APR ~ Time is flying by...

Life is certainly flying by just now...with Easter already upon us. 

My friends have already been and gone, but we have some lovely memories to look back on until our next meeting later in the year.

So if I say today was the first time that I got a chance to look online or to check what's been happening out there in t'internet land....375 emails later, I finally got around to see what this week's theme was for Jenn's Artist Play Room. You'll know just how late I am...(I know nothing new here) but this time 

I'm REALLY late.

As you may have guessed (well the title kind of gives it away) the topic this week is 'Flight' or 'things that Fly'...so you can imagine how thrilled I was that a few weeks ago I drew up this little owl in my journal. 

 He wasn't going to see the light of day, but Jenn drew him out of me and so here he is for you all to see! 

A little cheat having a stand-in ready in the wings (HA... get it!) but otherwise I wouldn't have made it in time...

I'll be back soon but in the meantime why don't you nip over to the Artists Playroom and check out some really talented artist and their entries this week.

Happy Easter to you all.

Have a wonderful time and remember any chocolate eaten on Sunday has no calories...

I read that somewhere...or did I dream it?!!??!

Artist Play Room ~ What do you overlook?

Okay so here's the deal...I've just been reliably informed by Mo over at Twinkletoes2day that if I'm surfing blog land, doodling, drawing or painting then I'm not wasting time as long as I'm enjoying myself...Yay! That's just what I needed to hear. I mean who doesn't enjoy doing those things?

Phewph...that made me feel so much better because trust me there's so much I should be attending right now, but I decided to give myself a little break and enter into Jenn's Artist Play Room.
This week's challenge is 'what do you overlook' so brace yourself....I could really dive in here...but then I thought you don't deserve that...you've done nothing to harm me.
I mean I could tell you about how plants have been tortured and subsequently died over the summer months, whilst I was away having fun in the snow...or the mountain of laundry that seems to have taken up constant residence in a dark corner of the house. I mean really would you like to see my laundry? Not my dirty laundry of course, but boring enough to have you fall off your chair yawning!

So after much deliberation, I decided that I've been talking about trying to lighten up with my artwork for long enough but not actually doing anything about it...well not today. I just dived straight in. Scary stuff! Can you see the difference to my usual stuff?
Today I decided to draw my perfume bottle (It's not something I would normally draw either so again pushing all the stops out here). I actually have two bottles (spoilt I know) one for daytime and this one for night-time. This particular one is more potent and you have to be careful how much you put on, otherwise everyone in a 20 metre radius starts to either move discreetly away with their hand under their nose or they just keel over! It's not really the reaction that you'd want :-$

I've been talking to Tracey who gave me a few pointers in seeing the lines on the object that you wish to draw. She's brilliant at this and I felt very priviledged to be given a few tips. Bless you Trace :D
I didn't realise until I started to really study this bottle just how many lines there were. I think at this stage I'll just add that I had artistic license to leave some of the zillion lines for another day! Okay?
It's amazing what you actually see when you really look at something. For instance, I didn't know that the name was repeated on the front...in fact I'd seen that something was written there, but didn't bother to really look. How terrible not to use our eyes to their full potential. They are such a gift, we really should appreciate every little detail.

(hate the shading by the way ~ but I'll work on that next time)

As I got to know my perfume (strange but true)...up close and personal, I didn't realise that I'd moved its position on my desk. Note to self: once you start to draw DON'T MOVE IT! (such a numpty)
I couldn't help but have a little squirt too whilst I was there and now my dog thinks we're off somewhere for the afternoon! ^..^ Shame.
As often happens I didn't know whether to finish there or to carry on....yep...I couldn't help myself I decided to try and add some colour. Thankfully, I took a photo of the drawing first before attacking it with the Derwent Inktense pencils. I know...what was I thinking? I don't even like the pencils but I keep trying.
But then I became strict and decided I wouldn't add water to them...I'd just leave them coloured in.

Enough is enough!

I couldn't get the right colours but it's my interpretation isn't it? Can I get away with that do you think?

Which do you prefer?

Whoops I've just noticed the time...yes it just disappears when you're having fun! I've now realised that I feel very sickly too because it's 3.30pm and I've had nothing to eat other than a heavy portion of perfume since breakfast this morning...!
Well that's it folks...I'm done for today. I've got friends coming to stay this weekend and I've really got to get a wriggle on if I'm to be ready to be the hostess with the mostess.
I've three super king cotton bed linen to iron...towels to fold...chocolates to purchase for their pillows. (I bought new ones yesterday...pillows that is and not chocolates...they'd have disappeared by now if it was chocolates...you know me!)

Toodleloo for now peeps...catch up again soon

 ~ enjoy the day...it's a gift use it wisely ~

Steak, Ale and Mushroom Pie...aka St Paddy's Pielets

Well can you believe it? 

I'm going to post a recipe today! 

I know it's been quite some time since I did that...but this recipe was such a winner, that I thought you might like to see it too. 

I was going to try and post it over the weekend because it was perfect for St Patrick's Day, but I was in such a spin trying to get to a party that I didn't manage it ....(yep such a party animal) but I'm here now.

I thought as we head into autumn here and spring hasn't sprung everywhere out there yet, that this recipe is so good to not only be a tasty heart warming meal, but also a really good idea for entertaining. 

It is also brilliant for freezing too, you can either produce little pielets or a family size pie or even just a casserole accompanied with tatties (potatoes) and veggies.

I also have to confess that because I was in a tizzy to get to my St Paddy's Day celebrations, I forgot to take a photo of the final presentation platter. I know...what am I like! 

Before I start I have to tell you that I made a huge casserole dish full and there's still plenty left. 

We managed to take 30 pielets along to the party but a few inevitably went missing in the cooling process...well the boys insisted that they should be tested before they made an entrance into the party. ;D

I thought pielets would be the best for easy entertaining. Everyone being able to indulge with the minimum of fuss or hostess participation.  

But I've still got four seperate containers in the freezer that I'll be able to produce at any time...so although the cooking time is rather long initially, it really is worth the time and effort. 

Not wishing to blow my own trumpet...oh well okay then...everyone raved about them!

 

So here is the recipe for Steak, Ale and Mushroom Pielets.

For the Beef Mixture (3 hours cooking time or longer for tender beef)

• small handful dried porcini mushrooms (about 10g) - not essential but definitely very tasty
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1kg braising steak (buy this as a whole piece and cut it into large chunks yourself or ask your butcher)
• 2 large onions, roughly chopped
• 4 large carrots, chopped into chunks
• 2 tsp golden caster sugar
• 4 tbsp plain flour
• 300ml dark ale (I used Guinness but any dark ale will do)
• 2 beef stock cubes mixed with 400ml boiling water ~ or beef stock liquid
• small bunch each thyme, bay leaf and parsley, tied together (can be seperate but remember to remove once cooked.
• 200g smoked bacon lardons, or chopped rashers
• 200g chestnut mushrooms , halved
• A splash of Worcestershire sauce 
• 1 tbsp of Tomato paste
• Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

(If you need a conversion table then take a look into my sidebar at the bottom) 

Right lets get started....

If you're using the porcini, cover them in boiling water for 20 mins, then squeeze out...put them aside for now, but keep the soaking liquid. This is full of flavour but remember not to empty all of the liquid into the beef mixture later. Discard any grainy bits from the bottom of the soaking dish. 


Next heat the oven to 160C/140C fan/Gas mark 3.
Place beef into a large plastic bag with flour, salt and pepper. Coat every piece of beef with the flour. 

Heat half the oil in a large heavy bottomed casserole dish, brown the meat really well in batches, then set aside. (This is a little painstaking but so worth the time and effort). 
Add the onions and carrots to the pan, adding a drizzle more oil, then cook on a low heat for 5 mins until coloured. 

There will be lots of tasty bits stuck to the bottom of the pan at this stage, but we'll not let them go to waste.
Add the soaked porcini mushrooms, sizzle for 1 min more, then scatter over the sugar and flour, stirring until the flour turns brown. Tip the meat and any juices back into the pan and give it all a good stir. 
Pour over the ale, stock and porcini soaking liquid, don't forget to discard the last few drops. The beautiful tasty bits from the bottom of the pan will come away and add to the flavour of the beef mix.

Add the Worcester sauce and tomato paste.
Season stew with salt and pepper to taste, tuck in the herbs and bring everything to a simmer. 
Cover with a lid and place in the oven for about 2/3 hrs, until the meat is really tender. (I left mine in for 4 hours...the beef was just like butter which is perfect for pielets. You really don't want a large chunk in the little pies).

While the stew is cooking, heat a drop more oil in a frying pan and sizzle the bacon for 3 mins until crisp. Turn up the heat, add the mushrooms and cook for 4 mins until golden. 
Remove from the heat and, when the stew is cooked, stir them through. 
Leave everything to cool completely.
As I mentioned you can also freeze the mixture for up to 3 months and defrost when needed. How good is that? The following photo doesn't really do justice to the delicious mixture...for a start its cold, so therefore doesn't look appetizing....but it is...trust me!
I used my Grandmothers mince pie trays for the pielets which worked brilliantly. Perfect for bite size pies.

For the Pastry

• 650g plain flour , plus extra for dusting
• 250g lard or cold butter (or half of each), diced, plus extra for greasing
• 1 egg yolk , beaten, to glaze 

• Or you could use a frozen packet of puff pastry...but depending on how many or what size of pie you are baking will determine if you need one or two packets of pastry.

You can make the pastry up to 2 days before you want to assemble the pie. 
Crumble the flour and lard, or butter, together with a generous pinch of sea salt until completely combined, then add up to 200ml ice-cold water to make a soft dough. 
This can be done in a food processor if you want. Knead the pastry, then wrap in cling film and leave to rest in the fridge for at least 1 hr. The pastry can be made up to 2 days ahead and kept in the fridge or frozen for up to a month. 

If you are making pielets then grease the tray with butter and sprinkle flour over to prevent sticking. 
Roll out the pastry and using pastry cutters (large for the bases and medium for the tops) then place the bases in the tray. Spoon a small amount of beef mixture into the centre.
Brush around the pastry tops with a little egg yolk, so that they will stick to the bases. 
Gently press together the top to the bottoms. 
Place a small hole in the centre of the pielet, to allow the steam to escape and brush with egg yolk to obtain that golden, crisp, delicious look! 

If you want to bake a large single pie....
Then heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7 and place a flat baking tray in the oven.
Heavily grease a 24-28cm pie dish and dust well with flour. 
Cut a third off the pastry and set aside. 
Roll out the pastry to a thick-ish round that will easily line the pie dish with an overhang, then line the tin. 
Add the beef to the dish using a slotted spoon so some gravy is left in the container, as you don't want too much sauce in the pie. 
You want the filling to be slightly higher than the rim of the dish. If you have a bit too much, set it aside.  
Roll out the remaining pastry to a thick round big enough to cover the dish. 
Brush the edges of the pastry in the dish with egg yolk, then cover with the pastry lid. 
Trim the edges, crimp the pastry, then re-roll your trimmings to make a decoration, if you like.
Brush the top heavily with egg. Make a few little slits in the centre of the pie, place on the hot baking tray, then bake for 40 mins until golden. 
Leave the pie to rest for 10 mins while you heat up the gravy left in the container. 
Serve the pie at the table with a jug of gravy and a big pile of something green and leafy.  

So here are my pielets....before putting on their party clothes (ie dressed on the platter)

It really is worth the effort to make these little beauties...I promise! 

Oh my...I'm so hungry now! 

It's a good job it's time for dinner. 

See you again soon I hope and don't forget to let me know if you try this recipe. 

I'd love to hear from you...

International Women's Day ~ Dame Elisabeth Joy Murdoch (APR)

The theme for the Artist Play Room this week is in honour of International Women's Day that took place on the 8th March.  

International Women’s Day recognises the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future and therefore I was determined that I wouldn't miss entering this week...unlike last week.

I gave some serious thought as to what my post would highlight and so many incredible women came to mind but then one in particular stayed with me. 

Her name is Dame Elisabeth Joy Murdoch AC DBE, previously styled as Lady Murdoch, and she was an Australian philanthropist. Obviously I'm assuming that you've heard the name Murdoch before but I have to admit I'd not heard of Dame Elisabeth until I came to Australia.

Dame Elisabeth Murdoch (née Greene; 8 February 1909 – 5 December 2012), was an Australian philanthropist and an incredible woman, wife and mother.
She was the wife of Australian newspaper publisher Sir Keith Murdoch and the mother of international media proprietor Rupert Murdoch. She was appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 1963 for her charity work in Australia and overseas.

(Photograph courtesy of The Herald Sun Newspaper )

Born at the time when the horse and cart were still on the streets of Melbourne, she was privately schooled in the grace of giving from the age of 13, when she knitted her first baby singlet for orphaned children.

Her enormous capacity to give and to keep on giving —  to state schools and prisons, to dry-out centres for drug addicts, as well as the ballet and Melbourne's Botanical Gardens or hospitals — has been celebrated across the land.

When Dame Elisabeth died, aged 103, on the 5th of December last year, it marked the last chapter of a great love story and life of philanthropy. Dame Elisabeth — who supported more than 100 charities — died in her sleep at her farm on the outskirts of Melbourne.

It has been said that she's one of the greatest philanthropists Australia has ever seen —  not just in terms of money, but also the time she gave and her dedication to so many causes. 

She was always looking to give back and at no stage in her life did she say, ‘I’ve done enough’, even though she could have said that decades ago. 

The News Corporation chairman and chief executive Rupert Murdoch told the scores of dignitaries and community representatives at St Paul's Cathedral here in Melbourne, that his mother's deep love for her husband and children shaped the family from the very start. "However you came to know her, what you remember is her strength of character that defined Elisabeth Murdoch's life," Mr Murdoch said.

"(But) Mum would never forgive me if I did not start by acknowledging a truth she repeated constantly throughout her long life. The most satisfying thing I ever did, she always said, was to marry my husband.

Elisabeth was just 19 years old when she married Keith who was then 42 years old.
All her life, Dame Elisabeth would say that she thought it was a miracle that Sir Keith would fall in love with her as hard and obviously as she had fallen for him. They married on 6th June 1928 and together they had four children. When Sir Keith died in 1952, Elisabeth was just 43 years old. In the midst of her heartbreak, she immersed herself in charity work, instituting, among other things, the world-famous Good Friday Appeal, which would go on to raise tens of millions of dollars for the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne.
It should be pointed out that Elisabeth was a Dame not because her husband was Sir Keith, but because the Queen personally saw fit to appoint her Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1963, to mark 30 years of service to Victoria's sick children.
  I could write so much about the wonderful work and dedication that Dame Elisabeth's gave to her charity work but that would take some time...if you are interested in all the various charities that have benefited from the Murdoch Institute, then click here....

On their 10th anniversary Keith wrote a note which said, 'It is an amazing piece of luck for me, that you were just you. Because I could not have been happy with anyone else'.

He gave Elisabeth a farm to his teenage bride in 1928 as a wedding present...Cruden Farm.
They remained married for 24 years until his death. Elisabeth was so absolutely in love with her husband.
She never re-married after the death of Sir Keith and never stopped wearing her wedding ring

Cruden Farm has been described as a breath of fresh air in the midst of suburbia, nothing grand but a delightful relaxed place.

From the 1960s she made Cruden Farm available at no charge to local groups, then to organisations large and small for fundraising or celebrations. One memorable late afternoon in 1989, 5162 visitors (excluding children) turned up. In recent years, scarcely a weekend went by without the garden hosting some event or other. Only in late autumn and winter did it take time off to breathe.

Everyone who comes to Cruden Farm finds a favourite place...It continues as inspiration in the couples shared love of nature and appreciation of beauty.

Over eight decades Elisabeth learned as the garden grew. She was it's hands on number one gardener. She worked with space, texture colour and masterfully she created long vistas, secluded nooks and crannies. She grew her own seeds and cuttings yet never stinted on professional attention for her trees. To the end she kept a keen eye on progress and could often be seen perusing amongst the plants.

I feel sad that I never managed to visit the farm whilst she was alive but have it on my list and if I do visit then I hope to bring you some of it's magic. 

She showed such generosity because she loved to share. She felt blessed that she was able to live with a beautiful garden and she did not think it right to keep it to herself.
The task for her descendants is to maintain the property in her spirit and as she would have hoped, while looking as she always did to the future.
 Dame Elisabeth has a rose named after her to which she described it as "tough as old boots just like me!" 

(photograph courtesy of Google Images http://www.pbase.com/image/38119964)

Now before you look at my journal entry today I need to make excuses (cough) explain, I decided due to missing last week's theme that this week I would enter no matter what. I had to create my entry within an hour or two today so here it is.

 (Another excuse coming up...I only have a travel watercolour set, so I couldn't quite get the right colours that I wanted...oh yes and I took this photo quite late on in the afternoon, so I'll have to retake it tomorrow when the light is better.
All that said...I'm so happy that I've managed to enter the APR this week, especially when I can pay tribute to this special lady and her beautiful rose.

 

(photograph courtesy of Google Image ~ www.fara.org.au)

 I can't help but think of my own grandmother when I look at Dame Elisabeth...like Dame Elisabeth she too was an amazing woman who influenced me greatly and I truly miss her...especially when I see a rose.

She too had a wonderful affinity with roses and had a stunning rose garden.
I hope that I can perhaps be such a gracious lady leaving a legacy to be proud of...wouldn't that be wonderful.

A Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY ~ Tuesday 5th March 2013

Outside my window...well there's actually no window this morning because I'm sitting outside making the most of this beautiful day we've been blessed with. As I look across to the table and chairs I remember indulging recently in dinner with friends. Eating, drinking, laughing and enjoying each other's company. There's nothing better than sitting outside eating al fresco on a warm evening. The table flowers are still on display as are the remnants of the candles which gave a perfect glow to the evening. Everything is tidy and surprisingly there aren't too many leaves scattered over the area. The clearing of falling leaves can be a daily ritual here and we haven't even got going with autumn yet! 

Muffin is curled up in a little square patch of sunlight that has manoeuvred its way through the vine lattice canopy. She's had her walk, eaten a good breakfast, so it's time to relax. Not bad having a dog's life eh?

It's still early and the sun hasn't visited this side of the house yet...it makes an entrance later in the day.

There's a beautiful hint of a breeze just gently whispering through. The temperature this week is reported to be in the low 30's. (Celsius) and I have to admit I really like this early start to autumn. The days are hot and sunny, but the nights are cool and therefore no problem with trying to get to sleep. I'm glad we've left the 27 degree night-time temperatures! They weren't fun. 

The pool is rippling with the breeze and making that beautiful trickling sound as the water falls over the spa ledge, enticing me to take a dip but I'm going to resist until later.
The birds are very vociferous today...there's lots of gossip going on. 

As usual I have music gently wafting through from the kitchen (sigh) I think I like Tuesday morning and therefore I'm shall embrace it and appreciate it fully. It would be rude not too!    

I am thinking...I need to apologise to all my readers because I've been inundated with too many anonymous comments lately for me to ignore, so much so that I've decided to make the big decision to enable the comment moderation option on my posts, in the hope that the annoying spam will stop! I've only placed it on older posts for now. Hopefully I'll be able to remove it later and that you'll forgive me! 
 

I am thankful...for being fit and healthy. I'm fully aware that there are many people out in blog land that have daily struggles for whatever reason. I hope that today will be a little easier for you ;D

In the kitchen...Everything is reasonably clean and tidy. There's even fruit cake because I decided that I really should work my way through my store cupboard. This boiled fruit cake is the easiest cake in the world and has featured in a previous post. The recipe is here. It's so moist and lasts brilliantly. 

 

My cup is patiently waiting for my next cuppa...which is imminent! 

I am wearing...nothing on my feet (nothing new there) black linen Capri shorts and a shocking pink shoe string vest. Ha...you'd think it was summer!

I am creating...a few things but I'm not making much progress, so after I've finished this daybook I'm going to try to be productive. I've got three projects to complete and I'd love to have them all done by the end of the week....LOL 

I don't think that's going to happen but I hope to certainly have made some progress. I know you can't rush these things but I need to get a wriggle on...seriously I've procrastinated long enough! 

Here's a little project I finally got to earlier in the week...I took these precious photographs out of my treasure box and placed them in frames.  

They are my Great Grandparents on my maternal side. Quite some time ago I started to trace my family as in the 'Who do you think you are' programme, which is always a favourite for me. I might even post about my ancestry one day...but for now I still need to do more research. 

It feels only right that they should be out in the daylight. I wonder what they would think about being here in Australia? My Great Grandmother came from Scotland and was the daughter of a farmer and my Great Grandfather was one of seven children and the son of a labourer! No blue blood found in my ancestry line yet, but I'll keep looking! ;D

I am going...on another couple of trips soon and I'm hoping you'll come with me? Are you free?

I'll swing by your place on the way...so pack your bags! :D 

I am wondering...when I might manage to have a good old chin wag with my sister and brother. I've not spoken to them person to person for a while and it's time we checked in with one another. I know they are fine thanks to texts etc.

Thankfully with text, tweets and Skype communications are far easier than it used to be. It's just getting the right time for both ends of the earth to be available and 'in sync'! It's quite a task!

I'm reading...I'm very excited about this book and just wish I could find more time to read it in one go. I'm only managing to read late at night which isn't ideal.  A book club friend put this forward as a recommendation and I must say after seeing her face talking about it and after reading some reviews, I couldn't resist. So it's my Book Club entry for this month. 

 

Details taken from Gillian Flynn own website...

On a warm summer morning in North Carthage, Missouri, it is Nick and Amy’s fifth wedding anniversary. Presents are being wrapped and reservations are being made when Nick Dunne’s clever and beautiful wife disappears from their rented McMansion on the Mississippi River. Under mounting pressure from the police and the media—as well as Amy’s fiercely doting parents—the town golden boy parades an endless series of lies, deceits, and inappropriate behavior. Nick is oddly evasive, and he’s definitely bitter—but is he really a killer? As the cops close in, every couple in town is soon wondering how well they know the one that they love. ..

For more reviews click here

About the author: Gillian Flynn is an American author and former television critic for Entertainment Weekly. As of 2012, she has published three novels: Sharp Objects, Dark Places, and Gone Girl. 

Born: 1971 Kansas City

Education:  University of Kansas, Northwestern University

Awards: CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger, CWA New Blood Dagger, Black Quill for Dark Genre Novel Of The Year

Nominations: CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger,

 

I am hoping...that I can do justice to a piece of work that I want to produce. I can't say too much here and now but hopefully if things go well, I'll let you see the end result. Wish me luck :-/
 

I am looking forward to...discovering new things. Whether it's on my next trip or within my artwork...there's always something new to discover. It's all about the wonderful journey. 

 

Around the house...I know there is ironing lurking (isn't there always) but I'm just not looking! There's a large box of beautiful mangos bought fresh from the market at the weekend. I'm not sure we needed 15 but for $5 dollars I don't think anyone would say no. I think there could well be a large jug of mango smoothie in the fridge by this afternoon. ;D

All of my fur cushions went to the groomers on Saturday (well they do look like pet furry beasts) and they are all fluffed up and fresh...back in situ sitting pretty. I wanted to make the most of the weather to give them an airing!They could possibly win best in show now!  

A favourite quote for today...A woman is like a tea bag ~ you can't tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water! Eleanor Roosevelt. 

One of my favourite things...I recently was sent the link below by a friend...it's special and I wanted to share it with you.

It's a female golden Lab with a little Down's syndrome boy who has likely never seen a dog up close like this before. The dog is so gentle and keeps trying to engage the child. Its just so beautiful....if you are like me perhaps have a tissue to hand....

http://www.youtube.com/embed/JA8VJh0UJtg?rel=0
    

A few plans for the rest of the week:  At this point I normally say.....Work, rest and play but not necessarily in that order...it still seems appropriate! : D

 

A peek into my day... Hopefully this won't shock or distress anyone...

It was a photo that was sent to my hubby during last week from an plant in Darwin....apparently the crocodile just appeared on site! A new recruit perhaps but I'm not sure he's suitable ~ he seems a little snappy! 

I'm thinking that this might be a good camera lens because I don't think anyone would want to get up close and personal with this baby! It's okay though because he moved on after doing his value checks....everything seemed to be in good working order. :D

 So that's it for this week; I hope you enjoyed your visit and if it's your first time reading my daybook entry, I hope you enjoyed it.

Don't forget to pop over to The Simple Womans Daybook and check out the other day book entries

Have a fabulous week and hopefully the sun will shine for you....keep smiling!

I hope to see you again soon...Have a wonderful week everyone.