Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Merry Christmas!

The day is finally here! Wishing everyone a joyous Christmas with family and friends!
xxxxx

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Reindeer Gingerbread Cookies ...

 Oh, wow! I've spent the best part of today making ginerbread and then decorating the little boogers!
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 They turned out okay but I am by no means a good decorator!  They are for my great-nieces and nephews on Christmas Day.  Now I need to go and make some Fudge Spoon Suckers...
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I also made a batch of these delicious Sweet Potato Knot Rolls.  The recipe is from Tasty Kitchen here.
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Next up, shortbread!
 

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Choc Candy Cane Cookies ...

 These are a lovely addition to any Christmas baking you might do - there is always room for chocolate and peppermint!
To flatten these biscuits, I use a patterned cookie cutter, it just adds a bit of decoration.  
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 The recipe is from The Pioneer Woman and you can find it here...
I used my mixer to make the dough, much easier than mixing by hand.
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 Crushed candy canes...
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 Melt white chocolate to dip the biscuits in...
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Stand back and admire how pretty they are!
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I have made my gingerbread dough so I will tackle that tomorrow.  It's resting in the fridge.
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Kirby arrived home this afternoon so we are all together now!
Cheers - Joolz

Rocky Road ...

 Okay, I am officially in the spirit of Christmas now!  I made Rocky Road which is so easy!  In a bowl, add chopped peanuts, shredded coconut, raspberry jubes (or chopped up lolly snakes would work) and mini marshmallows.  Pour over a large quantity of melted, good chocolate (mine came from Haigh's which is a South Australia icon).
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 Now this lot is actually Bumpy Road (for my fussy girl, Bri) - she doesn't like nuts or coconut so I just did marshmallows and chocolate.  She declared it sensational!
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THIS is Rocky Road!  I ate one piece then bagged in up in cello bags ready for gift giving.  I made need to make some more!  Pistachios would be great in this too.
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I am finished work for 5 whole days now so the baking/preparing frenzy begins today!

The List

Saturday
Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies
Shortbread (snowflake/tree shapes) & Cherry Shortbreads
Iced Gingerbread biscuits
Gingerbread Reindeers (for my little great nieces and nephews)
Fudge Spoon Suckers - stay tuned
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Sunday
Bread rolls
Homemade Icecream
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Monday
Stuffing Muffins (recipe here)
Cook Turkey rolls (frozen)
Make dressing for salad - will share soon
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Tuesday (Christmas) morning
Assemble large Tossed Salad
Assemble Watermelon & Fetta salad (with white balsamic glaze) - recipe here from Julie Goodwin
(I actually picked up a bottle of White Balsamic Glaze so I don't need to do the vinegar/sugar bit)
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Wish me luck!
Cheers - Joolz 
(sorry if I sound a bit hyper!)

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Moving with the times ...

This blog will now be based on my cooking, baking and homemaking and gardening endeavours and will no longer contain family content unless I wish it to! That is all! 
Stay tuned for my Christmas baking in my new oven...
Cheers - Joolz

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

12/12/2012 12:12:12

What will you be doing at 12 minutes and 12 seconds past 12 noon on the 12th day of the 12th month, 2012?  Anyone having a 12th birthday?
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Cheers - Joolz

Sunday, December 9, 2012

White (chocolate) Christmas ...

This afternoon I made Julie Goodwin'sWhite Christmas - the recipe is here and there is also a video of Julie making it (complete with Kermit the Frog helping her).
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1.5 cups mini baking marshmallows
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2 cups of rice bubbles
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1 cup of shredded coconut
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1/2 cup of dried apricots
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1/2 cup of glace (candied) pineapple
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1/2 cup glace cherries
1 cup shelled pistachios, coursley chopped
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Mix all the ingredients together then add 400gms of melted white chocolate.
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Mix it in quickly then pour into a paper lined tin and flatted out.
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Christmas goodness!

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Lunch at Kingsbrook Inn...

 Last Sunday we were treated to a lovely lunch at Kingsbrook Inn.  Our friends, Alan & Shirley took us to this 'secret' location (Gus shouted) - it's one of their favourite haunts at the moment...
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 They have a vineyard...
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 Go here to view the website
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 The mains & dessert selection... limited numbers of each dish so order quickly as dishes are scratched off the board when they run out!
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 Such a beautiful place to have lunch ...
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First up, we ordered 2 Margherita pizzas for our entrees...
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 The crust is so, so thin and crispy...
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 $48 for two pizzas for 6 people = $8 entree.  Absolutely delicious and nice and light.to start ...
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 Chris, doing his stuff at the pizza oven ...
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 I had the slow roasted lamb rump, kipfler potatoes, fatoush salad and yoghurt sauce ... I cleaned the plate!
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 Bri had the veal rib-eye ...yum!
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 Kkirby and Shirley had the Prawn Gnocchi... and the men had the pan-seared Barramundi.  All plates licked clean!
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 Bri and Kirby shared the chocolate tart with cherries and cream...
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 Shirl had apricots and a icecream (the name escapes me)...
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 I, of course, had the Creme brulee - it did not disappoint!
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 Ooey, gooey just how it should be.
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 After lunch, we took a stroll around the vegetable garden which is thriving.  Lots of veggies and herbs which are used in the restaurant.
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 Gorgeous bougainvillea ...
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 The lawn tennis court ...
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 Casual dining ...
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 Espaliered ... hmmm, either camelias or a citrus, not sure.
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 Mosaic detail on table...
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 Old bits and pieces ...
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 More bougainvillea draping inside, so pretty ...
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 Herb pots ready for use on the pizzas ...
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 Accomodation too!  We shall return!
All in all, a lovely lunch, casual but a taste sensation!
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Two finds on my way home $25 the pair (Queen Anne) ...
Cheers - Joolz