Sauces and Soy Beans...

As I survey my stove top selection of bottles, I noted that quite a few came from Aunty L.  Today she brought some Indonesian sweet soy sauce which is just wonderful and adds so much flavour to anything; meatloaf/bolognaise etc (and I have not even used it in Indonesian cooking yet)....
She has also found some edamame for me (Japanese soy beans) which we loved whilst in Japan....
Food is so rich is it not?

We are Fans of Fans.

As I came into the entry area the other day, I noticed that there was a fan opened on top of the blue jug... perhaps one of our daughters felt we needed a reminder of  Japan at home.
The top fan came from my parents and I think that it is Indonesian.

Happy Valentine's Day....

...which in this house means "Happy Chocolate Cake Day".
This recipe was in the Sydney Morning Herald about a decade ago and titled
"The Great Ocean Road Cake".. as the person who submitted the recipe was in desperate need of a chocolatey cake whilst on holiday.  This recipe pretty much flings in chocolate and ingredients in a mad frenzy in order to reach the product as quickly as possible.

200 g dark chocolate, broken
125g butter (melt butter and chocolate)

add 1 cup sugar
half cup SR flour
5 eggs.

Mix
Bake
Eat.

The original recipe called for a cup of strong, black coffee and crushed nuts as well and does not recommend the need for icing.

Venetian Carrot Cake.

Venetian Carrot Cake as viewed on an episode of Nigella Lawson's recipes.
Ingredients include rum soaked raisins, almond meal, carrot, olive oil and pine nuts.  Serve with mascarpone (with icing sugar and rum).

Art.

Yes, the header is back to what I prefer; a section of 7 year old daughter's artwork.

Coathangers.

As I look around the house, I have found that I must like coathangers or find them useful.  Perhaps they are like hooks without the need for drilling holes.

Ikea Equals Organisation.

A lovely bread holder which "The Private Lady" bought for me at Ikea.  I love the fabric so much that I am storing books and my Bible (bread of life?) in it.

We have had so much rain that I cannot store boots and wet/muddy shoes in the front area ANY LONGER. 

Shelves at the door; for quick access or for drying.  The 'bin' is actually a pot for plants and it now holds gum boots.

An Ikea noticeboard...before....

And after; filled with lists and a timetable.