Blog

first rocky road of the season

December 13, 2011 By corrie 23 Comments

No candy cane stuck to a card here for Keira’s classmates. I decided I had to do my white choc rocky road in little cello bags this year and they turned out beautifully. But I still can’t believe I’m only making my first rocky road for the festive season now – less than 2 weeks before Christmas. I’m normally making and eating it much earlier.

It was also a great excuse to test out the kitchen – except that I had to dash back to the old kitchen to use the microwave to melt my chocolate.Now this really is so easy and you’re probably sick of my recipe but here you go:

1 bag of white chocolate melts
1 bag of mini marshmallows
1/2 bag of raspberry lollies cut in half
flaked or desiccated coconut to sprinkle on top.

Melt chocolate. I do mine for 2 minutes 30 seconds on medium in the microwave, stirring a couple of time. Works a treat. Meanwhile half raspberry lollies and tip into a bowl with marshmallows. Pour in chocolate and stir well. Pour into lined lamington tin or a silicone lamington tin and quickly sprinkle with some coconut. Refrigerate for at least half an hour. Slice and enjoy. Or bag up.

I’m hearing some great variations on rocky road and love to hear yours! I am a huge HUGE fan of rocky road.

Filed Under: baking, chocolate, christmas, christmas recipe, recipe, white chocolate rocky road

our kitchen renovation : day 21

December 12, 2011 By corrie 27 Comments

I know that we have no power or lights out in the new kitchen area but that hasn’t stopped us moving more things out there and making us feel right at home. Over the weekend retro daddy had the very fun job of putting up some ikea. All 12 chairs and stools. He was so dedicated that I came home from early morning mass and there he was in his pj’s putting the last of the stools together. Now that is dedication!

Retro daddy also loves to take a moment to admire it all and tell me how nicely it’s all coming together. Which is a relief since he pretty much let me pick everything. We are now just itching to get the power and lights on so we can start cooking, eating and hanging out there. Bring on Friday when it should all be happening!

Filed Under: kitchen, renovation, renovations

this year’s santa photo

December 11, 2011 By corrie 11 Comments

Every year I get the little ones all dressed up, we head into DJ’s and do the santa photo ritual. This year was special as I didn’t have to get in the photo! And our normally most nervous little person Tillie also surprised us by going straight up to Santa first and trying to climb on his lap. She was fascinated by him and made the whole photo easy. Elodie meanwhile wanted to cry, looked at santa, looked at us, the bottom lip was going but somehow we made it through. Phew.

And what I love is going back every year to look at all the photos. You might remember these from last year. I can’t help myself. I just love to look at them and see how our little family has grown. In a short time. First it was just keira. I really did love the fountain pigtail.

and here’s to many more santa photos!

Filed Under: everything else

our kitchen renovation : day 20

December 9, 2011 By corrie 20 Comments

Yesterday saw the tiles go in. It’s official. I’m in love. The tiles are perfect. The first tile store we went to had very cheap and plain subway tiles for $22 a sqm. They weren’t what I was after so we went closer to home to a lovely tiles store, Tiles by Kate. They had exactly what I was after. Italian subway tiles. Much thicker and more substantial with a lovely gloss to them. And yes more expensive but the entire tiled area was about $300 which I think is very reasonable for such a stunning look.

And I couldn’t wait. I had to start moving things into the new kitchen even though I have no power or lighting out there. I just couldn’t help myself. It’s coming together so beautifully and really is my dream kitchen.

Filed Under: kitchen, renovation, renovations

our kitchen renovation: day 19

December 7, 2011 By corrie 17 Comments

If there is one thing that I’m totally over, well it’s waiting for tradespeople to arrive. Like when they say they’ll be there at 12 and they call you at 3.15 and say I’m at your house where are you. So I told him. I’ve waited at home all day for you and had to collect my daughter from school. With all 4 kids in the car. So I’ll be home in 5 minutes and I kept him waiting for a change.

But the caesarstone is in and it’s looking lovely. Unfortunately for me he told me this is really hard to keep clean. Oh great, why didn’t I think of that when picking the colour but it really is perfect. This is snow. A very white and delicate caesarstone colour and I’m in love with it. I figured that it’s classic, wouldn’t date and would look pretty. And it does.

more pics coming tomorrow as the tap and oven are going in today.

Filed Under: kitchen, renovations

Christmas baking and making : rum balls

December 5, 2011 By corrie 5 Comments

One of my absolute favourite things to make at Christmas at rum balls. It’s the only time of the year I make them and I can’t get enough of them. With the new kitchen being built I’m seriously behind with making things and hoping next week I can get in to the new kitchen and start my christmas baking and making. Until then I had to share this recipe from last year with you! I’ve been making these for at least 10 years or so and they never last long. So easy, so tasty and just make them as boozy or un-boozy as you like! If you don’t do alcohol then use orange juice or reduce your rum and use a combination of the two. These are also delicious made with Cointreau instead of rum……….

loaf of madeira cake (mine was 450g)
1 cup icing sugar sifted
1/2 cup cocoa
rum – enough to make the mixture moist (or orange juice)
coconut or chocolate sprinkles to coat

– Slice off the brown edges of your cake then crumble the rest of the cake into a large bowl.

– Sift in cocoa and icing sugar and stir well as you want it all evenly distributed. I use the back of a spoon to squash out any bigger cake bits too.

– Pour in rum ( about 2 good sploshes) until you have the right consistency and your mixture is coming together. Mix well.

– Roll tablespoons full of mixture into balls and coat in coconut or chocolate sprinkles. Don’t worry if you can see little bits of cake, the mixture all comes together and they turn chocolatey in no time.

I keep mine in the fridge and then put into pretty containers as and when I need them. I’ve used pretty mason jars for this batch with a bit of organza ribbon.

Filed Under: baking, chocolate, christmas, recipe

market wrap up

December 4, 2011 By corrie 12 Comments

Nothing like a bit of last minute drama before a market. Elodie getting a fever the night before and me terrified she’d end up in hospital again. She woke up chirpy but hot and during the day retro daddy took her to the dr’s and you guessed it. Tonsilitis again. Back on the antibiotics and hoping we avoid hospital and convulsions this time.

So apart from worrying about how she was going, I had a great market. I adored having the double stall space, it felt like a luxury to be spread out over 2 big tables and it meant lots more space for customers to spread out.

Unfortunately the lovely big ladder display did not fit in the car. Just as retro daddy predicted. Looks like I need to leave little people at home next time in order to get it in the car. It sure is lovely and I think I might keep it in my craft room. $149 from Howards Storage because I knew you’d ask.

the white ladder that didn't fit in the car

And I got asked lots of times today if my quilts were sale. Maybe next year, in my spare time with the twinnies at preschool. Who knows.

And I always wish I had more time to do a round of the stalls. Retro daddy is pretty happy that I don’t but today I managed to pick up a gorgeous top to wear this summer. I walked past it 3 times and adored it. It’s actually a maternity top and is so gorgeously soft and lovely to wear. You can check out the range here. I hope I can pull it off this summer.

And the lovely Sarah was now selling cupcakes and cake pops. Cupcake- a- licious. I bought a box of cupcakes that lasted 10 minutes after we walked in the door and Sarah ever so nicely dropped these cake pops off to me. They didn’t last long either. Retro daddy thought they were very delicious too.

One of the things I love at markets is all the people you meet. Old friends, new friends. I love catching up with the same stallholders and meeting new ones and of course my lovely customers. I wouldn’t do markets if I didn’t love meeting my lovely customers and readers and making new ones. It’s always fun. Thank you. And a huge thank you to my very gorgeous helpers Amy and Lisa. Such a pleasure to spend the day with you and consider yourself hired next year.

But for now my feet are up, I’ll get my quilting tutorial up later tonight after dinner and I’m taking it easy to recover. Markets take it out of me and especially when you’ve been up all night next to a sick bub. But I’ve got a tub or two I’d like to clear on eBay this week and will share links later this week.

Filed Under: markets

four quilts

December 2, 2011 By corrie 10 Comments

This week I’ve definitely got my quilting mojo back. I’ve started and finished 4 little quilts just in time to take to Mathilda’s tomorrow. It’s so nice to see the latest ranges all made up and finished. And I’m just putting finishing touches on my quilt tutorial to make these and hope to have it up tomorrow night. I just have to get through all the last minute market preparations first.

Secretly I think retro daddy will just be glad to see the dining table again as I take my machine back to my sewing room again.

Filed Under: charm squares, free motion quilting, quilting

late night quilt buddies

December 1, 2011 By corrie 5 Comments

So my dining table is covered in quilts, fabric piles and my sewing machine. And while I did some last minute quilting before my market this Sunday the twins and keira had to come up and help. And sit on the table next to me. Finn is obsessed by my quilting gloves – or as he likes to call them safety gloves and the girls are obsessed by the contents of my sewing container.

Thankfully daddy came home and rescued me so I could finish some quilts.

Filed Under: markets, quilting

quilt in a day

November 30, 2011 By corrie 13 Comments

Markets always sneak up on me. This week I’ve been quilting, packing my market tubs, cutting and folding, finding fabrics to bring to market and still have a huge pile of appliques to finish and some little jobs to do. One of the more exciting jobs I’ve been doing is getting some little quilts made up in brand new charm square fabrics. And I’m writing a tutorial to give to customers who always ask how do I make a quilt with these……

I think this is my favourite one, Good Fortune by Kate Spain. Lovely, bright and modern. I really love this. So keep an eye out for my easy tutorial……………….because yes I did make this in a day. And I still had time to go shopping, do my banking, the post office, the school run and fish & chips with the kids. I would call that my most productive day……………..of the year!

Don’t forget to come and say hi this Sunday at Mathilda’s Market, Fox Studios from 9am – 1pm. I’ve booked a double stall and am on the left wall as you walk in the main entrance. And I have a double stall so I can spread out and also give my lovely customers more room. I know. I’m so nice. I love markets so be sure to introduce yourself and say hi. It’s going to be a great market and I have 2 lovely helpers throughout the day so thank you Amy and Lisa. I didn’t think I could do it solo!

Filed Under: charm squares, free motion quilting, quilt

Christmas baking + making : Christmas blondies

November 29, 2011 By corrie 4 Comments

I love white chocolate so I knew I had to try this recipe from the December 2011 issue of AWW. These are really good, even Elodie has been tucking into a little bit of it. And there is nothing left so I always take that as a sign of success. Don’t do what I did and replace the plain flour with self raising flour, stick to the plain flour. Mine rose quickly and then was a bit crumbly. But it still tastes really good and even better the next day.

2/3 cup fruit mince
2 Tbsp brandy
180g softened butter
1tsp vanilla essence/extract
1 cup (220g) brown sugar
2 eggs
1 cup (150g) plain flour
1/2 cup (75g) self raising flour
1/2 cup (60g) almond meal
1/2 cup (95g) white choc bits
1 1/4 cups (110g) flaked almonds

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees (160 if fan forced and don’t overdo the heat). Line a square cake tin with baking paper. In a small bowl mix the brandy into the fruit mince and set aside.

If you have a thermomix then place butter, vanilla and sugar in bowl for 40 seconds on speed 4. Scrape down bowl and add in eggs and beat for 10 seconds on speed 4. Add in flours, almond meal and process for 30 seconds on speed 4. Add in fruit mince mixture, chocolate and half flaked almonds and mix for 40 seconds on closed lid position and speed soft. If your choc chips aren’t evenly distributed just do another 20 seconds. **Press into lined tin and sprinkle the rest of the flaked almonds over the top. Bake for about 40 minutes until a knife comes out clean. Mine took a little longer but don’t be tempted to increase the temperature or the top will cook too fast. Allow to cool in pan then slice and enjoy. It tastes better the next day too. If you can wait that long but I’m guessing not.

If you don’t have a thermomix then combine your fruit mince and brandy and set aside. Cream butter, vanilla and sugar together until pale and creamy. Add in eggs and beat until combined. Add in flours and almond meal and mix well until all combined. Lastly add in fruit mince, chocolate and half the flaked almonds and ensure all evenly distributed. Follow from **.

Filed Under: baking, christmas, recipe

our kitchen renovation : day 18

November 28, 2011 By corrie 14 Comments

A big day today. Installation of the kitchen cupboards. I was so nervous about how it was going to look but it looks lovely. The twins were obsessed with checking that every, and I mean EVERY cupboard and drawer worked.

I’ve realised that there isn’t much room for a bulkhead so the cornices will have to be finished and a bit of painting up above the cupboards. The appliances, tiling and caesarstone should make a big difference but I’m kind of wishing I’d hidden the fridge behind a cupboard door for a bit of symmetry. But it’s looking lovely and is only going to look better once it’s all finished. One very happy customer. And it’s not even finished.

Filed Under: kitchen, renovations

I’m actually sewing

November 28, 2011 By corrie 8 Comments

I can’t believe it either. My machine is out of hibernation. With the help of retro daddy I gained entry to my sewing machine and after an hour could bring out my sewing machine. Just like riding a bike and I’ve missed my machine so much.

Retro daddy is away this week and as any sewer knows means a golden opportunity to pull out the machine to the dining room table and get some sewing done

I also have mathilda’s market this Sunday at Fox Studios and am madly trying to turn some new charm square packs into sample quilts! It’s so lovely to see a new range all made up in a little quilt – which I’ll give to my little ones this Christmas. This is Cape Ann by Oliver & S which I have oodles of.

Filed Under: charm squares, markets, quilting, sewing

Christmas baking + making : coconut snowballs

November 26, 2011 By corrie 6 Comments

When it comes to my Christmas baking and making, I am a creature of habit. Rum balls, rocky road, fruit mince pies, fruit cakes and maybe a new recipe or two. This year I want to try quite a few new recipes since I have my Thermomix and should be able to get through a few more. First up I had to try Coconut Snowballs from the current issue of Super Food Ideas.

Coconut Snowballs

250g packet marie biscuits

1/2 cup desiccated coconut

50g glace cherries

1 tsp vanilla extract

395g sweetened condensed milk

1 and 1/2 375g packs of Nestle white chocolate melts

1/2 cup desiccated coconut for sprinkling on top

If you have a thermomix then place your biscuits in the bowl (whole) and process for 10-15 seconds on speed 7 or 8 until you have fine breadcrumbs. Add in coconut, cherries, vanilla and milk and process for 10 seconds on speed 3. Remove from bowl. ** With damp hands roll a tablespoonful of mixture into a small ball and place on lined baking tray or container. Repeat with the rest of the mixture and then freeze for about an hour. Now melt your chocolate for 2 1/2 -3 minutes on medium in the microwave (stirring a few times in between) then dip each ball on a fork into the chocolate, wait till any excess chocolate drips off and then place on lined baking tray again. Sprinkle with the extra coconut straight away (you really need to do this straight away because the chocolate sets pretty quickly) and then repeat with the rest of your snowballs.

If you don’t have a thermomix just crush your biscuits until they become fine breadcrumbs, add in remaining ingredients and finely chop your cherries before you add them in to the mixture. Follow instructions from **.

Ta da you have coconut snowballs. You should get about 28-30 snowballs from this recipe it just depends on how big your balls are. Sorry I couldn’t help myself. And I’m very happy to report that these were very popular at church morning tea! Retro daddy even went so far as to tell me they were better than my rum balls! I’m more of a rum ball person myself!

Filed Under: baking, christmas, christmas recipe, recipe, thermomix

another baby kina

November 26, 2011 By corrie 16 Comments

Yes, perhaps I have a slight obsession with knitting baby kina’s. This one being my 4th one knitted this year. I just can’t help myself. It’s such a sweet little cardigan, easy to knit and can be worn with anything.

I knit this one in Bendigo’s Spring Cotton which is a new yarn of cotton with a touch of lycra. It feels more substantial than the regular cotton and has a bit of stretch in it which I like.

And the colour I am totally in love with. I’m such a pink girl and this hot pink is just gorgeous. I was in love with it from the moment I saw the shade card. Sometimes Bendigo get a little stuck with their pale colours so having a bright hot pink is very welcome in this house.

The buttons were an eBay find and were just the perfect way to finish off the project.

And models don’t come cuter than my Elodie.

Now the fun of picking my next knitting project! And perhaps stocking up on a little more Spring Cotton for the stash! And you can find all the details of this project on my ravelry page here.

Filed Under: bendigo woollen mills, kina, knitting, ravelry