I changed it

So when I was looking for some ribbon, I found this Prima flower in my ribbon box. My mum loves flowers so I peeled off the butterflies and glued this baby down instead with a velvet leaf.
I also used the list paper from Kinseys nerd alert class as the pages for her to write her lists on or whatever.
I hope she likes it. I need to get rid of it before I start playing around with it more.
This is counting as my scrappy effort this week. I'm pining for my SC january kits - so no actual layout this week :o(
Anyway, have a great 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 -

Chicken Satay

Specifically for Miss Judi - who politely requested I post some recipes.
This recipe is from Bill Grangers Bill's Basics book

Chicken Satay

The marinade:
I lemongrass stalk, crushed with the back of a knife & roughly chopped
3 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
3cm piece of fresh ginger, peeled and roughly chopped
1 Tblsp sugar (I used palm sugar)
1 tsp sea salt
1 tsp turmeric
50g peanuts
4 skinless chicken thighs (I used diced breasts)

The sauce:
250mls of coconut cream
1 tblsp red curry paste
100g coarsely ground dry roasted peanuts
1 tblsp soft brown sugar
2 tblsp soy sauce
1 tblsp lime juice

Whiz the lemongrass, garlic, ginger, sugar, salt, turmeric, peanuts and 125mls of water in a blender or food processor until smooth. Transfer to a large bowl, add the chicken and toss well to coat. Cover and leave to marinate for at least an hour in the fridge.
If you are using skewers - thread the chicken onto the skewers and grill for 5-8 minutes on each side.
If you aren't using skewers - barbecue or pan fry the chicken in a non stick pan over medium high heat for 5-8 minutes each side or until cooked. Serve with sauce.

To make the sauce:
Heat half the cocnut cream in a saucepan over medium heat until just simmering. Stir in the curry paste until smooth and fragrant,
Add the peanuts, sugar, soy sauce, lime juice and the rest of the coconut cream and stir for 5 minutes until thickened.


This was absolutely delicious. So far everything I have made from this book has been absolutely amazing. I am definitely going to get the rest of his books. Yummo!!!

A bit of baking

Today is my better halves birthday. Last night I baked his birthday cake so that I had ample time to let it set.

He absolutely loves chocolate mousse. So it was only fitting that I make him a chocolate mousse cake. I got the recipe from Bill Grangers Bill's Basics book. (I also made the cheesecake out of it for my birthday)
Anyway - look at this yummy bowl of melted dark chocolate. It went into the cake.

When it came out of the oven it looked like this-

Then as it cooled - it sunk and collapsed (as it was supposed to) and looked like this

To which I added a huge batch of chocolate mousse. It smells absolutely divine.

Now I'm patiently waiting for the shops to open so I can grab a few more things for my marinade. For dinner I'm doing chicken satay skewers with satay dipping sauce, pineapple salad and special fried rice. (Satay chicken is his favourite meal)
He had to work last night so he's still asleep. But when he wakes I'm going to be making his favourite brekky - eggs benedict.
I just hope I have enough time to get to the shops before he wakes up!!
I think I'll be right.

Well - I better get to it.
Have a happy Sunday,

Another day - outta ink

Another 2 layouts. I think it's a record for me.

I printed out a couple more pics - and now I've run out of printer ink.
And I'm just about out of glue.
Awesome!!
I might just have enough to scrap a few more pages over the weekend.
Got a few last minute things to do tomorrow so that we're ready for school on Monday. Then the hubs birthday on Sunday.
It's going to be a busy weekend.

Hope you have a happy one ;o)

Back again

Scrapped a little more this week. I'm trying to use up Metropolitan before Who's who arrives. Which hopefully will be tomorrow. I can't even remember what shop items I ordered.
I know I should have got more dot roller refills. I've just about used up my drawer full. That'll teach me for scrapping so much!

In other news - had to go and get school uniforms for the kids today. I did it without them. I was so lucky that they all fit.
My littlest is off to high school. That's going to be a bit weird having both in high school. Crazy!!
It's going to be great only having to travel to one school. It'll save me so much time.

Ok - back to scrapping!

Some more layouts and some yumminess

 I love love love the Dear Lizzy Christmas line. Absolutely lovely.

 And a layout from the SC "Metropolitan" kit.

And today - this beauty arrived. Hubby decided to surprise me early with it. Oh my deliciousness. I've already made 4 cappuccinos in the past hour. You know - so I can adjust the settings to how I like it. Not because I'm completely addicted and this gorgeous machine is my new BFF.
Now I'm on the hunt for the perfect blend of beans. And maybe some caramel syrup. Oh yummmmm.................

9 layouts

I think that desktop organiser worked. I couldn't stand looking at the kit in it - as it just seemed so much. So I pulled it out. Printed some pics. And started scrapping. 9 layouts. Can you believe it. I don't think I even did 9 in the whole of 2010. I used "On the easel". And I still have a ton left. But I did put a major dent in it.
 Next up I'm going to try and finish "Metropolitan" before "Who's Who" arrives, which I'm guessing could be this week.

Have a happy scrappy weekend,

Shocking

What a crazy time. Have been glued to the tv watching the events happen. We have family & friends in the areas that were worst affected. But thankfully everyone is safe. So much destruction. So horrible.
I was emailed these pics of Toowoomba - so I thought I'd share. The cleanup is going to be massive!

Here's my layout for this week. Used some KI, Dear Lizzy & girls paperie.

Have a happy week,

A scrappy weekend

I was a busy girl last night. 2 layouts. That's 3 this week. Not bad for the first week of the year. I'm already ahead.
My handsome Dash, who usually sleeps under my scrap desk - was trying to tell me that I was late with his dinner.

I did both pages using "Joyland".

I've been really slack on the exercise front this week - so it's early to bed and early to rise. It's a new week tomorrow and I want to start it right.
How are you going with your resolutions?

Sorting out

Yesterday I went and picked up a Kaiser Craft Desktop organiser. The way I found it easiest, was to trace the pieces onto patterned paper that I wanted to cover. Then I assembled it and filled in the gaps with hot glue.

Then I swiped over the edges with a bit of paint and attached the pattened paper. Then covered it with a layer of Studio multi-medium matte.

It took me a while to figure out where I wanted to put it. I have decided to put it directly in front of me. (I already filled it with my untouched 'on the easel' kit) And I cleaned out the drawers next to it ready for mister huey.

Then over to my left I have taken a few of my kits out of my crop bags and slid them into my top lot of shelves.

Hopefully by everything being in my face all the time - it may finally inspire me to scrap. And get a little caught up on kits. I've still got 15 in a box under my desk. Oops

Thanks Nicole & a weekly layout

Thanks to Nicole for selling me the grid stamp that I missed out on snagging last month.
It arrived safely today and is now sitting proudly in my SC stamp box.

 

And a layout for this week.The first of 52.

Hopefully.

Happy Birthday to me

I'm only a few hours into my birthday - but it's been a goody so far.
Started the day at 4:30am for a 6.19klm walk. Kinda tired this morning so didn't do it very quickly.
Dropped my car at mechanics and got the groceries.
Then back home for presents.

I got this cute diary from my mum - along with some perfume, soaps and scrap mags. (she knows me well)

From my hubs -I got a George Foreman grill. It is awesome.  Along with my order from 2peas. Perfect timing.

I got the real estate sign punch to coordinate with the stamp in last months SC Kit

Some gorgeous Girls paperie papers and embellies and sticker book

Pink Paislee ribbon frills

KI - drool!

And a ton of Dear Lizzy papers, card kit, thickers and embellies.

And my kidlets bought me some chocolates, candles and incense.
Feeling pretty spoilt!!
I'm going to take a bit of time to fit all my scrappy stuff in my room. I've pushed back the lunch to dinner. So there's a bit less pressure today.

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Edited to add - Had a great night and the cheesecake turned out yummy!