LOVE

Good Morning,

Well it's definitely starting to look like summer is coming now - i'm so excited (we have big things coming in our house). I haven't been around much AGAIN cause as usual my working life takes over the social and scrappy life - but I do have a share for you today.................

Just to prove how far behind I am with things this LO was a kit from the Scrapboxx (Which hasn't been running for a couple of years now) BOY kit done by the amazingly talented Julie Winks. In some ways I am glad I waited because I loved the photo I used ( Or is that just my excuse????).

Here is my LO:

The picture is from when we took the kids to America, even though the beach in San Diego was lame in comparison to the beaches we have here in Australia the kids still had an amazing time.

Where is your favourite beach? I'd love to see you upload a picture for me.

Here are a couple of my other favourite pics from that day and surprisingly enough hubby took all the pics -

Alecia got angry at the Seagull because he picked up a Starfish so she decided to chase it and in the moment lost her pants while she was running

Gorgeous Happy Moment

Over Jett's Shoulder

I just love the clearness of the reflection

Well I hope you enjoyed reading my post, don't forget to leave me a comment so I know you have taken the effort to visit me.

Thought for the Day

Happy Sunday.....

BBxx

Father's Day

Good Morning,

Happy Thursday!!!!

With Father's Day coming up this weekend I thought it would be appropriate to share a Father's Day layout that I did.

This was Father's Day 2010, usually we all just go out to dinner together as a family, nothing special, just the simple things. on this particular year we went to a Thai restaurant in town here, it was lovely and honestly come to think about it I don't think I have been there since - whoops

I used one of the Basic Grey POTM kits - you can subscribe to them here at Blue Bazaar

Here is my layout -

Father's Day 2010

LHS of the Layout

RHS of the Layout

As you can see I used a whole pile of small pics for the layout rather than just highlighting a few from the day. Even though it was 4 years ago Miss 5 had a big giggle to herself about her hair in the photo of  her and her daddy - it was very cute

I'd love to hear about what you have planned for this weekend and i'd also like to know if you have any family traditions for Father's Day.

Thanks for looking and don't forget to leave me some love

Till next time

BBxx

Lynn's Creamy Curry Chicken

Smile, It's Thursday,

For all you Monday-Friday workers this would be exciting but for me at the moment being at home with a stupid elbow all my days are just blending, but, on the plus side I can catch up with some blogging.......

My recipe share for you today is one of my mother in laws recipes that the whole family loves, super simple and super tasty but not spicy Creamy Curry Chicken

Ingredients

500g Chicken Thighs, cubed

1 can Champignons

2 tbs Corn Flour

1 Carton Cream

1 1/2 tsp Salt

2 tsp Sugar

2 Onions, diced

2 tbs Oil

2 cps Milk

1 Clove Garlic, chopped

2 tsp Curry Powder

Pepper to taste

Method

1. Marinade chicken in salt, curry powder, sugar and pepper

2. Heat oil in pan and fry onion until soft, add chicken, champignons, corn flour

3. Add milk and simmer until cooked

4. Add cream just before serving

5. Serve with rice and garlic bread (optional)

Give this delicious and creamy curry a try and don't forget to leave some love if you stop by, give it a go on the weekend, you won't be disappointed

BBxx

Graduation Ball 2012

Happy Wet and Miserable Saturday Peeps,

It's Murphy's Law that I finally get 4 days off and it's raining - what have you got planned for your weekend?

I'm just sharing a few layout I did with Basic Grey POTM - I absolutely loved this range and ended up getting this layout as well as the previous I shared out of the kit

I was invited to celebrate graduation with 2 lovely ladies I met at uni who I now call dear friends. They both did the accelerated program which meant that they finished their degrees in 2 years where as I took 4 years to complete mine. One of them now works in Brisbane and the other in Rockhampton so I don't see them as much anymore but we are all good listeners when debriefing and support  is required which is great because nursing can be really tough on you at times

Double Layout

LHS of the Layout

RHS of the Layout

Journalling

These strips came already made - I felt a bit disappointed when all I had to do was stick without making but I suppose if you were after something quick and easy then it's great

I would also like to show you a couple of my other favourite pics that didn't make the layout

Probably the greenest my front garden has ever looked - he he

Don't know why I like this pic of me but I just do

Miss Nita was gatecrashing the ceremony with me as well - partners in crime always

Miss Lenese

Miss Simone

Hopefully in this miserable weather I might get motivated this weekend to get a few done - fingers crossed.
Anyway stay safe and thanks for stopping by, don't forget to leave me some love so I know you have stopped by

Love and Hugs

BBxx

Photobooth Fun

Morning and Happy Tuesday to you all,

I have a scrappy share for you today.
In November last year we attended a "Carnival" Theme wedding for our friends Nat and Amy. It was a whole lotta fun with a jumping castle, slushies, fairy floss, snow cones, popcorn, party food and a phototbooth. It was also great to catch up with our friends Dave and Louise who we hadn't seen for a while and of course once the alcohol kicks in the shenanigans begin..............

Here is a pic of us at the wedding:

Adam and B

For all you scrappy peeps the brides bouquet (and the bridesmaids of course) were made entirely from paper, ribbons and buttons - they were just amazing and I could only imagine the time and effort that would have been put into making them

Bride's Bouquet

Even the Bride and groom got into the spirit:

I have used the pics we had taken in the photobooth as inspiration for my LO, once I had my mojo flowing I had it done quick as a flash

Here are a few closies:

Journalling

Some Scrapmatts goodness for that added extra

Congratulations Nat and Amy, may your lives together be as gorgeous as the two of you are together.

Thanks for looking and don't forget to leave me some love so I know you have been here

Till next time

BBxx

Creamy Garlic Pasta

Good Morning,

Well it's Thursday already, I can't believe how fast the weeks are going at the moment, everyone seems so busy and so strapped for time so this is the PERFECT, QUICK recipe for the busy mum who wants to feed her tribe something yummy that isn't going to have you spending hours in the kitchen.

There are a few ingredients that I can't seem to live without - Garlic and Cheese........

I'm the type of person that always doubles or even triples the amount of garlic that is in a recipe because I believe that garlic is beneficial to have in your diet, as well as being a tasty addition to almost every cooked dish, garlic is believed to have some amazing abilities to help in our everyday lives, garlic is not only used for medicinal purposes but it makes your dinner taste amazing. Some of the believed health benefits are simply - 

1. Garlic strengthens the immune system as well as helps to fight chest infections, coughs and congestion. 
2. Garlic contains high levels of iodine which makes it a very effective treatment for hyperthyroid conditions. 
3. Cardiovascular disease can be reduced by ingesting garlic. 4. Fungal and bacterial vaginal infections are toast when treated with garlic!
5. Garlic is a great source of vitamin B6 which is needed for a healthy immune system and the efficient growth of new cells. Vitamin B6 can also assist with mood swings and improve your cheery disposition! 
6. Garlic regulates blood sugar as it enhances the level of insulin in the blood. 

This recipe is rich and creamy, while the fresh parsley gives it a nice bit of color and flavour. But more importantly, it gives me my garlic fix. And when I can combine my two loves, garlic and cheese? Now that’s a beautiful thing.

Ingredients

3 tsp Olive Oil

6 cloves Garlic, minced

3 tbsp Butter

1/2 tsp Salt

1 tsp Pepper

4 1/2 cps Chicken Stock

750g Spaghetti or Angel Hair Pasta

1 1/2 cps Grated Parmesan Cheese

1 1/4 cps Cream

3 tbs Parsley

Method

1. In a pot, bring the olive oil to medium-low heat. 

2. Add the garlic and stir, allowing it to cook for 1-2 minutes. Mix in the butter until melted. Add the salt, pepper and chicken stock. Raise the heat to high and let it come to a boil. 

3. Once boiling, add the pasta and cook until tender. Reduce to medium heat and mix in the parmesan until completely melted. 

4. Turn off the heat and stir in the cream and parsley. Serve immediately.

This quantity serves 6 hungry people and I can guarantee you won't be reaching for an after dinner snack (which is always a bonus).
Don't forget to leave a comment if you have visited me and also if you try the recipe and have a variation I would love to know about it.

Have a great rest of the week - Love and Hugs

BBxx

Caramel Pecan Tart

Happy Saturday,

Hope you have a started off your Saturday with a spring in your step. Today I am sharing with you a variation to the Pecan Pie, this would have to be one of my absolute favourite desserts, there are many recipes around but if you are a caramel lover then this one is for you, it's quick, simple and very tasty and paired with whipped cream or ice-cream just makes it amaze balls.

According to Wiki claims have been made that the dish existed in the early 1800s in Alabama and attempts to trace the dish's origin have not found any recipes dated earlier than 1886. The earliest recorded recipes produce a boiled custard with pecans added, which is then baked in a pie crust (YUK - thank gosh it has evolved since then)

Some have stated that French people invented pecan pie soon after being introduced to the pecan nut by Americans, the french have always made a good dessert that's for sure - Oh La La

So go NUTS and knock yourself out cause you will love this - trust me....

Ingredients

400g Coarsely Chopped Pecans

2 cps Flour

2/3 cp Icing Sugar

100g Butter, cubed

1/2 cp Brown Sugar

1/2 cp Honey

2/3 cp Butter

3 tbs Whipped Cream

Method

1. Bake pecans in oven, 180c for 5-7 minutes or until lightly toasted

2. Mix flour, icing sugar, 3/4 cp butter (cubed) until it resembles a course crumb. Pat mixture into a tart pan. Bake  for 20 minutes or until lightly browned

3. Bring brown sugar, honey, 2/3 cp butter and whipped cream to boil. Stir in pecans, spoon into crust

4. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Cool and serve

Bon Appetite!!!!

Thanks for looking and don't forget to leave me a comment or a variation of the recipe if you make it yourself.

BBxx

All The Pretty Things

Evening Peeps,

How are you all enjoying the colder weather?

Me personally well everything has been getting on top of me lately and I have neglected myself a fair bit but i'm trying really hard to push through things and try and find a balance that suits everyone, I haven't done it yet but am trying to stay positive because I really love everything in my life and am so very grateful and would hate if I had to give something up, i'm sure I will work it out - just gotta keep swimming.......

I'm sharing 2 very pretty layouts with you today that I did for the LSS The Scrap Cottage, they were created a while back using one of the Kaiser ranges of paper, I really do struggle with floral PP but I was really happy with what I created in the end

The first LO is from my sister's wedding, I had the pleasure of being her Matron of Honour -

As you may have worked out I love my double layouts

LHS of the LO

RHS of the LO

The 2nd layout I did with the same range is a lot simpler - I went to Stanthorpe for the weekend with my girlfriends from uni for one of the girl's "Surprise" hen's night, it was a great weekend and fabulous to get away ( Maybe doing this again might be a slight cure for my lack of coping at the moment??)

Simple but still pretty

Added some hand stitching in just for fun

Well to all the mum's as well, I hope you are surviving the school holidays. I'd love to hear what you have been doing to keep the little rascals entertained. Don't forget to leave me some love so I know you have popped by.
Anyway Happy Tuesday and wait for it.......................UP THE BLUES :) ( for tommorrow - pumped for that 3 in a row )

BBxx

Beef N Bacon Pie

Good Morning,

Hope you are all enjoying your Super Sunday, I only got my lazy butt out of bed not that long ago, its 9:30am and I feel like I have already wasted half my day but obviously I needed a bit of a sleep in.
I have a recipe share today and these are so much better than what comes out of a packet from the supermarket - packed with flavour....and Bacon......MMMmmmm Bacon

Beef N Bacon Pies

Ingredients

2 tbs Oil

2 Onions, chopped

750g Steak of choice

500g Bacon, chopped

2 tbs Tomato Paste

2 cps Beef Stock

1/2 cp Peas

2 tbs Parsley

5 sheets Shortcut Pastry

3 sheets Puff Pastry

1 Egg, lightly beaten

Steamed Green Beans to serve

Method

1. In a frying pan heat oil, cook onion, add beef and cook till browned, stir in bacon

2. Mix in tomato paste, stock and simmer for 1 hour. Allow to cool.

3. Stir in peas and parsley. Season.

4. Preheat oven to 180 degrees

5. Grease Muffin tin, cut shortcut pastry to fit and line in tin, spoon filling into rounds

6. Cut puff pastry and use as lids on the rounds, press edges together to seal, cut air vents in the tops and brush with egg

7. Bake 15-20 min, until puffed and golden. Serve hot with buttered beans

These pies are perfect for a cold winters night or to have when you watch the footy, you could even add some mash or gravy over them and they would still taste beaut.

If you make these and make any changes I would love to hear about it because I love variation - variety is the spice of life they say

Don't forget to leave me some love when you drop by and I hope your winter weekend has been a happy one

BBxx

Saturday is Share Day

Good Morning and Happy Saturday,

I finally have a day off under my belt and have time for a few shares - some older ones that I haven't shared

First up is a Basic Grey POTM -

A fun Double expressing the simple fun kids can have

LHS of the LO

RHS of the LO with my journalling

Next share is of the projects I completed when I attended the Scrap Expo last year - I should have shared a lot earlier considering i just attended this years expo last weekend ( Oh well you can't rush these things hey?)

I did the classes that were held by Suzanne Filer, Jane Davenport, Susanne Tonga and Jane Tregenza

A Journal Cover - NY Style inspired by Suzanne Filer

An Art Journal Cover inspired by Jane Davenport

A Sweet Girly page inspired by Suzanne Tonga

and last but not least -

Inspired by the mind of Jane Tregenza

I didn't get the opportunity to do any classes this year at the expo but I still came home inspired by what was out there - hopefully i can put my tired mind into MOJO mode and get cracking on a few ideas that I have - let's hope that life doesn't get in the way of creativity.

Hope you all have a lovely weekend - thanks for dropping by and don't forget to leave me some love so I know you have stopped by

BBxx