A Little Giveaway...

I realised this morning, that very soon I will be reaching the 200 post-mark. Let's celebrate with a giveaway!

It's a giveaway of things I love, that I want to share with you...

YARN
VINTAGE PILLOWCASES
FABRIC PIECES
OPPY FINDS
CHOCOLATE
APRON
BUTTONS!

You will be considered entered if you comment on this post. Easy. Just to amuse me, in the style of Julia Zemira on Rockwiz, tell me either the first album you bought, or the first concert you went to!

Yours cannot be more embarrassing than mine. Trust me. Although the first album I bought with my own money was Rickie Lee Jones, a cassette from Brashs, which I am quite happy with, the concert some years later, was NOT Uncanny X-Men at the Nunawading Skate Ranch, as I like to think, but Bros (this is a youtube link I didn't want to embed!). At the Tennis Centre. There, I said it. Too awful.

I am happy to post to warmer areas, so this is not limited to Aussie readers!

Just wanting to share some lovelies. This will be drawn once we have moved house, so you have a week to rummage through the old brain and make me laugh or kow-tow in awe of your brilliant taste!

J

Cup Cake Day

This is a little Community Service Announcement...

Monday 18th August 2008 is Cup Cake Day for the RSPCA.

The RSPCA relies heavily on contributions from the community, as government funding is minimal. In the ACT alone (Australian Capital Territory), over 7,000 domestic animals a year require care, protection, and/or shelter.

Recipes are up to you, unless you want to make them for the dogs to eat in which case this is the recommended pupcake recipe.

This is a great fundraiser, and a lovely activity to do with the kiddies! Decorate cakes to make them look like your favourite animals - like this... or this... or roar!

I think this should appeal to the competitive and the laid-back alike. It also screams out as a great bloggy activity - post your pics!

j

Tour de France - c'est fini!

I did it. It's wonky, it's dodgy, it looks little like the pic, but it's done. Miss 2 declares "No, no like it" and refuses to wear it. Shocking photo - but it's the best of 14!

Piggle complete, a project finished! (a novelty for me), house almost packed, mood calm.

There's snow on the hills, ice on the car, and all's well.

How are you?

Back soon, with news of a little giveaway...

J

Time Out

After yet another round of illness in the Button Household, I have made a decision to rest hobbies for a while. I seem to hide within my craft and procrastinate by reading posts etc. This means the greatest user of my "spare" time - this blog - is having a holiday.

Until health stabilises and I get some kind of control over such areas of my life, I have taken this decision. (Sounds rather dramatic doesn't it!?)

I hope it won't take long!!

I have been referred to Fly Lady - seems others can tell I am in a mess!!

x

TdF KAL Food challenge

Bonjour, c'est moi. I am entering the Food section of the next challenge. May I introduce the Tarte Flambe, or Alsatian Onion Tart.


This savory tart (also called flammeküeche) is traditionally made by Alsatian bakers on the bottom of their bread ovens. As the bacon fat drips onto the oven floor, it catches fire — hence the name — producing a deep, smoky flavor. You can approximate the flavor by using a fine-quality, smoked bacon.

Alsatian food is really interesting because it shows both strong French and German influences. Whilst the Alsace is Germanic in its language and many customs, it has belonged to France since the 15th century. Some of hubby and my favorite foods are Alsatian in origin, Munster cheese (served with little seeds), pate de foie-gras and my staple - Riesling wine.

The Alsace was a region visited by hubby and I on the honeymoon a decade ago! The Alsace is the most eastern region in France. It hovers near the border of Germany, and its history is rich with battles for territory between the countries. The Alsace is bordered by the Lorraine Region, the Vosges region, as well as France-Comte. The villages of the Alsace are filled with timbered buildings straight out of fairy tales. The food is robust, the wine is tart and the beer flows.

The Tarte Flambe is a super-thin, super-crispy, richly-flavoured meal. A modern recipe for this tart appears below, courtesy of Margarita's International Recipes.

Flammekueche

Ingredients

1 box of puff pastry

Frommage Blanc (see below)

Olive oil

1/4 lb. bacon

1 small yellow or white onion, thinly sliced.

Cornmeal

1 egg

1 tbsp. all-purpose flour

1/3 cup Grated gruyere cheese

For the Fromage Blanc:

3/4 cup ricotta chese

3 tbsp. plain yogurt

pinch of salt.

Instructions

Make the Fromage Blanc by blending the ricotta cheese, the yogurt and the salt for 30 seconds in a blender. Put into a covered bowl and chill for at least 12 hours.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Dust a pizza stone or a heavy baking sheet with the cornmeal.

Whisk together the Fromage Blanc, egg and 1 tablespoon of flour.

Fry bacon in olive oil until done. Remove bacon from pan, cool a little bit, and break into small pieces. Add onion slices to remaining oil and fry until soft.

Lay the puff pastry on pizza stone or baking sheet. Spread Fromage Blanc mixture to within a 3/4 inch from the edge. Top with onion slices, bacon pieces and grated cheese. Brush the edge of the dough with water.

Bake in 425 degree oven until golden brown (15 to 20 minutes). Serve hot.

Ms Curly makes me twirly and whirly!

Ms Curlypops recently had a naming competition, in which Miss 2 was awarded a consolation prize! To our extreme delight, a parcel came today from Curly land, containing THREE packages!

Both the kids pounced on their beautifully made, fully lined drawstring bags, ("awesome - dinosaurs and on the in as well!" exclaimed the boy child). Upon discovering they contained chocolates ("even better" said Master 6).


Miss 2 has placed hers in her handbag collection, and keeps looking inside and giggling!

I was so touched that both kids had received something! Thank you!

Then I opened mine. THE most beautiful, fully reversible apron (why don't you have an etsy store Cam?!)


Everything from the fabrics, the binding, the stitching, and the chocolate in the pocket! (Maybe it's a chocket?!) It's just beautiful, and screams ME!

Thanks! Our first pressie from the blogging fairies!! Must enter more competitions!!

j

This is... what makes me happy...

Kids and bubbles.

Simple pleasures.

(Yes, she's trying to eat it...!)

j