My creative space

How was your day?

A simple school recipe, prepared by DD2, became super yummy when she added mild American mustard instead of the usual French.

After a slow start to the day, discovering the joys of internet banking which I have been loathe to use before, I licked the pot containing the extra macaroni and went off for my trawl of the oppies. Just another quiet day, with only the odd bit here and there.

I did get to hear that a large pod of whales are passing by our town. Maybe tomorrow I'll drive up the lookout and see if they are still there.

These Japanese print teatowels immediately took my eye in one oppy. At 50 cents each they are a steal!
Maybe a panel in a bag?

And this cheery Sunshine Coast cloth with it's pink flowers and pictures of pineapple and bananas reminded me of this lovely lady.

After that it was down to the RTA where I spent my time wisely taking photos of my purchases and then a mosey through the shopping centre, meeting old friends and eyeing off jewellery, and then finally back home.
Just a quiet day with no nanna nap, which is most unusual for me.

How was your day?

My green thumb

I guess I must have a green thumb because I just yanked two one foot high tomato seedlings out of my lawn(?) a couple of weeks ago and dumped them into the front garden. No water - no staking - not even any digging really - just drooping tired plants shoved into the soil quickly so I could get on with the mowing. And what do they do? They give me red tomatoes! Talk about cheerful giving. I really don't deserve these but I am thankful non-the-less.

PS I didn't really want to say anything about reality in case there are any Melbourne ladies reading this but I think it could be that our perfect weather rather than my green thumb is responsible for the success of my tiny toms. Please don't tell them though, as they might get jealous of our perfect balance of sun and rain. ;o

Pretty party pies

by daughter number two!

Dinner

Apparently this is the second best lasagne in the world.
Made to DD2 tastes and worth heaps of hugs.

PS: For Rita. The recipe is ultra simple. Brown your mince, preferably with garlic. Add a tin of condensed tomato soup (this is the magic ingredient for my daughters taste - if you don't like tomato soup this lasagne is probably not for you - I prefer a more Italian flavour) and one of crushed tomatoes. Also add one chicken stock cube . Simmer till reduced and season to taste. The white sauce was made with heaps of grated mozarella and some slices of cheddar - really just whatever you have. This one was ultra stringy but that is the way my daughter likes it. Layer meat, white sauce and boiled (at least 6-7 minutes) sheets of lasagne until you run out. Have something moist (meat or white sauce) on top of the last sheet of lasagne and top with grated cheese. Stick in moderate oven until nearly burnt. OK. Just kidding. Ideally it should be golden brown and bubbly.

Schmarm ~ or what to do with left over pancakes!

My mother always cooked with a view to having leftovers hence I am not a lover of such. However, the one I do love and so do my children is Schmarm.




Basically, Schmarm is old pancakes (or even just cooked pancakes) cut into squares and fried in roughly equal parts of butter and sugar until candied. It never works out the same for me because I am never sure of the ingredients ratio but the kids always love it! It is delicious with pureed apricots or other fruit for a healthier meal.

Cheerio!

P.S. Schmarm is Mum's name for this. Do you know of any other?