Just Like Martha

"Fab Food for Family and Friends"

This is the title of the new book by the talented JANELLE BLOOM, a local girl whom many know for her regular appearances on the tv show "Ready Steady Cook"....I was lucky enough today to see Janelle in action at my local Alfresco Emporium store and I can tell you what a lovely way to spend a few hours and gain ooodles of inspiration...

 
How does a 'ginger and lychee slushie' sound to start off with (amazing can't wait to try my next lot with vodka added..LOL), followed by Hoisin duck gow gees (yummo and sooo easy)...are you still with me or have you raced to make yourself a snack?? The OMG factor was her fig and macadamia glazed ham, so amazing to look at and so easy but the taste...definitely the WOW factor that one! How 'bout adding a new salad to your reportoire..why not try the Radish and Pear salad from the book and to finish off, impress your guests with Rocky Road wreaths.....its all in her latest book FAB FOOD FOR FRIENDS AND FAMILY...

The recipes we enjoyed today will be available to dowlnload on the www.alfrescoemporium.com.au website from tomorrow, be sure to go on and check them out (before you head on out to buy the book that is!!)

I was lucky enough to be standing next to a wonderful lady who turned out to be Janelle's mum...can definitely see where Janelle gets her passion for food from...she gave me a little tip...page 228 of Janelle's book "Croissant Puddings with Butterscotch Sauce"...apparently these are "to die for"...there you have it straight from 'mum's mouth'!!

Can't wait to try out the recipes in the book (neither can the girls they have been oooing and ahhing all afternoon as they flick through the pages)!

Its starting to feel a lot like Christmas.....

Anyone that knows me knows I LOVE Christmas...I love our Christmas tree and struggle every year waiting for the 'correct time' to put it up...well this year I didn't wait and yes folks it appeared in our family room a few weeks back LOL, BUT I have resisted until now to show you some pics...

First take one pretty amazing 'articifial tree' out of your roof and put it together before your hubby gets home from work and reminds you its only mid November....now the important part...'fluffling' this is where the adults spend ages making all the branches of the tree look 'perfect' before the kids finally get a look in to decorate...we enjoy collecting 'special' decorations and have a bauble for every year since the girls were born...we have long thrown out the 'tacky' decorations and we look through a box every year of the 'treasures the gilrs made at kindy' (we just don't put them on our 'perfect' tree LOL)

Yes, they are presents wrapped and 'good to go' under the tree...and yes the paper is themed every year...I can't help it alright!!!

And finally here is our beautiful Christmas tree to enjoy every night..

 

Hope its beginning to look a lot like Christmas in your little worlds....one last photo..couldn't resist...Latte our bunny is even getting into the action...

  

Shadow Shot Sunday

Sunday seems to be coming around quicker and quicker these days...our backyard is starting to bloom, we know when these agapanthus flowers 'come out to play' that summer and Christmas are just around the corner....

AND they also make some pretty cool shadows....

Be sure to stop by and visit Tracy at www.heyharriet.blogspot.com to visit the other SS shooters.

Happy Mail...all the way from Scotland!!!

Have I mentioned I LOVE Happy Mail...LOL! My blogging buddy Anne from Scotland, www.frayedattheedge.typepad.co.uk sent my a Birthday card and a lovely gift...poor Anne sent it ages ago but there has been a postal dispute...it arrived today...

Such a thoughtful gift Anne, thanks so much for thinking of me...and I LOVE, LOVE the free set of stamps that came with it....sooooo cute, they will be getting a workout for Chrissy for sure!

Off to work tomorrow but I'll try and find some time to update some more Christmas pressies...I have been busy 'creating' all day today but now its time for dinner and a glass of vino, my reward for a hard days work...LOL!
 

Some homemade Christmas presents to share

Not only have I been beavering away at lots of homemade goodness for my Christmas Market Day which is fast approaching but I have also been busy creating some special handmade gifts...we have three 'new additions' joining us at Christmas this year so I decided a little 'cuteness' was in order...

Each little owl is filled with a little stuffing, something 'to crinkle' and lots of love...cute huh!

Still on the subject of 'little people'...hopefully their slightly older siblings will love these 'Crayon activity aprons' I made using teatowels...

 
I also finished off a knitting project (does any one else start more than one knitting project and never finish them off???), my first ever 'baby bib' made with soft cotton...all ready to wrap and send to my dear friend in the UK for her new baby boy for Christmas.

That's all for today folks.....xxx

Shadow Shot Sunday

Today is the day to pop on over to Tracy at www.heyharriet.blogspot and checkout all the shadow shooters....my shadow shot today celebrates some HAPPY MAIL that arrived in my letterbox during the week.

These groovy SPOOKY Fiskars scissors arrived in my mailbox during the week, some RAK that I won over at www.scrapblogmebaby.typepad.com... thanks Ngaire I love them and they have been getting a work out..

When the shadow appeared I just knew I had to wait until today to post the pics...LOL..Happy SSS everyone!

The last of my homemade Chrissy cards

Well I have finally finished....my production line of Christmas cards is now complete...now I just have to finish writing them...take a photo of the girls to enclose in some of the cards...as well as write a 'Christmas letter'......

And these....

Bye for now xx

Norwegian Fete

As I mentioned in an earlier post I helped a friend at a local fete, it was held by the SJOMANNSKIRKEN - the Norwegian Church Abroad which just happens to be quite local....the organisation was established to "secure the moral and religious education of Scandanavian Seafarers..." today it represents a "resource centre" for all Norwegians travelling internationally....it really was a lovely way to spend a Saturday (even if I was one of the only that spoke English LOL!)

Here are a few pics taken earlier in the day with the wonderful Norwegian 'local' produce on offer...

 
I couldn't resist some of these wonderful cookies cutters, they were sold in sets of three for only $7 - bargain...I have NEVER seen a cookie this size before, might be nice to trial at my Christmas Market?? 

And finally what fete would be complete without a home-baked stall...and Norwegian yummies at that....

 
Yes, a lovely day was had by all xx

Shadow Shot Sunday

Its been a huge weekend so far, yesterday I helped out a friend all day at the Norwegian Church Abroad fete (come back tomorrow I'll post some pics) it was lots of fun but I tell you I slept well last night!

Today is Sunday so that must mean time for another Shadow Shot..don't forget to see what the other shooters are up to over at www.heyharriet.blogspot.com my shadow today is taken on our new back deck...a nice place to relax and unwind with a cuppa and the Sunday paper....ahh hope I get some time today....????

 
Happy Sunday... enjoy xx

A sneek peek....

Well I have been very busy crafting for my CHRISTMAS MARKET day..here is a sneek peek at what I have been creating 'behind the scenes'...

Almost time to start my baking...hmmm lets see...lots of Christmas treats to be made and packaged in time for my CHRSITMAS MARKET...keep checking back to see what I am up to.