Pottering about

We have had another lovely Saturday pottering about home today. I spent most of my day in our study/sewing room/junk room and am extremely happy with the progress I made. Guess what, you can see the floor!

Once the floor had been cleared I then sat and sorted piles of papers, fabrics, books, ribbons, sewing patterns, books to be repaired and photos. I had ripped out heaps of stuff from old magazines, so instead of a large pile of unread magazines lying around, I had been left with a large pile of unread magazine pages. Which is just as bad.

It was another warm day, we ate breakfast outside and could have easily eaten dinner outside as well. I am wearing a t-shirt, again, and it's now 8:00pm. Crazy, especially since a cold snap had been forecast!

I love the image above of Spunky Monkey snuggling in close to Mr Moo as they eat their cold leftover nachos together. It really sums up our day of just 'hanging out' together.

How is it, that men and boys, can actually eat things, like leftover cold pizza and cold nachos? Yuck!

Enid Blyton

"The Folk of the Faraway Tree" was the only Enid Bylton book I ever read as a child. I read and re-read it. I loved it. My well thumbed 1980's paperback is on our bookshelf along with the one above and two other copies. I really love the colourful illustrations throughout this one. Perfect for reading to smaller children.

I scanned a couple of the books I brought home from Mr Moo's parents this week. Such vibrant colours. I found another one hiding at the bottom of the box. All of the covers were illustrated by different people. I think they are just great.







On a totally unrelated subject. Do you think that 25 degrees is can be classed as winter? I don't think so.

It is 4:30pm and I am sweltering in jeans and a t-shirt right now.

Saved treasures

(This was one of Grandma's dolls, isn't she just beautiful)


(Look at the beautiful lace on this soft lilac dress. Underneath she is wearing a peach coloured camisole and french knickers!)

Earlier on in the week I dropped Miss Moo Moo at her Grandma's for the day. While I was there, Grandma gave me a small box of books that had belonged to Mr Moo when he was a child. They had been unearthed during a weekend clear out. She also opened up a couple of big garbage bags that were going to be thrown out. She had wanted to show me some of her old dolls, and yes, unfortunately, most could not be repaired, but this one and a big box of books came home with me.


(Saved, Spunky Monkey will just love the content of some of these old books. I love the illustrations and old photos)

The doll will need to wait until warmer weather arrives to be cleaned up and redressed. She has a cloth body and will need to be well washed. As for the books, some of them have made it on to our children's bookshelf but others have gone into the garage for now. I'm not sure what to do with them yet, but I will think of something.


(Also saved, these books were covered in a great vintage paper, but once removed I found a hidden gem. The covers of these to books are in almost mint condition.)

One man's trash is another man's treasure

First date flashback

(this image is of punting on the River Cam (outside of Cambridge) during the 1950's)

No, we did not go punting, and actually, it wasn't really a date.

But that's what we now call it. It was the first day we spent together after our first initial 10 minute meeting. I was working in South London and Mr Moo was working in a pub in Cambridge (UK). I had taken the bus up to Cambridge for the day but had to wait for him to finish work. So I packed myself a little picnic lunch of cheddar cheese and branston pickle sandwiches (on that yummy bloomer bread, does anyone know it?) and a Kit Kat. I sat under a big shade tree by the River Cam, opposite the pub. I ate my lunch in the early summer sunshine and watched happy groups of friends, punting along the congested river.

With work finished, we headed to the museum and then for coffee and chocolate cake.

The rest, as they say, is history.

Early last week, Mr Moo requested some branston pickles for his sandwiches. There is never really a shortage of homemade pickles, chutneys or relishes the fridge, but yes, it was true, we had run out. So branston pickles it was, as there was no time for preserving anything this week.

I sat down to my own lunch today of cheddar cheese and branston pickle sandwiches and thought instantly of that day, like it was yesterday.

It couldn't really be 15 years, could it?

It's like Christmas!

Today I unpacked some parcels that have arrived here this week.

We had a gift voucher at Freedom, so a few weeks ago we selected some new bits and bobs from the accessories range. We didn't really need anything so it was heaps of fun picking stuff out. We did want this lamp, but it had to arrive in from another store, so they packed everything else up and put it aside. The lamp arrived in on Monday, so I went in to collect all of our goodies.



My hanky's arrived yesterday from 'Shiny Happy Art'. They say good things come in small packages and they (whoever they are) are right. It was such a delight to open this parcel, so beautifully presented.

And............Surprise! A complementary handkerchief, just for me. I looove it! Thank-you so much Anna.



My Gordan Ramsay pie dish also arrived from 'Buyster' yesterday. I was a little nervous, as it is the first breakable thing that I have had delivered by post. But no problems, it was well packaged and has arrived safe and in one piece. I can't wait for this weekend. For dinner, I think a nice roast (served on new platters!) and in this dish, a yummy pudding.

Hmmm, what to make? Apple and rhubarb crumble? Chocolate self-saucing pudding? Baked rice pudding?



And my package arrived from 'Lark' on Monday. So quick! Yay. I can't show you too much, as most of it is for presents. But these IOU cards are for me.

I just love these children's IOU cards:

Go for a night-time adventure outside. Take a trip by train. Stay in your pajama's all day. Stay in hotel. Play golf. Have a boogie disco at home. Be a photographer for day. You cook. Go bowling.

I think it could be time to bring out the sticker charts again.

Baby, it's cold outside

Drizzling rain and bleak winter weather kept our family indoors and close to home this weekend.

It was just lovely.



we ate warming , slow cooked, beef stew for dinner



we made breakfast bars



we ate pancakes with strawberries and cream for breakfast



we made ice-blocks, yes, you read right, clearly this was not my idea!



we made pumpkin pie, another, first ever. I had never even tasted it before.

But we didn't just eat. The kids did some craft, some drawing, some cutting and some glueing. Mr Moo sanded and painted some furniture and also did fix-it jobs around the house. I sorted some sewing stuff , but not all of it. I sorted some filing and papers, but not all of it. I sorted some clutter in the kids rooms, but not all of it. Just general pottering about really.

A nice end to the weekend was to discover tonight, my newest follower. Welcome Michelle. Have a look at her beautiful blog 'Hugo and Elsa'. I know you will love it.

More marble cake

When I made the first marble cake last week, Mr Moo, recalling his own childhood memories, asked if we could we add pink to the mix next time. No problems, we can do that. And that is exactly what we did today when we made our third marble cake in 2 weeks.

Don't worry, we are not eating it all this cake by ourselves. We are sharing it, I promise.

Bless you

(these images are from Anna's 'Made It' shop)

I'd like to welcome my newest follower, Anna from 'Shiny Happy Art'

Before I've even had time to do this post, I have already been to her 'Made It' shop and purchased these two super cute hankies for my little monkeys. So cute and so perfect for right now. Spunky Monkey prefers hanky's and currently has one of Mr Moo's handkerchiefs by his bed.

Not for much longer.

Marble cake

I made this chocolate marble cake again on Wednesday. So yummy. I thought I'd better share the recipe with you. It comes from the book 'Tamasin's Kitchen Bible'

Marble cake

• 100 grams dark chocolate
• 60 ml milk
• 110 grams unsalted butter (softened)
• 140 grams castor sugar
• 1 teas. vanilla
• 2 eggs
• 225 grams self-raising flour
• 1 teas. baking powder
• 60 ml milk
• 55 grams sour cream

Preheat oven to 170 degrees. Grease a loaf tin. Melt the chocolate and 60 mls of milk in a double boiler. Set aside. Cream the butter, sugar and vanilla until pale and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time. Mix the flour with the baking powder and the remaining 60 mls of milk with the sour cream. Alternately add the flour and milk to the butter and sugar mixture, mix well with each addition. Add half of the vanilla cake mixture with the melted chocolate. You will now have a bowl of vanilla cake mixture and a bowl of chocolate cake mixture. With two separate spoons, spoon the mixture into the tin alternately so that the result will be marbled. Bake for 50-55 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean. Cool in the tin for 10 minutes before turning onto a wire rack to cool completely.

I know it sounds a bit confusing, but believe me, it's really easy.

Winter sunset

Last night I saw a pink glow coming through the glass of the front door. I went outside to see what it was. And it was this........



going.....



going....




gone! (well, almost)

Of course, pictures never really do justice for such natural beauty. But believe me, it was Wow! Wow ! Wow!

My laundry list

Sometimes the odd jobs that need doing around this house can get a little overwhelming. More so of late. On the days when I am at home alone, I find myself wandering around not knowing where to start. I drink way to much tea, ring mum for chat, read some blogs. Not very productive.

So, I am changing all that with a plan. Each week I will be concentrating on just one room. This week it will be my laundry. Perhaps, because I'm dying to know what is in those 2 big boxes sitting on the laundry bench, I know that whatever is in them, they have a place somewhere else. So here is the list of things I intend to do this week in my laundry.

• sort out the boxes sitting on the bench
• reorganise the very unorganised craft cupboard
• make a new ironing board cover
• scan, enlarge, print and frame some photos for the walls
• Wash the windows, screen door, screen door tracks and walls. This is the closest room to the sandpit, need I say more
• pull out the washing machine and clean behind and beneath it
• wipe out the cupboards
• defluff and descum the washing machine, you know, pull all of the pieces apart and clean them
• take off the sticky toddler proof door latches
• wash the curtain

I know this sounds like spring cleaning, but I can't wait. I'm looking forward to a tidy, functioning, decorated laundry by next Monday. Can't wait.

This week

(Spunky Monkey running his egg and spoon race. Remember this is Prep, he's only five, no high jump or shot put just yet.)

This week saw Spunky Monkey back at school. However it was a short week with a pupil free day and his first Sports Day on Friday. Prep classes were allowed leave at 11:00am. In between times I have been trying to get things back in order around here, post school holidays.


(Dakota Fanning and Jennifer Hudson in the beautiful movie, "The Secret Lives of Bees"

This week I finally got around to watching this movie. I loved it.


(This card is from Solitaire, the company of UK husband and wife team Matt and Em Bruty. This is just one of the many, many things I bought from Lark this week)

Did some on line shopping. Here, there and everywhere, with the most fun spent at the Lark webshop's '2 day sale'. Luckily I set myself a dollar limit, because I just could have gone crazy, so many great things. I didn't even get off of the sale pages. I'm happy to have some christmas shopping done, even happier when I can do it all with a couple of cups of tea and some jam slice.


(this is the image from the book )

I made my first, ever, marble cake from this book. It was super yummy and super easy and looked just like the photo in the book! If the weather stays sunshiney, we plan to share it with friends in the park later today.

More feminine style

I discovered the British clothing line, Nadinoo through the 'A cup of Jo' blog.

Wow, Wow, Wow!! So gorgeous. Below are only some of her beautiful designs. See more here and check out Nadia's beautiful blog too. Very inspirational.









All I need now, is a bicycle with a wicker basket

(all images are from Nadinoo)

Forties farmhouse chic

Soft, floaty, floral dresses, feminine, frilly. Pastel cardigans, vintage buttons. Sweeping shawls with crocheted flowers. Gumboots. Tussled hair.



Last night we watched a lovely movie called "A Shine of Rainbows." I loved the look of the Irish farm wife and the clothing that the lead character was wearing. A similar look to the clothing in the movie "The Edge of Love" that I saw a few weeks ago.

(all images are from the movie, "The Edge of Love")

English Pub Food

(I had never heard of 'pan haggerty' before today. It is basically thin layered potatoes, onion, and grated cheddar baked in the oven, I'm sure it is really bad for you, but perfect for a cold winters day. I ate it with a salad and a crusty baguette. Yummy! - This picture is from the book)

This morning we woke to perfect sunshine and blue skies. An amazing winters day. However by midday the weather had turned bleak, overcast and cool. So, I made this 'pan haggerty' for lunch from Gordon Ramsay's book, "Great British Pub Food"

Filled with classic English recipes like Lancashire hot pot, roast beef and red wine gravy, steak and kidney pie and toad-in-the-hole. The recipes in this book are a far cry from the food that I cooked when I was working in a London pub.

Like most antipodeans, during my early twenties, I found myself with a 2-year UK working visa and a job in a London pub for a couple of months. During my interview, I thought I had landed my dream job, it didn't take very long to realize that it was not. I did not so much cook, as serve. Frozen plaice and chips, packet steak sauces, frozen pre-made lasagne, rubbery gammon steaks and my personal favourite (not) deep fried crumbed sausages, the thought of them still makes me cringe. With most pub jobs, food and board is free, hence the popularity amongst backpackers. However, I never ate a thing from that menu, not even once.

Speaking of Gordon Ramsay, I have been looking at his 'oven to tableware' and cookware ranges online at 'Buyster'. Hmmm. Time to update some of my old chipped baking dishes I think. Simple and stylish.

Christmas in July - photos

(a few of the crafty folk)


(waiting for the guests to arrive, Leanne's beautifully decorated home)

Thanks Leanne, for sending some photos over. I had forgotten my camera on the night.

Now that's what I call crafty

(this image is taken from here)

Last night there was talk of this very creative person, Tamar Mogendorff at the dinner table.

I looove this blue peacock!

But she also hand makes beautiful bird houses, bird cages, wall mounted deer heads, mushrooms, pine cones, plus so much more.

Christmas in July

(this is one of Carl Larsson's beautiful paintings)

Last night Leanne from craft night hosted a 'God Jul' dinner or 'Christmas in July'. What a fantastic night. Leanne is incredibly stylish and decorated her little house beautifully in scandinavian style. Twinkle lights, ruby reds, snowflake whites, white paper doily garlands, jonquils, candles, antique linen, jingle bells. Everyone brought a plate. It was a true feast and oh, so very yummy. Here's what we ate:

goats cheese feta
beetroot relish
red capsicum jam

glazed ham
meatballs with vodka dill cream sauce
roasted parsnips, sweet potato and pumpkin
brussel sprouts and bacon
mashed potato
steamed green beans
pumpkin, spinach and feta salad

pecan pie
white chocolate and raspberry cheesecake
double chocolate and sour cherry brownies
strawberries dipped in chocolate
cherries

It was so lovely catching with all of our crafty, craft night friends in this way. I think she may have started something!

'Christmas in July' may seem strange to anyone reading this from overseas. But this is something that is growing in popularity in Australia. Coming from an English background, many of my Christmas days has seen our family sweltering in the hot, hot weather trying hard to enjoy hot roasts and warm plum pudding. 'Christmas in July' makes perfect sense to me.

Cookbook love

Recently a friend asked if I really did own over 300 cookbooks (this fact is written somewhere in one of my posts). Yes, it is true. I counted them when we last moved, it seemed that all I was putting on the bookshelves were cookbooks, cookbooks and more cookbooks.

And... I am afraid to tell you, that I have just ordered this one with birthday money. However, they are not all expensive coffee table style cookbooks. I really love collecting quirky old style cookbooks. There is nothing better than rummaging through an old pile of dusty books and discovering a forgotten treasure. Op shops, garage sales, markets, church jumble sales, secondhand book stores.

Here are a couple of my favourites:







What dinner parties were cooked from these pages? What recipes became family favourites. How many romantic candlelit dinners were planned? Oh, if only these pages could talk.