18/52

'A portrait of Millie, once a week, every week, in 2014'

Millie: My little baking assistant, stirring, whisking, pouring, scooping, tasting. Loving these moments! Making a batch of Blueberry Muffins for the freezer.

{joining in with Jodi's 52 project }

Happy days to you!

Melinda xx

BrisStyle {featured in}

A little thank-you!

If you're a Brisbane local, chances are you would have heard of BrisStyle. BrisStyle is a fabulous collective of artists and crafters who have made it their mission to spread the handmade love to the masses.  The BrisStyle team recently put together this great little full colour booklet which featured one of my recipes. I was so honoured and can't thank them enough.

Apart from producing this great little booklet, BrisStyle also hosts lots of crafty events in the Brisbane area, including markets and creative workshops.  These are my pick of the bunch.....

• BrisStyle Indie Markets, May 10, Brisbane City Hall
• 2014 Etsy Craft Party, June 6, BrisStyle HQ
• Heart to Heart with Steph from 'this brown wren', June 21, Brisbane Square Library

If you would like to be kept up to date with all things 'BrisStyle' you can visit their website or blog, or follow them on instagram @brisstyle.

Happy creative days to you!

Melinda xx

Lovin' the little things.....

1. A 'Nana Made' crochet daisy chain for Millie's 'big girl' room. She used the pattern kindly provided by the lovely Sophie over on the 'Her Library Adventures' blog. I've seen so many beautiful crochet projects of late, I really need to find the time to teach myself. A new goal perhaps?
2. Beautiful roses at Sunday lunch.
3. Belated Easter treats. Homemade Marshmallows and White Chocolate Rocky Road.
4. & 5. A new to me thrifted cardigan. One of my Mum's lucky finds.
6. My little brother made homemade Turkish Delight. He's a mega talent in the kitchen and whipped up a Middle Eastern feast for the whole family today.

I hope your weekend has been a lovely one.

Happy days to you!

Melinda x

Lately.....

Writing.....I wrote a few words about being a working Mum for the lovely Trishie over on the 'Under Lock and Key' blog. I really enjoyed writing this little piece and hope you enjoy reading it.

Loving.....these 'handcrafted bali dolls' from Pigeon Pudding. These were an Instagram discovery and now a certain little someone is getting one for her 2nd birthday. I love supporting 'handmade', 'fairtrade' and 'small businesses'.  These dolls are handmade in Bali by the Yayasan Kasih Peduli Anak (YKPA) foundation. YKPA is a not for profit organisation and registered orphanage which provides much needed care, shelter and education to neglected and abused Bali street kids.

Eating.....I've been pinning lots of dinnertime ideas over on Pinterest. Our evening meals were becoming somewhat predictable and I was desperate to try some new recipes. The yummiest dish so far has been this 'Easy Sweet and Sour Chicken'. You should try it!

Buying.....I managed to buy myself one of the last few copies of issue 1 of 'Hundreds and Thousands' magazine. I can't wait for the postman to deliver it. Handmade at its best!

Anticipating.....the new homewares collection by Beci Orpin. arrohome.com.
 
Growing.....lots of lovely lemons. I love their imperfections, they say 'homegrown' and make them seem more 'real'.

Sending.....my very first pen pal package. Hopefully the first of many more lovely exchanges. I'll post some photos of my parcel next week.

Baking.....Millie and I made this 'Banana Cake with Greek Yoghurt Frosting' today. I'm loving our little joint baking adventures.

What have you been writing, loving, eating, buying, anticipating, growing, sending or baking lately?

Happy days to you!

Melinda x

Lovin' the little things.....

1. Homemade marshmallows. I've been making these marshmallows for years using my Grandma's recipe. They are my Dad's favourite. I posted the recipe over here some time ago if you'd like to give them a go.
2. Sponge painting.
3. Rock painting. Millie was somewhat confused by this activity at first. Painting rocks. Say what??!!
4. Homegrown tomatoes. The tag said 'cherry tomatoes', somehow I don't think they are.
5. Millie and I made Anzac biscuits on Anzac day. It seemed only fitting.

{Linking up with Em from The Beetle Shack}.

Happy days to you!

Melinda x

15/52

'A portrait of Millie, once a week, every week, in 2014'

Millie: a very rare photo of the two of us enjoying our first joint cooking adventure. Banana pikelets! I can see many more of these adventures happening in our future.

{joining in with Jodi's 52 project }

Happy days to you!

Melinda x

Pinboard: Delicious Eats

Top Left: from here. Bottom Left: from here. Bottom Middle: from here. Bottom Right: from here. Top Right: from here. Middle Right: from here.

My recipe book is in desperate need of a clear out, as well as the addition of some tasty new recipes.  Out with the old and in with the new! I've been collecting lots of new recipes to try over on Pinterest, including: Wild Berry Tart, Cardamon Roasted Plum Ice Cream, Rhubarb Crumble Cake (recipe needs translation), Smoky Beetroot Hommus, Banana Bread with Greek Yoghurt Frosting and Firecracker Ice Pops.

Have you been cooking/baking anything delicious lately? I'd love to know.

Happy days to you!

Melinda x

Lovin' the little things.....

1. A homemade valentine.
2. White Chocolate Blondies. Dry and a tad burnt but he still loved them (so he said!).
3. In the afternoon sun.
4. Baby legs.....one of my favourite things.
5. Everyone who has visited us in the last week has left with a bag of limes and a bunch of roses. A petal or two made it into the lime bags too (a little something from Millie).
6. Vanilla & Sour Cherry Cake. My contribution to Friday nights dessert night with the ladies.
7. Our rose bush is out of control (in a really good way).
8. Picking flowers.
9. Homegrown lettuce.

I hope your week has been a lovely one dear friends. Thank you for following my collection of stills each Sunday.

{Linking up with Em from The Beetle Shack}.

Happy days to you!

Melinda x

Vanilla & Sour Cherry Cake {gluten & lactose free}

I was in the mood for baking on the weekend so I decided to make this Vanilla & Sour Cherry Cake to take to my Mum and Dad's for afternoon tea. The recipe I had wasn't gluten and lactose free so I made a few substitutions and hoped for the best. I haven't had much luck converting regular cake recipes to gluten free in the past so I was delighted when this one worked out. It's really delicious, not too sweet and the perfect accompaniment to your afternoon cup of tea. The cherries could also be easily substituted for raspberries, blueberries, peaches etc. depending on what you have available in your pantry.

Ingredients:

125g nuttelex spread
1/2 cup caster sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups gluten free S.R flour, sifted (I use orgran)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup lactose free milk (such as Zymil) or soy milk
1 cup morello sour cherries, pitted and drained
Icing sugar, to serve
Greek yoghurt, to serve (omit if you can't eat dairy)
 
Method:

1. Preheat oven to 180c. Grease and line a 20 x 20cm slice tray with baking paper.
2. Place nuttelex, sugar and vanilla in a bowl and beat, using an electric mixer, for 5 minutes or until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.
3. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
4. Stir in half of the flour and baking powder with half of the milk. Add the remaining flour, baking powder and milk. Stir until well combined.
4. Spread mixture into prepared tray and scatter cherries on top. Bake for 30-40 minutes, until slightly golden and a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean.
5. Once cool, dust with icing sugar and cut into squares. Serve with a dollop of greek yoghurt.

Have you made anything yummy lately? I'm always looking for new recipes/ideas to try so feel free to share.

Happy days to you!

Melinda x

Lovin' the little things.....

1. I've got some great pieces of vintage fabric that I would love to use to make myself some clothes (that's one of my fourteen fabulous fun goals for 2014). I've been sorting through Mum's old patterns for inspiration.
2. Thrifted skirt love. $5. Thanks Mum!
3. Blackboard art.
4. Her face when she spotted these little capsicums in our patch was priceless. Amazement! Wonder! Excitement!
5. Baby legs of the cutest kind.
6. A selection of our art from the week. Collage, watercolours and a caterpillar we made at storytime at the library.
7. I'm working on two more dachshund softies. One for a lovely blog friend and one to stock up the gift cupboard.
8. Making savoury muffins for the wee one. Perfect for the freezer. Perfect for a quick snack.

I hope your week has been a lovely one. The weather has been ever so pleasant here this week, following a sweltering few days the week before.  If you're in the midst of a heat wave in your part of the world, stay cool friends!

{Linking up with Em from The Beetle Shack}.

Happy days to you!

 

Melinda x

Lovin' the little things.....

1. 2014 is looking grand!

2. Christmas Day 2013. We took this photo on Christmas Day 2012. Oh my, how she's grown!

3. Christmas gifts for imaginative play.

4. Summer reading.

5. Gingerbread baking.

6. At her blackboard. A Christmas gift from her Nana & Grandad.

7. Happy mail from the lovely Ashley over at Piper & Poppies. I'm so grateful for the beautiful people I've met through this blog.

 

I hope your days, post Christmas, have been slow and fancy free. It's beyond hot here today so we're doing all we can to keep cool. I'm almost tempted to buy a swimswuit.....the first one I've owned in over nine years!!!

  

{Linking up with Em from The Beetle Shack}.

 

 Happy days to you!

 

Melinda x

Roasted Pistachio & Cranberry Christmas Bark

This would have to be one of the quickest and easiest festive treats to make.  I make it every year and keep it in the fridge for any last minute gift giving. It's super yummy and very easy to adapt to different peoples' tastes.


Ingredients:

400g milk chocolate melts
100g white chocolate melts
85g pistachios, unsalted, shelled and roasted
85g dried cranberries


Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 180c and line a rectangular baking tray with baking paper.
2. Place the pistachios into a zip lock bag and use a heavy wooden rolling pin to break them into small chunks. Place the pistachios onto an unlined baking tray and roast in the oven for 3-4 minutes. They will burn quickly so make sure you watch them carefully as oven temperatures and times may vary.
3. Place the milk chocolate melts into a ceramic bowl and microwave on high for 1 minute. Remove from the microwave and stir. Microwave for a further 40 seconds and then remove and stir until all of the chocolate has melted.
4. Place the white chocolate melts into a ceramic bowl and microwave on high for 40 seconds. Remove from microwave and stir. Microwave for a further 30 seconds and then remove and stir until all of the chocolate has melted.
5. Pour the milk chocolate onto the tray lined with baking paper. Use a palette knife to spread the chocolate out until it is approximately 4mm thick. Pour the white chocolate over the milk chocolate in a pattern of your choice. I poured it in rows and then used a cake skewer to create a pattern.
6. Sprinkle the pistachios and cranberries evenly over the top of the chocolate.
7. Place in the refrigerator to set. Once set, break into pieces.

Like I mentioned earlier this recipe is really easy to adapt to different peoples' tastes. I made a few different variations. I sprinkled one with crushed honeycomb (this one is perfect for Christmas as it looks like gold dust) and I sprinkled the other with crushed oreo biscuits. You can basically use whatever you like on top: almonds, sultanas, toasted coconut, smarties, mini marshmallows, the possibilities are endless.

I hope all of your festive preparations are coming along nicely. Have you been baking any special treats? I'd love to know. Feel free to leave me a comment if you've shared a yummy festive recipe on your blog too.

Happy days to you!

Melinda x

Treacle Gingerbread {gluten & dairy free}

Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without a batch or two of these Treacle Gingerbread. I make them every year and believe me you won't know that they are gluten and dairy free. They are truly delicious and truly festive!
 
Ingredients {biscuits}
 
100g nuttelex
1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1/2 cup treacle
1/2 cup golden syrup
2 eggs, lightly whisked
4 cups orgran gluten free plain flour
1 cup orgran self raising flour
1 tbs ground ginger
1 tbs ground cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp ground cloves
1 tsp bicarbonate soda
 
Ingredients {icing}
 
2 egg whites
2 2/3 cup gluten free pure icing sugar
1 tsp fresh lemon juice
 
 
Method {biscuits}:

1. Place the butter, brown sugar, treacle and golden syrup in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir mixture until the butter melts and the sugar dissolves. Set aside for 10 minutes to cool slightly.
2. Combine the butter mixture and eggs in a large bowl. Sift the combined flours, ginger, cinnamon, cloves and bicarbonate soda over the butter mixture. Stir until well combined. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead until smooth. Shape into a flattened ball, cover with cling wrap and place in the fridge for 1 hour to rest.
3. Preheat oven to 180c. Line 2 baking trays with non-stick baking paper. Divide the dough into 2 even portions. Roll out 1 portion on a lightly floured surface until 5mm thick. Use a cutter of your choice to cut shapes from the dough. Place on the lined trays. Bake for 5 minutes or until golden. Set aside on the trays for 5 minutes to cool before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Repeat until all of the dough is gone.

 
Method {icing}:

1. Place the egg whites in a mixing bowl. Use an electric mixer to beat the egg whites until foamy. Sift icing sugar over the egg whites and stir until smooth. Add lemon juice and stir until well combined. Use a piping bag and nozzle of your choice to apply the icing to the biscuits to decorate. Set aside for 1 hour to set. Serve and enjoy (you can enjoy more than 1, it's Christmas after all). Alternatively, a light dusting of icing sugar looks great too.

One batch of dough makes approximately 40 biscuits. I often make them a few weeks before Christmas and then freeze them until I need them. If you are going to freeze them, freezing them un-iced works best.

I hope you enjoy this recipe, it's a really good one if you have friends or family that follow a gluten or dairy free diet.

Happy days to you!

Melinda x

Pinboard: Festive Baking

Top Left: from here. Bottom Left: from here. Bottom Middle: from here. Bottom Right: from here. Top Right: from here.  Middle Right: from here.

I *may* have mentioned it a few times before but Christmas is by far my favourite time of the year. One thing that I always look forward to is the baking. Indulging in rocky road and gingerbread biscuits is all a part of the festive fun. Every year I bake sweet treats to package up and give as gifts to my loved ones. White Chocolate Rocky Road, Gingerbread Biscuits and Roasted Pistachio and Cranberry Chocolate Bark always make an appearance but this year I've been collecting a few alternative ideas over on Pinterest.

1. Snowflake shaped gingerbreads. I usually always dust my gingerbread biscuits with icing sugar but I might attempt some royal icing this year. I love the snowflake shape too.
2. Mini strawberry galettes. These look so festive and would be easy to carry to a family get together. No assembly required. You could use sour cherries as an alternative to the strawberries.
3. Gingerbread house. I've always admired the beautiful houses/villages made of gingerbread but I never quite had the courage to make one myself.  On Saturday night my friend hosted a 'lets get excited about Christmas' party and we all made a gingerbread house to take home. It was the best fun and I can't wait to do it again next year. If you would like to see my first attempt pop over and follow my instagram feed @mooseandbird.
4. White chocolate dipped cherries. Yum! One of my Mum's favourite things is chocolate dipped strawberries. Cherries would make a nice alternative for Christmas.
5. Linzer sandwich biscuits. I love the little tree that has been cut out of these.
6. Christmas cake. I love the simplicity of this cake. Thick fluffy frosting and some simple silver trees. Perfection!

What do you traditionally bake at Christmas time? I'd love to know.

I hope your week has been delightful so far.

Happy days to you!

Melinda x

Mixed Berry Smoothie

So...I think I've mentioned here a few times before that I'm going through a bit of a smoothie lovin' phase at the moment. Why do I love them? They're fruity and filling, refreshing and healthy and so so easy to make. Blueberry, mixed berry, mango, banana, raspberry, I really don't mind.

On the weekend I made a really yummy mixed berry smoothie which I thought you might like too.


Ingredients {to make one smoothie}

1 cup of frozen mixed berries
1/2 cup milk
3 tbs of vanilla yoghurt
1 tbs of LSA Meal (linseed, sunflower, almond meal)
1/2 tsp honey, to taste

Method

1. Place all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.
2. Serve.


I hope you enjoy this recipe. Do you have a favourite smoothie blend? I'd love to know so that I can try it too!

Happy days to you!

Melinda x

P.S. Please excuse the poorly styled photo, I've decided that trying to make food look nice is really hard! This is as good as it got :)

Lately.....

Loving.....our little lady. As each day passes we love her more and more. We marvel at every little achievement, every clap and every blown kiss. We can't believe we created such a 'perfect' little being.

Eating:.....Lately we've been eating quick and easy meals. I find dinner time the trickiest time of the day to juggle. Blake isn't home from work yet and I am trying to feed Millie and make a somewhat edible and healthy meal for us. So quick and easy it is. Zucchini Slice and Tuna Mornay have made it onto our plates in the last week.

Drinking.....Smoothies. I'm craving smoothies at the moment. Mango, mixed berry, raspberry, I really don't mind. I have a yummy smoothie recipe to share with you soon.

Buying.....Paper pineapple decorations. Just Because. We also bought this delightful Wooden Mixing and Baking Set for Millie for Christmas from Oliver's Twisty Tales. Oliver's Twisty Tales on Down that Little Lane has the best wooden toys for kids, you should check it out.

Making.....I finally finished a custom order for three dolls which I've been working on for weeks now.  Next on my make list is a new hat for Millie, followed by a few Christmas presents for friends and family.

Reading.....I've been reading lots of recipe books lately. Particularly ones by Annabel Karmel that involve baby and toddler finger food. What foods did your little ones enjoy when they began to feed themselves?

Feeling.....Inspired.

Looking forward to.....Christmas. Christmas is by far my favourite time of the year. I've started my gift buying and am planning my decorations, gift wrapping and the all important Christmas baking. I think festive baking is the best part.

Dreaming.....After visiting a friends lovely new 'old' home I'm dreaming about our house in the country again.

What have you been up to lately?

Happy days to you!

Melinda x

Lovin' the little things.....

1. Little succulents. Millie and I went for a wander at the nursery the other day hoping to find a green chrysanthemum after spotting one on elk & bloom's instagram feed. We didn't find one, but we found these cuties instead. I would love to do this with one of these.
2. Washi tape art with my little lady.
3. We came across these fallen flowers on our afternoon walk the other day. They reminded me of Autumn.
4. My Mum made Millie her very first handbag.
5. Outdoor moccasins.
6. Dirty little hands.
7. Chocolate cake with sprinkles. I made this to take to morning tea with a friend today. We studied design together and haven't seen one another for two years. Can't wait to catch up over tea and cake.

I hope your week has been kind to you.

{Linking up with Em from The Beetle Shack}.

Happy days to you!

Melinda x