Inspiration

This morning I woke up and read my Facebook Wall as I do every morning. And every morning it is pretty much the same. People complaining about all the negative things going on in their lives. I get it... we all have to have a vent, and we all need to express that frustration, and by doing it on Facebook it is said to no particular one person - yet said to every one. By facebooking problems, you also receive a sea of supportive comments - whether the people are genuine or not.
But I'm not going to whinge about this, I suppose I am guilty myself of it too. But my point being, Facebook is full of negativity, the nightly news is all doom and gloom, not to mention the local newspaper that is just filled with local crime.
So when I sat down this morning to read my favourite blogs, I came across a refreshing post by Green Tea and Cupcakes titled Inspiration.

It was really lovely to see some positivity, and just be left with a smile on my face. So thanks Green Tea and Cupcakes!

So now I am taking that inspiration and sharing my own. I posted this on my facebook wall last week, and I thought it would be appropriate to put it here now.

So Happy Thursday friends. I hope your day is filled with nice things and positive thoughts!

 

 

 

 

Bellini Cooking - Yummy Carrot loaf

So I was back in the kitchen yesterday. This time is was to bake my Yummy Carrot Loaf, as requested by Mr 5. Yes he knows there is carrots in it, and he is happy to eat it - unlike anything else that dares to have even the smallest orange speckle.

 

This was the first time I have made it in my Bellini. I must admit, after never owning a food processing machine before, it's taking a bit to get in the habit of actually using it.

But this was the best my loaf has ever turned out - so I thank Bellini for that! 

 

Now you know my style of cooking - its "splash of this" "scoop of that" nothing is ever measured properly - so I'll try my hardest to share the right amount of ingredients with you. But just use your judgement. If you think you need a bit more or less, just do that.

 

 

Note *** If using the Bellini I prepare the carrots by steaming them first until soft. Then chop with the cutting blade until small pieces. I keep the cutting blade in for the entire recipe. If your not using one - I grate the carrots then just cook them for a few minutes in the microwave (with some water) just to take the "carroty" taste away.

 

Ingredients:

3 eggs

1/2 cup sugar (I used 1/4 brown and 1/4 caster)

Splash of Vanilla essence

Spoon full of butter

Squirt of honey

2 cups of self raising flour

1 teaspoon cinnamon ( I think I added a bit more than this - just happily shook away into the bowl!)

3 carrots

 

Add butter, cinnamon, honey, vanilla, eggs and sugar to the carrots. Mix on a low speed for until ingredients are combined.

Add flour and mix until a smooth consistency.

 

Pour into a pre-greased baking tin and bake on 180deg for about 30mins. Used a skewer to test if loaf is cooked through.

 

And here's a piece of mine! YUM!!!



 

 

And finally, I just had to share this picture of Miss 1 enjoying our Yummy Carrot Loaf. (piece number 2)

Busy, Busy

Hello my friends! Boy have I missed you! It's been nearly a week since I've blogged. I actually don't know where all my time has gone....oh wait......cooking, cleaning, school pick-ups, school drop-offs, parent/teacher meetings ("conveniently" in the middle of the day, so I have to make extra trips to the school and back!), washing, ironing, more washing.....ok, you get my point. Well it hasn't been all work and no play, I've added some new little friends to my House Of Nicnax Etsy store,

 

Received an awesome little package of new fabric this morning,

and I have been super busy designing a new owl!

Yes a new owl product is in production!
All thanks to one of my beautiful friends! She wanted me to make her an owl pillow. So I have designed and created one for her that is the "pillow" version of the "doorstop".
So my bloggging friends I shall reveal to you first, the new Owl Pillow By House of Nicnax.

Drum roll please........

What do you think??

I know its a bit rough, but I've become a little bit addicted, and made a few now. And the pillow has now evolved to just a pillow case. This way I thought if there was any interest I could sell them through Etsy.

So let me know your thoughts friends! I value your opinions! Do you think she will like them??

The Great Yarn Bomb - Part 2

Ta daaa!!!! It's finished!!!

Took me ages to do! But well worth it I think! I definitely have more appreciation for those lovely huge Yarn Bombs that people create. I've seen photo's of statues, trees, park benches, bus's, and even a tractor all yarn bombed! Fantastic!
I have never actually seen one in real life - only on the net. Hopefully some will start to pop up around Perth soon, as it is such a lovely display of creativity.

 

Now....Have you heard of Washi-bombing? It's kind of like yarn Bombing but with washi-tape?.......Yeah...... I think I may have to leave that challenge for another day!

The Great Yarn Bomb - Part 1

Have you heard of Yarn Bombing before?

It is totally awesome and very inspiring!

It is kind of like graffiti but for crocheters or knitters. It is usually done to large public items - covering them in beautifully knitted fabric.

    

                                                                image from smallstudio. typepad.com

Well I have always wanted to do this - but of course there is one rather large problem - the lack of my knitting skills. (and crochet skills are non existent.) I have only ever half completed a knitted scarf before, so I think to knit a scarf for an entire tree may be out of the question.

So I have kind of come up with my own (Mini) Great-Yarn-Bomb project.

I have selected a branch from the garden - quite a task may I add.( It had to be the right looking shape with the right amount of twigs). And I have decided just to wrap it in yarn!

The yarn i am using is the DMC tapestry wool. I was given a whole container full a while back, and I've held onto it knowing that the perfect project will come up. And now it has!

And so here is my progress so far! I think its looking pretty good!
Stay tuned for Part 2 where I should hopefully have the finished project!

 

 

Click here for The Great Yarn Bomb - Part 2

Market time

Yes it was Craft Market time again yesterday!!!

We braved the 40deg heat and set up the stall. It was busier than I thought to be truthful!

Maybe like me, people can't pass up the opportunity to just soak in a little of the market atmosphere. I could have easily not gone - knowing that the temperature was going to soar and the stall would be in the sun most of the day, but I just had to go!

I love people watching, and hearing feedback from my customers. I love the fresh food available (fresh made pancakes and coffee was for breakfast). I love watching the entertainment provided by some very nervous singers, and I just love seeing other peoples beautiful creations.

 

Market day is definitely one of my favourite days of the month!

Cookies!

Baking time again!
This time it is my all time favourite cookie recipe! I just love this one - it is so easy and so versatile! But there is one problem with it..... it is not one bit healthy.... but nevertheless - absolutely delicious!

 

 

Recipe:

 

180g softened butter

100g caster sugar

1 egg

2 tsp vanilla essence

200g plain flour

50g self raising flour

 

Combine butter, sugar, vanilla and egg, then add the flours. Mix with a wooden spoon until it forms a dough.

Roll out dough to be about 1cm thick.

Cut cookies and bake at 180 for 10-15 mins (leave longer for crunchier)

 

As I say this recipe is so versatile. These are some of my favourite extras to add to vary the recipe-

 

:: coconut and raisin

:: instant coffee (dissolve a sachet in 1 tsp hot water first then add)

:: cherry and choc chip (a good one for Christmas)

:: poppy seeds and orange juice



Back to School Fun

Well it has definitely been a busy morning in my house today. First day back at school for the year for the boys. Now they are both in full time school, leaving me and bub to be at home.
Of course things never quite go as smoothly as we like, so due to teething issues, I was up half the night with little Miss - giving me probably around 2-3 hours sleep!
Then up and at it for school this morning! Luckily I had organised some bits last night and hubby did more than his fair share this morning - so I could sleep in!

School drop off was a breeze with both boys being excited to be back with their friends. No tears from anyone (not even me), a first EVER!

Then the new year really started for me. My new job. YAY! Stay at home mum! I have always wanted to be home, and now I am. Now it is up to me to work out a routine to fit everything in. This lap-top of mine can get quite tempting. With Facebook, Blogger, Etsy and just general web surfing, hours can pass, without even knowing it! (but I'm sure you get that too!)

So with bub having an early nap, I got on with some much needed owl making for my upcoming market this weekend, I did a half hour workout - as per my new years promises to myself, I have baked a batch of cheesy-mite scrolls, and currently have some jam scolls cooking away too! Yay for me. And now I have almost completed a blog entry -  just as bub is waking up.

So all round I think I have had a successful morning - and its not even 1 o'clock yet!

Lets hope this can continue for the rest of the year!