At my house....

Yesterday, we had a bbq lunch at home, Dad, Tiya Ning, Berry, Poppy Don, us and the kids. Mr Moo had requested a potato salad I hadn't made in a while. I dug out the recipe and that's what Miss Moo Moo and I were making when Spunky Monkey came into the kitchen. He wanted to make his own potato salad, he went into the garden and picked some fresh herbs and them came back in and took a potato for his salad. Once I realized that his potato salad was going to taste really good, I passed over half of the cooked potatoes, suggesting that we make two different potato salads, for everyone to share.



This is what went into Spunky Monkey's potato salad:

• parsley, picked and chopped by him
• basil, picked by him, the leaves torn or left whole, his choice
• garlic, chopped by him, chopped finer by me
• boiled potatoes
• sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped by him, roasted by me
• lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper, all added by him, after asking, "Mum, what else do you think?"

It was nice to know my opinion counted.

Everyone loved the salad made by my little masterchef. However there were also requests for my potato salad recipe.

Tiya Ning and Berry, you are not the first people to ask for this recipe. I thought I'd better share it.

Potato Salad with Sour Cream and Mustard Dressing

Serves 4-6

• 1 kilo new potatoes (halved and cooked)

for the dressing:
 
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1 1/4 tables. dijon mustard
• 2 anchovies (finely chopped)
• 1 clove garlic (finely diced)
• 2 tables. parsley (finely chopped)
• 1/2 tables. capers (rinsed and roughly chopped)
• salt and pepper
 
• extra parsley for garnish (finely chopped)

In a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients and mix well. Gently fold through the potatoes and sprinkle over the extra parsley.

Cooks tip: I would add the dressing to the potatoes, not the potatoes to the dressing, as this may be to much dressing. It has been a while since I have made this dish and yesterday, Spunky Monkey took half of my potatoes, so I could not re-check the quantities.

I hope you are sharing some summer love in your kitchen too.

Go over to Buttons by Lou Lou to see what's been happening at other people's houses.

Some photos

Just a few pictures of the dashingly dressed party-goers on Saturday night. Everyone looked amazing, especially the birthday girl.

Mad Men Mania

Tonight we are going to a friends 40th birthday party. It is a Mad Men Cocktail Party.

I've always dreamed of hosting a 50's/60's cocktail party for New Years Eve. Tuxedos and glimmering evening dresses, someone like Cary Grant pouring the martini's.

That won' t be happening this New Years Eve, so I am pretty excited to be going tonight.





We only got the go ahead from the baby sitter yesterday, so I had done nothing about an outfit, I didn't think we could make the party. In the back of my mind, however, was my vintage red dress, bought before I had children. I knew that if we did get a sitter, it would be perfect. And it would have been, if I hadn't had two (beautiful) children. My body has changed completely, I knew that. I have gone up a shoe size, and given away many of my favourite tops that were either too tight or too short. So why was I so surprised when I could not do up the zip on the dress!

Ahem.... I'm talking about a five inch gap!

Panic. It's 1:00pm, the day of the party. The closest vintage clothing store is nearly 2 hours away!

A deep breath, a little velvet top, and the problem is solved. Skirt and top.



At least I am all set with my favourite vintage, black satin evening bag and a bit of vintage bling.

"Come on Dear, lets go have some cocktails!"

Modern Relief

(this quilt was made by Ashley from Film in the Fridge)


(this quilt was made by Jessica and Jennifer from Twin Fibers)

Have you heard about the Modern Relief Raffle?

Seventeen amazing and clever quilters from around the world have made some very beautiful quilts that are being donated for a World Vision Charity Raffle. The money is being raised to help in the fight against child hunger. Need I say more.

One of my AMAZING craft night friends, Nova is one of the quilters. So pop over to her blog, 'a cuppa and a catch up' now. Here you can read more about the raffle, see who's involved, check out the other lovely quilts and most importantly make your donation by entering the raffle.

You have until December 1st.


(this quilt was made by Nova from a cuppa and a catch up)

I am speechless when it comes to Nova's quilt that she made. Have a look here for a closer look. There are little surprises hidden under the bunting! Didn't I tell you she was amazing!

Oh, and by the way, did you know, that there are men out there quilting away? (and blogging about it!) There is no excuse for me now, I'm off to invest in a cutting mat.

And... completely unrelated

I would like to welcome my newest followers, Laurie Anna and Lizey

Comida espanola

Last night we went to my mum's Spanish dinner party. An early Christmas catch-up with her friends. It's all things Spanish for Mum at the moment. She will be holidaying in Spain in March, hence the theme.

Mum looked amazing in her Spanish looking dress, sexy stockings, hoop earrings and new, dark hair colour. I hope I look that good when I am her age. In contrast, even though I had known about the party for a month, it wasn't until after I had showered, did I wonder, "what will I wear?" Thank goodness for my little black dress, waiting ever so patiently on it's hanger for it's next exciting outing.

Lets not forget the food. Marinated olives, marinated mushrooms, roasted red peppers, roasted baby capsicums and feta, chorizo braised in apple cider, tuna empanadas, paella, spanish meatballs in spicy tomato sauce, noodles with chorizo and spanish vegetable bake.

Delicioso!

A lovely evening with Mum and her friends. Shared laughter, gossip and fine wine.

Thanks Mum xo

Vintage dreams

Have you seen these beautiful cards in the Lark Christmas Catalogue. Oh, my! They remind me so much of the picture that hung on my bedroom wall as a child. In a similar style to these cards, the painting was of five little girl ballerina's. They were getting ready for a concert, tying up there ballet shoes, laughing and practicing their moves. I had a favourite, and naturally I wanted to be her.



So here is my sad story....

This picture was still in my childhood home, long after I had left. When the house was sold about eight years ago, I took it to keep for my daughter, if I had one. It moved houses with us at least five times. Then when I was eight and a half months pregnant with Miss Moo Moo (I did not know she was a girl) I took the picture to the charity shop.

Pregnancy hormones can make you do crazy things. I sat in a chair on the front lawn of our old house as the moving men just kept coming and coming and coming with stuff we had stored in the garage for the year that we had lived in this house. I sat there for about five hours and wondered, what is all of this stuff!?!

At the time, it seemed like the right time to declutter. Boxes of saved jars and bric brac where jammed into the back of the car, along with my ballet girls picture and the dolls bed my father had made for me when I was a child (it needed to be restored). Off to the op shop I went.



Now my daughter is the same age I was, when I remember tucking my Wendy doll into the dolls bed next to mine. I then looked up at the ballet girls as I crawled into my own bed, smiling as I drifted off to sleep, dreams filled with twirling.



At least we still have the Wendy doll, who is more than happy to be tucked into bed on her pillow mattress on the floor.

At my house.....

This morning Spunky Monkey was up very early and dressed in his very oldest clothes ready for the school's 'prep art day'.

"Mum, we won't be inside all day!!" Talk about excited. No classes, just art, all day, out under the trees. Heaven for this little boy.

Do you think the state of these clothes means he had a lot of fun? Oh yeah!

Go over to Buttons by Lou Lou to see what's been happening at other people's houses.

Also...

I would like to welcome my newest follower, Amanda from Ellieboo

West Side Story

On the weekend, Mr Moo and I took ourselves off to see West Side Story. It was fantastic. It has been at least eight years since we have been to the theatre together.

I can't even remember want we last saw. An opera perhaps? I guess a lot has happen in eight years!

And the winner is.....

Drum roll please!



A little hand of my little helper.



And the winner of my giveaway is..... Michelle from 'hugo and elsa'.



Congratulations Michelle. I hope you enjoy cooking up a storm with this cookbook in you new kitchen!

Please let me know your postal address and I can pop this in the post for you on Monday.

Thanks to everybody who entered my giveaway. Thanks for all of your lovely comments and links to your favourite blogs. I can't wait to have some time to sit with a cup of tea (or two) and check them all out.

And thanks to those of you who are now following. It's nice to know there are some kindered spirits out there, no matter how near or far.

It's a nice place, this global village of ours.

A sweet package for me

Is there anything more exciting than a parcel arriving in the mail?

I have been ordering so many Christmas presents on line, that, I had completely forgotten, I'd ordered a little something, just for me. So I wondered, as it's little padded bottom peaked out of the mailbox, what's that?

Oh, and you can imagine my surprise on opening the said padded envelope. Look at this. I think this is the most perfect little package I have ever received. I didn't even want to open it, just so lovely.



And then, it's contents, were even better. This beautiful crocheted necklace from little ted canvas. I just knew I had to have it, the day I saw it. Don't you just love it when something is even better, once received, than it looked at in the picture. Love it.

However, on a sad note, it has been put aside and will go in my own Christmas stocking (thanks Santa) for Christmas.

I am desperate to wear it now. Will I be able to keep it tucked away or will I sneak it out for the odd pre-christmas party. Only time will tell.

DON'T FORGET MY GIVEAWAY - DRAWN TONIGHT!!!

Just like a big hug!

I have just had one of the loveliest weeks.

My cousin came up for a visit for a few days with her three little girls (ages 1, 2 and 4) Her husband and older children were left at home to go to school and to work.





We mostly hung out at my place, which was a nice change. On Monday my aunt (her mum) and my mum came for lunch. I asked my cousin to bring a loaf of bread and mum to bring some ham. As usual with my family, we ended up with a feast. Please note our feast included freshly boiled and farm fresh bantam eggs and homemade feta cheese. Thanks Karen. We happily chatted the day away with our four little girls playing around us. Day turned into night and it was all into the bath, make-shift pajama's and a quick spaghetti bolognese for dinner.

Read more about this day in someone else's words, here.





Other things we did:

• Karen taught me how to make homemade feta cheese, however, I think there was to much talking and tea drinking to take any real notice of the steps involved.
• We took Spunky Monkey out of school one day and spent the morning at the beach. Picnics and sandcastles.
• Karen came along with me to my Craft Night and was very productive with her advent calender pockets.

But most of all, this woman (my very special cousin) gives me wings. My spirit soars in her presence. Like I said before, one of the loveliest weeks.

But, it doesn't stop there.... Last night, my other favourite cousin rang from far away, I hadn't spoken to her in a while. It was so nice to fall back into the soft cushions of my couch and chat away to her for hours. Wouldn't it have been nice, if she could have visited for the second half of the week.

And....

Then there is my Mum.

My wonderful mum, who canceled her hair appointment today and came over to sew up a dress we had cut out (I was suppose to be learning to sew - that's another story) I decided, just yesterday, it would be the perfect dress for an outing on the weekend.

I love you Mum xx Thank-you so very much!

DON'T FORGET MY GIVEAWAY - DRAWN TOMORROW NIGHT!!!

Retro Mummy Giveaway

The amazing Corrie at Retro Mummy is having a great giveaway at the moment. Maybe I shouldn't be telling you, as I want to win. If I did, I would have no more excuses for not making my children a beautiful quilt for their bedroom.

There are still a few days left, but you've gotta be in it to win it, so go here now.

And......

I would like to welcome my new followers, 'polka dot daze' and 'pinecone camp'

DON'T FORGET MY GIVEAWAY - DRAWN TOMORROW NIGHT!!!

Print it!

"Many hands make light work"

On Saturday, I went to Brisbane to Red Seed Studio's, Screen Print Workshop. I want all of my Saturday's to be spent this way. I had so much fun!!!

The last time I screen printed anything, I was in year 10 at high school, so it had been a while. I had been wanting to do a workshop for years and after many enquiries, I still could not find a class in my area.

So, this was heaven. After the initial fear of cutting into the paper and adding ink to the screen, it seemed easy and oh so much fun. We had a lovely group and worked well together getting our designs cut, printed and hung to dry. We were all able to print two designs each, eat lunch, drink tea and chat, still with heaps of time to spare.







Thank you so much Ellie for hosting a lovely day.

You can read more about the day on Ellie's blog.

DON'T FORGET MY GIVEAWAY - DRAWN 19TH NOVEMBER

Our future chefs

(the top two finalists - Isabella and Jack)

I know this is yesterday's news, but Australia, have you been watching?



Congratulations to Isabella, Australia's first Junior Masterchef.


(Isabella and her twin sister Sophia)

What an inspiration these children were to me in many ways. I hadn't really watched the other masterchef series, in truth, I don't watch that much TV. However these kids had me from day one.

They were all so very cute, and then they started doing things like tempering chocolate and producing dishes I had never heard of. Nine year olds were begging to cook with lobster and twelve year olds were cooking rabbit and peasant to perfection.

I felt embarrassed by what I was serving up to my children. You know, a lot of pasta and taco's, the usual kind of food kids love. I realised I needed to get my children to help in the kitchen more often. We used to prepare dinner together when the kids were younger, but somehow, with school, things seem to have become so busy. Dinner is often a rush and I rarely find cooking a weekday meal relaxing.

So, I guess we are back here again. Slow down. These kids have made me realise that it is not just sharing a meal as a family that is important, but also, preparing a meal as a family. We are not cooking this way often enough.


(the top 12 finalists, ages 9-13)

It was because of these inspiring children, that last week Miss Moo Moo and I stuffed our chicken with cous cous and braised it whole in the style of Moroccan tagine cooking. I had originally intended to just throw it in the oven with some garlic, herbs and lemon to roast. This would have been easier, quicker and very yummy, but would it have Miss Moo Moo talking about it for days? She told anyone who would listen, that we had stuffed our chicken with cous cous, dried fruit and spices.

If you haven't been watching, you can have a look at the Junior Masterchef website. It is filled with the recipes the kids cooked and lots of cute photos.



I had this great book, "Small Fry." out from the library during the time of the Masterchef series. It is filled with great recipes, great advice and tips to get your kids into the kitchen.

Also.....

I would like to welcome my newest follower, Clare another creative type with two blogs. clare's craftroom and clare's craftroom shop

And....

DON'T FORGET MY GIVEAWAY - DRAWN 19TH NOVEMBER

Happy hippeastrums

I picked these hippeastrums earlier on the week and brought them into the house to enjoy. This morning all of the flowers have opened. These flowers are truly making my heart smile today.



DON'T FORGET MY GIVEAWAY - DRAWN 19TH NOVEMBER