going green

A couple of months ago I was rummaging through an op shop when I came across an embroidered tablecloth. I knew I wouldn't use it as a tablecloth, but it was just so gorgeous I had to buy it. I stewed over it for ages wondering what I'd do with it, I contemplated giving it to my mum as I knew she'd appreciate it, until I settled on the idea of making some little peasant dresses from it. Here's a preview. My photograhy skills aren't the best, but I'm having some professional photos taken of our new 'gretakids' get-up this weekend, very excited!!

Triple Treat

It was my husband's 29th birthday this Monday. On the weekend we went back to North East Victoria, it may sound a bit incestral but our parents only live about half an hour away from each other, this does make it very handy at Christmas time.

It also has it benefits for special occasions likes birthdays. On Friday night we stayed with Ash's parents and his mum made him an orange and hazelnut cake and Saturday night my mum served up Grandma's special recipe chocolate cheescake. To avoid cake overload, when we got home, I cooked up a vanilla slice.

Grandma's cheescake recipe takes a bit of work, but the result is well worth the effort. This time around, mum forgotto buy the chocolate and so instead blended up a packet of tim tam biscuits and added some cocoa. I think it was the best one yet!!!


Grandma's Chocolate Cheescake

1 can evapoarted milk
250g dark chocolate
250g cream cheese
1/2 cup sugar
1 tbspn gelatin dissolved in 1/4 cup boiling water

Put milk and beaters in freezer for 2 hours before hand.
Take cream cheese out of fridge for 1 hour before making.

Melt chocolate in double saucepan.
Add gelatin and water.
Cream the cheese and sugar together.
When milk is really cold whip it seperatley for 5-10 mins.
Quickly stir cooled chocolate into cream cheese and then add to whipped milk.
Pour into crust.

Crust
3/4 cup butter
1/4 cup copha
1 packet chocolate riple or morning coffee biscuits
1 cup coconut

It freezes really well.

Friends and Food

There's been a few times I've gone to blog about something and wished I had have taken a photo of the event I'm writing about. I am a visual person and appreciate the way that images speak clearly and concisely. Anyhow the picture I'd have taken would have been situated in our kitchen/family/dining area. I'm not sure which image would have best somed up the atmosphere or have been the best overall representative of tonight. Perhaps the kids sitting at their small table and chairs enjoying sucking up some noodles, or perhaps a plethora of kids sitting on the rug each trying to add their peg to the tower, being guided and cohersed to co-operate and take turns. One image would surely have had to have hinted at the delicious food shared. The theme of the night was 'tappas' each couple/family bought along a dish to share and it was a celebration of friends and food and for those not pregnant or breastfeeding a wine or beer or two or three!!!
I had a great night, thanks everyone.

I've been busy making more hairclips for the upcoming 'Oxley Bush Market' and upcycling some old jeans into groovy boys shorts. Our kitchen bench has never looked so messy!!

I received a big parcel in the post today and was ecstatic to find it full of gorgeous doilies. My mind is going overtime wondering how I will incorporate them into some cute girls dresses. Thank you very much Gayle!

Wallace and Grommit

Over the last 7 months, our little girl has had 8 ear infections. Worried that the infections would lead to hearing loss we requested a referral to an Ear Nose Throat Specialist who suggested grommets as the most successfull solution. It was only a 20 minute procedure, but due to pre admission check ups and waiting it was a long day for Mim, added to that, she wasn't able to eat from 7am in the morning and didn't go in for the procedure until 1.30pm. Grommets are about the size of a match head they are a tiny little tube that is inserted into the middle ear to allow it to drain. We're crossing our fingers that she won't get any more infections!

Upcycled Undies

The internet somehow eats my time, as I'm sure it does everyone elses. However sometimes I come across something so great I've just got to share it.
A free tutorial and pattern for making beautiful bloomers from second hand stretch fabric.
http://cyatutorials.blogspot.com/2009/06/sew-cute-bloomers-for-your-baby-or.html#comments

My other hat

I teach sustainablity one day a week at a small school just outside of Bendigo. Every week the grade 5/6 students are asked by their regular teachers to blog about a particular topic. Last week the topic was; 'why do we do sustainability?' and 'what has been your favourite activity?' One student posted that her favourite activity was cooking chow mein with the cabbages we grew in the veggie patch, this recipe has become a family favourite which she now regulary cooks for her mum, dad and younger brother. That made my week!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/c324b47b7294cf4b1d4df000
Aussie Apple

I love baking but I'm still cleaning up from my chocolate cake disaster!!!

Sundays!!!

I'm looking forward to my special sewing Sundays, handballing all parental duties to my husband. Cut out four reversible pinnies last night. I'm off to sew right now!