The Rain

Over the past days we have had a LOT of rain. A real lot.
McIntyre River - it had broken it's banks

Trying to get a pic without getting drenched!

Drowned backyard.

Happily today is about 29 degrees and not a cloud in the sky.

Cracked

I have been participating in Gavin's Great Kilowatt Challenge and we have been doing pretty well. On average we have been using 8 kw per day, i know this because even when it is pouring rain I have been standing out in it to get my daily readings. Such dedication!

Yesterday we even managed a day with only 7 kw usage, which was great. However, after five days of unrelenting rain last night I cracked and used the dryer. Yes I am ashamed. I havent used it for at least three weeks (maybe even four?) but last night I couldn't walk pass the mountain of washing without doing something. Dave reckons we minimised the usage by only putting it on late at night.

So it was on for two hours and I will just have to suck it up and deal with it. It will be interesting to see how much the usage will go up and whether it uses the phase three bit.

Yes I am doing more washing as I type but I am going to get Dave to string up a line in the garage. Which I am aware I should have done yesterday but I am telling you its a MOUNTAIN of washing!!!! LOL.

Vegemite & Cheese Scrolls

The kids last couple of lunchboxes have had their sandwiches returned in them. I think the heat is having a icky effect on the bread. So I found a couple of recipes and fiddled with them and made these tonight. They probably could look nicer but they taste delicious!!! The kids have approved them too! Yum!

Recipe -

3 1/2 cups SR flour

4 Tbsp butter

1 1/2 milk

Vegemite

Grated cheese

1 egg

Rub butter into flour til is crumby. Add milk and bring dough together, give a light knead on a floured bench. Roll out into a rectangle shape. Spread vegemite over pastry. Sprinkle cheese all over. Roll up from the long side and cut. Brush pastry with beaten egg. Lay on tray with cut edge facing up. In mod oven for 15 mins.

The Great Kilowatt Challenge

Gavin from The Greening of Gavin is hosting The Great Kilowatt Challenge! I would suggest for everyone to click on the above link and participate. You will learn how to read your meter so when you put some energy saving actions into play you will be able to see how much you are saving!

Gavin explains it far better than me so pop over and have a squiz!

More Chrissy Presents!

Yes more aprons - that is the theme this year! I will add jars of jams, jellies and relishes to go with as well! I can only post the pressies of the people I know don't read this blog!This one is for a workmate and she will love it. She loves homemade stuff - which is very lucky for me!

The one above is for a guy. I found the proper straps at the sewing shop and the ties wrap around the body like a chefs apron.

This one is cute! Amelia slyly hinted that this one could be hers!

So I have had a busy week with sewing and sick children. I loathe high tempretures for no reason!

Jam

Strawberry jam is done. Smells and tastes delicious, I wonder if it tastes even better because we, as a family, picked the fruit ourselves this morning? I think so! I love jam making so much and can't understand how anyone could not. It is fun, rewarding and easy. And as long as you are using seasonal produce its pretty cheap too! Love It!

Another Apron

Yes its ANOTHER apron and no it won't be the last! I am having way too much fun making them. This one is for someone in particular and I think will appeal just to them. Amelia is being my model though it is a bit big for her.
Here it is laid out. The bows are stitched on so they aren't going anywhere. My fashion consultant (Dave!) and I thought it needed a little bit of something extra so we decided on bows.

See how lovely the colours are in it? I very nearly made a skirt with the material instead!

This weekend we are hoping to do a little Christmas shopping since we only have about 42 days! Our list seems bigger every year though alot of presents are homemade. Sunday we will be strawberry picking again as I will be making jam in the afternoon. Have a great weekend!

Done and Finally Done!

I have finished off one of my Xmas presents. It is the blue and green half apron.

Wes kindly modelled for me as long as I didn't put his face on here in the apron! Ha! I am sure he will happily be modelling on Tuesday afternoon when his braces come off!

And here is the fruit and vege bags that I was going to make...oh about a YEAR ago! I have had the mesh since then patiently waiting for me in the cupboard. They are really light - 4 to 9 grams depending on the size and much stronger than the plastic bags provided in the stores. Looking forward to using them this week!

Strawberry Delights

Of course I just had to whip up some strawberry goodness with all that fresh produce to use!
These are strawberry and passionfruit muffins. This is the first time I have made them and they are delicious! Definately will make these again.

I also made this strawberry shortcake. First time making this recipe too and this is divine. Absolutely glorious.

Don't you just want a piece? The cake part is rather scone like in a very very good way and the strawberries are so flavoursome.

Sunday Strawberry Picking

In Friday's local paper there was an ad inviting people to come and pick their own strawberries this morning for $6 a kg. Yep only $6 a kilo! Well we went out this morning (minus Wes who had important teenage boy stuff to do) and it was really fun!Strawberries everywhere! Yum!

Amelia was picking, she restrained herself - we all did - and didn't have any taste tests!

Dave started loading up his shirt at one stage!

The smell is so gorgeous - really strong.

We ended up with 2.8kg of strawberries. You bring your own containers and they weigh them empty so that you don't pay for their weight. Not that they care too much as she only charged us for 2.5kg.

Thinking strawberry shortcake or strawberry muffins or strawberry milkshakes/smoothies or pavlova or any yummy strawberry thing. We will head out next Sunday and get another lot as I will make a batch of jam with them!

Mad Millie Mozzarella

This is my SECOND attempt at making mozzarella cheese. This first one was a complete disaster, though I do know why and it was completely my double boilers fault! I don't have a proper double boiler so I just stuck two pots together and unfortueately the pot slipped insided the other and brought the bottom of the top pot in contact to the water. Oops!!!Today was MUCH more successful. But there is room for more tweaking. The unhomogenised milk tastes awesome, and as a treat I would suggest everyone to buy it just to taste it! It is pricey though.

Here is my Mad Millie weapons of mass cheese constructions!

Cutting the curd. It went really well, though I think next time I will leave it another 15 mins or so to firm up.

Here is my curds draining. I got a bit too swish happy with my spoon and my slotted spoon was a bit small so the curds separated by falling off the spoon. But its all good.

My hot and cold salted water waiting to go!

My very unglam mozzarella ball.

But it taste's yum!

Also a happy welcome to the world to Evan Patrick!

Work in Progress

This is my current work in pr0gress. It is a half apron and its wider than normal and it will have long ties that will be able to be tied in front. Kind of like chefs apron - I hope!

Also a big Welcome to the world Ava Rose!!