31 May 2010
My first attempt at fondant
I really wanted to try decorating some cupcakes with fondant and this was my first attempt. My boys were impressed, even though the cupcakes are quite girlie!
Crockpot Cheesecake
And you thought your slow-cooker couldn't get any more fabulous! This cheesecake is absolutely heavenly and quite versatile - in this version I used Oreos for the crust and topped with shaved chocolate but you can use digestive biscuits / Graham crackers for the crust and top with fruit pie filling - or just eat it plain. Ooh, maybe try gingersnap crumbs for the crust and put a pinch of ginger and cinnamon into the cheesecake. Either which way, it's firm and creamy and just divine.
First, you'll need a slow-cooker (duh!) I bartered photography services for this one years ago. It's very old and one of the feet has come off (hence it's propped on a stainless steel trivet) and it has a chip but it fits my loose-bottomed cake pan perfectly so I use this one instead of my new one for cheesecake.
Slow-cooker Cheesecake
Crust
150g digestive biscuits (or go ahead and use a whole packet of Oreos)
2 T brown sugar
2 T melted butter (halve this if you're using Oreos)
Filling
450g soft cheese
150g white sugar
2 large eggs
50ml double cream (mmm ... cream ...)
1 T vanilla flavouring or extract
1 T flour
Directions
Find a heat-resistant dish that will fit into your slow cooker for the cheesecake.
Crumple up some foil at the bottom of your slow cooker for the dish to rest on – you want your cheesecake dish raised slightly off the bottom of the slow cooker dish.
Crush your biscuits in a bowl by smashing with the end of a rolling pin or a glass jar or run through food processor or blender or put into a ziploc bag and smash with a rolling pin. (I use my Pampered Chef food chopper to make the crumbs.) Add melted butter and brown sugar. Stir until it's wet and crumby. Press the crumbs into the bottom of the dish you are going to use.
In a separate bowl, cream the cheese, sugar, eggs, flour, cream, and vanilla with a hand-mixer. Pour the cheese mixture on top of the crust. Don't forget to lick the bowl.
Cover and cook on high for 2-3 hours. Check after 1 hour, just in case. (Mine takes almost 3 hours.) The cheesecake is done when the edges are no longer shiny and have set. If the cheesecake isn't perfectly set in the middle, but mostly cooked, you can unplug your slow cooker anyway.
Let the cheesecake sit in the uncovered cooling slow cooker dish (you can remove the crock from the slow cooker) for an hour, before removing and transferring to the refrigerator. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before topping with grated chocolate or tinned cherry pie filling if you wish. Cut and serve.
You may have noticed in my "what I wore" posts that I have gained weight.
This is one of the reasons why.
Good luck resisting.
First, you'll need a slow-cooker (duh!) I bartered photography services for this one years ago. It's very old and one of the feet has come off (hence it's propped on a stainless steel trivet) and it has a chip but it fits my loose-bottomed cake pan perfectly so I use this one instead of my new one for cheesecake.
Slow-cooker Cheesecake
Crust
150g digestive biscuits (or go ahead and use a whole packet of Oreos)
2 T brown sugar
2 T melted butter (halve this if you're using Oreos)
Filling
450g soft cheese
150g white sugar
2 large eggs
50ml double cream (mmm ... cream ...)
1 T vanilla flavouring or extract
1 T flour
Directions
Find a heat-resistant dish that will fit into your slow cooker for the cheesecake.
Crumple up some foil at the bottom of your slow cooker for the dish to rest on – you want your cheesecake dish raised slightly off the bottom of the slow cooker dish.
Crush your biscuits in a bowl by smashing with the end of a rolling pin or a glass jar or run through food processor or blender or put into a ziploc bag and smash with a rolling pin. (I use my Pampered Chef food chopper to make the crumbs.) Add melted butter and brown sugar. Stir until it's wet and crumby. Press the crumbs into the bottom of the dish you are going to use.
In a separate bowl, cream the cheese, sugar, eggs, flour, cream, and vanilla with a hand-mixer. Pour the cheese mixture on top of the crust. Don't forget to lick the bowl.
Cover and cook on high for 2-3 hours. Check after 1 hour, just in case. (Mine takes almost 3 hours.) The cheesecake is done when the edges are no longer shiny and have set. If the cheesecake isn't perfectly set in the middle, but mostly cooked, you can unplug your slow cooker anyway.
Let the cheesecake sit in the uncovered cooling slow cooker dish (you can remove the crock from the slow cooker) for an hour, before removing and transferring to the refrigerator. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before topping with grated chocolate or tinned cherry pie filling if you wish. Cut and serve.
You may have noticed in my "what I wore" posts that I have gained weight.
This is one of the reasons why.
Good luck resisting.
What I wore to church yesterday
I didn't post a college outfit this week because I wore an outfit I've worn before (the green cardigan outfit from this post but with the shoes from this post).
Here's what I wore to church yesterday - I totally love these turquoise satin shoes!
Blouse: TJ Hughes
Plum coloured skirt (Next): eBay
Necklace: Can't remember, I think Sainsbury's
Turquoise satin shoes: Asda
Bracelet: I can't remember
Here's what I wore to church yesterday - I totally love these turquoise satin shoes!
Blouse: TJ Hughes
Plum coloured skirt (Next): eBay
Necklace: Can't remember, I think Sainsbury's
Turquoise satin shoes: Asda
Bracelet: I can't remember
NZ update - test result
Grant got a phone call this evening when he'd just arrived at work. It was his new case worker in New Zealand phoning to let him know his test results.
He passed the test!!!
What a relief! He asked if he would be receiving a job offer and his case worker told him that once they check his references he will indeed be getting one in writing.
We are so excited and relieved! It's more of the waiting game now, but at least we know we are one step closer. Once he receives the job offer we can submit our Expression of Interest to immigration. We can also decide when to market the house - it all depends on the provisional start date for his job.
We are so happy and grateful to have made it this far ... our dream is getting a little closer each step of the way. Thanks to everyone who has been praying for us!
He passed the test!!!
What a relief! He asked if he would be receiving a job offer and his case worker told him that once they check his references he will indeed be getting one in writing.
We are so excited and relieved! It's more of the waiting game now, but at least we know we are one step closer. Once he receives the job offer we can submit our Expression of Interest to immigration. We can also decide when to market the house - it all depends on the provisional start date for his job.
We are so happy and grateful to have made it this far ... our dream is getting a little closer each step of the way. Thanks to everyone who has been praying for us!
28 May 2010
Sunshine
I haven't been a fan of yellow for absolutely ages. I think I went off it in my early teens and haven't touched it since. But recently I've started adding a few yellow things to my wardrobe, starting with my yellow shoes. This week I introduced yellow into my home with the kitchen valance. I think I'm coming around.
Here is some yummy yellow goodness to inspire you.
Here is some yummy yellow goodness to inspire you.
26 May 2010
Kitchen valance
As you know, I'm desperate for decorating projects but limited by the fact that we'll be selling the house within the next year or so. I decided to tackle a relatively simple and cheap project - a valance for the kitchen window.
I found this fabric at Abakhan Fabrics in Preston. Unfortunately I threw away the selvage that had the fabric name and manufacturer on it. It cost me just over £6 for a 2.3m length and it's decorator weight - bargain!
I used iron-on hemming web to hem the sides and top and then ran out of it so I had to sew the bottom. I had to get the sewing machine out anyway for the box pleats at the top. Then I bought a 1.8m strip of wood (perfect length, didn't even have to cut it) and Grant screwed it to the wall. To finish I hot-glued the valance onto the wood.
As you can see from the way the light shines through the fabric I hung the valance higher than the top of the window which gives the impression that the window is taller than it actually is.
So, what do you think?
I might repaint my little apple crate white or yellow, although in real life the greens aren't as different as they look in this picture. I just fancy a change.
I found this fabric at Abakhan Fabrics in Preston. Unfortunately I threw away the selvage that had the fabric name and manufacturer on it. It cost me just over £6 for a 2.3m length and it's decorator weight - bargain!
I used iron-on hemming web to hem the sides and top and then ran out of it so I had to sew the bottom. I had to get the sewing machine out anyway for the box pleats at the top. Then I bought a 1.8m strip of wood (perfect length, didn't even have to cut it) and Grant screwed it to the wall. To finish I hot-glued the valance onto the wood.
As you can see from the way the light shines through the fabric I hung the valance higher than the top of the window which gives the impression that the window is taller than it actually is.
So, what do you think?
I might repaint my little apple crate white or yellow, although in real life the greens aren't as different as they look in this picture. I just fancy a change.
24 May 2010
Weird sleepers
What I wore to church today
Today was so lovely and hot! I was glad to be able to wear these sandals as I love them. That's the great thing about shoes - it doesn't matter how modestly you dress, or if you gain weight, your shoes can still be sexy. Because as busy moms, working women, grandmothers, we all know that you sometimes need a little somethin'-somethin' to make you feel foxy and womanly. Shoes can totally do that for you!
(The sash totally matches the sandals, although they look different colours in these pics.)
Blouse: Mataln (I think)
Skirt: charity shop (thrift store)
Mocha satin sash: came off a skirt I bought from Matalan
Metallic mocha sandals: New Look
(The sash totally matches the sandals, although they look different colours in these pics.)
Blouse: Mataln (I think)
Skirt: charity shop (thrift store)
Mocha satin sash: came off a skirt I bought from Matalan
Metallic mocha sandals: New Look
23 May 2010
Summer Saturday lunch
We're having the most lovely Saturday. The weather is beautiful, not too hot and not too cold, no wind, blue skies. I have all the windows open to let the warm air in (our house is cold). I've been doing laundry, cleaning, pedicure, decorating project (I'll obviously post pics when it's done) and the boys have been playing beautifully together. Here's our lunch (sandwiches filled with tuna, ham, jam and peanut butter):
Eaten outside under the tree.
And a little "swim" afterward! Noah decided he needed his flotation vest even though it's only a foot deep and too cold to really float in!
Eaten outside under the tree.
And a little "swim" afterward! Noah decided he needed his flotation vest even though it's only a foot deep and too cold to really float in!
Summer toes
I gave myself a pedicure today and chose this colour to paint my toenails - it's Collection 2000 brand and the colour is called "Intense" - it's a charcoal / black with midnight blue sparkly bits. It looks much prettier in real life.
Now, no rude comments about my toes. I totally have my dad's toes and we wouldn't want to hurt his feelings, now would we?
Now, no rude comments about my toes. I totally have my dad's toes and we wouldn't want to hurt his feelings, now would we?
Face First logo
Here's the logo I designed for my friend Rachel who has set up her own business doing "facial muscle relaxing injections" (i.e. Botox) and fillers - she'll add chemical peels to her repertoire later.
The butterfly is a symbol of change and beauty and is feminine. And if you didn't spot them, the butterfly wings are actually faces.
The butterfly is a symbol of change and beauty and is feminine. And if you didn't spot them, the butterfly wings are actually faces.
Eggsperiment
Do you know what this is?
It's a naked egg! We conducted a little science experiment here and left a whole, raw egg in a glass of vinegar for a few days. The entire shell dissolved completely, leaving the membrane containing the white and yolk exposed.
Holding it up to the light you can just about see the yolk:
After a few days some of the liquid inside has evaporated and the egg is looking a bit sad:
It's a naked egg! We conducted a little science experiment here and left a whole, raw egg in a glass of vinegar for a few days. The entire shell dissolved completely, leaving the membrane containing the white and yolk exposed.
Holding it up to the light you can just about see the yolk:
After a few days some of the liquid inside has evaporated and the egg is looking a bit sad:
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