Ikea and Home Beautiful.

One of our children loves to collect little plastic toys and they become her treasures.  They do pile up though.

I saw a fantastic idea in a Home Beautiful magazine and have copied it.  I bought some deep frames from Ikea and then arranged the toys inside it.

We have hung them on the wall.  I am enjoying the plastic toys now!

Such a colourful room!

Daffodil Day.

Daffodil day; in memory of those whom we miss due to cancer.  Prayers for those known to us who are facing cancer now.

Delicious Fruit Slice.

Delicious slice:

Mrs Atkins' Fruit Slice... given to me by Mrs P. S.

125 g butter
1 cup brown sugar (use less next time)
1 egg
225g mixed vine fruit
150g self raising flour

Melt butter, add sugar and melt further.  Add egg, fruit and flour.  I used the thermomix and made sure to use the reverse blade button so we did not end up with mushed fruit.

Press into 28cm x 18cm baking tray and bake at 180 degrees for about 20 minutes (was longer for my oven).

I iced it with lime icing; limes from Mrs N.

This is What Makes Memories.

A wonderful weekend away with very dear friends.  A present from Aunty L., so memorable; turning 40 has been amazing.  We walked down the street of this lovely town, browsed through the shops, had lunch; bought local produce to eat at dinner... we enjoyed this cosy retreat and watched a DVD.  The next morning; a late check out meant that we could have a leisurely breakfast on the verandah.

Thankyou so much Aunty L.

A New Helper.

There is a place for many helpers!  The slow cooker for my soup recipe and the insert to cook huge batches of bolognaise on the stove top.
The pressure cooker to make chicken/noodle soup and delicious corned beef...
Introducing the Thermomix, I have made vegetable stock, chopped celery, choc caramel slice and pesto.  The chocolate was grated from squares to what looks like cocoa powder in 5 seconds.  The pesto was made with leftover basil from the stock..... I am enjoying cooking again....