The Funniest Photo....

We have had a few sightings in our area of quolls and the local Wildlife authorities have been very interested. So for some weeks now we have had them monitoring a couple of areas at the back of our property. They have had food set out and cameras that record any movement. 

Today they went through the many hundreds of photos and there were lots of animals and birds setting the camera off. Suddenly I heard then laughing and then I remembered .....

Last weekend James took his girlfriend, who is in Australia visiting from the UK , for a walk up the back through the bush looking for a kangaroo or two. He came back saying he'd seen this weird box thing on a tree and I explained about the cameras set up for the quolls. 

So these are a few photos of what's about .....

Gorgeous kangaroo...

Fox at night....

And setting off the camera in the day....

A hare......

Wedge-tailed eagle.... The camera is on an angle after a possum knocked it over. There were lots of possum photos! 

Oh and this is James checking out the camera. No wonder they were laughing - it is a VERY strange animal! 

Made my day! 

Teresa xx

Friends in Stitching Travel Swap

We have just had our second swap of the year in my on line stitching group Friends in Stitching. This swaps theme was "Travel"... and I love all the ideas the girls came up with... 

I couldn't wait to show you the gorgeous gifts I received from the lovely Lynda. 

Not one, but two, beautifully made wraps...

  

The first is a "Couquetterie" wrap... for my makeup and toiletries. It's so wonderful... lots of little pockets and compartments... I absolutely love it.

Has a nifty little hanger at the top.

 And rolls up into the most beautiful pouch with .....

My initials embroidered on the front. 

The second holder is a beautiful vintage jewellery wrap. It is also very beautifully made.. and the fabrics Lynda has used are just gorgeous.

I have been so spoilt... I keep opening them and just looking at them... over and over. 

Thank you very much Lynda for such gorgeous gifts. I really cannot wait to use them!

Teresa xx

A Couple of Quick Recipes.....

I have found a couple of quick, easy recipes that can be made in a mug in the microwave.... and they're perfect for this rainy, cooler weather at the moment. Not something you probably should eat every day... but great for now and then....

 

I have changed a couple of the ingredients in the first recipe to suit what I have at home. The original recipe called for almond milk, coconut butter and coconut flour...

Cinnamon Bun in a Mug


 Ingredients:
2 tbsp plain flour
1 tsp cinnamon
dash nutmeg
1 egg
2 tbsp milk
1 1/2 tbsp honey
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp baking powder

For icing:
1 tbsp butter
1 tbsp milk
1 tsp honey
1 tsp lemon juice

Mix all the cinnamon cake ingredients together in a coffee mug, mixing in the baking powder last.
Microwave for 2 minutes
Mix all of the icing ingredients in a small bowl and then drizzle over the hot mug cake.

Too easy... Enjoy!!!

3 Minute Chocolate Mug Cake

4 tbsp flour

4 tbsp sugar

2 tbsp cocoa

1 egg

3 tbsp milk

3 tbsp oil

A small splash of vanilla extract

1 large coffee mug

3 tbsp chocolate chips (optional)

Add dry ingredients to mug and mix well.

Add the egg and mix thoroughly. Pour in the milk and oil and mix well. Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again.

Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts (high). The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don’t be alarmed. Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired…. 

Or just eat straight out of the mug! 

ENJOY!!

NB... I found this one to be very filling and really could be shared between two people... the cinnamon one is just the right amount for one person...

I've got a savoury one to try today... I'll let you know how it goes.....

June Stitch A Long Project

I have just finished this months Stitch A Long Project. It's a very cute little pincushion ....

From Natalie Birds book "Red Home". I'm really happy with it. 

Lots of work in this little project, but I'm glad I made it and enjoyed the process...

The little hexies were my favourite part, but I did enjoy the embroidery and applique as well.

I have filled it with crushed walnut shells that I purchased from the Sydney craft show last year... nice to finally use them as well.

Another project I would probably have put off making for who knows how long...

Thanks Chooky for the motivation to finish another fun project. 

Teresa xx

Hoo Roo

I have been wanting to make this cute kangaroo for a while now. It's called Hoo Roo by the very talented Clare from Clare's  Craftroom.  

I made it for my sons UK girlfriend. When she arrived here in Australia it was her birthday and I was hoping it was a good idea to make it for her. 

I really enjoyed making it and it was so much fun putting it together and seeing it turn into this cute little kangaroo. 

Wonderful pattern Clare - thank you!!!

Have a great day!

Teresa xx

Finally......

My eldest sons girlfriend has finally arrived in Australia. She lives in the UK but is spending the next 3 months here. 

To say he's happy is an understatement. It's wonderful to finally meet her - in the flesh!! We all went out for a lovely dinner last night and I couldn't miss this photo opportunity....

My wonderful boys and their gorgeous girlfriends. Great night!!! 

Have a great day!

Teresa x

Mothers Day 2013

 

Mothers Day was very special for me this year. Full of fun and family, good food, presents... but mostly family.... which is what I love the most. I tried to ring my mum all day, but she had no service where she was in South Australia... which worried me no end. Eventually I got a hold of her late in the evening and it was wonderful to talk to her.
 

It was a long day and I was coping on only 3 hours sleep as I worked the night before until 4 a.m. We all got up early and enjoyed breakfast with my husbands Mother and family. It was wonderful as my nieces and nephews were there as well. I had one of my all time favourite meals for breakfast... eggs benedict... mmmm.

After a very long breakfast we drove home and I even got to spend a bit of time stitching and sewing. It was a lovely rainy day... great for stitching and mooching around.

James came over ... bringing half of Woolworths with him... as he was making my absolute favourite meal...

Pasta Mona Lisa. I've told you all about this before... but it is my favourite and James makes it the best. This meal was no exception and was the best ever.... so lovely and spicy and hot....just how I like it.

I received some wonderful presents and was very, very spoilt. Jack gave me Les Miserables... the CD and the movie and he is also taking me to see Guy Sebastian this weekend on the Gold Coast.. I can't wait.

James has already cooked for me before Mothers Day... so I sneakily got 2 nights out of him!!! He'd already taken me to the German Film Festival as well, but he also bought me a very "unique" piece of art work from an art exhibition he went to. I love it as it reminds me of a little quilt.... 

I even received a box of chocolates from Jacks girlfriend... I didn't see that coming and it was just soooo lovely.

After our delicious dinner we got into the movie watching mood and watched two movies... the first being "The Life of Pi" and then we settled into watching "Django Unchained". I really enjoyed both movies... and you couldn't get two more different types of movies either!!! But my favourite was definitely "The Life of Pi".  By this time it was past midnight and going on into the morning... so my Mothers Day lasted a very, very long time, but I enjoyed every second of it.

 I tried to get a nice photo of myself and my boys together... not an easy task at all... We must have taken well over a dozen photos and most of them were terrible... but I did get a few that I just love. 

I hope you all had a lovely Mothers Day too...... however you spent your day.

PS... I was lucky enough to have both boys home for a couple of days ... and the day after Mothers Day this is what I made everyone for breakfast. I've been wanting to try this recipe for ages and it was perfect for breakfast... Baked Ricotta Tarts. They were delicious and I will definitely be making them again. See I did cook once....ha ha.....