small kitchen tales

I must admit that I used to be a little afraid of baking tarts because I thought the pastry was too complicated and that I would never be able to get it right. After making quite alot in the last year or so I can definitely tell you that it's not that hard and really.. ANYONE can do it. I have a simple Lemon Tart recipe, from one of my favourites, Donna Hay , that you can have a go at. Lemon Tart serves 8, or less depending on whether you want more Tart 2 cups all-purpose flour 150g cold unsalted butter, chopped 3 tablespoon caster (superfine) sugar 1 egg, lightly beaten 2-3 tablespoons iced water Lemon filling 3/4 cup (single or pouring) cream 3/4 lemon juice 3/4 cup caster (superfine) sugar 3 eggs Place the flour, butter and sugar in a food processor and process until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Add the egg and process in short bursts until the pastry just comes together. Turn out and bring together to form a ball. Flatten the pastry, wrap in plastic wrap and refri...

Yesterday we went to Women's Health in the North where they hosted a Biggest Morning Tea fundraiser. I told the kids it was like playgroup for mummy :) They definitely enjoyed it the most though as they received ALOT of attention from the other ladies, drank hot chocolate, ate donuts, pink tim tams, chocolate cake and more pink biscuits. I'm not sure how much they ate as most of it did end up on their faces and on my clothes. Aidan and Amelie also won a prize for having the best looking cups there... Prize....more chocolate :) It was good to meet some new faces, have a bit of a chat and of course raise some much needed funds for cancer research. Thank you WHIN , we definitely enjoyed our morning tea!

Busy day . Pasting some beautiful leaves we found outside and reading our favourite books. Ohhh, it's so hard being 3. Amelie also coordinated her outfit with some of her cute little badges we got at the Sonny & Coco Market on Sunday from Holly at Two Cheese Please Glue recipe for anyone playing along : 1/2 cup flour about 4 cups water (maybe more or less water) heat and stir until it is like a clag like consistency, you need to stir ALOT to avoid lumps. Add some salt and store in the fridge....if there is any leftover :)

Went out for a walk to the park and came back to find this....a burst water main right in front of our driveway! I know what the kids were thinking..so do you... PUDDLES!!! We kept them away as it was a little too cold for splashing, and they watched with the neighbours as the water was flowing fast towards the end of the street. It's funny how things like this bring neighbours together, for a chat, a laugh..a bit of street gossip..all in good fun. Thought all was ok as we headed back inside, and then there was a SPLASH ....yep, we had a puddle casualty :)

It's Tuesday and I can't wait.....for playschool to start so I can sit down with a cup of tea and a book I borrowed today from the library for at least half an hour!....... 10 minutes if I'm lucky :) Some new blogging fun for Tuesdays, more over here if you'd like to join in.

Had a great day at a 4yr old Birthday Party held at Cooper's Settlement, Bundoora Park . What a fantastic day out for the kids. Pony rides, rabbits, geese, ducks, turkeys, sheep, emus! WOW.... I'm exhausted! Kids had a ball and everyone enjoyed cake, c upcakes and heart pops.

Baking and decorating for a good friends daughter's 4th birthday tomorrow. Tune in tomorrow for some pics.

It's been 2 very long days since I have been on the computer and to tell you the truth...it felt like weeks! I have been used to this daily hit for a while so when I didn't have it.....it was agony. Well, thankfully, my daily hit is back and I am enjoying catching up on everybodys great adventures. Little pussy cat followed us home yesterday from the OP shop. Great new friend, we just need a name, any suggestions?

You know when the weather is getting cold and somedays you get up and a little bit of sunshine is about and you search for it because it just feels sooo good! Well today is one of those days and t he sunshine is B EAUTIFUL. Hope everyone is having a great day!

Just got some really cute button elastic headbands from Buttons by LouLou and just wanted to show them off :)

Since Amelie has started kinder we have had an abundance of Artwork in our craft box and on our fridge. We decided that the best way to showcase these beautiful works is to pass them on to friends by wrapping their presents in them. Our friends love them and we don't need to buy wrapping paper that will automatically get thrown in the recycling bin anyway. Try it, it puts a smile on people's faces.

Had a l o n g and busy night trying to get an order baked to be delivered this morning. Once the kids were asleep , I was working till really late to get it all done, but had one more thing left to do this morning, ice the mudcake. Best thing about being a kid and mum baking......mmmmm licking the spoon! The mudcake turned out really well so I thought I'd share the recipe for anyone who has been craving a bit of chocolate...well, a lot of chocolate...now that the cold weather calls for some comfort food. Chocolate Mud Cake Ingredients 350g dark chocolate 225g butter 600 ml water 3 eggs 400g caster sugar 400g self raising flour Grease and line a 23cm round cake tin. Preheat oven to 170C. In a saucepan over low heat, heat chocolate, butter and water. Stir frequently until melted and smooth. Remove from the heat and cool slightly. In a large bowl, lightly beat eggs. Gradually beat cooled chocolate mixture into eggs. Whisk sugar and flour into chocolate mixture, continue beating un...

I unfortunately didn't manage to complete 7 days of Loot Glorious Loot as market prep got the better of me, but I do have a few little Mother's Day treasures to share with you. I started my morning off ALONE...soooo good, with a nice bike ride and a gym class and then off to visit my beautiful mum with the kiddies. I received from the kids a coin purse from Kids with Crayons and the cutest card from Little Critters Mum absolutely LOVED her pressie that I got from Finki as she loves her beloved pair of expensive scissors! So the Scissor Holder from Finki was perfect. Mum made the yummiest vegetarian stuffed veggies and the kids played with their cousin. A nice and relaxing day..ahhh.

To all that are mothers and to your mothers I know it's just one day out of the whole year but I hope every day is a memorable one for us all. Take a little time to enjoy a yummy cup of tea, enjoy that gorgeous weather and listen to the birds singing outside.....or for me...the washing machine on it's cycle..:) huuugs

Well another season is over for The Gardens Market and it ended with some drizzle, cold weather but an overall great day. It's amazing how the weather doesn't deter families from going out for the day. I guess being in such lovely surroundings people seem to overlook the miserable weather and make the most of their day with their families and loved ones. Our kids didn't mind at all as the rain was just something else that was fun to play with. I definitely had fun baking some yummy mother's day treats but I am definitely looking forward to a little break before the next market in June.

Ohhh, it's Mother's Day on Sunday, breakfast in bed, tidy house, lots of gifts, great kids....yeah maybe...for one day at least! For all those that need a last minute mother's day gift or just any excuse really to go to a beautiful market, then The Mother's Day Market at the Botanic Gardens tomorrow is the place to be. We'll be there selling yummy bread, gingerbread, heart cookies for mum and individually boxed cupcakes for a little mother's day treat. Hope to see you there x

If you need a little laugh..... Well, the little fella has finally had a haircut after several previous failed attempts to get him to sit still. Picture this....me holding, him kicking, screaming, hair flying everywhere, scissors in my face, hands flinging...did I mention screaming and the flying hair......a little too much Edward Scissorhands for my liking. Five minutes of that & we are finally done, pay & leave with his hair ALL over my clothes. I know, I know, after all that it certainly was NOT worth it, I think long hair & cute clips are a better way to go.

The little man & I decided to go for a haircut this morning as I was in desperate need of one & the little one has been having mummy & daddy attack his hair with the scissors for far too long. I of course sat still & had my hair cut but little fella just didn't want to even get in the chair, just started squealing..."no, no, no". So, that was it for his supposed 1st proper haircut! After that I decided I needed a bit of a treat, so not sure that this is what is meant by Loot ..but it is for me.....a little yummy tea helps soothe the mind & soul.

Some days whilst op-shopping you can't find anything that really jumps out at you & other days like this one it does! and you feel like jumping up & down & screaming... "Look what I found". That's just how I felt when I found not a single item...BUT, 2 boxes of Fowlers jars! If you don't know what these are, well chances are your grandma probably had some she used to preserve fruits/vegetables in. These are the Rolls-Royce of jars ladies, beautifully shaped and gorgeous to look at. Ohhh...can't wait to preserve something, mmm, mums fig tree is kinda full at the moment...

Picture of my daughter says it all! Made n' Thornbury was once again a great experience. A beautiful day, amazing stalls, gre at crowd and a buzzing atmosp here all around the place. Creative bloggers everywhere, many of whom I didn't even get a chance to meet. A few there, Curlypops , Buttons by Lou Lou , Finki , Tinniegirl and many more who I wish I had met properly.