Girls Night In

A great fundraising event being organised by the Cancer Council.

So pull your finger out and get together with a bunch of your girlfriends and raise a few dollars for such a worthy cause.

At the little soiree I am attending we are each bringing some kind of food item and it will be auctioned off on the night. I am secretly hoping someone brings along a homemade Lemon Meringue Pie. I am a sucker for this pie *drool*

Lunch

Lunch last week was this lovely little Mushroom and Spinach Layer Cake. I caught the tail end of it being made on Alive and Cooking with James Reeson.

This truly was a very simple dish to make and was really quite yummy.

The recipe calls for just one large 'cake' but I had 2 other people joining me and decided that cutting into the pastry would be just too messy so I made individual ones instead. The recipe measurements made 3 individual serves just perfectly.

I also pre made mine and kept them in a low warm oven. It melted the bocconcini but I think it made it nicer as cutting into the uncooked cheese would have made it a bit difficult.

Thoroughly recommend this recipe.

Another wrap skirt

I have been sitting on this fabric for a while now. I bought it with the good intention of making Baby HB a little dress but decided it was too nice and had to use it for myself. I was not going to make this skirt reversible but being the modest little thing that I am the fabric was far too see through for my liking so I just bought some lovely cheap dark brown floral for the lining.

Only a minute

I could survive for 60 seconds chained to a bunk bed with a velociraptor

It is always good to know this kind of information, you just never know...

Lego Heaven

That is where Jnr was today.

We spent a large portion of our day today at the Art Centre where we were able to 'play' with the current works.

Olafur Eliasson's The Cubic Structural Evolution Project is in the house.
Literally thousands of white pieces of lego on a large table where all and sundry can make whatever you heart desires.


When we were finished we put our 'art' up for display with heaps of other pieces. So I guess you can offically say that Jnr and I have had our work displayed in a gallery now.

What kind of mother

forgets to take her camera on the first day of Nippers for Jnr.

Why this mum of course!!!!!

Well the Hillbilly's have joined the Qld Surf Lifesaving movement even Snr is getting into the spirit and will be completing a few water supervisors course so he can assist the coaches.

And again this morning after taking all 3 (yes I must be crazy) to the beach this morning I forget the camera again.

Mother England

Last week they held a mini Olympics at Jnr HB's school. Prep 1 were England so we had to present a table of english fare. After much head scratching and lots of lovely suggestions but nothing practical to pre make to have ready for morning tea for approx 100 junior primary students. I decided to make cups of tea which is very english and another mum made scones to go with our 'cups of tea'. So the night before with Jnr and Snr's help we set up a lovely little production line with Jnr salivating at every mishap and wanting to eat all the leftovers (dream on buddy)

The day was absolutely excellent and the teaching staff had put a lot of thought and effort into preparing for the day. There was a torch relay, opening ceremony and medal ceremonies.



For morning tea we had tropical fruit kebabs from Fiji. Meat pies, vegemite sandwichs and lamingtons from Australia. Fried rice and spring rolls from China and greek shortbread from Greece as well as scones and cups of tea from England.


ANd here is one of the Little One in some alternative furniture.

Success...at last

Finally some success in the pesto department.

I went back to a basic recipe and it tastes just lovely.

We used it last night just mixed into some fresh pasta with some finely grated pecorino and was devoured by one and all.

Finally we got it right. Think it might be time to let go of the disasterous rocket pesto now.

Pay it Forward

I received my lovely Pay It Forward gift from the very talented and generous Lisa.

I received a lovely pin cushion and matching little zip bag to store all my sewing accessories in. The fabric is lovely Amy Butler and the little button embellishment is just gorgeous.

I was very excited to receive my pin cushion as it was something I had always admired seeing other people make but never bothered to make one for myself.

There are still 2 spots available in my Pay It Forward so if you are keen let me know.

P.S Check out the big chomping bug that has eaten almost a whole leaf of spinach. Greedy bugger.

Recycling to the extreme

Okay so it is just your generic Australia Post postpak but this little baby will be turning 2 in November and after being lovingly picked up from the post office has lived in Rockhampton, Adelaide and Bargara and soon to go back to what could be its final resting place in Adelaide (its home town) very soon.

This little postpak has travelled approx 7,100 km even lived in a removalist box for a short while (yes I know can you believe I actually packed it up when we moved - okay who am I kidding I never packed it but I did instruct the removalist guy to pack it)

I mean it's not like we can't afford to buy a new one but it kind of became a joke between Emma and I to keep resending it to each other.

So what is your weird recycling story!!!!

More Taggy Blankets

This time I 'had' to make one for my Little One plus I got the bug and made one for a friend using some fabric that I have in my stash which I am pretty sure will coordinate with a softie her little boy already has. The one I made for LO I used some Japanese fabric which I have seen used lots of times in blogland and was never much fussed on it but in the flesh it is gorgeous and think I will have to buy some more to make something to wear for my girls.

I had high hopes of sewing more but I got hit hard on Sunday night with a very sore throat and general unwellness (is that even a word)it hit hard and quickly. All tea and sympathy gladly accepted. I am trying to get as much as I can out of Snr as humanly possible. Somehow I think I will be too exhausted for kitchen or lunch making duties tonight .

From the garden to the table

I am desperately trying to use what I can from the garden so it does not go to waste.

So I have made some mint ice cubes to add to summer drinks. Which I used today in my iced tea with my basil, boccocini and tomato salad for lunch.



Some beetroot dip for a Sunday afternoon wine and nibblies session with our friends. The colour was amazing, hot pink. People kept asking was food colouring added but all natural no additives. Beetroot, greek yoghurt, garlic and cumin seeds.


And tonight for dinner a hodge podge chicken casserole using tins of tomatoes, 1/2 pkt of french onion soup mix and from the garden spring onions, basil, parsely, spinach, baby carrots, zucchini and mushrooms. I will add some cannelini beans in the last 1/2 hour I hope it tastes okay.


And tonight we will again attempt a pesto this time using basil. I hope it works because I have spent a small country in pine nuts over the past few weeks. I want something for my investment. Hopefully it works and we can have a lovely simple pasta dish tomorrow night with a tomato and basil salad.

5 Months Old

Stop the clock!!!

Seriously this is going way too fast. My beautiful little girl is now 5 months old and I have enjoyed every single minute with her even the late nights early starts.
She is an absolute joy.

She makes me want to have another baby.

Green Gift Baskets

Don't they look fab (if I do say so myself)

All grown organically by Snr HB.



Went to lunch yesterday with two very lovely ladies and was able to take these along to each of them.

Sweet Little Dress

I made this today. It is from Leila and Ben . A very simple summer dress which I just love. Can't wait to try it on Baby Hillbilly tomorrow.

Ooh I love it even more now that I have seen it on her. Looks rather groovy with the red tights if I do say so myself.

Wrap Skirt

So I made this skirt today as I am hoping that skirts will be my summer staple this year.

The skirt is the Reversible Wrap Skirt and once you read the instructions it is embarrassing to think that I actually purchased a pattern this simple. It really is.

I used Amy Butler for the outside and just some cheap spotlight stuff for the inside. I was going to use 2 different AB fabrics but didn't want to risk a dud and waste 2 lots of fabric. Still not sure if I love this skirt yet but am going to wear it to our Father's Day lunch at Kacy's. I get the feeling when I wear it that I should be asking "Does my bum look big in this?" When I don't normally worry about things like that but maybe because I dont wear a lot of skirts it feels a bit funny.

Tag Blanket

I think that is what they are called but that is what I think I made anyway for a dear friend whose little boy is fascinated with tags.

I hope it holds up to some tough boy play.

On our plate tonight

will be baby carrots, baby beets and spinach. The spinach is a hybrid cross of silverbeet and english spinach and it is goooooood. ( I am a huge spinach lover)

The beets will be roasted in alfoil with some garlic, white wine, olive oil and thyme (Jamie Oliver recipe) and it is gorgeous. A good way to try beetroot if you are a novice.

Have a lovely zucchini slice in the oven with some nice aged cheddar waiting to go on in the last 5 minutes and some brownies baking.

This zucchini has been nibbled on by the mouse in our house she does this every time a zucchini is left on the kitchen bench.


Now if the cleaning fairy is nearby feel free to drop by and wave your magic wand.

Did you know

that four ladybeetles were sent into space in 1999 on NASA's space shuttle to participate in anti-gravity experiments.

Now if I did not partake in a snack size box of smarties for breakfast today I would never have known that.

Flipsy Skirt

Finally finished. A lovely easy pattern to follow and cut. The fabric is just el cheapo stuff from Spotlight but lovely for a first go. Will definitely be making a few of these I think.

Chutney Club

Over at SadieandLance they are starting a chutney club which sadly excites me greatly.

If you love making and eating chutneys, relishes etc come join in.

I am about a week away from harvesting our beetroot so am going to make some lovely beetroot relish. Am also wanting to make some mint and rosemary jelly to store for some lovely winter roasts next year.

Still need to find one of those jelly stands.