I spy ... what I want for Christmas

I am joining in Cindy's fun new I spy ... each Sunday. This week's theme is "... what I want for Christmas".

My wish for Christmas - apart from a lot of laughter, happiness and health - is to have ... an intact Christmas tree!

I absolutely adore Christmas trees, but with two marauding boys, what are the chances of the tree decorations remaining in situ by Christmas Day? Especially given the family history of meddling with the baubles (see above).

Last year we put the Christmas tree inside a playpen, but maybe we should be considering a roof-installed version of one of these?

Thanks for hosting "I spy", Cindy. To see what other people would like for Christmas, head over to Cindy's blog Bug and Pop.

A no-bake cheesecake (with free personality test)

Before I took leave of absence from the business world, I worked in corporate training - a field which is rather fond of classifying people. There were multitudes of tests and inventories for personality and behaviour.

These days - left to my own domestic devices - I have developed my own classification, which uses the CM test.

I propose that there are just two types of people in the world: those who like neat condensed milk and those who think they'd rather pull out their own finger nails than drink that sweet muck.

My theory is of course grounded in solid scientific work. Yes, I tried it out on Argy and Bargy at breakfast this morning. Indeed the CM test shows that those two boys are like chalk and cheese. "More, please" said Argy in a scene fitting of Oliver. Bargy, on the other hand, simply shuddered violently.

So this week's recipe is dedicated to those of you in the condensed milk camp. For those of you who are not, don't touch your fingernails yet - you might be pleasantly surprised. The flavour in this lovely dessert really is very subtle. This stand-back-and-throw recipe is based on one from my mum and is the quickest and easiest cheesecake that I know of.

To start, I threw a block of cream cheese (250g/8oz) into the microwave oven and nuked it for 30 seconds. Next I tossed it into the bowl of my mixer, squelched in a tin of condensed milk (375g/) 13oz) and beat the mixture on a medium setting. In the meantime I crunched up some biscuits/cookies (175g/6.5oz) into fine crumbs, sloshed in some melted butter (about 100g/3.5oz, but this will depend on the biscuits you have used) and then pressed the lot it into the bottom of a spring-form tin. Finally I added the secret setting agent, 1/3 cup lemon juice, to the mixture. (If the weather is exceptionally hot, you may also like to add a teaspoon or two of gelatine fully dissolved in a little boiling water.) Finally, I emptied the mixture over the biscuit base, evened out the top, covered it and popped it in the fridge for a few hours. I decorated this cheesecake with some halved strawberries, which I then glazed using a little warm, sieved jam. Easy and delicious.

Note: And if you ever see a woman in your workplace, purporting to be running training and holding a tin of condensed milk, you should be very suspicious.

The off-season

I'm the first to admit that I am a bit fond of the telly.

I like to watch the news and some favourite TV series. I will watch almost any program on cooking or feats of civil engineering or endangered jungle animals. I like the odd movie. I try and keep up-to-date in the latest trends in children's programs.

Actually, who am I kidding? I'm willing to watch almost anything.

Except repeats.

I am always disappointed when television programming hits the off-season and the repeats start to appear. A bit like you might be disappointed (after kindly taking the time to read this post) when you see that the content is a repeat ... a duplicate ... a cheap knock-off.

Yes, I'm afraid its an unashamed rehash. I'm going to explain it away as a bit of housekeeping. Remember the freezer paper stencilling experiments? I thought it might be nice to edit and consolidate the posts into a couple of PDF documents for easy download.

However, coincidentally, it also meant that I didn't have to think of anything original to write today.

If in the coming weeks you see posts with the titles The year in review or Hoppo Bumpo - the 2008 annual index, you'll know that the mental blank has been a little harder to shake off than I first thought.

PDF downloads
Tips for freezer paper stencilling
Preparing a stencil image from a photo, using Microsoft Word

A perfect storm

Melbourne eastern suburbs, 4.30pm Thursday 27 November

Please complete the following sentence.

If I saw this coming, I would ...

(a) ... rush out and bring the washing in off the line
(b) ... reassure the small children about the accompanying thunder
(c) ... try and photograph the forked lightening

Excuse me ... have to dash now ...

A hack guide to bias binding

On the day that they were handing out the productivity gene, I somehow missed out.

Take for example the bias binding I made last month. Painfully slow. How I laboured over the process of transforming those plain fabric strips into such a simple trim. And what did I have to show for three hours work? Just one and half metres. Ridiculous.

A pity. Because I have a new project in mind and it needs 9 metres of bias binding. I'd do the math on how long it would take me to make, but after such a warm day, I'd prefer not to offend everyone's sensibilities. Counting on one's toes is so risky in the warmer months.

So what to do? Do I call in a man with a white coat and clipboard for a time-and-motion study? Or give up and simply purchase a ready-made trim?

Daringly, I decided to go on a different tack.

Hack (n): quick and dirty productivity trick used to get your work done hastily

Here are my bias binding hacks:

• Iron nothing; square nothing.
• Fold your fabric on the diagonal with a careless flip. What the heck if its not completely on the bias - how much stretch do we really need here?
• Remember, measuring is overrated. What's a few millimetres between friends?
• Avoid ruling out all those lines with tailors chalk - cut one strip and then use it as a template for the rest.
• Ditch the rotary cutter; use scissors with reckless abandon. If your straight lines look as if they have been cut with pinking shears, explain it away as a decorative feature.
• Whip the binding through the tape maker at break-neck speed. Avoid looking down unless you feel that you are in imminent danger of a steam burn from the iron.
• Remember at all times that less is more; less attention will make more binding.

And so it is, that I have just finished making 9 metres of bias trim ... in a fraction of the time of my first effort.

And you know what? The quality varies very little from my first very cautious, meticulous attempts. Should I be pleased or worried?

Flight 200 has landed

Ladies and gentlemen, this is your Captain speaking.

Flight 200 flying via ... Adelaide, Amsterdam, Brisbane, Bundaberg, Canberra, Chicago, Christchurch, Coffs Harbour, Coolangatta, Copenhagen, Des Moines, Esperance, Essendon, Geelong, Hafr Albatin, Hobart, Indianapolis, Launceston, Lilydale, London (CA), London (GB), Mazatlan, Melbourne, New York, Perth, Porto, Puerto Vallarta, Rapid City, Sacramento, Salmon Arm, San Francisco, Santa Maria, Seattle, Singapore, Sydney, Toowoomba, Townsville and Traralgon ... will be landing shortly.

Again we would like to extend our apologies for both the delay and any discomfort you experienced, after 71 passengers boarded our 8-person, twin engine craft.

Would passengers Melinda and Empty Elizabeth please make yourselves known to our flight crew (airblogalot[at]hoppobumpo[dot]com)? You have additional baggage (Japanese and Kids packs respectively) to be delivered to you.

Thank you very much to you all for making this such a fun flight and we hope to see you again soon here at Air Blog-A-Lot.

Tealight candle holder

This is an embroidered tea light candle holder that I made last night at Brown Owls.

Do take care - don't look too closely or you might get your eyebrows singed. It was a cunning plan to light the candle before showing you my work. Best that no-one looks too closely.

My design is a bit shoddy (I won't keep you guessing: its a stocking and some holly) and the stitching involves a great deal of ... ahem ... poetic license. With the work wrapped around a glass, every misdemeanour and shortcut and bit of wonkiness can be seen quite clearly, when you peer in.

However, when I look at my tealight candle holder, its not the finished product I see. Instead I see a lovely evening. A chance to try out something new and a little bit different. An opportunity to listen to lively conversation and laughter. And a chance to catch up with some delightful people and meet some lovely new ones. The joy of this project was most definitely in the making. Craft as a process and not an outcome. Craft the verb; not the noun.

I'm looking forward to attending Brown Owls next year. Its good for the soul.

Flight 200 delayed

Captain Hoppo Bumpo

Ladies and gentlemen, this is your Captain speaking.

I wish to advise that due to fog in the Noggin region, Flight 200 has been delayed. The estimated time of arrival is now 1200 hours, local time, on Tuesday 25 November.

On behalf of Air Blog-A-Lot we do wish to apologise for any inconvenience caused by sitting in a confined space for an extra 15 hours ... banking sharply every three minutes ... as we continually circle in the air space above the airport. Round and round ... and round. Oh ... and yes, that probably is your house you can see down there. So near yet so far, eh?

In the meantime please enjoy our complimentary in-flight entertainment. Thank you for your understanding and we trust you will fly Air Blog-A-Lot again soon.

(In all seriousness, my apologies for the delay in the draw, but I forgot I was going to Brown Owls this evening and won't be home. Do hope to see you again soon. If you have entered the 200th blog post draw, good luck!)

More pretty things

Darling little 1950's handpainted buttons

There's something special about buttons, isn't there? I have the fondest childhood memories of looking through my Nan's button box. To me even the humblest button was a jewel.

I find it hard to think of buttons as notions: to speak of them in the same breath as elastic and zippers. No ... buttons are a class above. Like beautiful fabric, buttons are sought; treasured; stashed. Yet they have a permanence that fabric can never aspire to. Buttons always live to see another day. Cherished long after their companion garment has disappeared.

My parents recently visited Castlemaine in country Victoria and discovered a shop full of the most wonderful button treasures. Following on from the Pretty Things I showed you last week, I thought you might like to see the gorgeous buttons that Mum and Dad brought home for me.


Cheery vintage floral buttons


Double vintage! Vintage buttons; vintage cars.


Vintage buzzy bee buttons


Sweet ceramic house button


Beautiful Brown Owl china buttons from England

I am looking forward to finding the perfect project for each of these.

A right royal problem

I like gingerbread houses.

I like to look at them. I quite like to eat them. But moreover, I do love making them.

I have all the house-construction paraphernalia. There's the gingerbread house book: for inspiration. The metal cutter templates: for squaring the walls and roof. The piping equipment: for fancy decoration. Its all there. All except for one thing.

I no longer have a suitable recipe for royal icing.

You see, our Bargy has an allergy to the key ingredient in this icing: egg white. If you haven't tried making royal icing before, its essentially a plain white icing that sets like ... concrete. Egg white is the magic setting agent. Whilst quite edible, sugar-laden royal icing is not a particularly delicious confection. I wouldn't recommend eating it in any great quantity, unless you fancy breaking a tooth or two. It is, however, amazing for gluing gingerbread house pieces together.

I would love to be able to be able to make a pretty gingerbread house for the boys this Christmas. So I am on a mission. I'm looking high and low for a suitable egg-free concrete substitute. To be truthful, this search started just before Christmas last year and end with dummy spitting on Christmas eve. No suitable recipe located. But after a hiatus, Mr Google and I have become acquainted once again.

I've decided to track down some recipes and trial each one. To find the definitive non-egg royal icing. So if you - or someone you know can't eat eggs - and you too like to decorate gingerbread houses, festive cookies or cakes, you might like to stay along for the ride.

The search

Finding a sample of suitable recipes has been a bit tricky. Mr Google and I started out using "egg-free" as our search criteria. Many recipes we found, purporting to be "egg-free", contain meringue powder. Meringue powder is produced by companies such as Wilton and is fantastic stuff - I have used it in the past. The setting ingredient is, however, powdered albumin ... which is egg white! A good product to use if you cooking for someone pregnant or infirm and avoiding salmonella risks (the powder contains pasteurised egg). But, definitely not suitable for anyone with an intolerance or allergy.

In fact its been quite an eye-opener seeing the number of websites recommending using meringue powder if egg can't be consumed. It makes me remember how important it is not to take all information on the web at face value!

Once I thought to start searching for vegan recipes, Mr Google and I had a little more success. We high-fived each other several times (is it possible to do this with a search engine?), as promising recipes popped up.

The recipes

Here are the recipes that I have collected. I have listed just the ingredients, but then provided a link to the original recipe.

BBC Food's egg-free royal icing:
Icing/confectioner's sugar
Lemon juice
Glycerine

Goodbaker's vegan royal icing:
Icing/confectioner's sugar
Powdered soy milk
Soy milk
Light corn syrup

Veglicious's vegan royal icing:
Icing/confectioner's sugar
Cornstarch
Lemon juice

The test

Edit (7 Dec. 2008): Visit this post for the results of my experiments!

During the week I am going to trial three recipes. I'll look at how: snowy white each looks; nice each one tastes; easily each pipes; and well each one sets. Remember, we're aiming for concrete here people.

In the first instance I have decided to try making a traditional icing recipe using an egg substitute. I already use an Orgran product called No Egg for baking and other cooking. Its available in Australia from health food stores and supermarkets. I'm a bit unsure, however, if No Egg is suitable to use in uncooked products.

I have then chosen the recipes from BBC Food and Veglicious. On reflection I decided that Goodbaker's recipe might be a bit risky in our house. Soy is a known allergen and something Bargy hasn't really tried before. Best not to accidentally poison him at Christmas!

So, if you're interested, head back during the next week and I'll post the results of my experiment. I'll be the one with the tummy ache, smiling at you through broken teeth.

If you have any experience of making egg-free royal icing, I would love to hear them.

A blast from the past

My mum brought this over tonight. Something from childhood crafting days - a box of Pentel Water Color Dyes for fabric.

I smiled when I saw the cover of the box again. Look closely at those two crazy cats. Don't they look thrilled to be wrapped in a bit of handpainted lerrrvvv?

Some of the tubes still have beautiful oozy colour in them. Quite a surprise, given the age of the paints and that they had all been opened. To give an idea as to how ancient they are, the instructions say ... design almost any fabric from t-shirts to hot pants.

Stencilled hot pants, anyone?

On a roll

It has recently come to the attention of Management that the Author has been digressing from the purpose of this blog. Instead of journaling sewing and craft projects, there appears to be a great deal of tomfoolery going on. (Does this woman actually do any sewing?).

Management wishes to apologise unreservedly to readers. Please be assured that it won't happen again.

(Until the next time).



Based on the Tool Roll from Lotta Jandotter's Simple Sewing. Constructed from cotton print, grosgrain ribbon and bias trim.

Pretty things

I have recently been given some very beautiful notions for my sewing, so I thought I would share them with you. I love looking at pretty things - I hope you do too.

Today's pictures are of some wonderful family treasures. My very generous auntie gave these to me when she was visiting Melbourne last week. They're all from the maternal side of my family and the lace, in particular, is very old.


Antique lace


Tablecloth with crocheted lace border


Sentimetal treasure - I remember calling this a "fumble" when I was a child


Antique lace


Vintage buttons

More pretty things to look at later in the week.

Flight 200

Good morning ladies and gentlemen. On behalf of Air Blog-A-Lot, Captain Hoppo Bumpo and her flight crew, Argy and Bargy, welcome you on board Flight 200.

Our air time today will be approximately 2 minutes. Please make sure that your mouse is in front of you and your monitor is in the upright position. In case of emergency, you will find a number of blog exit points in the sidebar on the right.

Our celebratory giveaway service will be commencing shortly after takeoff. Today you have a choice between two gift-packs, each containing 6 fat quarters of beautiful fabric. The prints are "Japanese" or "Kids" (both pictured below).





If you are interested in the giveaway, please complete the necessary paperwork in the comments field. We ask that you leave: a traceable link (a blog or e-mail address); the code of your nearest airport; and the gift-pack print that you would prefer (Japanese or Kids ... or if you prefer pot-luck write either).

Air Blog-A-Lot is an international service - our giveaway can be flown anywhere in the world. It will be drawn at random on Monday 24 November at 2100 hours (local time, MEL). Edit: Tuesday 25 November at 1200 hours.

Passengers who are interested in connecting giveaways, should make yourselves known to relevant ground staff. If you have any questions, please contact our cabin crew, who will be the noisy ones running up and down the aisles like a pair of preschoolers.

Happy days

Having a happy day on the red slippery-dip

(With apologies to Ager & Yellen ...)

Happy days are here again
The Mister made it home again
HB can return to craft again
Happy days are here again

Three cheers: Mr Hoppo Bumpo has returned from his long overseas jaunt gruelling business trip. Argy and Bargy are ecstatic.

And me? I've been on a shopping frenzy mental health break, done a spot of sewing and read 23 newspapers. Happy days, indeed.

Old news

The phone rang. He was a nice young man. He said he was from my weekend newspaper; that he had an offer. The broadsheet home-delivered - every day of the week - for just a dollar extra. A special for three months.

Of course I was tempted. It would have been such a bargain. I wavered momentarily.

He sounded crestfallen. Telephone sales are a hard gig. Was I sure I didn't want take up this offer, he persisted. May he enquire why?

(Should I have told him about the sewing, as well?)

This is ... my favourite thing from nature

My favourite thing from nature is a colour ... this iridescent blue. I'm sure I could admire it from now until the day I die and still think that it is one of the most exquisite things I have ever seen.

I took this photo at the gorgeous Niagra Parks Butterfly Conservatory in Ontario, Canada (it was probably my only hope of ever seeing this colour up close!).

This week's This is theme was chosen by the delightful Beth from Cloth and Fodder. What she doesn't know about gardening and other pursuits of the natural world, really isn't worth knowing! Thank you to our lovely host Angela over at Three Buttons. Drop on over to her blog to see who else is playing along.

Veg around - potatoes

I recently realised my dream of turning vegetable gardening into a spectator sport. When Bellgirl announced her Veg Around, I saw my chance: an opportunity to see what other folk are tending to in their herb and vegie gardens. All without the aid of gardening gloves, a hoe or the Yates Garden Guide. The virtual stroll through the garden after dinner, if you will. Something I could do from the comfort of my arm chair.

I had contemplated joining Veg Around, but kept shying away. Its not that I'm lazy, but to be frank I'm not particularly blessed in the green thumb department. There have been past accusations of vegetable overcrowding and neglect, which have been difficult to shake off. As they say, throw enough mud (or potting mix) and some will stick. Even I have to confess that arriving in the gardens of Chez Hoppo Bumpo is generally a one way ticket to that big plant-pot in the sky.

However last weekend past I was given some Nicola potatoes. Not the eating kind, but the sort of shrivelly, sprouty variety that one puts into a bit of earth. Argy and Bargy seemed excited about the prospect of growing something. I have never eaten freshly dug new potatoes and I'm fearful that the boys think potatoes come from a red freezer packet, ready stamped with a smiley face. So I have decided to turn over a new leaf (.... or sod). Time to shake off the past; to make amends for transgressions against flora. Time to grow vegies.

So my plan is to fill some trugs with potting mix and plant out the potatoes. (I saw this great idea for tub gardening, over at Sparkly Green Knickers' blog). In a daring move I might even try out some companion planting.



Firstly, though, I must address the small matter of how one grows potatoes. Everything I know about tater gardening could be written on the back of a postage stamp.

By contrast I know a little more about these tubers once they have been harvested. For example, did you know that potatoes are a little bit like gremlins? They really aren't that fond of being exposed to light for too long - sends 'em green, it does (though I think it might have polished off the gremlins .... bright light, bright light ...). Yes sirree, potatoes go off on a chlorophyll bender and then start producing chemical substances called solanine and chaconine, which can make you sick. These two chemical substances are a defence mechanism and can also be produced when a potato is cut, bruised or damaged. Who ever knew the humble potato might be so dangerous?

So I'm off to cover up those potatoes and make sure they don't see the light of day for a bit. In the meantime do you have any hot tips for growing the perfect spud?

Just-in-case

In a flush of enthusiasm in my youth, I started studying for an MBA. It seemed like a good idea at the time, but fourteen years later it remains unfinished. The complexities of business economics and company accounting and reporting are just hazy memories. Any fragments of fact about mid-90s Australian industrial relations, are now antiquated. Hours of study gone; knowledge vaporised.

Except, that is, for this ...

I did love studying the manufacturing process. It introduced me to a strategy used in production that I felt I could embrace and call my own. My mantra; my life-philosophy: its a concept called just-in-time. In the manufacturing world this is the process of having your equipment, resources and labour available only in the amount required and at the time required to do the job. (A concept employed by the Ford Motor Company on assembly lines as early as the 1920s). Stock is produced just when needed - no earlier, no later.

Of course, I could see immediate application: exams. Why waste valuable intellectual real estate storing facts ahead of time, when cramming at the last minute might work? Then it was household tasks. Ironing? No need to spend hours starching and pressing - simply iron-as-you-go. Genius. And so started the slow decline: everything happening just at the time required (belated note-to-self: composing wedding speech during the reception is cutting it fine). From the outside it might have looked a little bit like procrastination or disorganisation, but it worked for me.

However, years later - as just-in-time has become part of the fabric of my very being - I think I may have discovered a failing.

With Mr HB away and the boys ill, I have discovered that its not a good thing to buy food just as you need it. Or nappies. Or toilet paper. If you can't leave the house, you are in strife. Thankfully, my kind parents have bailed me out. They have shopped for me and made sure that we haven't had to resort to eating tinned water chestnuts and putting Bargy into left-over newborn nappies.

But it has got me thinking.

With a young family relying on me, maybe these days I should be thinking more Baden-Powell, than Henry Ford. What if we're all sick again? Or heaven forbid, there's a natural disaster? When everyone is well again, I think I should head out and stock the cupboards for that proverbial very rainy day. Never mind just-in-time ... I'm moving immediately to Hoppo Bumpo's new just-in-case strategy. This will almost certainly entail an emergency plan, a flashlight and of course ... a lot of toilet paper.

What do you have at your house just-in-case?

Please wear a hat ... or why it pays to be specific with your toddler

He did exactly as he was asked: If you're going outside to play, please put a hat on.

Its just that its 32°C in Melbourne today and that is a ski hat.

Home delivery

I'm quite the fan of home deliveries.

Our milk and bread arrive on our doorstep by dawn twice a week. I occasionally like someone with a big van to bring me my groceries. And pizza doesn't taste quite right unless its been brought to the house in a limp cardboard box by a boy driving a car fitted with a noisy doof-doof stereo.

Heck, I have even been tempted to try out home delivered toilet paper just for fun.

So what might warm my heart more yesterday - on a day when I wasn't able to leave the house - than opening the letterbox and finding the November mail-out envelope from Amitie? Home delivered fabric!

This striking cotton sateen print is called Bloom. Its a home decor weight and from the Ginseng collection by Joel Dewberry. I've been admiring from afar for a while, especially after seeing it made up as a beautiful hat in over at Thornberry.

Now what to do with this beautiful fabric? Will it be a 1-fat-quarter project ... or involve further home deliveries?

Lunatic

Two sick boys. Another long day.

So after the two small ones were firmly ensconced in bed, I decided it was time for a little treat. Its been the most beautiful evening. Balmy with a soft breeze. The low hum of cicadas in the distance and crickets chirruping softly. The moon has been full and golden; rising through a soft haze of cloud.

At about 9pm I went outside and sat in the driveway. With my camera pointed skyward, I practised a little night-time photography. The moon was irresistible. I'm not a very good night-photographer - I don't have a steady hand or a tripod. I understand little about exposure and suchlike. I did, however, enjoy taking a few snaps.

But pity the poor man. The one who came to post a letter at the corner mailbox across the road. In the dark. Who turned to see the shadowy figure of a woman, crouched in the driveway opposite. The one seemingly pointing a camera at him. He scuttled away ever so quickly.

I have probably confirmed all his suspicions about the strange things that happen when there is a full moon.

Parentonyourownathalon

And welcome back ladies and gentlemen to Day 17 of our coverage of the 2008 endurance event, the Parentonyourownathalon.

[Panning to the track]

And yes ... that was the bell being rung ... signalling to the competitors that they are on their last lap. Only a week to go now.

Initial front-runner, Hoppo Bumpo, is still in the lead pack. Remarkable, given that she came into this event with some kind of hip injury. We believe its something to do with lifting weights?

[Crossing to photo of two boys: 13 and 16kgs]

Indeed, ladies and gentlemen, there have been rumours in the last few days that an appeal could be lodged at the end of this race. There are serious allegations that Hoppo Bumpo has had substantial outside help.

[Crossing to photos of Hoppo Bumpo's parents and friends]

And here come the competitors now .... rounding to the straight. Its still anybody's race.

Oh no ... what's this ... Hoppo Bumpo appears to have fallen at a hurdle. If I'm not mistaken ... yes, it looks like 2 boys with gastro.

No ... she's up again; a valiant attempt.

But she's falling behind - there's unsewn pyjamas and mounting blog reading trailing behind her. It looks like she's also being weighed down with the thought of 40 metres of corduroy needing to be made into children's trousers (her Parentonyourownathalon race handicap).

Ladies and gentlemen, its becoming clear that Hoppo Bumpo has come into this event under-prepared. As we all know, this really isn't one for the amateurs.

It seems an outside chance -will she make it to the finish line?

Stand-back-and-throw: Lamb with oregano and fetta

In my mind this concoction is actually called Greek lamb casserole. A simple casserole mingling the classic Grecian flavours of oregano, lemon, fetta and .... paprika. Yes, paprika: the spice so loved in that well-known Greek city north of Athens ... Budapest.

And if you're shaking your head now, take a couple of minutes to watch this game-show gem where geographical confusion abounds (the poor contestant - she does look very perplexed).

Onward-ho. Here is my fusion lamb dish ...

Toss some diced lamb in some flour and a very liberal amount of paprika. Throw it into a casserole dish with diced potatoes and carrots. Sprinkle with grated lemon rind and plenty of fresh or dried oregano. Slosh over some chicken stock and bung the whole thing in the oven until the lamb and vegies are tender.

To finish this dish, you hurl in some diced fetta and a handful of finely sliced black olives. But here's the thing: the final ingredients can tip the casserole over the edge. Keep the saltiness in check by using a reduced salt stock and being judicious about the quantity of olives and cheese you chuck in. The line between tasty dish and tastes like the Dead Sea, is indeed a fine one.

This is ... my favourite quote

When Ashley from Strawberry Kisses announced the theme for This is ... this week, I was delighted. In my former work life (in corporate training) I was rather fond of using the odd quote or twenty.

Here are two of my favourites:

I always wanted to be someone, but I should have been more specific.
[Lily Tomlin]

Benson you are so mercifully free of the ravages of intelligence *
[from the 1981 movie, Time Bandits]

Though to clarify, I promise that I never used the latter quote - or any variation of it - in a training course.

Thanks to Ashley for such a great theme. I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone has come up with this week. Head on over to our lovely host Angela's blog Three Buttons to see who else is playing along.

Elastic

I have finally made a start on sewing up the new pyjamas for Argy. As I make up the little pull-on pyjama pants, I thank goodness for simple elasticised waists. Easy to sew and comfy to wear.

Ode to elastic
by Hoppo Bumpo

I love it for its simplicity,
Its very simple splendour;
It holds, it grips, it cinches in,
Its a very effective suspender.

Its a favourite notion in my stash,
Simply put ... fantastic;
Rubber or synthetic-cored
Its the humble polymer, elastic.

To check the quality of your stretchy stuff,
Extend it with some strength;
It should recover to its initial shape
And definitely the original length.

Braided elastic should be encased;
Woven is the "heavy-weight";
Sew knitted right directly on
(Length: 100 percent less eight).

And with this final thought I say
Be sure to purchase more;
Replace tired old stretchy stuff
Lest your undies hit the floor.

Happy

The sun has been shining and the sky cloudless and perfectly blue. Its the end of a glorious Spring day. The perfect inspiration to join in Pip's wonderful Week of Happy.

So this is what makes me happy: seeing two beautiful small boys sitting side-by-side; worn out from a day's play.

Weary

Welcome sweet eve thy gently sloping sky,
And softly whispering wind that breathes of rest;

from Sunset, John Clare (1793 - 1864)

A day at the races

We are in the midst of the Spring Racing Carnival here in Melbourne. Its the season of hats and fascinators, fragrant track-side roses and with some luck, a pretty blue sky and warm sunshine. I used to love getting out a fancy frock and big hat and clip-clopping off to the races in blister-inducing, lawn-aerating footwear. I liked having a little flutter at the bookies, sipping a few mouthfuls of bubbly and eating food that looked like it had been styled for a doll's house.

The high point of the racing carnival - the legendary Melbourne Cup - was run today.

The boys and I tipped our hats to the occasion by making some gingerbread jockeys this morning. But at the moment of the grand race itself we were sitting outside in the sunshine. I turned on the telly a little too late, missing the finish by a few minutes and still don't know the name of the horse that won.

Ah, how the meaning of everything changes when you have children.

The new guide to race terminology

• Box trifecta - finding three empty cartons to play with


• Favourite - a food that was consumed voraciously yesterday, but will be rejected on a whim tomorrow


• Filly - perfectly valid solitary sandwich filling


• Grand stand - something a three-year does in the middle of the supermarket to embarrass his mother


• Horse - probably a horse, but might be a cow (the term is apparently interchangeable)


• Each way bet - having two dinners prepared in case the first one is rejected


• Photo finish - something that happens when a 2-year-old lays his hands on the holiday snaps


• Scratching - an accident that occurs between a favourite CD and a Matchbox car

The pyjama game

Parenting. Oh the dilemmas; the worries.

Is my child getting the right nutrition? Do we read enough books together? Is the TV on too much? Are the fraught attempts to brush teeth doing any good?

So many questions. And some that no-one really likes to ask; the real quandaries.

For example: should toddler and preschooler pyjamas be laundered after each wear? Or do we simply test them using the 18-year-old boy method (throw them at the wall and if they stick they need a wash). Is it OK to economise and put your child straight to bed in their day clothes? Or conversely pretend that you always dress them in a flannellette pant-suit during the daytime? Can we pretend that last year's long winter pyjamas are this year's shortie summer set?

Its time to take action. To allay my concerns about night attire.

I've raided the stash this evening and cut out three new pairs of pyjamas for Argy from a favourite pattern - Simplicity 8493 (toddler and child's sleepwear). I really like this pattern - its a nice comfy style for the little ones and there are long and short variations. The pants are also cut in just two pieces.

So laid out here is the promise of frog, tractor and digger jammies. I do hope I have time to sew these in the coming days - I'm getting sick of throwing the current pair at the wall.

This is ... a favourite recipe I would like to share

Once upon a time, long ago there was a girl who loved to cook. Long before sleep deprivation. Long before piles of dirty clothes. Long before the eating whims of toddlers. Anyone who has read my stand-back-and-throw posts would surely think I am the laziest cook in the world. But really, this hasn't always been the way.

In my previous life I had a penchant for serious cooking gadgets. The pantry was stocked with exotic ingredients. My shelves groaned with Vogue Entertaining, Gourmet Traveller and a myriad of beautiful cookbooks. I took lots of cooking courses and once went and stayed at a French chateau and learnt how to make local specialities. Heaven.

But now as I stand armed with the can opener, surveying a stack of tins for tonight's meal inspiration, I can but daydream about the fancy cookery. For the time being, I'll have to be content with wheeling out the occasional favourite.

Peking Duck Risotto
adapted from: Risotto 'round the world, Tamara Milstein, 1996

This is an East meets West favourite. I'm not sure if fusion cooking is still that fashionable - the only food trends I really keep up with these days, are what colour vegetables two small boys are willing to eat. I did a risotto course with the author of this book years ago and it was fabulous. She had all sorts of simple, but effective tips for a good risotto. For example, when you add the wine it must really sizzle as it hits the pan - this ensures you've got the right temperature. The aim is to keep a good consistent heat to ensure the rice keeps taking up the stock. Make sure the stock is very hot at all times too. And finally stirring is the key to a nice risotto. This effectively knocks the starch off the grains of rice, giving a beautiful creamy consistency.

1.5 litres chicken stock
1 cooked Chinese roast duck
1 tablespoon oil
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
8 spring onions, finely chopped
400g arborio rice
200ml dry white wine
4 baby bok choy halved or quartered lengthways
200g sliced water chestnuts, drained
3 tablespoons fresh coriander, chopped

1. Strip the meat from the duck and reserve.
2. Place the stock in a large pan and add all the duck offcuts and bones and bring to the boil.
3. Reduce and simmer for 30 minutes (you will need to end up with about 900ml stock).
4. Strain the duck stock, discarding all the duck pieces and then return the stock to the heat to keep warm
5. In a separate pan, heat the oils.
6. Add the spring onions and cook gently til softened
7. Add the rice and stir through the oil and onions to coat well
8. Add the wine and allow to absorb while stirring.
9. Begin adding the hot stock half a cup at a time. Stir very well after every addition - allow the previous stock to be absorbed before adding the next.
10. With the second addition of the stock, add the bock choy.
11. When half the stock has been used, add the Peking duck and stir to incorporate.
12. Continue to add the remainder of the stock.
13. With the last addition of the stock add the water chestnuts.
14. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the fresh herbs.

Thank you Angela at Three Buttons who is hosting "This is ..." - I loved the theme this week! Head on over to Angela's blog to see who else is playing along. I can't wait to pick up some new recipes.

There's a corella on my umbrella

Put your hand up if you are teacher. Now keep it up if you have to do "yard duty". Now keep it up if its been raining ... and one of these has landed on your umbrella. No?

Thank you to my lovely sister for this photo. This cheeky chap (a corella) did indeed land on her umbrella a couple of days ago (she works at a rural school). He was kind enough to keep her company ... and I'm sure countless children entertained ... while she was on yard duty before school.

What a character (a tiny tutorial)

During the past few weeks I have had a little run of writing blog posts employing characters not found on my Australian computer keyboard. On the first occasion it was an innocuous pound currency symbol (£). Then yesterday I needed to add two letters e with acute accents (for Récupération Nathalie Brault).

In my travels I noticed that Bellgirl was also looking for a c with a cedilla (ç). If you too are searching for that special character (alpha-numeric, not human) here is a quick and easy trick for PC users*.

Look up the four digit number of the character here. Then hold down the Alt key on your keyboard and type the number (including the zero) using the numeric keypad. Once you release the Alt key, your character will appear.

Use this to create all sorts of nice characters on your blog: from fractions (¼ ½ ¾) to copyright and trademark symbols (© ® ™) to currency symbols (€ ¢ ¥) to various accented characters (ú õ ÿ) to a host of other cool stuff (‰ ¶ ÷ • º ‡). You are not restricted to using this this keyboard trick for your blog - it will generally work in other applications too.

* As I'm not a Mac user, I'm not sure how you might do the equivalent. Any comments with instructions are most welcome!