MOVING TIME!

So much has happened since my last post.  My house has sold, and I am now in the process of packing. It is a busy time getting everything ready for storage.  The new owners take possession in less than three weeks!


In the meantime I have finished a pair of frilly pants for my Granddaughter Hayley.

frilly pants

Also I have made two little bunnies, I hope she likes them!

little bunnies

Have a safe Easter    ..................  shine on..........

Lots of Sunshine

The sun is shining and its hot, very hot!  Everyday, whatever task is at hand is undertaken while dripping perspiration!

I have been busy with a few projects.  First I have been making little Bunnies for my Granddaughter Hayley.  I made the exact same bunnies 8 years ago for my other  granddaughter Emily.  I am putting them in a handmade basket with some easter chocolate treats, yet to be decided on.  As I have to send my gifts a long distance that takes at least 5 days, I have to consider carefully my choices!

taggy blanket

Also I have been making a tag blanket for Hayley and I was pleased with the finished product.


I have sent the blanket off in the mail, I hope she likes it,


Shine On.........till next time

The Rains are Back

Once again I have woken to find a lake in my front yard!  It didn't stop raining all night!  But never mind, the trees and plants all look very happy!

Lots of water everywhere

Have been busy baking while the rain pours down.  It feels nice and cosy in the kitchen with the oven going to keep out the damp!  Made some yummy Pumpkin and Pecan cup cakes.  Invented the recipe and they turned out delicious!

Pumpkin and Pecan Cupcake

I also experimented with some poached pear halves, adding some cranberries, sultanas, mixed peel and toasted walnuts, which I then wrapped and baked in Puff pastry.  They were so yummy with a dollop of yoghurt!

Pear Parcel

Will be trying to keep dry for the next week at least!  Hope the sun comes out soon  .......shine on......... 

Amazing 'Stuffed Christmas Pumpkin'

Wow what a busy time of year!  I wanted to share with you all, the fantastic 'Stuffed Christmas Pumpkin'  I cooked for Christmas dinner.  Being  Vegetarian I am always on the lookout for something yummy and healthy.
Not being at home, but visiting  Melbourne for Christmas, my Jamie Oliver iphone app, once again proved priceless.
That is were I found the great recipe pictured below.  You will find it in the 'Jamie's Christmas with Bells On'  pack.  
It proved a great hit with everyone at lunch!  I used almost all organic ingredients, which I had great fun buying at Vic Market on Christmas eve.

'Stuffed Christmas Pumpkin'

Vic Market Christmas Eve

Who would have thought that we would have a white Christmas in Melbourne, well here's proof below!

Fitzroy, Melbourne, Christmas Day!

I loved my time in Victoria catching up with family and friends. I walked through Melbourne's glorious parks and gardens.  Visited its Art  Galleries and Museums.  The flowers in the Queen Victoria, and Exhibition Gardens were wonderful.  What a difference these green areas make to a city!

Queen Victoria Gardens

Garden at the Exhibition Buildings

One last highlight of my trip was a visit to Hepburn Springs, where I enjoyed a leisurely afternoon floating about in their lovely pool!

Hepburn Spa

Keep smiling! 

Cars Cars Cars!

cars, cars, cars!

Christmas is coming up fast, I have been busy baking for a little friends 4th Birthday.  We thought a cars theme would be fun, so have been busy making gumpaste cars for on top of cupcakes, and also cars cookies!  


The party was great fun and the cookie cutter came in handy for making watermelon cars, and fairy bread cars. 

watermelon cars

cars cookies

little puddings

Once again I have been knitting, this time I made Christmas Pudding decorations for my grandchildren, the pattern is from  Jean Greenhowe's book 'Traditional Favourites             http://www.jeangreenhowe.com/

The children loved them and they are now proudly hanging on the christmas tree

The Rain has finally arrived!

      The rain has finally arrived.  The garden is smiling, especially the fruit trees!  I have been busy tending to the veggie patch, and have planted some carrot seed.  It is a root day according to the Biodynamic calendar I follow, and this indicates that it is a good day for root crops to be planted. In my gardening experience I have had great success following the principles of Biodynamics, I guess the proof is in the pudding as the saying goes!  Or in this case the carrots! I have also harvested some lovely Turmeric which has a deep orange colour. The Turmeric is starting to awaken from its sleep and the leaves are popping up through the soil once again!


My Cecil Brunner Rose is in flower, always a delight. It's distinctive fragrance brings back so many childhood memories for me. 

It is lovely to see the beautiful Delonix Regia all in flower.  Everywhere I go around town I see these magnificent Poinciana trees in full flower.  What a delight they are, the lovely umbrella shape and the magnificent flowers in varying shades of red.

Flowering Poinciana

I have been working on a good cupcake recipe for when my granddaughter arrives to spend a short Holiday here with Grandma!  I came up with a strawberry recipe which utilises the delicious strawberries I have growing in the garden.  Everyday for weeks I have been able to pick enough strawberries for my breakfast yogurt, and on some days also for some baking!  I am thinking a basic vanilla recipe with a swirl of strawberry syrup stirred through the batter before baking!  Will be checking the Cup Cake Blog for inspiration.


On the knitting front I have just completed a small doll for my baby grand daughter to put under the christmas tree!  The basic pattern I used came from Jean Greenhowes book 'Traditional Favourites'.  One can find all the books at  http://www.jeangreenhowe.com/

little darling

My next project will be knitted Christmas Pudding decorations for the grandchildren to hang on the Chrismas Tree.  Will have a photo of the completed puddings on the next blog.  Bye for now, and Shine On!

                                                         

Been Busy

I have been busy since my last post, making a little shoulder tie dress for my Grand daughter.   I made the dress from some vintage fabric that was soft and light, perfect for the hot Darwin Climate.  

Vintage fabric dress

I am now on my next frilly pants attempt, the first pair being way to large.  I am hoping this pair will be the right size.  I will post a picture when they are completed.

I have also been busy recovering a couple of old cane chairs.  I have had the fabric for a few years and I now think my taste has changed. But no matter I used it anyway.  They look okay,  the fabric clashes a little, but they look a whole lot better than the old faded covers!

My Garden is screaming out for some rain. We have been without for over a month now, the most rain has been 3 mls, not much.  I continue to keep the watering up where desperately needed, and of course I am constantly watering the veggie garden which is still happy.   My Vanilla Orchid is flowering and I have been trying to pollinate by hand. So far I have not been successful, but I keep trying!

Vanilla Orchid