Sunday, September 13, 2009

SIMPLY IN SEASON





























Out of all the cookbooks I own, and that is a LOT, this one is one of my favourites.

This book, by Mary Beth Lind and Cathleen Hockman-Wert, was commissioned by the Mennonite Central Committee, to promote an understanding of how our foos choices affect our lives and the lives of others.

I bought mine directly from the Mennonite Central Shop, and it was a good deal when purchased with another book, EXTENDING THE TABLE. I also own MORE WITH LESS, which a definite must have for anyone on a budget.

But I digress, this post is about SIMPLY IN SEASON.

This book has a nifty key ingredient index as well as a recipe index. So you can search by ingredient, easily! It is divided into seasons and then an All Seasons sections featuring sundry recipes. The recipes are all budget minded, with lots for veg-oes, and those that love to utilise fresh produce. The emphasis is on feeding your family for less dollars, less impact on the earth and gaining better nutrition.

Some of our favourites from this book...

Oven Barbequed Chicken ( in the oven as I type)
Slow cooker chili
Hearty Oatmeal pancakes
Naan bread
Secret Chocolate cake
Apple cake....

the list goes on!

So whilst I am always a sucker for a glossy food mag- these type of books are the ones I always seem to turn to when I need heatlhy, low cost meals.

Friday, July 24, 2009

OTTOBRE 6/2007


This is one of my very favourite winter issues. This week I have set myself a challenge of sewing from this issue only! The problem with being the owner of
is I am constantly surrounded by new and lovely things- and I get distracted too easily! So, it's 6/2007 for now.

You can get your very own 6/2007 from my store, click the banner.

So, from 6/2007 I fancy whipping up...

The cover woollen coat, #29
The Otilla dress, #17
A few Hilda and Tildas #27
Lily leggins #28 ( for my Lilly!)

just for starters.

Wish me luck!


Saturday, June 27, 2009

FAREWELL CRAFTZINE....

Hello MAKEZINE!!

Did anyone else apart from me, subscribe to the print issue if CRAFT? They recently stopped publishing CRAFT and have very kindly added all my issues owed, to my son's MAKE zine sub. Great- where does that leave me??

I never taken much notice of MAKE, until this current issue...

The REMAKE AMERICA issue:

It is full of some fantastic DIY stuff, including heaps of clever sustainability ideas.

See it online HERE You will love it and possibly steal it from your son, as I have!

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

KEEP CALM & CARRY ON




Have you seen these posters about? I want one for my office.They seem to be popping up in mags and books everywhere. They come from here and are a reproduction of the original posters created in 1939 by the UK Ministry of Information. I love the whole vintage appeal these have! Read it's history HERE.

Saturday, January 17, 2009

RECESSION BREAKY!!


Who can afford real maple syrup nowadays? Not us! Here's the latest and most successful recipe I have tried for maple flavoured syrup.

MAPLE FLAVOURED SYRUP

Throw in a saucepan...

3 cups white sugar
1 1/4 cups water
3 tablespoons molasses
1 tabelspoon butter.

Bring to a rolling boil, then turn off. When coolish, add 1 teaspoon pure vanilla essence, and 1 teaspoon Mc Cormicks Maple flavoured essence ( this is a US product, that a US friend sent me ages ago. One little bottle lasts for ages. If anyone knows how we can get some, tell me!!)

This makes approx 500mls of syrup.

And to mop up all this delightful syrup, you will need some economical pancakes.

PANCAKE MIX

I love this recipe..I make it up and store it in a big zip lock bag. It is so quick to get pancakes made up!

Combine in bag:

6 cups plain flour
1 tablespoon salt
6 tablespoons baking powder
6 tablespoons sugar
2 cups powdered milk

Mix well.

To use:

Combine in a bowl...
1 egg beaten with fork
1 cup water
2 tablespoons veg oil or melted butter
1 1/2 cups of the pancake mix.

Stir well, until lump free. Cook as per usual!

Options:
Replace 1/3 of white flour with either buckwheat flour, wholemeal flour, oatmeal flour, or rye flour.
Replace 1/6 flour with sy flour.
Add 1 cup wheatgerm.

Enjoy!
__________________

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

A CREEPY GOOD TIME!!!

Last weekend we took the girls to the beautiful Beechworth, Vic, for a super quick get away. It was stunning! Such a pretty place!

We followed the Ned Kelly trail at Glen Rowan....


Kates Cottage ( reconstructed)




Ned!



But the BEST bit? The evening Beechworth Ghost tour through the old asylum. During the day it's a lovely old property..at night, when you are locked in the cellar, in the DARK? Bloody scary!!

We took lots of pics, and had a few weird things show up...

You be the judge. I have been too chicken to blow any of these up to look at
them in great detail. But, what are all these lights?? Why do some of these blobs, and not others? Some people have found faces looking out at them through windows!


The lovely building when we first arrive...


In the hallway


In the grounds, spots, mist?

In the mens ward, no spots.

Mens ward still.. see the spots?

Weird, hey??

Definitely worth going to see!








Wednesday, December 31, 2008

SEWING FOR GOTH GIRL

GOTH GIRL


I am not sure at what point in time my darling Miss 8 decided to give up her pinks and purples and start donning herself only in red and black. It has been a gradual process I think. It's a good thing I sew or her wardrobe choices would be quite limited! In a world of Bratz , Hannah Montannah and Girly stuff, Miss B remains steadfast in her Goth attire...which does freak her dad and brothers out a bit. I am sure she is merely finding her place in the world...anyway, here's a few items I made her recently.

FELIZ by Farbenmix





8 Pointed Skirt- thanks to Traceymum6 for the fabbo tutorial!


And Skull Twirl Skirt...