Bathroom Reno

An inserted shelf in bath area. Just getting an idea of colors.

I couldn't imagine, ever building a new house. All those decisions and choices to make, all that detail, i'd be constantly worried i'd make the wrong choice and hate the end result. We are doing a small bathroom renovation and it has taken me 4 months to decide on tiles. We are lucky to have a little cottage which we are living in, as well as our house, on our property. I haven't had to rush the decision. I finally had a light-bulb moment a couple of nights ago, so now i know what i want. It's just a matter of organising myself to go and get the tiles now.. Here's a few shots of what stage we are up to..

Millions of peaches, peaches for free, millions of peaches, peaches for me

From the chooks and the garden, ready to be a cake..

Well, the tree has been all picked now. They were good, even our pony loved those peaches. He'd reach up and bite one off, then chew it up and spit out the stone !! We had them in our lunch boxes, and after school, i made raspberry jelly and peaches, and i made a birthday cake for my Dad, from our peaches. The best thing was, that i didn't even plant this tree. It grew from compost, that i'd put on our vegie garden..love that..

BBQ

potatoes from the supermarket,corn, tomatoes and capsicums we grew...

bbq vegies taste so good..

add some meat and some home-made tomato sauce..

It has been a pretty hot and dry summer this year, and i wasn't expecting great things from the corn that we planted in Spring. They need lots of water, and remembering to water is never high on my priority list. There is usually something else that needs doing first. But, i was pleasantly surprised, we got some good ones. I will give my husband full credit here, because he was the one standing by the garden with the hose, most evenings. I think he liked the peace, his down-time after a busy day at work..
A side-note , there are not as many water restrictions now, i'm sure you are allowed to water from a hose again !

Hi, my name is Michelle and i am a mum of 3 school age kids

 sad, but it had to happen. Time waits for no-one. Things change, and you just have to get on with it..My youngest has gone off to school. He has to join the rest of the throng in the life that is lunchboxes, conformity, order, routine, uniforms etc etc. Oh, how i love a bit of unorganised time, schedule-free fun, going with the flow..Feels like I've lost more of that now, all my kids are at school. It just means that i have to get better organised. I know i can do it, but i will be wishing myself luck, cos i'm going to need it.

Apple and Berry Pie

We are still picking berries, most of the raspberries have finished but there are still some loganberries and blackberries left.
So, we made a pie...
OUR PASTRY RECIPE- a quick, mix it all up in one go, sort of deal. Use a mixer or food processor, or just use your cold hands. Good pastry chefs have cold hands. It is better for handling those buttery pastries !
2 cups Plain Flour (all-purpose)
1/2 cup Self Raising Flour
1/2 cup caster sugar
250gms soft butter
1 large egg or 2 small.
vanilla 
I just put everything in together and mix till soft dough forms. If it is too sticky ,add a bit more flour.
Wrap in greaseproof paper or cling wrap then place in fridge for 20 mins.
Now for this filling, i cheated a bit and used tinned pie apple ( Aldi has a good one). Put the apple and berries in bowl and add a couple of tablespoons of sugar..
Now back to pastry.
Grab a pie dish, those pyrex ones are good.
I roll out the pastry on one of those flexible chopping boards as it is easier to lift off. Place in greased dish. If there are any holes or breakages at this point, dont panic, just patch up with the leftover bits..Oven at 180 degrees celsius..
Bake blind, that is, put some bake paper over pastry and fill with rice or chickpeas or baking blind beads (you can buy in cook shops). Put in oven for 10 mins or so, untill just starting to go golden.
Bring it out, lift paper and beads off ,back in oven for 5 mins.
Bring it out again and put your filling in. Roll out some more pastry for the top(you still should have enough).

Luca, my little helper..

Water edges with a pastry brush and place on pastry on top. Trim. Glaze with some egg wash and a sprinkling of sugar. Bake for 20-3o mins or untill golden brown..

My Favourite things..a couple of

A nice hot Summer we are having in Victoria. Plenty of sun to ripen our tomatoes and chilli.