Pedal Power!

A little pedal power goes a long way to helping our environment.

1. Jelly Bean Bikes - design your own bike, you will definitely stand out from the crowd.
2. Electra - The "Amsterdam" is a classic, very chic!
3 Giant - The "Via" is a take on the classic bike but with high tech specs!
4. Electra - The "Townie" a great ride for going to the shops and about town!
5. Johnny Loco - The" Dutch Delight" is perfect for when there is a little person in your life!

Eggs with Soldiers!

For the last two Sunday nights I have introduced Leo and Jack to and old time favourite of mine......Eggs and soldiers! They weren't too sure at first, but last night night they attacked the poor egg with mighty gusto and devoured every last bit!  I find it hard to decide which is my favourite way to eat eggs, I love fried eggs, poached eggs and I can never pass up an omelette, but eggs with soldiers takes me back to when I was little, I can still see my little red egg cup holder, I hope my boys will love eggs as much as I do.  How do you like your eggs? Please tell as I would love to know by taking the quick quiz below!

Quizzes by Quibblo.com

What's in My Greenhouse!

My Favourite 10 "Gardening Tools"

I decided to tap into my creative side and put together a list of my 10 favourite gardening tools. I really can't do without any of them and a lot of these little thing have found their way into my potting shed over time, sadly they don't look new and shiny like the images but well worn in and still going strong.

Rock Cakes with a twist.

Today was a little chilly and wet, so that makes a good day to stay inside keep warm and bake! So I decided on a quick easy, not too much mess recipe and that had to be good old rock cakes. Often it is the simple recipes that work out the best and everyone loves. I decided this time I would add a few little extras, like dried pineapple, apricots, craisins and paw paw. So far they are a hit with the boys!

Recipe

200 grams all purpose flour

1 tsp bicarb soda

1 tsp baking powder

110 grams butter (room temperature)

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 cup caster sugar

1 cup sultanas 

1 egg (lightly beaten)

3/4 cup of milk (add more if needed)

Oven temp 180 degrees C

Sift Flour, cinnamon, baking powder & bi carb soda, mix with butter using tips of fingers, add sugar, sultanas then mix in egg and milk until a thick batter consistency is achieved.  Dollop on to trays lined with baking paper and bake in a moderate oven for 20 minutes or until golden.

Enjoy!

Everybody Knows.......

There is no such thing as a Gruffalo!  This beautiful book has found its way into our house and Leo and Jack are just smitten with this enchanting tale of a mouse who invents a Gruffalo to save himself from evil predators, only to find that there really is a Gruffalo. Leo spied the DVD in the bookshop on Saturday and it has played non stop all weekend, and I quite liked the sound of Helena Bonham-Carters voice narrating this sweet story.

School holidays start next week so I am making a list of things to do and places to see with the boys, hopefully the weather will stay nice and warm. A trip to Taronga Zoo and the Australian Museum in town will definitely keep Leo and Jack very happy. The last week of the holidays The tree loppers will be cutting down 4 very big trees, so if the weather is good maybe a trip to the beach will keep two little boys out of mischief and away from falling branches. Until next time......

The Edible Garden

Recently I have fallen in love with a little gardening show on Foxtel. I can't wait to sit down on a Saturday night and watch my garden heroine Alys Fowler dig and delve through her beautiful Victorian garden. I am truly smitten with her quaint veggie, herb and floral English garden, including her two busy chickens and cute little dog "Isabel'.  Alys' garden is truly amazing, she manages to plant everything from Asian herbs to blueberries and the way she plants is "a little bit here and a little bit there" and it really works, not only does it confuse the nasty bugs it looks very pleasing on the eye! One of the main aspects I like about her show is the way she uses everything from her garden, and has taken the time to share all her little tips and ideas with the world, I especially can't wait to try out her lavender biscuits they look a treat! If you have cable TV and have an hour to spare on a Saturday evening at 7.30pm, sit down and immerse yourself into Alys Fowler's edible garden, like me you will be entranced.

Spring has sprung!

Spring has arrived and everywhere I go I can smell the air is different.  The dank smell of Winter has left and blossoms fill the trees and perfume fills the air.  The veggies are growing at an alarming rate and the slugs and caterpillars are wanting their share! The boys seem to be happy with the change in weather and are happy to shed their heavy Winter clothes in favour of light cotton shorts and t-shirts and run around with no shoes on their feet! Though we have had a few warm days Winter is still nipping away at our heels, it may be a few more weeks before we finally say goodbye to Winter for another year!

Leo and Jack have discovered how delicious fresh peas are and seemed to be addicted to the pretty green pods containing little sweet gems inside, while this is great my only problem is they are intent on picking every pod of the pea plants whether they are ripe or not! Somehow I have resided to myself that I won't be serving them up with our next roast dinner as there will be none left!

The rhubarb crowns I planted have sprouted their red stems and green leaves, now it is a waiting game. The rule is once you have planted the crowns you must wait for a full year before you can harvest any stems, this ensures the plant concentrates all its energy into the growth of the roots(crowns). I have one small concern that maybe I have planted them in the wrong spot,  rhubarb loves the sun, but not too much sun, I think I may have to erect a cloche of shade cloth over them during the height of Summer.

And last but not least new boots, just in time for the Spring rains!