Popcorn Blossoms!

I am so excited, the Plum tree that I replanted a couple of weeks ago has started to bloom, each little flower bud popping open like popcorn kernels. They even have a beautiful scent.

Kate’s Kitchen–Saturday Cooking

I really enjoy cooking and most of all, I like the challenge of a new recipe. I have a few tried and tested favourites but I must say I am always on the look out for a new recipe that gets my tastebuds curious.
This week, I found a recipe in the latest ‘Masterchef’ magazine. I am not much of  a cake cook but I liked the article and I had all the ingredients necessary without having to go to the supermarket. Out of the cupboard came my pride and joy mixer and all the necessary accoutrements to whip up Marion’s ‘Spiced Apple and Lemon Teacake’.

   

I had a lazy Saturday afternoon so I set to the task. All too soon, the smell of apple and cinnamon wafting through the house made me hungry with anticipation.

  

As far as cakes go, the less I have to heat and mix, the better. I usually go for recipes with only one or two eggs. This one had five in it and I was a little unsure, hoping it wouldn’t be too “eggy” tasting.
Recommended time was 50 minutes but I had to go for another twenty. All ovens are different. I was salivating with anticipation!

… even the dog chose to hang out near the oven. Little does he know that he will never ever get a piece.

Finally, the cake was out of the oven! I followed the instructions and poured the lemon syrup over the cake and let it sit. When it was time I cut one massive slice, took loads of photos and then shared the slice with my husband and kids. YUM.

   

The cake was delish. Next time I will use a little less bicarb (although the bicarb taste had gone by the next day) and I know I can cook it for a bit longer. It was a dense, moist, lovely cake that I will definitely make again.

Happy Birthday, Poppy! 16.08.1912 - 28.05.2000

Just because someone has passed away doesn’t mean your relationship with them has too.

How Cool is This?!

Georgia teaching Merlin to jump through the hoop…

…and back again
…and again!

Get the swing of it!

How do you hang your washing??

Just a thought - 
Are you haphazard? 

Do you hang your items in a certain order, with special pegs in a special way?? 

Do you even use pegs?? 

What to write about?

Aww - first attempt at a real post and the browser crashed, taking my words with it!! Welcome to the world of technology...

I was showering late last night (after the Moto GP - Caser Stoner won, yay!), thinking about the day and what I had done. Thoughts got to Blogging, and what I could possibly get out of it, or what good it would do to write about stuff that makes my world just a little happier.

Can I possibly write about things that make me happy all the time??

I'll digress for a moment. I checked out the possibility of a private Blog just yesterday so I could have a page full of interesting things to show my parents, who live interstate. They are missing out on the little things that happen to my kids and family on a day to day basis and I thought it would be cool to share it with them. I have taken up photography recently and posting pictures of the things that happen in and around our family might bring them closer into our little world.

Back to the happiness question, yeah - sometimes I get down or upset, or even question who I am and where I belong in this world. The kids give me joy but sometimes they drive me mental. Sometimes I feel sad for the world or people in the news, or friends going through a hard time. Sometimes I deal with people who just don't get it!! Sometimes I just can't get my act together and waste time, and time is oh so precious.

Propagated rose from my old home - first ever bud

In light of all this, I think it is wise to stop and smell the roses. I have a feeling that expressing my thoughts could have a healing, cathartic effect on me - as long as I finish my thoughts with a positive experience; whether it's a lesson learned or just a sunset I've passed along the way.

If you want to read my ramblings, go ahead! Feel free to comment, or even express how you feel and tell me of the roses you stopped to smell along the way...

What makes your heart sing?

First Post - Without the Bugle

Sometimes we can be surprised at what goes on in our own yard, whether it's a small spiderweb or even that flower that has manged to blossom overnight. Just take a peek...