Lockdown celebration pancakes in honour of my new niece- nice to have my nephew & nieces staying to keep me entertained over lockdown

just a couple of pics of some recent food that we've been enjoying

after a big lunch on Sunday we were all up for a light and summery tea- what better than fruit salad!  Say melons, peaches, kiwi, orange, pear, mixed peel, coconut, almonds, mango for those who like it- how good and fresh does it get :)

And then on Monday night Zoe totally surprised me with her choice on Cookidoo- Zoe who doesn't like Asian, chili, or "interesting" food usually (her idea of a good meal is cheesy mac)  chose to make San Choy Bau and we absolutely all loved it!  A lettuce leaf filled with yumminess of the spicy asian variety- fresh chili, bean shoots, peanuts, mint and either pork mince for those who partake, or butter bean mash for us vegetarians around here.  So. Good.

Then on Tuesday night we had buttermilk corn cakes with salsa (think green chili, avocado, cherry tomatoes, fresh basil and lime juice) and steamed broccolini from mum's garden...

and I can't believe I forgot to take a photo of Wednesday night's tea- this fantastic Italian nonna's recipe for a vegetable stew which was so unbelievably tasty that I can't wait to make it again.  Like fresh basil, spring onions and parsley, green beans, tomato, potato, zucchini, olive oil- it doesn't get any better than this!  Served with parmesan, black olives and crusty bread, mmmmmm.  The only tweak I made to her recipe was to add 2 spoonfuls of my thermomix vegetable stock paste when I added the water and I thoroughly recommend this to you.

And what have I been crocheting on the side?  Some gorgeous crowns for little girls- thanks for modeling then for me Zozo x

Because you start with a foundation single crochet instead of a basic chain, they are remarkably stretchy (like almost elastic!) and fit a few size heads no problem.   Super quick and easy to do- what a clever lady who shared the free pattern- just love it.  I'm going to try starching the first one I made (which is the least best one done) and see if it improves it?  Don't tell my nieces but I plan to give them one each at the end of the year... (shh)  I said  sshhhhh

So I had a few things I knew I needed to do, so I didn't bother with a sleep in much to speak of and got right into it.  Firstly I made up the loaf of banana bread (thanks thermy) that those 3 overripe bananas were crying out for and started on the days 3 loads of washing.  Including changing our sheets.  

Then I made the crust for the cheesecake (thanks thermy) which was for today's ecclesial lunch- but hey!  What's going on with Arnott's Granita biscuits now?  I always do the same crust recipe but something definitely went wrong with it yesterday.   I used the usual half a packet (which is 125g) but when I spread the crust mix out onto the springform tin base there was barely enough to cover the base.  I considered crushing up another 60 g or so of biscuits but decided against it as that is what I always do, and it always works a treat.  But I will tell you now that I won't do only 125g ever again- when I tried to slide the cheesecake off the base and baking paper today at the hall it was so flimsy thin that I couldn't get it off the paper!  So tragically there was a lovely looking lemon curd cheesecake with a booby trap piece of paper underneath just lurking and trying to make it difficult to remove a delicious piece.  (It all got eaten anyway, but I was mortally embarrassed.)

After hanging out more washing I went to the supermarket and got a trolley load of the needful, and came home to make a triple batch of red curry paste (thanks Thermy).  

And I walked around the corner quick to have a look at the midday auction of a house in the next street .

Then it was time for Seb the hero to squeeze over 1 cup full of fresh lemon juice from our overproducing tree, so I could make the cheesecake filling, and a double batch of lemon curd for the topping (a double batch because I need to make another cheesecake next weekend for my mum in law's 80th).  I also made a batch of savoury zucchini and cheese muffins (some for lunches in the freezer)

and a jar full of fresh pesto (thanks, and thanks thermy) before having a late lunch when Zoe got home from a Saturday shift at work.  And because there were 2 egg whites leftover from the lemon curd I decided to make a small batch of my favourite gluten free biscuit- almond flakes.  Then it was time to pop out to get petrol and home to do some of the hour and a half ironing that is a joy every Saturday :)

After that I decided I really should start on making the Sunday savoury side of the ecclesial lunch- which was a new recipe that I hadn't tried yet from cookidoo- Torta di rose salato- which are sort of broccoli and cheese rose shaped bread rolls which you can tear off.

And a lovely big Greek salad.

I add the roast capsicum, olives, feta and dressing at the last minute, it is pretty yummy.  Dinner was just leftovers so that was easy, and then after tea I sat down to start crocheting another baby shrug in ballet pink in a teeny weeny size,  actually it's so small it might only fit a premmie.  Or a doll.

So basically just an ordinary Saturday.

Back when Ben and I were in NZ we bought a couple of things at Cushla's village fabrics and I finally got around to making up the rag doll kit that I fell in love with while we were there.  She's a cutie!  Don't envy me firstly turning through those weeny arms and skinny legs, and then stuffing the jolly things was no piece of cake either!  But she looks sweet on our pillows and I'm happy with the end result.

and then I decided to finish one of the crochet baby shrugs that I've been working on on the side- I think it's a size 9- 12 months, but I'll have to see if I can get a model for it soon!  Yes, it's for my Etsy shop.

I forgot (like I do every year) that it was our wedding anniversary yesterday- but Ben never forgets!  He did a home delivery of this stunning bouquet of hydrangeas and peonies and lushness for me, just for me.  Am I not one lucky chickadee!

And today I decided to finish the silk ribbon embroidery on the sunhat, it's been sitting on the bench too long.  I'm thankful the bee also went according to plan- it's sure been a while since I've been embroidering bees onto bonnets!  I'm glad it's finished, and just in time for summer, too.

And although I am feeling much better now  (just not quite my energy levels back yet) the kids were doing extra turns with the cooking while I was recovering and Zoe proudly made a big dish of macaroni & cheese (and bacon) for herself and Ben and for tea the other night when the others were out.  Of course there were leftovers which she portioned into lunchbox serves, but she truly enjoyed cooking this dish so I took a photo for her :)

don't ya just love the bobbly bits between the ripples!  I know I do!

And since daisy rugs are my best sellers on my Etsy shop, and since I enjoy making them and have the yarn on hand, I started yet another daisy rug- it's nice to be back with the daisies again!

the teale colour has come out a bit brighter than it actually is in this photo unforch.

well I won't bore you with the details but I haven't been feeling so great, But, here are some pics anyway!

The other day while I was nannying there was movement in the garden out the back (at Waterfall gully), and eventually this echidna came right up to the back door!  I've never seen one so close up, or such a large one either.  Unfortunately the kiddies were asleep at the time, they would have loved to see it too.

and I bought myself a new sunhat.  I hate wearing sunhats because I am so short that I have to look up to speak to most people if the brim is too big or too bucket style, but I need to set a good example to the littlies, and plus, it has been hot.  Now you may say that that's a pretty boring sunhat, but I bought one like that on purpose you see, because I had a cunning plan...

I originally thought that I would work pretty embroidery all the way around the brim, but after only this much taking me two full evenings to complete, I think I will be satisfied with just a spray of flowers on one side.  But it is nice to get out the silk ribbon again, and do a little something different.  I just hope I don't run out of puff before I get it done- compared to crochet it's very slow work.

And talking about crochet I have almost finished my blue cot rug- photo coming soon!

We had a nice Mee goreng in the thermy the other day...

Zoe guessed straight away that I plan to make another daisy rug- looking forward to starting that soon.  ATM I am working on another chevron blanket for a friend's baby boy, it's coming along sweetly and giving me much joy.

and we have been enjoying as usual a good variety of new recipes from Cookidoo in the Thermomix, here's a pic of one that I actually remembered to take a photo of!

of course we did the beef on the side so not everyone had to partake.  The salad was delicious! and with the peanut dressing it was really filling too.  Think crunchy fresh salad, zingy coriander, mint and spring onions too.  And we love edamame beans aswell.  

Yum!

I forgot to show you something that Ben bought me when we were touring on the long Weekend

how cute is the little ceramic blue bird on the perch!  It must have been by a local artist -we got it at Mclaren vale.

And these flowers were from the school fair

and this rose is growing in our front garden!  How spectacular :)

so a few things have happened, nothing big, just enough to keep me busy.  Firstly Ben and I finished our nice relaxing long weekend with a day trip to Victor Harbour, and a quiet day at home Monday doing some house painting (Ben) and some tidying and sorting and crochet (me). This week we tried making gas fired pizzas in the BBQ- freshly made dough, aged 24 hrs, and baked on a ceramic pizza stone.  Inspired by the Adam Ragusea video (Ben gets hungry and watches cooking shows sometimes)

I certainly can't complain about how they turned out- the base was delicious, and the toppings too, everyone ate the garlic and herb one we did first, and then we shared a few with different toppings that we tried.  Like artichoke & feta, tomato and basil, olives with the lot etc...

The only thing was we could only cook 1 smallish pizza at a time, and they took about 10 minutes each- turns out I didn't have the gas tap turned up enough when I turned the BBQ on (me not being a BBQ queen ever) so it was a slowish meal.  Thankfully it's daylight savings now, and eating outdoors is lovely.  We'll definitely try it again.

And yesterday was the big school fundraiser for the year (yes, I know my kids have all finished school now, but it's a good school, and we appreciate it still so we support Heritage College!)  and I was in my usual station selling slices of cake to all and sundry.

This year they tried something different- it was a "night market"- so instead of being from 10:00am- 3:00pm it was from 4:00pm- 8ish, outdoors in the new courtyard area which was lovely.  Fairy lights, garden lights, pallet seating with cushions and candles, a brazier for when the sun went down, you get the idea.

So I had 2 less people helping me bake (school holidays) so I ended up doing a larger share, which was fine because I had all those hours on Saturday morning to do stuff and I was pretty organised because I've done this many times before...

Lemon curd cheesecakes, Hummingbird cake, chocolate/pecan pie, orange/ricotta flan, chocolate/almond torte (the last 2 are GF) and in this picture there were 2 more GF cakes donated by another lovely sister - Lemon custard cake, and rhubarb/strawberry mousse cake.  Plus another friend brought a raspberry/chocolate dacquois (not pictured) and our favourite Muratti donated a cherry baked cheesecake  and a TiraMisu. (Also not yet in the picture) Thanks helpers!

so the kids are away and Ben and I are enjoying some time together at home(ish) on this long weekend.  I say "ish" because we are not exactly staying at home all day, just sleeping here while doing some fun things in the daytime.  Like today we drove to McLaren Vale, and around Willunga and Normanville, enjoying sights, shops, cafe's, views and each other's company.

Ben surprised me by taking me to a quilting shop that specialises in Wide Backs (wide bolts of fabric for backing your quilt) as well as having all the lovely fabric etc that quilt shops generally have.  And I have an idea for resurrecting a quilting project that I abandoned years ago that is in my cupboard upstairs in bits, plus I am now inspired to start the seaside quilt that I bought when I was in NZ back in May, ahem.  But first, I must needs clear out a few cupboards and tidy my sewing desk so I can actually work there, sigh.  That is my ambition for Monday.

This morning before we left I did 3 loads of washing, a batch of vegetable stock paste, the shopping and a batch of cookies before Ben woke at 9ish, so I was happy to head off for the day with a few things done.

this looks like a pizza- but it was a pear, parmesan, rocket and balsamic reduction on a pesto base- served warm, it was yummy (to share) and the mediterranean salad with haloumit was delish too.

And we nearly walked on the jetty (a thing Ben likes to do) at Normanville, but decided against getting sand in between my toes so just looked out on it from the walk by the grass.

As we drove by a huge familiar green warehouse which is Bunnings we both said in unison "TWO Bunnings!" which is a quote from my niece who in a sudden moment of enlightenment realised that the world as she knew it was larger than she first imagined.  Yes, indeed, big enough for two Bunnings's.  So precious.

And on the way home we stopped to enjoy the sunshine breaking through a gap in the cloud- what a view!  Thanks to God.

So all in all, a good day.

I didn't feel like I needed a day off, but nevertheless I am enjoying myself immensely!

Zoe and I took some little friends (our "excuses") to the outdoor live theatre happening at the moment in the botanical gardens- Alice in Wonderland- no less, and didn't we all have a blast.  And guess who enjoyed it the most?  It was me!

Unfortunately we weren't allowed to take photos while the performance was happening, but take my word for it- if you have any little friends then you have an excuse to go and be entertained.  We packed a picnic (a must, especially for small folk) and sat on the grass in the shade near the top of a gentle hill.  The costumes, singing, banter, interaction and towards the end, the live game with us participating, made it all a performance to be remembered.

well done to the Australian Shakespeare company!

not much again, just a photo showing how much and why I love Springtime again

and a pic of a raw, vegan cake my hipster mum made for our family catch up on Sunday

well, she's not really hipster, just very up to the minute with what's trending in food.

And my sister in law made the torta caprese (chocolate/ almond torte) which I've made a bit lately, but she added some orange zest into the ganache- a really nice touch.  And my other sister in law made her yummy couscous salad- which I snaffled an extra serve of for my lunch today.  The zucchini fritters turned out really yummy too- made with grated zucchini, sweet potato, red onion and besan (chickpea) flour so no egg was needed.  We ended up turning back from the playground because it was apparently blowing a gale down at Semaphore, and had the family catch up here under our pergola instead.

and that's truly all.  Oh, except I've nearly finished the cot size chevron rug...