Is It A Bag - Is It A Top???

Hehe - nope its definitely a bag...this is the latest from Mamu - its called the Jacket Bag. Of course I got it from Crafty Mamas!

This is such a funky idea and now I have my head around it I plan to make another. Its not hard - but you have to think like you're constructing a raglan shirt! All whilst making a bag :)

I used some cotton drill (from Spotlight)from my stash and some Crafty Mamas stella for the trimmings (from my stash too). You can put in zips and whatnot but I wanted something simple to go with first off.

Back to School Baking

Today I decided to make some great little things to put into Jacks lunch box when he goes back to school on Monday.

Last year I was putting cupcakes and muffins etc into his lunch bx but this year we are dedicated to healthy eating and so I wanted to find new recipes that were healthier for being put into lunch boxes 5 times a week.

So this is what I made:

Lunch Box Muffins - Mac 'n' Cheese Flavour
This recipe comes from The Sneaky Chef To The rescue by Missy Chase Lapine.



4 large eggs
1 cup of Orange Puree (this consists of sweet potatoe and carrots)
2 cups cooked macaronni
2 cups grated low fat cheese
salt and pepper to taste.

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees and line a muffin tin with paper liners. Lightly spray the liners.

In a mixing bowl whisk the eggs and puree. Mix in the macaroni and 1 1/2 cups of cheese. Divide the mixture evenly amongst the muffin cups. Top each with a sprinkle of the reserved cheese. bake in the oven for about 20 minutes until the cheese is lightly browned and bubbly.

Each one of these contains 155 calories.

***********************************************************************
Yellow Cake
This recipe is from Deceptively Delicious by Jessica Seinfeld



1 x 500gm packet mix of plain cake
1 cup of puree pumpkin
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons of veg oil
2 large eggs
1 large egg white
170g of non fat vanilla yoghurt

Preheat the overn to 180 degrees. Coat a cake tin with oil and lightly flour.

In a large mixing bowl combine the cake mix, pumpkin, eggs and egg white, and yoghurt. Mix for 1-2 minutes.

Pour the batter into cake pan and bake for about 20 minutes or until the skewer comes out clean.

I cooked this in my slab pan and turned it out a little early! It broke a little!

**********************************************************************
Choc Chip Cookies
This recipe is from Deceptively Delicious by Jessica Seinfeld



1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
3/4 cup of marg
2 large egg whites
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 can chickpeas drained and rinsed
2 cups choc chips
3/4 chopped walnuts (optional)
3/4 cup sultanas (optional)
2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup oats
1 teaspoon baking sod
1/4 teaspoon salt.

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees and coat a baking sheet with cooking spray.

In a large mixing bowl or food processor beat the sugar and marg. Add in the egg whites and vanilla. Add the chickpeas and choc chips. Add the flour, oats, baking soda and salt - mixing on a low speed until a dough forms.

Drip the dough by the tablespoonful onto the tray spacing the cookies about 2 inches apart. Press gently with a fork and bake till golden brown - about 11-13 minutes.

Transfer to rack to cool.

Store in an airtight container for up to three days.

Note: I used wholemeal flour instead of white flour in this recipe.


I would seem that Jack isn't too keen on the Mac and Cheese muffins - he is extremely fussy - to the point o aggravation! But he loved the cookies and we will try the cake when it cools :)

Happy Belated Australia Day

Sorry sorry sorry - we were in Perth all day and I just didnt have time to come and wish you all a Happy Australia Day. To me its a great day to celebrate who were all are and where we have all come from. Im an immigrant - South African by way of the UK. But Im a proud Australian and have been for a long time.

We watched the fireworks over Perth - the largest display of its kind in the country. Dullsville - I dont think so!

Here is a couple of rough pics from the iPhone....I hope you had a great day too :)

The New Arrival Settles In

I know its cruel to use the flash when the kids are asleep but I just wanted to show you how our new arrival is fitting in...right next to Pooh bear and Upsy Daisy..a very prized position!

A New Arrival

Recently over at Crafty Mamas Kelly (curls) offered up one of her amazing Waldorf dolls as a barter. I put my hand up and sent Kelly a package of goodies that I hope she likes! Its hard to know whats enough really but I hope I have done ok!

The dolly arrived today and she is stunning! I think she is the most adorable things I have ever seen. She even came with a teddy of her own. I am going to give her to Lainey at nap time so they can become acquainted.

Thank you so much Kelly and if you too would like a precious one such as this in your home check out Kellys blog here....

Ahh well all good things must come to and end....Mike started back at work today and so ends the 6 weeks of summer holidays we are very lucky to enjoy every year over Christmas. Mike works in education so we get the 6 week school holidays together a s a family.

This year we enjoyed a wonderful Christmas and New years, had a brilliant family holiday and pottered around the house to our hearts content. We slept in, stayed up late and started a new fitness and lifestyle regime.

I think 2010 is going to be a great year - started with a wonderful summer holidays.

Thanks family :)

Finally Some Sewing

I thought that having Mike home for 6 weeks would enable me to sew non stop...guess what...that didnt happen... I am trying to sew some stock and have managed a small amount LOL. But I did manage to add one thing to Lainey's wardrobe.

When we were away in Albany I found an oppy in Denmark. In said oppy there was a Teletubbies single bed doona cover in great nick. So I bought it - for $2.

This is the first item I have made using the fabric -




I think its cute!

Roast Chicken in 44 degrees

We are in the middle of a heat wave. That being said one of my favourite hot day dinners is roast chicken and salad. So - as I like to roast my own chook - I thought I would do it in my turbo oven...outside.

Out the front in the carport - as we have no power point out the back (soon to be rectified) - I placed my oven with chook to cook on a picnic table....and in a little over an hour it was cooked..and delicious!

See - no reason not to have roast chook in 44 degrees :)

Bran Nue Dae Premier

Last night Mike and I went to reading Cinemas and saw Bran Nue Dae. I won tickets in the ABC radio and wasn't sure what to expect as I didn't know much about it.

Well it was amazing - I would highly recommend you go. Its so funny, got a fantastic cast and has some really ripper songs in it. Its bright and colourful and fast moving. A real Aussie gem!

And to top it off - I met Ernie Dingo ! Yah!

Savings Challenge

Gill in Canada (That British Woman) is a very thrifty woman. She is always posting wonderful tips and this is my favourite.

Its called "The Daily Savings Club" and it runs on the principle of saving a small amount everyday. This amount increases every month and by the end of the year you have a healthy little amount in your piggy bank.

This is the plan I am going to follow:

January 31 x 25 cents = $7.75

February 28 x 50 cents = $14.00

March 31 x 75 cents = $23.25

April 30 x $1.00 = $30.00

May 31 x $1.25 = $38.75

June 30 x $1.50 = $45.00

July 31 x $1.75 = $54.25

August 31 x $2.00 = $62.00

September 30 x $2.25 = $67.50

October 31 x $2.50 = $77.50

November 30 x $2.75 = $82.50

December 31 x $3.00 = $93.00

for a total: $595.50, that's pretty good by just putting your change away.

You can read Gills whole post here - she also blogs a saving tip everytime she blogs so its definitely worth a read. Thanks for the tips Gill!

Blooming Wonderful!

Seeing that I run the Crafty Mamas blog giveaways I dont enter them - so when Peta from stitch pixie offered us a Bloom to giveaway I knew I had to beg her to make one for Lainey. I sent her the wool and this arrived back in the mail today.



Isnt it divine - its actually like an earthy red colour. The wool comes from the Bendigo Wool Mills and the pattern from tikki fabric addict .

Thank you so very much Peta - when its too short for a dress she can wear it as a top. I just adore it - you are so clever!

Home from Holidays

We are home!!!

Albany will go down as one of the best ever holidays. We had a ball. We did everything that Albany, Denmark and Walpole had to offer...we swam (a couple of times as the weather was very mild!), we ate, we spent time together as a family and I have come home energised and ready for what 2010 brings.

Here are some snaps for you. I took 541 - so this is definitely only a small proportion!

Tracys Quilt

A little time ago you may remember that I made a square for a quilt a friend of mine at Crafty Mamas is making for her new baby. Heres a reminder....

Well today she posted that she had finished the quilt - and its gorgeous! Check it out here...

I was so happy to be a part of this quilt. Unless she goes into labour Tracy will be induced on Monday. I wish her all the best and cant wait to meet baby :)

Happy New Year

Happy new year everyone and I hope 2010 is safe prosperous and happy for all of you.

We spent NYE with the family eating surf and turf and playing board games - it was awesome.

Tomorrow we head off to Albany on our week long camping trip. I cant wait.

When we get home from that Mike has 2 weeks left and we are going to have some quiet times and some family time just pottering and doing things that only take a day. no more going away.

So many things happening this year - Jack starts Pre Primary and Lainey turns 3, hopefully a family trip to the Gold Coast next Christmas and who knows what in between.

Have a great break and catch you all when I get back :)