Showing posts with label week days. Show all posts
Showing posts with label week days. Show all posts

Thursday, August 14, 2014

Walk with me ...

I went exploring on my walk yesterday morning...

Just 500 metres from where I live is a patch of reclaimed land. It used to be 4 acres of thick, dense scrub - impenetrable bushland. I believe it is council land which means it belongs to our town.

Several years ago, our Rotary Club decided to take on the land as a beautification project. The land was cleared of undergrowth and gradually the straggly unwanted bush was cleared. What remained were some native trees and many large gum trees but a lot were dead or dying.

Tracks were cleared and gravel laid down. Grass was mown and maintained....

Someone had the foresight to plant beautiful native species under those dead gum trees. How lovely!

Yellow bottlebrush

I always think this tree looks like a opera singer, arms outstretched ...

Park benches have been installed so quiet moments can be enjoyed. Native birds are in abundance.

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Golden wattle...

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Finally seeing some blue sky days...

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Red bottlebrush (callistemon)

The path back home ...

Cheers - Joolz xx

 

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

This, that and the other ...

 

These are the paper cake cases that I use in my loaf tins. Look for them in the kitchen section of your local cheap shop. Our shop is called Absolutely Anything and I love having a browse.

Recently, I saw on the 'interwebs' a great way to cook sweetcorn. Leaving the corn in the husk, trim the wider end off, throw the cob into the microwave and zap for 4 minutes (that time works for me, yours may be more or less). When done, take it out, place on a plate and carefully squeeze the pointy end. The corn slides out of the husk clean, leaving all the hairy bits behind! Mind blown!

Sometime on the weekend, on a blog, this children's book was mentioned. Suddenly, I was transported back to being 7 years old, listening to this story being told on Play School. I loved this story! So much so, I went online and ordered a copy!

Wow, rainbow do's are the go at the moment...would I dare? I think not!

I had another kitchen failure on Sunday. I had bought a little kitchen blow torch so I could have a go at Creme Brûlée. There was a recipe in Rachel's book...

I halved the recipe so it only made two (thinking of our waistlines)...

I made the custard as directed, placed them in a water bath then popped them in the oven at 110C (very slow oven) for 40 minutes as it said.

They were very liquid after that time so I gave them 10 minutes more at 140C. Still wobbly, I took them out of the oven and water then let them cool to room temperature. Popped them in the fridge for 1 hour - still the consistency of gravy. I know it said to chill for at least 4 hours but they just were never hoing to set so I tossed them! No dessert for us (sad face)!

My Sunday slow cooked ragout (ragou/ragu) was yummy. Just my own recipe - I chopped up 2 large lamb leg chops, 1 large pork chop and about 400gms beef mince. I marinated the meat for 3 hours with 1/2 cup of red wine, 3 cloves of garlic, a sprig of fresh rosemary, a shake of dried oregano and basil (I forgot to buy fresh), salt and pepper and a slosh of olive oil. Then I fried off an diced onion, carrot and celery stick and a nearly dead large mushroom then added in the meat. Browned it off for a few minutes then added 750mls chicken stock, 250mls of passata and 4 tblspns tomato paste. Once at a slow boil, I turned it right down so it was just ticking over and it bubbled away for nearly 3 hours. Along the way I put in a tablespoon of sugar which takes the tartness away from the tomatoes and a slug of balsamic vinegar for richness.

This is a lovely hearty sauce and I had enough for our lunches the next day and to freeze a big tub for another time when we need a quick dinner.

I made some Country Boy cookies on Monday afternoon...

To save my waistline, I had a couple with a cup of tea that night then I bagged them up and gave them away.

Man Pleasing chicken was on the menu Monday night...

http://www.wittyinthecity.com/2011/08/man-pleasing-chicken/

We've been juicing again and enjoying it!

Wednesday is here again, I can't believe how fast this year is going!

I didn't make it to yoga last night, it was 9C and I didnt get home from work and shopping until 5.40pm. Gus walked this morning at 6.45 but I wanted to go later at 8.30am.

Still having cold, cold weather but at least its not windy!

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

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