tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85304962852381618222024-03-12T21:17:47.713-07:00Rebecca Dorne DiariesRebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18078821937683123363noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530496285238161822.post-52058463527324858442012-12-13T23:33:00.003-08:002012-12-13T23:33:56.298-08:00It's the most wonderful time of the year!<br />
I love Christmas - I adore it!<br />
<br />
It really is the most wonderful time of the year. I love the festive atmosphere - the Christmas kitsch, the sparkling decorations and all the fabulously fun times spent with friends and family. Its also a great excuse for baking and cooking addicts like me to spend cherished moments in the kitchen, whipping up delicious treats for all the parties and special visits with friends or family.<br />
<br />
However, I can get rather frazzled and am prone to having a moment or two when I need things to calm down and the pace to relax a bit. Therefore I like to have a few tricks up my sleeve to help with this endeavour. One of the best things has to be recipes that are 'easy peasy' but still gorgeous. Like these gorgeous little marshmallow puff Xmas puddings that I discovered via my lovely friend Leah over at <a href="http://www.whydidntanyonetellme.blogspot.com/">whydidntanyonetellme.blogspot.com</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC9nayyW9djI3_N7KR6fM9AoKOP59FTyp_mo7VoIJQKXhwNECdDia_JAB9yEP4Cx_Vz9LKCeoxx_fLa9MJMkek1yeXP8eQbcfJR8MEIfWzWlgl6DLs6nSjGzI67gJo_rCBq6yCM52G5yvq/s1600/P1020934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC9nayyW9djI3_N7KR6fM9AoKOP59FTyp_mo7VoIJQKXhwNECdDia_JAB9yEP4Cx_Vz9LKCeoxx_fLa9MJMkek1yeXP8eQbcfJR8MEIfWzWlgl6DLs6nSjGzI67gJo_rCBq6yCM52G5yvq/s320/P1020934.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Lots of friends have asked me for the recipe for these darling little treats, but I feel like such a fraud as there isn't really a 'recipe' per se...its more of an assembly job!<br />
<br />
Marshmallow Puff Xmas Puddings:<br />
<br />
1. Take a packet (or two!) of Griffin's marshmallow puffs (I have no idea what you would use in countries that do not sell these, but any thing that is round and chocolaty would do)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiae5zteeO5l9g41Blr2Ptjty4xQzvap0eZjt2Whm5-TivvYUj5ddXk__YYNE0puYHbQc-OL9LxBtZFy9QLewP_InDFAXpe-X_vjtNMAmXo6UH9u2OnG8FIVbfJweoymMsElkCJug2VPOOR/s1600/P1020938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiae5zteeO5l9g41Blr2Ptjty4xQzvap0eZjt2Whm5-TivvYUj5ddXk__YYNE0puYHbQc-OL9LxBtZFy9QLewP_InDFAXpe-X_vjtNMAmXo6UH9u2OnG8FIVbfJweoymMsElkCJug2VPOOR/s320/P1020938.JPG" width="320" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
2. Melt some white chocolate for the 'custard' look - I used the following:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXpNCdIcDFLhnjx3wi789821REOwsBMCYyxI0wqDy7JxrUhAazWR_rLv1KH22Fn0zisO08elXV86RwWYhGIocZvV7i0bPuN-ZuvMApPz5OOdjroWDwCIoVQKy_-kBHZVFuSR1fhIJpC4Zl/s1600/P1020937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXpNCdIcDFLhnjx3wi789821REOwsBMCYyxI0wqDy7JxrUhAazWR_rLv1KH22Fn0zisO08elXV86RwWYhGIocZvV7i0bPuN-ZuvMApPz5OOdjroWDwCIoVQKy_-kBHZVFuSR1fhIJpC4Zl/s320/P1020937.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
3. Finally (and this is surely the best part of all) pop a little jaffa, chocolate orange ball, on top! If you cant buy these you could simply use a cherry.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt-47Hr7wyYQH-ZqNdXOGG2jzVesuSOShUw9nh55MzCSyttTK1MMYAD6JJQYk-x51jGg-4zxThc-BNg6uc3NOsRdYS7bGZOigEyNNj1PmwBlN6ygSNZCWWUrgIOm5BCrGSORCySZJ-DJ8E/s1600/P1020939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt-47Hr7wyYQH-ZqNdXOGG2jzVesuSOShUw9nh55MzCSyttTK1MMYAD6JJQYk-x51jGg-4zxThc-BNg6uc3NOsRdYS7bGZOigEyNNj1PmwBlN6ygSNZCWWUrgIOm5BCrGSORCySZJ-DJ8E/s320/P1020939.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
See what I mean about being a fraud - its not really baking or cooking at all - but everyone loves them!<br />
<br />
We finally have the tree up and the house decorated. My son is over the moon with joy and loves each and every one of the Christmas rituals, like decorating the tree. Each year we have a ritual of visiting a special department store in Wellington (kirkaldie and stains) to visit the Xmas shop and choose a new decoration. We always pop into the tea rooms for a wee treat too.<br />
<br />
My son still believes in the magic that is Xmas and is simply filled with excitement as we count down the days till the jolly man in red pays us a visit. It took my husband and I eight years to finally become parents when we adopted our beautiful son in England. There isn't a moment of each and every day when I am not thankful for having him to love and cherish, but at Christmas it seems especially poignant. It may sound cheesy but I do feel like we are blessed to have our little boy. As such each of his home-made decorations are absolute treasures to me and I adore displaying them in the house each year.<br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"><strong></strong></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj01ed3ztHBxxpi8SASwCPlRSLXyearejipfyLC0pnjrkkHcxX-m5OuvfLu0BbuaZwoXnHLSX0opLD2Vx7kod_x2ZC4GjpLQDQlimOyxpdXMbzx5VoEmIWUQyUm3oJAAGM_SMIcoMTH6urr/s1600/P1020944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><strong><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj01ed3ztHBxxpi8SASwCPlRSLXyearejipfyLC0pnjrkkHcxX-m5OuvfLu0BbuaZwoXnHLSX0opLD2Vx7kod_x2ZC4GjpLQDQlimOyxpdXMbzx5VoEmIWUQyUm3oJAAGM_SMIcoMTH6urr/s320/P1020944.JPG" width="240" /></strong></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: small;"><strong>A coke bottle Santa Claus made by my wee boy when he was only 5 years old</strong></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #38761d;"><strong></strong></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb0TNEDRq_ewakRaxJnPOzp2DC5gZamyr3Y3VbHh1Cvc0XQCh7-78QVuKbYKCPtOBzPp7C0gRQKRjtncMxN6x2kmtCD-RD4Ju44B4bXUEVeEpb9rwMh-0W7ksP9BOhxZuhi-ehum0QotLb/s1600/P1020954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb0TNEDRq_ewakRaxJnPOzp2DC5gZamyr3Y3VbHh1Cvc0XQCh7-78QVuKbYKCPtOBzPp7C0gRQKRjtncMxN6x2kmtCD-RD4Ju44B4bXUEVeEpb9rwMh-0W7ksP9BOhxZuhi-ehum0QotLb/s320/P1020954.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: small;"><strong>My son made this fabulous Xmas picture for me when he was 6 years old and it takes pride of place on the bookcase every Christmas</strong></span>.<br />
<br />
<div align="left">
</div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span> </div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span> <span style="font-size: small;">Every year I think I might make my own Christmas cards like some of my talented friends do, but alas I have never quite achieved that goal. One very talented friend of mine (thanks Shelley!) made this Xmas card with a teeny tiny crochet hat on it - amazing!</span></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3gm58MhwV7ID1FNBxY6gBviRw-b1F6zylXId837q_t-Ggg2D-g5z47GosmsyX46UYPv1I6o9UdPo7UXiQ6EUh6RMmb5Tb09ZMjPx1wsTz2C1XhLOYIFaERX24iskBamIj74LPBF_ToAca/s1600/P1020955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3gm58MhwV7ID1FNBxY6gBviRw-b1F6zylXId837q_t-Ggg2D-g5z47GosmsyX46UYPv1I6o9UdPo7UXiQ6EUh6RMmb5Tb09ZMjPx1wsTz2C1XhLOYIFaERX24iskBamIj74LPBF_ToAca/s320/P1020955.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div align="left">
</div>
<div align="left">
</div>
<div align="left">
</div>
<div align="left">
</div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-size: small;">Right, I think it is time to call it a day and curl up on the sofa with a cup of tea and a gingerbread reindeer. </span></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span> </div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-size: small;">Becks xxx</span></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span> </div>
<div align="left">
<br /><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><em>"Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful."</em></span></div>
<div align="left">
<em><span style="color: red; font-size: small;"> - Norman Vincent Peale </span></em></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18078821937683123363noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530496285238161822.post-28543688382435613322012-11-25T14:40:00.003-08:002012-11-25T14:42:52.964-08:00Countdown to Christmas!<br />
<strong><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">"Maybe Christmas doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas perhaps, means a little bit more."</span></strong><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"> <em> The Grinch by Dr Suess</em></span><br />
<em><span style="color: #38761d;"></span></em><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid8qtHlG8BWY8awW4rKMrjjx0u49i8iWlrRE7P0AwxxjW-XFvDZGjwbYAN1HCmSayiAeDnnT6Bj3k4RclYyi-llEP10CZITG_ftn9szMzOtgKy4DOfKElXo4ET3i5dcMfN993GTV1s5IRm/s1600/christmas_bells.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid8qtHlG8BWY8awW4rKMrjjx0u49i8iWlrRE7P0AwxxjW-XFvDZGjwbYAN1HCmSayiAeDnnT6Bj3k4RclYyi-llEP10CZITG_ftn9szMzOtgKy4DOfKElXo4ET3i5dcMfN993GTV1s5IRm/s200/christmas_bells.gif" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Despite spending my childhood growing up in New Zealand, I am not sure I will ever get used to having Christmas in the middle of summer - it feels oddly decadent - like we get to have our cake and eat it too! I do miss the snowy winters I experienced in the US and the cosy, wet ones in England, but I really can't complain right now because the sun is shinning and the garden is all in bloom - bliss!<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhck2tgPQznt5df43gYCAYuEJN52_jNLoCL4UbVoHHX6nGVuouhq1Nfv799W39DIwDhRhuWGOaM58TZyaSjrPEJ6tVg59EZE5WitKSyyXiKH9eJIjeRgCvf5HpbQYidniNfjahyphenhyphen1d9YZVjy/s1600/P1020820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhck2tgPQznt5df43gYCAYuEJN52_jNLoCL4UbVoHHX6nGVuouhq1Nfv799W39DIwDhRhuWGOaM58TZyaSjrPEJ6tVg59EZE5WitKSyyXiKH9eJIjeRgCvf5HpbQYidniNfjahyphenhyphen1d9YZVjy/s400/P1020820.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: magenta; font-size: small;"><strong>My wildflower meadow in the back garden - a bit scruffy but oh so lovely!</strong></span></em></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Today I am busy playing Christmas carols and wrapping up the gifts I bought which need to be posted overseas to loved ones in England and America. This year I was determined to buy as many hand-made or NZ designed gifts as possible and I found some real treausres:<br />
<br />
A gorgeous hand-made monkey for a darling little niece...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiki97CcWnBbNrpl2Ta41rCXQmEoinXKJcVd8kM4PDkxo3Z4Leexe0qEdyeCSdWqi_Dm_O8QG18Xp9VuYU9HoSCjrRX-IXcd6mJse4WBurUpPk-xuHWZCds0UZUEd9OoHRmqQlkqGBSvhIp/s1600/P1020892.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiki97CcWnBbNrpl2Ta41rCXQmEoinXKJcVd8kM4PDkxo3Z4Leexe0qEdyeCSdWqi_Dm_O8QG18Xp9VuYU9HoSCjrRX-IXcd6mJse4WBurUpPk-xuHWZCds0UZUEd9OoHRmqQlkqGBSvhIp/s400/P1020892.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
A pretty bag for a sister-in-law who adores anything that is green, floral or vintage...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ_wKOCQnf7PIMeXCZJbsrlfaHBWdwQJQC2A_kMCADhUDnOleCH4RINXEz1LJqY2DIfuVvShGVtWOv2GkDe_4Rd3dJHcMwMUU1-GlwaTJLCBkyMNwZbREFSz06OKxtc87eaqlFxSHzIEo1/s1600/P1020889.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ_wKOCQnf7PIMeXCZJbsrlfaHBWdwQJQC2A_kMCADhUDnOleCH4RINXEz1LJqY2DIfuVvShGVtWOv2GkDe_4Rd3dJHcMwMUU1-GlwaTJLCBkyMNwZbREFSz06OKxtc87eaqlFxSHzIEo1/s400/P1020889.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
A whimsical, pretty pot-mit and matching tea towel for a dear friend...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Xh0_vTZM2ChmEZYQ25g3sgdOcQeHzi_u81fyHE2X8k8KIX3q9mzdoePDY0njLYYUaBRHv7uBSprrqb75ZAJjXHTLNp1IWUdQ1Gk0m6EA0_u4oG16U954Wn3-TIhfcZJeUkghveiuIB31/s1600/P1020895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Xh0_vTZM2ChmEZYQ25g3sgdOcQeHzi_u81fyHE2X8k8KIX3q9mzdoePDY0njLYYUaBRHv7uBSprrqb75ZAJjXHTLNp1IWUdQ1Gk0m6EA0_u4oG16U954Wn3-TIhfcZJeUkghveiuIB31/s320/P1020895.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I'd better not post anymore of the pressies on here - people might be peeking! <br />
<br />
For me (and many others on the planet) I can find this time of year to be a bit nerve wracking. There is always so much going on! So I am making sure I take some time out when I can just to focus on the simple joys in life and realise that this time of year is not about 'keeping up with the Jones's'. I love pottering around in the garden and have just planted some lovely young salad veggies, which I am hoping will be ready to eat by Xmas:<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcjK0v4o6JpA6gEFp8apRPJovFjK8yDJqS5uBHO76WhOXr3dyoYuZr_FWYL1A9Qi3FMXdWZ0Yiddp1pnm0jyKmyw0oWuyJhNWSBQb0CZNsx2nv45laxBYMogZd8Rjx6IBBU_mdHmMvJpkF/s1600/P1020880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcjK0v4o6JpA6gEFp8apRPJovFjK8yDJqS5uBHO76WhOXr3dyoYuZr_FWYL1A9Qi3FMXdWZ0Yiddp1pnm0jyKmyw0oWuyJhNWSBQb0CZNsx2nv45laxBYMogZd8Rjx6IBBU_mdHmMvJpkF/s400/P1020880.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: magenta; font-size: small;"><strong>My lovely lettuce babies all tucked into the raised bed - grow babies grow!!! Oh and please excuse the 'weeds' in the background - I just love sunny little buttercups and dont have the heart to hack them all to bits with the weed whacker!</strong></span></em><br />
<span style="color: magenta; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div align="left">
</div>
<div align="left">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">Right, enough time on the computer - I can hear the washing machine beeping and nagging me to go and hang all the freshly washed linen on the line! Then I am off to do some baking and make some more home-made Christmas gifts - individual yummy little fruit cakes, jars of jam, chutney and fudge (okay not all in the same jar - that doesnt sound good at all!). </span></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"></span> </div>
<div align="left">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">Hopefully I wont leave it so long before I post again...life seems to be especially busy this year, but I do love dipping into blogland and seeing what everyone is up to. Becks xxx</span></div>
<strong><em><span style="color: magenta; font-size: small;"></span></em></strong> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18078821937683123363noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530496285238161822.post-92177601119397509842012-09-17T15:38:00.003-07:002012-09-17T15:39:51.785-07:00A Change of Season...<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia;"><em><strong>"It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you
want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just
fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!" ~Mark Twain</strong></em></span><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia;"></span></em></strong><br />
Spring is here at last! It is bliss to say farewell to the cold, wet, days of winter and welcome in a lovely new season. I thought I was doing so well as I almost managed to sneak through winter without getting sick, but as Murphy's law would have it, a few weeks ago I got a nasty virus. I think the thing that really helped me get well again was hot lemon and ginger drinks with a huge dollop of manuka honey added - talk about a magic potion!<br />
<br />
I almost gave up on blogging as there never seems to be much time, but then suddenly spring has arrived and I just had to share these pretty photos. The garden is in bloom and the birds nesting in our trees are having chirpy little babies (maybe not quite so lovely at 5am) and slowly...very slowly...it is beginning to get a little sunnier and warmer each day. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGbN1HM6ziXHLbmMpRu-RV7ONWxIl8Tva61zVN-CRdpeGRtdGrFxxQ9N3OK6wAiK3dxr8bzccutaD6iy-8NOWWT8lp_PGFdqCLJ0W2whjIiKtVlo_HYM18g3jYBV56aq-tFbRvDC1wU6EQ/s1600/P1020811.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGbN1HM6ziXHLbmMpRu-RV7ONWxIl8Tva61zVN-CRdpeGRtdGrFxxQ9N3OK6wAiK3dxr8bzccutaD6iy-8NOWWT8lp_PGFdqCLJ0W2whjIiKtVlo_HYM18g3jYBV56aq-tFbRvDC1wU6EQ/s320/P1020811.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUWU_ce0u0fFt7nbdb577cHbMUWIqn2cFlulj903_3IU7t07_XP0o5J0OKnNE75dxLNc2W-7NcNGRcfXC83oo8TV59ieBp-NsYQQr2QrFnFal4TO4yq28UlXcI1_42hgt0mNAVaSGQfnYM/s1600/P1020814.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUWU_ce0u0fFt7nbdb577cHbMUWIqn2cFlulj903_3IU7t07_XP0o5J0OKnNE75dxLNc2W-7NcNGRcfXC83oo8TV59ieBp-NsYQQr2QrFnFal4TO4yq28UlXcI1_42hgt0mNAVaSGQfnYM/s320/P1020814.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I always get a bit nostalgic at this time of year, as autumn in the northern hemisphere has always been one of my favourite times of year and it all feels a bit topsy turvey to me living 'down under'. However this year I have decided to really get out and enjoy the spring and my lovely garden and I have to admit, it is simply bliss to be out amongst the flowers, smelling the gorgeous scented air and listening to the birds sing. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDNMHuHzetAu_hsfINvh7Pol4upUZConYlbfFqtN5_QGnLjhGW4fSmA1BZoZQREvf12ivtEJBIwpEUozikONFC7FeuUizFLFQC05QgOMb2MI-lLkr2M3BDCyjhXQu_PvpWcG8PpuMkHmpp/s1600/P1020833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDNMHuHzetAu_hsfINvh7Pol4upUZConYlbfFqtN5_QGnLjhGW4fSmA1BZoZQREvf12ivtEJBIwpEUozikONFC7FeuUizFLFQC05QgOMb2MI-lLkr2M3BDCyjhXQu_PvpWcG8PpuMkHmpp/s320/P1020833.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPpTmBSiJ2Eu0qFwaJENEA9CKyO1NWecAHpHlrZlXms_wvffxuX1V_dPi62DIi_EvfLtn2HXGQ-Ldcmp9tGY6eCmVJRfkBQlWW84U3UEVbtoGVa4458FE7tRq2SLAsP5mA9NJVUQ7NoPZ-/s1600/P1020815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPpTmBSiJ2Eu0qFwaJENEA9CKyO1NWecAHpHlrZlXms_wvffxuX1V_dPi62DIi_EvfLtn2HXGQ-Ldcmp9tGY6eCmVJRfkBQlWW84U3UEVbtoGVa4458FE7tRq2SLAsP5mA9NJVUQ7NoPZ-/s320/P1020815.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
It is only a week and a bit until the October school holidays here in New Zealand and I am really looking forward to spending some precious time with my wee man, who seems to be growing up so fast. He has suddenly become very neat and tidy with his toys (excuse me for a moment while I go and do the happy dance!). He takes great care each morning, 'parking' his vehicles and making sure his action figures and teddies are tucked away. I had to take a snap to share as it really makes me smile :-)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdKCvpytS79hFmz_4GVzs5lI1zee-ZxC-ff8VQZO4hilBnyuDywllfPu9jhzcmow8T4VF3uH_Ll6ox4WTj9sxuWyXLyvYgbRCsAY34u_X0BZhLvDVEunqNXmQAdjmfP-LPBBsHhYQJQRtN/s1600/P1020839.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdKCvpytS79hFmz_4GVzs5lI1zee-ZxC-ff8VQZO4hilBnyuDywllfPu9jhzcmow8T4VF3uH_Ll6ox4WTj9sxuWyXLyvYgbRCsAY34u_X0BZhLvDVEunqNXmQAdjmfP-LPBBsHhYQJQRtN/s320/P1020839.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I think one of the nice things about the school holidays is an end to making packed lunches every day! I am constantly trying to think of new ideas for healthy, tempting treats for my wee boy. I came across this recipe on <a href="http://www.tasteofhome.com/">www.tasteofhome.com</a> for the yummiest peanut butter oatmeal cookies the other week and they have now become a bit of a staple - in fact hubby likes them so much that I have to make an extra batch for him. They couldn't be easier to whip up - it takes me about 5 minutes of mixing and then wham they are in the oven and the house smells heavenly as they bake. They are high in fibre and protein, so a great little energy source - I often give one to my son before one of his sports matches or swimming lessons.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRyqQj9eUcIYdafhET3ae7JRle-4g3aqPAbBAvGYlSwkqfaFY-AvMZ0_9hyphenhyphenHMcNpQhmEbT82FNsd3gnBotoLkYaHmFhTiuBUY27Cc0D-dK3qUrGcQWhbxF4elC1HVAWLcLSt6pZcUPF5Jj/s1600/P1020842.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRyqQj9eUcIYdafhET3ae7JRle-4g3aqPAbBAvGYlSwkqfaFY-AvMZ0_9hyphenhyphenHMcNpQhmEbT82FNsd3gnBotoLkYaHmFhTiuBUY27Cc0D-dK3qUrGcQWhbxF4elC1HVAWLcLSt6pZcUPF5Jj/s320/P1020842.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><strong>Easy Peasy Peanut Butter and Oatmeal Cookies</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: small;"><strong>1/2 cup of peanut butter</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><strong>1/2 cup of brown sugar (I use low GI raw sugar)</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><strong>1 egg</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><strong>1 1/4 cups of oatmeal</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><strong>1/2 teaspoon of baking soda</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><strong>optional: a handful of chocolate chips or sesame seeds</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><strong>In a small bowl, cream peanut butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Beat in egg. Add oats and baking soda to creamed mixture (and chocolate chips or seeds if you are using them); mix well.</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><strong> Drop by tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart onto baking sheets lined with baking paper; flatten slightly. Bake at 350° (or 180 C) for 8 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool. Store in an airtight container. There are approximately 67 calories per cookie.</strong> </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiVjmTxhsSbmQf2GKZm0Ioik9ZTOU8istuUvhVS3Ic7jW6khrnPmpM-ZRqGiUwgFIUjBHS1G8L56f2gUiAkELjMNVxQGTDTuw1ueAhh9Q6bhJIcpFgIUwgaXDJQJxnxJr8o-zb_gB3hyj7/s1600/P1020831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiVjmTxhsSbmQf2GKZm0Ioik9ZTOU8istuUvhVS3Ic7jW6khrnPmpM-ZRqGiUwgFIUjBHS1G8L56f2gUiAkELjMNVxQGTDTuw1ueAhh9Q6bhJIcpFgIUwgaXDJQJxnxJr8o-zb_gB3hyj7/s320/P1020831.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1-m0km84wYzFZ9-Ufv6QVh4f8iUhyzklPM72u3GkU0XcwQ2UerKJklenfsh-nLWnq7E_qsgkCxWkVos232QvsOEM-9j8DGtbfOdabhLABXMbgkH6Fl-WOgTCDOCGwgE08PAQgrPnMYZeu/s1600/P1020823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1-m0km84wYzFZ9-Ufv6QVh4f8iUhyzklPM72u3GkU0XcwQ2UerKJklenfsh-nLWnq7E_qsgkCxWkVos232QvsOEM-9j8DGtbfOdabhLABXMbgkH6Fl-WOgTCDOCGwgE08PAQgrPnMYZeu/s320/P1020823.JPG" width="248" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I have decided to try and 'live in the moment' a little more so in the spirit of spring, I am going to put on a gorgeous spring feast this weekend for the family - will post pics next week! I think right now though I am off to the shops, as I quite fancy treating myself to some sunshine yellow nail polish. What's life without a little whimsy?<br />
<br />
Becks xxx<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidY8pJ0o4oD70Kpvn2mTM8OFcxs72RNCfdVepkSsROTTgChgnYjbTsJBdoTHRrMJZaAlxg4MnjWbcXlczJ_ndGGVhzAezpqwQvl8477ktRC7EhRwF2Hix5EDmUNeHiAouVsNVKEk85JrSE/s1600/P1020834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="121" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidY8pJ0o4oD70Kpvn2mTM8OFcxs72RNCfdVepkSsROTTgChgnYjbTsJBdoTHRrMJZaAlxg4MnjWbcXlczJ_ndGGVhzAezpqwQvl8477ktRC7EhRwF2Hix5EDmUNeHiAouVsNVKEk85JrSE/s320/P1020834.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18078821937683123363noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530496285238161822.post-66117681572448866242012-07-30T18:22:00.004-07:002012-07-30T18:25:36.180-07:00What shall we have for dinner?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX_9dUau970Pj7DC0F3V70zp06qiWoIoO_etoNR7oLziJY_jRFSiQ0PfSd89zGR5Rwdozx1qJ6CniRQRZ8UOIVtCSw8Xn2nBn2id9e6izk0h8YGXc-VeQoKyRnKOyvOvU5YsaiMqHK9ISc/s1600/P1020784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX_9dUau970Pj7DC0F3V70zp06qiWoIoO_etoNR7oLziJY_jRFSiQ0PfSd89zGR5Rwdozx1qJ6CniRQRZ8UOIVtCSw8Xn2nBn2id9e6izk0h8YGXc-VeQoKyRnKOyvOvU5YsaiMqHK9ISc/s320/P1020784.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">I have been away from blogland for a few weeks. Life has been a little difficult...as it is sometimes. Hubby has been away for work for the past 6 weeks and we have really missed him. We've had the usual run of winter bugs and lurgies, plus a few added dramas to add some grey hairs to my head. But things have calmed down now - phew.</span> </em><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">So I stand in my kitchen this morning and stare outside, past the teapots and out into the garden where the rain is softly tumbling down. Then I do what women (and men...but mostly women) do all over the world each and every day - I think</span> <span style="color: #cc0000;"><strong>"what shall we have for dinner tonight". </strong></span><span style="color: black;">Okay, so if I am honest, this is usually the kind of thing I think about at around 4pm or<span style="color: orange;"> </span><span style="color: black;"><strong>'gasp'</strong></span> much later (those are the days when little son gets real kiddy food for his dinner, like baked beans and sausages, while I figure out something more elaborate for hubby and me). </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">Honestly, I really don't mind cooking, in fact I rather like it and consider myself to be quite alright at it, thank you very much. But the monotony of deciding what to have can become a real bother. However, I have a new wee fabulous pot of ideas I can dip into now...PINTEREST! Yes, my addiction to the visual wonderland has been providing me with some fabulous ideas for our family dinners lately. The great thing is that most of the recipes and ingredients are very family friendly - quite healthy and not too costly. FABULOUS!!! </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Tonight we are heading south of the border and having <strong>'Mexican Chicken Casserole'</strong> - yummo! Its brilliant frankly as it is such an easy thing to throw together in the morning (or the night before), then bang into the oven an hour before dinner time. So here below is my creation for tonight's dinner:</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghlag6yMh0Vs4Rv0pSt8hQeDD7iJexRCOWNqMlqBhqGKFvZiFHdltRW5cNTCqzy0CdPYbLrjYwXWCGNPyrTG-FdLdllcJzU88jDgHEdSxSZxwuHZR6Xv-hj3MVf47wK_9QCtfzBbi2l6Jp/s1600/P1020783.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghlag6yMh0Vs4Rv0pSt8hQeDD7iJexRCOWNqMlqBhqGKFvZiFHdltRW5cNTCqzy0CdPYbLrjYwXWCGNPyrTG-FdLdllcJzU88jDgHEdSxSZxwuHZR6Xv-hj3MVf47wK_9QCtfzBbi2l6Jp/s320/P1020783.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<em><strong><span style="color: black;">It really was super easy to make (and I cheated a little too, just to speed things up).</span></strong></em><br />
<br />
I used:<br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">2 chicken breasts (diced up)</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">1 can of organic adzuki beans (because I was out of red kidney beans)</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">1 can of cannellini beans</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">1 cup of frozen sweet corn</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">1 bunch of chopped up spring onion</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">1 clove crushed garlic</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">1 red onion</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">1 jar of pasta sauce (told you I cheated a bit!)</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">1 packet of taco seasoning (cheating again, I know - easy peasy!)</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Then I just put it in the fridge until an hour before dinner. Just before serving I will grate some cheese over the top and let that melt (any cheese is fine - I am going to use provolone tonight as I love the way it melts). I serve it with a few plain tortilla chips (organic and store bought), which thrills my men folk to no end!</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">So there you have it - low fat, low GI, high fibre, economical and best of all easy to make! The best thing is you can also adjust this recipe to suit what you have in your pantry/fridge or garden. </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Right, time to get back to the real world and tackle the beast that lives in our laundry, 'sigh'. Have a fab week! Becks xxx</span><br />
<br />Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18078821937683123363noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530496285238161822.post-1431949680959836562012-07-07T16:56:00.003-07:002012-07-07T16:56:23.611-07:00School Holidays<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPq4_XeoH0iQLBgds_MF5LFYauOFGtal96GcvpbTbn0gNmpwBMxc5LAIuowWJgtyVFaGzfVZhrsX7GbcD_uK3bJ-Jz4Ed7BJUC4OA9ZHssEhaNECraMHRsBvOE8q2XztAb3qj8VALC8xAq/s1600/P1020751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPq4_XeoH0iQLBgds_MF5LFYauOFGtal96GcvpbTbn0gNmpwBMxc5LAIuowWJgtyVFaGzfVZhrsX7GbcD_uK3bJ-Jz4Ed7BJUC4OA9ZHssEhaNECraMHRsBvOE8q2XztAb3qj8VALC8xAq/s320/P1020751.JPG" width="115" /></a></div>
<br />
Life has been crazy busy lately. It's the <strong><span style="color: blue;">winter school holidays</span></strong> here in New Zealand and so my little boy has been home, which is just bliss. The time seems to fly by! The poor lad has had to attend quite a few hospital appointments - he had problems with his heart a few months ago and the doctors are still doing lots of tests and things to try and figure out what is going on. They have ordered a 'sleep deprivation test', which feels like absolute torture as it means nobody in the house gets any sleep - OMG! I turn into such a grouchy beast :-(<br />
<br />
<br />
Then we had a<strong><span style="color: #cc0000;"> 7.0 earthquake</span></strong> on the one night we were due to get a good nights sleep and of course my poor boy was <em>totally freaked out</em> by that (so was Mummy!). It felt like some giant had picked up our house and shook it, for what seemed like an age. Scary! No major damage though - just a crack in the ceiling upstairs. Sigh.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOwoe-VBj4dbsYFI75FIxSzyzqFKkB3qMLpY85uqodDAatyQ0AOPUpHjonf_KZfuTIwmrdZtX9sFHzvKRJu3GRtziJL8DzPaAFJdE5rJcq7iIT9amdSzw8oXwh5OJf9a7bA_-I40cII2kg/s1600/popcorn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOwoe-VBj4dbsYFI75FIxSzyzqFKkB3qMLpY85uqodDAatyQ0AOPUpHjonf_KZfuTIwmrdZtX9sFHzvKRJu3GRtziJL8DzPaAFJdE5rJcq7iIT9amdSzw8oXwh5OJf9a7bA_-I40cII2kg/s1600/popcorn.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
So due to the above mentioned horrible things, we have been trying extra hard to have some fun too. We started by going to the <span style="color: magenta;">movies</span> to see 'Brave', which was brilliant and so funny! Then we wrapped up warm in our woollies and hit the beach to watch the giant waves, search for treasures like seashells and sea glass. We bought our trusty thermos of hot chocolate with us and tried to eat our sandwiches without the wind blowing too much sand in them - I figure its extra fibre right? <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicVQZ_y87uEkZtYrWFdnbn27ydnBi7DIUBCR4Ww4r0l5uxAe29DM-ybj-AOn-SMFDuckOC4R49dzUf_KOrgVb8-kQAWsMHl6TbthyUuwtCpvb9V2aJKfzp2750oslawKBMiZRF7pjyyu9d/s1600/P1020385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicVQZ_y87uEkZtYrWFdnbn27ydnBi7DIUBCR4Ww4r0l5uxAe29DM-ybj-AOn-SMFDuckOC4R49dzUf_KOrgVb8-kQAWsMHl6TbthyUuwtCpvb9V2aJKfzp2750oslawKBMiZRF7pjyyu9d/s320/P1020385.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiilcSOKfbciXv5LwqwAUhy1gz-nHVjHOGUA3sPBC-rr9Dbn8jPVKLGGSlSgiglBniV1NyrzjEnqnn1yRPB3yB_AfJHqifrCU_8nkGQQ-IZrjCqMlr2lv8yx31H7EZTT4ktuAXC-vPLSgqo/s1600/P1020394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiilcSOKfbciXv5LwqwAUhy1gz-nHVjHOGUA3sPBC-rr9Dbn8jPVKLGGSlSgiglBniV1NyrzjEnqnn1yRPB3yB_AfJHqifrCU_8nkGQQ-IZrjCqMlr2lv8yx31H7EZTT4ktuAXC-vPLSgqo/s320/P1020394.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy2xcum5o8gmHjl5wvVb9nbTy6iYAasezQa4lnBZtKsZQHwpfCvLHzwp6Ti-UOa6qixCabTd2-PwpTbg3T-Lb8DGxLc0C-rPzo5Xd0ktFHs8Tv8Povla6eO2YPL-hHKBIiIKs45ChZD-fq/s1600/P1020405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy2xcum5o8gmHjl5wvVb9nbTy6iYAasezQa4lnBZtKsZQHwpfCvLHzwp6Ti-UOa6qixCabTd2-PwpTbg3T-Lb8DGxLc0C-rPzo5Xd0ktFHs8Tv8Povla6eO2YPL-hHKBIiIKs45ChZD-fq/s320/P1020405.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
So needless to say I have once again been neglecting my blog and my lovely blog reading, but such is life. Sometimes you just need to stop, hug the ones you love and forget about everything else. <br />
<br />
Hope your all have a great weekend! Becks xxx<br />Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18078821937683123363noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530496285238161822.post-91560109348830021192012-06-23T00:06:00.001-07:002012-06-23T04:47:51.591-07:00Winter Solstice!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVzE4BZ0zbO0QQ8EEJH-bgxn_BGFxlengXEDhzaeQ_TlVtLkMKPyhot2N3ehfVPu8HdNhJeQC16SvNX9BU3t1eLd9eVSzW8LOaB3Sjp44i2L6xD_DATGikkazRSib8xUSVMN4Rd5IgwMPh/s1600/P1020744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVzE4BZ0zbO0QQ8EEJH-bgxn_BGFxlengXEDhzaeQ_TlVtLkMKPyhot2N3ehfVPu8HdNhJeQC16SvNX9BU3t1eLd9eVSzW8LOaB3Sjp44i2L6xD_DATGikkazRSib8xUSVMN4Rd5IgwMPh/s320/P1020744.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><em>A wee winter solstice gift for my Mother! I have made these myself in the past, but I spotted this gem by Tamsin Cooper in one of my favourite gift stores this past week and couldnt pass it up! It will look so pretty pinned on Mum's winter coat :-)</em></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">Tempus
fugit!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or time flies as my grandmother
always used to say to me when I was a child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I am still very new to the blogging world and rather stumbling my
through it all when I can snatch a few precious minutes of spare time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So when life gets a little hectic, as it has
lately, I find that blogging (and my favourite: reading blogs!) must take a
bit of a backseat to other priorities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLGVdgMP69Ae-ABH9EalQQc53TbquwBFyy-NzPZsa0Ubd1fuVvrkUmfE9g72ngmZip1ToGa5tbKT6q1RCikMLS0q5FhApZG6Z2g_3szMS61EzFuA02KoHZbgLg1iQeqYJXrBNHcCrmZNjw/s1600/P1020724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLGVdgMP69Ae-ABH9EalQQc53TbquwBFyy-NzPZsa0Ubd1fuVvrkUmfE9g72ngmZip1ToGa5tbKT6q1RCikMLS0q5FhApZG6Z2g_3szMS61EzFuA02KoHZbgLg1iQeqYJXrBNHcCrmZNjw/s320/P1020724.JPG" width="286" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: small;">My Mother bought these gorgeous flowers for me to grace the Yule table and remind us that the days are going to get lighter now and spring will be here eventually! I wish you could smell things through the computer as these are just gorgeous!</span></em> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">I
could moan and groan here about the trials of the week, but I won’t because
today my family stopped, took a moment and had a beautiful day to celebrate
Winter Solstice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had our own little
mid-winter Yule feast, followed by a few simple gifts for each other, a super
yummy dessert and then we all curled up in the living room in to watch a
movie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A little bit of bliss on a cold
winter’s day!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">For
our special lunch I made us a beef wellington:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7HGzuDWye_A0Aq0nsQYpc-_AHjXfQLIVgBKFhJo3Y-cHyaKrkyoLRkZG044pZgxovgQzGFT4IfGFVCGnoYrx-uyy_LHXuuwDrN5qEL8bY0D6iqFBXXhKxBvstRsQ__y0b_aLBBJZrIH6z/s1600/P1020719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7HGzuDWye_A0Aq0nsQYpc-_AHjXfQLIVgBKFhJo3Y-cHyaKrkyoLRkZG044pZgxovgQzGFT4IfGFVCGnoYrx-uyy_LHXuuwDrN5qEL8bY0D6iqFBXXhKxBvstRsQ__y0b_aLBBJZrIH6z/s320/P1020719.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNtjdg14P8wUQfxylzgx0oY1mD_o0N1pZUBt33S9CYJvnm07CsLJresUnwKAUWHotsLAYBGMKEMMpRb7o8xIWTW7D28xoEgRdG7nV2gHGx8sOWdbY0CjH0gZH8PTOXGCMdwg4bpyUi-DkB/s1600/P1020725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNtjdg14P8wUQfxylzgx0oY1mD_o0N1pZUBt33S9CYJvnm07CsLJresUnwKAUWHotsLAYBGMKEMMpRb7o8xIWTW7D28xoEgRdG7nV2gHGx8sOWdbY0CjH0gZH8PTOXGCMdwg4bpyUi-DkB/s320/P1020725.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">We
had this served with roast potatoes and cauliflower and broccoli cheese (all
very decadent I know!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dessert was a gorgeous ‘Opera Cake’ inspired
by the challenge on <a href="http://www.choclogblog.blogspot.co.nz/"><span style="color: blue;">www.choclogblog.blogspot.co.nz</span></a>
which I came across on two fabulous blogs:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><a href="http://www.kitchen-maid.blogspot.co.nz/"><span style="color: blue;">www.kitchen-maid.blogspot.co.nz</span></a>
and <a href="http://www.foodycat.blogspot.co.uk/"><span style="color: blue;">www.foodycat.blogspot.co.uk</span></a>
(I am not very good at putting in links yet, so do excuse me if this is not the
best way to do it – I’ll get there eventually!).</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1COalWALhkxAB5d8kQKBY3V0eL_nGKVSR-5raqF6rVQLsG3CkrgG7a_rS4A57ge5lC5FqOsydBJTUMAlcXgfqwZd4G0eaJ6q0XC89pI_sAYzHEVmN-w1Xs74y5GezlW6iaBnxJHA2zGvY/s1600/P1020727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1COalWALhkxAB5d8kQKBY3V0eL_nGKVSR-5raqF6rVQLsG3CkrgG7a_rS4A57ge5lC5FqOsydBJTUMAlcXgfqwZd4G0eaJ6q0XC89pI_sAYzHEVmN-w1Xs74y5GezlW6iaBnxJHA2zGvY/s400/P1020727.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn2Y50llsIp9OQrkLSGe9ERKwL5wCZC-wIoZe9i04aJi3ssj9KZRzC3o0fmKH8GxqZ9PX5AEEjqbwaLOlmgklmdPZGvw8dLBFUnfhmujocxcXlDNScXHeVbD46kaWEEh_KsDSoeISfgteX/s1600/P1020731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn2Y50llsIp9OQrkLSGe9ERKwL5wCZC-wIoZe9i04aJi3ssj9KZRzC3o0fmKH8GxqZ9PX5AEEjqbwaLOlmgklmdPZGvw8dLBFUnfhmujocxcXlDNScXHeVbD46kaWEEh_KsDSoeISfgteX/s400/P1020731.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">I am
not sure if it is a ‘getting older’ kind of thing, but as the years go by I do
find that I really like to take more time to savour the simple joys in
life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love to celebrate each season
now and the special quality that each one has.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yes, even winter!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who doesn’t enjoy
a cosy, comfy dose of cold weather once in a while?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It gives us a great excuse to curl up with a
hot, steamy drink, a fabulous book or perhaps time out for more creative pursuits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love it!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">When
I lived in the northern hemisphere I always found that the seasons seemed to ‘work’,
but living downunder means that here in New Zealand, for example, we have a
long winter with no holidays and not much to really look forward to, unless you
are of the ski bunny variety (which I am not).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So my family and I decided we should have a mid-winter Yule celebration
each year and I have to say, it is rather lovely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Maori people of New Zealand call this
time of year ‘<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matariki</b>’, which is
the Maori name for the group of stars also known as the Pleiades star cluster
or The Seven Sisters. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is considered
the Maori New Year and a special time of celebration as the darkest day passes
and the light begins to slowly return. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTQ6x2z9Ea_iQQ4zn_ijWrytDyodWDFcePdDsaJ2DdG3m6Je02KUrXHPEIwp7jgT_EMEpI0ycAQb6y3yTUJBYf967uhy-fYC-VDzMu737WcAhAxim34vXzuVCvR2I-RPv_a6Cl1x7i7tq5/s1600/matariki.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTQ6x2z9Ea_iQQ4zn_ijWrytDyodWDFcePdDsaJ2DdG3m6Je02KUrXHPEIwp7jgT_EMEpI0ycAQb6y3yTUJBYf967uhy-fYC-VDzMu737WcAhAxim34vXzuVCvR2I-RPv_a6Cl1x7i7tq5/s400/matariki.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">The winter night sky in New Zealand really is
a breath-taking sight (providing the weather is clear enough so that the stars
can actually be seen!), so hubby and I always make a point of wrapping up warm
and going outside to gaze at the night sky around this time of year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somehow just standing there staring at the
heavens makes most problems and grumbles seem so trivial.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hubby and I love it and always find that it
makes us feel peaceful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am sure the neighbours
must think we are absolutely bonkers though – the two of us sat out on our
front steps late at night, usually in our dressing gowns and slippers with woolly hats on!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">Time
to nip off back to the warmth of the fire and do ‘a Nigella’ and see if there
is any Opera cake left to go with my cup of tea!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For those of you in the southern hemisphere –
merry Matariki!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For my friends in the
north – here’s hoping you are enjoying a fabulous summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Becks xxx<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18078821937683123363noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530496285238161822.post-80043114123721503442012-06-07T01:08:00.001-07:002012-06-07T01:08:16.743-07:00A proud little English boy<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPXX1gMI7igsHqC6f_pk_fY7OB7Cb-NOY09ePX-aCaHzVfvxw1LLNALeyFCuPwjeJCiqmPxgtJFxQsCCuoapSQi6zLADekquyJL8XsuspwDS6jBEtfQhqUP6c3_BhaHqwmxTrVwqW8iucN/s1600/imagesCAFBNJ7E.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPXX1gMI7igsHqC6f_pk_fY7OB7Cb-NOY09ePX-aCaHzVfvxw1LLNALeyFCuPwjeJCiqmPxgtJFxQsCCuoapSQi6zLADekquyJL8XsuspwDS6jBEtfQhqUP6c3_BhaHqwmxTrVwqW8iucN/s1600/imagesCAFBNJ7E.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This image is taken from <a href="http://www.guinessworldrecords.com/">www.guinessworldrecords.com</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Well wasn't the Jubilee simply fabulous? My son and I absolutely loved it. In fact I was really rather surprised by how 'into it' my wee 8 year old was. But then he is very proud of the fact he was born in England (where the castles and the knights are!). Hubby (who <em>is </em>English) wasn't nearly so over the moon about all the proceedings as wee son and I. <br />
<br />
Anyway, one of my wee boys great passions in life is cooking - his favourite TV show is the Australian version of Junior Master chef. So he was determined to make something special for the jubilee - ALL BY HIMSELF he informed us. Below is his creation - a jubilee cake! He really did make it all by himself, although I did help read out some of the directions. He used blueberries and raspberries to decorate the vanilla butter cream icing, but alas they had to be frozen ones as they are not in season here now...the winter is upon us!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJA0OaM2fg2h3yC5paHnlNOYbYo8EkxYmvgu5AEHZtlPp-A4Uvl_y3Vb0g1RE40V3QzurPeurxf3UexpxHaeKU1sKJlnmn_FK2juYlBoEFnNDiHJSjn4ufRSKuDYF35Q2Jp9cqKEkxgtTA/s1600/P1020681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJA0OaM2fg2h3yC5paHnlNOYbYo8EkxYmvgu5AEHZtlPp-A4Uvl_y3Vb0g1RE40V3QzurPeurxf3UexpxHaeKU1sKJlnmn_FK2juYlBoEFnNDiHJSjn4ufRSKuDYF35Q2Jp9cqKEkxgtTA/s320/P1020681.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The great jubilee cake!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn9Q5oeb7DS9I-VhOKmJLtELgiGtBLUb0HGu8Tx7Nc0lSywwlyMZHsNJmZdXs2ZqjpQjo_H57i2n0d3jdChZaHhAHpo_xUxBGprwEiH0TT3aSd0mfpAbN2FB2VFF4CLcSVrUmn6xsBaemv/s1600/P1010394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn9Q5oeb7DS9I-VhOKmJLtELgiGtBLUb0HGu8Tx7Nc0lSywwlyMZHsNJmZdXs2ZqjpQjo_H57i2n0d3jdChZaHhAHpo_xUxBGprwEiH0TT3aSd0mfpAbN2FB2VFF4CLcSVrUmn6xsBaemv/s320/P1010394.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My wee boy dressed in his favourite knight costume for the Jubilee!<br />
<br />
<div align="left">
</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Oh how I wish we were in England now! New Zealand has had a real blast of winter weather and it sure does feel super chilly and cold in the mornings now - not to mention dark! I am dreaming of pretty flowers, warm sunshine and not having to hobble around the house in my granny slippers. I have even taken to visiting my local gardening centre on a fairly regular basis, just to get a glimpse of their pretty flowers...I couldn't resist this bouquet below. Well a girl needs treats!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi05YxnHrpSWksmruNUM46f1DP9o34LJrlKFHKx8wOPvfwS0udK0-WQQftGdWUN_7ZckRXiVs3ALRTywFtDCBV2tg6-tJoAyszbsIR0DNghFirWaasj_tMOvFMYrFVMZH_AyQ_wyWqqLSbX/s1600/P1010559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi05YxnHrpSWksmruNUM46f1DP9o34LJrlKFHKx8wOPvfwS0udK0-WQQftGdWUN_7ZckRXiVs3ALRTywFtDCBV2tg6-tJoAyszbsIR0DNghFirWaasj_tMOvFMYrFVMZH_AyQ_wyWqqLSbX/s320/P1010559.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_3y6HCM7RfPyShfjhLeN6LglpDU4j9hQm8EJ13HyQMukO5Ej0JPNxFJWAEvk2VdA1bzku5loNcW98ikx-xjOatVprxJ5ALfALccKP2JslQG7dT5Acn4XAejfviLl1O9Qej8IZJueZa8E/s1600/P1010613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_3y6HCM7RfPyShfjhLeN6LglpDU4j9hQm8EJ13HyQMukO5Ej0JPNxFJWAEvk2VdA1bzku5loNcW98ikx-xjOatVprxJ5ALfALccKP2JslQG7dT5Acn4XAejfviLl1O9Qej8IZJueZa8E/s320/P1010613.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Just to be a little more frugal, my son and I also love to visit our local botanical gardens (ah the joy of breathing in all that oxygen and freshness!). This dear little waterfall above is one of favourite views in the gardens. We love to sit nearby, dressed up in our warm woollies, sipping hot chocolate from a thermos and dreaming of summer. My Mother always tells me that 'you shouldn't wish your life away' - that we should all savour 'the moment' and I think (wise woman that she is) this is sage advice. So I shall do my best to embrace the magic of this chilly time of year.<br />
<br />
I am so behind on all my blog reading, but I cant wait to have a peek and see what everyone got up to over the Jubilee weekend - such fun! Becks xxxRebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18078821937683123363noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530496285238161822.post-13432168683326555822012-05-22T16:52:00.000-07:002012-05-22T16:52:49.958-07:00Cook book crazy!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-9AZpvt_25ac51qtgEGgPM9JWzRZ9kNRD_xjwJQxabTW4vSFhRU5GX_3i_RbpAFISE9OmjogGmFuUFcrDAdx_glyHbphsFJWDB42F_FsqQOUKMrPTSc38hFP4hVBgqG_YAcGsBsLedH5d/s1600/P1020665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-9AZpvt_25ac51qtgEGgPM9JWzRZ9kNRD_xjwJQxabTW4vSFhRU5GX_3i_RbpAFISE9OmjogGmFuUFcrDAdx_glyHbphsFJWDB42F_FsqQOUKMrPTSc38hFP4hVBgqG_YAcGsBsLedH5d/s400/P1020665.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Okay, okay, I admit, my name is Rebecca and I am a cook book addict! If my collection of fabulous cook books gets much bigger it is going to rival Nigella's! I have shelves all over my home filled with cook books. The one above is full of the 'new' books. I have collected them since I was a kid - getting them for gifts, finding them in second hand stores, school fairs...you name it! I read recipes like most people read books. <br />
<br />
And lets face it, when life gets a little bit tough its nice to have something so pleasurable to lose oneself in. I am an 'active relaxer' so time spent in my kitchen is like therapy for me! <br />
<br />
Anyhoo, here is my latest acquisition:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8mbIdHsrxwNbgfQG7Gl0vUxxJh24Nc-wI5rySPoI_N4oiU73xl7v1StozQXh_KaYtWhUfn78DeWZujWbhb0MG5f7isQ-S4jUukoeDdEyiWByvyGtl6yNkjttqN-i_w32tjgiS4TFr4dET/s1600/P1020669.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8mbIdHsrxwNbgfQG7Gl0vUxxJh24Nc-wI5rySPoI_N4oiU73xl7v1StozQXh_KaYtWhUfn78DeWZujWbhb0MG5f7isQ-S4jUukoeDdEyiWByvyGtl6yNkjttqN-i_w32tjgiS4TFr4dET/s320/P1020669.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Now I have to admit that I hunted this book down, as I had heard about this gorgeous delight called 'monkey bread' and I was desperate to make it. I found the book on Amazon in the end and low and behold, the cover photo is actually a picture of the monkey bread. I have since made it and it really is super yummy, but you really must make it for a crowd of people - least you be tempted to eat too much!<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisSDpsgO7q5so4oECKcoUP5byheLCnTE82XCuLGtvEK2rRhCqQtynOZt8aVgBT7XkYI5XBCz6R3RR_8dnWAoVLqEMePpGyjXh995NO6jefQ6k1X9mqW7b1Kzak35hFPseDeVKkCBfDUJhB/s1600/P1020671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisSDpsgO7q5so4oECKcoUP5byheLCnTE82XCuLGtvEK2rRhCqQtynOZt8aVgBT7XkYI5XBCz6R3RR_8dnWAoVLqEMePpGyjXh995NO6jefQ6k1X9mqW7b1Kzak35hFPseDeVKkCBfDUJhB/s320/P1020671.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monkey bread!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Monkey Bread Recipe</span></strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Dough:</strong><br />
<strong>2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened, plus 2 tablespoons melted</strong><br />
<strong>1 cup warm milk </strong><br />
<strong>1/2 cup warm water</strong><br />
<strong>1/4 cup granulated sugar </strong><br />
<strong>1 package instant yeast</strong><br />
<strong>3 1/4 cups of all purpose flour </strong><br />
<strong>2 teaspoons salt</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Brown Sugar Coating:</strong><br />
<strong>1 cup packed light brown sugar</strong><br />
<strong>2 teaspoons ground cinnamon</strong><br />
<strong>8 tablespoons (1 American stick) butter, melted</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Glaze:</strong><br />
<strong>1 cup powdered sugar</strong><br />
<strong>2 tablespoons milk</strong><br />
<br />
<em><strong>1. For the dough: </strong>Make sure your oven rack is in the medium position in your oven and pre-heat the oven to 200 degrees. When the oven reaches this temperature, turn it off. Lightly grease a large bowl with cooking spray (or oil on a paper towel), butter a bundt pan (ring mold cake tin) with 2 tablespoons softened butter. Set the bowl and pan aside.</em><br />
<em><strong>2. </strong>Mix the milk, water, melted butter, granulated sugar and yeast together in a bowl or large measuring cup. Stir the flour and slat together in the bowl of a mixer with a dough hook (otherwise use a normal large bowl and the dough attachments on a hand mixer etc.). With the mixer on slow, add the milk mixture, slowly! Once the dough has come together, increase the mixer speed until the dough is smooth and shiny (about 6 -7 minutes). Turn the dough out onto a floured work surface and knead to form a smooth, round ball. Place the dough in the bowl and spray with dough with cooking spray (lightly!), cover the bowl in plastic wrap and place in the warm, turned off oven until the dough has doubled in size - I just put a tea towel over mine and put it in front of the heater and it worked just as well! (about 1 hour). </em><br />
<em><strong>3. For the sugar coating: </strong>While the dough is rising, mix the brown sugar and cinnamon together in a bowl. Place the melted butter a second bowl. Set aside.</em><br />
<em><strong>4. To form the bread:</strong> Remove the dough from the bowl and pat into a rough 8 inch square. Cut the dough into 64 pieces (give or take!). Roll each piece into a ball, dip in the melted butter then the brown sugar mix, then layer the balls in the baking tin. Stagger the seams where the dough balls meet as you build the layers.</em><br />
<em><strong>5. </strong>Cover the tin with plastic wrap and place in the oven until the balls have risen 1 to 2 inches above the pan (about 50 to 70 minutes).</em><br />
<em><strong>6.</strong> Remove the pan from the oven and heat the oven to 350 degrees. Remove the plastic wrap (very important, ha ha) and bake until the top of the bread is a deep brown and caramel begins to bubble around the edges - about 30 minutes. Cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then turn out onto a platter and let cool for about 10 minutes.</em><br />
<em><strong>7. For the glaze: </strong>While the bread cools, whisk the powdered sugar and milk together in a bowl until smooth. Using a whisk, drizzle the glaze over the warm monkey bread, letting it run over the top and down the sides. Serve warm - nom nom!!</em><br />
<br />
Now I know the recipe sounds quite complicated, but if you want to impress guests or loved ones at brunch on the weekend, then this recipe is divine! We always have ours served with a bit of protein (scrambled eggs usually) and fresh fruit salad. <br />
<br />
Becks xxx<br />
<br />Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18078821937683123363noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530496285238161822.post-30529948852639815582012-05-13T19:38:00.002-07:002012-05-13T20:16:03.770-07:00C'est la vie!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN5hBwqVaFWj0Ve_TnnZbr1MaUhrYig7iTG3nMN8PaoimJMANYxpJQPya7Kse0nBR9rxKtfJhij_W0z7tCNSwSQQPtlP2HMys4QQWTO_UR_nydQokpRmK2adY6LU9PxS6R04sSig_nvBtF/s1600/P1020633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="373" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN5hBwqVaFWj0Ve_TnnZbr1MaUhrYig7iTG3nMN8PaoimJMANYxpJQPya7Kse0nBR9rxKtfJhij_W0z7tCNSwSQQPtlP2HMys4QQWTO_UR_nydQokpRmK2adY6LU9PxS6R04sSig_nvBtF/s400/P1020633.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;"><em>A gift from a dear friend, which just happens to sum up perfectly the events of late!</em></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Ah life! Just when you think things are going okay, suddenly along comes a <strong><span style="color: #990000;">bump</span></strong> in the road! We had a horrible health scare with my dear little son (age 8), but he is home from hospital now and doing much better, although I think hubby and I may have aged about 20 years during the whole event!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWyxlDtPwyhfixQEtC-tL9eLFEcJpabHm-vy6pepLGBih2owi8Wowi9skm97XV5mJdDHdsCmuyGSA_xx89-DZHNAOsf89Rcb5eqaf2ZZEJqTdJFnWWtMCtXiMM1rrMJvQmT_Dx9MK1pJRx/s1600/P1020634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWyxlDtPwyhfixQEtC-tL9eLFEcJpabHm-vy6pepLGBih2owi8Wowi9skm97XV5mJdDHdsCmuyGSA_xx89-DZHNAOsf89Rcb5eqaf2ZZEJqTdJFnWWtMCtXiMM1rrMJvQmT_Dx9MK1pJRx/s400/P1020634.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;"><em>A get well card from one of my sons best friends - I had to put it on here as this little lass is well on her way to being a creative wonder like so many of the people in the great blogs I follow. She made all the decorations herself!</em></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So it was Mother's day here in New Zealand yesterday and we had an extremely low key one. In fact we all stayed in our pyjama's all day (despite the odd visitor or two, he he!). We cuddled on the sofa, watched old movies, ate some yummy baking that friends had bought round for us (I think there may be a plot to keep me cuddly!).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHrESergNjqRLrNC5VOfjC7iV5s3hMOpHJO2c_lAXcEO_YEiab7h0Lvy4A5ENYoHotWmODN7lS34ARdNgwatI9VwDgYQWiKaFk4URSfjI0ztqdIMjyA2OHkzRGSz28jxuWzpfC3Sx2OuLv/s1600/P1020643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHrESergNjqRLrNC5VOfjC7iV5s3hMOpHJO2c_lAXcEO_YEiab7h0Lvy4A5ENYoHotWmODN7lS34ARdNgwatI9VwDgYQWiKaFk4URSfjI0ztqdIMjyA2OHkzRGSz28jxuWzpfC3Sx2OuLv/s400/P1020643.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;">My new Mother's Day tea towels!</span></em></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I just love these new tea towels, to the point where I really don't want to use them and ruin their prettiness! Maybe I can just sneak them out for special occasions.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsLrFhkIk7Yglm1zz1UxSB7ss3OwZrj9by0RNpWPWYXesHAeMCoWb8PMH_vBLjSpbx_1jCrhyxI2INiB4tIT33KZGw9ye_Ke4zDAFaHmsIyzYfNbAj34zg2Mx1O15EHkg84xDhf0KjOFpP/s1600/P1020645.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="499" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsLrFhkIk7Yglm1zz1UxSB7ss3OwZrj9by0RNpWPWYXesHAeMCoWb8PMH_vBLjSpbx_1jCrhyxI2INiB4tIT33KZGw9ye_Ke4zDAFaHmsIyzYfNbAj34zg2Mx1O15EHkg84xDhf0KjOFpP/s640/P1020645.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Does anyone else in blogland ever have trouble with pets that want to be in every photo? My mad dog Max took great delight in messing up my pretty tea towel photo shoot!!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf6YMv_esmb3HlpDz3LIew7wGaWzwPULHGb8Lqs8Tjg-1861QgFLPjYPlti3DL4GLXSq_l31XfB3f8RRoteRZanIkUehxyE2smeHJsBdS6kQqTcnyMT8KJnUa3P-DVufxSS4crZqJpHYud/s1600/P1020651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf6YMv_esmb3HlpDz3LIew7wGaWzwPULHGb8Lqs8Tjg-1861QgFLPjYPlti3DL4GLXSq_l31XfB3f8RRoteRZanIkUehxyE2smeHJsBdS6kQqTcnyMT8KJnUa3P-DVufxSS4crZqJpHYud/s200/P1020651.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy0woO0MxVATdFZvOKx5ZIcXkQTqamydPQcdkr5wd_kpTMSRB9fS0Es-bJsqR0QvIBCvp-oriRyXBJTQB-cBX6CJQDCBy0dYvDB6W4PI16r9OaERwIbRloNlYEVU4vXUC3W_6a3o7jJdC3/s1600/P1020655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy0woO0MxVATdFZvOKx5ZIcXkQTqamydPQcdkr5wd_kpTMSRB9fS0Es-bJsqR0QvIBCvp-oriRyXBJTQB-cBX6CJQDCBy0dYvDB6W4PI16r9OaERwIbRloNlYEVU4vXUC3W_6a3o7jJdC3/s200/P1020655.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPWmeVA75Cx0Dty04h3p1KcpElbqnqyaBUZMJmNrqWSPB1mW8TRsVVimvuQtvhO7Bcn4Gi9QdPQAz53QIsLVO_YEXeWrZ90GPQDi1QJFXijT95iDdu86MhDpFo85f5nJGp-9LgCM9MPpmk/s1600/P1020658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPWmeVA75Cx0Dty04h3p1KcpElbqnqyaBUZMJmNrqWSPB1mW8TRsVVimvuQtvhO7Bcn4Gi9QdPQAz53QIsLVO_YEXeWrZ90GPQDi1QJFXijT95iDdu86MhDpFo85f5nJGp-9LgCM9MPpmk/s200/P1020658.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Well I do hope all the Mothers out there have had a lovely special day. Here's wishing you all a drama free, relaxing week. Hubby and I have taken the day off work, little son is off school for awhile, while he recovers, so I am off now, back to cuddle on the sofa with the family :-) Becks xxxRebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18078821937683123363noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530496285238161822.post-18266034101670815812012-05-06T04:31:00.000-07:002012-05-06T14:36:06.287-07:00Tea Time!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig5FnOp0UMjYt5mTFe13f5w5qEFu8pxCdyfinOKTVP6oqKSr__sY5uMfKGOzVtNwxS3dvUUZ8XmQ5diDygKSNwK8QgzKW4tnM5qYUyGdbIwijI6Vfag2uD1t5ddQv8t9MZbx8anYA98xr8/s1600/53902526760208257_7PyzhPc2_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig5FnOp0UMjYt5mTFe13f5w5qEFu8pxCdyfinOKTVP6oqKSr__sY5uMfKGOzVtNwxS3dvUUZ8XmQ5diDygKSNwK8QgzKW4tnM5qYUyGdbIwijI6Vfag2uD1t5ddQv8t9MZbx8anYA98xr8/s400/53902526760208257_7PyzhPc2_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em><span style="color: purple;">I have been such a grouchy cow all weekend</span>!</em> Just very tired and very irritable. My<span style="color: #38761d;"> garden</span> is looking rather bedraggled, but I didn't have the energy to go and tend to the poor dear, so I sat outside for a bit and simply had a <span style="color: #b45f06;">cup of tea</span>. Oh the bliss of a <span style="color: #cc0000;">crisp autumn day</span>, sat outside in the <span style="color: #f1c232;">sunshine</span> with the cosy smell of woodsmoke scenting the air and the rustle of the wind in the trees. It really did help.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGUNQ6Mc2s0iosdWI6vPmBwuAV0Thk-xUzL9IR-fNCrklvoKu0R7TSJAqJqVbVkflr8U1uezjcOlBgJ9_3rUqkTuanhnJISXP3Q3m7u5bpfkfftLt6ZzJUj0WXR1Guw6piAx7TcYF39-cX/s1600/Arundel+Castle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGUNQ6Mc2s0iosdWI6vPmBwuAV0Thk-xUzL9IR-fNCrklvoKu0R7TSJAqJqVbVkflr8U1uezjcOlBgJ9_3rUqkTuanhnJISXP3Q3m7u5bpfkfftLt6ZzJUj0WXR1Guw6piAx7TcYF39-cX/s400/Arundel+Castle.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While I sat in the garden, sipping tea, my mind wandered back a few years (okay lets be honest and say <em>quite</em> a few years!) to a glorious time when I was a young university student from America on an exchange programme to England. My College was set in the magical little town of Arundel in West Sussex, which has the most gorgeous castle. My girlfriends and I (and sometimes the lads we were dating) used to take great delight in popping into the one of the fabulous tea rooms in Arundel. My friends and I are now scattered all over the world, but I bet their memories of tea in Arundel as just as wonderful as mine. I think my favourite tea rooms was 'Belinda's below...bliss!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsYtC9RdYU8oGynb0BIvtdeGV46RcdEAEx8Esl6xDq1oAfAgyZVeRzVL8BzZ9QDDgpc5OOHNRcsR0G9PxqHJtsliPh43T20_PqpQd2fllv-oQrBxz8cxCsKa_WeKc0nHL8jMlYUlui1t6t/s1600/Belindas_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsYtC9RdYU8oGynb0BIvtdeGV46RcdEAEx8Esl6xDq1oAfAgyZVeRzVL8BzZ9QDDgpc5OOHNRcsR0G9PxqHJtsliPh43T20_PqpQd2fllv-oQrBxz8cxCsKa_WeKc0nHL8jMlYUlui1t6t/s400/Belindas_03.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So finally out of my grouchy slump, I snipped a few herbs from the garden, grabbed a few tender leafs of spinach, rocket and silver beet and came inside to make scones.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I just used a plain old recipe for scones, but added bits and pieces of cheese I had left in the fridge...some creamy feta, tasty aged cheddar and a bit of provolone. I diced up sage, rosemary, spinach, silver beet and rocket and added a large handful of this to the scones. Mixed it all up, shaped it in to rough rounds and then plonked them in the oven. Honestly, they were simply Divine! We had them for dinner with hot cups of home-made tomato soup. Happy tummies!</span> <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLiC3n4R9S1JhOYt6rfT0uwYQAFTKvt-8qDI9OaU-i_Fxa5DkaPH1-Awr8aUFTcAi6lGPhO3nnhArEUHSnZMi-lBpFHEHxFQDh_WYq2fksnbmzbcZV_-38QJrj-eXoesES1vp6AbBDbiBz/s1600/P1020622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLiC3n4R9S1JhOYt6rfT0uwYQAFTKvt-8qDI9OaU-i_Fxa5DkaPH1-Awr8aUFTcAi6lGPhO3nnhArEUHSnZMi-lBpFHEHxFQDh_WYq2fksnbmzbcZV_-38QJrj-eXoesES1vp6AbBDbiBz/s320/P1020622.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have a really busy week ahead of me, but I am hoping for a few illicit moments when I can sneak out into the garden to harvest something healthy and then whip it up into something gorgeous and yummy in the kitchen. Here's wishing everyone a fab week! Becks xxx</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18078821937683123363noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530496285238161822.post-37233797872520617742012-04-28T17:39:00.001-07:002012-04-28T17:39:47.029-07:00Sunshine!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48b6Dq9KTfBdxJHRovam2q09ueoLDJjNTqa73H6p_Fe9vdfAa6dOHTCE436wSX3RCgKcoRwqnvNgzhbfsj-uOiNr62AQUD0nrvXm8MVmzPYKJOU6rCF-vWszS27G1CijthMhVa3ryQ432/s1600/apr+sunshine+award,jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48b6Dq9KTfBdxJHRovam2q09ueoLDJjNTqa73H6p_Fe9vdfAa6dOHTCE436wSX3RCgKcoRwqnvNgzhbfsj-uOiNr62AQUD0nrvXm8MVmzPYKJOU6rCF-vWszS27G1CijthMhVa3ryQ432/s320/apr+sunshine+award,jpg.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ugh, I have the nasty flu at the moment and feel rather
rotten, but I was so touched to be nominated for the <em>Sunshine Award</em> by the lovely
Lily at </span><a href="http://lily-ginghamanddaisies.blogspot.co.nz/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://lily-ginghamanddaisies.blogspot.co.nz</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
and the gorgeous Marina at </span><a href="http://evelynmayvintage.co.nz/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://evelynmayvintage.co.nz</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you so much!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">From my understanding of the rules I have to nominate 5
blogs that always brighten my day and answer a few questions about myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first part is soooo hard as there are so
many wonderful blogs that I love, but here are a special few that always
delight me:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Poppy over at </span><a href="http://poppy-lou.blogspot.co.nz/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://poppy-lou.blogspot.co.nz</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Leah over at </span><a href="http://whydidntanyonetellme.blogspot.co.nz/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://whydidntanyonetellme.blogspot.co.nz</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sue over at </span><a href="http://fivecoursegarden.blogspot.co.nz/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://fivecoursegarden.blogspot.co.nz</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Julie over at </span><a href="http://atalefromtoadstoolhouse.blogspot.co.nz/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://atalefromtoadstoolhouse.blogspot.co.nz</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cuckoo over at </span><a href="http://talesfromcuckooland.blogspot.co.nz/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://talesfromcuckooland.blogspot.co.nz</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I know a lot of bloggers are not really into the awards
scene and that is totally cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just
wanted to pass it on, as sometimes we all need a little extra sunshine in our
day!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now the questions…hmmm:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Favourite
colour:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t possibly choose!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ack!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
love white, I love sea-green and of course there is pink, ohhh and orange, pale
blue…or red, white and blue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sorry!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Favourite Animal:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>this is hard!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I would have to go with a lovely, loyal dog (preferably one slightly
more obedient than my own little mad Max),<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Favourite number:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>13!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The day my son was born </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Favourite non-alcoholic drink:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do love elderflower fizz, but really you can’t
beat a good cup of tea!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>English
breakfast is my favourite, comforting brew.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Facebook or twitter:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Facebook without a doubt – it’s such a
lovely, easy way to keep in touch with friends and family all over the globe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">What’s your passion:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My family, cooking and baking, my garden and
being out and about in nature – I go a bit dotty if I am inside too long!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Giving or receiving:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>giving – now that one was easy!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">8.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Favourite pattern:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am yet another Cath Kidston fan, so
anything vintage, dreamy, whimsical and girly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">9.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Favourite day of the week:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Saturday when the family are all together and
the weekend is laid out in front of us, full of possibilities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">10.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Favourite flower:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Peonies – especially the pale pink ones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bliss!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0tE3z3oVGJIvplCX6WktToOs_1smZtICsUR2aGnCdn9Qa5BRSb_jfXGwjoAOAu7BpMzZPPCXJ4E48Igy-FeWKnSGhkYofAS6-UdvzR3uo0W6E3GDExDT7noxbgYS3suGjJf7rhjKtqSPr/s1600/Max+at+Makara.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0tE3z3oVGJIvplCX6WktToOs_1smZtICsUR2aGnCdn9Qa5BRSb_jfXGwjoAOAu7BpMzZPPCXJ4E48Igy-FeWKnSGhkYofAS6-UdvzR3uo0W6E3GDExDT7noxbgYS3suGjJf7rhjKtqSPr/s400/Max+at+Makara.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Max the dog at Makara...much to his dismay he has to stay on the leash as he is determined to hurl himself over the edge of the cliffs chasing seagulls...silly doggy!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hubby has taken the boys off for a wild walk along the coast
at Makara as I am feeling so horrible because of this darn flu (note to self…get
a flu shot next year!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I think I
will creep back under the covers again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I have dug out a wonderful, old comforting book I adore – The Shell
Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher – so might just have a few quiet moments reading
in bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take care lovely peeps and have
a good week!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Becks xxx<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18078821937683123363noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530496285238161822.post-18043683493401393852012-04-23T22:30:00.001-07:002012-04-23T22:30:12.908-07:00Lest we forget<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBbM5O6sLZ2tzaSG64deuoGZetMqnEQXGLV_XSP9E1qPW7DrpHPfoOXdR3n863T-W8gm5iVnHvIh1tgPmpl-HR6wuuqi6ODN6y_U5PPDHF-YNXDxruOOtNhbIupUOvdn0RxySW4jD4x15A/s1600/poppy+field.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBbM5O6sLZ2tzaSG64deuoGZetMqnEQXGLV_XSP9E1qPW7DrpHPfoOXdR3n863T-W8gm5iVnHvIh1tgPmpl-HR6wuuqi6ODN6y_U5PPDHF-YNXDxruOOtNhbIupUOvdn0RxySW4jD4x15A/s400/poppy+field.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
It is <span style="color: #cc0000;">ANZAC</span> day (Australia and New Zealand Army Corp) tomorrow, the 25th of April. A day that is commemorated in Australia and New Zealand every year to remember those who died fighting for their country and to honour those brave servicemen and women who made it home again. <br />
<br />
Wars are such crazy and evil things and for many of us today, they are not a part of our daily reality, aside from the horrors that we witness on the news each night - horrors taking place far from our sweet, safe homes. <br />
<br />
My blog tends to be such a whimsical, girly thing - a little treat for me in my frantic, busy life. But I wanted to pause for a moment and just write something here, just to remember...just to say I really am thankful for the sacrifices other people made.<br />
<br />
I came across this poem by Australian Jeff Cook and thought I would share it here - it sums up things so well dont you think?<br />
<br />
<div align="left" class="head2">
<strong><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Grandpa, What Did You Do In The War?</span></strong></div>
<br />
<div align="left" class="body">
<em>I’d been mowing the lawn and pulling some weeds, and
slipped inside for a breather<br />I picked up the paper and turned on the news,
not paying attention to either<br />When my grandson came in with a look on his
face and a question that hit me full bore<br />An innocent question, no intention
to hurt, “Grandpa, what did you do in the war”?</em></div>
<em>
</em><br />
<div align="left" class="body">
<em>My skin went all creepy, I had sweat on my brow, my
mind shot back fifty years<br />To bullets that thudded and whined all around, to
terror, to nightmares, to tears<br />I was crawling through mud, I was shooting at
men, tried to kill them before they killed me<br />Men who had wives and children
at home, just like mine, just like my family.</em></div>
<em>
</em><br />
<div align="left" class="body">
<em>“What did you do in the war?” he had asked, a question
not meant to cause pain<br />But it brought back the horrors I’d left far behind
in a deep dark recess of my brain<br />I remembered the bombs being dropped from
the planes, the explosions, the screams, and the loss<br />Of a friend - or an
enemy - but a life just the same, replaced by a small wooden cross.</em></div>
<em>
</em><br />
<div align="left" class="body">
<em>The visions attacked me of tramping through jungles,
hot and stinking, with leeches and flies<br />Of orders that seemed to make no
sense at all - of distrust, of suspicions, of lies<br />I lived once again all
those terrible storms, the dysentery, fever, the snakes,<br />The blisters that
lived with me month after month, all those blunders, and costly mistakes.</em></div>
<em>
</em><br />
<div align="left" class="body">
<em>But how could I tell the boy all about that, ’Twould be
better if he didn’t know<br />It’s a part of my life that I don’t talk about from
a good half a century ago<br />So I gulped, took a breath and tried to sound calm,
and bid him to sit at my side<br />Then opened my mouth to say a few words, but
the tears welled up and I cried.</em></div>
<em>
</em><br />
<div align="left" class="body">
<em>He cuddled to me with a look of concern, and I mumbled
of feeling unwell<br />Then took hold of myself, blew hard on my nose, while I
thought of some tales I could tell<br />“What did I do in the war,” I began, then
the stories began tumbling out<br />And they flowed with such ease I felt better
again, and got over my pain and my doubt.</em></div>
<em>
</em><br />
<div align="left" class="body">
<em>I told him of how I had made many friends, how I’d
trained and had gone overseas<br />Made a joke of how seasick I’d been on the way,
almost dirtied myself when I’d sneezed<br />I told of the joy of the letters from
home, of the hand-knitted socks and the cake<br />That I got for my birthday but
three weeks too late ’cause it went somewhere else by mistake.</em></div>
<em>
</em><br />
<div align="left" class="body">
<em>We talked about mateship and what it had meant to trust
someone else with your life<br />And of when I came home to my family again, to my
kids, Mum and Dad, and my wife<br />Of the crowd on the wharf, the bands, and the
pomp, and the pride I felt in the parade<br />But I’m not ashamed that I
hood-winked the boy, a decision I’m glad that I made.</em></div>
<em>
</em><br />
<div align="left" class="body">
<em>He can grow up without seeing fear in my eyes, or know
of the terror I knew<br />For he’d not understand - and neither he should - all
those memories that hit me anew<br />But maybe some day when he’s older than now,
I will tell him what war did to me<br />But with luck he won’t ask me ever again,
about wars that never should be.</em></div>
<br />
<div align="right" class="bodyra">
Jeff Cook</div>
<br />
<div align="left" class="lasmall">
<em>Jeff Cook has written this poem as a tribute to the
fallen and the returned. For many years Jeff has recited at least one of his
poems at the ANZAC Day Commemoration Service at his home town of Minlaton in
South Australia</em>. </div>
<div align="left" class="lasmall">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="lasmall">
Take care peeps - hug the ones you love and have a peaceful and happy day. Becks xxx</div>
<div align="left" class="lasmall">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="lasmall">
<br /></div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18078821937683123363noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530496285238161822.post-5348167821181540562012-04-20T19:32:00.002-07:002012-04-20T19:37:02.868-07:00Carrot ball anyone?Its harvest time in our garden at the moment and I have had some bumper crops of salad greens, bok choy, spinach, silverbeet, cauliflower and broccoli this weekend, but oh boy what a massive FAIL with the carrots! Oh dear...I didn't realise that you cant grow carrots in a veggie box...the poor darlings need DEEP soil to grow nice and long like a proper carrot. So we have carrot balls! It sure did make us laugh.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjatI7FXZt1x0JtKP5USYHPTl-070echhiU_5LYoyIf1-mUzo5CNrJsQGNxd7Hyh1aY2Uaxk7WBm6lt8g7ORqbRUeG5dKkenS6jvHHYHGXZNMY2XzLty2LYaZJrVQbCGbadz0NiYoj0a9p7/s1600/P1020577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjatI7FXZt1x0JtKP5USYHPTl-070echhiU_5LYoyIf1-mUzo5CNrJsQGNxd7Hyh1aY2Uaxk7WBm6lt8g7ORqbRUeG5dKkenS6jvHHYHGXZNMY2XzLty2LYaZJrVQbCGbadz0NiYoj0a9p7/s400/P1020577.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
We have also managed to grow some rather lovely WEEDS - check out this clover! My son and I spent ages mesmerised by it this morning...trying desperately to find a four leaf clover.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh38gsqBK57xDGNMb0LiZLyCBd4mYgf_9d4ozQzd-FlW-Wc2abgIJHw9OhA91It7RtWi7HAFqQ_IYw-BmoUnvyS_8jJip3Z4OWTK5IvkdPzFPfkn0JRyiBvvxoDtmrihJ3snHsrayGUKBs/s1600/P1020598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh38gsqBK57xDGNMb0LiZLyCBd4mYgf_9d4ozQzd-FlW-Wc2abgIJHw9OhA91It7RtWi7HAFqQ_IYw-BmoUnvyS_8jJip3Z4OWTK5IvkdPzFPfkn0JRyiBvvxoDtmrihJ3snHsrayGUKBs/s400/P1020598.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
There are some really pretty signs of autumn in our garden now, my favourite in our garden are these gorgeous red berries:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXyK0RNse_qUmA8kN8QatNwp3NfMdxOcLBTT5ZItgV2a2d9iRgzq39RIq6t9fOsCtxgVfIAf3rL2T16WuUUTWZcwMWHprpklUC4Fh8aA7a61LR_DJNPGDPby8DZduqxLUQXrwzxL7fha8R/s1600/P1020584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXyK0RNse_qUmA8kN8QatNwp3NfMdxOcLBTT5ZItgV2a2d9iRgzq39RIq6t9fOsCtxgVfIAf3rL2T16WuUUTWZcwMWHprpklUC4Fh8aA7a61LR_DJNPGDPby8DZduqxLUQXrwzxL7fha8R/s400/P1020584.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
However, first prize for the prettiest garden in our neighbourhood must go to my next door neighbour and this simply gorgeous purple flowering shrub/bush/tree that she has in front of her cottage. I have no idea what this beauty is called, but I have a plan to bake her something yummy and pop over one day soon to ask her the name of it and if I could please take a clipping, he he!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUjgYLsApuOYxZ4QUKTfaaP8i_x5_Ue-8tTJXi_cJZHlVQJXTT6cELg4FNqrnibyfq98Iw_KHDgaAbKfZ8BBuWtW5uzcp0Qw6zG40_Ts1bASFKQSWkUB3uhc097h3TMI3tuiLAENNDM407/s1600/P1020605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUjgYLsApuOYxZ4QUKTfaaP8i_x5_Ue-8tTJXi_cJZHlVQJXTT6cELg4FNqrnibyfq98Iw_KHDgaAbKfZ8BBuWtW5uzcp0Qw6zG40_Ts1bASFKQSWkUB3uhc097h3TMI3tuiLAENNDM407/s400/P1020605.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Inspired by my morning out in our garden, I decided to use some of the freshly picked produce and make some soup for lunch. So broccoli and blue cheese soup it was. I am afraid this is not a very good photo, but I do have to admit that it sure did taste great!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8IJvjJuxYUFVKslQ2D8GUapsavDjhyphenhyphennXQoJMdENWwJnZdQAqBIuJjpV1qjCZPrY9VXTY3ITHonxPCh7OQ32BKb97Bzq6Kmnd27zd9LNxHJO0JXcgVID6YaNYEZCf5HpNWhokP7F6I43HT/s1600/P1020570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8IJvjJuxYUFVKslQ2D8GUapsavDjhyphenhyphennXQoJMdENWwJnZdQAqBIuJjpV1qjCZPrY9VXTY3ITHonxPCh7OQ32BKb97Bzq6Kmnd27zd9LNxHJO0JXcgVID6YaNYEZCf5HpNWhokP7F6I43HT/s400/P1020570.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="color: #38761d;">RECIPE FOR BROCCOLI and BLUE CHEESE SOUP</span></strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="color: #38761d;">2 heads of broccoli - chopped up into small florets</span></strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="color: #38761d;">1 large onion - diced</span></strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="color: #38761d;">2 medium potato's - peeled and diced</span></strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="color: #38761d;">1 litre of chicken stock</span></strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="color: #38761d;">1 tablespoon of olive oil</span></strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="color: #38761d;">100grams of blue cheese (I used Kikorangi from Kapiti Cheese, but any good blue cheese will do the job)</span></strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="color: #38761d;">In a large pot (with a fitted lid preferably), add the olive oil and onion and gently soften the onion (don't brown it). Next add the diced potato and the chicken stock, place the lid on the pot and leave to cook for ten minutes or until the potato is soft. Finally add the broccoli and cook in the boiling water for another ten minutes. Turn off the heat and add the chopped up blue cheese to the pot, stirring it in until it is all melted. Finally, in batches, place the soup in a blender until a smooth consistency is reached - or use a stick blender if you have one. This soup does not usually need any seasoning as the stock is quite salty and the blue cheese has quite a strong taste. Serve with crusty farm house break - yum, yum, yum!</span></strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;">Right peeps, time to go and put my feet up for a bit and relax. Hooray for the weekend! May you all have a restful and relaxing one too. Becks xxx</span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18078821937683123363noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530496285238161822.post-56270809763877095482012-04-15T21:49:00.005-07:002012-04-15T21:49:50.909-07:00School HolidaysThe Easter school holidays seem to zooming by so fast! There are still so many things I would like to do with my wee son...ack! It was his birthday a few days ago and his big request was a spiderman cake. I adore baking, but my decorating skills are still a work in progress, but I decided to be brave and give it a go - how hard could it be? Here is the finished cake:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVqS90dasuHr5PgscVfIMgZUGCtylUtB8MiJzhzR2ioThPsOJreBUPhzgN0L5l5m8nQRSpnTyUVRGAgdWQEaSzPK7VghscQvmkWgvzuReNpBaOKOSey66lU21BgWpyg5PoRP6xtOc33DrP/s1600/P1020522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVqS90dasuHr5PgscVfIMgZUGCtylUtB8MiJzhzR2ioThPsOJreBUPhzgN0L5l5m8nQRSpnTyUVRGAgdWQEaSzPK7VghscQvmkWgvzuReNpBaOKOSey66lU21BgWpyg5PoRP6xtOc33DrP/s400/P1020522.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
My trick to decorating this cake was to first rough frost the cake (I made a chocolate devils food cake) with a vanilla butter cream icing, then I applied the white royal icing, which I had rolled out (like play dough for grown-ups as my good friend Leah from <a href="http://www.whydidntanyonetellme.blogspot.com/">www.whydidntanyonetellme.blogspot.com</a> says!). Then I used a paint brush to 'paint' the cake - this way you get a much more vivid red colour without having to use much food colouring at all (I used about half a teaspoon full...if that). <br />
<br />
I had actually wanted to use a more natural colouring for the cake as I am not a fan of giving kids foods with synthetic food colouring on them. However, the powdered beets (which make quite a good red colour - I use it when I make red velvet cake) I ordered from a speciality grocery shop did not arrive in time. It was all worth it though as my son was over the moon with the cake - phew! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLG89tnLVUG8yR6U6gKUmXYYic-5VHujVZuSFNmdQeYHdHyLGQy8wryBUk05LvDkXHrifoYHv9GyHzvSj4g6B2uUo5BBPtxANCu3-8pqN3PjdsRDLapBJ2FEWJ6mq_NajcXf4oguYKzFtw/s1600/P1020396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLG89tnLVUG8yR6U6gKUmXYYic-5VHujVZuSFNmdQeYHdHyLGQy8wryBUk05LvDkXHrifoYHv9GyHzvSj4g6B2uUo5BBPtxANCu3-8pqN3PjdsRDLapBJ2FEWJ6mq_NajcXf4oguYKzFtw/s640/P1020396.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Today we had some great autumn weather (phew again!) so little son and I ventured out for a picnic by the sea. We both love this spot by the sea (above)...me for its all about watching the waves and for my son its the fabulous climbing rocks. He was certain he could see a pirate ship sailing into the harbour today ;-)<br />
<br />
We are off for more adventures now so I must dash. Have a great week peeps! Becks xxxRebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18078821937683123363noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530496285238161822.post-63295529517143554862012-04-11T00:30:00.001-07:002012-04-16T15:51:12.660-07:00Easter escape!The Easter school holidays are here - just in time too as my little fella was just dropping with exhaustion and ready for a break! The weather is very autumnal with beautiful crisp, cool days and (thankfully!) lots of sunshine. The garden has a new host of toadstools, which has delighted my young son (aged 7) who still believes that fairies and the like reside amongst them ;-)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhofG8FbAFYlLYezfTgysuQBXJrF_egVl46VjBKWZ1HAfW9wvmKva59ZkiFFSqpoSaTHYVbJLuBYqjda4g0IFCD3E79TRPvWRcFju0qBzqvABJO63NkogcwtMy1VFttudGbveH9gUMV31ic/s1600/P1020369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhofG8FbAFYlLYezfTgysuQBXJrF_egVl46VjBKWZ1HAfW9wvmKva59ZkiFFSqpoSaTHYVbJLuBYqjda4g0IFCD3E79TRPvWRcFju0qBzqvABJO63NkogcwtMy1VFttudGbveH9gUMV31ic/s640/P1020369.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
For Easter weekend we nipped over the 'hill' (really a small mountain!) to visit some dear friends who live in the wine growing region known as the Wairarapa. Its our bliss - one of those places that always puts a smile on our faces.<br />
<br />
We had lots of time amongst the friendly, furry locals...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit71cR0AgMhY6exCgSE8X4vEBPNjMNZQ9SbaL-yXU0fmapWcfL0fCyBc73LkOSPWakCtFbQCXyd07AKXrQMm0iBcrfRy3Uh4oenARt-9Rem1XQEjdIaBlPyH_WlkEAVzw4Xj0TH7D7dC7T/s1600/P1020476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit71cR0AgMhY6exCgSE8X4vEBPNjMNZQ9SbaL-yXU0fmapWcfL0fCyBc73LkOSPWakCtFbQCXyd07AKXrQMm0iBcrfRy3Uh4oenARt-9Rem1XQEjdIaBlPyH_WlkEAVzw4Xj0TH7D7dC7T/s320/P1020476.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
At the beach...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO05makgVzEGag1wocJk4-8hTWu7SwpW378gVO97tQ8l4umwXrYVXK8l7lNhU8rt5s7euKCUj7mct7mOyQZa1826Hs_cZlHoJH3aMlFBksnY4K0yN4h5gXf6bC0kAYs8qKV9w8aRq2HpRC/s1600/P1020497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO05makgVzEGag1wocJk4-8hTWu7SwpW378gVO97tQ8l4umwXrYVXK8l7lNhU8rt5s7euKCUj7mct7mOyQZa1826Hs_cZlHoJH3aMlFBksnY4K0yN4h5gXf6bC0kAYs8qKV9w8aRq2HpRC/s320/P1020497.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
And enjoying every drop of the autumn sunshine, until it faded away at the end of each day...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY-2zrjGXt_lFmZ6GatIZW38w93H8vlHLEbP6n9_6RzpO1Sbt08YfWTTIPgj2lUUV-lTePCAHvVupxNikaxEl-Zwn4x3l0kHonqKPFh71fqi5KyXcRDSu7GMGA6z-3MGKIL9Jub1-nsbed/s1600/P1020480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY-2zrjGXt_lFmZ6GatIZW38w93H8vlHLEbP6n9_6RzpO1Sbt08YfWTTIPgj2lUUV-lTePCAHvVupxNikaxEl-Zwn4x3l0kHonqKPFh71fqi5KyXcRDSu7GMGA6z-3MGKIL9Jub1-nsbed/s320/P1020480.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Luckily the Easter Bunny managed to find us, much to the delight (and relief of my wee boy)...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4r0x5I9Ky2lArKD-683Y-xCarRzYMQOuU8aXLzKmVEtTfBsDIIZKjPe0bU_H-zO4yYkpModZbQ1kzbvO3ZkI1MX8fQz5QrXv6bCaBVKxyu4LzsCtyBW3EQ1y4yTxz2J_O3b1QT9XosUIU/s1600/P1010491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4r0x5I9Ky2lArKD-683Y-xCarRzYMQOuU8aXLzKmVEtTfBsDIIZKjPe0bU_H-zO4yYkpModZbQ1kzbvO3ZkI1MX8fQz5QrXv6bCaBVKxyu4LzsCtyBW3EQ1y4yTxz2J_O3b1QT9XosUIU/s320/P1010491.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I've been away from my computer for almost a week now and have really missed all the lovely blogs I follow, so I think tonight my treat will be a cup of tea and a relaxing read of all the gorgeous blogs I enjoy. Have a great week peeps! xxx </div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18078821937683123363noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530496285238161822.post-70027286527310850352012-03-28T20:31:00.000-07:002012-03-28T20:31:12.186-07:00Baking bliss!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCYfF57ThCeuFHwXc-8aN6inWA_D5PmFy6a2JSGm5o1Tr-G-xVAKwvBL_zWww92FJwymSuxU8t0Q5YWMasyhk-jrt5aNMsv07H4N6Hks5D-7cMYv-eunCyEjK_yNk0m9NrZ8yQGL716Ik1/s1600/P1020436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCYfF57ThCeuFHwXc-8aN6inWA_D5PmFy6a2JSGm5o1Tr-G-xVAKwvBL_zWww92FJwymSuxU8t0Q5YWMasyhk-jrt5aNMsv07H4N6Hks5D-7cMYv-eunCyEjK_yNk0m9NrZ8yQGL716Ik1/s320/P1020436.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">W</span><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">hen life gets a little crazy, I love
nothing more than spending a bit of time in my kitchen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Baking (and cooking) for the people in my
life who I love is my idea of <span style="color: red;">b</span><span style="color: #7030a0;">l</span><span style="color: #00b050;">i</span><span style="color: #31849b; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;">s</span><span style="color: #943634; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 191;">s</span>!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Today it was the dogs turn for a treat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our wee cavoodle Max (half Cavalier King
Charles spaniel and half poodle!) is quite a fussy pup <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and</i> he is also prone to getting the most </span><span style="font-family: "Bernard MT Condensed","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">noxious</span><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">
gas if we feed him dog food from the supermarket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, in an effort to please the pooch and be a
bit more frugal I have started making his dog food for him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">There are quite a few good recipes on the
internet, here is mine:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">4 cups of cooked brown rice <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">500g minced pork (chicken or turkey –
I use whatever is on sale!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">4 cups of chicken stock (I use
home-made, which is low sodium, but store bought is fine)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">1 cup of breadcrumbs<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">A few herbs from the garden – today I
used finely chopped sage<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">2 eggs<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">To make, simply brown the meat in a large frying
pan (I use my wok), add the cooked rice, stock, bread crumbs, herbs and eggs
and stir until combined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Bernard MT Condensed","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ta
da!</span><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It keeps in the fridge for about 4 days, but
you can also freeze it in batches and just take it out when you need some.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie17DuQrw-r_C_jiEQdRZXgLLjeJmzAgJ9wcBlQ-qDyQ-fs7RFOXacvvHOI26ZpnlapTzCq6eRpn9WJI5auS4yRVaSA6do_9MD6G3aLh9goQN8-uJs5p_57f9df8xdJxk3DkpKb3rxGHU8/s1600/P1020428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie17DuQrw-r_C_jiEQdRZXgLLjeJmzAgJ9wcBlQ-qDyQ-fs7RFOXacvvHOI26ZpnlapTzCq6eRpn9WJI5auS4yRVaSA6do_9MD6G3aLh9goQN8-uJs5p_57f9df8xdJxk3DkpKb3rxGHU8/s320/P1020428.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvmEQZa-Cjj6w_fgMpZhv4NcXWWX26iGIoe7lKbU6ZU5ZhM4uRt0a8boKuYQNm4EEGVNlWQjmC6m7sRODRYce9nQC2jD5GfuAlhyS5Mwpuj68xoEmyUZaSVgZrLOJbur4OrkRbW3BN7glY/s1600/P1020427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvmEQZa-Cjj6w_fgMpZhv4NcXWWX26iGIoe7lKbU6ZU5ZhM4uRt0a8boKuYQNm4EEGVNlWQjmC6m7sRODRYce9nQC2jD5GfuAlhyS5Mwpuj68xoEmyUZaSVgZrLOJbur4OrkRbW3BN7glY/s320/P1020427.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Next it was time to make some yummy human
food!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is there anything more comforting
in life than baking (okay maybe <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">eating</i>
baking ha ha!)?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I am lucky enough to have a few people in my life
who have been especially kind to me this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So as a way of saying thanks to one of those dear friends who has helped
me through the stinky days this year, I made a gorgeous old fashioned <span style="color: #b45f06;">ginger
loaf</span> – perfect with a cup of tea!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
recipe is one that has been in my family for generations, but I prettied it up
a bit by placing a few cubes of crystallised ginger on top of the cake also (if
you prefer a more mild ginger taste then I would omit these as they pack quite
the flavour punch!). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"><strong>Old fashioned ginger
loaf recipe:<o:p></o:p></strong></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: 247.5pt; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">50grams of butter<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #b45f06;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: 247.5pt; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">1 tablespoon of golden syrup<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #b45f06;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: 247.5pt; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">1 egg<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #b45f06;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: 247.5pt; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">½ cup of brown sugar<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #b45f06;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: 247.5pt; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">1 cup of flour<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #b45f06;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: 247.5pt; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">1 teaspoon of baking powder<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #b45f06;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: 247.5pt; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">2 teaspoons of ginger (powdered)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #b45f06;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: 247.5pt; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">1 teaspoon of mixed spice<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #b45f06;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: 247.5pt; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">1 teaspoon of baking soda<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #b45f06;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: 247.5pt; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">¾ cup of milk<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 247.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Preheat your oven to
180 C (160 fan-bake) and line a loaf tin/baking dish with baking paper.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 247.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In a bowl (or mixer)
mix together the egg and sugar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Melt the
better and syrup together in a pot, then add this to the egg and sugar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sift in the dry ingredients except the baking
soda (I say sift, but I never sift – I just plonk them in and they are
fab).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a small cup mix the baking soda
and milk and then add this to the rest of the ingredients.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The mixture will be fairly runny – like a
cake mix.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pour this into the loaf tin
and bake for 35 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I said above, this time for a change I
scattered a few cubes of crystallised ginger over the top before I baked the
loaf, but the taste was quite strong, so I will probably omit that next time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 247.5pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Max the dog thought
this new treat was for him too…</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-language: EN-NZ; mso-no-proof: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRtJHKKtCI86dDjv5agDulAEAaMdwQv397mmxHvtyVsy_pbR5BdCW1sjyfTGiupOo78jhLxruHqBK8wpzt6ImKkn3d33bRQRt6xv9Lc14Kt6iiosxTg45Zri12MiyoB5Wap53jc_lmBJHy/s1600/P1020433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRtJHKKtCI86dDjv5agDulAEAaMdwQv397mmxHvtyVsy_pbR5BdCW1sjyfTGiupOo78jhLxruHqBK8wpzt6ImKkn3d33bRQRt6xv9Lc14Kt6iiosxTg45Zri12MiyoB5Wap53jc_lmBJHy/s320/P1020433.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfGV_q1PTLT3PHlCmoxvJO5I3waY7UvJv4oKqXrcYr2hijayCVilT6Fi9V17Y7wSrOqlmrm5QeYU5RGHtHxhxptkOPCEvsKE0lXOoZztOS-9r49V3fTwKYWB0DBUFbpz4ru4uOuRAbPXcz/s1600/P1020434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfGV_q1PTLT3PHlCmoxvJO5I3waY7UvJv4oKqXrcYr2hijayCVilT6Fi9V17Y7wSrOqlmrm5QeYU5RGHtHxhxptkOPCEvsKE0lXOoZztOS-9r49V3fTwKYWB0DBUFbpz4ru4uOuRAbPXcz/s320/P1020434.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 247.5pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">What do you mean this
isn’t for me?<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 247.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I’d better take the
darling pooch for a walk now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are
having the most gorgeous autumn weather here in Wellington (New Zealand) and I
am desperate to soak up as much sunshine as possible before it disappears for the
winter!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will just have to keep cheery
by reading all those lovely blogs by the folk in the northern hemisphere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18078821937683123363noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530496285238161822.post-46935859162071159442012-03-18T17:41:00.002-07:002012-03-18T17:43:47.179-07:00Time for reflection<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Well after what seemed like an endless wait, I finally got my test results and found out that I am 'fine' as my doctor put it. No cancer! Hooray! I want to shout it to the world, but later that same day I found out that a friend of mine who I went to high school with (and who is only 40 with two little kids) now has cancer again. She has been in remission for awhile and we all hoped she would beat it, but its back and things are not looking good at all. My heart goes out to her.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv7v2YVqSNuFvXlT6vU25nsEcQG4wlaq9r1TiUH8f-6_ksINlsKLuES_du03IQZtEdcE98biZBaR2oRaw2pAXybYTE8ZrYCDanOGW_i2hzb-790zy4Pec8AOXGmwJ_c6FsRid0MFXOPgQ5/s1600/St+Albans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv7v2YVqSNuFvXlT6vU25nsEcQG4wlaq9r1TiUH8f-6_ksINlsKLuES_du03IQZtEdcE98biZBaR2oRaw2pAXybYTE8ZrYCDanOGW_i2hzb-790zy4Pec8AOXGmwJ_c6FsRid0MFXOPgQ5/s1600/St+Albans.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
So this weekend, I felt a little subdued about celebrating my own good news. In the end hubby and I had a nice 'date' and went walking in the countryside, ending up in a little village that I have always adored. There is a church in the village (St Albans - above) where my Great Grandparents are buried and its such a lovely spot, overlooking green hills and a beautiful inlet. <br />
<br />
Over 100 years ago, my Great Grandparents left their beautiful home county of Devon in England and emigrated to New Zealand to begin a new life. Seeing the pretty spot where they are buried reminded me that life should be about the journey. I havent got time to search out the quote today, but I believe it was Tolkien who wrote that it isnt the amount of time we are given that matters, what matters is what we do with the time that we do have. <br />
<br />
And on that note, I will close here and go and spend some time with my lovely family. Have a great week gorgeous peeps! xxxRebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18078821937683123363noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530496285238161822.post-8048147982912920742012-03-09T21:37:00.000-08:002012-03-09T21:37:15.212-08:00Time to rest, relax and recharge!Well the week started off well with a trip to one of my favourite shops to spend some birthday money I still had tucked away. I treated myself to a pretty cover for my journal:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjev8OMHheeSJrf4SydVeRrUtgnEf7y7G0lMyLegIS4gitjiJrL16llOyr0tWi2u7NMfRlWCWBBfCCKrV_UUqAopC9G6AIjBEOdz8xY5CC5WE9Fc8cKWGDnB25ySZiQDR7gEws7L2Hza3lt/s1600/P1020323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjev8OMHheeSJrf4SydVeRrUtgnEf7y7G0lMyLegIS4gitjiJrL16llOyr0tWi2u7NMfRlWCWBBfCCKrV_UUqAopC9G6AIjBEOdz8xY5CC5WE9Fc8cKWGDnB25ySZiQDR7gEws7L2Hza3lt/s320/P1020323.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Alas dear little son has now passed on an annoying virus to hubby and I. The good news is now that the weekend is here it is time to rest, relax and recharge the batteries! Luckily the sun is shinning and it is one of those glorious autumnal days with a bright azure blue sky and a gentle warm wind blowing. <br />
<br />
I have been a fabulous domestic goddess type (ha ha!) and washed all the bedding and linen so it could spend the day on the line outside, getting fresh and lovely in the sunshine. While it dried hubby and I lounged on the sofa and moaned about our various ailments. It was bliss to have some time to devour my favourite magazines though!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghqI6sXXMhHmelY5AJYN_VVrc9_Qk0USEsIesXDKqhzI1Xe7yOmAFi40opUvaW_WAWaxLGLbb0Fho759kDasJKJLuNGFdd6WBbIfA-eGSSoUN0gn2faKqM-OvATbEVGHso0xmocnOMOoT0/s1600/P1020326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghqI6sXXMhHmelY5AJYN_VVrc9_Qk0USEsIesXDKqhzI1Xe7yOmAFi40opUvaW_WAWaxLGLbb0Fho759kDasJKJLuNGFdd6WBbIfA-eGSSoUN0gn2faKqM-OvATbEVGHso0xmocnOMOoT0/s320/P1020326.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
And just when I think that my little boy is becoming so grown up (I was reprimanded for kissing him goodbye at the schoolgate this week!), he surprises me with something sweet and adorable, like spending a hour or so playing 'doctors' with his wee teddies. Tucking them up in bed and nagging them to eat their green veggies (hmmm, I dont know where he has heard that before!). <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjorN3KqKl7HY9XPpUEsDq59uaaY6gYCQ4OrbIJALlaGUT6oguMbedOoTqbpgQ81o-CAGnuGrwbib7FuQ3cpsfahL7KFRu-dPWhLDxrx5LYEjloqJ_t26pNHqhDoa6vGjICEI0cPFJ7yKTs/s1600/P1020328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjorN3KqKl7HY9XPpUEsDq59uaaY6gYCQ4OrbIJALlaGUT6oguMbedOoTqbpgQ81o-CAGnuGrwbib7FuQ3cpsfahL7KFRu-dPWhLDxrx5LYEjloqJ_t26pNHqhDoa6vGjICEI0cPFJ7yKTs/s320/P1020328.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Time to dash back to the comfort of the sofa, hubby has put on an old black and white Humphrey Bogart movie to watch and made us all mugs of hot chocolate - yum yum! I think dinner tonight will simply be soup and toast (or maybe just brandy and dark chocolate, he he he).<br />
<br />
Have a happy and healthy week dear friends!Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18078821937683123363noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530496285238161822.post-3480391381220661032012-03-02T22:35:00.000-08:002012-03-02T22:35:07.104-08:00Autumn arrives...time for comfort food!Well autumn has arrived in New Zealand and today we have our first really stormy day just to give us a little taste of what we may be in store for this winter. Boo hoo! So of course my first inclination is to head into my lovely warm kitchen and start baking! Not only does an oven full of goodies warm up the house and make the place smell sweet and yummy - it tastes good too! <br />
<br />
Todays delights included pancakes for breakfast:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqwp5H_AVHcqRVryqBJ6R2OOs-3Z1AGQPBwTciV7iVdZvOj2SuHKkHIsFv1mZkAb_2d9QpTU6zxP4rtcuxYGXp80FInNbm7CkdBHXsYC_3e8LL0hbdCUbW6O8pFrkGH1WeBNdmKU7RfOEo/s1600/P1020317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqwp5H_AVHcqRVryqBJ6R2OOs-3Z1AGQPBwTciV7iVdZvOj2SuHKkHIsFv1mZkAb_2d9QpTU6zxP4rtcuxYGXp80FInNbm7CkdBHXsYC_3e8LL0hbdCUbW6O8pFrkGH1WeBNdmKU7RfOEo/s320/P1020317.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Oatmeal chocolate chip cookies for an afternoon snack (best eaten with a lovely cold mug of milk!):<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRBQiKDkvWBQw26BBWMSqLLJDkRhGmQEGDIs2zYMPPlTc4H5VBNKTcleYzymMOyW3tKDHueCd908MeFqOjJNEbWONrRKnci6etvXXREF0a7U3Ci8n0aShBnvFCrxMhpUqzhQydD3oaX6WO/s1600/P1020320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRBQiKDkvWBQw26BBWMSqLLJDkRhGmQEGDIs2zYMPPlTc4H5VBNKTcleYzymMOyW3tKDHueCd908MeFqOjJNEbWONrRKnci6etvXXREF0a7U3Ci8n0aShBnvFCrxMhpUqzhQydD3oaX6WO/s320/P1020320.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
And for dinner a yummy pie served with veggies harvested from our garden (which we had to run out and save from the gale force winds that are battering New Zealand at the moment):<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghjxOyhZo012gfgqZWJajKlxgZSzXWXb-77obzvr9ulJgbzICDXdZNmiuLjUKXEhA88aT-5bk9V820S15jrPDEafuxBlmt9V-iEcLiNanmF7zpa-3z37Zs2z2K0Huvhe6gCEJ42aCPLpbs/s1600/038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghjxOyhZo012gfgqZWJajKlxgZSzXWXb-77obzvr9ulJgbzICDXdZNmiuLjUKXEhA88aT-5bk9V820S15jrPDEafuxBlmt9V-iEcLiNanmF7zpa-3z37Zs2z2K0Huvhe6gCEJ42aCPLpbs/s320/038.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
Having lived a large portion of my life in the northern hemisphere, it feels to me like the seasons and customs in New Zealand are a bit topsy turvey. The shops here are begining to fill with pretty easter delights...but it just doesnt feel right. Easter is a spring celebration! So to those of you in the northern hemisphere, here's wishing you a lovely spring. Hopefully you will soon be seeing spring bulbs popping up and the days getting longer and brighter. <br />
<br />
As for me I am off to snuggle on the sofa with hubby, drink hot chocolate (possibly spiked with something naughty) and to watch something good on telly! Have a great week lovelies! xxxRebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18078821937683123363noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530496285238161822.post-59534525522167644172012-02-25T02:23:00.000-08:002012-02-25T02:23:55.749-08:00Lazy summer days<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7C7IfbNb_LmrLLitkJx55Z7xbkTL437DsdRq7ofmakQaC8T1az9ViiW319b54DF_jNeIwKAvSK-omDhJm8h9a1lCPnbrS-vOiQWm7oZjKmbyZwj0y_fBC4uRd16bDkynfVJsacR9MtuMk/s1600/84018_500.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7C7IfbNb_LmrLLitkJx55Z7xbkTL437DsdRq7ofmakQaC8T1az9ViiW319b54DF_jNeIwKAvSK-omDhJm8h9a1lCPnbrS-vOiQWm7oZjKmbyZwj0y_fBC4uRd16bDkynfVJsacR9MtuMk/s200/84018_500.gif" width="166" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Today was one of those blissful lazy summer days. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, I say lazy but we spent most of the morning doing chores around the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However there is something rather cathartic about cleaning and clearing away the clutter sometimes!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes…I really am the most appalling house-keeper…I can always find so many other interesting things I would rather do!<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">So apart from the busy morning, the afternoon saw all the residents of Cape Cottage just chilling out, relaxing and enjoying the sunshine!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have quite a few new freckles to show for it, oh dear.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7XQLQe5wEx7NZkdXWmfDTKgmZHrQJ-FnZhumZgp5HDDjmoRZXUFHtUyRSY6qJP7IZyV58kkmxR5s-H1WcMu4F0twOkp-fysM9blAWEmua7xuC2I4GSMuzcERLjOtEc1JiwZjfrX9gsYgQ/s1600/P1020288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7XQLQe5wEx7NZkdXWmfDTKgmZHrQJ-FnZhumZgp5HDDjmoRZXUFHtUyRSY6qJP7IZyV58kkmxR5s-H1WcMu4F0twOkp-fysM9blAWEmua7xuC2I4GSMuzcERLjOtEc1JiwZjfrX9gsYgQ/s320/P1020288.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I took my journal out to the garden with a lovely cup of iced coffee (bliss!) and a new gift book I have being eager to read.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Little son decided he too would bring a book out to the garden and have a wee drink with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has a bit of an obsession with bunny rabbits at the moment, possibly because I keep reading him the Peter Rabbit stories, but also I suspect due to the fact we have cut down on chocolate and yummy things in our house (hubby has started to affectionately call me ‘pudding’!) and my dear son knows the Easter Bunny brings chocolate!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thus we have a bit of a bunny theme going these days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg7q2pGGsO9hQ2aoENHOD3RTqFBxZsj-F-NN6kaFIpO1S0qcnMnFsNYkXP7RTlqXRIL-txNV07XRY6JaOPqNHdHnQSqmB08tQwn-kynWVUFPUpRKKoklHaInjPzv7iWCjOeAR48ZlKgRUj/s1600/P1020293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg7q2pGGsO9hQ2aoENHOD3RTqFBxZsj-F-NN6kaFIpO1S0qcnMnFsNYkXP7RTlqXRIL-txNV07XRY6JaOPqNHdHnQSqmB08tQwn-kynWVUFPUpRKKoklHaInjPzv7iWCjOeAR48ZlKgRUj/s320/P1020293.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We even managed to fill a tiny wee bowl with strawberries from the garden; I fear they are probably the last ones we will get this season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, the lettuce in the garden is coming in like crazy so we will eat like rabbits instead, ha ha!<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1m1HLilROOv1dRcsz82MOz1zUqhPQDdCT6lL9VQpyc52N8y13SoUWmBC1S9NN6XRvs8puE2wYSTHmHqj3o2MXLcVIfD9biEr9th03WcMjAan_J9kPOwaW_VTOaPEotqEKSZ5cXKv7uAjB/s1600/P1010597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1m1HLilROOv1dRcsz82MOz1zUqhPQDdCT6lL9VQpyc52N8y13SoUWmBC1S9NN6XRvs8puE2wYSTHmHqj3o2MXLcVIfD9biEr9th03WcMjAan_J9kPOwaW_VTOaPEotqEKSZ5cXKv7uAjB/s320/P1010597.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our wild flower meadow - sadly my photography doesnt do the flowers much justice!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I’ve just had a lovely lavender bath and feel so relaxed and mellow…the first time in ages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only another 2 weeks till I get my test results, but I refuse to worry anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am going to live in the moment for a bit and practice mindfulness – it really must be better than worrying all the time!<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Have a good week lovelies! xxx<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
</div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18078821937683123363noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530496285238161822.post-1360237513755350402012-02-15T02:17:00.000-08:002012-02-15T02:17:41.003-08:00LOVE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibGcAHOv5WIP17P_gOUvbHgN88LQYPNSSX84UTPBvwBqow2HsLKL2gy5frnBI5JJ-ubC862ZwOW2s4QNUfctX7JGSNyZwWI1K6WC3T4wkgMSJXOxELqp3eTdRmFuR0mTxZprgdP08hUX2E/s1600/P1020270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibGcAHOv5WIP17P_gOUvbHgN88LQYPNSSX84UTPBvwBqow2HsLKL2gy5frnBI5JJ-ubC862ZwOW2s4QNUfctX7JGSNyZwWI1K6WC3T4wkgMSJXOxELqp3eTdRmFuR0mTxZprgdP08hUX2E/s320/P1020270.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have always, and will always be, a complete romantic at heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just can’t help myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love romance and all that it encompasses!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My hubby, bless his heart, has always known this and so we have always made a big deal out of celebrating Valentine’s Day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then as fate would have it, the day we officially adopted our beloved son, was the 14<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> February.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So now Valentine’s Day is a family occasion and we celebrate it every year by doing something special.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So being mad about baking and having men folk in my home who adore my cooking, I went out and bought lovely wee heart shaped baking pans and dishes with the intention of creating something really yummy to delight them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIZufSPlR9mAk01UHH0PlKh1hPrvordmjfy9lNaTTchhLrSHWcyT6ta4kjnj0rH3zYE80L_hgJ24a7e7bNcim5z-MXTjXEM6ioqruKfDw0R1I1Vc2TpROaDDNBqnjOE2BnF-uh0CWu4Ra6/s1600/P1020271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIZufSPlR9mAk01UHH0PlKh1hPrvordmjfy9lNaTTchhLrSHWcyT6ta4kjnj0rH3zYE80L_hgJ24a7e7bNcim5z-MXTjXEM6ioqruKfDw0R1I1Vc2TpROaDDNBqnjOE2BnF-uh0CWu4Ra6/s320/P1020271.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">However, this year although we exchanged cards and gifts, hubby and I were to spend the day in the hospital while I underwent a rather unpleasant test to check for a sinister disease.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was a complete basket case the day before and did not do the baking I had wanted to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt like such a failure for letting my boys down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today I was a mess…crying, freaking out and very frightened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But at the risk of sounding super pathetic and corny, the thing that got me through was love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hubby was there throughout most of the procedure, holding my hand, making terrible jokes and telling me about good times yet to come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I had to be alone, I thought of my little boy and how blessed I am to be his Mother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remembered his darling baby years and thought of all the little things I want to share with him while he is a child and as he grows up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know for me, the meaning of life is simple – its love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s the greatest human experience that our life journey has to offer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8daQKOo_rvqe2cQr1bktEjrp6lcylfqRDBdkS83g4Ndpj-2Immh1TN2kVfU4rSblcu5kUGwgkPhcVmENvtDyd3ao85lfQICNFmZyC1KVMbg8ye7Uu1PpMWlSCJGHgeHYbacn24eBszDE7/s1600/P1020279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8daQKOo_rvqe2cQr1bktEjrp6lcylfqRDBdkS83g4Ndpj-2Immh1TN2kVfU4rSblcu5kUGwgkPhcVmENvtDyd3ao85lfQICNFmZyC1KVMbg8ye7Uu1PpMWlSCJGHgeHYbacn24eBszDE7/s320/P1020279.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Happy valentine's day dear friends! May your life be filled with love...xxxx</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18078821937683123363noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530496285238161822.post-52295982540503624392012-02-12T19:09:00.000-08:002012-02-12T23:24:24.725-08:00Island Bay Festival 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What a weekend!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The famiglia and I had an absolute blast at the Island Bay Festival.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luckily the weather was lovely and sunny, so we watched the parade, enjoyed the variety show and wandered through the markets eating very naughty (but super yummy!) things like freshly caught and cooked calamari, followed by little donuts covered in cinnamon and sugar (divine!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I think one of my favourite things was the highland pipe band – there is nothing like the sound of one coming down the street – very moving!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> My son delighted me, by telling me that the thing he loved best were the 'moving clowns' (not sure of the correct name) but they are a very vintage fairground attraction - the idea is to put a ping pong ball in their mouths so that it shoots out and lands on a certain number, which will hopefully equate to a prize! Little son won a pink bunny rabbit, which he is going to give to the the little red-head girl next door for valentines day.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I will keep this short and sweet today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am off to do some baking for my boys to celebrate valentine’s day…we always make it a special family day in our house.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwHyxq-6qlWif9Hq9XXnAVXMKvuZpyo6d4RihZelbEpHvplxMA4K7DMUjqfgGoi30pSqwjFIBDvcedbmFpDDGT9a8hBFXX0c6YxX38Z_tTF0EYIBDKWto5fYw9yTdCKKy6td5JPZwW8Khu/s1600/P1020248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwHyxq-6qlWif9Hq9XXnAVXMKvuZpyo6d4RihZelbEpHvplxMA4K7DMUjqfgGoi30pSqwjFIBDvcedbmFpDDGT9a8hBFXX0c6YxX38Z_tTF0EYIBDKWto5fYw9yTdCKKy6td5JPZwW8Khu/s320/P1020248.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDQ3qlQul0ynXiYHRpS-AR3GclCHxtFoevBKadbj1dKnwUY6OgdUpHTbSdNvsIhiARtsJXxTttUlqq9oJC4RNL020A_EOPd2cHkTXkl-cBTqlx6CNeB6SMZlkZnCE9Bh9bdVdymhQ3fLVQ/s1600/P1020251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDQ3qlQul0ynXiYHRpS-AR3GclCHxtFoevBKadbj1dKnwUY6OgdUpHTbSdNvsIhiARtsJXxTttUlqq9oJC4RNL020A_EOPd2cHkTXkl-cBTqlx6CNeB6SMZlkZnCE9Bh9bdVdymhQ3fLVQ/s320/P1020251.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8Sjh4ej7l6N0Wke4aueeD79fcEbBysoX1W1TV5CTO4rh_Eje3LBb1xJaJK7U3N8UVFqoBj2A-zfYl8LGRABXYZqcSeeFc4dFk_0nB2cXBUKGspi2n1Glk0cBC1pCeWmWxMmoQynyPiZW/s1600/P1020255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8Sjh4ej7l6N0Wke4aueeD79fcEbBysoX1W1TV5CTO4rh_Eje3LBb1xJaJK7U3N8UVFqoBj2A-zfYl8LGRABXYZqcSeeFc4dFk_0nB2cXBUKGspi2n1Glk0cBC1pCeWmWxMmoQynyPiZW/s320/P1020255.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj991RvUYfVWGu1Ruz_ziqCNP2FEPIcpkz1IA2o_wzGbzboJmFFGl_ANzJ4v_9vXAdBcSpujY8gfC0WtZgNeVUD0UDoG7keCBQzPvHC11RBpXseil-aQLngEpbSpKfdAUYdGr2KKbpeKVT8/s1600/P1020262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj991RvUYfVWGu1Ruz_ziqCNP2FEPIcpkz1IA2o_wzGbzboJmFFGl_ANzJ4v_9vXAdBcSpujY8gfC0WtZgNeVUD0UDoG7keCBQzPvHC11RBpXseil-aQLngEpbSpKfdAUYdGr2KKbpeKVT8/s320/P1020262.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The fishing boats (above) all came into the harbour in the afternoon for the "Blessing of the Boats". This is a tradition that originated in Italy, where many of the Island Bay fisherman orginally came from. The blessing is performed by the local priest in the hope that this bestows the grace of God upon the fisherman and protects them from the often wild sea. The boats are decorated in flags and bunting, and as I simply adore bunting, I had to get a snapshot of the gorgeous fishing boats. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Have a great valentine's day!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A presto! xxx</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18078821937683123363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530496285238161822.post-49277215757859681402012-02-04T20:54:00.000-08:002012-02-04T21:43:57.058-08:00A rainy summer day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEB5uT-YLLgyy_LfBhQrGJPxfC8cu5W5_coUARMuxDIsC_9e1PdWO1cOhDNUC6qBb3ZMd4cSMAtO9DHNK3HHc1Bhsu4zNF0gGW7VDvSrpgz9uMt0G6kQjBu2T8bK3yIYUrr2AEeouUCwHG/s1600/peter+rabbit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEB5uT-YLLgyy_LfBhQrGJPxfC8cu5W5_coUARMuxDIsC_9e1PdWO1cOhDNUC6qBb3ZMd4cSMAtO9DHNK3HHc1Bhsu4zNF0gGW7VDvSrpgz9uMt0G6kQjBu2T8bK3yIYUrr2AEeouUCwHG/s1600/peter+rabbit.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Well here in the land of the long white cloud (New Zealand) it is a holiday weekend to celebrate Waitangi Day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hubby and I had dreams of doing lots of gardening and getting the broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and leeks all planted (we already have lots of summer veggies in the garden). Our little son (who isnt all that keen on veggies is hoping the carrots will attract Peter Rabbit to our garden!), but alas the sunshine that was forecasted decided to have a wee holiday too!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiugmf_1XlQV6vfp8M9wCiiNFHaqtuE8dgKQ8sVckd7ACsqMbLdk8L-A_fl2q3o1fb41iLUBYq2KK8QKqlmrHfv280tVeKwTIaVl5MbTSAMszR1GnNjJnS4I-yWC0eSrGt4VsU21HcjqX1_/s1600/P1020200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiugmf_1XlQV6vfp8M9wCiiNFHaqtuE8dgKQ8sVckd7ACsqMbLdk8L-A_fl2q3o1fb41iLUBYq2KK8QKqlmrHfv280tVeKwTIaVl5MbTSAMszR1GnNjJnS4I-yWC0eSrGt4VsU21HcjqX1_/s320/P1020200.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Not to be deterred, hubby decided he would do the garden anyway and so the family spent a fun filled afternoon outside, in the rain, enjoying the garden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To be fair the temperature was very mild and the rain was that light, misty kind that just floats down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, Max the dog was not impressed that his favourite tennis ball was all soggy and wet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Poor pup!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCaV8gkmU2iGw-1ERvdL5X4JqJAF457HrS1x0Gf3vSALGzIP1-5otryAYhZPSRLVHHejshwnUr3wryUr0bRlFiWhlPwvfltI38hj9NIl4rkEUZ452Ol9yp2VQdXLoew1QVhsXbfPbbeK87/s1600/P1020211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCaV8gkmU2iGw-1ERvdL5X4JqJAF457HrS1x0Gf3vSALGzIP1-5otryAYhZPSRLVHHejshwnUr3wryUr0bRlFiWhlPwvfltI38hj9NIl4rkEUZ452Ol9yp2VQdXLoew1QVhsXbfPbbeK87/s320/P1020211.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNvyTk5vWT8LLkmWKOZPHve80tQyJrsiU3wpVdiAZgpiRL1XKMcvDsCHo-ihnUvYyl6T6ZGRt5Isv82KzuF4rgZzrlrWYqJ5tBKFHp-pqkoPQU3EPz064C-QDWx_GDoDCpKbOrfo-zCGkm/s1600/P1020203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNvyTk5vWT8LLkmWKOZPHve80tQyJrsiU3wpVdiAZgpiRL1XKMcvDsCHo-ihnUvYyl6T6ZGRt5Isv82KzuF4rgZzrlrWYqJ5tBKFHp-pqkoPQU3EPz064C-QDWx_GDoDCpKbOrfo-zCGkm/s320/P1020203.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9SjEBILlPa7nLO8Xc_sQ-I3fMD9-rl0V3eSLjo_nmZwtSbBD1ABijrR9zYxl5dq_mSzgDUqUu5scZTNEaifnhyphenhyphenyYd4eLUg88WGB6VSJ8fQ0blKsE1JRakUoOQOhAvVwCHy2w3UmQbpJKG/s1600/P1020205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9SjEBILlPa7nLO8Xc_sQ-I3fMD9-rl0V3eSLjo_nmZwtSbBD1ABijrR9zYxl5dq_mSzgDUqUu5scZTNEaifnhyphenhyphenyYd4eLUg88WGB6VSJ8fQ0blKsE1JRakUoOQOhAvVwCHy2w3UmQbpJKG/s320/P1020205.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">At least all the plants were happy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The herbs are really thriving this year, especially the sage, which is wonderful as I have discovered the yummiest addition to my cooking – crispy sage!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh my goodness you must try this if you haven’t already.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are making a roast of any kind, the easiest thing to do is to throw a handful of sage into the roasting dish about 20 minutes before it’s done, and then you just eat it with your food – talk about flavour sensation!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other way to do it is to fry it in a pan (with a tiny splash of oil) then add it to your dish – it is rather yummy crumbled over pasta, fish or even just on scrambled eggs.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm-7BDYG5xQR7cCtWyiTWa0OUuDtjwT_p8Z0y_Ibv-jeTybEBf7mvQV_4OlEHv47ajBOuSjy40f299gVbXnJ8AewhyjsTfRfaSTA8JOZ322PRLoPt8xnO_p4fkeKdU5Qm0vBMl1x-IS1D9/s1600/P1020210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm-7BDYG5xQR7cCtWyiTWa0OUuDtjwT_p8Z0y_Ibv-jeTybEBf7mvQV_4OlEHv47ajBOuSjy40f299gVbXnJ8AewhyjsTfRfaSTA8JOZ322PRLoPt8xnO_p4fkeKdU5Qm0vBMl1x-IS1D9/s320/P1020210.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Sage is quite the wonder food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is believed to have the following health benefits:<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<ul type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-NZ;">Sage contains rosmarinic acid, which acts as an anti-inflammatory within the body. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-NZ;">Sage is a powerful antioxidant, protecting cells from being damaged by oxidation and forming cancerous cells. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-NZ;">Prepare a little sage tea and use it to gargle with in order to relieve a sore throat and any mouth infections. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-NZ;">Sage can help to regulate menstruation and is good for all female gynaecological problems. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-NZ;">Clary sage is said to ease anxiety and relieve stress and depression. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-NZ;">Sage is said to help with allergies. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-NZ;">Sage is also a digestive and can aid digestion, particularly the digestion of rich, fatty foods. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-NZ;">Sage may help ease colds, coughs and excess mucous. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-NZ;">Women suffering from excessive sweating due to the menopause should try drinking sage tea several times a day. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-NZ;">To make SAGE TEA just take around 2 teaspoons of dried sage (or 1 teaspoon of fresh leaves) and place them in a 1 cup of hot water (water that has been boiled, but been allowed to cool slightly otherwise the boiling water will vaporise the essential oils of the leaves).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Allow the leaves and water mixture to steep for 10 minutes and then drink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcw7jiAUmhw_7IRpHDLY_mC1ulgiNey6spAV1Pz7_lrt83tHrvGWPFfXIqrhXFfFb8-mum9Hu5Of-JJW1-pki-7ybl0-MOWlTcx5yu1T8DsqY2n1wrbdBjw_p3w-0y0BDkX2jUyMBaDUf1/s1600/versatileblogger111%255B1%255D.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcw7jiAUmhw_7IRpHDLY_mC1ulgiNey6spAV1Pz7_lrt83tHrvGWPFfXIqrhXFfFb8-mum9Hu5Of-JJW1-pki-7ybl0-MOWlTcx5yu1T8DsqY2n1wrbdBjw_p3w-0y0BDkX2jUyMBaDUf1/s1600/versatileblogger111%255B1%255D.png" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-NZ;">I must finish up here by sending a huge big thank you to the lovely Julie over at Toadstool House <a href="http://www.atalefromtoadstoolhouse.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue;">www.atalefromtoadstoolhouse.blogspot.com</span></a> for awarding me with a versatile blogger award – what a thrill!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was so excited to be chosen so thank you so much dear friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My understanding is that I have to pass the award on to 15 new blogs that I have come across and to tell you all seven things about myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will get in touch with those bloggers I am passing the award on to and list them in my next post.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, to close, here are seven little bits of information about what makes me, me:<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-language: EN-NZ;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-NZ;">I have three people that are the centre of my universe; my husband, who really is my soul mate, my darling little son and my dear Mother, who is my best friend.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-language: EN-NZ;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-NZ;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Baking and cooking are like therapy for me – I read recipes and cookbooks like you would a regular book.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-language: EN-NZ;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-NZ;">My first two words that I ever spoke were ‘more cookies’…oh dear!<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-language: EN-NZ;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-NZ;">I love to walk – by the sea, through the woods, across the hills or even round the neighbourhood.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-language: EN-NZ;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-NZ;">I love the words ‘ancient’, ‘cottage’, ‘village’, and ’magical’ and all that they imply.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-language: EN-NZ;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-NZ;">I will miss my beloved dog Rosy (who died a few years ago) forever.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-language: EN-NZ;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-NZ;">I love to write and to lose myself imaging the next story I want to bring to life.</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -18pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-NZ;">Time to close here, but let me just add (below) this lovely quote from Charlie Chaplin that a friend shared recently on facebook...</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrYuTWzrgcONNuHsMYN82C-xBaBbU5mYYk5ZxK9lBpPBqTWtTD-oJWet0WIo_ggxmFXQjiosPutTDx4UbaldFH-RldPjVXD5osntmKo5fDD7SZ-xjXkCpQvVnyOnO0_8g96fIiGtjtRUHk/s1600/401517_322948137747890_152560524786653_927093_1640484058_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrYuTWzrgcONNuHsMYN82C-xBaBbU5mYYk5ZxK9lBpPBqTWtTD-oJWet0WIo_ggxmFXQjiosPutTDx4UbaldFH-RldPjVXD5osntmKo5fDD7SZ-xjXkCpQvVnyOnO0_8g96fIiGtjtRUHk/s1600/401517_322948137747890_152560524786653_927093_1640484058_n.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-NZ;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
</div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18078821937683123363noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530496285238161822.post-5523393633153278072012-01-30T14:01:00.000-08:002012-01-30T21:46:15.302-08:00Back to school!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZBg2PNQpdTE3IomeYJ7uP8AE0qzqbtoEF9mvOR84dvmxJ9jIm66wuhUalEob2UncS94fMAqXCHYSpuyKL4NYqefdXLUlWn4ZYorzvuFOWXMA5MtGpkxnb9G35kINnFeLmGeuyP5Z6o0p/s1600/back_to_school.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZBg2PNQpdTE3IomeYJ7uP8AE0qzqbtoEF9mvOR84dvmxJ9jIm66wuhUalEob2UncS94fMAqXCHYSpuyKL4NYqefdXLUlWn4ZYorzvuFOWXMA5MtGpkxnb9G35kINnFeLmGeuyP5Z6o0p/s320/back_to_school.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well the time has come, down here in New Zealand, for our children to head back to school (excuse me for a moment while I do the happy dance!). I know a lot of kids are very anxious about the start of the new school year, so I always think that a few home-made special treats packed in the lunch box makes the new start just a wee bit nicer! So my little son and I have been busy doing a bit of baking to fill the tins with lots of treats for the school lunch box. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP9Y_dE92ilt26kPTLM9iCcUG_Yi2NZosE41KwpIz_epHa3rnMB4R9XdaPEfDx_k6o5Q_GifIGezTIdE_w63uYwDqeVMzIMzOU_qpK70k95K75KjNLAsXRfGHUR_MKoV0X-9a4TdWqoyru/s1600/Chocolate-Chip-Cookies21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP9Y_dE92ilt26kPTLM9iCcUG_Yi2NZosE41KwpIz_epHa3rnMB4R9XdaPEfDx_k6o5Q_GifIGezTIdE_w63uYwDqeVMzIMzOU_qpK70k95K75KjNLAsXRfGHUR_MKoV0X-9a4TdWqoyru/s320/Chocolate-Chip-Cookies21.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Chocolate chip cookies are a favourite in our family. After all is there anything more comforting than a cold glass of milk and a cookie (or two!). A second favourite of the family is chocolate brownies. I think a lot of people have a special recipe for both cookies and brownies, here is my favourite brownie recipe:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><em>SUPER YUMMY MOIST AND CHEWY BROWNIES</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkClP8G0-hxyK3u6IfktQrlN6P_SSrU9B8kMl7sb0SuWY96Zj6KKS5kEt_1qo6toK8vyTtLSUqpW3J2qxd14eYn3D1sZrZDXFAMFqm7vx5dHnMrBTSQCy7kw0n-RbIsYJ7ZWJrKv5a5_OU/s1600/Chocolate-Brownies-Photos-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkClP8G0-hxyK3u6IfktQrlN6P_SSrU9B8kMl7sb0SuWY96Zj6KKS5kEt_1qo6toK8vyTtLSUqpW3J2qxd14eYn3D1sZrZDXFAMFqm7vx5dHnMrBTSQCy7kw0n-RbIsYJ7ZWJrKv5a5_OU/s320/Chocolate-Brownies-Photos-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>I like to give credit where credit is due, but sadly I do not remember where I got this recipe from. I have been using it since I was a teenager (and at the time living in New Hampshire in the USA). It may have come from the Nestle chocolate chip packet, but alas I am not sure. Either way it is rather nice!</em></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div><span style="color: #cc0000;">Ingredients: <br />
1 and 2/3 cups granulated sugar <br />
3/4 cup butter (6 ounces or 170 grams), melted <br />
2 tablespoons water <br />
2 large eggs <br />
2 teaspoons vanilla extract <br />
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour <br />
3/4 cup baking Cocoa <br />
1/2 teaspoon baking powder <br />
1/4 teaspoon salt <br />
3/4 cup chopped nuts (optional) <br />
powdered sugar for dusting (optional) <br />
<br />
Directions:<br />
<br />
1. PREHEAT oven to 350 degrees F/180 Celsius (160 for fan bake) or gas mark 4. Grease 13x9-inch baking pan. <br />
<br />
2. COMBINE sugar, butter and water in large bowl. Stir in eggs and vanilla extract. Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt in medium bowl; stir into sugar mixture. Stir in nuts. Spread into prepared baking pan. <br />
<br />
3. BAKE for 18 to 25 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out slightly sticky (if you like a drier less moist brownie just leave them in about five minutes longer). Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Cut into bars. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqQjGSpazNZG53EWn6hvD-j-ur2k5-LoxFCAGh_ICpPEkSJ4KsZnu8pYFCj6u0f4H3_iwsGZhEWi6R4QXlnhJ_vWkY8M9GecYvA8nkP1F-YvusNOg8GPrf44kpDsX7iCfPvn0FUAZlXqTz/s1600/flower_heart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqQjGSpazNZG53EWn6hvD-j-ur2k5-LoxFCAGh_ICpPEkSJ4KsZnu8pYFCj6u0f4H3_iwsGZhEWi6R4QXlnhJ_vWkY8M9GecYvA8nkP1F-YvusNOg8GPrf44kpDsX7iCfPvn0FUAZlXqTz/s320/flower_heart.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When I asked my son what his favourite part of the summer was, he told me it was 'all the beach days with Mummy, Daddy and his furry little brother, Max the dog' - oh bless! I am going to miss having my little man home with me, I may just have to pour myself a glass of milk and have a cookie or two to cheer myself up!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNbRaISUYBvGcW9qfZorII__QSdM8pM1om_HWN4WTuih38wFOGrwwndxLaNmgQ93txg6FpCttf801C5YgSp7eACbvtkFxBtu5u-cLbdoGDZZ1-5cOk1AzFDAKnsPQQTXXI0n-ys8DYydbV/s1600/P1020186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNbRaISUYBvGcW9qfZorII__QSdM8pM1om_HWN4WTuih38wFOGrwwndxLaNmgQ93txg6FpCttf801C5YgSp7eACbvtkFxBtu5u-cLbdoGDZZ1-5cOk1AzFDAKnsPQQTXXI0n-ys8DYydbV/s320/P1020186.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18078821937683123363noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530496285238161822.post-65488957900435607952012-01-22T18:46:00.000-08:002012-01-25T18:23:56.934-08:00Oh I do like to be beside the seaside...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Summer seems to be rather fical this year, here in the little land downunder (NZ not Australia). One day we have glorious sunshine and the next gale force wind, rain and chilly temperatures. I have decided that I 'musnt grumble' and have embraced this mixed bag of temperate delights instead. <br />
<br />
So on Friday while poor hubby was still labouring at work, the sun decided to shine in the gorgeous village of Island Bay, so my young son and I headed to the beach. It was just lovely! The beach is notorious for having rather chilly water, but this didnt deter any of the little children and after awhile, even my 7 year old stripped off and went diving into the azure blue water. Mum and Nanna stayed nice and dry on the hot sand! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvpFgAewy_3grFsmoWl5nMWsWnCkGVLy7ngDXCgt8eNLwW0Hi9sRnjv67Olkrqs9ezM9hCh8vccSquwHoBWeo2GGlAaUwn7rdidAkcSGQhH0XOO9YzhsqdG89bUTuyAxvffaIadbXqAcSX/s1600/800px-Island_Bay_Welcome_Sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvpFgAewy_3grFsmoWl5nMWsWnCkGVLy7ngDXCgt8eNLwW0Hi9sRnjv67Olkrqs9ezM9hCh8vccSquwHoBWeo2GGlAaUwn7rdidAkcSGQhH0XOO9YzhsqdG89bUTuyAxvffaIadbXqAcSX/s320/800px-Island_Bay_Welcome_Sign.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnv_BkL1qXDbEfOTkYkflHa7vhM0dJx01zmHPGlYXWszKXb6WXJycso7eobA9bIa7l8YLSHHaeoS76uCUDq2iZwbxy6639B94TWWaOT335dZ0ioWhiSHamTN_pRN3CpRLP30jbJln2N41p/s1600/084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnv_BkL1qXDbEfOTkYkflHa7vhM0dJx01zmHPGlYXWszKXb6WXJycso7eobA9bIa7l8YLSHHaeoS76uCUDq2iZwbxy6639B94TWWaOT335dZ0ioWhiSHamTN_pRN3CpRLP30jbJln2N41p/s320/084.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlCQAGxTq4t_7f9WHD2gI42OayJ1e-D7V31rjkS-RrTlpA2NgPI1UTxdwSvjKO_SlbQMxpqVwCkzuGLN-f9LMlKOJoN4MNwh0vKfOOsONh4Vo6-6jVZCfv_dYQheQluxQ7xa6_lhoQS_B9/s1600/098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlCQAGxTq4t_7f9WHD2gI42OayJ1e-D7V31rjkS-RrTlpA2NgPI1UTxdwSvjKO_SlbQMxpqVwCkzuGLN-f9LMlKOJoN4MNwh0vKfOOsONh4Vo6-6jVZCfv_dYQheQluxQ7xa6_lhoQS_B9/s320/098.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWjSIz3pNO00E8E_o2PxUk89sYamLzMfx-s7mZLSvs-Q24SatnYa0VCRmOEgxOya6VByDiEWTkpi-A-vfFDWP0-kLEwqIp2M23qWzmHDHjzWM-gkaFidPq8PQP6UATLM1mYcrqh0UvrZ42/s1600/105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWjSIz3pNO00E8E_o2PxUk89sYamLzMfx-s7mZLSvs-Q24SatnYa0VCRmOEgxOya6VByDiEWTkpi-A-vfFDWP0-kLEwqIp2M23qWzmHDHjzWM-gkaFidPq8PQP6UATLM1mYcrqh0UvrZ42/s320/105.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBp7PqKOXP2WPC5m5WPeT5J7aelB9MThrOf7rnKmxG14QxCVSOyuLGPs-id8_rpak_KzpW6L5hD7aAUY7vYtNtblOyMzLtnhzhSfDbBioErZtXc6qDkXuxPrQLKI60VvbmJkbK_wcGc-gq/s1600/108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBp7PqKOXP2WPC5m5WPeT5J7aelB9MThrOf7rnKmxG14QxCVSOyuLGPs-id8_rpak_KzpW6L5hD7aAUY7vYtNtblOyMzLtnhzhSfDbBioErZtXc6qDkXuxPrQLKI60VvbmJkbK_wcGc-gq/s320/108.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I know I have mentioned Island Bay in Wellington quite a bit, but it really is a gorgeous wee seaside village with the most delightful blend of families and cultures. There is a fairly large Italian community and as I child I would play with the Italian children and spend time at their homes, which I think is where my love of cooking first began. I can remember one wonderful family - the Iovine's whose home on Trent Street was always so warm and welcoming. Mrs Iovine would make the most amazing Italian dishes - she even made her own mozarella cheese at a time when it was hard to buy in New Zealand. The thing I adored about these dear people was their passion for life, their exuberance and their love of their family and friends - magnifico!<br />
<br />
This painting below is one of my favourites, from the fabulous artist Rita Angus. It is titled 'Boats, Island Bay' and I just adore its child-like depiction of the boats from this very special fishing village:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdj6LsVMv2QN5eHYGDywpFnybiiFoysKHLfO3fjqbaNxm4y8GuCHFgxAd6DBDmeHCCi4__rrYFRdtj2ppOw0hp8RvKDBD8l6yxX2M-CG0hr4qdMcaHxXLXxyjsonv7D_Jge0Nc60q4FRS5/s1600/Boats%252C+Island+Bay+by+Rita+Angus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdj6LsVMv2QN5eHYGDywpFnybiiFoysKHLfO3fjqbaNxm4y8GuCHFgxAd6DBDmeHCCi4__rrYFRdtj2ppOw0hp8RvKDBD8l6yxX2M-CG0hr4qdMcaHxXLXxyjsonv7D_Jge0Nc60q4FRS5/s320/Boats%252C+Island+Bay+by+Rita+Angus.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Alas the good weather was not to last and as luck would have it once the weekend arrived, so did the chilly weather! It was the perfect excuse to get all cosy inside and introduce my <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>7 year old son to one of my favourite childhood authors; Joyce Lankester Brisley, who wrote the magical 'Milly Molly Mandy' stories about the childhood adventures of a little girl growing up in a quintessential English village.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although Joyce Lankester Brisley had these stories published in 1925, the adventures of Milly Molly Mandy have a timelessness about them due to their simplicity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They range from tales about visiting the seaside, growing a garden or getting a lovely new bedroom (my favourite!).</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc0Uf6oSEzcsJ9PekiF50Mql9HxCc2BB7PuNXnnciV-uzyERP5iLUUAnu4JR0ILxbtNuWMIOZ8ikpiEafa0chaFmQEy9DZdr1j1UN9oOjNa-dFOndOX9BalH6ai6HYy4OvmEBoOoXZjq6y/s1600/mmm+storybook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc0Uf6oSEzcsJ9PekiF50Mql9HxCc2BB7PuNXnnciV-uzyERP5iLUUAnu4JR0ILxbtNuWMIOZ8ikpiEafa0chaFmQEy9DZdr1j1UN9oOjNa-dFOndOX9BalH6ai6HYy4OvmEBoOoXZjq6y/s1600/mmm+storybook.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjV1-vWfj_C-OfC77GRXzgg7K_axlyEM5BFtLuut_qLGxIPNoqIwxlZAFsY1L5z70eoS9fNbAM8mjovU6iXFh27r1qhPI8icqZBZWkz1woEQQxc_tBdzlDdXApGeyKMSCD5MP51-xzeCys/s1600/mmm%252C+Billy+Blunt+and+Little+friend+Susan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjV1-vWfj_C-OfC77GRXzgg7K_axlyEM5BFtLuut_qLGxIPNoqIwxlZAFsY1L5z70eoS9fNbAM8mjovU6iXFh27r1qhPI8icqZBZWkz1woEQQxc_tBdzlDdXApGeyKMSCD5MP51-xzeCys/s320/mmm%252C+Billy+Blunt+and+Little+friend+Susan.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEyLNXukZw1JixdlZnD_vvf6EOx_C7KnLobDELACki9VQs6g5F41diGknGV3ZcIp1hIOrI9eWBI3s_vZ-aFZBpitEsMyMdvK_C1r2OZ1rkJsqmTAUQdjaVs10kC1wfKC0jmvbyWQwTxS77/s1600/mmm+new+bedroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEyLNXukZw1JixdlZnD_vvf6EOx_C7KnLobDELACki9VQs6g5F41diGknGV3ZcIp1hIOrI9eWBI3s_vZ-aFZBpitEsMyMdvK_C1r2OZ1rkJsqmTAUQdjaVs10kC1wfKC0jmvbyWQwTxS77/s1600/mmm+new+bedroom.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span> Oh how I longed to grow up in an English country village like Milly Molly Mandy did! My own little corner of the world as a child was rather more suburban New Zealand with the nearest shop being miles away up a giant hill (or so it felt like at the time when I was sent on errands to buy bread or milk). The grass is always greener! It was a joy to travel back in time to my childhood and share that bliss with my lovely son, so thank you Joyce Lankester Brisley! I dont think I ever really want to grow up...<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Curlz MT";"><span style="color: #cc0000;">It’s good to be sitting still<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Curlz MT";"><span style="color: #cc0000;">And it’s good to be running wild,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Curlz MT";"><span style="color: #cc0000;">And it’s good to be by yourself alone <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Curlz MT";"><span style="color: #cc0000;">or with another child<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Curlz MT";"><span style="color: #cc0000;">And whether the child’s grown up<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Curlz MT";"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Or whether the child is small<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Curlz MT";"><span style="color: #cc0000;">So long as it really is a Child <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Curlz MT";"><span style="color: #cc0000;">It doesn’t matter at all.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">JLB<o:p></o:p></span></div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18078821937683123363noreply@blogger.com8