Remember When life was so much easier

Life has been so busy with raising children, running a business,working fulltime you sometimes forget the simple things in life. Remember how things were when you were younger. Today there is so many chemicals and additives added into our everyday items. This year our family is trying to llive a more natural life. This blog will contain recipes, gardening tips, links to other blogs who share the same passion as I do.

Sunday, July 31, 2011

Childhood Memories



Now in my home about to be used a few more times is this old CWA cookbook from Esk.  I remember all the yummy cakes my mum use to cook from this book as well as using the old hand beater.  I also remember this jug was always full of milk with the old net cover over the top.   I have now dusted off all the old kitchen ware which mum has kept over the years and they will now be used again. 



But these old enamel Bread and Cake Tins will now be used once again but in my kitchen.  I thought mum had given them away many years ago but she told me she never could get rid of them and she knows giving them to me that they will be used once again.

Next week we are sorting through all the old linen.  Everyone who knows me knows I love linen.

I hope you have all had a fantastic weekend.

Sue XX

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Yandina Ginger Factory

As you would of read from my previous blog last weekend we headed up to the Sunshine Coast to visit the Strawberry Farm for some strawberries.  4 kg were purchased and earlier in the week I turned some into strawberry jam.  I think I have enough jam to see me out the year.  It is so much nicer than the store bought jam.  After we finished there we headed over to Aussie World for a look around and a couple of photos.

We then travelled up the highway to Yandina Ginger Factory.  I truly love going to this place and it never disapoints me.  It was great to go on the train and hear all about the history of the place.



We then headed over towards the chocolate factory and William needed to have a photo with the Gingerbread Man.

Inside they have this fantastic ride for all ages in boats that travel through different country scenes and you need to spot the gingerbread man.  It was so great and we really did enjoy the ride and went around twice.

This is certainly a great activity for the kids and it is at a discounted price if you go on the train and the boat.



















It was a great day and we thoroughly enjoyed it.  Next time you are heading up the Sunshine Coast you need to stop in and visit the Ginger Factory.


Sue   xx

Monday, July 25, 2011

Strawberry Fields Forever

Sunday morning saw us heading up the coast to Strawberry Fields to buy some freshly picked strawberries.  I truly love this time of the year because I love strawberries.  After a roam around the farm I decided that I was going to buy some seconds to make some Fresh homemade Strawberry Jam.  2 kilo's later and after work tonight the jam making start.


While we were there we had to send Bill off to the cafe to buy us some morning tea.  Will and I sat out in the sun enjoying the warmth.



After what seemed a long time our morning tea arrived.  Chocolate dipped strawberries.


Strawberry Butterfly Cakes.  A favourite cake from childhood.



Bill decided on the Strawberry Strudel with icecream.


The best morning tea in quite some time.


Sue

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Sweet Shoes



For all those ladies who love their shoes. 
If you have a sweet tooth these one's are for you. 

While visiting the Ginger Factory at Yandina today they have opened a chocolate factory and they hand make these.  The girls are so talented.  They look to good to eat.


Sue x

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Precious Grandchildren.

Last night was spent with my beautiful family.  I love when the house is full of  children laughing, playing and even crying.  It does a reality check on what my most precious things/people are in the world.  I truly love cooking for my family and last night was no exception. 

My four beautiful grandchildren always make my day and last night was beautiful.

 Rhiannon, Eli and Callum playing away.  They look so adorable.


Noah about to check out the apple pie under the teatowel.  

I hope everyone is having a fantastic weekend.

Sue

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

FIRST HARVEST- MUSHROOMS

Our first harvest of a couple of mushrooms.  No pesticides or anything. 
Plenty more to come.

Sue

Sunday, July 10, 2011

My Treasures

Since moving to this home over a year ago I have had all my treasures still packed in boxes until today.  In our last house we had a built in wall unit.  Today the boys picked up a beautiful solid wood cabinet I won from ebay for my treasures. 


This amazing dinner set was given to me by my late aunt many years ago.  She purchased the dinner set in late 1930's.  Only missing 1 cup and saucer. I have quite a few sets still waiting to unpack.  My favourite one is a green set.  I have the dinner set, my sister has the matching casserole and serving dishes for it.  Mum told me she bought it when she was 18 years of age.

Also I have been able to unwrap all my little nic nacs including my unicorns.



So my question is what do you collect?


Sue

Sunday, July 3, 2011

My productive garden.

Things are starting to happen in my little garden.  Our strawberries are starting to ripen.  I love strawberry time.  I could eat and eat them all day long.  Actually so could my grandchildren so I better  hide these from them.

Our Roma Tomatoes are starting to have some small fruit on them.





Our Lemon Tree has some flowers on it.  We may get some lemons in Summer which will be great.


I have just planted my potatoes so I will have plenty in summer to make Potato Salad.



Our garden is starting to come alive with beautiful fruit and vegies.  No sprays all natural.  We now have Pumpkin, Zucchini, Garlic, Nasturtiums, Watermelon in the lower garden and will be adding our chilli plants, sunflowers.  In our two raised beds I have peas, purple carrots, cabbage, cauliflower, cabbage, radishes,beetroot, tomatoes, capsicums and loads of herbs including patchouli which I will be able to dry and add into my soap.  Pots of parsley, garlic, oregano, curry plant.  I also have Lime, Mulberry, PawPaw and Olive trees.

My next addition to the backyard will be chickens.  I love fresh eggs so next week we will be off to Dakibin Recycling shop for the chicken coop and fencing.  (Hopefully the chooks will rid our yard of stray cats.

Sue