How do YOU do it?

It's no secret in our house that I am a huge piklete fan.

I could probably eat a whole batch on my own.

Fleur shares my obsession, we often whip up a batch of these babies and a pot of tea.

Fleur likes tea

1 sugar please....

 It's funny, pikelets are one of thoses things that vary from family to family,

a bit like lasagne or gravy...you know what I'm saying?

Over the years I've tried various different recipes, but the most recent is a beauty...

Well in my opinion anyway!

They're light, fluffy & evenly brown all over.

Pikelets:

1 egg

1/4 C castor sugar

3/4 C milk

1/4 tsp baking soda

*1 C self raising flour

1Tbsp melted butter

Beat egg and sugar till fluffy ( my Mum who made amazing pikelets always said you have to "beat the shit out of the egg & sugar!") Measure the milk & add the soad to it. Wisk sifted flour gradually into your egg mix alternatly with your milk & soda mix. Beat well to combine and then lastly add your melted butter. Drop spoon fulls onto your fan and flip when bubbles appear.

* I never have self raising flour, I just use plain flour with 1 tsp of baking powder.

*I always find the first batch (pan full) of pikelets tend to be the test batch and usually burn a little untill I have the temp just right, I use an old enamel cast iron pan and don't add any more butter to the pan after that first initial batch.

Happy cooking xx

Growing

Feeling Blue

The School Hols seem to be zapping by at light speed. Good as I'm looking forward to returning to 'some kind of normal', not so good as I feel I haven't 'done' a lot of 'things' with the kids...get my drift?

We were very fortunate, however, to spend some time with my one of my faves and hang out for the day in Pohangina valley. There is a blueberry farm not too far from our place, and the kids and I had a total blast picking blueberries, Alex managed to fit 32 in his mouth at once...later complaining of a sore tummy!!! ( he rather fancied the sour ones!) My beautiful friend Tink, who came a picking with us (Twas her idea, bless her!) has just started her own blog 'milkface' So please pop over and say hello, she has a beautifully honest way of writing and I always enjoy reading what she has to say.

I was extremely lucky to go to her Mama's & snap some pics of her totally amazing house, it truly was like something Bilbo Baggins could live in. I had a very healing day breathing in the fresh country air, sharing delicious whole foods and sharing the company of like minded souls.

Here are some pics of their amazing whare......

And now to (finally) acknowledge the 'new year'

Like many of you amazing bloggers, I have attempted to set some 'new year' goals as opposed to resolutions.

Things that have been in the back of my mind for some time, and perhaps need the 'new year' excuse to be kicked into action?!

1: Sit my full license (I've had my restricted for 11 years would you believe?)

2: Start piano lessons (two of our children have been blessed with the opportunity to take music lessons, only to grow prematurely tired of them. I have ALWAYS wanted to be able to learn the piano, so I have decided to take it upon myself that I shall ignore the feelings of being selfish, & grasp this opportunity as an adult, with the passion I had 20 years ago, and dive on in....watch this space)

3: Go back to work....! Yes working, and NO not that full time work that some Mother's do, along with juggling everything else (I am not one of those!) But prior to having Ginny, I did part time work massaging some of the local IHC. I loved this...have missed it so much, and now that Gunny is not quite so demanding on the breast, I feel like the time is right to return.

4: Make my vege garden the mecca of green goodness! Yep my garden has suffered some neglect over the past 18 or so months, 2012 is going to be an opportunity to learn more self sufficient techniques, eat A LOT more from our garden/ local produce etc, all in the face of the current 'food bill bullocks'!

So....any good blueberry recipe's?

swimmy

Gotta love those impromptu summer baths....

Birthday girl

My baby turned 1 today! 1...can you believe it?

 Who's in here then aye?......

Happy Holidays



Snuggles with my baby

Happy Holidays ever one.

Hope you all had a fantastic Christmas with family.

We are off to the beach for a week...whoop whoop

Have a safe & happy break

See you again in the next year

xxxxx

High Tea

 I made strawberry jam today, mmmmm

Then my baby brother popped in for a wee visit,

so we donned our pinny's & whipped up some lemonade scones

Doesn't he look lovely in that floral?