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Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Its a great day for being HAPPY!

My georgouse little neice had her first ever big party on the weekend.  It was all a bit exciting.  The theme was 'happy party'.  Smiles all around.  There were smily face invites.  Smily face cupcakes, smily face balloons.  It was lots of fun.
My sister-in-law organised craft, pass the parcel, treasure hunt, and my favourite (and the kids)...DIY cupcake making.  Yes, thats right, the kids iced their own cupcakes.  This was a huge hit.  I was asked to make the cake for the day so of course it HAD to be a smiley face too.  I asked my neice what colour and she said it must be PINK!  So this is the end result....
She is a 3 year old so everything pretty much is pink at the moment LOL.  It was a very fun day!

2 Peas in a pod...im so thankful ♥


At the begining of the year my beautiful daughter, Miss Mimi was chosen to be in the school junior choir.  I am so, so proud of my little chooky.  She used to be such a quiet shy little thing.  As a baby/toddler very shy and would always only want mummy.  She still is a quiet girl, but definlty gaining lots and lots of confidence.  This makes me smile like you wouldnt believe.
Without going into details....myself as a child was raised in a completly disfunctional home.  I had no confidence growing up, no support and pretty much did it on my own for alot of it.  As an adult those little insecurities still plage me in some ways.  That is why I am so completly happy and chuffed that my babies are growing into strong, happy, confident children.  The way they should be.
Last week my Princess had her first school choir concert.  In front of most of the school my beautiful girl stood up there as proud as anything singing her little heart out, so, so beautifuly.
She is a quietly confident little thing as is little Mr. T who is also growing into an amazing little person.  Im so thankful and lucky I have my children...my family.  They are everything I wanted to be as a child and for that I am so happy and thankful they get to be this. 
I love you my babies MWAH!
Please excuse my bad photography...my stupid camera decided to play up for me as I started snapping pics...grrrrrrrrr.......This was at the school concert.  Miss Mimi is up on the stage and the band in the front.
The top photo is of Miss Mimi just before went out to the concert...so proud of herself.  Big smile I could get off her face ♥.

Monday, May 3, 2010

Just WiLd about nuts...

A few weeks back I posted a Blog about a grocery challenge...to save money.  Well, an old friend of mine, Jenny made a suggestion about using wild soap nuts as a laundry alternative to washing powder.  I wasnt too sure about it so I googled them.
WOW...I was amazed at what these little nuts do as well as the rave reviews about them.  You can use them as a laundry wash AND softner all in one, boil them up as a natural all purpose cleaner, hair/body wash... the uses are many.  So I went off to my trusty Mrs Flanneries and purchased a small bag of these nuts to try them out.
They are a strange looking nut...almost like a macadamia nut.  I wasnt too fussed on the smell of them.  I emailed a lady at 'Wild soap nuts' a company who lives not far away from me that sell these amazing things.  She told me that when you place the soap nuts into the wash they pretty much leave your clothes perfectly clean, with no fragrance just clean fresh clothes...which is fantastic for those with allergies.  Unfortunalty for me, I kinda like the fresh fragrance of towels flapping in the sun...so she suggested to place a few small drops of any essential oil in the softner compartment of my washing machine...which I did.  WOW! They came out so soft and clean and smelt like Lavander....
I next boiled up about 500g of these small nuts on the stove top, strained them into a spray bottle and again I added a few drops of essential oil, this time Lemon.  My kitchen was sparkly clean and fresh smelling. Honestly, my stainless steel sink has never shined so much!
I was so amazed at these nuts that I am now a convert.  For just $8 I purchased 100g.  This has lasted me about a months worth of washing (plus my all purpose cleaner).  Not bad...me thinks!

In my research I have come to learn...
*These soapnuts are grown wild in forests in the Himalayan foothills, and no chemicals are added at any stage.


*By increasing the demand for soapnuts rather than the wood from the Sapindus mukorossi tree (which has lately been more profitable than soapnuts), you are making the living trees more profitable and thus helping to protect forests.

*Can be used over and over, when they are completely sapped they can be composted.

*Village-friendly practices are employed including fair pay and treatment for workers.

*Soapnuts are completely hypoallergenic, as in, are not likely to agitate or irritate the skin. So gentle they can be used by sufferers of eczema, psoriasis and other skin conditions. Also gentle enough to be used for your baby laundry.


*Soapnuts have a lot of soap in them! They can be used over and over until they lose their efficiency or soapiness.

*Soapnuts are not technically nuts, they are berries. Those with nut allergies have nothing to worry about.

*Soapnuts contain NO optical brighteners, foaming agents, bleaches or chlorine. If necessary you can also add environmentally-friendly oxygen bleach.

*Soapnuts have a light, natural scent, not left on clothing when used for washing. We recommend adding a couple drops of essential oils to the cotton bag (or sock) you put your soapnuts in, which will leave a delicate scent of your choice on your laundry. Our organic Eucalyptus essential oil and organic Tea Tree essential oil are both antibacterial and leave your laundry smelling fresh and clean. While Tinderbox Lavender essential oil can be used when washing bed linen to help you relax at night. Our Tinderbox Clove essential oil and Tinderbox Orange essential oil can repel moths and insects if you are washing linen or clothes to be put into storage. The options are only limited by your personal preferences and requirements. Please note that oils can have strong effects on the body, please check with your health professional on which oils are right for you. Some oils are irritating to the skin and unsuitable for sensitive skin and during pregnancy.


I have been raving to everyone about them.  I have now converted my mum, sister in law and another friend of mine, to at least give them a try.

I am amazed that somthing from nature can do so much.  Our creator has thought of everything.  A little nut that foams up and cleans and softens.  I am in the process of searching for the plant.  I would love to grow this plant myself. Im thinking they are 'only' grown wild in forests in the Himalayan foothills...but you never know if they will migrate here one day...one can only hope.

If you havnt given them a try......do it, you will be pleasantly suprised.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Happy anniversary to you...♥

A couple of week ago my sister and her husband celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary.  They went away for a week down to Byron Bay...Lucky things.  We looked after their kids for 3 nights so they could have some alone time...which they absolutly enjoyed.  They went out for dinner, beached it and even spent a day at the Blues festival there at Byron....very cool, wish I was with them LOL.  Anyway, Im so happy they enjoyed themselves.
The weekend after they got back My sister-in-law and I organised a beach picnic.  We had sushi, cheese, crackers, pear, brushetta, antipasto platter, fruit, wine, beer and cake.
It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon.  Just the family, kids and all.  The weather was P.E.R.F.E.C.T.  The surf was gloriouse and all in all it was a fabulouse afternoon...Gosh it was nice.
One thing it made us relise is that we MUST do it more often.
Here I have included some pics of the afternoon, plus a pic of the chocolate cheesecake that I made for the feast...

Our little Picnic...
The remnants of our food...it looked sooooo much nicer an hour or so earlier, trust me.....

The breathtaking afternoon view from Burleigh Mtn, You can see surfers Paradise in the horizon...

My next Blog post I will try to update the awesome dinner party, that may I add was a TOTAL sucess, from Friday night.
You all will be proud!
Mwah!

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Dinner Party countdown...

Im not sure if you remember or not but a few weeks back I was inspired to host a dinner party, so.....(drum roll....) This friday night, I am!  WhoopWhoop!
So excited.  There is so much involved to organise.  Im not talking about a get together or just having some over for dinner or a bbq. No,  Im talking, 3 course, a la carte, champagne menus...the lot.
My hubby is excited too.  Last night I was up menu planning, prepping shopping list, making sure I had enough candles....well, you can NEVER have too many candles. LOL.
Anyhoo, this is what I came up with...

MENU

Entrée
Garlic Prawns
Tender, juicy prawns in a rich, creamy garlic sauce, served next to a bed of rice.


Main
Macadamia Crusted Chicken Breast with Sage and Port Sauce
Served with seasonal vegetables.

Dessert
Cherry yoghurt cheesecake with Berry Compote
Tea/coffee


Also, the little bird and cage you see at the top of this blog post will be setting the scene.  All the invites have this on them, and so will all the menus that will go on all the plate setting.
Im having it outside (providing the wind doesnt get worse) and there will be lots and lots (talking hundreds) of candles.
OOOOh, Im a little excited.  Im having 7 of my beautiful friends/family and I am sure (hoping) it will be an unforgettable night....I will post pics after the event.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

I made SUSHI...and it was good!

Yesterday I attempted sushi as my kids and huband just devour the stuff.  I must say, I think I did all right.  Mayby not Japanese quality LOL but it worked.  It smelt, tasted and looked liked sushi, the family was happy so I gotta be chuffed with that.
It is quite a fiddly thing, but like anything, I think the more you do it the easier it becomes.
In this Blog post I am going to give a step by step guide to making sushi...the simple mums way...

1.I placed 2 cups of rice (Jasmine) in a sieve and rinsed it untill the water ran clear....For some reason this makes the rice stickier.  Next I put the rice in my  rice cooker with 2 cups of water.  I let it do its thing.  The rice needs to be cooked through the absorb method and I find a rice cooker does this to perfection.  When the rice is done try not to 'squash' or flatten the grains of rice.


2.Once the rice i cooked, I placed it in a glass dish...My trusty ol' Pirex dih worked perfect.  I spred it out evenly.



3. Next once done, I used 1/2 cup of sushi seasoning which I purchased form an asian store.  This adds the right amount of flavour to the rice...Not to vinigary, not too sweet...Just right.  It also adds the rice stick together which i the key to sushi.  Please remember that when you are mixing the seasoning through to use a Plastic or sillican spatula as metal tends to alter the taste.  Also, be careful once again not to flatten the grains of rice.  Be VERY gentle and sort of 'fluff' the rice till the seasoning is mixed through.  Let sit untill fully cool.





4. Once the rice is cool your ready to start putting your sushi together.  I gathered my ingredients...
*Nori (seaweed)  sheets
* Kewpie - Japanese mayonaise
*Tin of tuna
*Cucumber slices
*Sweet chili sauce
You can baisicaly put ANYTHING in your sushi...I just know my kids WILL eat tuna.  For my husband I also put avocado and/or garlic chives just for extra flavour.
OH, and I almost forgot...
* a bamboo sushi rolling mat.
Most of these items can be found in the supermarket OR for more choice an asian supermarket.
Mix the tuna, mayo and sweet chili together in a bowl.


5.  Now this can be the tricky part...which way to lay it all.   Ok, Lay your Nori out shiny side up (yes...there is a shiny side believe it or not).  Lay a handfull of rice(use your hands...get em' dirty...its the best way so as not to squish the rice) on the nori.  Gently ped it out right to the edges, leaving the top part bare, as in the picture.  Make sure it isnt too much rice or it will get messy. LOL
Next Lay the tuna (or what ever filling you choose in a thin layer on top of the rice.


6.  This is where it gets fiddly.  Gently roll away from you, but at the same time firm grip so it all sticks together.  Then ever so gently, wrap the end strip, without the rice up to seal the sushi roll.  Hold it firm for a minuit.  It should also have a slight square shape to it.



7.  Now once your roll is made gently pull away the bamboo mat.  Get yourelf  a REALY, REALY sharp, non seratted knife.  Wipe a little of the sushi seasoning on it as it will prevent the Nori sticking to it.
Slice the roll in half.  Then in half again. Then again.
You hould be left with 8 small rounds.  Wipe the knife blade regulary.



8.  Now all you have to do is plate it up and eat up.  I served mine with Soy sauce and strips of Garlic chives.  Wasabi as delicouse too.

Not bad for a first attempt, I must say. 
A great plate to take to someones house, lunch for when the girls come over, or even as a snack.
 My kids took it to school today for lunch as well as my husband.  All came home raving about their scrummy lunch.  And, the best part....its healthy too! 
WOOPWOOP!

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Our totaly awesome wonky chocolate cupcakes!

So, This weekend my sister and her husband moved house *sigh* I dont envy them.  Moving is such a headache. 
 Anyway, while my husband went to help with the physical move...I stayed home and babysat or should I say,  played with all the kids.  We had a ball.  After we danced, did the slip n slide in the backyard and after lunch, we cooked.  And might I add the kids did a fabulouse job!  I really just supervised and let them take over.  We cracked, poured, tipped and mixed...and at the end of it all the kids got to lick their spoons and the bowl (the best part).  It was alot of fun.

I was very proud of their patience while they cooked and cooled.
They were itching to ice and decorate......The end results were awesome.  You go kids!