The Home She Made

One for the Mummy's of school kiddies

2012-03-02T10:59:00.001+08:00

I'm a newbie at the school Mummy thing and as you would know I'm always happy to find ways and means of simplifying and organising!

I knew this FREEBIE printable find from Pinterest would come in handy for streamlining correspondence with school about changes to the routine/absences etc.

Here is the link to the printable from mommypalooza

I've printed off a few and placed them into my kitchen organiser station, stationery folder so they're easily accessible.

TOO EASY!!

A little spruce up round here

2012-02-28T14:08:00.000+08:00

As I've mentioned (just a few times) on Facebook since the beginning of the year,

I'd planned to shake things up around this blogspot!

So I enlisted the amazing skills of none other than the fabulous Sass at MOOZOO design

to make this space a 'new version' of me!

As well as creating a brand new gorgeous look for The HOME She Made, you may notice a little different space on the side bar... I'm delighted to announce that there are some fabulous sponsors coming on board and very soon you'll hear ALL about who they are and what they have to offer!

AND one for those fellow bloggers,

I also finally have a 'button' that you can grab - wahooo!!

So thrilled to share all these new and exciting changes with you

- I hope you like them as much as I do!

PS. Any of you out there interested in advertising or sponsoring The HOME She Made?

I'd LOVE you to contact me:

thehomeshemade@gmail.com

Kitchen Organiser System

2012-02-21T18:39:00.000+08:00

Kitchen Organiser System

I like having an area in my kitchen where I can keep all of my essential, 'go-to' items such as
my diary; weekly planner/calendar; phone
as well as keeping school correspondence; new recipes to try; to do lists etc.....
Enter Jade the 'Super Organiser Mum' inspired Errands Station which I've been using for nearly 12 months now, all housed in a white tin tub, using file folders.

Errands Station

(I found this tub last year at Spotlight for $29.95)

Around the same time as our Errands Station was installed,
I ordered the recharge station from
Pottery Barn, to house all the mobile phone cords and our docking station.
This has been a fabulous addition to our kitchen and makes it so neat and simple.

Bedford recharge station from Pottery Barn

I was so happy when the lovely Kirsten from K&Co informed us that there was 50% off shipping for Pottery Barn, as it is pretty expensive to ship items as they come all the way from the US.

I'd been 'eyeing' off one of these Office organizers for a while now, and finally gave in to the urge, given the reduced price in the shipping.

Office Organizer from Pottery Barn

I figured the installation of the organizer was as good chance as any to have a sort and tidy of the errands station, as even though it is sorted into labelled file folders,
it does tend to get loaded up and many papers were needing to be discarded! I have found over the 12 months that folders for the following sections, work for our household:

School correspondence (newsletter; notes from school etc)
Stationery (name labels; stickers; writing pad)
Recipes (recipes yet to make the grade of being glued into my recipe books)
To do (long term lists; ideas for DIY projects etc)
Printables (weekly calendar; medical checklist; shopping lists; babysitter notepad)
Misc

As well as these file folders, my diary; birthday planner; current shopping list; address book; the weekly calendar and month calendars (both on clip boards) live in the tub.

So happy to now have place to hang the car keys (away from little hands); find a pen and notepad; stash the sunglasses; keep the letters to be posted; dump the small change
AND it all be located close to our phones and other essential items!

xx Clare

Cleaning out!

2012-02-15T09:13:00.000+08:00

I have this new found freedom two days a week where our eldest son is at Kindy. He's absolutely loving it and asks me each morning if he gets to go to school today.

And to be honest I'm enjoying having some 'one on one' time to spend with our youngest son,

Lachlan. He is missing his big brother on these days but is certainly 'lapping up' the extra attention from Mummy! He is also still having a good few hours sleep during the day at the moment - fingers crossed he keeps it up for a little while longer - he turns 2 this Sunday!

I have decided I need to be as constructive as possible during this 'sleep' time and get jobs done that I really can't do with little 'helpers' around.

I do love to organise and tidy

and some of our cupboards are in desperate need of both of the above.

Yesterday task: Clean out under the kitchen sink

Here are my before and after shots of

Under the kitchen sink cupboards:

BEFORE:

AFTER:

As you can see I have sorted everything that needs to be in the space into two large clear boxes on the top shelf and have used 2 little green containers to house dishwasher tabs and the plug/scourer.

At the back on the top shelf is an Ikea cutlery tin used to

hold a plunger; cleaning tooth brush and hard brush.

The bottom shelf is housing large vases and jugs

and the plastic basket is housing supplies to restock when needed.

Everything else no longer lives in this cupboard!

As simple as it may seem, I thought I would share with you

how I go about tidying out a cupboard/space.

1. Think about exactly what this space is going to store and try to envisage what you would like it to look like and what things should go in which space.

2. Using the wonderful advice from Jen @iheartorganizing.com

'shop around your home first' - have a good look in your home for spare containers/storage that may be of use in the area you are trying to clean out/tidy up/reorganise

AND THEN purchase other storage containers that you require.

3. Remove everything from the space and sort them into groups of like things AND have a rubbish bag and recycling box handy so you can toss things out or collect them together to be reused elsewhere

or given to charity.

4. When the space is entirely empty, give it a good clean over with soapy water (I do this first then spray over again using Vanilla fridge wipe - it leaves a lovely scent)

If you're on your hands and knees or on a ladder, you may as well to a 'proper' job of it, wiping over all the surfaces, including cupboard doors and walls while you're at it.

5. Sort the items into the storage containers you are going to use and place everything into the desired place in the cupboard/space.

Once you have finished putting everything away, reassess. If you don't like where it is, or don't think it is going to be functional, move and reorganise until you're happy with it.

xx Clare

Helpful Home Hint from CLARE #9

2012-02-13T13:43:00.000+08:00

www.ballardesigns.com

HHH

I know not everyone would have a Tumble Dryer in their laundry but for those of you that do
I have a few tips for you:

1/ USE DRYER SHEETS - As mentioned in a previous post here I've only just recently started using dryer sheets but have found them to be a wonderful addition to finishing off my washing when it is too damp and just won't air dry; for softening towels etc.
Scent is certainly a very personal thing and I am so happy to have found these Select brand dryer sheets at Woolworths, as the other supermarket brand I tried prior, nearly gave me a migrane!

The brand of dryer sheet I use

NB: Dryer sheets are fabulous for cleaning the inside of your dryer too - use a fresh sheet to wipe over the drum AND to help clean away lint from the filter and in the crevices - leaves the surfaces clean and gives a nice fragrance.
Infact, I found a website that lists 25 uses for dryer sheets around your home,
click here to find the link full of great, practical ideas

2/ To refreshen your pillows, particularly in those cooler months when the sun isn't shining, place your pillow (without the case) inside the dryer with a dryer sheet and set on a low setting for about 30 mins - this helps to kill any germs and bugs that may be taking up residence within the pillow.
This will still work without using a dryer sheet but it does gives a nice, subtle scent to the pillow.

3/ If you are trying to get a load of fairly wet washing dry in the dryer in a hurry, add a fluffy, thick, dry towel into the drum with the wet washing. The towel will help by absorbing the 'moisture'.
The more wet washing you want dried, the more dry towels to add.

xx Clare

My very OWN creative space

2012-02-12T17:37:00.000+08:00

FINALLY

I have some pictures for you of my 'Chuck and Shut' room, half completed makeover.

As I previously mentioned, I was going to use this room to

organise my craft/scrapbooking/sewing supplies on one side of the room and the other half would be mainly dedicated to my teaching resource crates.

I would love to have had a limitless budget to furnish this space, but I didn't, so I repurposed furniture we weren't using the best I could, to come up with a practical and functional area.

I used an old Ikea office desk we've had for a few years that was just sitting in our office, not being used, to house the sewing machine and overlocker

(wish the OL was mine - it's on loan from my lovely Mum!)

The wooden desk was actually already in the house when we came, and we've only got it on loan but until such time as it is taken, I thought I'd use it. I like it being a 'corner' desk and will find something similar when it is collected, probably in white though.

The white bookshelf standing on the corner desk was one I repainted years ago before we had the boys and it wasn't being used so I thought why not stand it on the desk and use it to house jars and boxes of supplies - my version of an 'embellishment centre'.

As you can see the room is really light and airy and I've chosen to only hang white voile curtains, to take full advantage of the natural light, hence the very light photographs.

I did a rough tally and think I managed to buy ALL of the storage boxes; jars; baskets;

desk sorters etc for under $150 - which I think is pretty impressive!

Here is a brief list of stockists:

White boxes from Ikea and The Reject shop (range in price from about $5 to ~$12)

Large jars - Ikea

Small silver lid jars - Ikea

Spice jars holding buttons - local $2 shop

Water Hyacinth baskets - $5 ea from The Reject shop

Kaisercraft Large desk organiser - $29.95 Mystical scrapbooks online

Small desk organiser - The Reject shop

Wire basket with side handles - Secondhand/antique shop

I'm really pleased with how the whole thing has come together

and it's now officially declared 'Open' for activity/business!

xx Clare

PS I have a plan for the wall space above the desk but I need another trip to Ikea to bring it all together

- so again,

Watch this space....

Spinach dip

2012-02-10T13:20:00.000+08:00

I'm off to have drinks tonight with a lovely bunch of girls and I thought I would make this delicious Artichoke and Parmesan dip to take with me,

but my pantry is in desperate need of restocking and unfortunately I was unable to get marinated artichokes in at our fabulous little local store and I certainly wasn't doing the

144km round trip to find some!

So I'll have to share that recipe with you another time,

but I decided I'd make an equally delicious Spinach dip to take along instead.

This dip can be made as a stand alone or can be used to fill a 'cob' bread loaf.

Again I wasn't able to get a cob loaf, so I'm going to be making it as a stand alone dip and will be serving it with some oven warmed/toasted home made bread.

Spinach Dip

1 pkt cream cheese, softened

250g frozen spinach, thawed

1 cup aioli (or egg mayonaise)

tsp minced garlic (can omit if you use aioli)

1 cup grated parmesan cheese

1/2 brown onion, diced

salt & pepper to taste

olive oil or butter

Oven warmed/toasted turkish bread/crusty loaf cut into chunks to serve

OR with a shelled out cob loaf

1. Place chopped onion into microwave proof dish with a splash of olive oil or a tsp butter and cook on high for a few minutes, until the onion becomes soft and translucent.

2. In a separate bowl, warm the thawed spinach in the microwave and squeeze out excess water.

3. Combine cream cheese, grated parmesan, minced garlic and aioli in a bowl, then add the cooked onion, and finally the spinach. Stir well until all combined.

4. Season with salt & pepper to taste.

When you are ready to serve:

As a stand alone dip:

Warm dip in microwave for a few minutes and toast/warm crusty loaf or turkish bread cut into chunks on a tray in the oven.

In a cob loaf:

NB:

When you make the dip for the cob you will most likely need to 'pad out' the recipe with some additional

-cream cheese

-grated parmesan

-aioli

-salt & pepper to taste

to 'fill' the cob loaf

Shell out the cob loaf by cutting a hole in the top and removing the 'bread' leaving just the shell. Fill the loaf cavity with the spinach dip, and place on a tray in the oven, with the excess bread cut into chunks scattered around the tray. When the dip is warmed through, serve.

xx Clare

Organising wrapping paper

2012-02-06T17:43:00.002+08:00

I'm so happy that I've now got too many storage containers to house all my craft stuff after my little retail outings a few weeks back

and I've obviously been busy sorting and organising my 'creative' space as I'm now calling it,

in my previously titled 'Chuck and shut' room.

I've only tackled the 'fun' side of the room - my scrapbooking/stamping/crafting stuff and am yet to start on the mountain of crates filled with teaching resources and the other junk that has been accumulating since moving in 12 months ago.

But now that this part is nearly done, I'm going to attack the rest soon,

so it doesn't look so untidy compared to the neat other half!

This post is solely about the storage of wrapping paper
although you'll see elements of the craft storage

which I'll blog post about very soon.

Since I've now got all this dedicated space to be creative,

I thought it was a great place to store my wrapping papers; ribbons; gift bags etc.

And I like the idea of having all the ribbon in the same place as sometimes I use craft ribbon for wrapping gifts etc. so it really makes most sense for it to be stored here.

After perusing Pinterest many a time, I was inspired and came up with the following:

To store rolls of wrapping I have used a Rationell Variera plastic bag holder from Ikea in white

and have cut into a toilet roll to cuff around the rolls to keep them from unwinding.

I have attached two Bygel S hooks from Ikea

to the bag holder to hang it from my craft storage shelf on the side.

I made a gift wrapping folder from a display book to hold all

those folded sheets of wrapping paper neatly.

Thought I would make a label for the front - just using a 'one - up' sticker sheet and some

FREE printable scrapbooking paper designs I found online.

The blue tin bucket on the left is storing

my gift wrap folder; cellophane sheets; tissue paper sheets; twine etc

To store spools of ribbon I am using the Bekvam spice rack from Ikea found here,

sprayed white.

Other oddments of ribbon are being stored in Burken jars from Ikea

I have baskets on this shelf that house the sticky tape dispenser and scissors, pens etc.

In my search for storage ideas I did happen to come across this little beauty for those of you that don't have a 'creative' space and require your wrapping station to be a little more compact:

Gift Wrap Organizer white by Jokari

available from Franklin Covey online here

for $29.95

It is very similar in concept to the Christmas gift wrap organiser that I purchased from Spotlight a month back but this has the advantage of being able to hang on the back of a door or in a cupboard and can be accessed all the time, without dealing with a zip.

A little food for thought anyhow!

All in all I love how my gift wrap storage has all come together and more importantly

it is very functional, being put to good use already.

xx Clare

The C List

2012-02-04T11:45:00.000+08:00

An addition to 'The C List'.....

I recently was introduced to this Garlic Infused Olive Oil by Cobram Estate whilst we have been on holidays and I'm such a big fan!

250ml bottle approximately $6 from Woolworths.

Can't believe the lovely flavour it gives when cooking lamb chops or steak on the BBQ!

Definitely worth a try in my opinion, especially if you're not organised with marinating meat or want a hint of flavour but not the whole deal of prior preparation.

I imagine it would be lovely with grilled vegetables on the BBQ too.

xx Clare

A little time away and a whole heap of great finds!

2012-02-02T18:40:00.000+08:00

A few weeks back after the harvest had finished, hubby and I went to Perth for two nights on our own (kid free!!) to attend the wedding of some gorgeous friends of ours; for a relax and to unwind AND

to do some post Christmas sales shopping!

I definitely had a plan for my shop visits (as I do with every trip to surburbia)

and this was no different, with the key words being 'small storage'

Since commencing the cleaning and tidying of my chuck and shut room, I realised I needed to find good, small storage for all the bits and pieces I wish to house on the shelf on my craft desk.

So obviously a trip to Ikea was on the cards,
and I must say I was super impressed that I only spent just under $60! That must be a first!
Although hubby had made me promise that we'd leave WITHOUT any flat packs,
and I did promise and managed to keep my end of the bargain.

Next I dragged him to the Bed, Bath & Table Clearance store in Innaloo (WA) - knowing full well there wouldn't be many storage options, if any, but I knew there would be a whole heap of Christmas bargains - well, was I right, or was I right. This little haul picture below, cost me a grand total of $31!!

After returning to the hotel and unpacking my bag of bargains, hubby did suggest I should return to buy more!! I didn't, although it was extremely tempting!!

I also managed to find some great, cheap storage from the Reject shop
which will be put into great use in the craft space in coming days!

So after our few days in Perth, we headed home to off load those buys and repacked the car a few days later for our family holiday time which we would spend in Albany.

Albany is such a beautiful place on the South Coast of WA and we were so spoilt to be able to have a week down there, with fabulous weather to boot! Whilst the rest of WA seemed to be sweltering, we were revelling in glorious days and cool nights.

It's funny, since meeting my hubby and being married over the last 7 years,

I have spent many, many times down in Albany as it is less than 2 hours from home,

but have never really explored the secondhand/repurposed/antique stores.

The gorgeous Bianca from A little Delightful blog posted here a few weeks back about her desk workspace and this fabulous box that she is using to store Project Life journalling cards, and many a reader were keen to find out where she sourced it from,
and lucky for me, it was a fabulous shop in Albany.

So I made it my business to go for a visit to this store called Albany Country Barn.
Such a great shop, with so many treasures both old and new.
After having a chat to the proprietor, Rhonda I was thrilled to hear that she has since started a website AND will happily courier/post items for people at a very reasonable price.

These were the goodies I went home with:

Click here for link to website

As well as visiting Rhonda's shop, I had a browse through a few of the other Secondhand stores and found some other storage bits and pieces.

This little beauty was such a bargain at $3.50 from Albany Drive-In Mart, located on Albany Highway.
Couldn't believe my luck that it was so cheap and in good condition!

I was keen as always to have a hunt through the local discount stores too
- some unique to Albany and other chain ones too.

Not hard to tell that I live in a rural area without access to such stores on a regular basis!

More bits and pieces found

All in all, we had a fabulous few weeks away are feeling very relaxed
and are slowly easing ourselves back into reality.

Can't wait to bring you some 'after' shots of putting my purchases to use soon.

xx Clare

THE WINNER of the 1000 likers Giveaway is..........

2012-01-18T20:30:00.000+08:00

TRACY MARTENS

You'll be the proud owner of a Designs by Emma bag

and a lovely

PINK craft turntable

Tracy, can you please email me at:

thehomeshemade@gmail.com

about getting your gorgeous goodies to you soon!

AND a big THANK YOU to everyone for being here and entering my blog giveaway.

It's so much fun! That's why I keep on doing it.

AND I know many of you are loving Emma's bags!!

Please head on over to her page and contact her about ordering a bag of your very own, they are just gorgeous - you won't be sorry!!

xx Clare

Helpful Home Hint from CLARE #8

2012-01-18T11:10:00.002+08:00

HHH

When baking a slice it is not always easy to get

the top of the layers smooth all the way to the very edge.

And this means when cutting your slice, you end up either cutting off the 'curled up' edges or having slice that is all mismatched in sizing because of the difference in height.

Solution??

Tear off a piece of baking paper that is large enough to cover the slice tin, place it over the top of the crumb/base layer and use it to smooth over the slice using the palm of your hand

Here is the crumb base of my slice poured in straight from the bowl

I've started to smooth it over using the piece of baking paper with my hand

Smoothed over but still a slight 'lip'

Fold the edges of the paper towards the inside of the tin and flatten again

and simply remove the addition piece of baking paper!

Repeat over the whole area until it is all flat and even

You'll never end up with 'wonky' slice layers again

and

they'll be no need to cut off the edges anymore!

Happy Baking!!

xx Clare

Requested recipe - Cheese and Zucchini loaf

2012-01-17T12:05:00.000+08:00

I'm sure many of you have this recipe (or similar) in your collection but I made it this morning and posted a photo on the blog facebook page and was asked for the recipe.

The best thing about this recipe is you can pretty much add to it whatever vegetable you like and can double it easily; make it into mini loaves or muffin tins and it can be frozen!

It is a really forgiving recipe and allows for your own adaptations quite easily.

I like to call it 'Cheese and Zucchini loaf' for adults but call it 'Special bacon and eggs' for my little ones, who tend to be a little on the fussy side!

Cheese and Zucchini loaf

375g zucchini, grated

1 cup tasty cheese, grated

1 cup SR flour

1 brown onion, diced finely ( I do precook it, see below, but you don't have to)

1/2 cup vegetable oil

3 rashers of bacon, roughly diced

5 eggs, lightly whisked

salt & pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 180 degrees.

ENSURE you grease and 'flour' the baking dish/loaf tray you are intending on using, even if you use muffin patty pans or baking paper the mixture WILL stick if you do not grease and flour prior.

1. Whisk eggs in bowl, and stir in oil.

2. To this add grated cheese and zucchini, and stir.

3. Stir through diced onion and bacon.

4. Stir though flour and add in salt and pepper.

5. Spoon or pour mixture into desired tin and bake for 45 mins (for large loaf) or approximately 20 mins for individual servings.

6. Remove from oven when top has started to turn golden brown or skewer can be removed clean.

Delicious served warm.

NB:

I often double the recipe and use 1 zucchini per recipe portion - this is a great recipe for using them up.

I usually never make it with onion, if I do, I precook it in a jug with a little butter and a small dash of water for about 2 minutes on high in the microwave to soften it, prior to it going in the recipe. Hubby isn't a fan, so I usually omit it.

You can add just about any vegetable you like, if it is diced or grated. I do often make it with grated carrot and diced capsicum to get my kiddo's to eat vegetables!!

You can quite easily add more cheese to it too. It is a good one for using up those little pieces of parmesan or vintage cheddar you've got left in your fridge!

I make it into mini muffin tins or mini loaf tin, which is a perfect size for the kids for lunches and it freezes so you can wrap each portion individually in gladwrap and take out as needed!

I'll say it again, don't forget to flour the tins before baking otherwise it will stick like no tomorrow!!

Enjoy

xx Clare

Pinterest board specifically for followers of The HOME She Made

2012-01-17T11:27:00.000+08:00

This morning I posted a photo on my facebook page of a recipe I made using a mini loaf tin.

One of my lovely followers asked how I stored all my baking trays etc and this put the seed in my head, why not create a specific Pinterest board for ideas and possible solutions for readers/followers of THSM?

I certainly do spend quite a bit of time on Pinterest and would happily 'Pin' things/ideas

that may just help others, so here you have:

a specific Pinterest Board waiting to be filled up with ideas for those specific problems/issues you'd like help with!

Look forward to seeing pins on here and maybe being able to assist.

xx Clare

PS. My use name for pinterest is:

pinterest.com/thehomeshemade/

Just drop me an email if you would like an invite to the wonderful world that is pinterest:

thehomeshemade@gmail.com

OR click here to find out more about the whole

Pinterest thing if you've no idea what I'm going on about!!

Chuck and Shut... a work in progress

2012-01-17T07:10:00.000+08:00

As you know, dealing with my 'chuck and shut' room that I posted about here is on my
very LONG list of things to do around our home,
however finding time without 'little helpers' and motivation to undertake
such a big task at times is tricky!

BUT I'm please to say that since the new year, I've actually made a start!

These are the sticker labels I will use to re-organise what I like to call the 'wall of crates' of teaching resources (those of you fellow primary school teachers will know exactly what I'm talking about!!)

similar to what I used to make the labels for my Christmas storage that I posted about here.

And here is actual proof of the organisation:

I won't go into the specifics of my craft storage here, because I'm waiting til we've been to the city to access more storage containers and then don't worry, I'll be so excited to show you what I've done!

I'm so looking forward to being able to bring more and more photos
of this room as it
becomes less
'chuck and shut'
and more
'open for business!'
in the next few weeks!

Stay tuned.

xx Clare

Walnut Caramel Slice Recipe

2012-01-16T08:22:00.002+08:00

I was given this recipe about 6 months ago from my sister, and it is certainly

a welcomed addition to my collection!

It is a recipe belonging to Belinda Jeffrey, and can be found in one of her many cookbooks,

but it's too good not to share.

Quite seriously, if I'm asked to make morning tea this is guaranteed to be included on the menu, because it is so easy and delicious, and keeps so well in the fridge.

Walnut Caramel Slice

Base:

160g plain flour

70g castor sugar

120g softened butter

Topping:

2 eggs

70g castor sugar

70g brown sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 tablespoons plain flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

200g walnuts or pecans, roughly chopped

Icing sugar for dusting

1. Preheat oven 180 degrees celcius. Line a slice tin with baking paper.

2. Place base ingredients into food processor and blitz until it comes together, don't worry if it seems a little dry.

3. Press into tin until smooth and bake for 20 mins in oven until lightly brown. Remove from oven.

4. For the topping, combine eggs; sugars; and vanilla in a bowl and mix until combined.

5. In a separate bowl combine flour; baking powder; cinnamon and salt. Sift them into the egg mixture and stir until all ingredients well combined.

6. Mix through the nuts and stir well.

7. Scrape nut mixture from bowl and spread evenly over the warm pastry base and return to the oven for a further 20 minutes or until topping is lightly browned and firm to touch. Remove from oven and leave to cool in tin

8. When cool, slice into pieces and dust with icing sugar.

NOTES -

Will store in fridge in airtight container for a good while.

Can be frozen.

I like to use salted butter and add a little more salt for the salted caramel taste.

Substitute dark brown sugar instead of regular brown sugar to make it 'gooey'

I'm not a big fan of cinnamon, so I leave it out.

I've tried both walnuts and pecans and I much prefer walnuts AND am certainly quite generous with the portion of nuts, definitely going over 200g

Enjoy!

xx Clare

Marinate

2012-01-14T11:01:00.002+08:00

I don't know about you, but for me one of the best things

about Summer is the endless amounts of BBQ meals - so easy and yet delicious.

Confession?

Last night was the very first time I had ever cooked a BBQ all on my very own, without assistance from anyone, start to finish. Aside the fact that I was the only adult present, but as my wise sister pointed out to me, BBQing is great as the mess and clean - up is minimal!

What's not to love? Especially when you're 'single parenting' because hubby
is busy finishing off harvest.

So anyways, my first attempt was a huge success, getting the thumbs up from my little boys AND even from Daddy when he arrived home later, to sit down to eat.

I was so inspired that decided we'd have another one tonight,

and I thought I'd spice it up a little and make a marinate for the lamb chops that I plan to cook.

This is another old family recipe, that's tried and true and is a winner with everyone

and is versatile as it is great for lamb, beef or chicken.

Meat Marinate Recipe

1/3 cup dry sherry

2 tbs tomato sauce

1 tbs seeded mustard

1 tbs brown sugar

2 tbs worcestshire sauce

1. Place all ingredients in a container with lid, and shake vigorously.

2. Pour over desired meat and marinate, for atleast a few hours in fridge.

So easy right?

And most of the ingredients would be staples in your pantry!

I've already made the marinate and have the meat soaking up the juices in the fridge.

Looking forward to delving into tonight, accompanied with a pasta salad.

Happy marinating!

xx Clare

1000 LIKERS Giveaway!!

2012-01-11T06:00:00.002+08:00

To celebrate reaching 1000 likers of The HOME She Made on Facebook

I'm having another giveaway.

I always choose to giveaway things that I have and LOVE or would LOVE to own!

So here is what goodies I've selected as the prize of this giveaway!

One lucky winner will receive:

A gorgeous one of a kind Designs by Emma Large bag

in their own choice of fabric from Emma's selection!

Here are my two Design by Emma bags -
I've had them for a few years and they are very well used and loved!

Some more photo's of some bags from Emma's collection:

AND

A craft turntable
from Steady Sticks in your choice of either:

Pink

Blue

These little storage pots on a turntable are a gorgeous addition to a party table;

fabulous for storing craft supplies or great for the kiddies rooms to keep bits and pieces together.

Details about the GIVEAWAY

The GIVEAWAY will run on The HOME She Made blog page.

To enter you must be an Australian resident and only one entry per person will be accepted.

The GIVEAWAY competition start on

Wednesday 11th January, 8am WST and will close on Wednesday 18th January at 8pm WST.

One lucky winner (that has met the GIVEAWAY requirements)

will be selected via number allocation at random.org

and will be publicised via this blog page.

The winner will have 7 days to make contact to claim their prize, otherwise it will be redrawn.

How to Enter:

1. An entry requirement is that you are a liker of The HOME She Made Facebook page

click here to be redirected

and a liker of Designs by Emma Facebook page

click here to be redirected

2. You need to comment underneath THIS blog post (not the Facebook notice)

with your full name and which colour craft turntable you would choose - either Pink or Blue!

Thanks for being here and best of luck!

xx Clare

Birthday planner

2012-01-10T12:10:00.000+08:00

I so loved having a Christmas planner last year, to keep all my bits and pieces together,

that I decided I would run with the idea and make a Birthday planner,

to keep track of gifts that are needed to be

purchased throughout the year for family and friends.

I certainly have to be organised considering we don't live close by shops and that I heavily rely on online shopping and the odd trip to the city now and then.

After searching high and low on Pinterest and online I was quiet unsuccessful in my quest.

I wasn't wanting 'party planning' printables and information but more a sheet where I can record, who I am buy for; when it is needed by; the budget and what I actually purchased AND a place to keep receipts and documentation together in one place.

I was able to find a suitable printable and adapted some others to suit my needs!

Here is a photo of my finished product

next to my kikki.K Birthday and Anniversary Calendar that I've had for a few years.

(link to kikki.K here)

I really love the kikki.K calendar and have it displayed in our office,

and it is the perfect companion to my planner folder.

To make the cover, I used some scrapbooking papers

and the Christmas planners FREE printable from eighteen 25

(with a sticker over the top, saying 'Birthday' that I created on my computer)

I decided I wanted to make the planner

A5 size so I could easily slip it into my handbag with my diary for trips to the city etc.

and I found the perfect little display folder at Officeworks for just a few dollars

Even though I didn't find a plethora of suitable printables

I did find this handy one from Project girl,

that I printed off in A5, one for each month.

Find the link the FREE printable from Project girl planner here

I used my label maker to label each month and inserted a page for each.

At the back of my folder I have used the

My receipts label from the eighteen 25 printable for one sleeve of the folder,

to keep them all together in the same place.

I really like the idea of being able to remove these sheets and keeping them for reference

so I know what gift I've purchased the year before.

Even though I've labelled it 'Birthday' Planner, I figured I could also write in the engagement/wedding gifts and even baby gifts I am needing to purchase for those particular months.

So together with my Birthday planner AND kikki.K calendar,

I should be nice and organised for all the birthdays

and occasions that I'm needing to buy for in 2012!

xx Clare

Packing away Christmas

2012-01-09T07:44:00.001+08:00

I can't believe that Christmas has been and gone,

and we are now into the second week of January 2012!

Is it just me, or was the whole holiday period a blur??

I hope you got to spend some quality time with those you love.

I decided I needed to revamp my Christmas decor organising and took much delight over the weekend in finding new homes for all of my bits and pieces both old and new.

Prior to Christmas I had drooled over some Christmas storage available from Ezibuy

BUT decided I would wait to see what I could find in the sales,

and that I would not pack away the decor until then.

This proved a worthwhile activity - not for the storage aspect but for the BARGAINS I found.

For less than $100 I was able to pick up this nice stash of Christmas goodies, including table runners and placemats that were ridiculously reduced at Spotlight AND meters of fabric for Christmas activities I never got to do in 2011, including the Christmas canvas art.

Atleast I am prepared for the festivities this year,

and am not banking on a trip to suburban retail come the time, to be able to decorate as I wish!

Now, back to the storage.

I decided to replace the plastic tubs in which I was storing my decor in,

with Ikea Pappis storage boxes. They are a bargain at less than $2 each, and are ideal because they fit nicely into my cupboard (whereas the tubs wouldn't) making them easily accessible.

AND I also happened to have a stash of them available in the cupboard, which is always handy when you live where we live!

I wanted to make some nice labels for them, because I also use the same boxes to store

Birthday, Easter and Misc. decor. in the same cupboards.

Here is a photo of what I came up with.

I easily made these labels using FREE printables from eighteen 25

AND

Better, Homes and Gardens (US)

I just printed them on to 'one up' sticker A4 pages purchased from Officeworks and cut and placed in desired place.

Here is the links to these printables:

eighteen 25 holiday planner paper

Better homes and gardens pantry labels in large

Something else I found via those clever gals at eighteen 25, is this FREE printable to corral all your Christmas cards together as a keepsake - very handy for Christmas coming too,

so you know who needs to be on your card list!

I just printed the cover off using thicker GSM card and punched a hole into the desired cards

and used a piece of ribbon to tie them together.

Here is the link to the printable if you're wanting to make card books too!

AND lastly, after spying a Gift wrapping organiser from Kaz at Living on a Latte a few weeks back, I think I must have got the last one in WA for an absolute steal at just $5 from Spotlight, to neatly pack away all my wrapping pretties until December this year - LOVE! (Thanks Kaz)

So all in all, I'm pretty happy to pack away Christmas into my

new storage solutions until the treasured season is upon us again.

xx Clare

Merry Christmas to you all

2011-12-22T14:00:00.000+08:00

I'm signing off now from The HOME She Made

for a week or so while I celebrate the festivities with my family.

Just wanted to say a huge THANKS to all of you for following along

AND

wishing you and your family a
VERY

I hope you get to relax and enjoy with those you love and that you get

spoilt by 'Santa'.

Looking forward to sharing with you in 2012,
and don't forget there is most certainly a 1000 likers giveaway coming up very soon!

LOVE

xx Clare

PS. Don't forget to put out your Reindeer food and snacks for Santa!!

December Days of Christmas fun - Day 22

2011-12-22T08:51:00.000+08:00

To me glazing the ham is the 'icing on the cake' for Christmas preparations.

Regardless of whether we are hosting a Christmas dinner at our home,

a glazed ham is an absolute MUST HAVE!

The recipe and process of glazing the ham, is using a really old recipe that my Mum thinks is atleast 40 years old and came from an old Women's Weekly Magazine Christmas liftout,

with no date to be found on the page.

It really is so easy and gives the ham such a delicious flavour.

This photo doesn't do it justice, believe me!!

Ham Glaze

1/2 cup honey (I place in the microwave for 20 seconds to make it really runny)

2 tbs orange juice

1 tsp dijon mustard

1 tsp soy sauce

Ham (I always buy a piece on the bone)

cloves

vinegar

cloth bag (I just use an pillowcase)

water

1. Place all 4 ingredients of the glaze into a container/jar with a lid, and shake to combine

2. Prepare your ham by cutting off the rind (discard) leaving a layer of fat and

placing on a foil lined baking tray

3. Cut into the fat in rows and diagonally to create diamonds, then stud the diamonds with cloves

4. Generously baste the ham with the glaze, and place into a low to moderate oven for approximately 1 hour (depending on the size of your ham) continuing to baste every 10 minutes or so with glaze (even use the glaze that has run off on the foil on the tray as it starts to caramelise in the heat of the oven and is delicious!!)

5. When ham is golden brown, turn heat off and leave to sit

6. To serve, remove the cloves (and discard) and slice into pieces

7. To store the ham, soak a cloth bag in water with a strong splash of vinegar, and place on a tray in the fridge. Daily resoak the bag in the vinegar/water liquid to keep the ham moist

The ham can be served warm out of the oven or is equally as delicious served cold.

On Christmas morning we always prepare the ham and make sure it is ready atleast 1 hour before dinner is served and serve it warm.

Will last in the fridge in the ham bag for a good while - or for as long as you can resist,

slicing it off and delving in!

(think Nigella during the night doing a fridge 'raid')

Love to know what you think if you try our favourite Christmas recipe!

xx Clare

December Days of Christmas fun - Day 19

2011-12-19T20:17:00.000+08:00

We've been busy beavers today making more Christmas fudge AND

these Mini Christmas puddings.

These are such an easy thing to make and always go down a treat.

Here is the recipe:

Mini Christmas puddings

1 pkt dark fruit cake (I just use homebrand)

1/4 - 1/2 cup Baileys (you can use whisky, rum or even orange juice if you prefer)

1/2 pkt mini dark choc chips

white chocolate (about 150g) - melted in microwave

mint leaf lollies - each leaf sliced into 4 triangle shaped leaves

red M&M's

1. Crumble the fruit cake into a large bowl (with lid) and add in choc chips.

2. Pour Baileys (or other) over the crumbled cake and place lid on and shake vigorously.

3. Set aside overnight to allow the liquid to infuse into cake. If it seems too dry to make into balls, add more liquid.

4. Make mixture into balls that hold will hold their shape and then refrigerate to set.

5. When set, melt white chocolate in microwave, until quite runny.

6. Drizzle teaspoon of white chocolate onto ball and then place a red M&M and a mint leaf piece on top in chocolate and place on greaseproof paper to set.

7. Makes about 30 puddings. Refrigerate in sealed container until serving. Keeps in fridge for a few weeks.

NB. I usually double the mixture as I like to give some away as gifts in a nice box or tin.

MUST be dark fruit cake, but the quality of the cake doesn't matter too much as you are adding to it.

Don't panic if the white chocolate seems to be setting again, just pop it back into the microwave on fairly high heat and it will become runny and usable again.

ENJOY!!

xx Clare

Santa wrapping and labels

2011-12-18T22:58:00.000+08:00

For those of you with kiddies who believe in Santa, you'll understand the importance of having

'Santa Only' wrapping paper and labels.

Just today Kaz from Living on a Latte mentioned here in a blog post

about a wrapping paper organiser,

that last year, when her sister was getting the Christmas paper out,

her 5 year old daughter piped up about it being the same paper

that Santa used the year before to wrap the presents!!

So I've made sure I have the 'Santa Only' rolls of paper to wrap the presents in,

but realised that I had only 2 types of labels and had already used them to label family presents,

and living where we live, I don't have easy/quick access to stores so......

Pinterest to the rescue!

I'd found a few Christmas printables a while back and had pinned them to my

Christmas time board which you can have a look at here, if you're interested.

And chose these labels to use this year for the presents from Santa:

You can find the link here

I simply printed them onto a A4 blank label sheet - changing the settings to have 9 labels per page.

Then using my guillotine, I have cut them to size.

Hoping they'll get the approval, after all they do have the 'seal' from the Santa shop!

xx Clare

December Days of Christmas fun - Day 16

2011-12-16T13:38:00.000+08:00

The little boys and I made a really simple Christmas

craft today from an idea found on Pinterest

I simply cut a triangle shape from a piece of card to use as the base and then we used different colour green card and different sized circle punches to create the 'tree'.

We then used some shiny red and gold card to cut smaller circles and shapes for baubles and used a craft peg to act as the leg and to enable them to stand up.

Easy and yet enjoyable short activity.

xx Clare

December Days of Christmas Fun - Day 15

2011-12-15T12:20:00.000+08:00

We're enjoying a visit at the moment from one of my Sister-in-laws,
and we decided we'd make Shortbread cookies this morning.

Shortbread Recipe

320g plain flour

140g castor sugar

240g butter, softened

1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celcius

2. Line baking trays with greaseproof paper

3. Put all three ingredients in food processor and blitz until all combined

4. Turn out mixture onto well floured surface and then use well floured rolling pin to flatten

5. Use cookies cutters to fashion into desired shapes and place on trays

6. Bake for approximately 10mins or until very lightly browned

7. Cool on wire trays and dust with icing sugar when completely cooled

I picked up these gorgeous Christmas cookie cutters this week for an absolute steal -

9 cutters for about $12!

Such an easy baking activity to do with the kiddies and yummy too!

xx Clare

December Days of Christmas Fun - Day 13

2011-12-13T12:31:00.000+08:00

We made some Magic Reindeer Food today.

I found these little spice containers at the local discount store a while back
and they're just perfect for this.
I printed the label onto a sticker sheet and cut them to fit on the jar.

This is the 'recipe' we used

1 cup oatmeal
1 cup raw sugar
sprinkle of glitter

Combine all ingredients and place into desired bag or container
and attach label.

Here are a selection of FREE printables found online:

HERE

There should be some very HAPPY reindeers come Christmas Eve I would suspect!

xx Clare

HELPFUL HOME HINT from CLARE #7

2011-12-12T19:25:00.000+08:00

HHH

# 7

Drives me crazy when you get to the end of a spray bottle

and there is still some solution left in the bottom that you just can't get to spray out,

regardless of how much you 'fiddle' with the trigger!

Instead of discarding the unused portion, that just won't budge,

simply half fill the bottle with water, screw the trigger back on and continue to use.

After all, a diluted bottle of cleaning solution is better than no solution at all!

xx Clare

December Days of Christmas fun - Day 12

2011-12-12T14:30:00.001+08:00

Master 4 and I have made it our job today to put up
the sign in the garden for Santa and the Reindeers!
Luckily we got to it just before the rain came.

Tomorrow we'll be making our Magic Reindeer Food.

If you're wanting to make some, for our recipe you just need:
Oatmeal
Sugar
Red and Green Glitter

Check back in tomorrow for the instructions
and to see how we've packaged it!

xx Clare

December Days of Christmas fun - Day 11

2011-12-11T17:29:00.000+08:00

We returned home this afternoon from a lovely night away with friends and a

busy day yesterday, Christmas shopping!

When we were out and about yesterday I picked up these cute Christmas sticker poster sets for a

bargain $2 each.

So after early baths and dinner tonight, the little boys and I are going to get busy with these, while Daddy is going round and round in the tractor driving the chaser bin for harvesting.

xx Clare

December Days of Christmas fun - Day 10

2011-12-10T06:41:00.000+08:00

We're going to stay with some friends and getting our 'dose' of Christmas shopping, so we thought we'd make the most of being this close to town by going for a drive to see Christmas lights - certainly something taken for granted when you live in town amongst other houses - we live about 10 minutes from a very small town with approximately 100 people in it, so the Christmas light displays aren't overflowing!!

Hoping the boys are able to stay awake to see it and enjoy them.

Do you have a lights display on your home or do you drive around to

look at the 'Griswold' efforts of others??

xx Clare

December Days of Christmas fun - Day 9

2011-12-09T08:12:00.000+08:00

Today the boys and I are wrapping some gifts to be

to place under the 'Wishing Tree' this weekend.

Such an important lesson to teach kids from an early age that there are always others

out there less fortunate than they are.

To find out more about the Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal, find the link here.

xx Clare

December Days of Christmas fun - Day 8

2011-12-08T14:49:00.000+08:00

Today as part of our Christmas fun activities we are hanging our

Christmas sacks!

My very clever Aunt has quilted these gorgeous bags for our boys and I have

discovered the TV cabinet/buffet is the best place to hang them!

Have you hung your sacks/stocking yet?

xx Clare

December Days of Christmas fun - Day 7

2011-12-07T07:14:00.000+08:00

Tonight after the boys and I get home, we are going to make the

yummiest, easiest Chocolate Fudge.

The recipe base is from none other than Nigella but I like to make different variations.

Image from google

350g good quality dark chocolate

1 tin condensed milk

30g butter

150g roughly chopped nuts

2 chocolate bars roughly chopped/crushed

Variations: crunchie bar and macadamia nuts

cherry ripe bar and pistacchio nuts

1. Place chocolate, condensed milk and butter in pan and stir on low heat on stove, until all melted

2. Stir through crushed/chopped chocolate bar and nuts

3. When all is well combined, pour into baking paper lined and smooth over the top.

4. Cool in refrigerator until set.

5. Cut into very small pieces and store in fridge ( and it can be frozen)

You could quite easily try any variations you please to suit your taste.

Enjoy!

xx Clare

December Days of Christmas Fun - Day 6

2011-12-06T08:54:00.000+08:00

My lovely sister-in-law lives in Brisbane and sent over a lovely parcel of goodies for the boys for Christmas, and we were instructed to open when it arrived so we could use and do the activities inside in the lead up to Christmas.

In the bundle were these cute little mask making kits,
which we will make today!

If you don't happen to have a pre-made craft Christmas craft activity kit at home,
here is a link to a fantastic page that has loads of ideas for you to make and do

Kaboose

xx Clare

December Days of Christmas Fun - Day 5

2011-12-05T06:00:00.001+08:00

December Days of Christmas Fun - Day 5

Today the boys and I are going to colour in some gift tags using this
FREE printable

Find the link here.

We'll use bright coloured textas to colour in on the white card,
then I'll mount them on other coloured card, punch a hole and attach a piece of string.

xx Clare

Easy gift wrapping 'embellishment'

2011-12-04T18:31:00.001+08:00

This afternoon I've been putting the finishing touches on wrapping some gifts

for a certain Secret Santa, I'm involved in. And to finish off my wrapping I made this little 'embellishment'.

I found a similar idea via Pinterest and modified it by using a scallop punch and by adhering it to the ribbon wrapped around the gift.

To wrap this gift, I have just used brown paper, and made a belly band from kikki.K gift wrapping paper. I then chose a variety of scrapbooking papers that would compliment the belly band

to fashion the embellishment.

Here is how to make it:

1. Scallop punch 5 different, two sided scrapbooking papers

2. Fold 4 scallops, perfectly in half

3. Glue each one, one side to the next until you've used those 4 scallops.

Very poor photo but you get the idea
of glueing one to the next!

4. Cut your length of ribbon to fit around your gift.

5. Apply glue to the flat side of the embellishment and position the ribbon in place.

6. Apply glue on top of the ribbon and adhere last scallop over,

sealing the underside of the embellishment:

7. Position embellishment and ribbon on the top side of your wrapped gift

and then tie in a bow/knot in the ribbon to fasten.

A really simple way to put a finishing touch on a gift for someone special!

xx Clare

December Days of Christmas Fun - Day 4

2011-12-04T13:16:00.000+08:00

December Days of Christmas Fun - Day 4

Pine cone decorations

On the farm, right near the house, we have a few large Pine trees.

So taking advantage of them this year to create some Christmas decorations!

Find link here

xx Clare

December Days of Christmas Fun - Day 3

2011-12-03T13:11:00.000+08:00

December Days of Christmas Fun - Day 3

Today the boys and I are going to be baking our favourite cookie recipe with a Christmas twist!
This is such a great recipe. You can easily freeze the dough prior to cooking, into a log or individual balls for when they are needed.
Simply remove from freezer, let it thaw and bake as per instruction steps 5, 6 & 7

Choc Chip Cookie Recipe

150g butter

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup caster sugar

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla essence

1 1/2 cup SR flour

1 cup choc chips

Red and green M&M's

1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees and line baking trays with greaseproof paper

2. Using electric beater, beat caster and brown sugar with butter and egg until creamy.

3. Add vanilla and beat until combined.

4. Using spoon fold in flour and choc chips until combined into a soft dough.

5. Roll into small balls, place on baking tray allowing room to spread.

6. Flatten each cookie slightly with fork, then press in coloured M&M's on top.

7. Bake for 15 minutes until crisp and slightly browned, then cool on tray.

Enjoy!

xx Clare

December Days of Christmas fun - Day 2

2011-12-02T05:49:00.000+08:00

December Days of Christmas fun: Day 2

Making reindeer

Trace around your child's hands and foot and simply glue onto card

and add googly eyes and a pom pom for the nose!

xx Clare

PS. Another fabulous idea from Pinterest.

Check out my Christmas board on pinterest here

A day of firsts for our household!

2011-12-01T18:55:00.000+08:00

It has been a VERY busy day in our household!

It was our eldest son's first day at Kindy, the Orientation morning today
- so dressed up in his uniform off

we trotted into school, where he stayed until midday!

In his photo he is holding his 'Orientation day for Kindergarten' sign.

I found this idea the other day when searching for 'beginning school' inspiration.
I plan on giving him a new sign at the start of next year on his official 'first' day
and then at the end of the year, and placing them side by side in a scrapbooking page
so you can see how much he's grown and changed.

Can't believe how grown up he is and how cute he looks in his uniform:

And let's put it this way, he spent a good deal of the afternoon sleeping on his little couch, snoring!

So tuckered after his busy, busy day.

Here is what kept him amused for some of the time at school:

CUTE!!

And another first this morning, I held my first ever stall at a local market as a

bona fide Phoenix Trader!

As I've mentioned on the blog and facebook page many times, I LOVE the cards and goodies that are on offer from PT, so I'm sure it's no surprise to many that I decided to take up this 'hobby'. I'm certainly not expecting to make 'millions' from being a trader but am so happy to be able to keep a lovely collection of cards on hand at home AND to be able to keep my family and friends in stock too!

Here is a picture of my tiny table from this morning! It was very last minute that I decided to go to the market so the organiser very kindly offered me this space, so I was happy to take it.

Not a great photo but you get the idea!

Unfortunately I wasn't able to spend the whole day at the market because I had to collect a certain little man from school, but I managed to sell a handful of cards and had others take brochures and indicate some interest in future purchases.
So all round it was a success and I look forward to further market day opportunities!

xx Clare

December Days of Christmas fun - Day 1

2011-12-01T05:39:00.000+08:00

Here is the first installment of December Days of Christmas fun!

DAY 1: Starting the Advent Calendars.

We have this gorgeous Advent Calendar from Phoenix Trading that we use each year, adding all the elements to the Nativity scene. It will live on our Christmas display table.

But I wanted to handmake one each for the boys.

From much research online, the idea I like is adding a cotton wool ball

to Santa's beard each day until Christmas.

Find link here

Obviously all you require is to print off the Santa and add a cotton ball to his beard each day!

Really simple but easy for those with little ones.

xx Clare

Total 'Super Organiser Mum' knock-off of a 'Sunscreen station'

2011-11-29T19:36:00.000+08:00

I've been putting the finishing touches on this today, my 'Sunscreen Station'

which is a complete 'knock off' of the original (picture underneath) from Jade the Super Organiser Mum - find her post here about her Summer Station!

I definitely needed to steal this idea to make it easy to find, for all the outside and pool playing to come this Summer!

My 'Sunscreen Station'

Such a great idea to corral all the Sunscreen/Aloe gel/Insect repellent

into one neat little container.

Jade the Super Organiser Mum's 'Sunscreen Station'

I repurposed a BBQ tools holder that we weren't using - giving it a spray of paint and then used the exact same FREE printable that Jade did to create a little label for it, printing it onto card and laminating it. Jade's holder is a little more 'fancy' than mine, having separate sections AND a handle, but I was happy to give use to something that was not being utilised.

Here is the printable:

These FREE printables are from Babalisme and can be found here

AGAIN, such a great idea from Jade,

that is too fabulous not to share......again!

xx Clare

Resolutions for the new year.... already??

2011-11-29T13:46:00.000+08:00

It is only the end of November I know, but the next month is pretty busy for everyone, so I thought now is as good a time as any to start thinking about new year resolutions.

I LOVE the clean slate that a new year brings and for me personally it has been a good few years since I've made any form of 'resolutions'.

When life threw us a curve ball and pulled the rug out from underneath, we were definitely on 'existing' mode rather than 'living' mode and found it difficult to look to the future, because of lack of stability and certainty - not a nice way to be,

living in that limbo.

But onwards and upwards, this year has turned out to be pretty fantastic and all of that limbo, is certainly a distant memory.

So I am very keen to make some resolutions for 2012!

How does one go about making resolutions?

From reading about where to begin, I found some questions to ask yourself,

providing a good starting point -

What will make me happier?

What concrete action will bring about change?

Am I starting 'small' enough?

How am I going to be held accountable?

For me I plan on making a 'smallish' list and will write it up in the last week of December, using a free printable like this one,

to be displayed in a place that can be viewed on a regular basis,

to help keep me on track!

Link to FREE printable from Little Miss Crafty Pants

I'm sure in the coming weeks,

they'll be plenty more amazing free printables,flooding the web,

and I'll be on the hunt and will link them back to the blog when I find them!

Are you going to be making a list?

xx Clare

Must-Have Classics for Young Children

2011-11-28T20:10:00.000+08:00

There's been lots of banter on Facebook at the moment from people looking for ideas for stocking fillers or Christmas gifts for their children or for others that they have to buy for.

I am SO grateful that the very clever Lisa from life as we know it blog,

shared this HUGE bit of wisdom with us all when it comes to gift buying:

Having only a very young family, we are only just starting to implement our OWN family Christmas traditions and I'm sure in the next few years,

we'll have got into the swing of doing Christmas our way.

But for certain, I am going to be using Lisa's guide to assist with purchases,

and for me, the huge one is 'something to read'.

As you know I'm a Primary school teacher and nothing pleases me more at school when I see children sitting absolutely engrossed in a book, and they beg you to be allowed to keep reading even though you have to stop and do other things. I also get to see the children who struggle to sit still to read, and find the whole thing a chore, for whatever reason. I also know that if you foster the love of books and reading at an early age, the likelihood of children enjoying it later on, is greatly increased.

Of course in a perfect world, my two children will be brilliant readers, and not struggle at school,

but who is to know? I certainly am endeavouring to get them 'into' books as much as I can.

For those who are wanting a great place to start, here is

Mem Fox's Must-Have Classics For Young Australian children aged 0-4

This has been taken directly from the Mem Fox webpage

So atleast we'll have the 'something to read' component of the gift guide covered for Christmas and birthdays coming in February.

xx Clare

Helpful Home Hint from CLARE #6

2011-11-26T13:34:00.001+08:00

HHH

Since implementing my Routine for cleaning that I blogged about here, I have endeavoured to do atleast one load of washing every day, with some days doing sheets and towels in addition.

I have been really good at keeping up with this, but haven't been so good at folding and putting it away each day as it comes off the line.

So I end up with clean clothes but baskets of them, needing to be folded.

So here is my latest trick for having to fold SO much washing in one go!

This may have already occured to you but it hadn't to me, so I'll share it nonetheless.

I use baskets to sort the clean washing before I fold it.

I have 5 baskets for our household:

Hubby's clothes

My clothes

Kids clothes

socks

linen

I simply sort all the washing into these 5 different baskets

and then fold each basket, one at a time, leaving socks

until very last - I hate searching through the washing looking for those pesky things - such a time waster!

I was so surprised at how much quicker this task became once I sorted it this way.

It also makes it easy for the piles on the table/bed where I choose to fold, and can put them away after the basket is completed knowing I'm not having to go back to the linen cupboard,

as all the linen is done and dusted.

I suggest having a basket for each person in your household;

one for linen and additional for all of the socks in the household.

Another great idea for sheets and towels is fold them directly from the line,

then your not double handling and you remove a basket from your list to be folded!

I also just neatly fold the ironing and place to one side,

which then gets transfered to the 'ironing basket' but that's a whole other story!

A bit OCD?

Yes probably, but a time saver, definitely!!

xx Clare

Helpful Home HINT from CLARE #5

2011-11-26T10:18:00.000+08:00

HHH

# 5

Use a plastic caddy basket (with handle and divided center)

to hold the food for your children whilst traveling in the car!

NB. Must have a center divider for the drink to remain sturdy.

Another brilliant PINTEREST find.

We would use this so often, not because we feed our children take out all the time,

but most of our car trips are long ones, so being able to pass back a basket like this with a handle,

which contains their drink, sandwich and snacks is exactly what we need!!

I've seen cleaning caddy's in a similar style to this in Big W and Howards Storage World, but I'm sure you'd probably find some at the local discount stores if you looked.

xx Clare

CURB the spending!

2011-11-25T10:53:00.000+08:00

It is definitely a time of year when digging for cash in the wallet

or pulling out the 'plastic fantastic' is on overdrive.

As you've probably gathered, I'm a person who LOVES shopping

but am I certainly not able to undulge myself in ALL the desires on my wish list - I'd like to think I can, and convince myself we can have it, but realistically.. no, I should be allocating it to other priorities.

I am actually not great at budgeting - just ask my father who has tried to teach me to manage my money many, many times. He is so good at budgeting, making spreadsheets and being accountable for spending and some how that gene hasn't yet kicked in for me....

Note my previous post on gardening genetics - Good God.. I hope this one magically appears soon!!

In the past, with great guidance from dear dad, I have actually been able to budget

but it is practice I haven't been able to hold.

It definitely has to be something I want to give my whole heart and soul into,

and I am FINALLY ready to give it a damn good go!

Stinky timing, with Christmas only weeks away, but you have to start somewhere! AND there's nothing like the clean slate of a fresh, new year on its way for motivation.

They say it takes 21 days to form or break a habit, but for me I think this is going to take 21 fortnights! Why that long you ask?

Well, we get paid on a fortnightly cycle and I figure I need to be paid 21 times to put this new system into place to make it 'stick' and become habitual.

I've been inspired by reading others stories about how they manage their money

and have come up with a plan of how I attend to CONTROL (yes a very STRONG word, but needs to be, in order to 'tame' the beast) the spending!!

So the first step I have taken in getting this under control is

create a 'cash envelope' system for my wallet.

I plan on withdrawing the funds from our account to cover the spending

in the follow areas, each fortnight:

Groceries

Fuel

Spending

Gifts

Clothing

These are the five areas that I have identified as expenses that come up on a regular basis, for us, for our family - no doubt, yours will be different, depending on your needs. These are also the five areas that I wish to use actual cold hard cash to pay for - I realise I do partake in a fair amount of 'online' spending, but I will simply subtract that amount from the total for the appropriate envelope before I withdraw the money.

Most of our bills are set up with direct debit, so the remainder of the funds in the account will be used for this and a specified amount will be transfered into savings accounts.

Both gifts and clothing are envelopes that wont be used as regularly, but nonetheless, will remain in my wallet, with money allocated per fortnight, for times when they are needed.

I am attempting to very vigilent at withdrawing the allocated money for each envelope at the start of each pay fortnight, and NOT using our cards - from what I have read, this is a great way to spend within your means AND to not go over budget. Obviously the idea is not to take money from another envelope to spend on a different area.

Here are some pictures of the cash envelopes I've made - I've tailored them to fit

perfectly inside my wallet and have labelled them accordingly.

To create them, I just drew a rough tempate around a $20 note leaving a bit of space,

for the rare occassion a larger note ends up in there!

AND selected 5 co-ordinating pieces of scrapbooking paper.

I then folded and glued into a envelope shape,

and used my labeller to label both inside and out of each one

Finished products, fitting perfectly inside my wallet

My job is to now sit down and 'fine tune' our budget so I can work out exactly how much money is going to go into each envelope, ensuring there is enough money remaining in the account to pay all those other bills!!

Here's hoping I will be able to stick to my budget and use my cash envelopes effectively, so there is money for each and every area of spending that is required.

21 fortnights - here we go!!

Wish me LUCK on attempting to 'Curb the spending' as my mum would say!

xx Clare

We need a little Christmas...

2011-11-18T11:41:00.000+08:00

Whilst I've not 'officially' taken out our Christmas decorations and set up our tree yet,
I decided it was time to get into the festive spirit
and set up a little display on the side board in our kitchen.

Table display complete with

tree from Little Yon Yon

and decorations from the gorgeous Sweet Tashie,

lolly jar from Target and

candle from Spotlight.

I love the idea of gathering together Christmas story books and DVD's

and placing them together in a basket.

As you can see I've also displayed the Countdown to Christmas

that I made a few weeks back.

LOVE Christmas, can't wait to do more decorating in the coming weeks.

xx Clare

Helpful Home HINT from CLARE #4

2011-11-17T12:29:00.000+08:00

HHH

This is a brilliant idea for containing rubbish in the car!!

I found it on PINTEREST (of course)

and have put it to good use.

Line a Cereal container with a pop up lid, with a plastic rubbish bag to place all of food wrappers and rubbish from your car trips.

It works like a treat - so simple and easy and tidy!!

xx Clare

5 things on My Christmas List!

2011-11-13T12:53:00.000+08:00

I'm always seeking great gift ideas and thought it might be a bit of fun

to find out from some of my fellow bloggers

what is on their Christmas list, in a little tagging game!

Image from kikki.K Christmas Gift Guide 2011

So to start off the game I'd better share my own! So here are

5 things on My Christmas List!

1. Lovely perfume by Sarah Jessica Parker

2. Birkenstocks - Frankfurt clogs in Meadow Cream

3. Silver stud earrings

4. donna hay Market tote bag in Red

5. Book from Lowe's - Creative Ideas for Organizing your home

And add to that and endless supply of stationery from kikki.K

and I'd be one happy girl come Christmas!

I must admit I have already purchased a few items for myself for Christmas and are stashed in the cupboard ready to be wrapped, including these Birkenstocks and a 2012 diary from kikki.K because

as you know my husband isn't too savy on the old present purchasing!

OK so now I'm tagging 5 other lovely bloggers to share

5 things on My Christmas List!

Deb at Home Life Simplified

Sonia at Life, Love and Hiccups

Karen at Simply Said

Bec at Because Everything Counts

Nat at Mummy Smiles

Looking forward to reading your lists!

xx Clare

Inheriting Genes

2011-11-10T10:30:00.000+08:00

I love to think about what our children will be like when they are older, will they be like either my husband or myself or will they be like another family member or completely different entirely?

I would like to think my children have inherited the 'good' genetics from our families and not so much of the stubborness that both hubby and I possess!!

Me on the other hand, I certainly hope that I've inherited some of my parents passion for gardening.
I can't say it's kicked in yet - whilst I do like having a neat and tidy garden and I do dream of having beautiful flower beds and a functioning herb and vegetable garden, I struggle to get enthusiastic about the whole thing! I suppose it has something to do with this not being our 'own' home and come the time we live in a home we own, I may feel differently.

My hubby is certainly keen on vegetable gardening, and given the time and resources, has happily established a vegetable garden in previous homes we've lived in. AND to his credit he pruned the rose garden bed at this house, which is now blooming with the most amazing display, as well as maintaining a great lawn in the backyard!

My Parents built their home on a few hundred acres about 20 years ago, and have spent a great deal of time, particularly in the last 10 or so years, establishing the most amazing garden complete with an enclosed orchard; olive grove; woodlands area; a vegetable garden with purpose built,
raised beds and a chook pen. My Dad is very clever and has built these structures himself with help over the years of certain Son-in-laws - not having any Son's of his own of course!

Just this week, the little boys and I spent a few nights with them, as they were busy preparing for a requested visit by the local 'Garden Club'.

Here are just a few photos of the garden towards the front of the house.

These snaps certainly do not do it justice and are only one small section of the garden.

It is an absolute credit to them both

and naturally it was very well received by the 30 odd visitors from the other day.

My husband's parents have a beautiful garden and vegetable patch around their home too - so surely our boys will have to end up with atleast SOME of these 'green thumb' genetics?

xx Clare

HELPFUL HOME HINT from CLARE #3

2011-11-08T17:16:00.000+08:00

Helpful Home Hint (HHH) from Clare

Forget buying expensive and often ineffective grease removal products from the

Laundry isle in the supermarket.

Just dab a small amount of household, kitchen washing up liquid on the grease mark and then proceed to wash garment as normal and your stain should be removed!

xx Clare

Cleaning the Microwave

2011-11-06T10:32:00.000+08:00

I'm on a bit of a roll with the great stuff from my Mum at the moment!

Mum found this cleaning tip from Shannon Lush
in the local Newspaper and gave it to me to share.

In a 1 litre microwave safe bowl place:

half a cup of white vinegar

half a cup of bicarb soda

one cup of water

Put it in the microwave and watch it on high until it has boiled but not boiled over for 1 minute.

Leave the mixture in there steaming with the microwave turned off

and don't open the door for about 10 minutes.

Now take the bowl out and using the liquid in the bowl, wipe the inside and outside of the microwave down with a pair of pantyhose.

Dry with some paper towel.

NB. I then take this liquid and throw it into the dishwasher when it is empty (and I've cleaned out the filter basket in the bottom) and run it on the shortest cycle possible.
Leaves your dishwasher very clean and smelling great - no need to buy 'dishwasher cleaner' products!!

xx Clare

HELPFUL HOME HINT from CLARE #2

2011-11-05T14:00:00.000+08:00

Helpful Home Hint (HHH) from Clare

For all of those lemons that you have no use for -

squeeze the juice and freeze into these icecube packs

and then just use them as you need!

xx Clare

HELPFUL HOME HINT from CLARE #1

2011-11-04T11:37:00.000+08:00

HELPFUL HOME HINT (HHH) from Clare

Keep a bag of Cat Litter at home in the laundry to use when the

unforseeable 'vomit' on the carpet incident occurs!

Pour the litter directly over the patch to alleviate the smell AND it absorbs the

vomit, making the clean up much more pleasant.

xx Clare

Easy organising of Kitchen second drawer

2011-11-04T09:05:00.000+08:00

If you are like most people, the second drawer underneath the cutlery in the kitchen,

is usually pretty overflowing with utensils and is difficult to organise.

So it results in being another 'chuck and shut' type of scenario

AND it is a nightmare to find anything.

From experience I have found that the typical 'cutlery' sorter is not useful either because of the oversized items that live in the drawer!

A simple solution that I have had in place for the last few months

is using plastic baskets from my local $2 store.

For my sized drawer I use

1 large and 3 small baskets.

As you can see I keep my BBQ tools down the side AND my little tupperware stack separate.

Obviously it does get untidy because things don't always get put back into the correct space but it takes no time to lift out the baskets on to the bench, take all the utensils out, give it a quick clean and sort out and return them back to the drawer.

The more organising and tidying I do, the more I realise that

HAVING A HOME FOR EVERYTHING

makes life so much easier because you know where things go and belong!

xx Clare

Chocolate Brownie Recipe

2011-11-03T08:02:00.001+08:00

This is a GREAT recipe for chocolate brownies that my Mum found a few years back.

It is so simple and easy to make.

This recipe is doubled as I usually make enough to have some to eat and freeze the other half.

1 cup plain flour

2/3 cup SR flour

2/3 cup cocoa

1 1/2 cups castor sugar

1 1/2 cups brown sugar

1 bag choc chips

350g butter, melted

6 eggs

1. Sift and mix all dry ingredients together

2. Melt butter and whisk eggs

3. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix thoroughly

4. Pour into baking paper lined lamington tin

5. Bake for approximately 45 mins in 180 degree oven

6. When cooled cut into pieces.

7. Dust with icing sugar before serving - NB DON'T dust with icing sugar and then freeze, wait until defrosted.

Enjoy!

xx Clare

2011-11-01T20:39:00.000+08:00

Certainly a great reminder to live life deliberately and intentionally, every, single, day.

xx Clare

Time to do the letter to SANTA!

2011-10-24T14:05:00.000+08:00

My eldest son will turn four in February and we are excited about this being

our first Christmas where he is aware and has some understanding of the celebrations,

the gift giving and Santa Claus!

On close inspection of the toy catalogue that arrived in the mail the other day, he has since informed me of the toys he would like. So I've explained to him he will have to wait to see what Santa will bring him!

Now having some grasp of the concept I decided we would do our Santa letter - hoping this will reduce the 'I want, I want' badgering in these parts.

I found this gorgeous FREE printable online

Click Here for link

We won't be posting our letter just yet,

but I will be photocopying it before it is sent to remind him (and me) of what was on it!

xx Clare

Routine to CLEAN!!

2011-10-20T11:14:00.000+08:00

I certainly like to live in a clean home but like many people, procrastinate about the household cleaning tasks!

I need to try and establish a better routine for cleaning so that I stay on top of it and avoid having a build up of jobs to do on days when

I need to and would rather be doing other things.

From searching online for tips and ideas about home cleaning routines, I have come up with the following guidelines I would like to adopt if possible:

1. Avoid weekend cleaning tasks wherever possible - to maximise family time AND we tend to do 'outside' jobs like gardening/pool maintenance etc then anyways

2. Try to do at least 1 load of washing each weekday in addition to towels and sheets once a week on different days

3. Fold and put away clean washing ASAP after it being taken off the line

4. Attempt to get 'physical' cleaning tasks done BEFORE lunchtime each day - other than collecting clothes off the line and folding - to allow time for dinner preparation, other baking, playing with the children etc. ALSO my youngest still sleeps over lunchtime so I attempt not to 'bang around' too much in that end of the house during this time

5. Iron once a week to keep on top of it, whilst children are watching TV or not requiring 100% of my attention!

This is one 'Chores' guide I found online with some food for thought. I do think it is a very detailed list of pretty much everything that needs to be done, I don't necessarily think I would do all of them EVERY week but is a good guide nonetheless.

Find more details about this CHORES guide here

So from all of this I decided to create my own very simple

Cleaning Planner schedule to use for our household.

I have printed it off and written on the tasks to be completed on the allocated days.

I will trial this for a week or two and then revise it.

I haven't included these tasks on my schedule because I basically do the following each day:

Unpack/load dishwasher

Wipe over kitchen benches/table and other surfaces in bathroom etc

Sweep living area floor

Make beds

Clean toilet

General tidy - put away toys, put clothes away etc

These tasks have been allocated to days on my schedule:

Vacuuming and moping

Kitchen - clean out fridge, microwave, stove top and oven, tidy cupboards and pantry

Dusting and cobwebs

Wipe of surfaces

Clean bathroom, toilet and laundry

Empty and wash out bins, collect papers

Washing - at least one load daily (on weekdays)

Wash Sheets

Wash towels

Wednesdays have been left free because I work

and I have left weekends entirely free except ironing on a Sunday.

What I've chosen to do on what days is really immaterial as everyones requirements are different depending on your house, its occupants and your routines!

Understandably this 'schedule' will need to be flexible.

I certainly won't be thinking " Were NOT going to playgroup or visiting friends because I have to get my cleaning schedule done!"

Here is my schedule printed off, which at this stage will live in

my Kitchen Organiser Station.

Click HERE to download FREE printable

I'm going to give a try starting Monday

and hope it helps me be a little more organised house with cleaning!

xx Clare

PRINTABLES are for personal use only.

I am so happy to share printables with you but please provide the link back to the blog post and not to the downloadable file.

THANKS!

Homemade Lemonade

2011-10-17T12:10:00.000+08:00

No other taste reminds me of hot Summer days

from my childhood, than this homemade lemonade recipe.

I recall many a Summer day in the kitchen with my Dad making this easy

but deliciously refreshing drink.

Great for days like today - my goodness Summer certainly can't be far away at all AND perfect use for that huge surplus of lemons for those with access to a lemon tree!

Homemade Lemonade

Ripe lemons

Sugar

cold water

Ice blocks

Blender

Sieve

Jug

1. Cut approx. 3 lemons in half and place in blender.

2. Place 1 tablespoon of sugar per lemon into blender.

3. Cover lemons and sugar with cold water - only just covered.

4. Add a few ice blocks.

5. Blitz together in blender until all combined.

6. Using a sieve/strainer, pour lemon mix into a jug and discard pulp.

7. Repeat process until the desired amount of lemonade has been made.

8. Serve in tall glass with additional ice blocks.

9. Keeps in fridge for a few days - just shake it before pouring.

NB. Add more or less sugar and water depending on individual tastes.

Hope you enjoy it as much as my family do!

xx Clare

It's Finished!! (well.....almost)

2011-10-16T15:02:00.000+08:00

Finally have some photos to show you of my almost finished

'Mudroom' of sorts!!

The only thing to come is a cushion to fit over the entire bench - just waiting to get hold of the cut foam piece and then I will sew a fabric cover for it. But that requires a few hour trip

and not on the cards at this stage.

So rather than wait until then to reveal, here it is!

I am really pleased with how it came together.

It is actually the perfect height to sit on and has already been put to good use for sitting and taking boots and shoes on and off!

The Stenstorp rack from IKEA was obviously just a straight install.

We did a 'hack' for the 5 x 1 Expedit from IKEA by installing 6 furniture legs on the bottom. These were a few dollars each from Bunnings. Hubby used a drill to make a hole and then drilled screws in to attach each leg. I'd done my research into attaching legs this way and knew we needed to be very careful as the unit is only made of particle board with a very thin veneer.

But we had success and I can happily tell you it holds both Hubby's and my weight at the same time (and were not skinny minnies, let me tell you!)

I've only used three Branas baskets from IKEA for now, as will use the end two for storing school bags during the term, however may decide to add two more to make it look more uniform.

I modified a freebie printable found online into simple little name tags on the computer, colour printed them and laminated them for the three baskets;

Shoes - Clothes - Other

These are the items that I'm finding end up left at the door and needing a home throughout the day. The idea behind the 'other' basket is for things that need to go into the car etc.

So far? So good!

It is functional and working a treat but

time will TELL!!

xx Clare

Congratulations to.......

2011-10-14T18:38:00.000+08:00

CONGRATULATIONS to

DONNA LEWIS

You are the winner of The HOME She Made, 500 liker GIVEAWAY

AND are now the proud owner of this kikki.K My Baking folder

AND this donna hay cookbook

Donna could you please email me at thehomeshemade@gmail.com.

Thanks to everyone for entering AND for sharing what your favourite sweet treat to make is,
I'm certainly inspired and will definitely be trying many of the suggestions!

xx Clare

A little Christmas Organising

2011-10-13T15:42:00.000+08:00

I recently visited my local craft store and found some Christmas scrap booking papers on the shelves and quickly bundled them and some other goodies into my basket!

I have been meaning to create my 'Christmas Organiser' for a good few weeks now

and I thought I'd undertake another little Christmas project at the same time.

I wanted to make a little Countdown to Christmas frame - which has both a

'Weeks to Christmas' and 'Days to Christmas' feature,

so the countdown can start as soon as I wish - maybe not just yet!!

(Although the photo below DOES say 10 weeks until Christmas,

I don't think I'll actually leave it on display until November)

Countdown to Christmas Frame

I repurposed an old photo frame by spraying it the desired colour, I chose an off-white.

I adhered the scrap booking papers in the arranged manner to the photo frame backing board, and put the frame back together discarding the unwanted glass.

I wanted the option of being able to hang the frame or stand it up on its leg, so I just used thumb tacks and a hammer to fasten the ribbon to the back of the frame.

I used some scrapbook paper to decorate the top side of the mini wooden peg

and super glued it to the surface.

I found the numbers for the countdown on a freebie printable online and created the wording on my computer and colour printed it onto gold card.

I think it goes very nicely with my Jade - Super Organiser Mum replicated Christmas Organiser and am so happy finally start to organise and prepare for the festivities in an organised fashion!

Countdown to Christmas Frame and my 2011 Christmas Organiser

xx Clare

Pumpkin, Spinach and Fetta Palmiers

2011-10-11T17:49:00.000+08:00

Thought I'd do a SUPER quick blog post as the lovely Cassandra at Cassadiva was chasing a savoury recipe for a Halloween morning tea she is heading off to and I suggested these.

Believe it or not this recipe has resulted from an adaption of a delicious salad, so you'll forgive me for the lack of specific quantities!

Pumpkin, Spinach and Fetta Palmiers

Puff Pastry sheets

Roast pumpkin - roughly mashed (I like to roast the pumpkin in cubes on a baking sheet and drizzle with honey)

Fresh english spinach leaves - roughly chopped

Danish fetta - roughly shredded/chopped

Pinenuts

S & P

Optional - Parmesan grated (I like to add this for a little more flavour)

1. Preheat moderate oven and line baking sheets with baking paper

2. Remove plastic baking off pastry sheets and lay on bench

3. Spread roughly mashed roast pumpkin over puff pastry - don't make layer of pumpkin too thick

4. Sprinkle chopped spinach leaves, fetta and some pinenuts (and parmesan if using) and add S& P to taste

5. Roll puff pastry from one end, encasing ingredients inside, and stop at half way. Turn around and roll from the other end into the middle until all ingredients encased within pastry scroll

6. Cut scrolls into 1 - 2 cm thick pieces and lay palmiers flat onto baking paper lined trays

7. Bake in oven until pastry starts to brown.

8. Serve warm

ENJOY!!

xx Clare

PS. Make sure the pumpkin isn't too wet when spreading, it can be quite chunky and dry-ish as otherwise the pastry becomes too soggy!!

Please excuse the lack of photographic support for this recipe, it was a last minute thing! I will rectify it when I get around to making some of these.

kikki.K and donna hay 500 Liker GIVEAWAY!

2011-10-08T13:11:00.000+08:00

To celebrate reaching 500 Likers on The HOME She Made Facebook page

I'm having another GIVEAWAY!

If you're a follower of The HOME She Made you'll probably know that I LOVE -

Baking sweet treats

and

that I am definitely a donna hay fan

and

that I love organising and all things stationery!

So what better way to celebrate this milestone than to combine these loves

in a kikki.K and donna hay GIVEAWAY!

ONE lucky winner will receive

A copy of the cookbook
donna hay - Simple Essentials - Chocolate

AND

a kikki.K My Baking Organiser

to help organise other treasured handwritten recipes

and clippings from magazines etc. into one gorgeous folder!

GIVEAWAY details!!

The GIVEAWAY will run on The HOME She Made blog page.

To enter you must be an Australian resident and only one entry per person will be accepted.

The GIVEAWAY competition start on

Saturday 8th October at 2pm WST and will close on Friday 14th October at 6pm WST.

One lucky winner (that has met the GIVEAWAY requirements)

will be selected via number allocation at random.org

and will be publicised via this blog page.

The winner will have 7 days to make contact to claim their prize, otherwise it will be redrawn.

How to Enter:

1. An entry requirement is that you are a liker of The HOME She Made Facebook page

click here to be redirected

2. You need to comment underneath THIS blog post (not the Facebook notice) with your full name

and give the name of your favourite sweet treat/baking recipe (and its source if known)

and why you like it!

Example:

Jane Doe - my favourite recipe is Cherry Ripe Slice - a recipe that my Aunty Mary makes every Christmas. I love Cherry Ripe and I love celebrating Christmas with my family.

GOODLUCK!!

I look forward to reading about your favourite sweet treat recipes!

xx Clare

Sparkler image from adorablelife.tumblr.com

Tagging Game - 10 Things About Me!

2011-10-08T10:17:00.000+08:00

The lovely Sonia from Life, Love and Hiccups
tagged me in a game of '10 things About Me'

SO here's my list.....

10. I auditioned for AUSTRALIAN IDOL in 2003 - I actually love to sing and would have happily made a career of it had the opportunity come along, but it has never presented itself so my passion of singing and playing music lives on through teaching!! Although I secretly think I could totally 'whip it' over the contestants on X Factor!!!

9. I'm a TEEN movie addict - starting with my total obsession with John Hughes 80's films such as Sixteen Candles and Ferris Bueller's Day Off, to Empire Records and 10 Things I Hate About You, oh and the list could go on and on! I own many a DVD in this genre and can quite easily quote word for word pretty much the whole dialogue from every one of these movies!
Bueller... Bueller... Bueller?

8. I have a terrifying, prolific fear of SNAILS! Yep, you read it right, snails! You know the slowest creature in the kingdom? Not like it's going to crawl up my leg or anything but I absolutely freak out by snails in the garden and can't even touch them. Ridiculous I know, but it's been with me my whole life, and I have a couple of snail horror stories from my childhood that haunt my dreams.

7. I hate having dirty feet!! Under no circumstances can I get into bed with dirty feet. I would shower at 3am if it meant my feet were clean from coming in after a late night. Can't stand my feet getting all hot and sweaty in trainers either, so I'm super fussy about the sport socks I wear, cotton all the way!

6. I have a birthmark in my eye. It's actually a brown discolouration but it's been there since birth, and is noticeable with my blue eyes.

5. I've moved house a ridiculous amount of times in my life. I think I've lived in close to 30 homes - that's a lot considering I'm in my early 30's!

4. I met Heath Ledger when we were both about 17 (prior his career taking off) when he auditioned for a musical theatre show I was in and he DIDN'T get in!!!!! (Do you think the directors of the show may have slightly regretted THAT decision?)

3. It has been a childhood dream of mine to spend a Christmas in the Snow! I literally have been dreaming of a White Christmas for as long as I can remember. Maybe one day........

2. A character from a TV series that I idolise is 'Monica' from Friends - not so much the competitive streak in her but definitely the 'Neat Freak' aspect!! Aside the fact that 'Friends' is one of my all time favourite shows and that I have seen every episode (each one, many times - and again, I can quote the dialogue quite easily and annoyingly - just ask my family and friends!!) and that I still nearly wet my pants laughing, every single time I watch the episodes, I so relate to Monica and her OCD behaviours!!

1. In my Uni days a friend and I decided we needed cake at 2am from the 24 hour gourmet deli down the road, so went for a road trip in our PJ's and of course I LOCKED THE KEYS IN THE CAR!!! Don't you just love fate...

So there you have it, 10 Things About Me!

Now my turn to tag 5 others:

Larissa from My Pigeon Pair

Tracy from Blue Zone

Kirsten from K&Co.

Liz from Bizzy Dayz

Gemma from My Big Nutshell

........You're it!!!!

xx Clare