Bloggy Stuff

A friend got in touch today to ask how she could get hold of the recipes here on the blog without having to scroll through all of the posts. When I set this blog up I decided to do away with the tag cloud of labels but quickly realised that not having it actually made navigating through the blog a bit harder than it needed to be. So, the tag cloud is back. If you're looking for a specific type of recipe just click on the label, for example 'cookies' and it'll take you to all the posts about cookies and hopefully you'll find something nice to make.

While I was fiddling around I thought I'd have a play with the template and see if I could sort that out. The blog looks different on my home computer to how it does on my work computer and I thought I could fix that with the touch of a few buttons. Turns out I can't! Hmmm... not such a surprise but in the middle of fiddling I also managed to mess up some of the settings. So I've re fixed them and changed a couple of things (mostly because I couldn't remember what they were before!).

If you're having any problems can you let me know? Then I'll have another go at fixing it.

Gratituesday. Late Again.

I've got a cold that is kicking my butt. Hard. I held onto this post for a couple of days so I could use it for my Gratituesday post and then was so completely unwell / stuffed up / tired that I didn't even manage it. So here's this week's Gratituesday post:

I'm so grateful to have fantastic kids who pitch in and help me when I really need them to. Over the weekend I had the whole runny nose, aching body thing going on and, despite the house being in dire need of a good tidy and clean I knew I wasn't going to manage it. I told the kids they were going to have to give me a hand and instead of the usual mumbles and grumbles they both hopped to and joined in. Before I knew it both their bedrooms had been tidied, the living area had been tidied and all their assorted bits put away and Offspring #1 was vacuuming while Offspring #2 was busy dusting. They worked hard, helped me enormously and I was so proud of them.

I made sure to give them both a big hug and thank them for all their help and was rewarded with big sunny smiles. It might have been small in the scheme of things but, for me, it was one of those proud mummy moments to remember.

And Because Our Life Wasn't Quite Crazy Enough...

Here's our newest bundle of fluff. Betsy!

She's a 6 week old red and white Border Collie pup. We were definite in wanting another Border Collie after our lovely Max but I'm quietly pleased she's got different markings and colouring to him. We wanted a similar temperament but not an exact replica. As had been agreed, Offspring #1 was allowed to name her after his favourite footy player, Carlton's Eddie Betts. If she'd been male she'd be sporting the name Eddie. 

It's Betsy's first night with us so I'm sure I'll have lots of stories about her puppiness and exactly how she and Spike take to each other to keep you amused in the days and months to come.

Sunday Baking: Madeleines

Or Madelines, depending which recipe you happen to be following! These scallop shaped little French tea-cakes are soft, light and delicious and I know I'm going to be making them again soon.

Normally Madeleines are flavoured with lemon or orange but that was going to cause problems for me because of my citrus allergy issues. I knew that they could be made with honey instead and, luckily I found this recipe for honey flavoured Madeleines in a kids cookbook that Offspring #2 received for Christmas. I reckon Santa knew what he was doing when he chose this little particular book for her stocking.

Madelines

from Women's Day Easy As 1, 2, 3. A learn to count cookbook for kids.

Makes 24 (I got 18 so maybe I made mine too big?)

90 g butter, chopped, plus 15 g extra, melted

2 tablespoons honey

1 egg

1/4 cup caster sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup plain flour, plus extra, for dusting

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1. Preheat oven to moderate 180C. Brush 2 x 12 hole madeleine pans with extra melted butter. Dust with flour, tapping out the excess. In a small saucepan, melt butter and honey together on medium heat, stirring. Set aside to cool slightly. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, using an electric mixer, beat egg, sugar and vanilla together until light and fluffy. Sift flour and baking powder together and gently fold n. Gradually add butter mixture in a steady stream, folding gently until well combined.

2. Divide batter between recesses, until 3/4 full. Bake for 8 - 10 minutes until puffed and golden. Cool in pan 5 minutes before turning onto a wire rack to cool completely. Dust with icing sugar when cold.

Two Birds. One Stone.

We just had a Mr Whippy Ice-cream van go down our little street. It's a very rare occurrence. Like, so rare I don't actually remember the last time one came this way. Anyway, as it is so very rare I readily agreed to the kids' request for an ice-cream cone and trotted out onto the road with them, purse at the ready.

Two ice-cream cones later I am currently rocking Best Mum In The World status AND since it's a little past midday they're not hungry so I don't need to make lunch. Awesome on both counts.