A Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY ~ Friday 15th June 2012 

Outside my window...the sun is just heading off for the day...its work is done here but hopefully it'll be back tomorrow to warm and bring smiles to our faces. 

The woodburner (or potbellied fire) is sitting in the middle of the outside entertaining area. It was lit last weekend but hasn't had any care or attention since. Maybe we'll be able to toast ourselves again this weekend? The loungers appear in their nakey with having their cushions taken and stored in the house. They're handy if we need them, but the temperature has to be a little warmer for me to indulge.

The plants all seem to be coping with the cooler temperature but are huddled together for warmth in pot clusters!

We're nearly at the mid point of winter, so we're doing quite well really, as it hasn't been too bad so far...long may it continue ;D

I am thinking...it's been an incredible week. I've been completely blown away by the reaction I received from my 'giveaway'. Everyone was so supportive and played along brilliantly. I think I may have been as thrilled as the actual winner in the end....well okay maybe not because she was extremely happy. If you would like to see the actual prize draw then just click on the link Mufftypup....What fun to have Mufftypup do the actual draw. There was so much positive energy from everyone, I couldn't help but feel very grateful and extremely privileged to have so many wonderful visitors to my blog.

I am thankful...that my 'chesticleitus' appears to be fed up with me and is finally on its way somewhere else. It took about four weeks in total...so hopefully it's not making its way to you.

In the kitchen...hmm....if I think hard enough there are some biscuits in a container on the kitchen unit, but nothing else. I'm not cooking tonight...whoohoo! Fish and chips are on the menu....it's a British constitution for Friday nights. Yes, I know we're not in the UK but we can pretend ~ at least for tonight! It free's up so much time to be able to spend doing other things...like phonecalls, blogging, answering emails or drawing! It's funny because that extra time never gets used on household chores. I'm not daft! ;D

I am wearing...Ugg slipper's for cosy toes, black leggings, three layers from long-sleeved grey t-shirt to a grey and black strippy jumper. Oh and a pashmina is still wrapped around my neck from being out earlier. I haven't put the heating on just yet, but it won't be long before I do (you can now laugh if you're into your summer ~ this will make up for all the times I've mentioned the beautiful Aussie summer whilst you were in your winter months. Backatch baby ;$)

I am creating...my notelets, cards and other possibilities. If you would like to see my designs then click here

There are two sets of 6 cards available in my new Etsy shop (there are six in each packet)

I find it so handy having cards or notelets available in the house. I very often suddenly realise I need one and hate to have to dash off to the shops to try and find something suitable. ;D

I am going...no-where tonight...I'm going to enjoy my fish and chips whilst watching Masterchef and yes I do see the irony in that! I adore this series as I have done for the last three. All you need to do is to ensure you are able to eat whilst watching....the programme should come with a public warning as drooling may occur. 

I am wondering...where this blogging journey might lead....so far it's been unbelievable, with 99 countries peaking into my space, over 3,000 hits a month (mind blowing) and I've meet some wonderful new friends.

 

I'm reading...The Seamstress by María Dueñas. I've only just started to read this book and thankfully I've got until August for my book club meeting because it is quite a thick book. My reading seems to be taking a back seat just now, but it looks a good read so maybe I'll be able to squeeze in a little time somewhere?

Maria Duenas' million copy best-selling tale of adventure, tragedy, love and war, "The Seamstress". Spain, on the brink of civil war, 1936. In love for the first time, Sira Quiroga leaves Madrid, along with everything she knows and cares about, to run away to Tangiers, Morocco with her lover Ramiro. She entrusts him with all her inheritance only to be left by him - pregnant, penniless and in trouble with the authorities. At her lowest ebb Sira falls back on the one skill she possesses: sewing. Moving to Tetouan, Sira survives by sewing beautiful clothes for the English mistress of one of the most powerful men in Morocco and for her German friends. As the women unguardedly gossip about their husbands and lovers, Sira is placed in a position very valuable to the British secret service, and she is soon forced to move to Madrid where great danger lies. A grand and epic story that tells the story of Spain's civil war, Madrid in the Second World War and reveals a world of war, glamour, espionage and passion. "A wonderful novel with intrigue, love, mystery and tender, audacious and clean-cut characters". (Mario Vargas Llosa). "A magnificent novel that flawlessly brings together history and intrigue". (Juan Gomez-Jurado, author of "The Moses Expedition"). Maria Duenas holds a PhD in English Philology and is currently a professor at the University of Murcia. She has also taught at American universities, is the author of several academic articles, and has participated in various educational, cultural and editorial projects. She is currently writing her second novel.

I am hoping...that my new Etsy shop is a success. It's been a steep learning curve but also its been good for my mental agility but maybe not my sanity!

I am looking forward to...hopefully a holiday anywhere!

Around the house...a dining room table fully laiden but not with food as you might expect but papers, diary, cards, pens, pads, headsets, tablemats, teacups....etcetera. Muffy's toys are dotted around because she's taken to interrupting me from my laptop every afternoon lately, to join her in fun and frolics. A rather sad vase of flowers that really did need my attention today, but alas didn't get it. I'll hopefully do a new arrangement sometime over the weekend.

I have some really brilliant news because one of my orchids appears to have two ~ not one but two new flower shoots! Whoohoo...this has never happened to me before. They always decide never to flower again after the initial bloom, but not anymore. Obviously the more you neglect them the better. I do hope my sister reads this post because she has no trouble with them flowering over and over again. There now see I can do it too! ;D

  

A favourite quote for today...  There is no passion to be found in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living. ~ Nelson Mandela

One of my favourite things...is to light the candles (a must for weekend nights) chill the wine, and get ready to enjoy the weekend ahead...whatever it brings.

 

A few plans for the rest of the week: Work, rest and play but not necessarily in that order : D

 

A peek into my day... Well it's a peek into yesterday really...I went with a friend to a place called

Monsalvat was founded by Justus Jörgensen. It is Australia’s oldest artists’ colony and home to practising artists. It remains to this day a working not-for-profit arts centre administered by a board. Set in 12 acres of established gardens, the historic buildings include charming mud brick cottages and the impressive Great Hall.

 

I plan to write a post and show more of the place in the coming week. I took forty photos without even trying, so be warned...you should put the kettle on before reading!

Did you notice the dog ~ I just loved the way he's taking a peek into the restaurant ^..^ please let me in...I'll behave honest!

 So that's it for this week; I hope you enjoyed your visit. Don't forget to pop over to The Simple Womans Daybook and check out the other day book entries

Have a fabulous Friday and a wonderful weekend fun : D

Creme Brulee....

One of my hubby and son's favourite dessert happens to be Creme Brulee. I've seen my husband literally grow devil horns when it appears on a restaurant menu and no matter how full he is, he still has to give it a taste...just to see if it compares...to what I'm not sure, but that's his excuse!
I say it's one of their favourites but there happens to be quite a few others desserts on they're list.
As you may be aware if you're a frequent visitor to my blog, I haven't been baking lately, but at the weekend I thought I'd give them a treat.Well I am watching Masterchef every night, so I suppose I should make an effort now and again.
Unfortunately the whim only came on me once the roast dinner was well under way and hence the daylight was fading, so there aren't my usual photos showing the whole process...forgive me please?
This photo was taken the next day after it had been setting in the fridge overnight, Besides although they do adore this dessert, there's no way they couldn't manage all of the six I baked! Well not after a full pork roast dinner anyway.

Thankfully I had all of the ingredients in the kitchen already....so....I made this one plain vanilla but you can add different favours...ie lemon, chocolate, nuts, fruit, lavender, orange and my favourite...a drop of liqueur...oh or maybe a splash of whisky ;D

I didn't have the heart to tell my boys they would be better served the next day, leaving them overnight to set in the fridge ...well I couldn't stand the tizzyfits that would have ensued, so I let them have one on the same day. I know call me a coward...but anything for an easy life!

Crème Brûlée (serves 4 larger or 6 smaller portions)

Ingredients: 

• 600ml thickened cream
• 1 vanilla bean, split, seeds scraped
• 6 egg yolks
• 1/4 cup caster sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 120 degree's celcius.
2. Place the cream in a saucepan and add the vanilla seeds and pod. 

3. Place over a medium heat and bring to scalding point, (this is where the name crème brûlée comes from meaning burnt creme)

4. Remove from the heat and set aside to infuse for 5 minutes or so.

5. Place egg yolks and caster sugar in a seperate bowl and beat with an electric whisk for  2-3 minutes or until pale.

6. Remove the vanilla pod from the saucepan and discard, then pour the hot cream over the yolk mixture and whisk to combine.

7. Remove the foam from the top of the mixture with a large spoon. This happens during the beating process but isn't needed. 

8. Strain the mixture into a large jug, then carefully pour mixture into your containers whether 4 x 150ml or 6 smaller ovenproof ramekins.

9. Place ramekins in a deep roasting pan. Pour boiling water into the pan to come halfway up the sides of the ramekins. This will bake the cream without direct heat.  Cover the pan loosely with foil, allowing some air to enter in at the sides.

10. Bake in the oven for approx 40 mins ~ the custards should still have a slight wobble when done. Carefully remove the ramekins from the oven and empty water bath setting aside the creme brulee to cool.

Topping 

Place brown sugar on a baking tray, turn off oven and place sugar in the oven for approx 15 minutes or until the sugar is completely dried out. Allow to cool, then place in a processor and whiz until it is like fine powder. Store in an airtight container. 

Once the custards have cooled, cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge to set and chill overnight.

Method for topping:

1. When ready to serve, preheat grill to high.
2. Sprinkle 2 teaspoons of the brown sugar evenly on top of each custard, and use the back of a teaspoon to spread it evenly. 
3. Place the custards under the grill until the sugar melts and caramelises. 
Keep an eye on them because they can burn very easily. Alternatively, use a domestic blow torch to caramelise but if you're like me it always seems to be empty. 

Verdict..... I think you get the idea...

 Enjoy! ;D

Crêpe Recipe.....

I thought Masterchef would inspire me and true to form, I seem to be constantly thinking about recipes at the moment.
I had an abundance of milk at the weekend, so requests for milkshakes and crêpes came flooding in from my OH and son. I did intend to take photo's to accompany this post, but unfortunately no-one would comply with my requests to be arty and in their words 'mess about'....they just wanted to eat them! I whisked about one and a half litres of milkshake, but it still disappeared too quickly. I normally make a mango milkshake but this week I had bought 3 punnets of strawberries from the market...so strawberry won. The trouble is my son doesn't like the pips so call me soft or stupid, but I stood and sieved the whole mixture. I must admit it did look better and tasted delish.
As for the crêpes, I mixed double the quantity and I still had to referee, making sure that everyone had the same amount.

{The mixture reminds me of a mysterious newly discovered solar planet}

I could say we had either berries, strawberries, brandy syrup, chocolate or numerous other suitable accompliments but both my guys just like them simply with either maple syrup or honey.
They stand watching whilst I cook and collect them as soon as they leave the pan, so its a race but I'm beginning to get sneaky...I try to start cooking to get a head start....but they suddenly appear when they get the whiff of crêpes in the air.

{Once again is this a new moon perhaps?}

My cast iron frying pan is perfect for cooking crêpes. But have to confess its a little tricky trying to photograph them cooking as they're done in an instant, once the pan gets up to the correct temperature.

As I mentioned above there was not chance my boys would wait whilst I tittervated the crêpes....

they just disappeared within seconds....hence having to copy someone else's photo : (

 { Copyright © 2005 David Monniaux }

I must get on with this evenings meal...and hopefully I'll get back with more recipes AND photo's soon.

Crêpe Recipe

4oz Flour

1 oz Vanilla Sugar

1 oz melted Butter

pinch of salt

2 Eggs

8 fl oz Milk

Method

Sieve the flour and salt.

Mix the eggs, sugar and half of the milk.

Whisk into the flour.

Add remainder of the milk.

Fold in the butter.

Allow the batter to stand for 2 hours.

Note - If you want a really light batter, seperate one of the eggs and beat the white. Add it to the mixture just before cooking. It may be necessary to add more milk to this mixture.

To Cook

Lightly coat the bottom of a well prepared crêpe pan (a good frying pan will do) Cook quickly on both sides.

The crêpes may be stacked and reheated - they also freeze extremely well....but I never get a chance to do this!

For all the following recipes the crêpes may be prepared in advance.

Crêpe a la confiture - {with jam}

Cook in normal way and spread with jam, roll up a dust with icing sugar.

Crêpes au citron

Cook, fold in quarters. Serve with wedges of lemon and sugar, may also be served a l'orange.

Crêpes Normande

Re-heat the crêpes in butter. Spread with apple puree. Fold in half and sprinkle with caster sugar and

flame with calvados.

Highland Mary Pancakes

Re-heat the crepes in butter. Spread with marmalade, fold and flame with whisky.

Crêpes Suzette

Make a suzette butter by mixing the following.....

100g Butter

100g Golden Caster Sugar

150ml freshly squeezed orange juice (about 12 large oranges)

2 tsp finely grated orange zest

1 tsp finely grated lemon zest

3 tbsp Grand Marnier

2 tbsp Cognac

For the sauce, heat the butter and sugar in a deep frying pan (about 25cm/10in) over a low heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar begins to dissolve. Turn up the heat and bubble quite fast, until the mixture starts to go brown and caramelise (about 4 mins), stirring only towards the end. Pour in the orange juice and add the orange and lemon zest, letting the mixture bubble for 3-4 minutes to thicken slightly. Add the Grand Marnier and cognac, heat for a few seconds and lower the heat.

Put one crêpe into the juices and holding it with a fork coat it well in the mixture. Fold it into quarters and push to one side of the pan. Continue the coating and folding with the remaining pancakes. Serves 2-3 Crêpes per person with the sauce.

Junior Masterchef - Series 2 begins.....

I am sooooooooooooo excited that a new series of Masterchef started last night here in Melbourne. This is to be the second series of the Junior Masterchef Challenge and if last year is anything to go by, we're in for a treat with these cheflets!
I keep saying it but I just can't get over how these kids can cook.....I mean REALLY cook. I'm in awe of them.
I just wish I'd started to experiment in the kitchen as early as some of these kids. It's amazing to see what they can do. If you don't believe me take a look... mastercheflets
All of the presenters are superb and aren't in anyway patronising. They are so encouraging and adding their little helpful hints along the way, so its not just soft and fluffy stuff.
If the contestant fails to be picked they all leave with presents so it softens the blow at missing out on progressing further in the competition. So there's not too many tears, but I must confess I had a tear when they were picked and you saw their pure joy being hugged by their family. It's on again tonight so I'm away to hide the remote....

Its mine....all MINE.....MMMwwwwwhhhhhhaAAAaaaa! {evil laugh}...

The week starts with a bang!

Wow...Monday mornings certainly start off with a bang here in the new neighbourhood...quite literally. Imagine a scene from 'War of the Worlds' and you get some idea. It’s before dawn, when suddenly a loud vehicle comes crashing through the streets at break-neck speed with flashing lights and grabbing appendages flinging containers wherever they land.

What on earth can be happening? Can you guess? Well, it’s the refuse collection.

I decided that I couldn't possibly take any photos for this post. No matter which way I looked at the bins they just weren't attractive in any way, shape or form. So I decided to just post some pretty pictures of various plants in the garden.

I love the light and shade in this one....

Now this is just showing off....

Note the sun....not bad for winter eh?

I'm just off to the garden centre again for yet more compost and plants. My mission today is to fill my hanging baskets. I'll hopefully post the results when they're done.

What a lovely way to spend the day....

To give you some idea here's one of our gardens from Qatar. Not bad for the desert...

I know I should be cooking in the kitchen and I promise I will soon, but the sun's shining and the temperature is perfect for gardening.

By the way....talking of cooking...Congratulations to Kate for winning Masterchef 2011. 

Masterchef

We've always loved the kitchen we have here at the moment - so much so that my OH called it 'a joyous kitchen' much to mine and my children's amusement. When he started to dabble and help with prep I knew it was a special kitchen. I'm just hoping that the next kitchen is as joyful....

After the last series of Masterchef, my son bought Dad a fitting apron for his BBQ's and KP duties....

He decided to try the Veal Osso Bucco from Friday nights episode....here's the recipe and link to the Masterchef website for anyone wishing to see or try it out.

Veal osso bucco with cannellini beans

http://www.masterchef.com.au/12872.htm

and here's the latest contestant to enter the competition.....

Thankfully he's good at the cleaning duties too...which is just as well really.

 T'Dah dah....

 

This picture is taken from the Masterchef website because quite frankly by the time we came to actually eat the meal, it was rather late in the evening and I forgot to take the photo's of the finished product.

It was delicious and well worth the wait....plus my OH now thinks he's through to the next round!

Bring it on I say....

House Move 11 (Part 5) We've found it......

"Whoopdeedoo" sound the trumpets.....we've found our next home.....pop those corks!

It's been a stressful roller coaster ride, but I'm hoping that now we know where we're heading, we'll get some normality back into our lives. Well, as normal as 'we' can be.

It's getting late now, so this is just a quick post, but I wanted to let you know about the house.

I'm hoping now that we know what's next, we'll perhaps be able to actually sleep right through the night, instead of waking up at unearthly hours, to discuss potential properties.

 I've also just finished watching Masterchef and the first of Oprah's 3 last shows. so basically a really good day all round.

What will we do without Oprah????? :-(