Simply Joolz

Christmas at our house...

ajkbmac@bigpond.net.au (joolzmac) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 05:57:00 +0000

Here is Oopsey, just hanging around in our Christmas tree...let's take a look...
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I have some cross stitch decorations that I made...
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...and some hand-made baubles...
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a cute little glass nativity...
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It's hard to believe that I cross-stitched all these decorations 19 years ago, before Kirby was born!

Finally, Oopsey in front of our tree. We have a real pine tree for Christmas Day, resting out in the garage. I think this one looks pretty real too.
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I've been baking Christmas cookies - I've made chocolate candy cane biscuits, shortbread, cherry biscuits and chocolate chip cookies. Still got a few more to do like gingerbread, malt roll and some rum balls then I'll package them in gift boxes to give to my friends.
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We had a hot 38C day here yesterday then this morning I awoke to rain on the roof and we have had about 24mls and the temp was about 19C. My garden is looking lovely and fresh but I know the weeds will pop up in the next week leading up to Christmas. Still, our lawns are lush and green. That's the best part about living in SE of South Australia - we really get all the seasons...sometimes only days apart!
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I'm gradually getting things organised for Christmas, a few more pressies to buy then I'm done. This weekend will be spent doing a final tidy up around the place in readiness for Christmas Day. How are things doing at your place?
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Cheers - Joolz

Sorry, slow internet...

ajkbmac@bigpond.net.au (joolzmac) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 02:48:00 +0000

This is what the lady at Bakerella.com made to surprise Ree Drummond at her book signing.

(pic by Bakerella)

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(pic by Bakerella)
Cake balls featuring Ree's Pioneer Woman Cook book! How cute are they?
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Yes, slow internet - that's why I haven't posted any pictures for so long. For some reason, our internet quota just doesn't cope with 2 laptops and a PC at the moment.

I have pics of Oopsey the Care Bear to put up but by the time I get home from work, I don't feel like heading back there to load the photos.

Our tree is up and I have some pics of my decorations too. I was getting all panicky about Christmas Day at our house but I've calmed down now - I am sure we will not go hungry!

The weather has been coolish for this time of year but just now has started to warm up again. I'd hate to have to put on closed-toe shoes again. I usually go from October/ November through to the end of April before wearing winter shoes again.

I'll try to get those pics up soon.

Cheers - Joolz

Dee, Dee, Dee, Dee .....

ajkbmac@bigpond.net.au (joolzmac) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 22:47:00 +0000

Kirby gor her Uni results this morning.... 4 D's ! D stands for Distinction! WooHoo!

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Kirby, we are very proud of all you have achieved this year - it's been tough on you but you ploughed through and this is your reward!

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Congratulations!

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Love Mum, Dad & Brianna

XXXXXXXXX

Family dinner and catching up...

ajkbmac@bigpond.net.au (joolzmac) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 06:23:00 +0000

Last night we had Angus' mum and her sister, Barbara out for dinner. Barbara is a spinster and lives in Bendigo. Angus cooked a rack of lamb on the barbecue and I did salads and baked potatoes. Brianna again produced her apple and berry free-form tarts. Bless! We had a nice evening, just sitting and chatting.

I went and saw New Moon today and loved it. Bring on Eclipse in 2010!

Angus has gone away for a few days on business so it's just us girls here until Sunday. Not sure what's for dinner...I'll think about that later. Maybe Pioneer Woman's Macaroni Cheese?

Yes, we tried Pioneer Woman's Macaroni & Cheese....

... and it was gooood!
The recipe is here...enjoy!
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Cheers - Joolz

Pumpkin, Spinach & Chicken Lasagne...

ajkbmac@bigpond.net.au (joolzmac) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:16:00 +0000

I made this lasagne tonight. Leave about 1 hour for preparation plus cooking time - it's worth it!
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PUMPKIN, SPINACH & CHICKEN LASAGNE
500 gms butternut pumpkin, cooked and mashed
pinch of nutmeg
100 gms bacon, chopped
500 gms chicken mince, browned and drained
200 gms fresh baby spinach, micro-steamed for 2 minutes to wilt, squeezed to drain
2 cloves garlic, crushed
200 gms low fat ricotta cheese
fresh lasagne sheets
1/2 cup grated parmesan
1/2 cup grated cheddar
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TOMATO SAUCE
1 tblspn olive oil
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 small onion, chopped
680 gm jar tomato pasta sauce
1/2 cup chicken stock
10 basil leaves, roughly chopped (or 1 tspn dried basil)
pepper to taste
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Put pumpkin, nutmeg, bacon, chicken, spinach, garlic & ricotta in a bowl, mix well to combine, set aside.
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For the sauce : Heat oil in a large frypan, add garlic and onion and cook until tender. Add the tomato sauce and stock and bring to the boil. Cook over high heat for 5 minutes until sauce thickens. Remove from heat, stir in basil and season to taste. Set aside.
Preheat the oven to 180C.
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To assemble: Spoon some of the tomato sauce over the base of a large oven proof dish. Arrange lasagne sheets over the top. Top with half of chicken mixture, then another layer of lasagne. Spoon more sauce on top, lasagne, then remaining chicken mixture on top, lasagne, then the final lot of sauce then a lasagne sheet to cover. Top with combined cheeses and bake for 25 minutes or until pasta is soft and cheese is golden.
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Brianna made this free-form apple & berry pie for dessert - it was only small but 3 of us got a taste.
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1 granny smith apple, peeled and sliced
1/2 mixed frozen berries
1 tspn brown sugar
1 tspn lemon juice
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Line a baking tray with silicon paper. Take 1 square of prepared puff pastry (thaw from frozen) and place above ingredients in the centre. Gather up the pastry to
form a dilly bag, leaving a small opening in the top. Sprinkle with sugar and bake for 15 minutes or so, until pastry has browned nicely.
Enjoy with a drizzle of cream.
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Cheers - Joolz

Happy Birthday, Kirby...

ajkbmac@bigpond.net.au (joolzmac) — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 21:37:00 +0000

Our big girl turned 19 years old today! She requested this Cappuccino Cake with mascarpone cream frosting. Here's the recipe - it was delicious.
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CAPPUCCINO CAKE
250 gms butter, softened
250 gms dark brown sugar plus a bit extra for frosting (4 tblspns)
300 gms SR flour, sifted
4 eggs, beaten
200 mls very strong coffee (made with brewed or instant, cooled)
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Heat oven to 180C (160C for fanforced). Line and grease 2 x 20cm round cake tins.
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Cream the butter and sugar until very fluffy. Add the flour and eggs and mix gently to combine. Next, add half (100mls) of the coffee mixture and mix well. Divide the mixture between the two tins. Bake in the middle of the oven for about 25 minutes until cake springs back when touched in middle. I gently rotate my cakes halfway through cooking.
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Let cakes cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then take them out and place right side up on cake racks to cool completely. From the remaining 100 mls of coffee mixture, spoon out 3 tblspns and add 2 tblspns of brown sugar. Using a pastry brush, liberally paint the tops of both cakes so coffee mixture soaks in.
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COFFEE FROSTING
250 gms mascarpone cheese, softened
200 mls cream
2 tblspns brown sugar
1 tblspn icing sugar
remaining coffee mixure
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Whip the cream to soft peaks, add in mascarpone slowly to combine with cream. Add sugar in then add the coffee mixture bit by bit until you have the desired taste of coffee and the frosting is quite firm.
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Place cake on a nice plate, frost bottom layer with lots of the icing, top with second cake and repeat. Dust the cake with cocoa powder then brown sugar. Best refrigerated for a few hours before eating. Could be done the day before.
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A really yummy cake, almost like a tiramisu (and you could add Tia Maria into the frosting).
Enjoy!
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We had a few family and friends over for lunch - I made a Pear, Rocket, Parmesan & Walnut salad...
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... a fresh salad platter and a coleslaw. We had nice juicy steaks and sausages...
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... Oopsey enjoyed being part of the family
(I wish I had taken the salt away from her!)
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Finally, the birthday girl! Happy Birthday, Kirby - one year of Uni down, well done on all you've achieved this year. Love you,
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Mum, Dad
& Brianna
XXX

Happy Thanksgiving...

ajkbmac@bigpond.net.au (joolzmac) — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 07:37:00 +0000

Wishing everyone a happy Thanksgiving to all my US bloggy friends.

Oopsey has arrived...

ajkbmac@bigpond.net.au (joolzmac) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 07:57:00 +0000

This little bear belongs to Caroline at The Simple Things. She decided to send Oopsey around the world via blogland. Dear little Oopsey has arrived from Anne at Silver Sewer in the UK Midlands.

This little bear has been to some great parts of the world already. I was impressed that she arrived via Royal Mail (I do love Queenie-babes!).
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I thought the best thing to do was introduce her to Noddy and some of the other toys(long neglected) in Brianna's toy box. I think they were pleased to see her although the dude in the shades looks questionable to me? (looks like a bouncer at a nightclub!)
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Oopsey first visited Gill (That British Woman) in Canada in March this year. She was then posted to Janeen (Cha Chaneen) in California, USA, in March. Then in April, it was onto Florida to FLMom (The Narrow Path) where she had some great adventures.
Ohio called so it was off to see Amy (Learning at our house) and her boys in May. From Ohio, Oopsey went to Trish (Daily Decadent) in Ontario, Canada in June. Trish made Oopsey's cute little pink dress.
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The next stop for Oopsey was to Margaret (Margaret's Ramblings) in the UK in July. Finally, Anne (Silver Sewer) has been been looking after the carebear in the Midlands of the UK.
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Now back in Australia for a while, Oopsey can again get a taste of vegemite on toast for breakfast and enjoy the wide open spaces of our big, brown land. I'll let you know when it's time for her to jet off again. Where would be a good place for her to visit?
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Joolz

Weekend roundup...

ajkbmac@bigpond.net.au (joolzmac) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 22:51:00 +0000

(Joolz pic)
Brianna continues to practice her driving skills. On Saturday afternoon we took a drive to Kalangadoo (an aboriginal name for red gums and swamps) which is 35kms from our town. We drove there, went down a few streets then turned around and came home - at 80km/hour, she clocked up 90 minutes of driving. She has to do 50 hours of daytime driving and 10 hours of night time driving to then be able to sit for her Probationary licence and she must have her learners for at least 6 months before sitting for her 'P's. We have a way to go yet!

Sunday morning I was up at 6am - couldn't sleep anymore. I (re)watched The Lake House (Sandra Bullock & Keanu Reeves). At 9am I thought I'd make some scones - I cheat and use the CWA scone mix - it never fails to turn out good scones. Just add water to the mix and there you have it! No sooner did I have them in the oven - everyone arose from their slumber and sat waiting for scones!
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I like them warm with butter and vegemite and butter and jam. Brianna has jam and whipped cream and Kirby has vegemite too.
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We have started cleaning up for Christmas celebrations at our house. Angus steam cleaned the pavers under the pergola and I will get to those windows this week.
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Tomorrow I am taking my Mum shopping in Mt.G so I hope to do some Christmas shopping and get a few things out of the way.
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Thursday I am going out to lunch in Mt. G then off to see New Moon with some friends. Some me time.
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Whats on the agenda for you this week? Getting Christmas sorted?
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Cheers - Joolz

Vintage Noddy...

ajkbmac@bigpond.net.au (joolzmac) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:56:00 +0000

(web pic)
Little Jenny Wren has been reminiscing about a toy pixie doll she had and lost as a child. She found an image of Happy in a Flickr group. My first Christmas present, as a baby, was a rubber Noddy doll. I thought I'd look on the web and see if there were any images. Sure enough I found the exact same doll.
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(Joolz pic)
I have always kept my Noddy doll around the place (he was in the study wardrobe, right behind my desk). I pulled him out, dusted him off and here he is!
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(Mt McIntyre, Christmas Day, 1964 - Sue, Marilyn, Janine & Leanne with baby Julie)
This photo was taken on Christmas Day, 1964 - I have Noddy sitting in my lap. I honestly can't remember playing with him during my younger days but he is still with me 45 years later. Fun remembering the old days...
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Joolz

Pioneer Woman's Chocolate Sheet Cake...

ajkbmac@bigpond.net.au (joolzmac) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:16:00 +0000

The photos aren't quite in order but above you can see the cake and all it's gooey icing...
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... quite a simple recipe which you can find here.
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This is the cake, straight out of the oven and the hot icing being poured over it. Oh my!
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I am the proud owner of Ree Drummond's The Pioneer Woman Cooks (First Edition)
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I have orders from Kirby and Bri to cook Cinnamon Rolls, Potato Skins, PW Breakfast Burritos, Buttermilk Biscuits, Lasagna, Comfort Meatballs, Rib-Eye Steak with Whisky Cream Sauce, Fried Chicken, Twice baked Potatoes, Meatloaf, Chicken Spaghetti, Chicken Pot Pie, Cowboy Calzone, Macaroni & Cheese and the list goes on. Most of these recipes can be found at
www.thepioneerwoman.com so check it out if you are not familiar with Ree's famous blog.
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I can feel my butt expanding as I speak....
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Cheers - Joolz

Friday night dinner...

ajkbmac@bigpond.net.au (joolzmac) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:11:00 +0000

... is served!
You want fries with that?
(we didn't!)
(homemade beef burger, dijon mustard, fried onions, egg, BBQ sauce,
lettuce, tomato, cucumber, beetroot & cheese one a toasted sesame seed bun)

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So much better than the take away variety!
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Have a good weekend, friends!
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Cheers - Joolz

Spring garden gets a Summer frizzling...

ajkbmac@bigpond.net.au (joolzmac) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:50:00 +0000

My roses have gone berserk in the past week or so with all the hot weather. No chance to enjoy lovely rosebuds for a few days as they open. All the blooms just expoded open.
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This is my lovely McLeod's Daughters rose - the softest apricot with feathery petals.
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These are carpet roses and they have gone crazy!
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Sunset over the back fence.
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This carpet rose was a lot more 'hot pink' last year, they seem to be paler this year. I'll have a fair bit of 'dead-heading' to do before Christmas! Eek - it's my turn to host Christmas at our house this year!!
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In for a hot day of 36C today! Not as bad as poor Tania in Port Augusta - 46C yesterday and 47C today with catastrophic weather warnings in force. When will this weather stop?
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Cheers - Joolz

Trying something new - Challah...

ajkbmac@bigpond.net.au (joolzmac) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:36:00 +0000

I came across this recipe for Challah bread at Niki's blog - Rural Writings. She has some great recipes in her side bar so please, check them out. Niki lives on a small rural farm in Canada and is a whiz at canning and preserving, mapel syrup and bees wax candle making and making use of everything that their farm produces. She is a true inspiration to me. She writes beautifully about her daily life, family and the goings on around their farm. I was going through her recipe list today and found the recipe so I decided to give the challah a go. It's an easy recipe which you can make in your bread maker, using the dough setting. This is how the dough looked in my machine after 1 hour, 30 mins.
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Next, give the dough a good kneading then divide the dough into 3 lots. Shape into long rolls so you can braid it.
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This is my finished loaf, braided and ready to sit and rise for a further 45 minutes.
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After 45 minutes, it has plumped up and I glazed it with a egg & milk wash. I didn't have any sesame seeds, but you can sprinkle some on if you have them. Bake in a 190C oven for 30 minutes.
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Voila! The finished loaf, fresh out of the oven. It feels hollow when you tap it so I know it's cooked.
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Wow, a lovely loaf. It is quite cakey, probably because there were eggs in the dough but it is really yummy with butter on it. I will try it toasted in the morning. Mmmm!
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Give it a try, it makes a lovely big loaf.
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Cheers - Joolz

Off to the beach ...

ajkbmac@bigpond.net.au (joolzmac) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 09:30:00 +0000

Anzac Slice ...from Tracy at Beyond My Picket Fence - go to her recipe list in her side bar (very easy and yummy)
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Cheesy-mite scrolls (cheese & Vegemite)...
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... then to Southend beach to cool off...
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... very relaxing...
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... we are lucky to be able to drive on this beach...
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... I've never seen the sea so glassy and smooth (no wind)...
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... nothing beats the sound of crashing, splashing waves on the shore...
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... ah! ....
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... nearly time to pack up...
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... the road home...
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... paint brush sunset to finish...
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Cheers - Joolz

Berry delicious...

ajkbmac@bigpond.net.au (joolzmac) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:45:00 +0000

This is a lovely, easy, fruity, cool dessert to have in the freezer for these stinking hot days we are experiencing, late in our 'Spring'!

FROZEN BERRY MERINGUE MESS

1 x 4 litre tub of your favourite vanilla icecream
1 packet frozen mixed berries (or fresh if you prefer)
1 tblspn castor sugar
1 packet meringues
whipped cream (fresh is better)
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First, put berries in a saucepan and add sugar (or not) and gently thaw and dissolve sugar. Cool.
Spoon out icecream into a large bowl, add cooled berry mix, smashed meringues and mix gently so it is roughly combined. Then fold through about a cup of whipped cream (wicked, I know!). Line 2 loaf tins with foil then cling film and fill both tins with icecream mixture. Freeze until very firm.
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To serve, remove the icecream from the tin, slice off desired piece of Berry Meringue Mess and enjoy!
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Stay cool,
Joolz

Remembrance Day...

ajkbmac@bigpond.net.au (joolzmac) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:59:00 +0000

On the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month, 1918 hostilities of World War 1 were formally ended with the German signing of the Armistice. It became known as Remembrance Day. A day to honour the fallen and those still serving our countries at war.
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"They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them."
(taken from the poem "For the fallen" by Laurence Binyon)
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Joolz

We're having a heatwave....

ajkbmac@bigpond.net.au (joolzmac) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:46:00 +0000

South Australia is experiencing a record-breaking heatwave - a week of temperatures over 35 degrees Celcius (95 degrees Fahrenheit). The last time we had extreme heat like this in November was 115 years ago.
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It is extremely important for people to take care of themselves when we experience heat like this.
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You wouldn't want this to happen to the Mr Whippy van, would you?
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I hate hot weather - anything over about 24C is hot to me!
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This is what I looked like last summer while working at our dealership - fortunately we have installed air conditioning and used is for the first time yesterday. It was lovely and cool!
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We might go to the beach tonight for a barbecue. We did that a few times last summer (after Christmas).
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If you're in South Australia, I hope you can stay cool, it's gonna be a long week. These are the temperatures and expected temperatures for Adelaide this week (my town is in brackets - we are near the coast so temperatures are slightly cooler)
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Sunday 36.7C (33.7C)
Monday 37C (35C)

Tuesday 38C (35C)
Wednesday 39C (34C)
Thursday 39C (35C)
Friday 39C (36C)
Saturday 34C (30C)
Sunday 29C (22)
Monday 28C (19C)
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Stay cool friends,
Cheers - Joolz

Batgirl and friends...

ajkbmac@bigpond.net.au (joolzmac) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:37:00 +0000

Brianna went to a 16th Villains & Heroes party last night. She was Batgirl (she lasted about 5 minutes in those heels!), then we have Sailor Jupiter, Fairy Godmother, White Rabbit from Superman, the birthday girl was in a fantastic WonderWoman costume, Wolverine and Collingwood Footy player(?).
Other characters were: The Joker, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Thomas the Tank and friends, Austin Powers, PowerPuff girls, Cruella Deville and some Gangsters.
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Joolz :D

Oopsey's coming for a visit...

ajkbmac@bigpond.net.au (joolzmac) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 01:36:00 +0000

Caroline at The Simple Things (click link to follow Oopsey's travels) is allowing me to host Oopsey, the cute little green Care Bear (the other blue bear looks a little bit mean and grumpy!). Oopsey has been to some fantastic places in the world so far - Canada, California, Florida, Ohio and England and now she will visit me in
South Australia. It's summer time here so Oopsey may get to see the Southern Ocean and some sand hills! Stay tuned.
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Cheers - Joolz

Our time on the River Murray at Echuca, Victoria..

ajkbmac@bigpond.net.au (joolzmac) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:28:00 +0000

This was our luxury accomodation for 5 nights on the Murray River, Echuca. We were lucky to be invited with 3 other couples to sample this fine vessel. Indulgence is the largest commercial houseboat in port. It has a full kitchen, 42" plasma TV, large loung room, 4 rooms with ensuites, spa and second kitchen on the upper deck. Every little attention to detail was made.
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This beautiful arrangement greeted us when we boarded the Indulgence. It is all artificial and cost AUD$1,000! (the owner told us so). There were also other lovely fresh arrangements on board too.
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This is the Thong Tree at the Port of Echuca. Not sure of the history - maybe the workers who find odd thongs, nail them to the tree.
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This is the wharf where boats tie up. Our friends from Echuca have seen the river right up to the top of the wharf (big floods back in 1992). At some point in time, it will rise that high again.
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This is the Emmylou - you can paddle up and down the river and enjoy a great meal aboard.
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Some of the local houseboats have funny names...
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...there was Slakaz also...
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... this is the Ivy-May - a dear little paddle steamer...
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...they come in all shapes and sizes, big and small...
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The drought is having a terrible effect on the river with lots of erosion - bare tree roots all the way along.
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Eventually, these shacks will be forced to move back or they will end up in the river.
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I got some good sunsets...
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...such a peaceful time of day...
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Boats go whizzing by all the time with skiers, knee boarders and kids on floaties.
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Now to the food - as you can see, we had oysters, prawns...
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...beautiful fresh crayfish (Southern Rock Lobster) from our region and crisp Cape Jaffa Unwooded Chardonnay...
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...tasty salads...
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...did I mention crayfish, oysters and prawns...
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...another meal on the upper deck...
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...cheese platter and wine...
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...rack of lamb on mash with carrots and green beans and a redcurrant & orange glaze...
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...lasagne and salad...
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When it was our turn to cook we had Wagyu fillet steak, salad of rocket, pear, parmesan and walnut with sweet mustard dressing and roast baby potoatoes...
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There was a bread maker on board so I made bread rolls and a french stick...
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... I did a bit of this...
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... Angus did a bit of that ('another G&T, daahling?) ...
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... we watched boats and people all day long. Some of the boats are very expensive (one was estimated to be AUD$80,000) ...
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... fishing for trout with Mozzarella cheese as the bait...don't ask, it works!
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We had really warm weather so we swam a bit but you must be careful of the current - it can sweep you away. Hope you like my pics of a very beautiful place in Australia.
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Cheers - Joolz

Rollin' on the river....

ajkbmac@bigpond.net.au (joolzmac) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:39:00 +0000

Awaiting Amazon...

ajkbmac@bigpond.net.au (joolzmac) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 12:40:00 +0000

I hopped on line today and ordered my copy of Ree Drummond's 'The Pioneer Woman Cooks' - it comes out at the end of this month in the USA so my copy may take a while to arrive.
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Now, some may think I am wasting my money, but I also ordered the 4 seasons of Alf - remember back in the 80's when Alf came into our living rooms? Gordon Shumway from Melmac - he was a Phlegm car salesman with a penchant for all things feline (as long as they were served on a plate, with fur on the side!). I've never seen this available in Australia so I just had to order it. It was a firm favourite way back then.
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A lazy day spent here today, tidying, laundering, making bread rolls and salads for dinner tonight. Beer can chicken is on the menu. Angus' mum (Nana Mac) is joining us for dinner and has bought out her famous never fail chocolate sponge cream cake for dessert. I've got strawberries marinating in sugar and brandy to go with it.
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Hope you had a nice weekend too,
Joolz

Happy Birthday, Brianna!

ajkbmac@bigpond.net.au (joolzmac) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 04:19:00 +0000

Sixteen years ago, Angus & I welcomed our second daughter, Brianna, into the world. Our family was complete. A sunny natured child, she has grown into a beautiful young lady - a bright spark in our lives.

Happy Birthday, baby!
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She passed her Learners driving test and drove us home from Mt.G - I will probably develop a few grey hairs in the coming months! Aaargh!
(She did really well for her first time on the open road)
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We had a birthday tea for her in Mt.G and she had about 16 friends (mostly boys!) join her.
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Dessert - Chocolate sponge layered with fresh cream and jam. Very nice.
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We had told Brianna that Kirby could not make it home for her birthday because there are only a few weeks left on Uni and she had 3 assignments to complete. But Kirby didn't want to miss Bri's 16th so she drove 400kms to surprise her - and surprise her she did! I got Brianna away from the house for a while and Kirby parked in our garage and then when we came home, I lifted the door and there was Kirby's car! The look on Brianna's face was priceless! Kirby had bought helium balloons and some cute PJ's for her so she was over the moon!
(Thanks for coming home, Kirbz (and for all your washing too!)
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The smile that lights up our lives! Love ya, Breeza!
Mwah!
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Tired and happy, Joolz

Tomato seedlings...

ajkbmac@bigpond.net.au (joolzmac) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 22:27:00 +0000

This is my mini greenhouse that I have planted some tomato seeds in. This is my first attempt at growing something from seed. I usually just buy seedlings from the nursery.
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I planted the seeds on October 10th and I saw the first shoot emerge on the 19th. They are popping up really quickly now. I checked on them yesterday at 9am and could see perhaps 3 tiny seedlings and by 10.30am I think there were probably 10 more!
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This pic was taken this morning and I think I will have a 95-100% strike rate. I bought the Burke's Backyard magazine a few months ago and there was a free packet of rare heritage tomatoes in it - Prosperity, Yellow Oxheart, Yellow Stuffing and College Challenger. I can see that nearly all of these are poking their heads through the seed raising mix now. I have also planted many Roma tomato seeds. I can see that if these seedlings really take off , I'll have to gift some of them to my friends and family to plant out and I only have very limited space. Quite exciting really.
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Having nice chilly mornings followed by sunny days here so the living is easy. Have a nice day,
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Cheers - Joolz