No more mouldy crumpets

I just hate throwing food out. Crumpets are always a culprit for mould before we are able to finish them. And i don't like the way they keep in the fridge. Freeze fresh between baking paper, too easy.

I found my time

Today I had a mini celebration over my yummy yogurt and toasted muesli for breakfast - I have finally found my time! Reality is, it was always there to begin with. I just resulted to the usual excuse 'I just can't find the time'.

 

I am a morning person. I can wake up 6am every day and feel great. Morning time for this mother of 2 is the ideal my time for me.

 

After a coffee and some quiet time with the Lord, I can finally fit in half an hour of exercise to my day. Hooray!

 

And there is nothing like getting the blood pumping, the muscles aching and feeling like your finally doing something good for yourself.

 

My routine is simple. 10 laps around the house, varying tracks for interest. Interval jogging and walking.  100 sit ups and 100 hits to the bag. So yay, I've found my time.

 

What to do and what not to do in Bali

1. Dont Listen to your driver
2. Don't Assume your driver knows where you want to go
3. Dont Ask your driver to take you to a nice restaurant
4. Don't Ask your driver to take you anywhere nice
5. Dont Tell your driver unnecessary information, it confuses them (can you tell we had fun with drivers)
6. Don't pick up those information phamplets at the airport, rip off
7. If anyone wants to carry your bags or help you jump the queue at the airport or offer you time share - say no thanks.
7. Oh and if they act like they want their wife to get a photo with you for 'happy memories', do assume he is carrying a printer in his bag and he'll want you to buy the photo.
8. Don't start bartering unless you really do want it
9. Don't stop bartering and don't forget your Aussie dollars, they really do love it, they make jewelry for their children.
10. If the shop front has a door or fixed price tags you are best not to barter, but you can ask with a smile 'Ada discount'

11. Research your restaurants, we really were let down by the food
12. If you see something you really like, buy it! You won't see it again even if they appear everywhere on that day
13. Being worried about Bali belly and tummy bugs is overrated. Not once in our 2 weeks did we refuse ice in drinks.
14. The mozzie issue is also overrated, they have mozzie spray everywhere, that's all you need
15. We paid $30 000 for a beach umbrella and 2 chairs. $50 000 for body board hire. Sarongs are good at $30 000/$40 000, We got the bintang singlets for under $30 000 each.
16. Jimbaran Bay - don't ask a driver to take you to "Jimbaran Bay", we were taken to the crap hole end and didn't get the real experience until we went with our instincts and got a driver to take us to the resort end where all the NICE restaurants were. Know where you want to go.
17. Ubud - we stayed about 10 minutes out in a local village. A great experience if you want to live amongst the locals. This suited us fine, just make sure you have a driver at hand.
18. Seminyak - we booked all of our accommodation via Trip Advisor. We were able to book an awesome villa as we were travelling with another couple and could pool our money together. This is a great way to really enjoy living Bali life. It feels like a home away from home.
19. Bali, away from the resorts, is very different to the impression you get of Bali from the resort, so make sure you get out and explore.
20. Lastly, All day tours sound great, but are super tiring especially with kids. And no, they are not a big tour bus with air con and a tour guide telling you lots of information. We got a local driver taking us around with little to no information. Then almost refusing to take us and the kids home because we were tired and didn't want to eat at the tacky Jimbaran Bay restaurant that was the last stop on the 'tour'.

All in all Bali was a great experience though and we will be back one day.

Please note, these are simply the thoughts and advice based on the trip we had travelling with 4 adults and 2 young children in September 2012. 

Bacon & Zucchini Slice with Mr Kenwood

I love my food processor. I do.

Most people will have their toaster and kettle living on their kitchen bench but my food processor owns top spot on my kitchen bench. I use my food processor (with all its fantastic attachments) pretty much everyday.

I was bought up with the conception that these 'things' (food processors) were annoying to use. Because, 1) you have to pull the big bulky thing out of a cupboard from a really awkward spot. 2) Then all the clunky attachments, which seem to be annoying. 3) And then the hassle of hand washing all the pieces because that's the way it should be done.

Ah Fooey! All lies. Lies I tell you!

How great to have all my things.... diced, chopped, mixed, grated, sliced, whisked, juiced, blended.... within seconds! And I put it all (except the rubber of the blender) into the dishwasher... no hassle at all!

Jamie Oliver's show 30 Minute Meals specializes in fast meals made specifically using the help of our friend The Beloved Food Processor. I love this cook book and have enjoyed many meals out of it so far... with the help of my trusty friend Mr Kenwood, of course.

I whipped up this delicious bacon and zucchini slice for lunch with the help of Mr Kenwood. He grated the cheese and zucchini, And diced the bacon, onion and garlic. Easy, made in less than 10 minutes. Yum.

Recipe
375g (or 2 medium) Zucchinis
1 Cup Grated Cheese
1 chopped Onion
5 Rash diced Bacon
1 clove Garlic
5 Eggs
1 Cup SR Flour
Season with Salt & Pepper
Sesame Seeds

Combine all ingredients, stir to combine well.
Pour into a baking dish and sprinkle top with sesame seeds.
Bake for 30-35 mins on 180 degrees C.

OTHER THINGS I use my food processor for:
Onions - to chop or slice onions any time I need too. I have a Tupperware one but I find this so much faster and easier.
Spaghetti bolognaise - to chop onion and capsicum. To grate carrot and zucchini. And finally grate cheese. No need to rinse between processes.
Banana cake - to purée the banana. Works a treat.
Pesto - the whole lot is made here.
Potato bake - in minutes it's in the oven! To finely slice whole potatoes and onions. And once again grating the cheese.
Cakes - some cakes are made partially or completely with the use of my food processor.
Sugar - to make my own castor sugar or icing sugar if I am desperate.

Please let me know if I have inspired you to pull your food processor out and give it a go for a week! They become such a handy tool to have in the kitchen.

Quiche

Quiche, easy peasy and no recipe needed? I think yes.
Don't think too hard about quiches, just think scrambled eggs with some additions.

Blind bake your puff pastry, then bake for another 5 mins.

I like to leave a nice pastry overhang for extra goodness.
Add your ingredients and cook for a good 30-40 mins on 180 degrees.

Ingredients guide:

About 4-6 eggs depending on the size of dish

A good pour of cream and a teaspoon of Lemon Pepper and a bit of salt

Meats: Ham, Bacon, Salami, Prosciutto 

Veg: Red/White Onion, Shallots, Spinach, Capsicum, Olives, Chives

Additional: Chopped Cream cheese, pine nuts, other herbs

I love using my Maxwell & Williams Microstoven dish. The quiche, or whatever you cook, does not stick to the dish, so I don't need to grease. If you have never seen Microstoven, you must look it up. You know how Jamie Oliver always cooks in a dish and then puts it into the oven? This is the stuff you can use. Which is the only reason why I bought it. Can be used in the microwave, on the stove top and in the oven. Genius!

To see the Microstoven range click here

So This Is Christmas... 2012

Here it is.... Christmas In Our Home 2012. December has come around so fast this year and I won't be putting any more than a little energy into all things festive this year. It's been a big year. (Full stop: I could say no more) But that is not to say that I won't whip out some awesome yummy treats and play around with a little bit of Christmas fun.

I am least motivated about Christmas decorating this year, so as a result, I found an awesome branch from our backyard and have used it as our tree this year. I love this simple look. My colour theme is red, white and silver. Simply decorated with a couple of decorations and a single strip of white led lights from Ikea. 

Do note our little Christmas Tonttu to the right, she reports back to Santa every night if the children have been naughty or nice. 

My 30th Birthday Celebration

I held my birthday party to honor the special family and friends who are and have been a special part in my life. Turning the big  3 0 has always been an occasion that I have looked forward too. 

The last 30 years have been so full of twists and turns; so many ups and downs; marriage, babies, mortgages... trials, errors, so many lessons learnt. It is nice to turn a new leaf with the fresh feeling of 30! Now I am living life in my prime... and the best bit?

It feels like life is only just beginning and I am excited because

I know that the best is yet to come!

I wanted to have a wine bar so we could enjoy having wine tastings. This was so much fun and I was so happy with the result. We enjoyed 9 wines for tasting. I was happy to guide my loved ones through the tasting steps and give them a little more insight into the wonderful world of wine tastings.

For an afternoon on the deck nothing could make me happier than a good glass of wine and a gourmet cheese platter with all the trimmings.

We enjoyed platters filled with all the yummy things you could hope for: soft/hard cheese, pate, crackers, olives, apricots, figs, cocktail onions, gherkins, artichokes, prosciutto, special deli ham and salami. Yum!

Non-alcoholic options best enjoyed with a lime green vintage striped paper straw, of course.

My mum made me a beautiful traditional (in our family anyway) Finnish birthday cake. A sponge cake with layers of jam, cream, strawberries, bananas and something orange (yet to ask mum)... Absolutely yummy. Nothing beats homemade, in my books, and it was delicious, thanks mum!

I love lolly buffets, I have been admiring them for a long time. My friend had one for her 30th and I thought it was a fabulous idea. And why not? They aren't just for weddings. I bought beautiful vintage style paper cupcake cups that guests could scoop their goodies into and enjoy at their leisure. Fun.

Thank-You again to all my family and friends for bringing your beautiful happy spirits into our home. Thank-you for the gifts, they are muchly appreciated. 

I certainly had an afternoon I will never forget and had an absolute blast. It was truly everything that I could have wished for.

Peace out! Love you all!

I must say a special mention to Ursula from Us In Time who took care of all the photography for me. Well worth taking the pressure off everyone else to get great photos. Thanks Ursula!Visit her WEBSITE HERE

Jonah's Batman 5th Birthday Party

Batman was the theme this year and it also seemed like Batman themed items weren't widely available either, so without jumping on the fantastic party sites and ordering themed items, I improvised where I could.

Look up "comic book words" on Google to get some cool print outs that can be used on the lolly bags. I also hot glue gunned them onto toothpicks to make the action words come alive on the food table.

Simple things on the food table kept the children happy. 

I used my boys' superhero toys as decorations where I could.

The cake was a simple butter cake mix, with 3 colored layers: black, blue and yellow. Worked a treat and always a nice surprise!

BUT whats a Batman party without the man himself?!

The kids were highly entertained for a good hour straight while Batman took them through the courses of superhero training. All completed the training course and received a sword to fight the bad guys at the end.

A fantastic entertainment option for any kids party. I didn't have to organize any games or prizes. And the children were all entertained so I could set up the food table with no stress. 

I highly recommend Super Steph Brisbane Superheros!

Marvellous Creations

My favourite indulgence are the new range of treaties from Cadbury.

They are scrumdiddlyumscious!

Yummy Cadbury choc, with jelly bits, like jelly baby bits but jellier, and cruchie bits through.

And here we have jelly, popping candy and beanies.

A nice surprise with the popping candy, beanies, like Smarties but with Cadbury chocolate, so you get the crunch of the sugar shell, with the beloved jelly bits too.

There is another flavour that they are yet to release in a bar... sneaky Cadbury!! Oh and to conclude, my favourite is definitely the top one.

Both these photos are taken in my car: nothing like driving and enjoying a treat at the same time.

Just my little indulgence. My little time out. 

Whats your indulgence? Anything scrumptious for some time out?

Happy 1st Day of Winter

With love from our fireplace to yours xxxx