Friday, September 5, 2008

Buttons and more buttons!



I worked in Dover this week which is a 1.5 hrs drive down from Hobart. The drive was beautiful - the land is so lush at the moment. On the way back I went too Huonville Vinnie's (op) shop to see if they had any buttons. They asked me what "colour would you like?". I was presented with a HUGE box of beautiful buttons most of them colour sorted - button heaven! Now I have built up a decent collection of buttons I need to use them! Um Maybe I should make something for my Angel Swap partner - any ideas anyone? She is already getting a bag - so that idea is out....

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Scrumptious Lamp Stew with Spring Vegetables



This is a Gordon ###### Ramsey recipe. It was so delicious and so easy I had to share with you all. I have tweaked a few things...

Serves 4. Prep 30 min, Cook 50 min.

12 baby carrots, 12 baby turnips, 12 baby leeks, 80g frozen peas (much better frozen ones), 12 small eschalots, 700 g lamb fillets (I used a slightly cheaper meat and removed the fat.), 2 tbsp olive oil, 300 ml light red wine (ahhhh that was why it was so good lol), 300 ml chicken stock, 50g cold butter, 3tsp regular castor sugar and 1 1/2 tbsp balsamic vinegar.

1. Trim and clean all veg.. Boil a large saucepan of water. Working with each veg separately cook turnips for 3 min then drain. Cook carrots for 4 min then drain. Cook leeks for 5 min then drain. Cook peas for 1 min then drain. Cook onions for 8 - 10 min then drain. Put veg. aside.

2. Season the sliced lamb fillets with salt and pepper. Heat 1 1/2 tbsp of olive oil in heavy based frypan. Fry the lamb fillet 2 - 3 min both side (till starting to brown both sides). Put meat and juices in a colander over a bowl (need to collect the juices). Put aside in warm place covered in foil.

3. Place pan back on heat and tip in the wine. Boil vigorously till it becomes a sticky syrup, then pour 200ml of the chicken stock and any lamb juices from the bowl. Boil down until reduced by half, then whisk in butter. Pour the sauce into a small bowl.

4. Heat remaining oil and add turnips and onions. Sizzle until starting to brown, then sprinkle over the sugar and pinch of salt. Cook, shaking the pan constantly until the veg caramelize. Add carrots, leeks and balsamic vinegar, bubble briefly, then add the remaining stock. Bring to boil, add the peas, then boil for a few minutes until the liquid nearly evaporates. Turn off the heat.

5. Serve lamb with vegetables and hot sauce poured over the top. Delicious!

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Lost and not found



Look what I saw with the melons when I was at the supermarket today. Doesn't this little friend look so scared. Dare I bring him home to cheer him up just incase his big friend came looking for him.

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

The bag is revealed!



I reveal the bag I made... I know it is a poor photo - but it decided to rain this am when I had a moment to take a photo before I sent it off - reluctantly. Both sides of the bag is the same. Now you can see where the sneak peaks were done! This morning my hubby was trying to convince me to keep her and 'whip up' something more simple!

I nearly had a fit when I had all four parcels of hand made goodies to be sent overseas tallied up! My dearest Angel Swap Partner is going to have to wait for two parcels rather than three....

Sunday, August 31, 2008

Upside Down Caramel Banana Cake



Oh she was (did not last long!) delicious. We cooked her yesterday am for afternoon tea.
serves 6 - 8 (ha ha)

1 very ripe banana
2 tbs sour cream
180g self raising flour
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
90g unsalted butter, at room temp
180g caster sugar
1tsp vanilla extract
2 eggs
Thick cream or vanilla ice cream (makes it go faster though....)

Caramel banana topping
60g unsalted butter
120g lightly packed brown sugar
1 1/2 tbs golden syrup
3-4 large just ripe bananas sliced. I did not have enough so did not over lap.

Oven 180 degrees C. Grease 23 - 24cm round cake pan.

Topping: melt butter over medium heat. Add sugar and syrup. Cook stirring occasionally for 3 minutes. Pour into pan and tilt to coat base. Cover with banana slices in overlapping circles.

Combine mashed banana with sour cream. Sift flour and spice into bowl. Beat butter and sugar in a bowl with an electric beater till light and fluffy. Add vanilla, then eggs one at a time beating well after each addition. Reduce beaters to low and add flour mixture then sour cream mixture till JUST combined.

Spread into pan careful not to dislodge the bananas. Bake 40 - 45 minutes until golden and springy to touch in centre. Stand for 3 minutes then run knife around the rim and invert onto a plate. remove pan after 20 seconds, pressing back into cake any banana stuck to pan. Serve warm with cream or ice cream (if desired!)


Do not forget if you know of anyone who owns a Janome and wants a Quilting Foot see this post. Four more days to go!

Saturday, August 30, 2008

Guess what turned up in my letter box...

Yup! I got something in my mail box!



Here is a hint.... she is from NETHERLANDS!


Wrapped in beautiful decorated tissue paper (I have not seen decorated tissue paper)


Her stitching is beautiful and look at this wonderful goody she has made just for me. I have hung it up on my craft board so I can look at it when I am at my desk. Thank you NETHERLANDS Angel Swapper
: o ))))))

Friday, August 29, 2008

Winter Coats

Isn't he dashing?



Jessie is a bit more shy....



This winter has been really cold. I have worried about the dogs outside at night. They do have an up market kennel with a luxurious feather filled quilt to lie on in a sheltered area but never the less it is cold out there... They have had these coats for a few weeks now. After they have been inside or if it is a warm day both bark to have them put on if we forget! SO cute.

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Last bag swap tease 2



This is the last bag swap tease as I have completed it (yippee)! I will reveal her when I reluctantly send her in September.

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Block four done and five to go...



As I continue with my 'There's No Place Like Home' from Daisies and Dragonflies quilt...

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Cradle Mountain get away

What a great weekend away. Here are a few images of our time at our hide away



its views






and our walk around Dove lake which is on the base of Cradle Mountain.












It was nice to get away, have a change of scenery, meals made for you, no washing, warm fires, crunchy snow under your feet, desserts, spas and snoozes...