crafty kitty

It's been a lovely crafty weekend here!

I've been working on my Alicia Paulson Country Time quilt. (There's a gorgeous finished one here, if you're interested)

I'm swapping out the sheep and the chicken in the pattern for a dog and a cat, but I haven't quite decided on the doggy pattern yet - it's a toss up between a digging lab and a terrier at this stage.

I'm also making progress on my quilt top for the naked bed challenge:

(all under the watchful eye of the kitty supervisor, of course!!)

Hope yours was a productive weekend too!

xo

30 minute meals

I haven't done a "Cookin' the Books" post for AGES, even though I have been trying to try new recipes from my many, many cook books, but with a few new books coming into the house for my birthday I decided now was the time to get back into it!

To kick things off, I've got Jamie Oliver in my kitchen!
Jamie's 30-Minute Meals

To be honest, I had seen this book around, and hadn't even thought about buying it - until I saw some of the series on TV over the Easter break. I saw the episode where Jamie makes piri piri chicken with dressed potatoes and Portuguese tarts, and couldn't wait to get my hands on the recipe to try it out myself!

Of course, the 30 minute element adds a pretty irresistible challenge too!



My piri piri sauce didn't quite blend down as nicely as Jamie's, and I think the guy at the deli gave me the wrong cut of chicken (it wasn't very meaty), but I loved the mash (mmm feta!) - and it was so easy (slice your sweet potato in half, then in the microwave for 15 minutes). We used the left over mash to make sweet potato fritters to have with our soup yesterday, and they were delicious too.



And look - Portuguese tarts! These were AMAZING, and super easy!



This was so tasty that I'll definitely give it another go - maybe with skin on chicken breast instead, and giving the piri piri more of a whiz in the blender.

And against the clock? 50 minutes! (but I did have to make the caramel twice after burning the first lot) - another try should get me below 40 minutes, I think ;o)

The recipe is available on the Channel 4 website if you'd like to give it a try yourself!

***

this month I'm cooking from Jamie's 30 Minute Meals

hottie challenge

Have you been over to CurlyPops today?
Cam has posted about a great crafty challenge to help raise money for The Margaret Pratt Foundation, who support research that aims to improve the outcomes for heart and lung transplant recipients.



The challenge is to create a hottie cover, using what any medium you like!
If you'd like to know more, or to join in pop over to Cam's to sign up. =)

Being the Pinterest addict that I am, I have started collecting some inspiration from around the internet - have a look at my 'hot water bottles' pinboard if you'd like =)

xo

In May I am reading...

Some how I missed the reading update in April - but over the Easter long weekend I did finish reading Geraldine Brooks' Year of Wonder! It was a really wonderful story - and told beautifully, and of course the historical aspect was really interesting. I think Brooks did an excellent job of writing in a voice that makes the reader feel transported to that time - I really felt like I experienced a bit of life in the 1600s.
I highly recommend having a look, if you haven't read it yet - and if you have I'd love to hear what you thought too! =)



This month I'm getting a start on another book that's been on my shelf for ages - and also via my mum's bookclub (It's a favourite there - I believe new members have to read it to join =)) - Donna Tartt's The Secret History.

I'd love to hear what you've been reading! Leave a comment, or a link if you post on your blog, to join our bloggy book club for May!!

Enjoy your reading!!

xo

weekend picnic

Today was a gorgeous autumn day in Canberra - we spent much of it outside enjoying the weather at a picnic with friends.



It was just the perfect thing for a Sunday afternoon!

x