Valentines Day

For my Valentine I made an icecream cake. The bottom layer was cooked in the oven, middle layer had raspberries in it (had, it is all gone) and topped with ganache. The day I made it we had a small slice late that night but once the cake was really frozen through we found it was best left out for an hour or so. It kept its form well and the flavours were more developed. So, next time, hee hee.

I commenced making a few scalloped-edged scarves in different colours.

No 2 out of 4 sets of booties is complete. 

I came across a recipe that called for Dill Pickle and after checking 'google' I found you can make them at home. So when I went shopping to my delight I found mini cucumbers on special. They are sitting in the fridge for a couple of days before we can try them. 

It does not take much to put a healthy and creative meal together if you have the supplies on hand. I found a packet of haloumi cheese in the fridge and I had made a jar of sprouts, steamed some broccoli and I had baked some Fetta rolls a day or two ago. Mmmm ... Leftovers Plus. 

Have a wonderful day ... Dot 

Mix

Hello. I made another Camembert pie and I left it for at least 15mins before breaking it open. It was much better this time around but I could leave for longer as I had to quickly transfer it to the plate.

I apologise in advance for all the food pics I am about to share with you. I found that I had a need for some things sweet and so we went all out and satisfied our cravings.

These Gingerbread Cheesecakes were a real hit when we enjoyed them with guests last Thursday. There were a few leftover but quickly grabbed by those who wanted to have later. (I was one)

These Mixes are turning out to be a real treat. I will be making another up today. I find that after a few days I have a little cream, yoghurt and cream cheese leftovers so I throw them all in the processor and mix with lemon rind and little sugar substitute. I then arrange in a glass bowl or tumbler with fresh fruit and shredded coconut. After leaving for a few hours in the fridge they go down very well for dessert.

D2 was given some lovely fresh blueberries from an acquaintance at work. We have been wanting to try a cheesecake so we found a Low Carb recipe to use and she baked one.

The base was made of dessicated coconut etc and baked first. After it had cooled the filling was made up of yummy cream cheese, eggs etc. and baked again. It had to cool completely in the fridge overnight. 

And we have been eating it for days. Next time I will freeze some if I don't have someone around to help eat it. But, it was delicious!!!

Be good, I will try ... Dot 

End of Month

Hello. 

Can you believe that the first month of the year is nearly over? Most schools are back and in a few weeks things will be rolling smoothly, I hope. Our home has been filled with different aromas from the trial and error of making new recipes to suit our 'Low-carb eating plan'.

Here a few more that we enjoyed enough to make again.

Camembert Pie. You make the Cranberry Jam with chia seeds and everything is encased and baked in a pastry. It was very tasty. When I make it next though I will leave it a few minutes before breaking into it, as the cheese was still too runny. I was just curious. 

This quiche fed us for a few meals accompanied with different sides. The base is made with a head of broccoli. Very nice.

These are Cheesy Vegi Patties. Hubby loved these on their own but I found I preferred them with a salad. They had lots of flavour so were delicious. 

And in the craft department I am making a pile of wash cloths for 'new bub'. I am using organic cotton and putting a loop on one corner. They are about 10cm square. Cute.

On the eve of Australia Day our town put on a wonderful display of fireworks.

Until next month, keep smiling ... Dot 

Road Trip

Hello Hello Hello

One of the most memorable 'low-carb eats' we had last week was this Coconut Slice. We shared it with guests so many mouths did the taste test and it received the tick of approval. I have found a website called Divalicious and she has many yummy low-carb/gluten free and healthy recipes there. We have tasted quite a few now and many have been filed to use again.

On Saturday we decided to take a 'road trip'. It was a long day but we all thoroughly enjoyed it. We took a scenic route in the morning and drove home on the freeway in the afternoon. 

Part of the morning scenic route. The skies were beautiful all day. 

We visited a Lavender Farm which displayed a huge carpet of colour where the bees were busy working.

Hubby had to try the Lavender icecream. We fitted some shopping in (of course) and Thai for dinner. 

Have a wonderful week ... Dot 

New

Good morning Readers. There are still some new things happening around here.

Recently I made myself a new bag. It has been just ages since I have done this and D2 and I are on a roll with planning new bags for this year. I have set myself a challenge to make the 'new mum to be' a baby bag. The bits required are nearly altogether and I will make a start on that in the next few weeks.

With 'new joy' coming to our family, I have been tinkering with making some booties. These little wrap-over crocheted ones are so cute. 

Can you see em? Some of these plums are too high to reach. I have retrieved some and they are ripening further in the pantry. Tasty!!

This was my breakfast today. Leftover Cinnamon sticks with apple and green tea. I have been watching my Carbohydrate intake and these sticks are surprisingly made with just coconut flour, psyllium husk powder etc and they are soft and delicious. The decoration on them is cream cheese. 

Before bed last night we were met with a gorgeous sunset. And today is just divine.

Have a wonderful week ... Dot 

New Year/Holiday

Hello Readers. Welcome to a New Year. I am back from a lovely holiday with my family and slowly getting back into routine again. Lists are being made and plans for this and that. Summer has given us some lovely warm days, little rain and fresh breeze. Today I will share a few pics from our holiday.

The day we left on holiday, the plane was delayed for a couple of hours so we took a scenic drive, walked, and filled in the time relaxing.

We enjoyed walking most days. The beach was by far my favourite.

With 9 of us to keep happy (and we did) I found an opening and had my nails painted.

Poppi nailed one of the games the little ones received for Christmas. 

Out shopping. 

This 'new mum to be' is taking a little rest. Yes, we will be grandparents again in a few months. Whoohoo!!!!

Holiday treat. Too warm for hot coffee so went for iced with cream. Oh no!

And a Gingerbread House was made. We were all involved in some way even if it was only taste testing. 

And when we arrived home, check this out.

We have Kale on the menu. Yum.

Until next week, keep well... Dot 

I enjoy ...

...lots of things. Today I will share a few that come to mind.

I made up the dried leaves into Potpourri. In the cupboard I found some star anise, cinnamon stick and I blitzed some whole nutmeg in my Thermi and added this to the mix. It smells divine.

Most mornings of the week I head out for a walk. I put in my headphones. The headphones serve as a double purpose; keep the wind out and I have the company of Pandora or a radio station. The music helps me to keep the pace up and I am always encouraged and uplifted by what I hear. I even try to get a walk in over the weekend as I feel when I miss a day, I miss out.

Over the course of each month I pick up the above magazines. I have a good collection of Simply Crochet and the Homespun. This month I found an Australian Knitting magazine which includes crochet too. I enjoy dabbling in crochet, knitting and sewing so these mags are always a joy to read

As you know, I enjoy spending time in my vegi patch. It does need a weed again. Very recently my strawberries were beginning to ripen, so in order to get the produce I removed the frame from the Kale and relocated it over to the strawberry patch and covered it with netting.

And yesterday ...

... I picked a large punnet full. Hubby tried some today and would like me to make scones or pancakes with them. I am forbidden to grind them up into anything else. They are delicious. 

Hubby and I often enjoy a Sunday afternoon drive. It was nice to sit here and watch to waves roll in while we chatted about a few things.  

Until next week, enjoy life and I trust it is full of good things for you.

Dot :-)