Lemon Patty Cakes

I made these late last night and enjoyed one with a tea before bed.
They greeted me as I walked into the kitchen this morning and I had to summon out all my self control not to eat one for breakie. I made myself a boiled egg instead but I've just eaten two! for morning tea.

I am a horrible cupcake baker. I always overfill them and they explode and ooze over the sides, never looking like they ought to. Not this time though. These might be my best cupcakes yet. The mix is very light and fluffy and they obviously taste great!

INGREDIENTS
90g softened butter
90g softened cream cheese
2 tsp lemon rind and I added 2 tbls of lemon juice as well although the recipe didn't call for it.
150g sugar
2 eggs
60g plain flour
60g self raising flour

Preheat oven to 160 deg cel
Pop your patty pans in a muffin tin-this mix made 12 large
In a bowl, beat together butter, cream cheese, lemon rind, sugar and eggs until creamy.
Mix in flour with a wooden spoon.
Transfer mix into patty pans and bake for 25 mins or until golden.
Cool on a wire rack.
Sit down with a magazine, a lovely cup of tea and enjoy!

Learning something new

A while back, I took our children to our local Naidoc Celebrations. I think it's important to learn about our Indigenous Australians, their culture and to celebrate their achievements. I came across a stall of beautifully woven products, both tradional and modern. After speaking with one of the stall holders about their craft, I knew I wanted to have a go.

Yesterday afternoon I had my first weaving lesson with a beautiful and talented group of Indigenous women. It was very informal, sitting around, weaving and 'having a yarn' over a cuppa and a bite to eat. I came away so inspired and so thrilled to have made a start on my weaving. Their work is amazing-you can see it here. Hours of weaving goes into making each piece. I have a long way to go with my piece. The skill and speed of the women is AMAZING!

What am I making? Well I am not quite sure yet. The piece just kind of evolves and shapes depending on how our hands connect with the materials. So we shall just have to wait and see I guess.

It was so lovely to be mindful of my hands and their work, connecting with the women and learning something new and wonderful.

As you can see, I have a long way to go but watch this space!

Have you ever tried your hand at weaving?
Have you been learning anything new lately?

Snapshots of August in September!!!

When I sat down to write August Snapshots I just felt a whole lot of busy. The diary is scribbled with school activities, soccer training, dance and music lessons, birthday parties. There has been a lot of driving around from a to b to c and then back again.

So I closed my diary and went to see what snapshots I caught during August. The things that really matter are usually caught on camera.

In no particular order...

Harmony's first painting
Sick kids
Visiting the baby lambs at Grammy and Grandy's place
Book week parade
A new dress and a new do..well a new colour.
Signs of Spring
The Mr started his new job.
I began working 3 days a week, which accounts for the feeling of a whole of busy I suppose. I am hoping the warmer weather and longer days ahead will give me a bit more time in the day.
A spot of stitching-a new dress for loobylu. She of course LOVES it!
Bella made the most delicious crepes with orange sauce from the Masterchef Junior Cookbook.
Quiltmaking

Cross August snapshots off the list!

Thrifting lately...

A quick visit to the oppy recently did not disappoint. It's right near our school so if time permits, it's perfect for a quick browse. I'm a pretty ruthless thrifter these days. I know what I like and what I want so a quick browse through means I don't hoard too much stuff.

This pyrex bowl for use not display, though it looks happy on that shelf doesn't it?!
Great condition, great price. $4.00

Pretty doilies for bunting, clothing, pincushions. 50c a piece.

And  this lovely cloche-that makes three now and a bargain at just $1.00

How have you scored lately? Any luck at the oppy?
Linking in with lovely Max and crew.

Helllloooo

Despite my sporadic blogging I am not ready to throw it in yet. Do I miss it? Not really. Do I enjoy it? I do! While there's lots of lovely to look at on instagram, I kind of miss the story telling that you get with blogs. Blogging is kind of like a modern day penpal, I think. Except there are lots of penpals showing and telling and sharing with each other. So in an effort to find my blogging groove I thought I'd do one of those list type posts that record some of the stuff that I've been up to lately.

Drinking: camomile tea
Sewing: a quilt
Enjoying: the most wonderful day shopping and eating with my bff
Making: rocky road
Eating: beetroot relish
Listening: to Microwave Jenny
Wishing: for more hours in the day
Wondering: if I will find the balance
Loving: happy mail from here and here and being so utterly happy with both garments.
Reading: anything I can find by Bill Rogers
Flicking: through Real Living Magazine
Wearing: cardigans instead of coats
Counting down: the days until school hols
Feeling: tired
Hoping: I can pull off photographer at my brother's wedding-eeek!
Waiting: for my orchids to bloom-they are on their way.
Thrifting: doilies, among other things
Opening: a beautifully wrapped gift from a lovely lady. She used to write this cool blog I loved reading.

Depression Glass (found inside beautifully wrapped gift)

Inspired by Pip

Good things lately

1. A spot of making- cushion cover made from thrifted cross stitch, vintage floral and some too small for me jeans.
2. Lemon Crinkles. Thanks Miss Kylie!
3.  Floral tin $5 from a new found treasure trove in my town. I was going to put it in the garden but now I'm having second thoughts.
4. Seedlings sprouting. The littlest love gave me the little biodegradable pot for mothers day this year. It came with a peat pellet and a little packet of mixed seeds. We planted them together and now we are watching them grow.
5. Goodbye Winter
6. Littlest love being her funny little self.

Please let me know if you have a 'good things' type post. I'd love to see what good things make you smile.

Happy Mail

Recently another Lee, sent a beautiful little package my way. She knows how much I love vintage music paper and I rarely come across any around my parts, so it was gratefully received. It was one of those little out of the blue packages. It was SO thoughtful and a wonderful surprise-totally made me my day. Bloggers are nice like that aren't they?

Well it's made a home on a wall in my little making space.
I had a merry old time pinning it up with some vintage friends. It is a work in progress and I am still adding to it as the mood strikes. I love how it is evolving and I get to enjoy it every time I walk in the room which is much better than having it stashed away for a rainy day. There's all kinds of lovely-dictionary pages, botanical prints, bible pages, recipes and some wonderful pages from an old Womens Weekly.


It's my little wall of wisdom, full of all kinds of tips and tricks, recipes and inspiration.
Here's a few favourites.

Ginger Beer anyone?

Beauty tips might be more up your alley...
'Don't be discouraged!' This is my first word of advice to women in the thirties and upwards who on account of past neglect or use of wrong methods, see with dismay their hair fading, their skin yellowing and becoming course, their figure spreading.

 I shall not be discouraged!

My goodness, who knew you could catch a cold from mustard poultice!

And if all that advice wasn't enough... a little bit of wisdom from Emerson. Spot on, I think!