Just a few things i've been busy with this weekend..

How gorgeous is this fabric? Think i might make one for myself.

Chocolate Cupcake with Vanilla Butter Cream icing

Cute Apple lined zippered purse 

How beautiful is this picture?

I can just picture myself sitting on one those chairs 

sipping French Champagne and eating a croissant. 

I'm still here!!!!

Sheesh, its been a while since the last time i blogged.

I will get back into the swing of things, very soon.

Thank you for being patient with me x

Cinnamon Donuts

These donuts have become somewhat of a ritual for my family. Every weekend I'm woken up with "Mummy are you going to make donuts?"

About a year ago my girls and I were watching "Good Chef, Bad Chef" on Lifestyle Food. Gary Mehigan (Bad Chef & now Masterchef Australia) was cooking up some of these yummy morsels. It didn't take much convincing to make my own. 

They do take a while to make, but I can assure you the end result is very very satisfying. Especially with a nice cuppa tea or coffee :))


Here is my version :))

600g Plain flour
Pinch of salt
20g fresh yeast - or two sachets dried yeast
4 whole Eggs
100g Butter
440ml milk
Raspberry jam - without chunky fruity bits

Teaspoon Cinnamon
75g castor sugar

Vegetable or Canola oil for frying

Warm up the milk and butter to blood temperature. 

Add the sugar & yeast and dissolve. 
Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature and whisk in the eggs.

Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix till a sticky texture. 
Cover with plastic wrap and leave in a warm place for an hour or so to prove.

Once the mixture has doubled in size spoon a teaspoon of the dough mixture in the hot oil, cook until golden and cooked through. 

You can either just roll the donuts in some sugar and cinnamon or you can fill each donut with a little raspberry jam and then roll into the sugar.

It isn't Gary exact recipe, but they sure do taste good. My kids loves these and I'm sure you will too. 

xx

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's day to all the wonderful Mother's out there....

Unfortunately my mother's day has been anything but pleasant. Miss 4 has had me up all for the past couple of nights with a fever and vomiting. So I've spent my cold nights attending to a very sick child. I've temporally moved out Miss 7 out and I've moved in to make sure I'm there for Miss 4.  I did take her to the doctors yesterday morning who told me that she has a virus and to keep her fluids up. But its heartbreaking when your child asks you to help them and is screaming in pain because her tummy hurts from throwing up so much.

This morning she looks like she's on the mend. Apart from a spewing session she is happily playing dress up and make-up with her sister and she has her colour back. She has eaten a couple of pieces of French Toast and a glass of lemonade. The best part is her fever is back to normal (I hope it stays that way). Fingers crossed she is on the mend.

Maybe I will take the chance and take them down to the park. Hopefully a little fresh air will do her some good.

Just had to share with you all a beautiful note Miss 7 gave me this morning...

Happy Mothers Day...

xxx

Chocolate Cake

Today I thought I might share my favourite chocolate cake recipe. I don't quite remember where or who gave the this recipe. But where ever its from it is truly a good cake.

I was a bit sceptical the first time I read it. It claimed to be the "Best ever chocolate cake" But after I made it, I was pleasantly surprised. It so was delicious. Very very moist and rich. Just the way I like my cakes :))

It is so easy to make. It's a one bowl wonder LOL

2 cups sugar (yes it's 2 cups of sugar - its not a typo)
1 ¾ cups all purpose flour (plain flour)
¾ cup cocoa
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup buttermilk or sour milk (to sour milk add 1 tablespoon vinegar to 1 cup of milk)
1 cup strong coffee
½ cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Place all ingredients in a bowl. 

 Mix for 2-3 minutes or until all the ingredients are combined. 

You'll find that the batter is thin. Don't stress.  It's meant to be this way. Pour the mixture into a lightly oiled & lined cake tin. (I usually use two small tins). Bake for around 40-50 minutes in a moderate oven. It may take a little longer, depending on your oven. Just a word of caution, because the batter is thin don't try a tin with a removable bottom!


To make the chocolate ganache, you'll need...
250grams dark cooking chocolate, chopped
1/4 cup of cream


Combine the chocolate and cream in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water. Stir unti smooth. Remove from the heat.

Set it aside to cool at room temperture stiring it occasionally until the chocolate thickens and is spreadable

Once it's gets to this stage your ready to ice the cooled cake with this yummy mixture. 

I managed to get some sewing done. I finished off a custom order for a dear friend of mine and a zippered purse. 

Easter loooooong weekend

WOW what a weekend!!

This is the longest time off work that I've had in a while. And boy it sure does feel good.  We've had a great time catching up with family and our wonderful friends. We've stuffed ourselves with yummy food and lots of chocolate...mmmm

I love my family. I love my friends :))

The weather has been horrible here in Sydney, its been raining and it's a little chilly. Perfect sewing weather  if you ask me :)) but with 2 bored kids at home, there wasn't much of a chance of me getting anything done. I think I've spent most of today playing referee. Rain + bored kids = tantrums, fighting, crying & screaming....Ugh.  As weird as it sounds I'm kinda looking forward to work tomorrow. I will at last have some "ME" time. Now I just need to figure out a way to bring my sewing machine in without anyone noticing. Do you think they'll notice if I did?? LOL

I did manage to complete 2 projects. A lined zippered purse and a kids tote bag.

I would have been able to get more done if I didn't have to answer a gazillion questions while sewing. I'm hoping over the next few days I will be able to get some more done for the market stall this Saturday. Fingers crossed....

Chocolate

Hello, my name is Lence and I'm addicted to chocolate. Not that it's a bad thing right???

Easter is my favourite holiday. I have an excuse to eat and indulge in my favourite sweet........CHOCOLATE.

Chocolate and I get on so well together. Too well sometimes :)) If only I could get along with that place called "Gym" then I wouldn't be so worried.

My favourite has to be the Lindt Gold bunny. Actually anything Lindt would do me just fine :))

My 2 little princess's have inherited the chocolate addiction gene also. They have a weakness for the sweet. But who can blame them??  If they could they would have it for breakfast, lunch and dinner. They are happy to live off Nutella sandwiches if I let them. I have busted the cheeky little buggers hiding in their room with the jar and spoons, eating straight out of the jar with chocolate all over their faces LOL. I must admit it did make me laugh :))

Apart from stuffing my face with chocolate this long weekend I've managed to get some sewing done along with the traditional egg dying for the festive season.

I've have sewn a couple of aprons and 2 lined zippered purses. I hope to get more sewing done this weekend so that everything is ready for a market stall on the 1st May 2011.  Fingers crossed it doesn't rain.