Bring on the sunshine......

Another full week of cloud and drizzle...oh my..a gal just cant go anywheres fun in this weather... lol...I tells ya...this is the dry season apparently...I have to search through old pics for sunny weather.as above..last summer on the beach..ahh now doesn't all that glorious warm weather  make me smile..why yes!..my oh my...cant wait for spring...for some sun kissed rays on my pale complexion
I should read a good book...hubby says I need a Kindle...wt...nooooooo no fun electronically turning pages...:) hells no...I like the feeling of paper...the eye strain...the folding of the pages to remember where I finsihed..
You'll know when the weather decides to be perfect...Ill be back with fresh updates ..and warm smiles....have a good day!...and in the meantime...those of you sitting on glorious weather...send it this way!

Tower MIll Brisbane....

UPDATED:  Hiho to my most wonderful bloggers.....just dropping by for a quick minute...nope haven't forgotten my blog...just have been on temporary hiatus...and latey so has the weather!  but coming back..bigger and better than ever...I have places to go...things to document..and of course some more delicious recipes....So hold on a little while longer....and then...woo hooo...a brand new look!

P>S...apparently this windmill is haunted..my fav type of windmill... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Old_Windmill,_Brisbane

I did take a night time photo many years ago at this site...during a "ghost tour"and though it was dark inside no electricity..when the photos were developed...one of the windows was bright like  a light was on...now I know what your thinking...flash ect..lol...nope nahar...tried to debunk my own photo, cause I like to scientifically rule out first...mind you this was in the nineties before I owned a digital camera ...and so sorry bloggers...pic not avaliable  :(  I love the paranormal...so ya neva know...I may have some more stories to tell!! lol....

As always..click on pics to make them bigger...:)  OK fellow bloggers have a good one!! what ever that may be...its all good....

Chocolate Chip Cookies......

HI!  :)  made a batch of cookies this morning...its  been literally a few years since I made cookies!!  I cant believe it....My daughter recommended a fabulously easy recipe..so wahlah...perfection! And dare I say it...still raining here most of the  weekend!  lucky after spending years in Tasmania and way less rain down there...I am enjoying a very wet season up here. Ok here's the recipe...


INGREDIENTS:


125 grms softened butter
1/2 to 3/4 cup brown sugar I use 1/2
good splash of vanilla...extract is good....
1/2 teaspoon bicarb
1 1/2 cups of plain flour
1/2 cup of choc chips  ( I used dark)


cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy
add egg and essence of choice beat until combined
add the rest of ingredients..and beat well
roll into walnut size balls...slightly squish down with a fork
bake in 180 degree oven for approx 15 minutes..or until golden.
that's it  :)  makes 16 decent sized cookies.....

Little mouthfuls of happiness.  Hmm now what to do on another rainy day!..
Ill think of something...till next time fellow bloggers...keep smiling.....

Little pot of Jam....

Today I thought Id try my hand at making strawberry jam..and seem strawberries were selling very cheaply at 99 cents a punnet at our local market...I couldn't resist.... I so have to get a new camera!!!! argh   lol....this other device just doesn't cut it!..pic not very clear. ha ha.....I know.. I know...Im getting around to it... :)

Jam was just 1 cup organic raw sugar...3 punnets of berries...750 grams all up and  half a lemon ( juice...)
heat on the stove till boiling point then simmer on a medium heat for about 30 mins stirring every so often...pour into sterilized jars (very hot)..let cool then refrigerate.....
I made 2 jars with that amount.....should last a few weeks...mind you I think 1 cup of sugar made it very sweet...but I think to keep the jam from spoiling one must add so much!...but I don't think it will last too long around here!...I will be making a batch of scones to go with ..this week.Ill  cant wait to whip up a batch!!
And for the icecream lovers...Jam poured hot over it...oh goodness just so Divine!!
Well thats it for today...been raining again here tonnes in the great SE of Queensland..so perfect weather for toodling around in the kitchen!...........
P>S Sterilize jars by boiling for 10 minutes....so mold doesn't grow on your jam....
P>SS..just made a second batch with less sugar..turned out fine!!~

Tropical Carrot Cake.......

Hello !...weekend greetings.....
Its been so long since I made this particular cake...I don't have a recipe..just bung it all together..and hope for the best! Well a gal has to wing it sometimes!.....recipe can be tweaked for personal tastes..spices..or omit things...Its not a traditional carrot cake.. which I must do one of these days....stayed tuned for that one.  Ok on with the recipe...and need I say...measurements are appromimate ...lol...those who know me will forgive my blase...ness...lol..is that even the correct grammar?   ..life is an adventure..even in the kitchen!


2 cups  of grated  carrot
dash or 2 of  vanilla extract
cup or small packet chopped walnuts or pecans
2 eggs
5 tablespoons of sunflower oil.......or macadamia..
2  and 1/4  cups self raising flour (organic)
1 tsp bicarb
tbs mixed spice
can crushed pineapple in natural juice...unsweetened...... minus 1/4 of the juice....
1/2  cup brown sugar or to taste...
handful of sultanas  (organic) about 1/4 cup

beat eggs and sugar
add vanilla
add sunflower oil
add carrots
add can pineapple...minus 1/4 of the juice..about 5 tablespoons...
add sultanas
add nuts..
add mixed spice
add bicarb of soda...I like it when it froths  :)
then add flour...stir and put into greased tin...even if its non stick tin..still grease it well.
I used a ring tin..because it is a denser type cake and I wanted to make sure cooked thoroughly all the way through.

cook for approx  55 minutes ...on 180...if browning too quick just turn down your oven.
but check it after 40 minutes....

Ice with either cream cheese frosting or as in this case... lemon  frosting
mind you it takes several hours to cool right down.......try not to be tempted to eat it warm.
I don't use olive oil in this recipe too strong........or heaven forbid canola!! don't get me started on canola!!
that's a permanent no no!
OK readers....have a happy weekend wherever you may be....

Where Did My Pic Go?

ahhh I wrote out my post this morning for my Tropical Carrot Cake...went to put in pic..and well gee wizz...I pressed something I shouldn't have on the device..and no pics!! no pic!   Ha Ha..so that recipe is in my draft folder...will make another real soon and have images for yous!  So Ive rummaged through old pics..just to put something on this post!!  My son in law..made me this apple and blackberry pie..with hand picked blackberries..fresh from his garden..a while back...even arrived warm and with a container of custard!   thought the love heart was a lovely touch!  Those little hand painted vases came from my sis in Canada....love em!..and fresh flowers..we all love fresh flowers!...that's a hint for the men out there!....well Ill be making double sure I have imprinted pics for all my baking in future..Ill get my son to double check for me..I was using a recording device thingy that takes pics that belongs to him.....I must of pressed the wrong button!!..... not to worry..flowers and apple pie are delightful to look at!..Bye for now ..and keep happy!

QUICHE.....

well hello again!  :)

That was quick of me!..... Baked the quiche for yesterdays dinner...cheesecake for desert....scrummy!

The Masel vegetarian chicken stock powder I have shown is the only flavouring I advice..If you use anything else I cant be held accountable for the taste of your quiche!! lol..ha ha..which is the salt reduced one. I use it for all home made gravies pasta dishes  ect...love it!

That being said here is the recipe...

Sheet of frozen shortcrust pastry..OR home made ..I do both

5 free range eggs

300mls of LITE cooking cream  I use BULLA  not full fat...its too rich and overpowering that way

Packet bacon..free range if possible....

small onion

Parmesan cheese (extra sharp)

TBS Massell chicken  stock powder

chilli or cayenne peper to taste..Im a fan!

Large handful baby spinich

fresh chopped spring onions (the long green stem thingies) and a tomato!

Line your greased pie dish with pastry....

cook the bacon and onion...

beat the eggs..by hand..

add lite cream......mix just till comes together

add the bacon and onion and stock powder and cayenne or chilli

toss in BABY spinich and spring onions..put sliced tomato and sprinkling of parmesan cheese on top!

pour into dish..and bake at about 200 moderatly hot oven... till its cooked...hmm ya know I didnt check how long that took..lolo..till its firm anyways And take it our of oven and let stand for a good 20 minutes....

Ok thats it...with salad and chips..well need I say more!! as I say click mouse on pic to make it bigger!

I will be back this week with more...so stayed tune......

and ITS ALL GOOD!!