PaisleyJade

Cranberry, Walnut & Chocolate Chip Biscuits

2012-05-28T13:45:00.000+12:00

There is something about the tartness of cranberries mixed with the crunch of walnuts and sweet chocolate chips... I'm drooling right now as I type!

This is a basic chocolate chip biscuit recipe (my all time favourite that I make all the time) with the extra additions of cranberries and walnuts. As you can imagine, the flavour combinations you could create with the basic recipe are endless... pistachios & cranberry, coconut... Mmmmmm!!!

Cranberry, Walnut & Chocolate Chip Biscuits

Ingredients
125g butter

¼ cup sugar

2 tablespoons condensed milk

A few drops of vanilla essence

1½ cups flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

¼ cup chocolate chips (or more)

½ cup dried cranberries

¼ cup chopped walnuts

Cream butter, sugar, condensed milk and vanilla until light and fluffy.

Sift flour and baking powder into creamed mixture. Add chocolate chips, cranberries and walnuts and mix.

Roll teaspoons of mixture into balls and place on greased tray. Flatten with fork.

Bake at 180°C for approx 20 minutes.

For more delicious recipes visit here.

Loving!

2012-05-26T21:32:00.000+12:00

I wholeheartedly believe that no matter what is happening in your life, there is always something that you can be thankful for... no matter how simple it is.

Joining in with Things I'm Loving over at it's new home @ MNM's...

Loving making Cranberry, Walnut & Chocolate Chip Biscuits!!!

Loving the circus being in town!! We were given free tickets, so walked as a family to the circus last night and loved it (check out their site here for more info)!!

Loving new nail polish... but not loving being asked by someone at work if my girls had been painting my nails for me ;)

Loving seeing the Retro Granny square blanket getting snuggled under (and on top of in Barney's case)...

Loving new sparkly shoes and pretty pink skirts (not for me of course)...

Finally, loving PicMonkey!! If you are missing Picnik, don't despair... PicMonkey is here, with all new features, including a Collage maker!

To join in with your loving, click on the icon below...

Retro Granny Square Blanket!!!

2012-05-22T18:54:00.000+12:00

It is finished!! There's something so satisfying about finishing a large crochet project... this one started over the summer holidays.

This granny square blanket was originally named "The Ugly Blanket" but after your encouragement here, it was renamed "The Retro Caravan Blanket" (or The Retro Blanket for short).

For some reason I keep thinking of the old TV test pattern.

Now all I need is a retro caravan to go with my blanket.

Amazing what you can make out of your wool scraps isn't it!!

To check out my other finished crochet blankets (and the traditional "Yay, I've finished so lets do a crazy photo" pic, click on the photos below...

Woohoo, I've finished it!

For more crafty makings, go here.
Joining in with Our Creative Spaces.

Weekending it...

2012-05-21T07:00:00.000+12:00

It was a good but also strange weekend...

Good in the fact that we missed having our car (and ourselves) smashed into by an out-of-control driver (ours is the white one and it was scary as we saw it coming right for us) but also strange, because not one of the people crowding around after the accident went to check if the poor old lady in the car was okay... so I used my recent first aid training and took control of the situation (while shaking like a leaf and praying like crazy under my breath).

First Aid training is awesome (and so it having a mobile phone with a camera).

It was a strange seeing one of my late brother's pieces of art being sold, and showing the nephew and nieces he never met, their Uncle Jamie's work. Strange because I remembered it (he did 3 pieces that were similar, all painted on pieces of an old dresser), and good because the funds were going to an amazing cause.

Don't ask me what "The Owl Power" is either.

It was a great weekend, as I saw the last of the loose ends of the ~~Ugly Blanket~~ Retro Blanket being tucked away, ready for it's edging and big reveal sometime soon (I still reckon it's rather ugly though).

It was strange finding Boo with her super-scary-sleeping-while-eyes-open face on. She's usually really cute, but sometimes she pulls out this rather disturbing look while dozing, and frankly, it sends shivers down my spine...

See what I mean?

How was your weekend?

Things I'm Loving...

2012-05-18T07:00:00.000+12:00

I wholeheartedly believe that no matter what is happening in your life, there is always something that you can be thankful for... no matter how simple it is.

As you heard last week, my time for hosting this linky has come to an end, but guess what??? There is now a new host for Things I'm Loving over at the amazing (and one of the most committed Things I'm Loving linkers) Meghan's blog, MNM's!!! I'm really looking forward to joining in when I can - thanks Meghan.

To link up this week, go here!!

Cheese Damper

2012-05-16T07:00:00.000+12:00

I am soooo proud of my hubby. Lately he has stepped it up from "awesome husband" to "super amazing husband" with all his helping out around the house. Apart from helping out with heaps of the household chores, he has been cooking a lot more, and his meals are delicious.

He has definitely changed from the guy I met who used to look up a recipe book to boil an egg!!

Recently, he treated us with silky smooth pumpkin soup and cheese damper (speckled with feta cheese, edam cheese and herbs). It was delicious and so simple to make, and a great alternative to our usual soup accompanier... scones or bread.

Cheese Damper

2 cups flour

1 cup milk

½ cup grated cheese

½ teaspoon mustard

2 teaspoons sesame seeds

Sift flour into bowl and stir in milk. Knead on a lightly floured table/board.

Sprinkle on cheese and seeds and place in a hot oven (200 degrees) for 25 minutes.

Serve hot with butter.

Delish - thanks honey!

Private photos...

2012-05-14T14:23:00.001+12:00

Sometimes Mums goof around with their kids and take funny pics... and sometimes husbands secretly take those goofy photos and upload them onto facebook without their wife knowing.

Oh well, now that the secret is out, you can all have the pleasure of seeing me do air guitars with my ironing board...

And now that I have no dignity left at all, here are the rest of my goofy Mother's day photoshoot...

Happy Mother's Day!!

2012-05-13T09:30:00.000+12:00

Happy Mother's Day to all the Mum's out there!!

To my Mum, my Mum-in-law, my Grand Mum, my amazing friends who are Mum's, my friends who are doing it alone as solo-mums, you are precious and so important!

May you have a great day... and have a laugh at this while you're at it.

xoxo

Loving...

2012-05-11T07:00:00.000+12:00

I wholeheartedly believe that no matter what is happening in your life, there is always something that you can be thankful for... no matter how simple it is.

Here are a few things I'm loving at the moment...

Loving my precious birthday girl in her new fluffy hat (and totally love that cheeky laugh!)...

Loving my beautiful Nan (here holding her newest great grandchild)...

Loving the Paw Print cake... we used oreo cookies and brown pebbles to make the paw prints. We also learned that if you put brown pebbles on a cake and leave the cake in the fridge overnight, the brown pebbles will fade and go green...

Loving my hard working 'animal whispering' husband...

Loving that the season of hoodies is here!! I love winter!!

Loving beautiful and moving stories like this and this!

Also, just wanted to let you all know that "Thing's I'm Loving" as a regular weekly linky is finally coming to an end. I have LOVED sharing the things I'm loving space with you (and I know you have too) and I will still continue to do my own random loving posts when I can, but not as a regular Friday linky. Thanks for being a part of this thankfulness journey, and I hope you will continue to look for the things in life to be thankful for, even if they are simple. xoxo

Here's how you can join in....

Link up below with your blog post telling us what thing/s you are loving, and don't forget to link back to here in your post (or use this button below) and visit the others who have joined in too. Linky open until Sunday!!

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Party Party!!

2012-05-09T22:31:00.000+12:00

This year is our 'non party' year... but that doesn't mean there's no room for a bit of celebration!

So the bunting was put up, the paw print cake was prepared and the grandparents were invited over for Taco's and birthday cake.

We had a great time - and our own personal Cake Carrier even made an appearance...

I love birthdays (and I also love my husband, even though he looks slightly scary).

Birthday girl...

2012-05-09T07:00:00.000+12:00

Happy Birthday today to my special big girl.

My girl with the beautiful brown eyes, cheeky laugh and super soft heart. The one who is always nearby for a cuddle. My precious girl who was born with a tonne of thick, dark hair - my Eskimo baby.

We hope you have an awesome day - and a wonderful year. You are growing into such a beautiful young lady.

xoxo Mummy & Daddy

Just so you know...

2012-05-07T07:00:00.000+12:00

: : Hello from the land of 'whew what a CRAZY yet awesome week last week was'

: : Last week we learned (well, let's be real and say 'Symon' learned) that even though you think you've put your cellphone onto mute, it can still ring it's strange funky tune... while you are taking your first ever funeral. Yep, embarrassing indeed (especially when he fumbled to turn the phone off and it rung a second time).

: : While talking about embarrassing moments last week, I can now join the list of women who have been asked if they're pregnant when they're not... rather funny at the time, but can play on your mind a bit later :)

: : I love the weekend... just saying (especially Sundays).

: : I know everyone says it, but seriously, where in the world do all of those missing socks go? Is there some sort of vortex where they all go and live happily together? I am sure that last week we lost at least 3 socks into the unknown.

: : Wearing your belt around your head can make you do strange things (proof above).

: : I'm really loving soup and fires and crochet blankets at the moment as the onset of Winter can be felt here in New Zealand.

: : Boo has an eye infection and needs a trip to the vets. I'm still planning on forcing one of our kids to become a veterinarian when they grow up so that we can save mega bucks (or the other options if they don't want to be a vet is a mechanic, dentist and electrician). No room for big career dreams in our household! JUST KIDDING... sort of.

: : We have a birthday in the house in two days time... and Symon is on birthday cake making duties!

: : Deep down I'm a real softy, and last week I found myself tearing up at some of the amazing acts of love I witnessed around about me. Loving others and giving to others is so much more gratifying that being focussed on yourself.

: : p.s. any theories on where missing socks go are most welcome...

The Earth is Yours...

2012-05-06T07:00:00.000+12:00

A bit of live forest music for your Sunday, by Gungor...

Things I'm Loving...

2012-05-04T07:00:00.000+12:00

I wholeheartedly believe that no matter what is happening in your life, there is always something that you can be thankful for... no matter how simple it is.

Just a short one this week from me, because things have been pretty busy around here.

Loving my darling guy and our Mondays off together hanging out at random local Cafes. This week we hid in our local library with a few magazines each and coffee. So good!

Also loving his sweet love notes left on my computer at work. I know it's a pretty bad pic taken on my phone... but can you make it out?

Here's how you can join in....

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Creative Dad...

2012-05-03T07:00:00.000+12:00

Just had to share these cute photos, taken by a super creative Dad, Jason Lee.

"Jason who is a wedding photographer started taking photos of his two little daughters back in 2006 when his mom was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma. The girls were constantly sick, with colds and coughs so he couldn't always bring them to visit their grandmother. Jason wanted her to be able to see her granddaughters without catching their kid germs so he started a blog where his mom could see what was going on in their lives" Source

Such cute photos and kids - more here and check out Jason's site here.

Butterballs

2012-05-02T06:57:00.000+12:00

Looks can be very deceiving... trust me when I say that these sweets are so delicious and fun to make!

I have great memories of making these when I was young (along with the Coconut Haystacks) and everyone in the family loved them when I made them again recently.

From the classic "What's Cooking?" book by Alison Holst, there is also the added bonus of them being gluten and egg free (Shhhhh - don't mention the sugar and butter).

Can't wait to make more.

Ingredients
½ cup sugar
2 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons butter
½ teaspoon rum essence or rum & butter essence

Put the sugar and water into a small pot and heat gently until the sugar dissolves. Add the honey and the butter and boil the mixture gently, without stirring.

Get a shallow container of cold water, and drop drops of the mixture into it. As soon as the drops are hard, and break when you bite them, take the pot off the heat and leave it to cool a little.

While you wait, rub a fairly thick layer of butter on to a metal place.

Add the essence to the candy, stir it gently, and pour it on to the buttery plate.

When it is cool enough to touch, push it into a lump with a buttery rope and roll them into balls.

When they are cold, put them in an airtight jar.

For more delicious recipes visit here.

Weekending it...

2012-04-30T07:00:00.000+12:00

A few snapshots from the weekend...

How was yours?

Things I'm Loving...

2012-04-27T07:00:00.000+12:00

I wholeheartedly believe that no matter what is happening in your life, there is always something that you can be thankful for... no matter how simple it is.

Things I'm Loving is back!! This week, I'm loving Boo, our sweet and slightly crazy dog.

The old dog that we have managed to teach new tricks to... like 'shake'...

The dog that was scared of water up until a couple of weeks ago! She surprised us all when she waded into the ocean and slowly worked a rock back to the shallows with her feet then picked it up in her mouth...

The dog that is terrified of bridges...

The dog that somehow sneaks herself up onto our bed and next to her master when I'm not around! Check out that naughty grin!!

I do love her (and her spotted belly) to bits.

Here's how you can join in....

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My Creative Space...

2012-04-25T19:35:00.000+12:00

A teeny tiny bit of crafting going on around here lately... a few moments grabbed here and there to work on the Retro caravan blanket, and a little cream & brown bunny, made for a friend's precious new bubba.

Sometimes I wish sewing machines were more portable like crochet!

Loving these cute softies here by Sleepy King!.

For more crafty makings, go here

Joining in with Our Creative Spaces

Remembering...

2012-04-25T07:00:00.000+12:00

Today our Nation stops to remember the brave souls who sacrificed their lives, so that we could live in freedom.

While recently going through some family records (my Dad has an amazing box of old photos, historical family documents etc), we stumbled across an official letter that was sent to one of my family members, letting them know that their son had died while serving as a soldier in WW1. Finding documents like this, brings the reality of ANZAC day home... Mothers and Fathers who's children never returned home.

ANZAC Day = a day to remember and be thankful

p.s. also a day to eat ANZAC biscuits too!

Photo taken on our recent trip to Auckland Museum.

Weekend awesomeness...

2012-04-23T07:00:00.000+12:00

We had such a beautiful weekend. Sometimes my heart feels like bursting because of all of the precious people we know and love and share life with. One of the highlights would be the wedding of a lovely couple at our church. Such an amazing journey they have taken to get to this place, and such a beautiful wedding (yes, I cried!).

Thought I'd also share a few random out-takes from our holiday. Already find myself often day dreaming back to it...

Somehow it seems wrong that these people have surfboards attached permanently to their fence... but it's a pretty cool fence isn't it? Cooler than my fence anyway.

Boo, making sure her master throws back the baby snapper he caught (poor guy - no big fish this time).

Showing off her swimming lesson skills...

Have a wonderful week!!

Heaven Come Down...

2012-04-20T20:47:00.002+12:00

Ascend the Hill - new album available here for download.

Love these guys!

A Family Holiday

2012-04-19T07:00:00.000+12:00

We've been away on holiday and have just arrived home (I fooled you with my sneaky pre-programmed posts didn't I!).

It was wonderful! Symon and I had a few days all by ourselves (thanks to my awesome Mum) in my Uncle and Aunts beach house, and then the kids came out to join us for the rest of the holiday.

Of course, life with 4 children is never perfect, even when you go away together on holiday, but it was so good to rest, hang out as a family and just be.

We all need time to just BE (oh, and crochet, play board games until the cows came home, eat Tip Top icecreams, sleep in, walk along the beach, watch movies, go fishing...).

Yes, there was fishing...

and beaching...

Beaching always has to include Cat's Eye collecting (this photo with Nana)...

and 'who can skip stones the best' competitions (Poppa was the champ)...

Boo had tonnes of fun...

But had to be banned from ALL starfish after trying to eat this poor litte starfish guy...

Both sets of grandparents came out to visit, which was so lovely...

Yep, a much needed holiday. Sooooo good!

p.s. Thanks for your comments on my posts while I was away. They made me laugh lots, and you'll be happy to know that "The Ugly Blanket" has now been renamed "The Retro Caravan Blanket", thanks to your awesome ideas.

Drake family holiday, April 2012

I love my family, love holidays and totally love New Zealand (even when it's a wee bit chilly).

Lawn mower love note...

2012-04-17T07:00:00.000+12:00

Okay, so I didn't quite go a whole week without another love related post... but just had to show you this, Symon's lawn mower love note to me the other day.

I didn't realise mowing the lawns could be so romantic!

Flashback...

2012-04-14T07:00:00.000+12:00

I stumbled upon this photo, and just had to share!

Pre marriage (excuse my blindingly white face!)...

Sixteen years later...

As you can see, I discovered the hair straigtener, and Symon the hairdressers.

Love him even more!!

p.s. I promise that's the end of my soppy anniversary posts for a while (at least a week anyway).