What a star!!

        Angus fixed up his remote control car, and was certain he would be the model car champion. Amelia asked if this was his way of saying he deserved a medal, so we got together and decided to make him one. I had an old paper plate, and Amelia had some Christmas ribbon, so, together with a few textas and sharpies, we came up with this ab. fab. award!!  It was all a good laugh, and all was taken in good spirits!!   As you can see....no expense was spared!!

Chicken and potato bake

This is a very easy and tasty recipe, which I have adapted a bit, it made such a huge amount. For us I used:-

2 Large potatoes, thinly sliced and peeled
1 (or more)chicken fillet cut into small pieces
1 tsp All-purpose seasoning
1 Onion chopped
4 bacon rashers
8 button mushrooms
2 cloves of garlic
300mls cream
1 cup grated cheese

Preheat the oven to 180 (approx)
Spray rectangular or square casserole dish with oil
Layer half the potato slices covering the bottom
Fry chicken in a little oil until golden, and sprinkle with seasoning
Place chicken on top of potato slices
Fry onion, bacon, mushroom and garlic in same pan for a few minutes
Place on top of chicken
Top with remaining potatoes and pour cream over.
Bake for 1 hour, sprinkle with cheese, and bake a further 30 mins(approx) covering if browning too quickly..

Absolutely delicious.

I really really meant to take a picture as soon as it came out of the oven.....but....of course I forgot, and we ate most of it. The rest was finished off by Angus and Amelia. All good....no wastage. This is a keeper!!

What a wonderful world

I think I posted this a good while ago, but it is worth another viewing. As the song says.... "What a wonderful world"   And here is the proof:-

Trugmakers

Here is a short video about trugmakers. It was passed on by Dilys, as her husband Richard has been making Trug baskets for years. I am afraid to say it is a bit of a dying art now.


Trugmakers garden is in a charming English setting, where the people involved build a shed for trug making.

Apple Slice

Is this a winner or what?  I have made it several times now, and out of a few slices that are regulars, this is the absolute top.
So I am giving you the recipe, and I hope you enjoy it as much as we do.  Herewith:-

125g soft butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tspn vanilla essence
1/2 cup milk
1 1/4 cup plain flour
1 1/2 tspn baking powder
2 (or 3) peeled, cored and sliced apples

Topping is 1/4 cup brown sugar
                   1 tspn ground cinnamon

Place the first 7 ingredients in a mixing bowl and beat for 3 minutes on medium speed'
Pour into greased 20 x 30 slice tin, and press apple slices on top.
Sprinkle with topping.
Bake 180C (approx) for 25-30 mins depending on your oven.

This may not look absolutely fabulous, but the taste is divine.                    

The Pantry Saga!!

A couple of days ago we found ants in the pantry industriously devouring Jim's lamington squares. As it was evening, and pitch black, I just picked up the packet and threw it out the back door. Then I  wiped up the rest of the little sugar ants.
Next morning, I decided to empty the shelf and give it a good clean. When I had done one shelf, this led to more, until the whole pantry was empty. After giving it all a good clean, I decided that it really could do with re-painting, so one thing led to another, and we found some white paint. But before we did this (or actually Jim did it), he tried to remove the ancient light fitting, which had practically welded itself to the ceiling, so that went in the bin.

As you can see, it is truly amazing what fits in the pantry. Jim is in there busily painting away, while I was happy with a purely supervisory role.
So all was done, and everything put back, and a new light fitting installed. Now the light in there is blinding, whereas before, it was like the murky depths.

So another job accomplished, in the never-ending list of house-updating.