More fabric and lace

Ive mentioned my Mum's, partner's, Mother Marion before. Well she has moved into a Nursing Home and wanted me to have all of her sewing stuff.

She wants it to go to someone who will make use of it, and will appreciate it.

So Mum dropped over a huge box and a basket full of ribbons, lace and fabric.

I was going through it today and have found quite a few things I will be able to use.
Loving the lace to pretty up a simple skirt for the girls.

Ill have to find my sewing Mojo.....been much more cooking going on here lately.
Then again...I am much better at cooking than sewing.
Perhaps I should stick with my strengths.

We are off to see the Smurfs at the Drive-in tonight!!!
The kids are so excited....but I dont think they even know what the drive-in is!
Got the snacks packed.

Ive got a funny drive-in story, but dont have time to write it now as Im off to school pick-up.
Will share it with you tomorrow.

Choc chip oat slice

2 weeks of school left until the holidays.
Im looking forward to having a few sleep-ins.
Another recipe for a nice slice for the lunch boxes.

Choc chip oat slice

1/2 cup SR flour
1/2 cup plain flour
1 cup rolled oats
2/3 cup coconut
2/3 cup brown sugar
2/3 cup sultanas
1/2 cup choc bits
125g melted butter
1 egg

Mix it all together!
Oven 180C
Bake 20 minutes.
Done!!

Chinese Chicken

Now this meal is totally worth trying.
Really easy and so tasty.
Doesnt it look like restaurant quality chinese!!?
Well, it tastes like it too.

Chinese Chicken
Better homes and gardens, Feb 2004

1 whole chicken
1/2 cup ketjap manis
1 tsp five spice

Wash the chicken inside and out and pat dry with paper towel.
Using strong scissors, cut down either side of the backbone.
Turn chicken over and flatten.
Place into a baking dish, and paint with your marinade.
I did this in the morning and let it sit and marinate in the fridge all day.
Oven 180C.
Cover chicken with foil and bake for 25 min.
Remove foil and baste again with the marinade.
Bake uncovered for 25-30 min until cooked through.
Cut up into portions and serve.

Fried Rice
(loosely based on the recipe "chop-shop fried rice" Poh's kitchen my cooking adventures by Poh Ling Yeow)

1 cup jasmine rice, cooked and cooled
1 onion, diced
1 carrot, diced
handfull beansprouts
couple of spring onions, sliced
1/2 tsp salt
2 tbs light soy sauce
pinch sugar

Heat oil in a wok over medium heat, and fry onion until tender.
Add carrot and spring onion, fry quickly.
Add cooked rice, salt, soy sauce and beansprouts.
Few quick stirs until cooked through, sprinkle with pinch sugar, cook further 30 sec.
Serve.

Next time I will probably stir fry up a few chinese greens in garlic and a splash of oyster sauce as well.

Let me know if you give it a try.

Yesterday I climbed Mt Lofty with my sister.
Its 3.7km up, up ,up!!
It took us 1hr 10min to get to the top.
I cursed and swore and nearly cracked a tantrum.
She was a great motivator, and kept me going.
Coming down was lovely, time to enjoy the beautiful bush and waterfalls.
Will take my camera next time.
The best part was spending 2 hrs alone with my sister.
No interuptions.
Lovely time to open up to each other and discuss a few things.
So needless to say Im sore today, but you know how it feels like good sore, so its OK.

Linking up with Tea Rose Home and Lady Behind the curtain.

Lamb pasta bake

This is the Lamb pasta bake, which was well received by 4 out of the 5 people in our family. The other had to make her own cheese on toast!

Lamb and pasta bake with roast tomatoes
From delicious magazine

1.2 kg diced lamb (I only used about 600g)
1 onion thinly sliced
juice of a small lemon
3 tsp oregano
2 tsp cumin
2 tsp sweet paprika
1 L chicken stock
2 tbs tomato paste
400g can chopped tomatoes
400g risoni
cherry tomatoes
2 tbs chopped flat leaf parsley
natural yoghurt

Oven 180C
Place lamb in a single layer in a large baking dish,cover with onions, drizzle with lemon juice and a little olive oil.
Sprinkle with oregano, cumin and paprika, season with salt and pepper.
cover with foil and roast 40 min.
Whisk stock and tomato paste together.
Pour over lamb, add canned tomatoes, cover and return to oven for 1 hr.
Add pasta and return to oven for 20 min until most of liquid is absorbed.
Bake cherry tomatoes on a tray for last 10 min of cooking time.

To serve, stir through parsley, top with a few roasted tomatoes and a dollop of natural yoghurt. Serve with crusty bread and salad if desired.


So tonights offering is Flat out chinese chicken.
Ive taken out the backbone of the chicken and flattened it out. Its marinating in ketjap manis and chinese five spice. Serving with fried rice.

Dinner

I was reading over on Ivy Nest this morning, Tania writing how she wants to limit her computer time and use her time more wisely.
I too have the same problem.... I think most of us who read blogs do!! I can waste hours of the day (as enjoyable as that is) reading blogs and pinning on pinterest and checking facebook!
And I really enjoy all the inspiration from other blogs, but rarely do I actually make anything or use these great ideas.
So its off with the computer for me as well. Because I really do feel better when Im getting things done in my real life.
Kids are growing up before our eyes, spring is here and Im off to enjoy it.
Well not off all together, just only checking blogs once a day.
Ill be busy catching up on work around the house, decluttering (because there is no better feeling, than chucking out some old shit!), playing trouble and scrabble with my kids and snuggling with my Mate in the evening.

And whilst Im making a few changes, Im sick of the same old food Ive been cooking. You know how it is with small kids, the same rotation of a few meals that they will all eat...well thats boring.
If you dont like it ...tough...or you can have cheese on toast or an egg!
Ive got 3 new recipes to try this week.
Tonights is Lamb and pasta bake with roasted tomatoes.
I bought some beautiful Lamb backstraps and have diced them up and they are marinating with onion,olive oil, oregano, cumin and sweet smoked paprika.
Yum, I cant wait.
Ill show you the finished product tomorrow when I log-on next!!
Until then I shall be quietly rocking in the corner in the foetal position withdrawing from cyberspace.

Berry Muffins

I had mixed berries left over from the Bircher Muslie I made on Fathers Day.
So I searched the blogosphere for a berry muffin recipe and I found Sweet Peas Kitchen.

BERRY MUFFINS

2 1/2 cups plain flour
1 1/8 cups sugar
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 eggs
4 tbs butter melted
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 cup buttermilk (i just used milk with a squeeze of lemon)
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
1 cup berries (any kind you like, mine were frozen mixed berries)

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.
In a seperate bowl, whisk together sugar and eggs until thick.
Whisk in butter and oil until combined.
Whisk in buttermilk and vanilla.
Fold this mix into the flour mix and add berries..
Divide batter into muffin cases, batter should fill the cups.
Bake muffins 200C for 15 - 20 min until tops are golden.

Anzac Biscuits

A quick and easy recipe using pantry ingredients, no need to go out and buy anything extra.
A great lunch box filler, and loved by everyone.

Recipe from The Essential Baking Cookbook.
ANZAC BISCUITS
1 cup plain flour
2/3 cup sugar
1 cup rolled oats
1 cup dessicated coconut
125g butter
1/4 cup golden syrup
1/2 tsp bicarb soda

Sift flour into a large bowl.
Add sugar, oats and coconut.
Melt butter and golden syrup in a saucepan and mix until smooth.
Dissolve the bicarb soda in 1 tbs boiling water and add to butter mixture.
It will foam up.
Pour into the dry ingerdients and mix.
Form into 1 tbs size balls, place on lined tray and press down to flatten slightly.
Bake 180C for 15-20 min, until browned.
Leave on baking tray to cool slightly, then transfer to wire rack.

Master J's main focus topic this term is Art.
Not sure this find on the bathroom vanity could be considered Art, but it did give me a little chuckle this morning.

Artist: Master J
Medium: handwash soap and toothpaste!