Cool

Quite a few cool things have been happening around here. Yes the weather is cool, but we have had a mild winter and happy about that. 

Early one morning we heard a whipper snipper fire up close to the front of our home. As you can tell by this shot, the sun is not quite out....and then there were two. They had it finished in no time and it looks great. 

Cashew & Chia Seed Pudding

I wanted to try a simple but nice breakfast idea that could be made the night before and ready to eat in the morning with little left to do. This one was enjoyed by everyone. All I had to do was process 1 cup raw cashews, 2 cups of water, pinch salt, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla paste until smooth and stir in 2 Tb maple syrup and 1/2 cup chia seeds (black or white or a mix). I then divided the mixture into 4 cups and placed them in the fridge overnight. 

All that needed to do in the morning was to add some sliced banana, cinnamon and maple syrup. It's on the menu again this week.

I made a Paleo loaf using ground almonds and arrowroot as the base. Next time I will cook it in a smaller tin so the slices are wider. We served the warm bread with Fish Soup. (I know, not everyone's favourite, but they ate it)

Saturday was a perfect day so hubby and I got out in the garden. The vegi patch was the main area we worked in. He made up some new vegetable beds from some timber we had lying around. 

We had lunch out in the back yard.

D2 likes to try new and different things. She made up a black rice dish for lunch yesterday. It was very nice. That's sweet potato on the top. 

For lunch today I wanted savouries but I did not have any eggs left. Yes, I got in and made egg curry through the week and D2 did some extra cooking as well. The next best thing was to use my egg replacer. I left 1 Tb chia seeds in 3 Tb water while I went and did something else and came back and made up my savouries.

And they melt in your mouth, I tried one. That's the last of that Paleo bread.

Hubby will be here soon to enjoy the remainder of them with me, must go....Dot

Stuck

Hello. 

Hubby and I had our hair appointments due last week. My usual hair dresser was on holiday and so I had another girl fill in for her. She was nice and every hairdresser has their own style. I am, however, stuck with a shorter hair cut. Hubby says it was cut like a man's. Never-mind, it will grow.

Friday night I came down with lower back issues, so for the next 2 days I was stuck. Walking ever so slowly, dosing up on pain killers and keeping a heat-pack up to it. Hubby and D2 were around to assist me and so all is well.

I have been trying to use up the last of this and that before I go and have a good shop and get fresh supplies. Hubby cooked me breakfast on Saturday morning. We shared the last 2 eggs, which he scrambled and put on a few pieces of bread he found in the freezer. Yummo!!

Today D2 has the day home. She is making Naan bread for lunch.

I am off to have a massage today... and the egg lady has just delivered some fresh eggs.

Mmm, egg curry and rice coming up this week...Dot

14/7/14

Hi everyone. Love the date today? I have not been able to use it enough. I would have done years ago when I was full time in administration. 

Since I was here last, I have decided to go walking outside (weather permitting, rain that is) Monday to Friday. I like to see the town a little busy and as it is quieter on the weekend I would rather settle for the walker indoors. Summer might change that though.

One morning last week, I was up extra early and bolted out in the dark. I could barely see where I was going for the first leg of my walk. Since then my brother has put an 'assistant light' on my phone. If I leave a little after 7am it is light enough. If I wake extra early again, I will need that light. You just don't know!!!

My new recipe book stand arrived in the post. It is proving to be very useful as it holds all my larger cookbooks and is very sturdy.

One morning I got very busy and cooked up some basics that helped with meals for a few days.

Hummus, curried egg and pesto. 

Red Curry Pumpkin soup was welcome to help warm us up. It has been cold, but not as cold as some get it. 

We had a family meal on Friday night. These nights are always good. I had my brother and sister and their family around and they both brought some yummy desserts they had made. 

It's getting dark. I better go and close the curtains and start on pizza for dinner. 

If you would like any of my recipes, let me know. I would be happy to supply them.

....Dot 

First

Welcome to another week and the FIRST blog for the month. 

I am usually the First one out of bed every morning and this morning there was every chance of that happening. Hubby and I had a restless night (common of late) and so after my mind had been racing for over an hour with 'things to do' I got up. It was 6am and so I have accomplished quite a bit so far today.

Just a few things from last week:

Sewing: I spent some time in my sunny sewing corner and completed another 2 hand towels for the kitchen. 

Knitting: I am knitting myself some more slippers. This time I am going to knit up a spare pair as I wear them out too quick. My stitch markers arrived this week. Aren't they pretty? Green, of course!

Quirky: 2 eggs I broke to put into our Phad Thai this week were both double-yokers. 

Cooking: We enjoyed Lentil Hotpot infused with fresh kale from my garden. Also we had banana cake spread with some reduced mascarpone cheese I picked up when shopping. 

And today I made one of my favourites:

Rock Cakes. I have already helped myself to one with a cup of tea, delicious.

Enjoy what you are doing and I hope you are successful in your tasks. 


Dot 
(a FIRSTborn) 

What did June look like

Welcome to the last day of June!! One month of winter gone and we are thankful that it was a mild one. 

During the colder months I pull out those recipes that help keep us warm and are full of goodness.

Last month we have enjoyed....

Beef Shepherd's Pie and Lamb Shank Soup

Split Pea Soup

Roast Lamb, Mash and greens

A few days were spent indoors as it was too wet and cold to venture out.

My cleaning this week took place with my recipes collection. This took a few days and still has a little more work to do to complete the task. 

I set myself up in  the family room and surrounded myself with books and lots of loose recipes. I have placed the recipes in a folder and have sections allocated to:

Breakfast
Soup
Protein
Vegetarian
Fish
Sweets
Misc

This morning I was privileged to have a visit from 2 girlfriends from the other end of the state who drove up yesterday to stay locally for a few days. One of the girls I had not seen for 10 or so years and we automatically started off where we left and had a wonderful time catching up over hot drinks. 

This week I plan to make a few vegetarian recipes. On the menu tonight is Lentil Hotpot.

Keep warm....Dot

Here I am

again, and a BIG Hello to all! Monday has come around again and today I have my niece with me who has had her tonsils and adenoids removed. She had the operation last week and is looking well. It is a great day to be indoors as the weather is quite wintry with lots of rain and wind.

I have cleaned out hubby's clothes. I had to retrieve the large coat hanger from the op bag. Thankfully he has not missed anything else and is keen to put things back there as he found them. 

 This is a hot-pad I completed for myself. 

I completed one of these cute teddy's. I had the body parts knitted; just had to sew them together and stuff him. He has gone to a little boy who always wants his older brother's teddy. 

On Saturday I went to a High Tea. Wow, sugar overload, but it was yummy. There were fancy and mini sized portions of biscuits, lamingtons, cheesecake, custard, scones, sandwiches. 
We were all spoilt. 

Speaking of food, I am getting hungry. Must go and prepare lunch...Dot

June 16th, 2014

Hi Readers

The last week has flown by. We have had some lovely weather and also had D2 home as she was not well. She has gone back to work today feeling much better. Because D2 had to rest, I was happy to rest along with her and took up some more knitting, crocheting and movie watching. We found ourselves having most of our meals in the family room to accompany her. 

This is a scarf I crocheted for her this week. She loves it!!!

I have not been in my sewing corner. I did, however, clean out my inbox etc on my computer. It was well overdue as there were emails sitting there from 3 years ago. It felt good to have this area cleaned up and then be satisfied to empty the recycle bin (squich). 

For winter I decided to take part in a Winter Swap with a yarn club. I received my first parcel this week. 

I received some beautiful wool that I plan to make into finger-less mittens. While making them I was given some mints to enjoy. 

Yesterday Hubby and I went for an afternoon drive. Just on dusk I was able to capture this with the pretty pink glow in the sky. So peaceful. 

Well, I have made a start this morning, and this week I am cleaning out our walk-in robe. It's a huge job that I tackle twice a year, so I am putting the cooler clothes to the back of the shelves and bring the warmer one to the front. At the same time a bag is being filled for the local op shop. 

Enjoy your week...Dot :-)