Well I have started once again to try baking. I always fail at something and then I lose my joy of baking. It has been a while but I was out shopping and found a groovy little book in Target called "The Easy Way Baking" and I just couldn't resist buying it. I'm pretty sure there is nothing in there that I don't want to bake so I am on a mission to bake everything in the bloody book. (Let's see how long the mission lasts) 

I went out and purchased some awesome little kitchen gadgets like cake pans, flour sifter, icing spreader etc etc and a whole load of ingredients. 

Today I started on a Classic Chocolate Cake. If it turns out well I may do a post it on it so stay tuned :P and cross your fingers haha. My daughter begged me to bake some Blueberry Muffins so I will be trying some of them out over the weekend too. 

Any way apart from baking there have been a few other changes in my fairytale. I decided a couple of weeks ago that all this technology surrounding our children these days is absolutely destroying their social behaviour and so I am making a much bigger effort to spend more quality time with my kids and get them more active and social. Last week we had a 3 day ban of computers and it was AMAZING!! We played board games together as a family, we went for a family walk down to the local water catchment, we played outside and we started a puzzle. It was lovely to see my kids in a non zombie state and it was a huge reality check that computers and technology really are distracting us from what really matters. 

Sure things like Facebook, Blogs, Pinterest etc etc etc are all wonderful, entertaining and great connections to people everywhere. But what about the people around us? There was a time when the streets were filled with laughing children and we all gathered together for morning teas, sewing classes, coffee, book clubs and so much more. Now everything is done online and gathering together is slowly being eliminated. Maybe that is just me but I refuse to let it continue and so I am on another mission to get out and enjoy the world. Going out and enjoying the places I keep gazing at on Pinterest. Baking for friends so we can have morning tea instead of 'chatting' on Facebook chat, Hanging out with my kids more instead of letting them turn into zombies........The list is endless really. 

Today I picked my kids up from school and instead of heading straight home and getting stuck into the tv or xbox we headed down to the beach to enjoy some icecreams and take a stroll in the sand and the sea. It was a simple act that was beautiful and enjoyable. Really thats what living is all about. Those simple things. 

Tomorrow we are planning a trip to the zoo. Which we haven't done in years! and boy! am I excited!! 

Keep Smiling and Spreading the Love

Liane xxxx

Things i've learnt.....

 The last couple of weeks in my little world have been hectic, crazy and I must say extremely stressful!! But I have learnt many new things.......




I learnt that in this world a little colour can make any day that tiny bit better! wether the colour comes from the flowers, the sunshine, your favourite coloured cardigan on a dreary day, a rainbow, a childs coloured tongue after eating a sweet and then sticking their tongue out.........colour can really change a day! and I learnt that colours are one of my favourite things in the entire world :D

I learnt that life is short! I have pondered this phrase many times over the last couple of weeks. What have I done with my life? What do I want to do with my life?..........I am still working on it but I know that I am not just going to let it slip away into nothing.......I am going to write lists and make inspiration boards of all the things I want to do......I know some will be harder to do than others but my dreams will never be reality unless I get up and go!! 

 I learnt that change is needed for anything to get better! and it all starts with ME!

 I learnt that I am just a human being and every now and then I just need to relax! I need time for me to reflect and to dream. I am me and nobody should change that! I do not need to be like anyone else and I am certainly not interested in being normal. I am crazy, fun, colourful, nerdy, happy, strange and unique and I wouldn't want to be anybody else..........because if I wasn't me my life wouldn't be as entertaining :D 

I learnt that Prince Charmings do exist and that fairytales can come true if you just believe! My life is proof of that and my man is certainly my Prince Charming :D now we just have to finish the fairytale........because we have only just begun!! 

Liane xxxx 

My Week!

 Some of my favourite things that happened last week........

Well first up, I was very excited to be able to curl up on the couch with my favourite blankie and enjoy a nice cup of tea and some nibbles while watching 'This Means War" I was very excited about this film as it has one of my favourite actors, Mr Tom Hardy!! and the excitement was worth it as I loved every second!! especially the seconds involving the very hunky Tom Hardy in a suit hehe :P

Later in the week I did some fabric shopping on my favourite site, ETSY!! woot!! As I am trying to expand my business and get some more grown up products out I had lots of fun choosing some beautiful fabrics.......2 cups of coffee and 3 hours later and I was very pleased with my online shopping efforts including these two gorgeous fabrics!!

 I have been very interested in changing the kids lunchbox ideas for some healthier alternatives so I was extremely happy when I came across a blog for "The Vegie Smugglers" where I purchased this FAB E-Book! 'The Vegie Smugglers lunchbox planner' it is absolutely fabulous and if you have children I highly recommend it!! Now I can't wait for the school holidays to end so I can get started on some of these great ideas :D Make sure you go and check out their blog as well it is amazing!! Just click here

 

Not only do I want the kids to be healthy but I also started on some health kicks this week for myself as well. Inspired by my fiance who loves fitness, I have started to get back into some exercising! 

Last week I managed to fit in some Cardio and Zumba!! all in my own home and I feel better already! I also started a work-out diary which I hope to share parts of with you all here :D so keep an eye out for that! and wish me luck! My workout fads usually only last a week but I would really like to see it through this time!!.......Gulp

For my weekend thing to do I managed to get out and about in the town and checked out Pipsqueaks Market! I missed the first grand opening market so I was very excited to be able to go and check out the Winter Wonderland one! I picked up some yummy Oreo Pops from Cute Treats stall and also brought home some yummy pickled watermelon rindfrom a stall called In A Pickle! It was delicious with crackers and cheese! YUM! Pipsqueaks Market was a super cute boutique market and it was filled with some gorgeous items from local adelaide businesses! You can find all the info about the market here!

 

 And finally my weekend came to an end with me buying Season 1 of Downton Abbey.....I had never seen it before but have been interested for a while......and boy did I enjoy it immensly!! I finished the whole season and am now dying for season 2 to come out.....eeek! and I think I am in love with Mr Bates......

 Liane xxxx

Wagon Wheel Slice!

Well we all know the yumminess that is a Wagon Wheel!! So when I was looking for some lunchbox treats for my kids to take to school this week and found a recipe for Wagon Wheel Slices........Let's just say that I was a wee bit excited!! 

The slices were so scrummy I have decided to share the recipe with you all so you can enjoy them just as much as I did!! It was sooo easy to make but the presentation was a bit frustrating. I wanted them to look like they did on the recipe so much and all was going well until the dreaded top layer of chocolate but don't let that put you off.....even with it's non perfect chocolate layer......these are devine!! (but i will master that chocolate layer one day). 

Wagon Wheel Slice

prep: 20minutes

Cook: 30 minutes (plus cooling time) 

235g butter, softened

1/3 cup caster sugar

1 and 1/2 cups plain flour

1/3 cup self raising flour

1/2 cup raspberry jam

145g white marshmallows, halved

185g dark chocolate, broken into pieces

1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees/160 fan forced. Grease a 3cm deep, 16cm x 26cm slice pan. Line base and sides with baking paper, extending paper 2cm from edge on all sides. 

2. Using an electric mixer, beat 185g butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Sift flours over butter mixture. Stir until dough comes together. Press mixture into prepared pan. Bake for 20 minutes until golden.

3. Spread warm base with jam. Cover with marshmallows, cut-side down. Bake for 2 minutes. Remove from oven. Press down on marshmallows to level surface. Cool in tin. 

4. Combine chocolate and remaining butter in small saucepan over low heat. Cook, stirring for 2 - 3 minutes or until melted. Pour over marshmallows. Tap pan to level surface. Refrigerate for 2 hours or until set. Stand at room temperature for 5 minutes before cutting into pieces and serving.

Enjoy xx  

What's Cooking!

This week in my Palace we have some yummy looking recipes on the menu. I have never tried any of these recipes so i'm very excited!! And it is great that the kids will be cooking Tuesday's dish. I love watching them work together in the kitchen and learning new techniques and new foods!! It is amazing to watch.

One thing I love about blogs is all the new recipes you can find and that is why I love to share my meal plans with you. To inspire you all to try some different recipes and give you some ideas. I know I certainly find it hard every week to choose a meal plan and reading magazines like Super Food Ideas and Masterchef are really helpful along with blogs and family and friends recipes.

Food is great for getting the family together and sitting around the table to eat and share stories. So sit down with your kids and ask them to help out in your meal choices. Maybe even give them a chance to cook one or more of the meals. It really is fun and your setting them up with family traditions that they can pass on to their own families when they grow up!

Anyway enough about that!! Let's get on to some of the recipes I'll be cooking up this week:

Monday ~ Pork Roast with Potatoes, Fennel and Lemon Gravy

Tuesday ~ Crumbed Lamb Cutlets with Warm pumpkin Salad

Wednesday ~ Vietnamese Pork and Pineapple Noodles

Thursday ~ Maple Roasted Pumpkin and Chicken Salad

Desserts:

Wagon Wheel Slice

Cherry Cobbler

I have only done a menu this week up to Thursday because our kids are going away for the weekend so I need to go and find some recipes for 2!! to enjoy over the weekend!! 

If anybody has any suggestions feel free to let me know :D 

Liane xx  

Masterchef Style

. 

Well Masterchef has started back up on tv and this means pure excitement in my Palace!! as we all gather around the tv cheering on our favourite Masterchef contestants. I must say the biggest excitement for me is the Masterchef judges......yep I secretly love them! I think I could marry George! and Matt Preston just makes me smile the whole time! and Gary can annoy me sometimes but I must say I have a soft spot for him too.....I think it's that he always wears a suit and I love a man in a suit :P haha!

This year I think my favourite contestant would have to be Audra! so I am backing her all the way :D but some of the other contestants are growing on me too.....it must be so hard to be a judge! I certainly couldn't do it! The food this year is just looking amazing and is inspiring me to once again get back into the full swing of enjoying a creating some new dishes!! I had an old Masterchef magazine from last year laying around so yesterday I had a read and chosse one of the winter recipes! and my gosh it was amazing!! so I think i'll share the recipe with you all today.........

PORK AND VEAL MEAT LOAF WITH ROAST VEGETABLES
serves 4
Preperation: 20mins
Cooking time: 50 mins

350g pork mince

350g veal mince (I used beef mince as my butcher didn't have veal)

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1 small onion, finely chopped

1 small carrot, peeled, grated

1/3 cup dried breadcrumbs

1/2 cup barbeque sauce

1 tbs finely chopped sage

1 egg

                                             3 rashers bacon, rind removed, finely chopped

Roast Veg:

4 button squash 

8 baby truss tomatoes

8 baby (dutch) carrots, trimmed

2 tbs olive oil

  1. Preheat oven to 180C. Grease a 14cm x 21cm loaf pan, then line the base and sides with Multix Bake.

2. Combine pork, veal, garlic, onion, carrot, breadcrumbs, 60ml (1/4 cup) barbeque sauce, sage and egg in a large bowl. Press mixture firmly into pan.

3. Bake for 40 minutes or until cooked through. Drain juices from pan, then invert meat loaf onto an oven tray lined with multix bake. Combine bacon and remaining barbeque sauce in a bowl, then spoon over meat loaf. Bake for 10 minutes or until bacon is cooked. Cover.

4. Meanwhile, combine veg and olive oil on an oven tray lined with Multix Bake, then season with salt and pepper. Roast for 20 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Serve with thick slices of meat loaf.

Now sit back with your family around the table and ENJOY :D 

Liane xxxxx

Anzac Day Treats!

Today being Anzac Day we were all at home with nothing to do so it was a great chance for me to catch up on some baking!! :D and some study!!

First up I made us some Anzac Biscuits just to get us into the spirit of the day! This is the only recipe I have tried and they always come out soft and just the way I like it!! I would like to try some new recipes over time!!

They were a BIG hit with the kids and so incredibly easy to make!! I will definitely be making these more often!! I think they will be great as a lunchbox snack :D

Speaking of lunch boxes, my second baking experience today was making some super yummy home-made sausage rolls. I made these and put them in an air-tight container so that my kids can have them for school lunch tomorrow.

I have made these ones before and everyone was happy with them even when they are cold!!





 Head down a bit further for both the recipes :D

I hope you enjoy them as much as my family did and I hope you all enjoyed your Anzac Day and spared a thought for those who fought for Australia!

Anzac Biscuits!

1 cup Plain Flour

2/3 cup sugar

1 cup rolled oats

1 cup dessicated coconut

125g unsalted butter, cubed

1/4 cup golden syrup

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees. Line two baking trays with baking paper.

2. Sift the flour into a large bowl. Add the sugar, oats and coconut and make a well in the centre. 

3. Combine the butter and golden syrup in a small saucepan and stir over low heat until the butter has melted and the mixture is smooth. Remove from the heat.

4. Dissolve the baking soda in 1 tablespoon boiling water and add immediately to the butter mixture. It will foam up instantly. Pour into the well in the dry ingredients and stir with a wooden spoon until well combined.

5. Drop level tablespoons of mixture onto the trays, allowing enough room for spreading. Gently flatten each biscuit using your fingertips.

6. Bake for 20 minutes, or until just browned. Leave on the tray to cool slightly, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. The biscuits will last for up to 1 week if stored in an airtight container.

Sausage Rolls!

3 sheets frozen puff pastry, thawed

2 eggs, beaten

750g minced sausage meat

1 onion, finely chopped

1 garlic clove, crushed

1 cup fresh breadcrumbs

3 tablespoons chopped flat leaf parsley

3 tablespoons chopped thyme

1/2 teaspoon ground sage

1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

1. Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Lightly grease two baking trays.

2. Cut pastry sheets in half and brush the edges with some of the beaten egg.

3. Mix half the remaining egg with the remaining ingredients in a large bowl, then divide into six even portions. 

4. Pipe or spoon the filling down the centre of each piece of pastry, then brush the edges with some of the egg. Fold the pastry over the filling, overlapping the edges and placing the join underneath. Brush the rolls with more egg, then cut each into six short pieces. Cut two small slashes on top of each roll and put on the baking trays. 

5. Bake for 15 minutes, then reduce the oven temperature to 180 degrees and bake for a further 15 minutes, or until puffed and golden. 

Ok now I am heading off to curl up in bed on this chilly evening and watch the second season of True Blood :D Night everyone xxxx