Market finds

We got up early to go to the local undercover markets

Picked up this great basket.

It is about the size of a shopping basket...I have put some of my wool stash in it...$4.00

This adorable little handmade vintage hankie box...$1.00

At last we found a Pavlova plate...$5.00

Have been on the hunt for one of these for a while now.

5 Albert Meakin bowls...$10

A vintage pillow case...50c

And a collection of books...50c each

I have started collecting the Women's Weekly Menu Planning series as there are some good recipes in these little books. The hard work is done for you...menu plan, recipes and shopping list. I gave one of the recipes a try the other night and was well pleased with the result :)

And this vintage candle holder...$8.00

I am hoping to do the local op shops over soon as hubby is on two weeks holiday at the moment :)

Have you found any goodies at the markets or op shops lately?

Happy Tuesday!!

xTania

Plums

I couldn't pass these up...

Plums...

@ .98c a kilo from the local supermarket.

I stewed them up for a yummy dessert,

and I cook them whole with the seeds left in and just pick them out later...it is a lot less work!

I dont eat plums raw, but I eat plenty when they are cooked :)

My healthy version of plums, natural yoghurt and weetbix :)

Hubby's not so healthy version of thick cream and icecream lol!

Yesterday our daughter brought around some more yummy goodness...plums and peaches. :)

So I guess I had better get busy...maybe some jam this time :)

Wishing you all a lovely weekend,

Ours is a hot one with 39C (102.2F) on both Saturday and Sunday!

xTania

Recipe Time - Date Square Slice

Yummy Easy Peasy Recipe

Date Square Slice

Boil together

1 cup chopped dates,

4oz butter,

1 cup sugar

for 5 minutes.

Stir in 4 cups rice bubbles and mix well.

A little nutmeg improves the flavour (I dont add nutmeg).

Press into slice tin and put in fridge to cool.

Top with whipped cream, banana slices and coconut. Dip banana slices in lemon juice to prevent browning.

This is an all time favourite in our house...delish!

xTania

Odds and sods...

Expanding my crochet skills by

making removable covers for my coasters, while adding a bit of colour around the place.

Front...

and back...

Some pretty daisy squares for a cushion...

And a couple of bookmarks...

In the garden...

Picking some capsicums...

Silver beet going to seed...

Planted some pumpkins...

Beetroot...

Baby apple cucumbers...

More capsicums on the bushes...

Zucchinis are still producing although a lot slower now and the plants are looking tired...

Picking carrots too!

A bigger apple cucumber hiding away under cover...

Snow peas...

The white figs are still plentiful....

The citrus are back

Oranges...

Mandarines...

Grapefruit...

And a new lemon tree...

This is the third one we have planted, but the other two died so hopefully we have more success this time.

So far so good...

From two piles to one.

The mulch is slowly being spread around our yard...

The trees are loving it...

An inch of rain recently has helped...

My turn to wash the soccer guernsey's.

My son now plays in the under 17's and so far his team, the Stirling Strikers are undefeated this season. Not bad for coaching themselves because there is no coach available...and having the team with the most girls on their side, there are three :)

I wonder what is happening in your corner of the world?

xTania

Around here...

Tah Dah!

I have finished it!

My first ever granny square blanket...

With fancy edge and all :)

Some flowers...

for me from hubby...just because :)

The tree loppers are in town, so hubby rounded them up to get some mulch for our yard.

$100 got us this much...

A new toy for me...

(again from hubby, a bit spoilt I think)

bargain at 1/2 price

now I just need some spare time to play...

Have picked some figs...

these are white ones

chopped

cooked

fig jam!

The recipe is one my mum uses,

6lb Figs

4lb sugar

2 1/2 cups water

1 cup vinegar

Make syrup from sugar, water and vinegar by heating together then add the fruit. Cook for approx 3 hours or until the jam sets on a cold saucer. (I cooked mine for 5hrs) Place in sterilised jars while still hot.

Apparently the vinegar helps to preserve it longer.

And a very enjoyable Australia Day lunch

of Blue Swimmer Crabs....YUM!

Things have been very busy around here, catching up on jobs that haven't been done since the start of the Summer holidays, and a little craft happening too, that is while it is cool. We had a run of hot humid weather for over a week, I did not like it at all. Sitting in a puddle of sweat is no fun!

What have you been up to?

xTania

HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY MATE!

Recipe Time - Banana Cream Caramel Pie

Thank you Sarah for introducing us to this yummy dessert.

This is a favourite in our house at the moment.

Please ignore the fattening factor, I only have a tiny piece, I promise lol!

What you need:

BASE

1 pkt of sweet biscuits, crushed (I use Butternut Snap Cookies)

about 150gms of butter, melted

1 - 2 Bananas

FILLING

1 tin of nestles Top 'n' Fill Caramel

about 250gms of thick cream

2 tblspns icing sugar

a few drops vanilla essence

Chocolate for the topping (I used flake)

What you do:

BASE

Combine crushed biscuits and melted butter, then press into 23cm pie plate.

Place in fridge to cool. (I dont do this bit lol)

FILLING

Slice banana on top of biscuit mix.

Then add the tin caramel

Combine cream, icing sugar and vanilla essence. Beat until thick and stiff.

Top pie with whipped cream and grated chocolate.

YUM!