Tuesday, May 27, 2014

A night on the beach...

 Blogsy apparently had a few hiccups with downloading pictures but it seems to be rectified now so I'll be back later with our trip to the beach and overnight camp...


Saturday, May 24, 2014

Choc chip cookies ...

For some weird reason, Blogsy is not co-operating and wont let me post a picture of these yummy cookies...
I have tried and tried...
  
(when all else fails, revert to your pc!)

 These Choc Chip cookies were featured on a Nestle condensed milk can, many moons ago. I have a few recipes but these are always a winner. I use brown sugar instead of white for a richer taste.

CHOC CHIP COOKIES
180gms butter, softened
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup Nestle condensed milk
1 and 1/2 cups SR flour
250 gms Nestle dark choc melts
1/2 cup Nestle white choc melts
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1. Preheat oven to 180C. Line baking trays with gladbake paper.
2. Beat butter and sugar until creamy, beat in cond. milk. Add flour, stir until combined.
3. Add choc bits, mix well.
4. Roll teaspoonfuls of mixture into small balls, place on trays, flatten slightly.
Bake for approx. 15 minutes until golden - I turn the trays around to get an even bake..
Remove to cake rack immediately, allow to cool.
I made 32 good sized cookies, recipe would make 48 smaller ones.
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Now make a cuppa and ... aaah!
Cheers - Joolz xx

Thursday, May 22, 2014

Choofing through the week...

On Monday, Mrs Woog from Woog's World randomly asked people what the state of their laundries was - go take a photo, she said - so I did...

No too bad...

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Here is a great natural weed spray to try. I have trouble with moss and a black mould forming on my pavers during the colder months. I saw this on facebook the other day so am going to give it a go.
Juanita Tortilla - this may be what you are looking for, instead of using chemicals.
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This is another spray that I use around the house, it's really good. I posted about it here:

http://simplyjoolz.blogspot.com.au/2013/10/fantastic-miracle-spray.html

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Monday night dinner - rolled roast of pork, baked potatoes and (yum) apples with a tossed salad. All the stuffing spewed out of it as it cooked.

Do you prep your ingredients before you start cooking? It's much easier and I find you don't miss an ingredient out.

Tuesday night, I did the Chicken and Bacon Pasta Bake, Annette Sym's Book 7.

A yummy, low fat dinner.

Last night I went a bit retro - Baked Steaks. Basically, you can add any flavours that take your fancy. Place your steak on a generous piece of foil then kitchen paper (I put a few onion slices underneath)...

Then add more onion, little dobs of butter (0probs onlt a good teaspoon in total), salt and pepper...

Sprinkle on a good tablespoon of French onion soup (or spring vegetable ot tomato vegetable)...

Top with slices of tomato and a sprinkle of basil. You could also add chopped bacon, pineapple pieces, sundried tomatoes or olives - go nuts!

I added a little bit of grated low fat cheese...

Now wrap those babies up snugly but leave a little gap on top so they can breathe...

I suggest 180C for 45-50 minutes, depending on steak thickness. Mine were well done so 45 mins is probably plenty. Remove from foil with an egg slide then tip any of the lovely juicy gravy over the steak. We had a small baked spud and corn on the cob with it. Scrummy!

Talking at out Weight Watcher's group last night, we discussed how to get more water in each day. Herbal and fruit infused teas a refreshing and need no sweetening. Because they contain no caffeine, the water content can be counted towards your daily intake. Drink them hot or brew a jug and keep in the fridge for a pick me up (better than cordial or soft drink).

Off to work now, enjoy your day!

Cheers - Joolz xx

 

Monday, May 19, 2014

The husband can cook...

 

Saturday night we had pork cutlets with a creamy mustard sauce by Manu Feildel...

Last night it was wood smoked Tasmanian salmon in a light sauce of shallots, baby spinach and peas on spaghetti. Absolutely delicous!
Cooking on the weekends is his relaxation (even if he put in a full day mowing lawns and spreading the rest of the bark in the garden).
I cook during the week and my meals are much more mundane. I love a one pot dish as he works late so its good to have something ready to go.
Tonight, I am trying BabyMac's Spicy Tomato Chorizo Baked Risotto
(I'll add pics later) - sorry, never got to make the risotto. Have saved it for another time.
Enjoy your day!
Cheers - Joolz xx

 

My week in pictures...pt 2

Wednesday was our Weight Watchers night where we had tastings of healthy winter warming dishes...

I made this Curried tuna risoni...
Another lady made this vegetable and herb soup/stew. Not that appetising to look at but it was quite moreish!

 

This is a Chicken & bacon pasta bake. Also very yummy.

For dessert I made Sticky pineapple pudding...

http://www.symplytoogood.com.au/LiteratureRetrieve.aspx?ID=37848

And served it with a dollop of Vanilla bean Fruche, instead of whipped cream. Totally yum!

Thursday, I became a blonde again! Yikes, it is very blonde!

A few funnies ...

And this one cracked me up! I do love Ron Burgundy and we are avid watchers of The Voice! Lol!

That's got me all caught up. I'm off for another afternoon tea with my mother and sisters. Mum's 90 year old brother is coming for a visit today.

Cheers - Joolz xx

 

Sunday, May 18, 2014

My week in pictures...pt 1

Last weekend, I spread around some new bark on our garden circles out the front of our house...well, one circle out of three! It's bloody hard work!

I did this middle circle and it nearly did me in!

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This lot is now being raked into place by Gus as we speak.

Before...

After!

I earned myself a nice cup of tea after that!

Monday night I made Beth from BabyMac's

http://baby-mac.com/2014/05/winter-warmer-beef-vegetable-stove-top-stew/

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It was gooood!
 

 

Sunday, May 11, 2014

Happy Mothers Day ...

 

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My day started with a cup of tea in bed, delivered by my hubby. He is up early and heading off to Sydney.

My four sisters and I had afternoon tea at the nursing home where my Mum lives. Also joining us were three of her grand daughters and two great grand daughters and one son-in-law. We had my melting moments, Anzacs and a yummy hedgehog slice my sister made and coffees in the lovely cafe that is at the home. As we were leaving, I gave each of my sister and Mum a little bag of my biscuits to take home. Smiles all round!

I hope you had a lovely day too!

Cheers - Joolz xx