Monday, April 30, 2012

Handmade earrings

I made these earrings over the weekend. I'm sorry I didn't write down exactly what I did or take step by step photos. I'm just getting used to posting what I do and I'll try to improve as I go along :)

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Mix It Up Monday


Camelias

I love my camelia bush! the shade of pink the flowers have is just so pretty :) often when its cold and I'm sure nothing will be flowering I can be sure my camelia bush will surprise me with a bloom or two, so lovely.


Friday, April 27, 2012

Sunrise!

I thought this sunrise  was so pretty and wanted to share. I love how the morning sun turns the sky a goldy pink :)

Monday, April 23, 2012

Gemstone Decorated Bobby Pins

These little gemstone decorated bobby pins are so cute and so easy to make.  all you need to do is put a small amount of strong craft glue on the back of your chosen gem and then hold the front of the bobby pin steady against the gem for approx 60 seconds. you can use a hot glue gun if you prefer. make sure glue is completely dry before wearing.

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Fab Fridays
Strut Your Stuff Saturday 
Creative Thursday
Shine On Fridays
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Friday, April 20, 2012

My Latest Thrift Finds

I love visiting thrift shops, or op (opportunity) shops as we call them here. whenever I pass one I just have to stop in and I rarely leave without at least a little something!

recently I found this lovely little glass bowl with lid, not sure but it might be a sugar bowl? not sure what I'll use it for but it was too pretty to leave behind. the glass sectioned tray came with it, the tray doesn't match the bowl but at  $5 for the both I thought it was a bargain. The little covered casserole dishes I found a while ago. they are so useful and I find many uses for them. they are especially handy for serving one of my favourite soups, french onion. there are six of them and they cost a dollar each!






Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Ricotta Pancakes

I love pancakes! so quick & easy to whip up SO many things go SO well with pancakes.... golden syrup, jam, lemon & sugar, maple syrup, the list goes on! while these ricotta pancakes are perhaps a little different they are still delicious....whats your favourite way to have pancakes :D



  • 1 cup (150 gr)  self raising flour

  • 1 tsp bicarb of soda
    pinch of salt
    2 tbs (40g) caster sugar
    125g fresh ricotta
    1  cup (250ml) skim milk
    1 egg, beaten
    125g unsalted butter, melted
    11/2 lemon, rind grated, juiced
    Oil spray, to fry (or butter & oil)

    Sift the flour, soda and salt into a bowl and stir in sugar. In a separate bowl, combine the ricotta, milk, egg, melted butter, lemon rind and juice, beating well until smooth. Gradually whisk this into the dry ingredients to form a smooth batter.
    Heat a large heavy based, non-stick frying pan, spray lightly with oil and pour in 1/3 cup batter to form a 12cm pancake. Cook 2 pancakes at a time over medium heat for 3 minutes until bubbles appear over the surface, then flip over and cook for 1-2 minutes.
    Keep warm while, cooking the remaining  pancakes.

    I served them with golden syrup & sliced strawberries.
    I'm sharing with
    Mix It Up Monday
    Full Plate Thursday

    A Special Teatime Tuesday.

    I'm joining Sandi at Rose Chintz Cottage for a special tea to honour the 100th Anniversary of the sinking of The Titanic.

    on april 10th 1912 the Titanic began her maiden voyage, in the early hours of  april 15th 1912 she tragically sank in the Atlantic Ocean, having struck an iceberg late the previous evening. more than 1500 passengers and crew perished making the titanic one of the worst peace time disasters.

    she was the grandest ship and was fitted out in all finery.

    may they rest in peace

    The Lord is my shepherd,
    I shall not want;
    He makes me lie down in green pastures.
    He leads me beside still waters;
    He restores my soul.
    He leads me in paths of righteousness
    for His name's sake.

    Even though I walk through the valley
    of the shadow of death,
    I fear no evil;
    for You are with me;
    Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

    Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
    all the days of my life;
    and I shall dwell in the house of the
    Lord forever.



    first class bedroom on Titanic (google images)
    titanic dining room (google images) 
    Titanic menu for 14th april 1912 (google images)
    first class ticket for the Titanic (google images)

    for my tea I have made some English tea sandwiches to share, egg and also cucumber

    my tea cups are Royal Albert, Lady Carlyle (above)

    Royal Albert, Queens Messenger (above)

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    Sunday, April 15, 2012

    Maple & Mustard Glazed Pork Steaks

    Pork steaks or chops are one of my go to week night meals. convenient, easy and tasty. these glazed pork steaks are all that and more! try them, I think you'll enjoy them.
    4 pork steaks
    2 tablespoons seeded mustard
    1/4 cup maple syrup
    1 tablespoon olive oil
    1/2 small cup dry white wine
    cream

    place pork in shallow dish, pour over combined mustard & syrup, stand 10 minutes. drain pork, reserving marinade.

    heat oil in pan, add pork and cook untill browned on both sides & done to your liking. remove and keep warm.

    deglaze the pan with half the wine. mix the other half wine with reserved marinade, pour it into the pan and bring to the boil. simmer uncovered untill slightly thickened. towards the end turn the heat down low & add the cream (I used about 1/4 cup).

    put the steaks back in the pan turn to coat with sauce, then serve with sauce poured over. crusty bread and mash goes nice with this, noodles would be good too

    I'm sharing with
    Full Plate Thursday
    Foodie Friday



    Sunday, April 8, 2012

    Sticky Orange Chicken

    These delicious chicken drumsticks require few ingredients and are quick & easy to prepare. they're great cooked on a BBQ too, perfect for the warmer weather.

    ingredients (serves 4)
    2/3 cup orange marmalade
    2 teaspoons dijon mustard
    1/4 cup chicken stock
    1 garlic clove, crushed
    8 chicken drumsticks
    olive oil cooking spray

    Place marmalade, mustard, stock and garlic in a large ceramic dish. Stir to combine. Add chicken and turn to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight, if time permits, turning several times.
    Preheat oven to 220°C. Line a large baking tray with baking paper. Spray a wire rack with oil and place over tray .
    Drain chicken, reserving marinade. Place drumsticks on rack. Roast, brushing occasionally with marinade, for 30 to 45 minutes or until juices run clear when thickest part is pierced with a skewer.

    I'm sharing with
    Full Plate Thursday
    Foodie Friday

    Tuesday, April 3, 2012

    Date And Banana Loaf

    As I've said I'm not a fan of bananas but don't mind them in cakes ect, such as this yummy loaf. its quick and easy to mix up and bake and tastes good either spread with butter or left plain.

    Ingredients (serves 12)

    2 cups (300g) self-raising flour
    1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
    1 tsp ground nutmeg
    125g pitted dates, chopped
    1/2 cup (115g) caster sugar
    1 cup (250ml) milk
    2 eggs
    1 cup mashed banana (about 2 large)
    Butter, to serve (optional)
    Method
    Preheat oven to 180°C. Line a 24 x 13.5cm loaf pan with non-stick baking paper. Sift the flour, bicarbonate of soda and nutmeg into a large bowl. Stir through the dates and sugar.
    Combine the milk, eggs and banana in a separate bowl. Fold into the date mixture until well combined. Pour into the pan. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre of the loaf comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes. Turn out onto a wire rack to completely cool, serve with butter if liked.

    I'm sharing with
    Mix It Up Mondays
    Cozy Home Party
    Full Plate Thursday
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    Homemade Bath Crystals

    I love a long soak in a hot bath and I especially love to add scented bath crystals. sure there are lots to buy in the shops but making your own is so easy & its fun too....not to  mention way less expensive. the things you need are simple

    sea salt
    essential oil
    colouring
    mixing bowl
    spoon to mix
    decorative jar for storing  finished crystals

    pour salt into bowl, add colouring  (be careful as a little goes a long way, I've learnt the hard way) when desired colour leave to sit a while before adding scent/scents  of choice, I used rose & geranium in one jar and lemon & lime citrus in the other  (note adding the scents can cause the mix to become wet thus making the colour stronger more vibrant, don't panic it will settle. when satisfied with the colour/scent leave to dry before putting into decorative containers/jars

    I'm sharing with
    Mix It Up Mondays
    Cozy Home Party
    Creative Thursday