warm bread and a little book love....

 My bread making skills are growing each time I make a loaf,

I know I still have a lot to learn, but now the bread I am turning out of the tin is so much better than my first efforts.  This loaf was made using my Kitchen Aid, with no hand kneading at all. 

The only problem with home baked bread that I can see is that it just doesn't last very long....

because every slice is devoured and enjoyed :)

  I finally gave in and ordered a copy of

down to earth

by Rhonda Hetzel

and it arrived TODAY - yay!

 Guess where my head will be buried for the next little while ;)

all I can say is LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!!!!

I'm off to read my new book

have a happy day

~ Gillian ♥

a little kitchen love....

Last week I was given a big bag full of Chokos, we have been enjoying eating them but as we had plenty I decided I would make some Choko pickles.

I found this easy and really simple recipe Here. 

So cut up the Chokos and Onions last night and soaked them as per the recipe. 

This morning I got to work at making a batch.  It was so easy and really fun, I haven't made pickles for several years and had almost forgotten to sense of pride filling those little bottles gives you.  Preserving food is such a simple and worthwhile process, when you have your own veg garden or are given some from a friend's garden.  I know my friend who gave me the chokos will be pleased to receive a couple of bottles of  choko pickles in return for sharing her lovely garden produce...

This recipe made 12 & a half 200ml bottles of Delicious Pickles.... I might try the same recipe when our cauliflowers are ready to be picked.

have a happy day

~ Gillian ♥

My Nanna's Date & Walnut Loaf....

I wanted to share a little recipe with you today.

If you are a regular reader of my blog

you may remember My dear Nanna

passed away in November.

This afternoon I baked her

Date & Walnut Loaf

using two of her nutloaf tins.

As a child I spent a lot of time baking with her

so it felt so good to bake this recipe today

the smells of it baking and the taste of it again

warmed my heart xxx

................................................

I'd love to share the recipe with you

it's very easy and so yummy!

Nanna's Date & Walnut Loaf

Place in a bowl

1 1/2 cups chopped dates

1/2 cup walnuts (or other nuts)

1 cup sugar

1 teaspoon bi-carb soda

1 tablespoon butter

Pour Over

1 cup of boiling water

Mix Well

then Add

1 Cup Self Raising Flour

1 Cup Plain Flour

1 egg, lightly beaten

1/2 teaspoon salt

Mix only until well blended.

Place in 2 greased nutloaf tins, Place lids on

Stand Upright on bottom shelf in oven

Bake for 50mins in Mod oven.

Eat while warm and serve with butter - yum!!!

If you don't have nutloaf tins with lids,

You can use a normal breadmaking loaf tin,

but the proper nutloaf tins make it taste just like my Nanna's :)

~ Gillian ♥

Making progress.....

I am indeed making progress on this striped cushion

It is a slow project but very enjoyable and rewarding.

All Double Crochet (uk/aust)

and beautiful crepe wool.

The front is now complete and I am working on the back which will be in two pieces which overlap and close with buttons & buttonholes -another first time technique for me

The children went back to school this morning after two weeks of school holidays so I thought I'd bake them a treat for their afternoon tea this afternoon

This is a new favourite of theirs

Muffin Carrot Cakes

recipe courtesy of The Australian Women's Weekly kids cooking book

I think they like the Cream Cheese Frosting the best ;)
Also this week

I decided I needed a couple of covered coat hangers for my wardrobe

and wondered if I could possibly make them myself

well I found a pattern and whipped these up plus 2 more.

It's been a great couple of weeks in our home

The kids as I mentioned have just had two weeks school holidays,
Andrew had three weeks of Annual leave,
we built another vegie garden,
had a couple of day trips, dined out a few times,
had my parents come and stay for a weekend,

And I celebrated my 40th birthday and it didn't hurt a bit! :)


Have a Blessed week everyone ♥