Food Connect Box 6

I picked up my Food Connect Box today. Look at all the delicious goodies I got.

I may not have made it back into the sewing room yet - but I am loving being able to get back in the kitchen.
On the menu this week.

Turkish Pizza
Nicoise salad
Pumpkin & silverbeet penne
Chachouka
Stir fry & rice
Chicken & Leek risotto
Beetroot & Fetta Bruschetta

And some delicious juices with the kale & celery & pineapple. Yum!

What's on the menu for you this week?

Another week

 Remember when I made this dress? Well, my girl finally wore it.

 It made me so happy! And I'm so glad it still fits - it was a while ago!

We had a good weekend. Quiet - with an engagement party on Saturday for my nephew. So happy for them.

Then Sunday was Fathers Day. So I made my wonderful, perfect hubby some homemade chocolate mousse. It's his favourite besides the orange cake I make.

Unfortunately there's no camping this week. But my littlest started a new job today. Early! I hope she has a really good day. Can't wait to hear all about it this afternoon. So excited for her.

What's new in your world this week?

K xxx

This week

Kind of a dud week. I got nothing done.
But my sweet girl did. She made choc chip cookies. About 60 of them.

And we had to get some work done by Telstra - which meant I had to move my bags out of the way. So they got dumped on my sewing table. And you know what? They are still there. Told ya. Dud week.

But I did receive my new iphone case.

And make an apple & rhubarb crumble. Yum.

This week I need to get a list happening and start getting things done.

What are your plans this week?

Chilly

It was cold today. I'm all rugged up in trackpants and a hoodie and slippers - but unfortunately I have to go out and work in the cold tonight. Brrr.
So at lunchtime today I threw some delicious veges into a roasting pan so I could turn it into soup tonight.

And I did a little shopping - I pre ordered Heather Ross's new collection called Briar Rose. How darling is it?

You can see the rest of the collection on her site.
I so want to make that adorable quilt. I just love it!!

My juicer arrived today. So let me know - what are your favourite juice combinations?
I'm keen to try some out!

K xxx

Happy Belly

Dinner time has been anything but boring so far with my Food Connect boxes. Here was my menu for the week.

Even lunchtime is really looked forward to - as I've usually got leftovers.

And I even cooked brekky which doesn't happen too often here. And the tomatoes were amazing!!

I'm already planning for my new boxes on Tuesday. Can't wait to get some of that freaking awesome bread again!

So tomorrow (Mothers Day) I'm heading over to my Mums for lunch and I'm taking dessert. So that's on my agenda today.

How about you? Any plans this weekend?
Whatever you do - hope you enjoy it,

Kel xxx

Bookworm

Got a couple of parcels this week. All of the booky kind. Waiting for 2 boxes of fabric to arrive - but they are nowhere to be found. Not good!!
Ok. So I bought:

Very good book. Very very good! Will be much used.

Lots of basic cakes.

A quilty book. Woohoo!! Another baking book. Coz I love to bake. And Hugh's Veg book. There shall be some happy times in my kitchen.
And in other news we are looking to adopt an English Bulldog. I wonder how these two are going to cope?

It was the worst time for me when we brought Violet (my tabby cat) home. Dash absolutely hated her. For the most part they tolerate each other but do still have their spats now and again. I'm kinda scared to do it again. It was so stressful. We may delay it until we move into our own house. Not 100% decided yet.

I have completely neglected class this week. And I feel so behind. So my plan this weekend is to play catch up. I'll have to start and finish the top tomorrow.  Wish me luck. I'll need it!!

Have a fabulous weekend -

K xxx

Back to school

Today was back to school for the kids. And of course I didn't think about lunch stuff until late this afternoon. Better late than never, right?
Lucky I had a few things in the pantry. So I made some muesli bars - apricot & pecan

And a choc chip slice.

So now the lunchbox tub is full again.

Do you make things for your kids lunchboxes?
I'm looking for some savoury ideas. Any tried and true recipes you can link me up to, would be very much appreciated!!

Hope you are having a Happy Monday

K xxx

Easter Sunday

I thought I'd drop in quickly while my oranges are cooking.
I made another batch of Hot Cross buns on Friday - and they turned out much better. It's much easier when you have a pastry brush and a piping bag ;o)
And last night I whipped up some tags for the bunny bags. I used the same silhouette file that I did back here. This time around I made them smaller so that I could fit 3 on an 8.5 X 11 page.

Ooh my timer just went off. Back to the kitchen for me!!
Have a Happy Day

Banana Muffins

My mum came round and took the kids to see Journey 2: The mysterious Island in 3d today, so I spent some time baking. I made 2 batches of muffins as I had a heap of overripe bananas to use up.
I didn't get a good pic as I already wrapped them and stuck them in the freezers for the kids lunch boxes.
They were nice and somewhat healthy, so I thought I'd post both of the recipes I used.Both recipes I found at www.taste.com.au

Banana and Rolled Oat muffins (I worked these out to be 255 calories)


Ingredients:

• 2 cups (260g) self-raising flour
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 1 cup (100g) rolled oats
• 1/2 cup (100g) brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 3/4 cup (185g) plain no-fat yoghurt
• 1/4 cup (60ml) canola oil
• 2 bananas, mashed (250g)

 Method:

1. Preheat oven to 200°C. Line a 12 cup muffin pan with paper cases.
2. Sift flour, cinnamon and soda into a bowl. Empty the flour husks from the sifter back into the bowl along with the oats and brown sugar, and stir to combine.
3. Whisk eggs, yoghurt and oil together. Add banana and stir to combine. Pour into dry ingredients and mix together using a wooden spoon until just combined. Mixture may be lumpy and does not have to be evenly mixed.
4. Spoon mixture into paper cases. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden and cooked through. Cool for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
   
   

 Banana Honey muffins  (I worked these out to be 206 calories)


Ingredients:

• 1 cup wholemeal self-raising flour
• 1 cup self-raising flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup raw sugar
• 1/2 cup desiccated coconut
• 1 cup mashed banana
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/4 cup extra-light olive oil
• 2 eggs, lightly whisked

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 200°C. Lightly grease a 12-hole 1/3-cup capacity muffin pan.
2. Sift flours, baking powder and cinnamon into a bowl. Stir in sugar and desiccated coconut. Make a well in the centre.
3. Whisk banana, 1/4 cup honey, oil, egg and yoghurt in a jug. Pour into well. Gently fold until just combined. Three-quarter fill muffin holes with mixture. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Stand for 5 minutes in pan. Turn onto a wire rack to cool completely.
   
   
   I feel like I'm coming down with a cold this afternoon. Glad I'm only making pizza tonight - so it'll be quick & easy dinner. And early to bed.
   
   Hope you are having a relaxing Sunday

Making a difference

So today was weigh in day for 12wbt. And to date I have lost 4.2kg. Go me. And now I am only about 5kg away from having a healthy BMI. Awesome.

 My morning snack is usually always this peach & mango yoghurt. It's my favourite.

And this is my favourite pizza - Ricotta, prosciutto, tomato & rocket. So yummy.

Yesterday I got some new Lock & Lock containers, so I sorted out my cupboard shelf. Only 5 more to go.

I've got itchy fingers and have the need to make something. Can't decide what though. Guess I better finish that little quilt. If I don't start now it'll never get done. Ok. Off to do it!

Have a Happy Wednesday!!

Sweet treats

Over a month ago - woah, that went fast. We celebrated Hubby's birthday. I got busy in the kitchen and made him some Blueberry Gelati

It was delicious but so rich.
And his favourite flavour combination is chocolate & orange, so I made him a flour less dark chocolate & orange cake.
It was so moist and yummy. It was a real hit.

The only thing I'd change next time would be to top it with a dark chocolate ganache instead of the icing sugar.
Might have to try this one out again for Mum's birthday as it's her favourite flavour combination as well.

What's your favourite dessert that you like to make?

Productive, or not

So yesterday I had the sudden urge to finish something. So I grabbed my cartwheels quilt top, made a back and started quilting it. I'm only maybe just under half way done. Hopefully I'll get some more done today. Still have to make the binding too.
And if I get it completed - I may even want to finish the others. Now, that would be productive!

 And tonight we are having spiced pumpkin & lentil soup for dinner - as it is still rainy.

Or, I might just curl up with a cuppa & a book. Ooh, that sounds like a plan.

Hope you have a Happy Monday - whatever your plans.

In pictures

Over the last week  - in between quilting and bedrest, and getting lost for hours looking at sewing blogs - I received my pre order of Smash goodies. And I haven't even opened them yet. Which is probably due to the state of my room. I'm in the half packed, sorting, purging state. And it's all mess.

Some of which you can see around my computer in the next pic.

I also updated to Lion. It took ages.

And made my computer do this. But after a restart - it all appears normal again. Thankfully

And I managed a little baking - crunchy topped muffins. I made the base mix, split it in half and did half raspberry and the other half apple & cinnamon. They were both yum.

I also took a trip to spotlight and got the other things that I needed for my pincushion. I may try and get it done today. I don't imagine that it would take too long.
Off to my mums tomorrow for a roast lunch. Can't wait.

Have a Happy Weekend,


Just popped in to say I finished my little Ellie. I stuffed up a bit - it was quite fiddly. I think I should stick to quilts! 

So disappointed

I was so disappointed that I couldn't attend my quilting class yesterday. My fabric still hasn't arrived yet. The next one is in July so I'll have to wait until then.
In the meantime it's nearly time for my babies birthdays. My little sweetness is having a party so I whipped these up using a House of 3 kit. They were so easy and the girls loved them.

Now I want to make rings for the loot bags - I just have to hope they arrive in time.

We've got a holiday tomorrow so I'm cooking up a spiced pumpkin & lentil soup for dinner. It's certainly cold enough for it. It's from one of my new Bill Granger cookbooks. Love him. Love his recipes.

And this little man has been my lap buddy most days. I don't know how he manages to fit on there as he is quite a bit bigger than my lap. But he does. And I don't mind - it keeps me warm too.

Well that's it from me. Need to have a hot shower and get into some warm jammies. It's super chilly,

Right now

I am still eating healthy - almost 100% perfect, but I slipped up last night and had a piece and a half of pizza, half a cup of soft drink and a piece of chocolate. Major OOPS!!
Will absolutely not happen again.
Started today with a yummy brekky. Off to train soon.

Dreaming of holidays. Planning an adventure in July. Keeping it secret from the kids. Hoping that we make it happen this time.

Feeling the urge to create something today. Training first, playing later.

We suprised the kids last night. We bought them Macbooks each. It was so hard not to tell them on the way home from school. I set them up in their rooms, ready to go. And when we got home I told them to put their bags in their rooms. DD noticed first. She almost squealed the house down. DS didn't notice until the second time he went into his room. They were a hit. The kids are absolutely stoked!!
Now we need to find some nice covers for them. Can anyone link me up?


Anyway - have a happy rest of the week,

Random

This week, in no particular order -

In my quest to lose weight  and eat better, I made a quinoa pilaf. It was definitely different and something I probably wouldn't make again. The veges and chicken were good though.

I left the ironing board out one night - and in the morning walked out to feed the cats and found my handsome Dash asleep on it. He wasn't really bothered that I busted him. I had to kick him off. Must be comfy.

And speaking of Dash - he is pretty much my daughters cat. He loves her - but today, he is asleep right next to me. It must have been the chicken bribe I gave him last night.

I ended up moving my hueys to put with all my other spray inks. I think that little gap is going to fill quickly.

And last but not least, I signed up for this class. Cannot wait! I am completely clueless with digital stuff - so I'm hoping that this is just what I need.
So was that random enough?
Have a fabulous weekend-

This week

My kids went back to school. It's weird that they are both at the same school again. My traveling time has been cut in half every day. Awesome.

The other day I went to walk outside and saw the cats at the door - then I noticed what they were watching. The big water dragon. He gives me the creeps. We have a ton of them here. Usually they sun themselves on the bench or cool down in the pool, but this guy decided he wanted to get real close.  Yuck! I'd prefer that he kept to himself.

I am still loving my coffee machine. Makes me happy. Every. Single. Day.

Have baked quite a few banana cakes. They are so quick and easy in my thermomix.

We've spent pretty much every afternoon in the pool or at the beach. It's starting to finally feel like summer here. Hooray!!

And I got my craft on tonight. Finishing a gift for my mum that was meant to be for christmas but I got sidetracked. I just need some suitable ribbon.

And I'm so bummed that my January SC kits haven't arrived yet. February's go on sale in a few hours. I already did my shopping tonight. I got a couple of mister hueys, some adhesive and another JBS ink.
I hope it comes tomorrow.
Hope you are having a wonderful week -