Sunday - Pumpkin Scones

Another test run for Scones. Lady Flo's recipe! It is actually the same as many others that I researched.

Great with butter

I had left over cold mashed pumpkin - what to do?

Pumpkin & Date Cake of course

Mushrooms on Toast

My latest favourite breakfast is Mushrooms on Toast. I use the big field mushrooms or Swiss Browns. I fry the slices gently in oil and butter (not crowded as per Julia Child's instruction), so that each side colours and caramelises. When almost cooked I add the finely chopped garlic, after a few minutes a good splosh of sherry. Turn the heat off and let it subside gently.

Then I add freshly chopped parsley and the best ingredient - soft goats cheese. This lifts it to a whole new level.

Left overs are good for the next day

On my favourite spelt sour dough toast

It is also very healthy.

Lemonade Scones

Graham loves Lemonade scones and often speaks about them. I found a few recipes and decided on one from Delicious Magazine.

The mix

Ready for oven

12 minutes later

It worked

I have always wanted to make good scones. I have eaten many over the years. Some like bricks and some that leave a bitter taste. I was always reluctant to try making them myself. This version is not heavy at all.

My house feels like spring

I have been doing some serious gardening this past week to get things under control before rain (hopefully) and heat. I am hoping for another good crop of Agapanthus.

My nastursims look lovely right now so couldn't resist doing an arrangement.

I love this bowl with the shells in the base

My local supermarket has a special on tulips. I couldn't believe my luck. 4 bunches for $12.

So pretty and fresh

Then today is also 'Daffodil Day' so I couldn't pass these up.

Just right for the kitchen

The flowers inspired me to change all my winter decorations for lighter spring looking items.

Date and Ginger Cake with Caramel Glaze

I made this cake from the recipe in 'Delicious' Magazine June 2013. It had 3 ingredients that i love. Dates (I can't survive with fresh dates in the refrigerator), ginger and caramel.

The photo in the magazine was also gorgeous.

Fabulous

I was so excited with the result. Not only did it look amazing but I do believe that it is the best cake I have ever made.

I made this to take to Michelle and Stephen's for dessert.

Delicious magazine have a current competition where you upload a photo of something that you made from the magazine. I have done this. Will be fun to see what happens.

Willow basket

I have a real 'thing' for baskets. I don't have very many as I have no where to store them. I bought a picnic basket years ago with a 2 piece folding lid etc. I saw myself at lovely picnic spots with a basket full of goodies. Unfortunately it takes up a lot of room in the car boot and is horribly heavy and awkward to carry when full of food etc. It has only been used a couple of times but I can't bear to part with it.
I spent way too much time in Fortnam and Mason's in London drooling over their picnic baskets.

I have a large square rectangle basket with a handle that sits in the bottom of the wardrobe, 5 large baskets that go on top of the wardrobe full of bit and pieces. Another square basket with a handle sits on top of the kitchen cupboards that does get more use for carrying - as it is not as useless as the proper picnic basket.

On Friday I went to the Op Shop on Oxford Street and came away with a willow basket for carrying flowers. I have always had the romanic idea of picking flowers from my garden and placing them in a basket.

All ready to collect flowers

I have lovingly dusted, washed and oiled this - now where will it live? there is no room inside and it will get too much sun outside. I am still working on this.

Shelly Beach - Manly

I really love Shelly Beach at Manly in Sydney. It is a quiet cove just off the main manly Beach with no waves.
Just wonderful deep water and hardy anyone seems to swim there. Jonelle and I go there every time we visit Manly. We only managed one swim this visit because of the weather.

So quiet and peaceful

On the walk to the beach some lovely little art works have been attached to the rocks - I just love them.

I love this one

An octopus hiding on a ledge

Deep sea divers

The divers are a little hard to see. they actually sit in a depression in the rock that fills with water - so clever.

Sea snail

There are many more but some are hard to photograph because of the tiny size etc.