Nan's Pie.

Nana used to have the whole family over for a roast lunch on Sundays. We would go to church and Nan would cook a big roast for everyone. This was the norm for quite a few years.

Nan had the hugest most gorgeous kitchen table. I think it seated about 18. Most Sundays there were about 12 of us I think. It was lovely!

Whatever the roast most times Nan would serve this tomato, onion and zucchini pie along with a huge number of roast vegies. Yum. I always loved this pie! Everyone must have as it was always demolished.

It wasn't until more recently that I understood what was going on. Probably Nan was trying to extend a roast to serve so many people. Nan and Pa were probably comfortable without being "well off" and Nan always had yummy meals for everyone. 

A roast dinner consisted of roast meat, gravy, a variety of roast and steam vegies and this pie. All of this must have made a roast go the distance.

Watching Jamie Oliver recently he made a roast go a mile too with loads of sides. Nothing has changed! I you want to save the series "Save with Jamie" is wonderful.

When tomatoes are cheap or in the garden this is fabulous. Also it uses left over bread. Any bread we have left from anything is always either dried or frozen for such things.

The recipe is very flexible. In a large pan fry up chopped onion and zucchini until soft and golden and add chopped tomatoes. For the two of us and planning for left overs I did 2 large onions, one zucchini and 5 large soft tomatoes. Do the amount that suits you.

Let the tomato breakdown a bit. Add pepper. I like to add some oregano.

It looks like this and smells beautiful. 

Pour it into a baking dish/casserole dish. Now cover with cut up left over bread. Be generous. Over this sprinkle cheese. Now bake this until the bread is crisp and the cheese is golden. Then it looks like a pie...

It smells lovely. It goes perfectly with a roast and roast vegies. And of course makes your roast meat go a mile further!

Left overs still are good with a grill or a steak. Or if you have lots of left overs make little spaces in it and place a cracked egg into each and put in the oven for a beautiful brunch. Just cook until your eggs are set to the degree you like them. 

If I am cooking like this I will make double and have enough for another night, or freeze one. Or you could make a large mix and use half by setting some aside to go with pasta, so then you have different meals.

I always think of Nan when I make this. It is so simple it barely qualifies as a recipe but it has so many virtues... easy, tasty, healthy, cheap, uses left over up, can be prepared ahead and popped into oven, freezes, extends meat, the list goes on! In our case we have lots of tomatoes that needed using and stale bread in the freezer. 

Old fashioned cooking is wonderful. It was economical and simple and delicious!

Also Nan always placed everything in dishes on the table and people would help themselves. This is miles easier than trying to serve and keep hot a dozen dishes. If you have dishes with lids this is the way to go. I used to serve up everyone's meals and now I wonder why I did that as Nan's way is so much easier!

New Year, new gifts to make!

After Christmas my gift cupboard is very depleted! But that is the idea, to have made gifts all year and to have enough! Many years I made some but never most of my gifts. Last year a resolution was to start in January and work on different things all year. It worked! I had such a supply and choice at each birthday and then at Christmas.

So it is January again! What ever it is you like to make start now! Each month you will have more and more lovely things ready. I have started with crochet edges around face washers and matching hand towels. And I started with pink, then white and now I'm on to a lovely blue grey which is rather french!

My bath soaks would go well with this. But as the year goes on I will add soaps, hand creams, bath bombs etc that would make it a spa gift and all look nice together. Then tie it up with ribbon. Then it's a lovely gift.

On my recent gift shop visits I notice $20 doesn't go far. Any gift I would want to give is more like $50 up. Somethings I truly loved were hundreds. Who can pay that? Especially when you have lots of people you give gifts to!?

Solution. Make most of your own. Men are harder I think but I have worked out most men like food. Especially home cooking. Last year I baked my brother a large fruit cake. I know he loves them. And I have a recipe to use for a gift for Andy. His favourite wine is Malbec. He loves the stuff. I found a recipe for Malbec truffles that look so luxurious. I'm thinking a lovely box lined with beautiful paper and full of these truffles would be a great gift. Maybe Valentines Day?

In the back of my planner I keep a page purely for gift ideas. Sometimes you get an idea or hear someone say something about a wish or a need and I write it down before I forget. It means you usually have a good list of ideas and it is thoughtful to have remembered something from a conversation and given this perfect gift! It all beats last minute desperate "what will I get?" shopping that usually costs a bomb because you have run out of time.

So this is my start.... 

I have the pink ikea t towels also tied up with pink ribbon. I'm thinking of inserting wooden spoons into the bows. The trip to the farm resulted in two more of those finished as the car trip is long. I learned I can go right round a t towel each way!

Even if you only sit down for a short time each day it is amazing what you can do. I never just sit and crochet. It will be when we are watching something on tv or in the car mostly. It all adds up. And handiwork is good for you! Yep. It is known now that knitting calms you, lowers your blood pressure and is quite meditative. Being absorbed in making something lovely adds hugely to your own happiness. Having creative outlets is really important.

If you have talents use them. If you have lost something you once had as a skill resurrect it. If you feel you have no skills (I don't believe it) choose something your heart really loves and start at step one. With something like crochet you can be a learner and in a week doing very well. Almost any skill can be learned for free on you tube. It is so exciting to learn a new skill. Even Dr. Oz, my favourite doctor, says having hobbies and passions is so good for you it will increase your life span and happiness over all! Don't argue with the Doctor! 

Seriously if I was idle I would bite my nails. Worry more. Be more stress and frustrated. All bad. Instead I know I can't live long enough to do all the projects I want to and try everything I'm dreaming of! 

Summer living.

Adjusting life to the seasons is lovely. Sometimes I have to think about it and make a bit of a plan or I will forget things. One summer change was to use the stove as little as possible and make the most of cold meats, salads and BBQs. Doing this alone saved $100 on our gas bill and also it makes for quick easy meals. If we swim in the evening it means afterwards I can have tea on a plate in minutes. This means being outside and enjoying the beautiful evenings is much easier to do. When we have a BBQ I add extra meat so there is cold meat for the next night. It has reduced the amount I need to cook so much!

Another summer bonus is evening picnics at the beach. Then a swim. Evenings are so beautiful, sunset at the beach! To do it I pack a little picnic and off we go. It's such a nice night out.

In both cases having ready made salads that keep well is a huge help. They help during the day too as if I am hungry I will pick at these and not think of other things! 

We love fresh crunchy lettuces and greens. A favourite salad is rocket, slices of pear and walnuts. But to have on hand or travel you need something that is not going to wilt away or brown. 

A favourite is a salsa like salad which I just make with chopped onion, parsley, a tin of corn, chopped capsicum, tomatoes, chopped cucumber... all cut up about 1cm squares. It is colourful, yum and doesn't wilt. I keep this for a couple of days and it goes with lots of things really nicely. A tin of tuna on top makes a lovely lunch.

Another is my Mums rice salad. I use a little less rice and more salad... it actually is better the second day and even better the third day. On a picnic I will pack it into little mason jars, one per person, and include forks.  It's really good.

It is about two cups cooked rice, a handful or more of cashew nuts, a tin of corn, chopped capsicum, sliced celery, sultanas, chopped onion, pineapple pieces... honestly make it as big or small as you like and use the ingredients you like. Mix a teaspoon of curry powder in about half a cup of italian dressing and pour over and stir through. Let it chill and stir again. The flavour kind of develops! It is great with a BBQ or cold meats. Knowing I will get three days out of it I make it in quite big quantities. Just adjust to suit your family.

The other reliable one is so far nameless... lets call it Healthy Chickpea Salad!

It's a can of chickpeas. Cubed feta cheese, chopped onion, tomato, capsicum, cucumber, parsley. Dressing if you like. It's a bit like greek salad minus the bits that wilt.

When life is rushed pre prepared salads are just so handy and a good influence on me!

If there is one in the fridge I won't even think about what to have, I will go to that. Having a protein in each salad makes it a meal and keeps you full. Now secret of secrets... adding croutons, crispy bacon, cheese, grilled chicken makes salads appealing even to non salad lovers.  Small additions turn a salad into a whole meal. 

I'm happy we have several months to go of living like this as it is so easy and healthy too. 

If you have a good salad that lasts please share as I would love some more!

A Beautiful New Year!

A couple of years ago I wrote on a web site a beauty thread and I have had quite a few letters about it! One particular letter said "do not follow Annabel's beauty advice!" yet turned out to be a wonderful endorsement, of sorts! I am trying to work out a way to share it here...

I hope no one is feeling too seedy today being New Years Day! Oooh a fresh new year!

This is a lovely recipe and makes up into a gorgeous gift as well.

These bath bags turn your bath into a scented softening milky bath. As they dissolve you use the muslin bag to wash yourself and the muslin has a soft exfoliating effect on your skin. It feels divine. 

As a gift a little packaging makes it beautiful. My friend Sue gave me gorgeous blue lace and I have used some to line this little box. It looks lovely!

To make these you need muslin which is very inexpensive. Cut it up into squares about 25 cm in width. You need some string or ribbon or even lace to tie the bags up. Even yarn would do.

Into each square put a spoon of powdered milk. You can use any. Goats milk would be nice also. Then two spoons of fine oatmeal. This could be instant oatmeal as that is fine... just as long as it is fine and soft... not full oats as they would be scratchy. 

Now you choose your scent. You want good essential oils. Lavender is good for relaxation and headaches and sleep. I have made mine with rose essential oil which I find relaxing and nurturing. You can buy special pre made blends or make your own. So think what qualities do you want them to have and what do you love? I want relaxation, calming, helps me to settle to sleep. I like geranium, rose, ylang ylang. A visit to the health food store would help you with this if you are not sure.

Ok you want about a golf ball size of filling then tie each one up with your ribbon. Add to each one 3 or 4 drops of your essential oil. 

Once done keep them in a jar or box to keep in your scents. For a gift add a name and instructions ie "sleep inducing bath soak" or " stress relief soak" ...

I am addicted to the feel of these on my skin and they really do me good. If you have a bath do have a soak often. Every health spa in the world probably has bathing as a feature for very good reasons. Adding epsom salts to a plain bath is one of the greatest things you can do for your health. Your skin releases toxins from your body. It relaxes you. It is so good for you. The heat soaks away the aches and pains. The steam clears your head, opens your pores. Just beautiful in s many ways. Regularly indulge in your favourite scents. Enjoy!

Here is some of Michelle's lovely (and funny) letter:

I was only going to email this to Annabel (you'll soon see why), but I 
thought you might all enjoy a bit of a laugh.

Since hurting my back, I have had more time to do things for myself. So 
I have been taking Annabel's advice that she has kindly given over the 
years via the beauty threads on SS, as well as tid bits that have come 
up through writings, email, etc. I have a simple routine in place, where 
I moisturise after every shower. I have a hydrating eye gel, & a face 
moisturiser. Nothing fancy - both I get through Avon. Just this past 
week, I have coloured my hair a red colour. Having red undertones in my 
naturally brunette hair, I apparently wear red hair very well, so 
everyone tells me. I have been wearing make up every day - just eye make 
up, & paw paw ointment on my lips (really good for lips, & Aldi sells a 
small tube of it for $1.99). My colour palette has been browns (to match 
my eyes) & light shades of purple from the NP SET range. Annabel gifted 
me some loose dust duos a while ago, & I am making good use of them. I 
have been changing my handbag to suit each outfit, & each outfit has 
been thought about the night before, & chosen if possible.
Examples of outfits I have been wearing are;
~ light purple button through top with black knee length shorts, paired 
with red heels & a deep red handbag, a red watch & huggie earrings
~ pale purple printed tee with bright blue capri jeans, paired with 
white a purple/pink/white print handbag, pink watch, hot pink bangle, & 
white shoes, & blue pearl studs
~ mint green top with brown pants, paired with white shoes & a green & 
white hand bag, & the jewellery set Fiona kindly made me
~ today's effort it is a light purple top with grey pants, white 
sandals, pink watch, & my purple/pink/white hand bag, along with silver 
& diamante hoops & a hair clip with crystals & feathers
All of these items are things I already own & I already wear. Nothing 
special really. The make up - I've worn it before too. But now I'm 
thinking about it, & putting myself together each morning. It's not just 
throw on some clothes & get Lauchy to school. Everything co-ordinates, & 
I look ready for the day, instead of looking like I only made a half 
attempt.

Now, for the warning - DO NOT FOLLOW ANNABEL'S ADVICE!!!! Why? You ask, 
no doubt shocked that I would say such a thing. Well the answer is 
simple... It means all the crazy folk come out of the wood works!! They 
want to comment on your look; they want to touch your hair, & other 
places (!!!); & they make passes at you!
Annabel, you did not tell me about these issues!! Lol :-D
Now, most of you know what I look like, & I firmly believe that I am in 
no way pretty. I am just a plain Jane when it comes to looks. To add to 
that, I'm short & fat, so there is nothing about me that jumps out at 
you, & I'm ok with that.

Monday, a lady stops to ask me what my skin routine is, because my skin 
is beautiful. She asks my age - I say 32. She argued I could not 
possibly be that old, that I must be 26 tops. I had to show her my 
driver's licence before she believed me. She calls over her hubby & is 
all gushy at him about me (so embarrassing), & he comments that I look 
beautiful. I say thanks, & tell her my simple skin cleaning routine. 
Then! They start commenting on my hair as well, & next thing I know they 
both start touching my face & hair - weirdos! Her hubby then comments I 
smell good - so I excused myself for a fake phone call & left in a big 
hurry!

Tuesday, I help an elderly lady who was struggling with her bags. Hayden 
helps by carrying a loaf of bread. She thanks me, & tells me I am a 
vision of beauty (dear sweet thing she was). I thank her & wish a merry 
Christmas, & away we go. Then, I buy a coffee at a coffee shop - the 
girl there is smitten with my eyes, & won't stop talking about them. One 
compliment is fine, but going on about it is just plain weird. She hands 
me my coffee & tells me how sparkly my eyes are (really?!), I say 
thanks, & leave. I get back to the car - she has written her number on 
my flippin' cup & the words 'call me!' ARE YOU SERIOUS?!
That afternoon, I walk past a busker, who was singing something, but 
changed his words as I walked past & sings "ladies with red hair will 
only break your heart..." I kept walking. Also, he was out of tune.

Wednesday, the day was going well. I had finished delivering my gifts & 
cards to various businesses to say thankyou for the lovely service & 
Merry Christmas. I had my list of things to do & buy - I was on a 
mission! I had to walk up an alley type walkway to get to the main 
street, where an old man tries the old boob grab trick with the words 
"Want to be my Christmas miracle?" OMG!!!
Finally, it's pick up time - last day of school! I am talking to the 
teacher, who loved the thankyou gift Lauchy & I had just presented her 
with. She commented on my hair, & that it was a lovely colour. I say 
thanks. She also comments that I am very good with the beauty stuff, 
because every time she sees me I look lovely. I thank her again, & tell 
her I have a lovely friend (that's you Annabel!) who is my adviser for 
all things girly. We chat a few minutes more, then say our goodbyes.
As we are heading to the gate, a little girl from Lauchy's class comes 
up to me (for this to make sense, I need to tell you that when we had 
Lauchy's party, she showed up with her dad. And her dad didn't leave - 
he just followed me around the whole time. I thought he & Pete had gone 
to school together, so I didn't say anything. After they left, it turns 
out neither of us knew him from a bar of soap lol). And this little girl 
says to me "my dad really likes you & wants to know if you'll be his 
girlfriend?" WHO MAKES THEIR KIDS SAY THIS CRAP?! I reminded her I was 
married & walked off - I am not arguing with an 8yr old girl! And, I 
seen dad walking towards us with a weird grin on his face.

Now, I just don't get it. At all. What's with all the weird people?! Why 
the sudden interest in the little fat chick? Annabel, you did not tell 
me that if I take extra care in my appearance, & use Napoleon make up, 
that it would attract every odd ball in a 50 mile radius! :-D :-D 
Seriously, is this not the strangest thing to happen to one person in 3 
days? One incident, yeah maybe, but this is just beyond belief.
So, in light of this, I am singing "My NP SET brings all the freaks to 
the yard, & they're like, it's better than yours..." lol. That Milkshake 
song comes in handy for something.

Now, I'm pretty busy in the lead up to Christmas, & I have no doubt you 
all are too, so I shall wish you all a happy, safe & wonderful Christmas 
now, in case I don't get another chance.
And I hope you've all had at least a little chuckle - thank the lord I'm 
not tall, thin & pretty I say! Sheesh!!
I'm off to wash the make up off, & put on my daggy house slippers lol

Thank you Shell! 

So many possibilities!

The last day of 2013. These days between Christmas Day and New Years Day are my favourite. Looking back over the year, remembering so many things... last January seems a long time ago!

And then planning the new year, where do we want to go from here?

Well there's nothing like a new planner to inspire! My friend told me about Erin Condren planners and I splurged! Mostly I have made my own planners but this was worth it I decided. And it is! When it arrived it has my name printed in gold on the front and it's gorgeous! It makes you want ot get planning!

It is everything in one, addresses, birthdays, appointments, goals, dreams, to do lists, the lot. Plus stickers and labels to slap on gifts and a place to store cards for the birthdays coming along. Then when you are waiting in the doctors surgery or where ever you have cards to write in, letters to write and planning to do! Joy.

Many people feel that an hour planning will save you several hours in real time. I think this is true. Every Sunday I usually plan my week and review the last one. From all the things I have to do, that planning often makes me realise if I group several things together I will save time and petrol. Just sitting down to do that is a big saving. Another is reviewing what is in the fridge and on hand and then planning to use those things in your menu planning. This stops you from wasting anything and so saves you money. It is very easy for things to be forgotten and found lurking in the fridge too late! You also save a fortune planning ahead for up coming birthdays etc. Last minute shopping is always a disaster and you spend much more in desperation!

Just now before starting a new year I love to look back at all we did in 2013. It's quite a list! It was a good year. Reading back over my resolutions for 2013 I can see I actually did follow through with them! I had a list of things... to lose weight.... and I did lose 7 kilos and 50 cm! To sleep well... and I did pretty well there by implementing some new habits. Next was to survive winter which often gives me depression... and I did and was fine AND even loved it. I did that by having heaps of projects I loved to work on and also exercising and getting out into every bit of sun that came out! Next was exercising and improving my overall health... and I did! I joined my old gym, worked out all year and we swim every warm day. So success! Seriously and amazingly no fails.

So now what to plan for 2014? Literally the minute you WRITE something down you take it out of your head and bring it into reality. It's like "there you said it, now do it".
The other night after a swim I said to Andy "that's it, I am committing to swim 40 laps by the end of this season" He looked at me.... mmm that is WAY over my best effort. EVER. But as soon as it was said something happened. Next swim I thought I had better be upping the anti... and I swam 30 laps. (40 laps is 2 kilometres) I am a very ordinary swimmer. I like the water and in the hot weather it is more fun than exercise and you sleep like a baby. I wear sun glasses the entire time. I apply conditioner to my hair and pile it up. And away I go. Then I sleep like a baby and it's such a cool down after a hot day. It is so good for me and I know it. Water is very relaxing. 

I think it is good to have goals in several areas... ie health and fitness as these are vital.
Then spiritual. And financial. And something creative or fun...

There are a few things I know... it is good to read up on things known to help you find success. One is if you are giving something up you must replace it with something else. A void just never works. Another is whatever the goal, break it down into monthly, weekly then daily. Even if you do one tiny thing per day toward the goal you will get there. Write it in your planner as "to do" items. And say it out loud, write it down, find support, and report in. That can take different forms. Finally spot sabotage. I worked in the weight loss/health industry and boy did I see a lot of sabotage. Once you spot someone is sabotaging your dreams then you can mount your own defence. (interesting stuff!) 
A huge tip is to make a bad habit hard to do. Willpower is so over rated. I have none. So I know not to try to use will power to not each chocolate. My willpower leaves the house at around 6 pm. I just don't have chocolate in the house. Simple. We all know the things we cannot resist. To have them in the house is self sabotage. Just don't. Ask and expect support. It is your life, your health ... it is important. You are important.

So the new year is a new chapter or even a whole new book! A big chance to do things differently or look at things differently and I just love that. I hope 2014 is a wonderful year for us all! xxx

Harvest.

Before the next lot of heat hits I thought to harvest some herbs to dry. I'm often bad at this. I love to use fresh herbs most days and just run out and pick some and I love to give away fresh bunches. Now and then in the supermarket I look at the fresh bunches, the size and prices of them and realise what an asset I have and that doing this is worth a lot of money!

But I don't keep up and the garden grows huge and lots of herbs are wasted... the chooks get bunches to eat which is really good for them. Also I know much of it will grow back and better if I cut it back so I have had a harvest of herbs to dry and am planning to make bouquet garni and fill jars with these for the winter months and for gifts.

Just cutting into the herb garden with scissors is amazing, the smell of oregano, thyme, rosemary is beautiful. Yum. I have tied up bunches of bay leaves, rosemary, oregano, thyme and parsley and have them drying. 

After all this I still have plenty of fresh herbs to cut daily and also I did not cut basil as to me that should be fresh and we are keeping up with it that way.

The parsley, thyme and bay leaves are the ingredients for a basic bouquet garni and I have muslin so I can make lots of these for free. A really lovely gift for a cook. All home grown, no pesticides, sprays, just natural herbs. How healthy and good!

I had a lot of parsley going to seed, I left some so I get baby plants coming up everywhere which I just love and I gave some of the seed heads to the chickens which they love!

Some of the herbs are hanging inside and some are outside in the sun, kind of an experiment.  They dry so quickly this time of year, in 24 hours they had shrunk by about a third.

I find here the things I plant in January do the best so in a week I will buy some seedlings of basil and more tomatoes and a few things and plant a second round. Each year these do much better than the spring planted things, I don't know why, but doing it means I have herbs and tomatoes for months to come.

Another thing I know... having herbs and vegies growing is very good for me. Seedlings mean you have to go out and BE in the garden. They need watering three times a day when it's hot... I know the outside, the sun, the birds, the scents all being me health and joy. It's extra fresh and healthy amazing nutrients and flavour but also the joy and beauty of nature and the happiness of growing things.... It is good for us. I know I even sleep better if I have spent plenty of time outside during the day. It's also accidental exercise, gardening...

Many places the prices of fresh produce are high, especially in remote places in Australia. Growing things and also sprouting things inside can add a huge amount of fresh flavour and goodness cheaply in those circumstances. You always have something fresh to garnish and sprinkle over meals. They look extra lovely and fresh and fragrant as well.

                                   Fresh herbs drying in the sun from my little harvest!

The Pillowcase Project.

New Year approaches and Christmas being over I start to think and dream of plans for 2014!

I feel I have made a new friend, Kelley. When I first read about her project and looked at her blog I thought it was wonderful. Then I read this on her blog:

She... works willingly

with her hands...

S h e   e x t e n d s   h e r   h a n d

t o   t h e   p o o r...

She... does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children arise up,

and call her blessed...

Let her own works

praise her in the gates.

Proverbs 31:13, 20, 27, 28 and 31

I knew I am going to get along with this girl! Yep, no doubt about it.

And just like that we got on so well and she has been a gem to discover.

I will let you read about the project yourself but it is essentially a plan to sew pillowcases for a hospital in Manilla. Many of us have fabric stashes from all kinds of projects! Her web site is Kelly Highway and there is a link to it in my side bar. 

So yesterday I had a little dig in my fabric stash then my trims and came up with three combinations....

So these cost me not a cent but turned out pretty well. And I have plenty more fabric!

The white ruffle was already there as this was once a doona cover, so I just kept the ruffle along the edge....

Whether it is this project or another thinking about what to do is part of planning for a  new year. When one year rolls into another without thought and planning we can tend to just do the same old thing over and over. This lovely time is my time to really think about how 2013 went and what I want to change, plans to put in place and how to make them happen. A dream without a plan is just a wish! Maybe support Kelleys Project or plan one of your own or both... so many possibilities as there is so much need. 

It is a glorious Sunday, perfect weather. I am attacking the mess and enjoying the day! xxx

Other blogs supporting this project include:

Sherry at Creatology
Carol at The Polka Dot Close
Laura at Decor to Adore
Susan at My Place to Yours
Lana at Miss Lana
Frances at Notions from Nonny

Dayle at A Collection of Days

So far!