from your garden), 400g can cannellini beans, 50g fresh white breadcrumbs, 1 tspn cumin, 1 tbspn chopped fresh coriander, salt & black pepper, burger buns and salad to serve.
You;- heat a tbspn of oil in a pan and cook onion, garlic cloves, and chilli for 5 mins.
Squeeze the excess moisture out of the spinach and place in a large bowl. Mash the beans well and mix with the spinach, breadcrumbs, cumin and coriander (or just use curry powder). Add fried onion mixture and stir well.
Season to taste and with slightly wet hands, shape into 4 round burgers and pat dry with kitchen paper. Grill or shallow fry for a few minutes on each side until crisp & golden. Serve in warm or toasted burger buns with salad and low-fat yogurt mixed with fresh chopped herbs, or sour cream. (I needed to make 6 for our lot - so I also added a tin of corn kernels).

Vintage Plates

2007-12-02T22:37:00.001+11:00

I finally got around to picking up some old plates for my stand. It comes in handy in our small lounge as there's not enough space for a coffee table - but it's sometimes good to be a couch potato and reach out for a snack. In red and green it fits in with our Christmas theme too!

...only healthy snacks allowed though as Gavin has to watch his cholesterol!!

Summer Garden

2007-12-02T21:49:00.001+11:00

Strawberries are doing well.

As are chillies/capsicums

My 'birthday rose' is in full splendour with two weeks to go!

Recent planting - 4 frangipani tree's; all different colours.

I chopped at the comfrey plants with a spade, and they've all started to flower and shoot up all over the place... great for compost.

Tahitian Lime Tree

Another thing I should have mentioned that is vital for seed raising - that is air circulation. This is my little green-house that I keep some shade cloth over for when it gets too hot.

Another good idea with the polystyrene 'kitchen garden' by the front door, is that when the seedlings are ready to be pricked out, you can pop them in this ready-garden for the next stage. They are well protected from predators, they are handy for watering, and you're more likely to keep an eye on them and plant them into the main veggie patch when they are big enough to take care of themselves. I planted out heaps of silverbeet today as I can't seem to grow it fast enough for our needs.
This is the special pumpkin/melon bed (or rather, large compost heap) down the back that is doing so well thanks to all the rain we've had. I use liquid fertiliser on it every week too.

....so exciting!!!

These are the sweet potato (kumera) plants that I put in a few weeks ago.

I'm sure that insect wasn't on the tomato when I took the photo!! Probably a cicada - they're so loud at the moment; and they're empty shells are all over the garden.

Sweetcorn - trying to plant a few new ones every couple of weeks for regular harvest.

So all in all, and especially thanks to all the rain we've had over the last few weeks, the garden is looking wonderful. Eating plenty of fresh lettuce, herbs, beans and snow peas and looking forward to tomatoes, berries, sweetcorn, capsicum hopefully by Christmas.

More Fah la la la la....la la la la.....!!

2007-12-02T21:12:00.000+11:00

Bec's Hand-crafted Christmas Wreath!

The house looks lovely all lit up - I just followed Bec's orders and hammered nails in where she decided they needed to go.... she's turning into a regular little bossy britches!!

Excuse the crap photo's - too many folks borrowing my camera me thinks...

We have a stocking each..

I love our little collection of Christmas books; 'An Aussie Night Before Christmas' is my favourite.

And of course...we each have our Christmas hats - 2 elf one's for the boys, a crown - of course, for me, Bec has a santa hat with 'I believe in Santa Clause' embroidered on it, and Gavin has this hilarious santa hat about 4 foot long that doesn't quite fit cause his head's too big.

White Ribbon Day

2007-12-02T15:49:00.000+11:00

30th November is a day to take a stand against domestic violence. It's sad to think that Christmas is the busiest time for women's refuges around Australia, not to mention the many other women and children who suffer in silence. This is a poem I once wrote at a particularly low point in my life - I share it because it's often hard for people to understand the sense of isolation and despair that results from abuse, and the repercussions that can last a life-time.

The Day After

You'll forget how painful it is.
How cruel those words can be.
A few days later you'll hardly believe -
That it really did happen 'to me'.
I survived - didn't I?
Lived to fight another day.
Don't kid yourself this time -
Its not worth the price
That you'll have to pay.
They're bullies, they're liars
They're cheats & low lifes -
Picking on the vulnerable,
Their kids and their wives.
Things go smoothly
For most of the day.
So what triggered it this time?
You'll hear yourself say.
There's no rhyme or reason -
You did nothing wrong.
They're insecure little boys,
Who'll steal your sweet song.
Depressed and alone
Embattled and torn,
This wasn't what God intended
The day you were born.
What happened to us?
That we expect so much less -
How did I get here?
You begin to confess.
Then the kids
And the fear
And finances entwine,
Leaving no voice
For yourself to pine.
We pick up the pieces,
We force ourselves on -
It's no way to live though,
Life's one big con.
But if you can take it...
One day at a time,
Trust in a greater force
Just one small sign
You can learn to be free -
Gain peace of mind.
Move through the fog
And one day find -
That there is a safe place
Where the sun does still shine,
And you reach the conclusion
That life is devine.

(Original poem by Lisa S - please acknowledge if reproducing, thanks).

... And to all the guys that treasure they're families above all else and treat others' with the respect they deserve (even when things get tough) - good on ya!!

Pressies

2007-12-02T15:42:00.001+11:00

Just had to include this pic of my beautifully wrapped birthday pressies that just arrived from mum & dad in NZ. I'm really enjoying just looking at them sitting on the dresser; makes me realise how important it is to take time to just appreciate things, whether it be a meal, a thoughtful gift or something picked from the garden.

Rustic Pizza's

2007-12-02T15:07:00.001+11:00

I'd read about these ceramic 'pizza stones' so finally got around to buying a couple of them. They came with a metal tray-thing with handles that you can put them on as well as pizza wheels for serving. They really do make an amazing difference - you heat them up in the oven, prepare your pizza's, then slide them onto the hot stones and cook as normal in a hot oven. The bases came out really crispy. As we're trying to eat more vegetarian dishes this is one that I wanted to get right - when you spend time making lovely home-made sauces for the top from home-grown produce, it's just as important to get the base right too. I can't begin to describe the delicious aroma that comes out of the oven while its cooking!

I had to hunt around a bit for them - but any good kitchen shop should have them. I think the name of the shop where I got these from was 'House of Knives'. Expect to pay around $15 each; for the price of one bought pizza you get to make brilliant home-made ones....forever!

I used organic bread flour for the base and packet yeast. I made these in my bread maker; just as quick to make by hand though following any simple bread recipe. For the toppings - I had some pesto left over from a pasta dish the previous day which I spread on the base first, and then made up a tomato sauce as follows;- put a couple of tbsn's of good olive oil in a heavy-based pan and throw in some chopped garlic. Add a chopped spanish onion and lots of vine-ripened, garden fresh tomatoes cut into chunks, and here you can add any other vegies you might have in the fridge or garden like capsicum, zucchini etc. Also add plenty of basil & oregano, a bit of sugar & seasoning and bring to boil. Reduce heat to simer and stir occasionally until most of liquid cooks out and you're left with a nice thick sauce. Spread over pesto on pizza base and add any other toppings like parmesan/mozzarella cheese, olives and chopped sundried tomatoes. The base is also really nice if you throw a bit of polenta onto the pizza stone before sliding pizza onto it. Bake 230 degrees celsius for about 15-20 mins.

Learning New Stuff

2007-12-02T14:47:00.001+11:00

Had a burst of inspiration recently (!) Doesn't happen too often now so thought I'd make the most of it. Decided to learn 2 new things - one is crochet. Got this great discounted book when I was at the bookshop the other day. I've seen these natural cotton dishclothes & faceclothes around, and thought they'd be great to make for the home and to give as gifts with home-made soap. It's very relaxing to sit and do - I learnt the basics in one evening; this is 'seed stitch' but they're all just variations of the basic stitches. Really wished I'd paid attention now when Auntie Brenda was trying to teach me crochet many years ago....
The other thing I'm going to try and learn next year is to play the guitar. (Great relief from my family - the violin episode was very painful for them apparently!)

Deck the Halls...

2007-12-02T14:00:00.000+11:00

Gotta love this time of year. Just when I thought I was gonna have a quiet, relaxing weekend, Bec talked me into putting up the Christmas deco's - inside and out!! Here's some that I've made & bought over the year's; now I try to add one new thing a year. Once they were all home-made - the kids would love learning new crafts. One year we made a whole nativity set out of salt-dough, which we varnished & painted. Each year we've gradually lost a few of them - just Mary, Joseph and Jesus in the Manger left - see if you can spot them.

Just got to pick up the REAL Christmas tree now - the artificial one finally got thrown out this year - so it'll be a real treat.

Rod Stewart

2007-11-06T22:21:00.000+11:00

What a great interview, Andrew Denton with Rod Stewart the other night on ABC....
Always loved his music; but it was his honesty, humility & down-to-earth nature that really shone through...

ANDREW DENTON: What was it like for you eh, you’d been playing for a long time? You’d been in various bands including The Faces and then suddenly all around the world this was a number one hit. What was that…?
ROD STEWART: Ah tremendous. I think it probably you know, the most pleasure I got out of it was I saw in me mum and dad’s eyes at the time, you know that they were so proud of me because they never once told me when I was struggling musician go and get a job or you’re never going to make it. They believed in me, so I think that was probably the biggest pleasure I, you know, the look in their eyes. I remember it to this day.
ANDREW: By the end of the decade punk came along, and the punk people declared you as a, as a boring old fart.
ROD STEWART: They were quite right.
***

ROD STEWART: The punk thing was like ’75, ’76, ’77, and then I did do a big bandwagon jump in and I did disco. Forgot about that one, you bastard. I was hoping you wouldn’t bring that up.
ANDREW DENTON: Well, I was going to refer to it as ‘The Spandex Years’ actually.
ROD STEWART: Yeah, ‘The old Spandex Years’. What a pair of legs I had in those days. ANDREW DENTON: You’ve said you were a hero for some of the stuff you wore. What are some of the outfits you remember?
ROD STEWART: Oh I think the most bizarre one was with the, with The Faces, where I used to put, you know, those feather boas. I used to wear three round me waist — red, yellow, any colours — but I always wore three. I mean it looked like a ballerinas tutu but I got away with it. I think I got away with it, and then I had the spandex cutaway which just showed two nipples. My kids look at these pictures now and think - dad, how could you do it? But you look back on what you wore and it all seemed OK at the time. It’s only in retrospect you look and you go - oh my God, what was I doing, you know?

ANDREW DENTON: ‘With Do You Think I’m Sexy?’, you donated the royalties for that to UNICEF. Why was that?
ROD STEWART: Um, I don’t know why. I think it had something to do, cos I nicked the song.
ANDREW DENTON: Would you call yours a great voice?ROD STEWART: I would call it distinct. I wouldn’t say it’s a great voice compared to Pavarotti, the late Pavarotti. I mean that’s technically a brilliant voice, but I think mine’s very distinct and it’s very eh, very emotional and I think it can at times, tug on the heart strings.

One of my all-time favourites; -

Have I told you lately that I love you
Have I told you there's no one else above you
Fill my heart with gladness
take away all my sadness
ease my troubles that's what you do

For the morning sun in all it's glory
greets the day with hope and comfort too
You fill my life with laughter
and somehow you make it better
ease my troubles that's what you do
There's a love that's divine
and it's yours and it's mine like the sun
And at the end of the day
we should give thanks and pray
to the one, to the one

Have I told you lately that I love you
Have I told you there's no one else above you
Fill my heart with gladness
take away all my sadness
ease my troubles that's what you do

There's a love that's divine
and it's yours and it's mine like the sun
And at the end of the day
we should give thanks and pray
to the one, to the one

And have I told you lately that I love you
Have I told you there's no one else above you
You fill my heart with gladness
take away my sadness
ease my troubles that's what you do
Take away all my sadness
fill my life with gladness
ease my troubles that's what you do
Take away all my sadness
fill my life with gladness
ease my troubles that's what you do

Ahh, Rodders...gotta luv ya!! Thanks for the music.

Seed-Raising

2007-11-04T23:12:00.003+11:00

There's a bit of a knack to seed-raising; I've read and tried lots of different things and wasted heaps of seed, but finally have come up with a good method that's fairly consistent. I'm glad I persisted as growing your own from seed gives you far more variety than the seedlings available from nurseries and hardware stores, and they're usually alot healthier and disease & pest-resistant too.

The method I now use, is to make up my own seed raising mix from 50:50 river sand and coir (coconut fibre) mix. Place this into clean seed tray. Stand seed tray in a bowl or sink of water until whole mix is moist. This will only take a second or two if you've just made the coir brick up and its already moist. Press the top of the mix down slightly. Sprinkle seed on top. Sieve or sprinkle a light layer of compost/seed raising mix on top of this depending on size of seed. Refer to packet - usually depth for planting is 3 times width of seed. ie. larger seed needs planting deeper than very fine seed. I then label all the seed trays and place them in a single tray that has a piece of newspaper and old carpet lining in it, which I dampen. As most seeds germinate best in the dark (lettuce is an exception) - I cover the tray with a few layers of newspaper, placed carefully over the tray so the plant markers stay in place, then cover newspaper with a layer of plastic that was left over from a roll when we renovated the back verandah and made pull-down blinds. You can buy it by the metre from spotlight, otherwise another really good idea (if you don't have a greenhouse or prefer to keep the seeds near the door so you don't forget about them) is to get one of those plastic suit/clothes protectors from the $2 shop, with a zipper down the middle. Leave the seeds alone for a few days, then check to see if any have germinated. Some take a couple of days - some can take up to a couple of weeks or more. If you keep the humidity in though with the plastic cover and keep them in the shade, they won't require any more watering until they germinate. This is how I managed to kill most of my seeds off previously - by over-watering; using bought seed-raising mix, and not covering them so the soil dried out in between watering. I discovered this all accidentally after sowing some seeds then going on holiday and forgetting about them for a week. I came back to find that they had all germinated - due to following all the conditions above (again, more by accident).

I then 'prick out' the seeds when they get their 2nd set of leaves, using various implements I've found just for this job; and transplant them into my home-made potting mix. This is mostly compost with a handful of river sand, coir and some blood & bone. Worm castings are good if you have them too. Linda Woodrow suggests getting a shallow polystyrene box, placing about 12 - 2L plastic milk containers in with the top & bottoms cut out, filling with the potting mix, pushing a hole in and carefully transplanting the seedling in to this, pushing the soil back around the stem. These then get hardened off, before planting into the garden with the plastic container still around them to protect the plant. This is what I'm working towards, although you have to be fairly consistent with sowing seed, transplanting and planting out - and sometimes its easier just to throw a few seeds into the garden and see what happens....

I just find the whole process of growing a plant that can yield possibly several kilo's of vegetables from a tiny little seed so fascinating - no wonder the story of 'jack and the beanstalk' has fascinated children for so long.

Baking Dishes

2007-11-04T23:01:00.001+11:00

I seem to be getting a bit of a collection of baking dishes with recipes printed on them - partly because I can't be bothered to go hunting for recipes, and partly because the dish suits the particular recipe so well. Like the 'Best Ever Banana Bread' 'Best Ever Lemon Slice' 'Apple Pie' and a great, deep ceramic dish for Quiche. (Recipes to follow....watch this space)!
I also got a pancake pan the other day from Woolworth's, as we do make quite alot and just used a normal frying pan but the first few always stick to the bottom. Didn't realise until I got home that the recipe for pancakes was printed on the bottom! Whether heat will make it disappear in time remains to be seen - better copy it down just in case...

Plant-a-genda

2007-11-04T22:51:00.001+11:00

I now have a very nifty box to store all my seed packets in. When you're done planting a few seeds you can move it to the next month to remind you to do succession planting, so you don't end up with a huge glut of one type of veggie. Winter veg can be stored in the correct months after checking the info on the seed packet, and there's a 'what to sow when' chart and companion planting guide. If I had the time and could gather the materials, I would probably have made something similar as it is a bit pricey for what you get - but for the organisation factor alone, for me its worth every cent. See www.plantagenda.com.au

Chilli Chicken Stirfry

2007-11-04T22:37:00.002+11:00

Ooh, this is so yummy and healthy - and only takes about 10-15 mins to throw together. Chop some onion and garlic and fry gently in a bit of olive oil. Add some thin strips chicken breast or thigh fillets, and cook until tender & golden. Add a good amount of finely diced vegetables. I use a bag of frozen stir-fry veg from Aldi, if I'm trying to put a meal together at the end of a very long day. I always see what's in the fridge and maybe add some diced capsicum, celery, zucchini, broccoli and some baby bok choy/spinach from the garden too. Then just stir in a a good dollop of hot chilli - fresh if you have it, or get those jars or they come in tubes now, 1/4 cup teriaki sauce and a good dash of honey. If you have a fresh jar of sprouts make sure you throw those in. You can also add 1 tbspn of fresh coriander if you like it - personally I can't stand the stuff and I can whiff it a mile away. Serve with rice.

Currently reading...

2007-11-04T22:28:00.001+11:00

These 3 books are great - I've read them all through, but these are the sort of books you keep handy and keep on referring to. They're all Australian - 'Easy Organic Gardening' by Lyn Bagnall is packed with info on organic gardening and includes a really good guide to each fruit/veg and moon planting guide - basically everything you need to know. As mentioned previously, 'The Permaculture Home Garden' by Linda Woodrow is my absolute inspiration and full of brilliant advise, and finally 'Living the Good Life' by Linda Cockburn is a great read by someone I admire greatly who has walked the walk, before talking the talk. A very down-to-earth and witty account of one family trying to live for 6 months without spending a cent. Christmas is coming - put 'em on your list, you won't regret it!!

Container Veggie Gardening

2007-11-04T22:01:00.001+11:00

There's no excuse for not growing some of your own food with these veggie gardens that can sit right outside your kitchen door. With the right care, its amazing how much you can continue picking from them. These were only planted out two weeks ago, and have already grown considerably. I used some of the chives and parsley on my omelette today. And of course, once you feel confident with this - its exactly the same principles with a bigger veggie patch.

So, you'll need a recycled polystyrene container from a greengrocer or fishmonger. They will be happy to give these away as due to food regulations, (and just shows what horrendous waste we have here) they can only be used once. A good, deep oblong one is perfect. Punch some holes in the bottom for drainage and lay some newspaper in the bottom. Fill with a 50:50 mix of organic potting mix and coir - which is recycled coconut husks that you buy in a brick from any hardware place for about $2.50. Place it in a bucket of water and leave for an hour, by which time it will have absorbed all the water, and filled the bucket completely. Mix this with potting mix and a handful of blood and bone. Fill container.

Now for the fun part, make holes in the soil mix and carefully plant the seedlings. This box has 3 lettuce down the middle, 2 cherry tomatoes along with a stake at each end, chives or shallots, parsley - 2 varieties, silverbeet, rocket, beetroot (use leaves in salads), bok choy and at each end we pushed in a couple of bean seeds that will grow out and trail over the box. You then need to add a good handful of complete organic fertiliser granules, again - only a couple of dollars from the hardware store and water everything in really well. Add a good layer of mulch such as pea straw, lucerne or anything that is fairly easy to spread around the plants (straw is too long/sharp and could damage the seedlings). I've stood the box on 2 bricks so it doesn't damage the deck and drains better; but it is pretty heavy once its filled with the soil. You can sprinkle some organic snail pellets around the plants if you need to, but I haven't had any problems with pests at all being so close to the house and raised from the ground. When you're learning to grow veggies, there's enough to think about without worrying about every single pest that comes along! Even with veggies in the garden, this is still a great option for last minute extra's to add to meals and alot of fun, especially when you get little children involved in learning all about gardening.
Thanks to BM 'Cittaslow', BM Permaculture Network & BM City Council for promoting home kitchen gardens... contact any of these for future courses or info available from Food Co-op, Katoomba.

The Charge of the Light Brigade

2007-11-04T21:16:00.000+11:00

Sixty Minutes tonight carried a great story on the Australian Light Horse and their famous battle at Beersheba. On October 31, 1917 they went on the attack against the Turks. Eight hundred daring horseman charging into immortality.It was a massive gamble, but it paid off and changed the course of the war in the Middle East. 90 years on and the children and grandchildren of the Light Horsemen have returned to the Holy Land to pay their respects and remember the bravery of their fathers, and grandfathers.
In 1854, 673 soldiers charged into the North Valley above Balaclava in the Crimea inspiring the poem by Alfred Lord Tennyson, 'The Charge of the Light Brigade'. I love this poem - not because it glorifies war - but because it shows the tenacity of the human spirit against all the odds. Most of us understand that war is futile; but despite the impossible situation these men found themselves in, they determinedly followed their orders, and rode together alongside their mates into battle. Out of the Australians, amazingly only 33 were killed. Of the British at the Crimea, 113 were killed, many more were injured or missing, presumed captured.

'Half a league, half a league,
Half a league onward,
All in the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
"Forward the Light Brigade!
Charge for the guns!" he said.
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.

"Forward, the Light Brigade!"
Was there a man dismayed?
Not though the soldier knew
Someone had blundered.
Theirs not to make reply,
Theirs not to reason why,
Theirs but to do and die.
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.

Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon in front of them
Volleyed and thundered;
Stormed at with shot and shell,
Boldly they rode and well,
Into the jaws of Death,
Into the mouth of hell
Rode the six hundred.

Flashed all their sabres bare,
Flashed as they turned in air
Sabring the gunners there,
Charging an army, while
All the world wondered.
Plunged in the battery-smoke
Right through the line they broke;
Cossack and Russian
Reeled from the sabre-stroke
Shattered and sundered.
Then they rode back, but not,
Not the six hundred.

Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon behind them
Volleyed and thundered;
Stormed at with shot and shell,
While horse and hero fell.
They that had fought so well
Came through the jaws of Death,
Back from the mouth of hell,
All that was left of them,
Left of six hundred.

When can their glory fade?
O the wild charge they made!
All the world wondered.
Honor the charge they made!
Honor the Light Brigade,
Noble six hundred!

Best Ever Scones

2007-11-04T21:01:00.001+11:00

Its worth picking up a copy of this month's 'delicious' magazine, as its got a free book of 'cafe' food recipes with it. You won't, however, find this recipe in there. As much as I'd love to try 'white fig & marsala cheesecake' amongst other gourmet stuff - I'm just a simple girl at heart. And an English one at that - so we make scones. For this recipe, you need:-
2 cups Self-raising flour, 1/2 tspn salt, 1 tspn baking powder/ 55 g butter (cut into small squares), 150ml milk, fresh whipped cream & jam to serve.
You:-
Preheat oven to 230 deg celcius. Lightly flour a baking sheet. I use my little food processor that I got off e-bay, so it makes it really quick to make. You simply add flour, salt & baking powder. Pulse to mix. Add butter & mix until it resembles fine breadcrumbs. Pour in milk to make a soft dough. Turn out onto a floured surface; knead lightly. Flatten with your hand until 2cm thick and cut into rounds. Place on tray and bake 8-10 mins until well risen & golden. Split while warm and serve with jam & cream. If you brush the tops with milk & sprinkle with cinnamon before baking, you get that lovely golden colour.

Bougainvillea

2007-11-04T19:49:00.000+11:00

The year after planting the bougainvillea and its climbed to the top of the fence and is a riot of colour. One is hot pink, the other lilac, and both look sensational. That's whats so great about Spring - just when you're starting to think that you've managed to kill everything living thing you planted last year (OK - I did lose a few things....) suddenly they burst into new growth and colour.

Garden - October

2007-10-27T21:48:00.001+10:00

Plants can look so incredible on the labels that its easy to get dis-heartened when they don't turn out anything like that even after several months. This rosemary for example; I've planted it at the front of the top terraced bed, in the hopes that it might cascade over just like the picture. Even if it doesn't, I'll love it anyway because it's named after my grandma and I like to be surrounded by things that bring back special memories.

This is French Sorrel; it looks alot like silverbeet. I really need to put some better plant labels in as I have a bad habit of forgetting what something is then pulling it out when I'm on a mad weeding spree. Checked them all out and I like the Diggers one's best, as they're not made of plastic like all the others so time to put an order in me thinks.

This is horseradish - stuck it over by the compost bin as it can get a bit rampant apparently. A guy sells food plants outside the food co-op on a Friday very cheaply. Picked up a boysenberry this week.

I love nasturtium in the garden - must get another packet of seeds. Started this one climbing up the verandah post. There's also a honeysuckle climbing up another post but it's taking a while to grow - can't wait for it to take off to scent the air on a Summer evening, along with the jasmine.

More wildflowers keep appearing - thats what's so great about throwing a mixed packet in. This was the 'blue & pink' mix from the Diggers club, which is meant to produce various flowers at different times throughout the year, rather than all at once. The blue ones look like nigella, or 'love-in-a-mist.

Favourite Magazines

2007-10-27T21:36:00.001+10:00

Love these 3 magazines - Grass Roots, Earth Garden and Warm Earth. All Australian and some great articles on organic gardening and self-sufficiency. I don't get every issue unfortunately, only when there's something of particular interest - like the chook dome article in the latest edition of Earth Garden mag based on Linda Woodrow's design in her brilliant book 'Permaculture Home Garden'. Very clever lady...

Cat Quilt

2007-10-27T21:28:00.000+10:00

I love this 'cat' scrap quilt cause I made it for Dan's 10th Birthday; and blue & yellow go so well together. This is my favourite chair; a great garage-sale find and a recliner too!

Frou-frou's

2007-10-22T22:11:00.001+10:00

Now I'm not a big shoe-fan - one pair for each occasion (and usually black and pre-loved) is my motto. Well I do love my new pair of shoes that Bec picked out for me in my fav store, Frou-frou's the other day. Pre-loved so doing my bit for recyling, just my size and they look great with jeans - ooh, love a bargain...

Veggie patch by the front door....

2007-10-22T21:59:00.001+10:00

.... coming shortly. Slow-food Blue Mountains along with the BM Permaculture network just ran a great short course on growing veggies in a free- recyled container that you can harvest all Summer long, which is great for beginner gardeners to get the hang of correct soil mix, planting, choosing the right veggies, pest control, water & fertiliser requirements etc as they aim to get as many people growing their own veg as possible. Pop back soon....

For more great tutorials see my website at www.backyardabundance.com.au

Apple, Rhubarb & Fruit Pulp Crumble

2007-10-22T21:47:00.000+10:00

So the fruit pulp from making fresh juice is sitting in the fridge, add to it some sliced rhubarb and a couple of apples, peeled & sliced, and you've got the makings of a great fruit crumble. Sprinkle with bit of sugar and some mixed spice or whatever, and throw a crumble mix together. Into a food processor or bowl, place 1 cup brown sugar, 1 cup coconut, 1 cup rolled oats, 1 cup plain flour. Add 4 tbsp approx, cubed butter. Mix until it resembles coarse breadcrumbs. Bake 1-1.5 hours on medium heat, 150 deg celcius. Serve with custard, fresh cream or icecream. Also try berries, pears, peaches or whatever you have in the fridge/pantry.

Glenbrook Market

2007-10-22T21:31:00.000+10:00

Had a lovely time on Saturday browsing around the markets. This is my garlic plant from the organic fruit & veggie man. I buy garlic bulbs from him aswell every month, and use in just about everything. I tried growing it last year by planting some of the bulbs - not sure what happened to them though! I'm not going to miss these in the garden...

Lovely bars of soap from the Hemp stall - hemp and olive oils with wonderful essential oils. Stuck them in my chest of drawers until needed so they make everything smell great. I've been meaning to make some more, but haven't quite got around to it!

The vegies are grown out at Orange; I love the Fuji apples and they have heaps of potato varieties.

The plant man. Love roses, but don't have anywhere to put them. Got some dianthus for the window boxes instead, and a lovely deep pink geranium and a climbing plant.

The bread man. Love the organic wholemeal sourdough.

Glenbrook - home of the.......gnomes!! The market is held at the primary school on the 3rd Saturday of the month.

Fresh Juice

2007-10-22T21:22:00.000+10:00

Just dug my old juicer out again, and got some watermelon, rockmelon, pineapple, apples, oranges etc. and made a lovely refreshing drink. Don't throw away the fruit pulp - I have another recipe for that coming up shortly...

Bush Poem

2007-10-22T20:04:00.000+10:00

Fair Dinkum bush poem

The sun was hot already - it was only 8 o'clock
The cocky took off in his Ute, to go and check his stock...
He drove around the paddocks checking wethers, ewes and lambs,
The float valves in the water troughs, the windmills on the dams.

He stopped and turned a windmill on to fill a water tank
And saw a ewe down in the dam, a few yards from the bank.
"Typical bloody sheep," he thought, "they've got no common sense,
"They won't go through a gateway but they'll jump a bloody fence."

The ewe was stuck down in the mud, he knew without a doubt
She'd stay there 'til she carked it if he didn't get her out.
But when he reached the water's edge, the startled ewe broke free
And in her haste to get away, began a swimming spree.

He reckoned once her fleece was wet, the weight would drag her down
If he didn't rescue her, the stupid sod would drown.
Her style was unimpressive, her survival chances slim
He saw no other option, he would have to take a swim.

He peeled his shirt and singlet off, his trousers, boots and socks
And as he couldn't stand wet clothes, he also shed his jocks.
He jumped into the water and away that cocky swam
He caught up with her, somewhere near the middle of the dam

The ewe was quite evasive, she kept giving him the slip
He tried to grab her sodden fleece but couldn't get a grip.
At last he got her to the bank and stopped to catch his breath
She showed him little gratitude for saving her from death.

She took off like a Bondi tram around the other side
He swore next time he caught that ewe he'd hang her bloody hide.
Then round and round the dam they ran, although he felt quite puffed
He still thought he could run her down, she must be nearly stuffed.

The local stock rep came along, to pay a call that day.
He knew this bloke was on his own, his wife had gone away
He didn't really think he'd get fresh scones for morning tea
But nor was he prepared for what he was about to see.

He rubbed his eyes in disbelief at what came into view
For running down the catchment came this frantic-looking ewe.
And on her heels in hot pursuit and wearing not a stitch
The farmer yelling wildly "Come back here, you lousy bitch!"

The stock rep didn't hang around, he took off in his car
The cocky's reputation has been damaged near and far
So bear in mind the Work Safe rule when next you check your flocks
Spot the hazard, assess the risk, and always wear your jocks!

(Sorry...don't know who wrote it - thanks mum for that one!)

Bush Beans

2007-10-07T22:13:00.000+10:00

After only a week away, came back to find all seedlings doing really well - especially the bush beans - 'cherokee wax' or something similar. Brought a big bag of seaweed home and spread it all around the garden after giving it a good rinse.

I was surprised to see some seeds I'd left in pots in the greenhouse had sprouted; including some gourd seeds which I couldn't get to germinate before, so it just shows, its worth throwing them in and just waiting to see what happens sometimes. Most seeds seem to die from being over-watered and suffering from 'damping off'.

Liquid Fertiliser.

2007-10-07T21:46:00.001+10:00

I found a great recipe for liquid compost by Peter Cundall of Gardening Australia. Three-quarters fill a large bucket or drum with seaweed and add water until it floats. Pour in half a cup of fish emulsion or carp fertiliser and stir in well. Add half a cup of seaweed concentrate and a fistful of sulphate of potash and epsom salts. Stir well - leave for up to a month. To use, almost fill a watering can with water and top up with the brew so it resembles pale tea. Use every week in vegie patch but be careful around young seedlings - always better to feed the soil if in doubt. Below is the (very dark) liquid from my worm farm. I didn't have any seaweed when I first made this brew so I put heaps of herbs and comfrey in instead along with this liquid. Now I just tip the extra liquid in each week from my worm farm.

I picked this old brewers container up on the side of the road during the Council clean-up - its perfect with the tap on the bottom. It does pong a bit when you first put it around the garden...

Must be doing some good as my veggies are really taking off...

Raspberry

2007-10-07T21:22:00.001+10:00

I planted a raspberry bush in a corner of the garden last year and thought it must have died. It certainly didn't get watered or taken care of - well its suddenly decided to 'take-off' and has now grown up the fence in a different spot to where I planted it.

Be nice to actually get some fresh raspberries...

Somerset & Dorset Railway Plaque

2007-10-07T21:15:00.001+10:00

Just shows you can include whimsical and amusing features in your garden! Had to read it twice though....

'Enginemen are forbidden to blow their whistles or drain cocks whilst standing in the station as this may frighten horses and alarm passengers. Furthermore, leaking cocks must be attended to. A fine of sixpence or each leaking cock will be strictly enforced'.

Open Gardens - Hazelbrook

2007-10-07T20:49:00.000+10:00

I've been meaning to go along to see some of the open gardens which they have in the Blue Mountains every Spring - my incentive this year was that one of the featured gardens is where I'm doing a permaculture course in a couple of weeks. I thought I'd died and gone to heaven!! No pictures here yet though as I'd forgotten my camera - but here's some of the cottage gardens that I visited the following day....

This wasn't the actual house by the way.... it was just the studio in the garden!!

Wisteria looks lovely at this time of year - pity it doesn't last longer.

Ahh, sweetpeas - reminds me of a little book I still have from my childhood on the flower fairies of the garden.

There was some very imaginative garden 'art' like wall plaques, bird baths/houses and fountains.

One of the interesting things to note and to get some ideas, from is the layout of the gardens - having different 'rooms' or areas with little meandering paths and other features to make a small garden seem larger, to add interest, variety and mainly to provide relaxing and tranquil spots to enjoy the surroundings.

There were lots of different water features too, all integrated into the natural landscape; some as simple as an old sink or bath 'sunk' into the ground; but still as effective in attracting necessary wildlife to act as natural pest controls and adding to the charm and tranquility of the gardens.

Sunday Brunch Pizza

2007-10-07T20:33:00.001+10:00

Whip up some fresh pesto Gumnut Cottage: Home-made Pesto while de-frosting a few puff pastry sheets. Put the oven on hot - 230 degree's c and preheat a couple of baking sheets (tins). Cut pastry sheets in half and fold edges in. Spread with tomato paste then top with basil pesto, bocconcini and freshly ground black pepper. Cook until puffed up and brown - approx 15-20 mins.

Serve with a fresh garden salad.

Mmmm, absolutely delicious.

Angel Poem

2007-09-23T21:59:00.001+10:00

Sometimes, when Bec was younger and wanted a good-night story and it had been a VERY long day...I just used to read this poem out to her. It was easy to remember - I just had to read it from her wall. I also made her a matching bed quilt with plain and coloured patches on, and the same appliqued angels and stars.

'A whispering of angel wings, stargatherers are on the way, little stars go home to bed, when night turns into day'.
Its nice to recall these little things, when you suddenly realise how fast they are growing up...

Hand-made Pictures

2007-09-23T21:56:00.001+10:00

Some little pictures I made from calico and applique scraps for Bec's room. I bought some cheap pine frames, painted and 'stressed' them, and aged the pictures with a tea-dye.

Give me a home among the gum-trees....

2007-09-23T21:42:00.001+10:00

I guess I've never really appreciated the Eucalypts before today. We're surrounded by them, they drop leaves and gumnuts onto the tin roof and fill the gutters, and they're not particularly attractive (not to mention providing a home for the possums..)

I say 'until today', thats because I was reading an article in my gardening magazine about them. On a hot day, the Eucalypt oil apparently evaporates into the air - which is why the Blue Mountains were so named - because of the blue haze that seemed to appear when they were viewed from a distance. More striking though was the comment about soldiers returning from the 1st and 2nd world wars - well before they reached Australian shores, they knew they were almost home by the strong smell of the Eucalypts. I was struck by the sense of joy they must have felt combined with the horrific memories of war they had escaped, and the awful sorrow that would have been inevitable when they thought of their mates, family members, of all those other brave soldiers who would never again get to smell the Eucalypts and know that they were home.

Kids Quilts

2007-09-23T21:20:00.001+10:00

I really wanted to make the kids a unique quilt each. This is Zac's - he helped to design it by drawing lots of monsters, which I then appliqued onto black squares using lots of bright fabrics.
Dan was in the air force cadets when I made his - so I pieced lots of airoplanes together and used the ADF colours for his. Machine-quilted it in a stipple effect which worked really well on the background, and finished off with a tartan border. The little red propellors are embroidered on.

Yes, hi Bec!! I haven't forgotten you... this is Bec's 'handbag' quilt in lots of bright colours. Two of the bags (somewhere) can have secret stuff stored in them, as the flap lifts up to reveal a hidden pocket! Looks great on her bedroom wall - alot of work though!

Spring in the garden...must pace myself!!

2007-09-23T20:29:00.000+10:00

Picked a bunch of flowers as they've self-seeded everywhere out the back - and I LOVE flowers... inside the house and out.

Finally got the rest of the soil and finished off my terraced veggie garden. Probably not the most fun part of gardening - but well worth all the effort (and got a couple of young strong lads to help out - thanks guys...)

...short break won't hurt.

Lots of different tomato plants are in. Grosse Lisse, Roma, can't remember the others! I read somewhere that if you put a cup full of milk powder in the planting hole you get a much bigger and healthier crop. The old guy who wrote the article did not know why this works - I don't really care either; in it went.

These are those flowers that have self-seeded everywhere in the back garden - love the colour. Its impossible to grow much else down there due to the poor soil, and the fact that the wallabies & kangaroo's just come straight out of the bush and eat everything! Thats my 'toadstool' on the left - an old tree stump with Zac's old t-shirt folded on it.
This bed is reserved especially for pumpkins. I have butternut variety in there - mounded up my compost and planted seedlings in the top, then watered well with my special brew of liquid fertiliser. Got an old wine making container from a garage sale, with a tap on the bottom and lid. Threw in heaps of comfrey, chamomile and heaps of other herbs that all needed a good trim. Added seaweed and carp fertiliser (half a cup each), sulphate of potash and epsom salts (fistful). Also added lots of liquid from my worm farm. Left it to brew for a couple of weeks - then use it heavily diluted on the garden. Wicked stuff - smells wonderful... Here the pumpkins will have plenty of room to trail over the rest of the garden without getting in the way. Planted some bush beans around the edges (as I got too many and had no more room anywhere else!)

I just couldn't resist this plant - love poppies. Have some seeds coming, but for now, I can sit and enjoy this beauty.

Lots of seeds popping up all over. This is the mesclun. The first to appear was the Bok Choy. Guess I'll have to do some thinning soon though...

At the very bottom of the terraced veggie garden, I found this old gate from our renovations, and manouevred it into place to trail zucchini's and cucumbers up. Opposite, against the wall of the house, is my little greenhouse. Haven't had much success with growing seeds in there yet though - still trying to get it right. Have much more success with direct-sowing. I hope to plant potatoes and sweet potatoes in this bed. Above the stone wall is another large bed, which now contains leeks and red onion plants. (How many do you get in a punnet... never dug so many holes)! Still some room left for chives and shallots.

The herb patch right near the front door now has sweet basil (YES...its back) lots of parsley, tarragon, rocket and lettuce varieties aswell as some capsicum plants and strawberries newly planted, along with all the stuff that has survived over Winter.

Looking down the terraced veggie patch at the side of the house. It gets the sun for most of the day - the tomatoes, beans, sweetcorn, onions & stuff should do really well - but the asian veg & lettuce - after this first crop, will probably have to go into a cooler part of the garden. There's also some broccoli, beetroot, silverbeet and more capsicum in various beds. And more parsley and basil, of which you can't have too much of.

Ahhh...the deckchair..gardening books and seed catalogues...bliss.

The frame all ready for the beans. There's climbing beans, sugar-snap and snowpea, and cherokee wax bush beans on the other side, which did really well last year.

This tomato plants off to a good start. It's a 'tiny tim' or something, and more of a bush type. Have seeds of 'tommy toe' coming soon, as it again, it did so well last year. If something works well - stick with it.

...so much for a relaxing weekend!! Might just have gone a little overboard on the seedlings me thinks!!

Farmers Market

2007-09-23T20:22:00.001+10:00

Enjoyed a lovely Saturday morning at Glenbrook market, and brought home some delicious organic produce. Wholegrain sourdough bread, garlic, Fuji apples (my favourite), bok choy which I used in a stir-fry that evening and some grapes. Its a pity its only on once a month - hope to get to the Blackheath farmers market one other week of the month though. Forgot to take my camera - so next month I'll take some pics while at the market, as there's some great stalls of local food, crafts etc - although its hard to capture that lazy 'browsing round the market on a sunny weekend morning' kind of atmosphere!

'Bellbirds' by Henry Kendall

2007-09-10T18:23:00.000+10:00

This poem was first published in a work entitled "Leaves from Australian Forests" by Henry Kendall in the year of 1869.

By channels of coolness the echoes are calling,
And down the dim gorges I hear the creek falling:
It lives in the mountain where moss and the sedges
Touch with their beauty the banks and the ledges.
Through breaks of the cedar and sycamore bowers
Struggles the light that is love to the flowers;
And, softer than slumber, and sweeter than singing,
The notes of the bell-birds are running and ringing.

The silver-voiced bell birds, the darlings of daytime!
They sing in September their songs of the May-time;
When shadows wax strong, and the thunder bolts hurtle,
They hide with their fear in the leaves of the myrtle;
When rain and the sunbeams shine mingled together,
They start up like fairies that follow fair weather;
And straightway the hues of their feathers unfolden
Are the green and the purple, the blue and the golden.

October, the maiden of bright yellow tresses,
Loiters for love in these cool wildernesses;
Loiters, knee-deep, in the grasses, to listen,
Where dripping rocks gleam and the leafy pools glisten:
Then is the time when the water-moons splendid
Break with their gold, and are scattered or blended
Over the creeks, till the woodlands have warning
Of songs of the bell-bird and wings of the Morning.

Welcome as waters unkissed by the summers
Are the voices of bell-birds to the thirsty far-comers.
When fiery December sets foot in the forest,
And the need of the wayfarer presses the sorest,
Pent in the ridges for ever and ever
The bell-birds direct him to spring and to river,
With ring and with ripple, like runnels who torrents
Are toned by the pebbles and the leaves in the currents.

Often I sit, looking back to a childhood,
Mixt with the sights and the sounds of the wildwood,
Longing for power and the sweetness to fashion,
Lyrics with beats like the heart-beats of Passion; -
Songs interwoven of lights and of laughters
Borrowed from bell-birds in far forest-rafters;
So I might keep in the city and alleys
The beauty and strength of the deep mountain valleys:
Charming to slumber the pain of my losses
With glimpses of creeks and a vision of mosses.

(The bellbird itself is a very small greyish bird. Its call or melody is simply one singular chiming note which seems to ring through their environmental habitat - the mountains and their foothills of Eastern Australia. They may be heard clearly in the quietness of the mountains and hills, although are rarely seen).

Spring Garden

2007-09-10T17:58:00.001+10:00

The turtle.

Our new front door has made a huge difference to the entrance.

The Elderberry bush is really taking off. Just got to learn how to make the wine like my Auntie Barbara used to...

Ahh, the nerve center. Compost bin and worm farm.

First daffodil in the garden - one of my favourite flowers.

Cute birdhouse made from a coconut shell.

Making Birthday's Special!

2007-09-10T17:36:00.002+10:00

You can't go wrong with a beautiful table setting.

..and a lovely candelit dinner. Roast lamb with mint aioli, hasselback potatoes and steamed spring vegetables in a lemon butter sauce on this occasion. Kids enjoy designing and making the menu and may even volunteer to be the waiter/waitress for the evening! (bribery works well).

Desert was carrot cake with raspberry ripple ice cream

Simple glass candlesticks that I've added wire and beads too, joined into a 'candelabra' with a glass bead necklace. The tablecloth and placemats/serviettes are fabric offcuts that I've hemmed around.

Home-made Chocolate truffles in a christmas sleigh (one of my many 'garage sale' finds)!

One of lifes greatest pleasures has to be picking fresh flowers from the garden, that you've grown yourself from seed. Dan made the pot a long time ago when I was doing some pottery with them.

Papworth Clan - UK

2007-08-28T21:47:00.001+10:00

Mum got a wonderful surprise when she arrived home from Australia. A beautiful bouquet of flowers and bottle of champagne were waiting on the doorstep from our family in the UK, the Papworth's. Thanks to Sue, Caroline, Robert, Ian , Jane , Kay, Dawn and partners, (and any others I might not have included) for making Chris' 60th Birthday so special! We do miss you all...

Gumnut Cottage

Sunday markets at Windsor

Coconut Fudge Balls

Working with Wood Show, Sydney

Stitches & Craft Show, Sydney

New Website Launch!!

Kathy Kelly at Lorelei

Amazing Grace

Easy Bag Pattern

Easy Bag Tutorial

The Perfect Mother

Easy Vegetable Curry

Craft Friday's

Sunburnt Country Embroidery Project

My Country by Dorothea McKellar

My Country © 1904 Dorothea McKellar

Best Ever Lemon Slice

Orange Poppyseed Muffins

Simple Soap Making

Awesome Chocolate Muffins

Simple Chocolate/Coffee Cake

Tons of Choc-Chip Cookies

Back to School Time

Last of the Summer Garden....

Home-made Lemonade

Summer Garden Pt 2 - Harvest Festival

Summer Garden Pt 1

Home Preserves

Folk 'n Blues

*#$^LUNA PARK@#**

Vanilla Cup Cakes/Birthday Cakes

Have a Very Merry Christmas!! / 'Six White Boomers'...

Six White Boomers

Jenolan Caves Christmas Concert 2007

Donna Hay Magazine

Christmas Table

Olivers Chocolate Pudding

Scents of Christmas

Bonfire Toffee

My Treasures

My Birthday!

More Shortbread

Set it free....

Yummy Quiche

Best ever Banana Bread

Oh Little Drummer Boy

Home grown Beans

The best Shortbread in the World

Salvation Army

An Aussie Night Before Christmas By Yvonne Morrison

Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree...

Spicy Bean Burgers

Vintage Plates

Summer Garden

More Fah la la la la....la la la la.....!!

White Ribbon Day

Pressies

Rustic Pizza's

Learning New Stuff

Deck the Halls...

Rod Stewart

Seed-Raising

Baking Dishes

Plant-a-genda

Chilli Chicken Stirfry

Currently reading...

Container Veggie Gardening

The Charge of the Light Brigade

Best Ever Scones

Bougainvillea

Garden - October

Favourite Magazines

Cat Quilt

Frou-frou's

Veggie patch by the front door....

Apple, Rhubarb & Fruit Pulp Crumble

Glenbrook Market

Fresh Juice

Bush Poem

Bush Beans

My Country
© 1904 Dorothea McKellar